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

PSALM 19:7-10 11/29/2022*

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

God has provided directives that are steadfast and true …. The question is do you plan to follow them?

God has given laws, testimony, precepts, and commandments that make the way clear. Unfortunately, our culture has deemed many of these to be strange, and offensive. We have “corrected” God and altered His instructions. Some denominations have gone so far as to formally reject God’s teachings and “cherry pick” the laws that better fit their lifestyle.

The church has its finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing and has started following instead of leading. Our pastors have replaced laws with suggestions, testimony with opinions, and commandments with recommendations. Fear of the Lord has become unfashionable, and wisdom has become exceedingly rare.   

It is understandable when those who have no compass drift off course, but the church is without excuse. The commandments of God are clear, and our detours are not unintentional, they are rebellion.

The laws of God are nonnegotiable. Facts don’t change based on our opinion of them, and truth doesn’t adjust to fit societal norms… The laws of nature say that if you put your hand in a fire you will get burned…you may disagree, but your opinion doesn’t change the truth – and you will become aware of that as soon as you choose to ignore it.

God’s laws are the same. The Bible explains God’s love for you and tells you how to enjoy this miraculous life He has provided you. It also tells you how to avoid being burned by sin.   

Follow His laws - or don’t - the choice is yours…But know that ignoring The Truth doesn’t change it…You can disagree, be offended, or even outlaw it – but the fact remains that if you put your hand in the fire you will quickly realize that God is telling the truth - and that His laws are not there to burden you, they are there to protect you.

"The Law of God sends us to Christ in order that we might be saved, and Christ returns us to the Law to frame our way of life." - Alistair Begg 

Colossians 1: 9-10 11/22/2022*

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord…”

What was the “reason” Paul was praying for the church in Colossae? Were they organizing a revival?  Was there a planned membership drive?

Nope - He was praying unceasingly that those who had received salvation would grow in faith and obedience. 

Today we sometimes act as though our job is completed once someone accepts Christ … We tend to measure success as a church by how many “decisions” are made.  Those are marvelous numbers to hear - but this passage says that is the beginning…not the goal.

It seems we might be spiking the ball in celebration after the kickoff not realizing the game has just begun. Commitments are wonderful and we are saved by faith alone, but we are saved to honor God and lead others to Him. The great commission is to make disciples, not just converts.

Paul prayed that God would fill them with knowledge through the Holy Spirit which would transform them…allowing them to walk in a manner Worthy of The Lord.

The focus is not only to turn around, but to live in a way that removes all doubt that you have been redeemed. Christianity is a team sport…We are one body, with one goal and must pray continuously for each other. 

Do you pray for your Christian friends to produce fruit? ….Or do you only pray for the lost?  In this passage Paul asks God to help Christians in the church to chase what matters. 

The target is creating disciples…followers…changed people.  People who have been born again and glorify God with their lives.

Absolutely, pray earnestly for your friend’s salvation, but when that prayer is answered, continue praying, and start discipling those friends so that they can grow in knowledge affirming their salvation by walking closer to God each day.

When our life on earth is over, and we have faithfully led others into the arms of Jesus and helped them walk in a way worthy of Him….Then we can spike the ball.

“Conversion is turning onto the right road. The next thing to do is to walk on it.”— Charles Spurgeon

PSALM 34:8-9 11/15/2022*

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!  Fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no lack of anything.”

What a powerful Thanksgiving passage.  

Is that how we approach worship? Do we Taste and see that the Lord is good?  Do we consume scripture with the same enthusiasm with which we devour our Thanksgiving feast?  Why don’t we savor worshiping Jesus as much as we enjoy stuffing ourselves with the food He provides? No one approaches Thanksgiving dinner as a discipline or a chore - and we shouldn’t approach worshipping God that way either. 

“Taste and see that the Lord is good!” …Suggests an eagerness more powerful than any anticipation of pecan pie I may eat this Thanksgiving! …. (Ok, ok… “will” eat). 

Maybe we don’t acknowledge how miraculous fellowship with God is, because we have forgotten how powerful God is…. Have we become entitled instead of thankful? Have we concluded that we are somehow “owed” our next breath? Are we now accepting the credit for the blessings that God alone has provided?

If we have the right perception of God’s holiness and immense power … The fact that He chose to sacrifice His only Son to redeem us from our own wickedness should overwhelm us with gratitude. 

Realizing that God loves me – should invigorate my life with appreciation. When I take refuge in the grace that provides a loving relationship with my Heavenly Father …I lack nothing.

That should be what we celebrate. Contentment and gratitude to God for His amazing grace should be paramount - and enjoying the meal should simply be a biproduct. That will happen naturally if you can grasp what you have been given, and who has given it to you. Otherwise, Thanksgiving will be just a self-centered celebration of gluttony. 

So, it’s up to you. Choose to live a boring, lukewarm existence, never satisfied and always searching for fulfillment. Or as this passage states, wholeheartedly taste of God’s goodness… in which case you will lack nothing!… That is a very clear, “If/Then” statement from God - and its validity is not in question – your obedience is the only variable. 

“I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude.”

– Brene Brown

Matthew 5:8 11/8/2022*

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

My friend passed away last week, and this verse summarizes his life. 

As a high school coach and teacher, he changed the world …He didn’t do it by demanding recognition, he did it by serving … Serving others naturally flowed out of the purity of his heart. 

So, what does a pure heart look like? …What does purity mean?  It means freedom from contamination.  

Sometimes pureness is important …When my kids wanted to watch questionable movies, they would say something like, “it only has one bad scene”…and I would reply “So, there’s just a little dog poop in the cookies?”… Intending to point out that in some things…purity really matters. 

So, if a bad scene can ruin a movie – what can ruin a heart?  

It’s not just evil things that make our hearts impure. Hunger for money, reputation, power …are all things that Jesus called “weeds” that choke out good seed. Contamination occurs when we allow anything in our heart other than what it was created to hold…the pure love of God. My friend’s heart was so full of love for Jesus that there was no room for any other pursuit, and it showed. 

Jesus came to earth bearing the title “King of Kings”…yet He picked up a towel and washed his disciples’ feet. My buddy did the same… He  figuratively picked up a towel and washed feet every day. He served his students constantly - at school, games, functions… he and his wife even hosted dinner and bible study at their home regularly. Not because it was his job but because it was who he was. 

And it wasn’t just students…He encouraged everyone he met. My guess is, he was the only MD Anderson Patient, who gave doctors Chick-fil-A cards at his appointments …He couldn’t help it …his heart insisted on it. His love for Christ splashed out on everyone he met.

Because his heart was pure, we could see God in him… and Saturday night he saw God face to face and heard “well done good and faithful servant.”

Pray that God will fill your heart with the love of Christ …because the pure in heart will see God… and the indicator of a pure heart is serving others.

“What will you do today, pick up your title, or pick up your towel?”

-Bruce Hayes

John 15:14 11/1/2022*

“You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

Fasten your seatbelts…this morning might get a little rough.  Jesus was never vague about the requirements of discipleship. This verse sounds harsh today because it has become unfashionable to discuss the cost of following Christ. But the Bible is clear. Christians are to live differently. 

We are saved by faith alone, but the validation of our faith- is that it changes us. James 1:22 says we are fooling ourselves if we only listen to the Word of God, and don’t live it out.

God never offered cheap “fire insurance faith.” He offers life changing redemption through the gospel. 

But as Christians we have focused on His mercy,  to the exclusion of His Holiness. Our perception has been skewed by paintings depicting God as a feeble Grandfather, and Jesus as a victim.  That could not be further from the truth.  Exodus says “The Lord is a Warrior”…and Jesus’ occupation was a construction worker…There has never been anything weak or feeble about our King. He does not make requests, He gives commands. 

Fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the cost of following Christ is everything. When Jesus healed people, He said go your way and sin no more…that means change. 

Preaching repentance can make people uncomfortable, but it is better to offend people with God’s Word and point them to Heaven - than ignore His truths and leave them comfortably on their way to Hell. 

So, we all need to look in the mirror this morning. Is God changing us?  

Jesus didn’t die to make us comfortable…He died to make us warriors against forces of darkness …Are we fighting those forces, or are we contributing to them?  

If church is just a comfortable place to drink coffee and be entertained… it is not church. Church is challenging…it is motivating. Church is a pit stop intended to get you fueled up, talk strategy, and get you back out on the track to run the race God has commanded.  

Christ’s definition of discipleship includes obedience… make sure yours does too…Actively obey the commands of the King who died to save your soul. 

“Stale godliness is ungodliness. Let our religion be as warm, and constant, and natural as the flow of the blood in our veins. A living God must be served in a living way.”

―Charles Spurgeon

PSALM 14:1 10/25/22*

“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”…”

When I was young, my mom often quoted Matthew 5:22, which states: ”…whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”. So, I want to be careful here…But by God’s definition we seem to have fools in our midst. 

When I first read this verse, I thought of the outspoken atheists….The University Professors and politicians who enjoy asserting that their intellect has revealed that God does not exist.  I assumed this verse was for them as they clearly fit this definition of a fool.

However, it dawned on me that while I don’t say “there is no God” with my mouth – there are times that I live like that is what I believe.

According to the verse – fools say there is no God “in their heart”-  and I think that is an important phrase. Apparently, I don’t have to say it out loud. If my heart allows me to live like there is no God, then I qualify as a fool, even if my words say otherwise.

It is hypocritical that my first thoughts were not of my own shortcomings …My own rebellion should always be my first focus, because that is what I can change.  

If I intend to walk in the wisdom of God,  I must become wise and discerning. I must boldly stand against the arguments of fools. To effectively do that, I must learn to recognize a fool when I see one…even if he is in the mirror.  

God is the Supreme Judge, and though I have been found guilty - He has paid my debt. Now I am to walk humbly with Him continually acknowledging His existence and power… 

So, this morning I will first endeavor to remove the splinter from my own eye so that I may see clearly enough to help my brother out of his own folly. And the next time I read about what a fool is, I will first make sure I don’t fit the description -  then I will try to help those who do, find their way to the loving Father who has redeemed me from the madness of this world. 

“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'” - C. S. Lewis