Matthew 26:26-30
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
28 This is my blood of the new testament, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
The Greek word for "testament" used here is "DIATHEKE," and it primarily denotes a contract, covenant, agreement, or promise (Ga 3:17). Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states that this Greek word "does not in itself contain the idea of joint obligation, it mostly signifies an obligation undertaken by a single person." In other words, in the New Covenant, it is not what we can do for God but what God has done for us.
The principle of the Old Covenant was "do" and we shall live (Ro 10:5). The principle of the New Covenant is "it is done" (Ro 10:6-9), and that includes redemption, reconciliation, righteousness, and sanctification. The work is finished! We are complete in Him (Col 2:10)!
If the Old Covenant had been without defect, there would have been no attempt to institute another (Heb 8:7). In the Old Covenant, people found themselves unable to abide in its agreement, for it was based upon people's performance (Ex 19:5-8). The new agreement, however, was based totally upon God's grace (Ro 4:4-5). Under the Old Covenant, people approached God through a priest (Heb 5:1), while under the New Covenant, people have direct access to the Father through Jesus Christ (Heb 4:16).
Under the Old Covenant, people's sins led to their deaths (Heb 10:28), while under the New Covenant, God is merciful to people's unrighteousness (Heb 8:12; 1Jo 1:8-9, and 2:1). Under the Old Covenant, people could not be cleansed of sin-consciousness (Heb 10:1-4); while under the New Covenant, people's sins and iniquities are remembered no more (Heb 8:12 and 10:17), and their guilty consciences are cleansed (Heb 10:22).
What does correlate between the Old and New Testament is that in Exodus chapter twelve where God sent the Angel to kill the first born of every household. The Israelites were told to put blood on the door posts so the Angel would pass over that home. In each of those homes who had sprinkled the blood of a lamb on the door posts were varying degrees of holiness, growth, and sinfulness in following God. The Angel did not look at the people inside the home, the Angel only saw the blood and passed over that home. It was not about inspecting the people, it was only seeing the blood. The same is true in the Old Testament when a person brought their sin sacrifice to the Preist, the Preist did not inspect the people for their blemishes but inspected the lamb that they brought if it was perfect and without blemish. It is the same today, God looks at the blood of Jesus that covers us and see's us righteous. Which means that if your trying to be justified by anything other than faith in Jesus Christ then you are not believing the true Gospel. His blood and only His blood covers our sin, it is not any works that you do at all.
Receiving by law and receiving by promise are opposites. Law involves effort (works). Promise provides as a gift (grace). We are either saved by works or by grace, but not a combination of the two (Ro 11:6). Paul stated the doctrine of justification by grace through faith so clearly in his writings that any person who claims to believe the Bible has to acknowledge this truth. However, one of Satan's cleverest deceptions is to take a truth and add to it until it is no longer the truth. Lest that happen with this doctrine of grace, Paul stated emphatically that we cannot combine anything with God's grace as a requirement for salvation.
In the same way that gasoline and water don't mix, so grace and works will not mix. Justification has to be all works or all grace, but not a combination of the two. All religion is based on what you do or sacrifice. The new covenant with Jesus Christ is based on what Jesus Christ has done and sacrificed. Still, an abundance of religious people today cannot accept the fact that all we have to do is to believe to receive God's grace (Ro 5:2). Faith is our admission, or ticket, into the grace of God. No one is allowed in without a ticket. Our own good works won't grant us admission. God's grace can only be accessed by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Christianity is not an Island Unto Thyself
On July 7, 2011 the Oakland A’s were playing the Texas Rangers. In the second inning, one of the A’s hit a foul ball that went into the stands, then bounced back onto the field. So as a friendly gesture, Rangers outfielder, Josh Hamilton picked up the ball and tossed it to a fan in the stands. Hamilton’s toss was a little short, causing the man to lean over the railing in an attempt to catch the ball. Unfortunately, this caused the man to lose his balance, topple over the railing and fall head first to his death.
I can only imagine how badly Josh Hamilton feels. Although he intended no harm to this fan, his action resulted in the death of this man. As I have listened to the news reporters and sportscasters comment on this sad event over the weekend, I couldn’t help but think of a spiritual application. For how many times does this very thing happen in our homes and in our churches. How many fathers and mothers will make spiritual decisions that are not intended to harm their children, but they do that very thing. A period of “spiritual slumber” for mom and dad results in the unintended faithlessness of their children. Harsh words, judgmental attitudes, and a critical spirit unintentionally sours a child, spouse, or neighbor and they rebel against what they’re told is “Christianity.”
Friends, "no man lives to himself, and no man dies to himself" (Romans 14:7). We all influence other people for the better or for the worse. Give diligence to make sure that the choices you make in life don’t have unintended consequences that will haunt you later.
Definition of unintended consequences: A positive, unexpected benefit (usually referred to as serendipity or a windfall). A negative, unexpected detriment occurring in addition to the desired effect of a choice. A perverse effect contrary to what was originally intended (when an intended solution makes a problem worse), such as when a policy has a perverse incentive that causes actions opposite to what was intended.
This is the very reason why the Apostle Paul continues on in Rom 14 and says we should not judge one another in any form or fashion. Judgments have unintended consequences beyond our own scope, ability, or intended action. We are all accountable to God, God is God and we are not. We should always choose love over everything else, for the intended or unintended consequence of love is always love.
Rom 13:8
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Time is our Ally not Our Enemy and Less is More
Mark 4:13
13 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?
Jesus was saying that this parable of the sower is the key to understanding all His parables. The interpretation that Jesus gave of this parable provides a model for interpreting all His parables.
Mark 4:14
14 The farmer sows the word.
Jesus wasn't teaching on farming. He was using some truths about farming to illustrate how God's Word works.
It's interesting that He used a natural example like a seed. This is because people can't cheat on sowing and reaping. If He had used a social example like school, people beat the system. They don't pay proper attention in class, but they can cram for the test and pass. They never learned the material. They just figured out a way to cheat. People can't cram for a harvest. They can't wait until the night before a harvest and sow their seeds. This natural system is governed by the unchangeable laws of seed, TIME, and harvest.
This parable illustrates some of the unchangeable laws of how God's Word works. The whole world operates from seeds. There would be no animal, plant, or human life without seeds. Likewise, the whole kingdom of God is dependent on the Word of God. God's Word is to His kingdom the way the world is totally dependent on seeds.
Mark 4:15
15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
Mark 4:14 makes it clear that the seed represents the Word of God. The ground represents people's hearts. There are four different types, or conditions, of hearts represented in this parable.
The first type of heart is one that has no desire toward God's Word. The Word never gets inside of the heart but lays on the surface where it's easily stolen away by the devil.
This same parable was recorded in Mt 13:3-23. In Mt 13:19, Jesus said that Satan has the ability to steal this Word from those who understand it not. Therefore, understanding is the first step in getting God's Word down on the inside of us. This is why we teach children on a level they can understand. Without understanding, Satan has complete access to steal the truths of God's Word from us.
The only one of these four types of ground, or hearts, where Satan has free access to steal away the Word is this first one where there is no understanding. Therefore, understanding is the first step in getting the Word of God to germinate in us.
Mark 4:16
16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
The second type of heart condition described in this parable is one where a person understood the Word and was excited about it, but that person didn't take the time to get God's Word rooted inside. Therefore, the Word did germinate, but it couldn't produce fruit because it didn't have a good root system.
Roots develop underground, out of sight. Most people want the visible results of fruit, but they don't want to develop the root system necessary to produce and sustain the fruit. A seed that germinates in shallow earth will put all its energies into growth above ground, because there is nowhere else for its growth to go. So, at first, it looks better than the seed that is putting its effort into building a good root system. But when the sun starts drying out the plant, the root system isn't there to sustain it, and it will wither and die.
Most people don't like the root-building process. They want to experience the benefits of the Word that are visible in their lives, but they don't want to just spend time alone with God in His Word, letting that Word get rooted and established in them. So, there can be visible results in a person's life who only listens to someone else minister the Word. But when things get tough, only the Word that has personal roots in our hearts will bear fruit.
As a plant must establish a strong root system to sustain its growth, so we must become rooted and grounded in God's Word (Eph 3:17; Col 1:23, and 2:7). Too much attention on visible growth will cause us to become impatient and not take the time to become firmly established in the truths of God's Word. This will always result in fruitlessness.
A seed planted in shallow soil will germinate and grow faster than a seed planted in deep soil. The seed in deep soil will put all of its energy toward the roots first, while the seed in shallow soil has no choice but to put its effort into the growth of the plant above the ground. The plant in shallow soil will look like it is far ahead of the other seed for a while, but that will not last. It soon withers and dies, while the seed with roots grows and brings forth fruit.
Likewise, some Christians get very excited over the promises of God's Word but make the mistake of not getting firmly established in those truths before they "jump out on a limb" with them. This kind of people withers away when the heat is on. We can't live off of someone else's commitment to the Word; we must have root in ourselves (Mr 4:17).
Was living in Chicago in the early 1970’s and in 72 they started to build the Sears Tower. Worked for a bank just three blocks from the Sears Tower and a few of us used to sit across the street on some steps and eat our lunches and watch them build this magnificent building. At this time they were still working on the foundation which took about nine months. One day there was a group of men who were sitting by us who were debating why the foundation was taking so long. They were speculating that maybe there were not enough laborers, union problems, inspection problems, financial problems. Actually it was none of those things, you see the taller the building the deeper the foundation and the longer it takes. The other aspect is that if you’re an eighth of an inch off on the foundation by the time you reach six stories the building would be three and half inches off. The foundation must be perfect and that is why it takes time. If you’ve reached a certain level in your life and things are not fitting it is because you built your life on an imperfect foundation. The only perfect foundation is Jesus Christ.
Notice that afflictions, persecutions, and tribulations are instruments of the devil and are used to stop God's Word from bearing fruit in our lives. They are not good things that God brings our way to improve us. They are instruments of Satan. These things are designed to take our attention off of God's Word, thereby stopping the Word from taking root in us. It's like the runners who spend all of their time in the grandstands arguing with the hecklers over the way they're running the race. They may win an argument, but they will lose the race. We must not let anything distract us from meditating on God's Word day and night, for then we will make our way prosperous and then we will have good success (Jos 1:8). By consistently putting God's Word in first place in every area of our lives, we will let that Word become so rooted in us that nothing can get it out.
Time in God’s kingdom becomes our ally, it matters to our growth process. If one thinks in the flesh that you are running out of time, than that thinking and way of life is earth like. You may be saying to yourself “I’m running out of time”, and start taking short cuts in your progress. All you end up doing is circumventing the Lords hand in your life. Time with God is on your side.
Mark 4:17
17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
Afflictions and persecutions aren't blessings from God. They come against us from the devil in an attempt to steal away the Word of God. Notice that they come for the Word's sake. Persecution isn't personal like we think. It's all about the Word.
If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that yelps the loudest got hit. That's the way it is with persecution. Those who persecute us the most are the ones that are under the most conviction. It really isn't about us but about the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which they are resisting. Look at Saul on the road to Damascus (Ac 9).
Mark 4:18
18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;
Notice that the seed was scattered everywhere. This was not the type of planting where furrows were made and the seeds evenly spaced. This was sowing where the seeds were just thrown everywhere. Likewise, God's Word is supposed to be given to everyone. We don't just pick a few here and there to share the Word with. We need to give it to everyone. It's true that not everyone will receive, but that's not our business. Our job is to sow everywhere. It's up to the individuals whether or not they receive. We shouldn't make that decision for them. We need to give them that choice. There is always one great aspect to a parable even though there may be many lessons that are taught to us. The great aspect in this parable is Grace, that seed is sown to all forms of ground no matter if they returned fruit or not, the seed is sown indiscriminately. The seed is not bigoted, and neither should we. Grace given to anyone is not determined how good or bad a person is, or nationality, color of skin, how educated one is, how rich or poor, or what stature in society that one exists, Grace is given to all of us.
Mark 4:19
19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
The point being made by this third type of ground is that we only have so much attention. If we want fruitfulness, we need to focus on the Word and not other things that can occupy us. Just as the earth only has so many nutrients and weeds take nourishment that could be going to the desired plant, so all the things of this world will steal energy from us that could be going into the Word of God.
Notice that these aren't necessarily bad things. We have to be occupied with the affairs of this life to a degree. But there has to be a proper balance among job, family, leisure, and the Word. We don't strike this balance once and are through with it. This is something that constantly varies based on our seasons of life. The only way to maintain the proper balance is to maintain a vibrant relationship with the Lord. He will reveal to us any time we begin to be too focused on something other than Him (Php 3:15).
Flew into Newark Liberty Airport one day and took a limo to where I was going. We pulled up to a light and there was a bebopper on the corner with a big old honking radio on his shoulder with music up high and dancing to the beat. It came to my mind about who owned who, did he own the radio or did the radio own him. You see if he owned the radio than why did he have to take it wherever he went? A lot of times the things we own tend to own us.
Mark 4:20
20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
The strength of the laser lies in its focus. If the focus is diffused, the laser ceases to be powerful. Likewise, the power of the Christian is amplified by a single focus (Php 3:13). The way to destroy a man's vision is to give him two.
What made this good ground? Did it have more than the other types of ground? No! It had less. It had less weeds and fewer rocks to drain the nutrients. So for our hearts to be good ground doesn't take more. It takes less--less occupation with the things of the world and more focus on the Lord. So Less is More. Even among those who were fruitful, there were varying degrees of fruitfulness. But this wasn't dictated by the person who sowed the Word. It's all about the condition of the soil it is sown in.
God's Word is an incorruptible seed (1Pe 1:23) and has the same potential in every situation. It's not the Word that is the variable, but rather the condition of the heart that is receiving it.
This should really encourage you. We may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer and not have all the talents and abilities that others have. But if fruitfulness is all about having less, than we can do that. Thank You, Jesus.
13 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?
Jesus was saying that this parable of the sower is the key to understanding all His parables. The interpretation that Jesus gave of this parable provides a model for interpreting all His parables.
Mark 4:14
14 The farmer sows the word.
Jesus wasn't teaching on farming. He was using some truths about farming to illustrate how God's Word works.
It's interesting that He used a natural example like a seed. This is because people can't cheat on sowing and reaping. If He had used a social example like school, people beat the system. They don't pay proper attention in class, but they can cram for the test and pass. They never learned the material. They just figured out a way to cheat. People can't cram for a harvest. They can't wait until the night before a harvest and sow their seeds. This natural system is governed by the unchangeable laws of seed, TIME, and harvest.
This parable illustrates some of the unchangeable laws of how God's Word works. The whole world operates from seeds. There would be no animal, plant, or human life without seeds. Likewise, the whole kingdom of God is dependent on the Word of God. God's Word is to His kingdom the way the world is totally dependent on seeds.
Mark 4:15
15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
Mark 4:14 makes it clear that the seed represents the Word of God. The ground represents people's hearts. There are four different types, or conditions, of hearts represented in this parable.
The first type of heart is one that has no desire toward God's Word. The Word never gets inside of the heart but lays on the surface where it's easily stolen away by the devil.
This same parable was recorded in Mt 13:3-23. In Mt 13:19, Jesus said that Satan has the ability to steal this Word from those who understand it not. Therefore, understanding is the first step in getting God's Word down on the inside of us. This is why we teach children on a level they can understand. Without understanding, Satan has complete access to steal the truths of God's Word from us.
The only one of these four types of ground, or hearts, where Satan has free access to steal away the Word is this first one where there is no understanding. Therefore, understanding is the first step in getting the Word of God to germinate in us.
Mark 4:16
16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
The second type of heart condition described in this parable is one where a person understood the Word and was excited about it, but that person didn't take the time to get God's Word rooted inside. Therefore, the Word did germinate, but it couldn't produce fruit because it didn't have a good root system.
Roots develop underground, out of sight. Most people want the visible results of fruit, but they don't want to develop the root system necessary to produce and sustain the fruit. A seed that germinates in shallow earth will put all its energies into growth above ground, because there is nowhere else for its growth to go. So, at first, it looks better than the seed that is putting its effort into building a good root system. But when the sun starts drying out the plant, the root system isn't there to sustain it, and it will wither and die.
Most people don't like the root-building process. They want to experience the benefits of the Word that are visible in their lives, but they don't want to just spend time alone with God in His Word, letting that Word get rooted and established in them. So, there can be visible results in a person's life who only listens to someone else minister the Word. But when things get tough, only the Word that has personal roots in our hearts will bear fruit.
As a plant must establish a strong root system to sustain its growth, so we must become rooted and grounded in God's Word (Eph 3:17; Col 1:23, and 2:7). Too much attention on visible growth will cause us to become impatient and not take the time to become firmly established in the truths of God's Word. This will always result in fruitlessness.
A seed planted in shallow soil will germinate and grow faster than a seed planted in deep soil. The seed in deep soil will put all of its energy toward the roots first, while the seed in shallow soil has no choice but to put its effort into the growth of the plant above the ground. The plant in shallow soil will look like it is far ahead of the other seed for a while, but that will not last. It soon withers and dies, while the seed with roots grows and brings forth fruit.
Likewise, some Christians get very excited over the promises of God's Word but make the mistake of not getting firmly established in those truths before they "jump out on a limb" with them. This kind of people withers away when the heat is on. We can't live off of someone else's commitment to the Word; we must have root in ourselves (Mr 4:17).
Was living in Chicago in the early 1970’s and in 72 they started to build the Sears Tower. Worked for a bank just three blocks from the Sears Tower and a few of us used to sit across the street on some steps and eat our lunches and watch them build this magnificent building. At this time they were still working on the foundation which took about nine months. One day there was a group of men who were sitting by us who were debating why the foundation was taking so long. They were speculating that maybe there were not enough laborers, union problems, inspection problems, financial problems. Actually it was none of those things, you see the taller the building the deeper the foundation and the longer it takes. The other aspect is that if you’re an eighth of an inch off on the foundation by the time you reach six stories the building would be three and half inches off. The foundation must be perfect and that is why it takes time. If you’ve reached a certain level in your life and things are not fitting it is because you built your life on an imperfect foundation. The only perfect foundation is Jesus Christ.
Notice that afflictions, persecutions, and tribulations are instruments of the devil and are used to stop God's Word from bearing fruit in our lives. They are not good things that God brings our way to improve us. They are instruments of Satan. These things are designed to take our attention off of God's Word, thereby stopping the Word from taking root in us. It's like the runners who spend all of their time in the grandstands arguing with the hecklers over the way they're running the race. They may win an argument, but they will lose the race. We must not let anything distract us from meditating on God's Word day and night, for then we will make our way prosperous and then we will have good success (Jos 1:8). By consistently putting God's Word in first place in every area of our lives, we will let that Word become so rooted in us that nothing can get it out.
Time in God’s kingdom becomes our ally, it matters to our growth process. If one thinks in the flesh that you are running out of time, than that thinking and way of life is earth like. You may be saying to yourself “I’m running out of time”, and start taking short cuts in your progress. All you end up doing is circumventing the Lords hand in your life. Time with God is on your side.
Mark 4:17
17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
Afflictions and persecutions aren't blessings from God. They come against us from the devil in an attempt to steal away the Word of God. Notice that they come for the Word's sake. Persecution isn't personal like we think. It's all about the Word.
If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that yelps the loudest got hit. That's the way it is with persecution. Those who persecute us the most are the ones that are under the most conviction. It really isn't about us but about the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which they are resisting. Look at Saul on the road to Damascus (Ac 9).
Mark 4:18
18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;
Notice that the seed was scattered everywhere. This was not the type of planting where furrows were made and the seeds evenly spaced. This was sowing where the seeds were just thrown everywhere. Likewise, God's Word is supposed to be given to everyone. We don't just pick a few here and there to share the Word with. We need to give it to everyone. It's true that not everyone will receive, but that's not our business. Our job is to sow everywhere. It's up to the individuals whether or not they receive. We shouldn't make that decision for them. We need to give them that choice. There is always one great aspect to a parable even though there may be many lessons that are taught to us. The great aspect in this parable is Grace, that seed is sown to all forms of ground no matter if they returned fruit or not, the seed is sown indiscriminately. The seed is not bigoted, and neither should we. Grace given to anyone is not determined how good or bad a person is, or nationality, color of skin, how educated one is, how rich or poor, or what stature in society that one exists, Grace is given to all of us.
Mark 4:19
19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
The point being made by this third type of ground is that we only have so much attention. If we want fruitfulness, we need to focus on the Word and not other things that can occupy us. Just as the earth only has so many nutrients and weeds take nourishment that could be going to the desired plant, so all the things of this world will steal energy from us that could be going into the Word of God.
Notice that these aren't necessarily bad things. We have to be occupied with the affairs of this life to a degree. But there has to be a proper balance among job, family, leisure, and the Word. We don't strike this balance once and are through with it. This is something that constantly varies based on our seasons of life. The only way to maintain the proper balance is to maintain a vibrant relationship with the Lord. He will reveal to us any time we begin to be too focused on something other than Him (Php 3:15).
Flew into Newark Liberty Airport one day and took a limo to where I was going. We pulled up to a light and there was a bebopper on the corner with a big old honking radio on his shoulder with music up high and dancing to the beat. It came to my mind about who owned who, did he own the radio or did the radio own him. You see if he owned the radio than why did he have to take it wherever he went? A lot of times the things we own tend to own us.
Mark 4:20
20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."
The strength of the laser lies in its focus. If the focus is diffused, the laser ceases to be powerful. Likewise, the power of the Christian is amplified by a single focus (Php 3:13). The way to destroy a man's vision is to give him two.
What made this good ground? Did it have more than the other types of ground? No! It had less. It had less weeds and fewer rocks to drain the nutrients. So for our hearts to be good ground doesn't take more. It takes less--less occupation with the things of the world and more focus on the Lord. So Less is More. Even among those who were fruitful, there were varying degrees of fruitfulness. But this wasn't dictated by the person who sowed the Word. It's all about the condition of the soil it is sown in.
God's Word is an incorruptible seed (1Pe 1:23) and has the same potential in every situation. It's not the Word that is the variable, but rather the condition of the heart that is receiving it.
This should really encourage you. We may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer and not have all the talents and abilities that others have. But if fruitfulness is all about having less, than we can do that. Thank You, Jesus.
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