THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

It is always a good idea to pray, not only becuase our Lord instructed us to do so, but I also believe our need to pray is truly a desperate one.  Learning how to really pray ought to be a passionate desire of every true believer.

Let me put it this way.  While Jesus was here on earth, the Bible tells us that he was in the habit of much prayer.  Sometimes, when he was about to choose his disciples, for instance, he spent all night in prayer.

Now, let's stop for a moment and think about this concept of Jesus praying.

Obviously our Lord was and is an example for us as his followers.  Obviously his commitment to prayer was partly motivated by this desire to be examples for us.  But I want to consider this question.  "Why would the Son of God, on more than one occassion, feel the necessity of praying with such fervor that he would pray all night?"

Let me share why this is so intriguing to me.  Jesus had no sin to confess, for the Bible tells us that he was without sin.  Jesus did not have to seek to know the will of God, for as God he was aware of God's will and desires.  Jesus did not have to pray for wisdom, for he was the very essence of wisdom.  He did not have to pray for power, for he was the very power of God. Why, then, did he feel it necessary to pray all night?

Well, while you're pondering that question, let me quickly ask another.  This one is even more thought provoking: "If Jesus, as the Son of God, saw the need to pray so earnestly, what does that say of our need to pray who do have sin to confess and weaknesses from which we need to repent and needs that only He can supply?"

One of the greatest motivators for me to learn to pray is the realization that if Jesus saw it as necessary, it is even more necessary for me.

One other thought about Jesus' praying that stirs my heart:  The disciples had seen Jesus miraculously heal.  They had seen him miraculously turn water into wine and a few fish into sufficient means to feed thousands.  They had even seen Jesus raise the dead.  Yet, the Bible does not record that any of the disciples asked for the power to do these things.  Instead, what we do read is that they asked Him to teach them to pray.  Is it possible that they saw that learning to pray, really pray, as Jesus prayed, was the key to powerful and meaningful Christian living?

I suggest that Jesus' prayers were more than asking for God's blessings on the food.  I suggest that Jesus' praying was more than 'Now I lay me down to sleep' kinds of prayers.  I suggest that Jesus' prayers were more than a laundry list of all the ailments of friends and family.  I think we ought to all pray for these things, surely.  But somewhere in the process of our Christian lives, maybe we ought to ask the same question the disciples asked:  Lord, teach us to pray.

Lord, help me to become a man who really knows what it is to pray.  Then, precious Father, help me to truly pray with boldness, faith and courage. 

THOUGHTS ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS

If I understand the Bible correctly, our Heavenly Father puts a big premium on something called righteousness.  This is revealed in many passages, but it is probably most clear in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the 

righteousness of God in him.

This verse declares that Jesus suffered the unspeakable agonies, the unthinkable torments and the unimaginable shame of Calvary that we might have, "the righteousness of God."

Why would someone suffer such heinous indignities unless it is vitally important?  If you want to see something of how important righteousness is to the heart of God, look at the cross.  Look at what He did that we might have it!  Look at the suffering he endured that we might possess this righteousness.

For any person with an ounce of decency about them, the recognition of what our Lord did that we might have the potential to know this thing called righteousness, the only natural response would be, "If it is so important to God that I have it, help me Lord to receive what You have paid such a price for me to receive!"

Let's think a moment more!  Yes, we see that whatever righteousness is, it is vital that we have it, but, we have not yet explained what it is.  Dare I ask: What is righteousness?

If you look the word up in the dictionary, you will find that righteousness is condition of being, "Without guilt or sin."

That helps, but who knows anyone who is that morally perfect?

If you look at the Bible, you will find that this thing called righteousness is unique to God and the only way we can possess it is to be possessed by His righteous presence.

For in regard to man the Bible is quite clear, "There is none righteous, no not one"

When we study further, we find that righteousness is a condition of our soul.  It is a state or condition.  Righteousness is a characteristic that illustrates itself in behavior. 

Here's where many get very confused.  Some believe righteousness is something you achieve by self-discipline.  Some might tell you that righteousness is the result of doing right things.  The Bible is quite clear, however.  Righteousness cannot be achieved through behavior.  However, that same Bible suggests that righteousness will be illustrated by behavior

Righteousness is a gift which only comes to us upon the receiving of Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.  When Christ and His righteousness come into our being, He brings His righteousness into us and we are possessed by the righteous Christ.

Once we are possessed by Christ in the form of His Spirit, we are made new.  "Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."

Among the many things that this means, one stands out.  Before Christ we were incapable of righteousness.  Now, by His presence, we have the capacity to illustrate righteousness which is not our own but is in us in Christ.  This righteous behavior will shine through when we are surrendered to the will of God. 

:Let me make one thing very clear.  No one is perfectly surrendered to Him.  "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

Yet, though no one is perfectly and completely surrendered, our spiritual growth, our spiritual maturity is measured by how much of us Jesus controls by His presence within us.  When we surrender to Him, He lives through us and the resulting behavior which is the result of our surrender to Him is His righteousness being exhibited through us.

Well, what does this righteousness look like?  Can it be described?

As weak a my intellect and as insufficient as I am, I will do my best to describe this attribute of God.  But keep in mind that no one can describe it fully, this side of eternity.

As best as I can do, I would suggest that righteousness has three facets in its description:

1. Righteousness is character that is unblemished

2. Righteousness is character that is unblameable

3. Righteousness is character that is unreprovable

Let me explain each briefly:

Character is not only measured by what we are within but it is measured by how we behave.  We will behave in a manner that reflects our character.  We live what we believe.

Character that is unblemished means that it is without spot, stain or wrinkle.  It has no failure, no spec of inconsistency.  No man has this kind of character but every true Christian is possessed by Him who has this unblemished character.

Character that is unblameable means that though many might attempt to lay the charge of error, deceit, wrong or sin at the feet of this person, when the truth is told, the truly righteous person will be unblameable.  No man has this quality about him, but every true Christian is possessed by One who is unblameable in His character.

Finally, character that is unreprovable means that one who is righteous doesn't make mistakes that have to be corrected.  There is no man on earth with this quality either, but there is in the heart of every true believer one who never errs, who never missteps and as a result, never needs to be corrected.

After I muse on all these thoughts, I take three things with me today.  First, I am devoid of righteousness and am in desperate need of it.  I am unable to attain it, but Jesus offers it to me when he offers me Himself.

Second, righteousness is not something I will always exhibit, but when I surrender to Him in obedience, I will exhibit the righteousness of Christ within me. 

Grant it to me, Father, that I might live more under the influence of Your righteousness than the influence of the false righteousness of this world.

LESSONS FROM THE BURNING BUSH

As we know, the life of Moses is one of the most revered in the whole of Scripture.  However, Moses did not always do what God wanted the way He wanted it done.  As you know, the Bible teaches that Moses, though a child of Hebrew slaves in the land of Egypt, was peculiarly and powerfully preserved by the grace of God.  His mother abandoned him to the river in a basket covered with pitch.  Pharaoh's daughter discovered the child and took him home to be raised in the finest of the royal palace.  God even arranged it that his birth mother would be hired to nurse the baby as he grew. Talk about God providing! 

However, most scholars hold to the view that Moses learned of the traditions of the Hebrews at the feet of his mother and the customs of the Egyptians at the feet of Pharaoh's daughter.  If these assumptions are accurate, we can begin to understand why Moses might think of himself as the great deliverer the Hebrew people had been hoping for.  This could explain why he attempted to take matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian who was mistreating a Hebrew slave.

By the time Moses encountered the Burning Bush (Exodus 3), Moses is banished and broken man, who has spent forty years on the backside of the desert, learning how to be a shepherd.  Realizing that the man he wanted to use was now ready, God uses that bush to call Moses.

This is one of the most powerful and glorious passages in the whole of the Bible.  In these verses rest the promises and hopes for the Hebrew people which exist even today.  God is calling Moses to lead the people out of the land of bondage.

Let's now focus on Moses' reaction to this incredible event?  Does he rejoice in finally getting a handle on his purpose in life?  No!  Instead, he questions God.  That's right!  He questions God's identity.  He questions God's ability to get the job done.  He questions God's choice in choosing him.  In short, Moses is questioning the adequacy of God to do and be that which he claims to do and be.

Now, before we sneer at our man Moses, let's take a careful look at our own lives and let's ask ourselves some serious questions, such as, "Do I believe God is adequate to do and be what he claims to do and be?"  Do I believe in the adequacy of God.

I have heard it said that when descending the Grand Canyon, a person sometimes has to travel on narrow ledges that have only enough room for a mule to get a foothold. The path is little more than a ribbon that runs along the edges of the towering walls that overlook vertical drop-offs that descend hundreds of feet into the valley below. When one must make use of these stony paths, the safest thing to do is to let the mule find its own way.  Apparently, the slightest touch on the bridle may so disturb the animal that both rider and mule could slip and fall to certain death.  To ride this mule, you must believe the mule to be adequate for the task.  This is similar to the life of a believer.  When we believe in the adequacy of God's forgiveness, power, and integrity to his Word, we do not see the needs to take the reigns of our own lives and try to do it our way.  Many a child of God has found that trusting in their own idea of what is good for them is more dangerous than trusting in God's adequacy. When the child of God gives in to doubts, discouragement and despair, and tries to manage his life on the basis of what he thinks, he falls.  Yet, when we let go of the reigns of control and choose to trust the adequacy of God, it is then, we find the safety of his presence.

This is the lesson of the burning bush.  Don't question the adequacy of God.  He knows what he is doing and He is able to provide for those willing to heed his call.  God does not punish us for our questions, but there is a limit.  When continued questions become an excuse for delay, God is again adequate.  He is adequate to see through that ploy.

The lesson of the burning bush comes down to this:  Are we going to obey Him or not!  There is no excuse not to but our stubborn will.  Furthermore, continued questioning of God, beyond honest inquiry, ends up questioning the adequacy of God.  There is nothing but trouble at the end of that road.

LET'S TALK ABOUT BEING A CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE ON OTHERS

It doesn't take much to be an influence. All of us influence someone whether we realize it or not. The question is not whether we are going to be an influence, the question is, "How much and what kind of influence do we want to be?"

 One person has said:

Your influence is negative or positive, never neutral.

Assuming that to be true, I suggest that as long as we are going to be influences, we might want to take intentional steps toward being a positive one.  If we don't, we have no right to complain about where our society is headed.  Without positive influence, there will only be negative direction for society.  It is never neutral.

Chuck Swindoll believes that there is a great deal of negative influence in our homes.  In his book, Strike the Original Match he points to a significant need for positive male leadership when he writes:

A Christian psychologist friend of mine told me that the number one problem he deals with in his busy practice is the passive male.

So many men today find it difficult (impossible?) to take the proper role of authority in their home.

Many have voiced concern about the moral condition of society.  Most would agree that this moral decline is due in large part to the declining conditions of our homes.  I suggest in light of Swindoll's observations, that if we really want to do something about this, we might need to look at intentionally encouraging the male leadership of our homes to step up to the responsibility of being a positive influences.  Spiritual leaders do not happen by accident.  They are trained and equipped and encouraged.  What kind of homes we have tomorrow will result in what kind of men and women we develop today.  If there is a dearth of leadership today, it is because there was a dearth of example and equipping by the previous generation.  If the next generation is going to survive, this generation must equip them to be good leaders with a positive biblical influence.  Influence is both taught and caught.

Socrates said correctly:

            Let him that would move the world, first move himself.

Leadership and influence is not limited to parenting, however.  Every believer has  been called to be an influence for the sake of the Gospel.  Whether you are in class or in the office or in a gym or on the golf course, you are an influence by how you behave and how you live.

In his powerful book The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul observed that unbelievers often feel uneasy in the presence of an obedient Christian. The holiness of God reflected in a believer's life makes the non-Christian uncomfortable. Sproul then told the following true incident to illustrate his point.

A well-known professional golfer was playing in a tournament with President Gerald Ford, fellow pro Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. After the round was over, one of the other pros on the tour asked, "Hey, what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?" The pro said with disgust, "I don't need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!" With that he headed for the practice tee. His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of golf balls, he asked, "Was Billy a little rough on you out there?" The pro sighed and said with embarrassment, "No, he didn't even mention religion."

Sproul commented, "Astonishingly, Billy Graham had said nothing about God, Jesus, or religion, yet the pro stomped away after the game accusing Billy of trying to ram religion down his throat." What had happened? Simply this: The evangelist had so reflected a Christ-like influence that his presence made the pro feel uncomfortable.   Billy Graham was an influence, without saying a word.

I wonder how many of us have such influence on others that our mere presence makes people aware of the reality of Christ!  This influence, or lack of it, is leadership.  We are either influencing people positively for the Kingdom or negatively.  There is no neutral ground.

"Well," someone might say, "How do I become a more positive influence, a more positive leader for the Kingdom?"  How do we begin?  Well, I suggest we start by looking at the example of Christ.

Oswald Chambers said:

It is the most natural thing to be like the person you live with most, therefore live most with Jesus Christ.

No one has influenced mankind more than the Son of God.  No one is a better example of a spiritual leader than Christ.  If we want to be positive spiritual leaders, we need to know Him, His Word, and his Ways.  Getting to know Him, walking with Him, fellowshipping with Him, worshiping Him, praying to Him, learning from Him and His Word, in short, spending time with Him; when we allow Jesus to influence every area of our lives, we will unavoidably be a positive influence in the lives of others.  It's a matter of priority.  Do you want to be a positive influence for Christ, or a negative influence.  There is not much middle ground.

I like what Joshua said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"

May we each have that kind of positive influence on those around us!

THE LOST CONCEPT OF BROKENNESS

Have you ever met someone who seemed to never be able to consider the idea that they might be wrong?  Now, before you point fingers, all of us are like this from time to time.

I am reminded of a story about a very stubborn man who always thought he knew more than anyone else.

Henry Nelson, of Wilmington, Delaware, was a veteran of World War II. He had served as an instructor in the Army Chemical Warfare Department. Yet because he thought he knew more than anyone else, he ignored a warning by the superintendent of the Riverside Housing Development that the apartment he lived in was being fumigated with hydrogen-cyanide gas.  The story is told that he ignored the danger signs that had been posted, tore down the barricade at the door and went in to the building because he wanted two blankets.  He was an expert on Chemical warfare, so he knew more than anyone else.

The neighbors saw him ignore the signs, remove the barricade and go in, and they called the Development office. But when employees arrived, Nelson lay sprawled on the living room floor with the two blankets in his arms, having died because of his stubborn pride. Despite both written and verbal warnings, and despite his training in the Army, he thought he knew better.

The Bible has several examples of similar behavior.  Consider, if you will, David, King of Israel.  In 2 Samuel 11, we find that King David fell into sin because he was unable to resist his lusts.  God had made it clear that adultery is not acceptable and that it would cost David more than he was willing to pay, but David apparently knew better than God.  After all, he was King.  So, while his army was off at war, he was back at the palace looking at naked women bathing on a nearby roof and throwing wisdom to the wind, he acted out his lustful desires.

After committing adultery, the woman, Bathsheba, becomes pregnant and David rather than confronting his error compounds it by having her husband, one of David's most trusted soldiers, killed.  He thought he had gotten away with his sin.  He thought he had pulled one over on everyone, maybe even God.  But we know that could never be.  Sure enough, your sins will find you out.

Nathan, the prophet, was sent by God to confront David about his errant behavior and the confrontation is recorded in Chapter 12.  The short of it is: David soon discovered that he has underestimated God.

Most scholars agree that Psalm 51 is David's heartfelt confession of his sin which follows this confrontation with the man of God.  It is hugely instructive because it gives us keen insight into the heart of real repentance (Something we could stand to see more of in our day).  Psalm 51 is an insight into brokenness

Psalm 51

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done part

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then Make me to hear joy and gladness; will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

If we are going to understand brokenness, its relation to sin and its relationship to the child of God, we need to understand something of the process by which sin is managed in this life.  How do we deal with sin?

The process of sin:

First, there is the

Commission of sin, then

Confrontation of the truth of our sin

Contrition/Conviction regarding sin

Confession of sin

Capitulation regarding failure against sin

Companionship with Him who conquered sin

Confidence in His power over sin

Conquest over sin

It is critical that we get an understanding of this process.  Brokenness is not just about shedding tears, it is about real repentance and renunciation of sin.

One of the most critical of all these phases of dealing with sin is the confrontation, contrition, confession and capitulation part of the process.  It is this part of the process where we have to make some serious decisions.  It is in this phase that a person decides to remain unrepentant or to be broken.  It is during these phases where the man or woman becomes stiff-necked and fails to yield to the truth of their sin, or they surrender to the reality of God's will and become broken and surrendered to His will.

I suggest to you that it is here that more than one person has become defeated, discouraged and stagnated in their path to spiritual maturity.  Brokenness is not attractive to most and they often stagnate rather than press on toward spiritual growth.

Today, I ask you to consider this vital, but often ignored subject of brokenness before it is lost on you as it has been often lost on me in times past.   I plead with you as one who has endured being broken.  Be honest with yourself and God and let Him take you through this process.  Once a person has experienced real brokenness, he cries out for others to know that brokenness.  It causes you to see an even greater comprehension of the grace of God.  I want to see real renewal and revival among God's people in my life-time.  I long to see God's people casting themselves before His mercy in complete surrender.  You cannot imagine the agony of having such a desire to see God do something so wonderful knowing that He can and He will, if we are only willing to rediscover this lost concept of brokenness.

IRONIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Bible says that His ways are not our ways.  Actually, the Bible states that the ways of our Lord are as high above our ways as the heavens are above the earth (Psalm 103:11).  The ways of the Lord are beyond our comprehension, this is so clearly stated in Romans 11:33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

All of this validates the notion that God's ways are not like our ways.  God's thought processes are not like our thought processes.  God's thinking is not like our thinking.

This becomes so obvious when we discover the ironies found in our Lord's teachings.  Let me list only a few:

The sure way to spiritual victory is through surrender.

The wealth of the kingdom is only available to those who are poor in spirit.

Love is best experienced when it is given away

Giving is better than receiving

True freedom is only found in willing bondage to the love of Christ

Sin promises more than it can deliver

Sin costs more than you want to pay

Sin always looks better than it is

Sin is more often the result of why you do something than what you actually do

These are but a few ironies found in the Scripture and in my experiences

I think they speak for themselves and if one properly meditates on these statements, it could really change one's life.

I think it's safe to say that our Lord doesn't think like we do!

LET'S TALK ABOUT FELLOWSHIP

Having been a part of church life for many years now, I think I can say with some certainty that when people hear the term, 'fellowship' some kind of 'eating meeting' comes to mind.   Having experienced primarily Baptist eatin meetin's for some time now, I can tell you that fellowship and food are somehow inseparable in the mind of most church goers.

Now, I am a real FAN of food, one look at me and you can tell that.  I am also a great admirer of the culinary skills of many of our Baptist women (even some men).  I'm ready to adopt fried chicken as the  official "Baptist Bird".   I don't think I am alone in this either.  I was sitting next to an elderly preacher friend of mine once when he leaned over to me between bites and said, "Do you know what a preacher's belt is?"  Knowing I was being set up for something funny, I replied, "Why no, friend, why don't you tell me."  He then shared, "A preacher's belt is a leather fence around a chicken grave yard!"  Then he grabbed another piece from the platter.

While all of this makes me hungry, I want to expand our thoughts about this concept of biblical fellowship.  Is biblical fellowship really an event as I have been describing?  Is biblical fellowship limited to us having some face time with one another around the banquet table of the local church where usually chicken is served in at least a half-dozen different forms?  While I am sure the local chicken farmer would like to think so, I believe we are missing out on the real experience of biblical fellowship if we think of it only as an event that happens around a table.

The word in the original language of Scripture is transliterated 'koinonia'.  I'm sure you may have seen that word somewhere, but perhaps you are unaware that it is the Greek word translated 12 times by our English word "fellowship".  This original word has a basic meaning of sharing, like partners share in business or team members share in victory or members of a family share their heritage. 

When you realize this, we can easily see that sharing food is not outside the meaning of 'koinonia'.  But when John writes in his first Epistle, chapter 1, that his goal is to have fellowship with his little children so that they might, through fellowship with him have a fellowship with Christ, I don't think he is talking about gathering around the dinner table.  When Paul said in Philippians 3:10ff, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings'(emphasis mine), I don't think he was talking about Wed. night fellowship meals.  Both these men are referring to a much more significant kind of sharing.

John wants his readers to share their lives with him such a way that they might come to share the life of Christ which is within him.  By sharing their lives with him, John knew that the result would be a greater sharing of Christ together.  This is much more than eatin meetins.  This is the business of eternity.

In Paul's case, he is acknowledging that the only way to share with Christ's victory is to share with his trials and 'suffering'.  In essence, Paul is saying that to have the intimacy with Christ and the experience of the victorious power of Christ, one has to learn to share in the trials along the way.  One must experience all three, (intimacy with Jesus, power of the resurrection and sharing with his suffering) if one is to experience any of the three.  Fellowship with His trials is as much a part of getting to know Him and His Power as the other two are with each other.  It makes great sense when you think about it.  How can you share intimacy with him and his powerful victory if you have not shared in the battle of trial?

All of that to say, if we really want biblical fellowship among our membership, we must share in common goals, common plans, common purposes, but most of all, we must share a common fellowship with Christ.  Also, if we want to experience the joy of the victorious Christian life, we must learn to share ourselves with Him, His purposes and His ways.  We must share common desires, common values, common purposes and goals with Him.  We must share in the sufferings of discipline and self-denial if we are going to know Him and the power of His resurrection in our lives.

Biblical fellowship is, therefore, much more than an event.  It is an intentional sharing of one's self with fellow-believers.  It is also an intentional sharing of one's whole being and will with the Father.  It is, as one man put it, a bunch of 'fellows' in the same 'ship' rowing in the same direction, a kind of a ship or 'fellow-ship' if you will.  Sharing space, sharing purpose, sharing responsibility, sharing the work load, sharing the trials; this is real fellowship.  May God help us elevate our idea of 'biblical fellowship' from meals to ministry.  Let's continue to gather around to table, but let's expand our concept of fellowship.  In addition to grabbing a chicken leg, let's grab an oar and work together.  Let's expand our thinking to a real 'koinonia' let's expand our idea of fellowship to include getting into the fellowship of the 'fellow-ship.'

WHAT IS IMPLIED WHEN WE ARE CALLED ?CHILDREN OF GOD'?

It implies that we have been born into his family.

Jesus uses this term when, in John 3:7, he states emphatically, "Marvel not that I said unto thee Ye must be born again."  With no uncertain terms, Jesus states that there must be a natural birth and a spiritual birth if one is to be a child of God.  In John 3:6 we find, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."  As flesh begets flesh, it is the Spirit of God which begets the Spiritual birth within the heart of a new believer.  We become children of God when that work of grace takes place in our lives.

It implies that we have been adopted

A second illustration what is implied by the term ?child of God' is found in Romans 8:15, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father"

I was once asked to help a young man through a tough time in his young life.  I was a young Minister of Youth at the time when parents brought their young son to me who was suffering terribly with an anger, depression and confusion.  It seems that his parents had just revealed to him that he was adopted and he was having a tough time grappling with this news.

I didn't know exactly what to say, but prayed for wisdom.  As the parents and the young boy in front of me finally helped me understand the problem, I struck upon an idea.  I had three children.  I told him about them and admitted that as a proud father, I loved them very much.  However, I didn't know for sure what they were going to look like or even if they were healthy when they were born.  As their father, I had resigned myself before each of their births to take whatever the Lord gave me and I would love that child no matter what.  I thank God for each of my children, but the truth is, no matter what they might have looked like, I was stuck with what I got.  There is no customer service department in the local hospital where you can return your child if you didn't like it, like you can do with stuff you get from Wal-Mart.

We all laughed at that, but then I told him, "I love my kids very much, but I got what I got not knowing what I had until they were born.  In your case, your parents chose you, knowing what they were getting before they chose you."  It took a few minutes but this precious reality finally sank in and the boy began to realize that he was not the victim of some mother's rejection.  He was their child because he was wanted, chosen.

This is the precious truth which we as God's children need to grasp when we read about God's Spirit of Adoption.  We are God's children by the new birth.  But we are also God's children because we are wanted.

It implies that we are behaving like our Father

The first two concepts we have considered so far have to do with what it means that God has caused us to be born again and God has caused us to be adopted.  This third concept of what is implied by our being a child of God requires our reading 1 Samuel 2:12 and the surrounding passages. Let's read this verse carefully: "Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD"

In that verse, there are two types of ?sonship' referred to.  The first is biological sonship, when the passage identifies the ?sons of Eli' it is describing the biological offspring of Eli.  But in the next reference to 'sonship' the passage identifies these same men, (Hophni and Phinehas by name) as "sons of Belial."  In this reference their sonship is not biological but 'behavioral'.  That is, they were acting like the devil or the pagan god, 'Belial'.

In this context, sonship is a behavioral concept.  This is what is meant when Jesus rebukes the Pharisees in John 8:43-44, "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." your

Because they were behaving like the devil, they were described as children of the devil.  Because Hophni and Phinehas were also acting contemptuously, they too were described with the contemptuous term "sons of Belial."

When we are called children of God, three things are implied:  1) We are His child by an act of regeneration called the new birth.  NOTE 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  Because of the New Birth, God has made all our guilt pass away and we are made new by His Spirit. 2) We are also adopted, that is, we are chosen because God wants us.  He knew what he was getting when he chose us and he has chosen us anyway.  There is such a sweet assurance of this.  We are wanted and the One wanting us happens to be Sovereign God who rules and reigns. This wonder is worthy of a whole sermon, but we will not deal with that here.  3) Finally, to be called a child of God means that we are illustrating a behavior that mimics or reflects the behavior of our Father.  In the South, in order to pay the child of a good man a compliment, one would say, "You remind me so much of your father."  This is what it means to be a child of God, not only born by Him and chosen by Him, but we choose to live so as to honor Him in all we do.

John 1:12 says, "As many as received Him to them He gave the right to become children of God."  I suggest that when the Holy Spirit inspired John to write those words, it was all three of these concepts that He meant to imply.  Therefore, as we accept the title, "child of God" let's be sure that all three of these concepts are confirmed in us.

THOUGHTS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Those who have heard me preach for very long have probably heard me share my brief overview of the Christian life.  It goes like this:

JESUS DIED FOR ME, THAT HE MIGHT LIVE IN ME, THAT HE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH ME

Let me take a moment to explain why I think this it is so vital that we comprehend this succinct but accurate description of the real Christian life.

JESUS DIED FOR ME

When Jesus suffered during the scourging of the soldiers and suffered the agony of the cross and ultimately died for the sins of man, he was not dying as a martyr for a cause.  He was paying a debt.  This debt is not one that he owed, it is what we owed.  Jesus paid our debt and he paid it in full.  My Bible tells me that all of us have sinned and that sin separates us from fellowship with the Father.  My Bible tells me that were I to receive what I am due, I would be cast into the most vile pit of hell to suffer unspeakable agonies, unthinkable torments and unimaginable shame for all eternity.  This is what we all deserve. This is what Paul means when he said, "The wages of sin is death."  This is what Jesus taught when he spoke of the rich man and Lazarus.  This is what the New Testament writers declared again and again as they spoke of eternal life and eternal damnation.  Jesus died that his blood might atone our guilt and condemnation.  Jesus died for us, that we might have eternal life.

JESUS DIED FOR US THAT HE MIGHT LIVE IN US

Many Christians never get beyond "Jesus Died For Me."  They realize that they are children of God because of the work of God and they rejoice, as they should, but they then settle down into the mundane of attending church from time to time and saying 'grace' before meals.  Morally they try to do their best, but they are comfortable with knowing that Jesus has forgiven them and they feel as though they don't need to know or think much beyond that.  While these people may be dear and sweet, they are missing out of one of the most precious truths of the Word of God.  1 Cor. 3:16 Tells us that we are 'temples' of the Holy Spirit.  That means, that in the person of the Holy Spirit, Jesus wants to dwell WITHIN us, like he dwelt within the Temple of the Old Testament.  It was His presence that made the Temple a Holy Place, a special place, a significant place.  While so many in our churches struggle with the sense of being or feeling significant, Jesus wants us to realize that we are made significant by His presence IN US.  How many discouraged believers could be lifted from their discouragement and lifted from their sense of insignificance and lack of self-worth if they could just accept the reality that as a believer, we are Temples wherein God has chosen to dwell.  He died for us that He might live IN US, that we might know the significance which is associated with His presence.

JESUS DIED FOR US THAT HE MIGHT LIVE IN US, THAT HE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH US

While most believers never get beyond the first level of this tri-fold revelation, and while some do manage to understand the wondrous glory of being possessed by Christ.  It is the third part of this tri-fold statement that is most glorious.  Once we understand that Jesus died to make us acceptable to the Father.  Then, when we comprehend that He chooses to dwell within us and that we have the significance of being possessed by His Spirit, we now come to the realization that all of this has happened so that He might then do His will THROUGH US.  When we come to comprehend that our life is not about us, but about His living through us to accomplish His will, life takes on a whole new wonder and a whole new level of meaning.  When we realize that Jesus wants to partner with us to accomplish His will by not simply living in us, but living through us, a potential dawns on us like a new morning in a cloudless sky.  It is not me doing what I can that God wants.  It is not me struggling to get by that God desires.  It is not my self-effort that God wants to bless.  It is our surrendering to His presence AND His purposes for my life that brings about the victory.  Christianity is one of the few things in life wherein we experience the victory through our surrender.  The more we surrender to Him, the more we surrender to His living through us, the more we yield ourselves to His will in obedience, the more we will experience the victory He secured for all His children.  Paul calls this, "the power of His resurrection."  Paul wanted to know this so intently.

Let's glory in the knowledge that Jesus died for us, but, press on to the awareness that Jesus died for us that He might live in us and let us rest in the powerful experience that Jesus died for us, that He might live in us, that He might live through us.

What a wonderful God we serve!

REFLECTING ON REALITY

One of fhe reasons we like to watch movies and TV is the fact that we human beings simply love the concept of fantasy.  We like to fantasize about what might be or muse about the make believe.  It entertains us.

While a good moral fantasy about what might be can be good diversion for us from time to time, it is problematic when we become so enthralled with fantasy that we are not capable of returning to the truth of real life.

One of the values of Bible Study is that is forces those willing to heed its message back in to the reality of the real world.  The fantasizers would tell you, "There is a spark of decency in all men and we need to fan that spark into a flame for the sake of the individual and the sake of society."  There are others who fantasize, "There is no such things as absolutes like truth.  Truth is what each of us decide it to be at any particular time or occasion.  Truth is relative." This, unfortunatly for them, is as much fantasy as the movie Wall-E.

There is, in the short of it, one and only one reality, the Bible puts it succinctly.  "Jesus is Lord!"

When we come to recognize this reality, we recognize that this idea of man having inate goodness is simply false.  The truth is, as the Scriptures state it, "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned each one to his own way."  Or in another passage, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God"  Yet again, "In me, that is in my flesh dwells no good thing"  and finally, "The heart is deceitful above all else, it is desperatley sick, Who can comprehend it?"

The reality is that we are not inately good, but quite the opposite, we are inately vile.  It is easily proven.  A child left to itself, will he grow to be moral or good?  Every parent knows that parenting is mostly correction and guidance away from self-destruction.

What does all this mean?  Well, one thing is sure.  If man is inately vile, he needs help.  This help is not going to come from academia, because those of academia who rationalize their way through life are living in the fantasy that vile man can resolve his vile problem.  That is like asking the fox to guard the hen house.  It only leads to further pain and deceit.

No! Man is going to need help from something other than self-help, rationalization, government aid, or mere religion.

What we need is something outside ourselves that is supreme in goodness, wondrous in mercy, abundant in power and flawless in faithfulness.  There is no one in whom we can find such qualities apart from Jesus Christ who, though he was God, did not hold his glory so dear that He was not willing to set it aside that he might humble himself, become a man, and ultimately suffer unspeakable agonies, unthinkable torments and unimaginable shame to pay a debt he did not owe, a debt we could not pay.

He has paid man's debt, the penalty of our sin, in full, and in his spotless righteousness and enduring goodness offers that atoning work to all who would surrender to him as Savior and Lord.

This means that the only reality and necessity of life that really matters is not religion but whether or not we have surrendered to a saving relationship with Jesus.  Or, you could go on living in the fanasy of man's inate goodness.

Now for the doubters and the critics, Jesus validated this truth by the sngle act of rising from the dead.  He validated His uniqueness, He validated His teachings!  He vaildated His reality as the only One who has power over death hell and the grave.  He validated the reality that He alone has secured the victory over the vile.

So, now I and all of humanity must choose.  Do we accept the pretence of what people claim to be real in this world, or do we accept the truth that the only reaility is found in the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

This is the most important question of mankind and this alone!  It is the answer to this question which will separate those who know the difference between reality and fantasy from those who do not.

THOUGHTS ON DISCIPLESHIP

Early in my miinistry, decades ago, the one emphasis most bible-believing churches had was something called, 'Church Growth'.  Usually, that term was applied to numeric growth and the obvious priority to accomplish this 'Church Growth' was evangelism.  From that priority there sprung up methods of evangelism and sharing our faith such as 'The Roman Road, EE, CWT, Steps to Peace with God, F.A.I.T.H. etc.  All of these are good and we ought to utilize these training programs more and more. 

But when I look at the Great Commission, (Matthew 28:19-20), especially in the newer translations, I find that the emphasis is not in just making children, but in making disciples.  Is the Great Commission accomplished when we see people make professeion of faith in Christ, or is the Great Commission not accomplished until we have made disciples?

Now, some have suggested that making a disciple is equivalent to making a convert.  I think we have to do a lot of unnecessary stretching of the Greek Term to come to that conclusion.  The term, which is, in the orginal in verb form and the only pure verb of the entire passage, makes disciple-making key to the fulfillment of this command,   We had better be sure of what disciples are if we are truly interested in fulfilling the great commission.

Today, many of our churches have awakened to this reality and are focusing more and more on what they are calling 'discipleship'.  Some believe disciple-making is merely training people, like training them to be a Sunday School teacher or training them to be an usher or training them to win souls or training them to be a committee chairman.  I suggest that Paul had a different view of what he wanted to see in his converts' lives.  In Colossians 1:28-29, Paul indicates that his reason for laboring was, 'to present every man perfect'.  If we can "de-KJV" this it means, Paul wanted every person to be presented to the Father as Spiritually Mature.

I believe this defines what a real disciple is better than any other passage in the Bible, A person is a disciple who is seeking to be a spiritually mature child of God.

This is more than mere training.  This is growing up, maturing, becoming more complete in one's surrender to Christ.  If maturity is anything, it is one growing in the realization of his need to care for and provide the needs of another.  An infant's world circles around himself.  A mature adult's world circles about the family, someone else.  A babe in Christ is motivated by what they want for themselves in their walk with God.  A mature child of God wants to be used to help someone else walk in a deeper surrender.

There is one other aspect to discipling that is critical for our understanding.  When Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 "Take what I have entrusted to you in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust it into the lives of faithful men who will be willing to entrust it into others also" (WHD translation).  Then Paul is giving us one more facet of complete discipleship which we need to understand:  Disciples are those who seek to intentionally multiply themselves through the lives of others.

Now, let's summarize.  If what I have read from Scripture is true, and we know all Scripture is, then Discipleship should be defined as: assisting someone in his walk with the Lord so as to accomplish two things: 1) Ever-increasing surrender to the will of God and the teachings of the Word of God and 2) Intentionally multiplying himself in the life of another. 

I believe that when we have seen these things happen in the lives of the converts our Lord has given us, it is then and ONLY then, that we have truly fulfilled the Great Commission.  So, Discipleship, then, that is real, biblical discipleship, is the fulfilling of the Great Commission.

CASSIE'S LEGACY AND WHAT IT MEANS TODAY

Not that long ago, in a community called Columbine, a young high school girl named Cassie was hiding under a library desk in her school. Gunfire had been heard in the halls.  With gun in hand, a boy named Harris entered the room where Cassie was hiding.  He asked if anyone there believed in God. Witnesses recall that Cassie did hesitate, but then taking a standing position, she stated to the young man, "Yes, I believe in God." Harris asked her, "Why?" but before Cassie could respond, she was shot.

Fortunately, the forces of darkness do not always yield a gun.  Sometimes, instead of our lives, it is our reputation, our jobs, or our freedoms that are threatened.  Our freedom to pray in public, post the Ten Commandments, display our belief in the right to life, all of these are being challenged today  just as Cassie's was challenged that day.  She was willing to risk it all and took her stand.  Today, it's our turn to take that stand.

Make no mistake!  There are forces out there everywhere, right now, even in your county, asking us the same question as Cassie was asked.  Every time laws are passed that restrict our freedoms to exercise our faith and live by our beliefs or identify publicly with Jesus, these forces mock us with the question, "Is there anyone here who believes in God?" 

The question we must ask ourselves is this:  "Will we stand as Cassie did, even if it means our lives or fortunes or our reputations may be threatened, or will we do like many have done and cower in fear?"

I hope I have the same courage and faith this young teenager had.  I hope the same for every true believer as well.  You see, I believe that in Jesus, we really have something worthy of the surrendering of our lives, and if something is worth dying for, it ought to be worth living for as well.

I guess what I want to share is this:  What we live for answers the question of what we are willing to die for.  Putting it another way:  If we are not willing to die for anything, do we really believe in anything?   Do we have the faith to stand for what is right and good and just, even if that means risking hardship, rejection or even jail?  Do we have the faith to testify to our belief in God, even if that means our lives might be threatened?

Cassie of Columbine forces us to think of these things, especially when we see people being threatened with fines, arrest, or public humiliation when their only crime is praying in public before a ball game.  It is time for us to decide whether we are going to stand or cower.  God grant us the strength to stand!

One more thought: if we are truly willing to stand for Him, let's be determined to live for Him with the kindness, gentleness, goodness, faith, love and commitment with which He has instructed all His children.   That is the legacy we have been given by this young teenage sister in Christ.  It is a legacy which every TRUE believer should be willing to accept, and proud to bear.

This day, 29 years ago, my wife was in labor giving birth to a 10 lb, 14 oz boy.   He was 22.5 inches long.  Was I a proud papa or what?

I am proud of all my children, as any good dad would be.  All of them have managed to grow up, get married, and make it through college, (one of them lacks only a little being done). We are even expecting our first granchild the last of September of this year. 

Dodie, my wife, is a great mom and is going to be a wonderful grandmother. 

My son, however, is named after me.  He is a 'junior'.  He not only has my name, but God has also called him into ministry.  My oldest child, Beth Ann, is also in ministry.

As he was struggliing through his call, I asked a natural question, "Is he doing this because he knows it would make dad proud, or is he doing this because he really believes God has called him?"

Today, all doubts have been removed, God has used him in a wonderful way, serving a great church and he has been used to build a great youth ministry.  He has a terrific wife and I am looking forward to all the future holds for him.

All of this to say, "Happy Birthday Son"  You are my son, my brother in the Lord and my fellow-servant, my co-laborer in the ministry.  No father merits such wonderful children.

This day, 29 years ago, you started this journey and I have watched you make some very good choices.  Your wisdom, your work, your walk is all a testimony of being real in your faith.

I pray a special blessing on my son, Walter H. Davis Jr. of Concord, VA. on this his birthday.