FALLEN?

FALLEN?

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

   Matthew chapter 7 … Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. …

   John 14:6 [Jesus declared] I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  At the end of yesterdays DT (Daily Thoughts) I added a thought question at the bottom asking who are these people Jesus speaks of in Matthew verses 22-23?

  First let’s address who they are not.  As some teach, are they “fallen Christians”, Christians “that fell from grace” for one or more given reasons? They are not, for Jesus said “I never knew you”, as in never ever.

  So who are they? The word is a definitive “are”, John 3:3, 18 religious unregenerates, for the setting Jesus speaks of is end time judgment day with as was with the ark, the door with finality closed. Reading the immediate context of Matthew 6:33-7:29 we see exactly who they are. (As an exercise please consider making a descriptive list that sum total is condemned.) They are those who live unwisely, according to their own religious philosophy contrary to God’s revealed Wisdom, His Word (the Bible). The words recorded coming from the lips of God Incarnate (Jn.1:1), He teaching not as did the scribes, but with absolute authority. (Mk.1:22; Jn.7:46)

  Is Jesus’ teaching in this passage His rant of condemnation? Not at all, Jesus is lovingly clarifying and warning that authentic life present and eternal is His Way and no other.

  I end today with more serious thought questions: Reading Matthew 6:33-7:29 where do you see yourself, wise or unwise in this stormy temporary physical life? Do you hear Jesus authoritative teaching above all others?

EBB4

  

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? Part 6

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? Part 6: THE PERILS OF NOT JUDGING

Tuesday, November 07, 2017

   Matthew 7:21-27 Not every one that saith unto me [Jesus], Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

  Construction without consideration of authentic quality makes for disastrous results. Buildings and people without sound foundation deteriorate and fall apart when stressed.

  This is just as true spiritually for Christians individually and the congregant church.

  At hand, we have the perfect construction and maintenance plan, God’s schematic; His Word living (Jn.1:1) and written (Jn.17:17; 1Thes.2:13). To neglect, not reference, or trivialize sacred direction of self, brethren, or worldview is perilous.

  Without personal examination of self we suffer not just loss of God’s support, but He resists us (Jam.4:4-10), or worse (Heb.10:31).

  Without congregant judgment a church may lose its place as a spiritual powerhouse and become no more than a benevolent social ministry (Rev.2:18-23), or worse (Rev.2:5).

  Think not construction or maintenance faults are always readily recognized. Even undisciplined children can be happy . . . for awhile.

  I confess that in my flesh I cringe at responsible examination of self or the local church. (Especially in having suffered expense of exercising the latter.) But I know I must, howbeit reluctantly, judge, for it too is part and parcel of mature discipleship. 

EBB4

Thought question: Who are these individuals Jesus speaks of in Matthew 7:22-23?  

FAITH HOPE CHARITY

FAITH HOPE CHARITY

Monday, November 06, 2017

   1Corinthians 13:1-13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

   Philippians [ESV] 2:1-13 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

  Faith Hope Charity are an inseparable package.

  Pastor Paul, emphasizing the above 3, expounded on the 7 virtues as laid out in Ephesians chapter 2.

  “After Pope Gregory released his list of seven deadly sins in 590 AD, the seven virtues became identified as chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. Practicing them is said to protect one against temptation from the seven deadly sins.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues )

  1Corinthians 13 explains that charity/love is the motivation for being virtuous:

·          Charity being loving as God loves us; putting aside prideful ambition and putting others first.

·          Hope is our mind set toward heaven; following Jesus example, realizing we can’t out-imagine God!

·         Faith as admitting total failure necessitating trusting God; walking and working, acting accordingly as God’s Holy Spirit is in you.

  Pastor Paul closed saying this is the right way to live even though life is contrary to.

EBB4 from Sunday, 10/7/08 sermon notes.

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WORSHIP INCLUDES LOVING ENEMIES

WORSHIP INCLUDES LOVING ENEMIES

Sunday, November 05, 2017

   Matthew [GW] 5:44-48 [Jesus explained] But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil. He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust. If you love those who love you, do you deserve a reward? Even the tax collectors do that! Are you doing anything remarkable if you welcome only your friends? Everyone does that! That is why you must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Lk.6:28)

   John 14:15-21 [Jesus said]"If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn't see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you all alone. I will come back to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. You will live because I live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me and that I am in you. Whoever knows and obeys my commandments is the person who loves me. Those who love me will have my Father's love, and I, too, will love them and show myself to them."

   John 15:9-12 [Jesus said] "I have loved you the same way the Father has loved me. So live in my love.

If you obey my commandments, you will live in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments, and in that way I live in his love. I have told you this so that you will be as joyful as I am, and your joy will be complete. Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I'm commanding you to do. [1Jn.1:1-10]

  Is it an act of worship to love others as God loves us? Yes, plainly explained in the words of Jesus.

  Is it an act of worship to love our enemies, even those who hate us or despitefully use us? Indeed so.

  Our worship is limited when we only love those who love us.

  Truly worshipping God involves a yieldedness in following Jesus’ direction and example.

  Christ-likeness, the emulating of He who lived, died, rose again, and now sits on the right hand of God – for our friend and foe alike, is to love as He loves.

  Lord, convict and help me to consistently worship You as I should! (Rom.12:1-3) 

EBB4

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE Part 5

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? Part 5

Friday, November 03, 2017

   2Timothy [CEV] 3:16-17 Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God's servants to do all kinds of good deeds.

  Fact is that most judging, whether righteous or self-righteous ego-centric, is verbal. Said conversations being damaging and non-corrective. This being so in various groups. Local congregations included.

  Paul admonished “My friends, I beg you to watch out for anyone who causes trouble and divides the church by refusing to do what all of you were taught. Stay away from them!“ (Rom.16:17) Can this apostolic command be obeyed without judgment?

  It is not that we are to jump to separation. In light of Scripture we are to seek to lovingly counsel first of all. Then if “refusing” persists, label and separate from them.

  We see this pattern in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian congregation riven by the divisiveness he noted in his first letter (1Cor.1:10-13). “Friends in Corinth, we are telling the truth when we say that there is room in our hearts for you. We are not holding back on our love for you, but you are holding back on your love for us. I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. Please make room in your hearts for us. Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? Is Christ a friend of Satan? Can people who follow the Lord have anything in common with those who don't? Do idols belong in the temple of God? We are the temple of the living God, as God himself says, "I will live with these people and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." The Lord also says, "Leave them and stay away! Don't touch anything that isn't clean. Then I will welcome you and be your Father. You will be my sons and my daughters, as surely as I am God, the All-Powerful."  (2Cor.6:11-18)

·         Congregants, Chloe’s family, made a righteous judgment followed by the action of informing Paul.

·         Paul righteously judged the informants as loving concerned honest followers of Christ.

·         Paul passed righteous judgment, exhorting the Corinthian congregants to mark the division leaders and then avoid them. (Also note Rom.12:9; Eph.5:11; 1Thes.5:21; 2Thes.3:6; 2Tim.3:5)

·         The Apostle John exhorted for judgment when necessary. (1Jn.4:1; 2Jn.1:7, 10-11)

 

  Is it right to judge? Yes, but only if done according to the overall teaching of Scripture: Lovingly with correction utmost in mind. This does not however include excommunicating Howard for being adamantly against adding padding to the pews.

EBB4

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE Part 4

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? Part 4

Thursday, November 2, 2017

   2Timothy [LITV] 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfected, being fully furnished for every good work.

  Decades past my dear aunt had a running battle with Pastor Don McKnight. The weekly county paper, THE AEGIS, published the letters. Her constant focus was on Matthew 7:1, “judge not”. Pastor McKnight’s responses were comprehensively on chapter 7 and beyond. Finally after weeks of back and forth the editor decided the discussion had become circular and published no more.

  Matthew presents Jesus succinct but comprehensive exhortation on judging. Judgment that should never be done without consideration of always doing only as you will want others to do for you. This is the meaning of Moses' Teachings and the Prophets. (Mt.7:1-12; Jam.1:25; 2:12) Matthew 7:12 also explaining how we give the tacit permission of 7:2.

  Immediately after explaining healthy judgment Jesus presents an important matter to be judged, false teachers. Isaiah spelled the measure of in a single verse (8:20) “To the Law and to the Testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because there is no dawn [Light] to them!“ Jesus warned and explained tersely “… beware of the false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are plundering wolves. From their fruits you shall know them. Do they gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?“ (Mt.7:15-16)

  Among the many things I learned from Pastor McKnight is it is imperative to read and study Scripture contextually. He emphasized “First the immediate text, then the Golden Text, Genesis thru Revelation.” I judge that we all should do so. Hopefully you judge me accordingly.

EBB4

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? Part 3

IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? Part 3

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

   2Timothy [NLT] 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

  Paul declared “He that is spiritual judges all things” earlier having said “I speak as [though] to wise men, judge what I say.” (1Cor.2:15; 10:15) This Paul stated to a very messed up bunch of congregants.

  So what is this qualifying spiritual basis Paul refers to?

  Checking the Greek it means to think and act non-carnal. Looking at Paul’s letter to the Romans we see that a carnal mind is a hostile attitude toward God. (8:7)

  Looking at carnal versus non-carnal in the immediate text sans chapter division we see: “The natural [carnal, unrenewed] person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh [carnal], as infants in Christ.” (ESV 1Cor.2:14-3:1)

  Once again, for me the challenge comes down to living in alignment or nonalignment with the exhortation in Romans 12:1-3 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

  Continuing maturation requires judging what God says, beginning with self, and, having experienced the expense, often reluctantly . . . all things.

EBB4