tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44765078069377420752024-03-14T00:10:00.498-05:00Walking with JesusOne Man's Journey with God. Follow me as I follow Jesus.BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.comBlogger413125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-58852341767150352962022-06-27T21:30:00.012-05:002022-06-27T22:10:41.812-05:00Life After Roe<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6t2u24BzIZ_0QNR_3dsjhbfoV5528W2AzeNxIAbDBgiAjH9BXyqy9_-k-aGEbysOGU65wVzbWHRNKFK59Ps9KZaWaZ6UDJrQ-WRFqt4YIwA5MZ780w7DL8IAlo3_8CmyLww0zG1f-8mhMXdGlqtPH_I3l10oYIpk1jaJNzJEN7BSem8su0jftgkr/s1242/1C157515-06C0-4068-A221-31CE2CD4541E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1242" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6t2u24BzIZ_0QNR_3dsjhbfoV5528W2AzeNxIAbDBgiAjH9BXyqy9_-k-aGEbysOGU65wVzbWHRNKFK59Ps9KZaWaZ6UDJrQ-WRFqt4YIwA5MZ780w7DL8IAlo3_8CmyLww0zG1f-8mhMXdGlqtPH_I3l10oYIpk1jaJNzJEN7BSem8su0jftgkr/s320/1C157515-06C0-4068-A221-31CE2CD4541E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p>Dobbs vs. Jackson has finally overturned Roe vs. Wade and there is much to consider. First, consider that the original ruling was not based on constitutional law but political agenda. Therefore, the new ruling is merely a correction to judicial overreach. Second, consider that there is no such thing as a “safe” abortion, either for the mother or especially for the child whose life is distorted. Abortion is not health care and is never medically necessary. Third, for those of us who are Christians, consider the biblical prohibitions against child sacrifice. I do not believe a “Christian “who supports or advocates the killing of an unborn child has a truly Christian worldview.</p><p>Now that I have offended those among my fellow countrymen (and family members) who will be offended no matter what I say on this topic, I would like to offer a word of practical encouragement to those of us who actually care about the unborn. An overwhelming number of companies in our nation have chosen to circumvent the rule of law by funding abortion travel for their employees. How are we to respond? I have a few suggestions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg98gyNmWeA-6pz-C8JIbL5j1UAOm5dsxexlrazw9PoZjypIT2hl4tPNthlaev9CBzwuEOnr08WdcAI-If4h6RVwug2A-mQTjdkGbi0cYB6xlW5DNN7J5ZkkCIhw51sdXcx_xSimMwEJC--C4w29qSDHrwC6wkG7BjH9LfgesuDZUdrSZGS8MmZ-06/s1267/DBEF978D-6F95-40B9-88DD-3064DD82F2E3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg98gyNmWeA-6pz-C8JIbL5j1UAOm5dsxexlrazw9PoZjypIT2hl4tPNthlaev9CBzwuEOnr08WdcAI-If4h6RVwug2A-mQTjdkGbi0cYB6xlW5DNN7J5ZkkCIhw51sdXcx_xSimMwEJC--C4w29qSDHrwC6wkG7BjH9LfgesuDZUdrSZGS8MmZ-06/s320/DBEF978D-6F95-40B9-88DD-3064DD82F2E3.jpeg" width="314" /></a></div><p>First, find out which companies you do business with are paying for abortion travel with your money. This is easy to do with a simple Internet search. </p><p>Second, select three companies to be the focus of your boycott. It is impossible and overwhelming to consider addressing every corporation you do business with that has chosen to support the killing of babies. Focus your efforts on the companies you do the most business with to maximize your impact. </p><p>Third, politely but firmly communicate your disagreement with the corporate policy of those selected companies. Use clear language and explain why you will not be doing business with them in the future until the policy is rescinded. </p><p>Fourth, find alternative sources for those products and actually make a change in your spending habits. don’t just talk the talk. Make the real changes necessary to keep your hard earned money from facilitating the deaths of more innocent, unborn children. Obviously, you will want to make sure the companies to switch to do not have the same policy. </p><p>If you discover that you work for one of these companies, I would encourage you to consider finding another place of employment. I believe God will honor us in this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-CIR1lj9ZT1KlyXaLgFjVV6hVcBAvfIXOXJw76HlD9YIPMb-iJYs95R8PURwIiCT1yAQtB-LjQQVoMWCOFDyQk63XnO1DbjcS_4AkVZ6FjJsxjww5Qj7-urSosqxXvnSx2XjWlCm3mHmd1ZCQCSG2dIVWlAkglaSOE1kaZqDDfbdtX7QHgNh-FGP/s1261/4C828D46-C329-4C8C-8CA9-9427E25369E3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-CIR1lj9ZT1KlyXaLgFjVV6hVcBAvfIXOXJw76HlD9YIPMb-iJYs95R8PURwIiCT1yAQtB-LjQQVoMWCOFDyQk63XnO1DbjcS_4AkVZ6FjJsxjww5Qj7-urSosqxXvnSx2XjWlCm3mHmd1ZCQCSG2dIVWlAkglaSOE1kaZqDDfbdtX7QHgNh-FGP/s320/4C828D46-C329-4C8C-8CA9-9427E25369E3.jpeg" width="315" /></a></div><p>My family is in the process of changing our spending habits to eliminate Walmart, Kroger, and even Amazon. I would cancel Facebook and Disney as well, but I already don’t do Facebook or Disney. </p><p>You can make a difference. If even one company changes its policy, then you have made a difference and possibly saved a child’s life from being lost and a mother’s heart from years of trauma. Make a difference today!</p><p><br /></p>Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150312001520079373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-91470784470586830202019-04-10T14:03:00.002-05:002019-04-10T14:03:50.644-05:00Should Christians Celebrate the Passover?<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for passover" 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" /></div>
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Passover. I know a lot of Christians who are interested in Passover (the word actually means "to cover" in the same way we say we are "covered" by the blood of Christ.) These followers of Jesus want to know about the Old Testament roots of our faith. After all, Jesus, our Lord and Savior, was Jewish. The majority of our Scriptures are Jewish or written by Jews. In fact, when Paul says, <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"All scripture is God-breathed..."</span> [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%203:16-17&version=NIV" target="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16</a>] he is refering to the Old Testament.<br />
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Additionally, God is doing a great work among the Jews and Israelis around the world in our day, bringing them to an understanding of Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah. I've been told there are more Jewish believers in Jesus today than in all the last 19 centuries combined. Combined with the emergence of Modern Israel and the relity that Jesus was Jewish, it only makes sense that so many followers of Jesus should be interested in Judaism and its relationship to Christianity.<br />
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Strangely, I've also been hearing some teaching from Christian Ministers that rejects this desire to explore the Old Testament and biblical Faith (which is very different Hasidic Judaism), and I'd like to address that idea for a few minutes. The pursuit and study of Old Testament realities is portrayed as a rejection of grace and falling from sonship back into slavery. This teaching is based on the assumption that one cannot explore Jesus' culture without being bound by the Law that He was born under as well. It understands two very different covenants: (1) The covenant of God to create sons (read 'children who are heirs' both male and female) for himself and (2) the covenant of the Law regarding the legislation of attitudes and behaviors. In particular, this teaching seems to focus on the rejection of the Passover.<br />
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As regards the idea of followers of Jesus being refered to as "sons of God", Jesus speaks informatively to Peter in Matthew 17:24-27:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em>When they had come to Capernaum,</em></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em> those who received the [temple] tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the [temple] tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?" Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free."Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; </em></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em> take that and give it to them for Me and you."</em></span> </div>
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It seems that Jesus is including Peter in the category of "sons". Since the context is regarding the Temple tax, the implication is that Jesus as well as Peter (and presumably anyone else who is in Christ) is a "Son of God." So, even if the term may seem strange to us, it is biblical. What's more, it is critical to understanding what Passover is really about!<br />
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Now, this Anti-Passover view does have some good points. It recognizes that Jesus is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%2013:8&version=NIV" target="_blank">Revelation 13:8</a>] (note: some translations are very different though I'm sure the point is still true) and that God's original intent for Israel was to make them a kingdom of priests (or sons) [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex+19%3A3-6&version=NASB" target="_blank">Exodus 19:3-6</a>]. The point of these passages is that the covenant of Jesus predates the mosaic law (cf. <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gal&c=3&t=NASB#17" target="_blank">Gal 3:17</a>), and it is that covenant (the covenant of sonship) that God desires for His people. Moreover, it is the covenant that Christians live under because we are "in Christ." For this reason (being sons under grace rather than slaves under the Law), the particular teacher I was asked to listen to rejects Christian participation is Jewish practices, especially Passover. But, this seems merely to create one form of bondage out of fear of being caught up in another form of bondage and neither fear nor bondage have any place in Christ. Wouldn't it make more sense in light of New Testament teaching to suggest that Christians may participate in anything that draws them closer to God?<br />
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There seems to me to be great value in the Passover. It is the context for Jesus creating the Lord's Super. It portrays the sacrifice of Jesus. It reminds us of the power of God over all other 'gods'. It is established at a critical point in the history of God, between the promise of deliverance and its fulfillment. Also, I can easily see how a Christian could view the Passover as a memorial after the fact as well as an ancient prediction of the Messiah who has now appeared. Thus, far from being a rejection of Jesus, the Passover meal is a clear portrayal of the identification of Jesus as the Lord's Messiah. In fact, I can't understand how a believer in Jesus could view the Passover in any other way.<br />
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In reflecting on these extremely diverse reactions to the Passover, it occurred to me that the issue upon which these different Christians either embraced the Passover or rejected it was their understanding of the Passover itself. Therefore, I came to the point of asking myself a surprising question: <em>Is the Passover truly Jewish? Or, is it for all of God’s people? Is it part of the Law or a reminder of God’s Grace?</em><br />
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If the Passover is part of the Law, then perhaps the Anti-Passover perspective has some weight. After all, there is a potential bondage if one believes the work of God's grace can be perfected through legalism. Thus, Paul says, <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<span class="text Gal-3-2" id="en-NASB-29105">This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of <sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-29105b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]"></sup>the Law, or by <sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-29105c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]"></sup><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29105C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>hearing with faith?</span></span><span class="text Gal-3-3" id="en-NASB-29106"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Are you so foolish? <em>Having begun <sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-29106d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]"></sup>by the Spirit, are you now <sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-29106e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]"></sup>being perfected by the flesh?</em>"</span> [Galatians 3:2-3]</span> And, "<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29164B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29164C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>yoke of slavery."</span> [Gal. 5:1] However, if the Passover is not part of the Law, then this conversation is closed and we must explore the actual implications of their relationship.<br />
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Are you all tracking with me so far? There are two views in contention here: (1) The Passover has value for Christians because of its relationship to Jesus, or (2) The Passover should be shunned by Christians because it is part of the Law and leads to bondage. (Those aren't the only possibilities of course, just the two we're talking about.) So, our two choices in answering the title question are as follows:<br />
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"Should Christians celebrate the Passover?<br />
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Either, "Yes, because it is about Jesus."<br />
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Or, "No, because it is about legalism."<br />
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Of course, to say that every believer who participates in the Passover does so in order to secure their salvation is ridiculous. That presumption was the first big issue I had with the teacher I heard. There <u>are</u> some modern-day Judaizers (those who say you aren't really saved from your sins unless your faith becomes Jewish) and the danger of their teaching is very real. In fact, some live right down the highway. But, I think they are in the minority.<br />
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So, how do we know whether the Passover is part of the Law? Well, it's actually fairly simple. Let's see when both Passover and Law are introduced.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">"</span></sup>Now <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-1831A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>this day will be <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-1831B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it <i>as</i> a feast to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance."</span> - Exodus 12:14<br />
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The Passover is introduced as God prepares to bring His people out of Egypt (between the promise of deliverance and the fulfillment of that promise. The next chapters play out the narrative of that event and the Exodus from Egypt. The 10 Commandments are generally thought of as the heart of the Law (more on this in a moment), and they are not introduced until chapter 20, six chapters later! <br />
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So, the Passover is established in chapter 12 and the Law begins in chapter 20. Therefore, it seems the Passover (ch. 12) is not part of the Law (ch. 20). It precedes the Law and falls into another category of divine directive. Well then, if the Passover is not established as part of the Law, what function does it serve? In other words:<em> If the Passover wasn't created for those under the Law, who was it created for? </em>It is is created for God's Chosen People (that means you, Christian!), apart from any consideration of the Law.<br />
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Additionally, the Passover is perpetual while the Law is temporary:<br />
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Galatians 3:19 says,<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> "Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29122D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>ordained through angels <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29122E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>by the agency of a mediator, until <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-29122F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>the seed would come to whom the promise had been made."</span><br />
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(Note: The seed is Jesus, the fulfillment of God's original covenant.)<br />
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Exodus 19:3-6 follows the Passover narrative and contains the following coversation between God and Moses:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<span class="text Exod-19-3" id="en-NKJV-2030">And Moses went up to God, and the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:</span><span class="text Exod-19-4" id="en-NKJV-2031"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. </span><span class="text Exod-19-5" id="en-NKJV-2032"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. </span><span class="text Exod-19-6" id="en-NKJV-2033"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These <i>are</i> the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”</span></span><br />
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Notice what God intends to do with Israel: God is calling Israel to be "a kingdom of priests" in the context of "all the earth." He wants to use them all (no matter what tribe they belong to) as priests. It sure sounds like this is more like the sons of God idea than some form of legalism.<br />
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Now, did that actually happen? Did all of Israel become a priesthood to the nations? No. They did not. So, what happened? Without spending too much time on it (this post is already really long), they let<i> fear</i> rob them of the destiny God had for them. This was their transgression, but the verse may also refer to transgression in general. The Law shows us how far we have fallen short of God's design for us. It's important, but it isn't designed to last forever. The Passover is a perpetual rememberance of God's promised deliverence.<br />
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Therefore, I submit that this was part of God's intent in establishing the Passover. It is a memorial for those who are called to be part of God's "special treasure," his children. It is not part of the legal hedge God used to protect Israel from destruction until Jesus finally came. Thus, not only is the Anti-Passover movement unbiblical, it fails to understand the basic realities concerning the relationship (or lack of relationship!) between the Passover and the Law.<br />
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Now, you may do with it what you wish, but I believe the celebrating the Passover is a beautiful way to celebrate Jesus and all that he has done as we (like the ancient Israelites) wait in readiness between the promise of final freedom and the dawn of deliverance. In fact, it's probably a better choice than participating in some of the national or religious holidays (holy-days) that are much more prominent in our culture! (But, I've already talked abotu taht in other blogs.) :-) Passover is about Jesus, what's not to celebrate about that?<br />
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<br />BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-5353440634122613892019-04-01T07:07:00.000-05:002019-04-01T07:42:54.023-05:00Have We Learned Anything?I love Israel. I have for years... decades actually. I have friends who live and work there. I believe those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Issael will be cursed. I believe in their right to exist and that God still has a special place for them in His plan because of His faithfulness. In fact, His faithfulness to me as a Christian would be in doubt if He decided that Israel no longer mattered.<br />
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Genesis 15 tells us clearly that the whole burden of God’s covenant lies upon God Himself. Moreover, the pledge that he makes there (that the failure of the Covenant calls for the death of God) is a picture of the Crucifixion of Jesus. That covenant does fail, multiple times, because God’s covenant people are a mess. In fact, they are still a mess. They provide free abortions for female soldiers, they empower idolatry in the practice of Hasidic Judaism, and they generally exclude non-Jews from membership in their community.<br />
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Remember, I am saying all this as someone who loves Israel. However, I love Israel because God loves Israel and because Jesus declared that there would be a day when they would recognize Him and declare, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Israel isn’t perfect and I don’t think American Christians should idolize the nation of God’s covenant people, as some here do. The idea of “Israel, right or wrong!” is wrong.<br />
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Modern Israel can be great, but they have still missed their calling. Watch the following video and consider the ministry of Jesus and the Appsyles. See if you can figure out how Israel still misses the point.<br />
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<br />BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-70692783972857276732019-03-21T18:13:00.000-05:002019-03-22T09:39:21.499-05:00Unplanned <div style="text-align: center;">
Stop killing babies!</div>
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Stop lying to pregnant women!</div>
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Stop sitting on the sidelines!</div>
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Start making a difference.</div>
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Watch the <a href="https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YYPZ67NX" target="_blank">trailer</a>.</div>
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Go see <a href="https://www.unplannedfilm.com/" target="_blank">Unplanned</a>.</div>
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BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-74026682761976454432019-01-21T21:16:00.000-06:002019-01-21T21:16:10.593-06:00Do you live in Exile?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the tools I enjoy using both in my classes and in my own devotional times is <a href="https://thebibleproject.com/" target="_blank">The Bible Project</a>. They have a <a href="https://www.readscripture.org/" target="_blank">Bible Reading App</a> you can download for free. This video is a sample of one of the theme videos, but they also have videos introducing each book of the Bible, with a particular focus on understanding the overall structure and purpose of that book.Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150312001520079373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-9654913449211940062019-01-17T01:35:00.000-06:002019-01-17T01:35:14.988-06:00Kissing God's Word Through A VeilAn old Jewish proverb says, "Reading the Bible in translation is like kissing your bride through a veil." Thus, one of my goals right now is to be able to encounter God through His Word without the veil.<br />
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I take my Hebrew Comprehensive Exam in less than and weak, and I'm hard at work translating and studying. In fact, even this blog post represents the sort of commentary I am expected to be able to make, so thanks for the opportunity to practice.<br />
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The passages I am working on are selected by the grammar I am using. So, I find it curious that I should be learning what I am through them.<br />
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In one particularly famous story from Genesis 29, Jacob works for his uncle Laban for 7 years in order to marry Rachel, the younger of Laban's two daughters, whom he loves. Laban tricks him after those seven years and he ends up married to Leah. However, there is a little word in this story that indicates that Jacob (though very <i>patient</i>) is perhaps not very <i>wise</i> in his choice to begin with.<br />
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Genesis 29:17 says, in many English versions:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;">"Leah had </span><span style="color: blue;">weak</span><span style="color: #001320;"> eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful." (NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Leah’s eyes were </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">weak</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance." (ESV)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Leah had </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">ordinary</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"> eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful." (HCSB)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Leah looked </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">rather plain</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">, but Rachel was lovely in form and appearance." (ISV)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">There was </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">no sparkle</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"> in Leah's eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face." (NLT)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">And Leah's eyes were </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">weak</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face." (NASB)</span><br />
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As you can see, the English translation of the Hebrew word <i><span style="color: blue;">rak</span></i> is not very complementary. Who can blame the young man for choosing Rachel, right? I mean, he's only known these two girls for a month (v.14)! But, do the English translations do justice to the Hebrew word? And, if not, is there something we are missing in the Hebrew author's telling of this story?<br />
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The Hebrew word <i>rak</i> is used 15 other times in the Old Testament. In it's most immediate context (Gen 18:7 and Gen 33:13) it refers to the tenderness of youth. In Deuteronomy 20, it is used of a man who is too gentle to fight and in Deut. 28 it is a character compliment applied to both men and women. In 2 Sam, it refers to the wisdom of restraint. In Isaiah and Ezekiel, it is a positive attribute that is lost under God's judgment. In Proverbs 4 and 15, it again refers to gentle wisdom, but also to a mother's special love for an only son. Job and Chronicles follow the same sort of thinking, with a particular focus on innocence or inexperience.<br />
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So, where is the negative idea of <i>weakness</i>? The closest we get is the recognition in Deuteronomy 20 that <i>rak </i>is inappropriate for a man who is ready to engage in warfare. Yet, overall, the word seems to reflect <u>a positive aspect</u>, particularly as it might be applied to a women. A good word for the idea might be "tender-heartedness" or "compassion."<br />
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Now, there are other English translations that seem to get it closer to correct. That is, they at least don't make a poor interpretation in dealing with <i>rak</i>. However. what they actually mean by what they say is still less than clear:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"Leah </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">was</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"> tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured." (KVJ)</span><span class="p" style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful." (CSB)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful." (GNT)</span><br />
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To be fair, biblical translation is a difficult task. This is a single verse, and doesn't reflect the accuracy of any of these translation in general. In fact, I find that every English translation has difficulties at some point. However, that <i>is </i>the point, isn't it. Those difficulties (the veil) are found in every translation, and yet most of us rely completely upon translations for reading God's Word!<br />
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So, back to our verse. What I saw in this verse as I was studying was that the biblical author is making a character statement about Jacob and foreshadowing many of the difficulties that will come into this family in the future. In fact, he may be addressing the character issue with all three of these people!<br />
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My own wooden translation of verse 17 says, <b>"And the eyes of Leah were <i>rak</i>, but as for Rachel, she was beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance."</b> If <i>rak </i>is understood in its biblical context, then it means something like <i>tender</i> or <i>gentle</i> rather than 'weak'. In the context of a larger story where Rachel turns out to be an idolater (Gen 31) and Jacob ultimately chooses to be buried with Leah (Gen 49), I'd say the author is warning us not to judge these two women by their outward appearance. <u><i>The</i></u><i><u> contrast is between inner and outer beauty</u></i> rather than between beauty and ugliness. <b><i>See how fun it is to know Hebrew!!</i></b><br />
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Today, we say, <span style="color: purple;">"The eyes are the windows to the soul."</span><span style="color: red;"> </span>It is suggested that the phrase originated with William Shakespeare, but the idea may be even older. In fact, it might even apply to this story! If Leah's eyes being <i>rak</i> is actually a compliment (and I believe it probably is), then this verse is not merely a reflection of physical characteristics, but of personal character. Thus, the biblical author describes Leah as a compassionate (gentle and tender) person, Rachel as merely physically attractive, and Jacob as too shallow and worldly to make the right choice between the two (as reflecting his life thus far)! In the broader context of the Old Testament we might consider Proverb 31:30: "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord? she shall be praised!"<br />
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I am reminded here of another story form the Old Testament. In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet is sent to anoint a new king for God's people. He believes he has found God's man in Jesse's eldest son Eliab, but God warns him to look with his heart rather than with his eyes.<br />
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<span class="text 1Sam-16-7" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"But the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-7603L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-7603L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>but the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> looks on the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
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God, if nothing else, is consistent, isn't He? He doesn't change His character!<br />
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So, what will we do with what we have learned from Genesis 29:17 as both the word <i>rak</i> and the passage as a whole fit into the biblical story? Will we try to see as the LORD sees? Or, will we, like Jacob, make the shallow choice? Who would you choose?<br />
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<b>"And the eyes of Leah were <i>full of compassion</i>, but as for Rachel, she was beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance."</b><br />
<br />Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150312001520079373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-36037485657576660702019-01-16T02:00:00.000-06:002019-01-16T02:00:01.862-06:00Are we next?Christian America, are you paying attention?<br />
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The question isn't "<i>if?</i>" but "<i>when?</i>" Jesus says in no uncertain terms that we will suffer as he did. Consider <u><a href="https://dailyverses.net/persecution" target="_blank">these verses</a></u> as a starting point. Do we really think <b>persecution</b> means being 'unfriended' or having nasty Tweets written about us? That isn't what it looked like for Jesus.<br />
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<img alt="See the source image" src="https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.iUNTJXs79th8KAutQBEORQHaEK&pid=Api" /><br />
<i>[Image from Schindler's List]</i><br />
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77 years ago <a href="https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-holocaust-and-world-war-ii-key-dates" target="_blank">today</a>, 65,000 Jews were shipped to the Chelmno Killing Center from the Lodz Ghetto near Warsaw where they had been imprisoned for almost 2 years. Men, women, and children suffered and died terribly because of who their parents had been.<br />
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Christians, <i>Whose you daddy? </i>Are you willing to suffer for Him? He was willing to suffer for you!Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150312001520079373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-25916885677776580602019-01-11T10:48:00.000-06:002019-01-16T12:37:32.814-06:00Studying Hebrew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Image result for hebrew text bhs" height="150" 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" 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I've been working on this PhD in Old Testament from <a href="https://www.gs.edu/" target="_blank">Gateway Seminary</a> for years now. I've poured hundreds of hours, thousands of dollars, and over 6 years into answering this divine call. Through it all, Olivia has patiently supported and encouraged me. Go her!!! </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4476507806937742075" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>One of the biggest challenges I've faced has been learning the Hebrew language. I had a good 12 years between my Master's work and these PhD studies, and I wasn't very good a Hebrew the first time around. So, as someone who has really struggled and passionately desired to <i>get</i> this language, I wanted to let you know what I've found that actually works. Of course, classroom experience is usually best, but that isn't a valid option for most people. [Warning, effectively learning biblical Hebrew is an investment that takes time and practice, especially if your goal is to be able to pick up your Hebrew Bible and actually <i>read </i>it.] So, here are my recommendations for study on your own:</div>
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<u>Step One</u>:</div>
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In my opinion, <a href="https://zondervanacademic.com/products/basics-of-biblical-hebrew-grammar" target="_blank">Basics of Biblical Hebrew</a> is the best of the four introductory grammars I've tried. Get the Grammar, Videos, and Workbook. Use all of them together as instructed in the first video and take lots of notes. If you're really inspired to learn, I've also spent countless hours in the companion Flashcards and Vocabulary CD. These materials will give you everything you would have at the end of a full year of study. The final chapter provides a great introduction to actually reading the Hebrew Bible (see Step 5 below).</div>
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<u>Step Two</u>:</div>
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<a href="https://dailydoseofhebrew.com/" target="_blank">Daily Dose of Hebrew</a> has been invaluable for keeping me moving. These daily emails have been a great help in being exposed to the biblical passages. There are also some special series that deal with particular issues, like accents. Start this as soon as your finish <i>Basics</i> (or earlier if you like) and never stop. These excellent professors will regularly introduce you to new material, even as you begin to recognize familiar words and ideas. The best part is that you can binge watch when you have the motivation or simply erase the emails that piled up on you while you were working on other things and start wherever they happen to be.</div>
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<u>Step Three</u>: </div>
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For some, Brian Rocine's <a href="https://www.helwys.com/sh-books/learning-biblical-hebrew/" target="_blank">Learning Biblical Hebrew</a> will be your favorite. It is meant to be used alone, but I think it has been great for me to already have the <i>Basics</i> material somewhat under my hat before getting into this more organic approach to the language. This text approaches the Hebrew in different terms and with some different understandings than <i>Basics</i>, but I believe you should be able to understand both methods. It is a grammar and workbook in one, which at some point will require you to have access to the Hebrew biblical text and perhaps a lexicon (see Steps 4 and 5 below).</div>
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<u>Step Four</u>:</div>
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Get a <a href="http://www.hendrickson.com/html/product/32060.trade.html?category=all" target="_blank">Lexicon</a>! There are several that I would recommend depending upon your ability to identify the roots of the words you are looking for and how much <a href="https://brill.com/view/title/17912" target="_blank">up to date detail</a> you want to have. [That idea will make sense early in your studies.] If roots are difficult for you, I would recommend an <a href="http://www.hendrickson.com/html/product/73035.trade.html?category=all" target="_blank">Analytical Lexicon</a>, which identifies words as they appear in the Hebrew Bible rather than by root. There are several good Lexicons you can buy, but many are available <a href="https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/" target="_blank">online</a> or through a program like <a href="https://www.logos.com/product/165448/silver" target="_blank">Logos</a>. </div>
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<u>Step Five</u>:</div>
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<u>Read the Hebrew Bible</u>! There is no substitute in learning biblical Hebrew for actually READING THE BIBLICAL HEBREW! Of course, if you're a little intimidated by the unaugmented <a href="http://www.hendrickson.com/html/product/56160X.trade.html?category=all" target="_blank">Hebrew Bible</a>, there are at least two great alternatives. The <a href="https://churchsource.com/products/a-readers-hebrew-bible" target="_blank">Hebrew Reader's Bible</a> (also available <a href="https://churchsource.com/products/a-readers-hebrew-and-greek-bible" target="_blank">with the NT</a>) has the rare, hard to remember words footnoted for you while the <a href="http://www.hendrickson.com/html/product/639774.trade.html?category=all#curr" target="_blank">Interlinear Bible</a> has every word represented in both Hebrew and English with a translation provided in a side column. </div>
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Of course, these are just the resources that work best for me. I could also recommend other tools like The <a href="https://churchsource.com/products/the-vocabulary-guide-to-biblical-hebrew" target="_blank">Vocabulary Guide to Biblical Hebrew</a> (multiple vocabulary arrangements) and <a href="https://utorontopress.com/ca/williams-hebrew-syntax-third-edition-1" target="_blank">Williams' Hebrew Syntax</a> (for more advanced questions), but where they fit in the above steps will depend on our personal approach and learning style. Additionally, scholars are always working on new resources. Feel free to research on your own and add whatever is helpful to you. The point is to keep trying! Keep moving, don't be afraid to start over, and never stop. Eventually, you will find the right set of resources for you and before you know it you'll be reading the 'Bible' of Jesus for yourself.<br />
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BTW, I have a major Hebrew Comprehensive Exam in less than two weeks. If I don't pass this exam, I don't get a PhD. So... no pressure right? However, with these resources under my belt, I feel confident that God has given me what I need to pass. More importantly, I'm one step closer to being able to read the Hebrew Bible devotionally, which is my personal goal.<br />
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<br />Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150312001520079373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-44454920280055729202018-12-20T15:40:00.002-06:002018-12-20T15:40:10.181-06:00Men Gone Mild?<img src="https://cdn2-www.familylife.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2017/03/5-ways-men-need-to-step-up_1040x326.jpg" /><br />
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Our culture is in crisis in so more ways than I can count! When it comes to man's role as a husband and father in a relativistic world, here's an article worth reading. Better yet, it's worth listen to!<br />
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<a href="https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/life-issues/relationships/men/5-ways-men-need-to-step-up-as-husbands-and-fathers/" target="_blank">5 Ways Men Need to Step Up as Husbands and Fathers</a><br />
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Thanks to Dennis Rainey, FamilyLife.com, and my amazing wife (who pointed the article out to me).<br />
(image taken from article)Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150312001520079373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-2645184898694644012018-10-29T16:45:00.001-05:002018-10-29T16:45:33.664-05:00Why Don’t You Boycott Halloween?Perhaps you’re not part of the growing minority?<br />
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Perhaps you didn’t know that Halloween isn’t something followers of Jesus should associate with?<br />
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Perhaps you didn’t know that...<br />
...Jack-o-lanterns represent a wandering soul so evil that *atan wouldn’t let him into Hell?<br />
...Halloween Costumes were originally worn to commit crimes without being recognized by demons?<br />
...Trick-or-Treat was about buying protection from thugs who would kill your horse, rape your wife, or burn down your barn if you didn’t pay them?<br />
...Dozens of children are sacrificed each year on Halloween by satanic cults in the a United States?<br />
...The Bible specifically forbids God’s people from participating in the worship of the very demons who are celebrated on Halloween?<br />
...The Founding Fathers of our country did not celebrate Halloween?<br />
...Light and Dark should have nothing to do with each other?<br />
...Halloween provides *atan with avenues of access into the souls of our children?<br />
...Sometimes our kids NEED TO MISS OUT on things that dishonor God?<br />
...Your celebration as a Christian of a satanic holy-day is statistically ineffective evangelistically and teaches our children that spiritual compromise is okay as long as its is fun?<br />
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If you are one of the millions of “Christians” in our country planning on participating in the festivities this week, then perhaps your don’t know it wasn’t a good idea?<br />
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I must assume this is the case. It seems too impossible that anyone could read the Bible, compare it to Halloween, and conclude that celebrating this demonic holy-day of sexual perversion, self-indulgence, and (yes) even modern-day child sacrifice is in the least bit okay. It seems impossible that you would deliberately choose to be a stumbling block to our children, a supporter of sin, and a mockery of Jesus. You must not know the truth. If you did, then it seems impossible that you can’t hear the Holy Spirit begging you to wake up and boycott Halloween!<br />
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Well, now you do know the truth. But, don’t take my word for it! Do the research, pray about it, and stop looking for excuses to make evil cute or okay (This includes Fall Festivals and Trunk-or-Treats). Ask God whether your choice honors Him. If not, why do it? Anybody can find excuses to sin if they want to.<br />
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Better yet, instead of asking why you SHOULDN’T participate (those reasons are fairly evident!), ask why you SHOULD. Why SHOULD you associate with the Christmas of Satan-worshippers? Why SahIULF you tell your kids it’s okay if you have doubts yourself? Why SHOULD you participate in rituals that recall demonic stories and criminal behavior? Why SHOULD you continue to lie to yourself and the Holy Spirit?<br />
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Most of you who celebrate Halloween do so because YOU WANT TO, not because you need to. My prayer is that you will realize that what you WANT doesn’t matter at all compared to what Jesus wants. My prayer is that you will help transform the minority into a majority and<br />
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BOYCOTT HALLOWEEN!<br />
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Honestly, why wouldn’t you?<br />
<br />Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150312001520079373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-34146394805009944102018-10-24T20:57:00.002-05:002018-10-24T20:58:30.937-05:00Why One Christian Family is Skipping Halloween As some of you may remember, Oct. 31st is a big deal in our home, but not because we think it’s a good (or even mildly okay!) celebration. The following post represents a fair and compassionate testimony of one family’s decision to skip Halloween from now on. The author clearly presents the choice before us. As believers, we are free to do whatever we want with this day, but WHY we do what we do is important to consider. Please read the following article and feel free to write Mrs. Gowen a note of thanks. You might also thank Olivia since she is the one who shared this post with me to begin with. (Thanks, sweet girl!)<br />
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<a href="https://faithit.com/why-were-not-celebrating-halloween-this-year-brie-gowen/">https://faithit.com/why-were-not-celebrating-halloween-this-year-brie-gowen/</a><br />
<br />Bryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14150312001520079373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-58599716868968402792018-10-20T12:46:00.001-05:002018-10-20T12:46:27.845-05:00Back in Print (E-Print?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello friends;<br />
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I was inspired by <a href="http://inspiredbygrace.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my amazing bride's blog</a> to turn my own blog back on as a study break. She recently wrote about <a href="http://inspiredbygrace.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-natalie.html" target="_blank">our daughter Natalie's 15th Angel Day</a>. Hope you are doing well. I'll try to write again, but no promises. I'm studying hard for a Comprehensive Hebrew Exam, teaching at some Bible Schools, trying to find a full-time job, and loving my life with <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/06254579844884593472" target="_blank">Olivia</a>, <a href="https://inspiredbygrace.blogspot.com/search?q=Ahava" target="_blank">Ahava</a>, <a href="https://inspiredbygrace.blogspot.com/search?q=Ezekias" target="_blank">Ezekias</a>, and <a href="https://inspiredbygrace.blogspot.com/search?q=Gracey" target="_blank">Gracey</a>. So, you'll pardon me if I don't write a lot or often for a while, won't you? Thanks! God bless.<br />
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Bryan (or "Professor Brigham" as my students call me)<br />
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<br />BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-52325444253683197732017-06-19T12:26:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:10.972-05:00Christian Humility in the Face of American Reality<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts:</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Behold, I will refine them and try them; for how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Their tongue is an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit;</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>One speaks peaceably with his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lies in wait.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Shall I not punish them for these things?' says the Lord.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>'Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?'</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- Jeremiah 9:7-9</div><br /><br />We're coming up on the 4th of July again, and I expect this year's celebration to be among the most nationalistic/patriotic/humanistic holidays of recent decades. Now don't get me wrong, I'm thankful to be an American. I enjoy the freedom to worship God publically, raise my children to love Jesus, and live with those inalienable rights we claim God has given to us (although I'm not sure the God of the Bible would have prioritized "the pursuit of happiness").<br /><br /><br />However, there are increasingly times when I look at our country and cringe in shame, especially in the midst of our current America = God's Country political revival. I've been uncomfortable with that equation for years, but now it seems to be on the rise again. It's as if we've forgotten our own history. So. here's a recap of some of the highlights:<br /><br /><br />1776 - American Revolution: Did you know that a synonym for <i>revolution</i> is <i>rebellion</i>? Other synonyms include <i>coup, insurgency, mutiny, revolt, turmoil</i>, and <i>violence</i>. I don't see much "fruit of the Spirit" in there, do you? Moreover, this <i>uprising</i> was spurred primarily by economic factors rather than the religious principles we so often associate with the founding of our nation.<br /><br /><br />1787 - Three-Fifths Compromise: In an effort to determine how many representatives states should be allowed to have in the US House of Representatives, an intentional choice was made to establish in our constitution that a slave would be counted as 3/5ths of a person. While not recognizing slaves a human beings, this practice allowed slaveholder interests to have an unfair advantage in federal politics.<br /><br /><br />1787 - The Northwest Ordinance: This commitment to ensure that Native Americans were to treated "with utmost faith" and specified that "their lands and property shall never be taken away from them without their consent," is one of the most horrendous examples of America dishonesty. (for more along these lines see <a href="http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Lesson_41_Notes.htm" target="_blank">this article</a>.) Also, consider the following map of the USA:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.npr.org/assets/news/2014/06/Tribal_Nations_Map_NA.pdf" target="_blank"><img height="624" src="https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/06/24/tribal_nation_map_custom-973eefab3541e8d2c23056100549ac543e59beee-s800-c85.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />1861 - After <b>legally valid</b> secession by several states from the United States of America a few months earlier, a new country is formed, the Confederate States of America. In response to that nations effort to dislodge Union forces from their lands, President Abraham Lincoln led the North in <b>an unconstitutional war</b> which was <i><b>not</b></i> motivated by Lincoln's desire to end slavery. In fact, Lincoln is quoted as saying <span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"><em>"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union."</em> (Letter to Horace Greeley, August 22. 1862).<strong> </strong></span>Lincoln also overturned the declarations of his generals which freed the slaves of defeated southerners, and held the Emancipation Proclamation on his desk for months before issuing it as the war ended the terminus of it's second year.<br /><br /><br />.....Now that I've primed the pump, I'm sure there are other examples you can think of. In fact, I'm sure you're already thinking about things like women's right, racial equality, the expulsion of God from the public square, and a host of other real and imagined issues...<br /><br /><br />My point is not to bash the USA. (I'll leave that to others today.) Rather, my goal is to challenge us to take a realistic look at ourselves. So, as we enter this season of patriotic thought and reflection, let's do so alongside a healthy dose of historical reality. America is a blessed country, but it is not God's Country. America has made some great strides, but we've done so quite often in an effort to cover our own sins and mistakes. America has become a dominant force in the world (which could be either a good or a bad thing), but we've often done it by standing on the broken backs of others.<br /><br /><br />If we have any righteousness as a people, we also have sin. We've got plenty of pride; we need some humility, and some action to go with it. After all, if God did not spare Israel, how can we so proudly declare (as one prominent politician recently did) that "God is on our side"?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>- </em>Proverb 14:34 (ESV)<br /><br /></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-48434770789750376132017-06-06T20:10:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.106-05:00Fool's Gold<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img height="263" src="https://endangeredminds.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/1-12352.jpg" width="400" /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”</i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">~ Proverb 14:12</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My daughter is attending day camp for the first time this week. Of course, the camp is Christ-centered and she is having a great time. (Anyone who knows our family knows that we are <u>extremely</u> selective about who gets to be an influence in our lives!) She is also learning a lot… including lessons <i>we</i> need to be reminded of from time to time. Today, she learned about <i>Fool’s Gold</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Fool’s Gold,” or Pyrite, is a common iron sulfide whose metallic luster and pale yellowish coloration give it a superficial resemblance to true Gold. However, while they may look like to the untrained eye, Gold and Fool’s Gold are intrinsically different. And, although Pyrite does have some handy uses, it is an unstable element which can advance the deterioration of composite materials or even spontaneously explode.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, the application for my daughter’s learning is where you (dear reader) come to mind. She is being given an example from the physical world as an illustration of the necessity to distinguish between what people tell her and God’s Word actually says. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, I thought I’d make a list of 20 statements that are Fool’s Gold. That is, although they sound good, they are not biblical and some are quite dangerous lies. Some of them may surprise you. What I've listed is only a sampling and they are in no particular order. I won’t bother to refute them in detail here; I’ll leave that to the Holy Spirit and your own exploration.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">1) God helps those who help themselves.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">2) All that really matters is that we are sincere about what we believe.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">3) All roads lead to God. (See John 14:6)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">4) Unity is the highest goal.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">5) Spirituality is a path to inner peace, connection, truth, and love.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">6) If you raise your kids right, then they will come back to God eventually. (<i>Not</i> what Proverb 22:6 means!)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">7) Money is the root of all evil. (<i>Not</i> what 1 Timothy 6:10 says!)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">8) Cleanliness is next to godliness.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">9) All things work together for good. (See Romans 8:28 to see who this idea actually applies to and how)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">10) God won’t give you more than you can handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13 is <i>not</i> about burdens)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">11) To thine own self be true.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">12) This too shall pass.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">13) God wants you to be happy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">14) If you work hard enough, you’ll be successful.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">15) Just follow your heart and believe, and you can do anything.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">16) We can do miracles when we believe. (Actually, it’s God who does miracles)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">17) All truth is God’s truth.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">18) We are all part of the brotherhood of man. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">19) You'll get through this.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">20) It's all going to be okay.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-34441863750879680922016-04-04T06:42:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.198-05:00Joining With All CreationMy brother is a scientific sort of guy, so one of the first thoughts I had after I recovered from hearing this (right after lots of God-praise) was: "I need to post this for Kevin." Of course, even if you aren't Kevin, I want you to listen to this as well. I heard it on the car radio while I was running errands, and it shook me to the core. I actually sat in the parking lot at the recycling center weeping over the goodness of God that we should live in an age when we can hear the praises of creation. The video clip is long, but you'll be glad it is.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7zWKm-LZWm4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ps. 148:1</span> Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-1">Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> from the heavens;</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-1">Praise Him in the heights!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-2" id="en-NKJV-16374"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Praise Him, all His angels;</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-2">Praise Him, all His hosts!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-3" id="en-NKJV-16375"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>Praise Him, sun and moon;</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-3">Praise Him, all you <strong>stars of light</strong>!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-4" id="en-NKJV-16376"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-4">And you waters above the heavens!</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-5" id="en-NKJV-16377"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Let them praise the name of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-5">For He commanded and they were created.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-6" id="en-NKJV-16378"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>He also established them forever and ever;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-6">He made a decree which shall not pass away.</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-7" id="en-NKJV-16379"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> from the earth,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-7">You <strong>great sea creatures</strong> and all the depths;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-8" id="en-NKJV-16380"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Fire and hail, snow and clouds;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-8">Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-9" id="en-NKJV-16381"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Mountains and all hills;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-9">Fruitful trees and all cedars;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-10" id="en-NKJV-16382"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>Beasts and all cattle;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-10">Creeping things and flying fowl;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-11" id="en-NKJV-16383"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>Kings of the earth and <strong>all peoples</strong>;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-11">Princes and all judges of the earth;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-12" id="en-NKJV-16384"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>Both young men and maidens;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-12">Old men and children.</span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-13" id="en-NKJV-16385"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>Let them praise the name of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-13">For His name alone is exalted;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-13">His glory <i>is</i> above the earth and heaven.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-14" id="en-NKJV-16386"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>And He has exalted the horn of His people,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-14">The praise of all His saints—</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-14">Of the children of Israel,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-148-14">A people near to Him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-148-14">Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>!</span></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-5913417222513204012015-01-30T10:29:00.000-06:002018-10-20T12:22:11.277-05:00Glorious Day<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today my classmates and I were worshiping the Lord together and I had one of those moments... Perhaps you know those moments... You're singing in a group and suddenly you feel the presence of the Lord. It's a very experiential feeling: a chill, a separation from the world around, a feeling of clarity in your voice and power in your shoulders, a sense that your words have power (being created in the image of God). Suddenly, you realize that the overwhelming feeling in your chest is LOVE: love for God in particular, but also a recognition of love <i>from</i> God. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since I cannot share that moment with you, at least let me share the words we were singing. I pray that you too will experience <i>those moments. </i>However, even more than that, I pray that you will know the God who makes such moments known. May the Lord bless you today!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xODpgyqGCYM" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />One day when Heaven is filled with His praises<br />One day when sin was as black as could be<br />Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin<br />Dwelt among men, my example is He<br />Word became flesh and the light shined among us<br />His glory revealed</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Living, He loved me<br />Dying, He saved me<br />Buried, He carried my sins far away<br />Rising, He justified freely forever<br />One day He's coming<br />Oh glorious day, oh glorious day</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain<br />One day they nailed Him to die on a tree<br />Suffering anguish, despised and rejected<br />Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He<br />Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree<br />And took the nails for me</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">'Cause Living, He loved me<br />Dying, He saved me<br />Buried, He carried my sins far away<br />Rising, He justified freely forever<br />One day He's coming<br />Oh glorious day, oh glorious day</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One day the grave could conceal Him no longer<br />One day the stone rolled away from the door<br />Then He arose, over death He had conquered<br />Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore<br />Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him<br />From rising again<br />Rising again</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Living, He loved me<br />Dying, He saved me<br />Buried, He carried my sins far away<br />Rising, He justified freely forever<br />One day He's coming<br />Oh glorious day, oh glorious day</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One day the trumpet will sound for His coming (For Your coming)<br />One day the skies with His glories will shine (Glories will shine)<br />Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing<br />My Savior, Jesus, is mine</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Living, He loved me<br />Dying, He saved me<br />Buried, He carried my sins far away<br />Rising, He justified freely forever<br />One day He's coming<br />Oh glorious day, oh glorious day<br />Oh, glorious day</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, glorious day</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."</i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- Romans 5:8</span></span></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-26438314803803971112014-10-31T19:32:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.328-05:00Wives' Tales and Wise Training<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Hello Friends!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I haven't written in a while, and for that I guess I should apologize. Or, perhaps I shouldn't. :-) Jesus said he did only what he saw the Father doing. I haven't felt like it was the right time to write, so I haven't. But, today I do.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We are settling into our new life and our new ministry. There is so much need in our town. #atan has been attacking recently and I feel like we're in his territory. I guess we are, but we are also taking that territory one soul at a time.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">The difficulty is that <b>some people want to take that territory without requiring a change in ownership</b>. They want to be sensitive to the point of not making any demands, But, this doesn't really work, because God does make demands of us.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Please don't hear me incorrectly: Salvation is an absolutely free gift based on the perfectly atoning work of Jesus Christ and not on anything we can or ought to do. However, becoming Jesus' disciple after we have confessed Him as Lord and Savior requires everything we have.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">When I say that some people want to take territory without requiring a change of ownership. I am referring to a philosophy of ministry that focuses on making <i>converts</i> rather than on making <i>disciples</i>. These well-intentioned folks want to be like the world in order to win the world. But, they usually end up being so much like the world that neither <i>they</i> nor <i>the world</i> can tell the difference anymore. That isn't what God has called us to. Jesus told us to make disciples! God told us to be <i>holy</i>, set apart for the work of ministry, set apart as God's unique people. In other words, God has called us to be <i>different</i>, not the same.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Today is a dark day. It's Halloween. And, it's a surprisingly contentious day in many of our churches! Why is that? Why is this day such a big deal? Why do we argue and divide about <i>this </i>day? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Those who want to skip it are often made to feel guilty, being called legalistic or un-evangelistic. Those who want to participate in the day often say they are trying to redeem it. I wonder though (in many cases), where that urge to evangelize disappears to on the other 364 days of the year. Is Halloween the only day Christians should be telling people about Jesus? It couldn't possibly have anything to do with our own desires, could it?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Now, I'm certain there are many, many believers who try to redeem Halloween out of a good conscious. And, it can be done! However, <b>if</b> it must be done at all (which is the first question we should ask ourselves!), then it must be done properly. To my mind and in my opinion, that means looking as little like Halloween as possible. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">For our congregation, the felt-need to do something for Halloween means hosting a Christian Movie Night. We are showing <i><a href="http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com/" target="_blank">God's Not Dead</a></i> for families in our church and in our community as a place of safety and a <i>true</i> alternative to the evil customs and habits of the world. I do not imagine that anyone who visits our church tonight will have any illusions that they are attending a Halloween event. We are deliberately being as un-Halloween-ish as possible!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>We believe that if we are going to try to be a light in the darkness, then we should not cover that light with the shade of cultural conformity!</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">There is, of course, a scriptural basis for this approach, and I shared it with our congregation a month ago as we prepared for this day. The Elders left the choice up to our people as far as their individual families, but as the God-appointed leaders of our <i>church family</i> we had to make a decision about our congregation's participation in this day.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I pray we decided wisely. This movie night is more participation in Halloween than I have had for 2 decades, but I believe it is the right choice for our congregation and our community.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">What follows is a copy of my sermon notes, the whole of which (with some significant changes in delivery!) may be found at <a href="http://www.centerpointeonline.com/ListentoSermons">http://www.centerpointeonline.com/ListentoSermons</a>. The title of this message is <i><b>Wives' Tales and Wise Training</b></i>, and it was preached on September 28, 2014.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jibPe97KpXw/VFQpx5BggHI/AAAAAAAABIo/iAQIdkZZ0RY/s1600/no%2Bhallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jibPe97KpXw/VFQpx5BggHI/AAAAAAAABIo/iAQIdkZZ0RY/s1600/no%2Bhallow.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(thanks to <a href="http://inspiredbygrace.blogspot.com/2014/10/please-be-wise.html" target="_blank">my wife</a> for the photo!)</div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“God’s Not Dead!”<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">It’s true! We believe it. We depend upon it. We base our lives and our eternities on it. It is foundational to our hope as Christians.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We believe that God is Alive. He is active in history and in the world today. He is the beginning and the end. God is not dead. God is living and well, and part of our lives right now! And, we praise him every day for that reality.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Moreover, this God in whom we believe has given us His Word, both in the form of His Son Jesus (who is the living and breathing Word of God) and also in the form of these Scriptures (which are the inspired Words of God).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">2 Timothy 3:16-17<b> </b>says, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“<sup>16 </sup>All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, <sup>17 </sup>so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” </i>(2 Tim 3:16-17, HCSB)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><i>This</i>is God’s Word, and we believe that it is our authority for life as followers of Jesus over tradition, heritage, culture, emotion, feelings, or personality.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">This Scripture (the Bible) tells us in Paul’s first letter to Timothy what we are to expect in the later times & how we should respond to it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Therefore, this morning, we are going to consider a message entitled, <i>Wives’ Tales and Wise Living. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Our text will be <b>1<sup>st</sup> Timothy 4:1-10. (pg. 1175)</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">In considering this particular passage this morning, my goal is 3-fold: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- (1) to learn what this text means by its warnings against <i>Wives’ Tales </i>and its encouragement toward <i>Wise Living</i>(which it makes related to the days in which <i>we</i> <i>now</i> <i>live</i>) so that we can apply these truths to our lives,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- (2) to share my own personal journey in coming to understand Halloween as it relates to the spiritual choices and challenges presented by modern American culture,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- & (3) to encourage you to thoughtfully consider (or <i>re</i>consider) your participation in this pagan ‘holy-day’ as we build on the ministry of the past and move forward in our Christian discipleship and life together.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Because I love this church and because I fear the LORD, we are going to address a difficult and emotional issue this morning. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">This is not about looking backwards or questioning the sincerity of past ministry efforts. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">This is about fulfilling my call as your pastor and your call as God’s people.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">It is because of issues just like Halloween that Ephesians 4:11-13 says,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“<sup>11 </sup>So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, <sup>12 </sup>to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up <sup>13 </sup>until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” </i>(Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Therefore, in the context of 1<sup>st</sup>Timothy 4, we will discuss<b> the <i>roots </i>and <i>fruits</i> </b>of Halloween, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- (1) to learn what the text means so we can apply it to our lives, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- (2) as a basis for deciding whether or not we should allow <i>any</i> aspect of American culture to shape and determine our values and decisions as followers of Jesus, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- <i>and</i>(3) so that <u>you</u> can decide what wisdom calls for in your life regarding issues <i>like</i> this one.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">My hope is that we can stand apart from the world in love and truth as a light in the darkness without compromising our calling to personal and collective <i>holiness</i>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">As we discuss this passage, bear in mind that (when it comes to cultural events like Halloween), the lost often don’t know the difference between a Halloween Party and a “Harvest Festival.” Nor do they care. It’s all the same to them, and that means we aren’t communicating truth. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i><u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=1+tim+4%3A1-10" target="_blank">1 Timothy 4:1-10</a><o:p></o:p></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">These verses are composed of only 3 sentences in the Greek Text:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">1<sup>st</sup> – verses 1-5</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">2<sup>nd</sup> – verses 6-8</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">3<sup>rd</sup> – verses 9 & 10</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">This is important, because it helps us understand how the Apostle Paul grouped these thoughts…. The first two sentences are warnings and the third one is an encouragement.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>The first sentence is a warning against the apostasy of <i><u>legalism</u></i></b>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Apostasy is falling away from the true faith in Jesus Christ and the freedom we have been given in that name. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Paul specifically mentions falling into the evils of (<b>legalism</b>) and man-made regulations.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i><u>verses 1-5</u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">How many of us in this congregation have been part of a church like that in the past? Many of us have! And, it is not a good place to have been.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We know it isn’t God’s intention for His church to be legalistic. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">* However, we must eventually come to recognize that our fear of legalism can <i>also</i>be dangerous. We are on a journey of learning to <i>distinguish</i> between legalism and the proper stewardship of our liberties.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">The next sentence reflects this reality, as does <b>1 Corinthians 8:9</b>, which says, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><i>“But take care that this<sup> </sup>liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">The second sentence modifies the warning against legalism, with a second warning against shunning God’s spiritual guidelines and neglecting the wisdom of godly living:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i><u>verses 6-8</u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Paul tells Timothy that avoiding legalism is good. It is sound doctrine, but we must also take care not to participate in “worldly fables” which are contrary to <i>godliness</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">This word “godliness” means showing proper caution, fear, or reverence toward God. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">In Christian usage, it reminds us that (according to one theological dictionary) <i>“the one true God, as creator and redeemer, requires an active obedience to his revealed will and a personal devotion that surpasses lip-service, mere trepidation, or bare admiration.”<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Ungodliness, by contrast (that same article continues) <i>“brings about the wrath of God, because it involves suppressing the truth about God, worshipping created things rather than the Creator, and pursuing unrighteous relationships and behavior.”<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i><u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Rom+1%3A18-23" target="_blank">Romans 1:18-23</a></u></i></b> teaches us about <i>godliness</i> by describing <i>ungodliness</i>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">It says that those who profess to be wise but ignore the clear revelation of God eventually and inevitably fall into ungodliness.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i><u>Ill</u></i></b>. The Israelites fresh out of Egypt…. (They ignore God even as they claim to be worshiping Him!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">And, back in 1<sup>st</sup> Timothy 4, Paul is warning Timothy against <i>this</i> <i>danger</i> of <u>accidentally</u> falling away from godliness through a lack of <i>discipline</i>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Notice how Paul contrasts “bodily discipline” with “godliness” or <i>spiritual </i>discipline……….</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><i>Discipline</i>, of course, is defined (among other things) as <i>“the practice of training”</i> in order to achieve a desired result….</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">It isn’t something that just happens. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i><u>Ill</u></i></b>. My Marathon…. (Lot's of training! Discipline!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>So, while the first sentence warns against <i>legalism</i>, the second sentence warns equally against <i><u>lawlessness</u></i>.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Such a warning requires a <i>disciplined, scriptural</i> response:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><i> <b>“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”</b></i><b> (Ephesians 5:11)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” </i>(1 Peter 5:8, NLT)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">* You see, We believe <b>God is not dead</b>; and because we believe His word, we must also believe that <b><i><u>satan</u></i> isn’t dead either. <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">[I normally use a little ‘s’ just to spite him.] <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b> <i>“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”</i>(1 Thessalonians 5:22, KJV)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b> <i>“You that love the LORD, hate evil!”</i> (Psalm 97:10, NKJV)</b><i><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“If we say we have fellowship with [Jesus] while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” </i>(1 John 1:6, ESV)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=John+17%3A1-2" target="_blank">John17:1-2</a></u></b> (also for causing children to stumble)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>The third sentence states that</b> <b>our labor</b>(perhaps against <i>both</i> legalism and lawlessness) <b>is based upon our hope in the <i><u>living</u></i> God. <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Paul encourages us in this work of discipleship by reminding us that God is alive and active in our lives.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i><u>verses 9-10</u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">It is He who is “the Savior of all men”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">The word “especially” can also mean “particularly” and does not need to indicate any confusion about the reality that only believers are saved.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">* The salvation of the Living God is <i>offered</i> to <i>all</i> people, but it is <i>only</i>those who believe who are “saved”.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">And, so: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We must be careful of legalism.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We must discipline ourselves for godliness.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">And, we must remember that we serve a living God.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">And, because of these three challenges from the text, and the second point in particular:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>We must address the issue of <i><u>Halloween</u></i>as an example of the contrast between <i>Wives’ Tales and Wise Living</i>.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Here I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“<sup>3 </sup></i></b><b><i>For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. <sup>4 </sup>For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. <sup>5 </sup>We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”</i> (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, ESV)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i><u>Ill</u></i></b>. When I was growing up……. (we celebrated Halloween)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">I didn’t know any better. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">Was I sinning? I don’t know. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">If I was, God has forgiven me. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">If I wasn’t, God has enlightened me. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">And, even if it was <i>not</i> sin before (because I didn’t know any better), I believe that to participate in Halloween <i>now</i> (for me) <i>would</i> be sin, because </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><b>James 4:17</b> says, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><i>“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” </i>(NIV)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Whatever I thought I knew before, I now know the good I ought to do.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I now know more about Halloween and the origins of Halloween: At best these origins are <i>Wives’ Tales</i> at worse these origins are quite strictly demonic.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I know Halloween has roots as far back as the Chaldeans and the Tower of Babel. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I know it’s more recent history (among the Celts) involved worship to the lord of Death and is the first feast of the year for Wiccans.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I know its association with the church began when the Catholic Church attempted to provide an <i>alternative</i> to the celebration of <i>Samhain</i>. An alternative that (in the end) only spread the evil of that day.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I know the jack-o-lantern is a symbol of a damned soul<b>……………….. </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I know that trick-or-treat originated as a way to appease demons<b>……………………..</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I know that Halloween costumes originated in demonism, fear of ghosts, and as a cover for perpetuating violent crimes.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I know that bobbing for apples was about fortunetelling and participation in a witch’s ceremony which embraced the rebellion of Adam and Eve in the Garden.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I know bonfires were (and are) used for child sacrifice.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Yes! Even to this very day, all of the evil forces associated with Halloween in the past are still participating in it! It is a ‘holy-day’.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“In modern day Satanism and Witchcraft covens, this is the day when Satan himself comes to ‘fellowship’ with his followers.” </i></b><i>– </i>www.exposingsatanism.org<b><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Next month, on October 31<sup>st</sup>, as they have for centuries: witches will gather to worship, the powers of darkness will be invoked against unsuspecting people, rites will be performed, and children and animals will be sacrificed to satan.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">As one author writes, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“Although the clear pagan and satanic past alone should be sufficient for one not to partake of the evil, wicked, celebration of Halloween; its present association, promotion, and glorification of evil would utterly condemn it to be a clear work of darkness that promotes sin, evil, and satanic witchcraft.” –Pastor Sean Bonitto</i><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I’ve heard the modern day testimonies of satanic worship. I’ve read about the sites the authorities discover each year in early November. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">In my opinion, Halloween is a day for spiritual warfare, not for dressing our kids up as ghosts, or Smurfs, or even Bible characters.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I believe <b>Ephesians 6:12: <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><i>“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”</i> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">And, I know that even innocent exposure to the realities behind Halloween can lead to serious entanglements and spiritual bondage.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I’ve seen the scriptural clues to the dangers of tasting and developing an appetite for worldly traditions which make no contribution at all to the godliness of a Christian and often lead to confusion among the lost (who have no understanding of the difference between Halloween and a ‘Fall Festival’ or ‘Trunk or Treat’ as an <i>alternative</i> to Halloween, however much we hope they do).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">That plan didn’t work 13 centuries ago. Why do we think it would work know?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Rather, scripture tells us:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 58.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” </i>(Romans 12:9)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- to be in the world, but not of it (John 17:14-16);</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- to not be conformed to the image of this world (Romans 12:2);</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- that involvement in occultism is a capital offense biblically (Leviticus 20:27) and the reason God destroyed the Canaanites. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- that Satan is the author of all false religions (1 Corinthians 10: 19-21)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- & that compromise is dangerous:<a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=2+cor+6%3A14-18" target="_blank"> </a><b><i><u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=2+cor+6%3A14-18" target="_blank">2Corinthians 6:14-18</a><o:p></o:p></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">There is nothing in Halloween we need to be associated with.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">There is nothing <i>cute</i> about it. <b><i><u>Ill</u></i></b>. the display by our house (ghosts worshiping *atan!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">There is nothing <i>holy</i> about it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">There is nothing <i>fun</i> about it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><i>“Cultures that toy with evil end up being cultures of death.” – Douglas Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Now, I want you to all hear me very carefully in what I am about to say: Ok?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">My goal today has been 3-fold: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- to explore this text and apply it</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- to share my own personal journey in understanding Halloween</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- & to encourage you to thoughtfully consider your participation in this pagan ‘holy-day’.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">It <b>not</b>been my intention to condemn or cause guilt. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><i>“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”</i>(Rom. 8:1-2)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I am not a judge in this matter. You are absolutely free to decide as you wish about the day, and I will never judge you. Please hear me say that!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">However, I am your pastor and as a follower of Jesus……</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">I cannot stand before my Lord and not have offered you the opportunity to understand where I’m coming from.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">At the end of the day, we may disagree about Halloween, but it was important for you to understand the basis for our decision to discontinue our Fall Festival (an outreach event that <i>has</i> <i>been</i><i>effective</i> in the past) and offer a Movie Night instead.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Our Elders have not made this decision out of any sense of legalism. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We aren’t telling you that you have to do or can’t do anything you want about Halloween.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">You don’t have to agree with our focus on sparing our people (especially our children) the dangers of ‘innocent’ exposure to the realities behind this ‘holy-day’</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We don’t even insist that you agree with our desire to encourage the self-discipline that leads to personal godliness as followers of Jesus.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Our motivation is to act in <i>Wise Training</i> , in a disciplined, biblical striving after godliness in all that we do as a church family.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">And, we simply want you to understand and trust our hearts.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We are just trying to teach the truth, protect our church, and fulfill our responsibility to make decisions in these “grey areas” according to what we believe is best for our fellowship.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Our desire is simple. On Halloween, we want Centerpointe Community Church:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- to be as clear as we can in presenting the Gospel, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- to offer an opportunity for evangelism and discipleship, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- to avoid the dangers of compromise with the worldly traditions associated with Halloween, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">- & to provide a place of safety, fellowship, and truth for our people and our neighbors.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">And, all of it is because we are trying to understand the days in which we live, the very days Paul is warning Timothy about in 1<sup>st</sup> Timothy 4! <b>[<a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=2+tim+4%3A1-5" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">2 Timothy 4:1-5</a> </b>applies to us as elders.<b>]</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">These are days when we must make hard choices in emotional areas in order be obedient to Scripture. Satan will try to fool us, lie to us, and get us to compromise, but we cannot allow him to do it!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">We must discipline ourselves in <i>godliness</i>, tasting and developing an appetite for godly choices and efforts to reach the lost without accidentally compromising ourselves.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">These are the days when we must beware of the spirit of lawlessness in our culture and come together as a body in order to be light in the darkness.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">Let’s pray.<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-24080550975978489962013-10-13T22:13:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.385-05:00He Made Darkness His Hiding PlaceFather God gave me a special insight today through part of a Sunday school lesson on <em>Hearing</em> <em>God </em>and in something sad my wife encountered this morning.<em> </em>As Olivia and I were talking about it tonight, she encouraged me to write this blog in order to share this <em>revelation</em> <em>gift</em> with you as well.<br /><br /><div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NMfKu-oQbgI/UlthpvZ7yXI/AAAAAAAABHs/3uQ77NcL-Y0/s1600/IR_clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NMfKu-oQbgI/UlthpvZ7yXI/AAAAAAAABHs/3uQ77NcL-Y0/s320/IR_clouds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The key verse is Psalm 18:11:</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"He made darkness His hiding place, dark storm clouds His canopy around Him."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><em></em><br />It's an admittedly strange verse when you first encounter it. It seems to indicate, at the very least, that God is somehow present in the dark and sad things of life, <strong>at the very moment</strong> when He seems most distant. It does. But, it says even more than that. This verse is God's heart crying out to us in those moments: (as presented in the class) "<u>I am here</u>!" God is telling His children He has a secret place in the midst of the darkness, and He is inviting us not to miss finding Him there.<br /><br />Our Father, God, sometimes allows Himself to be hidden so we will press into Him and discover new depths to who He is. As Olivia said, in moments like that, "You either seek God or you hate Him. But God is there in the pain waiting to show you beauty."<br /><br />That's why my wife's tender heart can be a good thing, even when it causes her pain on behalf of others. God wants to use that to teach her (& me) how much He cares for us. What she saw made her long for new life and restoration for another, and that longing gave her new insight into the reality that God's deepest desire is for her, as one of His dearly beloved children, to have life and be made new and whole because of the compassion He bears for her.<br /><br />Yet, in dark moments like that, our hearts and minds become filled with questions, doubts, and fears. And, we have to search more intentionally for God, which is <strong>exactly</strong> <strong>what</strong> <strong>He</strong> <strong>wants</strong>, because there are deep things He earnestly longs to share with us about how great He is that we will never look for and could never understand otherwise. Hear that again, <u>there are things about God's heart that He longs for us to know, but which a life free from darkness, suffering, and pain can <em>never</em> teach us</u>.<br /><br />So, when things are hard and God feels different, and distant, it's actually <strong>an</strong> <strong>invitation</strong> to know Him more deeply! Father God is always revealing Himself to us, because He always loves us and always wants a deeper relationship with us. So, even when He is hidden, God wants to show us who He is and where He is and how much He wants us to really <strong>learn</strong> Him. Even when the skies are grey, they are like a canopy <em>around Him</em>, so that we will answer the cry of His heart to know: "<u>I am here</u>!"<br /><br />Therefore, even when God seems silent, He is still communicating (<em>speaking</em> <em>Himself</em>); He just isn't using the same "words" we have come to understand more easily. He can't. They are insufficient. He wants to communicate more than any normal means of communication will allow. He needs <em>to</em> <em>show</em> <em>us</em>. He needs us to experience something that draws us to Him so we can know Him in a deeper way. <br />God in the dark and sad things shows us His heart to be known by us, because He wants us to know <strong>all</strong> about Him, including what we can't see otherwise.<br /><br />One of the ways this has happened in my own life was through the death of our son, Josiah, two and a half years ago. We prayed. We believed. We trusted. We worshiped. We believed even more. We believed even when all hope seemed covered in fear. We had visions of who Josiah would be, and how He would love God with his whole life. <strong>But</strong>, he died... in the womb (just a few days before he could have survived in the world). And, still we believed. Still we prayed. Still we worshiped. Still we <em>knew</em> God's heart was for the life of our son. <strong>But</strong>, he was born without breathe, and he stayed that way. Even then, I still hoped. I still waited. I still believed with all my heart. We held him. We wept. We worshiped. We prayed. We thanked God for our son. We took pictures of our small family while we could. We prayed some more. And, then we let him go.<br /><br />We let him go. <strong>I </strong>let him go. I remember the moment it happened. I remember when I knew that bringing Josiah back wasn't what God was going to do. My son had been gone for days, but <em>that</em> was the moment for me when he actually <em>died</em>. And, I found God in a new way <strong>in</strong> <strong>that</strong> <strong>moment</strong>. <br /><br />As I watched my wife's heart breaking, and saw her tears and pain beyond bearing, knowing I could do nothing about it... As my own heart died within me, and I finally stopped bargaining with the Lord to take my life for my son's... As we mourned with our friends and family, and as I performed the funeral of the only son I would ever hold in my arms... I found God in a new way. <br /><br />We both did. We learned Him. We came to understand our Father in ways that no one who has not lost a child like that can ever understand. I came <strong>to</strong> <strong>truly</strong> <strong>know</strong> God's love for me, to see (ever so dimly, yet ever so much more deeply than I had before) how He could bargain away all that He had in Jesus for my sake. I finally got it. I've felt God's heart for my death and separation from Him as few others have.<br /><br />God was there in my <em>darkness</em>. My <em>dark storm clouds</em> were his canopy. No. They were <strong>His</strong> <strong>Cathedral</strong>! God became more beautiful, more real, more amazing, more personal to me in that experience than He ever could have become if that wave of darkness had not driven me to find Him in its midst. And, that is <strong>exactly</strong> what He wanted that moment to do. I'm not suggesting God planned that heartache. But, I do know <em>He</em> <em>used</em> <em>it</em> to let me learn His heart in ways that would have been impossible otherwise. God was inviting me, longing for me, to know Him in a special way, even as He knew me in a special way by suffering with me in our loss.<br /><br />So, when I heard that verse this morning, and when Olivia told me about what she had seen and how it <em>had</em> hurt her heart, God began to bring this <em>revelation</em> <em>gift</em> together in my spirit. I began to understand what had happened in me when Josiah died. I was reminded also of how much I love my wife as His gift to me. I was reminded of the great love of God, which I had known in that impossible moment, and I knew that <strong>in that moment</strong>...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"He made darkness His hiding place, dark storm clouds His canopy around Him."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[Psalm 18:11]</span></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-32786759411263832862013-09-23T08:47:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.435-05:00Yahweh Is Magnificent!<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1vTdmQaBzVk" width="420"></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><u><strong>Psalm 8 (HCSB)</strong></u></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><sup>1 </sup>Yahweh, our Lord,<br /><span class="text Ps-8-1">how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth!<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-14014B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em> </div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="top-1"><span class="text Ps-8-1"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have covered the heavens with Your majesty.</span></em></span></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="top-1"><span class="text Ps-8-1"><sup></sup></span></span><br /><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-8-2" id="en-HCSB-14015"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Because of Your adversaries,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-2">You have established a stronghold</span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-2">from the mouths of children and nursing infants<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-14015D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-2">to silence the enemy and the avenger.</span></span></span></em></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em> </div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="top-1"><span class="text Ps-8-3" id="en-HCSB-14016"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>When I observe Your heavens,</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-3">the work of Your fingers,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-3">the moon and the stars, </span><span class="text Ps-8-3">which You set in place,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-14016E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-4" id="en-HCSB-14017"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>what is man that You remember him,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-4">the son of man that You look after him?<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-14017F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></em></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><br /><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-8-5" id="en-HCSB-14018"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>You made him little less than God </span><span class="text Ps-8-5">and crowned him with glory and honor.</span></span></span></em></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-8-5"></span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-6" id="en-HCSB-14019"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>You made him lord over the works of Your hands;</span></span></em></span></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text Ps-8-6"></span><br /><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-8-6">You put everything under his feet:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-8-7" id="en-HCSB-14020"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>all the sheep and oxen,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-7">as well as the animals in the wild,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-8" id="en-HCSB-14021"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>the birds of the sky,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-8">and the fish of the sea </span><span class="text Ps-8-8">that pass through the currents of the seas.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-14021H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span></span></span></em></div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></em> </div><div class="line" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="top-1"><span class="text Ps-8-9" id="en-HCSB-14022"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Yahweh, our Lord,</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-8-9">how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth!</span></span></em></span></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-86506771964109814072013-09-12T00:45:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.501-05:00The Way of the Narrow Gate<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today's Reflection come from <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=matthew+7" target="_blank">Matthew 7</a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">esus taught with authority. And, what did he teach? "Enter by the narrow gate." This seems to me to be the thesis statement for chapter 7. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The way of the narrow gate does not judge (v.1); it does not condemn, though it is discerning (v.15). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The way of the narrow gate addresses itself first (v.5) and then tries to help others. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The way of the narrow gate looks to God for a provision of grace (v.7), and also provides grace to others (v.12).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The way of the narrow gate looks to knowing Jesus (v.23) for salvation, but also heeds the warning that we will be known by the fruit produced by God through that relationship (v.20). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In its broader context, this chapter is part of the Sermon begun in chapter 5. Therefore, the way of the narrow gate includes those admonitions and warnings found in chapters 6 and 7 as well. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Together, these chapters (and perhaps the central concept of THE WAY OF THE NARROW GATE) provide us with an introduction (maybe even a summary) of Jesus' teaching ministry.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bUVtX-xbaU/UjFUthC8kWI/AAAAAAAABHc/eNzsEHuJw6o/s1600/gate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1bUVtX-xbaU/UjFUthC8kWI/AAAAAAAABHc/eNzsEHuJw6o/s400/gate.png" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Are YOU ready to enter?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-92182057074628641802013-09-11T01:57:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.551-05:00The Assumptions of Jesus<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IwE4UpGuvXw/UjAX2YORKFI/AAAAAAAABHM/e9W0BpdxYjc/s1600/Assumptions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IwE4UpGuvXw/UjAX2YORKFI/AAAAAAAABHM/e9W0BpdxYjc/s640/Assumptions.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Read <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Matthew+6" target="_blank">Matthew 6</a></div><br />I remember I was surprised to notice the word <em>assumptions</em> come into my mind as I was reading this chapter, but that is exactly what happened. Jesus assumed some things about us, things that we do not always assume about ourselves. That is, as Jesus taught and talked to his disciples, he took some things for granted. I think it's appropriate to consider his assumptions and ask ourselves whether or not they are true of our lives as his followers.<br /><br />v.1 - Jesus <strong>assumes</strong> we will practice our righteousness. Of course, we are quick to remind ourselves that we have no righteousness apart from the grace of God (except perhaps a little SELF-righteousness). Yet, Jesus seems to believe that as his followers, we not only <em>have</em> righteousness, but we will <em>practice</em> righteousness. He doesn't say, "By the way, you should go do righteous things." He assumes we <em>will</em> do righteous things and warns us against doing those righteous things with improper motives.<br /><br />v.2-4 - Again, Jesus <strong>assumes</strong> we will give to the poor. Jesus assumes that we will do charitable deeds, works. And, once again, his focus is on wanting us to be sure our motives remain pure. Perhaps it sounds incredible to think we would ever sound a trumpet before us as we give. At least, it sounds incredible until I consider how ready we are to see our name on a building, a college campus, or even just the back of a fundraising T-shirt. Personally, with three universities in our town the buildings are the most obvious to me, but it isn't the size of the memorial that matters, it is the desire for it.<br /><br />v.5ff. - Jesus likewise <strong>assumes</strong> we will pray, and (yes) again He warns us to tend to our motives. Keep God the focus. Ask only for what we actually need. It occurs to me that the point of Jesus' admonition isn't hyper-simplicity, but need. He isn't anti-stuff, or against praying for big things. He just wants us to focus our prayers properly. We may <em>need</em> a miracle of healing, or for a mountain to move. If so, we should ask God for it. We are His children, and God is a good Father. The point is to ask Him for what it appropriate to ask Him for and in a way that is also appropriate. Ask for mercy and for grace. Pray God's priorities and ask for anything you need, but give God glory at all times, either alone or before others. Do not seek glory for yourself in your prayers.<br /><br />v.14-15 - In the context of prayer, notice that Jesus also <strong>assumes</strong> we need to be reminded to <em>forgive</em>.<br /><br />v.16-18 - Again, Jesus <strong>assumes</strong> we will fast. And again, it is possible to do so with the wrong motives. There are lots of other reasons we might fast. We can fast in order to impress others with our spirituality. We can fast in order to feel better about ourselves. We can fast as a sort of temper-tantrum. We can fast in order to fit into our skinny jeans. (What does it say about our culture that I don't have to put "skinny-jeans" in quotes for you to know what I'm talking about?) Or, we can fast because God calls us to join Him in pursuit of something holy and righteous. <br /><br />v.19ff. - And again, Jesus <strong>assumes</strong> that we will lay up treasures [which is apparently ok] (v.19-21), face temptation [also apparently ok (v.24ff.)], and have real needs [again, ok] (v.25ff.). We are to seek God's kingdom instead of vanity in all. As a result, Jesus <strong>assumes</strong> we do not HAVE TO worry, but we can trust in God.<br /><br />So, Jesus has some <em>assumptions</em> about what we will do with our lives as His disciples. Perhaps we should assume the same things, and heed His warnings about how to do those things properly?<br /><br /><div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">as·sump·tion</span></div><div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="text-align: center;"><span class="lr_dct_ph"><span style="font-size: large;">əˈsəm(p)SHən/</span></span> </div><div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="text-align: center;"><em>noun</em></div><div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="text-align: center;"><div style="float: left;"><strong></strong><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px;"><div style="font-size: small;"><div>1. a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.</div><div><div style="margin-left: 20px;"><div style="font-size: small;"><div>2. the action of taking or beginning to take power or responsibility.<br /> </div></div></div><br /></div></div></div></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-64964962322304367902013-09-01T14:37:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.594-05:00Ministry in the New Marriage Culture<div style="text-align: center;">This is a video of Dr. Jeff Iorg, President of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary where I am a student pursuing my PhD in Old Testament. It is a bold and honest message in response to our culture's <u>celebration</u> of America's sexual immorality and a challenge to our faith as Christians as we attempt to tell people the Good News about Jesus through our lives, our words, and our love. (You may wish to click on the <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><strong><em>HD</em></strong></span> to turn it off for easier uploading.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/73498021" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/73498021">Ministry in the New Marriage Culture</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/goldengatebaptist">Golden Gate Baptist</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="first-line-none"><span class="text 1Pet-4-1"></span> </div><div class="first-line-none" style="text-align: justify;"><em><span class="text 1Pet-4-1"><span class="text 1Pet-4-2" id="en-HCSB-30447"><sup class="versenum">1 </sup></span>Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30446A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> with sin— </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-2" id="en-HCSB-30447"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30447B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-3" id="en-HCSB-30448"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30448C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> drunkenness, orgies,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30448D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> carousing, and lawless idolatry. </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-4" id="en-HCSB-30449"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood of wild living—and they slander you. </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-5" id="en-HCSB-30450"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30450E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-6" id="en-HCSB-30451"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30451F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30451G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> realm, they might live<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30451H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> by God in the spiritual realm. </span><span class="text 1Pet-4-7"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Now the end of all things is near;<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30452I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> therefore, be serious and disciplined<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30452J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> for prayer. </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-8" id="en-HCSB-30453"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Above all, maintain an intense love<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30453K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> for each other, since <span class="ot">love covers a multitude of sins.</span> </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-9" id="en-HCSB-30454"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Be hospitable<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30454M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> to one another without complaining. </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-10" id="en-HCSB-30455"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30455N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> as good managers of the varied grace of God. </span> <span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-HCSB-30456"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30456O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup> so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.</span></em></div><span class="text 1Pet-4-11"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11">1 Peter 4:1-11</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ggbts.edu/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="38" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJkpGF8i1CU/UiOaaoTLaRI/AAAAAAAABG8/SCW1AiuYKtk/s320/ggbts.png" width="320" /></a></div> </div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-16705039825346640542013-08-12T16:34:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.635-05:00Why Marriage Is Hard [part two] Video<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q96nxTQO3C0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a video of the sermon I preached and posted yesterday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-81357414185167280682013-08-11T12:00:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.689-05:00Why Marriage Is Hard [part two]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye4C72cFKKU/UgccaZkjBBI/AAAAAAAABGs/REKM2QFa9KI/s1600/bride-groom-cake-topper-0909-s3-medium_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ye4C72cFKKU/UgccaZkjBBI/AAAAAAAABGs/REKM2QFa9KI/s400/bride-groom-cake-topper-0909-s3-medium_new.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This morning we are going to continue the sermon we began last week related to why marriage is sometimes hard. If you will recall, we were reading in the first chapters of Genesis, and even before the Fall we made some observations that helped shed some light on the difficulties of relationships in general and in particular male/female relationships like marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Our goal is to look at some of the foundational reasons marriage takes so much work. In doing so we are trying to build a foundation upon which to investigate all the particular issues and questions which arise in our relationships and make marriage what it is. We aren’t going to address everything about why our marriages can be difficult, simply start down a path to understanding what causes some of the dynamics we often find so confusing, even frustrating, in a particular member of the opposite sex.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Beginning in <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+1" target="_blank">Genesis One</a>, we talked about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>GOD</u></b> and how we are both created equally and perhaps compositely in God’s image. This involves reflecting God’s impressive creativity, innate spirituality, and ability to speak powerfully. It also means we reflect God’s ability to judge, to discern between different things, as we saw the LORD do in Chapter One. Being created in the image of God also means we have the power to give life and establish governances, and have a natural desire for others to whom we can relate. Also, we saw that God enjoys what He has made<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We read about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>CREATION</u></b>, and saw an emphasis on the equality of women and men. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">1) Both are created in God’s image<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">2) He gives dominion to both – We represent God to creation<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">3) He speaks to both the man and the woman<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">4) With humanity on the scene it is <u>very good</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Four verses into Genesis <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+2" target="_blank">Chapter Two</a> we read a more detailed creation account of creation as it relates to US. It provides more details about our creation and more specifics about our roles as people, as men and as women.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We considered <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>MAN</u></b>. We talked about Dust + Breathe = Living Male Human Being and what it means for a man to be described by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit here as both dust and breathe, or flesh and spirit. Man is more conflicted in the battle between the dust of the earth and the breath of God. I think we decided that men are naturally DIRTIER than women.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The man was given a job, which is different than the “dominion” given to both the man and the woman in Chapter One. What we see here in Chapter Two is specific work given to the man. It is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i></b>he is to exercise his particular position as the male representative of the image of God. He is to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">tend</b> and to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">keep</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">From the very beginning men and woman are different and are intended to be that way in their persons, in their thinking, and in their actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There was, of course, also the mention in these verses of a restriction. There was one rule, one forbidden fruit, one test of loyalty to the Creator. However, at this point in the story, the fruit is merely a foreshadowing of possibilities. As we go through the story historically, we see that obedience was also a real option, for the Tree of Life was also planted in the center of the garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Next, we considered the idea of a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>HELPER</u></b>. For the first time, we hear the LORD say something is “not good”. And what is it? It’s us – alone. As human beings, we are created in the image of a relational God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We were created to relate to that God, and we were created to relate to others like ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So, when the text says, “It is not good that man should be alone,” it’s talking about our human nature. We are meant to live life together! We need each other. It’s in our DNA. It’s who we are. We’re just made that way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no other creature that the LORD had made who could be a companion to the man in the way he really needed, in the way that answered his “not good” situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We considered what the word “helper” means and it’s really quite impressive. It has to do with the assistance that one of strength offers to one in need. It describes a strong partnership. It reminds us that we are warriors in a spiritual battle. It contains no sense of subordination.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Hebrew word is only used 21 times in the Bible: twice to describe Eve, 3 times in a military context, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">sixteen</b> times to describe God!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Then, we read about the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>WOMAN</u></b>, or as Adam might have said, the “WOE! MAN!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The woman’s creation is different than the man’s. In, God is not only hands on, but He’s a compassionate artist. He creates woman from Adam’s rib. She is his equal. She is created from him and for him. She belongs to him and comes from close to his heart. She is presented by God as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a gift</i></b> to the man. She is a treasure, a surprise, a mystery. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We also saw something new in <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+2%3A24" target="_blank">Genesis 2:24</a>: Sacrifice. Before the Fall, before the honeymoon, before anything else, God’s gift of the woman to the man is answered by the principle of sacrifice: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Therefore a man shall <u>leave</u> his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they <u>shall become one flesh</u>.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Adam is establishing a pattern, one that reflects his own willingness to cherish, value, protect, and give up everything he has for the woman who is trusting him with her most precious possession (her SELF). Adam knew he needed Eve, and he was willing to give up his own life to receive her. THEREFORE the principle is established: Being a husband requires sacrifice. It always has and it always will.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Finally, we saw the man and woman, the husband and his wife, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>TOGETHER</u></b>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” </i>No secrets. No shame. Total Unity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We see their situation, and even in the ways it is different from our own, we can see where some of our troubles come from. In so many ways, we simply aren’t like them, are we?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">He’s self-sacrificing. She’s a strong companion. They rule over God’s perfect creation together. They don’t fight. They don’t get their feelings hurt. They are both creative, both spiritual, both discerning… They are both “very good”. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And, so, we come to the final chapter in our sermon, <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3" target="_blank">Genesis Chapter 3</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">TEMPTATION: THE LIE OF DOUBT</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A1-5" target="_blank">Genesis 3:1-5</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">All temptation to disobey God begins with a lie. Now, the enemy is good at what he does, and he knows that simply saying, “You can’t trust God!” won’t work. He isn’t that obvious. He uses subtlety and distortion. He mixes doubt and truth into his lie to hide the destruction he hopes to bring about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If I were to tell you that I can fly, just raise my arms and think a happy thought and float away like Peter Pan, you wouldn’t believe me, would you? You might even think I’m crazy. That lie is too obvious. But, if I told you I can fly an airplane (which I cannot) and you didn’t know any better, I could probably convince you that I could. After all, people do know how to fly planes and I could describe a cockpit and some basic rules of lift and aerodynamics. I could even take credit for a story or two I’ve heard from people who do know how to fly, or tell you about the time I went flying with my Grandfather and he told me to grab the stick and then turned off the autopilot. I could make a pretty convincing argument, but I’d still be lying if I told you I can fly an airplane.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">That’s how the enemy works. He doesn’t just lie; he lies well. He doesn’t just tell you to disbelieve God, he gives you specific reasons. Jesus says of him, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”</i> (John 8:44)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So, the serpent says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Has God indeed said...?”</i> He invites conversation. There’s nothing wrong with conversation is there? No, not inherently, but it opens the door, it gives a foothold, it lowers the defenses.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This is one of the reasons we’re so vigilant in what sort of entertainment, movies, and music we allow into our home. Moral compromise is a slippery slope, and the enemy is an avid student of human nature. He knows that all he has to do is lead our foot off of the firm path and we will more than likely begin to slip into darker places. (music, TV, movies, billboards, the newsstand at the checkout line, the attractive coworker we see no harm in admiring for just a moment…) <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some might suggest that the lie doesn’t happen until verse 4, but I’d submit to you that even the serpent’s question is a lie, because he is suggesting that God is saying something He did not say. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">of every tree</b> in the garden?’”</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> In fact, God specifically told them to get their food from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“every herb that yields fruit according to its kind, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">every</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">tree</b> whose fruit yields seed.” </i>(Genesis 1:29) So, even the serpent’s question contains a lie.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The foundation for Satan’s deception, his lie of doubt in the goodness and trustworthiness of God is that introduces doubt into our conversation: <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Has God indeed said…? Why would He say that? It doesn’t make any sense! Look at that fruit. It’s just fruit! What’s the big deal? Surely it couldn’t hurt anything. There must be something else going on here. Maybe God is holding out on you? Maybe He doesn’t have your best interest at heart after all? Perhaps God isn’t as trustworthy as He says. Maybe what you DO have isn’t as good as what you COULD have and He’s trying to hold you back? What if God doesn’t really love you as much as He says He does? What if He loves someone else more than you and the reason you can’t have this thing is because God doesn’t think you deserve His best like some people? Sure HE says He loves you, but really, how can you ever really know what God thinks? What if He isn’t who He says He is? How can He say He loves you and then put this thing right in front of you and say it’s wrong to taste (look, touch, admire, compliment, flirt with, try out, share intimate thoughts with, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">taste</b>…?Would a good and loving God really do that? Maybe you can’t trust Him after all?”</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As I read this passage, I can’t help but ask myself some questions. I’m not going to pretend that I would have done anything different than the woman did. I’m not even going to suggest that she was more vulnerable to deception than the man, although some commentators say that’s why the serpent approached <u>her</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But, in hindsight (which is 20/20, right?) I do wonder what would have happened if the woman hadn’t answered the serpent. What if there had been NO CONVERSATION? What if she had just walked away? Or, what if she had said, “Why don’t you ask God about that?” What if she hadn’t ever engaged the deceiver and opened the door to temptation? <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">James 4:7</span></u><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”</i> But, that isn’t what happened is it. Eve didn’t resist the devil and he didn’t flee. Instead, she “just talked” to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of course, I don’t suppose she’d ever seen deception before, do you? Not in this way. I don’t know. We can give the woman a hard time because the lies of the enemy seem so obvious to us as we watch her story unfold. As if we would have done it differently. Yet, how many times have we believed a lie that was obvious to others but that we couldn’t see at all? <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For myself, I can say with some confidence that I would <u>not</u> have done it any differently than she did. I can’t be 100% sure, but I think I would have failed the test as well. Why? Because I do it all the time!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Reread <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A4-5" target="_blank">Genesis 3:4-5</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">These two verses are a consequence of the woman’s conversation with the deceiver. He has engaged her. She has opened the door. Notice that while his lie has become more transparent, his desire is still hidden. The serpent does not tell her to eat the fruit. The devil doesn’t make her do it. He simply invites her to doubt the goodness of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A6" target="_blank">Genesis 3:6</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">SIN</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Nothing that has happened up to this point has been a sin. It is not a sin to be tempted. It is not a sin to doubt. It is not even a sin to question the goodness of God. But, these things contribute to the woman’s sin. They open the door and give sin a foothold.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Nor is the fruit itself sinful. Now that the woman is focused on the fruit instead of on the LORD, she sees that it is good. And, it is good. It is a) good for food, b) pleasant to the eye, and c) able to make one wise.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It is only eating the fruit that is bad, because it rejects God. It rejects His control over our lives. It rejects His goodness and love for us. It rejects His wisdom and plan for our lives. It rejects the boundaries He has established to protect us. It is that rejection, not the fruit, which is sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This verse contains a lot of verbs. They’re just crammed in there like Eve is trying to just get it done before she changes her mind, before she doubts her doubt and comes to her senses. She is a creature of the heart, and her emotions have gotten involved. She <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">wants</b> the fruit now, and that want has become a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">need</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">She <u>sees</u>. She <u>takes</u>. She <u>eats</u>. She <u>gives</u> it to her husband, and he <u>eats</u>. Verbs, action, no time for thought or reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A7-9" target="_blank">Genesis 3:7-9</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">THE FALL</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Then the eyes of both of them were opened…”</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It sounds like it should be a good thing, doesn’t it? They have gained knowledge. They are now more like God. They now understand good and evil. Everything the serpent said would happen has come true. But, everything God said is also coming true. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Genesis 2:17</span></u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So, what died? Innocence? Purity? Unity? Do you remember where we finished last week? <u>Genesis 2:25</u>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” </i>We saw the man and woman, the husband and his wife, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>TOGETHER</u></b> in a perfect marriage. No secrets. No shame. Total Unity. But, now that’s all gone. It’s dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Death enters the picture in a lot of other ways because of the Fall, but our focus this morning is on marriage, on human relationship, especially between men and women, and why they are often so difficult. I haven’t forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But, we needed to see what we lost, because while we were both created equal, we were also created different. We needed to see the unity of the first marriage in order to understand God’s design. And, we needed to see how that unity was lost so that we understand how to deal with the new realities of married life in order to treat each other with love, grace, and understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Before we go on to some specific observations from the passage I just read and some particular consequences of the Fall, especially in terms of marriage, I want to back up for just a moment and offer a suggestion that you may not have heard before.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The woman was deceived. Indeed, we will see her say as much in verse 13, and God does not contest the fact. She was deceived. BUT, the man was not deceived; at least there is no indication that he was deceived. Whereas the serpent tricked the woman and we might be inclined to have some compassion for her position, what does it say about the man?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Actually it says very little. Perhaps the woman tricked him? Perhaps, since he was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“with her”</i> he also believed the serpent’s lie when he should have been casting him away as the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">keeper</b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">tender</b> of the garden? Or, perhaps <u>he chose</u> the woman (or himself) over God? Perhaps the man’s is the sin of actual, deliberate rebellion?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After all, <u>1 Corinthians 15:22</u>says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">as in Adam</b> all die, so also in Christ we will be made alive.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Also, <u>Hosea 6:7</u> says Adam <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“transgresses the covenant,” </i>and <u>Romans 5:14</u> says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“death reigned from Adam until Moses.”</i> In contrast, <u>1 Timothy 2:14</u> affirms that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Adam was NOT deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” </i>So, if Adam was not deceived like the woman was, doesn’t that make his sin all the worse than hers?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But, let us return to our text.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Reread <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A7" target="_blank">Genesis 3:7</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">THE COVERUP</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Their eyes have been opened and they now know that they are this thing called NAKED, only now that isn’t a good thing anymore. It isn’t about honesty and mutual vulnerability; it’s about exposure, fear, and weakness. Their nakedness has been ruined and is now a source of shame. Therefore, they cover themselves, but their covering in not adequate, as we shall see.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Reread <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A8" target="_blank">Genesis 3:8</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Who is this walking in the garden? I’d love to get into the biblical reasons I have for believing this but as it is this is already the longest sermon I’ve ever given. So, I’m spare you and simply suggest that we might imagine this figure in a variety of ways, including a pre-incarnate Emmanuel, “God with us.” As we mentioned last week, God’s walking in the garden was probably not unusual; it was his habit, part of how he enjoyed and interacted with His creation. So, when He arrives on the scene, he’s looking for his favorite creation: us. But, we’ve hidden ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Reread <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A9" target="_blank">Genesis 3:9</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It would be foolish to suggest that God really didn’t know where the man and woman were, so why does He ask the question?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">God often asks questions in Scripture that He already knows the answer to:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">a) <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+18" target="_blank">Genesis 18:17-18</a></u>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do [about Sodom and Gomorrah], since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">b) <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+16" target="_blank">Genesis 16:8</a></u>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">c) <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Jonah+4" target="_blank">Jonah 4:4, 9, 11</a></u>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Do you have any reason to be angry? ... Do you have any reason to be angry about the plant? ... Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as animals?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">d) <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Matthew+14%3A22-32" target="_blank">Matthew 14:31</a></u> (to Peter): <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You of little faith, why did you doubt?”</i>Are you kidding me? He’s walking on water in the middle of a deadly storm, and we suppose Jesus might not understand why he doubts!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A10" target="_blank">Genesis 3:10</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">How strange that Adam was afraid because he was naked. He doesn’t say, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I heard you and I was afraid because I sinned against you.” </i>or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I heard you and I was afraid because I failed to protect my wife.”</i>Instead, his reasoning is completely self-centered. His view of reality has lost its outward focus. The man is now focused on his own flesh. Isn’t that interesting? He, who is described in Genesis as the dust of the ground and the breath of God’s nostrils, has fallen into a state where he is more concerned with his flesh than his spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What does this say about the nature of men? What does it say that we are now naturally more concerned about preserving ourselves than about our wives or our God? <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well, for one thing it tells me why we have a hard time functioning as the heads of our households. You see, God established men as the leader for the family back in Genesis 2, before the Fall. Yet, the first fruit of sin we see in the man’s life is his failure in that role. It is no longer easy for him <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to keep and to tend</b> to those under his care. He now has a sin nature, and he must overcome that sin nature in order to be who God created him to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Therefore, rather than condemning men for failing to be spiritual leaders for their wives and children, I see here an amazing commendation for those men whom God gives the grace to overcome their sin nature in order to lead their families in the way of the LORD. As we saw in Genesis 2:24, marriage has always required men to sacrifice, but now the sacrifice goes against their grain rather than with it. This makes marriage hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A11-12" target="_blank">Genesis 3:11-12<o:p></o:p></a></u></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The man also refuses to take responsibility for his own actions. He doesn’t want that burden. Instead, he blames. He blames the woman and he blames God: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The woman </b>whom <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YOU</b> gave me…”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A13" target="_blank">Genesis 3:13<o:p></o:p></a></u></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And now it’s the woman’s turn. She’s a quick learner isn’t she? Her husband has set the example, and she’s more than willing to follow along, at least as far as it can get her out of trouble. So, she plays the blame game as well: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The serpent deceived me…”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I wonder what would have happened if they’d accepted responsibility for their actions? Would the story have been any different? Would the coming consequences have been mitigated at all? After all, Adam’s consequences (which are not the same as punishment) begin with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Because you have heeded the voice of your wife…” </i>As in, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Because you listened to her instead of to me…”</i> which is exactly the excuse Adam uses in verse 12. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As it stands, all they can do is barely squeak out three little words of apologetic confession in their shifting of blame to others: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“… and I ate.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You see God; it was really the woman, whom, by the way, YOU gave to me. She gave me the fruit and I trusted her, so what could I do, right. So, SHE gave it to me…. and, well… yeah, I ate it… BUT SHE GAVE IT TO ME. So, it’s not really my fault you see?”</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A14-15" target="_blank">Genesis 3:14-15</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">CONSEQUENCES</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Notice that God doesn’t ask the serpent what his motivation was. He knows what we don’t learn until Revelation 12:9 and 20:2: This is Satan himself, the Father of Lies and accuser of mankind, the rebel who is cast out of heaven for rebellion against the Almighty, the scourge of God who will attack the heel of Christ and be crushed under his foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A16" target="_blank">Genesis 3:16</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A16"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">For the Woman</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">: multiplied sorrows in her role, pain in bringing forth children, a desire for her husband's authority, and being ruled over because of her sin instead of led according to his role as husband. Notice especially that her desire is "for" her husband. This construction is only used one other time in Scripture: In the very next story, GOD warns Cain that sin is crouching at the door and its desire is "for" him (or actually "against" or "for his downfall"). Yet, he should rule over it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, the woman's desire is "against" her husband's leadership. Consequently, the struggle of a wife to be led by her husband is part of the curse. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">According to <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Eph+5%3A22-33" target="_blank">Ephesians 5</a>, it is also a symbol of the church's struggle to be led by Christ. (<u>ex</u>: Is not the Catholic religion a glorification of the Body instead or its Lord?) In fact, all four points of the woman's curse point to the struggle of the church to be the body of Christ, with its focus on Him rather than itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The same will now be true for the woman. Whereas the wife was created to be a strong helper for her husband, it is now going to be a struggle for her to be under authority, to trust another enough to give them a determinative voice over your life. I mean, he did just betray his promise to protect her by shifting the blame onto her shoulders, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He basically said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Hey, I know I promised to love, honor, and cherish, but there’s no way I’m taking the heat for this. Sorry, you’re on your own. It was HER, Lord.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There are some seriously deep-rooted trust issues here. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Yet, that trust is precisely what God asks of wives because it is what Christ requires of the church. It’s the picture He is trying to paint with our marriages, but it’s hard for us because we’re now flawed. Husbands are the head of the family because Christ is the head of the church, not because they are better or more qualified. In fact, humanly speaking, husbands are sometimes the worst choice for leadership. But, in a Christian marriage, his qualification is completely irrelevant. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Therefore, motivated by her desire to fulfill God's purpose for her role in marriage, a wife must place her trust in the Lord as she accepts the headship of her husband under God's plan. This is difficult, but it is also a place of protection, covering, and spiritual purity according to the revealed Word of God. A place the first man failed to provide and that a husband today will provide imperfectly at best. This requires great faith on the part of the woman and it’s another of the things that makes marriage so hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A17-19" target="_blank">Genesis 3:17-19<o:p></o:p></a></u></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A17-19"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">For the Man</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">: a cursed world, hard labor, rebellious (thorny) fruit, hard-earned sustenance for himself and his family, and death. The death is particularly relevant, for it relates to the judgment of the serpent and provides the means for salvation. After all, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” </i>(Romans 8:28) But, right now it just looks bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of course, the man is also impacted by the woman's new struggle to let him lead. Again, the man's curse reflects Christ and his labor to redeem the world, whom he desires to present to himself as "a glorious congregation, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing... holy and without blemish" and whom he loves as his own body, nourishing and cherishing it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh</i>. (Genesis 2:23)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Husbands, can you imagine the difficulty involved here? You’re talking about leading someone (down a path you aren’t qualified to travel) who doesn’t want to be led, who is born with a sense that you’ve already betrayed their trust, and whose has the god-like strength of a HELPER but is innately resistant to taking a supporting role. Hmmm… maybe you can. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But, here’s what I want to encourage you with. <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Eph+5%3A22-33" target="_blank">Ephesians 5</a> has a lot to say to both husbands and wives. But, to wives it says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.” </i>(5:22) Notice it is only a statement about the marriage relationship, not about general rules for men and women. If a woman cannot accept this role than she ought not to get married, just as a man shouldn’t get married unless he is prepared to obey the model of <a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+2%3A24" target="_blank">Genesis 2:24</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So, to men I would say that your wife has been called to do something completely against her sin-scarred nature and according to <u>1 Peter 3:7</u> we are to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“live with our wives in an understanding way… since she is a woman</i>.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”</i> If you are leading (and that’s a big IF) and she fails to follow, then it is only in line with her sin nature. It isn’t personal and it isn’t your responsibility to fix just as it as a wife cannot refuse to follow simply because her husband isn’t a spiritual leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">HOWEVER, if a wife <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">does</b> trust herself to your care, then that is something to be celebrated. Therefore, rather than condemning our wives for sometimes failing to let us lead, we should rather commend them for the victory it requires when they do so against their very nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The husband’s position calls for responsibility and sacrifice. Without these two, his authority is mute; he cannot lead in the way God calls Christ to lead the church. A wife must humble herself, but the husband's role demands a different kind of humility. He knows that he is not qualified, inadequate to his task. Yet, he must learn to love his wife as his own body because this is how Christ loves his people. He must learn to lay down his life for his wife, because Christ has lain down his life for him. He must give, labor, and toil for the benefit of one who innately rejects his leadership before he can even hope to receive any benefit to himself, knowing that it may never come. This too is a difficult work. In fact, without Christ it is absolutely impossible. And, even with Christ it seems almost so. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The husband must trust the Lord to guide and use him in his role as a husband with no assurance of success or acceptance. He must bear the burden of responsibility for actions over which he does not have final control because this is what Christ has done for the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A few more verses and we’ll be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A20" target="_blank">Genesis 3:20</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">MAN’S RESPONSE</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Don’t skip over this. What Adam does here is very important. He again takes up his fallen mantle of leadership and he gives his wife a name that represents hope and redemption. EVE: the mother of all living. It offers a new promise, a new confidence, based not in him, like the name WOMAN, but based on God’s promise in verse 15. Through her, and through her seed, will come the LORD’s salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Marriage still requires sacrifice, but now it requires something more: FAITH. Not the faith of innocence they once knew, but the faith to reject the sweet taste of forbidden fruit now known from experience. Their marriage is no longer perfect. There is lost trust. There has been betrayal. Their different roles are still there, but corrupted and often burdensome. There will be fights. There will be times without unity. They will get their feelings hurt and hurt each other in return. In fact, if they can survive it at all, it will be a miracle. But, a miracle is exactly what they are believing for. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">One more thought: Read <u><a href="http://nasb.literalword.com/?q=Genesis+3%3A21-24" target="_blank">Genesis3:21-24</a></u></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">God provides real covering for them. It’s a direct contrast to the man and woman’s inadequacy to cover over their shame in verse 7. It’s a deliberate picture of the promise of redemption stated in verse 15. It is a divine provision in response to Adam’s faith in verse 20.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Death has come into the world, but death (Christ’s death represented by the death of the animals God kills to provide them clothing) will ultimately bring salvation. And, because marriage is a picture of that hope and the struggle of waiting for it (as well as all the other reasons we’ve seen) marriage is hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4476507806937742075.post-86321094998779417582013-08-10T08:00:00.000-05:002018-10-20T12:22:11.744-05:00Be Still<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>"Be still, and know that I am God."</em></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></em></span></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJL0cs_6Dt4/UgUJk6hP37I/AAAAAAAABGc/8BzvrfU-dQc/s1600/84770f_463b1326119cb0d20ed959f4526f82ad_jpg_srz_980_499_75_22_0_50_1_20_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJL0cs_6Dt4/UgUJk6hP37I/AAAAAAAABGc/8BzvrfU-dQc/s640/84770f_463b1326119cb0d20ed959f4526f82ad_jpg_srz_980_499_75_22_0_50_1_20_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt">Sometimes it's difficult to just stop, isn't it? I know, for myself, I like to keep going, keep moving, keep working, keep pressing my life for all it's worth. Why do I do this? How has silence become so ominous to me? Why is stillness so hard? I don't mean inactivity. I can do that! I mean the sort of stillness that waits upon the LORD. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt">It hasn't always been that way. There were season when I could just relax and let go, not worry about bills or schedules or making other people happy. I could just be. I could just listen and wait.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt">I remember walking along a wall atop an ocean cliff as a child. I had no schedule, no concerns. All I had was time, the wall, and the ocean. It was a beautiful day, the sort of day that makes you believe in God. I could see the ocean bottom below the surface. It looked shallow, but it wasn't. I remember seeing two giant Sting Rays gliding above the coral reefs with their fins gently stroking the shoreline current.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt">I remember sitting on a hilltop in Israel, watching the sun set and listening to some college students singing praise songs nearby. The sky was brown and blue and gold and red and black all at once. I remember how the stars faded into view as the sky seemed to drop over the horizon.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt">I remember watching at the Damascus Gate as an Arab man below sold his Turkish Coffee from a bag thermos that reminded me of bagpipes. He wore a plain, long, white <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thawb" target="_blank">thobe</a> and I think a boy was with him.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt">I remember a sunrise, standing on the edge of a volcanic crater as I listened to the animals far below trading off their various night-time role for the day-time ones.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt">I remember sitting in my car on a busy African street just watching the hustle of the marketplace. Bidding, buying, bargaining... life in full swing, with every player completely ignorant of the audience watching their performance.</span></span><br /><br />I remember nights in Zanzibar when I would drive my Vespa into the city center and wander among the vendors and tourist, not really belonging to either of their worlds. I would wait patiently for hunger to come upon me and then buy a Zanzibar Pizza or some freshly squeezed Sugar-Cane Juice. Then, I would drive home through the cool air and dark streets to my empty house and locked gates and fall asleep knowing the presence of Holy Spirit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt">I remember a day on the streets of London, and another as well. One spent roaming around with a man I'd just met on a day with no crowds. The other walking through busy streets by myself waiting for the time to pass. I met a man that day as well, and encouraged him to consider life as a Christian.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"><em></em></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"><em>Lord, help me to find more still moments. </em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"><em>Help me to listen and hear your voice. </em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"><em>Help me to take time to remember and know that You are God.</em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bPt"><span class="bPt"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>PSALM 46</em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em></em></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>God is our refuge and strength, </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>a very present help in trouble.</em></span></span><span class="bV"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, </em></span></span></span><span class="bV"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>though its waters roar and foam, </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah</em></span></span></span><span class="bV"><span class="bVNpt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em> </em></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>the holy habitation of the Most High. </em></span></span><span class="bV"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>God will help her when morning dawns. </em></span></span></span><span class="bV"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>he utters his voice, the earth melts. </em></span></span></span><span class="bV"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The <span class="divine-name">Lord</span> of hosts is with us; </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah</em></span></span></span><span class="bV"></span></div><span class="bV"></span><br /><span class="bV"><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Come, behold the works of the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span>, </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>how he has brought desolations on the earth. </em></span></span></div></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="bV"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>he burns the chariots with fire. </em></span></span></span><span class="bV"><strong><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>“Be still, and know that I am God. </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I will be exalted among the nations, </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I will be exalted in the earth!” </em></span></span></strong></span><span class="bV"><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The <span class="divine-name">Lord</span> of hosts is with us; </em></span></span><span class="bPt"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah</em></span></span></span></div><br />BKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136222616021036000noreply@blogger.com0