Posted by John on January 1, 1997 under Articles
Many today are searching for a Higher Power. Some call this God. Are there observations that can explain why, throughout the world, in all places and all times, men seek for answers?
THE FACT OF DESIGN
First, among all people, it is an undisputed fact that there is design in the world/universe. Order, structure, function and purpose are all clearly seen from the largest to the smallest level. For example, water molecules are built in such a way that when water freezes into ice, it floats rather than sinks. This means that things living in the water during winter can swim under the surface and survive.
The facts of design have lead some to infer the existence of a Designer/Creator behind it all. One such person is John N. Clayton. This former atheist-turned-Christian credits his change to seeing design in nature and the universe. (You can get free material from John Clayton that is really good in the area of design by writing to JNC, 718 Donmoyer Ave., South Bend, IN 46614-1999, or E-mail to jncdge@aol.com.) Others, such as the late, nationally-acclaimed astronomer, Carl Sagan, acknowledge that design exists, but they leave it at that. It isn’t that Sagan didn’t make the inference that a creator could exist; he didn’t believe because he had chosen not to believe. (See his book Cosmos.)
There is a logical implication inherent in the idea of design and a designer. If a Designer does exist, then what we see may have been purposely made in such a way as to testify to His existence. The biblical writers believed this and clearly taught it (Ps 19:1, Rom 1:19).
Second, not only is there design in the world; there is inherent value in that which is designed. Stars help man to navigate. Seeds, soil, sunshine, rain, worms, all help to grow crops and feed man. Even the lowly slug has its place as nature’s carpet cleaner. The slug constantly pulverizes and dissolves hard solid matter that is laying around and helps change it into soil. The world is “good” to man. Whether one believes in a creator or not, this is fact.
Further observation shows that man seems to be the main object the world/universe is built around. Man seems to be the centerpiece. In other words, the “good” in the world is directed toward man. The concept even has a name. It is called the “Anthropic Principle,” and it is an area of current research. Paul Davies, not a believer in God, is one of the foremost writers on the subject. So the existence of “good-directed-toward-man” is admitted both by believers and non-believers.
If all this “good” is received by man, and man believes in a Designer, what does this say about that Designer? Does it imply that He cares for man? If such is accepted, what could be a possible response from man? Praise? Gratitude? Worship? Seeking fellowship on a deeper level? Indeed some, like John Clayton, have responded in this way. Others, like Paul Davies, are indifferent. But isn’t this normal in real life? People receive gifts, but not all are thankful, not all care, not all respond by wanting to know more about the giver. Can it also be said that the goodness built into the world by the Designer is designed to draw man toward Him? Some of the inspired Bible writers have affirmed this (Jas 1:1, Rom 2:4, Acts 14:15-17).
THE FLIP SIDE
First, all is not well in the world. While it is true that one can clearly observe design in the machine and that it is good for man, the machine also has problems. Sometimes the earth/universe machine doesn’t work right. Malfunction is the keyword. For example, birth defects occur because DNA has errors in it. Tornadoes happen and devastate life and property. Earth is in danger of being hit by space debris such as asteroids and comets. Floods, erosion, animal pests, insect pests, foul air are with us. The obvious conclusion is that something is wrong somewhere.
Second, something is wrong with man himself. Murder. Rape. Theft. Destruction of property. Violence. Crime. And in all, there is an awareness of being out of control. By this is meant that man clearly does not know how to direct himself. Philosophies, ideas, isms, cults, New Age movements, drugs; all are attempts to find a way to truth. But what some have believed to be the right way has ended in their death. Man is on a sea without direction. This also shows the limitations of man’s knowledge. It is not in man to guide himself. Again, the writers of old recognized this (Jer 10:23).
There is, however, a good side to this awareness, and it is the motivation to seek for answers. The quest for truth can become a prime factor in one’s life, and the existence of a myriad of religions and philosophies all testify to this fact. Is the awareness of human inadequacy a design element that the Designer built into the system to motivate man to seek the true answer to life and an understanding of his Creator?
What about all the physical calamities? Can something be both unfortunate and good? Even though something is not working right, if a person is compelled to find out why the system is not working, and in so doing they discover a greater good, is it not worthwhile? It’s sort of like getting a spanking when you were a kid. Unpleasant, yes! But when you look back you see that its purpose was to lead you into being a more responsible person. The spanking was “unfortunate” but it was also “good.” (It should also be noted that the spanking reflects an act of justice. It is the penalty for error committed against the authority of the parent.)
So, can it be suggested that not only the positive design and goodness seen in nature, but even the negative things are designed to lead men to seek the Creator, because they drive man to find out why this wonderful earth/universe machine is not working properly?
Third, here is another consideration. The Designer that some believe exists seems very remote. There is no direct communication or signs given to unredeemed man today of His existence. So there is a sense of separation from the Creator. Even those who claim to have a “sign” still acknowledge that they are here and the Creator is “out there.” Could this also be by design in order to motivate people to find out why? Often in our world we become separated from people because of “things done wrong” against them. Those who were once close friends are not any more because of some error committed or some misunderstanding. In marriage, the awareness of such separation should be a warning, and should motivate those involved to work out their difficulties and to reunite. Could the Creator have such a positive end in mind? Is it possible that sometime in the past or present, the Creator has been offended and this has resulted in a separation? Mere observation cannot answer this question.
TOWARDS AN ANSWER
First, several things can be established by observation alone. The earth/universe has design; it is “good” and it is directed toward man, but it is also flawed in performance. Something is wrong. Man is trapped in a dark forest without any sure pathway to the light, and the Designer seems far from us and silent.
Second, an explanation is needed; something to wrap around these observations and bind them together. This is called a worldview. An inductive study of facts cannot, by itself, give a worldview. A worldview is based on faith and founded on facts. Everyone has a worldview. Some include the idea of a Creator and some do not. Not all that include a Creator are biblical worldviews. So why do men like John Clayton choose a biblical worldview? The answer is that it satisfactorily explains all known observations better than any other.
Third, the early chapters of Genesis explain what we observe. It tells us that we as humans are “outside-the-garden” people. We are, in fact, separated from a friend who was once close at hand. A break of fellowship occurred when our “father Adam” was put out of the presence of the Creator. We, being his offspring, are also “out here.” We learn that Adam disobeyed the commands of the Creator, and this disobedience is the reason for the separation. The term for disobedience is sin (I John 3:4). Sin causes separation (Isa 59:2). In a biblical worldview, the things that we see have logical explanations.
Not only are we separated, but the land is against us (Gen 3:17ff). Another biblical writer who was well-versed in the Old Testament writings expressed the idea that the whole world is “groaning in travail” until things become right (Rom 8:19-22). This is another consequence of being “outside the garden.” Yes, the flaws in the operation of the earth/universe machine testify that something is indeed wrong, and the Bible tells us why.
But the story gets more personal. We are not guilty of the sin of our father Adam (Eze 18:19-20). Nevertheless, we all have sinned (Rom 3:23). We belong outside the garden! The flaws of our world are designed to lead us to understand that we are separated from God by our own transgressions of His law.
And what about the “good” seen in our world? Even toward Adam and Eve who just sinned, God still demonstrated His care for them by making them garments (Gen 3:21). Outside the garden, good continues to be directed toward them (and us). Does this have a purpose? Yes! It is to draw man back to his Creator (Rom 2:4). Sadly, not all will respond (Rom 2:5).
CONCLUSION
Religious belief can result from man seeing design in nature and inferring the existence of a Supreme Designer. Many see the “good” directed toward man, and conclude that the Designer cares for man. The fact that things have gone wrong in this world testifies that there is a problem, and this drives many more to seek answers. The worldview expressed in the Bible puts all the observable facts together into the most reasonable and consistent pattern.
To accept this worldview is an act of faith. Worldviews cannot be proven. Nevertheless, many who have studied all sorts of explanations for the above observations have discovered that the Bible has the greatest power to explain what is, and that it rests on very solid and factual ground.
Posted by John on under Articles
What does it mean to say that God has created according to design? First, it means that something is a direct result of planning and thought. Second, it means that something has arrangement, order and structure. Third, it means that what is created has intents and purpose. This is true in the physical realm as well as in the religious realm. In this article, we will explore God’s design in the physical realm. Another article will deal with the religious.
WHAT IS SOME EVIDENCE OF DESIGN IN THE PHYSICAL REALM?
First, consider the ozone layer. This is a blanket of gas in the upper region of our atmosphere. It filters out harmful rays from the sun. If this blanket is destroyed or gets holes in it, then terrible consequences will result. One such consequence is skin cancer. By ignoring or caring less about the ozone layer, man finds himself working against God’s design.
Second, what is it about green plants that shows design? Here are two:
(1) green plants are nature’s air fresheners. Have you every been in a “stuffy room”? That is because there is too much human exhalent (carbon dioxide) in the room. Green plants (trees, grasses, etc.) all absorb animal exhalent and replace it with oxygen. Green vegetation keep the earth’s air at a constant level of oxygen. And this keeps us from living in a “stuffy” atmosphere. So, what if man keeps on with the reckless cutting of trees and clearing out of grasslands? Again, altering the design God set-up will not enhance the quality of life God wants for us.
(2) There is a psychological power in green. It is a proven fact that the color green acts as a “calmer” for stress. Yes, a person stuck in a busy, slow-moving traffic line can look at a green tree and become calmer. People who work in the stressful office-place will benefit by having lush green plants in their office to look at and gaze upon. Is it any wonder why people want to escape for the weekend and go into the country? Green is God’s tranquilizer. Now consider replacing most of the green grass and trees with cold, gray concrete and man-made buildings. Even that statement can raise your stress level. Now, what about those who are active in altering the plan of God by tearing up forests and grasslands to build parking lots and super malls? Not only are they dishonoring God but also harming themselves and the rest of us.
Third, God made the water-cycle. When it rains in your city did you know that the water came from the ocean? As the ocean moves, water evaporates with the aid of the sun. This water vapor rises above the ocean and eventually forms a cloud. That cloud travels inland to your hometown and drops the water there. The water run-off finds its way back to a river and then back to the ocean to start the process over. During this cycle the water is cleansed and man is able to “catch it” for use. But what is happening? Man is pumping in chemicals into the air (such as sulfur dioxide) that causes acid water to fall out of the clouds. This is “acid rain” and is most hazardous to the well-being of life here. Further, waterways are being used as dumps for all sorts of chemicals. For example, the paper industry has dumped in methylmercury, this has gotten into the food-chain and has resulted in animal mutations. Not good. Some rivers and lakes are actually “dead” as a result of pollution. Disrespect for God’s design surely gets us into the ditch.
Fourth, scientists speak of the earth as an “ecological system.” This means that all living things and their environments interact. There is a balance. If one thing is harmed this causes an upset in the balance. This means that all living things have a place in the world. In a sense, this world is a “garden” to be tended and not torn apart (Gen 2:15). Man’s greed and vanity has led to the sensless extinction or near extinction of animals (e.g., leopard, tiger). Habitats are destroyed when men want to build “bigger barns.” In all this destruction, no respect is given to the fact that God designed the world to be enjoyed and not ravaged for the pursuit of wealth or high fashion.
WHY HAS MAN NOT WORKED TO PRESERVE THE DESIGN OF GOD FOR THE PLANET?
First, some act in ignorance. That is, they do not actually know about some of these things. If they did, many would actually change their minds and act accordingly. Education is the key here. A right heart with right facts will result in the right acts.
Second, some understand but simply do not care. Greed, pride, vanity and self-will are leading factors here. For example, it may be said that it costs too much to clean up the industrial water before it is dumped into the river. Another may say that it takes too much time to plant trees after cutting. Positive economic ends are the goals here and it is hard to get past that hurdle.
Third, some understand the design but relegate it to a “minor matter” or “just an opinion.” When faced with facts we do not like, one way to get rid of the facts is to simply label it as stated above. In this way, we can practice what we want without any strain on the conscience.
Fourth, some are unwilling to study out the issue. Fear prevents them from being open to the possibility of being wrong. And it is always good to blame our inability to understand on our “pre-concieved notions” or “blind spots.”
Fifth, money sometimes gets in the way of good reason. It is hardly likely that a person who makes a living by selling furs/skins is going to hear anything about the preservation of the leopard, etc. Not many corporate leaders change their minds as much as those who are a part of the public at large. Why? Because if your house, groceries and extras come from the corporation, why “buck the system”? Money makes people blind to truth.
WHAT IS THE PROPER RESPONSE TO GOD’S DESIGN?
First, the earth is actually “on loan” to us (Ps 24:1, 2). How do we handle things that are loaned to us? Do we tear it them up? What if you loaned someone your car and it came back with pinstripes on it? Looks pretty but did you ask for such? What if it came back with a fender bent? You’re going to be upset. In everyday life we want people to respect our property and we are not pleassed when such is not the case. How does God feel when man does what he does to the earth?
Second, the key to pleasing God as per the earth today is restoration. That is, mankind needs to work together to restore the land, restore habitat and restore the waterways and air to the original design.
Third, the key to a proper view of the earth is actually a belief in God and the fact that the earth is His. If He is honored, then His creation will be honored.
Fourth, every Christian has a responsiblility to be good stewards of the earth. This means that before a Christian will build or progress, he/she will consider the environmental impact of the thing and work toward good conservation. Further, Christians will have a proper view of hunting, etc. Jesus had fish cooking for the disciples (John 21:9-12). Killing for food and killing just to kill are different things. Killing animals just to project one’s own vanity by displaying skins, heads, etc., surely is questionable Christian conduct.
IN CONCLUSION
This article has tried to show that God has a design for the world. And that when the self-will of man interferes with that design by adding pollutants or by subtracting plants, animals or life chemicals, then God is not pleased and man is reaping trouble.
Posted by John on under Articles
In matters of everyday life, people usually like to walk the sure path in everyday affairs. Examples are: (1) A chemist will mix chemicals and he is reasonably sure that it will not explode in his face. It would be dangerous to take two chemicals and mix them if he is uncertain about how they will react. (2) People usually do not cross bridges if the sign in front says that there is a 10% chance of getting across; they pick the one that has a 95% certainty of getting across. (3) No one will jump out of an airplane with a parachute they are unsure of. (4) Most people try to give their boss something for Christmas that they know he likes instead of just making a guess at it.
Yet, it is a curious thing that in matters of religion most people don’t seem to care about believing and doing what they are certain of. They walk both sure and unsure paths toward God. And when questionable things are done or believed, religious division occurs.
PLEASING FATHER
Consider this analogy: Father’s Day is coming up. He has made it known that he really likes fancy Jellybeans. No question on this. But you like chocolate. You are not real sure if dad likes chocolate or not. He has never said anything one way or the other. It is a questionable item. What are you going to get dad? What will love for dad direct you to get?
Now, God is our Father. The only way we know what He likes is through what He has told us in the New Testament (1 Cor 2:11). What will we give him? Will it be those things and attitudes that are questionable or those that are certain to please him (as revealed in the New Testament)? What will love for God motivate us to do?
BAPTISM
What about baptism? There is no question that the New Testament practice and teaching point to immersion in water and the corroborative testimony of church history firms up this conclusion. This is a “sure thing.” Will that be our practice? Will we change this and offer other options according to our likes and dislikes? What will love and honor for God motivate us to do?
LORD’S SUPPER
Take, for example, the Lord’s Supper. It is a without question that Jesus wants us to remember Him by “breaking bread” (Mt 26:26-29). And Jesus told His Apostles to teach the disciples how to observe it (Matt 28:20). Hence, meeting on the first day of each week to take the Lord’s Supper has apostolic approval (Acts 20:7) and must have come from apostolic instruction (Matt 28:20, Acts 2:42). And since the death of Jesus and His resurrection are literally tied together (Rom 4:25), then logically the memorials that mirror those events are tied together. Hence, the practice seen in Acts 20:7 has a clear theological design and is centered on the core of the gospel. So, why change it into something that is questionable? What other day would fit the picture like the first day of the week (Lk 24:1-20, note that the first day of the week = the third day = resurrection day)? (It is interesting that the early church was not taught to meet on Thursday, the day when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. That would have been a logical choice.)
The Acts 20:7 practice is corroborated by early church history (see Ferguson, E., Early Christians Speak, pp. 81-105, Sweet Pub. Company, 1971). And there is a practical design to it: 52 times a year a person is reminded of what Christ has done for them and its vindication by the resurrection! What other practice can deliver this? God’s wisdom is surely apparent. Shall we modify it or honor it? To use the analogy above, why offer God, the Father, “chocolate” when it is revealed that He likes “Jellybeans”? Wouldn’t love, respect and trust for our Father motivate us to follow the sure path in this matter?
An attempt to counter the force of Acts 20:7 is to ask, “Why not also take the Lord’s Supper in an ‘upper room’ with ‘many lights’?” First, place is not important in Christianity (John 4:21). Second, the Lord’s Supper and Resurrection day are memorials to key events of the gospel. What is the gospel significance of rooms, lights and windows? Third, Christianity moves in the progress and culture of the first century. They had to meet somewhere. They had to get around somehow . . . by horse, walking, or chariot (Acts 8:28). There is such a clear, common-sense contrast between Christian practice as seen here and the ordinary ways of the first century that it seems to be a mere “quibble” to ask the question above.
MUSIC
Look at the instrumental music issue. In the Old Testament, God asks for instrumental music to be used in worship to Him (2 Chron 29:25-26, Ps 150). There clearly was no question about it. It was a “sure thing.” Note this contrast: God has not said one word to that effect in the New Testament writings as per worship! As such, using instrumental music in New Testament worship is questionable as per pleasing God.
Everyone admits that acapella music is acceptable to God. This is because singing is an apostolic directive (Eph 5:19, etc.). And if the use of an instrument is in Eph 5:19, then it took the church about 500 years and a Pope to discover it! The Greek Orthodox Church still hasn’t found it; hence, they just sing to the Lord. This is even more interesting since the Greeks read Eph 5:19 in the original Greek language like we read a newspaper! So why divide the church on a questionable item?
The contrast is clear. Why not give our Father what he has asked for and leave off what he has not asked for? What else could love for God and trust in His wisdom motivate us to do?
The case against instrumental music above is not based on silence but on a contrast in what is being asked for by our Father. To see how we understand the principle of contrast in instructions, consider this: At basketball camp, a coach left written instructions for his team to go down and do lay-ups with “dunks.” That was their practice. This year, he wrote instructions for them go down and do lays-ups. Same context, but contrast the instruction. This year, “dunks” were left out. He did not ask for them. Was this by oversight or design? Did the coach have a different purpose? What would be the wise thing for the team to do to please the coach? What practice could they be sure of? Would it be presumptuous to practice as they did last year and argue, “But last year you said . . .”
When God gives contrasting instruction between the Old Testament and New Testament worship, shall we argue, “But in the Old Testament you said . . .”?
CONCLUSION
The Restoration Plea deals with following the “sure path” in religion. It is not a restoration of first-century ways of moving, dressing and eating but of a Christ-centered religion . . . one that is internal, not physical, as contrasted to the Old Testament system. The New Testament way is aimed to conform us into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29). The “sure path” is to trust what God has revealed in matters of worship, etc., (1 Cor 2:11) and leave off what is questionable as per God’s design of things.
So, what path will you follow? The way that is certain as far as being pleasing to God or the way that is uncertain?
Posted by John on under Articles
FULFILLED PROPHECY
What if someone could speak of events before they happened in sufficient detail to make “coincidence” unlikely? Surely, this would directly support the existence of the supernatural. The arguments for God from prophecy are more direct than those from the sciences.
Bible students know that the kingdom of Israel became divided. Samaria (city) became the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, while Jerusalem was the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah.
MICAH FORETELLS THE DOOM OF JERUSALEM
Micah claims to be a prophet of God (1:1) and his word carried weight in the eyes of the leaders of Judah. The prophet Jeremiah was not put to death for his prophecy against Jerusalem because it corroborated with what Micah had said (Jer 26:8, 9, 18, 19)! Are there any more reasons to believe that Micah is a true prophet?
First, read the book of Micah and be convinced that his speeches have a ring of honesty and truth to them. Sometimes the “proof is in the hearing.”
Second, many things that he says are corroborated by other independent sources (cf. 2 Ki 15:32-20:21; 2 Chron 27:1- 32:33; Hosea, Amos, Isaiah). When testimony in a court of law matches details presented by other witnesses, we believe the statements given are true. So, why not believe Micah?
Third, Micah could have had material gain by not saying what he did (Mic 3:5, 11). And he went against “peer pressure” to speak out (2:6). So, here we have a man who claims to be a prophet, the authority of his words saved Jeremiah from death, he sounds honest, his testimony can be verified by independent sources, he does not “preach for a price” and has enough courage to stand up against the establishment of the day. What more could one ask for in order to believe in the credibility of a person?
THE FALL OF JERUSALEM
What does Micah have to say about Jerusalem? Will it also fall to Assyria? At the time of his prophecy (remember this next line . . .) Assyria was the major force and reasonable choice to destroy Jerusalem! Already Assyria had come mighty close to taking it (see 2 Ki 18, 19 and 2 Chron 32, Isa 36, EBH pp. 374, 280). But the prophet says it will be Babylon and not Assyria that takes Jerusalem (Micah 4:10). This would seem far-fetched during Micah’s time because Babylon was a mere “spit-in-the-road” kingdom (EBH, pp. 282). Further, he says that Jerusalem will be plowed under and the Temple will be bashed down (Micah 3:12); this happened under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C. (EBH, pp. 271). Hence, the prophet Micah looked about 100 years into the future to see Babylon as a major conquering force from the north (EBH, pp. 450). Again, common sense would have made him see a world dominated by the Assyrians and not by some mediocre state like Babylon. But he did not follow any kind of private interpretation. He was moved by the Spirit of God to speak the truth (Mic 3:8ff; 2 Pet 2:20, 21).
NAHUM FORETELLS THE DOOM OF ASSYRIA
Some want to date the book of Nahum to be very late to avoid any suggestion that real prophecy took place. This is done because some scholars have an anti-supernatural bias in which they approach any Old Testament book. They have already decided that miracles cannot happen and this includes speaking of events before they occurred. Yet, when Nahum spoke, Assyria still had a grip on Judah (1:13, 2:2) and was still the dominant force to contend with. Hence, it is reasonable to believe that Nahum prophesied during the reign of Assyria and, therefore, before the fall of Nineveh (612 B.C.).
What is amazing about the prophecy of Nahum is not just the fact that he predicted the demise of Nineveh but the mechanism of its fall. They are:
(1) Water would play a major role in the destruction of the city (Nah 1:8, 2:6). Further, the siege of Nineveh occurred during the month of Ab, and according to a Babylonian tablet, this was the season of their heavy rainfall. So, rain poured heavy on the city. The early historian Diodorus Siculus (circa 30 B.C.) wrote of the destruction of Nineveh and testifies that water played a major role in its downfall (EDV, pp. 310-311). So, here we have independent, corroborating testimony from someone who is in a better position to know than any historian is today. (2) Drunkenness also played a role (Nah 1:10) and so did fire (Nah 2:13, 3:13). Diodorus Siculus cites drunkenness as a major factor in the fall of Nineveh and testifies to the burning of the palace by the Assyrian king himself. A.H. Layard, the foremost expert on Nineveh and who actually discovered Nineveh and proved its existence to a doubting world (ZPBD, pp. 589), said that in every major dig traces of fire are evident (PM, pp. 62). Therefore, the prophecy of Nahum is substantiated. Even by guessing, how could a person predict that flooding, drunkenness and fire would be factors in the fall of a city that God himself called “great” (Jonah 1:2)? Just to predict its downfall seems amazing enough in the context of the time. (It would be like Britain accurately predicting the downfall of Nazi Germany after the Blitz of London!)
(3) Nineveh’s destruction would be final (1:9, 14). Many cities in the ancient world were destroyed and then later rebuilt (e.g., Jerusalem). Nineveh never was rebuilt!
Such details cannot reasonably be assigned to mere coincidence. The best conclusion would be that Nahum spoke things beyond human understanding. This verifies the existence of God in a more direct way . . . a particularity of the God described in the Old Testament.
CONCLUSION
While the study of nature testifies to the existence of a God it is limited in describing or identifying “which God.” Old Testament prophecy gives us more direct evidence that the God of Abraham is the true God. However, there is a drawback. Old Testament history and the intermingling of the prophets and archeology is hard to study. But the jewels are there for the looking!
References:
EDV, Evidence that Demands a Verdict (a. Josh McDowell), Campus Crusade Intl., 1972, 1989.
ZPBD, Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary (ed. Merrill C. Tenney), Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.
EBH, Eerdman’s Bible Handbook (ed. D. Alexander), Grand Rapids: Eerdman’s, 1973.
PM, The Prophet Motive (a. Kenny Barfield), Nashville: Gospel Advocate Co., 1995.
Posted by Gordon on under Articles
- God
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. (Romans 8:33)
- Jesus
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
- Holy Spirit
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
- Faith
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
- The Word
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)
- Preaching
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21)
- Hearing
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
- Repentance
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
- Confession
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10)
- Baptism
There is also an antitype which now saves us; baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21)
- Grace
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Mercy
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
- Love
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
- Jesus’ Blood
Who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. (Hebrews 7:27)
- Jesus’ Life
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10)
- Jesus’ Death
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (Romans 5:9)
- Gospel
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
- Doing the will of the Lord
“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.” (Matthew 7:21)
- Being Righteous
“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)
- Enduring to the end
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)
- Calling on the name of the Lord
And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. (Acts 2:21)
- Doctrine
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)
- Turning a sinner from the error of his way
Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)
- The name of Jesus
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
- Childbearing
Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. (1 Timothy 2:15)
Posted by David on December 31, 1996 under Bulletin Articles
The following is a brief summation of the lessons presented on leadership in the fall of 1997. For outlines of those lessons, follow links to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5 sermons.
1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 were not intended to become “check lists” for elder qualifications. Neither scripture included these basic, critical qualifications:
- The quality and nature of the man’s faith.
- The man’s love for people, and how he demonstrates his love.
- The man’s love for the congregation (a shepherd must love the sheep).
- His possessing and demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).
- His possessing and demonstrating the Christian graces (1 Peter 1:5-8).
1 Timothy 3 gives the profile of the kind of man qualified to be a shepherd in the urban church of the huge city of Ephesus. This city was a business and religious center with a population of 250,000 people. It was a wealthy, sophisticated city with a significant degree of cultural development.
This congregation already had elders–some good, some evil. They needed more elders. They did not need just to add some men. They needed to add a particular type of Christian man. His profile: he is respected for his mature spiritual character. His values stress the spiritual, not the material. He is a family man who knows how to love and work with people. He is not deceived by unspiritual thinking. The urban community respects him.
Titus 1 gives a profile of the kind of man qualified to shepherd one of the congregations on the island of Crete. People living there had an earned reputation for evil. They were known for greed, violence, and earthiness. They were self-indulgent people who loved money. Christian shepherds needed to be devoted to God’s work (not selfish ambitions); to loving good (not honoring evil); to being upright (not being devious); and to being holy (not being sensuous and earthly).
1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 stress this essential understanding: spiritual leadership in a congregation provides shepherding while addressing the real needs of the congregation in the context of its “real world” situation.
In 1 Peter 5:1-5, Peter, an elder, gives a charge to other elders. As an elder, he walked in their sandals, he actually saw Jesus’ sufferings, and he understood the eternal destination. Peter focused them on their responsibility. Their primary responsibility: shepherd the sheep (or take care of the Christians). Remember: sheep are hard to care for. (1) Exercise oversight, (2) do it because you want to do it, (3) lead by example, (4) do not lord it over them (or do not lead by using power and control).
Selecting men to be elders (entrusting them with leadership within the congregation) is the most critical moment in the life of a congregation. That decision affects the health and future of the congregation more than any other single leadership decision. Too many help make that decision while having little understanding of the spiritual concerns or responsibilities involved. The biblical selection of elders should never become (1) a popularity contest, (2) a reward for successful business accomplishments, (3) a political campaign, (4) a contest between factions within a congregation, or (5) “a good business decision” that chooses someone who “knows how to make business decisions and handle money.”
The real issue: who has the spiritual ability to capably shepherd this congregation? Who has the spiritual maturity, the Christ-like personality, and the compassionate disposition that will enable this man to be an inspirational guide? Who can encourage us as we serve and follow Jesus Christ? Who (1) would I turn to in the moment of crisis, (2) would I trust to be of help when I am struggling, (3) would spiritually “carry me on his shoulder” when I was too discouraged or too weary to continue on?
The central consideration: The central consideration does not focus on questions and issues that concern real estate and finances. The central consideration focuses on ministering to souls–souls that are troubled, or discouraged, or weak, or tempted, or deceived, or misguided, or fallen, or energetic, or motivated, or purpose driven, or developing and maturing. The central consideration focuses on people, not on things.
Posted by David on December 29, 1996 under Sermons
Focus verse: Hebrews 11:6–Without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of those who seek him.
College football is big business in this country. Some of the one-game losses in the top five teams late in the season cost the team that lost as much as 9 million dollars because the loss changed the bowl bid they would receive. College football is a major industry, and that industry peaks every year during this week.
For years, college football also created a major national debate every year the first week in January. In years past, there was a big argument about which team was truly the national champion. Only occasionally was there consensus about the team that was the “true” national champion.
So in January, 1996, division one college football inaugurated a brand new system that would make that debate unnecessary. Through a coalition of bowl games, the number one team would play the number two team every year, and the winner would be the undisputed national champion. A tie breaker was even inaugurated to make it impossible for the game to end in a tie. When that game was over, there would be a winner; there would be a national champion.
I well remember when that game was played for the first time on January 2 of this year, 1996. I well remember the endless television hype, the promotions, the predictions, the days of pre-game analysis. This game was to be the dream game. A fast scoring, passing team (Florida) would play a powerful running team (Nebraska). We were told again and again that this would be the most exciting, interesting game of the year.
To the shock and amazement of the analysts and the poor TV announcers who covered the game, it was a real dud. It was a “no contest” game. Almost from beginning to end, it was a no contest game. Florida suffered a devastating defeat.
In this country, losing is powerfully associated with failure. In 1995 Florida had an exceptional football team. That year, they won every regular season game, and they broke a lot of records doing it. But they lost the national championship game in the Fiesta Bowl. So many regarded their year to be a failure.
To me, one of the worst interviews a person could be asked to give would be this interview: the losing coach’s interview after a national championship defeat that many expected him to win. Steve Spurier gave that interview. This is what he said: Nebraska was the better team. The better team had beaten the Florida team and the Florida coaches in every aspect of the game. The Nebraska team was probably the best team he had seen in the six years that he had been the head coach at Florida. Nebraska was well prepared for the game and played hard on every single play.
Spurier had a great team. His great team lost. Without hesitation, he respectfully acknowledged that he, his coaches, and his team had been thoroughly defeated.
It is easy to enjoy victory. It is hard to deal with defeat. It is easy to enjoy success. It is hard to deal with failure.
- I have always had a profound respect and admiration for any person who refused to surrender his or her life to failure.
- I have great respect for a marriage that never experienced a serious marriage crisis.
- That kind of marriage does not happen by accident.
- It is no accident that Jesse and Mary Huff celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last Sunday.
- It is no accident that Hazel and John Richards celebrated their 50 years of marriage yesterday.
- It is no accident that Tom and Lou Porter just celebrated 51 years of successful marriage.
- It takes commitment, hard work, love, sensitivity, and attentiveness to sustain a successful marriage.
- But I have even greater respect for a married couple who suffers a devastating crisis in their marriage and successfully puts their marriage back together.
- To do that takes incredible courage and sacrifice.
- No one understands how hard it is to do that except the couples who have done it.
- It is much easier to sustain a good marriage than it is to successfully rebuild a troubled marriage.
- I have great respect for a person who has never been married who builds a positive, productive life that is filled with faith and involvement.
- Building a positive, productive life that is focused on God when you live alone is a significant accomplishment.
- Having the support and encouragement of a mate who believes in you and encourages you is a powerful asset in building a godly life.
- Building a godly, involved life without that support and encouragement is a major accomplishment.
- But I have even greater respect for a person who has experienced a devastating divorce and still builds a positive, productive life that is focused on God.
- A failed marriage can easily create a bitterness that will devour your heart and soul.
- It is common for a failed marriage to destroy your confidence, to murder your self esteem, and to strip you of any vestige of dignity or worth.
- Building a faith-focused life while refusing to surrender to some of life’s most powerful negative forces is an incredible accomplishment.
- I have great respect for any person who through integrity, honesty, faith, and hard work succeeds in any career or business.
- True success never comes easily.
- It is not easy to succeed in any form in enterprise.
- Success in anything takes sacrifice, commitment, and lots of hard work.
- I have even greater respect for any person who through integrity, honesty, faith, and hard work succeeds in a career or business after experiencing a career or business failure.
- After such failure, it is hard to trust God.
- It is hard to find any confidence in your ability.
- It is awfully hard to continue to hold to your integrity, your honesty, and your faith.
- Having failed once, it is hard to set aside your fears, restore your confidence, and rebuild your dreams.
- As Christians, we struggle to develop faith in God–it is never easy to learn to trust God.
- Perhaps the most difficult faith to develop is the faith that trusts God to help us overcome our failures.
- We all experience failures–many, many failures.
- Every single failure we experience begins in our hearts and minds.
- The most difficult faith to develop is the faith that allows God to help us discover and address the failures that are within us.
- A Christian must learn to trust that:
- God can still the storms that rage “in here.”
- God can strengthen me to endure in the trying, demanding moments of my life “in here.”
- God can heal what is broken “in here.”
- God can help me understand what I do not grasp, help me see what I am blind to, help me face what I have always run from.
- That is the faith every one of us must develop! Spiritual survival is dependent on that faith.
- Every one of us has storms “in here.”
- Every one of us must deal with trying, demanding moments “in here.”
- Every one of us has something broken “in here” that desperately needs to be healed, that only God can heal.
- Every one of us has things that we do not grasp, blind spots, and things that we run from.
- In the gospel of Matthew, we are told that Jesus told people that they had little faith four times.
- In Matthew 6:30, he told those who were filled with anxiety about their physical needs that they were people of little faith.
- In Matthew 8:26, Jesus’ disciples were filled with fear as a storm was swamping their boat, and Jesus said that they had little faith.
- In Matthew 14:31, Peter was walking to Jesus on a stormy sea at night.
- When he was within reach of Jesus, he suddenly became afraid and began to sink.
- Jesus said that he had little faith.
- In Matthew 16:8, the disciples misunderstood a statement Jesus made.
- They though Jesus was criticizing them.
- Jesus said they had little faith.
- People had little faith when:
- Physical needs created a controlling anxiety.
- They feared for survival in the presence of Jesus.
- They were distracted from Jesus and became afraid.
- They misunderstood Jesus.
In every area of life, we need great faith. In every dimension of our lives, we need faith. We urgently need to learn how to trust God in all areas of human existence.
But in no area of life do we need faith more, do we need to trust God more, than in the areas of our failures. Without faith, failure will defeat us. With faith, God can always help us rebuild our lives through a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
We live in the presence of a God who forgives. We live in the family of a God who powerfully works within us.
Even in your failures, you can glorify God. You can glorify him by accepting His forgiveness and allowing Him to work in you.
Posted by David on December 22, 1996 under Sermons
Matthew 7:1-12
The most health conscious congregation that I, personally, have ever known is the congregation I worked with in Oxford, Mississippi. Over a period of several years some of the most involved members of the congregation had to have heart bypass surgery or angioplasty procedures. Most of these people were still in the prime of life and very active.
Having either one of the procedures resulted in radical changes in life style. With those changes, some of them began to preach the gospel of heart healthy eating. When we had a fellowship meal, they would prepare heart healthy dishes and mark these dishes with a distinctive sign that had a heart on it.
Now in the churches of Christ, we are against drinking, against smoking, against profanity, against gambling, and against numerous life styles. But we are very pro food. It is pretty much true that we will tolerate others speaking out against many life styles. But don’t mess with our food. We may not drink and we may not smoke, but we eat. So don’t mess with my eating.
And when we eat, we want “good” food, food that tastes wonderful, food that literally begs us to eat too much and then groan because we are too full. That is the measure of good food at a great fellowship–the number of people who talk about how miserable they are because they ate too much.
Well, needless to say, there were a number of members who did not view the gospel of heart healthy food kindly. Take the fat out, and you take the cherished taste out. Take the fat out, you get all you want of that food before you can over eat. And that takes all the fun out of eating. That means you have to start eating to live instead of living to eat. Where is the fun in that?
I share that to make this point. Even when we know something is good for us, even when we freely confess that it is in our best interest, we still don’t like changes in our life styles–we don’t even like changes in our understandings.
We are examining Jesus’ presentation of revolutionary new concepts of righteousness in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. He has completely redefined what it meant to be righteous and completely redefined how righteousness is expressed in a person’s life. The concepts Jesus shared stood in radical contrast to the common concepts promoted by the Pharisees.
- Thus far in this sermon:
- Jesus redefined the proper description of a righteous person.
- He contrasted righteous conduct with common, accepted religious conduct.
- He stressed that righteous motives were essential to righteous conduct.
- He rejected the materialistic focus of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
- Jesus concluded this sermon by emphasizing five responsibilities that a righteous person will accept.
- The responsibility of self-evaluation–accept ownership of your own problems.
- The responsibility of spiritual discretion–use wisdom in sharing your new understanding.
- The responsibility of initiative–God responds to seekers.
- The responsibility for choosing direction–the direction of our lives is a matter of choice.
- The responsibility for exercising caution–protection against being misled.
- We want to look at the responsibility of self-evaluation tonight.
- The responsibility of self-evaluation:
- Remember Jesus has already stated that their righteousness must surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).
- They could not “out deed” the Pharisees; you could not perform more religious deeds than they did.
- They could not “out study” the Pharisees; you could not know more information about the scriptures than they did.
- They could not “out religion” the Pharisees; you could not be more religious than they were.
- Then how could their righteousness be surpassed?
- One fundamental way to surpass their righteousness was to refuse to pass judgment or condemnation.
- The Pharisees had an “out there” religion.
- Their religious concepts were firmly based in scripture.
- They could give book, chapter, and verse for everything they did; they had proof texts for all their emphases and deductions.
- But the primary reason for having knowledge was to pass judgment on other people.
- You learned for the purpose of establishing the criteria of correctness.
- Then you measured other people by the criteria.
- By using the criteria, you determined what was wrong with them.
- Then you condemned them for their error.
- From the Pharisees’ perspective, that was the purpose of knowledge, that was the way the you appropriately represented God.
- From their perspective of representing God by condemning others, at this point, Jesus’ sermon seemed to be an open invitation to pass judgment on the Pharisees.
- In chapter five Jesus said in this sermon:
- Reconciliation takes precedence over worship; so shouldn’t you condemn those who refuse to pursue reconciliation?
- Pornographic lust is adultery; so should you not condemn those who have pornographic eyes and hearts?
- Divorce produced adultery; so should you not condemn all who were divorced?
- Righteous people honor their word; so should you not condemn all who use their word to deceive and exploit others?
- Vengeance does not represent the will of God; so should you not condemn all those who seek to do harm to their enemies?
- In chapter six:
- Beware of doing righteous deeds for wrong motives; shouldn’t you judge those who have wrong motives?
- Don’t seek human praise through your benevolent deeds.
- Don’t seek human praise through prayers.
- Don’t seek human praise through fasting.
- Don’t place your trust and sense of security in material possessions.
- Don’t waste life by living in anxiety out of concern for the physical.
- Shouldn’t you condemn people who do those things?
- But Jesus followed all of these revelations with a very clear instruction: don’t judge.
- “I don’t understand that. It doesn’t make sense. Isn’t our mission to straighten out the religious world and to gain control of an ungodly society? We really need to fight and condemn ungodliness in religion and evil in society. Don’t we need to get God in control of religion and society?”
- That is a very complex issue that deals with many valid questions and many valid concepts.
- There is great spiritual danger in oversimplifying that issue; may I suggest some thoughts that we need to keep in our awareness.
- First, consider the view that “we” need to get God in control of religion and society. “We”?
- God more than takes care of Himself and His concerns both in religion and society.
- God is not dependent on us; God is taking care of His affairs.
- Second, God did not use political means to establish and advance Christianity in the first century.
- This is not a pro or a con statement about politics–I do not intend for it to be.
- I intend it only as an observation: political process is not the key to achieving spiritual objectives.
- If you are attracted to the up side of the possibilities, consider the downside: many of the militia movements use religious concerns as primary justification for their movement and actions; the Klan uses religious concerns as primary justification for advancing the concept of racial supremacy.
- Both seek to use a political process to achieve declared spiritual objectives.
- What Jesus is asking them to understand is very simple, so simple that we fail to see its power.
- “Do not judge, do not pass condemnation (as do the Pharisees); it is not the mission of righteousness to pass judgment.”
- “God will judge you by the same criteria that you use to pass judgment on others.”
- To me, that is a terrifying statement.
- That is a powerful reason for being compassionate.
- God will measure my heart, my motives, and my actions by the same yardstick that I use to measure other people’s hearts, motives, and actions.
- It would have been natural and easy for the people listening to this sermon to say:
- “Yes, Jesus! Right on, Jesus. Stick it those self-righteous, pain-in-the-neck Pharisees and everybody who thinks and acts like them.”
- “Right on! They do miss the point! I always knew something was wrong with them. They make life miserable for everybody.”
- A judgmental focus uses knowledge to pick people apart.
- If something is obviously wrong in their lives, attack them.
- If you can’t see anything wrong with them, become suspicious: they are too good. No one is that good. “We need to be cautious here!” Then the search for specks is on.
- The focus in judging:
- Is an “out there” focus rather than an “in here” focus (my heart, my mind, my life).
- Judging focuses my attention on “their mistakes” and totally distracts me from my problems and my needs.
- When someone condemns you, what is the first thing that jumps into your awareness? Their inconsistency–they see your problems but they are blind to their own.
- When we condemn others, those we condemn see our inconsistency.
- Jesus said condemning others (even if our condemnation is intended to correct them) when we are not identifying and addressing our own problems is hypocrisy.
- My primary concern, my primary responsibility in all spiritual knowledge and understanding is to discover and to address my own ungodliness and my own spiritual problems.
- Have you identified your logs in your eye? Have you accepted the responsibility to work on removing your logs?
It took me many years to understand an essential truth about helping people. I have always wanted to help people. I have always wanted to help people find the understandings that would enable them to escape their burdens and their guilt. I have always believed that God was the source of help for everyone, regardless of the nature of their problems. I have understood for many years that Jesus can effectively address any problem in human life no matter what that problem might be.
But wanting to help people is not enough. Knowing that God is the source of help is not enough. Knowing that Jesus can effectively address any spiritual need in human life is not enough.
You can help a person only if the person is receptive to your help. I have learned this about helping people.
Never will a person be open to help or teaching from someone who is condescending and derogatory.
Never will a person be open to help or teaching from a person who has no feeling or respect for them.
Rarely will a person be open to help or teaching from someone who seeks to force them into the glaring light of their failures and mistakes.
Rarely will a person be open to help or teaching from a know-it-all who has all the answers.
Rarely will a person be open to help or teaching from a person who is full of advice and always knows what is best.
From whom will a person more likely accept help and teaching? From a person who accepts ownership of and responsibility for his own problems. From a person who is obviously working on his own life, his own weakness, his own needs. From a person who cares. From a person who shares rather than judges, who leads to understanding rather than condemning. If I understand Jesus, the Christian who does this is the righteous person Jesus described in Matthew 5, 6, and 7.
Posted by David on under Sermons
Can there be joy without a cause? Can there be a celebration without a reason? On the night that Jesus was born, just after his birth, Luke 2:8-13 tells us that some shepherds who were close to Bethlehem had a visit from an angel. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the angel was standing in front of them, and the Lord’s glory was shining all around them. And they were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy, a joy that is for everyone.” The angel then told them of Jesus’ birth and told them where to find him.
Just as suddenly as the angel appeared, then there appeared a multitude of heavenly beings with the angel. These heavenly beings were praising God, declaring, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth among men with whom He is pleased.”
Question: why was heaven celebrating? What was heaven so thrilled about? Why did the fact of Jesus’ birth fill them with such ecstasy?
- Didn’t they know? Didn’t they understand?
- Did they not realize what Jesus’ birth set in motion for Jesus?
- Did they not know that he was born in poverty, would be raised in poverty, and would live his entire life in poverty?
- Once a scribe came to Jesus and said, “I will follow you wherever you go” (Matthew 8:19,20).
- Jesus replied, “The foxes have dens and the birds have nests, but I don’t even have a place to sleep.”
- Did heaven not know that his own brothers would refuse to believe in him?
- Once his brothers asked him why he was not going to Jerusalem to the feast of Tabernacles (John 7:1-4).
- Jesus was such a controversial figure in Jerusalem that there was a serious desire by some to kill him.
- It was not yet time for him to die, and for that reason he was in Galilee.
- His brothers said:
- “Why don’t you go down to Judea so your disciples can see the things that you are doing?”
- “You should not be doing these things secretly–you need to show yourself to the world.”
- They were urging Jesus to place his life in danger because they “were not believing in him.”
- Did heaven not know that even his own family would think that he was crazy?
- Early in his ministry Jesus was attracting such huge crowds that he could not even eat a meal.
- Mark 3:20,21 states that when his own people heard this, that they went to take custody of him saying, “He has lost his senses.”
- Did heaven not know that Jesus would have powerful enemies in high places who would complicate his ministry and make his life as miserable as they could?
- Did heaven not know that he would be betrayed by one of the twelve men who lived and worked with him? Did heaven not know the agony Jesus would endure when one of his best friends denied that he ever knew him?
- Did heaven not know the humiliation and abuse Jesus would confront in his trials–the being slapped, the being mocked, the being spat upon?
- Did heaven not know the pain he would endure in his scourging when he was stripped of his clothes, tied to a post, and beaten with a leather whip?
- Did heaven not know the emotional and physical agony he would endure for hours as he was crucified?
- Didn’t heaven know all this? Yes, heaven knew this.
- Well, if heaven knew, what were they celebrating? What is the joy about?
- How could they be so excited, so happy, so filled with praise if they knew that this baby just born would be successful only if he confronted and endured all this?
- This is hard for us to understand, isn’t it?
- What if you knew immediately after your child’s birth every bad experience, every trauma, every serious sorrow, and every pain that your newborn would face–including the fact that he or she would die a tragic, painful death? If you knew all of that, would it affect the your joy on the day of birth?
- The birth of a child that we love and want is such a euphoric, joyous event in our prosperous, free society because of our ignorance.
- We look into the face of that tiny infant and see nothing but hope, and dreams, and good things to come.
- At that moment it is as though trouble could never touch that new life sleeping in his or her innocence.
- Yet, the truth is, trouble touches and afflicts every life.
- After a birth, we can rejoice and celebrate because of our ignorance; after Jesus’ birth, heaven rejoiced and celebrated in full knowledge of what was to happen.
- Heaven knew everything that awaited this infant in his human experience.
- And with that knowledge, heaven rejoiced.
- Do you understand that? We need to. We need to in order to properly, fully appreciate all that God has done and is doing in Jesus the Christ.
- They were not rejoicing at the prospect of Jesus’ ordeals and pain; they were rejoicing because of what God and Jesus would accomplish through his ordeals and pain.
- Heaven rejoiced because God was very near complete success.
- The plan that God set in motion the day that Adam and Eve rebelled had begun its final phase.
- They rejoiced because God’s objective was at hand–perfect redemption from evil, total forgiveness of sins, complete salvation would soon be a reality.
- Heaven rejoiced because God’s complete victory over Satan was within God’s grasp.
- Satan had been thrown out of heaven.
- Soon the power of death, which was Satan’s power and control over a human’s life, could be destroyed.
- Heaven rejoiced because after the cross would come the resurrection when Jesus would be Lord and Christ, and Satan would be in defeat.
- Hebrews 12:2 states that Jesus endured the cross and looked with contempt upon shame because of the joy that lay beyond the cross.
- It was the joy beyond the cross that caused heaven to rejoice.
- Heaven rejoiced because the birth of this child meant that at last there could be peace among people with whom God was pleased.
- Jesus was born to create the opportunity for us at last to be at peace with God, and also to be at peace with each other because we are at peace with God.
- The natural product of being at peace with God through Jesus is being at peace with everyone who has made peace with God through Jesus.
- Being at peace with God teaches us and shows us how to be at peace every one else who is in Jesus Christ.
An angel told Mary that she had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38), and an angel told Joseph not to be afraid to marry her (Matthew 1:18-25). Angels rejoiced and praised God when Jesus was born. Angels came and ministered to Jesus when his temptations in the wilderness concluded (Matthew 4:11). When Jesus prayed with such intensity in the Garden of Gethsemane that he sweated as though he were bleeding, an angel came and strengthened him (Luke 22:43). An angel rolled the stone away from Jesus’ tomb when he was resurrected, and told the women who made their early morning visit to the tomb, that Jesus was not there, that he had arisen (Matthew 28:1-7). Immediately after Jesus ascended back into heaven, heavenly messengers promised Jesus’ disciples that Jesus would return in the same manner that he left (Acts 1:10, 11).
From the moment Jesus entered this world to the moment Jesus left this world, heaven took great interest in all that occurred in Jesus’ life. Heaven rejoiced when he was born, and rejoiced again when he returned. Revelation 5:9, 10 states that all the creatures of heaven bowed before the resurrected Jesus and sang this song:
You are worthy to take the book and to break its seals; for you were slain, and purchased for God with your blood men from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.
Just as Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5-11, I thank Jesus for not clinging to his equality with God, for emptying his divine self into the form of a human slave taking upon himself our humanity. I thank Jesus for humbling himself as a human in total obedience to God, obedience that even accepted death on a cross.
I thank God for exalting him, for giving him a name, a title, the Christ, which is the most powerful and significant name ever given anyone. I thank God that the day will come when every being in heaven and every person who has ever lived on earth will bow before Jesus. And that everyone, voluntarily, will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And in that moment, God will be appropriately glorified for all that He has done in making our salvation a reality.
Just as heaven was personally and directly involved in Jesus’ life from the moment he was born through the time of his resurrection, if you choose to place your life in the resurrected Jesus, heaven will be personally and directly involved in your life–from the moment you are born into God’s family through the time of your resurrection. Jesus was born to create your opportunity to choose. Jesus was raised from the dead to give you that choice. It is your choice. If you choose life in Christ, heaven will rejoice again.
Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles
Our initial impression of Jesus often becomes the basis of our spiritualfocus. The Lord directed Peter to Cornelius. A confused Peter finallyunderstood that he was to introduce Cornelius to Jesus. This was hisintroduction:
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God appointed him with the Holy Spiritand with power, and how he went about doing good, healing all who wereoppressed by the devil; for God was with him (Acts 10:38).
These words leap out: “…He went about doing good…, for God was withhim.” What a beautiful summation of Jesus’ ministry! Jesus went about doinggood because God was with Him. What a marvelous insight!
You and I have difficulty seeing evil. Sure, we see the evil that torturesus or that personally offends us. But, we do not see all evil in all of itsforms and presentations. Jesus did: the evil in hearts, motives, andattitudes as well as the evil in actions and human interaction. Yet, seeingall evil, He went about doing good.
Incredible! Our greatest reasons for refusing to do good arise from ourawareness of evil. Evil discourages us. It “turns us off.” It intimidatesus. It disillusions us. It makes us cynical and judgmental. It powerfullyconvinces us that it is “wrong” to do good. We find others’ evil sooffensive that we refuse to do good.
Christians who stumble and fall frustrate us. Godly people who fall prey toevil motives anger us. Evil within the church outrages us. We set otherChristians on idealistic pedestals. Then we are disgusted when they failto meet our expectations.
In all circumstances, Jesus saw evil as we are incapable of seeing it. Yet,He went about doing good.
Jesus was born to do good, lived to do good, died to do good, and He everreigns to do good. May we follow His leadership. Why? Because God is withus. Remember: the more God’s presence fills us, the more good we will do.
