Matt. 17:24-27
I remember a few posts back, I spoke of the prideful statements of the disciples as they walked down the road with Jesus after His transfiguration. Would Jesus use His knowledge of the hearts of men to teach them another lesson in humility? Of course; he knew the hearts of men and how they still think today!
Consider this miracle in Matt. 17:24-27: Peter is confronted by those who collected the temple tax and is asked if his master is going to pay the temple tax. The disciple answered "yes" as there was no reason to think the answer would have been different this time as opposed to the last time of their visit to the temple.
But Jesus wished for the disciples to learn something beyond this; far more than they knew...
"He wished them to understand, in the first place, that for Him to pay the temple dues was a humiliation and an incongruity, similar to that of a king's son paying a tax for the support of the palace and the royal household; that it was not a thing of course that He should pay, any more than it was a thing of course that He should become a man, and, so to speak, leave His royal state behind and assume the rank of a peasant; that it was an act of voluntary humiliation, forming one item in the course of humiliation to which He voluntarily submitted, beginning with His birth, and ending with His death and burial. He desired His disciples to think of these things in the hope that meditation on them would help to rebuke the pride, prevention, and self-assertion which had given rise to that petty dispute about places of distinction." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, page 226
So what happens?
Jesus gives Peter instructions to "as the Lord of nature, to whom all creatures in land and sea were subject..." (pg. 227) put a hook in the water. When the first fish comes up, check his mouth and you will find a drachma to pay for both.
Here the Christ of all creation gives the order to His creation (the fish with the drachma), and uses His creation to pay for the creation (of the temple) which gives honor to Him (and His Father)!
And in all this, people would never know that God Himself was visiting the temple on that day without a person knowing He paid a temple tax so that He too could identify with the lowest of people and be among His people...
Here poses the question today for us: "When we think we are worthy of a title place or position within our lives; are we above the thing that we ascribe?" The disciples thought so at the time, but later would learn that it was about the Kingdom of God, not them.
Are we above that thing that we so desperately need to attain? Sometimes things we think are really in the truest sense important, may not even be close to what we really need. The disciples found out later after Jesus ascended into Heaven that this life was for Christ, not self.
I would ask you today to look at your life's pursuit and ask whether you look to the success of creation or to the success in the eyes of the Creator. One honors "self," while the other honors Christ!
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Friday, July 24, 2015
Forgiving Injuries
Matt. 18:21-35
How do you view forgiveness?
The two debtors have two different views. Let's take a look at the amounts owed first...
"The two debts are respectively ten thousand talents and a hundred denarii, being to each other in the proportion, of say, a million to one. The enormous disparity is intended to represent the difference between the shortcomings of all men towards God, and those with which any man can charge a fellow-creature." Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, page 217.
Here is the story of a Lord and a slave; then a slave and a fellow slave. The lord sees the debt of the slave and calls for payment, but the slave can't pay it and pleads with the the lord that he will pay it back in full. The lord is gracious and forgives the debt.
Now the slave has a fellow slave who owes him money. He goes to his fellow slave and demands payment. The slave attacks his fellow slave and begins to choke him out as a beast attacks prey to demand payment. The fellow slave pleads with him to allow him to repay the debt, but instead of forgiving him, the slave throws him into prison. Afterward, friends of the fellow slave alert the lord to this situation knowing of the former encounter the slave had with with the lord. The slave is now placed into the hands of those who would torture him until his original debt is paid. He gets what he was originally guilty.
"God deals with His debtors as the king dealt with the satrap. He is slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil He hath threatened. He giveth men space to repent, and by providential delays accepts the promise of amendment, though He knoweth full well that they will be broken, and that those who made them will go on sinning as before." (pg. 219)
Now we look at the attitude of each:
"Lord have patience with me, and I will pay Thee all," "He grants their petition, knowing that when the danger or the fit of repentance is over, the promise of amendment will be utterly forgotten." (pg. 219)
Truly God has not dealt with us in our sins, nor does He give us what we deserve. So how do you view your forgiveness today? It is temporary or are you truly grateful for the Lord's loving kindness? Will you be the one who asks for forgiveness from the Lord, but be quick to demand others to conform or "pay up" when it comes time; or will you just let it go... permanently!
The choice is yours! I don't know that I want the Lord to remember my sins and judge me for them because of my foolishness in not forgiving others!
Practice true forgiveness today. Forgive and let the debt you feel is owed to you today.
It is a good thing!
How do you view forgiveness?
The two debtors have two different views. Let's take a look at the amounts owed first...
"The two debts are respectively ten thousand talents and a hundred denarii, being to each other in the proportion, of say, a million to one. The enormous disparity is intended to represent the difference between the shortcomings of all men towards God, and those with which any man can charge a fellow-creature." Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, page 217.
Here is the story of a Lord and a slave; then a slave and a fellow slave. The lord sees the debt of the slave and calls for payment, but the slave can't pay it and pleads with the the lord that he will pay it back in full. The lord is gracious and forgives the debt.
Now the slave has a fellow slave who owes him money. He goes to his fellow slave and demands payment. The slave attacks his fellow slave and begins to choke him out as a beast attacks prey to demand payment. The fellow slave pleads with him to allow him to repay the debt, but instead of forgiving him, the slave throws him into prison. Afterward, friends of the fellow slave alert the lord to this situation knowing of the former encounter the slave had with with the lord. The slave is now placed into the hands of those who would torture him until his original debt is paid. He gets what he was originally guilty.
"God deals with His debtors as the king dealt with the satrap. He is slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil He hath threatened. He giveth men space to repent, and by providential delays accepts the promise of amendment, though He knoweth full well that they will be broken, and that those who made them will go on sinning as before." (pg. 219)
Now we look at the attitude of each:
"Lord have patience with me, and I will pay Thee all," "He grants their petition, knowing that when the danger or the fit of repentance is over, the promise of amendment will be utterly forgotten." (pg. 219)
Truly God has not dealt with us in our sins, nor does He give us what we deserve. So how do you view your forgiveness today? It is temporary or are you truly grateful for the Lord's loving kindness? Will you be the one who asks for forgiveness from the Lord, but be quick to demand others to conform or "pay up" when it comes time; or will you just let it go... permanently!
The choice is yours! I don't know that I want the Lord to remember my sins and judge me for them because of my foolishness in not forgiving others!
Practice true forgiveness today. Forgive and let the debt you feel is owed to you today.
It is a good thing!
Monday, July 20, 2015
The Dangers of Keeping the Unrepentant in the Church
Matt. 18:15-20
"...to keep scandalous offenders inside the communion of the church is to do your best to damn their souls, and to exclude them ultimately from heaven. On the other hand, to deliver them over to Satan may be, and it is to be hoped will be, but giving them a foretaste of hell now that they may be saved from hell-fire forever." pg. 212, A. B. Bruce The Training of the Twelve
Most would say this is a cruel act, but what is more important? Is is that we learn from our mistakes here on earth and later regret our actions or to become doomed in our own souls?
There is a problem with allowing the unrepentant to remain within the church though as Bruce continues: "Such mixtures of the godly and the godless are too common phenomena in these days. And the reason is not too far to seek." (pg. 213)
"It is the desire to multiply members. The various religious bodies value members still more than morality or high-toned Christian virtue, and they fear least by discipline they may lose one or two names from their communion roll. The fear is not without justification. Fugitives from discipline are always sure of an open door and a hearty welcome in some quarter. One who has become, or is in danger of becoming, as a heathen man and a publican to one ecclesiastical body, has a good chance of becoming a saint or an angel in another." (pg. 214)
Isn't this a shame today when we are more worried about numbers than the souls of men? If we love the person enough, is it not enough to always seek their best? Isn't that what the Law of Love commands? We cannot wink our eye at their sin and yet claim to look out for their best interest as a Christian brother or sister.
As I pause to reflect on these words, I sometimes realize how difficult the task of loving one another can be at times. Will I love my brother or sister enough to wink at their sin? Or will I love them enough to tell them I care and I will not condone their behavior.
Hopefully, we all would want the same from others who would speak truth into our lives at some time in the future...
"...to keep scandalous offenders inside the communion of the church is to do your best to damn their souls, and to exclude them ultimately from heaven. On the other hand, to deliver them over to Satan may be, and it is to be hoped will be, but giving them a foretaste of hell now that they may be saved from hell-fire forever." pg. 212, A. B. Bruce The Training of the Twelve
Most would say this is a cruel act, but what is more important? Is is that we learn from our mistakes here on earth and later regret our actions or to become doomed in our own souls?
There is a problem with allowing the unrepentant to remain within the church though as Bruce continues: "Such mixtures of the godly and the godless are too common phenomena in these days. And the reason is not too far to seek." (pg. 213)
"It is the desire to multiply members. The various religious bodies value members still more than morality or high-toned Christian virtue, and they fear least by discipline they may lose one or two names from their communion roll. The fear is not without justification. Fugitives from discipline are always sure of an open door and a hearty welcome in some quarter. One who has become, or is in danger of becoming, as a heathen man and a publican to one ecclesiastical body, has a good chance of becoming a saint or an angel in another." (pg. 214)
Isn't this a shame today when we are more worried about numbers than the souls of men? If we love the person enough, is it not enough to always seek their best? Isn't that what the Law of Love commands? We cannot wink our eye at their sin and yet claim to look out for their best interest as a Christian brother or sister.
As I pause to reflect on these words, I sometimes realize how difficult the task of loving one another can be at times. Will I love my brother or sister enough to wink at their sin? Or will I love them enough to tell them I care and I will not condone their behavior.
Hopefully, we all would want the same from others who would speak truth into our lives at some time in the future...
Friday, July 17, 2015
The Issue of Church Discipline
Matt. 18:15-20: Church Discipline
No one likes to talk about it. Even worse, no one wants to conduct it...
The first century church felt it was very important to the integrity of the first church though. But what is it that is different than the way the world acts today? The difference is "love."
The first part of this passage is with the brother who goes to his brother with his sin (vs. 15) in private. Why is this so important? In the "Training of the Twelve," A. B. Bruce says this, "It makes the confession as easy to him as possible by sparing him the shame of exposure... It is also a method which cannot be worked out without the purest and holiest motive on the part of the redress."
So there is a twofold purpose:
1. That the one under sin can be relieved to know that if he makes proper and timely confession, his sins will not come to light of the whole church. The act of exposing it to the church might be a little premature up front, and in the case of a private sin which might cause the brother/ sister further embarrassment of their sin. Are we in the business of making sure that they experience personal embarrassment or is this God's business? How would you like to be treated? We must ask ourselves the question, "Does this bring glory to self or God?"
2. That the one who confronts his brother/ sister might "put a bridle on the passion of resentment, by compelling the offended one to go through a patient course of dealing with his brother before he arrive at the sad issue at which anger jumps at once, viz. total estrangement." A. B. Bruce (pg. 210)
You see, each of us must ask the question whether our motive with the offender brings us immediately where we are willing to excommunicate that person completely from our church and even our own life. It must bring forth the horror of possibly treating the person as if we never knew them or as an outcast of society; remember, once they're gone, they're gone!
Use the Love of Christ Rule: This is characteristic of the loving spirit of Jesus Christ!
I fear today, we have become the church universal that has gotten so used to being mad at someone and giving them them the third degree that we rule out the law of love and forgiveness, but rather act in retribution as the world does. Then we think we have the right to talk about their sins with others, which violates the first step of discipline. From that point it becomes a contest to see who can win...
How does your Rule of Law line up with Kingdom thinking? I encourage you to do some soul searching today.
For more study, conduct a Word Study on the word "Grace." Maybe one day we will see you here at Grace Community Church!
No one likes to talk about it. Even worse, no one wants to conduct it...
The first century church felt it was very important to the integrity of the first church though. But what is it that is different than the way the world acts today? The difference is "love."
The first part of this passage is with the brother who goes to his brother with his sin (vs. 15) in private. Why is this so important? In the "Training of the Twelve," A. B. Bruce says this, "It makes the confession as easy to him as possible by sparing him the shame of exposure... It is also a method which cannot be worked out without the purest and holiest motive on the part of the redress."
So there is a twofold purpose:
1. That the one under sin can be relieved to know that if he makes proper and timely confession, his sins will not come to light of the whole church. The act of exposing it to the church might be a little premature up front, and in the case of a private sin which might cause the brother/ sister further embarrassment of their sin. Are we in the business of making sure that they experience personal embarrassment or is this God's business? How would you like to be treated? We must ask ourselves the question, "Does this bring glory to self or God?"
2. That the one who confronts his brother/ sister might "put a bridle on the passion of resentment, by compelling the offended one to go through a patient course of dealing with his brother before he arrive at the sad issue at which anger jumps at once, viz. total estrangement." A. B. Bruce (pg. 210)
You see, each of us must ask the question whether our motive with the offender brings us immediately where we are willing to excommunicate that person completely from our church and even our own life. It must bring forth the horror of possibly treating the person as if we never knew them or as an outcast of society; remember, once they're gone, they're gone!
Use the Love of Christ Rule: This is characteristic of the loving spirit of Jesus Christ!
I fear today, we have become the church universal that has gotten so used to being mad at someone and giving them them the third degree that we rule out the law of love and forgiveness, but rather act in retribution as the world does. Then we think we have the right to talk about their sins with others, which violates the first step of discipline. From that point it becomes a contest to see who can win...
How does your Rule of Law line up with Kingdom thinking? I encourage you to do some soul searching today.
For more study, conduct a Word Study on the word "Grace." Maybe one day we will see you here at Grace Community Church!
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Causing the Little to Stumble
Matt. 18:10-14
While yet the disciples were walking the road, each of them deciding who would be the greatest, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them about the "Little Ones."
While this passage does not seem to correlate with the previous passages in 18:7-9; it really does! While the previous passages (18:7-9) deal with the offenses to "oneself," and not the next passages (18:10-14) which deal with offences against "others," we realize that all offenses against a brother or sister are actually offenses against ourselves. He wanted the disciples to understand that "self-interest dictates scrupulous care in avoiding offenses to the little ones." (Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 205)
The issue here is that when we offend the "little ones" or the least in the kingdom, we sin against our own selves. When we harm those, we are guilty of being out of harmony with the mindset of heaven. Jesus said "take heed" (vs. 10) "that you despise not one of these little ones."
Sometimes we get so busy in the service of the Lord we sometimes are consumed by what we are doing for the "Kingdom" that we ignore the needs of those who need our assistance or ignore them all together. This week as our church prepared for Vacation Bible School I asked myself this exact question. While busy doing something and trying to finish up, someone came up to me and wanted to talk to me. I found myself having to intentionally stop what I was doing and speak with them. I had to reflect upon my reading and ask myself this question, "Am I really that busy that I don't have time?"
Jesus told the disciples in a matter of speaking that the little ones have their own own angels in heaven (vs. 11) who look out for their care. If they are important enough for Jesus to mention it to the disciples, it has to be relevant to the believer today, since we too are disciples of Christ. Think on these things today and remember the "little ones!"
And by the way... thank you Lord for allowing me to respond to your guidance this week!
Friday, July 10, 2015
How to be Great in the Kingdom
What do we have to do to be great in Jesus eye?
Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me." (Mark 9:36-37 NASB)
"The higher we rise in the Kingdom the more we shall be like Jesus in this humbling of Himself. Childlikeness such as He exhibited is an invariable characteristic of spiritual advancement, even as its absence is the mark of moral littleness. The little man, even when well intentioned, is ever consequential and scheming...ever thinking of himself, his honor, dignity, reputation, even when professedly doing good. He always studies to glorify God in a way that shall at the same time glorify himself. The great ones in the kingdom, on the other hand, throw themselves with such unreserved ness into the work to which they are called, that they shall obtain time nor inclination to inquire what place they shall obtain in this world or the next." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce
Children do not think about how important the child is next to them in order that they might play with them. You don't put children together and watch them say to each other, "Well he looks important enough to play with?" No, they simply find each other interesting enough that they simply play together. Neither are scheming about how smart they are against each other or how much more sentimental they are as opposed to the other. They simply come to "play."
The disciples didn't get that. They would have rather talked about who would be greater than the next. They didn't understand the concept of the simple "calling" Jesus placed upon their lives.
This is why Jesus took the small child in His lap. The child was there and did what he came for; to come give him a hug and sit near him. No further agenda...
How complicated have we become as far as the kingdom goes? Just come today and sit at the Savior's feet and listen to Him today. Sit up in your Heavenly Father's lap today. Have some fellowship with Him with no other agenda!
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
A Discourse on Humility
Luke 9:46-48
After the discourse of the Transfiguration, Jesus was much in thought about the impending cross He was to carry. He had just entrusted James, John, and Peter with the view from Heaven. They had a chance to see Jesus meet with two heavenly hosts who comforted him in His time of need. Jesus charged them not share the event with anyone though...why?
It didn't take long before the three had already forgotten what Jesus told them about His impending death, for soon afterward they were talking amongst themselves of who would be the greatest in the kingdom to come! Surely after witnessing the event of the Transfiguration that would have changed them?
Nope....
They had their eyes set on the kingdom here on this earth.
Sometimes, I think we become so enamored with the world and our riches here as Christians, we fail to see the other side. We become so earthly that we are no heavenly good for His kingdom.
Just think; Jesus trusted just "them" with the witness of the Transfiguration. He shared that just with three men!
Were they special? You bet. Were they special to Him? You bet! As a child of God we are so special to Him. Ask Him today to show you something special that no one else has seen through reading His Word. Then remember; He shared it just with you!
Now...what will you do with that encounter today? Will you go on a few minutes from now like nothing ever happened or cherish it with an eternal view? Remember, He spoke to You! He is a real and personal God who wants to speak to you. You are special!
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
The Cost
Notes from Luke 9:31...
What does the "Cost" mean to us?
Jesus took comfort from the two witnesses he encountered before his death before they disappeared into the clouds:
"A great source of comfort to Jesus in the experience on the mount, was the assurance that the mystery of the cross was understood and appreciated by saints in heaven, if not by the darkened minds of sinful me on earth." (Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 193)
"There was not one to whom He could speak on that theme with any hope of eliciting an intelligent and sympathetic response." (193)
"He had to be content to finish His great work without the comfort of being understood until it we finished." (193)
Now the disciples were left after Jesus ascension. What would they do? Would they understand all He shared with them to do and say? This question is as much alive today in the hearts of believers as it was some 2000 years ago for the disciples. What will you do with this man called Jesus? How will you respond to the call He has placed upon your lives today? Will we be people of an "intelligent and sympathetic response?"
Join each week at Grace Community Church for the answers to their lives as we continue in the Book of Acts! See you at 11:00 AM!
What does the "Cost" mean to us?
Jesus took comfort from the two witnesses he encountered before his death before they disappeared into the clouds:
"A great source of comfort to Jesus in the experience on the mount, was the assurance that the mystery of the cross was understood and appreciated by saints in heaven, if not by the darkened minds of sinful me on earth." (Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pg. 193)
"There was not one to whom He could speak on that theme with any hope of eliciting an intelligent and sympathetic response." (193)
"He had to be content to finish His great work without the comfort of being understood until it we finished." (193)
Now the disciples were left after Jesus ascension. What would they do? Would they understand all He shared with them to do and say? This question is as much alive today in the hearts of believers as it was some 2000 years ago for the disciples. What will you do with this man called Jesus? How will you respond to the call He has placed upon your lives today? Will we be people of an "intelligent and sympathetic response?"
Join each week at Grace Community Church for the answers to their lives as we continue in the Book of Acts! See you at 11:00 AM!
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