3/7/14

From Jim McGuiggan... Housekeepers, miners and nobodies


Housekeepers, miners and nobodies

George MacDonald’s character, Curdie, came to the king’s house because the princess had told him to report to her there. At the door he met the officious housekeeper (who seemed to swell and fill the door) who rebuked him for his comings and goings and the fact that he (as she saw it) made a mess of things while he was there. "Don’t you know this is my house?" she barked. Curdie politely replied that he didn’t know that because he thought it was the king’s house. She responded, he responded, she called him insolent and oozing pride asked the poor ignoramus, "Don’t you see by my dress that I am in the king’s service?" Curdie, a young miner, wanted to know, "And am I not one of his miners?" 

"Ah, that goes for nothing," she snapped. "I am one of his household. You are an out-of-doors labourer. You are a nobody. You carry a pickaxe. I carry the keys at my waist. See!" 

But Curdie checkmated her with, "But you must not call one a nobody to whom the king has spoken." 

This is a hard lesson for us to learn. You understand that it isn’t that we’re all to function in the same place of authority with the same responsibilities. There are those that have been given authority over us and though often we don’t like that, there’s no community living without accepting the truth of it. Still, it’s a hard lesson to learn because we tend to be prideful and if we’ve haven’t been given the most sought after job, the one that attracts the attention and gets the big money, we’re inclined to whimper (and other things) a lot. Well, why not? We should be treated with respect and when we are stuck in a lower level position our "person-hood" is scorned and we can’t stand for that, can we? 

The sad thing is that some of us get the place we think we deserve and it doesn’t make us better. Like the officious housekeeper we balloon up and fill the doorways of life and are only content when we think we’ve surpassed the other peasants way below us. In that spirit it doesn’t matter to us, for example, that others would be better as rich people than we would be if we were made rich. It only matters that we are or get to be wealthy or prominent or acclaimed. 

Apparently Curdie had no trouble with any of that. He had a pure heart and was perfectly content to be the king’s miner. He didn’t need to have the keys to buildings hanging at his belt, didn’t need to minister to vast congregations, didn’t need to drive a big fancy car or be the belle of anyone’s ball. He was more than at peace within himself. He rejoiced in the dignity of being one that the king had spoken to and needed nothing more. 

You see this illustrated in reverse in Number 16 where the rebels weren’t as wise or as pure in heart as Curdie. Korah, Dathan and Abiram attacked Moses and Aaron because those two exercised authority over the assembly at large and restricted the priesthood to Aaron’s family. The rebels said that these two took too much on themselves because all the people of God are holy and they wanted to exercise the priesthood (16:1-4,10). Moses reminded them that this was God’s restriction but he goes on to remind these Levites that God had spoken to them and given them their own ministry (16:10). And that was where the problem was rooted. The leading rebels didn’t think their ministry was glorious enough—they wanted more. They thought they were being cheated, you see. They thought that having the priesthood keys at their belt would give them the dignity and recognition they deserved. Had they believed what Curdie knew, that no one to whom the King has spoken is "a nobody," they would not have despised the privileged place God had given to them. Though Curdie was a miner with a pickaxe in his hand he knew full well and with joyful contentment that he was one of the king’s servants and in this knowledge he glorified his ministry. 

You understand it wasn’t simply that Korah and company were despising their position, they were exalting themselves (compare Romans 12:3-8) and thought they were being robbed. And they weren’t opposing Moses alone; they were opposing God (Numbers 16:11)!  

It wasn’t a question about what God wanted. It was all about what these Levites wanted! It wasn’t an information problem; it was a heart problem. "I deserve and want more!"  

Poor souls. They talked as though they were suffering like the colonies in their most awful moments when France and Spain and Portugal and Britain were at their plundering worst. They talked as though they were Afro-Americans that were humiliated and robbed all those years under White supremacy in the USA. or they were Irish during the centuries when England plundered and bullied them. Doesn’t it make you want to throw up sometimes when people (ourselves included?) blessed to the skies whine on and on about wanting more. And those, Like Korah, Dathan and Abiram who take the lead in furthering a heart problem among the people of God have something to answer for as the entire Numbers 16 chapter shows. 

[It occurs to me that this is a great chapter to use to defend the status quo. It’s a good chapter to use to keep people "in their place". Hmmm. That’d be another heart problem, wouldn’t it?]. 


From Mark Copeland... The Peril Of Not Progressing (Hebrews 6:1-8) 

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                  The Peril Of Not Progressing (6:1-8)

INTRODUCTION

1. The normal Christian life is to be one of spiritual growth and 
   progression...
   a. Starting as "babes in Christ", we feed on the "milk" of the Word
   b. As our spiritual senses are exercised to discern good and evil, 
      we are then able to progress to "solid food" (meat)
   -- In this way we are to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our 
      Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2Pe 3:18

2. But as we saw in a previous lesson ("Marks Of Spiritual
   Immaturity"), not all grow as they should, and some of the 
   indications of immaturity are:
   a. Dullness of hearing
   b. Inability to teach others
   c. Diet of "milk" only
   d. Inability to discern good and evil - cf. He 5:11-14

3. But if we don't grow spiritually as we should, so what?
   a. Is spiritual growth really that essential?
   b. Is there a "danger" involved in not progressing spiritually?

[In the text before us (He 6:1-8), we find that indeed there is "The
Peril Of Not Progressing"; that it is possible for Christians to find
themselves in a very precarious situation.  

As we examine this passage, we note first...]

I. THE DUTY OF PRESSING ON TO PERFECTION (1-3)

   A. THE PERFECTION WE SEEK IS TWO-FOLD...
      1. Maturity in religious knowledge, as a MEANS - 1Pe 2:2; Jm 1:21
         a. We need the Word of God, that we may grow thereby
         b. By receiving the Word with humility into our hearts, it can
            save our souls
      2. Full development of spiritual life, as an ENDS - 2Pe 1:5-8
         a. To faith and knowledge, we must add the qualities of godly
            character
         b. As we develop this godly character, we truly come to know
            the Lord

   B. FOR THIS WE NEED "THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST"...
      1. Our text reveals that this involves teaching on such subjects
         as:
         a. "Repentance from dead works"
            1) I.e., turning from works which produce spiritual death,
               not life
            2) Paul describes such works in Ep 2:1-3; Ro 6:21
         b. "Faith toward God"
            1) I.e., that trusting conviction in God and His promises
               that is essential to pleasing Him - cf. He 11:6
            2) This faith is produced by the Word of God itself - cf. 
               Ro 10:17; Jn 20:30-31
         c. "The doctrine of baptisms"
            1) In the first century A.D., there were many ritual 
               washings practiced by various sects of the pagans and
               Jews
               a) Such practices needed to be carefully distinguished 
                  from Christian baptism
               b) Just as John's baptism was distinguished from baptism
                  into Christ - cf. Ac 19:1-5
            2) Today, it is important to understand the different kinds
               of baptisms practiced...
               a) Nearly all "Christian" religions practice some sort 
                  of baptism
               b) But most do not baptize for the reasons stated in the
                  Scriptures - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:1-6
         d. "Laying on of hands"
            1) In the early church, this was done for various reasons:
               a) By Jesus, and others with the gift of healing, to 
                  heal the sick - Lk 4:40; Mk 16:18; Ac 28:8
               b) By Jesus, to bestow special blessings upon others 
                  - Mk 10:16; Mt 19:13-15
               c) By the apostles, to impart the Spirit in a miraculous
                  measure - Ac 8:14-25; 19:1-7; 2Ti 1:6
               d) By church leaders, to appoint different ones for 
                  service - Ac 6:1-6; 13:1-3; 1Ti 4:14; 5:22
            2) Note that the laying on of hands was often accompanied 
               with prayer; perhaps the imposition of hands being the
               outward symbol of the prayer (Lightfoot)
         e. "Resurrection of the dead"
            1) A central theme of apostolic preaching was the 
               resurrection of Jesus - Ac 2:31-32; 10:40; 13:33
            2) They also preached in Jesus our own resurrection, which
               is our precious hope! - Ac 4:2; 24:15; 1Co 15:12-23
         f. "Eternal judgment"
            1) Another theme of apostolic preaching - cf. Ac 17:30-31;
               24:24-25
            2) Also stressed in their epistles - cf. Ro 2:16; 14:10-12;
               2Co 5:10
      2. Understanding these concepts serves as the "beginning" of 
         spiritual growth!
         a. Sadly, some who have been Christians for years still "need 
            someone to teach you again the first principles of the 
            oracles of God;"
         b. Such people are still "babes" who "need milk and not solid
            food." - He 5:12

   C. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO "GO ON TO PERFECTION"...
      1. Once we have laid the foundation, we need to build on it
      2. With an understanding of the doctrines previously described,
         we are ready to receive more difficult knowledge
         a. Such as the high priesthood of Christ - cf. He 5:9-11
         b. We might also add the work of Christ as our "King of kings
             and Lord of lords", as depicted in the book of Revelation 3. 

            By comprehending the "meatier" parts of the Word of God, we 
         are more likely to remain steadfast in our faith
      -- And so we need the attitude of striving toward perfection as
         described by Paul - Php 3:7-15

[Is this our attitude?  It should be, for as we continue to read in our
text, there is...]

II. THE DANGER OF IRREVERSIBLE APOSTASY (4-8)

   A. NOTE THE PRIVILEGES SOME APOSTATES HAD ENJOYED...
      1. They "were once enlightened"
         a. This likely refers to their conversion - cf. He 10:32
         b. By the second century, the word "enlightenment" was used as
            a synonym for baptism (Justin, Apology, 1.61.65)
         c. The Peshitta Syriac translates the verse, "who have once
            descended to baptism" (Lightfoot)
      2. They "have tasted of the heavenly gift"
         a. The word "taste" suggests a deep personal experience - cf.
            1Pe 2:3; Ps 34:8
         b. Their tasting the "heavenly gift" refers back to the past
            experience of salvation...
            1) In which they experienced the forgiveness of sins
            2) In which they began to receive the spiritual blessings
               of being in Christ
         c. The clause "describes vividly the reality of personal
            experiences of salvation enjoyed by Christians at
            conversion (baptism)." (Behm, TDNT, I, 676)
      3. They "have become partakers of the Holy Spirit"
         a. This also refers back to their conversion - Ac 2:38; 5:32
         b. The word "partakers" (metochous) is significant...
            1) Christians are "partakers (metochoi) of the heavenly 
               calling" - He 3:1
            2) They are "partakers (metochoi) of Christ" - He 3:14
            -- So they are also partakers in the Holy Spirit! 
               (Lightfoot)
      4. They "have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the
         age to come"
         a. Again the word "tasted" suggests personal experience
         b. They had experienced the good things the word of God 
            promises
         c. They had experienced "the powers of the age to come"
            1) The "age to come" is likely the Messianic age, ushered
               in with the first coming of Christ, and consummated with
               His second coming (Lightfoot)
            2) The "powers of the age" they had experienced...
               a) Certainly included the "power" experienced by all 
                  Christians - cf. Ep 1:19; 3:20; 6:10
               b) But perhaps even "signs and wonders, with various 
                  miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit" - cf. He 2:4
      -- Can these be anyone other than true Christians who had once 
         believed in Jesus?

   B. NOTE HOW FAR THEY HAD FALLEN...
      1. It was now "impossible...to renew them again to repentance"
         a. It is apparent that Christians can "fall away"
            1) Paul warned that one can become "estranged from Christ" 
               and "fall from grace" - Ga 5:4
            2) Peter described those once saved whose "latter end is 
               worse than the beginning" - 2Pe 2:20-22
         b. Here we learn that some can fall away to the point they are
            beyond rescue!
            1) We cannot say when a person reaches that point
            2) But there is a point where renewal becomes impossible!
      2. In such a state "they crucify again for themselves the Son of
         God and put Him to an open shame."
         a. This is not a Christian who sins out of weakness or 
            ignorance
         b. This is one who knowingly and openly rejects Christ 
            publicly!
            1) It is one whose heart has been so hardened by sin that 
               in unbelief they have departed from the living God - cf.
               He 3:12-13
            2) It is one who despises Jesus, His blood, and the Spirit
               of grace - cf. He 10:29
         c. It is one thing to "yield" to sin contrary to the new life
            in Christ, it is another thing to "abandon" that new life 
            altogether! (Lightfoot)
         -- But such can happen if we are not careful to "go on to 
            perfection"!

   C. NOTE THE FEARFUL DESTRUCTION RESERVED FOR THEM...
      1. Like unproductive branches, they are "rejected...whose end is
         to be burned"
         a. Having received blessings from God, they should have 
            produced good fruit
         b. But instead they are like thorns and briars, taking 
            nourishment but not producing useful fruit in return - He 6:7-8
      2. With a similar illustration, Jesus warned His disciples! - Jn 15:1-8
         a. By abiding in Him, we are able to bear fruit to God's glory
         b. But if we do not bear fruit, we will be cut off and
            "burned"!

CONCLUSION

1. From this stern passage, we learn some sobering truths...
   a. Receiving wonderful blessings from God does not preclude the 
      impossibility of apostasy
   b. For those who fall away to the point of casting off their faith,
      destruction awaits!

2. In view of such truths...
   a. "The Peril Of Not Progressing" is very real!
   b. We need to heed the exhortation:  "let us go on to perfection"
      1) We cannot be content with spiritual immaturity
      2) We must be diligent to "press on" in our spiritual growth

Does this mean we must live our Christian lives with insecurity 
regarding our salvation?  No, for as we will see in our next lesson
("The Basis For Spiritual Security"), there are things upon which we
can base our hope and trust for the future.  But the warnings in this
passage should be heeded!

Brethren, what are you doing with the blessings you have received in 
Christ...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... The color of a heart


 




 All the same picture, starting with the top left, first, I darkened it (top right) and then lightened it (bottom). Why? To show that even the same expression, when seen from a different perspective gives a slightly different message. Our understanding of what it is trying to communicate changes ever-so-slightly with each minute alteration. Apply this concept to our perception of the Almighty and then consider this Bible passage...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 2
  7 But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,  8 which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory.  9 But as it is written, 
“Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear,
which didn’t enter into the heart of man,
these God has prepared for those who love him.”
 
  10  But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.  11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit.  12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.

If a picture be understood differently by the mere alteration of a little light, imagine what a little sin can do to our understanding of God?  Paul gives an illustration of this from personal experience...

Acts, Chapter 26
12  “Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,  13 at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.  14 When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 

  15  “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ 

“He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.   16  But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you;   17 delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,   18  to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

The original picture just shows a smile and we may wonder what she is thinking, but in actuality, that knowledge is between her and God. However, it seems clear to me that WHAT she is thinking is a reflection what her life is like. Is it encumbered and darkened by sin or freed and illuminated by the light of life? If that is true of her, it follows that it also applies to us as well. Just think about it, OK? - I will...

3/6/14

From Jim McGuiggan... Individualism devouring community


Individualism devouring community

The OT was well aware of the existence of the individual and religion was as personal in the OT as it is in the NT. The "individual" was "discovered" several times in European history and it really came home to the Christian religion at the Reformation; but it was in Post-Reformation days that "individualism" began to grow into the destructive virus it now is. The OT kept individualism in check by its focus and constant stress on the community, the nation of Israel, and even tribal independence in its extreme forms (seen in the book of Judges) is exposed as detrimental to everyone's welfare.

Oppression and injustice feeds the cause of "individualism," whether in or outside religion and an over-stress on "personal" religion undermines the sense of oneness and interdependence within the Church.

The ceaseless stream of "personal religion" and devotional books by authors and publishers feed this unhealthy hunger, this greed for "what's in it for me and mine?" material. "What's in it for our congregation?" Even the books that call for personal holiness (and how can you criticise what is absolutely essential—Hebrews 12:14?) tend to fragment us into individuals in pursuit of holiness; as if we weren't "a holy nation" and "a people" called out of darkness to proclaim his marvellous light! No wonder there's so much "church-shopping" going on; no wonder congregations have become branches of a supermarket chain and no wonder commitment to the Congregational expression of Jesus Christ is at such a low ebb. 

The OT in general and the prophetic voices in particular constantly called the people to remember their national history and not their history as individuals. Israelites were individuals within a redeemed nation and not a collection of individuals pursuing their own individual moral improvement. They each had a personal and individual relationship with Yahweh but they didn't have it independent of the nation! Christians each have a personal and individual relationship with God in Jesus Christ but they don't have it independent of the body of Christ!
We cannot despise or dispense with "the body of Christ" and please the Lord Jesus Christ!

He will not have it

From Mark Copeland... Marks Of Spiritual Immaturity (Hebrews 5:11-14) 


                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                Marks Of Spiritual Immaturity (5:11-14)

INTRODUCTION

1. Just because one has been a Christian for many years, does not mean
   they are "mature"
   a. They may be like the person who had been teacher for twenty-five
      years...
      1) When she heard about a job that would mean a promotion, she
         applied for the position.  However, someone who had been 
         teaching for only one year was hired instead.
      2) She went to the principal and asked why.  The principal 
         responded, "I'm sorry, but you haven't had 25 years of 
         experience as you claim; you've had only one year's experience
         25 times."
      -- During that whole time the teacher had not improved!
   b. So it may be with many Christians; they have not grown, but 
      simply repeated their first year of spiritual life many times!

2. The lack of spiritual growth (i.e., spiritual immaturity) is a
   dangerous thing...
   a. For there may be blessings to be enjoyed in Christ that only the
      mature Christian can truly understand and appropriate
   b. If one remains spiritually immature, they do not come to fully
      appreciate their standing and blessings that they have in Christ!
   -- Deprived of a greater understanding, they are more susceptible to
      the wiles of the devil

3. The author of the book of Hebrews found himself faced with this
   problem...
   a. He had much to say about Christ as our High Priest
   b. But the spiritual immaturity of his readers made it difficult
   -- And so he thought it necessary to temporarily digress - He 5:
      11-14

4. How about you?
   a. Are you growing as a Christian?
   b. Or are you repeating your first year over and over again,
      remaining spiritual immature?
   -- Do you know how to determine whether you are spiritually mature?

[In our text we find some of the identifying "Marks Of Spiritual 
Immaturity", indicators that reveal when one is in need of "growing up"
spiritually.  For example, one mark of spiritual immaturity is...]

I. DULLNESS OF HEARING (11)

   A. THE HEBREWS HAD BECOME "DULL OF HEARING"...
      1. This prevented the writer from continuing with his argument at
         the moment
      2. While the material he had to share was "hard to explain"...
         a. It wasn't so much the difficulty of the material itself
         b. As it was their own inability to receive it!
      3. That they had "become" dull of hearing may imply a 
         regression...
         a. At one time they were not "dull of hearing"
         b. They may have been like the Bereans at one time, "who 
            received the word with all readiness" - Ac 17:11
         c. Indeed, most converts are truly "sharp" in their listening
            at the first
            1) They are excited about what they are learning
            2) They listen with great "readiness", and spiritual growth
               occurs
         d. But it is not uncommon for apathy to set in, making one 
            "dull of hearing"
         -- When one becomes "dull of hearing", they begin to regress 
            to a state of spiritual immaturity

   B.  ARE YOU "DULL OF HEARING"?
      1. Ask yourself these questions:
         a. Is the Bible dull?
         b. Are the Bible classes dull?
         c. Are the sermons dull?
         d. Is anything that is spiritual in nature (like singing, 
            praying) dull?
      2. If so, then you have become "dull of hearing"!
         a. If you listen at all, it will be to those who are willing 
            to "tickle your ears"
         b. And you will be susceptible to being mislead - 2Ti 4:3-4

[When one is "dull of hearing", it is only natural that the next "mark
of spiritual immaturity" will be evident...]

II. THE INABILITY TO TEACH OTHERS (12a)

   A. THE HEBREWS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS...
      1. They had been Christians for some time ("by this time you 
         ought to be teachers")
         a. They had time to learn, to grow
         b. A natural response to growth is to bear fruit
         c. One way we bear fruit is by teaching others
      2. In one way or another, they should have been able to teach 
         others
         a. Perhaps not in a formal sense, for not all are gifted in 
            that way - cf. 1Co 12:29; Ep 4:11; Jm 3:1
         b. But all can share the good news and hope they have with 
            others - cf. Ac 8:4; 1Pe 3:15; Tit 2:3-5
      -- Their need for someone to teach them again "the first
         principles" demonstrated their spiritual immaturity

   B. ARE YOU ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS?
      1. Assuming that sufficient time has passed, are you teaching 
         others?
         a. Either formally as a teacher instructing others in the 
            faith?
         b. Or informally by sharing your faith with others?
      2. Do you find yourself saying "I don't know what to say?"
         a. Then it sounds like you have forgotten "the first 
            principles"
         b. And you need to have someone teach you again!

[If one has not progressed to the point where they are somehow teaching
others about Christ, then they are still spiritually immature!  One 
reason why this may be true is also another indicator of spiritual 
immaturity...]

III. A DIET OF "MILK" (12b,13)

   A. NOW, A DIET OF "MILK" IS OFTEN NECESSARY...
      1. Certainly it is needed for those who are "babes in Christ" 
         - e.g., 1Co 3:1-2
      2. Also for those who have regressed (as with the Hebrews) - cf.
         He 5:12b
      3. Such a diet includes what is described as "the first
         principles of the oracles of God" (later called "the 
         elementary principles of Christ" in He 6:1-3)

   B. BUT OUR DIET MUST ONE DAY INCLUDE "SOLID FOOD"...
      1. Just as a physical baby must graduate to solid foods in order
         to grow to maturity
      2. So a "babe in Christ" cannot mature unless the diet goes 
         beyond the "first principles"
      3. Wiersbe offers an interesting explanation as to what may be 
         the difference...
         a. "milk" refers to what Jesus did on earth:  His birth, life,
            teaching, death, burial and resurrection
         b. "solid food" refers to what Jesus is now doing in heaven:
             e.g., His priesthood
      4. If our diet remains "milk only"...
         a. Then we will be "unskilled" (lit., without experience) in
            the word of God
         b. We will remain "babes" in Christ - cf. He 5:13

   C. WHAT HAS YOUR "DIET" BEEN LATELY?
      1. Has it been limited to "milk"? 
         a. Has it even included "milk"?
         b. Some Christians may not even be getting the "milk" of the
            Word!
      2. Are you getting any "meat"?
         a. Studying portions of God's Word that challenges your 
            understanding?
         b. Stay with us in this study in Hebrews, and you will be sure
            to get some!

[A "milk only" diet leaves one immature, and by default one who is 
"unskilled in the word of righteousness".  This will in turn produce 
another trait of spiritual immaturity...]

IV. THE INABILITY TO DISCERN (14)

   A. NORMAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH EXERCISES THE SENSES...
      1. Even the "milk" of the word is designed to train one's 
         faculties
         a. By exposing us to the difference between right and wrong
         b. In this way our spiritual sense is "exercised"
      2. Then "by reason of use" we learn to "discern both good and 
         evil"
         a. With clear examples set before us in the Scriptures, we 
            learn right from wrong
         b. We thereby develop the ability to "distinguish" between 
            good and evil
         c. We become able to apply general principles to specific
            situations
            1) Specific condemnation of a practice is not always 
               necessary
            2) We can discern when something is more like the good, or
               more like the bad

   B. SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY LACKS THIS ABILITY TO DISCERN...
      1. A babe in Christ often has difficulty discerning the 
         difference between:
         a. Good teaching (truth) and bad teaching (error)
         b. Good conduct (righteousness) and bad conduct (wickedness)
      2. Inability to discern leaves them open to being...
         a. "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of 
            doctrine" - cf. Ep 4:14
         b. Like "a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind...a 
            double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" - Jm 1:6-8

   C. DO YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DISCERN?
      1. Can you apply general principles to a specific situation, or 
         do you require a clear "Thou shalt not" to determine if 
         something is wrong?
      2. Are you able to recognize when a doctrine is true to God's 
         word?
      3. Or are you dependent upon someone else...
         a. To "spoon feed" you?
         b. To "take you by the hand and lead" you?
         -- I.e., to tell you what is right and wrong, what is truth 
            and what is error

CONCLUSION

1. There are certainly other indicators of spiritual immaturity...
   a. E.g., behaving in a carnal way
   b. E.g., possessing strife, envy, and jealousy - cf. 1Co 3:1-4

2. But in our present text we have focused our attention on the four 
   presented here...
   a. Dullness of hearing
   b. The inability to teach others
   c. A diet of "milk"
   d. The inability to discern
   -- All of these should serve as "warning signs" that something is 
      amiss in our lives as Christians, for they are truly "Marks Of
      Spiritual Immaturity"

In our next lesson ("The Peril Of Not Progressing"), we shall see why
it is so important to grow spiritually.  As Peter warned, growth is the
"antidote" to falling away:
 
   "You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware
   lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away 
   with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge
   of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now
   and forever. Amen." - 2 Pet 3:18

Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Time and the ever present "NOW"



Today, the rain and the dreary cold has me feeling lethargic!!!  After a couple of hours, I said to myself: Now, Gary- now is the time to sit down and write!!!  And then I remembered this graphic and the quote.  These things are true, beyond any doubt, but something seemed to be missing.  Then, I remembered the following passage...


2 Corinthians, Chapter 6


Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.


We can't change yesterday; for, what is done is completed and over with. Tomorrow is a possibility, but not a guarantee. We exist in the ubiquitous NOW and NOW is the time to get right and stay right with God!!!  When our NOW becomes the future and our future becomes our eternity, we will rejoice-- IF GOD SAVES US FROM THE PUNISHMENT WE SO RICHLY DESERVE FOR OUR SINS.  Whether or not our actions seems terrible to us, God hates sin, so getting rid of it and staying free of it should be of the utmost importance to us!!!  NOW, now is the time to begin to be more holy, more pleasing to God!!!!  OK, where do we go from here?  Well, seek truth- I mean REALLY SEEK IT!!!  When you are serious about this, turn to the book of Acts, Chapter two and read all about the first Gospel sermon (2:14ff..)  After his message, the Jews in attendance said...

 37  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Then Peter answers...
 
 38  Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”  40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Want to know... just ask; I will be glad to help you be glad!!! I will make it a priority- for NOW IS THE TIME!!!!


3/5/14

From Jim McGuiggan... Interpretation and Unity


Interpretation and Unity

The Bible generates tens of thousands of questions it never answers with explicit and exhaustive instructions or explanation. The people of God are left to interpret the biblical witness and move in peace in the direction of the central drift of the faith to the glory of God while they’re working with texts.

God tells Israel not to harvest the “edges” of their fields, leave them for the poor, but he doesn’t say what constitutes an “edge” or who exactly is to be seen as “poor”. He forbids work on the Sabbath but doesn’t bother to say what “work” is; he insists parents are to be honoured but says nothing about what “honoured” means under all circumstances (does it mean to believe everything they say or do all they tell us to do?). He forbids covetousness but doesn’t trouble himself to exhaustively define it. He calls for respect for the aged but who exactly are the “aged”? Peter speaks of modest dress but what constitutes “modesty”? Paul says we’re to obey the government—in everything? He says we’re to forfeit our rights in the presence of the weak—all our rights, and who are the “weak”?

At the Supper Jesus prayed over the bread and prayed again over the wine—must we have two prayers at the Supper because he did? He apparently passed one container and they all drank from it—must we do that? When and under what circumstances are examples permanently binding on us? We wrestle with such questions precisely because the Bible doesn’t answer them for us and if God’s Bible doesn’t settle the issue beyond dispute maybe we should be modest and confess that we can’t settle them beyond dispute either.

Maybe it’s okay to hold different views on a host of things since God via the Bible refuses to settle a host of things! Maybe our differences on these matters aren’t worth the time and energy we spend interminably debating them.

Yes, but surely we should try to discover the truth on such matters. Indeed, I’m certain we’re supposed to be “people of the Book” as we seek God’s face; but maybe there’s no definitive “truth” about many things. Maybe God allows us—even encourages us—to “work it out” among ourselves in a spirit that honours him and promotes peace and a united witness to his work of reconciliation in Jesus. Maybe some congregations will do “it” this way and others will do “it” another way.

[You understand I’m not talking here about jugular issues—truths that are manifestly central to the Christian’s faith and response. Even here there’ll be debate about what is jugular but shelving discussion on that matter for now, the mass of us are sure some teachings are soul-destroying and others are not. We take that view on some teachings because we have explicit scripture or scripture so nearly explicit as doesn't make any difference.]

It’s clear God’s people can’t stand still while we debate every point of difference until it's settled unanimously. We might not be able to agree on everything but there are some things we’re all agreed on and those we are to honour—now! Together!

Differences of viewpoint on non-jugular matters must not be allowed to obliterate or even undermine what we all agree are essentials. Where strictly non-essential questions are generating unrest and tension there's a really critical need for an assembly to affirm its unity in Jesus and draw close together, for the acid test of what they hold are essentials is whether they can and will by their promotion and protection of peace and unity bear witness to the reconciling power and purpose of Christ.

It's important for us to accept (after good-spirited and ample time for discussion over perhaps months) that there are some things we can't settle information-wise and so we must settle them at another level. It would help if a time limit were put on debate after which the leadership with the congregation’s full involvement decides the direction the church will go.

We debate some issues ceaselessly because we think they're sufficiently important and because we tend to think that the Bible gives an exhaustive answer to all our questions about how we should carry out this or that. We think if we just keep debating and searching for verses we'll come up with the definitive answer. This is part of our problem! There should come a time when the congregation as a congregation settles on a way to act on a given question even in the absence of a “here's how it must be done” text or argument; some proposal that the assembly can agree is at least acceptable. In doing this the assembly shows that it knows there are some things higher on God's agenda than congregational agreement on a non-jugular issue (one of those things being peace in brother/sister-hood). That way we’re free to move on with other matters we are all agreed on and are of critical importance to our witness to the community for Jesus Christ.

In such a scenario the major issue (peace and a united witness on the fundamentals of truth and response to truth) is given its rightful place—that’s what Jesus died to gain (Ephesians 2:11-end and John 17). A congregation that works like that has risen to a lovely spiritual and Christlike level.

To visitors, members of an assembly like that might say when a specific matter is raised: “Well, we couldn’t agree on the details because we couldn’t find scripture that settled the matter. But we’re all agreed on the essentials and don’t have the time or inclination to debate all the time. So we just worked something out that we all know is acceptable. It’s more peaceful that way, don’t you know, and we’re left free to get on with other vital and enriching matters.”

There might be something you judge useful here: 

Click 

http://www.jimmcguiggan.com/reflections3.asp?status=The+Torah&id=731

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