A Life of Hope

A Life of Hope

Hope is believing that a particular desire or expectation will be given based on the information that has been presented to you.  For a Christian, this hope is Heaven.  Heaven is a place where one will spend eternity praising the Lord and giving thanks to Him for coming into the world for us.  But on earth, it is difficult sometimes to remember hope.

because of christ there is hope

Because of Christ, there is hope.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1).  In this small verse, God has told us to have faith in what we may not see or hear.   “But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6).  Therefore, we do not have to see the Lord to believe that He exist.

God has given us all things that we need in order to see Him without seeing Him.  The complexities of this world still cannot be explained by man.  The theories that man has invented attempt to justify without God, but they fail.  Nothing can be explained without God’s divine wisdom.  So with this in mind, we must have hope in Him.

Hope keeps a Christian doing right.  It allows him to not give up on himself or other Christians.  Even when the world seems to tear your soul down, it is hope that allows us to continue and to keep our paths straight.   God would never lie to us and He has made His promise that “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16b).

In order to have hope in what the Lord promised, we need to obey Him.  If we have obeyed Him, then “The Lord is not slacked concerning His promise” (2 Pet 3:9a).  We need to have faith that one day we will be with God if we have lived right and that without Him, there is no hope.  Hope should be a comforting word for a Christian so that our souls can one day be at rest with Him in Heaven.

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Isaiah 53 – Redemption

The Heart of Redemption – Isaiah 53

isaiah points toward christ

Isaiah points toward Christ.

Without a doubt, Isaiah 53 is the greatest chapter in the Old Testament. It is the heart of all that there is in redemption.

  1. This chapter contains the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ
  2. This chapter contains the rejection of Jesus Christ
  3. This chapter contains the mistreatment and trial of Jesus Christ
  4. This chapter contains the voluntary death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
  5. This chapter contains the priesthood of Jesus Christ
  6. This chapter contains the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ
  7. This chapter contains the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
  8. This chapter contains the basis of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ

Therefore, knowing that this entire chapter points to Jesus Christ, let us think of its importance to us!

In its context, this chapter begins by pointing to Jesus as a servant (52:13), and it ends by pointing to Jesus as a servant (53:11), showing His humility, even throughout His death. Moreover, this section also begins (52:13) by showing that this servant is the personification of wisdom (cf. Col. 3:2) and would be exalted (Phil. 2:9-11).

Isaiah begins with the words, “Who hath believed our report?” (53:1). This is not raising the question, “Who believed it?” Rather, this raises the question, “Who would have thought about God using this method of redeeming humanity, or in other words, who has believed what we have heard?” Considering this, we note that Paul speaks of this very same thing concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ and the cross (1 Cor. 1:18-2:9). Isaiah continues, “To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” This takes our minds forward to the time when a particular eunuch from Ethiopia is reading from this very section of Isaiah and requests guidance from Philip in understanding about whom the prophet is speaking (cf. Acts 8:28-35). In other words, it takes revelation to conceive of the redemptive plan of God, especially since His birth and life defy human logic (53:2).

Then, we begin to see His rejection (53:3). Be sure to follow the pronouns: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah is including himself among the ones who rejected him, and this group of individuals includes you and me! How did Jesus react to such rejection by humanity? “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet, we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (53:4). Knowing that we would reject Him, He still sacrificed Himself for us; knowing that we would despise Him, He still took care of our needs, just as Matthew shows by fulfillment (cf. Matt. 8:17).

How did it happen? Isaiah answers this: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed” (53:5). In other words, He was “smitten of God,” but not because of His own personal sins; the blow that fell on Him is that which should have fallen on us! Yet, we all are responsible—mark the use of the word “all” is in the next verse (53:6); the verse begins and ends with this little word. Not only do righteous people suffer (i.e., Job), but the Sinless One suffered, too. Therefore, it was a “vicarious” (in our place, which Isaiah mentions in eleven expressions in Isaiah 53:4-6, 8, 10, 12) suffering. Moreover, this chapter describes the essence of sin—it is the expression of our own will—“…we have turned everyone to his own way…” (cf. Matt. 6:10; 16:24). Such selfishness only leads to separation!

Here is how He was treated, showing His voluntary suffering (53:7), and we see what happened to Him (53:8). He was crucified with thieves (53:9), and a rich man (Joseph of Arimathaea) buried His body (cf. John 19:38-42).

Yet, God looked at Jesus far differently than from how humanity looked upon Him (53:10). This ultimate chapter closes with the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ (53:11; cf. Heb. 9:24-28), as well as the priesthood and intercession of Jesus Christ (53:12). Volumes could be written from these twelve verses! May these humble words invoke greater study into the heart of redemption, and lead us to appreciate the vicarious suffering and sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf!

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“Witnessing” For Christ

Witnessing for Christ

More and more I hear of members of the church speaking about ” witnessing ” and less frequently do I hear about members of the church speaking about teaching the gospel of Christ. While the term “witness” is a biblical one and while many people speak of “witnessing” within the denominational world, perhaps we should wonder if the way the Bible uses the term and the way the denominations use the term coincide. Are we as Christians allowing the denominational world to change our ways or are we as Christians seeking to change the ways of denominations? It appears that in this terminology we have allowed denominationalism to take control.

are you witnessing or teaching his word

Are you witnessing? Or teaching His Word?

As I look at all the different ways in which the word witness is used in the scriptures, I don’t find a single solitary instance in which it is used in the same way that most religious people use the word today. We see that the apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrection and so was the apostle Paul (Acts 1:22; 4:33; 22:15). The Holy Spirit was a witness to the Jews that the Gentiles were to receive the gospel message (Acts 15:8). God gave witness to the apostles and prophets through miraculous signs and wonders that what they said and taught was true (Hebrews 2:4). John writes that the record that God gave of His Son, Jesus, is the witness that is in us, if we believe that record (1 John 5:9,10). However, we never read of an apostle, prophet, or inspired teacher within the New Testament telling Christians to go out and “witness” for Christ. “Preach the gospel”–Yes. “Witness”–No. Where does this concept come from?

When a member of a denomination stands up and “witnesses” they usually tell of all the “great things” God has done for them in their life. Perhaps they will speak about how God saved them from drugs. Perhaps they will speak about how God helped them get over a financial crisis. Perhaps they will speak about how God helped them become a good father or mother. The witnessing is always “how God personally helped me.” The focus of these “testimonies” is upon the individual’s personal experience. From this, those who are listening to the speaker are supposed to conclude that God will work some kind of personal experience for them as well and that they are supposed to come to believe in God based upon this “testimony.” Notice, however, that the faith that is generated by these “testimonies” does not come from God’s word, but from someone’s personal, subjective experience. Herein lies the danger; the Bible says “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Those who stand up and give personal “testimonies” and “witness” for God are doing the world no favor. They are not preaching the word of God–they are preaching their own subjective, emotional experiences. They are causing people to believe something other than the word of God, and that is NOT biblical faith.

Perhaps someone might say, “Well, the Holy Spirit is really the one who is witnessing.” No doubt, this is what many believe today who participate in this kind of thing. However, the Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion according to 1 Corinthians 14:33 and the Holy Spirit wrote Romans 10:17. Now is the Holy Spirit going to say that faith comes by hearing the word at one point in time and then turn around and say that faith comes by doing something OTHER than hearing the word at another point in time? For someone to say such would be indicting the Holy Spirit of a lie. Either faith comes by hearing the word of God or it does not. Either the Holy Spirit told the truth when He said that faith comes by hearing the word of God or these people who are “witnessing” today are lying. I will stick with Paul, “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

Why would Christians get caught up in such foolishness? Do they no longer believe that faith comes by hearing the word of God? Do they believe that their simple personal stories are more important than the story of the cross? Do they believe that God’s saving power lies within their own personal experience as opposed to the resurrection of the Son of God? Let us, as Christians, put away such speech from our vocabulary. Let’s believe what the Bible has to say about how faith comes and resolve to preach God’s word instead of exalting our own personal experience above the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Let us resolve not to know anything save Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Let’s resolve to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).

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All About Self

All About Self

Professional golfer Phil Mickelson is right handed. He does everything right handed: writes, throws, swings baseball bats, etc. He does everything right handed, except golf. His nickname is “lefty.” This phenomenon is born out of the affect of watching and imitating (in a mirror image) his father’s golf swing when he was a child. Seventeen times in the gospel accounts the command to “follow me” is given by the Lord. The illustration of Phil copying his father’s swing to us following Jesus is clear. We must imitate and reflect Him in our lives if we are going to be His disciples.

is your life all about self

Is Your Life All About Self?

The rub for mankind is this; we are a selfish and prideful bunch. No one can follow and imitate Christ in their lives while they continue to live for themselves. Jesus calls us to humble ourselves and daily to crucify our own selfish desires in order to follow Him. My friend Sellers Crain wrote that Jesus said in effect, “Get your mind off yourself, and yourself off of your mind” (Matthew 23:11; Luke 14:11; 18:14). He went on to say that there were three things each of us needs to lose:

Selfishness . “Selfish people are immature people.” Babies are cute, loveable, and precious. But no one like’s a big baby! Grown – ups who act like selfish babies are ugly, loathsome, and disfavored. We learn quickly that no one likes the spoiled kid who takes his ball and leaves because he doesn’t get his way. This is not an image that the Lord projects and no one can be a follower of Jesus who is selfish.

Self – centeredness . “The real problem in Eden was that Adam and Eve wanted to be their own god. Pride is the problem.” The Bible warns that pride is destructive and arrogance is deadly (Proverbs 16:18). Pride is not what one sees in the Lord. He came not to do His own will but the Father’s (John 5:30). He lived and died for us and his nature was outward – centered.

Self – consciousness . “The world teaches us, ‘Know thyself.’ Some teach ‘To thine own self be true.’” But to be a follower of Jesus one must come to know Him (Philippians 3:10; 1 John 2:3; 5:20), and “To Him be true.”

Brother Crain goes on to say that there are three principles involved regarding self. We must “give ourselves away,” “deny ourselves,” and “lose ourselves.” When we look into our spiritual mirror what is it that we see? Sadly most see themselves as they have been formed and influenced by Satan and the world. To be followers of the Lord we must look at Him and imitate Him in every aspect of our lives. Submit to His will and be faithful.

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Ezekiel & Figurative Language

Let the Bible Explain Itself

When asked the question, “How does one decide whether the language of the Bible is to be taken literally or figuratively?” the simple answer is that throughout the world in every language we take what is said literally. The exceptions to this rule would be when the speaker often uses nonliteral language or when taking the words literally twists or distorts what is said.

ezekiel provides much figurative language

Ezekiel provides much figurative language.

Look at the book of Ezekiel for a moment. The opening words speak of “the fourth month on the fifth day of the month.” Common sense makes it obvious that this is a historical narrative. Now, for someone to take the word and use his own imagination to make some profound affirmation about the numerical value of the numbers four and five violates the nature of the text. Ezekiel is simply establishing the date of the revelation God was giving to him.

However, in the verses which follow there is a description of the vision seen by the prophet. There is a whirlwind, raging fire, a great cloud, four creatures which look like a man, with each one having four faces, four wings, straight legs, calves’ feet, faces like lions, oxen, eagles and humans. Beside each of them were wheels, that had wheels inside wheels, that lifted the creatures up, and they flew. What on earth could this mean? We read the words describing these creatures, but what is this all about? The answer is simple. “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord” (Ezek. 1:28).  Do the wings, feet, faces, and wheels have some figurative meaning? There is no way any man can give precise meaning to each of these, for God does not reveal them. Ezekiel saw a manifestation of the glory of the Lord. He wanted us to see that he uses words to tell us what he saw in the vision, and then God specifically describes the creature.

Some focus on the details of the vision and try to find some hidden meaning, yet Ezekiel tells us the precise meaning. Ezekiel talks about the Spirit in this book (3:12-13, 25; 8:4; 9:3, 11:23; 45:9). Common sense would lead us to spend far more time on the Spirit and where He is found in relation to the temple than to spend all our time trying to make too much of the description of the Spirit in the vision.

Hopefully, looking at these words from the early chapters of Ezekiel will help us more clearly see one principle of dealing with prophetical, poetic language. We must never place more emphasis on the figurative language in any verse than the Bible does. Let God emphasize what matters in the text. Be willing to stop short of assigning your own meaning to figurative language. Find God’s emphasis and then stop. Let the Bible explain itself.

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