God's Abiding Presence, 1 John 4:13-16, Theology Matters Series

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline for our meetings on April 10-17, 2011. A while back we started a new series on 1 John entitled "Theology Matters." This lesson looks at 1 John 4:13-16 and discusses the idea that Christians abide in God while God abides in them. This abiding reveals itself in three ways: knowledge, confession, and love. By the presence of God's Spirit, the Christian knows and has assurance of God's abiding presence. That same Spirit enables us to confess the truth about God and His Son. God gave His Son as Savior, and as we experience salvation we abide in God's love. As we abide in God's love, we need to be aware of and to share the love that God has given to us in Christ. When we love others, we give a living example of the love Jesus showed in the cross. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

God’s Abiding Presence
1 John 4:13-16
Theology Matters Series

Introduction
My childhood
When I was a kid, we lived on a road named “Doris Circle”
It was a typical rural small town neighborhood, but all of the children defined themselves and their neighbors by their house and yard
We had the “rich” family with the big house, the family with the yard perfect for football, the yard with trees perfect for climbing
We also understood that our family background in many ways defined us

No doubt many of you have similar experiences
You remember the “messy” neighbor or the folks from the “wrong side of the tracks” or the ones who were dependable
Maybe your family was defined by your dwelling place

In 1 John 4, John tells his readers that they are also defined by where they dwell
Where they abide and what abides in them defines them as Christians

The past two weeks we discussed how John defines love as one measure of a Christ follower
1. We looked at love’s divine character
2. We saw that love is defined by Jesus’ sacrifice
3. We noticed that the results of love are revealed in how we love others

Verse 12 summed it up by noting that God’s love is perfected in us when we love one another
That is, by loving others we reveal God and his character

In today’s passage, 1 John 4:13-16, God continues this theme by looking at God’s abiding presence and its results in the lives of believers

In this passage, John uses “know” twice—v. 13 and v. 16
He uses “abide” five times—v. 13, v. 15, v. 16 (three times)
We find the idea of “abides in God and God in him”—3 times

Those who “dwell” in God and in whom God “dwells” have three characteristics that reveal God’s abiding presence:
1. Knowledge
2. Confession
3. Love

God’s abiding presence is revealed in us and defines us

1. Knowledge
1 John 4:13—John begins this section by offering yet another word of assurance to his readers. John describes this assurance as a matter of knowledge (a knowledge that includes an intimate and informed relationship and experience). Here are some examples of John’s use of this idea:
2:3: “By this we know that we have come to know Him….”
2:5b: “By this we know that we are in Him….”
2:13: “… you know Him who has been from the beginning.”
2:13b: “… you know the Father.”
2:20: “… you all know.”
3:10: “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious….”
3:14: “We know that we have passed out of death into life….”
3:19: “We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him….”
3:24b: “We know by this that He abides in us….”
4:2: “By this you know the Spirit of God….”
4:6b: “By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
5:2: By this we know that we love the children of God….”
5:13: These things I have written … so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Apparently John puts a high premium on assurance of salvation resulting from this kind of intimate and informed knowledge as he addresses it again here

John says, “We know we dwell with God and enjoy his presence in us because he has given us his Spirit.”
In Genesis God “walked” with his people
In Exodus God lived among them
Now God wants to make his residence in them—he dwells in them

John’s statement here says more than “we have the inner witness of God’s Spirit” (although I am sure John would agree with that statement)
Rather, John’s point here is that we know God because he has taken up residence in us
As Peter puts it, he has made us partakers of his divine nature by his divine power so that we can live the way he intends (2 Peter 1:3-4)
In other words, God makes his home in us as we make our home in him

The point is that we can know God because he has made his dwelling place in us

His Spirit in us is the evidence of his taking up residence in us
We know God because we know his Spirit

So, how do we know that we have God’s Spirit?

First, let’s define what it is not
It is not some extraordinary experience like the gift of tongues or some mystical thing

On the other hand, we know God’s Spirit is in us if we bear some resemblance to God in how we live
Are we concerned about the things that concern God?
Do we run to sin or run from sin? Do we have a sense of ourselves as sinners in comparison to God?
Do we love the things God loves?
Do we see the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) in your life?
Do we hunger for godly things

If God’s Spirit is in us, we know we are in God

God’s abiding presence is revealed in knowing God’s Spirit

2. Confession
1 John 4:14-15—Now John points out that the Christian abides in God and God abides in the Christian when we confess the truth about Jesus

John notes that “we have seen and testify” in v. 14. This takes us back to 1 John 1:1-3 where John explains that his testimony is accurate because it is an eyewitness testimony
This refers to the apostolic witness (cf. 2 Peter 1:16)
This grounds our confession in a historical reliability
This testimony, this confession is not mere myth or just good stories
John says that it is reliable and time tested—it can be trusted

The content of this confession involves two relationships
a. Jesus’ relationship to the world
b. Jesus’ relationship to God

Jesus’ relationship to the world is stated clearly here and in 1 John 2:1-2 and 4:9-10
Simply stated, Jesus is the Savior of the world
He is the atoning sacrifice for a lost and sinful world
This does not mean that all of the world is saved, rather that the means of salvation has been provided for all

Jesus’ relationship to God is described as
God the Father sends Jesus to be Savior—this shows that Jesus and the Father have an ongoing relationship and that Jesus does what the Father wants
Jesus is the Son of God—this speaks to Jesus’ eternal divinity

John is saying that all of those who accept the apostolic testimony regarding Jesus as Savior of the world and who further confess that Jesus is God’s Son have God’s abiding presence and dwell in God
To “confess” means to agree with or to “say the same as”

This confession is not mere mental assent, it is a reliance upon Jesus that results in faithful living on our part
John is saying that confessing that Jesus is the only means of salvation, trusting in his divinity as the means of a true relationship with God, and serving him as Lord or Ruler of your life results in God making a home in you and you finding your security and dwelling in him

Romans 10:8-9—the one who trusts God and makes a public confession of his saving ability receives from him what is needed to live the life God has promised—they have eternal and abundant life (John 1:11-14; 3:16-18)

When we confess God’s truth about Jesus, we abide in God

God’s abiding presence is revealed in our confession

3. Love
1 John 4:16—John completes this section by acknowledging that true believers abide in God as they know and trust in his love

Look at the order here
a. We know and believe the love God has for us
b. God is love
c. If we abide in love, we abide in God

John is not saying that loving people (i.e., those who are loving in general) are automatically Christians
Rather he is saying that Christ followers begin with an intimate and informed relationship with God (i.e., they “know” him) and they put their trust in God and in his love for them

John here uses a perfect tense to describe our knowledge and faith in God’s love for us
That indicates that there is a past experience or action that results in ongoing results
We have known and continue to know—we have believed and continue to believe
This is a knowledge and faith based on evidence and historical reality—it is not a blind faith—faith is based on knowledge

John mentions the love God has for us and reiterates “God is love.” (cf. 1 John 4:8)

As we stated regarding the earlier section of chapter 4, the statement that “God is love” is a reference to God’s character.
God’s character is revealed in God’s acts
God loved us (and the world) by giving Jesus as our atoning sacrifice
God’s love is expressed in what he gives

When we know and trust in that love, it changes us

John notes that knowing and trusting in God’s love is evidenced by a life of love—i.e., we abide or make our dwelling in love

The idea here is that a Christ follower is changed by the love of God and begins to live a life defined by that love (cf. Gal. 2:20)

If God’s love is at work in us, then it should work through us in how we treat others

Referring back to our earlier point—if God’s love and God’s Spirit dwell in us, then how we live our lives should exhibit their presence
If I am not loving as God loves, I probably do not know God’s love
If I love as God loves, I apparently know God’s love
That is John’s point

God’s abiding presence is revealed by how we love
His presence is revealed in our love for him
His presence is revealed in our love for others

Application
God’s abiding presence is revealed in us by our knowledge of his Spirit, by our confession of his Son, and by our experience and sharing of his love
When we as believers abide in God, we participate in his Spirit, his Truth (Jesus), and his love
Our lives then ought to show the reality of these things as we live by his abiding presence

How can we respond to these truths? What can we do this week to show that we abide in God and that he abides in us?

First, remember that John emphasizes the reciprocal, enduring relationship we have with God. The ability to live in his love is granted to us by his presence in us. Spend time with him so that you will grow in your knowledge of him. Make this a priority each day.

Since we are human, there are ebbs and flows in our relationships, even with God. What can you do to reinvigorate your relationship with God? This week look for things that will encourage a personal pursuit of God. This may include taking time to enjoy God’s love in creation. Maybe you could look for opportunities to encourage a discouraged friend. One thing you can do is to practice your confession. This week, tell someone else what you have come to know about God.

Finally, John also describes how God shows His love to us. Take some time to make notes about what a mutual love relationship with the God of the universe should look like. Read 1 John 4 again and note how God loves us. Share your findings with someone who is a believer and with someone who is not. Take some time each day this week to list one thing you have done or can do as a direct act of love back toward God. Write down one thing God has done for you, and then write down what you can do to show that love to another person (see the list from the last lesson for some ideas). If you are feeling bold, actually go out and do that thing!

God’s abiding presence is revealed in us as we know him, confess his truth, and share his love

How are we doing? Where are we abiding?

Thanks for reading!

Another Song from T-Bone Burnett--The Wild Truth

I was listening to "Relentless" today when I came across this song. I had forgotten it, to be honest, but not because of the title. In fact, the title reminds me of C. S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when beaver is talking to the children about Aslan. One of the kids (Lucy, I think), says of Aslan, "But he is a tame lion, isn't he?" Beaver responds something like, "Didn't you hear what she said? Aslan isn't tame, but he is good!" I always appreciated the image of a God who is good but not tame. A God that cannot be domesticated and put into a corner like an idol. A God whose character is solid but whose actions are like the wind--a bit unpredictable. T-Bone Burnett's song "The Wild Truth" reminds me of that. Here are the lyrics. I hope you enjoy them!

"The Wild Truth"

You never said it was a bed of roses
but you never said it was a bed of nails
you never told me 'bout the rubber hoses
or how unsteady were the justice scales

i need the wild truth

on the street there are a billion people
they got no love, they got no hope
they got no youth, they got no beauty
they're looking backwards through a telescope

they need the wild truth

whatever happened to the man walking down the street
with his hands in his pockets whistling a tune?
science fiction and nostalgia have become the same thing

i don't know how to make any choices anymore i mean,
who do i vote for? i get the feeling that as soon as
something appears in the paper it ceases to be true

i want to meet the man who can crack this world of justice
like a safe. someone with the courage to allow room for
good things to run wild

into the wild truth

we don't need no voodoo stories
from no magic president
who tries to make a dream a fait accompli
by using phantoms for his evidence

we need the wild truth

i tell a hundred thousand lies that twist me
into the noise where i hide my sin
my shame and scandal pull me down and kiss me
i can't live a life that might have been

i need the wild truth

are we supposed to take all this greed and fear and hatred
seriously? it's like watching dust settle it never changes
it's too consistent

mercy is not consistent it's like the wind
it goes where it will. mercy is comic, and it's the only
thing worth taking seriously

i need the wild truth

Thanks for reading!

T-Bone Burnett and God's "Relentless" love

Someone posted a status on Facebook about God's relentless love, and it sent my mind reeling back to 1987. T-Bone Burnett released an album entitled "The Talking Animals" on which he released songs co-written by several well known artists. In fact, one song was by Bono and another by Dylan. He had one song in particular that struck me as related to the idea of God's relentless love. The song is "Relentless" and was co-written with Kerry Livgren (yes, of Kansas fame). Here are the lyrics. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts!

Relentless

I stand and tremble in the driving rain
while your love rages like a hurricane

i can't break the silence as you still the wind
but i can hear you breathing underneath my skin

i am defenseless almost senseless you are relentless

i reel and stagger in the blinding light
while your love flashes like a lightening strike

so i find the darkness where i grow afraid
but i cannot shake you and the blackness fades

i am defenseless almost senseless you are relentless

you are relentless
this mercy convulses my pride
you are relentless
i find you wherever i hide
you are relentless
i have got nothing to win
and so i give in

i run and stumble as the mountains shake
while your love blazes like a world in flames

to shoot all fear into the desert sky
as stars fall like water through the dead of night

i am defenseless almost senseless you are relentless

Thanks for reading!

What's Playng Today? Some Larry Norman

I'm in a Larry Norman kind of mood today, and I wanted to share the lyrics of a rather unusual song. I'm not going to comment except to say that this song has been running through my head all day. Guess I better watch what I'm doing, huh?

Watch What You're Doing

mamma killed the chicken
she thought it was a duck
she put it on the table
with its legs sticking up

papa broke his glasses
when he fell down drunk
tried to drown the kitty cat
turned out to be a skunk

you gotta watch what you're doing
didn't you know
you gotta watch what you're doing
didn't you know

little joe billy
went fishing for trout
played hookey from school
'til the cops found out

didn't have a father
was an only child
and his momma never beat him
so he grew up wild

you gotta watch what you're doing
yeah

i knew a girl
sweet as could be
but she fell for men
like a chain sawed tree

she listened to their lies
was fooled by their charms
now she's sitting
with a baby in her arms

you gotta watch what you're doing
didn't you know
you gotta watch what you're doing
you oughta know that
you gotta watch out
watch out

well everything's fine
till things get bad
then you sit around thinking
of the good times you had

but it ain't no good
to lead a life of sin
if you don't shape up
you know you'll never get in

you better watch what you're doing
don't you know
you oughta know where you're going
do you know

some folks smile
they seem alright
then you later find out
they were like demons in the night

try to love everybody
but don't be blind
cause some kind of people
try to mess up your mind

you gotta watch who you know

some people say that
God is dead
that He doesn't exist
except inside your head

i wonder how many
gonna be surprised
when they look straight up
and see Him coming through the skies

you gotta watch what you're doing
cause He does, yeah
you know He watches what you're doing
yes He does
and He knows where you're going
yeah yeah yeaoooowwwww

well well well
hutz sut sut
well well well
hutz hutz a mutza

c'mon pilgrim
you know He loves you
He loves you more
than He loves this cloven earth
don't make your life bad
and start acting like and idiot

you better watch out
there's someone after you
it's the Devil
and he wants to lock you up in his zoo
he's got a nice little cage
picked out just for you
i bet it fits real nice too
you gotta watch out

watch what you're doing
watch where you're going
watch who you marry
love who you bury

i was walking down the road
just walking down the road
and i bumped into You

i had a dream which was a
nightmare. it was the last
time i saw fehrion. i was walking
backwards, picking up the pieces
and looking for the footprints
of the doctor. the butterfly had
flown and a little wooden man said
"we sleep till He arrives." but
they mad him go back five steps
which placed him right here and
also in the kitchen hanging on
to a dead phone and looking
at the chicken.

two times seven
the clock struck eleven
and them seven days at the
edge of space
and i told them, i've got to
get back to earth

i feel like dying
phase two is ensuing
be careful what you sign
you gotta watch what you're doing

Thanks for reading!

I Want to Know What Love Is: Love Manifested, 1 John 4:7-12, Theology Matters

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline for our meetings on March 27 and April 3, 2011. A while back we started a new series on 1 John entitled "Theology Matters." This lesson looks at 1 John 4:7-12 and discusses the idea that Christians should be a people who love like God loves. We need to be aware of and to share the love that God has given to us in Christ. His gift of grace becomes visible to others when we live the love Christ has shown us. When we love others, we give a living example of the love Jesus showed in the cross. John gives us the character of love, the definition of love, and the result of love. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

I Want to Know What Love Is
Love Manifested
1 John 4:7-12
Theology Matters Series

Introduction
How many of you know the rock group Foreigner?
Yeah, I’m old, that is certain!
One of their hits was “I Want to Know What Love Is”
I liked the song, but the point I want to make is this—there are lots of people in our world who make the same statement

People want to know love, they want to experience it, they want to see it
Just look at the movies and magazines today
Many of the materials give instructions on finding love
Some movies exemplify romantic love as the goal of human existence
In fact, I would dare say that love is a dominant theme in many areas
The problem is that the love exemplified in these “sources” rarely offers real satisfaction or any sense of fulfillment

Love in the world often ends in hurt or disappointment

Can anyone here describe a time (besides your salvation experience) when you thought you experienced real love? What did it look like?

Our passage in 1 John 4 today addresses the issue of what love looks like

Verses 7-12 offer us John’s view of love, and in them we find three points to consider
1. The character of love
2. The definition of love
3. The result of love

As we unpack these three topics, we will see that for John
“Love resembles Jesus” in his character, action, and empowerment

1. The Character of Love
1 John 4:7-8—John likes to repeat himself. This is now the third time he has instructed his readers to “love one another.” In 1 John 2:7-11 and 3:11-12 John has already given this command, now he returns to his earlier message

John seems to repeat himself in an effort to make sure the point gets across
When John is older, church tradition/history tells us that his message becomes simply “Little children, love one another”
When asked why he repeats this message, John replies: “It is the command of our Lord, and it is enough.”

“Love one another” in John’s mind flows naturally from the basic character of love
John defines the character of love as being tied to the character of God

Notice that John says in v. 7 “love is from God”

The kind of love John to which John is encouraging us is not a mere emotion or an expression of human concern

The love mentioned in 1 John usually refers to a divine source, a heavenly origin (cf. 1 Corinthians 13)

We don’t learn this kind of love simply by attending seminars, reading books, or trying harder.  We learn to love one another in this way only as we draw closer to God through Christ

Love’s true character is divine

Notice that in v. 8 John says, “God is love”
John Stott: “"This is the most comprehensive and sublime of all the biblical affirmations of God's being."

We must not confuse this with the idea that “love is God”
We do not define God by our view of love
Rather, we define love by God’s nature (Ray Stedman)

God’s love includes his holiness—Psalm 138:2 (On Holiness see: Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:14-16)
God’s character is just and loving—the two always go together as we will see more clearly in our next verses (H. A. Ironside)

So, John tells us we should love one another because of God’s nature or character
John adds that those who know God (i.e., know his character or know him intimately) will as a direct result love others

John’s argument is simple—if the life of God is present is us, then his love should be present as well

If we know that God’s love for us, then we should love others

Jesus as the example of God’s love: 2 Timothy 1:13: John 8:42: 1 John 2:5-7

Love resembles Jesus in his character

2. The Definition of Love
1 John 4:9-10—Here John shifts from discussing the character of love to giving the supreme example of love—John now sets out to define love for his readers

John describes the manifestation of God’s love and sums it up in one historical event—Jesus’ crucifixion (cf. John 3:16-19)
a. In this one event God revealed a love that has never since been surpassed (2 Cor. 4:6-7; 9:15)
b. This love sacrifices to make things right
c. This love empowers others to do the right things

Let’s unpack these

Love is sacrifice

John says that love was manifested (i.e., made known, made visible, made clear) by God’s act of sending his only Son Jesus into the world
.The reference to Jesus as God’s “only begotten” refers to their unique relationship
Only Jesus is God’s “only begotten” Son—it refers to Jesus’ divine status
b. Please remember that this sending was not simply to tell the world what it needed to hear—(John 3:16-19)—rather God had another thing in mind
c. Jesus is sent to be the “propitiation” for our sins—1 John 2:1-2--meaning to appease or to bring reconciliation.
d. It has at its core the idea that two groups are estranged—one is angry at the other (Rom. 1:18-19)

God’s wrath was aimed at humanity because of sin. We were guilty and deserving of death (Romans 6:23)

Instead of holding us guilty for our own sins, however, God decided to appease his own wrath by his own plan. Jesus took our place and received the just punishment of our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). Jesus became the atoning sacrifice for our sins

Do you see in this act the coming together of God’s justice and love? (Stedman) God’s justice demanded holiness and required an ultimate sacrifice for sin , while God’s love provided the only true means to atone for that sin

Love is sacrificial—it does what is necessary to set things right

But God’s love is not simply sacrificial, it does not simply “cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8)—rather it also gives us what is needed to live love ourselves. In other words, love empowers us to emulate Jesus

God’s love was manifested “in us”—this can mean either “on our behalf” or “in our midst”
The point is that God’s love is manifested in space and time
It is not simply theoretical—it is real—it is “in us”

In v. 9 John says that God sent Jesus into the world so that we could “live through him”
Let that sink in—we who deserved death for our sins are being given life by the one who actually died for the sins of the world
The greatest sign of love is the bloody cross—there by God’s grace and love we lost our burden, our guilt, even our inability to live as God intended—in the cross our Lord died so that we might live through him

God’s love is for our benefit—it enlivens us--it is empowering
That is the true definition of love—It sacrifices that others may gain

How does our love for others measure up?

Love resembles Jesus in his sacrifice

3. The Result of Love
1 John 4:11-12—Now that he has shown the character and definition of love, John now offers a description of the result of love

“If God so loved us” is reminiscent of the “so” in John 3:16
It probably refers to the manner in which God loved us
John seems to be saying, “If you have received love in this way, you should then love others like that”
In other words, the way we love should be sacrificial and for the benefit of others—that they may gain God

This God kind of love also has a moral imperative to it—because God has done this, we “ought” to respond in a similar manner (1 John 2:4-11)

How and when did God love us?
a. God loved us when we were sinners (Romans 5:6-8)
We cannot understand grace or the love of God until we understand the nature of sin.  We will not understand the wonder of the atoning sacrifice until we grasp the horror of that which needed atoning
b. God loved us by giving a means for us to be reconciled to him—he gave Jesus as our atoning sacrifice (Romans 3:25; 5:9-11)
As already noted, Jesus died so that we could live

God’s love is our motivation to love others

Verse 12 is incredible—here John states a well known doctrine—God is not visible to the human eye—we cannot see him

Yet John seems to claim that when we love one another, God becomes apparent
The verse claims that when we love with the love God has given us in Christ, then God abides in us and his love is “perfected” (i.e., made complete, accomplished, finished, brought to its goal) in us
Our relationships of love become the place where God and his love become visible to others
When we love, we show God

Love resembles Jesus as we make him known by loving others

Application
This is a weighty thing—how are we to be “ambassadors of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20-21) when we are still fallen and prone to let God down?

How can we claim to know God when we cannot love those closest to us?

How do we respond to John’s exhortation in these verses?

First, we must recognize our need to experience and live in God’s great grace and love—knowing God through Jesus Christ is the starting point. Remember that John says that loving others comes from loving God. This week make it a point to spend extra time with God. Take 15 minutes a day to look up verses that speak of God’s love (start in 1 John 2, 3, and 4, but don’t neglect John’s Gospel—chapters 3, 5, 13-15)—learn of his love and ask him to empower you to emulate it

Next, take some time to ask where you can share this love of God. Start with your brothers and sisters in Christ, but don’t neglect those outside of the household of the faith. Look for opportunities to tell others how God’s love has changed your life, just be sure to love them while you tell them. Here are some suggestions (thanks to Bruce Goettsche on-line for these):

1. Seek for ways to get beyond feelings of competition
2. Speak of other’s with honor instead of enjoying or gossiping about their shortcomings, struggles, or inconsistencies
3. Rally to the side of those who are hurt or experiencing injustice—offer them a word of encouragement or stand with them in prayer
4. Look for opportunities to help those who can’t help you back—give sacrificially into the life of one who may not pay you back
5. Extend forgiveness to those who offend
6. Be patient with someone who desperately needs it
7. Be quick to show hospitality to others
8. Be willing to pray for and with each other
9. Share the story of Jesus and your salvation with someone
10. Bake cookies for someone who is down and write them a note of encouragement

Love resembles Jesus
How are we doing?

Thanks for reading!

Warnings to the Wicked--Psalm 50::16-21

Psalm 50:16 But God says to the wicked:

"What right do you have to recite My statutes and to take My covenant on your lips?

17 You hate instruction and turn your back on My words.

18 When you see a thief, you make friends with him, and you associate with adulterers.

19 You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue for deceit.

20 You sit, maligning your brother, slandering your mother's son.

21 You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But I will rebuke you and lay out the case before you."

Thanks for reading!

Confidence Before God: How Our Hearts are Reassured, 1 John 3:19-24, Theology Matters Series

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline for our meetings on February 20-27, 2011. A while back we started a new series on 1 John entitled "Theology Matters." This lesson looks at 1 John 3:19-24 and discusses the idea that our hearts can have confidence before God because of God's character and the things his Spirit has done in and through us. When we think rightly about God and love others as he commands, we find assurance for our hearts and minds. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Confidence Before God
How Our Hearts Are Reassured
1 John 3:19-24
Theology Matters Series

Introduction
Questions
1. What comes to mind when you think of the terms “assurance” or “confidence”?
2. Describe what you think a confident person is like
3. When do you lack confidence?
4. When do you feel confident?

Contrary to appearances, I am not a very self-confident person
I constantly ask my wife (and others) for reassurance
I seem to think I am continually lacking confidence

Many of you can identify with my personal struggles, while others think that these things are a bit strange

Our passage today focuses on the issue of the confidence a Christian can have before God

In 1 John 3:19-24, John lists three ways we can be confident before God
1. Our knowledge gives us confidence/assurance
2. Our kinship with God gives us confidence/assurance
3. God’s commandments are a source of confidence/assurance

God’s character is our confidence

1. Knowledge
1 John 3:19-20, 24b

When I read this passage, I was struck by the repetition of the phrase “by this we . . . know” in verses 19 and 24.

Verse 19—”By this” refers to the information just above this verse—1 John 3:18
John is saying here that we will know (it is future) that we are in the truth (i.e., children of God) if we love in deed and in truth (i.e., we practice the kind of selfless love Jesus exhibited)

Verse 24b—”By this” refers back to the verses just before (vv. 23-24a) and to the end of verse 24

John is saying here that we know (it is present tense) that we abide in Christ if we keep his commandments—the command is to believe in Christ and to love one another (more on these later)

John is also saying that we know we abide in Christ by the Spirit he gave us
The reference to the Spirit here is not necessarily only a reference to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:15-17), but may also refer to the presence of the Spirit in our lives as the One who empowers us to believe in Christ and to love one another

The Spirit here is a reference to God’s character and God’s presence as a means to obey God’s commands

2 Peter 1:3-4

John seems to be saying that our changed behavior is evidence (i.e., something we can know) that should give us confidence

The knowledge that God has changed us is a source of assurance/confidence
But our actions are not based on our own abilities, our changed lives flow from the character of God

In verses 19-20, John brings up the idea of our hearts (or consciences) and the possibility of condemnation

“Whenever our hearts condemn us” speaks to those times when we feel condemned or less than confident in our relationship to God

John assumes that the people to whom he writes have struggled with their confidence, they have felt condemned

Perhaps your heart/conscience has condemned you in the past
a. You aren’t good enough, you can’t live up to God’s standard
b. You don’t do the things you should
c. Why would God choose you?

John responds by noting that we can “reassure” our hearts before God because “God is greater than our hearts and knows everything”

What does John mean by this reference?

When John says that God is greater than our hearts/consciences, he seems to be referring to God’s character –a source of confidence for us is the knowledge of God’s character

God’s character is greater than our conscience—he is the one who redeems us (and as shown in v. 24) who puts his Spirit in us

James Boice states “… whatever our hearts may say, God knows us better than even we ourselves do and, nevertheless, has acquitted us. Therefore, we should reassure ourselves by His judgment, which alone is trustworthy, and refuse to trust our own.”

God knows the change he has made in us if we have indeed come to know him through Christ

God judges us not by our conscience but by his justification of us in Christ (Rom. 8:31-39)

When we face condemnation, we can look at two things to reassure ourselves—God’s enduring love and character, and the actions his Spirit has worked out of our changed lives as we obey his command to love

God’s character is our confidence

2. Kinship
1 John 3:21-22—in the previous section, John told us that we can “know” confidence by knowing how we love others and by knowing God’s character. In these verses he introduces the idea that we can be confident before God because we have relationship with him—we are God’s kin

This relationship is shown by two things—answered prayer and God’s abiding Spirit (vv. 23-24)

B. F. Westcott states, “The thought here is of the boldness with which the son appears before the Father, and not of that with which the accused appears before the Judge.”

The Christian has boldness in God’s presence because he or she is a child of God—the child of the emperor has privileges with the king that simple subjects do not have (Rom. 8:16-17; Gal. 4:31-5:1; John 1:9-13)

This family relationship should produce confidence and assurance

John continues this idea by talking about the blessing of answered prayer

What John does NOT mean
a. God is not a cosmic Santa Claus who simply gives you whatever you ask
b. God will not answer all of your requests with “Yes”

What John means
a. God loves to respond to his children
b. God’s children love to respond to their Father
c. When we obey God, we have freedom to come into his presence
d. Of course, when we obey God, we will ask primarily for those things that will give God the most pleasure (i.e., our praying will not be selfish but will be “according to his will”)

God’s character is our confidence

3. Commandment
1 John 3:23-24—John now returns to the idea that our confidence/assurance before God is evidenced by what we believe and by how we live

What “pleases God” (v. 23) is two fold
a. My theology—what I believe about God and Jesus Christ
b. My ethical practice—how I act in response to theology

In fact, theology should drive ethics—right living should flow from right doctrine

John gets very specific here about the commandment
a. We must believe in the name of God’s Son Jesus
b. We must love one another

This commandment is similar to Jesus’ response in Matthew 22:37-40
The call of every Christ follower is to love God and to love others

Believing in the name of Christ refers to the ground of our salvation—it is only in what Christ has accomplished that we can be saved or brought into proper relationship with God

We cannot love God without Christ’s sacrificial love

Our confidence is grounded on what God has done in Jesus

Loving one another is the practical result of our salvation—we show the love God gave in Christ by loving others

This action is not the foundation of our confidence, it is the evidence of it

The gauge of our relationship with God is how we love others

Obedience to God’s command is the manifestation of God’s love poured into our lives (1 John 4:12-17)

Abiding in Jesus is shown by obedience to Jesus

God’s character is our confidence
Our obedient response is the evidence that we have come to know him

Application
The foundation of our assurance or confidence before God is always and only faith in the person and work of Jesus—Jesus is our Rock, our Cornerstone, and our Foundation
Any attempt to have boldness before God without faith in Christ will end in shame
Faith alone in Christ alone is the only means of security before God

Once we have that settled, however, there is room for obedience, and that obedience is also a source of assurance

This week, find ways to obey the word John gives
1. Spend time cultivating your relationship with God—this week set aside an extra 10 minutes a day to get into God’s presence, to pray, to read his Scripture—your confidence is in that relationship

2. Spend time cultivating your relationships with others—this week make time to love one another—be creative, but be purposeful—make a plan to show Christ’s love and follow through—where can you serve this week in a way that would make Christ’s love know?

God’s character is our confidence
What can we do this week that will reveal God’s character to others?

Thanks for reading!

Unraveled . . . Additions and a Repeat

The meditation below was written originally almost 2.5 years ago. The sentiment and the experience are still the same, but the circumstances have changed a bit.

You see, I recently celebrated my 51st birthday. I am now on the downward side of my quest for 100 years. The very thought that I have lived over 5 decades has given me pause. For some of my readers 50 seems really old, perhaps for others it seems a bit young. All I know is that it has caused me to pause and to reflect on my life.

I am a words of affirmation kind of person, and as such I love to give encouragement to others (and to receive it too!). On the other hand, there are those times where I feel incredibly unnoticed and irrelevant and even melancholy in s some ways. Today is one of those days. I noticed my frustration level was a bit higher than usual (not sure why). I feel like my day has started with me already running behind in lots of things. I mean, my day (it is only 10:20!) already seems undone. So, this morning as I contemplated my situation, the post below kind of summed up my mood. I thought I'd repost it for that reason (and maybe it will encourage some of you).

As you stand before God undone today, as you unravel in his presence, cling tightly to the promise that he has given--"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Stand or sit before Jesus and just let your life pause before him for a moment. Join me and come undone. Let's unravel in his presence. I hope you enjoy this little meditation from 2008.

Today as I drove to work, I couldn't help a bit of melancholy.

The weather was cool, traffic was light, John Denver was breezy (yes, John Denver!), the mountains were august, the sun brilliant, . . .

and I was melancholy.

As I drove I began to think of Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah for some reason. Each of these individuals had an amazing encounter with God. Abraham (while still "Abram") encountered the God of covenants. During a dream at night terrors seized Abram as he saw the torch of God move between the divided carcasses of the animal sacrifices. Abram was undone.

Moses encountered God first as an enigma. Moses saw a bush that was on fire and yet not burning. He went closer, he heard God, he took off his shoes. He was undone, his life would never be the same.

Isaiah lost a friend and a hero. When King Uzziah died, Isaiah wept and went into deep mourning. During his depression, Isaiah had a vision. Angels flew about, the holiness and awesomeness of God shook the foundation and pillars of the Temple.

God spoke, Isaiah trembled.

When Isaiah dared to speak in this holy company, the words out of his mouth were "Woe is me, I am undone!"

As I understand it, the Hebrew here has the meaning of being unzipped from the belly to the neck so that your insides spill out.

Okay, maybe I'm stretching it a bit, but it was not a happy thought for Isaiah. He felt unraveled in the presence of God.

That kind of describes my melancholy today . . . I feel unraveled. Like a ball of yarn that has lost its consistency, I am loose and dangly.

Like a sweater pulled apart thread-by-thread, I am undone.

I look at the majesty around me, the beauty and holiness and awe-fulness of it all, and I find myself undone.

It is not a bad feeling necessarily, but it is a bit unnerving.

I feel unraveled.

Like a joke with no punch line, or a sitcom with no laugh track, or a book with no thesis or direction, or a story with no meaning . . .

I feel undone.

How do I explain what is happening in my heart when words seem hard to find?

Life is good, things are fine, but I feel . . . well, what?

I think that this is a normal human emotion, and it is one I've encountered before. I'm not depressed; in fact, I'm not really sad at all! I'm actually smiling as I type these words!

I sit here in the midst of an august band of people, activities, and stuff, and I feel a bit unraveled.

Maybe I'm just relaxing . . . loosening things a bit in preparation for the next battle or the next activity or the next thing.

Maybe it is a "Selah," a sort of pause of spirit that causes me to reflect a bit.

It is a good thing, I think, to be unraveled before God and his wonderful creation.

So, like Paul, I will relish in my unraveling, in my undoing, in my weakness . . . for when I am weak, God is strong. When I am undone, God still does. When I am unraveled, Jesus holds all things together.

I smile, I sigh. I listen to U2 and Larry Norman and Bob Dylan (John Denver was making me too melancholy, I think).

I will go find some Jonny Lang. I will relish in the tones, in the thoughts, in the music. I will unravel before God and just be. I will let myself be undone so that he can renew me.

What a wonderful life!

Thanks for reading!

Missing my Dad today . . . A Tribute

I am missing my father today, not sure why. I heard some quartet music today, and it reminded me of how much my dad loved the Cathedrals and how we used to sing along with them. At any rate, I miss him, and I would love an opportunity just to hear his stories all over again. With that in mind, I thought I'd repost my Fathers' Day tribute to Dad. Some of you never knew him, and I am sorry. He enriched the lives of so many with his infectious smile and easy generosity. I feel so much poorer without him, but I know heaven is richer in some ways. I love you, Dad.

I first wrote this in 2005, but it speaks volumes about my memories of my dad, Bobbie Eugene Percer, Sr. My dad was a hero to me in many ways, and I am terribly sorry that I never told him that to his face. At his funeral in 2004, literally hundreds of people stood in line for hours to tell us of the way my dad had blessed them. I heard stories of dad witnessing to people and leading them to the Lord, stories of dad giving money or clothes or time or work in order to help someone else find a better path in life, stories of my dad going out of his way to help others, etc. It humbled me. I had no idea how "big" a man my father was, how much of a blessing he was to many people. My dad left some mighty big shoes, and I hope I can be half the man he was. With that in mind, here is the first thing I wrote about my dad way back in 2005.

With Father's day coming up this weekend, I wanted to share some thoughts about my Father. You see, my father passed away in August 2004, and for many reasons thoughts of him have been central in my mind recently. I’m afraid I’m losing him.

Let me explain.

My dad wasn’t very active the last few years of life. Due to his own lack of proper care for his physical body and a host of problems with illness, the primary memory my children have of their grandfather is dad sitting in a big lounger watching TV and occasionally waking up long enough to tease them.

My children did not get to know my dad. Oh, my dad was never the most active guy in the world (I think I know where my own lack of activity comes from!), but he didn’t sit around a lot as I remember it. Dad coached baseball, football, basketball, if it had “ball” in the title, he learned it, played it, and probably coached it. My dad cared about folks that no one else wanted. He loved kids, especially his own. I once saw my dad kick a field goal from the 45 yard line (that’s a 55 yard kick, if you didn’t know!). I was in high school then, so dad was probably in his mid-40s. He could kick the ball further than the place kicker on our team.

I remember looking for dad’s vehicle to pull up at the football practice field. I don’t know if he knew that I saw him, but I looked for him to show up so I could perform for him. Dad didn’t get real excited about sports (that was mom’s job!), but you could tell when he was enjoying something. He had this infectious grin and mischievous smile that would literally light up his face. I heard that for almost 10 years after my younger brother graduated high school, dad would make his way to the practice field and sit in his car and watch the players go through their paces. For me, his watching was a comforting presence that reminded me that he was there if I needed him. Oh, I’ll admit that I didn’t “need” him as much as he would like, but it made me feel real good to know dad was there.

I miss him.

Sometimes in my work here, I think that dad is sitting in heaven, in his heavenly lounger, watching his boy perform. Oh, I’m not blindsiding running backs and quarterbacks any more, but I can’t help but think that dad is silently cheering for me. He sits there, intently studying me as I pace a classroom or teach a class or grade a paper. When I make a particularly brilliant play, he smiles that smile. Even when I don’t do so well, dad looks approvingly on his boy. I can see him, sitting there, a big glass of sweet tea on the table, a smile in his eyes, and joy in his heart. I want to make him proud, and I think he knows that.

My last words to my dad face-to-face were spoken around Easter of 2004. I don’t remember everything we discussed, but I remember putting my arm around his shoulders and looking into that face. His eyes were a bit dimmed by senility due to old age and strokes. But somewhere in those eyes I saw the place kicker kicking a field goal from the 45 yard line. I remember saying this to him, “Dad, I love you. I’ll see you later.” At his funeral in August 2004, the pastor asked me to pray at the grave site (actually, my mother asked me to do it). As I walked away from dad’s coffin, I touched the lid and said, “I love you, dad, see you later.”

I miss him, but thank God I will see him later. If your father is alive, call him up. Tell him you appreciate him and love him. Memories are great, but I’d love to have my dad here to hug again. He’s much better off, but I need his smile. Dad, I love you. See you later.

Thanks for reading!

A Matter of Life and Death, 1 John 3:11-18, Theology Matters Series

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline for our meetings on February 6-13, 2011. A while back we started a new series on 1 John entitled "Theology Matters." This lesson looks at 1 John 3:11-18 and discusses the idea that how we treat others is a matter of life and death. John indicates that people who are followers of Christ love others and find life, while those who are children of the devil do not show love and are "living dead." If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

A Matter of Life and Death
1 John 3:11-18
Theology Matters Series

Introduction
A visit to the doctor
Needed to get some prescriptions refilled
A spot on my head removed
What could it be?
Good news, by the way

When we visit the doctor, the folks there often take our vital signs

We talked about spiritual vital signs a couple of weeks ago, focusing on our heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure

We asked if our signs towards Jesus were healthy or indicated a sickness that needed to be address

Vital signs are also used in many cases to know the difference between a dead and a live person

Our passage in 1 John today discusses the most important vital sign that distinguishes between life and death

Let’s read 1 John 3:11-18

John tells us that love is a matter of life and death
If we don’t show love, we are dead
If we love others, we are alive

Four things to see from our passage today
1. All you need is love
2. Cain: An Example of Death
3. A Contrast
4. Christ: An Example of Life

Love is a matter of life and death
Our love reveals whether we are dead or alive

1. All You Need is Love

From the start, John reminds his readers of “the beginning”
a. In chapter 1, verse 1, he reminds us that the message he writes is what he experienced from the beginning
b. In 2:7, he reminds them of the old commandment that they had from the beginning
c. In 2:24 he tells them to remember what they learned from the beginning and to abide in it
d. In all of the instances John seems to have in mind the beginning of the Christian movement rather than the beginning of the universe

Here in 3:11, then, John points his readers to that message which they heard from the beginning of the Christian life, the beginning of the church

That message has not changed
It is simple
“Love one another”

It is the command Jesus gives in John 13:34-35
This command is built upon the very character of God

Doctrine and ethics must go together
Theology should point to a way of life—in fact what you believe is revealed in how you live

For Christians, there is no life without Love because God is Love (1 John 4:8)

The distinguishing mark of Christians should be love

Love is a matter of life and death

John turns now to an example of death

2. Cain: An Example of Death

Beginning in verse 12, John elaborates on the negative example. We could call this the example of death or hatred, for all hatred ultimately leads to some kind of death, doesn’t it?

Cain is the negative example

What do you know about Cain’s story?
a. Cain’s story can be found in Genesis 4
b. Cain was the first child born to Adam and Eve after the fall
c. Cain had a brother, Abel. The two of them offered sacrifices to God, and Abel’s was acceptable (Hebrews 11:4 says that what distinguished Abel’s sacrifice from Cain’s was that it was offered in faith)
d. Cain apparently was jealous of his brother, so much so that God warned him of impending sin
e. Cain’s jealousy and anger led to the first murder in Scripture
f. Cain’s actions depict death instead of life

Cain chose to hate or reject his brother
That very hatred caused not only his brother’s death but also revealed the deadness in Cain’s own soul
Cain acted in unrighteousness, did not love his brother, and ended in death

John then reminds his readers that Cain’s example is part of the world’s system

The world, although it sometimes reveals glimpses of love, does not accept God’s divine love (John 1:9-13)

In fact, because Christians do not belong to the world and its system (see 1 John 2:15-16), the world actually hates them

Jesus warned us of this problem (John 15:18-19)

Love is a matter of life and death
If we follow Cain’s example, we are dead

John now contrasts his readers with the world

3. The Contrast: An Encouragement

In verse 14, we find an encouragement

John speaks of assurance when he states that we “know” we have passed from death to life

But what is the defining characteristic that gives this assurance?
Simply stated, John says it is revealed in our love for one another
Because we have experienced God’s amazing love, we cannot help but give that same love to others
That is the mark of a true Christian

The story of Jacob De Shazer, WWII Pilot and POW in Japan--Here is a link: Jacob De Shazer Story

Love is a matter of life and death
If we love, we are alive

The Contrast: A Warning

In verse 15, John issues a warning (continuing his example of Cain, it seems)

When we fail to love others, we are essentially acting like Cain

We may not commit the act, but the anger, animosity, and indifference in our hearts is simply one step removed from taking a life

When we tear down someone’s character, when we highlight faults to make ourselves look better, it is a murderous attitude and it is sin.

Christians should be different in how they treat each other

Love is a matter of life and death
If we do not love, we bring death

4. Christ: An Example of Life

John has looked at the negative (how we shouldn’t act), and beginning in verse 16 he now considers the positive (what we should do)

John fills out his understanding of Christian love by giving an example of life in contrast to Cain’s example of death

Ironically, this example of life is still tied to death in a sense

How did Jesus love us?
Philippians 2:5-8
a. He humbled himself
b. He served
c. His obedience led to the cross
d. He laid down his own life so that we might live

How would we describe Jesus’ love?

Christ’s love was
a. Without discrimination—he didn’t look at ethnicity, orientation, religious persuasion, or even denomination.

b. Offered freely—Jesus put no restrictions on his love for others, he simply gave it

c. Enduring—Jesus does not love for a short season, his mercy is enduring

d. Sacrificial—he gave himself for others without expectation or complaint

e. Transforming—people were changed when they encountered Jesus’ love

Story of the killings in an Amish community in Oct. 2006--Two links on the story: 1. Amish Shooting 2. Grace and Forgiveness

These young ladies were willing to die that others may live
Their love showed the true and eternal life that throbbed in their soul

Christ’s love brings life—are we alive or dead?

So, how are we doing? Are we laying down our lives for others?

John tells us in verses 17 and 18 what our love should look like
a. We must give what we have received—love is practical. You give from what you have (“the world’s goods”) or from what God has given you

b. We must notice others (“sees his brother in need”)—this means that we take time to pay attention to those around us. We need to act with empathy. We ought to feel their pain and rejoice in their joy. Their situations should move us to action and not just arouse emotions. Much of the reason we don’t love is that we don’t see how desperately love is needed in others. The implication is more that just material goods here, it refers to time and community. We must be involved in their lives and not simply write a check.

c. We must take action—John warns us not to love in word only, but we need to love in deeds as well.

This kind of love usually makes us uncomfortable, but we know we need it and we also know we need to give it

Love is a matter of life and death
If we follow Christ’s example, we are alive eternally

Application

The result of this kind of exhortation should be obvious, right? If we want to be known as children of God, as followers of Christ, then we must find ourselves doing as our Master has done—we must love one another

The starting point is obvious—have we passed from death to life? Are we living dead or are we in possession of God’s life?

The only way to distinguish is to look at how we treat each other

Here are some things you can do as Christ followers to show your commitment to God’s life in you

1. First, make sure that God’s life is in you. If you have not made a commitment to Christ, start here

2. Spend some time in God’s Word seeing how Jesus loved others. Read 1 John 3 and 4, Philippians 2, or any of the stories of Christ’s passion in the Gospels
Be a friend to one who has failed, go out of your way to encourage the one everyone avoids, stick closer than a brother to the one who is alone in his or her struggle

3. Give time to bless others this week—listen to someone who needs to be heard, be patient, be kind to the angry person

4. Step outside of your convenient cage of comfort—take a risk to love someone in the name of Christ. Share your faith, tell your story, simply show and tell what love God has done for you

Love is a matter of life and death

Thanks for reading!

Bob Dylan is what's playing today!

It will come as little surprise to many of you that Bob Dylan is one of my favorite songwriters/musicians. I've been listening to the remastered copy of the "Slow Train Coming" album the past few days. I love this music! I wanted to share the lyrics for the title song. If you have a comment, I'd love to hear it!

Slow Train

Sometimes I feel so low-down and disgusted
Can’t help but wonder what’s happenin’ to my companions
Are they lost or are they found
Have they counted the cost it’ll take to bring down
All their earthly principles they’re gonna have to abandon?
There’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend

I had a woman down in Alabama
She was a backwoods girl, but she sure was realistic
She said, “Boy, without a doubt
Have to quit your mess and straighten out
You could die down here, be just another accident statistic”
There’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend

All that foreign oil controlling American soil
Look around you, it’s just bound to make you embarrassed
Sheiks walkin’ around like kings
Wearing fancy jewels and nose rings
Deciding America’s future from Amsterdam and to Paris
And there’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend

Man’s ego is inflated, his laws are outdated, they don’t apply no more
You can’t rely no more to be standin’ around waitin'
In the home of the brave
Jefferson turnin’ over in his grave
Fools glorifying themselves, trying to manipulate Satan
And there’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend

Big-time negotiators, false healers and woman haters
Masters of the bluff and masters of the proposition
But the enemy I see
Wears a cloak of decency
All nonbelievers and men stealers talkin’ in the name of religion
And there’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend

People starving and thirsting, grain elevators are bursting
Oh, you know it costs more to store the food than it do to give it
They say lose your inhibitions
Follow your own ambitions
They talk about a life of brotherly love show me someone who knows how to live it
There’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend

Well, my baby went to Illinois with some bad-talkin’ boy she could destroy
A real suicide case, but there was nothin’ I could do to stop it
I don’t care about economy
I don’t care about astronomy
But it sure do bother me to see my loved ones turning into puppets
There’s a slow, slow train comin’ up around the bend

Copyright © 1979 by Special Rider Music

Thanks for reading!

God's Dividing Line: Christ Crucified, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

This past Sunday I was invited to preach at Staunton Baptist Church near Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. As I prayed about the passage for my sermon, God led me to 1 Corinthians 1 and the issue of his dividing line. Paul here describes two (and only two) groups of people--those who are perishing and those who are being saved. The difference between these two groups is how they respond to God's greatest act--the crucifixion of his Son. Below is the outline for this sermon. I'd be happy to hear your comments!

God’s Dividing Line
Christ Crucified
1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Introduction
A church divided
I grew up in a town that had several Baptist churches with numbers in their names—First Baptist, Second Baptist, Third Baptist, etc.
In many cases the latter numbers were formed due to a split from the earlier numbers
New churches were established by division rather than multiplication or growth
Some of us may have had similar experiences in church or even in our families

We have been a part of something that started as a unity, but ended up in division
The reasons for the division may have been subtly different, but the results were always the same
Often it is words or actions that lead to divisions

The church in Corinth was no stranger to division

Background on the first letter to the Corinthians
The city was not known as a bastion of morality
The Isthmian Games in honor of Poseidon
Paul stayed there for more than a year to win souls, disciple new believers, and plant a church
The church he planted ended up divided over many issues

1 Corinthians deals with some of those issues

In chapter 1, Paul commends the Corinthians for their response to God’s grace.
He also condemns them for the division that has developed over personalities

Our passage (1 Cor. 1:18-25) continues this idea of division by examining two things that may cause division
1. God’s Powerful Word
2. God’s Powerful Wisdom

God’s dividing line is clearly defined
What God says and what God does demands a response
That response creates a division between people

God’s dividing line is Christ crucified

1. God’s Powerful Word
1 Corinthians 1:18-20—Paul begins his discussion of God’s dividing line by noting that the things God has said (i.e., God’s Word) creates division

There are only two types of people for Paul (cf. 1 John 3:10)
a. Those who are perishing (“children of the devil”)
b. Those who are being saved (“children of God”)

We need to realize that in God's Word there is not middle ground. You cannot be sort of on one side or the other. You are either perishing without Christ or you are being saved by God's grace. There is no Oprah-like "all roads lead to heaven" position in Scripture.

The participles in these verses are present tense, indicating that this is an ongoing though not necessarily predetermined situation

The point is that those who are perishing and those who are being saved are currently in that state, although those who are perishing could know a change of state

According to Paul, God’s Word (particularly the message of the cross) produces these two groups

The question remains, how does the word of the cross do this?

The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing

God’s powerful word (the word of the cross) does two things
a. It destroys wisdom and cleverness (v. 19, cf. Isaiah 29:14)
b. It renders the best of the world’s best inept (v. 20)

The word of the cross is the power of God to those who are being saved
a. Those who experience salvation know that God’s power is not found in selfish exertion
b. God’s power is found in reliance on God’s provision—the cross of Christ

In this way God makes the wisdom of the world foolish
All of the world’s lofty attempts to make themselves gods are useless
But the humility (i.e., “the weakness”) of God results in salvation (Phil 2:5-8)

Relationship with God comes only through surrender to Christ (John 1:10-13)
Our response to God’s word of the cross creates division
We either find ourselves responding selfishly and siding with the world
Or we find ourselves being humbled by God’s grace and being saved by faith

God’s dividing line is Christ crucified

But God’s Word is not the only dividing line in our passage, we also see division caused by God’s Wisdom

2. God’s Powerful Wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:21-25—Paul now turns his attention to God’s dividing line as shown in his wisdom or actions

Paul points out that God in his wisdom had a plan (Romans 1:16-19; Gal. 3:6-9)

This plan preempted any effort on the part of the world or its wisdom to gain salvation/knowledge of God
Only by faith in God’s message of the cross could salvation be gained

The world’s wisdom is incapable of causing knowledge of God
a. Jews (i.e., the religious crowd) want miraculous signs
b. Greeks (i.e., the academic crowd) want wisdom or knowledge

Unfortunately for both groups God intended salvation to come in a “foolish” manner
God was “well pleased” to cause salvation to come into people’s lives by a foolish act
a. The act of preaching or proclamation (Romans 10:14-15)--of course, this proclamation is not simply a result of words, but is also one of deeds. To say that we have the knowledge of God and have experienced his mercy and then live like it is not true is not proper proclamation. Like Jesus, we need to learn to serve humbly and meet the needs of others while telling them about God's love. As Francis of Assisi is reported to say, "Preach always. If necessary, use words."
b. More to the point, though, it is the message of the proclamation that leads to faith and salvation (Romans 10:8-13)—Christ crucified

This message is simple—Christ the crucified One (Gal. 2:20; 3:10-14)--this is the message of the humility and weakness of God (see Phil 2). God, the Lord of the universe deemed it necessary to become a man, and not just any human, but one of no reputation. Remember, Mary was not married when she got pregnant. Jesus was known as "illegitimate." He was from the "wrong side of the tracks." As he grew up, he hung out with all the wrong people--a group of smelly fishermen, tax collectors, and wayward women. Jesus didn't go to the rich, the popular, or the religiously important crowd. He didn't hang out with kings, princesses, or important business people who could make his reputation. He hung out with the disenfranchised, the outcasts, the "least of these" in Israel. Then, horrors of horrors, he was sent to death row to be killed in the most horrible nature possible--crucifixion

Crucifixion was not JUST another means of capital punishment--it was a warning, a way of setting an example. The worst offenders were hung on a cross to make a point. They were put there to die slow and agonizingly painful deaths as a warning to others. It was the Romans' way of saying, "Don't follow this person's example."

Jesus didn't just come as a person of low estate, he died as one. His death took care of all of our sins, but it also labeled our Lord as "the least of these" or "Rome's most wanted." That is why the Jews (the religious crowd) despise this idea. Surely Messiah would be better than that, right? The academics aren't better off, they can't figure out how "wisdom" or "power" can be exhibited in humility and weakness. God understood it though, and that is why he went through this suffering!

John Stott sums it up this way: "I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I turn to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged into God-forsaken darkness. That is the God for me. He set aside his immunity to pain, he entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death." (from The Cross of Christ) He came into this disregard because he regarded us with such love that he was willing to suffer the loss of all to gain us! That is the message of the merciful, awful, terrible, and loving cross. God knows us, and he knows our pain! And in spite of all our stuff, he is able and willing to save us.

This message/wisdom causes problems
a. It causes stumbling among those who look to religion to save (“a stumbling block to the Jews”)
b. It looks foolish to the wise folks

But to those who are being saved
a. The message of Jesus’ crucifixion is power ("There's power in the blood")
b. The message of Jesus’ crucifixion is wisdom--Jesus stooped low so as to raise us up. He humbled himself to make us great. He died so we could live!

God’s “foolishness” in the crucifixion is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s “weakness” on the cross is stronger than human strength (Phil 2:5-8; Gal 6:14)

Like God’s Word, God’s Wisdom requires a response from us
We can rely on our own efforts or wisdom or
We can rely on God’s “foolishness” in the cross to bring us salvation

Our response to God’s word will cause division

God’s dividing line is Christ crucified

Conclusion
Our choice is clear today—we can side with the world and our own selfish wisdom, or we can side with God and accept the “foolishness” of a dying and humiliated Christ

Amazing love, how can it be, that Christ my King should die for me

For those who are not Christians, you need to make a choice today—will you continue to try to save yourself by your own efforts or wisdom, or will you humbly submit to God and ask him to save you?

For those who are already Christ-followers, what can you do? You choice is easy to say but not so easy to do:
a. If you were brought to salvation by God’s humility and foolish message, do you think you can continue living it in your own wisdom and strength?
If God saved you by his own humiliation, then you need to humble yourself and live by his standard (Phil. 2:5-8)
b.This week, find some ways to “preach” God’s foolish message to a dying world
c. Live a life of humble service, speak to others about God’s message of salvation, be absorbed in living like Jesus (Gal. 6:6-10)

God’s dividing line is Christ crucified
Which side are you on?

Thanks for reading!

Living in the Light of Jesus' Coming, Part 2, 1 John 3:4-10, Theology Matters Series

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline for our meetings on January 16-23, 2011. A while back we started a new series on 1 John entitled "Theology Matters." This lesson looks at 1 John 3:4-10 and discusses the idea that we need to consider how we live our lives in the light of the first advent of Jesus. Jesus' coming (according to John) offers motivation for us to pursue righteousness in our lives. His work at taking away sin and dissolving the work of Satan provide for Christians the ammunition we need to win the war against sin. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Living in the Light of Jesus’ Coming, Part 2
1 John 3:4-10
Theology Matters Series

Introduction
Part 1 talked about Jesus’ future coming and described how we should abide in him as we prepare for his return

Part 2 actually looks back to the past, to the first coming of Christ—our passage today would make a good Christmas sermon (sort of)

1 John 3:4-10

Three things to consider from our passage
What Sin Is
What Jesus Did
How We Should Live

When Jesus came, new life came with him

1. What Sin is
Verses 4 and 8 give us some insight into the problem of sin

What is sin according to these verses? Sin is:
Practicing lawlessness
Sin originates with the devil

What did the devil do? Who is Satan? (cf. Isaiah 14:9-17; Ezekiel 28:12-14)
Although his origin may be a mystery (some scholars see the passages above as a description of Satan’s origin), we know that he is described as an accuser, a deceiver, and an opponent to all that God endorses
The passages above describe a person who is rebellious, and the story of Satan is one of rebellion as Satan sought to exalt himself above God
Satan disregarded the proper boundaries that God established and thus became evil (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6)

John here describes sin as practicing lawlessness
The idea here is not simply the breaking of God’s laws (although it does contain that idea)
The concept expressed here is one of continuing in a rebellious attitude—it is defiance

Sin is being like Satan, being a rebel against the authority of God
Sin exalts me to the place of God and puts God’s priorities at the bottom of the list
Sin hinders us from the life Jesus brings

When Jesus came, new life came with him

2. What Jesus Did
Verses 5 and 8 tell us what Jesus did in response to sin

What did Jesus do?
He appeared to take away sins (since he has no sin)
He appeared to destroy the works of Satan

One purpose for Jesus’ first coming was to deal with our defiance
Jesus brings hope to us—since he is sinless, he can deal with our sins
Jesus brings hope to us—since he has taken away our sins we can be forgiven and live in a proper relationship with God

Jesus “takes away” our sin by his death on the cross ( 1 Peter 2:24-25; John 1:29; Isaiah 53:12)—he provides what is necessary to undermine our defiance and our rebellion and to turn us into children of God (John 1:12-14)

A parallel purpose for Jesus' first coming was to destroy Satan’s works
The word “destroy” here carries the idea of “dissolve” rather than “annihilate”
Jesus came to break the power of Satan, to undermine the devil’s authority
Satan has not been eliminated, but his power has been reduced and his weapons impaired

Destroying Satan’s works is parallel to taking away sins—Jesus’ first coming effectively represented a sort of “secret invasion” on Satan’s rule that undermined both his power and our defiance. Jesus’ sinless sacrifice made it possible for us to overcome Satan
Jesus takes away our sin and brings ruin to Satan

When Jesus came, new life came with him

3. How We Should Live
If you are in the hospital, a nurse may come in periodically and check your vital signs. These include:

a. Pulse—an indication that the heart is working (typically around 72 beats per minute)
b. Blood pressure—an indication of how well your heart is working (120 over 80)
c. Temperature—may indicate serious infection (typically 98.6)

Verses 6-7 and 9-10 offer some vital signs for the Christian life
These verses present us with a type of contrast between the children of God and the children of the devil

Simply stated, you can tell a child by his or her family resemblance—you can tell which side a person is on by how he or she acts
Children of God do not live lawless or rebellious lives
Children of God do not look like the devil

Verses 6-7 tell us that children of God abide in Christ and do not practice sin. Rather, these people do what is right

What does it mean to do what is right?
This is not a reference to being righteous by works
John here is saying that if we belong to Christ, our lives will show what our Lord is
We will do right because of what he has done for and in us
Doing right means to abide in Christ, to do his works
Doing right means to avoid living lawless lives

Verses 9-10 elaborate on verses 6-7
"Born of God" is equal to "abiding in Christ"

What does it look like to be born of God according to John?
The person does not live a lifestyle of sin
God’s “seed” dwells in him—”Seed” is used to refer to God’s Word (Mark 4:14-15; 1 Peter 1:23), to God’s children (Matthew 13:38), and to Christ (Galatians 3:16-19). “Seed” here may also mean God’s nature (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Nonetheless, what John seems to be saying here is not that Christians are sinless (remember earlier in this book he warns against the false teachers’ claims of “sinlessness”—1 John 1:8; 2:1-2), rather he seems to be delineating the direction of the believer’s life

If God has given new life to us through abiding in Christ, then we cannot continue in a lifestyle of sin—it is contrary to what God has done in us

No one who sins knows Christ (1 John 3:6)

The practice of righteousness and love distinguish the children of God from the children of Satan
Righteous people do what is right
Children of the devil do not do what is right and they do not love others
This teaching echoes back to 1 John 2:7-11 of John’s letter—if we love other believers, it is evidence of our lineage to Jesus. If we hate other believers and treat them with disrespect, we cannot claim to abide in Christ

The difference between God’s children and Satan’s children is simply this—a right life that loves others

Satan hates and resists anything that belongs to God, so also his children

God’s children love the things God loves and do the things God asks them to do
The life of the Christian is summed up in Matthew 22:37-40—love God, love others
A person born of God in Christ will show traits like Jesus

There are only two kind of children in the world
a. Children of Satan whose distinguishing mark is yielding to sin or practicing sin
b. Children of God whose distinguishing mark is yielding to God and resisting sin (Romans 6:12-13; 12:1; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:13)

When Jesus came, new life came with him

Application
In light of this, I think our application becomes clear. This week:

1. Watch how you live. Check your vital signs. Is your heart beating with what God things is important? Is there an infection of sin? Is your life characterized by rebellion against God or by submission to his righteousness? Do you abide in Christ or do you continue in sin?

2. One way to avoid sin is to get into God’s Word (Psalm 119:11; 105). Spend some time this week reading God’s Word—maybe look through 1 John and underline places where John speaks of God’s children. See where these descriptions fit you or where you need to repent and change

3. Since doing right is one part of being God’s children, look for opportunities this week to do the right thing. Pick up that piece of trash, help someone in need, share your faith with a friend, encourage someone, etc. Also, God’s children love each other—who in you Christian circle needs your love or encouragement? How can you help them?

4. Finally, don’t focus on failure—focus on God. You are not perfect, but Jesus is. Learn to rely on his Spirit to help you live right.

When Jesus came, new life came with him
How are your vital signs?

Discussion Questions
1. How can a proper understanding of sin help us rely on Christ more? How does the world understand sin? How do those in your circle? Does a proper understanding of sin help in motivating you to living a life of righteousness? If so, how?

2. Does John indicate that Christians will never sin or struggle with sin? Why or why not? What struggles keep you from doing the right thing? How can you do what is right in those areas?

3. How would you counsel a Christian living in habitual sin?
How do you respond to the idea that there are only two kinds of people in the world—children of God or children of Satan? What does a person have to do to be part of these families?

4. In what way does Jesus’ sinless life give us hope?
Since Jesus came to destroy Satan’s works, what can we do to speed up the final defeat of Satan?

5. Where can you do right and love others this week?

Thanks for reading!

An Amazing Contrast, Mark 6:1-6

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline for our meeting on January 9, 2011. This lesson looks at Mark 6:1-6 and discusses the contrasting amazement found in this chapter. The contrast is between the amazement of the people of Nazareth and the amazement of Jesus at their unbelief. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

An Amazing Contrast!
Mark 6:1-6

Introduction

Our trip to Tennessee during Christmas Break
How many of you traveled during break?
What was it like “going home” again?
How were you received?

In Tennessee, we heard a sermon on Mark 6
Lisa and I discussed it in the Wal-Mart parking lot
I was struck by how this story is framed by an amazing contrast
On the one hand, you have the people of Nazareth being amazed at Jesus, and on the other, you have Jesus being amazed at his hometown folks

You may see some similarities in our passage today to your own homecoming, but I want us to see two other things:
1. The Crowd’s Amazement
2. Jesus’ Amazement

Mark 6:1-6

What amazes can hinder or inspire

1. The Crowd’s Amazement
Mark 6:1-2
Notice here that the crowd is amazed or astonished at Jesus. Jesus spoke to them, and they were amazed.

These people no doubt had heard of Jesus’ accomplishments (remember, he visited them once before—Luke 4:16-30—and he had done great deeds in Galilee)

In Luke 4, Jesus went to his hometown to preach. In his first sermon to them (from Isaiah 61), he claimed to be the Jewish Messiah. While the people were wondering at this claim, he quotes a proverb that is repeated in our passage today. Then, in a twist of sorts, Jesus mentions that many of the prophets did miracles and other mighty works OUTSIDE of Israel.

The implication is that these works were done outside of Israel due to Israel’s hardness of heart and lack of faith in God. Jesus is telling Nazareth that they won’t get miracles for the same reason.

Needless to say, the people got mad and tried to kill Jesus.

Now, here he is in Nazareth again. What could possibly be the result of this second visit?

Would Jesus get respect, or would he be rejected a second time?

Mark tells us that the result of this visit is that the crowd was amazed

In Mark 6:2, what was the source of the crowd’s amazement? What was it about Jesus that amazed them?
They knew his Messianic claims and preaching

The source of their amazement was as follows:
They were “amazed” at his words/wisdom
They were “amazed” at his works
Actually, they weren’t amazed at the words or the works per se, but they were amazed at who was doing them

The people wondered where Jesus came up with these ideas
They were puzzled or astonished at his speech and wisdom
They were amazed at his miracles
But their amazement was not made up of faith

They were surprised that a boy from home was doing so well

The amazement of the crowd hindered them from hearing and receiving Jesus

Mark 6:3—they begin to take offense at the hometown kid

These people were surprised that the carpenter’s kid could do these things
Didn’t he grow up right there in Nazareth?
Didn’t some of them know his brothers and sisters?
Hadn’t they all heard the “rumors” that he was an illegitimate child?
Didn’t they “know” the TRUTH about Jesus?

Their amazement was that this boy who years before had toddled around Joseph’s shop could all of a sudden show such promise
He didn’t have a seminary education
He wasn’t even certified by the religious leaders
He had no training in preaching, in theology, or in teaching methods

Jesus, the hometown boy from the wrong side of the tracks, was now the one speaking with authority

Like the skinny kid who never got picked in PE growing up to be the captain of the football team, the folks were amazed that this illegitimate child of Mary was speaking legitimately

The people of Nazareth judged Jesus primarily on what they thought they knew about him

“How could this hometown boy do so well?”—They wondered.

Amazement can hinder or inspire

What would the crowd say about us?
Maybe we’ve lived similar lives
We messed up early on—messed up our families, messed up with sin, messed up with addictions, we’d “never amount to much”
Maybe we were born on the wrong side of the tracks
Or maybe we were born to the “right kind” of family, but never seemed to live up to the promise of our lives
We were the “golden child” who seemed to have everything going his or her way—voted “Most Likely to Succeed” or captain of the sports team, president of the school body, etc.
Yet life never quite panned out—the hometown crowd was disappointed
Like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” maybe we just got stuck

Then, somewhere along the way, we met Jesus and he changed us
Our past didn’t disappear and we didn’t necessarily become overnight successes, but something changed
That change involved our actions and our words
We didn’t act the way we used to act, we didn’t talk the way we used to talk
The change caused us to try to act like Jesus and to speak openly of his grace and love for others

Some folks were amazed, and they didn’t like it—in fact some were offended

Amazement can hinder or inspire us—what amazes you?

2. Jesus’ Amazement
Mark 6:4-6—Jesus addresses the crowd’s astonishment

A prophet is without honor—this is a familiar proverb that addresses the first three verses—those who know us the best are often least likely to think the best of us.
Why? Because they “know” us!
They think they know who we “really” are, so to speak (warts and all)

Like the people of Nazareth, however, Jesus is also amazed—he is amazed at the lack of faith he sees in his hometown

It is ironic that his rejection at home contrasts to his acceptance in other towns. The lack of faith at Nazareth is contrasted to the faithfulness found in others. (Remember the Gentile woman from the region of Tyre in Mark 7:24-30)

It is ironic that his rejection at home contrasts to his acceptance by others in other towns. The lack of faith at Nazareth is contrasted to the faithfulness found in others.

The lack of mighty works in Nazareth is ironically contrasted to the miracles Jesus does elsewhere.

The point here is this—the people are amazed at Jesus’ change and success, he is amazed at their lack of change and lack of faith

Amazement can hinder or inspire

Jesus was “amazed” at least once before—the story of the centurion’s daughter (Luke 7:1-9)
This man would not even expect Jesus to come to his house
He understood authority and simply trusted Jesus to accomplish what he said he would do

We need to learn from this centurion, we need to develop his kind of faith

When we choose to follow Christ, we must change. We should act different
We ought to be faithful to (i.e., “show faith in”) Jesus and do the works he calls us to do and speak the words he asks us to speak and act as though what he says is true
Being a Christ-follower in this way sets us against the world and its mindset—we become enemies (in some cases) to those who are familiar with us
Like Jesus, we may be rejected for our stand and for our claims

Amazement can hinder or inspire

On the other hand, a lack of faith(fulness) may lead to powerlessness
Jesus did few works among them due to their unfaithfulness to him

The Gentile woman and the Roman centurion received from Jesus because they responded to truth with faithfulness

The people of Nazareth would not accept the truth since they thought they “knew” Jesus

To know God through Jesus Christ requires a response of faith and faithfulness (John 1:11-13; 17:3; 7-8)

Jesus was amazed that they could not believe, that they could not be faithful
As a result, no power was manifested in their midst

The crowd was amazed at Jesus’ miracles, but Jesus was disappointed at their powerlessness

The crowd was amazed at Jesus’ works, Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith

Which would you rather be judged by: the crowd or Jesus?
How would the crowd judge you today?
How would Jesus judge you? Would he be amazed at your faith?

Amazement can hinder or inspire—what amazes you?

Application
This story of amazing contrasts in Mark 6 starts with a return home, includes a conflict of expectations, and results in amazement. Some are hindered in coming to the truth due to their insistence that they know the “real” story, while others come to faith as they act in response to the truth spoken by the Lord

Some are simply amazed by the crowd, or the miracles, or the circumstances. Others find themselves amazed at the revelation of God’s kindness in Jesus and respond with faithfulness

I think there are some things we can do this week that will show whether or not we understand Mark’s point:

First, we must have a true relationship with God through faith in Christ alone. There is no other way to get past the crowd’s judgment or to avoid the hindering opinions of the chattering mobs. We must settle it once for all—Jesus is either completely in charge of our lives, or we will continue to bow our knees to lesser gods who think that they know the truth

Once we have set aside Jesus as the only boss for our lives (1 Peter 3:13-17), then we need to make him our focus. This week, spend time reading what God has said, not what others say God has said. Reread Mark 6, look at some cross references, dig into the Scripture. Don’t take my word for it. Investigate the truth. Spend time with the author and finisher of our faith.

Then do what he tells you to do—love God, love others. Who in your world has been rejected because they didn’t “measure up” to the expectations of others? Love them, show them respect. Take time to share your knowledge of God with others. Don’t worry about the opinions of the crowd, just tell them the truth.

Be amazed at what God has done and said, then get out there and actually act on it.

Amazement can hinder or inspire—which will it do for you this week?

Thanks for reading!