Ruth 2:1-18 - Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field

Ruth 2:1-18

May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge. - verse 12

Message: Ruth Gleans in Boaz's Field

Time: According to Jewish tradition, Samuel wrote the book of Ruth. The events of Ruth occurred sometime between 1160 BC and 1100 BC. This book stands as a ray of light, showing the power of the love between God and His faithful people, even during difficult times that were present. It is written from Naomi's point of view. Ruth is the gift God placed in Naomi's life. 

What the Lord is Saying: Been reading a book about the Old Testament and how much of the themes of the New Testament like redemption and atonement have their origin in the Old Testament. It references Ruth and Naomi returning to Bethlehem in chapter 5. Author says, "Naomi had gone out full, she said, and the Lord had brought her back empty (1:21)." Yet the author says "she went out and the Lord brought her back." And "the sovereign care, oversight, and detailed direction of our lives in the hands of a loving, provident God." I continue to think about and notice in the Bible that it calls attention so often to the work of God in our lives. That as it presents people and their lives, their coming and goings, it is all interlaced or spoke of as being the will of God. That he is at times disciplining them when they are experiencing affliction and sometimes there really isn't a cause that we are accustomed to thinking there must be. Like Paul in prison. God seems to have simply wanted him there. And my friend Bobby's cancer. Sometimes things happen with a purpose we don't understand and yet we can see how the Lord takes us through these events. 

Naomi and Ruth are in Bethlehem. Verse 1 of chapter 2 mentions a kinsman, a relative on her husband's side of the family - Boaz. Boaz is introduced. Ruth requests to go glean in the field (verse 2). As it states in Lev. 19:9–10 - "‘Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God." To glean is to gather grain. The edges of your field will not be completely gleaned or extracted from the field, but some shall be left for the needy. 

I like this recognition that there are certain parts of our class that are in more need than others and it is our purpose to share with those in need. God made provision for these people. I just wonder at times if we are doing all we can to properly help those in need. Ruth comes across Boaz (verse 3). In verse 4 Boaz pronounces a blessing upon his workers. And the workers return the favor to Boaz as well. Boaz asks about Ruth. Ruth goes to serve with the reapers (v 7). 

Boaz remarks favor towards Ruth (v. 8-9). He asks her to remain with the other women, so as to be protected with those of the same sex as her. He orders the men reapers to stay far from her. He serves her and has his best interest in mind towards her. Ruth wonders why someone would be so kind to her, given that she is a Moabite and a stranger. Boaz remarks of how impressed he is of Ruth and all that she has done in supporting her mother-in-law and being with her. He remarks that she seeks refuge in the Lord and is serving him in this regard and seek refuge in him. The people of Boaz and Israel are different and Ruth is more interested in being a part of the people of Israel and so comes to be with Ruth and now Boaz. 

Boaz serves her at mealtime. She took the gleanings that Boaz had provided for her (v.16) and gave them to Naomi. All the time, Boaz was serving her, blessing her and protecting her. Boaz went over and above in providing for the needs of Ruth and Naomi. 

Summary: Ruth goes to glean in the field with Boaz looking on, admiring her, protecting her and blessing her. She brings back to Naomi extra gleanings provided by Boaz. 

Promise: Commandments of gleaning are there to encourage us to be more generous. 

Prayer: God, you are good and sovereign over all. Your ways are above our ways. You provide for people, all those in need and encourage me as well to be generous. Thank you for your scripture and your words and this time to study and learn from these books. Thank you for your divine guidance and showing me how you work. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 24 - Joshua's Farewell

Joshua 24

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (verse 15)

Message: Joshua's Farewell

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Well, it has taken me a while to get through this book. I was looking forward to reading an Old Testament book, but for whatever reason, took me a while after finishing reading John. And this last chapter has taken me quite some time. What has occurred is not necessarily a lot but in a way it is hard. Maybe hard is not the best word, but hard in parts. It is great to read and see all that God provided to Israel but hard to have others left out. And yet this is the story of life. While everyone has a story, everyone's story is not the same and many stories are not stories that glorify God or are intended to glorify God and so, maybe that is difficult. 

For the people that God calls, they are not only his called ones but they are a people that respond to that call. It is an idea that is somewhat consistent to what I read recently in Proverbs 10:3, "The Lord will not allow the righteous to hunger." The Lord loves righteous people because righteous people honor God and honor others. I have to remember this and keep this at the forefront of my thinking always. 

In Joshua 24 there begins in first 13 verses Joshua reviewing Israel's history. The people that would make up Israel started out by worshipping other gods. But then God chose Abraham and gave him Isaac and promised to multiply his descendants. God began to show these people that they were his. He provided for them. People pursued them but God provided them success and a way out. God gave them possession of the land and struck down those that opposed. God did not listen to people like Balaam but instead blessed and delivered His people. And this continued into the land of Canaan, a land they did not know and yet in war he provided for his people and left the people there to die. They live now in a land that they did not build or garden and yet they get the reward. 

Following this history, Joshua then encourages the people to serve the Lord. In verse 14 he says, "Fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth." Lord stands for JEHOVAH, the covenant God of Israel. And this is followed by putting away other gods in our lives. This is our biggest problem - our allegiance to other things that are not the one True God. We dance around the idols in our lives and basically try to serve things but then miss the true ness of the will of God. I struggle with this - music, movies, entertainment and the habit of it all and push out the things of God. Verse 15 is an interesting verse - we choose who we will serve. Serve someone, but "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 

The people then have a back and forth with Joshua and pledge their allegiance to serving the Lord and putting aside their foreign gods and to commemorate this event and this proclamation there is a decision to erect a statue, a stone to signify this event. In verse 27, "This stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord which He spoke to us, that it shall be for a witness against you, lest you deny your God." 

Then Joshua died at 110 years old as mentioned in verse 29. Then there is mention of also burying the bones of Joseph when the sons of Israel had carried with them. 

Summary: We are not live for God half-hearted but completely. All other forms of faith are basically the same but we are to serve the Lord our God. 

Promise: God is the only true God, so He is the only source of mercy and forgiveness. If we abandon Him, we have no hope, but if we run to Him for mercy when we sin, He will pardon us. 

Prayer: O Lord, I thank you for taking me on this journey with Israel and seeing  your hand of providence in their life, but also the simple reminder of my need to follow You all of my days and make you number one. Help me with this. I don't want to get too proud or lead my life by emotion or feeling but stand on the word of God. Help me in my conversations with people to always and only follow You God. Keep me focused on You. Help me to always lead my family to serve You Lord. Thank you for the peace you bring. Make me someone like a Joshua. 

 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 13:12-17 - The Example of Jesus

John 13:12-17

12 And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 

Message: The Example of Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: One of the first things I notice here in this passage is the dual application Jesus gives here of washing feet. In verse 11, He mentions being made clean. And now He also points to the idea that we are to follow or practice the acts that Jesus has done. 

    Luke 6:31 - Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
    John 13:34 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you,     that you also love one another. 

    Matthew 6:12 - And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

In the previous passage, Jesus made it clear to me that being His disciple, being in the Kingdom of God is first found through trusting and accepting Jesus and then we follow through by keeping the commandments of God. Seek Him First though. And then these other things follow. And yet, I do understand that by themselves, these are principals that we want to have in our lives. These are ideas that should be in the hearts and minds of people always - to not simply be served. 

Matthew 10:24-25 - A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master.

Again, people have roles and duties, but that does not make anyone better than another person. And yet the reality is religion has at many times painted a different picture, a picture that makes it seem like religion is controlling people and how they think. But at the heart of the matter here is that we are to be servants and treat others the way you want to be treated. 

This is a tough principal I think sometimes in our lives now to apply - as our world continues down a course of not coming from its foundation of Christian living or defined by biblical ideals, but is shifting what is deemed right and wrong, it challenges the Christian on how they are to live and respond in these situations. I remember my good friend Bobby and I walking together in the mall many years ago and he wondered about a friend that is practicing homosexuality and wondered if he would be invited to their same sex wedding if he would attend. It was a challenging question and one I don't think we were able to resolve with an answer at the time. And yet many would not see any issue with a response either in an affirmative or not. I think these are hard situations in our lives and so I think we need to extend perhaps a little grace to one another even as we have different opinions. 

A prominent pastor and Bible teacher recently gave a response on his national call-in show of him counseling a grandmother's question of whether to attend one of these same-sex or transgender marriages and stating she could go (starting at 16:09) to maybe surprise her with a response that perhaps she wasn't expecting. And yet this response was immediately rejected by a prominent Christian pastor. 

Now I am not saying here there is a link with foot-washing and celebrating sin, but there does seem to be a principal here of the way we treat one another, even the way we treat one another when we disagree. Do we continue to live alongside these people and show them respect or is our response only to address their sin and show that their response to sin will keep them from the kingdom of God, if that is what we believe. I think it is a hard situation and response and so I think it needs grace. 

But this passage is more specifically giving the teaching that as we receive service towards us, we are to return that service to others. We are not to take a position that we are higher or mightier or on a different level from others. We are to remain servants. And yet from that I went off on treating others the same and then wondered if that treatment affects how sinners might trust in Jesus. And so maybe I am just concluding these are hard situations for me to apply. 

Summary: Disciples of Christ must be willing to do what Jesus was willing to do, including acts of service. 

Promise: From Tabletalk -- we can imitate Jesus in being willing to go to great lengths to meet the needs of others. We should begin our service at home, putting the needs of our spouses and children ahead of our own. But we should also put others ahead of us wherever else we may go.

Prayer: Lord, your principals that you give us move me to compassion and serving others. I want to be a person that is about love and yet stand firm on the fact that we are each sinners in need of being restored to You for salvation. Help me to understand these texts and perhaps not get too sidetracked by their meaning as even I have probably done in this lesson. Thank you Jesus for washing the disciples feet and being a servant and being different and showing all mankind that You are different. Give me guidance and forgiveness of others as well, even those I disagree with. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 12:20-26 - Death and Glory

John 12:20-26

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21 these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Message: Death and Glory

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter starts with Mary anointing Jesus which had the disciple Judas questioning it, then he went to Jerusalem as Passover was near and was greeted their with people crying out Hosanna 'Save Me' and blessing Jesus' arrival and Jesus comes on a donkey. But these things were not understood by the disciples at the time, though later they would look back and understand. Despite of this many still were understanding though the Pharisees were bothered that people were understanding. 

Verse 20 mentions Greeks who were part of those going to worship. Verse 21 they want to see Jesus. Philip told Andrew and both came to Jesus (verse 22). And then we have some lessons by Jesus. As I look at the Bible, now and through chapter 17 will be a lot of Jesus talking and speaking. 

Jesus begins in verse 23 by saying His hour has come. Up to this point he had mentioned it was not yet time for his departure. Hour is an interesting word for it seems to refer to time more than only an hour. It is language that is often said in the Bible that is not literal but refers more to a span of time. Either way, Jesus realizes the Son of Man will be glorified. Jesus refers to himself in the first person and as he does says Son of Man. This title has great meaning for Jesus will be the perfect man in taking away the sin of the world, substituting as the animals did annually, but Jesus will do once and for all. He has mentioned thus far his authority that comes from the Father.  But conversely is his person, fully man. Son of Man is simply a term for human. Ezekiel was called a Son of Man. 

In verse 24 he makes a reference to a grain of wheat dying to produce fruit. He says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." It is interesting because he clarifies a little what He means by the hour having come for him to be glorified. He speaks of a grain of wheat falling from its stalk, no longer receiving nourishment from it and falling to its death. 

Alone. This is interesting because there seems to be something significant here. Jesus will die alone. Salvation is not a group effort it is his personal death. He will die. He is also alone in salvation. He is it. There are no other answers for the salvation of man. And so he compares himself to this grain of wheat and is speaking of Himself. 

I don't know it is an interesting phrase of meaning. Once it goes to the ground though, it will bear fruit. His death results in resurrection and out of this resurrection will come fruit. Many will be saved out of this resurrection. Disciples are washed in the blood of Jesus to bear fruit. 

In verse 25, Jesus mentions further that to love life is to give it up. Jesus loves mankind. He loves all people. God loves the world (John 3:16). But to keep people always with God he must lose that life. And Jesus mentions one must hate their life to have life eternal. We must give up our life. Again this is another phrase that speaks to life and giving it up or surrendering it. 

These are the words of Jesus that feel the hardest for me to obey in this life. To hate one's life is just so opposite to how my life is lived. I think often of the pandemic and this complete focus people had on preserving life. I never saw it more clearly than during this time. And I suppose I continue to witness it in this life - this zeal and 100% desire to stay well, to preserve life, to keep going. And yet that approach seems so opposite to these words. If there is one thing that continues to keep me hiding from the preaching of the gospel it is this - I love my life. Not that I think I will be killed for sharing my faith, but in that thirst to do things that protect me and my well being and keep me from being embarrassed or labeled a radical, I stay hidden from the public eye. I talk of everything going on in this world but the salvation of others. In sharing about my week, it is all about what I have experienced in that week. Nowhere am I losing my life. I might lose my life to serve others but even often in serving others there is selfish gain in stroking pride, in stroking my accomplishment, in thanks. There just isn't enough 'surrendering.' There is self protection. 

And so verse 26 is the natural next verse -- If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. After losing one's life, we then serve Jesus. And in this service is a promise - serve Me and the Father will honor him. And so that's it. Serve Jesus. Lose one's life. Die to your life and it will bear fruit. Lose one's life. Serve Jesus in losing one's life and dying to it. I am a servant. Larry Norman wrote that song and I remember him saying he wrote this about his dad because his felt this expectation to do what his earthly father said. He couldn't do what he wanted to do in his life. Instead he is a servant. And yet born out of that experience by Larry Norman in which he seems to write almost in anger is the idea that we can be the Lord's servant. Do this serve and your life will be honored. See the connection - to have one's life honored by Father God, what must we do? Serve Jesus. The two are connected. 

Summary: Greeks looking for Jesus and then Jesus speaks about his future death and how He will and we need to lose our lives to find fruit and abundant life. 

Promise: Serve Jesus and the Father will Honor you. 

Prayer: O God, your words are truth and life to me and yet assaulting to me. It is so hard God because I love myself too much. And instead I need to love You. Not simply more than I love myself. I need to love You. Lord, keep assaulting me with these words and training me and teaching to lose my life for Your sake. Lord, I need to make more mention of You in my day. I need to lose my life. I need to follow You in losing one's life, hating one's life, serving you Jesus. This is my journey and if I am being honest my real desire and ambition as a Christian, a Christ-Follower. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

TABLETALK - November 2017

I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. Each month of 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. 

• November - Vocations (March 8, 2023 - June 11, 2023)
• October - Sacraments (December 16, 2022 - March 7, 2023)
• September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 15, 2022)
• August - The Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation (April 14, 2022 - July 19, 2022)
• July - The right use of God's Law (May 23, 2021 - April 13, 2022)
• June was justification by faith alone (February 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021)
• May, Christ Alone (September 3, 2020 - February 13, 2021)
• April, salvation by grace alone (March 6, 2019 - September 2, 2020)
• March, the sovereign providence of God (January 28, 2019 - March 5, 2019)  
• February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture (January 8, 2019 - January 27, 2019)
• January, the doctrine of God (December 16, 2018 - January 7, 2019). 

The Doctrine of Vocation - As we see, the reformation is a return to scripture, and one area to recover was the idea of the priesthood of all believers and that we can offer spiritual service in every vocation. This is an idea that had been lost or obscured in the medieval church given the idea that spiritual service was restricted. Thus, this months lesson is focused on vocation and this priesthood of all believers. There is still a distinction between the clergy and laity. 

The Priesthood of All Believers

The Old Covenant Priesthood - God has always provided a substitute and a mediator between God and man to reconcile us (Priests, Jesus). Man sins. God provides the way for righteousness. Christ our Mediator - The priests of the old covenant provided a temporary atonement for sin. Christ, one time is the ransom for all. And now man is a mediator for people through prayer.  God's Royal Priesthood - There is no distinction among believers. We are all a chosen race and all set apart as priests to proclaim the excellence of Him. New Covenant Ordained Ministry - Elders and deacons are set apart for specific roles. But those who are not set apart for these roles still are essential members of the church. All are vital, equally. 

The Distinctive roles of Cleary and Laity

The Vocation of Elder - Elders/Bishops/Overseers has specific qualifications or requirements - they are men set apart from society for a specific role of shepherding the flock which may include preaching and teaching. The Vocation of Deacon - Deacons play a vital role in making sure people's basic needs are met. Lay Duties: Obedience - Submit to God-honoring leaders in a way that makes them glad to their jobs. Lay Duties: Teaching, Admonishment, and Thanks - Each person in the church puts on the new person in Christ to learn God's word, teaching, admonishing and giving thanks.  The Vocation of Husbands - Husbands have a nonordained vocation to love their wives, humbling themselves as Christ did towards His church, and serving their wives. The Vocation of Wives - Wives submit to their husbands, as they would submit to the Lord, and conversely the husband is to be the Godly leader. The Vocation of Parents and Children - Children are to obey parents and in the process their life will be better off. Parents are to not provoke their children to anger, setting reasonable expectations for them. Called From Every Vocation - Be it freeman or slave, it does not matter. I am called to do the will of the Father. Loving Neighbor Through Vocation - I am to labor diligently in my vocation as to have resources to share with those who cannot meet their own needs. The Mandate to Work - We have a mandate to work, if we are able, and not only work, but to do it to the best of our ability, not lazy, but striving to be the best worker possible. Equipped for Vocation - All good gifts are from God and our aptitudes and abilities to work are a gift from God as well.

Finding God's Will

Searching the Will of God - One thing is clear as we discern the will of God in our lives, we are to be about sanctification, always on the quest to grow in Christ and minister to others. Defining the Will of God - God has two wills in a way - a revealed will or what we can know for the path we walk on and his secret will, what He knows and we can trust Him.  God's Will and Internal Call - God's call on a person's life does not have to only be a call to full-time ministry, but it is also a call for their vocation and to be a full-time lay person. God's Will and the External Call - In determining God's will, in addition to a person identifying for themselves where to serve, leaders and others around them, such as the congregation, also are involved in confirming this call. Finding Your Vocation - God gifts us to work in a certain way, for our good and for the good of others in loving them. - God's Will and Your Spouse - We are to be guided by wisdom and the principles of Scripture in both choosing a vocation and a spouse.

This months articles of faith living

Faithful Servants - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) -Good leaders no longer applauded, but instead self-appointed leaders with lack of integrity; those with courage and convictions despised and it has spread to the church. The role of leaders appointed by God. Leaders need to lead and those under need to submit and imitate them. As Christians we are not to question all authority as all leaders under authority of God and accountable to Him. Leaders are servants first and foremost. One is to be humble manifested by courage, compassion and conviction. Lead by love, not fear. Doesn't have to be liked by everyone. Knows how to delegate, trusts those he delegates, isn't concerned about who gets credit. Knows his shortcomings and sins. Is repentant and forgiving. Ultimately, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus leads us with humility, sacrifice, and joy. 

The Eternal Love of God - RC Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - God's love is holy. It is eternal. He has no beginning and He is self-existent. He is not dependent on anything else. He didn't become loving, but has always been loving. God created the world. He created it good. Then the world was plunged into ruin through the fall of the human race. Then God redeems His people for the rest of history. None of this was a surprise. God knew this would happen. He always had a plan of redemption. God made a covenant of redemption by all 3 members of Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thus, the work of redemption is the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Father covenanted to send the Son and the Son descended to earth to take on a human nature - subject to humiliation, and obedient unto death to redeem His people. The Holy Spirit covenants from Father and Son to apply the work of Christ to God's people. In creation, the Father creates the heaven and the earth through the eternal Son in the power of the Spirit. Thus, creation and redemption are accomplished by the Trinity. What motivates God? His love for the world. He loves His Son and sends His Son to be a propitiation for our sin. We are included because we belong to the Son. He chose us in the Son to be adopted as sons of the Father. Thus, eternal love is rooted and grounded in the Father's love for the Son. We are not by nature children of God, but become children through adoption. Romans is a good explanation of this. In first 7 chapters Paul lets us know we are in the flesh, hostile to God and under his wrath. To be redeemed the Spirit of God must be indwelt in us to become a child of God. "The Spirit bears witness with our spirit." So the Father has a love for Christ and then adopts us into the royal family, being joint heirs with Christ. We are beloved of the Father because Christ is beloved of the Father. We are adopted because of Love. 

Leading with Conviction - R. Albert Mohler Jr. (President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky) - Leaders need to be passionate people who seek truth and have convictions, versus leaders that stand for little and ebb and flow with whatever society deems important at any one time. For Christian’s, our convictions are our beliefs in the truth of the gospel, in Christ, that salvation changes us and everything about who we are. We do not waiver in our convictions based upon the mood or way of people around us. He mentions historical figures that led with a conviction resulting in their death - Justin Martyr and Sir Thomas More. Leadership today is often seen as merely managing. For us our convictions start with the power of God in us and being in Christ with the Holy Spirit guiding our way. I Thessalonians 1:5. for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Leaders in the Church - Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas (Senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC) Those with spiritual gifts, deacons, deaconess, and elders are discussed. Cessationists believe certain gifts are for only true apostles and once deceased, a more normative situation resulted in deacons, elders and pastors. Later books of Timothy and Titus don’t mention these gifts. Deacons, first recognized as their ministry to widows are to be men of integrity. Deacon is not mentioned but the Greek word for serve is diakonesi similar to deacon. Thus their role involves money, food and basic care. Similar in qualification to elder. Deaconess: Phoebe is mentioned as a servant in leadership. Reformed recognize female deacons but not female elders. A difference for elders over deacons is the ability to teach. But that doesn’t mean all teach but it seems to mean that a pastor is one of the elders. Elders can also transcend the local church.

Leaders in the Home - Dr. Tim Witmer (Pastor of St. Stephen Reformed Church in New Holland, PA) - The Bible identifies leaders in the church, government and family. Misunderstandings exist regarding the woman and man’s role in marriage. For wives - primus inter pares means first among equals. Thus not an expression of inferiority. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father in the world. It is God’s plan of order. We are all one in Christ Jesus. Wife’s submission is voluntary. Needs to be the right man. Expression of submission to Christ. 40 words to wives. 115 words to husbands by Paul. Love as Christ loved - that’s our standard. Unconditional- does not change based upon circumstances or looks tomorrow - same each day. Sacrificial so it is selfless serving. And to sanctify his wife and children so they grow in Jesus. This is not natural because we are sinners.

Leading for the Glory of God - Chris Larson (President and CEO of Ligonier Ministries) - Leaders have followers which include future leaders. Our work is done in dependence on the Lord, building up of His church. Consider others more important. Don’t look over shoulders. Think true north. The Lord is our leader.

Following Leaders - Dr. Harry L. Reeder (Senior Pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL) - Good leaders need good followers. Leaders are under assault by Satan. Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God…imitate their faith.” To remember is to hold in esteem and appropriate honor. We will not always be in full agreement but we can be in full support.

Hope-Shaped Living - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (senior pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - Much of the apathy and immaturity of Christians is from lack of hope. Do we really believe in our heavenly hope? Paul to Colossians stands secure in the Christians hope saying hope is "laid up for you in heaven" (Colossians 1:5). Christians struggle believing this applies to them. Paul does not say that faith and love cause hope, but rather hope causes faith and love. This hope has impact. Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). We need to contemplate this hope of heaven and the more we believe it the more the things of this world will not occupy our thoughts. Our hope is there. Don't go along with being caught up in today, focus on the hope of heaven. 

Hope-Filled Evangelism - Melissa Kruger (Women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC) - Encouraging devotion mentioning how her husband likes to fish and how she likes to garden and how Jesus used these images to talk about evangelism. And for us these are pastimes, First, evangelism is a hopeful endeavor. Placing a hook in the water or a seed in the soil is done with the hope that something will be caught or grow. If anyone has fished they know there is patience that is needed. But we do it with excitement as there is no greater privilege and joy to have people catch on. Second, evangelism is joy. My wife loves gardening and loves to show off what has grown. Even though she does it every year, it remains exciting every time something is produced. In fishing we take pictures often of a catch. Sharing our faith and seeing a soul come alive is no higher joy. The best harvest and Jesus allows us and wants us to be involved. Third, it is necessary. Fishing and gardening often for us in this country is optional or recreation. But in Jesus' day, these were activities that sustained our lives. Without them people did not survive. And so in that vein, it makes sense that Jesus would use these to describe how we interact with people in sharing our faith. How will people believe if no one sows seed or throws a net? How will they find life if no one shares the gospel? 

Spectacular Conversions - Robert Rothwell (Associate editor of Tabletalk magazine) - All conversions are spectacular works of God. We love to hear about radical stories because the exemplify the power of God but God's power is equally at work in ordinary circumstances. "Every conversion is a powerful work of the Spirit to give a heart of flesh to someone who had a heart of stone (Ezek. 36:26). 

The Need for Prayer - Dr. Jonathan Leeman (Editorial director of 9Marks and elder at Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Prayer, the encouragement to do it is what this article is about. I need that encouragement. I love to Study God's word but often always recognize regular praying is often missing from my life. What we pray or don't pray reveals what our hearts want. I like to think that as I mediate on God's word and study it that I am praying and asking God to mold me through the reading and study of His word. I interact with others and think about their situations, but I need to petition more for them. The Book of Acts mentions how the early church prayed together: "devoting themselves to prayer" (1:14, 24, 2:42), "earnest prayer by the church" (12:5), "gathering together" (12:12), commission people for service (13:3). Group prayer was important for this church but also individual prayer is mention by the Apostles (6:4-6), Peter (9:40, 10:9, 11:5), Cornelius (10:2,4), Paul and Silas (16:25, 28:8). And I need to remember that prayers do not need to be long. I can pray for people regularly and those prayers can be brief ("let your words be few" - Eccl. 5:1-2). How often do a go through the day without specifically praying. What foolish self-sufficiency. Yet, I do not depend on myself, but only always depend on Him. 

Becoming a Titus 2 Woman - Susan Hunt (mother and grandmother, author, speak and pastor's wife) - Remembering Titus 2:3-5 - Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. This ministry is to occur in the context of church life and oversight of church leadership. 1 - Submit to the Lord and ecclesiastical authority; 2 - have teachable spirit, feasting on Solid food of God's word to grow in salvation; 3 - Love the covenant family where God has called a woman; 4 - Have a gentle and quiet spirit, eager to share the gospel and our lives with one another; 5 - Invest in others; 6 - Be motivated by gratitude for salvation; 7 - Rest in the gospel to redeem and purify God's people. 

The Danger of Gossip - Rev. Jared C. Wilson (Director of content strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) - "Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you" (Proverbs 4:24; ESV). Crooked speech is gossip. Gossip is saying anything about someone that you wouldn't say to them. Even as we pray or talk of prayer requests, our words of concern can border on insinuation or improper speculation. Malice is the desire to do evil. We must be careful in voicing criticism or accusation of another person; it is best to lovingly, gently confront the subject of our concern. Gossip works its way into a church to undermine the unity of the Spirit and Christ's call to love one another. In sharing sins, it often serves as entertainment and stirs up other critical spirits. Paul confronts this with I Timothy 5:13, to beware of "idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not." No self-oriented curiosity. Pride or envy is making oneself look better by comparison. We do this when we hear good things about people we are often in competition with. Peppered often with, "Yeah, but they are...." In conclusion, 1. Don't say anything negative about someone that you wouldn't say to them. 2. Redirect others' gossip with a gentle query about the intent (i.e. "Have you spoken to them about this concern you have?"). 3. Rebuke repeated gossip and discipline unrepentant gossips. - Don't give crooked speech an inch; it will take a mile. Shoot straight with all. 

Globalization and the Christian Mission - Albert Mohler (President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) - Missions may be erupting. It needs to be adapted to our world. Throughout history, most live in cultural and social isolation. Global reality became more prominent in the 19th century. World War I was a turning point as multiple Americans of Irish, Italian and German backgrounds were together fighting together for America. With technology, we can now communicate easily with one another from one side of the world to another. Globalization means we can travel anywhere on the globe within 24 hours. In the year of 1800, only 3 percent lived in cities. Now 75-80% live in cities. Cities is where you meet people different from you. 1.6 billion live in shantytowns or slums; Christians must go to them. America is looking more like a majority-minority nation. From Genesis 1:28 to multiple and fill the earth and subdue it, to Matt. 28:18-20 to go into all the world and make disciples, God commissioned us to have a global perspective long before technology and globalization was a matter of secular awareness. We are to proclaim the name of Jesus in all of the world and to see people of all tribes, tongues, and nations bow the knee to the King. 

William Chalmers Burns -  Dr. Sinclair Ferguson (teaching fellow for Ligonier and chancellor professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary) - William lived from 1815 to 1868, dying at the age of 53, for 2 decades serving as missionary to the Chinese people. He grew up wanting to be a farmer, though later train to be a layer in Edinburgh, growing up in Scotland, first in Dun near Montrose, then Kilsyth, outside Glasgow. Then a calling to ministry and had a special aptitude for language, mastering Hebrew and Greek and becoming fluent in French, Chinese, and Scottish Gaelic. He had a burden for the lost, prayer, and world missions. In 1839 (age 24), he started preaching in Dundee at St. Peter's Church, while the local minister, Robert M'Cheyne, was traveling throughout Europe. However, in between preaching, he spent long time in prayer. He then was present at a person's conversion and this ignited in him further a desire for the lost condition of people. And before you knew it, he was preaching more regularly and many were coming to hear him and come to faith. And this still at age 24. Yet, his ministry had much opposition. He was preacher from 1839 to 1844 before setting sail to Canada for a period of time and then to China for 2 decades. 

Acts 6:1-7 - God's Will and the External Call

Acts 6:1-7 - Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Message: God's Will and the External Call

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to look at and study this idea of God's will on my life. The study can encompass a specific will for me that may be different from others. This is my vocation will or what I will spend my days doing on this earth. Many of us grow up learning and going to school with the ambition that following school we will enter the work force or that education will prepare us for doing work once we exit that learning phase of our life. Besides entering the workforce, for some the work of raising children and teaching them will be that vocation. So as we grow, we seek to know how we will be serving people. The workforce I have seen embodies or includes the work of ministry as well as layperson vocations. But in all vocations, I believe there is ministry work. For some, like me, that time serving is part-time or indirect while the minister or church worker is more directly spending time in ministry throughout their day. 

Thus, in this calling there is an internal call or that which I come up with or sense God calling me into, but there is also an external call or the confirmation I receive from others. 

I am still determining from scripture the calling spoken of in the Bible that pertains to non-ministry vocations. Non-ministry work is identified in scripture but the calling to do ministry is definitely identified. For example:

I Corinthians 9:16 - For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.

I Timothy 3:1 - It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

The calling, externally, is necessary because we are fallen creatures and our hearts can deceive us. Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick..."

Today's passage shows us that God does confirm a person's call through others in the church, other leaders as well as the congregation. Acts 6:1-7 mentions a specific need: providing food to widows. The leaders of the church had the entire congregation select 7 men to provide for this need. I previously looked at this passage as I considered the study and role of deacons. Acts seems to first identify a need and then select those to provide for that need. It seems we often operate in the church by selecting people to serve in the role of deacon and then work on identifying where they will serve. For example, recently several people in our Sunday school class identified that Pamela and I should be home group leaders. They believe we have a calling for this and possess abilities for this role. I think this is an example of external call as well as this passage in Acts of seeing a need and identifying those that will serve that need. Perhaps it would go further if we made these callings and service roles more official in these ways in the Body. Perhaps we need to look at all members with this in mind. It seems rather what we do is identify needs and wait for volunteers. 

Summary: In determining God's will, in addition to a person identifying for themselves where to serve, leaders and others around them, such as the congregation, also are involved in confirming this call. 

Promise: From Tabletalk - No matter our vocation, we should expect some kind of external confirmation that the vocation we desire is actually for us. Furthermore, we should be honest with friends and family regarding their vocations. We do not serve people well when we affirm their sense of internal call and yet it is obvious that they do not have the skills or aptitude for the vocation in question.

Prayer: Lord, there is always great joy in reading and studying Your word. It is always illuminating to me to read and discern what you are saying and how those words apply to our lives. I believe you give me this understanding through Your Holy Spirit but you also confirm it through the congregation and through leaders. Thank you for speaking to me and equipping me for the work of ministry. Thank you for helping me always see the importance of that work and how I need to always prepare myself to do that work. Your ways are clear and they make sense to how life is lived. 

Ephesians 5:25-33 - The Vocation of Husbands

Ephesians 5:25-33 - 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are parts of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Message: The Vocation of Husbands

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying: This is possibly one of my favorite verses in the Bible because it has taught me so much about my marriage and yet it is so simple - Husbands, love your wives. It is amazing what can be accomplished by these simple words. These words keep me out of trouble. I find that when I take my eyes off of my bride and knowing her, I get sidetracked and off in areas I should not be involved in. 

But right now, in this month's lessons, I am looking at vocations and this is the vocation of a husband. As I read this text I noticed some things:

• Husbands, Love your wives - again, first and foremost we are to love them. 
• We mirror Christ's love for His Church, His called ones. He wants always the best for His Church and we should always want what is best for our wives.
• Jesus gave Himself up. He died for the church. And we as husbands should have the same type of willingness to give ourselves up for our wives. 
• Jesus had a purpose in giving Himself up - to sanctify His people and present them as clean. This is also my job as a Husband, to make my wife the best she can be always and present Her before God.
• I present my wife as Jesus present me with all glory. This is my greatest prize on this earth. 
• I love her like I love myself. 
• And yet me and my wife are part of a bigger body of believers. So we should not ever think of ourselves too highly. 
• Before Him, my wife and I are one. That is hard to fathom, but it is true. 
• After all this, the wife will respect her husband. She must. 

As a reminder, Protestantism doesn't elevate certain people or positions as having greater calling than others. The priesthood of all believers says all have a similar level of calling, just some called to serve in the church and some as leaders in our world. Some are ordained for ministry and some are not. 

Marriage was established by God in creation and the role of husband is a nonordained vocation. The husband has a calling and a special role, first and foremost to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Yes, husbands lead but not in a domineering way. It is a leadership based upon a deep love. A wife's needs are more important than a husbands needs. Just as the Son of God took on the form of a servant. 

Philippians 2:5-11

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is the role of man - to empty Himself, be a servant and humble himself. Interesting that the submission of the woman to the leadership of the husband includes the husband humbling himself as a servant. He is to serve His wife. This seems opposite to what our traditional values have taught. 

Summary: Husbands have a nonordained vocation to love their wives, humbling themselves as Christ did towards His church, and serving their wives. 

Promise: Husbands must love their wives as Christ loves the church, which means they must be willing to die for their wives. The husband's willingness to die for his wife may take the form of actual, physical death, but for most husbands, being willing to die for their wives entails living sacrificially for them. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for my wife and I thank you for your words that encourage me daily how I am to sacrifice for her, put her first, and serve her. You show me the correct way to live and in the process, this reaps incredible benefits on my life and my enjoyment of my wife and how we serve You together. Thank you God for knowing exactly what I needed. Keep me humble and help me continually to look to You for answers and not the world. Shield me from this world and how it distracts me away from these purposes continually. Draw people to yourself and right wrongs in our nation and world over these issues. I praise You God.  

I Timothy 3:8-13 - The Vocation of Deacon

I Timothy 3:8-13 - Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 

Message: The Vocation of Deacon

Time: Paul is writing to a young pastor in Timothy. He is writing to Timothy in about AD 63, who is serving the church in Ephesus. He is writing about church leadership and organizing the church. Paul gives practical and pastoral advice. 

What the Lord is Saying: Deacon is the English translation of the Greek word diakonos, which was given to servants of various kinds in the ancient world. 

Acts 6:1-6 is another passage that seems to describe deacons: Now at this time while the disciples were increasing [in number], a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic (non-Palestinian Jews who normally spoke Greek) [Jews] against the [native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily service [of food]. And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. But select among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte (a Gentile convert to Judaism) from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. 

These passage speaks of service that needs to occur - widows needing food. The Word of God is needed but we must not neglect those that are in need. It is the elders that care for spiritual needs and deacons care for physical needs. 

There has been debate as to whether these passages permit women to also participate and serve in these roles. The passage in I Timothy calls attention to women. Perhaps here, in acts of service, the focus should be people that are reputable and honest and will not use the office to seek out selfish gains. We are to be focused on serving and meeting people's needs. And so in doing that function the people serving need to have dignity. They are not people that say one thing and do another (double-tongued). They are not be addicted to win or food. They are to watch their speech and not be gossips. 

I served as a deacon early on in the church, as a young Christian. Perhaps I was not ready for this role. And perhaps I took it as being set apart and distinct rather as one that was truly committed to service. I have often had the notion that the deacons need to be about serving the Body and attending to the needs of those in the church. 

Summary: Deacons play a vital role in making sure people's basic needs are met. 

Promise: The People of God need to be supportive of deacons and giving to funds so that they can pass them onto the Body. 

Prayer: O Lord, help me to understand how to serve people and help me Lord to get more involved in service, in taking the time to meet people's needs that are in the church. Lord, help me to be supportive of those that are assisting people and serving people. 

I Peter 5:1-3 - New Covenant Ordained Ministry

I Peter 5:1-3 - Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God, and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 

Message: New Covenant Ordained Ministry

Time: Peter wrote to a group of people that probably included Jews and Christians at the time of probably AD 64, as the persecution of Christians by Nero was ramping up. It is thought Peter spent his final years in Rome. Peter calls people to root themselves in the perseverance and presence of Christ.

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus is the only mediator between us and our Creator (I Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, man Christ Jesus.) There are not classes of believers, but instead all believers offer holy and acceptable service to the Lord whether the calling is full-time ministry or working in a secular context. 

Yet, we still set apart people those for leadership in the church. Like today, elders are set aside to care for and shepherd the flock. Other texts will name other leaders such as deacons (I Timothy 3:8-13). Leaders are not however more important than non-leaders of the Church. There is not greater holiness in these leaders of the church. Those with least valuable gifts and callings are as vital to those with a more recognized and public role (I Corinthians 12). 

• The same God works all things in all persons (6).
• All the members of the body, though they are many, are one body (12). 
• The body is not one member, but many (14).
• Foot, hand, ear, eye - not any is less a part of the body (15, 16)
• One cannot say, I have no need for you (21).
• Even those that seem to be weaker are necessary (22). 
• Those less honorable, have more honor (23).
• No division, but all care the same for one another (25)
• If one suffers, all suffer. If one honored, all rejoice. (26)

Summary: Elders and deacons are set apart for specific roles. But those who are not set apart for these roles still are essential members of the church. All are vital, equally. 

Promise: Do not think you are invaluable because you are not called to the leadership roles of the church. All are valid and significant. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to understand my role. Thank you for calling me to be of the laity of the church and showing me how I can still be of service to you in an impactful way. Keep giving me understanding and enlarge my ministries. Help me to be impacted and for many others to be impacted by Your work in their life. At my current church, help me to serve and give me and my wife understanding of our roles in this body and how we are to serve. I pray that people feel cared for and heard. Help me to learn better to listen and encourage. Thank you for the peace that is only found in You. 

I Peter 2:9 - God's Royal Priesthood

I Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of Him, who has called you of darkness into His marvelous light. 

Message: God's Royal Priesthood

Time: Peter wrote to a group of people that probably included Jews and Christians at the time of probably AD 64, as the persecution of Christians by Nero was ramping up. It is thought Peter spent his final years in Rome. Peter calls people to root themselves in the perseverance and presence of Christ. 

What the Lord is Saying: The last 2 lessons have emphasized the principle of having a mediator. The old covenant had a priest, a person designated by God to be the mediator between God and man for the purpose of offering sacrifices and atoning for sin and entering the Holiest of Holies. But then in Christ, God provided atonement for all sin through the One that was fully man and yet equal with God. 

But, is it necessary to have these two distinct groups still - those that are deemed ordinary Christians while others are truly Spiritual Christians? There are distinctions for people have different roles, but another thing that happened 500 years ago in 1517 was this move to think of people at the same level spiritual, no matter their vocation. Thus, a laypersons service to God is equal to a ministers service to God. A layperson has the same access to God as a minister. 

The phrase that has come to describe this is "the priesthood of all believers" and is rooted in I Peter 2:9. 

I Peter 2:9 is a quote from Exodus 19:6 which states, "...and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." This text is part of what we refer to now as the Mosaic Covenant. It is a conditional covenant which followed the unconditional Abrahamic covenant. That covenant established God's blessing on His people. The Mosaic covenant is God's expectation for His people. Works follows blessing is an important distinction. The Mosaic covenant established the Law of God, judgments and the governance of Law so that people knew how to approach God. The Abrahamic Covenant established that God will make Israel a great nation and would bless them and make them great to all the families of the earth. 

I Peter starts as a message in verse "to those who reside as aliens." Peter is speaking to all people set apart for the service of God - Jew and Gentile. And it is to these people that are attributed now the role of priests. We are all a royal priesthood. We are "choice and precious in the sight of God" in verse 4. And "built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood" in verse 5. And then culminates in verse 9 as "a chosen race." Chosen from all the peoples of the earth (Amos 3:2). 

What is our sacrifice? Ourselves. Romans 12:1 - "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual services of worship." We proclaim His excellence, each of us, all of us. All of our lives are a service to Him: as neighbors, in our vocations, in our families. All Christians are alike. 

Summary: There is no distinction among believers. We are all a chosen race and all set apart as priests to proclaim the excellence of Him. 

Promise: No matter what you are called to do in life, God honors your service when you seek to love Him and other people through your work. 

Prayer: O Lord, as I read your word more and more, I see consistency and a God that has never changed. You have called people to be yours and we are all to serve you in the same way. Thank you for choosing. I pray that my life is a praise to You and is a life that does proclaim You. I pray that it is acceptable to You. I believe it is, not because of me, but because of Christ and His work in life and on the cross. What makes me acceptable to you is not my deeds but the forgiveness of my sin and then in response I live for You. Give me that strength and help me to continue to live for You each day I am on this earth. 

I Corinthians 12 - Communion in Gifts and Graces

1 Corinthians 12 - 'God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (24b-26)'

Message: Communion in Gifts and Graces

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

Historically, after the Reformation period, men and women sought to carry out and define further the doctrine from this period. One way was making doctrinal statements such as the Westminster Confession of Faith. It was published in 1647 and drawn up by the Westminster Assembly, a 121 person group of theologians appointed to restructure the church of England. Division of church government was on the rise at the time and this was an attempt to better align themselves with the Church of Scotland. In addition, during the Protestant Reformation at the beginning of the 16th century, the church of England had separated themselves from the Catholic Church, though it was still thought (by Puritans) that they remained very influenced by Catholicism. 

Chapter 26 of the Westminster Confession of Faith is the Communion of the Saints. One of the purposes of the church is expressed in section 1:

All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:(a) and being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces,(b) and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.(c)

In reading this I see a lot to unpack. First, this community begins with who we are in Christ. Our first community is with Jesus Christ. But our fellowship with Him is different as it is with him in his graces - sufferings - death - resurrection - and glory. Interesting. I've never thought of it like this or maybe had it explained like this. 

John 1:16 - For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Romans 6:5-6 - For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Ephesians 2:5-6 - even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 3:16-19 - that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Philippians 3:10 - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

2 Timothy 2:12 - if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

I John 1:3 - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Wow. Those are some great verses and now it begins to make more sense. We have all received grace...united with him in death, in resurrection...old self crucified...alive by grace, raised and seated...we comprehend with all the saints to know the love of Christ...be filled...share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...endure, reign with him...fellowship with the Father and with His Son. 

I know these things, but this idea that I am united with him, having fellowship with him in these things he did. These things he provided for me. I'm just thinking about this and meditating on this. 

Just as we are united with Him, we are united to one another. Everything God did for us was out of love for us. And we can have this same love for one another. The way he loves can be the way I love. And then I or we can have communion with each other in each other's gifts and graces. 

I Corinthians 3:21-23 - So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

I Corinthians 12:7 - To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Ephesians 4:15-16 - Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Colossians 2:19 - and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

This second part hones in on the idea first of our unity. Even in our working together it is God that grows us. He is the one that makes the body grow. It is the Spirit manifestation in us that makes this possible. Each day I am to submit and surrender to Him and Lord, may your Spirit be filled in me. 

And the final part makes it clear that being united in Him and then united in each other makes our work an obligation. 

Romans 1:11-12 - For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Romans 1:14 - I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Galatians 6:10 - So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

I Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:14 - And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

I John 3:16-18 - By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Again, here are the truths from God's word. I am under obligation...to do good to everyone...to encourage one another and build one another up. I need to do good to everyone. That's intense. Everyone. Do good. But it should happen also. It should because of our unity in Christ, and because the Spirit is in us. 

In this vein and from the passage today found in I Corinthians is the encouragement that all of us working within the Body, within the Church, both locally and worldwide serve a function. No one part of the body is more important than another and every part is important. Our church has been celebrating service of late and those who have served and one such person that has been brought to the forefront is a man that has arrived at church to make coffee. It is a wonderful point of recognition. He has been doing it for 30 years and his wife and him will now take some time away to travel. Gifts have been purchased for him and he has been celebrated even through a video in church. It is a great thing and it goes to show that we are all valued in our serving. VBS ended as well with a great celebration of those that volunteered. This is how the church works and should live. We don't need recognition but it is nice when it occurs. It reminds us that we are all in this together. 

Summary: We are to do good to everyone, but especially those that we call our fellow believers. We are to exercise our spiritual gifts with one another. We are united with Christ in how he has provided for us for all eternity, and this brings us together also as followers of Christ, giving us the ability then to work effectively as members of the Body. 

Promise: We must use the gifts God has given us. We serve one another with the use of our gifts to make the church healthy and able to ward off the infections of impurity, false doctrine and an unloving spirit. 

Prayer: It is such a great joy Lord to read and study your Word. Thank you for bringing people together and the writing of the Westminster Confession 400 years ago. You still use that for me today to help me understand better your words. Thank you for the clarity of Your Word and the joy it brings. Lord, help us to continue to work as Your Body and continue to support those that are in need. I pray that Your Gospel will continue to be preached. Raise up people to continue to get out of their comfort zones and serve those that need to hear. Be glorified in what we do and say. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May, Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.

What the Church Does and Believes

Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God. Administering Sacraments - Sacraments (The Lord's Supper and Baptism especially) need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. The Discipline of the Church - We need to be a people that encourage repentance to keep the church pure and set apart.

Church Leadership Offices

Prophets and Apostles - There is a foundation of how the church begins and that foundation is the apostles and prophets. Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers - Only mention of pastors in the New Testament. 

Purpose of the Church

Our Arena for Growth - It is being at church, present, that we are to be equipped, build one another up, in order to grow in maturity. 

Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Trinity and Atonement

Hebrews 9:13-14
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Message: The Trinity and Atonement

Time: Hebrews was written to a group of Christians who had suffered in the past and were now threatened with even more suffering. They'd done well years ago, but the author of Hebrews feared that they might now turn away from Christ to avoid further persecution.The opinions on the author of Hebrews has varied.

What the Lord is Saying:

As I have been learning, the co-working of the three persons of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Spirit) is known as the doctrine of inseparable operations. All are identical in their attributes, yet each has distinguishable manifestations. As we study scripture, we must agree it is all God-breathed so it reveals to us things of God.

Romans 8:32 - He (God) who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Hebrews 9:14 - the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God

Both of these texts share parallel ideas. God and God the Son offer up the Son for redemption and they do so in the Spirit (Acts 10:38 - Jesus of Nazareth, God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit). Atonement is from the Father through the Son offering in the Spirit for our salvation. But, only the Son suffered. The Father and the Spirit did not suffer on the cross. Christ suffered as a man but not according to His deity. Christ was able to offer himself because of the spirit in Him while the animals did it according to flesh. The Spirit here is not conclusively the Holy Spirit but could also mention a divine presence as some manuscripts translate this as eternal spirit.

Hebrews 9 is about the regulations imposed by the tabernacle. 9:7 says - the high priest once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. The writer talks about this practice but then offers that Christ appeared as a high priest...through the greater and more perfect tabernacle... through His own blood...once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. If the act of the animals was great, how much greater is this act of Jesus (v. 13-14). Jesus obtained for us eternal redemption.

It is not simply that this act by Jesus has a longer reaching permanency, but the sins offered include the conscience as verse 14 says - you conscience cleansed from dead works. The blood of Christ purifies not only outwardly, but inwardly. His sacrifice was without blemish to God. There was no spot or blemish, but it was a perfect offering.

We can only truly serve the Lord if all of our dead works have been paid for by the blood of Christ. Under the law there was no service possible until cleansing was performed, but in Christ the cleansing is eternal and complete.

Promise: Christ suffered as man, but because of the work of the Spirit, cleansed us perfectly and completely from all of our past, present, and future sins. He completely satisfied the wrath of God.

Prayer: Thank you for dying for me Jesus and providing the way for me to have eternal union with God. My eternal home is now secure for all time. I thank you God for your great love for me in delivering Jesus up for me. Thank  you for the work of your spirit in raising Jesus from the dead. Help me to pass this onto others in my life and not be silent.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.

Exodus 4:22-23 - God the Father

Exodus 4:22-23
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’

Message: God the Father

Time: Most likely this book was penned by Moses. The book covers a period of approximately eighty years, from shortly before Moses’s birth (c. 1526 BC) to the events that occurred at Mount Sinai in 1446 BC. The Bible's message of redemption appears in Exodus as well: though the children of Israel were enslaved in a foreign land, God miraculously and dramatically delivered them to freedom, provided the Law, established the system of sacrifice, and gave instructions on building of His tabernacle. God began to fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

What the Lord is Saying:

As I look at the concept of the Trinity, biblical monotheism is not unitarianism that teaches that God is one, similar to Islam, and Father, Son, and Spirit are not persons of the trinity and therefore not deities; they believe Jesus was a man, was savior, but from the standpoint of exemplifying a life worth emulating. They have other beliefs about scripture itself being subject to human error. But this Tabletalk study that I am doing is focused on studying the Reformation doctrine of God.

Today, the focus is on Father God. Much of the defense of scripture often centers on Jesus being God and the Holy Spirit, but God the Father is also revealed in Scripture as the first person of the Trinity. In Exodus 4:22 and 23, Yahweh (Lord) states that He is the Father of Israel - Thus says the Lord, “Israel is My son." and So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’. This is the first mention in scripture of Israel's sonship. This is to speak to Pharaoh as each monarch at this time referred to himself as the son of the Sun. Thus the son idea was common in that day for a ruler to refer to himself as having the favor and divine protection of his parent. Thus, there is not a literal Father / Son relationship between God and Israel but the father / son language is given to express the familial relationship between the two and the close relationship between the two.

Here are other examples of Father:
Psalm 103:13
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

Proverbs 3:12
For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delight

Jeremiah 31:9
“With weeping they will come,And by supplication I will lead them;
I will make them walk by streams of waters,
On a straight path in which they will not stumble;
For I am a father to Israel,
And Ephraim is My firstborn.”

Hosea 11:1-4
1 When Israel was a youth I loved him, 
And out of Egypt I called My son.
2 The more they called them,
The more they went from them;
They kept sacrificing to the Baals
And burning incense to idols.
3 Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk,
I took them in My arms;
But they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love,
And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;
And I bent down and fed them.

Jesus frequently referred to the God of Israel as His Father. As I studied the gospel of Mark, Jesus often stated that only the Father knew things as He was living as the son of Man and in those moments looked to Father God, as we do today. He came alongside us.

Mark 13:32 - But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Mark 11:25 - Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.

Mark 1:9-11 - 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Promise: An earthly father will do whatever is necessary to protect and provide for their sons and daughters. Our heavenly father is an even better father and nothing can stand in the way of His care for His children.

Pray: Father God, I surrender to You. Thank you for revealing yourself to me and to mankind. You are my forever father and thank you for taking care of me always and protecting me. I see often how much my father cares for me and it is a great picture of your love for me. Thank you for giving me such a great earthly father and using him to show me how You love me.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.