Growth, by Holy Spirit or Leaven?

On Saturdays I participate in a systematic Bible Study with some friends. We just started a reading of the Acts of the Apostles. Chapter 2 describes the birth of the Christian congregation and the phenomenal growth it experiences. It started with just 120 disciples of Jesus who had the power of the Holy Spirit given to them. The power of the Spirit manifested itself in the gift of tongues which caused quite a scene and many unbelieving Jews to gather to investigate. Peter stands up and filled with Holy Spirit speaks to them about Jesus and asserts that he is both Lord and Christ and that in order to be saved you must call on his name. The result is on that very first day, 3,000 are immediately baptized and become a part of the Christian congregation. The account concludes that, "the Lord was adding to their number every day". (Acts 2)

It would be reasonable to conclude that the Lord was behind such sudden, fantastic growth and gave evidence that this fledgling body had his blessing.

Let's flash-foward about three-hundred years to another time when the Christian congregation was experiencing tremendous growth. The Edict of Milam was just issued which legalized the Christian worship in the Roman Empire and the Emperor Constantine himself converted to Christianity and bestowed state favor toward Christianity. Writer David W. Bercot comments,

"Christianity had grown rapidly in the first three centuries, but after the coversion of Constantine the church mushroomed. At the the time of the Edict of Milan (A.D. 313), probably about a tenth of the Roman Empire had converted to Chrstianity. But that had taken nearly three hundred years. In less than a hundred years after the Edict of Milan, nearly all of the other 90 percent had been "converted." The church believed that this rapid growth was a sure sign of God's approval. Having accepted this premise, the church quickly adopted virtually any practice that resulted in growth, including the use of images in worship - a practice utterly loathsome to the early Christians." - Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up, p. 129

From these two examples of rapid growth we can see that not all comes from God's blessing and that corruption can bring about fantastic numeric growth just as Holy Spirit can.

This ties into another discussion that I have been having in our group about "leaven".

In Scripture "leaven" is a common figure of speech and is routinely used to signify corruption. Jesus thus warns his follows against the "leaven" of the Pharisees and of Herod. (Mark 8:15) The "leaven" of the Pharisees can be seen as their teachings that corrupted the true meaning of the Law. The "leaven" of Herod may be seen as a wordly political element that corrupted the Jewish way of life with foreign practice. In a similar way, the apostle Paul used "leaven" to signify "sin" that had crept into the Corinthian congregation and threatened to contaminate the entire congregation. (1 Cor 5:6-8) Equally he warns that Jewish legalism can act as leaven, corrupting and transforming the "whole batch". (Gal 5:9)

Since these scriptual references to "leaven" have a negative connotation it may be surprising to consider how in one parable Jesus compares the work of leaven to the Kingdom of God. At Matthew 13:33 he says, "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the dough had risen.". Generally,people conclude that this is a good thing that Jesus speaks of. They may understand this parable to mean that just as a tiny bit of leaven can work its way through a whole batch of dough, so too the Kingdom of God can start small, perhaps with one individual, and slowly grow to influence a whole community, and even transform the world. However, since in every other account leaven is used as something that is impure, sinful, and corrupting we have to question whether or not this is really a good thing that Jesus is speaking of at Matthew 13:33.

Some may feel that there cannot be anything unclean and corrupting within the Kingdom of God. But, if we look at the thrust of the other "Kingdom" parables Jesus provides in the 13th of Matthew we can see how in some of them there is a bad element present along with the good. For instance he compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a field of wheat that an enemy sneaks into and oversows with weeds. (Matthew 13:24-30) He speaks of the Kingdom as being a net filled with all types of fish, both bad and good. (Matthew 13:47,48)

[It can also be considered in his parable the women hides the leaven. There is element of stealth involved in the same way in the parable of the sower the enemy sneaks in while the field owner is sleeping and hides his weeds among the wheat.]

So if this leaven in the parable is a bad thing how are we to understand Jesus' parable? A good help is to consider an account provided by Mark 8:14-21. It reads:

"Now they had forgotten to take bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. And Jesus ordered them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod!" So they began to discuss with one another about having no bread. When he learned of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Have your hearts been hardened? Though you have eyes, don’t you see? And though you have ears, can’t you hear? Don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?" They replied, "Twelve." "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?" They replied, "Seven." Then he said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

At first glance the transition here seems somewhat disconnected and jarring as Jesus quickly goes from speaking of leaven to talking about his miraculous multiplication of the loafs. However, what is the common connection between the two? For me it has to do with growth. If you've ever made bread you know that when yeast is added to dough it can greatly increase in size - a handful can expand to fill an entire bowl. Similarly Jesus was able to take just a few loaves of bread and expand them to satisfy the needs of thousands. Outwardly both appear to be an expansion; however, the similarities between the two there end.

When making yeast bread you have to "punch" down the risen dough before forming it into a loaf to bake. When you do so the mound of dough quickly deflates just like a baloon because it is really just filled with air. The yeast adds no grain to the bread, only air. The growth is merely superficial. However, when Jesus multiplied the loaves by the power of the Holy Spirit he created something of substance, something solid.

When it comes to the Christian congregation growth can come in these two ways. When the Holy Spirit produces growth it is in the same manner of Jesus multiplying the loaves. Each loaf is essentially a duplication of Christ (his body being represented by the bread). It is substancial, solid food. However, when outside corrupting elements produce growth it is not a replication of Christ. It simply produces an impressive looking body of believers that has very little of Jesus' substance but it is filled mostly with other elements, like air.

Many religious organizations today cite their growth as evidence of God's blessing and the working of His Spirit. How can we discern if it is true growth and multiplication or false expansion produced by corrupting leaven? One way is to examine the body of believers that makes up that religious association. Do they give evidence of being solid Christians manifesting the mind and qualities of Jesus Christ? Or do they only superficially wear the name Christian and very little of Jesus is present admist a bunch of hot air?

Memorial Observance 2007

This picture was taken at the cabin where I and a few others celebrated the annual observance of the Lord's Supper on the night it was originally instituted, Nisan 14 on the Jewish calendar. It was a wonderful time of communion and fellowship that lasted to the wee hours of the morning. No one felt like going back to our individual cabin rooms so we just ended up crashing on the living room floor in down comforters, the candlelight dancing in the darkness. It felt like home and family.

I was reminded of this promise that Jesus made me,

"I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive in this age a hundred times as much – homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields, all with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life." - Mark 10:29,30

I can say this ...

I have everything. I lack for nothing.

This time last year I was being disfellowshipped and it was hard and it felt like such a loss; but, really in comparison I've lost nothing and gained everything - including life.

That's the trick - you have to be willing to lose it all to gain what you need. For every one you'll have to temporarily leave behind you'll get so many more in return.

With His Love,

Anthony

The Pearl of High Value

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he found a pearl of great value, he went out and sold everything he had and bought it." - Matthew 13:45,46

I was recently listening to a woman relate her experience ministering to drug addicts in Hong Kong. One of the things that her experiences have impressed upon me is the simplicity of the good news.

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses the common practice was to give people a head full of knowledge over the course of a year or two of Bible study and then have them pass a three-session Bible quiz before allowing them to become a part of the Christian congregation.

But this is not the case in Hong Kong where these drug addicts come to Christ quickly and things happen more along the lines of the Ethiopian eunuch that we read about in the Acts.

What I found interesting was that she said even after they come to Christ they still do not try to pump their heads full of knowledge. They leave room for the Spirit to work and lead them gently to the Truth. So as the addicts detox over the next few days they only read to them accounts from the Gospels of Jesus' parables and miracles.

She related something interesting about Matthew 13:45,46. She said that when they read that parable she always asks these spiritual babes who is "the man who sold everything" and what is "the pearl of high value". She relates that 100% of the time the men reply that Jesus is the man that sold everything and the pearl of high value is us.

Perhaps you've always heard it the other way around; but I can't discount the purity of their interpretation. That is that Jesus gave up everything, including his life, so as to pay the price to buy us; because he sees us as a beautiful pearl.

The other day we were talking about the value of Bible scholars; but, I'll take one homeless, illiterate, drug addict with the holy spirit to one hundred Bible scholars any day.

"I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children." - Matthew 11:25

Get You Feet Wet

The disciples of Jesus were in a small boat traveling by night across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had stayed behind on the other side of the shore to pray in a secluded spot. It had been a busy day of ministering to a crowd of thousands.

The wind blew strong against the boat, and the disciples struggled hard against the oars. They were most grateful for the expert skill of the former fishermen among them, the Sons of Zebedee, Peter, and his Brother Andrew; though at times even their abilities seemed no match for the storm they fought against. There would be no rest this night.

As the morning light rose over the horizon the weary wind-battered disciples looked out across the sea and spotted a very strange sight. It looked like the form of a man skirting over the surface of the water. Some thought perhaps it was a trick of the rising sun's rays across the water. A couple rubbed their eyes convinced it was just the lack of sleep getting to them. The spector came closer into view and it was definately a man - or something. Judas seemed to sum up the opinion of the others as he cried, "A g-g-g-g-ghost!"; simultaneously scurrying backwards like a crab to the bow of the boat.

The seeming apparition came into view and it called to them, "Don't be scared. It is me."

Peter knew the voice of his Master. "It's Jesus", he said in an excited manner to the others who were yet in various states of disbelief. Peter himself was amazed. He had seen Jesus do many things like heal people of their sickness and raise the dead. Prophets and holy men were expected to do that sort of thing. Jesus had just multiplied some loaves and small fishes to feed an entire multitude. Elisha had done something similar; albeit on a smaller scale. But, this was something new - strange and unusual. Was such a thing even possible? He couldn't believe his eyes so he decided to settle it once and for all.

He stood up at the edge of the boat and called out to Jesus, "Lord if it is you, command me to walk across the water!"

Jesus was the picture of tranquility and peace. The strong wind didn't even seem to rustle his garment. The Lord met his challenge and called out to him, "Come".

So without giving it a second thought Peter sprung over the side of the boat and began walking across the surface of the waters. As he headed toward Jesus there was such a mix of thrill and joy in his heart and a slight queasy feeling in his gut. His mind was trying to tell him this was impossible but it was hard to argue with his feet as they moved across the water's surface.

Jesus awaited him with open arms; much like a parent watching their child walk for the first time. A smile spread across the Lord's face; Peter always had that affect on him.



--



I've been thinking about this story lately. I'm particularly stirred by that picture of Peter leaping over the side of the boat - throwing all care to the wind. What possessed him to do such a thing? Sure it was one thing to expect Jesus to walk on water; but, what in the world made him think he could do the same? After all, he was just a man, not the Messiah, not the Son of God. But, that was really the point. His faith wasn't in himself; he just knew that as long as he had Jesus he could do anything - even the impossible.

I think about what Peter didn't do. He didn't try to intellectualize the situation. He didn't pause to check the direction of the wind and the airspeed. He didn't try to figure out if it would be better to run, or walk, or crawl. He didn't reach over the edge of the boat and test the water with his hand or his big toe. He didn't do some practice runs. He didn't stop and hold a theological conference with his fellow disciples to determine if it was possible. He didn't stop and pull out a scroll and see if any of the prophets had anything to say about walking on water.

He just did it.

He didn't ask that Jesus would catch him up and teleport him across or whisk him out of the boat with a whirlwind. He didn't ask that Jesus' would take over his legs and drive him out of the boat. He took the first step and then another and other. He took the initiative. He jumped out in the water and got his feet wet.

And he walked across the water ...



... at least for a short while; but, that is another story.

Good Gifts

If you want the Gifts of the Spirit - all of them - they are yours.

Paul writes, "And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls “Abba! Father!”" - Gal 4:6

Has God sent that spirit into your hearts?

If so you are a son or daughter of God and your Dad wants to give you perfect presents because he loves you. He is yours and you are his.

So Jesus tells you

"Ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and the door will be opened.

What father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

- Luke 11:9-13

We have nothing to fear when we ask our Father for such presents. If you ask for the Holy Spirit he will not give you an evil spirit, a scorpion or a snake. His gifts are good! "Every perfect present is from above, coming down, from the Father of light." - James 1:19

Paul says, "earnestly desire the greater gifts." (1 Cor 12:31) and again "desire spritual gifts" (1 Cor 14:1) This was written for you. Are we to earnestly desire something that we cannot have? Is Paul subjecting us to futility or an empty chase?

Jesus says, "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (Acts 1:8)

Believe him.

Jesus testifies, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)

Believe him.

The time is now. This day. This hour.

Pray. Ask. Seek. Knock.

If you believe in anything, believe in Jesus.

Fruitage of the Spirit - Part 3 "Joy"

Following Love the next virtue that we consider is “joy”. The original Greek word is xara, which carries the thought of joy, gladness, happiness, delight. It was the word that was used by the Greek’s to express satisfaction.

The desire for joy and satisfaction in our lives in quite universal and inherent. Solomon writes that finding enjoyment in our work is a gift of God. (Ecc 5:19) This is recognized by Thomas Jefferson who listed, “the pursuit of Happiness” as one of the God given, unalienable rights, of all men in the “Declaration of Independence.”

However, the “pursuit of happiness” has lead many astray if they do not seek after the right kind of joy. The Scriptures thus condemn those that would seek pleasure, happiness, and joy in sin. Those that “live for pleasure” are considered as “dead”. (1 Timothy 5:6) Hebrews refers to this as the “fleeting pleasure of sin” (Hebrews 11:25)

In life we are often met with the momentary nature of sinful pleasure. The joy of a night spent “partying” and binge drinking is quickly overshadowed by the next day’s hangover. But even more awful than physical sickness is the emotional sickness that accompanies such living. A hollow morning-after and a “dead” feeling can follow a night spent “hooking-up” for a chance sexual encounter.

The joy that the Holy Spirit brings is different in that it not only brings happiness it brings satisfaction and contentment that is everlasting. This is because our joy is rooted in our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus who are both everlasting.

The prophet Nehemiah writes, “The joy of Jehovah is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) The pure joy that God supplies give us power; especially when we need it the most such as when we experience sorrow. In ancient times people expressed their mourning by wearing a garment, called sackcloth. According to Psalm 30:11, God can remove our sackcloth, or sign of sadness, and clothe us with his resplendent joy. What a joy is found in God! The Psalmist again writes “You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.” (Psalm 16:11) And again we read, “I will be happy and rejoice in you! I will sing praises to you, O sovereign One!” (Psalm 9:2)

Through Jesus, God’s joy was made manifest to humankind. When he came into the world the angels heralded the joy that his birth brought. The messenger declares: I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10,11)

Those who receive Jesus as God’s Word are recipients of his joy. The prophet Jeremiah writes, “As your words came to me I drank them in, and they filled my heart with you and happiness because I belong to you.” (Jeremiah 15:16) The Psalms prefiguring Christ put into song the joy we experience in God’s Holy Word, Jesus. The writer of Psalm 119 repeatedly uses the word “delight” to express his feelings toward God’s commands, laws, statutes, and instructions. It is Jesus that we experience true satisfaction!

In the scriptures, satisfaction is generally in the context of eating and drinking. But when Jesus is our food and our drink it brings a superlative satisfaction beyond anything that mere food can bring about. Food and drink may satisfy our body but it cannot nourish our soul.

Let us reflect on this by thinking about a time when we were really hungry and we ate. The food brought joy and satisfaction but it was only temporary and after a short while we are hungry again. That meal only sustains for a few hours but that which Jesus provides is eternal. To a Samaritan woman Jesus contrasted ordinary water with the eternal water he supplied when he said, “But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) Jesus is the “true bread” and whoever eats of him will receive “everlasting life”. He says, “The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:32,35)

Sin is like that meal in that it only temporarily satisfies us and we are left again in want. Jesus though satisfies and us and provides joy for the soul that is complete and permanent. So it is question of what we are hungry for. Jesus says, “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6) Those that hunger after the flesh are never satisfied. The apostle Paul understood this principle as he writes, “For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) Our satisfaction is not in food and drink but righteousness and joy!

As we live in the spirit though we receive joy and it is in surprising places that we find it. James writes, “My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials.” (James 1:2) As we read this we can’t help but to notice how contrary to common thought it runs. Is it true that we can find joy in trials and suffering? Yes, but, not in our own. It is only through the power beyond what is normal that God gives. (2 Cor 4:7) This power is linked with our joy and is gifted through the Spirit. Paul thus prays, “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Notice what the author of Hebrews says about “Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” He says “For the joy set out for him he endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:22) When we reflect upon the brutal nature of Christ’s crucifixion it may be hard to see a reason for joy. In order to find his joy we have to put ourselves in his head and see what he saw when looked out from the cross. What did he see that filled him with joy? I invite you to look in the mirror. He saw you. You are his joy. “There is greater happiness and giving than in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) Certainly the greatest happiness that was experienced was experienced on cross as our Lord gave us all life.

It is in serving others in the pattern of Jesus that we receive his joy into us and this makes us “complete” (John 16:11) Now when we experience hardship and trials for the sake of others and for the sake of the Lord we may find ourselves filled with that same joy as we embody Christ. This was true of the saints that experienced joy in persecution for the sake of Jesus. After being beaten by the Jewish high court Peter and the other apostles, “left the council rejoicing.” (Acts 5:41) Later in the Acts of the Apostles we read how after Paul and Barnabus stood in the face of persecution, “they were filled with joy and holy spirit” (Acts 13:52) The author of the letter to the Hebrews comments how the Jewish Christians had “shared the sufferings of those in prison” and they "accepted the confiscation of [their] belonging[s] with joy" (Hebrews 10:34)

Today we can stand with the same confidence that even in the worst of times we can have joy in our service to God. As Paul writes, “May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father.” (Col 1:11,12) Peter invites the congregation to, “rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad” (1 Peter 4:13)

As Christians we also draw strength from one another. The faith of the Corinthian congregation caused Paul and his missionary companions to be “overflowing with joy in the midst of all [their] suffering.” (2 Cor 7:13) As members of the common body of Christ, our brothers and sisters are essential to our maintaining our own joy. It is in this body that we, “rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, and persist in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) On two occasions Paul refers to the congregations he help to plant as his crown of glory and his joy. (1 Th 2:20; Phil 4:1) We can picture the apostle beaming with delight as he writes to the Phillipians, “I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you.” (Phil 1:4) We cannot help but to feel the his earnestness when he writes to his traveling companion Timothy, “I long to see, so that I may be filled with joy.” (2 Timothy 1:4) Regarding those that John brought to a knowledge of Jesus he wrote, “I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.” (3 John 1:4) Just as these older men derived great joy from those that they brought to the Truth there was a confidence that this joy would be reciprocated. (2 Cor 2:3) It is in this way that we share the common joy; that we “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15)

In this world we are faced with promises of joy each and everyday. In many ways we are like Eve looking at the forbidden fruit, which was “attractive to the eye” and “desirable”. (Genesis 3:6) In order to lay hold of the real joy of Christ we have to refocus our eyes and have our gaze fixed ever upward to the unseen spiritual. Paul writes, “what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (2 Cor 4:18)

The unseen Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus our King is our pleasure and our delight. Laying hold of it worth losing everything else. Jesus describes it as a hidden treasure that one would be sell everything else to gain. (Matthew 13:44) Peter tells us about Jesus, “You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 2:8)

To us Jesus gives the invitation that we can experience his joy and have it be made complete in us. (John 17:13) You can look forward to the time when you will see our Lord again and your “hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away.” (John 16:20) The Psalmist writes, “one may experience sorrow during the night but joy arrives in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Even at the worst times in our lives we await that “morning”, that new day. We press forward to our hope of the time where our Lord Jesus will say, “enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21,23)

Jesus Juice?

Recently I have been exposed to different traditions of the Lord's Supper - of which there seem to be an endless variety. One thing that puzzled me is the predominance of the cup (or cups) of Welch's grape juice in place of red wine. Since unfermented grape juice is a fairly modern-day convenience I wondered where and why this tradition began.

In a nutshell, the "grape juice" tradition originated with the Welch's Grape Juice company against the socio-religious backdrop of the late 1800's prohibition movement. The father of the communion grape juice is Thomas Branwell Welch, a physician and Methodist lay-communion steward from New Jersey. Like many Methodists of the day, Mr. Welch was opposed to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and an advoccate of the temperance movement.

Since grapes have naturally occuring yeast it is impossible to prevent stored grape juice from fermenting and turning into wine. Thus wine was the staple of the Lord's supper table for nineteen centuries until a way was discovered to preserve the juice of grapes in an unfermented state. This came when Louis Pasteur invented his namesake preservation process in 1882. After the pasteurization process was successfully applied to milk in 1886, Welch wondered if the same process could be used on grape juice. In 1869 Welch successfully pasteurized grape juice and began marketing it to the local Church's as "Dr. Welch's Unfermented Wine". His son Charles would later join him in the juice venture, leaving behind a dentistry practice.

Their product was successful and caught on in both the secular and religious world. It was renamed, "Welch's Grape Juice" and the "Welch's Grape Juice" company formed. The Methodist church ruled that grape juice would officially replace wine in communion services. Other denominations followed in this regard. For instance Pastor Charles Russell, founder of the Watchtower Society, was also opposed to alcohol and argued for the appropriateness of having grape juice at the Lord's Supper instead of the traditional wine; though, he ultimately left it to the decision of the local groups.

So the tradition of the grape juice is fairly modern and grew out of the political, prohibition movement that was spearheaded by religious denominations, particularly the Methodists. Schools out.

Next up the secret origin of the waffle.

Psalm 107

I've been meditating on the 107 Psalm and what a beautiful picture it paints of Jesus, God's loyal-love.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
and his loyal love endures!
Let those delivered by the Lord speak out,
those whom he delivered from the power of the enemy,
and gathered from foreign lands,
from east and west,
from north and south.

When the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and raised he triumphed over the power of his enemy. As he was lifted up, first in on the cross and then as a lifegving spirit, he gathered people to him. He says, "Now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32) We, who put faith in Jesus, are delivered from this enemy too. As it is written, "He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good." - Titus 2:14

We are his and participants in our Father's eternal purpose. This great "mystery of his will" is "to gather up all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth." (Ephesians 1:10) Today he gathers together his believers as one body under his headship. When Christians come together in this manner is called church or congregation - in Greek the word is Ekklesia, a gathering. When we come together it is around our risen Lord for as he says, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

They wandered through the wilderness on a desert road;
they found no city in which to live.
They were hungry and thirsty;
they fainted from exhaustion.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their trouble
He led them on a level road,
that they might find a city in which to live.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love,
and for the amazing things he has done for people!
For he has satisfied those who thirst,
and those who hunger he has filled with food.

When John the Baptist came to the earth it was to prepare a straight path, a highway to Heaven. He came to prepare the people for the appearance of Jesus, the Anointed One. Jesus is our rest from weariness as we cross the desert. He is the rock that provides the water. Jesus gives us the true water - "those who drink the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." (John 4:14) He is also the true bread that comes down from heaven and it "gives life to the world" (John 6:32) Abraham, the father of our faith, left Babylon to wander the deserts for he had faith in a promised heavenly city. (Hebrews 11:16) Today we are lead to this wonderful City as recipients of that promise. "You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem," (Hebrews 12:22)

"They sat in utter darkness,
bound in painful iron chains,
because they had rebelled against God’s commands,
and rejected the instructions of the sovereign king.
So he used suffering to humble them;
they stumbled and no one helped them up.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their troubles.
He brought them out of the utter darkness,
and tore off their shackles.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love,
and for the amazing things he has done for people!
For he shattered the bronze gates,
and hacked through the iron bars.

Jesus frees us from the shackles of the Law, from sin, from death. He brings light into the world and opens our eyes so that we can see that light.

They acted like fools in their rebellious ways,
and suffered because of their sins.
They lost their appetite for all food,
and they drew near the gates of death.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their troubles.
He sent them an assuring word and healed them;
he rescued them from the pits where they were trapped.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love,
and for the amazing things he has done for people!
Let them present thank offerings,
and loudly proclaim what he has done!

Our Father is loyal in love. "God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) Even when we were like fools he sent his assuring Word, Jesus, and through him we are healed. "By his stripes you were healed" (1 Peter 2:24) He is the good shepherd who seeks out his lost sheep and draws them out of the pit. We live through him and even the pit of death is not too deep for our Lord to reach down and rescue us. Jesus is the living embodiment of God's loyal love - let us praise God for the lamb! Let us approach Mt. Zion! Let us sing before the throne! "Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name" (Hebrews 13:15)

Some traveled on the sea in ships,
and carried cargo over the vast waters.
They witnessed the acts of the Lord,
his amazing feats on the deep water.
He gave the order for a windstorm,
and it stirred up the waves of the sea.
They reached up to the sky,
then dropped into the depths.
The sailors’ strength left them because the danger was so great.
They swayed and staggered like a drunk,
and all their skill proved ineffective.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their troubles.
He calmed the storm,
and the waves grew silent.
The sailors rejoiced because the waves grew quiet,
and he led them to the harbor they desired.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love,
and for the amazing things he has done for people!
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people!
Let them praise him in the place where the leaders preside!

I'm reminded of that great sea-storm that tossed the boat. The disciples struggled against it but Jesus calmly slept at peace They roused him and frantically inquired, "Don't you care we are going to drown." Jesus turned and ordered the storm to be silent and the waves grew quiet. Let us have faith that Jesus will calm down the storms in our lives. Let us be at peace. The hope we have in Jesus is an "anchor for our soul, sure and steadfast" - it has chain reaching even up to the secret place of God. (Hebrews 6:19) Let us sing of his praise before the entire assembly of heaven!

He turned streams into a desert,
springs of water into arid land,
and a fruitful land into a barren place,
because of the sin of its inhabitants.
As for his people, he turned a desert into a pool of water,
and a dry land into springs of water.
He allowed the hungry to settle there,
and they established a city in which to live.
They cultivated fields,
and planted vineyards,
which yielded a harvest of fruit.
He blessed them so that they became very numerous.
He would not allow their cattle to decrease in number.

The redeemed of God have been brought into the Holy City. From the throne of God and the Lamb streams the life giving water that transforms the land, it brings forth live-giving fruit. Righteous fruit, the fruit of the Spirit of God, bring lifes to our dead body. Jesus gives us the live giving water that springs up from parched places. Let the spirit bubble forth and bear fruit.

As for their enemies, they decreased in number and were beaten down,
because of painful distress and suffering.
He would pour contempt upon princes,
and he made them wander in a wasteland with no road.
Yet he protected the needy from oppression,
and cared for his families like a flock of sheep.
When the godly see this, they rejoice,
and every sinner shuts his mouth.
Whoever is wise, let him take note of these things!
Let them consider the Lord’s acts of loyal love!

When Jesus came into the world the people were beaten down and oppressed. Our Lord "had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) Jesus is "the good shepherd." and he "lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11) "The Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev 7:17)

Praise Jehovah, our God and Father for his loyal love!
Praise our Shepherd, Jesus who rescued us and freed us - who heals us and feeds us!
Let us sing praise before the Throne of God and Before the Lamb!

Fruitage of the Spirit - Part 2 "Love"

The first quality of the composite “fruit of the spirit” is “love”. The Greek word used here is agape. Agape is just one of the many Greek words for love. While it is seldom found in non-Biblical, ancient manuscripts in the Christian scriptures it is the most frequently used word for “love”, appearing over one hundred times. Agape was also the favored Greek word for love in the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.

In the Septuagint, agape is used in a variety of different ways. It is used for romantic love between a man and woman as used throughout Solomon’s Song of Songs. It is employed for family love; such as that that exists between fathers and sons (Genesis 22:2; 25:28; 44:20) It is used to show affection that one might have toward his countryman (Lev 19:18) his master (Exodus 21:5) his king (1 Sam 16:21) or his friends (1 Sam 20:17). It also extensively used to describe the special affection that God has for his people (Deut 7:8; 1 Kings 10:9) and the deep love that they should have for him in return. (Duet 6:5). It is in this way that the agape is fully realized. Thus in the Psalms agape is used numerous times to describe affection between humans and Heaven. The author of the 119 Psalm uses agape thirteen times to describe his love for God’s laws, his words, his commandments, and his reminders.

In the Christian Scriptures agape love is further elevated as the ideal to which disciples of Christ strive for. It is the composite love that is manifest throughout the entire family of God, from Father to Son, from Christ to his body, from believer to believer, from God to the world. It is the very essence of God himself.

Before Jesus came to earth no man knew the heights of God’s love and this prohibited any man from really coming to know God. Jesus, as God’s Word, his chief messenger revealed this love to us and allowed us an unobstructed view of the Deity himself. (1 John 4:9; John 1;18) In his life our Lord physically embodied love. As he loved those put into his care he was living example of his Father’s own love. (John 15:9)

When Jesus came to earth, God’s people were burdened by the religious teachers of the day. Instead of teaching the Law of Moses, the legalistic sect of the Pharisees added to it numerous human traditions disguised as law. In doing so they ignored the spirit of the law and neglected important elements like love for God. (Luke 11:42) Jesus provided relief from that religious system of bondage and provided an easier, gentle yoke. (Matthew 11:29,30) Instead of adding to the Law he distilled it down to its very basic elements – or spiritual essence. When asked by an “expert in religious law” about the greatest commandment in the Law Jesus answered affirmatively, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The second greatest was, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37,39) The apostle Paul, himself once a Pharisee, came to realize this important point from the Lord for he too summarized, “love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10) Jesus stated that he came to earth to fulfill the Law. (Matthew 5:17) He did so by loving perfectly down to the end as he lay down his life for the sake of the world.

Furthermore on the night before his death Jesus commanded his followers three times to, “love one another”. (John 13:34; 15:12, 17) Jesus stressed that this agape love was to be the identifying mark of his true disciples. (John 13:35) Jesus referred to this as a new commandment and he instructs his followers to, “love one another. Just as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

It could be asked, in what sense was this a new commandment? After all, as we have noted, love was commanded in the Law of Moses and Jesus had earlier called attention to the superiority of law of love above all others. The answer is that it was a new commandment in the intensity of the love that would be displayed. Jesus called them to love “as I have loved you”. Further elaborating on his own powerful love, Jesus stated, “No one has greater love than this - that one lays down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus would prove his love by willingly giving his own life so that others would live. Agape is a self-sacrificing love so deep that a person will gladly lay down their life for others. The Law commandment that Jesus cited earlier required that a person love their neighbor as they loved themselves. Jesus now gives the superior standard of loving others more than we love ourselves.

The scope of our love is also extended along with the intensity of it. Jesus amplifies the Law when he said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:43,44) Our love is no longer restricted to those who will love us back - those who we would normally be inclined to love. It’s not even confined to just family or neighbor. From Jesus’ perspective “our neighbor” becomes anyone within the scope our lives – even those that we may consider to be our enemies. He illustrated this in his parable of the “good Samaritan”. Therein, it was the Samaritan, the religious enemy of the Jew who proved to be the neighbor of the Jew, by showing love that transcended national animosity, bigotry and prejudice. (Luke 10:29-37) Such non-discriminate love brings great rewards. Loving our enemies allows us be seen as “sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people.” (Luke 6:35)

When we reflect on Jesus’ command to love as he had loved our mind may naturally look toward his sacrificial death; and rightly so, for this was the greatest example of love in the entire history of the Universe. However it is important to note that he spoke in the past tense saying, “love … as I have loved you”. This was before his death so we must take notice of how his entire life course was one of self-sacrificing love. Paul later commented upon Jesus’ unselfish way of thinking, saying,:

“You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped but emptied himself, by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Jesus' entire earthly life course was marked by that noble love. He was willing to forgo comfort and totally expend himself in the service of others. (Matthew 8:20) As Paul writes to the Corinthians “love is not self-serving” - 1 Cor 13:5

As disciples of Christ we are entrusted with this sacred task of showing love to the world; but, within the community of believers such love should burn with a holy intensity. This is the essence of Christianity. John is sometimes called the “apostle of love” as he above all others really seemed to grasp the divine revelation of love in Jesus’ life and death. He was especially endearing to Christ himself for John was referred to as “the disciple whom he loved”. (John 19:26) In a letter to a congregation John distills the gospel message to, “we should love one another” (1 John 3:11) Loving our fellow Christians is the testimony that we “have crossed over from death to life.” (1 John 3:14) Jesus’ own death is how we have “come to know love” and we are thus called to “lay down our lives for our fellow Christians”. (1 John 3:16) And while we would gladly die for our brother or sister our whole life course should be of loving self-sacrifice and putting the interests of others ahead of our own. Love is more than just a lifeless theological concept but a motivating force for good. As John writes, “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18)

Through Christ we are brought into a community of believers, called the church or ekklesia and it is in this forum that we are tested in perfecting our love as fellow children of God. It is here that we show our love for Jesus by taking care of those who are his own. After his resurrection, Jesus stressed to Peter that if he truly loved him that he would shepherd and feed his sheep. (John 21:15-17) Peter therefore gives admonition to “love one another earnestly”, to “love the family of believers” (1 Peter 1:22; 2:17) He raises the prominence of love when he says, “Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8)

Likewise in the apostle Paul’s letters to the congregation, love is held high above all other things and is the tonic for keeping the Christian community alive and fruitful. A prime example is at Galatians 5:6 where Paul states that in the body of Christ the only thing that matters is “faith working through love.” One of the more passionate discussions of love by Paul is in 1 Corinthians 13. He begins by saying:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit.” (v. 1-3)

In the first three verses Paul shows the superiority of love over other Christian pursuits and emphasizes how without love all of our works of faith are null and void. Like tongues and prophecy, love is a gifted through the Spirit of God; it the prime gift superior to all others. He continues:

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (v. 4-7)

In his listing of the fruitage of the spirit, love is first and foremost. We here notice how some of the other qualities of the “fruit of the spirit” such as kindness, joy, peace, and long-suffering, are summed in love.

“Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (v. 8-12)

Paul shows the enduring, permanent quality of love. God is everlasting and since God is love, love too is eternal. As we grow toward maturity and fullness in the Christ we are gifted by the Holy Spirit to build up others in love. When we all reach complete maturity we will be love just as God is love. At that time our faith and hope will be met with the reality of the transcendent love that is God.

Paul wrote those words to a congregation that was plagued by division and their gatherings instead of building up were tearing down the body of Christ. (1 Cor 1:12,13; 11:18) As Christians we are encouraged to meet together with our brethren in order “to spur one another on to good works.” (Hebrews 10:24, 25) The Corinthian Christians had failed in that fundamental purpose in meeting together. As a congregation they had lost sight of the body of Christ and with it began to devalue each other. (1 Cor 12) The appropriate antidote to this bitter poison was manifesting the love of God and Christ.

Similarly, to the congregation in Colossae Paul wrote, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.” (Colossian 3:13-14) Again Paul here stresses the preeminence of love over Christian qualities. The entire body of believers is likened to a building, specifically that of Almighty God. (1 Peter 2:4,5) With the temple of Solomon no mortar was used and the stones where chiseled and cut to fit and held in place by friction. It is expected that in our relations with fellow “living stones” we will rub against each other from time to time; but, love, the “perfect” or “complete” bond, will hold us together and cause us not to divide. Love is essential to the success and growth of any body of believers as love is the uniting force between us. (Phil 2:2)

In John’s writings we have and unbridled view of fullness of the shared love between the Father and his children, and between believers. He calls to our attention how God has loved us by calling us to be his children. (1 John 3:1) Likewise when we “love one another” we reflect God’s love and this provides evidence that we have been fathered by God and know him. (1 John 4:7) Jesus opened the way for us to enter God’s family as children of God. (John 1:12,13) The same eternal love that flows back and forth from Father to Son is extended to us as fellow family members. When we generate that love in our lives we prove that we are part of this family and we have confidence in our relationship with God.

Love frees us from fear. Fear of death previously held mankind in slavery until we were released by Jesus’ loving sacrifice. (Hebrews 2:14, 15) Love releases mankind from fear of others and fear of death. We have confidence that our eternal lives, our soul is secure in God’s gracious hands and in the power of Jesus’ triumph over death. If called to, our love will take us to the death of our own physical body. Paul writes, “God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and self-control.” (1 Timothy 1:7) Love also frees us from the fear of not measuring up and falling into judgment. John writes, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18) We can be confident of God’s love for us despite the darkness of our personal past. As it is written, "God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) God’s love tells us that we are good enough and thus we have faith in our eternal security.

The love that Jesus showed was in reflection of his Father. John writes, “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16) Just as Jesus proved his love for mankind by dying for all, our Father in heaven proved his. He unselfishly gave his very best, his only son, to the world. Few humans would willfully die for another, and even fewer would give up their child for the sake of others; but God did this very thing for us. Who can argue against the awesome, resplendent love of our Heavenly Father? Paul asks, “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all us, will he not with him also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:31,32)

One of the most wonderful concepts in the revealed Word is that God can live in us and through us when we love others. Peter calls this “his most magnificent and precious promise … that we may become partakers of the divine nature.” The essence, or divine nature is love for “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) “God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him.” (1 John 4:16) Regarding Jesus, Paul writes, “For in him all fullness of the deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9) So in Jesus, the fullness of God’s love was made manifest and yet the sacred truth is that we ourselves can become conduits for God’s love. Paul prays that church in Ephesus would, “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that [they] may be filled up to the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19) The same fullness that dwelled within Jesus is manifest in those who believe and love him. “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts” (Romans 5:5) By practicing the truth in love we grow into a more pure bodily manifestation of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)

Love then becomes the binding force at work within the family of believers and it is a reflection of that love that is the eternal force within the Godhead. There is a powerful unity that exists between Father and Son; indeed, they are one. (John 10:30) We as children of God are invited into that union so that we too become one with the Father and the Son. (John 17:21) Through love, God resides in us just as he dwells in his Son Jesus. John confirms this when he writes, “God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him.” (1 John 4:16) Though no one has seen God when we love others we bring a visible representation of him in the same manner that his Son showed him to the world.

Our love for others should be the natural reflection of the intense love that we have for our heavenly Father and his Son, Christ Jesus. “We love because he loved us first.” (1 John 4:19) For example, we manifest our love for Jesus by obeying his commandments, chief of which is his command to love one another. (John 14:15) By loving Jesus, our Father loves us in response, and Jesus loves us and reveals himself to us. (John 14:21) This is because Jesus’ commands come from God the Father. When Jesus followed his Father’s commands he proved his love for him just as when we obey these commands we in turn become recipients for that same love. (John 15:10) Love of Christ brings is resounding satisfaction and leads to our salvation, as Peter writes “You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, because you are attaining the goal of your faith – the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8,9) And for those who manifest love for God and Christ we are brought into a bond that no man can sever. Paul asks rhetorically, “Who will separate us from the love of the Christ?” The answer is no one and nothing for Jesus’ devotion to those who love him is intense and perfect. “[Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39) This love then is everlasting and the future is only bright for those who have come to know the love of God and we have just been given a token of what awaits us in the future for it is written “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9)

The Tabernacle of David - Our Freedom

A friend and I have been discussing King David. I'm finding him quite fascinating. Some writers have made observation that he is like the New Testament in Old Testament times. For David and his companions there was no barrier between them and the holy - it just didn't exist. David is a forgleam of the freedom that we experience in the New Covenant!


Shewbread - Bread of Presentation

In Ancient times the shewbread or bread presentation was set before Almighty God in the holy compartment of the tabernacle or temple. (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5,6) Only the priests could enter the holy, only consecrated priests could eat the showbread. To the contrary in the recorded account in 1 Samuel 21:1-8 David and his men eat the bread of presentation. They broke the law - surely they should be condmened! They weren't. They weren't condemmed by the priesthood then. Jesus didn't condemn them either but rathered used this account of David of eating the shewbread as a favorable example in defense of his own action. (Luke 6:1-5)

The example of the shewbread pales in comparison to the "Tabernacle of David" and what went on there which is absolutely MIND-BLOWING!

Tabernacle of David

Have you heard of the Tabernacle of David? The Tabernacle of Moses is very familiar as is the temple of Solomon but I didn't really know too much about the oft-overlooked "tabernacle of David". In fact I didn't even know it existed. When I was recently told about it from another Christian it bowled me over. It is so FASCINATING and very important I would like to share this information with you.

First why is it important?

Amos prophecies, "On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;" - Amos 9:11

Then in the early days of the Christian congregation a problem arises over the gentiles coming into the Church and the problem manifested itself over the issue of circumcism. This issue was dealt with in Jerusalem and is recorded in Acts 15. In coming to a decision James under Holy Spirit references this prophecy of Amos - the restoration of the tabernacle of David!

Why? The Tabernacle of David refers to unfettered and completely accesible worship in the presence of God without any barriers, barricades, blockades, doors, or dividing walls!

To understand the Tabernacle of David we first have to go back to the Tabernacle of Moses in how it was arranged. There were three areas.

1.) The Courtyard

The courtyard contained the brazen altar for sacrifices and the lever for the cleansing of the priests. Everyone is Israel was permitted to enter the courtyard. They could worship God freely there.

2.) The Holy Place

Within the courtyad was the Holy Place. This was where we find the altar of incense, the lampstand, and the table of the shewbread. Entrance was restricted to just the priests.

3.) The Most Holy Place

Within the Holy Place was a veiled area called the Most Holy Place. It contained only one item. The ark of the covenant which represented the throne of God and his Holy presence. Entrance was limited to just one person - the High Priest, once a year.

This was how it was down to the days of Eli the High Priest. The traveling Tabernacle of Moses was now stationed in Shiloh. Eli had two good for nothing sons named Hophi and Phineas who served with him as priests in the tabernacle. These were the guys who were having sex relations with women at the gates of the tabernacle and eating the fatty portions of the offerings reserved for God. (1 Samuel 2:22-25)

One day Israel gets into a battle with the neighboring Phillistines. Israel had always had success against the Phillistines but on that day they were defeated and lost 4,000 men! So the people are confused. "Why didn't God fight for us?" they wonder. So they hatch this "brilliant" idea to go get the ark of the covenant and bring it into battle. They reason if God doesn't want to show up for the battle we will just go get him and bring him to it. So Hophni and Phineas violate the Most Holy Place and take the ark of covenant into battle. And surprise, surprise God still doesn't show up. Hophni and Phineas die along with 30,000 Israelites! Worst of all the ark of the covenant is taken by the Philistines! When Eli hears the news about the ark he falls over backward and dies. (1 Samuel 4)

Now the Phillistines take the ark and station it in their chief city of Ashdod, but it brings plagues so they pass it to Gath. The same things happen in Gath so the people of Gath send it to Ekron. Ekron is terrified so they wise up and say, "Enough, let's send it back to Israel". So they load up the ark in cart and drive it back to Israel. (1 Samuel 5)

Israel of course is overjoyed to receive the ark back. It was a dark day when it was stolen and "the glory had departed". The ark is pulled into Besh Shemash and the people are really, really happy. But they do something incredibly stupid. They decide to take off the lid of the ark, the mercy seat, and peek inside. When the mercy seat is removed, the broken law is uncovered by the blood of atonement and they are condemned to death and instantly die. So the people get frightened and call for some people from Kiriath Jearim to come get the ark. (1 Samuel 6)

Interestingly the ark is not brought back to the tabernacle of Moses in Shiloh. Instead it is taken to the house of Abinadab in Kiriath Jearim where it is guarded by his son Eleazar (1 Samuel 7:1) And there it stays during entire the reign of Saul until the days when David reigns as King.

David loves God and wants to bring him back. So he calls upon the people to go get the ark from Kiriath Jearim and bring it back to Israel. A wonderful idea with just one problem -- they load up the ark on a cart. Remember that the cart idea was originally the brain-child of the heathen Philistines. As the ark travels upon this rickety invention of man it hits a bump on a threshing floor (The place where the wheat is seperated from the chaff). The ark wobbles so a man named Uzza reaches out to steady it and is struck dead. So David gets frightened and doesn't bring the ark back to his city but they store it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. (1 Chronicles 13)

The ark is in the house Obed-Edom, blessing his family for for three months, and during that time David reads up on the Law and figures out that only the God ordained way to transport the ark is carried on staves by sanctified priests. So all the priests assemble and prepare to bring the ark to the City of David. And it is the biggest party in all of Israel. There are musicians and singers and even David himself strips down to a linen shift and dances in the presence of God. (1 Chronicles 15)

They bring the ark back, not to the Tabernacle of Moses which is now in Gibeon, but to the simple canvas tent David has erected upon Mt. Zion. David makes burnt offerings and then stations people to sing songs and play music in the presence of the ark of the covenant daily - there was even a night shift! (1 Chonicles 16:1-6)

At this time there was an anomaly in Israel - there were two tabernacles of God in existance simeultaneously. There was the Tabernacle of David on Mt. Zion and the Tabernacle of Moses in Gibeon. (Some of the Psalms even reference "Tabernacles" in the plural) David and the singers and musicians served on Mt. Zion before the ark in the Tabernacle of David. In Gibeon Zadok and the priests served in the prescibed manner of the Law with the sacrifices in the Tabernacle of Moses. At David's Tabernacle there was only a one time sacrificial offering and then 24/7 sacrifices of the fruit of the lips. At Gibeon there are daily animal sacrifices upon the altar. Mt. Zion is the new wineskin. Gibeon is the old wineskin. One had the presence of God, the wine, unfettered and accesible for all to drink. One didn't have it all. (1 Chronicles 16:37-42)

In the tabernacle of Moses only the High Priest could come before the presence of God in the Most Holy place. In the tabernacle of David it was completely open and accessible to all morning, noon, and night. Can you just picture David nestled up under the shadow of the wings of the cherubim on top of the ark writing, playing, and singing songs? Can you picture the people worshipping freely and uncondemned before God?

David was just a sneak preview of the joy that we realise today! Today we are free to eat the bread of presentation. Today we worship in the very presence of the Lord unrestricted! Through Jesus we have boldness to enter into the holy place, uncondemned! Jesus destroyed the barriers and not just those that existed between Jew and Gentile; but also those between priest and non-priest. The tabernacle of David is restored and what a sweet freedom we have!

You Are What You Read

Jumping on the "blog a picture of your bookshelf" bandwagon:

6a2 on YouTube

I've jumped on the YouTube bandwagon. We've been using the new Internet browser on the Wii to watch videos to our TV. I was organizing our personal video tapes and found some videos to upload to YouTube.

These are of me and Rebekah's old band 6a2 from our one and only live performance:

4(give/get)
Cannonball
Mr. Tough Guy

And two from my favorite band Pop Riveter taken in 2004 at the October Ridge fest:

Good Day
Cracklin Rosie

Fruitage of the Spirit - Part 1

In 2007 I will be contributing an article for each monthly edition of the Common Truth e-newsletter. The articles will be part of a systematic study of the "Fruitage of the Spirit" found at Galatians 5:22, 23. My original intention was to write a book on the topic as part of a personal study. That is still my goal but having a monthly obligation to the newsletter should keep me on track so that I don't slack off. (God willing)

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The overall aim of Paul’s shepherding activities throughout the congregations he helped to plant was to build believers into full-grown maturity within the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13) This was true within the Roman province of Galatia. In writing to them he spoke to them as his “little children” and told them, “I am again in childbirth pains until Christ is formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19) Ultimately he wanted them to be able to make the same assertion that he himself made, “It is no longer I that live, but it is Christ who is living in union with me.” (Galatians 2:20)

After leaving the church in Galatia though, those newborn Christians suffered a serious setback in their progress toward fullness in Christ. Certain ones from the church in Judea were infiltrating their congregations and teaching a works-based perversion of the Gospel. This caused the Galatians to turn away from the spirit and start living toward the works of law. After losing their focus on the spirit some were perhaps even falling back into fleshly tendencies. In writing the letter, Paul hoped to bring them back in line with the spirit they began with.

This provides the backdrop for which we obtain our theme scripture.

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." - Galatians 5:22, 23

Before we can begin a discussion about bearing fruit though, we must consider what is meant by the term “fruits”. Some may confuse bearing fruits as works such as evangelizing and making converts. Sadly, we don't have to look too deeply at the contemporary Christian landscape to see that even though a person may manifest good works their inner person may be void and lacking of Christ. For example, a dynamic "pastor" may lead a church of thousands; but secretly be involved in sexual sin.

Furthermore, even ungodly men can manifest good works. To illustrate we can consider briefly one aspect of the fruitage of the spirit: Generosity. A greedy business executive may give to charity to increase his worldly status or to alleviate a tax burden. Certainly we wouldn't conclude that such a man was bearing good fruitage in doing so.

So when speaking about the fruits we are not talking about what we consider good works or deeds but instead are looking at a good Christ-like personality. The spirit produces Godly characteristics in a person and as a result they will inherently have good actions. And just as Jesus cautions that from an evil heart all manner of wickedness may spring forth, the converse is true that from one having a pure heart all sorts of good fruitage will be brought forth. (Mark 7:23) Paul cites this principle when he writes to the Galatians, “Whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) Thus when we look at developing the "fruitage of the spirit" in our lives we are not seeking works but seeking to develop the spirit of Christ within us that will naturally lead to virtuous action.

In his letter to the Galatians Paul lists the fruitage, or the good qualities, that the spirit produces within us. While this listing of the fruitage of Spirit is a wonderful round look at the “mind of Christ” we must keep in mind that it is not meant to be comprehensive and complete.

In speaking about the contrasting works of the flesh he doesn't produce an exhaustive list because they are, in his words, "obvious" or "apparent". In dealing with the works of the flesh at Galatians 5:19-21, Paul quickly enumerates a few and says, "and things like these." Likewise the list of aspects of the fruit of the spirit at Galatians is a general overview of what is manifest in the personality of a spirit lead person.

In his letters to the congregation at Ephesus, Paul provides even a broader summary of the fruit of the spirit saying, it is "found in all that is good and right and true". (Ephesians 5:9) These attributes are the part of the new personality that we take on as Holy Ones of God. (Colossians 3:10-14)

Paul was not the first to use the word picture of fruit when dealing with spiritual life. Jesus often used fruit in his parables and teachings. He emphasized the importance of bearing good fruit by showing that the quality of fruit produced will determine the true man of God and show up those who are false. Furthermore he taught that those who do not bear good fruit are to be judged and destroyed in fire. (Matthew 7:19) As Christian disciples of Jesus bearing good fruit is imperative. But how can we develop good fruit in our lives?

Illustrating aspects of the Christian personality as fruitage shows how these virtues develop in a person - that is organically and not mechanically. They are not prepared as one would an apple pie; rather they are cultivated like an apple tree. To further illustrate, when baking we generally have control over the process from start to finish. The end product is therefore solely determined by our selection of ingredients, our ability to follow a recipe, and our culinary skill.

When gardening we only have partial control over the end result. A skilled farmer can do much to produce a good harvest; however there is a certain element that is left in the hands of God. Paul calls to mind this principle at 1 Corinthians 3:6,7 where he writes, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who give the growth."

By comparing the production of these qualities to a bringing forth a harvest of fruit it clues us in to the optimal way they will develop in us - that is organically grown in tandem with God. While it is possible to try to work on these individual aspects of the Christian life, our best success will be achieved when we allow them to naturally spring forth as the result of germinating the seed of God's Word planted within us, watered by his Spirit. In considering how we can have a bountiful spiritual harvest it comes down to these three symbolic elements: Soil, seed, and water.

Soil

Soil represents us as individuals as we are made from the ground. We were originally created in the image of God and still within our hearts there lies fertile ground that may produce a rich crop of spiritual fruitage.

Jesus illustrates the principle of good soil in his illustration of the seed sower in Matthew 13. In his parable he likens a person who is receptive to the seed of God’s Word as good soil that would produce an abundant crop. Such a person willingly receives God’s Word and cherishes it in their hearts. On the opposite side, poor soil is manifest by those that have no lasting interest in the Word of God, who fall away in times in tribulation or who allow secular interests to encroach upon their spirituality. Therefore, in order to have good soil we need to have a deep love for God's Word; such an everlasting love that overshadows all other things in our lives.

Seed

In Jesus’ illustration the seed is God's Word. When we think about God’s Word we may have the tendency to just think about God’s written word the Bible. But when we speak about God’s Word we are ultimately talking about Jesus Christ who is the revealed Word of God. ( John 1:14) Jesus Christ is the channel by which God speaks to us today. (Hebrews 1:2) And because the “testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” we can understand that the entire inspired written Word is a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 19:10) Jesus then is the seed that will produce “righteous fruit” in our lives. (Philippians 1:11)

The seed may also compare to our individual nature. When we are born as humans, sin implants the fleshly nature, or seed of sin, into our hearts. If we allow such a seed to germinate it will bring forth a corrupt harvest that withers and dies. Fortunately though, we have the opportunity to plant a new seed within us, Jesus, God’s living Word.

When we accept Jesus into our hearts we can begin “sowing with a view to the spirit” and we “will reap everlasting life from the spirit". (Galatians 6:8) At this time we are “born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring Word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)

Water

Soil and seed have great potential for growth but they need water to cause germination. While a fruit tree requires only the one time planting of a seed, it will require water throughout its maturation and on through that its entire life.

The water that God provides is the Holy Spirit that he rains down upon us bringing us growth. Joel prophetically spoke of a time that God would bring rain in full measure, even a downpour upon his people and that he would “pour out [his] spirit on all kinds of peoples” (Joel 2:23,28) This rain shower started to pour on Christians on Pentecost 33 CE when God poured out his holy spirit upon a group of gathered believers.(Acts 2:17-21)

This was in accord with Jesus’ promise that his Father would send them the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7; Acts 1:4,5) Like rain, the Spirit is poured down into the soil of our hearts and causes the seed of Jesus to grow within us. (Galatians 4:6; Romans 5:5) This water enriches our lives.(Psalm 65:9) The Spirit forms “living water” that flows out of the hearts of believers. (John 7:37,38) And the living water brings forth a rich crop of Christ-like fruitage - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22,23)

Prophets within the Christian Congregation

After the exodus from Egypt, Moses was feeling the heavy burden of having to lead an entire nation of people by himself. Jehovah God instructed Moses to select seventy older men to help him shoulder the load. The seventy were brought before the tent of meeting where God’s spirit came down upon them and “they proceeded to act as prophets”, but this ecstatic prophesying was just a one time event to affirm that God had indeed anointed them and his spirit was upon them. The account states, “they did not do it again.” (Numbers 11:24,25)

However there were two men, Eldad and Medad, who were numbered among the seventy that had not gone to the tent but had stayed in the camp. God’s spirit came to rest upon them as well and they proceeded to act as prophets within the camp. This caused quite a stir because it was viewed as a possible affront to Moses’ leadership. Certain young men ran to report to Moses how Eldad and Medad were acting as prophets. Joshua urged Moses to restrain them.

Moses’ response shows the depth of his humility. He asks Joshua, “Are you feeling jealous for me? No, I wish that all of Jehovah’s people were prophets, because Jehovah would put his spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29)

Throughout the Old Testament prophets are found. In many accounts they appear in groups or are collectively spoken of as “the prophets”. (1 Sam 10:5; 2 Kings 4:38) Certain prophets who Jehovah’s spirit was upon in extraordinary ways are specifically mentioned and distinguished from the general company of the prophet such as Samuel, Nathan, Elijah and his companion Elisha. Later prophets wrote their messages directly down such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Often times when we hear prophecy or prophet we have the tendency to think of a prediction about a future event. However in the Bible prophecy was more general in that it encompassed whenever God spoke to a human whether about a contemporary or future event. God used these prophets in various ways for the benefit of the nation.

The prophets therefore were the voice to God among the people. Sometimes their word was sought when the nation was facing a decision and they needed God’s say on the matter. (1 Kings 22:5,6) At other times they were used to deliver reproof when the nation or a leader was in error. (2 Samuel 12:1-12) On occasion they gave foreknowledge of future events such as the coming of the Messiah.

The prophets were instrumental in the compiling and writing of the Holy Scriptures. Prophets such as Moses, Samuel, and Nathan composed historical books. Many of David’s psalms speak prophetically about the coming Messiah. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and others wrote their prophetic messages down in the books that today bear their name. In a general sense all who penned down the Scriptures can be spoken of as prophets since all the entire Holy Word was formed under Divine inspiration. (2 Timothy 3:16)


With the advent of the Christian congregation in 33 CE, Moses’ desire that Jehovah’s Holy Spirit touch all of God’s people was realised. Holy spirit was poured out upon a group of congregated believers in a wonderful way. This was in fulfillment of another prophecy spoken by Joel where God says, “I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams.” (Joel 2:28)

Unlike the former days where the prophets were limited to a group or individuals within the nation, the entire Christian congregation was spirit anointed and able to prophecy, to receive and speak the word of God. Even the young women were gifted in this regard as was true with Philip’s four daughters. (Acts 21:9) Paul also acknowledged the role that women played in prophesying in the congregation of Christ. (1 Cor 11:5)

While the Holy Spirit imparted gifts to all believers not all had the same gift and not all acted as prophets. (1 Cor 12:29). Yet the gift of prophecy was not off limit to the entire congregation for Paul encouraged them to “keep zealously seeking the greater gifts” (1 Cor 12:31). In seeking these greater gifts Paul preferred that all in the congregation would be able to prophecy because of the upbuilding effect that it had on the assembled body. (1 Cor 14:1,4)

How were the Christian congregations to view those who prophesied? Paul instructed the congregation of the Thessalonians to, “not treat prophesying with contempt” (1 Thess 4:20). Prophets were to be listened to attentively so that those assembled could “discern the meaning” of what they spoke (1 Cor 14:29) Prophecy encouraged the congregation; therefore, those who were gifted with prophecy needed to use that gift to for the benefit of the body of Christ. (1 Cor 14:31; Romans 12:4-6)

While prophesying is not to be held in contempt the congregation needed to exercise caution because Jesus said, “that many false prophets will arise and mislead many.” (Matthew 24:11) The apostle John confirmed that this becoming true within the Christian congregation. He wrote, “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

The congregation then is implored to not accept every prophecy but to test them to see if it is indeed a word from God. In a vision, Jesus commended the congregation of Ephesus for putting to test those who made claim to be apostles. (Rev 2:2) Similar judgment needed to be used in evaluating prophetic utterances. The discernment of spirits then is a necessary and beneficial gift to the congregation. (1 Cor 12:10)

As with many aspects of the Christian life, prophecy then is a gift that is to be exercised within the context of the Christian congregation. While some may wish to pattern themselves after the Old Testament prophets such as Ezekiel to do so is to ignore the fact that God’s spirit now operates corporately within a body of believers. Those with gifts such as prophecy are not meant to dominate over other Christians. Paul instructs them to yield and keep silent if a revelation is given to another during their prophesying. (1 Cor 14:30) The hearers of such an inspired expression are meant to evaluate it and test it out. (1 Cor 14:29; 1 John 4:1)

We need to keep in mind that even those with a powerful gift of prophecy are nothing if they do not manifest love. (1 Cor 13:2) Having love causes us to know that our various gifts are provided for the “building up of the body of Christ”. (Ephesians 4:11,12) Love would prevent someone with a spiritual gifting not fall into the trap of becoming puffed up or self-centered in their attitude. (1 Cor 13:4,5)

Choose the Good Portion

"Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:28-32

I was meditating on this passage the other day and I got a new perspective. In the past I had just considered the obvious physical application. For instance we shouldn't allow the various things in life, such as household responsibilities, jobs, etertainment distraction from spiritual pursuits. Yesterday, though, I was thinking about how even in spiritual pursuits we can neglect the best part, or the good portion - Jesus Christ.

I was thinking about Martha. Certainly she felt she was keeping Jesus in mind as she hurried about the kitchen fixing food for him. I'm sure the meal that she was preparing to feed him would have been fabulous and praise worthy. However such a thing had to be secondary to focusing directly on Jesus and listening to the Great Teacher.

It could happen easily to us. We may do a bunch of charitable works in the name of the Lord but in the process lose focus on Jesus himself. Or purely in terms of learning we can get distracted with doctrine, theology, history, or eschatology. These things may be done with Jesus in mind but in chasing after them we always run the risk of gradually losing sight of our teacher.

I think about what a powerful apostle Paul was. Being a disciple of the esteemed teacher Gamaliel he had a great background education. Being filled with holy spirit he was given extensive wisdom and revelation. These qualities are certainly reflected in his letters but the primary thing that stands out is his near constant focus on Jesus. I'm mindful of what he told the Corinthian congregation, "And so I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come with an extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God to you. For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him impaled." - 1 Cor 2:1,2

In my personal study I'm often left wishing Paul had went into more details on such subjects as the "man of lawlessness", "the resurrection of the dead", and "third heaven". However, I'm beginning to appreciate his brief treatment of these intriguing subjects is intentional. As he told them Corinthians he decided, or made the conscious decision just to proclaim Jesus Christ.

Later on in that letter to the Corinthians Paul puts it all into perspective:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but do not have love, I have become a sounding [piece of] brass or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophesying and am acquainted with all the sacred secrets and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith so as to transplant mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my belongings to feed others, and if I hand over my body, that I may boast, but do not have love, I am not profited at all. - 1 Cor 13:1-3

Paul here highlights a danger. We can focus on pursuing spiritual gifts, discerning divine mysteries, gaining knowledge or being charitable at the expense of losing out on love. And we don't have love we don't know our Heavenly Father or Jesus. (1 John 4:8; John 13:35)

Frank Viola in his article The Deep Ecclesiology makes this personal observation regarding how by persuing things such a doctrinal correctness that we can lose sight of love. He writes:

"But during that season, I made another discovery. Namely, that Christian doctrine can make a person downright mean! I observed that the men who were the most schooled in Christian doctrine and the most concerned about “sound theology” did not resemble Jesus Christ at all in their behavior. Instead, they seemed to center their lives on making the unimportant critical. The spirit of the Lamb was altogether missing. They were harsh personalities who appeared to almost hate those with whom they disagreed. Granted, there is a doctrine in the New Testament. But majoring on Christian doctrine and theology can turn Christians into inquisitors."

The Corinthians congregation that Paul wrote to was racked with division. (1 Cor 1:11) Since this is the first thing he mentions in his letter we may conclude that was the primary purpose for his writing to them on that occassion. One specific divisive area that is mentioned is how different ones were developing camps around certain spiritual teachers. (1 Cor 1:12) However that wasn't the only problem dividing this congregation. Reading through the letter we see that there were may other divisive areas:

• Some were "going beyond the things written." 4:6
• Some were showing favoritism. 4:6
• Some were prideful. 4:18
• They were tolerating gross immorality. 5:1
• Some were taking their brother to court. 6:7
• There was conflict over the eating foods sacrificed to idols. chap. 8
• They were observing the Lord's Supper without consideration of others and with excess. chap. 11
• They weren't giving consideration to all members of the body of Christ. 12:14-18
• Their meetings were a free-for-all as the members were unyielding to one another. 14:26-33

Paul provides the appropriate remedy to this divisive situation. He says that they should be "united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." (1 Cor 1:10) What mind is this? It is the "mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16) Our unity is in Jesus Christ and in order to have unity all must have the "mind of Christ" and focus on him.

Maybe like Martha we have our hands full with many things, physically or spiritually. If so perhaps we just need to set it aside for a season and like Mary position ourselves at the feet of Jesus, the good portion, focusing just on him.

Of Note

My sister passed this on to me this morning and I'm passing it on to you.

Tonight @ 7:00pm eastern, CNN is airing a special program called After Jesus. It promotes itself as a look at the first Christians and the history of the Church. Church history fascinates me so I'll take a look.

Also ...

Kristin Hersh does guest blog entries at Powells from time to time. I just had a chance to take a look at her December 15th entry Vodka and Chocolate. It was very touching piece about loss and love. Kristin humbly denies that she is a writer but these entries reveal such a talent. Would it be wrong to suggest she put down her guitar for a spell and pick up a pen? These days I find her writings to be more compelling than her music. Though I certainly won't hesitate to pick up her new album Learn to Sing Like a Star when it comes out in January.

Killing In The Name Of ...

The only thing worse than killing people in a video-game is doing so in the name of Jesus.

The new "Left Behind" video-game is seriously in error.

What would Jesus say to the "Tribulation Force"?

Maybe something like this:

“Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword."

Give Me Jesus

I'm tired. Prayers have been said and my child is tucked into bed. I was on my way but then remembered that I was going to write a blog entry tonight.

I spent tonight writing. I've been working on a book. I have it all outlined and it just seems like it should be simply fill-in-the-blanks but more often than not I find myself studying for hours just to crank out a sentence. Tonight I was really productive and put down a couple of paragraphs.

What I really wanted to share though was an article written by Frank Viola,The Deep Ecclesiology of the Body

This is is one of those articles that I find myself shaking my head in agreement with quite a bit. I enjoyed reading about his perspective have changed throughout his religious experiences. He warns:

"Attention young Christians: You can get ridiculously obsessed with rapture fever! I was taught, “This is important. We have to know prophecy. We must study prophecy. 90% of the Bible is prophecy. We have a duty to understand it.” Let me confess. I was pathetically into eschatology. So much so that I could discuss it for hours with wild-eyed fascination."

"But I made a discovery. That all of those hours I spent pouring over Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation . . . trying to put the end-time puzzle together . . . did not help me one iota to come to know my Lord better. It was largely an academic, intellectual exercise. And a sterile one at that!"

Frank admits that he stopped studying end-times prophecy. I'm not quite ready to give it up but I do know where he is coming from. Every Sunday afternoon I get together online with friends and we churn through this stuff. And in my personal studying for a long time I was constantly going through Revelation and Daniel. I've learned a lot and there have been some specific instances where God has given me direct insight into certain things so it hasn't been a completely fruitless endeavor. However my experience is that too often we can so bogged down in the details and questions that we can't see the forest for the trees. The forest is Jesus. Revelation 19:10 says that "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy"

Frank's journey seems to have lead him though to the same place I've found myself - Jesus.

"I made the striking discovery that I don’t need an it. I have never needed an it. And I will never need an it. Christian it’s . . . no matter how good or true . . . eventually wear out, run dry, and become tiresome.

I don’t need an it . . . I need a Him!

And so do you!

We do not need things. We need Jesus Christ!"

When I was in a religion I was taught that the theme of the Bible "The vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty by means of the Messianic Kingdom." It may be true - and it's truly a mouthful. I wonder why can't the theme just be "Jesus"?

Jesus was absolutely central to the early Church. The saddest thing in religions in how Jesus is minimized, just given lip service, and pushed to the side. We have spiritual ADD and can't focus on the most important element to our faith - Jesus.

We were talking to some friends recently from the same religious background as us. They were talking about their experience with one of the local mega-churches. They remarked how it had a club for everything, like "kayaking for the Lord". I've got no problem with kayaking but I just wonder about the ratio between kayaking and Jesus that the group provides.

One of the most common charges leveled at Jehovah's Witnesses is "You don't believe in Jesus". Ask a JW if this is true and they will scoff and say, "Of course we believe in Jesus." I know I used to. Afterall our religious literature had numerous references to Jesus.

But one of things I'm seeing is that while we did speak about Jesus he kind of got hidden in the mixed. It is almost like there was a fear of giving too much attention to Jesus. The general focus was on the organization, organization, organization. We focused on the body so much that we practically beheaded the Christ. What is worse is that we supplanted the leadership of Christ with some Frankenstein head construct called "the Faithful and Discreet Slave".

Christianity without Christ is a very empty faith indeed. What's the point?

You can keep your religion just give me Jesus.

Good night Friends.