CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIANS (part 2)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Introduction:  This is one of the most important verses in the Bible to show the changes that take place when a sinner becomes a Christian.  All Christians are in Christ – II Cor. 5:17a, All Christians are new Creatures – II Cor. 5:17b, All Christians have new Customs – II Cor. 5:17c.

The three principles which I mentioned above are what I have used to clarify Scriptural salvation.  Last week we looked at the first principle,  ALL CHRISTIANS ARE IN CHRIST – II Corinthians 5:17a, and at the meaning of the term “in Christ.”   This week we will talk about the second principle.

II.  ALL CHRISTIANS ARE NEW CREATURES – II Cor. 5:17b

“He is a new creature” (5;17b). 

All Christians are new creatures.  This statement is not based on any religious philosophy, but rather, God says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he  IS  a new creature” (5:17b).  At the moment the sinner  is saved,  he or she becomes a new creation of God.  The person is recreated in Christ.  The Christian is never more spiritual, never more pure, and never more holy than at the moment of his spiritual birth.  (cf. John 3:7)  Though he is spiritually pure at the point of pardon, the rest of his life he will mature in sanctification.  He will not be sinless, but he will desire not  to sin. 

Several years ago I was traveling with two well-known Christians who were good theologians.  I was sitting in the back seat of the car.  They were talking about the results of different evangelistic campaigns and the fact that so few “converts” became faithful members of a local church.  They said that these “converts” were new creatures in Christ.  Then about an hour later, they started talking about winning children to Christ.  One of the Christians was an autority on the evangelism of children, and he indicated that you couldn’t expect a young person to become a new creature.  That was shocking to me, so I asked, “Only adults become new creatures when they are saved?”  There was silence in the front seat as the car continued down the highway.  Finally, one said, “You know, that is a good question because every saved person is a new creature, whether young or old.”  A child will still be a child.  He will not immediately become a mature Christian any more than an adult will, but his life will show a new desire to do right and to please God.

The following Scriptures speak of the fact that Christians are new creatures (or new creations).

(Gal 6:15)  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”

(Eph 2:10)  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus [made new creatures] unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” [!!!]

(Eph 4:24)  “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

(Col 3:10)  “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.” (cf.Rom.12:1-2)

(Eph 2:15)  “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” (This probably refers to the universal church.  It is an example of what will be fulfilled during the millenium, but the church gets to experience some of the blessings NOW in a small way.)

On the day of Pentecost  in  Acts 2:14-20, Peter tells what the new covenant in the millennium will be, but the church gets a foretaste: “¹⁴But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: ¹⁵  For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ¹⁶  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; ¹⁷  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: ¹⁹  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: ²⁰  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come”  (Note that he quotes Joel 2:28-32.)

(Ezek 11:19) “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.”

(Ezek 18:31) “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

(Ezek 36:26) “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

The Lord commissioned the Apostle John to write the Gospel of John for the specific purpose of clarifying what it means to be saved.  John said in John 20:31: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have [eternal] life through his name.”  The first example of personal evangelism that John uses is Jesus teaching the famous Pharisee Nicodemus.

In John 3:3–5,  ³Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

When a person is born of the water and of the Spirit, he becomes a new creature.  He is born again into the family of God: The Apostle Peter writes: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His [the Father’s] abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”  (1 Pet1:3).  

James, the half brother of the Lord Jesus, shows that we are born again and become new creatures when he says: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures”  (James 1:18) . 

Many believe that when John speaks of being born of water in John 3:3-5 (quoted above), he is referring to the cleansing effect of the Word as it is used by the Holy Spirit to create the new birth.  Here are some reasons: 

(1 Pet 1:23) “ Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

(Jn 15:3) “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

(Eph 5:26)  “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

(Jn 17:17)  “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

(1 Cor 6:11)  “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (cf. Titus 2:14; Ps 19:9; 119:9-11) 

When a person becomes a Christian, as we have discussed, he becomes a new creation; he is recreated.  The whole person--his intellect, emotions and will-- are transformed.  At this point, the Christian is a new person, BUT he is still living in the old body that is slowly decaying and dying.  So there will be a battle over the body until the body dies or is transformed at the rapture or the return of Christ. 

The teaching in Luke 9:23 helps me understand the process of becoming a new creature:  “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”

1) To follow Christ there must be self dethronement– Lk 9:23a

“If any man will come after me” (9:23a).

2) To follow Christ there must be self denial– Lk 9:23b

“Let him deny himself” (9:23b).

3) To follow Christ there must be self discipline– Lk 9:23c

“And take up his cross daily, and follow me” (9:23c).

The battle for the body can only be won as the Christian follows the will of God  according to the Word of God.  Here are some Scriptures that may apply:

(2 Tim 1:7) “ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [self-control – RSV].”

(1 Cor 10:13)  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

(2 Cor 10:5) “ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

(Pro 16:3)  “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. “

This is the second part of a message from 2 Corinthians 5:17, giving principles I have used In my years of ministry.  I plan to publish the third part next Tuesday.  I would appreciate any constructive criticism or comments. 

CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIANS (PART 1)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)  

Introduction:  This is one of the most important verses in the Bible to show the changes that take place when a sinner becomes a Christian.  All Christians are in Christ – II Cor. 5:17a, All Christians are new Creatures – II Cor. 5:17b, All Christians have new Customs – II Cor. 5:17c.

During the last fifty years or so many Christian workers have asked my opinion about the salvation of some particular person.  A college president even sent a Bible College student to attend our church to see if we could clarify the issue of salvation in his mind.  The young man vehemently insisted he was sure of his salvation, but everything about his life style caused all who knew him to doubt that he had been born again.

The three principles which I mentioned above are what I have used to clarify what it means to be converted.  (cf. Ps. 19:7; Mt. 18:3; Acts 3:19; James 5:19-20)  The first is “All Christians are in Christ.”   I want a person to clearly understand what the precious phrase “in Christ” really means in the Scriptures. 

   I. ALL CHRISTIANS ARE IN CHRIST – II Corinthians 5:17a

“Therefore if any man be in Christ” (5:17a).

(Rom 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

(Rom 8:2) “ For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

(1 Cor 1:30)  “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

(Gal 3:28)  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

(Gal 5:6)  “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

(Gal 6:1)  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”

(Col 1 :28)  “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

(Eph 1:3–4) “ ³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: “  ⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”

       (2 Tim 2:10)  “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the              salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

(Col 2:6–7)  “⁶As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: ⁷ Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

(1 Jn 2:5)  “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

(1 Jn 2:15)  “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

 (1 Jn 2:27)  “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

(1 Jn 3:5-6)  “⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. ⁶Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not [does not practice sin (cf. I Jn 3:9 ESV)]: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”

(1 Jn 3:9)  “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin [does not practice sin]; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (cf. I Jn 3:9 ESV)

(1 Jn 3:24)  “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

(1 Jn 4:13-16)  “¹³Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. ¹⁶And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

(1 Jn 5:14)  “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

The Apostle Paul often uses the term “in Christ” to identify his coworkers and other Christians to whom he writes:

(Eph 1:1)  “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

(Phil 1:1)  “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”

(Phil 4:21) “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.”

(Col 1:2)  “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Phil 1:23)  “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus.”

(Rom 16:3) “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus.”

(Rom 16:7)  “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”

(Rom 16:8)  “Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.”

(Rom 16:11)  “Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. “

(Rom 16:12)  “Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.”

Let me explain what “in Christ” means from another angle. Some have said that you can’t explain the meaning of”in Christ” without teaching on inness.  So let us turn to 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”  Notice the use of the phrases “in Christ” and “Jesus Christ in you.”  This is what some scholars refer to as the teaching on inness.  We could give this a separate title: THE CHRISTIAN IS IN CHRIST.

(1) Being “in Christ” means being “in the faith” – 2 Cor 13:5a

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (13:5a).

A Christian follows the fundamentals of the faith—follows the teaching of Scripture.

(2) Being “in Christ” means having forgiveness  - 2 Cor 13:5b

“Prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (13:5b).   (A reprobate does not have forgiveness, but the redeemed have forgivemess.)

(Ti 1:16)  “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

(3) Being “in Christ” means being in the fellowship – 2 Cor 13:5c

“In Christ” means the person has communion with Christ.  (cf. I Jn 1:3)  The same Christian “in Christ” congregates with other Christians.  (cf. Heb 10:25)

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth”  

(1 John 1:6).

Conclusion: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).  

In my years of ministry I have used the principles I am giving in these three messages.  I would appreciate any constructive criticism or comments.

PRINCIPLES FOR PICKING A PHYSICIAN

My mind has been centered on our GREAT PHYSICIAN.  You see, Wednesday, August 6, I was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Urosepsis.  My temperature was 102 and my blood pressure 66/26.  I was in the hospital for a week.  I am home now and getting better very gradually. Here are my thoughts from the story of the nobleman whose son Jesus healed.

John 4:43-54    

^“43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. ⁴⁴For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. ⁴⁵Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. ⁴⁶So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. ⁴⁸Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. ⁴⁹The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. ⁵⁰Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. ⁵¹And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. ⁵²Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. ⁵³So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. ⁵⁴This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.”

When we moved to the Rio Grande Valley, I wanted to find a good fomily doctor and went to visit one who was recommended.  When I was called into the doctor’s office, he asked, “How can I help you? . . . . What did you come for?”  I told him there was nothing wrong with me, but I was looking for a family doctor and wanted to visit him in case I needed one.  He looked as if thought that was very strange, but after talking about baseball for awhile, I told him I had what I came for, thanked him, and left. He was my doctor until he retired.

  I. THE DOCTOR'S ABILITY - John 4:43-45

“⁴⁴For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.  ⁴⁵Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast” (4:44-45).

(Mat. 12:15).  “But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.” Some scholars believe He healed everyone in the surrounding areas where He went.

(Mat. 14:14)  “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”

I remember thinking when I was a young Christian that Luke 17: 11-19 was one of the saddest passages in the Bible.  Jesus healed ten lepers and only one of them bothered to thank him!

^“11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. ¹²And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: ¹³And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. ¹⁴And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. ¹⁵And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, ¹⁶And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? ¹⁸There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. ¹⁹And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole” (Luke 17:11–19).

We see the amazing ability of this Doctor, who has power over all the forces of nature, in the following verses:  

(Mat. 8:27)  “But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”  

(Mark 4:41)  “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

(Luke 8:25) “And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” 

 II. THE DOCTOR'S AVAILABILITY - John 4:46a

“So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine” (4:46a).

The Great Physician was even available for a wedding and there performed one on His greatest miracles!

(Jer. 33:3)  “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

III. THE DOCTOR'S ACCESSIBILITY - John 4:46b, 47a

“46 And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him” (4:46b, 47a).

When we went to Mexico City in 1968 to preach in an evangelistic campaign during the Olympics, I was told to try not to get sick at Easter time because during the entire Holy Week all the doctors were out of town on vacation.  But the nobleman knew that Jesus would be accessible to him.

(Mt. 11:28) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

(Lk. 18:16) “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

Jesus is accessible to everyone: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17)

 IV. THE DOCTOR'S AFFORDABILITY - John 4:47b

“And besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death” (4:47b).

Notice that no fee was asked for, nor was any fee paid for the healing of the son.  No one has to borrow money to see this Doctor; this Doctor is affordable to whosoever comes; this Doctor charges everyone the same--no more and no less.

The Doctor's fee is found in Matthew 13:44, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” (cf. Mt. 13:45,56; Rom. 9:9-10).  The field costs everything he has, but the treasure is free.

Again, the Doctor's fee is explained in Luke 9:23: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Here is my outline for a short teaching on this verse:

1). Self-dethronement - Lk. 9:23a

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me” (9:23a).

2). Self-denial - Lk. 9:23b

“Let him deny himself” (9:23b)

3). Self-discipline - Lk. 9:23c

“And take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). 

  V. THE DOCTOR'S USE OF ACCOUNTABILITY - John 4:48

“Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe” (4:48).

In effect the Lord was saying, “You believed in my miracles, why didn't you believe in my message?”  In other words, he says, “Since you saw the miracles you are accountable for the information you heard in my message.”

We see in the story of the man who was born blind in John chapter 9 that this Doctor held people accountable.  He healed the man in verse 7, the man was questioned by the Pharisees in verses 13-33, they cast him out of the synagogue in verse 34, and then in 35,  “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?  36  He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?”

We can see also in the stories of the Samaritan woman in John 4 and of Cornelius in Acts 10 and 11 that Jesus expected people to follow up on the information they were given.

 VI. THE DOCTOR'S AFFABILITY - John 4:49

“The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die” (4:49).

Though the Lord reproved the nobleman in verse 48, it was not done in such a way as to drive him away, but to draw him to Himself.

VII. THE DOCTOR'S AUTHORITY - John 4:50

“Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way” (4:50).

We see in Matthew 8:23-26 that this Doctor not only cures sea sickness, but He calms the sea: “²³And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.  ²⁴And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  ²⁵And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.  ²⁶And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”  

TEACHING TRUTH TODAY from Proverbs chapter One

I think I could write a large book on the beautiful behavioral blueprint in this book of the Bible. 

My dad had twelve children, and there were usually several men working for him on his ranch.  As a youngster I often heard my dad use this proverb: You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.  Every time I heard the proverb used, I would wonder, “What am I to understand from this?” 

There all kinds of proverbs, some secular and some Scriptural. I have been reading what different scholarly authors write about the meanings of proverbs, and of course there are as many meanings as there are proverbs. Proverbial language was used before King Solomon, and the Lord Jesus took the use of teaching with Proverbs (or parables) to the highest and holiest level, beginning with the Parable of the Sower, found in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.  My interest right now is in how proverbs were used in the Old Testament days and what they were used to communicate.  

The purpose of Book of Proverbs is to provide prudence for God’s people.  It is clearly stated in verse three of chapter one: “To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, and judgment, and equity” (Proverbs 1:3).  This chapter gives the general direction of all thirty-one chapters.  God compares the righteous and the rebellious, the godly and the godless, the faithful and the fools.  The last comparison He gives is between the wicked woman and the wonderful wife.  So as we read Proverbs, we should be aware of God’s wisdom in these areas.

Several months ago I asked the people in our church to read one chapter of Proverbs each day according to the day of the month on the calendar. I asked them to pick one verse from the chapter that spoke to them in a special way. I posted this on our Spanish blog, Enseñando las Escrituras.  After a time, I asked a very intelligent man if he was joining us in this challenge.  From the expression on his face, it was clear that he was not.  Later, I asked him why he did not want to read the Book of Proverbs with us.  He said, “Those proverbs are so twisted that I can’t untangle the teaching.”  I was very disappointed.

Here is the principle I take from chapter One of Proverbs today:  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction”  (Proverbs 1:7).  By the way, this first section of Proverbs (chapters 1-9) ends with the same principle: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

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We would be pleased to read any comments.

THE PLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE

I would like to share with you on Teaching Truth Today some thoughts concerning Proverbs 29:2:  “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

I have been very concerned about the nation of Israel as well as about all the Gentile nations during the last few months. The Bible and the nation of Israel have always been a focal point for Christians.  In Psalm 122:6 we are instructed to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” My son-in-law Bob Peaster is teaching on the Minor Prophets in our church.  I am usually teaching in Spanish while he teaches in English, but Sunday I had the privilege of hearing him give the introduction to the book of Amos.  I know Satan has always been trying to destroy God and His godly people, but he is really out in the open about it in the book of Amos!  It is astounding to note how much the times of Amos were like our present day.

I have continued to read a chapter of Proverbs every day according to the day of the month. Throughout the book of Proverbs, God constantly contrasts the godly and the godless. Proverbs 29:2 is an example of this.  Here is a short teaching on this verse:

  I. WHEN THE GODLY RULE OVER THE PEOPLE – Prov. 29:2a

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” (29:2a).

I know you know this, but as the Apostle Peter said, I want to bring it to your remembrance.  This message comes from the palace of Israel.  Most of the book has to do with Solomon the king giving his wisdom.  “The righteous” refers to godly people, or we could say the saints of the Old Testament.  “In authority” speaks of the king that is ruling over the nation.  “The people” is a reference to the nation of Israel.  So when Israel had a righteous king ruling over them, the common people rejoiced. 

When the Lord Jesus comes to accept the throne as King David, He will be the Prince of Peace.  When the Redeemer returns there will be rejoicing!  His reign will last for 1,000 years. 

II. WHEN THE GODLESS RULE OVER THE PEOPLE – Prov. 29:2b

“But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (29:2b).

Sadly, the nation of Israel had a lot of bad kings.  It prospered greatly under the leadership of King David and King Solomon.  But later it suffered greatly under the kings that did not follow God.  Some of the kings were very wicked.  So when he says “When the wicked beareth rule,” he is talking about the wicked kings of Israel.  And the people of Israel truly did suffer, or “mourn” as this verse says. 

CONCLUSION:  We know that this verse is talking about Israel in particular, but it could be applied in many ways.  What it says is true for an individual family as well as for a nation, whether it be Jewish or Gentile.  I was encouraged by this verse – in the book of Proverbs, God has outlined for us how to live now as well as then.  

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We would be very happy to read any comments you might have.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE REDEEMER

(Matthew 28:1-18)

I. THE RESURRECTED LORD  - Matthew 28:18aa

“Jesus came” (18a) from where?  He came from the grave--HE AROSE!

A. The Reality of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:1-5

“{1} In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. {2} And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. {3} His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: {4} And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. {5} And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified” (28:1-5).

B. The Recognition of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:6,7

“{6} He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. {7} And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you” (28:6,7)..

C. The Rejoicing Because of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:8

“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word” (28:8).

D. The Reaffirmation of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:9-11

  “{9} And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. {10} Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. {11} Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done” (28:9-11).

                                            

E. The Rejection of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:12-15

“{12} And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, {13} Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. {14} And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. {15} So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day” (28:12-15).

F. The Results of the Resurrection – Mt. 28:16-17

“{16} Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. {17} And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted” (28:16-17).

G. The Recommissioning After the Resurrection – Mt. 28:18-20

“{18} And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. {19} Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (28:18-20).

II. THE REIGNING LORD - Matthew 28:18ab

“And Jesus came and spake unto them” (28:18ab).

On this occasion, Jesus did not come unto these disciples to serve breakfast (though He did serve them breakfast at another appearance as recorded in John 21:9,10), but He came for a special briefing as the Commander in Chief.

Jesus came “and spake unto them” (18ab).  This was not a zombie walking around as the Pharisees would have people believe--this is the reigning Lord who “spake unto them.”  “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

THE FIRST SONG IN THE SACRED SONGBOOK (continued)

III. THE FRUIT OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:3

A. THE FRUIT OF SALVATION

B. THE FRUIT OF SANCTIFICATION

C. THE FRUIT OF SERVICE

IV. THE FUTURE OF THE GODLY MAN - Psalm 1:6a

Introduction: 

(Psa 1:1-3).  “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. {3} And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

The fruit of Psalm 1:3 includes the whole spectrum of Godly productivity.  1) The fruit of Salvation, 2) the fruit of Sanctification, and 3) the fruit of Service, though it does not specifically say that the fruit includes these categories.  

We have discussed the fruit of salvation, but there is another kind of fruit, which is produced by God’s purging.  God Himself prunes all the branches that have the fruit of salvation so that they can have the fruit of sanctification, identified as “more fruit: (Jn 15:2c). Today let us to look at some specific information about the fruit of sanctification. 

The fruit of salvation is automatic.  THE FRUIT OF SANCTIFICATION IS NOT AUTOMATIC. 

B. The Fruit of Sanctification – Jn. 15:2c-15

Though the whole passage of John 15:2c-15 has to do with sanctification, for the present teaching, I want to highlight the last part of verse 2:  “And every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

We can define scriptural sanctification as living in the will of God in accord with the Word of God: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (Jn 17:17).  And in 2 Corinthians 7:1 we read: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

The fruit of sanctification is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, though many times we don’t connect  these teachings with the term sanctification.   The Bible refers to sanctification frequently without using the word “fruit.”  But since we are talking about the fruit of sanctification, I would like to look particularly at verses talking about sanctification which have the term “fruit.” 

Maybe we should note that the godless trees have fruit just as the godly trees have fruit. 

(Prov 10:16)  “The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.”

(Prov 11:30)  “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

(Prov 12:12)  “The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.”

Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? {17} Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. {18} A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. {19} Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. {20} Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Mat 7:16-20).

 

Again, Jesus said, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Mat 12:33) 

(Phil 1:9-11)  "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; {10} That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; {11} Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

(Rom 6:16-23)  “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? {17} But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. {19} I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. {20} For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. {21} What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. {22} But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. {23} For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

This is one of the most important passages concerning the path and the product of sanctification.  Verse 23 makes a conclusion concerning the process of sanctification: 1) The wages of sin is the fruit of sin, and 2) The gift of eternal life is the fruit of salvation.

Those who intentionally, habitually disobey the Word of God are not Christians.  They belong to the second group in Psalm 1:4-6. 

(James 3:17-18)  “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. {18} And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

(Eph 5:8-9)  “{8} For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: {9} (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)”

(Titus 3:1, 14)  “{1} Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, . . .  {14} And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.”

There is a hymn in our hymnbooks entitled Trust and Obey.  Here is the first stanza:

When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey.

This song is in complete harmony with the first sacred song of the book of Psalms.  Frieda says her mother taught her to sing the chorus of this hymn when she was two years old. 

When Frieda and I were first married, I was in my last year of Bible College.  I was under a lot of pressure as I was taking several graduate classes.  Many a night when I felt tense, she would sing many of these godly and glorious hymns to me in the dark.  It was comforting and encouraging.

(Col 1:9-10)  "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; {10} That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

(To be continued)