3/22/14

From Jim McGuiggan.... A hand's not an eye but...

A hand's not an eye but...

Not all Christians are individually called to suffer in the way the servants of 1 Peter 2:18-21 were called to suffer. But it’s important to remember that no Christian or group of Christians exists as an independent unit, as if they were not a part of the community of faith. This means that while only certain members of Christ’s body are called to some particular experience or path that it is nevertheless the Church as a single body that experiences this or walks that path.

As a physical body has many parts and is yet one body so also is the Church (Romans 12:4-5). It’s true that the eyes don’t do the hearing or that the nose doesn’t do the seeing; but it is not true that seeing and hearing and smelling are completely isolated and individual workings. Seeing is a function of the body and not merely the eyes!

It is not the eyes that see through the eyes; it is the body that sees through the eyes. It is not the ears that hear through the ears, it is not the nose that smells through the nose. Hearing and smelling is what the body as a single and undivided unit does and it does these things through the various parts of the body.

So it is with the Body of Christ. There are no isolated parts that function independently of the rest of the body. A hand in a body has no existence without the body. It can only be understood as a hand precisely because there is a body of which it is a part. This remains true even though the hand is not the foot and the eye is not the ear. There is diversity within the parts of the body and the hand mustn’t abdicate and lay the burden on the eye. Each one must bear his or her own burden and be held accountable in that regard. The church takes care of its children via its parents and it respects it parents via its children. The church serves its wives via its husbands and its husbands via its wives. Family members were instructed to take care of needy widows so that the "church" should not be burdened (1 Timothy 5:16). There is a doctrine of specificity of responsibility (for example, 1 Timothy 5:8). But we’re not to allow that to mask the truth that when these specific responsibilities are being fulfilled by the various members (parts) that this is the body at work; this is how the body does its work!

When God calls specific people within the body to a particular role we’re not to conclude that they are not functioning as the body! Not everyone was called to patiently endure mistreatment at the hands of harsh masters but because they are members of the body it is the body that is under attack by harsh masters. Christ told Paul in Acts 9 that when he persecuted the people of God he was persecuting their Head.

It’s nonsense for us to think that we exist independent of the rest of the People of God.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Mark Copeland... Running The Race Of Faith (Hebrews 12:1-3)

                  "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                   Running The Race Of Faith (12:1-3)

INTRODUCTION

1. Throughout our study, we have noted the emphasis on being steadfast
   in our faith...
   a. The warning against developing unbelief - He 3:12-15
   b. The need for a faith that endures - He 6:11-12; 10:36-39
   c. In chapter eleven, we were reminded of many who had this kind of 
      faith

2. This emphasis continues, with our own life of faith described as a 
   race...
   a. In which we are "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses"
      - He 12:1
      1) The "cloud of witnesses" refers to those mentioned in the 
         previous chapter
      2) I.e., those Old Testament saints like Abraham, Moses, etc.
   b. In what way are they "witnesses"?
      1) While the word can mean "spectator", it is not likely so used
         here
         a) That would suggest they are now "looking down" on us from
            heaven
         b) But there is no indication the dead know what is going on 
            earth - cf. Ec 9:5
         c) While they may have "memory" of what happened (Lk 16:28),
            their attention is focused upon their present condition 
            - cf. Re 7:9-17
      2) The word can also refer to those who "bear witness"
         a) By their lives, they have borne witness to the value of 
            faith - cf. He 11:1-40
         b) By their exemplary lives, they encourage us in "Running The
            Race Of Faith"!

[As we seek to follow in the footsteps of others who have successfully
"run the race of faith", there are three things necessary as presented
in our text.  The first one is...]

I. WE NEED TO LAY SOME THINGS ASIDE (1)

   A. NOTE THE COMPARISON TO RUNNING...
      1. The runner who seeks to win:
         a. Loses as much weight as possible without hurting
            performance
         b. Wears clothing that is light and allows freedom of movement
      2. Excess weight, chafing clothing, etc., can be the difference
         between victory or defeat!

   B. WE TOO MUST LAY SOME THINGS ASIDE...
      1. "every weight"
         a. I.e., things which slow down our spiritual progress
            1) Such as "carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life"
               - Lk 21:34-36
            2) Also, "anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy 
               language..." - cf. Col 3:8; 1Pe 2:1-2; Jm 1:21
         b. Such things make "running the race of faith" difficult, if
            not impossible!
      2. "the sin which so easily ensnares us"
         a. Any and all sins should be laid aside
         b. From the context, I understand "the" sin to be the "sin of 
            unbelief"
            1) The epistle was written to encourage faithfulness to 
               Christ and His covenant
            2) We've seen warnings against unbelief - He 3:12-13
            3) When one no longer believes, the race is lost! - He 10:
               26-39

[With a full assurance of faith, and with every hindrance laid aside, 
we can "run the race of faith" as God intended.  But as we comprehend 
the true nature of the "course" set before us, we can appreciate the 
need for the element of endurance...]

II. WE NEED TO HAVE ENDURANCE (1)

   A. THE "RACE OF FAITH" IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT...
      1. It does not require one quick burst of energy, in which the 
         race is soon over
      2. This "race" requires a sustained effort over a long period of 
         time

   B. ENDURANCE IS A NECESSARY QUALITY...
      1. Jesus often taught His disciples concerning the need for 
         endurance (i.e., patience)
         a. In the parable of The Sower - Lk 8:12
         a. In preparing the disciples for the Limited Commission - Mt 10:22
         b. In His discourse on the Mount of Olives - Mt 24:13
      2. The writer to the Hebrews had stressed this virtue earlier
         a. In which he appealed to the example of Abraham - He 6:11-15
         b. In which he quoted from Habakkuk - He 10:36-39
      3. We can develop such patience with the help of the Scriptures 
         - Ro 15:4
         a. As we read of the faithfulness of God Who fulfills His 
            promises
         b. As we read of the ultimate end of those persevered in 
            faithfulness

[Paul wrote that eternal life would be given "to those who by patient
continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality" (Ro
2:7). Therefore, endurance is required for successfully running this 
"race of faith"!

Equally important is where we have our mind focused as we run the 
race...]

III. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON JESUS (2-3)

   A. WE MUST "LOOK UNTO JESUS"...
      1. Our focus must be upon the Lord as we "run the race"
         a. We might "glance" at others (cf. He 11)
         b. But we are to "gaze" upon the Lord Savior (Believers' Study
            Bible)
         c. As suggested by this "Formula For Spiritual Success":
            1) If you want to be distressed -- look within
            2) If you want to be defeated -- look back 
            3) If you want to be distracted -- look around
            4) If you want to be dismayed -- look ahead
            5) If you want to be delivered -- look up! - cf. Col 3:1-2
      2. For Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith"
         - cf. He 2:10
         a. He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last,
            the Alpha and the Omega - Re 1:8,11
         b. He has blazed the trail for us...
            1) By having run the race Himself
               a) As a forerunner He has entered the heavenly sanctuary
                  - He 6:19-20
               b) He has opened a "new and living way" for us - He 10:
                  20
            2) And now He helps us to finish it ourselves - cf. He 7:25
      3. He succeeded in running the race by looking at "the joy set 
         before Him"
         a. The "joy" that inspired Him was likely that privilege of 
            being seated at God's right hand - cf. Ps 16:9-11; Ac 2:
            25-31
         b. With the anticipation of such "joy", Jesus...
            1) "endured the cross" (the physical pain)
            2) "despised the shame" (the emotional and spiritual agony)
      -- Just as Jesus looked at the joy set before Him, so we must
         look to Jesus!

   B. WE MUST "CONSIDER HIM"...
      1. We must consider how He endured, not only on the cross, but 
         even before! - He 11:3
         a. How He "endured such hostility from sinners against 
            himself"
         b. This hostility is something He experienced frequently - cf.
            Lk 4:28-29; 11:15-16,53-54; 16:14
      2. Meditating upon our Lord will prevent us from becoming
         "weary and discouraged in your souls"
         a. We cannot run with endurance if we become weary and
            discouraged
         b. But as we consider the Lord and His example (in itself a
            form of "waiting upon the Lord"), we shall not grow weary
            nor faint - cf. Isa 40:31

CONCLUSION

1. "Running The Race Of Faith" requires both negative and positive 
   elements...
   a. Negatively, we must lay aside things which would hinder us
   b. Positively, we must keep our focus on Jesus who has made our 
      salvation possible

2. In both cases, the Word of God (the Bible) is crucial...
   a. For in it we learn what sort of things we must lay aside
   b. For in it we learn about our Lord, what He endured, how His 
      example should inspire us

3. Have you lost your endurance?  Have you grown weary in "Running The
   Race Of Faith"?
   a. Let the Bible help you examine what "baggage" should be left 
      aside!
   b. Let the Bible help you learn about Jesus whose own example can 
      encourage you to continue on with perseverance!

Remember what we read earlier...

   "For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the
   will of God, you may receive the promise..." (Hebrews 10:36)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... The closer you look...


I have used several of Terri Justice's pictures before, so I thought I would try this one. Yes, this is one picture. The bottom is my adjustment. Both pictures are fine; the top one shows more reflection, and the bottom one more detail.  So what? Well, these pictures are a lot like people. You can look at their glossy exterior (appearance and character) or you can go a bit closer.  When you do, I can almost guarantee you will find something wrong. If your motives in considering the other person are good ones- no problem. But, if you WANT TO FIND SOMETHING WRONG TO USE IN A NOT-SO-NICE way, then, we have a problem. In thinking about this a bit, I chose a few Bible verses to consider....

Matthew, Chapter 7
 1  “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.   2  For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.  3  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?   4  Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?   5  You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye. 

1 Corinthians, Chapter 5
12 For what have I to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within?  13 But those who are outside, God judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”

Romans, Chapter 2
 26 If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of the law, won’t his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision?  27 Won’t the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?  28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh;  29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God. 

From the beginning of your life and thereafter, you will be judged. From whether or not you are a "cute" baby, to scores on a test in school, and countless other things- you WILL BE JUDGED!!!  So, it is no different in religious matters. Except that Christians are well aware that their judgment is flawed compared to that of the creator. However, in order to maintain purity, we have to consider conduct; matters of the heart are God's purview. Yes, we are to proclaim truth; truth in what we do religiously (liturgy), truth in what we teach (dogma) and ethics (everyday living). However, our aim as Christians is to proclaim Jesus as the way to freedom from sin (sanctification). Christians should be progressing in this last concept and when they fall - 1 Corinthians 5 should be considered. Now, what about the Christian's attitude towards those OUTSIDE THE CHURCH? Consideration, understanding and a call to a Godly controlled though the GOSPEL should be our focus.  Once a person understands the truly evil nature and dastardly effects of sin, well, why would they want to stay in it???  I know that it sometimes hurts to consider your ways, but seeing truth is well worth it. Just like that lower picture of the moon above; it may be clearer, but you are bound to see more defects. This is where Jesus comes in- HE is the way out of your problems, by the truth and leading to a better life (John 14:6).