The words pierced me like a carefully targeted arrow hitting its mark. Yet, I was neither rich, nor young. Neither was I a ruler. Or was I?
There were some things he’d gotten right, this young man which stood questioning Jesus. Yet, there was more required of him. He ruled. But he lacked the ability to exercise dominion in the arena of marketing.
As a young writer, aspiring to see my articles in print, the revelation flooding my understanding was jolting, shaking my little world of I-don’t like-to-do-marketing. The words bathed me with new understanding. “Sell what you have.”
It only takes a moment for the higher thoughts of the Lord to penetrate and shatter the hidden secrets of the heart. I, like the rich, young ruler, was holding on to my writing as he did his possessions. With a change of thinking, I pondered the words. “Sell what you have.”
What you have…not what they want.
Sell it! Don’t give it away.
Sell what you have.
You’ve got it, something others need to survive, overcome, endure…succeed.
What have you already written? What have you written that has value? What are you storing up in barns, even building new barns to hold, instead of getting it out into the arena of valued product?
Writer’s, rich with ideas, must accept the challenge Jesus presented to the young ruler. It requires a change of focus from possessor to promoter. From marks to market. From my possession to my responsibility to get the message out.
What could the rich young ruler have done? What can we, rich young writers do?
Accept the challenge and obey the command.
Hear the affirmation in the command. Ponder this for a moment. Jesus told the man, “Sell what you have.” He obviously knew what the man had. According to the young ruler’s response to the Lord, he kept five of the ten commandments. Jesus did not discount the accomplishment. He could just as well have said, “Don’t keep the secret to your success, the ability to keep these commandments, stored away in your own barn. Make this available for public consumption. Feed those who are struggling with that which you have mastered.”
Jesus’ words of command were also words of encouragement. It was an affirmation of the young man’s wealth. I know what you have. Sell it. Get people to make an exchange. At the same time He was also saying, “There are people out there who are willing to pay for what you are storing.”
Think about this for a moment. This is Jesus speaking. He knows who you are and what you have to offer. He knows the needs of the people and he’s standing before you with one simple command. “Sell what you have.”
Package what you have for public consumption. Someone needs it. Someone will buy it….and you will experience new life. Isn’t that the essence of what Jesus said to the man?
Let’s take this a step further. Let’s brainstorm together. What unmerited thinking shackled the rich young ruler? Could it be summed up by saying, “I don’t know how?” After all that’s the excuse we’ve been using isn’t it? I don’t know how to find out who needs this information. I don’t know how to query an editor. I don’t know how to edit the article. I don’t know how….? Fill in the blank yourself. I’m sure you, like myself, have said it enough times to know the refrain by heart.
Here’s a thought to ponder. This ruler was being challenged by the Lord to expand his knowledge base. Yet, he was content to just “possess”. Many in the body of Christ stand at the same threshold. We possess knowledge of the Christian life. We have overcome in several, if not many, arenas. We have some trophies and we sometimes recall the moments of triumph. But have we recorded those victories, the lessons learned and the encouragement for others?
I want to leave you with this thought today. Are you a rich young ruler? Are you secure in your level of accomplishment? Take this challenge today. What truths have you mastered and been transformed by that others need for nourishment? Write them. Record them and pass them on. They’re valuable and someone will make an exchange (buy) in order to reach the level of success you are basking in today.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Thursday, April 19, 2007
What shall we do in the aftermath of this massacre? A minister speaks out. Read the manifesto.
Three days ago our televisions heralded the trama-infusing news. “Massacre at Virginia Tech.” We looked on in horror. Tears flowed. Faces paled. The people mourned! The video recorded statement of one solitary gunman spoke through the aftermath of carnage. “This did not have to happen!”
The words ring in the ears of people around the world today. “This did not have to happen.” The warning signs…the evaluations…….the purposeful intent. It was all there. One man made his choice. He wanted to do what had never been done before in the history of the United States. He set his goal higher than an Olympic pole-vaulter. He would not be outdone. Worse than Columbine, worse than any other fatal shooting spree recorded in media archives this man took the steps to make a name for himself. Today, he is known around the world. His fame however, came at someone else’s expense. An expense he declares, as his body decays in a Virginia morgue, that could have been avoided. “This did not have to happen.”
You are aware of the story. You’ve heard of the rampage, the hatred…the grossly skewed yet focused intent. Questions are hurling through the air like fallout from an atomic bomb. Unfortunately for the 33 victims, their families, the university and the nation at large the questions come too late. There is a crime scene, there will be funerals, hearts are bleeding because those who saw the intensity of emotional distress in the life of one man refused to ask the right question. They saw it. They were alarmed by his behavior. Some reported the quirks. But no one asked, “What shall we do?”
Choices
Life or Death
Prayer or Guns
Rejoice or Mourn
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Pr 29:2
There is an alternative. We have a choice. One man smuggled handguns into the classroom. He declared his manifesto to the media. A nation which bans prayer in schools is reeling from the reality of one wrong choice. Yes, there is a connection. In an arena of free speech you can say anything in the corridors of our schools. Anything from “Put you hands up. I’m going to kill you.” to “Pull your pants down we’ll have sex” all under the guise of “Have it your way.” The tidal wave of darkness intensifies. But the wicked keep saying, “Don’t mention the name of Jesus.” The message for us, as Bible-quoting believers, is evident. “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” There will be no rejoicing as long as the wicked rule. Apathy and indifference are wicked rulers even when the thoughts take up residence in the mind and heart of a Believer.
America is mourning today. Who is at fault? The parents? School authorities? The judicial system? Or could it be us, the believer, the church? For some the Monday Massacre is evidence of Sunday’s Mascarade. It is a question we need to answer today before the next committed, intent, purposeful manslayer rises with a manifesto of destruction.
Will you accept the mandate? Will you rise up and be counted? Will you finally accept the reality? You must do something.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14
This are not the scripted lines for drug-crazed actors in the entertainment industry. Deliverance and enlargement will come. But if you refuse to do what you have been strategically placed in a position to do…………you shall be destroyed. God will get the victory. He will save his people with or without your help. Today, you must choose what side you’re on.
To sit in apathetic indifference is to partner with the thief. To do nothing will have the same impact as loading the guns, barring the doors and opening fire that we saw this week. To do nothing insures that many will die a senseless, needless death. Today, you must choose or the choice will be made for you.
The words ring in the ears of people around the world today. “This did not have to happen.” The warning signs…the evaluations…….the purposeful intent. It was all there. One man made his choice. He wanted to do what had never been done before in the history of the United States. He set his goal higher than an Olympic pole-vaulter. He would not be outdone. Worse than Columbine, worse than any other fatal shooting spree recorded in media archives this man took the steps to make a name for himself. Today, he is known around the world. His fame however, came at someone else’s expense. An expense he declares, as his body decays in a Virginia morgue, that could have been avoided. “This did not have to happen.”
You are aware of the story. You’ve heard of the rampage, the hatred…the grossly skewed yet focused intent. Questions are hurling through the air like fallout from an atomic bomb. Unfortunately for the 33 victims, their families, the university and the nation at large the questions come too late. There is a crime scene, there will be funerals, hearts are bleeding because those who saw the intensity of emotional distress in the life of one man refused to ask the right question. They saw it. They were alarmed by his behavior. Some reported the quirks. But no one asked, “What shall we do?”
Choices
Life or Death
Prayer or Guns
Rejoice or Mourn
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Pr 29:2
There is an alternative. We have a choice. One man smuggled handguns into the classroom. He declared his manifesto to the media. A nation which bans prayer in schools is reeling from the reality of one wrong choice. Yes, there is a connection. In an arena of free speech you can say anything in the corridors of our schools. Anything from “Put you hands up. I’m going to kill you.” to “Pull your pants down we’ll have sex” all under the guise of “Have it your way.” The tidal wave of darkness intensifies. But the wicked keep saying, “Don’t mention the name of Jesus.” The message for us, as Bible-quoting believers, is evident. “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” There will be no rejoicing as long as the wicked rule. Apathy and indifference are wicked rulers even when the thoughts take up residence in the mind and heart of a Believer.
America is mourning today. Who is at fault? The parents? School authorities? The judicial system? Or could it be us, the believer, the church? For some the Monday Massacre is evidence of Sunday’s Mascarade. It is a question we need to answer today before the next committed, intent, purposeful manslayer rises with a manifesto of destruction.
Christian! Believer! Awake. It’s time to DO something!
My skin is crawling this morning. It’s not caused by the media reports. THE CHURCH IS ASLEEP! It’s time to sound the alarm.
This message is not about the atrocities at Virginia Tech, it’s about the atrocities in our pews. It is not my intent to identify and rehash a psychopath’s behavior nor the visible signs of the severity of his needs. It is my intent to identify and rehearse to you, the believing Christian, your responsibility. What could you have done? What can you do NOW? Please make note of the operative verb….DO!
The disciples asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works of the Lord?” (Jn 6:28:29) His answer was concise, “Believe on him who is sent.” Jesus came to this earth to accomplish a mission for a select group of people. He was given clear boundary lines of operation, “I am sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” He came to do the Father’s will.
When needs arose in areas outside his divine mandate he taught his disciples to pray in agreement with him. What was that request? “Lord of the harvest send someone.” (Mth 9:38)When confronted with the needs in a city outside his jurisdiction he went to the very limit of his mandated instructions and waited. Enduring the heat of day, his own weariness and a growing thrist….he waited. Why would he spend so much time waiting at that well? Could it be he was waiting for someone whom he could send to do the work in a city whose boundaries he could not cross? It wasn’t his responsibility to go there. It was his responsibility to equip the person who should.
Jesus is waiting for us today. He has reserved a block of time in which he will remove every restraint, answer every question and infuse every yielded heart with his own manifesto of destruction. Read it for yourself.
“For this cause was the son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the evil one.”
That’s the mandate. That IS our manifesto. We must shed the cloak of apathy and rise up. Both the crazed gunman and the woman at the well left a mark upon their city. Both went with intent and purpose. Ironic as it may seem the double-fisted gunman said the truth, “This did not have to happen.” I say to you, “It doesn’t have to happen again.” Here’s why.
The role of every God-ordained minister is to give you the Word at his mouth.
“For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” Mal 2:;7
It’s our responsibility to tell you what HE is saying, what His Word declares, and what our responsibility is in the challenges which loom before us. Unfortunately too many ministers have bought in to a pass-the-buck gospel. Let someone else do it. Let me explain.
First of all, the call to rule as kings goes beyond the acclaim, the feasting and the royal robes. There is a responsibility involved. The king is given authority to protect the realm over which he presides. A righteous king scatters the evil. What does that say to us who are called to rule as kings and priests? I’m glad you asked. Let’s see what the Word of God has to say about it. Then we can know what God requires of us.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;2 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:3 And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.
Make special note. Who is Moses speaking to as he delivers these instructions?
God sent His word to heal us and deliver us from OUR DESTRUCTIONS. He spoke to Moses. Give the divine instructions to those entrusted to your care. This is what it means to keep the word at his mouth. As leaders it is our responsibility to hear what the Lord is saying and speak it. In this case, Moses is not told to speak to Aaron (the High Priest) but to the people. The people are given a mandate.
I would to God you hear this message in the depths of your spirit. Moses gave the people INSTRUCTIONS from God, a divine mandate. Let me pause here for a moment. Dorm-mates, college professors, judges and college officials saw the signs. Seeing the signs did not stop the onslaught. The problem at Virginia Tech, in our judicial system and in our church leadership is the same. Authority-infused instructions are not forth coming. The result? People who saw the problem stopped short of doing the right thing. God, in his foresight, caused Moses to write a set of instructions for such a time as this. As is His style, he gives us a choice. Choose life or choose death. Follow the instructions and have life or ignore the divine mandate and have death. Many in this hour want to pass the buck. We’ve seen it modeled enough we can do it in our sleep of apathy as we snuggle in a blanket of indifference.We want to feel good. We want to be comfortable. But the days of sleeping in needs to stop here. There is a mandate. The set of instructions are clearly defined in Numbers 33:55. It’s my responsibility. It’s your responsibility. The moment you accept that truth all heaven will back you with an authority that can not be vanquished.
God took full responsibility for getting Israel out of captivity and through the wilderness. On the threshold of the promise God delegated His responsibility to the people. “You drive them out.” Did you hear that? You! Yes, you and me and all those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. Hear the Lord’s instructions to you today. “Drive them out?” The solution is not in passing a gun-control law. It's not about having increased security systems. The answer lies in our fulfilling the law, the instructions, of the Lord. God said, “Drive them out.” But how do we do that?
What can one man do?
What can an overlooked under-achiever do to impact the city where they live? Can you continue to pull the wool over your own eyes? Look what one man did on April 16th, 2007. One man with a mission. One man with a plan. One man commited to the process. He DID something. His motive operandi however, was corrupt. His manifesto of destruction came from the wrong source.
CHURCH ARISE. Do something to destroy the works of the evil one. That’s why Jesus came. (Jn 3:8) That’s why all creation mourns for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Rom 8:19) How, you may ask? Well it’s quite simple. Follow the instructions. “Drive them out!”
Before you make any abrupt moves however make sure you understand the instructions. It would be wise for each of us to ask a very important question at this juncture. “How do I drive them out?” I thought you would never ask. Thank you for that timely question. Let me start with this. “Jesus did nothing unless he saw the father do it.” (Jn 5:19) This is not a fight with carnal weapons. Our greatest asset is a call away. I asked this question myself just this morning. “Lord, what are you doing?” Show me so I can do what I SEE you do. Do you want to know what I saw? It was simple. He is sitting in judgment.
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. Prov 20:8
Do you see it? Do you understand? A king, one given a realm of responsibility, sits in the throne. For this assignment you’re going to have to don your kingly robe. No commoner can sit in rags on the king’s throne. You can’t come to this chair singing the wrong song! Whistling, “I did it my way” as you saunter along non-chantilly is a sure guarantee of a short life in the palace. Ask Vashti. You must come in submission to the divine invitation from the King of Kings. Come and sit in the throne of judgment. Judge with righteous judgment.
To drive out the enemy we must first take our place as approved workman. Our ability to rule effectively is in direct proportion to our depth of study. We must know HIM, how he thinks, what his principles and precepts are and what is required of us. Jesus knew the will of the Father. He knew what he was called to do. Anything which hindered that mission was never overlooked in his sight. HE dealt with it..........with just a look. He cast Satan out of His presence. He would not....could not tolerate any form of rebellion.
We see the problem but we don't see our responsibility. We haven’t sat down and looked at it from a position of moral responsibility. A king that sits in the throne of judgment scatters. We need to sit at the feet of Jesus, look upon Him and do what we see him do.
My skin is crawling this morning. It’s not caused by the media reports. THE CHURCH IS ASLEEP! It’s time to sound the alarm.
This message is not about the atrocities at Virginia Tech, it’s about the atrocities in our pews. It is not my intent to identify and rehash a psychopath’s behavior nor the visible signs of the severity of his needs. It is my intent to identify and rehearse to you, the believing Christian, your responsibility. What could you have done? What can you do NOW? Please make note of the operative verb….DO!
The disciples asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works of the Lord?” (Jn 6:28:29) His answer was concise, “Believe on him who is sent.” Jesus came to this earth to accomplish a mission for a select group of people. He was given clear boundary lines of operation, “I am sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” He came to do the Father’s will.
When needs arose in areas outside his divine mandate he taught his disciples to pray in agreement with him. What was that request? “Lord of the harvest send someone.” (Mth 9:38)When confronted with the needs in a city outside his jurisdiction he went to the very limit of his mandated instructions and waited. Enduring the heat of day, his own weariness and a growing thrist….he waited. Why would he spend so much time waiting at that well? Could it be he was waiting for someone whom he could send to do the work in a city whose boundaries he could not cross? It wasn’t his responsibility to go there. It was his responsibility to equip the person who should.
Jesus is waiting for us today. He has reserved a block of time in which he will remove every restraint, answer every question and infuse every yielded heart with his own manifesto of destruction. Read it for yourself.
“For this cause was the son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the evil one.”
That’s the mandate. That IS our manifesto. We must shed the cloak of apathy and rise up. Both the crazed gunman and the woman at the well left a mark upon their city. Both went with intent and purpose. Ironic as it may seem the double-fisted gunman said the truth, “This did not have to happen.” I say to you, “It doesn’t have to happen again.” Here’s why.
The role of every God-ordained minister is to give you the Word at his mouth.
“For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” Mal 2:;7
It’s our responsibility to tell you what HE is saying, what His Word declares, and what our responsibility is in the challenges which loom before us. Unfortunately too many ministers have bought in to a pass-the-buck gospel. Let someone else do it. Let me explain.
First of all, the call to rule as kings goes beyond the acclaim, the feasting and the royal robes. There is a responsibility involved. The king is given authority to protect the realm over which he presides. A righteous king scatters the evil. What does that say to us who are called to rule as kings and priests? I’m glad you asked. Let’s see what the Word of God has to say about it. Then we can know what God requires of us.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan;2 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:3 And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man’s inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.
Make special note. Who is Moses speaking to as he delivers these instructions?
God sent His word to heal us and deliver us from OUR DESTRUCTIONS. He spoke to Moses. Give the divine instructions to those entrusted to your care. This is what it means to keep the word at his mouth. As leaders it is our responsibility to hear what the Lord is saying and speak it. In this case, Moses is not told to speak to Aaron (the High Priest) but to the people. The people are given a mandate.
I would to God you hear this message in the depths of your spirit. Moses gave the people INSTRUCTIONS from God, a divine mandate. Let me pause here for a moment. Dorm-mates, college professors, judges and college officials saw the signs. Seeing the signs did not stop the onslaught. The problem at Virginia Tech, in our judicial system and in our church leadership is the same. Authority-infused instructions are not forth coming. The result? People who saw the problem stopped short of doing the right thing. God, in his foresight, caused Moses to write a set of instructions for such a time as this. As is His style, he gives us a choice. Choose life or choose death. Follow the instructions and have life or ignore the divine mandate and have death. Many in this hour want to pass the buck. We’ve seen it modeled enough we can do it in our sleep of apathy as we snuggle in a blanket of indifference.We want to feel good. We want to be comfortable. But the days of sleeping in needs to stop here. There is a mandate. The set of instructions are clearly defined in Numbers 33:55. It’s my responsibility. It’s your responsibility. The moment you accept that truth all heaven will back you with an authority that can not be vanquished.
God took full responsibility for getting Israel out of captivity and through the wilderness. On the threshold of the promise God delegated His responsibility to the people. “You drive them out.” Did you hear that? You! Yes, you and me and all those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. Hear the Lord’s instructions to you today. “Drive them out?” The solution is not in passing a gun-control law. It's not about having increased security systems. The answer lies in our fulfilling the law, the instructions, of the Lord. God said, “Drive them out.” But how do we do that?
What can one man do?
What can an overlooked under-achiever do to impact the city where they live? Can you continue to pull the wool over your own eyes? Look what one man did on April 16th, 2007. One man with a mission. One man with a plan. One man commited to the process. He DID something. His motive operandi however, was corrupt. His manifesto of destruction came from the wrong source.
CHURCH ARISE. Do something to destroy the works of the evil one. That’s why Jesus came. (Jn 3:8) That’s why all creation mourns for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Rom 8:19) How, you may ask? Well it’s quite simple. Follow the instructions. “Drive them out!”
Before you make any abrupt moves however make sure you understand the instructions. It would be wise for each of us to ask a very important question at this juncture. “How do I drive them out?” I thought you would never ask. Thank you for that timely question. Let me start with this. “Jesus did nothing unless he saw the father do it.” (Jn 5:19) This is not a fight with carnal weapons. Our greatest asset is a call away. I asked this question myself just this morning. “Lord, what are you doing?” Show me so I can do what I SEE you do. Do you want to know what I saw? It was simple. He is sitting in judgment.
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. Prov 20:8
Do you see it? Do you understand? A king, one given a realm of responsibility, sits in the throne. For this assignment you’re going to have to don your kingly robe. No commoner can sit in rags on the king’s throne. You can’t come to this chair singing the wrong song! Whistling, “I did it my way” as you saunter along non-chantilly is a sure guarantee of a short life in the palace. Ask Vashti. You must come in submission to the divine invitation from the King of Kings. Come and sit in the throne of judgment. Judge with righteous judgment.
To drive out the enemy we must first take our place as approved workman. Our ability to rule effectively is in direct proportion to our depth of study. We must know HIM, how he thinks, what his principles and precepts are and what is required of us. Jesus knew the will of the Father. He knew what he was called to do. Anything which hindered that mission was never overlooked in his sight. HE dealt with it..........with just a look. He cast Satan out of His presence. He would not....could not tolerate any form of rebellion.
We see the problem but we don't see our responsibility. We haven’t sat down and looked at it from a position of moral responsibility. A king that sits in the throne of judgment scatters. We need to sit at the feet of Jesus, look upon Him and do what we see him do.
“A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.” Prov 20:26
The crazed gunman positioned himself as judge over the lives of men. He sat in judgment with a law unto himself. Though he likens himself to Jesus we all know his actions were not reflective of that name. His actions caused much scattering. The difference is this. When the wicked are in authority the people mourn. Are we mourning right now? What caused it? One man, a loner, a nobody, made up his mind to do something. To sit in apathetic indifference is no different and no less deadly than the 9mm handguns he used to accomplish the task. The results are the same. People die and the voice of the gunman speaks, “This did not have to happen.”
What can one person do? Learn this lesson in the aftermath of evil.
The crazed gunman positioned himself as judge over the lives of men. He sat in judgment with a law unto himself. Though he likens himself to Jesus we all know his actions were not reflective of that name. His actions caused much scattering. The difference is this. When the wicked are in authority the people mourn. Are we mourning right now? What caused it? One man, a loner, a nobody, made up his mind to do something. To sit in apathetic indifference is no different and no less deadly than the 9mm handguns he used to accomplish the task. The results are the same. People die and the voice of the gunman speaks, “This did not have to happen.”
What can one person do? Learn this lesson in the aftermath of evil.
It’s time for some wisdom. We need to scatter all evil. But how?
Get into the presence of the Lord. Cry out to him. Repent for your apathetic idleness and plead with him to LOOK upon you as he sits in judgment on the throne. You’ve been telling people for years he sits at the right hand of the Father forever making intercession for you. Well, what’s holding you back? Get to his feet. Cry out to him. Ask Him to scatter every evil thought of indifference within you with his eyes of loving compassion. Cry with all your might and beg him to rid you of apathy. He will take responsibility for those who come to him. He will look upon you and scatter the indifference. Then remind him of Num 33:55. There must come a time when we confess our sins. We have not driven out the enemy. We have not followed the instructions of the Lord. We must repent.
Destroy their pictures.
Read the rest of Num 33:55. There’s more.
destroy all their pictures,
destroy all their molten images,
pluck down all their high places:
Church, that is our responsibility. Those images must come down. But guess who is putting them up for all to see? The media. The box office. The internet. The entertainment mongrels. You can now get streaming pornography delivered to your cell phone. How can we drive out the hate, the murder, the drugs, the suicide, the promiscuity and the demise as long as the media is the parade master and politicians defend it as freedom of speech and the church snores through it all too comfortable in the idleness to arise and do something.
Destroy the pictures.
Throw out the videos, dvds, rap music and the subtle propaganda that keeps these viral infections before the eyes of a Holy People. God says, “Be Holy as I am Holy.” He is too holy to behold evil. Why then do we?
Scatter this evil with your eyes. Until you, John Q. professing believer, say this is unholy, this is ungodly and I refuse to look upon it as entertaining...... the enemy will remain. It is your choice to follow the instructions or not. God says, “Drive it out.” Quit saying, “It’s so sad. Can you believe it? Isn’t it awful.” Those words do nothing to usher in the Kingdom of God.
You may think you are insignificant. But God told the people to drive out the enemy. He gave you the responsibility. Who are you to tell God “no I won’t do what you said to do?”
If you don’t drive them out be forewarned. The results are certain.
1. those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes,
2. those which ye let remain shall be thorns in your side
3. those you let remain shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
Does the 21st century church have pricks in their eyes? Look at Strong’s definition for pricks.
7899 שֵׂךְ [sek /sake/] n m. From 5526 in the sense of 7753; TWOT 2262a; GK 8493; AV
5526 סוּךְ, סוּךְ, סָכַךְ, סָכַךְ, ׳סכֵךְ, שָׂכַךְ [cakak, sakak /saw·kak/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 1475, 1492, 2259, 2260; GK 6056 and 6058 and 6114 and 6115 and 6116 and 8503; 23 occurrences; AV translates as “cover” 15 times, “covering” twice, “defence” once, “defendest” once, “hedge in” once, “join together” once, “set” once, and “shut up” once. 1 (Qal) to hedge, fence about, shut in. 2 to block, overshadow, screen, stop the approach, shut off, cover. 2a (Qal). 2a1 to screen, cover. 2a2 to cover oneself. 2a3 protector (participle). 2b (Hiphil). 2b1 to screen, cover. 2b2 to cover, defecate (euphemism). 3 (Qal) to cover, lay over. 4 to weave together. 4a (Qal) to weave together. 4b (Pilpel) to weave, weave together.
Let me make this plain. Doing nothing when the instructions are clearly mandated is APATHY. It is an unwritten, unspoken and subtle agreement with the enemy. This is not the fault of the American judicial authorities, the border patrol or the college administrators. It’s our fault. We have accepted the gunman’s manifesto of destruction as norm when we remain idle, when we say nothing and refuse to take a stand.
“Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.”
Will you accept the mandate? Will you rise up and be counted? Will you finally accept the reality? You must do something.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14
This are not the scripted lines for drug-crazed actors in the entertainment industry. Deliverance and enlargement will come. But if you refuse to do what you have been strategically placed in a position to do…………you shall be destroyed. God will get the victory. He will save his people with or without your help. Today, you must choose what side you’re on.
To sit in apathetic indifference is to partner with the thief. To do nothing will have the same impact as loading the guns, barring the doors and opening fire that we saw this week. To do nothing insures that many will die a senseless, needless death. Today, you must choose or the choice will be made for you.
Rev. Deborah Howard is an international evangelist and freelance writer. Phone 919 539 0670.
April 19th, 2007
Monday, May 08, 2006
It's A New Day
You are invited to visit me at my new home on the web. I've been busy getting the posts ready and I'm ready for some guests. Since I haven't heard from you in a while why not take a moment to enter into Our Father's House International Ministries new cyber presence. I'm looking forward to your visit.
Last Chance
It’s Saturday May 6th, 2006 in Bethany, NC. The clock is ticking. Mother’s Day is approaching. This may be your last chance to decide how you will celebrate the one who birthed you. Are you prepared? How will you honor your mother? How will Jesus honor his?
A few miles from the city limits of Fayetteville,NC, the home of the Fort Bragg Air Force Base, the sleepy community of Bethany parked a military tank. It is a constant reminder when I come and go home of the time we are in and the ticking of the clock. A portable billboard advertises community affairs. One day it herald an invitation to attend a play at a local church I was intrigued with the stark contrast and captured this photo. The black letters “LAST CHANCE” against a white billboard took on a new level of intensity in front of the tank. Signs of war and impending threats are everywhere. Is the church in dress rehearsal waiting for the entertainment to begin? Or are we in bootcamp learning to use our weapons of war?
I’ve been laying on a gurney for hours too dazed to go far, too wounded to ignore the message. “Last Chance” The billboard’s empty today but the remembrance lingers. The church is at war. Causalities abound. No one is exempt. Not even me. It’s hard to discern who is acting out a part in a play and who is preparing for war? I walked out of a pastor’s office yesterday afternoon with a pierced side. Oh, struggling one, I was battling for your freedom. I insisted each soldier needed to learn to unlock the code of the Government Issue manual themselves. Even in a Broadway production you have to learn your own lines. ”Other programs have been introduced”, came his response. “and I’m certified to train.”
But sir, “Their questions and their cries tell me they don’t understand. Let’s try a different approach.”
I learned the key to the manual and found how to dig my own fox hole during a time of enemy invasion. I didn’t have to wait until the instructor had time for me. I would have been dead by now if I had.” Oh hungry one, Your cry and my desire had a head-on colloision with his disdain. “Give me a business plan. Who’s going to finance it?” It was obvious from his answers his eyes were closed to the sign and the incessant ticking of the clock. “Last chance.” The church is at war. The enemy has infiltrated our ranks. Sometimes they are right in our own home, our own church.
Mary of Bethany in Luke 10 could well have seen a similar banner the day Jesus frequented her house. She was loved by him but she never took her relationship for granted. It could be her “Last Chance” invitation. Her only opportunity to master the code of her Master. She too found the enemy lurking behind the curtains with an imposter-issued screenplay. “Let me entertain you.” Martha recited her lines as she auditioned for the lead role of the PLAY. But Mary wasn’t playing, not with her relationship with the Lord. She took her cues from Him and Him alone. What do you do when one member of the house, the church, the ministry jockeys for position and the other insists on being trained to hold the Government Issued sword. Any one can recite the lines but can you wield a sword you do not cling to?
The only way out of the house of misery, as Bethany was known, was to choose between religion’s entertainment and uncompromised commitment to the Commander and Chief. Mary felt the side piercing confrontation when the PLAY is staged in her own house. Martha stood in defense of position while Mary chose to sit for defense of the gospel. War, crisis and trials force us to acknowledge the sign of the times. When our eyes open to the desperate urgency priorities must shift. Dishes, dusting and disorder must wait. Sitting at the feet of the Master can not. This could be the last chance to get his code of conduct for the times. We are at war.
The persecuted church in China knows how to survive. You go underground. The early church went house to house. Why? Organized religion and the government of man is rift with imposters. They insist "the PLAY must go on". They beat, stoned and imprisoned anyone who lifted up the true Commander and Chief. Devotion to HIM and His Word meant the final curtain call for their PLAY. They refused the manual of war and discarded with disdain any threat of interruption. They knew their lines. They would not, under any circumstances, give up their lead role.
On the other hand those committed to MANUAL labor, working in concert with the Army Commander were spurned as outcasts. They endured trials, mockings and persecution because they lived, breathed and slept the Word of God. They were looking for every opportunity to present it, proclaim it and see that those who were suffering from stage clerics were set free. Not everyone holding services in paid for facilities and packed out crowds is set for the defense of the gospel. Some are standing in public pulpits to kill us with unbelief. They say, “You are not walking by faith because of where you live and the car you drive.” Is it any different than Martha’s words to Mary? Was she not judging Mary’s faithfulness?
Who is judging yours?
As a minister are you being marred or marked by those you encounter. Are you being judged by the car you drive or the integrity of the Word you deliver? Have you considered the Lord may be purposefully allowing you to drive that car so that you see for yourself the measuring stick of elite imposters? Are the words, “You’re not walking by faith because of where you live.” a mar or a mark? Do they mark you as one who has joined the ranks of Paul, “I know how to abound and how to be abased?” Or do they alert you to enemy opportunists who have not unlocked the code of the government issue manual themselves.
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Heb 11:36-40
My battle-weary friend, if wanderers, prisoners, destitute and afflicted men obtained a good report through faith let me assure you your material possessions nor your circumstances are faith-level measuring devices. Where you live, the clothes you wear or the car you drive are not success indicators. Do not be deceived. We are at war. We must seize what may be our last chance. Do not allow the deceitfulness of riches to choke the Word.
How can signs of war, weaponry and government issue manuals have anything to do with the countdown to Mother’s Day? What do the two have in common? How will Jesus honor his mother during the day of celebration? The Government Issue manual holds the secret key.
My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Luke 8:21
The Commander and Chief has spoken. Are you HIS mother hearing and doing the Word or vying for the lead role in the stage play Entertainment Today? This could be your last chance to choose.
A few miles from the city limits of Fayetteville,NC, the home of the Fort Bragg Air Force Base, the sleepy community of Bethany parked a military tank. It is a constant reminder when I come and go home of the time we are in and the ticking of the clock. A portable billboard advertises community affairs. One day it herald an invitation to attend a play at a local church I was intrigued with the stark contrast and captured this photo. The black letters “LAST CHANCE” against a white billboard took on a new level of intensity in front of the tank. Signs of war and impending threats are everywhere. Is the church in dress rehearsal waiting for the entertainment to begin? Or are we in bootcamp learning to use our weapons of war?
I’ve been laying on a gurney for hours too dazed to go far, too wounded to ignore the message. “Last Chance” The billboard’s empty today but the remembrance lingers. The church is at war. Causalities abound. No one is exempt. Not even me. It’s hard to discern who is acting out a part in a play and who is preparing for war? I walked out of a pastor’s office yesterday afternoon with a pierced side. Oh, struggling one, I was battling for your freedom. I insisted each soldier needed to learn to unlock the code of the Government Issue manual themselves. Even in a Broadway production you have to learn your own lines. ”Other programs have been introduced”, came his response. “and I’m certified to train.”
But sir, “Their questions and their cries tell me they don’t understand. Let’s try a different approach.”
I learned the key to the manual and found how to dig my own fox hole during a time of enemy invasion. I didn’t have to wait until the instructor had time for me. I would have been dead by now if I had.” Oh hungry one, Your cry and my desire had a head-on colloision with his disdain. “Give me a business plan. Who’s going to finance it?” It was obvious from his answers his eyes were closed to the sign and the incessant ticking of the clock. “Last chance.” The church is at war. The enemy has infiltrated our ranks. Sometimes they are right in our own home, our own church.
Mary of Bethany in Luke 10 could well have seen a similar banner the day Jesus frequented her house. She was loved by him but she never took her relationship for granted. It could be her “Last Chance” invitation. Her only opportunity to master the code of her Master. She too found the enemy lurking behind the curtains with an imposter-issued screenplay. “Let me entertain you.” Martha recited her lines as she auditioned for the lead role of the PLAY. But Mary wasn’t playing, not with her relationship with the Lord. She took her cues from Him and Him alone. What do you do when one member of the house, the church, the ministry jockeys for position and the other insists on being trained to hold the Government Issued sword. Any one can recite the lines but can you wield a sword you do not cling to?
The only way out of the house of misery, as Bethany was known, was to choose between religion’s entertainment and uncompromised commitment to the Commander and Chief. Mary felt the side piercing confrontation when the PLAY is staged in her own house. Martha stood in defense of position while Mary chose to sit for defense of the gospel. War, crisis and trials force us to acknowledge the sign of the times. When our eyes open to the desperate urgency priorities must shift. Dishes, dusting and disorder must wait. Sitting at the feet of the Master can not. This could be the last chance to get his code of conduct for the times. We are at war.
The persecuted church in China knows how to survive. You go underground. The early church went house to house. Why? Organized religion and the government of man is rift with imposters. They insist "the PLAY must go on". They beat, stoned and imprisoned anyone who lifted up the true Commander and Chief. Devotion to HIM and His Word meant the final curtain call for their PLAY. They refused the manual of war and discarded with disdain any threat of interruption. They knew their lines. They would not, under any circumstances, give up their lead role.
On the other hand those committed to MANUAL labor, working in concert with the Army Commander were spurned as outcasts. They endured trials, mockings and persecution because they lived, breathed and slept the Word of God. They were looking for every opportunity to present it, proclaim it and see that those who were suffering from stage clerics were set free. Not everyone holding services in paid for facilities and packed out crowds is set for the defense of the gospel. Some are standing in public pulpits to kill us with unbelief. They say, “You are not walking by faith because of where you live and the car you drive.” Is it any different than Martha’s words to Mary? Was she not judging Mary’s faithfulness?
Who is judging yours?
As a minister are you being marred or marked by those you encounter. Are you being judged by the car you drive or the integrity of the Word you deliver? Have you considered the Lord may be purposefully allowing you to drive that car so that you see for yourself the measuring stick of elite imposters? Are the words, “You’re not walking by faith because of where you live.” a mar or a mark? Do they mark you as one who has joined the ranks of Paul, “I know how to abound and how to be abased?” Or do they alert you to enemy opportunists who have not unlocked the code of the government issue manual themselves.
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Heb 11:36-40
My battle-weary friend, if wanderers, prisoners, destitute and afflicted men obtained a good report through faith let me assure you your material possessions nor your circumstances are faith-level measuring devices. Where you live, the clothes you wear or the car you drive are not success indicators. Do not be deceived. We are at war. We must seize what may be our last chance. Do not allow the deceitfulness of riches to choke the Word.
How can signs of war, weaponry and government issue manuals have anything to do with the countdown to Mother’s Day? What do the two have in common? How will Jesus honor his mother during the day of celebration? The Government Issue manual holds the secret key.
My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Luke 8:21
The Commander and Chief has spoken. Are you HIS mother hearing and doing the Word or vying for the lead role in the stage play Entertainment Today? This could be your last chance to choose.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Bible Study: Where Do I Start?
“I don’t know where to start.”
The statement was made in a matter of fact fashion. But I heard the undercurrent. I could not mistake the cry nor ignore the anguish. This morning during my quiet time they echoed into my own heart’s cry to the Father. I was moved by your words. Moved enough to take action.
I remembered thoughts from Luke 1:1-4. A physician takes action. His mission: to bring certaintanty to one man. To accomplish his mission he writes, “That you might know the certainty.” He was obviously moved by one person’s cry as well. This morning the two statements intersect. Yours, "I don't know where to begin." and Luke's. He chose to write a letter. So have I. Why? So you can be certain of the starting point.
We gathered for a luncheon after Sunday morning service. The topic quickly turned to the Word of God. Hunger was apparent, both natural and spiritual. We sat masking our eagerness to eat under the guise of socially accepted behaviour the aroma tempting us from the kitchen. We silently monitored our impatience. The sound from our stomachs, however, exposed the truth. Regardles of our bridled tongues each of us knew we were ravenous. It didn’t matter where we started. We wanted to know WHEN do we start. Let the where follow at the table. Just let me see the spread.
Our readiness to partake of this Southern cooking was strikingly similar to a deeper more silent groaning from within. “Teach me to study the Word.” That hunger intensified as we fellowshiped over a meal. The mouth-watering morsels soon filled us. The undercurrant, however, was unmistakable. “I’m not going to be fuly satisfied until I study the Word for myself.”
I’m encouraged this morning as I pick up my pen and glide across the blank page. Like Luke I’ve chosen to write to someone who needs a starting point. Theophilus needed a letter. A letter from someone who could satisfy his silent hunger. He needed that information on paper so he could fellowship at the table of certainty. That’s my desire as well this morning as I rise to the challenge of passing on to you the answer to that knawing question, “Where do I start?”
Let’s start with the cry. When I get really quiet allowing the words to replay I hear more than actual wrods. I hear the almost restrained low-level panic of someone keenly aware of a deficiet in their life. Someone who is crying out for truth. At the same time there’s an obvious twinge of “I’m alone in this. I don’t have a teacher.”
Well, I have good news for you on all counts. For starters, “I’ve been there.” Knowing I needed to study the Word I approached a leader in my church some thrity years ago. “How do I study the Word?” Their reply was like hitting a brick wall, “You just study.” Like everyone was born with this fully operationally study skill except me. I wanted help. I knew I needed help but my cry was ignored. At least in the ears of the one I had looked to for help.
Perhaps that’s why I can’t ignore the inner cry I heard in your words yesterday at lunch. It caused me to remember my own cry, the anguish and the sense of abandonment I felt when I heard those words, “just study”. Is this what we say to a first grader? Do we tell them just study without some form of understanding? Of course not.
I can not remain quiet to your cry nor ignore your statement. I must write and answer the real question embedded in your words. “Who will teach me?” Sometimes we’re afraid to ask the question openly because we’re convinced we have some learning disability that disqualifies us from being accepted in a normal class setting, whatever normal may be. So we hide behind the curtain afraid to ask for a teacher for fear they’ll condemn us for wanting to be taught. Like we were some how passed over or excluded from the class everyone else took. Or worse yet should have already taken the course.
Let me ease your mind. You’ve not been passed over nor excluded. There is a teacher standing by to instruct you. I’m quite certain you’ve been introduced to this person before. Perhaps your introduction didn’t include a complete resume of qualifications and work history. For those of us who have sat under his tutelage we no longer refer to him as a teacher. We don’t even call him a good teacher although he is. He’s not even a great teacher. He is The Great Teacher. And guess what? He’s conducting classes near you, like right along side you. His mission statement can be summed up with single focus. He is sent to teach you.
According to John’s gospel the Great Teacher has a responsibility. He’s been given a job, commissioned from heaven and assigned to you. His job description is written. Here’s what you can expect Him to do for you.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. Jn 16:13-15
Now that’s good news! The Holy Spirit is under a divine mandate to walk along side you, show you where to start and, if that’s not enough,, he’s responsible for getting you into the truth. What does that mean to you? “Relax, The Lord takes care of you.” (Ps 116:7 NCV) He is responsible. He is your guide. He is your teacher. Doesn’t that lift the burden from your back? I thought it would. What happens now? It’s simple. Just sign up for the course and let the word speak.
Just like any other course you just have to show up for class. Let Him know you are submitting to his leadership and allow Him to answer your questions and prepare you for the tests.
I have found some basic exercises profitable in positioning myself to be taught. For starters,I use a read the Bible through in a year system. When I begin my devotional time I read a section of the Old, a portion of the New, a measured dose of the Psalms and a sprinking of Proverbs. That becomes my daily vitamin pack to make sure I get some basics. I use The One Year Bible published by Tyndale. I rotate the translations yearly. This gives me an overview. As I’m reading I make note of any passage that may jump out. That's where I begin my study, with a quickened word. This portion of my devotional time is for intake. My study time is much more structured and requires a greater degree of focus and intensity.
In my next letter I’ll introduce you to some other Bible Study tools and give you a little kick start to get you to the banqueting table for fresh baked bread.
Feel free to leave you comments or ask a question by using the comment button below. I’m looking forward to sharing with you more and watching you glean from the rich storehouse of God’s Word.
The statement was made in a matter of fact fashion. But I heard the undercurrent. I could not mistake the cry nor ignore the anguish. This morning during my quiet time they echoed into my own heart’s cry to the Father. I was moved by your words. Moved enough to take action.
I remembered thoughts from Luke 1:1-4. A physician takes action. His mission: to bring certaintanty to one man. To accomplish his mission he writes, “That you might know the certainty.” He was obviously moved by one person’s cry as well. This morning the two statements intersect. Yours, "I don't know where to begin." and Luke's. He chose to write a letter. So have I. Why? So you can be certain of the starting point.
We gathered for a luncheon after Sunday morning service. The topic quickly turned to the Word of God. Hunger was apparent, both natural and spiritual. We sat masking our eagerness to eat under the guise of socially accepted behaviour the aroma tempting us from the kitchen. We silently monitored our impatience. The sound from our stomachs, however, exposed the truth. Regardles of our bridled tongues each of us knew we were ravenous. It didn’t matter where we started. We wanted to know WHEN do we start. Let the where follow at the table. Just let me see the spread.
Our readiness to partake of this Southern cooking was strikingly similar to a deeper more silent groaning from within. “Teach me to study the Word.” That hunger intensified as we fellowshiped over a meal. The mouth-watering morsels soon filled us. The undercurrant, however, was unmistakable. “I’m not going to be fuly satisfied until I study the Word for myself.”
I’m encouraged this morning as I pick up my pen and glide across the blank page. Like Luke I’ve chosen to write to someone who needs a starting point. Theophilus needed a letter. A letter from someone who could satisfy his silent hunger. He needed that information on paper so he could fellowship at the table of certainty. That’s my desire as well this morning as I rise to the challenge of passing on to you the answer to that knawing question, “Where do I start?”
Let’s start with the cry. When I get really quiet allowing the words to replay I hear more than actual wrods. I hear the almost restrained low-level panic of someone keenly aware of a deficiet in their life. Someone who is crying out for truth. At the same time there’s an obvious twinge of “I’m alone in this. I don’t have a teacher.”
Well, I have good news for you on all counts. For starters, “I’ve been there.” Knowing I needed to study the Word I approached a leader in my church some thrity years ago. “How do I study the Word?” Their reply was like hitting a brick wall, “You just study.” Like everyone was born with this fully operationally study skill except me. I wanted help. I knew I needed help but my cry was ignored. At least in the ears of the one I had looked to for help.
Perhaps that’s why I can’t ignore the inner cry I heard in your words yesterday at lunch. It caused me to remember my own cry, the anguish and the sense of abandonment I felt when I heard those words, “just study”. Is this what we say to a first grader? Do we tell them just study without some form of understanding? Of course not.
I can not remain quiet to your cry nor ignore your statement. I must write and answer the real question embedded in your words. “Who will teach me?” Sometimes we’re afraid to ask the question openly because we’re convinced we have some learning disability that disqualifies us from being accepted in a normal class setting, whatever normal may be. So we hide behind the curtain afraid to ask for a teacher for fear they’ll condemn us for wanting to be taught. Like we were some how passed over or excluded from the class everyone else took. Or worse yet should have already taken the course.
Let me ease your mind. You’ve not been passed over nor excluded. There is a teacher standing by to instruct you. I’m quite certain you’ve been introduced to this person before. Perhaps your introduction didn’t include a complete resume of qualifications and work history. For those of us who have sat under his tutelage we no longer refer to him as a teacher. We don’t even call him a good teacher although he is. He’s not even a great teacher. He is The Great Teacher. And guess what? He’s conducting classes near you, like right along side you. His mission statement can be summed up with single focus. He is sent to teach you.
According to John’s gospel the Great Teacher has a responsibility. He’s been given a job, commissioned from heaven and assigned to you. His job description is written. Here’s what you can expect Him to do for you.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. Jn 16:13-15
Now that’s good news! The Holy Spirit is under a divine mandate to walk along side you, show you where to start and, if that’s not enough,, he’s responsible for getting you into the truth. What does that mean to you? “Relax, The Lord takes care of you.” (Ps 116:7 NCV) He is responsible. He is your guide. He is your teacher. Doesn’t that lift the burden from your back? I thought it would. What happens now? It’s simple. Just sign up for the course and let the word speak.
Just like any other course you just have to show up for class. Let Him know you are submitting to his leadership and allow Him to answer your questions and prepare you for the tests.
I have found some basic exercises profitable in positioning myself to be taught. For starters,I use a read the Bible through in a year system. When I begin my devotional time I read a section of the Old, a portion of the New, a measured dose of the Psalms and a sprinking of Proverbs. That becomes my daily vitamin pack to make sure I get some basics. I use The One Year Bible published by Tyndale. I rotate the translations yearly. This gives me an overview. As I’m reading I make note of any passage that may jump out. That's where I begin my study, with a quickened word. This portion of my devotional time is for intake. My study time is much more structured and requires a greater degree of focus and intensity.
In my next letter I’ll introduce you to some other Bible Study tools and give you a little kick start to get you to the banqueting table for fresh baked bread.
Feel free to leave you comments or ask a question by using the comment button below. I’m looking forward to sharing with you more and watching you glean from the rich storehouse of God’s Word.
Friday, April 28, 2006
The Word of the Kingdom
Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Matt 13:10
It is apparent by the question the disciples recognized a distinction in how Jesus spoke to the crowds and how He spoke to them. Could there be a key to true discipleship locked up in their observation?
You don’t speak to us like that. Why do you speak to them like that? What’s the reason? That raises another question. How did he speak to the disciples? Let’s take a look.
In Matthew 4:19 he sets the precedent. “Follow me, I will make you fishers of men.” His words are clear. They are emphatic and they are, according to Tense, Voice and Mood of the original language, imperative. They must be heard and submitted to. This was the disciples initial orientation. Jesus spoke and it came to be. He commanded and it stood firm. They were arrested by the authority of the word of the kingdom.
Matthew 5 is loaded with blessing and words of command. He is speaking to the disciples. By the time we reach Matt 7 vs 29 the people themselves are catching on to the distinction. They comment among themselves, “He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." They could see the distinction in words but could not comprehend the source of His identity. They were quite sure however Jesus was unique. He spoke commanding words of instruction and devils left, sicknesses were healed, blind eyes opened and dead men rose again. This was not one purposed to distribute information. His authority was realized in the instructions he gave.
In chapter 8 of Matthew’s gospel a Centurion caused Jesus to marvel by addressing this very point. "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. "The Centurion was confident in the realm and jurisdiction which was delegated to him. He did not treat the men under him as relatives, friends or associates. They were called to serve under his command. He spoke to them with commanding language. Why was he a successful Centurion? Simple. He knew and the men under him knew he was set into a place of authority over their lives. Therefore, when he spoke with instructions backed by his delegated authority obedience followed. Those servants saw him as their leader. They understood he was given this authority by someone higher than them all. They also understood that to disobey or refuse to follow the instructions given was a serious offense, one which would not be tolerated nor overlooked. If the instructions are not obeyed the Centurion would automatically bring the matter before one of his own superiors. What then would be the fate of the one refusing to follow the instructions of their commander? Ask a court-martialed military man? The repurcussions for disobedience are fatal.
What caused Jesus to marvel at the Centurion's faith? He understood authority, his position, the role of servants? I don’t think so. I believe the Centurion understood that neither he nor his superiors had the authority to speak to the force which was grievously tormenting his servant. Therefore, he abandoned his own authority and submitted to the authority of Jesus, recognizing the scope of His jurisdiction. The Centurion understood words of instruction. He spoke to those “subject” to him and they obeyed. He was set in place to speak them. However, the Centurion's realm of authority was limited to the 100 men under him. The Centurion acknowledged the deficit of his own authority. He said, I speak to my servant, Do this and he does it. For some reason however, it’s not working this time. My servant didn’t get up and do as I instructed him. Why? Because some unseen force outside my jurisdiction has sabatogued his mind. Therefore a higher authority must speak. He didn’t go to men within the ranks of the military force he was joined to. Why? Because the words of the earthly commander (those over him) were not capable of doing what a word from Jesus' man’s kingdom (or realm of authrotity) will do.
The Centurion, though not a disciple, recognized the authority of Jesus. Jesus marveled because the Centurion saw the limitations of the kingdom in which he served and ruled. At the same time he saw the extent of Jesus’s rule and dominion. With this understanding he summed it up. “Just speak the word.” What word? The word of the kingdom in which Jesus was given dominion. How far did it reach? In the eyes of the Centurion it would reach to boundaries of his house. Are you convinced it will reach yours?
Jesus countered the Centurion’s word with great affirmation. “I’ve not seen so great faith.” The Centurion’s servant was healed because the Centurion took responsibility for those under his leadership. He did not ask the Lord to enter into his realm of authority (house). He positioned himself through acknowledgement and submission into the realm of the Lord's authority. He didn’t ask the Lord, tell me what to say or how to heal this servant. He wanted NOW results and he got them. You just speak the word, backed with your authority and my servant will be healed. The Centurion did not want information. He wanted results. He came seeking a word of the kingdom. Send the word and heal my servant and deliver him of his destruction. Speak that word NOW.
What is the word of the kingdom? A word decreed by the King. A word, which once received, must be listened to and obeyed. Why? Because the Word is the King's determination in regards to the matters of his kingdom. It is impossible for you to obey a word of instruction from the King without achieving a manifestation of the kingdom. His commands stand firm. Obey his commands and reap the benefits of Deut 28. Ignore the commands….shut your eyes to the authority behind the command, cast off the words as mere rhetoric like the Pharisees, or catalogue them as mere information….what results will follow? Jesus said it well. “You make the commandment of none effect.”[1]
The effectiveness of the command is in your obedience. Refuse to obey….you see no results. Close your eyes to the authentic authority with which it is commanded….you’ll miss your healing.That’s why true BELIEVERS can say, “Is anything too hard for God?” Of course not. He just speaks and it comes to be. He commands and it stands firm. Jesus sent the disciples forth commanding them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out devils. They didn’t heal the sick because they prayed. He had not even taught them to pray yet. The results were not related to their fasting. John’s own disciples challenged him as to why the Lord’s disciples did not fast. The disciples healed the sick because they were COMMANDED to heal the sick. When they obeyed the command of their superior officer they achieved results. The authority of the King manifested to confirm the words they spoke on His behalf.The disciples obeyed instructions. Why the disciples and not the masses? Because they saw/knew the authority given to the one who spoke them. They also acknowledged through their obedience that they were subject to the King. Subjects of the kingdom carry out and obey the words of the King. Why did the disciples have tangible results when they laid hands on the sick? The answer is easy. Jesus commanded them to do it. They recognized him as one with authority. They submitted to his authority following through with action on their part. What happened when they believed they were to obey His instructions? Signs and wonders followed them because they believed they were to obey the instructions.
How can we be assured of results? The same way. We must open our eyes to his divinely appointed position of authority and submit to the word of the Kingdom. How do we do that? Just obey. Like the words of the song. Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.
Because it is given unto you to know.
Jesus made it unmistakably clear, knowing the mysteries of the kingdom is a gift. Some receive it. Some do not. What is the deciding factor? Could it be connected to those who come back after the parable is spoken and ask for understanding? They are the only ones who heard him say, "the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are given to you". Disciples then are those who are submitted to Jesus’ as a commander. The reward of obedience is knowledge of the mysteries. He goes on to say that those who have.... Have what? Have questions? Have need of understanding? Have a relationship with the Great Teacher? He said those who have shall get more. More what? Those who have questions and have a relationship with the one who has the answers will have more abundance. But if you don’t have a desire for understanding even the information you received will not profit you because you will not retain it.
Jesus next reveals the source of the problem for those who hear and walk away. "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand".They saw him as a teacher with authority according to Matt 7:29 but they did not see Him as the source of understanding. They heard the words of the parable but they could not hear his invitation to take up your cross daily and follow me. They don’t understand the mysteries are revealed sitting at his feet. So they go their own way.
They are fulfilling prophecy and don’t even know it. Jesus adds another dimension to the problem. They are fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. The problem; hearing with out understanding and seeing without perception. They are learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted[2], and I should heal them. Vs 15 Here’s the diagnosis; a heart waxed gross, dull of hearing and they have closed their eyes. They have made a decision they don’t want to see it. The problem is simple. It’s not a demon. It’s not a curse. It’s not a generational sin. It’s just they don’t want to see. The solution to their healing however is quite easy to obtain. The problem came when they shut their eyes. Guess when the turn around begins. When they choose to open them. Jesus says if at any time they decide to open their eyes, hearing and understanding would following. They will then be converted and I should heal them. That makes me ask a question. What is it they have not seen if in fact they have seen something? What must one see to be healed? What must be heard? What understanding is needed to be converted?I believe we can answer those questions with a quick look back to the Centurion. What did he see? He saw Jesus with a more encompassing authority than his own. Was he not the authority over his own house? Over his own servants? Over the 100 men in his charge? Sure he was. But the Centurion saw Jesus as the ultimate authority. How do I know that? Well, he did not go to his superior officers and ask them to speak a word into his house to heal his servant. Why? Their authority had no jurisdiction within his own home. The Centurion opened the door for Jesus to exercise His God-given authority within the realm of his own house. He humbled himself, disregarding his own position, and submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Centurion SAW Jesus and in seeing he waited to hear the word of the kingdom which was sent to heal the disease of his servant. Did the servant get healed with information? No. He was healed by the word of the kingdom. A word which was backed by the authority of heaven on earth.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Vs 16 Jesus spoke to disciples by command. They responded with obedience. As long as they saw him as their commander they obeyed the commands. Jesus called this relationship blessed. They SAW Him. Because they saw him they heard him. When they heard they asked for understanding. It was this ongoing relationship which assured them of abiding in His kingdom. Jesus declared, "blessed are your eyes for they see".
In vs 18 Jesus demonstrates the authority he exercises to the obedient. “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower? He left no room for error. Speaking with authority he commands their attention, “Hear ye.” As their leader, one ordained to be with them, Jesus takes responsibility for their hearing. He issues a heavenly mandate. “Hear.”We see a similar command at the beginning of the parable. “Behold.” Those who responded to the command, receiving it as a word of instruction and backed with authority which must be followed, saw something. What did they see? Obviously, from their actions, they could see who to go to for the answer to their questions. They didn’t listen to the message over and over hoping to catch it. They didn’t even discuss it among themselves. They SAW Jesus as the final authority. They came to him. How did they see him? In this setting they saw him as the Teacher. They went to the one they saw. They “opened their eyes” to his identity and by virtue of their actions declared the profession or conviction of their faith. He is the sent one, the Apostle. Sent to us with a word which will heal our disease, and deliver us from our destruction. Their actions confimed the words of their lips, "The words you speak are spirit and they are life".
Did they say these words with their lips? If they did it wasn’t important enough to record. Their actions, however, spoke the conviction. They saw Jesus as the answer, therefore, they received answers to their questions. Jesus goes on to say. “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and understands it not” something is guaranteed to happen. The wicked one will steal it. Let’s look closer at this for a moment. Take specific note of his words. He has expounded upon the parable to the disciples. He’s bringing understanding. He’s now focused on a target “the word of the kingdom”. It’s not just the spoken word. It’s a word which emanates from the kingdom. That alerts us to stand at attention. The King is speaking. Now we come closer to the revelation. “If anyone hears the word of the kingdom and doesn’t understand the KING gave this instruction or commandment he is guaranteed a visit from the thief.
Let’s take a look momentarily at a couple of examples of this so we can understand the wiles of Satan. In the beginning God issued a “word of the kingdom”. Do not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Because of his subtlity Satan persuaded Eve this was just a word of information. When in fact it was a divine mandate from heaven, a word to be obeyed. Satan blinded her eyes to the origin and intent of the words so that she received it as information or knowledge to be accumulated instead of an instruction to be obeyed.They no longer saw God as the Ruler of the Universe, the authority to whom they were responsible or the Lord of their lives. They shut their eyes to his authority, his sovereignty, his divinity. Satan didn’t change the Father. He changed the view of the Father in the eyes of the creature. Because they shut their eyes to the command they could no longer see the commander.
Namaan, the leper, is another example of this. He heard the “word of the kingdom”, uttered through Elijah's mouth. However he discounted the authority behind the word. He closed his eyes to divine authority. In that moment he saw Elijah as a man dispensing information instead of a prophet of God giving instructions to heal his disease. In closing his eyes to God’s delegated authority he could only see the authority of the disease which had control of his body. How did Namaan’s eyes go shut? He chose to reject Elijah’s authority as a prophet thus negating the effectiveness of the instructions. He saw it only as information. Luckily for him his servant girl didn’t take the instruction so lightly. She intercepted the enemy’s blinders and brought him understanding. When Namaan opened his eyes to receive the “Word of instruction” as a command to be obeyed he received his healing.
When will you receive your healing, deliverance, breakthrough? According to Matthew 13:15 "lest at anytime they open their eyes...understand He is The king who stands ready to receive you into his kingdom, his sphere of influence and authority. What is his promise. The same as the one he spoke to the Centurion after hearing the condition of his servant. "I will come and heal him."
How long will it take for Him to heal you? Good question. How long will it take for you to see Him High and Lifted up? seated on the right hand of the Father? full of compassion and ready to heal? Why not ask the King to issue a royal decree concerning your circumstances? Then you will know the certainty of the kingdom declaration. "He sent his word and healed us of our diseases and delivered us from our destructions."
1994 epistrepho { ep-ee-stref’-o} from 1909 and 4762; TDNT - 7:722,1093; v AV - turn 16, be converted 6, return 6, turn about 4, turn again 3, misc 4; 39GK - 2188 { ejpistrevfw }1) transitively 1a) to turn to 1a1)to the worship of the true God 1b) to cause to return, to bring back 1b1) to the love and obedience of God1b2) to the love for the children 1b3) to love wisdom and righteousness 2) intransitively 2a) to turn to one’s self 2b) to turn one’s self about, turn back2c) to return, turn back, come back
It is apparent by the question the disciples recognized a distinction in how Jesus spoke to the crowds and how He spoke to them. Could there be a key to true discipleship locked up in their observation?
You don’t speak to us like that. Why do you speak to them like that? What’s the reason? That raises another question. How did he speak to the disciples? Let’s take a look.
In Matthew 4:19 he sets the precedent. “Follow me, I will make you fishers of men.” His words are clear. They are emphatic and they are, according to Tense, Voice and Mood of the original language, imperative. They must be heard and submitted to. This was the disciples initial orientation. Jesus spoke and it came to be. He commanded and it stood firm. They were arrested by the authority of the word of the kingdom.
Matthew 5 is loaded with blessing and words of command. He is speaking to the disciples. By the time we reach Matt 7 vs 29 the people themselves are catching on to the distinction. They comment among themselves, “He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." They could see the distinction in words but could not comprehend the source of His identity. They were quite sure however Jesus was unique. He spoke commanding words of instruction and devils left, sicknesses were healed, blind eyes opened and dead men rose again. This was not one purposed to distribute information. His authority was realized in the instructions he gave.
In chapter 8 of Matthew’s gospel a Centurion caused Jesus to marvel by addressing this very point. "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. "The Centurion was confident in the realm and jurisdiction which was delegated to him. He did not treat the men under him as relatives, friends or associates. They were called to serve under his command. He spoke to them with commanding language. Why was he a successful Centurion? Simple. He knew and the men under him knew he was set into a place of authority over their lives. Therefore, when he spoke with instructions backed by his delegated authority obedience followed. Those servants saw him as their leader. They understood he was given this authority by someone higher than them all. They also understood that to disobey or refuse to follow the instructions given was a serious offense, one which would not be tolerated nor overlooked. If the instructions are not obeyed the Centurion would automatically bring the matter before one of his own superiors. What then would be the fate of the one refusing to follow the instructions of their commander? Ask a court-martialed military man? The repurcussions for disobedience are fatal.
What caused Jesus to marvel at the Centurion's faith? He understood authority, his position, the role of servants? I don’t think so. I believe the Centurion understood that neither he nor his superiors had the authority to speak to the force which was grievously tormenting his servant. Therefore, he abandoned his own authority and submitted to the authority of Jesus, recognizing the scope of His jurisdiction. The Centurion understood words of instruction. He spoke to those “subject” to him and they obeyed. He was set in place to speak them. However, the Centurion's realm of authority was limited to the 100 men under him. The Centurion acknowledged the deficit of his own authority. He said, I speak to my servant, Do this and he does it. For some reason however, it’s not working this time. My servant didn’t get up and do as I instructed him. Why? Because some unseen force outside my jurisdiction has sabatogued his mind. Therefore a higher authority must speak. He didn’t go to men within the ranks of the military force he was joined to. Why? Because the words of the earthly commander (those over him) were not capable of doing what a word from Jesus' man’s kingdom (or realm of authrotity) will do.
The Centurion, though not a disciple, recognized the authority of Jesus. Jesus marveled because the Centurion saw the limitations of the kingdom in which he served and ruled. At the same time he saw the extent of Jesus’s rule and dominion. With this understanding he summed it up. “Just speak the word.” What word? The word of the kingdom in which Jesus was given dominion. How far did it reach? In the eyes of the Centurion it would reach to boundaries of his house. Are you convinced it will reach yours?
Jesus countered the Centurion’s word with great affirmation. “I’ve not seen so great faith.” The Centurion’s servant was healed because the Centurion took responsibility for those under his leadership. He did not ask the Lord to enter into his realm of authority (house). He positioned himself through acknowledgement and submission into the realm of the Lord's authority. He didn’t ask the Lord, tell me what to say or how to heal this servant. He wanted NOW results and he got them. You just speak the word, backed with your authority and my servant will be healed. The Centurion did not want information. He wanted results. He came seeking a word of the kingdom. Send the word and heal my servant and deliver him of his destruction. Speak that word NOW.
What is the word of the kingdom? A word decreed by the King. A word, which once received, must be listened to and obeyed. Why? Because the Word is the King's determination in regards to the matters of his kingdom. It is impossible for you to obey a word of instruction from the King without achieving a manifestation of the kingdom. His commands stand firm. Obey his commands and reap the benefits of Deut 28. Ignore the commands….shut your eyes to the authority behind the command, cast off the words as mere rhetoric like the Pharisees, or catalogue them as mere information….what results will follow? Jesus said it well. “You make the commandment of none effect.”[1]
The effectiveness of the command is in your obedience. Refuse to obey….you see no results. Close your eyes to the authentic authority with which it is commanded….you’ll miss your healing.That’s why true BELIEVERS can say, “Is anything too hard for God?” Of course not. He just speaks and it comes to be. He commands and it stands firm. Jesus sent the disciples forth commanding them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out devils. They didn’t heal the sick because they prayed. He had not even taught them to pray yet. The results were not related to their fasting. John’s own disciples challenged him as to why the Lord’s disciples did not fast. The disciples healed the sick because they were COMMANDED to heal the sick. When they obeyed the command of their superior officer they achieved results. The authority of the King manifested to confirm the words they spoke on His behalf.The disciples obeyed instructions. Why the disciples and not the masses? Because they saw/knew the authority given to the one who spoke them. They also acknowledged through their obedience that they were subject to the King. Subjects of the kingdom carry out and obey the words of the King. Why did the disciples have tangible results when they laid hands on the sick? The answer is easy. Jesus commanded them to do it. They recognized him as one with authority. They submitted to his authority following through with action on their part. What happened when they believed they were to obey His instructions? Signs and wonders followed them because they believed they were to obey the instructions.
How can we be assured of results? The same way. We must open our eyes to his divinely appointed position of authority and submit to the word of the Kingdom. How do we do that? Just obey. Like the words of the song. Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.
Because it is given unto you to know.
Jesus made it unmistakably clear, knowing the mysteries of the kingdom is a gift. Some receive it. Some do not. What is the deciding factor? Could it be connected to those who come back after the parable is spoken and ask for understanding? They are the only ones who heard him say, "the knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are given to you". Disciples then are those who are submitted to Jesus’ as a commander. The reward of obedience is knowledge of the mysteries. He goes on to say that those who have.... Have what? Have questions? Have need of understanding? Have a relationship with the Great Teacher? He said those who have shall get more. More what? Those who have questions and have a relationship with the one who has the answers will have more abundance. But if you don’t have a desire for understanding even the information you received will not profit you because you will not retain it.
Jesus next reveals the source of the problem for those who hear and walk away. "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand".They saw him as a teacher with authority according to Matt 7:29 but they did not see Him as the source of understanding. They heard the words of the parable but they could not hear his invitation to take up your cross daily and follow me. They don’t understand the mysteries are revealed sitting at his feet. So they go their own way.
They are fulfilling prophecy and don’t even know it. Jesus adds another dimension to the problem. They are fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. The problem; hearing with out understanding and seeing without perception. They are learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted[2], and I should heal them. Vs 15 Here’s the diagnosis; a heart waxed gross, dull of hearing and they have closed their eyes. They have made a decision they don’t want to see it. The problem is simple. It’s not a demon. It’s not a curse. It’s not a generational sin. It’s just they don’t want to see. The solution to their healing however is quite easy to obtain. The problem came when they shut their eyes. Guess when the turn around begins. When they choose to open them. Jesus says if at any time they decide to open their eyes, hearing and understanding would following. They will then be converted and I should heal them. That makes me ask a question. What is it they have not seen if in fact they have seen something? What must one see to be healed? What must be heard? What understanding is needed to be converted?I believe we can answer those questions with a quick look back to the Centurion. What did he see? He saw Jesus with a more encompassing authority than his own. Was he not the authority over his own house? Over his own servants? Over the 100 men in his charge? Sure he was. But the Centurion saw Jesus as the ultimate authority. How do I know that? Well, he did not go to his superior officers and ask them to speak a word into his house to heal his servant. Why? Their authority had no jurisdiction within his own home. The Centurion opened the door for Jesus to exercise His God-given authority within the realm of his own house. He humbled himself, disregarding his own position, and submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Centurion SAW Jesus and in seeing he waited to hear the word of the kingdom which was sent to heal the disease of his servant. Did the servant get healed with information? No. He was healed by the word of the kingdom. A word which was backed by the authority of heaven on earth.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Vs 16 Jesus spoke to disciples by command. They responded with obedience. As long as they saw him as their commander they obeyed the commands. Jesus called this relationship blessed. They SAW Him. Because they saw him they heard him. When they heard they asked for understanding. It was this ongoing relationship which assured them of abiding in His kingdom. Jesus declared, "blessed are your eyes for they see".
In vs 18 Jesus demonstrates the authority he exercises to the obedient. “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower? He left no room for error. Speaking with authority he commands their attention, “Hear ye.” As their leader, one ordained to be with them, Jesus takes responsibility for their hearing. He issues a heavenly mandate. “Hear.”We see a similar command at the beginning of the parable. “Behold.” Those who responded to the command, receiving it as a word of instruction and backed with authority which must be followed, saw something. What did they see? Obviously, from their actions, they could see who to go to for the answer to their questions. They didn’t listen to the message over and over hoping to catch it. They didn’t even discuss it among themselves. They SAW Jesus as the final authority. They came to him. How did they see him? In this setting they saw him as the Teacher. They went to the one they saw. They “opened their eyes” to his identity and by virtue of their actions declared the profession or conviction of their faith. He is the sent one, the Apostle. Sent to us with a word which will heal our disease, and deliver us from our destruction. Their actions confimed the words of their lips, "The words you speak are spirit and they are life".
Did they say these words with their lips? If they did it wasn’t important enough to record. Their actions, however, spoke the conviction. They saw Jesus as the answer, therefore, they received answers to their questions. Jesus goes on to say. “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and understands it not” something is guaranteed to happen. The wicked one will steal it. Let’s look closer at this for a moment. Take specific note of his words. He has expounded upon the parable to the disciples. He’s bringing understanding. He’s now focused on a target “the word of the kingdom”. It’s not just the spoken word. It’s a word which emanates from the kingdom. That alerts us to stand at attention. The King is speaking. Now we come closer to the revelation. “If anyone hears the word of the kingdom and doesn’t understand the KING gave this instruction or commandment he is guaranteed a visit from the thief.
Let’s take a look momentarily at a couple of examples of this so we can understand the wiles of Satan. In the beginning God issued a “word of the kingdom”. Do not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Because of his subtlity Satan persuaded Eve this was just a word of information. When in fact it was a divine mandate from heaven, a word to be obeyed. Satan blinded her eyes to the origin and intent of the words so that she received it as information or knowledge to be accumulated instead of an instruction to be obeyed.They no longer saw God as the Ruler of the Universe, the authority to whom they were responsible or the Lord of their lives. They shut their eyes to his authority, his sovereignty, his divinity. Satan didn’t change the Father. He changed the view of the Father in the eyes of the creature. Because they shut their eyes to the command they could no longer see the commander.
Namaan, the leper, is another example of this. He heard the “word of the kingdom”, uttered through Elijah's mouth. However he discounted the authority behind the word. He closed his eyes to divine authority. In that moment he saw Elijah as a man dispensing information instead of a prophet of God giving instructions to heal his disease. In closing his eyes to God’s delegated authority he could only see the authority of the disease which had control of his body. How did Namaan’s eyes go shut? He chose to reject Elijah’s authority as a prophet thus negating the effectiveness of the instructions. He saw it only as information. Luckily for him his servant girl didn’t take the instruction so lightly. She intercepted the enemy’s blinders and brought him understanding. When Namaan opened his eyes to receive the “Word of instruction” as a command to be obeyed he received his healing.
When will you receive your healing, deliverance, breakthrough? According to Matthew 13:15 "lest at anytime they open their eyes...understand He is The king who stands ready to receive you into his kingdom, his sphere of influence and authority. What is his promise. The same as the one he spoke to the Centurion after hearing the condition of his servant. "I will come and heal him."
How long will it take for Him to heal you? Good question. How long will it take for you to see Him High and Lifted up? seated on the right hand of the Father? full of compassion and ready to heal? Why not ask the King to issue a royal decree concerning your circumstances? Then you will know the certainty of the kingdom declaration. "He sent his word and healed us of our diseases and delivered us from our destructions."
1994 epistrepho { ep-ee-stref’-o} from 1909 and 4762; TDNT - 7:722,1093; v AV - turn 16, be converted 6, return 6, turn about 4, turn again 3, misc 4; 39GK - 2188 { ejpistrevfw }1) transitively 1a) to turn to 1a1)to the worship of the true God 1b) to cause to return, to bring back 1b1) to the love and obedience of God1b2) to the love for the children 1b3) to love wisdom and righteousness 2) intransitively 2a) to turn to one’s self 2b) to turn one’s self about, turn back2c) to return, turn back, come back
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