Covenants #9: The Blessings of A Beginning

The Lord says to His people, “Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…” (Ex. 19:5-6).

Throughout the Bible we learn that God wants to bless individuals who faithfully follow Him. In fact 2 Corinthians 1:20 teaches that all the promises of God are yes and Amen in Christ. Whatever He promises us, He will do.  However, the blessings of God are often associated with obedience.

Last month we began considering the covenant that God made with Moses and the Israelites on Mt. Sinai. At the heart of this covenant is the Ten Commandments. Each commandment is given out of love seeking to protect us from the dangerous consequences that can result from disobedience. Yet at the same time, there are great blessings through obeying God’s covenant of love.

Pastor John Piper points out five blessings, Divine promises within the Mosaic Covenant.  First, Israel will be God’s prized possession. God mentions that all the earth is His to show that when he calls Israel His "own possession" (Ex. 19:5), He means more than the general care and authority He has over the world. He will be Israel's God and they will be His possession in a special way. According to 1 Peter 2:9 this blessing applies to all spiritual descendants of Abraham, implying us as Christians today (see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2017/10/covenants-6-battle-for-israelisaac-vs.html)

Second, Israel will be a kingdom of royal priests (Ex. 19:6). The most striking privilege of the priests was intimate access to God. According to 1 Peter 2:9, every Christian is a priest, and we have been granted the amazing privilege of being able to draw near to God on account of Jesus (Heb. 10:19-22). God blessed OT believers with a physical Promised Land (Josh. 21:43), and He promises all believers a place prepared for them in heaven (John 14:3).  Even so, our greatest inheritance is the Lord Himself (Ps. 16:5). This privilege is heightened when God calls us a royal priesthood or priests in the service of the King. There is no greater privilege than to have intimate access to the King of the universe.

Third, Israel will be a holy nation (Ex. 19:6). Israel would be holy in two senses: one, they would be set apart and distinguished from all the other peoples; two, she would be granted a moral likeness to God. She would share God's character. "Be holy, for I am holy" (Lev. 19:2). This is true of spiritual Israel as well (Heb. 8:10; 1 Peter 1:16). Thus if we, as the spiritual Israel, keep His covenant we will have the all-satisfying privilege of likeness to God as a holy nation

The fourth blessing of obedience, God will defend Israel from all her enemies. In Exodus 23:22, “If you listen carefully to what He says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.” The Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect us (2 Thess. 3:2-3).

And fifth, God will be merciful, gracious and forgiving (Ex. 34:6–7). To understand that God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness originate at Mt. Sinai when God gave the Ten Commandments are some of the sweetest words in the Bible. For God understood that we would fail to keep His commands, yet even still there is grace. In this we also see a harmonious message of grace throughout the Bible. When the Lord passed in front of Moses, revealing His glory, Moses proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, maintain love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin…” (Ex. 34:6-7) So the fifth great promise of the Mosaic covenant is that God will treat His people with mercy and grace and will forgive our sins—as we keep His covenants.

Upon the cross of Calvary, the Mosaic Covenant ended (Col. 2:16-17; Heb. 7:12; 8:13-9:4). However, the Mosaic covenantal blessings still remain as can be seen in the references listed! We as faithful followers of Christ are God's special possession, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a divinely protected people, and a people blessed beyond measure as a result of God’s amazing grace! Therefore, may we seek to obey what our loving God commands for He knows best.

In His service,

        Matt

Elder’s Corner: “Doc, I'm Getting Ready”

For several years I've had an annual physical scheduled for mid-January. It's a horrible time to have to go the doctor—right after all the goodies at Christmas and Thanksgiving. I think it’s not unlike everyone when they get ready to vacation at the beach. They start tanning, dieting to get ready for the swimsuits. So I jump on the treadmill and start running and then do some exercises each day to try to get the blood pressure down, the pounds shed, and the lung capacity built back up. It amazes me how fast January comes each year! (I think someone is stealing a couple of months somewhere.) One thing I know is that the closer I get to the appointment the better I take care of myself (no midnight ice cream—in fact no midnight staying up late.).

The point is the closer we get to an appointment—the better prepared we want to be. I think we should feel that way in our Christian walk as well. The closer we get to our destiny with God, the more we should want to be like Him. Two things are clear–we are all getting closer to that day when God calls us home. Time truly doesn't stop for anyone. And secondly, we want to prepare to share eternity with Him. That may mean some different uses of our time and money. I should want to be a better (more mature—not just older!), Christian in 2018 than I was in 2017. I should give more, spend more time in His “love letter” to us—the Bible, spend more time with other Christians and help them stay strong. (“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual; restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” Gal. 6:1-2 NASB). Also Hebrews 10:24-25 “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Which reminds me of a comment I heard: “They wouldn't come to church on Sunday night even if the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was preaching.”

I believe Jesus came to earth to share His life with others (Luke 19:10) and He wants us to do the same—not just live for ourselves (which is what we want). In fact there isn't much room for interpretation of Luke 14:26-27 NLT these are the words of Jesus “If you want to be My follower you must love Me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple.” So we need to get ready to meet Him by living for Him first in 2018. 

Have a Great New Year!  

Alan 

The Christian Atheist #6: In Money We Trust

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33).

The beginning of a New Year tends to be the time when a lot of us reflect over the past year and make resolutions for the New Year. One of the most common resolutions people tend to make pertains to money: whether getting out of debt, making better financial decisions, or just seeking to make more money. Did you know that the Bible has a lot to say about financial matters? In fact, the Bible talks more about money and possessions than heaven and hell combined. Now, by this point in time, some of you are probably thinking, “Yup, all the church wants is your money.” However, this is not the case at all!  The Bible emphasizes it so much simply because the Lord knows that nothing will lead us away from Him more than what we do with our money, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).

Therefore, where is your heart? Do you sincerely trust God? Or do you trust the money God has entrusted you with (Ps. 24:1)? God promises to take care of our needs when we trust in Him, seeking His kingdom and righteousness before we concern ourselves with our needs. When a person receives Christ as their personal Lord and Savior they are trusting Him with their eternal destiny. Yet herein lies the oxymoron: for many who claim to be Christians do not trust God with what is temporary - the money that God has entrusted them with. Thus, there are a lot of people who claim to trust in God but, in reality, they trust their money instead.

So how does one know if this is the case in their own life or not? Chris Galanos shares 5 clues that a person is trusting in money instead of God. First, you consistently argue with your spouse about money. Second, you consistently neglect your family to get more money. Third, you have trouble giving it away. So when you see a need, and feel God prompting you to give—you struggle to do it. Why? Because it means less for you. Fourth, you consistently spend more than you make. The Bible commands us to owe nothing to anyone except your obligation to love one another (Rom. 13:8). And fifth, when you lose it, you panic. The Lord commands us not to worry about our financial needs, for He promises to take care of you (Matt. 6:31-34; Phil. 4:19).

John Ortberg said, “A wallet looks like a piece of leather but it’s really the temple of the 21st century...We give this little piece of leather the power to make us feel secure, successful, and valuable. It is very hard for us to surrender control of this little piece of leather. The real issue: who’s in charge? Are you holding it or is it holding you?” (When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box, p. 197).

Therefore, if you have committed your life to Christ, trusting in God, put your money where your mouth is. Trust that God will take care of you. Spend less than you make, be generous, and rest in His promises of provision to those who seek first His kingdom and righteousness.

In God we trust,

      Matt 

Covenants #8: A Covenant of Love

The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: "'I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved Me and followed Me through the desert, through a land not sown” (Jer. 2:2).

For many of us, the holidays tend to be a season that we spend a significant amount of time with our closest friends and family members. Sometimes this can be challenging because of the pain of missing those who have passed away or strained relationships. And strained relationships tend to happen for a variety of reasons, yet some of the most common are betrayal, jealousy, and tough love that has not come to maturity resulting in the positive effects that we are longing for.

As parents we give our kids rules not to ruin their fun but to protect them, motivated by love. This is similar to that of a marriage relationship. In marriage, we make vows in order to protect our relationship, again motivated by love. Our relationship with the Lord is likewise very similar to this. God’s Word contains numerous commandments to do just that, as if to say, “Avoid these things and life will go much better for you. This is clearly the case with the Ten Commandments.

Before God ever gave His people the Ten Commandments, we can see His motivation for giving them. In Exodus 20:2, God says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Thus, God was reminding them up front, “I am the One who delivered you out of your slavery. My actions show that I have your best interest at heart.”  Then God gives them the terms of His covenant of love to them. This is the basis of what is known as the Mosaic Covenant. It is called this since God gave it directly to Moses, then Moses passed it on to His people.

Over the past several months, we have considered some of the covenants that God made with His people. The Mosaic covenant differs from the covenants that God made with Noah, Abraham, and David in the sense that it is conditional: based upon obedience, has its own priesthood and law associated with it. Thus, upon careful examination of the Bible it is similar to the covenant that God made with Adam, and the New Covenant that God made with all believers since the time of the cross. Thus, in the Bible we find three covenants that standout, and are sometimes referred to as the Three Great Ages (for more information on the Three Great Ages see http://eugenechristian church.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20to%20Understand%20the%20Bible).

Therefore, let us consider God’s covenant of love that He wrote on tablets of stone, namely the Ten Commandments. The first commandment states that we are not to have any other god but the Lord. Love is loyal. God wants to protect us from having a misdirected life's purpose, frustration, emotional and physical pain, and ultimately death to those who worship any but Him. Thus, the first commandment is about God protecting us from false gods

The Life Application Bible Commentary said, “Today we can allow many things to become gods to us. Money, fame, work, or pleasure can become gods when we concentrate too much on them for personal identity, meaning, and security. No one sets out with the intention of worshiping these things. But by the amount of time we devote to them, they can grow into gods that ultimately control our thoughts and energies. Letting God hold the central place in our lives keeps these things from turning into gods.”

The second commandment is very similar, seeking to protect us from false worship by making idols, like the things mentioned above. In this we see that love is faithful.

Third, love is reverent; “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” God’s name is special because it carries His personal identity. And God’s name is very unique in the sense that He is given numerous names all seeking to reveal different aspects of who He is.

Fourth, love is intimate; “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” In this we see God seeking to protect our relationship with Him, rejuvenating us through helping us to have a period of rest, and a remembrance of His creation. At the same time, since we currently live in the Christian/Church Age, we are not bound to the Sabbath as were those living in the Mosaic Age. We come to this conclusion based on passages like Heb. 7:12; 8:13-9:4; Col. 2:16-17 (see also http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-understand-bible-101-lesson-4a.html).

Fifth, “Honor your father and mother.” Here we see that love is respectful. One writer said, “Where parents are not honored, a flaw lies at the base, and the stability of the entire social fabric is endangered; as well, those who will not honor their parents will not honor God.”

Sixth, love is harmless; “You shall not murder.” Love seeks to protect life. It is important to understand that this commandment is explicitly meaning in the Hebrew text to: slay by premeditation, to assassinate, or to commit manslaughter. It does NOT refer to taking someone’s life as an act of LEGAL justification meaning an execution after due process, or moral justification; that is killing in defense.

Seventh, love is pure; "You shall not commit adultery." Marriage is a sacred union in the eyes of the Lord, that is why He seeks to protect it. Love is pure just as God desires us, the Church, who is the bride of Christ to be pure. Jesus said, “Blessed is the pure in heart” (Matt. 5:8). May we keep a strong commitment to the purity of our household.

Eighth, love is unselfish; “You shall not steal.” God sees the value of property and He desires it to be protected. Ultimately, all of it is His, and we are to be good stewards of all that He has given us by taking care of it. This means that we are not to be selfish about these things, but rather, we should give to others.  In addition to this, we must recognize the fact that this commandment is not limiting stealing to just our fellow man, but it also applies to stealing from God (see Mal. 3:8-10).

Ninth, love is truthful; “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” In this God seeks to protect the truth. So this commandment can be violated by both lying and by not saying anything at all. Thus, may our conversations be seasoned with both grace and truth.

And tenth, love is content; “You shall not covet. This is really about protecting our hearts. Jesus states it this way, “Guard [yourself] against every kind of greed" (Luke 12:15). Hebrews 13:5 says it like this, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you.”

Thus, the foundation of the Mosaic Covenant, the Ten Commandments are a covenant of a loving God seeking to protect His children. So may we view them as that, and seek to honor Him who knows best.

In His service,

        Matt

The Christian Atheist #5: He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not

“Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

Chances are if you have been around the church, you are quite familiar with the old song “Jesus Loves Me.” Most people learned it as kids in Sunday school. However, do we truly believe that Jesus loves us? If I were to ask, ‘how do you think God feels about you?’ Or ‘what do you think that God thinks about you?’ How would you respond? If I were to ask you this question after a rough day at work, how would you respond? Or if I were to ask you about God’s feelings/thoughts concerning you after you just had a fight with your spouse or kids, how would you respond? Or if I were to ask you about what you think God feels towards you after you have committed the same sin that you have continued to struggle with for years, what do you think God’s response would be?

Chances are, you may feel some guilt from your sins and mistakes and wonder how God could love you in moments such as these. Sometimes it seems as if we treat God’s love as a set of scales and that the things we have done right have got to outweigh the things that we have done wrong. Other times, as a result of our own insecurities, having been beat down by the world we question how anyone, including God, could love us. Still other times, when we look at all the suffering we have gone through, and what is going on in the world and begin to doubt God’s love. Thus, it can be easy to believe in God but doubt that He loves us. 

However, nothing could be further from the truth. God chose to display His love for us when we were at our worst. Romans 5:8 says it like this, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Just two verses later, Scripture states that our relationship with God was restored when we were His enemies (Rom. 5:10).

And 1 John 4:9-10 NLT states, “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” God’s love for us is similar to any good parents or grandparents: It is unconditional. There are no prerequisites. We chose to love them before they could ever love us in return. That is exactly how God’s love is for us, yet even greater.

All one needs to do is look in two places and they will see God’s love for them. The first is at a manager some 2,000 plus years ago. And the second is at the cross. Jesus, God in the flesh, came to live a life that we could never live, and died a death that we deserved to die so that we might experience His love for all of eternity. Thus, it is my prayer for you that you may know the love of God that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19).

In His service,

      Matt

Covenants #7: The Thankful Blessings of Israel

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

It is at this time of year that we tend to think of all the things that we have to be thankful for. Yet sometimes giving thanks can be harder than we would like to admit. It can be so easy to get bogged down among life’s challenges and daily routines to really consider all that we have to be thankful for. And regardless of how challenging or devastating our year has been, there are still things to be thankful for.

Throughout history, God’s chosen people have encountered challenge after challenge: from slavery in Egypt, to the wilderness wanderings, to enemies in the Promised Land, God’s people have dealt with it all. Yet one thing remains true, there are great blessings which Israel can be thankful for! Now, when I say that many of us naturally think of the nation of Israel. However, as we saw last month, God’s chosen people is “Israel” regardless of whether this is referring to faithful followers of the Lord living during Old Testament times or faithful followers since the time of the New Testament (see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2017/10/covenants-6-battle-for-israelisaac-vs.html).

There has always been only one bride for the Lord (Isa. 61:10; Eph. 5:24, 32). By itself this principle can be very challenging for many to understand. Yet God chooses to explain His relationship with His faithful followers in the terms of a marriage, since, marriage is the closest and most intimate relationship on the planet, fulfilling many of our relational, emotional, and physical needs. Thus, God is showing us how He can fulfill our every longing, giving us a lot to be thankful for.

As the bride of Christ, we have several blessings to be thankful for. There are four such blessings that I’d like us to consider this month. First, there is the blessing of prominence. When God originally revealed His blessings to the father of all of Israel, Abraham (Gal. 3:7), God told Abraham that He would make him (and his descendants) into a great nation (Gen. 12:2). As a Christian, our nationality is not defined by country of earthly residence, but rather by being heirs of a global kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

In a broad sense, the Kingdom of God refers to God’s sovereign and eternal rule over the entire universe (Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:3; Rom. 13:1). But it is more narrowly defined by those who have been born again (John 3:5-7). And every believer can enjoy the prominence of being greatly prized and dearly loved by God, having a place of honored belonging (Matt. 5:19; 20:26).

Second, there is the blessing of provision. God promises that His people will be taken care of (Deut. 28:4; Luke 12:30-32). “My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). Yes, we may go through some trying times, but He promises to provide for His people (Ps. 23:1). And ultimately, we have the promise of a bountiful harvest (Deut. 28:8, 11-12). 

Third, there is the blessing of protection. (Gen. 12:3; Deut. 28:7). God's protection is unlimited, eternal, and certain. Yes, there can be times that we experience great dangers, including death, but they cannot take our souls (Matt. 10:28).

And fourth, there is the blessing of property. (Gen. 12:1). Yes, God promises “Israel” His spiritual descendants through Abraham land, and this is not referring to a chunk of ground in the Middle East. Martin Wyngaarden points out the overwhelming spiritualization of the Holy Land or inheritance concept (Num. 18:20; Deut. 18:2; Psalm 73:26; 16:5; 142:5; 119:57; Jer. 10:16; 51:19; Ezek. 40:17, 20; Matt. 5:5; John 14:3; Rom. 4:13; Col. 3:14; Gal 3:29; Heb. 9:15; 11:10; 1 Peter 1:3–5; Rev. 21:8, 22; 22:15). Hence we see that in the primary inheritance, the real portion of Israel was not Canaan, but Jehovah Himself, and only in a secondary way whatever Jehovah might give to His people. Thus, the Messiah’s prophesied rule over the land of Israel’s inheritance becomes His rule over the new heavens and new earth (The Future of the Kingdom in Prophecy and Fulfillment, pgs. 91-93).

Therefore, in spite of trying times that we might encounter, as faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spiritual Israel, we have a lot to be thankful for all year long, for the blessings of Israel are ours!

In His service,

        Matt

Elder’s Corner: “Stand Firm”

It occurred to me how much I have to the thankful for in this month of Thanksgiving. There seems to be some controversy on whether or not it is appropriate to stand during the national anthem at NFL games. It is always right to stand and honor those who have sacrificed so much to insure the freedoms we hold dear. Which reminds me of the various Veteran's Day assemblies which will be held in our area to give recognition to those who serve and have served and those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Please show your support by attending one of these services. I still get goosebumps on my arms when the flags are presented and tears in my eyes when the Bugler plays taps.

The Bible has much to say about followers of Christ being good citizens while we are still here on earth.  1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” Romans 13:1 “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” I think these verses point out an obligation to believers. One, we should pray for our leaders, and second we should always be thankful. No, our government doesn't always make good decisions. So I will borrow a quote from Abraham Lincoln “Stand with anyone who stands right, stand with him as long as he is right, and depart from him when he goes wrong.” It is not a “conflict of interest” for Christian people to be patriotic, in fact it is encouraged. We aren't worshiping the Country, or the flag when we stand, we are honoring God who established governments and the people who gave their “last full measure of devotion”-

--Alan

P.S. You are invited to the community thanksgiving dinner November 19, 5:00 – 7:00

The Christian Atheist #4: That’s NOT Fair!

As one who loves kids, for the first 12 years of my married life, my wife and I had only been met with miscarriages when we tried to get pregnant; and even since having our first child, we lost two more. Then I look around and see others who are having kids no problem, and some of them don’t even want them. This is easily seen by the number of kids that are in the foster system and the number of abortions that are performed. It’s like, why God are You allowing people to even have kids who really don’t want them when some people who do can’t have them? Life is not fair!

If you have ever travelled to a third world country or into the slums of a large city, you will find people who are living in object poverty. Yes, some have chosen that lifestyle, but many have not. And as hard as they can, they rarely seem to overcome their struggles for daily existence. Life is not fair! 

We could talk about several other examples of loved ones being ripped from our lives, to hardships that we encountered on account of something that was not our fault. But how do you deal with life when it seems to be so unfair, especially when God could have done something about it but didn’t? I know of many people who have walked away from the Lord on account of that question. I used to think that God was unfair even though I still believed in Him. Maybe you have thought that way too. Then as a result, it is hard to trust Him when we read of His promises to work things out for our good, and that He has a plan not to harm us but to give us hope and a future.

This mindset is not easy to overcome, but there are three things to remember that can help. First, no one deserves good things to happen to them. We are all guilty of sin and deserving of punishment (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Thus, according to the Bible there is no such thing as “a good person.” And it is because of this reason that Jesus came to die for us, so that we would not have to experience the punishment that we deserve on account of our own sins.

Second, we need to remember that good things happen to bad people. If one looks hard enough, they can always find something to be thankful for. The greatest of these is knowing that one day the suffering and trials of this life will be over with. And just as Jesus was raised from the dead to a perfected state so shall we be when we see Him face to face (1 John 3:2).

Third, we need to remember that God is present in our pain. Jesus, the only One who was and is truly good (Luke 18:19), did not deserve to experience the suffering that He did, but He chose to for our sake. Thus, He sympathizes with us (Heb. 2:18). “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him” (Nah. 1:7). “But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction” (Job 36:15).

Pastor Craig Groschel said, “God is not fair, but He is good. And unlike fairness, there is no wrong side to the goodness equation when it comes to God. When you don’t deserve it, God is good. When you’ve messed up and need forgiveness, God is good. When you’re afraid and lonely, God is good. When you’re hurting and life makes no sense, God is still good. He is good all the time!” (The Christian Atheist, p. 34)

In His service,

      Matt 

Covenants #6: The Battle for Israel—Isaac vs. Ishmael

Jesus said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn "'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matt. 10:34-36).

It is hard for many of us to even attempt to comprehend tragedies like what happened recently in Las Vegas! It is heartbreaking to consider the 59 dead and more than 500 injured as a gunman opened fire on a concert! My thoughts and prayers are with the injured and those who lost loved ones. At times it can be very challenging to make sense of things that seem so senseless (and I will not even attempt to in this article)!

Unfortunately, tragedies like this are a very sad reality if one is up to date on world news. It seems like it is commonplace to hear about people going on killing sprees, suicide bombings, and constant fighting someplace in our world today. And there is no other place in the history of the world for experiencing such atrocities than in the Middle East.

The land of Israel has seen war after war for thousands of years. Some of the wars were a result of God’s hand of judgment upon His people when they rebelled against Him. The Old Testament spends a significant amount of time detailing the war with the Assyrians and the Babylonians. And both Old and New Testament alike depict the war that would take place between A.D. 66-70 with the Romans.

Since then, the greatest amount of fighting has come as a result of a battle for Israel. There are really 3 sides in this battle: first there are those who believe that the land belongs to Abraham’s descendants through his son Isaac. Second, there are those who believe that it belongs to Abraham’s descendants through his son Ishmael. And third, there are those who believe that the descendants of Abraham are spiritual; thus, implying that those who have faith in Christ, which includes Old Testament Jews who had faith in the Lord, and Christians since the time of Jesus’s death on the cross, are the true Israel. And that the land was given really to point to something bigger than just a chunk of ground in the Middle East. Regardless of what side you find yourself on, one thing is for certain: Christian persecution is on the rise and all the while the enemies of Israel are closing ranks around her borders. 

Therefore, what should our response be? It really comes down to the matter of what the Bible has to say. Muslims believe that Ishmael is the child of promise not Isaac. The basis of this comes from their belief that the Old Testament has been altered by the Jews to make it seem as if Isaac is the child of promise. However, as one writer pointed out, in order to substantiate this claim of textual corruption, two things need to be done. First, an earlier manuscript that shows the non-corrupted text needs to be shown. And second, an explanation of how the alterations were achieve without anyone noticing needs to likewise be given. But, neither one of these issues has ever been solved. Thus, the view of Muslims is quickly falsified. Even still, fighting will continue from these individuals who are following a lie.

While all Christians view Isaac as the promised descendant of Abraham (in comparison with Ishmael), they differ on the identity of “Israel” today. Does “Israel” refer exclusively to the Jewish people or does it refer to all Christians? Perhaps the most common view sees a separation between God’s chosen people, the Jews, and all Christians in general. This view has been popularized by books and movies like The Late Great Planet Earth and the Left Behind series. A huge percentage of Churches, preachers, and televangelists proclaim this message as well. Thus, many Bible believing Christians are convinced that the Jewish people and the present nation of Israel will be the primary participants in the events surrounding the second coming of Christ.

On a side note, the point of this article is not to create dividing lines among Christians, rather it is to help everyone to understand the significance of God’s covenant with “Israel” and its implications for all people today.  Yet is there really a separate covenant for the Jews vs. Christians? Let’s consider what Scripture has to say.  Galatians 3:28-29 says, “In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises” (MSG).

Romans 2:28-29 says, “For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people” (NLT).

The point that Scripture is making is that “Israel” consists of both Jews living during the time of the Old Testament and all Christians regardless of ethnicity since the time of Jesus’s death on the cross! This can be seen in several other passages as well, and was even prophesied about in the Old Testament (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 37:14-28; 47:22-25; John 1:13; 10:16; Rom. 2:28-29; 4:11-12, 16-18; 9:6-18, 24-25; 11:11-24; Gal. 3:8-24; Eph. 2:11-3:6; Phil. 3:3; Heb. 8:8-10; James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1;  2:4-10; 5:13).  So what does this mean for us today? It means that the promises that are related to “Israel” are for us as Christians today. Next month we will further unpack these promises of God’s covenant with “Israel.” Yet for now, what is the appropriate response to the violence that is taking place in the Middle East?

The appropriate response to the violence and persecution of Christians and other people groups in the Middle East should be the same as our response to the tragedy that happened in Las Vegas.  God’s Word calls us to stand strong in the true faith even in the face of suffering and persecution (Rev. 2:10-11). At the same time, God has ordained governments to deal with the issues by means of force (Rom. 13:1-7). Thus, we should support our police and armed forces. Praying for those who are committing these atrocities, and ultimately leading them to Christ for this is how real lasting change takes place—through sharing the Good News to the captors (Matt. 5:9, 44). For it is only through God’s work in our world that lasting peace will eventually be accomplished. And one day, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will return to usher in His eternal peace to “Israel,” all who have chosen to follow Christ by faith (Isa. 9:6; Rom. 4:16). 

 In His service,

        Matt

The Christian Atheist #3: Lukewarm and Loving It

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20 NASB).

As I write this article, our nation is facing a time of political and economic uncertainty as North Korea just fired a missile over Japan. Will this develop into a full scale war? Only God knows. However, some things that have been certain are the blessings and freedoms that we have enjoyed in this country.  We live in the richest large country in the world (https://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2010/11/growth). More than one third of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day.  So while the average American worries about retirement several years down the road, a large percentage of the world worries about having enough to provide for today.

Clearly, God has blessed our country economically. With great wealth comes great responsibility to care for the less fortunate. And unfortunately, great wealth has a way of blinding us to our need for God. In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus talked to the church in Laodicea. The people of Laodicea enjoyed many of the same blessings that we do as Americans. And they had become complacent/lukewarm in their walk with the Lord

Pastor Craig Groeschel listed 7 attributes of lukewarm Christians. They crave acceptance from people more than acceptance from God. (2) They rarely share their faith in Christ. (3) They tend to rationalize their sins. (4) They think more about life on earth than eternity in heaven. (5) They only turn to God when they need something. (6) They give whenever it’s convenient. (7) They are not much different from the rest of the world (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7UP8djULWA). Do any of these describe you?

The Bible teaches that you can know a person by their fruit (Matt. 7:16).  It does not take very much consideration of the state of Christianity in our country to realize that many who claim to follow Christ have become complacent/lukewarm in their relationship with Jesus Christ. The sad thing is that many of us recognize this to be true, but deep down inside, we just don’t care. Thus, if we are honest, many of us are lukewarm and loving it.

The phrase “lukewarm Christian” is never found in the Bible. And the description that Jesus gives to those who are lukewarm (Rev. 3:15-17) is associated elsewhere with non-believers.  By now, some of you are probably thinking, “Matt, I don’t like this article.” And my response is, I don’t either! :)  Yet these are some of Jesus’s words to the church in America. And thankfully, He doesn’t stop there.

In Revelation 3:19-22ff, Jesus gives us a beautiful picture of what could be for us, even those of us who are lukewarm, if we simply repent, and allow Jesus to come into our lives as Scripture teaches. It is a life that is sold out for Jesus. “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). My friends, you and I have been greatly blessed, yet don’t allow these blessings to lead you away from the greatest blessings of all.

In His service,

      Matt

Covenants #5: What is so Important about Israel?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you’” (Psalm 122:6).

Fewer places in the world have experienced as many wars & nearly constant conflict as the land of Israel. In December of 2016, President Obama refused to use the USA’s veto power concerning a UN Security Council vote allowing Palestinians to build in Jerusalem. President Obama’s actions were said to undermine our relationship with one of our closest allies. Senator John McCain called this an “outrageous attack” on Israel. Speaker of the House of Representatives called this “absolutely shameful.” Many Democrats expressed similar concerns. But why make such a big deal over a chunk of ground that is just barely bigger than the state of New Jersey? The reason is completely religious at its root.

Is the land of Israel sacred? Who does it belong to? Why is it important to us? Why are there such contentions and how should we respond to them?

According to many adherents of Christianity, Islam and Judaism (which make up over half of the world’s population), yes it is sacred. Jews dating back to Abraham have considered the land of Israel, the Promised Land, to be home. Muslims consider the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to be the third holiest site in Islam. Christians likewise consider Israel important, with its origins in Judaism, Jesus’ entire earthly ministry was focused in Israel, and the early church was founded in Jerusalem.

In order to answer these questions we have to consider the life of Abraham. In roughly 2,000 B.C. God calls Abraham to leave his homeland of Ur of the Chaldeans (Acts 7:2-3, modern day Iraq), and travel to a land that God will show him. God’s calling of Abraham included a covenant that involved the blessing of land, a great nation including descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, a great name/reputation, and a blessing that would come to the entire world on account of him. The blessings of this covenant were solely based on Abraham’s faith in the Lord (James 2:22-23). Abraham responded in faith and went to the Promised Land.

The nature of the blessings God promised to Abraham reveal much of the controversy concerning the Middle East, and specifically, the Land of Israel. God promised Abraham a very special land (Gen. 12:1), and He reiterated His promise on several occasions (Gen. 13:14-18; 15:18-21; Deut. 30:1-10; Josh. 24:3; Ezek. 33:24; Heb. 11:9-16; etc.). On account of this, many believe that the land of Israel belongs to Abraham’s descendants.

However, this is where the real question lies, who are the true descendants of Abraham? Muslims believe that they are the true descendants through Abraham’s first son Ishmael, while both Jews and Christians see their family tree through Isaac. Thus the contentions over a plot of land.

For some Christians, they believe that God still has a very special plan specifically for the Jews & the land of Israel, while others believe that the Church, aka Christians have replaced the Jews as the spiritual Israel. Yet what does the Bible have to say concerning this matter? That is a topic for another time, but hopefully this has helped to explain why the Middle East has been and will continue to be a hotspot for decades to come, and enjoy the blessings of father Abraham.

 In His service,

        Matt

Elder’s Corner: “Lord, Soften My Neck, Please”

In Proverbs 29:1, we find this: “A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy” (NASB). You can take a piece of wire and bend it back and forth until finally it breaks. I dropped a glass vase on a concrete floor once and no amount of glue could have restored it.

This phrase “hardens his neck is not a common one today.” But we do have some similar: “he is so stubborn he will cut off his nose to spite his face” or “I’ve never met a more obstinate person.” Another phrase that God used to describe His people who refused to be obedient was the term “stiff-necked people,” as in Exodus 32:9 (NKJV). “And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!” This was after God had been so good to them and delivered them from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The people cast a molten golden calf to worship instead of the God who saved them. In Acts 7, we read of Stephen’s (martyr) sermon to the “religious leaders” and he uses this narrative in verse 51 (NASB). “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” This verse points out that “these people” had the appearance of being holy and righteous—they had done the legal requirements (circumcision) but their hearts hadn’t changed.

So what does it all mean? It sometimes scares me, because I think it means I can sit in church with others who appear to be followers, and yet if I am unwilling to let God have total control of my life, I am no better than those who have hardened their necks and won’t listen when God wants us to change, be tender-hearted, and obedient to Him. Sometimes, He speaks to me through the advice of a real friend who sees in me something that I need to change. Which reminds me of a favorite Proverb, “Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy” (27:6 NLT). So I hope your prayer will be like mine: “Lord, soften my neck, please” because I sure don’t want to end up like that vase, broken beyond remedy.

—Alan    

Covenants #4: The Blessings of the Rainbow

 God said to Noah, “I am giving you a sign of My covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed My rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of My covenant with you and with all the earth (Gen. 9:12-13 NLT)

Ever since I was a kid, I have always admired the beauty of rainbows. They do not happen that often in our area, but when they do, they are one of the most beautiful things to observe in all of creation. Of course, who can forget to look for the pot of gold at the end? Yet if you find it, it belongs to me since I been searching for it for years, but that’s a different story. ;)

Regardless, the symbolism of the rainbow has drastically changed from what it originally meant! Even still, the point of this article is not to consider the topic of LGBTQ, but rather to consider the original meaning of the rainbow, and how it is a symbol of something for us today, and not that of the LGBTQ community.

As stated in the Bible and quoted above, the rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant and promise to Noah and all of creation since his time. God’s covenant with Noah is often called “The Noahic Covenant,” and it is found in Genesis 8:20-9:17. Noah formally agreed to this covenant by making a sacrifice to the Lord (Gen. 8:20-21). But why was this covenant necessary? 

Mankind had become exceedingly wicked, and the trend and direction of their lives were focused on their own sinful desires (Gen. 6:5). It is interesting to note that in context, this came as a result of believers marrying unbelievers (Gen. 6:2; see also Matt. 22:30; Rom. 8:14, 19). God had been patient and merciful with the people for hundreds of years. However, eventually the love and justice of God had to respond. Otherwise, God would not truly be loving and just. So God destroyed the entire world with a flood. But, God saved 8 people, Noah, the only righteous person on the planet at that time (Gen. 7:1), and Noah’s family.

While the global flood of Noah’s day took place over 4,000 years ago, there are 3 parts to God’s covenant with Noah that are important for us to understand today. First, we need to understand that the Noahic Covenant is universal and unconditional.  God made this covenant with every living creature and for all succeeding generations from the time of Noah until the end of time (Gen. 9:12). This covenant does not depend upon anything Noah or his descendants had to do. Therefore, regardless of how wicked and immoral our world is becoming (and one does not have to look very far to realize that society is far from where we should be) yet God promises that He will never again destroy the earth with a global flood.

Second, we need to understand that the creation mandate has been restated and expounded. The creation mandate was originally given to Adam and Eve as a part of the Adamic Covenant, stating that mankind is made in the image of God and is to be fruitful, fill the earth and have dominion over it (Gen. 1:27-28). These same principles were restated to Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives, likewise they apply to all people since then (Gen. 9:1-7).

Additionally, from this point forward mankind is allowed to eat meat, with the exception of blood, and animals will now fear mankind as a result. Some teach that Christians should be vegetarians since mankind was originally. However, that no longer applies. Yes, we can find other dietary restrictions which did apply both during the Patriarchal and Mosaic Ages. But today in the Church Age, the only dietary restriction is the prohibition of eating blood (Acts 15:29; Rom. 14:20). God explained that the creature’s life is in its blood and was to be used for atonement (Lev. 17:10-16). (Remember, it is by Christ’s blood that we are saved.) Additionally, some cultures then and even now use it in their idolatrous practices. 

Lastly, capital punishment was now a Biblical means of handling those who commit murder. This is restated in the New Testament (Rom. 13:4). It is important to note that the enforcement of capital punishment has always been through God ordained authorities, namely, governments (Rom. 13:1). Likewise, the Bible is not against self-defense, especially as it relates to means by which the government has deemed legal (Luke 22:36).

The third thing that we need to understand about the Noahic Covenant is God’s promise still applies. The promise is based upon God’s faithfulness alone. God has always been faithful to do just as He promised. This can be seen in how He dealt with Adam and Eve, promising to send One who would destroy the Devil, namely Jesus (Gen. 3:15; Heb. 2:14). God was faithful to Noah and his family, keeping them safe in the Ark. God was faithful to Abraham, Moses, David, the prophets, and even the people of Israel in spite of their unfaithfulness. God was faithful with His people in the early church. And He is still faithful to us, regardless of how faithless we are. God is always faithful to His promises. Yes, some of His promises are conditional, yet the promise to never again destroy the entire world with a flood is not one of them.

Therefore, when you see the rainbow in the sky, I want to encourage you to remember its true meaning: (1) God’s faithfulness to all creation. And (2) His amazing grace: God was patient with the people, giving them a 120 year opportunity while Noah built the ark to turn to Him. God likewise extended grace to Noah and his family to be saved even though He could have easily have wiped them out as well. Similarly, God has been gracious with every single one of us. He has provided a means that we can be saved from the wrath that is to come—through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 1:10). For one day, God promises that He will destroy the earth with fire (2 Peter 3:10, 11).

R.C. Sproul said, “The Noahic covenant is God’s pledge that He will preserve the stability of nature, a stability that will allow His people to flourish and that will provide an arena for Him to enter history and bring salvation (John 1:14). Moreover, our Creator’s love for all that He has made is seen in the pledge that He will never again destroy the world (with a flood), which is also an early sign that one day all creation will be renewed” (www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/noahic-covenant-1670/). I pray that you are encouraged by the true meaning of the rainbow.

In His service,

        Matt

The Christian Atheist #2: Customized Christianity

 “Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are” (Psalm 36:1-2 ^NLT).

“Have it your way.” Burger King’s slogan is really the motto of the American society. We like to have things our own way. We like to pick and choose pretty much everything, from what we have, to what we do, and to what we believe, etc. 

There are a lot of people who approach Christianity in this way. They believe in God, but they only want to accept certain elements of Christianity. It is like as one writer said, “God created us in His image and we take and return the favor.” We make God in the image we want Him to be in. “I’ll take the love of God; but, I don’t want His wrath. I want the mercy of God; but, I don’t want His righteous judgment. I want His blessings in my life; but, that whole take up your cross and follow Him daily is just not for me.”

We tend to love the part of the Bible that tells us that God has a wonderful plan for our lives, but there are parts of the Bible that seem so outdated to us. Like for example, we think, “Who actually practices sexual purity anymore?” We tend to like the fact that God was generous with us, giving His One and only Son on the Cross. And we like that He promises to provide for our daily needs. However, we don’t like that God’s Word commands us to tithe and be generous to others, so “Let’s just skip those parts.” And we like the promises that He will work all things out for our good, day in a day out. But we think, “Weekends are mine, so I don’t care if God commands me to worship Him corporately and encourage other believers on Sundays, that’s my day to play and get things done.”

Sin has a way of whispering into our hearts. Then we rationalize our decisions, not even realizing what we are blinding ourselves to sin. This is a very dangerous place to be according to the Bible. Take for example the account of two men, Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2). These two individuals sincerely desired to worship God but in their own way, rather than the way He had commanded. And as a result, God struck them dead. Now, I’m not saying that God is going to struck you dead (and I’m praying that He will not). :)

We could look at other examples from Scripture of people who practiced Customized Christianity, however, none of them ended with results they wanted. Therefore, I implore you to learn to reverently and lovingly fear (respect) the Lord. We need to follow Him as He directs throughout the Bible, not just the portions that we like. (Did we not learn this from our parents—we have to obey all of their rules, not just some of them? Of course we all did.)

The Bible says that the fear (a healthy fear, and respect) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Pro. 9:10). “Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death” (Pro. 14:27). And Proverbs 22:4 says, “True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.” Learning to fear the Lord, following Him as His Word commands is not a bad thing; rather, it leads to blessings. So may we fear the Lord, and follow Him completely.

In His service,

      Matt 

The Christian Atheist #1: Do You Personally Know The God of the Bible?

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him…” (Titus 1:16)

Do you believe in God? Chances are, you do. A recent study showed that 3 out of every 4 Americans claim to believe in God. And about 7 in 10 actually claim to believe in the Trinitarian God of the Bible. However, when we look at society and even in the church, it does not take long to see that there is a vast difference between the lifestyle and theology that the Bible teaches and that which the majority of those who claim to be Christians live out.

For example, more than half of those who claim to follow the God of the Bible reject Jesus’s eternal nature (Isa. 9:6; John 8:58; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:11, 12; 13:8; Rev. 1:8). Those who know God understand what He is like. Another shocking statistic is that 70% of those who claim to be Christians agree that there’s only one true God. However, 64% also thought that this God accepts the worship of all religions, including those that believe in many gods (http://thefederalist.com/2016/10/10/survey-finds-american-christians-actually-heretics/). Therefore, even though the majority of Americans claim to be Christian, they do not actually know the Christian God. This is one sense in which there is virtually no difference between many of those who claim to be Christians and those who claim to be atheists. Craig Groeschel, the pastor of one of the largest churches in America has rightly labeled individuals like this as “Christian Atheists.”

The question that needs to come to our minds is this: do you actually know the God whom you claim to follow? The Bible says that the demons fearfully believe in God (James 2:19); however, they do not know God through a personal relationship with Him. Similarly, there are many who know God intellectually, the Pharisees were like this, but they did not know God personally (John 8:54-55). There are a lot of people who will miss heaven by 18 inches: they know God in their minds but not in their hearts. Those who truly know God long to spend time with Him. David said, “O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Ps. 63:1). Does this match the relationship that you have with God? 

Lastly, those who truly know God obey what He commands. The Apostle John said, “We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). Are you obedient to what God commands?

Those who genuinely know God understand what He is like, they long to spend time with Him, and they obey what He commands. Are these 3 things apparent in your life? Or are you like most who claim to believe in the God of the Bible, but in reality are a Christian Atheist?

I pray that you may know Him and His love that surpasses knowledge, for if you do, it will make all the difference in the world! God bless!

In His service,

            Matt