Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Dec 7th, 2024 The Saturday Morning Post – The To-Do List

Today’s Passages – 2 Corinthians 11 – 133; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7)

(2Corinthians 13:11-14) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (12) Greet one another with an holy kiss. (13) All the saints salute you. (14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.

Good morning. Paul is concluding his letter to the Corinthians. Under the dictation of the Holy Spirit, he writes us a To-Do list…

Be perfect (complete).

Be of good comfort.

Be of one mind.

Live in peace.

Matthew Henry gives a good explanation of these in his commentary…

“(1.) To be perfect, or to be knit together in love, which would tend greatly to their advantage as a church, or Christian society. (2.) To be of good comfort under all the sufferings and persecutions they might endure for the cause of Christ or any calamities and disappointments they might meet with in the world. (3.) To be of one mind, which would greatly tend to their comfort; for the more easy we are with our brethren the more ease we shall have in our own souls. The apostle would have them, as far as was possible, to be of the same opinion and judgment; however, if this could not be attained, yet, (4.) He exhorts them to live in peace, that difference in opinion should not cause an alienation of affections – that they should be at peace among themselves. He would have all the schisms that were among them healed, that there should be no more contention and wrath found among them, to prevent which they should avoid debates, envyings, backbitings, whisperings, and such like enemies to peace.”

Paul wrote in…

(2Corinthians 13:10) “Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.”

If the Apostle Paul came to your church, would he have to use sharpness to get you to do what was right? Or, could he be uplifting, building you up: edifying you. In 1Corinthians 14:12…

(1Corinthians 14:12) “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”

And in verse 26, “…Let all things be done unto edifying.”

When you edify someone, you build them up in the Lord: train them as a child in the way they should go, and they will help someone else; and so on. What did I do to edify someone today? If we answer that question on a daily basis, we will be focused on what Jesus was focused on: others. If we get our eyes off ourselves, and look to the needs of others, edifying them, God’s work will get done.

Let me leave you with an example that my wife and I are very thankful for. Two actually: one from God, and one from someone unknown…

December 6, 2024, was my daughter’s 49th birthday. A few years ago, Camille and I celebrated by going over to the grave, adding new flowers, and a few other Christmas items. It had been raining and drizzling all day. When we got to the cemetery, God held back the rain. We were edified: God reinforced the fact to us that He is in control. He cares for us in the little things, as well as the big. Just think about it: the Creator, who spoke everything we have into existence cared enough about us to hold back the rain while we went to the grave. Just a note: as we drove away, the rain came down in buckets! God is good!

Part two of this is also a part of what inspired this blog today. Somebody had come and visited Melissa’s grave earlier, and left a message written in the ground behind the gravestone. Maybe the message was from God too. I know we received much joy from reading it, and knowing that someone else cared. The message simply said, “I LOVE YOU.”

Peace! (JOY: Jesus, Others, You)

Dec 4th, 2024 Special Offerings

Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 15 – 16 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 16 – 20; Proverbs 4)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 25

Read the “1204 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “A Family Addicted to the Ministry,“ and “Most Miserable.“

“1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.” (1 Corinthians 16:1-4)

In this last chapter of 1st Corinthians, Paul addresses a special offering that he was collecting for the poor saints in the church at Jerusalem. This was something that Paul had also asked the churches in Galatia to participate in as well. The offering was to be collected and set aside every week on the first day of the week, which is Sunday. The early church gathered often and sometimes daily, but they also set aside Sunday as a special day because it was the day that the resurrection took place (Mat 28:1, Mar 16:2, Mar 16:9, Luk 24:1, Jhn 20:1, Jhn 20:19, Act 20:7, 1Co 16:2). Sunday may also be referred to as “the Lord’s Day” (Rev 1:10 – McGee, McArthur, Gill, Patterson), though there is some disagreement among theologians regarding the reference in Revelation (Ryrie, Phillips, Walvoord).

This offering was a special offering that was to be given to the church at Jerusalem. The money collected was not going to be used to meet the needs of their own church. It was not a tithe. Tithing was a practice that was commanded under the Old Testament Law, but was also practiced before the Law (Gen 14:20; 28:22). In the New Testament, Jesus commended the tithe. He told the Pharisees that it was right to tithe, but wrong to neglect the more important “matters of the law,” involving judgment, mercy, and faith:

“23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (Mat 23:23)

This offering was to be ready to go and given to Paul when he arrived at Corinth, which would be at the end of his third journey. The church was to approve men and send them to Jerusalem with the offering. At the time of the writing, Paul was not sure whether he would be traveling with these men. Notice that Paul set it up so that these approved men would actually be the ones handling the money, which demonstrated that Paul wanted to be above board in his financial accountability (see also 2 Co 8:16 – 21). I believe, the special offering referenced in 2nd Corinthians 8 & 9 is the same one that Paul was preparing this church for in 1st Corinthians (see 1 Co 9:2 – “a year ago”). 

Thoughts About Giving

• Though not a New Testament commandment, regular giving to support the local church is a good practice. In the Old Testament, Israel tithed (gave ten percent of their income) to the storehouse, which was the Temple (Mal 3:8 – 11). 
• If God has blessed and prospered you financially, you should give special offerings over and above your regular giving to support special projects that God impresses upon your heart. 

Cindy and I regularly give special offerings to wherever our local church may need it (missions, academy, others, bus, etc.), but we also give to people who have need outside of our church. Yesterday was “Giving Tuesday.” The college I attend was taking up a special offering to help them provide Bible college education freely (or very cheaply) to students in third world countries. God impressed upon me that this was a good thing and something that Cindy and I could invest in, so we did. We give occasionally to the organizations like the Red Cross when there are tragedies that take place, like the recent flooding in NC. Our church is collecting money for a Christmas dinner for the Ronald McDonald House, and Cindy and I will contribute to that as well.

• Don’t be stingy in your giving and learn to give cheerfully:

“7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2Co 9:7)

• The New Testament principle regarding giving is to “seek God first.”

“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mat 6:33)

“38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” (Luk 6:38)

Cindy and I have been giving over and above the tithe for many decades now, and God has always given back to us far more than we could ever give to Him. 

Dec 2nd, 2024 Finding Your Place

Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 10 – 12 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 18:3 & 46

Read the “1202 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Are You Unworthy?” “Be Careful,” and “Learn from the Past.”

“18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” (1 Corinthians 12:18)

1 Corinthians 12 discusses the spiritual gifts given by God to individual members of the Body of Christ, which are to be used edify and encourage the Body as a whole. Many of the particular gifts discussed here in this chapter were transitional gifts that were prominent in the first century when the Church was very young. This here particular gifts, including healing, tongues, miracles, etc. have ceased since the full canon of Scripture was completed (see 1 Corinthians 13:8). Another list of spiritual gifts is given in Romans 12, which is more applicable to the Body of Christ today (see Romans 12:5 – 8).

Within the context of the body of a local New Testament Church, there are many needs, which God has promised to supply (Philiipians 4:13). Each member of the local body must find the gift (or gifts) that God has given him (or her) and then find the place within the body where that gift (those gifts) can be put to full use, and where they can be beneficial in edifying the body as a whole. Some can teach; others are good administrators; others are quiet encouragers; some have been blessed financially and love to give; still others are handy and build and fix things. Whatever gift(s) you have, you need to fully develop them for the Lord and put them to a good use at the church.

By the way. These gifts are God-given. They are not given to glorify any individual, but to edify the body. Some gifts will be readily seen by others, while some are more behind the scenes; but, all are equally needful. Every member of the body is just as important as another.

Have you found your place within the body? Have you discovered the gift(s) that God has equipped you with? If you have, you need to develop those gift and put them to full use for the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ within the body of your local church.

If you haven’t discovered your spiritual gifts yet, here is a spiritual gifts test that may help you:

Spiritual Gifts Test

Dec 1st, 2024 Stay Pure

Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 6 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 1 – 5; Proverbs 1)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Joshua 1:8

Read the “1201 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Stumblingblocks,” “Property of Jesus,” and “Settling Disputes Within the Church.“

“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-20)

The words, “fornication” (πορνεία – porneia) or “fornicators” (πόρνοι from πόρνος – pornos) is found four times within today’s reading passage (1 Corinthians 6 – 9). Fornication is a more general term than adultery, which specifically involves at least one person who is married; or homosexuality, which involves people of the same sex. Fornication has been defined as “illicit sexual intercourse in general.”^[1] So, adultery and homosexuality are types of fornication, but fornication is not necessarily adultery or homosexuality; it may just be sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons. 

Fornication has always been a problem. This church in Corinth certainly had people within it who were guilty of it. In fact, according to Paul, it was quite common within the church:

“1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.” (1 Corinthians 5:1 )

What is worse is that the church did not seem to be troubled about it. Paul rebuked them for being proud about it (“puffed up” – verse 2), instead of mourning because of it. It is not much different in American churches today. Fornication is very common; yet it does not seem to be getting the attention from the pulpit, or from the parents, as it should. It is almost like believers today just turn their heads and pretend like it is not happening. Or, they somehow think that God has become OK with fornication; that He does not think it’s that big of a deal. However, that could not be further from the truth. God hates sin of any kind, including sexual sins. Just because the culture in America has become completely accepting of all kinds of sexual impurity does not mean that God has changed His mind about it. 

Thoughts About Sexual Purity:

• Sexual impurity begins in the heart:

“19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” (Matthew 15:19)

• The heart is affected by what the eyes see, and what the mind thinks about:

“51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.” (Lamentations 3:51)

• Believers need to be careful about what they look at, and what they allow their minds to think about:

“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

“7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Proverbs 23:7)

There is more porn available today than ever before. The average twelve year old has a XXX-rated book store in his pocket via his smart phone.

• Adult believers need to voluntarily put accountability fences up in their lives that will help them stay pure:

“1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” (1 Corinthians 7:1)

People criticized Mike Pence because he stated that he tried not to be alone for any length of time with any woman except his wife or members of his family, but he was merely putting up accountability fences to protect him from sinning and also protect him from accusations. 

• Parents need to help their children stay pure by ensuring that those accountability fences are in place.

Make sure that dating couples are chaperoned. 

• Young unmarried couples need to get married if they feel like they will not be able to keep from committing fornication:

“2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)

• Married couples need to work hard to make sure their marriages are sexually healthy:

“3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” (1 Corinthians 7:3-5)

• Strengthen your relationship with God:

“16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)

• Develop some godly character and willpower regarding your flesh:

“24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

• If you have fallen in the area of purity, as many of us have, remember there is grace from the Lord.

“10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11)

^[1] Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Being Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti (New York: Harper & Brothers., 1889), 532.

Nov 30th, 2024 The Saturday Morning Post – Can You Imagine

Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 1 – 5; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 30)

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Corinthians 1:10)

Can you imagine what our churches would be like if we were “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”? Can you imagine all the souls getting saved and baptized each week because they want what we have? Can you imagine the impact we would have on our communities, on our states, on our country? Can you imagine? Even the liberals may get converted!

It came to Paul’s attention that there were contentions among the members of the church at Corinth. It had gotten to the point where Paul had to plead with the church to be of one mind. Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 2…

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus, who is God the Son, was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God. If He were not God, He would have been steeling glory and worship from God. That would be sin, and that would make His sacrifice worthless, and He would have never risen from the grave. But He is God, and being God, He is perfect, and He rose from the grave, and all the glory and honor and worship goes to God.

Can you imagine if we were all of that same mind? Jesus, as God, humbled Himself putting on flesh and became a man, and was obedient even unto death on the cross. All that because He loved us. Can you imagine if we had the same love for each other? But of course we would have to be of the same mind and under control of God the Holy Spirit to even come close.

With the Holy Spirit in control, the life of the Christian, and the life of the church, would be showing the fruit of the Spirit…

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26)

Can you imagine if we had the same mind? How about the same judgment? God’s mind and His judgment are available to us from the same place: the Holy Bible: the Word of God. God’s Word has everything we need to have His mind and judgment. How can we make it our own?

1) PRAY…

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

2) READ…

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:9)

3) LEARN and APPLY and DO…

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Can you imagine?

Peace.

Nov 29th, 2024 Doubtful Disputations

Today’s Passages – Romans 14 – 16 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 29)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Deuteronomy 32:4

Read the “1129 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Responsibility,“ “Giving Back,“ “It Is Written,” “Just One More Thing,“ and “If the Lord Will.“

“1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:1-4)

“10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” (Romans 14:10)

There are a lot of great nuggets of truth within these concluding chapters of Romans, and through the years, I have pulled devotional thoughts from many of them. As I was considering what to write about from this passage today, I went back to see if I had ever considered the first part of Romans 14 in a blog post before. Paul dealt with the subject of Christian liberty here. There are some things regarding our conduct that are not clearly and specifically revealed in the Scripture. You might call these gray areas or questionable things. Is it OK to do them? This is the area of Christian standards, preferences, and even convictions. My standards, preferences, and convictions are probably a little different from yours. How am I to treat others who may believe a little differently than me in these areas? Again, we are not talking here about things that are crystal clear in the Scripture, even though by your own conviction, they may seem perfectly clear to you. Others may not see it the same way that you do.

Paul gave us three principles in this chapter that will help us determine whether these things are right for us or not:

• Conviction (v. 5) – In other words can you be fully enthusiastic about the thing that you want to do. Everything you allow yourself to do in life ought to be something that you can do without any reservation.
• Conscience (v. 22) – Is there any doubt about what you want to do? Is there any question as to whether it is right?
• Consideration for Others (v. 13) – Will the thing that you want to do send the wrong message to other people? Will my brother be offended? Will it cause him to stumble?

Paul also dealt with this subject in 1 Corinthians 8.

We Are to Receive One Another (vs. 1 – 12):

• So Don’t Argue (vs. 1 – 3)

“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” (Romans 14:1)

We are to receive those whom God receives. The early church had a problem with this. The Gentiles were just as saved and accepted by God as were the Jews, but some of the Jews would not fellowship with the Gentiles because they were different in areas that no longer mattered.

“doubtful disputations” means arguing about these areas of disagreement. We are not to receive someone so that we can debate with him about our differences.

“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” (Titus 3:9)

Someone once said, “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

“For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.” (Romans 14:2)

You will notice here that the weaker brother was the one who placed more restrictions on his diet. He was weak in the faith and was placing himself back under the law.

“Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.” (Romans 14:3)

There is a myriad of areas where we might have higher or lower standards, preferences, or convictions than another brother or sister. I can have fellowship on a personal level with other believers that may not believe the same way that I do.

On an ecclesiastical level, however, before I will allow a fellow believer to minister to our people, there must be a higher level of agreement.

• So Don’t Judge (vs. 4 – 12)

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)

Each individual believer will ultimately only have to answer to his own Master – Christ.

“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5)

In the early church particularly, there were differences in the observance of the Sabbath day, Sunday, and certain Jewish holidays. Today, we could apply this verse to many different areas. Some Christians think it is OK to watch television, others do not; etc. This is where conviction comes in. Each believer must be fully persuaded that what he is doing is right for him, or not.

“He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.” (Romans 14:6)

If I am fully persuaded in my own mind, then I believe that the thing that I allow or do not allow is right within my relationship with God.

“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:7 – 8)

This verse, in context, is not saying that each of our lives affects the people around us, though that is how it is commonly used. It is stating that everything that we do in life is tied into our relationship with God. Someone once said that you bring Christ with you wherever you go, and if you can go to a place and it does not displease the Lord, then it is OK for you to go there.

Dr. McGee gives this illustration:

Questionable amusements are wrong for the believer if they are questionable to him. If he can participate in them and maintain a close relationship to Christ, they are not wrong for him. Let me tell you a little story in this connection. Many years ago, in Tennessee a young lady went to her pastor with the question, “Do you think it is wrong for a Christian to dance?” He said to her, “Anywhere you can take Jesus Christ with you is all right to go.” That made her angry. She said, “Well, I can take Him to the dance.” The pastor said, “Then go ahead.” So she went to the dance. A boy whom she had not met before cut in on her and danced with her. She had determined to take Jesus Christ with her, so she asked him, “Are you a Christian?” He said, “No.” Wanting to make conversation with her, he asked, “Are you a Christian?” She said, “Yes.” And this is what the unbeliever said, “Then what are you doing here?” After she got home that night, she decided that maybe she couldn’t take the Lord Jesus Christ there after all.^[1]

“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” (Romans 14:9)

This verse is parenthetical referring to the last statement in v. 8. The bottom line is that we are purchased possessions of Christ. We belong to Him. Christ death and resurrection give Him the right to exercise Lordship over the individual.

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” (Romans 14:10)

Paul now concludes the argument. We are not to judge our brother, or “set at nought” our brother, which means to despise him or hold him in low esteem.

“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:11 – 12)

We will all have to answer to God individually. I won’t have to give an account for you, and you won’t have to give an account for me. Even as a pastor, I will not have to answer for the decisions that the people in my church make. I will only have to answer for what I taught them, and for the example that I lead.

^[1] McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 9-16) (electronic ed., Vol. 43, pp. 101–102). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Nov 28th, 2024 It Won’t Be Long

Today’s Passages – Romans 11 – 13; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 136 – 140; Proverbs 28)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51

Read the “1128 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Be Ye Transformed,” “What’s The Difference,” and “The Fullness of the Gentiles.”

“8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:8-14)

It is believed that Paul wrote his letter to the Romans around 58 AD while he was in the city of Corinth at the conclusion of his second missionary journey. This writing is just a couple of decades shy of being 2,000 years old. Paul told these believers in Rome that “[their] salvation was nearer than when [they] believed” (v. 11b). I wonder what he meant by that? Was he making a prediction that Christ’s return and the believer’s rapture into Heaven with his new glorified body was just about to happen? (Romans 8:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18; 1 Corinthians 15:50 – 58). I do not believe that he was. Paul did not know when Christ was coming to retrieve His Bride, the Church, but he did know that every day that went by, the reality of Heaven was drawing closer. For Paul, that reality would come in ten years, as it is believed that he was martyred by Nero, the Roman emperor, in around 68 AD. For us, our “salvation” could be very soon. It is possible that Christ could come back even today for all of us who are believers, or maybe it will be tomorrow. Like Paul, we really do not know when it could be, but it could be very soon. If not, then our salvation will come when we pass from this life into the next through death (2 Corinthians 5:8; Psalm 116:15). I should pause here and clarify that “salvation” in this context is not referring to justification, which takes place for believers at the time when they are saved. Salvation here is referring to when we finally get to Heaven and meet the Lord face to face. 

Paul states here that because of the fact that the believer will soon be out of time here in this life, they need to wake up and focus on the eternal job the Lord has given us to do – fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18 – 20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8) Within the context of this reminder of the brevity of life here on this earth, Paul reminded these Roman believers that they were to fulfill God’s law by loving the people around them and living the Christian life in front of them. The message of Christ is sweetened and authenticated when it is communicated through someone who demonstrates the love of Christ and practices what he preaches.

The passage goes on to encourage us to not get too caught up with the things that this world has to offer. Why? Because we will not be her too much longer. We will soon be with the Lord in Heaven, and we stay with Him and other believers for all of eternity. I don’t know exactly what that will be like, but I know it will be better than the temporary pleasures that this world can give us. Since we are going to be spending so much more time in Heaven than we are here, isn’t wise for us to start preparing for Heaven now? Let’s remove from our lives as much of the carnal, and all the sinful things that our lives are immersed in here, and then let us flood our lives with things that are eternal; things that will follow us into Heaven.

In verse thirteen, Paul mentions specific “works of darkness” (v. 12) that they were to remove from their lives. Drunkenness and rioting (κώμοις from κῶμος – kōmos), which, according to Thayer was: “a nocturnal and riotous procession of half-drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before the houses of their male and female friends; hence used generally, of feasts and drinking-parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry.”^[1] Paul also mentioned “chambering” (κοίταις from κοίτη – koitē), which is a reference sexual intercourse, which within this context is speaking of unlawful sexual intercourse. “Wantonness” (ἀσελγείαις from ἀσέλγεια – aselgeia) has the idea of unbridled lust and excess.

Finally in verse thirteen, Paul exhorts these Roman believers to not be envious of each other, and not to strive with one another. The cause of Christ is too important, and the time that we have left is too short to be bickering with one another, especially quarreling with the people who we are supposed to be working with to get the Gospel out.

^[1] Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Being Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti (New York: Harper & Brothers., 1889), 367.

Nov 27th, 2024 Compassion for People

Today’s Passages – Romans 8 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 131 – 135; Proverbs 27)

Read the “1127 Evening and Morning“devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises; 5 Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” (Romans 9:1 – 5)

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” (Romans 10:1)

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

Paul had a burden to reach all people with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wanted to see them saved from their sins and on their way to Heaven. He loved all people and preached Christ to everyone, but he especially had a concern for the people of Israel. In chapter nine above, he made an incredible statement. He said that he was willing, if it were possible, to be “accursed from Christ,” if it could somehow save the Jewish people. Of course, it was not possible for Paul to exchange his salvation for theirs, but I think we see his heart concerning the people that he loves here.

I must confess that I have often had a more cavalier attitude toward those who are lost. I don’t ever remembering consciously wishing that I could go to Hell in the place of someone else. However, at the heart of the gospel there should be a willingness to sacrifice, because that is the nature of Christ. In Matthew 9:36 (above) we see Jesus’ compassion on Israel because of their lost condition. To be “moved with compassion” means that He wept over them. Christ is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9), and “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 1:4). Jesus, however, was the only One who could actually take our place, and He did so by dying on the Cross for our sins. 

As we begin to think about the coming New Year, let us ask the Lord to help us be more compassionate, and have more of a burden for the lost world around us. There are so many people out there who need Christ and so little time left to reach them. I once heard a missionary say that everything we do as Christians we could do better in Christ’s presence in Heaven. However, the one thing that we cannot do after the Lord brings us home to Heaven is reach lost people with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That we can only do while we are still here. We need to get busy.

Nov 26th, 2024 Guided by Grace

Today’s Passages – Romans 4 – 7; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 26)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 47:1

Read the “1126 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:” (Romans 6:4-8)

Notice the words “are” and “shall” above, and compare them with the word “should.” The first two words indicate something that will happen without our help, and the word “should” indicates something that we can and “should” choose to happen. If we “are” saved, we (our old Adamic flesh) is dead and buried with Christ, and because of that, we “should” no longer live like it is still alive. God is doing a work in us whether we want it, or choose it. Our choice was made when we received the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. Now. a process has begun, and we will be conformed to the image of Christ, but we can also choose to yield ourselves to that process. The word “yield” is found four times in Romans 6 (twice in v. 13; also in vs. 16, and 19). Since our old man is dead and buried, and since someday the body of death will be completely destroyed, we “should” cooperate with the process and yield ourselves wholly to the will of God.

This is the process of sanctification. Justification is instantaneous and happens when we get saved, but sanctification is a process. Paul, having thoroughly proven his argument (in chapters 3 – 5 of Romans) that justification is purely an act of God’s grace, will now, beginning in chapter five, deal with the next logical objection. If we are under grace and not under the Law, are we free to sin? Since all of our sins are forgiven can we now do whatever we want to do? Has God now changed His attitude toward sin? There are many today who hold the position that grace frees us to live according to the desires of our flesh, and that any attempt to bridle the flesh is a form of legalism. Paul will refute that idea completely in this passage. Though we are free from the penalty of sin in Christ, we are not free to sin. Many churches have completely abandoned preaching against sin. Grace will teach us to live holy and separated lives:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”(Titus 2:11-12)

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

The word “sanctification” does not appear once in Paul’s Letter to the Romans, but here in this chapter, Paul will begin to explain the process of sanctification in the life of a believer. Sanctification means to be “set apart” for God. It has to do with transformation, growth, and fruit-bearing. Verse 22 states:

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22)

We had absolutely nothing to do with our salvation save believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but we can take part in our sanctification by yielding to the will of God and being filled with the Spirit of God. Notice the words that indicate personal action on our part in this passage: continue (v. 1); live (vs. 2, 8); walk (v. 4); serve (v. 6); reckon (v. 11); obey (v. 12); yield (v. 13). Being under grace, does not permit us to violate God’s moral principles, but it does free us to live according to the Spirit of the law. There was nothing wrong with God’s law; the problem was with us. God has freed us from the penalty of sin and from the dominion of sin, and now we are free to let the Holy Spirit guide our lives by His grace.

Nov 25th, 2024 Not Thankful?

Today’s Passages – Romans 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 120 – 125; Proverbs 25)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 Timothy 1:17

Read the “1125 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:18-23)

America is celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday this week, which originated as a time where gratitude was expressed for all that God has blessed us with. Contrary to what you may have heard by those who are revising our history, the first Thanksgiving was established here on American soil by Governor William Bradford and the Pilgrims:

“To All Ye Pilgrims: Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now, I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November ye 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.”  (William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Colony.)

The holiday of Thanksgiving has been a tradition in just about every culture thought throughout history. It originated as a celebration of the fall harvest, but before the civil war it was celebrated on various dates depending upon which state you lived in. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday, and affixed a permanent date – the final Thursday in November. Franklin Roosevelt changed the date to the fourth Thursday in November.

Thanksgiving for the Christian should not be just a one day remembrance; it should be an everyday occurrence. Our lives should be continual expressions of a heart of thanksgiving for the gift of salvation as well as for all of the other bonus blessings that God has bestowed on us. The Thanksgiving holiday for Christians should be the time that we remind ourselves to be thankful all the time, not only to the Lord, but also to the many people in our lives who have been a help to us.

Mankind, by nature, does not tend to be thankful, however. When we consider our reading from Romans 1 – 3, we see the Apostle Paul proving exhaustively the depravity of mankind, which seems to be increasing every day. Our world is becoming more and more evil as time moves forward. But notice how it all started. Way back in the beginning of the process mankind became unappreciative of all that God had done for them. “They glorified him not as God, neither were thankful.” To give glory to God means to shine light upon His goodness; it literally has the idea of making Him look good. He is always good, but we often fail to represent or manifest His goodness in our lives. And because we fail to see God as the Source of all goodness and blessing, we fail to appreciate Him for all that He is and all that He has done. We begin to take credit for things that were given to us. We are quick to complain when things are not going the way we want them to and we are quick to blame God for every tragedy that takes place in our lives, but when something good happens to us, we want to steal God’s glory, and claim it for ourselves. Once God is off the throne and man has replaced Him, it only goes downhill from there. Men become fools, and begin to do very foolish and wicked things. 

I know that Thanksgiving, as a holiday, will pass, but let me encourage you to remember where your bread is buttered. Give credit where it is due. Thank God today, and be sure to continue to be thankful everyday.