In times like these…love

Posted on March 21, 2020 by glenn

Do you think I am safe in saying that we have never seen times quite like these?  Could you have imagined 6 weeks ago that we would essentially be quarantined in our homes, all nonessential work be suspended, church services be moved into our local homes, and the stock market teetering on collapse?

How are you responding to such times?  Some have given up all hope.  Have you?

Please know that while we may not know what the future holds, we know Who holds the future.  It is in times like these that our faith is tried. 

Jesus was asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?”  His answer is found in Mark 12:29-30.

 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

Do I love GOD?  Well, of course I do!  But do I really love GOD?  Regardless of what I say, I wonder how He would answer that question.  The 21st chapter of John has a conversation between Jesus and Peter in which the LORD kept asking him the question, “Do you love Me?”  Peter would say, “I do”, but the LORD asked him three times.

The Bible has something to say about this idea of loving GOD.  In fact, it is quite simple.  Our love for GOD is not like the emotional feeling we might have for a spouse or child.  The word love, as used in the Scriptures, is an action verb.  Read the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians.  All of those verbs are action verbs.  Our love for GOD is demonstrated in our actions and that is particularly true in times like these. Consider the following Scriptures.

James 1:12 – Blessed is he who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Those who love Him!  Here we have our love of GOD measured by the standard of how we endure temptation.

It is easy to talk a good game.  But the measure of our love comes down to how we respond in a trial.  That is what the verses leading up to verse 12 are all about.  That is why James could say to count it all joy when we are faced with trials.  These trials give us an opportunity to show our faith and also an opportunity to prove our love of GOD.  In these trials, do we trust GOD to be faithful to fulfill His promises toward us?  Or do we at these times, wring our hands and worry about what tomorrow may bring?

Do I love GOD?  Maybe I need to read John 14:15 before I answer the question.

If you love Me keep My commandments.

Jesus makes a very simple statement.  While many in the world today may scoff at the necessity of obedience, Jesus clearly ties our love for Him to obedience.  And I would raise this question, how can we be obedient to His commands if we don’t know His commands?

Another passage I’d like to visit is 2 Corinthians 8:8, 24.  Paul said he was testing the sincerity of the love of the Corinthians and in verse 24 even said it was proof of their love.  What was the proof or the testing to which he referred?  In verses 1-7, he is encouraging the Corinthians to give.  So another test of our love is giving.  It has been said that one can give and not love but you can’t love and not give.

Do I love GOD?  Well, do I give as He has given to me?    During this time of trials, it is an excellent time to demonstrate our love of GOD by giving to others.  We normally associate giving with money but we can give in so many ways.  We can demonstrate our love by checking on others and doing what we can to help others.

The last passage I’d like to note is Romans 8:28.

And we know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD…

So do I love GOD?  Do I meet the basic tests of the passages above?  Do I trust Him in times of trial?  Am I obedient?  Am I generous with my resources?

If I am one of those who love GOD, do I really believe Romans 8:28?  If so, then know that all of this chaos will come to pass and I will be fine.

Posted in faith, giving, God, opportunity, stewardship | Leave a comment

Heritage

Posted on March 18, 2020 by glenn

I remember when my boys were growing up I wanted to instill in them a sense of pride in family.  I’m not talking about a sinful pride rather a sense of belonging to something bigger than self.  But even more than family, I wanted them to remember the larger family for which they were a part.  When they would leave home I would remind them, “Remember who you are and Whose you are!”

I have written many times about the importance of a family heritage.  Let us consider some additional thoughts.

Think of the heritage of some of our Bible heroes.  Paul’s first missionary journey begins in the 13th chapter of the book of Acts.  We are introduced to Paul and Barnabas’ traveling companion, John, in verse 5.  We learn later that John departed from them in Pamphylia (Acts 15:36) but he was a companion of Barnabas going forward.  He is called John Mark and we learn something of his heritage earlier in Acts 12.

Acts 12:12 – So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

John Mark’s mother Mary was a faithful follower evidenced by her hosting other believers in her home.  John Mark’s heritage exposed him to the LORD and the truth.  He probably witnessed the miraculous release of Peter from prison discussed in the Acts 12 account.  He no doubt had a spiritual heritage.

Another one of our Bible heroes is the young evangelist, Timothy.  Paul first meets Timothy in Acts 16. From verse one we see Timothy’s mother was a believer. The text’s silence about his father suggests he was not a believer.

Paul gives us a further glimpse of Timothy’s heritage in the second epistle to the young preacher.

2 Timothy 1:5 – when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

As with John Mark, Timothy also had a spiritual heritage, having at least two generations of believers to thank for his faith.

In both of these passages, don’t miss the influence of those godly women.  John Mark had a godly mother.  Timothy had a GOD fearing mother and grandmother.  Women have a powerful spiritual influence in the family.  I urge you young mothers to take advantage of those young formative years in your children.

An even longer lineage of faith is found in the book of Genesis and the story of Joseph.  Taking what is found in Genesis 50:23 and 48:13-16, we find 7 generations listed in the Bible.  These generations are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Manasseh, Machir, and Machir’s children.

If you have an ancestral tree of Godly servants, count yourself very lucky.  Joseph was such a man.

Godly ancestors are a blessing, but you have no control over those who came before you in your family tree.  However, you have much influence over those who follow in your lineage.

Yes, the perfect scenario would be for one to be like Joseph in the family lineage.  That is to say, have generations before and generations after, that serve the LORD.  But we have no control over those who came before us.  It is those who follow for which we can impact.

My greatest desire, my prayer, is to leave a heritage of love of the truth and service for my GOD to those who follow me.

If I am lucky I may be able to see 2 or 3 generations of my descendants.  Maybe even like Joseph, to have my great-grandchildren sit on my knees.  But in the afterlife, the greatest blessing will be to have those multiple generations join me in the heavenly abode and have at least a small part of it be because of my influence.  Yes, that is my prayer.

Posted in discipleship, family, influence, memory, opportunity, reflection, service, stewardship | Leave a comment

A Nephew’s Poor Choice

Posted on March 1, 2020 by glenn

As I consider my life I can see many forks in the road when I made a poor choice.  I am confident each of you can say the same thing.  Life is about choices.  The decisions we make and the roads we choose, impact our lives.  I am thankful to serve a GOD who promises to make it all work out for the best contingent upon my loving Him and being called according to His purpose.  So says Romans 8:28.

I would like to consider a Biblical account of a nephew’s poor choices and what it eventually cost him.  Early in the book of Genesis we are introduced to Abram, the man who would eventually be known as Abraham.  The story of Abraham and his nephew Lot is found in the book of Genesis, chapters 13 through 19.

Abraham had been promised the great land of Canaan for his descendants.  Abraham and Lot both had flocks and herds and tents.  In order to separate the livestock and the quarreling workers, Abraham and Lot split up.  Abraham allowed Lot to have his choice of the land.

Lot chose the well-watered plain of Jordan for his portion of the land.  Genesis 13:12 says that Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom (KJV rendering). 

Interesting wording, toward Sodom.  When I ponder this idea it causes me to ask myself, “Toward what or where is my tent pitched?” 

Now, after pitching his tent toward Sodom, note the verses below and the progression involved.

Genesis 14:12 – Now of Lot it is said he dwelt in Sodom.

Genesis 19:1 – Lot is now found sitting in the gate of Sodom.  The reference indicates that Lot is now one of the city leaders.  He is now one of them.

The sordid story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah follows.  Lot and his daughters were spared.  But for her disobedience, Mrs. Lot would have been as well.  Sadly, she looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.

Psalm 1:1 is a fitting description of Lot’s demise.  The verse reads…

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

Do you notice the progression?  Maybe we should say the digression.  The man walks, then stands, then sits. 

The analogy is clear.  Man walks through temptation or evil; he is interested and stops to observe, in other words, he stands; then succumbing to the temptation, he sits down and becomes a part of it.  He walks, he stands, he sits.

That is exactly what has happened to Lot.  He made a poor choice initially and walked into the evil of Sodom.  He then stopped; he stood; he dwelt there amongst it.  And finally, he was found residing in and sitting with them at the gate.

Walk, stand, and sit.  Oh that we will be careful of this digression.

Romans 12:2 reminds us that we are not to be of the world.  We are in the world but we can never let the world be in us.  We walk among evil everyday although we should be careful to avoid it as much as is possible.  But in the best of circumstances, we walk with evil and darkness all around us.  We should ever be on guard not to stop and join, to stand and then eventually sit down with it and become a part of it.

Help me O GOD, to make good choices today.

Posted in discipleship, evolution, influence, opportunity, reflection, stewardship | 1 Comment

Where Are You From?

Posted on February 20, 2020 by glenn

This is a question we often ask someone when we are first introduced.  It can be answered in different ways.  For example, do you tell them where you were born?  Or do you answer with where you were reared?  You may answer with the location where you currently live, especially if you have lived there for some time.  I was born in a large city but very early in my life moved to the country in North Alabama, where I spent my growing up years.  However, I have lived in my current location all of my adult life, spanning several decades.  So in a sense, I could answer the question 3 different ways.

This is similar to an interesting study about Jesus and the answer to the question.  Where was Jesus from?

Was it Nazareth or Bethlehem?  Or was He from the region of Galilee, Judea, or Egypt?  Actually the Scriptures prophesied that the coming Messiah would come from all 3 areas.  How can this be?  It is a thrilling study to note how all three areas are linked.

The Scriptures tell us clearly that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem of Judea.

 Micah 5:2          But you, Bethlehem…out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel…

Bethlehem was a small insignificant town, but she was destined to be the birthplace of the Messiah.  So Jesus was from Judea and more specifically Bethlehem according to Matthew 2:1.

Elsewhere we read of Christ coming from the city of Nazareth in the region of Galilee.

Mark 1:9             But it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Luke 4:16            So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up.

John 7:41, 42, 52             Others said, “This is the Christ.”  But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee?  Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”

Some questioned Jesus as the Messiah since He came from the region of Galilee rather than Judea.

And then there is the reference that the Messiah would come from Egypt.

Hosea 11:1, quoted in the context of Jesus’ birth in Matthew 2:15, “Out of Egypt I called My son.”

Exactly how did Jesus come out of Egypt and how did He get there to begin with?

The parallels with the Old Testament exodus found in Exo 13:7; 14:1ff, would make for a profitable study at a later time.

The references are linked in the following manner.  Joseph and Mary were residents of Nazareth in Galilee.  They had to go to Bethlehem of Judea for the census because Joseph was from the lineage of David.  While they were there, Jesus the Messiah was born.  Joseph was warned in a dream that Herod would seek to kill the Baby Jesus.  He was instructed to take the family to Egypt until the threat passed.  When Herod died Joseph took his family and returned to his home town of Nazareth in the region of Galilee.  The Scriptures note this was to fulfill a prophecy that He would be called a Nazarene.

The Scriptures in Luke 2:4 and Matthew 1:13-23 make an easy explanation of how Jesus was from Bethlehem of Judea, Nazareth of Galilee and also came out of Egypt. Other references to consult are Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 4:15, 16; Isaiah 9:1, 2; and Matthew 2:1.

It is indeed a beautifully woven tapestry of events that pulled all the prophecies of His life together.  But where was Jesus really from?  In the 14th chapter of John, Jesus told the disciples He was going back to heaven.   Actually He wasn’t really from Bethlehem, Egypt, or Nazareth.  He was from heaven and He was returning there. 

He was going home.  I want to go there as well when my time on earth is done.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Washing Machine

Posted on February 5, 2020 by glenn

Teresa and I recently had to buy a new washing machine.  We had not purchased one in several years and to our surprise the new machines did not have an agitator.  The agitator is the mechanism in the tub of the machine that churns back and forth and pulls the clothes in a downward rotation throughout the process.  This action helps to clean the clothes but appears to be pretty tough on the fabric.

The new machine has no agitator and according to the salesman would be much easier on the clothes.  I was very skeptical that the new machine would clean the clothes.  Much to my surprise the new machine does a very good job.

The agitator churns and stirs up the clothes in a fairly violent way.  The word agitator is sometimes used of people that are troublemakers.  We probably all know people whom we would classify as agitators.

When I think of the word agitator, the Greek word tarasso comes to mind.  The word is sometimes translated troubled in the New Testament.  In John 14:1, Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled…”  Other passages such as John 12:27 and John 13:21 are examples of tarasso being translated as troubled.

Consider the passage in John 14:1-6.  The LORD had just shared very disturbing news that He was about to go away.  The apostles were understandably troubled in spirit.  Their emotions were running high and one could imagine their thoughts being stirred up or agitated.  Thus the word tarasso is used.

The LORD calmed them by sharing these powerful words of comfort found in verses 1 – 6.

  1. “You believe in GOD, believe also in Me.”  Jesus first encouraged them to rely on their faith. 
  2. He then began to tell them why He was going away.  He promised them many mansions that would be prepared.  Some versions say rooms.  I am reminded of the Amish houses with many rooms.  As the family grows there are simply more rooms added on.  There is room for all.
  3. He said, “I go to prepare a place for you.”  Imagine a place prepared just for me. Hebrews 11:16 further promises a place prepared for the faithful child of GOD.
  4. His response of “I would have told you” implies that they could depend on what He said. Luke 1:45 confirms there will be a fulfillment of the things said by the LORD.
  5. I will come again is the promise for which all faithful Christians live.
  6. Where I am, there you may be also.  Our ultimate goal when this life is over is to be with Him.

Jesus then concludes with a powerful truth in verse 6.  Jesus says “I am the way.”  It is interesting that Luke refers to Christianity as “the way” 6 times in the book of Acts.

As life brings trouble and strife, we all find ourselves emotionally agitated from time to time.  But we serve a GOD of comfort if we will but rely on His promises.  John 14 is a wonderful study.

Posted in discipleship, faith | Leave a comment

20/20 Vision

Posted on January 9, 2020 by glenn

I used to think 20/20 vision was perfect vision and one could not get any better than that.  Such is not the case.  20/20 vision is considered average or normal vision.  Someone with 20/20 vision is able to see from 20 feet away what the average person is able to see from that distance.  There are some with vision so sharp they are able to see at 20 feet what the average person can see at 15 feet.  This would be 20/15 vision.

Of course, in addition to vision, the number 2020 brings to mind the New Year. 

Let us consider a verse from the Bible that might link these ideas of vision and time.

In Acts 20, Paul is addressing the Ephesian eldership for the last time.  Verse 20 reads, “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house”.

I would suggest this describes 20/20 vision according to the Scriptures.  Note the ideas contained therein.

I kept back nothing – Psa 139:17 reminds us of the importance of considering the entirety of GOD’S word.  We must be very careful when taking a verse out of context and misapplying the meaning.

A very important principle to remember when interpreting the Scriptures is always interpret a passage so that it is in harmony with every other passage of Scripture.  The Bible will never contradict itself.

An example of this is found in Acts 2:21 where we read “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”  Lifting this passage out of context would lead us to think salvation is found by simply calling Jesus’ name.  But that is clearly in conflict with Matthew 7:21 which tells us “not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”  The dilemma is resolved by studying what is involved in calling on the name of the LORD.

I kept back nothing implies taking the whole counsel of GOD.  A text taken out of context becomes a pretext and will lead us into error.

Proclaimed it to you – 2 Tim 2:2 describes our personal responsibility in the chain of teaching GOD’S word.  If someone taught us the truth, it is our responsibility to pass it on.  Note the 4 generations in verse 2.  Paul instructed Timothy, and encouraged him to instruct other faithful men and women who would in turn pass the truth on to others.

Taught you publicly – The Scriptures give us examples of both public and private instruction. The important lesson for us is to realize our responsibility to teach.  Some will say they teach and influence others by their example.  Such can be true but in Matthew 28:20 in the great commission, the word translated “teaching” means to verbally instruct someone.  This doesn’t mean we all have to stand before a class and teach but we each have a responsibility to share the Gospel with others.

From house to house – Paul said he taught them publicly but he also taught privately from house to house.

Acts 2:46 is the account of the new believer’s activities in the days following their conversion.  They were in one another’s homes regularly.  As much as we love the church building and our gatherings there, loving relationships are not built during the few hours each week we sit with one another in a church structure.  The deep, caring relationships for which we strive are built sitting around a dining room table sharing the stories of life.  We need to be in one another’s homes in order to be in one another’s lives.

My hope as we enter this New Year is to grow in this area.  I want to teach publicly and I want to teach privately sitting around the dining room table.  And as I do so, I want to proclaim the whole counsel of GOD.

Help us each to commit to growing in this New Year.  May we be stronger and more committed to the truth at year’s end if GOD allows us to see the end of 2020.

Posted in authority, growth, influence, opportunity, service | Leave a comment

Hallelujah

Posted on December 23, 2019 by glenn

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.  Part of the reason I like this holiday so much is the emphasis that is placed on family during this season.  We look forward to the food and the sharing of gifts.  In some respects, the holiday is for the kids, but we enjoy it as well.

There are many traditions associated with this holiday, such as caroling, decorations, Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, and so many more.  It is an interesting study to research the origins of these traditions.  Even the December date of the holiday has an interesting history.

One of the songs associated with Christmas is the Hallelujah Chorus.  The Mormon Tabernacle Choir of 360 members can often be heard performing this around the holiday.

The song was composed by George Frideric Handel as part of the production of the musical, The Messiah.  Permit me to give a little history of the song by first looking at the life of its composer.

George Frideric Handel was a child prodigy with a keen interest in the organ, harpsichord, and violin.  He achieved great notoriety early in life.  Later in life as newer and younger artists began to eclipse his fame, he fell into a deep depression.  He was bankrupt and had crippling palsy in his fingers.  It was at this time he said, “Handel’s great days are over.” 

As is often the case, what we deem to be valleys in life are sometimes blessings in disguise.  It seems his troubles and trials matured him and softened him.  A friend sent him a collection of Bible verses about the Christ.

Shortly thereafter on August 22, 1741, he shut himself up in his London home and 23 days later emerged with the musical “The Messiah.”  The Hallelujah Chorus is a part of the production.  It is customary for the audience to stand during the song.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

For He shall reign forever and ever…

The word Hallelujah comes from the Hebrew word, Hallel meaning to praise and the word Jah, is a shortened form of Jehovah or the Tetragrammaton, YHWH.  The meaning of the word is thus, Praise the LORD.

This also brings to mind many of the Psalms.  Psalms 146 through 150 are sometimes called “the Hallelujah Psalms.”  This is in part because they all begin and end with the phrase “Praise the LORD.”

Psalm 148 is one of my favorite Psalms.  It was set to modern music over 100 years ago by William J. Kirkpatrick.  This rendering is called “Hallelujah Praise Jehovah.”  The lyrics are below and I urge the reader to open the Bible to Psalm 148 and compare.  You will agree that it is a beautiful composition.

Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
From the heavens praise His name;
Praise Jehovah in the highest,
All His angels praise proclaim.
All His hosts together praise Him,
Sun, and moon, and stars on high;
Praise Him, O ye heav’n of heavens,
And ye floods above the sky.

Refrain:
Let them praises give Jehovah,
For His name alone is high,
And His glory is exalted,
And His glory is exalted,
And His glory is exalted,
Far above the earth and sky.

Let them praises give Jehovah,
They were made at His command,
Them forever He established;
His decree shall ever stand.
From the earth, oh, praise Jehovah,
All ye floods, ye dragons all;
Fire, and hail, and snow, and vapors,
Stormy winds that hear His call.

All ye fruitful trees and cedars,
All ye hills and mountains high,
Creeping things, and beasts, and cattle,
Birds that in the heavens fly.
Kings of earth, and all ye people,
Princes great, earth’s judges all,
Praise His name, young men and maidens,
Aged men and children small.

Hallelujah Praise Jehovah! Indeed.

Posted in authority, family, Uncategorized, worship | Leave a comment

More Questions

Posted on November 8, 2019 by glenn

The following has been said of a friend of mine.  He seldom asks a question that he doesn’t already know the answer.  Now I’m not extolling or condemning my friend.  He really is an intelligent person who is very likeable.   I’m just using this idea to spur our thoughts.  Questions cause us to think.

Using questions can be an effective means of teaching.  I spent many years teaching in a high school setting.  There are various methods of imparting knowledge.  One such way is to encourage the student to think by asking them leading questions.  The objective is to cause the student to process information and come to conclusions on their own.  This requires a higher order of thinking than simply recalling memorized facts.

There are many questions raised in Scripture with this same objective. 

The gospel accounts contain 173 questions asked by Jesus. And most often they were asked not for His sake but for the sake of the one being asked. Jesus asked questions not because He needed to know but because the one being asked did.  Jesus was the Master Teacher.  He often used questions to prompt the listener to think.

For example…

Mark 8:36 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

Matthew 16 – “Who do men say that I am?  But who do you say that I am?”

Paul asked questions many times leading the listener to obvious conclusions.  On 13 occasions he asked questions of a rhetorical nature and then replied with “certainly not!” 

Let us note 10 of the 13 questions found in the book of Romans. Each of these questions are raised and answered emphatically with the response – Certainly not!

Romans

3: 3 – Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of GOD without effect? 

3:6 – Is GOD unjust who inflicts wrath?

3:31 – Do we make void the law through the faith?

6:2 – Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

6:15 – Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?

7:7 – Is the law sin?

7:13 – Has then that what is good become death to me?

9:14 – Is there unrighteousness with GOD?

11:1 – Has GOD cast away His people?

11:11 – Have they stumbled that they should fall?

There are 3 more found in Paul’s writings found in 1 Cor 6:15; Gal 2:17, 3:21.

Again, each of these are asked and answered emphatically to cause the listener to think.

There seems to be a common thread or common point among all of these.  I would ask the reader to be cautious when taking Scriptures out of context.  It has been said that a text taken out of context is a pretext.  Let us always consider the context of a passage.   A further contextual study of the passages above will be beneficial in order to extract my point.

All of these teach a common theme.  The theme is that GOD’S plan for using the Old Covenant to bring righteousness to the world in the form of Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD, was successful.  Jesus is our means of salvation.  Furthermore, He is our only means of salvation.

Paul was reasoning with the Romans the same truth we find in John 14:6.  It is here we read, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

I leave you with a question.  Shall we neglect so great a salvation available to us through Jesus Christ?  Certainly not!

Posted in discipleship, salvation, stewardship | Leave a comment

The Stony Ground

Posted on October 16, 2019 by glenn

I was in junior high school when our school burned. The night sky glowed red from the flames and could be seen from miles away. The school was rebuilt in another location and I graduated in a new school.  In time a new football stadium was constructed at the new site.  We played the first game in the new stadium my senior year of high school.  Unfortunately, we lost the game, to a rival school where my Teresa just happened to be a cheerleader.  Ouch. 

One of the things I remember these many years later is how long it took us to get the playing surface ready in the new stadium.  Many of our PE classes consisted of walking the field with buckets in hand picking up rocks.  Indeed it was very stony ground but eventually was cleared and ready for play.

It was stony ground.  I am reminded of such when I read the parable of the sower found in three of the gospel accounts.

One of the accounts of the parable of the sower is found in Matthew 13.  I personally think it could more appropriately be called the parable of the soils.  The parable seems to me to be more about the different kinds of soil or hearts rather than the sower.  Jesus described the seed falling on four different types of ground representative of different hearts when exposed to the truth.  Two of the four, the stony soil and the seed sown among thorns, initially receive the word but fall away in time.

For our thoughts today let us consider the stony soil. Contextually, this is describing one who immediately receives the word with joy but endures only for a short while.  Jesus identified this person as one who has no root in himself.  For when problems arise, he stumbles, because he has no root in himself.

Consider this person “who has no root in himself”.

Some people make a quick emotional commitment to Christ.  They may even believe in their hearts that it is a real commitment but it doesn’t last.  They are unable to sustain their faith because they have no root in themselves.

The analogy is so real.  The idea of a seed in deep rich soil will first produce roots growing deep into the soil.  Afterward, the growth upward will occur.  However, a seed sown on a rocky ledge with only a thin layer of soil, quickly springs up with all growth going upward.  The scorching heat will quickly kill this growth because the plant has no root.  Of course, the scorching heat in the analogy represents trials and persecutions that will come in time.  Without the deep roots necessary to sustain it, the plant and correspondingly the new convert, will die.

Think about the person who has “no root in himself.”  What does this man look like?  Could this be me?

Let us examine ourselves.  Does that describe me?  Am I one to follow each new whelm that comes along?  Am I the one who is carried away with the latest religious fad?  Or am I mature enough to stay true to what I believe when trials and persecutions come?

I don’t want to be a man on stony ground.

Posted in discipleship, faith, growth, influence, memory, reflection, stewardship | Leave a comment

The church at Jerusalem

Posted on August 20, 2019 by glenn

The Church by the Wildwood is an old song that describes a memory that many would share.  You may remember the lyrics from an old Andy Griffith episode.  Malcolm Tucker sang the song in the episode called “Man in a Hurry.”

Come to the church by the wildwood

Oh, come to the church in the vale

No spot is so dear to my childhood

As the little brown church in the vale

We all probably have memories of early childhood that we hold dear. These are memories of things that ground us, things that give us our core values.  These memories may or may not be related to church but the words of the song can still stir those thoughts from earlier times.

I’d like to consider a church that reaches much further back into the annals of time, much further back than the days of my childhood.  Let us consider the church at Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago.

There are those with a desire to go back to the church we find in the Bible.  If that is our plea, then we are not interested in replicating the church of our childhood.  We are not interested in the church of Wittenberg, Germany in 1517, or the church at Constantinople, or the church at Rome.  No, we are interested in going all the way back to that Pentecost festival on a Sunday, in the city of Jerusalem, described in Acts 2.  It is here we find the earthly beginning of the church.

One of my favorite passages in the book of Acts is found in 4:32.  Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul;

Let us first note the church was described as a multitude.  Passages like Acts 2:47 and Acts 4:4 tell us the number had grown to several thousand at this time.  Some suggest that by the end of chapter 7 and the dispersion from the city of Jerusalem (thought to be about 5 years removed from Acts 2), the church was about 25,000 members strong.  For our observation, we simply note it was referred to as a multitude.

Secondly, let us note they are referred to as those who believed.  The term translated ‘believed’ as it appears in the Greek language is in the aorist tense.  This means it is a single act without regard to time.  A study of the Scriptures will make clear the only faith acceptable to GOD is an obedient faith, an active faith.  Thus the single act in the past, referred to as belief, would represent the entire plan of salvation, for we know repentance, confession, and immersion is a part of the process.

A reading of Acts 2 notes the many backgrounds out of which the early believers came.  And yet, they were of one heart and one soul.  What was it that united them?  The common bond was their love of the truth and understanding of the gospel.  We are sadly mistaken today when we claim ethnic and cultural differences make it difficult to understand the word of GOD in the same way.

The early church, the church founded on Pentecost, is the perfect model for us today.  That church still exists!  That is the church that is dear to me.  Let us strive to be that multitude of believers that operates with one heart and one soul.  It can be done!

Posted in authority, discipleship, memory, stewardship, worship | Leave a comment