Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 27, 2016

How the Bible New Testament Was Formed

FOCUS VERSES

2 Peter 3:15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Every so often a magazine like National Geographic or an author such as Dan Brown (author of The Da Vinci Code) will make a ‘splash’ by discovering or uncovering a NEW book intentionally left out of the New Testament.  The purpose of course is two fold: to sell more copies of their book… and to try to discredit the New Testament.  Nothing ‘new’ here in their attempts, but it is important for Believers to know WHY they can trust these 27 books.

Some critics of the New Testament like to point out that there were many ‘gospels’ written and many ‘other’ letters circulated besides those included in the ‘canon’ or ‘authoritative record we now know as the New Testament.  And these critics would be ‘technically’ correct. The ’Gospel of Thomas’, the Gospel of Barnabas, the Gospel of Mary and others are ’floating’ around in the literary world.  None, however fit the criteria of Scripture. You see, God has supernaturally communicated His Word, God has supernaturally preserved his Word and God has supernaturally ‘sealed’ his Word in the New Testament.

Three criteria are usually cited as requirements for a book to be considered as ‘Scripture’: 1. Apostolic authenticity, 2. consistency with already accepted ‘rule of faith’ and 3. usage by Early Church.  A  fourth may be does it bear the ‘witness of the Holy Spirit’, the ‘Thus Saith the Lord’ !   In the Focus Verses above, Peter is instructing the church about the writings of the Apostle Paul.  Notice what Peter says concerning Paul’s letters: “His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures (vs 16).

Did you catch that?  Already, Paul’s writings are considered Scripture.  Even while these men were still alive, the church KNEW that God had ‘breathed His Word’ through these eyewitnesses.  In Revelation 22, The Apostle John closes or ’seals’ the writing of the New Testament with a threat: don’t let anyone ‘add’ to what has been written and don’t let anyone ‘take away’.  AMEN!

 

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 26, 2016

Persecution:  Christianity’s ‘Normal’

FOCUS VERSES

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name

Persecution and Christianity are synonyms. We are not to ‘be surprised’ when ‘fiery ordeals’ come our way.  Instead, Christian, you should rejoice!  Not easy words to accept… yet for a majority of Christians in the Early Church and even today in many countries around the world, persecution is the NORM.

There are many reasons Christians are so despised and hatred throughout history.  For one, Christianity is a THREAT to the powerful.  Christianity liberates societies, which is a threat to the tyrants and dictators of the world.  Secondly, Christianity, in it’s truest form, is RADICAL.  In a world governed by the use of force and fear, the Cross and the Power of Love seemed ridiculous.  Lastly, in the words of Jesus, ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that they hated me first’ (John 15:18).  Christians are persecuted because they represent Christ in a world CONTROLED BY SATAN.  The world’s hatred is often Satanically inspired.

To chronicle the persecutions Christians and the Church have endured would required volumes. (Foxes Book of Martyrs would be a good start in one is interested).  For us today— especially those of us in America who are only beginning to feel the persecution of a life in a post-Christian America—  the important point to realize is that persecution is a normal part of being a disciple of Jesus.  We must prepare ourselves for what may be to come.  We must strengthen our faith to be able to withstand the test.  And we will!  The same Jesus who stood with the saint of old in their moments of anguish will stand with us, giving comfort, grace, peace… and assurance of Heaven.

 

 

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 23, 2016

Cultural ‘Diversity’ and the Church

FOCUS VERSES

Acts 13:1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Only Jesus could unite such a diverse group.  In the decade after the Cross,  city of Antioch had become the ’center’ of the Christian church.  It was in Antioch that Believers were first called ’Christians’.  And it was from Antioch that the world’s greatest missionary, Paul, was called and commissioned. Persecution, often the greatest asset to Christianity, had forced most Believers from Jerusalem.  Antioch was now the center of the Christian world.

God was truly doing amazing things in the church at Antioch.  People were coming to Christ.  The church was taking care of the poor.  The Holy Spirit was pouring out revelation, prophecy and teaching that would shape the Christian world forever.  But perhaps most importantly, the church at Antioch had achieved a unique racial unity.

Cultural diversity is a hot topic today.  The world, however, can never mandate or legislate racial, national or socioeconomic respect.  It can only come from the Cross— that unique awareness experienced by Christians that we are all ‘sinners in need of a Savior’.  When I understand that, every vestige of personal pride falls to the ground.

Look at the worship service described above in the FOCUS Verses.  Note the people in attendance.

Barnabas: a kindhearted soul, a Jew from the island of Cyprus

Simeon called Niger: if not of African descent, he was notably dark (hence the name ‘Niger’). He may have been the man chosen to carry Jesus’ cross, although we can’t know for sure.

Lucius: Cyrene, a city in modern Libya, so Lucius was an African.

Manaen: to be  brought up in the home of Herod meant privilege, power, and access.  Manaen was a person of means.

Saul:  a Pharisee, a Jew in the strictest sense

This passage is a great example of what the Cross of Jesus can do.  It brings people from wildly different and adversarial backgrounds together.  In another setting, these men, in all likelihood would not have been friends.  But in the Church of Jesus, together as brothers!!

 

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 22, 2016

LOOK UNDER YOUR FEET

FOCUS VERSES

2 Timothy 4:4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear… 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

George Washington Carver: “When I was young, I said to God, God, tell me the mystery of the universe. But God answered, that knowledge is for me alone. So I said, God, tell me the mystery of the peanut. Then God said, well, George, that’s more nearly your size.”

 How will YOU change your world?  Sometimes, like Mr. Carver, we spend too much time staring at the stars when we ought to be looking underneath our very own feet?

Our task, our charge, in this present time of ‘itching ears’ is to recognize our call and prepare our selves for eternal purposes.  If we heed the advice, stay true to the Cause, keep our ‘hand to the plow’… good things will happen.

The Apostle Paul was about the die.  He knew it.  So did his apprentice and friend, Timothy.  The baton was about to be passed.  But not without instructions to Timothy.  Paul’s main advice to Timothy:  Preach the Word.  That may seem like one preacher to another, but it was a word for us all.  Please don’t misunderstand what I am about to say but… he world does not need any more preachers, if by preachers we mean clergy who show up on Sunday, share a 30 minute speech, shake a few hands and gracefully exit the building (hopefully before noon).

Look around you.  The world is changing.  And not in a good way. Yet the opportunity to ‘do the work of an evangelist’ has never been greater.  You just need to look around a little.  Quit waiting for the perfect ‘opportunity’ to share.  It won’t come!  God has placed a ’peanut’ in your path— a peanut that could change the world— but you just haven’t been looking.  So what is your ‘peanut’? A person, a career, a plan, a vision, an outreach.  Don’t give up!.  Let God direct you eyes!

 

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 21, 2016

The Journeys of the ‘Other’ Disciples

The church began with a huge spiritual ‘explosion on Pentecost Sunday.  People from 15 nations and languages heard the gospel— in their own native language.  Many were part of the 3000 that were saved that morning.  These new Believers traveled back to their native lands, telling the life-changing story of Jesus, the Cross, the empty tomb.

God would soon send other witnesses— eyewitness— who could tell firsthand what Jesus’ life had accomplished because they had lived with him. We know much about the lives of Peter and Paul… but what about the other disciples?  These are the records of the journeys of the Twelve Disciples.

Much of what you are about to examine is ‘traditional’ or ‘extra-Biblical records’.  The Book of Acts focuses predominantly on the ministry of Paul and the spread of the Gospel ‘westward’— to Rome and beyond.  That does not mean, however that other Disciples did nothing.  In fact, most scholars believe that every one of the original Twelve (excluding Judas… and perhaps John) were killed in foreign countries for their witness.  Below is a map of their journeys as well as a short synopsis of the journeys of some of the Twelve and where they were led by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel.

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 20, 2016

Lofty Theology Wrapped in Lowly Flesh

FOCUS VERSES

Philemon 7  Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you… have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Many scholars believe that the book of Romans is the most complete and lofty theology treatise every written to help us understand the plan of God.  It’s 16 chapters address amazing and quite difficult subjects.  Through Paul, the Holy Spirit teaches us about the inescapable cycles of human culture (Romans 1,2), the nature of sin (Romans 3-6),  the over-coming and soul-keeping power of the ’love of Christ’ (Romans 7, 8), the past, present and future plans for God’s people— Israel— in salvation (Romans 9-11), and practical tips on living a life of grace and truth in a broken and conflicted world (Romans 12-15).  We also, of course, see the 4 step method of ‘leading a sinner to the Savior’ in what we often call ‘Romans Road’.

Yet when Paul comes to the end of his ‘lofty theology’ he remembers that all theology is ultimately wrapped in lowly flesh.  And how grateful he is for those flesh and blood people.  In fact, Paul devotes an entire chapter to these otherwise nameless souls whom Paul loves… and who have loved Paul.  Open Roman’s 16 on your iPhone or Bible and let’s look at a few of these saints.

1 Phoebe, a servant of the church (2) … for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

3 Prisca and Aquila,  my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life risked their own necks

6  Mary, who worked very hard for you

7 Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

8 Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord

Tryphena and Tryphosa, (and) my dear friend Persis,… women who have worked very hard in the Lord.

13 Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

In all, Paul list the names of 28 people… at least 10 of them are ladies.  At the end of the greatest book of theology, the closing comments are all about people.  People you know.  People you are related to. People you love. People you admire, People you need.  If you were writing Romans 16, who were you include on your list of ‘treasured souls’ that have blessed you on your journey toward God.

 

 

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 19, 2016

Doors!!

FOCUS VERSES

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

In the classic children’s series of book “The Chronicles of Narnia’, author C. S. Lewis used unique portals or ‘doors’ to allow the humans access to Narnia.  In the first book, it was a wooden ‘wardrobe’.  In Prince Caspian, the portal was a train station while in book three, a painting of a ship at sea ‘opens’ to immerse the children in the voyage of the Dawn Treader.  Doors are avenues to adventure.

Whether literal, symbolic or suggestive, the simple concept of a ‘door’ conjures up many images.   Doors are ‘protective’— keeping out the bad and providing sanctuary for the good.  Doors are permissive… you don’t just ’walk’ into someone else’s house with ’permission.  Doors are ‘mysterious’.  ‘What is on the other side?’  Should I be afraid or excited?  Doors are indeed ‘transitions’ from one ‘existence’ to another.

The Bible is full of ‘doors.  And these ‘doors’ have much to teach us.  For example, both the Ark of Noah and the Tabernacle of Moses had only one door— only one way to survive and only one pathway to the Presence of God.  And it was over the ‘door’ of the house that the Children of Israel were commanded to paint the life-saving blood of the Lamb.  The death angel ‘passed over’ the home with Lamb’s blood on it.  In the ‘Shema’— Deuteronomy 6 instructs Jewish families to write the ‘commands of God’ on the door of their homes as a means of blessing and reminder.  Time will not permits us to talk about the doors (gates) of Jerusalem or the Pearly Gate that provides access to Heaven.  But you get the picture!!

The most important door of all is the door to your heart.  That’s the door Jesus is knocking on. The English artist, William Holden Hunt, in 1854,  created the famous painting of Jesus knocking.   Notice in the painting the fact that the door has no ‘doorknob’.  It can only be opened from the inside.  Jesus can only enter with YOUR permission.

Jesus came to earth to live WITH man. Jesus rose from the dead to live IN man.  He knocks at the door of your heart.  Open it now!

 

 

 

 

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 16, 2016

The World and the Church

FOCUS VERSES

 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

The Roman world was brutal. In Roman households, the oldest living male, known as the paterfamilias, Latin for “father of the family,” literally held the power of life and death over newborn children. After a child was born, the midwife would place him or her on the ground. If the paterfamilias picked up the child, he or she lived. If not, the child was subjected to what was called exposure, left outside to the elements and animals, and abandoned. Of those who were abandoned, the fortunate ones were saved from death and made slaves. The others died. This was the heartless world into which the Church was born.  Christianity confronted… and even brought to an end many of these common but ungodly practices.  Below are quotes from Early Christian leaders, contrasting the ‘world’ and this ‘new’ Way called the Church.

Infanticide/Abortion

For us, murder is once for all forbidden; so even the child in the womb, while yet the mother’s blood is still being drawn on to form the human being, it is not lawful for us to destroy. To forbid birth is only quicker murder. It makes no difference whether one take away the life once born or destroy it as it comes to birth. He is a man who is to be a man; the fruit is always present in the seed.” (Justin Martyr 150 AD)

 Divorce and Lust
“In regards to chastity, Jesus has this to say: ‘If anyone look at lust at a woman, he has already before God committed adultery in his heart.’ And, ‘Whoever marries a woman who has been divorced from another husband, commits adultery.’ “ “According to our teacher, just as  they are sinners who contract a second marriage, even though it is in accord  with human law, so also are they sinners who look with lustful desires at a woman. He repudiates not only one who actually commits adultery, but even one  who wishes to do so;’ (Justin Martyr,150AD)

  Poverty

“He impoverishes himself out of love, so that he is certain he may never overlook a brother in need, especially if he knows he can bear poverty better than his brother. He likewise considers the pain of another as his own pain. And if he suffers any hardship because of having given out of his own poverty, he does not complain.” (Clement,190AD)

Homosexuality

Why do Epicurus and the Stoics teach incest and sodomy, with which doctrines they have filled libraries, so that from boyhood this lawless intercourse is learned? (Theophilus of Antioch, 168 AD)

 

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 15, 2016

The ‘Issues’ Surrounding the Early Church

FOCUS VERSES

 1 Corinthians 7:1 Now for the matters you wrote about…

It was in the book of Ecclesiastes, written almost 1000 years before the birth of the Church, that King Solomon wrote ‘there is nothing new under the sun’ (1:9).  These words remind us that humanity hasn’t changed in the 6000 plus years we have been on the Earth.  The questions Paul addressed in the Early Church are the same question the church wrestles with today.  And just as the Holy Spirit used Paul to speak to the questions then… He uses us, guided by Scripture, to speak to the questions in and around the church today.

The church at Corinth seemed to be a hotbed of questions and controversy?  One by one, Paul spoke to the issues in his first letter to the Corinthians.  For example, chapters 2-4 are complaints/questions about the AUTHORITY in the church? (Are there any power struggles in the church today?) Chapter  5 deals with a case of INCEST within the church (an embarrassing— but common in those days— subject that must be dealt with!) Chapter 6 talks about lawsuits in the church— brothers suing brothers. (Still happens today, doesn’t it?). Later in chapter 6, the subjects of adultery, homosexuality, prostitution and the ‘ownership’ of our physical bodies is forthrightly addressed. In Chapter 7 & 8, the church had questions about marriage vows, divorce, the sexual conduct of married couples and our attitude toward the ‘unmarried’ around us.  And in chapters 9 & 10, the Holy Spirit through Paul shares principles for us concerning the idolatrous and wicked culture around us— how do we conduct ourselves in societies that have no ’knowledge of God or His ways?  It is a tricky thing to be ’in the world’ but not ’of the world’.

You see, nothing much has changed in the 2000 years since the Church began.  The same problems, same temptation, and the same challenge to love the sinners around us… without compromising our FAITH.

Some throughout history, in an effort to maintain purity,  have ‘drawn away’ from the society.  Understandable… but it’s hard to be salt and light for a society you are not a part of!, First Corinthians 5:9 makes it pretty clear:  “9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.”  As hard as it may seem, saint, live STRONG for Jesus in the midst of this present darkness!!

 

 

Journey – Devotions With a Purpose – December 14, 2016

Truths of FIRST IMPORTANCE

1 Corinthians 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

During the years after the birth of the Church, many false teachers and doctrinal disputes arose.  One important one involved a man named Arius, a pastor in Alexandria, Egypt during the decades around 300 AD.  Arius taught that Jesus was a ‘created individual’…  that he was ‘made’ and NOT Eternal God.  Jesus, therefore, was not co-equal with God the Father.  Arius’ teaching was in direct contradiction to the New Testament claims.  In an effort to confront the false teaching of Arius— and to remind all Christians of the ‘truths of First Importance’, the Early Church leaders met in council at Nicea (present day Turkey) and issued the Nicene Creed.  The Nicene Creed IS NOT Scripture but simply an attempt to define what was important— then and now— for the Church to understand and believe. Creeds led the way to Church Covenants.  As the Gospel spreads, it  is important to remind ourselves of what we must believe!

NICENE CREED

(From Council of Nicea —325 BC

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

 And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory,
o judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

 And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets.

And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come.