Dr. Glen A. Thorp November 20, 2011
Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 65:1-13 (All Rights Reserved)
“RECEIVING OUR INHERITANCE”
(Christ the King Sunday*)
INTRODUCTION: The highly anticipated DVD release of
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part II” reminds me of how,
one year ago, four days ahead of the world debut,of the seventh movie:
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part I,” the first 36 minutes of the film were available on file-sharing sites on the Internet. Warner Brothers said it would investigate how, despite all the security, this happened.
We have been re-watching a series of programs on how the “Harry Potter” movies were made. The first was started on location until there was difficulty with the owls being distracted by other birds & activity.
It was difficult finding a village without signs of contemporary life.
A Dinning Hall, in one of the Oxford Colleges, was ideal but impractical for filming. The result was building sets that replicated to every detail the “on site” locations.
Those living in California know that things are not what they appear on screen & know the secrets of making movies. Movie sets may look realistic, but they are just shells of the real. They are Just Illusions.
The same could be said of Scripture ... Historically,
Jesus of Nazareth was executed on a Roman Cross.
It would seem Jesus was defeated.
It would seem that His followers & those called Christians, naively follow/ed Jesus’ teachings with little evidence of benefit or reward
TEXT: Then the King will say ... “Come you who are blessed
by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared
for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
Jesus was saying, “you are not living in vain ...
I was not defeated on the cross ...
I was raised from the dead into life ...
I was taken back to Heaven &
now sit at God the Father’s right hand.
Encourage one another to remain faithful to God by
living as I, Jesus taught, a holy & upright life.”
We are to see with eyes of faith, behind the movie set,facade & curtain
of life which is now concealed & will remain so until Christ returns.
Lessons from one of Jesus’ most vivid parables.
1.Jesus will be given the Title of King. Christ the King Sunday*
in his glory...he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory..
- He will Complete the work begun while he was on earth ...
- Glory we now obtain by faith, is a mere taste
of what will then have it’s full effect.
- Reign restraining the enemy & protecting the church.
- Will be openly established & the enemy will be crushed,
believing people will partake of an everlasting life
- Jesus will ascend to the Judgement Seat ... appear in glory
On earth he was seen as a Servant
Now he is seen as Ruler/Glory
- Nations: more than a simple struggle of one small nation.
- Judge whole world.
- Good & Bad will not share alike.
- He will bring reward for both.
- His kingdom will be fully established
That is when those in a right relationship with God
will receive the crown of glory.
That is when those not in a right relationship with God
receive the reward they deserve.
2.Today those living as obedient followers of Jesus
& pretenders or unbelievers are mixed together.
Read: Ezekiel 34:17-24** (Printed at end of this message)
It speaks of Separating sheep & goats because of the
fierceness of the goats ... (Note other reasons.)
What type of sheep are you:
A Trampler, Drinker, Muddier, Fat, Lean or butterer?
Or are you look out for the weak, Sick, injured, lost ...?
- Obedient followers realize the need of living together
Even sustaining serious attacks & annoyances
Being aware of being infected by values & cynicism
Living Innocent & holy lives are not wasted,
one day the differences will appear.
- The real evidence of being obedient is the way we act.
Not every one who calls me Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom, but the one who does what I command.
- Kingdom of which we take possession at the last day,
was prepared for us before we were born.
- Christ does not invite us to possess the kingdom by our own merits,
but says it is bestowed on us as heirs.
- Argument for being patient.
We do not run in vain.
Keep our minds from acting in pride
So our hope won’t be weakened by afflictions.
Remember the inheritance awaiting us in heaven.
For those who are addressed as Blessed of the Father.
3.Separate obedient from pretenders (Sheep from Goats)
- Treating all persons we encounter as they are Jesus
Is Not an easy task.
- Notice the six actions Jesus uses as illustrations.
- Doing for others demonstrates what we think about Jesus.
Feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay,
look after the sick & welcome strangers etc.
Acts of mercy we can do every day, in Jesus’ name,
Do not depend on wealth, ability or intelligence
Simple acts freely given & freely received.
No excuse neglecting those having deep need.
Not handing over just to the government.
Personal involvement in caring for others.
- Parable Jesus told opened the way of affirming simplest acts
- Not earning kingdom or piling up merit.
Helped out obedience to Jesus, care for humans
Others, if we had known we would gladly have...
we thought they were just an ordinary...
If we receive public praise & thanks...
Simply pandering to self-esteem
Not generosity, selfishness disguise
Giving for nothing but the sake of helping.
CONCLUSION: Receiving Our Inheritance implies there is:
- An inheritance - Take your inheritance (Matthew 25:34)
- A giver- The King will say ...Jesus is King (Matthew. 25:34)
- Receiving is based on believing & acting by faith that Jesus,
the Son of Man, is God’s Son, Our Savior.
Realizing that when do what Jesus asks we are not only ministering & helping another ...
We are doing it as unto Jesus himself ...
Two Stories: Francis of Assisi ... was wealthy high-born/spirited.
His life was not happy. He felt life was incomplete.
One day he met a leper, loathsome, repulsive in ugliness of the disease. Something moved Francis to dismount his horse & fling his arms around this wretched sufferer; & lo, in his arms the face of the leper changed to the face of Jesus.
Martin of Tours ... was a Roman soldier & a Christian.
One cold winter day, a beggar asked for alms. Martin had no money; saw man blue with cold & gave him what he had. Removed his soldiers cloak &
cut it in two, giving half to the beggar. That night Martin had a dream.
He saw the heavenly places, all the angels & Jesus in the midst of them.
Jesus was wearing half a Roman soldier’s cloak.
One the angels asked: “Master, why are wearing a battered old cloak? Who gave it to you?” Jesus softly answered: “My servant Martin gave it to me.”
(William Barclay, Gospel of Matthew, 360)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Christ the King Sunday is the last Sunday of the Christian calendar year. It is the one Sunday of the year when Jesus is honored
& worship as “King of Kings & Lord of Lords”
Next Sunday is the First Sunday of the Christian Year.
It is the Start of Four Weeks of Advent in preparation for
the coming (that is meaning of Advent – Coming) at
Christmas. Advent also focuses on the Return of Christ,
of which Matthew 25:31-46 speaks.
** Ezekiel 34:17-24 (The Message)
17-19 "'And as for you, my dear flock, I'm stepping in and judging between one sheep and another, between rams and goats. Aren't you satisfied to feed in good pasture without taking over the whole place? Can't you be satisfied to drink from the clear stream without muddying the water with your feet? Why do the rest of my sheep have to make do with grass that's trampled down and water that's been muddied?
20-22 "'Therefore, God, the Master, says: I myself am stepping in and making things right between the plump sheep and the skinny sheep. Because you forced your way with shoulder and rump and butted at all the weaker animals with your horns till you scattered them all over the hills, I'll come in and save my dear flock, no longer let them be pushed around. I'll step in and set things right between one sheep and another.
23-24 "'I'll appoint one shepherd over them all: my servant David. He'll feed them. He'll be their shepherd. And I, God, will be their God. My servant David will be their prince. I, God, have spoken.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
COMMITED TO THE LORD
COMMITTED TO THE LORD
(Trust in the Lord ... he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6)
I used the Scriptures from the Old Testament and the New Testament, printed at the bottom of this Blog, in a Memorial Service yesterday.
The following are some reflections on those Scriptures which
I pray will be of value in your life.
Read each scripture before reading the reflection. Use your own Bible or those printed at the end of these thoughts. I used the Good News Bible for the quotes.
Psalm 27:1: This has been my life verse. I it used when I traveled alone from Guatemala to Minnesota after graduating from eighth grade.
I have used many times when facing challenges. I read it with Jeannie when she being prepped for surgery to remove the cancer in her breast.
I used it each time I prayed with a member of my church facing surgery or other significant medical procedure over which they had no control.
This is a great affirmation of God’s presence no matter what we may fear.
Fear is a dark shadow enveloping and ultimately imprisoning us ...
Fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness ...
Ultimately death ...
Fear can be conquered, according to this passage,
and by using the bright light of the Lord,
Who brings salvation.
The Shadow of Darkness and Fear is Dispelled by remembering and
Trusting the Lord who is the Stronghold of our lives.
Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24: Describes God as all-seeing, all-knowing,
all-powerful and ever-present. God knows us. God is with us.
God’s Greatest gift is Allowing us to Know God.
Sometimes we don’t let people know us completely for fear
they will discover something about us they won’t like.
We try hiding from God when we do something wrong.
Matthew 10:30 Jesus says: God knows everything about us ...
even to the number of hairs on head.
God knit us together. We are wonderfully made us.
The value of a piece of art comes from the creator.
Our days of life ordained for us written before one came to be.
God loves us. God is with us through every situation ...
God guides, wherever we are. Nothing can separate us from God.
Psalm 84:1-12: God’s living presence is our greatest joy,
helping us grow in strength, grace and glory.
Nehemiah 8:10 The Joy of the Lord is my Strength ...
The Psalmist Longs for the courts of the Lord means desiring to be
in God’s presence...
Pilgrimage though Valley of Baca (means “weeping”-struggles)
Similar to the Shadow of death ... in Psalm 23:4.
Sometimes we have to go through dark, scary and dangerous places
before reaching our desired destination.
Philippians 4:4-9: The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote
this letter. Yet he uses the word joy 17 times in 4 chapters.
Lesson: inner attitude does not need reflect outer circumstances.
Joy came from knowing no matter what he faced, Christ was with him
It is easy getting discouraged with unpleasant circumstances ...
Joy comes when Christ dwells within us and knowing Christ is near ...
There was a song I learned as a child: JOY, which taught us that true joy comes when we keep our priorities straight.
Jesus, Others, You.
Focus on vs. 8 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think
about...
9 whatever you have learned or received or learned ...
or seen in me – put into practice.
What a great recipe for life! We tend to focus on everything that is going wrong rather the excellent, praiseworthy etc.
Colossians 3:10-14: Put on a new self, which is being renewed each and
every day. Learning is a life-long process.
Applying lessons, is like dressing each day.
Only instead of clothes ...
Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, patience. Forgiving as the Lord has forgiven you
vs. 3:17 Whatever you do ... do it in the name of the
Lord Jesus giving thanks...
3:24 Since you have received an inheritance from the Lord as reward ...
Be Committed to the Lord & Doing God’s Will ..
Galatians 5:22-23: This is the Fruit of the Spirit evidenced in our lives:
overflowing to others when we allow the Holy Spirit
living in us: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
The Spirit produces these character traits found in Christ’s life.
They Can’t obtain them by trying to get them on our own.
John 15:4-5 Jesus said: Remain in me and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine...
I AM the vine, you are the branches remain in me and
you will bear much fruit.*
I Corinthians 15:35-58: Addresses the Resurrection of the Body.
Our present bodies are perishable and prone to decay.
Resurrection bodies will be transformed, not limited to laws
of nature.
Hope in times of suffering. Death no longer a source of dread and
fear.
Christ overcame death ... we will when we leave our earthly bodies
Because of resurrection nothing we do is in vain.
Believing Christ has won the ultimate victory,
impacts how we live now and
Allows us to commit our lives to the Lord, Trusting Him to lead us,
no matter how challenging the way may be.
* John 15:4-5 is the Inspiration for the title: onthevine, of this Blog.
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
(Good News For Modern Man)
Psalms 21:1: The Lord is my light and my salvation;
I will fear no one.
The Lord protects me from all danger;
I will never be afraid.
Psalms 139:1-18, 23-24:
Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
2 You know everything I do;
from far away you understand all my thoughts.
3 You see me, whether I am working or resting;
you know all my actions.
4 Even before I speak,
you already know what I will say.
5 You are all around me on every side;
you protect me with your power.
6 Your knowledge of me is too deep;
it is beyond my understanding.
7 Where could I go to escape from you?
Where could I get away from your presence?
8 If I went up to heaven, you would be there;
if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.
9 If I flew away beyond the east
or lived in the farthest place in the west,
10 you would be there to lead me,
you would be there to help me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
or the light around me to turn into night,
12 but even darkness is not dark for you,
and the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You created every part of me;
you put me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because you are to be feared;
all you do is strange and wonderful.
I know it with all my heart.
15 When my bones were being formed,
carefully put together in my mother's womb,
when I was growing there in secret,
you knew that I was there—
16 you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me
had all been recorded in your book,
before any of them ever began.
17 O God, how difficult I find your thoughts;
how many of them there are!
18 If I counted them, they would be more
than the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you...
23 Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
24 Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way.
Psalms 84:1-12:
How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty!
2 How I want to be there!
I long to be in the Lord's Temple.
With my whole being I sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrows have built a nest,
and the swallows have their own home;
they keep their young near your altars,
Lord Almighty, my king and my God.
4 How happy are those who live in your Temple,
always singing praise to you.
5 How happy are those whose strength comes from you,
who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.
6 As they pass through the dry valley of Baca,
it becomes a place of springs;
the autumn rain fills it with pools.
7 They grow stronger as they go;
they will see the God of gods on Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty.
Listen, O God of Jacob!
9 Bless our king, O God,
the king you have chosen.
10 One day spent in your Temple
is better than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God
than live in the homes of the wicked.
11 The Lord is our protector and glorious king,
blessing us with kindness and honor.
He does not refuse any good thing
to those who do what is right.
12 Lord Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!
NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS
Philippians 4:4-9:
4 May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord.
I say it again: rejoice!
5 Show a gentle attitude toward everyone.
The Lord is coming soon.
6 Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God
for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding,
will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
8 In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things
that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true,
noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.
9 Put into practice what you learned and received from me,
both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives
us peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:10-14:
10 and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.11 As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.
12 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14 And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.
Galatians 5:22-23:
22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control.
There is no law against such things as these.
I Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-44, 50, 53-58:
35 Someone will ask, How can the dead be raised to life?
What kind of body will they have? 36 You fool! When you plant a seed in the ground, it does not sprout to life unless it dies.
37 And what you plant is a bare seed, perhaps a grain of wheat or some other grain, not the full-bodied plant that will later grow up. 38 God provides that seed with the body he wishes; he gives each seed its own proper body...
42 This is how it will be when the dead are raised to life. When the body is buried, it is mortal; when raised, it will be immortal. 43 When buried, it is ugly and weak; when raised, it will be beautiful and strong. 44 When buried, it is a physical body; when raised, it will be a spiritual body.
There is, of course, a physical body, so there has to be a spiritual body...
50 What I mean, friends, is that what is made of flesh and blood cannot share in God's Kingdom, and what is mortal cannot possess immortality...
53 For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal;
what will die must be changed into what cannot die.
54 So when this takes place, and the mortal has been changed into the immortal, then the scripture will come true: Death is destroyed; victory is complete!
55 Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your power to hurt?
56 Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law.
57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58 So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady.
Keep busy always in your work for the Lord,
since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.
(Trust in the Lord ... he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6)
I used the Scriptures from the Old Testament and the New Testament, printed at the bottom of this Blog, in a Memorial Service yesterday.
The following are some reflections on those Scriptures which
I pray will be of value in your life.
Read each scripture before reading the reflection. Use your own Bible or those printed at the end of these thoughts. I used the Good News Bible for the quotes.
Psalm 27:1: This has been my life verse. I it used when I traveled alone from Guatemala to Minnesota after graduating from eighth grade.
I have used many times when facing challenges. I read it with Jeannie when she being prepped for surgery to remove the cancer in her breast.
I used it each time I prayed with a member of my church facing surgery or other significant medical procedure over which they had no control.
This is a great affirmation of God’s presence no matter what we may fear.
Fear is a dark shadow enveloping and ultimately imprisoning us ...
Fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness ...
Ultimately death ...
Fear can be conquered, according to this passage,
and by using the bright light of the Lord,
Who brings salvation.
The Shadow of Darkness and Fear is Dispelled by remembering and
Trusting the Lord who is the Stronghold of our lives.
Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24: Describes God as all-seeing, all-knowing,
all-powerful and ever-present. God knows us. God is with us.
God’s Greatest gift is Allowing us to Know God.
Sometimes we don’t let people know us completely for fear
they will discover something about us they won’t like.
We try hiding from God when we do something wrong.
Matthew 10:30 Jesus says: God knows everything about us ...
even to the number of hairs on head.
God knit us together. We are wonderfully made us.
The value of a piece of art comes from the creator.
Our days of life ordained for us written before one came to be.
God loves us. God is with us through every situation ...
God guides, wherever we are. Nothing can separate us from God.
Psalm 84:1-12: God’s living presence is our greatest joy,
helping us grow in strength, grace and glory.
Nehemiah 8:10 The Joy of the Lord is my Strength ...
The Psalmist Longs for the courts of the Lord means desiring to be
in God’s presence...
Pilgrimage though Valley of Baca (means “weeping”-struggles)
Similar to the Shadow of death ... in Psalm 23:4.
Sometimes we have to go through dark, scary and dangerous places
before reaching our desired destination.
Philippians 4:4-9: The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote
this letter. Yet he uses the word joy 17 times in 4 chapters.
Lesson: inner attitude does not need reflect outer circumstances.
Joy came from knowing no matter what he faced, Christ was with him
It is easy getting discouraged with unpleasant circumstances ...
Joy comes when Christ dwells within us and knowing Christ is near ...
There was a song I learned as a child: JOY, which taught us that true joy comes when we keep our priorities straight.
Jesus, Others, You.
Focus on vs. 8 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think
about...
9 whatever you have learned or received or learned ...
or seen in me – put into practice.
What a great recipe for life! We tend to focus on everything that is going wrong rather the excellent, praiseworthy etc.
Colossians 3:10-14: Put on a new self, which is being renewed each and
every day. Learning is a life-long process.
Applying lessons, is like dressing each day.
Only instead of clothes ...
Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, patience. Forgiving as the Lord has forgiven you
vs. 3:17 Whatever you do ... do it in the name of the
Lord Jesus giving thanks...
3:24 Since you have received an inheritance from the Lord as reward ...
Be Committed to the Lord & Doing God’s Will ..
Galatians 5:22-23: This is the Fruit of the Spirit evidenced in our lives:
overflowing to others when we allow the Holy Spirit
living in us: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
The Spirit produces these character traits found in Christ’s life.
They Can’t obtain them by trying to get them on our own.
John 15:4-5 Jesus said: Remain in me and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine...
I AM the vine, you are the branches remain in me and
you will bear much fruit.*
I Corinthians 15:35-58: Addresses the Resurrection of the Body.
Our present bodies are perishable and prone to decay.
Resurrection bodies will be transformed, not limited to laws
of nature.
Hope in times of suffering. Death no longer a source of dread and
fear.
Christ overcame death ... we will when we leave our earthly bodies
Because of resurrection nothing we do is in vain.
Believing Christ has won the ultimate victory,
impacts how we live now and
Allows us to commit our lives to the Lord, Trusting Him to lead us,
no matter how challenging the way may be.
* John 15:4-5 is the Inspiration for the title: onthevine, of this Blog.
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
(Good News For Modern Man)
Psalms 21:1: The Lord is my light and my salvation;
I will fear no one.
The Lord protects me from all danger;
I will never be afraid.
Psalms 139:1-18, 23-24:
Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
2 You know everything I do;
from far away you understand all my thoughts.
3 You see me, whether I am working or resting;
you know all my actions.
4 Even before I speak,
you already know what I will say.
5 You are all around me on every side;
you protect me with your power.
6 Your knowledge of me is too deep;
it is beyond my understanding.
7 Where could I go to escape from you?
Where could I get away from your presence?
8 If I went up to heaven, you would be there;
if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.
9 If I flew away beyond the east
or lived in the farthest place in the west,
10 you would be there to lead me,
you would be there to help me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
or the light around me to turn into night,
12 but even darkness is not dark for you,
and the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You created every part of me;
you put me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because you are to be feared;
all you do is strange and wonderful.
I know it with all my heart.
15 When my bones were being formed,
carefully put together in my mother's womb,
when I was growing there in secret,
you knew that I was there—
16 you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me
had all been recorded in your book,
before any of them ever began.
17 O God, how difficult I find your thoughts;
how many of them there are!
18 If I counted them, they would be more
than the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you...
23 Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
24 Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way.
Psalms 84:1-12:
How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty!
2 How I want to be there!
I long to be in the Lord's Temple.
With my whole being I sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrows have built a nest,
and the swallows have their own home;
they keep their young near your altars,
Lord Almighty, my king and my God.
4 How happy are those who live in your Temple,
always singing praise to you.
5 How happy are those whose strength comes from you,
who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.
6 As they pass through the dry valley of Baca,
it becomes a place of springs;
the autumn rain fills it with pools.
7 They grow stronger as they go;
they will see the God of gods on Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty.
Listen, O God of Jacob!
9 Bless our king, O God,
the king you have chosen.
10 One day spent in your Temple
is better than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God
than live in the homes of the wicked.
11 The Lord is our protector and glorious king,
blessing us with kindness and honor.
He does not refuse any good thing
to those who do what is right.
12 Lord Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!
NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS
Philippians 4:4-9:
4 May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord.
I say it again: rejoice!
5 Show a gentle attitude toward everyone.
The Lord is coming soon.
6 Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God
for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding,
will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
8 In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things
that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true,
noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.
9 Put into practice what you learned and received from me,
both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives
us peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:10-14:
10 and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.11 As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.
12 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14 And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.
Galatians 5:22-23:
22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control.
There is no law against such things as these.
I Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-44, 50, 53-58:
35 Someone will ask, How can the dead be raised to life?
What kind of body will they have? 36 You fool! When you plant a seed in the ground, it does not sprout to life unless it dies.
37 And what you plant is a bare seed, perhaps a grain of wheat or some other grain, not the full-bodied plant that will later grow up. 38 God provides that seed with the body he wishes; he gives each seed its own proper body...
42 This is how it will be when the dead are raised to life. When the body is buried, it is mortal; when raised, it will be immortal. 43 When buried, it is ugly and weak; when raised, it will be beautiful and strong. 44 When buried, it is a physical body; when raised, it will be a spiritual body.
There is, of course, a physical body, so there has to be a spiritual body...
50 What I mean, friends, is that what is made of flesh and blood cannot share in God's Kingdom, and what is mortal cannot possess immortality...
53 For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal;
what will die must be changed into what cannot die.
54 So when this takes place, and the mortal has been changed into the immortal, then the scripture will come true: Death is destroyed; victory is complete!
55 Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your power to hurt?
56 Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law.
57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58 So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady.
Keep busy always in your work for the Lord,
since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
UNIVERSAL CONDITION
Dr. Glen A. Thorp October 19, 2025
I Timothy 6:3-21, Luke 16:19-31 (All Rights Reserved)
“UNIVERSAL CONDITION”
INTRODUCTION: Some of the richest people I know are poor
Some of poorest people I know are rich.
It is not what we own that is important.
It is what we do with what we have &
whether we are content with what we have.
There is a universal condition which all people have in common, whether living in the United States, Korea, Angola, the Congo, Colombia, Israel, Egypt, Spain, France or Syria which may lead to personal or national conflict.
That universal condition is Discontentment.
Proverbs.30:7-9 says:
7 “Two things I ask of you, LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
Rich caught in endless cycle. “The one who dies with most toys, wins.” Solutions: Wealth, Fame, Filling Time or Withdrawing.
Greek Philosophers defined contentment as
autarkeia - self-sufficiency, autonomy & autocratic.
Frame of Mind completely independent of all outward or external things.
Contentment comes from an inner attitude towards life
Those having wealth & power don’t have to flaunt it.
Henry VI, Shakespeare, Third Act draws a picture of the king wandering through the country un-recognized. Meeting two gamekeepers he tells them he is the king. One of them asks:
“If thou be king, where is thy crown?”
The king gives this great answer:
“My crown is in my heart, not on my head,
not decked with diamonds & Indian stones,
nor to be seen: My crown is call’d contentment
a crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.
Epicurious wrote: “The secret to Contentment:
Add not to a man’s possessions,
But take away his desires.”
Christianity does not promote poverty.
There is no virtue in being poor. (Blessed are the poor ...)
It acknowledges what I Timothy 6:7 says:
We brought nothing into the world & it is clear
that we can take nothing with us when we die.
Beatles’ Songs: Which best expresses your attitude towards money:
Money (That’s what I want) or
Money Can’t Buy Me Love?
ILLUSTRATION: A close friend worked hard & long hours
became a millionaire. That was not his goal. It was the result of his labor & investments. He was proud of doing it on his own. Not quite:
• long hours meant his family was neglected.
• drain on his energy & health.
• a major law suite took away years of life & finances.
• result he was divorced from his wife.
“I would give anything, money, if I could have my wife back”
Jesus said: What good is it for a person to gain
the whole world but loose her/his soul?
Read Luke 16:19-31. It is a parable ( a story with a point) taught by Jesus about a Rich man & a poor man named Lazarus ... Notice what the rich man asks in vs. 27, 28 & Abraham’s responses.
Jesus also said: Seek first the kingdom of God and these thinngs will be given to as well. (Matthew 6:33)
We acknowledge that all we have comes from God.
We are not autonomous: Don’t need anything or anyone.
There is no such thing as a self-made person.
Wealthy Barron - discovered minerals:
gold, silver, diamonds, oil etc.
Used cheap labor ...
Business person - Markets products or services
Needs customers...
Athlete or Actor - Someone: discovered him/her, developed his/her talent.
payed to see him/her play or act.
Autonomy often leads to loneliness.
That is not what the Greek Philosophers & definitely, not Paul, meant by “contentment.”
“Happiness/Contentment comes from relationships.
Paul, nearing the end of his life, writes to Timothy: (6:6)
Do you want to be rich?
You are when you are content.
On another occasion Paul wrote: (Philippines 4:11-12)
I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need.
I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any & every
situation, whether fed or hungry, in plenty or in want.
Contentment comes when we escape the servitude to things & find our wealth in the love, friendships & especially our friendship with God made possible through Jesus Christ.
TRANSITION: It is that love & friendship we celebrate each Sunday.
1. God loved us so much that he came in human form.
Jesus took our place of condemnation,
dying that we might live.
We read a story or see a movie where some saves another’s life.
What is the response? “Because you saved my life,
I owe you.”
Jesus saved our lives, yet ...
we owe nothing except gratitude.
2. We are God’s children, so are those born in bamboo huts.
We each came into the world the same.
We each will leave this world the same.
What is the difference?
We have been given opportunity, good diet,
medical care, education & an atmosphere of support.
Acknowledge it all as God’s provision.
Use it wisely
Share what we have learned & earned with others.
We enjoy:
The Good News given to us.
The beautiful churches which have been entrusted to us
What will we do with what we have received?
Paul writes:
You are people of God:
Walk with shoulders straight,
head high.
Given commission from God.
I Timothy 6:11-16 Pursue: (Greek Words - Translated)
dikaiosune: Right Relationships - God, others, self.
eusebeia: Godliness - Aware of God’s presence.
pistis: Faith - Fidelity to God.
agape: Love - Love of God for us.
hupomone: Patience - Victorious endurance.
paupatheia: Gentleness - Doesn’t blaze into anger for
for its own wrongs, but
for wrongs against others.
- Humility that all one has comes from God &
- Pride of calling from God.
Remembering our Baptism:
Our Helplessness
Public Confession of Faith
All we have comes from God.
Joel 2:23, 26 Affirms how we respond to God for all that God
provides for us:
Be glad, oh people of (insert you city),
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers, but autumn & spring rains..
You will have plenty to eat, you are full &
you will praise the name of the Lord.
Stuart Hamblem “had a series of highly popular radio programs on the West Coast or the United States (1931-1952.)
He composed music & acted with others stars as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers & John Wayne ...Hamblem didn’t cope well with the pressure ... sought relief in alcohol ... which often landed him in jail for public brawling & other destructive behavior...
In 1949 he attended a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles.
His life was dramatically changed when he turned his life over to Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. He described this as “the turning point” of my life. He was fired from his radio career when he declined to continue with his radio station’s sponsor’s beer commercials. Hard times were upon him. During this struggle, John Wayne took him aside & told him “your troubles started when you ‘got religion’ & asked if it was worth it all. Hamblen answered simply, “Yes.”
Then John said, “You liked booze so much. Don’t you ever miss it?”
The answer was “no.” John continued:
“I don’t understand how you could give it up so easily.”
Hamblen’s response was “It’s no big secret. All things are possible with God.” To this John said,
“That’s a catch phrase. You should write a song about it.”
He did and it is called: It Is No Secret . The first verse is:
“The chimes of time ring out the news Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell Was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strenght Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened For I bring hope to you.
It is no secret, what God can do What he's done for others, he'll do for you With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do. With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do.”
I Timothy 6:3-21, Luke 16:19-31 (All Rights Reserved)
“UNIVERSAL CONDITION”
INTRODUCTION: Some of the richest people I know are poor
Some of poorest people I know are rich.
It is not what we own that is important.
It is what we do with what we have &
whether we are content with what we have.
There is a universal condition which all people have in common, whether living in the United States, Korea, Angola, the Congo, Colombia, Israel, Egypt, Spain, France or Syria which may lead to personal or national conflict.
That universal condition is Discontentment.
Proverbs.30:7-9 says:
7 “Two things I ask of you, LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
Rich caught in endless cycle. “The one who dies with most toys, wins.” Solutions: Wealth, Fame, Filling Time or Withdrawing.
Greek Philosophers defined contentment as
autarkeia - self-sufficiency, autonomy & autocratic.
Frame of Mind completely independent of all outward or external things.
Contentment comes from an inner attitude towards life
Those having wealth & power don’t have to flaunt it.
Henry VI, Shakespeare, Third Act draws a picture of the king wandering through the country un-recognized. Meeting two gamekeepers he tells them he is the king. One of them asks:
“If thou be king, where is thy crown?”
The king gives this great answer:
“My crown is in my heart, not on my head,
not decked with diamonds & Indian stones,
nor to be seen: My crown is call’d contentment
a crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.
Epicurious wrote: “The secret to Contentment:
Add not to a man’s possessions,
But take away his desires.”
Christianity does not promote poverty.
There is no virtue in being poor. (Blessed are the poor ...)
It acknowledges what I Timothy 6:7 says:
We brought nothing into the world & it is clear
that we can take nothing with us when we die.
Beatles’ Songs: Which best expresses your attitude towards money:
Money (That’s what I want) or
Money Can’t Buy Me Love?
ILLUSTRATION: A close friend worked hard & long hours
became a millionaire. That was not his goal. It was the result of his labor & investments. He was proud of doing it on his own. Not quite:
• long hours meant his family was neglected.
• drain on his energy & health.
• a major law suite took away years of life & finances.
• result he was divorced from his wife.
“I would give anything, money, if I could have my wife back”
Jesus said: What good is it for a person to gain
the whole world but loose her/his soul?
Read Luke 16:19-31. It is a parable ( a story with a point) taught by Jesus about a Rich man & a poor man named Lazarus ... Notice what the rich man asks in vs. 27, 28 & Abraham’s responses.
Jesus also said: Seek first the kingdom of God and these thinngs will be given to as well. (Matthew 6:33)
We acknowledge that all we have comes from God.
We are not autonomous: Don’t need anything or anyone.
There is no such thing as a self-made person.
Wealthy Barron - discovered minerals:
gold, silver, diamonds, oil etc.
Used cheap labor ...
Business person - Markets products or services
Needs customers...
Athlete or Actor - Someone: discovered him/her, developed his/her talent.
payed to see him/her play or act.
Autonomy often leads to loneliness.
That is not what the Greek Philosophers & definitely, not Paul, meant by “contentment.”
“Happiness/Contentment comes from relationships.
Paul, nearing the end of his life, writes to Timothy: (6:6)
Do you want to be rich?
You are when you are content.
On another occasion Paul wrote: (Philippines 4:11-12)
I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need.
I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any & every
situation, whether fed or hungry, in plenty or in want.
Contentment comes when we escape the servitude to things & find our wealth in the love, friendships & especially our friendship with God made possible through Jesus Christ.
TRANSITION: It is that love & friendship we celebrate each Sunday.
1. God loved us so much that he came in human form.
Jesus took our place of condemnation,
dying that we might live.
We read a story or see a movie where some saves another’s life.
What is the response? “Because you saved my life,
I owe you.”
Jesus saved our lives, yet ...
we owe nothing except gratitude.
2. We are God’s children, so are those born in bamboo huts.
We each came into the world the same.
We each will leave this world the same.
What is the difference?
We have been given opportunity, good diet,
medical care, education & an atmosphere of support.
Acknowledge it all as God’s provision.
Use it wisely
Share what we have learned & earned with others.
We enjoy:
The Good News given to us.
The beautiful churches which have been entrusted to us
What will we do with what we have received?
Paul writes:
You are people of God:
Walk with shoulders straight,
head high.
Given commission from God.
I Timothy 6:11-16 Pursue: (Greek Words - Translated)
dikaiosune: Right Relationships - God, others, self.
eusebeia: Godliness - Aware of God’s presence.
pistis: Faith - Fidelity to God.
agape: Love - Love of God for us.
hupomone: Patience - Victorious endurance.
paupatheia: Gentleness - Doesn’t blaze into anger for
for its own wrongs, but
for wrongs against others.
- Humility that all one has comes from God &
- Pride of calling from God.
Remembering our Baptism:
Our Helplessness
Public Confession of Faith
All we have comes from God.
Joel 2:23, 26 Affirms how we respond to God for all that God
provides for us:
Be glad, oh people of (insert you city),
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers, but autumn & spring rains..
You will have plenty to eat, you are full &
you will praise the name of the Lord.
Stuart Hamblem “had a series of highly popular radio programs on the West Coast or the United States (1931-1952.)
He composed music & acted with others stars as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers & John Wayne ...Hamblem didn’t cope well with the pressure ... sought relief in alcohol ... which often landed him in jail for public brawling & other destructive behavior...
In 1949 he attended a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles.
His life was dramatically changed when he turned his life over to Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. He described this as “the turning point” of my life. He was fired from his radio career when he declined to continue with his radio station’s sponsor’s beer commercials. Hard times were upon him. During this struggle, John Wayne took him aside & told him “your troubles started when you ‘got religion’ & asked if it was worth it all. Hamblen answered simply, “Yes.”
Then John said, “You liked booze so much. Don’t you ever miss it?”
The answer was “no.” John continued:
“I don’t understand how you could give it up so easily.”
Hamblen’s response was “It’s no big secret. All things are possible with God.” To this John said,
“That’s a catch phrase. You should write a song about it.”
He did and it is called: It Is No Secret . The first verse is:
“The chimes of time ring out the news Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell Was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strenght Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened For I bring hope to you.
It is no secret, what God can do What he's done for others, he'll do for you With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do. With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do.”
Saturday, August 20, 2011
"REVOLUTIONIZED RELATIONSHIPS"
Dr. Glen A. Thorp August 21, 2011
Philemon 1-25, Psalm 139:1-18 (All Rights Reserved)
“REVOLUTIONIZED RELATIONSHIPS”
INTRODUCTION: The giant wrecking ball hit the wall with dynamite force snapping bricks and concrete like twigs. Repeatedly, the powerful pendulum reduced the wall of what had been St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, Ca., where my, wife, Jeannie had two separate surgeries to remove cancer from her body. What had once been her hospital room lay in rubble. The steel reinforcing bars set aside, the rubble was ground up into sand and carried away so that new construction could begin. Today earth movers prepare the earth for the foundation of a brand new hospital facility.
Life has many walls and fences dividing, separating, and compartmentalizing. Not walls made of concrete, stone or wood, but personal obstructions blocking people from each other and from God.
Jesus Christ came as the great wall remover, tearing down the partition of sin separating us from God and blasting the barriers keeping us from each other. Christ’s death and resurrection opened the way to God, bringing all who believed in him into God’s family.
Roman, Greek and Jewish cultures were littered with barriers, as society assigned people to classes and expected them to remain in their place - men, women, free, slave, rich, poor, Jews, Gentiles and Greeks.
In contrast, God’s Word recorded in Galatians 3:28
In Christ’s family there can be no division into
Jew and Non-Jew, slave and free, male and female.
Among us you are all equal. That is,
we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.
TRANSITION: This life-changing truth forms the backdrop for Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, and plea for Onesimus. (Philemon is the shortest book in the Bible with only 25 verses, yet is one the most revolutionary in the New Testament.)
Onesimus was a slave who “belonged” to Philemon.
Apparently he had stolen from his master and run away.
He found Paul, under house arrest, in Rome which lead to Revolutionized Relationships. Onesimus came to faith in Christ who radically forgave him and brought him into his family. Paul writes: revolutionized relationship meant he was sending Onesimus back not only as a slave but as a brother in Christ.
The barriers of slavery, Onesimus’ theft and desertion were no longer a divide – they were removed by Christ.
This letter is a masterpiece of grace, tact, a profound demonstration Christ’s power and Christian fellowship of Revolutionized Relationships in action.
Let us look, in more depth, at the dramatic story of the conversion of a runaway slave and implications for us.
Philemon and his wife Apphia hosted the Christian community of Colosse, Asia Minor (today’s Turkey) in their home. Onesimus as slave served the guests. Slavery was a major factor in building and maintaining the Roman Empire. 60 million slaves formed a constant danger. If they ever revolted there would serious trouble. Rebellious slaves were promptly eliminated. If a slave ran away, at best s/he would be branded on the forehead with a the letter F = fugitivus, Latin for fugitive, runaway. At worst a slave would be tortured and or crucified. Paul learned firsthand, what it was like being a slave, from Onesimus = useful. Paul puns on Onesimus’ name: Once useless, was he beaten or told he was useless? Was that why he ran away?
Did he steal to have money on which to live?
When Christ revolutionized his life, Onesimus lived into his name and character. Useful to me and you.
SPECULATION: How did Onesimus find Paul?
Was that his intention or by accident? There are no accidents with God. God transformed Onesimus from being a slave of sin to being a free man in Christ.
Paul writes: Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
My very heart ... Useful - Profitable. Indispensable ... (vs. 16)
Why did Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon? Identified? Trying to remain incognito?
Epaphras recognized Onesimus as Philemon’s slave in the home where Christians met. Is that why Onesimus came clean?
Paul knew well the risk of sending Onesimus back ...
A slave was a living tool not a person. Master had absolute power over a slave. A Roman named Pliny: writes: “A slave was carrying a tray of crystal goblets. He dropped and broke one. The master ordered that the slave be thrown into the fishpond in the courtyard, were the lampreys (fish with rasping teeth that sucked out blood) tore him into pieces.”
The slave was deliberately held down.” (William Barclay, Philemon,)
Some believe it is strange that Paul does not attack the institution of slavery. Revolutionized Relationships come from God’s revelation in Christ. All are One. The Master regards the slave as “brother” while the dishonest slave found new life in Christ who “knew no sin” and came not to be served but to serve “purchased with blood.” Paul wrote this letter from Rome @ 60 AD to convince Philemon to forgive, not punish his runaway slave and accept, Onesimus, as a brother in faith.
Christian Revolutionized Relationships are full of forgiveness and acceptance. Is there someone who has wronged you and whom you are having difficulty forgiving? Pray that God will guide and work through you in removing the barriers between him or her.
Treat him or her as you would want to be treated.
Paul as friend of both Philemon and Onesimus, could have used his authority, as an apostle, to tell Philemon what to do. Yet he chose to appeal, in Christian love, rather than ordering him.
Tactful persuasion accomplishes more than commands.
Courtesy and respect in relationships exhibit Christ’s love.
v. 4-16 Paul reflected on Philemon’s faith and love.
How he opened his home to the Christians.
Paul described himself as an old man and prisoner of Christ who is in chains. I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother...in the Lord.
Christians did not have the political power to change the slavery system. God through Paul radically revolutionized relationships. The Good News begins changing social structures by changing people within those structures. In Christ Onesimus and Philemon equals. Paul personally guaranteed payment for any stolen property or wrong for which Onesimus might be responsible. His investment in the young Christian no doubt encouraged and strengthened Onesimus’ faith.
Reciprocal Relationships - demonstrate confidence.
We can invest in others through Bible study, prayer, encouragement, support and friendship.
Philemon owed his life to Paul who lead him to Christ.
Paul as Philemon’s spiritual father hoped Philemon would feel a dept of gratitude that would be repaid by accepting Onesimus with a spirit of forgiveness.
v.20 Says in charming wit: Let me make some Christian profit out of you! I am writing with confidence for I know you will do more than I ask. (21)
v.23 Epaphras founded the church in Colossea and fought to hold it together in spite of growing persecution and struggles with the false teachers in prison for preaching
v.24 Compare names with those in Colossians 4:10-14.
Mark is the same as the author of 2nd Gospel of the NT.
CONCLUSION: Paul urged Philemon to be reconcile with
his slave, receiving him as a brother and fellow member of God’s family. Reconciling means reestablishing relationships. Christ reconciled us to God and others. Many barriers come between people. But Christ can break down those barriers of race, social status, sex, personality differences. Jesus Christ Revolutionized Onesimus’ Relationships with Philemon from slave to brother.
Christ can revolutionize our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships.
Bishop of Ephesus? 50 years later, Ignatius, one of the Christian Fathers, who was executed (martyred) writes to the churches of Asia Minor including the Church at Ephesus. He has much to say about their wonderful Bishop. Name? Onesimus. Ignatius uses the same pun as Paul: Onesimus by name, Onesimus by nature the profitable (useful) one to Christ. Was he the run away slave? If so, that is truly Revolutionary!
Onesimus was Freed, became a Student, Ordained as a Pastor, a life of a different type of Service and Given Authority as a Bishop.
Radical Forgiveness - Revolutionized Relationships.
True story: Maria Fearing was born in slavery 1838.
She said: “I will go to Africa some day if I can.”
Freed from slavery in 1865 at the age of 27 she found her way to Talledega College where she completed 9th grade and taught in a nearby school. Years later she returned to supervise boarding school students. There she met a William Shepphard, co-founder of the Presbyterian Mission to Congo. He was recruiting other African Americans to join him in that mission. Maria, at 56 yrs. old, volunteered herself to the Mission Committee who rebuffed her application. She sold her little house, collected money from friends and returned to the committee, offering to pay her own fare and support herself on the field, if she were allowed to travel with the Sheppard party.
Reluctantly, the committee agreed.
In the Congo, Maria’s house became a haven for young girls in need: orphaned, sickly, abused, enslaved. Girls called her: mama wa mptu - “mother from far away.” For 20 years, Maria continued her work as mother and evangelist. 3 of the first 7 converts, who experienced the Revolutionized Relationship through the Mission later carried on the work started by Maria. Other girls in Congo and yes around the world experience those Revolutionized Relationships that come through faith in Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1-25, Psalm 139:1-18 (All Rights Reserved)
“REVOLUTIONIZED RELATIONSHIPS”
INTRODUCTION: The giant wrecking ball hit the wall with dynamite force snapping bricks and concrete like twigs. Repeatedly, the powerful pendulum reduced the wall of what had been St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, Ca., where my, wife, Jeannie had two separate surgeries to remove cancer from her body. What had once been her hospital room lay in rubble. The steel reinforcing bars set aside, the rubble was ground up into sand and carried away so that new construction could begin. Today earth movers prepare the earth for the foundation of a brand new hospital facility.
Life has many walls and fences dividing, separating, and compartmentalizing. Not walls made of concrete, stone or wood, but personal obstructions blocking people from each other and from God.
Jesus Christ came as the great wall remover, tearing down the partition of sin separating us from God and blasting the barriers keeping us from each other. Christ’s death and resurrection opened the way to God, bringing all who believed in him into God’s family.
Roman, Greek and Jewish cultures were littered with barriers, as society assigned people to classes and expected them to remain in their place - men, women, free, slave, rich, poor, Jews, Gentiles and Greeks.
In contrast, God’s Word recorded in Galatians 3:28
In Christ’s family there can be no division into
Jew and Non-Jew, slave and free, male and female.
Among us you are all equal. That is,
we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.
TRANSITION: This life-changing truth forms the backdrop for Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, and plea for Onesimus. (Philemon is the shortest book in the Bible with only 25 verses, yet is one the most revolutionary in the New Testament.)
Onesimus was a slave who “belonged” to Philemon.
Apparently he had stolen from his master and run away.
He found Paul, under house arrest, in Rome which lead to Revolutionized Relationships. Onesimus came to faith in Christ who radically forgave him and brought him into his family. Paul writes: revolutionized relationship meant he was sending Onesimus back not only as a slave but as a brother in Christ.
The barriers of slavery, Onesimus’ theft and desertion were no longer a divide – they were removed by Christ.
This letter is a masterpiece of grace, tact, a profound demonstration Christ’s power and Christian fellowship of Revolutionized Relationships in action.
Let us look, in more depth, at the dramatic story of the conversion of a runaway slave and implications for us.
Philemon and his wife Apphia hosted the Christian community of Colosse, Asia Minor (today’s Turkey) in their home. Onesimus as slave served the guests. Slavery was a major factor in building and maintaining the Roman Empire. 60 million slaves formed a constant danger. If they ever revolted there would serious trouble. Rebellious slaves were promptly eliminated. If a slave ran away, at best s/he would be branded on the forehead with a the letter F = fugitivus, Latin for fugitive, runaway. At worst a slave would be tortured and or crucified. Paul learned firsthand, what it was like being a slave, from Onesimus = useful. Paul puns on Onesimus’ name: Once useless, was he beaten or told he was useless? Was that why he ran away?
Did he steal to have money on which to live?
When Christ revolutionized his life, Onesimus lived into his name and character. Useful to me and you.
SPECULATION: How did Onesimus find Paul?
Was that his intention or by accident? There are no accidents with God. God transformed Onesimus from being a slave of sin to being a free man in Christ.
Paul writes: Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
My very heart ... Useful - Profitable. Indispensable ... (vs. 16)
Why did Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon? Identified? Trying to remain incognito?
Epaphras recognized Onesimus as Philemon’s slave in the home where Christians met. Is that why Onesimus came clean?
Paul knew well the risk of sending Onesimus back ...
A slave was a living tool not a person. Master had absolute power over a slave. A Roman named Pliny: writes: “A slave was carrying a tray of crystal goblets. He dropped and broke one. The master ordered that the slave be thrown into the fishpond in the courtyard, were the lampreys (fish with rasping teeth that sucked out blood) tore him into pieces.”
The slave was deliberately held down.” (William Barclay, Philemon,)
Some believe it is strange that Paul does not attack the institution of slavery. Revolutionized Relationships come from God’s revelation in Christ. All are One. The Master regards the slave as “brother” while the dishonest slave found new life in Christ who “knew no sin” and came not to be served but to serve “purchased with blood.” Paul wrote this letter from Rome @ 60 AD to convince Philemon to forgive, not punish his runaway slave and accept, Onesimus, as a brother in faith.
Christian Revolutionized Relationships are full of forgiveness and acceptance. Is there someone who has wronged you and whom you are having difficulty forgiving? Pray that God will guide and work through you in removing the barriers between him or her.
Treat him or her as you would want to be treated.
Paul as friend of both Philemon and Onesimus, could have used his authority, as an apostle, to tell Philemon what to do. Yet he chose to appeal, in Christian love, rather than ordering him.
Tactful persuasion accomplishes more than commands.
Courtesy and respect in relationships exhibit Christ’s love.
v. 4-16 Paul reflected on Philemon’s faith and love.
How he opened his home to the Christians.
Paul described himself as an old man and prisoner of Christ who is in chains. I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother...in the Lord.
Christians did not have the political power to change the slavery system. God through Paul radically revolutionized relationships. The Good News begins changing social structures by changing people within those structures. In Christ Onesimus and Philemon equals. Paul personally guaranteed payment for any stolen property or wrong for which Onesimus might be responsible. His investment in the young Christian no doubt encouraged and strengthened Onesimus’ faith.
Reciprocal Relationships - demonstrate confidence.
We can invest in others through Bible study, prayer, encouragement, support and friendship.
Philemon owed his life to Paul who lead him to Christ.
Paul as Philemon’s spiritual father hoped Philemon would feel a dept of gratitude that would be repaid by accepting Onesimus with a spirit of forgiveness.
v.20 Says in charming wit: Let me make some Christian profit out of you! I am writing with confidence for I know you will do more than I ask. (21)
v.23 Epaphras founded the church in Colossea and fought to hold it together in spite of growing persecution and struggles with the false teachers in prison for preaching
v.24 Compare names with those in Colossians 4:10-14.
Mark is the same as the author of 2nd Gospel of the NT.
CONCLUSION: Paul urged Philemon to be reconcile with
his slave, receiving him as a brother and fellow member of God’s family. Reconciling means reestablishing relationships. Christ reconciled us to God and others. Many barriers come between people. But Christ can break down those barriers of race, social status, sex, personality differences. Jesus Christ Revolutionized Onesimus’ Relationships with Philemon from slave to brother.
Christ can revolutionize our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships.
Bishop of Ephesus? 50 years later, Ignatius, one of the Christian Fathers, who was executed (martyred) writes to the churches of Asia Minor including the Church at Ephesus. He has much to say about their wonderful Bishop. Name? Onesimus. Ignatius uses the same pun as Paul: Onesimus by name, Onesimus by nature the profitable (useful) one to Christ. Was he the run away slave? If so, that is truly Revolutionary!
Onesimus was Freed, became a Student, Ordained as a Pastor, a life of a different type of Service and Given Authority as a Bishop.
Radical Forgiveness - Revolutionized Relationships.
True story: Maria Fearing was born in slavery 1838.
She said: “I will go to Africa some day if I can.”
Freed from slavery in 1865 at the age of 27 she found her way to Talledega College where she completed 9th grade and taught in a nearby school. Years later she returned to supervise boarding school students. There she met a William Shepphard, co-founder of the Presbyterian Mission to Congo. He was recruiting other African Americans to join him in that mission. Maria, at 56 yrs. old, volunteered herself to the Mission Committee who rebuffed her application. She sold her little house, collected money from friends and returned to the committee, offering to pay her own fare and support herself on the field, if she were allowed to travel with the Sheppard party.
Reluctantly, the committee agreed.
In the Congo, Maria’s house became a haven for young girls in need: orphaned, sickly, abused, enslaved. Girls called her: mama wa mptu - “mother from far away.” For 20 years, Maria continued her work as mother and evangelist. 3 of the first 7 converts, who experienced the Revolutionized Relationship through the Mission later carried on the work started by Maria. Other girls in Congo and yes around the world experience those Revolutionized Relationships that come through faith in Jesus Christ.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
"EMBRACING LIFE"
Dr. Glen A. Thorp August 14, 2011
II Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 57 (All Rights Reserved)
“EMBRACING LIFE”
(Teaching to Live Well!)
INTRODUCTION: “This must have been one the worst weeks of the year.” As a result of the Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the United State’s credit rating from AAA to AA+, the Stock Market plunge 634.76 points, on Monday. The worst drop since 2008. Tuesday, after the Federal Reserve indicated it would keep interest rates where they were for two years, the Stock Market jumped 420 points. Wednesday, the Market was back down 500 points. Ended week: up 126.
“Rioters Spread a Trail of Theft and Destruction Across London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester, England. This worst outbreak of civil unrest in a decade, was sparked by the shooting of a local man by the police, aggravated by economic uncertainty and lawlessness youth broke windows of shops then stole items like cell-phones and plasma TVs. Fires were set causing destruction to building, buses and cars. The masked hooligans took advantage of the situation to have fun destroying and stealing.
Tuesday, through Twitter and Premier Christian Radio thousands of volunteers showed up with brooms to clean up the affected neighborhoods. One man said: “I am more encouraged by thousands who came to help than I am discouraged by those who caused such destruction.” England follows the pattern began last summer in France and evidenced this year in Greece.
It reminds me of the riots that occurred in SE LA after the police were acquitted of excessive force of the beating of Rodney King in Sylmar,1992.
During times of economic downturn, almost any incident can spark a riot, looting and destruction to property.
This week the bodies of 30 Special Forces including 25 Navy Seals, were flown home. Last week, a Chinook helicopter transporting 38 members of the Special Forces, including 8 Afghans, crashed killing all aboard. It was the worst loss of life in one incident in the Afghan war.
We live in uncertain times: Economic, Drought, Fires etc. The 9.0 earthquake in Japan followed by a huge tsunami causing mas destruction, including four nuclear plants lead to evacuation of large areas in Northern Japan, shut-down of automobile assembly plants and rationed amount of electricity resulting in office workers arriving in casual clothes because the A.C was turned off. During a normal calendar year Southern California has around 367 earthquakes of 3.0. That is more than one every day. We take them for granted. After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake of 6.7 one our church members gave me Psalm 57:1-2
O God in you ... my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 18:31-33 (Read) Who is God beside the Lord?
Who is the Rock except our God?
It is said that the safest place during the “BIG ONE” is the Golden Gate Bridge. It is said to be able withstand a 9.0 earthquake. Sway and Cantilever Construction: every bit of concrete, pavement and steel interrelated with two giant cables attached to two pillars deeply embedded into Bed Rock. God is our Bed Rock!
Each of the Scriptures has a similar theme:
Embracing Life rather than being paralyzed by it.
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom. The Message: Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely & well!
II Peter Was written to warn, teach about False Teachers
and handling heresy within their community.
I Peter addressed handling persecution (trials from outside.)
3:1 Dear friends, this is my second letter to you.
I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate
you to wholesome thinking. Emb!racing Life
Three Great Truths on which to do this.
1. Time to God is not the same as to us.
God may have seemed slow to act as Christians faced persecution every day and were seeing their friends die. False teachers: Scoffed:
“See Jesus did not keep his word. He has not returned." (3:8)
Psalm 90:4: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like a day.
Time as viewed from human and divine perspectives:
Century - human calendar like a couple of hours with God.
Reversal of relationship between days and years. That is true.
2. Time is regarded as an opportunity.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise ...
He is patient with you." (Time for Repentance)
Jesus is waiting so more people will come to believe.
Jn.10:10 I have come that you may have life, have it to the full
In the mean time we are embracing life to the fullest.
Living each day as it may be our last and planning as if Jesus will not return for a long time. Each day is a gift to use, to develop ourselves,
to grow closer to God and to render service to another.
Embrace God’s gift of time.
3. God does not wish that any should perish.
Not wanting anyone to perish,
But everyone come to repentance.
Genesis 15:16 For the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure God told Abraham 400 years before fulfilled, longer than the USA has existed.
v. 10 The day of the Lord will come like a thief.
The heavens will disappear with a roar,
the elements will be destroyed by fire and
the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
"Everything that is done will disclosed." (NRSV)
Maintains the nuances of the Greek preserving the basic verb: erga from the word “to work, to do.”
Day of Lord: (Read) Isaiah 34:4. Joel 3:15,16 –2:12,13
Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Revelation 6:12-17
Acts 3:19-21, Romans 2:4
Epicureans, False Teachers: “Since God had yet to intervene to reverse human injustice, it was proof that there would be no ultimate judgment of humans before God ... Truth: Divine judgement was seen in connection with redemption.” “New Heaven/Earth”
“In his kindness, God holds back his judgement giving people time to repent. It is easy to mistake God’s patience for approval of the wrong way we are living.”
“Everything God does is true to God’s character.
God is merciful, knows all, and acts justly –
and his timing is perfect.” (Application Bible, Gn. 15)
v. 5 God created the world by His Word.
God’s Word will play a similar part in the final catastrophe. God does not need to submit to the so called laws of the universe. (Richard Dawkins)
v. 9 God’s mercy is an alternative explanation for
the alleged delay of the parousia the coming of a head-state.
C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, p. 137
“God was everlasting. His life was infinite in time.
Nothing outlasts God, nothing slips away from Him.
Timeless as an eternal present.”
The Eternal may meet us in what is by our present measurements, a day or a minute, or a second but we have touched what is not in any way commensurable with lengths of time, whether long or short.”
Psalm 18:31-33 “God promises to give us strength to meet challenges, but he doesn’t promise to eliminate them ... God stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them.” (Application Bible)
II Peter 3:18 Grow in grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Elmer Leslie, The Psalms.
“The greatest contrast between God and man is that between eternity and finitude. We fragile children think of a millennium as a vast epoch. But eternal God as though it were but yesterday. God has appointed man a time of living comparable to a swiftly passing watch in the night. (3 hours)
Like grass luxurious in the morning only to wither by evening tide under the harsh oriental sun.
Pray that God, the great teacher, will teach people to pay earnest heed to the brevity of life and therefore embrace each passing day with a wise heart. Truly apply that wisdom when omprehending the shortness of human life.”
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm 57:2 In the shadow of your wing I will take refuge..
Indescribable majesty and power. Keep trusting God.
In God’s timing will come and save ...
CONCLUSION: Pray Like There’s No Tomorrow!
Story: Roger lead Mr. Hanover to Christ on May 7. Five years later he met Hanover’s wife, learning that same day May 7, Mr. Hanover was killed in an car accident. Mrs. Hanover: I prayed that my husband would accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I thought God had not kept his promise.
I stopped living for God because I thought God had not kept His Word!”
Peggy Noonan, Opinion writer the Wall Street Journal:
After the London Riots (August 13, 2011, A13)
“The riots in Britain left some Americans shaken...
We have been to England, visited a lot of those neighborhoods.
They were peaceful; now they’re in flames...We saw something over there that in smaller ways we’re starting to see over here...
The violence has root causes that government can’t reach...” Noonan quotes a couple of British Newspapers: “Young people have been looting shops they like: JD Sports and Mobile Phone shops,,,yet Waterstone’s Bookstore was left alone...Criminality in a raw form, not politics...”
“Philadelphia right now is under curfew because of flash mobs. Young people send out the word on social media, and suddenly dozens or hundreds of them hit a targeted store, steal everything on the shelves, and run, know one will stop or catch them...
Some of these young people come from brokenness, shallowness and terror...2009, census data, there are 74 million children under 18... 20 million live in single parent families...Over 700,000 children have been the subject of reports of abuse.
The problem, at the bottom, is love, something we never talk about in public policy discussions because it is too soft and cannot be quantified or legislated. But little children ( I would add, adults) without love and guidance are afraid. They are terrified–they have nothing solid in the world, which is a pretty scary place. So they never feel safe. As they grow, their fear becomes rage...violence.
What’s needed cannot be provided by government.”
Embracing Life starts with Embracing God's Love Appreciating every moment of life and Seeking to Demonstrate the Transforming Power of God's Love to all, espcially those who have not known love and live in fear. Perfect love casts out fear.
II Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 57 (All Rights Reserved)
“EMBRACING LIFE”
(Teaching to Live Well!)
INTRODUCTION: “This must have been one the worst weeks of the year.” As a result of the Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the United State’s credit rating from AAA to AA+, the Stock Market plunge 634.76 points, on Monday. The worst drop since 2008. Tuesday, after the Federal Reserve indicated it would keep interest rates where they were for two years, the Stock Market jumped 420 points. Wednesday, the Market was back down 500 points. Ended week: up 126.
“Rioters Spread a Trail of Theft and Destruction Across London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester, England. This worst outbreak of civil unrest in a decade, was sparked by the shooting of a local man by the police, aggravated by economic uncertainty and lawlessness youth broke windows of shops then stole items like cell-phones and plasma TVs. Fires were set causing destruction to building, buses and cars. The masked hooligans took advantage of the situation to have fun destroying and stealing.
Tuesday, through Twitter and Premier Christian Radio thousands of volunteers showed up with brooms to clean up the affected neighborhoods. One man said: “I am more encouraged by thousands who came to help than I am discouraged by those who caused such destruction.” England follows the pattern began last summer in France and evidenced this year in Greece.
It reminds me of the riots that occurred in SE LA after the police were acquitted of excessive force of the beating of Rodney King in Sylmar,1992.
During times of economic downturn, almost any incident can spark a riot, looting and destruction to property.
This week the bodies of 30 Special Forces including 25 Navy Seals, were flown home. Last week, a Chinook helicopter transporting 38 members of the Special Forces, including 8 Afghans, crashed killing all aboard. It was the worst loss of life in one incident in the Afghan war.
We live in uncertain times: Economic, Drought, Fires etc. The 9.0 earthquake in Japan followed by a huge tsunami causing mas destruction, including four nuclear plants lead to evacuation of large areas in Northern Japan, shut-down of automobile assembly plants and rationed amount of electricity resulting in office workers arriving in casual clothes because the A.C was turned off. During a normal calendar year Southern California has around 367 earthquakes of 3.0. That is more than one every day. We take them for granted. After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake of 6.7 one our church members gave me Psalm 57:1-2
O God in you ... my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 18:31-33 (Read) Who is God beside the Lord?
Who is the Rock except our God?
It is said that the safest place during the “BIG ONE” is the Golden Gate Bridge. It is said to be able withstand a 9.0 earthquake. Sway and Cantilever Construction: every bit of concrete, pavement and steel interrelated with two giant cables attached to two pillars deeply embedded into Bed Rock. God is our Bed Rock!
Each of the Scriptures has a similar theme:
Embracing Life rather than being paralyzed by it.
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom. The Message: Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely & well!
II Peter Was written to warn, teach about False Teachers
and handling heresy within their community.
I Peter addressed handling persecution (trials from outside.)
3:1 Dear friends, this is my second letter to you.
I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate
you to wholesome thinking. Emb!racing Life
Three Great Truths on which to do this.
1. Time to God is not the same as to us.
God may have seemed slow to act as Christians faced persecution every day and were seeing their friends die. False teachers: Scoffed:
“See Jesus did not keep his word. He has not returned." (3:8)
Psalm 90:4: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like a day.
Time as viewed from human and divine perspectives:
Century - human calendar like a couple of hours with God.
Reversal of relationship between days and years. That is true.
2. Time is regarded as an opportunity.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise ...
He is patient with you." (Time for Repentance)
Jesus is waiting so more people will come to believe.
Jn.10:10 I have come that you may have life, have it to the full
In the mean time we are embracing life to the fullest.
Living each day as it may be our last and planning as if Jesus will not return for a long time. Each day is a gift to use, to develop ourselves,
to grow closer to God and to render service to another.
Embrace God’s gift of time.
3. God does not wish that any should perish.
Not wanting anyone to perish,
But everyone come to repentance.
Genesis 15:16 For the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure God told Abraham 400 years before fulfilled, longer than the USA has existed.
v. 10 The day of the Lord will come like a thief.
The heavens will disappear with a roar,
the elements will be destroyed by fire and
the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
"Everything that is done will disclosed." (NRSV)
Maintains the nuances of the Greek preserving the basic verb: erga from the word “to work, to do.”
Day of Lord: (Read) Isaiah 34:4. Joel 3:15,16 –2:12,13
Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Revelation 6:12-17
Acts 3:19-21, Romans 2:4
Epicureans, False Teachers: “Since God had yet to intervene to reverse human injustice, it was proof that there would be no ultimate judgment of humans before God ... Truth: Divine judgement was seen in connection with redemption.” “New Heaven/Earth”
“In his kindness, God holds back his judgement giving people time to repent. It is easy to mistake God’s patience for approval of the wrong way we are living.”
“Everything God does is true to God’s character.
God is merciful, knows all, and acts justly –
and his timing is perfect.” (Application Bible, Gn. 15)
v. 5 God created the world by His Word.
God’s Word will play a similar part in the final catastrophe. God does not need to submit to the so called laws of the universe. (Richard Dawkins)
v. 9 God’s mercy is an alternative explanation for
the alleged delay of the parousia the coming of a head-state.
C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, p. 137
“God was everlasting. His life was infinite in time.
Nothing outlasts God, nothing slips away from Him.
Timeless as an eternal present.”
The Eternal may meet us in what is by our present measurements, a day or a minute, or a second but we have touched what is not in any way commensurable with lengths of time, whether long or short.”
Psalm 18:31-33 “God promises to give us strength to meet challenges, but he doesn’t promise to eliminate them ... God stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them.” (Application Bible)
II Peter 3:18 Grow in grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Elmer Leslie, The Psalms.
“The greatest contrast between God and man is that between eternity and finitude. We fragile children think of a millennium as a vast epoch. But eternal God as though it were but yesterday. God has appointed man a time of living comparable to a swiftly passing watch in the night. (3 hours)
Like grass luxurious in the morning only to wither by evening tide under the harsh oriental sun.
Pray that God, the great teacher, will teach people to pay earnest heed to the brevity of life and therefore embrace each passing day with a wise heart. Truly apply that wisdom when omprehending the shortness of human life.”
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm 57:2 In the shadow of your wing I will take refuge..
Indescribable majesty and power. Keep trusting God.
In God’s timing will come and save ...
CONCLUSION: Pray Like There’s No Tomorrow!
Story: Roger lead Mr. Hanover to Christ on May 7. Five years later he met Hanover’s wife, learning that same day May 7, Mr. Hanover was killed in an car accident. Mrs. Hanover: I prayed that my husband would accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I thought God had not kept his promise.
I stopped living for God because I thought God had not kept His Word!”
Peggy Noonan, Opinion writer the Wall Street Journal:
After the London Riots (August 13, 2011, A13)
“The riots in Britain left some Americans shaken...
We have been to England, visited a lot of those neighborhoods.
They were peaceful; now they’re in flames...We saw something over there that in smaller ways we’re starting to see over here...
The violence has root causes that government can’t reach...” Noonan quotes a couple of British Newspapers: “Young people have been looting shops they like: JD Sports and Mobile Phone shops,,,yet Waterstone’s Bookstore was left alone...Criminality in a raw form, not politics...”
“Philadelphia right now is under curfew because of flash mobs. Young people send out the word on social media, and suddenly dozens or hundreds of them hit a targeted store, steal everything on the shelves, and run, know one will stop or catch them...
Some of these young people come from brokenness, shallowness and terror...2009, census data, there are 74 million children under 18... 20 million live in single parent families...Over 700,000 children have been the subject of reports of abuse.
The problem, at the bottom, is love, something we never talk about in public policy discussions because it is too soft and cannot be quantified or legislated. But little children ( I would add, adults) without love and guidance are afraid. They are terrified–they have nothing solid in the world, which is a pretty scary place. So they never feel safe. As they grow, their fear becomes rage...violence.
What’s needed cannot be provided by government.”
Embracing Life starts with Embracing God's Love Appreciating every moment of life and Seeking to Demonstrate the Transforming Power of God's Love to all, espcially those who have not known love and live in fear. Perfect love casts out fear.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
"ACKNOWLEDGING THE LORD IS GOD"
July 19, 2025
Dr. Glen A. Thorp Psalm 100,
(All Rights Reserved Exodus 33:12-23
“ACKNOWLEDGING THE LORD IS GOD”
(God Made us, We did not Make God)
INTRODUCTION: Through Facebook I have connected with a cousin in Sweden. A few years ago, she asked: “Are Darwin’s evolution and believing
in God an absolutely impossible mix?” I responded:
“No. If Darwin believed in a God,
Evolution is compatible with a Creative God.
If Darwinian believed creation/evolution was just by chance,
it would be difficult.”
My cousin's question prompted me in recalling an article I read in the Wall Street Journal entitled: Man vs. God, WSJ, 9/13/09+
The two people named below were commissioned to respond independently to the question: “Where does evolution leave God?”
Richard Dawkins: an Atheist and author of many books including:
The God Delusion and published in 2009, The Greatest Show On Earth, responded: Evolution leaves God with nothing to do.
Karen Armstrong: Author of many books, The Case for God also published in 2009 responded:
We need God to grasp the wonder of our existence.
Richard Dawkins continued:
“Evolution is probably the Greatest Show on Earth.
Alien life, if it does exist, will be Darwinian life.
It is possible we really are alone in the universe, in which case Earth, with its greatest show, is the most remarkable planet in the universe.
What is so special about life? It never violates the laws of physics...If it did, scientists would just have to formulate new laws...there never was a rock that bounded like a kangaroo, never a pebble that crawled like a beetle seeking a mate, never a grain of sand that swam like a water flea...
Never once are the laws of physics violated, yet life emerges into unchartered territory...What if there are life forms on other planets that have evolved so far beyond our level of intelligence and creativity that we should regard them as gods...they would not be gods...they did not create the universe, it created them, just as it created us...Where does this leave God. The kindest thing to say is it leaves him with nothing to do, and no achievements that might attract our praise, our worship or our fear...God is not dead. He was never alive in the first place.”
There is one major problem with Dawkin’s argument, physics can not indicate what life is or where it came from. There are multiple hypothesis, but none that have been proven. Dawkin is correct: "beings did not create the universe," but he is wrong in saying that the universe created beings.
Physics cannot explain why life exists or where it is going.
(Read story at the end of this blog) about Albert Einstein riding a train from Princeton, N.J.*
I won’t take time to discuss Karen Armstrong’s rebuttal.
I will go our Authority, God’s Word, The Bible..
Know this: God is God and
God made us, we didn’t make God.
God is our Creator, we did not create ourselves.
Many people live as though they are the creator and center of their own little world. This mind-set leads to a greedy possessiveness and if everything should be taken away, a loss of hope. When we realize God created us and gives all we have, we will want to give to others as God gave to us. (II Corinthians 9:8)
If all is lost, we still have God and all he gives us.
Let us look at Psalm 100 to see what we learn about God and how we respond to the God who created ...
It was written for use by the Jews in their worship.
It is one the “Psalms of Ascent” used by pilgrims.
PSALM 100 is a invitation to worship and joyfully enter the Temple and into God’s presence.
As Pilgrims approached, a Choir summoned them.
The Pilgrims respond - Antiphonally between the choir and the pilgrims.
Written in Hebrew Poetic Parallel Structure this Psalm was likely sung.
Acknowledging the Lord is God.
Surrounded by countries who worshiped their own gods, especially when in Babylonian captivity, the Hebrews were reminded of who their God was, God’s Character and why they journeyed to the Temple to worship God.
God alone is worthy of being worshiped.
Do we need church? Why do we attend worship?
What is your attitude toward worship?
Do you willingly and joyfully come into God’s presence or are you just going through the motions; reluctantly attending worship?
This Psalm is for us as well. It reminds us of God’s goodness and dependability. Our response is to worship God with thanksgiving and praise.
vs. 1 Shout to the Lord, all the land, (Earth)
Serve the Lord with gladness; (Worship)
v. 2 Come before him with singing (Joyful Songs)
v. 3 The theme of their glad song is threefold:
Know that the Lord alone is God.
He has made us and we belong to Him.
We are His people & sheep of his pasture.
LORD, English for the Hebrew YHWH, is God.
This is foundational to the believe in Monotheism.
KNOW means to ACKNOWLEDGE.
Know a simple truth like 2+2=4
Know YHWH is God is a fact.
Be sure that YHWH is God ... Trust ...
Acknowledge by acting on that belief and living by drawing on that assurance, comfort and strength. Our Response is Grateful Worship.
v. 4 Choir: Invites Pilgrims to enter the gates leading to the courts of the Temple with Three acts of worship:
Enter into His gates
with a thank offering,
Into His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him,
Bless His Name. (with bended knee)
v. 5 Reason: Profound acknowledgment
of the three fold Character of God:
For good is the Lord;
His loving-kindness endures forever,
And His faithfulness lasts from
generation to generation.
Dependency of God’s Character allows us to trust!
John Green-leaf Whittier captures that theme in his The Eternal Goodness:
Yet, in the maddening maze of things,
And tossed by storm and flood,
To one fixed trust my spirit clings;
I know that God is good.
Read I Kings 18:16-39 about a test between,
Elijah, a prophet of YHWH and prophets of Baal.
At the end of the test, the people fell acknowledged
(vs.39) The Lord, He is God!
The Lord, He is God!
(Implied: “Not Baal. Baal is not god.”)
Psalm 100 has enjoyed a long history of paraphrase in Christian hymnody. One:
All People that on Earth Do Dwell
v. 1 All people that on earth do dwell=All the earth
(4 Imperatives vs. 3 in psalm) Praise forth tell
v. 2 Know that the Lord is God indeed; (Psalm 100:3)
“without our aid He did make us.”
We belong to Him.
v. 3 O enter then His gates with praise ...(Psalm 100:4)
For it is seemly to do so (Reason - v. 5)
v. 4 For why? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure. Connects v. 3 to 4.
4 Clauses in vs. 3 come from the psalm.
His truth at all times firmly stood
And from age to age endure.
CONCLUSION: Acknowledge the Lord is God?
For what are you most Thankful?
To whom or what do you give thanks?
The Universe? as Dawkins writes. If so how?
Psalmist calls us to give thanks to God - YHWH
Six Reasons:
Know ye that the Lord alone is God.
He has made us and we belong to Him;
We are His people & sheep of his pasture.
For good is the Lord;
His loving-kindness endures forever,
And His faithfulness lasts from generation to generation.
Applies to all the earth ...
Nothing is outside God’s concern.
Reasons we gather with praise and thanksgiving.
Which of the six reasons most motivates you?
Read Exodus 33:12-23 recording a dialogue between Moses and the Glory of YHWH. Moses: Teach me your ways so I may know you ...
Fulfilled in Transfiguration of Jesus Lk 9:30
Notice how God’s Glory was revealed through Jesus with Moses and Jeremiah standing on either side of Jesus. Moses was the Law giver and Elijah, the same Prophet who took on the prophets of Baal.
Jesus was that one called Lord God, the one who gave the Law and who came to fulfill it.)
I ended my conversation with referring my cousin to the Wall Street Journal article and said:
The point of the article is that Dawkins writes: "Evolution leaves God with nothing to do." Therefore, we don't need God. Armstrong replies: "Looking at the Universe, we need God to appreciate the wonder of our existence." How is it that we are unique in the Universe, at least as we have explored it so far? God Created ...
Acknowledge the Lord is God
Respond with JOY!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Albert Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it."
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned
around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.
The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket.
I'm sure you bought one."
Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am.
What I don't know is where I'm going."
+”Man vs. God, The Wall Street Journal, 9/13/09
Here is the link. Copy to open: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203440104574405030643556324.htm
Dr. Glen A. Thorp Psalm 100,
(All Rights Reserved Exodus 33:12-23
“ACKNOWLEDGING THE LORD IS GOD”
(God Made us, We did not Make God)
INTRODUCTION: Through Facebook I have connected with a cousin in Sweden. A few years ago, she asked: “Are Darwin’s evolution and believing
in God an absolutely impossible mix?” I responded:
“No. If Darwin believed in a God,
Evolution is compatible with a Creative God.
If Darwinian believed creation/evolution was just by chance,
it would be difficult.”
My cousin's question prompted me in recalling an article I read in the Wall Street Journal entitled: Man vs. God, WSJ, 9/13/09+
The two people named below were commissioned to respond independently to the question: “Where does evolution leave God?”
Richard Dawkins: an Atheist and author of many books including:
The God Delusion and published in 2009, The Greatest Show On Earth, responded: Evolution leaves God with nothing to do.
Karen Armstrong: Author of many books, The Case for God also published in 2009 responded:
We need God to grasp the wonder of our existence.
Richard Dawkins continued:
“Evolution is probably the Greatest Show on Earth.
Alien life, if it does exist, will be Darwinian life.
It is possible we really are alone in the universe, in which case Earth, with its greatest show, is the most remarkable planet in the universe.
What is so special about life? It never violates the laws of physics...If it did, scientists would just have to formulate new laws...there never was a rock that bounded like a kangaroo, never a pebble that crawled like a beetle seeking a mate, never a grain of sand that swam like a water flea...
Never once are the laws of physics violated, yet life emerges into unchartered territory...What if there are life forms on other planets that have evolved so far beyond our level of intelligence and creativity that we should regard them as gods...they would not be gods...they did not create the universe, it created them, just as it created us...Where does this leave God. The kindest thing to say is it leaves him with nothing to do, and no achievements that might attract our praise, our worship or our fear...God is not dead. He was never alive in the first place.”
There is one major problem with Dawkin’s argument, physics can not indicate what life is or where it came from. There are multiple hypothesis, but none that have been proven. Dawkin is correct: "beings did not create the universe," but he is wrong in saying that the universe created beings.
Physics cannot explain why life exists or where it is going.
(Read story at the end of this blog) about Albert Einstein riding a train from Princeton, N.J.*
I won’t take time to discuss Karen Armstrong’s rebuttal.
I will go our Authority, God’s Word, The Bible..
Know this: God is God and
God made us, we didn’t make God.
God is our Creator, we did not create ourselves.
Many people live as though they are the creator and center of their own little world. This mind-set leads to a greedy possessiveness and if everything should be taken away, a loss of hope. When we realize God created us and gives all we have, we will want to give to others as God gave to us. (II Corinthians 9:8)
If all is lost, we still have God and all he gives us.
Let us look at Psalm 100 to see what we learn about God and how we respond to the God who created ...
It was written for use by the Jews in their worship.
It is one the “Psalms of Ascent” used by pilgrims.
PSALM 100 is a invitation to worship and joyfully enter the Temple and into God’s presence.
As Pilgrims approached, a Choir summoned them.
The Pilgrims respond - Antiphonally between the choir and the pilgrims.
Written in Hebrew Poetic Parallel Structure this Psalm was likely sung.
Acknowledging the Lord is God.
Surrounded by countries who worshiped their own gods, especially when in Babylonian captivity, the Hebrews were reminded of who their God was, God’s Character and why they journeyed to the Temple to worship God.
God alone is worthy of being worshiped.
Do we need church? Why do we attend worship?
What is your attitude toward worship?
Do you willingly and joyfully come into God’s presence or are you just going through the motions; reluctantly attending worship?
This Psalm is for us as well. It reminds us of God’s goodness and dependability. Our response is to worship God with thanksgiving and praise.
vs. 1 Shout to the Lord, all the land, (Earth)
Serve the Lord with gladness; (Worship)
v. 2 Come before him with singing (Joyful Songs)
v. 3 The theme of their glad song is threefold:
Know that the Lord alone is God.
He has made us and we belong to Him.
We are His people & sheep of his pasture.
LORD, English for the Hebrew YHWH, is God.
This is foundational to the believe in Monotheism.
KNOW means to ACKNOWLEDGE.
Know a simple truth like 2+2=4
Know YHWH is God is a fact.
Be sure that YHWH is God ... Trust ...
Acknowledge by acting on that belief and living by drawing on that assurance, comfort and strength. Our Response is Grateful Worship.
v. 4 Choir: Invites Pilgrims to enter the gates leading to the courts of the Temple with Three acts of worship:
Enter into His gates
with a thank offering,
Into His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him,
Bless His Name. (with bended knee)
v. 5 Reason: Profound acknowledgment
of the three fold Character of God:
For good is the Lord;
His loving-kindness endures forever,
And His faithfulness lasts from
generation to generation.
Dependency of God’s Character allows us to trust!
John Green-leaf Whittier captures that theme in his The Eternal Goodness:
Yet, in the maddening maze of things,
And tossed by storm and flood,
To one fixed trust my spirit clings;
I know that God is good.
Read I Kings 18:16-39 about a test between,
Elijah, a prophet of YHWH and prophets of Baal.
At the end of the test, the people fell acknowledged
(vs.39) The Lord, He is God!
The Lord, He is God!
(Implied: “Not Baal. Baal is not god.”)
Psalm 100 has enjoyed a long history of paraphrase in Christian hymnody. One:
All People that on Earth Do Dwell
v. 1 All people that on earth do dwell=All the earth
(4 Imperatives vs. 3 in psalm) Praise forth tell
v. 2 Know that the Lord is God indeed; (Psalm 100:3)
“without our aid He did make us.”
We belong to Him.
v. 3 O enter then His gates with praise ...(Psalm 100:4)
For it is seemly to do so (Reason - v. 5)
v. 4 For why? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure. Connects v. 3 to 4.
4 Clauses in vs. 3 come from the psalm.
His truth at all times firmly stood
And from age to age endure.
CONCLUSION: Acknowledge the Lord is God?
For what are you most Thankful?
To whom or what do you give thanks?
The Universe? as Dawkins writes. If so how?
Psalmist calls us to give thanks to God - YHWH
Six Reasons:
Know ye that the Lord alone is God.
He has made us and we belong to Him;
We are His people & sheep of his pasture.
For good is the Lord;
His loving-kindness endures forever,
And His faithfulness lasts from generation to generation.
Applies to all the earth ...
Nothing is outside God’s concern.
Reasons we gather with praise and thanksgiving.
Which of the six reasons most motivates you?
Read Exodus 33:12-23 recording a dialogue between Moses and the Glory of YHWH. Moses: Teach me your ways so I may know you ...
Fulfilled in Transfiguration of Jesus Lk 9:30
Notice how God’s Glory was revealed through Jesus with Moses and Jeremiah standing on either side of Jesus. Moses was the Law giver and Elijah, the same Prophet who took on the prophets of Baal.
Jesus was that one called Lord God, the one who gave the Law and who came to fulfill it.)
I ended my conversation with referring my cousin to the Wall Street Journal article and said:
The point of the article is that Dawkins writes: "Evolution leaves God with nothing to do." Therefore, we don't need God. Armstrong replies: "Looking at the Universe, we need God to appreciate the wonder of our existence." How is it that we are unique in the Universe, at least as we have explored it so far? God Created ...
Acknowledge the Lord is God
Respond with JOY!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Albert Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it."
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned
around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.
The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket.
I'm sure you bought one."
Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am.
What I don't know is where I'm going."
+”Man vs. God, The Wall Street Journal, 9/13/09
Here is the link. Copy to open: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203440104574405030643556324.htm
Saturday, July 2, 2011
"HOLDING THESE TRUTHS ..."
Dr. Glen A. Thorp July 3, 2011
Acts 22:22-29, Psalms 33:1-22 (Independence Sunday)
(All Rights Reserved)
“HOLDING THESE TRUTHS ...”
(Celebrating America’s 235rd Birthday)
INTRODUCTION: 235 years ago a group representing each of the 13 British Colonies in the New World met in Philadelphia to decide what course of action should be taken against the King of Great Britain. For months these representatives had been arguing amongst themselves as to what they should do.
Issues:
• King was not Assenting to the Laws, the most wholesome and necessary good for the public.
• Forbidding Governors from passing Laws of immediate and pressing importance until the Assent of the King.
• Relinquishing rights of Representation in the Legislature, rights inestimable to them.
• Calling meetings of Legislature in unusual places and times for purpose of fatiguing them.
• Dissolving Representative Houses for opposing the invasion of the rights of people.
• Refusing to allow others to be elected.
• Obstructing Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners.
• Obstructing the administration of justice, by refusing to Assent to Laws for establishing Justices.
• Making Judges dependent on the Kings will.
• Erecting new offices to harass people and to eat out of their substance.
• Keeping among us, in time of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislators.
• Rendering the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. (Total: 27 charges against the King)*
After great debate, realizing the consequences of their action, The Continental Congress voted to Declare their Independence from the British Crown. After additional hours of exacting work & debate, July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence was adopted. First published on July 6, 1776 in the Pennsylvania Evening Post. It wasn’t until August 2, 1776 that a copy of the Declaration was signed by members of Congress.
“When in the Course of human events ...
We hold these TRUTHS to be self-evident ...
We therefore, the Representatives ...
235 years later we, as a nation, are struggling with an identity crisis. With the National Unemployment at 9.1%, Home values way down & a request to raise the $14.29 trillion debt ceiling. Although a majority of U.S. military troops were withdrawn from Iraq & soon from Afghanistan we still face Uncertainty in that entire region and Middle East.
There seems No basis, No truth: “Whatever seems best for society.”
“Social Laws are relative.”
Knowing the reason for our founding is important today.
John Calvin regarding Justice: The source of Laws is God’s Word.
(See Footnote** for an illustration of what John Calvin meant.)
It is because of God’s Law that People can act ...
Revolution often follows Christianity.
Bible inspired Rutherford who inspired John Witherspoon, signer of Declation and found of what is today called Princeton University.
Reformation inspired Locke who inspired Thomas Jefferson.
Martin Luther wrote of “Priesthood of Believers.”
Fundamentally equating among people control of authority by individual conscience.
John Calvin wrote of God's Elect and inspired Puritans -
Absolute Freedom, Absolute Authority for War.
Social Contract based on God’s Covenant.
God the Absolute, granted Freedoms.
God's Contract was the cornerstone of English & American Law
Localism - Town Hall Meetings.
David Minwar writes of the:
Four Basic Tenants of American Development:
1. Doctrine of Equality - Each created in God’s Image. Priesthood of Believers - (Value of Individuals).
2. Government founded on the consent of the governed.
3. Work lead to release from uncertainties of Society.
4. Public Education & Scholarship.+
John Locke: “Man’s interests: Life, Liberty & Estate.”
Man gives up some freedoms for Protection.
Purpose of Government is to Protect basic rights
- There are Limits of Power.
- Limit of the Consent.
(To speed process of implementing the Declaraiton it was decided to
skip ratification of states.)
Foundation of the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident ...
All men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
- “According to this view, man is an integral creature with innate moral qualities created in personal relationship with God.
- While man is created by God for relationship with God, man has broken that relationship by setting up his own base - selfish passion.
- Lust is at war with Love.”++
It is this fact that explains the development of civil government.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted by the Consent of the Governed.”
Principal Problem for framers was Control of Authority
Liberty and Authority - Form and Freedom.
“The declaration assumes an absolute metaphysics from which are derived the ideas of self-evident rights and equality of men. The propositions that men are equal and have unalienable rights are moral axioms understood through reason, but not subject to proof, in the empirical sense. (Scripture) They are expressive of the fundamental moral revelations of natural law that governs the universe whether they are understood or honored does not affect their verity.”+++
Compare the Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness with the
Liberte, Egalete, Fraternite (Life, Equality, Fraternity) of the French Revolution. For us the value of our God given life leads to liberty so that we may pursue happiness. The French Revolution was founded on liberty & equality. That revolution resulted in cruel deaths & chaos.
The monarchy was replaced by an emperor, Napoleon.
George Washington: “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”
John Adams: “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were...the great principles of Christianity.”
He recommended that America’s birthday “be commemorated as a
day of solemn deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States on July 4, 1837 said:
“In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked to the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first principles of Christianity.” I would and God’s Word.
If you haven’t read the Declaration of Independence lately
I strongly urge you to do so over this 4th of July weekend.
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence knew they would be condemned to death & were placing their lives & property of the line for holding to the truths by which they stood & declaring independence from the King
(Nine of the thirty-six Signers died in the Revolutionary War.)
Here are a sample of the Scriptures that influenced them and
can give us truths we can hold guiding our decisions.
Psalm 33:4 God’s words are right, true and can be trusted.
God’s Word is reliable because, unlike people
God does not lie, forget, change his words or
leave his promises unfulfilled. We can trust God’s Word because it contains the words of a trustworthy, and unchangeable God.
Psalm 33:6-9 is a Poetic summary of Creation.
God is coordinator of natural forces,
Lord of creation and The Almighty God.
Because God is all-powerful we revere him in all we do.
Psalm 33:11 "The plans of the Lord stand forever.
Are you frustrated by the inconsistencies seen in others, or yourself?
God is completely trustworthy, his intentions never change.
James 1:17 says:
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
When wondering whom you can trust, God is consistent.
Let God counsel you, and trust God’s plans for your life.
Read Psalm 33:16-17 Horse is equated with military strength.
Because God rules and overrules every nation leaders should never put their complete trust in physical power. Military might is not the ground of hope Hope is in God.
The Bottom Line is found in Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
In uncertain times where will place your trust?
What will you hold on to? What truths will guide you?
May our nation return to foundation & truths held
by our founding fathers. Holding these Truths ...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Thomas J. Norton, The Constitution... p. 267
+ David Minwar, Ideas and Politics: p. 31
++ Ibid. p. 77
+++ Ibid.
** In old court house, Geneva, Switzerland where John Calvin served as Pastor and dramatically change the city there is a painting on the wall behind where the Judge sits. The painting is of a courtroom. In the corner is Justice portrayed as a woman holding a scale in one hand and sword in the other. She in not blindfolded as she is in our country.
In front of the Judge are two tables with lawyers & clients sitting behind them facing the Judge. The Judge is looking at Justice who’s sword is pointing to the Bible. Thus John Calvin’s statement that Justice and
it’s laws are founded on God’s Word, Bible.
Acts 22:22-29, Psalms 33:1-22 (Independence Sunday)
(All Rights Reserved)
“HOLDING THESE TRUTHS ...”
(Celebrating America’s 235rd Birthday)
INTRODUCTION: 235 years ago a group representing each of the 13 British Colonies in the New World met in Philadelphia to decide what course of action should be taken against the King of Great Britain. For months these representatives had been arguing amongst themselves as to what they should do.
Issues:
• King was not Assenting to the Laws, the most wholesome and necessary good for the public.
• Forbidding Governors from passing Laws of immediate and pressing importance until the Assent of the King.
• Relinquishing rights of Representation in the Legislature, rights inestimable to them.
• Calling meetings of Legislature in unusual places and times for purpose of fatiguing them.
• Dissolving Representative Houses for opposing the invasion of the rights of people.
• Refusing to allow others to be elected.
• Obstructing Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners.
• Obstructing the administration of justice, by refusing to Assent to Laws for establishing Justices.
• Making Judges dependent on the Kings will.
• Erecting new offices to harass people and to eat out of their substance.
• Keeping among us, in time of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislators.
• Rendering the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. (Total: 27 charges against the King)*
After great debate, realizing the consequences of their action, The Continental Congress voted to Declare their Independence from the British Crown. After additional hours of exacting work & debate, July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence was adopted. First published on July 6, 1776 in the Pennsylvania Evening Post. It wasn’t until August 2, 1776 that a copy of the Declaration was signed by members of Congress.
“When in the Course of human events ...
We hold these TRUTHS to be self-evident ...
We therefore, the Representatives ...
235 years later we, as a nation, are struggling with an identity crisis. With the National Unemployment at 9.1%, Home values way down & a request to raise the $14.29 trillion debt ceiling. Although a majority of U.S. military troops were withdrawn from Iraq & soon from Afghanistan we still face Uncertainty in that entire region and Middle East.
There seems No basis, No truth: “Whatever seems best for society.”
“Social Laws are relative.”
Knowing the reason for our founding is important today.
John Calvin regarding Justice: The source of Laws is God’s Word.
(See Footnote** for an illustration of what John Calvin meant.)
It is because of God’s Law that People can act ...
Revolution often follows Christianity.
Bible inspired Rutherford who inspired John Witherspoon, signer of Declation and found of what is today called Princeton University.
Reformation inspired Locke who inspired Thomas Jefferson.
Martin Luther wrote of “Priesthood of Believers.”
Fundamentally equating among people control of authority by individual conscience.
John Calvin wrote of God's Elect and inspired Puritans -
Absolute Freedom, Absolute Authority for War.
Social Contract based on God’s Covenant.
God the Absolute, granted Freedoms.
God's Contract was the cornerstone of English & American Law
Localism - Town Hall Meetings.
David Minwar writes of the:
Four Basic Tenants of American Development:
1. Doctrine of Equality - Each created in God’s Image. Priesthood of Believers - (Value of Individuals).
2. Government founded on the consent of the governed.
3. Work lead to release from uncertainties of Society.
4. Public Education & Scholarship.+
John Locke: “Man’s interests: Life, Liberty & Estate.”
Man gives up some freedoms for Protection.
Purpose of Government is to Protect basic rights
- There are Limits of Power.
- Limit of the Consent.
(To speed process of implementing the Declaraiton it was decided to
skip ratification of states.)
Foundation of the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident ...
All men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
- “According to this view, man is an integral creature with innate moral qualities created in personal relationship with God.
- While man is created by God for relationship with God, man has broken that relationship by setting up his own base - selfish passion.
- Lust is at war with Love.”++
It is this fact that explains the development of civil government.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted by the Consent of the Governed.”
Principal Problem for framers was Control of Authority
Liberty and Authority - Form and Freedom.
“The declaration assumes an absolute metaphysics from which are derived the ideas of self-evident rights and equality of men. The propositions that men are equal and have unalienable rights are moral axioms understood through reason, but not subject to proof, in the empirical sense. (Scripture) They are expressive of the fundamental moral revelations of natural law that governs the universe whether they are understood or honored does not affect their verity.”+++
Compare the Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness with the
Liberte, Egalete, Fraternite (Life, Equality, Fraternity) of the French Revolution. For us the value of our God given life leads to liberty so that we may pursue happiness. The French Revolution was founded on liberty & equality. That revolution resulted in cruel deaths & chaos.
The monarchy was replaced by an emperor, Napoleon.
George Washington: “The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”
John Adams: “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were...the great principles of Christianity.”
He recommended that America’s birthday “be commemorated as a
day of solemn deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States on July 4, 1837 said:
“In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked to the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first principles of Christianity.” I would and God’s Word.
If you haven’t read the Declaration of Independence lately
I strongly urge you to do so over this 4th of July weekend.
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence knew they would be condemned to death & were placing their lives & property of the line for holding to the truths by which they stood & declaring independence from the King
(Nine of the thirty-six Signers died in the Revolutionary War.)
Here are a sample of the Scriptures that influenced them and
can give us truths we can hold guiding our decisions.
Psalm 33:4 God’s words are right, true and can be trusted.
God’s Word is reliable because, unlike people
God does not lie, forget, change his words or
leave his promises unfulfilled. We can trust God’s Word because it contains the words of a trustworthy, and unchangeable God.
Psalm 33:6-9 is a Poetic summary of Creation.
God is coordinator of natural forces,
Lord of creation and The Almighty God.
Because God is all-powerful we revere him in all we do.
Psalm 33:11 "The plans of the Lord stand forever.
Are you frustrated by the inconsistencies seen in others, or yourself?
God is completely trustworthy, his intentions never change.
James 1:17 says:
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
When wondering whom you can trust, God is consistent.
Let God counsel you, and trust God’s plans for your life.
Read Psalm 33:16-17 Horse is equated with military strength.
Because God rules and overrules every nation leaders should never put their complete trust in physical power. Military might is not the ground of hope Hope is in God.
The Bottom Line is found in Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
In uncertain times where will place your trust?
What will you hold on to? What truths will guide you?
May our nation return to foundation & truths held
by our founding fathers. Holding these Truths ...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Thomas J. Norton, The Constitution... p. 267
+ David Minwar, Ideas and Politics: p. 31
++ Ibid. p. 77
+++ Ibid.
** In old court house, Geneva, Switzerland where John Calvin served as Pastor and dramatically change the city there is a painting on the wall behind where the Judge sits. The painting is of a courtroom. In the corner is Justice portrayed as a woman holding a scale in one hand and sword in the other. She in not blindfolded as she is in our country.
In front of the Judge are two tables with lawyers & clients sitting behind them facing the Judge. The Judge is looking at Justice who’s sword is pointing to the Bible. Thus John Calvin’s statement that Justice and
it’s laws are founded on God’s Word, Bible.
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