I am reproducing the following here with the permission of Bob Grimes:
THE STORY OF THE MESSENGER TOP FUEL 757
Why would a 64 year old Grandfather build and ride a Blown NitroTop Fuel Bike? Some times I ask my self that same question. I have been drag racing for 30 + yrs, mostly Pro Gas. Top fuel I was afraid to try it was too dangerous, Ha Ha. Dec.20 2006 I was diagnosed with Met static renal cell carcinoma - kidney cancer! It had spread to the pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands, thyroid, lymph nodes and lungs. My wife Pam and I were stunned beyond belief. All we could do was hug each other and cry Pam being a critical care nurse new I was dealt a death sentence. After we hugged a long time she asked me is there any thing you would like to do or see before you die. I didn’t hesitate and said, I would like to go 200 miles per hour on a Top Fuel Bike. Then we cried together. Feb 23 I had a total nephrectomy of the right renal bed. A soft ball size cancer was removed, along with My right kidney and adrenal gland, because the mass was cutting off the blood supply to my heart. The doctors sent me home and told me I had 6 months to 1 year left on this earth. They told me there was no cure for stage 4 renal cancer, and it grows fast!. At that point I thought It was the end of the line. I wept and give myself to Jesus. I asked for forgiveness of all my sins against God and Man, I asked the Lord to use me to do His will until the day I would leave this world. That fall I was still here and my father in heaven sent me to a little Pentecostal church in Pen valley Ca. Then the Lord blessed me with musical talent I never new I had so I wound up on the worship team singing, playing harmonica, guitar, banjo and writing songs To the lord. Pam and I went to a Harley race in Sacramento. While there we purchased a used Top Fuel chasses built by of all things hell racing. We started building the Blown Fuel Bike I thanked the lord for every day and the strength to go on. The Lord blessed me with the time and the talent to build this awesome Blown Nitro Harley and we named the bike THE MESSENGER. We finished the Bike November 09, we worked hard trying to get it to go that 200 mph in the ¼ mile. Aug 28 2011 at Woodburn drag strip THE MESSENGER Amazed us all when I rode it to an 1/8 mile time of 4.2 sec at 191 mph and ¼ mile et time of 6.59 Sec. at 181 mph. looking at the data collecting computer showed I had clicked off the throttle at 5.2 sec. and The MESSENGER was going 217 mph. On the return road as the crowd cheered I looked up to heaven with tearing eyes held up my hand to the LORD and thanked Him for blessing me in so many ways. You know he loves us so much, He made us in his own image. He wants to hold you in his arms, He wants to give you strength to make it through what ever trial the world throws at you, He wants to forgive your trespasses, He wants you to be free, He wants you to do your best to sin no more, He wants you to love him with all your heart with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27. If this Testimony has touched your heart God is reaching out to you, now is the time to take his hand and Say this simple prayer.
Father in heaven the time has come I want to know you. I want you to hold me in your arms, show me the way father, I pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I ask for your forgiveness for my many trespasses against you and my neighbors. Help me to forgive those that have trespassed against me. Help me to walk in your Son’s footsteps in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Welcome to god’s family. Every race we run on in this world means nothing unless we honor the Father and the Son in everything we do. I know I’m going to heaven cuz this bike scared all the hell out of me. God bless you and keep you.
BOB GRIMES AND THE MESSENGER
I would like to just add a couple comments. For you gearheads, did you note that he closed the throttle only 1 second past the half track point and he was already at 217MPH? Any guesses as to how fast the full 1/4 mile would have been? Wow!
And for those of you who are not yet Christians, note that Bob's number one priority became proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. I can only speculate that it is part of God's plan to get someone's attention by means of the performance of "The Messenger". Someone who perhaps would have never heard of Bob Grimes or his testimony of salvation without this bike.
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
This is a re-post of something I wrote last year in remembrance of July 4th. It is as relevant today as it was a year ago.
It is a popular bumper sticker. There is even a song with it as its title. The phrase is well worn, but retains its aura, despite having lost its standing among the purveyors of pop culture.
You hear it at the end of a lot of political speeches. Often, it makes one wonder whether the speaker is just a servant of custom, trying to appease his audience, or maybe even just possibly could mean it. The phrase, of course, is "God Bless America."
Once upon a time, near the founding of this nation, we had a legitimate standing to ask God to Bless America. Many of our forefathers came to the new world seeking the freedom to worship God according to their understanding of the dictates of the Bible, rather than those of the unholy alliances of churches and states. Later, when in the course of human events it became necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which had connected them with another, they were careful to seek the guidance of the God of Abraham; the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Imperfect though that Union was, they purposefully laid the ground work so that slavery, that great shame on humanity, would shortly be removed from this land so that their words, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, could finally ring true for all men in this land. Surely at that point in time, it was proper for us to implore God to Bless America, for one of the blessings that Christian men prayed for was the abolition of slavery.
But just as it played out time and time again in the Old Testament, apostasy is ever the grandchild of true religion. Just as they were not all Israel, which were of Israel, America has never been all Christian, but there was a time when the vast majority of us claimed true religion and most, at the very least, lived that way. Today, there may still be a majority that claim the name of Christ, but it seems that God has only reserved a remnant who he will claim as his. Most will undoubtedly hear "I never knew you" on that day.
It is difficult to pinpoint a moment, or one event, that was the start of the great downward spiral of this once great nation. Some might say it was when we gave away our cultural values, acquiescing to sexual wantonness of every type after decades of Hollywood proselytizing. Surely this is not the case though. Being given over to a reprobate mind is but one of the symptoms of a much deeper, and older disease.
Maybe it was when our nation began to allow our children and grandchildren to be murdered on the alter of convenience, in the name of choice, by those who have declared their own deity. As dreadful to contemplate as such savagery is, it too is only symptomatic.
Could the decay have begun with the removal of prayer from schools in the 1960s, or could it perhaps be traced back even further, to the time when the Bible was removed as a textbook? Again, that is certainly just another symptom, which, though it does its damage to the body, is not fatal on its own.
But if not that, what was it that set us on the path towards destruction? We may be nearing the mark if we suspect it was the introduction of the theory of evolution, though that wicked system is merely the schoolmarm for Communism, and not its master. Or is that the other way around? The two are so intertwined that it may no longer be possible to to judge.
Communism and its cohorts, Marxism,Socialism, and Progressivism, as wielded by ungodly men, are some of the greatest threats ever to man's freedom. Worldwide communism boasts over 100 million murdered, and counting. But once again, they are the infection that attacks the already weakened body.
No. None of these horrific pestilences are the root cause of this nation's demise. In fact, I don't believe that we can pinpoint a time. But I do believe that we can name the cause. You see, as Psalm 33 says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." We will be blessed as a nation if our God is Jehovah. But we continue to call on God to bless America, even while we reject him as our lord.
We need to take a cue from Ezra as found in Nehemiah 8:6 "And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground."
You hear it at the end of a lot of political speeches. Often, it makes one wonder whether the speaker is just a servant of custom, trying to appease his audience, or maybe even just possibly could mean it. The phrase, of course, is "God Bless America."
Once upon a time, near the founding of this nation, we had a legitimate standing to ask God to Bless America. Many of our forefathers came to the new world seeking the freedom to worship God according to their understanding of the dictates of the Bible, rather than those of the unholy alliances of churches and states. Later, when in the course of human events it became necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which had connected them with another, they were careful to seek the guidance of the God of Abraham; the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Imperfect though that Union was, they purposefully laid the ground work so that slavery, that great shame on humanity, would shortly be removed from this land so that their words, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, could finally ring true for all men in this land. Surely at that point in time, it was proper for us to implore God to Bless America, for one of the blessings that Christian men prayed for was the abolition of slavery.
But just as it played out time and time again in the Old Testament, apostasy is ever the grandchild of true religion. Just as they were not all Israel, which were of Israel, America has never been all Christian, but there was a time when the vast majority of us claimed true religion and most, at the very least, lived that way. Today, there may still be a majority that claim the name of Christ, but it seems that God has only reserved a remnant who he will claim as his. Most will undoubtedly hear "I never knew you" on that day.
It is difficult to pinpoint a moment, or one event, that was the start of the great downward spiral of this once great nation. Some might say it was when we gave away our cultural values, acquiescing to sexual wantonness of every type after decades of Hollywood proselytizing. Surely this is not the case though. Being given over to a reprobate mind is but one of the symptoms of a much deeper, and older disease.
Maybe it was when our nation began to allow our children and grandchildren to be murdered on the alter of convenience, in the name of choice, by those who have declared their own deity. As dreadful to contemplate as such savagery is, it too is only symptomatic.
Could the decay have begun with the removal of prayer from schools in the 1960s, or could it perhaps be traced back even further, to the time when the Bible was removed as a textbook? Again, that is certainly just another symptom, which, though it does its damage to the body, is not fatal on its own.
But if not that, what was it that set us on the path towards destruction? We may be nearing the mark if we suspect it was the introduction of the theory of evolution, though that wicked system is merely the schoolmarm for Communism, and not its master. Or is that the other way around? The two are so intertwined that it may no longer be possible to to judge.
Communism and its cohorts, Marxism,Socialism, and Progressivism, as wielded by ungodly men, are some of the greatest threats ever to man's freedom. Worldwide communism boasts over 100 million murdered, and counting. But once again, they are the infection that attacks the already weakened body.
No. None of these horrific pestilences are the root cause of this nation's demise. In fact, I don't believe that we can pinpoint a time. But I do believe that we can name the cause. You see, as Psalm 33 says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." We will be blessed as a nation if our God is Jehovah. But we continue to call on God to bless America, even while we reject him as our lord.
We need to take a cue from Ezra as found in Nehemiah 8:6 "And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground."
What we really need to do is refrain from calling on God to bless America and begin to call on America to bless God!
Well, right about now Harold Camping should be counting his blessings that he is not in ancient Israel where Deuteronomy 18: 20-22 was a law of the land:
" But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
As I write this, it is early in the morning on May 22 in Jerusalem. So Camping's date setting for the world's end has failed to come to pass, just as scores of other's before him. All that remains to be seen is how much scorn will be heaped upon Christians and the Bible because of his misplaced zeal. All that remains to be seen? Well, not quite. There is still the issue of whether or not his followers will flee this false teacher or if they will regroup under the banner of a new cult, which would be the usual pattern for these things.
In the 19th century a preacher named William Miller predicted the second coming of Christ to happen between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When that didn't pan out, the date was delayed to October 22, 1844. Eventually many left the movement and those that stayed explained away the failed dates by teaching that it had been a spiritual return and not the physical one that the Bible teaches. Today this group is known as The Seventh Day Adventists.
The Watchtower Society also has a history of setting dates for Judgment Day. 1914, 1915, 1918, and then 1925 as each date passed without God's response to their prophesies. The most recent Jehovah Witness prophesy of the end was for 1975; another bust.
Not to be completely left out, Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon dynasty, prophesied that Christ would return either on February 15, 1891 or after that date (his statement apparently just ambiguous enough to dodge the bullet of being a failed prophesy - not to worry, though, he had many less ambiguous prophecies to prove himself a liar)
Are you starting to see a pattern between Judgement Day prophecies and cults yet? Time will tell whether Harold Camping and his followers will repent of their (good intentioned) heresy or go down the path of becoming a full blown cult.
In the mean time, It seems to me that Camping has not done any favors to those who are committed to sharing the Gospel. Most non-Christians, with the failure of Camping's predictions, go back to their default position described in 2 Peter 3:3-4
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. "
So, the bottom line is this: despite May 21, 2011 not being Judgment Day, Judgment Day is still coming. We are all still sinners in need of a Savior. Don't let false teachers divert your focus from that either by their next prophesy or by the failure of their last one. Jesus is our only hope.
" But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
As I write this, it is early in the morning on May 22 in Jerusalem. So Camping's date setting for the world's end has failed to come to pass, just as scores of other's before him. All that remains to be seen is how much scorn will be heaped upon Christians and the Bible because of his misplaced zeal. All that remains to be seen? Well, not quite. There is still the issue of whether or not his followers will flee this false teacher or if they will regroup under the banner of a new cult, which would be the usual pattern for these things.
In the 19th century a preacher named William Miller predicted the second coming of Christ to happen between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When that didn't pan out, the date was delayed to October 22, 1844. Eventually many left the movement and those that stayed explained away the failed dates by teaching that it had been a spiritual return and not the physical one that the Bible teaches. Today this group is known as The Seventh Day Adventists.
The Watchtower Society also has a history of setting dates for Judgment Day. 1914, 1915, 1918, and then 1925 as each date passed without God's response to their prophesies. The most recent Jehovah Witness prophesy of the end was for 1975; another bust.
Not to be completely left out, Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon dynasty, prophesied that Christ would return either on February 15, 1891 or after that date (his statement apparently just ambiguous enough to dodge the bullet of being a failed prophesy - not to worry, though, he had many less ambiguous prophecies to prove himself a liar)
Are you starting to see a pattern between Judgement Day prophecies and cults yet? Time will tell whether Harold Camping and his followers will repent of their (good intentioned) heresy or go down the path of becoming a full blown cult.
In the mean time, It seems to me that Camping has not done any favors to those who are committed to sharing the Gospel. Most non-Christians, with the failure of Camping's predictions, go back to their default position described in 2 Peter 3:3-4
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. "
So, the bottom line is this: despite May 21, 2011 not being Judgment Day, Judgment Day is still coming. We are all still sinners in need of a Savior. Don't let false teachers divert your focus from that either by their next prophesy or by the failure of their last one. Jesus is our only hope.
Just in case you haven't heard, Judgment Day is coming, and coming very soon according to some. This Saturday as a matter of fact, at least according to Harold Camping and his followers. Massive earthquakes, death, despair, and the end of the world as we know it. So, does that concern you, or do you just laugh it off?
Well, as you might guess, I have a few things to say about the subject. First off, there is absolutely not a shadow of a doubt in my mind that Judgment Day is indeed coming ...I just have serious doubts that it will be this Saturday! I base that on this piece of scripture:
Mark 13:31-32 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Well, as you might guess, I have a few things to say about the subject. First off, there is absolutely not a shadow of a doubt in my mind that Judgment Day is indeed coming ...I just have serious doubts that it will be this Saturday! I base that on this piece of scripture:
Mark 13:31-32 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
My natural instinct is to do some research on Harold Camping to see how he explains that verse and what seems to be his contradiction of it. Ah, but is that really the best use of my time? Now if I have not taken those verses out of context or misinterpreted them in some other way, then what's the harm in taking some time to delve into Mr. Camping's prophecy? Just this. By calling out this Saturday as Judgment Day, I believe all that Camping has done is pretty well insured that this Saturday will not be Judgment day! But that leaves the rest of this week and any day after as distinct possibilities.
You see, while Harold Camping may be dead wrong on the day and the hour, one thing I cannot fault him for is having a sense of urgency. None of us is promised the next breath. So, what would be a better use of my time than researching the whole May 21 Judgment Day thing? One thing. Proclaiming the Gospel!
1 Corinthians 15:1-6 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
In these verses, Paul gives us a kind of "in a nut shell" account of the Gospel, or good news. Notice where Paul starts out, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins ..." While that description of the Gospel does not leave sin out, it is only mentioned in passing. That, I believe is because Paul is writing to the Church at Corinth. A Church consists of born again believers; those who had already confronted the issue of their sin and found Christ to be their only hope. When presenting the Gospel to a lost and dying world, it is needful to go one step further back and talk about sin, for the lost either don't understand or don't care about their sinfulness.
Sin, reduced to its primary definition, simply means to fall short. You may be thinking, "that doesn't sound so serious, what's all the fuss about?" Well, in all honesty, it would not be so serious if were not for whose standards we were falling short of. But the standards are those of the one who merely spoke and brought all of creation into being! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending! The one of whom the seraphim say Holy, Holy, Holy, the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory! The one to whom one day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess! Oh that every man might get just a small glimpse of the glory and the holiness of Jehovah, how could they help but understand just what a "big deal" it is to offend him.
It is only once a person begins to understand their sinfulness and begins to see the hopelessness of their case before the Righteous Judge that they can appreciate the grace and mercy extended by Christ Jesus in paying the penalty for their sins on the cross. And what a wonderful grace it is! It is the gift of God. Once armed with an understanding of the unfathomable holiness of God, there remain no silly thoughts that, in and of ourselves, we could in any way earn the forgiveness of our sins. The debt is just too large, too insurmountable. But the precious blood of Jesus was payment enough!
And that leads us to the rest of Paul's statement about the gospel as found here in 1 Corinthians 15. Christ was buried, but he rose again on the third day just as the Old Testament had said he would ("according to the scriptures"). This is our proof that Christ's payment was acceptable to God the Father! This is our proof that we are forgiven.
Now, you may notice that Paul's description here did not mention repentance. Does that mean that repentance is not involved in salvation? Certainly not, it merely means that Paul did not include it in his "nutshell" presentation of the gospel. Repentance, or turning from sin, is the natural result of coming to understand the enormity of sin and the overwhelming love shown by God in sending his son to die for that sin. If that doesn't lead a man to repent, then he certainly never received that glimpse of the holiness of God!
So, rather than researching the teachings of Harold Camping about Saturday being Judgment Day, I chose to spend the time trying to give a presentation of the gospel. If the world as we know it ends this Saturday, I feel this was time well spent. If the world as we know it does not end this Saturday, I feel this was time equally well spent. Either way, time is short. Have you ever gotten a glimpse of God's glory, of his holiness? I suggest you start by reading the book of John. You may still have time.
May eighth is Mother's Day, and most of us have been blessed with a loving mother. Very many of us have also been blessed to have women in our lives who are loving mothers to our children and grandchildren. In honor of them, I would like to share a glimpse of a couple of mothers mentioned in the Bible.
In the book of 1 Samuel chapter 1 we read the story of Hannah. Hannah was married to a man by the name of Elkanah, but she had no children. In fact, it appeared that she was barren, and would never have children; a condition which is felt to be a tragedy to many women even today, but possibly even more so in ancient Israel. But Hannah cried out to God in her frustration, and promised that if he would allow her to bear a son, that she would dedicate the boy's life to serving him. God answered her prayer, and she and her husband had a child and named him Samuel. Her prayer of thanksgiving is recorded in 1 Samuel 2: 1-10
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
Hannah fulfilled her promise to God. Her son Samuel's life was indeed dedicated to God's service. In fact, later in life, Samuel, as the last of the judges of Israel, would be the one chosen by God to anoint King David.
Hannah's story is a remarkable one, but in many ways it foreshadowed the story of another, even more well known mother mentioned in the Bible; Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Mary had an astounding faith. In the book of Luke we read how an angel came to her and related how that she would bear a son who would be the long awaited Messiah. Her response was reasonable enough: she asked how that could be since she was a virgin. The angel then gave an even bigger piece of news. Her son would not only be the Messiah, but he would be the Son of God! Her response? "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." In other words, I am God's servant, and I believe that whatever God says will happen.
When Mary went to visit her cousin Elisabeth, who incidentally would be the mother of John the Baptist, what she said is recorded in Luke 1: 46-55
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Now, if we compare Hannah's prayer with Mary's, we find many similarities. Both of them begin with rejoicing in the Lord and in his salvation. Both of them speak of the proud being brought low, and the humble lifted up. And is it any wonder that their prayers are so similar. Hannah showed her faith when she trusted that God would answer her prayer for a son. Mary showed her faith when she trusted God's word that she would bear the Messiah.
Both of them understood that the proud, those who think themselves good enough to please God on their own merit, would be brought down. Both of them understood that the humble, those who understood they could never be good enough to measure up to God's standards, would be raised up by the mercy of God their Saviour.
Hannah and Mary both had faith in the fact that God was their Saviour. Hannah had that faith long before her Saviour would come and die on the cross to pay the penalty for her sin. Mary had that same faith right at that point in time when Christ Jesus was about to enter into the world as the spotless Lamb of God. Both of them put their faith in the fact that God would show his mercy and provide a sacrifice for their sins.
Now it has been done. Jesus paid the penalty for your sin when he died on the cross. All that remains is for you to put your trust in his promise that he will forgive all those who will humble themselves and come to him, repenting of their sins.
In the book of 1 Samuel chapter 1 we read the story of Hannah. Hannah was married to a man by the name of Elkanah, but she had no children. In fact, it appeared that she was barren, and would never have children; a condition which is felt to be a tragedy to many women even today, but possibly even more so in ancient Israel. But Hannah cried out to God in her frustration, and promised that if he would allow her to bear a son, that she would dedicate the boy's life to serving him. God answered her prayer, and she and her husband had a child and named him Samuel. Her prayer of thanksgiving is recorded in 1 Samuel 2: 1-10
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
Hannah fulfilled her promise to God. Her son Samuel's life was indeed dedicated to God's service. In fact, later in life, Samuel, as the last of the judges of Israel, would be the one chosen by God to anoint King David.
Hannah's story is a remarkable one, but in many ways it foreshadowed the story of another, even more well known mother mentioned in the Bible; Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Mary had an astounding faith. In the book of Luke we read how an angel came to her and related how that she would bear a son who would be the long awaited Messiah. Her response was reasonable enough: she asked how that could be since she was a virgin. The angel then gave an even bigger piece of news. Her son would not only be the Messiah, but he would be the Son of God! Her response? "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." In other words, I am God's servant, and I believe that whatever God says will happen.
When Mary went to visit her cousin Elisabeth, who incidentally would be the mother of John the Baptist, what she said is recorded in Luke 1: 46-55
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Now, if we compare Hannah's prayer with Mary's, we find many similarities. Both of them begin with rejoicing in the Lord and in his salvation. Both of them speak of the proud being brought low, and the humble lifted up. And is it any wonder that their prayers are so similar. Hannah showed her faith when she trusted that God would answer her prayer for a son. Mary showed her faith when she trusted God's word that she would bear the Messiah.
Both of them understood that the proud, those who think themselves good enough to please God on their own merit, would be brought down. Both of them understood that the humble, those who understood they could never be good enough to measure up to God's standards, would be raised up by the mercy of God their Saviour.
Hannah and Mary both had faith in the fact that God was their Saviour. Hannah had that faith long before her Saviour would come and die on the cross to pay the penalty for her sin. Mary had that same faith right at that point in time when Christ Jesus was about to enter into the world as the spotless Lamb of God. Both of them put their faith in the fact that God would show his mercy and provide a sacrifice for their sins.
Now it has been done. Jesus paid the penalty for your sin when he died on the cross. All that remains is for you to put your trust in his promise that he will forgive all those who will humble themselves and come to him, repenting of their sins.
In the late 1970s I found myself, a scumbag biker working a job I hated, with unused GI Bill benefits that were soon to expire. I had always been pretty much of a gear head, and once I heard about a vocational school program for motorcycle mechanics here in Minnesota, my future was pretty much sealed.
Once I graduated the two year program, the search was on for a job as a Harley mechanic, and let me tell you, the jobs were few and far between back then. After exhausting all the possibilities here in my home state, my soon-to-be wife and I took off cross country to visit her parents in the oil fields of New Mexico, with the objective of applying at every Harley dealership along the way. Of course before we left there was one thing which had become painfully obvious that I had to do in order for there to be a chance that it would be a successful trip; get a haircut! It seems that at that time the Motor Company was still fighting off the bad boy biker image that it so lovingly embraces all the way to the bank today. So it was adios to the five year growth of hair that I had accumulated since leaving Uncle Sam's service. An additional tight trim of the old beard made me look down right employable.
And it worked! We only had to get as far as Pueblo Colorado before I received a job offer. After a couple years in the dealership there, I found that there was not much problem getting hired at another. That old thing about having dealership experience on your resume was, of course, true. So after about eight years working in dealerships, and another eight or so in independent shops, I finally went on my own.
In all that time, I have seen a lot of shops come and go. Most of the Harley dealerships managed to hang on through the tough times. Many of the independent shops did not. A number of years ago, due to a convergence of circumstances, the Harley aftermarket really took off. It may have had a lot to do with the whole Orange County "American Chopper" phenomenon, or that may have been merely a symptom, but suddenly it seemed that everyone who had ever thrown his leg over a motorcycle was opening a chopper shop. Those were gravy days for most of those shops. They would appear one day out of the blue (as far as I could see) with fancy names, fancy (expensive) storefronts, and fancy bikes with fancy price tags. I always assumed that most of these shop owners had made their fortune in other lines of work, but could not resist the lure of how unbelievably cool it would be to mimic one of the Teutuls. Sort of like the classic mid life crisis, only with bike shops instead of Corvettes.
It didn't seem to much matter that many of these choppers started to literally fall apart after a few dozen trips to the local watering hole. It was painfully obvious to anyone paying attention that many of these shops had little regard for their reputation. Along about that time, most shops made it their policy not to work on anything older than an Evolution. Most dealerships wouldn't even work on them. I am proud to say that I never joined in on that fad. Oh, I admit I tried to talk a good number of potential customers out of rebuilding their Iron Head Sportsters, but my motivation was to keep them from spending more money on their engines than their whole bike was worth. The final word from me was always "if you plan on keeping the bike forever, and it doesn't matter to you that you are spending more on the motor than the resale value of the bike, then yes I will rebuild it."
Now with the economy back down in the dumps, most of those high dollar chopper shops are a thing of the past, so it hardly matters whether or not they built a quality product and stood behind their work or not.
So, why did I spend time working on older motors when there was plenty of low hanging fruit that would have been much more profitable? Well, I guess the reason was the same one that has led me to jealously protect my professional reputation over the years: because I was in it for the long haul. Whether by instinct or conscious decision, I knew that eventually those old Harleys would be desirable again, and I am beginning to see it happen. The young guns who bring in old Shovel or Iron Head parts today no longer have a fit when you give them a labor quote. In fact they seem genuinely pleased to deal with someone with experience on the old motors. I owe that in part to being in it for the long haul.
But the whole idea of "being in it for the long haul" also applies to another area of my life, and your life too, if you are a Christian. Phillipians 1:6 tells us "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" You see, this is why I am in it for the long haul as touches Christianity. It comes with the territory. It is God, not I, which started this work of salvation in me back in the spring of 1999, and the Bible assures me that he will continue working on me until either I depart to be with him in spirit, or he returns to be with us in the flesh.
Either way, it is a blessing that, as Christians, we are not left to our own devices to "maintain" our salvation, because as Paul said in Romans 7:18, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." But praise the Lord, we do not have to depend on our own weak flesh; we are able to depend on him. 2 Tim. 4:18 tells us, "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Of course there are two sides to every coin. And the flip side to God's deliverance from hell is NOT to live as you like because you are heaven bound. As the apostle Paul would say "God Forbid!" The Lord leads us down a narrow path between the ditch of the fear of tripping up and losing our salvation on the one side, and sinning willfully on the other. That path on which he guides us so carefully has this marker on it from Phillipians 2:13" For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Roughly paraphrased, that means that God will make his children to do what he wants them to, but he accomplishes it not through fear, but by changing them in such a way that they want to please him. And that means that if you really are a Christian, you are in it for the long haul!
Once I graduated the two year program, the search was on for a job as a Harley mechanic, and let me tell you, the jobs were few and far between back then. After exhausting all the possibilities here in my home state, my soon-to-be wife and I took off cross country to visit her parents in the oil fields of New Mexico, with the objective of applying at every Harley dealership along the way. Of course before we left there was one thing which had become painfully obvious that I had to do in order for there to be a chance that it would be a successful trip; get a haircut! It seems that at that time the Motor Company was still fighting off the bad boy biker image that it so lovingly embraces all the way to the bank today. So it was adios to the five year growth of hair that I had accumulated since leaving Uncle Sam's service. An additional tight trim of the old beard made me look down right employable.
And it worked! We only had to get as far as Pueblo Colorado before I received a job offer. After a couple years in the dealership there, I found that there was not much problem getting hired at another. That old thing about having dealership experience on your resume was, of course, true. So after about eight years working in dealerships, and another eight or so in independent shops, I finally went on my own.
In all that time, I have seen a lot of shops come and go. Most of the Harley dealerships managed to hang on through the tough times. Many of the independent shops did not. A number of years ago, due to a convergence of circumstances, the Harley aftermarket really took off. It may have had a lot to do with the whole Orange County "American Chopper" phenomenon, or that may have been merely a symptom, but suddenly it seemed that everyone who had ever thrown his leg over a motorcycle was opening a chopper shop. Those were gravy days for most of those shops. They would appear one day out of the blue (as far as I could see) with fancy names, fancy (expensive) storefronts, and fancy bikes with fancy price tags. I always assumed that most of these shop owners had made their fortune in other lines of work, but could not resist the lure of how unbelievably cool it would be to mimic one of the Teutuls. Sort of like the classic mid life crisis, only with bike shops instead of Corvettes.
It didn't seem to much matter that many of these choppers started to literally fall apart after a few dozen trips to the local watering hole. It was painfully obvious to anyone paying attention that many of these shops had little regard for their reputation. Along about that time, most shops made it their policy not to work on anything older than an Evolution. Most dealerships wouldn't even work on them. I am proud to say that I never joined in on that fad. Oh, I admit I tried to talk a good number of potential customers out of rebuilding their Iron Head Sportsters, but my motivation was to keep them from spending more money on their engines than their whole bike was worth. The final word from me was always "if you plan on keeping the bike forever, and it doesn't matter to you that you are spending more on the motor than the resale value of the bike, then yes I will rebuild it."
Now with the economy back down in the dumps, most of those high dollar chopper shops are a thing of the past, so it hardly matters whether or not they built a quality product and stood behind their work or not.
So, why did I spend time working on older motors when there was plenty of low hanging fruit that would have been much more profitable? Well, I guess the reason was the same one that has led me to jealously protect my professional reputation over the years: because I was in it for the long haul. Whether by instinct or conscious decision, I knew that eventually those old Harleys would be desirable again, and I am beginning to see it happen. The young guns who bring in old Shovel or Iron Head parts today no longer have a fit when you give them a labor quote. In fact they seem genuinely pleased to deal with someone with experience on the old motors. I owe that in part to being in it for the long haul.
But the whole idea of "being in it for the long haul" also applies to another area of my life, and your life too, if you are a Christian. Phillipians 1:6 tells us "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" You see, this is why I am in it for the long haul as touches Christianity. It comes with the territory. It is God, not I, which started this work of salvation in me back in the spring of 1999, and the Bible assures me that he will continue working on me until either I depart to be with him in spirit, or he returns to be with us in the flesh.
Either way, it is a blessing that, as Christians, we are not left to our own devices to "maintain" our salvation, because as Paul said in Romans 7:18, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." But praise the Lord, we do not have to depend on our own weak flesh; we are able to depend on him. 2 Tim. 4:18 tells us, "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Of course there are two sides to every coin. And the flip side to God's deliverance from hell is NOT to live as you like because you are heaven bound. As the apostle Paul would say "God Forbid!" The Lord leads us down a narrow path between the ditch of the fear of tripping up and losing our salvation on the one side, and sinning willfully on the other. That path on which he guides us so carefully has this marker on it from Phillipians 2:13" For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Roughly paraphrased, that means that God will make his children to do what he wants them to, but he accomplishes it not through fear, but by changing them in such a way that they want to please him. And that means that if you really are a Christian, you are in it for the long haul!
I don't know about you, but when I look at all what is going on in the world, it is tough not to get angry. There are rulers killing their citizens without remorse. There are those who plot the genocide of whole nations. And still other governments keep their citizens on the verge of starvation while they live in luxury. On the home front things are not much better. It seems we have a nation that is intent on committing financial suicide, not to mention the forces who are outraged with the mere suggestion that, as a budget consideration, taxpayer money should no longer be used to pay for the murder of babies. Yep, keeping your temper in check seems to be getting increasingly more difficult to do, and yet we have Jesus command to love your enemies!
One place we can read about this kind of love is in Luke 10
Luke 10:25-29 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Here we have two great commands. Love God, and love your neighbor, In fact, elsewhere in the New Testament, Jesus calls these two the greatest commandments. In the parable that follows, we not only learn how to answer that question of who is my neighbor, but a little more about what love consists of.
Luke 10:30-37 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
To better understand the depth of this story, one needs to know a little about the relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans. You see, the Samaritans were descendants of those tribes of Israel who were on the wrong side of the divided kingdom. And not only did they side with the wicked kings of Israel, they intermarried with the local population who God had specifically commanded them NOT to marry. By the time of the New Testament, Samaritans were despised and looked down upon by the Jews to such an extent that the Samaritan woman at the well was shocked that Jesus would even speak to her.
With that in mind, the story of the Samaritan who acted out of love, and acted as a neighbor to someone who probably hated him just for who his ancestors were, should provide an example for us as to who we should love as our neighbor. In other words we should even love someone who hates us.
So what else can we learn from this? Real love, as shown in this parable, is revealed in actions more so than words. Love, as it is shown to us here, is very closely related to what we commonly call charity because those actions are for the benefit of someone who cannot repay us. In that respect it is the same type of love shown to us by Jesus Christ. He died paying the penalty for our sins, and he showed that love to us, who have no possibility of repaying him.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Christ showed what the Bible calls the greatest possible love when he laid down his life for us. And he did that when we were repulsive sinners. Jesus Christ is the one we are to look to as an example of how to love others. He is the standard, and it seems a standard that is impossible to live up to. And of course it is impossible, at least if a man relies on himself. But with God, all things are possible. So how is it that we can show others the kind of love that God has shown us? It begins when you repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ.
One place we can read about this kind of love is in Luke 10
Luke 10:25-29 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Here we have two great commands. Love God, and love your neighbor, In fact, elsewhere in the New Testament, Jesus calls these two the greatest commandments. In the parable that follows, we not only learn how to answer that question of who is my neighbor, but a little more about what love consists of.
Luke 10:30-37 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
To better understand the depth of this story, one needs to know a little about the relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans. You see, the Samaritans were descendants of those tribes of Israel who were on the wrong side of the divided kingdom. And not only did they side with the wicked kings of Israel, they intermarried with the local population who God had specifically commanded them NOT to marry. By the time of the New Testament, Samaritans were despised and looked down upon by the Jews to such an extent that the Samaritan woman at the well was shocked that Jesus would even speak to her.
With that in mind, the story of the Samaritan who acted out of love, and acted as a neighbor to someone who probably hated him just for who his ancestors were, should provide an example for us as to who we should love as our neighbor. In other words we should even love someone who hates us.
So what else can we learn from this? Real love, as shown in this parable, is revealed in actions more so than words. Love, as it is shown to us here, is very closely related to what we commonly call charity because those actions are for the benefit of someone who cannot repay us. In that respect it is the same type of love shown to us by Jesus Christ. He died paying the penalty for our sins, and he showed that love to us, who have no possibility of repaying him.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Christ showed what the Bible calls the greatest possible love when he laid down his life for us. And he did that when we were repulsive sinners. Jesus Christ is the one we are to look to as an example of how to love others. He is the standard, and it seems a standard that is impossible to live up to. And of course it is impossible, at least if a man relies on himself. But with God, all things are possible. So how is it that we can show others the kind of love that God has shown us? It begins when you repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
The measure of faith. Interesting term. If I read this correctly, God deals out, or measures out a specific amount of faith to each person. And by that I mean that each person may not receive the same amount of faith.
That faith is a gift of God is shown several places is scripture. For instance:
1 Corinthians 12:8-9 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
We tend to look at faith as something that is ours in that it comes from within us. Sometimes this has the potential of being a source of false pride. In fact, if we add Ephesians 2: 9 to verse 8 it reads "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." It is true. If your faith came from somewhere inside yourself, then you would have something to boast of.
But that God gives this gift of faith in differing amounts is a thought that may be even more foreign to many of us but is made quite clear in the Bible. Have you ever noticed how often Jesus used the phrase "Oh ye of little faith"? Often he was speaking to his apostles and he said it many times.
Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
We read that verse and see great faith, though Jesus calls it as small as a mustard seed. Then there is the story of the centurion:
Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Have you ever looked upon another Christian (perhaps a pastor or a missionary) in awe, thinking they have such great faith? That may explain why we tend to assume that faith is something we generate; seeing someone with more faith shows us our own lack. But maybe the truth is we were not dealt the the same measure of faith.
So if God deals out the faith to us and he gives each person a differing amount does that mean we are "off the hook" so to speak? After all, if God only gave us so much faith, then isn't it natural for us to only act in accordance with that faith. Maybe.... But on the other hand we also see from scripture that the amount of faith we have is not a constant, unchanging amount.
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
The apostles obviously knew where the faith came from, and who to ask for more. And that it is possible to get more is also shown in scriptures.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
"Faith that groweth exceedingly". Wow, I want some of that!
It is pretty clear that faith is extremely important.
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Yes, that makes faith extremely important. Scary important in fact. But there is one more verse that gives me a lot of comfort when I contemplate these things.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
That means God will not change his mind or take his gifts back. Some Bible versions use the word irrevocable in place of "without repentance". That means that this faith that Romans 12: 3 tells us is a gift, this faith which 1 Peter 1: 5 says God will use to keep you unto salvation, is something he will not change his mind about. Whatever the measure he has dealt you.
However, with that said, shouldn't we all, as the apostles did, ask the LORD to increase our faith?
The measure of faith. Interesting term. If I read this correctly, God deals out, or measures out a specific amount of faith to each person. And by that I mean that each person may not receive the same amount of faith.
That faith is a gift of God is shown several places is scripture. For instance:
1 Corinthians 12:8-9 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
We tend to look at faith as something that is ours in that it comes from within us. Sometimes this has the potential of being a source of false pride. In fact, if we add Ephesians 2: 9 to verse 8 it reads "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." It is true. If your faith came from somewhere inside yourself, then you would have something to boast of.
But that God gives this gift of faith in differing amounts is a thought that may be even more foreign to many of us but is made quite clear in the Bible. Have you ever noticed how often Jesus used the phrase "Oh ye of little faith"? Often he was speaking to his apostles and he said it many times.
Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
We read that verse and see great faith, though Jesus calls it as small as a mustard seed. Then there is the story of the centurion:
Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Have you ever looked upon another Christian (perhaps a pastor or a missionary) in awe, thinking they have such great faith? That may explain why we tend to assume that faith is something we generate; seeing someone with more faith shows us our own lack. But maybe the truth is we were not dealt the the same measure of faith.
So if God deals out the faith to us and he gives each person a differing amount does that mean we are "off the hook" so to speak? After all, if God only gave us so much faith, then isn't it natural for us to only act in accordance with that faith. Maybe.... But on the other hand we also see from scripture that the amount of faith we have is not a constant, unchanging amount.
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
The apostles obviously knew where the faith came from, and who to ask for more. And that it is possible to get more is also shown in scriptures.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
"Faith that groweth exceedingly". Wow, I want some of that!
It is pretty clear that faith is extremely important.
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Yes, that makes faith extremely important. Scary important in fact. But there is one more verse that gives me a lot of comfort when I contemplate these things.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
That means God will not change his mind or take his gifts back. Some Bible versions use the word irrevocable in place of "without repentance". That means that this faith that Romans 12: 3 tells us is a gift, this faith which 1 Peter 1: 5 says God will use to keep you unto salvation, is something he will not change his mind about. Whatever the measure he has dealt you.
However, with that said, shouldn't we all, as the apostles did, ask the LORD to increase our faith?
I like old books. I like them nearly as much as I like old bikes. I think its something about a connection to the past. When you hold an old book in your hands one can't help but wonder about those who came before you and held that same book in their hands. I haven't purchased an old book for quite some time now, but in the past I have acquired some gems.
And not only have some the books been gems, but sometimes they come with a bonus. Some years ago I bought a four volume set of the collected works of John Bunyan; well, three out of a four volume set, that is. And that's OK. The fact that one volume was missing is probably what put it in my price range. Let me tell you, if you are only familiar with John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, you are certainly missing a lot. He was a prolific writer, and though Pilgrim's Progress may be the crown jewel of his work, it is but one of many wonderful writings.
For those of you who are not familiar with John Bunyan, he was best known for his allegorical book Pilgrim's Progress, which until very recently was the second highest selling book of all time, with only the Holy Bible outdistancing it. The fact that it lost the number two position to one of the witchcraft glorifying Harry Potter books says much about the decay of our society. It only serves to reinforce my thought that the end must be near.
But back to my subject. Try as I might I have never been able to find a printing date for this set of books, though they show every evidence of being from the 1800's. The bonus? In this set of books I found a business card, clearly, having been used as a bookmark at some time in the distant past.
Like I said; a bit of a bonus, and pretty cool to boot. I wonder how many of these cards have survived since Mr. Brooks had them printed so long ago? A little history, soon to be forgotten. Only collectors of such minutia, and possibly descendants of Mr. Brooks would find it of much value. Certainly no one, even in their wildest dreams, would expect to find carriages still for sale at 412 Main in Poughkeepsie.
Recently I was paging through another book that I had purchased several years back. It too is a collection of Bunyan's writings, under the title "The Allegorical Works of John Bunyan." This one even has a printing date: 1837. That matches nicely with the owner's inscription inside the front cover (in a hand that would put most professional calligraphers of our day to shame) who apparently obtained the book on October 15th 1842. Though this book is quite fragile from age and use (as fits my budget) it too contained a bonus, this one in the form of a religious tract. Unlike the business card, this has a lasting message. One side is shown below:
The other side of the tract (shown below) contain this message which I have transcribed to make it easy to read:
"FOR EVER AND EVER!" Words that may be spoken by a child, but the full import of which can be understood by neither men or angels. Could we stand upon a sea-shore, and count its sand, and the number of drops of the ocean, we should fail to number the years of eternity. Millions of ages crowding on millions of ages; and again, millions of ages crowding millions of ages, would be as a brief day compared with"for ever and ever."
READER YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO ETERNITY. Are you prepared for it? Where - how -will you spend it? Will you be saved, and happy for ever and ever in heaven; or lost, and miserable for ever and ever in hell?
You, perhaps, hope to go to heaven; but from whence does your confidence arise? There is only one way of securing a blessed eternity. "Christ died for us."* Pardon, peace, and eternal life, come through him alone. "He that believeth on him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life."+ This must be your only ground of hope; your only plea in life, in death, and at the judgment bar.
If you look to Jesus Christ in faith, repenting of your sins and yielding to him the service of your life, you shall spend a happy eternity: - if you live and die without him, you must be lost - FOR EVER AND EVER.
The Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster Row, and Piccadilly.
And not only have some the books been gems, but sometimes they come with a bonus. Some years ago I bought a four volume set of the collected works of John Bunyan; well, three out of a four volume set, that is. And that's OK. The fact that one volume was missing is probably what put it in my price range. Let me tell you, if you are only familiar with John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, you are certainly missing a lot. He was a prolific writer, and though Pilgrim's Progress may be the crown jewel of his work, it is but one of many wonderful writings.
For those of you who are not familiar with John Bunyan, he was best known for his allegorical book Pilgrim's Progress, which until very recently was the second highest selling book of all time, with only the Holy Bible outdistancing it. The fact that it lost the number two position to one of the witchcraft glorifying Harry Potter books says much about the decay of our society. It only serves to reinforce my thought that the end must be near.
But back to my subject. Try as I might I have never been able to find a printing date for this set of books, though they show every evidence of being from the 1800's. The bonus? In this set of books I found a business card, clearly, having been used as a bookmark at some time in the distant past.
Like I said; a bit of a bonus, and pretty cool to boot. I wonder how many of these cards have survived since Mr. Brooks had them printed so long ago? A little history, soon to be forgotten. Only collectors of such minutia, and possibly descendants of Mr. Brooks would find it of much value. Certainly no one, even in their wildest dreams, would expect to find carriages still for sale at 412 Main in Poughkeepsie.
Recently I was paging through another book that I had purchased several years back. It too is a collection of Bunyan's writings, under the title "The Allegorical Works of John Bunyan." This one even has a printing date: 1837. That matches nicely with the owner's inscription inside the front cover (in a hand that would put most professional calligraphers of our day to shame) who apparently obtained the book on October 15th 1842. Though this book is quite fragile from age and use (as fits my budget) it too contained a bonus, this one in the form of a religious tract. Unlike the business card, this has a lasting message. One side is shown below:
The other side of the tract (shown below) contain this message which I have transcribed to make it easy to read:
ILLUSTRATED HANDBILL - No. 23.
"FOR EVER AND EVER!" Words that may be spoken by a child, but the full import of which can be understood by neither men or angels. Could we stand upon a sea-shore, and count its sand, and the number of drops of the ocean, we should fail to number the years of eternity. Millions of ages crowding on millions of ages; and again, millions of ages crowding millions of ages, would be as a brief day compared with"for ever and ever."
READER YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO ETERNITY. Are you prepared for it? Where - how -will you spend it? Will you be saved, and happy for ever and ever in heaven; or lost, and miserable for ever and ever in hell?
You, perhaps, hope to go to heaven; but from whence does your confidence arise? There is only one way of securing a blessed eternity. "Christ died for us."* Pardon, peace, and eternal life, come through him alone. "He that believeth on him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life."+ This must be your only ground of hope; your only plea in life, in death, and at the judgment bar.
If you look to Jesus Christ in faith, repenting of your sins and yielding to him the service of your life, you shall spend a happy eternity: - if you live and die without him, you must be lost - FOR EVER AND EVER.
*Romans V. 28 +John iii. 16
The Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster Row, and Piccadilly.
As I said, good yesterday, good today, good forever.
It is that time of year. Here in America, one can not help but be affected by it. For most, it is a time to get together with family; warm, fuzzy feelings abound. Many show a little extra vibrancy in their step. Moods tend to be better, especially among shopkeepers as they survey their cash drawer.
For many it is the holiday season; holiday being a generic term which avoids the politically incorrect pitfall of mentioning Christ. "Season's Greeting" and "Happy Holidays" seem to be a pretty safe middle of the road greeting that many would choose in order to avoid the chance of offending anyone. And there are many just waiting to be offended here in the States!
There are the Muslims who see the Christmas season as just another manifestation of the lasciviousness of the infidels. New Age cultists see the season as theirs, since they lay claim to the winter solstice from a time long lost in history. Our Jewish friends have been celebrating the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem at this time of year since before the time of Christ. Even among professing Christians there are little known but profound disagreements.
Most Christians accept Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Jesus unquestioningly. A few Christians reject Christmas as a Popish invention aimed at integrating pagans into the church. It is a not-so-well-known fact that this was the popular view here at the time of the founding of this nation. To be frank, it does sometimes give me pause that the holiday is called Christ-Mass.
But whatever your view of the holiday season, one thing is perfectly clear. There would be no reason to celebrate the birth of a little baby so long ago in Bethlehem if it were not for these facts:
For many it is the holiday season; holiday being a generic term which avoids the politically incorrect pitfall of mentioning Christ. "Season's Greeting" and "Happy Holidays" seem to be a pretty safe middle of the road greeting that many would choose in order to avoid the chance of offending anyone. And there are many just waiting to be offended here in the States!
There are the Muslims who see the Christmas season as just another manifestation of the lasciviousness of the infidels. New Age cultists see the season as theirs, since they lay claim to the winter solstice from a time long lost in history. Our Jewish friends have been celebrating the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem at this time of year since before the time of Christ. Even among professing Christians there are little known but profound disagreements.
Most Christians accept Christmas as the celebration of the birth of Jesus unquestioningly. A few Christians reject Christmas as a Popish invention aimed at integrating pagans into the church. It is a not-so-well-known fact that this was the popular view here at the time of the founding of this nation. To be frank, it does sometimes give me pause that the holiday is called Christ-Mass.
But whatever your view of the holiday season, one thing is perfectly clear. There would be no reason to celebrate the birth of a little baby so long ago in Bethlehem if it were not for these facts:
- That child was indeed the Son of God and the Son of Man. If Jesus had not been born of Mary, he would not have been a suitable sacrifice for mankind's sins. If God had not been his father, Jesus would not have had the ability to live a sinless life, again making him an unsuitable sacrifice for mankind's sins.
- Jesus Christ did go on to live a sinless life, fulfilling God's law in every aspect, which in turn allowed him to be "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
- Jesus fulfilled what he was born to do. He died a cruel death on the cross in our place, to pay for our sins.
Now, since these thing are most certainly true, wouldn't this be a good time to humble yourself before your God, repent of your sins, and follow Christ?
Forgiveness is a central theme of Christianity. As it applies to the forgiveness of man's sin by God, there seems to be little dispute about why it is imperative (at least among Christians). The subject of how forgiveness applies to wrongs committed by one man against another, seems to be one fraught with more misunderstanding.
When dealing with wrongs committed by one man against another, they are of two possible types. The first concerns a Christian wronging another Christian. I don't intend to address that here, because frankly, I just have a hard time seeing how such a situation could last very long if the first biblical command concerning such a situation is followed. Namely Matthew 18: 15. Really, that is all that should be required to iron out issues between two Christians.
The second concerns a Christian being wronged by a non Christian. I suppose that means there is another type; a non Christian wronging another non Christian, but since neither of them would be too concerned with what the Bible teaches, there is not much point considering them here.
Matthew 18:21-22 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses"
These seem to be the verses upon which many Christians base their understanding of forgiveness. Often Christians are told that they must unconditionally forgive others for the sake of their own health and so that their sins can be forgiven. While there are certainly elements of truth to that viewpoint, as with much of the Christian life, there is a balance that needs to be found, and that balance is to be found in a multitude of scriptures.
The passage from Matthew 18 quoted above should be read in light of a similar passage in Luke.
Luke 17:3-4 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."
Now the passage in Luke does not conflict with the one in Matthew, but it certainly adds more information. Obviously, without Luke 17:3-4, one would have to come to the conclusion that you are to forgive those who have wronged you no matter what.... unconditionally. But in light of Luke 17, we see that forgiving the wrongdoer 490 times would be dependant on 490 repentings (repentances?).
Also note that both of these verses refer to forgiving your brother. That means another Christian. If you both have the same Father, you are brothers. Non Christians have another father, which Jesus pointed out to the scribes and Pharisees in John 8. As Bob Dylan wrote; you're going to have to serve somebody; it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you're going to have to serve somebody. Strictly speaking, these passages about forgiving your brother are not directly applicable to a wrong done to you by a non believer.
That is not to say that a believer is free to hold a grudge or seek revenge on an unbeliever. The Bible is quite clear in Romans 12:19 where it is stated: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
I must admit that contemplating the above verse does more than anything else to soften my inclination to being infuriated with someone who has wronged me, whether a real or imagined offence. Somehow any type of vengeance that I may contemplate pales to insignificance next to the wrath which awaits them for offending a Holy God!
So, where does that leave us? An unbeliever has wronged you. What is your biblical duty? Your duty is to leave revenge (including defamation) to the Lord. Once you have made a commitment to God that you will not seek to be the instrument of vengeance, you have forgiven.
If the unbeliever who has wronged you comes to you and asks forgiveness, then by all means grant him that. If you have actually left vengeance up to the Lord, as described above, then it will be easy.
Lacking repentance on the part of the offending party, do you need to seek them out to let them know you have forgiven them? I don't find that in the Bible. Correct me if I am wrong. Is it necessary to resume fellowship with them, even if they ask your forgiveness? I don't think so. In fact, that may be contrary to scripture. 2 Corinthians 6:14 comes to mind: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
The bottom line is that forgiveness, in all of its forms, requires that God be involved. A believer forgiving an unbeliever requires leaving vengeance to God. A believer forgiving another believer requires the same, plus repentance and a restoration of fellowship. But the big one is God forgiving me. God forgiving you. That required the shedding of the blood of his own Son. Suddenly those things that others may have done to offend us don't seem quite so serious anymore.
When dealing with wrongs committed by one man against another, they are of two possible types. The first concerns a Christian wronging another Christian. I don't intend to address that here, because frankly, I just have a hard time seeing how such a situation could last very long if the first biblical command concerning such a situation is followed. Namely Matthew 18: 15. Really, that is all that should be required to iron out issues between two Christians.
The second concerns a Christian being wronged by a non Christian. I suppose that means there is another type; a non Christian wronging another non Christian, but since neither of them would be too concerned with what the Bible teaches, there is not much point considering them here.
Matthew 18:21-22 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses"
These seem to be the verses upon which many Christians base their understanding of forgiveness. Often Christians are told that they must unconditionally forgive others for the sake of their own health and so that their sins can be forgiven. While there are certainly elements of truth to that viewpoint, as with much of the Christian life, there is a balance that needs to be found, and that balance is to be found in a multitude of scriptures.
The passage from Matthew 18 quoted above should be read in light of a similar passage in Luke.
Luke 17:3-4 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."
Now the passage in Luke does not conflict with the one in Matthew, but it certainly adds more information. Obviously, without Luke 17:3-4, one would have to come to the conclusion that you are to forgive those who have wronged you no matter what.... unconditionally. But in light of Luke 17, we see that forgiving the wrongdoer 490 times would be dependant on 490 repentings (repentances?).
Also note that both of these verses refer to forgiving your brother. That means another Christian. If you both have the same Father, you are brothers. Non Christians have another father, which Jesus pointed out to the scribes and Pharisees in John 8. As Bob Dylan wrote; you're going to have to serve somebody; it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you're going to have to serve somebody. Strictly speaking, these passages about forgiving your brother are not directly applicable to a wrong done to you by a non believer.
That is not to say that a believer is free to hold a grudge or seek revenge on an unbeliever. The Bible is quite clear in Romans 12:19 where it is stated: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
I must admit that contemplating the above verse does more than anything else to soften my inclination to being infuriated with someone who has wronged me, whether a real or imagined offence. Somehow any type of vengeance that I may contemplate pales to insignificance next to the wrath which awaits them for offending a Holy God!
So, where does that leave us? An unbeliever has wronged you. What is your biblical duty? Your duty is to leave revenge (including defamation) to the Lord. Once you have made a commitment to God that you will not seek to be the instrument of vengeance, you have forgiven.
If the unbeliever who has wronged you comes to you and asks forgiveness, then by all means grant him that. If you have actually left vengeance up to the Lord, as described above, then it will be easy.
Lacking repentance on the part of the offending party, do you need to seek them out to let them know you have forgiven them? I don't find that in the Bible. Correct me if I am wrong. Is it necessary to resume fellowship with them, even if they ask your forgiveness? I don't think so. In fact, that may be contrary to scripture. 2 Corinthians 6:14 comes to mind: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
The bottom line is that forgiveness, in all of its forms, requires that God be involved. A believer forgiving an unbeliever requires leaving vengeance to God. A believer forgiving another believer requires the same, plus repentance and a restoration of fellowship. But the big one is God forgiving me. God forgiving you. That required the shedding of the blood of his own Son. Suddenly those things that others may have done to offend us don't seem quite so serious anymore.
Thanksgiving. Is it a meal, or is it a holiday? Or is it a holiday known for its meal? Or is it just possibly, for some, an attitude?
I am afraid that for the majority of Americans, Thanksgiving Day is no different than any other day of the year in respect to their treatment of the Creator of the universe. In other words, there will be little or no thought given to the one who gives us everything. Oh, perhaps a grandpa or an uncle who grew up when life was different will bow his head and give thanks for the meal at the family get together, but that is about it. Many will not even hear those words because they are so intent on the feast that follows.
In fact, the politically correct way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to say you are thankful for blessings all the while being careful not to mention to who it is that you are thankful. That way random chance gets just as much glory as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
But, I would like to offer a suggestion for this Thanksgiving Day. Let's give thanks where thanks is due. Let's try to adopt the attitude displayed in the following:
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100
I am afraid that for the majority of Americans, Thanksgiving Day is no different than any other day of the year in respect to their treatment of the Creator of the universe. In other words, there will be little or no thought given to the one who gives us everything. Oh, perhaps a grandpa or an uncle who grew up when life was different will bow his head and give thanks for the meal at the family get together, but that is about it. Many will not even hear those words because they are so intent on the feast that follows.
In fact, the politically correct way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to say you are thankful for blessings all the while being careful not to mention to who it is that you are thankful. That way random chance gets just as much glory as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
But, I would like to offer a suggestion for this Thanksgiving Day. Let's give thanks where thanks is due. Let's try to adopt the attitude displayed in the following:
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100
Psalm 107:31-32 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
If you are a genuine Christian, then undoubtedly there are few things in life that you enjoy more than worship of God and fellowship with other Christians. After all. isn't that why you attend church services? If approached in a proper frame of mind, it never fails to edify.
Now, I love the local church where I am a member, and look forward with anticipation to each service, but let me tell you about an event that provides a similar spiritual boost.
This past Saturday, my wife and I attended the annual meeting of the Minnesota Association of the North American Baptist Conference. Our hosts for the event was Bethany Baptist Church, the lone Russian language church in our association. The meeting, despite small numbers due to our first snow storm of the season, opened with the robust singing of a number of old favorite gospel songs. I quickly concluded that I was perhaps the only one there without a good voice, but no matter ....the volume was such that there was little chance that my discordant notes would be noticed or detract from the whole.
After the opening singing and prayer, a report was given by each of the
churches in the association, outlining events of the past year and requests for prayer in specific areas. The pastor of the next church on the list would then pray for the previous church before presenting his report. Stories of conversions and baptisms, and of course in some cases dwindling numbers and struggles to keep the church doors open were the norm; in other words sharing one another burdens and triumphs. The opportunity to be lead in prayer by a multitude of godly pastors is a rare treat indeed.
Next up was a "charge" by Rev. Tim Blackburn, our regional minister, followed by reports from some of the entities which are supported by the association, such as Village Creek Bible Camp and Sioux Falls Seminary.
Also on the agenda was a sermon by Pastor Vitaliy Bak, the pastor of the host church. The message was from the book of Judges, noting some of the correlations between Christianity in our nation presently and during Gideon's day. Gideon was transformed by God from a man who considered himself the least in a family which was itself poor in the tribe of Manasseh, into a leader of the nation of Israel. God changed Gideon from one hiding from the Midianites as he threshed his grain, into the leader of an army so large that God had him send most of them home so that the glory for the victory would be God's and not man's.
We were also treated to a performance by Bethany Baptist's brass orchestra, a group of about 40 youth from the congregation, who obviously expend much time in preparation for their inspiring, God honoring music.
After all of the highlights, which included an excellent meal provided by Bethany's congregation, the business meeting was pretty anti climactic; as it should be. It seems right and proper for God's Churches to run on prayer and worship, with finances playing an important, but secondary role.
Undoubtedly, there are similar meetings that take place across the country each year in various church associations. There is probably one for your church. In many cases these meetings are open to the members of those churches. I highly recommend that you take the opportunity to do as Psalm 107 says, and praise the Lord in the assembly of the elders.
If you are a genuine Christian, then undoubtedly there are few things in life that you enjoy more than worship of God and fellowship with other Christians. After all. isn't that why you attend church services? If approached in a proper frame of mind, it never fails to edify.
Now, I love the local church where I am a member, and look forward with anticipation to each service, but let me tell you about an event that provides a similar spiritual boost.
This past Saturday, my wife and I attended the annual meeting of the Minnesota Association of the North American Baptist Conference. Our hosts for the event was Bethany Baptist Church, the lone Russian language church in our association. The meeting, despite small numbers due to our first snow storm of the season, opened with the robust singing of a number of old favorite gospel songs. I quickly concluded that I was perhaps the only one there without a good voice, but no matter ....the volume was such that there was little chance that my discordant notes would be noticed or detract from the whole.
After the opening singing and prayer, a report was given by each of the
churches in the association, outlining events of the past year and requests for prayer in specific areas. The pastor of the next church on the list would then pray for the previous church before presenting his report. Stories of conversions and baptisms, and of course in some cases dwindling numbers and struggles to keep the church doors open were the norm; in other words sharing one another burdens and triumphs. The opportunity to be lead in prayer by a multitude of godly pastors is a rare treat indeed.
Next up was a "charge" by Rev. Tim Blackburn, our regional minister, followed by reports from some of the entities which are supported by the association, such as Village Creek Bible Camp and Sioux Falls Seminary.
Also on the agenda was a sermon by Pastor Vitaliy Bak, the pastor of the host church. The message was from the book of Judges, noting some of the correlations between Christianity in our nation presently and during Gideon's day. Gideon was transformed by God from a man who considered himself the least in a family which was itself poor in the tribe of Manasseh, into a leader of the nation of Israel. God changed Gideon from one hiding from the Midianites as he threshed his grain, into the leader of an army so large that God had him send most of them home so that the glory for the victory would be God's and not man's.
We were also treated to a performance by Bethany Baptist's brass orchestra, a group of about 40 youth from the congregation, who obviously expend much time in preparation for their inspiring, God honoring music.
After all of the highlights, which included an excellent meal provided by Bethany's congregation, the business meeting was pretty anti climactic; as it should be. It seems right and proper for God's Churches to run on prayer and worship, with finances playing an important, but secondary role.
Undoubtedly, there are similar meetings that take place across the country each year in various church associations. There is probably one for your church. In many cases these meetings are open to the members of those churches. I highly recommend that you take the opportunity to do as Psalm 107 says, and praise the Lord in the assembly of the elders.
Websters 1828 defines justice as "The virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due." In contrast it gives the definition of Mercy thus: "That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves."
Justice and Mercy are two concepts that are normally in opposition to each other. In fact, it seems that they may be polar opposites; natural enemies, so to speak.
But there is one place where these two concepts meet and neither does violence to the other. That one place is at the cross of Jesus Christ! No other place is such perfect Mercy displayed than in Christ paying the penalty that is due for our sins, treating us far, far better than we deserve. And no where is such perfect justice upheld than in that same act of our Lord and Savior taking the punishment in our place, for without the payment, mercy would not have been possible; justice would have demanded that we pay our due.
Psalm 101:1 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.
Something to ponder as we gather to worship our great God and King this weekend.
In the news this week is the sad case of a young university student who took his own life after a homosexual encounter that he took part in was made public on the Internet. This comes at the end of a month that has seen at least three other teen suicides thought to have been brought on by taunting due to their sexual orientation. The Rutgers student was 18 years old, one of the others 15, and two of them only 13 years of age.
The media, of course, is all abuzz with what should happen to the students responsible. A near consensus among liberals is that the perpetrators should be charged with a hate crime.
But maybe its time to take a look at the real culprits in these tragedies. Who's really at the bottom of this rash of deaths. After all, kids have been bullying other kids for as long as there have been kids. Teasing is often a much more cruel act than the name implies, but are we really ready to charge children with hate crimes for it?
No, the real criminals in these cases are those groups which rabidly promote a gay lifestyle. Every Gay/Lesbian/Transgender/Perversions-You-Have-Never-Even-Heard-Of group had a big hand in driving these young people to their death. The prime time television programs that reek of sex, sexual innuendo, and always feature a really cool gay guy are accessories to the crime. Yes, and every school teacher who has taught young people that homosexuality is perfectly normal, may have blood on their hands also.
Thirteen years old and already out of the closet? Seriously? Does anyone really believe that a thirteen year old would let anyone know that they had such tendencies unless they were constantly being told it was normal, right, and most of all cool?
The problem is, even with all the indoctrination of young people into accepting homosexuality, they still have to deal with a pesky little thing called a conscience.
Romans 2:14-16 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Let me give you a rough paraphrase of that: Even those who don't know God's law have it written on their hearts, so that there will be a sense of shame when they transgress it, and they will stand in judgement due to that knowledge.
The homosexual activists cry foul when anyone is "outed" even as they preach that there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of in the act. If that were true, then how can it be a hate crime to reveal something that they claim is normal and right and good? In the mean time, the poor victim falls for the propaganda calling homosexuality proper, only to have their conscience overrule their wish for guilt free sin, said consciences having not yet been seared by years of debauchery. Obviously for some of these youngsters the shame is so overwhelming that it leads them to take their own lives.
And that is indeed a tragedy ....but let's put let's be honest about who the real guilty party is.
The media, of course, is all abuzz with what should happen to the students responsible. A near consensus among liberals is that the perpetrators should be charged with a hate crime.
But maybe its time to take a look at the real culprits in these tragedies. Who's really at the bottom of this rash of deaths. After all, kids have been bullying other kids for as long as there have been kids. Teasing is often a much more cruel act than the name implies, but are we really ready to charge children with hate crimes for it?
No, the real criminals in these cases are those groups which rabidly promote a gay lifestyle. Every Gay/Lesbian/Transgender/Perversions-You-Have-Never-Even-Heard-Of group had a big hand in driving these young people to their death. The prime time television programs that reek of sex, sexual innuendo, and always feature a really cool gay guy are accessories to the crime. Yes, and every school teacher who has taught young people that homosexuality is perfectly normal, may have blood on their hands also.
Thirteen years old and already out of the closet? Seriously? Does anyone really believe that a thirteen year old would let anyone know that they had such tendencies unless they were constantly being told it was normal, right, and most of all cool?
The problem is, even with all the indoctrination of young people into accepting homosexuality, they still have to deal with a pesky little thing called a conscience.
Romans 2:14-16 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Let me give you a rough paraphrase of that: Even those who don't know God's law have it written on their hearts, so that there will be a sense of shame when they transgress it, and they will stand in judgement due to that knowledge.
The homosexual activists cry foul when anyone is "outed" even as they preach that there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of in the act. If that were true, then how can it be a hate crime to reveal something that they claim is normal and right and good? In the mean time, the poor victim falls for the propaganda calling homosexuality proper, only to have their conscience overrule their wish for guilt free sin, said consciences having not yet been seared by years of debauchery. Obviously for some of these youngsters the shame is so overwhelming that it leads them to take their own lives.
And that is indeed a tragedy ....but let's put let's be honest about who the real guilty party is.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
There is an old saw that goes "there are only two things sure in life: death and taxes. Face it, death is all around us. Every day we either read about it, hear about it on the news, or less frequently, we are touched by it personally. It is generally at those times when someone close to us has died that sorrow grips us.
And yet, if we mind scripture, we see that the death of another Christian is not a cause for great sorrow. Not that it is wrong to mourn the loss of a loved one. I would liken it to having a family member move to a different state; far away but much more beautiful, with a better climate, and with a really good job waiting for them. Sure there is sadness involved, but is it sadness for them? No, of course not. They are far better off where they have gone. So why are you so sad? Easy, you are feeling sorry for yourself, because you no longer have their company. Is it wrong to be sad about your loss? Certainly not.
And so it is with the death of a Christian. If you yourself are a Christian, then there has to be a goodly amount of joy mixed in with the mourning. After all, the one you are mourning is with the Lord, and the thought of that is so wonderful as to defy description!
But, as the above scripture states, there is another group in sight; others which have no hope. Those others are the ones who do not have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Indeed, they have good reason to sorrow. Not only for themselves, but also for their loved ones who sleep, but not in Jesus.
This past weekend I attended the best funeral I have ever been to. Now that's something you won't often hear! But it is true, nonetheless.
About 7 months ago my brother Bill found out he had stomach cancer. To make a long story short, he passed away last week, but not before he and his wife Carol had shown themselves to be splendid examples of faithful Christians. Bill was completely upbeat and praising God right to the end; but of course "the end" was only the end of his pain and suffering. It might be more accurate to say right up to the beginning, for as the Bible tells us, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Knowing that his time was limited, Bill and Carol, together with their Pastor and Carol's brother (also a Pastor) planned the memorial service in advance. They wanted it to primarily be a Gospel message; something that would bring glory to God's name ....and I believe they were successful. One of the highlights was the reading of Bill's written statement about faith The whole service was down right inspiring.
Of course there were some tears, but for many of us, they were tears of joy.
There is an old saw that goes "there are only two things sure in life: death and taxes. Face it, death is all around us. Every day we either read about it, hear about it on the news, or less frequently, we are touched by it personally. It is generally at those times when someone close to us has died that sorrow grips us.
And yet, if we mind scripture, we see that the death of another Christian is not a cause for great sorrow. Not that it is wrong to mourn the loss of a loved one. I would liken it to having a family member move to a different state; far away but much more beautiful, with a better climate, and with a really good job waiting for them. Sure there is sadness involved, but is it sadness for them? No, of course not. They are far better off where they have gone. So why are you so sad? Easy, you are feeling sorry for yourself, because you no longer have their company. Is it wrong to be sad about your loss? Certainly not.
And so it is with the death of a Christian. If you yourself are a Christian, then there has to be a goodly amount of joy mixed in with the mourning. After all, the one you are mourning is with the Lord, and the thought of that is so wonderful as to defy description!
But, as the above scripture states, there is another group in sight; others which have no hope. Those others are the ones who do not have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Indeed, they have good reason to sorrow. Not only for themselves, but also for their loved ones who sleep, but not in Jesus.
This past weekend I attended the best funeral I have ever been to. Now that's something you won't often hear! But it is true, nonetheless.
About 7 months ago my brother Bill found out he had stomach cancer. To make a long story short, he passed away last week, but not before he and his wife Carol had shown themselves to be splendid examples of faithful Christians. Bill was completely upbeat and praising God right to the end; but of course "the end" was only the end of his pain and suffering. It might be more accurate to say right up to the beginning, for as the Bible tells us, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Knowing that his time was limited, Bill and Carol, together with their Pastor and Carol's brother (also a Pastor) planned the memorial service in advance. They wanted it to primarily be a Gospel message; something that would bring glory to God's name ....and I believe they were successful. One of the highlights was the reading of Bill's written statement about faith The whole service was down right inspiring.
Of course there were some tears, but for many of us, they were tears of joy.
For the last nine years I have been hearing something similar to this:
If it is a peaceful religion, and the terrorists are misguided, then why do we not hear an outcry from all those peaceful Muslims condemning the actions of those who have "hijacked" Islam?
Well, that's a pretty good question, and so I decided to add my voice to the outcry of genuine Christians condemning a couple of groups that have been in the news lately.
The first group is the so called "christian militia" called Hutaree. If what the media is reporting is true; that this group planned to kill police officers and then bomb more officers at the ensuing funeral hoping to spark an uprising, then there can be no doubt that this group is NOT Christian. In fact they have much more in common with a cult that was based around Charles Manson, than with Christians. Remember, Manson had a similar plan to spark an uprising.
The second group has been in and out of the news for the last several years, and never fails to make me shake my head. That group of course is the Westboro Baptist Church. As a Baptist myself, this one is particularly painful to me. I wince every time I hear the name Baptist in the middle of their name. This is the group that has made a name for itself by going to funerals of servicemen who were killed in action and insulting the dead and their families.
There is one thing that I would like to clarify for anyone reading this who is not familiar with the Baptist faith. Baptist churches are all independent. It is not a denomination in the sense that Baptist churches are not under the control or even influence of any national, let alone worldwide organization. Some Baptist churches are members of associations or conventions into which they have voluntarily joined together to accomplish common goals. Many other Baptist churches remain even more independent by not belonging to any type of association. I trust that if the Westboro bunch had been a member of any association, they would have found themselves out on their ear a long time ago.
The Westboro bunch seems to have one common theme running throughout all of their literature: God Hates. God hates fags, God hates America, God hates Israel, God hates the World - no I am not kidding, you can find each of these slogans on their website. I believe they missed one though: God hates false prophets. Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro group, has said " The Antichrist Bloody Beast Obama is going to become king of the world." and "Then Obama will lead the nations against Jerusalem to battle." Surely a Biblical scholar such as Phelps will embrace the Old Testament fate of one who's prophecies do not come to pass. We should not have long to wait to see if Fred really is a prophet.
Matthew 5:43-47 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
You'll have to excuse me now. I have to go pray for all the groups I just mentioned in this post!
If it is a peaceful religion, and the terrorists are misguided, then why do we not hear an outcry from all those peaceful Muslims condemning the actions of those who have "hijacked" Islam?
Well, that's a pretty good question, and so I decided to add my voice to the outcry of genuine Christians condemning a couple of groups that have been in the news lately.
The first group is the so called "christian militia" called Hutaree. If what the media is reporting is true; that this group planned to kill police officers and then bomb more officers at the ensuing funeral hoping to spark an uprising, then there can be no doubt that this group is NOT Christian. In fact they have much more in common with a cult that was based around Charles Manson, than with Christians. Remember, Manson had a similar plan to spark an uprising.
The second group has been in and out of the news for the last several years, and never fails to make me shake my head. That group of course is the Westboro Baptist Church. As a Baptist myself, this one is particularly painful to me. I wince every time I hear the name Baptist in the middle of their name. This is the group that has made a name for itself by going to funerals of servicemen who were killed in action and insulting the dead and their families.
There is one thing that I would like to clarify for anyone reading this who is not familiar with the Baptist faith. Baptist churches are all independent. It is not a denomination in the sense that Baptist churches are not under the control or even influence of any national, let alone worldwide organization. Some Baptist churches are members of associations or conventions into which they have voluntarily joined together to accomplish common goals. Many other Baptist churches remain even more independent by not belonging to any type of association. I trust that if the Westboro bunch had been a member of any association, they would have found themselves out on their ear a long time ago.
The Westboro bunch seems to have one common theme running throughout all of their literature: God Hates. God hates fags, God hates America, God hates Israel, God hates the World - no I am not kidding, you can find each of these slogans on their website. I believe they missed one though: God hates false prophets. Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro group, has said " The Antichrist Bloody Beast Obama is going to become king of the world." and "Then Obama will lead the nations against Jerusalem to battle." Surely a Biblical scholar such as Phelps will embrace the Old Testament fate of one who's prophecies do not come to pass. We should not have long to wait to see if Fred really is a prophet.
Matthew 5:43-47 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
You'll have to excuse me now. I have to go pray for all the groups I just mentioned in this post!
Passover is coming up in about a week; March 30.
Exodus 12:1-7 "And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever."
This "Passover" as it is called, is indeed kept by the Jewish people to this day. For the most part, Passover is kept as a memorial of the time when they were rescued from being slaves in Egypt.
In Jesus day, the Passover was celebrated by the nation of Israel. We find this in Luke twenty two.
Luke 22:7-20 "Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."
That first Lord’s Supper, or Communion, as we often call it now, was actually part of the Passover meal that Jesus and his disciples participated in.
The very first Passover which God instituted through Moses focused on a lamb. That lamb had to be perfect, without blemish, because it was to be a symbol of Jesus Christ the sinless lamb of God. The blood that the Israelites were to sprinkle on their door posts was a symbol of the blood that Jesus would shed on the cross. Just as God would pass over those houses that had the blood on the door posts exempting them from the judgment that came upon Egypt, so also when God sees that Jesus blood has been applied to us spiritually, we will be passed over for the judgment that we deserve.
Romans 6:14-18 "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
It is interesting that Jewish people today consider Passover as primarily a memorial of when they escaped slavery in Egypt. As Christians, every time that we commemorate Christ’s death as the Passover sacrifice, whether it is at Easter, or whether it is by participating in communion, it should remind us that we have also been set free from slavery. Christ’s blood has set us free from the bondage of sin. As Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, sin no longer has power over us.
Just as the children of Israel were delivered from being slaves to Egypt, and into being God's servants, Christians have been delivered from being slaves to sin and into being servants of the most high God. Both were accomplished by being passed over from judgement; both because of the blood of a lamb. On judgement day, will God pass over you because he sees that the blood of the lamb has been applied?
Exodus 12:1-7 "And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever."
This "Passover" as it is called, is indeed kept by the Jewish people to this day. For the most part, Passover is kept as a memorial of the time when they were rescued from being slaves in Egypt.
In Jesus day, the Passover was celebrated by the nation of Israel. We find this in Luke twenty two.
Luke 22:7-20 "Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."
That first Lord’s Supper, or Communion, as we often call it now, was actually part of the Passover meal that Jesus and his disciples participated in.
The very first Passover which God instituted through Moses focused on a lamb. That lamb had to be perfect, without blemish, because it was to be a symbol of Jesus Christ the sinless lamb of God. The blood that the Israelites were to sprinkle on their door posts was a symbol of the blood that Jesus would shed on the cross. Just as God would pass over those houses that had the blood on the door posts exempting them from the judgment that came upon Egypt, so also when God sees that Jesus blood has been applied to us spiritually, we will be passed over for the judgment that we deserve.
Romans 6:14-18 "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
It is interesting that Jewish people today consider Passover as primarily a memorial of when they escaped slavery in Egypt. As Christians, every time that we commemorate Christ’s death as the Passover sacrifice, whether it is at Easter, or whether it is by participating in communion, it should remind us that we have also been set free from slavery. Christ’s blood has set us free from the bondage of sin. As Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, sin no longer has power over us.
Just as the children of Israel were delivered from being slaves to Egypt, and into being God's servants, Christians have been delivered from being slaves to sin and into being servants of the most high God. Both were accomplished by being passed over from judgement; both because of the blood of a lamb. On judgement day, will God pass over you because he sees that the blood of the lamb has been applied?
(all bold type in this post has been added for emphasis)
Hebrews 12:22-23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
If you are like me, you may have had some problem pinning down just what Mount Zion represents, particularly in the New Testament. Zion is mentioned over 160 times in the Old Testament, but only a few times in the New.
The very first time Zion is mentioned in the Bible gives us it's basic definition.
2 Samuel 5: 6-7 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
This verse has the potential for some confusion, but as I understand it, both Bethlehem and Jerusalem were called "the city of David; Jerusalem because he made it his capitol city and Bethlehem because it was where he was born.)
Isaiah 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Interestingly, this may have been the very same mountain where Abraham offered his son Isaac in what was a picture of God the Father allowing his own son Christ Jesus to be an offering for sin. But the reason I am mentioning it, is that it pin points Zion as the house of the God of Jacob, or in other words, the temple. To emphasize the fact that the temple was not only God's house, but that it was his dwelling place, lets look at:
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Just as God dwelt in the Tabernacle before; after Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, he chose that as his dwelling place here on earth. Of course we know that God resides in Heaven, and he also is omnipresent, but the Tabernacle and the Temple were places where God chose to manifest himself at those times. Now let's look at a few verses that use Zion in a more spiritual sense.
Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
Here we see Scripture referring to Zion as his people and as the redeemed of the Lord.
One of the Old Testament verses that is often quoted in the New, is this:
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
One person who quotes that in the New Testament is Peter.
1 Peter 2:4-10 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Note that Peter states that New Testament believers are built into a spiritual house, whose chief corner stone is Jesus Christ. Keeping that in mind, and to clarify let's look at something Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
God chose to live in the Temple, also called Zion in Old Testament times. Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone of that temple. Jesus Christ is also the chief corner stone of the New Testament Church which is also the place where God chooses to live. Does this mean that Christ is the cornerstone of two separate spiritual buildings? Paul give us that answer in that same letter to the Church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 3:1-6 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
In other words, Old and New Testament saints are part of the same body!
In conclusion I would contend that the term Zion has several meanings. First would be the literal physical place of the Temple in Jerusalem. But Scripture also uses Zion in a spiritual way to describe the whole city of Jerusalem. In an even more spiritual sense, the Bible uses Zion to refer to the Old Testament saints, and later to describe the Church, two parts of the same body. A body in which God dwells, through the Spirit.
As with everything in the Bible, it is important to interpret literally what the Lord intends to be interpreted literally and to interpret figuratively what he intends to be interpreted figuratively.
Hebrews 12:22-23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
If you are like me, you may have had some problem pinning down just what Mount Zion represents, particularly in the New Testament. Zion is mentioned over 160 times in the Old Testament, but only a few times in the New.
The very first time Zion is mentioned in the Bible gives us it's basic definition.
2 Samuel 5: 6-7 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
This verse has the potential for some confusion, but as I understand it, both Bethlehem and Jerusalem were called "the city of David; Jerusalem because he made it his capitol city and Bethlehem because it was where he was born.)
Isaiah 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Interestingly, this may have been the very same mountain where Abraham offered his son Isaac in what was a picture of God the Father allowing his own son Christ Jesus to be an offering for sin. But the reason I am mentioning it, is that it pin points Zion as the house of the God of Jacob, or in other words, the temple. To emphasize the fact that the temple was not only God's house, but that it was his dwelling place, lets look at:
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Just as God dwelt in the Tabernacle before; after Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, he chose that as his dwelling place here on earth. Of course we know that God resides in Heaven, and he also is omnipresent, but the Tabernacle and the Temple were places where God chose to manifest himself at those times. Now let's look at a few verses that use Zion in a more spiritual sense.
Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
Here we see Scripture referring to Zion as his people and as the redeemed of the Lord.
One of the Old Testament verses that is often quoted in the New, is this:
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
One person who quotes that in the New Testament is Peter.
1 Peter 2:4-10 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Note that Peter states that New Testament believers are built into a spiritual house, whose chief corner stone is Jesus Christ. Keeping that in mind, and to clarify let's look at something Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
God chose to live in the Temple, also called Zion in Old Testament times. Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone of that temple. Jesus Christ is also the chief corner stone of the New Testament Church which is also the place where God chooses to live. Does this mean that Christ is the cornerstone of two separate spiritual buildings? Paul give us that answer in that same letter to the Church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 3:1-6 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
In other words, Old and New Testament saints are part of the same body!
In conclusion I would contend that the term Zion has several meanings. First would be the literal physical place of the Temple in Jerusalem. But Scripture also uses Zion in a spiritual way to describe the whole city of Jerusalem. In an even more spiritual sense, the Bible uses Zion to refer to the Old Testament saints, and later to describe the Church, two parts of the same body. A body in which God dwells, through the Spirit.
As with everything in the Bible, it is important to interpret literally what the Lord intends to be interpreted literally and to interpret figuratively what he intends to be interpreted figuratively.
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