Seasonal Note: This is a Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:
http://www.commontexts.org/
and:
http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html
The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.
The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:
http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com
Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (with God's help), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.
15 Pentecost – Sunday;
Posted August 24, 2008;
Jeremiah 15:15-21 -- Personal Lament;
Psalm 26 -- Prayer for Deliverance;
Romans 12:1-8 -- Consecrated Life;
Matthew 16:21-26 -- Crucifixion Foretold;
Jeremiah:
Jeremiah believed that the Lord knew his circumstances. Jeremiah asked the Lord to remember and visit him, and take vengeance upon those who were persecuting Jeremiah. God knows that Jeremiah bore reproach for Gods sake, and Jeremiah asked him to be tolerant of Jeremiah and not sweep him away (to eternal destruction).
God revealed his Word, and Jeremiah partook and consumed it (Ezekiel 2:8-10; John 4:32-34; Matthew 4:4; Revelation 10:8-11) and Gods Word became a joy to Jeremiah and a delight to Jeremiahs heart. Jeremiah was called (known) by Gods name. Jeremiah did not join merrymakers, nor did he rejoice; instead he sat alone, upset because of the burden the Lord had given him. Jeremiahs pain was constant and his “wound” incurable. Would the Lord fail Jeremiah, like a stream, or a well that runs dry?
The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: The Lord promised to restore Jeremiah if he returned to obedient trust in the Lord and Jeremiah would stand firm in the Lords presence. Jeremiah would be the Lords spokesperson, if he spoke the precious Word of God rather than what is worthless. Gods people will turn to Gods prophet, but the prophet shall not conform to worldly ways. God will give his prophet strength like a fortified bronze wall. People will fight against Gods prophet, but will not prevail over him, because God promises to be with his prophet to save and deliver him, saying “I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless” (Jeremiah 15:21).
Psalm:
This psalm is attributed to David, the great shepherd-king of Israel. David had lived a life of integrity and unwavering trust in the Lord. He asked the Lord to examine him, and test his heart and mind. David constantly recalled the steadfast love of the Lord, and he was committed to live in faithfulness to the Lord. David refused to associate with liars and deceivers; he hated evil and wickedness.
David had a clean conscience as he approached the Lords altar. He sang praise and thanksgiving to the Lord and testified to the wonderful deeds God has done.
David loved the presence and glory of the Lord in Gods house. David prayed that the Lord would keep David from being swept away to destruction with sinners and bloodthirsty people who practice evil and pervert justice.
David asked the Lord to redeem him and be gracious, because David had conducted his life with integrity. David stood upon the solid ground of Gods Word, and would praise the Lord publicly in the assembled congregation of Gods people.
Romans:
Paul urged Christians to live their lives as a “living” sacrifice in holiness in a manner which is acceptable to God and our reasonable obligation of worship to God. Christians are not to live according to the standard of the world but to be “transformed by the renewal of [our] minds” (Romans 12:2) so that we know with certainty what is Gods will, which is good, reasonable and our best interest.
We should examine ourselves honestly and fairly, according to the guidance of the Spirit we have been given, so that we will not deceive ourselves, thinking were better than we are. Christians are members of one body united in Christ, and individually joined to one another, the way the members of our physical bodies are joined and work together, although the individual members have different functions. Like the physical members, we have different functions according to the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit within us. Examples of the various spiritual gifts are prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, leadership, material contribution, and humanitarian aid (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-31. We should use whatever spiritual gift and calling we have been given to the best of our ability.
Matthew:
Jesus had just asked his disciples who they understood Jesus to be (Matthew 16:13-20). Once he was certain that they understood, he began to prepare them for the crucifixion and resurrection Jesus knew was coming. He told them that he would have to go to Jerusalem, where he would suffer abuse from the Jewish religious leaders and be killed and would be raised again from death on the third day. Peter rebuked Jesus saying, “God forbid, Lord. This shall never happen to you” (Matthew 16:22). But Jesus rebuked Peter, saying that Peter was aiding Satan and worldly people and hindering Jesus, rather than serving God.
Jesus told his disciples that anyone who wanted to follow Jesus must accept suffering for the Gospel. Those who want to preserve their physical, earthly life will lose it. Whoever loses his life for Jesus and the Gospel will find true, eternal life. What good would it do to own all the riches of the world, if it cost us our eternal life in paradise with the Lord? What shall we give in order to obtain eternal life?
Commentary:
Jeremiah answered the call of God to proclaim Gods Word. As a result Jeremiah was bearing reproach for Gods sake. Jeremiah trusted that God knew his circumstances, and left vengeance on his persecutors to the Lord.
Jeremiah had “tasted” the Gods Word and realized that it was a joy and a delight to his heart, but proclaiming it to others was painful and upsetting. But he trusted the Lord not to fail or forsake him.
The Lord told Jeremiah that if Jeremiah returned to obedient trust in the Lord, the Lord would restore Jeremiah. If Jeremiah faithfully and accurately spoke Gods Word he would be Gods prophet and the people would follow Jeremiah and Jeremiah was not to follow them. God will strengthen his prophet so that his persecutors would not prevail over the prophet. God promised to save and deliver his prophet from ruthless and wicked people.
Gods Word is eternal and is fulfilled over and over again as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. What God promised Jeremiah applies to all people who respond to Gods call and proclaim Gods Word faithfully and accurately.
David also responded to Gods call, and lived in accordance with Gods Word. David found joy and delight in Gods Word. David trusted that the Lord would deliver him from Gods condemnation and destruction of all evil.
David was a man after Gods heart (Acts 13:22; Psalm 89:20), but David was not perfect or blameless in Gods judgment. David was guilty of Adultery and Murder in his affair with Bathsheba. David had certainly been dishonest and wicked in that affair. But he confessed his sin and asked Gods forgiveness. Psalm 51, a penitential Psalm, is an example (although not specifically attributed to David) of Davids confession and repentance.
Paul was “discipling” new Christians, telling them to be willing to sacrifice their worldly lives as an appropriate offering to the Lord. Paul himself endured great physical suffering for proclaiming the Gospel fully and accurately.
Christians are to live according to Gods Word, rather than in conformity to the standards of society. Through obedient trust in Gods Word, the Bible, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified, and interpreted in Jesus Christ, the “living Word” (John 1:1-5, 14) we are filled with the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
The gift (“anointing; “baptism”) of the Holy Spirit transforms and renews our minds. The indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of [the risen] Christ (Romans 8:9) opens our minds to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:45) teaches us all things and recalls to memory all that Jesus has taught (John 14:26).
“Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christians are to take the Word of God into the World (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8), rather than bringing worldly values and standards into the Church. Born-again Christians are to make disciples, teaching them to obey all that Jesus teaches (Matthew 28:19:20). It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we know with certainty Gods will for us personally and individually. The Holy Spirit guides and empowers us to do the work to which he calls us.
We should examine ourselves by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to recognize the areas of our life which are not in submission to Christ and in need of change. In my experience, the Lord will help us focus and work on one area at a time.
Discipleship is a process that takes place over time with experience. Remember that the original Twelve were with Jesus day and night for about three years, and still were not ready to go out into the world with the Gospel until they were filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13).
There is no certain minimum amount of faith that is necessary. Faith begins with the simple “yes” to the Lord. As we begin to trust and obey Gods Word he will show us that his Word is absolutely true and reliable, and will cause our faith to grow.
The initial call is simply to know and trust in Gods Word. As we do so we will learn to be guided by daily reading and meditation on Gods Word, and by the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Lord will help us identify our gifts, and call us to use them. Over the course of my more than thirty years of discipleship, the Lord has led me to a number of different ministries, according to the level of my spiritual maturity at the time. I first began in Social Ministry, as a participant in Adult Sunday School, and in weekly small group Bible study. As I grew spiritually I was led into evangelism, first in my congregation, then in one-to-one friendship evangelism, and now my online Bible study.
I had used the two-year Bible study as my own personal daily devotional, and before I finished the first two-year cycle I realized that it should be published online. I prayed about it, and the Lord approved and helped me set it up. I know that I began this ministry at the earliest possible moment that I was spiritually ready. I have grown spiritually so much in the more than five years I have been publishing it online!
The Twelve of Jesus original disciples had to be convinced that Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Messiah and eternal heir to the throne of David. Then Jesus needed to prepare them for the crucifixion and resurrection which was coming.
Peter, in spiritual ignorance, was hearing Jesus from a worldly perspective. From the spiritual perspective he was neither loving nor helpful. Peter was actually helping evil and hindering Jesus. If Jesus were prevented from becoming the “sacrificial lamb,” Gods plan of spiritual salvation (which see, sidebar, top right) would not have been fulfilled. Jesus was struggling with his own human desire for physical survival, and Peter increased the temptation Jesus experienced.
Jesus is the example of the worlds reaction to the Gospel. If the world hated Jesus, it will hate his disciples more. Those who seek a comfortable life now in this world will not be able to keep it for eternity. Those who are willing to suffer for the Gospel now, will experience what is truly and eternally life in paradise.
Who would be so foolish as to give up true, eternal life in paradise for a few brief years of delight and luxury now? Everything we possess in this world would not be enough to buy eternal life in paradise, and who would be unwilling to pay it?
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
15 Pentecost – Monday;
Posted August 25, 2008;
Psalm 119:33-40 -- Prayer for Understanding;
Lord teach me to live in accordance with your Word and I will keep it always. Help me to understand your Word that I may keep it and obey it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments because I delight in them. Help me to strive for obedience to your Word, rather than material gain. Help me turn my eyes from futile worldly desires, and give me what is truly life in your ways. "Confirm in thy servant thy promise, which is for those who fear (have proper awe and respect for the power and authority of) thee" (Psalm 119:38 RSV). Your reproach is what I dread, because your commandments are good. I long to know and obey your will; give me life in your righteousness.
Commentary:
God has given us his Word in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the "living Word," the fulfillment, example and demonstration of Gods Word (John 1:1-5, 14) lived in human flesh in this world. Gods Word contains both wonderful promises and ominous warnings. If we live according to Gods Word we receive the promises; if we live contrary to Gods Word we will suffer the consequences the warnings in Gods Word are intended to help us avoid.
This lifetime is our opportunity to learn to live according to Gods Word. As we begin to trust and obey Gods Word we will learn that it is entirely true and trustworthy. We will discover that Gods will is good, reasonable, and our very best interest. We will find that Gods Word is a delight
We need to read the entire Bible, and we need to read portions daily, seeking guidance, one day at a time (Matthew 6:11, 34). We need to pray for guidance and understanding for what we are reading, and the Lord will provide it (Luke 24:45; James 1:5). We need to interpret the Old Testament from the understanding of the New Testament.
This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and find God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27). God has been progressively revealing himself to us, first in the goodness of Creation, then in his Word, the Bible. Through the Bible we can come to know that Jesus is the fulfillment of Gods Word, the one and only Savior and Lord (Acts 4:12), who has been designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14), who came in the flesh to die once for all time and all people who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust), for the forgiveness of sin (disobedience of Gods Word), to restore us to fellowship with God broken by sin, and to eternal life which was lost through sin (John 14:6; see Gods Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Jesus Christ is Gods fullest revelation of himself to the world. Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 14:8-11; 20:28).
As we begin to trust and obey Jesus, he will reveal himself to us (John 14:21), and will give us the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the fullest revelation of God the Father and Jesus Christ to us personally and individually (John 14:23; Romans 8:9).
The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the confirmation of the promise of God of salvation from eternal condemnation and destruction, and of eternal life in Gods heavenly kingdom, restored to paradise (Psalm 119:38).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14).
15 Pentecost – Tuesday;
Posted August 26, 2008;
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Ezekiel was a priest of Judah, the remnant of Israel, whose ministry extended from 593 B.C., just before the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah to Babylon (in 587 B.C.), to about 563 B.C. (the thirtieth year of his call; Ezekiel 1:1).*
The Lord appointed Ezekiel to be a watchman over Israel. Whenever the Lord gave Ezekiel a word of warning, Ezekiel was to proclaim it to Israel. When the Lord warns that the wicked will die, the watchman must warn the wicked to turn from wickedness. If the watchman fails to warn the wicked, the wicked will die, but the Lord will hold the watchman accountable for their death. But if the watchman warns the wicked and they do not repent and turn from their wickedness, they will die, but the watchman's life will be spared; he will not be held responsible for the death of the wicked.
Commentary:
The Word of God, the Bible, contains both precious promises and ominous warnings. Those who apply God's Word in their daily lives will receive the promises, but those who don't will receive the consequences the warnings were intended to help us avoid.
All believers are to be "discipled" within the Church (the New Jerusalem) by "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples until they have also been "reborn" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, before going into the world with the Gospel message (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8). Once they have been filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit they are guided and empowered to carry on Christ's mission to offer forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation (from eternal condemnation) to a lost and eternally dying world. Christ's mission cannot be accomplished in our own human abilities; it must be accomplished by the indwelling Holy Spirit within his disciples (Zechariah 4:6). All "born-again" Christians are to be "watchmen" in our communities and among our contacts. Pastors are to be "watchmen" over their congregations.
Many people, even within the Church today, don't want to hear God's Word of warning. They don't want to hear about sin, hell and eternal damnation. The "watchmen" have an obligation to our Lord to proclaim the full Gospel, not just the parts that make us feel good.
Paul warned Timothy, who had been "born-again" under Paul's "discipling" (2 Timothy 1:6) and had become a pastor of a congregation, that the time was coming when people would not tolerate sound teaching, but having "itching ears," would turn from truth and get teachers who would teach them what they wanted to hear, and would wander into myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4). That day has fully come.
Pastors and all "born-again" Christians have an obligation to proclaim the full Gospel. We would be doing a disservice to our hearers to omit the parts of God's Word which convict sinners and make us uncomfortable. The reason people don't want to hear the warnings is because they are confronted with their sin and shortcomings.
There are several major false teachings in the Church today, which were present from the beginning of the Church and are dealt with in the New Testament. One is "Cheap Grace,"** the teaching that salvation is by grace (a free gift; unmerited favor), without the obligation of discipleship and obedience to God's Word (Ephesians 2:8-9; see False Teachings, sidebar, top right). Jesus warns that it is not those who call themselves "Christians" and who call Jesus "Lord" who will be saved, but those who do God's will according to God's Word (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Introduction to Ezekiel, pg. 1000, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
**See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6
15 Pentecost – Wednesday
Posted August 27, 2008;
Romans 13:1-10 -- Christian Duty;
Let everyone submit to civil authority. The Lord is the source of all authority, and he has instituted civil authority. If anyone resists the authority of civil government, he is resisting God, and will incur judgment. Those who do what is right have no reason to fear the authority of the state, but those who do should, so if we want to have the approval of civil government we should do what is right. The state has the authority from God to execute Gods wrath upon wrongdoers. So we must obey civil authority, in order to have a clear conscience and to avoid Gods wrath.
For these reasons, we should pay taxes, because God has given the state authority, as his agents, to collect money to fund the cost of government. So we should pay taxes, revenue, respect and honor to civil authorities to whom it is due.
Let us owe no one anything except the duty to love one another. Whoever truly loves others has fulfilled the requirements of the law. The commandments to not commit adultery, kill, steal, covet, and every other commandment, are summed up by the commandment to love others the same way as we love ourselves. Love does no wrong to others, so love is the fulfillment of Gods law.
Commentary:
Gods Word, the Bible, is the source and standard of all laws. Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and demonstration of Gods Word, lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus taught that all Gods commandments can be reduced to just two: to love God with our entire being and abilities, and to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
God gave the law to restrain the wicked. Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-19), and to make it possible for us to fulfill it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Romans 8:1-9).
Those who trust and obey Jesus receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus John 14:15-17). If we live in obedience to the indwelling Holy Spirit, we will fulfill the requirements of the law by love, rather than by fear of punishment. We experience the love God has for us, and we demonstrate our love for God by our obedient trust in his Word (John 14:21, 23-24).
God is the source of the law, and he is also the source of judgment. There is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to God for what we have done in this lifetime. God has appointed Jesus to be the judge and the standard by which we will be judged. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Gods heavenly kingdom, the perfect paradise. Those who have rejected Jesus and have refused or failed to trust and obey him will receive eternal condemnation and destruction in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Human laws and human justice are imperfect, because they are administered by humans. There are times when human laws are in conflict with Gods Word. Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Jewish religious court for preaching the Gospel. The court ordered them not to preach or teach in Jesus name, and Peter and John replied that they had to be obedient to Gods commands rather than mens (Acts 4:18-20).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
15 Pentecost – Thursday
Posted August 28, 2008;
Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus was teaching his disciples to be leaders of his Church. Regarding Church discipline, if a member sins against another, that individual should go to the member and tell him his fault. If the member listens, the relationship between the two is restored. If the member refuses to listen, the aggrieved should take two or three other members with him so that what is said can be confirmed by the witnesses. If the member still does not listen, he should be brought before the whole congregation. If the member refuses to listen to the church, he should be regarded as a Gentile (heathen) and a tax collector (a Jewish collaborator with the pagan Roman government).
Jesus warned his disciples that what they allow or forbid in the church on earth will have eternal consequences. Jesus also told them that where two or three are gathered in Jesus' name he will be present among them, and that whatever two or three agree upon to ask of God will be done for them.
Commentary:
The Church is intended to be a disciple-making organization. Jesus came to fulfill God's Word and proclaim the Gospel of forgiveness and salvation. He picked twelve individuals to become leaders of the Church, whose responsibility was to carry on the mission of Christ, making disciples and proclaiming the Gospel. Jesus demonstrated the process with his Twelve and designated them to be apostles (messengers; of the Gospel).
After his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples to go into the whole world and make disciples, teaching them to obey all Jesus' teachings (Matthew 28:19-20), but only after they had been filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). The Church is the "New Jerusalem," where new disciples are to be trained by mature, "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples until the new disciples have been spiritually "reborn" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself, whether or not one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). If one is uncertain, one hasn't been "reborn."
It is the responsibility of the Church to teach and require obedience of its members to Jesus' teachings. Jesus established the method of dealing with conflict and sin within the Church. Three opportunities for repentance and restoration are to be provided, but if the member remains unrepentant he is to be removed from fellowship; excommunicated.
The hope is that having been removed from the Church will stimulate the ex-member to repent and be restored. Allowing an unrepentant sinner to remain in the Church allows him to continue in sin while erroneously thinking he is "saved" from eternal condemnation and destruction in hell.
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern, "born-again" disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul hadn't known Jesus until after Jesus' resurrection and ascension into heaven. The Spirit of Jesus confronted Paul (Saul) on the road to Damascus. Paul repented, accepted Jesus as Lord, was discipled by a "born-again" disciple, Ananias, until Paul was "reborn," and then Paul began fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) which Jesus had given to his disciples (Acts 9:1-20).
Timothy is an example of Paul's carrying out of the Great Commission. Timothy was apparently already a Christian (Acts 16:1), who Paul further "discipled" until Timothy received the indwelling Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:6).
Paul dealt with unrepentant sin in the congregation at Corinth (1 Corinthians 5:1-5), illustrating the application of Jesus' teaching on church discipline. Two or three witnesses are required in cases of church discipline, so that the charges were substantiated, and it isn't just a disagreement between two individuals. For the same reason, agreement by two or three individual members are necessary for effective prayer on behalf of the congregation. That assumes that the two or three is not a minority opposed by the other members, and that the prayer is in accord with God's Word (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right).
In too many instances, the Church, particularly in America today, has failed to make "disciples" and has settled for making "members," "fair-weather" "Christians," who participate in Church when it serves their own interests. Paul demonstrated the disciple-making process in his own conversion and his "discipling" of Timothy. Paul was "discipled" by Ananias until Paul received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Later Paul "discipled" Timothy until Timothy had been "reborn," and Paul taught Timothy to repeat the process with other faithful people, who would then repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).
It takes "born-again" disciples to make "born-again" disciples. If the Church fails to make "born-again" disciples there will be no "born-again" apostles, teachers and leaders.
Many members erroneously think they're "saved" because they're "members" of a church, or have participated in some church rite, or because they sing in the choir or teach Sunday School. Too many churches teach that the indwelling Holy Spirit is automatically conferred by some church rite such as baptism or "confirmation." Jesus said that one must be "born-again" (John 3:3) in order to see or enter the kingdom of heaven. God's Word says that to those who believe in Jesus' name receive the power to become children of God (John 1:12), but they must claim and receive the promise by obedient trust in Jesus.
There are two major false teachings in the nominal "Church" today which were present in the first- century Church and are refuted in the New Testament. One is "Cheap Grace,"* teaching salvation by grace (a free gift; unmerited favor), which is true, but without requiring discipleship and obedience to Jesus' teachings, which is false. The other is teaching that salvation is by doing good works (like singing in the choir or teaching Sunday School; see False Teachings, sidebar, top right).
In too many instances the nominal "Church" is accepting, as members, people who are living lifestyles which are contrary to God's Word. Homosexuality is a current example, and homosexuality is not only tolerated among the membership but in the clergy and church leadership of some nominal "churches."**
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6
**Homosexuality: See 1 Timothy 1:10 RSV; 1 Corinthians 6:9 RSV; Romans 1:24-27 RSV; from two Greek words meaning “men bedding (or conceiving) with men” (Strongs #730 & 2845; see Strongs #733); i.e., “sodomites,” after the city of Sodom, destroyed by God for its homosexual practice (Genesis 19:4-5 (24-25); men who have unnatural sexual relations with men (and, by extension, women who have unnatural sexual relations with women). The KJV translates as: “men defiling themselves with men.”
15 Pentecost – Friday;
Posted August 29, 2008;
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 -- The First Commandment;
Acts 8:26-39 -- Philip and the Ethiopian;
Deuteronomy:
Listen, people of God: "The Lord our God is Lord alone" (Deuteronomy 6:4 note "e" RSV). We are to love God with all our heart, soul and might. His people are to hear and remember God's Word. We are to teach God's Word to our children. God's Word is to be recalled throughout our daily lives, from the time we get up until we go to bed. It is to be part of our conversation.
Acts:
The Holy Spirit told Philip to get up and go south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. That road was not much traveled and the area was not populated.
Philip did as the Lord commanded, and he encountered an Ethiopian (Nubian) eunuch who administered the treasury of Candace, queen of Ethiopia. He had come to worship in Jerusalem, and was returning home. He was in a chariot, reading aloud (the common practice at the time) from Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip to run and catch up with the chariot, and Philip did so.
Philip heard the man reading and asked if the man understood what he was reading, and the man replied that he couldn't, unless someone would guide him. He invited Philip to join him in the chariot and Philip did so. The passage (from Isaiah 53:7-8) was: "As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth." The Ethiopian asked who the prophet was speaking of, and Philip, starting with that text, told him the good news (Gospel; meaning "good news") of Jesus.
As they traveled that came to some water, and the Ethiopian asked if there was any reason for the Ethiopian not to be baptized. The man stopped the chariot and he and Philip went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water Philip was caught up by the Holy Spirit and disappeared from the man's sight, but the man continued his journey, rejoicing. Philip was found in Azotus (north of Gaza on the Mediterranean coast, and he continued traveling north proclaiming the Gospel in each town until he came to Caesarea, a major sea port.
Commentary:
In a sense we are all God's people, because he is our Creator. God is the only true God; all other "gods" are idols, the creation of human imagination and craftsmanship. God is one God in three persons (or expressions): God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; the "trinity," in unity: not three "Gods," but one. (Romans 8:9; Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:8-11).
God has been progressively revealing himself, first through Creation itself. Then through his Word, the Bible which is the record of God's dealing with Israel. Then through Jesus, who is the fulfillment, embodiment and demonstration of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is God's fullest revelation of himself to the world (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Then through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is the fullest revelation of God the Father and Jesus Christ to us personally and individually (John 14:8-11, 15-17, 23).
God is Lord whether we accept him as our Lord or not, but God has no obligation to be all that an all-knowing, all-powerful, loving God implies, to people who do not trust and obey his Word. If we don't do what he says, why should he do what we say (see Conditions for Answered Prayer)?
God has given us his Word in the Bible so that we can learn by trial and error that obedient trust in God's Word is the way to find true, eternal life and to live in harmony with God's will and purpose for our lives. The Bible is our "owners' manual" for life now and eternally.
Jesus is the [only] way to know divine, eternal truth (1 Corinthians 1:17-25), the [only] way to be restored to fellowship with God, which was broken by sin (disobedience of God's Word; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right), the [only] way to have eternal life in God's kingdom in Creation restored to paradise in heaven John 14:6). Only Jesus "baptizes" with ("anoints," gives the gift of) the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
We must be spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit in order to see and enter eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Jesus' disciples are to stay within the Church (New Jerusalem on earth; Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8) until they have been "discipled" by "born-again" disciples of Jesus Christ, and have learned to know, trust and obey all Jesus' teachings, and then they are to go into the world, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the Gospel. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). cannot be accomplished by only human abilities, without the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). It takes "born-again" disciples to make "born-again" disciples.
Philip is an example of a truly "born-again" Christian disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) who knew God's Word, and was guided and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel. He obeyed the command of the Holy Spirit, and was at a place and time to share the Gospel with an influential leader of a foreign nation.
Christians must have read the entire Bible in order for the Holy Spirit to recall it to their memory at the moment it is needed (John 14:26; Matthew 10:19; Mark 13:11). Any average reader can easily read the entire Bible in one year, and there are many reading-plans available (see Free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right). We must also read a portion of the Bible daily with prayer and meditation, for daily guidance, one day at a time (Matthew 7:11; 34).
Christians must know the Bible in order to distinguish false teachings from biblical, apostolic doctrine (the Word of God as received from Jesus Christ, taught by the Apostles, including Paul, and recorded in the New Testament). There are many false teachers and false doctrines in the world and in the nominal "Church" today (see False Teachings, sidebar top right).
Christian parents need to know the Bible to teach it to their children. They need to be "born-again" disciples and apostles to "disciple" their children.
Too often, the Church, particularly in America today, has failed to make "disciples" and has settled for making "members," "fair-weather Christians" who participate in church when it suits their self-interest. Too many "Christian" families are failing to teach God's Word to, and "disciple," to their children.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
15 Pentecost – Saturday;
Posted August 30, 2008;
Luke 10:38-42 -- Mary and Martha;
Mary and Martha lived in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem, with their brother, Lazarus (John 11:1), whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11:5-44). Mary was the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with ointment (John 12:1-3).
Jesus and his disciples entered Bethany and were guests in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with providing hospitality. Martha went to Jesus and asked him to tell Mary to help her with preparation. But Jesus told Martha that Martha was troubled by many things, but only one thing was important. Mary had chosen that portion, and it would not be taken from her.
Martha was concerned with being a good hostess and preparing an elaborate meal, when only a simple meal would have been sufficient to fulfill the duty of hospitality. What is more important than the food is Jesus' teaching.
Commentary:
Jesus was only there for a short while and what Martha served would be soon forgotten, as the lack of a record in the Bible shows. But what Jesus teaches is eternal truth and spiritually life-giving and eternal life sustaining.
Jesus is Lord and source of bread, fish, wine, and all the resources of Creation. He can turn water into wine (John 2:7-10), multiply loaves (Luke 9:10-17), provide fish (Luke 5:1-11), heal the sick (Luke 4:38-39) and raise the dead, including Lazarus. Jesus doesn't need us to provide material resources for him. He wants us to hear, trust and obey his teaching.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus loved Jesus and he loved them (John 11:5). Martha tried to demonstrate her love by providing a nice meal, but Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his teaching.
Jesus' teaching provides the spiritual "bread" of eternal life (John 6:35), the "living water" of the indwelling Holy Spirit (which gives us spiritual rebirth and eternal life (John 7:38-39).
Jesus is the host at the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion; the Eucharist). His body and blood sacrificed on the cross provided the bread and wine of the sacrificial meal. The elements of bread and wine are simple, but the sacrifice and the benefits to us are lavish.
Eating meat with its blood, or drinking blood by God's people was strictly forbidden by God's Word. It was believed that the blood of the animal contained and could impart its spirit. The Lord wants us to be filled with his spirit, not the spirit of animals. The elements of the Lord's Supper are spiritual, and can be received only by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.
Only Jesus gives the gift ("baptism;" "anointing") of the Holy Spirit, (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Jesus said that one must be (spiritually) "born-again" (by the indwelling Holy Spirit) in order to see and enter God's eternal kingdom in heaven (3:3, 5-8).
Are we hearing Jesus' teaching so that we can trust and obey him, or are we trying to serve him by a lot of worldly "busy-ness," even "good works" like singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, without having learned to know, trust and obey Jesus, and without having received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit? The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), which Jesus gave to his disciples, cannot be accomplished by our own human abilities, but only by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
