Christ and Common Sense

Thoughts from a Central Valley Pastor

Category: Christ (Page 5 of 9)

Common Sense Reborn

July 22, 2022 /

Last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling on Roe vs. Wade was a win for the life of the unborn and for common sense. It dealt a shattering blow to the fictional argument that a woman has a constitutional right to abortion. The court’s ruling was in agreement with what the Bible has been communicating for thousands of years, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 

The Christian response to the June 24, 2022 ruling can be one of praise and thanksgiving. We can praise God for creating human life in his image and for allowing justice to be upheld, and we can thank him for graciously allowing the series of events to transpire that made the ruling possible. 

I have been reflecting on Proverbs 21:11 which says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Having closely watched the nomination and confirmation of justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, I can give first-hand testimony to the fact that God was clearly involved in bringing a conservative majority to the court, which made this ruling possible. Soli Deo Gloria!

The court’s ruling reads as follows, “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Roe and Casey are overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” As a constitutional originalist, it is incredibly refreshing to read that the Supreme Court is referring to the constitution in this ruling. This should be a common practice, but for the last sixty years the activist mentality of many justices resulted in the court functioning like the legislative branch instead of the judicial branch. Friday’s majority opinion was a dramatic course-correction, effectively stating that the Supreme Court’s role is to interpret and apply the constitution and the law, not legislate on issues that oversteps their purview. 

The ruling also states that Roe and Casey are overruled. The significance of that statement is hard to overstate. The ruling means the court’s conclusion on Roe and Casey were wrong! Christians have known this to be true for half a century, but it was finally confirmed by the Supreme Court. 

Another key point of the ruling is that the question of abortion will now be returned to the courts of each individual state. It says, “The authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” This has common sense written all over it. Each state has the constitutional authority to decide these issues, not the Supreme Court. This is how the question of abortion was addressed before Roe vs. Wade, and thankfully, this is how it will be addressed in the future. This means the battle against abortion will continue to be waged in each state. At this point the abortion debate has divided the states into three different groups: twenty states will activate some type of ban on abortion, ten other states are still uncertain on the outcome, and the remaining twenty states will work to protect abortion.

Dr. Al Mohler has been following the issue of abortion and the rights of the unborn for decades. I don’t agree with all his viewpoints, but when it comes to the issue of abortion I find his writing very helpful. This is what he said in last week’s podcast, “I have to tell you that another of my favorite sentences and sections from the Alito majority opinion is this, ‘Roe, however, was remarkably loose in its treatment of the constitutional text. It held that the abortion right, which is not mentioned in the constitution, is part of a right to privacy, which is also not mentioned.’ Now, that’s subtlety, but frankly, it’s not all that subtle. Here, you have Justice Alito saying that Roe v. Wade was built upon an artificial argument, that was built upon an artificial argument, that was built upon an artificial argument.” 

The artificial arguments supporting abortion have been brought into the light by the Supreme Court’s ruling. I think this is what was the most shocking part of this entire story. Many people following this case were not alive when Roe vs. Wade was originally handed down. We have scratched our heads trying to understand how such a controversial practice could be said to be constitutionally protected. Now we can have clarity on this issue. It never was a constitutional right, and it never should have been supported in that way. 

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

July 22, 2022 /

I came across a list of America’s Top Ten Fears from 2021. It is a sobering list that begins with issues related to the pandemic and then quickly moves to the economy and government corruption. The 2,083 people who filled out the questionnaire had a very real sense of the dangers that exist in this world. The results of the survey included 41 different fears, with “Love ones dying” at the top of the list and “Being abducted by aliens” at the very bottom. The top fear was shared by 65 percent of the respondents, while the last fear was held by 10 percent of the group. 

I found it interesting that the survey had been commissioned by a company that is set to profit handsomely from the fears of its customers. Government think-tanks and private companies capitalize on human fear. It is well-documented that our society has been a breeding ground for fear mongering, to the point that many in our society are debilitated by fears and phobias, some of which are not rational at all. 

One of the problems for Christians living in a fear mongering society is that we are called to reject fear and live with confidence, knowing that God is in control of the future. This is easier said than done because we are continually bombarded by both real and imaginary fears. We have to be careful to follow the Bible’s command to “Take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) We have to ask if the fear is real or fake? We have to ask “How does God want me to think about this issue in a way that is pleasing to Him?” 

The Bible is very helpful when addressing the issue of fear because it teaches that there is one foundational fear that should govern all others. It is this, the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” The fear of the Lord is related to eternity. Those who fear the Lord recognize a day of judgment is coming and everything they have done on the earth will be brought to account. If someone has a healthy fear of God, they will be ready to accept everything God says as true and they will not be judged because their sin will be paid by the work of Jesus Christ when he died on the cross. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.” 

Those who do not fear God will continue to struggle with the fears of this world because the fear of eternity will always be hanging over their heads. Anything that could potentially lead to death would register as a legitimate fear because death is the ultimate unknown, the ultimate “Game Over” and those who reject God must try to avoid death at whatever cost. 

The Bible teaches that death is not something that the Christian needs to fear. The apostle Paul wrote, ““O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) The victory that Paul described comes to those who submit their life to God. Those who submit their life to God will be truly loved by God. They will know God wants to spend eternity with them and that is better than anything this life has to offer. 

The apostle John understood this and that is why he wrote the following, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18) If someone lives with the knowledge that they are loved by God, then that person has no need to let their life be consumed with fear. The fear of death has been dealt with. They are free to live life with a soul that is at peace. 

This type of peace can have a dramatic effect on any fear that might arise in a Christian’s life. We hear that the economy is struggling, instead of being afraid we know that God loves his children and promises to provide for all their needs. (Matthew 6:25-33) We hear people say that global warming is going to ruin the earth, instead of being afraid of man-made catastrophes the Christian has a healthy fear of God and believes He will destroy and remake the world on his time-table. Genesis 8:22 says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” God is in control. His word tells us “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) The question we have to ask is this, “Is our fear of God strong enough to weaken the fears of this world?” If a fear of this world is clouding our vision, then the Christian only needs to cry out to God to see Him clearly and then his perspective on the world will be clear as well. 

The Need for Godly Fathers

July 22, 2022 /

I remember being amazed at my dad when I was growing up. We were sitting around the breakfast table having our daily devotion before going to school. Like usual, one of us would read a passage and then we would discuss it. I remember being surprised because my dad seemed to have every passage memorized. It didn’t matter what the topic was, he was familiar with the passage and could often quote a verse that was connected with it. That made a big impact on me because I realized the Bible was important enough for my dad to memorize and put to use in every aspect of his life. My trust in God’s word deepened and my faith in God grew because of the example of my father. 

The Bible speaks highly of fathers and their role of raising children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) The book of Proverbs is full of encouragement for the younger generation to learn from their fathers and mothers. The very first chapter starts with these words, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” (1:8) Children who wear the biblical advice of their parents will be protected from many of the traps and tragedies of this life. 

A father’s love for his children means he will be willing to warn them of the danger of disobedience. Proverbs 4:1 says, “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight… Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.” Those who reject their father’s advice will fall into temptation and trials. They will have their life cut short by the folly of their decisions. Proverbs 6:23 says, “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” That last phrase gives the biblical perspective on a father’s loving discipline. He is to warn his children so that they will walk in the way of life! 

The need for loving fathers is closely tied to the need for discipline. This is not a a man-made convention that was imposed on patriarchal societies as they evolved over time. No, the need for loving discipline is actually tied to the character of God. Proverbs 3:11-12 says, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” This principle of loving discipline is important for fathers and their children to grasp. Some parents seem to believe that love has no place for discipline. The Bible teaches the opposite. It actually teaches that a loving parent is the one who is willing to discipline their child. 

The author of Hebrews quoted from Proverbs when he wrote, “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?… We have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:7-11) 

The need for loving discipline is a key part of being a good father because the Biblical model of fatherhood comes from our heavenly Father. He is the perfect Father who always does what is best for his children. He is the good Father who lovingly warns his children and disciplines them so they will walk in the path of life. 

Being a good father is not an easy job in our society because there are many different models and philosophies being touted as acceptable ways of being a father. The Christian father does not need to be confused. The model he needs to pursue is that of our Heavenly Father. He is the perfect father who loves his children. God is the loving father who encourages and teaches his children who He is and how they are to live. 

Watching Our Words

July 22, 2022 /

Do you remember singing the words to that song when you were little? “For the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say.” What a great reminder! It doesn’t matter how old we are, we all need to reflect on the fact that our mouths were made to glorify God. 

The Bible says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) The apostle Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6) And Jesus gave a startling warning when he said, “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22) 

God’s word has a sobering way of reminding us of God’s perspective on issues. We were made to glorify Him and that means we are to be thoughtful about how we speak. Are we using our mouths for their intended purpose or are we degrading them by filling them with foul speech? Are we using them to tear others down and to lift ourselves up? These questions are important to ask because the society we live in is constantly pushing the envelope with coarse language. Christians have a reason to speak differently and we need to remind ourselves of that and recognize the difference between how we speak and how the world speaks. 

I’ve been thinking about this recently because of the rise of foul language being used in public. Have you noticed it as well? It has been especially apparent to me in youth sports. In the past people would have watched their language around children, but this last year it was significantly worse. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t overreacting so I did a little research to see if anyone else had written about this topic. 

Anne Marie Chaker wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal last year that addressed this issue. She referenced research done on Facebook and Twitter that showed a clear rise in foul language online. Another article from last year, which appeared in The Guardian, quoted from a study that concluded people are using more swear words in common speech now than they were five years ago. There was a generational difference as well. Those over 55 years old were less likely to swear in public, while respondents who were ages 18-24 were more likely to do so. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jun/10/swearing-on-rise-but-parents-still-dont-want-kids-hearing-it-report-finds

There has been a rise in foul language and as Christians we need to be aware of it and we need to make sure that we are not getting sucked into the habits of our culture. We need to have a realistic view of our speech, one that is informed by passages in the Bible like James 3:8-10 “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” 

James’ insight is honest and perceptive. All humans struggle to tame their tongues because all humans are naturally selfish and proud. To really get to the heart of the problem of foul speech, each person must be humbled and realize that they will never be able to speak the way God intended unless they repent of their sin and trust that God made a way for their sin to be paid for. The solution to sin is the cross. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sin. If we repent and put our faith in the atoning work of Christ then our sins will be forgiven and we will be spiritually born again. Once that happens, the Christian has a new outlook on life. He has a new reason to live. He is not living for his own praise and glory. He is living for the glory of God and that affects every word that comes out of his or her mouth. May God help us live and speak in a way that is pleasing to Him. 

Standing Firm in Tumultuous Times

May 20, 2022 /

One of my favorite parables, from the greatest teacher in the history of the world, illustrates the importance of being grounded on the word of God. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus said, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Have you noticed how many people in our society are tossed to and fro by the waves of public opinion? This is one reason I believe we see so much flag-waving these days. The groups that want to manipulate opinion to support their cause have adopted a strategy of virtue signaling by literally waving flags, wearing t-shirts, and handing out bumper stickers. These symbols are like waves of opinion that the observant masses show a remarkable willingness to respond to.

This is to be expected when individuals have so little Biblical grounding for the opinions and ideas they hold. How can someone be confident to make a moral judgment on issues like gender, immigration, life in the womb, and economic sanctions if they have no belief in a universal definition of right and wrong, or male and female? How can they stand firm when their worldview is not built upon the rock of the truth of God’s word? 

At some point there comes the realization that moral convictions hold to a system that has either been created by imperfect humans or by a perfect God. Jesus only gave two illustrations for someone’s worldview because he knew there are only two options, a person will either submit to the word of God or they will try to build their life upon the word of some man or woman. 

The Ten Commandments are an excellent example of a moral system that was instituted by God. Moses did not invent the legal framework for the Jewish people. It was given to him directly from God. The Ten Commandments give a rock-solid foundation for morality because they came from outside of humanity. Christians know human life is precious not because someone is bigger or more beautiful than someone else. No, human life is precious because men and women are made in the image of God. Those who do not believe they are made in the image of God will continually change their justification for protecting certain people because their guidelines for right and wrong are man-made and thus can change depending on which human they listen to. Those who have a foundation built upon the word of God will stand firm in the midst of tumultuous times because the principles in Scripture are timeless and true. 

New President at the Master’s University & Seminary

May 13, 2022 /

The Master’s University motto is “For Christ & Scripture”, while the Seminary’s tagline is “Train for ministry. Lives depend on it.” Having such high academic and spiritual expectations requires leadership that has wisdom, integrity, and courage. Last week, on May 6th, the school announced that Dr. Abner Chou will officially begin his role as the full-time president of both the University and Seminary, located in Santa Clarita, CA.

I was able to get a sense of Dr. Chou’s passion for God & Scripture while taking his online class on Hermeneutics last year. I am hopeful that God will use him to lead both institutions into the future. I learned about this great news from the TMU website and I thought it would be helpful to include some excerpts from the original article below.

“Chou — a beloved professor and John F. MacArthur Endowed Fellow — is the school’s fourth president in the past 63 years. He is a graduate of TMU and TMS, and since 2007, he has been a faculty member in TMU’s Department of Biblical Studies.

Over the years, Chou has served the University on committees for strategic planning, faculty advancement, accreditation standards and technology. He has also been crucial in establishing several donor-funded scholarships.

Recently, Chou served as the head translator of the Legacy Standard Bible.

Jonathan Rourke, chairman of the board, believes Chou’s Christian character, academic credentials and history with the University and Seminary make him an ideal fit as president.

“It’s his faithfulness to the stewardship of this ministry and his humility as a servant leader that set him apart as the person to lead the University and Seminary,” Rourke said.

Chou called it “an honor” to steward an institution that has remained committed since 1927 to honoring Christ and subjecting all things to His inerrant Word. “That commitment drives every aspect of campus life,” Chou said, “from the classroom, to the dorms, to student life activity, to co-curriculars, to how staff interacts with our students. Everything is governed by our commitment to Christ and Scripture.”

Since becoming interim president in 2021, Chou has maintained a close connection with TMU’s student body, continuing to teach classes and meeting with students on Friday afternoons to answer a variety of questions. The monthly Q&A has been labeled “Chat with Chou.”

“We need to be really careful that we’re not just defending the mission, or driving the mission forward, but that we’re actually doing the mission,” Chou said. “Our mission revolves around investing in young people’s lives and shaping them, ultimately, unto Christ, to please Christ in all things. So we have to be involved in that. We have to be in the trenches.”

At TMU, Chou has taught a variety of classes in Bible and theology, including Greek, Hebrew, Old Testament Survey, and Essentials of Christian Thought. He also established and led the five-year B.A./M.Div. program that allows students to graduate with a bachelor’s in biblical studies from TMU and a Master of Divinity from TMS.

In 2017, in recognition of his commitment to academic and theological excellence, Chou became the first and only fully funded research chair at TMU, serving as the John F. MacArthur Endowed Fellow. Chou’s primary charge in this position is to ensure TMU’s doctrinal integrity through influence in research, writing and teaching.

In addition to leading the translation of the Old and New testaments for the Legacy Standard Bible, Chou is the author of numerous publications and is a widely sought-after plenary speaker and guest lecturer at conferences, universities and seminaries.

In all of this, Chou has remained remarkably humble. “What’s been evident over all his years of service here is his incredible humility,” said Dr. John Stead, TMU’s executive vice president. Said Rourke, “It’s rare to find someone who has that much ability and responsibility, but also so much humility.”

Chou’s presidency comes during an era of growth at TMU. The accredited liberal arts college has recently added majors in interdisciplinary studies, sport management, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and entrepreneurial studies.

TMU has also completed numerous campus upgrades in recent years, including renovations of dorms, classrooms, Powell Library and Under the Oaks. Earlier this year, the school announced the purchase of nine properties, expanding its housing capacity to meet record-setting enrollment growth.The previous two fall semesters have seen TMU welcome new students at levels never before seen on its Newhall, California, campus. Another large class is expected to arrive in fall 2022.””

The quoted sections of this article were originally posted on the TMU website,  http://www.tmu.edu

The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength

May 6, 2022 /

The prophet Jeremiah knew a thing or two about where to find strength for the difficulties of life. “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23 ESV)

Jeremiah knew that certain people are drawn to finding strength in their own wisdom. They think if they can outsmart others, they will get away with their schemes and win the day. The longer I live the more often I read about criminals being caught for crimes they thought would never be discovered. Beware of boasting in your own wisdom because one day it is going to run out. 

The prophet Jeremiah also knew that people are tempted to boast in their power and influence.

The history of the kings of Israel and Judah are full of tragic examples of kings whose pride blinded them to the folly of war. King Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon, one of the super-powers of the day. Jeremiah predicted that Jehoiakim would be punished for his pride and within a few years the king was dead and Jerusalem attacked (Jeremiah 25, 2 Kings 24). 

The third and last false hope that Jeremiah mentioned was that of riches. Proverbs 11:28 says, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” The Prophet Isaiah gave a strong rebuke against King Hezekiah because he made the mistake of showing off all the wealth of Jerusalem to emissaries from Babylon. Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD.” (2 Kings 20:17) 

The Lord has a way of making sure his people do not trust in their own wealth, or strength, or wisdom. He wants them to only trust in Him! 

When the Jews were exiled to Assyria and Babylon, they were keenly aware that they had put their trust in the wrong place. By the grace of God, after seventy years, they were allowed to return to Jerusalem. Later, with the help of Ezra and Nehemiah, they were able to rebuild the city and restore temple worship. In Nehemiah 8:10, the governor of Jerusalem encouraged the people, “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 

Nehemiah was able to galvanize the people to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He did so in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. How was he able to re-establish his people’s capital in enemy territory? It was because he did not trust in his own strength, or might, or riches. He trusted in the God who defines strength and might and who owns all riches! 

Nehemiah had discovered the simple truth that so many of the leaders of Jerusalem had ignored. The strength of man comes from resting in the power of God. This principle has proved true throughout human history. Those who make the mistake of trusting in human strength are always disappointed. The money will run out. Human power and ingenuity will fail. The only source of supernatural strength comes from God. The sooner we can learn this lesson, the sooner we will learn to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Romans 8:28 is a fitting summary of this principle, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” We can trust that God will provide because he is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He is the one who should receive all our trust and praise and worship! The joy of the Lord is our strength! 

“Don’t Call Conspiracy What Others Call Conspiracy…”

April 29, 2022 /

The Bible is full of examples of the wickedness and deceit of humanity. The Christian is called to be wise and discerning so he will not fall into the traps of the evil one. Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 ESV) 

The reference to serpents harkens back to the original conspiracy that Satan introduced to Adam and Eve. Satan took the form of a serpent and tricked the first human couple into thinking they would not die if they ate from the forbidden fruit. He said, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” They bought into Satan’s lie and plunged humanity into a world of sin and sorrow that we are still enduring to this day. 

The enemies of God have been using the same strategy of deceit and half-truths ever since the Fall. When Joshua brought God’s people into Canaan, they were met by a group of people called the Gibeonites, who lived close by. They sent men dressed in old clothes and dried out supplies to trick Joshua into thinking they were from a distant land. Joshua did not seek advice from the Lord and as a result he made a peace agreement with the Gibeonites, even though God had specifically forbidden alliances with local groups. 

The strategy of deceiving God’s people continued on throughout the time of the Judges and the Kings. Instead of only being deceived by external enemies, God’s people had to deal with their own kings being deceived and propagating lies and conspiracies against the Lord. 

When Isaiah was a prophet, he called the people to place their hope in God and not the political might of the kings around them. The king of Assyria was powerful and many people in Judah, including King Ahaz, were tempted to make an alliance with Assyria. They wanted to believe in the conspiracy theory that Judah would be destroyed if they didn’t cry out to Assyria for help. 

The prophet Isaiah responded with a classic solution to the lies and deceit of the world. He said, “For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: ‘Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.’” (Isaiah 8:11-13) 

Isaiah’s words put the conspiracies of the people in perspective. The people did not need to be afraid of invading armies. They needed to put their trust in God. The prophet Isaiah went to King Ahaz and told him to ask for a sign to prove that God would protect his people. King Ahaz refused, likely because he was already planning on making an alliance with the king of Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-9). When Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, the Lord decided to give his own sign and what a glorious sign it was! Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” 

The solution that Isaiah introduced to King Ahaz was exponentially greater than the finite solution that Ahaz had in mind. Isaiah was talking about the Messiah! He was predicting the advent of Jesus Christ, who would not only solve the problems of those living in Judah. He would solve the problems of those living in the entire world! Just a few chapters later Isaiah wrote, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7) 

Imagine if King Ahaz had trusted in the Lord! Imagine if he had given up on the conspiracies and the doubt of the world around him! Imagine if he had the eyes to see and the ears to hear the goodness of God! 

The conspiracies of this world are constant. People are constantly churning them out to try to make people live in fear. As Christians, we can’t give in to the temptation to fear man. We must follow Isaiah’s command to fear the Lord! If we have a healthy fear of God and His word, then we will be discerning people. We will know when we are being told the lies of the world. We will  be able to recognize the will of the Lord and that will give us great joy that can never be removed. 

Is Biblical Fellowship Possible Over the Internet? 

April 22, 2022 /

One of the strongest arguments for believers to fellowship together in-person is found in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 

The word that is translated as “meet together” is derived from the Greek word “synagogue,” which means a “place of assembly.” The author of Hebrews wanted to let believers know they need to prioritize face-to-face interaction with other believers. The early church was established in a hostile environment that would have made it easy for people to not want to gather together. Christians were kicked out of the Jewish synagogue if they aligned themselves with Christ (John 9:22). They were marginalized by the Jewish majority, and we know from the book of Acts that they were actively hunted down and persecuted (Acts 9:1-2). 

This makes Hebrews 10:24-25 all the more profound because the believers continued to physically gather together, even though some of them were risking their lives to do so. 

The reason the author of Hebrews called for believers to gather together is because fellowship with other believers is a necessary extension of the fellowship that exists between God and each believer. Christ’s death on the cross made it possible for believers to “enter the holy places” and to draw near to God (Hebrews 10:19-22). Once a believer is born again he or she will be compelled by the Holy Spirit to seek fellowship with other believers. 

This is exactly what the early church did. Acts 2:42 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” This type of fellowship required physical interaction between believers. The Greek word used for fellowship is “koinonia” and it refers to “close association involving mutual interests and sharing” (BDAG). When believers have fellowship with each other they are sharing their lives with each other. They are not only hearing preaching and praying and singings hymns together. They are doing so as people who are connected by the supernatural fellowship of God. 

When John wrote his first epistle, he made it clear that this fellowship came from God and was extended to believers. He wrote, “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3) If you read the context, you will see that this is a physical fellowship that is tied to the physical incarnation of Jesus Christ, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you.” (1 John 1:1-2) 

This type of fellowship is impossible to experience unless you are in the physical presence of other believers. This is why going to a church service in person is always so much better than worshipping online. Believers were created to have fellowship with God in the presence of other believers. That was the expectation of the early church and that should be the expectation for every generation of believers. 

This is important to grasp because it gives believers the justification to never settle for virtual fellowship. There may be a time or a season when someone needs to use technology to hear God’s word preached or to be encouraged over the phone by other believers, but those experiences should always create a longing in the heart of the believer for physical, biblical fellowship with other Christians. That is why the author of Hebrews gave such clarity when he called believers to “stir up one another to love and good works.” A believer can encourage someone with the use of technology, but he cannot have full, biblical, incarnation fellowship with believers unless it is done face-to-face, the way God intended. 

The Reason for the Resurrection

April 15, 2022 /

The casual observer of our American Easter traditions might think the holiday is more about Easter egg hunts and fluffy white bunnies than the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is a reason for this. The candy industry has been pushing the sale of chocolate and sugar-coated confections for decades. In 2016, the overall sale of candy during Easter beat out the sale of candy during Halloween! Over $823 million dollars was spent on 146 million pounds of candy. As one article noted, “That’s nearly half a pound of candy for every man, woman, and child in the country.” (“Easter Wins Candy Battle” by Mark Fahey) https://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/24/easter-wins-the-candy-battle.html With such an emphasis on candy, it is easy to become distracted from the main reason we celebrate Easter: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

As Christians, we celebrate the resurrection because it proves that the power of God is greater than the power of sin! There is no more profound symbol of God’s sovereign power than the empty tomb. It proves that the creator of life is able to overcome death. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Jesus Christ is the great victor over death and sin. His resurrection from the grave proved that his death on the cross was effective as a payment for our sin. Our faith in Christ has meaning because He rose from the dead.

I am always amazed that the power of Christ dying on the cross to pay for our sins can be extended to anyone who is willing to confess their sin and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God rose him from the dead, you will be saved.” Why is it so important to believe that God rose Jesus from the grave? It is important because belief in the resurrection is necessary for salvation. 

We can get a better grasp of the significance of the resurrection by looking at how the entire Bible, particularly Old Testament prophecies, pointsto Jesus’s death and resurrection from the dead. 

Genesis 1 is the first reference given for God creating life on the earth. Genesis 3 introduces the stark reality of death as a consequence for sin. The same passage also reveals the first reference to the death and resurrection of Christ when it says, “he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”(Genesis 3:15) Τhe reference to Christ’s heel being bruised is a prophecy that points towards Christ’s death. The description of Jesus bruising the head of the serpent is partially fulfilled with the resurrection because when Christ conquers death he also showed his power over death and Satan’s temptation. 

Psalm 16 is a fascinating study in connection with the resurrection because the Psalmist writes about eternal life. “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” (Ps 16:10) The reference to “holy one” is pointing forward to Jesus Christ who will be the fulfillment of the David covenant from 1 Samuel 16:12-13, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

Psalm 22 is a masterful description of suffering, death, salvation, and life after death. Jesus Christ was intimately aware of this Psalm and quoted from it repeatedly during the Passover week. His faith in God the Father was firmly rooted in God’s word. Jesus suffered more than any other human ever has or will, but his faith never wavered. He knew God would allow him to die and he would raise him from the dead! 

Isaiah 53 has to be mentioned in relation to the resurrection because it refers to both the death of the “Suffering servant” and his resurrection. Verse 9 says, “And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.” The next verse says, “he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” As Herald Gandi wrote in his excellent article on the subject, “How can he “see” his offspring if he is executed unless he is resurrected?” (“The Resurrection: According to the Scriptures?” https://blog.tms.edu/resurrection-according-to-scriptures

Just spending a few minutes in these passages brings a deep sense of sobriety to the Passover week leading up to Easter. It is a joyful time, but there must be a time of grieving in order to celebrate what God has accomplished through Christ on the cross. The resurrection has no meaning or significance if we do not first take time to grieve the death and burial of Christ. That is why the Easter bunny is such a sad distraction from the reality of Christ. Praise God we have freedom in Christ to celebrate Easter in many different ways. My request is that however long you spend encouraging your children to hunt for candy, give at least the same amount of time explaining to them the glorious reality of what Jesus Christ did when he died on the cross and rose from the grave. He is risen! He is risen indeed! 

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