Brian's Notebook

Genesis 21:17:And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Hagar, she is the mother of the Arab nations.  It is a well known fact that Abraham is the father of Israel, but it is interesting to note that in Genesis 16 we realize he is also the father of the Arab nations.  Abraham wife Sarah is the mother of Israel.

In Genesis 16 we learn about the birth of Ishmael (God hears).  God made a promise to Abraham “And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (Gen. 15:4-6).  Sarah wasn’t willing to wait for God’s plan to play out, and she devised a scheme for Hagar (her hand maid) to provide Abraham with a son.

When God fulfilled his promise to Abraham, with the birth of Isaac, Hagar and Ishmael were cast out into the dessert.  Hagar cried out to God and the question came back “What aileth thee Hagar?”

God is asking a question when Hagar is grieving for her child.  The outlook was bleak, Hagar thought that her son would die.  Mothers shed tears over their children.  Mothers tend to weep when their children are sick, when they are wayward, and when they have been in danger.

Mothers have hidden their tears when harsh words are spoken.  Many have prayed through the tears when they are wounded and broken. Some have cried to God when their children have rejected Him.  In that hour God was truly concerned and cared about the tears cried by Hagar.  He was asking Hagar to unburden her heart, God wanted her to pour out her pain to Him.

Hagar was a mother who had been wronged by others.  She had not only  been wronged by a man, but she  had been wronged by a man of God.  There were many times when Hagar had observed Abraham in prayer.  Hagar could admire his courage and his faith.  She now knew him in his greatest weakness.  Sarah also played a part in this wrong. We can’t always be what we should be.

God chooses to question Hagar so she can learn of His faithfulness.  Hagar was sent out to the dessert with a little bread and water. Very soon the bread and water was gone.  God didn’t tell Hagar to worry about her situation, He didn’t tell her to hold unto grudges and nurse her wounds.  God opened her eyes with His provision.  There was water within reach and like Hagar. God provides for our needs.

Hagar responded very simply, she filled the bottle and she gave the water to her thirsty son.  The water that could sustain life was available to this mother.  In John 4, Jesus speaks of living water that gives eternal life. “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water…Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again…But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4: 10, 13 & 14.  This living water is ours through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What will you do with the blessing of eternal life provided to you?

Will you share the living water?  Will you tell others of Christ and His love?

Acts 1:11

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

This is the month when we celebrate Easter, a yearly remembrance of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is however a significant question on Easter Sunday. Did Jesus die on the cross and rise again? If the answer is no, there is no eternal hope. If the answer is yes, this day is the greatest day of the year.

One of the things that people attack is the resurrection, people want proof. There are many proofs that have been discussed elsewhere and it has been proven that many of these proofs are infallible. The tomb was heavily guarded and sealed, and yet it was found empty. There was eyewitness testimony. The very existence of the church today is proof. The greatest proof of the resurrection is changed lives.

What are the changes that we see, particularly in the eyewitnesses? Their lives’ aim were changed. Act 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Before following Christ the disciples had goals that were temporal at best. They wanted to be successful in their chosen business endeavors. The disciples truly wanted to gather what they could of the world’s goods.

After the disciples met and began to follow Christ their focus and goals became eternal. They desired to learn more about Him, and they wanted to know more about the Kingdom of which He spoke. They began to desire the rewards of eternity rather than earthly wealth. Two of them desired to sit on either side of His throne (Mk 10:37). The goal for the disciples after the resurrection was to be witnesses. In Matthew 28 the disciples were given a job to do. ¶Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: (Mt 28:19-20). They wanted to present Christ to a lost and troubled world.

The disciples found that their anticipations of the future changed. In Acts 1, one of the disciples asked “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”(vs 6). They had gained the understanding that Christ would come back one day and restore His kingdom. They were now aware that they must be busy about His business.(Lk 2:49) They must now win as many as possible while there was still time. (Psalm 11:30) They were to live Holy lives while they awaited his return. (I Jn 2:28)The disciples would now spend their lives in anticipation of the kingdom that was to come.

Their attitude toward each other changed. (Acts 1:12-14). They were all in one accord (agreement) . There were some roadblocks that could have hindered this unity. Some of the disciples experienced failure ( Judas, Peter, Thomas). All of the disciples finally forsook Christ at the cross and fled. However Christ forgave them for their transgressions and the disciples were able to forgive each other, and love one another. When the roadblocks were taken down these men by their demonstrations of love and forgiveness changed the world.

What changes has the risen Christ made in you and your life? We need to be like the disciples and allow Christ to make changes in our lives. Will you let Him change you this Easter.

Acts 4:13:

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Jerusalem was rocked by an explosion- an explosion of love.  The Day of Pentecost had come and the Holy Spirit had come in like a mighty rushing wind and filled the disciples with fire. In Acts 2 we read that 3000 people were converted under the preaching of Peter.  The prayers that were fervently offered and the agreement between the believers (Acts 1:14) brought answers from God.

In Acts 3 a lame man was healed at the temple, and as Peter continued to preach the word he called the people to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and five thousand people responded.

This upset the religious leaders. The high priest gathered together a council to question Peter (Acts 4: 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?) Peter pointed out that it was by the power of God the lame man was healed.  From verse 10- 12  Peter reminds those questioning him about the cross, he proclaimed the truth of the resurrection and he insisted that Christ is the only way of salvation (John14:6: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)

People recognized there was something different about Peter and John.  One of the first things they noticed was their daring. Peter and John had been arrested in Jerusalem for preaching the gospel.  If someone was to preach about Jesus and the resurrection in first century Jerusalem you could lose your life.  What looked like a positive response of 5000 souls was  actually something that would place their lives in jeopardy.

The religious leaders were amazed at the boldness of these men in the face of danger.  Do others when watching us see us as bold in declaring our faith?

The research indicated that these men preaching the gospel were dumb.  Dumb may be a little harsh but their educational background was non-existent.  They didn’t have any diplomas or degrees, and they had been rejected by numerous rabbis , whom headed educational duties in Israel.  These powerful preachers were called by God ‘as is.’ They weren’t educated by formal standards, but they learned in the most holy of places, they learned sitting at the feet of Jesus.  The critics concluded these men were ignorant, the truth is they didn’t understand.

The lack of education these men had raised more questions.  How could uneducated men be so dynamic.? How could these men without a masters degree be so discerning?

The only answer the religious leaders could come up with there is a divine resource that is responsible.  Something was going on and it transcended human ability. These unprepared, uneducated men had become what nobody had recognized previously.  Somehow they had become great preachers.  Not only were they proficient teachers they were effective teachers who used words that carried impact.  The only answer is in the verse that states “ …they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) The Apostle Paul would later write of other weak ones becoming strong. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (I Cor 1: 27-29).  Acts 17:6 records their effect on the world, “ These that have turned the world upside down…”

What can we conclude from all of this?  The truth is that God isn’t looking for the mighty, big, important or even educated.  What makes us effective for God is the power of the Holy Spirit and the things that we learn from His word.  Being uneducated is not a barrier to the work of God. The truth lies in the wonderful concept that if we will truly surrender ourselves to God, he will use us.

Psalm 83

In this Psalm there are many enemies listed, and many of these enemies are well known to those who have attended Sunday school or read our Bibles.  In the Psalm we are considering we see, Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moabites, Hagrites and the list continues.  There is a little known people there from a place known as Gebal, it is better known as Byblos.  Who are these people and where or what is Gebal?

Gebal was a Phoenician seaport somewhere between Sidon and Tripolis.  The people were initially enemies of God and they were to be driven out of the promised land and the land was to be divided but this never happened. Joshua 13: 5-6: And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal–gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath. All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth–maim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

The Giblites were skilled craftsmen, however they were involved in a less than prominent trade.  The Giblites worked mainly out of sight, they worked in the background.  Although these workers shunned the limelight their work was essential to the finished product they worked on.  King Hiram discovered their skill and he employed them for their services.  The Giblites had past problems as one of God’s enemies, but Kins Solomon commissioned them to be involved and they helped in the building of the temple.

There were four significant and specific things that we need to look at regarding the Giblites. The Giblites were “stoppers of chinks” Ezekiel 27:9: The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: the Giblites calked the boats.  These tradesmen lived in a seaport and hence shipbuilding would be a thriving business.  The job at best was menial; working under boats!  It is evident to us that this job is a vital task.  Although it may have looked like a job done in obscurity the men who sailed the sea were happy that someone had sealed their ships for sound service.

Secondly we read in I Kings 5:18 And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stone squarers:  When King Solomon built the temple he needed capable stone masons to shape the stones for the project. The finishing of the stones for the temple was a craft that took place out of sight.  I Kings 6: 7: And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

The Giblites strengthened the structure.  We read earlier that they calked boats, and they worked stone. Whatever a job required whether it be working on a finished product or working with some raw material like timber the Giblites did a work of strengthening.

Now for their final task we need to look at their name.  The root word of Gebal is ‘gabal’ and it means to set bounds.  The Giblites were setters of boundaries.

Remember who these people are; they were once enemies of God’s people.  This placed them under God’s judgment. Is it not amazing that we now see these people serving God and His people?  If the hymn had been written in their day, they would have sung “Amazing Grace.”

The Giblites were stoppers of chinks, do we know people like that?  There are always those who are willing to work in the background.  They are the support staff vital to a well functioning body.  They are the ones who catch those danger spots (chinks) that need sealing before they enlarge.  Maybe there might be a rotten plank in ones life and a timely intervention or word of caution might be needed to avoid a shipwreck.  God in His grace often uses these humble servants to save us from calamity even if it sometimes hurts.  (Prov. 27:6)

They were squarers of stones, labouring away in the background, with no fanfare, smoothing out things and filing away the rough edges. If we have grace and sense to let them do their work of shaping us (the living stones) into the building of God.  Giblites are aware that the stones that Solomon used were costly and precious, blessed are those saints who use their gifts to beautify the saints. These encouragers labour hard so that we might dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133)

The Giblite is one who can strengthen the structure.  They are able to strengthen that which remains and once again strengthen those that are within.  The Giblite is one who understands that God’s work is not about might, and power but God’s work is by His Spirit.(Zech.4:6)

A good Giblite sets boundaries.  It is important that there are those in our midst who know the boundaries.  They are familiar with the Word of God and they know how to set out boundaries and they are able to warn us when we stray outside our borders.  When they see us on a downward path they can raise us up and set us straight. (I John 2:15 & 2 Cor. 6:17)

The questions remain; where would some of us be if we didn’t have those who are like Giblites in our midst today?  Has there been another believer who has stood in the gap for you?  We have been protected, picked up and encouraged and empowered.  The fact is very often unseen quiet and under appreciated work has eternal purpose and consequence.

One day God will bless people for their unique service and their loving care for God’s people.  Those of us who have been blessed by the counterpart of the Giblites in the church can rejoice when they are rewarded and we are able to say

‘God bless the Giblites.’

Numbers 6:22-27

Open your Bible and read the blessing that is written in the text above (maybe even highlight it). Is there a better way to start of the New Year?  It’s always good to begin a new year on a positive note.  Numbers 6:22-27 is a timeless blessing or if you prefer it is benediction (the bestowing of a blessing).  Numbers 6 gives various instructions to Israel’s priests and in verses 22-27 they are told how they are to bless their people.  This passage is known as the Aaronic or priestly blessing.

Aaron is Israel’s chief priest and he was to pronounce this blessing on ancient Israel. In a special way this blessing is timeless.  We know that God’s word is eternal and this particular blessing has a special message for us as we embark on a new year in 2012.

This blessing could be called a ‘blessing in triplicate,’ that is to say it has three parts,  there is a threefold use of God’s name, the Lord.  By using this name it is representative of the fulness of God’s blessing.  We are reminded of the song recorded in Isaiah 6:3 “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Using the Lord’s name three times intensifies its reality. “…and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).  Having said all of this there may be a greater significance to this triune formula.  The ancient Israelites and the Jews of today don’t understand the Trinity the way Christians do.  Thankfully the book of Numbers wasn’t only written for the children of Israel.  This passage was written for God’s people of all ages.

II Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” The Aaronic blessing needs to be read with the Trinity in mind.  God the Father, bless you and keep you.  God the Son, make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.  God the Spirit, lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

This passage offers a blessing from Christ.  Blessings are best understood as being gifts from God, but the blesser is a actually Jesus Christ.  The blessing here in Numbers is a priestly blessing given to Aaron and he is representing the Almighty God.  In Hebrews chapter 5 we see Aaron foreshadowed Christ, our great high priest.  The last act of ministry that the Lord Jesus performed right before His ascension was blessing His people “ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” (Luke, 24:50-51).

Christ always blesses with authority.  The blessing we’re looking at is not simply an expression of good will, or even an elementary prayer.  In the Old Testament Aaron was given authority by God using the Divine Name and the appointed words given by God Almighty.  Aaron conveyed God’s blessing on the congregation.

This blessing is according to our needs.  We need to note that there are six components within this blessing that correspond to our needs.  First, “The Lord bless you.” Bless is a common word in the Old Testament, it occurs abut 415 times.  It implies life, health, and prosperity.  The blessings for Israel are spelled out it Deuteronomy 28 , for the Christians our blessings are In Ephesians, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesian 1:3).

“The Lord keep you.” This is the word of protection and care.  The root meaning here is “to hedge about”.  A more common definition is to exercise great care over you.

Thirdly we read “The Lord make His face to shine upon you.”  Sunshine! Mal. 4:2 & Jn 8:12). We are to soak up the light, the joy, the radiance and the enthusiasm of God Himself.  We need to be close to Him, reading His word, worshipping Him and expressing our love for Him.  The more time we spend focussed on Him the more we will glow as a shining beacon uplifting Him,

“The Lord be gracious to you.” Gracious means kind and benevolent.  This phrase is all about God’s forgiveness that is graciously offered to us.

Our fifth component is “The Lord lift His countenance upon you.” In the Bible facial expressions displayed relationships.   For example when Cain was angry, his countenance fell.  The Lord lifting up His countenance implies good pleasure and His fellowship ( Eph. 1:5, 9 & Phil. 2:13)

Finally we read, “The Lord give you peace.”  This is shalom. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.(Isaiah 26:3)

This blessing is equated to the name of God.  The blessings of Christ indicate that He has a claim on us.  His name is upon us and we who are Christians are called by His name.  As 2012 begins it is time to receive His blessing.

Are you willing to turn from Satan and the sin that keeps tripping you up? Are you ready to begin living wholeheartedly for Christ?  Happy New Year

I Peter 1:10-12

Right now we’re celebrating Christmas and we are celebrating and remembering the birth of Jesus, the Savior. We sing carols of the birth of the Savior and the different characters we associate with this blessed event, but in the midst of this activity have we missed something? This child born was named Jesus which means , He will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). Jesus is the one who provides salvation. This Christmas have we spent enough attention to salvation.

We don’t celebrate the birth of a philosopher, He’s the Savior, and any time that we celebrate the birth of the Savior we need to celebrate what : He has done. Jesus Christ work is salvation. We need to get back to the basics. So often we get so involved in the glamour of things that we miss what is really important. The Bible clearly tells us that all are sinners and we need to be saved (Rom. 3:10-23). Jesus came to save sinners who He loves (Luke 19:10). God is love (I John 4:8).

So why should we celebrate salvation? Let’s celebrate because Christ has removed the past. We’re coming the end of the year and over the past year we’ve heard a lot of bad news. Television newscasts record all the events of the past year, newspapers publish extensive articles and report the same. What if these events summarized your life? Are there some things you might like to delete?

When we come to Christ the past is forgiven. The sins of the past are erased. All the failures of your past are removed. Salvation not only forgives but it justifies you. A simple definition for justified is ‘just as if you never sinned.’ Isn’t this great news? We can take our sins to these wonderful sin erasers. Psalm 103:3 ‘Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;’/ Isaiah 1:16 ‘Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;/ I John 1:9 ‘ f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’

We should celebrate because Christ is with us presently. The prophets were amazed by salvation that comes through grace. They had great difficulty with such love. How could people who broke God’s laws be forgiven? Angels even wanted know more about this great salvation that God offers to the world. God’s amazing grace must have increased their joy when they announced His birth. How could these sinners be made part of God’s family? How could all of these lost people partake of God’s nature?

We can have great confidence in God. In Hebrews we are assured that He will never leave us (Heb. 13:5-6). The new year that we are facing is not a year when we will be alone. Christ is with us right now.

Let’s celebrate because Christ will be with us in the future. The best is yet to come. Our present difficulties and suffering don’t compare to the coming glory (Rom. 8:18). Christ is with us now and heaven is ahead. Even death can’t steal our hope for the future (Phil. 1:20-23). John Wesley said on his death bed, “ Best of all, God is with us.”
The future is as bright as the promises of God.

Do you possess this great salvation? Are you saved? You need to face this question honestly. Don’t settle for a maybe salvation, get a confident rock-solid salvation. When you are sure you’re born again you can truly…celebrate.

Matthew 2:5-6

Many of us are familiar with the wise men in the Christmas story.  These men are wise because they are seeking the Savior of the world.  These men from the east have been looking for a sign and in the sky they see a star.  Some ancient wisdom tells them that this is the sign they have been waiting for, and they begin to follow the star.  They pack with them gifts for this ‘newborn King.’

The gifts they bring are gold, frankincense and myrrh.  The gold speaks of this baby who will one day be king, He is more than just a man He is God incarnate, He is deity in human form.  The frankincense speaks of the life that He will live sacrificially and when He ultimately dies on the cross as an offering for sin it will be a sweet smelling savor to God.  The gift of myrrh speaks of the horrendous death He will die on the cross.

As the wise men near Jerusalem they are summoned before King Herod.  These wise men will eventually arrive at Bethlehem and worship the child, but there is a group of wise men that never make it to Bethlehem.  These were the men whom the  world calls wise.  These were the man who gave advice to King Herod.  We are told these were his top officials, these were the chief priests. and scribes and they were appointed as temporary wise men. (vs 4)

Herod’s wise men were actually aware of the location of the child but they didn’t believe that the Lord had come (vs 5). The word of God clearly states that child will be born in Bethlehem of Judea, it was in fact prophesied in Micah 5: 2- “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;”

They knew the location but they missed the incarnation.  These men were likely to deny the deity of Christ for all of their lives.  They would be thorns in His side and they would help to one day put thorns upon His brow.

This is like many in the world today.  People will tell you that Jesus was a good man, they will admit that he was a  good moral teacher. Author and historian C.S. Lewis maintains this option isn’t open to us.  Jesus Christ claimed to be God and that is the end of the argument, because a good and moral man wouldn’t lie. In Acts 16:31 we read “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

These men knew the scriptures but in verse 6 we see that they didn’t’ find the Savior.  They went to the Bible to answer Herod’s inquiry.  They were familiar with Micah 5:2, these men found the answer but they failed to apply it.  You can be a biblical scholar and know a lot about what the Bible says, but you can still be lost.  You can’t be saved just by knowing the Christmas story.

The men accepted the truth that Christ will one day rule, however He certainly wasn’t going to rule them.  “A governor shall rule my people, Israel” (vs 6) God’s plan was opening up right in front of them.  This was a time of great prophetic fulfillment.  The angels, the taxing, the birth in Bethlehem, all that had been prophesied was true.  The truth seeking wise men arrived from the east.  All that had been foretold was coming to pass, but these men couldn’t or simply chose not to see it.

Many people today see prophecy being fulfilled right before their eyes but they refuse to move.  These wise men who worked for Herod quoted the Bible and they studied it.  The problem was that they didn’t receive the message of the book that they had.  They chose to reject the words that they read and they didn’t act on what they read.

Why did these other wise man not hurry to Bethlehem?  Maybe they would have lost favor with Herod. They just might have fallen back in to their old traditions that were within their comfort zone.  Maybe they counted it risky in case the rumor might have been false.

What is the definition of a wise man? (Jeremiah 9:12 & 23) Wise men are willing to risk all to seek and find the Savior.

Matthew 16:13-20

In Matthew 16 we find the Lord Jesus in Caesarea Philippi. He is on a retreat with His disciples.  It is here that Jesus reveals His coming death and resurrection. In vs 16 Peter confesses  “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”.

When we look down to verse 18 we see Christ making a promise that He will build His Church.  This is a pronouncement that has caused some confusion over the centuries.  There are questions about this Church that God is building.  Here we can look at this passage and answer questions about the church.

Very often we like to describe the building of the church as just that, a building.  Much of society view the church as a building where religious people meet.  Structures need people who construct the physical materials into  a house of worship.  The physical building is not the church that Jesus is talking about.

In light of the above statement we ask the question “Who is building this church?” The answer is given clearly in verse 18. “ …I will build my church”. Christ is the builder of the church and it belongs to Him. The church has a foundation and the church is built on that foundation and it is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the rock of all scripture.

He is the rock that the Psalmist writes of in Psalm 18:31,46; 62: 1 & 95:1 He is also Paul’s rock in the epistles (Rom 9:33, I Cor. 3:11, & 10:4, Eph. 2: 19-22).  Peter also declares Him as the rock in 1 Peter 2:7-8. The church that is built on Christ has a solid foundation.

What is the church that Jesus speaks of?  We need to first put away the thought that the church is a building, the church of Jesus Christ is made up of people.  It is made up of all who are saved. The church is described as the “Body of Christ”. (Col. 1:18-24) The chief aim of the believer is to bring glory to Christ. (Eph 3:21) A.P. Gibbs titled his book Worship; The Christian’s Highest Occupation.  The church is also the bride of Christ (Eph 5:23-32) and it is built with “living stones” ( I Peter 2:5)

Peter was very simply a stone or a pebble, Christ is the Rock.  Stones speak of the individuality of the believer and no two stones are exactly alike.  Each believer in the church is unique (1 Cor. 12:12-23).

Very often believers feel that the church is under attack.  When persecution comes we very often panic.  How secure is the Church?  Matthew 16 verse 18 tells us “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it“ (the church). Now what is meant by the “gates of hell”? It was a familiar figure of speech during the time of Christ.  The elders of the city sat at the gates, and armies were sent to battle from those gates. The “gates of hell,” symbolize armies being sent from those gates set against the church. (Eph 6:12)

Jesus. in His infinite wisdom foresaw the attacks of the enemy against the church.  We need to look to all the martyrs of the first century.  Nero and other emperors attacked the church repeatedly.  The church has been under persecution for centuries, Many worldly and secular governments punish Christians as they try to crush the church.  They only succeed in pushing it underground where it can grow like a seed. Christians need to take heart in Christ’s comforting words.  The church’s security is in Christ and it will stand until Jesus returns.

It is a sad thing today that people don’t want to participate in this creation we call the church.  It seems that there are many who want to sit idly by on the sidelines and watch the work being done.  So the question is clear ; Are you part of the church? Have you received Christ as your Saviour? Are you building your life upon Him?  If you are a believer are you doing your part in the church? We all have gifts and talents and the Lord grants them to be used for the building up and encouragement of the church.  Stand against the forces of evil and live for the glory of God.

Christ Our Example

Last month was the preamble to lay down a foundation and introduce what we need to know as we navigate this little postcard in the New Testament. One of the notable features of this epistle is the recurring references to the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is directly mentioned 11 times in the 25 verses of this book.  Paul has a definite design and purpose in the way he uses a name which he has learned to revere and love.

This letter is a letter that shows Christian courtesy. It expresses fellowship in action, love in social relationships and the Lord working through His saints.

The Lord is shown to be  the ‘Possessor of Saints’ in verses 1, 9 & 23. Paul declares himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Paul’s name means ‘little’ and he is full of humility. Paul understands there is a reason for his imprisonment, he recognizes a design and plan in this difficult circumstance.  Paul is completely committed to this plan, and is willing to suffer in the service of His Lord. H.C.G. Moule states, “Outwardly he is Nero’s prisoner, inwardly Jesus Christ’s.”

The idea of suffering is very often a question for us. 1 Peter 2:20: For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. This concept is expressed throughout 1 Peter (3:14 &17 ; 4:16).  Paul is never ashamed of the Lord  Jesus or His gospel (Roman 1 :16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation…)  Paul kept his eyes focused on Christ and he could see Christ in the background during his trials, he was in prison by divine privilege.  The Lord was his keeper and his Saviour.  The gospel was aided by his imprisonment and Paul was encouraged by this (Phil 1:12-13 & 18).

The channel of grace and peace is put forward in both verses 3 and 25, grace and peace hug the epistle. Grace itself brings us to a big place, and as believers we are blessed with divine, saving grace and peace. Paul knows that Philemon needs big grace to forgive and receive his slave, Onesimus.

Paul himself understands grace like no other.  The grace that Paul has brings peace and stability.  Onesimus himself has received the grace that transforms lives.  Philemon has the grace that influences the home, church and business.

Philemon verse 5 deals with the object of faith and love. The Lord desires our confidence and He alone is worthy of our love. (I John 4: 7-12). We love him, because He first loved us. (I John 4: 19)

When we arrive at verse 6 we see the source of all good. Philemon faith is not theoretical, it is energetic.  It is a faith that is active and alive.  It was not something that he kept to himself and the Lord was in control.

God the enabler of His servants, Philemon 8 says: Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient.  God gives boldness to bis servants.  Paul could have exercised his apostolic authority but instead he chooses to plead on the grounds of love for Onesimus (vs 9-11) .  Paul had the authority to command but he chose to make a simple, love saturated request for love’s sake.

Verses 11-16 displays to us the transformer of lives.  Every name listed in this letter represents a transformed life.  Romans 12: 1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Onesimus is a criminal, Paul (formerly Saul) was a persecutor and killer of Christians.  Paul has been gripped by God’s grace and Onesimus has been turned from unprofitable to profitable (vs 11).  A. McLaren “In the flesh, Philemon was to have a brother for a slave  and in the Lord he was to have a slave for a brother.” The recovery of the lost is a work of grace and its power is at our disposal.

We see the bond of union between verses 16 and 20. First we have the union of life that is everlasting, ( ‘for ever’ vs 15).  Earlier in the epistle we also read about the bond of love expressed in hospitality, sympathy and care for others- the love of Christ is our inspiring motive- He died for us.  Verses 21-23 show a union of loyalty and labour which we call fellowship.  Paul and Philemon had a common bond.

The closing verse of Philemon is  to enrich the saints.  This little benediction is an expression of Christian sympathy and kindness.  If we were to labour with Paul there would be, suffering, difficulty and discouragement. What would keep us going? Paul made it clear, it is the abundant and assuring grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The book of Philemon is one of what we call the prison epistles. It was written around 62 AD, which is the same time period as the book of Colossians.  This is a postcard written by Paul.  Like 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus this letter is addressed to a person.

When reading the book of Philemon there are questions that arise.  Does Christian brotherly love work? Can it actually work in times of situations of tension and difficulty.  Can it work between a slave owner and his slave, an employer and employee.  James 5:20 reads: Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. and Isaiah 1:18 says:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

The first person we are introduced to is Philemon.  His name means affectionate,  he is a prominent slave owner and a Christian.  He is probably something like and elder in his congregation and a sinner saved by grace . Philemon’s wife is Apphia and his son is Archippus.

We next meet Onesimus and his name means profitable.  He is a deserter, a thief and a worthless slave. In Colossians 4 vs 9 Onesimus is called a “a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. “

Next we turn to the reason for this particular epistle. Paul desires that his friend, and brother in the faith, Onesimus is received backed and accepted by Philemon.  Paul knows Philemon and he knows that he is a just and honest man and he appeals to  Philemon’s grace and love. Remember this letter is a personal note and it is not particularly intended to teach doctrine as do most epistles.  When we think of the acceptance that Paul is requesting from Philemon in grace and love we are prone to think of the love of the Lord Jesus (and what should be in the life of believers), the grace of God and our acceptance in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6)

This epistle can be broken down easily into five key points. The note is personal and it demonstrates Paul’s fine character.  We see evidence of providence.  God Himself is in the mix here, He is behind and overall .  There is a wonderful lesson of practicality, we are taught clearly the importance of brotherhood and hospitality.  Evangelism is shown forth as 1 Timothy 1:15 says; “this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” Finally there is a social aspect to this letter, Christianity brings freedom and abolishes slavery.  We are free in Christ. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5: 17 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage Galatians 5:1