Six Baptisms; #1 Baptism by Fire

Some folks would call me a Baptist and there is some truth to this. I’ve been baptized in more than one way.  The first church I was ever involved in was a Baptist church. I’ve pastored in Baptist churches and I’m currently a member of a Baptist church. I am also ‘baptistic’ in my theological doctrine.

The word ‘baptism’ is used several times in the New Testament of God’s Word so I thought I would write about biblical baptism.

When you come across the word ‘baptism’ what’s the first thought that comes to your mind? Many would probably first think about some sort of religious practice involving water. And this true in one sense because there is a Christian baptism that involves water but not all baptisms in God’s Word are water baptisms. I see seven main types of baptisms in the Holy Bible. There is Baptism by Fire, Baptism by Holy Spirit (& into Christ), Baptism by Water, Baptism into Suffering, Baptism into John's Baptism (the Baptism of Repentance), and Baptism into Moses.

The following verses refer to these baptisms.

Matthew 3:11 (ESV) “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Romans 6:3 (ESV) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Acts 8:38 (ESV) So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 

Mark 10:38 (ESV) Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

1 Corinthians 10:2 (ESV) and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

I plan to write about all these types of baptisms but in separate blog entries. First up is Baptism by Fire.

To help us better understand the Biblical subject of baptism, let’s consider the New Testament Greek word translated into the English word “baptism”. The Greek word “baptizo” means to immerse, submerge, and/or cleanse.

When it comes to ‘baptism by fire’ think, immersion by fire. What could that mean? It doesn’t sound good, does it? I have played with fire a few times in my life, touched flames and been burned by fire but I would never want to be immersed by or in fire. This would be painful and deadly.

One time I attended a Monster Truck show (I know, I one of those guys who likes high performance engines and stunts) where a stunt man purposely sat in a car that exploded in flames. What? Are you kidding me? I am not that courageous or should I say ‘crazy?’ He then jumped out the fiery window on fire, ran a little bit, and then rolled on the ground as he was extinguished by firemen nearby. Some people call that entertainment and a way to earn money. Other people call that stupid crazy because being immersed in actual fire is life threatening big time!

There’s an idiom known as “baptism by fire” which is similar to “trial by fire” which refers to a very difficult experience with something. Matt. 3:11 is not referring to such an idiom or acting like a crazy stunt-person.

Don’t confuse this baptism by fire with the ‘tongues as of fire’ seen at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit dramatically came upon the Lord’s Apostles. That moment was a rare phenomenon event and not the same thing as baptism by fire referred to in Mt. 3.

In God’s Word, there is a connection between fire and God’s judgment upon people (i.e. Isa. 66:15-16). God is ultimately the judge over creation and He judges people based on His righteous holy just character. Praise God for His grace and mercy as well or we would all be in big trouble for eternity. The main types of God’s judgment upon people involve divine discernment between right and wrong and also divine separation between good and evil.

An example of God’s judgment of discernment is when true Christ-followers have their works processed by spiritual fire and the works that are God-honoring lead to eternal rewards.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (ESV) ¹⁰ According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. ¹¹ For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— ¹³ each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. ¹⁴ If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

An example of God’s judgment of separation between good and evil is found in Matt. 3:7-12 (ESV) ⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Based on the context of this passage, this ‘baptism by fire’ refers to the judgment of separation between good and evil which is when God eternally separates those who trust God for salvation (according to His plan of redemption) from those who don’t; non-believers. The two groups are separated from each group and the non-saved group is separated from God, for eternity, in a horrible place the Bible calls Hell.

Consider the winnowing process which involves swinging a winnowing fan or fork tool to separate the kernels of threshed grain, such as wheat or barley, from the chaff with a current of air. The grain and its mixture of straw and husks were thrown into the air. The kernels of wheat or barley would fall into a pile on the Threshing Floor; and the chaff, (the junk not wanted) would be blown away by the wind.

In God’s Word, chaff symbolizes worthless, evil, or wicked persons (or things) that are about to be destroyed. For example,

Psalm 1:4-6 (ESV) ⁴ The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ⁶ for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Chaff is a fitting figure of speech to describe destruction by judgment. Those who are ultimately separated from God will experience this ‘baptism by fire.’ I believe this ‘baptism by fire’ will occur at the second coming of Christ, sometime in the future. God’s Word is not clear as to an exact date/time of His Second Coming. It only provides some signs pointing to it and some ordering of related future events.

The ‘baptism by fire’ is not something you want to experience. Consider some similar wording to ‘baptism by fire’ in this passage:

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (ESV) ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

The great news is that you and I do not have to experience this eternal judgment from God if you experience the ‘Baptism by the Holy Spirit’ which coincides with the ‘Baptism into the Body of Christ’ about which I’ll write about in separate blog entries.

What do you think about this ‘baptism by fire’ mentioned in God’s Word?

The next entry in this series is found at http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2014/03/six-baptisms-2-baptism-by-holy-spirit.html

Mike

Come, Follow, Fish

Imagine being a Jewish fisherman in the region of Israel around 2000 years ago and a new spiritual leader guy, dressed in common man’s clothing, walks up to you where you are working near the shoreline and He invites you to follow Him. How would you react? We read about this scenario actually happening in God’s Word.

Mark 1:16-20 (NLT) ¹⁶ One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. ¹⁷ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ¹⁸ And they left their nets at once and followed him. ¹⁹ A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. ²⁰ He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

It’s interesting that these guys were common blue-collar fishermen. In this instance, Jesus did not call out to the most educated, influential, rich, and popular people. He called common men who worked hard with their hands and a couple of the fishermen (i.e. Peter, John) would become part of His inner circle, His closest followers.

When Jesus called them to follow Him He was using language that was clearly understood in that day among Jews. The leading rabbis and teachers would formally invite individuals to become their disciples/followers and learn by observing, listening and practicing the master’s example and teachings. This was a serious life-changing mentoring relationship. This was not a casual invitation from Jesus. It was a calling that would radically alter the course of these men’s lives and others through them.

This invitation Jesus extended to His first followers is offered to us in a similar way. It’s like our names are embossed in gold on His royal invitation to us. Jesus is royal, you know. The eternal Son of God was with God the Father on the throne above all thrones and then He became the incarnated God-man who walked the earth. He taught truth. He healed people. He did miraculous things and ultimately, He went to the cross and died for our sin to bring believers to God. He is resurrected now with a familiar body, yet fit for eternity. He literally ascended to the throne of God and He will literally return one day to fully establish His kingdom on earth and it is then that He will reign as King of Kings Lord of Lords for all to know. So, when Jesus gives you and me an invitation to follow Him, it is an eternally significant royal invitation, the most important one we will ever receive.

Mark 1:17 sums up the essence of Jesus’ royal invitation to us: Come, Follow, Fish!

1) Come.

Mark 1:17a Jesus called out to them, “Come..

Jesus is inviting people today, through Holy Scripture by way of the Holy Spirit, to come to Him, to begin a master/disciple relationship with Him. He desires for us to know Him as our Savior and Lord. He wants us to be in a relationship with Him now and forever, so He spiritually calls us.

From the very beginning of His public ministry Jesus proclaimed how to receive God’s good news. He said, (vs15) “Repent and believe.” Spiritually coming to Jesus begins with repenting from or turning from our rebellious and sinful condition before God and believing that Jesus is God the Father’s Son sent to be our delivering Savior and King.

These fishermen were curious about Jesus and His call to them. They were willing to come to Jesus who brings the good news and is Himself the good news we all need. To really come to Jesus spiritually you must be willing to believe this good news of Jesus, to believe upon Jesus Himself as the Savior and Lord you need.

In Isaiah 55:1-3 we receive a preview of God’s gracious Messianic invitation to people:

(ESV) ¹“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ² Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. ³ Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

And in the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus gave a spiritually eloquent invitation to people to come to Him.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

For us today, the risen glorified King of Kings Lord of Lords says through His Word and the Holy Spirit to you and me, “Come!” What’s your response to Christ when He says to you, ‘Come!’?

2. Follow.

Mark 1:17b Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me..

We have an idea as to what following Jesus meant for these particular fishermen. Jesus came to them, saw them and called them without delay to leave their nets behind and literally follow Him. In some ways it is different for us. Jesus does not physically step into the places where we live and work. He rarely speaks today in an audible voice, at least not to most of us.

What does following Jesus look like for us today? Mark wrote this Gospel account so that people like us could learn about following Jesus from those who experienced Jesus face-to-face and followed Him.

Much of what Jesus did then in His earthly ministry He now does as the resurrected ascended Christ seated at the right hand of God the Father. He works in us and through us spiritually Himself and by way of the Holy Spirit. He ministers to us through the written testimonies we find in Scripture and Scripture is foundational to discovering His desires and commands for us.

Jesus stepped into these four fishermen’s worlds. He saw them with eyes that knew them and knew what they were going to be under His loving leadership. He called them to step into a new life with Him. Jesus gave them the invitation and the men responded with faith and action. Saving and living faith always include a trusting response to what the Lord reveals about Himself and His purposes and promises.

The fishermen responded in ways that demonstrated genuine faith. They responded decisively. What they did, they did immediately. They responded by leaving important portions of their old lives behind; their nets, boats and their earthly fathers’ businesses. They followed Christ by going where He was leading them.

They left their fishing nets. We all have things in our lives that keep us busy, entangle us and distract us from the most important truth of all; knowing Christ, becoming more like Him, living for God’s glory. Some people fear leaving their jobs and towns and they fear how their families and friends may respond to their decision to follow Christ. Some people fear changes that will occur if they follow Christ. What are some nets that hold you back from fully following Christ and His way for you? Sometimes, a change of friends is needed. I’ve done that. Sometimes a change of vocation is needed; I have done that. Sometimes, a relocation is needed. I’ve don’t that as well. Always with Jesus though, it means a Christ-like spiritual transformation; to become more like Him.

In the four Gospels, Jesus said “follow me” several times. He gave this invitation frequently in reference to discipleship. For example, Mark 8:34 And he called to him the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Jesus is calling us to come, to follow Him, to become one of His learners, students, pupils. This is what it means to be His disciple. And it’s about a full surrendered commitment to Christ, not some one time decision or part-time half-hearted devotion compartmentalizing it into some sort of religious check-list or religious portion of your week. Following Jesus is relational, ongoing, growing, and dynamic. It’s exciting and joyful. Christ is with His people always. There are many great Bible statements of promise and truth about who you are in Christ.

Are you genuinely following Jesus Christ? What is Jesus asking you to do without delay? What must you leave behind in order to fully follow Him? What must you ask God in prayer to help you change? What must you sacrifice? What next steps is Jesus leading you to take to fully devote yourself to following Him and learning from Him and becoming more like Him?

3. Fish.

Mark 1:17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Jesus used the setting of the moment in the lives of these fishermen; nets, boats and men busy with their daily labors, to picture a new calling for His new disciples. There is much to learn when you follow Jesus and there are new fish to catch for these fishermen who left their jobs to follow Jesus.

Studs Terkel, in his book entitled Working, wrote that, “Our jobs are too small for our souls. What we really need is a calling.”

‘Come, follow, fish’ is a spiritual calling to be Christ’s disciple and His evangelist to the world. We are to spiritually fish in Christ’s name in our own sea of relational connections with people.

I remember when a mother and wife started attending a church. She came to a ladies ministry then had her kids attend the mid-week kids’ ministry and by way of some Gospel influence she gave her life over to Christ as her Savior. Then her life began to be transformed in Christ and she desired for her husband to be influenced by Christ through her and other Christians and for him to know Christ as his Savior. He started coming to church gatherings and he eventually responded in faith to Christ as his Savior. Amen. The wife was doing some spiritual fishing through her Gospel transformed life and God used that to bring her husband into a relationship with Christ. Amen.

Following Christ as His disciple always includes the call of Christ to communicate to nonbelievers about Christ. Evangelism was a primary purpose for which Jesus called the first disciples and it remains a central mission for Christ’s people.

“Rescuing men from sin is God’s great concern. The work of fishing men and women out of the sea of sin, the work of rescuing people from the breakers of hell, is the greatest work the church is called by God to do.” John MacArthur

John Knox once pleaded with God, “Give me Scotland or I die.” How does such a passion for lost souls compare with our personal goals and the ministries of the Lord’s church today? How much a part of our lives is this concern for reaching spiritually lost people with Christ? Jesus came to bring salvation to a lost world. He gathered followers who would emulate Him in this mission. For those of us who are already Christ-followers, how are you and I doing in our divine calling to be fishing for people for the sake of the Gospel? How are the Christ changes in our lives influencing other people toward Jesus? How are we doing at praying for lost people to be found and saved by Christ? How are we doing at communicating the Gospel to nonbelievers, to the ends of the world? Christ is the great news we all need. Christ is the living hope we all need. Let’s tell people about Christ.

This royal invitation Jesus gave to His first disciples should cause some big questions for each of us, like:

Have you spiritually sensed/heard Christ call you to Himself?

Are you truly a Christ-follower? Think about it. Has Jesus, by his Holy Spirit, stepped into your life and asked you to come to Him in a way that requires a changed life that honors Him? Have you repented or turned from your spiritual rebellion and placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior and King? If not, check out this blog: http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2013/09/great-news-gods-plan-for-true-life.html

Are you really following Jesus according to God’s Word? What is He leading you to do, right now, without delay? How will you respond with immediate and decisive faith in Him?

Do you live with a clear sense of Christ’s call in your life to become more and more like Christ including His commission to His followers to go and make disciples, to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth?

Does this royal invitation from Christ to you; “Come, Follow, Fish” sound like great wonderful news with important responsibilities or does it sound like a demanding obligation or something meant for someone else? What you truly believe about Jesus and His call to you through Scripture will determine how you answer the question.

Jesus extends a royal invitation to you and me. “Come. Follow. Fish.”

I have committed my life to Jesus Christ. I trust Him as my Savior and Lord. I serve Him as a Pastor in Christian ministry. I am seeking to know Him better and better and become more and more like Him and help others in the same way. I have much room for improvement spiritually like with being more involved in communicating the great news of Jesus to people who don't know Him. God's at work. My hope and prayer is that I am on the right track with Him and that I stay on the right track; all for God's glory.

When Jesus says to you, 'Come, follow, fish!' how are you responding?

Mike

What Stands Out about God; How about His Holiness?

In God’s Word, it is amazing how many instances of the word ‘holy’ occur as an adjective to describe various things and people. For example, holy law, scriptures, mountain, land, place, faith, kiss, covenant, crown, garment, water, nation, prophets, man, holy cow Batman! (no, that’s not in there). People and things can be declared or set apart as holy but the basis of true holiness is God Himself.

I’m going to unpack five key statements about the holiness of God.

1) God is Holy!

Multiple times in God’s Word, God called Himself holy, for example, Lev. 19:2b … I the Lord your God am holy. Perhaps the most prominent attribute of God revealed in God’s Word is His holiness. This one single truth about God would perhaps come closer to describing the eternal Creator Savior God more than any other characteristic of His.

Ok, God said He is holy, but what does this word ‘holy’ mean when it’s describing God? The Hebrew word in this verse is ‘kaw·doshe’; meaning sacred, set apart. Set apart from what? Set apart from evil and sin and when describing God this word points to God’s wholeness and perfection.

Bible Scholar Charles Ryrie wrote, “Ask yourself, what does it mean to be healthy? It means more than not being sick. Likewise, holiness is more than absence of sin; it is a positive, healthy state of being right and whole. This is what John meant when he wrote that “God is light and in Him is NO darkness at all,” 1 John 1:5.

God is pure, kind of like pure light where no darkness exists. And of course light contrasted with darkness here is a moral contrast as well. God is holy. God is spiritually and morally pure and perfect.

2) God is uniquely Holy.

There is none holy like the Lord:, 1 Sam. 2:2a

For You alone are holy.., Rev. 15:4b

Bible Scholar Arthur Pink, “God only is independently, infinitely, immutably holy. In God’s Word, He is often known as the Holy one. This is because the sum of all moral Excellency is found in Him. He is absolute purity. Holiness is the very Excellency of his divine nature; gloriously so, His holiness is the very antithesis of all moral blemish and defilement.”

No one but the Lord God Almighty is truly and purely holy in a perfect sense and it’s not that God has the ability to live up to this perfect standard, rather, God Himself is the standard of spiritual and moral holiness and perfection. And He’s always been this way and He always will be.

3) In Heaven, God’s holiness is perfectly celebrated.

From a divine vision of Heaven given to the Apostle John, we know that there are angelic creatures around the throne of God that continually say “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty..”, Rev. 4:8b.

In Heaven, there is no sin and evil and everyone there not only knows about the awesome holiness of God, they are also in awe of the Holy God Almighty worshiping Him and giving Him the special attention that He deserves for who He is and what He does; and it’s His holiness that is emphasized. There was, however, this one moment in history when some angels chose evil but God cast them out like lightning for God is perfectly Holy and His heaven must be holy. Sin and evil are not allowed in God’s heaven which begs the question; how do unholy sinners like you and me get into God’s heaven some day? How can we ever even enter into a right relationship now with our Holy Creator God almighty? The quick answer two these two questions is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord we all need. If you are not sure you are going to God’s holy Heaven when you die, or you are not sure if Jesus Christ is your Savior or you would like to know more about trusting Jesus as your Savior, then check out this blog entry: 

http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2013/09/great-news-gods-plan-for-true-life.html

I don’t believe there is anything more important than personally trusting in and knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and knowing you have eternal life in Christ and by the way, this is foundational to exploring, appreciating, and being transformed by the depths of God’s holiness.

4) Outside of Heaven, God’s holiness is contrasted with unholiness.

His holiness is certainly celebrated to some degree here on earth but not as perfectly so as it is in Heaven. The big issue here is that this creation, the world and the living things within in it, are sin-tainted. We are spiritually and morally broken, unholy, so there exists this glaring contrast between God’s holiness and what is unholy.

Consider a couple Bible examples of people encounters with God and His holiness.  

Exodus 3:2, 4-6 (ESV) ² And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. ⁴ When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” ⁵ Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” ⁶ And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Clearly a supernatural event took place at this moment at this location. God spoke to Moses through a burning bush that was not consumed. Incredible! Why do you think God declared where Moses was standing to be Holy ground? It was holy ground because the Holy God almighty was present supernaturally speaking through this bush and He declared this place to be holy, to be set apart as spiritually sacred to God. God told Moses to not come any closer to the bush and to take his sandals off. There was to be no rushing into the sacred holy presence of God and there had to be an acknowledging moment of God’s holy presence, a reverential response from Moses toward God. Removing the sandals was one way to show reverence and respect the magnitude of what’s was happening. When God spoke again, Moses hid his face which was another reverential response to God’s awesome holiness. In this moment Moses must have thought something like, “God, the perfectly holy and awesome One is here and I am a sinner, unholy and not worthy to be in His presence.” Today, we show God reverence perhaps by raising our eyes and hands heavenward, or kneeling down on one or both knees or by laying down prostrate, or by bowing our heads, our lives and our hearts in humility to the Holy God almighty.

Isaiah 6:1-4 (ESV) ¹ In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” ⁴ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Isaiah saw a God-given vision of angels surrounding the Lord God Almighty on His throne, crying out these words; Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!” This praise of “Holy, Holy, Holy” sets God’s holiness apart from His creation and certainly from fallen creation. God in three divine persons, The Father, the Son, and the Spirit, is perfectly holy. This truth about God stands out. They were not crying out “Love, Love, Love” or “Just, Just, Just.” They cried out Holy, Holy, Holy to God about God because God’s perfect holiness stands out everywhere among everything and everyone.  How did Isaiah respond to this vision of God’s holiness?

Isaiah 6:5-7 (ESV) ⁵ And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” ⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

Isaiah immediately recognized his own unholiness when he was in this special presence of the Holy God almighty. He admitted to having unclean/unholy lips. He recognized he was not worthy to be in the awesome holy presence of God. Fortunately, one of the Angels came to Isaiah and used a burning coal from the heavenly altar to cleanse Isaiah of his unholiness. This process was illustrative of God forgiving Isaiah and spiritually purifying him and in the context this was associated with a divine call to set Isaiah apart for the Lord’s holy ministry here on earth.

Consider an example in the New Testament of God’s Word where we read that the eternal Son of God became the incarnated God-man, Jesus Christ, who was and is the personification of perfect holiness. Jesus had the fullness of deity. He was without sin and never sinned. He was and is the holy One which is what the Apostle Peter called him in John 6:69. Consider an earlier encounter Peter had with Jesus when he couldn’t catch any fish but Jesus told Peter to go out again and then a ton of fish were caught. Luke 5:8 (ESV) But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” After this miracle fish catch, brought on by Jesus, Peter realized immediately that he was in the presence of the Holy One, the Son of God, who was displaying His power and Peter was convicted internally of his own unholiness.

Whenever someone with unholiness, like you and me, has an encounter with God’s perfect holiness, it is convicting spiritually. God’s holiness stands out and our unholiness is brought into the light of God.

5) God’s holiness deserves a proper God honoring response.

I’ve already pointed out how a few believers responded to encounters with God’s holiness. Ps. 99 gives us an example of magnifying the holiness of God.

Psalm 99:1-3, 5, 9 (ESV) ¹ The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! ² The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. ³ Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! ⁵ Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! ⁹ Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!

Three times in these 9 verses of God-honoring praise the holiness of God is emphasized. We should emphasize the holiness of God in our lives as we live for His glory and praise Him and worship Him. For He is truly Holy and we fall short of His glory! We should keep learning about, acknowledging, communicating, and being in awe of God’s perfect holiness, thanking Him for His holiness, and praising and worshiping Him according to His holiness. And we should desire and let God’s holiness transform us into His holy people.

God’s spiritual expectations of His people flow out of His own holy nature. To the Israelites, He said, “You shall be .. a holy nation” (Ex. 19:6); “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). And to Christ-followers, we read the same commanding exhortation ..but as He who called you is holy, you also BE holy .. (1 Pet. 1:15).

We are all created in the image of our Holy Creator and He expects us to be holy because He is holy. Today, we have this potential to have God-honoring holiness in our lives by God’s grace through faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord and as we consistently seek to become holier. The key is growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and becoming more like Him.

What’s next for you and me regarding the holiness of God? How is God right now leading us to respond to Him regarding His holiness? Perhaps you or I need to commit to keep learning about, acknowledging in private and public, communicating to the world these truths about God and His holiness? Perhaps, you or I need to commit to being in awe of God, to being thankful for His holiness, and commit to praise and worship Him more often according to His holiness; all for His glory? Perhaps, you or I need to repent of unholiness in our life, sin that has not been confessed to God yet; sinful ways and strongholds that have not been turned away from yet to instead pursue holiness and righteousness in Christ.

However God is leading let’s take this moment right now personally to respond to the Holy God Almighty as He calls us to respond. May we humble ourselves before God and His holiness. May we be in awe of God and His holiness. May we magnify God and His holiness. May His holiness transform us and guide into being the people of God He calls us to be; all to His glory!

Mike

Demons are No Match for Jesus Christ

This week I have had the subject of demons on my mind. On Monday, I read about this man’s young adult son who was doing well at college, academically and in music, then he was diagnosed with a mental disorder and took a turn for the worse. The father thought the son may do some self-harm so he took the son to a mental health facility but there was no room for the son. They went back home where the son proceeded to write in his journal about killing his father and he tried to do just that and then killed himself. Right away I thought that there was probably demonic influence in the son’s life, whether he realized it or not. Yesterday, I was ministering to an online student who is concerned about a demonic statue being proposed for a government location in Oklahoma. This morning, on the way to work, I pulled up behind a black car with the word ‘legion’ on the vanity license plate and there were two skulls on the back dashboard (creepy). I don’t know if that driver, car, and license plate is directly associated with any demonic influence but that’s what I thought about.

The truth is, according to God’s Holy Scriptures, there are real spiritual creatures known as demons (fallen angels). They were created Holy angels and chose to become evil. The devil, Satan, is the lead demon. They are powerful spiritual enemies who seek to do what is contrary to the character and will of God. They seek to corrupt and harm people and prevent people from being true worshipers of God, from obeying God, and glorifying God. Jesus said, “the devil is a murderer and the father of lies.” John 8:44. Peter wrote this to Christ-followers, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV). On the origins and fall of the devil/demons, consider also Isa. 14:12-17, Ezek. 28:11-19, Matt. 25:41, Rev. 12:1-14.

Mark, in his Gospel of Christ account, emphasized Jesus’ encounters with demon influenced people pointing out that Christ cares about such people, Christ is greater than demons, and Christ healed many people from demonic bondage.

Let’s consider some verses from Mark 5:1-20 ESV (I encourage you to read and study the entire passage, but for the sake of space and scope here I’m highlighting key verses) about Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man.

Jesus was traveling with His disciples when a man with an unclean spirit (i.e. evil spirit, demon) came up to Jesus (Mk. 5:2).

5:3-4 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind £him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 

Efforts had been made to confine this man, but all hope by the local people to bring this man under control had been abandoned. No one could subdue or contain this man because he had supernatural strength given to him by the demonic power controlling him. Luke added that this man was naked. Matthew wrote that no one could pass by that location because of his violence.

5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

This was one scary dude. He was violently crazy all the time. He was amazingly powerful. He was running around naked. He was screaming night and day. He was cutting himself with rocks. One translation uses the word ‘gashing’ so he was probably bloody. This man terrorized people from up close and afar. His condition must have seemed hopeless to him and to anyone who knew about him.

5:7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”

The demon was saying to Jesus something like, “What do you and I have in common?” It is kind of like, when we would say, “Oh no, what are your doing here?” The demon speaking was aware of both the human name Jesus and His deity, although this as it appears was his first encounter with Jesus. Such knowledge indicates that the man was not merely crazy, he was indwelt by demonic powers who know the true identity of Christ. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! James 2:19 ESV

Then the demon begged Jesus to not torment the demon (see also Mt. 8:29, Lk. 8:31, 2 Pet. 2:4, Jude 1:6). According to Scripture, demons not only know who Jesus is but they also know the handwriting on the wall, so to speak (see Rev. 20), about God’s final judgment upon them. Demons live in constant dread of the day when Jesus will eternally punish them.

5:9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 

The name ‘legion’ was given to a division in the Roman army at that time. It typically consisted of 3-6000 soldiers. So, the implication was that there were several thousand demons present in that man’s body. Wow! I can’t imagine the torment and experience in that man’s life.

5:12-13 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And £at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

This is surely a vivid, visible, and powerful lesson on the immensity of the evil from which the possessed man had been delivered.

5:19b-20 “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

What happened to this demon possessed man is truly an amazing grace healing of God and then he went from maniac to missionary for Jesus. This man went beyond the call of duty, being so enthusiastic about Christ and what he had done, that he shared his amazing story with people beyond his friends and family and local town into the nearby ten Greek cities. People marveled at the work and message of Jesus.

It’s interesting to note that people are not delivered by Christ from their bondage to evil and sin merely for their own comfort and well-being, but so that they may give testimony to others concerning their divine Deliverer, to glorify God!  What great things has God done for you and who are you telling about it?

This Bible event shows us the reality of demonic influence in someone’s life, that Jesus cares about demon inflicted people, that Jesus is greater than demons, and in this case, Jesus healed the man being controlled and possessed by demons who went on to proclaim the good news of Christ to many people.

Jesus Christ is awesome and amazing and as I ponder the reality of spiritual warfare and demonic influence in this world it comforts me to know biblically and by faith that all the demons together are no match for Jesus Christ! Jesus is the eternal risen glorified Son of God, the One who has all authority and power, God Himself (i.e. Heb. 1:1-4, Col. 1:15-19).

I don’t know what you believe about demons and their influence in this world but God’s Word has much to say about these things. The key for you and me is Jesus Christ, who He is and what He did on the cross, dying for our sins, and resurrecting in victory over sin and death. By God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, you can have an eternal relationship with your Creator and trust Him for victory over the spiritual enemies of God. I trust Christ, how about you?

What are your thoughts?

Mike

The Currency of True Greatness is Humility

Dr. Jerry Sheveland, a pastor and President of Converge Worldwide, wrote, “In the economy of God’s kingdom, humility is the currency of true greatness.”

Christians know this, right? God’s Word is clear. In both the Old and New Testaments we are told: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6

But even the closest followers of Christ can allow pride into their lives and ministry. In Mark 9 and 10, Jesus addressed this issue. Early in Mk. 9, we read about an incredible transfiguration moment where only three of the disciples were invited. What were the other disciples doing during that time? We read that a man brought his demon possessed son to them and here is what the man said to Jesus about it afterwards; 18b … “I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” What followed soon after was Jesus confronting a pride problem among His closest disciples.

In vs35 Jesus asked the disciples what they were discussing. Here’s what came next:

Mark 9:34-35 ESV But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. ³⁵ And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Then, we jump over to Mark 10:35-41 where James and John asked Jesus if they could sit at the right hand of Jesus in His glory and the other ten disciples were very displeased about their request. Here’s what happened next:

Mark 10:42-45 ESV  And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ⁴³ But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus confronted their pride which was at the heart of their dispute, anger, and desires. This is a sin of arrogance. A prideful person has a swollen puffed up ego, basically trying to position their self into an ‘I’m better than you’ spot in life. They think they are better than others, smarter than others and more deserving than others. Pride is self-exaltation and we know from Scripture; Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:11

What triggered the prideful dispute among the disciples in Mark 9? Probably because only Peter, James, and John got to go with Jesus on the mountain for His amazing transfiguration moment and the other nine disciples were experiencing spiritual failure in the valley. At any given time some of us Christians are enjoying a measure of spiritual success, while others are dealing with disappointment and discouragement. Comparing ourselves with each other in a jealous worldly sense is an invitation to pride.

Imagine their conversations, “You got to do this and we didn’t. Jesus likes you more than me. I’m better than you. I’m just as important as you are. I’ve got this privilege and ability and you don’t. I’m the greatest among us.” We are all tempted by pride, thinking thoughts like, “There are always people lower than me on the totem pole of life and I deserve to be where I am because I’m better than those other people. I want to be great! I am great.” and so on.

Here is a simple example of pride in ministry life today. Imagine a ministry team gathers for a meal time and one of them has these thoughts, “As I look around this place, I’m the VIP here. I deserve to go first and sit at the head table. I deserve to be seen and heard here today. I expect several people to come talk to me, ask what I think, and get my opinion on things around here. I better not be ignored because I’ve done a lot for this ministry and they’d really miss me and my contributions if I left.” Those are prideful thoughts.

Jesus doesn’t just confront and convict His followers about our pride. Jesus wants to cultivate His greatness of humility in us.

In our culture most people think of being first and top ranked as most important and most valued. The winners come out on top. They are the best. They’re #1. They’re first. But Jesus says ‘if you would be first, you must be last.’ What? In major sports competition the last place is thought of as the worst of the bunch, the bottom of the totem pole. We live in a culture that loves to rate and rank and compare and elevate value to the top people and top things.

Prideful ambition says that if anyone desires to be first, then get yourself in a position to be served by all. Jesus however, speaks counter to our culture by basically saying, “In my kingdom, if you want to be first, you must be last of all and servant of all.”

Being humble, serving others in God honoring ways is essential to being great in God’s kingdom.

Here are some simple examples of this in church life and Christian living. We gather for a fellowship meal and instead of rushing to get your food quickly, you look around and find out who could use some help. Maybe there is an elderly person, a special needs person, a woman with a young child to help, etc.. And you are willing to let everyone else go before you. My wife is classic at doing this at mealtime. Many times, Kym has prepared dinner for our family of six and then at the table she wants to serve up everyone else’s plate before her own plate. She is often the last to begin eating and she has often been the last in the kitchen cleaning up at night. This is changing however as the boys and I try to serve her plate first and clean up afterwards.

Our best example of humble greatness was modeled by the incarnated Christ.  The eternal Son of God greatly humbled Himself by becoming flesh, becoming a servant to needy people (including you and me), teaching, feeding, and healing people, washing His disciples’ feet, ultimately dying for our sins.

The closest disciples of Christ still had much to learn about applying the teaching and example of Christ-like humility in their lives and we probably do as well. We are all imperfect people who know what it’s like to struggle with pride and selfishness and all sorts of sins, which is why we all need the grace, truth, love, mercy, and help of Jesus Christ.

These Bible passages should cause us to pray, “Lord, search me and reveal to me if there is any pride in my life and if there is, show the specifics to me, forgive me and transform me that I would be more humble in your eyes.”

I remind you of what Jerry Sheveland wrote, “In the economy of God’s kingdom, humility is the currency of true greatness.”

What are your thoughts on this?

Mike

Read God’s Word Often

Only 16% of church-goers read the Bible every day.

Only 32% read the Bible at least once a week.

Only 37% say that reading and studying the Bible

has made a significant difference in the way they live their lives*.

 

Why read the Bible? How about…

to learn about God’s special revelation of truth He wants us to know

to learn about God the Father, God the Son Jesus Christ, and God the Spirit

to learn about creation and humanity

to learn about our purpose, why we exist

to learn about our sin separation from our Holy Creator God

to learn about God’s plan of redemption to solve our sin problem

to help you communicate the great news of Jesus Christ to others

to draw closer to God

to help you worship God

to help you live according to God’s will

to help you memorize portions of the Bible which will minister to you and others later

to remember & reinforce what you have already learned

for encouragement

for exhortation, to challenge yourself

to learn about God’s Heaven

to learn about God’s future plans for this earth

to learn about the spiritual enemies of God and how to have victory over them

to help renew your mind with what is God-honoring and praise-worthy

to help your thoughts be captive to obeying Christ

because Jesus said, “if you continue in my Word you are truly My disciples” (John 8:31)

to know the truth and the truth will set you free

to help you become who God created you to be

to help prepare you for God’s plans for your life

to help equip you for Christian ministry

to help you be a God-honoring steward with your life and the resources God has allowed you to manage

to help you develop a deeper hunger for God

to nourish your soul

to feed on the very words of God

to give you hope

to show you what is right and what is wrong

to receive spiritual conviction

to help you develop God-honoring wisdom and discernment

because the Word of God is life-transforming

because the Word of God is living and active

to help us identify false teaching

to reap blessings of joy

 

and on and on are the many good reasons to read the Word of God. And don’t just read it often and regularly; study it and apply it to your life regularly as well.

 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ESV

This time of year is as good as any time of the year to make a commitment to spend time in God’s Word on a regular basis, like 5-7 days a week or even more. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking you don’t have time to read God’s Word or you can’t understand it or it is not relevant. If you don’t read well, then listen to the Bible on audio. If you have questions, then ask God in prayer and ask someone familiar with God’s Word and do some research. It can be done and it should be done. Read God’s Word!

 

The Word of God; Learn It, Live It, Pray It, Proclaim It!

If you are looking for different Bible reading plans and schedules to follow then I recommend www.youversion.com (which I personally use and have their APP downloaded to my phone) which offers free online Bible access with several translations and they have a lot of reading plans.

 

What other God-honoring reasons are there to read God’s Word; other than what I have listed above?

 

Mike

 

*These statistics came from readthebibleforlife.com; Dec. 2011

 

Ten Key Events Related to the Birth of Christ

 

1) The Angel Gabriel tells Zacharias that his barren wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to the Forerunner to Christ; Luke 1:5-22

Zacharias was a Jewish priest and he and wife were both righteous before God. She was barren and quite old so this will be a miracle conception and birth. The baby’s name will be John. Zacharias doubted the Angel’s words and was made mute because of his doubt until the baby’s birth. This child will later point people to the coming of Christ and the need for Christ.

 

2) The coming Virgin Birth of Christ is announced, to Mary first and later to Joseph, by the Angel Gabriel; Luke 1:26-38, Matt. 1:18-25

Mary and Joseph were in Nazareth legally pledged to marry each other. The Angel told Mary, “O favored one. The Lord is with you.” The Holy Spirit will cause this pregnancy. Jesus will be the baby’s name. When Joseph, a just man, learned of her pregnancy he wanted out of their ‘betrothed’ relationship but Gabriel appeared and spoke to him confirming what’s happening to and through Mary. Jesus will save people from their sins! Joseph took Mary as his wife but did not know her intimately until the birth of Jesus.

 

3) Pregnant Mary visits pregnant Elizabeth who is filled with the Holy Spirit; Luke 1:39-56

Elizabeth’s baby leaped for joy in her womb when Mary greeted her. Mary’s “Magnificat”, vss.1:46-55 (“it magnifies” is her prayer song of praise to God referring to several covenant promises of God to His people from the Old Testament)

 

4) Elizabeth gives birth to baby John; Luke 1:57-80

Zacharias could now speak again. John later becomes known as John the Baptist. Zacharias’ “Benedictus” (this is a benediction type of prayer/blessing referring to truths from the Old Testament). And John grew and became strong in spirit and was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

 

5) Baby Jesus is born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger; Luke 2:1-7

A Roman Census directed Joseph to their tribal home, Bethlehem (City of David). Mary laid baby Jesus in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. The manger was possibly in a stable or cave setting for farm animals. Old Testament verses connected with the Messiah’s birth: Gen. 3:15, Isa. 7:14, 9:6; Mic. 5:2.

 

6) An Angel directs some shepherds to the baby Savior (the Lamb of God); Luke 2:8-20

Some nearby shepherds see & hear an angel tell them about good news of great joy:

Vs11 ESV For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. A sign was given them for how to find baby Jesus then they see and hear a multitude of angels praising God. After the shepherds visited the baby they too glorify and praise God.

 

7) Baby Jesus is dedicated to the Lord in Jerusalem; Luke 2:21-39

A. Simeon, a righteous man with the Holy Spirit upon him, held baby Jesus and blessed God and blessed Joseph and Mary about Jesus.

B. Anna, a teacher/prophetess who worshipped at the temple and fasted and prayed daily, gives thanks to God about Jesus

8) Wise men (Magi) search for King Jesus to worship Him; Matt. 2:1-12
 

Some wise men from the east follow an unusual star they believe points to the Messiah King. The word ‘Magi’ comes from the Greek word here translated wise men. They are magician or astrologer types who were also familiar with Hebrew Scripture. When they find the king, baby Jesus, they worship Him and give Him three gifts. The quantity of wise men is not stated but because of three stated gifts, some believe there were three wise men.

9) An Angel warns Joseph to take his family to Egypt, away from King Herod’s danger; Matt. 2:13-18

Herod had his soldiers look for and kill all the male children in the region under two years of age because he was seeking to get rid of this baby king of Israel he felt threatened by. But Joseph was warned by an angel to relocate his family.

 

10) An Angel tells Joseph to leave Egypt and they eventually settle in Nazareth; Matt. 2:19-23

After Herod’s death, an Angel tells Joseph it’s okay to return to Israel and he was later directed more specifically to north of Jerusalem in the region of Galilee where Jesus grew up in a town called Nazareth.

 

And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40

 

Key Characters involved:

- God, the Father (i.e. praised and blessed by people and angels; favored Mary)

- God, the Holy Spirit (very active in these events related to Christ’s birth)

- God, the Son, Jesus (God became flesh in the form of a baby, born of a human mother; He is the Son of God, Messiah/Christ/Savior, Holy One, Immanuel: “God is with us”)

- Angels: Gabriel; the angel of the Lord; and a multitude of the heavenly host (very involved in these events)

- Mary (mother to Jesus)

- Joseph (engaged to Mary when she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit; married her soon after)

- Zacharias (Jewish Priest; husband to Elizabeth; father to John the Baptist)

- Elizabeth (wife to Zacharias, mother to John the Baptist; relative/cousin to Mary)

- John the Baptist (son to Zacharias/Elizabeth; anointed forerunner to Christ)

- Wise Men/Magi (searched for baby Jesus to worship Him and give Him gifts)

- Shepherds (whom angels told about baby Jesus so they went to see Him)

- Simeon (righteous man at temple)

- Anna (temple prophetess)

- King Herod (unrighteous Jewish king who sought to kill baby Jesus)

- Caesar Augustus (Roman Emperor who ordered a census of everyone in the region)

- Archelaus (Herod’s son; Joseph was afraid to return to Judea with this man in charge)

 

Note: Most of the Bible details of the events related to the birth of Christ are found in the first two chapters of the Gospels according to Matthew and Luke. The Gospels of Mark and John do not record details of the events surrounding the birth of Christ.

Read the above Bible passages and you will have read the true Christmas story; that God came in the flesh to save His people from their sins. His name is Jesus Christ!

What are your thoughts about these ten key events related to the birth of Christ? What do they mean to you? Who is Jesus Christ to you?

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Mike