May 22 - Apostles of Christ

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 NIV

Question: How many Christians it takes to change a light bulb? Answer: 10. One to change the bulb, and 9 to say, “We liked the old one better.” Evangelical believers have an opinion about everything and everyone in God’s Church. The judgments often start over Sunday lunch or in the car on the way home from worship. And this is one way the devil distracts us, in order to steal the seed of God’s Word immediately after it’s been planted.

If you’ve ever… 1) given a thumbs down to the worship music because it was too loud or too bland, too fast or too slow, too traditional or not traditional enough; 2) ranked the choir, worship team, preacher, and kid’s church experience (not necessarily in that order) on a scale of 1-10, according to your personal preferences; 3) If you’ve ever scored the sermon by comparing it to the podcast you heard earlier in the week from a preacher with an internationally acclaimed ministry, then you know what I mean.

Yeah, me too. A critical spirit exposes our fallen, hypocritical nature. It’s just that Christ has given us a new nature, and Paul warns in these verses against the dangers of pronouncing such verdicts. It turns out that only Jesus gets to judge those who are called by his name. He has given some of us to be apostles and teachers, and if our words are not found to be biblical, confessional, and trustworthy, then by means call us to repent and refuse to listen until we do! This sort of judgment is good and necessary.

But we are all servants of the Lord (v. 1) and therefore fellow servants and encouragers of one another. There is only one Master who can ultimately judge our motives and effectiveness. Paul’s detractors in Corinth evaluated him by superficial standards that had nothing to do with the gospel. His critics judged Paul’s apostleship insufficient because he wasn’t as polished and eloquent as the “super-preachers” that their wealthy, well-educated, congregation was used to. But so what?

Does it really matter what a clay pot looks like as long as it faithfully delivers Living Water? In that regard, we are all called to be jars of clay (see 2 Corinthians 4:7). We are flawed but useful vessels sent to pour out God’s truth, hope, grace, and more to a world in need. So let’s not be overly critical of the container, but rather rejoice in its uniqueness and celebrate the blessings it holds.!

Prayer: Father, keep us from a critical spirit that would cast doubt on the value and gifts of others, and from the temptation to live for the approval of others more than your approval. Give us hearts that are humble and hopeful as we await your coming again and the judgment of all things. Until then, make us faithful servants and stewards of your mysteries. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Why, God? Why?

 

READ: Ezekiel 20:8-13, 30-36

As a young man, I had great difficulty reconciling the God who sacrificed his only son for the sins of the world with the God who judged his chosen people through exile, slavery, rape, and execution. I much preferred the former and oft asked of the latter, “Why, God? Why?”

Why did you hand the people you created over to such cruelty and suffering? Would you do the same to me or to the people I love?

I thought he would, and perhaps justifiably so. 1 Peter 3:12 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

I have done evil by breaking God’s commandments, as have my loved ones, as had God’s chosen people. In fact, Romans 3:12 says, “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Do we then deserve to be spared from the evil of others if we ourselves do not do good?

Perhaps, then, we should question not the God who judges, but the God who shows mercy.

Did God not drown the world in the time of Noah? Burn to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? Has he not reserved the present heavens and earth for destruction by fire? (2 Peter 2:4-6, 3:10-11)

Why, then, should Jesus come into the world that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life? (John 3:16)

Because we’re sorry? Because we repented? Because we’re going to try harder and do better?

No. The Lord says, “But for the sake of my name …” (Ezekiel 20:9)

The name (or reputation) of God. That’s why the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, that’s why they were returned from exile in Babylon, and that’s why Christ died for the sins of the world. Because God’s name is synonymous with love, mercy, and grace.

In Ephesians 2:4-5, Paul puts it like this: “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Thou Shalt Not Judge … Never, Ever, Ever!

READ: Matthew 7:1-5

1Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Very popular, very acceptable. I’ll do what I want. You’ll do what you want. Neither of us will dare correct the other or insinuate that one (or both) of us is a sinner. 

2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

So if I ignore everyone else’s sin, then they’ll have to ignore my sin. Or else … the judgment of God! 

3Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Huh? My brother is perfect the way he is. I do not judge him. And what is this plank of which you speak, Jesus?

4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 

What speck? What plank? We’re perfect the way we are. Where are you going with this, Jesus?!

5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

And there’s the issue! We were never called to ignore sin in our own lives or each other’s lives. Quite to the contrary, the Scriptures read: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received,” (Eph 4:1) and, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” (Gal 6:1)

We are called to soberly evaluate our sin, repent, and gently restore our brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you doing this?

The Twitter of Life

 (Resurrection & Judgement)

Revelation 20:11-15

  

Our culture is changing in quantum leaps! Wasn’t it just yesterday that every kindergarten student read “Dick and Jane”? While last year my granddaughter, in her kindergarten class, used Chromebooks – whatever that is.

 

¹² I saw the dead, great and small, standing before God; and The Books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in The Books, each according to the deeds he had done. ¹³ The oceans surrendered the bodies buried in them; and the earth and the underworld gave up the dead in them. Each was judged according to his deeds.             TLB

 

Is it possible that the Living Bible, or some other hip modern day translation, might eventually refer to the “Book of Life” as the “Twitter of Life” or “Facebook of Life” or some other social media?

 

At the risk of sounding sacrilegious with this suggestion, just think about it? What is it that people post on social media other than what they’ve been doing? But do they tell everything that is happening; their every action, every thought, every desire, every emotion? No. Because if they did they wouldn’t have any friends left!

 

On the other hand, the Book of Life will. In social media we tell what we want people to know about us. The Book of Life will tell, as Paul Harvey used to say, “The rest of the story”. Or David may have said it better with this abbreviated quote.

 

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me… You know when I sit or stand; my every thought; where I am; what I am going to say before I even say it.                        Psalm 139:1-4 TLB

 

The Twitter of Life may sound catchy, but final judgment is definitely not. It is a

reality that all of us face, and it is only by God’s grace that we are free from “the lake of fire” as our destiny. Instead, our destiny lies in a “new heaven and a new earth” living in the eternal presence of our loving Holy Father.

 

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2020%3A11-15&version=NIV;TLB

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Rev.20.11-Rev.20.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Book of Life

Revelation 20: 11-15

The Book of Revelation is one many of us prefer not to think about, much less study, however just as the other books of the Bible it was written for us. It is challenging to understand and disturbing to think about being judged and dealing with our fate for eternity if we can't be sure it's positive. Perhaps we should learn more.

While in exile as a result of his missionary work, John wrote Revelation to Christians in Rome who were experiencing persecution. Revelation contains extensive symbolism and wisdom as Christ’s reign, Satan’s doom, and the judgment of all is described. 

The Book of Life

The central ideas of Revelation include:

-The world as we know it will come to an end

-Jesus Christ will return to earth to make all things right

-At the end of human history, evil will be judged and be contained forever

-Those who trust in Christ for their salvation will enjoy eternal life with Him

Revelation 20:15 "If anyone's name was not in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." 

What is the Book of Life? There are many explanations. Here is one website that will help you learn more about this mystery:

Read/Listen to Revelation 20:11-15

                                              

Mark 13:26-37

Keep Watch - Always

As chaos builds around me, I stay the course.

When untruths are spoken about me and my loved ones, I do not retaliate.

The corrupt attempt to pull me in, but I turn to the Lord.

The world claims to have all I need, I am tempted, but hear my God’s whisper.

As Jesus advised us in Mark 13 about being watchful for the end times, he referenced a fig tree; “As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” In the same way certain things will occur as judgment day draws near.

Jesus uses the fig tree as an illustration of watching for signs of the end times, but it could not sprout if it took in water and nutrients from the soil on that day only.

Will we be healthy and sprouting when that day and hour comes? In order to be strong in the Lord we must be well nourished with the Holy Word on a regular basis. Going days without that fuel will affect our spiritual health, just as going without food and water impact our physical and emotional well-being.

Turning the other cheek, not being judgmental, being kind to those who don’t deserve it, and loving our enemies are true challenges. We are called to do these things, but we cannot go it alone. If we are to be one of his elect on the day of reckoning, our responsibility is to live each new day in humility seeking ways to make life more pleasing to God.

Do you know someone who does this? Take notice. It is not that it comes easy for them, but that they work at it daily, and strive to remain in the Lord…..always.

God graciously offers to take our burdens, thus lightening our load. I suggest you take him up on that!

 Read/Listen to Mark 13:26-3           You Tube video For King and                                                                         Country  "Shoulders"

We Know Jesus' Voice

Today’s reading is John 9:39 – 10:18, the bulk of which is “The Good Shepherd and His Sheep.” Jesus likens himself to a shepherd, and the Church as a flock of sheep. He reminds us that true believers, sheep in the story, know Jesus and will follow only him. We know Jesus' voice.


But many will come, trying to deceive us with a false voice. This is concerning.

 

Verse 10:10 tells us that, “The thief comes only to steal and destroy.” There are many who tried to turn God’s people away from God, when Jesus was alive and prior to his birth.

 

Today there are many religious leaders who try to turn Christians away from the Church and God’s Word. Some put other books above the Bible. Some teach there are ways to heaven other than through Christ. Some even dare suggest that humans have what it takes to earn their way to heaven.

 

Political leaders, too, try to lead Christians astray. There are some, claiming to be Christians, who support abortion and alternative definitions of marriage. Throughout the world, some of these leaders have turned people away from Christ with the goal of a controlling government.  Communism, for instance, was introduced in parts of Latin America with the support of both political and religious leaders.

 

Yes, Jesus’ church is under attack. The thieves are here today.

 

The same verse continues, “I have come that they [my sheep] may have life and have it to the full.” Jesus’ church is under attack.  Sure, our adversaries will sometimes win a battle, but Jesus  protects us.  Our souls are secure. He also ensures that we will win the war. We will have life in full when we ascend to heaven. That is reassuring.

 

Verse 9:39 tells us Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world”. Jesus assures us that those who attack the church will be judged. Those who are not in his fold will be judged.

 

We will find satisfaction in knowing that good prevails over evil.

 

Concerning. Reassuring. Satisfaction. All because we know Jesus' voice.

 

We will find satisfaction in knowing that good prevails over evil.

 

Tom Izzo is Mr. March

Revelation 20:1-15

 

 

If you don’t know it by now, I’m a huge Michigan State sports fan. Not surprisingly, I believe that Tom Izzo is one of the best college basketball coaches active today. What is his secret to success? Accountability.

 

At the beginning of every school year he has all of his players write down their goals – individual, team, academic and off court. He then collects those goals and during the year if he sees that a player isn’t working towards his goals, Izzo will pull him aside and talk to him about it.

 

Consider Revelation 20. God keeps us all accountable. First, the angel bound Satan for a thousand years. Then after being released for a little while, Satan is thrown into the lake of fire. Finally, anyone whose name isn’t found in the book of life is thrown into the lake of fire.

 

Some of the images in this chapter could come right out of a Stephen King novel. But let’s think about this, not in a literal sense, but as a piece of the big picture of the Bible. If we don’t get bogged down in the details of it, what can we learn about our Heavenly Father? I would suggest these three things.

 

First, He is just; and He is true to His character. His yes is yes and His no is no. What this means is that He must judge evil. He must judge the unrighteous. He must judge us. He must keep us accountable. I don’t particular care for this lesson, but it’s there, and it’s true. However, there is Good News to go with this.

 

Because He is just, our sins have to be paid for. He did this by using the sacrificial system as a metaphor to show the Israelites in a tangible way the need for a sacrifice; the need for atonement; the need for redemption. The only way to pay for our sins was with a pure lamb, a spotless lamb – His son Jesus.

 

Therefore, the second lesson from this chapter is that God loves us so much that he sacrificed His one and only son so that we might know Him; so that we might not be thrown into the lake of fire; so that we might spend eternity with Him.

 

The final lesson is that God wins! He wins over Satan; over evil; over death. He wins in the end! Why is that important for us? Consider what John wrote in his first letter: “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world”. Ultimately, there is victory for us. Jesus will return.

 

Tom Izzo is known as Mr. March because of his record during March Madness. He knows how to win when it counts. He builds his team on accountability to help them be better; to help them win when it counts. God does the same thing for us. He keeps us accountable and paid the price for our sins. Because He wins, we win too.

 

So, who’s keeping you accountable?

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2020%3A1-15&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Rev.20.1-Rev.20.15

 

 

 

The Best Guide We Have

I found driving in Europe a challenge. The UK uses the other side of the street and German street names are so long I have difficulty translating them as I drive by. And don’t get me started about France….

The driving paradigm is different in Europe. Instead of looking for specific roads along the way, you rather need to know the villages you will be passing through to your destination. The direction to the next village is well marked; individual streets not so much.

 

It is quite easy to think you are on the right road, headed in the right direction, only to find you have been lost for the last 45 minutes and did not know it. It is bad enough to be lost and know it. It is even worse to be lost and not know it.

 

It took me a couple of trips, but I learned, with the help of a "driver’s guide”, how to get around in an automobile in Europe.

A German Street Name I Understood

Today’s reading is Isaiah 64:8-65:4. Isaiah is reciting a tale of two monologues. The first monologue, 64:8-12, a prayer actually, is an example of faithful people calling on the Lord during their time of trouble. Of course, their turning away from the Lord caused their trouble. Nonetheless, they demonstrated their faith by relying on God to get them out of their predicament.

 

Isaiah was articulating a story of people who are lost, but fortunately know it.

 

The second monologue is God’s Judgment and is included in 65:1-4. God is angry at the Israelites. He revealed himself to them as an act of grace, yet they persisted in doing things God forbid, like eating the flesh of pigs and worshipping false gods. God is about to unleash his judgment on them.

 

The Israelites are lost, and they do not know it! Sadly for them, they will not know it until God’s judgment comes.

 

So how do we keep from straying from God and, more importantly, know we have strayed when we do? Our Bible is better than a “driver’s guide”. It tells us what not to do, but just as important, what we are to do.

 

The Bible. The best guide we have!

Survivor: Outwit. Outlast, Outplay

Hebrews 4:12-16

 

Survivor - It is one of my wife’s and mine favorite TV shows. We watch every episode and get into the lives of the players. We find ourselves cheering for some and against others based on their behaviors and attitudes.

 

Imagine though, what it would be like to have a camera recording every action you take, every thought you have, every word you say and every motivation that drives you... You don’t have to imagine.

 

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account”.         Hebrews 4:13 NIV

 

“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away, you know my every thought… Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it.”     Psalm 139:1-4 TLB

 

If we are honest with ourselves, these verses would make us very uncomfortable. After all, our eternal judgment is at stake, and if God knows everything about us, we don’t have much hope. But some of the most hopeful words in the Bible are included in Hebrews.

 

“But Jesus the Son of God is our great High Priest who has gone to heaven itself to help us; therefore let us never stop trusting him.  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned”.            4:14-15 TLB

 

On Survivor, a jury of peers judge the final three participants. This jury is made up of the same people that the final players had a hand in voting out of the game. They may have been blind-sided by them, lied to or manipulated. They have observed the finalist over the last 39 days when they have been at their worst; thinking only of themselves; of what it would take for them to win the game, and doing anything to get there.

 

Although our Judge will be able to know and observe everything there is about us throughout our whole lives, both the worst and the best, we can still approach Him boldly and receive both mercy and grace.

 

 ^“Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with fullest confidence, that we may receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need”.          Hebrews 4:16           JB Phillips

 

What more do we need to survive than this? What more do we need to be victorious?

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%204%3A12-16&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Heb.4.12-Heb.4.16

 

 

Judgment of the Flood - Genesis 7-9

God waited for generations. Evil escalated out of control and became widespread. All people on earth, judged guilty of their sins, were destroyed by God. Hope remained with only one man. God protected Noah and his family from the judgment of the flood.

God told Noah and Noah’s offspring, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.” (Gen 8:21) God recognized people would continue to do evil.

Through Noah and his descendants, God sets in motion a plan to help prevent people from reaching the depths of evil they reached before the flood. Judgment happened then hope shined through the darkness.

It is distressing to see evil and its consequences continue to worsen around us today. Murder is escalating in our communities. Marriage vows and commitments are easily set aside. Persecution of Christians is happening around the world. Attempts to explain or discuss increasing immorality are filled with doom and gloom.

I hang on to God's hope, not the doom and gloom of a sinful world. There is safety and deliverance in God’s promise. I am blessed when I witness God's patience and continued work through circumstances and people everyday. He is certainly patient with my shortcomings. I feel Him molding and making me a better person through my temptations, failures and difficulties!

When I catch sight of a rainbow I see the hope that God offers. I pray you see it, too.

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