PURE AND SIMPLE!

 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

 

PURE AND SIMPLE!

 

2 Cor 4:5-7

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

 

          Can a smile become a trademark? Can a particular booming voice become a name brand? We live in a day when preachers and churches have tapped into the advertising world. We are now marketing ourselves, our churches, and our gospel. Packaging has become of utmost importance and, while we were polishing the packaging, we were neglecting the product.

 

          Our vessel is deliberately simple while our treasured content is sublime. The most important aspect of the vessel is that it be clean, empty, and available for service. Clean because the gospel is pure. Empty because the gospel fills the vessel completely and because nothing must dilute or pollute the gospel. The vessel must also be available. If the vessel is on the shelf, it is there because it stands ready to be used and not because it has been discarded. At a time suitable to the master, it will be taken down again and filled.

 

Not only must we focus on the treasure and not on the vessel, but we must also focus on the Master and not on the servant. If we suffer, it is for Jesus' sake. If we die to self, it is so that the life of Christ might be revealed in us. If we go through trials, it is so that Christ might be glorified. And all of this is for the sake of others. As we serve Christ, death works in us - but life works in those to whom we minister.

 

Dr. John Henry Jowett said, "Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing." He was right. A pastor friend and I once heard a young man preach an eloquent sermon, but it lacked something. "There was something missing," I said to my friend; and he replied, "Yes, and it won't be there until his heart is broken. After he has suffered awhile, he will have a message worth listening to." (The Bible Exposition Commentary.)

 

1 Cor 1:27-29

27 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;

28 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:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

 

Dear Master, fashion my jar on your wheel and gild it not. Let me, by my simplicity, become a fit vessel for the great treasure of the gospel. AMEN

 

HE IS OUR PEACE!

 

Monday, January 13, 2025

 

HE IS OUR PEACE!

 

Eph 2:14-19

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 

          Paul addressed a mixed congregation of Ephesians. Part believing Jews, and the rest believing Gentiles. The “middle wall of partition” between them was “the law!” The Jews continued to feel privileged because of their Jewish heritage and failed to fully assimilate into the new Christian community. To correct this division, Paul explained a few things to both groups.

 

          Peace is not in precepts but a Person! He is our peace. In fact, He has “broken down” (the Greek luo means to dissolve or to melt) that middle wall. The remaining language is just as graphic. The word “abolished” in verse 15 means “to render useless.” The word “ordinances” is the word dogma and refers to ceremonial ritual. The word “slain” in verse 16 means “to kill outright.”

 

          The rallying point is not in a list of laws but in “one body by the cross.” We are reminded of this every time we take the Lord’s Supper. Jesus said: “this is my body which is broken for you” and “this cup is the New Testament in my blood.” Clearly it is the cross and not the law which unifies all men, all cultures, and all conditions. So, stop feuding over critical and cultural differences and come together at the foot of the cross.

 

          “We both have access!” This is the message of verse 18. The word is prosagoge which simply means “admission.” The result is that we are fellow citizens, literally “natives of the same town” and of the same “household.” This equality under the blood removes both shame and pride. Having gained admission, we now reside under the same roof. We call each other brother and sister because God is our heavenly Father.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for melting the wall and paying the price of admission for me. AMEN

 

MODERATION!

 

Sunday, January 12, 2025

 

MODERATION!

Phil 4:5

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 

Ex 23:1-2

23 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

 

          Between two extremes, moderation is a radical position! The word “moderation” in Philippians is the Greek word epieikes and literally means “mild.” I would define it as “sweet reasonableness” and, oh, how we need that today.

 

          There is a great need for thoughtful action. Paul urged the Philippians to develop moderation because of the at-any-moment possibility of the Lord’s return. Exodus 23:2 houses one of my favorite sayings and it can be shortened to our modern “chill.” Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. I think that one of the reasons Jesus was killed is that he refused to take sides. He found Himself sandwiched between various extremes.

 

          When you are not sure what to do, it is best not to do it.

 

Ps 37:7-8

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

 

Lord, when confusion reigns, let me patiently wait for clear direction. Restrict my thoughts from a mob mentality. AMEN