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Making Jesus King

September 23, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

The account of Jesus feeding 5,000 is reported in all four gospel accounts. While the crowds were following Him in a deserted place (Mt. 14:15), He provided bread. This calls to mind the provision of manna during Israel’s journey away from Egyptian bondage under Moses (Ex. 16). Once He gave this miraculous supply, Jesus perceived that the crowds were about to come and take Him by force to make Him a king (Jn. 16:15). Perhaps they thought if Moses had led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, then certainly Jesus—if He was the Prophet like Moses that was to come (Deut. 18:15)—would help first-century Jews escape Roman dominion. Jesus, however, departed to a mountain by Himself alone (Jn. 6:15). Mark’s account shows that when the multitudes were filled, immediately Jesus and His disciples got in a boat to go to the other side of the sea to Bethsaida (6:45). Thus, John 6:15 explains the reasons for the movement described in Mark 6:45.

Jesus did come to be king, but not the sort of king they were wanting. Their ambitions were diverted toward physical provisions, distracting them from what really mattered, as Jesus later said when they continued pursuing Him: “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (Jn. 6:27). Their ambitions also put them in direct conflict with the Roman government, but Jesus did not come to arm His servants to fight to establish an earthly kingdom (Jn. 18:36). Jesus continually resisted the temptation to make all the kingdoms of this world His (Mt. 4:8-10; Lk. 4:5-8).

Jesus was born to be king (Jn. 18:37). The kingdom of Jesus is not earthly, but spiritual. It is in the hearts of those who follow Him (Lk. 17:20-21). Jesus came to earth to save people from their sins (Mt. 1:21). Jesus is Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), and those who are baptized into Him are forgiven of sins (Acts 2:38). One in Christ is delivered from condemnation (Rom. 8:1). When a man obeys the gospel, the Lord adds Him to His church (Acts 2:47); he is transferred into the kingdom of the beloved Son of God (Col. 1:13). He is delivered from this present evil world (Gal. 1:4). All things have been placed under Jesus, who reigns as head over the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev. 17:14). He will reign until the end when He gives the kingdom to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24).

Many do not obey the gospel; they do not submit themselves to the authority of the King of kings. While it is true that a mind set on the flesh cannot please God because it will not submit (Rom. 8:7), that does not mean that men are not amenable to the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole world is accountable to God (Rom. 3:19). Sin is a transgression of God’s law (Rom. 4:15; 1 Jn. 3:4). If the world is under no law to God, then the world could not sin. However, the world lies in sin and wickedness, unrighteous and guilty before a righteous Lord (Rom. 3:19-23; 1 Jn. 5:17-19). Jesus will be the judge of the whole world on the final day (Mt. 25:31-32; Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:10). On the day all stand before the judgment seat, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess His rightful rule (Rom. 14:10-11).

Joy for Those Concerned for Your Soul

September 16, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

With joy the apostle Paul thought of the Christians in Thessalonica. These converts had such good hearts that Paul looked forward to Christ’s return, knowing that they would enter on to their reward together: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Paul is like an Olympic medalist whose king is not present at the event where he wins the gold for his country, so he returns to his home country and gladly presents his trophy to his king. Thus, Paul eagerly awaited the coming of Christ and calls those in Thessalonica his glory and joy. The account of his mission work in this important seaport city in northern Greece is found in Acts 17:1-9. Because of persecution, Paul and his company were sent out of the city, but continued to correspond by letter to the church there; we have the inspired books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians in the Bible as a result. What was it about the hearts of these Christians that caused Paul to have such joy at the thought of them?

Backing up to 1 Thessalonians 2:13 reveals that Paul was thankful for how they received the message he preached, as he wrote, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” Paul’s preaching was not according to man (Gal. 1:11). He preached the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37). Many dismiss the words of gospel preachers today as mere opinions. While many in pulpits may give the fashionable opinions of men, faithful gospel preachers proclaim God’s words, words with all authority behind them (Titus 2:15). Scripture is inspired—breathed out from the mouth of God (2 Tim. 3:16). These good-hearted Christians in Thessalonica heard God’s word and it effectively worked in them because they believed. Scripture should not be downplayed as irrelevant to the specific situations we find ourselves in today. The Thessalonians received the word the way they should have and let it transform their hearts and lives. Do we?

Their willingness to endure suffering for the way of truth was also a commendable characteristic for which Paul was thankful, as he wrote:

“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.” (1 Thess. 2:14-16).

In this way, the Thessalonians identified with the Lord Jesus, the prophets of old, fellow Christians in Judea, and even Paul himself. We must not allow pressure from others to cause us to give in, but instead let us stand firm on God’s truth and endure suffering for it (2 Tim. 3:12-14).

What about you? Do you have these characteristics that would make your spiritual leaders think of you with joy instead of grief (Heb. 13:17)?

The Power and Wisdom of God’s Message

September 10, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Take some time to notice (and perhaps underline) the words “wisdom” and “folly” or “foolishness” beginning at 1 Corinthians 1:17 and going all the way through at least chapter 2 of this book in your Bible. God’s wisdom is contrasted with worldly wisdom in this section. Paul was combating the pretentious element in the church at Corinth that relished the wisdom of the world. Worldly wisdom looks down on the preaching of the cross as foolishness, but in reality the gospel is God’s wisdom that is superior to the thoughts of men. God’s thoughts are above human thinking, and His words are powerful to accomplish their intended purpose (Isa. 55:8-11).

Apollos was an eloquent man (Acts 18:24). Paul, however, did not use lofty speech (1 Cor. 2:1). Paul converted several in the city of Corinth and established the congregation there (Acts 18:1-18), but some did not like listening to him speak (2 Cor. 10:10). Apollos came to Corinth (Acts 19:1), and a certain group in the congregation were big fans of his (1 Cor. 1:12; 3:3-6, 22). However, whether it was Apollos or Paul, God was giving the increase all along the way (1 Cor. 3:6). God’s gospel is the power to salvation (Rom. 1:16).

If one kept going through 1 Corinthians and underlining the aforementioned words, another concentration of these terms would pop up in 1 Corinthians 3:18-21. Here, Paul concludes that we should not boast in men, but rather be willing to be considered fools in the eyes of the world—if need be–to truly be wise by following God’s ways. It is not uncommon for those the world views as wise to reject God, “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools (Rom. 1:21-22). The world glorifies what God defines as sin. The world gives up the dignity of being made in God’s image to act like the evolved animals they think they are—pursuing baser instincts. The world laughs at the concept of sin. The world looks at the prospect of a future eternity in hell not with fearful repentance but with a loathing dismissal. The world has its own ideas on everything from how to raise children to how to conduct interpersonal relationships. The world’s proposed solutions to what ails humankind will continue to come up short until it recognizes the true nature of man, what his purpose is, what is wrong with him, and the solution of how he can be saved.

The preaching of the cross of Christ answers all these issues. It is what we desperately need. The theories of men will come and go, but the Lord’s words will endure forever (Mt. 24:35). God’s power and wisdom are available in the everlasting gospel if we will listen. Brother Josh Allen will be with us this week to preach God’s message. Will you be here to listen to the wisdom that comes from God?

Keeping Christ In

September 1, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Jesus describes himself as the true vine in whom, if we abide, we receive spiritual, life-giving nourishment necessary to produce fruit (John 15:1-3). With this image, Jesus gives a twofold command: “Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4). In the previous chapter of John, Jesus replied to the question of Judas, (not Iscariot), by saying, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). Once one obeys the words of Jesus by believing (John 8:24), repenting (Luke 13:3, 5), confessing (Matthew 10:32; 16:15-17), and being baptized (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16), then one is in Christ. Baptism is the culminating act that places one into Jesus beginning a new spiritual life (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:11-13).

The command Jesus gives intertwined with abiding in him is to let him abide in you. Jesus further explains what he means in John 15:7-8, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” The words of Jesus must abide in us; we are truly the disciples of Jesus by abiding in his words (John 8:31).

Colossians 3 is an amazing chapter in this regard; it is practical, instructing us in daily living that shows Christ is in us. Colossians 3:17 tells us to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom. Some call themselves Christians but seem to try to get by with the bare minimum of His words each week. His words must dwell in us richly. As Christians, our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Remember, we have died to sin to be raised with Christ. Christ is our life (Colossians 3:4). There are many sins listed in Colossians 3:5-9 that we must put to death and put off. However, Colossians 3 does not merely contain a list of don’ts. In rearing children, it is effective to redirect their thoughts and energy to something productive rather than merely telling them “No” to unwanted behaviors. So our heavenly Father does with us; we not only put off the old man (Colossians 3:9), but also put on the new man (Colossians 3:10). This involves putting on “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-14).

Making sure that Christ abides in us will help us to be better spouses, parents, children, employers, employees, etc. as Colossians 3:18 and the verses following show. There is a lot of evil around us in the world today. How can we overcome this encompassing evil? A Christian overcomes evil done to him with goodness (Roman 12:21); the love Jesus has shown even extends to enemies (Luke 6:27, 35; 22:49-50; 23:34). Having Jesus in our hearts will help us resist other temptations as well. The best way to keep the devil out of our hearts and lives is to keep the Lord Jesus Christ in.

You Must Be Born Again

August 26, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Nicodemus, as a ruler of Jews, was undoubtedly held in high esteem by the people (John 3:1). As a teacher of Israel, he would have had the reputation of understanding spiritual truths and being close to God (John 3:10). Yet, Jesus communicated this truth to him: unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). It was not enough to be a respected religious leader. Knowing God’s law, teaching it, and trying to keep it would not be enough to grant entrance into God’s kingdom. A man must be remade, born anew. When Nicodemus asked how this could occur, Jesus replied that a man must be “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). This phrase, especially when read in the Greek, gives the sense of one event. One act, one birth, consisting of the two elements—water and Spirit.

Water is mentioned again later in this chapter and at the beginning of chapter 4. John was baptizing in a place of much water; people would come to him in repentance for forgiveness of sins in preparation for the coming kingdom. Jesus was making even more disciples, baptizing them, than John; however, Jesus did not baptize with His own hands, but rather had the disciples baptize.

After Jesus arose from the dead, He gave the command to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them (Matthew 28:18-20). The one who believes the Gospel and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:15-16). God saves us, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5). To be “regenerated” is to be born again, and a washing in water does this. Baptism is the birth that makes one a child of God, having put on Christ by faith (Galatians 3:26-27). One is baptized into Christ’s death, where He shed His blood, and rises out of the water to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). Water baptism saves us (1 Peter 3:21). The power is not in the water itself; however, the blood of Christ that washes away sins (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5), is contacted in the water.

The seed from which we are begotten is the word of God (Luke 8:11). We believe God’s word—the seed that begets us (1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:1). Receiving Jesus gives us the right to become children of God, the privilege to be born of God (John 1:12-13). When we obey the truth in baptism our souls are purified (1 Peter 1:22). Spiritual death and sins are done away with by God, and new life is given to us by His working: “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,” (Colossians 2:11-13).

Many in the religious world today speak of being born again; however, their description of it includes some sort of emotional experience without water. One who is baptized in water, born again, no doubt rejoices in new spiritual life (Acts 8:39). But let’s let Jesus define His own terms. Being born again means being born of water and of the Spirit. In the new birth, God doesn’t do dry cleaning.