You Have But Little Power

You Have But Little Power

The Pew Research Center published an article on September 13, 2022 entitled: Modeling the Future of Religion in America.  The first paragraph of that article states: ‘Since the 1990s, large numbers of Americans have left Christianity to join the growing ranks of U.S. adults who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular.’  While the article examines a downward trending of Religious affiliation, inherent in the data is the possibility that the percent of the population clinging to spiritual truth is also likely declining.    Man’s destiny is perfectly and directly connected to the Bible which is not a little power but that of God to mankind for salvation (Romans 1:16).Downward Trend

There are many assemblies of Christians across the country.  The quality of instruction they receive from the pulpit can be readily seen through writings, audio sermons, and video posted online.  Affixing the spiritual state of those lessons to that of the congregation is quite often not encouraging.  Examining many congregational websites and the views and activities they promote sadly leaves a further disappointing viewpoint. Those who choose not to gather, but “worship” at home by following these teachings/examples are worse off yet.  When observing the “Seeking a Preacher” ads which have been circulated, a deeper lack of hope is seen.  As a representation of the Lord’s true and singular Church which He established (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 4:4), these sources lend themselves to data pointing toward spiritual decline among the population of the United States.  Again, observationally, the preponderance of spiritual truth also appears minimal.

The most powerful presentation of truth the world has ever known is readily available in nearly every populated location on earth (Bible).  The evidence it contains demonstrating the existence and perfect wisdom of God is to the earnest, unrefusable.  The pitfalls proclaimed in Matthew 13:10-23 are also visible in everyday life.  A lack of understanding, the trial of faith, and the lure of the world (desire of flesh, eye, and pride of life – 1 John 2:16) work to diminish the present numbers of Christian faithful among the living.  Yet, despite these occurrences, trends, concerns, there are faithful, seeking Christians yet.  The have of themselves, but little power; however, they keep the Word of God and do not deny the name of Christ.

Lost among the crowds of larger and mid-size congregations and quite possibly the cog of frustration to the “religious” in small congregations, herein, reside the faithful.  They obey the Book.  They follow the commandments of Christ.  They are those righteous from the first century forward who were and are in the congregations to which the seven Churches of Asia in the book of Revelation are a type.  Despite a likely decline in numbers, the presence of false teachings, the existence of unauthorized worship, and the waning of godly works around them, their hearts, minds, and actions stride boldly onward seeking their heavenly Father.  If you will, they are the representation of the Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).  They patiently endure holding fast to what God has given them.  The statistics, trends, polls, and reality of the wave of data calling the weak and brazen to forsake Christ will not detour them from their goal.  The Master of the Seas is their Captain; no storm can reject His Command or founder the peace which He offers.

Friends, brothers and sisters, do not let the rumors of the demise of Christianity weaken your resolve to serve God.  Seek, study, care, comfort, strengthen, and love while there is yet time.  Rely upon Him who can save your souls.  No force, no number of agnostics, atheists, or blind guides can take away what Christ gives freely.  Do not let the illusion of loneliness overtake you for long.  The great crowd of witnesses in heaven await your presence before the throne of God.  Our loving Savior will return in the clouds and with a great cry of command we will arise with those who have gone on before us.  Never lose sight of this.  Never lose hope. You may have little power by your own hand, but our mighty God can accomplish all things as He wills.

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Do You Seek Togetherness?

Do You Seek Togetherness?

Over the last thirty years, my wife and I have moved many times. It seems as if the number is a lot larger, but for certain we have lived in at least 20 different locations.  We have also worshipped with brethren in numerous states.  Whether as the located preacher, conducting a meeting or a class, or just visiting, it is likely we have assembled with well over 100 congregations large and small.  Beyond the places of worship, we have gathered with Christians in even far more venues enjoying their company, sharing their lives, coming to know their families, and comforting one another over the trials and struggles that present themselves.  Whether in a home, an auditorium, a gym, a grange, a restaurant, sitting at a ballgame, out fishing, taking a walk, at conferences, the park, antique malls, countless settings, the togetherness made a difference.  Who knows how many emails I have received from Christians over the years or calls I have received or made to other Christians/preachers.  It helped and continues to beat back the feeling of being a Christian and being alone.Togetherness

Christians since the first century have met together on the first day of the week to worship God and remember their Savior at His command by communing with other Christians though the Lord’s Supper, singing, study, and prayer.  They follow the example and inference of coming together from Luke 22:19, Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 11: 17-29, I Corinthians 16:2. This practice has been verified and recorded through plentiful extra-biblical writings of Christians and non-Christians from the first century forward.  This has been observed from those early days throughout the world.  However, there are examples, not commanded by God, when Christians in the past gathered.  Acts 2:46 records Christians gathering at the temple as well as “house to house” sharing meals together.  The fact that Christians early on did not meet in “church” buildings is without dispute.  Equally as true is that the preponderance of times they met together was not for the purpose of worship.  People lived normal lives of work, play, and other occasions when they came together individually and as a community to share their time with one another.  Why do they do this?  Because people typically do not spend their time alone.  They enjoy building relationships, having fun, sharing conversation, encouraging one another, and helping one another in life.  This is true for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Jews and Christians have often suffered over the ages.  Near to the first century during the time of the Maccabees there was unrest.  Pompey would take Jerusalem in 63 BC for the Romans.  The Jews were under this governance when suffering the murder of their children by Herod during the childhood of Jesus.   Jesus would later go to the cross instead of Barabbus an insurrectionist (an activity drawing the attention of Rome).  The Jews would be forced from Rome at the hand of Claudius during the 40s AD due to concern over insurrection.  The insurrection of the Jews during the 60s Ad ultimately brought about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by Rome.  Christians were not immune from being tied to the behavior of the Jews.  They were considered just a sect of the Jews.  Unfortunately, not only did Christians suffer because they were either Jews or associated with them, but they also suffered at the hand of the Judaizers for their beliefs.  The witness of this is great throughout the New Testament.  While, the destruction of Jerusalem eased the punishment of the Judaizers upon Christians, Rome would certainly have their hand upon Christians as time would progress.  If you found yourself a Jew or Christian during these times do you think you would isolate yourself from those who could lend you support?  The Christians specifically would need to gather themselves together even more closely as it seemed they were being persecuted from all sides.  They would need the comfort, aid, and fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ to get them through the terrible times.

Enter the book of Hebrews.  Hebrews is written to what is believed to be a Hebrew/Israelite/Jewish Christian audience.  The letter furthermore is believed by many to have been written specifically to the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem possibly months before the 70 AD destruction.  Whether or not that is exact, or the letter was written to Jewish Christians of that timeframe throughout the known world of that time, the Christians were alive during a time of increasing stress, hard times, persecution, and peril.  Apostles were being martyred! Fear and uncertainty most certainly surrounded Christianity.  Herein comes Hebrews 10:23-25:

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but encouraging one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

This passage is most often used to guilt people into making every bible study a body of Christians holds i.e. additional Sunday morning, night, and Wednesday evening gatherings.  No such mandate of these specific times was ever made in scripture.  The authorized command of assembling by Christ in remembrance and examples of assembling on the first day of the week by the Church has been established, but no other has been bound in heaven nor can be upon the earth.  If the context of Hebrews 10 were specifically refencing a congregational time of worship, the first century Christians would not define the time of assembling as done today.  Under such a specific view the time would be the first day of the week.  However, is this what Hebrews 10 is referencing?  The context of Hebrews would resoundingly say “No!”.  The meaning is far deeper and critical.  The assembling here using the logical ability to infer, as authorized by Christ in (Matthew 22:29-32), would always direct Christians to the understanding of communing together for comfort, encouragement, and strength.  Specifically, as they see the time of duress coming near.  Again, in context, a time of judgment would be approaching the Christians (Hebrews 10:13, 27-39).  They had been in and would be through trials.  They needed “encouraging” (25), “compassion” (34), “confidence” (35), and “faith” (38).  If the time coming was the destruction of Jerusalem, persecution from Rome, or the final Judgment of all (unlikely due to the immediacy of the language of Hebrews), as stated earlier, the Christians would need the comfort, aid, and fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ to get them through the terrible times.  This involves a whole lot more cruciality than a mindset of making a Bible study.  It means in one’s life gathering with Christians frequently in a wide variety of settings and locations for multiple purposes.

The Hebrews 10 passage brings about a truth that the entire Bible confirms.  Being in contact with and surrounding ourselves with godly brothers and sisters will build us up and see us through all seasons.  It will help us avoid the feeling of being alone, helpless and stranded in a world of sin.  While it is a truth that frequent Bible study is uplifting and done so in assembling with other Christians has the possibility of making it even more so, we must leave passages in their appropriate context as addressed to the given audience.  To “forsake”, “treat as empty”, “desert”, or “leave behind” assembling with others also has a far different connotation associated with it than being concerned about a specific Bible study time.  Christians we need to remember that at times, there are different needs that must be met.  We are created for the purpose of good works.  This means your time may be better served talking to someone and spending time with them, rather than having your head in the good and holy Book (Matthew 15:1-9).  Value the time to go serve someone and show the love of Christ.  Let us not be like the Pharisees happy to show our check list of successfully attended class times, but rather be as the anonymous good Samaritan who seized the moment to do what is right and pleasing in the sight of God.

 

 

 

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Reproof or Reprove?

Reproof or Reprove?

Yes, words have meaning.  It is important to know what they mean.  As a boy, I once called my father a name I had heard from the boys at school.  I had no clue what it meant.  After I got up off the ground my father explained to me what the word meant.  When it comes to scripture, words are more important than a knock on the head.

Words impact the meaning of the context they are in.  A man running from a smoking building and yelling “fire!”, is in a far better place than a man in front of a death squad yelling “fire!”.   When we turn to the scriptures, we want to be able to understand them because they can affect the destiny of souls.  This brings me to the specific topic of this article.  The word “reprove” is Strong’s number H3198 in the Old Testament and its partner in the New Testament is G1651.  These words in Hebrew and Greek carry the idea of rebuking, correcting, or admonishing someone.  This word is not the same as “Reproof”. Fire has multiple meanings.

The “Reproof” I am referring to is in the New Testament.  It is used only two times.  It is the word with Strong’s number #G1650.  It is first found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”.  Nearly every preacher I have ever known or heard has taught this passage is teaching rebuking and then correction.  That is simply not correct.  It is a proof, evidence, or aspect which convicts.  Scripture aids in coming to know doctrine.  It presents convicting evidence.  It enables poor behavior to be corrected.  Finally, it provides direction on how to do right.

The second passage and only other which uses this word, strengthens this understanding.  Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Here we come to an understanding of a few things.  Faith is the substance or foundation.  Faith, of course, is built on what is heard from the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  Faith is furthermore composed of what is stated in the latter part of the verse, “evidence” – Exactly what 2 Timothy 2:16-17 claims.  The Word is profitable for evidence and that faith building evidence is what our hope stands on.  Failing to understand the meaning of the word reproof in Timothy (which should be written evidence as in Hebrews 11:1), pulls it from the supporting tool chest drawer of verses that it needs to be in.

The Bible is the mind of God.  Understanding it takes time and study.  It provides continual growth and insight as to who our God is.  Take the time to examine words and find their place in God’s great message.  He has given it to us to uncover and discover as we glorify Him day to day.

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Private Sin

Private Sin

Matthew 18:15-20 provides the foundation for dealing with private sin.  Approaching public sin is a different story for a different day.  With this passage, Jesus provides a very distinct approach for dealing with an individual’s sin against another.  Sadly, though these passages are frequently declared by Christians in and out of the pulpit, rarely are they followed correctly.  In fact, it can be safely said many do not even understand the entire passage properly.

To begin, Jesus has been discussing the value of all men within the Kingdom of Heaven.  Down to the smallest and least prominent there is value.  The spiritual value of men is far more important than what the physical offers.  Indeed, the importance of one single soul is worth our complete focus.  Thus, when the conversation comes to the discussion in verse 15, even when the individual has been sinned against by another, he is to seek out the transgressor to resolve the situation.  The hope is the transgressor will listen and repent.  His soul is precious!

Of course, when tasked with the objective of restoring a soul from private sin, success is not always achieved alone.  Thus, Jesus encourages the inclusion of others in the effort when the first has failed.  Frequently, within congregations, this is when an individual approaches elders rather than other sound brothers and sisters to assist him.  This is not incorrect; it is just common.  When success is not met in this group interaction, the elders frequently inform the congregation as to what is going on, however, they frequently fail to obey what Jesus establishes here.  Verse 17 of the text establishes that if the transgressor does not listen there is supposed to be an interaction of the Church, the Christians, with the one in sin.  The body of Christ is to reach out and talk to the man… not just be informed and leave it in the hands of the elders.  The responsibility lies within the congregation to engage for the sake of the individual’s soul.  His soul is worth the attention of everyone!  The proper path is not to wait for months while a couple of elders engage in a letter writing war.  By then the individual with feet braced often wants no part of anyone at the congregation, the relationships have become irrelevant because the proper steps were not quickly taken, and the individual has moved on and established others.

A second failure, often as a matter of understanding, comes from verse 18: “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  Correctly understood, those things which are bound or loosed (followed or not followed) are those which have already been established by God’s Word.  Thus, the point is, if the transgressor has either repented or continued in sin, and the brethren who have approached him have done so according to what has been established by God, then God will accept the decision on their course of action.  The text is not encouraging the creation of any course of action outside of what has been revealed by God.

The final failing of understanding in this passage is in verse 20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.”  This verse is often utilized as “Hey! I want to go camping not meet with the brethren on Sunday, so as long as someone is with me to worship at the campfire, God is with us.”  That is a common and terrible misuse of Jesus’ words.  The wider context of Jesus’ words has been the value of the human soul.  The more narrow context is church discipline.  The proper meaning is that if the discipline is done with authority, God endorses it.

Church discipline is something that is not to be done lightly.  It is something that needs to be done in timely fashion according to God’s authority.  It is a blessing when private sin can be resolved between individuals, but when it cannot, and the concern escalates to the entire Church, let each and every member engage with kindness, love, and concern over the precious soul in trouble.  The Church cannot dismiss their duties as Christians and the Eldership cannot assume those duties as their own.  It is in those scenarios that regardless of how many are gathered together, God will not be among them.

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Friday, Friday, Friday!

Friday, Friday, Friday!

For many it is the most wonderful day of the week.  Friday! Yahhh!  It represents freedom.  No longer captive to the will of others, Friday after 5pm represents our time.  We go out with friends or have them over.  We stay up late or… very, very early.  It is a time that we long for from the close of Sunday onward.  The mind is focused on preparing for Friday way in advance. The hope of that great day motivates us all week long.Happy Friday

Someday, our spiritual Friday will come.  A day when all the care and trouble of this world go away.  It will be a day when we don’t have to worry about vain and meaningless drudgery.  Sorrow and stress will be gone.  It will be a day of rejoicing with friends and loved ones.  It will be the best Friday of our life, because it will be the start of the never-ending weekend.  Eternity of Freedom from the shackles of this human body and its frailty.

While we prepare for a Friday at the end of the week, are we preparing for the spiritual one?

1 Peter 1:13-16 – Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Preparation for eternity begins in this time we have been given upon the earth.  Someday, death will arrive, and its significance will be understood.  Will you be ready?  The passage above from Peter speaks of conformity to ignorance.  What ignorance?  The ignorance of a vain and empty life which most of the world follow.  Such a life is not in preparation for eternity.  The focus is upon the immediate and not the hope of a greater time.  God wants your life and behavior to be focused upon holy conduct.  What is that?

Mic 6:8  He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 

John 6:40 – For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

That last day in of life upon this earth will be glorious.  Will your preparation be in the belief that Jesus is coming that day?  Based on that belief will you have been walking in justice and kindness according to the commands of God?

God wants your spiritual Friday to be amazing!  You don’t have to be in the dark about how to be prepared.  Take up the Bible, spend some time reading about God’s preparation for the great day He has waiting for you.  The Bible is His word.  You can understand it.  Be patient, study it, follow it, and anticipate with great hope the day of Freedom that is coming.

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