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Saturday, April 30, 2016

Jesus Christ - Personal Lord and Savior

Titus 3:4-5 "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

Introduction and review
We began yesterday to think about the title given to Jesus in the New Testament: "Savior of the world". Such a notion is rooted in God's revelation of Himself in the Old Testament. We explored how God is the eternal redeemer. Further thought included how God subsists through the Three Persons of the Trinity, with each Person full expressing this Divine reality of God as Savior. We ended yesterday reflecting upon how the New Testament demonstrates Jesus Christ as Savior in two respects: Savior of the world and Savior of His people (the church). Today we want to move onto grasping what is meant when we say Jesus Christ can be your Personal Savior.

How the Savior of the world, who came to save His people, becomes each believer's personal Lord and Savior
The idea of God being the Personal Savior of His people isn't just a New Testament idea. In 2 Samuel 22:3, David speaks of God being his "Savior and Redeemer". Such personalized language was how the Old Testament saints came to understand their personal relationship with Yahweh. Granted, Yahweh's relationship with His people was understood in more national terms than personal. Nonetheless, the personal dimension was there, not only with respect to David, but with Abraham (Genesis 18); Moses (Exodus 33); Job (38-42) and others. 

When we come into the New Testament, we find Jesus Christ engaging in personal conversations with people. The acknowledgement of Jesus as "Savior of the world" by the Samaritans in John 4:42 follows on the heels of the Samaritan's woman trust in Him as Personal Lord and Savior. Clearly the understanding of Him as "Savior of the world" was illumined by the Spirit to her, with her in turn freely associating herself with the need to trust in Him by saving faith. 

Reflecting upon such conversion experiences as the woman at the well in John 4 reminds us of what is now the Holy Spirit's mission in drawing lost sinners to Jesus Christ. The Spirit's job in coming into the world - following Jesus' ascension - was to search and rescue. Search and rescue missions are distinct in that the prospect of finding life is included. In this instance, the Spirit is the one that imparts life to sinners at the moment of saving faith (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). The sinner's genuine response of saving faith is necessary and sufficient for them to be justified or declared "righteous" by God and credited with all that Jesus did.  

The Spirit's search and rescue has the expectation of finding all kinds of people from every nation (John 16:8-12). The Bible doesn't teach universal salvation, but instead teaches the Savior offered to all in the Gospel in a legitimate offer. All who embrace Jesus do so because of grace (like Lydia the purple trader in Acts 16:14 who was the first convert to Christ on European soil).  All who reject Jesus due so because of their own accord and choice to reject such grace (see Acts 13:46-47). 

Salvation entails God opening eyes and hearts and people convinced in their free and genuine response to the Spirit's call to believe on Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Such an event is a Divinely wrought miracle in the human soul that is called by scripture "regeneration". 

The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 summarizes:  Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.  

The result of the new birth involves the sinner embracing Jesus Christ - who being Savior of the world and Savior of His people, becomes Personal Savior and Lord (John 1:12-13; 16:8-12)

Closing thoughts
Time was taken today and yesterday to consider the meaning of Jesus as "The Savior of the world"; "Savior of His people" and "Personal Lord and Savior". In short, He always was and will ever be the Redeemer. He came into the world to save the world in one sense and to be the Savior of His people in another sense. Upon the reception of God's free offer of faith in saving grace, such a genuine response takes in Jesus Christ as one's Personal Savior. Such thoughts capture the overall scope of the Bible's revelation of Jesus as "The Savior". 

We also saw how the Son had agreed with the Father and the Spirit in eternity to come and incarnate Himself as the historic person of Jesus of Nazareth. He would, in His assumed humanity - die, rise and ascend. As God, the Son would ever remain Deity veiled in true humanity and humanity expressing forth the glory of deity. He is the God man, the One mediator, the Savior. The question is: have you trusted in Him as your own? 

Friday, April 29, 2016

Jesus is the Savior of the world and Savior of His people


1 Timothy 4:10 "For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers."

Introduction:
In yesterday's post we began to consider how God has always been the eternal Savior and Redeemer. We looked at how this proper identity is expressed with the Triune nature of God. We also got to glimpse at what the scripture teaches about the plan of salvation worked out between the Father, Son and Spirit. Then we concluded by making some remarks concerning God's revelation of this plan in history through both the Old and New Testaments. Today we narrow our focus upon the Person of the Son as He revealed Himself in His incarnation. 

Such truths are rooted in the overall doctrine of the Trinity and God's eternal identity as Savior. We will see how it is that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Savior of His people. 

How the Person of the Son has been eternally the Savior
The plan of redemption was worked out by the Triune God before time began (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2). The Father's plan of salvation is described by scripture in the language of foreknowledge, predestination and election (Ephesians 1:4-11; Romans 8:28-31; 2 Peter 1:1) or what the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 describes in its fifth article as "God's Elective Purpose of Grace". Let the reader be reminded that such a purpose of grace has no conflict with the Biblical teaching on man as a responsible moral agent who is to repent and believe on Jesus Christ as Personal Lord and Savior. 

In sharing the same full Deity with the Father and Spirit, the Son agreed with the Father's plan and chose to come into history. He after all is described as the "Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world" (Hebrews 10:4-5; Revelation 13:8). 

The Son would assume unto His Person full humanity by way of the virgin birth and be revealed what He had always been - namely, "the Savior of the world" (Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 10:4-5). 

As a man, the Son would die for the sins of the world in a general sense and be the Savior of His people in a specific sense (1 Timothy 2:2; 4:10; 1 John 2:2; 2 Peter 3:9-10).   

Passages such as Luke 19:10 describe the Son's coming into the world as a search and recovery mission (Luke 19:10). In any search and recovery mission, the expectation is not to find life, but corpses. Such stark imagery describes the spiritual condition of every sinner born or ever born into this world. All are spiritually dead, in need of a new birth issuing forth from the Son Himself (John 5:24-28; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). Sinners are incapable of contributing anything to their salvation apart from God's grace (Romans 3:10-21; Ephesians 2:1-4).

The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 includes this idea of God having been always the eternal Redeemer and thus Savior in its article on "God":

"There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures."

The Son as Savior of the world also came to be the Savior of His people
The Son as eternal Savior and redeemer came to save the world from swift Divine judgment. As we already noted, He came historically to save the world and thus post-pone judgment for the sake of the Gospel going forth to all nations (Matthew 24:14; Acts 17:31; 2 Peter 3:9). His achievement on the cross as Savior of the world was also focused on the target of saving His church, hence with respect to redemption being the Savior of His people (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23). 

Such a binocular understanding of Jesus as Savior of the world and Savior of His people aids in handling all the relevant passages that speak of Him as the Savior. Tomorrow we will consider Jesus Christ as Personal Lord and Savior.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

How God is the eternal Savior and Redeemer

John 4:42 "and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Introduction:
When we consider the various titles used in the Bible for Jesus Christ, some describe "who He is" and others unfold "what He does". A case in point is the title "Immanuel", which means "God with us". He is God as the Person of the Son, the second Person of the Trinity who became the man - Jesus of Nazareth. He never ceased being God nor will He ever cease being God. 

In His incarnation, the Son assumed unto His Person a second way of expressing His existence - albeit a second nature, a human nature. Henceforth from His virgin birth did the Son go forth to be God in human flesh (see John 1:14). Such titles as "Immanuel", as well as "Son of God " and "Prince of Peace" speak of the Person of Jesus Christ with respect to His identity.

Today's post focuses upon a title that describes Jesus Christ with regards to His activity - namely "Savior of the World". 

In what way was God the Savior before time began
Before God ever did anything in time, He first of all was and had always been existing. God as Redeemer and Savior was such in His eternal identity. God is the ultimate reality that subsists in, through and by the interlocking Triune Persons of the Father, Son and Spirit. Indeed the Person of the Father is described as "Savior" in the Old Testament (Exodus 14:30-31; Isaiah 45:18,21-22). 

To understand God as the eternal Savior is important, since His activity of "saving" or "redeeming" stems from the kind of God He is in and of Himself. God was not forced to provide salvation nor was it His knee jerk reaction to Adam and Eve's fall into sin in Genesis 3. Rather, redemption and salvation are as much a part of God's eternal identity as His holiness, self-sufficiency and omnipotence. 

When God begins to make Himself known to human beings following the rupture of the fall in Genesis 3, we find God desiring to set His plan of salvation into motion among human beings. Isaiah's prophecies especially highlight how Yahweh is not only the Savior of Israel (which is clear from such texts as Exodus 14:30-31), but alsoof the nations (Isaiah 19; 45). 

This strategic move in God's revelation of Himself would set the stage for the New Testament declaration of the Person of the Son being the Savior of the world (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14). Remarkably, the Person of the Son is described as Savior in Paul's quotation of Isaiah 45 in Philippians 2:5-11. In the Philippians passage, we see every knee someday bowing to Jesus at the end of all time. This amazing revelation reveals that the Father and Son share in the same Divine nature as One God who saves and redeems. 

With the inclusion of the Spirit's co-equal sharing of the one Divine essence of Deity, the point is clear - God has been and will always be the Savior. Henceforth there is none other that can save from sin other than God. After all, salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9)

More tomorrow.....






Wednesday, April 27, 2016

How to Alphabetically Apply the Book of Proverbs to Your Life - Conclusion


Proverbs 1:1-7 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."


Introduction:
One of the valuable reasons for studying the Book of Proverbs is to gain the skill needed to relate to others and to God for His glory. Such a reason is how we can so define wisdom itself - which is the whole point of the book. Oftentimes I find myself in situations where people may ask for advice, or where I need advice on life's pressing issues. Since Proverbs is primarily arranged in a topical form, it is fruitful to comb through the entire book and arrange the verses under topical headings. Today's post concludes the alphabetical listings of topics that can be used in advisory or counseling situations. In the last four posts we have considered topics ranging from A-T. Today we conclude out study by considering subjects beginning with letters U-W. All the verse references below derive from Proverbs.

U.
Upholding your reputation. 25:9-10

W.
1. Verses on fools. 26:1,3; 27:3,22

2. Virtuous woman/wife. 12:4; 14:1; 18:22; 19:14; 31:10-31

W.
1. Wait on God. 20:22

2. We are to feed the hungry. 6:30

3. What hatred does. 10:12,18; 15:17

4. What wisdom does. 3:19,20

5. What love does. 10:12

6. What to do if you make a pledge. 6:1-5

7. What children can do for their parents. 10:1

8. What to do when people are kind to you. 3:27,28

9. Wisdom is preferable and good 23:14-16,23; 24:3-7; 25:11-13

10. Wisdom must not be rejected. 1:24-32; 2:18-19,22,33-35; 5:12-14; 8:36; 9:12-13; 12:8; 17:12,16; 21:16; 28:26,29

11. Wisdom and the things of God. 1:23,33; 2:1-5; 6:1017,21; 3:10,13-18,21,23,33-35; 4:6-9, 11-13; 5:2; 8:35; 9:6,11-12; 10:13-14,17; 11:12; 12:8,14,22,23; 13:14-16; 14:8,15-18,35; 15:2,14,20; 16:16,21-23; 18:4,13,15; 19:11,25; 21:19; 22:17-19,20-21; 23:12; 27:14;29:3

Conclusion:
It is hoped that the reader will take these posts and begin to use them in their own lives or in ministering God's love and wisdom to others. We need wisdom in today's world. May God be glorified through whatever efforts may ripple from these posts. 

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

How to Alphabetically Apply the Book of Proverbs to Your Life - P,Q,R,S,T


Proverbs 1:1-7 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."


Introduction:
One of the valuable reasons for studying the Book of Proverbs is to gain the skill needed to relate to others and to God for His glory. Such a reason is how we can so define wisdom itself - which is the whole point of the book. Oftentimes I find myself in situations where people may ask for advice, or where I need advice on life's pressing issues. Since Proverbs is primarily arranged in a topical form, it is fruitful to comb through the entire book and arrange the verses under topical headings. Today's post aims to offer readers more alphabetical listings of topics that can be used in advisory or counseling situations. In the last three posts we have considered topics ranging from A-O. Today we consider subjects beginning with letters P,R,S & T. All the verse references below derive from Proverbs.

P. 
1. Parental discipline. 22:6; 23:13,14,25; 29:15,17

2. Patience. 14:29; 25:15

3. Pride. 11:2; 13:10; 16:18,19; 17:7

R.
1. Rebuking others in a loving way. 27:6; 28:28

2. Rescue from depression. 24:10-12

3. Results of temptation. 1:11-14,16,18-19; 3:33; 4:15-17,19; 5:3-6; 7:21-23,25-27; 8:10,22,23,32,33; 21:15,17; 25:26

4. Results of righteousness. 10:9-11,30; 12:5-7

5. Rewards for hard work. 27:18,23,25-27.

6. Righteousness vs. wickedness. 29:27

7. Righteousness and its rewards. 10:2,7,9,11,16-21,24,28,31,32; 11:3-4,5-8,10-11,16-23; 12:3,13-14,21,26,28; 13:5-6,9,20,25; 14:2,11,32,34; 15:6,26,28,29; 16:8,17; 20:7; 21:3-4,12,20-21; 22:6; 24:15,16; 25:4-5; 28:1,2,5,10; 29:6

S.
1. Sadness. 15:13

2. Selfishness. 11:24-26,27; 25:28

3. Sharing. 17:2; 18:16; 19:17; 20:16; 22:9

3. Sin. 7:6-9; 9:14-19; 13:21-22,25; 14:9,12,21,34; 20:9

4. Speaking up for those in trouble. 31:8-9

5. Straying from home. 27:8,13

T.
1. Thankfulness. 17:1

2. Truth in relationships. 21:14

3. The rich and poor. 22:7,16; 27:13

4. Things that God hates. 6:17-19

5. True obedience. 23:22,24; 27:11; 28:7

6. Too much of a good thing. 25:16,17

7. Trusting in God. 3:5-6; 12:2; 16:20; 18:10; 29:25

8. Truthfulness. 12:17-19

More tomorrow........

Monday, April 25, 2016

How to Alphabetically Apply the Book of Proverbs to Your Life - I,J,K,L,M,N,O


Proverbs 1:1-7 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."


Introduction:
One of the valuable reasons for studying the Book of Proverbs is to gain the skill needed to relate to others and to God for His glory. Such a reason is how we can so define wisdom itself - which is the whole point of the book. Oftentimes I find myself in situations where people may ask for advice, or where I need advice on life's pressing issues. Since Proverbs is primarily arranged in a topical form, it is fruitful to comb through the entire book and arrange the verses under topical headings. Today's post aims to offer readers more alphabetical listings of topics that can be used in advisory or counseling situations. In the last two posts we have considered topics ranging from A-H. Today we consider subjects beginning with letter I,J,K,L,M,N & O. All the verse references below derive from Proverbs

I.
1. Internal family dis-function. 11:29; 15:5,27; 19:26; 20:20; 22:15; 28:24; 30:17

J.
Justice in how we treat others. 17:26; 19:7

K.
1. Kindness to the poor. 28:8

2. Knowledge. 20:15

L. 
1. Lack of self-control. 25:28

2. Laziness. 6:7-11; 10:4-5,26; 12:10-11,24; 14:23-24; 16:26; 18:19; 19:15,24; 20:4; 20:13; 21:5,25-26; 22:29; 24:27,30-34; 26:13-16; 28:19

3. Lessons on how to make friends. 22:24-27

4. Let others pat you on the back. 27:2

5. Living a life for God. 8:18-19

6. Love. 20:28

7. Love of Money is root of all evil. 12:7-8; 18:11; 23:4-5; 27:24

8. Love your wife. 5:19,20; 6:34,35

9. Lusting is Sin
6:24-26,27-29,32,35; 7:9-13; 22:14; 23:27,28

M.
1. Making a fool out of yourself
30:32,33

2. Man's psychological and spiritual nature. 16:9,10,12-15, 27, 29-30; 17:4-5, 9-11,18,20,23-25,27-28; 18:1,19,20-21; 19:3-4,7,12,22; 20:2,5,6,8,11; 20:14,26; 20:30; 21:8,10-11,29; 22:3; 25:3; 26:18-19; 27:19,20; 28:21; 29:10; 30:10-14

3. Mouthiness. 29:20

N.
1. No forsaking of house. 27:10

2. Nosiness. 26:17

O. 
1. Obeying. 1:8,9; 4:1,4,10,11-12,20-21; 6:20; 7:1-3; 8:32; 13:1; 17:6

More tomorrow......




Sunday, April 24, 2016

How to Alphabetically Apply the Book of Proverbs to your Life - E,F,G,H


Proverbs 1:1-7 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."


Introduction:
One of the valuable reasons for studying the Book of Proverbs is to gain the skill needed to relate to others and to God for His glory. Such a reason is how we can so define wisdom itself - which is the whole point of the book. Oftentimes I find myself in situations where people may ask for advice, or where I need advice on life's pressing issues. Since Proverbs is primarily arranged in a topical form, it is fruitful to comb through the entire book and arrange the verses under topical headings. We looked yesterday at topics that fell alphabetically from letters A-D. Topics such as anger, blessing, compromise and dealing with pride were among the subjects listed with appropriate verses from Proverbs. Today's post continues on our study, noting topics beginning with the letters E,F,G and H. May the reader find these studies helpful in either ministering to others or finding God's wisdom for their own lives.  All the verse references below derive from Proverbs.

E.
1. Edification. 15:31; 16:24

2. Envy. 14:30; 16:32

3. Existence and attributes of God. 16:11,25,33; 20:12; 21:30,31; 22:2,13; 25:2; 29:13,26; 30:3-6

F.
1. Fear of God. 1:7; 3:7-8; 8:13; 10:10,27; 14:26,27; 15:16,33; 16:6-7; 19:23; 22:4; 24:21; 28:14

2. Fighting. 17:14, 19; 18:18; 20:3; 22:10

3. Following after righteousness
4:18,24,25,27

G.
1. Gluttony. 23:1-3

2. Giving advice. 27:9

3. God the Son's pre-existence. 8:22-31

4. God's comforts. 8:14

5. God's discipline. 3:12; 12:1; 13:17,18

6. God hates lying. 6:17; 12:22; 20:25; 21:7,16; 26:24,27,28

7. God hates wickedness. 7:7; 8:13; 10:25,28,29,11:4,5,6,7,10-11,16,17,20-21,23,29; 12:3

8. God knows man. 5:21; 15:3; 16:1-2,3-5; 17:3; 20:24; 21:1-2

9. Godliness includes humility
9:7-8; 10:8; 11:2; 18:12

10. God our protector. 2:7,8; 3:24-26; 10:29

11. God is the authority. 8:15-16

12. God loves righteous people. 10:3,6,19,25; 14:9

13. God's love. 8:17

14. God speaks truth. 7:8,9

15. Gossip. 10:19; 11:13; 13:3-4; 14:3-4,25; 15:4,23; 18:8; 19:5,9,28; 20:19; 21:19,23,28; 26:20,22-23

16. Greediness. 22:22-23

17. Guidance from others. 20:18

18. Guidance to others. 12:26; 15:2

H.
1. Happiness. 17:22

2. Having zeal. 19:2

3. Honor God. 3:9,10

4. How sin entices. 7:9-13,15-18,19,20

5. Hunger. 27:7

More tomorrow.........

Saturday, April 23, 2016

How to Alphabetically apply the Book of Proverbs to Your Life - A,B,C,D



Proverbs 1:1-7 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction."


Introduction:
One of the valuable reasons for studying the Book of Proverbs is to gain the skill needed to relate to others and to God for His glory. Such a reason is how we can so define wisdom itself - which is the whole point of the book. Oftentimes I find myself in situations where people may ask for advice, or where I need advice on life's pressing issues. Since Proverbs is primarily arranged in a topical form, it is fruitful to comb through the entire book and arrange the verses under topical headings. Today's post aims to offer readers an alphabetical list of topics that can be used in advisory or counseling situations. All the verse references below derive from Proverbs 

A
1. Accusing others. 18:17

2. Adultery. 7:19-20; 30:20

3. A faithful man of God is blessed. 28:20

4. Alcohol. 23:29-35

5. Allow love and faithfulness in your life. 3:3-4

6. Amazing things. 30:18,19

7. Anger 15:18-19; 19:19; 27:25; 29:22

B. 
1. Being honest. 22:11; 24:26

2. Be yourself. 12:9

3. Blessing. 10:22; 20:21

4. Boasting. 25:14; 27:1

C.
1. Compromise. 20:10

2. Confessing Sin. 28:13

3. Considering the poor. 21:13

4. Crimes such as stealing. 6:12-15, 30-31; 20:17; 22:8; 28:17-18; 29:24

D.
1. Dealing with pride. 9:9; 21:24

2. Discipline. 15:10-12,32; 16:20; 19:16,20,27; 29:1

3. Do not glory over enemies' troubles
24:17-20

4. Dishonesty
11:1,15,16; 12:18; 13:11; 14:30-31; 15:7; 20:25

5. Disregard sin and temptation
1:10,15,17; 3:31-32; 4:14,23,24; 5:16-18; 6:18,27-28; 14:7; 17:13; 18:5; 20:1; 21:27; 22:5; 23:9,17,20,21

6. Do good to your enemies
25:22-23

7. Do not accuse others falsely
3:29,30; 6:19; 10:18; 24:24,25,28

8. Do not scheme
6:18; 14:22; 16:31; 24:8-9

9. Do not give into people who put on a false front. 23:6-8

10. Do not seek revenge. 24:28,29

11. Do not make a fool out of yourself. 25:6-8; 26:1,3,4,5,6,7-11,12; 27:3,22; 28:26

12. Do not reject wisdom. 1:20-23; 2:6,20; 3:1-2,11; 4:2; 5:1,7; 6:21-23; 7:4-5; 8:4-5,10-11,33,34; 9:4-5; 10:23,24; 13:13,21

13. Do not talk to fools. 23:9; 29:9,11

More tomorrow........

Friday, April 22, 2016

P3 Finding Answers to Life's Toughest Questions in Sunday School - Do the atrocities in today’s world negate a personal God?


1 Peter 3:15 “But Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who as you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and respect.”

Introduction:

Today we continue on in a series we are entitling: “Life’s toughest questions answered in Sunday School.” As I mentioned in previous posts, our church recently had a combined Sunday School hour. Each teacher had been assigned a question the previous week and was instructed to research the answers and then lead whoever would be at their table in a “round-table” discussion. At the end of the prescribed time, each table would pick a spokes-person to give a three-minute summary of the group’s answers to the group at large. The exercise was extremely interesting to watch and be a part of, with the answers given even more rewarding. We noted two questions addressed in yesterday’s post:

1. Define the impact of Christian Liberty on a believer’s life?

2. Can I witness to a friend in a questionable location?

Today we deal with the problem of evil and suffering and how we can reconcile the abundance of evil in our world with the existence of an all-powerful, all good God. Such a question is a subject of much wrestling among believers and non-believers alike. In the Sunday School-hour the question of evil and suffering and God was posed in the following way:

3. Do the atrocities in today’s world negate a personal God?
The Sunday School teacher who summarized his group’s discussion began by offering a second related question: How can we say there is a personal God amidst life’s atrocities? The approach taken by the group entailed appealing to several key Christian doctrines. By the time the teacher had finished his summary, I counted six key doctrines brought out by the group. God had certainly illuminated their thinking that morning in regards to answering this very difficult question. The teacher began with two major truths revealed in scripture: reality of sin or evil itself and Christ’s incarnation.

A. Sin. The first great truth is the reality of sin and evil itself. In citing John 16:33, we as Christians expect evil and suffering in this world due to the fall of man.

B. Incarnation. The second truth relayed by the class had to do with the incarnation of the Son of God as Jesus Christ. Christ came in His incarnation to die on the cross and raise from the dead in order to do something about this issue. These two doctrines of the reality of evil and the incarnation uniquely equips Christianity to best address this tough issue.

As a side note, the problem of evil and suffering is more approachable when break it down into further parts. Theologians will refer to what is called the logical problem of evil (i.e how can we logical reconcile evil’s reality and God’s existence?).

The second way in which we discuss this issue is termed the so-called emotional problem of evil (i.e how can we emotional handle the brute harshness of it in our personal lives and still love God?) The emotional part of the problem of evil and suffering is usually the more difficult to deal with the logical version. The Sunday School teacher’s strategy of dealing with the emotional elements of this problem proved effective, since it paved the way for dealing with the logical version of this subject.

In so far as we deal with the emotional problem of evil on a daily basis, what about the other side of this thorny issue: namely the logical problem of evil and suffering. Now the class by this point had introduced the key doctrines of sin and Christ’s incarnation to demonstrate that God did indeed do something about evil. This dovetailed into what would be the remainder of their presentation.

The class enumerated two more key doctrines to address the logical problem of reconciling the existence of God with the evil in our world:

C. Creation. The teacher noted from Genesis 1:31 that God didn’t create evil but rather created a world that had been originally good. This point underscores the goodness of God.

D. Free will. God chose to create a world that included people who could exercise the freedom to choose and also to love. He created a world that includes free will desire for people to love. The results stemming from the creation of such a world included the real possibility of people rejecting God. This is where passages such as Romans 8:22 was brought in by the group, reminding everyone that evil came about the decisions of creatures (Satan and then human beings).

With these four key doctrines (sin, Christ’s incarnation, creation and free will) on the table, I could see how the class was putting together a Christian response to this difficult issue. As the teacher went on, he would end up bring out two final truths: God’s Sovereignty and God’s Glory.

E. God’s Sovereignty. In citing Romans 8:28, the group noted how God works out all things to achieve His will – including the use of the good and bad decisions of His creatures. When we think of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, we see this point underscored: “what you meant for evil, God meant for good.” God’s Sovereignty never excludes the secondary efforts of men’s free-choices, historic events nor natural laws. God’s Sovereignty and human decision-making are compatible truths in the scriptures.

F. God’s Glory. The sixth and final major doctrine the group seemed to bring forth in answer the difficult problem of evil was that of God’s glory. In citing Romans 8:18, the class concluded that the overflow of God’s glory gives perspective in dealing with evil.

This final thought on God’s glory reminds one of Paul’s remarks in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 with regards to how the pain of this world is momentary and comparatively light in comparison to the weight of God’s glory being worked out in the Christian. The teacher ended his time by referring to tough issues like human disabilities in John 9:1-3. In that passage, Jesus reminds his audience that the blind man that he healed was permitted by God to be born blind so that through his healing by Jesus – people could behold the invisible power of God through Christ’s Person and ministry.

Closing thoughts:
Now it must be recalled, the Sunday School class only had about 30 minutes to deal with this subject of human atrocities and God’s existence. I was moved by how well the teacher communicated each point. Framing the problem of evil in suffering in the six great truths of the Gospel (sin, incarnation, creation, free-will, God’s sovereignty and God’s glory) is a great strategy for demonstrating the uniqueness of Christianity in dealing with this subject. Overall I was pleased with how this Sunday School class was able to present a compelling and thought provoking summary and response to this overall question: “Do the atrocities in our world negate a personal God?” 


From where I was sitting, they convincingly demonstrated that the reality of God’s existence is in no way negated by the painful reality of evil and suffering. This exercise underscores again how important it is to get plugged into a Sunday School and to get involved. The answers I heard people giving to these tough questions equipped me to better articulate the Gospel in our 21st century world.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

P2 FInding Answers to Life's Toughest Questions in Sunday School


1 Peter 3:15 “But Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who as you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and respect.”

Introduction:
What a blessing it is to pastor a church where one can find answers to some of life’s toughest questions in Sunday School! I begin today’s post with this affirmation because of the value that is found when Sunday School is operating as it ought in the local church. 



In our church we recently had a combined Sunday School hour. In the largest room of the church, there were several round tables set up for the purpose of hosting 6 discussion groups handling several very difficult questions. Each teacher had been assigned the question the previous week and was instructed to research the answers and then lead whoever would be at their table in a “round-table” discussion. At the end of the prescribed time, each table would pick a representative to give a three-minute summary of the group’s answers to the group at large. The exercise was extremely interesting to watch. The answers given even more rewarding.

Sunday school is the local church’s most effective way to mature and mobilize Christians to share Jesus' love with others. Today’s post and the next couple of blogs will summarize the answers given at the combined Sunday School event described in the opening paragraph. We are calling these series of posts: "Answers to life's difficult questions found in Sunday School." Today's post deals with a question about the appropriateness of sharing the Gospel in questionable locations.

Can I witness to a friend in a questionable location?
This discussion question raised in the Sunday School hour followed on the heels of the first one (which we looked at yesterday on the subject of Christian Liberty). I chose to include this in today’s post, since it is closely related to that broader issue. At stake is the approach one takes in sharing the Gospel with unbelievers. How restricted are Christians in regards to venue? Can the Christian legitimately share Jesus with someone in what could-very-well be a questionable location? 


Luke 5:27-29 records an episode in Jesus’ ministry whereby he chose to eat a meal with the social outcasts of Jewish culture – namely tax-collectors and sinners. The company Jesus kept was the issue with the Pharisees. Whatever Jesus did, He never did anything to compromise His peerless character. Nevertheless, His desire to reach sinners entailed Him rubbing shoulders and meeting them at their point of life.

As the Sunday School teacher further expounded on this issue, he cited Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10. These particular chapters give principles for deciding how to handle such issues like going into questionable locations. So, if we find ourselves being led to talk to someone about the Gospel, and the location ends up counter-acting our efforts, then we ought to take that as a red-flag and choose another venue. 

I have found Romans 14 to always be helpful and was glad to hear the Sunday School class referencing it. Discernment must always be exercised when making these difficult choices. As the Sunday School teacher brought his summary to a close, he ended with this very insightful and helpful remark: “The question is not: what’s wrong; rather, what is right about it.

Closing thoughts:

Well that closes out our post for today. We have explored what I have called “Life’s toughest questions answered in Sunday School”. We considered questions regarding Christian Liberty and when and where we ought to go in our attempts to talk to unbelievers about the Gospel. The reader is invited to return tomorrow where I will share further about the answers I heard to life’s toughest questions in Sunday School.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

P1 Answers to life's most difficult questions found in Sunday School - Questions on Christian Liberty


1 Peter 3:15 “But Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who as you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and respect.”

Introduction:
What a blessing it is to pastor a church where one can find answers to some of life’s toughest questions in Sunday School! I begin today’s post with this affirmation because of the value that is found when Sunday School is operating as it ought in the local church. 

In our church we recently had a combined Sunday School hour. In the largest room of the church, there were several round tables set up for the purpose of hosting 6 discussion groups handling several very difficult questions. Each teacher had been assigned the question the previous week and was instructed to research the answers and then lead whoever would be at their table in a “round-table” discussion. At the end of the prescribed time, each table would pick a representative to give a three-minute summary of the group’s answers to the group at large. The exercise was extremely interesting to watch. The answers given even more rewarding.

Sunday school is the local church’s most effective way to mature and mobilize Christians to share Jesus' love with others. Today’s post and the next couple of blogs will summarize the answers given at the combined Sunday School event described in the opening paragraph. We are calling these series of posts: "Answers to life's difficult questions found in Sunday School."

May the reader use 1 Peter 3:15 as a launching point in approaching these next few posts. We as Christians ought to be prepared and equipped to give an answer to those who ask us about why we believe what we believe and why we do what we do. I hope readers find these posts to be encouraging, informative and motivated to, if for nothing else, get further involved in their Sunday School ministry in their local church.

Defining the impact of Christian Liberty on believer’s life

This first question is one with which all Christians grapple. The Sunday School teacher who handled this issue did a great job in summarizing the answers. 

How do we define Christian liberty? In short, when the stability of our Christian brother is at stake, we need to determine when to restrain versus when to practice. The principle for decision making in such circumstances in 1 Corinthians 10:23 was included in the discussion: “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” So with Christian liberty, the issue at hand has to do with areas of conscience and how what we do or don’t do in the realm of everyday practices that some Christians would deem sinful and which others deem as permissible.

How we influence fellow believers in their Christian walk ought to have precedent over what may very well be otherwise legitimate freedom or right to practice a given behavior. The particular discussion group handling this question cited Galatians 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” 

The reminder from these verses was that on the one hand, standing in God’s grace gives me liberty and power to live the godly life and to desire what is lawful and God-honoring apart from man-made legalistic restrictions. The other-side or guardrail to avoid are the excesses in liberty. Christian liberty is lived out in relationship with other Christians, and thus as we grow, we learn with one another what constitutes preferences versus what involves uncompromising convictions.

Tomorrow we will consider another answer to life's most difficult questions that was found in Sunday School.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Getting to know Jesus in the Proverbs

Luke 24:44 “Now He said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled”.

Introduction:
At my boyhood home there is a creek that runs through the middle of the property. Many summers were spent playing by that creek and watching little minnows and frogs jumping and swimming through the rocky creek bed flowing with crystal clear water. As a boy, I would often take rocks or stones and toss them in the water to watch minnows come out of their hiding spots and swim in their little schools. They remained hidden until I tossed in a pebble or a big stone. Whenever we consider the Old Testament scriptures, we can liken each book to the surface of that creek.

The Holy Spirit laid down a creek bed of redemption and filled it with the clear water of history and His revelatory words. Many clues and clusters of insights laid hidden in the bottom depths of the Old Testament. To look at its surface would result in concluding a sense of incompleteness and perhaps unresolved tensions. However, the very God that designed the creek bed and created history itself to flow within it chose to, in the Person of the Son, to plunge Himself into it. 


The Son’s arrival as Jesus of Nazareth sent major ripples that revealed insights into Old Testament books. The Son of God’s entry into our world fulfilled and tied together unresolved strands of Old Testament truth. The Book of Proverbs is an example of how we see Jesus Christ’s Christ arrival anticipated and foreshadowed. Today’s post wants to briefly explore how we can know Jesus through the Proverbs.

New Testament clues pointing to finding Jesus in the Proverbs.

Luke 11:49 records Jesus speaking to his audience concerning their response to Him and to prophets of old. As He speak, Jesus refers to Himself as “Wisdom” in the text of Luke 11:49. We know from Proverbs 8 that wisdom is personified in a poetic way as a woman making her appeal for people to abandon folly and to embrace God’s way of wisdom. 

The reason for the feminine depiction is because of the Hebrew word for wisdom (chachma) itself being grammatically feminine. Nonetheless, Proverbs already broaches the category of viewing “wisdom” not merely as a concept, but also on a very personal level. Luke 24:44, quoted above, alludes to the book of Proverbs. Even though Jesus states the word “Psalms”, in the Hebrew Bible, the book of Psalms heads the third major collection of the Hebrew Bible books called “the writings” or by the Jews “Kituviim”, of which Proverbs is a part.

As one journeys into the New Testament, the linkage between Jesus and wisdom becomes even clearer. The Apostle Paul writes about Jesus coming as God’s wisdom, power, holiness and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:24,30). Moreover, we are reminded in Colossians 2:3 that Jesus Christ is the source of all wisdom and true riches of knowledge. 

Other places, such as James 3:13-14, speak of God’s “wisdom from above” as certainly God’s illumination from the Holy Spirit but also pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ. In so far as the New Testament connects Jesus to the Old Testament concept of wisdom, and in several cases portrays Him as the embodiment of Divine wisdom, we can infer the validity of knowing Him through the Proverbs.

Key events and truths of Jesus’ life and ministry foreshadowed in the Proverbs 

So, with Proverbs and the life of the Lord Jesus Christ linked together by the New Testament’s exposition of Him, what do we see in Proverbs itself that lends us to know Jesus Christ in a better way?

Proverbs previews Jesus in His….
Pre-existence. Proverbs 8:22 speaks of wisdom pre-existing with Yahweh from before the beginning of creation. The verb translated in some English translations includes the rendering “possessed” (NASB, KJV). The NIV handles this otherwise difficult to translate verb in the best way, namely “brought me forth”. In Proverbs 30:4 we are introduced to the idea of God having a Son. Both passages presuppose some type of pre-existence of the Son, personified as Wisdom.

Cross & Resurrection. As we already mentioned earlier, the Apostle Paul refers to Jesus Christ as our “wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:24,30). Such a revelation could only be realized in what Jesus achieved in the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

2nd Coming. Proverbs 24:12 Matthew 16:27 point to actions that only God can perform – namely final, absolute judgment. The Proverbs passage reveals God as the final Arbiter of all people, judging and rendering to each one their due. In Matthew 16:27, we see such activity attributed to the Son. One of the ways we tie together similar statements and themes in both testaments is by way of the life and mission of Jesus Christ. 

Such a reading of Jesus back into the Old Testament is not importing Jesus, but rather bring to light what He came to reveal. Proverbs urges us to consider the fact that God is a just judge. Jesus Himself states all power to judge was commended into His hands (John 5:24-25). Henceforth it follows that in knowing the Just One, we are knowing Jesus.

Closing thoughts
As we close out this post today, let me commend readers to journey through Proverbs. In doing so, one can get to know Jesus Christ better, since He is referred to as the Personification of Wisdom. As 2 Peter 3:18 urges: “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Sunday, April 17, 2016

The need to experience the life of the Son of God in your own life

1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."

Introduction:
Over the last couple of posts we have looked at the title "Son of God" and how Jesus Christ is revealed by it. In our explorations thus far, we have looked at the four Gospels of the New Testament, noting that with regard to Jesus Christ as the Son of God, three general conclusions can be drawn about this title:

1. The title "Son of God" reveals His Heavenly Majesty

2. The title "Son of God" revealed His earthly mission

3. The title "Son of God" reveals how we need to experience His life in our own.

The last two posts have focused more so on the first two points as they relate to Jesus Christ portrayed as "The Son of God" in the four Gospels. Today I want us to consider some life applications of this title "Son of God" by observing some key passages from the remainder of the New Testament. The key thought will be in showing how we need to experience the Son of God's life in our own lives. 

A quick note on how the major sections of our New Testaments relate to one another and to Jesus the Son of God
It has been well noted that in the Gospels, Jesus Christ is portrayed; in Acts, Jesus Christ is preached; in the Epistles, Jesus Christ is explained and in Revelation, He is prominent. So much has been illuminated to us already from the four Gospels concerning the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. What the remaining three sections of the New Testament do is to expound on the life-practical and supernatural realities of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Chiefly, the interest of the remainder of this post will deal with why you and I need to experience His life in our own.

Experiencing the Son of God in our conversion - thoughts from the book of of Acts
Acts 9:19-21 expounds on what took place following the conversion of Saul of Tarsus: "Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus,20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues,saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?”  Notice one of the first things Saul of Tarsus (who would later be renamed Paul) began to proclaim: "He is the Son of God". This testimony indicates that the very life of the Eternal Son of God had not only been brought into contact with Saul in His conversion, but that the reality of it came to reside within His heart by means of the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. 

Truly if we are to ever appreciate the Heavenly Majesty and earthly ministry of Jesus Christ as the Son of God in all He is and achieved, there must be a dramatic experiencing of His life in our own (consider Romans 1:1-4). The wonderful theologian Lorraine Boettner writes in his book "Studies in Theology", page 153, notes concerning the Son of God's impact on people at salvation: "Christ is the Son of God by nature; we become the sons of God by grace. He is the Son of God in His own right; we become the sons of God by adoption. He has existed thus from eternity; we become sons of God in time as we are regenerated to a new life and have His righteousness imparted to us." Later on Boettner notes: "But it does mean that we have restored to us and perfected (i.e developed) in us that moral and spiritual likeness of God with which we were created but which became lost through sin."

Experiencing the Son of God as our confidence for daily living - some thoughts from the Epistles
When we think of the life of the Son of God pulsating in our own, there is the needed confidence for daily Christian living. As we noted earlier, the New Testament epistles or letters explain Jesus' life and ministry. 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 expounds on how personal experience of the Son of God grants confidence in Him: "But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. 19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. 20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us." Notice how Paul expounds on the confidence that Jesus as the Son of God delivers to the Christian in their prayer life. For sure, He is ascended and glorified - seated at the right hand of the Father. As man He represents us in Heaven (see 1 John 2:1-2). However, as sharing equally in full Deity with the Holy Spirit, His life is transmitted completely to us and in us - henceforth providing confidence for daily Christian living. 

The Apostle Paul speaks elsewhere concerning how the life of the Son of God grants confidence in the personal Christian life. Galatians 2:20 for instance reads - "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Not only does experiencing the life of the Son of God increase confidence for the individual believer, but for the corporate life of the local church. Notice what we read about the church's experience of the Son of God (or at least as such experience ought to be a normal reality) in Ephesians 4:13 "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

So experiencing the life of the Son of God in our own lives is transformative in our conversion and gives confidence for daily Christian living. Now lets notice one final outcome of experiencing the life of the Son of God in our own life...

Experiencing the Son of God clarifies powerful worship - some thoughts from the Epistles and Revelation
The Epistle to the Hebrews urges Christians to consider the Son of God as the focal point of devotion and worship. Hebrews 1:8 speaks of the exaltation of the Son by the Father - "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." Hebrews 7:3 details the Son of God as the believer's High Priest, representing them in Heaven - "Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually." The final mention of the title "Son of God" occurs in a context where Jesus Himself is addressing one of the seven churches in Revelation 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this". The description given by John in the text corresponds to the full-length view of the exalted Jesus found in Revelation 1. Indeed, experiencing the life of the Son of God in our own begins in our conversion, gives confidence in the Christian living and clarifies in a powerful way our worship to Him.