The Bible is filled with many teachings of Christ to His disciples. Some have been recorded in great detail and have been named by scholars, like the Sermon on the Mount or the Olivet Discourse. But there are many times we aren't told exactly what Jesus said. When Jesus met with two men headed down on the road to Emmaus, we are told beginning at Moses and the prophets Jesus expounded on all the scriptures concerning Himself. No words from this enlightening sermon besides the initial words of rebuke are recorded.
Only a handful of verses later, Jesus appeared to the disciples as they gathered in secret. Luke 24:44-45 reads, "Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."
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And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." Again, we are not told precisely what He said. But I believe there is a reason that the words were not entirely recorded. The words Jesus spoke could have easily been penned, but they have been sealed. Why? Because Jesus has things He desires to teach us individually and corporately today we can only discover through the study of His Word empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Before Jesus went to the cross, He said to His disciples in John 16:12-13: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
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However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." After Christ's resurrection and ascension, when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, the disciples who met in one accord were baptised with the Holy Spirit. Through Him, Jesus has revealed things previously unknown. We are not at a loss because all the sermons of Christ were not recorded for us because the Spirit will reveal to us personally all He desires to teach us. This is a wondrous truth! 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, "But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
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But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God."
Jesus has many things yet to teach us, and He has chosen in these last days to open our understanding that we might comprehend the scriptures through the power of the Holy Spirit. We live in a day of revelation, understanding, and fulfillment. Are you willing to walk with Christ and open up His Word so He can speak to you through it? How many things He will teach us if we will only walk with Him and listen!
10 September 2013
05 September 2013
God Doesn't Change
People change, but God doesn't. This is one of the many aspects of God which is completely contrary to our experience on earth. He says in Malachi 3:6, "For I am the LORD, I change not..." The world changes with the advance of technology; philosophy, society, and economics change; the climate is constantly in a state of flux; even our bodies are always changing. Our thoughts change from one moment to the next, but God does not change. His righteous Laws do not "change with the times," for He has created time and it is subservient to His everlasting rule. He created this world, and someday He will end it.
During my lifetime, I have witnessed many changes. I have seen portable music devices go from oversized boom-boxes lugged on the shoulder to Walkman cassette players with headphones to portable CD players and MP3 players with ear buds to a phone that is a computer, camera, work and game station which oh yeah - also plays digital music downloaded from the internet without wires or cables and is stored in your pocket! With the advance of capitalism has come a massive increase in technology, increase of schools and universities, and convenience stores. Walk through a shop today and the range of products is staggering, and everywhere we are faced with choices. And with our freedoms and affluence, our foray into personal entitlement demands we "have it our way." As our independence grows so does our pride. It was not long ago that certain things were certainly right and wrong, but the poison of subjective truth has seeped into the very souls that comprise society - if a man has a soul at all. God has become unnecessary, and even to speak of Him is an ill omen. God, the Bible, the account of creation, and the person of Jesus Christ have been reduced to a grab-bag where people justify themselves to pick and choose what we want to believe - if we believe at all.
God has always given people the right to choose if we will believe Him or not. Remember, He doesn't change. He created man from the dust of the ground and breathed into Him a living soul. He created a mate for Him by removing a rib and fashioning a woman, for she was taken out of man. God established distinct sexes designed to provide companionship, procreate within marriage, a picture of the relationship He desires to have with man, one spurned on by His active, unfailing love. Because of sin, it was not long before the institution God made was under attack, with men divorcing their wives because of the hardness of their hearts. A ploy of Satan was to make Eve question the validity of God's Word, and he uses the same tactic masterfully to this day. When I was growing up, the Bible that gave unheard of protection and provision for women was blamed for their oppression. The God-ordained roles in the marriage relationship were questioned. The existence of sexual sin or illicit relationships was also questioned. Now it has come to a point where a genetically born man is free to choose if he is really a man or a woman. It has become all about us, and the phrase from the satanic bible "Do what thou wilt" has traction like never before. With the erosion of the fear of God has come great confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." The word "confusion" in the Greek is defined as "instability, disorder, confusion." God is a God of order and He does not change. Sin has entered this world and death through sin. Satan opposes God and fights against Him, seeking to subvert his truth. Because we live in a day where men do not measure truth against God's unchanging Word and character, applauding whatever his heart believes is right, we add confusion to our guilt before God.
Today I was driving and caught something out of the corner of my eye. Near my house, several pairs of ducks can often be seen together: a male and his female. The heavens declare the glory of God, and nature itself speaks of order. I smiled to myself as I thought about the wisdom of God. There are very intelligent people who believe humans are descendants of sludge and there is no God. But there by the road, in a very quiet and lovely manner, those two ducks waddled along together. It spoke volumes to me: no matter what changes occur in society, no matter how far we stray from the truth of the scriptures, at least the ducks will keep being ducks. God created them to reproduce after their own kind. They will keep being male and female, and ducks will remain monogamous life-long partners long after the biblical definition of marriage is cast aside by humans, a testimony of God's plan and design. Ducks did not learn this "behaviour" from their parents or from their religious beliefs, but because God placed in them instincts to obey His rule. Is not the wisdom of God past finding out? God gave man the freedom to choose, and sadly most men choose to go their own way - and to their ultimate destruction. I guess you either believe this, or you don't.
Consider the objective wisdom offered in James 3:13-18: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." I am called by God to be righteous, and I am a great sinner. God has provided a way for me to become righteous through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says when we do this, our sins are washed away and we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. He is for us Wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30) and we are called to judge with righteous judgment. This does not mean to be judgmental of others, but to choose to agree to God's perfect judgments demonstrated by living accordingly. God's wisdom is the wisdom from above. Through Christ we can have peace with God, though we live in a fallen and confused world under the sway of Satan.
Let us show by good conduct - according to God's standards - that we walk in the meekness of wisdom. Does God need us to become defensive and furious against all who deny Him? No. Christ is our Peace, and let us sow the good seed of His Word in faith knowing it will not return to Him void. When we see attacks upon God's definition of marriage or Christians standing up for their beliefs, let us recall 2 Timothy 3:12-17 to mind: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
During my lifetime, I have witnessed many changes. I have seen portable music devices go from oversized boom-boxes lugged on the shoulder to Walkman cassette players with headphones to portable CD players and MP3 players with ear buds to a phone that is a computer, camera, work and game station which oh yeah - also plays digital music downloaded from the internet without wires or cables and is stored in your pocket! With the advance of capitalism has come a massive increase in technology, increase of schools and universities, and convenience stores. Walk through a shop today and the range of products is staggering, and everywhere we are faced with choices. And with our freedoms and affluence, our foray into personal entitlement demands we "have it our way." As our independence grows so does our pride. It was not long ago that certain things were certainly right and wrong, but the poison of subjective truth has seeped into the very souls that comprise society - if a man has a soul at all. God has become unnecessary, and even to speak of Him is an ill omen. God, the Bible, the account of creation, and the person of Jesus Christ have been reduced to a grab-bag where people justify themselves to pick and choose what we want to believe - if we believe at all.
God has always given people the right to choose if we will believe Him or not. Remember, He doesn't change. He created man from the dust of the ground and breathed into Him a living soul. He created a mate for Him by removing a rib and fashioning a woman, for she was taken out of man. God established distinct sexes designed to provide companionship, procreate within marriage, a picture of the relationship He desires to have with man, one spurned on by His active, unfailing love. Because of sin, it was not long before the institution God made was under attack, with men divorcing their wives because of the hardness of their hearts. A ploy of Satan was to make Eve question the validity of God's Word, and he uses the same tactic masterfully to this day. When I was growing up, the Bible that gave unheard of protection and provision for women was blamed for their oppression. The God-ordained roles in the marriage relationship were questioned. The existence of sexual sin or illicit relationships was also questioned. Now it has come to a point where a genetically born man is free to choose if he is really a man or a woman. It has become all about us, and the phrase from the satanic bible "Do what thou wilt" has traction like never before. With the erosion of the fear of God has come great confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." The word "confusion" in the Greek is defined as "instability, disorder, confusion." God is a God of order and He does not change. Sin has entered this world and death through sin. Satan opposes God and fights against Him, seeking to subvert his truth. Because we live in a day where men do not measure truth against God's unchanging Word and character, applauding whatever his heart believes is right, we add confusion to our guilt before God.
Today I was driving and caught something out of the corner of my eye. Near my house, several pairs of ducks can often be seen together: a male and his female. The heavens declare the glory of God, and nature itself speaks of order. I smiled to myself as I thought about the wisdom of God. There are very intelligent people who believe humans are descendants of sludge and there is no God. But there by the road, in a very quiet and lovely manner, those two ducks waddled along together. It spoke volumes to me: no matter what changes occur in society, no matter how far we stray from the truth of the scriptures, at least the ducks will keep being ducks. God created them to reproduce after their own kind. They will keep being male and female, and ducks will remain monogamous life-long partners long after the biblical definition of marriage is cast aside by humans, a testimony of God's plan and design. Ducks did not learn this "behaviour" from their parents or from their religious beliefs, but because God placed in them instincts to obey His rule. Is not the wisdom of God past finding out? God gave man the freedom to choose, and sadly most men choose to go their own way - and to their ultimate destruction. I guess you either believe this, or you don't.
Consider the objective wisdom offered in James 3:13-18: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." I am called by God to be righteous, and I am a great sinner. God has provided a way for me to become righteous through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says when we do this, our sins are washed away and we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. He is for us Wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30) and we are called to judge with righteous judgment. This does not mean to be judgmental of others, but to choose to agree to God's perfect judgments demonstrated by living accordingly. God's wisdom is the wisdom from above. Through Christ we can have peace with God, though we live in a fallen and confused world under the sway of Satan.
Let us show by good conduct - according to God's standards - that we walk in the meekness of wisdom. Does God need us to become defensive and furious against all who deny Him? No. Christ is our Peace, and let us sow the good seed of His Word in faith knowing it will not return to Him void. When we see attacks upon God's definition of marriage or Christians standing up for their beliefs, let us recall 2 Timothy 3:12-17 to mind: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
03 September 2013
Let Jesus In
Picture a husband and wife recently married. The husband has been away on business and returns to his wife in the middle of the night. The night is cold and damp. Embers glow faintly on the hearth, like eyes peering into the room. In a semi-conscious state, the woman hears her husband knock and call. The drama unfolds at this moment: "I sleep, but my heart is awake; it is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, "Open for me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew, my locks with the drops of the night."
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I have taken off my robe; how can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; how can I defile them?" (Song of Songs 5:2-3)
This is a tiny excerpt from King Solomon's "Song of Songs." The bride heard the voice of her beloved as he knocked on the door. He entreated her gently and affectionately, proclaiming his love for her. In his view, she was flawless and without compare. He explained the dew had soaked his hair, and he would very much like to come in. His wife's response is interesting. Despite his love and affection toward her, she remained unmoved. She was very comfortable in her warm bed. She was not wearing her robe and her feet had been freshly washed. She didn't want to have to wash them again! Considering the time, opening the door was most inconvenient. But if she would be honest, these were mere excuses - and selfish at that! As the story continued, the bride finally made it to the door. She dolled herself up a bit, even anointing her hands and fingers with liquid myrrh. Song of Songs 5:6 explains the cost of her delay: "I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer."
The Beloved is a picture of Jesus Christ, who stands at the door and knocks, calling out our names. Revelation 3:19-20 says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Jesus has come to each one of us, even as the husband stood knocking at the door. What He has been doing is inconsequential, for He is always about His Father's business. Jesus does not desire only to purchase us as slaves He orders around, but to commune with us intimately in relationship. But how do we respond when He prompts us to read the Word? To rise early and pray? To go on a walk with Him on a dewy morning when we would much rather stay in bed? If we delay, we can miss important time spent with Him.
When Jesus knocks on the door of our heart, let us open to Him. Let us shake off our slumber and rise immediately in response to Him. Should He rebuke, it is a sure sign of His genuine love. Let us put aside all excuses, and cease trying to make ourselves look good. Open the door just as you are, even if we have laid aside the robe of righteousness He has provided. If our feet are dirty, He will wash them. He has given us this example for us to follow! He will do even more than this, for if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us from all sin and cleans us from all unrighteousness. Humbling ourselves in repentance will bring Him skipping across the mountains to meet with us with great joy. Restoration begins when He knocks and we open the door!
This is a tiny excerpt from King Solomon's "Song of Songs." The bride heard the voice of her beloved as he knocked on the door. He entreated her gently and affectionately, proclaiming his love for her. In his view, she was flawless and without compare. He explained the dew had soaked his hair, and he would very much like to come in. His wife's response is interesting. Despite his love and affection toward her, she remained unmoved. She was very comfortable in her warm bed. She was not wearing her robe and her feet had been freshly washed. She didn't want to have to wash them again! Considering the time, opening the door was most inconvenient. But if she would be honest, these were mere excuses - and selfish at that! As the story continued, the bride finally made it to the door. She dolled herself up a bit, even anointing her hands and fingers with liquid myrrh. Song of Songs 5:6 explains the cost of her delay: "I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer."
The Beloved is a picture of Jesus Christ, who stands at the door and knocks, calling out our names. Revelation 3:19-20 says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Jesus has come to each one of us, even as the husband stood knocking at the door. What He has been doing is inconsequential, for He is always about His Father's business. Jesus does not desire only to purchase us as slaves He orders around, but to commune with us intimately in relationship. But how do we respond when He prompts us to read the Word? To rise early and pray? To go on a walk with Him on a dewy morning when we would much rather stay in bed? If we delay, we can miss important time spent with Him.
When Jesus knocks on the door of our heart, let us open to Him. Let us shake off our slumber and rise immediately in response to Him. Should He rebuke, it is a sure sign of His genuine love. Let us put aside all excuses, and cease trying to make ourselves look good. Open the door just as you are, even if we have laid aside the robe of righteousness He has provided. If our feet are dirty, He will wash them. He has given us this example for us to follow! He will do even more than this, for if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us from all sin and cleans us from all unrighteousness. Humbling ourselves in repentance will bring Him skipping across the mountains to meet with us with great joy. Restoration begins when He knocks and we open the door!
02 September 2013
Love that Governs
God's love is greater than man's comprehension. Yet in His grace God has demonstrated His great love for us through the willing sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a love so profound and limitless, that if it had size it would extend beyond the known universe. God's love is deeper than an ocean, more powerful than the crushing weight of the greatest waterfalls. About 70% of the earth is covered with water, and very little of it has actually been explored. The best most of us do is roll up our pants and get our feet wet. When it comes to God's love, the same could be said. We can swim out a little into it, but to plumb the depths from our vantage point is impossible.
In preparing for a sermon this week, I was reminded of a post written years ago called "The Ligament of Love." Love is the indispensable bond of perfection in the Body of Christ. This week I was treated to another practical example of God's love in our lives. For a few years, I worked at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego as a private contractor. Here is a picture of one of the ships I worked on in the NASSCO dry dock, known as "the floater" (by the way, I am not in the picture!):
In the picture, the propellers and rudders of the ship can be clearly seen. The movement of the propellers drives the ship forward and the rudder allows the vessel to be safely navigated. Whilst looking at this picture, I was reminded how Christ is intended to be "at the helm" of every Christian's life. The propellers represent the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit who moves us according to Christ's leading. As I thought about it, the rudder of a ship is a wonderful picture of the role of Christ's love in our lives. We are to walk in love, our every action being governed by it. A ship without a rudder would be adrift and ultimately end in disaster, and Paul says that without love we are nothing. This ship could be loaded with all the riches imaginable but could never reach the intended port without a rudder. In the same way, the love of Christ provides resistance to the currents of this world and even the leanings of our flesh so we can fulfill the perfect will of our Captain - who is Christ.
How important it is we keep our rudder in the water! It is imperative we learn to walk in love, being guided by Christ in everything. Only then will we be useable by our Saviour, regardless of the talents or treasures we have been bountifully granted by Him. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." May the love of Christ compel us to walk in the manner that fully pleases Him.
In preparing for a sermon this week, I was reminded of a post written years ago called "The Ligament of Love." Love is the indispensable bond of perfection in the Body of Christ. This week I was treated to another practical example of God's love in our lives. For a few years, I worked at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego as a private contractor. Here is a picture of one of the ships I worked on in the NASSCO dry dock, known as "the floater" (by the way, I am not in the picture!):
In the picture, the propellers and rudders of the ship can be clearly seen. The movement of the propellers drives the ship forward and the rudder allows the vessel to be safely navigated. Whilst looking at this picture, I was reminded how Christ is intended to be "at the helm" of every Christian's life. The propellers represent the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit who moves us according to Christ's leading. As I thought about it, the rudder of a ship is a wonderful picture of the role of Christ's love in our lives. We are to walk in love, our every action being governed by it. A ship without a rudder would be adrift and ultimately end in disaster, and Paul says that without love we are nothing. This ship could be loaded with all the riches imaginable but could never reach the intended port without a rudder. In the same way, the love of Christ provides resistance to the currents of this world and even the leanings of our flesh so we can fulfill the perfect will of our Captain - who is Christ.
How important it is we keep our rudder in the water! It is imperative we learn to walk in love, being guided by Christ in everything. Only then will we be useable by our Saviour, regardless of the talents or treasures we have been bountifully granted by Him. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." May the love of Christ compel us to walk in the manner that fully pleases Him.
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