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"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Month: May 2016

“Temporary Temples x3” ; 2Chron.2:5-6

May 28, 2016 /

divine-486226_960_720 The Word of God states that unless God build the house, whatever that house may be; a ministry, marriage, business venture or the building of an actual Church. Regardless the endeavor, if the Lord is not fully at its center—it is doomed to enviable failure. The Bible hosts a plethora of just such stories of eventual demise. Down to the mighty King Solomon a figure in today’s text.

One thing Solomon knew early on, understood well enough in his early years, was that it was not man who built God a home, but rather God who instructed man to build a Holy Place to gather to pray and to worship Him.

It was God in the desert of Arabia who instructed Moses about how he should go about building a Tabernacle. Every detail, down to the most seemingly insignificant, was birthed from the Omniscient mind of God. And, what may have seemed insignificant to man, was certainly not so with God. A holy and pure God demands nothing short of the same from His people, or there will be a price to pay. Eventually the Tent is erected.

All is accomplished according to the exact specifications of the Lord God and He came and filled it with the Glory of His presence: “Then the cloud covered the Tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Ex.40:34).

We, as those created and set apart for His use, cannot be corrupt vessels and expect to live. Just look to Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu as or examples. “Each took his fire-pan and put fire in it, set incense on it, and presented strange fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them to do” (Lev.10:1) Emphasis my own.

The results, each is struck dead. Consumed by the very fire they had wrongly put in their censers. Why? Willful disobedience.Transgressions that defiled that which is Holy…

  1. They used their own censers and not those utensils set apart in the sanctuary for Holy use.

  2. Only the High-Priests were allowed to burn incense in the Holy censer.

  3. They used common fire. Not that taken from the Holy fire continuously burning at the altar.

  4. They were both Priest.priests, obliged above the people to keep the rituals Holy and pure.

Now the Tent is erected. All is accomplished according to the exact specifications of the Lord God and He came and filled it with the Glory of His presence: “Then the cloud covered the Tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Ex.40:34).

And as it was with Moses and the plans given Him by God, so it is with Solomon and the plans he inherited David. These plans  given to David by divine inspiration from the Lord: “All this he made clear to me in writing from the hand of the Lord, all the work to be done according to the plan.” (1Cron.28:19).

We have now witnessed the fulfillment of the Mosaic Covenant and the building of the first Tabernacle of the Lord.

Now through David’s desire to build a dwelling place for God, the Davidic Covenant is born and, through his son Solomon, a man of peace, the Temple of the Lord is built-in Jerusalem.

In addition to the strict building command issued by God for the design of these places of worship, (each measurement, placement and construction material used in their building) we see as equally significant, a direct relationship to the contributions made by the people of God for the acquiring of the materials necessary to guarantee the Temples construction (1Chron.29:1-6), (Ex.35:20-29).

Understand, God did not need the gifts of His people to accomplish His plans then, and He does not need them today.

We are however, graciously invited by the Sovereign God of the universe, Creator of all things seen and unseen, to harmoniously walk along side Him and share in His creation process.

More succinctly, be co-creators with Him. Why? We find our answer in the person of Jesus Christ, our third, greatest earthly Tabernacle.

John’s Gospel introduces Jesus as the Son of God Who Tabernacles among men during His earthly sojourn (Jn.1:4). Thus making Jesus the Living Tabernacle of God dwelling with man. From the time of Jesus’ coming to earth to present, the dwelling place of God among men is no longer witnessed in buildings filled with great clouds of smoke…

The New Testament teaches us that the dwelling place of God is the Church. His Body. Not a building, but in those people called by His Name in the person of The Holy Spirit.

Stephen knew this. At his trial he defended himself, in part, for speaking against the Temple proper. And in so doing educated those listening that it is the Body of Christ, His people—that are the true church (Acts 7:48-50).

Are you, like the Israelite’s mesmerized by a building?

Are you thinking that simply because you are in Gods House He is with you?

That a relationship between you exists?

Think again…

God is not found in buildings made of stone. For the Israelite’s, the Temple had become an idol—a foothold used by satan. A hook into the people’s pride. Certainly for the Pharisees, even for the Apostles. They held both the Temples splendor as well as its mere physical presence as proofs that God both favored and was among them. And as a result mistakenly believed that they were with Him.

The Temple is not necessary for God; He doesn’t need it. Man does.

And as it was with the Israelite’s, so it is with us…

Many folks today who attend a church seem to feel that the act of entering a building and participating in the ensuing service is proof positive they are a Christian. misguided, they’ve looked right past their lack of a relationship with God. Their lack of welcoming His gift of salvation and their need for His Lordship over their lives.

From the beginning God showed Himself relational with man. Just look to Adam and Eve for confirmation. They were created with relationship in mind, to tabernacle with God: (Gen 2:15-25-3:1-19).

Additionally, God knew Blood would need to be shed to maintain relationship with Him. We see evidence of this in the Garden. It’s shedding was witnessed after the fall of Adam and Eve… to cover their sin. “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Gen.3:21). The first shedding of blood.

Next we witness blood shed in The Tent of Meeting by the Priests on behalf of the people for the atonement of their sins. Moses construct, the ephemeral model of Christs Redeeming work yet to come. “Moreover, he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; also in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. 15“Then he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering which is for the people, and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. 16“He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities.…(Lev.16:14-16). And,  “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance” (Heb.9:7).

Now on to Solomon’s Temple: “Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the Lord. King Solomon offered as a sacrifice twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep” (1 Kings 8:62-64).

Lastly, stand with me at the foot of the Cross of Christ. Beholding the Ultimate Earthly Tabernacle. God Himself in the person of His Only Begotten Son. Where the Blood of The Spotless Lamb was shed once, for all…“And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.  For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.  Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself”(Heb.9:21:26).

Though our Father both initiated and made provision for each of His Earthly Temples He never intend for us, His children, to mistakenly idolize them. Nor are we to assume that simply because they are among us today, that His Spirit inhabits them.

As Stephen said, Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, “Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things” (Acts 7:48-50).

What is church? Better yet, who is Church?

Since Scripture clearly indicates what the Church  is not, a building made of stone by human hand. Perhaps the greatest answer to this question resides in the dialogue between Jesus and a Samaritan woman.

An Odd teaching tool this, seeing how Jews and Samaritan’s had no dealings with each other. Unfortunately, much like the world and the church today. Separate, another us and them culture.

Are you still walking into a building today and thinking you’re at church?

Are you, like the Israelite’s mesmerized by the building itself? It’s beauty and opulence?

Do you Think that simply because you are in Gods house He is with you… that relationship between you exists?

Listen to Jesus description of the True Church, the Church as God intended from the beginning…

“Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.  You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.  But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn.4:21).

Blessing Beloved, until next time…

 

 

 

 

“When They Finally Have Something To Say”… Mat. 9:32-34

May 21, 2016 /

optimism-619018_960_720 Judgement. It happens far too often within our lives. The biting criticism that blindly enlightens you—you’ve failed.

Contrary to your best efforts—what you did, how well you did it, or how well intended your heart was in the doing of the thing, at the end of your best attempts and intentions, others meet you with their pass or fail measuring stick…

Wrong. Sorry, you didn’t do it the right way. Why did you do it that way? How dare you!

Critics. We saw them in last week’s post. Those mourners gathered around the dead girl. They laughed in Jesus’ face when He informed them that the girl they were there wailing over, mourning… wasn’t dead.

Often, when something frightens us, challenges our status quo, our equilibrium, our feelings of safety, our fight or flight instinct kicks in unawares and says, kill it!  And, left to our human natures, we will simply seek our own survival. But not  Jesus. And if we are called to follow Him it should not be that way with us either; “Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom.8:8-9).

In our text today we see an example of just such people. The very same Jesus had to contend with for the duration of His earthly ministry. Mosquito’s in His ear—always abuzz.

In fact, even as He hung dying on the tree of their construction, the very one they schemed and lied to ensure He be nailed to, even then they accused Him of not dying right! “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God’” …(Mat.27:42-43).

Using the lens of the Synoptic Gospels, it becomes clear that from the onset of Jesus’ earthly ministry the judges and critics made it their business to be about His business. They, the Pharisees, have either personally been amongst the throngs following Jesus, as in today’s Scripture, or they have been kept in-the-know of His every move by someone in the crowd.

Either way, Jesus couldn’t escape their malignant scrutiny. They were simply glass half empty people. If they couldn’t conceive of it, produce it, attain it or somehow profit from it well, it must obviously be evil.

If you have ever been here, if these people sound familiar, then you are in good company! If they did it to Jesus and you’re His follower with your mosquito’s, your Pharisees, those attempting to perpetually dictate what is and is not acceptable for your particularly faith walk, well than as the Scriptures teaches, “Count it all joy!”

However, I do feel led here, so as not to be misconstrued or appear guilty of being aligned with or giving license to living and doing as you feel; to point out that Jesus throughout Scripture, always was about our Fathers business. He was always in prayer seeking the Fathers will and serving and doing all things to those ends. That being clarified, we can now move ahead.

Until this point in Scripture the Pharisees have for the most part been silent though Jesus has healed many of people of their infirmities. Starting in Matthews Eighth Chapter the man with leprosy is healed along with the Centurions daughter, Peter’s mother-in-law and many whom Scripture tell us were demon-possessed.

So our fellow, this mute demon-possessed man found in today’s text, was not the first by far that the people had witnessed being healed and delivered by Jesus. But it’s here in this moment, amongst this crowd that we are called today. To be part of, to witness first-hand the extreme divergence of reactions to Jesus’ faith and works.

The crowd is collectively amazed by Jesus and celebrates, sings the praises of His astonishing works. “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel” (Mat9:33)!

The Pharisees on the other hand, see only evil. Their inner darkness prohibits them from extolling or embracing the works of Pure Light. And that’s what sin does to us—it robs us not only of our sight but also of our pure voice.

How can we possibly acknowledge with praising lips that which we cannot—will not, refuse, to believe in? Impossible!

And so, when these Pharisees finally open their lips it is to accuse the Only Begotten Son of the Father of being in league with the devil listen; But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons” (Mat.9:34).

Scripture teaches us that no student is above his Master, so pay attention. If you are being called by God to do His work but it has yet to manifest or, you are currently about your Fathers business—truly about His business as Jesus was—not playing ministry with a self-given title and a showy business card…then arm yourself with the foreknowledge that if the Pharisees haven’t yet arrived, they’re coming! Their still standing stealth, hidden in the crowd observing you…

The Holy Spirit, our Revelator, illumines lesson after lesson throughout Jesus’ three plus years of earthly ministry. Instructing us that there will always be those that are for us, and there will always be those whom are against. if we are to survive, more, thrive and bear good fruit via our God-given assignments, we must follow Jesus’ example.

That is to have bottomless reserves of compassion for His people, be wise and discerning, and above these, to be in continual communion with the Father. Seeking His will, guidance, voice and approval only. Over every competing voice and emotional pull, particularly our own! “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col.3:2). Emphasis my own. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1Tim.6:12).

Jesus came into this world, His ministry—to offer it salvation, to restoration it back to the Father, foreknowing His outcome, His end. He knew these very ones calling Him Beelzebub, accusing Him of being demonically in league with the devil. These same were awaiting His birth, His life, and, unbeknownst to them, would be used as the catalysts to bring about the fulfillment of His ministry. As well as His inevitable return to The Father.

Just as Jesus knew what was ahead of Him, He too knows what awaits you. Take heart today beloved, and listen to the comforting words spoken to you through the Prophet Jeremiah of the personal love, care, protection and provision The Father has for you. “For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope” (Jer. 29:11).

Walk wisely and with each step know that the God who commands the Heavenly Armies goes before you, clearing the way and making your every crooked path straight. So run your race today beloved in full confidence that the same God that delivered Jesus, the Faithful and True God, is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. And He  holds you in the palm of His loving, mighty Hand.

Your steps have been ordained by God. Step strong and insure confidence of not only who you are in Christ Jesus, more, who you are commanded to not distract you. Not alter your focus and purpose in Him.

Do with mosquito’s what you do with all pesky distractions. With those who, when they finally speak, speak only death over your ministry…swat them and keep it moving! Stand firm in the Lord and the power of His might…” Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Phil.4:6).

Blessings Beloved, until next time…

 

 

“Do You See What I See?” Matt. 9:23-25

May 14, 2016 /

sunset-1033769_960_720 “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at Him (Matt 9:23-24).

Has that ever happened to you? Have you shared what you ‘v seen, your truth, only to be laughed at, belittled?

Dismissed. It’s as if what you have to say can’t possibly have relevance, is of no value. It, your knowing, simply doesn’t line up with everyone else’s knowing, therefore your input is immaterial. Take heart dear one, you’re in good company. That’s exactly what was happening to Jesus when He entered the ruler Jairus’s house and told the mourners there to go—the child is not dead.

These people were in full mourning mode, there was wailing, flutes were playing funeral dirges, and the atmosphere was pregnant with sadness and loss. Surely she was dead! What was He talking about? He thinks He sees  something  that we don’t!

But Jesus did see differently then,  and still… He walked in and where those assembled saw death, He saw life. Where they saw an end, Jesus saw a beginning. For them, the story as they say—was over. But not so with Jesus, in fact in Him, life was just beginning…

I don’t know about you, but I am grateful to know that in a world where others could often care less, are blind in their seeing, Jesus offers a fresh perspective. A newness of sight. A throwing open of windows on warm windy days, allowing sunlight and freshness to pierce and permeate our otherwise fusty, lifeless shells… our dead hope. “And I walked and He who sat on the throne said to me, “Behold, I make all things new.” And he said to me, “Write: ‘These words are trustworthy and true” (Rev. 21:5).

Concerning our text for this week, we witness a physical resurrection. Jesus raising a girl who is factually dead.

But let’ step out beyond that one instance. Let’s broaden our view and look to how it is He meets us where we are, now, today. Single, married, divorced. Addicted, in recovery or still on the streets, He meets us. Right where we are, He meets us. He comes in and speaks to those circumstances that are wailing over our ostensible lack of life—our presumptive deadness and commands them each to leave…

Depression, sexual addiction, drugs, physical bondage—be gone!

Not you? Okay—self-doubt, cutting, childhood abuse, alcoholism, perfect life gone wrong in a snap—be gone!

There is no situation, nothing you can do or have done, regardless it’s hideousness, that has thrown you farther than God will reach to return you to himself. I know this to be true. I am not merely writing story.

The Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian Church, speaks to us about knowing the breadth and depth of the love of God and the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge so that we might be filled with the fullness of God. That’s something to hold tight to if your running on empty today…Gods fullness, it’s complete. No more lack or lacking…

If you’re feeling dead in your soul now, or in your thinking or maybe in your ability to see yourself clear of whatever this is… Hang on, help is coming. If your weariness forbids you to take another step, if  the molasses your trying to walk through is just too dense, then resting at the edges of His above knowing is the best place for you to be. Stop a while and allow yourself to be refreshed in Him.

You see when Jesus entered into that rulers house He did it fore-knowing the girl was dead. He’s God. He knows everything. And it’s no different today with you and I. We’re dead in our sin. Laying on our bier waiting…It is impossible to be brought back to life, or health, joy, wholeness or peace outside of Jesus touch.

There will always be those around you who see you as little more than a dead thing. Broken. Damaged. Irreparable. No life, no chance, no way out. Stuck and staying stuck is how they’ll always view you. But take heart dear one, people may see you one way, yet God sees you quite another. Listen… “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1Sam.16:7).

Regardless what the situation you are facing today. No matter how hopeless, hang on… Irrespective of how many times you’ve tried and failed, no matter how unforgivable you may feel, how blaring your sins may seem to you, contrary to how desperate the times may feel… there is One that does not see you see yourself.

Why? It’s all in what you see.

Jesus sees us from His sole vantage point. His exclusive ability to see our end from our beginning. In other words, how it is we are going to finish this race we call life. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’ (Isa. 46:10). And because He this information is His alone, He knows to the utmost that everything truly, will be alright.

He is able to walk with cast-iron confidence into the front door of your life, and speak to the dead things inside you. Dead dreams. No hope…weariness, arise! He Commands them to wake up and be dead no more. The time for your life to begin is today. Someone, somewhere has asked the Lord to come to you, they knew you were ill/weary/broken and in need of help.  And if He would but only touch you they thought…without doubt, you will rise up!

Dear one, take heart today. Just outside Jesus is at your door and He has a great plan specifically laid out for you alone, He asking you, “Do you see what I see.” Listen to Him… “ “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.” (Jer. 29:11).

Beloved, do you see what He sees when He looks at you? Ask Him to give you a new perspective today. Invite Him into your heart as Lord and Savior and allow Him to make all things new…

“Rest Requires Effort” Heb. 4

May 7, 2016 /

bed-linen-1149842_960_720  Are you familiar with the saying, “No rest for the weary?” When applied to the world as we know it, sadly this is a stark reality. But not so, or at least it should not be so for the Christian.

Allow me to explain…

We live in a society in which most Biblical principles have been, to put it mildly, throw out the window. Two such principles concern working and resting. People have made not working an art-form! However, if we look to Genesis, to the original plan, Gods plan for work and rest, we see God Himself was not exempt from either.

In fact, He is the originator of both—listen, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” (Gen. 2:2).

Scripture clearly indicates that God worked six days and rested on the seventh, but Gods work was not a striving to accomplish a thing as it is too often with you and I. God worked in perfect ease, peace, and unity with both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:2; Jn. 1:1) And He expects nothing less of you—all else is prideful and futile. And it brings weariness and separation from Him. As in your work, so in your rest. Deviate, and all is reduced to mere striving and striving leads to separation and weakness.

So to better understand these above two principles, who better to glean  from other than the Father and the Son. Each a model for work and rest. Each a teacher of the effort required us, a measure of Faith…

Nothing that exists would exist outside of Gods labor. Nothing. Let that sink in a moment. I would no longer need to be faithful in writing what God has placed on my heart for you, because you would not be here to read it! The world as we know it, would be a blank canvas—a void. “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Gen.1:1). Look around you right now—go ahead, I’ll wait…not dark or void is it?

You are witnessing the benefits of Gods work model. A model plainly laid out for us to follow. The view outside your window, work. The eyes you are reading this with, work. Nothing you have or are is free, it cost someone something. In the case of God, His Only Son. For Jesus, His life. But, blessed one, you get to have it all, use it all, and you did absolutely nothing to earn it…

No labor on your part, not a single day of work and yet, here you are… receiving.

That’s an inconceivable benefit wouldn’t you agree? And, if you’re reading this—you have it! Now ask yourself, have you ever had or heard tell of, any employer, anywhere in the world, that provides such benefits? No, No you haven’t.

Why? No such creature exists.

There is only One who was willing to work for you, to produce all that you are and have. His name?

Jesus, The Word—listen… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.…” (Gen. 1:1-3). Emphasis added.

His intentions were multifarious. You see, in Gods economy, He does something once, and He does it perfectly. And within His singular effort, within that one “thing”, a seed was placed so He never has to go back and do it again. God works smart, not hard—there’s a lesson in there if you caught it…

Yet notice, that first God worked and then He rested.

Resting…requires effort.

And, providentially for us, God gave us what we need to do the work of resting in Him.

Faith. it is the standard by which we correctly appraise ourselves. (see Rom.12:3)

Rest requires us to use our faith. We must trust in God and His promises to be able to completely rest in Him as Jesus did. And do it now, in this world. Resting in Christ requires us to enter a covenant relationship with Him. You’ll simply never trust a person you don’t know. So it was in the Old Testament with the Israelite’s, and so it is with today with many.

“For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. (Heb.4:2).

How can you trust God with your life if you don’t trust the very One asking for entrance into it? Impossible! You’ll forever wrestle for control over it. Trust requires faith. And faith will result in leading you gradually into Gods rest.

As we see in the above Scripture, many of the Israelite’s missed out on the rest God was trying to lead them into because they would not believe. Their faith in God was wanting, hardened, works orientated, resulting in their missing entrance into Canaan. Their preordained promised place of rest, providence, and the provision God had prepared for them.

Which delivers us to the door of His intentions for our rest…

On the sixth day God rested, and, when Jesus finished His Redemptive work on the Cross, He too rested at the right hand of the Father. These examples were meant to model for us the necessity for resting from our labors. All of our labors. And to come into the welcomed awareness that outside of Christ we can do nothing. But with Him and through His power and providence, we can do all things and never enervate.

Man was not created to live apart from God. We were created in His image, to work and have fellowship—communion and rest in Him. “And God saith, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Gen 1:26).

It is into His Rest God is calling you, now—while it is still today. A rest from your striving, struggling in your flesh, in a useless effort to try to attain godliness. Just read Romans chapter 7 to see how that ends. Rather, Chapter Eight of Romans teaches us that as a Christian you must live in the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised the dead body of Jesus from the grave. By the working of His Spirit in you, you are able, in part, to live a godly life, (see Romans 8:1-17).

This is resting, or abiding in Him (John 15:1-14).

Which leads us into our closing—The rewards of rest.

 

 

When you choose to live free, abandoning yourself to receive the redemptive work of Jesus, then and only then, might you enter into salvation’s rest.  Freed from your striving and misconceptions, you’ve now come into the knowledge that Jesus took care of all the work that will ever need to be done to make you, “good enough”. You need to stop striving after Gods approval—from always working to gain something you can’t have outside of faith in Jesus.

Because outside of His righteousness and sanctifying work there is no “good enough”. Trying to gain God by being lawful and religious, minus a genuine relationship with, and faith in Jesus, will only end you up like the Israelite’s. Dead in the desert.

You will never be—good enough. Stop it. Stop trying to fix yourself by yourself. You can’t.

But the good news is there is One that worked for you. He made certain that if you wanted Him, if you wanted to taste rest from all the stuff you’ve known in your life; He’s made a way for you to do just that.

Listen, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). After His death and resurrection, He gave us a Comforter, The Holy Spirit. And in Him we have a deposit in these fleshly vessels, a taste of His rest now. An installment on the payment in full that is to come when we are in the presence of God eternally.

You can have it today, that rest…

Regardless of what anyone has ever told you about you, or worse yet, what you have told yourself about yourself.

But as with Joshua (a forerunner and allusion to Christ) who couldn’t deliver the Israelite’s where their faith wouldn’t take them, so it is with Jesus also. He can’t deliver someone who refuse to be delivered. He will never take you where you do not want to go. Even though in His great love for you, He died to ensure His rest might be yours.

And speaking of His rest, listen… “God again set a certain day, calling it Today. This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Heb.4:7).

God has sent me to tell you that it is “Today.”

Please, don’t follow the example of those that died in the wilderness when the Promised Land is awaiting your arrival…

May God Bless you and guide your steps, In Jesus Matchless name, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

“For Your Eyes Only” Luke 24

May 1, 2016 /

people-1099782_960_720 It had been revealed to Peter—Christ’ identity that is.

They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again. “And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” (Lk.9:19-20; emphasis added).

So let’s talk about knowing...that which is meant for your eyes only. Because, heartbreakingly, not everyone chooses to see. “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn–and I would heal them” (Jn.12:40).
However God in His sapience, chose to open Peter’s eyes to who Jesus truly was. And so it comes as little surprise, that of those disciples gathered together when the women returned from finding an empty tomb early that morning, that it would once again be Peter who was among the first to—see.

“But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened” (Lk 24:11-12NASB; emphasis added).

Some versions read that, he went off wondering in himself,others, amazed at what happened…and others still, wondering in himself at that which had come to pass.

But in researching our text I was struck by the phraseology used in the Aramaic Bible in Plain English…listen—“Shimeon(Simon) arose and he ran to the tomb, and beholding, he saw the linen that was placed by itself and he left wondering in his soul over what had happened” (Lk. 24:12).

As rich as Luke 24 is—containing a plethora of revelatory Scriptural lessons, it is not toward its many richly mined examples of theological thought that we will heading today. Rather, we will tread a fresher ground, and camp out at the entrance of the proverbial heart.

Peter’s heart that is…And that of those two unnamed disciples as well, you now, the guys heading to Emmaus.

For a moment, let’s center on Peter’s response to the news that the women who walked with Jesus have just conveyed to the disciples. Deeper, let’s ask ourselves what happened in Peters belly, in his knower, that made him get up and run to the tomb.

What separated him from the other eleven that sat self-righteously ridiculing these faithful women? And our two unknown’s, what caused them to make a beeline back to Jerusalem after having met a man? Lastly, how does this apply to you and I?

Gnosis, knowing—like a man knows his wife. Intimately, wholly, as we are known by Christ. Not as a plain intellectual exercise, as with—after reading the autobiography of George Washington I can honestly say I feel like I know him now. Intellect is a sure part of gnosis—in fact, it’s one of three of its informing components actually. As God is Triune, being created in His image so too are we comprised—mind, soul, and Spirit.

And as with Peter, our capacity to know and love God is possible only because He first loved and knew us.

So why Peter? Why not any of the others, after all, the eleven were ever present? And they too loved and served Jesus? Just look in the boat, they’re all there—yet only Peter risked getting out of the boat to respond to Jesus’ bidding to come walk on water with his Lord.  And now, running out of this room, though John followed—it is Peter we see jumping up and running off to check the tomb. And just a few chapters back, again, it was Peter that spoke the words that came from God Himself, “But who do you say I am?” He asked. Peter replied, “The Christ of God” (Luke 9:20).

Peter, atop of Mount Herman, He stood among the elect of the elect. He heard the voice of Father God bear witness to His love of, and pleasure in, His Son Jesus. The revelation of Christ’s glory in this chapter was a clear confirmation to the disciples of the truth of Peter’s confession of faith (16:16). It was also encouragement for Jesus; opposition had started to mount and would greatly increase.

It was Peter, pulling a coin out of the mouth of a fish to pay their taxes, his and Jesus’, Peter watching his Master not once, but twice, break bread, and in so doing multiply it to feed thousands. Peter, who in a moment of supreme weakness, only moments after having cut off a man’s ear in a fierce rage, denied Christ, thrice…

Why was it he jumped up first and ran?

Did his running really have anything to do with him or was he compelled? Both. Yes, he certainly had free will as we each do. And yes, he exercised it in that moment. But Just as the Scripture implies, Peter knew something…some past spark of a conversation fanned into full on flame…

Remember, we are searching today, weeding through the obvious, plucking up the ordinary, clearing away the similar, looking  for the deeper things.

From their early beginnings with Jesus, each man was individually invited to follow Him. Specifically chosen, hand selected, for some innate quality that lay dormant within, almost certainly it was wholly unknown to each them.

But God knew…

And He sent Jesus to draw them into fellowship with Himself. And over time, and with great compassion and unplumbed love, Jesus drew their dormant gifting’s into active use. Kingdom use, eternal use…

Jesus foresaw that in order for each of them to fulfill their divine destinies, death would have to occur. Remember He tasted of the Glory that was yet to come, it’s surety, on the Mount of Transfiguration. And so He knew (gnosis) that asking them to die was inviting them not only into life, but guaranteeing them that within that life their gifting’s would be complete. Not greater, in the sense of better than Jesus’, but rather in their ability in sheer numbers to fulfill the Great Commission…, listen… “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (Jn.14:12).

It is here where we share in Peter’s experience, as in John’s, Mark’s, and Thomas’s.

Death must come so that life can begin—if you are called to serve God, as each of these men clearly were—remember, their handpicked, then death is imminent.

Going out fishing can be fun, but its fun benefits only the fisherman. Catching fish on the other hand, benefits everyone who is able to eat from the catch. But first, obviously, death must occur before substantive life can be offered to anyone. As the fish surrenders it life to feed, so we too must surrender ours to do the same. And so we die daily to self, will, pride, desires…the right to life itself.

So why Peter?

He was chosen specifically for what the Lord knew of Him. And so it followed with the eleven, and, as with dominoes, to us as well. To do the great works that brought Jesus to the Cross, the Restorative, Redemptive work of salvation demands a knowing of sacrificial love…

Death must occur. Proof you ask? Had there been no crucifixion, there’d  be no need for a resurrection.

Why Peter…because He knew this. And some two-thousand years later, through his lifework and in his death, He is still preaching The Great Commission, still fulfilling His calling to feed God’s people.

Man’s fallen mortal condition could never have allowed for this…Only death to self and Life in Christ allows for the inclusion into that kind of transformative power.

Why Peter, because He knew outside of Christ, He was nothing…and from that knowing willingly, lovingly, deliberately paid the price required to have Jesus…His life.

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.…

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