From Jim McGuiggan... Achan, Uzzah and Sam Harris

Achan, Uzzah and Sam Harris

We need a good helping of common-sense when we're interpreting scripture; it'll help to keep us from believing and talking nonsense.

It's too easy to find someone who has sinned and suffered under God's hand in a public way and to move from that truth to some generalisation about the way God works. Let me illustrate what I mean.

Under severe pressure Moses becomes momentarily trustless and angry and God won't let him into the Promised Land (see Numbers 20). Achan (see Joshua 7) steals what is claimed by God and he and his entire family are slain. Nadab and Abihu (see Leviticus10) ignore ceremonial protocol (their motivation isn't made clear) and are slain by God on the spot. Ananias and his wife (see Acts 5) lie to God and (it appears) withheld what they had committed to him and both fall down dead. Uzzah (see 2 Samuel 6) touches the Ark of the Covenant and God kills him then and there. A crowd of youths from Bethel follow Elisha, God's prophet, jeering and insulting him as they go and God kills forty-two of them (see 2 Kings 2:23-25).

A series of sermons follows on how God hates unbridled anger, lies, stealing, ignoring God's precise instructions and failure to keep our promises.

And why not? We can hardly believe that God rejoices in these things, can we? Hardly! But it isn't helpful to give the impression that God is always on the verge of destroying or severely punishing every wrong—is there no forgiveness in him, no patience with people who sin?

In any case, we're not to pretend that the central thing in the punishments mentioned above is the simple fact that somebody sinned and that God hates sin. There is a context to all these occurrences and it would serve us well to look for it so that we won't reduce the message of the events.

Hanging verses together as if we were putting beads on a string is dabbling with scripture (it's the kind of thing ignorant Sam Harris the atheist does but it's hardly excusable for serious Bible students, teachers or preachers).

It wouldn't be hard to write a book of 10,000 pages about the oppression of black people by Europeans and Americans. Every page could truthfully rehearse some outrageous cruelty and yet the book as a whole might well be an instrument of injustice. It would ignore all the many white people who sacrificed wealth and reputation, peace and comfort, in war and otherwise, to aid the sufferers and bring the cruelty and injustice to an end.

Similarly, it isn't difficult to hang together all the punishing passages of scripture and give the impression that God is high-strung and obsessed with his reputation and like flint when it comes to his commands.

That isn't the God of the Bible or the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

©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.

The Audacity To Say “Yes, Sir”? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=2169

The Audacity To Say “Yes, Sir”?

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

“Sir” and “ma’am” have long been considered respectful and courteous ways to address adults and those in positions of authority. Parents are delighted to hear their children address adults with such considerate language. Bosses are very appreciative of their employees responding with a respectful “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am.” Kings, presidents, and military heroes demand our deference. God commands Christians to “[r]ender therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7, emp. added).
Recently, the highest ranking political and military official in the United States, President and Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush, visited Pope Benedict XVI for the first time. What will be remembered most about their meeting? That President Bush had the “audacity” to refer to the pope several times as “Sir.” News organizations all over the world reported how “Bush drew gasps at the Vatican...by referring to Pope Benedict XVI as ‘sir’ instead of the expected ‘His holiness’” (“Bush...,” 2007). Columnist John Hooper wrote: “[B]efore he got down to cases with Bush, the Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles and Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church had the unusual experience of being called ‘sir.’ ‘It’s good to be with you, sir,’ said Bush as he sat down” (2007). In addition to “consistently” addressing the pope as “Sir,” Catholic World News also noted how President Bush “did not bow when he met the Pope” (“Iraq...,” 2007).
Bush spoke respectfully to the pope, yet was criticized heavily for not venerating him as “The Holy Father” or acknowledging him as “the Vicar of Jesus Christ.” In reality, every faithful Christian falls under the same criticism because the pope deserves no such reverence. Christians must never feel pressured into honoring any human being in the way we honor God. There is only one Holy Father (Ephesians 4:6), and no man should expect to be called by that name in a religious context (Matthew 23:9). Even the apostle Peter (whom Catholics errantly allege was the first pope; see Pinedo, 2005) rejected such adoration (Acts 10:25-26). Only God is worthy of our worship and sacred praise (Matthew 4:10).
Respecting our fellow man and giving “honor to whom honor” is due is biblical (Romans 13:7). Venerating a man above all men in a religious sense, however, is unscriptural. All Christians are part of the “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), but we serve no High Priest but Christ (Hebrews 8:1; 9:11; 10:21). He has no vicar on Earth. Rather, Jesus has “all authority...in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
Regardless of what one thinks of George W. Bush as President, his refusal to call the pope by one of his “holy” names is a noble act worth emulating. If the pope was obedient to Almighty God, he would (among many other things) be content with respectful addresses, rather than expecting reverence due only to God.

REFERENCES

“Bush Makes a Gaffe at Vatican City” (2007), The Times of India, June 11, [On-line], URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bush_makes_a_gaffe_at_Vatican_City /articleshow/2113119.cms.
Hooper, John (2007), “What the President said to ‘His Holy Father,’” The Guardian, June 10, [On-line], URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/italy/story/0,,2099715,00.html.
“Iraq Tops Agenda as Bush Meets with Pope” (2007), Catholic World News, June 11, [On-line], URL: http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=51704.
Pinedo, Moises (2005), “The Pope, the Papacy, and the Bible,” Apologetics Press, [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/article/626.

From Mark Copeland... One Sows And Another Reaps (John 4:35-38)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                  One Sows And Another Reaps (4:35-38)

INTRODUCTION

1. Jesus, the Master Teacher, has much to teach us about winning
   souls...
   a. By way of example, He teaches us the need for compassion - e.g.,
      Mt 9:35-36
   b. By way of instruction, He teaches the need for prayer - e.g., Mt 9:37-38
   -- Many other things regarding evangelism can be gleaned from our
      Lord's example and words

2. On one occasion, Jesus taught His disciples an important principle of
   sowing and reaping...
   a. In Samaria, following His discussion with the woman at the well
      - cf. Jn 4:28-29
   b. Apparently as people from the city were making their way to see
      Jesus - cf. Jn 4:30
   c. As the crowd was making their way, Jesus told His disciples:
      1) "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the
         fields, for they are already white for harvest" - Jn 4:35
      2) "He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal
         life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice
         together." - Jn 4:36
      3) "For in this the saying is true:  'One sows and another
         reaps.'" - Jn 4:37
      4) "I have sent you to reap that for which you have not labored;
         others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."
         - Jn 4:38

3. In our study, I want to focus on the "true saying" Jesus referred
   to...
   a. I.e., "One sows and another reaps"
   b. Which provides valuable insight into the process of winning souls

[From Jesus we learn that...]

I. WINNING SOULS INVOLVES BOTH SOWING AND REAPING

   A. THE PROCESS OF SOWING...
      1. In agriculture, sowing involves preparing the soil and planting
         the seed
      2. In winning souls to Christ, sowing likewise involves
         preparation and planting
         a. In which hearts are being prepared to receive the gospel
         b. In which hearts are first introduced to the gospel
      -- A process involving time, teaching, influence, often with
         little visible results

   B. THE PROCESS OF REAPING...
      1. In agriculture, reaping is the harvesting of what has been sown
      2. In winning souls to Christ, reaping involves a similar harvest
         a. Involving souls who have already heard the Word
         b. Involving souls who decide to obey the Word
      -  A process involving conversion, with great joy and excitement
         over the results

[Both sowing and reaping are necessary to win souls.  Yet the "saying"
reveals that the two are not always done by the same person(s)...]

II. WE MAY REAP WHERE OTHERS HAVE SOWN

   A. THIS WAS THE CASE IN SAMARIA...
      1. Jesus sent His disciples to reap where others had labored - cf.
         Jn 4:38
      2. Who had done the sowing?
         a. Jesus, in conversing with the woman at the well - Jn 4:5-26
         b. The woman, in telling those in town about Jesus - Jn 4:28-30
      -- The disciples were to benefit from the sowing done by others

   B. THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE TODAY...
      1. There are times when people seem "ripe" (ready to be reaped)
         a. Ready to obey the gospel
         b. Requiring little effort on our part
      2. This is likely due to "sowing" that occurred some time earlier
         a. Perhaps the example or teaching by a friend, family member
            in the past
         b. To which they did not respond then, but are ready now
      -- We often benefit from the sowing done by others

   C. THIS CAN BE MISINTERPRETED...
      1. We might think that we have won souls by ourselves
      2. We might think that those who convert many are great soul
         winners in of themselves
      -- Reaping does not always reflect where the hardest work has been
         done

[We should be careful not to boast if we are privileged to reap where
others have sown.  Yet we can rejoice, for reaping even when others have
sown is an exciting time for the laborers!  Then again...]

III. WE MAY SOW WHERE OTHERS WILL REAP

   A. THIS WAS THE CASE IN SAMARIA...
      1. Jesus did the sowing, but the disciples would do the reaping
      2. The woman did some sowing, then Jesus and His disciples did the
         reaping - Jn 4:39-42
      -- In this case, the sowing and reaping, though separate, occurred
         close together

   B. THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE TODAY...
      1. There are times when a lot of sowing is being done
         a. Lives are influenced by the godly examples of other
            Christians
         b. Souls are taught the Word of God
      2. Yet the reaping is not enjoyed by those doing the sowing
         a. Few seem to respond to the efforts being made
         b. Much time and energy is expended, with little immediate
            results
      3. The reaping often comes later
         a. It might be years before the Word bears fruit
         b. It might be long after we are gone
         c. It might be done by others
      -- In such cases, the sowing and reaping occur far apart

   C. THIS CAN BE MISINTERPRETED...
      1. Those sowing with little visible reaping may think they have
         failed
         a. Causing them to become discouraged
         b. Tempting them to discontinue their efforts
      2. Others may think those who sow with little visible reaping are
         failures
         a. Presuming they must not be sowing the seed
         b. Presuming they must not be diligent in their efforts
      -- Failure to reap does not always reflect the hard work being
         done

[When the efforts to sow appear to produce little fruit, we should not
draw conclusions hastily.  It can only lead to discouragement and
possible misjudgment others.  Understanding the principle, "One Sows And
Another Reaps", then may I suggest that...]

IV. WE SHOULD BE DILIGENT TO SOW AND REAP

   A. DILIGENT IN SOWING...
      1. There will be times when we will be mostly sowing the seed
         a. Teaching souls the first principles of the gospel of Christ
            - cf. Mk 16:15-16
         b. Influencing souls by example - cf. 1Pe 3:1-2
      2. There may be times when we see little fruit from our efforts
         a. Jeremiah prophesied nearly fifty years with little success
         b. Jesus and His apostles had their periods when few would
            listen
      3. Yet we can take comfort in knowing that God's Word is never
         sown in vain
         a. It will accomplish its purpose - cf. Isa 55:10-11
         b. It has the power to save those who believe it - Ro 1:16; Ja
            1:21
         c. God only holds us responsible for sowing the seed - cf. Ezek 3:17-19
      -- Even if we never reap, we can rejoice in the work of sowing,
         knowing that our labors for the Lord are not in vain - cf. 1Co 15:58

   B. DILIGENT IN REAPING...
      1. There may be times when we may reap where others have sown
         a. Souls who come to us, wanting to study, ready to obey
         b. Souls where others had sown, and we are privileged to reap
      2. There may be times when there is much reaping with little
         effort
         a. Souls seem quick to respond
         b. Numbers of members increase
      3. Yet we should be cautious not to boast
         a. The power is in the seed, not the sower or the reaper - He 4:12
         b. The providence of God is at work, He is the one who gives
            the increase - 1Co 3:5-7
      -- As we reap, be mindful of the contribution of others (including
         God), and rejoice together in the work of the Lord - cf. 1Co 3:8; Jn 4:36

CONCLUSION

1. Brothers and sisters in Christ, are we not laborers in the vineyard
   of the Lord...?
   a. Then let us not hesitate to reap where others have sown
   b. Then let us not hesitate to sow where others might reap

2. May the principle "One Sows And Another Reaps"...
   a. Encourage us when it seems we are sowing with little fruit to be
      seen
   b. Humble us when it seems we are reaping where we have not sown

Finally, if we are not reaping at the moment, then let us at least be
sowing...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary.... LORD, make me invisible

Look, you can see right through that butterfly!!!  Amazing, isn't it???  On seeing this, I asked myself: What if someone could see right through ME?  It is possible, because Jesus is able to do this!!!  Again, AMAZING!!!  But, there is far more to him than just this- read on...

Matthew 9:1-8 NASB
(1)  Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city.
(2)  And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven."
(3)  And some of the scribes said to themselves, "This fellow blasphemes."
(4)  And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?
(5)  "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, and walk'?
(6)  "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--then He *said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home."
(7)  And he got up and went home.
(8)  But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus had the power on Earth, not only to heal, but to forgive sins.  And the Scribes didn't like it one bit!!!  Instead of glorifying God and accepting him for who he was, they thought evil about Jesus.  Miracles are great, they show the power of God!!!  Beyond the visible is the invisible realm, where God can look right through you and see the condition of your soul. Don't wait until the last moment to clean up your life (and of course your soul). Do it now!!! Jesus awaits- obey him by accepting him for who he really is and changing your life and begin a new one by putting him on in baptism.  You know, it just occurred to me- if you clean up the inside  and God dwells there- then the pure light of God can shine for all the world to see. My prayer for you today is just this- that you may be invisible so that others can see God in you!!! And you just may be the only Gospel message someone may ever be able to appreciate in their entire life!!!!