tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73381577854649860922024-03-18T22:07:30.124-05:00Power Talk"They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk of your power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom." Psalms 145:11-12Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-47751666637929923862016-09-20T13:52:00.000-05:002016-09-20T16:29:11.900-05:00Civility, Language & Pornography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="s1">Let’s face it one of the lamentable sides of the internet and social media is the easy access to information and images that are neither helpful nor necessary. In fact, they are just downright hurtful and injurious in ways we are sometimes unaware of at the time we are reading or viewing it. We rightfully and with good reason warn against the pornography saturating our culture today! Yet, do we realize how subtle an enemy Satan is? Are we really that concerned about pornography? I only ask because we find it so easy to watch so-called respectable television, movies, and advertising whose content glamorizes immodesty using both visual and verbal stimulation, without ever saying a word.<br /><br />It seems to me one reason our culture is indifferent to the pornography, which permeates it, is because of the language we accept and use in public discourse. This is even true of Christians or maybe I should say, especially true of Christians. I digress momentarily to admit my bias, I am that guy, who from the pulpit is barely comfortable referring to the healthy consummation of God-given desires in marriage as anything but “the act of marriage.” On the other hand, I don’t cringe or want to hide under the pew, every time I hear another preacher use the legitimate phrase sexual intercourse. In fact, I have even used the phrase myself a few times from the pulpit, but I am so uncomfortable using it I generally prefer the phrase “the act of marriage.” Please! do not extrapolate, or in any way misconstrue, from the comments in this paragraph that I am saying, "if you use 'sexual intercourse' in the pulpit you are contributing to the porn culture." I have only said, what I said, in this paragraph to admit my bias and I am not making that bias in this context, the standard for anyone else. I am just acknowledging my personal sensitivities.<br /><br />In my mind, I am able to grant some latitude to writers and speakers for the language they use to describe or express certain things though I may find it objectionable (especially, when they are not a Christian, that doesn’t make it right, it just says I have no expectations from them). However, I find certain language highly offensive in PUBLIC DISCOURSE. There are far too many rich and wonderful words in the English language for a really talented, hard working, writer or speaker to choose from, which makes the use of crude, coarse, and vulgar vocabulary unnecessary. Such use of that type of vulgarity to me is a clear sign of laziness and ignorance. I understand to some extent the use of such language in the mouth of a character in a story. I don’t like it but on some level I get it, but even that does NOT make it right. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here is my concern. I see Christians who freely post things on social media that use vulgarities of every sort to make what they allege is a good point. It is not just crude vocabulary they use but it is the street descriptions for various bodily functions of men and women who engage in the act of marriage. I just read this morning an article a Christian posted regarding men (I refuse to identify the article) with the disclaimer that they liked the article and thought it good for everyone even though they could have done without the profanity. Really? Rhetorically, I am asking, what difference does your disclaimer make?<br /><br />I realize one is not saying the language themselves BUT they are allowing such street language to be used. However, the fact they think the overall point is good for everyone ignores the fact that the verbal and/or visual stimuli being used by the writer or speaker to make his/her "good" point IS harmful. Apologizing beforehand for the immodest language or visual you are posting does NOT absolve us of having put the said immodesty in the mind and heart of those who read it. Since when does a"good" point ever have to use vulgarity? Since when have the ends (good point) justified the means (vulgarity)? How about a reality check here? “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” (Romans 1:28-32)<br /><br />Again, this applies to pictures I see Christians posting as well. I live almost equal distance from the beach now as I did growing up in Southern California. I love the beach! I go to the beach. I spent a week at the beach this Summer for vacation and still feel like I don’t go as much as I’d like to go to the beach! You know what? Just because I love the beach and go to the beach I don’t feel the least bit compelled to dress or act like everyone else on the beach. Furthermore, there is enough beach that we can find a relatively secluded and remote part of the beach without too much trouble. However, if you choose to do otherwise when you go to the beach, please, don’t post pictures of yourself at the beach dressed like everyone else. God calls us to be different from the world, not minimally different BUT radically different! Jesus told his disciples, “You are not of this world, as I am not of this world.” (read carefully, John 17:14-17; 1 John 2:15-17) Jesus did not expect the world to love his disciples any more than He expected them to love the world or any more than the world loved Him! As dangerous, toxic and violent as the world is Jesus did not ask God to take us out of the world but to keep us from the evil one! Do I need to say any thing else? </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Have you considered that until the presidency of Bill Clinton “oral sex” was not something that was much in vogue in public discourse in America? Yet, now we hear innuendos, allusions and outright direct references to it in advertising, movies and television and we are made to laugh about it. In public discourse or social media, it is but a short step from talking and laughing about it openly to giving tacit approval of it in a context of immorality, whether we use verbal or visual stimuli. If you can talk about it, laugh about it, and/or make jokes about it, in the public square, why can’t you watch it being performed? Surely, you do not think one is less harmful to your spirituality than the other? If you can use the street language, for the act of marriage in public discourse as an exclamation, or to make fun of someone, or as an adjective to describe some emotion then, why can’t you view actual images of the act in various media forms (videos, pictures, movies etc.)? Sadly, our ability to tolerate sin prevents us from mourning it. (1 Corinthians 5:1-2)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Consider the context to the passage in Ephesians 5:3-7, where Paul writes to Christians. Ephesus was the city where the temple of the goddess Diana was located. A religion for whom prostitution and immorality were acts of worship, by which the very culture of the city was defined. Thus, Paul would write, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Did you notice the close connection between sexual immorality and vulgar speech (vv. 3-4)? Look again, at vv. 8-12, and see the connection, “…Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.”</span></div>
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I realize this political season of 2016, has further corrupted the civility of our culture in ways that we don’t even realize as of yet (just as did the political times of Bill Clinton’s immorality). Metaphorically, the anger and hostility of terrorism can be seen in the public discourse relative to how candidates treat each other. It can also be seen in social media by how angry we get and how we treat each other in our disagreements. There is little, if any, serious critical thinking that goes on in arguments on social media. Among us, as Christians, this ought not to be! (James 3)</div>
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<span class="s1"><br />I will close with two things that can help us avoid the pitfalls of posting anything could be considered ungodly or out of character with being a Christian. 1. Spend a minute in prayer talking to God about it. 2. Spend the thirty seconds it takes to listen to Paul’s instructions, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:7-9) (<span class="s2"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Phil.4">https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/Phil.4</a>)</span></span></div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-78037176341957687422016-07-27T12:49:00.000-05:002016-07-27T12:56:30.786-05:00"What If God..."<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="e6hdb" data-offset-key="e60n5-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<a href="https://honestaboutmyfaith.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/its-not-fair.jpg?w=252&h=189" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://honestaboutmyfaith.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/its-not-fair.jpg?w=252&h=189" /></a><span data-offset-key="e60n5-0-0">The role of the prophet, as one speaking for God, was never to argue what was fair. I think those who did try to argue with God about what was fair, often ended up like the prophet Jonah angry with everyone, including themselves. I find it even less so for Christians, namely, that they have no right to argue fairness before God. I believe that is Paul’s point in Romans 9, as he clarifies who God is (Sovereign Creator) and argues for the Gentile inclusion into the blessings of Christ.</span><br />
Paul’s “what if God…” in Romans 9:22-24, is not so much an interrogative as it is declarative. His point is God’s election (choosing) has a purpose (cf. also Revelation 4:11). God’s purpose in election is to show mercy on whomsoever He wills to show mercy and to harden whomsoever He wills to harden (Romans 9:18). The Bible never denies nor does it try to explain the free-will of man and the Sovereignty of God. God because He is sovereign (which we cannot fully grasp because we are not sovereign) deals appropriately with man’s free-will and man in his free-will is able to live within the Sovereignty of God.<br />
God’s election does not operate on behalf of man because of some meritorious system through which man earns salvation — “…not because of works” (Romans 9:11). In fact, God’s election to show mercy and compassion is not in any way dependent on “human will or exertion” to be real or effective (9:16). Mercy and compassion are God’s choices because He is God whether we think this is fair or not. Consequently, the only logical response to the “what if God…” (9:22) choosing to include the Gentiles under the promises of Christ is “it is God’s right” as Creator to include them! Just as it is the potter’s right to determine what use he will make of the clay at his wheel (9:19-21).<br />
I am convinced that we have totally missed who God is any time fairness becomes the basis of our argument for a biblical position or justification for any sinful reaction to an unfair situation. This is a sin- cursed world and if the cross of Jesus says anything it says this world is NOT fair! Why did he have to go to the cross? The point is He didn’t have to — He went willingly on our behalf. Read Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane carefully, note every breath, every word, and every beat of His heart was the Father’s will: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.” Nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). The only response to “Father, IF you are willing” is “your will be done!” Jesus never argued about the fairness of going to the cross for there was nothing to argue on that basis it was the Lord’s will.<br />
When will we get it! Our election by God, to be followers of God, is just that — we are followers! It begins there and ends there! From the before foundations of the world the elect of God, in God’s mind were those who were willing to follow Him. The world is not fair! Yet, the one truth Paul reminds us of in the midst of the unfairness of this world is that there is NO injustice with God (9:14). God’s purpose of election is to “make known His power” and “…the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles.” (9:22-24).<br />
Israel had considered themselves the elite rejecting Jesus as the Christ because he did not meet their expectations of fairness, especially with regard to the Roman Empire. In doing so, they had only proven they were children of the flesh and not children of the promise (9:6-13). God’s election was not of the flesh but of the promise which included Gentiles (and ours by extension). God’s election had nothing to do with any human standard of fairness (which would include a system of merit/works) but everything to do with showing His glory and making known His name. Thus, as Christians, we do not exist to tell God how we will serve him or what we think is best for the church that is an elitist attitude. To the contrary, Christians exist as God’s elect to humbly follow and glorify Him in the church (Ephesians 3:21). In a nutshell, being God’s elect has everything to do with relating and respecting His authority over us.<br />
Remember who God is!</div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-83213589126908817832016-06-03T13:38:00.000-05:002016-06-04T08:34:31.951-05:00Falling to Pieces — Lord, Help Me Keep It Together<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKioStDiVbJVddUz5RbQ986Sr1_xRghMf5BJ_fZ2wsPY3-3DaReiUAbOe-GAcVSJGQTS_PcudoN16nJDZI8Y4c9Or_0tGmmTDXOy8S9291Y6R8pt8go_V-ddC8NcwdWOeQvxUy7OAXgqW/s1600/falling_to_pieces_over_you_by_kerrysmile-d333825.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKioStDiVbJVddUz5RbQ986Sr1_xRghMf5BJ_fZ2wsPY3-3DaReiUAbOe-GAcVSJGQTS_PcudoN16nJDZI8Y4c9Or_0tGmmTDXOy8S9291Y6R8pt8go_V-ddC8NcwdWOeQvxUy7OAXgqW/s320/falling_to_pieces_over_you_by_kerrysmile-d333825.jpg" width="320" /></a>In his New York Bestseller, "The Road To Character,” David Brooks uses the conflicted and unconformable life of the brilliant 18th Century Englishman Samuel Johnson for his chapter on Self-Evaluation. Brooks describes the life of Johnson, using the German word “Zerrissenheit,” which he defines “loosely” to mean “falling-to-piece-ness” but then goes on to describe what he means. “This is the loss of internal coherence that can come from living a multitasking, pulled-in-a-hundred-directions existence. This is what Kierkegaard called “the dizziness of freedom.” When the external constraints are loosened, when a person can do what he wants, when there are a thousand choices and distractions, then life can lose coherence and direction if there isn’t a strong internal structure….</div>
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Johnson’s internal fragmentation was exacerbated by his own nature…the way he spoke, ate, read, loved and lived. Moreover, many of his qualities were at odds with one another…." (page 218)</div>
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This is such a poignant paragraph. As I read this I thought to myself, this is reminiscent of some lives we read about in the Bible. I couldn’t get my mind off this paragraph and its many applications to others I knew today. In thinking about this, I was reminded that wearing the latest fashion, driving a nice automobile and living in a comfortable house may be urgent on some level of keeping up with the Joneses. However, clothes don’t make the man, driving a nice automobile doesn’t equate to being a person of integrity and living in a comfortable house is certainly no guarantee of a respectable home! <br />
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Then suddenly it dawned on me, as I glanced the chapter heading, “Self-Examination." Ouch! This is MY life when I lose focus! Forget about making application to others. What about me? I often become distracted by many things and situations because I have way too many “irons in the fire.” You know those moments when I think I am an excellent multitasker! (Who am I kidding? Who are you kidding?) The truth is when I have "too many irons in the fire" if any of them ever gets accomplished, I often have to settle for mediocrity. The truth is when my moment of “falling-to-piece-ness” overwhelms me, because of "too many irons in the fire," it is then that I realize I have confused those urgent irons with the truly important. In my own life as I go to India to preach, or have the great privilege of baptizing someone into Christ, or cross this country holding gospel meetings in far away states, there may be a certain urgency to all of that. But you know what? None of that is what is really important in terms of what I am supposed to be as a Christian! <br />
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I think of the life of David, the man after God’s own heart. King Saul thought what was important to being King was having all the praise of the people. Consequently, he was jealous of David when the people praised him, especially, when they attributed more victories to David than to himself. Saul's jealousy consumed him and he tried to destroy the young David. But, David refused to retaliate in kind on multiple occasions, in spite of having both the opportunity and perhaps, even the right. Clearly, David's heart in dealing with Saul was focused on glorifying God and not in satisfying his own personal desire. Yet, the remarkable thing about David's life, after both the shame of his egregious sins and his repentance, his life became characteristic of his earlier life. David regained his focused of what was important. He geared his thinking for the things of God rather than for himself. This was evident in his later life in the story of Shimei. Shimei cursed and threw rocks at David and his men as they fled from Absalom. David refused to retaliate in kind toward Shimei even when it was within his right, as a King to do so (see 2 Samuel 16:5-14). David's focus was clearly on what was important to God. Sadly, David knew all too well what happens when you confuse the urgent (or your own rights or desires) with the important (what will bring glory to God) — it can lead to disaster and destroy your house! </div>
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In the New Testament, we are afforded a glimpse of another whose life was caught up with the urgent and characterized by that “falling-to-piece-ness”! This individual for the moment had confused the urgent with the important having lost her focus. You see, being hospitable may be urgent to the point of being helpful but not at the cost of what is important! Ask Martha! "<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. <span style="font-family: "helvetica";">And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.</span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal;">And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal;">But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.'</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal;">But the Lord answered her, '<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,</span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:38-42) Look how Luke presents the story “troubled about many things” versus “one thing is necessary.” Jesus reminds us to make the right choice and our lives will not fall to pieces, even when we are challenged by the urgency of a matter!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Stay focused don’t let anything interfere with your relationship with God - that is THE IMPORTANT. All else merely has the appearance of being urgent! </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;">When all around us the storm is raging and the urgent is trying to distract us, </span><span style="background-color: white;">only by choosing to focus on God and His will are we given that strong internal coherence and direction which holds our lives together! Being committed to prayer, pray for wisdom. Being committed to Bible study, seek God's glory. </span></div>
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Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-47078496079647870252015-10-14T11:24:00.001-05:002015-10-14T11:24:36.822-05:00Sin Is Messy - We Are A Mess<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
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ALL sin is messy and will make a mess of our lives because it is contrary to God's will. I don't think the prophets of Old, much less Jesus himself, ever found a way to confront sinners, that they liked it or went away feeling good about themselves for their sin. Yet, to confront sin is the very reason they were sent! Micah said it best, "But as for me, I am full of power by the Spirit of Jehovah, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin." (Micah 3:8)<br /></div>
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The truth is the prophets were rejected, despised and stoned to death and the cross of Jesus remains in clear view of all, as a testimony to the mess sin can make! Is there a more plaintive cry of morning and lament in all of scripture than, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"?(Matthew 23:37)<br /></div>
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There is nothing about sin that is NOT messy! It makes our lives messy and it leaves us a mess! Ask the rich young ruler, "he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:22) The truth is, walking away from God's will and going it on your own will always leave you sorrowful.<br /></div>
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God is calling us to a discipleship that demands we "deny ourselves" and follow Him exclusively. As much as the earth was without form and void and covered in darkness it took God to make it a habitable place. So to our lives in sin are a mess, without form and void and covered in darkness, yet God can create in us a new beginning - for He gave us the light of His Son (read carefully and meditate on John 1:1-18)!</div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-43219186473552018582015-10-12T12:25:00.001-05:002015-10-12T12:30:04.424-05:00Preaching the Gospel: A Clear Connection to Baptism<div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. </i><i>(1 Corinthians 1:17)</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-size: large;">It is not Paul’s point to suggest that baptism is not essential or unimportant. How could that be, especially in light of his masterful connection of our baptism to the death burial and resurrection of Jesus our Lord in Romans 6:3-4? "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” In addition, just a casual look at the context of 1 Corinthians 1 reminds us of Paul’s own admission, </span><span class="s2" style="font-size: large;"><b>"</b></span><span class="s1" style="font-size: large;">I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)” (see 1 Corinthians 1:14-16). </span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul is emphasizing the message of the gospel of which baptism is clearly a part. It is much like reading the narrative of Acts 8:26-40, where Philip joined the Eunuch’s chariot and heard him reading from Isaiah. It is here we identify Isaiah 53 as the place of the Eunuch’s reading. The eunuch asks Philip who is the prophet talking about. All we are told from that point is, “beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus." It is at some point later, when they had come upon a body of water, the Eunuch responds, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (vs. 36) So, there are two clear inferences that we draw from the narrative, if we are to understand it properly. In the first place, introducing one to Jesus as the crucified Messiah, via the Scriptures, (which is the only way to know Jesus) evokes the response in an honest heart, what must I do (Acts 2:36-38; 16:25-34). Secondly, a proper introduction to Jesus includes His death, burial and resurrection with the invitation for one to spiritually participate with Jesus in that event for the remission of their sins. For Jesus was ever the living, dying and resurrected invitation of God to "come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...” (Matthew 11:28-30) </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">There are a lot of theological terms that scholarship likes to throw around, which most of us don’t understand and I wonder sometimes if they do themselves, about preaching the gospel. However, it seems pretty clear that preaching the gospel is a speech-event. Namely, “the word of the cross.” Clearly, a language is born and renewed that centers around that historic event, in which people (especially in the First Century) saw, experienced and talked about things, in a way prior to that event, they never had done before. Even today, one grows up in the Western World hearing or reading words on signs like “church,” “resurrection,” “spiritual,” etc., whether they properly understand those words or not. Yet, when we come to Jesus, via the Scriptures, we experience that language in a totally different way because of the “word of the cross.”</span></span></div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-70753822448063815552015-08-04T04:57:00.000-05:002015-08-04T05:00:01.686-05:00Instrumental Music in Corporate Worship: What Do the Bible and History Say?<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQchSnI4haFJtRAR1IqZ1DNmR1ShkJdIzTpPEk-YIkfIMxf9mRsH8EXYe0LH0iSC3aXKqrBBnrShuNgKuuLOHl5f6lDCutBDsj-vOfb51fWJVKZFoW-6n4PBwnZQaxPklSLEocXfquz4IV/s1600/church+musical+instruments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQchSnI4haFJtRAR1IqZ1DNmR1ShkJdIzTpPEk-YIkfIMxf9mRsH8EXYe0LH0iSC3aXKqrBBnrShuNgKuuLOHl5f6lDCutBDsj-vOfb51fWJVKZFoW-6n4PBwnZQaxPklSLEocXfquz4IV/s320/church+musical+instruments.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> USA Today online headline read, "Church of Christ opens door to musical instruments" (</span><i><a href="http://tinyurl.com/q68t6f7">http://tinyurl.com/q68t6f7</a></i><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="color: #141823;">)</span></span><span style="color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">. </span></span><br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Since I identify with a group of Christians who DESCRIBE themselves as the South Jacksonville church of Christ the headline caught my attention. However, it didn't take long to realize that the writer did not mean the same thing I meant when talking about the church of Christ. I mean church of Christ, in the primitive sense of the phrase as we read about in the New Testament. In the New Testament (Romans 16:16 "the churches of Christ salute you") the apostle Paul was not using the term as a name but rather as a description of Christians, who are striving to follow Jesus and belong to Him, wherever they assemble to worship and work, </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">in any given location</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">, according to that pattern set forth by apostolic instructions in the New Testament. Consequently when the writer declares that the "Church of Christ commitment to a cappella dates to the faith's emergence in the 1800s Restoration Movement," she does not understand church of Christ as it is used in New Testament. She sees what she calls "Church of Christ" as a denomination. However, the church belonging to Christ, which we read about in the New Testament was undenominational for the simple reason the church we read about in the New Testament existed centuries before any denominationalism as we know it today came into existence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, her statement could only be true if you have a sectarian/denominational view of the "Church of Christ." However, since the church belonging to Christ, which we read about in the New Testament, is not a denomination it </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">has always been committed to a cappella. Primitive Christianity knows nothing of any kind of commitment toward the use of mechanical instruments of music in their worship. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16-17).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The word "a cappella" literally means "in the manner of the chapel/church." Meaning, unaccompanied vocal music and generally had reference to church music pre 1600's. So churches that existed even 200 years before the Restoration Movement didn't use the instrument either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) revered by the Roman Catholics wrote: "Our church does not use musical instruments, as harps and psalteries, to praise God withal, that she may not seem to Judaize." [Thomas Aquinas. Bingham's Antiquities, Vol. 3, page 137.] Interesting Aquinas understood that because Israel used the instrument that didn't mean the church should. And, that was 400 years prior to the Restoration Movement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Augustine (354-430), is ranked right after the apostles, in terms of importance, according to some Catholic scholars. Here is what he wrote in 354 A.D.as he described the singing at Alexandria under Athanasius: "musical instruments were not used. The pipe, tabret, and harp here associate so intimately with the sensual heathen cults, as well as with the wild revelries and shameless performances of the degenerate theater and circus, it is easy to understand the prejudices against their use in the worship" That's 1400+ years before the Restoration Movement of the 1800's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we go to the beginning of primitive Christianity, namely, the New Testament, we read nothing about the use of instrumental music in worship. Does it say anything about music in the corporate worship? Yes it does: "... I will *sing* praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also." (1 Corinthians 14:15) "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, *singing* and making melody to the Lord with your heart...' (Ephesians 5:15-16). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, *singing* psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is the use of instrumental music in our worship really that significant? You tell me, Jesus said, "The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day." (John 12:48) Listen to what the apostle Paul said in verse 37, about the things he wrote in 1 Corinthians 14 which included verse 15 (see previous paragraph), "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord." Thus, singing was a command of the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I admit the issue may seem insignificant to some. However, I am reminded in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) that the man to whom one talent was given, thought it was NO big deal that he buried his talent and gave it back to the Master. Yet the Lord condemned him, calling him a "wicked and slothful servant!..." Why? He was indifferent to the things of His Master and his rational was completely illogical. He did not have the right view of God and he did not regard the things of God as being significant, even in the smallest of matters (1 talent)! He was not faithful in even a little because he thought the one talent given to Him was insignificant in comparison to all that the Master owned and controlled. No doubt, the one talent man would have argued his case, "But I didn't lose it and I didn't steal from you." Nonetheless, Jesus said, "So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."</span></div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-87516163442809647972015-07-30T09:52:00.002-05:002015-07-30T09:52:16.882-05:00For or Against Christianity: What Message Are People Reading From Our Life?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Sheldon Vanauken chronicled his journey from agnosticism to faith in a personal diary. In his book, A Severe Mercy, describing the struggle to come to faith and dealing with the tragedy of his wife of 17 years, he shared some of the entries of his diary. It was while studying at Oxford that he and his wife became friends with several young students who were believers. It was here that his heart began</span><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">to be opened. Most influential to his conversion was his friendship with C. S. Lewis.</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">One of the most astute entries into his diary, while he was still yet an agnostic, was his poignant and cogent observation about what he determined to be the best and the worst argument for Christianity. I have cited it on numerous occasions over the last 30 years - it is one of my favorite quotes. He wrote:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians--when they are sombre and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths. But, though it is just to condemn some Christians for these things, perhaps, after all, it is not just, though very easy, to condemn Christianity itself for them. Indeed, there are impressive indications that the positive quality of joy is in Christianity--and possibly nowhere else. If that were certain, it would be proof of a very high order."</span></i></div>
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We must learn this lesson! We are made for a better world as a new creation in Christ. Thus, our journey through this world takes on, in a sense that joy we experience, as we look forward to a vacation where we can, as we sometimes say "can get away from it all" (meaning the stress, frustration and vexation of this world). Faithful Christians, like those going on a vacation, are filled with the prospects of eternity and want to share the excitement of their journey with all who will listen. It is precisely because our citizenship IS in heaven that we are filled with joy, as we journey through this world of darkness and tragedy.</div>
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If the Christian's citizenship in heaven means anything, it means that Christians are a colony of heaven on earth. They do not take their cue from the vexation of this world's ungodliness. To the contrary, in every way, as a member of Heaven's colony on earth, they take their cue from that higher and better ground of their hope in the Lord, rejoicing always letting their sweet reasonableness be known in every word and action (Philippians 2:14ff; 3:20-21; 4:4-5; John 13:34ff).</div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-35799966964566256922015-07-30T09:42:00.000-05:002015-07-30T09:42:02.002-05:00Please, Quit Your Whining<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">There is a sense in which I am more concerned about the whining and woe is me attitude among those professing to be Christians who are bemoaning our culture and homosexuality than I am with the culture and homosexuality! (Philippians 2:14-16)<br /></span></div>
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Yes, this world IS rotting, decaying and dying/passing away! So tell me, dear Christian, just what is it that you really expect to find worthwhile and permanent in this world of the dead and defeated? (I John 2:15-17)</div>
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Yes, the question remains as relevant today as it did on the morning of the Lord's resurrection, why seek the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5)<br /></div>
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You see, the corruptness of our culture and the perversion of same-sex marriage cannot destroy that one unshakeable historical fact. That is to say, the condition of the world no matter how bad it gets will not change the most significant historical truth of all ages!<br /></div>
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Namely, the tomb IS still empty!<br /></div>
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Jesus the Christ is risen! Praise and rejoice in Him for the best is yet to come! So quit your whining about this world and seek the things that are above where Christ is seated on the right hand of God! (Colossians 3:1ff) You will feel better and you will be an encouragement to unbelievers. Besides that, I will be better for not having to listen to your whining. <i class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"><u style="left: -999999px; position: absolute;">smile emoticon</u></i></div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-48023520969342988542015-07-30T09:27:00.000-05:002015-07-30T09:27:19.134-05:00Where Is Our Focus?<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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Someone remind me where in the NT any of the writers ever condemned a policy of the Roman government and complained about it? To the contrary, Christians were instructed to "Do all things without GRUMBLING (whining/complaining) or DISPUTING (argumentative/ disagreeable spirit), that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast t<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">o the word of life, (Philippians 2:14-16). Ridicule Paul for whining against whiners if you wish - his words are true nonetheless.</span></div>
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The fact is sin is our enemy and our focus must therefore be on God and not our earthly circumstances. The world needs the gospel. The lives of Christians, regardless of the sinfulness of our culture, must be a testimony to the power of the gospel to transform our lives into lives of joy and praise of God, for the sake of His people and the world. "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14</div>
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Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-45226746890013363272015-03-21T05:12:00.001-05:002015-03-21T05:15:37.594-05:00Not A Good Fit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am always telling my classes to read the text to see what it is telling us about God. After all, it is God's personal self-revelation to and for us (1 Corinthians 2:9-14). Thus, the most important things the Scriptures tell us, they tell us about God. Yet, in coming to grips honestly with God's personal self-revelation, we must ask why did God tell us about Himself? The simple answer is He loved us and wanted us to love Him in return. He wasn't on some self-promotional book tour trying to merely stir interest in a book. He was giving Himself away – making Himself vulnerable for our sake that we might choose to respond and relate to Him!<br />
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God's love often goes unrequited, and even worse it is many times openly spurned and taunted. Nonetheless, it was for love's sake that God became vulnerable. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son...” (John 3:16) Let me ask you, what price would you be willing to pay for a relationship with the likes of the Jacobs of this world (the deceitful), the Sauls of this world (the murderers), and/or the Rahabs of this world (the sexually immoral)? Would you dare say they are not a good fit?<br />
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God never rejected anyone on the basis of not being a good fit! Yet, men so rejected Him as evidenced in His own Son. As Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem to the cries of Hosanna, he had reached the peak of his popularity. In Luke 19 and 20 there are 3 passages that stand out in my mind, reminding me that His popularity would soon be waning! Luke 19:47-48, reads, “And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.” Luke 20:19-26, “The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. ...but marveling at his answer they became silent.” Luke 20:39-40, “Then some of the scribes answered, 'Teacher you have spoken well.' For they no longer dared to ask him any question.” These three texts remind us of the depth of depravity which men will sink to reject God. There was latent in their very flattery and questions the readiness to do anything to get rid of him because he was not a good fit!<br />
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A few years ago, I had a conversation with a beloved friend of mine who has since passed. He was an elderly gentleman, in fact, he was one of the “charter members” of the congregation where I was preaching and well-respected by all. He came into my office one day to visit me. After we had visited a good while, he was getting ready to leave when he said, “Bill, your preaching is going to get you into trouble with these people.” I was a little stunned and said, “I thought you liked my preaching.” He replied, “I do but you are making some of these people think in ways they are not used to thinking and they don't like it.” As he turned to walk out the door, he hesitated for a moment, and looking back at me with a smile and wink said, “Keep on preaching the truth, you know it was never meant to be a popularity contest!”<br />
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Popularity at best is fleeting and it is certainly not something on which to build our life or in which we should seek to fit. The Hebrew writer said it best, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do unto me?” (Hebrews 13:6 read it with the punctuation as given).<br />
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-40403817951004591092015-03-21T05:09:00.000-05:002015-03-22T07:11:14.639-05:00Teaching Moments with Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="s1">As Jesus popularity began to take hold early in his ministry, there are two significant things worth noting. First, Jesus saw the multitudes and was moved with compassion for he viewed them as sheep in distress who were scattered, harassed, and helpless because they had no shepherd (Matthew 9:35-36). In my mind, it is a very moving and telling scene revealing the very nature and heart of God and His Son. Their heart is always with those, who for whatever reason have lost their way! The Divine heart moves with compassion toward all those who have not only been marginalized and disenfranchised by society but by even the religious of the day!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Compassion was no small thing for the Lord. It was the very heartbeat of His dealings with the crowds (Matthew 14:13-14; 15:32). Some may argue that since these last two references to Jesus’ compassion are in connection with the feeding of the 5,000 and then the 4,000, compassion therefore means feeding people. However, there is more at stake here than just the physical welfare of the crowd or some alleged act of social justice. <br />
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Clearly from John’s account, it was a teaching moment for his inner-circle (John 6:5-6) as well as for the multitudes. Both had failed to believe what they had seen, namely, the meaning of the miraculous feeding (John 6:26-29). They wanted a sign, so they could see and believe; after all, their fathers had the manna in the wilderness (6:31). Had they not just seen and participated with Jesus in feeding the 5,000? Yet they asked for a sign that they might see and believe! Clearly, seeing is not necessarily believing! Here is the paradox: it is only by faith that we are enabled to see most clearly!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Going back to the passage with which we began in Matthew 9:35-37, the second thing worth noting occurred not only by way of His own example but also by means of His instructions when “he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” (Matthew 9:38). In essence, the very pulse of Jesus’ compassion was to teach people who their true Shepherd was – for no one cared for them like He did. <br />
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It is a bit ironic but in an earlier and very dangerous moment, a great storm began tossing the boat occupied by Jesus and his disciples. So torrential was this storm that even the waves were breaking over into the boat filling it with water. Think about it! These were seasoned sailors and fisherman, having grown up on this lake. They understood the types of weather patterns and squalls which were capable of great damage and loss of life. They were highly distressed and agitated by the power of such a storm because they knew its certain destruction and devastation of life. All of their ability and knowledge as veteran fisherman was no match for this storm. They scurried to find Jesus and when they found Him, He was asleep in the stern of the ship! They were beside themselves, because of the power of the storm and the hopelessness of their situation and what it portended for them. They could not believe Jesus was able to sleep in the midst! </span></div>
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Mark is the only one of the gospel writers who records their one question which always makes me smile. Waking Him from His sleep they cried out, “Teacher do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38) I have to tell you, reading and writing about this from my chair, in the safety of my office, it is easy to be amused by it. I mean from my vantage point, I am not the one being threatened by the storm. Even so, whatever the circumstance, I mean, asking Jesus if He cares about people is a bit like asking Einstein do you understand simple math? Jesus is the only one in the whole world who, without reservation or judgment or condition or question, DOES love and care for people--especially the perishing! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">For the One who cares so deeply for those whom He loves, it is a teaching moment! And, it is a teaching moment that comes in the form of a rebuke! He rebukes them for their lack of faith. Sometimes we all need to be rebuked – you know a good kick in the seat of the pants figuratively speaking – for our lack of faith! Both Luke and Mark record what Jesus said entering the boat, “Let us go across to the other side” (Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22). Jesus knew who He was, having confidence in the power of His word to perform it just as He had said. Yet they had failed to consider who he was or place their confidence in the power of His word. For had they known who He truly was and trusted in the power of His word, they too, would have remained calm without a single moment’s thought that they were perishing. Nonetheless Jesus, in spite of our weakness, fears and doubts, rises to the occasion calming the storm with His word. Isn’t there a lesson here for us! Far too many are listening to things ABOUT Jesus and the Bible relying on their own mastery of the word. Consequently, when the storms of life come (and they will) such people are so unprepared because they neither know Him nor His word having failed to be mastered by either.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The irony is blazing – what the disciples failed to be, the winds and waves were: they were calmed by the Master’s word. Thus, the disciples were made to ask the obvious out of their sense of overwhelming awe, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41). Why are they in such awe of Jesus’ power to calm the winds and the waves? The answer is because they believed that the Sovereignty of God was over the forces of nature, including the wind and waves. They would have been familiar with Psalms 107: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven” (vv. 28-30). <br />
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Truly, our faith is developed by the storms that test us – those are teaching moments for us all but we must listen and believe what the Lord has said and obey! If there is one thing the cross of Calvary on which Jesus died says loudest, it is that He cares! That He loves us not because of our goodness but because of His goodness. He who loved His Father, humbled himself and became obedient unto death, yea even the death of the cross for our sake! (Philippians 2:8) The only reason people would argue with what Jesus and His apostles taught is unbelief in who He is and the power of His word. People were wrong for that very reason in Jesus day as well as ours (Matthew 22:29). <br />
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Questioning who God is, specifically His authority by casting doubt on what He has said, has been the work of Satan from the beginning and continues to this day, “Did God actually say…” (Genesis 3:1). Should we be surprised then, when Jesus rebukes them/us for our lack of faith? It’s a teaching moment with the Master if we will hear him!</span></div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-42887247973716314952015-03-17T13:20:00.003-05:002015-03-17T13:40:32.133-05:00“Just As He Had Told Them”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them." (Luke 19:32) Just prior to Jesus entering Jerusalem, in what is sometimes referred to as His triumphal entry, He told two of his disciples to go into the village before them and bring him the unridden colt which they would find tied up. They did what Jesus said and guess what? They "found it just as He had told them." Luke is the only one of the four gospel writers that makes this observation.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I find it interesting that all 4 gospels record the event of Jesus' humble entrance into the city sitting on the colt, the foal of a donkey, a lowly beast of burden rather than seated on a great white steed bedecked in gold and ornaments, or being carried in a lavishly decked litter, surrounded by a huge entourage in similar trappings all befitting the entrance of a victorious King. Yet we find none of this, when it came to Jesus' entrance into the city of Jerusalem. Though the crowd gathered in anticipation of his entrance, John tells us that they were gathering because the news of His raising Lazarus from the dead in Bethany had reached the city (John 12:17-18). As he went on his way entering the city, the multitude were spreading their cloaks and branches of leaves on the road before Him. “And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10).</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I am struck by the fact that Jesus did not do, act, or teach in any way contrary to the law and the prophets. To the contrary, His life and death in every way was lived in fulfillment of them (Luke 24:44). "Have you not read the scriptures...", or "It is written...", or "The Scriptures says..." all references to the Law and the Prophets but it was the standard by which he lived and taught. His teaching, work and life were only contrary to the expectations of the popular religious majority of His day, as they are even to this day!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">To what end did Luke make his seemingly minor, insignificant observation, "...just as he told them", with regard to the two disciples finding the colt tied up? Luke does this for the sake of his friend Theophilus, to whom he is writing. Theophilus is either an unbeliever or a very recent convert. Luke’s biography of Jesus are the things "most surely believed" because they had been verified as accurate, concerning all that Jesus began to teach and do concerning the kingdom of God. Namely, He is the Son of God who came with power! (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2). He is trying to convince his friend Theophilus of the veracity of Jesus' word and being!</span></div>
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Thus, I grow weary with a scholarship, which is far more preoccupied with challenging the authority of the Scriptures, by assuming contradictions where there are none, to undermine the faith of people in God's word as we have it in the Bible — i.e. using some linguistic argument or some textual variant to spin a whole host of assumptions. Sadly, scholarship is more interested in sharing and disproving human constructs ABOUT the Scriptures, than they are about living the message of the sacred Scriptures and sharing it with others. As another has said elsewhere, “they have become masters of the word while failing to be mastered by the word.” To penitent believers, they received the Scriptures “just as He had told them” — namely, as the word of God and understand them as the only basis upon which penitent believers CAN come to know Him and the Father (Matthew 11:25-27; Romans 10:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).</div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-10314178036336452692015-02-11T08:22:00.000-06:002015-02-11T08:22:32.384-06:00Our Lying Culture<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lying seems to be more virtuous than the does the truth in our modern culture.
Sadly, fabricating false stories in an attempt to embellish one's
standing seems to be the norm for many. Someone has said something to the effect that Satan has many
tools in his arsenal but lying is a handle that fits them all. As the
old adage says, "some people would lie for a check when they could get
cash for telling the truth." Sadly, I have known some people like this,
even some professing to be Christians.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We have seen it in a
President resigning in disgrace; to a President whose legacy will be
forever tarnished by parsing verbs and lying about his adulterous
affairs; to newscasters who have tried to disgrace Presidents with false
stories; to newscasters and Secretaries of State who have lied about
their own personal experiences in an effort to make themselves appear
noble and brave; and even now, to a Little League team who lied to win a
Little League World Series. Everyone one of these initial lies was
followed by another lie to cover up the first lie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Lying has
become so endemic to our culture that it is ripping the moral fabric of
our society to shreds. Lying is the very foundation of idolatry. Quite
frankly, we have reached the level of idolatry in our country that it is
easier to find a person who will lie, than it is to find a man who will
speak the truth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The following statement is only too strongly
worded for us, if we have become more comfortable with the lies of our
culture than we have the truth. Listen carefully, we need to be
reminded, ALL IMPENITENT LIARS HAVE CONFIRMED THEIR RESERVATION FOR HELL
when life is over! LYING IS A SIN! "But as for the cowardly, the
faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, AND ALL LIARS, their portion will be in the lake
that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation
21:8)</span></div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-37752808254289038002014-12-27T07:41:00.001-06:002014-12-27T07:54:11.180-06:00Treacherous Ground: The Length of Sermons<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Several years ago, I did a two minute radio program every day Monday-Friday
right before lunch time, when I lived in Texas. We lived in a farming
community and it was one of those stations where they still read the
obituaries and the farmers all listened to the radio at lunch. The
program was right between Paul Harvey and this guy named Rush Limbaugh
who had only been on the radio for a few years. The program was heard
all over the area where I lived. The program reached even into the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. It was a popular radio station at the time because it was the only station that carried Limbaugh live at
the time. We actually had people drive 50 miles to worship with us
because they had listened to the program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> One Sunday morning, one
of our members and a good friend (?) of mine came to me all pumped
about my radio program. He started pouring it on about it being the
greatest two minutes on radio, and how my topics every day were so
relevant and what a great job I was doing with it. I mean he blathered
on so, that I was actually embarrassed (I just knew he could see my head
swelling) until he said, I am going to the elders and see if we can't
go to that same format for both services on Sunday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The length of
a sermon, be it short or long, doesn't determine its depth. The late
and highly esteemed R.L. Whiteside (1860-1951) once wrote, "Some sermons
are long at 15 minutes and others are short at an hour." The truth is,
in most cases, a 45-60 minute sermon is a lot easier to prepare than a
solid 25-30 minute sermon. A fact, I learned years ago, while doing that
2 minute radio show. Namely, that preparation is the key to getting it
said well, whether it is 25 or 45 minutes. Preparation takes into
account the audience on many levels and with many factors to evaluate
(including parents who are having to wrestle with small children near
feeding times). If our objective is how can I reach the majority
of my audience with truth about God and who He is then, the audience
must be taken into consideration in our preparation. If it is just about
me getting a sermon, or to show the audience how much I know, well sadly, we have all heard those, even sadder
some of us have preached those, and they are NEVER very good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I do
not know many Bible subjects that cannot be dealt with in 30 minutes or
less (to be sure, there are some, make no mistake about it). There are
not many preachers today I know who can hold an audience's attention 45
minutes or longer every Sunday. I am not sure what that says or if it
needs to say anything. It is just the reality of the world in which we
live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Furthermore, most people who visit from the community are
limited in their Bible education. Thus, ill-equipped to understand or
get much out of a 45 minute plus sermon every Sunday morning and/or
every Sunday night, about some obscure passage that has piqued the
preacher's interest but has little relevance to the visitor's greater
need for knowing God and who He is (to large extent that is probably
true for most us).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I know some are going to cite OT and NT
examples of how long people stood listening, or how long people
preached, but let me remind them, I have a bible and the world of the OT
and/or NT is not the world I live in. The onus for learning the Bible
is on me personally to study and read it, and not on how long I have to
listen to someone preach.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> This is not meant to be personal
toward anyone. However, if you take it personally do me a favor and ask
yourself before your respond, "Am I guilty?" It was meant only to get us
to rethink our strategy in becoming more effective preachers of the
word. I am not saying my philosophy is better than anyone else's nor is
this an exhaustive treatise on all that is involved in preparing a good
sermon. It is dealing with one aspect of homiletics the length.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Take your best shot. Please be courteous if you disagree.</span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7338157785464986092"></a>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-62048404006464681342014-10-25T22:30:00.001-05:002014-10-27T19:02:19.055-05:00Learning the Church from the New Testament <div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLaEgWh7zEJ9vdZebFCuVKCtqxDgNYilu7gkFpRC-gGbbJiOrD30hE6-r1Xcnlq6WrBx5Y435Bvq3y0XhwckbSoGL6EUbbCLNKJ8rJG7ElbGlz4_KpZcxSKAQFcXUjZdO0Q7duoD2z1J5/s1600/biblestudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLaEgWh7zEJ9vdZebFCuVKCtqxDgNYilu7gkFpRC-gGbbJiOrD30hE6-r1Xcnlq6WrBx5Y435Bvq3y0XhwckbSoGL6EUbbCLNKJ8rJG7ElbGlz4_KpZcxSKAQFcXUjZdO0Q7duoD2z1J5/s1600/biblestudy.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If we read the New Testament, we learn the church is NOT made up of
churches. To the contrary, it is made up of individuals who are in a
saved relationship to God (Acts 2:47; Hebrews 12:22-24)! These saved
individuals who comprised the body of Christ in the New Testament, were
determined to be joined together in the same mind and judgment toward
God (His authority), or as Jesus said, they were to be ONE as the Father
was in Him and He was in the Father (I Corinthians 1:10; John
17:17-21). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Have you ever considered why Denominationalism
exists? It ONLY exists because it is NOT one toward God's authority, or
as Jesus was one in the Father (vice versa). In other words,
denominationalism exists because they all do NOT teach the same thing.
Therefore, even if the church we read about in the New Testament was
made up of churches (which it isn't but for the sake of argument let's
say it is) it could not be made up of denominations, BECAUSE
denominations only exist by reason of their differences. Thus, they are
not ONE as Jesus prayed. (John 17:17-21) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Paul made it clear
that "Jesus is the head over all things to the church, which is His
body" (Ephesians 1:22-23). </span><span style="font-size: large;">If Jesus is the head over the church then, it is only by His authority that the church exists. Therefore, those who are members of His
body, are members because they honor His authority and submit to Him as
the head over all things to the church. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> So as we have read, the
church is HIS body and the body is His church. It is fitting that the
apostle Paul would write that there is only "ONE BODY," just like there
is ONLY one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith and one God,
(Ephesians 4:4-6). Just like Jesus wanted his disciples to be ONE as He
and the Father are ONE. Friends, one is not two, any more than it can be
many. Therefore, ONE body is not made up of many churches. To the
contrary, the body is ONE being made up of many members (individuals),
as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. It is Jesus who said in John
15:1-11, He was the vine and we are the branches. I know he was talking
about individuals being branches rather than churches because he said
in verse 6, "if ANYONE, does not abide in me HE is thrown away like a
branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire
and burned." He was talking about individuals - you and me! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Are
you ONE in, with and through Christ? "For just as the body is one and
has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one
body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into
one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and all were made to drink
of one Spirit."</span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7338157785464986092"></a>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-89408539540220693172014-10-14T12:51:00.004-05:002014-10-15T10:53:50.444-05:00"Falling in Love With Our Own Rectitude"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahNGBc3SC6yeMLNHkM-Hq8dR0ULtLA3IYwnt1Dn4IwB1htw4x2Au1haE2ghj6K2JUj_nbVVzhGAWPhNz3CzZPN8x-BaddgBL2tI2WB0AYmfAt9bmFCer6_2Cesm_dIY9oPQrd3-lBKo1l/s1600/ego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahNGBc3SC6yeMLNHkM-Hq8dR0ULtLA3IYwnt1Dn4IwB1htw4x2Au1haE2ghj6K2JUj_nbVVzhGAWPhNz3CzZPN8x-BaddgBL2tI2WB0AYmfAt9bmFCer6_2Cesm_dIY9oPQrd3-lBKo1l/s1600/ego.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In an interview on CBS’ 60 Minutes (Sunday, October 12, 2014), FBI Director James Comey made it clear that no one is above the rule of law nor should one be beyond the reach of the law regardless of how right they believe their cause is! For the Christian this is so true! Of course, when it comes to civil law, the exception to this for the Christian is Acts 5:29, “we ought to obey God rather than man.” However, this exception is only true because we are subject to a higher rule of law which emanates from God! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was another observation the Director offered that I really liked and thought was very astute. He was asked what lessons could be learned from the past scandals and abuses of the FBI’s warrantless wire taps on Americans (i.e. Martin Luther King, Jr.)? In part, he replied that he wanted every new agent and analyst to be educated about the past and to be warned about the dangers of “falling in love with their own rectitude.” That observation is impregnated with so much truth and application for our lives!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> We would all do well to heed the Director’s warning in our spiritual lives. Simply put, falling in love with our sense of rightness and moral virtue is fraught with many dangers! One cannot be a follower of Christ who is in love with his/her own rectitude. For the one who is in love with his own rectitude, the only direction to go is in the direction of sorrow, which is always in the wrong direction from Jesus when it comes to eternal life! In all of the scriptures, never once do we find one who has come to Jesus, having been made a child of God, who is unhappy about it! To the contrary, we find them rejoicing, having embraced Jesus with their whole heart (Acts 2:41; 8:1-4, 34-39; 16:25-34; etc.). Only those who go away from Jesus are sorrowful -- that is to say, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">where Jesus is plainly understood, </span>no one is every truly happy who turns his back on doing what He says!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are at once moved to see this in the life of the rich, young ruler. He is lovable. The gospel writer Mark makes a special notation that Jesus looking at him, loved him (10:21). He is respectful and sincere. He understands commitment to principle and morality. He is urgently earnest in seeking what he must do to inherit eternal life. (See Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-24). Yet, he goes away sad! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">His failure? What did he lack? He had not overcome the fact that he had fallen in love with his own rectitude! Eternal life is not about material position, power, or performance! It is even less about material possessions or how good and loveable your character is in comparison to all others. For all of the things wealth can buy, the one thing it cannot buy is eternal life. The truth is, for him to escape the danger of having fallen in love with his own rectitude, he needed to see that selling all of his possessions and giving to the poor was as empty a gesture of earning eternal life as was his trying to earn it by his own sense of rightness and moral virtue! Unfortunately, he was so in love with his own rectitude that he went away sorrowful because Jesus was plainly understood and he refused to submit. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is interesting that Luke’s account of the rich, young ruler is prefaced by Jesus’ parable of the two men who went up to the temple to pray. In praying to God, one is so in love with his own rectitude that he needs no forgiveness and God MUST hear him! The other man is so humble and penitent that he can rely on no merit of his own, he has absolutely nothing to offer, and he can only reach upward for the mercy of The Divine One to find forgiveness and to be heard! Jesus makes it clear that the man in love with his own rectitude can NOT be exalted by God! It is impossible! God’s goodness and righteousness cannot fill the life of one who is filled with his own sense of rightness and moral virtue; whereas, the humble, penitent man who comes to God with nothing or no sense of importance CAN be filled (exalted) by God! For he has come to that common ground of his own unworthiness where all men must come who truly seek God to be filled of His goodness and love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">God does not dwell where He cannot fill, be it in our lives, our homes, or our local churches! He only fills where we confess and seek His mercy because we acknowledge our own unworthiness and failures! We would do well to keep this in mind when we discuss our disagreements and differences with each other, especially on FaceBook. “Help us, O Lord, to see ourselves as YOU see us! For only then can we be filled with your goodness and mercy and that you would dwell within us!”</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7338157785464986092"></a>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-79612567261406261842014-09-25T07:37:00.002-05:002014-09-25T10:25:23.363-05:00Evidence of Our Faith Is Sometimes in Our Doubts<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.25pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eFH4yQ_nw4rG_WeRUvXWaiwbutxMPiLvgkpa_QzWqQfcdRSpW3hOH-r3S17lCXklqjgu9cvHqxOojwVpt-oZ1x9V7mFlMWiuQAl_0ueYdbUCkSF6ascCqspIGcX1pezuaZQyjprd3HBx/s1600/faith-doubt-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eFH4yQ_nw4rG_WeRUvXWaiwbutxMPiLvgkpa_QzWqQfcdRSpW3hOH-r3S17lCXklqjgu9cvHqxOojwVpt-oZ1x9V7mFlMWiuQAl_0ueYdbUCkSF6ascCqspIGcX1pezuaZQyjprd3HBx/s1600/faith-doubt-2010.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On first reading,
Psalm 88 reads very dark and dismal because of the writer's many expressions of
doubts about his life in this world. Yet, upon further reflection and study, it
may be read as a Psalm of great faith BECAUSE of his doubts. It is precisely
because of great faith that doubts sometimes arise. I realize that in a given moment
faith can be weak and produce doubts; however, even then a weak faith produces
good results as it matures. (Matthew 14:21-ff)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 88 is the
mature faith crying out to God (vv. 1-2) in the midst of the ugly reality of
darkness, despair, and danger of this world. In this world where loneliness can
strike fear even in the heart of the most powerful, where depression can wrench
the soul of the wealthiest, where betrayal can crush the life of even the
most cheerful, it is God who remains the ONE constant in the heart of faith.
Who else IS there? And who else is THERE when loneliness, depression, and
betrayal (either individually or in succession or in combination) begin to
overtake us. The Psalmist in Psalm 88 never considers the pain and suffering of
this world to be an indictment against God Himself, much less against His love
or His power. If the Psalmist's doubts and struggles are real, then they only
make sense if he believes in God. Thus, the Psalm is a conscious expression of
one's need for God in a world of darkness and despair that has gone awry
because it rejected God. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ugliness of our
world is experienced by both saint and sinner. Trusting in God is not a
preventative against suffering from the ugliness in and of this world. To
the contrary, God is only the guarantor of the unseen realities of the world to
come because of what we can see as we fall prostrate before the cross, denying
ourselves and emptying every vestige of our heart that we might be filled with
Him. The Psalmist cries to the "Lord, God of my Salvation" (88:1) by
which he means the Lord, God of my deliverance/my rescue. It is the apostle
Paul who, in the midst of his being bound in chains for preaching the gospel,
references "my salvation" through "the Spirit of Jesus
Christ" which means by life or by death Christ would be glorified and he
would enjoy his greatest deliverance! (Philippians 1:19-ff) </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The concept of
eternal redemption/life is never fully understood or developed in the OT. Job
only raises the question, "If a man dies, will he live again?"
(14:14). Even the Psalmist in Psalm 88 raises such questions in light of the
seeming finality of death:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<i>"Do you work wonders for the dead?</i></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Do
the departed rise up to praise you? Selah</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is your steadfast
love declared in the grave,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> or
your faithfulness in Abaddon?</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are your wonders
known in the darkness,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> or
your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?"</i> (vv. 10-12)<br />
These are questions growing out of a simple but profound faith in a God who is
worthy to be worshiped and obeyed! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the more
moving scenes in Job comes in chapter 19 near the end of his debate with
Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar (who have proved themselves to be more his
antagonists than his friends). One of things we learn from reading Job is that
he raises hard questions about God and, in fact, he accuses God of things which
were not true but for which he later repents (42:1-6). Clearly, chapter
19 is one of Job's darkest and loneliest moments wherein he pleads for mercy
from his friends whom he loved and who were near at hand. Contrast that with
God who, in Job's mind, seems to have hidden Himself without concern. It is a
mournful, plaintive cry to his friends not to give up on him as his flesh has
been reduced to skin and bones by the sores and open wounds which he
suffered. What else does he have to give? (Job 19:13-22) Yet, out of the
depth of this horrible hour, the trial of his physical torment, the
psychological torture of his loneliness, his isolation and the betrayal by his
friends and family, all of which was as intense as it was inexplicable, comes
one of the greatest statements of Job's faith found in the book when he
declared:</span></span></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh that my words
were written!</span></span></i><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Oh
that they were inscribed in a book!</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; vertical-align: super;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Oh that with an
iron pen and lead</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> they
were engraved in the rock forever!</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For I know that my
Redeemer lives,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and
at the last he will stand upon the earth.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And after my skin
has been thus destroyed,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> yet
in my flesh I shall see God,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">whom I shall see
for myself,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and
my eyes shall behold, and not another.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> My
heart faints within me!..." </i> (19:23-29) </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Job believed, as we
would say, "in his heart of hearts" what his friends refused to
believe: that even if he dies, somehow God will stand upon the earth and
vindicate him in his sufferings whether anyone else ever believes in him (Job)
or not! The man without faith in God does not contemplate rationally the real
questions of life that have to do with origin, meaning, and death. He
ultimately must relegate them to random chance and meaninglessness because all
he can believe in is this material world. The godly man of faith allows for
doubts and unanswered questions in this life because he worships and submits to
the only God worthy of such devotion and faith, that One who revealed Himself
in the Scriptures assuring our hearts that the answers to all of our ultimate
and unanswered questions include Him.</span></span></div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-27615623709652006452014-08-18T14:18:00.001-05:002014-08-18T20:24:28.212-05:00Robin Williams - “He Just Couldn’t Find Peace”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmaSZfLZS9D4SMgk2C-fYMdZqrm_jiY0We3BdhiMy6iT0jTeIBjiHnlVh_LglIaGA5cOuFrYyxJfli6pz8WOiXsJLeeEXXdSjSGdjw6iSvvNpJk66Er2VZagOSUq7nJam33vpe771F0iF/s1600/robin_williams_reference%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmaSZfLZS9D4SMgk2C-fYMdZqrm_jiY0We3BdhiMy6iT0jTeIBjiHnlVh_LglIaGA5cOuFrYyxJfli6pz8WOiXsJLeeEXXdSjSGdjw6iSvvNpJk66Er2VZagOSUq7nJam33vpe771F0iF/s1600/robin_williams_reference%5B1%5D.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like so many, I was saddened by the death of Robin Williams for so many reasons. He was clearly a gifted comedian and actor. While I chose not to watch all of his movies or listen to all of his stand up routines, I was not surprised that he glamorized the sensual side of life with his lewd and lascivious jokes and roles. After all, he never professed to be a Christian. The truth is and this ought to tell us a lot, the world loved him, for he was one of their own. <br /><br /> I am not a psychologist or a psychiatrist. However, suffice it to say, I do know a few things about depression. Not all depression is the same. We all deal with a “situational” depression from time to time because of certain circumstances but we overcome it. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However, there is a chronic depression, which is in a completely different universe than the depression most of us have and/or will experience from time to time. I know not all people who fight chronic depression are addicts. I also know not everyone fighting chronic depression is a godless, immoral wretch. To the contrary, I know some very godly men and women who battle chronic depression and/or other mental health issues daily. I also know that not everyone who battles chronic depression will, or is somehow destined to commit suicide. In fact, I knew a godly preacher, one of the best bible students I ever knew, who suffered from chronic mental health issues. He battled them with great courage until he died of natural causes in his old age. I also know that the whole psychology and psychiatry community together, does not understand everything there is to know or can be known about the brain. Consequently, they cannot possibly know every thing there is to know about chronic mental health issues. I also know, for those who do not suffer with any mental health issues, it is often times very difficult, not to mention just-down-right frustrating, to understand and deal with those who are suffering from it. What’s even sadder is, those who suffer from chronic mental health issues don’t understand themselves and are equally, if not more, frustrated by it as well. <br /><br />It is unfortunate that at the height of Robin Williams’ fame, fortune and popularity he was battling alcohol addiction and chronic depression. I don’t know if the addiction caused the depression or vice versa, or if in the beginning they even shared a connection. However, I am sure that in the end they were closely linked together, as so often is the case, in the life of an addict. His present wife also revealed he was just recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It is also being reported that his 30 million dollars in alimony to his 2 previous wives was a factor in his suicide. I guess he thought he was not only running out of money but he was facing the end of his career because of Parkinson’s disease. So, he just wanted to give up. I do not know his mental state - I just know his death was ruled a suicide. I understand that life can be overwhelming to us and at times we all feel like we are all alone and have uttered the words, “I give up.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chris Moore, one of the co-producers of Good Will Hunting, the movie for which Robin Williams won an Oscar, said of him, "’Robin had a heart the size of his whole body,’ says Moore. ’It's just sad that a guy like that can't find a place in this world. On the face of it he had money, fame, people around him who loved him. For real. And it didn't work. He just couldn't find peace.’" (http://www.people.com/article/robin-williams-dies-depression-addiciton-struggles) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /> “He just couldn't find peace,” sadly, that pretty much says it all. Like all men, Robin Williams was looking for peace! Unfortunately, like most people in the world looking for love, he was looking for peace in all the wrong places. Clearly, neither money, nor fame, nor people are a substitute or a guarantee of peace, much less a warranty against loneliness and feelings of despair in this world. Let me speak plainly but compassionately, suicide is not the answer for either finding peace or rest from seeking a place in this world! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I must confess, I do not understand the acronym RIP which I have seen attached to Robin Williams’ suicide. I realize we are trying to find some comfort to assuage the grief of Robin Williams death but we are sending the wrong message about suicide. Without judging one’s mental state at the time, let me reiterate suicide is NEVER painless, much less an answer for one’s search for peace! My heart aches for people I know who have been left behind and even now, years later, are still trying to sort it out and process “the why” and “the what ifs” of a family member or friend who has committed suicide. We cannot change the act - it is irreversible! Fortunately, for people of faith, it is faith which saves us enabling us to look forward, seeing Him who is invisible rather than getting lost in the past (Hebrews 11:27; Philippians 3:13).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Let me assure you that trying to find peace and your place in this world without God MAY very well lead to one’s being crushed, driven to despair, forsaken and destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). As someone has so eloquently said, “there is a cross-shaped hole in every person’s heart that only the cross of Christ can fill.” Clearly, God has placed eternity in the heart of man (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Thus, only the spiritual, that which is eternal, can adequately fill the eternity in the heart of man helping him to find his place in this world. It is no wonder that Paul reminds us not to be deceived by the world and its philosophy for it is only in Christ that we are made full. That is to say, we find permanent
satisfaction and fulfillment for our lives (Colossians 2:6-10).</span><br />
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-74616979073494733702014-06-06T13:03:00.001-05:002014-06-06T16:37:17.911-05:00A Wrong View of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjg7AC0tsniB6_eufWpaovbvmMEDTly5hzZZ3uY7S5OxpynoIdmQy70fw4PjeMYfkFOroPMk5Tf3X2HXiGdaYmWFMou48x3aNl6_ZS7Z7BoztyW-bMEMcP933PeqXEsASzV8EGEPPwcMl/s1600/psalms46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjg7AC0tsniB6_eufWpaovbvmMEDTly5hzZZ3uY7S5OxpynoIdmQy70fw4PjeMYfkFOroPMk5Tf3X2HXiGdaYmWFMou48x3aNl6_ZS7Z7BoztyW-bMEMcP933PeqXEsASzV8EGEPPwcMl/s1600/psalms46.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Bible presents us with many metaphors for God. Even so, I doubt the Scriptures exhaust all the metaphors that could be used -- much less do I think any one metaphor suffices for the whole of God. I will go even further and say there is so much more about God to be known than what the Bible reveals. Yet, we can only know what there is to be known about God by His self-disclosure (divine revelation: 1 Corinthians 2:9-14). To that I might add that the Bible is God's only self-disclosure that is sufficient to lead us to Him for all of eternity. It is just humbling to realize, because of what we can know about the greatness of God, that there is so much more about Him than what He has revealed. What an awesome God and worthy to be praised.<br /><br />However, a wrong view of God may well lead to a life that provokes God. Just ask Israel. Quoting from Psalms, the Hebrew writer uses Israel as an example to remind us of this fact, "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” (Hebrews 3:7-11) The wilderness generation was the failure generation for they could not imagine a God sufficient to destroy their enemies in the promised land. <br /><br />How is that possible? For forty years God demonstrated His Sovereign power but Israel failed to grasp the implications of its tangibleness, which God had clearly displayed before their own eyes (Deuteronomy 8:1-4). I can only say Israel had an inordinate desire for the "here and now" owing to a myopic (nearsighted) view of God. They could only conceive of God related to their present circumstances and needs in the "here and now" (sometimes referred to as their apparent needs). They could not imagine God's ultimate plan with all of its future implications for them which He had promised through Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). <br /><br />I think this is as much our problem today as it was Israel's. We are too focused on the “here and now” and not on eternity with God! We try way too hard to understand or force God in terms of our own culture (here and now) and the result is everything about our focusing on Him becomes impaired! Namely, our hearing Him in the Scriptures, our seeing Him in terms of our creation and redemption, our tasting that He is gracious to us beyond this world! It is so crippling to our faith. One of the greatest challenges to our faith in the "here and now" (present) is believing God will do great things in our present lives because of His future promises and plans for us. It is our own limitations which often defeat us because we refuse to see that with God all things are possible relative to His promises for us.<br /><br />Israel had failed to surrender to God completely as God reminded them many years later through the prophet Amos saying, “'Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You shall take up Sikkuth your king, and Kiyyun your star-god—your images that you made for yourselves, and I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,' says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.” (Amos 5:26-27) Israel's backup plan, in essence, was for the tin gods they had carried out of Egypt to "have their backs" in case the God who called them out Egypt failed them. God did not fail -- they failed God! Their wrong view of God led to a distorted way of life. <br /><br />When we are truly "all in" for the God of the Bible, we don't need a backup plan. God has our backs and we will not fear what man can do to us (Romans 4:17; Hebrews 13:6). We trust in Him because He is God and He does nothing by accident (Revelation 4:11). <br /><br />What is your view of God?</span><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7338157785464986092"></a>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-50877331298962484062014-05-29T08:28:00.000-05:002014-05-29T08:29:46.051-05:00Don't Be Angry with God - Some Thoughts on a Misused Passage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear,
slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the
righteousness of God. ..." (James 1:19-20) I often hear this passage
used as a general prohibition to anger. However, this passage is NOT
teaching anger management as a way of life. Clearly, the Bib<span class="text_exposed_show">le DOES teach such in many other places (e.g. Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:26).<br /> <br />
However, the context of being quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to
anger has reference to the word of God. The preceding verse reads, "Of
his own will he brought us forth by THE WORD OF TRUTH, that we should be
a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (v. 18) and the last part of
the verse afterward tells us to "...receive with meekness the implanted
word, which is able to save your souls." (vs. 21) Don't be angry toward
God's word!<br /> <br /> The lesson of the verse is well-needed by ALL of
us, especially, those of us who preach the word. To be "quick to hear"
is in reference to what God says. Far too many, are quick to hear what
everyone (insert favorite scholar or preacher here) says about God's
word rather than hear God's word. "Being slow to speak" means we do not
do our thinking in the pulpit and that we are certain of what God says
about the matter before we proclaim it. "Being slow to anger" has
reference to not being angry with what God says because you don't like
it (there is a lot more of that going on than we like to admit.) Anger
toward God's word takes many different forms. For example, some manifest
their anger by refusing to teach the truth because they don't like what
God says or because it will be controversial. The anger of some is seen
by their twisting and perverting what God has said. Still others just
outright reject the truth. <br /> <br /> When we realize we have been wrong
and refuse to change that anger towards God's word leads to
self-deception! The truth is, ALL anger toward God is the result of
self-deception. Hence, the context warns "BE NOT DECEIVED" (vs. 16)<br /> <br />
You want to overcome your anger toward the "word of truth?" James'
solution is simple, "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant
wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able
to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves." (vs. 22-23) Overcome your anger toward God and obey His Word!</span></span></span><br />
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-58332738352166989532014-05-05T10:17:00.002-05:002014-05-05T14:32:15.904-05:00Keeping It Simple: Understanding the Scripture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZKn8Ad8bTJTI9JFYSu0G9Fa925r1QBRuNqa0mciGdkLDSucggo56gMDThL3n1EHZD8lha1hiU_bes_OyNpwFjeig0q8q3UOOuiSnQkxmi3j2cMWTHCcvg_VvvYkt6GwEkF_lNmkpK8OE/s1600/keep-it-simple.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZKn8Ad8bTJTI9JFYSu0G9Fa925r1QBRuNqa0mciGdkLDSucggo56gMDThL3n1EHZD8lha1hiU_bes_OyNpwFjeig0q8q3UOOuiSnQkxmi3j2cMWTHCcvg_VvvYkt6GwEkF_lNmkpK8OE/s1600/keep-it-simple.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Keeping things simple" always reminds me of the parable we refer to
as "The Good Samaritan" (Luke 10:30-37). Some people don't get, or much
less like, simple. The central exchange leading to the parable was a
question raised by the lawyer who came to put Jesus to the test asking,
“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25). Jesus
replies in verse 26, with two questions that are profound in their
simplicity, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The
lawyer clearly knows the answer to the question for he responds in
verse 27, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and
your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus affirms the lawyer's answer saying,
“You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live” (vs. 28). The
irony here is the lawyer's unwillingness to accept the simplicity of
what he does know and what Jesus clearly affirms as being correct.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">
The lawyer thought that answer was TOO SIMPLE. As we noted from in the
beginning he had an ulterior motive (verse 25). The gospel writer, as he
narrates the response of the lawyer to Jesus' affirmation of his own
correct answer, emphasizes for all people, of all time, just where
and when the simple teaching of Jesus becomes complicated. It became
complicated for the lawyer, as Luke notes when he, "But wishing to
justify himself... (vs. 29). Luke begins the narrative of the lawyers
response using the adversative "BUT."<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Now stop right here and
let's examine his answer. Let's begin by thinking about the use of this
adversative "but" for a moment. Quite frankly, it is right here, where
people begin to complicate and manifest their failure as disciples of
Jesus (Luke 9:57-62). More often than not, when one begins any reply to
"doing" anything Jesus' taught with the word "BUT," it reveals an
ulterior motive. Thus, one complicates the simplicity of Jesus' teaching
because they desire to JUSTIFY THEMSELVES rather than honor Jesus with
simple trust and obedience. (Yes, I have a sermon I sometimes call
"Breached Disciples" or "But First Disciples").</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Like so many
people today, this lawyer makes complicated what he "knows." He proves
that "knowing" what the Scriptures teach is not the same thing as
understanding (believing) the Scripture. After all, the Devil quoted
Scripture but he didn't understand/believe them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The Psalmist
reminds us we do NOT have a correct understanding of what it means to
love and fear God until we practice His commandments: "The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who
do His commandments; His praise endures forever." (Psalms 111:10). If
that is too old (school) law for you, Jesus PLAINLY said, "If you love
me you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15).</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7338157785464986092"></a>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-21024301038753818552014-04-30T13:51:00.003-05:002014-04-30T13:53:09.676-05:00GOD IS HEAVEN<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;">I don't know who said it but I have always appreciated the observation, "it is not in heaven we find God but rather in God we find heaven!" It is this for which Jesus went to prepare us a place - not heaven but a place (relationship) that we might seek God, finding His presence and protection in a world that rejects and utterly opposes Him because the world loves sin! (John 3:19</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; line-height: 18px;">-20) I don't know where Heaven is, except that it is wherever God is but I do know the way to God. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'” (John 14:6,7)</span></span><br />
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-77845751818782777512014-04-30T09:19:00.003-05:002014-04-30T13:58:25.259-05:00Unconditional Love is not Fellowship<div class="_1x1">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2dpJusF2LbE70Qk64y8-eiGFjsb7ZP37YS7aL5DtOhzbI0xYoNnlu0m2gTlVBXAnoUrDGc8uHZZKJf_3DqNMWlPbzdXZMWqhQFksK_N94ZOon0qfI3Q3-5PufZdgplKwev3zVf91YRPP/s1600/help-me-god-i-need-you-114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2dpJusF2LbE70Qk64y8-eiGFjsb7ZP37YS7aL5DtOhzbI0xYoNnlu0m2gTlVBXAnoUrDGc8uHZZKJf_3DqNMWlPbzdXZMWqhQFksK_N94ZOon0qfI3Q3-5PufZdgplKwev3zVf91YRPP/s1600/help-me-god-i-need-you-114.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">It is not God's unconditional love that I long for or desire! I have
that whether I am a saint or sinner (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). What I
long for is God himself, namely, communion/ fellowship with Him! And
that my friend is NOT unconditional. <br /> <br /> Think about the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24. What did the prodigal long for? His Father's love? No! He knew that was <span class="text_exposed_show">unconditional.
His Father loved him even in the far country! However, what he longed
for was his Father's companionship (presence): "Make me like one of YOUR
hired servants.” He wanted to be where ever the Father was even if it
meant being treated like one of his servants! Like the Psalmist, the
prodigal understood, "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand
elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than
dwell in the tents of wickedness." (Psalms 84:10).</span></span></span></div>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-60790594692680042972014-04-25T19:05:00.002-05:002014-04-25T19:07:34.075-05:00God’s Greatness and the Insignificance of Man’s Arguments<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DGeE_hZUhmkzu5fnw28t4NQsZo8-2buAuAXE2zugfhJ2RKPsQxlZQKvBlGTgNsFmo3dkz4_m71QC-phVmqekGsUDYz7H9TFOy7VNx7uH3phmwn2NAe-X4lyxpHO_9FA-RfOYyc1RGV9U/s1600/god+is+great.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DGeE_hZUhmkzu5fnw28t4NQsZo8-2buAuAXE2zugfhJ2RKPsQxlZQKvBlGTgNsFmo3dkz4_m71QC-phVmqekGsUDYz7H9TFOy7VNx7uH3phmwn2NAe-X4lyxpHO_9FA-RfOYyc1RGV9U/s1600/god+is+great.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a>Someone once said all medical surgery is minor until it’s performed on you! We can smile at that and understand the point. Sadly, I think we approach biblical authority the same way. It is a minor matter until it comes to our favorite doctrine! Or, sometimes we classify a matter that we want to practice as inconsequential or as a seemingly small, unimportant matter when evidence from the scripture regarding such a practice or behavior is lacking. I am going to return to this mindset and the arguments that flow from it in a moment. <br />
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I want us to consider for now the greatness of God or how big God is! I realize we cannot quantify God. It would be a waste of time to even try. It is impossible for the finite (the quantified) to quantify the infinite. The fact is, we can only talk about greatness in terms of size or distance or power, etc. and we can only do so by using numbers; but numbers imply limits. I do realize that economists and scientists use numbers that are so big that it is hard to “wrap our minds around them” (For starters — and these are simple numbers being compared — can you get your mind around 17 trillion dollars of debt or 186,000 miles a second, the speed of light?).<br />
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The Bible speaks of the greatness of God as a part of His nature. He could not be God without being great! Thus, He is incomparable. God through the prophet asks and declares, “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike?...for I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done” (Isaiah 46:5-10). David acknowledges that everything God thinks and does is great “Because of your promise, and according to your own heart you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you according to all that we have heard with our ears!” (2 Samuel 7:21-22).<br />
<br />
As much as God’s thoughts and ways are not only greater but the greatest ever, we must then ask, what about our thoughts and our ways? If we want to have great thoughts and ways, we need to know and respect the Greatness of God, acknowledging the Supremacy and Greatness of His thoughts revealed in the Scripture. It does not matter that a person has the power to move nations or sits on the board of a powerful Fortune 500 multinational company or is a genius heading up the most prestigious scientific research lab in the world because all of their thoughts, individually or collectively, by comparison are so insignificant and unimportant when compared to the Greatness of God! No one can add to or negate God’s greatness one iota – neither individually nor collectively (1 Corinthians 1:20-25)!<br />
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Man must realize he lives to praise God’s greatness, not to add to it! “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.” “Praise Him for His mighty deeds, praise Him according to His excellent greatness!” (Psalms 145:3; 150:2) Man can aspire to no greater life than to praise God for His greatness! <br />
<br />
Herein lies the point that I want to emphasize: All of man’s thoughts and ways are insignificant and unimportant if they are not governed (ruled) by the greatness of God. It doesn’t matter what the doctrinal issue is — and please listen to me carefully — all doctrinal issues contrary to the scriptures since the beginning of time have been and are minor and unimportant because they come from man who is insignificant without God! The Bible is clear we can only have God and the Son as we abide in the teaching of Christ (2 John 9-11). So yes, all of man’s thoughts and innovations are minor and unimportant when comparing them to God’s thoughts and ways! When someone argues that the use of mechanical instruments of music or the church sponsoring arrangement, etc. are such insignificant issues and are not really that important, I want to stand up and shout, “Amen! We do not worship the unimportant or the insignificant! We worship God and His Greatness! Thus, we do not and cannot use mechanical instruments of music or do anything else that is contrary to His will because such things do not reflect His greatness but rather reveal the pride of our insignificance!” Friends, we can have and live no greater life than one which God by His Greatness is ruling. <br />
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I think it is equally important to point out that God’s judgment against man’s seemingly minor and unimportant issues does have major consequences! God does not need us – we need God! But we only “get” (understand) God when we acknowledge and submit to His Greatness because we know that we have no significance or dignity without Him. Respecting the authority of God has everything to do with how we view His greatness and our position to Him. “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on the earth…” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)!<br />
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With regards to what the Bible teaches on any matter, the next time someone challenges the scriptures saying, “But that just doesn’t seem all that important,” agree with them and remind them that we are NOT called to worship the unimportant but the Greatness of God! “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever” (Psalms 111:2-3). May all of our lives and thoughts be great because we truly know and praise the Great I Am!<br />
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338157785464986092.post-60296990724386421052014-04-07T12:31:00.002-05:002014-04-07T12:58:06.173-05:00The Christian's View of Sin<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7TvFoSfZyVZBOAgVBfrZa4hHD5nsPcOFDBQpH7HNkxWr3J5tkazQkoJNPDCkrR07w11oAKz7xCsMRsKxeqGAiGKovbLQvEz1SjiKynN15fDRA2bwXkhNKgjso_fETNJUR6vIqwqOTqgK/s1600/sin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7TvFoSfZyVZBOAgVBfrZa4hHD5nsPcOFDBQpH7HNkxWr3J5tkazQkoJNPDCkrR07w11oAKz7xCsMRsKxeqGAiGKovbLQvEz1SjiKynN15fDRA2bwXkhNKgjso_fETNJUR6vIqwqOTqgK/s1600/sin.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Opposing ANY sin, which the Bible condemns, because it is an affront
to God is neither bigotry nor prejudice. It matters not the nature of
the sin or the acceptance of the sin by the world at large. A spiritual
revulsion and hatred toward sin IS born out of the love for the holiness
and righteousness of God and must characterize those who belong to Him
(Ephesians 4:22-24). This is so because by His own initiative God
promises to save ALL sinners (you and me) through His Son, who call upon
His name in obedient faith (Romans 10:11-13; Titus 2:11-14). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">
All who profess to be followers of Christ (Christians) must maintain
clarity as to their relationship to the world! James gives us clarity
when asks and answers, "Do you not know that friendship with the world
is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world
makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4) I want the world to reject
me; I do not want to belong to it I want to belong to God! I know of no
other way to belong to Him than to be crucified with Christ or to glory
and boast in the cross, by which the world has been crucified to me, and
I to the world. (Galatians 6:14).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We have neither understood the
word of God nor accepted it as truth until we hate EVERY false way
(Psalms 119:104, 128). All immorality (homosexuality, adultery, etc.)
and violence (murder, child abuse, etc.) and worldliness (drunkenness,
lying, etc) are false ways - they are sin! Christians need to understand
that neither sin nor the world are Christian friendly. If sin or the
world every becomes friendly to us, we no longer belong to Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">
The world was never Jesus friendly! They crucified Him on a cross and
because of His great love for all men He willingly bore that cross. Yet,
it is by that very humiliation of the cross that those of us who put
our trust in Him can have our hearts and hopes lifted because the cross
did not have the last word! God raised Him up! This is the message of
nearly ever sermon recorded in the New Testament book of Acts. He is
risen and because He lives we can live and because we live, we love Him
and because we love him, we hate all sin, especially in ourselves,
because He bore the sins of all that we might live.Yes, the sins of
those who committed violence, to those who practiced immorality, to
those who were worldly all these types of sinners were saved turning
from their sins to Christ being baptized for the remission of their
sins. (Acts 2:36-38; 22:16; I Corinthians 6:9-11).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Check your
view of ALL sin and the world - do NOT let it become friendly to you!
Put enough distance between yourself and sin that neither YOU nor the
world is mistaken about either your intention or your identity!</span><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7338157785464986092"></a>
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<blogitemurl></blogitemurl>Bill Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12520760338937308551noreply@blogger.com0