Month: June 2014

And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Luke 2:38

The Bible is full of examples of God being involved in the details. He orchestrates the affairs of this life, working in undeniable ways. We sit back in amazement and confess that only the Lord could accomplish such things. I love the translation above as Anna crosses paths with the infant Christ. God directed her steps so that she would come “in that instant” to encounter her Savior and give Him praise!

Last week, we reviewed the portion of Acts 8 where Philip’s path intersects an Ethiopian eunuch in the desert, an encounter that results in the man’s salvation. We were encouraged to see God working behind the scenes. The text is clear that it was no chance meeting. V. 26 says plainly that the Lord directed Philip there, and in v. 29, the Spirit even points out the man’s chariot; however, to the eunuch it seemed this man came out of nowhere to teach him the word of God. This account simply shows us again that our Lord carefully works in our lives to bring us to Himself. He’s involved in the details!

As we discussed this passage, there were multiple testimonies among us of the Lord directing events in our lives in such amazing ways that we know only He could have timed things so perfectly. The account of Peter paying taxes highlights this secret work of God in our day-to-day affairs. Jesus told him in Mat 17:27 to “go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” God saw to it that someone dropped exactly that amount of money into the water (remember that next time you lose something of value–how might God be using it?), directed the fish to swallow the coin, and then had it swim by the exact spot at the exact time that Peter cast in his hook! The Lord meticulously planned the experience and through it provided exactly what Peter needed to fill his present need. What a God!

We should be encouraged to know that God by His Spirit is directing His children. The best thing we can do is not worry about the “what-if” scenarios of life, but trust our Father to look out for us, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1Pe 5:7) As the old hymn says, “God leads His dear children along.”  He is active in all the details of our lives.  Remember, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” (Psa 37:23) Just focus on walking in obedience to Him, and you’ll find that, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” (Isa 30:21)

Jamie

 

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:19-21

The first verse of our text today sums up a critical truth for the Christian: God is sovereign in the lives of His people but that doesn’t negate our responsibility!  As Php 1:6 says, we are “confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”.  God gets the glory for our salvation.  He started us in this race, and He will see to that we cross the finish line; however, He still commands us to be active in pursuing righteousness and instructs us to, “Be holy, for I am holy”! (1Pe 1:16) We have a responsibility to work against sin and strive after holiness.  We are to do everything in our power to cleanse ourselves and be vessels for honor.  Our study in Acts has revealed that God works in mighty ways through these earthen vessels, but if we want God to use us for His glory, we must be vessels that are clean and pure.

In 1Ti 3, we find the qualifications for bishops/elders, these men God has called to lead and pastor His church.  The primary call of such men is to feed the church by faithfully preaching the word of God.  Remember Jesus’ instruction to Peter when He asked if Peter loved Him?  “Lord, you know I love you,” Peter replied.  Jesus’ response was, “Feed my sheep”! (Joh 21:17) That’s the preacher’s primary task.  What’s interesting in 1Ti 3:2 though is that the man’s ability to teach the word is not the first thing listed in the qualifications for a pastor.  The first qualification is that he must be “blameless”, a word that means he’s not seized by any vice but is devoted to Christ alone!  The next few qualifications elaborate on this blamelessness until finally we get to the seventh item in the list: “able to teach”.  The point is, this man leading a life of holiness is of far greater importance than his ability to teach the word well.  Why is that?  Because an unholy life will render his ministry ineffective!

Whether we’re church leaders or not, that truth still applies.  Ungodly living will destroy our witness of Jesus Christ!  The fact is that a continually unholy walk reveals we don’t really know Him at all: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1Jo 2:3-6) Many church members need to hear the scolding words of Elijah to the Israelites: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal [or insert any other idol here], follow him.”  If the LORD is indeed God, then He deserves our full devotion.

It is true, we have the treasure of the Holy Ghost in these earthen vessels (2Co 4:7), and by the Spirit we are enabled to work mightily for God’s glory.  But remember, Christian, you can offend the Holy Ghost and render yourself ineffective in the kingdom!  1Th 5:19 says we can “quench the Spirit,” and Eph 4:30 tells us we can grieve the Holy Ghost.  These warnings are written to believers!  How can you avoid these terrible sins, you ask?  V. 22-24 says you must “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. ”  In other words, holy living will keep us from hindering the Holy Ghost’s work through us!  Let us then cleanse ourselves that we might be “sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”

Jamie