Greatest chapter in the New Testament

Luke 15:11-12 (NLT)

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

These are the first two verses of the famous parable of the Prodigal Son.  Prodigal Son means “wasteful and extravagant”.  This son exemplifies a common characteristic of immediate gratification.  What amazed Jesus’ listeners then and even today is that the father in the story agreed with his son’s request.  If you are a father, would you agree to give your son his share of your estate right now knowing that he was going to leave you and foolishly lose it all?  Especially with a son like the son in this story who wanted everything of the father he could give without wanting the father personally.  Doesn’t that sound like people today who want all the blessings of God, but want no relationship with Him?  Yet the father in the story divided his wealth between his two sons and allowed the prodigal son to waste it all.        

I believe that the Prodigal Son story and the other two stories in Luke 15 make this chapter the greatest chapter in the New Testament.  Why?  Because it shows how much God cares about the lost of the world.  It shows how great the love of God is, greater than any human is capable of loving.  God shows His love for sinners, a characteristic that humans rarely have.  You read in Luke 15:20 where the father, representing God, ran to greet his lost son.  This is the only reference in the entire Bible where God ran.  He ran to greet a sinner.  He ran to be reunited with his sinful, lost son.  That is a remarkable picture that unquestionably depicts the unconditional love God has for his children, regardless of what they do.  Jesus displayed this same love on the cross with his unbelievable utterance while being tortured, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).   

Rob Bell wrote a very controversial best-selling book, Love Wins (HarperOne, 2011) where he questions the prevailing position of the Christian community that of billions of people who have ever lived on earth, only a select few, those who have declared faith in Jesus Christ, will end up in heaven.  Bell asks the following question (page 2) “Has God created millions of people over tens of thousands of years who are going to spend eternity in anguish?  Can God do this or even allow this, and still claim to be a loving God?”  Now I am not defending or agreeing with Rob Bell’s position (you have to read the book to gain your own perspective), but I am intrigued by his use of the Prodigal Son story to make most of his points.  One of those points, relevant to verses 11 and 12 here, is that no matter how much and how terrible people sin, the Father’s love cannot be taken away.  Nor can the Father’s love be earned.  It just is.

Perhaps you have been a prodigal at one time or another in your life and you have a prodigal child or children.  Realize that God loves and forgives you regardless of your sins, and you should aspire to be like Him with those who exasperate you at times. Jesus’ stories in Luke 15 clearly point out His association with sinners and His willingness to forgive them.  What an unbelievably loving God we serve.   

Read as much as you can about the various stories from the Prodigal Son parable and what the three main characters—the younger son, the older son, and the father—teach you about the ways of man and the ways of God and how opposite God’s ways are from man’s ways. 

Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God

I Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

 

I Corinthians 10:23-31 focuses on the Christian conscience (see also Romans 14).  Christians must never do things from a selfish standpoint.  Rather, Christians should think about what best benefits others.  Indeed so much easier said than done.  In verse 27, Paul advised his readers that if a believer is invited to an unbeliever’s home for dinner, you should go and eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for conscience’s sake.  However, if you are there with another believer and that believer has a weaker conscience than you, then you are to do nothing that will cause that weaker Christian (or even the unbeliever) to stumble (see also Romans 14:23).  If the meat served has been offered to idols and you know that the weaker Christian would have a problem with you eating it, even if you don’t have a problem eating it, you should not eat it.  This is the background for Paul stating in this passage that whatever you do, including eating and drinking, do it all for the glory of God. 

The primary principle to follow in the life of a Christian is to glorify God in everything that you do.  A second primary principle is described in verse 32 where the Christian must also do all he/she can to put others’ needs first and do nothing to cause them to stumble. 

What does it mean to glorify God?  Well, first realize that you were created to glorify God.  You must never forget this!  You are here on this earth to glorify God.  You ask, “why am I here, why I am alive, what is my purpose?”  It is to glorify God with what he has given you—time, talent, and treasure---and in all that you do in your life.  Isaiah 43:7 declared:  “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made”.  Whether you believe this or not, the Bible is clear that God created you for His purpose and pleasure.  Colossians 1:16 (Message) says that “For everything, absolutely everything…….. everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.”  You were not brought into this world by accident.  God created you (read Psalm 139:13-16) and because He created you, you are never insignificant.  He created you for His purposes and if you haven’t already (or even if you have) you need to read Rick Warren’s book Purpose Driven Life to help you realize what your purpose in life is if you don’t already know. 

OK, so what does it mean to glorify God as His created child?  Well, it’s simple although of course it’s easier said than done.  To glorify God means to bring Him honor in everything you do---what you think, what you speak, what you do.  You glorify God by what you do with your body (I Corinthians 6:20).  You glorify God by putting Him first in your life, meaning that you have no other idols, no higher priorities in your life other than to please Him.  You please Him by being obedient to what He says in His Word.  Of course, you need to know what His Word says.  To glorify God means that you speak about Him to others, that you are not ashamed of your relationship with Him.  You glorify God by doing good works that others see and they in turn glorify God (Matthew 5:16).  To glorify God is to talk to Him, to listen to Him, to think about Him often throughout your day, not just on Sunday morning for an hour or so.  To glorify God is to give thanks to Him everyday for all His provisions and blessings.  Glorifying God also includes suffering for Him, with suffering often the result of your denying yourself sinful pleasures in deference to Him.  Your ultimate goal in life is to become more and more like Christ and reflect the glory of God in you (II Corinthians 3:18b)  

The best way to glorify God is to ask yourself before doing anything whether or not you think God would be pleased with what you are about to do.  The problem is that most of us never think to ask that question before we proceed to do it or say it or think it.  It’s a discipline that must be learned through daily practice and daily discipline that some master and others never do. 

“God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him” -- John Piper  

Sin of lukewarm faith

Revelation 3:15-17 (NLT)

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!  You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

There is debate about the true interpretation of Revelation 2 and 3 and the seven letters to seven churches.  Three main views exist and perhaps they all are true.  First, these are seven real churches and their conditions at the time John wrote Revelation.  Second, the conditions of these churches are directed to every church and every individual believer in every generation.  That is, the descriptions of each of the seven churches are what exist at any time in the history of the church, including today.  Third, each church represents the progression of the stages of the Christian church from its beginning to today.  Again, all three perspectives are true. 

The seventh church, the church of Laodicea, is the subject of Revelation 3:14-22. The church of Laodicea represents the church today.  It is the church of the last days prior to what is written in the rest of Revelation leading to the Second Coming of Christ.  What is the main characteristic of today’s church according to the description of the Laodicean Church?  Lukewarmness.  Complacency.  Apathy.  Mediocrity.  And what does Jesus think of today’s church?  Not much.  In fact, of the seven churches, the church of Laodicea is the only church that does not have words of commendation from the Lord. 

How does the Lord really feel about a lukewarm commitment to Him?  Review what He says through John: (1) I wish you were one or the other; (2) if you are lukewarm I spit you out of my mouth; and (3) your lukewarm commitment makes you wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.  To say that the Lord hates lukewarmness might be an understatement.  Just as many people find lukewarm beverages the least appealing of all temperatures, God finds lukewarm believers the worst kind of believer.  Your tendency to spit out a drink that you expected to be hot or cold…………so the Lord spits out (removes from His presence) those who are lukewarm in their commitment to Him. 

Charles Stanley, in his book, Confronting Casual Christianity (Broadman and Holdman, 1998), presents many examples of lukewarm commitment (e.g. lack of moral and spiritual impact in others’ lives, lack of biblical knowledge, lack of genuine prayer, lack of telling others about Christ, and so many churches (and pastors) faltering because of lack of financial and other support).  Why?  Stanley writes:  “God’s people, most of them, have made a decision about Jesus…..but have never made a commitment to Him”.  And that lack of true commitment, after making a decision to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, is what the Lord hates.

David Wilkerson, pastor of a New York City church, said[1]:  "God hates the lukewarm gospel of half-truths that is now spreading over the globe. This gospel says, 'Just believe in Jesus and you'll be saved. There's nothing more to it.' It ignores the whole counsel of God, which speaks of repenting from former sins, of taking up your cross, of being conformed to the image of Christ by the refining work of the Holy Spirit. It is totally silent about the reality of hell and an after-death judgment."

Are you guilty of lukewarmness?  A lukewarm Christian may actually be an unsaved person who thinks he/she is saved.   If Revelation 3:14-22 is to be believed, then the church as a whole today is lukewarm so there must be the majority of people who claim that they are believers in Christ who also individually are lukewarm in what they do for Christ.  They want all the benefits of Christianity (eternal life, peace, freedom from guilt, supernatural help with life’s challenges and problems), but little to none of the responsibilities.  Does this describe you?  What a vulnerable, eternally dangerous situation you are in if it does.  Don’t deceive yourself.  Do something about it.  Either become hot for the Lord or withdraw completely, don’t “straddle the fence”, don’t remain half-committed.  He hates that.  Yet, He loves the person who recognizes his sinful situation, confesses it, and works toward a rededicated life fully committed to serving the Lord.  What will it take for you to be “hot”, to be fully committed to the Lord?

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[1] http://puregospeltruth.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/67/

Love Song

Song of Songs 1:15 (NASB)

How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful you are……

If you are a regular church attendee and participate in Bible studies somewhere, you likely will agree that you never hear a sermon from the Song of Songs book or ever do a Bible study on this book.  Not sure why, just an observation.

The Song of Songs (also known as Song of Solomon and also called Canticles) is one of the five poetry books of the Old Testament that follows Job, the Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.  While the author is Solomon (it is viewed that Solomon wrote Song of Songs in his youth, Proverbs in his prime of life, and Ecclesiastes when he was old and weary of the world), the book is written both from a man and woman’s viewpoint.  Song of Songs represents not only the love between a husband and his wife, but also the love relationship between God and the human soul and between Jesus Christ and His church.

This book or song might be the most difficult book in the entire Bible to understand; likely why you don’t hear it preached or taught.  Critics, well, the prudish, also avoid the book because of its sensuality (the word “breast(s)” is mentioned at least eight times). Yes, the book contains Hebrew poetry and expresses love between man and woman, but what does it all mean?  I don’t have the answers but perhaps you might be challenged to study the book and come up with your own answer for what it means.   

I simply wish to share this one verse from Song of Songs as a reminder to all husbands and to all men in love with a special woman that the woman in your life is indeed beautiful.  Actually this word “beautiful’ in the Hebrew also means “handsome” to it can apply to husbands too.  Beautiful has many meanings, including “excellent”.  Regardless of age or appearance, the love of your life can be called “beautiful” or “excellent”. 

Glenn Pease authored “A Love Poem to a Much Loved Wife”[1] that fits what true love for your wife really means.   If you are a married man click on the website reference and enjoy how these words might apply directly to your innermost feelings toward the woman you love and who you chose to live with the rest of your life.  Here are a couple of lines from this magnificent poem:   

            It is the wonder of my love for the wife God gave to me.

            For nothing in the heavens above, are as awesome as is she.

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[1] http://www.shelovesgod.com/library/poem.cfm?articleid=5667

Jesus is the vine, His followers are the branches

John 15:1-7 (NLT)

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” 

I was visiting my daughter and family in Newcastle, WA where they have a new house with tall evergreen trees in their backyard.  Many had lower dead limbs that looked ugly and were useless so I cut them off.  If a limb still had some live branches, I cut off the dead ones but pruned or left alone the live ones.  The trees looked better and healthier. 

In this passage the Father, the gardener (or vinedresser), cuts off every branch that does not produce fruit.  Note that these fruitless branches belong to Jesus (“of mine”).  Who are these people?  They are people who say that they believe in Jesus, but there is no fruit in their lives.  Therefore, they are not true Christians since even with the most immature Christian there is still some fruit being borne.  Their belief is superficial and such people are not truly saved.  Judas Iscariot was a clear example of such a person.  Other parts of Scripture where such superficial followers of Christ are found include John 2:23-25, 6:64-66, 8:45-47, and I John 2:19.

True believers, those who bear fruit in others’ lives, are the live branches.  Live branches are well connected to the vine.  The vinedresser keeps pruning the branch so that it bears much fruit.  That is what the Father is doing constantly with the lives of true Christians.  He keeps pruning to enable spiritual growth (Matthew 7:16-20, Ephesians 2:10, James 2:17,22).  Examples of spiritual pruning might include suffering that helps to remove worldly influences from your life that hinder your ability to serve Christ and His church (see Hebrews 12:7-11).

Note the great importance and benefits of being connected to the vine (Jesus).  His message will purify you.  You will bear fruit (positively impact and influence others’ lives).  He says that apart from Him you can do nothing (nothing that has lasting spiritual significance).  And, by being connected to Him and obeying His words, your prayers will be answered. 

   

Is Jesus the vine in your life?  Or, are there other vines in your life (e.g. money, possessions, position, career, relationships other than Him) that compete with Him?  What kind of branch are you?  You can tell yourself by asking this question:  Are you bearing fruit in others’ lives?  A branch cannot bear fruit if it is separated from the vine.  You cannot accomplish meaningful things in others’ lives by your own power and strength.  You cannot bear any fruit if you are not abiding in Him.  But, if you are abiding in Him, you will bear much fruit in the lives of others, the same kind of fruit that the Holy Spirit bestows---love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  There is no better kind of life than a life that adds and contributes these kinds of qualities in others’ lives.