Matthew 13 - 14

Jesus instructed His followers in parable, a teaching tool that sounds like a story, but contains rich truths about other subjects on more careful consideration.  Those not looking for deeper meaning would hear an interesting story.  Those considering carefully what Jesus was saying would hear the great truths simply explained in a memorable way.  Jesus used this teaching method to instruct His followers about the coming kingdom ruled by God.  His teaching became so popular that many thought He was a reincarnation of John, who had been executed by Herod.  Jesus, however, was NOT a reincarnation; He and John were seen together many times.  Jesus did continue to demonstrate His power by proving that natural laws were no match for Him.  He fed 5,000 people with only a boy's small lunch, walked on water and healed many.  Jesus was a man, but so much more than a man!

Matthew 10 - 12

Jesus authorized twelve of His followers to represent Him in the land.  These disciples were given authority over unclean spirits and disease so that the miracles Jesus performed would also be accomplished by these men.  They were carefully instructed regarding their mission, what to expect, how to conduct themselves and the repercussions of their teaching ministry. Sending them out, Jesus continued to teach and preach on His own as well.  John, who had been baptizing prior to Jesus' ministry sent his followers to inquire about his authority.  Jesus proved to them that he was indeed the One John foretold.  In spite of clear evidence supporting His claims, many in Jesus' day refused to acknowledge His position.  Several cities in particular were outspoken in their rejection of Jesus, and they received a promise of strict judgment as a result.  When controversy arose (have you ever known a public figure that wasn't connected in some way to a rumor?) Jesus very succinctly set the record straight and when His detractors would not drop the matter, instead trying to escalate the furor, Jesus simply removed Himself from the situation.  The other religious leaders attempted many times to catch Jesus in His words or teachings, but He was always able to provide a very brief, clear and accurate statement verifying that what He said and taught was indeed in keeping with God's laws and commands.

Matthew 8 - 9

After delivering His sermon on the mountain, Jesus began demonstrating His power not only to teach but to heal.  He healed a leper, a centurion's son, and Peter's mother-in-law - proving His power was not limited by diagnosis, distance or disease.  His power over the elements of nature was also displayed as He calmed a storm that frightened even the seasoned sailors of the company.  His power over supernatural elements was shown as He cast demons out of a possessed man and into a herd of swine.  His power over sin was proven as He healed a paralyzed man.  Indeed it would have been easier to say nothing about his physical condition, but Jesus healed him to show that He also had power to heal spiritually.  Jesus was in the restoration business!  He restored health, He restored life, He restored sight, He restored speech, He restored purpose and dignity to a member of the lowest social stratus.  Above all, He restored hope and trust in His Father and encouraged others to serve the Father as well.

Matthew 1 - 7

Matthew begins his biography of Jesus by giving his genealogy, proving Him to be the Son of David and Son of Abraham.  His birth account was in keeping with the predictions made centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah, and was attested to by the appearance of the wise men soon after His birth.  Escaping the murderous plot of King Herod by fleeing to Egypt (again, in fulfillment of prophesy), Jesus grew up in the Galilean town of Nazareth.  During that time, a prophet named John began preaching a message of repentance in connection with Isaiah's prophecies of the voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord.  Jesus was baptized by John and tempted by Satan before beginning His public ministry in and around Israel.  The message He preached was the same as John's:  repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  After calling a group of disciples to Himself, He began teaching in Galilee.  His teaching - which carried more authority to His hearers than the teachings of the priests and Pharisees - centered upon the proper application of God's laws to not only a person's actions, but their attitudes as well.

Romans 8 - 10

Paul reminds his readers that those to whom God has given Christ's righteousness no longer face the threat of His condemnation.  They are free from the convicting influence of His law, while still bound by the controlling influence of His law.  They still follow His commands, but are not condemned for failure to live up to them.  The debt owed is not to the flesh or the law, but to the One who freed us from the law.  Our identification with Him will bring its own troubles and persecutions, but God is able to use even the difficulties of life to bring about ultimate good as He defines it.  With Him at work, what enemy should rightly be feared?  Nothing will separate us from His great love.  Paul's desire is for all to know God in this manner, yet not all do.  God uses even their rejection of Him to highlight His great mercy, grace, and goodness as He takes those unworthy to be His and makes them His own.  He does this through the transforming power of His Word (both the written word and the incarnate Word).  Those who take His Word find Him to be totally truthful.

Romans 4 - 7

Paul continues to explain to the Roman believers how God's righteousness is given and not earned.  He states the case of Abraham who was declared righteous by God apart from any work he had performed.  This righteousness is not transmitted via a ritual like circumcision or any other ritual, but merely by faith.  This steadfast dependence on God to perform what cannot be merited or earned is what demonstrates God's grace in declaring such a one righteous.  This imputed righteousness gives peace in times of trouble and comfort in times of distress.  Our standing with God is not dependent upon our outward circumstances.  Every person is born without this righteousness and is in need of God's transforming work.  Nevertheless, Jesus Christ proved to be a righteous man by living a life that was sinless and then sacrificially gave that life as the full payment price for sin's debt.  It is His death that qualifies individuals to be recipients of God's grace.  His life, death, and resurrection breaks the power of the law to condemn and enslave.  Because of Jesus, the law and sin do not have to be life's controlling factor.

Romans 1 - 3

Paul writes to the believers in Rome, thanking them for their bold witness to their city.  The reputation of these followers of Christ had reached around the Empire.  Paul's desire was to visit these saints and encourage their walk with God.  The city did not deter him, he was ready to preach the life-altering message of the gospel to them and their city.  The gospel message was clear:  man had violated a holy God's righteous laws and stood inexcusable before Him.  Whether they had committed the actions themselves or approved of those who engaged in such heinous practices, they were guilty.  It was not a matter of keeping the law, for the law only showed where it had been violated.  It was not a matter of nationality, for both Jew and Gentile were guilty before God.  It was not a matter of identification, for those both circumcised and uncircumcised were guilty.  The only group that had an advantage were those who took God's side of the issue and accepted His verdict of guilt as true and correct.  These are they who turn to a holy God and ask for His divine grace and mercy to be extended.  His righteousness is granted by faith in Jesus Christ's redemptive work of propitiation.  Righteousness, then, is not something personally achieved but is something individually granted to us by God.

2 Corinthians 10 - 13

Paul writes about the reality of the warfare in which he is engaged.  It is not against people, per se, but against spiritual forces that try to destroy him.  Because of this spiritual battle, he urges his friends in Corinth to not judge things merely by outward appearance.  Yes, his writings sound severe but they originate from a heart of compassion and concern for his friends and brothers in the faith.  His desire is that they continue to display faithfulness to the Lord.  He may not be the best or most eloquent apostle, but God is the One Whom he wants them to follow.  There is much about which Paul could boast, but it would not be profitable.  The glory belongs to God Who gives strength in times of weakness, not to the believer who is made strong to overcome.  Paul will come to see the church, if God will allow.  He ends his letter by reminding them of God's great love and grace towards them all.

1 Corinthians 12 - 14

Paul reminds the church in Corinth that they are a unified body, with skills and abilities that complement one another. Not all will have the same function, and not all will have the same amount of ability, but all are important to the proper functioning of their church.  The overriding principle is the exercise of love.  Regardless of the specific ability or gift they may have, it is to be used in love for the good and benefit of others in the body.  Those who speak on behalf of God must do so in a way that can be clearly understood and with the expected result of growth and maturity.  The gift of speaking on God's behalf is not for self-benefit, but for the maturity, encouragement and spiritual benefit of others.  The entire structure of the church's gatherings are to focus on this one point:  the instruction and encouragement of one another in light of what God has done and Who God is.

1 Corinthians 9 - 11

Paul continued to instruct the Corinthian church about their habits of living.  He had set an example for them of self-denial and asked that they consider one another and adopt a similar stance regarding what they "could and should" do.  The focus is not so much on the particular activity as it is on serving one another in a way God would favor.  Paul brought out examples of this type of living by reminding them of the Hebrews in the wilderness.  They shared many things in common, yet displeased God with their focus on their own appetites and activities. The Corinthian believers would be wise to set aside their idolatrous items as well, so that whatever they did would bring glory only to God.
Paul is merely asking them to imitate his imitation of Christ.  Whether it be in modesty or in fellowship with one another, the focus is on Christ and His sacrifice not me and my liberty.

1 Corinthians 5 - 8

Paul begins addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church - a man who has carried on an adulterous relationship with his step-mother.  Rather than deal with this grievous sin, the church had taken no action, choosing to celebrate their tolerance.  Paul has no desire for tolerance concerning sin!  He commands the church to deal with sin as the serious and sobering offense against God that it is.  This church member needed to demonstrate with his life that God had made a difference.  In this specific area, God's glory was not being seen and he needed to bring his actions in line with God's commands.
Others in the church were using the state legal system to resolve their conflicts with one another.  Paul was aghast; certainly those who have experienced God's reconciliation should be able to mirror that grace and mercy to others.  Just because they could use the legal system does not mean that they should have been using it for those purposes.
Paul addresses marriage issues within the church.  Those who were married were to stay married; those who were single and happy to be so should stay single; those who were single and wanting to marry should marry.  God has called each person to their marital status and each should rejoice in that without making those of other marital statuses feel lesser.
The matter of conscience is also addressed.  Matters in which differing opinions exist should be handled in such a way that neither side becomes a distraction to the character development of the other.

1 Corinthians 1 - 4

Paul writes to the believers gathered in the city of Corinth.  He is thankful for the grace of God that has been realized and experienced by them.  He expresses concern that they are not as united as they should be.  Some cliques had developed among them, petty arguments over the superiority of one leader over another.  Paul reminds the church that the leader is not important; the gospel preached by the leader is, and all the leaders they were giving allegiance preached the same gospel.  They were united and should act that way!  Their allegiance should belong first, foremost and finally to the Lord Who saved them.  Such unity would be a mark of their maturity.  Instead, their cliques were a testimony to their delayed spiritual development.  They were being influenced by these great leaders, not to build the reputation of the leader, but to be displayed as God's building.
Paul's personal desire for himself was to earn the title "faithful."  His work was focused so that he would earn this accolade not from his friends or the members of the churches he started, but from God.  The church in Corinth needed to remember their importance came from a right relationship to Christ, not from a loyalty oath to a church leader.

Scheduling Conflicts

As the pastor (and entire pastoral staff) of a church in California, one of my duties is to make sure that events don't conflict on the church calendar.  By the grace of God, only once has the schedule clashed so grievously that I had to scramble fast to avoid a basketball tournament and a volleyball tournament from taking place on the same gym floor.  One lesson I have learned is that promotion is key.  The event needs to be talked about and talked up - for at least 6 weeks - if there is to be any significant response.  Everything from church dinners to youth activities, service projects to seasonal programs needs at least six weeks advance notice.  With bigger events (summer camp, mission trips, extended leaves of absence, etc.)  a full year is not out of the question.  If an event is worth setting aside time to attend, notice must be given!

Why, then, do so many churches and para-church organizations send out notices of their conferences, seminars, meetings, and retreats within one week of their occurrence?  I'm glad these groups are doing exciting things.  But, to tell me 72 hours ahead of time makes me think that either:

• a) I'm not that important to you, 
• b) you really don't expect or want me to attend, 
• c) you haven't put much effort into it and maybe I'll be impressed with the glitzy announcement and wish I could go, knowing I can't come see what a debacle it really is, or 
• d) some combination of the above.  

I'm not sure which is worse - getting information about an out-of-state conference that I wish I could attend or getting information about an in-state conference I really would have attended if only I had known.

Will Dudding did an excellent job advertising the Expositor's Conference held at the church he shepherds in the California Bay Area.  I think he was announcing the event 6 - 8 months ahead of time.  Every 3 - 6 weeks another reminder would come.  By the time I attended, I was ready and excited to see what had been prepared and promoted ... and I was not disappointed.  He already has information for next year's conference!  By contrast, a postcard came across my desk this afternoon advertising another local church's special meetings which will be held October 10 - 13.  The theme looks interesting, the speaker appears to be engaging; but my calendar is set.

So, do me a favor:  while you are promoting your events within your church, think of those of us who might also be interested and let us know with enough time to make arrangements to come.  You might be surprised at just how many show up!

Galatians 1 - 3

Paul writes to the Galatian church to encourage them not to abandon the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This news is divinely given, not the fabrication of man's imagination, and is transformational to those who receive it.  Paul gives examples from his own life of the transformation he experienced.  The power of the gospel transformed thought as well as action.  The rituals once looked to for acceptance into the group of "God's people" were no longer depended upon for admission.  Those who sought to return to following the law as the standard for acceptance with God were corrected harshly so that the bountiful grace of God might be mightily displayed.
This is what concerned Paul - someone had turned the Galatian's thoughts to following the law rather than relying on the grace of God for their standing before Him.  Paul reminds the church that those who seek to follow the law will always be condemned by it, since that is how it functions.  Christ, however, came to remove the condemnation of the law by becoming condemned in our place.  Since the law condemns all, Jesus' provision is available to all, and is able to make those under its influence sons and heirs of God.

James 1 - 5

James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, writes a letter to those believers scattered by the early persecutions centering in Jerusalem.  He reminds them that the times of testing they face will prove their faith in God to be sufficient and completing in their life.  When the temptation to do wrong presents itself, one should not give in to those deadly desires but be reminded of the multitude of gifts given by the Father of lights Who does not change.  His Word is to have an effect on life - not just on the ears; it will produce a life that does not show favoritism, that shows concern for others, that speaks wisely and encouragingly to others.  This life is characterized by wisdom and a preference for others' wishes above their own.  Such a humble life will be charitable in dealing with those who err, and will simply look to the future as a gift from God's hand rather than the outcome of predictable forces.  Those who choose to live this way will escape the judgment faced by those who oppress and act judgmentally toward others.  Instead, they will patiently wait for their time of reward determined by the Lord. Meanwhile, they will occupy themselves with assisting others in whatever way they can.

2 Chronicles 35 - 36

King Josiah prepared and observed the Passover celebration as a national worship service to God.  He went to great personal expense to ensure that all in the nation had a suitable sacrifice to offer.  This was the most elaborate Passover observance since the days of Samuel - no other king had celebrated to the extent that Josiah did.  King Josiah died in battle against the king of Egypt and was replaced by his son Jehoahaz - who only reigned 3 months before being replaced by the Egyptians with his brother Jehoiakim.
Jehoiakim was an evil man who was captured by king Nebuchadnezzar and replaced by his son Jehoiachin who was taken to Babylon after 3 months and 10 days.  Jehoiachin was replaced by his brother Zedekiah.  Zedekiah, an evil king, mocked the things of God until there was nothing left for God to do but allow His people to be taken into Babylonian exile.
For seventy years the land lay unoccupied by the Jewish nation until Cyrus, king of Persia, decreed that the exiles might return.

2 Chronicles 33 - 34

King Hezekiah's son, Manasseh assumed the throne at the age of 12.  Due to his early beginning, his 55-year reign had potential to be a great force for good. However, Manasseh was not inclined to follow the Lord the way his father had done.  He went to great lengths to undo the reforms of his father and enticed the nation to become more steeped in the religious cultures of the surrounding civilizations.  After God brought him into peril and he was deported to Babylon, Manasseh repented and God restored him to his kingdom.  He then instituted sweeping reforms and returned the nation back to worshiping God singularly.  His son (Amon) who succeeded him did not continue these reforms and only ruled two years before his servants conspired against him and installed his son, Josiah as king.
Josiah became king at the age of 8 and reigned for 31 years in a manner that pleased the Lord.  He instituted massive reforms and sought to bring the nation back to a correct worship and understanding of the God of David.  In these reforms, the temple was renovated and the book of the Law was discovered (how had it gone missing?).  Josiah and the high priest, Hilkiah, restored true and proper worship to the land after hearing all that God had commanded.

2 Chronicles 22 - 24

After Jehoram died (by the way, no one was sorry to see him die, either - how's that for a wicked king?) his youngest son, Ahaziah, was made ruler of the nation.  He ruled for only one year and was executed in the sweeping reforms of Jehu.  With no one set to take over Ahaziah's reign, his mother (Jehoram's wife) assumed the throne and executed all the other heirs to the throne.  One son (an infant in his first year of life) was preserved and hidden in the temple for 6 years.  When the young heir reached the age of seven, the priests staged a coup over the queen and installed young Joash as king.  Joash did what was right in God's eyes and enjoyed a forty-year reign.  He renovated the temple and repaired the building from the destruction wrought by the former queen.  When Joash's mentor, the priest Jehoiada, died at the age of 130, Joash began to stray from following God exclusively.  He began to lead the people into synchronistic worship of God and other deities.  Ultimately, Joash executed one of Jehoiada's sons for speaking out to the king and calling him back to worshipping God alone.  Joash died after a small group of Syrians stormed Jerusalem and left him severely wounded.  Joash's own servants finished the execution of the king because of his orders to kill the priest's sons.  Joash's son, Amaziah, ruled after his father's death.