November 17, 2015
James describes the spiritual mindset that the Christian should have when facing trials. What is this mindset? “All joy.” Not happiness, which is based on external happenings, but joy, which comes from within and is the fruit of the Spirit for the believer that abides in Christ. And not partial joy, but “all” joy. Pure and whole joy that comes from the knowledge that God is sovereign and that all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom.8:28). This mindset is a choice of the will, one that can be “counted.” The Greek verb here is in the imperative middle voice, meaning that one is to command oneself to choose joy. Like an accounting term, one can choose to move their emotional response to trials from the sad column to the glad column. Rather than seeing trials as a reason to be discouraged, count them as a reason to trust God all the more.
November 16, 2015
Amidst His words of divine judgment, God gave Israel a promise of a coming shepherd who would lead and feed them as God’s own flock. This shepherd was to be none other than God’s own “servant David,” who would be both shepherd and “prince” (Ez.34:24). This was one of the clearest Messianic prophecies given to Israel. Yet, when Jesus, Son of David, Son of God came, they rejected Him, turning Him over to be crucified on a Roman cross. Jesus the Servant has already come. Jesus the Prince will soon come again.
November 15, 2015
Not only is the “new covenant” sacrifice of Jesus better than the old one instituted under Moses, it is also “better” than the blood sacrifice offered by Abel. While Abel and Jesus have in common that both offered sacrifices acceptable by God and both were killed by their brothers, Christ’s sacrifice is better because both it and the One offering it are better. Jesus is the fulfillment of both Abel’s sacrifice and Moses’ mediation. Without His sacrifice, theirs would be without merit, for theirs is merely a check awaiting His deposit. It is this Jesus that you come “to” when you answer God’s call of salvation.
November 14, 2015
This is one of the purposes of fellowship: mutual “sharpening.” The life of faith is to be lived out in community. First, to be in communion with God and then, with other believers. The life lived in a community of faith offers accountability, so that spiritual growth is encouraged. Sure, when iron strikes iron the sparks may fly, but those committed to the family of God do not pull away, rather they cling to one another, knowing that this is the will of God. This verse is the motto for our church’s men’s ministry, which we call the “Ironmen Ministry.” But the verse is appropriate for all that would desire to live out their faith in community as God commands.
November 13, 2015
Abraham proceeded to obey God’s instruction to sacrifice his son because he trusted in God’s promise concerning Isaac. He had faith in God’s promises and instructions over his own desires. He reasoned that since God had already promised that Isaac was the son by which he would receive the promised generations (Gen.21:12), then God would have to raise Isaac from the dead in order to fulfill it. Of course, God did not require Abraham to follow through with this test of faith. Yet, the quality of Abraham’s faith was revealed by his willingness. His faith led him to put loving God above his love for his son. Abraham’s faith was rewarded in that not only did God provide a goat to die as proxy for Isaac, He also provided His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of the whole world.
November 12, 2015
The assumption that the origin of the universe can be extrapolated from its present visible condition is here denied. The Bible teaches that God spoke the universe into existence, “ex nihilo” (“out of nothing”). We were not there when this happened, but God has revealed this to us through His Word. According to Hebrews, those listed in chapter eleven’s “faith hall of fame” had a faith that included this foundational truth: God created the universe and we are His creation.
November 11, 2015
The Ezekiel passage today about the two adulterous sisters graphically illustrates how God (as the covenantal husband to Israel) felt about the idolatry of Israel (Samaria) and Judah (Jerusalem). After the death of King Solomon, Israel became a divided kingdom. The Northern kingdom called Israel moved its capital to Samaria. They were later conquered by the Assyrians. The Southern kingdom called Judah continued some years after the fall of Israel. The Babylonians conquered Judah whose capital city was Jerusalem. Ezekiel was among those deported from Jerusalem to Babylon during the second deportation. He prophesied that even though Jerusalem had witnessed Samaria’s sin, it didn’t hinder her idolatry. So, God would judge her as He had Samaria.
November 10, 2015
Not only did God send Christ to die for our sins and sanctify us, but He also sent the Holy Spirit to bear “witness” to us, so that the His righteous laws might be written on our hearts and minds. It is by believing in Christ Jesus that we are saved. And it is by the Holy Spirit that we are assured of our salvation. For the Spirit is the inner witness that gives us the awareness of our adoption as children of God, so that we call Him “Abba, Father” (Rom.8:15-16). It is through His inner witness that our hearts and minds are continually sanctified, so that we love God as Father and desire to do His will.
November 9, 2015
Ezekiel was frustrated by Israel’s elders who belittled his message, accusing him of speaking in “parables,” rather than speaking plainly. He expressed his feeling to the Lord, repeating their whispered words back to God. The Lord responded to Ezekiel, whom He called, “Son of Man,” by giving him a more plain word of prophecy (Ezekiel 21). When Jesus came preaching, He often referred to Himself with the same title, “Son of Man,” and often preached in “parables” (Matt.13:13). Then, afterwards He would privately explain the parables to His disciples. The key to understanding the Word of God is believing the Son of God and receiving the Spirit of God that makes things clear. As the apostle Paul explained, those without the Spirit can’t understand the truths of God (1 Cor. 2:14), for they are “foolishness” to them. Yet, those who have the Spirit, also have the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), and are able to understand God’s Word. It is Christ and His Spirit that gives us “ears to hear.”
November 8, 2015
The Tabernacle with all its sacrifices and rituals was “symbolic” for the “perfect tabernacle not made with hands” (Heb.9:11), which is the Christ. It pointed to His fulfillment, which took place when He offered His own blood as redemption for our sins. The sacrificial system with its rules and regulations is no longer necessary. It has been replaced with Christ. The old covenant has been fulfilled and replaced by a new covenant. The old covenant which could not perfect the “conscience,” has been replaced with the blood of Jesus, which can.