Pastor Goforth

Through Temptation -Heb 4:15

September 19th, 2023

We go through temptation, but so did Jesus – “We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who has been tempted in every way, as we are, yet without sin.”

This passage begins v 1… “since the promise to enter his rest remains – beware none of you be found to have fallen short-“ Yes. we all have fallen short of the glory – Romans 3:23, but we don’t have to STAY on the ground. Every battle we face we have an option receive the “hand up” from Christ that bridges the gap and pulls us up into the rest of submission. (James 4:7)

Hebrews 4:3 says we who have believed enter the rest. Entering the rest of victory over being short of the glory, comes by faith. So, the writer says, Today if you hear my voice do not harden your hearts. Where is his voice? V12 says it’s found in the living, effective, penetrating Word of God… and so v11 had told us too make every effort to enter that rest … And I think we need to see that this is MORE than just salvation, this is Sabbath Rest Living.

So as we read, then, we get to v14 – since Jesus has gone to heaven – hold fast to the faith, the confession – and LIVE IN the Rest of Faith that Saves but Also Helps us LIVE. Of course, I don’t mean that you can lose your position by grace through faith, but we need to let our posture remain. We have a High Priest then v15 who can sympathize – New American Standard Greek Lexicon says sumpatheo = to have a fellow feeling with – Ooo I like that. Jesus says, “Hey, I get it.” But he did not sin, he did not come short, because he entered the rest of SUBMISSION. We fight the temptation instead of fighting to ENTER IN. I referenced James 4:7 and it speaks of this – submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee. We have our battles often out of order. God is trying to get us to submit, to obey, to trust, to follow, and we’re saying “hang on a minute, I’m fighting with satan and temptation over here.” NO – SURRENDER – The Battle isn’t over temptation it’s over surrender.

So, v16, therefore – approach the throne of grace with boldness … receive mercy and find grace… – I always call this as the “Whew / Wow” – Mercy is not getting what I deserve, WHEW and Grace is getting more than I could have imagined or asked for, WOW. Get what you need and more than you can imagine – WHEW WOW.

Why? “… to help us in our time of need.” Again, this is MORE than just a salvation event -but this is the every day – “falling short”. I then think of Hebrews 2:18 “for since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted” … This is Spiritual Warfare stuff!

So I immediately think of a life verse for me, 1 Corinthians 10:13 and must recognize that there is not temptation that I face that is not common to man – this is everybody stuff. But God is Faithful – that reminds me that God is In Control. And what I face will not be above which you are able – Man if I’m facing hard temptation, I guess I should take it as a complement that God says, “you got this…” He has confidence in me. And so then he will provide a way out to bear it. Oh my that way out isn’t usually a change in G.P.S. as we know it, but it IS a Godly Position in the Savior – In Temptation – Submit and Rest in Him – Say “Yes” to Jesus and find Strength an Satisfaction.
Impossible with Man is Possible with God – Luke 18:27

August 9th, 2023
There are a series of events that Dr. Luke puts together that was then designated as “chapter 18” of his gospel.

It begins with a story of a persistent widow seeking justice from a Judge. She gets it, but Jesus says, won’t God grant justice to the elect who cry out? Then the Son comes, will he find faith?

Then you have an arrogant Pharisee and a Repentant Tax Collector. The pharisee speaks arrogantly of his pious worth, and the tax collector cries, “God have mercy on me, a sinner!” Jesus says, the one who exalts himself will be humbled.

Then children come to Jesus and he says that we too must come like children.

Jesus then famously meets a wealthy young ruler who wants to know what to DO for life eternal. Jesus says he must sell everything and follow me and the man leaves said because of great wealth. Then Jesus says, how hard… for those with wealth to enter the kingdom.

Then Jesus tells his disciples for the third tie that all the prophesy will come true and he will be mocked, killed, and rise on the third day, and v34 says they understood none of these this… the meaning was hidden from them, and they did not GRASP what was said.

This then is immediately followed closing out the chapter with a blind man in Jericho who hears Jesus is coming through town. All of these stories have in common a difficulty in understanding. Yes, in vv34 it says it was a hidden aspect. But most often what “hides” our understanding is personal not paternal. It is not so much that the Father’s fault, but ours. We are wanting something else. We have a different experience, or have a different expectation. The rich man had a list of laws he followed, Jesus said, sell all you have and follow me. Well, uh, no, and he went away sad. The Pharisee was busy doing stuff, but not humbling himself. The disciples were waiting for an earthly Kingdom so Jesus dying, no they didn’t GRASP that. Interesting because word is ginosko which means to know by experience. Not epignosis which means to be taught. They had not had any experience with this idea, so they didn’t grasp it

So then, here the Blind Man. He finds out Jesus is coming. Well certainly, he had never SEEN Jesus, for obvious reasons, but he had never experienced Jesus, but he had HEARD and so he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus asked, what do you want? I have tried to copy that practice of Jesus before I offer an answer, or fill a need I think is there, I ask, “what do you want?” And the man said, “Lord, I want to see.” Great! Jesus said, “Receive your sight… your faith has healed you” Instantly he could see and Began to Follow.

Wow! Great stuff here about how Impossible becomes Possible.
- He Called Out – are we asking?
- He Believed – he called out BECAUSE he believed 1) Jesus was the Son of David (Messiah), and he was Lord (kyrios) master, and He believed that Jesus was ABLE to do what he needed/wanted, but still Jesus was master and could make the decision.
- He Received – Jesus is Lord, but if we don’t ask, we most likely won’t have. He is Lord of the Question and the Answer.
- He Followed – He didn’t just want his physical needs, but he had faith to follow for all that Jesus had for him.
And all of this chapter centers around v27 – What is Impossible (adynatos – without power) with man, is Possible (dynatos – strong, powerful, possible) with God. I love that play on words just adding the “a” in front changes everything. Jesus adding Jesus changes everything. God is not required to do what we say, but he is able, concerned, compassionate, capable, and Creator of all things so come, cry out, believe, receive, and follow him.
Coming In The Clouds

August 1st, 2023

Clouds. There can be clouds of dust, clouds of smoke, clouds of rain, clouds of doubt. But Clouds mean activity, possibility, productivity, all these things can be in clouds. And there are many references to clouds in scripture in 154 verses.

Revelation 1:7 says Look, He’s coming in the clouds, and every eye will see him. all the earth will mourn over him. This references Zechariah 12:10 – which speaks of Israel in the last days and says that God will pour out a Spirit of Grace and Prayer and they will look at me, whom they pierced. They Will Mourn.

Clouds can be good or bad. It all depends on our situation and our expectation, our position. How we are and where we are will determine how we respond to the clouds. Is it the dust cloud of workers or soldiers / Chariots? Are they coming to build or destroy. Are they coming to save or conquer? In Revelation 1:5-8 Jesus is He who loves and sets us free, makes us a Kingdom – Look HE is coming in the clouds. If he is the lover of my soul, and the one who sets me free, establishing a new Kingdom – when I see him, it’s tears of Joy. He is the Alpha and Omega, she he started and he will finish, praise God I see the Clouds. If we have received him, then we celebrate the clouds. For those who have not received, have rejected, the clouds mean the end of opportunity and they will mourn. There in Zechariah 12 – Israel as a people are looking at Jesus and looking back to their history and mourning that they pierced him, but as a people group and then acknowledging him as Lord because of the new Spirit of Grace and Prayer. Recognizing what is available, in a prayer of confession and repentance, they are experiencing salvation.

In Nahum, there are clouds. In 1:2-3 it says the Lord is jealous and an avenging God… slow to anger but great in power… he will never leave the guilty unpunished… This is restating the “glory of God” as Moses experienced in Exodus 34 – he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy, and yet the wicked are not unpunished. It’s John 1:14 full of grace and truth. Then Nahum continues, his path is in the whirlwind and storm and CLOUDS are the dust beneath his feet. These words were written to Nineveh, 100 years AFTER Jonah. In Jonah’s day, the people repented and were forgiven. The Lord only knows who and how many, but there were people who genuinely repented and received God’s grace and so will be with us in Glory. But now 2-3 generations later, as a people group, Nineveh is DONE. Or we should say God is done with Nineveh. vv7-9 say The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress, he CARES for those who take refuge in him, BUT he will completely destroy Nineveh… whatever you plot against the Lord he will bring it to complete destruction

People we need to hear this. People like to call America a “Christian Nation”, and perhaps that has been true at times. And yes, we have been blessed and a blessing to the world, both materially and missionally / Spiritually, but IF WE PLOT against, if we fail to join God – Destruction will come when he is finished with us. God used many great nations and insignificant nations. He used those who believed in him and those who did not to complete his purposes.

Behold he is coming in the clouds. Will the clouds be God at work to build or demolish? God is always at work – That’s what Jesus says in John 5:17. Is he for us or bringing us down? Behold the Lord is coming in the clouds. Every eyes will see – Pray for a Spirit of Grace and Prayer – of Repentance and Seeking Refuge – Hope Found. Oswald Chambers says, “it is NOT true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials, every cloud – But He wants to UNLEARN something … to simplify our belief

In Luke 9 on the Mountain of Transfiguration – Peter, James, and John were with Jesus. He was glorified in his Heavenly glory before them and joined by Moses and Elijah – They were there to show that the Law and the Prophets testified to and validated Jesus the Messiah – but Then, “there came a cloud and overshadowed them and they feared as they entered the cloud… If Jesus is there, it’s ok to be a little scared of the cloud, but join him in the cloud of his glory – and then they found that Moses and Elijah were gone – and Jesus was left standing Alone – and the Father said this is my son, listen to him. The Law and the Prophets serve as tutors and affirmation of Jesus, but Jesus stands alone, he alone is our refuge, Behold he Comes in the Cloud – Every Eye must See Him – Every Heart Should Turn – Mourn in Confession – Celebrate in Salvation – and Find Rest in Him – Today
The Righteous will live by faith Romans 1:17

July 26th, 2023
Sometimes we make the word of God simple – sometimes it is NOT that simple. Example – Paul says, The Righteous will live by faith. And we say, “oh yes, I will live by Faith, and I ‘got saved’ and now I’m going to heaven, there I live by faith.” But it is MORE than just that. Put it in the context of vv14-18 – go read that – Paul’s “faith living” affected all of his life and certainly his ministry. Look at 5 things about Living by Faith in Paul’s life.
1. He was eager to preach the Gospel because he lived by faith and that is an obligation. He was obligated because God had done so much for him. Also because God had told him that his job was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. So he had faith in his obligation, it was not a choice but a debt.
2. He lived by faith in the Gospel itself. This wasn’t just a story, it was Good News. It was life changing. If the gospel can change me, it can change anyone, and so Paul had faith in the gospel.
3. Paul lived by faith in the Power then of the Gospel. He said I’m not ashamed of the power (dynamis = miraculous power, mighty strength, ability) Do we have faith in the power? I think like some people are “practical atheists”, that is they believe in God, but live as if God doesn’t exist. In the same way, some are ashamed, practically, of the gospel. We don’t share because we don’t have faith in the power.
4. Paul lived by faith in the Righteousness of God available through the gospel working in our lives. Pual will build that case throughout this letter, but he believed that while we are righteously bankrupt – yet God can impart righteousness to all through faith in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says the message of the cross is foolishness… but it is POWER to the one who is saved by it
5. And then Paul lived by Faith in the REALITY of the Wrath of God. We are ALL sinners and God’s wrath is revealed as the condition of our destiny without Christ. It’s not a possibility it’s a current condition. Jesus says in John 3, I came because you are already condemned. We must know and believe that this is an eternal problem for every child of Adam – and yet the first 4 things that Paul lived by – The Righteousness of God, imparted by the Power of God, Revealed in the Gospel of God, by Faith in God, gives Salvation from the Debt of Wrath! And as one living in that blessed position, I have an Obligation to Tell Somebody Else
Oh The Glory

July 26th, 2023

I’m wearing my 1960s vintage DOXA watch today. I love this watch because I love the name DOXA. That’s the Greek Word for “Glory”.

In Exodus 32, Moses is up on the mountain meeting with God, speaking with him face to face. The people down below become impatient because v1 (they) saw that Moses delayed in coming down. I’m sure they saw the mountain glow, heard activity, but were dissatisfied with the delay in process, and they said, “come make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses – we don’t know what happened,” and they began to worship a substitute.

God told Moses to go down because they had turned away from the way commanded. He said they had acted corruptly. Then, very interestingly, God said that he was going to destroy them and start over with Moses. God is never rash, he is testing, he is letting us test ourselves. But in v11 Moses sought the favor of the Lord and his primary reason was NOT the people, but the Reputation of God. He said in essence, 1) what will the world (Egypt) say? and 2) Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel and your promises to them. So the Lord “relented”.

God is interested in his Glory, his Reputation, and he wants to know if WE ARE TOO.

Now you know and can read the story. Then Moses goes down and deals with the unfaithfulness of the people to the Lord. But then in 33:12 – he is back before the Lord and says, “you told me to lead these people (you said) I know you by name… if I have found favor… please teach me your ways.” And God said, “my presence will go with you” and Moses says an important thing, “if you do not go with us – don’t send us… how will it be known that we have your favor if you don’t go with us?”

Now back to my watch – DOXA – in Exodus 33:18 Moses says, “Please let me see your GLORY” That’s the Hebrew word, Chabod = glory, splendor, (root = heaviness) When the Old Testament was translated into Greek, The Septuagint, they translate chabod with doxa. And God told Moses, “I will cause my goodness to pass in front of you and I will proclaim my name, ‘The LORD’ before you, I will be gracious and have compassion. If you know that story, you remember that God told Moses to stand on the Rock… hide in a cleft in the rock, and God would cover him and let him see his glory from behind.

If you go read Exodus 34, God does just that. And the Chabod / Doxa of God – His Reputation and Action driven by Holiness, Grace, and Compassion are seen and heard in Exodus 34:6-9. God declares his GLORY. The LORD, The LORD, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and truth, but sin will not go unpunished… And Moses knelt low, worshipped the Lord saying, “Lord please go with us and accept us as your possession.

Now if we jump forward almost 2000 years we get to John 1:14 – in some of the most beautiful literary words ever written, John talks about the logos – the Word who was with God and what God, who was from the beginning, the maker of all things. And then it says in v14 the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us and we beheld the DOXA – GLORY of God full of Grace and Truth. There is it again. The Glory of God is the full weight of his reputation and the splendor of all God is. Jesus came to reveal it, to deal with it, to provide us that revelation, but also to provide for what our sin had cost us.

If we want to SEE GOD – we must Stand on the Rock – Jesus – in a Cleft called Grace – and his Nail-Scarred Hands cover us there, so that we can See God – Debt Paid, our Sin Forgiven. Jesus paid it all at the cross, but we must believe, we must receive. if you have – Praise Him for His Doxa – if you have not, COME to him, say “please let me see your glory, your grace, your compassion, I receive the forgiveness of my sin and commit to you as Lord”

Oh the Glory of God found in Jesus Christ
The Dangerous Choice

July 11th, 2023
Joshua 24 has a restating of the Covenant as Joshua nears the end of life and ministry. Most know well verse 15″choose this day who you will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” That’s probably the way most of you remember it. We know it like that, or do we fully get this. This week I was reading it in the CSB and it renders this Hebrew word abad as “worship”. Choose for yourselves today who you will worship. v14 had reminded them that they previously served or worshipped other gods in Egypt and had seen others worshipped or served by the Amorites. The NLT uses BOTH English words “worship” and “serve” to render this same word, abad, in v14 when he says they should put away these other gods worshiped , and Serve the Lord.

I like using the word worship because Service IS Worship not just WORK. Sometimes we even substitute working for God, Service, for Worship.

And so back in Joshua 24 – after Joshua says choose for yourselves today who you will worship… my family, we will worship the Lord

And they respond strongly – “we will certainly not abandon the Lord to worship other gods!” – And then give the long list of the things God has done for them and ensures they are going to serve God. And then aged Joshua, a veteran of slavery in Egypt for 40 years, 40 years a servant of Moses, and 30 years as Leader of the Children of Israel, replies as I have often done with people who come to me and say “I’m going to serve the Lord”. He says “you can’t serve / worship because it’s HARD.” Worshipping the Lord / Serving the Lord is a Dangerous Decision. It is a Life Changer, dare we say a life crusher? It is a dream crusher, a will destroyer to Serve / Worship the Lord. V19 he says, you will not be able to worship the Lord. Why?
- Because He is a Holy God
- He is a Jealous God
- He will not forgive your transgressions
- if you abandon the Lord, he will turn against you, harm you, destory you after he has been good to you.
Serving God is Worship Act not a vocational decision. It may BE a vocation, but it is not a self-serving decision. If you think serving God is going to make your dreams come true, or get God to look the other way on your other actions, that’s not the way it works. It is HARD. He wasn’t saying that God doesn’t forgive, but that serving God isn’t a vehicle to God ignoring, leaving you alone in your “off hours”. Service is NOT a Substitute for Worship – not an Excuse for NOT Worshipping. Service is a Worship Choice that then drives action.

And then they say, “NO! We WILL Worship / Serve the Lord” – And After I had a guy ask me years ago “why are you doing this?” And I spent a long time giving him all the reasons, then ultimately I said “God won’t let me do anything else, I must do this to worship him.” He said “OK then”.

Ok Then – that’s a dangerous decision, a selfless decision – and Joshua says you are witnesses against yourselves that you yourselves have choice to worship/serve the Lord” and They said “Yes We Are”

So then he tells them
- Get rid of the foreign gods – remove false objects of worship and service. Check your calendar, check your bank statement, what drives, makes the decisions? Is it from God, toward God, or does it pull you away from God?
- turn your hearts to the Lord – that word lebab means the inner person, mind, will, and emotions, heart – your desire, decisions, direction – turn to the Lord
- he set up a stone – there need to be things in our life, on our wall, in our conversation that are reminders of our commitment to worshipfully serve the Lord. And he says then you see that stone… it will be a witness that the Lord has heard
If it is You – Say “Come” – Matthew 14:19-30

June 21st, 2023

In v27 Jesus said, “Have Courage! It is I. Don’t Be Afraid.

I’ll be the first to tell you that in my 54 years of following Jesus, in my 45 years of preaching, serving and following Jesus can be frightening. Jesus does scary things. Sometimes I look at things and I think, “I See Jesus” and it’s a little scary, which makes me think, “I hope that’s Jesus” – “and at the same time, “I hope that’s NOT Jesus.” Because if that’s Jesus, then I’ve got to get IN on it, and THAT’S Scary. and Jesus says, “Have Courage” (present active, imperative) You Must Right now Have Courage because you NEED it; and don’t be afraid because, “It is I”.

And Peter says, “IF it is YOU – command me to Come” – Oh my be careful what you ask for. Two dangerous things, 1) to say, “I could never” or 2) to say, “Lord, I’d love to…”. My wife and I were driving through Houston in 1989 in Rush Hour traffic and my wife said, “I could NEVER live in Houston.” We lived in an Austin Suburb. I said, “baby, don’t ever say never, with God”. And a year later, we moved to Houston – and lived there for 10 years.

Well, the Lord says, “COME” – I’ve been told that this word has the idea of “taking center stage” – to Arrive. “Come” – When God gives a command or reveals what he is doing, we often say something like, “Ok, Lord, just put me there.” We often express our desire but don’t get busy. But Look at Peter, “And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water toward Jesus.” He didn’t stand and wave, or start a cheering section, he Stepped Out. He climbed out and started walking – we might give Peter a hard time for sinking, but he stepped out and started – I’d rather sink IN the service than stay safely OUT of service. I’d rather struggle IN the service than settle for spectating. And then he saw the strength of the Lord, right? Well, NO. He saw the strength of the wind.

If we will stay focused on the Lord, “It is I”, then we can HAVE COURAGE, but when we take our eyes off the Lord and his command, we focus on the struggle, and we begin to sink. Notice these words, he Stepped out, Started walking, he was ready to Serve in the Struggle, but he looked away from the Savior and Saw the Strength of the wind, and he Started to Sink.

When we get distracted from the Lord and his command to “come” we struggle and can sink. And we have a choice then of sinking and drowning, or we can say, “Lord Save Me!” Peter cried out to the Lord, his focus returned to the correct source. And Immediately, v31, Jesus reached out his hand and caught hold… (saying) “why did you doubt”. He doubted because he took his eyes off the Savior, and set his mind on what he thought about his circumstances and abilities.

It is Jesus – Do not Be Afraid – Take the Stage when God Says, “Come”
May They Be One

May 23rd, 2023

John 17 – Jesus is praying in the garden, praying for his 12, perhaps 11. He prays knowing the hatred and vitriol that will come against them. He prays not for removal, but protection, because the task is important. He says, So sanctify them… That is, make them holy (hagiazo) dedicate, anoint, ordain – How? What sets us apart? Truth in the Word. Then he clarifies and expands in v20 NOT ONLY for these, but also for THOSE who believe in me through their word.

– That’s US

He prays for US, may they all be one… may they also be in us… SO THAT the world may believe you sent me…

It’s so simple and yet complex. What’s the defining image of this unity that Jesus prayed for in us? As you, Father, are in me and I am in you. So, we are not imagining that we become gods, nor perfection, but there is something we are striving toward. And I’m immediately mindful of 2 Peter 1:3-4, his divine power has given all we need for life and godliness… so that you may share in / participate in divine nature. How? Peter says, through knowledge of him who called us… he has given us great and precious promises so that through them we may share in divine nature, escaping the corruption in the world.

Hmmm… and Jesus prayed that we would believe in the word and that we are sanctified in the word. Could it be that his Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path that we might not sin against God? (Ps119:105) Hmmm… I seem to remember that verse being conveniently in nearly the middle of the Bible.

So, Jesus says we need to be ONE as he is one with the Father. And Jesus said, he only does what he sees the Father doing (John 5:19). And we know that the Father is glorifying the son and placing all things under his feet. Could UNITY be as “simple” as only doing what the Father is doing, seeking that the Kingdom Come, his will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Could unity be as simple as following the Father’s Will to Glorify the Son and place everything under his feet and NOT under our own thumb? Could it be that when unity escapes us that we are simply out of line with this simple purpose?

Oh don’t get me wrong – there will be assignments for us as individual churches that are different and even divide us in task, but there can be a difference in tasks without disunity being the result. Our human understanding even may separate our tasks – but we don’t have to be disunified from our desire to be ONE in our commitment to the Work of the Father to Glorify the Son and the Son’s commitment to follow the Father, and all happens in the power of The Spirit.

Why? So That the world may believe that Jesus is FROM the Father. v22 says I have given them glory. Doxa – I love that word, it speaks of weight, reputation, heaviness, honor. Any good name we have is for the purpose of unity, being ONE – evhen = alike, alone, common. Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct and yet one, and so can we be one. I am in them and you are in me so that they may be COMPLETELY One. That word should sound familiar – teleioo – perfect, finished That’s a Cross Victory word. Salvation was finished at the cross, and yet he is still finishing, sanctifying us, and as we release self toward this unity, then we are moving toward the Bigger Picture

– v23 that the world may know you sent me AND have loved THEM as you have loved me …

Hmmm… could it be that when we aren’t committed to John 17:21-26 being a reality that it makes it harder for the world to believe John 3:16 is true for them? Praise God it isn’t impossible, but it certainly IS harder – yes.

Lord, let v26 be true of me/us I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known so that the love you have loved me with may be in them
Enlightened Hearts – Ephesians 1:18-20

May 16th, 2023

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope… the wealth… the immeasurable greatness…

Often when we would refer to our “hearts”, scripture actually, culturally, refer to bowels, but this prayer from Paul, as he begins this letter talks about eyes of the heart – kardia – the heart, as seat of mind, will, emotions, metaphorically speaking of course. He writes from confinement in Rome and prays for enlightenment, Photizo – what a beautiful word picture – pun intended – To be or become understanding, having light cast upon.

It’s interesting to me, “theologians” focus on several things here early in this letter: predestination, in vv4-5, his glory in v6, the cross securing redemption and grace in vv7-8. But Paul doesn’t focus on these, he makes it clear in v12 that they are already partakers of those things. He explains his/their confidence in vv13-14 is that salvation comes when they heart and believed the gospel, and then they received the Spirit as a deposit on greater glory to come.

Then v15 – This is why… – All of that “theological stuff” for us is NOT what he’s worried about, it’s just reality. This Is Why… I never stop giving thanks… remember you in my prayers… Paul has greater concerns for them than whether they wrestle with how God does God stuff, and man is responsible for man stuff and the synergy of it. His greater concern is that the Spirit of wisdom, revelation, knowledge would be given to them. And here’s the thing – they ALREADY had that in vv13-14 – they just needed to surrender, lay down their own understanding, and surrender to the Spirit that now lives within them. Isaiah 11:1 promises the coming Messiah as a shoot from Jesse’s root and then v2 says The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him… of wisdom… understanding… counsel… strength… knowledge… fear of the Lord – yep that’s the fullness, 7-fold, of the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit and then 11:3 says of the Messiah, He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes… hears with his ears… but righteously… (with) justice … So IF the Spirit of God lives in us, will we let him be at home? If we let him be who he is in us, then Ephesians 1:18 says that as already blood-bought, redeemed, chosen by God, born-again, indwelt by the Spirit; Paul prays for us that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened – that is that we will get the right Photizo (picture), of 3 things that too often get distorted – HOPE, WEALTH, and GREATNESS.

Well… we could spend a minute here, right?

HOPE – elpis is NOT just wishful thinking, but EXPECTATION. The Hope of his calling – When Jesus calls – ALL who come TO him will never be turned away. Jesus said that he would not cast off any who come to him. So, the expectation, the hope is Love. The expectation is Life. The expectation is sonship. When there is an authoritative summons (klesis) then there is an expectation that is certain. Open the eyes of your heart to see the HOPE.

WEALTH – ploutos = wealth, riches, to flow, abound – Oh yeah! The full on abundant flow of riches for the saints is the Inheritance of Christ. Paul tells the Galatian believers in their letter that we are ALL adult sons. Not male or female, slave or free, Jew or Greek, we are ALL Adult Sons. Only adult sons could receive inheritance, and IN CHRIST we are all joint heirs with Jesus. It’s already secured. We aren’t working on it. Certainly there ARE rewards we earn, but this is already set aside for us, and if our eyes would see it, if we would just know it. Wealth is our

The wealth is in the sphere of the saints. Look back at v11 in him we have received an inheritance – it’s already received, though we haven’t taken possession yet, it is according to the Plan of the One who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will.

All of these things, God’s purpose, our faith, the grace available because of the cross, all of these work together to enable us to experience the wealth of the inheritance. And IF my heart’s eyes can get a picture of the glory, then I can let go of the things I THINK are “wealth” in the here and now, but are really not.

Hope, Wealth… and GREATNESS

Boy this is the message we need today isn’t it? Hope, Wealth, and Greatness – sounds like I’m running for office.

I grew up in the ALI era. I used to see and hear that great boxer say, “I am the greatest” We talk a lot about greatness, who is, what is, where is, greatness. That word here is megathos – sounds like a cartoon character. I guess these Ephesians must have been having that conversation about Greatness… because Paul needed to differentiate, Immeasurable Greatness. That word is hyperballo – Greatness is about size and extent, great, sovereign, mighty, magnificent, but he says hyperballo. That word means to throw over, go beyond a mark, to run past. Whatever you think is greatness, Paul says I pray you will get a picture of SURPASSING Greatness. I had a high school friend once say “watch this” to the track coach who was a safe distance as he was throwing the discus. He said “I’m feeling good today”. And then he threw the discus Way Over the Coach’s head further then coach had ever seen. Coach was excited until he realized this High School Senior had picture up a much smaller Jr High discuss and thrown it. It only looked great, but it wasn’t. But Paul says, I pray you will see the Immeasurable Greatness of the Power that is toward us, for us, usward for those who believe. Again the definer is our faith in him. The same in v11, in v13 – and here. Hope points us in expectation, understanding, the wealth of our inheritance, and we see this far beyond greatness, it’s all according to the working of his strength – the SAME STRENGTH which raised Christ from the dead – you see that in v20? It says that the power that brought Jesus back to life on the 3rd day is FOR US who believe.

Would Christ leave heaven, be born among us, live and die for nothing? NO. The Cross is an immeasurable sacrifice but it was FOR Immeasurable SOMETHING. Look at the Empty Tomb and see, let your heart’s eyes be opened and see Expectantly, full of riches, exceedingly great something FOR Us Who Believe.

Hope, Wealth, Greatness

Oh Lord – Set my Heart on the Right Images today!
Tents vs Buildings

May 3rd, 2023

Tents, Camps, Vocation vs Buildings, Cities, and Kingdoms. It’s all about timing, perspective, location, and calling isn’t it?

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As I looked at scripture this morning, my mind broadened a bit. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” But then continues… “we would prefer to be… at home with the Lord”. The context of 2 Corinthians 5 is about tents and buildings. v1 says If our earthly tent is destroyed… we have a building… eternal dwelling in the heavens not made with hands. Indeed, we groan in this tent desiring to put on the heavenly. Oh, I can relate. I like the idea of camping – but I don’t like sleeping on the ground, and I like plumbing, and so much more – but I can’t build a house at every place I want to go, so sometimes a tent is the only way. And yet we groan – stenazo = sigh — Can you relate? I can. v4 indeed we groan while in this tent, burdened… v5 now the one who prepared us for this purpose is God. There is a purpose for the tent and its about the place where we are.

We know Abraham left home and went to the place of promise, and he lived in tents, his entire life. Hebrews 11:8 says he was called, obeyed, and set out for a place – (how?) by Faith. v9 by faith he stayed as a foreigner… living in tents – He was a camp dweller who knew that a city was coming, but NOT for him to build. No, it would have God as architect and builder.

So, Paul says in our 2 Corinthians text that we have tents but a building is for later, and the writer of Hebrews says we have camps, but cities are coming. Then in Hebrews 13:14 it broadens the understanding to us “city dwellers” and says we do not have an enduring city here, but one is to come. Hmmm I see a pattern developing in my thought process driven by these parallel scriptures.

Then Peter writes in 2 Peter 1 – that God’s divine power has given us all that we need for life and godliness and that we must let him grow us from faith to goodness… knowledge… self-control… endurance… godliness… brotherly affection… and love – Why? Because we are camping in tents, living away from home, on a purpose driven mission. Then 2 Peter 1:9 says the one who lacks these things is short sighted v10 therefore… confirm your calling and election – v11 … entry into an eternal Kingdom is provided … and Peter says in v13 I Think it is RIGHT, as long as I am in this bodily TENT to WAKE YOU UP with a reminder ….

WOW – there is a reminder here folks. And if I could gently say for some of our brothers and sisters who long for “prosperity and perfection” in THIS life, you need to spend a weekend TENT CAMPING – cause this is NOT Heaven. We are on a purposeful mission – be as comfortable as you can be, but

Tents here – Buildings there > Camps here – City there > Vocation here – Kingdom there –

Tents, Camps, Vocation

Yes, there will be some sighing and groaning here, but that’s just part of camping. And there will be hard work, but that’s just tent-dwelling. Of course there will be some beautiful vistas, sunrises, sunsets, and some nice fish caught, but we’re just camping.

So then back in 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul says the love of Christ compels us. One died for all v15 so that those who live should not longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them. So v16 we don’t know them from a worldly perspective… We are participating in New Creation business 5:17. The Ministry of Reconciliation is our business.

Tent dwellers, looking for a city, Kingdom citizens – 2 Peter 1:19 says, Pay attention as a lamp shining in a dark place – until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts