The stories in the Bible serve many purposes. They give us historical information that helps us understand how we came to be where we are today. Those stories of old explain what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. Paul warned the Corinthian church about errors in their manner of life and used Old Testament events to support his point. Then he said, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” Let’s learn lessons about honoring God from some examples in the Old Testament.
Nadab and Abihu. In the opening chapters of Leviticus, God is leading Israel step by step through the worship He wanted them to offer before Him. Suddenly God’s glory appeared to all the people as fire came from the Lord and consumed the offering on the altar. Then Aaron's sons did something in worship that God had not commanded them. “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” Leviticus 10:1,2.
In verse 3, God commented on their action. “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.”
What was wrong with what Nadab and Abihu did? They acted without God’s command. They presumed that God would be pleased with their action. By doing something God had not commanded they failed to honor and glorify Him. This cost them their lives.
Moses. Some time later, when the people complained for lack of water God told Moses to speak to a rock and He would cause water to come forth. In his anger at the people Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it. God told Moses, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” Number 20:12.
Moses failed to honor God because he changed God’s command. Moses had worked many years to bring those people to the promised land but he was not allowed to enter because of his action.
What can we learn from these examples? We can’t honor God by offering Him worship that we think is good or right. We must offer Him the worship He has asked for. If we change what he has said to do we fail to honor Him.
Many people today are trying to honor God but are doing so in their own way. Nearly every kind of activity that people enjoy doing has become a “ministry” in an attempt to justify the action. So we see rock bands, magicians, cowboys, power lifters, motorcycle riders and even model airplane fliers, each one claiming to be “for Jesus.” No doubt many are sincere but who would question Nadab’s, Abihu’s or Moses’ sincerity?
What we need is an understanding of this simple concept taught by Jesus in Matthew 15:8,9. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Honoring God is a matter of worshipping Him as He desires, not as we desire. Otherwise, our worship is vain.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
No Man Ever Spoke Like This Man
In John 7, Jesus’ enemies, the Pharisees, sent officers to arrest Him (v. 32). When the officers returned empty-handed they were asked, “Why have you not brought Him?” (v. 45). They answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man.” (v. 46).
What was different about the way Jesus spoke? Was He an eloquent speaker capable of wowing a crowd with His auricular ability? Did He speak with a captivating, soothing, radio announcer’s voice? An examination of His teachings reveals that He did not use large, fancy words. In fact, the apostle Paul was far more eloquent and verbose than Jesus. Isaiah 53 indicates that there were no physical characteristics about Jesus to draw people to Him.
He Spoke In Parables. Jesus told stories about planting seeds. He talked about people who lost coins and sheep. He told about a lost son and his loving father who kept looking for him. He told about a man who found a valuable pearl and sold all just so he could purchase the prized pearl.
Matthew 13:34, 35 says, “All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.’” All of His stories had spiritual meanings to those who were inclined to discern the spiritual message. When asked about His parables, He replied, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand’.” (Luke 8:10). His parables separated the audience. Some would hear and understand. The rest were not “tuned in” spiritually and therefore turned away from His message.
People today might find it hard to believe that Jesus would deliberately speak in a way to appeal only to a select group of people. As hard as it may seem, that is exactly what He did. He sought those who were drawn to a spiritual calling.
He Spoke Boldly. In John 7:42, the people said, “He speaks boldly….” Jesus was not afraid to tell people what they needed to hear.
To those Pharisees who needed repentance, He said, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39). After calling them “blind guides,” and “hypocrites,” He said, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” in Matthew 23:23, 25, 33.
In John 8, a woman was brought to Him who supposedly was caught in the very act of adultery. To her hypocritical accusers He boldly said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (v. 7). One by one they all walked away. Jesus didn’t let the woman go without speaking boldly to her as well. He said, “Go and sin no more.” (v. 11).
Our politically correct world would not accept Jesus if He were among us today. Rather than calling sin as it is, the world wants to cover it up with more pleasing terminology so that perpetrators will not feel guilt for their evil ways.
He Did Not Speak Like Others Religious Teachers. “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:28, 29). The scribes were not willing to speak as Jesus spoke, nor could they. Jesus identified the problem with the teachers of His day. “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9). Note that Jesus considered that teaching doctrine and following it is worship.
Jesus is at odds with religious teachers today as well. All we have to do is examine His words with those being preached today.
With regard to marriage and divorce, Jesus speaks with a very different voice from today’s religious leaders. When asked if a person can divorce for just any cause, Jesus said, “what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6). His answer? No. Is there a proper cause? Yes. He said, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (19:9). Jesus says if a man or woman divorces his spouse for a reason other than sexual immorality, he becomes guilty of adultery if he remarries. A person who marries another who was divorced commits adultery. Today, people divorce and remarry at will, without regard to Jesus’ teachings. Religious leaders condone, approve, and even conduct unlawful remarriages. Jesus said these remarriages constitute adultery. Adulterers do not have a place in the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 5:19-21).
We have the commandments of Jesus. Those who teach otherwise are teaching the “commandments of men” and are leading their followers into “vain worship.”
He Spoke Words Of Judgment. Jesus was serious about His words. In John 12:48-50, Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."
How ironic it will be for those who reject Jesus’ words to stand before Him and realize that the very words they refused to hear will be the standard by which they will be judged in the end. It will be sad to have lived with His words so readily available yet ignored and unheeded. Rather than meet that fate, you can begin listening today. Send me an email if you would like to study the Bible together via email.
No Man Ever Spoke Like This Man. As many were leaving Jesus because they could not bear His words, He asked His twelve apostles if they were going to leave as well. Each of us should reply as Peter did on that occasion. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).
What was different about the way Jesus spoke? Was He an eloquent speaker capable of wowing a crowd with His auricular ability? Did He speak with a captivating, soothing, radio announcer’s voice? An examination of His teachings reveals that He did not use large, fancy words. In fact, the apostle Paul was far more eloquent and verbose than Jesus. Isaiah 53 indicates that there were no physical characteristics about Jesus to draw people to Him.
He Spoke In Parables. Jesus told stories about planting seeds. He talked about people who lost coins and sheep. He told about a lost son and his loving father who kept looking for him. He told about a man who found a valuable pearl and sold all just so he could purchase the prized pearl.
Matthew 13:34, 35 says, “All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.’” All of His stories had spiritual meanings to those who were inclined to discern the spiritual message. When asked about His parables, He replied, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand’.” (Luke 8:10). His parables separated the audience. Some would hear and understand. The rest were not “tuned in” spiritually and therefore turned away from His message.
People today might find it hard to believe that Jesus would deliberately speak in a way to appeal only to a select group of people. As hard as it may seem, that is exactly what He did. He sought those who were drawn to a spiritual calling.
He Spoke Boldly. In John 7:42, the people said, “He speaks boldly….” Jesus was not afraid to tell people what they needed to hear.
To those Pharisees who needed repentance, He said, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39). After calling them “blind guides,” and “hypocrites,” He said, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” in Matthew 23:23, 25, 33.
In John 8, a woman was brought to Him who supposedly was caught in the very act of adultery. To her hypocritical accusers He boldly said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (v. 7). One by one they all walked away. Jesus didn’t let the woman go without speaking boldly to her as well. He said, “Go and sin no more.” (v. 11).
Our politically correct world would not accept Jesus if He were among us today. Rather than calling sin as it is, the world wants to cover it up with more pleasing terminology so that perpetrators will not feel guilt for their evil ways.
He Did Not Speak Like Others Religious Teachers. “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:28, 29). The scribes were not willing to speak as Jesus spoke, nor could they. Jesus identified the problem with the teachers of His day. “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9). Note that Jesus considered that teaching doctrine and following it is worship.
Jesus is at odds with religious teachers today as well. All we have to do is examine His words with those being preached today.
With regard to marriage and divorce, Jesus speaks with a very different voice from today’s religious leaders. When asked if a person can divorce for just any cause, Jesus said, “what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6). His answer? No. Is there a proper cause? Yes. He said, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (19:9). Jesus says if a man or woman divorces his spouse for a reason other than sexual immorality, he becomes guilty of adultery if he remarries. A person who marries another who was divorced commits adultery. Today, people divorce and remarry at will, without regard to Jesus’ teachings. Religious leaders condone, approve, and even conduct unlawful remarriages. Jesus said these remarriages constitute adultery. Adulterers do not have a place in the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 5:19-21).
We have the commandments of Jesus. Those who teach otherwise are teaching the “commandments of men” and are leading their followers into “vain worship.”
He Spoke Words Of Judgment. Jesus was serious about His words. In John 12:48-50, Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."
How ironic it will be for those who reject Jesus’ words to stand before Him and realize that the very words they refused to hear will be the standard by which they will be judged in the end. It will be sad to have lived with His words so readily available yet ignored and unheeded. Rather than meet that fate, you can begin listening today. Send me an email if you would like to study the Bible together via email.
No Man Ever Spoke Like This Man. As many were leaving Jesus because they could not bear His words, He asked His twelve apostles if they were going to leave as well. Each of us should reply as Peter did on that occasion. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Our Mother Who Art in Heaven?
My son Joel wrote this article. I include it for your consideration.
The Presbyterian National Assembly recently agreed to allow references to the Trinity to be changed from Father, Son and Holy Spirit to less “sexist” language. There apparently has been some concern in some Presbyterian circles that the masculine reference to the Trinity promotes men as superior to women. Fox News reported that suggestions for alternative phrases were “Mother, Child, and Womb,” “Rock, Redeemer, and Friend,” and “Lover, Beloved, and Love.” It seems that soon we may be hearing some Presbyterians praying, “Our Mother who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…”
Are we to alter what God has said based on our own politically correct worldviews? Nancy Olthoff, the Presbyterian Legislative Committee chair said that the decision doesn’t alter the church’s theological position, but merely “provides an educational resource to enhance the spiritual life of our membership.” One can clearly see in the alternatives that were suggested that the committee carefully tried to pick alternatives that corresponded well to the “Father, Son, Holy Spirit” model, so what is wrong with the change? Let me list several things:
Searching the Scriptures makes answering questions such as these easy and it also helps to maintain unity. Life in general, and spiritual life too, is much more simple when we all follow one standard. The Presbyterians may be unified on this teaching but it is likely that the church will divide over the issue. Churches divided over manmade issues, not Biblical issues. -Bill
The Presbyterian National Assembly recently agreed to allow references to the Trinity to be changed from Father, Son and Holy Spirit to less “sexist” language. There apparently has been some concern in some Presbyterian circles that the masculine reference to the Trinity promotes men as superior to women. Fox News reported that suggestions for alternative phrases were “Mother, Child, and Womb,” “Rock, Redeemer, and Friend,” and “Lover, Beloved, and Love.” It seems that soon we may be hearing some Presbyterians praying, “Our Mother who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…”
Are we to alter what God has said based on our own politically correct worldviews? Nancy Olthoff, the Presbyterian Legislative Committee chair said that the decision doesn’t alter the church’s theological position, but merely “provides an educational resource to enhance the spiritual life of our membership.” One can clearly see in the alternatives that were suggested that the committee carefully tried to pick alternatives that corresponded well to the “Father, Son, Holy Spirit” model, so what is wrong with the change? Let me list several things:
- The decision to allow alternative designations shows a clear disregard for the belief that every word of Scripture is inspired. When Jesus was challenged to prove the resurrection in Matthew 22, He responded in verses 31-32 by quoting, “I AM the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” He then pointed out that God was not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. How could He conclude that? Because of the present tense of the verb “to be.” God said, “I AM,” not, “I was,” or, “I will be.” In other words, Jesus believed that not only was every word of Scripture inspired, but even the verb tenses were inspired. Does the Presbyterian National Assembly truly believe that every word of Scripture is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16)? If so, why the change? If not, why bother following anything the Bible says? Did God not have the alternative of choosing some feminine names/pronouns/etc.? Why did He not, if gender was such a non-issue to His character?
- The decision also throws Jesus’ humanity quite a curve ball. Surely a God with foreknowledge would understand that some women might not be able to relate to a male Savior. Why did He not come as a woman, or better yet, just as an “it” so that everyone could relate? Of course if He came as an “it,” who could relate? Hmmm…quite a problem! Why don’t we just stick with Him being a man, as the Scriptures say?
- Finally, though we could go on, the decision gives culture more credence than God. Did Paul or the other New Testament writers cater to Roman culture? If so, why did they not go soft on issues like homosexuality, other kinds of sexual sins, stealing, lying, drunkenness, and all other issues that might offend a group of people? What we see is that cultural concerns did not influence their writings then, nor would they if the inspired men were writing today.
Searching the Scriptures makes answering questions such as these easy and it also helps to maintain unity. Life in general, and spiritual life too, is much more simple when we all follow one standard. The Presbyterians may be unified on this teaching but it is likely that the church will divide over the issue. Churches divided over manmade issues, not Biblical issues. -Bill
Sunday, June 18, 2006
The Episcopalian's New Female Bishop
On June 18, 2006 the Episcopal Church chose Katharine Jefferts Schori as the first female “chief pastor” or bishop. Let’s apply the attitude and practice of the Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things” that the apostle Paul taught them were “so.” In other words, if the Bereans were able to discover that Paul taught them something other than what can be supported by the Scriptures, then they would not believe the teaching nor follow it. So what does the Bible say, if anything, about Bishop selection?
There are two passages in the Bible that provide the church with qualifications for the office referred to as bishop, elder or presbyter. Those passages are 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Let's look at the qualifications pertinent to the discussion.
1 Timothy 3: 1,2 reads:
“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…”
Titus 1: 5 – 7 reads:
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-- if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God…”
Notice the wording in both passages. “If a man desires the position of a bishop…” and “If a man is blameless…” Paul used the word “man.” Could it be that Paul is using the word “man” to represent a generic “person”? That question is answered by reading further. In both passages Paul says that this man is to be “the husband of one wife.” It is apparent that Paul is not referring to “men” in general but that he has in mind a male who is married to a wife.
If it is acceptable to set aside this qualification so that a woman may be appointed, then any of the qualifications can be set aside. Are we willing to appoint as bishops those who are “quick tempered” or “unjust” or “unholy” or “violent”, all contrary to the qualifications delivered to us?
No. To approach the question in the same manner as the Bereans, whose attitude is recorded in the Scriptures as an example to all, we must search the Scriptures. In this case we find that the Scriptures show us that the Episcopal Church has not followed the revealed will of God in the appointment of Schori.
Do you have the attitude of the Bereans? Are you willing to let the Scriptures mold and shape your thinking on this subject?
There are two passages in the Bible that provide the church with qualifications for the office referred to as bishop, elder or presbyter. Those passages are 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Let's look at the qualifications pertinent to the discussion.
1 Timothy 3: 1,2 reads:
“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…”
Titus 1: 5 – 7 reads:
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-- if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God…”
Notice the wording in both passages. “If a man desires the position of a bishop…” and “If a man is blameless…” Paul used the word “man.” Could it be that Paul is using the word “man” to represent a generic “person”? That question is answered by reading further. In both passages Paul says that this man is to be “the husband of one wife.” It is apparent that Paul is not referring to “men” in general but that he has in mind a male who is married to a wife.
If it is acceptable to set aside this qualification so that a woman may be appointed, then any of the qualifications can be set aside. Are we willing to appoint as bishops those who are “quick tempered” or “unjust” or “unholy” or “violent”, all contrary to the qualifications delivered to us?
No. To approach the question in the same manner as the Bereans, whose attitude is recorded in the Scriptures as an example to all, we must search the Scriptures. In this case we find that the Scriptures show us that the Episcopal Church has not followed the revealed will of God in the appointment of Schori.
Do you have the attitude of the Bereans? Are you willing to let the Scriptures mold and shape your thinking on this subject?
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Searching The Scriptures
A young lady was given directions to an unfamiliar part of town she had only ever visited once before. At a certain intersection she was to turn right. Several land marks were given to help her know to turn right. When she arrived at that spot she turned left because the intersection didn’t look like she thought it was supposed to. Needless to say, she was lost very soon.
How important is it for us to carefully follow the scriptures? Is it necessary for us to be certain of every point? Must we be sure we follow every step just like the Bible says? Or can we select a different direction if we are unfamiliar with what God says about a particular point?
The Berean people in the Apostle Paul’s day are commended by God for their daily careful search of the scriptures “to see if those things were so.” Acts 17:11. God has seen to it that their example is in the Bible for us to read about 2000 years later. We can’t afford to be uninformed or just act on our own just because we are not familiar with the scriptures. Like the Bereans we must search the scriptures daily to be certain of the things we believe.
The goal of this blog is to challenge readers to search their Bible for truth. If I can accomplish that goal then I will feel my duty is done.
Please check back often for more posts. I welcome your comments. I hope for this to be an open dialog.
How important is it for us to carefully follow the scriptures? Is it necessary for us to be certain of every point? Must we be sure we follow every step just like the Bible says? Or can we select a different direction if we are unfamiliar with what God says about a particular point?
The Berean people in the Apostle Paul’s day are commended by God for their daily careful search of the scriptures “to see if those things were so.” Acts 17:11. God has seen to it that their example is in the Bible for us to read about 2000 years later. We can’t afford to be uninformed or just act on our own just because we are not familiar with the scriptures. Like the Bereans we must search the scriptures daily to be certain of the things we believe.
The goal of this blog is to challenge readers to search their Bible for truth. If I can accomplish that goal then I will feel my duty is done.
Please check back often for more posts. I welcome your comments. I hope for this to be an open dialog.
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