"Faith That Works: The Treasure of Trials, pt 2," James 1:4–5

One of the most fascinating characters in early American history has always been our 7th president, a man who went by the nickname "Old Hickory." Andrew Jackson. If you were to ask his neighborhood friends growing up, he was the least likely of all of them to become president one day. Jackson’s boyhood friends just couldn’t understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson’s friends said, “Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now.” Another friend responded, “How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn’t they usually say three times and out?” “Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat—he would never stay ‘throwed.’ Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner.”
It’s not if you get “throwed,” or how many times; but what you do about it! (From Our Daily Bread).

The first point to observe is James 1:4, "perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." God’s people must persevere so they may be mature and complete. The twelve tribes of scattered believers should have continued persevering so they might be mature and complete, and so should we.
What does "mature" mean? "Complete"? The word for mature in Greek means “to meeting the highest standard; perfect.” This is the same root for the word “finish” in v. 3, meaning “finish, complete, end.” Persevering during trials is not just an end in itself; but for the purpose of becoming more mature; eventually “Holy as God is Holy.”
It's like going to work everyday. Some of us do it because we like it. We’re “special.” Most people work because at the end of so many days of working they receive money. So too, persevere through trials because you will receive the reward of spiritual growth and maturity: one step closer to being like Christ Jesus.

The same way with trials. They are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. We're supposed to be more mature in the end, so if that trial comes up again we are not as affected. If someone picks on you, makes fun of you, or gossips about you everyday, and everyday it affects you terribly, then you have passed through the trial without perseverance or maturity. Ralph P. Martin, observed correctly that the idea of maturity pertains to character, not works.
Maturity = WHO YOU ARE; NOT WHAT YOU DO.
James emphasizes later in 2:14, “what good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?”

The goal of being "Holy as I am Holy" is such a high and lofty goal. I watched a martial arts instructor show his students a new form, and it was very difficult for the students to hold that stance for 15 or 30 seconds. He calmly said the goal was to hold it for 4 hours. What! The instructor did not expect them to hold that stance for 4 hours that day, or the next day, or the next week, or even the next month! Perhaps in 5 years if they were disciplined.

That's what James is telling us. Eventually, after a life of discipline and perseverance, you should be mature, complete! Lacking nothing! By God's grace it is possible! One step at a time. Just keeping taking one step.

One of my mentors in ministry used to tell me, regarding reaching the world for Christ, "How do you eat an elephant?" (I have to admit, the first time I was confused, maybe like you are right now, but stay with me). "One bite at a time. It's too big." Take maturity one step at a time. One trial at a time.
Another question comes to mind then: Isn’t perseverance performing the proper acts or actions that please God? Isn’t God happy about that? Yes! But God wants people whose hearts are changed for Him, not just their outer acts. The prophets condemned Israelites for outward acts without an inward motive towards godliness. They said to “rend your hearts not your garments." They had a habit of repenting and showing their deep repentance by grabbing their front shirt collars and ripping them in two down the center, reflecting the broken heart. In Isaiah God said, “I hate your worthless sacrifices and festivals," or in 1 Samuel "to obey is better than sacrifice."
God always has and always will desire character over all.

Ask the question: Who are you when no one else is around? Are you meeting the highest standard or perfect? Are you better than the last time you were alone? How about with others?

Have you heard of a grindstone? DEFINITION OF A GRINDSTONE: a disc-shaped stone that revolves and is used to sharpen, grind, or polish edge tools. James Hewitt said, “Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds you down or polishes you up depends on what you are made of.”[1] What are you made of? Think about that. D. L. Moody said, “Character is who you are in the dark.”[2]

James spoke exactly about this when he said "determine it joy when you encounter various trials." The grindstone will come, but you persevere.

This concept is very important to me as a pastor. Every pastor has a different emphasis, usually one of these five: teaching/discipleship, worship, evangelism, fellowship, or service. My focus has always been the first one, on making mature believers. Jesus called us to make disciples not decisions. A mature Christian will properly worship, witness, love the other brethren, and serve the Lord. Mature Christians will understand that God is the owner, they are the manager. James' point is to become such a mature Christian.

Character and perseverance working together combine to make the great "d" word. Discipline.

Jerry West said, “You can’t get too much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”[3]
Another word is here, the word for complete, which means in the original language, “being complete and meeting all expectations.”

Principle #1: Trials are guaranteed; treasures are not.

Review what James said earlier: "consider it joy whenever you encounter various trials," not "if ever," but "whenever." Trials are guaranteed.

Now he says to let perseverance finish its work so that you "will definitely" be mature and complete? No, so that "you may/might" be.

We have a choice when we come to a trial, that we don't automatically experience a trial and come out with a treasure. It is possible you're reading this, and disappointed because during a previous hardship you think you came out without anything in the end. It may not be over, but it you may have missed the treasure too.

It's not just the people who come on Sundays and show more flamboyant expressions of their faith who are more spiritual. If you're in a trial, God is interested in you, and is looking for your character and nature.

Attitude is so important enduring a trial. We have to have the attitude of persevering through it if we are to become more mature. Joe Theismann illustrates this. For twelve years he quarterbacked the Washington Redskins, and during the 1983-1984 seasons he helped lead his team to two Superbowls. He finished his career as Washington's all time leading passer. He had an interesting insight reflecting on the two Superbowls, and the two different rings. The first Superbowl he was so passionate and excited, and the team won. The second Superbowl he left with the loser's ring instead of the winner's. He said later on, "I got stagnant. I thought the team revolved around me. I should have known it was time to go when I didn’t care whether a pass hit Art Monk in the 8 or the 1 on his uniform. When we went back to the Super Bowl, my approach had changed. I was griping about the weather, my shoes, practice times, everything.
Today I wear my two rings--the winner’s ring from Super Bowl XVII and the loser’s ring from Super Bowl XVIII. The difference in those two rings lies in applying oneself and not accepting anything but the best."[4]
Can attitude make that much difference when we experience a trial? Absolutely! Fill a glass half way with water, and ask someone if it is half full or half empty, and it will reflect their attitude.

So first, we must persevere through trials in order to be mature. I pray for our church, family, friends, community of Darlington, and other family and friends spread out all over the world that they might be more mature and that they might persevere. I especially pray for our church family to persevere and become more mature.

Second, if you lack wisdom, ask of God who gives it graciously. Earlier James had said we should be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (remember, hold that stance for 4 hours!).

If a Christian finds him or herself lacking wisdom, they should ask from God.
If any of you lacks” piggybacks off of the previous conditional phrase: “you may become mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

So James, do I have the ability to persevere through the trial not lacking anything, or will I discover after my trial that I am lacking something? Which is it?

Someone may be reading this, and despite all that has been written, you have come through a trial and can't find one good reason for it.

That's why James wrote verse 5. For the times when we cry out, "What good was my suffering?"

Ask God. He gives better and more graciously than the haughty people around James when he wrote this. Many gave to be seen by men (see Matthew 5-6), but God gives without haughtiness or arrogance, or spite. He gives graciously. Aren't you glad?

Implied is that we have to realize we don't have wisdom in order to ask of it. In spite of all our accomplishments, our house, cars, kids, symbols of status, we don't have all the wisdom that we could have.

This verse has been so instrumental to me and my faith. I claim it and pray it all the time, especially as a pastor. Sometimes I cry out to God saying, "Lord, I have no idea how You want us to handle this situation! If you don't give me the wisdom, we will sink!" That happens once every two years or so (hopefully you're laughing. If not, well . . .).

Proverbs 2:6 says, “The Lord [Yahweh] gives wisdom.” Isn't that good to have memorized? Proverbs also tells us more on how to find wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom,” (Prov 1:7)

If you've decided to be god in your life, you're off to a bad start on finding wisdom. Seek God, find wisdom. If someone is crying out for help, God is listening! Asking here means prayer, talking to God. I have yet to ask for wisdom and God not provide it. The wisest people I have met are those who have suffered through a trial.

I am amazed at finding some teachers once in a while who say that if you're suffering it's because you don't have enough faith. Then I have to take out 2 Timothy 3:12 from the Bible, which promises everyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Also tear out James 1, "whenever you encounter various trials." (by the way, all those I've known who are preachers and teach this--they all suffer greatly. I find that interesting).

Jonny Erickson Tada, 1967 driving accident left her paralyzed (CLARIFICATION; yes a DIVING ACCIDENT—updated 2/15/09 after finding out from http://www.joniandfriends.org/ I at first said she was in a diving accident, then during the audio copy of this message I had found a misinformation capsule, and changed it to "driving." However, I am sure now it was a "diving" accident.) She could have remained anonymous and paralyzed, but the treasure of her trial was to use her disability and good attitude to share the love of Christ with the world. She has done so.

Some trials in life invite perseverance, and leave us a choice. We can grow and mature if we take the initiative. For example, we can witness, attend the Contagious Christian class, and possibly find a way to share Christ with that person who we know who is lost. Or we can wonder what would have happened to them eternally if we had stepped out in faith, and how we might have matured. Part of the process of trials is the gift of wisdom.

Principle #2: Every Trial is an opportunity for a treasure

God is sovereign. James doesn't say, "God will give you wisdom," he says, "it will be given to him." It means that when you find that wisdom, you may not find it in a vision of Jesus like Paul saw on the road to Damascus, it is from God directly or indirectly.

“It will be given” is passive, even though we know it comes from God. It shows God’s sovereignty, as the Mover behind all the scenes.
We miss so much of what God wants for us because we go through trials, but don’t get the treasure.
Let me leave the reader with one last illustration that shows sometimes our trials have treasures we miss. Persevere, have a proper attitude, trust in God, look for wisdom. A boy went everyday from his cottage to the river to collect water in his bucket. He had a pinhole in the bucket so it would leak all the way home along the trail. He complained everyday because ¼ of the water in his bucket never made it home. One day in spring a long row of flowers budded, and gradually grew all along the pathway between the cottage and the river, and though the boy still complained that he had a hole in his bucket, he really liked the flowers. Their scent of honey and the swarms of butterflies and bees made the trip to the river everyday fascinating. Yet he complained even more about his imperfect bucket. Finally he was so irritated and consumed by the bucket that he threw it away and spent all he had to get a new one. His problems were solved. It cost him a lot, but he no longer felt so frustrated. Life was good. Yet, after a few days the flowers wilted by the path, and the bees and butterflies were gone. He was consumed by his own trial so much that he didn’t realize it was also a blessing to him, and to others.
Will you do me a favor, and everyone else in your life? Will you stop during your next trial and look around. Maybe there is a treasure in that trial; maybe you are suffering for a greater good; maybe God wants to use you to bring joy and happiness into someone’s life.
Maybe the very thing that is a pain in your life is a blessing in someone else's, and one day will be a blessing in yours.

Review:
We must persevere to receive the treasure of maturity (v. 4)
Principle #1: Trials are guaranteed; treasures are not
Maturity = WHO YOU ARE; NOT WHAT YOU DO.
If we lack wisdom, we can ask God who gives graciously (v. 5)
Principle #2: Every Trial is an opportunity for a treasure

[1] Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, s.v. character.
[2] Swindoll, s.v. character.

[3] The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell, p. 65.
[4] Reader’s Digest, January 1992, also on http://bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=98, as of 2/28/09, 6pm.

Faith that Works: The Treasure of Trials, pt 1 (James 1:1–3)

The idea of trials happening to Christians is something not every pulpit permits these days. It is a secret in some places, and in others it is denied, being covered up as "unbelief." There is no secret, however, in Scripture, that if you serve Christ you should prepare to suffer trials

A young teenager dove into the water and was paralyzed as a result of a tragic accident. After decades of using this platform to minister to others, Joni Erickson Tada was visiting a prominent pool in Jerusalem which in Biblical times had supposed healing properties. Instead of wanting to be healed, she thanked God for her paralysis, because without it she would have have had so many opportunities to share Jesus Christ and His love with people around the world.
A year ago or so I read a letter from a person who suffered from cancer. She not only was okay, but she praised God for allowing her to experience such growth and maturity through cancer, and wished everyone could experience such maturity. My first reaction was "no thanks." But think about it in light of James. If it were not for the events in life that cause us to cry out to God, where would you be spiritually?
The first question when looking at a book of the Bible is "what is the background." Why is that important? Context. Context is what makes the difference in interpreting Scripture. In English, for example, if you use the phrase "how does she run?" You could be referring to a woman running, a girl running, an engine, a faucet or sink, or many other options. The phrases before and after affect the meaning. So who was James? Who was his audience? When did he write this epistle?

The date and the author go hand in hand. There are 4 James mentioned in the NT. James the son of Alpheus, one of the twelve disciples (Mark 3:18). James the father of Judas (not Iscariot), one of the Twelve Disciples (Luke 6:16). The problem with these first two James is that they are not the likeliest candidate because they are not given much prominence after their catalog highlight. Another possibility is James the son of Zebedee, who was brother of John, and one of the three disciples in the inner circle of Jesus—the other two being John his brother and Peter. (Mk 1:19). Problems: He was martyred in AD 44 (Acts 12:2) and this letter was most likely written after AD 45, probably AD 48 (as the pew Bibles at FBC say) when believers were no longer only in Jerusalem but scattered because of Peter and Paul’s Missionary journeys. (Note: The letter was probably written before the Jerusalem council as well, in AD 49–50 mentioned in Acts 15, because it definitely should have been alluded to if it had happened). The fourth James is a likely possibility, who is James the brother of Jesus, first mentioned in Matthew 13:55 as half brother of Jesus.
What made this fourth James stand out? He has more appearances in a prominent role in the church of Jerusalem and amongst Paul's letters. Paul had a high regard for James, Jesus’ brother, because he visited only him and Peter in Jerusalem (Gal 1:19, Acts 9:26–30), after his conversion c. AD 33. James was an authoritative figure (Acts 12:17, 15:13 as leader of Jerusalem council in c. AD 49 on the role of works in salvation; 21:18, “James and the elders"). James grew up with Jesus, but did not believe his older brother was the Messiah, as John records (John 7:5, “For not even his brothers were believing in Him”). After Christ’s resurrection, the risen Jesus appeared to Peter and the disciples, then James, and then the apostles (1 Cor 15:7). So James saw Jesus risen from the dead—which most likely was what convince him that his half brother was the Messiah. We know James believed in his brother as Messiah, because Acts 1:14 records that Jesus’ brothers and mother were with the disciples after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, praying with them. What would it have been like to grow up with Jesus as an older brother? What a model of perfection to live up to! "James, Jesus would have had that done without all the complaining." "James, Jesus always cleans up his mess. Can't you be more like your brother?" How did James feel when He was crucified? If anyone knew Jesus, it would be James. If anyone could witness to the fact that Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, it was James. If anyone experienced the full spectrum of how people respond to Jesus Christ it was James, who rejected Jesus and later was a sold out follower of Jesus. He became a strong pillar and leader of the church.
So, the James spoken of in Acts and by Paul as leader of the Jerusalem church, and who wrote this epistle was most likely the half brother of Jesus Christ. That is who we will be referring to as the author. Side note: Jude, another of Jesus’ brothers, wrote a book with his first name on it as well (before Revelation).
What was James' theology and his message? First, James leaned more towards the legalist Jewish believers than Paul did. He emphasized believers should do good works, though not for salvation. Later, James would be involved in the great debate that arose in Acts 15 where some believed “faith plus works” and others “faith without works” (the right one). You can see some of his emphasis towards faith producing good works in this letter. The Jews who believed Jesus to be their Messiah were divided. Some believed:
1. Have faith in Jesus for salvation, but still observe the entire Mosaic Law (circumcision, ten commandments, Sabbath rules, not eating unclean meat, etc). But the Law was not intended as a part of salvation, but as a covering until salvation. Doing the Law and saying you believe in Jesus is like people today saying, “Yes, I believe,” then trusting in baptism, communion, or other good works to also save. Only faith in only Jesus can save.
2. Some believed “Have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation alone, and that’s the end of it” No need to do any works at all for God (like some American Christians today). Keep the pews warm and God will be happy. WRONG! Give God everything once (me, wife, kids, TV, Internet, job, money, car, house, free time), then take it all back. Not according to the Bible. Not according to James. Faith that works is faith, then works. You can see a stronger emphasis in James on works as a proof of salvation than in Paul's writings. Many of the ideas that required compromise in Acts 15 were surfacing here in James, and reading James versus reading Paul one can see why they might lead some to think there were two factions of Christianity. However, there were not. James and Paul compliment one another.

3. Some believed, as James and Paul wrote, to be saved and have eternal life; then through the Spirit do good works. THAT’S THE MESSAGE OF JAMES = faith should be perfect, with wisdom, and endure suffering.

James didn't believe you can be saved and live like the devil because of eternal security. James believed you can be saved and live like the Lord.
Now that we've mastered that overall principle of James (ha ha) let's get into chapter one.

First, James' admonition is in v. 2: We need to look at trials as Golden opportunities to prove our faith. In other words, the treasure that comes through a trial. God’s people should determine that when testing comes it is joyful. Let's not get ridiculous, though. My wife heard of a man who broke his elbow and was asked, “You alright?” His response was, “Yeah. Praise God,” through the clenched teeth of pain. “Thank you God.” What a nut! Not what’s intended here. God doesn't expect you to pretend you have no nerve endings. James admonished the Jewish believers who were spread all over the known world to count trials as joy, and the same message applies to you and I.

What is a trial? Definition of a trial: It is when we reach rock bottom and think God has forgotten us in some way or another, or are going through a hard time. We are calling out to God, saying, “Where is God!?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Isn't it interesting that God allows trials in His peoples' lives? James didn't say "if ever," but "whenever." Hmmm.
God allows trials in His peoples’ lives. What is the Biblical definition of a trial? In Greek here, is means "an attempt to learn the nature or character of something."[1] 1 Peter chapter 1 and chapter 3 use this word similarly. Hebrews 3:8 and 9, God warns not to test Him as the Israelites did for 40 years and were made to wander in the desert all 40 years. Trials test faith by giving us opportunities to show what is inside of us. If you bump a cup, whatever is inside of it spills out. So too with us when we experience trials.

If you are involved in farming, and have purchased a new animal or piece of machinery, have you tested it to see how it holds up? How about a new pair of pants or blouse? How about a new car? God also looks at us and wants to show us what our nature or character is. God doesn't cause every trial, but he allows them (at least) in order to see where we are and so we can grow. James says, “Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Count it joy, means in Greek, “consider, reckon” or (MY FAVORITE) DETERMINE IT JOY. What is the application: Too many times we get wrapped up in trials and problems as if one day on earth we will no longer have any! Verse 2, “If ever you face trials?” “Whenever you face trials.” James urges us to determine today to endure the next trial and maintain godliness. It's easy to do when we're in a state of plenty, but do it during a trial. What is your trial right now? What is your attitude about that trial? Your perspective makes all the difference in the world!

My daughter loves to draw. I asked her one day to draw a picture of me. She drew my head and my face was covered by all these lines. I asked her "what is that on Daddy's face?" "That's your gotee," she said. I guess I'm pretty hairy from her perspective. Another father took his daughter to see Westminster Abbey and the large columns and ceilings. After looking for a while, the father asked the daughter, "What do you think?" She replied, "Dad, you're a lot smaller than I thought you were." James urges us to do the opposite of what we usually do, and face a trial with a different perspective: joy—because we will prove that we have a solid faith! A joyful Christian knows that the worst trial will eventually end. When you lose your job, your wife threatens divorce, your husband threatens you, when a child become pregnant outside of marriage or rebels, when a child runs away from home, or from you, or from the Lord, when it’s been months or years since a steady, dependable income, when the car that you’re ashamed of doesn’t even run. Ouch!

What is your perspective on trials? There's a lot of bad theology out there that says "God's people will never suffer or experience hardship. If you do experience hardship, it's because you don't believe." WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Nothing in Scripture promises 100% "hunkey dorey situations" for Christians. In fact, 2 Timothy 3 promises that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. There is a treasure of Christian maturity that can ONLY come through a trial. I'm glad for my trials in the past, though many I would never repeat. Much wisdom has come through those dark days, and finding the light at the end of those tunnels. I'm much closer to the One who has always led me through them.

Some of the darkest times in my life and my marriage were between jobs (nobody's born a pastor. I've had many other types of jobs) or when suffering a serious trial, and we didn't know when it would end, and barely made it through with our faith.

The next principle James teaches about trials is this: Every Trial should make Us Stronger (v. 3). This is because trials test the faith and develop perseverance (v. 3). Trials develop perseverance. “perseverance” means “the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty.”[2]
These developments happen IF, we face trials with joy.
When you develop perseverance, God will see your character and move you onto better circumstances.

But you can’t handle the future circumstances until you handle the present ones with perseverance.

In weightlifting, martial arts, music, academics/school, forensics, memorizing Scripture, or any other discipline we can think of—we must push ourselves to grow, and the same with our Christian life!
We should look forward to trials like a football game, a wrestling match, a golf tournament, a music competition, or any test! It is a chance to stand up and say,
“God, I am yours and watch me display the fruit You have been cultivating in my life!”
There are many Christians who fill the pews of churches on Sunday but will do nothing more all because a trial happened. They think, "God, I know that if I try to get involved for You I'm going to face a trial and its going to hurt, and I don't want to hurt, so I'm not going to do anything more for You, Lord." If that's the deal you've made with God, you've also made a deal not to grow. You have a gas tank full of gas and the car is in park, ready to go anywhere, but parked.

I read of two setters who were being trained to hunt birds. They were interrupted by a neighbor's bulldog who entered their yard and started a fight with them. Those two setters tore that bulldog apart, and it yiped away, bloodied and bruised. A strange thing happened. The next day the wounded bulldog returned. He fought the two setters, but again they beat him and he returned wounded. The next day the bulldog returned, and again the same things happened. After a week of this happening, the stubborn bulldog returned again, and the setters decided they didn't want to fight anymore and when the bulldog chased them, they ran away. After another week the setters continued running away every time the bulldog entered the yard, because they were tired of fighting. The story ends with the owner explaining that now the bulldog comes into his yard as if he owns the place, and the setters are terrified of him.

It's not always about "can I win this fight?" God is on our side. It may seem like we're losing the battle, but we must be like the bulldog and continue, continue, continue to obey God. Continue, continue, continue to pray. Continue, continue, continue to read His word. In the end, we will persevere. "Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Christian discipline comes into this as well. There are times when it seems like I can't get into my devotions and prayer. Sometimes I read the Scripture for the day and think, "Okay. Whatever. I don't get it." But I must continue so I can persevere and get better.

William Barclay wrote this, regarding Coleridge, a poet at the end of the 1700's and beginning of the 1800's. Barclay wrote, "Coleridge is the supreme tragedy of indiscipline. Never did so great a mind produce so little. He left Cambridge University to join the army; but he left the army because, in spite of all his erudition, he could not rub down a horse; he returned to [college] and left without a degree. He began a paper called The Watchman which lived for ten numbers and then died. It has been said of him: 'He lost himself in visions of work to be done, that always remained to be done. Coleridge had every poetic gift but one--the gift of sustained and concentrated effort.' In his head and in his mind he had all kinds of books, as he said himself, 'completed save for transcription.' 'I am on the eve,' he says, 'of sending to the press two octavo volumes.' But the books were never composed outside Coleridge's mind, because he would not face the discipline of sitting down to write them out. No one ever reached any eminence, and no one having reached it ever maintained it, without discipline."[3]
It's worth re-reading that last sentence.

President Calvin Coolidge said, "Nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent."

So where are you? Have you decided to give up anyway? Has the idea of future trials discouraged you? Are you saying, "It's not worth it just for perseverance?" Read 1 Cor 3:10–15, about how we will have either precious stones or worthless stubble (read it). Will your life survive the fire and test of trials? What will God find when He “attempts to learn the nature or character of you?”

[1] BDAG, s.v.

[2] BDAG, s.v.

[3] Taken from Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald S. Whitney, (Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1991), p. 20. Brackets mine.

Reach the Lost, Romans 1:16-17

After nearly a month (a busy one, but who isn't busy these days?), here is another post. The next three will reflect the messages on our vision statement at First Baptist Church: "Reach the Lost, Teach the Found, Glorify and Enjoy God."

The passage for today is from Romans 1, verses 16 and 17. It prompted me to ask the question: "What was my most embarrassing moment?" How about you? Have you had any embarrassing moments recently? While visiting my wife's family near Chicago over Christmas, I was carrying our infant in his carrier-seat, and escorting another of our kids over a street covered in ice. I lost my balance and fell. Before I completed the embarrassing act, I reacted normally and was about to catch myself, but I would have had to toss my infant son in his carrier. I mumbled something like, "You owe me one, boy!" and took the hard fall.

I read of some other embarrassing moments, like when the actress Billy Burke was on a cruise and saw a man sitting at a table with a terrible cold. She walked up to him and asked him, "Are you uncomfortable?" He nodded, "I'll tell you just what to do. Go back to your room, drink lots of orange juice, take two aspirins, cover yourself with all the blankets you can find, sweat the cold out. I know just what I'm talking about, because I'm Billy Burke the actress." The man smiled and warmly introduced himself, saying, "Thank you. I'm Dr. Mayo from the Mayo Clinic."

A bishop and his wife were retiring after many years in ministry. Upon reaching their home they saw a large crowd gathered on the street in front of their house. The wife was so overwhelmed that so many people had waited to say how much they appreciated the many years of service. It almost moved her to tears. She decided to thank them all publicly, telling everyone how much it meant that they would come and meet these who were retiring from so many years in ministry. The startled crowd suddenly turned around as the city bus pulled up, and they all got on board and left. That's funny, and embarrassing (and, sad, we're not heartless).

The third one takes the cake. A man wrote that when he was in high school musical car horns were popular. He said his mother's deluxe model played the first line of 48 different songs. But in the cold, the horn would develop a short and play on its own. He urged his mother to take the horn out in the winter but she wouldn't. That is, until that cold winter afternoon when they were at the funeral of their elderly aunt. As they pulled out of the cemetery, the horn blared the first line of "We're in the Money." He wrote he has never heard of that horn since. Hilarious! But embarrassing too.

Sometimes we get embarrassed in life. It starts when we are young, and there are some things to be embarrassed about. However, there are some things in life we should never be embarrassed about. One thing we should never be embarrassed or ashamed about is the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet, sometimes if we're honest, we are embarrassed to tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ. But God never meant for us sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to be one of our most embarrassing moments. He meant for it to be the greatest highlight of our lives.

Why are we embarrassed? We're afraid of rejection. But we need to remember that just because someone initially rejects us, doesn't mean they will always hold that view. It's natural for people to initially respond in a thinking manner when they hear the good news of Jesus, and how He demands to be Lord and center of their life.

Read Romans 1 starting in verse 11, through verse 17.

First, we should be unashamed of how God saves people from their sin (v. 16). Again, there is no reason for God’s people to be ashamed to share how God saved them. Paul wanted to share the Gospel with the Romans because he was not ashamed of it. The great news of Jesus should be like how quickly we heard about 9/11/2001. By noon that day, everyone in the U.S. had probably heard about what happened only a few hours earlier.

Who said Paul was ashamed of it? He was in a Roman prison for it, so he wanted them to know he did not regret the reason for his persecution. 2 Timothy 3 tells us that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Do you believe in the Gospel enough that you want to share it with people? Do you believe in it enough that you would go to prison for it? Death?
f. Whenever we see a conjunction starting a sentence, we need to look behind it and see why it is there. Here, “For” can be translated “what I mean is” or “because” when Paul tries to explain the reason for him wanting to see the people in the city of Rome.
g. What is it explaining? V. 11, “for I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong.” Also, v. 15, “That is why I am so eager to preach the Gospel also to you who at Rome.” Paul wanted to share with the Greeks and Barbarians, since he had gained so much from them.
Are you ashamed to share your faith? Without saying the good news of Jesus, people will not be saved because they will not conclude something God has created such as Him dying on the cross in our place for our sin, and that by believing that (without working for it), our sin is covered by that act and we have eternal life.

Jesus warned all disciples Luke 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Paul said in v. 11, not “I am obligated,” nor “I will do my duty to share the gospel,” but “I long to see you.” Paul understood if he just showed up God would use him to impart some “spiritual gift,” or “grace” somehow. ¾ of ministry is just showing up. If God’s people show up, God will show up! The greatest witness is not knocking on doors. That works for a small percentage of people, as do bullhorns, street preaching, and similar sales-type methods. Most people will be more relational. Joe Aldrich says in his book, Lifestyle Evangelism, that the greatest witness you'll have is your marriage and family.
What is the greatest symbol of Christianity? The cross? Communion? Baptism? Preaching God’s word? ------YOU are the greatest symbol of Christianity! Your changed life showing up in the life of a lost person who needs the love of Christ. Show up! Share it with people! With the poor, hungry, needy, those who have everything material; nothing spiritual. I thank God all the time that I get to do what I get to do for a living. After the Cardinal's game the camera showed Kurt Warner kneeling, holding hands with other football players and praying.

The press was waiting to interview the winning quarterback, but the quarterback first wanted to talk with his God before anything else. He was not ashamed (Go brother Kurt!).

Being ashamed of something like the Gospel would be like winning the Nobel Prize and telling no one or trying to disprove it; killing a trophy buck and being ashamed of it; or meeting someone famous and being ashamed of it. Last summer, the city of Darlington shut down so everyone could see Johnny Depp. Kids skipped school to get a picture with him. Are they ashamed? Tim Tebow, winning quarterback of the Florida Gators, who are National NCAA Champions, said to the cameras, "I knew God would do this for us," as he faded out. His first words! Unashamed (Go Tim and Tebow family! God bless you all!)

Secondly, not only should we not be ashamed, but we have the power of salvation in our words as the Spirit works.

WE have the medicine. The only thing that has power in the spiritual world for eternal life is this Gospel (v. 16). As mentioned above, we need to use words when the opportunities come. Step out.
b. Paul wanted to share the Gospel with the Romans because it has power to save all who will believe
c. What is the Gospel? 1 Cor 15:1–4, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (NASB). To whom is it power for salvation? Everyone automatically? NO—“everyone who believes.” Literally in Greek “the ones who believe."

Third, we are directly responsible for others to hear the Gospel God’s people are directly responsible for making sure other people hear the Gospel (v. 17)
Paul wanted to share the Gospel with the Romans because it is shared from one person to another. Paul saying this in v. 17 emphasizes how the Gospel is passed from “faith to faith.” It is passed from person to person, as one of us shares with another.

I am always baffled that Jesus trusted the pathway to eternity with the common people like us. Our decision not to share with someone is a decision not to show them how to find the cure for their illness, from which they will die forever. Paul understood this. Look at the text: He hoped the Romans who did not believe might hear so that (v. 13) “I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.” Paul followed Jesus’ command “Great Commission” So should we. Habakkuk 2:4 “for the just will live by faith,” means what it means here: by faith
e. Literally “the righteous” and Paul wrote that the Gospel passes righteousness from one person to another. There is a righteousness that God requires of every person who wants to be in His presence forever.

If we want to stand in God's presence forever, instead of the only alternative--hell, and want to get there based on our own works, it would be like going to the bank in town with a hand full of Mexican pesos and asking them to convert it to dollars, or using it to pay for something in town. They would reject it, because here we use American dollars. In heaven, God will only accept the act of the sinless Savior Jesus Christ to pay for sin, and if you reject Jesus' act of dying for your sin and rising again, then God will reject you too. Only Jesus pays the way to heaven.

It doesn't matter what you have done, or what you haven't done, as long as you have believed in Jesus. When God forgives the sin of the one who believes in Jesus, all of their sin of every kind is forgiven!

I love sharing this news with people--Jesus' death and resurrection--because even if someone rejects us, the gospel of Jesus is in them now. They can reject it, but they can't forget it, and the Spirit convicts them so they will be restless until they find rest in God.

Larry Berkett came to know the Lord by initially rejecting his wife's pastor. The pastor, on his way out, said, "Larry, you're going to hell!" The next week Larry was in church, and eventually trusted in Jesus, and founded Crown Financial Ministries.

We are faithful when we share, and successful when we share. Don't count who responds, but count who hears.
Rom 3:21–22, the righteousness that God requires comes to men and they are declared righteous if they believe the Gospel
Application: When you find a person who acts unrighteously, the answer to them finding the righteousness of God is in you.

Our vision for Darlington is for each of us to share our faith with one person a month. 1/month with 130 people (our church size) for 24 months = over 3,000 people in two years. Almost 800 people by June 2009; almost 1,600 people by December 2009.
If we are not ashamed of the Gospel, and people respond positively, we will run out of room in this sanctuary by December 2009.
Will you do it? Will you tell one person about Christ?
I’ve shared Christ with 3 people this week. I haven’t heard of they responded or not, but I’ve shared the gospel and I pray for them now. I hope to share Christ with 4 people this coming week.
Will you consider 1 this month? Think of one person and start praying that person would believe
Find ways to share your faith that fit your personality (relational, direct approach, writing, music, art, serving).
We haven’t shared our faith until we’ve shared our Savior, Jesus. Count who hears, and pray for them. If you've read this blog and want to do something, then if you're here locally come to our Sunday night evangelism training, or Monday night prayer (see website for times).

If you're not local, no matter where you are, get involved and start ways to share your faith in your local community and through your church. It starts by loving people, praying for them, and befriending them or helping them (sounds like Jesus, right). Talk to your pastor or leader about plans and offer help--share the love and great news about Jesus.

The Devil, Our Adversary

Chuck Swindoll told the story of how his uncle Zeke walked into a smith shop right after the smith had finished working on a horseshoe. The shoe was not red hot anymore, but it was still cooling down. Zeke walked into the shop and saw the horseshoe sitting on the straw, and picked it up before quickly putting it down again. The smith laughed and said, "Hot, isn't it?" Zeke replied, "No, it just doesn't take long for me to look at a horseshoe."

Funny, but proud. Interestingly, pride is probably the most dangerous sin, but the least talked about. Pride is what caused one of the highest angels to fall, thinking he was like the Most High God, and thus caused humanity to fall when our ancestors were deceived. You could say pride is the worst sin, then.

This post examines the Devil, who is our adversary. We'll look at 1) who he is, 2) what he did, 3) what God did, 4) what the Devil does today, 5) and what our response is to the Devil.

First, Who is the Devil
Does he exist? Yes. 7 books in the Old Testament and all New Testament books talk about him. Christ taught about his existence (Matthew 13:39, Luke 10:18, 11:18)

Is the Devil a person? A person has three aspects: intelligence, emotions, and a will. Satan:
Possesses intellect (2 Cor 11:3, Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning), has emotions (Revelation 12:17, he is angry and wants to make war with followers of Jesus), and has a will (2 Timothy 2:26, the Devil has taken some people captive to do his will).

Further, he is treated as a morally responsible person. In Matthew 25:41, Jesus explains that the eternal lake of fire is prepared for the Devil and demons. Also, when he is described it is with personal pronouns (Job 1).
So if he’s a person, does that mean we can talk to him and communicate with him? Can people talk to Satan or make deals with the Devil? Yes. I read of a Christian leader who met a man deep in the occult on an airplane, who told him they find church names and pastor’s names and pray to Satan that the pastors of all churches in America would fail morally. How encouraging for me! If you have ever dabbled in ouigi boards, tarot cards, seances—stop! These are all modes of communicating with the Devil or his fallen angels. Contacting spirits are direct or indirect forms of appeasing Satan, and giving him a foothold.

Does this mean that, as some of us verbalize, that every time you sin, Satan is personally attacking you? Though the Devil is a fallen high angel, he is not God. Because he is not omnipresent like God, he can’t be everywhere attacking everyone all the time. He doesn’t need to. He has “the flesh” inside you, your sin nature, that desires sin already. This is who the Devil is. Next...
What did the Devil do? If he was once a high ranking angel, and now is the enemy of God, then how did that happen? Ezekiel 28:12–19 speaks of him as a guardian cherub (like the one who guarded the Garden of Eden), and he was the highest of all angels “the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.” Imagine that! If he walked into a church service, he would be gawked at because of his beauty, not threatened because of horns and a pitchfork.

Isaiah 14:13–15 tells us he was full of pride, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” These passages, if read in context, are also about modern day nations or kings Isaiah and Ezekiel and their audiences knew, but as the prophets did many times, these portions are where the prophecy either overlaps with one about something else as well, or breaks away to speak of something else before resuming (See Daniel 9, Matthew 24 as well--Jesus being a prophet too).
See how Satan, the Devil, rebelled? Pause here for a second and take a "selah," (Psalms uses this word to mean "coca break," or "reflect. Stop. Breathe. Think about what just happened.") We're talking about God Almighty creating a high cherub, perfect in beauty and the model of perfection, who snaps and rebels. Let this encourage you if you are trying to live like Jesus and a follower of God--those who seek power will always be able to take advantage of those who seek God. It is because we have different values. If a follower of Jesus responds with power instead of godliness, he must maintain what is successful in that endeavor with power as well. In church, those who follow Jesus will be taken advantage of by anyone who seeks power. It happened to Jesus, and sometimes it is exactly what God wants to happen so He is glorified and we can grow. Think about it...
Next, on this topic, what was God's response? Did He annihilate Satan? Send a redeemer for him like He would do with humanity? He cast him out of heaven, until punishment.

We are still in between the two acts: God casting him out of heaven and God punishing Satan forever.

What The Devil does today:
His names are his major attributes:
54 times the Bible refers to him as Satan, “the enemy; adversary.” He made himself the enemy of God.
All followers of Jesus are enemies of Satan; all who choose not to follow Jesus are pleasing to him
Some other names he has are: Prince of this world (John 12:31); god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4) “has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God;" Ruler of the Kingdom of the air (Ephesians 2:2). What is the application of these things? Be aware (as 1 Peter 5 warns us): When you chose Jesus, you chose to become Satan’s enemy. I think about this even as I write--I have had to take so many breaks from this post--more than any other, due to coincidental interruptions (kids screaming or malfunctions of some sort). Even consider sickness amongst those serving Christ. Is it coincidence that in creating a foundation for what our congregation believes I have battled sickness related to my voice the last few months?

The Devil notices you as a threat the more you grow in your following of Jesus. When you chose to be involved in church, you chose to be more of a threat to him. When you chose to be a leader in church, you chose again to be even more of a threat. If God led you to be in full-time vocational ministry—you need prayer.

Also, I need to post a warning here: Don’t choose to be a pastor unless you're sure you are called by God to do it. Do it if God calls you. You can serve Him in many ways without being a shepherd of a local church, but don't try to serve in a church on your own strength; only do it if you know God is leading you to do that and He has or is (or is going to really soon) equip you. Without the call of God, there are moments when it is too intense for any man to continue. Believe it! Following Jesus comes with a cross, and there are few who walk that narrow road! I believe we have many in our congregation who are up to the challenge, and as we sang, “A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD.”

Let's keep moving to the names of the Devil, and see how those identify what he does today. Next, note that 34 times the New Testament uses the word “devil,” meaning “slanderer.” He takes something that is true, and changes it just a bit. That's slandering, smearing or adjusting the facts. He is the father of lies. Jesus called him on this in John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” It doesn't get any clearer than that. He accuses believers before God day and night (Revelation 12:10). In Zechariah 3:1–2, Zechariah’s eyes are open and he sees Satan standing right beside Joshua the High Priest, accusing him of Israel’s sin before God. The Lord rebuked Satan. After reading this, one might be thinking--aren't Christians supposed to try and convert others?

Why all the talk about how difficult the Christian life and following Jesus would be if you're trying to see people follow Jesus, Nate? A friend of mine told me a great story (Marine Hoorah after this). A Marine recruiter was at a high school recruiting some years ago. He looked around and noticed that all the other branches of the military had significantly more people standing in line for their recruiters, and he had only a couple. He said (which means shouted), “most of you who sign up for the other branches of the US Military will get in. But only a few of you have what it takes to make it through the Marine Corps training to become a United States Marine.” Suddenly he had everyone waiting to sign up. Jesus said wide is the road that leads to destruction and many find it, but narrow is the road the leads to life and few find it. You need to know ahead of time, following Jesus means an enemy who is real will not like you. But we have Almighty God on our side (keep reading).
What else does the Devil do today? He deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9), he is called Lucifer in the King James Version of the Bible, a “nickname” meaning “light bearer/shining one” It is a translation for the Hebrew meaning the same thing, or “star of the morning.” He still tries to be this light, but is false. He masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He will do enough good to get you to do enough evil. He also prowls about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is the tempter (Matthew 4:1). He introduced sin, and we have a sinful nature pulling us. Remember the Devil doesn't need to always tempt you when you sin (and he can't tempt everyone all the time, since he's not omnni-present). He has an inside agent--our sin nature working against our desire to walk in the Spirit. It keeps pulling us down towards sin, the past, what we have confessed. To read more about this see Romans 6; Galatians 5:16.
One question we wonder is how powerful is Satan to hurt me? Read Job 1, where God gives Satan parameters, "do's" and "don'ts" for what he can and cannot do. In other words, how powerful is Satan? Answer: He is only as powerful as God allows, and not one bit more!
So lastly, what do we do about Satan. Talk to him? Taunt him? Focus on God, not Satan. The Devil would like you to either a) focus too much on him and be distracted, or b) not believe he exists at all and underestimate him. Jesus said “Seek first the kingdom of God.” Focus on that. Colossians 3 tells us "set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." When tempted, James 4:7, tells us how to get out, “resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Prevent attacks such as Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Truth, Righteousness, Gospel, Faith, Salvation, The Spirit and the Word, and prayer. Finally, walk by the Spirit, not the flesh (Galatians 5:16) and be self-controlled and alert (1 Peter 5:8)
"But how do we defeat Satan?" someone might be asking. "Didn't Jesus give us power to defeat him?" No. It is not necessary. GOD HAS ALREADY DEFEATED HIM! His doom is written in Revelation 20:10, "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." They will not be tormenting, but will be tormented themselves forever.

The destination of Satan and his fallen angels is the place everyone who remains an enemy of God will go as well. All who decide to pay for their own sin will go there. No matter how much good a person does, it doesn't count until they repent of the bad they have done. People were never meant to go to hell, and God became human so we would have a sure way to heaven.

Are you reading this and thinking that you want to follow God but have never asked Him for forgiveness for your sin? Why haven't you? Just by believing in what Jesus did when He died instead of us for our sin and was raised from the dead--that saves us from the penalty of our sin. Then follow Jesus.

Angels, Our Allies

(Raphael, Michael the Archangel)

Are Angels real? Do they exist? If they exist, then were they once human beings? Can they reproduce or intermarry with us? With each other? How many are there? How are they organized? All of these and more questions are addressed here.

Rev John G. Paton and his wife were missionaries to the New Hebrides Islands off the coast of Australia, and found themselves surrounded one night be hostile locals who threatened to burn down their house and kill them. The Patons prayed all night, and in the early morning the locals suddenly left for no reason. A year later the chief decided to follow Jesus, and Rev. Paton asked him, what had happened that night. The chief, surprised, turned and asked, "Who were all those men?" Rev. Paton did not know. The chief continued, "Your house was surrounded by men in shiny garments with drawn swords, as if they were circling your house." They had decided not to attack because of that.

A man was a colporteur (seller of Bibles) in Persia, and one day a man confronted him, "Is it legal for you to be selling Bibles?" The man replied it was, and he was correct. But the accoster continued, "Then why are you always surrounded by soldiers?" The man objected, saying he was never accompanied by soldiers as he sold Bibles. The accoster continued, "Yes you are! Three times I have tried to kill you, but each time you are surrounded by soldiers, so I have decided not to kill you." That must have sounded reassuring.

Who were the men with swords at the Paton's hut? Who were the soldiers?

We're going to answer the questions "Who are angels?" and "How are they organized?" and finally "What do they do as our unseen allies?" Of course there are as many pages to fill as the hundreds of millions of "elect" angels Scripture speaks of, and we can't say everything here, so hopefully this will start someone in the right direction who is interested in studying this subject further from a Biblical point of view.

Also, we normally use one passage of Scripture and study it exegetically, but this is a topic of systematic theology, taking the entire canonical-biblical view of angels.

First, Who are angels? Do they exist?

Angels are a part of most ancient cultures and their religious beliefs, though known by various names. Some called them demons, aeons, genii, or a host of other names that describe spirit beings. Plato and Socrates believed in spirits, and Socrates claimed that a spirit accompanied him wherever he went.

The Bible mentions angels in over half the 66 books, at least 228 times, and if you include some passages on the Angel of the Lord it mentions them over 250 times. The Hebrew and Greek words for "angel" mean "messenger" in both languages. They are God's messengers for all His deeds, both helpful and for judgment. Jesus knew and taught on the existence of angels (Matt 18:10, “see that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of my Father who is in heaven,”[1] and 26:53, [Peter had removed a sword and cut off Malchus’ ear] “or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”) A legion consisted of 6,000 soldiers, so twelve times 6,000.
How did they come into existence? Are they former persons who have died? Or were they created? They were created by the Triune God—Col 1:16, “for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
When?—before the creation of the world (Job 38:6–7, [God speaking to Job about the foundation of the earth] “on what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy”)
How?—created in holiness (Jude 6, “and angels, who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day”)
Do they have personality? Yes. They have the three (3) qualities necessary for being a person:

1) Intellect (1 Pet 1:12, angels long to look/ desire to look into how a human preaching the gospel through the power of the Spirit leads to salvation); 2) Emotion (Luke 2:13, a multitude appeared suddenly of angels, praising God!); 3) Will (Jude 6, “and angels, who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day”)

What is their nature? They are spirit beings (Heb 1:14, “are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”)
Reader’s Digest reported how Dr. S. W. Mitchell, a popular neurologist in Philadelphia (in 1970’s), came home and crashed on his bed one night after a long, exhausting day. He heard a knock on the door and answered it, to find a girl poorly dressed who told him her mother was very sick, and begged him to come with her. He was exhausted, and it was cold and snowing outside, but got his coat on and went with her. Upon arriving at the house he found her mother desperately ill with pneumonia, and was able to stabilize her and call for further medical assistance. Before leaving, he complimented the woman on the intelligence and persistence of her daughter. She looked at him strangely, and said, “My daughter died a month ago.” She added, “Her shoes and coat are in that closet.” Dr. Mitchell stood up, perplexed, and went to the closet the mother mentioned, and there hung the very coat worn by the little girl who had brought him to tend to her mother, only it was dry and warm.
Was this an example of an angel assuming the appearance of the woman's daughter, with all the angel was able to observe of that person, so that the mother could be healthy and trust in Christ? It is possible according to Scripture.

Continuing in "who they are," the Bible answers:

Can they reproduce? The Bible tells us they do not reproduce (Mark 12:25, “for when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven”)

They are masculine and in one instance feminine gender (Genesis 18:1–2; Zechariah 5:9 is debated, but probably female angels, two female angelic beings carry the scroll).
They do not die (Luke 20:36, [speaking how cannot marry or be given in marriage in the next life] “for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection”). So they cannot be persons who have passed on from this life to the next. They are distinct from human beings (Psalm 8:4–5, God has made man for a little while lower than the angels). Remember this when in certain Christian circles people like to taunt Satan, a fallen angel, one so powerful Michael the only Archangel would not engage him. James 4 tells us to resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Let God deal with Satan, and us deal with God’s kingdom. For we know that angels have great power (2 Peter 2:11, angels are greater in power and might than we are).

The next question is "How are they organized?"

First, they are innumerable. Hebrews 12:22 tells us, “but you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly.” Revelation 5:11 says, at the throne are 10,000 X 10,000. 10,000 x 10,000 = 111,110,000. That's hundreds of millions of angels that are around the throne, or "elect," or good angels, not counting those who fell with Satan (one third). There are many hundreds of millions of angels.
How are they organized? Michael is the only archangel named (Jude 9)
There are Chief princes, and territorial Angels (elect and fallen) over domains. Daniel 10:13, is one of the most insightful passages on angelic warfare. Gabriel explains his journey to arrive and answer Daniel’s prayer, “But the Prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for 21 days, then behold, Michael, one of their chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia”). Michael seems to have a special relationship to Israel (Daniel 12:1).
There are Ruling Angels (Ephesians 3:10, “so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places”)
There are Guardian Angels (Hebrews 1:14, “are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”). There are angels who watch over adults and children as well. Matthew 18:10 “see that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of my Father who is in heaven”)

Last night when we were coming home from Thanksgiving weekend with family, we were driving on I-20 West, and suddenly a car approached us from the opposite direction in the same lane. I thought at first I saw it wrong, but sure enough it was coming at us 65 mph, as we were heading towards it 65 mph. I flashed my brights and it swerved into the next lane, and thankfully there were two West-bound lanes. We and others called the police and they corrected the driver. We didn't think much of at afterward, and my wife and I laughed, but then we thought of what could have happened. Angels assist God in helping all the time. One of our senior saints told me of how she almost ran into a grain cart on the highway after driving over a hill at 55 mph, and swerved into the oncoming traffic lane to avoid it, and fortunately there were no cars there. She doesn't know how she reacted quickly enough to swerve but it happened--all so fast. Angels are our allies, worshipping who we worship, serving who we serve, and assisting us as God commands to see God's mission of redeeming humanity accomplished, and God getting the glory.

There are Seraphim around God’s throne (Isaiah 6:1–3, Seraphim with six wings flying), and Cherubim, one of whom was placed with flaming sword to guard the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:22–24).

There are the Elect Angels (1 Timothy 5:21, there are elect or chosen angels—those who did not fall, but by Divine Decree were set apart as a remnant just as human beings are elect to be saved for God), and those who fell with Satan, the dragon in Revelation 12:4, “his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to earth.”

(revelation illustrated)

After seeing who angels are and how they are organized, the remaining question is "What do they do as our allies?" They worship who we worship, serve who we serve, and minister to us as believers.
They ministered to Christ, and we receive the blessing of their assistance only as we serve Christ as well. In a sense, we get our AAA rewards for life's roadside assistance (Angel, Angel, Angel) because we are associated with Christ.
For those who do not claim Christ, and are never going to, and are not of the elect, they get no “roadside assistance,” but only directions to the final judgment. The only angels you will see if you don't decide to accept God's mercy in Jesus, but decide instead to pay for your own sin yourself, are the angels pouring out God's judgment at the end. Creation is judged because we were given dominion over it, and our race sinned, and so all creation groans (Romans 8). Why suffer judgment in the end if you can escape it through trusting in Christ, that His death and resurrection pays for everything you owe?
The angels Predicted Christ's birth (Luke 1:26–33), announced it (Luke 2:13), protected the baby (Matthew 2:13), strengthened Christ after temptation (Matthew 4:11), prepared to defend Him (Matthew 26:53), strengthened Him in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), Rolled away stone from tomb (Matthew 28:2), announced the Resurrection (Matthew 28:6)
Because of our serving Christ, angels also minister to us as followers of Jesus. They have a general ministry of aiding (Hebrews 1:14, “are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”). They Observe Christians’ experiences (1 Corinthians 4:9, “we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men”). 1 Timothy 5:21, our charge to use our gifts are made with angels as witnesses. Those who swore to lead and shepherd God's people, we have made that in the presence of angelic witnesses. It is not to be taken lightly.
They encourage in time of danger (Acts 27:23–24, “For this very night, an angel of the God whom I love and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid Paul, you must stand before Caesar and behold God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.”). They are interested in evangelistic effort of Christians (Luke 15:10 “they rejoice at one sinner coming to repentance!”). In Acts 8—Philip had assistance from APS—Angelic Positioned Satellite, an angel instructed Philip on how to find the Ethiopian Eunuch—south on the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza! Angels care for righteous at death (Luke 16:22—Lazarus the beggar was carried away by angels; Jude 9, the conflict between Michael and Lucifer was over the body of Moses).
Angels are seen praising God in Luke at Jesus' birth, announcing His resurrection after He was crucified for all the sin of those who will believe, and in Revelation 5 they still praise the lamb Who was slain! Are they interested in God's mission or what!

As I said earlier, the sad truth for any who reject following Jesus is that angels will only minister to you with God's judgment. They are messengers of God's judgment (Genesis 19:13, Revelation 14:6–7), inflict punishment (Acts 12:23), and act as reapers in the separation at end of the age (Matthew 13:39).

What should our response be to this posting on angels? If you already know the Lord, be encouraged, and remember these passages that show God has everything taken care of, and protects us and guides us. We don't need to focus on spirit beings, but on the mission of God's heart in reaching the lost people and training the found, and glorifying God. If you don't follow Jesus, start following Him today by confessing your sin and believing in what He did in His death and new life, and you will have new life too. Acts 16:31 says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." As Luke 15 tells us angels rejoice, make them throw a party for you today.

[1] All Scripture here is from the NASB version of the Bible, except for my own translations.

The Church in the Church: We Are One, Ephesians 4:1–6, pt 1

Destination. Do you know where you are going? Do you know how to get there? Are you sure you're not taking something for granted on the way? I recently attended a wedding and reception where a key member of the wedding party was an hour late to the reception. It turns out he took for granted that the route from his home to the wedding would be the best route back to the reception near his home. It cost him over an hour of extra driving. That person, unfortunately, was me!

In this blog I've included the topic of "The Church in Marriage," and now want to give attention to "The Church in the Church." Above is a sculpture that shows two hands crossing a great divide to join forces for a common goal. The Church is much more this than any organization on earth, because it is the only God-made organization since He formed the nation Israel.

Sometimes when we try to "do church" and fulfill God's call in our lives, we forget about how we relate to others in the body. We get so focused on the vertical that the horizontal is forgotten. The Ten Commandments are divided evenly between our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationship with others, even though they interact far more than they are divided.

Get this: To God, the way we accomplish His will is as important as doing His will.

Ephesians 4:1–6 says (NIV), "1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

First, in this entry, we will see what to do: live worthy of your calling. Second, in the following entry, we will see how to do it.
The Ephesians had been called to something, and they were instructed to live worthy of it. What is a Christian’s call? This a very important question, because if we are going to live worthy of the call of God on our lives, then we must know what we are trying to live worthy of. Right?

If I had to summarize Ephesians up to this point with one phrase for each chapter, it would look something like this:

Ephesians 1, election, calling for salvation
Ephesians 2, by grace through faith we were (2:10) “created in Christ to do good works.”
Ephesians 3, Paul explains his own role as a responsible called Christian
Ephesians 4, now he urges the Ephesians to do the same—don’t take your election for granted.
v. 1, “live a life worthy of the call you have received,” In other words: Live with gratitude that you did not get what you deserved. What do we deserve? According to the Bible, all mankind deserves death and hell because of our sin (not just sins, but sin itself that is in our DNA). If Jesus had not come and offered Himself for that sin debt, we could look forward to a death far worse than His, and lasting forever. Yet He did, and all who believe in Him and what He has done will be saved from what we deserve. In light of this, we should have gratitude for what He has done. It is this that Paul has in mind when he says to live worthy of what call we have received. For the call was not just to go and do the Lord's work, but it was in conjunction with salvation through faith in Jesus.
Look at the background. Paul wrote this from prison, telling the truth in verse 1, "as a prisoner of the Lord." Why was he a prisoner of the Lord, and not of Rome? He believed that the Lord had called him to that Roman prison and suffering so that people would hear the good news of Jesus. He was right. Acts 9:15–16 describes Paul's call from Ananias, directly from Jesus, "15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” How would you like to have a call like that?

"Hello?"

"Yeah, Nate. It's God."

"Yeah, God?"

"I'm going to make you suffer so that people can hear about me."

(dial tone)

You too? Next time we complain about our "lot in life," remember Paul's call. More amazingly, Paul fulfilled his call. Are you fulfilling yours? Driving a car, a job, a house to go home to, family--these are all more than what Paul had and he fulfilled his call. In chapter 3 he ended with a doxology (meaning a praise to God), "20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." If Paul could worship God and fulfill his call with praise while suffering so much, we can worship the Lord with our lives and

In the movie Saving Private Ryan, the captain and his troops all die so that they can send a U.S. Army private named Ryan home to his mother, Ryan being her only remaining son. With his last breath, the dying captain tells Private Ryan, "Earn this." What did he mean? He meant to live a life worthy of the men who sacrificed their lives so he could live. An entire unit of the Army died for one man! Private Ryan is shown as a grandfather with his family at the dead soldiers' graves many decades later. He sobs, kneeling down beside their tombstones, saying how he hopes he has lived a good life. He got it!

How much more should we, as those who God Himself died for, live worthy of the precious Son of God's sacrifice so we could live forever.

Are you living worthy of what Jesus did for you? That’s how we’re supposed to respond. Not floating through life until Jesus comes or we go. Some people have no idea how to be thankful. Sometimes you give someone a card or present and you would think by their response that they were waiting for it! They thought they deserved weekly or daily cards or presents!
We are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works.
So, you who are called and saved, are called by God to do something. Live worthily—gratefully!!

Nate

The Church in Marriage, pt 3

Here we come to the Church in marriage part 3. Again, Ephesians 5:21, "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," is the verse that sets the background for the rest of the chapter and the beginning of chapter 6. Keeping this in mind, and how Paul has already told the wives to apply this towards their own husband in respect to him (v. 33 in mind), we come to the husband's role.
In v. 25–30, Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church Objection: How can you command someone to love? Because it is agape love (agapao), the love that is applied by our intellect and our will, not just our emotions. It is a love that feels, but more so a love that does. It is unconditional. This is the same word for love used in Lk 6:27 “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you," and in v. 25, “as Christ loved the church” past tense. Jesus Christ showed love; He acted. To what extent should a husband imitate Christ by loving his wife? Jesus said, "greater love hath no man than . . .(fill in the blank)" That's right, even give up your life for your wife. THIS IS HOW YOU ARE TO FEEL AND DO TOWARDS THAT WOMAN WHO SHARES YOUR BED AND YOUR CHILDREN. What does it say in verse 25? "and gave himself up for her." Here's an example of how that looks in our capitalist society:

(hopefully you're laughing at this. If not, then . . . yeah)

In 8 yrs counseling as a pastor to adults, every marital problem can be chased to one of two things: 1) a wife is not submitting herself to her husband and respecting him; or 2) the husband is not loving his wife.
Paul spent twice as much ink on a husband’s role of loving his wife, than he did of a wife’s role for loving her husband.
Why?: 1) he has partially explained it already, because it is an outflowing of what all of us are to do: submit to one another. 2) he understood that the most difficult position with the greatest responsibility is the leadership position.
Jesus and all of His disciples except one lost their lives in unnatural, cruel deaths because of their leadership position, and their unconditional commitment to the Lord.
Every time you submit yourself to someone in the body of Christ, you give them tremendous power. Power always tempts us towards sin. Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power!”[1]
Why do some husbands mistreat their wives? Because they can.
But we, Christian men, use that freedom of leading your wife and family spiritually to live an example of unconditional love. Martin Luther said, “A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone.”[2] He was hitting the nail on the head.
Unconditional love is hard for men to do; it doesn’t always come naturally. Many men use their friends for their own gain, some prefer not to show any display that would allude to love's existence, and some men have never been shown unconditional love. Some men equate love with sex and physical expressions of love, but that is hardly what Christ displayed for us. The Bible wants husbands to give our wives more than our bodies. God commands us to give up everything for her, in the same way Jesus led by example and gave up everything.

WHAT A HIGH EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW! PHEW! Is there any hope?

But it’s what your wife needs more than anything else in marriage besides her eternal salvation from the Lord.
The question to ask is not "How much do I need to love my wife." The question to ask is, "How much do I want my wife to respect me and follow my leadership." Show me a man who loves his wife like this, and his wife will become the envy of all women everywhere. No question, she will follow his leadership; she will respect him, and she will grow spiritually.
What does it look like?
5:25 says, “like Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
and verse 28 says husbands are to love their wife as, “as their own bodies,” Wow! Another example of the high standard! See Luke 6:31, "Do to others, as you would have them . . . (fill in the blank)" Yep.
Notice at least three stages in which a husband is to follow Jesus' example with his bride. (Are we man enough?):
1. V. 25, sacrifice
2. V. 26, purification
3. V. 27, presentation

From the incarnation of Jesus to the Cross He died on, everything was for saving lost sinners through His sacrifice, purifying a bride fit to be in His presence (free from sin), and eventually we (a.k.a. "the church," "the bride") will be presented to Him.
Then let's zoom out: The marriage is the buildling block of the family; families are the building blocks of a church. Marriages should be so strong in our churches that the world looks and says, “I want what you have.” Joe Aldrich, in his book, Lifestyle Evangelism, tells how important a family and then a church are to our witness: “The two greatest forces in evangelism are a healthy church and a healthy marriage. The two are interdependent.”[3]

Now the application. Zoom back in. How are you doing? Christians overall are not any better nowadays than non-Christians many times. Our divorce rates are climbing (partially because our marriage rates are higher among Christians, but still), our empty nesters are leaving their spouses, and many marriages are struggling quietly.
If you're reading this and saying to yourself, "If my wife would respect me, I would love her," you're not thinking of the respect Jesus received while on earth, yet he loved anyway. If you're a wife reading this and thinking, "I'll start respecting him the day he has a heart and shows me more than a dozen roses to apologize or get physical," then you too are not thinking about how Jesus submitted Himself to His Father's will, knowing it would cost Him everything, and in the end He is the Name above all names. Husbands focus on your part, and wives on yours.

The application is not "you first!" no "you first!" no "you first!" no "you first!" Someone has to start the healthy cycle up. You, whoever you are, if you are redeemed and a follower of Jesus--you do your part and trust God to work in your partner's heart.
So the proper application is this: Don’t wait for the other person and keep score. Willingly submit yourself to God's word whether a husband or a wife, no matter what the other person is doing.

There is exception in the case of abuse, but if two rational, "normal" people are in mind, just do your part and watch God work.

What if I'm reading this and thinking "Nate, you're full of it. I don't understand how you can be so out-dated and ask people to do this stuff." Not me. I'm communicating what the Bible says. (we don't know the "why," but we do know the "what," see part 2).

For you who do not follow the teachings of Jesus, submission begins with submitting yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ and believing in Him for salvation. Follow Jesus and trust that His act of love for the church was for you too, dying on the cross and rising again. Then, trust Him again with your marriage.
One parting thought: Both roles of a husband and of a wife go outside our comfort zones, but they are how God has designed our marriages to work. Growth always involves the "C" word--change. It involves self-sacrifice. James Calvert, missionary in the 1800s to the cannibals of Fiji, was traveling to Fiji when the captain of the sailing vessel tried to dissuade him from continuing, “you will risk your life and all those who are with you if you go amongst such savages.” Calvert replied in a statement worth memorizing, “We died before we came here.”[4] Incidentally, Calvert had enormous success in seeing many people come to faith in Christ in Fiji, and continued to help them with building their government.
Galatians 2:20 tells us, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me," (The NET Bible). We died already with Christ! Now let's follow Jesus!

[1] John C. Maxwell, Leadership 101: Inspirational Quotes & Insights for Leaders, (Tulsa, OK: Honor Books), 149.

[2] George Sweeting, Who Said That?, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 412.

[3] Joe Aldrich, Lifestyle Evangelism, (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 1993), 20.

[4] Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations, ([digital copy]: Bible Communications, 1979), s.v. “sacrifice.”