Month: August 2013

“And great grace was upon them all.”
Acts 4:33

The text above explains the state of the most blessed people in the world!  All of the behavior that was so inspiring in the early church stemmed from the great grace of God upon them.  We owe our salvation to that marvelous grace, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) As we wrapped up our study of Acts 3-5 last week, we reflected on the example of these early believers upon whom God had bestowed His gracious favor.  The members of the newborn Christian church were not simply floating around the periphery. All of them were active, integrated members of a spiritual body of believers.  These early examples to the modern church spent their time:

1) Fellowshipping

The church at its establishment was a tight-knit community.  They were described as “continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house” (Act 2:46) and “the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul”. (Act 4:32) This picture of fellowship and communion is too often missing in our churches today. Have we become like the world that is electronically social but more disconnected than ever from one another?  These days, when you get on an elevator, everyone pulls out their smartphones instead of speaking to each other!  Email and Facebook allow us to be more connected, but the unfortunate result can often be an overwhelming amount of information that hinders intimate relationships.  Homes no longer have large front porches where friends and neighbors sit in rocking chairs and talk for hours.  Now, we’re more satisfied with a quick status that we can read in 60 seconds or less!  This lack of fellowship should not make its way into the church.

2) Fostering

The grace of God upon the early church prompted a general spirit of care and concern for each other.  There was a sense of obligation.  Their attitude was reflective of the instruction to the church at Philippi: “…fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phi 2:2-4) Needs were noticed and taken care of for there was not “anyone among them who lacked”. (Act 4:34) One sister shared last week that her earliest memories of church had to do with the care of all the mothers toward the little children.  Even if your own parent wasn’t present when you stepped out of line, another was right there to see that you received the proper correction and instruction in love.  Such an attitude of care should still be present among professing believers!

3) Fearing

There was a spirit of fear, proper fear, among our early brethren.  This characteristic is probably the strangest one for churches today to grasp, but it is no less important.  Psa 111:10 is still in our Bibles: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”.  God made sure this fear was maintained among these believers.  When Ananias and Sapphira sinned by keeping back part of the money they agreed to give to the Lord, God took both of their lives, and the result was that “great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.” (Act 5:1-11) Last week, one sister shared that when she was a child her grandmother would make the entire house get quiet when it was thundering and lightening to show respect for the Lord’s work!  Where is that respect and awe among us today?  Professing believers desperately need this healthy fear of the Lord!  It empowers our witness of Christ for we are to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear“. (1Pe 3:15)

My burden for us as we study through the book of Acts is that we might see the example of the early church and realize what the church should look like today.  Christ hasn’t changed and neither should His people.  May this spirit of fellowship, fostering, and fear be manifested among us again.  When the church is pure, then Christ will be clearly seen in us and His word declared by us.  And that’s exactly the reason God saved us.  He gives us His Spirit in salvation and says, “you shall be witnesses to Me”!

Jamie

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self- indulgence.”
Mat 23:25

The first thing that hits me regarding our text today is the strength of the message. These were not the words of John the Baptist or the prophet Elijah who were a little rough around the edges. The holy, sinless Son of God preached this message! And this text is not the only time Jesus’ language was so strong. Did you know that He called men “hypocrites” over a dozen times in the book of Matthew? If Jesus is our pattern, then where is this type of preaching today?

I understand that there are times that call for compassionate speech. Just a few chapters earlier, we read, “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Mat 14:14) He could speak tender words of comfort when the situation required it.  I quoted a verse last week in the book of Jude that shows we all need this type of discernment. “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jud 1:22-23) At times, individuals need a peaceful word that will calm the storms of the life while in other instances men need a harsh rebuke that will bring them face to face with the reality of their sin!

Many today think that to preach the gospel is nothing more than to deliver a series of self-help seminars. Men who fill pulpits often sound more like psychologists than men with a burning passion to deliver a word that came straight from heaven to a needy people! To preach as Christ preached above may brand a man as harsh or mean-spirited.  Did you know that in the course of the delivery of His message, Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees “hypocrites”, “blind guides” (v. 16), “fools” (v. 17), “serpents”, “brood of vipers”, and bluntly asked the question, “How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” (v. 33) I wonder how we would react to Christ preaching in our pulpits today.  Would we charge Him with being unloving and unkind?

The fact is that men need to know the seriousness of sin.  The consequence of sin is not merely a bad day at the office; rather, Rom 6:23 tells us that “the wages of sin is death”! The most loving thing we can do for men is to tell them the reality of their spiritual bankruptcy while also giving them the rest of the thought in this verse: “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” After all, how can a man appreciate the good news of a Savior without first understanding his need as a sinner? When Peter stood before the Sadducees in Act 5, he didn’t beat around the bush as he gave his defense of the ministry to which he was called. He told them plainly the shocking reality of their sinful hearts and actions! “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.” (v. 30) Oh, that such boldness and honesty would be heard again as the gospel goes forth from the church! May we in like manner follow such disturbing news of our desperate condition with the only Hope that mankind has: “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (v. 31) Yes, our sin is great, but there is a Savior who is greater!

Love in Christ,

Jamie

“…holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
Tit 1:9

Have you noticed that the effect of the church upon society today has diminished?  Why is Christian influence so weak?  Why is our nation rapidly running away from God instead of towards Him?  How has a once Christian nation become so anti-Christian?  I believe the problem finds its origin in an abandoning of our primary calling as Christians (Mt 28:19-20), a calling that is set forth in our text today.  When a church diminishes her focus on the word of God, she will also diminish her effectiveness upon the souls around here!  These final qualifications of an elder/bishop listed in our passage have to do with a man’s relationship to the word of God.    There are three ways he must be an example to the flock as to how they must relate to that word.  He must be:

1) A leader of the word – “holding fast the faithful word”

One of the indictments Christ brought against the religious leaders of His day is found in Mat 23:2-3: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.”  How can a man teach the flock of God to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (Jam 1:22) if he is not a doer of the word but a speaker only?!!  Everything that Paul writes to Titus prior to these final qualifications has to do with a person’s manner of life.  “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money…” (Tit 1:7) If a man doesn’t live in a way that matches the instruction of the word of God, he’s not fit to be in the pulpit!

2) A student of the word – “as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine”

One who declares the word of God must also be able to be taught the word.  Too many place themselves above the flock of God, boasting in their own superior knowledge!  In contrast, a faithful minister is willing to admit when he doesn’t know something, to admit he is still learning.  A pastor’s confession of himself ought to be, “if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” (1Co 8:2) This awareness of a lack in knowledge will compel such a man to continue to learn.  A man who continually cries out to God for wisdom and knowledge will be able to declare “sound doctrine”.  He will “Be diligent to present [himself] approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Ti 2:15)

3) A preacher of the word – “both to exhort and convict those who contradict”

Finally, a man fit for the ministry must be able and desirous to declare God’s word.  In comparing the qualifications bishops and deacons in 1Ti 3, you’ll find many similarities.  The key difference between the two lies in that the bishop is “able to teach”. (1Ti 3:2) Such an individual is able to comfort or “exhort” a soul when that is required, but he is also willing to rebuke or “convict”.  He is a friend to eternal souls because he loves at all times (Pro 17:17) which includes loving enough to wound when necessary! (Pro 27:6) A man who faithfully declares the word of God will preach a balanced God.  He will confess a God of love who is also a God of judgment.  Both sides of that coin are needed for the saving of souls!  As Jude says, “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”

Of course, this emphasis upon the word, which is in fact an emphasis on the living Word (Joh 1:1), is not limited to the preacher.  He is called to be a strong example of the characteristics above so that the rest of the church will follow!  Too many churches have lessened the focus upon the word of God in favor of more entertaining options.  We do so to the great detriment of the souls we influence!  If we will see men rescued from eternal destruction, it is the word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, to which we must return “for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes”! (Rom 1:16) Remember, it was not only the prayer of the apostles but the entire early church who “raised their voice to God with one accord” and begged the Lord to “grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word“. (Act 4:24, 29) May this cry again sound forth from God’s people!  There will be no revival without it.

Jamie

“For a bishop must be…self-controlled…”
Titus 1:7-8

If there’s one thing in which our modern society is lacking, it is self-control!  There seems to be no depth to man’s depravity, no line that he’s unwilling to cross.  The pleasure of this body rules his heart and mind.  If it feels good, he deserves it and demands it.  And, there’s no such thing as too much.  We are a society of excess, but our text today says the pastor must set an example that is just the opposite.  He must lead the flock of God to be self-controlled.  This flesh and its desires must be kept at bay.  The body must be controlled!

Our physical body is not without purpose in our walk with the Lord.  1Th 5:23 reads “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This verse tells us that the body needs to be preserved blameless, but it also sets the proper order in our lives.  The spirit and soul must take precedence over our physical man.  The body must be used with an eye towards spiritual preservation for it is the spirit and soul that are eternal, not the body.  At the same time, however it is this body with which we serve God in the natural realm, so it cannot be ignored.  A balance must be properly maintained.

Regarding the physical body, Paul wrote, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1Co 9:27) The word “disqualified” shows us the great importance of how we handle this body.  To use it improperly reveals we are disqualified concerning the faith! (2Co 13:5) To keep it in check, Paul said first, “I discipline my body”.  This phrase literally means “to hit under the eye” and is rendered “I buffet or discipline my body” in other translations.  This phrase is reminiscent of the strong language our Lord used when speaking of the radical way we must deal with sin: “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.” (Mat 18:9) Next, the apostle said of his body, I “bring it into subjection”.  This phrase means “to enslave”, and the Literal translation reads, “lead it captive”.  The point is simple.  We must rule our bodies rather than our bodies ruling us!

So, how do we maintain this body for the Lord’s service and see that Jesus is manifested in it? (2Co 4:10) The world might tell you which vitamin supplements to take and which exercises to do, but maintaining a healthy body to glorify the Lord does not begin with those things!  In studying the body in the Scriptures, you’ll find three areas that must be guarded to keep it in proper working order for use in the kingdom of God:

1) Guard your mind.  Your actions flow from your mind, so keep it focused upon the Lord and His word!
Rom 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

2) Guard your eyes.  With technological advances in modern times such as pictures and videos, the temptation in this area is perhaps greater than ever!
Mat 6:22-23 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

3) Guard your tongue.  You might not have expected this one, but if we can control our tongue, the Scripture says the rest of the body will be no problem!
“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” (Jam 3:2)

Our last point includes a critical observation just a few verses later.  “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (Jam 3:8) None of these things can be accomplished in our own strength!  We can only maintain this self-control in the flesh if enabled by the Lord to do so.  In other words, outside of salvation, you don’t stand a chance!  But in Christ, we can control this body instead of it controlling us.  “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.  And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Rom 6:12-14) Enjoy your victory, Christian!

Jamie