Psalm 97 - Perfect Hatred

Psalm 97

You who love the Lord, hate evil! (verse 10)

Message: Perfect Hatred

What the Lord is Saying: I was going through my mom's papers recently. She kept a lot of papers and was devoted to God in an intense way that I am still discovering. Her time dwelling in God's presence is significant. A couple of weeks ago I sat at her desk. She had a chair in the living room that I often saw her at when I came up the stairs in the morning to get my breakfast and get ready for school. She was in that chair in the early morning hour, praying and studying. But in the den area now, where there was a pool table when I grew up, is another round table which scripture cards on it, a basket with a prayer book devotion and also another one of Mom's bibles. She had multiple Bible's and all had many markings in them. She had multiple devotions. There was a lot of variation. I guess I am the same way. But she had many different devotionals where I have been using the same one for years - Tabletalk - though inching my way through it. As of right now, I am still focused on the 2019 issues. 

The paper I came across this time was a page taken out of the devotional book, "Our Daily Bread." There are two sides or two entries to the paper, so I am not sure which devotional my mom had saved this piece of paper. Haddon Robinson wrote the devotional and I think wrote many of the devotions for Our Daily Bread. She had me listen to a sermon or teaching that he had done one time. I also don't know when this came out, but the entry says, "October 21, Friday." Prior to my mom's death that date occurred in 2016. 

I don't find this particular devotion online anywhere. The devotion ends with a prayer. My mom prayed a lot and she often had prayer books. She gave me one for my birthday on September 4, 1988 when I turned 21, that she did in calligraphy from some prayers by Tozer. In one of this books, each chapter ended with a prayer. Well, each of these entries ends with a prayer. 

I suppose I am trying here to better understand my mom. I admired her and she helped me know God. And in her I saw someone that I wanted to be like. I think I am like her. There are truths here that she saw and that made an impact on her. There are remnants of this throughout the house. She encourages me. And helps me to know God better. 

The prayer reads: 

Dear Father, help us to handle hatred with utmost care. Help us to direct our hatred only at the things you despise. Teach us what it means to hate the sin and love the sinner. Amen. 

Simple. Direct. 

On the drive in yesterday I was thinking about me and my struggle to pray. And I thought of my mom and wondered if she had the same struggle. And even at times the same struggle to read the Bible and depend on it. I think she might have because she had so many 'help's' in her life to get her knowing God and knowing His truth.  

The lesson from this devotional is in loving the Lord I am to hate evil. 

Looking at this text - Psalm 97 - I refer to one of my books by Phillips, "Exploring the Psalms." I also take a moment to look on BibleHub at the summary stated of this chapter. The chapter begins with "The Lord Reigns." 

Phillips says this Psalm looks forward to a time when the Righteous One, the Beloved will return to Reign on this earth. It is a Psalm of Prophecy, looking forward in the future to the Millennial reign. He sees the first 9 verses as speaking of Jesus the Reigning One and those verses describe him ruling nature and ruling nations. The earth and with the clouds and darkness about Him, rolled away, and there is fire, burning up His enemies, lightning enlightens the world and the hills melt in His presence. This earth responds to His reign and surrenders to Him. And then in verses 6-9 the peoples respond to Him. All those with idols will see them as worthless. Instead "Worship Him." Zion or the Jewish people have often persisted in unbelief of Jesus but they will see that God is exalted and the Lord is most high. And then in verse 10-12 the lives of the people will be seen because the Lord not only reigns but is Righteous. And it is here the people are told to hate evil. Evil is in society but we are on the side of hating it at every turn. And we are delivered from its hand. There is light and gladness and we give thanks for His holy name. 

BibleHub isn't specific in its summary of this being prophetic but it is prophetic in that it showcases God's sovereign and just rule over all of the earth and all people at any time - past, present, and future. There is opposition of the Lord at times such as idols and enemies but there will be a point when these are no more. And the people of God are always to be about hating evil. Because we are those who love the Lord. So maybe this text is speaking about a future time when these situations which right now are ideal but not true because there are opposing forces, but one day there will be a earth that is only about God. So that is the hope. Right now, we are to be a people that hates evil, but right now we are back and forth in that regard. We are selfish and self-serving and defensive and not always only about good. I am to hate evil at every turn, but right now I don't and let it in at times. 

So I return to the prayer of this passage which I am thinking for my mom is found in this passage and Haddon Robinson also mentions Amos 5:15, "hate evil, love good." 

Prayer: I read the prayer again God - Dear Father, help us to handle hatred with utmost care. Help us to direct our hatred only at the things you despise. Teach us what it means to hate the sin and love the sinner. Help me God to only be about You. Don't let my personal feelings impact what you hate. I pray that I can read Your word each day and understand it and not read into it. Let me accept it and read it for what it is. God, I want to be that person that hates evil. I don't want to go along with it simply because others do. I want to stand up and be strong. O God, help me to truly be that person. I am to hate what you hate, but I admit a struggle with this so often and knowing what it is. Truth is hard for me often to come by. 

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

Proverbs 10:17 - Prone to wander

Proverbs 10:17

He is on the path of life who heeds instruction,

But he who forsakes rebuke goes astray.

Message: Prone to wander

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: Verse 16 mentioned life in regards to righteous living. Today's verse states that "the path of life follows instruction." Thus, there is a characteristic people have that are walking well on the path of life, abundant life and that is there are amiable to instruction. Been talking to a guy online and for the most part he just wants to argue. Anything that comes up in the Bible he doesn't like he then calls God perfect. He is in defensive mode. I find a lot of people like this that simply want to a forum to communicate their convictions but don't have a need to learn or this goes beyond just learning to following instruction.

On Sunday, the message was from Psalm 119:33-35 and I noticed something interesting in those verses:

33 Teach me, the way of Your statutes, Lord,

And I shall comply with it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, so that I may comply with Your Law

And keep it with all my heart.

35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.

The idea in the 3 verses is "teach - understand - walk." Now, in this verse today are the words "follows instruction" or "heeds instruction" which really encompasses the same idea. All 3 are important. We spend much of our time in school with teaching and understanding and then life is walking. There is something fulfilling in life from those that follows instruction - they not only listen to teaching, but they follow it. This seems to be the attitude of a Christian continually. People who go to church often recognize that they have not arrived and to listen to a sermon is to acknowledge that you have something to learn, to follow, to change in your life. 

The contrast is "he who forsakes rebuke goes astray." Those that do not follow instruction but are taught and refuse the learning or correction - go astray. To go astray is to error. And this is the way that leads to sin, destruction, and death versus life and blessedness. 

In the words of the hymn "Come Thou Fount of Blessing" are the words: "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it." At a an early age, in school, we are trained in the idea of learning and understanding. At home, we are often corrected growing up. Those formative years are years of training that hopefully follow us through life - learn, understand, walk, but also there is correction. The child without the correction goes astray. Sometimes the child needs something stern or clear to see that message that they are going astray. 

But there is clearly a danger in parenting that correction doesn't look like correction, but more exasperation which is mentioned in Scripture in Ephesians, "Fathers do not exasperate your child." That exasperation is the danger in life. Correction is meant to be clear, but not abusive. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for these lessons and the good training that I even received in life. Thank you for school and though it was hard to learn at times, I appreciate the years of that training in reading, being taught, learning, and then the joy of applying it in life and working. I realize I was impatient God at times and wanted to hurry to the application. Thank you for continuing to bring me back to the importance of teaching and understanding. Help me to not be proud. There is tendency in that. There is tendency in thinking I have arrived even when I conduct myself in a way that has little sin. But I pray I would stay on the path of following the instruction I receive and heeding it. Help me to be sensitive to that and how I need to adapt and change. 

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

John 14:25-26 - Our Teacher the Holy Spirit

John 14:25-26 

25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Message: Our Teacher the Holy Spirit

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: In looking at these texts a little at a time, it is an interesting progression of thought. In today's verses Jesus returns to the idea of the Holy Spirit, who He mentioned to people in verse 16 when He mentioned asking the Father to send us a Helper. At that time, what we were told primarily about the Holy Spirt or the Spirit of Truth is that He would be with us always - abiding with us and being in us. And then Jesus seems to be responding to the concerns raised by the disciples - a concern that Jesus is leaving them, the disciples, though Jesus has mentioned He will return again (v. 18). 

As I have mentioned and concluded these verses to me have a summary idea of (1) Believe, (2) Ask/Pray, (3) Obey, (4) You have help, a helper or Holy Spirit. I like this idea that seems to be mentioned repeatedly by Jesus that we need to Believe in Him. And believe that God has sent Jesus. But we also need to ask Him and He will do whatever we ask in Jesus name (v. 14) and our lives should be marked by obedience (v. 21, 23), and through it all we have a Helper providing us help (v. 17, and now v. 26). 

I call attention to this because I see that the world focuses on beliefs they have about life and all that there is and even therefore have because of that an obedience or desire to live and love based upon that belief, but they are missing asking or praying to God and they are missing have a Helper or help through all of life's circumstances. And most notably their belief in life is not focused on the unchanging God but rather a changing or evolving worldview in this World. 

God defines our lives. And everything in our life is because of Him. The pastor yesterday in His sermon on lying mentioned Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." Our focus in life is always to be on God and what is acceptable to Him. This is what defines our life. 

And so today in these verses is the focus on the Holy Spirit, though Jesus first mentions the idea that He abides with us. He confirms the words He previously said in verse 23 of Father/Jesus having their "abode" in the life of a believer. There is an expression here that our obedience, our following of Jesus, creates this special union with Jesus/Father. And Jesus confirms this with the words, "These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you." Abiding in Jesus will come up in the next chapter in verse 7 but the focus will be on people abiding in Jesus. Here in these verses Jesus makes mention that He will be abiding with us. Perhaps what Jesus is doing is making mention to the disciples the idea that though He is living physically, there is a spiritual presence that will never be in separation from the believer in Christ. Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910) says, "He contrasts the outward and transitory presence which was now nearing its end, with the inward and continuous presence, which its end was to inaugurate." Jesus commits that He and the Father will always be with us.

And further still He makes mention of the Holy Spirit who He has already said is in us (v. 17) but now says, "He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." Besides saying He is with us, He says that He is our teacher of all things. He is the one that brings remembrance to us of everything Jesus has said to us. Again, God is with us. And God is with us always. 

Jesus in these words and throughout the concerns placed by the disciples and the fear that Jesus is leaving them is the counter-assurance by Jesus with words of comfort that Jesus will remain with them, the Father as well, and the Helper, the Holy Spirit. We have here the three-fold assurance that God is with us. 

Summary: Jesus reminds His disciples He abides with them and the Holy Spirit will be out teacher, reminding us always of Jesus' promises to us. 

Promise: I love these words from Tabletalk for this day, "Sacred Scripture does not consist of merely human writings. Instead, the Scripture is inspired by our triune God and deserves our full attention and submission. When we are reading Scripture, we are reading not merely a humanly written book but also a divinely written book. Let us treat Scripture as such and seek, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to conform to its teaching."

Prayer: O God, thank you for giving me these words of Comfort. Just as the disciples possibly did not remember them upon experiencing your crucifixion and the masses of people yelling to crucify You, I know I forget them as well - the promise that you are abiding with me and even beyond that the Father is in Me and the Holy Spirit as well, teaching me all things, bringing remembrance to Me of all things. You are my comfort and Joy. You are what I need each moment of each day. You are with me. You can be my strength and I need to remain committed to You, always. Thank you God the Father. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Holy Spirit. 

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

TABLETALK - February 2018

I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines. 

• January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - July 23, 2023) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ. 
• February 2018 (July 24, 2023 - August 10, 2023) John 2:23 - 3:36 - Regeneration and our need to believe in Christ for Salvation

Encounter with Nicodemus

Jesus and the Hearts of Men - People were believing in Jesus' name, but Jesus did not entrust Himself to them. Jesus knows hearts and must have not seen true faith in all people. Nicodemus Comes to Jesus - Nicodemus, observing the signs Jesus was doing, comes to Jesus to remark him as a Rabbi and that He must be sent from God. Our Need for Regeneration - To see the kingdom of God, you must be born again, by the Spirit of God. Irresistible Regeneration - The Spirit moves in us to be born again, and we believe then, which pleases God. Mysterious Regeneration - Even to the Jewish leader and teacher, the things of truth can be mysterious. The Witness of Jesus - Jesus testifies that He has come from heaven to speak of the things of God. We must know the basics to understand the heavenly things. The Son of Man Lifted Up - We must believe in Jesus that He was lifted up on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. God's Love for the World - God's love is significant and is a love that up to this point has not been mentioned in this way by God for His people and yet it is a love central to our Bible and changes everything about us who believe for eternity. Why God Sent His Son - Those who look to Christ escape condemnation, but those who refuse to trust Him are as good as condemned already. Loving the Darkness - The Light has come into the world but people love evil and hate the Light for fear of being exposed. Doing the Truth - We must expose ourselves to God, admitting we are sinners and run to the Light, believing, and we are saved and God gets all the glory. Christ Increasing - God gave Jesus authority and we are commissioned to be His ambassadors, giving Him all the attention. The Divine Testimony of Jesus - Jesus comes from God and is God, different from finite man, speaking the words of God and has the fullness of the Spirit. The Father's Love for His Son - Jesus has it all. He is loved by the Father and the Father has given him all things. Believing in and Obeying the Son - It's simple and profound, the Spirit draws us, we believe in Jesus, and we obey. All are needed. All must happen. 

The Problem of Forgiveness - RC Sproul - Distinguish between forgiveness and feeling forgiven. When we don't think God will forgive us after He has we are committing the sin of arrogance. God requires perfect holiness. Once it is lost, we cannot regain it. Forgiveness is objective, but the feeling of it subjective. I can feel forgiven but not be forgiven. I can be forgiven but not feel it. God forgets our sin. He does not hold them against us. Forgiveness means not bringing it up. If people confess their sin, we are to forgive, but if people don't repeat, we are not obligated to forgive. The Bible provides a provision of marriage dissolution for adultery. But we still must forgive and treat the person as a brother/sister in Christ, but we can end the marriage. We can have forgiveness, but there still may be consequences. 

How Not to Do Theology - Rev. Robert Rothwell (Associate editor of Tabletalk magazine) - After Hurricane Katrina in 2017 many people lost their lives for operating a generator inside. They didn't know and died from carbon monoxide poisoning. We need to know our theology for it determines our eternity. Do we all realize that we are each theologians because we have thoughts about God? But in this regard, our thoughts are our own and not divine revelation. This works when our thoughts match scripture, but what about when they don't. The idea of sola scriptura is the belief that studying the scripture on my own will give us understanding of truth. God promises in His Word to provide other people, our church leaders and theologians understanding of theology. Rarely is anything new being discovered. Even during the reformation period, what Luther stated about justification by faith alone and Scripture as the infallible authority was not new information. Lots of teachers out their to gravitate towards, but we need to be careful we don't put all our eggs in one basket, so listen to many. Reading blogs is great and other things on the internet, but we need to dive into Scripture and listen to known sound teachers. We can each do theology and it is not only seasoned veterans that can assist us. We must be careful to not get puffed up on ourselves though. We must stay humble. 

Studying Scripture and Doing Theology - R. Carlton Wynne (associate pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta) - Everyone is a theologian. God is able to make Himself known to those He has made in His image (Gen. 1:26–27). Theology (joins the Greek logos, or “word,” with theos, or “God”) literally, a word or knowledge concerning God—delivered by God to us first. Scripture is God-given and infallible and “the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him” (Westminster Shorter Catechism 2). The Apostle Peter teaches that the human writers of the Bible “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). Scripture is the letter of Jesus Christ to His church (see Rev 2–3; 22:16). And just as He, now risen from the dead, gives life to all of His people (John 5:21), so His Word remains “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). The psalmist sings to the Lord, “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation” (Ps. 119:99). Pay careful attention to the meaning of particular passages in their immediate contexts, but also trace organic connections with other passages across the whole of Scripture. Doing theology centers on the question, what does the whole Bible say about God, man, sin, Christ, the church, heaven, or any other topic relevant to God’s Word? For things “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16), we can and should look for help from godly teachers, Bible commentaries, and the wealth of the church’s past reflections on the Bible. After all, they, too, are Christ’s gifts to us (Eph. 4:11–14). Our final authority must be the Spirit speaking in the Scriptures He inspired. Westminster Confession of Faith: “The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly” (WCF 9.1). Jesus promised His Apostles that the “Spirit of truth” would guide them into all truth (John 16:13). Sometimes we do eisegesis, reading things “into” (eis in the Greek) the text that are not there, rather than exegesis, reading the truth “out of” (ex in the Greek) the text. His Word is able to expose and correct the faulty assumptions we bring to it. Through careful reading of what Scripture says to better align our thinking with Scripture. For example, a new Christian may have learned that Jesus died to take away sin (1 John 3:5). This knowledge, however limited it may be, becomes a grid through which he reads about the Jewish sacrifices described in the Old Testament. Suddenly, upon reading Hebrews 10:4 (“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins”), a new theological insight develops: the sacrifices in Israel anticipated the coming of Christ, who is the only effective sacrifice for sin (Heb. 7:27; 9:26). The Christian’s knowledge of Scripture thereby increases, and soon, John the Baptist’s declaration in John 1:29 (“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away sin of the world!”) sparkles on the page with a newfound brilliance. God’s revelation has come to us for an even higher purpose, namely, that we might know God personally in Christ and worship Him in the bond of fellowship. 

The Role of Creeds and Confessions in Doing Theology - R. Scott Clark (professor of church history and historical theology at Westminster Seminary California) - Ecumenical creeds and Reformed confessions are like maps of Christians of the past. Creed comes from the Latin word credo, “I believe.” The ecumenical creeds, including the Apostles’ Creed (developed during the first four centuries AD), the Nicene–Constantinopolitan Creed (often called the Nicene Creed; AD 325/381), the Athanasian Creed (after AD 428), and the Definition of Chalcedon (AD 451), widely accepted across the ages of church traditions and often responses to heresies of Christian religion at the time. Other Reformed confessions include the Belgic Confession (1561), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), the Canons of Dort (1619), and the Westminster Standards (1648). Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” is known as the Shema, after the Hebrew word translated as “Hear!” in the verse. It is quoted by Jesus, Paul refers to it and James alludes to it. Our Lord Himself commands us to confess the faith. He said, “So everyone who confesses me before men, I also will confess before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32–33) even where there is opposition in culture. The confessions serve the Scriptures. They are ecclesiastically sanctioned summaries of God’s Word, not an alternative authority of thought. Some have been revised and further supported by scripture references. They themselves declare scripture alone as authority. They are not of equal value to Scripture. The creeds and confessions are the living voice of the church’s understanding of God’s Word on the most important issues of Christian doctrine and living. Without the roadmap of the creeds and reading the Scripture in isolation from the Church it can lead to different understandings. Thus with creeds and confessions we are learning from their journey before us and learning with them the most vital doctrines of the Christian faith and basic Christian practice: the observance of the Lord’s Day, attendance to worship and the means of grace, prayer, repentance, and dying to sin and living to Christ by grace alone.

Doing Theology Together under the Leading of the Holy Spirit - Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer (Senior pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn.) - The Bible and church history teach us that the Holy Spirit guides not just Christians individually (Rom. 8:4) but the church corporately. Doing church is not optional in the NT. Upon professing faith we are to belong to a local body of fellow followers. Jesus passed authority to the apostles and those they would teach to teach and baptize. Paul’s letters are to church’s and to be read in churches. And the Holy Spirit would guide people into truth after Jesus’ death. John 14 promises guidance by the Holy Spirit and “you” in these passages is plural. And then Paul gives instruction to those that will have the gift of teaching and instruction. The Lord has gifted His church to serve with gifts of teaching and preaching (see Eph. 4:11–12; Heb. 13:7). Jesus and the disciples well versed in Jewish synagogues where community was important and reading and interpretation of scriptures not only by rabbis but every devout Jew. There is community interpretation, never in isolation, learning from the past. If the Holy Spirit guides the people of God, why has there been so much error in church history, and why have so many important truths been buried for so long? First, false teaching will be prominent until Christ's return, even in the church (Matt. 24:11; Acts 20:29; 2 Tim. 4:3–4). This should be no surprise. Second, God is sovereign and allows false teaching. God will guide His people by His Spirit to glory and as He does they shall prevail. 

The Goal of Doing Theology - Sinclair Ferguson (a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and vice-chairman of Ligonier Ministries) - Theology is a joyful and glorious activity because it is ultimately about the glory and joy of our God. Its goal is that of the angels, indeed, of God Himself: this combination of glorifying and enjoying God, which is to the unbeliever the ultimate contradiction but for Christians the discovery of our destiny. Next to the Lord Jesus, no one has embodied what this means more fully than the Apostle Paul. Romans 9–11 provides us with an extended illustration. These three chapters, then, are perhaps the headiest theology anywhere to be found in Paul’s letters. What triggered Paul’s entire exposition here was his “great sorrow and unceasing anguish” of heart for his kinsmen (9:2). He longs that they will be saved (10:1). Why? A further step backward into Romans 1–3 provides the answer. It is because of his passion for God’s glory. He sees the tragedy of man’s condition—made in God’s image and for His glory but in sin exchanging the glory of God for creatures and idols (1:23). Sin is indeed “any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the law of God” (Westminster Shorter Catechism 14). But its result is that we “fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) and lose both our crown and our destiny. If we see this, the fallen condition of our kinsmen and its repercussions are heartbreaking indeed. So, those who “do theology” for the glory of God must also be prepared for sorrow (9:2) and have a willingness to sacrifice (v. 3) and evangelize (10:14–17). Besides acting as a catalyst, Paul’s way of “doing theology” has life-changing repercussions. Romans 9:1–11:36 hinges into Romans 12–16 and especially into the first words of those chapters (12:1–2). The mercy God displays (11:30–32) calls for unconditional consecration to Him expressed in nonconformity to the world and transformation into Christ’s image, ultimately to reflect His glory. But how does this take place? By “doing theology” to His glory and for His pleasure. For transformation takes place “by the renewal of your mind” (12:2).

Wonder and Awe - Thomas Brewer (Managing editor of Tabletalk magazine and teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America) - We use telescopes to look out into space, trying to understand the shape of our universe. Galileo invented the microscope by reversing the telescope and in the process discovered a very small world living. Like a droplet of lake water will reveal an amoeba swimming. With our eyes we see nothing, but with the microscope a new world. And yet we can go smaller still and see how the amoeba is made up. And in the middle of space and these small details is us humans comprehending some and not comprehending other. “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Ps. 8:4). “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). Such thoughts lead to wonder and awe as we acknowledge that He continues to uphold the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3).

It's So Easy to Be Jealous - Rev. Stephen Mueller (church-planting pastor of Gospel Church München in Munich, Germany) - Pr 23:17, “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.” Part of envy and jealousy is being sad when things are going well for someone else and rejoicing when things are not going well for them. Author rememberss a wedding in which his friends did skits and received accolades and did well while what he did not merit much. This is when he recognized his joy in seeing them do poorly. But in the process of being jealous he started to not feel good at all or enjoy himself. Pr. 14:30: “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Upon recognizing the sin, asked the Lord to forgive him and things improved and he could rejoice with friends when great things happened to them. We have no need to compare ourselves anymore with others.

Church Matters - Jon D. Payne (Senior minister of Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston, SC) - More and more people are punting church thinking that the church is not offering them what they need to build their lives seriously. People continue to miss the point of church. "God ordained the visible church as an organization for the gathering, protecting, and perfecting of the church as an organism––the members of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12:12–31)." To be the church we must be a part of a local body. Our spiritual life is not simply individualistic it is to be connected to others and the church is this connection we all need and all must have. 

The Benefits of Fasting - Rebecca Vandoodewaard (author and mother) - Fasting is a popular decision for the healthy and there are probably more people fasting at the gym than at the church. Fasting is a discipline and hard work and Scripture associates hardship with it. It is marked by prayer, repentance, and grief. First, fasting reminds us we are not in control. If no food, we will die. Second, self-control is learned and gets stronger as one repeats it. Third, a growling stomach is a reminder to pray, and opens up wider angles of praying. Fourth, it creates a spiritual seriousness, it is giving ourselves in a way others cannot see. It draws us into the throne room of heaven to plead in Jesus' name. Take it seriously. 

John 3:1-2 - Nicodemus Comes to Jesus

John 3:1-2

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Message: Nicodemus Comes to 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: Chapter 2 was a fairly short chapter of 25 verses; Chapter 1 had 51 verses. Chapter 2 had 2 main divisions - The Wedding at Cana and Jesus Cleansing the Temple at Passover. At the end of Chapter 2 is the understanding that many were coming to hear and believe in Jesus, but Jesus was not entrusting Himself to them, meaning He was not giving Himself to them or they did not have real faith. 

But here in John 3 is the record of "Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews." He mentions the signs that Jesus had been doing (2:23 "many....observing His signs which He was doing") and Nicodemus believes that no one can do these signs unless one is from God. 

Pharisees would be the primary basis for Rabbinic Judaism following the destruction of the temple in AD 70. They were a strict Jewish sect that believed that God created the world, chose Israel as His people, and rewarded and punished them according to the law or their observance of the Law. And the Pharisees were opponents of Jesus or known to be the one's often questioning Him. 

The passage states that "this man came to Jesus by night." It could be that since Jesus was an opponent that he wanted to come to Jesus under the cover of darkness, not to be seen. Or it could simply be that he came to Jesus after the day's activities. 

Nicodemus also approaches him with a safe word for him - "Rabbi, Teacher." But even in this pronouncement is an acknowledgement that Jesus must be from God. And again, the reason - he saw miracles he had been doing. In this book, I have only seen a miracle of turning water into wine, but it must be that there were other miracles that John did not speak of directly. 

Summary: Nicodemus, observing the signs Jesus was doing, comes to Jesus to remark him as a Rabbi and that He must be sent from God. 

Promise: Anyone can come to Jesus. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the message of Your word today and the privilege to continue to hear your Words spoken and taught. Holy Spirit, continue to speak and to remind us to be your faithful witnesses as we walk in this world, helping me grab hold of opportunities to share the truth of Your gospel to others. 

Colossians 3:16-17 - Lay Duties: Teaching, Admonishment, and Thanks

Colossians 3:16-17 - 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Message: Lay Duties: Teaching, Admonishment, and Thanks

Time: Paul penned this letter to the Colossian church in AD 60-61 during his first imprisonment in Rome after the church was under attack and denigrating the deity of Christ. He penned it before visiting the church. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible God, containing within Himself the fullness of Deity. 

What the Lord is Saying: As I was finishing up my senior year at Baylor University in 1989 and 1990, I honestly wondered if there was a call for me to go into full-time ministry. I really enjoyed the Bible teaching of Tommy Nelson from Denton Bible Church and I even made a personal visit to the seminary he attended in Dallas - Dallas Theological Seminary. I seriously wondered if this would be my vocation. But as I prayed about it, I sensed the Lord was leading me not into full time ministry, but instead to be an active lay person, working and yet active in ministry. To this day, I still wonder if anyone should be in full-time ministry as a vocation or whether everyone should be working in some capacity. Over the years, I see a tendency among non-paid church staff to watch the paid staff do most of the work of the church. But, my guess is that even if this happened, there would still be a tendency to watch a small number do the work of the church. And yet, I can't help but think that the model found in the Old Testament of priests set aside is not the model of the New Testament and beyond. 

But the reality is the church body is made up of people with different responsibilities. I have studied in the previous two lessons the responsibilities of elders and also deacons. And so this lesson provides words that can be applied to those in the Body. Chapters 3 and 4 of Colossians are laid out as verses that respond to the sufficiency of Christ in all things and thereby the practice of the believer and in these verses how the believer is to put on the new man. 

Colossians 3 says to "seek the things above" (v. 1), "set your mind on things above" (v. 2), "your earthly body is dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed" (v. 5), "put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech" (v. 8), "do not lie to one another" (v. 9), "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (v. 12), "bear with one another, forgive one another" (v. 13), "love" (v.14), "let peace of Christ rule in you" (v. 15), "let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you - teach, admonish, sing, with thankfulness" (v. 16), "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Jesus to God the Father" (v. 17). And then what follows is specific direction to wives, husbands, and children. 

Here in these verses we see a responsibility we have to shed the old life and the sins that entangled us. But also to put on the new life and all that comes with it. And then more specifically, what this passage of Scripture is emphasizing today is: 

(1) let the Word of Christ dwell within you. As I am doing right now, we need to do as we gather and that is to dwell on the Word of Christ. Each of us can through our lives and our words teach one another. Teaching is not reserved to only some. I notice this in our Sunday school class as the teacher leads us and often asks questions of us. In the answers from the class, we can receive encouragement and teaching from one another. 

(2) It also says to admonish which means to warn or reprimand. We need to watch out for one another. A friend and I have been doing this lately, encouraging one another in our lives and some of the dangers of life that often occur. There are temptations all around us to get off the path of truth and onto the path of sin. We must stay clear. And we can do this through our singing with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Let the word of God not only speak but sing. Scripture can be sung to one another. 

(3) sing with thankfulness. I am continually reminded of the need to be thankful. I was with a friend yesterday and we were sitting and thinking. Each of us are in our mid-50s. We have raised kids and all the kids are out of the house. And the reality is we have a lot to be thankful for. It is good to stop always and lift up our voices to thank God for his provision and how He has carried us through so much in this life. We are not done, but God has done so much. 

Summary: Each person in the church puts on the new person in Christ to learn God's word, teaching, admonishing and giving thanks. 

Promise: Let us seek to give thanks to God in all things, remembering that He works all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). 

Prayer: O God, you are good. You are true. You are right. I thank you for making me new. And for showing me continually what needs to be old about me - what needs to be in my past - namely sins that should not be known by me. Help me continually to do good. I want to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I want to bear with one another and come alongside one another to forgive one another. Help me to love, really love people the way you love. I pray Christ for your peace to rule in me. I ask that your Word Lord would richly dwell in me. Help me to teach others and to be taught. I want to sing your songs lifting high those words of hymns and Psalms. Be glorified in everything I do and in everything I say. 

I Timothy 4:13 - Exhortation and Teaching in Worship

I Timothy 4:13 - Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 

Message: Exhortation and Teaching in Worship

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: This passage gives attention to three items -- reading, exhortation and teaching. The time of this writing is 66-67 AD and one wonders what scriptures were read. It is thought that perhaps the Gospel of John was already a part of scripture at this time. The main thought is readings were from the Law and Prophets. For the Jews, it had been the practice previously to read from the Law and Prophets. 

Exhortation implies feeling or the personal application of what is read. There is time to think and discuss how the words are then put into practice. 

And finally teaching. There is some sort of teaching of what the Word of God meant. Thus, understanding the context but also understanding present day application. 

As I think about this words, I think about the public reading - for me this takes place when the pastor gives his message on Sunday. At our current church, there isn't a separate time of reading scripture, but only when the pastor does the lesson, but he always does take the time to read the scripture text and not just launch into his message. And then he teaches, telling us what these words meant and as he does this he helps us to understand the context for that day and the application for the day. But, I have never been in a worship service in which discussion occurred. After this I go to Sunday School and it is still a larger group gathering and once again I think because of the area, it allows for a little more back and forth between teacher and those in the class, but it is mostly gaining the teacher's perspective from the lesson. 

Currently, I spend time during the week doing these lessons, but my frequency in doing them is not real consistent because my wake up times and sometimes my morning activities are not consistent. Right now, I am not spending much other time meeting with people. My weekly men's time is occasional, both with my long standing group but then also with a man I had met with to keep accountable. And I still to this day barrage myself with multiple lessons throughout the week, multiple points of emphasis. This has always affected me and made me wonder. How much is enough. 

Something else i notice from this passage are the word, Until I come. So does this mean that we are to practice this until Christ comes a 2nd time? And does this also mean or can we then infer that this means that once he comes we will no longer need to be in a setting of public reading, exhortation and teaching? 

Summary: Until Christ comes again, I need to be in a setting in which there is public reading of scripture, it is taught through and explained for application to my life. 

Promise: I play in part in this in supporting this time of leadership. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for placing me in good environments in which the Word of God is spoken and taught in an expository manner. Thank you for Tommy Nelson and his encouragement throughout these many years, but I also thank you for John Torrison, Norm Boshoff, Wayne Barber, Eric Christensen, Joshua Swanson, Chad Francis and now Lamar Morin and many others like Charles Swindoll and John MacArthur who have continued to help me understand your truths. Protect these people and continue to raise up new leaders like them to speak your truths. Help me to know when I need to be vocal. 

Romans 3:19-20 - The Law and Accountability

Romans 3:19-20

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Message: The Law and Accountability

Time: Paul probably wrote Romans between A.D. 57-58 while he was at Corinth in the home of his friend and convert Gaius. He planned to go first to Jerusalem to deliver a gift of money from the Gentile churches to the poor in Jerusalem. Then he hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain. His hopes were later realized, but not as he had expected. When he finally arrived in Rome in early A.D. 60, he was a prisoner under house arrest (Acts 28:11-31).

What the Lord is Saying:

I studied the passage previously. I went back and looked at that lesson that I did on Monday, August 4, 2014 and it is centered on the Gospel and the idea that the Law cannot save us. No one can say to God, look what I have done. Even going one mile over the speed limit is breaking the law. Now, we may not get caught but getting caught does not mean the law has not been broken. It needs to remind us that we are sinners, we are guilty and that fact alone reminds us that we are not righteous and we need Christ to be righteous in our place. 

Paul is laying the groundwork in these passages as he explains why human beings need the Gospel. What I have focused on so far in these lessons is quite simply the problem -- sin. And our sin makes us all guilty, the Jew and Gentile alike. The natural response of doing something poorly is to improve and not do it again. It is to learn from one's mistakes. It is to be a better person. This is normal and right. The problem is this does not excuse our sin. But mankind thinks that good outweighs bad. So when bad goes before the judge, man pulls out the resume and talks about how he has reformed himself and is different now and will never do it again and has learned from his way --- all good things, but the issue is the law has still been broken. Thus, this verse -- by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 

I read this and it assaults my own thinking because in my life this is how I am not trained. I am rather trained that good outweighs bad. 

The law teaches us many things that I have not named here but in the area of justification it simply reminds us we are sinners. We will break the law and through this God wants us to say, "Yes, I have broken the law and so I need someone to pay my debt." That's it. Our conscience was given by God and reminds us we have broken the Law. But even this becomes dull over time as we repeatedly break laws and do not acknowledge the sin. This is what was talked about previously as evil is now called good. The moral law defines what is good and bad, what is good behavior and bad behavior. The Law gives us this. The 10 commandments explain the moral law. This law condemns us first and foremost. 

Promise: As we look at the Law, it needs to move us to continue looking to Christ for salvation. Consider shortcomings but Jesus is our redeemer. 

Prayer: O God your message of the Law assaults my thinking at times because of the way I am trained so often in this world in which I live. But thank you for giving me understanding of your truths so that I live by Your Words. Keep me open to your truths. 

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 celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of June is about justification; May was about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

 - The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains the Jews are just as guilty before God. 

Mark 12:38-40 - Religious Men Who Prey on the Needy

Mark 12:38-40
38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”

Message: Religious Men Who Prey on the Needy

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is now teaching. He is teaching in some ways like he hasn't before. He is on a mission and he is conveying His message. The religious leaders of the day have asked their questions and He has responded, but now he puts forth his message starting with showing the scribes that He is Lord, He is Messiah, He is more than a man.

Jesus is speaking now directly to the large crowd. The previous verse had stated - And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him. They enjoyed it and so he kept speaking. When Jesus first entered Jerusalem he cursed a fig tree. While the tree appeared to look like a tree of fruit it was actually not producing any fruit at all. He proceeded to go to the temple and discovered that the temple was not being used for its intended purpose, but was instead being used as a means to earn money and/or exchange goods, a sort of storefront. Jesus confronted the leaders, but they are not accustomed to being questioned and they did not respond well. What followed was a series of questions against Jesus.

Jesus now takes this moment to talk about religious positions, most notably here, the scribes who use their religious position for personal gain. As James says the teacher is held to a higher standard and in many ways it is the teacher -- looked upon and attention focused on -- that is tempted to live as a person that is very different from others. Jesus could have spoken about anything here, but He chose this message and I think that is significant. After pronouncing that he is more than a man, that He is Lord, he then addresses those who lead others in the faith and how those leaders should not conduct themselves. I have had a years-old conversation with an atheist who lives outside of London and one of his first and main complaints is this - the often appearance that the clergy or priests are above him or of greater value than him. They put forth this separate idea, but also a separate and better idea. This is what Jesus is talking about here.

Beware of the scribes - Beware of the scribes, but more completely, beware of the religious leaders among you. We need to stand guard over those that put forth the idea that they are the leaders, the religious leaders.  The scribes who like to walk around in long robes. The first thing that we see in a person is often their dress. Why is it that religious people always have to put on their best clothes and go to church? Perhaps it is meant as a form of respect. But even in a day when we are becoming more casual, certain groups continue to walk around in their best clothes door to door. I am thinking of the Jehovah's Witnesses. They appear at our door in nice clothing. They must know that the average person answering their door is not going to be in nice clothes but they make sure they appear this way, perhaps to display a person of authority. Businessmen and leaders and Mayor's wear suits each day. It seems to be a sign of authority. Right here, Jesus addresses this and says beware or look out. Take notice. As in, there could be a problem here with the fact that they are walking around in long robes. This was a rich robe in the day which reached down to the ankles and was adorned with fringes. The scribes took pleasure in this type of display. We feel good when we dress up. And in this casual time that we live in those that are dressing up are standing out even more.

The scribes also like respectful greetings in the market places and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They wanted to hear the public acknowledgements from people. Again, important people are noticed by everyone. When they walk down a corridor or path or make an entrance people notice. There is no problem with this. This is normal, but the scribes problem was not that this simply occurred, but that Jesus says they liked it occurring. They liked the greetings, the chief seats, the places of honor. I think that one of the things that people loved about Abraham Lincoln was that he was a simple man. He was different from the leaders of the day. He stood out - yes, but he was like everyone else. Nowadays, our president often comes from very prestigious means and families.

I'm noticing that in these descriptions from Jesus he does something interesting. He tells people the motives of the scribes. I notice these words that he uses - walk around, like, devour, and for appearance's sake. They are not simply adorning themselves or hearing these acknowledgements because it is a normal thing. They like it. They enjoy the notoriety. They devour people. They are doing this for appearance. Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. He gets to people's motives. And that is what we need to be leery of, or beware of. Beware of those people that like these things.

The scribes also devour widows’ houses. They took an individual who was suffering a loss and didn't know how to tend to her property and affairs because the man as the leader of the home had taken on that role. And now they sweep in and devour the widows' house. They possess the property by deception. The problem here is greed or avarice. Like the movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels where men often took advantage of a woman's wealth, this is what scribes would do. They used their position to meet the selfish need of their own for acquisition. It is fine to have things, but Jesus isn't simply addressing this. He is rather addressing the motives of these men.

for appearance’s sake offer long prayers - We are impressed by a praying man. Prayer, public prayer is difficult and somehow we value those that can do it. And praying to God is simply one of the highest desires we have. These scribes offered long prayers. Again, it was another way to say that they are different. A long prayer can be good, but it can also be done in such a way to focus more on the person making the prayer than the One we are addressing. And Jesus condemnation is that their long prayers are given for appearance's sake. Jesus is getting at people's motives.

And in all these things is a promise, but in this instance not a good promise - these will receive greater condemnation. Paul will say that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Jesus himself states, however, with this individuals that there condemnation will great. People may trick others and may pretend to be more godly than they are, but people will never mislead God. Condemnation speaks of judgment or damnation. The problem is that they used religion to deceive. They took something set apart for God and used it for their personal gain and Jesus says that their judgment will be greater than those who did not act in this way or have this special position. 

Summary - Jesus confronts head on religious leaders and anyone that uses their position as a representative of God for their personal gain - that gain may be monetary, but Jesus focuses more on a person's motive and that they do these things to have a power over others. Jesus has spoken much about the Power of God in people's lives. God has the power. If God calls people to ministry, people must understand that they are there only to reflect Him, not to gain things personally. Jesus has proclaimed himself to be more than a man and now he comes head on to those that lead others in this regard. 

Promise: Let God take care of outcomes. He knows. He knows people's true hearts and we can trust Him to take care of those who use religion for their personal gain. 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this message. Lord, I notice this often in leaders and it sickens me and it is good to know that you notice it and that you will deal with it in Your way. I can trust You for outcomes. I can trust You for results. As people, we need to be careful in our roles as we lead people. Guard us against those that use their position to their own advantage. 

Mark 12:35-37 - David's Prophecy of Christ

Mark 12:35-37
35 And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself said in the Holy Spirit,
'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,

"SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,

UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET."

37 David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.

Message: David's Prophecy of Christ

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been speaking to the religious leaders of the day and answering their questions. One of the scribes came to Jesus to ask him about the greatest commandment and Jesus responds by giving him the message of Loving God and Loving your neighbor. The scribe agrees and restates those words to Jesus. Jesus remarks that he is not far from the kingdom of God. Thus, agreeing with Jesus on that point was not all that was needed. There was more. But, at this moment, the scribes and others were finished asking questions. 

Now Jesus turns to the large crowd that is gathered to listen to Him and Jesus begins to ask questions. While the questioning of him is finished Jesus still has more to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?" I must remember that Jesus speaks as a religious leader as well. He uses language that would signify something else. In this question, Jesus is saying, "How is it that the scribes say the Christ is only a man or only a son of David?" This was the common complaint of the day or the expectation that the people had of the Messiah. The Jews expected a Messiah that was merely human, thinking he would be a great man but also only a man. 

See there is more that Jesus wants to say that the scribes and religious leaders are not asking. While they are asking about Jesus' understanding of God, they are not directly asking about Him - Jesus - and who He is. 

Jesus quotes the words of David recorded in Psalm 110. This text is cited multiple times in the New Testament. In the Psalm David makes reference to two Lords: the first "Lord" translates the Hebrew word Yahweh, God's covenant name and the second "Lord" translates the Hebrew word Adonai, a title given to Yahweh in the Old Testament. In these verses Jesus shows, through the words of David, the Trinity: (1) David said in the Holy Spirit, (2) The Lord (Yahweh) says to (3) My lord (Adonai).

Thus, Jesus is saying that the Christ, the Messiah is much more that only a man. David himself said in the Holy Spirit, thus David speaks in the power and words of God - THE LORD (YAHWEH) SAYS TO MY LORD (ADONAI) - SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET. And Jesus goes on to further clarify this passage by saying - David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son? Thus Lord, my Lord is Him, the Christ, the Messiah, so the Christ is not his son, but the Lord. He brings together the message that the Lord that David uses in Psalm 110 also speaks of Jesus. Psalm 110 is mentioned more in the NT than any other ancient scripture (Acts 2:34-35; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 7:21).Jesus is Lord.

Saint Augustine of Hippo who lived from 354 AD to 430 AD, stated:

Christ is both David's Son, and David's Lord: David's Lord always, David's Son in time: David's Lord, born of the substance of His Father, David's Son, born of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Ghost...Unless our Lord Jesus Christ has vouchsafed to become man, man had perished. He was made that which He made, that what He made might not perish. Very Man, Very God; God and man, the whole Christ." 

Wow, what a wonderful passage that, frankly, I am just now discovering. Jesus himself is speaking clearly that he is God. And Hippo's phrase "The Whole Christ" reminds me I got a book of that title and didn't read it. Now I know what I think it is speaking about. I think it is so exciting discovering this phrase where Jesus states that He is the Messiah that He is the second Person of the Godhead.

The Pulpit Commentary concludes it well:

From this verse (Psalm 110.) our Lord shows that the Messiah, such as he was, was not a mere man, as the Pharisees thought, but that he was God, and therefore David's Lord. The meaning, therefore, is this, "The Lord God said to my Lord," that is, Christ, "Sit thou at my right hand," that is, when, after his cross, his death, and his resurrection, he will exalt him far above all principality and power, and place him next to him in heaven, that he may reign with supreme happiness and power and glory over all creatures. These words show that this is a Divine decree, fixed and irrevocable. Till I make thine enemies thy footstool (ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου); literally, the footstool of thy feet; that is, reign with me in glory until the day of judgment, when I will make the wicked, all opposing powers, subject to thee. The word "till" does not imply that Christ will then cease to reign. "Of his kingdom there shall be no end." But he will then formally deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, only that he may receive it again as the second Person of the Godhead.

Summary - The scribes and chief priests had been asking Jesus multiple questions and he had been responding. Most of the time they didn't seem to like what He said, but He spoke. But after answering the scribe that came to him his question on the greatest commandment no one would ask him anything again. But He had more to say and the first thing he brings up is that he is not simply the son of David, but He is Lord. A rather remarkable statement from Jesus. What a wonderful declaration.

Promise: Jesus proclaimed His humanity and deity. The whole Christ is the message of His true manhood and His true deity. Because He is man, He could atone for the sins of mankind. Because He is God, this atonement can cover all of our sins past, present, and future.

Prayer: O Lord, discovering this passage, in some ways for the first time, has enlightened me. It puts to silence critics who say you speaking yourself as Lord and God and Messiah is never present. It is here. Thank you for helping me walk through your scripture and see it, in some ways for the first time. Help me now to secure this message in my life and pass it on. I pray that people would rediscover You as I have. Continue to help me to see and know the significance of this message. Thank  you God for revealing Yourself to me. I am forever a changed man. 

Mark 12:18-24 - The Sadducees Ask About Marriage

Mark 12:18-24
18 Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) *came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and leaves no child, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21 The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22 and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also.23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?

Message: The Sadducees Ask About Marriage

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been speaking to Jewish leaders and other religious leaders in his time in Jerusalem: chief priests, scribes, elders, Pharisees, Herodians. All of them have been critical of Jesus and His teaching. Jesus has been in Jerusalem about 4 days now.

All of these different voices must mean that even within bible based faiths there were (and are) many different voices and beliefs and different ways of practicing those faiths. The Sadducees were a first-century Jewish sect that stressed the power of our free will and believed theology could be based only on the first five books of the Bible. They did not believe in resurrection as they don't find that this subject was addressed in the first five books of the Bible. Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) *came to Jesus, and began questioning Him. They came to Jesus with an imaginary question which, they thought, would reduce to an absurdity the doctrine of the immortality of the soul (never to cease) and the resurrection of the flesh. Jesus' response to them was focused then on a proper understanding of the scripture. Jesus often went back to examine the true meaning of what had been stated in the Scripture. He will prove that the doctrine of the resurrection is clearly taught.

The focus of Jesus seems to be less about the resurrection and more about the immortality of the soul and a future state of rewards and punishments.

From verses 19-23 the case is put forth. I am amazed at the detail that Mark addresses here with this question. The Sadducees address the question of a child that is born to the wife of seven brothers. After each brother died the next brother took on the role of marrying the wife. In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her. And Jesus responds clearly - Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? The Sadducces had a failure to know the scriptures.

Even in this age, I do think we fail to clearly understand the Bible or fail to accept what it states. We would much rather reason with our own intellect and our own interpretation of things. Yet, it is difficult to understand the context of a passage and then whether that principle was for a time period of for all time periods. This seems to be one of the struggles people have in interpreting scripture. Culture evolves and changes and as it does, some expect the theology to change as well.

Summary - The Sadducees, like the Pharisees, Herodians, Chief Priests and scribes before them have come to Jesus with a question. Jesus is in Jerusalem, on the heels of his soon death and resurrection. But how that will occur is an unknown to the disciples. They continue to follow Him and sometimes they themselves are a part of the questions. Here the question is resurrection and how it applies to a married couple and specifically whose child born to a living brother and wife belongs to given the fact that this is not the first husband of that wife. Mosaic law prescribed that a man was to marry his brother's wife if his brother were to die without producing an heir with that wife. And then, though the Sadducees don't believe in the resurrection, the question is what will the relationship of the wife with a child and husband look like upon the resurrection.

Promise: If we are going to know the truth, we must know the Bible. It holds the answers to life.

Prayer: Lord, thank  you for being true to your scripture and giving light to darkness. Lord, help to understand what you are teaching me in this passages about You, about Your message and what it looks like to me today.

Mark 11:18-19 - An Assault of God's Glory

Mark 11:18-19
18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.
19 When evening came, they would go out of the city.
Message: An Assault of God's Glory

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem. After giving basically highlight of Jesus' ministry in chapter 1-10, Mark will now get into the detail of Jesus in Mark 11-16 and detail he is given. Jesus has ridden in to town on a colt fulfilling messianic prophecy and the next day comes upon a fig tree where he pronounces a judgment on it as well the people of Israel and then is more clear on this judgment as he enters the temple as the priests have made the temple about personal gain rather than heeding the call to reach beyond the Jews to the Gentiles and having a welcome place for them.

On the heel of Jesus coming on the scene in the Temple and asserting that "you (priests) have made my house a robber's den" naturally The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him. They have been confronted. Whether it is truth or not to them doesn't matter, they have been confronted which is a position priests and scribes don't experience much. They are usually the ones doing that confrontation on others. Now Jesus sees a problem in what they are doing. It is not clear if they think they've done anything wrong, but they don't like the assertion that they are doing anything wrong. So they are seeking now to destroy Him. 

But they were afraid of Him. They were afraid. Possibly they had used the temple like this for some time. No one said anything before, though how could someone. They feared the authority that Jesus put forth. And the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. The chief priests and the scribes were all astonished at his teaching.

When evening came, they would go out of the city. The disciples and Jesus left the city. Jesus had said about the fig tree - May no one ever eat fruit from you again! It appears that he is taking the same position now regarding the temple. It's purpose is lost. There is no going back. God is patient. He gives people the opportunity to turn to Him. He gives many warnings. He has done this for centuries. But at some point it is over and the total disregard of him will have consequences.

Ezekiel 10-11 describes the glory of God departing from the temple and heading east, outside of Jerusalem, to the Mount of Olives. Ezekiel 11:23 - The glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood over the mountain which is east of the city. Sin had become so horrendous that God glory now departs from this Holy Place. But still God pledged to return his Glory to His temple.

Jesus (God) is returning to the City of Jerusalem, from the east, as predicted. But the leaders respond by seeking to destroy him. How often we act in the same way. We are so proud of the people we have become that we are not willing to accept his criticism, his correction.

Summary - Jesus has confronted the chief priests and scribes at the temple calling the work that is going on at the temple not what his purpose is for the temple. They have gotten off course. And the chief priests and scribes don't like this. They grow afraid of him and the people are astonished. So Jesus leaves. He leaves the temple.

Promise: - Christ is coming. Am I ready? Am I ready for his return or will Jesus find something else with me that is contrary to what he has called me to be?

Prayer: Lord I am a sinner. And daily I disobey you. I need you Spirit to keep working through me and speaking to me and turning my heart toward Jesus so that I can continue to do what he has called me to be - a servant to many. I get so selfish Lord and I start busying myself with things that seem good to me but they are still not your purpose. I want to stay committed to your calling. Lord, I desire to hear good news upon your return. I need to get ready.

Mark 10:17-18 - The Goodness of God

Mark 10:17-18
¹⁷ As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.


Message: The Goodness of God

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface - Jesus has been teaching us many lessons. The lessons have not simply been me-focused, but also focused on others. And he is speaking in ways that are contrary to the culture - being dependent on Him and being sensitive to people and understanding to the lesser ones. Here he remarks that to enter the kingdom of God we must be like a child - innocent, dependent, in need of someone greater than us. 

This can be a puzzling passage, at first glance. It is the story of the rich young ruler. This man comes to Jesus and asks probably the most profound question anyone can ask of Jesus in all the world - 
Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus' first response to this question is not what one would immediately suspect though. Jesus hones in on the phrase Good Teacher  and replies to the man - Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.  

This is a passage that I think can be picked a part by many skeptics as to why Jesus seemingly refutes the man's claim that Jesus is good. But, as is the custom in reading the Bible I think I need to look at the language that is using and make sure that the words and usage of words in those times is the same today. Definitions come about not by a dictionary, but by the common meaning of words in society at the time. This phrase "Good teacher" is an interesting one. 

"Good Teacher" was a name that rabbis in those times refuted when someone would call them a good teacher. The thought was that goodness was only associated with God and so calling a man good was sort of blasphemous. Jesus concurs this idea in his response by saying "No one is good except God alone." 

The discourse that Jesus will have with this man is a little different. The man will make assertions and Jesus will continually question those assertions. His response in a moment will be that he has kept all of the commandments and Jesus will show him how this isn't true. 

The thought here is that this man wasn't running to Jesus with the view that he was God, but rather that he was simply a rabbi. Jesus' response therefore is similar to a response given by a rabbi, explaining that only God is good. Jesus' doesn't say "I am not God" or that by calling me good I am not good, but rather he is asking the man to defend his words to Jesus. Why is that you call me good? Do you understand who you are calling good or do you think I am simply a rabbi? 

Therefore, the rich young ruler is someone that is approaching Jesus but does not really know yet who Jesus is. He does not have faith in him. He does not understand his Godhead. He knows he is someone, but what he has heard so far is probably all word of mouth. And the point of this passage is simple: only God is good. Jesus was acknowledging and agreeing with the words that had been spoken and defended by rabbi's throughout the ages: only God is good. 

Summary - As Jesus is setting out on a journey, a man runs up to him and begins to question him on how he can inherit eternal life. He doesn't know. He offers the question, but he also doesn't even know who he is asking for he calls Jesus a good Teacher and Jesus wonders if he knows he is talking to when only God is good. Does this man realize he is talking to God and not a mere rabbi?

Promise: As we hear others who are not believers refer to Jesus as a good teacher, let us encourage them to consider why they see him as good-because He is actually God himself.

Prayer: Lord, I want to help others understand who You are, who You truly are. There are many I come in contact with each day. I want them all to see You as You really are, but in doing this walls need to be torn down and misconceptions often times need to be assaulted. Help me with this. You are God and I want people to see you as that.

Mark 9:42 - Causing Others to Sin

Mark 9:42
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.

Message: Causing Others to Sin

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface - As they continue in Capernaum, John the Apostle mentions to Jesus that someone is casting out a demon in Jesus' name and yet that person is not part of their group. Jesus calls out and says that being part of their group is not what sets people apart as followers of Him or being for him or not followers or not for Him - but instead the issue is are they doing things in Jesus' name. Are they acting in God's name? Thus, we need to look at the fruit, the people group they are in.

This verse continues to emphasize the way we relate to one another. I'm reminded of Jesus and the two commands he gave to us - Love God and Love One Another. Both of these are related on engaging on others, outside of ourselves. Previously, it has been stated by Jesus that we need to be considerate of those of a lower social class and not show favoritism just to the popular or the highly respected. And we also need to be focused not on which group a person is a part of, but instead how they follow Jesus. For Jesus will reward those that treat others well.

And now here are words more specifically about how we might lead others to sin. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. Immediately, I'm reminded of these verses from Paul. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; (Philippians 2:3) and Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger (Ephesians 6:4). It amazes me how the words we see from Paul often are not anything different, but often just more clearly define the words from Jesus. 

But, back to this verse from Mark. Jesus basically says that if we cause someone to stumble, then impending death would be a better outcome for us. These are strong words by Jesus. Am I encouraging growth in others or rather impeding their growth? Deception is a powerful force in our world today. People are being swayed away from real truth by elders and teachers that influence people in the wrong direction. That is a scary thing that is happening today. 

Summary - As they continue in Capernaum, Jesus emphasizes to his disciples another key word about the importance of how we treat others - having already mentioned people's social status, looking at their fruit not their grouping, and the rewards that will come from this - and now he emphasizes that in no way are we to cause another person to stumble. For doing this would result in a horrific path of death.   

Promise: From Tabletalk - The children of God are immeasurably loved by Him, and He will not take kindly to any who lead them astray or cause them to sin.

Prayer: Lord, help me to others be sensitive to others and never to take any one for granted.