Good Morning! - 2010.07.02 - Isaiah 53:6 - Laid On Him

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

I had a college Bible teacher who told about visiting Israel. He came to a bridge full of sheep and several shepherds were gathered on the bridge talking. The sheep moved around and mingled together. "How in the world will the shepherds get all these sheep separated? No problem.

When the shepherds finished talking, each of them continued on their original path calling to their sheep. Slowly but surely the sheep began to separate and each of them followed the voice of their respective shepherds. In a few minutes, the mass of mingled sheep were neatly separated into groups and walking along behind their shepherds as though they had never congregated on the bridge.

Jesus said: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)

I've got to ask you: "Do you hear or listen for His voice? Does He know you by name as one of His?" After a battle a young soldier was lying semi-conscious as the medics came through looking for survivors. Suddenly he began calling out weakly: "Here! Here!" A medic bent low and said, "We're here soldier. What do you need?" "Oh nothing, sir. I just heard them calling my name and I was answering 'here!'" And he was gone.

When I was about fourteen, I heard for the first time that my sins were laid on Christ as He hung on the cross. I had been saved five years and knew that He died for me, but had never heard that my sins were actually laid on Him. I memorized it and quote it as often as possible. Like John 3:16, it contains so much in a nutshell. It begins with "all" and ends with "all."

I grew up tending farm animals but we never had any sheep. We had goats, which have a similar nature to sheep, but they're not the same. Sheep are more helpless than goats. They are not as agile and do not climb up on rocks and leap from one place to another. Their heavy coat of wool makes them afraid of water for a good reason; especially running water. They are fearful, mentally slow, and cannot survive without a shepherd. They are susceptible to parasites and prone to wander off until they get hung up in something. They stray through following "the next bite of grass." When sheep are slaughtered, they do not cry out.

In the verse seven, it says: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

It takes a lot of humbling to admit you are like a sheep with all its helpless baggage and to admit you've gone astray. It takes some humbling to admit that you are so defective, so bad that your sins were laid on Him. Were you bad enough that it took God's Son's death on the cross to pay for your sins? It's not a matter of being a little religious so God will remember you when you die. You must come to Him as the lost sheep He says you are and depend on him to save your soul. We are not just a little out of adjustment. We are a totally lost cause and not fit to enter heaven as we are.

The good news is that our sins were laid on Him and it was completely sufficient to save us once and for all. Consider this:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1Peter 1:18-20).

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)

Good Morning! - 2010.07.01 - Psalm 100:3 - He Hath Made Us

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)

The law and culture of the Jewish people are built upon the idea that God made them. God worked six days at creating everything and ceased from his work on the seventh day. That's the basis of the Jewish Sabbath. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested (ceased) the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:11)

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. (Exodus 31:17) The church is not mentioned in the Old Testament and the Jewish Sabbath is not a sign between the Lord and the New Testament church. The church is not the nation of Israel but is closely related to it.

Two whole chapters in Acts (chapters 3 & 4) are taken up with Peter healing a man lame from birth. He didn't just begin a process of healing—through the power of God, Peter healed the man instantly. God never gave me the gift of healing, but I have witnessed enough instant healing to know that it is at times associated with heat coming from the site that has been healed. Not always, but sometimes. I have witnessed that. God's creation of earth and His recreation of a broken bone or a sick body appear to be very similar.

Peter healed the lame man in Acts 3:6 , and said: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

The Jewish leaders didn't mind the man being healed, but they did mind it being done in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter really waxed eloquent for most of the third chapter. The leaders put them in jail because they were preaching the resurrection from the dead through the name of Jesus. If you haven't read Acts 3 and Acts 4, you may want to read them at the above two links. As we say in Alabama, "This will crank your tractor!"

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: (Acts 4:24)

Know. God wants us to know that He made us. I believe this is as essential to mental and social health as knowing your mother and father.

It is he. As opposed to the idea that we might have made ourselves or that we developed spontaneously.

Not we ourselves. Just to make sure we get it.

We are his. The writer of Psalm 100 knew God and belonged to Him. Paul makes this an issue: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1Corinthians 6:20)

Good Morning! - 2010.06.30 - Hebrews 11:6 - He That Cometh To God

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seekhim. (Hebrews 11:6)

For many (including me), this verse is straightforward and simple. Just take it like it is. Others find it exceedingly complicated and it has drawn the attention of theologians for centuries as they have grappled with the implications of it. It is bare and broad and is available to those who know the least about God. But in all cases faith is in response to what God has shown men.

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:19-20)

We have to face the obvious question: "Does God show men without a Bible and without a preacher enough to make them lost but withhold enough information from them that is required for them to be saved?

God is the creator of all men in every nation and in every century. All men are sinners and lost without God in every nation and every century. This verse is for all and any of them. How much does a man have to know to approach God? To approach God, men must do two things: 1. Believe that He exists and 2. Believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. I leave it to the "experts" to place the conditions and the doctrines that must be involved in this verse.

It helps to remember that Jesus was both creator and redeemer. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3).

God would have all men to be saved. Jesus said: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die (John 12:32-33). He also said:

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)

In Noah's day: … the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Whether it was in Noah's day or in our day, men are drawn by the Spirit of God and He is the agent of conviction and regeneration and baptism into the body of Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1Corinthians 12:13)

It is not wise to put Hebrews 11:6 into a box of time or make it apply to a certain nation or to people with a certain amount of background, etc. Shall we write more into the text to please ourselves? How much does a man have to know to approach God? This verse comes out of the great faith chapter: Hebrews 11. Each of the people of faith mentioned in that chapter are from many different times and settings.

They did not all know the same thing about their past or about their future. I grow weary of reading all the things men supposedly knew who did not have the New Testament to explain the meaning of what they read in the Old Testament and also what men supposedly knew who had no Bible at all. It is a fact that in all of human history, only a handful of people had a written copy of any part of the Word of God. The Gutenberg press was not invented until about 1440. But, all men had a copy of God's book written into the creation of the world including the sun, moon, and stars.

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Romans 10:16-18)

Speech – Knowledge – Voice - Heard

I have found, and most commentators concede, that there is only one place in the Bible that this could refer to and that is: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:1-3)

Abraham and Us

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (Romans 4:20-24)

Who raised Christ from the dead? But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11)

Conclusion: God has always shown every man in every nation and in every century who is accountable for his sins, enough by which every man is lost and by which every man can be saved. Jesus was raised up on the cross and therefore drew all men unto himself at some point in every life in some way to enable men to "believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

If men have heard the story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ then they must believe and accept that in order to be saved. If they have not heard of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, they have sufficient witness of God from God's creation by which to call upon Him for His mercy and forgiveness. It is then up to God and not up to man as to what else God will show them for them to exercise saving faith.

Good Morning! 2010.06.29 - Psalm 119:9,11 - Training Children

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:9,11)

To ask this question is to presuppose that a young man's way is defiled and in need of cleansing. No need to wash your hands if they're not dirty. If you don't know if your hands need washing, they probably do.

The little new-born baby in the hospital nursery is cute as a button and is also self-centered. Just wait until he gets beyond saying "da-da" and learns to assert himself to get his way. If you are not prepared for that it can wreck your life.

At my house when our children began to walk and reach for things, we moved most of the "untouchables" up higher or packed them away. But on purpose we left one or two things within reach to teach them not to touch them. A light smack on the back of the hand was usually all it took. No, we did not break their little arms or bruise their hands. In the beginning of the "no-no" contest I saw them try several times to have their way. They knew what they were doing.

A pat on the hand, tear-up, and immediately reach out again. A contest of their will against the will of the parent. By the way, parents are not designed to be buddies with their children. God made them to be parents and the child does not need a buddy-parent. The child needs a loving, firm, consistent parent.

And then came the time when the child would look around to see if anyone was in the room before touching or grasping a forbidden item. They knew it was forbidden; that's why they looked around to see if they were being watched. It was not about shelf items. It was about teaching submission to authority. This is one of the most important things a child ever learns.

If you don't teach submission to authority when children are toddlers, it will cost a lot more if their prison guard has to teach them. It is also costly if the child ignores the voice of the parent and rushes into the street in front of a car. Some children will not heed the voice of the parent and have to be put on a leash attached to the arm of the parent.

Our text today reveals that as a child grows up into the years of independence, there is a great need for the Word of God to be in the heart. God tells us:

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. (Psalm 58:3)

We are further warned that There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2Timothy 2:22)

Good Morning! - 2010.06.28 - Proverbs 3:11-12 - God Chastens His Own

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

The language of these verses is offensive to people who maintain that mankind is basically good and that God is soft and never interacts with His creation in a corrective or punitive way. While some children have a more submissive and docile nature, a great percentage of children will either be corrected by their parents or juvenile authorities or the prison guards. There are no children who can develop themselves to the greatest advantage and potential. They must all be guided and if need be—corrected.

There are so many things we can be wrong about without serious consequences but being wrong about human nature and the nature of God is not one of them. Our basic natures are flawed just like the Bible says they are and God is holy, infinite in knowledge and without flaw in judgment. Three verses are enough to sober a careless but honest mind.

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. (Psalm 58:3)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1Samuel 16:7)

A gas or diesel engine that has no limitations on how fast you can rev it up will destroy itself in a short time. A fighter pilot who does not limit himself to the design of his plane will rip its wings off and plunge to his death.

The Founding Fathers of the United States knew about the depravity of man and set up our government with its powers divided into the legislative, judicial, and administrative branches. Those three powers compete with each other and help to restrain excessive exercise of power.

Historian John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton (1834-1902) in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887 said: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

The New Testament picks up the Old Testament theme.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (Hebrews 12:6-8)

There is not one child of God who escapes a correction relationship with Almighty God. If you are living like a demon and God does not lay His hand on you, it is because you don't belong to Him through the New Birth by the Spirit of God.

R. J. Rushdooney, a Calvinist philosopher, historian and theologian, wrote many books, including Form and Freedom. His point was that there all of creation has to be contained in some form and that when it loses its form in quest for freedom, it loses its basic characteristics or properties.

Concrete is nothing more than a blob unless poured into a form and gunpowder will do nothing unless contained in a shell casing. Even so, man is incapable of being free to determine his own being and destiny. We self-destruct in our attempt to do so. We are free to be like Christ. We are free to be holy. When you have the death of God you have the death of man.

It is God's plan that we develop into the image of Christ. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

So God, in His mercy and love, chastens His own for the purpose of correction. Are you OK with that? Ω