Red Letters

Posted on October 24, 2015 by rgpriest

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Sometimes it’s the small words, the insignificant words that make all the difference. Paul has been writing to Timothy, his protégé, and reviewing his conversion and growth. He reminds Timothy the place Scripture (for Timothy the Old Testament) played in his salvation and new life.

He says all Scripture is inspired. That little word “all” is crucial. ALL Scripture is inspired. Not just the inspiring words. Not just the familiar phrases. Not just the self-esteem feels good verses. Not just the ones that fit on coffee mugs, T shirts, and bumper stickers. ALL Scripture. And my point for this blog, not just the red lettered verses.

There seemed to be a trend in recent years where professing Christians claimed to be “red-letter” Christians. It seems that the thought was those red letters were the most important ones in all the Bible and the rest were optional. WE do not really need all those Old Testament laws. We do not need Paul’s all have sinned stuff. Who needs visions of falling mountains battling armies and all that other negative stuff. After all, if we are Christians, we need the words of Christ.

There are a few popular well groomed, big smile fancy church preachers that have said they don’t want all Paul’s negative words, we just want people to feel good and use Jesus words about love.

There are some huge problems with that mentality. First off is the passage quoted above. God, speaking through Paul said ALL Scripture is from God and has a beneficial purpose.

Who cares about how many rings were used to hand the curtains in the tabernacle or the type of wood used for the posts? Obviously God cared enough to let us know. Maybe he wanted us to see how intricate, and beautiful, and detailed HE was in establishing a place and time of worship that we too should take our preparations and opportunities for worship with great detail and preparation. It’s not a tailgate party. It’s an audience with the Creator-King-Redeemer. So yes the details are important. ALL the words are important. They are there for a reason.

I could also pull out all the red verses where Jesus did speak not so kind words like you brood of vipers or depart from me I never knew you etcetera etcetera etcetera. Yes, even the red letters contained words of judgement and warning.

There is another way I want to look at this, and it can also be found in the red words. In John 5, Jesus has been teaching and healing and His opponents complain for the way He makes Himself equal with the Father. And then Jesus says “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. (John 5:19-20 ESV)

While I appreciate the sentiment that people want to follow Jesus and focus on what He said, Jesus Himself says I am doing what I have seen the Father do and speak what the Father says. For me the logic would be, if the words Jesus spoke are what the Father spoke to Him, then wouldn’t everything else the Father spoke but just as important. It is a dangerous place to divorce Gods words through Moses, Isaiah, Amos, Paul or James from His words through Jesus. IS it more important, more relevant because Jesus said it?

I truly appreciate what one of my professors at Philadelphia College of the Bible said years ago. He was asked why he did not have things underlined or highlighted in his bible. His answer was that all the verses are important not just the ones I pick. Now I do not think the professor was discouraging the use of highlights and underlining. But I appreciate his philosophy.

Throughout history the Bible’s accuracy, relevance, and value have been under attack. It has been called everything from dangerous to mythical. For some it is a nice set of stories and moral lessons but not the revealed mind and word of God. What is most troubling being that in many churches the Bible is under attack at worse and marginalized at best. In the early years of the church it was determined what writings could be legitimately defended as inspired Scripture and what was not. The Nicaean Council in AD325 confirmed what had been held for hundreds of years. They did not “vote” on what books were to included or excluded. They simply confirmed what had been established by the apostles and early church years before.

Today we see movements like the red letter Christians, or the Jesus Seminar that votes on what is Scripture invade the church. We see churches saying what parts of Scripture are valid or not which leads to a redefining of everything from marriage, family, life, Christianity, church, morality ethics etc. We see churches deciding to preach on only the feel good passages of a God who is love (HE is) but not of holiness, righteousness or justice.

By doing this we have taken God off His rightful place as head and put ourselves on the throne. You may not want to admit it, but these movements have said we get to determine what is truth or not, and when Gods word agrees with us it works and when Gods word disagrees with us, we are right and God is wrong.

Some of my Bibles (I own way too many) are red letter editions. Some are not. I prefer the ones that don’t but it is a personal preference for ease of reading. That and I have noticed the red ink usually has a less clear quality print. Use whichever style you prefer. But don’t forget that God has inspired all the words and they are all profitable for us.

2 Peter 1:3 (ESV) says His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

That knowledge Peter speaks of is revealed in His word, His entire word.

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The Disposable Church

Posted on October 17, 2015 by rgpriest

We seem to live in a culture that has decided that the individual is free to redefine certain words and concepts to their own meaning. We have determined that things can have different meanings to different people. One example I see is using the song Every Breath You Take by the Police at a wedding. Here is a song about broken vows and fake smiles. It is a song written by a man in the midst of divorce saying I have no trust in you anymore. You are a cheat and I need to watch you like the NSA watches a terrorist. But I have heard people say to them it’s a love song.

The church is not immune. I have been in church meetings ending with what’s called the mizpah from Genesis 38. They ended the gathering with, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight. That is a nice sentiment, but what does the entire verse say? “Therefore he named it Galeed, and Mizpah, for he said, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight. If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, God is witness between you and me.”

In other words, since we have no trust for one another God will be my surveillance team to keep you in line.

What does this have to do with disposable churches? Religious people and even the non-religious have redefined much of what the Bible teaches. Ask a person on the street to define a Christian and the way of salvation. You will probably come away thinking a Christian is a nice American and the way of salvation is to be kind (or at least kinder than someone else.) What is missing is the Bible’s definition of Christianity and salvation. I will save the definition of Christianity and salvation for a later post. But is should be obvious there are many differing definitions and they can’t all be correct.

Ask someone to define marriage and sexuality and you get many differing responses. Everyone has a definition and they can’t all be right. The heart of our problem is this. When the Bible’s definition of something differs from ours we tend to jettison the Bible for our own definition.

This is true of defining a church. Let me lay my cards on the table here to explain why I am addressing this. By redefining church it makes it easier to dispose of church when something else comes along. Family is coming Sunday so I can blow off church today. Soccer practice is Sunday…birthday party is Sunday…weather is supposed to be nice…weather is supposed to be bad… After all I can worship God on the beach, golf course, mall or soccer field. I can worship God alone in my own way. What worth noting is God has never defined Church and worship this way. The Bible never prescribes church and worship this way. I truly believe we have developed these ideas to make it easier to rationalize disposing of church for something else.

I am not talking about those who are physically unable to attend the corporate gathering. I am not minimizing the act of personal worship. It is a valuable discipline. I am not advocating being in church every time the doors are open. That can be unhealthy. I am saying we should really evaluate why it is so easy to set aside corporate worship for what seems to be a more appealing or at least a more pressing appointment. But what could be more pressing than the invitation to gather before our great and awesome King and His court when He has invited us.

Before I make my case for the need to regularly participate in the gathered church let me address one more misused verse.

Matthew 18:19-20 says Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” There it is. As long as there are at least 2 Christians together, Jesus is there and we are having church. Again that verse is misused and abused.

In context Jesus has just spoken of the need for the church to confront sin in a believer. He has said if you see someone in sin confront them. If they refuse to listen bring witnesses to confront them with the goal of restoration. If they still refuse bring them to the church and excommunicate them. Jesus here is not supporting a definition of a church gathering but a biblical reason for removing the unrepentant from the church.

Three Anomalies

The New Testament gives word pictures of the church gathering. For this post I will describe three. A family, a body, a bride.

As a family we call God Father. In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches us to pray Our Father. Those are family words. We are meant to gather together (our) as family before our Father. Here is the first anomaly. Telling your Father you really want to spend time together you just not with the rest of His children around. The church gathers as a family with Father, brothers, and sisters. It is not 10, 20 or 200 individuals but 1 family. You may not always agree with your family. You may have your disagreements even differences in how you sit at the table, what food is served etc. but in the end the Father has invited His children together. Jesus paid with His life to secure our adoption. Who are we to say I want the Father to myself and not the others. I can squeeze Him in between putts, goals, cash registers or after dessert when everyone leaves. The Father has requested His family to come together Sunday. And yes Scripture does describe the church as gathering on Sunday not just whenever it’s convenient.

The next picture is a bride. Jesus is the bridegroom and he Has gone to great lengths to purchase and purify His bride. It is the object of His love. Here is a second anomaly. To say I love Jesus but not the church is to say to a man I love you but I can’t stand your wife. Let’s get together but don’t bring your bride. How much will a husband tolerate that kind of treatment of His wife? As His bride it makes sense to want to be with the groom

Finally, the church is described as a body in I Corinthians 12 with Jesus as the head. It sounds grotesque but what is a head without a functioning body? And can it really be a body without various parts working together and attached to a head? That is the third anomaly, a body separated from its head or a head with just one body part. We can’t really say I am a leg and I am attached to the head and I can function fine without the other parts.

Most of the new Testament letters were written to established churches with Pastors, Elders and leaders in place gathering on a regular basis. All along it has been God’s pattern for local congregations to gather as the church to worship and serve together.

In Acts 2 the church is described as participating in the apostles teaching, prayer, breaking bread and fellowship, which you can’t do alone.

I have spent time with believers on a golf course and we did not preach to each other and the closest thing to prayer was asking the golf ball to go in the hole or not in the water. The closest thing to worship was shouts of you the man. I have been with believers in a mall and the closest thing to amazement was a great deal on a pair of shoes, thank God. We broke bread in a food court with hundreds of others totally oblivious to our presence. I have been at a Phillies game on a Sunday and while I appreciated the nice weather and good seats there was no discernable worship taking place just some sports figure idolatry.

The Father is calling His children together. The bridegroom wants to gather with his bride. The functioning head is operating through His body. The church is a unique, God given gift for all these to take place. God has set the first day of the week for us to gather together, worship our God, serve each other and prepare for the week ahead. This is the day that God has said is time for all your personal worship and devotion to flow together with the rest of the gathered believers.

Sunday is a gift of God’s grace. It is the opportunity to start the week with our Father, His family and His Bride. While golf, and malls, and birthday parties are fun and enjoyable, what greater gift is there after our salvation to gather with our eternal family and the host of heaven and praise this great God and Savior in the way He has prescribed.

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How to Influence a King

Posted on October 3, 2015 by rgpriest

I mentioned previously that our church has started a series in the book of Daniel. When the study started it turns out that my daily Bible Reading Plan (ESV Gospel Transformation Bible) was in the book of Daniel. One day was chapters 1-6 then 7-12. It became a strong confirmation that reading Scripture in big chunks is beneficial. You get a better picture of the plot and story line.  When I read chapters 1-6 I noticed an interesting pattern.

As I stated in my last blog Daniel is NOT the hero of the book of Daniel. God the Covenant Keeper is the hero. In chapters 1-6 there is a picture of how God’s people face challenges, including an ungodly government and in the end God is glorified. Let me lay out some context.

Chapter 1. The king, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon offers the Hebrew exiles the best foods of the kingdom, and the Hebrews refuse and chose to maintain their OT dietary ways. In the end they were better off than those on the king’s diet.

Chapter 2 the same king has a dream and demands his advisors, including Daniel, to recite and translate the dream or die. Daniel succeeds and they are spared. Daniel is promoted.

Chapter 3. King Nebuchadnezzar builds a statue and demands that all in the kingdom bow to that statue. The three Hebrews refuse to worship any but God and are thrown into a fiery furnace and there a forth being appears, they are spared and when they emerge there is not even a stench of smoke on them.

Chapter 4 King Nebuchadnezzar has another dream of how own greatness. Daniel calls the king to humble himself before God. Instead he declares his greatness in building a great kingdom and God strikes him. Eventually he responds to Daniel’s call to repent and he is restored.

Chapter 5 Belshazzar has desecrated the Hebrew Temple vessels and God sends a message of writing on a wall. Everyone is afraid. Daniel now has a reputation as a man of faith and power and is summoned. Daniel again interprets the writing warning Belshazzar of his impending fall to the Medes. Belshazzar honors Daniel and by morning Darius the Mede defeats Belshazzar.

Chapter 6 the King states that prayer is to only be offered to the king himself no other gods. Daniel continues to pray only to God and is thrown into a den of lions. The lions have no appetite and Daniel lives.

6 chapters with 6 challenges from two gentile governments and three pagan kings.

All that leads to what really struck me about these 6 chapters. At the end of each chapter and its challenge the king starts by honoring Daniel, or Shadrach Meshach and Abednego and then these pagan kings praise the God of these men and call their people to acknowledge the same God.

Each chapter ends with a pagan king acknowledging the faith of the Hebrew captives, their difference, their character and their righteousness. Most of all the true King and God is acknowledged.

How did this happen? How did a group of 4 guys live a life that caused pagan kings to [seemingly] acknowledge and worship the true God? 4 guys who were kidnapped as teenagers are now influencing the very governments who kidnapped them. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN.

First, what did not happen. Nowhere was there a campaign to discredit or insult the government or its king. No photo shopped pictures of a king with his wrong hand over his heart at the passing of the flag or no hand over the heart. No social media campaign counting down the days of his impending departure. No boycotts. No accusations of discrimination or persecution. No TV commercials, bumper stickers or T shirts saying the wrong guys in charge and it’s not my fault

What did they do. Let me lay out a few observations. I believe this is a perfect example of 1 Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

They knew their Bibles. Jeremiah prophesied they would be here in this land. They really did know God put them in this culture at this time. As much as they may not have liked the circumstance they knew God was in control and God brought them here in these cultures. They knew not just Jeremiah 29:11 but the verses leading up to it saying to live in the community, work hard, serve the community where God put you. Even if he sent you there as an exile. Even if they are pagans. Live there and serve them well.

Humility. In each case these men approached the king with respect and humility. They recognized these were men of authority and as such deserved respect. They did not come with arguments and arrogance but respect.

Confidence. They knew who the true God was, He was their God and they trusted Him. They knew what He expected (faithfulness) and what He promised, His presence. So even when their life was on the line as it was in almost every case they choose faithfulness. Over and over when asked how they could do what they did they never spoke of themselves but as in 2:27 “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” Or in 3:17-18 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Here is how each chapter ends.

Chapter 1:19-21 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Chapter 2:47-48 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon

Chapter 3:28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Chapter 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Chapter 5:29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom

Chapter 6:25-28 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius. Three mighty men influenced by the faith of 4 Hebrews who were captives in a foreign land. Four men who had no social media outlets. No advertising campaigns, no political machine behind them. They were faithful and they had the Covenant Keeping God caring for them.

Four men who lived out Jeremiah 29. When you work to serve and love your community it will prosper and so will you. We quote verse 11 and speak of Gods plans of well-being for us but forget the earlier verses that tell us part of that plan just may be to place us as citizens in a hostile community and we are to love and serve that community and work for its good.

What if we take all that energy we spend complaining and crying conspiracy and sharing posts and tweeting our gripes and channel that energy into loving and serving your community, working hard for its success and trust that God will have His way.

When the government calls for them to deny their faith and compromise their worship they stated their case respectfully, trusted God and accept the consequences for disobedience. That is when God steps in and even the most powerful men in the land have to acknowledge that these 4 captives have more to offer than their own powerful advisors.

These four knew where to draw the battle line. When they were called to compromise their faith, pervert their worship or even deny their God, they stood willing to die

The kings noticed their character. And instead of saying look at Daniel and his companions that result was look at the God of Daniel and his companions.

Very different than today. Instead of Christians calling a press conference to complain about their leaders and how they are being treated, pagan leaders are calling press conferences to speak of admiration for the people of God and the God of the universe.

I could go on and speak more of Christianity and culture, civil disobedience and cultural involvement but space is short. What I recommend is pick up a copy of Russell Moore’s book Onward. He does a fantastic job of laying out the Christians responsibility to His God first and how that looks in his community, regardless of it being a Christian country or a moral leader.

Do you want to influence culture even at the highest level?

Know that God has placed you where you are for a purpose. Stop complaining and start serving. Maybe evaluate your use of social media as a way of undermining the government and use it as a way to pray for their prosperity and success.

Know your Bible. Know that God has called you to faithfulness to serve in humility and compassion. Know where to draw the line. Know when to speak up and even stake your life and where you can quietly serve and pray.

Know and trust your God. He has a plan for you, a plan for peace and well being. But that plan may unfold in very difficult and trying ways. God (not you) is building a kingdom. You are a citizen called to live in and among this world to pray and serve by the grace He provides until He arrives to finalize the building of that kingdom.

And just maybe one day the news networks will cover a press conference where men of great power and influence, kings and presidents, will speak of the greatness of God and His people.

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God Dwells

Posted on September 25, 2015 by rgpriest

Our church has recently started the book of Daniel for our Sunday messages. Recently, as is custom, one of the Elders was reading the passage before the Pastor’s message. The passage was Daniel 2:1- 23. One verse jumped out for me that I do not recall before, and I am a big “fan” of the book of Daniel.

First, some context. Nebuchadnezzar is the most powerful ruler of the most powerful nation (Babylon) at the time. He has just had a dream that worries him. He does what is expected and calls his advisers to make sense of the dream. However, Nebuchadnezzar does the unexpected. He not only asks the advisers to interpret the dream he challenges them to tell him what the dream itself was. It is believed Nebuchadnezzar had suspicions about the adviser’s motives and thinks they have been a little shady in the past. After all who can argue their interpretation if they are the wisest men around. Therefore, to prove their ability he says they must also provide the details of the dream itself. He then adds the reward for success and the punishment for failure. If they cannot recite the dream and interpret it, they will all die. This includes the Hebrew captives Daniel and his partners. At this point Daniel is not present even though he is numbered among the wise men.

This is a daunting task. Tell me what I dreamt about or die. This is definitely a disconcerting request. Now the comment that caught my attention. In verse 11 the advisers present their objection saying “The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (emphasis mine)

That is a sad commentary for magicians, enchanters and sorcerers. It is a sad commentary for anyone. Only the gods could do what you ask and they do not really have dealings with us. How different is that than the Christian God. The God of Exodus who calls to Moses, who leads by a pillar and a cloud. The God who in Isaiah 7 is called Emmanuel, God with us. The God of Psalm 23 who shepherds His sheep. The God of Ezekiel whose eyes scan earth looking for those He can support.

Here is the difference it creates. The advisers of Nebuchadnezzar had no confidence in their gods.

Then there is Daniel. Daniel learns of the king’s decree and says let me have some time. He then humbles himself, gathers his friends and prays. He prays to a God who he knows sees, listens and is intimately involved in the affairs of His chosen people. Why else bother unless you are confident in your God’s accessibility and ability. Daniel has complete confidence in God so he goes to God first. God hears Daniel, answers Daniel, tells Daniel the content and meaning of the dream and Daniel is spared as well as the other advisers. Daniel is now promoted in the king’s cabinet.

Let’s be clear. Daniel is NOT the hero of the story. He is NOT the hero of the book bearing his name. There is no need to dare to be a Daniel. Daniel was faithful in what God had called him to and we are called to the same. You are different from Daniel but what you can have in common with Daniel is his God. The hero of the story is God. The God who calls His people. The God who sees His people. The God who hears His people. The God who answers their prayers. You get the picture. He is a God intimately involved with his people.

I am going to look more at the book of Daniel again next time but the theme is the same. God is the hero of the book of Daniel (as well as the whole Bible.) This is not about your story it is His story.

Daniel is commendable for His faith. His faith, His trust, is in a God who rules over the affairs of man and a God who is faithful. A God who can be trusted to deliver His people or if He chooses not to deliver, still preserves them. In Daniel 3 you’ll see that is the faith of the Hebrew men.

The true God does dwell with His people. Granted, Daniel lived and wrote centuries before the incarnation itself but the idea is there. The God of the Bible dwells WITH His people.

Here is what is amazing, Jesus was not sent to dwell on earth with people as a punishment. This is not mythology where the gods banish someone to earth as punishment. Our God is a God who willingly chooses to dwell among His people, the people who rebelled against Him repeatedly. The God who would one day take on human flesh and all that goes with it (hungry, tired, tempted) faced betrayal and torture and eventually death in a human body.

Philippians 2:6-11 “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (ESV)

I love how The ESV Gospel Transformation Bible says this in Jonah 1. “Jesus was in heaven, ruling the universe by the word of his power. Adored by angels, he was in the best place, doing the best work, and enjoying the best life. Then the Father said, “Go to another place, where you will be utterly rejected. You will live a life that will lead to torture, crucifixion, and death. You will become an atoning sacrifice for people I love, who are facing an eternal judgment.” Jesus said “Yes.”

Why? Because God made a covenant with His people. God will stop at nothing to insure that the covenant He made will be fulfilled. Even if it means to dwell among His people, serve His people die for them and one day return for us.

A God who knows that man’s only hope for forgiveness is a perfect sacrifice. A God who knows our best is not good enough so another must live a life of perfect obedience. Therefore, He comes to dwell. To live among us. To die for us with His perfect life.

Here is a God who sets up kingdoms and brings them down, who sets up kings and humbles them. A God who calls His people and disciplines them for unfaithfulness. But in the cross He bears the ultimate punishment for our rebellion. A God who is building His own kingdom and calling out a people to inhabit that kingdom.

This is the God we can have complete confidence in. A God who dwells with His people in order to preserve His covenant people through any and every circumstance, every trial and blessing. A God who dwells with us to lead us out of exile into our new home.

Remember God is not watching us from a distance. God is dwelling among us.

Instead of the world’s wisdom as seen in the king’s advisers that says god does not live or dwell among us, trust the God who took on human flesh, dwelt among us and is leading us home.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV)

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An Eschatological Journey

Posted on September 19, 2015 by rgpriest

Note. This is not a post to defend or refute any End Times, Last Days position. There will be no discussions on when Jesus is returning or any other end times chronology and events. This is a chronicle of my current as yet uncompleted journey. I have always enjoyed Biblical prophecy, reading the prophetic books, studying it and teaching it. Yet now I believe I am ore tempered and balanced.

I was THAT guy. I had have a Scofield Bible. My bookshelves were filled with Ryrie, Walvoord, and Pentecost. I still have much respect for these men, their love of Jesus, His word and bible teaching. I still have their books. I even had a Lindsey title or two. I was a die-hard prophecy nut.

I had and maybe still do have the Larkins Dispensational Charts. I attended a Dispensational college. I was a fairly new believer and my roommate said to survive at the school I needed to memorize one thing, I am a premillennial pretribulation dispensationalist.  I ate, drank, slept, taught and preached it. I wrote my ordination thesis on the Covenants in Dispensationalism and even said that dispensationalists handle the covenants (Abrahamic, Davidic and New) better than covenant theologians.

But then I was reading Acts 1. I realized that Acts 1 does not stop at verse 8.

Verses 6-12 read So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Emphasis mine)

Verse 7 was the fallback. No one knows the day or hour. Got it. Then I noticed verse 11. In today’s language maybe the angel says why you are studying the full moons, blood moons, heifer’s births and the Popes travel plans? Why are you trying to connect the dots of the Pope in Philly, the full moon and a rapture?

So there was the first change of direction in my journey. God is the I AM, the God of today. People need the gospel message today to prepare for tomorrow. I need the gospel today to survive. So instead of trying to see every eagle in the Bible as America, every mention of the moon as a prophetic sign and counting how many letters are in the Popes name I want to know the gospel now. Yes, I still love prophecy, but my vision is expanding.

Sure we can scare people with cheesy movies and youth group skits about a rapture. But while they are busy worrying about splitting skies and global earthquakes tomorrow what hope are we giving them to deal with broken relationships, fearful doctors’ visits and tough work circumstances. What hope do they have for the right here right now. Tough it out, some day it will all end is not good news. I know I am being simplistic but it always seemed the gospel message and invitation was all about the future and little about today.

The next part of my journey was in not renewing my membership in the Left Behind club. So what else changed?

Again I am not going to slam a different viewpoint. In fact the arguments between camps are in part what fueled my journey. I was used to the clichés and putdowns. I was angered when I read articles saying dispensationalists were weak minded and brainwashed. (That is a direct quote to which the author never rescinded when I asked him about it. He never gave biblical evidence for his position or against dispensationalists aside from brainwashing) I do not think I was brainwashed or that weak minded. And if it were true it was brain washing that made the dispensational teachers evil and manipulative to be brainwashing us weak minded folk

Then a well-known magazine I loved did a series as always about the Church – Israel debate. The author said those who hold that the church “replaces” Israel are planning seeds of anti-Semitism. Please cancel my subscription. At the time of that article I was a Church and Israel are separate guy but this was uncalled for. I knew of many people who hold that the church “replaces” Israel and they are far from Anti Semitic.

One other factor. A teacher at the college I attended was teaching Eschatology from a Dispensational viewpoint. He did present viewpoints of Covenant, A millennial and Post Millennial camps and to his credit said if you want to learn more go to the source, read the works of those who advocate those positions not my summaries.

So I did.

Even before that I did struggle with a few things. If God has a plan for Israel and it is paused for the church. What happens later when Israel is restored? What happens to the gentiles? Are there two programs, two plans? Is one group the blood relatives and the others step children. How do the two groups merge in the end? Is the wall of division down permanently? My questions weren’t necessarily about a rapture but what happens to all of us after that?

So I started reading others. And it started to make sense. Yes, my journey is progressing. My vision is expanding (and hopefully my understanding). I tend to align myself less with dispensationalism and more closely to Covenant Theology these days. And I still have a lot of questions.

What about a literal 1000 year kingdom. Why does Revelation 20 specify 1000 years bookended by a resurrection of the just and then the unjust? What about a pretribulation rapture. Why is Jesus preparing a place for us (John 14) if we are coming back down as soon as we go up at the second coming? And the 7 year tribulation. Why is Scripture full of mention of the time of Jacobs’s trouble, the day of the Lord/Wrath. If it has happened or happening now it does not seem to be as bad as it looks at first reading.

So the journey continues. Now instead of staring at stars and charts and clouds I am looking more at Scripture itself, the people around me and preaching the gospel to myself and others.

I still love to read, study, and talk about prophecy. I still have questions. Hopefully now I am a little more grounded and gracious. Instead of looking up to the heavens and I want to see what God is doing around me know.

These days I am even more convinced about the authority of God’s word, the power of grace and the gospel, and the return of Jesus. I am not so dogmatic and wrapped up in chronology and dates.

I enjoy Biblical prophecy. Much of it was fulfilled at the first coming. Some is yet to come. What I do know of the yet to come prophecies is this;

Jesus will return in HIS time.

Jesus will return on HIS terms. He is not bound to, restricted by, or waiting for astrological events, natural disasters and papal travel itineraries. In fact Jesus said when the gospel has been preached in its fullness He will return. Matthew 24:14 says And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

So let’s stop charting moon phases, farm reports and European Union economics and preach the gospel of Jesus life, death, resurrection, and RETURN.

There are still millions who have not heard about Jesus first advent and many more who have heard but are not living out its implications so we have work to do.

To everyone who sat under my teaching at youth camps, youth groups, Sunday School, Bible Study or preaching. I apologize for pointing you to news reports about the European Union, earthquakes moons and heifers instead of Jesus. Lets keep looking for our blessed hope in the return of Jesus. Titus 2:13

I am ready. When the Lords returns I am ready. I hope it is today. But until that day let’s keep living out the commission of the First Coming while we anticipate the return of our King

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Omnipotent or Impotent

Posted on September 12, 2015 by rgpriest

Recently I was in a position where I had to work on Sunday. Like most people I dislike working on the weekend. But this Sunday meant I had to miss church which I REALLY dislike. The jobsite was near York PA so I figured driving out that way and through Lancaster I would find some decent preaching on the radio. I was right in assuming I would find Christian radio. I was disappointed in what I heard.

Scenario 1. I was listening to a sermon and the preacher referenced the book of Jonah. To his credit he wanted to give a little context and noted that the book of Jonah draws a lot of criticism from people doubting the Bible’s authenticity and authority. Think about it. Large fish swallowing humans alive, living in the belly three days and being spewed out on the shores of Nineveh. This could almost pass as a “Sharknado” movie.

The speaker went on to say that he realized many of his hearers recognize that you can read Harry Potter and know it’s fantasy and still be OK. Then he went on to say if that’s how you need to read Jonah, as fantasy, go ahead. He personally believes the book of Jonah as literal but you can go ahead and take it as you like. He then progressed to his goal of what lessons can we learn from Jonah (whether it is real of not) that is what’s important.

I have to note here that I then changed the station.  I do not know what lessons he was presenting. I have trouble with a preacher who opens a door wide and says I believe this book but you don’t have to, as long as you learn the life lessons. In no way can I listen to a preacher who places inspired Scripture and contemporary pop writing on the same level.

Scenario 2. I was now driving to my next destination and was listening to a Christian station playing music. To introduce the next song the DJ spoke of conflict as a gift. I can agree with this. God uses conflict as a way to reveal areas in our lives where we may need to make changes, repent, or even confront and help another. So far so good. He then noted that conflict has been with us since the Garden of Eden.  Here is what concerned me. He stated the conflict was evidenced in the fact that God was not enough to satisfy Adam so someone or something else was needed. Here was my issue, to say God was not enough!

So where am I going with this. I could rant on my disappointment with Christian radio. I have long lamented the DJ’s sounding more like Oprah and telling cute self-help stories, songs about who I am and what I will do as opposed to who God is and declaring what He has done. I could comment on the amount of self-help, try harder God, wants you rich and happy sermons filling the airwaves.

Bit what I want to say is God is more than enough and so is His Word.

Yes God said it was not good for Adam to be alone and THANK GOD he did not find a helpmate suitable among the animal kingdom. But never was it inferred, implied or stated that God was not enough for Adam so he needed something else. The implication I draw is if God was not enough for Adam He is not enough for you or I.

God is not enough so you NEED a spouse. Being single is not good. You need more. God is not enough you NEED that new car. God is not enough you NEED the bigger house, the different family and on it goes. David said himself the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. Thank God He gave us Himself which is more than enough, and then He multiplies the gift with family, friends, a church community, good food, music etc. Not because He was insufficient for us, but He is exceedingly sufficient.

And what about His word. Is it just a nice collection of fables, myths and stories for us to draw our own lessons from, or is it the revelation of who God is, what man has done and how far God has gone to redeem and restore us. Are we looking for our story in the Bible or is God telling us His story?

As I type these words I believe the issue really comes down to this. Do we have an Omnipotent God or an impotent God? Is the God who created us and all that we see (and can’t see) powerful and wise enough to know us, provide for us and be the One we can rest in, or is He not enough so I need to go outside of Gods provision to find what is enough for me.

We are promised that even if Father or mother desert us God will not. (Psalm 27). You see, God is enough. While we do need other people, a community of others to help us, they are gifts from God to help us know God better and become more like Him, not to supplement God or make up some deficiency that God cannot handle.

Is God so cruel or impotent that He cannot communicate to us in a way we understand or hide Himself so we have to figure out the lesson? Or is God capable to reveal Himself, provide all we need for life and Godliness, (2 Peter 1:3) and assure that His word is preserved for every generation to come. Is he even capable of allowing a man to be thrown into an ocean, swallowed by a fish, preserved in that fish and then spewed out on the shores of Nineveh?

Here is the question. Is anything too hard for God? From what I heard on the radio that day there are those in pulpits and production booths who think so. God is not quite enough. And God is not quite able to communicate clearly. To them that’s OK as long as you learn some moral life lesson.

Don’t worry. Jesus promised He would build His church. His word will go forth. Thank God for faithful preachers and churches with a big God and a sure word from Him. And if you have not found a church like that yet, keep looking. They are out there, maybe not on the radio or TV but faithfully proclaiming and serving an Almighty God.

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Review: Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel

Posted on September 5, 2015 by rgpriest

Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel
Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel by Russell D. Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three things are clear to start with. Russell Moore loves his God. Russell Moore loves the church. Russell Moore loves his country. And this is important, Russell Moore knows the difference between the kingdom of God and America. With the current social political climate today I cannot recommend this book enough. While we debate gay marriage Moore makes a strong case for both family stability and religious liberty. In writing on religious liberty he makes a solid distinction between the church’s authority, the states authority and how the believer lives under both. While we discuss racism and immigration Moore reminds us that ALL human life is made in the image of God and has dignity. Abortion and gun rights. Yes they are are both matter of the dignity of life.

Moore reminds us that the church has a voice, and a place in the current culture. Our voice is not one of screaming, arguing, belittling or compromise but a declaration of truth with as he calls it “convictional kindness”. Dr Moore writes with optimism that the church is not dead in America, but it does look different than the Bible Belt of years ago and that’s OK. America is not a post Christian nation (was it ever a Christian nation? Is there even such a thing. God only called out one nation as his own and that was Israel.)Instead maybe we are a Pre Christian society and the next Johnathan Edwards or Billy Graham is the tattooed biker guy living a hard life who has yet to taste living waters.

In the end, God did not promise to build the American church but HIS church. It is time to exercise our voice, declare our convictions with kindness and move Onward.

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The Throne

Posted on June 16, 2012 by rgpriest

When we think of thrones we think of majesty, nobility and something regal. We also think of it as elevated and ornate. And even more than that we think of one whom sits on the throne, how they embody those same characteristics

Another thing about thrones is they are seemingly unapproachable, especially to a commoner or even lower. For someone to approach a throne there is this elaborate process to have the privilege of approaching one who sits on a throne. Of course the other way to end up before a throne is to commit a great crime against the one on the throne.

Let me put this before you. That is the state of every one of us. We have committed great crimes against The One on the throne and we deserve the full wrath of His authority. So let’s picture what we find in this throne room.

We see a king high and lifted up, whose robe fills the great hall. He is surrounded by glorious servants who guard His majesty and glory. The brilliance is breathtaking, nearly blinding. It is almost too painful to look upon. We are also struck with the fact that we should not be here. We are unworthy. In fact, if there is a judgment is to be meted out we deserve completely. But then the unthinkable happens. As we are rehearsing all our crimes against this sovereign we hear this strong voice saying (and I think of the line from the ghost of Christmas yet to come.) Come closer and know me better child. We have to take a moment and wonder if we heard right. Come closer and know me child, not depart from me into a wretched exile. How did this happen? How do we get this blessing, to have someone pleading our innocence? While in one corner an accuser is laying out all my faults another says no he is welcome here.

When the accuser tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within, another pleads and proclaims my innocence.

Now I realize I am not in filthy rags and torn garments but I am in a stunning white robe.

There, alongside the King of glory is another one but I see scars from a brutal beating, who is saying I lived a life of perfect obedience to the laws of this throne and I count that as His. I have transferred my righteousness to the accused and absorbed His guilt in my death.

We come before a throne today, and today you can hear this from the throne the words of Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I also encourage you to learn the lyrics of Before the Throne of God Above” by Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863

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To Be An Elijah – Part 5

Posted on May 24, 2011 by rgpriest

Elijah Delivered

The coronation of an earthly monarch usually takes place early in life and begins his reign. For the believer our coronation day takes place at death when we are raised to the place of glory. This is the case with Elijah who would never have been mistaken for a king during his earthly life. Yet, when his task on earth was over, God elevated him to His throne in Heaven by a supernatural exit from this world.

We do not know exactly how Elijah spent his last days, but he probably gave much of his time to teaching “the sons of the prophets”. These were groups of young men who had begun to use their prophetic gift under the guidance of a more experienced “man of God.” An early form of seminary. ELijah was spending hislast years training others to carry on the work

It was while he was engaged in this last great work of his life that God called him home. 2 Kings 2:1-2:14 A reporter named Karen Jordan who recently walked along the main street of a College University and asked a most profound question of those who were passing by: “If today were your last day on earth, how would you spend it?” She reported the following answers: Tony said, “I would get drunk, do as much dope as I can, and be with two pretty women. That’s my dream.” Chris responded, “I would spend it in the desert or a very peaceful place. I would just try to enjoy every moment and get connected to God and nature.” Vera, an older woman, said, “I would phone my family and visit my friends.” Lou Ann said, “I would ride around in my new, old convertible. I just bought a 1968 250 SL.” And finally Jacqueline said, “I would spend my last day with Gene.” Well, what about you. How would you spend your last day on earth? What would be your priority? Your main mission?

THE TEST  It seems that God had revealed to Elijah that his day had arrived. While he was with his successor Elisha at Gilgal, Elijah asked him to remain behind while he departed. Elisha refused. When the pair made their next stop at Bethel, the sons of the prophets joined in by stating that to follow Elijah was fruitless because the Lord was taking him that day. But Elisha remained firm in his resolve to accompany his mentor. Finally, they arrived at Jericho, near the banks of the Jordan River. There, another group of apprentice prophets repeated the discouraging refrain. Elijah also again urged Elisha to remain on this side of the river while he departed. But the spiritually determined Elisha was not to be deterred. Elisha was permitted to see the event.  That mantle was the symbol of Elijah’s office. Elijah was not trying to get rid of Elisha as much as he was putting his close companion, his successor-in-the-making, to the test. But Elisha was relentless. He stayed by the old prophet’s side.

THE REQUEST Elijah offered to Elisha anything that his heart desired! He could do this because he knew that his young successor would not abuse such a privilege. The request for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit may appear confusing, but understanding the usage of this Old Testament phrase will help us to understand its meaning here. The law declared that the firstborn son had the right to inherit a “double portion” of his father’s estate. Elisha did not ask for something better than what which his master enjoyed, but for a portion “double” that which was communicated to the other prophets. Elisha looked upon himself as the firstborn son of Elijah in relation to the other “sons of the prophets.” Elijah acknowledged the hardness of his request, but promised the answer if Elisha never removed his eyes from him until he was gone.

The big moment finally arrived. Elijah’s power came from 2 Cor 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. Elisha learned this. That is why he could see the chariot. Just because we cannot see them does not mean they are not there. They are everywhere. Faith is how we tap into it. This would not be the last time that Elisha would experience such a visitation from a heavenly entourage. In 2 Kings 6:17, the Lord opened the eyes of Elisha’s fearful servant so he could see the “horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

THE GIFT Elijah was gone, but his mantle fell to the ground to be worn now by another prophet of God. Elijah is gone, God is not. (2:14–15). Elijah’s last miracle was Elisha’s first miracle. He had learned well. His cry, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” reminds us that even though Elijah was missing, Elijah’s God was still present and active in the continuing ministry of his successor. Elisha commenced a ministry that was destined to bring help to the needy (2 Ki. 4:1–7); joy to the bereaved (2 Ki. 4:18–37); health to the sick (2 Ki. 5:1–14); judgment to the wicked (2 Ki. 6:8–23); and life to the dead (2 Ki. 13:20–21). Although to compare Elijah and Elisha would be unfair to both, it is interesting that Elisha’s ministry lasted about twice as long as Elijah’s and that he apparently performed twice as many miracles as his illustrious mentor. This is further evidence of the “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit resting on his successor.

Elijah, however, was privileged to have a part in two events which Elisha and no other prophet ever experienced. First, Elijah passed through the portals of Heaven without dying. Enoch was the only other person privileged to pass directly from earth to Heaven without experiencing death: “And Enoch walked with God, and he was not; for God took him”(Gen. 5:24). Secondly, Elijah was chosen to play a role in prophecy, i.e., to return to this earth again. “Behold, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord” (Mal. 4:5). The fulfillment of that remarkable prophecy could be John the Baptist.

CONCLUSION This ended the earthly existence of one of the greatest men of God who ever lived. He labored in a remote comer of this earth. He did not have much of this world’s goods. He had none of the world’s applause. No city council ever elected him “man of the year.” When he left, there were evidently no memorial services for him, no monuments erected in his memory, or no parks named in his honor. But the Lord God gave him the greatest privilege imaginable—a heavenly escort to bring him bodily to glory without having to taste of death. He sought in his life to please God alone—it was God alone who rewarded him! I believe that Elijah sets a great example for those of us who are waiting on that time when we too will leave this world. If we were to be honest , every believing person would readily admit that they are anxiously awaiting that time when they will be home with the Lord in glory. But, what are we to be doing here, in the meantime, while we wait? Elijah shows us in this passage!

As we read this account, we find there are three ways that Elijah spent his time as he waited on the whirlwind.

We Need To Be Watching And Waiting. Elijah knew that God was coming for him, but he did not know just when. Therefore, he lived his last days and hours in anticipation of that coming event.

Walking With Purpose – As Elijah anticipated his departure from this world, he continued to live as he always had. He continued to walk in humble obedience before the Lord God! Notice his statement, “The LORD hath sent me…”, v. 2, 4, 6. If Elijah had been like many in our day, he would have spent his last days on the earth in retirement from service. He would have spent his time doing all the things he hadn’t had time to do while he was active serving the Lord. However, Elijah knew a truth that many people never learn: There is no higher call than that of following the Lord and doing what He bids you to do! The lesson for us is this: there will never come a day when we can quit serving the Lord.

The Christian life is not meant to be a life of stagnation. It is meant to be a life of progression. The Lord wants to grow us and fashion us into His image. As He leads us from place to place along the road of life, may we, like Elijah, simply follow in humble obedience to His will for us! After all, the greatest gift we can give the Lord is ourselves, totally surrendered and dedicated to His will, Rom. 12:1-2. There is another generation coming along behind us. What are we teaching them about faith, obedience to God, faithfulness to the Lord’s house and work, love for the Bible, etc? What kind of legacy are we leaving behind as we travel toward our crossing? We are here because some people were faithful to hand down their faith to us, 2 Tim. 2:2. Our duty to those who follow is to give them what they need to get the job done for Jesus.

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To Be an Elijah – Part 4

Posted on May 17, 2011 by rgpriest

Remember James’ passage that says Elijah was a man with a nature like ours? Elijah was developed, dynamic and depressed. Now Elijah will have his life doubled. This is a passage that we should strive for, an opportunity to have our life doubled. The story begins in 1 Kings 19:1-15

Reese Kauffman as president of Child Evangelism Fellowship said as part of his plan he recruited 13 men split into two groups. They went everywhere with him. He gave them assignments from reading to physical excercise. They were his shadows. His logic was, if ever he was unable to fulfill his duties, or it was time for him to move on, there were 13 men capable of stepping in and the ministry would not miss a beat or have to scramble for a replacement. ( I heard his tell this story in the mid 90’s when I was involved in CEF of Pennsylvania and he spoke at an event)

In chapter 1 Kings 19 Elijah runs to the hills in fear of the wrath of Jezebel who has put out a contract on his life. She blamed him for killing her prophets of her god, Baal, on Mt Carmel. She wanted revenge. In a cave in the mountain Elijah has a dramatic experience. He heard the voice of the Lord not in a dramatic way but in a gentle whisper. He was told to anoint three people- Hazael as king of Aram, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as prophet to succeed him.
Eventually, it will be Elisha who will anoint Hazael and Jehu in 2 Kings 8-9, but Elijah immediately anoints Elisha. It is suggestive of Moses appointing
Joshua as his successor.

“Elisha” means “My God is, my, salvation.”

THE CALL

Elijah is ready to pass the baton. Here, even in advanced years he is in ministry. Fulfilling what would be the NT ideal that older men are to mentor younger men and older women are to mentor younger women.

In verse nineteen, Elisha, was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen when Elijah arrives. Elisha is called in the midst of his occupation, going about his daily, regular routine. This is similar to Jesus’ call of his disciples while they worked at their trade.

In verse twenty, Elijah, threw his cloak over him. Elijah was transferring his power to Elisha by this symbolic act. Elisha asks, let me kiss my father and my mother goodbye.

Elisha recognized the significance of what Elijah had done. He would accept the call., “take up the mantle,” but only after he did right by his parents, a sacred duty as well, as the keeping of the fourth commandment.

Elijah says, “What have I done to you? Or think about what this act means. This may be a roundabout way of saying, “By all means, do so.” Elisha’s request is perfectly normal and reasonable, even compassionate.

Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant: Moses, too, had a servant, Joshua. Moses trained him. Elijah will train Elisha. In the New Testament this very language will be used of the disciples of Jesus.

Elisha was eventually known as Elijah’s servant, one who poured water on his hands. He was willing to be a servant first. (Matthew 20:26)  Elisha wa swilling to submit as a student and Elijah was willing to teach

The ‘call” is only phase one. If we miss the call everything stops right there. Elisha did not miss the call. How could he? How many people put their mantle over you?

After the call comes THE COST. There is a cost in changing one’s life direction.

It might be a call to change jobs, even to move to a new location, involving moving away from family, friends, and a familiar environment. It may be a call to totally change the way one is presently living and the values one presently holds dear. It may be a call to give up the quest for more money. Such “calls” require paying a price, what we Christians call “the cost of discipleship.” Even if we heard the call, we might feel the cost to be too high or even impossible.

Then ask, what is the cost of saying no.

On April 21st, in the year 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz, Mexico. He brought with him only about 600 men, and yet over the next two years his vastly outnumbered forces were able to defeat Montezuma and all the warriors of the Aztec empire, making Cortez the conqueror of all Mexico. How was this incredible feat accomplished, when two prior expeditions had failed even to establish a colony on Mexican soil?

Here’s the secret. Cortez knew from the very beginning that he and his men faced incredible odds. He knew that the road before them would be dangerous and difficult. He knew that his men would be tempted to abandon their quest and return to Spain. And so, as soon as Cortez and his men had come ashore and unloaded their provisions, he ordered their entire fleet of eleven ships destroyed. His men stood on the shore and watched as their only possibility of retreat burned and sank. And from that point on, they knew beyond any doubt there was no return, no turning back.

Elijah showed his willingness to pay the cost. Elisha slaughters his oxen; he used the plowing equipment for fuel: Elisha destroyed the elements
of his now former occupation as a sign of total commitment to a new way of life, never to look back.

He gave it to his people to eat: He put the oxen and the equipment, to good and productive use. He did not destroy them for destruction sake. In fact, this may well have been a thank offering for his new calling. It seems that family and neighbors were invited to join him in this thanksgiving and farewell meal.

After the call and the cost comes THE COMMITMENT, the actual doing of it.

Elisha heard the call, was willing to pay the price and did leave family, home and occupation and committed himself to the way of life and work of Elijah.

In fact Elisha would accomplish more than Elijah did.

Through Elisha – the Sunammite widow’s only son was brought back to life in 2 Kings 4: 18-37, Naaman’s leprosy was cleansed in 2 Kings 5: 1-19, the starving widow’s oil supply was replenished in 2 Kings 4: 1-7, the grain was multiplied to feed a hundred men in 2 Kings 4: 42-44 and the widow’s land was been restored in 2 Kings 8: 1-6.

Elisha went on to complete the unfinished work of Elijah in 1 Kings 19: 15-16; 2 Kings 8: 7-15; 9: 1-190 and became constantly involved in the affairs of the nation.

With everything we will see Elisha do, it all started with Elijah. Elijah took this man under his wings, mentored him, trained him and set him loose. What Elijah did was double his own life by pouring it into another and setting him free to do greater things under the power of a Holy God.

We humans can fail to rise to the occasion(s) of the call to greatness as God defines it. Elijah heard the call, and as part of the call invited another to join him.

Elisha heard the call, paid the cost, and committed himself to what would turn out to be in his own best interest and simultaneously in the best interest of others.

Of course, there would be times when the pain that the price produces, the absence of familiar people, places and things, would cause him to pause and tempt him to renege. However, it was just a pause, just a temptation, not a cause to return to his former “path of life.”

The diligence and discipline he learned by plowing would serve him well in the next phase of his life. He would “plow through” all the tough terrains and rough roads and remain faithful to that fateful decision to “leave all and follow me.”

I was involved in a church that had a great history, specifically of one pastor who served for decades and was loved by the town. He died suddenly and I believe the church began to die right after that. I also believe the diagnosis was the church was built on one mans shoulders, and there was no one to carry on when he was gone.

Moses dies, but the work did not. Joshua carried on.
Elijah was taken, but the work carried on through Elisha.

Jesus dies, and after the resurrection the Spirit was given to the 12 men He had chosen to be with Him to carry on the work.
Each of those first apostles and early disciples died, but they taught others and the church spread around the world.

In each case the work grew and spread. Who can you pour your life into, so that your life’s work, influence and blessing can double and continue to spread?

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