Wednesday, January 31, 2018

The Spirit of Truth



John 14:15-21

Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?"  (John 18:38)

Pilate was cynical.  He was a judge.  He was hardened by the lies and deceit he had seen in life, both within his government and staff and in those he judged.

The world has not changed in this regard.  How are we to determine what the truth is when we know our media and government lie to us? 

I watched a video the other day of our president saying something outlandish.  Upon further investigation, I found that it was a clip taken from the middle of a speech in which he misspoke a single word.  Taken out of context and picked up just where he misspoke, the video made the president sound like an idiot.  However, in context, it is easy to see how he misspoke and the message he was bringing was actually cogent and necessary.  It was clear to me that the person who edited and posted the video did it with malicious intent.

This is not a political statement in support of or against the president.  It is an example of what I see every day as I try to sift through the information I am receiving from various sources.

However, we should not be surprised at the lies and deceit in the world around us.  We are told that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.  (1 John 5:19)  What is more, Jesus made it clear that the devil is a liar, the father of lies and when he lies he is consistent with his nature. (John 8:44)  He lies to us about everything.  Some of the lies he has told are about drugs, about sex, about lifestyle, about ourselves and our eternal destination.

By the perversion of truth, the devil seeks to lead people astray and to keep them from entering into eternal life.  1 Peter 5:8 warns us about him saying:
Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  (NLT)

The devil lies to us about our sin.  He tells us that it will be okay.  He tells us that everybody is doing it.  He convinces us that we can get away with it.  He appeals to our pride, our appetites and our desires.  You probably know what I am talking about.

The devil lies to us about salvation.  He says Jesus was a great man.  He says Jesus was a prophet.  He leaves out the part about Jesus being the Son of God come in the flesh.  He leaves out the part that Jesus is risen from the dead and is alive.

The devil lies to us about the judgment to come.  He tells us a loving God will not send people to hell.  He tells us we can deal with our relationship with God later because we are too busy today.  He tells us we can put it off.

As a result of his work in the world, many people walk in opposition to the truth.  Jesus said, "And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil."  (John 3:19, NLT)  In this passage, we see the truth that many prefer lies to the truth, here called light, because their actions are evil.

Coming back to the question "What is truth?” we see that Jesus spoke of Himself as light, and in this we have a glimpse of what truth is.  Google dictionary defines the word truth as "that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality."  (Google Dictionary, January 22, 2018)  Jesus offers Himself as truth.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  (John 14:6)  We find truth in the person of Jesus Christ.

In the introduction to his account of Jesus' life, John speaks of Jesus saying, "The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”  (John 1:9, NLT)  Jesus is truth and light.

The light exposes the lie.  Untruth and lies are likened to darkness and when light shines, it dispels the darkness.

The light exposes our sin.  While Satan lies to us about our sin, the truth makes it plain that we are sinners.

The light shows us that salvation can be found only in Jesus Christ.  While Satan lies to us about the need and the means of salvation, the truth explains God's plan of salvation through the atoning work of Christ on the cross.

The light warns us of coming judgment.  While Satan lies to us about hell, judgment and God's wrath against ungodliness, the truth makes it clear that hell is real, judgment is coming and God's wrath is even now being poured out against ungodliness.

What I have just described is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.  In John 16:8, Jesus said, "And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of Gods righteousness, and of the coming judgment."  (NLT)

This convicting work of the Holy Spirit is a natural part of who He is as the Spirit of Truth.

When Jesus was talking to His brothers according to the flesh, He said:
The world cant hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.  (John 7:7, NLT)

He is speaking of what naturally happens when evil is exposed by truth or light.  The world hated Jesus because He was/is the truth, and as such exposed the lies for what they were, like light dispelling darkness.

When Jesus went back to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us.  The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Christ.  (Romans 8:9, 1 Peter 1:11)  Jesus called Him "the Spirit of Truth."  For example, He said:
“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.  (John 15:26, NLT)

Now, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Now, we are the city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.  Now, we are the light of the world, because we have the Spirit of Truth living within us.  Therefore, our lives, our presence and our conduct expose the lies of the devil.  Because of this, the world hates us.

Remember Google dictionary's definition of truth? --"that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality."

We must each determine for ourselves what truth is, and what we will hold to.  We must each test for ourselves what is in accordance with reality.

Jesus spent three years with His chosen apostles teaching and training them.  Near the end of three years, He asked them: "But who do you say I am?"  This question determines the basis for our understanding of reality.

The big lie behind our modern world is the idea of materialism.  By materialism, I do not mean the pursuit of money.  By materialism, I mean the philosophical concept that all reality is material.  Part of the lie is that this is the scientific view of reality.  This is of course not true.  Science only deals with the material part of reality, because by definition, science is limited to what we can observe and test with our senses.  Because of this limitation, it cannot speak to truth or reality beyond what is material or measurable.  Therefore, we have a whole field or realm of knowledge called metaphysics that lies outside of the scientific method, and upon which our use of the scientific method rests.

Whether we like it or not, we have been trained and educated by a world that views everything from a materialistic point of view.  Because of this, we have been taught the theory of evolution.  We have also been taught modern germ theory, and our understanding of human psychology has been heavily influenced by a materialistic understanding of the world.

The Bible starts with a completely different set of assumptions when it says, "In the beginning, God..."  Our understanding of reality, and what is true is impacted by this statement.

While all creation speaks of the great God who made it, we cannot know Him unless He makes Himself known to us.  If I may use an analogy, this is like the difference between knowing the artwork and knowing the artist.  Certainly, things can be understood from the artwork, but this is in no way the same thing as knowing the artist.

The job of the Spirit of Truth is to make God known to us.  He shines the light on reality because He makes known to us those things that we cannot know because of the limitations of our flesh.  This is more objective than it sounds, because the Spirit of Truth is the Spirit that has given us the Bible.  This is why 2 Timothy 3:16 says:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  (NLT)

Thus, our relationship with the Spirit is built on the Word of God.  As we read and meditate on the word of God, the Spirit of God speaks to us.  1 John 2:20 & 27 tells us:
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.  (1 John 2:20,27, ESV)

In a world where the lie is preached on our televisions and in our movies, it can become difficult to know what truth is.  This is why 1 John 2:27 says, "just as it has taught you, abide in him."

Jesus stressed the necessity of staying in the word of God when He taught:
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (John 8:31-32, NLT)  (The original says “if you do not depart from my word” or if you "abide" in my word.)

We must make every effort to stay close to Jesus.  John 14:15-21 says it best:
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isnt looking for him and doesnt recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”  (NLT)

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth.  How are you connecting with the Truth?

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Power


Acts 1:1-8

What is power?
What does the power of God look like in a person's life?
Do you know and experience the power of God in your life?

Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit after He went to His Father.  As part of His promise, He said,
 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  John 14:12, ESV

Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, fed over five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, and even raised the dead to life.  He calmed the storm with a word and at His rebuke, the fig tree dried up.  Did He mean that we would do the same sort of things?  Certainly, these works represent a demonstration of the power of God.

In Acts 1:1-2, the New Testament tells us:
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  Acts 1:1-2, ESV

In these verses, we see that Jesus gave commands through the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, we are given to understand that the Holy Spirit worked in the teaching ministry of Jesus.  This is consistent with a couple facts concerning Jesus' ministry.  The first fact is that when Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended on Him.  We find this in Luke 3:21-22 where it says:
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."  Luke 3:21-22, ESV

This marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.  It was at this point that Luke tells us:
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness...  Luke 4:1, ESV

Jesus' entire public ministry was done in the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is the first fact I was referring to.  A second fact concerning Jesus' ministry is that He did nothing of His own accord.  In John 5:30, He says:
I can do nothing on my own.  As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.  John 5:30, ESV

In addition to this statement that He does nothing on His own, Jesus also said He only spoke what was given to Him by the Father.  In John 12:49, He says:
For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.  John 12:49, ESV

These and other passages point to the fact that Jesus ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit.  All that He began to do and teach is continued in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  As our example and because He was fully human, Jesus showed us what it looks like to live wholly submitted to the Holy Spirit.  His teaching and commands were given in the Holy Spirit.  He was fully God and fully man.  Being fully man, it was the Spirit that led Him into the wilderness and it was the Spirit that empowered His ministry.

Therefore, Jesus told His disciples to wait until the gift that the Father had promised them was given.  Acts 1:4-5 says:
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."  Acts 1:4-5, ESV

This same Spirit that empowered Jesus' ministry was to empower the continuing ministry of His disciples. 

However, the disciples were interested in a kingdom.  Immediately after the instructions to wait in Jerusalem, the disciples asked Him if this was the time He would restore the kingdom.

Kingdom authority is one kind of power, but it is not the power of the Church at this time.  Historically, the Church wielding political authority or power has not resulted in the kingdom of God on earth.  Jesus told Pilate, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36, NLT)  Jesus did not tell His disciples He would not restore the kingdom to Israel.  He only told them it was not for them to know the times or seasons the Father has fixed by His own authority.  (Acts 1:6-7) When Jesus returns, He will set up His kingdom, then He will exercise the power of rule - then we will have the kingdom of God on earth.  During this Church age, Jesus rules the earth only as far as He rules in the hearts and lives of individual believers.  Collectively, we have political power and influence; influence not authority.   

In addition, individually we receive gifts.  Some have the gift of teaching, others have gifts for leading, but none of these gifts are for the building up of our individual kingdoms or control.  To use our gifts for the building up of our own little kingdoms, is to work against the purpose of the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus.  Gifts are given for the building up of the Body of Christ and for service to others.

In answer to the inquiry about the kingdom, Jesus says:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  Acts 1:8, ESV

This statement that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon us brings us back to the question of "What is power?"

In the life and ministry of Jesus, we see that He had power to heal, raise the dead and calm storms.  In place of the word “power,” we can use the word "ability." He had the ability to do these things.  He was able.

In Acts 1:8, the English word "power," is a translation of the Greek word δύναμιν (dunamin).  I always like to point out that this is the word from which we get our word "dynamite."  However, this can be misleading.  This word δύναμις (dunamis) in its various forms is widely used throughout the New Testament.  For example, in Romans 8:7, it says, "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to Gods law; indeed, it cannot." In this verse, the phrase "indeed, it cannot" uses a form of our word dunamis to point out that the flesh does not have the ability to submit to God's law.  For us, the power of God, the power of the Spirit is an enabling power.  The Holy Spirit gives us abilities, and thus transforms our lives.

Acts 1:8 says He gives us the ability to be Jesus' witnesses.  This one ability involves many abilities combined. 

If we are to be Jesus' witnesses, we have to be bold.  Paul said, "and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel." (Ephesians 6:19, NASB)  Indeed, we see a marked difference in the disciples immediately after the giving of the Holy Spirit.  On the day of Pentecost, people who had been hiding were suddenly out in the street proclaiming boldly the truth about Jesus.  It was a new ability, the ability to be bold.  This was not boldness for boldness sake.  This was boldness for the purpose of making plain the mystery of the gospel.

Another ability the Holy Spirit gives in order to enable our witness is the ability to walk in the light.  God rebuked the Israelites saying, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”  (Romans 8:24, ESV)  Sin in our lives makes us unable to be Jesus' witnesses.  1 John 1:6 tells us, "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."  (ESV)  In addition, Galatians 5:16 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."  (ESV) 

Christian, we ought to be ashamed of the bickering and arguments among us.  We ought to blush at the mere mention of the sins that plague our churches.  We are all guilty of not walking by the Spirit and instead, gratifying the desires of the flesh.  We must repent and agree with God that these things ought not to be.  The problem of not walking according to our profession is not new.  Paul said to Titus, "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party." (Titus 1:10, ESV)  If we profess to believe in Christ and yet do not keep His commandments, we are liars.  This is the clear word from 1 John 2:4. 
Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him…  1 John 2:4

When we talk about the power of the Holy Spirit, we must talk about sanctification, the fact that we are set apart as belonging to God.  If we have the power to walk on water, calm storms and move mountains, but live like we are full of demons, then certainly this is not the power of God.  1 Corinthians 13:1-2 teaches this when it says:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-2, ESV

The New Testament teaches that the commands to love God and to love our neighbor sum up the Law.  The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to love as we ought.

Another ability the Holy Spirit gives is the ability to understand.  No one understands the things of God unless the Holy Spirit gives that person the ability or power to understand. 

The Holy Spirit gives many abilities.  We have examples of these in the New Testament.  To explain each one is more than we have time for right now, but some basic principles apply to them all.  First, all abilities given by the Spirit are to enable our witness for Jesus.  This is why the power is given.  Second, and this follows the first, these abilities are not to be used to build our own kingdom or following.

Healing, tongues, prophecy and knowledge are abilities given by the Holy Spirit that have been the source of much contention and conflict in the Church.  All of these have two manifestations.  The first one seems natural, the results of study and time.  The second one seems supernatural, an instantaneous miracle. For example, a good doctor may have the gift of healing that seems to be the result of study and time.  While another person may see instantaneous healings in answer to prayer.  Medical missionaries see both, and those ministered to often take both as signs of the miraculous power of God at work.

Tongues also are an ability given by the Holy Spirit that also have two manifestations.  One seems natural, the result of time and study and the other instantaneous and miraculous.  I spoke Japanese.  It was a gift.  However, I did study for it.  The disciples in Acts 2 spoke languages they had never even studied.

The main point is that the abilities given by the Holy Spirit are for a testimony, to enable us to witness.  In John 14, when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, He said:
He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  John 16:14, ESV

Just as Jesus promised, "greater works" have been done in His name since He returned to the Father.  Many miracles have been attested to, and many miracles have been faked.  People fake miracles to gather a following or build their own kingdom.  This does not mean real miracles do not happen.  It does mean that we trust the Word of God, not miracles.  However, as to greater works, consider the millions upon millions of people who have heard the Gospel.  Is this not why the Holy Spirit was given?  On the day of Pentecost there were 3,000 believers added to the Church on that first day of the Holy Spirit's ministry.

In a 2015 article titled "Pentecost", I said:
As far as I know, there has never been another day in history when 3,000 people gathered in one place made a decision to accept Christ as Savior at the same time.  In 2012, the number of people in the world that called themselves Christians stood at 2.2 billion.  There is a great difference between being Christian in name and professing Christ.  However, there is no way to account for the billions of people throughout history that have called themselves Christian apart from the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is still working.  “On average, around the world, 178,000 people convert to Christianity every day.[1]

In an article titled "Growth of the Church," I read:
Christianity is the single fastest growing religion in the world. For example, in AD 100 there were 360 non-believers for every believer. Today, there are only nine non-believers for every believer...[2]

There is evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit in our world.  Is there evidence of His power in our lives?

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

The Spirit of Life


Romans 8:1-17


The Christian life is not easy.  It is impossible.

The Apostle Paul makes this clear in Romans 7.  He says:
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.  For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.  Romans 7:18-19, ESV



This conflict is common to us all.  Every man, woman and child who tries to live a godly life has experienced this dilemma, and there are three common responses.

The first response is to reject the whole idea of good and evil or sin.  This rejection takes many forms.  The atheist claims God does not exist and therefore cannot be offended by sin.  The moralist claims that all people are basically good and sin is an outdated way of thinking.  This first response is the response of the unbelieving world.

The second and third responses are from within those who call themselves Christian.  These two responses follow the pattern set before us in the Scriptures of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  These two responses accept a form of godliness but deny its power.  (2 Timothy 3:5 tells us of such people.) 

The Sadducee is the person who holds the truths of Christianity in such a way that they fit in with the views of the world.  This person might teach that God is love and overlooks and forgives everyone's sin.  Of course, this like all the responses, takes on many forms, but the main idea is that this person's Christianity does not distinguish them from the world.  This person looks and acts about the same as those who have responded the first way.  This response denies that sin is much of a problem.

The Pharisee is a person whose response seems to be an acceptance of the truth of Scripture.  This person attends church, prays, reads the Bible, tithes and serves.  This person though has rejected the statement of the Apostle Paul.  The Apostle Paul said, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.  For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out."  Well, this person is carrying it out.  He or she has the desire to do good and is doing it.  The result is a righteousness acquired or attained by keeping rules.

As I said, we all face the dilemma of what Paul is talking about in Romans 7:18-19.  We have looked at three common responses, but now I want to look at an uncommon response.  Our Lord says:
Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  Matthew 7:13-14, ESV

Our Lord tells us that few find the way to life.  It is the uncommon response to the dilemma we are talking about.  I wish it were not so, but even among church-going people, this is true.  This is true for a very simple reason.  Paul mentions it in Romans 8:7 when he says, "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot."  This is why our churches are filled with second and third response people, i.e. Pharisees and Sadducees.  We respond in the flesh, which is natural.

Defeat and disappointment are not the normal Christian life.  We are described as "more than conquerors."  (Romans 8:37)  God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!  (1 Corinthians 15:57)  Romans 8:1 tells us:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1, ESV

Jesus condemned both the Pharisees and Sadducees.  To say that the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God is itself a condemning statement.  I want to look at what the difference is.  Why is there no condemnation for those who are in Christ, and why the difference?

However, before we look at these two questions.  Let's consider this statement of Romans 8:1.  The Apostle Paul has just finished his statement of the conflict within Himself that we quoted from Romans 7.  He even writes, "Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  (Romans 7:24)  The next words off his pen are:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:1)

This is a huge shout of victory and triumphant.  My own rendering would be “Since this is true, there is not even one condemning judgment against those who are in Christ Jesus."  This is actually what chapter 7 is trying to teach, that we have died with Christ to the requirements of the Law.  And, this is what is restated in Romans 8:2:
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:2, ESV

We are under a new law, the law of the Spirit of life.  The idea of this law was introduced in chapter 7 verses 4 through 6.  It is worth quoting the whole text here:
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.  For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.  But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.  Romans 7:4-6, ESV

This is the difference and the answer to why there is no condemnation.  Jesus has set us free from that which held us captive.  He has defeated sin in our flesh.  This is Romans 8:3-4:
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.  By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  Romans 8:3-4, ESV

This answers why there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  They do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  The three common responses are according to the flesh.  The uncommon response is according to the Spirit.  This is a huge difference, and it makes all the difference in a person's life.  Romans 8:6 says it best when it says:
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  Romans 8:6, ESV

We see the difference the uncommon response can make in a person's life.  The difference is here described as being the difference between death and life.  We also see the difference in the people.  The passage above talks about the set of the mind.  In English, we speak of "mindset."  This describes the assumptions and/or notions that govern our lives.  The Greek being translated does not use the word mind.  It uses the word "φρονοῦσιν" (phronousin), which means:  I think, judge, observe.  Therefore, the text is talking about thinking, judging or observing according to the flesh or the Spirit.  It is uncommon to think, judge and observe our lives from the perspective of the Spirit, and here is why.

Romans 1:17 says it when it says; "The righteous shall live by faith."

To walk according to the Spirit is uncommon because faith is uncommon. 

There is another passage that describes how a person walks according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh.  Galatians 2:20 says:
I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20, ESV

As you can see, faith figures prominently in how a person lives.  This passage says, "...the life I now live...I live by faith."  Salvation is a gift, a free gift.  There is nothing we must do to earn or deserve it.  It is something we receive and we receive it by faith.  In other words, we receive it by believing.

One of the things we must believe in order to receive salvation is that there is nothing we can do to earn it.  This is why the Apostle Paul says very clearly, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh."  (Romans 7:18)  This is another reason why faith is uncommon.  We try to be good.  We try to change ourselves.  We try to keep the rules.  We do not like to accept the truth that is pointed out in "nothing good dwells in me."  The Spirit of the Lord, speaking through the Apostle Paul says,
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  Romans 8:7-8, ESV

The mind that is set on the flesh is the natural mind.  It is the way we are born.  According to 1 Corinthians 2:14, the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, and he or she is not even able to understand them.  Spiritual things are foolishness to the natural person.  This is why the common responses actually reject the truth.

The life of the Spirit is evidenced by faith, and faith is evidenced by walking in the Spirit.  This is circular.  We cannot have one without the other.  The life of faith shows itself in not living to please the flesh.  It is described as Christ living in me.  It is living according to the law of the Spirit of life.  It is entirely a work of the Holy Spirit who is Christ living in me.  It is something we receive by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life.  He is the Spirit of Christ.  This is why Romans 8:9 says:
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.  Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  Romans 8:9, ESV

Many Christians throughout many generations have testified that life in the Spirit is joy and happiness and peace.  Many Christians have testified that if the Spirit of God dwells in you, you know it.  The Apostle Paul points this out when he says:
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…  Romans 8:16, ESV


The Christian life is not easy.  It is impossible for us in the flesh.  However, the Christian life lived in the Spirit is a life of rest and joy and peace.  It is described in the words of Galatians 2:20.
I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20, ESV)


There is no condemnation.  We have been set free.  Life in the Spirit is life without condemnation.  Life in the Spirit is a life of freedom.  However, unbelief keeps us from entering into this rest that God has provided.  First, we still believe we can be good enough by our own efforts, and second we fail to apprehend by faith the truth that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Comforter


John 16:1-15


Who is the Holy Spirit?

This is a rather audacious question to try to answer.  The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity.  Therefore, He is a person, and as such, He is much more than a term to be defined.  As a person, He has a mind, He has emotions and He has a will.

To say the Holy Spirit is a person does not mean He has hands and feet.  Hands and feet are part of having a body, but are not necessary in order to be a person.

The understanding that the Holy Spirit is a person is at once very basic and of utmost importance.  Over against and opposed to the concept of the Spirit as a person stands the idea of the Spirit as an impersonal power or force, a power that fills believers and yet is subject to the will of the believer enabling him or her to do what would not otherwise be possible.  The best example I can think of is to liken the "impersonal power" concept as being in nature similar to the concept of "the force" made popular by the Star Wars series of movies.  In some ways, these ideas are not similar at all.  However, the main similarity would be the idea of being able to grasp and use the force for one's own personal benefit or aims.  In this scenario, being "filled with the Spirit" would be a means to a happier life for the person able to obtain such "filling."

Our goal in asking the question, "Who is the Holy Spirit?" is to know Him and to grow in a relationship with Him.  There is nothing in this opposed to a happier life, and in fact, it is a way to a happier life.  However, the means are different in that the way to a happier life is in subjecting our wills to the will of the Spirit rather than using the Spirit according to our wills. 

In order to introduce us to the Holy Spirit, I want to look at how Jesus introduced His disciples to the Holy Spirit.  Jesus promised that as a result of knowing the Spirit, the disciples would be guided into all truth.  John 16:1-15 takes place on the night that Jesus was betrayed.  Jesus had been working for some time to prepare His disciples for these events, and at this point, the time is upon them.  He tells them:
But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I dont, the Advocate wont come.  If I do go away, then I will send him to you.  John 16:7, NLT

I want to look at the circumstances surrounding this statement, who this "Advocate" is and why it is best if the Advocate is sent.

First, let's look at the circumstances surrounding this statement.  Jesus explains these circumstances when he says:
But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.  Instead, you grieve because of what Ive told you.  John 16:5-6, NLT

The occasion was the immediate departure of Jesus, and because of this, the disciples were grieving.  Jesus says, "...and not one of you is asking where I am going.”  This indicates their state of mind.  A little earlier, Peter had asked Jesus where He was going because he wanted to go with Jesus.  (John 13:36 and following)  The discussion that followed Peter's inquiry illustrates that the disciples had no idea what He was talking about when He said He was going away.  They were confused, afraid and shaken.  They had moved beyond wondering where He was going to complete bewilderment.

In addition to His own departure, Jesus also gave them some very bad news.  He said:
I have told you these things so that you wont abandon your faith.  For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.  This is because they have never known the Father or me.  Yes, Im telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning.  I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.  John 16:1-4, NLT

The bad news was that not only would they be expelled from the synagogues, but they would even be killed for their faith.  This is not the first time Jesus has mentioned this.  Just prior to this, in chapter 15, Jesus told them:
If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world.  I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.  John 15:18-19, NLT

If they were troubled at the beginning of chapter 14 when Jesus told them to stop stirring up their hearts, this news would have done nothing to allay those fears.  It seems apparent that Jesus was telling them this as they were walking to the Garden after finishing the last supper.  (John 14:31 indicates that Jesus said, "Come, let us be going" at the end of supper)  It was a night of trouble, uncertainty and anguish of soul.

In view of these circumstances, Jesus promises to send "the Advocate.”  Let's take a moment to consider what this word "Advocate" might mean.  The King James Version translates this word "Comforter."  The Greek word of the original text is "Παράκλητος.”  (Paraklētos)  This word is formed from two words "para" and "klētos.”  Para means "close beside," and klētos means “to call.”  Therefore, the word means someone summoned to one's side, especially as an aid.  The most common use was for legal counsel and advice.

In view of their confusion, bewilderment and fear, the disciples needed a counselor, advisor and friend.  Jesus told them:
There is so much more I want to tell you, but you cant bear it now.  John 16:12, NLT

They were not able to understand what He had already given them, but here He is saying He wants to tell them so much more.  His clear statement is, “...you can't bear it now."  There were truths that Jesus wanted to teach them that they simply were not able to handle.  In telling the disciples about the Holy Spirit in John 14:17, Jesus says:
But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.  John 14:17, NLT

Here we see that the Holy Spirit was with them but would later be in them, and the fuller context shows that He would be making truth clear to them.  This is consistent with the later teaching of Scripture, which says:
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.  1 Corinthians 2:14, ESV  

The Scriptures teach in these instances that the advocate/counselor to be given would make the things of God understandable to the disciples.  In addition, this ministry is necessary because of the circumstances that the disciples would be in.  In John 16:1, Jesus tells His disciples, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith."  He tells them this in the context of telling them they would be hated and persecuted for His sake.  This gives us an idea why the Advocate, or as the KJV translates it, the Comforter, is necessary. 

The Church in all ages has suffered persecution, difficulties and trials.  Without the presence and help of the Advocate/Comforter, we would not be able to endure.  We would all abandon our faith.

This then helps us to understand what is meant by calling Him the Comforter, but in addition, Jesus gives several reasons why it is advantageous for us if He goes and the Spirit comes.  Jesus speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to the world and in relation to His disciples. 

In relation to the world, Jesus speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit as the work of convicting.  He says:
And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of Gods righteousness, and of the coming judgment.  The worlds sin is that it refuses to believe in me.  Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.  Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.  John 16:8-11, NLT

Here we see that in relation to the world, the Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment.  All these have to do with the necessity of salvation.  He makes us aware of our need for a Savior in the conviction of sin, and He makes us aware of the availability of salvation in the conviction of righteousness.  Finally, He makes us aware of the necessity of a decision in the conviction of judgment.  This is a simplified and abbreviated treatment of the subject, but it is shared to show that without the convicting work of the Holy Spirit no one would come to Christ for salvation.

In relation to the disciples, the work of the Holy Spirit is shown to be an Advocate or Comforter.  Jesus says:
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.  He will tell you about the future.  He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.  All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'  John 16:13-15, NLT

He is the Spirit of truth and He guides us into all truth.  The Holy Spirit guides us into knowledge of our Savior.  Colossians 2:3 says of Jesus, "...in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."  (Colossians 2:3, ESV)  The Holy Spirit makes Jesus known to us.

In John 14, Jesus taught an important truth to His disciples.  He said:
...Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.  How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?  John 14:9, ESV

What is true of Jesus and the Father is also true of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son, to know Him is to know the Father and the Son.  We worship one God.  The Holy Spirit is shown by Jesus' teaching to be a separate person from the Father and the Son, and yet they are One.  According to Jesus, it is the Holy Spirit who makes Jesus known to us.  As our Comforter, He gives us the strength to face the trials of life.  As our Advocate, He intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  Romans 8:26, ESV

The work of the Holy Spirit is so essential to the life of the believer that the Scriptures say:
Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  

Do you hear His voice of conviction?

Are you involved in things you know are not pleasing to God?

What do you do with the thought, that still, small internal voice that questions and asks, "Should you be doing this?"  Until you learn to listen, you will quench the Spirit.  He is an Advocate/Comforter.  He will not overpower our will.  A loving relationship requires that both parties willingly participate.  God loves us and desires our love in return.  In fact, He requires it as a condition of our relationship with Him.  The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart.

In addition to His voice of conviction, do you seek to hear His voice through His word?  The Holy Spirit has given us the Bible.  Do you read it, asking Him to make clear those things you do not understand?  If one does not seek to understand and obey the word of God, it is hard to see how the Spirit of God is at work in that person.  I am not saying the Spirit of God is not at work.  I am saying it is hard to see.  James 1:22 is speaking of this when it encourages us to be doers of the word and not hearers only.  It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to both hear the word and apply it in obedience in our lives.

Who is the Holy Spirit? 


He is God, Himself, come to dwell within us until Jesus Christ returns to take us to be with Him.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

All Authority

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Matthew 28:18

We have come to the end of a year.  Tremendous blessings as well as challenges have filled this year. 

Each of us has faced our own personal challenges and victories, and I trust grown in our relationship with God.

At the end of the year and the start of a new year, we traditionally make resolutions.  This serves as a time to review the past year and set goals for the coming year.  Today, I want to do something a little different with you.  I want to review the last days of Jesus on earth after the resurrection but before His ascension into heaven.  I want to consider what He showed us as being most important.  Then, from that perspective, I trust the Spirit will show each one of us what his or her highest priority should be for the coming year.

Of course, I say this fully expecting that Jesus will return any day now, and knowing that if He does not return, some of us may not have another year.  Any one of us can be called home at any time.  Therefore, we should live each day in view of these eternal implications.

We are told in Matthew 28:1-7:
Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake!  For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.  His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.  The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.  Then the angel spoke to the women.  “Dont be afraid!” he said.  “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isnt here!  He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.  Come, see where his body was lying.  And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee.  You will see him there.  Remember what I have told you.”  Matthew 28:1-7, NLT

The disciples were in Jerusalem.  The Passover had brought the nation together in Jerusalem, and it was during this festival week that Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was sacrificed for us.  John 20:28 tells us that on the day of His resurrection, the disciples were gathered in a room with the doors locked and Jesus stood among them.  This happened in Jerusalem.

Later, Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem until the gift from the Father, the Holy Spirit, was given.  (Acts 1)  However, at this point He was sending them to Galilee, apparently for a gathering of the disciples.  This makes sense if we consider that interference from the governing authorities and those who crucified Jesus would most certainly have accompanied any large gathering of believers in Jerusalem, and a sufficiently large space to accommodate a crowd of disciples would have been both hard to find and very conspicuous. 

1 Corinthians 15:5-6 tells us:
He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.  After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.  1 Corinthians 15:5-6, NLT

This reference to being seen by more than 500 disciples at one time is assumed to be a reference to the meeting in Galilee that Matthew talks about.  Jesus had His disciples travel the long way from Jerusalem to Galilee, three to five days, just to meet with them in a safe, unmolested group.

What was so important that He needed this meeting?

This is what we are going to consider.  If it was important enough for Jesus to arrange this meeting then, it is important for us now.  In other words, this is the one moment when Jesus is going to communicate the message He wants all His followers to hear.  The message He gives is known as the great commission.  From this great commission we get our purpose of "making disciples."

A commission is a charge.  It is the marching orders, responsibility and mission of those to whom it is given.  Jesus called this meeting to give His Church her marching orders.  As we consider our role in this and what our priorities should be in view of this, let's look a little closer at what Matthew tells us about all that transpired.

Matthew 28:17-18 tells us:
When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Matthew 28:17-18, NLT

First, we see the worship and doubt among His followers.  This can teach us about our own hearts in relation to what Jesus says.  Our faith does not have to be perfect before Jesus will speak to us.  At one point, when the disciples asked Him why they could not cast out a certain demon, Jesus said:
“You dont have enough faith,” Jesus told them.  “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,and it would move.  Nothing would be impossible.”


Faith even as small as a mustard seed is enough, and yet Jesus is pointing out the lack of even this.  Faith does not come naturally to most of us.  Even the Apostles, who spent three years in Jesus' presence, had to be confronted about their unbelief.  On the night that He was betrayed Jesus told them:
“Dont let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me."  John 14:1, NLT

If you are waiting until your faith is stronger before acting in obedience to Jesus, you will never get out of the starting blocks.  The first thing is to meet with Jesus.  Only the people on the mountain actually met with Jesus.  Even though some had doubts, they were on the mountain.  Jesus had said to go before Him to Galilee so they went -- doubts and all.  Jesus still says to come to Him if we are weary and burdened.  Come to Jesus -- doubts and all.  If you have not done this yet, you need to do it now.  As I said, not one of us is guaranteed another day let alone another year, and in addition, Jesus is coming back soon.

Coming to Jesus is the only way to be forgiven of our sins and to receive eternal life.  It is the only way to become a part of God's family and one of His children.  In addition, this is not difficult.  We see this in how Jesus treated those on the mountain.

Our text says, "Jesus came and told his disciples...”  (Matthew 28:18, NLT)  This translation misses part of the emphasis of the original.  The original word translated here as "came" means to draw near.  Jesus drew near.  He approached and spoke to them in a familiar way.  The text is specific in the drawing near and in the familiarity of His speaking.  It purposefully stresses the closeness and familiarity.  It does not say, He preached, chided, rebuked or exhorted them.  It says, “He spoke to them saying…”  It is important for us to realize that Jesus is approachable.  He is so approachable that Hebrews 4:15-16 reminds us:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:15-16, ESV

In review, we have seen that we need to come to Jesus and now we see that we can approach God boldly because of Him.  Notice, that we can do these things along with whatever goals we might set and whatever New Year’s Resolutions we might make.  However, what Jesus says next requires more consideration. 

Jesus said, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth."  (Matthew 28:18, NLT)

This is an incredible statement.  He has been given all authority.  He is exalted above all rulers, nations, principalities and dominions.  He has the name that is above all other names.  His is the final word in the universe.  If He tells the sun not to shine, it will not shine.  If he tells the stars to move around and mix it up a bit, they will move around and mix it up a bit.  If He tells Mount Rushmore to move to California, it will move.  He has that kind of authority.  He has the authority to tell the angels what to do.

Isaiah 9:6 says of Him:
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6, NLT

Now with that kind of authority, what do you think His concern is?  He does not say, "Therefore, go and get me the nicest chariot in the world and set up a throne in Jerusalem."  Although that day is coming, that was not His first concern.  Remember what Philippians 2:6-8 tells us about Him?
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminals death on a cross.  Philippians 2:6-8, NLT

Now, we are His disciples and followers.  We are expected to follow His example.  His first concern is that we should make disciples.  Why is this? 

Jesus told us:
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”  Luke 19:10, NLT

Jesus expects us to do the same. 

We live for ourselves, looking out for number one.

I have heard people say, "Surely, God wants me to be happy.”  This is usually in the context of justifying some lifestyle decision that is disobedient to the clear Word of the Lord.  I heard this from another preacher and I think it is worth passing on. 
Let me see if I understand you.  God sent His Son into the world to be spit upon, scorned, ridiculed and crucified, but YOU He wants to be happy.  Is that about right?

Of course, God is interested in our eternal happiness.  This is why James 1:2 tells us we can rejoice when we encounter trials.  The Bible is clear.  We can expect hardship and even suffering on this side of heaven.

Let me ask you something.  If Jesus thought that others were important enough to die for, should we not also consider them important?  I am shocked at how much our convenience shapes our relationship with God.

In calling us to make disciples, Jesus was calling us to live for others.  In calling us to teach others all that He had taught, He is calling us to be like Him.  His words are:
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20, NLT

I see in this a call to be like Jesus, to continue the work He started.


In summary, we have said we need to come to Jesus for life, approach God boldly because of Him, and finally Jesus has commissioned us to be like Him.  In the coming year, I want to be more like Jesus.  Join with me in praying for this.

The Fifth Seal, The White Robes Revelation 6:11

Revelation6:11 (NKJV) Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, un...