The Greatest American

The Greatest American

Who would you select to be the “Greatest American?” Someone recently wrote and said they would select their mother and father because to them, those individuals are the greatest Americans that he has known. That’s pretty good thinking.

Who is the greatest?

Who is the greatest?

Often what we think of as the “greatest” isn’t based upon what truly has affected us as great, but what society as a whole pressures us to think of as “great.” The “great” must be someone who has achieved fame, is above average, esteemed highly, accomplished some great achievement, or attained special academic status. And while some may attain such levels in this life, the majority of the earth’s population simply won’t measure up, at least, according to the world’s standard.

How comforting then is it to know that God doesn’t have the same standard as the world. There was one occasion in the life of Jesus when his disciples took up this very question: “Who is the greatest?” (Matthew 18:1). The next few verses read: “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4).

At another opportunity, some disciples were arguing over who would sit on the right hand and left of Jesus in the kingdom. We read Jesus response in Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

It’s not the “great” who will be the “greatest” in God’s kingdom, but the one who humbles himself and becomes everyone else’s servant.

I’ve heard some ask, “Well, who might that ‘great’ one be? Who is the most humble? Who serves the most?” This is missing the point. It is just getting back to the same question the disciples had already asked, just in a different form. The point Jesus is making is that there is no one person who is “the greatest.” At the same time there may be many who are the “greatest.” How is that so?

What matters is our attitude. Even when we have served all that we can serve, we must still admit that we are unprofitable servants according to Luke 17:10. In that regard, we can never be the greatest. At the same time, we can be the greatest that we can be in the eyes of the Lord if we seek to love him with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). In this way, God sees us as His children, each being what they can be to be pleasing to their father. So each of us can be the “greatest” and at the same time none of us will be “the greatest.”

In this regard, Micah 6:8 comes to mind. The people in Micah’s day were kind of asking this same question. They wanted to know what they could do to be the greatest. Would thousands of burnt offerings do it? How about 10,000 rivers of oil? What about sacrificing my firstborn? None of those things would have made them great, so far as God was concerned. Instead the reply is: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Indeed, that’s what it takes to be the greatest.

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Discipline is In

Discipline is In

All of us have watched fads come and go. As time passes we change makeup, hemlines, and hairstyles. Some might remember plaid pants, bell-bottoms (the 1st time), parachute pants, or stone washed jeans. Manufacturers love for fads to come in and out of style because it usually means that our culture is purchasing more stuff. Even electronics come and go (e.g., beta machines, 8-tracks, etc.).

Discipline by spanking is frowned upon by many.

Discipline by spanking is frowned upon by many.

Christians are constantly bombarded with the concept that we need to keep up with the latest style or trend. The reality is just the opposite. In fact, if society is embracing something, Christians probably need to be going the other direction. Case in point, discipline. Currently, in America, the concept of spanking is “outdated” and is considered politically incorrect. In fact, some would argue that it is a form of abuse that harms a child’s self-esteem. One word: hogwash!

Today, we had the pleasure of teaching 5 lessons at 3 different schools! We taught Bible and science to High School and Jr. High students. It was such a joy opening the Bible and demonstrating to the students how the scientific evidence truly fits God’s Word. The students were very attentive and asked great questions, as we explored things like alleged fossil men, the inspiration of the Bible, and the dinosaurs.

However, one thing that stood out was how well behaved the students were during our time together. They demonstrated an air of respect and obedience, that to be totally honest, I have not seen in a while—even in many churches. And I think I know why. During one of my lessons two young men in a different class were taken into the hallway and spanked. Right there as I was speaking!

I could not help but smile as I thought to myself, “So that’s why the students are so well behaved; they recognize they may be punished for bad behavior.” For these students there are real consequences to their actions.

In most American schools Bibles and Paddles are a thing of the past. In schools that do still allow spanking, the paperwork required is often so burdensome that teachers don’t even bother. But it’s not just schools where discipline has become extinct. Many homes—including Christian homes—no longer discipline children. Instead we embrace the latest “fad” like time out or building up their self-esteem.

Solomon, in his wisdom declared, “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly” (Proverbs 13:24). Later on he cautioned, “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod and deliver his soul from hell” (Proverbs 23:13-14). I have listened to many Bible “scholars” try to put a different spin on these verses, suggesting that it is not actually talking about spanking children. Those verses are not hard to understand, and they don’t change over time. (Consider also, Proverbs 22:15).

Christians need to wake up and realize that God’s way still works. It’s not a fad or the latest “feel good” theory—but rather a method delivered by our Creator. His ways do not change with other fads.

Solomon warned “Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction (Proverbs 19:18). Now contrast that with a statement he wrote earlier: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest his correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11).

Have we failed to teach our children that actions have consequences? What does this mean when our children turn into adults and give no thought about their actions or eternal destiny? In the Bahamas the students still recognize that disrespect and disobedience will result in a swift punishment. What about in our own congregations and homes?

Tonight I will sleep extremely well. After teaching 5 lessons at the schools we then conducted a seminar in the community center in Freeport that started at 7:00pm. It was extremely well attended and those in attendance asked great questions! It appears that things are really off to a tremendous start. Continue to pray for the success of our time here.

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Do Not Flee as a Bird

Do Not Flee as a Bird to the Mountain

In Bible times, birds were hunted and served as delicacies for food. There were skilled archers whose arrows took the lives of those birds that fled. Their only hope was to run from the places of safety and flee to the mountains where they might escape. The psalmist, in the eleventh psalm, saw all of this and then used this illustration to affirm that God’s children do not need to flee. He said that it was folly for the enemy to chide the righteous and tell them to flee.

Do you flee like a bird?

Do you flee like a bird?

David’s answer to those who told him to flee was that his trust was in God (verse 1). Let the ungodly bring any “arrow” against him, but God’s children do not need to flee. We already have the surest foundation. David then speaks of four foundations which cannot be assailed. How timely these truths are in our day when the foundation of faith is being assailed.

We will prevail because God is in His holy temple. The ruling of the courts of our land redefining marriage has changed nothing. The real Supreme Court is not found in Washington. Nothing has changed about sexual orientation. It is God who is supreme and He alone has all authority—truth is determined from that throne where He sits in His holy temple (verse 4). We do not need to flee as a helpless bird. The foundation of truth is established by the Lord who abides forever.

We will prevail, for godly people see “arrows” as tests from God. David did not need to flee as a helpless bird from those things hurled at him from the ungodly. They were simply tests from God (verse 5). He saw adversity, not as a curse, but as that by which he would be strengthened. The truth is that the trying of our faith is one of the ways God helps us to mature in Christ and become perfect and lacking in nothing (see James 1:2-4).

We will prevail, for God will bring judgment on those who assail us. “Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone…” (verse 6). This is the big picture. When foundational truth we hold so dear is attacked, we must remember that God sits on His throne and His holiness will prevail. Fire and brimstone await those who oppose righteousness.

We will prevail, for God loves righteousness. David urged men to stand fast and not flee to helpless mountains when they were assaulted. Because of God’s nature, His violence awaits the ungodly, but “He loves righteousness, and His countenance beholds the upright” (verse 7). Every fiery dart of the Devil has been quenched by the shield of faith we have. He knows us; He knows our enemies; He sees us and His ears are open to us.

So when faith is attacked. Do not flee! Take time to fortify your faith!

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A Doer of the Work

Don’t Be Like Mike

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:21-22).

Don't just talk, be a doer and walk the walk.

Don’t just talk, be a doer and walk the walk.

This passage of Scripture reminds me of a time when (as a kid) I stopped by a friend’s house after school one day.  My friend’s name was Mike and he had some health problems.  While we were busy playing, Mike’s mother came to the door and handed him a prescription bottle and said, “Mike, it’s time to take your medicine.”  After she walked away Mike just tossed it on his chair and went back to playing.  A little while later, from another room, she yelled, “Mike, did you hear what I said?”  He answered, “Yeah, mom, I heard you.”  But still he just sat there and played. Finally, I asked him, “Why don’t you take your medicine?  Won’t it help you to get better?”  He said, “Yeah, it’s supposed to.”  “Well,” I said, “it’s not going to do you a whole lot of good if you don’t use it.”

The same is true with the word of God.  You may believe what it says, but if you don’t apply what it says it won’t benefit you at all.  Some people talk the talk but are ill equipped to deal with life and are unprepared for the Judgment because they don’t walk the walk.  James said, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (Jas. 1:23-25).

Friends, when it comes to the Bible don’t be like Mike.  Don’t just hear what God said, do what God said; “for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified” (Rom. 2:13).

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Reprove & Rebuke

Reprove & Rebuke

We live in a strange time. There are two types of Christians—those who like to rebuke and do it often and those who are scared to rebuke and never do it. With email, twittering and Facebook, rebuking has never been easier, but in a generation of hurt feelings and thin skin, rebuking has never been more suspect. The irony is that both types of Christians are prone to sin, because those who enjoy giving a good rebuke are usually the least qualified, and those who would rather wash a cat are often the very people who would do so much good with their correction. Which are we? Are we trigger-happy with our rebuke or are we wet noodles?

In the rallying cry to preachers that the great apostle Paul gave to his protégé, Timothy, he told him to “… reprove, rebuke…”—we do not like these words. They sound so negative. We want to encourage, edify and uplift. We do not like to reprove or rebuke, and we do not like to receive reproof or rebuke. We receive correction in school, from our parents and even from our employers, but in that which matters the most, people rarely tell us that which is hard but life-saving! Nevertheless, such is essential in the divine plan of redemption. Nestled between the instructions to preach the word and to encourage the brethren, Paul told the young man Timothy to reprove and rebuke. The term “reprove” (Greek elegcho) means to “convict” [YLT, DBY] or “convince” [NKJV, RSV, WNT, MNT, TCNT]. It conveys the idea of correcting one who is wrong. With our text, we find this term seventeen (17) times in our New Testament.

* The offended Christian is to reprove the sole offender (Matt. 18:15).

* John the Immerser reproved Herod for his marriage to his sister-in-law, Herodias (Luke 3:19).

* We may even reprove ourselves with a godly conscience, as the crowd with stones in hand did from the oldest to the youngest (John 8:9).

* Through our instruction, we reprove the sins of the non-Christians (cf. 1 Cor. 14:24).

* The apostle Paul declared, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Eph. 5:11).

* We are even to reprove guilty elders whom the entire congregation knows to be sinful (1 Tim. 5:20).

The term “rebuke” (Greek epitimao) is a compound word that literally means to tax upon. It refers to the action of censuring or admonishing, and by implication, it refers to the action of charging and offering a strong rebuke. It conveys the idea of expressing strong disapproval, to censure someone with a view of preventing wrong or ending it. Counting our text, we find this term twenty-nine (29) times in our New Testament.

* It is this strong censure that Jesus used to rebuke the winds and the waves of the turbulent Sea of Galilee to bring about a great peaceful calm (cf. Matt. 8:26; Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24). It is also this strong censure that Jesus used in exorcising demons who knew His identity (Matt. 17:18; Mark 1:25; 9:25; Luke 4:35, 41; 9:42), and even in rebuking the fever in Peter’s mother-in-law to heal her (Luke 4:38-39).

* It is this type of strong rebuke that Peter himself gave his Lord—“Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you”—that prompted Jesus to respond, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matt. 16:22; Mark 8:32-33). On another occasion, the disciples showed their ugly side when they rebuked children from approaching Jesus, but Jesus lovingly responded, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:13-14; Mark 10:13-14; Luke 18:15-16). In similar fashion, the multitude rebuked the two blind men from crying out to Jesus, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David” (Matt. 20:30-31; Luke 18:35- 39), one of whom was blind Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus (Mark 10:46-48), but Jesus heard their cry and healed them.

* Jesus even rebuked James and John (the Sons of Thunder) for their unmerciful attitude towards the Samaritans (Luke 9:55).

* Jesus commanded, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).

* The penitent thief rebuked his fellow criminal on the cross in Luke 23:40 prior to his humble request, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Therefore, we see that reproving and rebuking is Biblical. Reproving indicates a slap on the hand—it changes what one believes; rebuking indicates the time to go the woodshed—it changes how one behaves.

Why should we reprove and rebuke? We need to reprove and rebuke because, as the text continues, the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3-4). We need to reprove and rebuke because the time is now that we should be more concerned about the souls of others than we are about our own personal feelings. We need to reprove and rebuke because the time has passed in which we have lost loved ones in that we have failed to see the benefits therein. Reproving and rebuking is biblical, it is protective, it is a loving action and the goal of it is to restore! May God grant us wisdom to be able to know when to do each as is necessary, and may God help us to soften and mold our hearts to accept such for the benefits therein. The psalmist stated, “Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it” (Ps. 141:5).

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