Maniac of Gadara – 9.13.09

Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-40 both record one of my favorite accounts in all the gospels of the miracles Jesus performed during His earthly ministry. The wonderful, life-changing power of Jesus Christ is seen in this man, who in a single day went from running around naked like a crazy man to sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind.

What was this man's problem? What caused him to lose his right mind? Well, in some way, he had put himself under the control and influence of an unclean spirit (see Ephesians 4:27). The above-referenced passages shed some interesting light on some of the marks of satanic influence.

1. NAKEDNESS

Luke 8:27 says that he ware no clothes. In every Biblical case since the man and woman were alone in the garden (Genesis 2:25), any type of open nakedness is a shameful thing to those who recognize the presence of God (Adam & Eve, Genesis 3; Noah, Genesis 9; Peter, John 21; et al).

God says cover yourself. And His word doesn't change with the temperature or the location or your activity. It's not OK to be naked (by the biblical definition) just because it's 95 in Florida or you're at the beach. It's not OK to uncover your flesh because you're working out or cutting the grass or taking a swim or going somewhere where everyone else is doing it.

2. REBELLION

This man could not be bound. He could not be controlled. No man could tame him (Luke 8:29; Mark 5:3-4). In 1 Samuel 15:22-23 God equates rebellion with witchcraft. In other words, according to the Bible it is just as satanic to be a rebel as it is to be a witch.

3. SELF-MUTILATION

This man ran among the tombs, cutting himself with stones (Mark 5:5). Reminds me of the prophets of Baal in the showdown with Elijah atop Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18. In their attempts to get their false god to answer by fire, the Bible says they cut themselves with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

Somebody who is interested in hurting himself/herself needs help (Ephesians 5:29). And the root of their problem is not depress or self-esteem or any of that, it's that somehow in some way, they have allowed themselves to come under the influence of some type of unclean spirit.

Seems to me this country is full of people who have lost their right mind and allowed their lives to be influenced by the god of this world, and it's all because they have refused to submit their lives to the will of God and resist the enemy that seeks to destroy their lives and devour their souls (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8).

The devil cannot overpower us, but He'd sure love to deceive us and ensnare us (2 Timothy 2:26). Let's not be ignorant of His devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). And let's be strong in the power of our mighty God (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Help – 9.9.09

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Coming across that first verse in my Bible reading this morning took my mind back to an experience I had this past Sunday night (and many other times prior to that). My wife and I stopped to do a little grocery shopping on the way home from church Sunday night. As we loaded my car, a man approached us with this story:

He just moved to the area from KY for his job, which is going very well. He doesn't have a place yet, but the VA is helping him move into an apartment this Tuesday (as he points to the letters "USMC" tattooed on his arm). He's not asking for any money. He has some money. But when he went to his church and asked for help all they gave him was some bread and some peanut butter (that's all), and his wife is pregnant and about to have a baby, and he's just asking for some help with some food for them.

There was more to it, but I can't remember all of it. May I point out a couple of loopholes?

1. The alcohol on his breath told me that he had enough money for food and that he really was asking for money.

2. I might not have noticed the alcohol on his breath as quickly had he not been clutching breath mints when he approached us.

3. What's wrong with peanut butter and bread (OK, maybe he was just asking for some jelly)?

4. If he has money, why not go in the store and buy some food.

5. A "USMC" tattoo on one's arm is not sufficient proof of military service and/or VA benefits.

6. So the VA can give you a place to stay but can't come up with anything to eat?

7. Not everybody is dumb enough to believe everything they hear from every bum that approaches them in the parking lot.

There are more, but I can't remember them all.

So, at the end of his speech, he asks, sheepishly, "Can you help?" I reply with a simple "No," and proceed to return my grocery cart (or buggy, depending on where you're from) when he comes out with, "Sir, are you a Christian?" No I wear a tie on Sunday nights just for fun and have scripture on my vehicle because it makes people think I'm cool. (I realize that doesn't make you a Christian, but you understand what he's asking.) His next brilliant question, "What does the Bible say?"

OK, the right answer would have been Romans 3:23 or 1 Timothy 1:15 or Amos 4:12 or Acts 16:31 or Acts 17:30 or John 3:16 or something. But instead I came back with a VERY gracious, "You tell me," and he gave me one of the 3 references he had memorized for such occasions – Matthew 22:36-37 – which I quoted as if to say, "And…" So he got in his truck and left, and I got in my car and left.

I used to feel really bad after these kind of conversations. In fact, I've been suckered 3 times into giving people gas (never given anybody money). I'm convinced one might have been legitimate; one was definitely a fraud; and the other was highly doubtful. But I'm a soft-hearted guy. OK, I was a soft-hearted guy. Now I just get mad. I think there are 2 main reasons I get mad. One, I get mad at myself for still kind of feeling bad about not helping the guy out. And two, I get mad because I think of all the things I should have said after the fact – as if one intelligent statement is going to cure a bum of his stupidity.

So why write all of this? One, I'm venting. Two, I need a good answer to give people. When people come to the church looking for handouts (sob-story in tow), I usually ask them what their church said when they went there and explain from 1 John 3:17 how we help those in our congregation who have needs from time to time but are not scripturally commanded to extend those privileges to those outside our fellowship. (Either that, or refer them to one of the larger churches in town.)

But I need to be ready (1 Peter 3:15) for these parking lot encounters. I'm purposing to somehow use the Bible in each situation. (When I did help with gas, at least I was able to give the gospel and invitations to church.) The verses at the top are a couple thoughts, but I'm also looking for your ideas. What I really ought to do/want to do is find a good way of turning these encounters into witnessing opportunities. Also, I'd like to figure out a good way to try to reason with these people without sounding smart or sarcastic. Help! And thanks.

The Goal of Spiritual Leaders – 9.9.09

Colossians 1:28-29 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Another semester of Bible school is upon us, and I'm excited about the opportunity to teach the first class in the course on "The Fundamentals of the Faith" (from Genesis 3). Fitting that I should come across this verse in my Bible reading this morning.

What is (or should be) the ultimate goal of spiritual leadership? What is the supreme object of the Christian minister? What is the purpose of the Bible preacher? It is the "perfecting of the saints" (Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 3:10). It is to bring other believers into full and complete Christian maturity so that they can stand unashamed at the judgment seat of Christ.

How is that task to be carried out?

1. Through preaching ALL the counsel of God (Acts 20:27-32; 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2; 1 Timothy 4:6). This includes the positive parts and the negative parts; the popular topics as well as those many would rather do without; the simple basics and the deeper truths; encouragement as well as rebuke; instruction as well as controversy, etc. CH Spurgeon said, "Controversy for the truth against the errors of the age is, we feel more than ever convinced, the peculiar duty of the preacher."

2. Through setting the example of Christian maturity (Acts 20:18-21; Philippians 3:10-17; Hebrews 13:7). This doesn't mean you're sinless, but it means your personal walk with the Lord is complete, it's well-rounded, and you're constantly growing. This means you're doing the things you preach about. You're reading your Bible; you're spending time in prayer; you're consistent in your study; you're witnessing; you're ministering to others; you're a blessing to your wife; you set the proper order in your home; you're balanced in how you spend your time; you're giving; you're handling your finances properly, etc.

3. Through constant, fervent prayer (Colossians 4:12; Ephesians 1:15-23; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 1:4, 9-11; Colossians 1:3, 9-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). James Hudson Taylor once said, "When I get to China, I will have no claim on any one for anything. My claim will be alone in God and I must learn before I leave England to move men through God by prayer alone."

4. Through hard work; through diligent, steady, zealous commitment to the task (Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Corinthians 12:15). It's not easy, and the work will never be completed until we enter into our final rest (Hebrews 4:11). But the God we serve is worth it, and it's definitely worth the while (Colossians 3:23-24).

Paul’s Last Words – 9.1.09

The epistle of 2 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul from a jail cell not long before he took his departure (4:8) and appeared in the presence of his Savior (Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:8).

As you read the final chapter of the final book that he wrote, it is interesting and instructive to note the things that he requested as he awaited his coming fate.

He desired a visit from Timothy (v. 9), and when you and I get to the end of our lives it will be easy to see that's what's really important is not the things we've acquired but rather the relationships we've enjoyed. Somebody who's getting ready to leave this world generally doesn't ask for someone to bring them all their possessions so they can enjoy them. What they want is the people they love and care about. If that's what's important then, surely we ought to devote more of our time and attention to the people around us and less of it to the things that don't last and won't matter.

He asked Timothy to bring Mark with him when he came (v. 11). What's great about that is the fact that Paul and Barnabas had parted ways back in Acts 15 because Mark had departed from them on the previous journey and Paul didn't think it was wise to include him this time around (see Acts 12:12, 24-25; 13:5, 13; 15:36-41). This lets you know (1) that Mark had grown, matured, and proven himself and (2) that Paul was humble and gracious enough to recognize this, maybe even admit to a former mistake, and give this brother a commendation (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24).

He also asked Timothy to bring the cloke he left at Troas (v. 13) – he probably didn't have a heater in his jail cell – and the books, BUT ESPECIALLY THE PARCHMENTS. In the final days of his life, Paul still considered himself a student. He never lost his appetite for truth or his desire for study. And what an example for us. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

In order for ANY Christian to be approved of God and without shame on the day of judgment, he must be diligent in his study of the scripture. I'm afraid we often relegate this verse to the pastor or the Sunday school teacher, but according to the Bible, it's the duty of every Christian. Yes, the pastor should feed you when you go to church, but you've got to eat the rest of the week as well. None of us would dare think of surviving physically on 2 or 3 meals a week so what makes us think we can survive spiritually for 6 or 7 days on a Sunday morning feast?

1 Timothy 4:13 says, Till I come, give attendance to reading… Young men, you'd do well to give less attendance to video games and TV shows and big trucks and fast cars and powerful guns and goofing off and use that time to get your nose in THE BOOK. Young ladies, you'd do well to give less attendance to facebook and makeup and shopping malls and shoe collecting and celebrity watching and movie going and beach combing and use that time to get your nose in THE BOOK. Have you ever read God's word from Genesis to Revelation? Are you working on it every day? Do you really want to stand before God and try to explain why you didn't think the words He recorded and preserved were worthy of your time?

Isaiah 34:16 says, Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read… I believe we'd all be better off if we took less time to seek out the newspaper or the magazine or the catalog or the website and more time to seek out God's book.

Let's learn from Paul's example, and let's not allow what doesn't matter to stand in the way of what does matter, and let's be sure to spend our time doing those things that'll be important when the time comes to make our departure and stand before our God.

No Greater Love – 8.25.09

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15. The setting is the upper room. It's the night just before Christ's crucifixion. Jesus is preparing His disciples for what lies ahead. Prior to His prayer of intercession in chapter 17 and the garden scene of chapter 18, in chapters 13-16 Jesus makes it clear to His disciples that He is leaving; that He'll return in the future; that in the meantime they'll face trouble and persecution from a world that hated Him before it hated them; but that He'll send them "another Comforter," the Holy Spirit. He also continually reminds them of the importance of their love not just for Him, but for one another.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

John 15:13 is a great and well-loved passage of scripture. It is an undeniable and marvelous truth that Jesus Christ set the example for the greatest love when He gave His love for the sin of all mankind the very next day. But when you look at the verse in its context, you realize that it's not so much about the love Jesus has for us as it is about the love He wants us to have for one another.

Verse 12 says, This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

What John 15 (and the rest of the NT) is saying is that if we are going to make it through this world that has forsaken our God and hates His word and stand strong and let our light shine, we must, through the power of the Holy Spirit, have this kind of love for one another – that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Philippians 2:4-5 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

As carnal creatures, it's so easy for us to get wrapped up in ourselves and forget about everybody else. But God would have us live our lives seeking to be a blessing to our brothers and sisters in Christ; doing things intentionally just to be of benefit to others; giving of ourselves on purpose just to help somebody else out, with the expectation of nothing in return.

That's the greatest love. It's the example that Jesus set, and it's the commandment that He gave.

Honesty In Prayer 2 – 8.21.09

Psalm 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

Just like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 12:1), David here provides a good example of being honest with the Lord in prayer. The passage states that ALL of his desire was presented before the Lord. Question: is yours? Do you go to GOD with your plans, your dreams, your goals, your desires, your ambitions? Your needs, your wants, your requests, your wishes? Your problems, your worries, your hurts, your disappointments? Do you lay it all before the Lord?

Some people tend to keep all that inside. Others tend to talk about all those things with their friends, and maybe even their parents and/or pastors, teachers, counselors, mentors – and we ought to do that – but let's not forget to be open and honest and pour out our hearts to the Lord (Psalm 62:8).

For one, that's what friends do (John 15:13-15). They share those things with each other. And prayer is about communing with God. How do we expect to grow closer to the Lord without spending time in His word (to learn of His desires) and spending time in prayer (to thank Him, praise Him, and take Him our desires).

But more importantly, the Bible says in Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Now, this verse does not say that when we go to God with our desires, all those desires are automatically and immediately fulfilled. Nor does it say that if I delight myself in the Lord, He'll give me everything that I want. What this passage emphatically states is that if I delight myself in the Lord, then GOD will give me my desires – that is, He will be the source of my desires. My desires will come from Him. His desires will become my desires.

And that's what prayer is about. It's about aligning our will with the will of God. It's about pouring out our heart before the Lord and allowing Him to fill it with what is good and what is right. "Our business in prayer is not to prescribe but to subscribe to the wisdom and will of God; to refer our case to Him, and then leave it with Him.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Ye Would Not – 8.19.09

Matthew 23:37-38 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

In Matthew 23, Jesus Christ foretold the doom and destruction of Jerusalem and its temple (not to be confused with Matthew 24, dealing with prophetic matters concerning "the end of the world"). But as He closes the sermon, He reminds the people that it doesn't have to be this way.

Way back in the book of Genesis, God called out a people unto Himself. It was His desire and His intention that through this family all nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). But down through history, this nation forsook the Lord, rebelled against His law, and served other gods. Even still it was God's desire to gather them together and restore them to proper fellowship with Him. But they despised His word, ignored His messengers, and martyred His prophets.

There is coming a day when the Lord will set all this straight and bring blessing to all nations of the earth, but in the meantime that Jewish nation has sure missed out on the blessings God intended for them and has and will suffer much for being so hard-hearted, stiff-necked, and disobedient.

There are a couple of important lessons for us to take from this verse.

First of all, notice that God does not force His will on any of us. One of the tenets of Calvinism is this idea of "irresistible grace," but according to the Bible, no such thing exists. Here God had blessings He desired to give to Israel, but Israel refused them – ye would not. Acts 7:51 says that they always resisted the Holy Ghost. Likewise, He desires to give eternal life to all men (2 Peter 3:9), but so many refuse to repent. He has life more abundant to give His children (John 10:10), but so few lay down their lives on the altar of sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) and submit to His perfect will. So while it is God's will to bless, He does not force His blessing on those who for whatever reason are not willing to receive it.

What follows from this is the fact that our failure to get in on all the grace and blessings God has for us is our fault, not His. If I'm not living my life under the power of the Holy Spirit, it's not because God has not made it available to me, it is that I have failed to avail myself of it. If I lack boldness or wisdom, it's not that God is intentionally withholding those things from me, but rather that I have in some way refused to receive them. If my life is not full of the blessings of God's joy and peace and comfort and rest, it's not His fault. It's mine.

Praise God that His love and His mercy continue forever. Regardless of the mess I've made in the past, His desire is still to bless, and the requirement is still the same. All it takes is a willing heart that is yielded unto Him. May He find such a heart in each of us today.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.