The Work of Christ in the Wilderness

(This message was preached 10/21/15 at Heritage Baptist Church http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=10241523273 )

THESIS: To see how the temptation of Christ helps the believer in this enticing world.

This evening we’ll be considering just two verses in Mark Chapter 1.  Please turn there, vs 12-13,

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. (Mark 1:12-13)

As you may recall I ask questions of the text.  The 1^st question to put before the text is again a reference to the other gospels which contain this account.  Why doesn’t Mark address the actual temptations as Matthew & Luke do?  I believe this gets to the point I am making each time as we have met together to discuss this book. 

Let me remind you of the theme of Mark which is found in the key verse of the book, Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  Mark is NOT presenting Christ the King as Matthew does.  Nor is he presenting Jesus as the Son of Man as Luke does.  Mark is unveiling Christ the Servant, and we must therefore defer to his intent.  Consider that though Mark doesn’t reference the individual temptations, he does reference the account itself.  Christ was tempted for 40 days.  This is instructive all by itself.  In Marks’ gospel we will not be lost in what each of the temptations were all about, but rather what temptation is all about.

Let’s notice the environment of the temptation.  In the wilderness with the wild beasts.  J. Dwight Pentecost quotes John Shepard in a very profound statement to this subject which will be the major theme of this message.  Shepard states, “The place of the temptation was the wilderness.  The first Adam met his temptation in the garden of beauty and plenty; The last Adam in the barren flowerless waste, with poverty, hunger, and the wild beasts.” [1] Not only is that powerful imagery, it gets at a significant fallacy in Humanism which says men just need a better environment.  Yet the truth of the matter is Adam, before sin entered, was in the perfect place of rest, ease and beauty, and he fell.  Whereas Christ, the second Adam, came to a cursed world, and went to the harsh wilderness and He withstood the temptations of the devil.  Adam had no excuse, and he fell, whereas Christ had every excuse and stood-fast for our sakes.

In the consideration of Christ’s temptation we encounter a doctrine we might not have expected to see, that is the Incarnation of Christ.  If I were to preach topically and had decided to preach on the incarnation, I might have went to the great narratives of the birth of our Savior, or perhaps the profundities of Philippians 2:5-11.  Do you think that I would I have consulted Mark 1:12-13?!  Yet here my friend, here amidst such a sparse text we have plenty to warm our soul about Christs’ identification with us! Come and see! 

Let’s consider the language of temptation – to provoke, to entice, to snare, to test, to tempt.  Essentially it is to prove a matter or a man, of what quality he is.  And we have numerous examples we could consider with in the pages of Scripture.  Here are just a couple:

·       Cain tempted in the matter of a sacrifice not accepted (Gen. 4:6-8)

·       Joseph tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:7-12)

·       David incited by Satan to number Israel (1 Chro. 21:1)

In James we are instructed on the progressive nature of temptation. Please turn to James 1:13-15, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ”

God is not the author of sin, nor does he tempt any, though he does allow it for man’s sake.  Remember that the purpose is to prove a man.  The very lust of a man drives him to sin when he gives in to the temptation.  By this we can see what sort of person we are.  Now someone may be in a bit of trouble at this point – for in our text we read that the Spirit drove Christ into the wilderness to be tempted, and doesn’t James speak to the matter of God NOT tempting a man? This is easily dealt with, in the very next word which I left out.  Christ was to be tempted of the devil.  Let us never think that the Lords directing us to temptations way is to harm us – He is for us.  The intent of the Lord is to do us good, showing us who we are.  However the Devil desires to persuade us to evil.

John speaks to the matter of our temptations in 1 John 2:15-17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Let’s parse verse 16, For all that is in the world,

·       the lust of the flesh, and

·       the lust of the eyes, and

·       the pride of life,

…is not of the Father.

The world holds nothing but that which is characterized by the 3 phrases the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life and these are not of the Father.  This is why we are told not to love the world or the things in the world.

But we live in the world, and we do from time to time, really daily, find ourselves tempted to hold to the world and its toys, more than to Christ.  How will we fare?  How does Christ’s temptation in the wilderness inform us as we walk in this enticing world?

In considering the temptation of Christ, I suspect there are more books written than I might be able to read in a month!  Terms such as peccability and impeccability are presented. So in order to grasp the seed of what this debate is we must define them.

Peccability is the point of view that says that Christ could have sinned.  Now, let me assure you, any orthodox view does by necessity hold that He did not sin.  Peccability says he could have, not that He did.  Impeccability speaks to the impossibility to sin. 

Adam was certainly peccable, as are we. But – and this gets to the debate & controversy, Could an impeccable Christ (which says that He could not have sinned) have been properly tempted?  Scripture plainly states he was tempted in all points, like as we are, yet without sin. 

Now we are interested in this not for discussion or debates sake, but to know rightly the teaching, that it may do our souls’ good.  To recognize Christ was our substitute is helpful, but I want this to touch the heart!  He can indeed sympathize with our weaknesses!

From James we see our temptations are driven by lust – a strong desire which draws a man away.  Christ, like Adam before the fall, had no sin nature – therefore any temptation would have to come from outside the man. 

It is easy to become confused at this point.  When we read in James 1:14, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” We tend to read between the lines and think that the lust itself is sin – and that it therefore sources from our inward wicked heart and sin nature. 

But though that is true of us at times, it is not always the case that temptations arise from within.  James never states that temptation is itself from within – but that strong desire, whether due to an inward sin nature, or an outside temptation, overtakes a man. 

We do not find that all our enemies are from within only, it is the world, the flesh, and the devil we must watch out for! And while Christ’s temptation was to all 3 of these – none issued from within Him. 

Temptation is to prove or test a man revealing to him his true character.  So the temptation of Christ does inform us in our Christian walk, since many of our temptations are from without.   

But does it matter to know whether He is peccable or impeccable?  Can I tell you this – while it was interesting it was also complicated.  I really do not think it is helpful to do a philosophical lecture on the matter.  Let me simply say this, in His human nature alone, He clearly is a peccable Christ – He could have sinned, however the human nature is not all there is of our Lord!  He is the God-man, and this is where the Incarnation informs us.  God in the flesh was able not to sin due to the presence of the divine nature – and therefore Christ is both peccable and impeccable!

So let’s address that one final question previously asked, which is to say, can an impeccable Christ be properly tempted?  I believe we can answer that in the affirmative.  Yes, His temptation was valid and significant to the point that He can indeed sympathize with our weaknesses! 

One of the illustrations I read about as I studied this matter was of a vast unconquerable army.  Could such an army be attacked?  Of course!  Though perhaps foolish of the attacker, the army could indeed be attacked by a mad man who somehow doubts the strength of it. Christ has the divine nature of God and thereby has all the power necessary to withstand any attack, even if his human nature might have succumbed.  It could not fail for the omnipotent power of the Almighty was his strength!

J. Dwight Pentecost says of Christ and the temptation, “He forced Satan to put him to the test so that His true character might be revealed.[2]” 

At this point I’d like to consider a comment by Andrew Murray regarding these things.  “Though now baptized himself, He cannot yet baptize others.  He must first, in the power of his baptism, meet temptation and overcome it, must learn obedience and suffer; yea through the eternal Spirit offer himself a sacrifice to God and his will.”[3] I liked the way he stated it.  Christ was busy about the Fathers’ will and needed to learn obedience.  Such things are particularly touching the human nature of our Lord, and they have a direct connection with how He helps us in our temptations.

Let me suggest to you two helps which I see in the manner which Christ’s impeccability helps us overcome temptation.  There may be more, but these are the two significant ways I present to you.

First, just as Christ, the God-man, in His omnipotent deity is able not to sin, so we, as we have the Spirit and walk in Him, are able to call upon the resource of the Holy Spirit when tempted.  Quench not the Spirit! (1 Thes. 5:19) Never have we a more important application of that verse than right here!

The more we live Holy lives and walk by the Spirit we will not be tempted by the world.  We withstand -by the Spirit- the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. 

A bit of clarification is necessary here.  Do not think that I am saying that we are, AS CHRIST, able to withstand all temptation. – Sometimes we are to flee youthful lusts!  In addition, I am not saying any power to stand is automatic, but it derives from our relationship to the Lord.

Consider Joseph in the temptation with Potipher’s wife.  Did he stand his ground like Christ and quote Scripture?!  He did indeed say, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” But this was not his sole defense.  After daily temptations we read in Gen 39:12 that “he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out”! 

When Joseph said, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” it reveals to us something of the man. It was his close relationship with the Lord that made the daily temptations odious to him.  He knew immediately that this would put a wedge between him and the Lord, and he loved the Lord more! 

The puritan Richard Sibbes, while perhaps guessing at the fruit, says, “Satan gives Adam an apple and takes away Paradise. Therefore in all temptations let us consider not what he offers, but what we shall lose.”[4]

This is why when I tell you to quench not the Spirit, and to walk by the Spirit, I said that here is where you will find the power to stand the temptations of this world; You will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).  It is the power of a sanctified life – a life which is made better by the Spirit which gave Joseph, and you as well, the wherewithal to stand, and when necessary to flee!

Secondly, note that we do fail in our temptations from time to time.  We are weak in the flesh, and the sin nature does for now torment us.  Where is our hope then?  It is found in the active work of Christ in resisting Satan while in the barest and harshest places – that his life is imputed to ours and we are thereby helped. 

Let me reiterate what I have just said.  As we rely upon the Spirit, we are made more able not to sin – similar to our Lord’s impeccability as he had the divine nature empowering the human nature to stand.  Secondly, when we fail – we have the great High Priest prevailing upon the Father on our behalf, for he stood in the wilderness, for our sakes, as a servant, which is what he came to do.

I have referenced several passages and I’d like to close with them.  In Hebrews 2:16-18 we read, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”  This gets at all which I have been speaking about tonight!  We are helped by the temptation of our Lord, because we know that He knows our sufferings even better than we ourselves do! And furthermore the reconciliation is our ultimate help!

In 1 Cor. 10:13 we read, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

All face temptation, but we have the inside knowledge that it is our faithful loving God who is interested in our good.  He will provide us an escape – sometimes we do have to flee, other times we stay close to the Spirit.  In all this we are helped.

Finally in Hebrews 4:14-16 we read, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Brothers and sisters – we do have a caring loving God who will help us in time of need.  He knows intimately what we need, and how we feel during the fight.  And as we read here – This ought to help us to stand fast our profession and embolden us in our prayers.  The God who spared not his only Son for us, will he not give us all our need?! 

---

[1] Pentecost, J. Dwight, The Words and Works of Jesus Christ: A study of the Life of Christ. P 96. Zondervan Publishing House. 1981

[2] Pentecost, J. Dwight, The Words and Works of Jesus Christ: A study of the Life of Christ. P 97. Zondervan Publishing House. 1981

[3] Strong, Augustus. Systematic Theology. P 675. Quoting Andrew Murray. Spirit of Christ. 26-7. The Judson Press. 1912

[4] Sibbes, Richard. A Puritan Golden Treasury. Banner of Truth. 1977

 

The Witness of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit

(Message Preached at Heritage Baptist Sept 16, 2015)

 

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 1:9-11)

I would like to remind you of two items, the theme of Mark, To Disclose or Unveil the Suffering Servant.  And also the key verse for the book is Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” 

Where John was baptizing it was the far southern end of the Jordan River, only 20 miles or so from Jerusalem.  I was surprised to find this out.  Johns ministry was much closer to the population centers than I had realized.  As a reference I would like to add that Nazareth of Galilee is nearly 90 miles north of John’s ministry area – and that’s assuming one travels through Samaria – which we know our Lord did.

When I prepare my messages, I try to start with some goals, and part of that process is my asking questions of the text.  Sometimes it’s quite helpful to ask the negative questions, which can often eliminate errant views or as in the case before us clear up some misunderstanding.

One of the questions I put before the text this time is a simple one, and it references another passage, so I would like to read that portion from Matthew:

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (Matt. 3:13-15)

 

Here is the question posed. Why does Mark leave out such a significant dialogue?  As I began to investigate I discovered that one of my presumptions was wrong.  I had presumed that this dialog was present in both Matthew and Luke, and even perhaps John – but it wasn’t.  It is actually found only in Matthews rendering.  And think of the significance of the question John the Baptist posed.  There is a rich theological matter here presented especially concerning Christ’s response, and only Matthew has presented it to us.  Why?

To get at this, we need to consider the 4 gospels and their intended initial audiences. 

1.   Matthew was writing to the Jews and his theme is the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.

2.   Mark, as we have been learning, is a disclosing of the Suffering Servant.  His audience is gentile & Roman Christians.

3.   Luke is the only Gentile to write any book of Scripture and his gospel is to present Jesus Christ as the Son of Man. His audience is to the Greek world.

4.   John is writing to the Christian Church, presenting Christ as the Son of God to the whole World.

Having thus briefly considered the purpose and audience of each Gospel it should be apparent that the dialog of John & Christ, is at first primarily relevant to the Jewish people whose righteousness was frequently defined by the law – something Romans and gentiles might not even understand.

 

So can you see how having the greater historical context helps in our interpretation?  This book does not reside in a vacuum.  The context is not ONLY the order of the words, paragraphs and books within the pages of the Bible, but even the historical period and people addressed. 

 

Having considered that question we come to another matter – The account of the baptism of Christ exists in all 4 gospels – so there is a certain significance to it for all parties in all times and all places.  It is our job to mine out the significance and then apply it to our lives.

 

I really appreciate Dr. Saxon’s message several weeks ago, as his exposition of Ezekiel 1 helped me grasp a significant aspect of Christ’s baptism.  As he explained in his exposition the priest was to begin his ministry at the age of about 30.  Numbers 4:1-3 is our reference and while Ezekiel was prepared to be a priest, he became a prophet at the same age instead.  In Luke’s gospel, we read that Jesus was about the age of 30 when he was baptized (Luke 3:23) It is significant that Christ was the same age as that which was needed for one to be eligible for the priesthood.

 

With regard to the text today I have 3 matters I’d like to deal with.  First off the testimony of John as he came out of the water having baptized Christ.  Secondarily the symbolism of the Spirits alighting on Christ, and lastly the statement of the Father regarding Christ.

 

Verse 10 states, ‘And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:’ John saw the ‘heavens opened’ What do we have here?  The rending of the heavens!  I prefer to use the word ‘rend’ just to point out that the Greek work here used is ‘schizo’ - a tearing or rending.  The word is used also in Matt, Mark & Luke of the veil of the temple having been torn, and in John of the soldier’s decision to cast lots for Christs clothing rather than tear it.  The heavens opened in such a way it was like a rending.  The clouds did not simply move aside, but the sky opened right up allowing the Spirit to descend as a dove.  And while it isn’t the same word, Ezekiel in 1:1 also at this same time states ‘that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.’

 

In my Bible I have several cross-references on this event pointing to it as an anointing.  Leviticus 8:12 references Aaron being sanctified by anointing oil.  Psalm 89:20 says, ‘I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him.’ This was interesting, but when I got to the 3^rd reference it all came together.  In Acts, Peter was preaching and here is our matter explained.  His message is declared in Acts 10:34-43.  The verse of significance is 38, ‘How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.’ So Peter tells us that Christ's anointing was not of oil, but the Holy Spirit of God.  And this accords nicely with the testimony we read in Mark.

 

So when we see that Christ was anointed, with the Holy Spirit, at the age accorded for the priesthood it is even more significant.  Let’s consider the Spirits arrival descending upon him as a dove.  John Gill has a very interesting note on verse 10.  The quote is very extensive, and so I’ll quote only a portion.  Speaking of the Spirit, Gill states, "He may be likened to a dove, for its simplicity and sincerity ...  and for its mildness and meekness; one of the fruit of the Spirit of God is meekness, Gal. 5:23. And this it produces in converted persons, making them meek; humble, and gentle: and also for its harmlessness and innocence; and which appears, or at least should, in those who mind the things of the Spirit: hence that advice of Christ, "be harmless as doves", Matt 10:16. Likewise for its purity and cleanness; the Spirit of God is a Spirit of holiness, he is the author of sanctification; such as are washed, sanctified, and justified, are so in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. 6:11.”

 

Here is where the commentary that John Gill gives becomes a great blessing, “To which may be added, that Noah's dove bringing the olive leaf in its mouth, as a sign, of peace and reconciliation, fitly resembled the Holy Spirit, one of whose fruit is peace, Gal. 5:22, and which he produces, by leading to the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ, whereby peace is made, and reconciliation obtained: and his descending upon Christ here, points him out as the peacemaker, through whom was come peace on earth, good will towards men, and glory to God.”

 

Isn’t that a rich statement?  Have you ever thought deeply on how the Spirit descending upon our Lord pointed to the reconciliation and peace which he procured for us? 

 

Recently I was listening to a review on War Room and the reviewer among other things was stating it was weak on The Gospel.  And a thought came to me, How could it be strong?  The Gospel is a WRITTEN gospel.  It is not suitable for the medium of film.  It's really only rightly presenting verbally.

In John’s gospel 1:32-34 we have the testimony of John the Baptist concerning this event, “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”  John’s testimony here recorded is that the dove was to him a sign of the Messiah – who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  He received this as a prophet from the Father immediately.  It’s a beautiful picture set before us, of a dove landing upon the Lord.  The dove – the very Spirit of God would in this act anoint others with the Holy Spirit as they put on this same Christ in salvation! 

 

In Isaiah 11:1-2 we read of some of the other aspects of the anointing of the Spirit, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

 

Isaiah goes on to describe some of the work of the Messiah, all of which is tied to the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

 

For the remainder of the message I’d like to consider the testimony of the Father concerning the Son from verse 11, “And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  In Mark (and Luke incidentally) it is the Father speaking to the Son, “Thou art my beloved.”  Matthew reports the testimony as the Father speaking to all present, “This is my beloved”  This should not pose any issues to you, as we are not seeing here a discrepancy of any significance. Rather we see a great deal of agreement and as John Haley suggests, “It is beyond question that in each [example] the fundamental idea [is] preserved under all the various forms. And this we think, is all, and precisely what, the sacred writers intended.” (Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible, page 154)

And what is that fundamental idea? That Jesus, is God’s beloved Son and that the Father is well pleased!

 

A very close parallel passage is found in Isaiah 42:1, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.”  In Isaiah we read an almost exact rendering of the Fathers words in Mark.  It’s always striking to see such, yet it ought not to surprise us, as it is the same God the Father who gave the prophets what to say who himself testified for our sakes at the baptism of the Lord.  And the chief witness of this was John who gave very particular testimony, and as it was coming from John – all held him to be a prophet (Luke 20:6) – a reliable witness to the fact for those of his contemporaries. Contemporaries who might question the truth of the very report.  We can stand upon that ‘more sure word of prophesy’ which we read about in 2 Peter.

 

Consider this – “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:” (2 Peter 1:16-19 emphasis added)

 

This more sure word spoken of by Peter is the written record we have here in our Bible.  Let’s examine it more closely.

Peter says ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ Did you realize that Peter is NOT speaking of the Baptism of Christ and what was spoken then, but what the Father said at the transfiguration?!  What an amazing coincidence?  No – this is no Coincidence – This is the deliberate and very significant testimony of God the Father to his people of his Son. 

 

In yet another passage, Matt. 12:17 – 21 we read, “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

 

This is an extended quotation of Isaiah 42 and Matthew applies it to Jesus in verses 15-16.  The testimony of God is simply overwhelming!  We have read in Isaiah 42 and in all 4 gospel accounts of the baptism, and in 2 Peter, and in the account of the transfiguration in Matthew, Mark and Luke, and here in Matthew 12 referencing the application of Isaiah 42:1 to Christ.  Nine distinct testimonials of the Father for our sake to the truth of Christ as the chosen One – that Seed, the Messiah.  Eight of them verbal in nature and the portion in Matthew 12 while not verbal was a reference to the verbal testimony in Isaiah and the apostolic testimony is that this passage is applied to Christ also!  Whether the particular testimony or the instructional application we do indeed have that ‘more sure word of prophecy’!  

 

Several years ago I was in a musical team and one of the numbers was called ‘Go and Tell John”  It was a simple retelling of that brief period of doubt the Prophet John the Baptist had while in Herod’s prison.  We read of it in Matt 11:1-5.  Jesus instruct his disciples to tell John that, ‘The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.’  Why?  Do you realize that while we were not the parties present to see and witness the events – those parties, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote down their testimony for us.  Here it is!  The same Holy Spirit whose witness to John was that Christ is the Messiah has given us a sure word of prophecy and we barely even take the time to read it, notwithstanding to study it. 

 

Brothers and Sisters – I challenge you and myself also, Labor over this book!  It is the ONLY and sufficient Word of God not for them alone but for us especially. 

 

We read of another prophecy in Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised" And you recall what Christ said of that passage, right? This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. How did you know that?  It’s in your Bible! You didn’t have to witness it to know it happened did you?  Why is that so?

 

The very Spirit of God, who in his first fruits descended upon the Lord Jesus, – you have that self-same Spirit, if you have put on the Lord Jesus Christ. One and the same.  He it is who testifies to us that the Scriptures themselves are true!

 

The opening of the book of Hebrews tells us how the Lord speaks today – and it is not by the mouths of Prophets but by the Son of God.  We have this more sure Word!

 

Go and tell John people!  Tell them what you read today! Tell them what he taught you today.  Don’t spend your time in debate.  Just read, labor, and study it.  We have such a rich treasure before us!

 

How could we ignore it so we can watch television or log on to Facebook or play with our smartphones?

 

How can we with our lives, deny it by not boldly testifying of the grace bestowed on us in it pages!

 

How can we let our witness be so weak and thin when we have so rich a treasure before us? 

 

Tell the World what Christ has done for you!  There is no better use of your day that to testify to the lost.  After all – the Father condescended to use an audible voice for our sakes. 

 

Be willing to let the world judge you for being so heavenly minded your no earthly good.  Earthly good is not what I am striving for, are you?

 

Providentially there was a statement by Spurgeon which really sparked me, and fits so well, “The more you read the Bible; the more you meditate on it, the more you will be astonished with it.”

 

As we are going to the prayer time let me suggest just one thing – let’s call upon the Lord, that he send the Spirit among us – not just for tonight but that our witness to the world as we go back out there – will be Spirit driven!  I want to hear Sunday what the Spirit is doing in your lives this week! Amen?

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Posted by Dalia Dery on Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Love, my enemies?!

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.  To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.  And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:27-31)

Love your enemies. This is the quintessential command which all the rest of this portion hangs upon.  How does it look to love one’s enemies?

Ø  By doing good to those who hate you.

Ø  By blessing those who curse you.

Ø  By praying for those who spitefully use you.

Ø  By turning the other cheek.

Ø  By not withholding from him who would take, not even asking them for your goods back.

Ø  By living the golden rule.

This is the task set before us, but it is an IMPOSSIBLE task, however.  Yet it can be done! How, you say? Let me tell you how it cannot be done.  It cannot be done by ones will or might.  It cannot be done, in the flesh.  For as we read in Galatians, in the flesh is murder, adulteries, fornications, etc. (Gal 5:19-21)

Paul tells us in verse 16 of Galatians five that it is by the Spirit we are to walk and in verses 22-23 of the same chapter he describes some of the fruit of the Spirit.  You know what is the very first fruit he lists?  Love!

It is Love that is the driving force in helping us to do the impossible!

Do you love your enemies?  I am not asking this in a theoretical fashion – do you assent to say you love them, but does love for them drive your responses to them?  Does a tenderness come over you when someone who hates God, tramples over your ‘rights’? or do you let anger flare up and consume you?

Stephen in his martyrdom might well sum it up for us all, “And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)  He prayed for them even while they killed him.  And we all know one of those there, who heard this was Saul of Tarsus, soon to become the great apostle Paul!  Paul was Stephen’s enemy, and by God’s grace, due to Stephens’s evident love, Paul was converted.

May the Love of Christ compel us to love even our enemies that we tenderly care even for them – that perhaps – just as He died for us, while we were still His enemies (Rom. 5:8), the Father will open their heart to see the love showed to us to them also, for His Glory!            

Amen