LOVE DEFINED

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8).

Since the world doesn’t really know what true love is all about—what they usually call love is actually lust—we need to be sure we understand it.  There were three basic Greek words used in the first century to define love.

The first was eros—from which we get the word “erotic,” which has to do with sensual, sexual expressions of love.  While it is true that our world often engages in this kind of love in an impure and self-centered way—it is not something dirty, but was the gift of God for a husband and wife to enjoy intimacy with one another.

Another word for love is phileo—from which we get the name of our city “Philadelphia”—meaning city of brotherly love.  This is seen in friendship, loyalty and charity—and to that extent it is a good thing.

The word used here, however, is “agape” and that is God’s kind of love—unselfish and sacrificial—given for the sake of another.  Only the believer can know and give such love.  It is the presence of the Spirit of God within the child of God that enables him or her to exhibit the fruit of love.

May it be abundantly seen in our lives today!

CONFIRMATION OF THE CALL

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”  (I Kings 17:24)

God still calls people to specific tasks, for set times, in select territories, and with special tools to do His work.  Some are called to be missionaries, pastors, and evangelists.  Others are called to be Sunday School teachers, deacons, and nursery workers.  Every Christian has been called to be God's worker in this world--and that may be in the office, a factory, or a shop.  Every church member is to be in a ministry.

In 1 Kings 17, specifically, it is the ministry of the Word that is emphasized repeatedly (v.1-2, 5, 8, 16, 24).  The chapter begins and ends with this--and is mentioned eight times in total.  Like Paul, who declared that his speech and preaching were not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, Elijah's call was confirmed.

His call was confirmed in THE STAND THAT HE TOOK (v.1).  Elijah could take a stand against a wicked king because he knew what it was to stand before the King of kings!  God promised, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him."  (Isa.59:19)  Ahab and Jezebel unleashed a flood of evil in Israel, but God raised up His standard-bearer.  Elijah seemingly pops up out of nowhere, exploding on the scene.  We know little about him, save that he is a man of God with a message from God confirmed by the might of God.  He prays that the rain will stop--boom--the drought comes and the fields wither.  This was a predicted consequence of God's discipline on His people's sins (Deut.28:20, 23-24).

His call was also confirmed in THE SACRIFICE THAT HE MADE (v.2-16).  The call of God is not a promise of comfort.  Elijah wasn't going to make a profit, but be a prophet.  The Lord assures us He will meet our need, but not our greed!  The man of God was fed--road-kill--and washed it down with brook water!  No ribeye steak and sweet tea for him.  Later, we see how a poor widow became the source of his supply.  Her sacrificial act of faith and obedience became the channel of provision for God's servant--and the Lord rewarded her accordingly.  She was like the widow in the New Testament who gave her all (Mark 12:41-44).  Where would we be in the church today without the loving giving of dear widows?  This pastor has often been the recipient of their sacrifice.  They partner with us in service and God rewards them by stretching their supply!

His call was further confirmed by THE STRENGTH THAT HE FOUND (v.17-24).  The Lord responds to the grieving heart of a mother and the fervent prayer of the prophet in a miraculous manner.  Elijah is set forth as an example of prayer in the book of James that we are to emulate.  That is the source of our strength!  His credentials were confirmed. The ministry of the Word in the power of the Spirit brings life.

What has God called you to do?  Where are your gifts and passions?  Has God confirmed this by His hand of blessing upon you?  Step out in faith and make a difference!

THE GLORY OF GOD

 

for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.  (1 Kings 8:11b)

We sometimes use terms without knowing what they mean and talk about doing a lot of things that we don’t do.  Worship is one such thing.  What is worship?  The term has to do with declaring the worth of God.  Jesus said there is only one true kind of worship—that which is in Spirit and truth.  But what does that mean?  It has been said a picture is worth a thousand words. In 1 Kings 8, there is a picture of true worship.

The Glory of God was manifest in the house of God (v.1-11).  When the children of Israel left Egypt, God led them through the wilderness by the glory cloud. When the tabernacle was constructed that cloud filled the sanctuary.  Now, Solomon’s temple has been built and God’s glory invades it.  The glory of God is the manifest presence of God.  God had been with them, but now they saw the evidence.  It was in the house of God that the glory of God was experienced.  Did you know that Jesus has promised that in a special way, He would always be among those, even two or three, that assemble in His name?  We may not encounter His manifest presence, however, but we need that!  It is when man takes a backseat and God takes over.  The ministers sat down as God became the focus.  That’s where worship begins.  It is all about Him. If we do not encounter God we haven’t worshipped.

Solomon shares Scriptural truth (v.12-21).  He has taken on the role of a shepherd.  That is what a pastor is.  God’s design was for His leaders to shepherd His people.  That included the responsibility to feed them the Word of God.  Solomon’s father, David had been a prophet and now we find the King preaching a sermon.  In fact, in the book of Ecclesiastes that Solomon authored, he called himself the Preacher.  Well, here is quite a sermon!  The theme of his message is the character and faithfulness of God.  When we come together for worship, we must be drawn into a passionate pursuit of God.  We see the face of God in the Word of God.  We hear the voice of God in the Word of God.  Whether that truth is shared in teaching or testimony, communicated in song or sermon, it is the way God speaks to us.

God’s plan for His house was that it be a house of prayer, so what better way to dedicate it than with prayer (v.22-61)?   This underscores the centrality of prayer to the worship experience. Again, this prayer was God-centered.  Solomon begins by praising God for who He is and thanking Him for what he has done (v.22-30).  In awe of God’s holiness, he confesses the people’s sinfulness. (v.31-40). Then He prays for blessing (v.22-53).  Note Solomon’s position (v.54) with knees bowed in humility and hands raised in expectancy.  He blesses the people and blesses God and shares the path to continued blessing—obedience (v.55-61).

The proper response to God in worship is the offering of sacrifice (v.62-66).  We do not offer animals, but what the writer of Hebrews called spiritual sacrifices.  To offer our lives up to Him is the supreme sacrifice we can render. The outcome of the worship was an expression of great joy. That’s how they left the house of God that day. Shouldn’t it be the same with us?

SURRENDERED TO THE SAVIOR

 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  (Romans 12:1)

Nicolas Zinzendorf gazed at the painting called “Ecce Homo” (“Behold the Man”).   He read the words “I have done this for you; what have you done for me?”  and committed his life to Christ and started a great missions movement.  Frances Havergal saw the same picture and wrote the words of this hymn:

  

“I gave my life for thee,

My precious blood I shed,

That thou might’st ransomed be,

And quickened from the dead;

I gave, I gave my life for thee,

What hast thou given for me?”

That is the point of Romans 12:1.  The sacrifice of Christ calls us to absolute surrender to the Savior. 

  

Consider first, THE REASONS FOR SURRENDER.  Although Paul might have spoken with the authority of an Apostle and demanded it, instead he stoops as a beggar and pleads for it.  He knew that love cannot be coerced.  It must be freely given.  This verse marks a transition in the thrust of Paul’s letter.  The Apostle has for eleven chapters directed us to the manifold mercies of God.  He has spoken of the greatness of God’s grace in saving wretched sinners like we are!  We love Him for He first loved us!  The Lord is not being unreasonable in demanding we surrender all.  Don’t you understand that He surrendered everything to give you eternal life?

  

Then, we observe THE REQUIREMENTS OF SURRENDER.  We yield our entire being, particularly our body as an instrument in God’s hands to accomplish His work in the world.  Christ didn’t die only to save our souls, but to redeem the total person.  He wants to use your eyes to see hurting humanity, your ears to hear their cries, your heart to care for them, your feet to go to them, your hands to help them, and your lips to tell them why.  This is a commitment from which there is no turning back—it is living and ongoing. Constantly we surrender—a thousand times a day when faced with God’s will or our will, we choose to follow Him.  “Present” is a definite act—once for all never to turn back, but “living” is a daily attitude.—ongoing in keeping all on the altar.  The sacrifices God demanded under the Old Covenant were to be without blemish.  They were not acceptable if they were not holy.  Repentance from sin is to accompany resignation in sacrifice.  The Pharisees brought offerings to God, but motivated by the applause of man.  Rather than commend them, Christ condemned them.  What is the motive for our surrender?  Our service isn’t to be about our glory, but His.

Finally, we face THE RESULTS OF SURRENDER.  Surrender means we report for duty.  We will serve God doing anything, anywhere, anytime He directs us.  The Old Testament saints brought their sacrifices as an act of worship.  Presenting our bodies to Him is the ultimate in worship.  He gets our minds engaged in meditating on Him and His Word, our mouths open in prayer and praise, our hearts filled with love and joy, and our hands ready to respond in giving and serving.  The world will take notice of such a life.  By this we bear testimony of our estimation of the worth of Christ’s sacrifice.  Today is the day to surrender your all to the Savior.

GOD’S STANDARD FOR SERVANTS

 

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  (Mark 10:45)

You have heard it said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Then, what might we understand from four pictures?  That is what we have in the Gospels—four portraits of Christ.  They are not contradictory, but complimentary accounts—giving us a better grasp of God through these pictures of His Son.  Matthew portrays Jesus as the Son of David, come to fulfill Old Testament prophecy—the rightful heir to David’s throne.  Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man, fully God and yet fully man, living as God intended for man to live.  John pictures Jesus as the Son of God, stressing His Deity—God in the flesh come to save us.  It is Mark’s perspective that we will focus on—and he promotes Jesus as the Servant of Jehovah—emphasizing what Jesus did more than what He said.  Jesus is God’s standard for servants.  Mark 10:45 is the key verse.

Jesus, in this verse, highlights HIS SERVICE, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve….”  The first ten chapters of Mark’s Gospel account fit under this heading.  Mark puts the GO in Gospel.  The word, “immediately,” is the Greek word, “euthus,” and is used forty times in Mark’s Gospel.  We see Jesus in action—moving from place to place—consumed with His mission.  He had three and one-half years to complete His assignment, and so the pace He kept was amazing.  That, however, is what servants do.  The standard has been set for those of us who have come to faith in Christ.  Do you know why you are here and what are you doing about it?  The same Spirit who rested on Jesus, resides with us—and all in view of replicating Christ’s work through His body—the church!

The Lord further spoke of HIS SACRIFICE, “and to give His life….”  The bulk of Mark’s material concentrates on chapters eleven through fifteen—and basically one week of the Savior’s life!  Imagine, almost three and one-half years, compressed into ten chapters, while seven days are spread across five chapters!  But that was the week that changed the world—the final days of Christ’s service that brought Him to the fulfillment of His work.  From His entrance, carried on a donkey’s back into Jerusalem with shouts, to His exit, His body carried by the disciple’s hands from Jerusalem amid sobs—the focus is one Calvary.  His sacrifice was the reason He came.  The cross was central to His service—it will be to ours.  Jesus has summoned all who would follow Him to take up the cross, in dying to what we want and living to what God wills.  My daily life is to be an outpouring of surrender to Him—giving my all to the One who gave His all for me!

The final chapter testifies to HIS SUCCESS, “a ransom for many.”  The tomb is not the end of the story!  His resurrection was the visible affirmation of the acceptance of His sacrifice—mission accomplished!  He had done all that was required to obtain our salvation, and could ascend back into the glory from whence He came.  One day too, our service will be over, and I pray that we will hear God’s commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joys of your Lord.”  May we be faithful and fruitful in our service today and everyday!