Need a Little Rest?

Have you been feeling rundown lately, tired?  What is it that you need rest from?  Is it your work, family, finances – just what is it?  Take a look into your heart – what is your burden – what care are you loaded down with?  Is it something that is self imposed, imposed by religious expectations, others expectations – what is the source of your burdens?

Jesus said these words,”28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11."  Jesus is referring to life, its rules and responsibilities, the cares that fall upon us.  He was speaking of the burdens that come from rules, regulations and expectations that we can’t keep.  Things that result in frustration, quitting and depression.

Acts 15:7-11 speaks of these things, specifically the law of the Jews.  In our lives it might be what society says a good parent/husband/Christian should do for their family, children, work or others.  What do your in-laws think you should be and do?  What about friends and family say success looks like?

Jesus offers rest from all of these different burdens that tug on our life and pull us in different directions to different standards.  Rest from trying to do what you and I are unable to do.  Are you trying to earn God’s favor?  Are you trying to be good enough?  You can quit trying to please men, God and others on terms that are so unrealistic.

Jesus offers salvation in verse 28 and He offers the saved to learn from Him what is really important – what real success looks like.  We need to stop worrying what this world is telling us to do or what they say is important.  Instead learn what Jesus said is important.  To Love God with all that we have and to Love Others the way we have been loved by God and the rest will take care of itself.  He offers us rest from trying earn righteousness and rest from worldly worries.  Not rest from work but rest from futility.

What are you doing because of guilt?  What are you doing because of unrealistic expectations?  what do you need to be trusting God for?

What you need to do is learn who Christ is, what he said was important.  See how he lived for others and died to Himself.  God’s way is living by the power of the Spirit  - in grace – God giving you the desire and power to follow Him!

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

sherman

Exposing Yourself to the Light

I have been looking a 1 John chapter 1 some this past week.  I believe that God has shown something that I have missed in the past that joins this passage to John chapter 3.  In 1st John chapter 1 the apostle is is speaking on what it means to have fellowship with Christ in God and how that is linked to the gospel message.  In a nutshell the Christian life is an intimate relationship between man and God through the work of Christ.  The relationship extends to others that have the same faith in Christ.  It is the common thread that binds God’s people together and is the basis for joy and peace that exists outside worldly circumstances and influences. 

John differentiates between those who  are true believers and those who say that they are Christians but live contrary to the ways of God.  The difference between Light and Dark.  The difference between one who denies their sin and one who is broken over their sin.  There will be those that claim to be in Christ yet deny their own sin, their sin nature, their need for repentance.  They will be a walking contradiction to what the gospel declares.  So what does this mean to you and me.  Looking back at John 3:16-21 the word tell us that those men who are evil run from the Light for fear that there evil will be exposed, while those who practice righteous (the character and intent of your hear – this is not perfection) walk toward and in the Light.  Here’s the essence of what I found in this section of scripture; those who are in Christ desire and strive to walk in His Light.  Willingly exposing their lives to God for Him to expose sin that remains in  our hearts and lives.  This is the difference, those that walk in darkness are characterized by sin and those that walk in light are characterized by godliness.  The followers of Christ are willing to have sin in their lives exposed and are repentant when it is exposed – this is where 1 John 1:8 comes in.  When we have our sin exposed, we willing repent, Christ freely forgives us and restores us to complete fellowship with Him.  So here is the test:  How do you react when your sin is exposed?  Do you run for cover or do you seek forgiveness?  Examine your heart, let God have His way.

1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

-sherman

Watering it Down

My wife and I were recently speaking about Noah when the question came up: When did he become righteous?  Now most people are familiar enough with him, the ark and the flood.  It’s funny in a way that most people know the story, at least parts of it, and make toy sets and books for the kids as if it is all cute and fun – all without a basic misunderstanding or lack of consideration for this story.  God destroyed all living things because of man’s sin.  This flood was the most severe judgment man had seen upon sin – it wasn’t a game but a matter of life and death.  Odd how we can make play out of something so heavy.

Now back to my wife’s question.  Her question takes on a different slant into the life of Noah - examining the life and heart of this great man.  A quick glance at Genesis 6 might leave one with the impression that Noah was “all good” so to speak, therefore God chose to start over with Noah and his family.  I don’t think that quick glance does justice in answering Laura’s question.  So let’s backup to Genesis 6:8-9 and take a closer look at this passage.

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.

Notice the word favor in verse 8,  Noah found favor in the eyes of God.  The word is also translated GRACE elsewhere in scripture.  The fact that Noah found “unmerited favor” in the eyes of the Lord is why Noah was a righteous man.  God intervened in the heart and life of Noah and set him apart for His purpose.  The thing that set Noah apart from the unrighteous mean of his day is the same thing the separates true believers in Christ from the unrighteous men in our day. Even the flow of the section demands that you take note of God’s favor,  Verse nine moves into telling us about this man that had found grace in God’s eyes. So back to the original question, when did he become righteous?

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

The book of Hebrews plainly states that there was an act of faith on the part of Noah.  He believed God.  That is the point at which Noah became righteous.  It is the same in the life of every believer to this day.  God comes to us.  He finds us.  He seeks us out.  He gives us GRACE.  When we receive that grace we act in  faith.  Exercising a faith that believes all that God has said about our in ability to save ourselves, repenting of our sins, trusting in the work of Jesus alone for our righteousness.

So see nothing has really changed since the beginning.  Noah was counted righteous because of a believing faith that resulted in obedience in following God.  He was not a perfect man, just keep reading in Genesis 9, but he was a righteous man because he placed his trust in the GRACE of the Almighty God.  We are saved by faith, faith in God, faith in Christ – none in ourselves.

We find ourselves at the end of the day unable to save ourselves, just as Noah was unable to save himself.   If you find yourself trying to make your own way to salvation my prayer is that you will turn to Christ for eternal life.

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

sherman

Anger

Why do some people seem to always be angry, looking for a fight?  Why do people get angry, even unreasonably angry?  It even seems contagious.  Have you ever had someone get angry with you and the next thing you know you join right in with them.  There is one main reason for this behavior.  It can all be summed up in SELF.  We have this world view that life is about us, problem is all of us think this way – a conflict waiting to happen. 

So what do we do about it?  We could get in a position of power and authority that will silence any opposition to having things our.  Sometimes we hold it in and take it home where we can take out our anger on someone who is weaker or less likely to win in a fight with us.  Or we could take a look at what God tells us to do, unfortunately this is sometimes the last place we go to.  Next time some gets angry with you or someone else were you might be able to intervene and calm things down try a gentle, kind response.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Man is self-centered and self serving by our very sin nature. We only see things from our little world, seldom will one really try to understand the others point of view. We have a propensity to jump to conclusions, fill in the blanks for actions and words unsaid, attribute motives, and stew over injustices (real or perceived).

James 1:19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

We have got to come to the understanding that our lives and this world is not about us.  The Bible states it this way “In the beginning God”, this life, this world is all about God – not you or me.  Instead of getting angry about what someone has done or has failed to do for you or your value system – seek instead to serve and do them good.  In fact take it a step further and seek out the most underserving person around – someone that doesn’t really care for you, that maybe is foul mouth and smelling, maybe even someone who has gone out of their way to harm you in the past.  That is your person to love and do good.  Precisely because they don’t deserve it and are in no position to compensate you for your efforts.

My friend that is the picture of what God through His Son Jesus Christ has done for you.  You deserved Hell, He gave you Heaven.  You deserved death, He gave you life.  You deserved hatred, He gave you love.

Matthew 5:39 "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.  41 "Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

sherman

Losing Heart

What Happens When You Lose Heart

We saw a bumper sticker the other day which read “Not feeling close to God Lately; then Who Moved”.

Living life can wear on you, especially when you don’t see any hope of things getting better before they get much worse. It can be easy to find one self disheartened, worn out, wondering if it is worth it. When so few others seem to care about what God has deemed as important. Reading Jeremiah 15:15-21 I find the words I needed to hear.

The prophet expresses his loss of heart, kind of a hopeless, helplessness. His frustration that it seems even God has left his side. He sees all of the problems in his life are directly connected to his devoted following of the LORD, … for I have been called by Your name …

His abhorrent feelings toward the people and their ways are because of his love for God’s word and way. He has been expelled from society, rejected by men and now he feels abandon by the LORD. He hurts and the hurt doesn’t diminish over time, …why is my pain perpetual…

God answers the prophet in what seemed an unusual word. “If you return, then I will restore you … if you extract the precious from the worthless … For I am with you to save you and deliver you.”

Take another look at the Lord’s answer. It wasn’t that God had abandon Jeremiah, but the other way around. Jeremiah had become consumed with thinking about his situation and sorrow and had lost sight of God.

So what was/is the solution?

Get rid of the worthless things in your life. Psalm 115 speaks of the creation of man’s hands, specifically idols, how when we serve and focus on something we become like that something. Focus on your problems and yourself you become self-absorbed, sort of an inverted pride.

Focus instead on the LORD. When everything in this world says as Job’s wife did “Curse God and die” remember the faith, hope and love that saved you. Hebrews 11 says without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is active not passive. It trusts in God when everything else around you seems to say He has abandoned you.

He is always faithful even when we can’t see Him. He is working all this out for your good and His glory. May He find us faithful.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, Philippians 3: 7

A Proper View of Life and Death

Have you ever stopped and considered what defines your life?  By that I mean what are you known by, what is your character?  What defines our lives is what we live for.  Whether it is material possessions, money, fame, work, your family, church, pleasure, your self – the one thing that is central to your existence.  It is not what you say you live for but what your life shows that you live for.

Life is very short yet some bad decisions can make life very long.  Either way eternity is longer and what we do in this life follows us to some extent into eternity.

HOW WE  LIVE MATTERS!

When there is someone that we know who seems to die before their time, have you ever asked why God would allow that to happen to them.  Maybe the right question is “why did God let me live?”  For what purpose are you alive. 

How should we live and How should we die?

Jesus left us with a pattern to follow:

He lived a perfect life so that God could treat Him as if He had lived my sin – so that God could treat me as if I had lived His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This is the pattern we are to follow – so what is that going to look like in our lives?

We often sing about magnifying Christ.  I always thought of that in the same terms as exalt.  It finally dawned on we one day that it means magnify as in a magnifying glass.   You see most people don’t see the relevance of God – in other words what does He have to do with my life?  People have obstacles that skew their view of reality- things like earning more money, playing and enjoying life, living for themselves.  Both believers and non-believers can fall into this mode.  It is our job to magnify Christ to them.  So how do we do it?  Number one we have to remove the obstacles out of our own lives so that we aren’t one to others.  We call this being a HYPOCRITE.  So that by what we say and do people can see Christ in our lives.

Paul explained this in Acts 17:24-27 that the reason God has placed each one of us where we are is so that we might find Him that we sometimes seem as very far away when the reality is He is very near.  Kind of like that right side mirror in your car.  It says things in the mirror are closer than they appear.  Our vision is distorted by SIN.  We want to be a clear magnifier of Jesus. 

Paul while writing the book of Philippians is jailed and likely to die soon, but his was his observation – that the gospel had reached the palace guard and even into the household of Caesar.  All because of the way he lived while facing death.  He puts in this way to Live is Christ to Die is Gain.  Either way he won. 

People must be able to see a difference in those of us who call ourselves by the name of Christ.  They can’t be left wandering or confused.  God put you right where he wanted – the mission field is right where you live every day.  What does this world see in your day to day life. 

This is the BOTTOM LINE of my thoughts of to how we are to live:

Love does what it does not have to do to those who don’t deserve it.  This is the pattern Christ gave us!

Your life is not to be defined by circumstances surrounding you, but rather your life is defined by how you live in the midst of your circumstance and adversity.

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain….27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

 

sherman

Why Do Bad Things Happen

It wasn’t always this way.  You know, the pain and suffering in this old world.  Each one us can recount story after story of things gone wrong in our lives through “no fault” of our own.  Why is it that bad things happen?

Well before Adam and Eve decided to disobey God all of creation was in perfect harmony.  After that things just went from bad to worse.  Man got kicked out of the garden, but didn’t learn his lesson.  Next thing we know man has gotten more and more sinful until there is only one godly family left in the world.  Perhaps you have heard of Noah.  More catastrophe came upon the earth because of the sinfulness of man.  The entire world was destroyed except those in the ark.  Look at where we have ended up since then.  Man got together and started to build a tower to heaven in Babel when he was commanded by God to go out to all the earth, what did he do but all settle down in one place.  God confused the languages and caused the people to scatter over the face of the earth.  Sometimes when people don’t obey God simply intervenes to change their minds.

So down to this day animals are fearful of men, this happened after the flood.  Men and women try to rule over one another, this happened at the fall.  Man seeks to set up a god like himself, this started in the heart of Satan.  So here we are today in a world that has been subjected to the sinful consequences of man’s rebellion against God.  Just like these horrible tornados that passed through the Tennessee Valley last week.  This world is in constant turmoil.  Pain and suffering, misery and disease plague man all because of sin.  Its not that any of you have done anything in particular that was bad that the tornados came, but rather a long-term consequence to the rebellious nature of man.

So what do we do about?  Is there anything we can do about it?  None of this took God by surprise.  So Why?  SO What?

God has given us all things in our lives to get our attention.  To help us look towards Him.  Man never has had much use for God when things are going his way.  God uses the things in life to draw us to Himself, to grow us up to be like Jesus, to help us long to be with Him in eternity.  This old world is not our final home.  We are just passing through.  You can either live for yourself and die in your sins or you can die to yourself and live to the glory of God.  There is no middle ground, and God is only going to wait so long for you to come to your right mind.

God offers you eternal life beginning today.  A life whose joy is independent of the pain and chaos in this world.  That joy is rooted in belonging to Him for eternity not in the fleeting circumstances of this short life.  God spared you this last week for a reason.  And it wasn’t so you could live for yourself.  If you don’t know Him you may not get another wakeup call.  If you do know Him where are you at in your walk?  These are matters of eternal significance don’t blow it off – you may not get another chance.

 

Romans 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

 

sherman

Supersizing or Downsizing

 

The word of God can be a times difficult to properly interpret.  We must be careful to pay close attention to the complete context and surrounding text.  Many times people will either over emphasize a particular teaching or minimize the intent of a passage.  As an example I would like to take a look at one particular passage of scripture in the New Testament, Mark 4:3-20.  This scripture has been taught from many different view points.  The first view point I would like to examine is the minimizing view.

Some preachers teach that there are three types of “saved soil” represented.  They consider that only the first type of soil “by the road” where the seed is taken away by the birds represents the unsaved.  This position sees the next two soils as backslidden Christians.  True believers that have let things get in their way of following Christ.  and they might would say the last type is the believer that is actively following God.  This is an example of minimizing the impact of the words of Christ.  If we just look at Christ’s own explanation it becomes clear that the first three soil types are all unbelievers because the only soil that produces good fruit is the final one.  Not only that but not everyone in the last category produces the same amount.  The key point is that they all produce something.  Verse 16 makes clear the connection between the first and second types of soil.  The third type is a bit more difficult in that there appears to be something going on, but nothing is being produced.  These are likely representative of the unsaved within the congregation – tares among the wheat.  They look the part, say the right things, but their heart is completely entangled in the affairs of this world they are the religious that have an appearance of godliness but there is no power in them. Next we will consider the supersizing of this teaching.

Still others will look at this with such overemphasis that they cannot leave any room for Christians that do struggle with remaining sin in their life yet have proof of God’s redemption in their heart.  There is a reason that the master commands his servants not to rip up the tares from the wheat.  They would likely pull up and destroy some who are truly God’s children in the process.  We really cannot tell which is which until they reach maturity.  The point really is that we must be aware that there are unsaved masquerading as the real deal and that we are called to examine our own faith and see if it is real.  You don’t need to be trusting in a persons affirmation that your faith is real, but knowing it because of the living relationship you have with Christ.  Another position that has been taken is that since there are only four types of soil and that only one type is truly regenerated then only 25% of all humanity will be saved.  This again is not the point of the passage to name a number, in fact it may well be much lower percentage than that – just consider the narrow and wide gate scripture.  So what is the point of this passage.

In verses 13-20 Christ Himself tells us just what this text means without any ambiguity.  The first He tells us in verse 13 is that there is something in this parable that will be critical to understanding all of the other parables.  So what is it that we must understand from this parable?  Not everyone who hears the gospel will be saved.  Not everyone who says a prayer and walks an isle posses eternal life.  We cannot always tell the difference between real and fake Christians.  Every true believer will produce good works as a result of their salvation not as a condition for receiving salvation. 

Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Every true believer will produce good works as a result of their salvation not as a condition for receiving salvation.  Hearing then receiving the word will always produce a life that desires to OBEY God.

I believe that most people have good intentions when they supersize or downsize a section of scripture.  Seeing it as either too harsh that there is no way that is what is meant or they key in on a singular doctrine and concentrate so much on that one doctrine that they almost ignore the rest.  It is never love to soften the force of scripture nor is it love to hammer home some pet doctrine.  We need to let the word of God clearly speak for itself consistently interpreting scripture with scripture.

Basic hermeneutics (that means how we interpret the Bible) is simply this read the scripture in complete context that means the entire book of the Bible where it is located and in light of what the rest of scripture declares on that subject.  If you read something and the meaning seems right and makes sense then you likely have the right sense of the passage.

The bottom line is there are some very wonderful promises  and very real consequences in scripture.  Just because we have trouble accepting or understanding something doesn’t make it wrong.  The point of growing in Christ is to become more and more like Him, not to somehow conform God into some image of Him that we have to make Christianity compatible with our own beliefs.

Read the word faithfully, pray for clarity and understanding, obey what you already understand and you will grow more and more into the image of Christ.

sherman

The Whole Counsel of GOD

 

Ezekiel 2:7 "But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. 8 "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.

Have you ever been around a preacher or teacher that seems to hit the same topic over and over again.  I am not speaking of the gospel, but of something such as tithing, modest clothing, love, or sovereignty.  Really it could be most anything.  But they seem to go out of their way to bring up the subject not matter the section of scripture or the topic. 

Maybe it was a teacher or preacher that will tend to skip over sections of scripture that might be controversial or difficult.  Or it might be that they never go to some subjects at all due to fear of upsetting somebody. In either case we have an out of balance view of scripture.

Yet there is another group that seems to teach every doctrine down to the smallest detail, yet they lack any application of what they know.  They seem to get lost in having all the right doctrines and somehow they think that is enough (Revelation 2:4 – they have lost their love).  This application anemia is killing many reformed churches today.

We cannot pick and choose what we like and exclude what we don’t.  The church today suffers from a lack of knowledge and a lack of application.  You don’t have to go out of your way to hammer home some pet doctrine.  You shouldn’t be afraid to speak the truth in a loving manner, no matter the audience.  We should expect that people who trust in Christ for salvation should grow in Christ-likeness as well.  The same power that saves us, makes us able and yearning to obey.

It all starts at the Word of God.  In your own personal studies do you skip over something that might be convicting or key in only to those things that apply to someone else.  God wants us to grow up into a mature believer in all ways, not just in a few.  That means sometimes we are going to have to hear some difficult teachings, repent, be more diligent at following, pay attention to our own lives (others do).

So why this topic?  I was reading in Ezekiel 1-2 this morning.  I noticed particularly that God gave a message to Ezekiel.  He even told him that they wouldn’t listen to Him.  He even warned him not to be stubborn and stiff necked like them.  It made me examine myself.  How to do I approach scripture?  Do I teach the whole counsel of God – starting with myself?  You and I are accountable to God with what we teach to ourselves, family, friends, classes, churches, etc.…

Obey what you know.  Learn what scripture says and put it into practical application in your life.  Teach what you have learned to someone else and help bring them along as you follow Christ. You are teaching others something just by what you live out.  None of us were meant to do this alone.

Acts 20:26 "Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Saying All The Right Things

Ever walk into a church with all of the right doctrines, ministries, associations and trappings.  From the outside everything looks like it is right where it is supposed to be – sounds like the way a lot of people are when they go to church.  An outward conformity to a list of rules or a set of principles – but missing the heart.  It is symptomatic of our society.  We all want to be accept and to excel in the eyes of others.

This all came to mind today when I visited a church out here in California.  It was a reformed theology church.  Their focus above the entrance – the five SOLAS – Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, the Glory of God Alone.  Very true thing, very good things, this is the way they wanted to be known.  But it appeared to me in my short visit that somewhere in the process they had lost their heart.

God speaks of this in Revelation 2:1-7.  The church of Ephesus had a lot of things going for them:  good deeds, hatred of false teachers, perseverance for the things of Christ, but they lost something in the process.  It is something all of us can lose sight of, it slips away so quietly and easily while in our minds we are doing the work of Christ.

“They Lost Their First Love”

So what are we to do?  Jesus says to them remember where you came from, who you were when Christ saved you, repent and go back to the basics of loving Christ, spending time in the word getting to know Him, slowing down enough to listen to Him.  Peter sums it up this way in 2 Peter 1:1-15:  Our lives start with the foundation of faith and in all things that we do it is to look like love.  When we forget to love God with everything we have and to love others better than ourselves we have misrepresented God and the Gospel. 

So where are you at in your walk?  Does your life look like love?  Do you need to repent and go back to the basics?

Think about it.  I know I am.  Examine yourself before God does it for you. 

Does your life look like love – the love of God?

sherman

Music and the Christian

 

These are a few thoughts on Christian Music. First I think it is worth mentioning that not all Christian music is designed for cooperate worship. Some is intended for the individual consumption (maybe in the car) and some for the concert stage. The intentional design of some music may very well be for a specific target audience in a specific environment. Whether the music is for use in cooperate worship or not, these are all legitimate venues for Christian music.

(1)What about the tune? Is the tune easy to remember? Does it reflect the words of the song?

- Have you ever tried singing Oh Happy Day to the original tune from the 1700’s? It sounds extremely somber and sad. There are many excellent hymns from years past. There is nothing wrong with updating the music tune. Some people will prefer the old tunes and the old hymns – there’s nothing wrong with that.

(2) Can I understand the words?

- I cannot understand the Farsi language. Many people who have not been raised in the church and utilized the KJV bible may have some difficulties to comprehend the archaic English language. The message and the music need to be relevant to the audience, this means comprehendable.

(3) Are the lyrics doctrinally sound?

- No Hersey Allowed. That being noted, that doesn’t mean every song has to dig to the deepest depths of theological knowledge. They might even be a little light on doctrine yet heavy on basic praise. Go check out the Psalms.

(4) What about music designed to evoke emotional response and appeal to the sense?

- Ever heard Handel's Messiah, been moved by an Easter musical. What most people really object to in this category is music with a beat or plugged in. This isn’t about evoking an emotional response – its about people that don’t like that rock music. It is simply people trying to make a preference law. Any good tune is design to convey and evoke the emotion of the lyrics..

(8) What about empty repetition?

- I have no idea how "Praise God" or lyrics such as those from Revelation 5:11-14 would ever get old or be considered empty. Yet these are the types of complaints I have heard from people on modern worship music. So unless you're expecting something to happen because you keep saying it – its not a bad thing.

(9) What about musical instruments?

- I touched on this one once before. Some people think it should be acapella, others only piano and organ. This is about preference not biblical mandate. Just because you don’t find a particular instrument or style to minister to you doesn’t invalidate it. Many of these Christians in Rock and Metal music are reaching people you or I never could. Try getting to know them before you toss them aside because of their looks and music.

Finally, there is great liberty in music for the Christian. Most of us spend our time trying to invoke our own convictions as law on others. That needs to come to a halt. If you can’t defend it clearly from scripture then it is just an opinion and not binding. We need to apply the same measure to this medium as any other (i.e. TV). Is it edifying? Do you have a clear conscience before God?

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

The Purpose of Prayer 


Some people think that prayer is a personal wish maker that you turn on and off. Others see it as something reserved only for those big emergencies. Still others think that the more people praying on an issue the more likely they are to get their way with God. Even though the prayer of a single righteous man is very powerful and effective (James 5:16).On the far end are those who believe in the sovereignty of God so much that they see no need to pray, “God will do what God will do” – so they ignore the command to pray (Ephesians 6:18).

So then what is the purpose of prayer?

God wants us to pour out our hearts before his throne. He cares for our needs, struggles, pain and desires. He wants us to do the same for others and bring those to him as well. He even brings things into our lives that will drive us to our knees, drive us closer to His heart. As He answers our prayers in His timing and His way - He wants to hear our joy and praises as well.

So again why pray?

1. We need it. Quite frankly we cannot live in this world of pain and sorrow apart from a vibrant relationship to God. How can we know Him if we don’t commune with Him. It is or pathway of communication, blessing and understanding.

2. We were never meant to be self sufficient and self serving. We are to be involved in the lives of others. Helping to bear their burdens. Praying for them in their situation, for another’s salvation, for understanding, and peace.

3. We are commanded to do so for our own good. God wants us involved with what He is doing in our midst. To see faith turned into reality (John 11:40). It connects us with the lives of other believers nearby and far away. More involvement in prayer means more people are involved in praise. We get to share more in God’s work.

4. As we commune with God our thoughts become more like His. We pray in concert with His will not for our own selfish motives.

So what is the purpose of prayer? It is to conform our thoughts, concerns, and desires into becoming more and more align with those of Christ. It is so that we and others may give more praise, honor and glory to God as we see Him move in our midst. May God conform and transform us so that we may be vessels of mercy that may minister to the saints and the lost.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Do You Trust God?

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

God has this way of working in my life that leaves me uneasy many times.  He calls me to do things that I am unequipped to do, at least in my fleshlyness.  The root of the problem is a lack of faithfulness in my life in the small things.  The things that I know to do but don't.  God calls us to love others and to treat them better than ourselves, to sacrifice for His glory and the good of others when it is inconvenient.  He wants me to forgive others just as I have been forgiven.  That means restoring a relationship as if the offence had never occurred, opening myself up to be hurt again.  Jesus tells us to look at His life and go and do likewise.

This something that we cannot do without strong abiding faith in Christ.  Trusting in Him for both the power to do what He has called us to do and that He will do in us exactly what He promised to do.  He wants us to trust Him.  Faith isn't really faith until you have to stepout into it.  When you have nothing else to hold onto - to depend on.  It will either strengthen and grow or crumble because it was never real.

We have got to learn to be faithful in obeying what we already know to do.  To depend on Christ to give us the grace to do what we already know to do.  The power to obey is not resident within ourselves, but must come from the indwelling power of God's Spirit.

Simple actions of faithful obedience will cause us to find faith the kind of faith that can take us through anything that God calls us to do.  Start with the basics, major on the minors.  Spend time in pray and in His word to find out what he is calling you to be obedient in today.

Pearls and Pigs

Matthew 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.


This is one of those scriptures that bothered me.  It didn't seem to fit the context.  Everyone seemed to avoid it when they preached through this section.  Well after many years one day it just seemed to fit really nice and make sense.  If we don't break up the natural flow of the scripture, just prior to this Jesus was teaching about judging righteously.  How to be spirtitually concerned for God's glory in your life and in the life of others.  The idea of understanding our low standing before a High and Holy God.  That we ourselves are as suspectible to falling into sin as any other.

So the meaning here is really very simple.  Don't try to apply godly standards to those that are not rue disciples of Christ.  Only those that have been redeemed will receive and rightly respond to humble rebuke and restoration.  Those that are comfortable in sin - it is just who we all were at one time or another - will not only reject the rebuke but will proceed to tell you where to go, how to get there and help you along the way.

So remember.  We are to gentle rebuke, admonish and restore a brother or sister taken by sin.  We have no buisness trying to apply godly truths to the ungodly.  The only turth they can hear and respond to is their need for a Savior - Jesus Christ.  Give them the gospel not judgement.  Show them they are damned inspite of their sinful life - but because they have rejected the Son of God.

Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,

Broken Pieces

To choose self over Christ was me
Till broken over my sin forever it will be
Broken, poor wretched and blind
All of my wickedness exposed in my mind
The Spirit has shone in the darkness of my heart
I flee to the Cross to the One who paid my sins part
Unable to save myself from Hell
It is only in Christ all becomes well
He has made me a son of the King
Nothing to my Salvation can I bring
I lift up praise to the Holy One
It is all that I want in life or death – His face to gaze upon
Let me live all my days for the glory of God – to please Him alone
My life is His until I reach that glorious Throne
May my life be found pleasing to You
For it is only by your power any good I can do!

sherman

A Life Set Apart by Repentance

Mark 6:14King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." 15Others said, "He is Elijah." And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago." 16But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!"

A believer, a disciple, a repenter - These terms are synonymous in describing a true Christian. One who has been born again and saved through the sole work of Christ.

In Matthew chapter 4 verse 17 we find this statement:
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Consider this as the mission statement of Jesus Christ The Messiah. This was His message to a lost and dying world. This is the message that comes to the sinner. Without repentance their will be found no salvation.

The word “REPENT” is missing from the church (in general not specific) today. At a recent concert the lead singer proclaim the vastness of God’s love to the audience. But there was a word missing - repentance. I have researched this particular band and found that the idea of repentance and sin is indeed in their songs and ministry – but during this event seemed to be left out. I will not judge the messengers heart-this may have been just what one there needed to hear from God. We tend to still focus on God’s love in evangelism without addressing God’s holiness and our utter wretched sinfulness. Let us not omit the “R” word.

This is inconsistent to the message that Christ brought to this earth. It is indeed a message of hope, love and deliverance, but if one just tries to add Christ to their lives that is not biblical salvation. A verse in Colossians puts it this way:

Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

When Christ who is our life – not when Christ who is part of our lives. We cannot afford to fail to convey to someone their lostness and utter inability to save themselves. The message of repentance has been left out of the pulpit and out of evangelism – even more disparaging out of the life of professing believers. This has produced pews full of those who profess to know Christ when they live lives that are a walking contradiction to their claim.

The life of one who names the name of Christ should above all things be marked by being filled up with repentance. Those who understand their wicked core and inability to live holy apart from the work of Christ will be lives marked by repentance. They will seek to die to selfishness, the desires of God will become their own, they will learn to love Christ’s ways more than their own way. Scripture could not be clearer that the life of the believer is to be marked by obedience to a Holy Lord.

Luke 6:46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

We have entered into a state of easy-believeism. This is directly related to a low view of God’s holiness. We are to walk in a manner consistent with “Who Christ Is!”Join with Christ we are to live a life of dying to sin, a life of yearning for holiness and a life of repentance. The way in which we run hard after these things is by living a life of repentance. We turn from sin, and we do righteousness. We confess our sins, not to avoid the wrath of God – this was dealt with at the cross-, but because our loving heavenly Father hates sin. We are forgiven of all our sins, we have union with Christ, and the way in which we grow in Christ toward holiness is by living lives of humble submission to his way not our own.

So why that particular verse at the beginning? Our message is the same to all sinners – of whom we were once ourselves. The message will inevitable be rejected by some, misunderstood by others, held in high esteem by more, and embrace by a few.

Herod loved to listen to John the Baptist. He acknowledged he was from God. He was even distressed at killing him. Yet he loved his sin more. But the message haunted him. The message that brings life he hated. Yet sin became all the more strong, as he later killed James and then sought to murder Peter.

Let us not fail to preach the whole counsel of God. Forgiveness-Yes. Love-Yes. But do not omit Repentance and impending judgment. Do not have the blood of men on your hands so as to ease the message and avoid rejection.

Christ was rejected and persecuted-even unto death. If you belong to Him do not expect to be treated any differently as you hold out the words of life.

sherman

What is Complete Biblical Forgiveness?

“Forgive and forget” this is the old saying. Many times putting this into practice is much harder. It can be difficult to truly reconcile with one whom we’ve had conflict. Many of us can just have trouble letting some things. When the hurt runs deep true forgiveness can be a real challenge. To “forgive” while refusing to reconcile with the other person is no forgiveness at all. Intentional Reconciliation

15When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!" 16So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying, 17'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21"So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50

This familiar passage gives us a pattern of biblical forgiveness. Joseph, hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, is placed in a position great power by God’s design. Instead of planning out his revenge, Joseph forgives and embraces his brothers. No one would have blamed him for holding a grudge, but Joseph shows how God’s love reigns in his life.

Our Number One Priority

22"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Matthew 5.

Jesus makes it extremely clear that for believers, failure or refusal to reconcile is not an option – it is sin. Jesus teaches that is doesn’t even matter who is at fault in any disagreement; the believer is responsible to attempt to resolve the conflict. Christ goes on to say that a believer has no place at worship as long as he or she knows that there is an existing unresolved conflict with another. His instruction is that the worshiper must leave and pursue reconciliation with that person. Only after this is he or she to return to worship. This excludes the excuse of needing time or ignoring the other person. No this is direct interaction /communication with active forgiveness/reconciliation.

Complete Forgiveness God’s Way

12So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13(bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15Let)the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3

Paul explains what type of forgiveness is acceptable to God in the scripture as well as in Ephesians. When it comes to granting forgiveness, there are no exceptions. The scripture clearly teaches that believers must always be characterized by the same attitudes and characteristics that are in Christ. They must forgive those who wronged them — EXACTLY in the same manner that they had been forgiven by Christ.

In many ways, these can be hard words for us to hear. For some of us, these passages do exactly what they are intended to do — remind us of forgiveness that we have refused to grant and to remember the forgiveness we have received. We did not pursue Christ’s forgiveness – rather He pursued us! What are we to do when … we are wronged — or worse yet, someone we care about is wronged — and we get angry. We may confront the offender. We want him or her to hurt like we hurt to endure an acceptable amount of punishment. So what happens? We “hold” and often “nurse a grudge.” Every time we see, hear about or think of him or her, the anger reignites inside of us and that old wound is reopened. We are not the judge. Do not set yourself above God. He has commanded our action. He and He alone is the righter of wrongs. Allow His grace to work you through the wrong to true forgiveness. Within yourself you would be unable to do what only God can command and give us the power to obey.

If you don’t forgive then where is the “fruit of the Spirit”? — To display any other type of attitude fails to honor and glorify God. It is SIN! When we try to do it in our own flesh we will fail. The resentment we keep inside can make us physically and emotionally ill – it will affect those we love. This will only serve to separate us from fellowship with God. It impairs our ability to be led by the Holy Spirit.

God’s Word make this truth very clear- if we call ourselves followers of Christ, we have to forgive those whom we feel have done us wrong. What then if the other person refuses our attempt to make things right? That part is not up to us — we can’t force reconciliation, but be sure you have truly attempted with all of your heart and have left no doubt in the other person’s mind of your intentions.

By an act of desire to love Christ and to fulfill His commands to love one another while relying on the power of the indwelling Spirit, we must forgive as Jesus has forgiven us. This means complete forgiveness. Complete restoration of the relationship. This means a willingness to be hurt again and again. Just as Christ has done for us every time we return to Him seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. He doesn’t tell us that after we have proven ourselves and earned His trust that He will fellowship with us again. NO! It is complete forgiveness – strings attached. We are called to this level of forgiveness. This is true forgiveness - it is in an expression of grace. Only then will we understand what it means to have “peace of Christ ruling in our hearts.”

sherman

The Nature of Love

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.8 Above all, akeep fervent in your love for one another, because blove covers a multitude of sins.9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

If you are sober (realizing the our unworthiness of the grace we have received - and the serious need of the message we bear) in spirit and having sweet communion with God, then you ought to be looking where that should lead us to - to a love fervent.

The word "fervent," ektenes, means to be stretched, to be strained.

It means intense, strenuous, reaching as far as you can reach to the limit of your capacity. Since you are a Christian and since being a Christian means you love the brethren, "fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again." This is a fundamental Christian truth. He is not speaking a fluffy kind of sentimentalism which some used to call "sloppy agape". Peter is talking about a demanding love. He's talking about an intense love. He is talking about a sacrificial love.

So just how do you accomplish this feat? You first have to get over yourself. You have to be willing to love the unlovely, the unlovable, loving your enemies, loving those who despised you, loving when it seems unreasonable, loving to the point of sacrifice - to where it costs and it hurts. This means loving the unlovable in spite of insult, in spite of injury, in spite of being rejected, in spite of being mistreated and misrepresented.

1 Corinthians 13 puts it this way: "Love is patient, love is kind, is not jealous, love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly, it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things and never fails."

It can take anything from anyone at any time. It believes the best. It hopes for the best. It endures the worst.

Why love the brethren this way? "Because love covers a multitude of sins." Love forgives and forgives and forgives.

Proverbs 10:12. "Hatred stirs up strife but love covers all sins."

Love always hides a multitude of sins. Why did God show mercy to us? Why did God forgive our sins?

Ephesians 2:4-5 "For His great love where with He loved us."

Do you want to live right before God? To be biblically and spiritually minded. To have deep in communion with Christ. Then be so full of overflowing love that you cover sin. This is not speaking of an unrepentant person. But rather we are not to be more anxious to point out sin than we are to cover it over.

Hatred, selfishness both stir up strife. Selfishness will stir up strife. Love will cover up sin in silence.

The whole spirit of this is much bigger than just those we are like, it's embracing the fact that we are to love people outside our normal circle and to do it without grumbling, without murmuring, without begrudging. There is to be overflowing love toward those we don't know, an opening of our heart to them.

What then is the Christian's place in this world? It is to pursue holiness with God, to pursue others with the love of God so that we cover their sins, so that God using us will meet their needs whether they are a friend or stranger.

Colossians 3:14, "Above all things put on love which is the perfect bond of unity."

sherman

The Weightier Matters…

Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.


In Matthew 23:23 we find this term, “the weightier matters of the law”. What is meant by this term in the context of the passage? What does this have to do with me or you today?

Let us first look at these terms: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Justice: This term refers to dealing with people and situations in a righteous manner. This infers that we are not to take sides or be unduly influenced. We are to deal out judgment in a God fearing manner. If judgment is required one must make sure the punishment fits the crime. Judging things objectively by God’s standards not mans, not trying to life up ourselves at others expense.

Mercy: This term speaks of compassion, kindness, pity, and empathy. The application of justice must be tempered with mercy. Consider the mercy that God has shown to you as you deal with others. Intertwined in acts of mercy is the principle of godly forgiveness. Not based on a person merit but their underserved needs.

Faithfulness: This word relates to our beliefs translated into actions. This is a type of belief that effects and permeates every aspect of your life. It is belief in that what God has shown us in His word and love is far better than the temporal pleasures of this passing world. One who is faithful will act in loving justice and mercy as they serve the risen Lord.

It is of note that the first two words pertain mainly to our relationships toward other people. The last word refers to our relationship to the Holy God. These are the principle foundations of God’s Law. Loving God first and foremost, and then loving your neighbor as yourself.

The religious leaders by their omission of the “weightier matters” were blocking the way to know the Lord. They had created a god of their own making to serve their own interest. The ramifications were staggering on those who sought to know and truly understand God.

Matthew 23:13 " But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

These weightier things must be given our full attention. If God considers them of great importance should we not take note? Justice, mercy, and faith are the essential and fundamental characteristics of the servant of God. These have never changed. These principles are as true today as ever

In Luke 11:42 we find a parallel passage. It describes mercy as the love of God.

If you do not show the love of God to those people in your daily life, How can the love of God abide in your heart?

Luke 11: 42 "But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

This is a timeless theme throughout God’s word. God’s people will reflect God’s character. It is the mercy of God that saves one from His righteous judgment. It is the faithfulness of God towards us that keeps our salvation from failing.

Micah 6:7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

God’s mercy and faithfulness towards the repentant broken sinner is humbling. We deserve God’s righteous judgment, but yet He loved us while we were yet in sin. If you withhold mercy and justice from others, if you walk in the pride of self-righteousness, you as the Pharisees will lead people away from the kingdom of God. You will not only bring judgment and condemnation on yourself but the blood of others will be on your head as well.

Proverbs 22:2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

Be sure you do not neglect the weightier matters of God’s law. But rather let the hope and love of Christ overflow in your life into the lives of others. Give them the hope of the springs of living water.

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14ut whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

sherman

But God being rich in mercy… (Part 4)

Ephesians2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

We find in Daniel 4:28-37 the story of Nebuchadnezzar. God judged him for his pride and refusal to acknowledge God as the source of his position and power. God placed him into a state anyone would judge as insane. He remained that way until God restored him to his right mind.
In verse 35 he says “And no one can ward off His hand”. This was the most powerful man in the world yet he was unable to control or resist God’s actions. He is sovereign.

What does this have to do with the scripture at hand? Much. This story illustrates the regeneration of Ephesians 2. This is the point. Even when we were dead we were made alive. We couldn’t change our state neither could we resist the change. In much the same manner when Nebuchadnezzar was given back his sanity there is no way he would or could have chosen to go back into his insanity.

But God being rich in mercy…this is the reason behind your salvation if you belong to Christ. Not your superior intellect, your wiser decision making, not your expansive cranial cavity. No it is all of God, nothing from within you.

This doctrine is extremely important. It will affect your view of everything in scripture and in this world. It will either be God centered or man centered. God the Father purposed your salvation from eternity past, the Son accomplished your redemption on the cross validated by His resurrection, and The Holy Spirit has applied that salvation to your soul. Christ died particularly for His elect. And if it is His work it is finished. There is no chance that you can mess it up. This is the real rest that God speaks of in Hebrews 3 and 4.

God’s sovereignty is responsible for your salvation. It is because of His great mercy and compassion exercised toward us. God deserves all of the glory honor and praise for your salvation.


Isaiah 42:8"I am the LORD, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.

It doesn’t end there. God brought from death into life for a purpose. We
are not saved by any good works even those God has prepared for us in
eternity past [Ephesians 2:10]. This is all the work of God.

You do not have to understand God’s sovereignty to get saved. But
afterwards looking back at the how and why it certainly puts a different
perspective on the act of salvation unto eternal life.

Now go forth and do these good works that God has prepared for you. It
is to share the love of God with others. The Holy Spirit is shed aboard
in our hearts not so that we can keep it to our selves. God always uses
means to accomplish His sovereign will. The question really is will you
obey God and live a life that brings glory and honor to His name? His
will is accomplished with or without our cooperation. Where man rules
God overrules!

sherman