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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.

God or the World?

August 19, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

First John 2:15 forbids Christians from loving the world. The “world” we are not to love is the ways of evil that are opposed to God. God certainly loves all the inhabitants of the world; He sent His Son as ultimate proof of that love (Jn. 3:16). Likewise, we should go into all the world with the Gospel so salvation can be given to as many people as possible (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15-16). Worldliness, however, must not be loved if we are to love God (1 Jn. 2:15); if one is a friend to the world in this sense, one is opposed to God (Jas. 4:4).

The devil is called the “god of this world” who blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4). Instead of giving into his temptations in conforming to this world, our minds must be renewed with the perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2). The specific temptations of the world are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16). Correspondingly, Eve saw the forbidden fruit was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise (Gen. 3:6). Jesus was tempted to make stones into bread to satisfy hunger cravings, was shown the sight all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time with the offering of their glorious power, and was pressured to prove Himself the Son of God by a display of bravado in leaping off the pinnacle of the temple (Lk. 4:1-13). Jesus resisted all the devil’s temptations; thus, he never sinned and become the Savior of the world (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 3:18).

We must put to death any worldliness in our lives, whether it is sexual sin, lust, covetousness for material wealth, anger, slander, obscene language, lying, etc. (Col. 3:5-10). Achan coveted the silver, the gold, and the beautiful Babylonian robe he saw among the spoils (Josh. 7:21). David lusted after Bathsheba while she was washing herself (2 Sam. 11:2; Mt. 5:28). The pride of worldliness leads to boasting (Rom. 1:30; 2 Tim. 3:2; Jas. 4:16). Christians, be on guard, lest after you have come out of the clutches of the world, you return to your former ways and meet a worse end (2 Pet. 2:20-22). How sad it would be if the last chapter of your life on earth were similar to what was said regarding Demas, Paul’s former companion, who had forsaken him, having loved this present world (2 Tim. 4:10).

Eternal life with God is available. In heaven, God has provided for the faithful blessings far beyond the fleeting pleasures of this life. Remember, the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 Jn. 2:17). Even if you could get all the world in exchange for your soul, it would be such a foolish trade (Mt. 16:26). We pray that you will be like Moses, who chose to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25). Look by faith to the eternal reward God has for those who follow Him (Heb. 11:6, 26).

The Authority of God’s Word

August 12, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

In religious discussions, people tend to quote various sources. Some people lean on what theologians say. Theologians may give what Christians said centuries ago. While consulting Christian writers and scholars throughout the centuries is not fruitless, too often these become the center focus rather than the word of God. To Timothy, the inspired apostle Paul noted: “that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Scriptures are writings that were breathed from the mouth of God. We are to live by every word that proceeds from His divine mouth (Matthew 4:4). These writings are not cunningly devised fables, the product of the imagination of man; no, the Holy Spirit moved and bore along holy men of God to produce Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21). Paul recognized the words he wrote were the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 14:37). Peter recognized Paul’s writings as Scripture among other Scriptures of God (2 Peter 3:15-16). Paul recognized Luke’s writing as Scripture alongside the book of Deuteronomy that came through Moses (1 Timothy 5:18; cf. Luke 10:7; Deuteronomy 25:4). David recognized that he was speaking by the Holy Spirit—God’s word was on his tongue (2 Samuel 23:2).

Romans 10:6-8 addresses the accessibility of the word of God. Perhaps only the most educated can understand certain writings of philosophy or can grasp the array of writings of scholars throughout the centuries in regard to Christian thought. By quoting Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Paul’s point in Romans 10 is that God has not made His commandments too esoteric to ascertain nor too difficult to obey. God made His commands accessible because He wanted Israel to live by them (cf. Leviticus 18:5). He wants the same for us today. Romans 10:17 goes on to say, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” If all you study is the scholars and their debates, you may very well be left in doubt and dismay. No human can speak with such clarity and authority as God; for example, consider His words “Thou shalt not…”. Who else besides God can say that with any authority? Human opinions may not establish much certainty. However, if you focus on the words given by God, it will produce faith. A strong faith in God’s word gives so much wisdom and peace that even the best of worldly scholarship from human minds cannot give.

Jesus did not teach as a scribe, nor quote previous rabbis and their tedious debates; rather, He spoke with authority and the people were astonished (Matthew 7:28-29). Jesus did not study at the rabbinical schools (John 7:15). However, He dwelt among us as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Jesus has the words of eternal life (John 6:63, 68). The common people heard Him gladly (Mark 12:37). Indeed, no one has ever spoken like Jesus (John 7:46). His words will last forever (Matthew 24:35) and judge us in the last day (John 12:48). Let’s keep what God has said as our focus. His word is the authority, producing faith, correcting us when we are wrong, and outfitting us for every good work. The Bible makes us wise to salvation. It will judge us in the end.