“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.” Luke 3:8 NLT
One’s ancestors can have a positive or negative effect on them. Positively speaking, one born into a family of great wealth and high standing in the community usually fare well. One born into the other end of the spectrum have an uphill battle from the start. But the outcome of both is not based on one’s ancestors’ wealth or status in life, but what they have accomplished with the opportunities afforded to them. Opportunities to follow one’s dreams and passions along with their God given skill set gives them the responsibility to choose the direction of their future.
Our lot in life is not based on who our ancestors are. My father was a machine assembler, that didn’t make me one; he was also a talented musician, not me either; and he was an excellent cook, certainly not me. Some people believe that because their parents were Christians they are also Christians. Many believe that being baptized and belonging to the church their family has traditionally attended for years also makes them a Christian and assured of heaven.
The problem is some attribute salvation and becoming a Christian to a family inheritance. Salvation is to choose to follow Jesus Christ, accepting Him as your personal Savior. There is no such thing as a Christian Ancestry guaranteeing salvation. Those who came to John the Baptist thought the same thing. They were Jews who were descendants of Abraham. It was their rite of passage. Their ancestry made it all right. John made it clear it was not so. They needed to repent of their sins and turn to God. (Luke 3:8)
Still true today, one needs to acknowledge and repent of their sins, trusting Jesus’s work on the cross for salvation. It’s a personal choice, it’s your choice, why not make it today!
As an avid sports fan I must admit boxing has been left behind, and shame on me. My younger years saw the hype of major prize fights as Ali-Frazier, Ali-Foreman, Foreman-Frazier, among others during the 1970’s. Being captivated I watched and participated in them always looking for an upset and being shocked when there was one. Somewhere along the line my interest started to fade, paying attention only to the headlines. No excuse. I guess my sports interests got a little crowded.
I say this to say my interest may have faded, but the sport has not faded. Its popularity is still strong with 400 million regular viewers worldwide. It is estimated that there are around 1.2 billion fans today. So, I guess it’s safe to say, they haven’t missed me. But my guess is, I must be missing something. Boxing is a sport dating back to the third millennium B.C. in Egypt. It first appeared as an Olympic event at the 23rd Olympiad in 688 B.C… And in the first century boxing was one the competitive contests of the Isthmian games held in Greece. The apostle Paul was well acquainted with these games as they were held in Corinth before returning to Isthmus. Paul also had knowledge of boxing as a sport in these games.
Paul often used illustrations from life events to get a spiritual point across. He wrote to the church in Corinth, “I do not box as one beating the air.” (1Cor.9:26 esv) Corinth residents would have been familiar with boxing as an event in the Isthmian games. Boxing by nature is a contact sport. One beating the air doesn’t get very far. Paul was noting his zeal in telling others about Christ and the training involved. One must give it all they got when contacting others with the truth of the gospel for it to have any effect. Paul was saying he was not like a boxer who waves his arms around with no results.
Although I left boxing behind as a sport there are valuable lessons to learn. Be sure to make solid contact in presenting the gospel with others and always give your best in training with the Lord, never beating the air.
“Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’” Mark 15:34 NLT
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The book of Mark as you know if you have been following along each Sunday is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news. This week as we near the end of our study we come to the reason why Jesus came down to earth, Mark writes in the tenth chapter of this book, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45 nlt) Indeed, Jesus came to give up His life so we may be saved from eternal damnation and hell fire. Jesus is about to be led to the cross after being released by Pilate into the hands of Roman soldiers after the crowds selected Barabbas to go free and Jesus to be crucified. For this purpose, Christ came, to save us from our sins.
“The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment.” (Mk.15:16 nlt) The praetorium was the headquarters of the Roman Cohort and also served as the official governors residence in Jerusalem. The soldiers job was to carry out crucifixions under Pilate’s orders. They took extra time before leading Jesus up to calvary’s hill as they mocked Him as the King of the Jews. Dressing Him in a purple robe, an old military cloak to represent royalty, they weaved a crown of thorns from a prickly plant and placed it on His head. The soldiers proceeded to mock Jesus by striking Him, spitting on Him, bowing down to Him mockingly and shouting ‘Hail, King of the Jews.” After they had their fill the soldiers led Jesus out to be crucified.
Due to lack of sleep the night before and the crucial beating Jesus received by the Roman soldiers He was to weak to carry the crossbeam all condemned prisoners were to carry to their crucifixion. The soldiers forced a man named, Simon, from Cyrene a city in Libya with a large Jewish population, to carry Jesus’ crossbeam. Simon was most likely in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. An interesting note concerning his two sons being mentioned, Alexander and Rufus, we do not know much about them. Though unknown, however, they must have been well known to the people Mark was writing to because he made note of them.
“And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”).” (Mk.15:22 nlt) Golgotha is an Aram. Word meaning ‘skull.’ It possibly got its name from the frequent crucifixions that took place there. As was customary, they gave Jesus wine mixed with myrrh to deaden the pain, but Jesus refused it. The solders proceeded to nail Him to the cross and divided His clothing in which they cast lots for as predicted in the Old Testament. “They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.” (Ps.22:18 nlt) They placed a sign above His head, which was also customary, stating the crime in which each criminal was being put to death for. Jesus’ simply said, ‘The King of the Jews.’
On each side of Jesus was a criminal, both of whom were arrested for taking part in an insurrection, which was a capital crime that carried a death sentence. We know from other gospel writers that one of them insulted Jesus by telling Him to save Himself and them, but the other criminal realizing his guilt and just punishment asked Jesus to remember him when He went into His kingdom. A lesson for each of us to take seriously that everyone is saved the same way, admitting our sin and confessing to the Lord. Failure to do so will result in not being in the Kingdom of God.
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Ridicule and insults were being tossed at the servant Jesus on the cross. From the passers-by to the religious rulers all were taunting Jesus to come down from the cross and prove Himself to be the Son of God. “Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” (Mk.15:32 nlt)
At noon the Bible says darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mk.15:33-34 nlt) Again, from a reading in the Old Testament book of Psalms, David writes “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?” (Ps.22:1 nlt) Jesus felt the deep abandonment from His Father as God the Father cannot look upon sin. God saw the sin of the whole world placed on His Son Jesus; He could do nothing but turn His back. A price felt by Jesus that was more painful than the physical pain He endured during the crucifixion. He did that for each one of us.
Jesus then cried out loudly and breathed His last. His death was not like most who have died from crucifixion. Most would be on the cross two or three days, their bodies exhausted and slipping into unconsciousness before death. But “Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last.” (Mk.15:37 nlt) Mark then records the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. There was no need any more for anyone to offer a sacrifice for sin. Christ paid that price with His own blood once and for all time. The writer of Hebrews notes, “Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” (Heb.10:11-12 nlt)
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A Roman officer, who may have been the closest witness to Jesus on the cross, exclaimed after what he just saw, “This man truly was the Son of God!” (Mk.15:39 nlt) This officer who was in charge and seen many crucifixions knew this was no ordinary death. Jesus had the strength to call out in a loud voice, evidence that He laid down His life for us, it wasn’t taken from Him. The Roman officer was right; Jesus truly is the Son of God.
Next week we end our study in the book of Mark with the resurrection of Jesus Christ which gives us all assurance of eternal life for those of us who believe on His name. Until next week……
“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.’” Matthew 11:25, 26 NIV
The value of a good education cannot be understated in the world today. We see the results of this by the examples of under developed countries and societies where education is not a priority or possible due to economic restraints. The opposite is noticeable by countries and societies which place a great emphasis on educating their young people. It is also a noticeable concern on the value placed on an ever-changing curriculum to satisfy the demands of the many social issues of our day diminishing necessary hours devoted to the basics of education. In the end, those countries and societies that have a balanced educational system will prepare the next generation to succeed both individually and for society at large.
While secular education and advanced knowledge are essential to our way of life here on earth, religious education doesn’t prepare us for life beyond this life. Sometimes religious education, even ‘Christian’ education, can get in the way of the truth of the gospel. Religious schools and universities are not immune to the pressures from outside their walls of education. Those places of higher learning will soon fall to the temptation for inclusion and financial support if not maintaining the simple childlike faith of the gospel. Jesus said in Matthew 11:25, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” The ‘wise and learned’ in Jesus’ day were the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. They were the professors in the religious schools of higher learning. Their many years of study had blinded them and overshadowed the basic truth of the Word of God. They were filling their minds, but not their hearts. They were pursing book knowledge but not the author of the book.
Our Lord is not impressed by our educational pursuits in the secular field, religious field or both. He is not impressed by our standing in the community or the boards of education we sit on. And He is not impressed in the position we hold in the church, although all these accomplishments can be used to serve Him, and in that He is well pleased.
Jesus said His Father was pleased to reveal the things of His mission to little children, humble followers of Christ. As important as education is in our day, the gathering of information and acquiring of knowledge, do not let it keep you from becoming a ‘humble follower.’
“who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14 ESV
Have you ever stopped and thanked the Lord for keeping you from lawlessness? You may think to yourself, I’m not that bad. I would never do anything against the law. The ESV translation uses the word ‘lawlessness.’ However, the KJV uses the word ‘iniquity.’ The NIV translation uses ‘wickedness’ and the NLT uses ‘every kind of (plain old) sin.’ Again, you may say, that’s not me, and I would agree. For a child of God, if you truly know the Lord, that is not you, or me. But it very well could be if Christ hadn’t redeemed us by His sacrifice on the cross and purified us for Himself.
But we all need to be careful in saying, ‘I’m not that bad,’ remembering what Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (nlt) Falling short of God’s glorious standard is plain old sin and lawlessness in the eyes of God. There is no way to get around it. There are no big sins or little sins. All sin and lawlessness is the same with God. There may be different degrees, but it all falls short of God’s standard.
The penalty for sin and lawlessness is eternal death with Satan and his angels in hell separated from God. Accepting Christ as savior frees us not only from the lawlessness that we may participate in during our lives here on earth but frees us from the penalty of sin and lawlessness in eternity by accepting Christ as savior. So, have you thanked Him for keeping you from lawlessness, both in this life and in eternity? It’s something to think about.
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” Romans 1:17 ESV
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October 31st is recognized around the world as Halloween or ‘All Hallows’ Eve.’ The meaning of ‘hallows’ is ‘saints’ in the Christian tradition, All Saints Day is November 1st. However, Halloween today is nothing about Christian saints and I will leave it there. Today is Reformation Day, the day celebrated by Christians in recognizing Martin Luther’s ‘95 Theses’ nailed to the University of Wittenberg’s chapel door in 1517.
Martin Luther was a German monk and a professor of biblical studies at the University of Wittenberg who became disillusioned with the error he saw in the Catholic church, particularly the selling of indulgences. He posted his ‘95 Theses’ to spark conversation and debate among his colleagues calling for reform in the Catholic church. This, however, led to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.
Luther was convinced through the reading of Scripture that salvation was by the grace of God alone and faith alone in Jesus Christ. It was not by any merit or works on our part that contributes to salvation and entrance into heaven. This was in contradiction to what he had observed within the church. Luther was also a staunch believer that every person should have access to the Bible and be able to read it for themselves. He had translated the entire Bible into German.
Stephen Nichols of Ligonier Ministries writes, “The real main character in Reformation Day is not Luther. It’s the Word of God. What Luther discovered as a monk is that for centuries, the true teachings of the Word of God had been hidden by century upon century of tradition. That’s what Reformation Day is about: it’s about pulling back the cover and releasing the power of the Word of God and the beauty and the truth of the gospel. That’s why we celebrate Reformation Day.” (1)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 9:37-38 ESV
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Living in the United States there are plenty of opportunities to participate in various walks for a worthy cause. Organized by volunteers, these walks take on the spirit and passion each walker brings with them. Grass roots movements, as they are called, inspire others with the same passion and desire to help the cause. Sponsored events, although much larger, fail to display the true passion of any movement as they are concerned only with numbers. People dedicated to their righteous cause will have success because what drives them is an unselfish attitude to help others.
This week my church started a weekly ‘Prayer Walk.’ Those with the desire and passion for our neighbors will gather each week to walk and pray together. A simple walk through the streets of the neighborhood consisting of residential properties, a nearby elementary school, a major university, and a few commercial buildings. The desire and compassion for each individual throughout the neighborhood is for their well-being and safety, but most of all for them to come to know the Lord Jesus as their savior. This is beginning as a small grass roots movement with a very big job to do. Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Mt.9:37-38 esv)
No matter where you live, there is opportunity for you to start your own prayer walk for your neighborhood. You can start with yourself as you do your daily walks, adding a close friend or two with the same passion. Small groups within your church can be a source to expand walks in different communities in your area. Small grass roots movement start small, but don’t stay small for very long as the passion swells, especially for the lost. Jesus said the harvest is plentiful so let’s get to work. We can start with a prayer walk.
“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” 1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT
Do you ever consider yourself to be a hero, a mighty person of valor, a mighty and courageous warrior? If not, consider yourself to be one, because you are or at least you could be. All around us wherever we reside there is some kind of trouble. Some of us have quite a bit, others not so much, but we live in an imperfect world so there will be some. Trouble and chaos stem from sin in the world. Sinners do what comes naturally. At times it takes the form of violence, drug and alcohol abuse, along with many other vices that run through our neighborhoods.
Gideon had a different kind of trouble in his day. The children of Israel once again did evil against God who then put them under the hand of the Midianites. The Midianites would constantly attack, stealing their crops and their livestock. Israel was starving from lack of food. When Israel cried out to God, as in other times, God raised up a judge to deliver them. This time it was Gideon, whose family was the weakest tribe of Manasseh, and Gideon was the weakest in his family. Yet, God chose him to deliver Israel with His help.
The apostle Paul said God chose the weak and those the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise. That’s us. The Lord has chosen us, Christians, to tell the good news about Him and His salvation plan for everyone. The trouble in our world will be relieved only through the changed lives of men and women who trust in the Lord. That’s where we come in. Heroes live a life pleasing to God drawing others to accept Christ. He alone saves them but uses His heroes. Consider yourself one in God’s eyes.
When I was a young boy there were certain times I was afraid to tell the truth. These occasions were associated with something I had said or done wrong and telling the truth would have dire consequences for me in the form of punishment. Making up a good story was not an option; my parents would never buy it. They would know I wasn’t telling the truth. So out came the truth with the consequences of punishment along with it.
Today, many years later, telling the truth can still have consequences for me although not due to the same circumstances. The apostle Paul in his defense of the gospel said, “I am not out of my mind…….but I utter words of sober truth.” Today if we preach Jesus Christ, the true gospel message, even using His words we are sometimes accused of being irrational or “out of our minds.” We are accused of being insensitive, offensive, and narrow minded.
One very important point to remember is that we are not making up a good story, we are telling a good story, the Greatest Story ever to be told. And we are commanded by Jesus Himself to tell the story (Mt.28:19-20.) Yes, there may be consequences, but Jesus promised never to leave us or forsake us (Heb.13:5.) Let us not be afraid of the consequences, let us not be afraid to ‘Tell the Truth!’
“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” 1 Tim.1:15 nasb
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What makes a statement trustworthy? Well, for one thing, consider the source. Our modern-day news sources have us searching across the internet to a verify a breaking news story. When news outlets are trustworthy, this is unnecessary. It would nice to have the assurance the news we consume every day is trustworthy.
Having accurate information is important in our day-to-day lives- but crucially important for our souls after this life. The church in Ephesus had trustworthy statements they could count on through previous teaching from Paul establishing sound doctrine. These statements were common knowledge to the people if they had paid attention to the apostle’s teaching. Paul uses the term, ‘a trustworthy statement’ in his letter to Timothy. In fact Paul uses it five times in his Pastoral Epistles, and it is found in no other place in the New Testament.
The trustworthy statement is, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1Tim.1:15 nasb) Just eight simple words to explain the most vital life-or-death breaking news story ever, and we can count on it. It comes from the most reliable trusted news source in history, the Holy Spirit speaking through the apostle Paul. No need to fact check or search other sources. The Lord God can be trusted.
So, what have you done with this breaking news? Don’t put it off another day. This news story will not be updated. It will not change. Don’t look for an updated version of this news. You have all the information you need to make your decision. So, what will it be? It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.
Word for the Soul 