The Heaton File

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (Acts 12:1-4; King James Version)

What God Says About Easter

Today is the day of Easter. It is unlike most holidays that are fixed on a certain date or time. Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November and Christmas falls on the 25^th day of December regardless what day that is. Easter is not so lucky. There is no agreement worldwide when Easter should be celebrated. What is more amazing to those who do not know is that God never mentions Easter in His word. The King James Version of Acts 12:4 is an incongruous version of scripture with no basis of a Biblical text.

Albert Barnes (1798-1870), a Presbyterian theologian and author explains: “There never was a more absurd or unhappy translation than this. The original is simply after the Passover. The word ‘Easter’ now denotes the festival observed by many Christian churches in honor of the resurrection of the Savior. But the original has no reference to that, nor is there the slightest evidence that any such festival was observed at the time when this book was written. The translation is not only unhappy, as it does not convey at all the meaning of the original, but because it may contribute to foster an opinion that such a festival was observed in the time of the apostles. The word ‘Easter’ is of Saxon origin, and is supposed to be derived from ‘Eostre,’ the goddess of Love, or the Venus of the North, in honor of whom a festival was celebrated by our pagan ancestors in the month of April (Webster). Since this festival coincided with the Passover of the Jews, and with the feast observed by Christians in honor of the resurrection of Christ, the name came to be used to denote the latter. In the old Anglo-Saxon service-books, the term ‘Easter’ is used frequently to translate the word ‘Passover.’ In the translation by Wycliffe, the word ‘paske,’ that is, ‘Passover,’ is used. But Tyndale and Coverdale used the word ‘Easter,’ and hence, it has very improperly crept into our King James Version.”

Thousands of people will rise in the early dawn to conduct a feast that is never mentioned in the Bible as a holiday that was never celebrated by the early church. Like Christmas, history has established a long trail of practice that has led to a commonly accepted story believed to be truth. If a falsehood is told long enough it can be believed as true. Sadly, most folk only think of worship to God in terms of Easter lilies and poinsettias because that is the only time they think of the Lord. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus was done by the early church every first day of the week. True churches of the Lord today will follow the same pattern of authority in celebrating the victory of Christ over Satan as they assemble each first day of the week to worship and praise the Lord God for the sacrifice He made. The glory of the resurrection morning is found in the memorial feast of the bread and fruit of the vine taken by saints of God every first day of the week. It is here the Father is pleased.

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)

They Were Called Christians

The early disciples enjoyed the fresh beginning of the church learning its doctrines, messages and principles that were so different from the Law of Moses. Even the Gentiles would later discover how deeply the message of Jesus Christ would give them greater hope than worthless idols. From the first gospel sermons on Pentecost to the formation of churches throughout the Roman Empire, the saints of God began developing the patterns that would come from the mind of God as His new law of grace through His Son. Removing the trappings of the Law of Moses, early disciples began forming the basis of worship in a deeply spiritual relationship. Gentiles cast off their superstitions of pagan worship to embrace the one true God. As the first disciples united as a people, a wonderful thing happened – they were called Christians. The church in Antioch was a beehive of activity for the early disciples. Paul, Silas and Barnabas used this congregation as a starting point for their work in the mission fields. Antioch was on fire to spread the gospel to the whole world. And the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

It is easy to see who people are by their character, demeanor, attitudes and disposition. A devoted sports fan wears memorabilia of their favorite team, puts logos on their cars, and knows all the teams, players, stats and games. We exemplify what we are interested in by our actions. If a man loves to do woodworking, you will find it in his conversation. A woman who has an artistic nature is creative in her love of the arts. Musically inclined people love music and express it in their life. A Christian is someone who takes Christ as their teacher and lives everyday learning about who He is, what He is and what He had to say. The disciples in Antioch were first called Christians because that was the way they were living. Everything about their life was from the rule of life given by Jesus Christ. It was unmistakable the disciples in Antioch loved the Son of God.

Why were they called Christians? What brought about this label to be placed on this group of folk that met in Antioch? The world could see the disciples of Jesus Christ lived with the devotion of His character in life and this was in opposition to the pagan world around them. Rome was a powerful empire casting its influence all over the world. The central theme of Roman power was a hedonistic philosophy of the ‘me principle’ that vaunted the image of self above all other things. Pleasure was the god of the Romans and they dressed the part, spoke the language and bathed in its glory. In the midst of all of this self-indulgence were a group of people that did not look and act like the rest of the world. They were called Christians because they were not of this world of Roman pleasure.

If there is a lesson from the saints in Antioch, it is for the pleasure driven people of God to take account of where they find themselves. So often Christians today are hard to distinguish from the worldly pursuits of a pleasure driven world. History is a hard mistress that reincarnates herself every few generations as new and exciting when in reality it is the same tired harlot of Satan redressing herself in regal gowns of pleasure. The disciples of Jesus Christ dress like the world so much those who see them would not call them Christians. Immodesty is rampant among God’s people as they undress more and more and wear tighter and tighter clothing. Dresses are worn so short there is little thread left to the imagination. Shoulders, cleavage, backs and thighs are exposed with great pleasure as women of God let the world stare at their bodies. Men present themselves in the form of Atlas gods who worship the body glorifying the physique of manliness. The speech of those who would profess to be a Christian is filled with cursing, immorality, and sexual innuendo. Life is about fun, frolic, recreation, and making as much money as possible. Social drinking, pornography, pleasure and the worship of self are the old gods of a new world.

The disciples in Antioch were called Christians because that is what they were. They lived it, dressed like it, spoke like it and thought like it. We have taken the name Christian and made a label out of it instead of what it was intended to be – the spirit of a life. Vance Havner said, “God knows His own. It is well that He does, for sometimes it would be difficult for us to determine who are His! Heaven will surprise us both ways.” They were first called Christians in Antioch. We must live so that people will call us Christians. Otherwise, what are they going to call us?

Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.” (Leviticus 10:8-11)

How To Distinguish Between Holy And Unholy

As Moses writes the Law prescribing the commandments and statutes for the people, he outlines the conduct of those who would serve as priests in the ministry of serving the Lord. Aaron’s sons are consecrated as they take their place in the priestly ministry. Suddenly the text reveals the sin of Nadab and Abihu who offered profane fire before the Lord and were devoured by fire. The burnt corpse of the two sons of Aaron were carried outside the camp and God forbade Aaron from mourning his sons. The Lord speaks to Aaron commanding the priests to be subject to a strict law of abstinence from wine or intoxicating drink so they can distinguish between what is holy and unholy. It has been suggested what happened to Nadab and Abihu was they had been inebriated when presenting the offering and why God had struck them with fire.

The case of Nadab and Abihu highlights the command of the Lord for priests to refrain from any alcoholic beverage so they can distinguish between what is holy and what is not holy. Also, the Lord said the priests were to teach the children of Israel the commandments of the Lord as another reason to refrain from wine or intoxicating drink. This statute was to be enforced throughout all generations. The history of Israel shows this law was not kept as the priests became corrupt and immoral. Isaiah would later write the priest and the prophets erred through intoxicating drink and were swallowed up by wine. He said they erred in vision and stumbled in judgment with tables full of vomit and filth. Not exactly the image God had for those dedicated to Him.

God’s law for Israel has been done away with. The Law of Moses is obsolete and has no authority. However, the principles of the Law are preserved so the children of God in Christ can see the valuable lessons of yesterday. Every Christian is a spiritual priest serving the will of the Lord. If the Law of Moses prohibited the priests from wine and intoxicating drink so they may distinguish between what is holy and what is unholy, how does that change for the person who is seeking to live in close harmony with the blood of Jesus Christ today? Social drinking is as pleasing to God as social fornication. Christians who attempt to justify their use of alcohol as a social practice fly in the face of clear condemnation of the Lord in the examples of the Law of Moses. The alcoholic content of drinks today may vary from those in the days of Aaron but what part of the blood of Christ has changed wine and intoxicating drink to an acceptable ratio of alcohol?

Imagine for a moment a Christian sitting down to study the Bible with a glass of wine in their hands. How well is that going to go after a few glasses of the brew? A Bible study to teach a neighbor the gospel is arranged and as everyone sits down to examine the scriptures, cans of beer are passed around for refreshment. Children are called into the living room for a nightly Bible study and they watch mom and dad sip on their liquor while singing Jesus Loves Me. A father who says with breath reeking of beer, “Let’s say our prayers”, tucks a son into bed. A neighborhood gathering of adults is filled with wine and drink as the party goes late into the night and inhibitions are lost compromising relationships that end in heartbreak. And Christians – holy people, priest of God, consecrated souls – continue to justify social drinking. If the Lord struck down Nadab and Abihu because they had been drunk while offering sacrifices, it is a good thing the same result does not come today.

Those things that are holy belong to hearts that are holy. Consecrated souls are those who have removed themselves from the trappings of the world allowing no compromise in their spirit by spirits. Wine and intoxicating drink have no place in the service of God’s priests today as we serve the Lord of Lords in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. What is clean is made clean by those who seek the purity of God. After Nadab and Abihu were killed for their rebellion, Moses reprimanded his brother that those who come near the Lord God must be regarded as holy and before all people, the Lord God must be glorified. That has never changed and will never change.

Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. Then the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’ “So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:1-10)

Teaching Children The Voice Of God

There is a moment in a new baby’s life that is magical for the parent. As newborns, the young child is discovering the world in many facets of expressions, experiences and reactions. They open their eyes soaking in the faces of their parents with eternal awe and wonder. What is most heart pleasing is when they hear the voice of their mother or father and they open their eyes seeking for that voice. And then they laugh or smile. The heart just about busts wide open. As the child grows, the voice is reassuring and comforting. This bonding is what secures the heart of the child to the parents and will form the basis of one of the most important relationships in life.

There is another moment in the child’s life that is more important than any and that is when the child recognizes the voice of God. This comes from the parent who instills the story of God and His Son in the heart of the child as they grow. Before a child can speak, they learn the music of the Bible as songs about the little boy David and good old Noah building an ark. Children learn that Jesus loves them because the Bible tells them so and there was a wee little man that climbed in a tree to see Jesus. The most important thing a parent can do for their children is to sit and read the Bible stories to them. Children need to learn what the voice of God sounds like so they can respond to His will.

Samuel would become one of the greatest prophets of Israel. He had been dedicated to the Lord by his parents serving with Eli the high priest. The Lord called to Samuel three times before Eli realized what was happening. During the time of Samuel’s childhood, the word of the Lord was rare and no widespread revelation was given. As he served with Eli, God called him but Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him. This sounds like many homes in the church today where the word of the Lord is rare and children do not know the Lord or the word of the Lord. Like Samuel, they are confused and restless. When the Lord calls, they do not know who He is. Finally, Eli knew it was the Lord calling Samuel and he tells the boy to say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” The Lord did call again and Samuel responded he heard the voice of God. Parents must learn the need to teach children what the voice of God sounds like.

Children are sponges that soak in everything around them. We have filled their minds with technology where they know more how to fix a smart phone than adults. The generation of youth today is science savvy with all the modern conveniences of computers, applications, tablets and electronics. What is sadly lacking in many homes is the voice of God. This cannot come through an electronic gadget that sparkles and shines but taking time to listen and meditate on the mind of God. Parents must take the time to sit and read the word of God to their children from day one. Little babies may not respond by asking questions or look as if they are learning anything but like all the impressions we received as infants, the voice of God must become a familiar part of life. Parents mistakenly believe the Bible is only helpful when the child is able to read, communicate and drive a car; and by that time without any benefit of previous time spent with the Lord, they have little interest.

Teenagers who read the Bible learn that from the earliest of ages. Test your family traits: how often do your children read the Bible or speak about stories in the Bible? It may be as often as you do. It is important to know what reading, writing and arithmetic is but what about the stories of the Old Testament, the life of Jesus or the work of the New Testament church? A reminder that if you think your child is going to get all they need from less than two hours of church Bible class a week – you are making a serious mistake. This time is important but that leaves 166 hours where they are getting nothing. The home should be a bastion of God’s glory in the heart of the child so they will know the voice of God and say like Samuel, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-11)

Jesus, Little League And Sunday Morning

Two thousand years ago, the Son of God came to earth giving His life to save all men. He left His Father fulfilling an eternal plan of redeeming man from the sting of sin, teaching the world the meaning of sacrifice and love on a cross. No greater love has been given to the world than the example of the loving Shepherd who gave His life so that all men could enjoy an abundant life. Before His death, Jesus gave the world a memorial to honor the Father and the sacrifice of His own love to die for the sins of the world. The first day of the week would become a time to show honor to the Lord God Almighty, Creator of the world and Sustainer of all things. Of the seven days making up a week, one day was to be set aside so that man could remember the love of Jesus Christ. One-seventh of a week was all the Lord was asking. The early disciples took the time to assemble and worship God on the first day of the week. There was a time in America when the spirit of truth and righteousness would honor Sunday as a day of worship. Many stores would not open on Sunday and activities were curtailed allowing people to spend time in worship. The United States was a country that was characterized by folks going to church on Sunday. There was a reverence. Those days are gone.

The fading spirit of America has turned away from God where Sunday’s are now filled with the pursuits of recreation and frolic. As I was driving up to a church building where I was beginning a gospel meeting, hundreds of cars filled the parking lots of an adjoining sports complex where soccer and little league baseball was going full swing. Before 9:00am Sunday morning, the complex was filled with teams in bright uniforms, coaches and parents cheering their teams on to victory. A soccer game was on the other side of the baseball fields where more players and onlookers were shouting for their teams. It was a grand scene to see all these people filled with excitement, youthful energy and spectators reveling in the game – with the sad reality that all of this was taking place on Sunday morning. As I preached that morning, I could see out the far windows of the building the games continued unabated. It was a startling contrast. A few hundred people gathered in a place worshiping the Lord, singing praises to the King and rejoicing in hearts that were restored to the grace of God; and all the while hundreds more people across the street having no care or regard for things holy. Our voices were lifted in song while they cheered on their teams. We communed in remembering the sacrifice of God’s Son while the folks across the street sacrificed incense to the god of pleasure. During the invitation hymn, two souls were restored to the love of God as crowds of people on a diamond playing field rejoiced for a run scored. Tears of joy filled a building because salvation was found. In a sports complex, Satan scored a home-run.

Jesus came as the Good Shepherd and died for everyone in that church building and all of those people gathered in the sports complex. The difference was that only a small portion of those gathered in that city knew the real meaning of life. Jesus came to give an abundant life. What He gives is a hope that lives beyond the fading sounds of games played and pleasures experienced on a ball field. Trophies will be given to the victorious teams but they will fade and be dismissed one day as trash. The rewards gained on the ball field will disappear. What is more tragic are the young people that are growing up learning that God is not relevant. They learn the abundant life is found in the pleasures of life, the pride of earthly victory and the enjoyments of the eye. Did anyone on the ball field notice there was a church on the other side of the street where people gathered for worship?

On one side of the street, the Shepherd cared for His sheep. On the other side of the street is the thief who comes into the lives of men and steals their hearts. Those who follow the Good Shepherd will find eternal life. Satan has taken the hearts of the people in a casual manner cajoling them to believe they are doing great things for their children by involving them in sports – on Sunday.

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him. (To the Chief Musician. On Stringed Instruments. A Psalm. A Song. Psalm 67)

The Lord Blesses And We Praise Him

There will never be a time that we can fail to see the wonderful blessings God has given to each one of us. As the clay formed by the potter, our lives are molded and formed by the hand of the Creator and recipient of all the blessings in a world established for His glory and our needs. The heavens declare His handiwork and no man can take glory in its making. Life comes from the hand of God and the rising and setting of the sun is by His will and His command. All things that have been and now exist are commanded by the word of the Lord held together for the judgment of God. When man strips himself of his mantle of pride, he sees clearly the only one to praise is the Lord God.

David felt the presence of God in his life and acknowledged the power of God’s blessings in the world as supreme. The righteous judgment of the Lord is pure and everlasting. He governs the nations by His word declaring their beginning and end. There is no power that exists that is not established by the will of the Lord. Nature itself cries out of a great and powerful Creator. The earth bears testimony of the hand of creation showing order, design and purpose in every molecule of the universe. Without the advantage of modern science, David could see the blessings of God abounding in the world giving praise to the Lord Creator. His only response was to praise God.

What we need more than anything in our hectic filled rushing about daily grind are hearts that are filled with the praise of God. Too often, we are so busy with our lives we fail to stop and see the wonder of the Father in the world about us. He declares His glory and we do not hear Him. He paints a landscape of incredible beauty but we do not see it. His word is filled with the incredible wisdom of the ages and we do not have time to listen. The increase of the world is quiet testimony of how merciful God has been to us and by His hand has provided all things for our good. When we fail to acknowledge the blessings of God we fail to fear Him. The Lord God needs to be our God, our Maker, our Provider and our Redeemer.

On this day of worship, let us know the way of the Lord and bless Him. Let us praise Him and be glad singing for joy. He is our Deliverer and has promised to save us. God bless us and may we fear Him in the joy of His power knowing He has promised us an eternal home with Him. Praise God.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

The Heart Is Comforted

Death is always an unwelcome guest in the home. The appointment can never be dismissed and living with the knowledge of its reality does not diminish the sorrow that fills the heart when the vale of death shadows over the family. Abel, son of Adam and Eve was the first to experience this malady that accompanied sin and has continued unabated for thousands of years. It will never stop until that final day when the King of Kings returns to bring an end to death and Hades. What a day of rejoicing that will be. Until that time death stings the hearts of all humanity.

It is difficult to imagine how Adam and Eve reacted to the death of their son. They had to understand life and death and most tragically the cause of their son’s death. In every generation, death marred the bounty of life and men sought for answers. Men like Abraham found faith in the Lord as their comfort to see a place far away that death had no hold or victory. Moses, David, Jeremiah and all those who followed the Lord God could see death for what it really was and lived with the knowledge of everlasting life beyond the vale of tears. The New Testament is filled with the examples of men and women who faced death with a calm assurance living in the good hope by God’s grace. Jesus embraced death as the price to be paid to redeem all mankind and He did so with calm joy.

There is no greater joy than the death of God’s saints. All of His children are saints. To die as a Christian is to die serving the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be sorrow for the family as a husband, father and grandfather slips the bonds of mortal life into eternal rest but there is comfort in knowing that when the faithful soldiers of Christ lay aside their armor, glory awaits. Faithful disciples of God die in the arms of the Eternal Father. He sends His angels to carry the spirit to the realm of the dead called the bosom of Abraham. There is no more pain, no sorrow and no tears. As the body slowly dies, the comfort of God’s love effuses the spirit with everlasting consolation. Death becomes rest. Joy enters the mind as the glories of eternal life open up in realized hope by the amazing grace of God. A family mourns. Angels in glory rejoice and the Father says, “Welcome home.”

The blessings given by the Lord Jesus Christ and our God and Father will bring comfort to the heart and establish our lives in every good word and work. The saints have gone home but there is much work to be done. With each passing day, the cloud of witness bears the image of another saint who stands watch to encourage our hearts and lift our spirits to a higher plane. They have finished the race and their lives will exhort us to continue to strive for the upward calling of Jesus Christ. We know God loves us and with His everlasting consolation, we fight the good fight of faith. Death brings tears but mixed among those salty expressions of sadness is the water that flows from the throne of God. We are comforted. We are established. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience–concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:6-15)

A Better High Priest

The challenge for the Hebrew writer was convincing the early Christians not to return to the practices of Moses’ Law. It is difficult to imagine how hard the transition from the life of a devoted Jew to believing Jesus was the Son of God would be and accepting the Law of Moses as being abolished. Every part of the Jewish life was hinged upon the Law and many of the early Jewish Christians had suffered greatly because of their faith. The author is imploring his readers to be steadfast in their allegiance to the Christ by showing what a better law there is under Christ.

There were limitations with the Law of Moses as seen in the practice of the High Priest. The Tabernacle was the place of communion with the people of Israel as they served the Lord God. It was there His presence was seen and heard. Every day, priest would serve the Lord as they entered the Tabernacle to light the lampstand, serve the table of showbread and burn incense before the veil. Once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer atonement for the sins of the people before the Ark of Covenant where the cherubim of glory overshadowed the mercy seat. The sacrifice of bulls and goats for the people were made and the High Priest took the blood into the Holy of Holies for himself and the people. Sacrifices were made daily and every year the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies. It was a never ending cycle. And then Jesus came and changed all of that.

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ came a better promise with a greater High Priest. His sacrifice was not the blood of goats and calves but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place. At the death of Jesus, the veil in the Temple of Jerusalem tore from top to bottom signifying the ending of the covenant with the Jew and Gentile. Symbolically in one stroke the testimony of the grace of God was evidence to show redemption would come from the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross. The blood of Jesus would redeem man. Sinless and pure, the blood of Jesus gave eternal redemption to all who would come to the cross. The blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer sufficed as the Law of Moses ordained by God carried out this requirement for the Jews but how much more now for all men did the sacrifice of Jesus bring the Jew and Gentile together as one in the blood of Christ.

The High Priest changed often through the centuries. Every High Priest shared the same burden as the one before: they were all sinners. Each one had to offer blood sacrifice for their own sin. As Israel grew more corrupt, so did the High Priest. Jesus became the High Priest that offered His blood once for the redemption of man. His offering was without sin. Jesus died with no sin and yet He offered Himself as the redemption of man. As High Priest forever, Jesus made one sacrifice. The promise of the eternal inheritance is secure by the action of one man through one sacrifice in His blood alone and without sin. Jesus is the better High Priest because He is the only sacrifice that has been given without making offering for His own sin. His sacrifice was for the sins of all mankind. What great love Jesus had for you and me.

Aaron was a great man of God and he served as the first High Priest but he was not the greatest High Priest. There were other High Priest of the lineage of Aaron who were great men but they all sinned. Moses, David, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel and other Old Testament characters were great men of God as they served the Lord. They all had to make atonement for their own sins. Jesus became the High Priest without sin who offered His blood for the sins of every man and woman from Adam until the day He returns. What a great High Priest we have. He is the Mediator of the covenant we are a part of today that redeems us by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. In that blood is the promise of the eternal redemption. Thank you Christ for being MY High Priest.

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Remember The Words Of Jesus

When the apostle John completed his narrative of the life of Jesus, he acknowledged there were many things Jesus said and did that are not written down. John further suggested that if these matters were written down one by one the world could not contain them all. His fellow gospel writer, Luke, included one small grain of that knowledge when he wrote his treatise to Theophilus about the acts of the early apostles. Paul is meeting with the shepherds from Ephesus in a very emotional and heartfelt goodbye when he quotes a statement of Jesus that is not recorded in any of the four gospels preserved through the centuries. This quiet statement injected by Paul to the elders tells us many things about Jesus.

There are volumes of unsaid teachings of Jesus not preserved by the Father. The ministry of Jesus lasted less than three years but His life, His teaching and the evidence of His power would fill the universe. John acknowledged there was so much more to be included in the story of Jesus. Many more men that are inspired wrote down riveting accounts of the life of the man from Nazareth. As the disciples spread throughout the world, men led by the Holy Spirit told the story to hungry souls of the wonderful message of Jesus Christ. Thousands came to Christ as the power of God worked in the hearts of men. What is contained in the four gospels is all that is preserved because these words form the basis of believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. If a man can read the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and fail to come to believe Jesus is the Son of God, no other accounts would convince him. There are those who seek after the lost books of the Bible as if there is some other revelation that will help them believe what God has written down. The reality is if more books were revealed to men they would believe less than what they believe now. All truth has been delivered and there will be no more books.

Paul’s statement about what Jesus said proves the validity of scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit. During the ministry of Jesus, Paul was known as Saul of Tarsus. He was not a believer in the man from Nazareth and would begin a campaign of intense persecution against all those who were of the Way. The early church was impacted by the zeal of Saul and became the first major opposition for the church. Saul would not have been a student of Jesus. Quoting a passage from the lips of Jesus came straight from the mind of God. He was led by the Holy Spirit as he taught the message of salvation through the blood of Christ. This is an example of the purest form of inspiration. He quoted something not found in the four gospels.

The final lesson about what Paul said is what the apostle meant when he quoted the Lord. He had spent three wonderful years with the church in Ephesus. The elders were very dear to him. He knew he was beginning a journey that would make impossible his seeing his dear friends again. The elders from Ephesus were godly men that the preacher had enjoyed a close relationship. Paul had labored with the church at Ephesus with a servant’s heart. He was not there to show himself proud of his apostleship but as an example of a humble spirit in serving the church. It was clear the relationship he had with the Ephesians was one of giving. He labored for them in the cause of Christ. This spirit must manifest all who preach the gospel. It is not about the part of receiving that glorifies a man’s work but the heart given to the glory of God in the local work. Paul was the one blessed by the brethren at Ephesus.

Having a spirit of Paul is vital for our Christian life. So much of the world is about the ‘me factor’ and how can ‘I’ be happy. Jesus taught His disciples to follow His example. Who better can show the meaning of these wonderful words of giving than the one who gave His all for men? Jesus said it is better to give than receive and that is what He did on the cross. It is better for me to give than to expect something from everyone else. Our lives should be servant-filled expressions of sacrifice for others because it is truly a blessing to give than receive. Jesus said that.

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:1-13)

Learning To Pray

The purity of prayer is realizing the promises of God and pleading for them. Prayer is a learned response to the knowledge of how the Father has opened up His heavenly storehouse of blessings to the yearnings of His children. There is no limitation to answered prayer save the heart of those who fail to implore the kindness of God to be showered upon them. Prayer is the relationship of persistence. A daily need is felt in prayer as the provisions of life are to be fed by the hand of God. To have a daily prayer life is the breath of life sustaining every part of the spiritual fiber of God’s children to seek Him, depend upon Him, know Him and love Him. The bonds of prayer clasp the armor of the Lord together as one unit fighting against the wiles of the devil.

Prayer is a learned response. There is no magic formula to praying or standard recital required in prayer. It is as simple as talking to God. Like any relationship, the beginning is awkward because of the magnitude knowing one is approaching the throne of the Almighty God and Father and Creator of the world. His majesty and glory is beyond comprehension and yet we are allowed to stand before Him and seek favors. The more we talk to God the more at ease we find His presence. He is full of love and mercy. His desire is not to bring fear into our lives where we are terrified to stand before Him. He is our Father and we honor His name with reverence and devotion. His will is all that matters as we bow to that word. Everything we have comes from the hand of God. He forgives us as we forgive others. We seek His power to defeat Satan and with the love of God we will be emboldened to rise against the devil and destroy him. Our Father is a powerful and loving Father.

Prayer is learning to be persistent. Love is the basis of our relationship with God and He wants to hear our voice. He knows our needs but we have to learn our needs are only met by the power of God. Persistence in prayer is a sign of the heart fully devoted to the will of the Father. There is a strong emotional bond that ties the heart of a tenacious seeker to the bounties of the heavenly storehouse. It is not a ‘one and done’ kind of relationship where we demand our blessings from God. He is not to be bullied. The Lord God wants to feel our love for Him in our persistent seeking His blessings so that He can give us more than we ask for. If we ask – He will give. When we seek Him – we will find Him. Without asking, there can be no blessings and if we fail to seek Him there can be no reward. Prayer is knocking on the door of a warehouse filled with blessings that have our names inscribed on them. Through the Holy Spirit, the Father will shower His love upon us.

Lord, teach us to pray.