Full Bible Pulpit

2009-11-07T21:22:00.009-05:00

[Note: This is the outline of the last sermon preached, on 7 October 2009, by the Rev. Dr. Edwin P. Elliott Jr., before his death on 11 October 2009.]

Called To Preach

I. God Calls His Preachers

A. Not everyone who says he comes from God has heaven's commission. "Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say. Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed." (Jeremiah 14:15)

B. An old Southern saying has Scripture warrant; some were called, some were sent, and some just got up and went. "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15)

C. A preacher must not only be sent, he must also be sent by God. "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hebrews 5:4)

D. The church confirms what God has done and it must be certain not to confirm what God has not done when identifying ministers. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" (1 Timothy 4:14) "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other- men's sins: keep thyself pure." (1 Timothy 5:22)

II. Look for Signs of God's Call

A. God's preachers concentrate on God's message. "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:’ (Titus 2:1) "Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:8)

B. God's preacher will be ardent about communicating what he knows even when he knows only a portion of the full Bible message. "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John" (Acts 18:24-25)

C. Apollos was open to learning more when he encountered other believers who had richer experience and deeper insight into God's message. "And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue :'whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." (Acts 18:26)

D. The true biblical preacher will not let the times or the seasons distract him from his assignment. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2)

E. True preachers will not attempt to accomplish with human methods what is entirely God's work. "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power'' (1 Corinthians 2:4)

F. God's preachers avoid spending all their time condemning other preachers; truth, not error, is what matters. "The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 23:28)

III. Good Preaching Will Be Balanced

A. Good preaching touches the entire counsel of God. "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:27) "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not jet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" (Isaiah 46:10)

B. Genuine preachers fit the parts of Scripture together to show the larger patterns of God's revelation; the Geometry of Scripture and the Puritan Principle display the mind of God. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

C. Good preaching will also be appropriate to the audience; street corner audiences and seminary chapels commonly have different needs. "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." (1 Corinthians 3:2)

D. Good preaching will equip people to learn more and more of the mind of God and then, as the hearers develop, will deliver richer and richer truths. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:12-14)

2009-10-16T15:42:00.002-04:00

Pastor Edwin Elliott, 62, Publisher and Editor of, and the man who revived the Christian Observer; and the Founder, Publisher, and long-time Editor of Presbyterians Week, died 11 October 2009 as the result of a heart attack suffered two days before.

Pastor Elliott was for many years the pastor of Reformed Presbyterian Church (Hanover Presbytery and Calvin Synod) in Manassas, Virginia. Pastor Elliott held the Bachelor of Arts degree in History from William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, the M.Div. degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and the D.Lit. degree from Whitfield Theological Seminary. Mr. Elliott taught junior high school history in Manassas, Virginia before entering seminary, and served as pastor to Oak Ridge Presbyterian and First Presbyterian Church Water Valley in Mississippi.

Pastor Elliott is survived by his wife Ann, three daughters, Laura, Rebecca, and Elizabeth; mother Ellen Lee B. Elliott; brother Francis Elliott, sister-in-law Grace Elliott, and nephews Benjamin, Adam, James, and Lee Elliott.

Visitation was held at Reformed Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, 13 October 2009, and was followed by a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. and an Orange Lodge prayer at 7:30 p.m. A funeral service was held Wednesday, 14 October 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Reformed Presbyterian Church, 9400 Fairview Av, Manassas, Virginia 20110.

2009-10-02T13:49:00.001-04:00

As the Scriptures Say

Exodus 12:1-14; Mark 14:12-26 / Exodus 20:1-17

I. Sin Stresses and Saddens

A. God gave people an opportunity to demonstrate their discernment; Biblical law shows people how to avoid stress, sadness, and self-destruction. “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” (Romans 10:5)

B. The rules and their implications were revealed—God did not hold back secret traps. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Galatians 3:10)

C. The law shows how life works, but it does not show how to repair sin’s damage. “And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” (Galatians 3:12)

D. God, the Creator, understands the human condition uniquely; He does not succumb to wishful thinking and self-deception. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

E. Ignoring problems may delay facing reality until help comes too late; self-deception works the same way for sin that it does for cancer. “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)

II. Hope Comes from Heaven

A. When people have learned enough about the nature of life’s problems, it becomes possible to stop self-medicating and seek the one reliable source for relief—Grace. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:8-11)

B. People with ears to hear will hear something very comforting to suffering sinners. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.” (Isaiah 55:1-5)

C. In Christ there will be an end to corruption and death; stress, sorrow, and sin will come to an absolute and perpetual end. “And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.” (Acts 13:34)

D. There are only two options; believe God’s happy promises or, by rejecting them, make God out to be a liar. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (1 John 5:10-11)

III. The Scriptures Say:

A. No human failure is too great for God to resolve. “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39)

B. The blood of Jesus cleans away all sin. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

C. God neither ignores nor discounts sin, but through the atonement Jesus actually pays for the sins of His people. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)

D. Come to Jesus; reaffirm your faith and claim the promises at His table. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

2009-09-25T22:55:00.002-04:00

Watch

Zephaniah 1:1-18; Mark 13:24-37 / Psalm 102:1-28

I. The Messiah Is Coming

A. When the end comes, no place will be secure from the transformation. “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.” (Mark 13:24-25)

B. There will be no way to continue life as usual; no way to muddle through will remain; the Lion Coming will be a total contrast to the gentle first or Lamb Coming. “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:” (Amos 8:9)

C. According to Peter, the end will come suddenly with cataclysmic, universal force. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)

D. The settlement of all things will continue till all things are restored to their righteous order; the world will be appropriately terrified, but believers will be comforted. “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26) “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)

E. As God gathers all His elect, He will put an end to all institutions which oppress His people and restrain righteousness. “And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” (Mark 13:27) “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

II. Stay Focused

A. Jesus used a parable to clarify for His people what outsiders cannot understand; His parables always work that way. “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.” (Mark 13:28-29)

B. Calvin taught, “This prophecy does not relate to evils that are distant, and which posterity will see after the lapse of many centuries, but which are now hanging over you, and ready to fall in one mass, so that there is no part of it which the present generation will not experience. So then, while our Lord heaps upon a single generation every kind of calamities, He does not by any means exempt future ages from the same kind of sufferings, but only enjoins the disciples to be prepared for enduring them all with firmness.” “Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.” (Mark 13:30)

C. There will be skeptics as there were in Noah’s day, but do not be distracted as people were then; God keeps His promises and makes good on His threats. “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31) “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)

III. Work; Don’t Teach What Can’t Be Known

A. Teaching what has not been revealed has always produced tragedy; take Jesus at His word. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32)

B. Instead of speculating, pay attention, watch, and pray. “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.” (Mark 13:33-34)

1. Believers have work to do. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16)

2. The Thessalonians severely tarnished their testimony when they neglected their heavenly instructions. “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)

C. When begged to rest during his final illness, Calvin said, “Would you have my Master find me idle?” “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13:35-37)

2009-09-22T20:46:00.002-04:00

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How To Read The Bible

I. Read with Respect

A. Scripture is without flaw; even people with limited intellect can become wise by interacting with it. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7)

B. Bible students develop keen understanding of reality. “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:8)

C. Through Scripture a believer can encounter the standard of righteousness and eternal truth. “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” (Psalm 19:9)

D. Treat the Bible as enormously valuable; Scripture produces enduring value. “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:10)

II. Read for Restoration

A. When the people of God returned from the Babylonian Captivity, they began their restoration by turning to the Bible. “And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.” (Nehemiah 8:3)

B. The spiritual leader of the restoration instructed the nation from Scripture and the faithful leaders supported him in the project. “And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:” (Nehemiah 8:4-5)

C. The Bible teachers explained and taught the Bible till the people understood, repented, and turned to the Lord for the strength they now knew was not in them. “And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:6-10)

III. Read Expectantly

A. Church extension begins with Scripture and leads to an eternal inheritance. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

B. The Bible provides all which is needed to equip Christian leaders. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

C. Study the Bible to get to heaven; knowledge of the gospel causes people to have hope in God and His promise of salvation. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

D. Bible preaching is the normal way of leading people to God and all that He has planned for His people. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:13-17)

2009-09-17T18:22:00.002-04:00

He Warned Us

Daniel 10:1-21; Mark 13:14-23 / Proverbs 23:1-25

I. God Reveals the Future

A. God tells the end from the beginning; there are no surprises for God. “Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46:8-10)

B. Prudent people study the word of God and make provision for it. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Proverbs 22:3)

C. The world assumes there will be no accounting for sin, but God promises that sin will be punished. “For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:21)

II. Expect Disaster

A. Disaster will come and those who understand will need to take informed precautions. “But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains.” (Mark 13:14)

B. Daniel often spoke of the abomination that would make desolate as he prophesied about the end time. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27)

C. In 168 BC, Antiochus Epiphanies erected an altar to Zeus in the Temple and sacrificed pigs. And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanies, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. [1 Maccabees 1:10] Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundredth forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the Altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda, on every side: and burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets. And when they had rent in pieces the books of the Law which they found, they burnt them with fire. And wheresoever was found with any, the book of the Testament or if any consented to the Law, the king’s commandment was, that they should put him to death. [1 Maccabees 1:54-57]

D. When Titus besieged Jerusalem in 70 AD, one million Jews were destroyed according to the record of Josephus, but the Christians who assumed Jesus had been speaking of this period fled to Pella. “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” (Luke 21:20) Let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains.” (Mark 13:14b)

III. Listen to the Warning

A. Jesus reminded the church of Isaiah’s warning that the world’s certainties will fail. “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.” (Mark 13:24) “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.” (Isaiah 24:20-23)

B. Time will not advance as it always has. “And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.” (Mark 13:25) “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” (Isaiah 13:10)

C. When all the other certainties have failed, the world will see Christ return and establish a permanent kingdom. “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26) “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:9-14)

D. God will gather His people to Himself. “And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” (Mark 13:27) “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” (Genesis 49:10)

2009-09-16T14:49:00.003-04:00

Remember Your Trust

1 Timothy 6:11-21

I. Concentrate on the Right Things

A. Christians must both flee bad behavior and seek out righteous replacements. “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:11) “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

B. Good testimonies need to be cultivated constantly. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12) “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:” (1 Corinthians 9:25-26)

C. Jesus is the pattern to follow. “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (1 Timothy 6:13-14)

D. Everything will become obvious when the new order develops; the world is investing in wind and dust which will not last. “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” (1 Timothy 6:15) “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” (Jeremiah 10:10)

E. Christ alone distributes immortality; only what is done for Him can last. “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16)

F. Christ is the Eternal. “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)

1. The Lord does not change. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

2. God’s heart has always been open to the humble. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15)

II. Maintain Godly Standards

A. Command the rich to trust in God rather than ephemeral worldly standards. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17)

B. Rich Christians must become charitable, as God is. “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” (1 Timothy 6:18) “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (Psalm 37:3)

C. The wise thing is to invest in what will survive the end-time judgment. “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:19) “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

D. People get what they seek. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:8-9)

III. Protect What Is Right

A. People who succumb to the spirit of the age and fashionable mythology lose their sure footing in the experience of historic Christianity. “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” (1 Timothy 6:20)

B. Each age has a way of discrediting what went before; Christians should not have to personally repurchase every insight which sustains life. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

C. The testimony of believers is undergirded and certified by the faithfulness and love of the Christians who taught historic truth. “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13)

D. Starting with an unscriptural foundation may look wise, but it commonly destroys believers. “Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.” (1 Timothy 6:21)

E. Trust God and He will give what the world cannot supply—grace and truth. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17)

2009-09-10T19:57:00.002-04:00

Impossible Jobs—Part 2

1 Timothy 6:1-10

I. The Rewards Are Worth the Effort

A. Christian contentment is actually incredibly valuable. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

1. Physical exercise brings immediate and valuable benefits but they are not long term like spiritual benefits. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

2. A Christian ought to let God decide what is best rather than attempt to out provide Heaven. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)

3. Jesus promised that those who look to God will get what they need from Him. “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:32-33)

B. Learn to measure realistically. “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” (Psalm 37:16)

C. The treasures of this world are temporary. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7)

D. Job understood life and blessed God. “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

II. Only Faithfulness Is Essential

A. All believers really need from the world is enough resources to be faithful to God. “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1 Timothy 6:8)

B. Remember how God provided for Israel in the Wilderness. “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.” (Deuteronomy 8:3-4)

C. Pretty trinkets snare people just as lures catch fish; the trinkets are dangerous but not essential. “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” (Proverbs 30:8-9)

III. Do Not Clutch at Clouds

A. One wrong path leads to many more wrong paths; bad choices cultivate bad choices. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Timothy 6:9)

B. Lot chose what he could not keep while Abraham kept searching for the eternal city. “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” (Genesis 13:10-13)

C. When self-interest becomes more important than faithfulness to God, only bad things follow. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

2009-09-10T17:45:00.002-04:00

Hard Times

Jeremiah 1:1-10; Mark 13:1-13 / 1 John 4:1-6

I. The Establishment Seems Entrenched

A. As Jesus was leaving the Temple, never to return, the disciples commented on how impressive the Temple appeared. “And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” (Mark 13:1)

B. Jesus erased the illusion of stability and power; the entire establishment would be swept away. “And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Mark 13:2) “And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.” (1 Samuel 4:21)

C. The apostles wanted the rest of the story. “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:3-4)

II. Avoid Being Distracted

A. Difficult times provide charlatans opportunities to deceive people. “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:” (Mark 13:5)

B. The claim to be Christian or to come from Christ is no guarantee that someone does; deceivers frequently make the claim. “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Mark 13:6)

C. Cataclysmic tragedy will come, but disaster is no guarantee that the end has come. “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.” (Mark 13:7)

D. Disaster introduces yet more suffering, but it does not determine the end of time; labor pains indicate that birth approaches, but they do not indicate how long the delivery will take. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.” (Mark 13:8)

E. Shaking and dislodging the rebellious entrenched powers of the world prepares for the end of the age of sin but disaster for the world system does not mean God is ignoring the welfare of the redeemed. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

III. Individual Believers Must Endure Faithfully

A. Just as the world’s smiles ought not to attract believers, the world’s frowns ought not to discourage believers. “But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.” (Mark 13:9) “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

B. World-wide success of the gospel is a better sign that the end is approaching. “And the gospel must first be published among all nations.” (Mark 13:10)

C. Do not become overwhelmed by hard times; the Holy Spirit will guide believers in the difficult times. “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” (Mark 13:11)

D. Some people will break under pressure and betray their closest relatives and friends; truth divides. “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.” (Mark 13:12) “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:” (Luke 12:51)

E. People who hold up under pressure will endure and triumph. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Mark 13:13)

F. As the old system crumbles, believers should take comfort that they will emerge from the chaos as the establishment of the eternal order. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)

2009-09-05T19:07:00.001-04:00

Planted by God

Exodus 20:17

I. Adapt to Providence

A. The Tenth Commandment instructs Christians to be satisfied with the situation God has given them. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

B. Ahab’s coveting the field of Naboth the Jezreelite prompted Ahab’s wife Jezebel to commit judicial murder and that in turn led to the overthrow of Ahab’s dynasty; the story appears in 1 Kings 21:1-19. “And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.” (1 Kings 21:1-4)

C. Rebellion against Providence shuts doors in the world and in eternity. “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:3-6)

II. God Planted You

A. God purposely plants His people; the end result is always eternal prosperity. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

B. Whatever a believer’s situation may seem to be, ultimately everything works together for his good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

C. The world is a violent and terrifying place, but it has limits; nothing is so strong as the love of Christ. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

D. The story of Joseph, from being sold into slavery to delivering God’s people from famine, illustrates the larger providence of God; no human event makes sense until the heavenly plan unfolds. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)

III. Christians Grow Content

A. Transplanting stresses trees, but that is what makes them prosper. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:11)

B. The apostle Paul illustrated the process of coming to terms with Providence and the way in which it matures into contentment. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

C. Trials themselves are the perfecting instruments in life. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” (1 Peter 1:7-8)

D. The riches which count with God flow through contentment with His providence. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

E. God keeps those who will go to heaven from being weighed down by the world. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)

2009-09-05T16:07:00.001-04:00

Religious Operatives

Psalm 110:1-7; Mark 12:35-44 / 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

I. God Can Look Out for Himself

A. The detractors had done their best and now Jesus turned the contest back on them; Scripture is loaded with mystery for unbelievers. “And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?” (Mark 12:35) “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

B. Jesus took the debate right back to the words of Scripture; God knows His Word better than His enemies can ever know it. “For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.” (Mark 12:36)

1. When the people of God refuse to listen to Scripture, God hands them over to their enemies; the destruction of Jerusalem loomed in the distance. “Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.” (Nehemiah 9:30)

2. God always triumphs in the end and it is He, not we, Who will triumph. “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:25)

C. When the topic turns to the emperor’s new clothes, most reasonable people can understand the direction the conversation is taking. “David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.” (Mark 12:37) “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)

II. Be Skeptical of Religious Operatives

A. False teachers are ambitious—Christ directed people to be skeptical of people who delight in showy things that resemble the trophies of unredeemed people. “And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,” (Mark 12:38) “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-11)

B. False teachers are proud—People who value power and position do not understand the fundamental mindset of Christ. “And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:” (Mark 12:39) “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” (James 2:5-7)

C. False teachers are greedy—Something ungodly motivates people who deny in practice what Scripture plainly teaches; bad behavior negates assertions of solid doctrine. “Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.” (Mark 12:40) “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)

III. A Poor Widow’s Faith Went Further

A. The dispute was taking place at the Temple; this is the last place on earth where someone could plead ignorance of God’s demands—rich people were making the treasury trumpets sing. “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.” (Mark 12:41)

B. The woman who caught Jesus’ attention was acting from abject poverty rather than abundance, and it certainly wasn’t for show; the coin receptacles gave away what she was giving by the sound they made. “And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” (Mark 12:42)

C. In God’s evaluation, the widow gave more than anyone else donating at that time. “And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:” (Mark 12:43)

D. The gift expressed a sincere and total reliance on God. “For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:44)

E. The religious operatives missed what the poor widow understood; salvation is by grace alone. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:5-8)

2009-09-02T15:14:00.001-04:00

Impossible Jobs

1 Timothy 6:1-10

I. Always Live and Teach the Truth

A. Even when life is entirely out of control, a believer can communicate truth through integrity; people study people they observe facing overwhelming adversity. “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” (1 Timothy 6:1) “Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.” (1 Corinthians 7:21-22)

1. A small slave girl stolen from her home in the time of Elisha changed the world in part because her behavior made her believable to her captors; Naaman was prepared by a nameless girl to trust God. “Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:1-3)

2. The gospel faith of that nameless slave girl is the only variable in the story. “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus [Elisha] the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.” (Luke 4:27)

B. Seize the opportunity Providence provides; it is both easy to complain and sinful to do so. “And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.” (1 Timothy 6:2)

C. The gospel displays a reality superior to the presumptions of unredeemed people; teacup tyrants misunderstand how the world works. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)

D. Stay out of God’s way; Christians are secret agents working enemy territory. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Romans 12:17)

II. Always Teach Right Doctrine

A. Identify anyone in the believing community who differs from the faithful heritage. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.” (1 Timothy 6:3) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:17-18)

B. People who depart the historic faith yield bad behavior; doctrine and behavior are related processes. “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.” (1 Timothy 6:4)

C. Heresy has a way of working back to money; bad doctrine often originates in unsanctified self-interest. “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Timothy 6:5) “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:17-20)

III. The Rewards Are Worth the Effort

A. Christian contentment is actually incredibly valuable. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” (Psalm 37:16)

B. Be realistic—the treasures of this world are temporary. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7)

C. All believers really need from the world is enough resources to be faithful to God. “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1 Timothy 6:8)

D. One wrong path leads to many more wrong paths; bad choices cultivate bad choices. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Timothy 6:9)

E. When self-interest becomes more important than faithfulness to God, only bad things follow. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

2009-08-29T20:49:00.001-04:00

What Do You Say?

I. God Loves Truth

A. The Creator leaves His mark on Creation. “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

B. Truth is ultimately expressed in Jesus. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

C. The future is bright for those who turn to Jesus and all that He represents. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9) “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

II. Satan Is the Father of Lies

A. Satan lied and murdered from the start. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

B. Satan shares in every human disaster, but falsehood is not so strong as truth. “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:1-7)

III. Your Allegiance Will Reveal Itself

A. Jesus set a pattern; speak the truth for those who unable to speak the truth for themselves. “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

B. Believers will take up the cause of those who are unable to do so for themselves. “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:” (Zechariah 8:16)

C. Doing unrighteousness to yield righteousness has nothing to do with Christ. “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.” (Leviticus 19:15)

D. There is no way to mix truth and lies; ultimately there is no safe way to side with evil. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” (1 John 3:8-12)

E. Satan seeks recruits; take nothing for granted. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)

F. Will you share in the triumph of truth? “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

2009-08-29T20:32:00.002-04:00

Close to Correct

Deuteronomy 6:1-25; Mark 12:28-34 / Proverbs 21:1-31

I. What Matters in Life?

A. An intellectual asked Jesus to identify the foundation of Christianity; where does the religious journey begin? “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?” (Mark 12:28)

B. The question reminds a thinker of the Shorter Catechism--What is the chief end of man? “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

II. The Answer Begins with God

A. The priority of God is the starting point for life; this insight is a pervasive feature of the Old Testament. “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:” (Mark 12:29) “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39) The Shema is recited twice daily.

B. Genuine love of God will fill every realm of life; heart refers to the center of all intellectual activity. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)

C. Just as the cross has both vertical and horizontal dimensions, the love of God has two dimensions. “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)

D. Disrespect for the image of God, man, is inherently disrespect for God; a believer who loves God must consequently love the image of God. “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:9-10)

III. The Intellectual Was Pleased with Jesus

A. The intellectual approved of monotheism; Jesus had the right answers. “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:” (Mark 12:32)

B. Being right from the start is far better than repairing what has failed. “And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33)

C. God demands comprehensive devotion at every level; everything in life flows from how a person interprets reality. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

IV. Close Is Not Enough

A. While the man had the right idea, something was missing. “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.” (Mark 12:34)

B. The exchange demonstrated that right answers are not enough; only God can give new life to the dead. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20) “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)

C. Jesus was about to demonstrate on the cross exactly what these two commandments meant. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:7-12)

D. Fulfill these two commandments in your own life by seeking and nurturing the signs of a transformed life in yourself and others. “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:23-24)

2009-08-26T22:36:00.006-04:00

It Will All Become Obvious

1 Timothy 5:11-17

I. Treat Widows Properly

A. Unless widows are treated properly, there is no point to the rest of sound doctrine; John Wesley argued, “Put first things first.” “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)

B. Paul is not talking about creating a class of perhaps useful dependents; using unhappy situations to impose impossible restrictions on people is fundamentally wrong. “But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.” (1 Timothy 5:11-12)

C. Imperfect solutions can transform into major problems; do it right the first time. “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” (1 Timothy 5:13) “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27) “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:10)

D. The right solution to challenges prevents making the church vulnerable to attacks from enemies. “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan.” (1 Timothy 5:14-15) “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)

E. Avoid behavior which even looks questionable. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

F. Christian families must do their duty rather than throw challenges at the church. “If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.” (1 Timothy 5:16)

II. Enable the Ministry

A. Do what must be done so that ministers can do their work; churches benefit from full-time ministers. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” (1 Timothy 5:17)

B. People cannot sustain themselves on voluntary, unpaid work; extrapolate from the rest of working life. “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” (1 Timothy 5:18)

C. One of the most important assets a minister brings to his work is his reputation; weakening the pastor inherently weakens the congregation. “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” (1 Timothy 5:19)

D. Transparency, not cover-up, intimidates potential sinners. “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” (1 Timothy 5:20)

III. Believers Must Behave Faithfully

A. Demanding godly behavior is a critical part of leadership; good leaders will be faithful and impartial. “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” (1 Timothy 5:21)

B. Going by the book excludes shortcuts and the pitfalls they conceal. “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22)

C. Good behavior will not lead a person to neglect basic life necessities; God is not expecting us to do His work for Him. “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23)

D. Everything will become obvious in the end. “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” (1 Timothy 5:24-25)

E. The church will not escape the judgment sweeping the world; in fact, account settling will begin with the church. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

2009-08-22T20:44:00.003-04:00

Put Your Hand in Your Own Pocket

Luke 6:38

I. God Condemns Sharp Dealing

A. Covering up theft with a clever alternate term does not fool God; theft is theft. “Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found.” (Leviticus 6:4)

B. Truth and integrity are the only options for Christians; do not offend God to His face and expect Him to treat it as a simple misunderstanding. “Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.” (Leviticus 19:11) “Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 7:9-11)

C. As the Redeemer of God’s Christ elect has purchased the right to set the rules for His people. “Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:36-37)

D. Some forms of theft are multiple crimes which cannot be excused by decent societies; not all sin is strictly personal. “If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.” (Deuteronomy 24:7) “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” (1 Timothy 1:9-10)

II. Theft Mocks Providence

A. Real gain is possible but the path to that gain is different from the ways of the world. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” (Proverbs 3:13-14)

B. What is the value of something which is ephemeral; the world and its trinkets are ultimately temporary. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7) “As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?” (Ecclesiastes 5:15-16)

C. Enough resources to function are all that anyone needs. “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1 Timothy 6:8)

D. “Riches” and “temptation” are interchangeable terms; avoid temptation. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Timothy 6:9)

III. Carelessness with Resources Is Subtle Theft

A. Resources disappear when they are not accorded proper attention; consider the process as self-spoilage. “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?” (Proverbs 27:23-24)

B. Take Providence seriously; God plants trees where they will prosper and accomplish His objectives. “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

C. God makes work rewarding; remain clear about how life functions. “I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)

D. Concentrate on the right things. “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (Psalm 37:3)

2009-08-19T22:47:00.003-04:00

Get a Clue

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Mark 12:18-27 / Psalm 62:1-12

I. The Sadducees Took Their Turn Tormenting Jesus

A. The Sadducees claimed to believe the Five Books of Moses but they denied standard doctrines believed by most Jews and by the Pharisees in particular. “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.” (Acts 23:8)

B. The Sadducees were an important feature of the cultural establishment, though they held to little theologically, they were prepared to line up solidly with their enemies to avoid letting anyone rock the establishment boat. “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,” (Acts 4:1)

C. John the Baptist called both Pharisees and Sadducees snakes; do not trust people who manipulate Scripture rather than submit to it. “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7)

D. The Sadducees began with what all parties agreed was inspired Scripture. “If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother. Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house. And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.” (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) Consult the story of Ruth.

E. The Sadducees tried to twist Scripture to mock the doctrine of Resurrection. “In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.” (Mark 12:23)

II. Don’t Argue with God

A. Get all the facts; the Sadducees had not done their Bible study homework. “And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” (Mark 12:24)

B. Not only did the Sadducees fail to see the obvious doctrine of the Resurrection, they had ignored the implications for eternity. “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.” (Mark 12:25)

C. Even that fraction of Scripture that the Sadducees acknowledged supported the Resurrection by acknowledging that the patriarchs were actually alive when God was talking to Moses at the burning bush; God says “I am” rather than “I was.” “And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?” (Mark 12:26) “Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” (Exodus 3:6)

D. The great message of God’s people is that death is not the summary of life; it is impossible to believe in Jesus and reject the Resurrection. “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.” (Mark 12:27)

III. Rejecting Error Is Not Enough—Believe and Teach the Truth

A. God’s people are those who expect resurrection; this is the hope of Abraham which made him the father of the faithful. “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:” (Romans 4:17-19)

B. Christians expect to see the New Jerusalem with Abraham; there is a better world coming. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)

C. The Sadducees were not quibbling about words; they were raising the ultimate issue of life. “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:16-19)

2009-08-14T16:18:00.005-04:00

Rule 7

Exodus 20:7

I. Christians Repudiate Worldly Behavior

A. Sanctification and honor frame Christian behavior, but they are from the norms of the unbelieving world; holiness isn’t often invited to the party. “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.” (1 Thessalonians 4:4)

B. Christians should avoid morally dangerous territory. “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (Job 31:1)

C. When David neglected the Biblical standard, he crossed the line and the consequences turned deadly for himself, his family, and the entire nation. “And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” (2 Samuel 11:3) “Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.” (2 Samuel 12:9)

D. Actual adultery is obviously wrong, but Scripture argues that lesser behaviors which tend in the wrong direction must be managed defensively as well. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6)

II. Respect for Marriage Is a Life and Death Matter

A. The home ought to provide the ultimate safe place in life. “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” (Proverbs 31:11) “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” (Proverbs 31:27-28)

B. Consider the implications of Joseph’s behavior in Potiphar’s house; on the human level, misbehavior would have been so easy. “But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.” (Genesis 39:8-10)

C. Is that brief pleasure worth an eternity in hell? “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4) “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:13-15) “Dog” refers to a behavior pattern, not to a faithful pet.

D. When families collapse, God turns society and culture over to the covenant-destroying behaviors which always mark the end of civilizations. “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” (Romans 1:24-27)

III. Avoid Putting Words in God’s Mouth

A. Adding rules to marriage which do not come from God can have disastrous results. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

B. Human wisdom can be nothing but self-promotion; cultures and cults add incalculably harmful nonsense. “Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:23)

C. Clever arguments over casual divorce and justification for open marriage are actually treachery, not wisdom. “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.” (Malachi 2:14-15)

D. Trust what God reveals and be skeptical of anything which isn’t congruent with Scripture. “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” (Matthew 19:5)

2009-08-12T23:01:00.004-04:00

Paying Taxes

Isaiah 29:15-24; Mark 12:13-17 / Psalm 56:1-13

I. How Do Church and State Relate?

A. Some people look for ways to put the church in a bad like and in particular to make Christian doctrine unattractive. “And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.” (Mark 12:13)

1. Enemies of Christ, who hated each other, united to oppose Him. “And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.” (Mark 3:6)

2. The struggle for self-centered living makes a single party of natural enemies. “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.” (Acts 23:8)

3. God’s enemies constantly seek to twist His word. “Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.” (Jeremiah 18:18)

B. The tormentors were oily but their objective was to alienate Jesus either from the populace or the government; the “tax question” was disingenuously formed. “And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” (Mark 12:14)

II. The Answer Demands Context for Clarification

A. Jesus turned the question so that it exposed the underlying hypocrisy. “Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.” (Mark 12:15)

B. The tormentors brought Jesus a Roman denarius—the most common coin of the era. “And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.” (Mark 12:16) The Roman coin was stamped Tiberias Caesar, Divi Augusti Filius Augustus; that is, Tiberius Caesar, the August Son of the Divine Augustus.

C. By bringing a Roman coin the tormentors acknowledged their allegiance to Rome; it is significant that they did not bring Jewish coins. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Revelation 3:12)

III. Distinguish Between Realms

A. Give each realm what is appropriate to it; Roman coins acknowledge Roman sovereignty. “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.” (Mark 12:17)

B. Major social changes may introduce unintended consequences; Christians rarely make good violent revolutionaries. “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:” (Proverbs 24:21)

C. Jesus dealt with the tax issue and the motivation for paying taxes on a different occasion; He was not exalting the state above the high lord of all reality. “He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” (Matthew 17:25-27)

D. The state needs to remember its place; God, not the individual believer, will administer the final exam. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” (Psalm 2:1-6)

E. Jesus gave His followers an example as well as an answer. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)