Why Are People Reluctant to Go into Missions?John
Piper
When I spoke at Missions in the Main Hall Sunday night, I tried to give a
biblical response to possible obstacles that are in the way for some people that
may keep them from moving forward toward missions. My prayer is that God would use these responses to call more of you to
go. Here are eight objections and a biblical response.
1. "I am not smart enough."
"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe." (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)
"Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)
2. "My body and my personality are not strong enough."
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7)
"[Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
3. "I am not a good speaker."
"Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Corinthians 1:17)
"Moses said to the Lord, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." (Exodus 4:10-12)
4. "I am afraid of the horrors I read about in the newspapers."
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore (katartisei-"mend" or "repair" your horribly disfigured body when the lions in the coliseum are through with you), confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:8-10)
5. "I am afraid I won't be fruitful"
Your responsibility is not to be fruitful but to be faithful. "And [Jesus] said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
6. "There is plenty to do here."
True, but there is a division of labor and God calls some to MISSIONS, not just evangelism. The difference is seen in Romans 15:19-24: "So that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I [Paul] have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named. . . Now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions . . . I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain."
How could Paul say there was no room for work when there were millions in that region to be evangelized? Because evangelism is not missions.
7. "I am not married."
The best spouse is found on the path of obedience. "An excellent wife [or husband!] who can find? She [and he!] is far more precious than jewels" (Proverbs 31:10). The finding is exceedingly hard. It will happen on the road of obedience.
8. "I fear that when I get there it might turn out I made a mistake and will come home with shame."
Which is worse, shame for having endeavored to follow Christ in missions, or fear to venture? Shame before others for making a mistake will not hurt you; it will humble you and can make you more useful in a new situation. But fear will make you useless everywhere.
Consider Ecclesiastes 11:4 and what it says about risk: "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap." Meaning: without taking the risk of sowing when the seed might be blown away and reaping when the rain might ruin the harvest, you will starve.
Oh, how precious is the freeing word of God,
Pastor John
The 5 Best Things to Say to a Friend TodayLysa TerKeurst
1. "I am not smart enough."
"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe." (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)
"Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)
2. "My body and my personality are not strong enough."
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7)
"[Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
3. "I am not a good speaker."
"Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Corinthians 1:17)
"Moses said to the Lord, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." (Exodus 4:10-12)
4. "I am afraid of the horrors I read about in the newspapers."
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore (katartisei-"mend" or "repair" your horribly disfigured body when the lions in the coliseum are through with you), confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:8-10)
5. "I am afraid I won't be fruitful"
Your responsibility is not to be fruitful but to be faithful. "And [Jesus] said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
6. "There is plenty to do here."
True, but there is a division of labor and God calls some to MISSIONS, not just evangelism. The difference is seen in Romans 15:19-24: "So that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I [Paul] have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named. . . Now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions . . . I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain."
How could Paul say there was no room for work when there were millions in that region to be evangelized? Because evangelism is not missions.
7. "I am not married."
The best spouse is found on the path of obedience. "An excellent wife [or husband!] who can find? She [and he!] is far more precious than jewels" (Proverbs 31:10). The finding is exceedingly hard. It will happen on the road of obedience.
8. "I fear that when I get there it might turn out I made a mistake and will come home with shame."
Which is worse, shame for having endeavored to follow Christ in missions, or fear to venture? Shame before others for making a mistake will not hurt you; it will humble you and can make you more useful in a new situation. But fear will make you useless everywhere.
Consider Ecclesiastes 11:4 and what it says about risk: "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap." Meaning: without taking the risk of sowing when the seed might be blown away and reaping when the rain might ruin the harvest, you will starve.
Oh, how precious is the freeing word of God,
Pastor John
The 5 Best Things to Say to a Friend TodayLysa TerKeurst
"Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's
people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)
I
remember sitting in the smelly middle school gym like it was yesterday.
I'd
survived the awkward and much-dreaded moments of changing into my PE uniform in
the girls' locker room. And now I sat on the hard bleachers listening to the
squeak of tennis shoes, the uneven cadence of bouncing balls, the teacher's
sharp whistle and the girls laughing behind me.
They
weren't laughing with me. That would have meant I was accepted, wanted and
invited in to be a part of their group.
No,
they were laughing at me.
I
was the subject of their gossip. I was the punch line of their jokes.
And
it hurt.
I
imagine you know that hurt too. Change the scenery and people, and this same
hurt can be found in most of our lives.
.
When your co-workers all make plans to go to lunch, but you weren't
invited.
. When that other preschool mom says, "Several of us moms are concerned with how aggressive your child seems on the playground."
. When everyone else's social media makes marriage look dreamy and uber-romantic as you're crying yourself to sleep.
. When that other preschool mom says, "Several of us moms are concerned with how aggressive your child seems on the playground."
. When everyone else's social media makes marriage look dreamy and uber-romantic as you're crying yourself to sleep.
Then
a friend steps in with a gentle smile and a few simple words of encouragement
and suddenly you're not alone.
I
want to be that friend for you today.
In
the midst of whatever it is that's made your heart feel knocked off-kilter, can
I whisper what I believe are the 5 best things one can say to a friend? And then
might you give the gift of saying these things to a friend today?
This
list is from our key verses, Romans 12:12-13, in a section titled "Love."
1.
"You're wonderful."
(Romans
12:12, "Be joyful in hope ...")
What
a loving thing to infuse joyful hope into your friend's life by reminding her
why you think she is wonderful.
The
world is quick to tell us girls all the ways we fall short. We are hyperaware of
our faults and frailties.
So,
what a precious gift to remind a friend of specific ways she's a wonderful
friend, a wonderful mom, a wonderful Jesus girl, a wonderful wife, a wonderful
co-worker, a wonderful person.
2.
"Me too."
(Romans
12:12, "... patient in affliction ...")
What
a gift to remind a friend we all have afflictions, hurts, faults and tender
places. We all get sick both emotionally and physically.
The
patient friend freely gives grace because she so desperately needs it herself.
"Me too" acknowledges that I'm no better than you, but together we can get
stronger. It is such a loving and disarming admission that we're all in this
together.
3.
"I'll pray."
(Romans
12:12, "... faithful in prayer.")
Wouldn't
it be wonderful to tell a friend you will absolutely be faithful in your prayers
for her? I have someone who prays for me faithfully and even texts me Scriptures
she's praying.
But
here's what I really love about her. She doesn't just pray about my situations.
She prays me through them. I honestly don't know how she hasn't gotten tired of
praying for some of my same issues for so long. I get so tired of me ... but she
never does. What a gift. A gift I know I must pass on by being faithful in my
prayers for others.
4.
"I'll share."
(Romans
12:13, "Share with the Lord's people who are in need ...")
When
we notice a need in a friend's life, might we be willing to step in and be part
of the solution?
I
have a friend who lost every possession she owned due to a chemical spill in her
home. So, we threw her a "Job (like the man in the Bible) Party." Each of us
brought a few things to help her family start over.
We
didn't come close to fully meeting their financial needs. But we helped build a
foundation of restoration and gave this family the assurance that God was
working on their behalf.
5.
"Come over."
(Romans
12:13, "Practice hospitality.")
Welcoming
a friend inside the sacred space of our home is such a needed gesture. There's
just something about relationships that are less pixilated when we get
eye-to-eye, voice-to-voice and talk. Really talk.
Over
broken bread we share broken hearts. And then we celebrate the parts of us that
are still intact. We reach across the table and across our differences to grab
hold of the glorious bond of friendship.
Yes,
these are 5 great things, maybe even the best things, to say to a friend. So,
today, I pause and say them to you.
Now,
I haven't quite figured out how to do that last one. It would be such a hoot
trying to fit you all in my kitchen, but I sure am dreaming about it!
Dear
Lord, thank You for the gift of friendship. Please show me who I can encourage
today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Why My Savior Complex Had to DieAmy Carroll
"For
even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his
life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 (NLT)
For
years, something in me longed to be a savior. It was the space within my heart
that lit with imagination when I watched heroes on TV save a falling baby with a
mattress, rescue survivors from a mudslide or wrestle a hijacker to the floor of
a plane. I aspired to be a woman with such daring, admired by thousands.
That
desire carried me on a trip to Kolkata, India, where I was determined to make a
difference with my positive attitude and can-do spirit!
I
prepared with confidence and traveled with bravado, but when I arrived in the
city, my assurance began to wilt. Walking out of the airport into the dead of
the night, our team was surrounded at once with impoverished women and children
begging. Shouldn't they be sleeping?
Decrepit
buildings lined potholed streets, patrolled by feral dogs and rifle-armed
policemen. Rancid smells and unfamiliar sights assailed our senses.
On
the way to our hotel, we drove by a billboard proclaiming, "Kolkata: City of
Joy." The very idea whiplashed my brain, and my deepest motives were
exposed. What was I thinking? This isn't a job for me ... making Kolkata the
City of Joy is truly a God-sized job!
In
that moment, my desire to be a hero was both exposed and crushed. My smile and
positive attitude alone would not feed the hungry, free women from oppression or
liberate captives from spiritual darkness with. No, only Jesus the Savior could
meet such overwhelming need and make a difference! I was simply there to serve
Him.
Why
did I want to be a savior? The truth was a mix of good and bad. I desired to
help people, ease their suffering and introduce them to a loving God. But all
that good was spoiled when mixed with my desire to feel virtuous, to gain
recognition from others for the "noble" things I was doing and to feel I had met
God's requirements.
The
works inspired by my savior complex might have looked good on the outside, but
they were achieving self-gratification rather than pleasing God.
Jesus
is our true hero, the only real Savior. Jesus brings good news to the poor. He
can bind up the brokenhearted. He provides freedom for the captives and releases
prisoners from the darkness. Jesus brings God's favor, comforts those who mourn
and cares for those in need. He gives us beauty instead of ashes, gladness
instead of mourning and praise instead of despair (Isaiah 61:1-3). Jesus is
beautiful and powerful and worthy of being the Savior.
In
Matthew 20:28, Jesus reveals His superhero, Savior secret to His followers, and
it's a huge surprise: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to
serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."
The
secret is service. As we serve our Savior and those around us, we can become
behind-the-scenes heroes in God's eyes. Humble service may not make the news,
but it can definitely change the world.
Years
after my lesson in Kolkata, I walked into a new volunteer position with my same
bright smile and positive attitude. The difference was I wasn't there
to be a savior, but instead toserve my Savior.
Jesus
is the hero to admire; I'm just there to roll up my sleeves and stand beside Him
as He saves the world.
Jesus,
I praise You as the only worthy Savior. Will You change my motives from a desire
for admiration to a desire to humbly serve You? Please change my savior complex
to a servant's mindset? I long to follow Your example in serving Your people. In
Your Name, Amen.
Every
Doing Starts With a StepShelene Bryan
"When
Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the
mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"
1 Kings 19:13 (NIV)
When
I was about 13 years old, my family vacationed in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands
with friends. We heard about a local waterfall with a smooth slide carved into
the rocks. We were up for the adventure, so we went to check it out.
The
water slide looked spectacular. As we made our way to the top of the rocks that
formed the slide, I noticed a handful of local kids jumping off of the adjacent
towering cliffs into the water. Whew, that looked scary!
After
about an hour of fun on that wonderful natural slide (it's still the best water
slide I've ever been on in my life), we started eyeing the cliffs and the local
kids who were jumping. We looked at each other to see who would conjure up the
guts to be the first mainlander to climb the cliff and jump.
Seeing
how I always wanted to beat the boys, I volunteered.
I
made my way up a path cut into the rock wall. As I stepped up to the edge of the
cliff, where the overhang suspended me 30 feet above the water, I began to
seriously appreciate how high I was. Basically I started to freak out.
Tim,
one of the younger boys in our group, joined me on the cliff. He said, "If
you're not going to jump, move over and I'll jump. Are you chicken?"
Before
I could answer his challenge, a local man, who must have been watching me for
five minutes as I contemplated jumping, said, "Just step off."
"What?"
I yelled.
"Just
step off," he repeated.
"Yeah,"
Tim echoed. "Just step off."
Just
taking a step seemed easy. I took steps all day long. What was the big deal?
It's just a step. With that, I moved to the edge, closed my eyes tight and
simply took a small step forward. My body instantly plunged into space and I
free fell with a scream of thrill all the way to the water. I came up out of the
water feeling like a stunt girl on Hawaii Five-0.
Are
you standing on a "cliff," unable to jump? Are you feeling like God wants you to
make a radical change, but you just can't? Some people are born jumpers. Others
are more like I was: frozen on the edge of that cliff, unwilling to jump but
willing to take a small step.
Throughout
history God has prodded His people with questions and suggestions to help us
figure out what we are doing for Him. Kind of like that man's comment to me to
step off the cliff.
An
example of this kind of question is asked of one of my favorite Bible
characters: A prophet named Elijah. Elijah had a deep love of God. And in 1
Kings 19, God quietly called out to Elijah through a whisper in the midst of a
series of riotous distractions.
God
asked a very simple question: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
The
question was not for God's benefit and certainly not for His information. God
already knew the answer before He whispered the question. God designed that
question to help Elijah come to grips with what he was going to do.
Nearly
three millennia later, God asks the same question of me: "What are you doing
here, Shelene?"
His
question asks me to consider where I am. It challenges me to see where I need to
go. And then it prompts me to take my next step.
I
may not be a jumper, but I can take a step.
Lord,
help me recognize Your voice when You call. Help me recognize Your trustworthy
character and trust that You have my best interests in mind. Burn into my heart
the desire to do the tasks You want me to accomplish for You. Give me the
strength and courage to take the first step toward what You want me to do. In
His Name, Amen.
A
Resurrection of CompassionTracie Miles
"Because
of the LORD's great love we are not
consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is
your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
As
soon as I answered the phone, I heard the panic in her voice.
My
daughter had called to ask if she had possibly left her new iPod in the car that
morning. After searching thoroughly to no avail, her worst fears became a
reality - the music player was missing.
I
immediately went to the school and met with the principal to file a report about
the missing iPod, where I learned there had been a rash of thefts since school
had resumed after the holidays. When my daughter joined us, I could see the
sadness in her eyes, hear the loss in her voice and sense the overwhelming
regret pouring out of her heart.
As
she settled into the chair beside me, I knew she was beating herself up inside.
The lost item had been a special gift. Now it was gone.
Soon
the tears she'd been holding back could no longer be restrained, as she
expressed how desperately she wished she could go back in time. What if she
had left it at home or in the car? Or not left her purse unattended? What if she
had been more responsible?
Hugging
her tightly, I sent her off to class. But as she walked away, slumped shoulders
carrying the weight of regret and sorrow, maternal emotion overcame me.
I
wanted to sprint down the hall like a mom on a mission, scoop her up into my
arms, and whisk her home where we could snuggle up in a blanket, drink hot
chocolate and watch silly cartoons. I felt an overwhelming compassion building
up inside me.
Although
my daughter's pain was over a material item that could be replaced in time, in
that moment, I just wanted to take away her hurt and regret.
Could
it be that my parental compassion is even a hint of what God feels for us?
Today's
verse reminds us that God feels an immense compassion for us, which far exceeds
mine. In Lamentations 3, the prophet Jeremiah (believed to be the author) told
God's people that although they had been unfaithful for many years, God would
still have compassion on them. And because of that compassion, they could have
hope.
Thinking
back on that day at school, I thought of the many years I lived with regret,
desperately longing to go back in time and get a second chance. But shame and
regret held my heart captive.
I
remembered the heaviness that came with shouldering all the "what ifs" and "if
onlys," while beating myself up inside, knowing I couldn't change the past.
But
all those regrets lost their grip on me the day I embraced God's promises of
unconditional forgiveness and love. When I finally understood His compassion, I
realized that just like the iPod, my past mistakes were history too.
When
we struggle with our own set of "what ifs" and "if onlys," God wants to show us
His faithfulness and shower us with compassion, even if we have been unfaithful
or messed up more times than we want to count. If we accept Him as our Savior,
we open the door for Him to erase our regrets and shame once and for all.
Last
week, on Easter Sunday, we came face to face with the depth of God's mercy, as
we celebrated the greatest act of compassion ever known - the death and
resurrection of Jesus.
God
was a Father on a mission, compelled by overwhelming compassion and a
willingness to do whatever it took to scoop us up into His arms and atone for
our mistakes, making them nothing more than history. He died to carry our
burdens so we wouldn't have to, and so we could be free to live in peace, not
regret.
Jesus
was resurrected so we can experience His mercies anew every day. Now that is an
act of compassion worth celebrating.
Jesus,
thank You for dying on the cross for me, so that I might be freed from my past
and have eternal life with You. I praise You for Your undeserved compassion and
mercy. I love You. In Your Name, Amen.
Wandering
Stars
"[They are] wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." (Jude 1:13)
"[They are] wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." (Jude 1:13)
This
short reference is somewhat enigmatic. The five "wandering stars" of Mercury,
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were clearly known in Jude's day, and their
behavior had been plotted for many centuries. The Bible also uses "stars" as
figures of speech for angelic beings in Job and Revelation.
It
is clear in context that Jude is referencing ungodly people, most likely
influential leaders in the churches who are damaging and defiling the work of
the Kingdom. The particular focus of this example is that they are "reserved"
for a "blackness of darkness for ever."
Earlier,
Jude cited "the angels which kept not their first estate" as being "reserved in
everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day" (v. 6).
Peter alludes to the same punishment of "angels that sinned" who were delivered
"into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (2 Peter
2:4).
But
it does not appear that Jude is speaking of angels in today's text. Beginning in
verse 8, Jude begins to tie his illustrations to people-leaders who are misusing
their role and privileges for evil rather than good. All of the previous
examples are obvious: filthy dreamers, natural beasts, those behaving like Cain,
Balaam, or Korah-even the waterless clouds, fruitless trees, and foaming waves
are easily compared to human behavior.
How
do we apply this illustration? Since the Creator made all things, His revealed
Word often provides insight about the true nature of the universe long before we
discover it. Comets were observed in Old Testament times. Today we know that
they "wander" for some time but eventually dissipate into "the blackness of
darkness for ever." Just so, these "stars" may wow some for a season, but they
are reserved for an eternity in hell. HMM III
Waiting
"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" (Mark 13:4)
"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" (Mark 13:4)
Within a week of His approaching death, Christ sat down with His disciples
to talk of the future. He would be leaving, terrible persecution would come, but
He would return. Purposefully, no date was given. Their curiosity was no doubt
great, but Christ had other charges for them. Instead, Christ focused on other
issues, and His instructions apply to us just as surely as to the
disciples.
Whether things are going well or not, we must not be misled into a false
sense of security. The disciples were looking at the beautiful and serene temple
and grounds, but Christ predicted unprecedented destruction. "There shall not be
left one stone upon another" (v. 2).
Nor should we allow ourselves to be deceived by false prophets (vv. 5-6).
Scripture gives ample information to allow us to identify and shun these "wolves
in sheep's clothing." But to our shame, false teachings permeate our churches
and television airwaves.
Furthermore, when natural calamities and world turmoil cascade in on us
(vv. 7-8), we must not be frozen with fear. These things must come (v. 7).
Persecution must come also (vv. 9-12). We must not allow ourselves to be
intimidated in our witness or tripped up by bitterness.
Instead, we must "endure" and remain loyal to Him (v. 13). We must be at
work to spread the gospel to all nations (v. 10) in spite of the opposition.
And, "take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is" (v.
33).
As the events in the Middle East escalate and take on a character which
could lead to the sort of conflagration Jesus prophesied, let us commit
ourselves to the attitude of heart and life He commanded. JDM
Waiting
"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" (Mark 13:4)
"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" (Mark 13:4)
Within a week of His approaching death, Christ sat down with His disciples
to talk of the future. He would be leaving, terrible persecution would come, but
He would return. Purposefully, no date was given. Their curiosity was no doubt
great, but Christ had other charges for them. Instead, Christ focused on other
issues, and His instructions apply to us just as surely as to the
disciples.
Whether things are going well or not, we must not be misled into a false
sense of security. The disciples were looking at the beautiful and serene temple
and grounds, but Christ predicted unprecedented destruction. "There shall not be
left one stone upon another" (v. 2).
Nor should we allow ourselves to be deceived by false prophets (vv. 5-6).
Scripture gives ample information to allow us to identify and shun these "wolves
in sheep's clothing." But to our shame, false teachings permeate our churches
and television airwaves.
Furthermore, when natural calamities and world turmoil cascade in on us
(vv. 7-8), we must not be frozen with fear. These things must come (v. 7).
Persecution must come also (vv. 9-12). We must not allow ourselves to be
intimidated in our witness or tripped up by bitterness.
Instead, we must "endure" and remain loyal to Him (v. 13). We must be at
work to spread the gospel to all nations (v. 10) in spite of the opposition.
And, "take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is" (v.
33).
As the events in the Middle East escalate and take on a character which
could lead to the sort of conflagration Jesus prophesied, let us commit
ourselves to the attitude of heart and life He commanded. JDM
Jude connects together a string of 21 illustrations to describe the
character of ungodly men who are attacking "the faith once delivered to the
saints" (v. 3). This very poignant letter literally sizzles with scathing
imagery for those who dare to stir up dissention and disobedience among God's
people.
The particular image in verse 13 is of roiling billows surging ashore after
a storm, spitting out "shame" from amidst the foam. The physical picture is
disgusting enough. As the energy of the storm increases the waves' height and
frequency, the detritus in and on the ocean is picked up and carried along. As
the waves rise up toward the shore, they break and the foam begins to collect
and then spew out the "shame" previously covered by the depths.
Isaiah's comparison is most apt: "But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt" (Isaiah
57:20). The shame cast up by these raging waves is not just filthy but also
damaging to those among whom the shame is dumped.
Paul warned the Corinthian church about those who dealt with "hidden things
of dishonesty," were "walking in craftiness," or were "handling the word of God
deceitfully." In vivid contrast, Paul and his co-laborers openly displayed "the
truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians
4:2). Like Jude, Paul forecasts only destruction for these kinds of people.
They brag "in their shame" and have their mind set on "earthly things" (Philippians
3:19).
"Foaming" at the mouth is frequently connected with demonic oppression in
Scripture (Mark 9:17-18; Luke 9:39;
etc.). Medically, the symptom is seldom positive. Perhaps Jude is offering a
glimpse of the devilish source of such "raging" and raising a further alarm. HMM
III
Specific
Creation
"All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds." (1 Corinthians 15:39)
The doctrine of special creation means that creation took place by
supernatural processes and that each created entity was specifically planned and
formed by God. This doctrine is clearly taught in the Genesis record, where the
phrase "after his kind" is used no less than ten times in the very first
chapter.
One such remarkable reference is found here in 1 Corinthians
15:37-44. The distinctiveness of several major realms of creation is set forth
as follows:
Botanical: "God giveth . . . to every seed his own body"
(v. 38).
Zoological: "All flesh is not the same flesh" (our text).
Physical: "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies
terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the
terrestrial is another" (v. 40). Thus, although all celestial bodies may be made
of the same basic chemical elements, planet Earth is unique in its complexity
and purpose.
Astral: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory
of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another
star in glory" (v. 41). Even among the celestial bodies, each star is unique.
Spiritual: "There is a natural body, and there is a
spiritual body" (v. 44). The Scriptures indicate that although they are
genuinely physical bodies, they will one day be supernatural
bodies, not controlled by the present force systems of nature.
God has a noble purpose for each created system, and He has
specially designed each for that purpose. Although He has made ample provision
for "horizontal" changes within the system, never can one evolve "vertically"
into a more complex system. HMM
"All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds." (1 Corinthians 15:39)
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