And we're back with another thought on death. In one of my previous posts on the subject I said that people fear death because they see it as an end, rather than a new beginning. This is a continuation of that thought.
I've been thinking about the birth of a baby for some time now, I have several friends who are expecting children, and as I've thought about the process of birth, I've noted many similarities between this life and the next. Jesus came to give us eternal life. We've somehow arrived at the conclusion that this is life that is only available to us once we reach the other side. It is life that goes on forever as believers spend eternity before the Throne of God. But this is an incorrect conclusion.
Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10.10). He came to give life, not just eternally, but presently. Around Christmas I wrote about how we need to see Christmas as the beginning of Jesus' life, a life lived to show us how to live as God would, and then He died on a cross so that we could live the way He modeled.
And so eternal life begins here and now. And so with that being said, death is not the end, but the beginning. Death=Birth.
Think of it this way. The moment you come to faith in Christ and experience the forgiveness of your sins, you have begun a new life. This would compare to the moment of conception. At that moment a baby is living being, with a soul and eternal destiny. But at this moment, a baby is not ready to enter the world.
Over the next nine months, give or take a few weeks, the baby grows and develops. Arms and legs form with hands and feet, fingers and toes. The heart begins to beat and pump blood. The brain forms as well as the other organs. The baby begins to move and stretch. It develops a personality that is unique. But it takes this time to develop before it is ready to enter the world.
As believers, we begin life with salvation, but we grow in holiness and mature so that we are ready to enter the next world. And then at the moment of death, we are born to real life, life as it was meant to be lived. It takes time for us to grow and develop in holiness, into Christlikeness. But at the end of the process we are ready to be born.
Hebrews 12.14 says, "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord." Without holiness, no one will see God. We must be holy, we must grow in holiness. The journey to heaven is marked by growth in Christlikeness. The more we walk with Christ, the more holy we are to become. If we would see God, and be born into real life, we must grow and mature in holiness.
For the holy one, death is not the end, but a new beginning. Death=Birth.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Confession
What I'm about to say is going to challenge a few hundred years of thinking and tradition. And so with that said, I am not stating this as final fact, more offering a thought based on the Bible. Sunday at Church the pastor reminded me that my job is to preach the Word, not tradition, but the Word. And so with that, let's look at this thought.
A few months ago a pastor friend posed a question on Facebook about the Bible saying we needed to confess our sins and ask God to forgive us from them in order to be saved. I didn't give it much thought at the time because it was something different than what I had been taught, and there was a lot of other stuff going on so I didn't dive into the Bible to look at it much. And then I forgot about it until a few weeks ago.
My wife and I were at a Jason Gray and Andrew Peterson concert, and as Andrew introduced one of his songs he shared his story of being saved by Jesus. His dad was a pastor and at the end of every service would ask if anyone wanted to enter into a relationship with Jesus. When a person would come froward He would lead them in a confession and then baptize them then and there. He shared about the time he went forward, was lead in confession. His dad lead him in a personalized form of Peter's words from Matthew 16.16, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
"I believe He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. My Lord and my Savior."
What if that is all it takes? In Romans 10.9-10 we are told, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
As I look at the Gospels, I don't see people coming to Jesus seeking forgiveness of sins. I see people coming to Him for healing, believing that He was sent from God, and Jesus declaring that their sins were forgiven and that their faith had healed them. I see people who believed, came to Him, and were given more than they asked for. Their faith in Jesus' power to heal brought them forgiveness of sin.
The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. Confess and believe. Acknowledge who Jesus is, and declare Him as the Lord and Savior of your life. According to the Bible this is all you have to do in order to be saved.
Now this does come with some stipulations, after making this confession you can't continue to live life as you did before. By declaring Jesus as your Lord, you have given Him ownership of your life, you have committed to live according to His standards. This declaration is a pledge of loyalty and allegiance. It is a declaration of surrender and submission.
"I believe He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. My Lord and my Savior." What if that statement is all that it takes? Does it change our thought process? How does it affect how perception of repentance? Does it change anything? Honestly, I think it simplifies a lot. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Declare Him as the Lord and ruler of your life. Acknowledge Him as the one who saves you.
I don't think God complicates something as crucial as Salvation. I believe it is as simple as a heart felt statement, "I believe He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. My Lord and my Savior."
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
A few months ago a pastor friend posed a question on Facebook about the Bible saying we needed to confess our sins and ask God to forgive us from them in order to be saved. I didn't give it much thought at the time because it was something different than what I had been taught, and there was a lot of other stuff going on so I didn't dive into the Bible to look at it much. And then I forgot about it until a few weeks ago.
My wife and I were at a Jason Gray and Andrew Peterson concert, and as Andrew introduced one of his songs he shared his story of being saved by Jesus. His dad was a pastor and at the end of every service would ask if anyone wanted to enter into a relationship with Jesus. When a person would come froward He would lead them in a confession and then baptize them then and there. He shared about the time he went forward, was lead in confession. His dad lead him in a personalized form of Peter's words from Matthew 16.16, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
"I believe He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. My Lord and my Savior."
What if that is all it takes? In Romans 10.9-10 we are told, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
As I look at the Gospels, I don't see people coming to Jesus seeking forgiveness of sins. I see people coming to Him for healing, believing that He was sent from God, and Jesus declaring that their sins were forgiven and that their faith had healed them. I see people who believed, came to Him, and were given more than they asked for. Their faith in Jesus' power to heal brought them forgiveness of sin.
The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. Confess and believe. Acknowledge who Jesus is, and declare Him as the Lord and Savior of your life. According to the Bible this is all you have to do in order to be saved.
Now this does come with some stipulations, after making this confession you can't continue to live life as you did before. By declaring Jesus as your Lord, you have given Him ownership of your life, you have committed to live according to His standards. This declaration is a pledge of loyalty and allegiance. It is a declaration of surrender and submission.
"I believe He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. My Lord and my Savior." What if that statement is all that it takes? Does it change our thought process? How does it affect how perception of repentance? Does it change anything? Honestly, I think it simplifies a lot. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Declare Him as the Lord and ruler of your life. Acknowledge Him as the one who saves you.
I don't think God complicates something as crucial as Salvation. I believe it is as simple as a heart felt statement, "I believe He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. My Lord and my Savior."
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Sunday, March 3, 2013
The Bible on Church, Acts 20
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Acts 20.28
I almost skipped over this verse simply because at first it didn't seem to be saying anything new. It presents the same idea that the Church belongs to God that is seen in Matthew 16. But as I thought about it over the last few days this verse takes God's ownership to a new level. In Matthew Jesus says that He will build His Church. It gives the impression that He is building something new, which He is, but it stops there. He says it's His Church but here in Acts we are told why it is His.
He has purchased the Church with His own blood. Jesus died to secure ownership of His Church. This puts a whole new dynamic on those who make up the Church. This isn't something we enter into casually or half heartily because Jesus paid the steepest price possible. Entering the Church is a big deal, and I feel that over the last few decades we've watered it down to an emotional experience.
In Jerusalem on the south side of the Temple Mount there are the remains of the southern steps, the primary entry point into the Temple at the time Jesus walked the earth. The steps are built in a very unusual way, every other step is different. Some are short, and some are long, and they were intentionally built that way. Most stair cases are built so that each step is the same height and length, we get in a rhythm and just climb and descend them without thinking. I've heard that if one step is off, even by a couple of centimeters, from the rest you will stumble as you walk up or down them because that little difference throws off your rhythm.
The steps at the Temple were built that way on purpose, so that people couldn't casually enter the Temple when they went to worship, or casually leave when they had finished. It took time and a conscious effort, and that was the point. The worship of God is not to be done casually, but intentionally and resolutely. We shouldn't casually enter church on Sunday to worship, nor should we causally enter the Church as a believer in Christ.
Entering the Church as a member, not as part of a specific denomination, but as a believer in Christ, is a big deal. As I've been writing this the thought of marriage has hit me, the Church is referred to as the "Bride of Christ". At weddings I often hear something along the lines of, "The covenant of marriage that you are entering into is a life long commitment. Therefore it is not to undertaken casually or in-advisably." Marriage is a big deal, and a serous commitment. It isn't something you just wake up one day and decide to do. It takes time, a foundation, and a relationship for marriage to work. Why has becoming part of the bride of Christ been largely reduced to an emotional conversion?
Jesus said that we are to make disciples, not converts. We are to help people become followers of Christ with faith in Him to stand firm through every trial. A convert is in this for as long as this works. It's like the marriage ceremony that says, "We're together as long as our love lasts." But a disciple is in this til the end, "Til death do we part."
Entering the Church, shepherding the Church is serious job. We've seen how leadership isn't to be taken on quickly or rashly, but with prayer and fasting. Entering into the Church as a believer in Christ is an important decision. I want to make sure I am saying this right, it is a serious decision. Literally it is a decision of life or death. Entering a relationship with God means giving yourself fully to God, holding nothing back, and allowing Him to transform your life into Christlikeness. Christ paid the highest price for the Church, and to be part of it, we must pay an equally high price. But it is totally worth it. The benefits far out way the costs. It is the best decision I have ever made.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
I almost skipped over this verse simply because at first it didn't seem to be saying anything new. It presents the same idea that the Church belongs to God that is seen in Matthew 16. But as I thought about it over the last few days this verse takes God's ownership to a new level. In Matthew Jesus says that He will build His Church. It gives the impression that He is building something new, which He is, but it stops there. He says it's His Church but here in Acts we are told why it is His.
He has purchased the Church with His own blood. Jesus died to secure ownership of His Church. This puts a whole new dynamic on those who make up the Church. This isn't something we enter into casually or half heartily because Jesus paid the steepest price possible. Entering the Church is a big deal, and I feel that over the last few decades we've watered it down to an emotional experience.
In Jerusalem on the south side of the Temple Mount there are the remains of the southern steps, the primary entry point into the Temple at the time Jesus walked the earth. The steps are built in a very unusual way, every other step is different. Some are short, and some are long, and they were intentionally built that way. Most stair cases are built so that each step is the same height and length, we get in a rhythm and just climb and descend them without thinking. I've heard that if one step is off, even by a couple of centimeters, from the rest you will stumble as you walk up or down them because that little difference throws off your rhythm.
The steps at the Temple were built that way on purpose, so that people couldn't casually enter the Temple when they went to worship, or casually leave when they had finished. It took time and a conscious effort, and that was the point. The worship of God is not to be done casually, but intentionally and resolutely. We shouldn't casually enter church on Sunday to worship, nor should we causally enter the Church as a believer in Christ.
Entering the Church as a member, not as part of a specific denomination, but as a believer in Christ, is a big deal. As I've been writing this the thought of marriage has hit me, the Church is referred to as the "Bride of Christ". At weddings I often hear something along the lines of, "The covenant of marriage that you are entering into is a life long commitment. Therefore it is not to undertaken casually or in-advisably." Marriage is a big deal, and a serous commitment. It isn't something you just wake up one day and decide to do. It takes time, a foundation, and a relationship for marriage to work. Why has becoming part of the bride of Christ been largely reduced to an emotional conversion?
Jesus said that we are to make disciples, not converts. We are to help people become followers of Christ with faith in Him to stand firm through every trial. A convert is in this for as long as this works. It's like the marriage ceremony that says, "We're together as long as our love lasts." But a disciple is in this til the end, "Til death do we part."
Entering the Church, shepherding the Church is serious job. We've seen how leadership isn't to be taken on quickly or rashly, but with prayer and fasting. Entering into the Church as a believer in Christ is an important decision. I want to make sure I am saying this right, it is a serious decision. Literally it is a decision of life or death. Entering a relationship with God means giving yourself fully to God, holding nothing back, and allowing Him to transform your life into Christlikeness. Christ paid the highest price for the Church, and to be part of it, we must pay an equally high price. But it is totally worth it. The benefits far out way the costs. It is the best decision I have ever made.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Gospel and Baseball
I haven't really been a baseball fan since the late '90s. Back then the Cleveland Indians were one of the dominate teams in Major Legue Baseball. From 1995-1999 they had two World Series appearances, and were division champions every year. I'm not a fair-weather fan, the reason I stopped following them was because all the players began to be traded, or retire. It got to the point in the early 2000's that I didn't know who anyone was anymore, and lost interest.
I haven't watched much baseball in the last twelve years, but Sunday night I was flipping back and forth between Peyton Manning and the Broncos and game 4 of the World Series. After Peyton had secured the win with a 20 point lead and about a minute and a half left I switched and finished the world series.
The game was tied 3-3 and went into extra innings. The San Francisco Giants took a 4-3 lead in the top of the tenth inning, and as the Detroit Tigers stepped up to the plate trying desperately to stay alive something caught my eye. In the seats right behind home plate there was an individual with a bright green sign. In black letters it said, "John 3:16".
I didn't notice it until the final three batters stepped up to the plate. But as the series neared its conclusion the individual in the front row held the homemade sign high, and immediately a stadium worker went up to the person and had them lower the sign. I don't think it was because of the message, I think it was because it was blocking the view of the people behind him. But even in that you see the enemy trying to silence the message of the Gospel.
I don't know how many people are saved by signs like that, but my guess is that it isn't many. Part of me wonders why people try to evangelize with signs since there is no relationship with the people reading it. But regardless, the message is being put out there, and rather than giving the referance full of anger and condemnation, John 3.16 proclaims the love and salvation that God offers. And wherever the message is proclaimed, the enemy works to shut it down.
It might be someone telling an individual at a sporting event to lower a homemade sign. It could be filling a new believer with fear or doubt. It could be in hardening the heart of an individual over time so that when the message is presented to them they reject it out of bitterness. The message of the Gospel is the most crucial message that must be shared,
The words of the Gospel are the words of life, and the enemy doesn't want them to be shared. And he will do whatever it takes to try and stop it. The question is, will you persever and share them? Will you refused to be silenced and proclaim the essential message of truth?
It all begins with a relationship, and as we get to know people we have the chance to live the gospel out before them, sharing it with not only our words, but our actions as well.
"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
I haven't watched much baseball in the last twelve years, but Sunday night I was flipping back and forth between Peyton Manning and the Broncos and game 4 of the World Series. After Peyton had secured the win with a 20 point lead and about a minute and a half left I switched and finished the world series.
The game was tied 3-3 and went into extra innings. The San Francisco Giants took a 4-3 lead in the top of the tenth inning, and as the Detroit Tigers stepped up to the plate trying desperately to stay alive something caught my eye. In the seats right behind home plate there was an individual with a bright green sign. In black letters it said, "John 3:16".
I didn't notice it until the final three batters stepped up to the plate. But as the series neared its conclusion the individual in the front row held the homemade sign high, and immediately a stadium worker went up to the person and had them lower the sign. I don't think it was because of the message, I think it was because it was blocking the view of the people behind him. But even in that you see the enemy trying to silence the message of the Gospel.
I don't know how many people are saved by signs like that, but my guess is that it isn't many. Part of me wonders why people try to evangelize with signs since there is no relationship with the people reading it. But regardless, the message is being put out there, and rather than giving the referance full of anger and condemnation, John 3.16 proclaims the love and salvation that God offers. And wherever the message is proclaimed, the enemy works to shut it down.
It might be someone telling an individual at a sporting event to lower a homemade sign. It could be filling a new believer with fear or doubt. It could be in hardening the heart of an individual over time so that when the message is presented to them they reject it out of bitterness. The message of the Gospel is the most crucial message that must be shared,
The words of the Gospel are the words of life, and the enemy doesn't want them to be shared. And he will do whatever it takes to try and stop it. The question is, will you persever and share them? Will you refused to be silenced and proclaim the essential message of truth?
It all begins with a relationship, and as we get to know people we have the chance to live the gospel out before them, sharing it with not only our words, but our actions as well.
"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Baptism, What's the Point?
Sunday was a big day, I performed my first baptism. As with the first time I've performed a ritual like this (wedding, funeral, baby dedication), I consulted with my mentor before the service. We sat at Chipotle and he gave me something to start with.
Baptism is like a wedding ring. A wedding ring doesn't make you married. Before I was married if I had put a ring on my left hand it wouldn't have made me married. Now if I take my ring off it doesn't make me single again. The wedding ring isn't the thing that binds me to my wife, it is simply a symbol of the covenant I've entered into with her.
Baptism is not a means of Salvation. Being baptized does not cleanse one of sin and secure a place in Heaven. But baptism is an outward profession of an inward commitment to Jesus Christ. Baptism is a symbol declaring that you are taken, and that you belong to Jesus.
Before you receive a wedding ring, you go through a wedding. And before you get baptized you receive salvation by entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you are married you wear a ring, the symbol that announces to the world, "I'm married." It is a sign of accountability, and a reminder of the vows I made to my wife. "For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, 'til death do us part." In the same way after you receive salvation and enter into a relationship with Jesus, there is need for public declaration. And we do this through water baptism.
But just as my marriage was simply beginning as I received my wedding ring from my wife, baptism is a symbol of beginning. The Bible says that we are to repent and be baptized (Acts 2). It seems that baptism has become optional in the present day. In the first century you would come to salvation and then be baptized very soon. The Church in the early centuries had a series of classes that people would go through before baptism, to educate them on what they were doing, but it was not an optional thing.
We are commanded in scripture to be baptized. In His final commission Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples of all the nations, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;". Baptism is not to be an option, but a command to be followed. And baptism marks the beginning.
Following baptism, we are to teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded. We, who are farther along in the journey, are to help the new comers to grow closer to Jesus as they strive to become like Him. A marriage begins with a wedding, and the rings exchanged are a symbol of the couples life long commitment. Baptism, an outward sign, marks the beginning of a relationship with Jesus Christ that is to continue until death; at which point the faithful are welcomed into the presence of God, entering a perfect relationship with Him.
That's the point.
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Baptism is like a wedding ring. A wedding ring doesn't make you married. Before I was married if I had put a ring on my left hand it wouldn't have made me married. Now if I take my ring off it doesn't make me single again. The wedding ring isn't the thing that binds me to my wife, it is simply a symbol of the covenant I've entered into with her.
Baptism is not a means of Salvation. Being baptized does not cleanse one of sin and secure a place in Heaven. But baptism is an outward profession of an inward commitment to Jesus Christ. Baptism is a symbol declaring that you are taken, and that you belong to Jesus.
Before you receive a wedding ring, you go through a wedding. And before you get baptized you receive salvation by entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you are married you wear a ring, the symbol that announces to the world, "I'm married." It is a sign of accountability, and a reminder of the vows I made to my wife. "For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, 'til death do us part." In the same way after you receive salvation and enter into a relationship with Jesus, there is need for public declaration. And we do this through water baptism.
But just as my marriage was simply beginning as I received my wedding ring from my wife, baptism is a symbol of beginning. The Bible says that we are to repent and be baptized (Acts 2). It seems that baptism has become optional in the present day. In the first century you would come to salvation and then be baptized very soon. The Church in the early centuries had a series of classes that people would go through before baptism, to educate them on what they were doing, but it was not an optional thing.
We are commanded in scripture to be baptized. In His final commission Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples of all the nations, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;". Baptism is not to be an option, but a command to be followed. And baptism marks the beginning.
Following baptism, we are to teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded. We, who are farther along in the journey, are to help the new comers to grow closer to Jesus as they strive to become like Him. A marriage begins with a wedding, and the rings exchanged are a symbol of the couples life long commitment. Baptism, an outward sign, marks the beginning of a relationship with Jesus Christ that is to continue until death; at which point the faithful are welcomed into the presence of God, entering a perfect relationship with Him.
That's the point.
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The Time of Salvation...
This week I'm preparing to finish preaching out of John 12, and as I've been studying the chapter I've started to understand something for the first time. John 12.47-48, "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day."
Jesus says "I do not judge. If people reject me, if people ignore me, I do not judge them. I came to save, not to judge." Jesus came to save, not to judge. All can come to Jesus without fear of rejection, without fear of being condemned, because Jesus is not here to judge, but to offer salvation.
Now is not the time for judgement, but for salvation. Jesus is not here to condemn, but to forgive. If people ignore Him and reject Him, He does not pass judgment yet. He says that judgment is coming, but it is not yet. Now is the time for salvation.
But if we ignore Jesus, we will face judgment on the last day. And the basis for our judgment is our response to the words that Jesus spoke. Our response to Jesus is the grounds that we will be judged upon. If we accept Him, and believe His words then our judgment will result in being welcomed into the presence of God for all eternity. But if we reject Him, if we ignore His words over and over, then our judgment is based on ignoring the truth, rejecting the truth, and we face eternal condemnation, separated from God forever.
But judgment is not now. Now is not the time of judgment, but of salvation. Jesus gives us opportunity after opportunity to come to Him, to accept and receive Him. There is no fear in coming to Jesus fearing that He will reject anyone. But judgment is coming, so we must accept Jesus now. Now is the time for salvation, not for judgment, but when the time of judgment comes, it will be too late for salvation.
Now is the time for salvation. Let that be the message we share. If Jesus doesn't pass judgment what right does the church have? Let us not drive people from Jesus by condemning others. Let us draw them to Him by offering the same attitude of love, forgiveness, and salvation that He does. Let our lives overflow with the love of Christ as we share the message of His Salvation, that the time for salvation is now.
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Jesus says "I do not judge. If people reject me, if people ignore me, I do not judge them. I came to save, not to judge." Jesus came to save, not to judge. All can come to Jesus without fear of rejection, without fear of being condemned, because Jesus is not here to judge, but to offer salvation.
Now is not the time for judgement, but for salvation. Jesus is not here to condemn, but to forgive. If people ignore Him and reject Him, He does not pass judgment yet. He says that judgment is coming, but it is not yet. Now is the time for salvation.
But if we ignore Jesus, we will face judgment on the last day. And the basis for our judgment is our response to the words that Jesus spoke. Our response to Jesus is the grounds that we will be judged upon. If we accept Him, and believe His words then our judgment will result in being welcomed into the presence of God for all eternity. But if we reject Him, if we ignore His words over and over, then our judgment is based on ignoring the truth, rejecting the truth, and we face eternal condemnation, separated from God forever.
But judgment is not now. Now is not the time of judgment, but of salvation. Jesus gives us opportunity after opportunity to come to Him, to accept and receive Him. There is no fear in coming to Jesus fearing that He will reject anyone. But judgment is coming, so we must accept Jesus now. Now is the time for salvation, not for judgment, but when the time of judgment comes, it will be too late for salvation.
Now is the time for salvation. Let that be the message we share. If Jesus doesn't pass judgment what right does the church have? Let us not drive people from Jesus by condemning others. Let us draw them to Him by offering the same attitude of love, forgiveness, and salvation that He does. Let our lives overflow with the love of Christ as we share the message of His Salvation, that the time for salvation is now.
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Gift Not Taken
This morning I noticed something interesting in the book of Joshua. The last few chapters haven't reveled much new information about the character of God, but I have seen a lot about man's reaction to what God says and does. Today I want to focus on the does part of that, and in the next day or two on the says part.
Joshua 18.2-3, "There remained among the sons of Israel seven tribes who had not divided their inheritance. So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, 'How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?'"
At this point the people have been in the Promised Land for about five years. In chapter 14 Caleb, the other faithful spy from Numbers 13, says, "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.’ Now behold, the Lord has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today." (verses 7-10).
After five years of fighting many of the nations that were in the land have been defeated and destroyed. Many but not all (more here later). But the people still have not taken possession of the Land God promised to give them. They have moved through it fighting enemies for half a decade, but at the end of chapter 14 it says, "Then the land had rest from war." Chapters 15-17 have three of the tribes taking possession of their share, and back before the people crossed the Jordan River, Moses gave land to two other tribes. Five of twelve have their share, but the rest have not yet taken their promised inheritance.
God has given them a great gift. He's given them rich land, flowing with milk and honey (abundant in plants and animals), at the crossroads of the known world. He's given them victory in battle over the inhabitants of the land. He's given them the cities and houses that those inhabitants built and lived in. And yet they aren't claiming the gift that is already theirs. Why?
I don't have an answer, and I don't know that anyone does, because the same thing still happens today. God has offered every member of the human race eternal life, salvation, freedom from sin, a gift that simply has to be received, and yet so many don't take it. Why?
All of the work has been done for us, all of the preparation has been taken care of. God holds it in His hands, freely offering it to us, and yet so many say, "No thanks, I'm not interested." God has done a great thing, and our part in it is the simple one of receiving a completely free blessing we didn't earn or deserve at all, and yet we refuse it?
Israel had to be persuaded by their leader to take the land God had promised and given them. And today its as if people need to be persuaded to take salvation from His hands. People, let's take what God is freely offering us. It will transform your life. It doesn't promise to solve your problems and guarantee you happiness and success, but it brings peace, and fullness of life. It brings freedom from guilt and shame, forgiveness from the past, and the presence of God for the resent and future. It offers the life we were created to live, and perfection and full restoration to come. And it's yours, take it!
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Joshua 18.2-3, "There remained among the sons of Israel seven tribes who had not divided their inheritance. So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, 'How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?'"
At this point the people have been in the Promised Land for about five years. In chapter 14 Caleb, the other faithful spy from Numbers 13, says, "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.’ Now behold, the Lord has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today." (verses 7-10).
After five years of fighting many of the nations that were in the land have been defeated and destroyed. Many but not all (more here later). But the people still have not taken possession of the Land God promised to give them. They have moved through it fighting enemies for half a decade, but at the end of chapter 14 it says, "Then the land had rest from war." Chapters 15-17 have three of the tribes taking possession of their share, and back before the people crossed the Jordan River, Moses gave land to two other tribes. Five of twelve have their share, but the rest have not yet taken their promised inheritance.
God has given them a great gift. He's given them rich land, flowing with milk and honey (abundant in plants and animals), at the crossroads of the known world. He's given them victory in battle over the inhabitants of the land. He's given them the cities and houses that those inhabitants built and lived in. And yet they aren't claiming the gift that is already theirs. Why?
I don't have an answer, and I don't know that anyone does, because the same thing still happens today. God has offered every member of the human race eternal life, salvation, freedom from sin, a gift that simply has to be received, and yet so many don't take it. Why?
All of the work has been done for us, all of the preparation has been taken care of. God holds it in His hands, freely offering it to us, and yet so many say, "No thanks, I'm not interested." God has done a great thing, and our part in it is the simple one of receiving a completely free blessing we didn't earn or deserve at all, and yet we refuse it?
Israel had to be persuaded by their leader to take the land God had promised and given them. And today its as if people need to be persuaded to take salvation from His hands. People, let's take what God is freely offering us. It will transform your life. It doesn't promise to solve your problems and guarantee you happiness and success, but it brings peace, and fullness of life. It brings freedom from guilt and shame, forgiveness from the past, and the presence of God for the resent and future. It offers the life we were created to live, and perfection and full restoration to come. And it's yours, take it!
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
One Chance
As I've been reading through the Bible looking for the characteristics of God, some other things are standing out to me as well. The book of Deuteronomy contains the last words Moses spoke to the people of Israel before he died and Joshua led the people across the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
In Deuteronomy 1 Moses begins by reminding Israel about the last forty years since they left Egypt, and in this account we see something we should take to heart. Sometimes we only get on chance. So often we wait or put things off, but what if we are missing the only chance we get?
In verses 20-21 it says, "I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill country of the Amorites which the Lord our God is about to give us. See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed.'" God had made a promise to Abraham hundreds of years earlier that His descendants would take possession of the land. God had lead them out of Egypt, and brought them to the edge of the Promised Land, and then He said "Go take it, it's yours." God said go, after everything they had seen Him do to Egypt and the lessons they had learned in the desert you'd think they might have been inclined to trust Him.
But verse 22 says, "Then all of you approached me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we should go up and the cities which we shall enter.'" Rather than just going on what God said the people want to check out the land first. They want to know what they are getting into. God said go, and they should have just started marching, continuing to follow Him, but instead they said, "Hold up a minute, let's scout this out first."
Verse 23 tells us that Moses was pleased by this request, and so he sent twelve men, one from each tribe, to spy out the land. They bring back a good report, that the land is all the God said it would be. But they also bring back a warning, that the land is full of giants who live in strong fortified cities (Numbers 13). The people refuse to trust God, they refuse to obey Him, and instead the rebel against Him.
Because of this God is angry, and He says that those who refused to trust Him would not enter into the land of promise. Because they failed to trust God they missed out on the blessing. Because they wanted to know everything that was waiting for them they were overwhelmed and refused to move. God doesn't show us everything ahead of time, because if He did, then we wouldn't move, just like Israel didn't. Once they knew the dangers that were waiting for them, their faith in God was shaken. Because they wanted to know, the ended up missing out on the blessing.
But we see something about human nature here, once the promise has been taken away we are ready to fully trust. When we are about to miss out on something good, we're ready to jump in with both feet. But most of the time at that point it's too late. Deuteronomy 1.41-45, "Then you said to me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord; we will indeed go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ And every man of you girded on his weapons of war, and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country. And the Lord said to me, ‘Say to them, “Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; otherwise you will be defeated before your enemies.”’ So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. Instead you rebelled against the command of the Lord, and acted presumptuously and went up into the hill country. The Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do, and crushed you from Seir to Hormah. Then you returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord did not listen to your voice nor give ear to you."
Sometimes we only get one chance. I think for Israel this was the final straw. God had put up with so much from them, had brought them through so much, and now on the edge of the promises fulfillment they fail to trust and obey Him. It costs them everything. We need to learn from this story.
When God says "go", we need to move. He doesn't show us all the detail and hardships because if He did we, like Israel, wouldn't go. Salvation is like this, we only get this life for it. Once we see the result of not receiving it, it is too late. Just as Israel didn't trust until after God told them the punishment, many will refuse to believe until it's too late. Israel decided to trust after God passed judgment on them, but then it was too late.
God has given us this life to find Him, trust Him, and be saved by Him. He hasn't made Himself hard to find. Romans 1.20 says, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." All of creation points to God. God alone has the power to create, and as the creator of the Universe, everything points back to Him. Yes, things are messed up and not used as God intended. Sin has entered the world through disobedience to God. Satan now takes God's good creation and twists it, corrupts it, and abuses it. But God is still in control and God is still seen in His creation.
God sent His Son to save the world and to redeem it. If we accept His forgiveness, then we will receive His blessing of the Promised Land. But we only have this one life to do it. Trust God while you can, because one day it will be too late. The Bible says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2.10-11). One day all will acknowledge Him with the honor and glory that He must be given. But at that point it will be too late to trust Him. Don't demand all of the details from God, because He won't give them, knowing that if He did we would never take the first step. When God says move, move. We only get one chance, take it.
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
In Deuteronomy 1 Moses begins by reminding Israel about the last forty years since they left Egypt, and in this account we see something we should take to heart. Sometimes we only get on chance. So often we wait or put things off, but what if we are missing the only chance we get?
In verses 20-21 it says, "I said to you, ‘You have come to the hill country of the Amorites which the Lord our God is about to give us. See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed.'" God had made a promise to Abraham hundreds of years earlier that His descendants would take possession of the land. God had lead them out of Egypt, and brought them to the edge of the Promised Land, and then He said "Go take it, it's yours." God said go, after everything they had seen Him do to Egypt and the lessons they had learned in the desert you'd think they might have been inclined to trust Him.
But verse 22 says, "Then all of you approached me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we should go up and the cities which we shall enter.'" Rather than just going on what God said the people want to check out the land first. They want to know what they are getting into. God said go, and they should have just started marching, continuing to follow Him, but instead they said, "Hold up a minute, let's scout this out first."
Verse 23 tells us that Moses was pleased by this request, and so he sent twelve men, one from each tribe, to spy out the land. They bring back a good report, that the land is all the God said it would be. But they also bring back a warning, that the land is full of giants who live in strong fortified cities (Numbers 13). The people refuse to trust God, they refuse to obey Him, and instead the rebel against Him.
Because of this God is angry, and He says that those who refused to trust Him would not enter into the land of promise. Because they failed to trust God they missed out on the blessing. Because they wanted to know everything that was waiting for them they were overwhelmed and refused to move. God doesn't show us everything ahead of time, because if He did, then we wouldn't move, just like Israel didn't. Once they knew the dangers that were waiting for them, their faith in God was shaken. Because they wanted to know, the ended up missing out on the blessing.
But we see something about human nature here, once the promise has been taken away we are ready to fully trust. When we are about to miss out on something good, we're ready to jump in with both feet. But most of the time at that point it's too late. Deuteronomy 1.41-45, "Then you said to me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord; we will indeed go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ And every man of you girded on his weapons of war, and regarded it as easy to go up into the hill country. And the Lord said to me, ‘Say to them, “Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; otherwise you will be defeated before your enemies.”’ So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. Instead you rebelled against the command of the Lord, and acted presumptuously and went up into the hill country. The Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do, and crushed you from Seir to Hormah. Then you returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord did not listen to your voice nor give ear to you."
Sometimes we only get one chance. I think for Israel this was the final straw. God had put up with so much from them, had brought them through so much, and now on the edge of the promises fulfillment they fail to trust and obey Him. It costs them everything. We need to learn from this story.
When God says "go", we need to move. He doesn't show us all the detail and hardships because if He did we, like Israel, wouldn't go. Salvation is like this, we only get this life for it. Once we see the result of not receiving it, it is too late. Just as Israel didn't trust until after God told them the punishment, many will refuse to believe until it's too late. Israel decided to trust after God passed judgment on them, but then it was too late.
God has given us this life to find Him, trust Him, and be saved by Him. He hasn't made Himself hard to find. Romans 1.20 says, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." All of creation points to God. God alone has the power to create, and as the creator of the Universe, everything points back to Him. Yes, things are messed up and not used as God intended. Sin has entered the world through disobedience to God. Satan now takes God's good creation and twists it, corrupts it, and abuses it. But God is still in control and God is still seen in His creation.
God sent His Son to save the world and to redeem it. If we accept His forgiveness, then we will receive His blessing of the Promised Land. But we only have this one life to do it. Trust God while you can, because one day it will be too late. The Bible says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2.10-11). One day all will acknowledge Him with the honor and glory that He must be given. But at that point it will be too late to trust Him. Don't demand all of the details from God, because He won't give them, knowing that if He did we would never take the first step. When God says move, move. We only get one chance, take it.
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The Journey to New Life, Destination
"When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth.' The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'" John 11.43-44.
The journey to new life has a happy ending, as all journeys with God ultimately do. But the thing to notice is that this journey to new life turns into the journey of new life. This is not the end, but merely a new beginning.
For some new life is salvation, the forgiveness of sin through the grace and mercy of God by the blood of Christ. For salvation we call on the name of Jesus, and begin to follow Him. We have hope in Him because of the promises that He has made, and we invite Him to heal the wounds of the past. We move into the future obediently serving Him with the new life that He has given us.
But salvation is not the end of the journey, merely the beginning of a new life lived in relationship with Christ. I've shared this quote countless times, "You are pardoned to participate." We are set free from sin to join the work that Jesus started. His last words on earth were a commission to make more disciples. When we enter into a relationship with Him, we receive that same commission on our lives. And so a new journey begins.
For some new life is sanctification, or holiness, the filling with God's Holy Spirit for cleansing and empowerment. We call on Jesus to take us deeper, to make us more like Him. We follow Him as He leads us into deeper intimacy with Him. We have hope in Him because of the work that He has already done in us, and we invite Him to continue to transform us and mold us into His likeness. We obey Him more because it is our desire to please Him and live for Him. And here, the journey continues towards Christlikeness.
Paul said in Philippians 3, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Paul knew that the end of each journey was simply the beginning of a new one, and that the journey to Christlikness is one that is never complete until we reach heaven. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3.20-21).
The journey to new life is not the ending point, but a new starting point. After Lazarus is raised Jesus tells the people there to "unbind him and let him go." Lazarus has been given new life so that he can live it fully for the glory of God. God gives us new life so that we can glorify Him with it. That is the point of the journey, so that God may be glorified. We saw in the very beginning that God works in His timing on in His own way for His glory. He gives us new life at the end of the journey so that we can take that life and begin the next journey for Him.
We are given new life to live. Another quote that I've shared countless times says, "The glory of God is man fully alive." Death is not from God, but life is. God is glorified when we live life to the fullest, but that is only possible when we receive new life from Him. We can only live a life that glorifies God by receiving the life that He created us to have.
The journey doesn't end in this life, but with this life. As long as we have breath we are to constantly strive for more of God, for deeper intimacy with our Lord, Creator, and Savior. We are never done, we must continue to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
The journey to new life has a happy ending, as all journeys with God ultimately do. But the thing to notice is that this journey to new life turns into the journey of new life. This is not the end, but merely a new beginning.
For some new life is salvation, the forgiveness of sin through the grace and mercy of God by the blood of Christ. For salvation we call on the name of Jesus, and begin to follow Him. We have hope in Him because of the promises that He has made, and we invite Him to heal the wounds of the past. We move into the future obediently serving Him with the new life that He has given us.
But salvation is not the end of the journey, merely the beginning of a new life lived in relationship with Christ. I've shared this quote countless times, "You are pardoned to participate." We are set free from sin to join the work that Jesus started. His last words on earth were a commission to make more disciples. When we enter into a relationship with Him, we receive that same commission on our lives. And so a new journey begins.
For some new life is sanctification, or holiness, the filling with God's Holy Spirit for cleansing and empowerment. We call on Jesus to take us deeper, to make us more like Him. We follow Him as He leads us into deeper intimacy with Him. We have hope in Him because of the work that He has already done in us, and we invite Him to continue to transform us and mold us into His likeness. We obey Him more because it is our desire to please Him and live for Him. And here, the journey continues towards Christlikeness.
Paul said in Philippians 3, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Paul knew that the end of each journey was simply the beginning of a new one, and that the journey to Christlikness is one that is never complete until we reach heaven. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3.20-21).
The journey to new life is not the ending point, but a new starting point. After Lazarus is raised Jesus tells the people there to "unbind him and let him go." Lazarus has been given new life so that he can live it fully for the glory of God. God gives us new life so that we can glorify Him with it. That is the point of the journey, so that God may be glorified. We saw in the very beginning that God works in His timing on in His own way for His glory. He gives us new life at the end of the journey so that we can take that life and begin the next journey for Him.
We are given new life to live. Another quote that I've shared countless times says, "The glory of God is man fully alive." Death is not from God, but life is. God is glorified when we live life to the fullest, but that is only possible when we receive new life from Him. We can only live a life that glorifies God by receiving the life that He created us to have.
The journey doesn't end in this life, but with this life. As long as we have breath we are to constantly strive for more of God, for deeper intimacy with our Lord, Creator, and Savior. We are never done, we must continue to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
Monday, April 9, 2012
Reality
Early in the evening this past Friday my dad called me and told me his uncle died. He was my great uncle, and I knew him, but not as well as my dad did. My dad is the oldest child, and his mom was I believe the second child. His uncle, her brother was the youngest. My dad said he was more like a big brother than an uncle. My interaction with him was family reunions, Thanksgiving when I was younger, the two weeks I spent down there helping bail hay, and hunting trips on his farm.
I was surprised by his death, my dad found out within an hour and let me know. He had been in the hospital but I hadn't known that. I've wondered a lot over the last few days if he had a relationship with Jesus. I honestly don't know. And for the last few days the reality of Hell has been at the forefront of my mind.
Heaven really came into full reality for me in December/January when I was ministering to a man dying from Lou Gehrig's disease. As I sat and talked about death, dying, and Heaven, with a man who was getting ready to stand before God and be welcomed into His eternal presence my heart was full of joy for him, and honestly a little jealousy towards him. As I shared the promises of hope from Scripture with him, part of me longed to see Jesus is a way that I never have before. There are some pictures of the senior fellowship group hanging in the hall way of the church and I walk by his picture daily. I'm reminded every day that he is in the presence of Jesus.
But while Heaven is the presence of God, Hell is the opposite, separation from God. Hell was created for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25.41). Humans were made to exist in a relationship with God. We were created for the presence of God. But when sin entered the world we were separated from God. Because God is Holy and Righteous, He cannot be around sin. Sin cannot enter the presence of God. Romans 3.23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,".
Sin is a serious thing, it demands life as payment. And as Romans 6.23a states, "For the wages of sin is death,". Sin in our lives means that we cannot enter the presence of Holy God. And for the last few days the reality of Hell has been on my mind. We live in a world where people die. "Roughly 56,597,034 people leaving us every year. That's about a 155,000 a day." (http://ask.yahoo.com/20051128.html, [from 2005]) How many of those people have a relationship with Jesus?
Hell is a reality. But Heaven is also a reality. Just as sin brings death, God brings life. The end of Romans 6.23 declares, "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." God's desire is for all to be saved (2 Peter 3.9). The Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be save (Romans 10.13) and that if you simply confess with your mouth that Christ is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved (Romans 10.9-10).
Christ died on the cross to pay the price for sin. He died in our place. Remember sin demands life as payment, and Christ made that payment. But it wasn't enough for Him just to die. He rose from the dead, conquering sin, death, and Hell forever. Because Christ lives, we also can live. Paul said if Jesus didn't rise again then our faith is worthless, and we are to be pitied above all other men (1 Corinthians 15.12-19).
A pastor friend told me about a month ago about a sermon he had once heard. When Jesus died He paid the price for all sin (1 Peter 3.18). All sin has been paid for, but not all sin has been confessed. He said that in the sermon he heard the preacher pointed out that all people who go to Hell go forgiven, they just never received the free gift that God offers. People go to Hell needlessly. God offers the free gift of life and salvation in Christ. All we have to do is receive it from Him. And yet people still die in sin.
I want to be intentional about sharing the message of salvation. Yesterday I preached it, I write about it on here a lot, but I want to be more intentional about it. The reality is that this world is full of people who are dying and going to Hell because they don't have a relationship with Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus is the only way to God (John 14.6). I want to share Jesus, and the message of hope and life that is in Him. God desires that none should perish, and so He made it possible for us to have eternal life.
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
I was surprised by his death, my dad found out within an hour and let me know. He had been in the hospital but I hadn't known that. I've wondered a lot over the last few days if he had a relationship with Jesus. I honestly don't know. And for the last few days the reality of Hell has been at the forefront of my mind.
Heaven really came into full reality for me in December/January when I was ministering to a man dying from Lou Gehrig's disease. As I sat and talked about death, dying, and Heaven, with a man who was getting ready to stand before God and be welcomed into His eternal presence my heart was full of joy for him, and honestly a little jealousy towards him. As I shared the promises of hope from Scripture with him, part of me longed to see Jesus is a way that I never have before. There are some pictures of the senior fellowship group hanging in the hall way of the church and I walk by his picture daily. I'm reminded every day that he is in the presence of Jesus.
But while Heaven is the presence of God, Hell is the opposite, separation from God. Hell was created for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25.41). Humans were made to exist in a relationship with God. We were created for the presence of God. But when sin entered the world we were separated from God. Because God is Holy and Righteous, He cannot be around sin. Sin cannot enter the presence of God. Romans 3.23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,".
Sin is a serious thing, it demands life as payment. And as Romans 6.23a states, "For the wages of sin is death,". Sin in our lives means that we cannot enter the presence of Holy God. And for the last few days the reality of Hell has been on my mind. We live in a world where people die. "Roughly 56,597,034 people leaving us every year. That's about a 155,000 a day." (http://ask.yahoo.com/20051128.html, [from 2005]) How many of those people have a relationship with Jesus?
Hell is a reality. But Heaven is also a reality. Just as sin brings death, God brings life. The end of Romans 6.23 declares, "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." God's desire is for all to be saved (2 Peter 3.9). The Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be save (Romans 10.13) and that if you simply confess with your mouth that Christ is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved (Romans 10.9-10).
Christ died on the cross to pay the price for sin. He died in our place. Remember sin demands life as payment, and Christ made that payment. But it wasn't enough for Him just to die. He rose from the dead, conquering sin, death, and Hell forever. Because Christ lives, we also can live. Paul said if Jesus didn't rise again then our faith is worthless, and we are to be pitied above all other men (1 Corinthians 15.12-19).
A pastor friend told me about a month ago about a sermon he had once heard. When Jesus died He paid the price for all sin (1 Peter 3.18). All sin has been paid for, but not all sin has been confessed. He said that in the sermon he heard the preacher pointed out that all people who go to Hell go forgiven, they just never received the free gift that God offers. People go to Hell needlessly. God offers the free gift of life and salvation in Christ. All we have to do is receive it from Him. And yet people still die in sin.
I want to be intentional about sharing the message of salvation. Yesterday I preached it, I write about it on here a lot, but I want to be more intentional about it. The reality is that this world is full of people who are dying and going to Hell because they don't have a relationship with Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus is the only way to God (John 14.6). I want to share Jesus, and the message of hope and life that is in Him. God desires that none should perish, and so He made it possible for us to have eternal life.
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
Friday, April 6, 2012
Good Friday
Every year Good Friday in the Philippines is marked by people recreating the crucifixion of Christ, literally. This ritual is one that I heard about in high school. People walk through the streets and beat themselves with bamboo, before being nailed to a cross. They put themselves through what Jesus went through.
"Many of the mostly impoverished penitents undergo the ritual to atone for sins, pray for the sick or a better life, or give thanks for what they believe were God-given miracles." (http://news.yahoo.com/filipino-good-friday-devotees-nailed-crosses-094124305.html)
I've read somewhere that people do it out of appreciation. And that it isn't a onetime thing for the participants. If you survive it's expected of you to do it every year. The article link I've given above talks about a 51 year old man who has done it twenty-six times.
This is one of those things I wonder how it got started. Who thought that it was necessary to go through what Jesus went through by voluntarily being nailed to a cross? Who thought that this would make atonement for their sins? How do Christians feel the need to go through this?
I've been to Jerusalem; I've touched the floor where Jesus' blood fell as He was beaten. I've walked the streets of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and knelt under the altar where they say Christ was crucified. I was overwhelmed by appreciation, and humbled with gratitude. All I could say as I knelt was "Thank you."
1 Peter 2.24 says, "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." Jesus went to the cross; Jesus was crucified, so that I wouldn't have to be.
Romans 3.23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and Romans 6.23 tells us, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
John 3.16-17 states, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." Romans 5.8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
We are all sinners, and the penalty for that sin is death. But God offers us life freely through Christ. There is no need for us to do anything to atone for our sins, because God out of His great love sent Jesus to die in our place. I don't need to beat myself and be nailed to a cross to receive salvation, all I have to do according to Romans 10 is "for 'WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED'" (verse 13), and "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (verses 9-10).
God does not demand that I go through the pain and agony that Christ did on the first Good Friday. Jesus did that so I wouldn't have to. God's desire is for all of us to be saved from sin through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. His desire is for us to become like Christ, and live as Christ lived. Philippians 1 tells us that we will suffer for Christ sake. Jesus said in the Gospel of John that we would have trouble in this world because of Him. Hardship will come from the world because we have been forgiven by Christ, not for us to gain forgiveness from God.
As I've written the last few sentences, Micah 6.6-8 has been on my mind. "With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
God does not demand physical punishment of us. Because of Jesus He no longer requires animal sacrifices. As Psalm 51.16-17 says, "For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." God wants us simply to come to Him, and ask for forgiveness. God doesn’t ask for, or even want, the ritual of self-inflicted pain or animal sacrifice. God simply wants us to come to Him in our brokenness and allow Him to heal us.
God Himself paid the price for sin so that we wouldn't have to. God Himself endured the pain and death of sin so that we wouldn't have to. That is Good Friday.
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
"Many of the mostly impoverished penitents undergo the ritual to atone for sins, pray for the sick or a better life, or give thanks for what they believe were God-given miracles." (http://news.yahoo.com/filipino-good-friday-devotees-nailed-crosses-094124305.html)
I've read somewhere that people do it out of appreciation. And that it isn't a onetime thing for the participants. If you survive it's expected of you to do it every year. The article link I've given above talks about a 51 year old man who has done it twenty-six times.
This is one of those things I wonder how it got started. Who thought that it was necessary to go through what Jesus went through by voluntarily being nailed to a cross? Who thought that this would make atonement for their sins? How do Christians feel the need to go through this?
I've been to Jerusalem; I've touched the floor where Jesus' blood fell as He was beaten. I've walked the streets of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and knelt under the altar where they say Christ was crucified. I was overwhelmed by appreciation, and humbled with gratitude. All I could say as I knelt was "Thank you."
1 Peter 2.24 says, "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." Jesus went to the cross; Jesus was crucified, so that I wouldn't have to be.
Romans 3.23 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and Romans 6.23 tells us, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
John 3.16-17 states, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." Romans 5.8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
We are all sinners, and the penalty for that sin is death. But God offers us life freely through Christ. There is no need for us to do anything to atone for our sins, because God out of His great love sent Jesus to die in our place. I don't need to beat myself and be nailed to a cross to receive salvation, all I have to do according to Romans 10 is "for 'WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED'" (verse 13), and "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (verses 9-10).
God does not demand that I go through the pain and agony that Christ did on the first Good Friday. Jesus did that so I wouldn't have to. God's desire is for all of us to be saved from sin through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. His desire is for us to become like Christ, and live as Christ lived. Philippians 1 tells us that we will suffer for Christ sake. Jesus said in the Gospel of John that we would have trouble in this world because of Him. Hardship will come from the world because we have been forgiven by Christ, not for us to gain forgiveness from God.
As I've written the last few sentences, Micah 6.6-8 has been on my mind. "With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
God does not demand physical punishment of us. Because of Jesus He no longer requires animal sacrifices. As Psalm 51.16-17 says, "For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." God wants us simply to come to Him, and ask for forgiveness. God doesn’t ask for, or even want, the ritual of self-inflicted pain or animal sacrifice. God simply wants us to come to Him in our brokenness and allow Him to heal us.
God Himself paid the price for sin so that we wouldn't have to. God Himself endured the pain and death of sin so that we wouldn't have to. That is Good Friday.
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Piece 5: Helmet
Ephesians 6.17a, "And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION,"
It says "take" that word can also mean "accept". A soldier would accept his helmet from the officer in charge of distributing the armor. We accept salvation from God. It is nothing we do to earn it, but God freely gives it to us. He hands us salvation as we prepare to march into battle.
Salvation is being freed from sin. It is protection from the past, and it is assurance to march forward into the future. The helmet offers protection to the head during combat. Salvation is to guard our minds.
When Christ forgives us, when He sets us free, we receive salvation. John 8.36 says, "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." When Christ sets us free, we are free. We can be assured of our salvation, and our minds are to be guarded by that assurance. The assurance gives us protection so we don't give up the fight. We march forward confident of the salvation we have received from God, knowing that nothing can take it away from us. John 10.28, "and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."
Salvation is ours in Christ. It gives us strength to overcome the temptations and sin we face in the future. The assurance of salvation gives us the confidence to fight, knowing that we are in the hands of Christ, and nothing can take us from Him. Salvation is our helmet.
Salvation is forgiveness and freedom, it is assurance that comes from faith in Christ and what He has done for us. Faith is strengthened through the peace God gives us through the message of His Gospel. We receive the peace of God when we have enter into a relationship with Him, and we do that by coming to Him through truth. Put on the armor; receive your helmet, and prepare for battle.
Peace be with you
It says "take" that word can also mean "accept". A soldier would accept his helmet from the officer in charge of distributing the armor. We accept salvation from God. It is nothing we do to earn it, but God freely gives it to us. He hands us salvation as we prepare to march into battle.
Salvation is being freed from sin. It is protection from the past, and it is assurance to march forward into the future. The helmet offers protection to the head during combat. Salvation is to guard our minds.
When Christ forgives us, when He sets us free, we receive salvation. John 8.36 says, "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." When Christ sets us free, we are free. We can be assured of our salvation, and our minds are to be guarded by that assurance. The assurance gives us protection so we don't give up the fight. We march forward confident of the salvation we have received from God, knowing that nothing can take it away from us. John 10.28, "and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."
Salvation is ours in Christ. It gives us strength to overcome the temptations and sin we face in the future. The assurance of salvation gives us the confidence to fight, knowing that we are in the hands of Christ, and nothing can take us from Him. Salvation is our helmet.
Salvation is forgiveness and freedom, it is assurance that comes from faith in Christ and what He has done for us. Faith is strengthened through the peace God gives us through the message of His Gospel. We receive the peace of God when we have enter into a relationship with Him, and we do that by coming to Him through truth. Put on the armor; receive your helmet, and prepare for battle.
Peace be with you
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