August 31, 2006
The
item I started to post here this day turned into a full fledged article. :-) You
can read it here:
Who Is Polluting the Environment?
August
22, 2006
The Ark of the Covenant
Jeremiah 3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
This verse is in the context of the coming Kingdom of Christ when His throne will be at Jerusalem. Please notice that the ark of the covenant will not be needed, it will not be thought of nor remembered, and it will not be visited. None of the old things relating to it will be done any more.
This is important for us to acknowledge and believe because it seems like there is always some "scholar" or "archeologist" or "theologian" who wants to "find the ark of the covenant" or claims that he already has. The Jews still would like to find the original one to be sure, for they are in unbelief (Rom. 11:32) and do not understand that it isn't needed now. They can come to God through faith in their Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the High Priest of the believer at the throne in heaven (Heb. 4:14-16).
The Jews will not need the ark of the covenant in the Kingdom because Christ Himself will be there for them to worship in person. We do not need it now for we can go directly to the throne in heaven through the Lord Jesus. So, all the efforts, mysteries, drama, suspense, videos, and sermons surrounding the ark are pointless. Those who claim to have found the ark, or that it needs to be found or that they know where it is are wasting time on a pointless endeavor! Yes, pointless! A waste of time - and money.
But, I do know where the ark is. :-) Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. I think it's pretty safe there, personally. And, since it isn't needed in the Kingdom and we don't need it now, I suggest we leave it there - as if we had any choice in the matter. (Also see Heb. 8:5, 9:11-12 & 23-24 for further study.)
CA
August
17, 2006
Escaping the Old Testament Law
Paul told the saints at Galatia, I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 2:21 - 3:2 And again, on this same subject, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
Despite this, there are a lot of people these days who are returning to the O.T. law, sometimes called Torah Observance. Many of them have Hebrew Roots overtones. That is to say, they think church age Christians should be getting back to our "Hebrew roots" - keeping some of the law (they never keep it all), observing the Jewish feasts, calling Jesus "Jeshua" and God "Jehovah" or "YWH" and many like things.
I was interested on my recent reading through Hebrews to notice some good reasons why we should not be returning to the Old Testament Law! Here are some of them:
Hebrews 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. Christ could not have the power to save us if He had been made a priest according to the carnal commandment - Moses' law, the Torah. He had to be a priest in the order of the endless life to have the power to save us from sin! Why should we then return to the carnal commandment?
Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. The first covenant was not faultless! Why would we want to return to a covenant with which God finds fault?
Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 1) The law had only a shadow of good things - not the very things themselves! We now have better things, so why go back to the shadow? 2) The law (which included the sacrifices, which the modern Law keepers seldom keep) and sacrifices could not make anyone perfect. Through Christ our spirits are made perfect (Heb. 12:3) and we are complete in Him (Col. 2:10)! Why would we want to return to that which cannot make perfect?
Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) Why would we want to return to the fire and blackness and darkness and tempest of the mount that could not be touched, and to the voice and words they could not endure? Why return to fear and quaking when we can come boldly unto the throne of grace to obtain mercy through our High Priest, Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:16)?
No, let's not return to the law! For if we think we must keep one part to find favor with God, we are debtors to do the whole, and it was a burden too heavy to bear.
Galatians 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Speaking to the Pharisees who desired to put the Gentile church under the bondage of the law, Peter said Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Acts 15:10
In contrast Jesus Christ said, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29
August
11, 2006
Pastors According to God's Heart
Pastors are only mentioned once in the New Testament by that name (Eph. 4:11). But even so, what should a pastor be like according the Lord? In Jeremiah He tells us.
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Here the Lord is speaking to Israel about what He will do for them in the future when they turn to Him and their land is healed. It seems to be quite clearly the Kingdom that He's talking about. However, we still learn from this verse what a pastor is like who is according to God's heart.
First notice that the pastors will feed. They will not chasten nor chastise them. That is Christ's job. They will not rule them with a rod of iron.
This is not limited to the Kingdom era. Remember Jesus' words to Peter before He returned to heaven. John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Secondly, notice who they will feed. They will feed Israel - in this case believing and saved Israel, the ones who repented and returned to their God. A pastor according to God's giving does not spend all his time feeding goats. Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep and His lambs!
Thirdly, notice with what the pastors will feed the people - knowledge and understanding. Now whether this means they will exercise knowledge and understanding or whether the food is knowledge and understanding, I don't know for sure, but you pretty much can't have one without the other, as the New Testament indicates.
These good pastors will not "preach the gospel" constantly. They will not be reminding the people of their sin and guilt at every opportunity. They will give knowledge and understanding to those who hear them.
Knowledge of what? Knowledge of our Lord. (See how many times knowledge is mentioned in 2 Peter.)
2Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Understanding of what? Of the will of the Lord. In all things.
Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
2Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Too many pastors today are preoccupied with so many other things - philosophies of man, health diets, psychologically analyzing the sheep, goat ministries ("reaching the lost"), compelling the sheep to perform the things they deem essential, keeping up with sports, boycotting abortion clinics, supervising the personal lives and resources of the sheep, telling or hearing some new thing (Mars Hill), "fellowshipping" with other pastors, etc. etc. etc.
When you find a pastor who is according to God's heart, you will find him feeding the sheep of the Lord with understanding and knowledge. You will find sheep who are growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
CA
