Why We Preach Expositionally

This is a good reason why we use the expositional preaching style here at PRBC.

God’s Word gives clear primacy to exposition.

• Many preachers and pastors today question whether the Bible really gives us any reason to think that expositional preaching is the best way to preach.
• But the prophetic nature of preaching and the performative nature of God’s Word reveal exposition to be best suited to unleashing the power of the text.

Exposition is primary because preaching is prophetic.

• To say that preaching is prophetic is not to say that it is either predictive or ecstatic utterance – preachers are ambassadors, not prognosticators; and their source of revelation is God’s mediated written word, not His immediate verbal word. It is rather to say that preaching is about receiving God’s word and communicating it to God’s people in a way that is faithful to God’s intention.
• Preaching is prophetic because it conveys God’s Word to God’s people. Exposition best handles the prophetic nature of preaching because the expositional sermon is unique for taking the point of the passage as the point of the message. It is therefore the best way to remain faithful to the content and intent of God’s Word in any given text.

A Positive Example: Nehemiah 8:7-8

• …the Levites explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. They read from the book, from the Law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading(Nehemiah 8:7-8).
• The content of their preaching is God’s revelation, not their own ideas. So their preaching is prophetic – they receive God’s word and give it to the people.
• The method of their preaching is to explain the meaning and significance of a portion of God’s Word to God’s people. This is the heart of expositional preaching.
• The effect of their preaching is that the people understand and obey. This is the goal of expositional preaching – that the people hear and heed the Word of God.

A Negative Example: Jeremiah 23:16,18, 21-22

• Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord. But who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, that he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened? I did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied. But if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds” (Jer 23:16, 18, 21-22).
• The content of their preaching is from their own imagination. Speaking primarily from our own anecdotes and illustrations displeases God. Expositional preaching disciplines us to constrain our words to the parameters of God’s Word.
• The method of their preaching involves a refusal to stand in God’s council to hear and obey His word. An expositor’s first task is to stand in God’s counsel by bowing under God’s Word.
• The effect of their preaching fails to turn God’s people back to God’s ways, but rather lead them into futility. An expositor’s goal is to speak God’s Word to God’s people so that they will walk in God’s ways.

Exposition is primary because God’s Word is performative.

• God’s Word performs what it prescribes. It is its own power for accomplishing itself. If this is so, then exposition is primary because it best unleashes the performative intention of God’s Word on the lives and hearts of God’s people.
• When God speaks,His very word actually creates the reality that it commands. Six times in Genesis 1 we read: God said and it was so (1:6, 9, 11, 14, 24, 29-30).
• As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isa 55:10-12).
• Look up the following verses. What is God’s Word doing, or able to do? John 17:17; Acts 12:24; 19:20; 1Thess 2:13; Heb 4:12; James 1:18, 21; 1Peter 1:23-25.

Taken from
www.9marks.org

Fasting and Prayer

Acts 13:1-2 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said



Notice that these five men were corporately fasting and praying. They were seeking God's will. Then God spoke. Prayer and fasting is what we, the church, should be doing. These men were "ministering to the Lord and fasting." It seems to be a forgotten discipline in our day. Why?

Alarming circumstances brought Jehoshaphat to proclaim a fast for all Judah (2 Chron. 20:3).

Look what Esther did.
Esther 4:15-16 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 "Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."

Jesus launched His ministry with fasting.

Fasting and prayer deepens our desire for God and His will. I believe fasting quiets the flesh so we can focus on God and the things of the Spirit. As we so humble ourselves before a holy God, the Holy Spirit deepens our love and hunger for God...for the lost...and for His church.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matt. 5:6).

Worth the listen and viewing

I Will follow Him

The Impossible Gospel

This is the first paragraph of my new book. The proceeds from the sale of this book will go to those who will attend Pathways in January, to help with the cost of this 12 week class. Want a copy? Call me at 805-226-9670, or leave a comment with your name and address, or go to Amazon.com. $10.00



What I'm about to say will be impossible for you or any human being to understand. But I think I need to qualify this statement. Let me state the premise of this book. Scriptural truth is impossible for the fallen human mind to comprehend or understand (1 Cor. 1:18). By one's own intellect, human beings cannot grasp the truths contained in Scripture. Not only will you not understand, you will think it foolishness to varying degrees. Why? Scripture truth, the Bible, which would also include the gospel, can only be understood by the human mind and intellect through the miraculous work, and intervention of the God's Holy Spirit. It's foolishness to the unbeliever. If this is true, it has profound implications for us and to the church in our era....theo-logical implications.

The Holy Spirit's Love

It's interesting what Salvation does in a persons life. When the Spirit enters a life many things begin to happen. What Donna and I experienced was our old friends eventually did not desire our company at the their "parties" any longer...fine by us. Even stranger for me were the people who I thought were strange (church goers), all of a sudden were not strange. I liked them...I loved them. It's amazing what the Holy Spirit does in that respect.

The same thing happened to the apostle Paul. Those he hated, those he was trying to destroy, after the Spirit entered into him, he loved. It happened within three days. "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). The fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal. 5:22). Love is powerful. It's Christ's love in us. It overlooks a multitude of sins...doesn't seek it's own way...it's kind (1 Cor. 13). May we let the love of Christ control us (2 Cor. 5:14).

Religious Freedom?

Joe, the Believer

More Important Than Many Sparrows

I just came inside from our patio area. I woke up this morning, made the coffee and grabbed my sermon. I went outside and sat on my favorite patio chair with coffee in hand. It was already 65 degrees out there this morning...very comfortable. It's supposed to be 110 today. This is one of my favorite times. What a great setting for "going through" my sermon text for Sunday morning.

My little friends were also out there this morning. Who are they? The finches. We have a feeder 20 feet from where I study. One day one of them flew into our sliding glass door. There he was, laying on his side, motionless. After waiting a couple of minutes, I went over to him, and picked him up in my hands. All of a sudden he awoke and flew off. They're learning to trust me. After all, I'm the one who feeds them, leads them beside still waters, our back yard fountain. In these difficult, hot days, these little guys need water. You can see where I'm going with this analogy.

If our future days should get hot, tough out there, we can trust Him.

Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

For our name's sake? No, for His.

Heirs of Salvation

In our Bible study Thursday morning, I saw something in the following passage I had not seen before. The Scripture is a never ending well of wonder.

Gal 4:1-5
Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,
2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. NASU

Paul uses the human example of children who are heirs of all the fathers wealth, even though they, as children, are no better than a slave. Paul then compares this spiritually to believers, who, prior to the Spirit entering their hearts, while they are also held in slavery to the elemental things of this world, are, none the less, heirs. Paul states this in the very next verse.

Gal 4:6-7
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
NASU

Paul calls them sons prior to the Holy Spirit entering their lives. Because they are heirs, God sent forth the Spirit into their hearts.

We see this same truth in Hebrews 1:14. Speaking of angels, the writer says:

Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? KJV

Somehow the angels know who the heirs of salvation are prior to them becoming saved. They will protect them, minister to them. God will not lose any of His chosen. This truth is also seen in 2 Peter 3:9. He won't come until all the heirs are saved. None that the Father gives to the Son will perish. He's not willing that any of these heirs perish.

Galatians 3 Test

We had fun in our Mens Bible Study this morning. I gave them a test that we worked through during the Galatians study. Thought I would throw it out there for any to see and take. By the way, the Tutor is referred to in Gal. as the Law of Moses.

1. T F Abraham was saved by faith.
2. T F When God gave His Law to Moses 430 years later, the basis of salvation changed.
3. T F Abraham and the others who lived before the law were saved by faith only because they did not have God’s law.
4. T F The covenant with Abraham was conditional. Whereas, the Mosaic covenant was completely unconditional.
5. T F The covenant of Law is long past, but the moral demands of the Law have not diminished.
6. T F Only God’s grace can produce what the Law cannot.
7. T F Unbelievers must know the truth about their state.
8. T F The church must never offend the unbeliever.
9. T F The believers righteousness is actually based on Law.
10. T F Law and Grace cooperate in bringing the lost sinner to Jesus Christ.
11. T F The Law does not make us sinners.
12. T F The Law reveals to us that we already are sinners.
13. T F The Law is a mirror in that it reveals our righteousness.
14. T F There is a lawful use of the Law, and an unlawful use of the Law.
15. T F When people claim they are saved by keeping the Ten Commandments, they are revealing their ignorance of the true meaning of the Law.
16. T F The purpose of the Law is not to condemn but to save.
17. T F Forgiveness of sin means nothing to a person who does not know he is sinful.
18. T F It is pointless to preach grace until the impossible demands of the Law, and the reality of guilt before God, are preached.

19. Q. What does it mean to be kept in custody under the law?
20. Q. How does the Law lead us to Christ?

21. T F Since we are no longer living under the Law, we don’t need a tutor.
22. T F Israel could not see the Tutor, only the Teacher.

23. When did the Tutor’s job end?
a. At the birth of Christ.
b. At the death of Christ.
c. At the resurrection of Christ.
d. At the destruction of the temple in 70 A. D.
e. When I became a believer.
f. None of the above.

24. Why is there no further need for a temple in Jerusalem?
a. It was associated with the Tudor.
b. Its purpose was fulfilled.
c. There’s yet a future need for a temple.
d. All of the above
e. a and b

Answers are in comments below.

Unforgettable Day

Last Saturday Donna and I experienced one of those events we will never forget.

Here are some of the ingredients that made this day positively unforgettable.





1. The baptism of Matt and Rebeckah Wagster.
2. They were baptized on their ranch by Darren Rusco and Christopher Key.
3. A four-wheeling journey to a mountain spring.
4. A steep (and I mean steep) hike down to the waterfall and pool.
5. Wading through the creek to get to the upper pool of spring water.
5. 100 + temp.
6. Many young children watching and having fun.
7. The trek back up the mountain.
8. Tired, sore muscles... the good kind of sore.




Quite a setting for a baptism.
The water felt good on such a hot day.

Fellowship

I find this passage very interesting. The Lord found His 12 apostles worthy. Worthy of what?

Acts 5:41
41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

It sounds like this was a high honor...to suffer shame for Jesus. Here's the shame they suffered.

40 ...and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.

The Sanhedrin, most likely, removed their cloths, tied them to a post, and had each of them flogged with 39 lashes with a nine-tale whip like common criminals.

They were counted worthy to experience fellowship with Jesus. The fellowship of His sufferings. After they were commanded by their government not to speak in the name of Jesus, this is what they did.

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

What a high honor.

Why Arn't We Crying Out To God?

A few weeks ago we looked at this prayer of the church.
Acts 4:29-30 29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, (boldness) 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."


They cried for boldness in their witness.
They cried for God's hand to be extended to heal.
They cried for God to perform signs and wonders.

They were not just "open" to these things, they greatly desired them. They prayed for them to come. All of these things come from God's hand. When was the last time you cried out to God for these things?


WHY DID THEY CRY OUT TO GOD FOR THESE THINGS? Let's face it, this was the generation that had more compelling evidence of the truth of the resurrection than any generation since. Hundreds of eyewitnesses to the risen Lord were in Jerusalem.

This was the generation of believers whose preaching was more anointed than any other generation to follow…Peter, Stephan, Paul, Barnabas…

Why did this generation feel such a passion to see God stretch forth his hand to heal and do signs and wonders among them? Why did they ask for boldness? One reason is none of these come from within the believer. Boldness is not normal. It comes from God. Why aren't we asking for these things?

Here's why the first century church were. The answers are found in Acts 5:12-14.

1. Unity (12)
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico.

When God moves among a group, it brings people together…in unity and love and awe. The “they” is referring to the church.

13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them (the church); however, the people held them in high esteem.

Why did the people dare not associate with them?
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.


There were no insincere, superficial followers in this church after the death of Ananias and Sapphira. The people feared the deadly potential of joining the church.

But the Christians were held in high esteem.


They cried for boldness in their witness.
They cried for God's hand to be extended to heal.
They cried for God to perform signs and wonders.

Q. Why?

2. To Help People Come To Saving Faith (14)
14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,

Why aren't we crying out to God for these things?

Cedillo's in Mexico

Thought I would share with you a video that Darren and Christopher asked me to put together for the Sunday morning worship service. Benito is translating the Scripture into their heart language. It's really cool that PRBC has a part of this ministry. You really get a little of the flavor of their gathering time together. Just think, we'll be worshiping with these folks from time to time throughout eternity...Can you sing their song?

Safely Home but off again Thur

We thank the Lord for a good trip to Texas and back again. No car trouble, no motel trouble, no weather trouble, no people trouble. We met many very polite and friendly people along the way. We also noticed something very interesting in Texas. Most of the drivers obeyed the speed limits in the towns and on the highways. It felt like a slower life style in those areas we observed compared to busy California. The cost of living is much less in Texas. Gas is one dollar a gallon cheaper there. We paid 2.49 and four days later we paid 3.49. Can you believe that??? You can buy a house there for 240 K that would cost 500 or more here. Donna noted that food is cheaper in the stores. Another interesting fact about Texas is the state is not in debt. They have a balanced budget. California can learn a thing or two. But we're very happy to be back home even though we may pay more for what we have.

But Thursday we head to the Sacramento area. Donna and her sister will be attending a Beth Moore conference. I might even play a game of golf. We'll be back Monday. Back in the saddle again, and thankful for it.



P.S. On our way home we passed this truck. We honked our horn as we went past him. He blasted his air horn until we were out of range. It was cool. I love his boldness. It encourages me.

Our first meal back home was a great home cooked dinner last night at my moms house. Many of you don't know, but my mother used to be the cook at special events at the Country Club in SLO for hundreds of people at a time. She hasn't lost her touch.

Back home we go

Donna and I are here in the motel room on this last morning. The hair dryer is drying hair and I just packed a suit case and placed it by the door. We are heading back this morning. It's already hot and humid out there at 8:45 AM. We had a great time here. What a wonderful opportunity to pray, and read the Word of God here in our motel room. It's been really good to get away and be alone with my wife these days. We both look forward to our journey back home. Well, I'm going to our complimentary breakfast and bring it back to the room as we continue to pack.

Thanks for your prayers. May the Lord bless you as He has blessed us. I'll, most likely, blog one or more times on our trip home. Remember, all that you do today, do it for the glory of the LORD.

Highlights today: Todd Agnew concert; Fellowship with Kevin, Jennifer, Kassey and Kimmey Ivie; Triple A baseball game; Hot dogs at the game; Sleep in the Motel.

We Arrived

Grand Canyon to Lubbock, TX

We've had a great trip to this point. Thanks to all who have prayed for us and our trip.

Home to Grand Canyon

We left for Texas yesterday. I include just a few highlights...Well, maybe not so high, except for the Grand Canyon. That was huge and deep!

Vacation - First Leg

Just got back into town Friday. Refugio was great and one day was wet. Avila was warm and refreshing. I thought I would put together some of our camping and family photos in memory of this trip, and recognition of the 84th birthday of my amazing mother, Jean Rusco.

The Bible's Gospel Under Attack - Pt. 2

What is the gospel that Paul preached to the Galatians?


If someone asked you, “What must I do to be saved?” how would you answer them?

Let’s look at how some would answer today.

“Ask Jesus to come into your heart” (Let Him in) Rev. 3:20
Rev 3:19-20
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20'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.

This is addressed to the saved…the church at Laodicea, not to the unsaved.

“Give your heart to the Lord”
Proverbs 23:26 is the only time a phrase like this is used, and it’s not in regard to salvation.

“Turn to Christ”
Turning gives the idea of repentance, but where’s the faith?

“Pray to receive Christ”
It’s not a prayer that saves anyone, it’s faith in Jesus.

“Ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins”
He will when we believe in Him. But the Bible never expresses salvation that way.

“Confess your sins”
The only passage that tells us to confess our sins in 1 John 1:9, and that is addressed to believers.

"Accept and invite Him into your life today"

Do you notice what is troubling about each of these gospel statements so prevalent today?…Ask, Give, Turn, Pray, Confess, Accept, Invite …Yes, they are all generated by man.

Eph 2:8-9
8 … and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

John 1:13
13 …nor of the will of man, but of God.

Rom 9:16
16 … It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire


Gal 2:16
a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus,

Gal 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Faith in, and believing in Christ are the biblical words used for salvation. Why are they often missing in our gospel message today?

The gospel is impossible (1 Cor. 1:18) for any person apart from an aggressive move of God’s grace to that person. Charles Spurgeon agrees.

"We have before us now an announcement very startling, some say very obnoxious. Coming to Christ, though described by some people as being the very easiest thing in all the world, is in our text declared to be a thing utterly and entirely impossible to any man, unless the Father shall draw him to Christ."

The Bible's Gospel Under Attack - Pt. 1

From the beginning of the church the Bible and the Gospel of Salvation have been challenged by false teachers.

2 Peter 2:1-2
there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;

This is what happened in the Galatian churches. Paul was very grieved about the false teachers who were perverting the gospel of grace he had so carefully preached and taught while in Galatia.

He was deeply grieved that the truth of God’s sovereign and free gift of forgiveness and redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, was being corrupted, made crooked, by the teachings of salvation by works…Namely that a gentile must believe in Jesus, and become a Jew surgically and ceremonially to become a Christian. Then they would have to obey and follow certain laws to maintain righteousness from the Lord.

In present day terminology, you must “do something” to be saved, and you must “do something” to remain saved. Paul writes:

Galatians 1:6-9
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

Very strong words.

Any distortion of the gospel perverts the nature, the work, and grace of Christ.

Jude writes about false teachers:

Jude 3-4
contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Even if Paul himself, or one of his associates were to change their teaching, and add any human work, the saints should not listen, but treat them like heretics, …which they would then be.

Even an angel from heaven should be rejected if they were to present a different gospel.

In other words, it doesn’t matter who the person is.
How well they are known.
How godly and good they may appear to be.
How many people come to their meetings.
Even if it is an angel from heaven…

No messenger should be believed or followed, or listened to if his teaching does not square with God-revealed apostolic doctrine.

“But he’s so kind and loving.” But what is his doctrine of salvation?
“But he promotes unity and harmony.” But what is his gospel?
“But I see Christ in him.”
“But look at the miracles that are happening.” But what does he believe???

What is the gospel that Paul preached to the Galatians?
Coming soon.

So you want to write a book?

It's amazing that I can read "The Impossible Gospel" not once, but several times and not see the misspelled words. Some I just missed, some I didn't know and didn't check for the correct spelling. Here's a few examples:

When referring to the navy, is it Navel, or Naval?
When referring to the church walkway, is it aisles, or isles?
Is it "I'm going to hear this renown speaker" or "I'm going to hear this renowned speaker"?
Is it "God is supposed to build you up" or "God is suppose to build you up"?
Is it "God should not make you feel so bad about yourself" or "God should not make you feel so badly about yourself"?
Is it "Many post-modernists and other pastors also left the stadium." or "Many post-modernists and other pastors also leave the stadium.

There are many more exampls. Thesse kind of erorrs can greatley hindre the purposse of the book...It's now oficially remooved until i can make the neccessary chances...changes.

The Impossible Gospel

Let me state the premise of this book. Scriptural truth is impossible for the fallen human mind to comprehend or understand. By one’s own intellect, human beings cannot grasp the truths contained in Scripture. Not only will you not understand, you will think it foolishness to varying degrees. Why? Scriptural truth, the Bible, which would also include the gospel message, can only be understood by the human mind and intellect through the miraculous work, and intervention of God’s Holy Spirit. It’s foolishness to the unbeliever (1 Cor. 1:18). If this is true, it has profound implications for us and to the church in our era…theo-logical implications.

Simply stated, faith does not come from human decision, choice, or human intellect. If this were the case, the wise people of this world would be smart enough to believe. It would be this group of people who would be saved. But we all know that's not what happens. That why Paul writes, 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world" (1 Cor. 1:26-27). I don't want to insult you...but God chooses the foolish ones. The church today must throw human decision, intellect, and choice away when it comes to salvation. Then only God receives the glory, and rightly so.

Want to a copy? Pick one up at church, or give me a call (805-226-0452).

Happy Mother's Day

Not being a mother, I say the following by faith. The responsibility of Motherhood is both rewarding and consuming, especially during the early years. I think this picture just about sums it up.

The book of Proverbs begins,
"The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel."
Solomon was a great king and the son of a great king. He was famous and powerful. People bowed in his presence. They did what he said. He had immense authority and honor.
I think we can learn from how he treated his mother in this exalted role.

You recall who his mother was? Bathsheba. She had married his father David under very sinful circumstances—very displeasing to God. But she was his mother, and this is what it says in
1 Kings 2:19 So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king arose to meet her, bowed before her, and sat on his throne; then he had a throne set for the king's mother, and she sat on his right.

When she entered the room Solomon rose for her. He bowed to her. He even called for a throne to be put beside his for their conversation. Even kings should bow when their mothers enter the room.

There are at least three things Solomon tells us in Proverbs 1:7-9 about family.

1. The Family is God's Idea.
Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

Solomon takes for granted that there are mothers and fathers and children in relationship, and accountability.

The family is just a given with Solomon. It used to be with us also. Sad to say it can't be taken for granted any longer.

2. The family is God's basic school for instructing children how to live in the world. Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

The father is an instructor and the mother is a teacher. Therefore the family is a school.
God ordained you mom, and dad, not just to be fruitful and fill the earth with people, but to fill the earth with instructed people and taught people. Be careful who you give the responsibility to teach your children. It’s ultimately you.

3. The foundation of family instruction is the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

In other words, … What is it that runs through your lives, daily teaching, correcting and disciplining that gives unity and meaning to it all?—The answer is "the fear of the Lord."

The reverence, fear, and the trusting of God is what family's are for.

The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.
• Science begins to then, make sense.
• History begins to unfold as you see God’s plan unfolding.
• Economics and world events find their meaning beginning with the fear of God.

The family is a school.

Implications of Truth Pt. 2 Amazing Grace

Sometimes we Christians make, or listen to statements without understanding the implications of what it really means. I can remember asking God, in prayer, for the salvation of my family members not yet saved. This implied He was able to save them. Most in the churches today make the same requests. The implication is they believe God can answer their prayer. Yet at the same time we are taught that God does not violate the will of the unsaved. They themselves must freely choose to receive Jesus. The latest author I’ve read said God “cannot” violate the human will. Why then do we ask God to save them if God cannot change them, and give them a heart of flesh to replace their hearts of stone?

To pray for someone’s salvation implies:
1. That God can save them.
2. That since no man seeks for God (Rom. 3:11), we're asking God to violate the will of the unsaved in order to save them.
3. That since man is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1), we're asking God to make them alive (Eph. 2:5).
4. That since men love darkness, we're asking God to shine the light of His glory and grace so they see can see Jesus.

God's amazing grace, among other things, is His unmerited favor. Amazing grace is given to the unsaved completely undeserved and unmerited. God sends His Spirit to open the blind minds of the unbelieving...the Cross no longer foolishness. That's why we praise Him and love Him. Yes, God calls us to proclaim the gospel, but salvation and forgiveness is all Him. "Lord, thank You for Your grace. We bow before You."

Songs Past & Present

Music has always been a part of our life. From grade school I have listened to that new 50's & 60's "rock" music. In Junior High School I was in a "rock" band called "The Vibrations." I played the tenor sax, or tried to. As we listened to the radio in those days, the words seemed to concentrate on teenage "falling in like." We refer to them now as secular lyrics, because we are Christians. In Donna's and my youth the lyrics said just as you are listening right now. That's why we can listen to them today and most of them gender good memories. You know...the older you get, the more fun it is to look back on your lives together. The Lord has always been good to us...even in the rough times, but how thankful we are that the Lord has been with us and taught us through the good and the bad. We love Him so much. Because of His love, our love as husband and wife continues to grow! And grow! Here are some of the "Oldies" that we remember. They really expressed my heart in our youth and still do now in the wrinkle years.

If you come from the Boomers era, take time...and enjoy with your spouse.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF TRUTH - PT. ONE

Sometimes we Christians make, or listen to statements without understanding the implications of what it really means. Here’s an example. I was with a group of believers last night, from several different churches, talking about missions. After our meeting someone said, “You know, there’s going to be a very last person saved.” He was correct. But what are the implications of this truth? Let’s think…
1. God will one day bring an end to salvation.
2. There will be, most likely, billions of people on earth unsaved at that moment.
3. This means God has determined who that last person is.
4. It also means God has determined the fate of the billions who will be unsaved on that day.
5. This means God determines who will be saved and who will not.
6. Therefore, the following biblical words literally mean what they say. (Chosen, elect, predestined, appointed, enabled)
7. This means “grace” is a free gift, and not activated by human choice.
8. This means the unsaved do not accept Jesus, He accepts us.

The Abundant Life? Pt. 2

Mark 8:34-35
34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."

The Abundant Life?

James 5:7-9
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

These first century Jewish believers need for patience was due to the previous text. They were being mistreated. The answer to the tribulation they were suffering is the Lord is coming. He’s the Judge who is standing right at the door.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts;

James now gives these saints an example of the patience they and we need today.

James 5:10 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Zechariah was murdered.
Jeremiah was rejected by men, and stoned to death.
Ezekiel was rejected by his people.
Isaiah was sawn in two (Heb. 11:37).
Hosea endured a heartbreaking marriage.
Elijah and Amos had to run for their lives.
Micah was smashed in the face by those who heard him.
Daniel was removed from his home, and eventually thrown into a lions den.
John the Baptist was thrown in prison and beheaded for the truth.

They were in the will of God, yet they experienced persecution and suffering.

Why were these faith hero’s stories recorded in Scripture? For our instruction (Rom. 15:4).

When I became a believer in Jesus in 1974, the gospel message included this quote. “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” It’s referred to as “an abundant life.” Never think that the abundant life Jesus came to give produces ease and pleasure. The Word of God teaches the opposite.

Matt 5:11-12
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What Happens When Jesus Comes?

When the Scripture says the coming of the Lord is near, we must understand near in relation to the entire scope of all the ages. Many ages have past since the creation of man. The age in which you and I live is referred to as "The ends of the ages" (1 Cor. 10:11), “The consummation of the ages" (Heb. 9:26), and the "last hour" (1 John 2:18). It’s also referred to many times in Scripture as the last days. In other words, it's almost over for mankind here on this sin cursed earth. When compared to all time, His coming is near! James says believers are to live with "Patience." “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7).

Why? What’s going to happen when the Lord comes?

1. He’s coming with all His saints who are now in heaven (1 Thess. 3:13).

2. He’s coming with an angelic shout and a trumpet call. The bodies of the saints will rise first. It’s called the resurrection. Then the living saints will then be changed and up they will go (1 Thess. 4:16-17). All this takes place in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52).

3. Not just believers, but all unbelievers will also rise at the coming of the Lord (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-32).

4. The lawless one will also be killed by the appearance of His coming (2 Thess. 2:8).

5. The earth and all its works will be burned up and melt with fervent heat. The context of this passage is the second coming of our Lord (2 Peter 3:9-11). He's not slow concerning His promise to come.

6. The angels also come with the Lord, then judgment day occurs for all mankind. All peoples are placed into their eternal dwelling place – the lake of fire, or heaven (Matt. 25:46).

Matt 25:31-32
31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him;

All the preceding occurs at the second coming of Christ.

In other words, the ages will culminate, the ages will end at the second coming of Jesus Christ. We now live in the last days. How then should we now live?

Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming (1 John 2:28).

Patience My Brethren

James has some tough things to say to the ungodly rich in this world (See Blog post below, The Unsaved Rich), and how they mistreat God’s people. Look what he writes.


James 5:4-6
4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.


Notice in verse 4, those who did the harvesting cried out to God. Why? Injustice. Their pay was withheld. Now notice the name James ascribes to the Lord. “the Lord of Sabaoth.” Sabaoth means “armies,” or the Lord of armies, or the Lord of hosts. If one day we should experience injustice, remember, the Lord of armies is watching, and is ready to repay.

Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

How are we to act and live in the meantime? Read the next verse.

James 5:7-8
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

When the Scripture say the coming of the Lord is near, we must understand the scope of the ages. The age in which you and I live is referred to as "The ends of the ages (1 Cor. 10:11) and The consummation of the ages (Heb. 9:26). It's almost over for mankind here on this sin cursed earth. His coming is near! When the Lord comes, He will repay. He’s coming with His armies. It’s going to be a wonderful day for us, but a day of wrath and judgment for them. May we live with "Patience."

My next post will ask the question, “What will happen when Jesus comes again?”

She Won!!!

I'm going to tell you something that I still find it hard to understand or believe. During the month of March my wife turns into the biggest college basketball "nut" I've ever seen. Why? Because Darren has us and many others fill out the March Madness National College basketball tournament. We select the winners and losers of the 64 team brackets. WELL, guess who won this year? Ya...she watched every game she could...cheering, groaning...etc.


North Carolina just won the championship game. She picked North Carolina. She had me take this picture and put it on my blog. How did I do this year? Well, anyway here's her gloating.

The Unsaved Rich

James gets tough with the unsaved rich.
James 5:1-3 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!

There’s only one place where moths and rust won’t destroy.

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys

Not a good idea to store up treasure, especially in the “last days.” What are the “last days?”

1. The ends of the ages (1 Cor. 10:11) 2. The consummation of the ages (Heb. 9:26) 3. The days in which the nations will stream to the mountain of the house of the Lord – the church. (Isaiah 2:2) How then shall we live in the last days?

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;
Life is brief, a vapor. Marriage should not reduce one’s devotion to the Lord, and service to Him.

30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess;
The believer should not get so swept up in the emotions of this life as to lose their hope, purpose, and endurance. Steadfastness is required in the last days.

31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.
The believer is not to be swept up in earthly affairs so that heavenly matters become secondary.

Here's a principle in the Kingdom of God. What we keep, we lose. What we give to God we keep...and He adds interest to it.

Plans That Result In Sin

Can I share with you our Men's Bible study this morning? We're studying the letter of James. Some Christian men made some plans. We found out it was evil and sinful. Oh, not in what they said, but in what they did not say.

Here's what they said.
James 4:13
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."

They left their Lord out of their planning. James gives two reasons why it was foolish for these men to leave God out of their plans.
Reason #1:
James 4:14
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.

We simply do not have control over our lives. Man cannot control future events. He has neither the wisdom or the power to control the future. For him to boast to that effect is sin; making himself God. (See also Prov. 27:1)

Reason #2:
James 4:14
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Life is short. (Read Job 7:6; 14:1-2; Psalm 90:10-12)
We count our years at each birthday, but God tells us to number our days.

Planning and making decisions is not wrong. Sin enters when we leave God our of our decision making and planning.

How then should we respond? "if the Lord wills" (v. 15). It's not so much the statement, but the attitude of the heart. The same plans and decisions can be made by two believers. One can be sinful, and the other not, based upon your desire for God's will to be done.

Not only did these men ignore God's will to be done in their lives, they were actually arrogant in their decision.

James 4:16
But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

The Word of God says it was evil. Why? In their arrogance they did not acknowledge God. They left Him out. With this context in mind, read the following verse.

James 4:17
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. NASU

What's the right thing?

I'm going to continue to share our nuggets with you..."if the Lord wills."

Sleep

I told you I would let you know how my night went after the bad dreams the previous night (see previous blog). I did close my day in prayer. I gave thanks to the Lord, I prayed for others, and lastly I asked God to keep the demons out of my house tonight, if in fact it was the enemy who caused those awful dreams. The result? I slept all night long, and awoke refreshed. Thank You Lord.

One Of Those Nights

Last night was one of "those" nights. I think we've all had them from time to time. The exact cause I really don't know, although I have a good speculation. After reading my book for about 45 minutes I threw the big pillow, propping my head, off to the side next to my book, laid my head down on my soft pillow and fell peacefully asleep for the night. I awoke about 4 am from a horrible nightmare. The Bible says, "in everything give thanks" so I did. I was thankful this was only a dream. After my amazement with how vivid this dream was, and how I could remember the awful details, I then turned to my side, closed my eyes, and fell asleep once again. It wasn't long before I found myself actively participating in another, although completely different, nightmare. Donna said I was thrashing all over the bed. She even attempted to wake me up...to no avail. After waking up a second time, I was amazed. Two in a row...vivid, graphic, awful. What's going on here? I wondered if this was an attack from the devil. Once again I was thankful to God that this was only a dream. What was my course of action at this point?
Sunday evening I just finished a four week, six hour class on spiritual warfare with a group of 36 men. Assuming these nightmares were empowered by the demonic realm, I simply did what I had been teaching the men to do. "But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:6-7). I humbled myself before our God, who controls all things. I worshiped and gave thanks to Him for who He is. I then resisted the devil. I told him to leave my presence, and my house. Tonight I will close my day in prayer. I will worship the Lord, thank Him, pray for others, and lastly I will ask God to keep the demons out of my house tonight, for a restful night of sleep. I'll let you know how it went.

Marriage...Christ and His Bride

Why did Jesus die? There are many answers to this question. Let me highlight one.

1. TO GIVE MARRIAGE IT’S DEEPEST MEANING
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and
gave Himself up for her,

The church is also referred to as the bride of Christ (Rev. 19 & 21).

God’s design for marriage (in the Bible) pictures the husband loving his wife the way Christ loves His people…His bride.

God’s design for marriage pictures the wife responding to her husband the way Christ’s people should respond to Him.

Jesus came to call His bride, and to die for her, to display the way marriage was meant to be.
Jesus loved His bride to the point of death, and told her, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

God’s idea for marriage begins for the first two people… Adam and Eve.

Paul quotes Genesis 2:24

Ephesians 5:31-33
31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

Then in the very next passage Paul interpreted what he quoted.

32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

This means that in God’s mind & eternal plan, marriage was designed to display Christ’s relationship to His people. It’s called a mystery because this purpose of marriage was not clearly revealed until the coming of Christ.

And look at the very next verse:

33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Love and respect between a husband and wife is a picture of Christ’s love for His Bride…the world is watching.

Since this mystery was in God’s mind from the beginning, it was also in Christ’s mind when he faced death.


Husbands: Among the many reasons for Christ’s suffering, is this…He was telling you husbands how to love your wife.

Eph 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

Will you suffer for the well being of your wife? Give up your rights? Will you suffer disappointments or abuses... even from her?

TEXAS

Donna and I just returned from visiting our Missionaries, Kevin and Jen Ivie, in Leander, TX. We spent five days with them and their family. We flew 1500 miles, and I think we drove at least another 1500 miles. One of my purposes was to see what they are doing in their mission work as Awana missionaries. I was also able to speak to the parents and children of 8 churches who attended the Awana Quiz. Kevin and Jen are very busy people. Kevin took me with him to meet with a pastor who may become one of his Awana churches.







We also were able to see the sights and sounds of Austin and San Antonio. Here's my lunch after church. I had no idea how big it would be.










I also learned a few things about the Alamo and the significance of that battle that I had never known. Did we like Texas? Yes.

There's Power in That Name

The name of God has power. The following incident took place in the garden on the Mt. of Olives the night Judas betrayed Jesus.

John 18:
4 "Whom do you seek?"
5 They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am ." And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them.
6 So when He said to them, "I am ," they drew back and fell to the ground.


This is significant. The people who came to arrest Jesus were knocked backward, struck by the power of God, and to the ground they went when He identified who He was.

It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Yes, you’ve come to arrest Me, but you’re not in control here. I’m in control. You’re here by My Father’s will…not your will. And you will bow before Me when I tell you who I am.


When God sent Moses to the children of Israel in Egypt, Moses asked who shall I tell them sent me? God said, "Tell them 'I am' sent you." Jesus said the following about Himself.

John 8:56-58
56 " Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." 57 So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am

Jesus claimed to be "I am."

You know, going back to Mark 14…If I was in a group of people, and all of a sudden found myself on the dirt, and not just me, but everyone with me…I think I would have asked a question or two. “What just happened? How did this happen?” Who did this?” Who is this Man?”

There’s no written account of anyone asking those questions.

One day every knee shall bow before the great I AM.

Cruise and Contrast (But For God's Grace...)

Donna and I just returned from a 3 day cruise to Mexico. We cruised from Long Beach with 2,300 other people, all of whom had a completely different motivation for the cruise. We went with a group of Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary Alumni. The real reason I went was because professor David Needham would be the speaker. He was my favorite professor while at Multnomah. He's more than a good speaker. He speaks from the depths of his heart. The Spirit of God always ministers to me when this man speaks. Our dinner tables were assigned to us. Guess who Donna and I were with for every dinner? The Needhams!!! Listening to his teaching was worth it, but having the chance to talk with him was beyond my expectation.

What a contrast there was between these two groups on the Carnival Paradise ship. While we were drinking the spiritual water of life, listening to professor Needham in this very ornate lounge, there were many more people in the adjacent casino and bar drinking something else, yelling, screaming, laughing...etc., you get the picture.

David Needham talked about worshiping a joyful God, the glory of God, God's joy in us and our joy in God and each other. The world certainly has a different kind of happiness. My heart went out to those people. Especially the ones who woke us up at 3:30 in the morning, drunk, yelling, and saying things I can't write...etc.

After I woke up by the commotion outside the door, I looked out the window. This is what I saw. It blew me away. I had to grab my camera. (Click on photos for a larger view).













The ship was three football fields long. This was our first cruise. I was amazed by many things these last three days. The size of that ship...the money spent on that ship...the food on that ship....the 57 different nationalities of workers on the ship. But to be honest with you, if not for the fellowship of the believers, and the great teaching, the Carnival Fun Ship would not be our kind of fun.

Here's a couple of shots of the ship. They told us this ship is ranked as the second most popular among all the Carnival cruise liners. I now know why.































I have to admit, the food was good...and plentiful. It's now diet time.