1 Peter 2: 1-3 12/27/2022*

1 Peter 2: 1-3

"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word…”

That’s a pretty tall order to start the year.  Taking out the trash of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander - and replacing them with God’s Word.

I looked up the garbage to know what to get rid of:  Malice is the intention to do evil. Deceit is lying with words or actions. Hypocrisy is claiming to have morals to which you do not conform. Envy is feeling discontent because of someone else's position or possessions. Slander is lying and damaging a person's reputation. 

That’s a  lot to tackle …you may not have all of them but if you’re like me, you have most  - and there are a couple of favorites. When I struggle with things on this list the common thread seems to be selfishness…and a lack of concern for others.

If this year is going to be any better than last year, I  need to vomit those spiritual toxins out of my system and replace them with the pure milk of the Word of God…I need to consistently read the bible…you probably do to. 

So, you can respond to this in one of three ways:

1. Disagree, in which case next year will look a lot like this year.

2. Agree, and think to yourself that you should change some things…in which case next year will look a lot like this year.

 3. Or you can call a couple of friends and say “Let’s commit to read through the bible together a chapter a week. Let’s create a thread and every morning read a passage of scripture and text our thoughts to each other to encourage and hold each other accountable”. 

…IF you do that.  It will change next year…and it will change your life. 

Few New Year’s resolutions really change anything …but this one will.  Jesus said we live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God so let’s study what God says.   The world will provide junk food for your soul daily. If you really want to change, you must  intentionally consume the pure milk of the gospel which will provide what your soul needs to flourish. 

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

― Charles Spurgeon

Proverbs 12:1 12/20/22*

“One who loves discipline loves knowledge, but one who hates rebuke is stupid.”

I tried to ignore this verse but no matter how I look at it - the bible just called me stupid.  It is no secret that I don’t love discipline  - and I usually hate it when I am rebuked.

So, what should I do now?... My natural reaction to being called stupid, is to call the accuser stupid, and argue with them… (intelligent response, right?)… or I can ignore them and assume they don’t know what they’re talking about. However, neither of those paths are open to me when it is scripture that implies my lack of intellect.

So, the only reasonable response to this, is for me to decide to stop being stupid…I need to contemplate this verse until I find a way to love discipline and stop hating it when I am corrected.

There is a way to get there if I will appreciate the effects that discipline has produced in my life. The only way to welcome rebukes is if I consider the improvements I have seen when I have heeded them.

But there is a huge hurdle that I must overcome ….Pride.

Pride is the ridiculous notion that I know it all…That I don’t need a press box coach who can help me see things from different vantage points. Pride would argue that those close to me cannot see flaws that I have overlooked, and that I don’t need their input.

What protects my pride is a lack of confidence in myself that makes me instantly defensive when I am questioned. 

If I will simply remember that I have grown in the past when people have pointed out things I needed to change – It will accelerate my progress in the future.

Do I really want to be wise … or do I just want people to think I’m wise? That is what it boils down to… Only humility and confidence will allow me to appreciate constructive criticism. That is the only way my reaction to reprimands can become thoughtful consideration – instead of knee-jerk argumentativeness. To gain wisdom, I must admit that I still have things to learn.

Of course, there is always plan B -  I could just keep being stupid… I guess the choice is up to me. 

“Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.” – John Wayne

 

ISAIAH 9:6&7 12/13/2022*

“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace… The zeal of the LORD of armies will accomplish this.”

This passage predicts the first Christmas and defines Jesus as the Triune God. One God - Father, Son, and Spirit.  

That’s important… Jesus’ own words clarify that He is not a prophet. Jesus said “I, and the Father are one”,  “if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father”… Nor does the Bible teach that God created Jesus, who later became a god with many others. Scripture teaches that there is only one eternal God, and He is called …Father, Son, Counselor, Lord, Prince of Peace….

Although One God with numerous titles is difficult to comprehend, God doesn’t feel the need to limit Himself based on our ability to understand… And many have been deceived insisting that God fit into a box they can explain. Don’t be misled trying to fit the bible into your opinion…fit your opinion into the Bible.

This passage also foretells of Jesus’ mission. His birth, death, and resurrection offer peace and good will to men. His second coming will establish His Kingdom.  

His return will not be as a child in a manger, but as The Zealous Lord of Armies accompanied by a multitude of Angels… It will be an incursion.

These verses remind me of the scene in Tombstone when Kurt Russell yells, “You tell 'em I'm coming! And Hell's coming with me you hear! Hell's coming with me!” 

That threat pales in comparison to the message being delivered here by Isaiah … It is as though he is saying: 

“You tell ‘em Jesus is coming back! And all Heaven’s coming with Him, you hear! Heaven’s coming with Him!”

God came as a baby to bring peace. His second coming will be as The Mighty Warrior God with a battalion of angels to restore righteousness. Accept His love today and be adopted as a child of God so you will rejoice when Jesus comes back…because all Heaven’s coming with Him.

“Next time it will be God without disguise; so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side.” – C.S. Lewis

Exodus 6:12 12/6/2022*

“…Moses replied, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, then why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I am unskilled in speech?”

God must find that annoying.  The man He chose to lead the Jews and deliver them from slavery, now has issues with God’s strategy.  The leader He prepared from birth is now balking at the gameplan. 

The Red Sea and other miracles are yet to come… But God wasn’t asking Moses to do anything supernatural…just talk to Pharaoh. Instead, Moses grumbles that even his own people don’t pay attention to him…why would Pharaoh listen?

If you’re like me, and that sounds like something you might say when challenged – then there are three lessons, we need to learn this morning:

1. God’s plan can be difficult – push through it. 

I know that doesn’t sound theological or compassionate, but 1 Peter basically says don’t be surprised in this life when you get hit in the mouth…We live in a fallen place and trials happen… But it also says don’t worry because Jesus is bigger than whatever hit you. 

Be ready for it…take the hit…and keep on going.  

2. God’s plan can be frightening – do it anyway.

Giving an unpopular lecture to Pharaoh was a dangerous thing to do…Moses had no speechmaking skills, that wasn’t in his wheelhouse…and a mistake could be lethal.  But God said do it anyway. Sometimes your plans and Gods won’t match up – choose His.

3. God uses flawed men to do marvelous things – saddle up.  

This is the big lesson. Don’t hide your fear under false humility. Moses wasn’t humbly stating that he wasn’t a good speaker, he was saying he was afraid to speak. He was bowing to fear – and fear doesn’t come from God.  

Moses didn’t believe he was qualified – and he wasn’t.  That is part of what qualified him… If you think your competent to do what God has called you to do,  you probably have either overestimated your abilities - or underestimated Gods plans. 

Trust me, you’re not prepared for His vision – but fortunately it won’t be accomplished by your strength.  The Lord intends to do far more than you could ever ask for or imagine.

God doesn’t need you to be ready or capable…He just wants you to trust Him and show up.

"Courage is being scared to death ... and saddling up anyway." 

~ John Wayne