Good Evening!
I want to briefly draw your attention to Deuteronomy 18:15-18. These verses are found in the midst of a sermon preached by Moses as the Israelites were perched at the edge of the Promised Land after wandering for some forty years in the wilderness!
15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him. 16 "This is according to all that you asked of the LORD your God in Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, 'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, let me not see this great fire anymore, lest I die.' 17 "And the LORD said to me, 'They have spoken well. 18 'I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Our Lord we thank you for sending the Lord Jesus Christ as a baby so many years ago. He is God incarnate: the Word made flesh! Oh how we need the Word of God to guide us! We praise You for not leaving us to meander without guidance! So many years ago, You sent us a Prophet! A Prophet who would bring the words of life! We praise You for that and for Him! It is in His name, the name that is above all names, that we pray now, Amen!
In this passage, Moses reminds the people of the time at Mt. Sinai (or Horeb) found in Exodus 19 and 20 when God descended upon the mountain and gave the ten commandments to Moses. It was a fearsome sight that caused the people to fear for their lives! They understood their sinfulness in light of a holy and righteous God and realized that they needed someone to speak for them lest they die!
In these verses, Moses tells the people that God will raise up a Prophet from among them to intercede for them! I want YOU to know and understand that this prophet is a VERY specific Prophet…I want you to know that He is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ who was born among the Israelites in the little insignificant town of Bethlehem on the first Christmas over 2000 years ago. According to Luke 2, this little baby Jesus grew in wisdom and stature among them. This God man Jesus Christ was raised up from among them…He was the Prophet spoken of by Moses! God knew ALL His people including us needed a Prophet so He gave His own Son: the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tonight, I want to briefly give you six reasons why we needed Jesus Christ to be our Prophet:
I. Jesus represents God to us [God will raise up a prophet like me]
a. Notice the text, God will raise up a prophet “like me”! The work of a prophet is to bring the words of God to the people! In the Old Testament, we see many prophets who were raised up by God; but the prophet described in this text is a prophet who will be like Moses; but not only like Moses, He will be even better than Moses. This particular Prophet, the Lord Jesus, will speak only the Words of God. Jesus Himself said in John chapter 12 that He speaks only the words that the Father gives Him to speak! He said that the Father’s commandment is everlasting life! In other words, Jesus gives us the words of everlasting life that emanate from the Father! So, Jesus represents the Father from Whom flows life eternal! So we see that Jesus represents God to us! We also see that:
II. Jesus can be Trusted [you shall listen to Him]
a. Again, notice the text! It says “you shall listen to him!” Jesus Christ only speaks the Father’s commands! He is totally obedient to God the Father. In other words, He speaks the words of life that spring forth from the Holy God of Israel! These words are righteous words and can be wholly trusted! The writer of Hebrews reminds us in chapter 13 that He would never leave or forsake us! We can boldly live without fear because our Lord Jesus Christ can be trusted! Now we have seen that Jesus represents God to us and that He can be trusted, now we see that Jesus is truth!
III. Jesus is the Truth [I will put My words in His mouth]
a. Going back to the text, we find the promise “I will put My words in His mouth!” In John chapter one, John says that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth! Jesus Christ said in John 14 that He is the way the truth and the Life! Later in Deuteronomy 18, we see Moses warn the people about false prophets who will “presume to speak in the name of God but will speak false words!” Moses tells them that false prophets will arise speaking perverse things! Paul warns the church of this very thing in Acts 20 when he says that false teachers would arise from among you! But Jesus’ words are words that come from the Father and are words of truth because Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life! So we see that Jesus represents God, Jesus can be trusted, and that Jesus is the truth! Now we see number 4…
IV. Jesus brings Conviction [you shall listen to Him]
a. Again, we see in the text, the words “you shall listen to Him!” Moses tells the people that this prophet will say words that they will listen to. His words will bring conviction to the people! In John chapter 6, John tells us that many of Jesus’ disciples had turned away and walked with Him no more; but when Jesus asked the 12 if they wanted to go away also…Peter answered that Jesus had the words of eternal life and that they had come to believe that He was the Son of the living God! One side note, we should not miss the fact that Jesus brings conviction through changed hearts. No one, including these twelve disciples, truly believes unless their hearts have been changed by Christ Himself! In Acts 2 we see the Word convicting the people spoken through Jesus Apostles. Peter stood before the people and told them that God had raised up this Jesus whom they crucified and made Him Lord and Christ! The people were pierced to the heart and three thousand souls were added to their number! Peter references our passage in Deuteronomy 18 while preaching his second recorded sermon in Acts 3. He tells the people that they killed the Prince of Life instead of a murderer and many of those who heard these words believed! There were 5000 more saved! So we see that Jesus represents God, Jesus can be trusted, Jesus is the truth, and Jesus brings conviction. Now we see #5…
V. Jesus is our Refuge and Hope [16-18, safety from God’s wrath and led by His Word]
a. Let’s take a further look at the text! Notice the people said that they didn’t want to see the great fire anymore lest they die. In light of the fearful wrath of a holy God, the people understood their sinfulness and their position before God. Isaiah said in Isaiah 6 “woe is me” after seeing the Lord sitting on His throne. He said that he was a man of unclean lips living amongst a people of unclean lips! We are a sinful people who need protection; our only refuge, our only protection, from the wrath of God is found in Jesus Christ! Outside of Christ we have no hope because this world is passing away; but in Christ we have a hope as an anchor to the soul. The writer of Hebrews describes the true believer’s hope in Jesus Christ as sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil. Jesus represents God, Jesus can be trusted, Jesus is the truth, Jesus brings conviction, and Jesus is our Hope and Refuge. Lastly we see #6…
VI. Jesus is our Righteousness [he shall speak to them ALL that I command him]
i. We see in the text that He shall speak to them ALL that I command Him. In other words this Prophet, our Lord, would be perfectly righteous in all His words and deeds. He is the sinless Lamb of God! We can never be righteous because we are a sinful people. The righteousness of God is required to enter the kingdom into the presence of God. Those who try to enter on their own righteousness will fall short. Romans 3:23 states that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In short, we need the righteousness of Christ to enter the kingdom of heaven. We need to understand that we fall short of God’s glory and need to have faith in Jesus Christ and His righteousness as our substitute. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul says that He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. In this we see the great exchange. Jesus bears the curse for our sin and His righteousness is imputed to us so that we may be called sons of the living God!
Conclusion:
We have seen six reasons from this passage why we needed Jesus Christ to be our Prophet. I have some questions for you on the night before Christmas in light of this passage of Scripture:
1. Is Jesus Christ your representative before the Lord Your God?
2. Have you placed your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
3. Do you understand Jesus Christ to be the Way, the truth and the life?
4. Do you see Jesus Christ as your only hope and refuge?
5. Do you see your total need for the righteousness of Jesus Christ?
I am certain there are a lot of you who answered no to these questions. Please understand that you are undone before a holy God and need the righteousness of Christ! Don’t let a moment go by without taking heed to these truths!
I trust that some of you answered yes to these questions because you have an anchor for your soul in the Lord Jesus Christ. I urge you to meditate on these truths as we celebrate Christmas. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us in other words God eternal visited us…that is the glorious truth of Christmas!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Taste and See that the Lord is Good!
This morning I awoke to some pretty bad news on the work front. As everyone knows unless you are a monk, we are experiencing some very tumultuous times. It seems as though we are greeted everyday with continued violence and financial upheaval on a global basis. Just this morning I awoke to a couple of emails that underscored this upheaval and really began to push me down the familiar road of concern and worry.
As I was getting ready, I began to realize that I needed to take my burdens to the Lord because He promises to bear the believer’s burdens. I began to pray to Him about the situations that we are faced with at work as well as my own anxieties. I prayed that He would bring comfort to me during this time and that I would trust Him to have a plan that will ultimately bring Him glory and would be to my own good.
I trust Him with all my heart; but I can sometimes be a practical atheist meaning that I live my life without fully trusting in His promises.
After I finished getting ready, I took some time to read the Scriptures. Just the day before I had used Psalm 34:16 to admonish my son to use kind words when dealing with his siblings. My interest was peaked. I decided to spend my morning exploring this Psalm to see what other riches I may find. Incredibly, I found the following verses:
Psalm 34:4-8 (NASB)
I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
I hope you will join me in tasting a seeing that the Lord is good. He is good all the time; but His splendor is even more glorious when things seem to be imploding around us!
Brandon
As I was getting ready, I began to realize that I needed to take my burdens to the Lord because He promises to bear the believer’s burdens. I began to pray to Him about the situations that we are faced with at work as well as my own anxieties. I prayed that He would bring comfort to me during this time and that I would trust Him to have a plan that will ultimately bring Him glory and would be to my own good.
I trust Him with all my heart; but I can sometimes be a practical atheist meaning that I live my life without fully trusting in His promises.
After I finished getting ready, I took some time to read the Scriptures. Just the day before I had used Psalm 34:16 to admonish my son to use kind words when dealing with his siblings. My interest was peaked. I decided to spend my morning exploring this Psalm to see what other riches I may find. Incredibly, I found the following verses:
Psalm 34:4-8 (NASB)
I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
I hope you will join me in tasting a seeing that the Lord is good. He is good all the time; but His splendor is even more glorious when things seem to be imploding around us!
Brandon
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Shepherd's Conference 2009 Session III
Our time at Shepherds’ Conference has been great so far. The men here are amazing. They spur me on to greater heights. I only wish that I could be worthy of even tying these men’s boots. It is incredible to hear how God has used the men here to impact this world for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If only God uses me in even a small way compared to these men!
I watch John MacArthur who says that he is living heaven on earth. It is incredible to hear about his family. He comes from a long line of faithfulness that extends to his grandchildren. I only hope that my life will in some small way compare to him.
John MacArthur is now speaking about his life at Grace Church. He is talking about his desire to find out what the New Testament has to say about the church. He tells us that this desire galvanized his preaching ministry. He says that he started preaching about lordship salvation, the true Christian, and the glory of God…he hasn’t stop preaching about these things in forty years. John MacArthur says that his ministry is guided by the following truths…essential foundations for the church:
I. The Absolute Authority of Scripture
a. We all come under the Authority of the Word of God
i. 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 2:16, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 4:2-3
II. The Church is the Congregation of Worshippers
a. As Christians, we are worshippers of the true and living God! The Father is seeking true worshippers. Transcendent worship comes from deep understanding!
III. Doctrinal Clarity
a. Clarity translates into conviction. The things that people understand will be believed and loved.
IV. Spiritual Discernment
a. It is absolutely critical that the Body of Christ have Spiritual Discernment
i. 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Acts 17
V. The Church is to Pursue Holiness
a. This is not a popular notion in the church. This concept is not to be mixed up with legalism. Legalism is a false paradigm of sanctification and does not lead to true holiness.
i. Matthew 18…church discipline
VI. Godly Leaders
a. There is a need to develop godly leaders. Someone has to produce godly men as leaders. There needs to be a plurality of men who teach and lead as under-shepherds of Christ!
i. 2 Timothy 2:2
VII. Discipleship
a. People need to be faithfully taught!
VIII. Unity
a. The church is to marked by Love (1 Corinthians 1:10)
b. The one another’s of the new testament are to practiced
IX. Marked by Faithful Prayer
a. The church needs to be a group of prayer warriors!
X. Marked by Sacrificial Giving
a. People need to be taught which leads to sacrificial giving!
XI. Marked by Evangelism
a. We are here on the earth to evangelize! Evangelism is the whole purpose of the church!
I watch John MacArthur who says that he is living heaven on earth. It is incredible to hear about his family. He comes from a long line of faithfulness that extends to his grandchildren. I only hope that my life will in some small way compare to him.
John MacArthur is now speaking about his life at Grace Church. He is talking about his desire to find out what the New Testament has to say about the church. He tells us that this desire galvanized his preaching ministry. He says that he started preaching about lordship salvation, the true Christian, and the glory of God…he hasn’t stop preaching about these things in forty years. John MacArthur says that his ministry is guided by the following truths…essential foundations for the church:
I. The Absolute Authority of Scripture
a. We all come under the Authority of the Word of God
i. 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 2:16, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 4:2-3
II. The Church is the Congregation of Worshippers
a. As Christians, we are worshippers of the true and living God! The Father is seeking true worshippers. Transcendent worship comes from deep understanding!
III. Doctrinal Clarity
a. Clarity translates into conviction. The things that people understand will be believed and loved.
IV. Spiritual Discernment
a. It is absolutely critical that the Body of Christ have Spiritual Discernment
i. 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Acts 17
V. The Church is to Pursue Holiness
a. This is not a popular notion in the church. This concept is not to be mixed up with legalism. Legalism is a false paradigm of sanctification and does not lead to true holiness.
i. Matthew 18…church discipline
VI. Godly Leaders
a. There is a need to develop godly leaders. Someone has to produce godly men as leaders. There needs to be a plurality of men who teach and lead as under-shepherds of Christ!
i. 2 Timothy 2:2
VII. Discipleship
a. People need to be faithfully taught!
VIII. Unity
a. The church is to marked by Love (1 Corinthians 1:10)
b. The one another’s of the new testament are to practiced
IX. Marked by Faithful Prayer
a. The church needs to be a group of prayer warriors!
X. Marked by Sacrificial Giving
a. People need to be taught which leads to sacrificial giving!
XI. Marked by Evangelism
a. We are here on the earth to evangelize! Evangelism is the whole purpose of the church!
Shepherd's Conference 2009 Seminar I
The conference opened to the thunderous singing of 4000 men. It was an incredible time as usual.
John MacArthur opened the conference in the Word this morning. It was an amazing time as he exhorted us to look at Genesis one as foundational to Scripture. He said that our attitude toward Genesis one and what we believe about creation signals what we believe about the rest of the Bible. If we deny Genesis one then where do we stop denying the truth of Scripture.
He gave us three words to hang our hats on:
I. Fidelity: Either we believe Scripture or we don't!
II. Simplicity: It is simple; God created everything for His glory!
III. Priority: God's priority is redemption!
He went on to admonish us about the "green movement". He pointed out that man sinned and God cursed creation. We cannot save this world for it is passing away and God has said that He will destroy it when it has fulfilled its purpose. We are to be good stewards and work to subdue the Earth. He said that the most advanced societies are the ones who have learned how to subdue the Earth. If we don't subdue the earth then it will kill us. The ones who suffer the most in this movement are the very poor.
John MacArthur opened the conference in the Word this morning. It was an amazing time as he exhorted us to look at Genesis one as foundational to Scripture. He said that our attitude toward Genesis one and what we believe about creation signals what we believe about the rest of the Bible. If we deny Genesis one then where do we stop denying the truth of Scripture.
He gave us three words to hang our hats on:
I. Fidelity: Either we believe Scripture or we don't!
II. Simplicity: It is simple; God created everything for His glory!
III. Priority: God's priority is redemption!
He went on to admonish us about the "green movement". He pointed out that man sinned and God cursed creation. We cannot save this world for it is passing away and God has said that He will destroy it when it has fulfilled its purpose. We are to be good stewards and work to subdue the Earth. He said that the most advanced societies are the ones who have learned how to subdue the Earth. If we don't subdue the earth then it will kill us. The ones who suffer the most in this movement are the very poor.
Shepherd's Conference 2009 Session I
This is the big day! We are here at the Shepherds’ Conference. I am waiting for the first session to begin. The men are around me in fellowship some getting caught up with old friends and others getting to know new friends.
For the past few years, I have used this time to recharge my spiritual batteries. This conference seems to fall at just the right time for that. Many challenges and snares have been laid over the years; so this conference allows me to focus on what is important in my life: my Lord, my family, and the Body of Christ. This year is no different. I have felt at a low ebb in my spiritual walk. I have been strong, but in need of strengthening. I am maturing; yet in need of further maturity.
This conference brings many positives to me and my spiritual walk; but there are some negatives. I can walk in the flesh when it comes to planning and coordination. Also, I can struggle with feelings of anxiety because of the responsibilities back home. This time is always an odd mix of the flesh and the spirit for me (Romans 7).
As for this year, I would like to step out of my comfort zone this year and get to know more people. I seem to struggle with feelings of inferiority; but I know it is only sin! I have repented of this sin and hope to begin to overcome it practically.
The first session is about to start!!!!
For the past few years, I have used this time to recharge my spiritual batteries. This conference seems to fall at just the right time for that. Many challenges and snares have been laid over the years; so this conference allows me to focus on what is important in my life: my Lord, my family, and the Body of Christ. This year is no different. I have felt at a low ebb in my spiritual walk. I have been strong, but in need of strengthening. I am maturing; yet in need of further maturity.
This conference brings many positives to me and my spiritual walk; but there are some negatives. I can walk in the flesh when it comes to planning and coordination. Also, I can struggle with feelings of anxiety because of the responsibilities back home. This time is always an odd mix of the flesh and the spirit for me (Romans 7).
As for this year, I would like to step out of my comfort zone this year and get to know more people. I seem to struggle with feelings of inferiority; but I know it is only sin! I have repented of this sin and hope to begin to overcome it practically.
The first session is about to start!!!!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Shepherd's Conference 2009
Every year for the past seven years, I have been coming to the Shepherd’s Conference at Grace Community Church in Southern California. I can remember my first conference when I was but a baby in Christ. I kept looking around and saw all these men who had dedicated their lives to Christ in a special way as a pastor and I was in awe of them. I could never be like them. I really didn’t know how to fellowship with them; because I was not like them. I was a sinful man in the midst of these wonderful servants and saints!
I have to say that my time would have been more difficult; but for the first time all the men gathered together! It was incredible! All these men loved and worshipped the Maker. This was true worship; I have to admit that I didn’t know what that meant completely. We sang hymns, some of which I had never heard, and the voices of 4000 men was sweet and deafening at the same time. To top it all off, I experienced true Christian service for the first time as the entire campus came alive with wonderful saints whose only desire was to show the love of Christ in their service to the men in attendance. It was an incredible time for me.
The books were incredible! I will never forget the first time the publishers showed up to give away books. I was dumbfounded…the generosity that was shown was beyond my wildest imagination. This kind of thing never happened in my sinful world!
Over the years, I have grown as a Christian; but my awe has not gone away. Tomorrow, I will be there again. I will again hear those 4000 sweet baritone voices ringing through the massive room as they sing unto their Lord. I will again be able to experience the sweetness of Christ in service. Even better, I will be able to truly enjoy fellowship in Christ with other men.
You know…it is not as if I have grown so much as I realized that the man that first visited this conference was in need of a Savior along with the other 3999 men singing and worshipping with me! I was just like them after all!
I will endeavor to post everyday while I am here to give a sense of my heart while attending the conference this year.
I have to say that my time would have been more difficult; but for the first time all the men gathered together! It was incredible! All these men loved and worshipped the Maker. This was true worship; I have to admit that I didn’t know what that meant completely. We sang hymns, some of which I had never heard, and the voices of 4000 men was sweet and deafening at the same time. To top it all off, I experienced true Christian service for the first time as the entire campus came alive with wonderful saints whose only desire was to show the love of Christ in their service to the men in attendance. It was an incredible time for me.
The books were incredible! I will never forget the first time the publishers showed up to give away books. I was dumbfounded…the generosity that was shown was beyond my wildest imagination. This kind of thing never happened in my sinful world!
Over the years, I have grown as a Christian; but my awe has not gone away. Tomorrow, I will be there again. I will again hear those 4000 sweet baritone voices ringing through the massive room as they sing unto their Lord. I will again be able to experience the sweetness of Christ in service. Even better, I will be able to truly enjoy fellowship in Christ with other men.
You know…it is not as if I have grown so much as I realized that the man that first visited this conference was in need of a Savior along with the other 3999 men singing and worshipping with me! I was just like them after all!
I will endeavor to post everyday while I am here to give a sense of my heart while attending the conference this year.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Jesus Christ is Precious and Wonderful
Imagine my heartache when I saw his hand a bloody mess. Just a few moments before I was happily talking to one of my managers about things that really don't matter. Just the week before I had spent patting my team and myself on the back for the awesome job that we were (I was) doing. But, here I stood helpless in a small little room packed with first aid supplies; a room that just the week before I had boasted was full of dust because we never used it. We were going to be the safest manufacturing facility on the face of the Earth; but it all came crashing down in one instant! How could he...? Why didn't we...? How could this...? These questions were running through my mind as I thought about the situation. Other questions ran through my mind like what was going to happen to this man and his family. How could I let this happen under my watch...
But...
One verse kept running through my mind...Romans 8:28...
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
After meditating on these words and thinking about all these questions, I wrote the following words:
Precious and Wonderful
As darkness closes in every side
When living here seems to be in vain
As our enemies are approaching
These are the times Your beauty shines through!
We love you Lord for your beauty shines in our lives
You have brought light to our darkness
You are a precious and wonderful Savior!
You are our precious and wonderful Lord!
We are wonderfully made by You Lord!
Yet marred because of iniquity
We struggle in our weakness
Yet in all this Your beauty shines through!
We love you Lord for your beauty shines in our lives
You have brought light to our darkness
You are a precious and wonderful Savior!
You are our precious and wonderful Lord!
You know us and our doings perfectly
You know what is best for your children
Hard trials You bring for our good
In all this Your beauty shines through!
We love you Lord for your beauty shines in our lives
You have brought light to our darkness
You are a precious and wonderful Savior!
You are our precious and wonderful Lord!
I hope you find Him to be Precious and Wonderful!
By the way, the person who was hurt should make a near full recovery! Again,
I hope you find Him to be Precious and Wonderful!
But...
One verse kept running through my mind...Romans 8:28...
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
After meditating on these words and thinking about all these questions, I wrote the following words:
Precious and Wonderful
As darkness closes in every side
When living here seems to be in vain
As our enemies are approaching
These are the times Your beauty shines through!
We love you Lord for your beauty shines in our lives
You have brought light to our darkness
You are a precious and wonderful Savior!
You are our precious and wonderful Lord!
We are wonderfully made by You Lord!
Yet marred because of iniquity
We struggle in our weakness
Yet in all this Your beauty shines through!
We love you Lord for your beauty shines in our lives
You have brought light to our darkness
You are a precious and wonderful Savior!
You are our precious and wonderful Lord!
You know us and our doings perfectly
You know what is best for your children
Hard trials You bring for our good
In all this Your beauty shines through!
We love you Lord for your beauty shines in our lives
You have brought light to our darkness
You are a precious and wonderful Savior!
You are our precious and wonderful Lord!
I hope you find Him to be Precious and Wonderful!
By the way, the person who was hurt should make a near full recovery! Again,
I hope you find Him to be Precious and Wonderful!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Musings
Honestly, I am not sure why I started writing this blog. There are a lot of things going through my mind right now. I want to have an impact on this world; but I honestly don’t know how to start. Ultimately, I need to start with my role as husband and father! As I wrote in my last entry, I just read a book about doing hard things; but I just gravitate to doing the easy things to just taking the easy way out. Unfortunately, that has been the pattern of my life. It is my pattern as husband and father as well as son and brother!
Everyone around me sees it. They may not know exactly what it is; but all the times I am late getting something done or when I have done barely enough preparation to get by…I am stuck in my world of taking the easy way out. My pastor-teacher sees the problem. He refrains from giving me too much responsibility because he doesn’t want me to stretch myself too far. It sounds good on paper; but I know that it is just a product of my habit of taking the easy way out.
I have been studying the life of George Washington over the past few weeks and months. He is a man who never seemed to take the easy way out. When it looked like the world was against him, and it was at times, he always seemed to have the capacity to press on to greater things. There were times in his life that he made horrendous mistakes that were devastating to the cause for which he fought yet he pressed on.
I want to live my life like George Washington lived his life! He lived his life through failure and triumph without giving up and by doing the hard things. I know that I am saying a lot of pretty cool things about him; but I have to admit that I am not certain of whether or not he was a Christian. When his writings are studied, he certainly believed that God exists and he professes trust in Him. More recent history would have us believe that he was not a Christian; but a deist. Based on his actions and based on his own words, I would lean toward him being a believer; but at this point there is no way to know.
I have to say that whether or not he was a believer, he was used in a mighty way by God Almighty to help start a nation and he defended that new nation against all its enemies. I pray that I can be used in mighty ways! I think I will start by being a great husband and father:). The Scripture says...faithful in little...
I just want to be found faithful and doing hard things when our Lord returns!!!
Brandon
Everyone around me sees it. They may not know exactly what it is; but all the times I am late getting something done or when I have done barely enough preparation to get by…I am stuck in my world of taking the easy way out. My pastor-teacher sees the problem. He refrains from giving me too much responsibility because he doesn’t want me to stretch myself too far. It sounds good on paper; but I know that it is just a product of my habit of taking the easy way out.
I have been studying the life of George Washington over the past few weeks and months. He is a man who never seemed to take the easy way out. When it looked like the world was against him, and it was at times, he always seemed to have the capacity to press on to greater things. There were times in his life that he made horrendous mistakes that were devastating to the cause for which he fought yet he pressed on.
I want to live my life like George Washington lived his life! He lived his life through failure and triumph without giving up and by doing the hard things. I know that I am saying a lot of pretty cool things about him; but I have to admit that I am not certain of whether or not he was a Christian. When his writings are studied, he certainly believed that God exists and he professes trust in Him. More recent history would have us believe that he was not a Christian; but a deist. Based on his actions and based on his own words, I would lean toward him being a believer; but at this point there is no way to know.
I have to say that whether or not he was a believer, he was used in a mighty way by God Almighty to help start a nation and he defended that new nation against all its enemies. I pray that I can be used in mighty ways! I think I will start by being a great husband and father:). The Scripture says...faithful in little...
I just want to be found faithful and doing hard things when our Lord returns!!!
Brandon
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Banishing Low Expectations
I have been reading a very impacting book called "Do Hard Things" by a couple of young adults (popularly known as teenagers) named Alex and Brett Harris. They are the younger brothers of Joshua Harris.
This particular book has been extremely encouraging to me because they have accomplished more prior to turning 18 than I have in my entire life. They are hitting me where I live so to speak.
Personally, my life has been built on low expectations. Funny enough while growing up in Southern Arkansas I was better than average; but I never had to push myself very hard to stay there until I went to college which was a big wake up call. At this alarm, I reacted by applying myself to get just ahead of the pack again. What a waste! I am just now realizing that I have wasted 38 years just being ahead of the pack when God wants so much more from us.
It is not as if I could repay the debt I owe...I don't have to do that...it is paid in full by the death of Jesus on the cross! I don't want to practically live life in such a way that even hints that I could repay Him for all that He has done...it just won't work! But, the King of the universe; the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings has saved me, yet I live my life as if I am a pauper not the son of a King! How can this be? We need to live our lives for the King in light of who He is!
I plan to write much more about this subject. This is only the beginning of exploring expectations for myself. Joshua Harris wrote a blurb about the book by his brothers...he mentioned that it is never to late to start doing hard things. I agree with him! It is never too late to raise expectations.
I believe we fall into a trap of low expectations. As lay guy in a church, I go to work and I am expected to do pretty well there; but there is a very low expectation of the impact I should have for the kingdom of God. I see this low expectation manifest itself in the my actions as well as the actions of other lay guys around me. It seems that we forget that the apostle Paul, the man who had arguably the greatest impact on the church outside of Jesus Himself, was a lay guy! He was a tent maker. How incredible is that! I wonder how he fit it all in? I am certain that he had very high expectations of himself and others around him.
If you are a lay guy (or gal), I challenge you to join me in working hard to create a lasting impact on the church. A Godly impact that will see the unbelieving believe and the believing mobilized for the cause of Christ. I challenge you to stay focused on the tasks ahead and help those around you to live Godly in this present age!
Brandon
This particular book has been extremely encouraging to me because they have accomplished more prior to turning 18 than I have in my entire life. They are hitting me where I live so to speak.
Personally, my life has been built on low expectations. Funny enough while growing up in Southern Arkansas I was better than average; but I never had to push myself very hard to stay there until I went to college which was a big wake up call. At this alarm, I reacted by applying myself to get just ahead of the pack again. What a waste! I am just now realizing that I have wasted 38 years just being ahead of the pack when God wants so much more from us.
It is not as if I could repay the debt I owe...I don't have to do that...it is paid in full by the death of Jesus on the cross! I don't want to practically live life in such a way that even hints that I could repay Him for all that He has done...it just won't work! But, the King of the universe; the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings has saved me, yet I live my life as if I am a pauper not the son of a King! How can this be? We need to live our lives for the King in light of who He is!
I plan to write much more about this subject. This is only the beginning of exploring expectations for myself. Joshua Harris wrote a blurb about the book by his brothers...he mentioned that it is never to late to start doing hard things. I agree with him! It is never too late to raise expectations.
I believe we fall into a trap of low expectations. As lay guy in a church, I go to work and I am expected to do pretty well there; but there is a very low expectation of the impact I should have for the kingdom of God. I see this low expectation manifest itself in the my actions as well as the actions of other lay guys around me. It seems that we forget that the apostle Paul, the man who had arguably the greatest impact on the church outside of Jesus Himself, was a lay guy! He was a tent maker. How incredible is that! I wonder how he fit it all in? I am certain that he had very high expectations of himself and others around him.
If you are a lay guy (or gal), I challenge you to join me in working hard to create a lasting impact on the church. A Godly impact that will see the unbelieving believe and the believing mobilized for the cause of Christ. I challenge you to stay focused on the tasks ahead and help those around you to live Godly in this present age!
Brandon
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Killer Nature of Jealousy and Strife
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
(NASB)
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly.
For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?
Have you ever wondered why there is division in the body of Christ? Have you ever thought, “Why do people including myself who have been redeemed by God through Christ still hurt each other?” Even more so have you said to yourself, “Why can’t I trust this person even more why can’t I trust myself, isn’t he/she a Christian…aren’t I a Christian?” Have you ever thought, “Why do I keep on sinning when I have been given so much even the power NOT to sin?” Have you ever asked, “Why can’t I control my tongue and keep from saying things that I should not say?”
We ask these questions because we want to believe the Christian life is easier than our lives as unbelievers; after all don’t we have all the advantages? We even have the mind of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 2:16. Yet, we struggle along in this world and can at times even look somewhat like the unbelievers around us. Paul gives us an indication of this problem in his own life when he says in Romans 7:14-20 (NASB):
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
Can you hear Paul’s anguish over his sin? He says that he wants to do good but cannot! The willing is in Paul; but the doing of good is not! This is the mighty Apostle Paul writing to and sharing his heart with the Romans. He is wrangling over the very questions that we ask ourselves as Christians everyday! His answer to this question is that sin dwells in him that is in his flesh! You see, while all Christians are given the mind of Christ at salvation, we still have the flesh for as long as we live on this earth.
As Christians, we are to fight against the flesh as Paul indicates in Romans seven. So, what happens if we don’t war against the flesh? What happens to a church, a group of called out ones, when they allow the world to enter their lives and the life of the church through the open avenue of the flesh.
We have all heard of problems in churches that lead to fighting, hurt feelings, smashed relationships, we see marriages dissolve and in some extreme cases even churches being split. How can this be in the body of Christ? How can we, who have been given so much, stoop so low as to have these things happen…yet we do!
All we need to do is look at the Scriptures to get the answers as these very things were happening in the Church of Corinth! Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians) is written to address many of these issues.
In the passage we are studying (1 Corinthians 3:1-4), Paul, who just one verse before affirmed that all Christians are given the mind of Christ at salvation, describes to the Corinthians as well as all Christians the indication and the evidences of fleshly living in the life of the believer and the life of the church:
We have two points:
I. The Indication of Fleshly Living: Stunted Growth, vs. 1-3a
a. In the Life of the Believer
b. In the Life of the Church
II. The Evidence of Fleshly Living: Division in the Body, vs. 3b
a. Two supporting facts:
i. Jealousy and Strife exist in the Body of Christ!
We will start with:
I. The Indication of Fleshly Living: Stunted Growth, vs. 1-3a
a. In the Life of the Believer
First and foremost, we need to take notice that Paul called the folks in the Corinthian Church “brethren”. This is no light word. Paul would have never called them brethren if he didn’t believe them to be brothers and sisters in Christ! It is incredible that while they were struggling with many grave issues, Paul did not shrink from calling them “brethren”! Actually, he addressed this letter to the “church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
The problem with the Corinthian believers was not whether or not they were believers as there were many true believers in the church; the problem was that these believers who possessed the mind of Christ were not growing in Christ. There growth was stunted.
Because of their stunted growth, Paul could not speak to them as Spiritual men. This was a huge problem for the Corinthians and for all believers in our Lord! Paul could only talk to them as men of flesh or as infants in Christ. This, no doubt, grieved Paul’s heart! Oh how Paul would have desired to speak to them as mature Christians who were growing in the knowledge of the Lord and in holiness!
Paul wanted to give these believers solid food to eat; but could not because they were unable to handle it. It is beautiful when a baby suckles the breast for its mother’s milk! Peter even says in 1 Peter 2:1-3…Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. This passage can be paraphrased in this way, “Quit acting fleshly so that you will long for the spiritual milk of the Word that will cause you to grow in respect to salvation and cause you to be able to receive the solid food of the Word!”
God tells Ezekiel in Ezekiel 3:1-3: Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll. He said to me, “Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.” Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.
While it is a beautiful thing for babes to long for milk; it is a very ugly thing when adults long for milk in the same way. The very milk that sustains babies and causes them to grow will stunt the growth of adults.
In the same way, the believer who has known and walked with the Lord for many years must grow to eat solid food. If he doesn’t his growth will be stunted; he will never “leave the elementary teaching about the Christ” (Hebrews 6:1).
The writer of Hebrews tells us, “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness’, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
You see: those who have their senses trained to discern good and evil are the mature in Christ. They are accustomed to the word of righteousness. Those who have succumbed in a habitual fashion to the flesh acting as men of flesh and babes in Christ are not accustomed to the word of righteousness and therefore are vulnerable to Satan and his devices in this fallen world which leads to an inability to eat solid food and a plethora of other sins that affect the man, his family and the Body of Christ!
b. In the Life of the Church
I am only going to spend a moment on this point as this becomes obvious from the previous point. If the people that make up the local body of Christ are allowed to be fleshly then the church’s overall growth will be stunted. The church will be unable to discern good from evil and will be unable to protect itself from savage wolves (Acts 20)! This is a tragedy and leads to further maladies in the Body of Christ!
So…
We see that the Corinthians inability to understand spiritual things was the indication that they were leading fleshly lives. You see, there conversations were shallow. They did not understand the deep things of the living God; therefore Paul knew they were being fleshly men!
This leads us to the second point:
II. The Evidence of Fleshly Living: Division in the Body, vs. 3b
a. Two supporting facts:
i. Jealousy and Strife exist in the Body of Christ!
We know that the Corinthians inability to partake in solid food indicated that they were living according to the flesh; but what evidence did Paul have that this was true? Could it be that a church can live together in a state of fleshliness with little or no effect from that fleshliness?
Liberal preachers have long thought and taught the same thing. They seem to think that a church can stay fleshly and not have an effect on the entire church. Preachers in the pragmatic circle think that very thing. They think they can bring the world into the church in order to evangelize them without affecting the church in a negative way. They actually make it their aim to be more like the world in order to attract people to their churches. They make it sound great! They are evangelizing the lost and reaching a dying world for Christ. But, is this true or is the effect much graver than we could ever imagine.
What about the church that tolerates fleshly living by not practicing church discipline. They do “church” things like sing, pray, and listen to "sermons or sermonettes" but they have a live and let live attitude toward fleshly living.
Actually, Paul knew the answer all along! He knew that the evidence of fleshly living bore itself out in division. Divisions could be seen by the fact that there was jealousy and strife in the body.
So, what does jealousy and strife mean?
Jealousy: a disposition or attitude of being hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage.
Strife: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension.
Being jealous is an attitude of being hostile toward one believed to enjoy an advantage! How can this be in the body of Christ except by those who are unable to discern good from evil and have not had their senses trained by the Word of God. As Christians, we are all given gifts by the Holy Spirit in order to serve in the body. These gifts are for the edification of the body according to Ephesians 4:12-13. Oh it is a major tragedy when we see someone exercising their spiritual gift while others are jealous of it.
As Christians, we are also blessed in different ways. One Christian may have more in this present world than others! Oh what a tragedy when we are jealous for what others may have when the Scriptures are clear that we are to be content with our current situations.
If jealousy is the inner attitude then strife is the outward actions that result from those inner attitudes. We can sometimes disguise what is in our hearts but we can never completely hide our heart attitudes. Our mouths will always betray us! Jesus said, “What proceeds from the mouth which is from our hearts is what defiles the man!”
Paul’s point in this passage is that he could see the evidence of their fleshliness in that he could see jealous attitudes and the strife that results from those attitudes. He is clear in saying that where jealousy and strife exist where there are many immature believers who are acting like babes in Christ!
We might be tempted to believe that jealousy and strife are not major sins! Oh how wrong we would be to believe this! These sins can easily be shrugged off as not as serious as some others. These are very serious sins that lead to division in the church. Jealousy and Strife proliferate where many immature people exist.
Conclusion:
We have seen the indication of fleshliness: stunted growth; and the evidence of fleshliness: division in the body. We know that fleshliness leads to immaturity and stunted growth. Worse yet, we have seen that stunted growth leads to inability to discern error which leaves the church unprotected.
So, how are you doing as a Christian? How are you doing as a church? Here are a few questions:
Are you growing in Christ? It is imperative that Christians grow; if you are not growing then that indicates a serious issue in your life. Conversely, if you see others growing in Christ, make sure to tell them so they may know!
Is your church growing? Do you love one another? Are you able to discern error?
Do you struggle with jealousy when you see others enjoy an advantage? Does it make you happy (even a little bit) when others struggle? Conversely, do you genuinely want others to do well?
Do you find yourself leaning toward one leader over another? Do you find yourself seeking out those you agree with or those who will flatter you?
Ponder these questions and prayerfully confess your sin! If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins (1 John 1)!
Brandon
(NASB)
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly.
For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?
Have you ever wondered why there is division in the body of Christ? Have you ever thought, “Why do people including myself who have been redeemed by God through Christ still hurt each other?” Even more so have you said to yourself, “Why can’t I trust this person even more why can’t I trust myself, isn’t he/she a Christian…aren’t I a Christian?” Have you ever thought, “Why do I keep on sinning when I have been given so much even the power NOT to sin?” Have you ever asked, “Why can’t I control my tongue and keep from saying things that I should not say?”
We ask these questions because we want to believe the Christian life is easier than our lives as unbelievers; after all don’t we have all the advantages? We even have the mind of Christ according to 1 Corinthians 2:16. Yet, we struggle along in this world and can at times even look somewhat like the unbelievers around us. Paul gives us an indication of this problem in his own life when he says in Romans 7:14-20 (NASB):
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
Can you hear Paul’s anguish over his sin? He says that he wants to do good but cannot! The willing is in Paul; but the doing of good is not! This is the mighty Apostle Paul writing to and sharing his heart with the Romans. He is wrangling over the very questions that we ask ourselves as Christians everyday! His answer to this question is that sin dwells in him that is in his flesh! You see, while all Christians are given the mind of Christ at salvation, we still have the flesh for as long as we live on this earth.
As Christians, we are to fight against the flesh as Paul indicates in Romans seven. So, what happens if we don’t war against the flesh? What happens to a church, a group of called out ones, when they allow the world to enter their lives and the life of the church through the open avenue of the flesh.
We have all heard of problems in churches that lead to fighting, hurt feelings, smashed relationships, we see marriages dissolve and in some extreme cases even churches being split. How can this be in the body of Christ? How can we, who have been given so much, stoop so low as to have these things happen…yet we do!
All we need to do is look at the Scriptures to get the answers as these very things were happening in the Church of Corinth! Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians) is written to address many of these issues.
In the passage we are studying (1 Corinthians 3:1-4), Paul, who just one verse before affirmed that all Christians are given the mind of Christ at salvation, describes to the Corinthians as well as all Christians the indication and the evidences of fleshly living in the life of the believer and the life of the church:
We have two points:
I. The Indication of Fleshly Living: Stunted Growth, vs. 1-3a
a. In the Life of the Believer
b. In the Life of the Church
II. The Evidence of Fleshly Living: Division in the Body, vs. 3b
a. Two supporting facts:
i. Jealousy and Strife exist in the Body of Christ!
We will start with:
I. The Indication of Fleshly Living: Stunted Growth, vs. 1-3a
a. In the Life of the Believer
First and foremost, we need to take notice that Paul called the folks in the Corinthian Church “brethren”. This is no light word. Paul would have never called them brethren if he didn’t believe them to be brothers and sisters in Christ! It is incredible that while they were struggling with many grave issues, Paul did not shrink from calling them “brethren”! Actually, he addressed this letter to the “church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
The problem with the Corinthian believers was not whether or not they were believers as there were many true believers in the church; the problem was that these believers who possessed the mind of Christ were not growing in Christ. There growth was stunted.
Because of their stunted growth, Paul could not speak to them as Spiritual men. This was a huge problem for the Corinthians and for all believers in our Lord! Paul could only talk to them as men of flesh or as infants in Christ. This, no doubt, grieved Paul’s heart! Oh how Paul would have desired to speak to them as mature Christians who were growing in the knowledge of the Lord and in holiness!
Paul wanted to give these believers solid food to eat; but could not because they were unable to handle it. It is beautiful when a baby suckles the breast for its mother’s milk! Peter even says in 1 Peter 2:1-3…Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. This passage can be paraphrased in this way, “Quit acting fleshly so that you will long for the spiritual milk of the Word that will cause you to grow in respect to salvation and cause you to be able to receive the solid food of the Word!”
God tells Ezekiel in Ezekiel 3:1-3: Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll. He said to me, “Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.” Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.
While it is a beautiful thing for babes to long for milk; it is a very ugly thing when adults long for milk in the same way. The very milk that sustains babies and causes them to grow will stunt the growth of adults.
In the same way, the believer who has known and walked with the Lord for many years must grow to eat solid food. If he doesn’t his growth will be stunted; he will never “leave the elementary teaching about the Christ” (Hebrews 6:1).
The writer of Hebrews tells us, “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness’, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
You see: those who have their senses trained to discern good and evil are the mature in Christ. They are accustomed to the word of righteousness. Those who have succumbed in a habitual fashion to the flesh acting as men of flesh and babes in Christ are not accustomed to the word of righteousness and therefore are vulnerable to Satan and his devices in this fallen world which leads to an inability to eat solid food and a plethora of other sins that affect the man, his family and the Body of Christ!
b. In the Life of the Church
I am only going to spend a moment on this point as this becomes obvious from the previous point. If the people that make up the local body of Christ are allowed to be fleshly then the church’s overall growth will be stunted. The church will be unable to discern good from evil and will be unable to protect itself from savage wolves (Acts 20)! This is a tragedy and leads to further maladies in the Body of Christ!
So…
We see that the Corinthians inability to understand spiritual things was the indication that they were leading fleshly lives. You see, there conversations were shallow. They did not understand the deep things of the living God; therefore Paul knew they were being fleshly men!
This leads us to the second point:
II. The Evidence of Fleshly Living: Division in the Body, vs. 3b
a. Two supporting facts:
i. Jealousy and Strife exist in the Body of Christ!
We know that the Corinthians inability to partake in solid food indicated that they were living according to the flesh; but what evidence did Paul have that this was true? Could it be that a church can live together in a state of fleshliness with little or no effect from that fleshliness?
Liberal preachers have long thought and taught the same thing. They seem to think that a church can stay fleshly and not have an effect on the entire church. Preachers in the pragmatic circle think that very thing. They think they can bring the world into the church in order to evangelize them without affecting the church in a negative way. They actually make it their aim to be more like the world in order to attract people to their churches. They make it sound great! They are evangelizing the lost and reaching a dying world for Christ. But, is this true or is the effect much graver than we could ever imagine.
What about the church that tolerates fleshly living by not practicing church discipline. They do “church” things like sing, pray, and listen to "sermons or sermonettes" but they have a live and let live attitude toward fleshly living.
Actually, Paul knew the answer all along! He knew that the evidence of fleshly living bore itself out in division. Divisions could be seen by the fact that there was jealousy and strife in the body.
So, what does jealousy and strife mean?
Jealousy: a disposition or attitude of being hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage.
Strife: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension.
Being jealous is an attitude of being hostile toward one believed to enjoy an advantage! How can this be in the body of Christ except by those who are unable to discern good from evil and have not had their senses trained by the Word of God. As Christians, we are all given gifts by the Holy Spirit in order to serve in the body. These gifts are for the edification of the body according to Ephesians 4:12-13. Oh it is a major tragedy when we see someone exercising their spiritual gift while others are jealous of it.
As Christians, we are also blessed in different ways. One Christian may have more in this present world than others! Oh what a tragedy when we are jealous for what others may have when the Scriptures are clear that we are to be content with our current situations.
If jealousy is the inner attitude then strife is the outward actions that result from those inner attitudes. We can sometimes disguise what is in our hearts but we can never completely hide our heart attitudes. Our mouths will always betray us! Jesus said, “What proceeds from the mouth which is from our hearts is what defiles the man!”
Paul’s point in this passage is that he could see the evidence of their fleshliness in that he could see jealous attitudes and the strife that results from those attitudes. He is clear in saying that where jealousy and strife exist where there are many immature believers who are acting like babes in Christ!
We might be tempted to believe that jealousy and strife are not major sins! Oh how wrong we would be to believe this! These sins can easily be shrugged off as not as serious as some others. These are very serious sins that lead to division in the church. Jealousy and Strife proliferate where many immature people exist.
Conclusion:
We have seen the indication of fleshliness: stunted growth; and the evidence of fleshliness: division in the body. We know that fleshliness leads to immaturity and stunted growth. Worse yet, we have seen that stunted growth leads to inability to discern error which leaves the church unprotected.
So, how are you doing as a Christian? How are you doing as a church? Here are a few questions:
Are you growing in Christ? It is imperative that Christians grow; if you are not growing then that indicates a serious issue in your life. Conversely, if you see others growing in Christ, make sure to tell them so they may know!
Is your church growing? Do you love one another? Are you able to discern error?
Do you struggle with jealousy when you see others enjoy an advantage? Does it make you happy (even a little bit) when others struggle? Conversely, do you genuinely want others to do well?
Do you find yourself leaning toward one leader over another? Do you find yourself seeking out those you agree with or those who will flatter you?
Ponder these questions and prayerfully confess your sin! If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins (1 John 1)!
Brandon
Traveling
I named this blog "The Meanderings of a Man" for a reason. I seem to move around a lot. No, I don't move my family...I just get on airplanes and fly around the nation and, at times, the world quite a bit. I travel a lot for my job. I am currently sitting in Las Vegas waiting on an airplane! Funny enough I will be at the airport for seven hours before the plane even leaves. Though I love the time I get to spend studying, meditating, and praying; in truth, I dislike traveling because I have to be away from my family for long stretches of time.
My wife is strong and seems to do okay without me; though she would rather me be there. I want to lead her in the right way! She definitely faces challenges when I am gone. I know that I don't appreciate her as much as I should especially in light of how strong she is when I am away!
On the other hand, my children seem to struggle mightily without me there. Oh, they make it through the day to day stuff fine; but their sinful attitudes really show when I am not around. My wife, Angie, does a great job with the kids! Actually, she is much better than me in so many ways. The Lord seems to bless our wives in this way; but children need the loving and strong presence of their father! Deuteronomy 6 tells us that we need to teach our children along the way in all that we do. Being away from my family makes this very difficult!
Ultimately, our Lord is faithful even (especially) when we fail. I see His faithfulness in my life everyday! I especially see His faithfulness in times like these when I have time to reflect on things. Actually, while sitting at the airport, I am watching people walking through...it is interesting to note how much sin and strife there is in this world. It can be disheartening; but the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ keeps us going. This world is very messed up with sin; but we are to be salt and light to a lost and dying generation.
The good thing is that we are being sanctified in the midst of the sinfulness around us. My wife and I were discussing how much open sinfulness there is in the city of Las Vegas. It is very difficult to be here as a believer with all the nastiness that happens here; but we are being sanctified even in the midst of Las Vegas. What a thought! Romans 8:28 says that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. Being away from my family and sitting in a grimy city are being used to sanctify me and deliver me to glory!!!!
Well, until next time...
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
Brandon
My wife is strong and seems to do okay without me; though she would rather me be there. I want to lead her in the right way! She definitely faces challenges when I am gone. I know that I don't appreciate her as much as I should especially in light of how strong she is when I am away!
On the other hand, my children seem to struggle mightily without me there. Oh, they make it through the day to day stuff fine; but their sinful attitudes really show when I am not around. My wife, Angie, does a great job with the kids! Actually, she is much better than me in so many ways. The Lord seems to bless our wives in this way; but children need the loving and strong presence of their father! Deuteronomy 6 tells us that we need to teach our children along the way in all that we do. Being away from my family makes this very difficult!
Ultimately, our Lord is faithful even (especially) when we fail. I see His faithfulness in my life everyday! I especially see His faithfulness in times like these when I have time to reflect on things. Actually, while sitting at the airport, I am watching people walking through...it is interesting to note how much sin and strife there is in this world. It can be disheartening; but the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ keeps us going. This world is very messed up with sin; but we are to be salt and light to a lost and dying generation.
The good thing is that we are being sanctified in the midst of the sinfulness around us. My wife and I were discussing how much open sinfulness there is in the city of Las Vegas. It is very difficult to be here as a believer with all the nastiness that happens here; but we are being sanctified even in the midst of Las Vegas. What a thought! Romans 8:28 says that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. Being away from my family and sitting in a grimy city are being used to sanctify me and deliver me to glory!!!!
Well, until next time...
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
Brandon
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Just Starting Out
I am not certain how this will all go. I have never blogged before. As a matter of fact, I am usually one of the last to do things especially things technological. I guess you could say that I just meander through life. Actually, nothing could be farther from the truth. In Christ, I have all the direction that I need. He is my all in all.
Well, I don't have a lot more to say at this point. I will be back later for more installments!
Brandon
Well, I don't have a lot more to say at this point. I will be back later for more installments!
Brandon
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