Do You Know How To Establish Your Priorities as a Believer?

How To Establish Your Priorities as a Believer

2^nd Corinthians 5:8-11

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, (whether we live or die) 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. ¹¹Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Introduction:

Last week we talked about what happens to believers when they die: (What happens when we leave these bodies?) We saw that God created us as eternal creatures, created as three-part beings: Body, Soul and Spirit. When our non-physical parts (Soul and Spirit) leave our bodies, we call it “death.” Our Soul and Spirit have separated from our body. And every time scripture addresses “death,” it has to do with some sort of separation. Physical death is the separation of the soul and spirit from the body.

In Genesis 2:17, when God warned Adam “…in the day that you eat thereof, you shall surely die,” He meant it! But there was an instantaneous result, (Genesis 3:7) when Adam ate that fruit. God separated both Adam and Eve from spiritual fellowship with Him. Adam died physically, 930 years later. But he and everyone who proceeded from him (including Eve, and the entire human race) died spiritually at that very moment.

So, How Does God Save Sinners?

God offered a coming Savior, in Genesis 3:15…the “Seed of the Woman.” Adam believed that promise, (Genesis 3:20) and God re-established the relationship (Genesis 3:21) through the first blood-sacrifice, looking forward to the Cross. God offered Grace in the form of a Savior. Adam responded in Faith, and God accepted him on the basis of faith. I hope that sounds familiar to you all. God saved Abraham, in the same manner, though there was less detail about the promise. God offered Grace in the form of a Promise. Abraham believed God, instead of believing his own eyes, his own experience, or the evidence in nature. And (Genesis 15:6) God declared Abraham righteous on the basis of that faith.

That is the only way God has ever saved anyone in the history of the World. As someone famously said, long ago, “God saves us by Grace, through faith, plus nothing!” In fact, I tried to find out the source of that quote, using Google, and it took me straight to Ephesians 2:8, 9! (“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”)

Anyone who confesses he or she is a lost Sinner, and throws himself or herself upon the Mercy of God, provided by Grace, through the Blood of Jesus, is restored to fellowship with God, and permanently joined to Him by the New Birth.

But, What About The Future?

Can I lose that “Fellowship” with God? Well… temporarily, Yes! But not the Relationship.

As believers, though we are eternally saved, we can be separated from fellowship with God, through sin. In that condition, we are behaving as though we were spiritually dead. God offers to restore us to fellowship through a second promise: 1^st John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

That is the future of believers, in this life: We desire to walk with God in holiness, but we often fail. We admit our failure is sin, and we approach the throne of God with nothing to offer but confession. He then restores the fellowship so that we can go on walking with Him.

But, an unbeliever, who rejects God’s warning and promise, and thereby maintains their original separation from God, has never been born again. They have never become God’s child. If they persist, and physically die, as an unbeliever, they face eternal separation from God, in the Lake of Fire. God calls that Eternal loss the “second death.”

So, As Believers, How Does the Rebirth Change Our Priorities? (v. 8, 9)

2^nd Corinthians 5:8, 9 speaks only to believers. As a believer, I can honestly say that I look forward to being eternally free from the struggles of this life: The constant struggle of trying to walk with God as a saved sinner. That is why verse 8 says, we would rather be with Jesus!

I have two natures: the one is a deadly enemy, and I long to be free of it. The other is the new person, created in the likeness of God in righteousness and true Holiness. (God says so, in Ephesians 4:24.) Do I feel righteous or holy? No! I am keenly aware of my old nature which is still attempting to regain dominance.

But as a believer, yes: I look forward to “going home!” And because I am aware of His presence, and I’m aware that His righteousness is perfect, I am anxious to live in such a way that, whether I live or die, I will not be ashamed, before Him.

What About the Judgment Seat of Christ? (v. 10)

Hebrews 9:27 says “…it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment.”

If that were the only teaching on the coming judgment, it would sound as though all people face the same judgment. But there are at least five judgments listed in scripture, that can affect people. Not all apply to everyone.

The General Judgment (condemnation) of the World. (John 3:18, 19; Romans 1:18, etc. This one affected all of us!)
The Judgment of Sin at the Cross. (Colossians 2:14; 1^st John 2:2 Jesus died for all the sins of the entire Human race, though not all respond in faith.)
The Judgment Seat of Christ (2^nd Corinthians 5:10; 1^st Corinthians 3:10-16 This one affects believers only, and it is an awards judgment, giving reward to believers who allowed Jesus to work through them. He rewards us as if “we” were the ones who accomplished the work, when, by necessity, only He could do it!)
The Judgment of Living Nations (Matthew 25:31-46 This one affects the living believers and unbelievers, after the Great Tribulation, when Jesus Returns to Earth.)
The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15 This one affects only theunrighteous dead, and it is final.

All the Judgments are Fearful to Consider:

Original Judgment

As we look back and consider the Judgment in the Garden of Eden, we are sobered and chilled to see the permanent consequences of Adam’s sin. In fact, reading through the rest of Genesis, we see that very often, sin had permanent results. All the sons of Abraham that were produced in the flesh (by his own ability and choices) ended up being bitter enemies of his promised son, Isaac, later on. There are many other such examples. But Romans 5:12 says all the sin and death in the world was ultimately because of that one sin!

Judgment of Sin at the Cross

When we see the suffering of Jesus at the Cross, and His torments leading to the Cross, we are grieved to see the awful results of Sin, as it affected Jesus, our Savior.

2^nd Corinthians 5:21 tells us that Jesus literally “Became Sin” for us, so that God could pour all His wrath upon Jesus at the Cross, thus allowing us to become the righteousness of God in Him.

But it also explains why Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken Me?” Yes, He was quoting Psalm 22, which is a prophetic Psalm, clearly predicting the Cross. But it was also a fact that God turned His face away from the monstrosity of our sin, completely personified in Jesus at that moment!

Judgement Seat of Christ (Judgment of Believers’ Works.)

The Judgement Seat of Christ is an awards ceremony of sorts. But we feel anxiety about it, knowing that everything I do (or fail to do) in this life will be considered and judged in that day. All the time I have wasted. The many wrong notions I have entertained, contrary to God’s Word. All of them will be exposed for what they are. How?

1^st Corinthians 3:11-15 tells us that the things we have built into our lives, as believers, are either of eternal value, or are eternally non-valuable. And it says that the determination will be made “by fire.” The things that I found attractive, but were eternally worthless, will go up in a cloud of smoke. The things that originated in Jesus, and which He did, using me as a tool, will survive that test, and will be the cause for eternal reward.

Abraham’s nephew, Lot, stands as an example of one who lost everything because of his life choices, but who still was saved. We can’t see it very clearly, but God says he was saved. It’s possible for a believer to be just like him. They have gone their own way their whole life, and done things that felt religious and pious, but have not submitted themselves to Jesus as a tool in His hand.

1^st Corinthians 3:15 tells us that we can lose our rewards through self-will and sin. We do not lose our position in Christ, but we escape God’s judgment as one escaping through the flames. I fear the results of this judgment. I know I am not a very consistent servant of Christ.

Judgement of the Living Nations

At the end of the Great Tribulation, the Lord Jesus will return (Revelation 19) and will set up His throne in Jerusalem. (Zechariah 14, among others.) But His first order of business, before the promised Kingdom Age can begin, is to sort out the survivors of the Great Tribulation. (Remember: According to Revelation 6:8 and 9:18, more than half of the world’s population will have died during that terrible seven years!)

The Lord Jesus will sort the survivors, according to Matthew 25:31-46, by how the people demonstrated faith in the way they cared for God’s people (or failed to do so.) It is a fearful thing to consider the judgment happening right there for everyone to see. Yes, if you are born again today, you will be absent during the Tribulation. But you will be present to see the Judgment of the Living Nations! How do I know? Jesus said that where He is, there we will be also! And Ephesians 2:6 says God has already seated us in the throne with Jesus.) I am not looking forward to witnessing these final two judgments!

The Great White Throne Judgment

In Revelation 20:11-15 we see the final judgment of Sin and sinners. All the unrighteous dead of all time will stand before that Throne for final Judgment. Who is the Judge? It is Jesus, again. John 5:22 says, “the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son even as they honor the Father.”

But, we will be there, sitting in the throne with Jesus! I really am not looking forward to this experience. All the unsaved folks I knew will be there! It will include those to whom I had the chance to share the Gospel, but who never received His forgiveness. It also includes the ones with whom I failed to share. And I will watch their judgment, and it will be too late to intervene!

**Therefore, Knowing the Terror of the Lord, We Persuade Men**

This is one of our motives for Evangelism! All of the Judgments mentioned in scripture are worthy of our dread! Yes, Jesus took away our sins, at the Cross! But even if we no longer have to fear God’s eternal judgment, others still face that judgment!

We are made manifest unto God; and also made manifest in your consciences.

We also seek to be transparent to one another. Paul said he was “made manifest” to God, and sought to be “also made manifest” in the minds of the believers in Corinth.

Ephesians 5:13 says, “whatsoever maketh manifest is light.” God’s light is shining in our lives. We want to be “transparent,” so His light can shine through us to one another, and to the people in the world around us.

God does not want us “putting on a show” of piety or religiosity. We are sinners saved by Grace, and we offer that Grace to one another, and to the people all around us. That is why we enthusiastically support missions, and we look for opportunities to share with those nearby.

Lord Jesus, please cause Your Words to soak into our consciences and to soften our hearts toward those around us who still face the Judgment of God. Give us Your tender Heart of Compassion toward all around us, in Jesus’ Name.

June 27, 2026June 28, 2026

How to See Why Discipleship is a Matter of Life and Death

**Discipleship is a Matter of Life and Death**

Philippians 1:29

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”

2^nd Corinthians 4:7-18

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

¹¹For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

¹³We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; ¹⁴Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

¹⁵For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. ¹⁶For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

¹⁷For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; ¹⁸While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Introduction:

It is easy for us to get caught up in the pronouns “we, us, and you.” In so doing, we can miss the point of this passage. The pronouns are important. They make it clear “who” was suffering at that time, and “who” was being encouraged by those who suffered.

Philippians 1:29 says suffering is a God-given part of the Christian life, as a whole. (Yes, that includes us!) And, in 2^nd Corinthians 1:3-11, we saw some of the reasons for suffering as believers.

But, here, we see the apostles’ perspective regarding their own suffering, as it related to their progeny in Christ. We see how it affected those whom they taught and encouraged. Paul knew that how he responded to suffering would have a direct impact on the lives of the other disciples. His example, and that of the other apostles, would give those who came after them (including present-day believers…us!) a template upon which to model their own lives and deaths.

So, we see that “we,” here. includes Paul and his associates, but we also see that it may apply directly to us. Some may not suffer much, by comparison. Others are under constant attack, or under threat of persecution or death.

But all believers have this as part of our heritage in Christ. (…unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ…) Notice it is “given”…not dumped on us as the act of a capricious deity, but as the gift of a sovereign God who encourages us to respond well to hard times.

Earthen Vessels

The apostles did not see themselves as something special. Notice, in 1^st Corinthians 3:5-9, that Paul made the disclaimer that neither he nor Apollos were anything. He reminded the readers that it is God who causes growth, and who quickens people’s hearts to hear the Gospel.

⁵Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

⁶I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

⁷So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

⁸Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

⁹For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

Jesus said, in John 15:5, “Apart from Me ye can do nothing.” And, He meant exactly that!

Why Earthen Vessels?

As we taught last week, it is the treasure inside the earthen vessels that makes them priceless before God.

We are not “shiny objects,” attractive to the world. We only reflect God’s light, which simultaneously exposes sin in the world and offers life to all who receive it. (Birds, squirrels and other critters frequently grab shiny objects, just because they are shiny. They get no practical use out of your earring, or car key. It was just shiny, so they grabbed it and took it away to their nest.

The world does not see God’s light as something glittering and attractive. Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. ²¹But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

So, when people of the world see a common clay pot, glowing with something “out of the ordinary,” they may reject the light they see leaking out of the common clay vessel. But some may be drawn to the light, seeing that the person they are observing is nobody special, but whatever it is they appear to have, is special!

Neither Paul nor Apollos claimed to be anything special: They just allowed God to freely use them as tools in His hand.

Trouble on Every Side!

The apostles did not have easy lives. They did not get treated like royalty, but rather were frequently derided or attacked by those who despised the message. Paul said,

“ ⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. ¹¹For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

The reason God allowed the apostles to suffer, was to demonstrate His own sufficiency. It did not take a “super-saint” to live the Christian life. It took men and women with the humility and courage to present themselves as saved sinners, with nothing of value to offer, except the Person of Christ: Paul said “We preach Christ Crucified!” He went on to point out that to the Jews, (and other religious individuals who think they are too good to need a Savior) it is an offensive message. To Gentiles (or to anyone who thinks they are too smart to need a God,) it is a foolish message. They laugh at it as a story for the ignorant masses.

God’s Chosen Example

But the example God has chosen to use is the persecuted church. Historically, under persecution, the church grows strong and vital. It becomes a more vibrant, joyous organism. It attracts people who see the reality of the risen Christ in those who endure suffering, persecution, and general hardship, and who respond well to the test. They are drawn to them, because they recognize that it is a supernatural relationship, bearing supernatural fruit in a normal, common, human being.

Some of the apostles were imprisoned before the end of the book of Acts. At least one (James) was executed, quite early. The others, one by one, were all eventually slaughtered for their faith, according to extra-biblical traditions and history. John may be the sole counterexample. But some historians claim that he, too, eventually was taken from exile and killed.

¹²So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Death was demonstrated in the apostles, for the benefit of the church which saw their example of faith and followed that example, pursuing a similar lifestyle. The deaths of the apostles drew others to live for Jesus, as they saw the reality of the life of Christ lived out in the apostles.

The Spirit of Faith

That Spirit of Faith is what keeps us going in the face of distress. He motivates us to speak when it is uncomfortable to speak.

Two Examples

When Pat James told the young fellow that the only One with the authority to declare where his dad was, after Death, was God. And therefore, it simply did not matter what Pat thought. What mattered was what God said! Was that a “pleasant thing” to have to tell a neighbor? No. it truly was not! But Pat was faithful to go ahead and tell the truth. Why? Because he believed it! He spoke and it was not very well received. But it was the truth, and Pat was faithful to speak.

On another occasion, a person who once attended church here, and who had always acted completely cheerful and friendly, met Pat on the street, here in Forest Grove. The man was confined to a motorized wheelchair, but he always seemed completely sunny and cheerful.

However, when they met on the street, that day, it was the morning after a particular president had been elected. Pat, along with most conservatives, was feeling pretty glum. The man in the wheelchair joyfully asked, “Aren’t you happy about the election results?”

Pat quietly replied, “No, not really.” The man then demanded, “Don’t you want [that candidate] for president??” Pat again answered, quietly, “No, not really!” And the man was instantly furious; incensed, cursing at Pat, and threatening to get out of his wheelchair and attack him!

Pat backed out of his reach, saying, “No, I am not going to be in the news tomorrow, as ‘the pastor who attacked a crippled guy’!” Then he simply walked away. And, unsurprisingly, the man never came back to church.

Is it Easy?

Was that exchange happy for Pat? No, it was sad and shocking, and depressing. Did he tell the truth? Yes! Did he say anything wrong? No. He gave a simple direct answer to an aggressively direct question, without adding any explanation or political posturing. And he was reviled, rejected, and threatened with bodily harm.

Under the circumstances, Pat set the best example he could have: He had already spoken the truth of the Gospel in church, in his attacker’s hearing. He had no reason to expect that kind of abuse. But the man demonstrated the “bad news” of sin and hatred, in the face of someone who had consistently demonstrated the Good News of Grace and Forgiveness.

Pat knew that he was serving Jesus, and he knew that his words and actions would have a long-tern effect. I can look back and realize that many of Pat’s experiences were ultimately for our benefit. He was not discouraged to the point of collapse. He just pressed on to do the will of His Master. And, as Paul said, his inner man was renewed day by day!

Conclusion: Our “Light Affliction…”

Our light affliction works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory. The way for us to see life from that perspective is laid out right here in verse 18: We are not to focus on visible, temporal things, but to remember and rejoice in the invisible, eternal things God has in store for us.

We struggle with that, because we have a lifetime of experience, focusing on the visible and temporal. It takes effort and practice, to learn to consistently focus on the things of God.

And that is what we are advocating here at church. We are not entertaining one another: we are encouraging one another to turn our eyes upon Jesus and to learn to walk with Him.

Lord Jesus, we ask that You would do just that: Encourage our hearts, and lead us to faithfully serve and consistently walk with you.

June 6, 2026June 6, 2026

Here’s a Good Question: Why Did Moses’s Skin Glow?

Why Did Moses’s Skin Glow?

Exodus 34:29-35 (Read it!) Compare 2^nd Corinthians 3:7-18

“⁷But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his ⁸How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

⁹For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

¹⁰For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. ¹¹For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

¹²Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: ¹³And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

¹⁴But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. ¹⁵But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. ¹⁶Nevertheless when it (their heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

¹⁷Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

¹⁸But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Introduction:

There are some strange things in the Bible…mysterious at first glance, and sometimes still mysterious, no matter how we study, trying to understand.

For instance, it is difficult when we try to understand the triune nature of God. The Bible teaches that He eternally exists in three separate persons. Each of the three is individually (and co-equally with the other two), God. And yet, together, they are literally One God…not three. We hear Jesus say that the Father is greater than all. 1^st Corinthians 15:24-28 says , after the Great White Throne Judgment, Jesus will hand over to His Father the Eternal Kingdom. But…Isaiah 9:6 says that one of the Son‘s names is “the Everlasting Father!“

Sorry! That one remains mysterious!

Others turn out to be pretty simple. We easily discovered the reason David took precisely five stones from the brook when he went to face Goliath. The Giant had four brothers! That is still mind-boggling! To David, (if God is on your side) in order to fight five Giants, you only need five rocks!

**But, Why did Moses’s Face Glow, or Shine?**

So, why did Moses’s face shine or glow, when he returned from talking with God in Person? Is this an exaggeration? We sometimes say that certain people seem to “glow with good health, or with happiness.” That is not the same.

Moses was shining in a way that terrified the people, so that they were afraid to be near him. So, was he radioactive, or, in some way exuding dangerous radiation? If that were it, then veiling his face would not diminish the danger, but only mask it. All we know is that Moses was physically glowing and he did not know it. And, once he knew the problem, he understood why the people feared his presence. He hung a cloth over his face to hide the glow.

What was the source of the Light? Did he develop some sort of bioluminescence? Like a glow-worm, or a firefly? No! It was not a natural phenomenon at all! The simple and mysterious truth? He had been with Jesus.

The Apostles Glowed in a Different Way

In Acts 4:13, 14, we see a hint of how that works today. “¹³Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

Philippians 2:15, 16 says that we are to shine as lights in a dark world, and offer the Word of Life. That is what the Apostles were doing. They were shining, and offering the Word of Life!

They had “been with Jesus” before the Holy Spirit came. Exactly the same amount of time as in Acts chapter 4. But they had not been shining…they were hiding! If we are not walking with Jesus: If we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to shine through us, then we are not shining, either.

We look like pretty dim bulbs, because we are afraid to cheerfully shine the Glory of God in our lives and words. Or, perhaps we have become discouraged, and don’t feel that we can shine.

But Jesus commanded us to allow our light to shine in such a way that other people see the change in our lives, and can glorify God because of what they see.

Matthew 5:14-16

¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 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.

In John 8:12, speaking of Himself, He said, “I am the light of the World: He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” Why did Jesus say that we are the light of the world?

I hope you are starting to see a possible answer.

Where Does the Light Originate?

If we go all the way back to Genesis 1:3, we see that God Himself was the original source of light. John 1:4 tells a similar story, saying “In Him (the Word…Jesus) was life and the life was the light of Men.”

If we see God as the ultimate source of light in the world (all light, physical and spiritual: moral and intellectual) then the whole question begins to become clear.

Moses had been in the immediate physical presence of the ultimate source of light. God had temporarily “charged” Moses with, or filled him with, that light. He continued to radiate it after he had left the immediate presence of God.

The Apostles had been in the physical and relational presence of the Living Word, Jesus, the True Light of the World, for more than three years. The moral and intellectual light of His Person shone through them. It astonished the adversaries, and shut their mouths. All they could do is recognize that the Apostles “had been with Jesus.”

What is the Result of the Light?

Jesus told His disciples, in the Sermon on the Mount, that they were the light of the world. Like a city set upon a hill, they were not to be a hidden value. The light should be visible. And the light that came from God through them would be a witness to the world around them: It would shine and bring glory to God, regardless of people’s individual responses to the Light.

Remember the story about the lantern in the barn: J. Vernon McGee told how as a child, he carried a lantern into the dark barn, as he went to feed the livestock. When he entered the door, two things happened: The rats, scavenging for food on the barn floor, scattered, hiding from the light. The birds, roosting in the rafters mistook the light for sunrise and they began to sing. The same light brought two utterly different responses. Both responses testify to the light!

What About Israel?

Paul says they saw the light and they hid from it. Moses had to put on a veil, so that they would not see the glory of God, even though it was fading. And Paul goes on to say that the same veil is there today, when they read the Old Testament. They are judicially blind to the light of God. Remember that the veil in the temple was torn in two and it opens the way for us all. They have not taken advantage of that open door, as a nation and as a people. Romans 11:25 confirms this, saying that blindness has come upon Israel in part, until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in.

2^nd Corinthians 3:14-17 says, ¹⁴But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. ¹⁵But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. ¹⁶Nevertheless when it (their heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. ¹⁷Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

So, when the nation of Israel turns its collective heart back to God, the veil will be taken away, and they will be free at last.

What About Us?

How do we fit into this picture? To begin with, we also seek to be the disciples of Jesus. So, his teaching regarding how the disciples were to live would be applicable to us as well. Philippians 2:15, 16 confirms that connection. (Not everything directed to the original disciples is directed to us…Passages like Philippians help us to see which ones are directed to us, and not just to the original disciples.)

He definitely calls us to shine in the World. And we can see that the source of the light has to be Jesus, the Living Word of God. We can also see that the people in the Bible whom everyone saw as “having been with Jesus” were those who had “been with Jesus.”

Moses had been with Jesus! The Apostles had been with Jesus. Stephen, being stoned to death, was shining, and everyone could see it: He not only had been walking with Jesus and speaking for Jesus…He could see Jesus standing to receive him! And they killed him!

**But, What about Us?**

If we are not deliberately seeking the Presence of the Living God in the Person of the Risen Christ, and meditating on the Written Word as we seek to know the Living Word, then we cannot expect to see His Light Permeating our lives.

Years ago, we talked about how, in the wintertime, the headlamps on our vehicles often become spattered with road grime until their light is very dim. We have a difficult time seeing the road. Others may find it difficult to clearly see us, at night. Why is this happening? The electric “fire” inside those lamps has not failed. But, through neglect, or by simple rough use, and severe conditions, the lenses have become so muddy that the light cannot shine through.

Why might we fail to shine?

Our lives are similar in some respects. We need to consistently be watchful, and aware of when we fail to follow, and fail to shine. God calls us to confess our sins, so that He can cleanse us and we can once again shine for Jesus.

The Holy Spirit; God indwelling us, has not changed. His Holiness and Love and Light are still shining, eternally unchanged. But we have allowed the World and our own fleshly fears and follies to dirty, darken, discourage, and dim us until that light is hard to see. We can hardly see it ourselves, let alone others seeing Him in us.

So, here is our hope: 1^st John 3:2

“²Beloved, now are we the sons (“Children:” Greek word is “tekna,” meaning “offspring”) of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

Folks…I truly want to be like Jesus, but until I see Him face to face, it isn’t going to fully happen. All I can do in this life is to keep focused on the little that I do see of Him, shining through His Word, and in the lives of Godly people around me. The more consistently I seek His face, the more consistently others will have to conclude, “He has been with Jesus!”

Lord Jesus, please grip our hearts with the urgency of Your call to Discipleship. Help us to daily seek Your Face, and be transformed into Your likeness, Shining with Your Light.

April 25, 2026April 25, 2026

How to Know From God’s Word Why Jesus Wept

Why did Jesus Weep?

John 11:32-37 (Cp. Romans 12:15; Hebrews 4:15, 16)

³²Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. ³³When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. ³⁴And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

³⁵Jesus wept.

³⁶Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! ³⁷And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

Introduction

We often hear about John 11:35 being the “shortest verse in the Bible.” That is true, of course. But it doesn’t seem to have much bearing on what it means for us as believers. Who cares that it is the shortest? That fact is interesting, perhaps, but, in itself it is meaningless. The content of every verse is what we need. What does it say, and what does it mean? And, ultimately, how can I apply it to my own life?

In the context of Lazarus’ death and the grief of his family and friends, Jesus weeping means much more. Did grief overwhelm Jesus also, at having lost His friend? That seems unlikely, since He knew He was about to raise him back to normal life. It seems far more likely that Jesus wept for the grief that the others were experiencing.

Get The Whole Context!

Remember, back in verses 1-14, we saw that Jesus knew all about what was going on in Bethany. Though he was a long distance away, He knew that Lazarus was sick. He knew that it would ultimately not result in death, (v.4) but in His own glorification. Jesus waited two days after hearing the news that Lazarus was sick. Lazarus would not have “just died” when Jesus arrived. He waited that long so that no one had any doubt about his death. So that Lazarus would have been dead long enough that his body would have begun to decay!

Then He told His disciples that He was going back to Judaea. They were afraid the Rulers of the Temple might kill Him. He finally explained to them that Lazarus was dead, and that He, Jesus, was going to “awaken” him. They were still pretty anxious about going back, to a town so close to Jerusalem, but they all went along.

When Jesus initially arrived, the majority of the people he met were his friends. They told Him, “Lord, if you had been here, Lazarus would not have died.” To one another, they said, “This man could heal the blind. Couldn’t he have prevented the death of His friend?” So, we can see that many of them had at least a rudimentary faith in His ability to heal.

What about Death itself?

The issue they were all struggling with, was “Why didn’t you save his life?” But it had not yet occurred to any of them that Jesus could actually raise the dead, except Martha, who seemed to have a glimmer of an idea that Jesus could ask God to bring Lazarus back from the dead. (See verse 22: She said, “Even now, whatsoever you will ask of God, God will give it to you.”)

**Can God Raise The Dead?**

So, the next question is, “How far does Jesus, the Messiah’s Authority really extend? Can He raise the dead?” We know that this is not the first time God raised the dead. In 1^st Kings 17:17-24, we see that the Widow’s son at Zarephath had died, and Elijah asked God to restore him. God honored the request and raised the boy back to life.

2^nd Kings 4:1-37 tells of Elisha, the protégé of Elijah, and another child God raised from the dead. And, at the end of Elisha’s life, long after his death, in 2^nd Kings 13:20, 21, we see some men sent out to bury the corpse of a dead man. But, because the gravediggers saw a band of raiders coming, they hurriedly let the man’s body down into the grave of Elisha.

The result must have been a shocking experience to those men: When the corpse touched the bones of Elisha, it sprang back to life. (I especially enjoy this story: I can imagine the men who attempting to do the burying, running back to the city walls to escape the raiders, and looking back to see the dead man running with them. I’ll bet they really ran, then!)

Finally, Ezekiel 37: Though it was a vision, it still spoke of God’s authority to bring back those who had long ago died. In that particular case, it referred to the resurrection of the Jews as a nation, both physically and spiritually.

But; Can Jesus Raise the Dead?

So, the concept of God raising the dead was not new. But none of them had ever seen it, and now they would see whether Jesus actually possessed the authority He claimed. That is the real question: “Does Jesus truly have the Authority He claims to have?”

We still ask that question today: “Can Jesus really take care of me and my family? Is His blood really sufficient to take away all my sins? How sure am I, really, that everything He says is really true?”

Jesus wants us to be sure. He wants us to know that we have eternal life, now. 1^st John 5:11-13 says that He wants us to know that we have eternal life… not to hope, or just persuade ourselves, or something. He wants us to know it.

The Widow of Zarephath had already believed that Elijah was a man of God. She agreed to make the small cake of bread for him. He promised that her little barrel of meal and her little jar of oil would not run out until the famine was past. And it didn’t!

But then her son died. She immediately reproached Elijah, in grief and anger. But he took the dead child from her, and carried him up to the loft where he was living. He prayed for God to “return his soul to his body.” And God did so. Her response was “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the Word of the LORD in thy mouth is Truth!”

God wants us to be that sure!

How Can We Experience Eternal Life?

We know from the Old Testament stories that God is completely capable of getting us safely home to Himself. We believe that His authority carries beyond the grave. But He wants us to be sure, not only that we already have eternal life through faith in the shed blood of Jesus: He also wants us to be secure in the knowledge that He is with us now, and can carry us through all of the trials of life and through death itself. This is not a “pie in the sky when you die” idea. He calls us to experience that Eternal Life in the here and now!

In John 17:3, Jesus said “ And this is Eternal Life: that they may know thee, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” The word translated as “know,” here, is the Greek word, “ginosko,” meaning “experiential knowledge.” It is not just “knowing a lot about a person.” It means having an ongoing, living, growing relationship with that person. If we are to experience eternal life today, then we need to be in that ongoing, experiential relationship with Jesus.

We can “have” eternal life, because we have placed our faith in His completed work at the Cross…faith in His shed blood for our sins. But to experience it in a real, everyday way, we need to be walking with Him.

Seeing the Dead Raised

We might think, “Well, why doesn’t God raise the dead today, and make everyone believe?” There were enemies who saw Jesus raise Lazarus. The experience did not persuade them to place their faith in Jesus. No! They plotted to kill him! And, in the next chapter, it occurred to them that they had better include Lazarus in the bargain: (“Gotta kill him too, or people will believe in Jesus anyway!”)

In Luke 16:19-31, we see the story of the “other Lazarus.” In it, the dead rich man argued that “if they see someone raised from the dead, they will believe!” Abraham answered, “If they will not believe Moses and the Prophets, neither will they believe, though one be raised from the dead.” This passage in John 11, and 12 is clear proof of that truth! Those who rebelled against Jesus were determined to oppose him despite having seen undeniable proof of His deity!

How does it Help Us, to Know that Jesus Wept?

Compassion should have been strong in every priest.

In the Old Testament, it is easy to see that some of the human High Priests were not very compassionate. And the High Priest at that moment, when Jesus was raising the dead, was Caiaphas. He was leading the group that wanted Jesus murdered! (How “compassionate” was that?)

In Exodus 28:29-30, God called the High Priest to carry the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders and on his heart. Leviticus 16:1-6 says that the High Priest had to offer a sacrifice for his own sins, before he could minister as the mediator for the people. Hebrews 5:1-3 confirms that the High Priest is supposed to “have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are ‘out of the way,’ specifically because he himself is surrounded by his own infirmity.” And that was just about the human high priests. They were flawed individuals themselves! And they were to have compassion upon others for that very reason.

Jesus Is The Perfect High Priest

And, in Hebrews 4:15, 16, we see that “We do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” I often point out that “our feelings are not always an accurate reflection of reality.” That is certainly true, but the fact remains that the feelings themselves are a reality that we have to deal with! And Jesus is aware of our feelings and is compassionate toward us in our frailties.

Jesus had no sin, but He suffered as though He were just like any other human. He felt the grief of the people, and “wept with those who wept,” genuinely feeling their grief, and sharing in it for their sake. He did not just say, “Chin up! This too shall pass!” Nor did He utter any other such inane platitudes: He wept with them because of their grief, even though He knew He was about to bring them indescribable Joy.

God Calls Us To Join Jesus In His Priesthood

Jesus is the True High Priest… but every believer is called to serve as a priest in the Body of Christ. We are to be His hands and feet and heart in our lifetime, here on Earth, reaching out to those around us in genuine compassion.

This is part of the unity of the church: we are all part of the Body of Christ. And when one part of the body is injured, it affects the whole body to one degree or another. Every living body exhibits this care for itself. If my back itches, for example, my body contorts itself to reach and scratch it. If a toe is injured, the whole body responds to protect that toe by limping or hobbling along, avoiding further injury. We are to care for one another at that level, spiritually and emotionally, as well as physically.

Compassion is Required in Disciples

Romans 12:15 clearly commands us to “Weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice.” This is not a command to “pretend” grief or “pretend’ joy. It is a command to extend our hearts to the needs of those around us, to the extent that we feel their sorrow as our own and we feel their joy as our own. Ultimately, of course, that makes us pretty vulnerable to being hurt. But it also opens us up to experiencing the blessing of God flowing through us to those who are hurting, in the world around us.

If we are genuinely caring about the needs of those around us, then, as Jesus did, we will often find ourselves weeping in sympathy with those who weep, and experiencing the joy of those who rejoice.

Lord Jesus, open our hearts to be like You, caring deeply for those around us, and deeply, genuinely empathizing with them as You demonstrated in Your life. Help us to demonstrate the Agape Love so that the World will see Your face in us.

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 14, 2026February 14, 2026

How To Understand What The Bible Teaches about Tongues

What about Tongues? (Part 1)

1^st Corinthians 14:1-28, 39-40

¹Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

²For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

You may see that the word “unknown” is in italics in your Bible. That is because, in every case, the adjective “unknown” is not in the original language. It only means a language the speaker has not learned.

³But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

⁴He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. ⁵I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

⁶Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

Non-living Examples

⁷And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

⁸For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

⁹So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

¹⁰There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

¹¹Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

¹²Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

¹³Wherefore let him that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue pray that he may interpret.

¹⁴For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

¹⁵What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

¹⁶Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned (has not learned that language) say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

¹⁷For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

¹⁸I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

How Did Paul Use Tongues?

I do not know how Paul was using this gift. Dr. McGee thinks he used it to preach the Gospel. But there is zero evidence in the Bible that God ever used the gift of tongues in evangelism. Rather, He used it in praising God, magnifying God, and speaking the wonderful works of God.

Most of the places Paul went already spoke Greek. This was the result of the Grecian empire expansion from 400 years earlier. The conquerors introduced the Greek culture and language wherever they went. The empire included all of the Grecian peninsula, Northward into what is now Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, and all of Turkey. It reached southward into the Northeastern section of Egypt. Then it reached Eastward across the entirety of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Iran, and even deeply into Northwest India.

Everywhere he went, Alexander named cities after himself, and left soldiers there to govern the areas. It was all in the Greek language, with the result that Greek culture and language deeply affected a huge area…in fact, ALL of the areas in which Paul would later preach. My assumption is that he was speaking in Greek, wherever he went.

Speaking With Understanding

¹⁹Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.

²⁰Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

²¹In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

This prophecy (Isaiah 28:11, 12) is that Gentiles would bring the Gospel back to the Jews in their various languages. They would testify to Israel of the Truth of God’s Word, and His Righteous, Holy Character, and His Messiah. And the Jews would still reject the message. History has continually fulfilled that prophecy .

A Sign

²²Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

²³If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

²⁴But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: ²⁵And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

²⁶How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

²⁷If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

²⁸But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Introduction:

As I have said before, I do not see in scripture a definite time when tongues will cease. I only see that they will. The closest thing I have, declaring when, is 1^st Corinthians 13:8-12. So far as I see, the “Perfect,” in verse 10 is the return of the Lord Jesus at the end of the tribulation. It is the beginning of the Kingdom age. And, it has not happened. So, if the gift has ceased, I can’t prove it and I can’t say when it happened.

Over the years, you all probably have figured out, I really do not like to cite extrabiblical sources as authoritative. However, I will briefly do so, here. In studying this chapter, I looked to some commentaries. Why? Because this chapter is confusing, even when I try to read it in context with the rest of scripture.

The Continuing Question: Have Tongues Ceased?

I consider only God’s Word to be completely authoritative, however, speaking historically, Dr. J. Vernon McGee quoted John Chrysostom. (He was an early church father at the end of the fourth century, from AD 347-407.) He wrote, regarding chapter 14, and the matter of tongues. “This whole passage is very obscure, but the obscurity arises from our ignorance of the facts described, which, though familiar to those to whom the apostle wrote, have ceased to occur.”

It is interesting that from that early church father’s perspective, the gift of tongues had already faded out of existence. And the gift ceased long before the time of Chrysostom. Long enough that no one was sure how the gift worked.

So, have these gifts ended? I don’t know. However, the few examples I have personally seen, of a “message in tongues” and an “interpretation,” were false.

Test the Spirits

Dr, McGee also told of a former student of his who came from a deep Roman Catholic past. As a believer, he went into a Charismatic church: One which regularly practiced “tongues and interpretation.” He stood up and recited in Latin, part of a Catholic mass. Then he sat down: And another man popped up to “interpret.” The second man gave a lengthy “interpretation,” but one which had nothing to do with what actually had just been said.

So, the first speaker stood, again. He declared that the interpretation was false. He said that what he had actually recited was the Catholic mass, in Latin! And the church’s response? The ushers hustled him out of the meeting and told him not to come back! They were not upset or disturbed by the false interpretation: They were upset because it was exposed!

I have personally known other believers who “tested the spirits” in this way, and those they exposed were also very angry. In one case, the only reason the man did so was because his relatives had been pressuring him to “try speaking in tongues.”

He was exasperated by their persistence, so he finally raised his hands and quoted a children’s poem in Pennsylvania Dutch. They were thrilled; moaning and praising God, declaring that they could “feel the Spirit moving!” But he stopped and sadly told them what he had actually said. And they were furious!

(Sorry: That sort of thing makes me very skeptical about the true source of the modern tongues movement.)

As we begin Chapter 14, I will reiterate that I see no Biblical teaching that the gift of tongues has already ceased. However, I will also say have never personally seen a genuine application of the gift, used as prescribed by God.

We See Several Things In 1^st Corinthians 14:

The gift of preaching (as described in verse 3) is far more valuable and productive than the gift of tongues.

The phenomenon of tongues (verse 22) is a sign, but it is a sign for unbelievers, not believers. We can see three major events where tongues were a sign:

Acts 2:4-14 a sign to the Jews that the Gospel is true: Jesus is the Messiah.

Acts 10:44-47 a sign to the Jews that the Gentiles were born-again saints.

Finally, Acts 19:1-9 a sign to the Jews that the message of the Gospel is true.

Notice that in each of these three cases, God gave the miracle to draw attention to the message. This is also true of the various healings. The lame man healed in Acts 3:1-11, was an undeniable miracle, but God specifically gave it to draw attention to the Gospel. When Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda, it was to draw attention to His message of the Kingdom, not just to “make the man feel better,” or to “set up shop as a healer.”

Tongues Were Real Languages

Also, please note that Acts 2:4 specifies that the disciples, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, actually spoke in these other languages. Many commentators have attempted to teach that they were all just speaking “some ecstatic heavenly language,” and the audience only heard them in their own individual languages. That is not true. Each disciple spoke in a language that he or she had not learned. The listeners heard them speak in those languages: their native languages.

Finally, 1^st Corinthians 1:22-24 states that it is primarily the Jews who demanded such signs.

Also, there evidently is (or was) a use of tongues in prayer, but this is the only place God mentioned it, so I can’t say much about it.

The use of tongues in church was limited to two or three (at most) people per service, by turns, and that was only if interpretation was given. Without interpretation, they were to keep silent.

So, How Do We Proceed?

Though God’s Word does declare certain boundaries and priorities, Paul admonished the church as a whole, in 1^st Corinthians 14:39, 40

³⁹Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. ⁴⁰Let all things be done decently and in order.

In conclusion, we do not attempt to prevent people from using the miraculous gifts (if they still exist.) But we also see a caveat. When the true gift is being used: By necessity, the True Giver has to determine how people use the gift. Otherwise, it is not God at work, but our old nature.

A Biblical Example:

The book of Numbers tells us that Balaam was a true prophet, but he sold out. When Balaam used the gift of prophecy, it truly was God speaking through him: But it did not produce what he or the Moabite king wanted to hear. So, he offered “advice” in addition to the true prophecy, as to how to cause Israel to fall into sin. And it worked! But the result was that the Moabites and Midianites were defeated, and Balaam died with them! (See Numbers 22-24, and Numbers 31:1-8)

The remainder of 1^st Corinthians 14 is dealing with the orderly form of a God-centered Church Service. We will continue to examine the remainder of the chapter in the near future.

Lord Jesus, we ask that You, as the Living Word, will guide our hearts and minds: And that You, by Your Holy Spirit, will teach us to follow Your Written Word in all things. Help us to avoid deception and distractions, and to walk with You in Truth.

February 7, 2026February 7, 2026

How do the Other Gifts Compare to the Foundation of Agapé?

Other Gifts, Compared to the Foundation of Agapé

1^st Corinthians 13:1-3, 8-13

¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

²And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

³And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

⁸Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

⁹For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

¹⁰But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

¹¹When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

¹²For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

¹³And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Introduction

We spoke about the supremacy of Agapé love in God’s valuation. We saw that Jesus’s “New Commandment” was specifically that we practice that care for one another. Finally, we saw the 15-point outline of the character of Agapé in 1^st Corinthians 13:4-8.

Now, we will back up and look at two questions:

How much value do the gifts have without Love (Agapé) and
How long will the other gifts last as compared to Agapé?

Value of the Gifts, without God’s Love

Paul lays out a very clear, and rather curt dismissal of all the gifts absent the core value of Agapé:

¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

[Only verse in the Bible that suggests (or reveals) that angelic language may be different than human languages. We are given no further information on this subject, so I am going to let it rest as stated.] The real issue? If the “gift of tongues” is there, but agapé love is not, then it is just “noise.” Maybe a thrilling noise, like a gong or cymbals or the rattle of a tambourine, but it is still just noise.

²And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Aren’t those Gifts Important?

Prophecy seems pretty important! Speaking for God is an honor and a terrific responsibility. Supernatural Wisdom that “sees through” all mysterious puzzles is also a wonderfully valuable gift. Supernatural Knowledge seems to be able to answer all questions. That seems pretty powerful as well. And supernatural Faith that can (perhaps) move mountains…. They all seem great!

But Paul says all these things amount to nothing of value, unless the Love of God is both empowering them and motivating their application. More specifically, he says that a person manifesting the gifts, but not the Love, is nothing!

³And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

He says that generous, heavy giving and personal sacrifice, too, (even including martyrdom,) are valueless without the Agapé love. The person who lives this way is investing their time and effort and money and life itself in something that has no eternal value.

**The Gifts Themselves are Not Eternal**

Paul lists some of the gifts and points out their limitations:

⁸Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

These three gifts, specifically, he says, will cease. He goes on to give us some hints about when they will cease. People argue endlessly about the time-line, but verse 12 pretty much clears up the controversy.

⁹For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

“Partial” as compared to “completion” is the issue. The Greek word translated as “perfect” is “teleios,” and it always means “complete” or “ripe” or “mature,” not “without flaw.” But usually it means complete. So, Paul contrasted our partial knowledge against complete knowledge. Prophecy has always told only part of the whole story. The fulfillment virtually always includes some sort of irony, or a twist in the tale, so to speak.

A Biblical Example: The prophet informed a rich, political official that although he would see plentiful food, the next day, he would not get to eat any of it. He undoubtedly thought, “Oh yes I will!” But when they A Biblical Example: The prophet informed a rich, political official that although he would see plentiful food, the next day, he would not get to eat any of it. He undoubtedly thought, “Oh yes I will!” But when they opened the city gates, the starving people pressed through. In their frenzy to reach the food outside the gates, they trampled that rich, arrogant man to death in the gate!

The prophecy only told the truth. It did not tell how it would be fulfilled.

What Is the “Perfect” that Shall Come?

This is a passage over which there has been a fair amount of controversy. One fairly standard reply to the question is that the “perfect” (or “complete”) here is the completion of the Bible, specifically, the completion of the New Testament.

Yet another is the completion of the Body of Christ, the Church.

Another is the second coming of Christ, Himself.

Whatever it is, we have to agree that when that “perfect” comes, there will be no more of those three gifts, at least. (Perhaps it actually applies to all the miraculous gifts.)

¹⁰But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

He doesn’t leave much room for argument on that issue. So, the main question left is “What is the “Perfect” that he predicted?”

“Growing Up” Issues

¹¹When I was a child, (Greek, “nepios”…a baby who can’t talk yet.) I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, (Greek “aner” …a man, or in some cases, a husband) I put away childish things.

Paul uses the example of a child growing up to maturity. He demonstrated that some things will be best left behind as one matures to adulthood. So, let us compare this passage to the passage in Ephesians 4:11-16, where God tells us to “grow up into Christ,” and see what He means.

Ephesians 4:13-15 says “grow up into Christ.” Paul begins by saying that all the gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11-12 will continue until the events in verses 13-15 have been completed.

He then goes on and tells us to grow up into the measure of Christ Himself, to a perfect man. If the “perfect” in 1^st Corinthians 13 is the completion of the New Testament, then the passage in Ephesians is wrong, as the office gifts in Ephesians 4:11 have not produced the Church as a completed man, in the stature of Christ. Sorry, the Church at large is far from complete, and its members are, on average, far from mature!

“New Testament Completion” Problems

If I say that the “perfect” is the completion of the New Testament, then I have to face verse 12, and ask myself, “Do I truly see Jesus, face to face? Do I know God as well as He knows me?”

¹²For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

If my answer to that is, “No!” then there are only two possible things I can say:

Either I have failed to know the written Word well enough to allow me to see the Living Word, face to face (Can that even be done?) And I must have failed to apply His Word diligently enough that I know God as well as He knows me (That sounds somewhat blasphemous, to me!)
Or, I have to admit that the completion of the New Testament is not the “Perfect” to which Paul is referring.

Church Completion problems

As we noted, the Church is neither complete nor mature, and the gifts will not be needed, by the Church, once the Church is completed and raptured. We will be with the Lord face to face! We will “know him as we are known,” etc. It all seems to fit! But the rest of the world will not know him, nor will the tribulation saints: those who come to faith during the Tribulation.

Forty years ago, someone told me that the word translated as “Perfect,” in verse ten was a feminine word. So I reasoned that it could not refer to either the Written Word of God, or to the Second Coming of the Living Word of God, as both are about Jesus, and He is fully masculine.

But they were wrong! And, as a result, I taught it wrong! I recently looked up the word for “perfect,” in the interlinear, and it is the Greek word, “teleion.” This is not to be confused with the word “teleios.” (What’s the difference?) “Teleion,” the word used in 1^st Corinthians 13:10, is masculine, NOT feminine! It cannot refer to the Church, which is the Bride of Christ.

Combine that with the dreams and visions that Israel will experience during the Tribulation, after the Church is gone, and the prophetic judgments that will be laid upon the world during that time, and we have to concede that the “perfect” cannot be the completion of the Church.

“Second Coming” Answer

The Return Of the King obviously seems a great option, simply because Jesus certainly is “perfect,” both in the sense of being flawless, Holy, etc., and in the sense of “completed.”

Also, we realize that after His return, there will be no more need for prophecy or tongues or special gifts of knowledge, because every living human will have seen Him face to face, and “The knowledge of the LORD will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9)

And, yes, the entire Body of Christ will be “All Grown Up!”

Combine that truth with the fact that the noun translated as “Perfect” in verse ten is masculine, and we can see that the Personal Return of Jesus, to reign in Jerusalem as the immortal King, is what the “perfect” has to be.

So, What will Remain?

Some things will remain, even after the Return of Christ:

¹³And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Faith, Hope and Love will remain after the Kingdom begins. There will still be people born who will reject faith, and secretly hate the Lord. They will be revealed at the end of the Kingdom age. But believers will still be saved by faith, and they will hope in the final fulfillment of God’s Word. They will Love the Lord with agapé love, and love those around them in the same manner.

But Evangelism will no longer happen. The knowledge of the Lord will be complete. People will still have to decide whether they will enter into a faith relationship with Him, but they will all know who He is.

So, What Should We Do With This Information?

To begin with, I think the principle in Matthew 6:33 applies. “But, seek ye first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” I entered into a permanent relationship with Him by His Grace, through faith. That placed me into His kingdom, and into His body, the Church, but it also implanted in me His righteousness. Not “something I do,” but rather, “all that He did!” 2^nd Corinthians 5:21 says that “He (who knew no sin) became sin for us, that we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him.”

Philippians 3:9 says that we need to be found “in Him,” “…not having my own righteousness,” which is by the Law (by our works,) “but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

We need to learn to walk with Jesus in such a way that our works conform to His, by Faith and by Love. This gives us great assurance of Hope, knowing that we are aligned with His Love.

Lord Jesus, Please free us from our slavery to sin, and pride, and public opinion. Lift us up, every day, to continue walking with 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.

How To Establish Your Priorities as a Believer

2nd Corinthians 5:8-11

Introduction:

So, How Does God Save Sinners?

But, What About The Future?

So, As Believers, How Does the Rebirth Change Our Priorities? (v. 8, 9)

What About the Judgment Seat of Christ? (v. 10)

All the Judgments are Fearful to Consider:

Original Judgment

Judgment of Sin at the Cross

Judgement Seat of Christ (Judgment of Believers’ Works.)

Judgement of the Living Nations

The Great White Throne Judgment

Therefore, Knowing the Terror of the Lord, We Persuade Men

We are made manifest unto God; and also made manifest in your consciences.

Discipleship is a Matter of Life and Death

Philippians 1:29

2nd Corinthians 4:7-18

Introduction:

Why Earthen Vessels?

Trouble on Every Side!

God’s Chosen Example

The Spirit of Faith

Two Examples

Is it Easy?

Conclusion: Our “Light Affliction…”

Why Did Moses’s Skin Glow?

Exodus 34:29-35 (Read it!) Compare 2nd Corinthians 3:7-18

Introduction:

But, Why did Moses’s Face Glow, or Shine?

The Apostles Glowed in a Different Way

Matthew 5:14-16

Where Does the Light Originate?

What is the Result of the Light?

What About Israel?

What About Us?

But, What about Us?

Why might we fail to shine?

Why did Jesus Weep?

John 11:32-37 (Cp. Romans 12:15; Hebrews 4:15, 16)

Introduction

Get The Whole Context!

What about Death itself?

Can God Raise The Dead?

But; Can Jesus Raise the Dead?

How Can We Experience Eternal Life?

Seeing the Dead Raised

How does it Help Us, to Know that Jesus Wept?

Compassion should have been strong in every priest.

Jesus Is The Perfect High Priest

God Calls Us To Join Jesus In His Priesthood

Compassion is Required in Disciples

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?

What about Tongues? (Part 1)

1st Corinthians 14:1-28, 39-40

Non-living Examples

How Did Paul Use Tongues?

Speaking With Understanding

A Sign

Introduction:

The Continuing Question: Have Tongues Ceased?

Test the Spirits

We See Several Things In 1st Corinthians 14:

Tongues Were Real Languages

So, How Do We Proceed?

A Biblical Example:

1st Corinthians 13:1-3, 8-13

Introduction

Value of the Gifts, without God’s Love

Aren’t those Gifts Important?

The Gifts Themselves are Not Eternal

2^nd Corinthians 5:8-11

**Therefore, Knowing the Terror of the Lord, We Persuade Men**

**Discipleship is a Matter of Life and Death**

2^nd Corinthians 4:7-18

Exodus 34:29-35 (Read it!) Compare 2^nd Corinthians 3:7-18

**But, Why did Moses’s Face Glow, or Shine?**

**But, What about Us?**

**Can God Raise The Dead?**

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

1^st Corinthians 14:1-28, 39-40

We See Several Things In 1^st Corinthians 14:

1^st Corinthians 13:1-3, 8-13

**The Gifts Themselves are Not Eternal**

**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**