"The Standard"

I had a phone call from a fellow who was seriously ill in the hospital. I never had met him before but his voice seemed rather urgent. Upon arriving he was almost pleading with me to pray for him so I did. I could feel his pulse in his hand beating. After the prayer, I began asking about his life and what brought him to calling me. He revealed something rather interesting. He said, "You are the last of the preachers/pastors I called to come pray for me!" It struck me there had been a line of people he had called. I asked him why everyone? "Because out of all the religion and non-sense in the religious world, I figured calling everyone to come pray for me, one of you surely is in fellowship with the Lord and the Lord would hear your prayer." That day revealed a lot to me. This man, who upon speaking with for a little while, was not in Christ Jesus but he was knowledgeable of God's word. He knew there was a standard of teaching! He knew that fellowship with the Lord is a must for God hears the prayers of a righteous man (Jam. 5:16). He knew that all this religion and teaching out there was not of God even though they used God's word.

There is a standard of teaching from the Lord. I realize many don't believe that. Paul believed there was a standard and just because someone says they believe in the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior does not make that a reality! Paul told the young preacher Timothy to "retain the standard of sound words which you heard from me..." (II Tim. 2:13). The brethren at the church at Rome was praised that they had been "slaves to sin, you became obedient from the the heart to that form of teach to which you were committed." (Rom. 6:17) Things like "that form of teaching" stand out to me. It wasn't a general form but a specific teaching they were committed to. Paul and Timothy both taught the same thing everywhere they went (I Cor. 4:17). You don't see that today.

Our society has quickly become a society where there is no teaching standard. Every thing is mixed together and poured and truth seems to be in the eye of the beholder. Paul was a preacher of the truth and that standard could not be changed. He preached it, taught it and eventually died for it! What about you?

"More Information"

For some reason there are those who think that God did not give us exhaustive instructions on life and living. (Goes against II Pet. 1:3.) Many believe there are things that God never spoke that we need to explore. I had a person who is extremely intelligent speak that to me the other day. I asked what they think God didn't go far enough in revealing to mankind and they had a list of things, the majority dealt with the human mind and worship. They were in pursuit of something they weren't sure what but they believed God had not revealed everything to us in His word. (It made me wonder how they were going to find whatever it was they were looking for when only God can reveal what belongs to Himself!)

I don't believe that. I sincerely believe God has given us every single thing we need to understand for man and how to apply the understanding properly. Paul revealed from the Lord that if we would present ourselves back, whole heartily to the Lord because of His mercies, there would begin a transformation of the mind and heart in the will of God, the things that are good, acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:1-2). The Corinthian brethren were warned that Jews run about seeking for signs and the Gentiles, they pursue knowledge and wisdom and that was not what the Lord was wanting (I Cor. 1:22). The apostles preached Christ and Him crucified as the power and wisdom of God (I Cor. 1:24). Jesus prayed before His arrest and death that knowing God was eternal life (John 17:3). We have all we need and more! The problem is too many are listening and looking everywhere but where God placed His wisdom and power and that is in His Son and nowhere else (Col. 2:3). Coming to know and understand Jesus will fill that void.

To pursue things that aren't mentioned tells us we don't need to know. If we would come to know Jesus, present ourselves back to God and renew our minds from what He has revealed, our lives will take on power that is beyond us. Searching for more than revealed is an endless search with no answers. It keeps man occupied but never coming to truth. Paul spoke to Timothy there are those who are always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (II Tim. 3:7). We have all the information we need! We need to learn to submit and believe it without twists and turns from our own thinking!

"Throwing Our Weight Around"

It amazes me how some people love to give orders! They feel their importance and position gives them the power to 'throw their weight around.' Elders can be really good at this! They are filled with pride and that pride drives them to barking instructions and determining the actions for others follow. It seems there is this invisible pedestal they stand on and nothing pleases them more than having people to bend to do their will.

Meet Diotrephes! He had a feeling of importance and power that he refused the apostles teachings and would not even acknowledge John's authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ (III John). He refused to welcome the brethren and even put some out of the church who did. What arrogance.

We look at Paul. Here was an apostle with some real weight but he did not employ it. Paul used his position to serve others. Paul reminded the Thessalonians that he and his companions were not seeking a reputation or standing on their dignity to require respectful attention and subservience. They weren't glory seekers even though they had the authority of Christ Jesus. Paul wasn't demanding and pushing his way (II Thes. 2:5-8). The authority the Lord gave him as an apostle was not to tear anyone down but only to build up (II Cor. 13:10). Jesus was his model and Savior. Jesus was the one Paul took instructions from and if Jesus being a servant to those around, how could Paul be anything but that?

Maybe its time for us to look at us in light of Christ. Paul said, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." (I Cor. 11:1) If we would do that, I wonder what things might look like in the church? The work of our Lord is far too important for anyone to strike a pose, develop an attitude of superiority or throw our weight around!

"Gehenna"

Jesus brought the unseen spiritual world to light for man to understand. One of those understandings was the Greek term 'Gehenna.' What did this word mean to the people of the first century? It had a significant meaning! The term came from the Old Testament Hebrew 'valley of Hinnom', a place just south of Jerusalem. This valley was part of the Israelite history where at one time, the corruption of the people burned the bodies of children as an offering to strange gods (Jer. 7:31). Can you imagine offering children as a sacrifce and burning them to death? God changed the name of the valley of Hinnom to the valley of Slaughter because God found their acts so repulsive and disgusting (Jer. 7:32-33). It became a place known as a place where God piled up the carcasses of unrighteous dead!

This Greek term 'Gehenna' would send fear and dread into the heart of the Jews. In the first century as one would approach Jerusalem from the south, they would pass by this valley on the left. It had become a garbage dump and the carcasses of dead animals were visible everywhere. Most people traveling would avoid entering Jerusalem from the south because of this valley. The stench was great and the smoldering of the flesh of dead animals was everywhere. To top it off was the visible hideous sight of millions upon millions of worms and maggots feeding on what was not being burned.

Jesus used 'Gehenna' in Mark 9:43-48 which we translate as 'hell.' A place of torment, the gnawing worm and fire. It is such a place that Jesus said extreme measures should be used by man to avoid. Jesus warned that man needs to not fear those who can kill the body but the one who can kill both body and soul in 'Gehenna.' (Matt. 10:28)

A place that is so horrid that Jesus took our place to keep us from there. Yet today, there is so little respect for God, His judgments and teachings. We throw the term 'hell' around at the drop of a hat. We speak of a person that suffers in this life as, 'going through hell.' We talk about a rough day using this term or a golf game that uses this term. We have more respect in this life for the term cancer than we do 'hell.' We have known people (and even our loved ones) who have suffered from cancer. We don't say, "They had one cancer of a time." We just don't use the term that is so deadly in that sense. Have we lost the fear of the Lord, respect for the One who can ruin both the body and soul in 'Gehenna' that we would throw that term around so loosely? Jesus sure didn't as He brought to light the horrible final dwelling of the unrighteous. It wasn't intended to be used in as a by-word or an exclaimation! That just dulls the spiritual senses.

"Salvation Is The Issue"

People want to be religious or feel a part of God through their belief. People talk about God and we are flooded with seminars, workshops, counseling, build up, tear down, do this, do that, give this, buy that, help here, reach out there and who knows what else. We are so busy with "stuff" that we might be missing the point. All this talk about religion and God, reading His word seems to miss the main point of what everything is about. The issue of God and our Lord Jesus is about SALVATION! Just read the gospel accounts and over and over you will see Jesus was concerned about salvation!! People fed, healed and helped with the end result of salvation. Jesus speaks, "You're sins are forgiven." The help wasn't about just helping but salvation! Even upon the Lord's return back to heaven, He left His disciples with the words to preach that gospel to all creation so those who would believe it and be baptized would be saved. It's all about salvation. The apostle Paul spoke that the gospel is God's power to save and he wasn't ashamed of that (Rom. 1:16).

Salvation is about being rescued from impending doom. Something is terribly wrong in our lives that we need to be delivered from. Man, all man, comes under the power of sin which results in death, separation from God and the ultimate penalty is eternity away from the presence of the Lord (II Thes. 1:9-10). People are in need of salvation. ALL PEOPLE!

Jesus said he came not to serve but give His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28). Jesus knows what is at stake. He is the ransom, the price paid to be released from impending doom. That means salvation is the issue. People can be religious, do good things and be active "for the Lord" and still be in their sins. People can assemble to worship, take the Supper and still be in their sins.

It leads us to a final question: why are we not converting more people to Jesus? Because many are content with religion and with all the religious business, there is little concern for people being lost. Religion didn't need to be established in the days of Jesus. It was very prevalent but they were still lost. For over three years Jesus proclaimed His death would be for rescuing of all manking. That is what His teachings were about. Religion never saved anyone! All the activities in the name of the Lord never saved a soul. Salvation is the issue, has always been the issue and will be the issue until the Lord returns.

"Can't Believe A Word"

In visiting another congregation, the preacher had some high college degrees (3 to be exact) and had taken two speech classes. He could definitely speak well and had depths of smarts! He ran circles around me in those departments. Upon visiting with the brethren, several made a comment to me that was really strange, "He's a fun fellow to be around but you can't believe a word he says!" That was troubling to my heart.

Looking at Jesus when He encountered multitudes, at times He would heal and feed but upon closer looking, Jesus taught! He didn't just cater to the physical needs of people but He focused on teaching/preaching as the greatest need. People need bread and many social and emotional needs but they need the truth! They need to be taught, they need the light, they need the words of God in the gospel and covenant. They need to be taught from those who are trusted and trustworthy with God's teachings. People who say God called them to preach/teach need to pay close attention to what they were called to do!

Preachers have this tendency to want to be liked by all and they do a lot of things that have nothing to do with their role as a spokesman for God. But in this position and be such a cut-up or comic that people say "You can't believe a word they say!" is troubling. Sometimes not just preachers but those tied to Christ are such 'jokesters' that people don't take us seriously. In teaching, people glean from psychological therapy books or we try to convince one another that life is not all that bad so let's have some positive thinking here. Many are trying to convince others that "living by bread alone" can be achieved! We walk away, having met the emotional and physical needs claiming we have done well and fulfilled the Lord's work! But who heard about God? Who heard about the God who calls us into a covenant relationship without which one will die in their sins? Who heard about the fullness of an immortal life so we can walk and live with God in His righteousness and peace? What is said about the gospel? Too many outreaches are about "living by bread alone." Then the preacher/teacher or Christian turns back to their jolly, fun joking self and it leaves an people with the taste in that fun stating, "You can't believe a word they say!"

"Anxities and Fears"

Many live with worries and fears. Their lives are dominated by such. Recently I was speaking with an individual and they shared with me that the stay in their homes except for going to the grocery store and basic essentials. I asked why and their response: "Our world is filled with so much violence and hatred that you could be killed at any time." Their fears had driven them to a point of withdrawal from society.

The first century people lived in a time of extreme violence. The Jews that followed Paul from town to town to discredit his teachings to the point of taking him outside and having in stoned in one place, leaving him for dead. Just read Heb. 11 and we will see what many went through in their lives because of their faith in Jesus. We aren't even close today to any of this. How does one overcome fear and anxieties that hound us? How do we overcome our worries in this world?

Fear and anxiety can only be overcome by knowing that we can trust God knows we need certain things and He will always act in our best interest! Jesus taught that in Matt. 6 not to worry about food, clothing and the basic needs of life. How can I keep from it? Because God knows our needs and we need to walk with Him, trusting Him in every aspect of our lives, putting Him first and He will automatically meet those needs. One has to know God will do as He says.

When we are hit with anxieties many crumble under the pressures of life. Anxiety attacks are more common than ever and we have seem to be at a loss for direction to overcoming. Where do many turn? Medications! That's the answer of the world. But in reading that New Testament and all the physical attacks and difficulties the brethren faced, how did they make it? Paul provides the answer from the Lord: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:6-7) We must know God! God speaks if you will trust Me, give those to Me then I will respond. You make the move to the Lord and the Lord will be there guarding the mind and heart! That's a promise. It is either true or the Lord lied to everyone of us. What do you think?