12.15.24.God’s Mercy

God's mercy
His mercy is new every day!

Revelation 11 Antisemitism & Repentance

Step into this chapter with eyes wide open to see the mercy and judgment of God. John is told to measure the temple but not to measure outside the temple for it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will trample on the holy city for forty-two months. 

Step into the scene and observe the temple closely for now we are given the ability to see a new event, the two witnesses who come with the message for all of mankind to repent.  Who are these two witnesses? God has given us ideas but no definitive answer. These have the power to turn all water to blood and thus the refreshment of a cool drink is removed from all mankind. Is this God’s reminder of His power to do the same as He did in the Egyptian plagues? How did Pharaoh handle that when it happened centuries ago? Just as then, the power of antisemitism is alive and well. For three and a half years men will hear the words: repent.  The witnesses are protected from evil but then are killed. But, God again is merciful as He allows a miracle. Just as the world looks on and rejoices over the death of these two, they see them resurrected after three days. Over and over God has demonstrated both His mercy and His judgment for He is not willing any to perish but come to repentance. 

Just as now, so it will be then. In His mercy He has given men time to repent but also time to recognize that without repentance they will be lost. Have you repented so you will be saved? 

Seed Propagation….Seed Planters (Acts 18)

ImageThe wonder of seed propagation! Have you ever wondered where those new little trees or plants came from in your yard? We know from the study of science that our Creator has so designed our world that wind, water, feet of humans and animals become the transporting agents of seeds.  This is a perfect illustration to show us how the seed of the gospel is transported by the anointed and empowered seed planters (you and me) through various ways and means to many places. In Acts 18 we learn of Pontus, Corinth, Macedonia, Italy or Priscilla and Aquila, Crispus, Sosthenes, and Apollos. Where are these places? Who are these people? Dr. Luke introduces them to us so that we may “see” people and places in action and secondly see how God transported his gospel seed then and glean lessons on how God does it today.

 Seed drop in Corinth. The Jew Aquila, a native of Pontus [present day NW Turkey] recently came to Corinth with his wife Priscilla from Italy. Why he was in Italy is an unknown but we do learn just from vs 1 that he was a Jew and the Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Italy. In Acts 11 we learn that there was a famine in the time of Claudius’ reign. We also learn that Aquila was a tentmaker and Paul joined his business for it was customary that all rabbis have a trade. Later in this chapter we find them busy worshiping in Ephesus and teaching a gifted young expositor named Apollos.  

Second seed drop Ephesus. When Paul left Corinth due to the jealous Jews charges, Priscilla and Aquila accompanied him. Paul did not stay in Ephesus but Priscilla and Aquila did and it was there that they met the gifted young expositor Apollos, a Hellenistic Jew from Alexandria, Egypt. Using their gifts of hospitality we learn that “they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately” when they learned that he only knew of the baptism of John.  After a time, the church in Ephesus graciously commended Apollos by letter to the church in Corinth where he became an effective teacher of the scriptures.

Why is all of this so important? God works in mysterious ways using people to transport His seed of the gospel message. It was through the faithfulness of such people as Paul, Priscilla and Aquila, Silas, Timothy, and Apollos the message of salvation had come to be known through all of what is modern day Greece and Turkey. Where has God used you to transport His gospel seed? Who did God place in your path that brought the good news of the gospel to you? Do you see each stop on your life’s journey as a “seed drop” for you to share the good news? Today, may we stop and praise God for faithful seed messengers.

Contructive Criticism from a Master Teacher: Paul

ImageSome years ago I was given an ENORMOUS compliment…that I was a master teacher. Humbly, I do not see myself in that category after studying the life of Jesus and further the life of Paul. Especially so in the third chapter of Corinthians!

Principle: Jesus is the Master Teacher of all and Paul learned at his feet. We would do well to follow his example. Now to our study for today 1 Cor 3:

A few days ago we talked about the fact that there is a grain of truth in every ounce of criticism. That fits here today as we walk through Paul’s loving rebuke to the believers in the Corinthian Church. Let’s see why and how Paul is a master teacher. What is a master teacher? A master teacher is one who drives their students to grow in whatever sphere of learning they are found. They are able to create independent learners who have the critical thinking skills to grow beyond where they find themselves at the moment. They use multiple learning strategies (intellectual, emotional or volitional paths) to cause their students to grasp the material. A master teacher  has the role of mentoring not training. You might want to go and research the role of a mentor here before you go on. I had to do that last year. What is a mentor? How do you distinguish a mentor from a trainer?

The first step in planning and preparing a lesson is to know your material. Chapter 2 shows us that Paul indeed does. His material consisted of the message of Christ crucified that men may yield their hearts and minds to Him alone. He reminded these precious believers that they have the mind of Christ so think and do as He would have done.  

Now the problem. Paul heard news of the divisions that were occurring in this church. He bluntly tells them that they are still infants, they had heard the message but had not moved beyond the message to the action that proves they understood the message.  After that blow to their ego he goes on to explain why he has said this. It was not about the doctrine but their application of that doctrine to real life.

A master teacher uses various illustrations to present a basic point. Paul uses three metaphors to show these precious believers (recall 1Cor 1: rich in knowledge, do not lack any spiritual gift) where they should have been at this time. First metaphor: the garden. One plants, one waters, but God is the master gardener.  Second metaphor: a building. One designs, one builds, but God is the master architect. Third metaphor: the temple.  Now to make it personal Paul says: You are the temple, the Illuminating Holy Spirit lives within you; do not destroy the temple. Thus with each metaphor, Paul is essentially saying God is ultimate and we (himself, Apollos, Cephas) are but servants. Do not elevate us beyond our station in life, instead honor God first and foremost.

Then to draw his lesson to a close Paul asks them to diagnose where they are. They are either a wise expert (vs 10), an unwise builder (vs 15) or one who is destructive (vs 17). Thus after this consider that one day judgment will come and God will prove which person they are by the works they bring to Him. Again to help them, Paul as a master teacher uses tangible gifts (gold, silver, precious stones or wood, hay or straw) to help them see how their works might stand the test of fire. Paul is saying: diagnose where you are and how you are either building on the foundation or tearing it down. Paul reminds them once again: no man should boast except in the Lord alone!

Our question then is: How do you see yourself in your family/church/community? Do you see yourself as a servant of the Most High God? Are you building with precious gifts or gifts that will be extinguished in the fire?

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