As we travel to visit family during the holiday season, I am thankful for the interstate highway system. We can pull onto the interstate, set the cruise control at 70mph and arrive at our destination much more quickly than if we had to drive 55 the whole way. I do, however, remember the days when the speed limit was only 55 mph, even on the interstate.
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Times change and laws change but it is comforting to know that our Lord does not change. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Though our God does not change, do His expectations for us ever change? I think about my own little boys. I expect that my 1 year old not play with electrical cords as he crawls around. My expectation for my 4 year old is that he be completely quite when I tell him to. My 1 year old is not yet ready to understand that.
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As my boys get older they will have more and more rules to both instruct them and to keep them safe, but there will come a time when many of those rules will no longer be needed. For example the rule for them now is that they not go on or near the road unless we are with them. This rule is given to both instruct them of the dangers of traffic and to keep them safe, but as they get older, there will come a day when they will be able to safely go out on the road by themselves.
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Our Christian Bible is divided between the Old and New Testaments. As we look at the Old Testament we see expectations for God’s people that many of today’s Christians ignore. For example, the Hebrews were forbidden to eat unclean animals including pork, yet it is not uncommon to get served a ham sandwich at church.
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Why don’t Christians observe the Old Testament law like the Jews did? The answer is that the Law of Moses was a lot like the rules I give to my little boys. The rules are there to teach so that the boys are prepared for what comes later. Galatians 3:24-25 says, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” The Old Testament law that Moses gave was a way to teach people about Christ so that they would come to Him, but now that He has come, that law is no longer needed.
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Not only did Jesus die for our sins, but notice what else was accomplished on the cross. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:14-17)
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Notice that the ordinances of the Old Testament are nailed to the cross. Sadly some people still judge others for eating pork and not observing certain special days, but Colossians 2:16 tells us that we as Christians should not let anyone judge us for not observing the Mosaic law.
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The law of Moses showed the reality of sin and the reality of sin shows the need for a savior. Jesus Christ is that savior. The Old Testament law was not worthless. It was good, but it’s purpose has been accomplished so we no longer need to observe it. Instead we should learn from it and let it direct us to Christ.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
The Deity of Christ
I do not link up every sermon to this site, but this one has such a core doctrine of Christianity that I felt compelled to link it in.
Is Jesus really God? Today's sermon will answer that question. Jehovah Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is God, but the passages that are shared in today's sermon will show that Jesus is creator (Colossians 1:16) and that Jehovah is the creator who created things Himself (Isaiah 44:24) therefore Jesus is God. Other proofs of Deity are given as well. The title of the message from Colossians 1:15-20 is "Who is Jesus." You can find the message at bancroftbaptist.com then click sermons
Is Jesus really God? Today's sermon will answer that question. Jehovah Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is God, but the passages that are shared in today's sermon will show that Jesus is creator (Colossians 1:16) and that Jehovah is the creator who created things Himself (Isaiah 44:24) therefore Jesus is God. Other proofs of Deity are given as well. The title of the message from Colossians 1:15-20 is "Who is Jesus." You can find the message at bancroftbaptist.com then click sermons
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Trust God Not Politicians
Another election cycle has passed. Some Americans are celebrating, others are disappointed, and some do not even care. I must admit that I am relieved that the political calls have stopped. I am also celebrating that a personal friend was actually elected to the Iowa Senate, but even as I celebrate his election, my ultimate trust is not in him.
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Elections like other actions definitely have consequences. People on both sides of the political isle recognize that that there is reason for concern for the future of this country but they obviously have different ideas concerning the solution. As I become discouraged over some results and celebrate others, I must remind myself that my hope for the future must not be placed in a politician or a ballot measure, but in my God. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” (Psalms 118:8-9)
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I am not writing these things to suggest that we as Christians should have no concern for the political process. When I plant the garden, I trust God to make the seeds grow, but I must actually put the seed in the ground first. In other words, I believe Christians should be involved in the voting process and should be informed as they vote. At the same time we must keep things in proper perspective and realize that even when we have proud elected officials who lie, we can still trust God. “Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” (Psalms 40:4)
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As we realize how corrupt many of our politicians are, and as we see that few of them even care about what God has to say, it may be tempting to become afraid. I am not suggesting that there is no reason for concern. I actually believe that Christians may face more and more persecution in the days ahead; however, I do not want us to fear, I want us to have confidence in the power of our God even if we do suffer. “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” (Psalms 56:11)
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If we allow our faith to be shaken by mere election results, then the enemy wins more than just a political campaign. “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:5) As Christians, our job is the same regardless of who is in office. Our job is to remain faithful as we serve the Lord and bring glory to Him through our lives. We may face further challenges as we do that, but as we remain faithful we are able to be used for God’s glory.
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We must also remember that God is the ultimate judge who will hold wicked men accountable in the end. The Thessalonians faced persecution for their faith and they were given these encouraging words by the Apostle Paul. “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-8).
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Remember that God is in control and that in the end He wins. We can trust Him no matter what happens.
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Elections like other actions definitely have consequences. People on both sides of the political isle recognize that that there is reason for concern for the future of this country but they obviously have different ideas concerning the solution. As I become discouraged over some results and celebrate others, I must remind myself that my hope for the future must not be placed in a politician or a ballot measure, but in my God. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” (Psalms 118:8-9)
-
I am not writing these things to suggest that we as Christians should have no concern for the political process. When I plant the garden, I trust God to make the seeds grow, but I must actually put the seed in the ground first. In other words, I believe Christians should be involved in the voting process and should be informed as they vote. At the same time we must keep things in proper perspective and realize that even when we have proud elected officials who lie, we can still trust God. “Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” (Psalms 40:4)
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As we realize how corrupt many of our politicians are, and as we see that few of them even care about what God has to say, it may be tempting to become afraid. I am not suggesting that there is no reason for concern. I actually believe that Christians may face more and more persecution in the days ahead; however, I do not want us to fear, I want us to have confidence in the power of our God even if we do suffer. “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” (Psalms 56:11)
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If we allow our faith to be shaken by mere election results, then the enemy wins more than just a political campaign. “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:5) As Christians, our job is the same regardless of who is in office. Our job is to remain faithful as we serve the Lord and bring glory to Him through our lives. We may face further challenges as we do that, but as we remain faithful we are able to be used for God’s glory.
-
We must also remember that God is the ultimate judge who will hold wicked men accountable in the end. The Thessalonians faced persecution for their faith and they were given these encouraging words by the Apostle Paul. “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-8).
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Remember that God is in control and that in the end He wins. We can trust Him no matter what happens.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Mooching vs. True Needs
Ephesians 4:28 says, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” I want to work hard and have a little extra so that I can give to those who really have true needs. As a pastor we often get calls asking for gas or food. It is often difficult to know if the needs are real or if we are just being taken advantage. Because the calls come from strangers it is even more difficult especially as we consider Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
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At the same time I realize that many people are just mooching off the generosity of others. Churches are to be charitable, but there are actually clear guidelines in the scripture for showing charity. Imagine if the majority of the people who came to church refused to work and just tried to live off of the generosity of others. It would not take long before there were not enough resources to go around. A sad result would be the inevitable depletion of resources that should be available for those who really do have needs. Consider the faithful Christian widow with no resources who does not have enough to get by. Imagine if we were not able to help her, because others were constantly mooching.
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Even as we think of the widow, the scripture shows that only certain widows are to be helped on a permanent basis. I Timothy chapter 5 explains that in order to get steady support from the church, a widow must have no children or nephews (it is their responsibility to care for her), she must not have other resources to live off of, she must be godly, she must be over 60 years old, and she must have been charitable herself. Not just any widow is allowed to mooch off the church. If she has true needs, she is not mooching, she is being blessed by the provision of God as she serves in prayer.
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A similar issue was dealt with in the letter to the Thessalonians. Evidently some of them were not working and were mooching off of others so Paul wrote: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12)
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Paul had taught about this issue when he was in Thessalonica and he had written about it in his first letter to them as well, so this is at least the third time he has brought it up. Evidently, some people still were not listening, so he finally had to say in vs. 14, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”
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In other words we are not to associate with those who are simply trying to mooch off the church. Verse 15, then makes it clear that we are not to consider them enemies, but we are to tell them to do what is right.
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As I write these things, it may be tempting to become cynical about helping others. I pray we not do that. There are those who are not moochers, but who have genuine needs. It may be a medical need or a loss from some tragedy. We should be eager to help with such needs. Let us not forget about verse 13 of the II Thessalonian passage: “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
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At the same time I realize that many people are just mooching off the generosity of others. Churches are to be charitable, but there are actually clear guidelines in the scripture for showing charity. Imagine if the majority of the people who came to church refused to work and just tried to live off of the generosity of others. It would not take long before there were not enough resources to go around. A sad result would be the inevitable depletion of resources that should be available for those who really do have needs. Consider the faithful Christian widow with no resources who does not have enough to get by. Imagine if we were not able to help her, because others were constantly mooching.
-
Even as we think of the widow, the scripture shows that only certain widows are to be helped on a permanent basis. I Timothy chapter 5 explains that in order to get steady support from the church, a widow must have no children or nephews (it is their responsibility to care for her), she must not have other resources to live off of, she must be godly, she must be over 60 years old, and she must have been charitable herself. Not just any widow is allowed to mooch off the church. If she has true needs, she is not mooching, she is being blessed by the provision of God as she serves in prayer.
-
A similar issue was dealt with in the letter to the Thessalonians. Evidently some of them were not working and were mooching off of others so Paul wrote: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12)
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Paul had taught about this issue when he was in Thessalonica and he had written about it in his first letter to them as well, so this is at least the third time he has brought it up. Evidently, some people still were not listening, so he finally had to say in vs. 14, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”
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In other words we are not to associate with those who are simply trying to mooch off the church. Verse 15, then makes it clear that we are not to consider them enemies, but we are to tell them to do what is right.
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As I write these things, it may be tempting to become cynical about helping others. I pray we not do that. There are those who are not moochers, but who have genuine needs. It may be a medical need or a loss from some tragedy. We should be eager to help with such needs. Let us not forget about verse 13 of the II Thessalonian passage: “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
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