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

Month: February 2020

Forerunners, Still. Luke 10:1

February 22, 2020 /
“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

As John the Baptist was then, so too are we today. Voices crying out in the wilderness: “…Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” –Isaiah 40:3.

One of the most remarkable facts about Christianity is the speed by which it spread over the Roman world. Think about it: in about AD 25, all we see is an oddball preacher in the Judean desert and his slightly younger relative in a backwater Jewish village named Nazareth. That’s it. Fast-forward a hundred years, and we have churches scattered through Judea, Syria, Asia Minor, Rome, and most likely elsewhere in the empire, such as Egypt. –Chad Bird.

When calling to mind those who were forerunners in the New Testament, I believe it’s fair to say that John the Baptist would, by far, be the most remarkable. Wouldn’t you agree?  The Prophet Isaiah foretold of this “Voice crying out in the wilderness” nearly 700 years prior to John showing up in the Judean desert. And the Prophet Malachi twice foretold of John’s coming 430 years prior to his arrival in the wilderness as well and is found in Malachi 3 verse 1: “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.”  Then again, in Malachi chapter 4 verse 5: “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” The Apostle Luke, in Luke 1 verse 17, helps us to decipher why John is being referred to as Elijah here; listen to what he says: “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”  And, in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus Himself makes clear the distinction between John and the Prophet Elijah: “For all the prophets and the Law prophesied up until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is [the fulfillment of] Elijah [as the messenger] who was to come [before the kingdom]” –Matthew 11:13-14.

For the remainder of our time together, let’s take a deeper look at others who filled this position also, this calling of being a forerunner for Jesus. Let’s discuss too, how this same calling applies to us today…

In order that we all start on the same foot, let’s move forward with a biblical definition of the word forerunner. KJV Dictionary Definition; FORERUNNER, n: A messenger sent before to give notice of the approach of others; a harbinger.

Recently, I was reading the Book of Romans, Chapter 16. In my New Living Translation, it’s entitled: “Paul greets his friends.” As I read, I was introduced to whole host of Paul’s friend’s—fellow brothers and sisters who’d faithfully served God during their time here on earth; serve Him still, as their devotion and courage and calling continue to stir up our own faith, and that deep longing within our hearts to follow after Christ all the more closely. I was intrigued by them, these heralds of the faith; so I began to dig a bit deeper into the lives of these people Paul took the time to make mention of. Who were they? I wanted to know more. What I’ve learned in part, is that I had, in fact, met these people (not all, but some) on the pages of my Bible. Some of these that Paul was recalling, sending greetings to, were amongst those 72 “other disciples” whom Jesus who had sent out in pairs ahead of Himself as forerunners in the opening verses of Luke 10. These were a diverse group of believers. These disciples consisted of those from various economic and social backgrounds, spheres of influence, as well as being in possession of varying gifts and talents. Some were teachers, some companions, others were wives, there were city officials and politicians too. Others still, were doctors and scribes. Some learned, some without any formal education. Men and women both. Married and single.

What united them each to the other, and to every other forerunner for Christ then and since, was their faith in, their love for, and their uncompromising commitment to, Jesus our Lord.

Some were young, like Timothy, Paul’s “son in the faith.” Others, such as Tertitus, the one acting here in Romans 16 as Paul’s amanuensis, were educated. Others still, like Gaius, were traveling companions of Paul’s. We first hear of this Gaius back in Acts 19 when he and Aristarchus were dragged into the local amphitheater at Ephesus during a riot which had been stirred up by local craftsmen who felt that Paul’s preaching of this Jesus was turning people away from the temple of the great goddess Artemis. And, as a result, was draining their coffers as well. And then there’s Rufus and his brother Alexander. Of this Rufus, Paul states that. “the Lord picked him out to be His very own.” And refers to his mother as a one who has been like a mother to him. Perhaps if I told you who Rufus’ father was, you would go back and reread Mark 15: 21 to see for yourself where it is we first hear Rufus’s name connected with his famous father’s: Simon, who was a Cyrene. The man forced to help carry the Cross of our Lord. Then there’s Erastus the prominent city treasurer and civil servant from Corinth, as well as Paul’s trusted fellow worker in the ministry. We also hear those familiar names of Priscilla and Aquila. Aquila, a tentmaker by trade, as was Paul, and a fellow Jew born in Pontus. This couple traveled with and worked alongside Paul, strengthening the early church.

My study of these men and women helped me to get better acquainted with the rich and diverse history of our Christian faith. To not just casually glance over those names seen scattered throughout the pages of scriptures I read, but rather to pause and acknowledge them for who they are to me. My brothers and sisters—fellow forerunners. They are my—our, great examples of commitment and sacrifice, of endurance and losing it all that we might, they might, gain this Christ. Those whose feet have beaten down this often-trying path smooth, with their wisdom and struggles and failures, and sometimes by the shedding of their blood. We are blessed to be surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses for Christ. Those who, by example, encourage us to grow just a bit deeper in the realization that we, you and me and her and him, each one called by God, has been given, shares in, stand shoulder to shoulder with, those who went before us, those who were marked by Him too. Called, to share in the incredible privilege, this divine gift of being entrusted, called upon, hand-picked by God to be forerunners for our Jesus, too.

Let that sink in for a second. It should blow your mind! I know it does mine…

If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, not a just-visiting-church-only-on-Sunday kind of relationship, I’m talking about a, He lives in your heart and your belly jumps, as Elizabeth’s did, at the mere mention of His name, kind of relationship. I’m talking about that yesterday I was addicted or stripping or walking out of the packy—and today I can’t wait to tell you all about this Man—this God-Man, this Jesus who came and loved me and washed me clean Himself. This same One who whispered Words of life so sweetly to me, that they will burn in the very marrow of my bones until that day He comes and takes me home. I’m talking about that kind of relationship. The kind that causes one to be a forerunner; because there’s no other way. You’re compelled to share this Jesus, this love and peace, this Truth of the One who came and made every-thing new within you; with anyone and everyone who’ll listen!

“Jesus Christ loves you with an everlasting love. And there is not one thing ever you could do to earn that love, but if you’ll but humble yourself and ask for it, He will come to you, as He did to me and Paul and Rufus, and He will make you His own. He died and rose again that you might have this new life…”

Won’t you ask this Jesus into your heart now, today? No man is promised tomorrow after all. Come, join us in being forerunners for Christ! You are needed as much as any ever were! There’s still much work to be done and no one else can do what you alone were created to do…

All of this, and much more, happened in the first 100 years. Followers of Jesus, far from remaining in little ghettos, keeping to themselves, were boldly bearing witness across the empire that another king was truly reigning over the entire world: the crucified and resurrected King Jesus. –Chad Bird.

Abandon. Philippians 3:7-9.

February 15, 2020 /
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith”.

Oh happy state! to be perfectly acquiescent, to lie passive in His hand, and know no will but His” –Spurgeon.

Paul realized he would never achieve perfection in his lifetime. Neither will we. Nor will that greatest of saints we’re able to call to mind. That state of perfection, Paul knew, had recently spoken of, would come in that glorious moment when he, once for all, would leave his earthen vessel in the very dust from which it was created, and return, at last, to our Father’s house. Having attained, only then, the fullness of all that Christ had for him. Standing, finally, in his heavenly body in the presence of the King he had longed to see face to face.

Perhaps it was this realization, in part, which drove Paul to live his life then, resigned to press, ever forward, in continuous surrender to this God he lived for. Since knowing he would not reach that perfect state this side of heaven, he determined in his heart than, to become more Christlikeduring his time here on earth. We would do well to follow after his example. Paul understood his own wretchedness, outside of Christ. He was as aware (through the revelation of the Holy Spirit) of his natural, unchecked inclinations, as any man true to himself is, and, of just how easy it can be to follow after those desires of the flesh. Yet he did not try to hide his sin nor the once blind, dogmatic, beliefs he’d held. Rather he exposed his weakness. Confessing them before God and man, allowing us an unabashed view of his humanity.

The thorn of searing regret ever stuck in his flesh; stayed only by the grace of God from hindering his work and overpowering his mind. “though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” Philippians 3:4-9.

And, it’s not only in this Third Chapter of Philippians but also in Romans 7, that we witness this same forthrightness. Where we hear Paul’s confession, his angst. Where we bear witness to this very real, very human realization; one felt by us each, at some point in our walk with our Lord. “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” Romans 7: 18-19. Paul has so aptly put into words for us all what it like to live in this awareness of the ongoing war waging within every child of God. Listen to what he writes in Galatians 5:17 concerning this same battle: “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.”  Paul’s transparency allows us—aides us, in acknowledging that this same battle raging within him, wages within our own hearts as well. It rages, recognized, or not. Acknowledged, or not. Alive within the murky depth of, or the shame-filled, fear-filled, fractured surface of, every heart in whom He has placed His Spirit.

Yet, thankfully, Paul, via the illumination of the Holy Spirit, does not leave us there to figure out how best to fight, to gain ground, claim new territory, to have victory over, this ongoing battle he’s so freely spoken of—our base-ness. Rather, he points us towards Christ, towards the most advantageous, power-full battle stance any Christian can assume. Paul lets us know that any victory we may attain, any ground we’ll ever claim for the Kingdom, any success in ministry or relationship (think John Mark here) will only be found, attained, experienced, known, realized only in complete abandon to the will of God. Such abandon that, though ready to wage war on any foe at a moment’s notice, we recognize the battle we’re engaged in is not ours, it’s God’s. And, though, we are called to stand and fight, our victory has been assured by the finished work of the Cross. We never fight alone. We are incapable, in any real sense, of fighting in our own strength; without that is, doing more harm than good.

Beloved, for as long as we continue to reside this side of heaven, the Godliest of us will sin, falling ever short of God’s perfect standard. Paul knew this. I pray each of us, as God’s children, will come to truly know it as well. And, that, from such knowledge, our striving will cease. A total surrender takes place, and a complete abandon of our will be offered; freely, lovingly, whole-heartedly to our Lord. That whosoever will are released, as Paul was, I was, you were, he, she, and they were, each, freed from the bonds of religion, from the onerous striving to measure up to a standard only One could ever meet, Jesus. That perfect Lamb in whom all our striving after righteousness finds its rest. Just as one straightaway trusts water beneath them as a surety on which to surrender themselves, to float, be held up, may we with greater abandon yet, surrender our will with even greater surety to God. I pray our surrender to be so complete, we will only recognize its absence in that very hour we are safely home with Him….

Friend, how incredibly grateful I am to know, be certain of the fact, that when God sees me today, He sees Jesus. That because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, now, because of what He has done, I am covered, as with a royal robe, in Jesus’ perfect Righteousness. And I so want that knowing, that certainty, that peace to be yours as well. If you have come this far with me and find yourself asking, “what’s next?” “Where now?” I strongly encourage you to ask this Jesus into your own life, as Lord and Savior, you did not come this far by chance…

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” –Galatians 2:20.

Rescued. Zechariah 3:2

February 8, 2020 /
“The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

You beloved are that burning stick that has been snatched from the fire. A sinner saved by His amazing grace! Like Joshua before you, you have been washed clean—made new by the sacrificial shedding of Blood. The Blood of the Spotless Lamb, Jesus, shed on your behalf. If that is, you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior…

Entering into any meaningful and lasting relationship requires our being intentional; a deep consideration of our willingness to commit. It is a deliberate and highly personal choice born from a wanting to share and grow, exchange and receive, with another. It’s one built on a foundation of sacrifice and service to another or others; come what may. It’s a conscious laying down of one’s life, born out of genuine love for the well-being of the other. In this same sense, entering into a relationship with Jesus is no different. However, it, above all other relationships, must be birthed from a deep desire to connect with this God more intimately than with any other person. Understanding this: once that relationship has been established, you’re then set apart to serve God and His people. And, then, to spend a joy-filled eternity with Him. You, beloved, though your sins demanded it, will not spend an eternity in hell; that place of separation and torment that was neither created nor intended for you or any man. It was created for Satan, and all those fallen angels who followed him in his rebellion against God—Matthew 25:41.

You, my fellow believers, are now ministers of the Most High God. Those chosen to be royal priests. And, yet, even though you are the King’s kid still, His ownership of you stands above your service to Him. Your priesthood—your role in ministering before the Lord exists solely because He alone has bestowed its use and service, its privilege and anointing, upon you.

Ah! I have my filthy garments on. I cannot pray to Him. I cannot praise Him as I would.” I know what it is to come and preach to you sometimes, and to feel such an overwhelming sense of my own unworthiness, that, were it not, “Woe unto me if I do not preach the gospel,” I would not come on this platform again, for it is hard to feel that your garments are defiled even while endeavoring to be God’s mouth to men—Charles Spurgeon.

Friends, we cannot curry the favor of God. There’s not one thing we can do to “earn our spot.” Earn His love for us. His forgiveness. Not-one-single-thing. Without God’s mercy and His election of us, take away His unfathomable love for us; our sins demanded that we spend eternity in the hell created for Satan and his band of fallen angels; separated eternally from God. As all those who deliberately chose to rebel against Him—deny Him, will. Not popular, I know. But it’s the Truth, nonetheless. “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”  —1 Peter 4:17. Now, with that knowledge ever before us, may we be about working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Never forgetting the very heart of the words cried out by our brother, Paul. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death…? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” —Romans 7:24. May this be our cry too, brothers and sisters. May we, like Joshua and Paul, and a remnant of the nation of Israel before us—like every saint that has been or is yet to come, never lose sight of how—by whose power it is, we either stand or fall; least we begin to think too highly of ourselves and risk being humbled by our Lord. My true position, as a Christian, is to be always ministering to God, always standing before His altar. –Charles Spurgeon.

Satan stood at the right hand of the Angel of the Lord accusing Joshua of every sin he and his people had committed. And Satan stands there still, pointing out our sins as well. Accusing all those who dare to believe in The Name above all names! Jesus!

But, here’s the good news, beloved: Jesus Christ has the final Word! He is our great and powerful Intercessor, a priest like Melchizedek. “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through him, because he always lives to make intercession for them” –Hebrews 7:25. There is nothing that Satan can say or do to change the way God sees you. We stand witness to this Truth not only within our Scripture verse today, but this very same Truth permeates the Word of God. Jesus knows everything Satan will use in His attempt to destroy you—to kill you and, He’s got you covered. He’s covered your every sin with His precious Blood. You are now the righteousness of Christ Jesus! Let that sink in for a moment…

When God spoke to Zechariah concerning the forgiveness of Joshua’s sin, the stain on the priesthood, and the sins of the Israelites—you were right there in the center of His heart also; represented in the person of Joshua. You stood there before the Lord in all your sin, with all of your faults and flaws, and, you too were covered by God’s intentions towards you. Your filthy clothes were also removed, you were washed clean and, the raiment of Christ’s righteousness was placed upon you. Covering your guilt and shame, you were cleansed and redressed from head to toe!

Beloved, now, when God looks at you, it is His Son—The Spotless Lamb slain for your sins that He sees.

The rebuke is forcibly applicable to the case in hand. He says, “Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire.” Satan says, “The man’s garments are filthy…” “Well,” says Jesus, “how do you expect them to be otherwise? When you pull a brand out of the fire, do you expect to find it milk-white or polished?” No, it had begun to crack and burn, and though you have plucked it out of the fire, it is in itself still black and charred. So it is with the child of God. What is he at his best? Till he is taken up to heaven, he is nothing, but a brand plucked out of the fire—Charles Spurgeon.

Can you even fathom so great a love, my friends? Whether or not we can wrap our heads around this great Truth, God’s love stands fixed, nonetheless. It ever remains our firm foundation on which to build. “God loves you and He gave His only begotten Son to die for you that you might be restored into right relationship with Him”—John 3:16.

That is the very heart of the Father’s love towards you, beloved.

The Apostle Paul says it this way: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us so that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit —Galatians 3:13-15.

You have been snatched from the fire to have a relationship with the Father. That you might spend your remaining days running after Him. Seeking Him out. Loving Him and spending time with Him. Desiring Him above all else. Above everyone and every-thing—placing even yourself at the very top of that list of those you are willing to sacrifice up to Jesus. Understanding, somehow, that you are no longer your own. You have been purchased at an exceedingly high price—1 Corinthians 7:23. So, then, be re-minded beloved: Just as Joshua was lovingly and thoroughly cleansed and prepared, so too have you been cleansed. You too are being prepared for something unimaginable beloved; to become the bride of this Christ who came and gave His life in exchange for yours. That’s Good News! The very One who reached into that all-consuming fire and said, “Not this one. This one is my own.” Accordingly, as it was with Joshua and Peter and Noah and Mary, with Paul and John and Father Abraham, brides each, made ready for their wedding day; so too has every detail of your life been, and will forever remain in, the All-Knowing and capable hands of the Father.

He has spared no expense on preparing you for that day that will rival no other. The day you meet Him face to face. That day when your fullness of joy spills out at His feet in loving gratitude, a crown. One of praise and thanksgiving…

I believe each of us needs to stop, from time to time, and reflect on this enormous Truth. To recalibrate, realigning ourselves with our True North. Therefore beloved, if you have forgotten, as we sometimes do, just how deeply you are loved and cherished by God, then please, ask the Holy Spirit to re-mind you. To fill you, once again, with the fullness of His Word concerning His great love for you. May you experience renewal, being re-united with the One it is you belong to; have been betrothed to. The One in whose name you have been called to minister…

 “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end”—Hebrews 3:12-14.

I like that closing sentence, “And the angel of the LORD stood by.” Oh, yes, we want Him always to stand by. When you have your new garments on, when you wear your mitre, you still want His presence. “Abide with us,” must be our daily prayer. We want still His strength, His comfort, His smile, the help of His arm, the light of His countenance—for if we have Him not, we shall soon slip from our steadfastness, and have reason to stand again, like Joshua, with filthy garments on—Charles Spurgeon.

Friend, if you are here today and have not asked Jesus into your heart know this; God Himself has called you here. These words should be little more than a confirmation. A quickening inside of you that says, “I believe this is God. I believe this is Him answering my question: “God, would you truly love someone like me?” He says yes. Yes, I love you. Yes, I led you here. And no, there is nothing that you have ever done that is so filthy that my Sons Spotless Blood will not wash it clean. Just ask me in and let us begin the journey I have planned for you… 

“The Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Israelites, concerning you and me: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”—Jeremiah 29:11.

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