Joel – Rethinking the Book

Joel – Rethinking the Book

The Book of Joel! The video below comes from time recently spent in Eagleville, Missouri  and taught this book.   It is a fine congregation to visit and I encourage you to drop by if you are in the area.  While I was there I presented two lessons.  The first lesson, below, examines the book of Joel as a whole.  The follow up lesson focuses upon 4 points to draw from the book.

This book comes to those of Judah and Jerusalem through the prophet by the hand of God.  Devestation is coming upon the people because of their ungodly behavior.  They are called upon to repent from their actions.  Jerusalem is going to be crushed by the Chaldeans (Babylonians).  But if they would just repent…

Rethinking the Prophet Joel

Posted in Video | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Joel – Rethinking the Book

No Salvation If Not Circumcised

No Salvation If Not Circumcised

Judging by the topics discussed in the epistles, almost every congregation had to deal with the problem brought into the church by those whose past religion demanded that for one to be saved he had to be circumcised. The problem really surfaced when uncircumcised Gentiles became members.

At first the church was entirely Jewish, but when Saul/Paul led the persecution of the saints, they were scattered to Gentile cities (Acts 8:4). Many of them fled north and came to Antioch in Syria. At first, they taught only the Jews in this Gentile city, but there were Christians from Cyprus and Cyrene (in north Africa) who began teaching Gentiles, and soon many were led to the Lord (Acts 11:19-21). It did not happen immediately, but by the time when Paul returned after his first missionary journey (where he led hundreds, perhaps thousands of Gentiles into the church without demanding circumcision), the problem was magnified.

Certain Jews from Judea came to Antioch and stirred up the situation teaching, “Unless you are circumcised…you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). Read the rest of this chapter to see how the matter was handled, but those who believed this false teaching spread it into almost every congregation as they began. The Bible clearly affirms circumcision is meaningless.

“Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters” (1 Cor. 7:19). “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (Gal. 6:15). “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6). The doctrine was completely false. It is nothing. It does not avail anything.

However, there is another circumcision which does matter and unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. It is not a physical removal of part of the human anatomy from the body, but a circumcision, a cutting away, of sin from the heart.

God clearly affirms that one is not one of God’s chosen people because of physical circumcision, but an inward one. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart” (Rom. 2:28-29).

Moses prophetically described the church, saying, “And the Lord, your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deut. 30:6). Have you had this circumcision? You must have it!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on No Salvation If Not Circumcised

The Priorities of Triangle Christianity

The Priorities of Triangle Christianity

A dear friend of mine recently taught a lesson regarding priorities in the life of mankind.  In doing so, he illustrated life as a triangle of priorities with God at the top, then family, then work.  He then broke down time Christians spend with each.  The concept of putting God first in our lives, I believe is spot on (Matthew 10:37, John 21:15).  My friend’s analysis is a very common approach that expresses a solid Biblical truth.  However, I would like to take some time in this article suggesting another illustration that I believe demonstrates the life of mankind in a better fashion.

Matthew 22:36-40 – Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

From this scripture, the priority of serving God fully is established.  Secondly, is a love for mankind.

Matthew 23:23 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

Notice, Jesus establishes that no aspect of God’s commands (Law of Moses in this case) should be neglected.  Thus, serving God nor loving mankind should be separated.  In fact, true love for mankind glorifies God.

John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 

Here Jesus establishes that if we love Him, we keep His commandments.  This would certainly involve the new covenant which He established.  What I wish to establish at this moment is that putting God first means that mankind is living in a manner which emphasizes obedience to all of His commands.

Consider the following passages:

Gen 2:24/Ephesians 5:31 –  Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 

Eph 5:32 – This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 

Genesis 9:1 – “And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”

Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 

1Timothy 5:8 – But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12  and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

These passages taken as a whole with those previously given establish that: serving God, loving mankind, caring for a wife and family, and working are all commands given which glorify Him and are not to be neglected.  (Note:  This is not a discussion of scenarios regarding those who may be single.  Suffice it to say, scripture has addressed that in its place and such a life in godliness is authorized.)  The greater point is the entirety of God’s commands involve Him, family, work, and even play.  God’s Word covers everything in our lives necessary for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). So, with these thoughts in hand, let us revisit the illustration of priorities of the triangle:  God first, then family, then work.

priority triangle

Really?

When the usage of a priorities triangle occurs, the message frequently is: “You need to spend more of a % of time at the top.”  You need to be doing more studying, praying, door knocking, setting up Bible studies, letter writing, fasting, meditating, inviting people into your home, attending every conceivable gathering of the Church at any time, etc.  The elders and preachers and church need you to step up!  Are you giving 15% of your time? 20% of your time?  50% of your time, you can give more!  Consider that unless you are 100% at the top of the triangle, you will always feel guilty that you aren’t doing more.  This is the doctrine of the pharisees.  This is the doctrine of salvation by works.  You need to perfect every single thing in your life so that you will truly be holy.  Such a doctrine causes you to feel guilty, lacking, inadequate, condemned, and unable to truly be an acceptable child of God.  Under this teaching, you will either live life feeling like a hypocrite or you will leave the faith (Romans 7).

For a moment, let’s illustrate the Christian life in a way I believe more accurately presents a Biblical view of what God has in view for His creation.  What if life is a circle?  If you are in the circle, you are a child of God.  If you are out of the circle, you are ignorant of God or choose to reject Him.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

Act 2:37-38 – Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,…

Hebrews 10:12-14 – But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

If you are a Christian seeking to serve and obey Him, you are in God’s circle.  You live a life where the old man before knowing Christ is dead (Romans 6).  You were cleansed by the single, one time for all time, sacrifice of Jesus.  For all time, means past, present, and future.  You are forgiven when you are in God’s circle.  The only way you get out of that circle is by purposely, deliberately, walking away from Him.  This is why you can rejoice.  This is why you should not condemn yourself when you stumble in your Christian walk.   Christians are forgiven.  You are His child.  You understand the priorities of your entire life! Worshipping, raising a family, working, interacting with mankind, socializing, playing, are guided by the concept of living pure and holy as Christ.  Your life is not reigned by percentages spent on various activities.  Your life is given to living right according to the commands of God.  In this you will not falter, live as a hypocrite, or turn away from God because of guilt.  Your eyes are always on Him and He gave you a life that you might receive knowing He loves you.  Jesus said “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Embrace His understanding and compassion for you.  Don’t live a life terrified you aren’t at the top of a triangle of priorities, but rather live knowing you are encircled by the power of God’s love.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Priorities of Triangle Christianity

The Sting of Death is Sin

The Sting of Death is Sin

So many people are under the impression that the sting of death is death itself. The Bible says otherwise (1 Corinthians 15:56). That is, it isn’t death that is the sting, but sin. Why is that? Because if one dies in one’s sins, then that sin stays with him after death and results in condemnation (John 5:29). However, if one is forgiven of sins, then there is no sting in death, instead, there is only blessing. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (Revelation 14:13).

However, a person must take advantage of the opportunity to be free from sin by becoming a child of God so that death will have no sting. God gives victory through Christ, not the sting that is sin (1 Corinthians 15:57). In Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). How can I be forgiven of sin and be in Christ? We are forgiven of sin by the blood of Christ (Matthew 26:28) when we are baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16). When we are baptized, we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27) and belong to Christ. If we then belong to Christ, we are free from sin, and death has no more sting. Instead, “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).

Christians should not be afraid of death. Christ Jesus came into the world to take away our fear of death. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15). The devil wants us to be afraid of death so he can control us. Let’s not give him what he wants!

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Sting of Death is Sin

He Also Ran to Meet the Prodigal

He Also Ran to Meet the Prodigal

When we read the story of the prodigal son, we are so impressed that the father ran to meet him and immediately gave him such blessings. Have you considered that when Jesus lived on this earth, He showed the same kind of love for the wayward? He was Immanuel, God with us, and to see Him was to see the Father (John 14:9).

Those in the first century had their own ideas about those who would be part of the kingdom. When Jesus talked about how it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for those who trusted riches to enter into the kingdom, His disciples asked, “Who then can be saved” (Matt. 19:25)? The disciples had the rich at the top of their list, but Jesus’ list was so different. He came to seek and save the lost, but like the father of the prodigal understood, prodigals would be part of the kingdom.

When He chose His apostles, He chose ignorant and unlearned fishermen (Acts 4:13). He chose a tax collector—the most despised occupation among the Jews (Luke 5:27). He chose a Zealot—a Jewish “terrorist” (Luke 6:15). He surrounded Himself with men whom He knew would all forsake Him in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:31, 56). Why? Because His heart was like the heart of the father of the prodigal. The prodigal turned completely away from the father and these apostles all fled from Jesus at His darkest hour. Yet, He longed for their return. He never rebuked them for this after His resurrection. He did not rebuke, He received. We must never overlook the message He gave to the women at the tomb, “Go tell My disciples to meet Me in Galilee” (Matt. 28:7).

Look at His life and see how He treated people so differently. He received and defended the woman taken in adultery (John 8:3-11). He accepted the thief on the cross, who at first blasphemed Him, and gave Him entrance that same hour to Paradise (Matt. 27:43-44; Luke 23:43). That thief had mocked Jesus by saying that Jesus was worthy of death and questioned that even God would not accept Jesus—yet Jesus, like the father of the prodigal, received Him.

Read the story of His life. He exemplified the heart of God who had said, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word” (Isa. 66:2). Jesus was like His Father and always “ran” to prodigals who sought Him.

Can I add one other person to those who Jesus so readily received when they sought Him? We sometimes overlook this person in the list of those whom He received. You already know that person. That person is you! Think about this.

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on He Also Ran to Meet the Prodigal