Jesus is Jehovah

 

On any given day of the week countless thousands dress up in a suit and tie and head off to perform “kingdom work”. These individuals walk the streets and neighborhoods visiting with strangers in order to persuade them of the importance of their message.  You know them as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

 

The Jehovah’s Witnesseses have many beliefs and practices which are not supported in Scripture.  Yet, what separates them from all others is their insistence upon using the name “Jehovah” as the rightful name of God and their unusual belief of Jesus.  They do not deny His personhood and recognize Him to have been fully human.  They also in a sense do not deny His deity in the fact that they do believe that He was a “god” or  “spirit creature”.  However, they do not and will not recognize Him to be Jehovah God.  Therefore, they believe that Jehovah created Jesus as His first creation and that Jesus pre-existed before the world but with God not as God.  They like to useColossians 1:15 as evidence for such a position even though Paul’s use of the term “first born” is a reference to Jesus’ primacy, privilege, and unique position and not a statement about His origins.  In the Old Testament, first-born sons were given special honor and often special rewards.  Paul uses this as a metaphor for Jesus.

 

However, the real tragedy is that in taking such a stance, the Jehovah’s Witnesses flat out deny many, many passages of Scripture in which Jesus Himself claims to be be Jehovah and which the New Testament authors confirm it.  Several could be used in support of this point.  In fact, the entire book of John goes to extreme lengths to validate such a claim and so that “you may believe” (Jn 20:31).  For example, the Jews attempting to kill Jesus because He claimed God as His own Father (Jn 5:18) and later identified Himself as Jehovah (Jn 8:58).  Jesus stated that He and the Father are One (Jn 10:30, 14:10).  He stated that if you have known Him you have known the Father and if you have seen Him you have seen the Father (Jn 12:45, 14:7).  He prayed that through His death that both He and the Father would be glorified (Jn 17:5), the same glory He had before the world began.  He prayed that His disciples would be one with Him as He is to the Father (Jn 17:20-21).  He even accepted worship from others (Jn 20:28).

 

Yet, what struck me recently was John 12:38-41 (NASB) which states:

 

“This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: ‘LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?’  For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again,”HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM.”  These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him.

 

John states that when Isaiah says that he saw “His glory” and that he spoke about “Him”.  When did Isaiah see God?

In Isaiah 6:1 Isaiah said that he saw the Lord.  Thus, according to John 12:41 Isaiah saw Jesus.  Interestingly, however, the New World Translation (which is the official translation of the Watchtower organization and the Jehovah’s Witnesses) translates Isaiah 6:1 in the following manner:

 

“In the year that King Uzziah died I, however, got to see Jehovah, sitting on a throne lofty and lifted up, and his skirts were filling the temple.”

 

Therefore, by John’s inspired testimony, Isaiah saw Jesus and Jesus is God.  Jesus is Jehovah.

 

As you read the New Testament make it a goal to identify the many, many times in which Jesus is declared to be God.  This practice will not only convince you of His deity but it will also enable you to be well-prepared to speak to anyone who may approach your door and tell you otherwise.

 

Jesus is Jehovah.  He has conquered sin and death and He alone has the capability to take away our sins.  He is worthy of our allegiance, submission, and worship.

 

Why?  Because He is Jehovah God.

 

Joshua

 

 

The Gospel of Marriage

Life is full of fascinating choices. These choices will shape your future. One of my favorite groups, Anberlin, has a song called "The Unwinding Cable Car", which begins with these words:

 

"Emotive unstable you're like an unwinding cable car...

Listening for voices, but it's the choices that make us who we are..."

 

Did you catch that last phrase, "it's the choices that make us who we are." How true. Choices of where to go to school, what to do with your life professionally, and whom to marry are all choices which will affect us for a lifetime. The choice of a spouse is particularly important. The person you will choose or have chosen to marry is a person whom will affect every area of your life. Therefore, it's a choice that has to be made wisely.

 

However, the greatest choice we make in life is in regard to our relationship to Jesus Christ. "Will I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior?" is a choice that each and every person will make. Interestingly, it has many connections within it to marriage.

 

The Gospel message which Jesus and the apostles proclaimed was that of dicotomy, an oxymoron if you will. The Gospel begs us to seek that which in life is worth dying for and then instead choose to life for it. Now, in regard to Jesus Himself, Christ calls us to lay down our own life in order that by doing so we may obtain Eternal Life through Him. This is extremely odd and seemingly contradictory when you stop and think about it. It is only through "death" that we obtain "life". If we want "Him" we must sacrifice "ourself". We must die to ourselves, our selfish wants, wishes, and desires, and instead choose to live for Christ. This truth of the Gospel message itself is proclaimed throughout Scripture and often spoken about.

 

What is less understood is the connections between the Gospel and Marriage. Just as the Gospel calls us to seek something in life worth dying for, marriage calls us to seek something in life worth dying for. Just as the Gospel calls us to sacrifice our life for someone (Christ), marriage calls us to sacrifice our life for someone (our spouse). In Ephesians 5, the apostle Paul wrote that wives are to be "subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Eph 5:22) and that husbands are to "love your wives, just as Chirst also loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Eph 5:25-27).

 

With this in mind, it becomes clear why the relationship between Christ and the Church is so often portrayed as that of a husband and wife (Eph 5:32, Rev 9:7-10, etc.) Marriage demands that we die to ourself. It requires us to put the needs of another first. It forces us to examine our motives and challenges us to see that true life in marriage is found through self-less sacrifice and acts of love toward another.

 

The same is true in Christianity. Jesus Christ has called us to die to ourselves. Paul (Rom 8:4-13; 1 Cor 15:31; Gal 5:16; Gal 2:20; Col 3:2-3) and Peter (1 Pet 2:24) stated the same. Eternal life is given as a reward (Jn 3:16; John 10:28; John 11:26). Success in marriage is found in exactly the same way: death to self.

 

May it be that in each Christian marriage the mystery of the Gospel is revealed (Eph 5:32) and Christ is proclaimed in order that seekers see clearly that in life just as in marriage we must find that which is worth dying for and then choose instead to live for it.

 

 

Joshua

 

Discovering the Will of God

One of the most basic and fundamental questions for all true Christians is in regard to the discernment of God’s will. When a person confesses Jesus as Lord of their life they are in essence stating two things. First, they are expressing a desire to make Jesus their master. Second, they are expressing a desire to live according to His standards. As Lord, Jesus now “owns” them. He is the master and they are His slaves. As such, personal freedoms are removed. Selfish wants, wishes, and desires must now be replaced with those of their new master. Therefore, the true mark of a disciple of Christ is not only an outward expression of ownership but also a heart-felt desire to live according to God’s standards and leadership as Jesus Himself did throughout His life.

The Will of God

In an effort to live according to God’s desires, we must learn how to both listen for and discern such instructions. We must learn to answer the question, “God, what is your will for my life?” However, before addressing specific applications, we must first acknowledge two presuppositions found within the question. First, this question presupposes that God has a will. Second, this question presupposes that His will can be discerned. Scripture confirms that both of these assumptions are true and teaches us much about God’s will.

First, we discover that God has a will and He expects us to do it. In Mark 3, Jesus had been told that His mother and brothers are waiting for Him outside and desiring to speak with Him. Using this opportunity as a teaching moment, Jesus explains who His family members are truly. He states that “whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mk 3:35). Therefore, in this single statement Jesus declares that God has a will, it can be discerned, and that only those who live according to it are truly apart of Him. Moreover, it clearly states an expectation that all who seek to make Jesus Lord of their life will do the will of the Father.

Second, we discover that God has a general will for all people. His will is good, acceptable, and perfect (Rom 12:2). God’s general will includes a desire that the gospel is preached in order that the spiritually dead would be made alive (1 Pet 4:6). His will also includes that all would repent (2 Cor 7:9-10) and that all would be saved (Jn 3:16; 2 Cor 8:5), sanctified (1 Thess 4:3), and free of sexual immorality (1 Thess 4:3). God desires for us to live according to righteousness or right behavior (1 Pet 2:15). He also desires for us to carry out these actions from the heart (Eph 6:6). Rewards, too, are promised for having completed God’s will throughout one’s lifetime (Heb 10:36) including Eternal Life (1 Jn 2:17). Each of these are in accordance with God’s general will.

Third, we discover that God also a specific will for some people. Paul states that he was made an apostle by the will of God (1 Cor 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 2 Tim 1:1). As an apostle, Paul recognized that God’s will determined what he would or would not do (Rom 15:32) and prevented him from specifically from doing some things (Rom 1:10). Paul (Acts 9:15-16) and others (1 Pet 4:19) are called to suffer according to the will of God. Peter was called to be an Elder and Shepherd or Pastor according to the will of God and an “example to the flock” (1 Pet 5:3). Also, the work of Paul, Ephapras, and certainly many others was said to be performed in order to help people stand firm within the will of God (Col 4:12).

Discovering God’s Will for Our Lives

The discovery that God both has a will that can be discerned is both a joy and an obligation. It is a joy to know that the God of the Universe has created us “in Christ Jesus, for good works” (Eph 2:10c). It also a joy to discover that these good works were “prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph 2:10d). However, such a discovery also includes an obligation. So, how is it that we can know God’s will for our lives? How can we discern His will in order that we may be obedient to it?

Hannah Whithall Smith, in the book A Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life, includes a formula for discovering God’s Will. Her formula should not be considered the only way of discovering God’s Will but nevertheless is instructive for helping to practically examine decisions in life. She states that “Divine Guidance” or “Divine Harmony” is equal to the summation of Scripture, Common Sense, Providential Circumstances, and Inward Impressions.

First of all, we must recognize the importance of Scripture or “what God has spoken”. God desires much for us that has already been recorded in Scripture. He expects us to read and to know His will through it. He also expects us to use the Scriptures to help us in our discerning of individual, daily, decisions in life. Scripture helps us to understand both God’s general and specific will for our lives.

Second, we must recognize the importance of Common Sense or “what God has given”. God has given to us a mind in which He expects us to use in order to help us to know His will. Paul stated that we are “not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” As our mind and reasoning are conformed to God’s own we will be more and more equipped to handle life’s most difficult questions and to do so in accordance to God’s Will.

Third, we must recognize the importance of Providential Circumstances or “what doors God has opened”. God chooses to open and close opportunities in life. Our ability to recognize His hand within our individual circumstances helps us to better discern whether or not He is trying to speak to us regarding these decisions.

Fourth, we must recognize the importance of Inward Impressions or “what convictions God has placed upon us.” God has given to us His Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit which has been given to us as a “promise”, a “pledge of our inheritance”, and a sign of His “possession” (Eph 1:13-14). God’s Spirit places convictions upon us in which we ought to act upon. It is also the Spirit which intercedes for us when we do not know how to ask God for His will regarding a particular question or have doubts on whether or not we have received an answer (Rom 8:27). Therefore, we must remain faithful in prayer, presenting our requests before God, even when we are not sure of what to say.

Conclusion

Discovering God’s will for our lives is both important and necessary as disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. It includes acknowledging that He has a will and that it can be discerned. It involves understanding the difference between His general and specific will for our lives. Most importantly, it is discovered through using His Spirit, Word, and the reasoning and common sense that He has given in order to enable us to be obedient. As we learn to use each in order to evaluate both our circumstances and inward impressions we will become more and more like our Master and Lord and more and more pleasing to our Father in Heaven.

Joshua

The Man Who Was Thursday

Today I finished the book "The Man Who Was Thursday" by G. K. Chesterton. The story covers the adventures of a man named Syme who uncovers a secret society of Anarchists within the city of London. This society is discovered as he befriends Lucian Gregory, a madman poet from the west side of town. A pact between the two is made as Gregory and Syme swear to secrecy.

However, as Lucian Gregory unveils that he is apart of a secret society Syme unveils that he is actually an undercover agent for Scotland Yard, the headquarters of London's world renown police force. Gregory also reveals that a meeting of the group is about to take place and that he expects to be named the next man to be placed in the office of "Thursday". That night, as a meeting of the society is conducted, it is Syme and not Gregory whom is elected and thus begins Syme's quest to discover whom is behind this group and to meet the man called "Sunday".

As the story unfolds each of the characters called by a day of the week are found out to also be undercover agents. Each which appeared evil are actually good. In the end, even Sunday, whom was presumed to be the most evil man on the face of the planet is found out to be "good" and he holds a banquet for each of the men and thousands of others. During the banquet each of the seven men are dressed up in outfits and sit on seven thrones which resemble each of the seven days of creation. For instance, Monday is dressed in an outfit of black and white symbolizing the fact that on day one, according to Scripture, light and darkness were created. Each is dressed in subsequent attire and Sunday is described to be the one of "rest".

With all of this imagery, it is tempting to think that the tables have turned and that the story somehow is actually about the revealing of who God is or the author's "strange" description of Him. Yet, the appendix includes an article that G. K. Chesterton wrote in the Illustrated London News on June 13, 1936. In the article, he describes that the intention of his story was not this at all. In fact, the evil members of the society who turned out to be each good cops and the leader of the pack who is revealed to be not evil but good are all an effort to make a single point. The Pessimists of Chesterton's day who were calling good-evil and evil-good were all in delusion. For there can be no good nor evil without a standard. There can be no ability to distinguish the two without a clear-cut definition and this I am assuming must be God.

Chesterton's masterful story, in the end, is merely an attempt to show the lunacy that occurs when men disregard God and instead choose to call what they perceive to be good "good" and what they perceive to be evil "evil". Therefore, our understanding of what is Right and what is Wrong, what is Good and what is Evil, each depends upon our basic belief in the existence of a Creator. Without God, there can be no true knowledge of the two.

For this reason, G. K. Chesterton explains that his original title also had a subtitle - "A Nightmare". Thus, the title of the book is really, "The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare." For without the existence of God, one cannot know who are the cops and who are the Anarchists. One cannot decipher who is to be regarded as the ultimate example of Good and the Epitome of Evil. It is God and God alone whom defines our understanding of morality.

Those who choose to say otherwise live their life in a constant state of confusion and denial in which experience alone is their sole indicator of the differences. Such a situation as Chesterton rightly imagines as a "nightmare".

Joshua

No Perfect People Allowed

Recently, I finished the book "No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come as You Are Culture in the Church" by John Burke. The premise of the book was simple: create a culture within the local church which allows imperfect people to feel welcome. Such a goal is simple to define but often difficult to implement.

Today's Emerging generations face new challenges that must be met by church leaders. Now more than ever, people deal with issues of trust, tolerance, truth, brokenness and aloneness. John Burke, pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas and founder of the Emerging Leadership Initiative, has successfully created a culture which meets and addresses these needs.

Throughout this book, John shares insights and suggestions for how church leadership can accomplish such culture creation. His advice is given in the context of hundreds of personal stories and includes many real-life examples of how this approach has worked within the lives of those attending the church. Stories of how atheists, agnostics, drug addicts, alcoholics, sex addicts, and many others came to Christ through such a welcoming environment are not only inspiring but a validation that such an approach does indeed work. As a result, Gateway has created a “Come as you are just don’t stay that way” culture in which all people are welcomed regardless of personal or spiritual background.

As I reflected upon the ideas presented within this book, it was difficult not to consider my own church. Does my church provide an environment where all are welcome? What if a prostitute, homeless person, drug addict, or alcoholic walked in through the front doors on a Sunday morning? How would my church respond?

Moreover, John’s ideas also challenge the notion of community that says that only believers may participate in certain activities within the church. Can a seeker be apart of a Small Group? What if that person is not even a true “seeker” but rather just desiring to come and learn? Would he or she be accepted? Can such a person also participate in outreach projects that the church has within the community?

Such questions need to be examined and answers defined. People who come hungry to be apart of the church and to learn and ask questions need to find acceptance in the local body of Christ. People do not have to be perfect nor authentic followers of Christ to participate in certain activities. Instead of pushing out those who do not look and think like we do, we need to welcome and love. Christ has called His Church to be His hands and His feet within the local community. He wants His disciples to offer His healing and forgiveness and to draw alongside those who desperately want and need it.

Each of us is on a spiritual journey. Each of us is also at a different place within that journey. The question that John poses and all church leaders must consider is “Can I create a culture which encourages others to come as they are?” None of us are perfect. Nor did we come to Christ in perfection. Therefore, we must learn to create a culture which encourages others not to fix themselves and come but rather to come broken. In doing so, we will remind others that the signpost in front of the true Church of Jesus Christ still reads what it has always read: “No perfect people allowed”.


Joshua

His Workmanship

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Eph 2:10)

Last weekend, I spent over 12 hours restoring a wooden swingset for my two sons. It was a gift given to us by a neighbor and was in good working order. However, over the course of many years it's wood had become gray. As a result, it needed a good cleansing and staining in order to bring it back to health. Now, I am not typically a person who enjoys such work. Nor am I a "handy man". However, over the course of the weekend I began to enjoy the process as I saw how it began to take shape.

There is a sense of satisfaction in completing a job well done. Isn't there? There is something inside of each one of us that enjoys completing a project that turns out well. We receive joy from such an experience. For some of us, it comes through fixing our homes or cars. Others enjoy projects of design or crafts. My wife likes making cards at Archivers as a way to express her own creativity. Each of these hobbies include various projects that when completed give to us a temporary amount of satisfaction and self-worth.

Where does this come from? Why do we need to experience such feelings? Why is it that deep inside each and everyone of us there exists a need to accomplish and to be "successful"? And why is it that when we achieve a certain level of success that we experience such satisfaction? This is what I want to explore today.

Scripture teaches us something very important with regard to our need for satisfaction, success, and self-worth. Namely, that we were created for it. Did you know that? In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes that God created us to carry out good works. In fact, we are created in Christ Jesus for this very reason. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." This verse teaches us several things. I want to point out just three of them.

Our Priceless Value (2:10a)

First of all, we are priceless. Have you seen the Master Card commercials? They will say something like "A bag of popcorn? Four dollars. A baseball cap? Twenty dollars. A day at the park with your son or daughter? Priceless." Each of these commercials make the simple point that some things in life are priceless. They are beyond any monetary value. You can't pay a price for the satisfaction that comes through that experience. God says that you are priceless and that I am priceless. He states that we are His "workmanship." This means that we are His priceless works of art. We are His priceless possessions. As such, we are important to Him. God receives deep satisfaction in working on us and enabling us to come into a relationship with Him. Therefore, just like a painting or a home improvement project, He finds great satisfaction in His children. We have value because we are "His workmanship".

Our Purpose (2:10b)

Second, our value gives us purpose. Your life has meaning and significance. You have been "created in Christ Jesus". As such, if you are a Christ-follower, you have been re-created in Him. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if you have accepted Christ as Lord that you are a "new creature" or a new creation. Why were you re-created or "created in Christ Jesus"? Paul says here, "for good works". Thus, you now have purpose. Having become God's workmanship and having been recreated in Christ Jesus, you now have a new divine meaning and purpose for your life. You are created to be good in order to do good works.

I might also point out that this verse also teaches us much about God's "will". Often we have questions about the will of God. What is it? Does He have a plan for me? Can I understand what it involves? God's Will is a big topic and one that could be explored to greater depth through an independent study. However, I want to simply point out that this verse states that God does have a will and that He wants you to discover it. You were created "for good works". Therefore, you and I have purpose because God has given to us tasks He desires to see accomplished and has uniquely gifted us to do them. This leads us to our third and final observation.

Our Predestination (2:10c)

Our good works and our purpose was predetermined or predestined. This means that there was a process put into place. God, in His infinite wisdom, predetermined and set into place good works that He desired for each one of us to accomplish in life. He gave to us gifts (Eph 4:1-13) and expects us to use them to complete the good works He has put before us.

When you stop and consider the fact that you are priceless, that you have purpose, and that you were predestined to complete certain things for God it ought to give you a boost in your self-esteem. You ought to realize that you matter to God. You are valuable to Him. You might not feel valuable within your home, your job, or even your neighborhood or community but you matter to the Creator of this universe. You are valuable to Him.

However, your value is ultimately found "in Christ Jesus". Therefore, it is important to be in Him and to be committed to Him. For this reason you and I must commit to His Lordship and leadership within our lives. As sinners, our value to God was lost because we willfully chose to turn from Him. In Christ, our value to God is restored because through Him we have been given redemption from sin and a value and usefulness that comes from being apart of Him.

Here's a phrase that will help you to remember this truth: "When God fulfills your deepest need, the end result will be good deeds." When God fulfills your deepest need, the end result will be good deeds. You were created for good deeds. You are God's Workmanship and created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing good deeds.

Imagine the local church becoming a community in which this truth is lived out. We would see people differently. We would have different expectations of them. We would be quick to use the gifts we have been given to serve others.

The world would also see us differently. They would have different expectations of us. As they see a community where people are loved and accepted they would also be attracted to it. They would desire to be apart of a community where such truths are lived out.

May that vision be the desire for each of us as we continue in our journey of faith. We are "His Workmanship". Let's live lives that demonstrate it.

Joshua

Questioning God

Today, I was thinking about the difference between "could have" and "should have".  Have you ever thought about this?  It's very subtle.  The phrase "could have" implies that a choice is involved and that two or more options were available.  For instance, if I said that "Last night at the restaurant, you could have had the steak."  My statement implies that you had options for dinner last night.  You could have had steak but instead you chose pizza. 

The phrase "should have" however is quite different.  It includes a moral clause indicating that a question of moral consequences or values is at stake.  If I said, "Last night on the way to the restaurant, you should have driven slower."  This statement implies that you were driving to fast.  You should have slowed down.  By it, I imply that you have a moral obligation to drive at a speed that is safe.  It is probable that you put myself and others in danger because of the speed of your driving.  Maybe you also drove through a construction zone or a neighborhood.  Thus, you might have risked possible injury to a worker or a child. 

The point is that "should have" entails a moral obligation that "could have" does not.  This distinction is important when we consider people in the Scriptures who questioned God.  In the book of Job, we are told that Job questioned God.  He did not understand why God allowed him to lose his family, servants, property.  He could not see what God might be attempting to do through such a tragedy.  Yet, Scripture teaches us that "in all of this he did not sin" (Job 1:22).  Thus, in principle, it also teaches us that we can question why God would allow certain things to happen or even why He chose to do specific things within our life or anothers.

This is because Job's statements were "could have" statements.  Job often spoke of God's infinite power, wisdom, and strength.  Thus, God "could have" done something different but instead He did not.  Job simply acknowledged this fact and stated to God that he did not understand.  God was capable of handling things differently but did not do so.

Another example of this occurs in John 11 in the story of the raising of Lazarus.  Both Martha and Mary state that "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (Jn 11:21, 32).  Thus, they acknowledge that Jesus could have done something differently.  Martha alone continues by stating that "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give you" (Jn 11:22).

In both accounts, neither sinned.  Each questioned why God did not do something.  Each stated or implied that He could have done something.  Yet, neither sinned.  I think that this is key.  There is a fine line between bringing questions to God and questioning God.

When we bring our questions to God, we acknowledge that we do not understand.  We state that we are frustrated, angry, heart-broken, confused.  However, we acknowledge the power that He does possess and can use.  In both of these accounts, God restored life.  In Job, God restored a man back to a place of physical health and provided for him a new family and new possessions.  In John, Jesus, God's Son, raised Lazarus from the dead and thus restored the physical life of a dead man. 

Stating that God "could have" done something is not sinful.  However, stating that God "should have" done something is sinful.  This is because in doing so we take a stance of moral authority over God and claim to know what God "should have" done in a particular situation.  We claim to be in a position of moral superiority to God and state to Him what He should do.

Therefore, questioning God is a matter of our perspective.  When difficulties come, we need to ask ourselves whether or not we will remain true to God, placing our faith in His Son and in Him, or if we will choose to question Him and His motives.  Stating that God "should have" done something is always sinful. 

As difficulties come, bring your questions to God.  Pour out your heart before Him.  Let Him know that what has happened hurts and has left you confused and wounded.  Then remember the examples found in Scripture of Job, Mary, and Martha.  State emphatically that God is God and that He alone knows what is best in a given situation.  Job's unwillingness to do this eventually brought a rebuke from God (Job 38-39).  We can choose to be different.

Choose today to remember the difference between "could have" and "should have" statements.  It will make a difference in your attitude and faithfulness toward your Creator.  Make sure that your questions to God are not questioning God.

Joshua

Transfigured - Do You Get It?

This morning I want us to consider the account of the Transfiguration. This will be a Bible Study. So, open your Bibles to the book of Mark and let's jump in. Our passage is found in Mark 9:1-8 where it says,

And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. (NASB)

First of all, we need to ask ourselves, "What is the purpose of this story?" Why is in the Bible? Many are familiar with it but rarely stop to ponder why its in the Bible. The answer, I believe is given in the very next verse, verse 9, where it says that Jesus "gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen". Certainly, this at first, may seem very odd. However, Jesus often told His disciples these kinds of things because He did not want others to know that He was the Messiah. It is referred to by scholars as the "Messianic Secret". Jesus had to get to the cross and He had to die via crucifixion. If He did not, He would not have been the perfect sacrifice for all sin and thus His mission would have been ruined. Therefore, He says in verse 9 to wait until He has risen from the dead to tell anyone what had happened - including the other disciples.

However, the purpose of this account to Peter, James, and John was not to simply show them something before He was killed but to reveal something important before He was killed. In Mark 8, we read several accounts of confusion among the disciples. They are confused about the Man, the Message, and the Mission. They had been confused about whom He Himself was until Peter finally made the Good Confession (Mk 8:27-30). They had been confused about His teachings (Mk 8:15-21). They were even still confused about His reason for coming because even when He told them that He was going to die, He was rebuked by Peter (Mk 8:31-33). Yet, with all of this confusion, the time of His death was growing closer. In fact, in just 2 Chapters in Mark 11 we read of the Triumphal Entry, the first day of His final week often referred to as the Passion Week.

Therefore, time was short. His closest men had to "get the picture". The Transfiguration is a wake-up call to the spiritually blind disciples who should have figured these things out by now. You can almost sense the frustration in Jesus' words leading up to this account and you hear audibly God's insistence in His voice when He says "Listen to Him!" (Mk 9:7). So, from this we can conclude that the purpose of the Transfiguration was to prove once and for all that Jesus was God. He was the Promised Messiah. He was the Anointed One, the Son of David, the Son of God.

So, our next question should logically be "So, how did God go about revealing His Son in the most powerful way possible?" This is a fascinating thing to me. There is a real dichotomy here. God wanted to use any means necessary to demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ but He will not simply say it. He cannot impede upon the disciples Free Will to decide. If He force feeds this to them, they will have to accept Him. God wants them to accept Him by faith yet He will go to any extreme to teach them exactly who Jesus is.

So, let's examine the evidence. First, let's think where they go. Jesus takes them up on a mountain. To a Jew, God was up so a mountain is closer to God than the ground is. Jews ascended mountains in order to meet God. We read a lot of accounts of this in the Old Testament. Jesus Himself went up on a mountain to pray. Jews also learn via symbols, not bulleted point outlines and acronyms. This is a difference between Eastern and our Western ways of learning. Eastern people describe God symbolically (i.e. Rock, Mountain, Fortress, Living Water) and therefore taught one another through symbols. God uses strong symbols to teach the disciples about Jesus. Therefore, the mere fact that they were taken up on a mountain was supposed to tell them something (i.e. We are going to go close to God)

Second, let's think about what they see. Jesus is changed physically. Thus, there is an unveiling of who He really is. He's not the physical "body" you have come to know (This is probably why there is no mention of His outward appearance in the NT). He is in fact Someone Spiritual. He is a Spirit. He is God. His clothing is bright white - a symbol of purity. He is a pure and holy Spiritual being.

He also meets 2 men: Moses and Elijah. Why these 2? I believe it was because they represent both the Law and the Prophets. Jews describe what we call the OT as the "Law and the Prophets". Jesus called Scripture by this name too. Thus, Moses represents the Law because it was given to Him. Elijah represents the ultimate prophet.

Side note: What event did each of these men experience on top of a mountain? For Moses, He both received the 10 Commandments (Exo 20) and was shown God's glory (Exo 33). Elijah destroyed 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah in order to bring the hearts of Gods people back to Himself (1 Ki 18). These two incredible accounts both happened on a mountain.

Let's continue. They also see Jesus speaking to these men as if He already knows them. Certainly an indication of Jesus' Eternal nature (something only God has) and an evidence for the afterlife (which is probably why the disciples begin discussing the resurrection on their descent down the mountain). It is at this point that Peter, who always seems to place his foot in his mouth, speaks up and not knowing what to say offers to build 3 tabernacles. All are frightened. This intensifies as God approaches. God comes to them in a cloud - an OT allusion to the cloud that led Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

Third, let's think about what they hear. They heard the very voice of God saying audibly, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" In Mark 1:11 God has said audibly "You are My Beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." Now, His words contain the emphatic phrase "Listen to Him!" In other words, "Wake-up and smell the roses. Don’t you get it? What else do I need to do to convince you?" God's frustration echoes Jesus' frustrations previously stated by Jesus.

The disciples now have been given as near conclusive proof of who Jesus is as is possible. They have seen Him transfigured, seen Him speak to Moses and Elijah, and heard the very voice of God Himself.

The question, we need to ask ourselves is "Do we get it?" Are we so hard-headed that we say we know who Jesus is but in reality deny Him by our words, actions, or lifestyle? You and I must live life in the reality that Jesus is the Christ, the risen Son of God. If you have rejected Him to this point, what is it going to take for you to accept Him? What more does God need to do? If you have accepted Him, what's it going to take for you to live life like you truly know Him? I think God says to each of us this morning…

Do you get it?

Joshua

Jesus the Slave Owner

Christians often have a number of misconceptions about Christ.  As a result, we present these wrong conceptions of Jesus to others.  For instance, some Christians seem to believe that Jesus' last name was Christ.  However, "Christ" was simply a Greek name for Messiah.  Both mean "the anointed One".  So, Jesus' name should be understood as "Jesus the Christ" or "Jesus the Anointed One".

Another misconception is that Jesus came to earth in order to offer you an "invitation".  This invitation was to join Him and His Father in a Kingdom and to live forever more.  If each person would simply accept Jesus as Savior, they could receive all of the benefits of Salvation will little or no effort.  This position, of course, is defended by stating that we are saved by "grace through faith" and that this is a gift from Christ.  If only we would accept this gift, we would obtain Salvation.

There is truth in many of these statements but unfortunately they are often misconstrued to present a message of Salvation that is built solely upon acceptance of Jesus as a Savior.  The truth is that "Jesus is a slave owner".  Jesus came into this world to offer an ultimatum, not just an invitation.  Paul, in Romans 10:9 says that "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." (Emphasis mine).  You must confess Jesus as Lord to receive Salvation.  The statement that "Jesus is Lord" is no different that "Jesus is my master" or that "Jesus is my owner".  He's a slave owner.  He "owns you".  Each person who has accepted Him as Lord must give of their own life to be used for Him and for His purposes. 

When Jesus came into this world, He offered each of us an opportunity to receive Eternal Life but that comes through our acknowledgment and confession that He is Lord.  The New Testament authors knew this well.  None other than Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude each identified themselves as "bond servants" or "bond slaves" of Christ Jesus.  They recognized themselves as slaves and called all men to do the same.  This message of an "invitation into slavery" was well-received in the 1st Century in which slavery itself was very, very common.  The message of receiving "freedom in Christ" that enables all men and women to be equal to one another was also very pleasant news in the ears of many who were at the time slaves.

When we present the message of the Gospel to a lost and fallen world we must do so in a manner that emphasizes the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  He is a King whom has conquered sin, death, and the grave.  He has conquered the Prince of this world Satan and demands through an ultimatum that all come to Him, accept Him as Lord, and enter into a form of slavery in which He is the owner, master, or Lord.  Thus, the call upon a person's life to be a disciple of Christ is one which demands everything.  It is not a simple acceptance of an invitation.  Though it is a gift that cannot be earned, we need to be careful to not over-emphasize the gift without also emphasizing the appropriate means of receiving it.

Jesus is a slave owner and I for one am happy to have accepted Him as Lord and to have become His slave.

Joshua

The Mystery of God

In the book of Ephesians, Paul refers to six "mysteries" (1:9, 3:3, 3:4, 3:9, 5:32, 6:19). Specifically, he refers to the mysteries of God's will, God's revelation to Paul Himself, the mystery of Christ, the mystery of Christ and the Church, and the mystery of the Gospel.

Paul's use of this term and his insistence on referring to "mysteries" ought to give us reason to pause. Paul was an apostle, a "sent one", God's chosen messenger and an evangelist, preacher, and teacher to the Gentiles. He wrote much of our New Testament under the inspiration of God. He performed miracles through the power of God. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and had seen how God worked in his life, revealed truths, and enabled Paul to understand more than many others. Paul had been called by Jesus Himself to be an apostle (Acts 9) and therefore had been given a special message and ministry for his life.

Yet, in the midst of all of this, Paul continually refers to "mysteries". Why would such a man of God do this? Didn't he understand the Gospel or Christ? Aren't these simple truths that all can comprehend? Evidently not. We could discuss a variety of topics at this point but one remains crystal clear to me. Paul never lost his sense of the wonder of each of these "mysteries". Yes, he understood that God has a will and that he could discover it but he must have wondered, "Wow. How is it possible that the God of this universe can reveal His desires to someone like me?" Paul certainly understood how he was inspired but must have imagined, "Wow. How does it work exactly that I am being used by the Holy Spirit and through my words He is revealing His truth? Paul must have understood Christ but had to have thought, "How is it that God existed as both God and yet a man?" Paul thought a lot about the church, he himself being a chief cause of the building of its foundation. Yet, he must have pondered this "mystery" and wondered, "Wow. Christ is the groom and we are His bride. What does that mean and how does that work? How does it now differ from God's previous relationship to ethnic Israel long ago?" Additionally, Paul knew the Gospel message for he preached and taught it regularly both to Jews and Gentiles. Yet, he must have wondered, "How did all of this finally come to be? God sending Jesus with the good news that acceptance of Him as Lord leads to freedom in Christ and that through faith we can obtain the Eternal Life that He offers?"

Wow. Wow. Wow. Paul was in continual amazement of God Himself and what God had done through Christ. The question that you and I ought to consider is "Do we do the same?" Has the Gospel message or Christ as the Son of God become so mundane or routine that you and I have lost our sense of wonder at what God has done? If so, we need to repent of such thinking and actions. We need to re-examine these seemingly simple Gospel truths that so many have grown up with and once again proclaim their "mysteries".

Paul was not afraid to admit that while he had been given a tremendous understanding there was still a great deal of mystery within the very ministry he was apart of. He declared these mysteries to the church in Ephesus and asked them to recall the same. Maybe they had become lackadaisical because of the tremendous leadership at the church. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus and certainly Timothy would have done a great job. Maybe the people had grown apathetic because Paul himself had been there and taught for several years.

Whatever the case may be in the book of Revelation we see that the church in Ephesus had left their "first love" (Rev 2:4). Having become enamored with doctrine and learning or having felt like they had "figured it all out" these people had grown cold and were no longer doing things in love. Paul calls them to change in this letter to the church in Ephesus and reminds them once again of the "mysteries".

Good study of the Scripture should not simply bring more understanding of God and His Word. It should also produce within us a "wonder" and desire as we discover the truths of so many of God's "mysteries". As you seek God for the first time or remain faithful to Him for the course of your lifetime, recognize these mysteries of God. Allow them to produce within you a desire to discover the truths contained within things which you may have known for quite some time.

Let's not forget the mysteries of God Himself and the Gospel message itself as we seek to know Him and make Him known to others.

Joshua

Exit Signs

On my way to work I see signs everyday. Some of them are confusing with messages that make no sense. Some of them have pictures and attempt to get me to buy a hamburger or a car or something else by attempting to stick an image in my head that will cause me to desire it and purchase it. Some of them are confusing because they just have too much going on. Yet, all of them are a metaphor for life and this world.

Many in this world are traveling down a road of destruction headed to a life of discontentment apart from Christ. Each of them see signs promising money, riches, fame, or simply satisfaction in the things of this world. Signs which entice, suggest, tempt, and create desire to continue on this highway to hell.

Yet, all along the way there are different signs. Signs which Christians post. Some of them are signs preventing sin. Signs like "Speed Limit 55" remind them not to do certain things. Don't drink. Don't smoke. Don't do drugs. Don't have sex before marriage. Some of these signs are helpful. They encourage a moral lifestyle but they are desperately lacking and I don't want my life to remain focused upon such messages.

Why? Because as Christians, I believe Christ calls us to be Exit signs. Exit signs are simple, clear, concise, and point to somewhere else. They typically consist of white letters on a green background. The only purpose for their existence is to point to a different road, a different pathway, a different destination. Therefore, I want my life to be an Exit sign pointing toward the Highway of Holiness (Isa 35:8).

Your life is your sign. It points somewhere. Your lifestyle is the decor of your message. It either adds to or detracts from your message. Your sign may be pointing people to pleasures of this world by showing off the jobs, cars, money, women, or things which you possess. Your sign can only point to that which you love the most. It can only show people how to pursue the things you have chosen to pursue. Therefore, most signs point to such things.

I want my sign to be different. I want it to be an Exit sign to point to Christ and Him crucified. I want it to reveal the fact that Jesus is alive. I want it to point to the resurrection and to the hope found within it. I want it to point to the One who can forgive, the One who can redeem, the One who can save.

What about you? What type of sign are you? Examine your own passions and pursuits in life. They will reveal your sign.

Joshua

Exploring the Image of God

In Genesis 1:26, Scripture records an intimate conversation between members of the Trinity prior to Creation, when it states "Let us make man in our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."  Within this simple statement, God states that man was created in His own image.  Mankind is created in His "likeness" and as a representation of Himself.  This has significant implications for our understanding of our own importance.

Much could be said regarding the differences between human beings and animals.  However, each difference can best be summed up by recognizing the fact that animals were not made in God's image but human beings were.  This important distinction sets mankind apart from and above all of that which had been created on the earth.  Man was made with an image of God.  He was created with a consciousness and as a moral being.  He was also created to rule over the rest of creation.  Abilities to think, process information, make moral decisions, and to rule are all apart of what it means to have been made in the image of God.

However, what fascinates me most this morning is an aspect of being made in the image of God that I can most relate to personally.  When my two children were born, I immediately fell in love with them.  They were amazing.  They had little features and made little noises and were "little people".  I could not believe that God had created such an incredible little baby through my wife and I.  However, as they grew, I began to notice that they looked more and more like me.  They had little characteristics within their facial and body features which were just like me.  Having been made in my image, I had a special connection to them and a special love for them.

The same must be true for God.  When He looks at each one of us, He ultimately sees a part of Himself.  He sees an image of Himself.  Like a parent, He desires to love and to spend time with His children.  Unfortunately, sin has marred His image and removed much of His own image within us.  Therefore, God gives to us Himself in the form of Jesus.  Jesus is born of a virgin but also in the image of God as well.  Refraining from sin throughout His life, He is forced to become sin in order to die.  His death enables life through Himself and ultimately brings restoration of the image of our Creator that had been given to us at birth.

Therefore, we need to recognize that what brings God glory is the restoration of His own image.  He gives us not only His Son but also His Spirit to "sanctify" us, making us holy, and to ensure that we will be restored completely into the image of the One in whom we were first created.  Scripture opened with Creation's perfection (Gen 1-2) and it ends with the restoration of God's Creation (Rev 21-22).  However, in the middle includes God's plan of salvation and a restoration of His image within us.

When we meditate on this truth, we come to the realization that mankind is important because of the image of God within us.  People are important because of their direct likeness to the Creator.  We need to view them through God's own eyes and to see them with the same love that a father looks at his newborn son.  Jesus enables us to see this love in the ultimate expression of it.  Through Him, we see the extent to which God was willing to go to restore His own image, to bring salvation for all who believe, and to bring glory to Himself. 

As we grow in our understanding of what it means to have been made in the image of God we will naturally desire to see others properly restored to God because we will recognize that they, too, are made in His image.

Joshua

Poor in Spirit

"When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them saying, 'Blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'" - Matt 5:1-3

The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus' most famous sermon delivered to a crowd on a mountainside. Some believe that this sermon is a collection of Jesus' teachings collected together into one sermon. This is very possible. However, I believe that He did speak these words together as a part of a singular sermon.

The verse this morning refers to the first of what is known as the Beatitudes. These are a series of statements pronouncing blessings upon various types of listeners. The first mentioned here in verse 3 is the "poor in spirit". What's interesting about each of Jesus' Beatitudes is that they are the exact opposite of what you might expect. Those who are poor, gentle, merciful, hunger and thirst for righteousness, and others are the ones who are blessed. It is not those who are rich, proud, boisterous, and satisfied spiritually. This seems odd and it should.

Jesus seems to be stressing to His listeners the importance of seeking the greater. Those who are rich are often satisfied with life. Those who are arrogant and prideful are those who think that they are better than others and need no one else. Those who are loud and confrontational are those who always think that they are right. Jesus does not applaud such fanfare. He does not want to reward such behavior.

Rather, He wants to strengthen and encourage the seekers. Those who are hungry to really know God. After all, these are the people that He is speaking to. These people have come from miles around just to hear Him teach. They desperately want to know if He is the Messiah, if He is the Promised One. Knowing this, Jesus addresses their heart-felt needs.

He begins by addressing the poor in spirit. There were probably many who had wanted to be made right with God. Yet, religious duties and Jewish legalism had all but stamped out any real hope for such a realization. They longed for God's people to truly be holy. They wanted the poor to be treated with respect. They wanted the widows to be taken care of. They desired for God's people to act righteously. They desired for a Messiah. They had longed for the day He might appear and had grown weary of false Messiahs and others who had claimed to have had special relationships with God. People who would eventually disappoint them in their actions.

They were poor in spirit. They desired godliness but couldn’t see it around them. Living in a land near the Sea of Galilee they had been exposed time and time again to pagan cultures and Gentile belief systems that they knew to be false and corrupt. They longed for hope. They longed for purity. They longed for a relationship with God that they had never experienced.

Whether spoken or unspoken they were poor in spirit. They might not have used such terminology if asked but when explained they would have agreed. They were downcast and downtrodden. They were needy and their hearts cried out for something more. They were poor in spirit. Yet, Jesus didn’t bring further correction upon their actions. Instead, he said to these daydreamers and spiritual wanderers "Yours is the kingdom of heaven."

"It is you that I will give my kingdom to." Wow. What a thought. What an incredible glimmer of hope that He gave them. If they continue to seek God and His Kingdom it will be given to them. God's Kingdom is reserved for those who are poor in spirit. Not for the proud, haughty, or arrogant. Its not for the superstars of faith who claim to know everything. Its for those seekers. Those restless and relentless pursuers of truth that were willing to travel any distance to hear a man who spoke with authority and a man who just might be the promised Messiah that they had been waiting for.

It is these people who will receive the kingdom of heaven. The poor in spirit, that is.

Thank you Jesus for giving your kingdom to the poor in spirit. I am not good. I am often frustrated. I do not have all the answers. Yet, I am desperately seeking you and your kingdom. I, too, am poor in spirit.

Joshua