GaryCombs.org

“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people” (Titus 2:11 NLT).

October 27, 2018

THE GRACE OF GOD SHINING FORTH
The unmerited favor of God has been revealed in Christ, so that all humanity might be saved, both those of low estate and those of high, whether far or near. This grace of God is revealed in the gospel of God (See Col. 1:6). It is sufficient to save all those who believe. Yet, to those who reject it, there is no other means of salvation.

Some have seen in this word, “revealed,” which literally means, “to shine upon,” a comparison to the rising of the sun. For as the sun rises, it does not enlighten the whole earth at once, but steadily is comprehended from east to west as the day progresses. This grace of God, which first shone forth from Calvary’s hill, even now steadily shines into the darkness of this world “as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).

This grace of God now shines forth from every believer whose heart has been set aflame by the gospel, who obey Christ’s great commission to make disciples of all nations.

“I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you” (Titus 1:5 NLT).

October 26, 2018

TITUS AND THE CHURCH OF CRETE
Although it is uncertain when the apostle Paul visited the island of Crete, that he did visit it, and that he left Titus behind to establish its church, is a matter of history. Paul’s pattern would have been to do this work himself, but some pressing concern must have caused him to entrust this foundation work to his spiritual son, Titus.

My wife and I visited Crete in 2013. We walked from the harbor to its capital, Heraklion, and there found the object of our journey, namely, the Agios Titos, the Church of Saint Titus. Within this Greek Orthodox Church, they claim to have the skull of Saint Titus, proudly displaying it in a gold-encrusted setting. The practice of keeping relics is an ancient one and it seems certain that neither Titus nor Paul would’ve wanted such. Yet, the existence of the church, and even the macabre (to Western eyes) relic of Saint Titus, point to the reality that the church planting efforts of Paul and Titus are still in view.

“Baruch, this is what the Lord says: ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ (Jeremiah 45:4-5 NLT).

October 24, 2018

A CHAPTER FOR BARUCH
Amidst prophecies to the Jewish remnant and the nations surrounding Israel, God gave Jeremiah a message for Baruch, Jeremiah’s assistant and scribe. Jeremiah may have been God’s mouthpiece, but Baruch was his pen, and it had left him saying, “Woe is me” (Jer. 45:3). So, God gave a specific word to Jeremiah for Baruch: “Don’t seek great things for yourself. Be satisfied that you have been given your life.” You see, God doesn’t just address kings and nations, he also speaks to individuals. Baruch, who had written down chapter after chapter of Jeremiah’s prophecies, received one little chapter (Jer. 45) all to himself.

As you read God’s Word, do you ever feel that a certain passage was written just for you?

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1 NLT).

October 23, 2018

CHRIST OUR STRENGTH
Paul’s second letter to Timothy is a letter of encouragement from a father to his spiritual son. The affection Paul has for Timothy is evident, yet so is his desire to see him strengthened in his walk. Paul had learned to depend on the grace he received from abiding in Christ to be his strength when all else failed him. As he wrote to the believers in Philippi, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Yet, how do we call on this strength?

It has been my experience that the strength of which Paul speaks is available at the very moment when I make myself available. I have gotten up from a sickbed on many a Sunday morning, taken a shower, dressed and arrived at the church weak as water. Yet, when I stepped into the pulpit a power beyond my own radiated and surged within me, enabling me to preach. If I had not shown up, I would not have experienced this power. I have found that the strengthening of Christ lies just at the point where my strength has run out. The way to tap into that power is a decision to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph. 6:10) when your strength is gone.

If we are to experience this strength that comes from abiding in Christ, we must attempt things that are beyond us, trusting that we can be strong in Christ.

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Timothy 1:6 NLT).

October 22, 2018

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT TO MAINTAIN MY SPIRITUAL ZEAL?
This is the second letter the apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son in the Lord, Timothy. Here, we see Paul boldly reminding Timothy, as a father would a son, to take personal responsibility for his own spiritual zeal. He reminded Timothy of his calling into the ministry and the spiritual gift he had received at ordination, when Paul had affirmed God’s call on his life through the laying on of hands. Having reminded him of his calling and gifting, Paul urged him to “fan into flames” his spiritual gift from God. A fire can’t just be started and left to itself. It must be tended. It needs to be stirred, fresh fuel added, and the bellows used to increase the oxygen that feeds the flame. The gifting of God is like fire. It burns in those called. Yet, the fire must be maintained. Paul reminded Timothy to maintain his fire for God.

The more we pour out in ministry, the more we must pull away to fan into flames our spiritual gifting, so we do not lose our boldness and zeal. Are you fearful or discouraged in your calling? Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you. Be reminded of the passion you once had for God and lean into Him in Scripture reading and prayer until you feel the flames rise anew.

“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others” (1 Timothy 6:18 NLT).

October 21, 2018

THE PURPOSE OF MONEY
Money is not to be trusted. There is a reason our forefathers put “In God We Trust” on our money. We don’t put our faith in money, we put it in God. Money is to be used. If God has made some rich, and everyone in the U.S. is rich by the world’s standards, then He gave it to us to do good in the world.

Hoarding money will impoverish the soul. Using money for good makes one truly rich. Money can be used to make us truly rich in three ways:
1) Rich in good works.
2) Rich in generosity.
3) Rich in sharing with others.

The purpose of money is that it be used to do good.

“Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’” (Jeremiah 35:19 NLT).

October 20, 2018

THE JEHONADAB PROMISE
Jehonadab the Recabite was descended from the Kenites, the family of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro (See 1 Chron. 2:55). The Kenites moved with the “children of Judah into the Wilderness of Judah, which lies in the South near Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people” (Judges 1:16). Jehonadab commanded his children and their descendants, “You and your descendants must never drink wine. And do not build houses or plant crops or vineyards, but always live in tents. If you follow these commands, you will live long, good lives in the land” (Jer. 35:6-7). Centuries later, the prophet Jeremiah learned that the Recabites were still keeping Jehonadab’s command. But what of his promise and what of the promise of God upon his house?

Jehonadab’s promise was that if his children obeyed him, they would live long and good lives in the land. This is simply a restatement of the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Ex. 20:12). So, Jehonadab’s promise was built on the principle of God’s commandment.

But what of God’s additional promise to Jehonadab’s children, that they “will always have descendants who serve me”? The 4th century historian, Eusebius, wrote that when the Jews were stoning James the Just, brother of Jesus, one of the sons of Rehab cried out, saying, “Stop! What are you doing?” Clarke, in his commentary, wrote, “Some suppose that the Essenes, in our Lord’s time, were literally Rechabite’ descendants and that these were they who followed our Lord particularly, and became the first converts to the Gospel.” While both of these reports are unsubstantiated, I believe that there must be a descendent of Jehonadab living and serving the Lord today, because He promised it.

When each of my children left home to go to college, I wrote them a letter, asking them to abstain from alcohol. I quoted this command and promise from Jehonadab in the letter. They agreed to obey their father’s command. I pray that the promise of Jehonadab and the promise of God, would be on my children and my children’s children. Not because they are teetotalers, but because they honor their father and mother, and more than that, they honor God.

“I will never abandon the descendants of Jacob or David, my servant, or change the plan that David’s descendants will rule the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Instead, I will restore them to their land and have mercy on them.” (Jeremiah 33:26 NLT).

October 19, 2018

ARE THERE STILL UNFULFILLED PROMISES FOR ISRAEL?
Some believe that the promises given to Israel now belong to the Church, that God is finished with Israel. However, this prophetic promise given through Jeremiah seems to say otherwise. It was easier to believe that God was finished with Israel from the time of 70 AD, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, until May 14, 1948, when David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel, establishing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years. But this miraculous event makes it look as if there are still unfulfilled promises belonging to Israel.

Although the NLT translates it in the positive, Jeremiah’s prophecy was actually worded as a rhetorical negative, tying it to God’s covenant ruling the heavens and the earth, the day and the night. In other words, “If God doesn’t have laws governing planets and stars, then He will not have a promise concerning Israel.” But since we know that God’s laws concerning the earth and the heavens are still in effect, we must conclude that His promises concerning Israel are still in effect as well. Yet, all these promises are ultimately connected to, and fulfilled by, Jesus the Messiah.

“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT).

October 16, 2018

PAUL’S PURPOSE FOR INSTRUCTING BELIEVERS
Paul’s teaching did not have a goal of increased knowledge, but of increased love. Knowledge is good, but without love, it is nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). The believers in Ephesus loved knowledge so much that their discussions often dissolved into meaningless and endless debates over disputable matters. Paul encouraged Timothy not to scratch their itch for such things, but to focus on instruction that affected the heart, the conscience and built up a genuine faith. In this way, love would be the ultimate outcome.

We can learn from Paul’s purpose for instruction. Our preaching and teaching must have as its aim that believers examine their hearts, repent of sin to clear their conscience and grow in their faith, so that it is proven genuine. This kind of instruction leads to believers who are filled with love.

We preach unto repentance and life change, not only increased knowledge, but increased love.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT).

October 15, 2018

A BENEDICTION OF SHALOM
Although Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians in Greek, as a Jewish background believer he almost certainly had the Hebrew word, “shalom,” in mind when he offered this benediction of peace. Certainly, the word includes the idea of a cessation of hostility, but even more it means that all things are well and at rest. It is the “Lord of Peace” who gives us this peace. For in Christ we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). After His reconciling peace makes us right in our vertical relationship with God, it works inward to give us peace in our minds and hearts and then outward to work peace into our horizontal relationships with others. The Lord Jesus Himself is our shalom, our peace. When we abide in Christ, we have shalom in our souls.