Know your Enemy

Sun Tzu lived about 500 years before Jesus was born. This would have given God’s enemies a few years to study up on warfare from Sun Tzu’s book The Art of War. One lesson they all learned well was, “Know your enemy.”

When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ. Luke 4:40-41

Even the demons knew who Jesus was. They confessed it. Just about every time Jesus drove out a demon they identified him positively the Son of God. I realize, these are undeniable poor witnesses. After all, who stands the most to gain by discrediting God and his Son? Satan and demons. So why all the positive identifications?

I think James clears it up for us when he wrote in his book, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” (James 2:19) While he was not directly talking about the characteristics of demons here he does point out that they too believe and fearfully respect God. They could not afford to lie in the presence of God. Because they knew the consequences of that kind of blatant sin. They confessed because it is true. Jesus is the Son of God.

Why can’t I see it so clearly. Why not the world. If the demons were afraid, why aren’t we?

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31

God have mercy on us all.

Privileged Sheep

There have been many sheep grace the face of this planet. Non as privileged as those in a grassy field near Bethlehem some 2000 years ago. Imagine your happily chewing grass when all of a sudden an angel appears and speaks. Then a whole host of angels starts singing. Next thing you know all the shepherds run off. Talk about a bunch of bug-eyed sheep.

Here is how Luke recorded the event…

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15

All kidding aside. Can you imagine going to work one evening to witness something as unique as this and to learn that the Christ had been born. To prove what they said, they gave a sign, “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” One thing to remember is a manger was not for putting babies in. It was for feeding animals. Well if they had any doubt about the message from the angels they were convinced when they went into Bethlehem and found baby Jesus just as the angels had said.

God send his messengers to announce the birth of His son, Jesus the Christ. The times they were starting to change. God came down from heaven to live among men. To save men.

God bless

An Unlikely Christ

Was Jesus’ plan to establish a political and physical Kingdom here on earth? I know the question has been asked before. I thought I might weigh in on the argument with what I have read in Luke and Acts. Over the next few days I want to dwell on the topic of Christ and his Kingdom. I will touch on each of the items in this list this week.

The Pharisees, lawyers, elder, and even the apostles were looking for an earthly kingdom. They were looking for the Christ a warrior capable of leading Israel into a glorious victory over the Romans and other nations around them. After total domination they would then setup a kingdom that would far exceed the glory and power of David and Solomon. At least that is what they wanted.

On the scene comes Jesus, an unlikely Christ. Born in a poor city, to poor parents with no political power. His dad, a carpenter, was not a ruler or warrior. Was Jesus the Christ? The one coming to establish God’s Kingdom?

Here are some of the evidence from Luke that Jesus was the Christ…

1. Angels testified that he was the Christ
2. Demons recognized him as the Christ
3. The miracles, wonders, and signs all testify that Jesus is the Christ.
4. Witnesses testified he was the Christ
5. Jesus said he was the Christ
6. He fulfilled prophecy that pointed to him being the Christ

Luke wrote these things down so we might know for certain the things we have been taught. Either Jesus was the Christ or not. I have to choose for myself. The choice makes all the difference in the world. What do you choose?

God bless.

Luke Acts a Two Volume Set

Luke wrote to Theophilus in Luke “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4) His purpose was to build up the faith of this man and to tell all that Jesus began to do and teach.

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. Acts 1:1-2

Luke follows his Gospel with a history of the Apostles after Jesus’ assent into heaven. Following a little background in Acts chapter 1 he begins to tell of the adventures of the Apostles. More importantly what the Apostles accomplished through the Holy Spirit sent by God to teach them what to do and say.

Luke = What Jesus taught and said.

Acts = What the Holy Spirit did through Jesus’ Apostles.

Together we get a singular picture of what Jesus and his Apostles accomplished during their lives. A historical document for us to study, question, and learn from.

How Much Does it Cost?

How much does salvation cost? How much trouble can you pay your way out of? Money can fix everything. Funny how I get to thinking that sometimes. Simon thought he could buy his way into fame and status in an early Christian community.

Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Acts 8:18-24

It is so easy to think that we can atone for our sins with money. Not been the person I should be? I will just give more to Church or a worth cause. Maybe thinking I can buy the gift of God. What is the gift of God? In this case probably the gift of the Holy Spirit. However, I think ultimately the gift of God is a life with Him.

What does God really want? My heart. Your heart. Right before God.

God bless.

The Response Matters

I wrote about how much I like Peter in a previous post. I used this verse to point out how God uses us regular folk to do his work. I want to think some more about Peter’s response to Jesus.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:8-11

Peter’s response was not “Wow! Look at all these fish.” He did not thank Jesus, he did not jump for joy. No, he fell on his knees and asked Jesus to go away. He essentially said, “I am not worthy.” Peter’s response to Jesus is interesting because it is the same response some of my favorite great men of the Old Testament had when God called them. For example, Moses’ response to God at the burning bush was “Who am I God?” (Exodus 3:11) . When the Lord came to Jeremiah his response was, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” (Jeremiah 1: 6)

I believe Peter’s response is the only response we can make before God. Without a realistic appreciation of our position before God, he cannot use us.

God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) What do you think Jesus’ response to Peter might have been if Peter said, “About time someone recognized my talent!”

But that is not what happened. Jesus picked the man he wanted because he knew the type of man Peter was. What kind of man am I? What kind of response do you have to Jesus? It is something to consider.

God Bless. Respond well.

Listening?

What has listening got to do with it? We do not listen. Solomon wrote in Proverbs,

From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
       as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

The way of a fool seems right to him,
       but a wise man listens to advice.

A fool shows his annoyance at once,
       but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:14-16

We are taught over and over to listen more and talk less. “You cannot hear me if you are talking” is a phrase I remember often from school. Not sure if I ever learned the lesson. Jesus makes an odd comment about listening in Luke chapter 8.

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” Luke 8:16-18

My opinion follows…

Jesus is trying hard to reveal a mystery. The mystery of Christ as Paul often mentions. That Jesus himself was the Christ. That he came to save sinners and ultimately to bring salvation to the Gentiles. This truth would not be hidden in a jar or put under a bed. No, Jesus wanted all who would listen to come in and see the light.

Jesus is important and his message was too. He said, “consider carefully how you listen.” Because, whoever does listen will be given more to hear and whoever does not listen will lose everything.

Jesus never pulled his punches. He drew lines in the sand. Listen or don’t, practice or don’t, follow him or don’t. He said there were two paths. What will I choose?

God bless

In the Family?

Continuing with the idea of practice, Jesus describes those in his family practice what he teaches.

Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” Luke 8:19-21

Are you listening? Do you hear? It seams that one of Jesus’ favorite sayings was “Let him who has ears hear.” Listening is hard to do and not many do it.

It is interesting to look at how different people received Jesus. Jesus spoke the same words to them all but they all did not hear the same thing. Yes, they heard the same words but because of their attitudes, pre-judgements, and nature/condition of their hearts, each reacted differently. The sinner, sick, and poor listened and responded in faith; however, the Pharisees, elders, and teachers of the Law plotted to kill him.

The response to the word is practice. The response is what matters. Would it be safe to say that those in the family of Christ are those who do what He says?

God bless. Practice lots.

Hang On

The torrent. The storms of life. Come. I suppose if you are breathing things will happen to you. The Question is, what are you hanging on to?

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49

Building on the rock means putting into practice the words of Jesus. It is not enough to give lip service to God. I have to start practicing and doing. Then when the storms come, I have a base and foundation.

This is the same in physical training. If I were to try to ride to the top of a mountain on a bicycle with no practice I could not make it. When the road got steep I would find myself breathing harder and my legs getting stiffer until I could go no farther. However, if today I ride a little and then some more tomorrow, I would mile by mile begin to get farther and farther up the hill.

So it is in my Christian walk. Today I may see the long journey ahead and worry. However, with each passing day by prayer and practice I begin to rely more and more on the strength of Christ. More and more my faith will grow and the journey gets smoother.

God bless. Keep practicing.

The Bridegroom

They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.”

Jesus answered, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” Luke 5:33-35

How can anyone be unhappy in the presence of the bridegroom? Weddings are happy places to be. You are with family, eat, eat, eat, visit, and dance. Lots of fun.

Luke records two interesting things here.

1. Jesus is going to be taken away. They did not know it at the time but Jesus came to die. He would soon be hanging on the cross. When he is taken from them, they would be sad and fast. But the story did not end with a dead Christ. No, he rose from the dead. The disciples sadness turned to great joy after Jesus came back to them.
2. Being in the presence of Jesus is cause for joy and celebration. Jesus was the center of the party, the bridegroom. There is no better place to be than in the presence of Jesus.

Today, we are not in the presence of Jesus. He is not with us. He went into heaven and has given us his Holy Spirit as a comforter. We will, however, one day be reunited with him at the great wedding feast his Father has prepared for us.

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
   ”Hallelujah!
      For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
      and give him glory!
   For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
      and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
      was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:6-9

Now that will be a wedding feast.

God bless