Symbols of Jewish fall festival of Sukkot, lulav - etrog, palm branch, myrtle and willow



Feast of Tabernacles, Part 2



Scripture, like all other, so-called, religious documents is heavily criticized. The skeptics...and there are plenty of skeptics, claim that what we consider sacred is, in fact, silly. Of course, most of the more reputable and scholarly types wouldn't put it like that (I only did for the alliterative value :) ). Sure, you will encounter such caustic commentary from the occasional anonymous Internet troll but they really don't matter. The critics that I believe are the most dangerous are the ones that have all those little letters at the end of their signature line, e.g. PhD, ThD, PsyD. We are conditioned to believe that if there is a "D" associated with someone's educational credentials then that person is to be listened to unquestionably. Occasionally someone with different letters may nudge their way in. We may have trouble with M.Phil or even the tricky sideways ThM. Many (not all, of course) of these very impressive sounding acronym-defined experts claim that the Bible shouldn't be taken too seriously; after all it's "only religious". Yes, I'm beating that drum again but I'm only doing so because their drums keep getting louder and louder. The critics are increasingly attacking not only the Bible but anyone foolish enough to follow it. Those of us that ignore the experts and do take the Bible seriously are not only being marginalized but, of late, vilified. It seems if you think the Bible is worth adhering to then you are to be considered a bigoted, womanizing, colonizing, murderous, multi-phobe. We've even stopped debating or even considering that the Bible may be accurate. It just isn't discussed anymore as if it has already been "officially" deemed a fable. Now, lest you think I'm merely talking about the pagans and atheists of the world, let me tell you, some of the most vociferous and vicious opponents of a literal interpretation of the Bible answer to "Pastor", "Reverend", or "Minister". Now, I could really go on and on with this attack on the attackers but I don't want to drift too far from my point.



The key to believing the Bible is believing in Jesus. No, I'm not saying just believe that there once was a person named Jesus but believe in the Jesus that Jesus said Jesus was. If we can come to the conclusion that Jesus was actually everything that He said He was then all else in the Bible falls into place. Once you can accept that Jesus was, for example, the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) then you would not have a problem believing that Moses struck a rock with his staff and water flowed out of it (Numbers 20:11). You see, both of those passages are there to tell a story about Christ. Not knowing...or believing that that water flowing from the struck rock was a picture of Christ makes it seem like nonsense. Once you know...or believe "why", the "how" is immaterial. Knowing...and/or, again, believing that Christ is thread that runs throughout the Word of God gives Life and Meaning to it. If you can believe that Jesus was sent of His Father as He said He was (John 20:21 and many others) and that the entire Bible talks about that then Scripture becomes a cohesive narrative like none other...ever. That miracle effectively makes all other reported miracles not only believable, but certain.



The Seven Feasts of Israel exemplify the above Truth in grand and glorious style. In this episode we wrap up our discussion of the Feast of Tabernacles. This is another one of those lessons that will either thrill your soul or cause you to question my integrity. It will either intrigue you or repel you. It is our argument in this episode that a close and objective view of the Biblical...and, surprisingly, traditional details of this festival will lead to the Truth that Jesus is the Coming King.

"View Of Jerusalem with the Temple of Solomon"by Philippe de Champaigne, 17th CenturyImage in the Public Domain



Feast of Tabernacles, Part 1



Throughout Scripture, time and again God is seen stretching a Helping Hand to His people. His entire Book is a record of His love and care for them. God not only chronicled the many times He provided for the nation Israel but He insisted that they celebrate what He has done for them. You see, it's not only important to God that His children praise Him for His constant provision but it's also important for His children to remember the many ways He's supported and cared for them. It is a lesson for all of us because when we remember the Lord's tender love and help, we call to mind His abilities and willingness to lift us above whatever is pressing against us.



That is precisely God's purpose in giving the Feast of Tabernacles. In today's episode we discuss not only the Scriptural but the traditional details of the Feast the Jewish people call Sukkot (or Succoth). God intended this Feast to be a reminder of the time He provided for the nation of Israel when they were fleeing the Egyptians following the Exodus. It is a celebration of God's Faithfulness and mankind's total but joyous dependence on Him. (Of course, there is another reason for this celebration but you'll have to wait for Part 2 to hear about that. Can you guess? I'm sure you can.)



In this podcast we have decided to go into some depth describing the ancient Talmudic traditions that have grown up around God's original Feast. We learn that Sukkot is greatly loved by the Jewish people and has been for millennia. In this first part we concentrate on the ancient festivities and see that even tradition can be used to shed Scriptural light on Truth.



I want to remind you that we are discussing matters of eternal importance. You may think that these sorts of things are for the Jew only but everything in God's Word can be applied to everyone; Jew, Christian...even non-believer. It is all so vital and that is why we urge you each time to take a moment to pray before you begin the study. There is so much to learn and so much to meditate on that we must be certain that God is with us, guiding us and showing us what His Word has to say. So, I strongly suggest that you go to the Father in prayer and ask Him to assist you as you hear His Word taught so that you may glean from it every precious gem that will lead you closer to Him.

Jews Praying in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur by Maurycy Gottlieb, 1878Note the solemnity of the moment.Image in the Public Domain



Yom Kippur 2019



There are many things that separate man from the beasts: intelligence, communication skills, sophisticated social order; the list goes on but the one I want to point out here is not so flattering. The animal kingdom is much better at facing reality than humans are. When an animal sees something good to eat, it eats. When an animal finds a safe place to rest, it rests. When an animal senses danger, it does something about it. It either fights or flees. This is where humans fail. Too often when we sense danger, we ignore it. You want proof? How about cigarette smoking, alcoholism and obesity. But there is a far greater danger that countless millions ignore every day:



(Heb 10:30)  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.(Heb 10:31)  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.



"Oh, but we don't like to concentrate on that in our ministry. We'd rather talk about the love of God." How very human of you. You see danger, you ignore it.



The cynic will accuse God of being dark and vengeful and repressive because He says things like, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9) or "all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23) . We wonder why God is being so mean. Why doesn't He just ignore it like we do? Suppose you've been driving all night through the Mojave desert. It's dark. You've been on the road for hours and you decide to pull over just to get a little sleep. A few hours later, you are rudely awakened by a sheriff's deputy banging on your window and shouting at you. You think, "Now, can't he see that I'm tired and need some rest?" Next thing you know you hear a freight train speeding toward you. In the darkness and due to your unfamiliarity with your surroundings you parked your car on active train tracks. In a flash, that cop goes from obnoxious blowhard to live saver.



God is pointing out your desperate, sinful condition because it is placing you in danger. The Bible makes it clear: We are helpless, hopeless sinners. As much as God loves us all...and He does love us all, He will not ignore sin. Now, this is not the place to discuss "why". In fact, if you accept that He will not ignore sin than the "why" question doesn't matter because once you come to the conclusion that God is holy and you're not you will be driven to the REAL question, "What can I do about it?" Well, your mood isn't going to improve because the answer to the question, "What can I do about my sin separating me from God" is...nothing. But, ironically...and with God there is SOOO much irony...ironically, though God is ALWAYS the offended party, He is also the only one who can make things right and the ENTIRE Bible is a record of His remedy. By the way, the only way you can make sense of the Bible, the only way the Bible will bring you joy is if you look at it as a picture of "The Atonement". The Bible isn't a history book, although there is history in it. The Bible isn't a morality guide, although there is morality in it. The Bible is not a world peace plan, although there is peace in it. God's Book is a prescription for removing sin and reuniting His people and the Seven Feasts of Israel are all of that in miniature.



Today we talk about one of the most well-known of all the Seven Feasts: Yom Kippur; in the English, The Day of Atonement. God gave this Feast to His children to demonstrate all of what we've said thus far: He will not tolerate sin; it must be paid for; and we will NEED a substitute...a PERFECT substitute as payment. In the Old Testament,

The Blowing of the Shofar



Rosh Hashanah



Perhaps no single event in all of history has had more impact on Judaism than the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. (we don't use C.E. around here). Prior to 70 A.D. all the way back to shortly after the return from Babylonian exile and then before that 70 years all the way back to Solomon, all the worship activities were conducted at and within the Temple. After Titus swept through Jerusalem, less than 40 years after the death of Jesus, the devastation was unspeakable and the Temple lay in ruin and remains in ruin to this very day. Without the Temple, Jewish worship was drastically and tragically altered. No Temple, no altars. No altars, no sacrifices. No sacrifices and nothing would be the same. Even the revered celebrations of the magnificent Seven Feasts of Israel radically changed from the original intent to the point that the rich Biblical meaning and symbolism are, now, largely hidden from the typical Jewish worshiper and Christian seeker-after-truth. That's why it is vital for every child of God to return to Scripture to try and rediscover why God instituted these wonder filled celebrations.



In this episode we renew our series on the Seven Feasts that God gave Israel. This time we begin by talking about the "Fall" festivals, starting with Rosh Hashanah, otherwise known as the Feast of Trumpets. Now, that doesn't mean the Hebrew phrase "Rosh Hashanah" has anything to do with trumpets. The literal translation is "head of the year" or the more useful and commonly used looser translation, "new year". Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish (civil) New Year. "Then why is it also called 'Feast of Trumpets'"? Well, here is one of those radical changes to the Jewish system of worship we spoke of a moment ago. To hear the details, join us for this week's podcast.



But before you press "play" make sure you're spirit is prepared and your heart is open and your mind is clear. The best way to do all of that...and, frankly, ANYTHING, is to ask for God's help. Go to God and pray that He will assist you in understanding these crucial, vital, unmatched in the human realm celebrations that He gave His people. Ask for God's Spirit of Truth to guide you as you strive to grasp what He has presented in His Word. Ask Him to permit you to see all that He is saying so that you can fully honor Him and His Son and come to a saving knowledge of all that He has done to bring you closer to Him.

Jesus on the Road to Emmaus by Gebhard FugelThis image is in the Public Domain



Psalm 22 Part 2



Bible scholars don't always get it right. Just because they went to a top notch seminary or Bible College or Christian university doesn't mean they're infallible. No one is infallible. No one. Case in point, Bible scholars have unofficially titled Psalm 22 as "The Psalm of the Cross". Well, as I argued in the last episode and I'll demonstrate in this one, that moniker sells this beauty short. I mean, if all we had was the Cross, we'd be no better off than we were before Jesus came to the earth and, frankly, neither would God. Let's just say it. If all Jesus had to look forward to was the Cross then I don't believe he would have ever shed His Heavenly Glory and "took upon Him the form of a servant" and "the likeness of men".



(Heb 12:2)  ...Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.



Jesus endured the cross; part 1, because joy lay ahead; part 2. If you were with us for our first installment in this series then I have no doubt that you were astounded by the accuracy of Psalm 22 in its prediction of the thoughts of the Man dying on the Cross. It is that startling exactness that, no doubt, motivated the scholars to label this the "Psalm of the Cross". However, as incredible as the description of the cross is in this Hebrew Hymn so is the prediction of the aftermath of the cross. The JOY that motivated Jesus to endure His grisly Death is also found in Psalm 22. Hebrews 12:2, as quoted above, shows us that the joy that was set before Him included Jesus sitting down (the more modern way to put it) at the right hand of the throne of God. Well, how did Jesus get from the Cross to the right hand of the throne of God? Resurrection! Jesus rose and Psalm 22 is so wonderful, it tells us about that experience too!



Join us for this, the second part of our Psalm 22 series. We purposely split it up because there are two distinct themes: the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. This section of God's Word is a very big challenge to Bible critics and those that deny that Jesus is the Messiah. If you find it more comfortable to doubt that God exists or that Jesus is His Son or that the Bible is a true and reliable book then I suggest you skip this episode because all it's going to do is make you uncomfortable by throwing a very serious challenge at your doubt. On the other hand, if you are truly interested in knowing whether or not what God says in Scripture is something you can hang your eternal soul on then I encourage you to listen in. But before you do I want to suggest you take a few minutes and go to God in prayer and ask Him to open your heart to Truth. Ask Him to help you put away old prejudices and the strong delusion of the world so that you can see clearly what is real and right. If your spirit longs for answers ask God to take you by the hand and lead you to His Wisdom.

Manuscript Leaf With The CrucifixionFrom a Missal_ca 1270–80Image in the Public Domain



Psalm 22 Part 1 with Communion



The thing I hear most often from my friends and acquaintances who do not fully agree with my views is that we shouldn't take the Bible too seriously. I've never really heard anyone "denounce" the Bible or call for the end of the use of the Bible in society; at least not anyone most of us would take seriously. With only a few exceptions, perhaps, some lonely, attention-starved Internet trolls, most people are polite in their rejection of what the church still considers (for the time being) its most important document. Most people I encounter...especially those who know what I do with my life are civil, albeit a bit condescending. I often hear things like, "Well, it's just a bunch of stories" or "It's not perfect because it's just a book written by men" or "Society has evolved since it was written. It's no longer relevant." The interesting thing about those who make these and similarly dismissive comments is that it is unlikely that any of them have spent more than 5 hours of their lives studying that which they criticize. It's actually quite unique in the human social experience, I believe. In most other subject areas it would be considered rude to comment on the value or validity of something before having, at least, some knowledge of it. Although, I do admit, with the rise of social media more and more seem to willingly and actively participate in discussions on just about any topic regardless of their fitness to do so.



Despite the fact there is a fairly sizable proportion of Biblical critics who refuse to change their position on the truth of Scripture, I believe there are still quite a few who just need to take a closer look. Today (and next time) we are talking about Psalm 22. This is where staying "on the fence" gets really tough. You see, besides just being one of the finest of the Hebrew worship songs, Psalm 22 is a remarkably accurate prophecy. Perhaps you didn't know that the Psalms aren't just a collection of Jewish hymns but that they're also rich in prophetic imagery especially as it relates to the coming Messiah. In fact, Jesus Himself once said:



(Luk 24:44)  ...all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.



Jesus said the psalms, along with other Old Testament Scripture, spoke of Him. Join us for this episode as we begin to unpack the remarkably prophetic Psalm 22. I especially encourage those of you who are still not sure if the Bible is sent from God Himself to have a listen. BUT if you are one of those who are not yet convinced that Scripture is "inspired" I'm going to ask you to withhold judgment until you have fully examined this startling example of God's Holy Spirit working through the pens of men. It may take more than just our little two part series to get you all the information you need on this topic. Like every subject we teach on, I encourage all of you to do your own research. I never want you to solely rely on our teaching as you pursue a better understanding of God through His Word but I believe this is a good place to start. We do our best to strip away the tradition and religion and get to the heart of what the Bible is really saying. Psalm 22 was written for YOU. Psalm 22 was written with a purpose in mind. God is reaching His Hand out to you, grab it and let Him draw you closer through what He has said in Scripture.



In this episode we also celebrate a Communion. If you've never done that with us before I would encourage you to pay as close attention as you can to the first 20 minutes or so of the program. It is in that segment where we cover some of the more important aspects of "Going to the Table of the Lord".

David Strangling the Lion by Claude MellanThis is how we all envision the mighty King David but Psalm 56 gives us another view.Image in the Public Domain



What Time I am Afraid...



We've all heard stories of men and women who seem to bravely and unhesitatingly face incredible and, sometimes, terrifying situations. We love to say that they're "fearless". But is "fearless" even possible? Looking up the word "fearless" in the dictionary yields such expected definitions as "free from fear" or "without fear". Yes, we will encourage and/or embolden and/or strengthen one another by saying "be not afraid". Psychologists try to give us "the formula for living without fear". You may have even read on a church billboard that God promises freedom from fear. Well, God doesn't actually take away fear but, instead, He prepares you for it. He doesn't isolate you from fear, He carries you through it.



Scientists love to point out that the numbers of people claiming to be religious or even believing in God are dropping. They get all giddy when survey after survey shows that people have become increasingly uninterested in going to church. Science feels vindicated by these trends. The intelligentsia have claimed that they've been saying all along that people only turn to religion when times are bad and that now that science and government have it all figured out, people don't feel they need God anymore. As long as they have science and government then what could possibly go wrong? "Thanks to us," they say..."they" being either science or government, take your pick. "Thanks to us," they say, "people are happy and they don't need church. The citizens of the world have awoken and don't go for those religious fables anymore. After all, they don't need them. They have us. God doesn't love them. We do. God doesn't take care of them. We (science and/or government) do." Karl Marx once famously said "religion is the opiate of the masses." Nowadays, it's seems to me, that science and government...and ACTUAL opiates (created by science and permitted by government) are the opiates of the masses. Science and government and chemical dependence have become the favored vehicle of happiness, of late. That's the new religion that, by the way, Karl Marx would be very proud of. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm no anarchist nor do I advocate ignorance. I believe in order and knowledge but I just believe that neither science nor government (nor chemistry) has as many answers as they think they do...certainly not as much as they say they do. Religious expression may be dropping but it's not because people are all of the sudden happy and well-adjusted. In fact, quite the opposite. Honest science is actually telling us that depression is on the rise around the world. (Interesting, but somehow related side note, the article linked above cites INCREASED longevity of life, a direct result of more science in our lives, as one of the factors LEADING to higher rates of depression. Remember when science convinced us that we'd be happier if we lived longer? Yeah, that doesn't seem to check out.)



No, people are not skipping church because they're happy. They're skipping church because church stopped making sense to the church goer. The message from the pulpit has drifted away from Truth. God wired us for Truth and when we don't receive Truth there is a disconnect in our spirits. You see, despite what critics and even churchmen try to tell you, God isn't a choice of last resort. God isn't someone to look up only when your stomach is rumbling or your hands are shaking and I honestly believe only people in a real relationship with the Father know that and what's more, the Bible isn't some talisman to rub when you've missed your last two car payments. The Bible is our guide to getting closer to God. Scripture is what the Holy Spirit uses to reveal to us God's True Nature and once ...

David and Bathsheba Georg Pencz (German, Wroclaw ca. 1500–1550 Leipzig) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1966 (66.529.82) http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/336291



Psalm 51



One of the reasons that the Bible is so often rejected is because it is constantly reminding us that we're sinners. Of course, no one will admit it but people don't like to hear that. Not even the proudest, loudest reprobate likes to face that he was "shapen in iniquity". It's not that anyone really thinks that they're unblemished by faults and failures. I've never met anyone nor heard of anyone who claimed to be pure. Most people admit to, at least, one or two past mistakes. "No one's perfect" rolls very easily and naturally off all tongues but the problem with the Bible is that it makes you regret sin and what's worse is it insists that you REPENT of your sins. "Hey, I'm willing to admit I'm no saint but that doesn't mean I have to stop doing whatever I want."



(Isa 55:9)  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.



"You see, it's stuff like that. I don't like when God says things like 'his ways are higher than mine.'" The Bible makes very clear that in order to approach God we must come in utter humility. In fact, we must be willing to face more than humility, we must crawl to God in humiliation.



(Mat 7:14)  ...narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.



The original in Matthew 7:14 is a picture of a tight space that is contracted with pressure. In other words, it is uncomfortable. The way to life...eternal life, a life with God is not easy because, among other things, it involves stepping out in humility and humiliation. Few people are willing to go so far as to say they are a lowdown, lousy, miserable sinner...even if they KNOW that they are...in order to gain life but that is the only way God will have you. "Okay, I hear you. I'm a sinner and I want to change. I don't want to offend God and man anymore but I don't know what to do." In response to that I would give my usual answer: Turn to God's Word.



In this episode we discover the beauty of Psalm 51. This is one of the, so-called, Penitential Psalms; penitential meaning something that expresses regret and sorrow for some sort of transgression or offense. In it David perfectly presents the model by which all men and women should come to God. Psalm 51 is a picture of utter shame and disgrace for sin. During this discussion we take time to cover the "back story" of this Psalm. We go over the event that led David to such a state of despair as described in excruciating, yet, poetic detail in this well-known portion of what Spurgeon calls the "Treasury of David". This Psalm has been referred to and relied upon and meditated over by countless humbled sinners down through millennia as an introduction to their own cries for mercy and forgiveness. With tear clouded eyes we begin our frightened, saddened, burdened pleas for redemption by saying with David, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." Even if your heart and conscience is, at the moment, clear of a conviction of moral and spiritual failure (don't know too many of those but nonetheless) you should join us just to see inside the broken, crushed heart of one of the most mighty, favored men in all of human history.



If I were a betting man, I would wager that there aren't too many people out there who aren't touched by the wretched remorse of a broken king. Perhaps it would be best that before you start the podcast you take a moment to ask Go...

Johannes Sadeler I (Netherlandish, Brussels 1550–1600 Venice (?))
The sacrifice of Abel (plate 1 from The Story of Cain and Abel), 1576
Netherlandish,
Engraving; Sheet: 8 1/8 × 11 3/16 in. (20.7 × 28.4 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1953 (53.601.17(62))
http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/700567



Approaching God on My Own Terms (with Communion)



What Cain and Abel Can Teach Us



You know, atheism is not the biggest threat to the survival of the church. Actually it's not even close. In fact, atheism is so innocuous in its effect on the cause of Christ that it's not even mentioned anywhere in Scripture. Among all the thousands of characters in the Bible there is not ONE atheist. Not even Satan is an atheist. The biggest threat to the church is what theologians call apostasy. Nothing got the ancient Israelites in more trouble than apostasy. Nothing riled Jesus up more than apostasy. In case you don't know, apostasy means the rejection or renunciation of a religious (and sometimes political) belief.



(Mat 15:6)  ...Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.



Human attitude toward "religion" is a very funny thing and, frankly, always has been. We are forever changing our view of what is sacred. Of course, there is no doubt that Satan is behind all that changing but, nonetheless, we're not without blame. A brief history of human religion could be mapped thusly: In the beginning everyone believed in the One True God. Adam and his family, at first, knew of no other worship worthy Being than God Himself. Satan stepped in and convinced them that their kind should share in some of that worship worthiness. Before long some people started putting other people in the place of God. After the expulsion from the Garden nature turned hostile toward us. Some people turned to the One True God for help. They probably didn't like how and the speed at which He answered their pleas for protection so they turned to those people that other people were now worshiping. Some were satisfied and added to the ranks of people who worshiped other people. Some were not and decided that the best way to quell the hostility of nature was to try and please it. What's more pleasing than having someone bow down to you? So, some people started worshiping nature and animals. Then mankind started finding shiny metal in the ground and thought, "Hmmm, that's pretty enough to worship", so they started making their people gods and animal gods out of gold and silver and since those ended up prettier and less smelly than the real things they started worshiping the shiny people and animal gods. Eventually Jesus comes along and personifies what the world should be worshiping. He does and says some wonderful worship-generating things and many people decide He's the one to whom all worship should flow. That works out for a little while and, in fact, the number of people agreeing on Jesus as their God actually grows rapidly and significantly but then, slowly, the old pattern returns. This time, however, for the most part, Jesus is the one that is still considered worship-worthy but humans become unsatisfied with HOW to worship the worship-worthy. That's the mess we're in now. Yes, you're right. It's not a new mess but its damage is nonetheless real. When people decide that they don't like the current god and that they would prefer a god they can deal with or use or hide from they tend to change the Truth to fit their fancy. There is no more glaring example of this deviation from Truth than at the Table of the Lord.



In this ministry we've joined forces, at least in spirit, with other like-minded ministries around the world who are attempting to return the dignity to this simple and lovely ceremony...

The Reign Of HeavensAnonymousLate 17th CenturyImage in the Public Domain



A Colony of Heaven



"This world is not my home, I'm just a'passin' through." That is the well-known first verse of the classic American Gospel Hymn of the same name. All of the lyrics speak to weary Christians but I think it's this one that is most often silently repeated as a means to comfort oneself when the burden of living for God approaches the extremes of mental, physical and spiritual endurance. Before I go much further let me say that today's episode is for those who have already given their lives to Christ and are feeling the pressure of that decision. Now, I suppose I shouldn't sound exclusionary. I don't mean to. As always, anyone and everyone is invited to listen. In fact, let me even encourage non-believers and ESPECIALLY those on the proverbial "fence" to join us because this is one of those lessons that you should listen to before you opt for Christ. I believe in full disclosure. Most others in my business seem to believe in bringing in the saints at all costs...even costs measured in truthfulness and integrity. All is fair, it would seem, in love and altar calls. To me, complete honesty is far more effective in the preservation of the saints. Therefore, I believe in the "no surprises" approach to winning souls. Tell the full truth and let God and the repentant work it out. So, let me issue the following warning: If you've not decided for Christ yet but are considering it, today's lesson may not provide you the motivation to make the final push, but you should still listen.



So, if you're still interested, let me finish this week's little podcast "warm-up". Most of you who have been at this for a while know that being a Christian is not easy. It's true that no one is being fed to lions anymore (although violent persecution of Christians is once again on the rise around the world). Certainly when compared to the early church, being a Christian today is far less deadly. We may not be suffering much under the physical oppression of the world but we are still subject to its spiritual tyranny.



(Joh 15:19)  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.



Just as a, somewhat related, side note, it appears to me that the church world has been trying to bury that verse for the past 100 years. The church doesn't seem to want us to be at odds with the world. From all appearances, it looks like the church wants us all to get along with the world. That sounds good and, to be honest, I would like that too but the church is far too willing to sink to the world's level rather than bring the world up to ours...as Jesus called us to do.



(Mat 28:19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:(Mat 28:20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...



You see, the problem is, doing all that teaching and baptizing is a lot of work in a world that doesn't agree it NEEDS to be taught and baptized. Before long, the world starts to resent the effort. They take it personally (which they should) and after a while, the world looks at those who are trying to do the teaching and baptizing as as a hated enemy. Being a hated enemy is not fun.



In this world, true Christians get pushed to the periphery and treated as outsiders to the point that we eventually feel like foreigners and, to be honest, that's exactly what we are and if you know your Bible you know that condition will not change until Jesus comes to wrap this whole thing up. The commonly used aphorism of the dedicated, yet suffering saint states, "We're in the world but not of it.

The Ascension of Christby Johan Ignatz Zimbal, ca. 1750 Image in the Public Domain



Psalm 24



The Bible is, seriously, one of the most interesting books ever written. Of course, many, many people would disagree with me on that point. To be honest, 30 years ago I would have disagreed with me. I believe that none of us are born with a natural love for heavenly things. In fact, quite the opposite. The Psalmist David spoke for all of us when he said, "I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5) Listen, he wasn't insulting the woman that gave birth to him, he was just stating one of the most important facts of human existence and that is that we are all born with something seriously wrong with us: sin. What's your point? In the unsaved state, the Bible will not thrill you. An unrepentant heart will find nothing of value in Scripture.



(1Jn 5:3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.



Now, having said all of that, the day you give your life to Christ is not the day you gain perfect knowledge of the things of God. That's just the point where you're given a heart open to what He has to say to you through His Word and through His Spirit. The moment you acknowledge Jesus as your Savior is not the day you can climb into any pulpit in America and start preaching the Gospel. It's simply when the ability to grasp eternal things is unlocked. From that point, you must get to work. In order to truly capture the majesty of Scripture you HAVE to study it.



(Jos 1:8)  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein...



(Rom 15:4)  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.



(Pro 2:3)  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;(Pro 2:4)  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;(Pro 2:5)  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.



In this episode we discuss one of the most interesting sections in all the Bible: Psalm 24. (Without the Holy Spirit, you may not agree.) Many of the Psalms were written to celebrate or commemorate certain events from the long, diverse history of the nation Israel. Sometimes the event that inspired the Psalm is obvious and sometimes we have to guess. Psalm 24 belongs to the latter category. However, when judging from the content, most scholars will agree that it was likely written to commemorate the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem after being briefly held by the Philistines as a spoil of one of the many wars between the two nations. However, like almost everything else written in the Bible, the true meaning of Psalm 24 lies somewhere beneath the surface and THAT is what makes this Psalm so incredible. Can you guess what it is really talking about? I think you can.



Join us for this podcast as we attempt to unlock the eternal truth of this lovely gem from the Hebrew song book. But before you do, I urge you to prepare your heart and mind by going to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to open up His Word to you. Ask Him to help you to see in Scripture what seems hidden to so many. Pray that God's Holy Spirit will shine His light on eternal things so that you may apply them to the calling He has placed on your life.

The Holy Spirit as a bird descending with spread wings at top center; the twelve Apostles standing below gesturing to it in front of an archway by Domenico Campagnola-1518 Image in the Public Domain



The Holy Spirit Doesn't Talk Like That in Traffic



Being a Christian is NOT what the world seems to think it is. In fact, strangely, being a Christian is NOT what most of the church world thinks it is either. There are several viewpoints. First let's start with the world view. Simply being a Christian makes you their enemy; no matter whether they say it or not...but they're saying it more and more these days. You may think I'm being dramatic. You may think I'm just trying to add Christians to the ever-growing list of populations bent on extorting those that don't belong to our group into showing us blind, unquestioning respect and unfettered liberty to do as we wish. (Yes, that was social commentary.) Nonetheless, I stand by my statement. Well, it's actually not mine. It's Jesus'.



If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19







It's that hatred that shapes the world view or opinion of what a Christian is. The world disapproves of our outlook on life. They see us as intolerant or rigid or conservative or unloving and even racist! But then they refuse to let us be human. One failure and the label "bigot" is replaced with the equally ugly "hypocrite". To the world, Christians are merely a people who claim to follow a set of rules they themselves disagree with but will quickly condemn when they see us misstep.



We're actually not much better off inside the walls of the church, to be honest. There is just as much judgment and condemnation from the pulpit and the pews as there is from the populace. Our fellow parishioners are ever ready to point out our bunglings as soon as they become known while calling for patience when their own failures surface.



And then there's that segment of the church world that seems to think that freedom from sin is the same as freedom TO sin. "If it feels good, do it because Jesus died to give you that right." To that crowd, forgiveness is equal to permission. They view Grace as pre-payment for future self-indulgence. And then there's that increasingly influential group within Christianity that declares that we must "evolve"; that we must throw away what we once thought was right and wrong and "modernize" our outlook on things we once held as immutably sacred such as the authority of Scripture and the sovereignty of God. They feel the church and God must yield to societal pressure when judging what's just and holy. If we seek the answer to some thorny moral question don't consult the Bible or the Holy Spirit, just ask the world; do an Instagram survey; post a Facebook question; tweet, text or tag. That's the path to truth...but beware, that truth is subject to frequent change.



So, what's a sincere Christian to do? How are those of us that are interested in what Jesus thinks supposed to live? Well, any of you who know this ministry will anticipate my answer. Like we do for ALL other matters, we turn to the Word.



This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.Galatians 5:16



"But, John, how does that apply to me? My problem isn't sexual sin." "I get angry." Or "I have a drug problem." Or "I just find myself going back to my old destructive ways." Well, then this verse does apply to you. In fact, this verse applies to all of us. Galatians 5:16 is far more encompassing than you think. Although we talk in detail about this in today's episode let me just say here that "lust" and "flesh" me...

Moses Consecrates Aaron and His Sons and Offers Their Sin Offering This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0 License.



Christ Our Offering with Communion



You know what I find tragically humorous? Although we humans have been sinning since the beginning, we still don't know exactly how to define it. Even though there is probably nothing more consistent in the human condition, we still can't agree on what sin is. We seem to bicker and debate about it. Sometimes the arguments are even with ourselves. Sometimes, in order to dampen a stinging conscience over something we did, we may try to convince ourselves that as long as no one dies, I'm still okay. We try to persuade our critical inner voice that an act or a behavior has to be salacious or violent or oppressing to be labeled sin; everything else can be ignored. The church doesn't help much. There are places where saying a swear word or looking at a girl's ankles will get you banished to the sinner's bench. And, then, there are other places that like to tell you that there is some sort of sin hierarchy. There are "big" sins like murder and rape. No one is allowed to do those but then we also have "little" sins like taking a wee nip of whiskey for a sore tooth or telling little white lies like, "Yes, Pastor, I did get a lot out of that message". Those aren't too bad and most of us can get away with them and we wouldn't be risking hell. It's all so confusing and not a bit of it is Scriptural.



Now, the Bible has a much simpler (and far more inclusive) definition of sin. The Hebrew and Greek original words that get translated into the English word "sin" are both descriptive and plain. In essence the literal translations are "to fall short" or "to miss the mark". The sense is not hitting a target, an ideal, a goal. In God's Book, "a miss is as good as a mile". There are no such things in the Bible as little sins or big sins. (Interestingly, however, there are big sinners and little sinners. We cover a little of that in this lesson.) God gives no "wiggle room". God does not allow you or I to define sin. God does not allow you and I or anyone to decide whether or not what we do should be categorized as "mortal" or "venial", major or minor. Falling short is falling short. You can't "sort-of" fall short. You can't "kinda" miss the target. That is precisely why Paul says:



(Rom 3:23)  For all have sinned...



In fact, Paul finishes that statement with a literal rendering of the Greek word. "For all have sinned, AND COME SHORT of the glory of God".



The point? You and I are sinners and there is nothing we can do to hide our condition. God knows we're sinners and for that we should be eternally grateful. You see, God not only knows we're sinners but He has done something about it. Believe it or not, God loves you. You may not love yourself but He does and He has made it abundantly clear He does NOT want you apart from Him. The problem, however, is that darn sin condition. It stands between us and a Holy God. He cannot let a single sin go by; not even those sins you and I don't seem too worried about. They must ALL be dealt with before we can be with Him forever and the Bible makes it clear (as does our own experience) that we are incapable of making any difference in our sinfulness...except make it worse.



So, then, how do we get reunited with God? We can't approach Him with the stain of sin on us. Are we and God doomed to be eternally separated? Of course not. Nothing stands in God's way. That's what actually makes Him God. Nothing and no one can defeat Him, not even sin. So...and don't ask me how but God, from the beginning, was prepared. He is our Creator and He knew we would fail so He devised a rescue plan and that rescue plan is His Son.

The Temptation of Christ by the Devil-Woodcut Panel-French Early 16th CenturyImage is in the Public Domain



The Temptation in the Wilderness



It has been said that it is as blasphemous to deny the humanity of Jesus as it is to deny His divinity. The more you understand your Bible the more you're going to see that it could be no other way. In order for the Redemption of mankind to be possible, the Redeemer has to be both man AND God. Our aim is not to prove that in this lesson. Instead, the purpose of this episode is to show you that there is great comfort in knowing that Jesus was very much like you and me.



I think the one thing that surprises most "new" Christians is the fact that this regenerated life we have in Christ is no less challenging than the one we left behind. There are just as many setbacks, disappointments and obstacles as there were before we surrendered to Christ. Well, we shouldn't be surprised. God's Word never claimed it would be any easier. We all seem to assume that once Christ comes into our life that sin will no longer be a factor. We spend those first few brief moments feeling like we're above failure, that we've got that "old man" beat and then just as we're feeling pretty good about ourselves, temptation appears, we fall to it...and then it happens again...and then again and in the end we somehow come to the conclusion that we've failed or that our Salvation "didn't take" or a thousand other foolish thoughts. We get tempted...and it doesn't take very long...as our discussion today attests to...we get tempted and we think that there's something wrong with us. We were just sure that accepting Christ was going to make the temptations glance right off of us and when it actually sticks to us like an ugly, smelly glue, we just assume we're to blame.



The story of the Temptation in the Wilderness shows us that no one is safe from the tricks of the devil. When we read this very personal story from the life of Jesus we can actually see that temptation is just a part of the journey but instead of this being simply a reminder of our vulnerabilities, it is a clearly detailed battle plan. Certainly the devil didn't intend this to happen, but when he decided to go after Jesus all he really did was give the Son of God the opportunity to teach us a vital lesson. Join us for this episode as we discuss the infallible tactic that Our Lord employed to fend off the foolish attacks of Satan.



But, before you begin the lesson, please, take a few minutes to speak to God and ask Him to help you to get to know His Ways better. Ask Him to show you, through His Word and through His Spirit what He expects from you and pray that He will inspire in you an unending desire to live for Him.

Man Protected by the Shield of Faithby Maarten van Heemskerck, 1559Image in the Public Domain



The Other Side of Faith



There is something really quite persistent in God's Word that by virtue of its ubiquity we should not take lightly. Perhaps you know what I'm going to say that persistent something is. If you guessed "faith" then you win a prize...I really don't have a prize for you but I can tell you this, ALL of God's Plans hinge on Faith and no one is exempt. No one can exchange ANYTHING for faith. Well, let me modify that, a bit. You can substitute something for faith but you will not be successful. It is, honestly, the most difficult lesson to teach...and learn. Human beings are doers. I think we suffer from having really good imaginations. We can convince ourselves of just about anything. We see something in our way and think we can move it; no matter what it is. And, you know, not helping matters is the fact that, on the face of it, we've done a pretty decent job, so far. We've put together some pretty magnificent things. We've solved more than a few human-besetting problems (we've caused probably more than we've solved but stay with me). Humans have raised great cities and cured diseases and visited space and many, many other things. We are honestly the most successful species we know of. We "work" through our troubles. We "charge" toward our enemies. We "clear" our obstacles. Doing is what we do. Believing is not.



(Isa 55:8)  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.(Isa 55:9)  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.



Now, God does not say "Don't do." Let's just make sure that's clear. God doesn't say action has no place in His Plan. This isn't part of the lesson but I just want to make sure you've got that straight before we get to the point. God is not advocating you sitting around, waiting for Him to do all the building, planting and harvesting. "Doing" has its part to play but God wants you to know that "acting" is NOT superior to believing and in some things "working" will have no effect whatsoever. The details of all of that is for another time. This lesson is focused on the "believing" part.



In this ministry, we talk a lot about faith. You've heard us argue, from God's Word, that faith is a commandment (1 John 3:23). God expects you to believe and like everything else, God has a very good reason for that. You see, there is something about faith. It has immense power. So much so that it would appear from Scripture that without faith God cannot (or will not) intervene into the lives of men. Jesus confirmed this when He lamented that "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house". (Matthew 13:57) The original infers that His own people did not value who He was. They didn't see Him as the One brought to save them and because of this unbelief, "he did not many mighty works there". (Matthew 13:58) The lack of faith among the Israelites prevented Jesus from performing "mighty works". The Amplified Version of the Bible says "works of power".



Faith is the key to unlocking God's power. There is no explanation in the Bible as to why this is, but it is clear, your faith in God will release His presence and power in your life. Yes, Faith saves. We all know that but faith also helps. When we need God's power, the key to unleashing it is faith. This is not a "Prosperity Gospel" message. The power of faith is not released for your sake but for His. Can I ask for healing for myself? Yes, because you believe He is a healing God and in your healing He will be glorified. Can I ask God to help me with my bills? Yes, because you believe He is your Father and He will provide your "daily bread" and demonstrate to the w...

Pasture Sceneby James HartImage in the Public Domain



Stillness



One of the most ironic truths about the life of Jesus is that He was almost universally seen as a blasphemer by His contemporaries and yet...here is the ironic part...all He ever taught from was Scripture. Down through the previous centuries the Word of God had become so corrupted and thereby completely misunderstood that the Messiah that was clearly spoken of in God's Word was executed by the very people He was so clearly sent to in God's Word because they thought He was a blasphemer. It was all because they misunderstood Scripture. Now, some may think that such a thing would not be their fault. They can't be blamed for improperly perceiving truth and I would agree with that to some degree. However, the real blame, as God also makes abundantly clear, rests on the shoulders of the leaders of the congregation and more specifically the religious leadership. But, let me say, fixing blame for the misunderstanding, misapplying and misappropriating of Scripture is not my intention. My intention here is to simply point out that we have the same problem today. People don't properly understand their Bibles and the results have been disastrous, just as they were for those Israelites who called on Pilate to have Jesus executed.



The difference now, however, is that we have opportunity, ability and access to fix our ignorance. Certainly the task is not an easy one. The vast majority of us today know only translations of Scripture. A very small number of us can speak the original languages of the Bible and no one does so natively. Sure there are people who were born into a Greek speaking or Hebrew speaking culture but remember, these documents are many centuries old and, for the most part, these languages are different than they were when the ink was still drying on those original pages. The point is, we must work to find the full meaning of these Sacred Books. Admittedly, there are portions of Scripture whose meaning still escape even the experts but that should only drive us even harder. After all, we love the Man that is spoken of here and no amount of effort is excessive when compared to the joy of discovering Him.



For millennia, Psalm 37 has comforted many an anxious child of God. However, can I say that perhaps we in our time may have been robbed of some of its beauty. Many of us today don't derive the same peace that those closer to the original language may have. Again, can I say, it's no one's fault but we can trace the source of the problem directly to a misunderstanding. "Rest in the Lord" seems like a very discomforting thing to do for us modern folk and then add in the next statement "and wait patiently for Him" and you have an all-out 21st Century meltdown. The last thing a present-day man or woman wants to do when in crisis is "rest". Then try and include "wait" with a sprinkle of "patiently" and you no longer have a comforting Psalm, you have a frustrating command.



Now, normally I don't go for placating the modern masses but this is so discordant it's worth investigating and that's what we try to do in today's episode. If you love God's Word and want to get the most out of it you can, might I suggest joining us for this podcast. Perhaps you'll see that taking an extra step in investigating Scripture is a worthwhile endeavor in your overall pursuit of getting close to God.



However, before you do anything else, take a moment or two and go to God in prayer and ask Him to help you gain a greater understanding of what Scripture is saying to you. Let God know that all of this is important to you. Convince Him that you want to get to know Him better and ask Him to send His Spirit to guide you into ALL Truth.

Moses and the IsraelitesImage in the Public Domain



Knowing You're a Christian



Although it is one of those things we talk most about in church, especially the evangelical church, Salvation seems to be one of the most misunderstood concepts in Christianity. Don't get me wrong, we know HOW we're saved but we don't know WHY we're saved. Now, of course, I know some of you can very easily give me the standard church-approved response when I ask "Why are you saved?" Most likely you'd say something very theological like, "We are saved so that we can be free." Good answer. But what if I asked, "Free from what", would you know? You see, this is especially a problem here in America because we think of liberty and freedom as meaning "independence". Though that is probably correct...well, arguably correct politically, it is not correct Biblically. Let me shock you by declaring, "There is NO such thing as independence in the Bible." Jesus once said of Himself...actually quoting Scripture, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised..."(Luke 4:18). This is the key verse in understanding what our freedom actually is. We are set free, yes, but you see there that the King James says "set at liberty them that are bruised". That is an odd statement...as written; wouldn't you agree? The original word infers oppression or some sort of pressing down. Some Biblical commentators say the inference is the oppression of sin. Jesus says that He is sent to set us at liberty from the oppression, the pressing down, the bondage, the captivity of sin. But, here is my point, we are free BUT we are not INDEPENDENT. In fact, the opposite. Paul put it perfectly when he said, "...ye are not your own. Ye are bought with a price." (1st Corinthians 6:19-20)



Therefore, there is a reason you were saved and I'll let you in on a secret: it's not so you can happily hop from one heavenly cloud to another upon your arrival in the hereafter. You were bought. The image is purposely that of a slave market. Slaves are NEVER bought to be set free. Slaves are bought to be put to work. If you don't like that then don't accept Jesus' offer (but I beg you to reconsider).



So, why am I telling you this? Because you need to know. It is important that you know who you are. It's important to know who you belong to because knowing who you are and who you belong to is necessary in finding your purpose...and don't we all want to know our purpose? In today's episode we go back to the days of the wandering in the desert. For 40 years the Israelites went from place to place in the barren wilderness region of Palestine. It was grueling and dangerous and the only way they were going to get through it was they had to listen to God and work together. Each man and woman had to know what their part was in God's Plan and then do it. As is usual with God's Word, this has application to us to this very day.



Please join us as we discuss this very important topic out of God's Word. I trust you will find something in it that will help you discover what God has called you to. However, as I say each week, before you begin, make sure you take a moment of two...just you and God, seeking His help in finding His Will for you. Ask Him to open your heart and mind so that His Word can touch you and instruct you and bring you closer to Him.

LamentationJan de BeerImage in the Public Domain



The Violent Cost of Sin (with Communion)



The Christian world has gotten so tidy; wouldn't you say? It's so clean. It's so refined. No harsh words. Not in the least bit upsetting. "All are welcome." "Join us for a joyful experience." "Come be comforted." Those are just some of the more typical messages we see on the signs outside of our churches nowadays; right? We want people to get the impression that they can come in and get something that will make them feel good. We don't want to offend. We don't want to "ruffle any feathers". You know what you won't see on the church billboard? "Come get washed in blood." "Enter here and leave your dead body at the door." "Join us for today's sermon: 'You're a Lowdown, Hell-bound Sinner'". Guaranteed you won't see THAT ONE. In fact, sin is hardly mentioned in most church services except perhaps in some mindless prayer chant written hundreds of years ago...LONG before we got so sophisticated. Fact is, we don't talk about sin in church, anymore. Sin is not on the agenda. It's too depressing and, well, no one wants to go to church to feel bad about themselves. Instead we talk about love and fellowship and glory (ours not His). Most church websites are overflowing with images of happy, smiley people hugging, high-fiving and pleasantly sharing a cup of coffee. Most of the "About Us" sections excitedly tell you about their "contemporary" music service, wide-open arms and modern, comfortable atmosphere. There are lots of screen filling photos of what look like rock concerts with the lights and the fog machines and the mood setting backdrops but are, instead, captioned, "Scenes from last Sunday's Worship Service". In all of the published literature you'll struggle to find any mention of Jesus, hardly a picture of any sort of pulpit and nowhere will the word "sin" be found.



Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:Revelation 3:17



"John, what's wrong with love and fellowship and smiling, hugging and high-fivingly sharing coffee?" Nothing, but if you're gonna invite people to your church, if you're gonna invite people to Christ the honest invitation will say they must come broken. Jesus said He came to seek and save the LOST! I never met a smiling lost person. Jesus said the poor in spirit are blessed. They that mourn will be comforted. Most modern congregations would probably walk out on Jesus if He dared preach the Sermon on the Mount in their church. Too depressing. Too demanding. Too much sacrifice. Yes, Jesus jumped for joy (Luke 10:21) but He also wept. (John 11:35), He groaned. (John 11:33). He experienced agony (Luke 22:44) and hunger (Matthew 21:18) and thirst (John 19:28).



No, I don't think we need to focus on the negative all the time. I don't believe in staying in the shadow of the crucifixion. Joy DID come in the morning, the morning of the Resurrection. It is there that we should live BUT Jesus did purposely ask us to remember His Sacrifice. In that Upper Room, in one of the most touching moments in all the Bible, Jesus looked into the eyes of His friends with the symbols of His Body and Blood in view as tokens of the brutal price He would shortly thereafter pay and simply said, "Do this in remembrance of Me." He didn't say slap each other on the back and split a doughnut with your neighbor or tell amusing golf-related anecdotes or jump up and down to earsplitting guitar riffs at praise and worship. Some of those things have their place but that place is NOT up front. His life and violent death should be honored as the most important event that has ever happened TO YOU.



I know this is not a popular view.

The Rock of Gibraltar from the 1880sArtist UnknownImage in the Public Domain



The Faithful God



Have you ever heard said of someone, "That guy is steady as a rock"? Perhaps you know someone like that. Maybe someone has said it about you. He's as "solid as the Rock of Gibraltar". That's a well-known saying; isn't it? It's a compliment we give to people who can be counted on because we view the Rock of Gibraltar as the very emblem of unshakable reliability. In fact, a very old and very well-known insurance company decided to use the Rock of Gibraltar as their corporate symbol. According to their website, in 1896 this company adopted the marketing slogan, "The Prudential has the strength of Gibraltar". If you're in the insurance business you want your customers to know you'll be around awhile; right? You want the insured to know you can be counted on; don't you? To this very day, you will see the Rock of Gibraltar in the Prudential Insurance corporate logo.



Corporate Logo for Prudential Insurance



There are a few more interesting points I want to make about this famous natural landmark that have some relevance to today's lesson. The Rock of Gibraltar, known in antiquity as one of the pillars of Hercules...no doubt adding to its legendary mystique of power and invincibility, was formed during the Jurassic Period according to a paper published by Earlham College. It was, most likely made when shells of sea creatures accumulated eventually forming a large limestone promontory. However, what we see today is NOTHING like it was millions of years ago. Here is the relevant point; the point that I want to make that relates to our podcast for today. One of the characteristics of limestone, the rock that forms "The Rock" (Gibraltar, not the actor) is that it is made up of calcite and calcite dissolves...albeit sometimes quite slowly, in water. The Rock of Gibraltar is now actually at the tip of a peninsula. You know what a peninsula is; don't you. A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded, on three sides, by water and, over the many millennia, this surrounding water has significantly CHANGED this mighty formation that ironically stands as a symbol of permanence. Some have suggested that what now sits on one side of the Strait of Gibraltar may have, at one time, stretched all the way across it, cutting the Mediterranean Sea off from the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, one of the more popular features of the Rock of Gibraltar that draws so many tourists, year after year, are the many caves that crisscross its interior. Well, these caves have only appeared relatively recently (geologically speaking, of course). In other words, there were no caves in the Rock of Gibraltar when it was first formed. Slowly the inside AND the outside of the Rock of Gibraltar have changed, significantly. If you and I were around 4.5 million years ago and we decided to visit the Rock of Gibraltar, it would look very different than it does now.



"What's your point?" The Rock of Gibraltar, that paragon of permanence, that shrine of stability, that rock-hewn chapel of unchangingness is, in fact, in a constant state of changing. Yes, the change is slow but it is changing. Time, wind and waves are slowly but steadily transforming this wonder of nature that we seem to think is immutable. I suppose we could even say that this momentous natural structure will eventually return to the sediment from whence it came. It's just another example of the inevitable truth of the statement of the so-called "weeping prophet", Heraclitus. He famously observed that "Nothing endures like change". All created things change and, what's worse is most of that change, is, in fact, deterioration. Everything changes. Everything eventually breaks down (see 2nd Law of Thermodynamics). Of all the things I have said to you over the years you must agree this is the lea...

Sir John Everett Millais (British, Southampton 1829–1896 London) The Wicked Husbandman (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ), 1864 British, Image in the Public Domain



The Parable of the Tenants



We Christians have been at "this" so long that we don't even question what "this" actually is. Most of us walk into church every Sunday and, sometimes Wednesday, and we just do whatever we did the previous Wednesday or Sunday. We are told to kneel, we kneel. We are told to sing, we sing. We're told to offer peace to the person sitting next to us and we robotically comply. But I suspect...with a high degree of confidence that if someone were to ask the kneeling, singing, peace offering church goer why they kneel and sing and offer peace most would point toward the pulpit and say "he told me to". Church, to most of us, is not much more than following orders. Believe me, I know. I knelt, sang and peace-offered on cue for most of my life. I "toed the line" loyally, never once asking myself "why". After all, I'm old enough to have witnessed the once-common stinging consequences of religious curiosity. Don't ask, don't swell. The church was in charge and they made sure you didn't forget it. Though the methods may have changed, the philosophy has not.



Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not an anarchist. I believe in leadership. I believe God's intention is to put men in leadership positions over His people. The Bible makes that clear. Jesus makes that clear and His Parable of the Tenants tells us that. Whenever Jesus told a parable He was trying to describe either what the Kingdom is like OR what it is not like. Theologians categorize them as Parables of Comparison or Parables of Contrast. The Parable of the Tenants, our topic for this week, is a Parable of Comparison and in it Jesus tells us that God's Plan for His people includes assigning leadership roles. God intends you and I and His Creation to be led and administered by mankind. Why? We don't know. For how long? We aren't told but His current method of getting things done involves human leadership and, according to Jesus, we have made quite a mess of it. That's the central point of the Parable of the Tenants. That's why He told that story.



God's Word is vital to our relationship with Him. He has called us all to produce fruit and He has provided everything we need to fulfill that calling. The Parable of the Tenants (sometimes called the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen) serves to warn us of the implications of misusing what He has given us. We were created to serve Him and He will, someday, return to collect His due.



I realize this little introduction is not very pleasant. I realize that what I put here may not motivate you to eagerly listen to this weeks podcast but, nonetheless, I encourage you to join us for this most important discussion from God's Word. But, as always, before you get started, go to the Father in prayer and ask Him to open your heart and mind and make you receptive to all that He has to say to us: the sweet as well as the stern; the comforting as well as the corrective; the renewing as well as the rebuking.