Amen and Amen

Amen and Amen

The word “amen” is found so often in the Bible, but we can so easily overlook just how often it appears. It is of Hebrew origin and became part of the Greek vocabulary. The Hebrew word is found 30 times in the Old Testament and 132 times in the New Testament and is so often simply brought over into the English Bible and translated as, “Amen.” So, if you know this and ever use this word, you are literally speaking three languages. However, we sometimes use words without understanding what they mean.

The word simply means “let it be true” or “it is true.” We often end our public prayers using this word and then the congregation will be part of repeating this word. The Bible shows that in the early church they said this word indicating that they had listened to the prayer, they understood the meaning of the petitions made to God and it was not just the prayer of the one leading the prayer, but it was their prayer also (1 Cor. 14:16). I try to do this in every prayer I hear others pray, but most often it is silent. If the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16), think of the power of a righteous church!

One point that can so easily be overlooked is the responsibility of the one who leads the prayer. Sometimes those who lead the prayer at Palm Beach Lakes speak so softly that it is impossible for those who are in the audience to hear what is said. Prayers are not more “holy” because we speak softly and those who lead should remember this. I am thankful for the sound system we have, but it simply cannot amplify softer voices. A failure to realize this negates what God had in mind for public prayers. Imagine a sermon being preached, in such soft tones that few were able to hear it. In our Leadership Training Camp for our young people, we strongly urge them to speak so that the person on the back row could hear.

I remember in those early years in the establishment of the church in Fiji, I did not speak Fijian, but I quickly learned the Fijian word for “amen.” The Fijians obviously knew and used this Hebrew/Greek/English word, but sometimes they used the Fijian word which I had never heard. As I was preaching, Fijians were so moved by God’s truth that they would say, ”sa dina.” It literally means “it is true.” When I learned the meaning, it was so encouraging to hear the affirmation of the truth of the gospel spoken by these Christians.

Jesus used this Greek word 103 times in the gospel accounts. We may not be aware of this, but it is Jesus’ way of teaching the truth and then affirming that what I have said is truth, and I want to affirm that “it is truth.”  What we may not realize is that in the gospel accounts it is translated as “verily.”

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Who is the Leader?

Who is the Leader?

Sometimes problems come about because there is conflict about who becomes the leader in a particular situation. You see this in the lives of children, but it continues even into our adult lives. There is a religious application of this in the deeper study of one particular Greek word and how it is used. first leader

Sometimes there are situations where it makes no difference who goes first—the order is of no consequence. The Greek word proago is often used this way. It is a compound word combining the first part of the word (pro), which means “before,” with the second part of the word which means “to go.” It is used in the account of the triumphant entry of Jesus into the city. As you read the text, you visualize the multitude who surrounded the One who was riding on the donkey as He entered the holy city. The text describes how some preceded Him and how others followed. To look closely at this event shows that here it made no difference who went first.

The same word is used in the account of what transpired before Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples, who were about to lose their lives in a boat filling up with water. After He had fed the 5,000, He told the disciples to get into their boat and go across the Sea of Galilee while He dismissed the multitude. The use of this word indicates that it was His will for them to go first. Because He was their Master, they went ahead not knowing what was about to happen.

The word is used following His resurrection. The angels at the tomb told the women to deliver the message that they were to leave Jerusalem and meet Him in Galilee because He was going first to meet them there. The order made a difference. He was to go first, and He would be awaiting them there.

However, there is a time when it makes an eternal difference as to who goes first. The ESV reflects the better Greek manuscripts’ use of the word proago in its translation of John’s words. “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God” (2 John 9). We are absolutely forbidden to leave our place as a follower of the teaching of Jesus. When we “go on ahead” of His teaching, we rob Him who has all authority in heaven and on earth. In substance we say to Him, “You may have all authority in every place, but you do not have it in this place in my life!” There is an eternal consequence for our sinful attitude.

So, as you make choices in your life, humbly deny yourself and take up your cross and let Him go first. He is the leader in all spiritual choices. We leave Him behind when we fail to do what He says. Never forget He said, “I go first.”

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The Colossians and Philosophy

The Colossians and Philosophy

The church in Colosse was predominately Gentile and had grown up in a pagan world. However, there were those Judaizing teachers who had come among them and sought to force Gentile Christians to become circumcised and keep many rituals of the Judaism. They had left pagan worship with all the rituals of idolatry and now faced a new challenge of those who wanted to bind the rituals of Judaism on them. Paul’s words in Colossians chapter two deals with both paganism and Jewish ritualism. colossians

Paul reminded them of what had happened in their conversion to Christ. They had embraced Jesus as their Messiah and Lord. Paganism had elements of the gods coming and were gods living among men, but Christianity involved the reality that God became a mortal and lived on this earth. He was Immanuel, but He also was Lord and they had committed themselves to His authority (v. 6).

He uses three descriptive phrases to encourage them to remain faithful. He first uses a military term, “walk in Him” (v. 6). He was their commander in chief. There was no other commander, either in paganism or Judaism. Then he said they were “rooted…in Him” (v. 7). Like the roots of a large tree extended into the depths of the earth, so their faith had been deeply implanted in the Christ (v. 7). Jesus is Himself described as the Root of Jesse. “There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope” (Rom. 15:12). The Colossians had been rooted in the One who is truly the Root.

The third term used by Paul is that they were “built up in Him and established in the faith” (v. 7). They had learned the truth and the truth had set them free from paganism and Judaism. When one fully appreciates this, Satan has no power to draw him away from the Lord.

Paul then warns them to beware of the danger of being deceived and carried way through philosophy and empty deceit (v. 8). Secular wisdom has its place, but it can never replace the wisdom from above. Far too many Christians have decided they know more about life and God than their Creator. The definition of philosophy is the love of wisdom, but we must never forget the true wisdom from the One who is wise!

He then mentions the danger of living by the traditions of men (v. 8). Again, let us be reminded that there are Divine traditions (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6), and there are the religious traditions which come from the hearts of mortals. So, as you live your lives, develop your concepts of morality and marriage, and right and wrong, stay rooted and grounded in Him.

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Psalm 96

Psalm 96

We do not always know the circumstances about what was happening when the psalmist took his pen to let us see what a man after God’s own heart was dealing with. Such is not the case of Psalm 96. The historical setting of that psalm is found 1 Chronicles chapter sixteen.

King David had defeated the Jebusites who occupied Jerusalem and had prepared a place in that city to place the ark of the covenant in the tent/tabernacle he had erected there. As the ark was brought, a host of Jewish worshipers assembled. The divine record describes it in these words. “So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God…On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord” (1 Chron. 16:1, 7).

What was the heart of David like as he worshiped God? Look at this psalm, and then be determined to let your heart be like this man as you come to worship Him.

David urged the people to “Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wonderful works” (16:9).  While you focus on Him, He is focused on you. Sing praises to Him. “Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who see the Lord” (16:10). Let your soul commune within and glorify His name as you sing.

“Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face evermore” (16:11).  Perhaps the words of Paul explain this best. “You were raised with Christ, seek those things above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above” (Col. 3:1-2). You are in His presence so devote your entire being to the glorification and adoration of Him.

“Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth …Remember His covenant forever” (16:12, 15). That covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob finds its final fulfillment in you! As you worship, remember all that He has done so that you can come before Him to worship.

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations” (16:23-24). Our adoration of Him does not end when the final prayer is prayed. Our faith has been fortified and we leave the assembly, but there is more. In several church buildings I have seen a sign saying, “Enter to Worship,” but there was another sign posted as you left the building, “Leave to Serve.” The blessing and joy of worship must be shared with the world.

God help us to worship Him like David did!

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A Single Word A Single Verse

A Single Verse

The forceful power of a small word in a single verse in the Bible can so easily be overlooked. The key to understanding the signs of the end in Matthew 24 is found in the word “all” in verse thirty-four. The time of the establishment of the kingdom is found in Daniel 7:13-14 when one notices the word “to” instead of the word “from.” Let’s take a moment and look at the word “all” and its importance in understanding the work of Christ in our lives.

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven He said, “All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on the earth” (Matt. 28:18). The word “all” in this verse has been overlooked by so many. Pilate thought that the authority he had from Rome meant that he could release Jesus or crucify Him. The King of kings told the governor that he had no power except that which heaven had given him (John 19:11). If mighty kings have no power, then how does any mortal think he has power and authority over the One who has all authority?

Yet, in the religious world so many have ignored His authority. Jesus does not have all authority in a system which places the authority of the Vatican over the teachings of Jesus. The same is true of other religions in America. Modern Christendom is being torn asunder as church hierarchy deals with homosexuality and transgenders and their place in modern churches. The reality is that He who has all authority is the only One to decide these matters—He has all authority. The entire basis of true Christianity is found in realizing that truth is not decided by hierarchy, learned scholars, gifted speakers or by anyone whose heart says, “I know that this is what the Bible teaches, but I have decided to ignore that and follow what I want to do.” We have robbed Jesus of the authority that is His!

Being a faithful Christian involves realizing that He has all the authority in our lives. The words of King Agrippa show this when he said, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). Almost is not enough, it will have no bearing on the final day of judgment for one to almost have served Him. Look at Paul’s response in which I have purposely changed the spelling of two words. The apostle said, “I would to God that …you…might become both allmost and alltogether such as I am.” Almost being a Christian is not enough. He who has all authority says that it is ALLmost and ALLtogether.

There is no place for churches or individuals thinking they will please God by recognizing some of the authority of Jesus. There is no place for churches or individuals thinking they will please God by recognizing most of the authority of Jesus. His last words before He left the earth affirmed He has all authority. God help us all to honor that authority!

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