The Carpenter's Chapel (4)

[following-Him]

Jim,

Now that I know that I feel happier about contributing. There are times when something has come to me regarding a devotional later in the day, but I didn't like to come back to it.

Thank you and God Bless

Sheila

 

[Jim1999]

Sheila,

Feel free, my friend. Since I started both devotionals, it has always been my intent to encourage involvement. This is how we grow.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I agree Jim. I would love to see more involvement in the devotionals. Sharing is one of the best ways of learning, and I think Galatians 6v6 supports that when it talks about those who are taught "communicating" with those who teach.

 

[Watchman]

Sunday May 23, 2004

"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."
(Mark 9:41)

Giving a cup of water to a needy brother or sister in Christ seems, on the surface, to be such a small, even insignificant act. Yet to the Lord, it is a very important deed which one day will be rewarded. Our Lord will not overlook, or dismiss as trivial, acts of mercy done in His name. Scripture bears this out.

God will not forget. "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
(Hebrews 6:10)

There is a danger here that the workman for Christ would get discouraged, feeling that what they are doing is really insignificant and doesn't really matter. Paul addresses this issue in 1Corinthians chapter 12:
"If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,' is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,' is it therefore not of the body?" (vv. 15,16)
If the Lord Jesus has a person as the Church custodian, shall he say, "Because I am not the Pastor, what I do is not important?" Not according to Paul:
"No, much rather, those members which seem to be weaker are necessary." (v.22)
Missionaries do great work for the Lord. However, if it were not for those, at the bottom, so to speak; that is, the individual Church members giving prayer and financial support, there would be no missionaries.

In Matthew 25 saints are rewarded by Christ for giving aid and comfort to those who have been greatly persecuted:
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was in prison and you came to me.'"
(vv 34-36)

Whether in this age or in time to come, our gracious God will give rewards to those who do even the smallest acts of kindness, like giving a cup of water in the Lord's name.

All that has been said here has been to Christians, and the rewards are what the Lord Jesus Christ will give at the judgement seat of Christ. My friends, if you are reading this and you are not one of His, if you hear His voice, come to Him repenting and confessing now. While Christians earn rewards for works done for Christ's glory, the unsaved person cannot merit God's favor; that is, earn salvation. Many have been led astray by this error, do not let this be your fate.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Amen! Perfect timing - I am preaching this morning from Galatians 6v7-10 and your thoughts fit right in!

"Let us not be reap in well doing...as much as lieth in you do good to all men.."

God sure is good!

 

[Jim1999]

Amen and amen.

I had a chap in one church wo was illiterate. Ge worked shifts and almost invariably, he worked Saturday evening. He came to church Sunday morning, without sleep, without shaving and without a shower. But he was always there. If something needed to be done in the church; he was there. If you needed someone to talk with; he was always there. What a valuable jewel in the kingdom he was....Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling...he was always there.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[following-Him]

Amen. I pray that the Lord will make me more aware of other people's needs.

Thank you Watchman.

Roger, are your sermons recorded ?

 

[Dan Todd]

Excellent message Charles.

I echo the thoughts of the other devotional writers - I too like your interaction!

Dan

 

[Jim1999]

Monday, May 24, 2004

1 Corinthians 7

To-day is Memorial Day in he USA and it is Victoria Day in Canada. May both countries take time to relax, enjoy the day, and remember your country and your God.

In this chapter, Paul is answering the questions the Corinthian church had about marriage. What we see here is a lesson on equality. Husband and wife have equal responsibilities and they are interdependent with each other. He is talking about marriage, but he is still addressing the issues of fornication. "It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. In verse 3 he reaffirms the loyalty to one another. In Timothy we have more details as it relates to headship, but here he keeps the message personal and generic. How important a message for to-day with the rate of divorcement reaching such high levels even amongs twice-born believers. I like the word used in the KJV, "benevolence" My Oxford dictionary describes benevolence as "wishing to do good; active, friendly and helpful." This is not a passive role. We are to be active in our relationship. In marriage counselling, I have found so many couples have come to the place where they give up, and then they come for intervention counselling. My first step, after individual sessions, so that I can determine the actual problem, is to have each person write down a list of likes and don't likes side by each. I then have them cross off the unimportant things and the things that they can work with. In doing this, they realize the trivialities that have become a barrier to their love. They haven't fallen out of love, but they have circumvented benevolence. D.L. Moody wrote: "Religion is a plant that will die without watering. Ungodliness is a weed which grows without planting, and which will not die without being plucked up." A marriage is a plant that requires watering. Neglect it and it will surely die. Benevolence. We can address some of the little things that divide couples. I had one couple that had actually separated. You know what it boiled down to? The tapping of a fork on the edge of a plate! Rather than discussing this act, it was allowed to fester and grow into a huge problem and it magnified everythig else. The Love was neglected; it was not watered and it had almost died. Benevolence. When a dirty person in rags and hungry shows up at the mission, we do not address the physical needs and wants such as bodily cleanliness. We feed the body. We look after the immediate need. The person can then discuss other matters in relative comfort. They are ready to listen. We show benevolece. If each member of the marriage bond can address benevolence, everything else will be drawn into line.

We can approach spiritual matters much the same in our personal lives. We have a relationsip with the Lord Jesus Christ, and we have a benevolent God. He first loved us and died for us. The garden has been sown, and we are duty bound to water it, tend it and make sure it is developing. If we do not nurture our new life, we are no better than fornicators in the physical realm. We have fornicated against Christ.

Let us be certain that our personal relationsip with our partner is on a benevolent level; that we are active in this regard. It is our duty to love. On the same hand, let us not neglect our spiritual relationship and not fall into sin against our God.

I heard the words of a country song this weekend. Now I am not a fan of this style of music, but the words caught my attention. "In my daughter's eyes, I see what I want to be..." Here the singer doesn't only see herself in her offspring, but sees what she wants to be. Isn't this a lovely thought for the Christian life? In my Lord's eyes, I see what I want to be....It must be an active thought flowing through to fruition.

Lord Jesus, lead us, each one, to that place where we want to following in your image and actively seek to be one with You.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Dan Todd]

Some good ideas on marriage - worth using! Thanks Jim!

 

[Watchman]

Thank You Jim.
Somewhere I heard that, "Loving relationships work, because there is no work."
After all these years of marriage I can say of that statement: what a bunch of balooney!

 

[Watchman]

Tuesday May 25, 2004

"But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'"
(Luke 10:29)

This question was asked by a "lawyer" (one who specialized in the interpretation and application of the commandments contained in the Old Testament) in response to Jesus' affirmation that the greatest commandments of the law were, first, to love God (Deut 6:5), and second, to love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18).

The Lord Jesus answered his question by telling the famous parable of the good Samaritan, concluding by saying, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37.)
From this parable are derived some important principles concerning neighbors and what it means to love them.
In the first place, a neighbor is not necessarily someone whose home is near ours, or even one who is an acquaintance. The Samaritan had never met the traveler who had been robbed and wounded, nor was he even a fellow countryman.
Secondly, a neighbor is not necessarily one who has been very well liked in the past. Consider John 4 verse 9:
"Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is that you, being a Jew, ask a drink of me, a Samaritan woman?" For the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans.

However, there were three criteria which, in the mind of Christ, did make him a neighbor:
(1) He was someone whose path had crossed that of the Samaritan;
(2)He had a real need;
(3) The Samaritan had the ability to meet that need.
Since all three criteria were satisfied, then there was such an obligation, and the Lord has told us to do likewise.

It is such an action that is involved in "loving" one's neighbor in the same way we love ourselves. It is doing what we would want to have done for us, if the roles were reversed.
However, there is still something more to it than that: The "love" of which the Lord spoke of here is the well-known agape love, which describes an unselfish love-one which serves the best interest
of the reciient without regard to any benefit for the one who loves. In the highest sense, therefore, a genuine love for one's neighbor would nean seeking the will of God in and for the one who is loved.

 

[Dan Todd]

It is often difficult to love as the Lord tells us to love!

But we have a great example to follow - the Lord Himself - Who loved us when we were totally unworthy and unlovely!

Thank You Charles!

 

[Jim1999]

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

1 Cor 9

"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more." verse 19

This is one of the clearest chapters on the calling of a minister. There are some who object to certain tests establishing their call to ministry. They think that graduating from a seminary is sufficient. Paul is here establishing the basics of being called unto Jesus Christ to preach the gospel. He had more to prove. He was an apostle.

PROOF

"Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?"

There are certain proofs we must demonstrate. Here Paul is talking about seeing the Lord in life. None of us can meet that qualification, Then, none of us claims apostleship. If anyone has the audacity to make such a claim, they will fail the test on this point. We might add that those called of Jesus must know Jesus. He must have an intimacy with Jesus. There are some who are saved, but will never amount to anything in their lives. Here, Paul gives specifics for leadership. First, you must be intimate with Christ; and then, one must be fruitful in the Lord. "Are not ye my work in the Lord?"

PRIVILEGE

It is then we have the privilege of the gospel. If one lives the gospel and preaches it day in and day out he is entitled to live of the gospel. Paul makes it very clear that ministers should be paid. It was Paul's choice not to accept a pay for his services, but he does not deny the right.

PASSION

We then come to the final word on one's calling to ministry, and it is the passion of the call. Paul says, "Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel." (vs 16). Paul was qualified to do ,amy things. He is not saying he is unable to work at anything else. Paul was eminently qualified, and he largely made his living as a tentmaker. He worked with his hands. This "woe" is a curse, and it shows the emotion that Paul connects to the call. If any man does not have this passion when he enters upon ministry, he should resign immediately. This is the state where one is fully qualified to do numerous things. He may be a lawyer; an accountant; an architect; or he may be a labourer in industry or construction; he may be an office clerk. He should be able and effective in other things. The call to ministry is different. "Woe is me". There is a curse here. If you enter upon ministry because you want an easy go of life. Time to read books, preach on Sundays, and loads of wedding dinners, you have made a wrong choice. A number of men have qualified themselves in other fields long before entering upon a ministry. This verse qualifies the call to ministry: "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. What a passion! What zeal!

Lord, help us to reach this place where we have a passion for nothing else, but for you in our lives.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Dan Todd]

Amen - excellent - thank you Jim!

 

[Jim1999]

Thursday, May 27, 2004
1 Corinthians 10: 12-33

Paul addresses the sins and chastisement of Israel and now addresses the churches
regarding sins, idolatry and the faithfulness of God to deliver us. Idolatry does not
always take a religious posture, but always affects our spirituality. Sometimes we
engage in religious things and believe we are doing the right thing. An example is
standing before a cross and doing religious things. We think that we are gaining the
approval of God. It is just that; religious posture, and does nothing for our
relationship with God. The cross is empty, my friends. It empty for good reason.
The Christ of the cross is not there; He is risen and seated at the right hand of the
Almighty.

Other forms of idolatry have to do with the things of this world we deem necessary
to our daily living. We have become dependent upon them, and we have replaced
God with them. Much of this is subconscious, but nonetheless real. “Wherefore my
dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” vs 14. Run from it; don’t walk.

In verses 16-22 Paul is dealing with the Lord’s Table. It is here we have the
strongest verse supporting separation of souls at the Table: “Ye cannot drink the
cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table,
and of the table of devils.....Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger
than He? My friends, there be some who hold to an open table and welcome all to
sit, but it is clearly an open defiance of the kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose
table it is. With this truth I add caution. I think we can go overboard. We do not all
agree on certain doctrines. The question of baptism, the candidate and the mode.
Are we to so police the table that we forbid those who so differ? This was never my
practice. I announced that as baptized believers we will partake of the Lord’s
supper. Let a man judge for himself. The underlying passage is this: “Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” vs 31

We do not go far wrong if we endeavor to glorify God in all things. All things may
be lawful, but are they expedient? The soul that gives God first thought, seldom has
second thoughts as to whether something is right or wrong.

Lord, help us to always consider You first in all things, knowing that we will be
given first place in Your kingdom.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Jim1999]

I was asked about a regimine for approaching Bible study and devotions. A simple idea is to follow the same questions reporters use: Who, What, Where, When and How. Read the scripture with these questions in mind and quite often the word will fall into contextual place.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Looking unto Jesus...looking diligently.

Amen Jim!

 

[Dan Todd]

The cross is empty, my friends. It empty for good reason. The Christ of the cross is not there; He is risen and seated at the right hand of the Almighty.

Oh - that all would realize this!

Thank you Jim!

 

[Watchman]

Friday May 27, 2004

"Judge not, that you be not judged."
(Matthew 7:1)

Now we come to a verse that is so few in words, but has created such huge controversy. Few other verses in God's Word has been as misunderstood and misapplied then this verse we have before us today.

This verse is often cited by unbelievers and carnal Christians against those whom they regard as intolerant. These words of the Lord Jesus Christ do, indeed, warn us against a self-righteous attitude, condemning others who disagree with us on the basis of superficial criteria.

On the other hand, this caution by no means relieves us of the responsibility of evaluating the beliefs and practices of others in the light of Scripture. In the very same sermon, in fact, The Lord Jesus said just a few moments later:
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you to pieces." (Mt. 7:6)
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Mt. 7:15)
Obedience to such commandments obviously requires one to make a judgement as to whether certain unbelievers should be regarded as "dogs" or "swine", to whom it would be counter-productive
to try to speak of spiritual matters; or whether certain professing Christian leaders are actually false prophets who should be redudiated. Jesus also said:
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement. (John 7:24)

Since the Scriptures themselves are to be used in the final judgement (John 12:48; Rev. 20:12; etc) it is obvious that we should use them right now to discern truth and error, right and wrong.
"For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb.4:12)

There is another basis of judgement that the Lord Jesus has authorized us to use: Yes, fruit inspection.
"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. (Mt. 7:16-18)

Thus, the test of Scripture plus fruit produced, can serve as the basis of a valid judgement. Until adequate data for making such a test is available, judge not!