Covenants #3: Take Me Down to the Paradise City

Yes, I used to be a big fan of the hard rock band “Guns & Roses.” I know, I’m probably going to hell because of that (just kidding)! :) While your idea and my idea of a paradise city might be two totally different things, yet who doesn’t like the idea of going to a paradise city, and even living there?

The Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived was a place of paradise. The New Testament describes Heaven as being very similar to that paradise (Rev. 2:7; 22:1-2, 14, 17). However, when Adam and Eve broke the covenant that God had with them, they were evicted from paradise (Gen. 3:24). And as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, thorns and thistles, childbirth pains, toil, cancer, disease, etc., and even death entered the world. Thus, just as other people’s actions affect us today, so too did Adam and Eve’s actions make a difference on other people. But since they were the first individuals, their actions had even larger implications on the world. On account of them, we all await the same fate, physical death (Rom. 5:12). 

It does not take long to understand just how impactful the terms and conditions of the Adamic Covenant are upon the entire human race. Some will unnecessarily attempt to divide the covenant that God made with Adam and Eve prior to their committal of sin with the words that God speaks to them after they sinned. In reality, the words that God spoke to Adam and Eve after they sinned merely further explained to them their punishment for the violation of the covenant. However, the heart of the covenant remained. Adam and Eve, and all mankind for that matter, are given the privilege/obligation of being fruitful, multiplying, and filling the earth ultimately with people who will worship the One True God, and having dominion over all of creation (Gen. 1:26-28). 

The spirit of the law that Adam and Eve violated in the Garden is the same as that of the sins that people struggle with today. Adam and Eve’s sin involved 3 parts (Gen. 3:6; 1 John 2:16). First, the lust of the flesh as they saw that the forbidden fruit was good for food. This is the foundation of all sexual sins, gluttony, drug addictions, and narcissism. Second, the lust of the eyes as the forbidden fruit was a delight to one’s sight. The lust of the eyes is the foundation of all greed, selfishness, envy, and slothfulness. And third, the boastful pride of life as the forbidden fruit was able to make one wise. This is the foundation of all ungodly cravings for attention, position, authority, identity, and appreciation.

Therefore, by having an understanding of the Adamic Covenant helps us understand the origin of our own struggles with sin. But even greater still is understanding the promise that we get to enjoy in spite of our failure to keep the covenant. While it is true that all people die physically (Rom. 5:12), the eternal consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions, and our own for that matter, have been nullified on account of what Jesus did for all mankind on the cross (Rom. 5:17-18).  This is the promise that Adam and Eve received in the Garden (Gen. 3:15), and it is the promise that we have today.

Furthermore, one day the Bible promises that paradise will be restored. One commentator explained it in the following way. “When we look back to the Garden of Eden, we long for the restoration of its perfection, beauty, and peace. And God will not disappoint us.

He will restore Paradise to us, a much better Paradise than the Garden of Eden. In this Paradise Perfected—the new heaven and new earth—our Savior Jesus Christ is the Living Water, who gives eternal life to all. In this heavenly Jerusalem, He is the Tree of Life, who nourishes our body and soul forever.

In this holy city, John says Christ is the Light, giving the city its radiant glory, illuminating its perfection, beauty, and peace. It is a heavenly city whose builder and architect, Christ, came down from heaven to earth, to clothe it with His righteousness. Today there are still many tears shed because of this sin-infested world; so much loneliness, sickness, and death. But in Paradise Perfected, there will only be rejoicing.

God will dwell with us forever, and we will see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face. We will have perfect communion with Him. Do you want to be assured of eternal life in the holy city? Do you want to be healed of sin and death? Jesus invites you to drink from the Living Water and eat from the Tree of Life. By placing your faith in Him, you will have eternal life, and your souls will be nourished forever” (http://twoagespilgrims.com/pasigucrc/index.html/a-better-paradise-restored/).

 In His service,

        Matt

Elder’s Corner: “Are You Privileged?”

A couple of weeks ago when the wind storms hit the area, I had my scanner on to keep track of the weather. The following came across from the public utility dispatcher “There is a tree down on Sunset Ave.”  Then the following comment “it is in the city councilman's yard.”  The implication was clear “you better get to it right away.”  Maybe you have heard the quote “Rank has its privilege.” 

Maybe you feel like you're not important to anyone—not even God. But consider the following from Psalms 139:13-14 NASB “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . .” God has been with you since the beginning (and even if you have left Him for a time—He has never left you). “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” He tells us in Hebrews 13:5. 

Now let's get back to the thought that on earth some are treated differently than others.  It's true. Some are treated better because of the money they possess, some better because of their educational degree, some because of the color of their skin, some because of who they’re related to. It isn't that way with God and I hope you never feel that He plays favorites. He is for Everyone Equally! Consider Romans 1:16 TEV “For I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe. . .” Here's how God describes us in 1 Peter 2:9 NASB “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you (we) may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Why does God see us this way, all equal and yet each important? Because He knows the price that was paid was the same price for everyone—the blood of his precious son. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NASB).     

—Alan

Worldview #19: “What If I Don’t Need God?”

 While Mohammad Ali was on one particular flight, the plane experienced some significant turbulence. So the captain stated that everyone needed to fasten their seatbelts. Ali refused. When he was confronted by a flight attendant, Ali declared, “Superman don’t need no seatbelt.” At this the flight attendant replied, “Superman don’t need no airplane either.” :)

Some people openly declare that they do not need God, and many others declare this with the way that they live: extraordinarily similar to the atheist. There are 3 realities that these 2 groups of people need to address if what they believe is actually true.

First, without God, there is no moral law and thus no standard for right and wrong. Here’s a tip for those philosophy students. If your professors teach that there are no moral absolutes (things that are inherently right or wrong), then tell them that it is ok for you to cheat on your assignments and tests. :) If there is no moral law then it is wrong to have prisons for anything including rape, theft, and murder, for those things were morally justifiable to the perpetrators. Thus, for those who do not believe in moral laws, who are you to say that Hitler was wrong when he murdered 6 million Jews, or when terrorists attack, or someone robs you? 

Second, without God, there is no meaning in life. Just consider what a couple of the most respected atheists in the world have to say about purpose: Richard Dawkins said “The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at [the] bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference” (River Out of Eden, p. 133). Alex Rosenberg is even more to the point: “What is the purpose of the universe? There is none. What is the meaning of life? Ditto. Does history have any meaning or purpose? It’s full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” (The Atheist’s Guide to Reality, pp. 2-3). Without God there is no purpose in life.

And third, without God, there is no hope. “If God does not exist, then both man and the universe are inevitably doomed to death. Man, like all biological organisms, must die. With no hope of immortality, man's life leads only to the grave. His life is but a spark in the infinite blackness, a spark that appears, flickers, and dies forever” (William Craig, “The Absurdity of Life without God” available from http://www.reasonablefaith.org/the-absurdity-of-life-without-god#ixzz4ixvmwq1H).  Therefore, without God there is no hope.

Thankfully, the evidence for God’s existence and Biblical worldview is astounding as we have seen over the past several months (for more info see www.eugenechristianchurch.blogspot. com). Thus, since God does exist, there is a moral law protected mankind from right and wrong. There is great purpose to your life. And with God we can have great hope in spite of any situation that we encounter, including death itself.

In His service,

      Matt 

Covenants #2: A Plan for Peace from Eternity to Eternity

As I write this article, I find myself anxiously awaiting the birth of my daughter. Yes, I know that she is not due until September 18th, :) but I’m still anxiously looking forward to Naomi’s arrival. Yet, there is one thing I’m not looking forward to: dating. As a father, I know that we need to question the plans of those who come to date our daughter, since I was also one of those questionable punk teens. ;) Many have come up with practical rules for dating one’s daughter like “Use your hands on my daughter and you’ll lose them after.” And “If your pants hang off your hips, I’ll gladly secure them with my nail gun.” etc. :)

Thus, motives need to be questioned. However, one whose motives do not need to be question is the Lord Himself. Why do His motives not need to be questioned? Answer: because He clearly revealed them in His Word from eternity past. “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20-21).

As we study the pages of the Bible we learn that God had a plan from eternity past to eternity future to know, experience and live in His perfect peace. Biblical peace speaks of completeness, health, justice, prosperity, and protection. It is a peace which calms any internal conflict. Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us, but the peace of God moves in our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of the conflict. It is a peace that passes all understanding.

How was this peace made possible for us? It is made available to us through the blood of the eternal covenant (Heb. 13:20). From eternity past, God had a plan to create mankind so that we might enjoy a relationship with Him and the peace that He offers. However, mankind rebelled against God ever since the Garden of Eden.; and God knew that this would take place even before He created mankind. Therefore, He likewise had a plan to restore that peace before we ever rebelled against Him.

God’s plan of peace with mankind was revealed immediately following the first sin that ever took place (Gen. 3:15). The punishment for sin, our rebellion has always been death (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:22). However, God provided a means for us not to experience the punishment that our sins demand. In the Garden of Eden, it was the blood of animals that God created, knowing in advance that they would be used to cover Adam and Eve’s sin (Gen. 3:21). This in and of itself would be a picture of what was to come, the Lamb of God, Jesus, who would die taking away our sin.

Jesus’s death was in accordance with God’s eternal plan (Acts 2:23). In fact, Scripture even states that Jesus was “slain from the foundations of the world” (Rev. 13:8). “In eternity, God planned for the Son of God to step into history to provide the ultimate sacrifice—the sinless Son of God would suffer sin’s penalty of death, be raised from the dead, thus providing a way of salvation” (Ken Ham, “Slain from the Foundation of the World” available from https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/creation-museum/slain-from-the-foundation-of-the-world/).

God knew and planned through His great sovereignty to work through people and their own freewill decisions to accomplish His plan of peace for mankind. Even when we were His enemies, and hostile towards Him, He accomplished His wonderful plan of peace (Rom. 5:10). God knew the battle that would rage between Satan and those seeking to follow God, yet He orchestrated His eternal plan of peace through endless trials (Rev. 12:17).

When He created the stars in the heavens for signs and seasons, declaring His glory (Gen. 1:14; Ps. 19:1), He created and knew the star that would guide the wise-men to Bethlehem at the time that the eternal Son of God became a man (Matt. 2:10).  And when the hands of sinful men nailed Jesus to the cross of their own freewill, they were actually fulfilling His eternal plan of peace. The eternal covenant of peace rules the universe. God will accomplish His plan for our lives, a plan not to harm us, but a plan of peace, hope, and a future with Him (Jer. 29:11). That is God’s motivation behind what He does.

But have you come to peace with God? You can. It is through a personal relationship with His Son. If you would like to know about having peace with God, I encourage you to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30. 

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you” (2 Thess. 3:16).

 In His service,

        Matt

Covenants #1: Let’s Make a Deal

This past month, my wife and I did something that we have not done in 17 years. We bought a vehicle. I’ll be honest, I was not a big fan of having to do that.  I don’t like the hassle of potentially pushy salespeople, etc. And I especially don’t like vehicle payments! But our car was not in good shape; the repairs that it badly needed would cost way more than what the vehicle was worth. So we did the inevitable and made a deal with a used car salesman. Now, for the record, I think that the salesman was fair with us, and we like our new ride. Yet if there would have been some way around having to make a deal on a new set of wheels, I would have done it!

This all got me thinking of deals that were made in the Bible; the most significant are called covenants. Covenants are similar to contracts, like the one we signed for our new vehicle. We agreed to pay X number of dollars for a certain amount of time until the loan was paid off. Meanwhile, we get to enjoy the new ride.

A covenant with God can be seen as a partnership with Him to accomplish a goal together. When God created the world, everything was very good (Gen. 1:31). The covenants were and are a means to bring even more good into the world we live in; things like families, love, justice, peace, and joy, etc. There are 7 major covenants listed in the Bible: the Eternal Covenant (Heb. 13:20), the Covenant of Eden (Gen. 1-3), the Noahic Covenant (Gen. 6-9), the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:1-3), the Mosaic Covenant, aka the Old Covenant (Ex. 19:4-31:18), the Davidic Covenant, and the Covenant of Christ, aka the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-33; Matt. 26:28; Heb. 8:8-12).

Contained within these 7 major covenants are what is known as the “Three Great Ages.” The Three Great Ages help us understand some of the major changes that take place throughout the history of the Bible including the priesthood, laws, places of worship, and sacrifices. Hebrews 7:12 states that when the priesthood changes the law must change also, and so does the place of worship and sacrifices. The Three Great Ages are the Patriarchal Age beginning with Adam and Eve and ending with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. Second, the Mosaic Age, beginning with the receiving of the Ten Commandments and ending with Jesus on the Cross. And third, the Christian/Church Age, beginning on the cross and ending when Jesus returns (for more information on the Three Great Ages see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20to%20Understand%20the%20Bible). So while, the Three Great Ages each had/have an ending point, portions of the 7 major covenants will remain for eternity.

So for the next several months, we will consider each of the 7 major covenants and how they relate to us today and forever. By doing so, we will be better able to understand what God expects of us, God promises to us when we follow the covenants, the consequences for those who break the contract, and the condition for obtaining those blessings.

So “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. And may the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace” (Num. 6:24-26 NLT).   

In His service,

        Matt

Elder’s Corner: “One More Time”

 I planted some tomatoes a couple of days ago. All of the plants looked healthy except one. It was poorly formed without a central stem, and not many leaves. I decided to plant it anyway and take a chance that it would survive even if it didn't thrive. I planted it in the part of the garden where the soil doesn't drain well, and has lots of clay lumps. I guess I thought, “Why use up the good spots for such a pathetic plant?” Then I remembered Luke 13:6-9, “And Jesus began telling this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, and did not find any.  And he said to the vine-yard keeper, Behold for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any.  Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?” And the vine-yard keeper answered and said to him, “Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.”

This parable teaches us so many truths about God: He expects us to be productive (bear fruit). He is patient with us for a time even when we are unproductive (my favorite way to think about this is “He doesn't give up on us, He gives us a second chance, and third—you get it”). He will eventually exact justice from all (but not until He has given every person many opportunities for repentance).

I watched the movie “The Blind Side” again the night I planted the tomatoes. The story is about Michael Oher who was abandoned by his cocaine addicted mother only to be adopted by a foster family and given a second chance at life. They nurtured him, encouraged him, (in vineyard keeper terms they “dug around him and put in care and fertilizer) and he became productive. I think you may know someone in your life who needs a little extra time and attention devoted to them so they too will become productive. If you can't think of anyone, pray. God has someone in mind for you to spend some time with to help them become fruitful.

So I'm wondering “should I have planted the healthy tomatoes in the poor soil (since they're already healthy enough to survive?), and the poor plant in the good soil?”

—Alan

Worldview #18: Don’t All Religions Teach the Same Thing?

 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

One non-Christian named Suzie stated, “Christians are just so narrow-minded and arrogant. Who are you to say one group or culture is right or wrong? To say Native American Indians, for instance, were wrong in all their beliefs because they knew nothing about Jesus? That’s ridiculous.” How would you respond to Suzie? I mean come on, what makes us right and everyone else wrong? Are all Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists doomed to hell? Isn’t it arrogant to believe that Christianity is the only path to eternal life?

It is true that all major world religions have some similarities. All teach some version of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” All teach that we should honor our parents. All teach that we should not murder, commit adultery, steal, or lie. And all teach that we should care for the weak and less fortunate.  However, there are not many other similarities than these. Beyond that, these similarities only confirm God’s existence since He has wired into our hearts that certain things are inherently wrong even if one has done them; thus, pointing to a Moral Law Giver.

On the other hand, there are fundamental differences between the major world religions. Take for example Hinduism. Hinduism teaches that the entire universe is God, (Brahmin), and that one must overcome their bad deeds, advancing through different caste systems by reincarnation to eventually become one with Brahmin.

On the other hand, Buddhism denies fundamental doctrines of Hinduism: the caste system. It also denies that God exists. Buddhism teaches a goal of reaching Nirvana: eliminating all desires or cravings in order to escape suffering and achieve nonexistence.

Meanwhile, Islam teaches that only Muslims will be saved. And salvation comes ultimately through good works done for Allah which must outweigh their bad deeds to earn their way to Paradise. And Christianity teaches that one goes to heaven not based on their own good deeds but by faith alone in Jesus.  

Thus, there are fundamental differences between the world religions and at best only superficial similarities. In fact, only three of the major world religions even claim to be inspired by God: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The other religions claim only to be human solutions to the problems mankind faces, or they are devotional poems, songs and stories, but do not factually claim God has revealed Himself. Therefore, we must not assume more than they actually claim.

The bottom line is that all religions do not teach the same thing! And God’s Word states that salvation is only found in Jesus’s name (Acts 4:9-12). So is Jesus your Savior and Lord?

In His service,

      Matt