3 Pentecost

3 Pentecost - Sunday B

First Posted June 21, 2009

Psalm 61:1-5, 8 -- Prayer for Protection

Genesis 3:9-15 -- The Fall of Man

2 Corinthians 4:13-18 -- Faith and Perseverance

Mark 3:20-35 -- Jesus’ Authority

Theme: What we say and do reveals our spiritual condition. Also, the importance of spiritual things.

The Psalmist (David, the great shepherd-king of Israel) prays in faith that God will hear and answer his prayer, when the Psalmist is in trouble, faint with fear, and feeling far from God. God will be his fortress against the spiritual enemy, Satan. God will lead him to the supernatural rock (Jesus Christ) who will be a solid foundation placing him above the reach of his enemy.

The Psalmist longs to dwell in the house of God eternally, where he will be under the shelter and protection of God. The Psalmist has committed himself to God’s Lordship, and has relied on the promise that he will share in the heritage of all God’s people who fear (have awe and respect for) God’s name (his total character and person). Therefore, the Psalmist can sing praise to God always, regardless of earthly circumstances, and live daily in obedient trust in the Lord.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s warning not to eat the forbidden fruit. Their fear (awe and respect of the power and authority) of God didn’t keep them from disobedience of God’s Word (the definition of “sin”), but their fear of God’s judgment of their sin caused them to try to hide from God. Their personal fellowship with God was broken by their disobedience; their attempt to hide from God and avoid God’s judgment was unsuccessful.

Paul cited another Psalmist as an example of courage and faith in the face of trouble (2 Corinthians 4:13; compare Psalm 116:10). Paul, like the Psalmist, declared his faith in the Lord’s power and faithfulness to deliver him from adversity, even from physical death.

Paul was willing to suffer persecution for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that others could experience the grace (unmerited favor; free gift) of God’ forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ, and so that God would be glorified with thanksgiving.

We, and all creation, are declining physically, whether we know, trust, and obey the Lord or not. But those who trust and obey the Lord are spiritually reborn (John 3:3, 5-8), daily, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “Born-again” Christian disciples of Jesus Christ are being renewed spiritually every day! No matter how long and difficult life in this present temporal world is, it cannot begin to compare with the eternal joy and blessing that is to come, beyond this present, temporal, life. We must keep our vision focused on the spiritual goal; to focus on material things, which seem so solid and “real,” will lead to eternal disaster.

The crowds pursued Jesus because they wanted physical healing and physical feeding. They didn’t even consider the physical needs of Jesus and his disciples. They wanted to be physically healed and fed, but they didn’t care if Jesus and his disciples were able to rest and be fed. Jesus’ miracles of physical healing (and the ultimate physical healing of resurrection from physical death) and physical feeding were intended to show that Jesus is able to heal, resurrect and feed spiritually. But most of the people were only interested in Jesus for what he could do for them physically.

The meaning and purpose of life in this temporal Creation is the opportunity to seek and come to personal knowledge of and fellowship with God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27). God has always intended, from the beginning of Creation, to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. In order to do that he has created this world, with the possibility of disobedience "built in," so that we could have the genuine freedom to choose whether to obey God’s Word or not, and have an opportunity to learn by "trial and error.” But God is not going to tolerate disobedience forever, so this creation, and we in it, have been limited in time. This lifetime is our only opportunity to learn to know, trust and obey our Lord.

God has designed creation so that no one “deserves” forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation for sin (disobedience of God’s word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus Christ has been God’s one and only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right), from the beginning of Creation; Jesus is not an afterthought (John 1:1-5, 15)!

Does what you say and what you do demonstrate that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ? Are you focused on the spiritual goal? 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)?

3 Pentecost - Monday B

First Posted June 22, 2009

Psalm 92:1-5 (6-10) 11-14 – Deliverance from our Enemies

God’s people delight to give thanks and praise to the Lord, because all his works are good. When we realize and experience the good things God has done for us, and his love and faithfulness to us, we will be glad and rejoice in him, day and night.

God’s wisdom is beyond human understanding, and those who fail to recognize this condemn themselves. Although the wicked seem to sprout and flourish they are doomed to eternal destruction. The enemies of God will be scattered and destroyed, but the Lord will bless and prosper his people. The wicked will not continue forever, but God is eternal.

God’s people have the favor and empowerment of God over our enemies. We can be confident that we will prevail, and that the downfall and doom of our enemies is certain.

The righteous are like a flourishing tree. They flourish because they are planted in the house of the Lord and abide in his courtyard. They will still bear fruit even in old age; they will be forever green and full of sap, to show that the Lord is faithful and good in every way, and we can be secure in him.

This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and find God (Acts 17:26-27). God has revealed his plan for us in his Word, the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the living Word fulfilled and revealed to us in Jesus (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the Love of God made visible in human flesh. Jesus came not to condemn us but to save us from eternal condemnation (John 3:16-17; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Worldly people, scoffers, who disregard God’s Word, may seem to thrive for a while, but their end is eternal destruction. God’s Word declares that all [humans] are appointed to die (physically) once and then comes judgment (not nothingness; not reincarnation; Hebrews 9:27).

Jesus’ physical coming to earth, his death and resurrection are the fulfillment and demonstration of the truth of God’s Word. The way to forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God’s Word), salvation (from eternal condemnation and eternal death which is the penalty for sin), and restoration of fellowship with God is only through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). In Jesus Christ we can be certain that we have been delivered from our enemies, especially from “Sin” and “Death.”

The way to be evergreen, eternally fruitful trees is to allow ourselves to be planted in God’s house, and to abide in God’s presence. This is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, who alone anoints with the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only 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).

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)?

3 Pentecost - Tuesday B

First Posted June 23, 2009

Ezekiel 17:22-24 -- The Lord’s Branch

The Lord declares that he will take a branch from the top of the Cedar tree, and plant it on the mountain in Israel (Mt. Zion). It will grow and bring forth branches and bear fruit. It will provide shade for animals and nesting places for birds. “All the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord bring low the high tree and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish” (Ezekiel 17:24).

The Cedar tree represents Israel, which had grown and flourished in the Promised Land. From its very top the Lord took a branch, Jesus Christ, the “righteous branch” and planted it on Mt. Zion. Zion is the hill upon which the Temple was built; it is the dwelling place of God; a place of refuge from the enemy. Jesus is this “branch” under which we find shade, rest and security.

God is Lord of all Creation, whether we realize that and acknowledge him or not. We can deny his power and authority now, but ultimately everyone will acknowledge him as Lord (Romans 14:10c-12). God opposes the proud but favors the humble (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Those whom the world considers “great” will be brought low, and the humble who have entrusted themselves to the Lord will be exalted at the Day of Judgment (John 5:28-29).

3 Pentecost - Wednesday B

First Posted June 24, 2009

Mark 4:26-34 -- The Kingdom of God

Jesus used parables (stories of common earthly experiences to teach spiritual truth) to describe the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is like a man scattering grain seed in a field. The seed sprouts and grows according to God’s design, without the man’s involvement or understanding. But when the grain is ripe, the man harvests the crop.

Jesus also described the kingdom of God as a grain of mustard seed, one of the tiniest of seeds. But when the seed sprouts and grows to maturity, it becomes a large bush as big as a tree, and provides shade and nesting places for the birds of the air.

Jesus taught everything in parables, but he always explained the parables to his disciples privately.

Believers don’t have to understand the process of building the kingdom of God to participate. Our job is to faithfully scatter the seed of the Gospel, and God will cause it to sprout and ultimately bring forth a harvest from it. Our responsibility is to scatter the seed at the right time, and watch for the right time and harvest the crop.

The mustard seed is an illustration of faith. It isn’t the size of our “faith” that matters. If we simply say “yes” to trust and obedience of God’s Word, God will take that tiny seed and cause it to grow supernaturally large beyond earthly expectations. That process is “discipleship,” and the Lord will see that we grow to spiritual maturity as we trust and obey him.

Jesus taught everything in parables, because he wanted people to be free to hear and understand or reject his teaching for themselves. When Jesus commanded, even winds and waves (Matthew 8:23-27), and even demons obeyed (Mark 1:23-27). For the same reason, Jesus also often referred to himself as the Son of man, which is true, but which allows the hearer to decide for himself whether Jesus is also the Son of God (with a hint from Daniel 7:13-14).

The entire Bible, in a sense, is a collection of parables. The history of God’s dealings with Israel is to be understood as a parable of life in this world. Jesus is the “Moses” who brings us out of the “Egypt” of slavery to sin and death, through the wilderness of life, learning to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and through the river of physical death and into the eternal Promised Land of God’s kingdom in Heaven.

Paul described a spiritual veil which lies over the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the splendor of the Gospel. That veil is only removed when one comes to Jesus in faith (obedient trust; 2 Corinthians 3:13-16). Jesus comes to his disciples (John 14:15-17) and opens their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Paul himself (then known as Saul of Tarsus) had been “spiritually blind” to the Gospel of Jesus Christ until he was confronted by the risen and ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). Paul submitted to Jesus’ Lordship (Acts 9:5-8), was discipled by a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple, Ananias, until he received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18), and his (spiritual as well as physical) vision was restored. Immediately he began teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:20).

3 Pentecost - Thursday B

First Posted June 25, 2009

Isaiah 12:1-6 -- Songs of Deliverance and Thanksgiving

In the day of my deliverance I will give thanks to the Lord. Although the Lord had cause to be angry with me, he put aside his anger and comforted me.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust in him and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation (Isaiah 12:3)

In the day of the Lord I will draw water from the wells of salvation with joy. “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted” (Isaiah 12:4).

The Lord is worthy of our praise for he has done great things; let them be known throughout the earth. The people of Zion (the city of God; the Church) shout and sing for joy, for the greatness of the Lord is revealed in our midst. Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates that God will have the last word. God reverses the “wisdom” and judgment of this fallen world (1 Corinthians 2:6-8).

The Lord has truly done unimaginably great things in our midst, but only those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus can see them. The fact that God set aside his righteous anger, and sent his only Son as a tiny infant, knowing that he would be crucified by us, is the example of the great things God has done in our midst.

Jesus’ coming, ministry of the Gospel, and Resurrection from the dead is well-known and documented in the Bible by more than five hundred eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), and by every truly “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) person who has lived since then, beginning with the Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus). But many refuse to see and recognize Jesus as the Savior, God’s Son.

Born-again disciples of Jesus Christ have already begun to live in his eternal kingdom; Jesus has already come again, individually to us, in the gift of his Holy Spirit. We have already begun to experience our salvation. We have already begun to draw water from the wells of salvation. The Holy Spirit is an artesian well within us, sustaining us for eternity, and flowing out from us to a world dying of spiritual thirst.

In the Day of the Lord, the Day of Judgment, when Jesus returns to judge all who have ever lived, the power and glory of the Lord will be obvious to all. But then it will be too late, for those who have not called on Jesus’ name in obedient trust; who have not received the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit, the “living water” from the well of salvation (John 7:37-39).

Now is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the time for born-again disciples to make the Lord’s deeds known among the nations; to urge them to call on Jesus, the name of the Lord, the Savior of all who trust and obey him. Those who have experienced his salvation will not be able to restrain their joy and thanksgiving for their salvation.

3 Pentecost - Friday B

First Posted June 26, 2009

1 Peter 5:6-11 -- Christian Discipleship

God’s people are to submit to the authority and correction of God, in humility, in confidence that he will exalt us in due time. We should submit all our anxieties to him, assured that he cares about us. We must be alert and careful at all times, knowing that Satan is waiting for an unguarded moment to attack and destroy us. We must resist temptation firmly in faith, knowing that all of God’s people suffer temptation and trials. We can be encouraged by the assurance that after we have withstood temptation, God will restore, establish and strengthen us. So we can assent to his eternal dominion.

Our human nature opposes God’s dominion. We want to be the king of our lives. We resist God’s correction. We don’t want anyone telling us how to live our lives. We think no one but ourselves knows what we want.

God has given us his Word, his plan for our eternity, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment, embodiment and demonstration of his plan for us, in human flesh (John 1:1-5; 14). God wants us to willingly choose to live eternally with him in paradise. Jesus is the example of an obedient, trusting child of God.

Jesus trusted and obeyed God’s will unto death on the Cross. He resisted temptation; he submitted humbly, and endured suffering, and after he had submitted and endured, God restored, established and strengthened him.

God raised Jesus from physical death to eternal life. Jesus’ Resurrection is the demonstration of existence beyond this temporal lifetime. There were over five hundred eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection reported in the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) and every truly “born-again” disciple beginning with the Apostle Paul personally testifies that Jesus has been raised to eternal life.

Jesus is God’s only provision for the forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God’s Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), restoration to personal fellowship with God, through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the assurance of eternal life. Jesus is the [only] way, the truth, and the [true, eternal] life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). 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).

God’s people are called to follow Jesus’ teaching and example. As we do so God will provide the strength and resources we need to accomplish his call, he will keep us secure from the attacks of the enemy, and will exalt and glorify us as he has glorified Jesus, in eternal life.

3 Pentecost - Saturday B

First Posted June 27, 2009

Luke 15:1-10 -- The Lost Sheep

Tax collectors (Jewish collaborators with the Roman occupying government) and sinners were attracted to Jesus’ message. The Jewish religious authorities criticized Jesus for associating with such sinners.

Jesus replied that if the situation involved a lost sheep or a lost coin, any ordinary person would focus on recovering what was lost rather than being satisfied with what remained. When the lost item was recovered they would rejoice and share the good news with their friends and neighbors.

Scribes (teachers of Jewish Law; the scriptures) and Pharisees (legalistic leaders of Judaism) were commissioned by God to be shepherds of God’s “flock;” God’s People. But they were showing no concern for the spiritually “Lost,” and were condemning them rather than rejoicing that Jesus was finding and restoring them to God’s “flock.”

The Jewish leaders were using their positions for their own selfish benefit. They wanted the peoples’ approval and they enjoyed the comfort their status made possible, rather than seeking God’s approval and caring for God’s people as they had been called to do. They would have shown more concern for an animal, and they loved material possessions more than they cared for God’s people.

The Church is the New Israel, the New People of God. The people outside are also God’s People, since he is their Creator, whether they acknowledge him or not, but they are among the “Lost,” although there are also church members who are “Lost.” Church membership and baptism into the Church doesn’t save anyone; only a personal fellowship with Jesus Christ through faith (obedient trust) by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), saves one from eternal condemnation and eternal death in Hell (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). The Church is to be making disciples of Jesus Christ, and teaching them to follow Jesus’ teachings and example (Matthew 28:18-20). Both pastors and members are to be shepherds of God’s “flock” and seekers of the “Lost.”

In many instances the Church today often is critical of the “Lost,” and more concerned with keeping the Church “image” and indulging in comfort than in concern for the “Lost.” This is as true of ordained ministers for whom ordained ministry is a career choice, as well as for lay leaders and ordinary members, who think “shepherding” and seeking the “Lost” is the pastor’s job. Are we too comfortable with our present group of members, with no desire to add more? Are we more interested in the benefits the Church can provide for us, than for the needs of the “Lost?”