Live to Honor God

A New Lesson from the Parable of the Sower

“Then he [Jesus] told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,* sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”* Matthew 13:3-9 NIV

The Parable of the Sower is well known and very popular because of it’s clear message about the different types of seed and their clear application for believers.  This parable is also unique in the sense that Jesus explains it to his Disciples so we have no doubt about the interpretation.  It is an amazing passage in many ways.

Recently, I was reading this as part of my daily plan to read the Bible and I had an insight that I want to share with you.  We all know we are to be like the seed that fell on good soil where our lives can be a bountiful crop offered to the LORD.  But, I think we should also be like the Sower. 

We never hear about the Sower, other than as a beginning to the stories of the various seed.  I believe the Sower is not only where the story begins but where they story finds a new beginning. 

After we become seed in good soil and produce a crop we have the opportunity to be sowers and plant new seed.  As a Sower we are responsible for spreading the seeds of the gospel—sharing the Word of God and the message of hope found in Jesus.  Our methods of sowing may be very different, ranging from a person who shares a personal testimony of what God has done in their lives to someone who gives faithfully of their time, knowledge, experience, or wealth so others hear about Jesus through their words and see Jesus in their lives. 

One more thing about the Sower, he spread seed but didn’t what kind of soil the seed would eventually end up in.  Once he scatters the seed his job as a Sower is over.  He may have the opportunity to water or weed around the seed but, ultimately, the rest is up to God—He is LORD of the Harvest.  In other words, it’s not my job to decide who I should share the Good News with or who is worthy of this gift from God.  I am to spread seed wherever God puts me and to whomever God chooses. 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus’ command is clear—we are to go and make disciples.  That begins with sharing Jesus with those around us whether in our words, actions, or the testimony of our life.  We obey Jesus by sowing seeds in the soil around us.

 

Here are some other posts you might be interested in:

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2010/12/grow-where-you-are-planted.html

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2009/11/administering-grace-ephesians-31-13.html

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2009/03/on-being-in-ministry.html

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2009/08/witnesses.html

http://www.livetohonorgod.com/2012/01/opportunities-to-honor-god.html

 

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No Other Gospel (part 2)

In Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, Paul confronts some distorted beliefs about Jesus and the Gospel.  Let’s look at a short passage – Galatians 1:6-10:

[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— [7] which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

[10] Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

The first thing we notice here is that Paul confronts the Galatians regarding “deserting the one who called” them and “turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.”  So, what is the gospel?  Paul shared a quick summary in this letter in verses 3 and 4 of this chapter:

[3] Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, [4] who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”

The essential part in this passage being “the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us.”  There is more to the gospel of salvation through Jesus but this is the important part for this discussion in this letter. 

As you continue reading this letter you come to realize the different gospel Paul was referring to is the importance they were placing on legalism and observance of specific rules for salvation rather than faith in Jesus as Savior (Chapter 3).  Paul says the teachings they were following amounted to a “perverted gospel” and was really “no gospel at all.” 

I believe this is a trap that is too easy to fall into.  In our society you find many denominations with different beliefs and practices that can cause division among Christians.  I am not saying it is wrong to be a member of the different denominations.  The problems come when the differences become more important than the similarities and specifically when what I do becomes more important to my salvation than what Jesus did for me.  For example, rather than arguing about the type of baptism a believer should have let’s rejoice that God gives us the opportunity to proclaim our faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior and the fellowship we experience with other Christians through baptism. 

We must keep our focus on Jesus and our salvation through faith in Him and what He did on the cross.  In another letter Paul spells out what the one, true gospel really is:

“[1] Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. [2] By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

[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, [5] and that he appeared to Peter,* and then to the Twelve. [6] After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, [8] and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”  1 Corinthians 15:1-8

There is only one gospel.  Stay focused on Jesus and what the Bible teaches and you will avoid confusion and be able to spot perversions of the gospel.  No matter who preaches it, if it doesn’t line up with the Bible is not the gospel.

Blessings

Tim

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Why Should We Honor God?

Why do we worry about honoring God?  Is it something God expects of us?  Or, is it just something God would like us to do but not a requirement?  Let’s see what the Bible has to say about this.

“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”   Numbers 20:12

In this passage, God is explaining to Moses and Aaron that they would not be joining the nation of Israel in the “promised land” since they did not honor God by complete obedience regarding the water at Meribah.  The LORD told Moses to “speak to the rock” before the assembly and it will pour out water.  But, Moses gathered the people and said, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”  Then Moses struck the rock with his staff and the water poured out. 

At first, I didn’t really understand why it mattered that Moses struck the rock rather than spoke to it.  But, I think the key is what Moses said before he struck the rock.  He said, “must we bring you water out of the rock?”  And then, he struck the rock.  So, who is “we"?”  Moses and Aaron.  Who caused the water to come out of the rock?  Obviously, God did…but, to the people gathered it appeared that Moses did by hitting it with his staff.  Moses took the honor away from God by his words and his actions.  The miracle did not appear to happen because of the abundant love and grace of God but rather, because of the anger of Moses.

God was not honored and as a result Moses and Aaron did not set foot into the promised land.  Clearly, in this passage, “honoring God” was more than just a suggestion.  Honoring God is serious business for a disciple of Jesus.

Here is another passage found in Malachi 2:1-2:

“And now this admonition is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me.”

Very plainly, God says, “if you do not set your heart to honor my name…I will send a curse upon you.”

There are many other passages speak about the importance of honoring God.

Why should we honor God?  God expects his people to honor him.  But even more than that, God is worthy of all honor.  I stopped trying to honor God to avoid punishment many years ago.  Now, I want to honor God because I love God and I truly want to please him.  It is one of the greatest desires of my heart—to live my life in such a way that God is honored.  Am I always successful? No.  But, if I don’t try I will never be successful.

Leave a comment and share why you honor God.  Also, share any other passages you have noticed that speak about why we should honor God.

Blessings,

Tim

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Jesus Lives to Bear Our Sins

In my daily Bible reading I have been reading in Leviticus about the various sacrifices for fellowship offerings, guilt offerings, and wave offerings.  Today, I read about the Day of Atonement in the 16th chapter:

'”Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.” Leviticus 16:9-10

“When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.”  Leviticus 16:20-22

OK, so, in the process of making atonement for the nation of Israel the priest takes two goats one is sacrificed and the blood of this goat is used to make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar.  Then, he takes the live goat and lays both hands on it’s head and confesses over it all the wickedness and rebellion and sins of the Israelites.  In doing this, the Bible says all the sin is put on the goat.  Then the goat is released into the desert. 

Of the two goats, the one that takes on the sins is the live goat.  Both goats are necessary.  The goat that is sacrificed makes it all possible by providing a way into the presence of God in the Most Holy place.  But, it is the living goat that bears the sins. 

To fulfill God’s plan for our redemption Jesus had to die to bridge the gap between God and man.  His death allows us to enter the Most Holy Place and be in the presence of God.  But, it is his resurrection that allows Him to bear the burden of sin for a world sinners.  We have a relationship with God through Jesus’ death.  We have freedom from sin through his life. 

Before I finish this post let’s consider this passage:

“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.  More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-17

In that last verse Paul says, “…if Christ has not been raised, your faith if futile; you are still in your sins.”  Jesus had to rise again, like the goat that was allowed to live (the scapegoat); He had to be alive to bear our sins.

Please leave a comment and share your thoughts about this post.

Blessings in Jesus.

Tim

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Honoring God in Our Work – Part 2

This post continues to answer a question about how we honor God in our work.  You can see the first of these two posts here: Honoring God in Our Work – Part 1.

  We honor God when we grow where we are planted. Moses is a good example of growing where you are planted.  He spent 40 years learning to be a prince of Egypt then when he fled to Midian, he spent 40 years learning to shepherd sheep which was preparation for shepherding the people of Israel for the last 40 years of his life.  Moses needed the knowledge and experience of both the time as a prince and the time as a shepherd to be the man God needed to lead them to the promised land.

We honor God when we follow His example and rest when it is time to rest so we can spend time with Him and be ready to work hard when the time comes.  Exodus 31:14-17 "‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. [15] For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy (set apart) to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. [16] The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. [17] It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.’”

We honor God in our work when we acknowledge Him rather than taking all the glory for ourselves. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.* God is the source of all blessings that come our way—we should go out of our way to let people know how God has helped us.

Below is an example of Abraham giving God the glory for what he does in his life.

Romans 4:18-25 "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”* [19] Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. [20] Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [21] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. [22] This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” [23] The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, [24] but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. [25] He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."

We honor God in our work when we tithe.   Leviticus 27:32 "The entire tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod—will be holy to the LORD."

We honor God in our work when we complete the work he called us to do:  Exodus 39:32 "[32] So all the work on the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses."  and Exodus 39:42-43 "[42] The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses. [43] Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

We honor God when we are generous and charitable and concerned about others in our work.  Deuteronomy 24:19-22  "[19] When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. [20] When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. [21] When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. [22] Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

We honor God in our work when we submit to authority--Romans 13:1-5 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. [3] For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. [4] For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."

Hebrews 13:17 "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Can you think of other ways we honor God in our work?  Be sure to leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Blessings

Tim

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“My Grace is Sufficient”

Here is a well-known passage written by Paul to the church of Corinth.  I gained some new insights recently while reading this and I wanted to share them with you.

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

In this passage Paul states he has asked the Lord to remove a “thorn in the flesh” three times and the Lord responds, “My grace is sufficient for you…”  We don’t really know what “thorn” Paul is referring to.  I have heard many different possibilities ranging from temptations to physical problems and even blindness.  I personally believe God is able to use our ignorance in a powerful way.  If we knew exactly what Paul’s “thorn” was then only the people who had the same situation could relate to this passage.  But, since we don’t know what he was speaking about we are all able to relate to having a “thorn” in our flesh.  Speaking for myself, I always think of temptations to sin since that is the “thorn” I struggle with the most.  I don’t have to “try” to think about it that way.  When I read this passage my mind goes there automatically.  I believe this is the Holy Spirit working to help me realize that the Lord’s grace is sufficient to help me when I am tempted.  You may have a different “thorn” that you struggle with.  No matter what your situation the grace of God is sufficient.

“My grace is sufficient for you…” is a statement I have often considered.  It’s one of those passages I understand, basically, what is being said but it is somewhat vague.  I mean, what exactly is the Lord saying?  What exactly does in mean to me that God’s grace is sufficient?  When I read this a couple of days ago I was struggling with my “thorn” in the flesh and I saw the grace of God in a different way.  Like Paul, I have pleaded with God to take away these tempting thoughts and desires, but God has not taken them away.  While thinking about this I thought of grace from a new perspective (new in the context of this passage).  God’s amazing grace is what drew me to God in the first place, in the midst of my sin, God’s grace sought me out and God offered forgiveness through his grace.  God’s grace continues to draw me to Him.  I am weak in my own ability to turn away from temptation.  Thank God for His powerful grace that is sufficient for me.  When I sin God is there to graciously forgive me.

One of the things I struggle with is the thoughts that I should be able to put aside the temptations and thoughts that plague me on my own.  My inability to deal with sin on my own has frequently hurt my prayer life and kept me from God in the past.  I understand now that I struggle with legalism—down inside I often feel that I have to do the work of being “pure” before I can approach God and receive His forgiveness.  This is one of the things I have struggled with over the years.  But, the truth is I cannot get right with God on my own.  I can only be right with God by receiving His gracious offer of forgiveness made possible by the blood of Jesus shed on this cross for me and you. 

When the Lord says to Paul, “my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness” he is saying “since you cannot come to me without sin on your own, I will come to you and make you complete, you will be spotless and pure because of my grace. My power to save and forgive is made complete in your weakness.”  Praise the Lord.  When I am weak and not able to come to Him, God comes to me and offers forgiveness and healing. Thank you Jesus for your amazing grace that is sufficient. 

Why don’t you take a moment to leave a comment and share your experience with God’s amazing grace.

Blessings

Tim

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Grow Where You are Planted

Have you heard the saying, “grow where you are planted?”  I heard this about 22 years ago when I was speaking with a pastor of I church I attended in college a few years earlier.  I had accepted the call into ministry several years before this and had served in several churches as music director and also as pastor.  I went to speak with this pastor because I felt God had more for me to do and I needed counsel from a Christian man I respected. 

After sharing some of my situation with him he said: “Tim, grow where you are planted and then see what God does.”  To my shame, I left his office frustrated and discontent.  I felt God had more for me, more to do, “bigger and better things” so to speak.  The simple truth is I didn’t want to grow where I was planted, I wanted to be re-planted somewhere better.  I didn’t exactly know where that was but I knew I wanted it.  Earlier I mentioned this was “to my shame," you see the truth is there was nothing wrong with where I was.  God was using me and I was right where God wanted me. 

I discovered a few years later that I had a deep seated flaw in my Christian character—I had some doubts about God.  I didn’t doubt the existence of God or that I was saved.  My doubts were about God intentions for my life.  I was trying direct my life, to be a Timocracy.  Do you see the flaw?  A Christian life is a life that is completely submitted to God.  A Christian life is a Theocracy.  God has to be at the head.  My flaw was that I had my plans and goals and I expected to have what I wanted.  When I accepted the call to ministry I gave to God my life, my plans, and my choices.  I said, “I’ll go where you want me to go.”  But the truth is down inside I resented that I wasn’t getting what I thought I deserved. 

Many years later I understand the wisdom of the phrase “grow where you are planted” because I have learned, like Paul, to be content in all situations because my life is not my own.  I have given my life and my all to Jesus.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:12-13

Growing where I am planted means giving my best in the here and now, wherever God has planted me since I trust God to do what is best for me and to use me for His purpose and for His glory.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

My life is not my own—I have given it to God. 

One last thing to think about.  One of the ways Satan tries to defeat us is to plant seeds of distrust and discontent in Christians.  We have to stay focused on God through prayer and Bible study.  We have to trust God since He is trustworthy. 

Leave a comment and tell us your experience with “growing where you are planted.”

Blessings

Tim

 

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