A Little Bird Told Me

Posted on March 30, 2016 by heatonkent

sparrow houseWoe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time — for strength and not for drunkenness! Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything. Do not curse the king, even in your thought; do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter. (Ecclesiastes 10:16-20)

A Little Bird Told Me

Living in the ‘land of the free and the home of the brave’ can be a great blessing. It can also bring about a serious offense in the eyes of the Lord. Since early childhood, we are taught how our great democracy was formed by the rebellion of the colonists to the rule of Great Britain. An independent spirit of American zeal flows in our blood to enjoy the benefits of freedom that allows us to bear arms, live where we choose and worship in any manner we desire. Few nations have enjoyed the breadth of liberty found in the United States of America. This is a great nation to live in and we should never take for granted to blessings we have in this great nation. But like so many blessings there must also be a warning.

Paul tells us in Romans 13 that God establishes government. The relationship of man to authority for the child of God is very peculiar in the relationship of the citizen to civil authority. As Christians we are held to a higher principle of obedience than the person who does not subject themselves to God. Our first allegiance is to God and Him alone. Government falls down the pecking order after we have served the Lord and His will. As the elect of God we view government in a different manner than the world. Throughout the history of the Bible the Lord shows His hand in the affairs of man and emphasizes in the New Testament a continued presence in the rising and falling of nations. Jesus was subject to the Roman Empire rendering to Caesar the things that belonged to Caesar and to His Father all that was required. Peter exhorted the citizens of Nero to honor the king. Our text in the wisdom literature shows the continual mind of God on how His people are to conduct themselves in relationship to government.

Every nation has good rulers and bad rulers. The United States has had good presidents and bad presidents. Some of our presidents have shown themselves to be of less character morally and spiritually. The evils of government plague the nation as the highest office in the land is used for personal gain. This should not surprise us as we see men of corrupt character gain a foothold in the leadership of our country. Ecclesiastes is a book about the trials of life including how to deal with government gone awry. Our text also shows the blessings of a nation guided by men of wisdom and noble character. Presidents will arise that bring order and prosperity to the citizens. In our land there have been days of greatness and days of shame. The lesson points to the voice of the bird.

The people of God do not have a democratic freedom to express their American views of dishonor to the one who resides in the oval office or the one who may be taking the reins of government. God emphatically states that His children are not to curse the king nor curse the rich – even in their thoughts. The influence of godly people is destroyed when they are caught up in the political fray of disrespecting the leaders of the land and not giving honor to whom the Lord God Almighty demands His people to respect. Too many noble Christians have taken the penknife of self-righteousness and removed passages that speak against cursing the king in the fervor of freedom. Just because we have freedom in America does not mean we have freedom in the body of Christ.  Our allegiance is not to country first; our allegiance is to God alone.

We live in perilous times – but friends we do not live in anything close to what Jesus lived in and even the early disciples. Jesus never railed against leaders. The early church was an example of righteousness that endured the wrathful hand of a despot leader but did not curse the king. Even when the ruler is personally unworthy of respect, the people of God shone as lights of purity in a dark world. We can do no less. How many birds have flown to the throne of God telling the thoughts of His people against their government? The warning is clear. Do not curse the king even in your thoughts lest a little bird gives wings to your voice and the Lord hears.

There is a worse evil than misgovernment, and that is anarchy (J. Willcock)

Posted in America, Character Study, Christian, Ecclesiastes | 2 Comments

The Difference Between The Righteous And The Wicked

Posted on March 29, 2016 by heatonkent

word-of-god_tThen those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels.  And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. (Malachi 3:16-18)

The Difference Between The Righteous And The Wicked

Throughout the writing of the Old Testament, the character of the righteous and the wicked is always in conflict with one another. In the Garden of Eden Satan tempted Eve to disobey the Lord by suggesting the word of God could be challenged. “Has God indeed said” has been the basic tool of how men have fallen away from the Lord. As the history of the world unfolds men seek after their own pleasures rather than serving the Lord. The Flood of Noah’s day brings judgment upon all men with only eight souls saved. When Israel forms by the will of God the conflict of righteousness and unrighteousness is revealed in the struggles of the people. Malachi presents the final message of the Lord before the famine of God’s word descends upon man. Israel has lived its days of glory but found the severity of the Lord because of their unrighteousness. The nation was ripped apart by civil war, carried away to foreign lands under bondage returning to be possessed by another nation until their final demise in 70 A.D.

Malachi does not bring a new message. It has been the same since time began. The judgment of God is based upon the whole of man; whether he has lived in righteousness or served the devil in wickedness. There is always a remembrance of what man has done. He may forget but God never does. Those who fear the Lord are remembered for their faithfulness and those who do not fear the Lord will be remembered for their wickedness. Two kinds of people walk upon the earth: those who serve the Lord and those who do not serve the Lord. The righteous serve the Lord. Those who do not serve the Lord are unrighteous.

The message of Malachi is true for all men today. Being religious does not make one righteous or being a good person will not save anyone. The defining character of righteousness is whether a person is serving the Lord. So many believe that God accepts all men regardless of how they live. The character of God is brought low to the whims of man who have God serve them. Truth is defined by the righteousness of men serving God. Servitude to the Lord requires obedience. Man cannot pick and choose how he serves God. The Lord is a Jealous God and He demands complete obedience. Man must learn to bow before the great I AM and serve Him with fear.

Religion is painted with any color that man devises. It becomes relative to the ideals of man instead of the word of God. Truth can only be found in Jesus Christ and Him alone. There is no other body of Truth but what is found in the Son of God. If a man wants to find righteousness, he will become a disciple of Jesus Christ and follow the commandments of the will of God. What separates a righteous man from an unrighteous man is obedience. Jesus reminds us that we cannot call upon the Lord and do not the things that He says. How does one discern between the righteous and the wicked? Who is serving the Lord!

If ye love me ye will keep my commandments [John XIV, 15]. If we don’t, we shan’t. Let no one deceive himself about that. There is no possibility of meeting His claim upon us, unless we truly love Him. So devotion is prior to obedience itself. (William Temple, Readings in John’s Gospel, 1939)

Posted in Character Study, Christ, Malachi, truth | Leave a comment

I Have Not Found Such Great Faith

Posted on March 28, 2016 by heatonkent

 

got-faith_tNow when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matthew 8:5-13)

I Have Not Found Such Great Faith

The ministry of Jesus was directed towards the people of Israel but on a few occasions the Lord acknowledged the needs of the uncircumcised. A centurion was an officer of the Roman army that subjugated the land of Palestine. The Romans were not looked upon with favor by the Jewish people and often scorned because of their cruel treatment of the citizens. For a Roman commander to come to Jesus seeking a miracle to heal his servant was truly a remarkable story. Jesus did not hesitate and told the centurion He would come immediately to his home and heal the servant. To the astonishment of the Lord the centurion humbly begged Jesus to only speak a word and his servant would be healed. Believing in the power of healing by touch or making spittle for the eyes is one thing but to acknowledge that Jesus had the power to heal a man without being present was truly remarkable. Sadly, the Lord could not find that kind of faith among His own people.

Jesus uses the opportunity with the centurion to show that a day will come where all men will come to the feast of the Lord. The multitudes that followed Jesus would find it difficult to believe the pagan Gentile would be granted a place with the righteous but the testimony of the centurion was clear evidence that greater faith often resided in the uncircumcised. The Jews were so filled with the pride they could not accept the idea that God loved the non-Jew. However, the incredible faith of the Gentile that implored Jesus to only speak a word to heal the servant was something unheard of among the nation of God’s people. Jesus had not seen that among His own people.

The story of the centurion leaves many questions of whom the man is and where he gained his improbable faith in the power of Jesus. Many of the Jews would not believe Jesus when they saw a miracle first hand. The centurion was a man of conviction that accepted only a spoken word. What influences in life brought him to Jesus? Would he have a part in the early church? No doubt he would have a common thread with Cornelius, another Roman centurion who would be the open door of the gospel to the Gentiles.

Faith comes in many forms. Having the kind of faith that only asks Jesus to say a word is faith on a higher plane. The faith we need today is not just a marginal belief in what makes us comfortable. Prayer is an expression of our faith and through prayer we acknowledge the power of God. When we have faith like the centurion, we will ask for the Lord to work in our lives by only speaking a word. Simple trusting faith. A child-like faith that fully trusts in the will of God is the kind of faith the Father desires for His children. Our faith must be governed by the belief that God can and will work in our lives to His glory and that nothing is impossible for Him. The courage of the centurion to approach Jesus is remarkable. His request is even more remarkable. Can the Lord find that kind of faith in the spiritual house of Israel today? Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.

Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to Heaven. (John Climacus; 525-600; Climax)

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The Father Demands Allegiance

Posted on March 27, 2016 by heatonkent

acts17_27_cevtitleAnd God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image — any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (Exodus 20:1-6)

The Father Demands Allegiance

When Moses brought the Law to the people of Israel, he was not striking a new cord as if the Lord had never required these commands from men. The Law of Moses is a specific body of work that was directed to only one people in covenant. Looking at the Ten Commandments the principles were established long before the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai. The first two commands were not new to man. Adam and Eve were expected to be obedient to God serving Him and none other. In the early history of man, the will of God demanded that all men serve Him and Him alone. While the Law of Moses has been abolished as the nation of Israel the law of God remains unchanged. There can be no other gods before service to the only true and living God. Nothing can be put in His place.

Few people would think of bowing down to an idol in our day and time. Our society is not built upon such worship. However, it must not be concluded that since we do not bow down to Baal, Asheroth or some graven image we do not serve other gods. The lesson from the first two commandments is to show that nothing can come before obedience to the Lord. Nothing! As a Christian, our service to God is singular. When we allow our jobs to conflict with our worship or service to the Lord we are bowing down to an image that prohibits us from allegiance to God. If we allow religious affiliations to hinder our service to the Lord we are serving other gods. Even our families cannot come before obedience to the will of God.

The Lord must be first place in everything. He does not allow 90% of our lives to be for Him and 10% to do what we will. He told the Hebrews they were not allowed to have anything before Him. First place is the only place God demands and anything less is unacceptable. This is hard for many people because they feel as if they can give most of their life to the Lord but not all. Jesus told His followers that unless they take up a cross and follow Him they could not be His disciples. When a person takes up a cross they have already given themselves wholly to the cause, suffered severely because of the cost and are willing to finish the course to the place of death. There is not turning back. There is no going halfway. Crucifixion is a total commitment to the Father.

There can be no other gods, no other things that hinder our obedience to God. He expects those who come to Him to give up all the things of this world and put Him first in every part of life. Anything less is unacceptable. He will bless those who put Him first because He sees the love they have for the Father. Seeking first the kingdom of God is implanting the rule of God in every part of life. Full surrender is the will of the Father. Jesus left us an example of the meaning of giving all for the Father. Can we do any less?

To be crucified means, first, the man on the cross is facing only one direction; second, he is not going back; and third, he has no further plan of his own. (A. W. Tozer)

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Hidden For Three Months

Posted on March 26, 2016 by heatonkent

living-faith-logo1By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:23-27)

Hidden For Three Months

It must have been unusual for Moses to write down the history of the children of Israel beginning with his own birth. Writing his second book, he unveils the story of the terrible world he was born into. The king of Egypt grew fearful of the Hebrews and began a slaughter of all male children born to the foreigners. It became a difficult task as the midwives feared the Lord God more than they feared Pharaoh. The final solution came in the order to throw all males born to the Hebrews into the river. Into this world, Amram and Jochebed bore a second son.

The parents of Moses saw that he was a beautiful child. Stephen explains in his sermon that baby Moses was well pleasing to the Lord and his parents hid him for three months. Anyone who has had a small infant knows the difficulty of keeping hidden a child and so Amram and Jochebed devised a great plan of courage. They sent Miriam to place Moses in a basket among the reeds by the river’s bank. Pharaoh’s daughter was accustomed to come to this place to bathe. Seeing the baby and hearing its cry her heart was filled with compassion. Immediately Moses’ sister asked if the princess would like a nurse to care for the child and Jochebed was summoned. Commanded by the daughter of Pharaoh to care for the child a joyful mother returned home with her baby boy.

We do not know the Hebrew name of Moses. Pharaoh’s daughter named this great man of God from her drawing him out of water. The life of Moses has changed the world and still echoes through the generations of time because of his faith, courage and determination to serve God and Him alone. This character was formed early in the life of Moses. His parents were people who feared the Lord more than Pharaoh. They risked their lives to save the young child trusting in the providence of God to lead them. Hiding a child for three months is not an easy task. Knowing the penalty of being caught was certain death for everyone must have weighed heavy on their hearts. The courage to trust God when Moses was placed in the river was excruciating.

The early years of Moses came from the lap of his godly mother. Amram impressed upon the young boy faith and fidelity to serve the Lord. Growing up in the palace of Pharaoh had its temptations but Moses learned early what was important in life. His parents hid him from the king for three months but Moses hid God in his heart for life. Let us have the courage to trust God. Faith should rule our lives to believe that God will work in our day-to-day walk. Allow the providence of the Lord to shape our lives to His glory. Hide the word of God deep in your heart. Now that is a great story.

Courage: fear that has said its prayers. (Author Unknown)

Posted in Character Study, Christian, Moses, Old Testament | Leave a comment

The Burden Of Nineveh

Posted on March 25, 2016 by heatonkent

 

nineveh winged bullThe burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies; the Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him. (Nahum 1:1-6)

The Burden Against Nineveh

One of the oldest cities in the world was Nineveh. From the genealogy of Noah’s sons Moses records the establishment of the city of Nineveh by the Cush, son of Ham. Generations later it would become the capital of the powerful Assyrian Empire that would sweep across the early world destroying everything in its path. The Lord used the Assyrians to punish His own people because of their wickedness but would also punish the Assyrian nation and Nineveh as a bloody city. The prophet Nahum declares the judgment against this great city in less than 1300 words. It was in Nineveh that Jonah proclaimed the message of salvation and God relented. Now through Nahum there is no hope for Nineveh. Its doom is sealed. Isaiah and Zephaniah confirm the total destruction of the great city.

Nineveh fell in 612 B.C. The final siege lasted only three months and the final blow came when the Tigris River flooded tearing a portion of the wall away. This allowed the Babylonians to enter the city and lay waste to its inhabitants. The destruction of Nineveh was final. It remains today as a heap of ruins. In fulfillment of the prophecies given through the hand of the prophets shepherds with their sheep graze on the ruins of this ancient world capital.

The study of the prophets is neglected because of the misconceived idea they are difficult to understand. Of the sixty-six books retained by the wisdom of God which Bible book is not important? The prophets (like Nahum) are vital to understand who Jesus is and why He came. These books declare the glory and majesty of the Lord. It shows the power of fulfillment that continues in evidence to this day. Nahum and the other books of ancient scrip declare the sovereign nature of God over nations that continue to this day. These books are relevant to this day and we do a disservice to the message of salvation to ignore them.

God’s goodness and severity are interwoven through the messages of the prophets. His justice, grace and mercy are found on every page as He implores the people of God to return to Him. Failing to obey Him the nation of Israel is punished by the nations to show the severity of God’s wrath on unrighteousness. The wrath of God is also brought against the nations of the world. Egypt, Assyria and Babylon are key nations used by the Lord to exercise His will and then used as examples of His fierce punishment. The conclusion is inescapable: the Lord God demands all men to be obedient to Him. Who can endure the fierceness of His anger? God is jealous and He will avenge. He is slow to anger and great in power. The wicked shall not escape. The Lord has His way.

Posted in Nahum, Old Testament, Prophets | Leave a comment

Like A Tree

Posted on March 24, 2016 by heatonkent

 

oak-treeAs you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

Like A Tree

It was on the third day of creation the land was filled with the profusion of grass and trees. The sun, moon and stars had not been created and no animals filled the earth. Standing in the majestic beauty of the early creation God’s palette of Sequoia trees, Oaks, Maple and Cedars dotted the landscape among all the different types of trees. Adam and Eve would stand in marvelous wonder at the magnificence of the wisdom of God. Trees continue to stand as testimonies of the infinite power of the Creator’s design. Not only do they show the beauty of creation but they are part of the cycle of life that creates oxygen necessary for life on earth. They help maintain a healthy soil and purify the air. Trees help protect the environment and millions of animals thrive because of trees.

The illustration of trees was not lost on the apostle Paul. Using these great perennial plants Paul describes the life of a Christian in the same details. The tree must have a good root system and a well-established trunk. The supporting branches and leaves are a vital part of the growth of the tree. Essential to the life of a child of God these four elements make up the character of what God wants of His children.

ROOTED IN CHRIST. Without a good root system the tree will fall at the slightest wind. When I was a young child we had a hurricane come through Florida that left a lot of damage. A large tree was toppled over exposing a shallow root system. The tree was unable to withstand the fierce winds although the bulk of the tree was large. It was a surprise that such a tree could be toppled but it really only mattered what kind of rooting system it had. Satan is constantly attacking the Christian. Without being properly rooted in Christ danger lurks about. So often in the lives of seemingly strong Christians life is turned upside down because they lacked proper spiritual roots. A tree is first established by having a deep root system. The deeper the roots the more severe the storm can be resisted.

BUILT UP IN CHRIST. As the roots firmly plant the tree into the ground a solid stem or trunk is necessary for the stability of the tree. The strength of the tree is seen in its broad trunk built above a deep root system. Everything in our lives must be built upon Jesus Christ. What we think, how we dress, why we believe, who we trust, what we say and what we do is built upon the words of God. A good trunk system is a continual process that builds one layer upon another. The stronger the trunk the stronger the tree. What begins as a sapling is to grown into a mighty Oak or Redwood.

ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH. One of the key elements of a tree is the branch system. This helps to establish the tree giving it balance, strength and protection. As our roots grow deep in Jesus Christ and our lives are firmly built up in Him we are to established every part of our character in the faith of God. The branches of the tree is the fruit of the stem. It is here the glory of the tree finds its calling. Reaching outward and upward branches bear testimony to the health of the tree. Our lives are to reach outward and upward with the word of God deeply rooted in our faith. The life of a Christian is established in the word of God. This is an everyday feeding on His will

ABOUNDING IN THE FAITH. With a proper root system building up a mighty trunk, the branches yield millions of leaves showing the blessings of God’s creation. The evergreen tree of life is what separates the child of God from the world. Planted by the rivers of water, their leaf brings forth its fruit in its season. The leaves will not wither and whatever we do will prosper. Abounding in our faith is the blessing of being in Christ. Having a delight for the law of God and meditating on the truth of His love the life of a Christian blossoms forth the joy of salvation.

A tree. An example of who we are. The forest of God’s grace is filled with the lives of those who root themselves deep in Christ, build themselves up in the most holy faith, and establish every particle of life in the word of God and abounding with joy in the fruit of the Spirit. Be a tree.

Posted in Bible, Character Study, Christian, Colossians | Leave a comment

The Wisdom Of Silence

Posted on March 23, 2016 by heatonkent
The silence is not a solution for your problems.

The silence is not a solution for your problems.

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Proverbs 17:27-28)

The Wisdom Of Silence

Thomas Carlyle calls it the “great empire of silence.” The busy commerce of man’s wisdom is fortified by a confidence that great words and senseless noise suggests a greater level of intelligence. Man enjoys the sound of his own knowledge and the more words that are expounded the greater his individual worth becomes. A braggart spirit of self-importance exalts him above others. Verbal bullies push their wills on others with no regard for anyone but themselves. Silence is not only golden but it shines brighter as a sign of maturity than the one who cannot spare his words. Given in contrast is the one who speaks for others to hear and the person who hears so that he may speak.

Listening has always been a challenge. The eyes, ears and mouth are the portals of the mind. What the eyes see the mind must react immediately. Placed on each side of the brain the ears are the conduit of the world. The third companion is where the danger lies. James describes the tongue as an unruly evil that no man can tame. He does not suggest it cannot be controlled. Wisdom comes from the one who clearly defines what he sees and what he hears with a reserved spirit of understanding by being slow to speak. The mind of a wise man knows that what he sees and what he hears requires the use of sparing words and a calm spirit. Thinking must be first before speaking.

Knowledge is found in the hearts of those who speak fewer words. The wise man shows that even a fool is considered wise when he is careful with his words. When God created man he placed within the mouth 32 teeth. Not only are these two sets of teeth used for crushing food for digestion the Lord wants us to use these teeth to bite our tongues when it gets unruly. Some folk need about 100 teeth and for some possibly more. Regardless there is a great need to learn how to speak fewer words. Thinking demands a slow approach to being vocal. So often the mouth speaks ahead of the brain and that usually creates a train wreck.

Wisdom is found in the mind that is filled with knowledge and greater wisdom is found when the tongue speaks less. There is none of us that cannot use this lesson. So often if we would only listen more than we speak how much more happiness there would be. Our marriages would be as God intended when we learn to listen. Parenting skills will be greater from a calm spirit. Disagreements among brethren will be solved with love because of a hearing heart. Learning the truths of God’s word will increase when we listen more to our Lord. Sparing our words and receiving His words will give us a deeper love for what God has done for us. A calm spirit will come from listening to the word of God. Perception will increase when we listen.

Looking round at the noisy inanity of the world, words with little meaning, actions with little worth, one loves to reflect on the great empire of silence. (Thomas Carlyle)

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A Book Burning

Posted on March 22, 2016 by heatonkent

bookburningofephesusThis became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. (Acts 19:17-20)

A Book Burning

Paul’s work in Ephesus was filled with great demonstrations of the power of God both through teaching and unusual miracles. He taught daily in the school of Tyrannus. The miracles were so powerful that if handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from him the people would be healed. On one occasion some itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to try and mimic what had been done through the Holy Spirit but with disastrous results. They fled out of the house naked and wounded. All the Jews and Greeks in Ephesus heard of this and great fear came upon the people. As a result many obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ.

One particular group that saw the power of God and turned to the gospel was those who practiced the magic arts. These were not entertainers like David Copperfield but men who dabbled in the occult arts of magic like spiritualism, astrology and divination. Having seen the true power of God they turned from their deceitful practices to the one true God. As a show of their conviction they brought their books of magic and burned them in the sight of all. They were not merely turning to the Lord; they were excising their lives of those things that stood against the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Luke points out the value of these rare books totaled 50,000 pieces of silver which was an incredible amount of money. They demonstrated the wonder working power of the love of God as it changes men into servants of God.

Not everyone had to burn expensive books when they became a Christian. What is found in the example of these men is the attitude that everyone must have in obedience to the gospel. Anything that stands in the way of what God requires has to be removed. Jesus implored His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him. The cost was huge. In some cases a greater price had to be paid. The rich young ruler that came to Jesus was told to give all his riches to the poor but he refused. Peter said the apostles had left all to follow Jesus. The attitude of heart for obedience demands a full surrender to the cause of Christ.

There are those today who must leave good paying jobs to be a child of God. Some have to give up marital relationships, friendships, or religious affiliations to be obedient to the will of the Father. For some the cost is great. What is wonderful about the magicians in our story is they were willing to burn rare and expensive books to show their faith in Jesus Christ. This was total dedication. Taking up the cross of Jesus is a painful experience. Unless we are willing to give up everything to follow the Lord we cannot follow Him. Heaven cost the Father the life of His Son. Can we expect the cost to be less for us? Do not let anything – no matter how precious it may be – hinder obedience to the gospel call of Jesus Christ.

The marks of the cross are simply the marks of our identification with our Lord, death to our own plans and purposes, death to our own right to our lives, that He might have His way with us and ours. (Vance Havner; 1901-1986)

Posted in Bible, Character Study, Christ, Christian, Church, cross, Jesus Christ, New Testament, Paul | 1 Comment

Jesus Calls Me

Posted on March 21, 2016 by heatonkent

 

follow-me_wide_t_nvAfter these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. (Luke 5:27-28)

Jesus Calls Me

There is so much more information the reader would like to have when Jesus called His disciples to Him. Mark and Luke record the calling of Matthew in a brief paragraph with Matthew himself referring to the event in the third person. The three gospel writers show that Matthew was sitting at his place of work and when Jesus implored him to follow him he left his table and never turned back. When Matthew writes his book of the life of Jesus he says almost nothing about his own life. There are only seven places Matthew is named (or Levi) in scripture. He is implied in many places as being part of the apostles in their work such as being sent out with power to perform miracles or to teach in the cities.

Matthew had a lucrative job. His position as a tax collector was one of wealth and certain influence in the community. Hated by his own people as a representative of the Roman oppression Matthew would be viewed with disdain by others. Jesus comes along and bids him follow after a teacher that offers no wealth, no fame and certainly no position in life. And he still follows Jesus. He leaves his table and goes after a man that will be hated by the Jewish elite and murdered because of His teaching. Matthew renounces everything he knew to be a follower of the Christ. His life would take him to the cross where he would watch the one he gave up all to follow die with the curse of a cross. Early that Sunday morning his heart would burst with great joy as he saw his Lord face to face following the resurrection. For the next forty days Matthew would revel in the teachings of the risen Savior. Watching with longing eyes he saw Jesus ascend to Heaven. Ten days later he was with Peter and the apostles baptizing three thousand disciples into the new body of Christ. And then the mission he left all to accept took on a real meaning. Through his work the gospel went to every creature under heaven.

Like Peter would say later, Matthew left all to follow Jesus. The Lord saw fit not to include the story of how Matthew made that choice. Following Jesus does not take a lot of explaining. The reason Matthew left his table of collecting was that he only wanted to follow Jesus wherever He went. His heart was fully dedicated to the cause of Christ. It would be a great sacrifice but the trinkets of this world were of no value to Matthew. He knew the value of the soul over the failure of worldly pleasures. He gave his life fully to the work of the Lord. He worked tirelessly to tell others about his Lord. No doubt he suffered a martyr’s death for what he believed. He died living for Jesus because he lived to die for Jesus. He left it all.

Matthew was a chosen vessel for Christ. Like Matthew we are to follow Jesus. There are things in this life we must walk away from. When Jesus calls He demands dedication. God wants all of our hearts and our minds and our souls. Our worship to Him is full. The devotion to His work is completely given to His cause. Matthew became a proclaimer of truth to others. We can do no less. It is not that we are called to leave our jobs and wander aimlessly in life. Our example in the work place should testify of Jesus Christ. The influence we have in the community should reflect the life of Jesus. As a husband or a wife, father or mother we should imitate the character of righteousness. Jesus calls us to be His disciples. Will we take up the cause? Who will follow Jesus standing for the right; holding up His banner in the thickest fight? Listening for His orders ready to obey. I will follow Jesus. He has called me.

God did not call you to be canary-birds in a little cage, and to hop up and down on three sticks, within a space no larger than the size of the cage. God calls you to be eagles, and to fly from sun to sun, over continents. (Henry Ward Beecher, Sermon, 1887)

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