Peace is not produced by passivity. Harmony is not a settled state. Man tends toward discord. A close reading of Genesis 3 will reveal that sin caused disharmony between man and his Creator, disharmony between man and creation, and disharmony between man and man. We live in a world where sin is the settled state. Where sin is, there is disunity, discord, and disharmony. Peace must be something we work toward, something we pursue.

The blood of Christ has the power to heal the divide between God and man (Colossians 1:20). But man must be willing to pursue that peace (see 2 Corinthians 5:20). Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Denying self and following after Christ are basic prerequisites to reconciliation with God. Peace with God through salvation does not simply come to us, we must come to God in faith. Once we have been unified with God, we must continue to live by faith to maintain that fellowship with the Divine (1 John 1:3-7).

Of the 10 times that Christians are instructed to positively pursue a virtue or a circumstance, 40% point to peace. We are to “pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19), “strive for peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14), “seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:11), and “pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

God created something unique in the kingdom of Christ. Those drawn together by the blood of Christ are unified in the faith (Galatians 3:23-27). Out of many tribes, peoples, and languages, God created one body. We are charged with maintaining the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). This is not unity in diversity, for “there is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4, 5). We are to be united in the “same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

How can we pursue peace?

Develop the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5)

Jesus is the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). If we have his mind, then our attitude will be one that makes for peace (1 Peter 3:8-11).

Treat others better than yourself (Romans 12:10-21)

A humble, servant attitude will produce far more light than heat. Christians are to compete with each other in only one area. We are to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10b). When others mistreat us or harm us, we are to restrain ourselves from retaliation (Romans 12:17, 19), and actively do good to them (Romans 12:14, 20, 21).

Go to them (Matthew 5:23, 24; Matthew 18:15)

Jesus’ teachings on conflict resolution picture two people running toward each other to be reconciled. If we have wronged a brother, we are to go to him (Matthew 5:23, 24). Our worship is not desired until reconciliation is accomplished. If a brother has wronged us, we are not to stew over it or spew it to the church gossip, but we are to go to him (Matthew 18:15). How much strife would cease if we submitted to God and dealt with our difficulties in a Christ-like manner?

Friends, peace must be pursued. Peace requires a Christ-like heart, a humble attitude, and submissive actions. Are you pursuing peace (Psalm 34:14)?

Lee Parish

Our federal government is based upon a “checks and balance” system. The President, vetoing a bill of congress or congress not passing the President’s proposed legislation are examples of the “checks and balances” system on the executive and legislative levels. In other words, each branch of the government keeps the other branches in line. Likewise, there are certain words, which when applied to one’s character serve as a “checks and balance” system. “Zealousness” and “knowledge” are two such words.

Zealousness
Zealousness without knowledge is dangerous. Sometimes a congregation will consist of two or three members who are “babes in Christ” and who are overflowing with zeal. They are so enthusiastic about the work of the Lord that they want to push all kinds of programs. The motives and intentions of such individuals are not in question at all. But all too often the programs are pushed without any regard for feelings of others or possible unwanted consequences. In some cases, programs or ideas are pushed with or without the elders’ consent. The incident then becomes not only a bad situation but also an unscriptural one. We read of elders overseeing the flock (Acts 20:28), but I fail to find in my Bible where zealousness qualifies one to overstep the elders and take the oversight. The apostle Paul said of the Jews in Romans 10:2, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” Young men (and a few old ones) need to have experienced, well-grounded Christians to keep them in line. One of the causes of the division of the kingdom under the Old Covenant was because Rehoboam “forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him” (I Kings 12:8). Zealousness is a must-but it must be accompanied by knowledge.

Knowledge
Just as dangerous as zealousness without knowledge is knowledge without zealousness. The Lord’s church is filled with too many lazy members who are content with “keeping house for the Lord.” This was never the Lord’s intent “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37, 38). A Christian is something somebody is, not just merely what someone is called.  John records in Revelation 3:15 concerning thechurch in Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, I would that you were cold or hot.” Perhaps a few of the older members need to be prodded by the zealous workers. If the prod is justified and done in the proper spirit, the older ones should not despise the youthfulness of the younger. (1 Tim. 4:12)

Zealousness without knowledge, perhaps, will affect more people, but knowledge without zealousness is just as sinful. The opposite of zealousness is “apathy.” The antonym of knowledge is “ignorance” – the church needs neither. Try being a Christian without knowledge or zealousness and there will always be a vast void. Would that all God’s people were zealous and knowledgeable!

– by Larry R. Houchen

In this series of articles we’ll take a gander at both, simple and complex, terms found within the literature of the Old Testament. The purpose of this study is to have a richer understanding of God’s people in the ancient times and how that directly correlates with us as 21st century Christians. For this article in particular, we’ll be studying the tabernacle.

The tabernacle played a significant role in the timeline of the Jews. For the first time since Eden, God told His people that He wanted to “dwell in their midst” (Ex. 25:8). This was going to become the location in which the heavenly and the earthly met in harmony with one another. In the following chapters God proceeds to give specific instructions regarding the architecture of the tabernacle, including its furnishings. This is also the context where the ark of the covenant originated. It is at the ark in which God will meet with Moses (Ex. 25:22).

Since the Israelites were not yet in the promised land, they needed a tent of meeting that could be transported as they journeyed along their way. The tabernacle consisted of a total of ten curtains, along with the outer coverings. These primary fabrics were blue, purple, and scarlet in color. Precious metals such as bronze, silver, and gold were utilized in the construction. Tanned leather of goats and rams served as the outer covers. Needless to say, this tabernacle was unlike any other tent in existence at the time. Despite it being a collapsible place of meeting, it was extravagant in appearance.

The presence of the Lord was seen by way of a cloud covering the tabernacle and no one would enter it at that time (Ex. 40:34). The cloud guided the people by day, and the fire in the sky guided by night (Ex. 40:38). The Levites were the ones in charge of transporting the tabernacle. They set it up whenever they settled and broke it down whenever they journeyed (Num. 1:50).

This transportable tent became the focal point of prayer and sacrificial offerings. It was the dwelling place of God among the people before the temple was constructed. To the Jewish mind, there was an inexpressible joy of coming to a place where God dwelt. This tent was the main way for man to commune with the divine until the construction of the temple began in Jerusalem (1 Chron 22:1ff).

In 1 John 3:24, John enlightens his readers by telling them, “whoever keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him.” What’s better than God abiding with man? Simply the opportunity for man to abide with God. We have the privilege to dwell with God while traveling through this wilderness we call life.

Tyler King

People love bargains (Black Friday anyone?). We look for discounts, sales, freebees, and products at the best value. We look for deals on clothes, groceries, furniture, and just about everything else. In most aspects of live, we love to cut corners or get the most out of something without having to give up as much. Unfortunately, sometimes we also look for Christianity at a bargain as well.

What do we mean by “bargain Christianity”?  Think of it this way, every religion claims to be able to show how to get to heaven, but nearly every one of them has a different way to get there. As a result, many people end up settling for the “brand of Christianity” that requires the least amount of effort from them. They want to get to heaven at a bargain price.

Honestly, if there were multiple ways to get to heaven, we would most definitely choose the easiest one. This isn’t the reality though. Even though another religion may seem like a steal, they will prove to be nothing more than a gimmick or a knockoff of true Christianity. Scripture has always made it clear that there is a very specific and limited way to reach heaven.  Jesus said in the singular tense, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).  To make it even clearer, Jesus talked about one, and only one, road that leads to life, and the other road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).  The inspired apostle Paul reinforced this idea by saying, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

There is no such thing as a “bargain Christianity.” Either we are a part of the one and only church found in Scripture (Acts 2:37-47), or we are being deceived by Satan and those who are “disguised as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15; 4:3-4; Matthew 7:21-23).  The only way to know the truth is to line up with the Bible’s commands.

Are you part of the one church found in Scripture?  Would you like to know more about the Christianity found in the Bible?  Do you have questions?  If so, please let us know so we can study and find the truth together.

Brett Petrillo

“How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us?’ But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?” (Jeremiah 8:8-9, ESV).

How often have we heard or said, “You cannot believe everything you read?” Human writers make mistakes. They also are always influenced by their own preconceptions, experience, education, and abilities, to say nothing of pressure from outside to conform to the demands of others. Sometimes, sadly, they just plain lie.

Even when it comes to sacred Scripture, which is from God and therefore is true (2 Timothy 3:16-17), we today are dependent upon other humans to preserve, translate, and explain it to us (as in Nehemiah 8:5-8). God’s word is absolutely dependable. Human teachers, not so much so.

I was with Bangla friends in a communications store a few years ago. There were signs in the window telling of the services which the store provided. I read one of the signs that was printed in the Bangla language. An employee laughed and said, “You are reading that from the English, not the Bangla.” Until then I had not noticed that the other window, on the opposite side of the door had a similar sign printed in English. I replied, “No, I am reading the Bangla – the English is not the same.” My companions laughed and agreed that the wording differed.

English readers of the Bible today are blessed to be heirs of nearly 700 years of Bible translation, primarily by sincere believers whose goal was to render God’s words as accurately as possible into the language of the common man (that is, those who knew English). Some translations have been primarily or entirely the work of one person. Others have been done by committees of various sizes. The modern reader has a wide range of choices, most of which are demonstrably scholarly and accurate. If there is any doubt as to the fidelity of a particular translation to the original one has many others with which to compare it.

But whenever humans are involved, mistakes can be made, and errors can be introduced either accidentally or deliberately. Jeremiah warned Israel to trust God’s word, but be wary of the scribes (copyists and teachers). Our Bibles are reliable, especially when one studies from multiple translations. But commentaries and other study helps must always be read critically with awareness of the limitations of any writer.

We should always be mindful of the responsibility of the reader or hearer. Note that Jeremiah concludes concerning the wise men who read the scribes’ writings, “Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?” One who listens to men, regardless of the claims they make, and follow error, are themselves responsible.

The young prophet from Judah who died because he believed what an older prophet told him (1 Kings 13:1-32) is an example of this responsibility. God had given him direct instructions. The older prophet claimed to have his own, contradictory, message from God. But that man was lying. When the young prophet believed and followed his instructions God pronounced judgment upon him, not the lying older man.

Many today blindly trust and follow a particular preacher, commentator, or church tradition, not trying to determine their accuracy. The Bible clearly warns us that the reader will account for what and whom he or she believes and follows.

Michael Brooks

A retired couple in France moved to a rural community and then issued a formal complaint about the noise in the small town. There was a local rooster who was crowing too early and too loudly in the morning. The owner, a Corinne Fesseau defended her bird in the court of law, saying that the rooster was only doing what roosters were born to do. Ms Fesseau had grown up on an island off the west coast of France and roosters were part of her life. The French court is pending a decision soon.

Roosters were born to crow. And humans were born to serve God, to worship God. That is our purpose in life.

Not only is it a reflection of God’s wisdom to give our lives purpose, but it is also God’s wisdom to tell us that our lives have purpose. Consider some thoughts from Ecclesiastes.

The pursuit of wisdom (chapters 1-2) fits the gift given Solomon by God, recorded in 1 Kings 3. Additionally, the extended list of building pursuits recorded in Ecclesiastes 3 fit Solomon’s desires and plans as recorded in 1 Kings 5-10. It is popular among “scholars” to reject Solomon’s authorship but it is humorous to hear them admit that the author is, however, a “Solomon-like” figure.

Solomon provides the theme of the book in the second verse: “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” This word can mean “vain, empty, futile.” To repeat the word, as Solomon does here, is a Hebrew way of expressing the superlative: “the most empty of emptiness.” See Song of Solomon 1:1 where he does the same thing: the “song of songs.”

So, Solomon says, “All is empty. Futile. Worthless.” Seriously? Some have suggested that Ecclesiastes is too pessimistic to be a work of faith. Here is an exercise for you. Read through this book (it should take less than 20 minutes) and underline these three phrases: “under the sun (29x),” “under heaven (3x),” and “striving after wind (22x).”

If you were to take God out of the picture or if you simply look at life from the perspective of heaven, this life is not very important or significant. Allow me to elaborate a little.

If there is no God or if you live your life as if there is no God, then “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” (cf. 1 Cor. 15:32). Yes, life is a cycle and it ends nowhere (if there is no God). Live the way you desire. Pursue what you want to pursue. Do what makes you feel good. If there is no God, there are no moral laws and you are free to steal, kill, rape, pillage, extort, cheat, lie, etc. Because life is going nowhere anyway. (I’m thankful that most atheists live above their moral “foundation.”)

On the other hand, since there is a God and He has designed a new heaven and earth that puts this one to shame, this life is ultimately of little significance. It is significant in that we show God here and now that we love Him supremely and we serve our fellow man sacrificially (cf. Matt. 22:37-39). This is the time and place to prove to God that we want to be in heaven with Him. Early in the book, Solomon warns his audience that there is a judgment coming (3:17) and therefore, we need to fear God (5:7).

But, because the life to come is so much quantitatively better and qualitatively superior to this life (so much so that we will not even remember at least the bad things that will happen in this life: Rev. 7:17), this life does not hold much importance, much significance for the Christian.

Solomon has lived his life with gusto and did not withhold his hand or his heart from anything he thought would bring pleasure and significance to life. But he summarizes for us what he had found:

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil (Ecc. 12:13-14).

Keep in mind the purpose of life. Fear God and keep His commandments. It helps keep all of life in perspective.

Paul Holland

As I stood there with a cup of coffee in hand, my friend Michael approached me. The conversation we shared was primarily about the teen devo that had just concluded. We got to a standstill in the conversation and somehow he began telling me about Tanzania. He described the people, the church, the sights, and the opportunities. He then abruptly concluded his dialogue by inviting me to go on his next trip. A thousand things rushed to my mind as I stood there gripping my mug with both hands: I didn’t even know Tanzania was a country prior to our conversation, I didn’t have a passport, I wasn’t vaccinated for a trip like that, I didn’t have the funds, and the trip was only three months away.

Three months later I found myself on a plane that was taking me halfway around the world. The next two weeks were life-changing. I was discovering a life that had been veiled for 22 years. I experienced something that went far beyond my imagination. Here are five quick (not exhaustive) reasons why you should consider mission trips.

1. It will change your view of the biblical text – If you were born and raised in America, then you are very acclimated to the Western mind. However, there is a different mindset when you travel elsewhere. Far too often, people complain how scripture is “outdated.” That’s not the case in other cultures. Experiencing some of these countries will give you a new lens to read scripture through.
2. You will experience a little bit of heaven – One thing we know for sure about heaven is there will be fellowship. Fellowship with God and the saints (Rev. 21). There are Christians in parts of the world that you haven’t ever heard about. When you travel to different places, it brings you in closer proximity of the worldwide brotherhood of saints. To me, there are fewer things more encouraging than knowing I have family in the villages of Tanzania and the jungles of Cambodia. We are not alone in this world.
3. Mutual Encouragement – There aren’t a whole lot of opportunities in life where there is a mutual benefit; meaning it is good for both parties. While joy can be gleaned from service, it doesn’t always guarantee happiness. Sometimes we shun happiness for the sake of striving for joy, but what if you could have both? There is great joy and happiness that takes place when you build bonds with Christians around the world. Paul talks of this in Romans 1:12.
4. It will remove the “comfy box” – I had a very good list of reasons why I shouldn’t have gone on that first trip. A journey to a different part of the world forces you to expand your horizon of comfortability. Jesus could have very easily avoided the discomfortable region of Samaria, but He didn’t (John 4). Jesus could have commissioned the apostles to preach only in their areas, but He didn’t (Acts 1:8). While yes, our backyard is a mission field, sometimes a trip outside of your “comfy box” is good for the soul and the souls around you.
5. It will build your relationship with God – This is without a doubt one of the most influential aspects of a mission trip. Want to learn how to pray? Put yourself in a situation where you absolutely have to rely on God to get you through. Want to learn how to study? Engage in a conversation where a person is starving for truth and you have to lean on your biblical knowledge to navigate the dialogue. Want to learn how to better your attitude? Observe how people who have nothing can smile and sing because they know their ‘nothing’ will turn into everything.

I went home after Michael invited me to Tanzania and I researched the country. I learned that it was a beautiful country in East Africa and home to iconic places like Kilimanjaro and Meru. I obtained my passport which would eventually allow me to make future trips back to Tanzania, Israel, and Cambodia. I reached out to some congregations that I knew and was blessed by their support and encouragement to go to on a mission trip. Three months turned out to be a perfect amount of time for me to gather my travel gear and purchase the tickets. God took my excuses and turned them into exclamations of His presence.

Tyler King

The Bible begins with the creation of light by a word from God, Genesis 1.3. It ends with a mention of the light of God, tying it with the privilege of his people reigning forever: “Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever” Revelation 22.5.

Light is important as a Bible theme because:

1. God is light, 1 John 1.5

Light comes into being as a result of God’s power. The creation started with light. God spoke and it existed. Its creation before the heavenly bodies speaks to its nature as emanating from God. We speak, rightly so, of the moon not having its own light but only reflecting the light of the sun. Similarly, no heavenly body — sun or stars — has, in one true sense, any light of its own. God put them there. He caused them to exist and to shine. He is the only real source of light.

John affirmed that “God is light” 1 John 1.5. Light is his nature. By this use of the word light, John means his truth (revelation), holiness, and life. God’s light is our starting point. His light determines who we are, how we think and act, what our very goal in life is.

In Jesus we are able to see with greater clarity and brilliance the light of God. “I am the light of the world” John 8.12. He is the “light of life.” But many prefer to walk in darkness, John 3.19. There can be no life or light without following and obeying Jesus.

2. Christians are light, Ephesians 5.7-10

Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light — for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Here, light becomes a spiritual concept. It emphasizes the conflict between light and darkness, between good and evil. “So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light” Romans 13.12. It also reminds us that light overcomes darkness, so that the two are not equal, John 1.5. That’s an encouraging truth!

If Christians are light, they ought to live according to its reality. Only in this way can they please God and cause others to glorify him, Matthew 5.16.

It is a glorious thing that what Jesus says of himself he also says of Christians: “You are the light of the world.”

3. The church is light, 1 Peter 2.9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

The one and only church of Jesus Christ exists only because of God’s calling. (All other groups are the product of man.) That calling pulls us into his light. His light is marvelous.

Last week, our brother in Christ, Ron Jackson, was here from Florida for a week of meetings with his employer. He taught and preached in the congregations here, even with a heavy schedule of meetings in his job. He cited a sister in Christ who mentioned that she was “too blessed to be stressed.” When we perceive the marvelous nature of God’s light, and the royal identity that is ours as his people, we will walk humbly with God, trusting in his care, joyous in his presence.

Abiding in God’s light means possessing the mission to shine that light as his church. We have no other mission than this, to “proclaim.” Proclamation is done with words, with explanations of how to leave the darkness by answering God’s call to enter the light. The gospel is a message spoken with carefully prepared words about who Jesus is and what he accomplished on earth.

Draw near to the light

So are you drawing near to God for light? Are you drawn to Jesus as its source? Do you find in his word the power to produce light in you? Are you shining your light in the world? Are you a part of the one church, where light is? Are you proclaiming with words, teaching others about God’s marvelous light?

“… come, let us walk in the Lord’s guiding light” Isaiah 2.5.

J. Randal Matheny

We have a very simple question to ask: Is your heart right with God? As you think about your answer to this most important of all questions, we’d like you to consider these observations:

1) You might as well be honest about this, because “if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (1 John 3:20). So then, if you have never obeyed the gospel, or if you are unfaithful in your service as a Christian, you ought to own up to the reality of your dangerous spiritual condition — after all, you can’t hide these things from God.

2) Judgment is as certain as life itself. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

3) In light of these facts, perhaps you should begin right now thinking about a good excuse that you can use on the judgment day. A few favorites will surely be: “I was too busy”, “I didn’t feel well”, “I had family obligations”, “My work demanded so much of my’ time”, “The people at church were unfriendly”, “I didn’t like the preacher, or the elders, or the teachers, or….” Feel free to pick one of these, or perhaps you can come up with one of your own that seems more appropriate to your own particular situation.

4) We must warn you, however, that the excuse you choose, no matter how good it seems, will not be good enough. (Read Matthew 7:21-23 and 25:31-46) The truth of the matter is that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

5) So our best advice then is to get right with God. It is ultimately important, and excuses just won’t get the job done – not now, and certainly not in judgment.

– by Greg Gwin

Typically, when the doctrine of God’s providence is discussed, a handful of well-known Scriptures are used to illustrate his protective care and blessings. For example, we frequently reference Joseph (Genesis 50:19-20), Esther (Esther 4:14), and Onesimus (Philemon 15), but rarely have we referenced the following passage I want you to consider.

When Israel crossed the Jordan to take possession of the “promised land,” the nations in Canaan took up arms against them and did what they could to destroy them. The Philistines, Amalekites, Moabites, and others were constantly at war with Israel. They continually sought out ways to destroy Israel and exploit any weakness they could find. (Numbers 30:16).

With their environment understood, consider one of the commands God gave Israel.  God commanded all the men in Israel to travel to Jerusalem three times a year to worship (Deuteronomy 16:16). Have you ever considered how vulnerable that would have left Israel? With all the men gone from all the villages, Israel’s enemies could have easily overrun these cities and villages occupied only by women and children? Three times a year, Israel made themselves vulnerable to their enemies who wanted to destroy them. Yet, there is not a single example of which I am aware, of any raid by Israel’s enemies during these times when the men were gone from their cities.

The question that begs to be asked is, “Why not?” Why didn’t Israel’s enemies take advantage of this vulnerability? The Bible gives us the answer.  God said, “Three times a year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the God of Israel. For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year” (Exodus 34:23-24).

Did you see that? The reason Israel didn’t suffer during a period of extreme vulnerability is because of God’s providence and protection. He promised that the enemies of Israel would not covet Israel’s land when the men were on their pilgrimage three times a year. Don’t you find that interesting? Doesn’t that impress you with the power of God and the control he wields in the affairs of men?

Next time you feel overwhelmed and defeated, you need to remember that you serve a powerful God who answers prayer and promises to work on our behalf for our good.

By Steve Higginbotham

“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He declared in a loud voice: ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!’” (Revelation 14:6-7 NET).

John’s Revelation is not the most straightforward scripture. There are many explanations and interpretations, some of which have merit and some are more in the realms of fantasy. But whatever interpretation we want to place on it, there are some eternal truths that we can see in the word-pictures that John used to paint a picture for us.

In this picture, John saw three angels with three messages. The first one has a message that we can easily apply today. The message is simple: we need to “fear God and give him glory.” And he gives a reason: “because the hour of his judgment has arrived.”

But why judgment? Throughout this revelation, we have the forces of evil battling against Jesus and his people. Finally, a time of judgment has arrived. And for God’s people, this is good news!

The angel “had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth.” This message was for everyone: all nations, languages, and people. No one is exempt from this message. This is “good news.”

The word for “gospel” if literally translated would be “good news.” And this good news that the angel is proclaiming is “eternal.” It does not have an end. How can a message of judgment be good news?

It is good news for those who are God’s people. The picture immediately preceding this one is of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 of his followers (Revelation 14:1-5). The Lamb is consistently identified in the Revelation as being Jesus. The simplest explanation for the 144,000 is that this is all of God’s people – not a literal total number but that this number represents all of God’s followers.

God’s people have been persecuted throughout their history. We can read about those who opposed Christians throughout the book of Acts and into the letters of the apostles. History tells us that this continued, not only under the Roman emperors but in all ages. And we know that there are many who oppose God’s people today.

Judgment is good news because God’s people are victorious! They have remained faithful and are ready for eternity with the Lamb. The persecution and suffering are now over.

God is to be feared – he has the power of judgment. And God is to be given glory for taking care of his people. We are to worship him. He is the Creator of everything: “heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” The one who has the power to create has the power to judge his creation.

What is the lesson for us? We need to be God’s people. We need to hang on even when the going gets tough. We need to live with the realization that judgment is coming. If we are faithful, that is eternal good news!

Jon Galloway

FEAR OF MAN KEEPS US FROM FAITHFULNESS – 12:42-43:

    The motivation for this lack of obedience, this lack of confession in our context (ver. 43) is that these men loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. I want you to notice that the word “approval” (NASV) is actually the Greek word for “glory.” In other words, Isaiah saw the “glory” of Christ but these Jews loved the “glory” from men rather than the “glory” that comes from obedience to God. How can we overemphasize that our highest conviction and desire must be the approval of God, before anyone or anything else (see Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:4)?

    May God help us to love His message supremely and stay faithful to it.

TRUST IN JESUS MEANS TRUST IN GOD – 12:44-46:

    Notice in verse 45 that Jesus associates Himself in His essence with God the Father: “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.” That is a statement regarding the very nature of Jesus Christ. Rachel and I are one because we are married, but it is not true that if you have seen me, you’ve seen Rachel. We are too different for that statement to be true. But it is true with Jesus and the Father. See Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3. 

    You and I have a different perspective on this world because we walk in the light of Jesus Christ. The less we study the life and teachings of Jesus, the more we will be overwhelmed by the darkness of this world. We need to be careful that we do not allow uninspired man to influence us more than inspired men, Jesus and His apostles and prophets.

THE SAYINGS OF JESUS GIVE US LIFE – 12:47-50:

    Why is Jesus’ words so important? Because in verse 49 we are told that He did not speak on His own initiative, but God the Father commanded Jesus what to say and what to speak.

    If Jesus did not take any initiative in teaching something new, nor should I. If Jesus only taught what the Father commanded Him to teach then I should only teach what Jesus has commanded me to teach. And the only way to do that is to use book, chapter, and verse and only interpreted correctly in their own context. 

    On the way to the cross, Jesus taught us we should stay faithful despite our fears; we should trust Jesus because He is one with the Father; and we should follow Jesus’ sayings because they will give us life. 

Paul Holland

“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength, but wisdom brings success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV).

I recently watched a man in South Asia cut down a mahogany tree with a hatchet. The tree was probably 20 inches or so in diameter, with a fairly full top, and he climbed up near the top then began trimming branches. When he had it trimmed down to the main trunk only, then he came to the ground and cut it at the roots. Some of the work he did with a crosscut saw, but most was with a hand ax. If you have never tried it, take it from me, that is a hard job. This man did it well, and it did not take a very long time.

One secret to his ease and quickness was that before he started, he took several minutes to use his hone and sharpen the blade of his ax. Dull axes don’t cut well. A sharp edge will make any cutting job easier and faster, and it will produce a much better overall result.

The Preacher of ancient Israel (also known as the author of Ecclesiastes) understood this principle. One can expend energy and time in preparing properly for a task, or one can spend extra energy and time in trying to complete a task for which he lacks tools, skills, or proper planning. To an inexperienced person, time spent sharpening an ax may seem like time that is wasted. The truth is one often saves much time in the long run by using a little to prepare well before the job is begun.

Notice the last line of the text quoted above. “But wisdom brings success.” In this case, it was wise to sharpen the axe. Experience teaches us and one is wise who learns those lessons. Folly is to neglect one’s tools and so make his work more difficult.

There are other applications of this simple saying. First one must recognize that the ax is dull. Not everyone knows how to do that. Not everyone thinks to do it. But those who correctly evaluate the situation avoid problems from the very beginning. To do a job efficiently one must acquire the proper tools and skills, and enlist sufficient help. Or in other words, make good preparation.

Finally this saying illustrates that when one uses his mind he may often spare his back. Thinking to sharpen the ax meant that he did not have to use as much strength. Wisdom helps us in many ways, not least to avoid unnecessary and unproductive effort.

The proverb presented by the Preacher is not primarily intended as a guide to forestry or cutting trees. He placed it at the end of a brief paragraph about work (Ecclesiastes 10:8-10). In the previous verses he stated that one may suffer as a result of well-meant efforts. For example one who works in a stone-quarry may have one fall on him. One who cuts wood may be injured in his labor. That is the nature of certain tasks – they are dangerous. But he is not suggesting that his readers refuse any work that includes risks. Rather he is advising that the worker be aware of the risk and take appropriate precautions.

That is a fair and accurate appraisal of life. We will face hardship. Whatever we do may endanger us. But if we prepare well, and take heed of the dangers, we have a good opportunity for success. That is true both physically and spiritually. In the Preacher’s experience, if one sharpens his ax and works carefully he will be blessed in life.

Michael Brooks

When you see a dirty face in the mirror, you wash your face, not the mirror. Likewise when we see error in our lives, portrayed by truth revealed in the Bible, let us simply clean up our lives and quit criticizing the Bible.

What do you think of a man who breaks a mirror because he doesn’t like what he sees? Then what do you think of one who criticizes the truth that simply reveals the inner man that we can’t see with the physical eye?

– by Leslie Diestelkamp

In May 2015, six people died as the result of a passenger train derailment. The modern Amtrak train was carrying 238 passengers and five crew members when it left the track in Philadelphia. At least 140 of those riders were hospitalized. Federal investigators and Amtrak officials concluded the train was simply going too fast around a curve, causing the locomotive to get off the right track.

How many times do we get “off track” by getting in too big of a hurry? We rush to judgment, we jump to conclusions, and we are quick to make a verdict without getting all the facts.
• Job’s friends got off track when they jumped to the wrong conclusion and caused Job to ask, “How long will you torment me And crush me with words. These ten times you have insulted me; You are not ashamed to wrong me” (Job 19:1-3).
• The Israelites got off track. They almost caused a civil war because of making the wrong assumption, falsely thinking an altar built was out of rebellion against God (Joshua 22:9-34).
• Samuel got off track and tried to anoint all of Jesse’s sons except the right one. He based his judgment, rashly, on the wrong facts (1 Samuel 16:7).
• The Ammonites got off track when they thought David was sending someone to spy and conquer when in truth, he wanted to show kindness (1 Chronicles 19:2-3).

We must not get in such a big hurry that we get off track. “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools” (Eccl. 7:9). That is why we are not to “go out hastily to argue your case,” the wise man says. Instead, God tells us to “Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another” (Prov. 25:8-10). We must not judge by appearance. We must not decide based on hearsay (Isaiah 11:3). If we would follow the “Golden Rule” and treat others the same way we want them to treat us (Luke 6:31), how likely would we be to get off track? If we remembered “the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” (Galatians 5:14), how likely would we be to stay on the right track?

A train that goes too fast will wind up only causing destruction and grief. The same is true when we get in too big of a hurry to point the finger, cast the accusation, and play judge and jury. More times than not, we will get off track – and death and destruction will be the only outcome.

Corey Sawyers

“Reality Shows,” especially those dealing with dysfunctional family relationships, have one thing in common with our study of the Jews: both make us feel better about ourselves, because “At least we aren’t as bad as _______.” As we look at some dialogue from Jeremiah 2, we see God using the analogy of a husband and his bride’s relationship in talking about His and the Jews’ relationship. GOD EXPECTS FAITHFULNESS! Let’s notice Five P’s that God addresses with His bride.

THE PARABLE (2:1-3). Notice there was devotion, love, promises (betrothals), obedience, trust, exclusivity, and purity. Remember when you were first married, and would ask, “Will it always be that wonderful?” The Lord was the same way!

FIRST PERVERSION – Idolatry – (2:4-13). God asks them, “Why did you forget Me?” They forgot Him in worship, and in leaving Him for one who is no god. What if your spouse forgot about you? God’s bride had.

THE PUNISHMENT (2:14-17). God tells the Jews they would be slaves and prey, and that they have done this to themselves. If your spouse had forgotten you and forsaken you, wouldn’t you want to punish them? God said that they now deserved to be punished.

SECOND PERVERSION – Spiritual Adultery – (2:18-30). God said they had chosen to leave Him for another, despite all I have done for them. They had committed spiritual adultery. So, he asks, “Will your adulterous love now save you?” What if you found out your spouse was one of these people who had a secret life in another state with another spouse and family? God was upset that they had turned from Him.

THE PLEADING (2:31-32). Look at how God pleads. Listen to Me! Look to Me! Do not deny Me nor forget Me! What if your spouse had done all of these things? Would you be pleading for them to come back? If so, what kind of love and forgiveness would that take? Despite His begging, they would not hear Him.

THIRD PERVERSION – Self-Centeredness (2:33-37). They only cared about only what they wanted, not about the needs of others. How would you like a spouse that cared nothing for you? That describes with what God was dealing.

We can watch the shows and read about the Jews all day long. However, the truth is, now we are the bride (Eph. 5:22-33). What kind of bride to Christ are we collectively and individually? God still expects faithfulness. He knows what we have and have not done and will punish us if we do not return. He is begging and pleading for us to turn back to Him. He wants to show us love and forgiveness. However, He only will if we are a faithful bride!

Corey Sawyers

“Now a certain leader asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”’ The man replied, ‘I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth.’” (Luke 18:18-21)

Most people that I know want the best out of life and to have the best life possible. The man Jesus was talking with wanted this. From what we can see he was living a good life. He was a Jew, one of God’s chosen people, and he was faithfully, wholeheartedly, following God’s commands. But he was missing something. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” he asked Jesus.

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy.” (Luke 18:22-23)

Although the man was very wealthy, he seems to have lacked compassion in his life, especially compassion towards those who were poor. It would seem he was hoarding his wealth for himself. Jesus recognized what this man needed in order to have the life that would lead to eternal life. He needed to learn to rely on God and not on the wealth he had accumulated. The solution? Sell it all and give it to the poor, thus securing real treasure, treasure in heaven. Then follow Jesus as the Messiah.

This man became very sad because he was “extremely wealthy.” How would we feel if Jesus asked this of us? Often when we study this we are very quick to point out that he doesn’t ask this of everyone. And that is true, as we can see many in the book of Acts who sold what they had and some (like Mark’s mother Mary) who had a house and servants.

Perhaps we are often quick to justify our own wealth, to justify spending what we have on ourselves. But isn’t this the problem Jesus was addressing? The man’s problem seems to have been similar to the man in another parable Jesus told. If you remember, this man had a bumper crop and needed more storage space so he could store it all and have a good life. Too often we think only of ourselves rather than how we can use our blessings to further Jesus’ mission of seeking and saving the lost, of being a blessing to others.

“When Jesus noticed this, he said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’ Those who heard this said, ‘Then who can be saved?’” (Luke 18:24-26)

Those who heard what Jesus said are similar to many today. We think that if a person is successful in making money, then God must be blessing him. Jesus said the opposite: the rich will struggle to enter God’s kingdom. Why? Because wealth can cause them to trust in themselves and what they have rather than in God.

There was a gate in Jerusalem known as “the eye of the needle” which would be very difficult for a camel to get through, especially if it were loaded down. Some think this is what Jesus was referring to, but I believe it was more than this. A camel could never go through the eye of a real needle. Neither can a person who trusts in his wealth enter God’s kingdom.

Although it is easy to point our fingers at others, we need to examine ourselves. What are we doing with the blessings God has given us?

Photo by Jon Galloway: “the eye of the needle” (on left) in Alexander Nevsky Church, Jerusalem

Jon Galloway

As a listener, you might wonder why you should know what it takes for preaching to be what it should be. You are, after all, the listener, not the speaker. Yet it is worth noting that when Paul warned about a falling away he placed some of the blame on those who listen: “people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:4).

Observe the drift from faithfulness to faithlessness: “People will not endure sound teaching” (that’s you, the listener). “But having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their passions … and will turn away from listening to the truth.” At some point, the truth will no longer matter, only that which feeds our desires. And, finally, their drift will be complete: “And wander off into myths.”

How did we get here? The answer is slowly, and with the connivance of the listeners. The following are some funny things I have heard about preaching:

• “Preachers Shouldn’t Tell Jokes”: In other words, they shouldn’t illustrate, tell funny stories and so on. Although the ultimate judgment of a sermon lies not in its entertainment value, an effective sermon might be entertaining while also being true. Jesus told parables. Stories (Matthew 13:34)! It seems the outstanding characteristic of Jesus’ preaching style was in illustrations! He was the master illustrator.
• “Your Sermons Are So Simple Anyone Can Understand Them”: Some teachings are hard because they are hard to understand (John 6:60). Other teachings are hard, not because we do not understand them, but because we understand them only too well!

The Bible is divided into two kinds of material: The milk of the word that is appropriate for helping the young to grow and the meat of the word, which mature church members would find rewarding to “chew” on (Hebrews 5:11,12).

• “I Like Him; He’s Eloquent”: This is the Apollos syndrome (Acts 18:24). Paul declined to use words of wisdom and eloquence (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). An unhealthy attitude existed toward Apollos in Corinth. Yet Paul never suggested Apollos should not use his talents, merely that they should have a balanced view of his preaching. There is great power in true preaching, but it lies in the word of God, not the one who delivers that message.
• “A Preacher Shouldn’t Try to Change Personal Lives”: So what is he supposed to be doing? John the Baptist called on his hearers to “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:7,8). Jesus declared that unless we repent, we will perish (Luke 13:3). Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached in order to change lifestyles.
• And Yet, A Preacher Should Be a Student of the Word of God: The apostles needed time to engage in “prayer” and “the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3,4). This suggests study and delivery of messages. I am always touched that Paul, in prison and awaiting his execution, wanted to surround himself with books. He was a scholar (2 Timothy 4:13). My father the late Loy Mitchell used to say “Some of the laziest people you will know will be preachers, and some of the hardest working people you will know will be preachers.”
• And Yet, A Preacher Should Preach the Whole Council of God (Acts 20:27): A preacher comforts the disturbed, and disturbs the comfortable. He will have to address both popular and unpopular topics, Old and New Testament, Christian family, the Church, grace and law providing a balanced diet for the congregation.
• And Yet, The Preacher Is the Conduit to Listeners’ View of Jesus: John the Baptist saw himself as the best man at a wedding rejoicing at the good fortune of his friend, the groom. Then he closed with the classic preacher motto “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29,30).

That’s a pretty good measure of great preaching: The degree to which the Lord Jesus shone through in the content and delivery of the sermon. Are you a great preacher, or do you proclaim a great savior?

Stan Mitchell

The Old Testament is a rich mine of truths about God and his ways. The prophets reveal the divine heart and intentions. Get a taste of truths about God from this little slice of Ezekiel 33.

No. 1. God is a revealer. “The word of the Lord came to me” (Ezekiel 33:1, ESV). He tells man what he is doing and what he expects. God does nothing without letting us know his intentions and actions (Amos 3:7; Ephesians 3:5). Things he reveals are for us all, that we might obey his commands and thereby find joy and peace (Deuteronomy 29:29). God’s revelation to us, now contained in the Bible, is for our salvation. “The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations” (Psalm 98:2).

No. 2. God holds people responsible. “I will hold the watchman accountable for that person’s death” (Ezekiel 33:6, NET). This chapter and chapter 13 is all about man’s responsibility and God’s judgment. Each individual answers to God for their own actions, not for anyone else’s. Many parents today tell their children to do something, but don’t care if it’s done or not. (Seems like they enjoy hearing themselves talk.) They’re not willing to follow up and discipline their children. Part of our society’s ills are due to failure to punish a child. Let us never think that God is like a slipshod parent. We will be judged in the last day by the written word (John 12:48).

No. 3. God desires that man live. “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11; see Lamentations 3:33). God has the best intentions toward man. All that he does is for man’s good (Psalm 119:68). Speaking of Job — of all people!— James wrote, “you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). Jeremiah reminded the people, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Of what do these plans consist? “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (vv. 12-13).

No. 4. God is just and judges righteously. “O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways” (Ezekiel 33:20). Man thinks God is unjust, but he really has no idea. We want judges who will let us off the hook, who hands down sentences based on who his friends are — and we want the judge to be a friend of ours. But God judges according to his principles, which are aligned with his nature and character. What a relief, actually, that we can always know what his judgments will be!

No. 5. God knows the heart of man. “… it is their own way that is not just” (Ezekiel 33:17). Remember that Jesus knew what was in man (John 2:25). Man’s heart is only full of evil, “every intention of the thoughts of his heart [is] only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Jesus himself said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:19). So what do we need? A new heart! (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). This is what Jesus does in the new birth (John 3:3, 5).

No. 6. God keeps his promises and fulfills his threats. “… a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and said, ‘The city has been struck down’” (Ezekiel 33:21). The prophets of the Lord said it would happen if the people did not repent. They did not, so the Lord carried through with his threat. If God says it, you can count on it. Don’t let anyone persuade you that he will do things differently at the last minute from what he has declared in his Word. He just ain’t gonna do it. Take the Bible seriously. Very seriously.

No. 7. God wants people to know he alone is God. “Then they will know that I am the Lord, …” (Ezekiel 33:29). The knowledge of the only God is the key to all of man’s desires and hopes and dreams. God is not selfish or self-centered. Jesus’ death on the cross put that idea to death for all time (John 3:16). All else that are called gods are nothing but man’s imaginations and creations, as he flees from happiness with the one, true God toward the exaltation of desire and the certainty of destruction. The one God is our one hope.

There’s more! Read the whole chapter for yourself. Discover who God is. Find out how he works. See what his will is. Seek his face.

A. A. Neale