7 Pentecost

7 Pentecost - Sunday B

First posted July 19, 2009

Ezekiel 2:1-5 -- The Prophet’s Call
Psalm 143:1-2, 5-8 -- Devotion to the Lord
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 -- Christ’s Power through Weakness
Mark 6:1-6 -- Rejection at Home

The Lord calls his people to proclaim his Word. We are to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are not to expect worldly approval, or for worldly people to hear God’s Word eagerly or gladly; we’re not to be surprised by a rebellious response. We’re not to be afraid of worldly reaction, but to continue to faithfully and accurately proclaim God’s Word.

It is important to realize that God’s people are not God’s spokespeople, God’s ambassadors because they are worthy in God’s judgment, or entitled to worldly approval. We should meditate daily on what the Lord has done for his people, in Creation, in the history of his dealing with Israel as recorded in the Bible, and what he has done for us personally by his Holy Spirit within us as we walk in faith (obedient trust). We should seek the Lord’s presence and guidance daily, one day at a time (Matthew 6:11), in prayer, Bible-reading, and meditation on his Word. If we earnestly seek his instruction and guidance, he will provide them.

The Lord doesn’t deliver us from every trial and hardship. Trouble makes us recognize our need to rely on the Lord, rather than in our own strength. We learn by experience that the Lord is willing, able and faithful to bring us through. We must learn to trust and obey the Lord even when things aren’t going the way we’d like.

We can’t faithfully and accurately proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ without offending people. God’s transcendent power is revealed through those the world considers “weak” and “foolish” (1 Corinthians 1:17-29; 2:1-14; 2 Corinthians 4:1-11).

The people in Jesus’ “home town,” Nazareth, could not see that the power and glory of God were at work through Jesus. Instead of receiving the spiritual healing and life that are only in Jesus Christ, they were offended by his teaching and authority. Jesus was not great and wise, according to their worldly standards. How we respond to Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment, and illustration of God’s Word in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14) has eternal consequences for us individually and personally.

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)?

7 Pentecost - Monday B

First posted July 20, 2009

Psalm 85:8-13 -- Listen for God’s Word

God’s People are those who listen for God’s Word (and do it). We can be certain that God’s Word will bring peace to his saints (those who are consecrated to God’s service; Christians; believers in Christ, especially “born-again” Christians), those who trust and obey the Lord with all their hearts. The Lord’s salvation is near for those who fear (have awe and respect for the power and authority of) the Lord.

God’s salvation will bring glory to the land and nation of God’s people. It will be characterized by steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness (doing what is right according to God’s Word and thus in God’s judgment) and peace. The Lord will give what is good, and will cause the land of God’s people to be prosperous and productive. The Lord’s way is righteous, and he will be our example and guide.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus Christ is the only way to personal fellowship with God and eternal salvation and life (John 14:6). 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), and salvation from God’s eternal condemnation (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Jesus is the fulfillment of the Psalmist’s prophecy of the Lord’s Salvation, and of the way of righteousness.

An authentic Christian is a disciple (Acts 11:26d) of Jesus Christ who trusts and obeys Jesus. Jesus is the only one who “baptizes” with (“anoints” with; gives the gift of) the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17). “Born-again” (John 3:3, 5:8) Christians are sanctified (the ongoing process of becoming a saint; spiritual growth to Christian maturity) by the presence and guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

This Psalm was originally a prayer for Israel’s deliverance from national distress, but God’s Word is eternally true, and is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. This is a warning for the Church, and for “Christian” nations, particularly for America and the American Church. Each is, in one sense, the “New Israel;” the “New Promised Land” on earth; the “New City of God;” the “New People of God.”

Do we realize the spiritual peril we are in, as a Church and a Nation? We call ourselves “Christian,” but are we listening for God’s Word with the intention of trusting and obeying it? Are we following the teaching and example of love, righteousness and peace in Jesus Christ? Do we think we can believe whatever we want to, and still be a “Christian?”

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)?

7 Pentecost - Tuesday B

First posted July 21, 2009

Amos 7:10-15 -- Amos’ Prophecy against Jeroboam

Israel was a divided monarchy at this point. The northern ten tribes had split from the southern tribes of the kingdom of Judah, and set up their own sanctuary at Bethel. During the reign of Jeroboam (Jeroboam II; 786-746 B.C.*), the kingdom reached its highest point of territorial expansion and national prosperity. Many believed that their prosperity was deserved as God’s chosen and favored people, and as a sign of God’s approval.

Amos was a layman, a herdsman and tree-trimmer, not a member of the prophetic class. “He denounced Israel, as well as her neighbors, for reliance upon military might, and for grave injustice in social dealings, abhorrent immorality, and shallow, meaningless piety.”* Amos prophesied that Jeroboam would be killed by the sword, and that the Northern Kingdom would be carried of into exile.

Amaziah was the official priest at the sanctuary at Bethel. The people of the Northern Kingdom didn’t want to listen to God’s Word of rebuke and warning. He reported Amos’ prophecy as a conspiracy against Jeroboam, and forbade Amos to prophesy any longer in Bethel. He kicked Amos out and told him to go prophesy in the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

Amos’ prophesy against the Northern Kingdom was fulfilled. The Assyrians (in the area of modern-day Iraq) invaded Israel and deported the people of the Northern Kingdom in a series of deportations beginning in 741 B.C.** In 721 B.C.*** the Assyrians conquered Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom.

The Assyrians subdued conquered people by deporting them to other lands and bringing conquered foreigners in to replace them. As a result, the Northern Kingdom and the ten northern tribes ceased to exist. The remnant who avoided deportation intermingled with the foreigners brought in by the Assyrians, and became the Samaritans, a mixed race which was not fully Jewish in either the genetic or religious sense.

In a sense, America and the Church are each the “New People of God”, the “New Israel,” and the “New Promised Land on earth.” I am convinced that America and the American Church are in an identical situation today. Are we willing to listen to God’s Word when it is critical of us? Do we think that our prosperity and military power are signs of God’s approval?

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, The Book of Amos (introduction), p. 1107, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.

**Easton’s Bible Dictionary, “Exile,” digital edition, bibledatabase.org - http://bibledatabase.org/eastons.html

***ibid, “Captivity”

7 Pentecost - Wednesday - B

First posted July 22, 2009

Ephesians 1:3-14 -- God’s Eternal Purpose

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). From the very beginning of Creation, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless. In love he intended for us to be his sons and daughters, through Jesus Christ, as a free gift.

In Jesus we have the complete forgiveness of all our sins, through the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, and we have been redeemed from sin and eternal death. Our salvation is a lavish and costly gift which God has freely given us. God has revealed the mystery of his will, in wisdom and insight, according to God’s purpose which he established in Christ to be fulfilled “in the fullness of time,” to unite all things in heaven and earth through Jesus Christ.

God, who accomplishes everything according to his will, has destined and appointed us through Christ, to live to glorify him. In Christ, those who have heard the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, the Word of truth, and have believed (trusted and obeyed) were sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our (eternal) inheritance until we acquire possession of it, for which we praise God’s great goodness.

It has always been God’s plan, from the beginning of Creation, to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who would willingly trust and obey him. God has given us, in this present temporal world, the freedom to choose whether to obey God or not, with the intention that we can learn by trial and error to trust and obey God. Jesus Christ has been God’s one and only plan for the forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God’s Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10) from the beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God has been progressively revealing himself and his plan from the beginning of Creation. At the right time God revealed himself to Abraham and called him to trust and obey God, promising to make him the father of a great nation. Through his dealing with the Israelites God revealed more of his eternal plan, and fulfilled his promise to bring forth the Messiah (Christ), his anointed, eternal Savior and King. Jesus Christ is a fuller revelation of God and his eternal purpose in human flesh.

The fullest personal revelation of God and his purpose is through 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). Through the Holy Spirit Christian believers have personal knowledge of and fellowship with Jesus and God the Father. 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 to know with certainty for oneself, whether or not one has received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

God sent Jesus Christ into the world at the right time in God’s perfect wisdom and timing. Jesus is going to return, in the fullness of God’s perfect timing, to judge everyone, living and dead, in the physical and spiritual senses. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus, have been “born-again” by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and will live eternally in Heaven with Jesus. Those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to obey him will spend eternity in eternal destruction and death in Hell.

7 Pentecost - Thursday - B

First posted July 23, 2009

Mark 6:7-13 -- Commissioning the Twelve

After his disciples had been with Jesus for a while and had learned his message and witnessed his miracles, Jesus called the Twelve whom he named apostles (“messengers;” meaning “sent; Luke 6:13) and sent them out with authority to heal spiritual and physical illness. Jesus told them not to take any provisions; any food, money, or extra clothes. When they arrived in a community they were to enter one house (as invited) and to stay there as long as they remained in that community.

If any community they entered refused to receive them, hear their message, and provide hospitality, they were to shake the dust from their feet (as evidence of the community’s lack of hospitality), and were to go on the next village. So the disciples did as Jesus commanded, and went out, preaching for people to repent (turn from disobedience to God, and become obedient). They cast out many demons, and healed many physical diseases.

Jesus was preparing his disciples to carry on Jesus’ ministry of repentance and spiritual healing. Jesus’ primary mission was spiritual healing rather than physical, but he healed physical illness and disability to demonstrate that he also had the power to heal spiritual illness, and also because he cared about the physical needs of people.

When Jesus commanded his disciples to go out and preach his Gospel and heal spiritually and physically, he gave them the power and authority to do it, and as they followed Jesus’ command, they were able to bring spiritual and physical healing to people. Jesus was still physically present on earth, but he was preparing his disciples, his Church, to carry on his ministry after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Jesus promised that after his death and resurrection that he would sent the indwelling Holy Spirit to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), who would guide and empower them to continue his ministry to preach repentance and to make disciples who would trust and obey Jesus’ example and teaching (Matthew 28:19-20). Although the disciples had gone out preaching and healing during Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus told them to wait, after his resurrection, until they had received the promised Holy Spirit before going into the world with the Gospel message (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8)

The Church is called to be a disciple-making ministry. “Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples (who have waited in “Jerusalem,” i.e. the Church, until they have received the indwelling Holy Spirit; Acts 2:1-13) are to go into the world preaching repentance, offering spiritual healing, and making “born-again” disciples by the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit within them. One must be a “born-again” disciple in order to make “born-again” disciples.

There is a lot of spiritual illness in our world today (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), which, unhealed, will cause eternal death (Romans 6:23). Only Jesus has the power and authority to heal us, through his disciples, by the guidance and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit within his disciples. Jesus is the only way to forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God’s word), restoration to fellowship with God, truth, and eternal life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right.

Jesus’ disciples are going to encounter opposition and rejection, even, at times, within the nominal “Church.” We must be equipped for the mission by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. But if we are faithful to the call and guidance of the Holy Spirit we will fulfill our commission, and will rejoice in the result.

7 Pentecost - Friday - B

First posted July 24, 2009

Romans 6:19-23 -- Spiritual Growth

Before we came to faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, we were becoming more and more sinful, because of our human nature, since yielding to sin becomes easier and easier, and we become slaves to sin (Romans 6:17-18). Similarly we should now yield ourselves to greater and greater righteousness for sanctification (the process of growing to become entirely devoted and consecrated to God).

When we are slaves to sin we are free of obligation regarding righteousness, but the reward of sin is eternal death. When we are freed from slavery to sin through Jesus Christ we are obligated to serve God, and the result of serving God is sanctification and eternal life. “For the wages of sin is (eternal) death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The pleasure of sin is fleeting, but the consequences are eternal. Living to gratify our flesh is never satisfying beyond the moment. Only Jesus can set us free from bondage to sin and overcome our human fleshly nature. Jesus sets us free from sin so that we can grow spiritually into the people God intends for us to be, and to have what is truly life now and eternally.

Christians are not saved by church membership, church attendance or some rite like baptism. Christians are not freed from slavery to sin so they can spend an hour in church on Sunday, if they feel like it, and live like the Devil (and the unsaved) the rest of the week. Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ who trust and obey Jesus, and live according to his teaching and example, growing spiritually in sanctification by the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit within them.

7 Pentecost - Saturday - B

First posted July 25, 2009

Isaiah 62:6-12 -- Our Salvation Comes

The Lord has set watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem, day and night. Those whose minds are set on the Lord should not take rest or give the Lord rest until he establishes his Holy City on earth.

The Lord has sworn by his right hand and mighty arm (Jesus) that his people will not cultivate grain and grapes to become food and drink for their enemies. Those who produce them shall eat and drink the produce in the sanctuary of the Lord.

Enter the gates, build up the highway and clear it of stones! Lift up the ensign over all peoples. The Lord has proclaimed (his salvation) to the end of the earth. Tell God’s people to watch, for their salvation comes; “his reward is with him and his recompense before him” (Isaiah 62:11d RSV). God’s people will be called holy, the redeemed of the Lord. They shall be called “sought out,” a city not forsaken.

“Jerusalem” is the City of God on earth; the Church. God has raised up and appointed watchmen to warn the Church and to alert it to prepare it for the return of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Lord’s salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6) which he prepared from the beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the right hand of God, God’s mighty arm, and he is coming again in glory and power to judge everyone who has ever lived on earth (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46).

Jesus is coming, bringing his reward and punishment with him. All who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven with the Lord as their reward. Those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to trust and obey him will receive eternal condemnation and punishment in Hell, separated eternally from God and everything good.

In this present world, God’s people experience social and economic injustice, but when Jesus returns, that injustice will be remedied, and they will live eternally in God’s kingdom, where there will be no more injustice. God’s people will receive the reward which they have been promised.

In the Day of Judgment God’s people will be called “Holy,” consecrated to God’s service. They will be recognized as the “redeemed;” who have been ransomed from the penalty of sin by the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. They will acknowledge that they were “sought out” by the Lord, and they will be a city which God has “not forsaken.”

Jesus is God’s only provision for the forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God’s Word), restoration to fellowship with God, and salvation from eternal condemnation and eternal death. All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus came to seek and save those who are “lost,” separated from God because of sin, and subject to eternal condemnation and eternal death (see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God’s eternal plan is to create an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey him; an eternal city, the “New Jerusalem” in Heaven, where we will never be forsaken, where God’s justice will reign.