Bunker Hill Community Church: Recent Episodes
God's will is not limited to just certain areas of the Christian life. He has a plan that includes everything that we do. That is why Proverbs 3 tells us to seek Him in ALL our ways. One of those areas in which we are to seek Him is music. While most Christians would embrace Proverbs 3-5-7 in theory, relatively few practice it when it comes to music. We instead build the music repertoire of our lives around what -naturally- appeals to us, or what we have developed an appetite for. However, personal preference and experience are not the criteria for choosing good music. The same principles of God's truth that form the foundation for every other area of life should be applied to music as well. When we begin this journey of evaluating the music in our lives according to God's standard, we would do well to remember three foundational truths about music- 1- Music is very personal- 2- Music IS communication- 3- Music is NOT amoral.
In Ephesians 5, Paul admonishes believers to -redeem the time, because the days are evil.- Understanding that to mean that we are not to waste opportunities on earth to invest in things of eternal value, both for ourselves and for others, then we must apply the redeeming of our time based on the principles of loving God first and foremost, and then loving others as God loves them. Part 1 of this message addressed how we can demonstrate love for God in the use of our time. This message focuses on how we love others with our time. There are three main applications of loving others with our time- 1- Using our time to serve others in love- 2- Using our time to teach others in truth- 3- Using our time to share the gospel with the unsaved. The challenge is not in knowing how to correctly redeem our time--the challenge is in avoiding all of the distractions that cause us to miss opportunities. Parents, especially, should be learning to do all three of these DILIGENTLY so that they can raise a generation of believers who go on to continue the legacy of redeeming our time for God.
Time is like money, except that you can never replace it or recover it once it is spent. Ephesians 5 admonishes us as believers to -redeem the time because the days are evil.- This command does apply to our minutes, hours and days, but the Greek word Paul chose to use for time here speaks more toward making use of the one great opportunity we have been given called life. You get one chance to redeem your life--to save it from being wasted on things that hold no eternal value. From the time of your salvation until your physical death, we have an opportunity to invest our life into both our own eternity and the eternity of others. Unfortunately, too many of us miss the smaller opportunities as we get distracted by things that do not matter.
Clothes are something that many Christians don't think much about when it comes to God's will for our lives But, in fact, the Bible has more to say on this topic than most would think. God was the original creator of clothing after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, and what He created and the purpose for which He made it should be important for us to understand if we are truly concerned about God's will for us in every area of our lives. God's -dress code- for Adam and Eve became the standard of being -clothed- for almost every civilized culture from that point throughout all of history. In addition to the standard for being -covered- that God set, we should also be concerned about how our clothing demonstrates our love for God and our love for each other. And, YES, we ARE responsible for the temptation that we put in front of others with our mode of dress if we invite them to look, and that look leads them to lust or worse.
Legalism is a problem that has plagued the church from the very beginning of its existence. But while the charges of legalism are many and frequent, the term itself is often misunderstood and misapplied. Legalism at its core is basically an attempt to earn the favor of God or man through outward performance without regard to the condition of the heart. But it is most often the basis of the judgmentalism that defines much of the church today. Those who regularly accuse others of legalism, whether the charge is valid or not, make themselves guilty of the same thing they are charging others with, since they have taken it upon themselves to be the judge of another person's motives and standards. In Romans 14, Paul is very clear as he echoes Jesus' command that we not judge one another. The problem is that we have made ourselves both the standard and the judge, a manifestation of the pride that lies behind the judgment, and a violation of God's command to love one another.
Our speech says a lot about us. James 3-2 says that the man who is able to control his tongue, that is the perfect man. James 3 also says that the tongue can no man tame. So the only way for our tongue to be under control is through the work of the Holy Spirit. God has given us several principles in His Word that define what He wants our speech to be as part of His will for us. 1- Face-to-face communication is best and preferred. 2- Our speech should be limited to what is necessary, and sometimes silence is required. 3- How we speak is just as important as what we say. 4- Speak only the truth - preferably God's Truth-- and do it in love.
The Christian life is about living out the principles of God's truth as the Holy Spirit guides us and empowers us. Jesus said that all the law is summed up in loving God and loving our neighbor. So those two principles become the foundation of living in God's will. In loving our neighbor, or Christian brother, Romans 14 teaches that we must first and foremost choose things in our own lives that edify others and make sure that we do not provide a -stumbling block- in their lives that would cause them to sin against their own conscience. That means our love for each other brings about a willingness to give up even what is not wrong for us in order that we may build up our fellow believers in the faith and point them to Jesus. In addition, the apostle Paul emphasizes that judging others should be non-existent as we encourage each other to live out the principles of God's truth.
-God's will- is a generic phrase that nearly all Christians would agree is important to consider when evaluating our Christian life. But, the Bible provides specific principles that, when applied, drastically emphasize the difference between how a non-believer lives and how a believer should live. These principles define God's will for us. All of these Biblical principles are derived from the -greatest commandment,- namely to love God with all your heart, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Again, we run into the issue of the generic nature of what it means to love God and to love others. But loving God with all our hearts creates a foundational paradigm from which other principles emerge- glorifying God in everything we do, our desire for holiness, and even the principle of stewardship. As we more specifically define these terms and ideas from a Biblical perspective, living as a believer takes on a whole new meaning.
In our previous message, we saw how our own skewed perspective can be an obstacle that keeps us from understanding God's will for our lives as believers, because of our lack of Scriptural understanding of His principles. Two other obstacles to understanding God's will include our own policies, which prevent us from practicing God's principles, and what we believe is PERMITTED because of a lack of direct commands from God in certain areas. In both of these cases, we are making our own decisions about what the standard is, or whether there shouldl even be a standard based on a lack of direct commandment from the Lord. Until we learn to live by God's principles as the foundation of wisdom that guides every decision of our lives, not only will we miss God's will for us, but we will also miss God's blessing,
One of the biggest questions for followers of Christ is -What is God's will for my life--- But many who ask that question are only concerned about God's direction in big areas of life - college, occupation, marriage, purchasing a home, etc. When it comes to the -small- decisions of everyday living, we often neglect seeking God for direction. Proverbs 3-5-6 tells us to -acknowledge God in all our ways.- In other words, we are to seek His will in EVERYTHING, no matter how big or small. God has already given us much about His will for us in the principles taught throughout Scripture. But the battle begins when we let obstacles keep us from living by God's principles. The first of those obstacles is living by our own perspectives and perception, rather than by God's principles.
Many believers think that our Christianity is defined by the good works and performance of worship that we do. That was the same mindset that God condemned the Israelites for in Micah chapter 6. Like them, the modern church is focused more on the things we do FOR God rather than the relationship we have WITH God. In reality, God only requires three things of us as His followers, the same things He required of Israel- to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.
As Peter closes his first epistle, he uses the standard protocol of the day, but puts a uniquely Christian flavor to it. Starting with his doxology in verse 11, to his greetings and final blessing, Peter reminds us of the main principles that he brought out in the content of this letter. With a focus on the grace of God in verse 10, and God's purpose in our suffering at the end of that verse, we are reminded as believers that even in our suffering we are to continue in our worship of the Lord, our faithful service to God, our love for one another, and in the peace that only God can provide.
After warning us about the intention of Satan to destroy people with his attacks, Peter gives us the strategy to be victorious over Satan's attacks- RESIST. It is not an OFFENSIVE battle, but a defensive stance that believers are to take against Satan. Paul describes the equipment we will need to resist Satan in Ephesians 6 - the armor of God - which we are to put on in its entirety every day if we are to be victorious. All of the armor of God is based on His Word, which is our only offensive weapon against our enemy. But Peter reminds of two other things that are important if we are to be victorious- 1- we are not alone in the battle, and 2- Satan's attacks are part of God's plan to strengthen our faith.
1 Peter 5-8 warns believers to be aware of the attacks of our adversary the devil. The first of his primary tactics is obstruction of God's truth through imitation of God's works and God's Word and deception through -doctrines of demons.- Satan's second tactic is temptation, in which he appeals to our natural desires and suggests that we fulfill them in perversion of God's intended way. Thirdly, Satan uses oppression to try to drive people into despair and frustration, doubting God's goodness and -falling away- from the faith. Job gives us an excellent picture of how Satan oppresses the righteous, using unjust nations, extreme weather events, sickness, and even supernatural occurrences to oppress us, with the goal of weakening our faith and causing us to blame God for all the bad things that happen to good people. Then he will accuse us before God as he has many before us. If Satan cannot get us to curse God, then he will attempt to get God to curse us. In the case of true believers, he will fail in both, since God has given us everything we need to -withstand in the evil day.-
In 1 Kings 4-6, we read about a series of miracles that God performed through His prophet Elisha. Beginning with multiplying oil so a widow can pay her debt, to providing a miracle son to a barren woman, and then raising that child from the dead several years later, God uses miracle after miracle to meet the needs of two women. Then we read about how a group of prophets are miraculously saved from poisoning by a handful of meal, and the multiplying of bread and corn to feed more than 100 men. Chapter 5 relates the account of how Naaman is miraculously healed from leprosy. Then chapter 6 begins with a man losing an axe head in the water and Elisha causing it to float so that it can be recovered. That last miracle is small in comparison to the others, but it demonstrates that God cares about even the small needs in our lives, and often uses miracles to provide for even them.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the most important truth undergirding the Christian faith. Since the beginning of time, man has pondered the question of whether there is life beyond this life and has found no satisfying answers apart from God's promise of eternal life. The promise of a future resurrection was shared with Old Testament saints, who believed despite their lack of total understanding. Jesus fulfilled that promise when He came out of the grave on the third day after being crucified. And the promise is extended to us today so that we might have hope.
When Peter warns believers about a believer's primary adversary in 1 Peter, he gives us some information about who we are up against just in how he describes him. The -devil- is one who falsely accuses and slanders, while -adversary- is literally the word -Satan- in Hebrew. His objective is to DESTROY us, not just to sidetrack us or derail our Christian walk. He does this in three ways- obstruction of the truth, temptation to sin, and oppression meant to drive us from God. While unbelievers will continually fail in resisting these attacks, believers will be overcomers and will never be totally destroyed, since we have assurance that NOTHING can take us out of the love of God.
There are many, Christian and unsaved alike, who do not believe in the literal existence of Satan. In 1 Peter 5-8, Scripture makes it very clear that Satan is the arch-enemy of believers and that his intent is to destroy us. Therefore, not only should we believe that he exists, but we need to be aware of his nature and tactics so that we may claim victory in the battle against evil. The first step in preparing ourselves then is to avoid unbiblical ideas regarding the devil and be firmly grounded in what God says about him.
The entire Epistle of First Peter is built upon the principle of submission and humility that should mark the life of a true believer in Christ. Immediately following Peter's instructions to the elders of the church about ruling in humility, Peter addresses those in the flock to likewise be in submission, not just to the elders, but to one another as well. Ultimately, our submission in love to each other will be a by-product of our submission to God. All of this instruction is given in the context of unjust suffering, so Peter says that while we are submitting to God's will for us, even in suffering, we should cast our cares on Him because He does care for us, even if we cannot see it in the circumstances of our lives.
In 1 Peter 5, we find instructions given to pastors-elders by a -fellow elder- about how to shepherd the flock of God. Understanding that being a pastor is not a job or a profession is the first important step in understanding the true nature of the calling. Peter substantiates this by stating that a pastor-elder should not be -forced- into service, should not be motivated by money to serve, and should not -lord it over- the flock as a heavy-handed authoritarian. Elders are called by God to serve in humility and submission for the sake of God's people, motivated by no other reward other than the future -crown of glory which shall not fade away- given at the day of Christ's coming.
Most people who have been in church for any length of time are familiar with the account of Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. What most people do not know, however, is that another major event was taking place at the same time. Four days before Passover, Israel celebrated what was called the Day of the Lambs when each family would select the lamb that would be used for their Passover feast later in the week. The details of this event add another dimension to the Triumphal Entry to make even clearer what the people gathered there that day missed.
In Mark 4, Jesus and His disciples embark on a journey across the Sea of Galilee. Halfway across, a severe storm threatens to sink them, but Jesus is asleep in the boat. When the disciples awaken Him and accuse Him of not caring about their safety, Jesus first rebukes the storm, and then He rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith. God calls us to embark on a journey of following Him in which there will be many storms, But He is always there with us through them, and He will bring us to HIS desired destination. All we need to do is trust that He is in control and that He will not let us sink.
In the final section of 1 Peter 4, the writer of Scripture enjoins believers to rejoice in their suffering once again, knowing that God has a good plan for us through it. Suffering for our wrongdoing is a different story since that is God's chastisement upon His people as He purges them from sin. Peter then makes one of the scariest statements in Scripture, saying that if the severe suffering that believers go through is just God's hand of correction, how much worse will it be for those who have rejected Him altogether-- Therefore, believers should -commit your souls to God...as a faithful Creator.-
1 Peter 4-7-11 begins with the ominous warning that the end of all things is at hand. Although that statement has been attached to lunatics and religious extremists, having it come from a disciple of Jesus Christ and being recorded in Scripture should make us take it seriously. The end, as Jesus described it in Matthew 24-25 truly is nearer today than it ever has been in history. In light of that truth, Peter says that there are three things that believers should be doing as if there is no tomorrow- pray, love, and serve. The challenge is not just that we are already not doing those things as we ought, but that these are to be carried out even as persecution and trials begin to escalate in the Christian community in the end times.
Most of the Epistle of 1 Peter addresses the unjust suffering of believers. Peter understood firsthand abuse at the hands of unjust government and religious leaders. At the end of chapter 3, he again lifts up Jesus as our example to follow in suffering, highlighting not only what He went through on our behalf, but the victory he claimed, even in death. We, too, can claim victory in suffering if we maintain the same mindset as Christ, and remember that Jesus was really the only one who suffered undeservedly.
Undeserved suffering, or suffering for doing right, is almost always questioned by its recipient as to the reason for it. In 1 Peter 3, we are instructed about this kind of suffering, in which Peter explains that it is actually a blessing when we respond to it with the right attitudes, the right actions, and the right angle -or perspective-. Suffering as a consequence of wrongdoing should be expected, especially by Christians, since God chastises those He loves. But Peter says that undeserved and unexplained suffering is actually BETTER than suffering for wrongdoing, since it is an opportunity for us to experience the grace and power of God in our lives as we could not otherwise. And with that understanding in place, our response to undeserved suffering will be one of joy and praise.
The prospect of nuclear war being a central component of the invasion of Gog and Magog is very possible from the context of Ezekiel 38-39. The weapons described, as well as the lengthy and specific clean-up and burial after the battle definitely lends itself to nuclear decontamination. Gog, the leader of the Magog armies will be destroyed in person, but what about in spirit-- And does the United States figure into this key military engagement that will signal the beginning of the Tribulation-- And will it happen before or after the rapture--
Part 1 of this series deals with the WHO of the Gog and Magog Invasion prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39. In this message, we look at the WHERE, WHEN and WHY, and begin to delve into the WHAT. The descriptions of Israel given in these chapters make it very clear not only where this battle will take place, but also make it clear that this MUST be a future battle, which could only have been fulfilled beginning in 1967. Further details in this passage and other prophetic passages also lend credence to the possibility of this being a nuclear engagement that will change the world as we know it.
In Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, the Bible prophecies a still future invasion that will take place in the Mideast called the Battle of Gog and Magog. Many speculations have been made about this battle, some equating it with the Battle of Armageddon, others linking it to the final battle on earth in Revelation 20 after the Millennial Kingdom. But if you take all of the details provided in Scripture, it seems to be separate from either of those. The Invasion of Gog and Magog involves a Russian-led coalition of forces that seem to be bound by a common religious structure more than anything else. The battle is fought under the guise of riches, but the goal is to destroy Israel. Ezekiel lists eight nations that will be involved, but to determine the coinciding nations of today, a look back at the Table of Nations in Genesis 10 is necessary. Using historical records for the names listed there, we can conclude with a relatively good degree of accuracy the countries that will be involved in this attack. The relevant question for today is whether we are seeing the beginning stages of this conflict emerge in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
At the beginning of each year, many people evaluate their lives in an effort to do better in the coming year. This is true of churches as well. But in order to grow and flourish as a church, we have to evaluate ourselves against the standard of Scripture. The early church provides an example of how to do church better. The key was their devotion to the teaching of God's Word, fellowship, breaking bread -the Lord's Supper-, and prayer. Through all of these, they demonstrated a commitment to each other as they did all of these things TOGETHER. One of the keys to becoming a more effective church is to start by being together as much as possible. Then fill that time with the same things that early believers did.
Biblical Answers to questions presented by the congregation of Bunker Hill Community Church, including--1- Proof from Scripture that Jesus was truly God come in the flesh.-2- Is the -Gap Theory- true---3- What is the purpose for the 400-year gap between the Old and New Testaments---4- Why does Satan continue to strive to thwart God's plan if he knows that he will ultimately lose in the end---5- Would we have a greater understanding of God's nature if sin had never been introduced to the world---6- How does -turn the other cheek- apply to Old Testament wars, and to bullying of children in modern day---7- Is our conscience the same as the leading of the Holy Spirit in saved and unsaved people--
Christians are admonished by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5-18 to be thankful in everything. Many will argue that since the text says -in- then we don't necessarily have to be thankful FOR everything. Yet, if we believe in the sovereignty of God and accept that all things work together for good according to His plan, then why should we NOT be thankful FOR everything as well. Three things come to mind that believers are not always thankful for. First, our daily bread, thanking God for providing even as we pray for His provision in areas we lack. Second, ALL members of the body of Christ, even those that seem to try our faith and patience consistently. And third, difficult circumstances, again, knowing that God will use them for our good and for His glory.
While the culture around us emphasizes standing up for yourself and expecting people to respect and acknowledge your value as a person, the Bible emphasizes just the opposite. In 1 Peter 3-8-12, we are given a list of principles that should define the Christian life, one which is marked by submission and humility in our responses to other people. Out of that humility which defined Christ's ministry on earth emanate courtesy, brotherly love, unity, and compassion between believers, and blessing instead of cursing toward those who are hostile to the faith.
In 1 Peter 3, the command is very clearly stated for wives to be submissive to their husbands. But many people miss the command for husbands to be submissive to their wives in verse 7. It is not that the wife has authority over the husband in the marriage, but that the husband is to love his wife, submitting himself to her needs. In doing that biblically, a godly husband will meet her needs physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.
1 Peter 3 begins with the admonition for wives to be submissive to their husbands. While many try to dismiss this instruction as archaic due to cultural differences between then and now, this principle is actually at the foundation of God's institution of marriage. Peter draws parallels between the submission of a wife to her husband with our submission to governmental authority and workplace authorities, indicating that submission is not conditioned upon the good or bad nature of the husband and that submission includes the aspect of obedience. This kind of submission, even more than spoken words of testimony, becomes the main avenue through which God will draw ungodly husbands to Himself as they witness the testimony of a godly wife in action.
Peter follows up the command for us to obey government authorities with this command- Servants, obey your masters. Considering the Greek words that he chose, it is clear that this command applies to modern-day employee-employer relationships. And it is very clear that it does not matter what the character of our corporate authority is, Peter says to submit to both good and bad masters. In citing the reason for these commands, Peter says that is -acceptable to God- if we suffer under corrupt authorities even when we are doing the right thing. In fact, he says that this is what we are called to as believers. Even as Christ suffered unjustly under corrupt authority figures, so we must also bear up patiently under unwarranted persecution against us. In so doing, the grace of God is manifest in our lives as His children.
Peter's admonition in 1 Peter 2-13-17 to -honor the king- is based on the foundational principle of submission. Submission IS the hallmark of a Christian's life and is displayed in every aspect of life, including our relationship to government. IN verse 16 Peter says we are to submit as FREE men - not politically or civilly free, but spiritually free in Christ, which is an entirely different freedom. Instead of claiming our rights as citizens, we are free to sacrifice and give up our rights in order to accomplish WHAT is right for the benefit of others. How that plays out in a larger scope, Peter defines in verse 17- honor all men, love the brethren, fear the Lord, and honor the king. What is missing from that application is to FEAR the king. While we should fear God, we should NEVER fear governments, even though we are commanded to submit to them as God's will for our lives. Therefore, our motivation in obeying governmental authorities stems not from fear of punishment or retribution, but from a desire to serve the One who ordained those authorities in the first place.
In 1 Peter 2-13, believers are admonished to -submit to every ordinance of man.- In essence, we are told to obey earthly governmental authorities, regardless of the form or character of the government, because ALL governments are raised up and given power by God. Paul substantiates this command in Romans 13, calling government officials -ministers of God.- So this command does not exempt us from obeying even corrupt governments. After all, both Peter and Paul were writing these words while under the rule of Roman Emperors, specifically Nero, who was about as corrupt as can be. The ONLY exception that would justify civil disobedience is if the government mandates that we do something that violates a clear command of God, and even then the occasions are rare and should only be entered into after much prayer and seeking God's Word. Why is this important-- First of all, because it is God's will. Secondly, because people are watching, and it is through our submission and obedience to government authority that we are able to -silence the ignorance of foolish men.-
The first chapter and a half of 1 Peter focuses on several key principles of the Christian life which serve as an important foundation for everything else in that epistle- we are saved and secured by the power of God, because we are saved we are no longer citizens of this earth but rather of heaven, therefore we should not become attached to the things of this earth, but we should live so as to reflect the nature of the God that saved us. By the time you get to 1 Peter 2-11-12, the author has hammered these principles out in a way that is hard to forget, but them he wraps it all up in verse 12 by saying that the whole purpose is so that when people -unbelievers- look at a believer's life, they will end up giving God glory. Not that all unbelievers will be saved, but all will ultimately glorify God, whether they become believers themselves, or whether they go into eternal judgment acknowledging the mercy and goodness of God that they rejected. The question that each of us must answer is whether people watching our lives as believers see God in us or just another good person.
In view of believers' call to holiness by God, Peter instructs us to -abstain from fleshly lusts.- The Apostle John defines the three types of lusts that we struggle against in 1 John 2-15-17 -- lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. What all of these categories of lusts have in common is that they are rooted in the natural desires of our body that become either over-prioritized or fulfilled in a selfish and sinful way. In elevating our earthly desires above God's heavenly priorities, we anchor ourself to this earth, which is not our real home. We must maintain God as the center and source of our lives in order to succesfully navigate this pilgrimage we call our earthly life.
In 1 Peter 2-9, Peter calls believers in the church a ROYAL priesthood. The implications in that description are that we both serve the King of Kings and that we belong to that King's family. As such, like Christ, we are both priests and kings before God after the order of Melchizedek and will rule with Christ in His future Kingdom on earth. Currently, we fill the role of priests as we intervene between God and a fallen world, communicating God's plan for reconciliation to a fallen world.
As a holy priesthood, the Church is called upon to offer up -spiritual sacrifices- that are acceptable to God -1 Peter 2-5-. The spiritual sacrifices that the Scriptures teach us to offer begin with a humble and contrite heart. Out of the right heart, we then can offer acceptable sacrifices, including our praise and thanksgiving to God, our love and care for others, our prayers, and even the souls of those with whom we share the gospel.
Using a comparison to the Old Testament priesthood, Peter calls believers a -Holy Priesthood- in 1 Peter 2. As the priests were intercessors between the people of Israel and God, so believers have been made intercessors between God and a lost world. In order to be able to properly fulfill that function, there is a certain character that is required in order to reflect the nature of God in our lives. By looking at the Old Testament priests and what God required of them, we get a glimpse of what God has called us to as well as New Testament believers.
James chapter 5 contains what has become a very controversial passage about prayer and anointing for the healing of sickness. In verse 14, he says for those who are sick with a debilitating illness to call for the elders of the church that they might pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. The next verse says this- -And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.- Many will argue that this passage is figurative and that the reference to sickness and anointing are both spiritual applications and should not be taken literally. But since nothing else in this passage is figurative, and since there is an additional reference to being forgiven if he has committed sins, it is clear that the sickness is literal and the anointing with oil is literal as well. To pray for miraculous healing in this way is the clear intent of the author since he illustrates it with the example of Elijah praying for the miraculous intervention of God through the weather which was granted. Not every sick believer will be immediately healed, but I wonder how many miraculous blessings we have missed because we refuse to follow God's instructions in simple faith, trusting Him for the outcome.
Psalm 46 is a statement of confidence about where believers find refuge. This psalm is believed to have been penned after the event of the Assyrian assault on Jerusalem recorded in 2 Kings 19, when God sent His angel to destroy 185,000 enemy combatants overnight. It is a plain but bold proclamation about in Whom our protection and deliverance lie as God's people, and it emphasizes the stability of our Protector even amidst the instability of the world around us. Therefore, we need not fear, regardless of how extreme our circumstances may seem to be.
In Peter's analogy comparing the Church to a building, he names Christ as the living cornerstone and believers as the living stones that make up the structure. His point is that all believers make up ONE spiritual temple called the church, regardless of location, background, or even denomination. As stones in that Temple, each believer contributes to the strength, function, and even aesthetic of the church, and therefore, any failure by one believer affects the church as a whole. Peter goes on to say that those in the church are one race, one priesthood, one nation, and one people, further emphasizing the unity established by God's Spirit between believers. Based on that emphasis, shouldn't the lives of believers be more focused on their roles as part of the church than on their individual lives--
Saul was the first king of Israel, but he did not exemplify what God wanted from the king of His chosen people. Saul's disobedience and insecurity arrived at a crossroads when he failed to totally eliminate the Amalekites according to God's command, bringing home both animals and the Amalekite king, Agag. Samuel's approach to pointing out and dealing with Saul's sin is a study and example in itself. But Saul's response just demonstrated his fear of men over his fear of God and his outright rebellion against God as he issued deflections and excuses in response to Samuel's admonition. Even though he seemed repentant as he finally confessed his guilt, Saul lost both his position and his communion with God from that point forward.
While being saved from sin and death is the result of redemption in Christ, it is not the end purpose. God saves sinners in order to reflect Himself to a lost world through the holiness He instills in believers. Increasing in holiness is commonly known as spiritual growth, and the key contributing factor to that growth is a believer's interaction with God's Word. 1 Peter 2 begins with an admonition to lay aside sins that reflect a self-righteous attitude, but that is the secondary action we should undertake. The primary factor in spiritual growth is our desire for the -pure milk of the Word.- Peter compares that desire to a baby's longing for its mother's milk, which it not only desires above everything else but is absolutely dependent upon for survival and growth. So it is with a believer and God's Word.
One very popular nugget of -wisdom- that comes out of our culture is to -follow your heart.- While this ideology may make for a moving movie script, it is actually contrary to Biblical wisdom that comes from God. King Saul is an example of one who followed his own heart, and it ended up losing him the kingdom. David, on the other hand, was described by God as a -man after God's own heart.- What made the difference between the two kings-- And what does it take for us to become people after God's heart--
Everyone goes through times of suffering and tribulation in their lives, and it is in these times that we desire to be comforted. In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul explains that true comfort only comes from God, who is -the God of all comfort.- But the comfort that God offers can only be enjoyed by those who draw near to Him in their suffering with an attitude of praise and worship. Paul also says in this passage that the purpose of God's comfort in our lives is not as much for our benefit as it is to prepare us to be ready to comfort others in their afflictions.
Understanding the message of the book of 1 Peter begins with understanding a little about its author and its recipients. While Peter was named -a rock, - his early actions did not always reflect that name. Yet Jesus made him into one of the key foundation stones of the church. The people Peter was writing to, were beginning to go through some of the toughest times of their lives as believers. Peter's message urges them to find joy and continue to be faithful, despite their circumstances, reminding them that they were but -strangers- or sojourners in a foreign land that was not their true home. The same is true for all believers if we can look beyond this earthly life to envision the heavenly home that awaits us.
The doctrine of Election is one of the most controversial doctrines in the Christian church, yet it cannot be denied due to its overwhelming support in Scripture. Peter addresses his first epistle to those he calls both -strangers- and -elect.- His point is that believers do not belong to this world and have a better future ahead of them because they are -chosen ones- of God. But he qualifies the word -elect- by adding -according to the foreknowledge of God. That phrase carries a lot of weight in understanding what it means to be elect, and we must then ask the question, -What in God's foreknowledge caused Him to choose us to be His own---
As Peter begins his first epistle, his focus is on encouraging believers in the security we have in salvation. When he gets to verse 3, he is so overwhelmed by the salvation provided to us in Christ, he breaks out in a spontaneous doxology of praise to God. As we understand that the security of our salvation and of the eternal inheritance we have waiting for us in heaven is founded in the power of God and not in our own efforts, our response should be no different than Peter's.
Believers are called to holiness--that is without dispute. But too often we let our own desires and lusts control our decisions and actions rather than living by God's Word. When Peter uses the word -lusts- in 1 Peter 1-14, he is referring to much more than the temptation toward immorality. The word lusts means the natural desires of our human bodies. Here, as it is elsewhere in the New Testament, the warning to not be controlled by our lusts teaches that every part of our life should be governed and directed by something other than our feelings, what we see, or even our own self-esteem. And that something that should be our guide is nothing other than God's Word. Every part of our lives as believers is to be yielded to the control of God's Spirit and the authority of His Word, rather than being subject to our own desires or choice.
In 1 Peter 1, we are exhorted as believers to rejoice in our temptations and trials. Peter includes both temptations to sin and suffering in that exhortation, even though it seems counterintuitive that either would result in rejoicing. He even goes so far as to say that temptations and trials are necessary, although temporary, as part of God's plan for His work in us. How we respond to temptations and trials is proof of our faith, with true faith yielding praise and honor and glory to the Lord in the short term, with praise and honor and glory coming to us from the Lord in the end.
In the first chapter of Peter's first epistle, he elucidates on the greatness of the salvation we have in Jesus Christ, breaking out in a doxology of praise to God in verse three, and continuing to expound on the aspects of our salvation all the way through verse 12. In verses 10-12, he emphasizes the importance of our salvation by pointing out 4 agents in the message of salvation and in both cases of the Old Testament Prophets and the Angels of heaven, how their intense interest in something they could not experience the fullness of themselves did not deter their efforts to learn of the greatness of God's plan of redemption for mankind.
The four Gospels dedicate more time and space to the last week of Jesus' ministry than to any other part of his life. That last week, before He is crucified, begins with HIs Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, being hailed as a King and recognized as the Promised Messiah by the Jews. What is often overlooked is what happened immediately following that event. One of the first things Jesus does after coming to Jerusalem is to go into the Temple and drive out the merchants and the moneychangers, saying that they have made His Father's house a den of thieves. That action was not a one-time event, as He did the same thing at the beginning of His ministry as well. And He is not done cleansing the Temple from greed and false worship, since He continues to do the same thing in the hearts of believers today.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave accomplished God's purpose of providing eternal life for those who believe in Him as Savior. But coming back to life was only one of the miracles associated with Christ's resurrection. The fact that God became a man through a virgin birth, and that he chose to be the lowest of men, was a miracle in itself. His physical suffering in life and in death was a miracle in that Jesus Christ exposed HImself to the curse of sin in the flesh and suffered the effects of sin in His body. The second miracle is that God died. Jesus Christ, the life-giver, the source of life Himself, gave up His life voluntarily and surrendered Himself to both physical and spiritual death. He endured the full weight of God's wrath on the cross and experienced for the first time ever being separated from fellowship with the Father as God turned His back on Him at His death. Upon dying, Jesus went to hell in our place, but not to suffer. His purpose was to conquer sin and death which is the third miracle Death was the last enemy of God left that kept us from having eternal hope. The fourth miracle was that Jesus was the only one who ever went to hell and returned from it, paving the way for believers to avoid hell and receive eternal life in heaven through Christ.
In 1 Peter 1-15-16, believers are instructed to be holy in all manner of life, because our God is holy. The challenge begins with an understanding of what holiness is as defined by God's character. Inherent within the word holiness is the idea of separation from sin, but it includes much more than that. The holiness of God is defined in that every part of His character is fully mature and perfect. He can get no better in any way than He already is. It is this perfection of His nature that makes Him transcendently higher than any person or part of His creation. It is that perfection of character in God that we are to strive for, not in trying to make ourselves better, but in surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit as He remakes us from the inside out in the image of Jesus Christ. The result will be that the superior nature of God's holiness will be reflected both in our inward spirit and our outward actions.
In 1 Peter 1-13-16, believers are commanded by God to become like their heavenly Father-- -Be ye holy, for I am holy.- Peter prefaces that command with several actions verbs that are the work that is necessary on our part as we submit to the work of God's Spirit within us. But implied within that passage are at least three obstacles that would keep us from becoming holy as God has called us to be. The first of those obstacles is apathy--a lackadaisical attitude toward holiness in ALL of our outward conduct, which should be a priority for those who are true believers.
-Be ye holy, as I am holy,- is a command, not a suggestion, from God to believers. In his first epistle, Peter repeats this command with prerequisite work that must be done by us in order for us to move toward holiness. As such, there are obstacles that keep us from growing in holiness- apathy, ignorance, and lust. The 3 commands that Peter gives in 1-13 are all targeted toward our mind and our thinking -- prepare your minds for action, be sober-minded, and fix your hope on the completion of future grace. With such an emphasis on our minds, it is not hard to see that in order to become holy, our thinking must be transformed by the renewing of our minds through God's Word. If we neglect the reading and study of God's Word in our daily lives, it results in ignorance of the truth that the Spirit wants to use in our sanctification.
The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 holds an abundance of lessons for believers whether we are mothers or not. While being an ideal example of a faithful mother, Hannah is also a great example of a faithful believer. And her character is demonstrated not only in how she responded to her circumstances but also in what she chose NOT to do. It is those omissions in the face of mocking and corruption that become a challenge for believers in how we live our everyday lives.
In 1 Peter 1-15-16, Christians are called by God to be holy as He is holy. In verse 17, Peter explains 4 principles that should motivate us to desire to be like God. He begins verse 17 with -if we call God our Father,- indicating that believers have the right to address Him as such, but if He is truly our Father, then our desire should be to be like HIm. But God is also our judge, who judges all men impartially, which should contribute to the -fear- with which we address HIm and in which we should live this earthly life. Finally, we are reminded that this earth is not our home, and that we are but sojourners, a fact which should motivate us more toward the spiritual and less toward the material and carnal.
After believers are called to holiness in 1 Peter 1, we are given some motivations to urge us in our pursuit. In verse 17, Peter lists 4 things to move us in that direction- 1- because we can call God our Father, 2- because God is also our Judge, 3- because we are not citizens of this earth but only sojourning, and 4- because we should fear failing God in His call for us. If those are not enough to motivate us, Peter then reminds us of several aspects of our redemption that should seal the deal- 1- what we have been redeemed WITH, 2- what we have been redeemed FROM, and 3- what we have been redeemed TO. When we understand what it cost God to redeem us, we will also understand how valuable our soul is to God and what He was willing to sacrifice on our behalf. What we hold valuable on this earth is of no real value to God, so He used HIs most valuable possession to buy us out of sin - the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
In Luke 10, we are told about a time when Jesus visits in the house of Mary and Martha. Martha is described as -distracted with much serving,- while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus. Martha eventually complains to Jesus that Mary is doing nothing to help her, and Jesus responds that Mary has actually chosen the better thing, or that -one needful thing.- Our lives often resemble Martha's activity as well as her attitude about what everyone else ISN'T doing. Our problem is not that we are serving too much, but that we do not take the time to -sit at the feet of Jesus- more often so that we may grow closer to our Savior.
Christmas is described as the time for giving and is punctuated by gift-giving between family members, friends, and sometimes even strangers. Many in the church will cite the gifts brought by the wise men to Jesus as the precedent for this practice, but the wise men brought gifts to Jesus, not to each other. The greatest gift of Christmas is found in the Savior that God gave to mankind in the person of His Son, but there was a greater gift that preceded all others--the message of the Savior. Without the message being given, as it was to the shepherds, no one would know about the Savior. So we should make Christmas a time to share the glad tidings of great joy to all people--that unto all people God has given a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Once you have answered the question of WHETHER you should celebrate Christmas as a believer, then you must approach the equally important question of HOW you will celebrate the holiday. In Romans 14, the Apostle Paul explains that if we celebrate a holiday, it should be done FOR THE LORD. As believers, then, we need to evaluate what we do in celebration of Christmas to make sure that in all of our holiday traditions and practices, the Lord Jesus is being exalted and we are being drawn closer to Him.
Celebrating Christmas has been a regular tradition for Christians and the Church as a whole for centuries. But there are some who believe that it is wrong for believers to celebrate Christmas, citing pagan celebrations like Saturnalia as the origins of the festivities. Paul addresses this difference in Romans 14-5 and says that whether you celebrate or not, this should not be a cause for arguments and division, and either way, you should be -fully convinced in your own mind.- Here we take a look at historical and Biblical evidence that addresses the major arguments for and against the Church celebrating the holiday.
Genesis 1 is not just the account of God's creation of the world and universe, but the foundation for the rest of Scripture. The basis on which you accept the veracity of the first 11 chapters of the Bible is a determining factor in your acceptance of the rest of God's Word and your faith in general. We must accept the Creation account, including its six-day timeline, literally in order to maintain a proper approach to God's truth as a whole.
IN Psalm 11, David is facing extreme dangers and is counseled by his advisors to run and hide in order to save himself. David's response to that counsel is the same response we should have as believers when we are facing our own difficulties--I will trust in the Lord. David goes on to proclaim that the Lord is still seated on the throne of heaven and He will execute judgment upon the wicked. With that eternal truth as the basis for our faith, even though the -foundations be removed,- our response should be to just continue looking up. The Sovereign Lord is still in control and none of His promises to us will fail.
The Psalms are known for their underlying themes of praise and thanksgiving, and many of them delineate both the WHY and the HOW of the author's praise for God. In just a small sampling, we can find more reasons to praise the Lord and substance with which to evaluate our praise to see whether it is authentic.
2 Chronicles 7-14 is often applied as an avenue through which we can change the direction of the nation. Yet, God's response to Solomon's prayer in this verse was the pathway for spiritual restoration and forgiveness in the case that they would stray to worshipping false gods. While the promise to restore the land should not be directly adopted by the church, the principle and process for spiritual restoration are the same as it was for Israel, since the sin is the same.
Fasting is not something that is talked about nor practiced much in modern Christianity, yet it is something that Christians should be practicing. When Jesus addressed fasting in Matthew 6, He said, -When you fast...-, not -If you fast,- indicating that it was something that He expected us to do. While there is not abundant teaching in the Bible about Biblical fasting, there are enough examples given for us to understand the WHY and the HOW. Fundamentally, it boils down to admitting our absolute dependence on God and then replacing physical sustenance with a diligent seeking of God in prayer.
While most Christians pray, some more regularly than others, comparatively few truly pray in faith as James 5 defines it. The prayer of faith is that EFFECTIVE prayer that is offered out of a heart of humility and submission to God, and is offered FERVENTLY, claiming the promises of God. James tells us that we are to confess our faults to EACH OTHER, not just to God, so that we may be able more effectively intercede in prayer for each other in regard to specific sins that beset us and physical weakness and sickness that may be the result of those sins in our lives.
Pastor Ross answers Bible-related questions submitted by the members of the congregation of Bunker Hill Community Church on topics including sin, free will, the sovereignty of God, unity, prayer, and heaven.
In James chapter 5, we are told that continuous prayer should be the hallmark of a believer's life. In presenting that lesson, James gives us three scenarios in which our response should be to pray- in affliction, in cheerfulness, and in sickness. While most people tend to pray more while in affliction, most of us neglect prayer when life is good, but that is when our prayers should be prayers of praise. The third scenario, in sickness, presents the most challenging application, as the sick are told to call the elders of the church to pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick. But what is this sickness-- Physical or spiritual-- And is the anointing with oil something that is done literally, or just symbolically in prayer-- And does God always heal when we obey in faith-- These questions have been debated by theologians for centuries, but the answers may be found in understanding what the -prayer of faith- truly is.
Acts 12 recounts an event in the life of Peter in which his circumstances seemed physically impossible to overcome. Yet, through the power of the continuous and united prayer of believers, he was delivered supernaturally from death by an angel from the Lord. We have that same power available to us today through the united prayer of believers, but rarely take advantage of that power because of a lack of faith in God's ability to supersede the circumstances we face.
In the final chapter of the Bible Jesus repeats His promise to return quickly three times. He verifies that we can count on His promise because His words are truth, coming from the Faithful and True One. And since His coming is imminent, the warning is issued to unbelievers that once He comes, there will be no chance to change their destiny of eternal torment in hell. The last verses of the Bible contain the final invitation, through the Holy Spirit, through the Church, and from Christ Himself, to come and drink of the waters of life freely that He offers. Unfortunately, many will reject this invitation, as they have throughout history because they refuse to submit to the authority of Christ in their lives and accept His words as relevant to themselves.
The final portion of Revelation chapter 22 is the epilogue to the rest of the book. In this final message, Jesus sets the foundation by repeating three times, -Behold, I come quickly.- The fact of His return is absolute and it could happen at any moment, setting into motion all the events prophesied in the book of Revelation. We can know that everything that is written in Revelation will come to pass because these are the words of the True and Faithful One. So, with the imminence of His return and the surety of all these things coming to pass, are we ready if it were to happen today--
At the end of Revelation, Jesus reminds us three times that His return will be soon and that it will be swift when He comes. In light of that message he issues a warning, that when He comes back, He will reward every man for those things that they have done on the earth. For believers living in the power of the Spirit, that is a promise of blessing. But for unbelievers, they will not only lose the opportunity to accept Christ's invitation, but they will be doomed to an eternity of suffering apart from Christ and with no hope of change. Their sinful character they displayed on earth will remain the same, even as they serve out their sentence for eternity in hell.
The beginning of Revelation 22 is the final view of the New Jerusalem and the end of John's vision. Inside the city, he views 4 things- the River of the Water of Life, the Tree of Life, the Lord of the city, and the Servants of the Lord. All of these things give us a glimpse into what real life will be like in the eternal kingdom of God.
As the Apostle John is given the vision of the New Jerusalem, he emphasizes two aspects of the heavenly city that more or less define it- the overwhelming presence of the glory of God, and those things that are missing because of the presence of God's glory. What God's glory makes superfluous include an eternal temple, the sun and moon, cycles of night and day, and anyone who is wicked. None of these will be part of the New Heavens and Earth in eternity.
In Revelation 21, the Apostle John describes the heavenly city coming down out of heaven. This is the New Jerusalem that will be the future home of the Bride of Christ. In his descriptions, John points out details about the city's walls, gates and foundations that may give us indications of whom its inhabitants will be. Yet, more importantly, this city will be the dwelling place of God for eternity, fulfilling His promise that he will dwell among His people forever.
Someday, there will be a literal -end of the world,- but it will not come through nuclear war or zombie apocalypse. In Revelation 21, we are told that God will create a new heaven and earth to replace the old ones that have -passed away- after the Millennial Kingdom is completed. For believers, that should be great news, since we are not citizens of this world anyway, but of the next. That new earth and heaven will be much different than their present counterparts, especially since the new creation will not include sin, nor will the new earth have any sea.
Gog and Magog appear in both Ezekiel 38-39 and in Revelation 20, but based on details in both cases, they appear to be different events. Ezekiel prophesies about a great military coalition made of up a handful of nations led by what appears to be the nation of Russia that rises up against Israel in the -latter days.- The most interesting fact of this invasion is that it is God who initiates this invasion by drawing the nations out to war and the main purpose of this invasion is for God to magnify Himself and proclaim His name throughout the earth. Based on details supplied in this passage, it is also reasonable to conclude that this event will take place after the Rapture but before the Tribulation begins.
Revelation 20 begins with a brief summary of the Millennial Kingdom in 6 or 7 verses. The primary fact emphasized in this passage is that the Millennial Kingdom is a physical kingdom on earth where Christ will reign for a literal one thousand years. But not everyone believes this because not everyone takes a literal approach to interpreting and understanding Scripture. Unfortunately, those who take a more allegorical approach to Scripture as a whole, leave the door wide open for an ideology based on relative truth.
Ancient Christian and Jewish theologians affirmed a literal one thousand year Kingdom of Christ that would come at the end of 6000 years of human history, corresponding to the Sabbath rest that God took after 6 days of Creation. In order to prepare the earth for His Kingdom, Christ removes Satan from having influence and binds him in the abyss for the duration of the Kingdom. But in the end, Satan will be loosed and will gather an army of rebels from the inhabitants of the earth to rise up against Christ, similar to what he is already doing in religious circles today.
The Resurrection of believers during the end times will take place in several stages, following the pattern of the harvest outlined in the Old Testament Law in Leviticus. Jesus Christ was the -firstfruits,- representative of all who will follow. The second stage will be the Church at the rapture, and finally the Old Testament saints and Tribulation saints at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom.
The Second Coming of Christ will be the culmination of all of history as Jesus descends from heaven to conquer his enemies and establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth. The Apostle John gives us a vivid description of how our Lord will come in power and majesty in Revelation 19.
In Revelation 19, the Apostle John witnesses a heavenly praise service over the judgment of God upon Babylon. As that praise continues, honor is given to the Lord when His bride is displayed in white robes, and blessing is given to those invited to the Marriage Supper. By looking at the progression of events in the Ancient Jewish Wedding, we get a great picture of how all of these end-times events fit together for the church and other believers outside of the Church Age.
Revelation 19 describes the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, with the latter half of the chapter focusing on what is commonly called the -Battle of Armageddon- when Christ will destroy all the armies of the Antichrist. But this battle is really the culmination of a series of events related to Armageddon that begin with the sixth bowl judgment and end as Christ ascends the Mount of Olives in victory.
While most Christians are familiar with the story of Hannah and her prayer for a son who she gave back to the Lord, many are not familiar with her prayer of praise to God that follows this event. On the day that Hannah took Samuel to Shiloh and left him there to serve God alongside Eli the priest, she prayed a prayer of praise to God. Her prayer focuses on God's holiness, His providence, His judgment of the proud, and even the coming Kingdom of the Messiah. What her prayer does not include is any reference to the son that God gave her, and for good reason.
Revelation 18 describes the final destruction of Babylon and the corrupt economic system of the world of the Antichrist. But there is sufficient Biblical prophetic evidence to conclude that this chapter is also referring to the destruction of the literal city of Babylon, which will be at the center of the one-world government and economy in the Tribulation. The rebuilding of Babylon has already begun in our day with the goal of making it a world center for trade, commerce, and tourism.
In Revelation 18-4, God calls for His people to -come out of - Babylon, lest they share in the judgments that will be poured out upon this wicked city in the Tribulation. Then the judgment is described as rendering to Babylon -double- according to her wicked deeds done in pride and rebellion against the people of God and against God HImself.
Every church desires to grow its membership, but numbers alone do not mean growth. Real growth in a church begins with the spiritual maturity of its members, as each understands their purpose within the Body of Christ and then seeks to help others through service. In Ephesians 4, Paul outlines a simple recipe for personal and church growth.
During the first half of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will allow all versions of religion to flourish, including the apostate church remaining after the rapture. But at the midway point, he will abolish and destroy all forms of religion other than the worship of himself, which is actually the worship of Satan, and which is really at the heart of all false religion, even today.
All throughout history, God's people have faced challenges, trials and persecution. From man's perspective, each of these situations was hopeless, except for two little words- BUT GOD. When we trust in God's strength and wisdom, even the most daunting of situations becomes an opportunity for victory.
The 144,000 witnesses will be protected by God during the Great Tribulation as they testify of the coming Messiah and the salvation that is offered in HIs name. But even though they are protected by God, theis time will be a test of their endurance and faith. Because of their faithfulness, Revelation 14 describes them as -standing with Jesus- as He comes to initiate His Kingdom on earth. Will we be standing with them-
The Seventh Bowl Judgment in Revelation is the final act of God's judgment against sinners on the earth at the end of the Great Tribulation. As this judgment is poured out on the -air-, a great storm of voices and thunderings and lightnings issues forth, followed by hail and a great earthquake that levels the mountains and all the cities of the nations, while simultaneously elevating and altering the city of Jerusalem in preparation for the coming of King Jesus.
Most people will usually skim over or completely avoid passages in Scripture that are made up of genealogies. The beginning of Matthew 1 is just such a passage that delineates the family line of Jesus Christ through his earthly father, Joseph. But as we look at some of the specific people included in that list leading up to Jesus, we are reminded of lessons demonstrating the truth that all Scripture is profitable for instruction, even genealogies.
At the end of Revelation 14, the Apostle John receives a vision of the -harvest- at the end of the Great Tribulation. The first -reaping- done by Jesus Christ signifies the seven vial judgments that are about to be poured out on unrepentant mankind. The second -reaping- is the judgment Christ carried out against the armies of the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon.
At the end of the Great Tribulation, the angels of God will pour out the last judgments of God's wrath in the bowl judgments. Revelation 15 introduces this series of judgments as 7 angels come out of the temple of heaven, and the martyred Tribulation saints sing a song of praise to God for His deliverance of His people and for His righteous judgment against sinners.
In Revelation 16, God tells His angels to begin pouring out his last judgments upon the earth. The seven Bowl judgments are the most severe instances of God's wrath being executed against sinners on the earth. Yet in the midst of intense suffering, sinful mankind continues on in sin, blaspheming God and refusing to give Him glory.
True thankfulness to God begins with the right attitude of a heart focused on being content with what we already have, understanding that everything is by God's grace since we deserve nothing, and valuing the Giver more than the gifts.
While the Antichrist will rise to become a worldwide political and military ruler, it will be the False Prophet who solidifies the world's religious realm under his control as well. Through the False Prophet, Satan will lead multitudes astray in a one-world religion, eventually pursuading all to worship the Antichrist as a god and build an idol of him, which the False Prophet will cause to speak and move as a human. People will demonstrate their allegiance to the Antichrist by taking his mark.
Even though God allows and actually gives power to Satan and the Antichrist during the Tribulation to carry out unspeakable evil and false worship, He does not lose control. In the middle of Revelation chapter 13, God gives a message of warning to unbelievers and a message of comfort to believers--and it is the same message- No one can change God's ultimate plan for the earth or for His people. Therefore, no matter what happens, we can continue to be faithful as we trust HIm through even the worst.
Christ said, -I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.- The greatest danger to any church, then, is to try to build it up apart from the leadership and direction given by Jesus Christ. As a local church, we must let Christ be the -active- head, and realize that we are just His tools in the process of His work. Unfortunately, the gates of hell have prevailed aginst many churches becasue they have decided to do things in their own way.
As believers, we know from Scripture that all power and authority belong to God to perform his will. But in the Tribulation, God grants Satan and the Antichrist the authority and power to -make war with the saints and to overcome them.- God also allows and enables the Antichrist to pursuade the inhabitants of the earth to blaspheme Him and worship the Beast. How can God allow such evil to be committed against His own people and against Himself- And what good can come out of it-
The Antichrist will be empowered directly by Satan, although that power is still under the sovereign authority of God. The Antichrist's power will be demonstrated through an apparent resurrection from a deadly wound that will cause all the people of the earth to worship him. Thus, the blasphemy against God by the Antichrist spreads to all those who follow him as they exalt this false leader to god status.
When Satan originally lost his position in heavaen becasue of his pride, he still had access to God to accuse the brethren, ie. Job. Yet around the midpoint of the Tribulation period, he and all his cohorts will be permanently banished from heaven and exiled to the earth. In wrath, he will take out his vengeance upon the inhabitants of the earth, causing turmoil and persecution to reach unprecedented levels, specifically targeting believing Jews.
While the first section of Revelation 12 introduces the participants of the Great Conflict through earth's history, the middle of the chapter describes the Great War that breaks out in heaven between the demonic hosts of Satan and the holy angels of heaven lead by Michael the archangel. This battle results in Satan and his demons being permanently expelled from heaven and confined to the earth through the last half of the Great Tribulation.
Revelation 12 begins by giving us an overview of the Great Conflict of the Ages on earth. God's redemptive plan for mankind centers around his promises to Abraham and the Hebrew nation. Satan's ultimate purpose is to thwart and short-circuit God's plan, and history has demonstrated the lengths to which he has gone in trying to achieve that.
When Jesus said that we were to love one another, what exactly was He calling believers to do- The answer is found in how he loved others in His own life. By accepted norms of today's Christianity, the love Jesus demonstrated in His life to others might be called radical. And that is exactly what we are called to as His followers.
As the angel blows the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11, a praise service breaks out in heaven. Looking at the content and posture of the worship in heaven, we on earth are admonished about our own worship of Almighty God and the proper response to God's dealings with mankind.
Around the midpoint of the Tribulation period, God sends two extraordinary witnesses endowed with supernatural powers from God, to testify to the remaining Jews of the truth of the gospel and the identity of the true Messiah. Their ministry is directed by God to unrepentant Jews who are left on the earth, and these men are used by God to fulfill His promise of redeeming Israel in the last days.
In Revelation 10, John receives a vision of another strong angel with a little book in his hand. As he descends to earth, he puts one foot on land and one foot on the sea, reclaiming the kingdoms of the earth for Christ. John is then told to eat the little book, the book of God's final judgments upon the earth, which brings both joy and grief to his heart, which is the usual response of a true believer to God's judgment of sin.
While the demons released upon the earth in the fifth Trumpet Judgment of Revelation were given power to torment men but not kill them, a demon army 200 million strong are brought forth in the sixth Trumpet to kill one-third of the earth's remaining population. It may not make sense to us, but God uses and controls even demonic forces to accomplish His will in His plan.
As the fifth Trumpet Judgment of Revelation 9 is revealed, a horde of demon -locusts- is released from the bottomless pit in the next phase of God's judgment during the Great Tribulation. These demons are given power by God to torment mankind on the earth for five months, but not to kill them, In extreme anguish, men will seek to die to escape this horror but will not even be able to take their own lives.
Just as many Americans have lost or diminished the meaning of Memorial Day, so too have many Christians diminished the meaning of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ through our response to it. The ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ demands its beneficiaries to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in return. What prevents us from doing that is a telling statement about our commitment to Christ and His purpose for us as His followers.
The seventh seal in Revelation 8 reveals a moment of silence during which an angel offers incense and the prayers upon the golden altar in heaven. In answer to those prayers, God begins to unleash His final series of judgments directed at different aspects of creation which mankind have made their gods.
Revelation 7 describes two groups that are delivered from God's wrath during the Tribulation. The first is the 144,000 witnesses, and the second is the multitude of martyred Tribulation believers. While both are delivered from God's wrath, God's deliverance looks different in each case.
The bulk of the book of Revelation focuses on the progression of events that make up the Great Tribulation, a seven-year period of God's wrath poured out upon the earth that will occur in the end days. Understanding the purpose and timing of this time of judgment goes a long way to help make sense of the details revealed in Revelation, providing warning to those who reject God, and hope for those who are believers.
When the people welcomed and worshipped Christ at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, they recognized His Kingship but missed His identity as the Lamb. Their error was based in that they had their own expectations for the King which were different than our Lord's. The proper response to the King was exhibited more by the donkey carrying Him than by the people praising Him.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the substance of the gospel message and is at the center of the celebration of Easter. While Christ's blood provided the atonement for our sins, without the resurrection we would be of all people most miserable, according to the Apostle Paul. Both the death and resurrection of Christ are important to us as believers, and both were accomplished only because of God's love for lost people.
Revelation 6 unfolds as Christ opens the first seal of judgment upon the earth. Ironically, the first seal of God's judgment represents a time and person of peace. Yet God's judgment always follows a sense of peace when that peace is sought apart from Him.
As Jesus Christ opens the seals of the scroll, the judgments of God against mankind and the earth begin to be revealed. The first four seals comprise what is commonly referred to as the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. Ironically, the first seal ushers in a period of peace, followed quickly by war, famine, and death in the next three seals.
The fifth of the seven seals in Revelation 6 is revealed as the imprecatory prayer of the martyred saints, asking God to avenge their deaths. While believers should rejoice when God's judgment against sin is executed justly against evil, there is also sorrow for those who are judged. God's answer to these martyred saints reveals an important lesson God's answers to our own prayers.
The description of the -Virtuous Woman- in Proverbs 31 has long been used as the standard for a godly wife and mother. Few people pay attention to the beginning of the chapter to understand that the entire chapter is the advice of a mother given to her son, King Lemuel, and therefore, the industrious model homemaker is a queen.
As the Apostle John stands in the throne room of God, he is approached by one of the elders from around the throne who describes the One worthy to open the book and the seals as the Lion of Judah. When John looks to see Christ as the Lion, he sees Christ the Lamb. Whether we see Christ as the Lion or the Lamb depends upon our perspective.
In Revelation 5, the Apostle John describes the scroll that is in the right hand of the One who is on the throne. While this passage in chapter 5 does not tell us what is in the scroll, its contents are revealed over the next 12 chapters. Understanding that this scroll is the title deed to the world and that Jesus Christ is the only one who is worthy to open it is a key to better understanding the rest of John's Revelation.
A number of people have supposedly died and gone to heaven and returned to tell their tale. What is missing from most of them, though, is what John records for us in Revelation 4--that the throne of God is the central focus of everything and that worship of God is the main activity.
While holiness is a popular concept in Christianity, there are relatively few who actually practice it on a regular basis. Holiness cannot be just an ideology. It must become a practice of daily living if we are to be obedient to the command in 1 Peter 1-16-. And it must be applied to every area of life if it is to meet God's standard.
Holiness is a command given to believers by God. It is not something that we can achieve ourselves but is only possible through the work of God in changing us progressively into the likeness of Christ. The problem is not that Christians do not want God's holiness, it is that we generally want to be made holy apart from the process that God must use to make us holy--trials and suffering. James 1 explains this process for us and tells us that we cannot be made holy any other way.
The call by God for His people to be holy is not just so that we will better Christians. God's purpose for our holiness is threefold- to glorify God, to sanctify me, and to edify others. But as we evaluate our lives as believers, we have to admit that we fall far short of God's purpose in how we live on a regular basis.
Many believers have the faulty idea that holiness has to do with living up to a set of rules or standards. Biblical holiness is actually a journey in which the Holy Spirit continually transforms our thinking to give us the -mind of Christ.- Whether we are on the path to holiness begins with an understanding of what our destination is in this journey.
The very last verse of 1 John tells us to -keep yourselves from idols.- This comes at the end of a book dedicated to how we can know we are saved as we love God and love others. John understood that our love for God directly correlates with our holiness because it is only as we grow to love God as we should that we will continue down the path of holiness. Idols are roadblocks in that path. What -Christian idols- are the greatest threat in our lives to the holiness that God has called us to-
Christian growth is fundamentally tied to holiness, yet many Christians misunderstand what holiness is and how it is produced in us. The greatest error is in thinking that somehow we have to try harder to be better Christians when in reality, holiness is the work of God in us. And it starts by addressing our conscience.
When Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, he described the Lord with this phrase- -He shall be great.- The greatness of Jesus is summed up in this announcement as the angel proclaims His humanity, His divinity, His holiness, His Majesty, and His purpose in coming as our Savior.
The church at Laodicea is a great example of what many churches are today--functioning outwardly and looking like a church, but with a total absence of the Lord's presence. If it is possible to have a church with no one that is truly saved, this is it. What exactly does that look like-
The church at Thyatira did many things well, but Christ condemned it for tolerating sin within its midst. Allowing the false prophetess Jezebel to teach, members of the church were led astray into false teaching, immorality, and idolatry. The church today faces the same dangers if we do not take a stand against evil influences that would corrupt the church.
The church at Sardis was described by Christ as -having a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.- When we evaluate the characteristics of a dead church, it becomes apparent that many churches today fit the same description as Sardis. But since it is the people who make up a church, we must first ask ourselves, -Am I a dead Christian--
The very last verse of 1 John tells us to -keep yourselves from idols.- This comes at the end of a book dedicated to how we can know we are saved as we love God and love others. John understood that our love for God directly correlates with our holiness because it is only as we grow to love God as we should that we will continue down the path of holiness. Idols are roadblocks in that path. What -Christian idols- are the greatest threat in our lives to the holiness that God has called us to-
Psalm 100 is a prescription of praise for God that emanates from God's people out of a heart of thankfulness.
The church at Pergamos was commended by Christ for their works, their faith and their testimony for Christ. But they had compromised their holiness by not separating from the world. How are many churches and Christians guilty of the same compromise today-
Christ's letter to the church at Smyrna in Revelation chapter 2 is focused on encouraging a persecuted church. Yet the message He gives them is that more persecution will come and that they should be faithful, even unto death. That message is still valid for the church of today as we face increasing animosity toward Christianity and morality. Is our faith in Christ strong enough to help us persevere in the midst of growing persecution-
The church at Ephesus looked like a perfect functioning church from all outward appearances, but outward appearances do not always tell the whole story. Christ saw the fatal flaw in this church that eventually caused it to cease to exist--they had left their first love. How many Christians are functioning like this church, performing their religion well on the outside, but lacking true love for God in the heart-
In Revelation chapter 1, when the Apostle John sees a vision of the glorified Jesus Christ, he falls as a dead man before Him. This is the true response of worship as we come face to face with the glory of Jesus Christ.
In chapter 1 of Revelation, the Apostle John receives a vision of the glorified Lord Jesus Christ as the exalted high priest in heaven. Even though John knew Jesus Christ intimately during His ministry on earth, he was overwhelmed by this vision of the exalted Christ. As John describes his glorifed Lord, we get a picture of Christ as He is now, out High Priest in heaven, interceding for and working in His church.
In his opening benediction to Revelation, the Apostle John prays for his readers to have the blessings of grace and peace from the triune God. As he describes Jesus Christ as the source of those blessings, he breaks out into a doxology of praise to our Savior, challenging us to see Christ as He truly is, rather than as we sometimes want Him to be.
The secret sin of Achan brought judgment upon the entire nation of Israel. Our secret sins can bring chastisement not only upon ourselves but also upon the church body. Rather than hiding our sins, we should confess them and give God the glory, no matter the consequences.
The term -fellowship- is used frequently in Christian circles, yet do we really experience true fellowship on a regular basis- Christian fellowship is not based in our interaction with each other, but in the fact that we are all part of the same Body. What else is part of true Christian fellowship beyond the traditional church pot-luck dinner-
At Pentecost, the 120 followers of Christ were not only baptized with the Spirit, they were also filled with the Spirit, which resulted in their miraculous speaking in tongues. In Acts, being filled with God's Spirit resulted sometimes in speaking in tongues but always in powerful testimony in word and deed. What does it mean for modern-day believers to be filled with the Spirit-
The Holy Spirit was poured out to indwell believers starting at Pentecost when the Church was born. That was the original -baptism of the Spirit.- What does that phrase mean for Christians today and what does the Spirit's baptism do for us-
Does 1 Corinthians 11 advocate for women prophesying- And what about the head coverings question- Taking an in-depth look at this passage, we see the Apostle Paul's primary message and how it fits into the issue of women's ministry in the church.
Functioning within God's authority structure for the home and church, what opportunities for ministry are open to women in the church- God shows us in His Word that there are many avenues for women to serve in the church if they are willing to accept the supporting role that God has created them for.
The Lord's Supper is one of two ordinances given to the church by Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul gives a stern warning to believers about how it should be celebrated and by whom.
The ordinance of baptism is a physical symbol of the spiritual truth that defines salvation. Understanding its history and symbolism gives us a better sense of its importance to the church.
Women are a vital part of the New Teatment church, but the controversy continues about what roles and positions women should hold in the church. Understanding the basis of Pauls' command that women are to be silent in the church goes a long way to helping us understand how women should minister within the congregation, both in what they can do and what they are prohibited from.
The Bible is very clear about today being the day for salvation and for reconciliation with God and man. Our relationships cannot wait another day for us to humble ourselves and make things right because we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
While qualifications for deacons are very specific in 1 Timothy 3, there is very little about the specific function of deacons in the Bible. What exactly are deacons and what are they supposed to do- This is a biblical overview of the position of deacons in the church.
Israel was God's chosen people, a nation that experienced His divine love like no other. While we condemn their less than exemplary response to God's love, many times we as believers are guilty of ignoring the value of God's love for us, just as Israel was. And it shows in our response to Him.
Christians often use the phrase -God is great,- but do we really understand the significance of that phrase- The Psalms help us to put that term -great- in perspective by reminding us of the scope of God's wisdom and power.
Your reputation is what people think of you and remember you for, and it only lasts as long as people remember you. Your legacy is the impact that your life has on other people's lives that will last for generations long after you are gone. What kind of legacy are you creating-
God has given us biblical qualifications for elders that MUST be met before a man is appointed to that position in the church. In addition to his moral character, the man must also meet the standard in the model of his home life, the measure of his spiritual maturity, and the merit of his public reputation.
According to 1 Timothy 3, elders are to be -blameless- in moral character in order to qualify. The second half of the list of moral characteristics that Paul lists tells us something about how elders should respond to others, especially when provoked.
We know that the Bible tells us that God loves us. But do we really grasp the full meaning of God's love for us- What has God done and what is He doing to demonstrate His love on a regular basis-
In uncertain times, where do we find our real refuge- Psalm 46 tells us that we can find all the security that we need in God.
The men in leadership of the church must meet a specific set of qualifications that define their character and their gifting. Understanding these qualifications will help us to appoint the right men, affirming God's choice.
In considering who should be ordained as elders within the leadership of the church, what kind of men should we be considering- Unfortunately, many men have been ordained as elders who do not meet the biblical qualifications. How can we avoid making that mistake-
What is ministry of elders in the church. What are the biblical responsibilities that they are accountable for and how should they fulfill these duties- Two fundamental roles are highlighted in 1 Peter 5- shepherding and overseeing the flock. Both must strictly adhere to God's truth in order to be effective.
What is the Biblical model for church leadership and polity- While there is no specific command about church government, there is much information in Scripture about leadership which can help us to answer that question. The model presented by the early church gives us a precedent and example in having a plurality of elders who led the church body.
What is the proper way to perceive the physical wealth with which God blesses us- And is the promise in 2 Corinthians 9-6 to be applied to how GOd blesses us with physical wealth-
The issue of tithing has been preached and discussed literally for centuries within the church. Unfortunately, much of the teaching on tithing is based on a misunderstanding and misapplication of the Scriptural teaching on the tithe. Should we use the tithe as our basis for giving in the New Testament church-
When we read about offering ourselves as a -living sacrifice- in Romans 12-1-2, it means that God wants a total commitment of our lives to HIm. That kind of sacrifice always requires loss. Considering what Jesus offered for us and the benefits that we gain through His sacrifice, this total commitment from us to God is a reasonable request for God to make, no matter what it costs us.
Obedience to God's commands means EXACT obedience according to what God says. In 1 Kings 13, we have an example of a prophet of God who strays in what we would consider a minor thing, and yet it cost him his life.
The prophecy in Isaiah 9-1-7 was specifically given to the Jewish people about the coming of the Messiah. But the promises embedded in this prophecy are applicable unto us today as we understand what the Messiah can bring to our lives if we believe in Him as our Savior.
As we read the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus, there are several individuals and groups of people who completely missed both the event and the importance of this pinnacle of history. What kind of people are missing Christmas today-
When the Apostle Paul instructs the Corinthian believers about their giving, he uses the Macedonian churches as the example of true Christian giving out of a heart of love. How does our giving measure up to the character of true giving in worship and love that was demonstrated by the Macedonian Christians-
Our generous giving as believers becomes the channel of God's greatest blessings to us. How does our giving demonstrate that we believe Jesus' words, -Give and it shall be given unto you--
The message of -Fear not- from the angel on the night of Christ's birth was intended to be more than just for calming the nerves of the terrified shepherds. It was the essence of the message of Christmas- because a Savior has come to us, we no longer have anything to fear.
We all know the story of the Wise Men coming to worship the young child, Jesus, in Bethlehem. Their journey to Jesus can teach us several lessons about the Christian life and worship.
Psalm 145 gives us template of praise to God and a list of things that we can be thankful for every day of our lives.
The Bible tells us at least three times to -Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.- But what does that mean to us as modern-day believers- What is holiness and how should it affect how we worship God-
Although believers should be worshiping God in how they live their lives every day, what is it that should define worship when we meet together as a congregation- The Bible gives us a list of specific examples from the early church of the elements that should be present in our congregational worship.
As believers, we should desire to worship God in a way that is pleasing to Him. The problem that we face is that not all worship is acceptable to God. What characterizes -acceptable worship--
As we grow in spiritual maturity, our -worship in holiness- should also mature. Mature worship is marked by giving God what He desires, rather than what we desire, and a healthy reverence and fear of God.
When Jesus addresses the woman at the well about worshiping God, He says that God is looking for true worshipers. By considering the biblical reputation of dogs, we can get a good understanding of what it means to be a true worshiper.
-Do all things decently and in order- is Paul's summary about how worship in the church should be conducted. At the end of 1 Corinthians 14, Paul gives several examples of how order should be the rule as we come together to worship the Lord.
The message of John the Baptist can be summed up in one word - Repent. True repentance is manifested through the -fruits meet for repentance.-
The Apostle Paul contrasts the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14, and concludes that prophecy is superior to tongues because it edifies the church. And he says that the key to edification is understanding. So Paul sets the precedent of understanding as the foundation of all worship.
At the end of 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul compares the permanence of love with the temporariness of spirtual gifts, showing why love is preeminent over everything else.
When Paul said that love superceded any practice of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13, what did he mean- What was that love supposed to look like and act like- In verses 4-8, he describes true love in detail, so that there is no doubt about what true Christian love is.
The Apostle Paul discusses spiritual gifts at length in chapters 12 and 14 of 1 Corinthians. And right in the middle of it sits chapter 13 - the Love chapter. As he begins his dissertation on love, Paul uses extreme examples of spiritual gifts to help us understand that it is not all about me.
God has given the church spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit, so that we all might minister in His Church and build one another up. What is your gift and how should you be ministering- This is an overview of the spiritual gifts in Scritoure to help you find your gift and use it.
The Church is portrayed as the Body of Christ in Scripture, and all believers are parts of that Body. The Holy Spirit has given us spiritual gifts so that the church should function as it should. But what gifts are essential for the church to function correctly-
The term 'legalism- is often applied to the lifestyle of believers who have stricter standards and convictions than the one applying the label. Yet, in many cases, the true legalist is the one applying the label as they make their own convictions, or lack thereof, the standard by which they judge everyone else. What is the Biblical definition of a legalist and how does it violate the principles of Christian Liberty-
When Christians disagree on the -grey areas- like music, attire, entertainment, alcoholic beverages, etc., the principles from the -meat offered to idols- passages are often used to defend positions. But what does the Bible really say about meat offered to idols, and by application, how we should approach the -grey areas--
When Ezra and Nehemiah returned from captivity to rebuild the Temple and the city wall, there were three types of people involved- those who did nothing, those who hindered the work, and those who had a mind to work. We have the same three types of people in the church today.