Pastor Goforth

Don’t Receive The Grace of God In VAIN – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

February 25th, 2025

That definer… “in vain” has been in my head the last few weeks. It’s the Greek word, kenon = vain, empty, empty-handed. That’s what Paul says in v1 – don’t receive it empty handed. Doesn’t mean we can EARN it, but we also can’t neglect it.

v2 at an acceptable time, I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.

Paul is quoting Isaiah 49:8 – “I will answer you in a time of favor and I will help you in the day of salvation. I will keep you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to make them possess the desolate inheritance.”

Then Paul says “See, now is the acceptable time… the day of salvation…”

Paul writes this 700 years after Isaiah wrote this promise.

Now – In Jesus – it is “the time” – YAY! So, everything is easy peezy, roses and cupcakes… Right? Nope – The Gospel Work is HARD

v4 As God’s ministers we commend ourselves – sunistemi = “commend, establish, stand near”

What does the servant of God, the minister of salvation by the Gospel “stand near”?

ANYTHING NECESSARY – Look at his list.

…Endurance, affliction, hardship, difficulties – wait… ok… I’ll try… maybe it won’t be too bad

…BEATINGS, imprisonments, riots, labor, sleepless nights, hunger… WOW… uh…

…purity, knowledge, patience, kindness… in the midst of all of that, this might be the hardest part… HOW?

…By the Holy Spirit, “Sincere love… that word for sincere is anypokritos = without hypocrisy. It should go without saying that when hypocrisy enters the story, true agape goes out the door.

…by the Word of truth, by the power (dynamis) of God. Oh Yes, we need God’s dynamite.

…Through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left hand. Oh saint, do not make excuse for righteousness in one hand but selfishness in the other.

…through glory and dishonor… slander and good report… regarded as deceivers, yet true

…unknown yet recognized… dying, yet See, we live… disciplined yet not killed

…grieving, yet always (aei=constantly) Rejoicing

…as poor, yet enriching many – ploutizo=making rich. I may be poor, but I can make others rich.

v10 closes as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Point?

When I receive salvation by Grace through faith… I can’t earn it. It is from God, but I don’t come back to the Lord “empty-handed”.

I’m coming full of the reality of what it means to be a servant for the people who need the gospel.
Take a minute and go read 1 Peter 1:6-8 as a companion

By the Grace of God

By the Power of God

For the Kingdom of God… until Kingdom comes… willing to “Stand Near” Hardship and Heartache, Suffering, Slander, or Suffering

“Standing Near” the Slipping Saint, The Sorrowful Sinner, in the Spirit’s Strength.

We come Sanctified and Surrendered as the Savior’s Servant, never empty-handed or “in vain” receiving and proclaiming the grace of God
Then Elijah Became Afraid

February 25th, 2025
The greatest moves of God in our lives can often be followed by the greatest challenges. Why is that? The challenges are often fed by shift in focus and fatigue that follow the great move, and the challenges then can be fueled by fear.

As I was thinking through this, a very real and personal feeling set in, “imposter syndrome”. When God is leading and God is working, while we trust him, he has success. But, we know that it isn’t us and we are fine with that… Yet as the “evil one” comes against us, we know it’s not us, yet he makes accusations, threats, and we are tired. Then we think, “they are going to find out that I’m not good at this.

1 Kings 18 tells the story of Elijah’s encounter with the prophets of Baal under the faulty lead of Ahab and Jezebel in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, after they split with Judah.

Remember, it hadn’t rained in three years as God was correcting them, calling them back to himself, for repentance to result in forgiveness.

18:1 says “go present yourself to Ahab, I will send rain.”

The only thing Elijah was responsible for was the message, and then God does the “God-stuff”.

But in v17 Ahab called Elijah, “the one RUINING Israel.”

Ahab called the false prophets to Mt. Carmel to “show” their power to the people. You know that story I’m sure… the false prophets prayed and did all they could to get Baal to consume their prepared altars of sacrifice. But nothing happened.

Then Elijah prayed, v36, Lord… today let it be known that you are God in ISrael, I am y our servant, and that at your word I have done all these things… 37 Answer me Lord… so that this people will know that YOU, The Lord are God… and have turned their hearts back…

Good Prayer… v38 then the fire fell… 39 the people saw it, fell face down and said, ‘the Lord He is God!’

Elijah had his eyes on God. Elijah was focused on what God wanted – Repentance as a result of this revelation. Elijah did nothing but what God said… and God took care of the “God-stuff”.

Rain came as the people turned to the Lord, but evil attacks and threatens. In spite of all God had done, 1 Kings 19:2 – Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah…

Here is our focus… v3 Then Elijah became afraid and ran for his life from Jezebel into Beersheba

He had shifted his focus, stopped turning to God, was alone, was tired, knew he wasn’t “good enough”, and was perhaps afraid that he was being “found out.”

Go back there to 18:46 … look he ran to Jezreel, which depending on the route was between 17 and 30 miles – I’m a runner and know how long that would take me… and outran Ahab’s chariot. That’s power of God. But now he’s running from the threat, he ran for his life, to Beersheba, that’s 100 miles more. Then he LEAVES his servant behind, he’s completely alone, and he goes “a days journey” into the wilderness. Now he’s hiding.

Well, then he prays… that’s good right? Well, he prays for death! I have had enough! Lord take my life.” Then he went to Sleep.

I’m glad the Lord doesn’t always answer every prayer.

I could spend a long time here, but let me just make some quick observational statements about dealing with this kind of fear.
- You are NOT an imposter, you are a servant. The power is God’s, and so is the outcome
- Keep your eyes and ears on the Lord. If he says “go”, then go. If he says “stay” then stay, and trust him.
- Get Rest and Nourishment
  - An Angel touched him – told him to eat and drink
  - He went back to sleep
  - Then THE Angel of the Lord – that’s JESUS – woke him and had him eat again – Get up and eat for The Journey will be TOO much for you
- Listen to and Follow God – Then on THAT Strength… he walked 40 Days and 40 Nights to Horeb the Mountain of God
Maybe we will look later at what happens next – but With God – Focused ON God, we can DO what God wants… and be ready for whatever is next.
The Kingdom of God is Like This

February 25th, 2025
Mark 4:26-34 – We’ve heard Jesus talk about four kinds of soil – Hard, Rocky, Thorny, and Good. Three of the four produce, but one produced nothing and one produced much fruit.

satan is at work and desires to steal seed before it ever has opportunity to germinate. Distress and persecution thwart growth of willing plants with no roots, they receive with joy, but too many things hinder deeper roots. Worries of this age and the deceitfulness of material things and misplaced desires choke out the seed sown among the thorny, weedy ground. Then there is good ground that produces good fruit. In all cases, there is work to be done that can give life and increase.

Do we see the revelation? Are we willing to do the work? We have to Pay Attention. To the level that we “take heed”, it will be measured out to us 4:24.

As we read this last part, casual reading can give false understanding. This is not teaching lazy husbandry… i.e. toss out the seed and go to bed… don’t do anything until the harvest. No, I don’t think so. But it is teaching us to DO what we know and Trust God for his part.

Certainly over the centuries we have gotten educated on how to prepare and produce more effectively, but we still have to trust the Lord. Yet still, the soil needs to be prepared. Seeds need to be gathered. Seed needs to be scattered on the prepared ground – but it is Still God who makes it sprout, “though (we) don’t know how”. The soil produces a crop by itself, yes, but we can prepare it so there is greater opportunity.
- Sprouts need to be nurtured and understood – “Blade… Head… Full Grain”. We need to know the health, know the development of the sprouts.
- Then “as soon as” (euthus = straightway, early, immediately, just then) Are we paying attention? Are we ready when time is ripe? Are we on time with where the sprout is in the process? “as soon as” means we are in time with the development. When the crop is ready, we don’t have time to wait… it is ripe now.
- Send for the sickle –
All of this long passage is talking about the business of God. We must be IN TUNE, ON TIME, With TOOLS, and TEND to the Master’s Business.

Some scripture referencing use of a sickle are “wrath” passages, refering to how God will one day make final judgment on the wicked who refuse his grace. Yet even those passages speak about the process and the urgency of timing.

Joel 3:13 says swing the sickle because harvest is Ripe… Come trample the Grapes because the winepress is full

The vats overflow because the wickedness is extreme. Yes it’s talking about judgment, but notice the process and timing.

Plant, nurture, trust the Lord, but In Tune, you don’t harvest the “blade”, or the “head”, or even the “full grain” that is not yet mature… but WHEN it’s ripe… swing the sickle

He says, “come”… you can’t stay at the house when the field is full of ripe fruit. When the ripe fruit is gathered, you can’t leave it, it has to be transformed into product. In every stage, if we don’t work at the business of the Master, the product is left unfinished.

Whether we are talking about grapes or wheat… or even sheep… they all have an expected outcome. Are we doing the work?

In TUNE

On Time

With Tools

Tend to the Master’s Business until he comes and says, “well done”.

Might not seem like much up front. He shifts in vv30-32 to talking about a little Mustard seed. It doesn’t seem like much, but it turns into a large plant in the garden. Leave the final size in his hands, do what we are commissioned to do.

Then John reminds us in v34 that Jesus would go into much more detail in private with his disciples. If we will Draw Close to the Lord, Ask the questions, we will hear answers, and prove we are disciples.

Oh the Kingdom Business – Thank you Lord for “foolishly” including us.
What do you do with a Lamp?

February 5th, 2025

Read Mark 4:21-25 – we have been in this chapter for a couple of weeks now. Light, Lamps, and Lampstands are scripture images of importance.

If you haven’t read my last two posts here in Mark 4 – please go back and read them so this all fits together.

In Revelation 1:13 and 20 Jesus is seen walking among the lampstands and those lampstands are identified as the Church.

In Mark 4 Jesus has begun speaking in parables to large crowds to spark interest and to encourage those who wanted to know more to seek him out privately for fuller revelation.

Already in this passage, he has talked about casting seed, and for different kinds of soil encountered by the Sower. We have looked at that and made the observation that 3 of the 4 types of soil produced growth, but only one produced a good crop.

Jesus then explained it in more depth to those who came to him in private conversation seeking deeper truth.

Then he “abruptly” seems to change the metaphor from seeds to a lamp, in v21. is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? – NO he isn’t changing the subject, he is making an observation about the revelation. He is saying, “I’ve taught you something, what will you do with it?” Because in v26 he goes back to talking about the seed and harvest.

The question then is what do we do with light?

In Revelation 1:20 the church is seen as a Lampstand – lychnia. A GOLDEN lampstand, but still just a vessel for display of light. As a church, we have light, but we are not the source of light. In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus talks about light, lamp, and lampstand, but let’s not get too far chasing a rabbit.

Jesus is saying, “I’m giving you revelation here about light from the lamp, what will you do with the revelation, will you shine it or ignore it?”

What do we do with light? It’s like when James talks about the Word of God being like a mirror and we need to do something with what we see, or will we walk away and forget? When you wake up in the morning, and look in the mirror, will we comb our hair, or just imagine we look like our best photo on the wall, and go away with bedhead?

The Holy Spirit gives us Light, he Reveals Jesus to us, and his work in the world. We can be lit by the revelation and become light – (Phos) as in Matthew 5, but we are not the source. We are not the Lamp, we are light from the Lamp (lychnos), and we are Lampstands (Lychnia) who just hold up and shine forth the light.

So, with this light about the work of Sower with Seed and the Soils, Jesus asks: “do you bring in a lamp and put it under a basket or under the bed?”

I had to laugh at that image and think, there are some churches where the only fire in then is when they hide the lamp under the bed, catch “on fire” but they are burned up. Their only “fire” is on their tails as they run out. That made me laugh and then made me tear up a bit.

Will we hide the light of revelation here? NO! Let’s take the truth that Christ is revealing… put it on our stand, read, learn, adjust to what we see, and let it SHINE, change us, transform us.

Then v23 – if anyone has ears to hear… let him Listen

v24 – and he said to them PAY ATTENTION to what you hear

Pay Attention is the word blepo = beware, careful, consider – and is in the present active imperative – So Jesus is saying this is IMPORTANT, and needs to be done RIGHT NOW. Young Literal says take heed. NIV – carefully consider

This is important – what is the light being given? Be Careful, Pay Attention and Adjust to it!

If you are outside on a stormy night, in complete darkness, trying to get home, and lightning flashes and in that split second you see you are dangerously close to a Cliff… you need to Take Heed, and Give Care, Pay Attention to your Steps.

If we receive instruction, what will we do with the light?

Then here Jesus speaks of Conditional Results to How we respond to the Light… v24 by the measure you use it will be measured to you. What do we do with the instruction we have will determine the proportion of results. Then v25 whoever has, more will be given, whoever does not have, what he has will be taken.

Well, that doesn’t seem fair. Oh yes, it is. When you put this with the revelation regarding sowing, seeds, and soil, I cannot help but process this in a couple of way. If I have lots of seed, and lots of land, then just cast away and let the 4 soils do whatever they will… BUT… if we have limited land and limited resources, then develop the land you have to it’s fullest and use the resources in the best way possible for harvest.

“Pay Attention”, Jesus says. If we do the most with the light, with the resource, and see the result… God will enlarge our measure of responsibility. But if we hide the light, fail to use the resources, fail to develop the land, then he will invest his resources elsewhere…

And then notice the beginning of v26 and I’ll pick up there next week…

The Kingdom of God is Like This…

Oh my…
The Secret of the Kingdom

January 29th, 2025
Mark 4:11 – Jesus has just told the parable of the Sower, the Seeds, and the Soil… and The Twelve and other serious disciples come to him alone for instruction. They asked and he answered – the secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. To whom? It’s given to those who seek it, who come close, who ask for answers.

Why are there “secrets”? The word mysterion – isn’t like a “who done it” mystery, but something that has been hidden and now is revealed. Why hide it? Well, partly because we are “children” and our understanding is limited. Then parents don’t always tell children everything, you stay with what matters and in proper timing can be understood.

The scriptures tell us parts of the story of God and Man, but there is a decidedly Israeli perspective because they were the “chosen” people of God. God was doing something through them, though, for ALL of mankind. In heaven will be an innumerable multitude from EVERY people, but God was using the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to produce the line through which Jesus would come for all, for any who would believe.

Secrets are also mysteries because God so chooses, and he is Sovereign and thus not required to tell, to reveal, everything.

Yet – if we will come, if we will listen, then mysteries can be revealed

The Sower sows a Seed, and we who have come, have understood, want to join in the revelation of the mystery.

Even the awful reality of the cross was advanced because the mystery was hidden. 1 Corinthians 2:7–9 (CSB) — 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived— God has prepared these things for those who love him.

If God didn’t keep parts of the plan a mystery, the cross doesn’t happen, our sins are not redeemed. He didn’t force the unjust killing of Christ, but used the unjust action to bring justification for all who receive. v9 God has prepared these things…

Mark 4:12 then Jesus quotes from Isaiah 6:9-10 – the first instruction to Isaiah. The idea there is not that men’s hearts were hardened without reason, but as a result of their OWN act of hardening, So God further moved them down their self-chosen path.

But if we will come to him, come as these in Mark, alone, with ears to listen, and ask, he answers.

And Jesus begins to explain the parable, but says in v13 don’t you understand this? Who then will you understand all the parables?

This is the basic stuff, Jesus is saying, let’s start at the basic, the secret is the sower sows the word… and there are different kinds of soil and response.

Different Types of Soil – Hard, Shallow, Unfruitful, and Good

Let’s go there for a minute
- Hard Ground – the Path. Nothing gets in, predators steal the seed, it is open to the predatory purloinment by the personification of evil.
- Shallow Soil – Rocky Ground – it is receptive, receives with joy – but have no depth to grow, no roots to sustain survival, open game for distress and persecution
- Thorny soil – there is plenty of soil there because the thorny weeds are growing. But those weeds have taken over the soil, consume the nutrients and nothing is left for the seed. It grows, but it doesn’t produce fruit. The deceitfulness of the age steals the opportunity for production. Sounds like it’s alive, but distracted from its purpose because the weeds run rampant
- Seeds Sown on Good Ground – they hear, welcome, produce fruit
If we are going to sow with The Sower – we have good seed, but what are we doing about the soil? What do we do with this conundrum?
- Only sow seed ON Good Ground? maybe
- Be ground Inspectors? maybe
- Be ground Preparers? maybe
- Perhaps we need to be doing ALL of those things
Interestingly – the Isaiah 6:9-10 quote, I don’t believe is saying “don’t tell”, but it is both a bit of “reverse psychology” and a statement of the reality. Not All WILL come, but in Isaiah’s life, God has just revealed himself to Isaiah. Isaiah sought God in the tragedy of Uzziah’s death, and he saw God’s Holiness. That revelation revealed his own unholiness, and he cried out for cleansing and the Lord forgave and cleansed him.

From that cleansed position… Isaiah hears God say, who will I send, who will go for us? And Isaiah throws up his hand and says, “Send ME! Pick Me Lord, Use me Lord!”

The Secret is the Sower has Seed to Sow, and He invites us into the work if we will hear and desire to join him, prepare the field, cast the seed, and move toward the harvest.

Now that you know, are you in? are you joining The Sower, and sowing the word?
When he was alone… the disciples asked

January 22nd, 2025
In Mark 4 Jesus got into a boat on the Sea of Galilee with a large crowd around him and taught many things in parables…

The parable listed there is the “Sower who went out to Sow”

What was Jesus doing that day, and every time he taught the large crowds? v4 he sowed, some seed…

He is then telling them what he was doing. In that parable he talks about different kinds of soil, differing circumstances regarding the reception of the seed.
- some fell along the path – that is hard ground, no reception, birds stole it
- other on rocky ground – not much soil – it grew quickly, but had no roots and died easily – it was scorched and… withered away
- other fell among the thorns… but didn’t produce fruit because it got choked out
- still other fell on good ground – it grew up, produced fruit of increase
Then Jesus says, Let anyone who has ears to hear, listen

The story has four different receptions of the same seed sowed. Only one of them does not become a plant. Only one is stolen and never germinates and roots, the one on hard ground. The other three all sprout, but have different results

I won’t spend a long time here now, but let’s think as sowers of seed, let’s observe:
- some would say… “the path is the path… it’s hard… not our fault.” Others would say, “Or, I could break up the ground and make it useful. The question is do we want to work at that effort
- Regarding the “Rocky Ground”, some would say, “Wow, look at that plant that came up so quickly – Let’s Celebrate.” but then “Wait, where di that plant go?” – I’ve got to tend to the rocks and bring in more soil, if I want that little plant to survive
- Regarding the “Thorny Ground” – again this is about tending the ground. There is work to be done. Though rocks can be easily recognized and removed, the thorns are plants with roots. If I remove them too aggressively, I might remove young spouts as well. I might not even notice the thorns… but there is my plant, yet without fruit? Hmm, I need to do some work here. I need to understand the situation
- Then the Good Soil – and all of its fruitfulness, that’s the result of the work having been already done before, and continued to be done during the process.
I’m going to be doing a lot of looking at this passage this year… but what first had my attention that drew me to the passage in the first place was in v10, when he was alone, those around him with the Twelve asked him about the parable… He answered them…

Our desire to know and to learn, to grow and develop must take us ALONE with the Lord – Ask, Listen, Learn, Do. v9 let anyone who has ears to hear LISTEN

If we have ears… are they ears that want to Listen? That word is in the Present, Active, Imperative – that means, right now, actively, I MUST take heed. And in this case, those with ears and a desire to take heed, ASKED – “Explain this Lord”.

As you start a new year, do we get alone with God? I will break this down some more later… but let me start right here with the simple… WHEN we Get Alone with God, Daily –

P. R. A. Y.

This is simple but doesn’t get old
- P – Pray – “Lord, you are God, I am Not. Thank You, Speak to Me, Teach Me, and I will LISTEN
- R – Read – open the passage you have to read – Read looking for God to Reveal Jesus, Give direction, Show you want you need to know…
- A – Apply – You asked God, he has shown you something – what is he saying to me? Write it down, make sure that what you heard is true in regards to all of the full revelation of God in scripture. Then…
- Y – YES – Say “Yes, Lord” – Now, make an Action Plan to align yourself to the truth. Tell someone you trust and be accountable. Ask them “I believe God is saying this, is this true, will you pray for me and ask me tomorrow, next week, next month if I am doing what God said.
How must time should I spend Pastor? Depending on the time of day, your time with the Lord, the depth of your knowledge, that measure will change. But set some “alone time goals” that are achievable and grow from there. It might be a short time in the morning and then more time later. Let it grow naturally, but more toward consistent, growing time, and the increase will come

More on this later…
How to Find Out Who You Really Are

December 31st, 2024

Thought for the Week Who am I, really? It’s a worthy question to ask yourself on the cusp of a new year. May I suggest you begin by asking two more …
How to Find Out Who You Really Are
My Goal Is To Know Him

December 3rd, 2024
Philippians 3:10 is my focus today. As Paul says, My Goal is to know him (Christ)

But he begins this meaningful passage in v4 saying, “Although I have reason for confidence in the flesh”… If it’s about “what I can do”, Paul says, “been there done that.” pepoithesis = trust confidence, boldness – “I’ve got full confidence in the physical I’ve done… And he lists his “accomplishments”… Circumcised, Benjamite, Hebrew, Pharisee, Zealous (to the point of persecuting the church), and Blameless (according to the Law).

You only became a Pharisee by strict adherence of The Law, not just in belief, but in application and practice. It was about perceived purity and separation. That’s what the word pharisee meant, “separated ones”. They studied the Torah, the Oral Tradition, and they lived in purity. Jesus points out that they even tithed on their spices. They taught in and engaged with their community.

And YET – v7 “but everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.”

To know Christ, we have to lay down our “competency” – our personal goodness and competencies often keep us from God’s goodness and greatness.

Paul says, “I consider all of my accomplishments (v8) as skybalon = refuse, garbage, dung heap“ WOW

Why? So I may be found, understood, as having zero righteousness of my own, but one of Faith in Christ. (v9)

And then we get to v10 as he develops this thought I want to know Christ… My Goal is to Know Him

Oh Yeah? We have all said that, “I want to know Jesus.” But it’s not a simple course we take, a book we read, a prayer we say… and then NOW I KNOW Jesus.

Paul says he wants to know him, and then identifies the keys to that end
- In The Power of the Resurrection – Ok, yes, we all want the Power Right? And by the way, Resurrection Power is a WHO, not a what. 1 Peter 3:18 says Jesus was put to death in the flesh but made alive BY the Spirit. And Ephesians 1:18-20 talks about the Immeasurable Greatness of His Power that was Exercised in raising Christ from the dead… and the Good News is that this power is For Us / Toward Us WHO Believe. I want the power of the resurrection. And that power, in the Person of the Holy Spirit comes to LIVE IN me. Ephesians 1:13-14 when you heard the truth, the gospel of your salvation… when you believed… you received the Holy Spirit. The Power is IN us, Available TO Us… But we really don’t experience Resurrection Power without…
- Fellowship of His Sufferings – Lots of folks want healing without sickness, power without pain, strength without suffering – But Resurrection Power comes IN Suffering… and
- Being Conformed to His Death – I’m mindful of the Albert King Blues song, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die” … To Know the Power of the Resurrection we need to die, be conformed to his death… What is significant about that? Paul says in Philippians 2 that Jesus laid aside his personal glory, he took the nature of a servant. We know he surrendered to God’s will not his own. Jesus said, if anyone would come after me, deny self, take up their cross and follow me. –
Well – I could preach now, but this is just a devotion – Look at vv 12-14 to finish…

I haven’t already reached the goal… been perfect – BUT… see we can’t just say, “Oh well I’m not perfect…” Paul says… But I make every effort to take hold of it…

I need to do everything in my power to move toward the Goal of Knowing Christ by Experience through suffering, through dying to self… Why? Because That’s why Jesus “took Hold of Me.”

Then he says in v13 again, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it… but ONE thing I Do…

Now, I’m a golfer. And at times I am and have been a pretty good one. Yet golf is funny because you can shoot your best round, even under par… and still know you missed a lot. But I keep pressing.

On my golf balls I write “3:13-14”. You see, I’m not there yet, and I make mistakes, and sometimes my failures hold me down for a little while So I remind myself what Paul says here…
- Forgetting what is behind – good or bad, forget it, learn from it, be encouraged by it, but forget about it…
- Reaching Forward to what is ahead – Press ON – I can’t move on if I’m holding on to the past.
- I Pursue the Prize Promised – even though we seek to live right, do right, that’s still not the prize promised. Nothing on this earth is my goal – JESUS is my Goal, and His Presence is my goal, so until I see his Face… I keep moving
To See His Face – that is to Fully Know Jesus – Jesus was moving forward to Please the Father and hear him say, “well done”.

I want to Know Christ – and hear him say “well done”
What’s God Asking for From Me?

November 20th, 2024
When we read scriptural accounts, it is important to know to whom God is speaking, what he is saying, but always ask, “what is this saying to me?”

We have to recognize that not every promise is automatically for me, nor is every judgment or “curse”. Yet, the God speaking is the same and there are principles to learn that can apply everyone.

In Genesis 22 has an amazing account of a “one-of-a-kind” event. You know it – Abraham was old when God promised a son, a family, offspring and descendants what would bless the world. That promise wasn’t fulfilled for decades, until Abraham was WAY TOO OLD, and yet God did it.

WOW

What joy to receive Isaac… and then Genesis 22 says God tested Abraham?

God called, “Abraham” – and he replied, “Here I am” – that word henneh = behold – He is saying, “look here Lord”.

God says, “take your son… your only son… whom you love… go to Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering”

We don’t have any interaction / conversation recorded. If they had it, it wasn’t recorded… and that’s something that usually is found in scripture, like Moses, Like Gideon…

But here – it just says, “SO Abraham got up early in the morning… saddled his donkey… split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go…”

This was a Three-Day Journey to the place God directed.

v5 he tells his servants with him … the boy and I will go over there to worship: then we’ll come back to you.”

Let me stop and point out some principles here. Remember now, Abraham has been on this “journey to promise” with God for probably 38 years. He was 75 when God called him in Genesis 12. He was 100 when Isaac was born. Now Isaac is probably 13+ years old.

Abraham had been down the road and learned to trust God, to have faith in God. It has been good and bad, failure and success, but he has learned.

Some principles when God calls, and asks from us:
1. When God called, Abraham said, “Here I Am”. We don’t need to know the fullness of the plan, nor question our ability, but simply express availability.
2. He Split wood for the Offering – that means he expected to carry out this difficult task. He may have believed God would provide an alternative way, but he did NOT take a “back up plan”.
3. God said, “do this… give me back your son as an act of worship, a sacrificial offering.” What did Abraham do? “He got up early and set out”. The very next day he got to it.
4. He made the journey – 3 days
5. He was set on worshipping God. And I would add to it, that the moment he set out, he was already worshiping God in action of faith and obedience. I define worship as “an expression of adoration to the object of our affection.” Anything we do, say, believe that is an expression of adoration, is worship. When his heart was set, his mind made up, he started the journey and worship began
6. He told his servants – “WE Will Come Back”. Abraham believed in the provision of God.
7. He Took Supplies for Obedient worship. v6 he loaded wood on Isaac’s back for the offering. In his own hands he carried a fire in one hand and the sacrificial knife in the other. I have many knives. I’m sure Isaac had seen this knife many times as his father used it to slaughter the sacrificial lamb.
8. vv7-8 Isaac asked “Abi (Daddy) where is the lamb for the offering?” Isaac had seen worship with his father before. He knew the tools. Perhaps this teenager was wondering for a couple of days, and maybe even putting 2 and 2 together. Abraham answered, “God himself will provide, my son.” What a beautiful intimate statement. Reassuring words of faith. Then the two walked together… I wonder if Isaac suspected, but I believe he trusted his father, and he trusted God.
9. Abraham carried out the pre-worship routine – Built the altar – Arranged the wood – Bound His SON (now It’s real) – Placed Isaac ON the Altar – Took his knife to slaughter…
v11 – “BUT… But the Angel of the Lord (that’s Jesus) ‘Abraham, Abraham”…

What does Abraham say? “Here I Am” (hinneh – behold)

Jesus says, do not lay a hand on the boy… For I know that you FEAR GOD, since you have not withheld your only son from me”

Did God not know what Abraham would do? No – I believe God knows all, and he knew… But Abraham needed to know – 1) God is in Charge 2)Everything is His 3)God will provide 4)Obedience is better than sacrifice and often IS the sacrifice 5)and to know that he would go anywhere with God.

Listen to His Voice. Get Up and Go, Make Preparation, and Release Control.

God provided a ram caught in the thicket

Abraham named the place – “The Lord will Provide” – Yahweh Yireh

Then notice v15 – the Angel of the Lord called a Second Time

… “Because you have done this… have not withheld… I will indeed bless you…”

Now there is a lot of blessing mentioned here… it bookends from Genesis 12 – the blessing of obedience for Abraham, the descendants, the blessing of the world through him… Those are specific blessings for Abraham… BUT the PRINCIPLE for Us is this
- Do Not Hold Anything Back from the Lord – God blesses Worshipful Release of Rights and Ownership
HE IS OUR BLESSING – There is blessing in Obedience that will extend for generations.

I don’t know what God is asking from you today… but…

Lay it All Down!

Truly knowing God comes in the JOURNEY not in the classroom
God’s Co-Worker

November 12th, 2024
Colossians 1:21-25; 1 Thessalonians 3:2

As I spend the month of November preaching and thinking about Stewardship, I’m focused on what I have, that it is from God, belongs to God, and is for his purpose and Kingdom advancement. In that, I saw two passages this morning – one to the church in Colossae, written while in prison, and one to the Thessalonica, possibly the first of Paul’s letters.

In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul tells the Thessalonians that he is proud of the way they “became imitators of the first churches in Judea”. What was the similarity? They were suffering for the name of Jesus, persecution among sinful people.

Paul goes on to say that what keeps him going is what they are doing for God – “indeed you are our glory and joy”.

Then Paul says of Timothy, whom he sent to Thessalonica to encourage and strengthen them, that he is “our brother and God’s co-worker”. What an identity for us to be mindful of, that we are God’s co-workers.

While being God’s servant, and we are, is a worthy and wonderful task – yet this is not the word “doulos” (bondservant) often used – but this is the word synergon = fellow worker, working together, joining, furthering, co-laborer, accomplice.

Paul is saying something here about both Timothy and about God.
1. God is not giving orders and sending us, while he stays aloof and on the throne, detached from the work. That’s Never God’s Way.
2. We could rightly say that God does it all, “it is all grace”. We understand that we are NOT attaining or advancing anything that God cannot do. And yet, God chooses in the mystery of the Gospel, to USE us, to INVOLVE us in the work.
3. Timothy is laboring together WITH God.
4. God WILL accomplish all that he purposes to do, with our without us, but he invites us to join him. If we will not, then he will use someone else, but praise God he brings us into the labor.
It’s like a Father that hands a tool to a child and says, “do it like this.” Yet God is always a co-laborer, he is always working with us, for us, in us, through us. And so we join and work with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

And then is this companion passage in my study. Paul, writing from prison, to the church at Colossae:

1:21 – Once you were alienated… but now he has reconciled you by his… death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless.

Paul then says that he is working that they might understand and fulfill the gospel / good news.

1:24 – Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s affliction for his body, the Church”

Paul is NOT saying that the death of Christ lacked anything – Oh certainly, Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.

But regarding the church, there is still work to be done. Paul is doing all in his power to co-labor with Christ in making the church a global, multi-faceted, Revelation 7:9 “every tribe” reflection of God’s inclusive love.

Yes, there is only one mediator, but we still join in the ministry of reconciliation. We have, Paul says here, a commission to serve.

As I wrote this, it is 11/11 – a day to celebrate and thank those who serve in our military and the lives they give for the cause of freedom. In our commission, we play a part in the work of God, for somebody else.

Colossians 1:25 – Paul says, I have become a servant (diakonos) according to God’s commission… to make the word of God fully known

Back in 1:23 – this gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I have become a servant of it.

I think of the Moravian Missionary – Leonard Dober – who left Germany in the early 1700s to go to the Virgin Islands to share the gospel with the slave population there.

His story is quite amazing, but he ended up building a little hut and making pottery, to self-support and share Jesus 1-on-1. For Three Years, he did this, and they say he led 12-13,000 to place their faith in Jesus Christ.

Why would he do this? His answer became the heart cry of the Moravian Missionary Movement

“May the Lamb that was slain, Receive the Reward of his Suffering”

We become co-laborers with God that Jesus Christ receive Just Reward for his Suffering, in us, as his Kingdom crows and fulfills his mission on earth.