How To Understand the True Priorities of God

How To Understand the Priorities of God

What are God’s Priorities? How do Mine Compare?

Introduction:

To Unbelievers:

Before we begin the main message I have prepared, I would like to caution anyone and everyone, that IF you have not been born again, literally—if there has never been a time that you recognized yourself as a lost, hell-bound sinner, and placed your trust in Jesus’ shed blood as your only hope—then this message is not for you.

Your only priority should be to find your way to the foot of the Cross, and throw yourself on the mercy of God: He will not reject you, and He will receive every repentant sinner who comes to him. Jesus said, ‘…he that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.” Jesus said that is His first priorityfor you…He says, ”Come unto Me, all ye…” Matthew 11:28

If you don’t know for sure you are saved, I would like to talk with you. Essentially it comes down to one question: “Has there ever been a time in my life when I placed my full trust in Jesus’ shed blood as full payment for my sins?” If the answer is “Yes,” then you are saved; But you still may need to learn to walk. If you are not sure, then you can make that decision at this moment, if you are willing. There is no time better than the present.

For Believers

For those of you who have been born into the family of God, there is a constant pulling at your heart to grow into the likeness of Christ, and choose His priorities. Whether or not you always recognize the cause, there is always going to be an emptiness, frustration, and unfulfillment, until you are in agreement with your Savior, and walking with Him.

In Amos 3:3 God asked, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” The answer is “NO!” If we disagree with God, we cannot have fellowship with Him: We will always be at cross-purposes with Him. Our timing will always be off, and our lives in disarray, at one level or another. The most serious result, besides the lack of fellowship itself, is the lack of fruit. Let’s read in the book of Haggai—three books before Matthew.

Haggai 1:2-4

God said, “This people say the time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?

The historical context: the 70-year captivity was over. The people were trickling back into Jerusalem. Under Ezra and Nehemiah, the work had progressed: the wall was rebuilt; the city was becoming livable—all these were good things. The Persian king Cyrus had sent them to rebuild the Temple! King Ahasuerus had said to rebuild the city: rebuild the walls, hang new city gates; Make it a real city again. (Read the books of Ezra and Nehemiah!)

But the people have leftthe group effort of rebuilding the city, including the temple. Everyone has turned to building his own house. That’s OK, right? The walls were up, the gate was hung, the municipal buildings were usable—they had fulfilled the king’s orders.

What is the Problem?

But something was going wrong—while they had been building, they had been farming, too, and things were not going well. Look at verses 5-11 (read them aloud)—God told them to look around, and ask themselves whether God was blessing their work. The answer was a clear “NO!”—He said they had been denied the harvest because of their wrong priorities.

They partially fulfilled an earthly king’s command, and had seen the Lord’s hand protecting and guiding them day by day. But now they were not seeing His blessing. They had failed to honor Him above themselves. He had no objection to them having pleasant homes. But they had neglected His house. They had ignored the temple.

Remember that in that time, The Lord had specifically said He would dwell in the temple. That is incredible in itself, that the God who created every atom, and all the inhabitants of the world…that He should “camp out” in a building made by a tribe of refugees here on Earth. But He did say it, and He kept His promise too, just as He had done at the tabernacle.

The people were rebuilding the city, and their own homes, but His house was still a ruin—and He was quietly asking, “What about Me? Doesn’t my house count for anything?”

That Was Then:

But today, God says he does not desire to live in a box, be it a tabernacle, a temple, an Ark of the Covenant, or any other man-made thing. He is building a temple of human lives, each chosen by Himself, redeemed from the destruction of sin, and gloriously reborn. He has gifted every individual person who is part of that building, so as to function and propagate the life that is now within them, and see the whole temple grow together, through the effectual working of every part. How do we know this?

Look at Ephesians 4:16 —

“From whom the WHOLE body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.”

While we are there, look back at Ephesians 2:19-22:

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth into an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

One Temple

The Church—the Body of Christ—is the Temple.

This assembly is a local expression of the temple of God. Don’t jump to a wrong conclusion, and think that this building is a parallel with the temple in the Old Testament: it definitely is not. This is not God’s house—the CHURCH is. This building is only a church building: You are the church—we are the church.

So… If I want to apply the teaching of Haggai 1 to my life, where do I begin? It doesn’t simply to give more money, although there may be some who should—I am not here to squeeze anyone. That is between you and God—if you have been short-changing the Lord, I am confident that He has been speaking to you about it, and you are probably feeling a little uncomfortable right now. That’s good… but that is not what I want to address.

One Priority

Throughout the scripture, the single central theme is God’s redemptive work toward the fallen race of Man. What was the priority of God in the book of Haggai? He specifically says it was the need to build His temple, right? He said if they would adopt His priority, He would meet their other needs.

Today, the temple is constructed of souls, and He still says that is His priority: They are all people for whom He died. He says that is first on His list. Nothing has changed: when the disciples tried to get Jesus to take a break, and eat, He said, “My FOOD is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish HIS WORK” John 4:34

Jesus’s Priorities

Jesus also said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” In Ephesians we see that the reason he gave the office gifts (Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor/teachers) is to equip the church for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.

In Mark 6:36-44,The disciples wanted to send the people away to buy food. Jesus said, “YOU give them something to eat.” The disciples thought they had nothing to offer, but Jesus asked them what they did have, and He multiplied the little they had, to feed a crowd. We can expect no less, provided we respond the same: submit our little to His greatness, and allow Him to multiply it to His own glory. But Jesus says, “Feed my sheep.”

How Can We Do His Will?

We are not helpless—the Lord indwells us personally. He empowers us to do the work of the ministry. (I don’t mean just the leaders—I mean you.) God has called us to feed the flock—He has made us ambassadors, reconciling the world unto Himself. And He says, “YOU give them something to eat.” None of us is helpless to serve, if we allow Jesus to serve through us. Jesus said “…apart from Me ye can you nothing.” That is the literal truth.

But, in Him, there isn’t one of us who can’t arm himself or herself with God’s Word, practice with another believer, and learn to share his or her faith. There isn’t one of us who is “too busy” to pray for the souls of the people we know. We each have 168 hours per week: it’s only a matter of how we choose to use that time, and on whom we choose to spend it. Yes, God cares where you spend your money, your time, and your efforts. He owns you, body and soul, and He has the right to claim and oversee it all.

One Hope to Offer

God says, “YOU give them something to eat!” What do you feed a dying world? What do we have to offer? Jesus said to offer them the “Living Bread:” His flesh, via the crucifixion. He said the Preaching of the Cross would seem foolishness to some, and an offense to others, but by that means, and none other, He has chosen to save those who believe.

We preach Christ crucified: That is the only message of real Hope. If his death on the Cross is not full and final payment for my sins, then I have no hope. So, the true message of Hope is the message of the Cross! It is the good news that Jesus died for my sins and yours, fulfilling the scriptures, that he was buried, that He rose again the third day: He is alive forever, and coming again. It is the good news that Jesus Saves! We have no other hope.

One Job; Many Tasks

We have only one assignment—God only gave one job to the church: He outlined it in Matthew 28:18-20. He reiterated it several times in other passages. We must not allow ourselves to be sidetracked by the affairs of life, to be snared by sin, or to be intimidated by the enemy. Increasingly, we must make God’s priority our own, and ask Him how to implement it in our daily lives. We all may have different tasks within that one job, but we only have one job.

One Calling; Many Gifts

Just like a diet, this requires re-committing oneself daily. You can’t just “get pumped up” today, and make a decision to live for God, and expect that to last the rest of your life. Chances are, it won’t last the rest of the week, let alone your whole life. So, daily, in prayer, we seek His face, and ask that He make us useable, and place us into His service.

Can we do that much? Can we daily Seek the Face of God, in prayer, and in His Word? Can’t we daily confess our sins, and ask Him to make us useable in His hand? Can we ask Him to prepare souls before us, and give us wisdom and discernment to meet the challenge?

If we can’t, then we can’t ask for God’s blessing. If we are willing to try, and keep trying, and praying for His direction, and keep studying to know His will and His wisdom, then, as God offered His blessing in Haggai’s day, He offers it to us as well. We will see the joy of a harvest of souls—not grain. A building made of people praising and serving the living God.

In Jeremiah 5:24, 25, God says that our sins are what keeps us from the harvest. That passage was specifically to Israel, and it was regarding a harvest of food. But the Harvest of Souls is all around us, and far more important. If we are not seeking to win souls, perhaps our priorities are wrong. God says, “…he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

So, What Can I Do?

I can:

Pray for specific people whom God lays on my heart.
Pray for opportunities to be used by God, in non-specific ways. And in either case, I then can watch for those opportunities.
Prepare myself for those opportunities, by Bible study and prayer.
Prepare by seeking the teaching I need, to share the Gospel with people such that if they are interested, they can actually choose to receive the Lord Jesus.
Practice giving my testimony. I can work on it, until I can clearly tell how I became a Christian…and why.
Set aside money for Bibles to give away, as I find hungry people to feed.
Support missionaries.
Pray for the ministries in the Church. And support them, by giving of my time and money, and in any way I can, to be a servant to God, and to his people.
Learn my gifts, through practice, and how to use them to edify the church.

Conclusion:

I’d like to encourage all of you to embark on a deliberate journey of faith, with the goal being to become useable in God’s hand. It’s a goal you have to personally choose, and keep on choosing. If there is any way I can be a help to you, I want to do so. But ultimately, each of you has to make a personal choice what kind of disciple you will be. Jesus said “You shall be my witnesses—“ He didn’t say whether we’d be good ones or bad. It’s your call.

Lord Jesus, quicken our hearts to love You and to desire to serve You with what time we have left in this world. Change our priorities and teach us to walk as Your disciples.

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026

Did You Know Jan Marie Larsen? Eulogy and Final Message

Jan Larsen’s Graduation

1^st Thessalonians 5:16-19; 1^st Corinthians 15:22; Numbers 21:5-9; John 5:24, etc.

Introduction:

Unquestionably, today all of us are missing Jan Larsen, our precious sister. She encouraged all of us with her joyful approach to life and faith. Jan finished her course in this life, and she graduated into God’s presence. She was the living embodiment of Paul’s commands, in 1^st Thessalonians 5:16-19 “¹⁶Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ¹⁹Quench not the Spirit.”

Rejoice Evermore

To begin with, Jan found the joy of the Lord in all of her life. As a result, she was an encourager to others to do the same. She sat people down and told them exactly what she so much appreciated in them.

Unsurprisingly, her last words to me, when she was lying in a bed, struggling to breathe, were “You are awesome!” (Obviously, that could have just been the meds talking, I will concede, but it is just the kind of thing she would say.)

Moreover, Jan blessed the Lord with all of her heart, and spoke her blessings aloud, not just thinking about Him quietly. She blessed all of us with that abundance of Joy, as well.

Pray Without Ceasing

Jan and Rick prayed together and they studied scripture together every day of their married life. Jan was an eager student of God’s Word, and fervent in prayer. She studied God’s Word as a whole. She knew that the Old Testament comprises nearly 80% of the Bible. And, she knew that the Holy Spirit authored the entire Written Word of God. So, she chose to read it her desire to be the best that she could be at whatever service The Lord assigned to her.

In Every Thing Give Thanks

Jan and Rick gave thanks together for God’s provision in their lives, whether it was the stream of tiny bird visitors they saw outside their apartment, or the people around them in church every week. Even in her sickness, she thought of ways to honor the Lord in the giving of thanks.

Finally, when Brandy Pedigo visited Rick, after Jan died, she brought him eggs and fresh-baked bread. He was thrilled with her kindness and care. But she was thrilled at seeing the Peace of God glowing in Rick’s face and in seeing his Joyful demeanor. That is the effect that Jan had on many people. She encouraged us to focus on Jesus and to learn Joy and Peace.

For This is the Will of God, in Christ Jesus, Concerning You!

Let’s make this a little more personal: Jan took this passage personally, and she went out of her way to communicate it with those around her. She knew that this passage was God’s Will for her life as a believer, because she was in Christ Jesus! She wants YOU to know it, too!

Jan also knew how it is that God invites a person to move from his or her natural position (where they have been from birth,) to a new, eternal position, in Christ.

1^st Corinthians 15:22 tells us that there are only two positions, or locations in which a human can be: “…in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” We are either still in Adam, via our natural birth, or we are permanently in Christ, by means of the New Birth.

Jesus Explained It

Beginning in John 3, Jesus explained this concept to Nicodemus, first emphasizing (v. 3) that without that new birth, no one can enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus found the idea of being born again very confusing. So, Jesus spent some time explaining.

Next, in verses 14-16, He said that, just as the people in Numbers 21:5-9 were invited to look away from their own devices and efforts and look to God’s solution for their sins (in their case a bronze serpent high on a pole) even so, today, God invites us to Look Away from our own philosophies and self-made piety, and moral posturing, and recognize that we are lost sinners. He invites us to turn our eyes upon Jesus, as the full payment for our sins, and thereby to gain eternal life.

Finally, Jesus told Nicodemus “Just as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness,” (As God’s provision for those punished for sin by snakebite) “…even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (In the crucifixion: As God’s solution for the Sin of the Human Race.) “…that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Then He reiterated, by stating it clearly, “For God so loved the World that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever (that means you and me) believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Jesus’s Promise

In John chapter 5, Jesus said we can have eternal life now and not wait until we die to find out whether we have been accepted by God: John 5:24 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life [present tense], and shall not come into condemnation [future tense]; but is passed from death unto life.” [past-perfect tense: it can’t be undone!]

In Ephesians 1:6, God says to those who have trusted in Him, that they have already been “made accepted in the beloved.”

In Acts 16:30, 31, the Philippian Jailer asked Paul and Silas “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved!”

Our Sister Jan knew all these things: She loved the Lord with all her heart, and she sought to “pass along” that eternal life and supernatural joy to anyone willing to listen.

Quench not the Spirit

The last verse in this passage (verse 19) is easy to overlook: It says, “Quench not the Spirit.”

Jan Larsen never put a “damper” on joy. She did not dwell on the wreckage of the world around her, nor the political posturing and false “virtue signaling,” of evil people. She saw the people of the World as the souls for whom Jesus died, and she cared for them as such. But, she did not allow them to take her focus away from the Lord Himself. He came first, though she grieved for the lost, and prayed for their salvation. He came first!

Jan remained focused on Jesus and on the various assignments she had from Him. She allowed Him to handle the World and all of its threats. She just kept her eyes on Him: the One who bought her with His Blood at the Cross!

And she would encourage each of us to do the same!

February 27, 2026February 27, 2026

How to Understand the Hope of the Resurrection (Part 2)

The Hope and Truth of the Resurrection

1^st Corinthians 15:8-28

⁸And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ⁹For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

¹⁰But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

¹²Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

¹⁴And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

¹⁵Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. ¹⁹If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

²⁰But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. ²¹For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. ²²For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. ²³But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

²⁴Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

²⁷For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. ²⁸And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Introduction:

We began studying the truths and the Eternal Hope of the Resurrection, and we at least saw how vital that hope is to the entire Christian faith. We skipped through 1^st Corinthians 15, hoping to come back the next time and fill in the blank spots.

**What Would Be the Results if the Resurrection Never Happened?**

Paul builds a sort of “legal case outline,” here. He points out several connected ideas:

He himself was the last of the Eyewitnesses. Not because he was good…quite the opposite. And he underscores the fact that he is not worthy to be called an apostle, since he had viciously persecuted the Church.
Whatever the case, “it is what it is:” He says, “I am what I am.” He had to accept what he was, and start there, just as we do.
And Paul testifies that by the Grace of God, he had accomplished more than the others, but not on his own: God did the work. However, regardless of which apostle did the preaching, the people had received the Gospel and believed it.
But, now some among them were denying that the Resurrection was a reality. He said:
- If that is true, then Jesus is still dead.
- If Jesus is still dead, then the Gospel (which is dependent upon the truth of the Resurrection) is not true!
- Those who trusted in Him have a vain hope.
- All those who preached salvation by Jesus are liars and false witnesses.
- Those who believed in Him are still dead in their sins.
- Those who died, believing in Him, are in Hell, and lost forever. (Wow!)
He concluded that, if the Hope we have in Christ is only valid for this earthly life, we are of all men most to be pitied.

BUT! Christ IS Raised from the Dead!

Paul refuted all the connected side-effects (of the resurrection hypothetically being a lie,) with the single statement: “He is Risen!” The Gospel is true!

Jesus is the firstfruits of the believing dead who will be raised to be with Him. He says:
- Death came by Man (Adam,) thus the Resurrection also came by Man (Jesus.)
- All in Adam die: All in Christ shall be made alive. (Resurrected.)
- All will occur in proper order: Jesus first, afterward, all the rest of us.
The Resurrection will culminate in final victory for Jesus,
- Jesus will reign until He supersedes all other kingdoms and authority.
- All enemies will be under His feet.
- The final enemy to be destroyed is Death.
- The Final Kingdom and all glory will return to God the Father.

So, What Do We Do With All That Information?

Point One

The first thing we perhaps ought to notice is that only Paul lays hold of these three claims:

I am not worthy to be called an apostle. (1^st Corinthians 15:9)
I’m less than the least of all saints. (Ephesians 3:8)
I am the chief of sinners. (1^st Timothy 1:15)

If others had made similar claims, we might simply consider it a mark of humility. If Peter had said it, I might have assumed it was self-condemnation, for his having denied Jesus. But only Paul said these three things: So, I have to conclude that, because the Holy Spirit chose the words, and He chose they would only come from Paul, then there must be some sense in which all are true, and only true of Paul, since all are exclusive statements.

Why is this important? Because it means if these were literally true of Paul, they cannot be true of me or of you, even if we “feel” they are true. Feelings are not reliable reflections of reality. If God could use Paul, He can use anyone.

And, just as Paul was forced to do, we have to start where we are, and choose to obey Jesus, and submit our lives to Him, if we hope for God to accomplish anything through us. This is not a “Do-it Yourself” project! Jesus said, “…apart from Me ye can do nothing!” (John 15:5)

Point Two

The Truth of the Resurrection, and the Hope of the Resurrection are central to the Truth of the Gospel. In John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” If Jesus did not literally, physically rise immortal, from the dead, then all the rest of the Gospel falls apart.

If He is still dead, then the whole Bible is a lie! The Central Theme of the entire Bible is the Redemptive Plan of God, foreshadowed in Genesis and repeatedly confirmed, in stronger and stronger terms, throughout all of the Word of God. Thus, if the Central Theme is negated, the entire structure is fatally flawed.

The “Gospel” would not be “good news.” All who believed it would have made a fatally bad decision, trusting a false messiah, and they would be just as fully lost as if they had no savior… because they truly would not have one.

Paul concludes that if our faith in Jesus has only temporal results, then it is no different than all the “world religions.” If we have been following a false messiah, then we are pitiable, miserable wretches, and still headed for destruction. But!

Point Three

Jesus is Alive! All of the above questions and speculation about the “result of a false messiah” are pointless, in the face of the eternal fact of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul went on to teach the logic of the resurrection, showing that it was entirely fitting that a man (Jesus) should undo the damage done by the first man, Adam. Although He doesn’t elaborate, here, this fits the requirements of the Kinsman Redeemer from the Old Testament:

The Redeemer had to be a near relative (which is why Jesus became a man.)
He had to be free, Himself (Jesus was sinless and free from the taint of sin.)
The Redeemer must have the price of Redemption (a sinless body, with untainted blood.)
He had to be Willing.

Two Positions, Two Heads of a Race

Adam sold out the entire Human Race: Jesus bought back the entire Human race, but He left it up to the individual to choose whether to trust in His completed work at the Cross. All who choose to remain in Adam simply remain spiritually dead; separated from God. All who choose to believe God, and trust His plan of salvation, are placed into (literally “baptized into… immersed into”) the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and we are permanently bound to Him by His Grace and Love.

Why will we be resurrected? Because He bought our salvation at the Cross. All we did was to believe His Word, and receive Him. He has already been resurrected, but God said that from His perspective, if you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, then, in Him, you are already resurrected, too! Ephesians 2:6 says you are already seated with Him on the throne in Heaven!

Point Four

Because He is already the Victor, (and we have joined Him in that victory,) we will see His ultimate victory over the entire world, as well as over all the unseen evil beings. We will see Him triumph over all His enemies, including Death! Revelation 20:14 says “Death and Hell will be cast into the Lake of fire.” After that, He will deliver the eternal Kingdom to the Father, with the Glory that goes with it.

How Does All This Truth Affect Us?

Does it make a difference in our lives, knowing that the Resurrection of Jesus The Messiah is a fact, and that we are already resurrected with Jesus? It truly ought to make a difference! Pat James used to conclude, regarding this sort of truth, “We’re bullet proof!” meaning that we simply cannot fail to end up with God for eternity, as we are already there, and Jesus promised, “He that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out!” (John 6:37)

How much more confident would we feel in daily life, if we truly grasped how completely He has redeemed us, and how fully He has made us His own?

Romans 6:2-6 explains that through our being baptized into Christ, by the Holy Spirit, we are now fully identified with Him in His death, burial, resurrection and eternal life. He says we are dead with Him. He says we have been buried with Him, and that we shall be like Him in the resurrection. Ephesians 2:5, 6 makes it more explicit, saying that we have been (past tense) brought to life in Him, and raised up (ascended) with Him, and seated with Him in the heavenlies. It’s a done deal!

That truth should set us free to serve without fear and without holding back. I do not claim to have fully grasped this, because, like most people, I sometimes suffer doubts and fears. But I do know this truth, and I believe that it is fully applicable today.

Lord Jesus, please bring the truth and the hope of the resurrection to life in our minds and hearts, and use it to set us free from our fears, our doubts, and our besetting sins. Teach us to walk in the newness of life.

February 21, 2026February 21, 2026

How To Understand The Hope of the Resurrection

The Hope of the Resurrection

1^st Corinthians 15; 1^st Thessalonians 4:13-19; 2^nd Corinthians 5:1-10

Introduction:

We were in 1^st Corinthians 14, and we were nearly (but not quite) ready to begin 1^st Corinthians 15. (People sometimes call Chapter 15 “the Resurrection Chapter.”) However, we recently lost our beloved Jan Larsen. It seems good to me to address the “Blessed Hope” of Believers today, rather than waiting.

First, I want to point out that the “Blessed Hope” in Titus 2:12, 13 is the returning Person of Christ. He is the Person of our Salvation. Furthermore, God describes Him, the indwelling Christ, as our “Hope of Glory,” in Colossians 1:27 “…Christ in You, the Hope of Glory.”

So, regarding our current “Hope of Glory:” Each of us has embraced that Hope, by believing the Gospel. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Notice that this is the ONLY thing God describes as being His power to save sinners. This is THE power of God unto salvation, “to every one who believes.” The choice is there for everyone. He does not offer His Grace by any other means but through the Person of Christ. Jesus said so. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)

Does that sounds “exclusive?” Well, the fact is, our sins excluded us from the presence of God. This is Him offering us restoration: we can be INcluded in the Family of God.

So, What Is The Gospel? What is the Good News?

¹Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Here is the Gospel in outline form:

³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

⁵And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

⁶After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

⁷After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

⁸And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Point by Point

If you want to see it “point by point,” notice the first three points, in verses 3, 4. Together, they complete the Gospel…the GOOD News!

The death of Jesus, for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures, fulfilling Prophecy,
His Burial, also in accordance with prophecy (Jonah 1:17 and Matthew 12:39-42), and
His Resurrection, on the third day, also confirming the scriptures, fulfilling Prophecy,

And, the next few comments are simply the confirmation of the many eye-witnesses, most of whom were still living at the time of that writing.

Paul goes on to emphasize the importance of the Resurrection. There were people present (especially including the Sadducees, but possibly the Gnostics and others) who denied that the resurrection was possible. He points out in verses 12-19, that if there “is no resurrection,” then Jesus is not resurrected, which would mean He was not the Savior, as that was a requirement, as part of His Credentials.

And that would mean that those who believed in Jesus had a vain faith: a vain hope in a false Messiah. And that would mean that they were still in their sins, and still headed for Hell!

But in verse 20, he answers that doubt with finality: “But now, Christ IS risen from the dead and IS become the firstfruits of them that slept!”

So, we should address some questions regarding the Resurrection:

Why Will We Be Raised?

In verses 21-22, we see that, in the wisdom of God, He saw it fitting that “… since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. ²²For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

And then He spells out that the result that there are only two places we can be. You are either “still in Adam,” and thus, dead in your sins, or: You are “in Christ” as we read in Ephesians 1 & 2, and eternally alive!

Thus, those who can say with confidence that they will spend eternity with Jesus can only do so because He shed His blood for their sins… and they have trusted Him as their Savior. They plead the Blood of Jesus as their only Hope.

When Will We Be Raised?

The resurrection of these bodies (in which we now live) will be completed at what we call the Rapture. 1^st Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us in detail how that will happen, in what order, and (in connection with the next chapter) we can see it will happen just before the Tribulation begins.

¹³But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

¹⁵For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

But there is an obvious question that arises when we affirm these things: “In the meantime, between now and the Rapture, Where are our loved ones?” Where are all of our believing friends and family? (Where is our precious sister, Jan??)

2^nd Corinthians 5:1-10 is our answer:

¹For we know that if our earthly house (Our physical body in which we live) of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ²For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: ³If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. ⁴For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

⁵Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. ⁶Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: ⁷(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

⁹Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Resurrected or Replaced?

The passage in 1^st Thessalonians 4 teaches us about when our physical bodies will be resurrected. The one here, in 2^nd Corinthians 5, tells us how it will be temporarily replaced with an immortal body until our old bodies are raised immortal. Then he says, we will be like Him and see Him as He truly is! If we die before His return, then we will see Him that way from the moment we leave our old body behind, But after the Rapture, every believer will see Him as He is, and we will all have our old bodies raised immortal.

How Will We Be Raised?

1^st Corinthians 15:50-53 tells us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. then He tells us that the day will come, when the last trumpet will sound and the Dead shall be raised incorruptible. He specifically says that “this mortal shall put on immortality.” He says “we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

⁵⁰Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

⁵³For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Collectively, the scriptures clearly teach that Jan is with the Lord today, even though her worn-out, little, old body is in a morgue, somewhere: She is with Him, face-to-face, and completely wrapped in His Joy and His Peace.

At the Rapture, when that trumpet blows, she will have her body back, perfect and immortal, and we will all recognize one another, just as James, Peter, and John recognized Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration.

After that we will all face the Bema seat: the Awards ceremony: the Judgment Seat of Christ. God says so. But right this moment, Jan is completely focused on the reality of the Risen Christ, and she worshipping Him in person.

What Will Our New Bodies Look Like?

The short answer is: “I don’t know!” When we all get our new bodies, will Jan still be the shortest person in the room? I seriously doubt it. She may be nine feet tall, with fire in her eyes! Or, maybe we will all be the same height. We simply are not told.

However, God does address the broader question, in 1^st Corinthians 15:35-38

³⁵But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

³⁶Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

³⁷And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

³⁸But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

Paul’s Reply

He points out that when we plant wheat, we do not expect wheat seeds to come springing up out of the ground: We expect something that first resembles grass, but which eventually bears a seed head with many wheat seeds.

Then He answers the question in verses 42-49:

⁴²So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

⁴³It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

⁴⁴It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Fulfilling the Pattern

⁴⁵And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. ⁴⁶Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. ⁴⁷The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. ⁴⁸As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. ⁴⁹And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Does that really “satisfy us?” Maybe not, but we choose to rest in that promise. None of us have seen the immortal, so we cannot accurately imagine it, and it is fruitless to try. We know that we will be like Him. That is the best we can say. And until then, all we can say for sure is that all our believing loved ones, those whom we have lost, are with Him now, and are safe in Him.

Lord Jesus, give us the faith to simply trust You and to believe Your Voice above all others: Help us to cling to Your Voice and Your Promise alone. As sheep follow their Shepherd, let us follow You and be safe in Your care.

January 24, 2026January 24, 2026

How to Understand the Gifts of the Spirit (Part 2)

Gifts of the Spirit (Part 2)

1^st Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-31; Romans 12:4-9

Introduction:

I have avoided any attempt, so far, to definitively describe the various gifts of the Spirit, partly because, as God reveals them in a believer, they are self-defining. They become obvious.

But we have a desire to “define” everything, and that is OK. Some of the gifts do require some clear definitions. Let’s read about the gifts, and consider what they each mean.

1^st Corinthians 12:8-10

⁸For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; ¹⁰To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

1^st Corinthians 12:28-31

²⁸And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? ³⁰Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? ³¹But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Romans 12:4-9

⁴For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: ⁵So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. ⁶Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; ⁷Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; ⁸Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. ⁹Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

An Observation Regarding Gifts

Gifts are a manifestation of God working in a specific way through an individual. But the entire Body of Christ has a responsibility to God to be demonstrating the Character traits of Christ in our everyday lives. This is not “Gifting.” It is our Life.

Each of us is called to “grow up into Christ.” Ephesians 4:15. As we exercise whatever gifts have been entrusted to us, it allows other believers an easer path to growth as well. So, while we may not have “flashy” gifts, if we are doing what God has called us to do, we are blessing others and we are living in obedience to the Giver of our gifts.

The gifts are given for the edification (the “building up”) of the whole body. They are not there just for us to “feel good about them.” We all have the same core responsibilities, regardless of our individual gifts.

Spiritual Gifts Vs. Spiritual Responsibilities

(Most of the following is copied directly from the Nelson Study Bible:)

Spiritual gifts are extraordinary abilities that the Holy Spirit gives to a believer by which to build up and encourage and help the church. Even though such attributes as faith, teaching, and giving are considered “gifts,” all Christians are exhorted to develop these character “traits.”

Some Christians Are Given…	But All Believers Are Called…
Divinely supplied Wisdom (1^st Corinthians 12:8)	To Live Wisely (Romans 16:19, Ephesians 5:15, Colossians 4:5)
Divinely supplied Knowledge (1^st Corinthians 12:8)	To Grow in Knowledge 2^nd Peter 1:5
Extraordinary Faith (1^st Corinthians 12:9)	To Walk By Faith (2^nd Corinthians 5:7) and Abound In Faith (2^nd Corinthians 8:7) to Take Up The Shield Of Faith (Ephesians 6:16) and Pursue Faith (1^st Timothy 6:12: 2^nd Timothy 2:22)
Special Gifts of Teaching (1^st Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:7)	To Teach Others The Truths Of God (Matthew 28:20; 2 Timothy 2:2, 24)
Supernatural Ability to Help (1^st Corinthians 12:28)	To Serve One Another In Love, (Galatians 5:13) and To Minister To Others (Romans 12:7)
The Gift of Exhortation (Romans 12:8)	To Exhort One Another Daily (Hebrews 3:13)
The Gift of Giving (Romans 12:8)	To Give, Not Grudgingly Or Of Necessity (2^nd Corinthians 9:7)
The Gift of Mercy (Romans 12:8)	To Be Merciful (Luke 6:36. James 2:13)

**So, What Gifts Really Need Defining?**

Miracles—a display of supernatural power, changing physical reality in some way. Usually, miracles were done to meet a specific need, but they were ALWAYS to draw attention to the “person and message of God.” I say “were,” because there are many who teach that “miracles have ceased.”
They teach that that gift only existed during the time of the Apostles. I do not think that it can be Biblically proven that the miraculous sign gifts have ceased, so I will not go any further with this idea. I will, however, confess that I have never known anyone who genuinely possessed this gift, or any of the other “sign” gifts.
Healing—Same as above.
Various kinds of Tongues—these were (are) human languages, but not having been learned by the speaker. They are being used to give a message glorifying God, and drawing attention to Him, not to the speaker. The gift probably still exists, but in my experience, I have only seen it used falsely…not coming from God, as far as I can tell.
Interpretation of Tongues—same again. I have never known anyone who truly had this gift. That doesn’t prove anything. But, speaking from my own experience, I can say that everyone I have personally seen supposedly demonstrating this gift, was doing so falsely.
Discerning of Spirits—I am not even really sure what this gift is. Some people think it is “seeing demons,” or something similar. Perhaps it is the ability to “see through” what people are saying and doing on the outside to discern the reason behind the behavior, the “spirit” of the person involved. Possibly to discern the gifting of another person.

At the very least, it is a spiritual gift, not a natural ability. Acts 16 may beone example of a time when it was demonstrated. Paul discerned that the young woman following them around, and telling everyone that they were “servants of the Most High God, who are announcing to you the way of Salvation” was demon possessed. Does that mean that this gift is always used for that? Not necessarily. But it may be the ability to discern the source of teaching, whether (or not) from God, as well as other special situations.

Going Beyond Human Ability

Faith—some are gifted with supernatural faith. They can believe God when every circumstance shouts, “All is lost!” They are the ones saying, “Look what God is doing!” when all the rest of us only see impending doom. We all have chosen to believe God for salvation: that is saving faith. We all are called to believe God for daily living, and we all are commanded to learn to use the “Shield of Faith.” But there is a gift of Faith, that shines beyond the common faith upon which we all have laid our hands.

Prophecy and Preaching

In 1^st Corinthians 14:3, God states that “he who prophesies speaks to Exhortation, to Edification, and to Comfort.” In our culture we call that “preaching.” The word translated as “prophet” is the Greek word “profete.” It means “One who speaks for God.”

The King James Bible only uses the word “preaching” in the sense of proclaiming, or announcing. (1^st Corinthians 1:23 “We preach Christ Crucified…”) The word translated as “preacher” is “keruka:” a “declarer.” 2^nd Peter 2:5 says Noah was a “preacher of Righteousness.” Both Jesus and John the Baptist “declared” or “preached” the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Today’s pastors are called to “speak to Exhortation, Edification and Comfort.” We try to limit ourselves to speaking the Word of God, thus offering ourselves as a conduit for His Word. We seek His Wisdom as to what portion of His Word to present at any given time. We are at His mercy for the results.

Many times, I have arrived here, very unsure that the message I brought is what He wanted for that day. But frequently I get confirmation, either from circumstances or from other people that it was right on target. I have no way to discern that ahead of time. All I can do is go to God’s “sheep-food bin,” the Bible, and seek to fill my “bucket” with food for His Flock. Ultimately, He has to fill the backet. I am simply privileged to “carry the bucket.” That’s it!

What About “Declaring the Good News of Christ?”

We call that “evangelism.” If the job of the “Evangelist,” in Ephesians 4:11 is to “declare the Gospel,” then I have probably known several in that category. Everywhere they went, they led people to Christ. I have tried to be faithful to share the Gospel but usually it has met with “I’m not ready for that right now,” or some similar rejection of the message.

Ministry

“Ministry” simply means “serving.” We have confused the word in modern times, thinking it is a title of honor. (In Government, there are various “ministries” and no one seem to remember that a minister is a servant.) The word for “menial,” meaning a low position of servitude, has the same root as the word “minister.” If you reject “menial servitude,” then you are not a minister.

Teaching

Teaching transmits spiritual understanding from God’s Word to the willing heart. Teaching has not been accomplished, until learning occurs. This is not just the ability to “recite.” Rather, it is the ability to make it clear to the listener. It means listening to the questions and discerning what the real “missing piece” may be, so as to supply the “missing piece,” and produce understanding.

Giving

Some are gifted to give, freely, without hesitation. They also must be gifted with the wherewithal: they cannot give what they do not have. But they have the spiritual freedom from covetousness necessary to give from a free heart.

Exhortation

Exhortation can also be called “encouragement.” Some people are gifted to encourage others and to defend against despair or discouragement. They are vital to a healthy church.

Helps

Some are gifted to see a need and meet it, before others even see the need. By the time the rest of us wake up to the need, it has already been addressed by the helper.

Mercy

This goes along with Helps, in a way, but it is perhaps more geared to meeting emotional needs and meeting those needs with compassion, and without judgment.

Government, or Ruling

The “Bishops, Overseers, Elders, Presbytery, Pastors or Shepherds, (plural) are the assigned governing body of each local church. 1^st Peter 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:17. We may dislike that concept, but it truly is one of the gifts, though difficult and sometimes stressful. Fortunately, in this church, it has usually been a blessing and a joy.

Love, Above All

I think you can see how all these gifts contribute to a healthy Church. What binds them all together? Romans 12:9 says “Let Love be without dissimulation…” Don’t be a “phony” where the agapé love is concerned.

Allow the Lord to Love through you, so that the gifts He has given will be what shines, and so that HE will shine through you!

Lord Jesus, let us learn to Love You above all else, so that we learn how You intend to use us in Your Work. Allow us to serve, as the true Body of Christ.

January 17, 2026January 17, 2026

How to Understand the Gifts of the Spirit (Part One)

Gifts of the Spirit (Part One)

1^st Corinthians 12:7-18; Romans 12

Introduction

Over the last two weeks, we examined the Gifts of God, then the Gifts of Christ. Now we will begin to examine the Gifts of the Spirit. There is a partial list, here in 1^st Corinthians 12. There is another such list in Romans 12:4-8. The ones in 1^st Corinthians tend to be the “sign gifts,” or at least those that require divine manifestation. The ones in Romans are more given to service to God, and help to one another. We humans are far more interested in the “sign gifts,” and things that “smack of the miraculous.” But that may easily be from a wrong motive.

Remember that God gave the signs primarily for the Jews, and universally, he gave them to direct people’s attention to the Person of Christ and the Message of Christ. Jesus only healed one man at the Pool of Bethesda, though there were many there, seeking healing. He healed that one (on the Sabbath) to initiate a conflict between His message and that of the Pharisees and temple rulers: Theirs was a stance of 100% legal standing, and even that from wrong motives. His was a message of salvation, healing, rest, and redemption…Grace.

He was fulfilling the prophecies of the Messiah. The hearers and those who witnessed the healings had a choice to make: Embrace the Gospel of the Kingdom, and its King, along with His healings, preaching, etc. or cling to the traditions of the elders, and reject the Person who brought life. The miracle served to bring the message into focus.

A Personal Example

On numerous occasions, I have prayed, “Lord, if You would give me the gift of healings, I would empty hospitals!” (And the answer immediately came to me: “Right! That is why you don’t have it! That is not the purpose of the gift!)

Everyone eventually dies, often of some final disease. The miraculous healings never eliminated illness or death: they only drew attention to the message of Salvation! Jesus didn’t raise all the dead, during His earthly ministry: He raised three that we know of, or maybe four, thus demonstrating His authority over Death. So, what is the purpose of the Gifts?

What Does God Say About It?

⁷But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. ⁸For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; ¹⁰To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: ¹¹But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

¹²For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. ¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

¹⁴For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? ¹⁸But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

The Purpose of the Gifts

⁷But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Other translations say, “…for the common welfare.” The idea is that God gives every single believer one or more gifts by which the whole body of Christ is to profit in some way. In this chapter, we find that “there is one Body of Christ”, and every single believer is a part of that one Body, and every single member has a function. We are all designed to function. God calls no one to “just attend church,” but, rather, we are all called to personally serve the Lord Jesus, and to be a blessing to those around us.

We already learned elsewhere (Romans 8:9, John 14:16, 1^st Corinthians 6:19, etc.) that every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so the only question before us now, is, “What should I expect in terms of function, because I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit?”

Paul gives a list (again, not exhaustive), of types of “gifts of the Spirit.”

God Chooses The Gifts

Notice that God gives all the gifts as “He” (the Holy Spirit) wills. We do not get to “choose.”

¹⁵If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? ¹⁸But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Paul’s Examples

Paul lists a number of gifts, as examples, with the intent of demonstrating that all are for the Body’s general health and function. They are not for the glory of the individual believer. God does not give the gifts for our own enjoyment: They are for the blessing and health of the whole Body of Christ. I am not attempting to give a “scholarly discourse” on the meaning and function of every gift, here, today, but I do want to use this same figure of a “body” in a slightly more graphic way.

A Modern Demonstration

Consider a single cell, taken from a living human body: From an athlete, an inventor, a teacher, a fashion model, or any other person, common or uncommon. But let’s say that it is a cell from the body of someone who is extraordinary in some way: the reason for their status is immaterial.

The point is that this single cell, examined under a powerful microscope, displays none of the characteristics of “greatness” that we saw in the tissue donor. It will simply look like a tiny, ugly, nondescript, essentially shapeless, and seemingly useless blob of tissue. That is a simple fact.

What is Inside is the Key!

But, it is also a fact, that, regardless of the location within the body, where you obtained the sample, whether from the brain, the nasal mucous membrane, the stomach lining, or whatever, every single cell from that same human body has, in its nucleus, the entire genetic code for the whole body. Ponder on that idea, for a moment, and consider how it might apply to the relationship between an individual believer and the whole Body of Christ:

God designed that particular cell (from a human body) for a single task: to produce a specific endocrine, perhaps, or, to help form one of the protective layers of the skin. But that cell, along with all the other cells, collectively made up the whole body from which it was taken, and, along with the collective experience of the whole body, together, they produced the person.

What about the Body of Christ? Each individual believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and, in fact, according to John 14:15-23, we can safely say that we are each indwelt by the entire Trinity, in the Person of the Holy Spirit. We each, then, individually possess the key (the code) to what makes the entire Body of Christ what it is…we have Christ! (See Ephesians 3:17)

And collectively, we are the Bride of Christ, (though incomplete, as yet) and collectively, we are being built into the Temple of God, though, for now, we are scattered across time and space.

What Do I Need to Know?

I don’t need to know how all the gifts work together: a single cell, which, along with others like it, comprises a hair follicle, for example, knows nothing about the function of the neurons to which it is connected. But those neurons connect it to the brain, and if a tiny weight, even a fruit-fly, lands on the hair that follicle has produced, the brain will sense it, and make a decision as to whether the touch is a threat, an irritant, or something which may safely be ignored.

**Is It Fun to Have the Gift of the Spirit?**

Not always! The prophet Jeremiah had an incredibly unsatisfying ministry: He knew God selected him as a prophet (though he embraced the gift very reluctantly, as he didn’t feel qualified.) He was a “mouthpiece for God,” to speak to the unbelieving, backsliding house of Judah. But, as far as we know, during his ministry, only two people believed his messages.

Did that mean he was ineffective, or even a “failure,” perhaps? No, it just means that humanity, as a whole, rejects the word of God, on a habitual basis. The false prophets of his time were quite popular, by comparison. (Give that some thought! Do you think that might be true today?)

Consider Ezekiel’s case: he always brought only what God said. But, it turned out that the people came to him for the entertainment value, not because they were receptive to the Word of God. (Ezekiel 33:30-32) They had no television, so they went to listen to Ezekiel!

Your gifting may not be particularly obvious, and may not result in human praise. Our calling is to do what God calls us to do: be a blessing to one another in ways that will profit the body of Christ, which will help or bless those in our circle of associates, and which, above all else, will honor God.

Sometimes it will be very satisfying, sometimes less so. Some of the gifts are fairly obvious, some are not. If you commit yourself to honoring God, and serving Him with your life, then He will reveal how he intends for you to function at your best. That does not mean that you will only do that one thing.

Consider Paul

Paul was an Apostle, and a teacher, and a prophet, I suppose we could say; but he was also a tentmaker; and when God required it of him, he served in that capacity.

Did people honor him, in that capacity? Well, I suppose we could say so; at least enough so that he earned enough money at it, for himself and his entourage to proceed with their journey. But, did they honor him as an apostle?

Sometimes…But sometimes they physically and verbally attacked him: they savagely beat him, stoned, whipped, and imprisoned him. Nearly everywhere he went, they verbally abused him, and, eventually, they executed him! Was he faithful to God? Yes, absolutely!

Was he always happy and comfortable in the process? I don’t think so! He suffered physical pain, and mistreatment many times, and he was grieved at the misbehavior of other believers, and sometimes of other apostles. He wept for the ones not obeying the Lord, just as Jeremiah did, and he asked to be relieved of a particular physical ailment, and was denied.

God told him that the ailment made it clear that God was the source of the power and life-changing message, not the messenger. Paul accepted God’s decree and he chose to rejoice in the ailment, knowing that it brought greater glory to God and made his own ministry stronger.

We will continue to examine the spiritual gifts, next week. Until then, if you want to read ahead, read Romans 12:4-8, and review 1^st Corinthians 12:7-18

Lord Jesus, focus our attention on You, the Giver, instead of the gifts themselves, as being of primary importance. Help us to understand Your Word, and to apply it to our own lives in a manner that honors You.

January 10, 2026January 10, 2026

Learn How to Understand the Gifts of Christ

How to Understand the Gifts of Christ

Ephesians 4:11-16

**Gifts given by Christ**

These are “Office Gifts”, or “Ministry Gifts” to the Church

Introduction:

Jesus gave some gifts to the Church (as opposed to individuals.) His gifts are not exhaustively listed in this passage, but this particular type of gift is exhaustively listed here. The “ministry gifts” or “office gifts:” These gifts are people who have been gifted to serve. They serve either the universal church (the church-at-large) or the local assembly, each in a particular way.

The gifts named here, under the title, “the gift of Christ” are all ministry gifts, and specifically, “office” gifts. This is in the sense that, the person holds that “office” within the church. He is there for the benefit of the whole church. The four gifts are not a “hierarchy” of church authority: they simply have different functions.

What Are the Gifts?

¹¹And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets, and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

He Gave Some Apostles

The Apostles are named first, but it cannot mean just the original eleven apostles, nor even Paul and the Eleven. There are other apostles named in the book of Acts, including Barnabas, Apollos, and possibly Aquila and Priscilla. So, it has a broader meaning than we may like.

The word “Apostle,” (“apostolos”) means, “sent one.” It is a specific office in the Universal church (all the believers within the church age.) Most people believe this gift to have ended sometime soon after the book of Acts was completed. (Or, perhaps, whenever the last original Apostles finally died, about the end of the first century.) From my experience alone, I might tend to agree. I don’t know of anyone in history, after that time, who was “clearly identifiable” as an apostle.

Some teach that, “Only the Apostles could write down the Word of God.”

That is false teaching: Only four of the Apostles (Matthew, Peter, John, and Paul) even wrote scripture. All the other writers of the New Testament were not called Apostles, in scripture. The “James” of the epistle was evidently Jesus’s physical half-brother, not “James, the Apostle,” who was martyred much earlier. And Jude was another of his brothers. Mark is the same young man (John Mark) who was rejected for ministry by Paul. But he was salvaged, and taught discipleship by Barnabas.

The Time-Clause

However: Verse 13 gives the “time-clause,” the service period for all four of the “gifts of Christ” . It says, “till we all come in the unity of the faith…etc.”

I don’t think anyone suggests that we already have “all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

So, there’s a possibility that apostles exist today. If they do, I would suggest that they are among the missionaries “sent” by God to reach people who have never heard the Gospel. Is there authority attached to that office? If you restrict it to the original twelve (including Paul) then, yes, there was. There did seem to be an “Apostolic Authority” given to the Eleven, and to Paul.

If “apostles” includes church-planters throughout the 2000 years following the death of Christ, then I would guess it does not carry special authority, unless there is some sort of a “hidden authority” that we don’t see. I have known many church-planters and missionaries, and none of them claimed any such authority.

And, of course, it is possible that the “until” in v.13 does not actually indicate a time period, but rather a directive, only meaning “to the effect that.” But the Greek word translated “till” or “until” is “mechris,” and every single time it is used in the New Testament, it is translated “till, until, or up to”, in a “time” sense. As the things attached to it in this passage have not yet happened, I have to conclude that, in the sense Paul meant it, it has yet to be completed or fulfilled. You can make of that what you will….

Some Prophets

Prophets are a little easier, as a concept. The word “prophet” only means “someone who speaks for God:” a “mouthpiece, or spokesman, for God.” In the Old Testament, and through the book of Acts, it usually also carried the idea of predicting the future. But that was only a small part of the work of a prophet:

In 1^st Corinthians 14:3 and other places, Paul states that the current ministry of prophecy “…speaks to exhortation, edification and comfort.” That is called “preaching,” in our culture. Those who are called by God to encourage, build up and comfort the believers from the Word of God, thus, speaking for God, are the usual New Testament prophets. There are definite instructions given to them, as to how they are to carry out their work. There are also definite instructions given to others, as to how to respond to them.

Some Problems

Some have declared, on the strength of 1^st Corinthians 13, that prophecy has also ceased to exist. They say the phrase “when the perfect comes” means the completed scriptures, and that prophecy has therefore ceased. There is nothing in that passage (or any other) to suggest that this is what is in view. My first guess would be that the “perfect” is not the scriptures, but the Church—when the church is complete, there will be no further need for that gift. But the problem with that is that there will be a huge flock of prophets that arise during the Great Tribulation, after the completion of the Church. So that doesn’t really fit either. So, what is left?

Take a look at the rest of the passage: it says, “…now we know in part and prophesy in part, but when the perfect is come, then that which is imperfect shall be done away…Now we see through a glass, dimly, but then face-to-face! And, Now I know in part, but then shall I know (fully) even as also I am (fully) known.”

Does anyone today really think they have seen Jesus face-to-face? Or; do they know Christ as completely as He knows them? If not, then I would say that the “Perfect” has not come. What is that “Perfect”? I think it has to be Christ, returned in the flesh, and reigning on earth, or possibly the completion of the Church, the Bride of Christ.

Some Evangelists

Notice that the gift is not “evangelism” but “Evangelists.” Evangelism, the job of carrying the Gospel to others, belongs to the whole church: that is our stated task, for life. But an “evangelist” seems to be a person with a special gift for evangelism. Unfortunately, there is very little said about such people in the Bible.

We remember Phillip as “the evangelist.” We can see that he did take the Gospel everywhere he went, with great success.

Titus and Timothy

But in 2^nd Timothy 4:5, Paul told Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist.” The specific things he was also told to do, were to “strengthen the churches” and “to ordain elders (plural) in every church (singular.)”

He and Titus were given nearly identical tasks. But only Timothy was told to “do the work of an evangelist.” If the instructions to Timothy and Titus are characteristic of an Evangelist, then perhaps our modern-day view of an “evangelist” is somewhat skewed by our cultural viewpoint.

Present Day Contrast

Possibly men like Billy Sunday and Billy Graham, etc. are not what God calls evangelists. Perhaps an evangelist is supposed to have an itinerant ministry, going from area to area, preaching, teaching and ordaining leaders in local assemblies as needed. A person who trains up leaders within the local assembly, and then moves on, might be what is called an evangelist, in God’s Word.

So, What is an Evangelist?

Notice that both Timothy and Titus were told to get the job done and to report back to Paul. They did not have a stationary ministry. The Elders, on the other hand (See Acts 20:28) were told to stay put, and to feed that flock! I won’t quibble over someone being called an evangelist: there simply isn’t enough information to be certain: But if the work of (and the gift of ) an evangelist is just to “excel at evangelism,” then I have no problem with that definition being applied to anyone who seems to fit that description.

I have actively shared the Gospel of Christ with those around me for many years, but very few have responded in faith. So, I would guess that I am not an Evangelist. However, that does not release me from the job of evangelism: It is still the stated life-purpose of all believers.

Think: Of all the things we are to do as believers, what is the only thing which could not be “better done in heaven,” after we no longer have our earthly flesh and our old sin natures? We will certainly love more fervently, and we will worship from a purer heart, and we will obey perfectly. But we will never again share the Gospel with an unbeliever after we leave this earth. Only the living members of the Body of Christ have that privilege: Even the angels can’t do that work, in this age: (See Acts 10:1-6 the Angel said “…send for a man…”)

Some Pastors and Teachers

There seems to be “one office” meant by the joint term, “pastor and teacher.” The words for pastor, elder, and overseer, (alternately translated as “shepherd, presbyter, and bishop”) are all applied to the same group of men. The Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17, 28) are called all three: Paul called the elders (same word as presbyters…always plural) of the church (singular) at Ephesus (v. 17), and told them (v.28) that the Holy Spirit has made them overseers (same word as “bishops”), and then he told them to “feed” the flock of God. (the Greek word is “poimaine:” shepherd) Finally, he says they are to protect the flock against “wolves”—false teachers).

In 1^st Timothy 3:1-8, where Timothy is given instructions about ordaining elders, he is told that an elder has to be a teacher. There is no “office” of “teacher” in the local assembly: The elders are all supposed to be gifted to teach, whether they do so every week or not. Therefore, I see this as a joint gift, though there are teachers who are not called to shepherd the flock, but just teach.

Jesus used two different words when he confronted Peter about his ambivalence toward the job he had been assigned. He said “feed” my sheep, and “tend” my sheep. The word “bosko” is translated as “feed” and means just that. The word “poimaine” is translated as “shepherd, or tend”, and, as we saw earlier, it includes the entire skill-set of shepherding a flock, as laid out in Ezekiel 34:1-10.

The Seven Tasks Are:

Feed the Flock
Strengthen the diseased
Heal the sick
Bind up that which is broken
Bring back that which was driven away
Seek the Lost, and
Protect from predators (implied, here; spelled out in Acts 20:28)

It is a tough job…and it is always to be carried out by a team of two or more: never just one man. Diotrephes (See 3^rd John 9, 10) is the only counterexample in scripture…and a bad one.

Shepherds and Teachers

Interestingly, it is possible for a “shepherd” to not be an elder, or an overseer. A shepherd feeds the flock, and cares for the flock. Usually, that person is also an overseer, but not always. But an overseer must also be a shepherd: and an elder must be a teacher.

These people are the “gifts of Christ” to the church, and their job is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry. They are called to lead by example (1^st Peter 5:3), and not to simply “dictate” what the believers are to do. If a shepherd wants to see the flock behave in a certain way, then he and his team had better behave that way, themselves!

Shepherds as Sheep

The fact that they are to train the saints for the work of ministry does not release them from the work of the ministry, themselves; but it definitely means that they are not the only ones called to the work. The work of the ministry is the calling of the whole body of Christ, and we will talk more thoroughly about it later. In the meanwhile, the overall result of all of the “gifts of Christ” is as follows in verses 12-16. The office gifts are given,

¹²For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

(Why?)

¹⁴That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ¹⁵But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ¹⁶From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The rest of the gifts (plural, usually) named in the New Testament are given by the Holy Spirit, to all born-again individuals: Those who have received Eternal Life from God, through Jesus Christ.

Next week we hope to begin examining those gifts.

Lord Jesus, draw us along as Your followers, to be true disciples walking with You and earnestly desiring to be taught by Your Word. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit, and keep us from sin. Allow us to serve as Your hands and Feet, speaking as You speak, Loving as You love, and seeing the fallen World through Your Eyes,

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

How to Refocus on the Gifts of God For the New Year

Re-Focus on the Gifts of God For the New Year

John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1^st Peter 1:3; 2^nd Peter 1:2-4; James 1:17

Introduction:

Last week we spoke briefly about the whole concept of “spiritual gifts.” We observed that God structured an outline of sorts, in 1^st Corinthians 12, that there are many gifts, but one Spirit, etc.

1^st Corinthians 12:4-6 reads, ⁴Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. ⁶And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Since there are more gifts of God listed in the various scriptures we will read today, and since the majority of the gifts of God are unconditional, I would like to begin by re-focusing our attention upon the Gifts of God, as we begin the New Year.

The “Gift of God” (Singular)

All of us have heard on multiple occasions, the verse we know as “John 3:16” where it says that the manner in which God demonstrated His love toward us is “that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That means Jesus is the Gift. He is the Central Gift that makes all others possible.

Because of that “Central Gift,” the latter half of Romans 6:23 became a reality. (The first half was already true!) “The wages of sin is death (already true!) but the GIFT of God is Eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!” This latter half is a living reality today, for whoever chooses to place their faith in Jesus for salvation.

Salvation is not earned…at any level! If your “good works” are involved at any point in securing your salvation (getting saved or staying saved) then ultimately, your salvation depends entirely upon your works, because, without question, your works will always be the “weakest link.”

But God spells it out for us in Ephesians 2:8, 9. He says, “By Grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourself, it (the salvation) is the Gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Paul also reiterates the point, in Galatians 2:21, saying “I do not frustrate the Grace of God, for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (The point being that, if it is at ALL possible for our works to save us, then Jesus died needlessly.)

So, How is that “Central Gift” Implemented?

Acts 16:31 assures us that it is very simple: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!”

And John 1:11-13 says,“¹¹He came unto his own, and his own received him not. ¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power (authority…the right) to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Born of God!)

Everyone who chooses to believe in Jesus: (Everyone who trusts in His finished work at the Cross, for salvation,) immediately is reborn as a child of God: they are His legitimate offspring.

1^st Peter 1:3 says that “God has begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” He sired you! You are his genuine offspring, in Christ! He is your REAL Father!

At that moment, another thing took place as well: The Holy Spirit placed you into the Body of Christ. (1^st Corinthians 12:13 literally says, He immersed you…baptized you…into the Body of Christ, so that you are permanently identified with Him in every area! (His righteous life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement. See Romans 6:3-5; Ephesians 2:6)

And then, from that moment forward, all the other Gifts of God could take hold in your life!

The “Gifts of God” (Plural)

To every believer, God says that He has already blessed you with all spiritual blessings in the Heavenly places, “In Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3) Then He lists about sixteen more things:

If you have placed your dependence upon Jesus Christ as your Savior, then:

You were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. (v.4)
You are holy and blameless before him, in His Love. (v.4)
You are predestined to be recognized as a full heir of God. (v.5; compare Romans 8:23)
You are predestined to fulfill the good pleasure of His will (v.5)
You are predestined to be to the praise of the Glory of His Grace. (v.6)
You are already accepted in the beloved (that is, “in Christ”). (v.6)
You already have been redeemed through His blood. (v.7)
You already have full forgiveness of your sins, according to the riches of His Grace. (v.7)
God has already abundantly blessed you in His wisdom and prudence. (v.8)
He has made known unto you the mystery of His will…one piece at a time. (v.9, 10)
Your inheritance in Him is secure. (v.11)
You will eternally be to his glory and praise. (v.12)
Your position in Him is sealed by the Holy Spirit. (v.13)
The indwelling Holy Spirit is the earnest or “down payment” of the rest of the glorious inheritance promised to you.
You are absolutely secure in Christ because He says so, (John 10:27-30) and because
The Holy Spirit is your guide, your guard and your seal until the redemption of the purchased possession. (v.14) (See also John 14:16-23; 1^st John 4:4)

Precious Gifts

I count all those to be precious gifts: And the most precious thing about that list is that every one of them is unconditionally yours as a believer. They do not depend upon you walking by faith, or somehow “keeping your end of the bargain.” (Here’s some more good news for you: There IS no “your end of the bargain.” Jesus did it all at the Cross! You did not enter into Christ by good works, and you cannot leave by bad works! Your works have nothing to do with the Gift of God!

In fact, in Romans 8:38, 39, He also points out that “no created thing can separate you from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus!” Some people suggest that “Well, while Jesus will not cast you out, you could still walk out!” My reply is to have them read Romans 8:38, 39. I ask, “Is that God’s Word?” (They reply, “Yes!”) I then ask them, “Are YOU a created thing? Are you part of the Creation?” That frequently seems to be a new idea to them, so I leave it for them to draw the obvious conclusion.

More Gifts of God (2^nd Peter 1:2-7)

Some of the Gifts of God are not unconditional: They are still gifts, but they could possibly be thought of as “goals,” in that He made it all possible for us, but we have to learn to walk in them for them to be effective.

2^nd Peter 1:2-4 says,

²Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, ³According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Verse two gives us the underlying caveat: “if you want these gifts, they are only available through pursuing the (ginosko) “knowledge” of (an ongoing, experiential, living relationship with the Father and the Son.”

Verse three says that God has already given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness. No believer is re-born a “spiritual cripple” who is “lame from re-birth.” In your new self, you have been given the ability to choose to walk with Jesus. Because you have come to know Him, you have access to all the rest.

How Does it Work?

How? Verse four tells us how we are to see these realities worked out in our lives: He has given us “Exceeding Great and Precious Promises!” Peter says that by means of those promises in God’s Word, we have the privilege of beginning to partake in the character, and nature of God, Himself: And, in so doing, we escape the corruption that is in the World through the ungodly desires of our old nature. In reality, this is part of our inheritance in Christ: we are His real children, and we should expect to grow into His likeness.

Collectively, the desires of the World and those of our old natures are completely in opposition to all that God is. His Righteousness and Holiness are utterly repugnant to the World, and to our old Sin Nature.

We escape the corruption of the world and of the flesh by applying God’s Word to our lives. Diligent application of His Word produces further results: We could think of them as “goals.”

The Goals (2^nd Peter 1:5-7)

Diligence in applying the “exceeding great and precious promises” as well as the rest of the admonitions, corrections and encouragements in God’s Word will produce the following things:

⁵And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

So, There are Seven Things to Look For:

Virtue
Knowledge
Temperance
Patience
Godliness
Brotherly kindness
Charity (Agapé love)

Please note that all of these seven things are still under the condition Jesus spelled out in John 15:5, saying “apart from me ye can do nothing.” Is it possible to produce a “cheap imitation” of each of these things by our own efforts? Certainly, it is!

But all these things, if produced by the flesh, (our old sin nature) are also contaminated by the flesh. The Old Self is not only corrupt, but is continually being corrupted. So, for the realities of each of these values to be born in us, they have to be coming from an ongoing walk with Jesus, in full fellowship with Him. He has to be the source and the power. (Philippians 2:13)

God’s Perfect Gifts

In light of that truth, James 1:17 seems especially appropriate: “¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

The real gift is not wavering or “on-again-off-again.” If it is from God, it is not preferential as to who and how the Love of God is applied: it simply does as the Lord directs, and with Joy.

There are other passages referencing the Gifts of God: Many of them overlap the gifts called the “Gifts of the Spirit, or Gifts of Christ.” That is not surprising: the Holy Spirit is God! Jesus is God! So, the “labels” may often overlap.

(I am not going to waste time by attempting to explain the Trinity in human terms: I do not claim to understand that mystery, But God clearly states it in His Word, so I am required to faithfully teach it.)

Next week, we hope to address the “Gifts of Christ.” If you want to read ahead, the main four are listed along with their purpose, in Ephesians 4:7-16.

Lord Jesus, Savior, God: Help us to focus on YOU, the giver of all good gifts, and not to be distracted by the “flash and glitter” of the exciting “sign gifts.” Help us to learn to walk in the unconditional gifts You have given, so that the conditional gifts and goals will also be ours.

December 20, 2025December 20, 2025

How to Understand What the Old Hymns Teach About Christmas

What do the Hymns really teach?

Genesis 3:15; Exodus 12; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Isaiah 7:14; John 1:1-5, 14; Hebrews 11:3;
Matthew 2, Luke 2

Introduction:

To begin with, even when we deliberately set aside what the World thinks of Christmas, when we, as believers, think about Christmas, we pretty much focus on Luke 2. Clearly, the entire chapter speaks of the actual birth of the Messiah, and what immediately followed. Furthermore, sometimes we mix in things that actually occurred a little later—the coming of the Magi, and the flight into Egypt, to escape the slaughter of the innocent babies in Bethlehem.

And, sadly, sometimes, when we were young, we mocked some of the early hymns, because we didn’t understand them. I remember as a child, singing, “We three kings of orient are, trying to smoke a rubber cigar: It was loaded, it exploded…Silent night!” (Very funny, to an irreverent pre-teen.)

**What do the Hymns Really Say?**

But let’s think about some of the scriptures that gave rise to those hymns.

To begin with, why did the hymnist assume there were three wise men? The ones he called kings? Undoubtedly, it was because the scripture named three gifts, in Matthew chapter 2. The magi came to worship the newborn Messiah, whom they recognized as King of the Jews. Obviously, they knew something about him that no others had guessed, yet: Those gifts, (gold, and frankincense and myrrh,) were prophetic in nature.

**The Hymnist spelled out that prophecy, in the rest of the hymn.**

Firstly, the Gold revealed His royal birth: “Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again! King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign!”

Second, The Myrrh also was prophetic, speaking of His ministry as the eternal sacrifice, that was to be given once for all. It predicted the death of the Lord: “Myrrh, have I; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom: suffering, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb!”

Finally, the Frankincense predicted His priesthood and deity. “Frankincense to offer, have I: King, and God and Sacrifice! Aleluia! Aleleuia! Worship Him, God on High!”

Not so funny, after all. And, historically, it turns out that these wise men from the east were most likely the descendants of the prophet Daniel’s disciples. He had predicted the coming King, the Messiah. Though, as far as we know, he said nothing about a star, they had combined what they knew from Daniel’s teaching with the arrival of this supernatural star. They correctly discerned that the Messiah had been born. And they took their journey on the basis of that faith. That is not only “not funny:” that is pretty amazing! Would you have taken a long journey on that evidence?

What about Charles Wesley’s Hymns?

We sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and we feel good about the Lyrics. Where did they come from, though? Charles became a born-again believer, in 1738, when he was 31 years old. His older brother, John was born again a few days later.

Charles began a Bible Study, at their college, trying to methodically study and teach the Bible, but not long afterward, John took it over. John and Charles made a powerful team: John preached sound doctrine, turning people’s hearts to Christ, and Charles wrote powerful hymns teaching the same doctrines in musical form, so that the teachings could be repeated and stick in people’s minds.

During their ministry together, they “salted down” all of England with the Gospel, so that while the French Revolution was raging in France, just across the channel, England was having its collective heart drawn into a strong relationship with God. During that time Charles wrote about 7,000 hymns. We still sing some of them today. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” was written when Charles was experiencing his second Christmas as a born-again believer. He was eighteen months old in the Lord.

What had John preached? I can only guess at that, but the doctrines in the hymn are very clear:

The Beginning

Christ by highest heaven Adored; Christ the Everlasting Lord

Before the Creation, Jesus, Creator God, the Son, was worshipped by angels. And yet, he was already the designated sacrifice for a world that had not yet been created. Revelation 13:8 says that He was “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Rise, the Woman’s Conquering Seed, Bruise in us the Serpent’s Head

Historically, the first promise of that Savior came in Genesis 3:15, where God promised that the Seed of the Woman would crush the Serpent’s head. And Revelation 20:2 identifies just which serpent He meant: there he is called “that old Serpent, and the Devil, and Satan.”

Come, Desire of Nations, Come

Not all nations have looked forward to the coming Messiah, but believers have done so throughout History. Job pre-existed Israel, but he said, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and at the latter day He will stand upon the Earth, and I shall see him with my own eyes!” (Job 19:25) That is referring to the second coming of the Messiah! After Job’s resurrection. But Jesus physically became our redeemer during His earthly ministry. Job looked forward through time as a prophet, and called out the death and the resurrection and the return of Jesus, his Redeemer!

Fulfillment Begins

Late in time, behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin’s Womb!

From Human perspective, it seemed late: they had been waiting over 4,000 years since the original promise. But Romans 5:6 says He was right on time! It was at the perfect time, according to God’s Timetable! Furthermore, the Virgin Birth was not an “extra detail:” it was an absolute necessity. Jesus is the only one in History who was literally “the Seed of the Woman!” Obviously, all the rest of us are the Seed of a man and a woman.

Further, if Joseph had been Jesus’s father, Jesus was automatically disqualified from being king anyway, because there was a curse on one of Joseph’s great grandfathers: Jeremiah 22:24-30 said that no offspring of Coniah (also called Jeconiah, and in Matthew 1:11, Jechonias) would ever reign in Jerusalem again. But Jesus was the King!

Veiled in Flesh the Godhead See: Hail the incarnate Deity!

In Genesis 1:1, we saw God speak the World into existence. In Hebrews 11:3, we see it confirmed that the World was created by the Word of God. And, in John 1:1-5, 14, we see that that Word not only was the Creator, but that He (the Word) was made flesh, and that He in fact was Jesus. And Colossians 2:9 says that “in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead, bodily!” I am not required to understand that fact: I am only required to accept it by faith, and to proclaim it in obedience to the God who gave it.

Pleased as Man, with Men to dwell; Jesus our Emmanuel

Philippians 2:5-8, which we discussed earlier, tells how Jesus chose to become a human. But it was not a surprise. Isaiah 7:14 told us in advance that “the Virgin shall be with Child and shall bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel.” That prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus.

Mild, He lays His Glory By: Born that Man no more may die,

Philippians 2:5-8 also tells how He emptied Himself of His prerogatives as God the Son, and became a human for the express purpose of dying for our sins.

Born to raise the Sons of Earth, born to give them second birth!

He said he came to offer His life a ransom for many. He told Nicodemus “Ye must be born again.” He also told him that “whosoever believeth” in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. And in Ephesians 2:6, it says that He has already raised us up as believers, to sit with Him in the throne…that we are already there with Him.

**How to Receive Him**

Hail the Heaven-Born Prince of Peace!

Isaiah 9:6, 7 called Him the Prince of Peace…(don’t forget that it also identified Him as the Mighty God, and the Everlasting Father!) But this line of the hymn is a command: it says, “Hail Him!” it means “Salute Him” as the Prince of Peace: Greet Him as Who He really is! Accept Him as your Savior and Master! Receive Him as your Redeemer and God!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness, Risen with Healing in His Wings!

Malachi 4:2 says, “but unto you who fear my Name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with Healing in His wings.” That is a direct quote of the prophecy!

The Result of Faith

Light and Life to all He brings

John 1:4 says that “In him was life and the life was the light of men” These are direct quotes from God’s Word! These are not the hymn-writer’s “imagination running wild!”

Come Desire of Nations, Come: Fix in us thy humble home.

In John 14:16-23, and other places, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would immediately and permanently indwell whoever received Him as Savior. In fact, He said that, in the person of the Holy Spirit, the entire Godhead would dwell in each believer.

Adam’s Likeness now efface; Fix thine image in its place!

God has recreated us in the image of Christ. We now have two natures. Our new nature is sinless and created in true righteousness. God will eliminate our old Sin nature at death, and it will never plague us again.

Second Adam, from above, Reinstate us in thy love!

In 1^st Corinthians 15:45-47 spells out that Jesus is the head of a new race. He is called the second Man, and the Last Adam. 1^st Corinthians 15:22 says that we are either in Adam or in Christ. That is “positional truth.” If your position is still in Adam, you are still spiritually dead. If you are in Christ, you are eternally alive in Him.

Our Marching Orders:

Joyful all Ye Nations Rise! Join the Triumph of the Skies!

We are saved to serve! How? Every one of us is called to be an ambassador of Christ. And all the nations that have rejoiced in the Savior, have also rejoiced in Missions, at least for a time. That is how we Join the triumph of the Skies. We proclaim His birth…and His death, burial, and resurrection. We can offer the Hope and Joy of Christmas every day of the Year.

With th’ Angelic Host Proclaim, Christ is Born in Bethlehem

Proclaim! That is our job! It should be our passion and our joy to share the faith! In John 4:34, Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work!” In that context, He was talking about Evangelism! That is the Work he wants done!

The Results of the Gospel

Peace on Earth, and Mercy Mild; God and Sinner Reconciled.

We can experience the Heavenly peace God offered in Bethlehem on an individual basis. Romans 5:1 says, “being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” Obviously, if enough people possess that peace with God, they tend to also have peace between one another, as we do, here in our little church. However, the only lasting peace for the whole Earth will come when Jesus is eternally reigning on the new Earth.

Hark! The herald Angels Sing! Glory to the Newborn King!

Finally, the word, “Hark!” means listen! God calls us to hear: to give heed to the message, and to realize that we have a very temporary privilege of serving with Jesus: To Work with Him, taking the light and joy of His Gospel to the world we live in. This is our one opportunity to serve!

In Conclusion, what are we going to do about it? If we say, “Happy Birthday Jesus! But I’m not going to do what you asked!” it seems a pretty shabby response. Let’s change that into a pattern of reverence and obedience, and share His joy and peace with those around us… We can say, “Happy Birthday, Jesus! I bring myself as an offering to You!”

We all have that gift to bring.

Lord Jesus, fill us with Your love and transform us to be like You in every way. Raise us up as your soldiers and servants. Teach us to live for your Glory.

December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

How to Understand God’s Teaching Regarding the Lord’s Table

Understanding God’s Teaching Regarding the Lord’s Table

1^st Corinthians 11:17-34

¹⁷Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

¹⁸For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

¹⁹For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

²⁰When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

²¹For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

²²What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

Paul Tells Us How to Behave

²³For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

²⁶For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

²⁷Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

²⁸But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

²⁹For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

³⁰For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

³¹For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

³²But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

³³Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

³⁴And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Introduction:

In the matter of the Lord’s Table, the Corinthian believers were already in trouble: they just didn’t know it yet. Many among them were sick as judgment for sin, and some had died…God says so! Most of the time when we read about the Lord’s table, we begin in verse 23, but the context is important, so that we can see the background, and understand why they were in such trouble. So, today we will begin in verse 17.

What Was The Problem?

When we have a “pot-luck supper, in the church of today, everyone brings what they can, but we all share. If someone has nothing, (whether because they were not aware of the potluck, and so were unprepared, or because they are physically unable to bring something, or financially unable,) they are just as welcome as the one who brought a huge quantity of food. And there is usually food left over in our potlucks. We enjoy sharing and providing for one another.

But the Corinthians got together to eat, all right, and actually called it their communion, but they did not share, The rich went home stuffed with food and drink…sometimes actually drunk. The poor went home hungry and left out. Rather than fostering unity, they were producing division rooted in what they were calling the Lord’s Supper. Do you see the evil that was happening? They were splitting the church, causing deep resentment and disunity over the very thing that was supposed to draw them together.

A Root of Division

¹⁷Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. ¹⁸For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. ¹⁹For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. ²⁰When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

Paul clearly condemned what they were doing, and said this is NOT the Lord’s Supper. He said, that this practice was fostering schisms in the group. Today we might politely call them “cliques.” But it is still a division. And from chapter one we saw that Paul addressed the divisions in the church, and condemned the roots of those divisions: (Pride and self-will, as they were separating on the basis of who their favorite teacher was, and who baptized them.)

Divisions in the Church are always a bad thing. If the divisions are caused by bad teaching, false doctrine, etc., then the bad teaching is a problem, but the division is the real problem.

Jesus Gave the World Three Criteria by Which to Judge the Church:

Agapé Love (See John 13:34, 35 “³⁴A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”)
Unity. (See John 17:21 “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”)
Good works. (See Matthew 5:15, 16 “¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.“)

And all three concepts were being violated, there in Corinth, when they continually dishonored the Lord and His church by their self-centered way of approaching the Lord’s Table!

Unity was Discarded, and the Poor were Shamed

²¹For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. ²²What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

Better that they never actually ate together, if they failed to share freely, in Love and Unity. If they could not share, he said to leave the “feast” at home, and only share the bread and the cup.

Does this rule out pot-luck dinners? Nope! It rules out self-centered pride and selfishness in general. It rules out causing divisions where there should be none. As we share, and the bounteous meal is spread out for all to enjoy, we usually do not even know who brought what food, unless we ask, wanting the recipe, or when the dish has been washed, wanting to know with whom to send it home. That is not the important thing. Sitting down to eat together, as a local assembly of God’s Family is what is important.

**So: What Should Happen in Celebrating the Lord’s Table?**

²³For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: ²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. ²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. ²⁶For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

So, the general practice is laid out, here in 1^st Corinthians 11:23-26. In some countries and in some cultures, they still use ONE loaf, from which each person pinches off a small piece, and ONE single cup, passed around the room, from which each person takes a sip.

Our culture shares the “one cup” in the form of dozens of tiny cups. In similar manner, we share the “one loaf” in the form of dozens of tiny unleavened crackers. I seriously doubt that this is offensive to God. But approaching the Lord’s table in an unworthy manner, causing disunity, and shame, and hurt, is definitely offensive to Him.

Where Did Paul Get His Information?

Paul laid out that which he had received from Jesus, personally, regarding the Lord’s Table.

When did Paul receive this information from Jesus? Evidently during the three years he seems to have spent in personal training under the Lord Himself. (Galatians 1:11-18) Paul received some teaching that the other Apostles did not have. Jesus specifically trained Paul to be the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” (Romans 11:13) Paul was also the one through whom the “mystery of the Church” was primarily revealed. And The Church is absolutely Holy to God.

Why all the Warnings Associated with the Lord’s table?

In 1^st Corinthians 3:17, God warns that if anyone defiles the “temple of God” (which in that context He states clearly is the Church, the Body of Christ,) then God will destroy them. God is not “playing games,” nor being unclear about His motives. The Church at Corinth was defiling the Church, and He evidently was destroying at least the worst offenders.

²⁷Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

²⁸But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

²⁹For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

³⁰For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

There are a Couple of Keys to Understanding this Passage:

The word “Unworthily” is an adverb: It modifies the verbs “eat,” and “drink.” It is not an adjective, modifying “whosoever.” Yes, on our own, we are all “unworthy.” But by God’s Grace, through faith in Jesus’s blood at the Cross and His resurrection, we have been declared righteous. (Romans 5:1) But in this passage, the word “unworthy” specifically refers to the behavior the Corinthian Church was practicing, regarding the Lord’s Supper…not the people themselves.
The command in verse 28 is for us to examine ourselves (for our motives, and behavior, and our attitude toward the Lord and the believers around us), and “so to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup!” No one is turned away from the Lord’s Table, except for obvious disrespect or flippancy or openly active disunity. We are not “examining one another for secret sins.” We examine ourselves, and we come to the table in unity and Love, confident in God’s Mercy and the acceptance we collectively have as His Children.

So, What Do We Do?

³¹For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. ³²But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

³³Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

³⁴And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

To begin with, we recognize that we are fallible human beings. We desire to do things God’s way, and we examine how and why we do what we do. Why? because we fear the Judgment of God, even though we know it is chastening, not condemnation, so we earnestly try to be obedient to God’s Word, as best we understand it.

We keep the Lord’s Table separate from any other meal. And, as we pass out the bread and the cup, we wait until all have been served, and we partake together. Is this “exactly” right? Maybe. Maybe not. But we earnestly seek to follow Jesus, as His disciples. We are not just “going through the motions.”

The Lord’s table is not just a ritual. It is one of the two ordinances given to the church. (The other is water baptism.) Both ordinances are commemorative in nature.

When a believer chooses to “follow the Lord in Baptism” they commemorate the fact that they have already been baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. (1^st Corinthians 12:13)

When we join with one another in celebrating the Lord’s Table, we commemorate the facts of Jesus’s Death, burial, resurrection and second coming! And we do so regularly, until He returns!

Conclusion of Chapter Eleven

Paul said ³⁴And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

If they could not learn to share at meals, then they were to stop their supposed “church dinners.” And, he said, there might be more that needed to be discussed, but that he would address those things in person. There are certainly things we fail to understand as we read God’s Word. None of us has a corner on correct doctrine. So, we, too, can accept that Jesus will straighten us all out, face to face. In the meantime, we do not break fellowship over minutiae.

Lord Jesus, heal our hearts of any disunity, and allow us to truly embrace the simgularity of the Body of Christ, and Love one another as Family

How To Understand the Priorities of God

What are God’s Priorities? How do Mine Compare?

Introduction:

To Unbelievers:

For Believers

What is the Problem?

That Was Then:

Look at Ephesians 4:16 —

While we are there, look back at Ephesians 2:19-22:

One Temple

The Church—the Body of Christ—is the Temple.

One Priority

Jesus’s Priorities

How Can We Do His Will?

One Hope to Offer

One Job; Many Tasks

One Calling; Many Gifts

So, What Can I Do?

Conclusion:

Jan Larsen’s Graduation

1st Thessalonians 5:16-19; 1st Corinthians 15:22; Numbers 21:5-9; John 5:24, etc.

Introduction:

Rejoice Evermore

Pray Without Ceasing

In Every Thing Give Thanks

For This is the Will of God, in Christ Jesus, Concerning You!

Jesus Explained It

Jesus’s Promise

Quench not the Spirit

Introduction:

What Would Be the Results if the Resurrection Never Happened?

BUT! Christ IS Raised from the Dead!

So, What Do We Do With All That Information?

Point One

Point Two

Point Three

Two Positions, Two Heads of a Race

Point Four

How Does All This Truth Affect Us?

The Hope of the Resurrection

Introduction:

So, What Is The Gospel? What is the Good News?

Here is the Gospel in outline form:

Point by Point

Why Will We Be Raised?

When Will We Be Raised?

2nd Corinthians 5:1-10 is our answer:

Resurrected or Replaced?

How Will We Be Raised?

What Will Our New Bodies Look Like?

Paul’s Reply

Fulfilling the Pattern

1st Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-31; Romans 12:4-9

Introduction:

1st Corinthians 12:8-10

1st Corinthians 12:28-31

Romans 12:4-9

An Observation Regarding Gifts

Spiritual Gifts Vs. Spiritual Responsibilities

So, What Gifts Really Need Defining?

Going Beyond Human Ability

Prophecy and Preaching

What About “Declaring the Good News of Christ?”

Ministry

Teaching

Giving

Exhortation

Helps

Mercy

Government, or Ruling

Love, Above All

1st Corinthians 12:7-18; Romans 12

Introduction

A Personal Example

What Does God Say About It?

The Purpose of the Gifts

God Chooses The Gifts

Paul’s Examples

A Modern Demonstration

What is Inside is the Key!

1^st Thessalonians 5:16-19; 1^st Corinthians 15:22; Numbers 21:5-9; John 5:24, etc.

**What Would Be the Results if the Resurrection Never Happened?**

2^nd Corinthians 5:1-10 is our answer:

1^st Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-31; Romans 12:4-9

1^st Corinthians 12:8-10

1^st Corinthians 12:28-31

**So, What Gifts Really Need Defining?**

1^st Corinthians 12:7-18; Romans 12

**Is It Fun to Have the Gift of the Spirit?**

**Gifts given by Christ**

John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1^st Peter 1:3; 2^nd Peter 1:2-4; James 1:17

More Gifts of God (2^nd Peter 1:2-7)

2^nd Peter 1:2-4 says,

The Goals (2^nd Peter 1:5-7)

**The Hymnist spelled out that prophecy, in the rest of the hymn.**

**How to Receive Him**