Thursday, June 26, 2014

GROWTH IN SPIRITUALITY FOR THE YOUNG


 
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.   (Luke 2:40)
Jesus was the Son of God, but also the Son of Man.  He was fully God and yet wholly man.  This is the miracle of the incarnation.  Often, we may find us defending His Deity before a typically skeptical world and increasingly liberal church.  Yet, we dare not promote Christ’s Divine nature at the expense of His human one.  Jesus was born as God in the flesh—but He was truly in the flesh!  He was subject to all that people go through—sorrow, hunger, thirst, weariness, disappointment, pain and temptation (yet never succumbing to sin).

He was not born fully grown.  He didn’t just teleport down from space as a mature man.  He developed as a child into adolescence.  As such, Jesus affords the model for the young among as too.
Jesus grew to be STRONG IN SPIRIT .  He not only matured physically, but spiritually.  Parents properly want their child to be well-fed and attired.  They want them to be healthy and strong.  While not neglecting that, should we care for our child’s body and not care for their soul? 

Jesus grew to be FULL OF WISDOM.  Jesus had to learn the Word like anyone else.  Joseph and Mary instructed Him.  He would be ready to face Satan with the Spirit’s sword.  People marveled at His wisdom. 
People will sneer at the thought of the church “indoctrinating” their sons and daughters.  The world gives the term a sinister connotation.  The reality is that someone is going to indoctrinate your children.  Nature abhors a vacuum and somebody will fill the empty space between their little ears with something.  They can either be indoctrinated with the Word of God and get wisdom or they will be indoctrinated with the world’s philosophy and become fools.  It is not a question of whether they will be taught, but who will teach them, and what will be taught.

Jesus grew to be MIGHTY IN GRACE.  All of heaven’s resources were available to Jesus.  He would live in moment by moment dependence on His Father’s power and provision, refusing the appropriate His own Divine prerogatives apart from grace as we must each and every day. 

Although our children will not perfectly live in the experience of almighty grace, they can progressively embrace it.  What we pray for our youngster to encounter is grace to save, secure, steer, sustain and seal! That is amazing grace!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

GRACE FOR SANCTITY IN THE AGED



And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”  And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”  Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.   (Luke 2:25-38) 

Simeon and Anna were not actually Jesus’ grandparents, but we see in them the kind of sanctity which ought to be found in the elderly.  Sanctity may not be a familiar term, but it’s a fitting term which conveys godliness—and that is certainly evident in this old man and woman.  As we age biologically, we should mature spiritually through God’s grace operating in us. 

Paul told Titus that the older men and women of the church had a mentoring assignment with the young men and women.  Church at its ideal isn’t loaded with one particular demographic—whether white headed elderly or spikey haired youth—but is multigenerational.  Each has a dynamic to add: the vitality of youth and stability of age.

What kind of “grandparents,” whether literal or spiritual, do we need?  Consider these characteristics of Simeon and Anna.

There needs to be PURITY, “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  (v.25)  Simeon was just in his dealings with others and devout in his relationship with God.  Personal purity marked him.  He was a holy man.

Then the godly will exhibit PATIENCE.  Simeon had been “waiting” (v.25) for years for Messiah, and Anna, since becoming a young widow, had patiently served in the house of God, “and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”  (v.37)   They did not allow time and trials to erode their hope.  That happens far too often.

Spiritually mature people possess PERCEPTION.

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  So he came by the Spirit into the temple. … Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (v.26-27a; 34-35)

Simeon had spiritual perception: he could see behind events, see through circumstances, and see beyond the immediate situation.  Those who are led of the Spirit can guide others.

The elders of the church ought to manifest PEACE, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word” (v.29).  He was ready to go.  Simeon was at peace.  His life’s mission was fulfilled.  Do we face aging and death with contentment?

Furthermore, such sanctity is grounded and grown in PRAYER, and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” (v.37)  Many will leave behind material goods, but the greatest inheritance is intercession—not property, but prayers.  They remain before God having an eternal dimension.  Their efficacy works beyond our lifetime for generations to come

Older saints ought to be noted for their PRAISE,  he took Him up in his arms and blessed God” (v.28); “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”  (v.38)   May we who are older members of the church be known for our helpfulness with the young and not our harping about them!  Too often we are sour rather than sweet; known for grumbling instead of gladness. 

I want to be a godly grandparent, and leave a heritage of holiness! 

 

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

GROUNDED WITH STABILITY AS PARENTS


So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.  (Luke 2:39)

Joseph and Mary were committed to God and to each other.  This gave a stable foundation for a solid home life.

The foundation is crucial.  Recall what Jesus taught:

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.  “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.  And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

Joseph and Mary’s stability is seen IN THEIR OWN DEDICATION.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.  Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”  (Luke 2:21-24) 

The key phrases are: “according to the law” (v.22); “as it is written” (v.23); “according to what is said” (v.24).  A solid foundation is laid on bedrock Biblical truth.  Jesus said that those who built on the rock are, “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them.” (emphasis added)

The adoptive father Joseph and the biological mother Mary demonstrated stability IN THE OFFSPRING’S DEDICATION.

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”) (Luke 2:22-23). 

We give our children back to God who gave them to us.  They are on loan to us, but we must acknowledge that God’s purposes for them, rather than our plans, are paramount. 

No child is an “accident.”  We may not have planned the pregnancy—certainly Mary did not!  Yet, God from all eternity had this birth conceived in His mind before the Child was conceived in the womb.  So, it is for God’s surprises to us which are never a surprise for Him!

There are seasons of the year when God blesses our congregation with these tiny ones.  We will have a baby dedication for parents and infants.  In doing this, we are publicly following the Biblical example and exhorting fathers and mothers to privately model that dedication.  There is no saving efficacy to our action.  Each child has to make their own commitment to Christ when they come of age.  What we do is covenant to pray for their soul and partner with the parents as a church to create an environment conducive to lead them to repentance and regeneration.

We cannot guarantee a child will grow up to follow Christ because of parental commitment, and, thankfully, we do not assume a child must reject faith because parents fail to follow Christ.  Some grow up in a model home and spurn the faith of father and mother.  Some grow up in a hellhole and are rescued by a loving Heavenly Father.  What we can guarantee is that in providing a spiritual climate most fertile for sowing the seed of the Gospel and cultivating the soil of their soul, that the best opportunity is provided for young folks to come to Christ.

There is hope for the family that has parents who build a home on a stable foundation of knowing and modeling God’s Word in faithfulness.

 

Monday, June 23, 2014

HOPE FOR THE FAMILY


The traditional family seems to be going the way of the dinosaur.  When I grew up divorce was rare, families were mostly stable, and living together outside of marriage was called sin. 

How things have changed—and not for the better!  Current trends would indicate they will only get worse.  A deteriorating family life will bring the dissolution of society. 

Is there any hope? 

Yes!  If I didn’t believe that, I’d close my Bible, pack my bags, and head for a survivalist camp in Montana.  God has shown us the pattern we can follow.  We will examine it this week as we explore Luke 2:21-40.  Read this passage and see if you can detect vital principles that when followed bring hope for the family.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.  Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”  And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”  And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”  Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.  So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.  And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Friday, June 20, 2014

WHY IS THERE PAIN AND SUFFERING? WHY DO SO MANY CHILDREN GO HUNGRY AND DIE OF STARVATION IN OTHER LANDS?

Recently, someone began a discussion of this topic by stating, "If I was God" and then proceeded to say how they would run the universe.  I answered that by humbly stating that I am not God and don't have all the answers.  I went on to say:

Let me begin with your statement, "If I was God."  That's the problem. It's why we have suffering. Satan offered humanity the temptation, "Eat this fruit and you'll be as God." Adam and Eve ate and sin entered the world along with all the horror that accompanies it.

Things are broken and God will fix them. We may be sure that infinite intelligence and perfect love is working out all for His glory and the ultimate good.

God gave us freedom to love Him or reject Him. Sadly, most choose the latter.  It was never God's original plan for there to be death and suffering.

Jesus said that God sees even a sparrow when it falls to the ground and cares. So we know He cares for little children. He suffers and grieves with us and for us.

Some suffering is a direct result of personal sin—either our own, or evil done to us because of the sinful choice of others.  If I drink and destroy my liver, the suffering is from my sin.  If I get injured from being hit by a drunk driver, I suffer from their sin.  Sinful choices bring consequences—there is a cause and effect relationship.

It is particularly hard to deal with the pictures of suffering of little children, hungry and starving in third world countries.  It isn't from lack of resources but sin—selfishness and false religion. 

I have been to India, where there is still this kind of grinding poverty.  While people are begging for a morsel, or scavenging garbage for scraps, sacred cows wander around.  India produces enough grain to feed its populace, but rats consume a lot of that grain.  You can’t kill them.  It might be grandma or Uncle Joe reincarnated! 

Then there is the sin of the church that is meant to be the extension of Christ’s love to the world.  We throw away enough food and eat more than we ought which could be used to feed these starving children.  The sin of covetousness is routinely practiced among those who claim to be followers of Jesus. 

Furthermore, if false religion proliferates and people suffer from its effects, we must ask how much we are investing in sharing the Gospel.  Too often we waste money on trivial trinkets that could have been used supporting missions.  Have we even considered that God might want us to step out of the comfort of our consumer mentality and go into the world with the Word?   So, we must not blame an apathetic God who is anything but that.  He has given us a plan and the provision.  The apathy is owned by us!

Some suffering is divine discipline—which is not necessarily punitive, but formative—meant to shape us into the image of Christ.  One ought to study Romans 8 intensively.  A couple of verses are at the core of this vexing problem of suffering and God’s involvement or seeming lack thereof:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28-29)

Far from this being a sign of God's spite, it is the assurance of His love.  Hebrews 12 gives us the classic call to look to a suffering Savior for the example of endurance.  We are reminded where there is no pain, there is no gain.  This is not only true in the realm of sports, but in the sphere of the spiritual.  Discipline, although painful, serve a purpose.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.  And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”  If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.  Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  (Hebrews 12:1-11)

James, half-brother of our Lord Jesus, writes in his letter to a group of Jewish believers scattered abroad by persecution.  He encourages them to not only endure the suffering, but enjoy the result,

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

The trial itself is not the joyful part.  We are not called to be spiritual masochists!  If God did not want us free from pain, He would have us “enjoy” that for all eternity!  The fact is that we will rejoice in God’s work through thrusting us into the fire and hammering us on the anvil to temper our faith when we get to glory.

The song writer said it well:

“It Will Be Worth It All”

Sometimes the day seems long,
Our trials hard to bear.
We´re tempted to complain,
to murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear
to catch his bride away!
All tears forever over
in God’s eternal day!

At times the sky seems dark,
with not a ray of light;
We’re tossed and driven on,
no human help in sight.
But there is One in heaven,
Who knows our deepest care;
Let Jesus solve your problems,
just go to him in prayer.

Life’s day will soon be o’re,
all storms forever past;
We’ll cross the great divide
to Glory, safe at last!
We’ll share the joys of heaven:
a harp, a home, a crown;
The tempter will be banished,
We’ll lay our burdens down.

CHORUS:
It will be worth it all
when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small
when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face,
all sorrow will erase.
So, bravely run the race
till we see Christ.  (Esther K. Rusthoi)

The Apostle Paul—a great sufferer and a godly saint—spoke to this in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We are reminded that there are things we do not know.  To look around at the circumstance is to see only from a materialistic view and find little meaning in our mess.  To see with eyes of faith the invisible, spiritual dimension is to discover God’s glorious intent for light, momentary affliction.  That is, God limits the scope and span of suffering to that which will not truly harm us (only our body which in its present state is incapable of dwelling in heaven anyway), but will actually help us to become more like Jesus!

The stories of two Old Testament characters give us a peak behind the veil into the sometimes mystifying ways of God.

Job presents to us this struggle of coming to grips with why God allows suffering, and although not giving us all the answers, manifesting to us a Sovereign God who is all we need in the midst of our heartache.  We do not know if Job ever understood the clash of forces in the heavenly realm because of God’s challenge to Satan that would transform Job’s life into the battlefield, but we know by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and can be helped through knowing that we too choose this:

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.  And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”  In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.  (Job 1:20-22)

Joseph’s story brings us another angle.  In summary, Genesis 37-50 recounts a man who was faithful to God, and yet it seemed God was not faithful to him.  He tried to follow a God-given dream and each step took him into deeper misery.  From the pit of slavery and deeper into the prison of abandonment; hated by his brothers, slandered by his employer’s wife, forgotten by a man he befriended—for two years—and God was where?  Engineering all things to elevate Joseph eventually to prominence in Egypt where he would be used to save his family and see God keep His covenant promise.  Think about this: if there had been no Joseph in his suffering, there would be no Jesus with His salvation!

Several times Joseph acknowledges the unseen hand of God orchestrating events—even evil ones—for good, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”  (Gen.50:20)

If you want to argue with Paul about the amount of pain you are going through and claim it to be anything but light and momentary, consider it is a relative term in comparison to the weight and length of eternity.  Neither was Paul sitting in an ivory tower insulated from hurt and writing mere theories.  Here is a summary of his sufferings:

Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.  From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.  Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?  If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.  In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. (2 Corinthians 11:23-33)
While I would not minimize the pain that anyone goes through, not many of us would claim to be on the level of intense suffering as the Apostle.

And he was not Superman!  He was a real man of flesh and blood, and who sought to be delivered from pain if possible.  That is our instinctive reaction—God-given for preservation!  Was Jesus wrong to pray in Gethsemane that the horror of the cross might be avoided if possible?  No!  Not when He went on to submit Himself to the Father’s will. We hear this echoed in Paul:

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.  And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.  And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)

Another question I was asked is connected to this, "WHY DOES IT SEEM THAT THE PEOPLE THAT SERVE YOU SUFFER MORE?" 

The reality is this is apparently true.  Living in a fallen world means none are exempt from pain.  The rain falls on the just and the unjust.  Storms come to those who build on the Rock of Ages and those who build on the sands of time.

Perhaps those who choose to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season are allowed by a gracious God to have a taste of goodness since they will suffer forever in hell eventually.  That very goodness of God is meant to capture their attention, Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”  (Romans 2:4)

We may also say that whatever pain we go through as God’s children is only for this world.  There is no purgatory after death, but there is one before it—and that is this planet of pain.  Here is the truth according to Jesus, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)

Suffering, as all things, will eventually redound to God's glory.

The ninth chapter of John’s Gospel points this out:

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.  (John 9:1-3)

The disciples had bought into the erroneous doctrine that all suffering is the direct result of one’s personal sin.  In this case, it would be the prenatal sin of the man or some evil of his parents that caused him to be born blind.  This was the false ideology Job’s “friends” had when they accused him of suffering because of his sinful acts.  The book of Job refuted that, but apparently the disciples hadn’t studied that as they should.

From eternity, an omniscient God knew that one day a baby would be born blind.  That child would go through years of growing up in darkness—and despair.  But, this omnipotent God was also planning to send His Son to exhibit that power.  The end result would be the man’s good and God’s glory.  All things are moving inexorably toward His glory and all Satan does cannot stop it.

I heard the late Dr. Bruce Dunn tell this story in a sermon years ago at Ben Lippen Bible Conference.  Please overlook the term used to describe a child with Down’s syndrome.  It is not a politically correct term, but was a common expression for the times.  The message is insightful nevertheless.

I would like to share with you a true story which has made a great impact on me and truly touched my heart. A special week of meetings were being held by a guest speaker, Dr. Donald Barnhouse. During the course of the week, the pastor’s wife gave birth to a mongoloid baby. Both the pastor and his wife were grievous and wondered how to cope with the situation. Dr. Barnhouse shared with them a portion of Scripture in Exodus 4, where God seemed to have taken upon Himself the complete responsibility for human suffering. Moses had stubbornly refused to accept God’s call because of inadequacy  and the Lord’s reply was, “…who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11).

Through prayer and tears with one another, the pastor and his wife were able to say, “God has blessed us with a mongoloid baby.”

The next step was for the pastor’s wife to call her family and share with them their recent experience. There was a switchboard operator in the hospital who ‘had it in’ for Christians and couldn’t stand them. With a cynical attitude, she processed the call and listened in on the conversation. She was appalled at what she heard and immediately spread the word to the rest of the hospital personnel.

The following Sunday morning the pastor stood to preach and in closing he gave an invitation for people to come forward. He bowed his head in prayer and didn’t look around. There were several dozen or more of the hospital staff in the service that morning and when he gave the invitation, a couple dozen of them were standing down at the front of the altar asking Jesus Christ to be their Savior.

That mongoloid baby grew to about 15 years of age and then went home to Heaven. Some years later, a woman called the pastor expressing a real need for his help. She explained that she was the wife of the doctor who had brought his mongoloid baby into the world. She proceeded to explain that at this moment her husband was locked in his room with a revolver in his hands ready to kill himself. The doctor had told his wife that the only person he was willing to talk to would be this pastor. The pastor immediately went to his home and asked for his gun and talked to him about Christ. The doctor gave the gun to the pastor and also received Christ as his Savior at that time!

The pastor and his wife knew that God was involved in their lives! They were willing to say that it isn’t all sweet roses and perfume, but God is involved and they were not going to rebel and be bitter, but they were going to say, “Lord, we can’t figure things out and we don’t like it, but Thy will be done.” Then peace came and as a result many people came to Jesus.  (http://www.biblicalevangelist.org/index.php?view=Sermons&id=797&issue=Volume+32,+Number+4)

Now, I have written a much longer article than most of min, but have only scratched the surface of this perplexing matter.  Volumes have been written by some of far greater intellect than me, so I have no illusions as to give you all the answers.  I hope I have given you something to chew on to nourish your faith.

Even so, we must acknowledge with Paul,

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!   “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?”  “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?”  For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.  (Romans 11:33-36)

Amen!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

THE COMMITMENT CONFIRMING HOPE


So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.  (Luke 2:15-20)

Hope makes a difference!  Where there is genuine hope there is great impact.  That is seen in the commitment modeled by these shepherds who saw the coming of hope.

Think about THE BASIS OF COMMITMENT: FAITH as seen here, “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’”  (v.15) 

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.   A celestial messenger had spoken and faith was inspired.  They didn’t debate or delay—they decided to believe.

This led to THE BEHAVIOR OF COMMITMENT: ACTION witnessed in their urgent response, And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. (v.16) 

Their faith produced works.  True faith always does.  It is impossible to have faith, hope and love—this holy trinity of virtues and fail to be moved to action.  They had faith in the message, hope in the event, and love for the Lord which generated their eager response.

It ended in THE BLESSING OF COMMITMENT: WORSHIP unfolding thus, Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.  (v.17-20) 

How could they be silent?  They praised God and proclaimed the Gospel!  So will we when we have hope!  A heart brim-full of hope overflows in joyous testimony.

If you want to glorify God—and that is the chief end of our existence—then bring your life into alignment with God’s will.  You do this by imitating these shepherds with hope that commits you to faith, obedience and worship.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

THE CONFESSION CELEBRATING HOPE


And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”   (Luke 2:9-14) 

God’s messengers are sent to flood the Judean hillside with the light of hope—and it would be shepherds who heard this celestial confession of Christ.

It was a confession of THE GLORIOUS PERSON (v.9-12). 

That such a lofty announcement would come to such a lowly assembly is incredible.  Shepherds were despised—they were dirty and smelled of sheep.  It was a job you didn’t want.  Yet such are the very ones who would be receptive.  A message of hope is most appreciated by the hopeless. 

The good news is about a glorious Person—a Savior, Christ the Lord.  As Savior, He is the Son of Man who came to give His life as a ransom.  As Christ, He is the Son of David who is rightful heir to David’s throne.  As Lord, He is the Son of God, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  (John 1:14)

This confession was not only about the Glorious Person, but was in and of itself A GLORIOUS PROCLAMATION (v.13-14). 

It was all about giving God glory.  The glory of God is the chief end of all things.  It is preeminent.  The universe is moving to this ultimate goal of the glory of God.

When we give ourselves to His glory, we experience His peace. Sin is when we seek to give ourselves His glory—of being our own god.  God’s goodwill comes when we repent and submit to Him.  When we are elevating ourselves, we are assailing Him and are at war with God—and that is always a losing proposition.  But, when we bow to Him, and promote His glory, then we are a peace with God.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

THE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING HOPE


And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  (Luke 2:1-8) 

Why is it so hard to maintain hope?  That it is difficult is apparent.  Hopelessness is an epidemic today.  There are challenges to hope which on the surface may seem insurmountable.  This is nothing new.  That was true in the first century, even as it is in the twenty-first. 

One of those challenges is OUR WORLD.  In the time when Mary would give birth to the Hope of the World, there was a tyrant on the throne.  When Caesar Augustus spoke, the whole planet moved at his command.  The iron legions of Rome had their boots on the neck of Israel.  Taxes were high and about to get higher.  People were struggling to survive under oppressive conditions.  It sounds very much like our political and economic climate.  We are trying to sail ahead into gale-force winds, stinging rain and ominous clouds.  That can be a challenge to hope.

Couple this with OUR WEAKNESS.  In Luke chapter two, we see two people in the royal line of King David, but they are ordered around like slaves.  Mary is in no shape to travel—she’s nine months pregnant—but she must anyway.  The common man struggled to survive, and the powerful controlled him.  People felt helpless to do anything about it.   We can identify, can’t we?   It is easy for us to be blinded to hope. 

Yet, hope is there—in operation in the invisible, spiritual realm.  God was up to something.  Scripture opens the veil to Heaven’s activity behind the scene.  All the world was put in motion, not merely because of government’s insatiable appetite for more money, but due to God’s zeal for His Word!  There was an obscure prophecy found in Micah 5:2 that must be fulfilled.  It said this, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Mary carries that Baby in her womb.  But there’s a problem with the prophecy—she’s miles and miles away in Nazareth, and Micah said the Child would be born in Bethlehem.  No problem!  God whispers into Caesar’s ear, a new government program is initiated and God’s promise is vindicated!  A human despot makes a decree, but a Sovereign God has already issued the directive.  Man rules and God overrules!  Always remember when you look around and things seem hopeless, that there is more than meets the eye!

Monday, June 16, 2014

THE MEN WHO SAW HOPE


So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  (Luke 2:15-16)

You have never seen God.  You cannot see God.  He is invisibleand you cannot see the invisible. 

Or can you? 

The Apostle John said, No one has seen God at any time.  The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (1:18)  Later, another disciple, Philip, entreated Jesus, show us the Father and Jesus replied, He who has seen Me has seen the Father. (John 14:8-9) 

When Mary looked at the infant she cradled in her arms, she saw the Infinite who held the universe in His hands.  Shepherds came to the manger to see Him, and saw something elsethey saw hope! 

Hope is not readily apparent in our world.  It is often obscured by the despair all around us.  It is invisible and we are tempted to hopelessness.  What we must do is look to Jesus who makes the invisible visible.  Heb.11:27 says that Moses endured as seeing Him who is invisible.  We will explore this further this week as we see the men who saw hope!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

THE RESTORATION OF SALVATION’S HOPE



“Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)   

Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”  You can be walking around with 20/20 clarity physically, and be “blind as a bat” spiritually.  But, God’s Spirit speaks to us through His Word and our spiritual sight is restored.  We then can truthfully sing, “Once I was blind, but now I can see.” 

The words of Zacharias here point to THE NIGHT OF SIN, “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” (v.79)  Apart from Jesus, we are hopelessly, helplessly lost.  We are in the darkness of sin and on our way to outer darkness where there is weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth—the darkness of the second death.  This is the spiritual condition of all sinners, until their eyes our opened by the Gospel.

Zacharias has also spoken of THE LIGHT OF SALVATION, “Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us” (v.78).  What tender mercy God has in giving light in the darkness we deserve!  “Dayspring” means sunrise—metaphorically, the fountain from which daylight issues. 

Today could be the dawn of a new day for you!  No matter the past, and how dark the shadows you walked in—God offers you hope and the light of new life in Christ.  Can you recall a time when the Son rose in your heart?  If not, then this is the hour to bow before Him and enter the Kingdom of Light.

Sometimes, a shadow can creep over us as a child of God.  We can walk beneath an unclouded sky of fellowship with God, but foolishly choose to edge into the dusk of disobedience.  We are neither in the light, nor in the dark—just in shadows—not where we ought to be.  We have too much light to fully enjoy the pleasures of sin done in the dark places, but neither enough light to enjoy the warmth of full companionship with Christ.  Come out into the light!  Stop lurking in the twilight zone!

Some churches that God means to be a beacon of light, have allowed the light to be hidden through our detour down a dark alley of distraction, division or doctrinal deviation, and need a new day of revival to dawn.  The fire of first love must be restored!  The good news is that it can be.  Seek Christ, the One who walks among the lampstands of His churches (Rev.1:12-20).

Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!  (P.P. Bliss)