Spiritual Gifts

In 1 Corinthians 12:28, the apostle Paul gives a list of Spiritual gifts. This is the second time in the same chapter that he gives a list of gifts that come from the same spirit. Each list varies in what he mentions as gifts; therefore, one can conclude that each listing of gifts is incomplete. The apostle has a point in this list regarding the Corinthian church. They were putting a high emphasis on speaking in tongues and ignoring the gifts that edify; therefore, he begins with apostles, prophets  and teachers, and ends the list with various kinds of tongues.

I have often thought about these things. What is my gifting? I am not an apostle and I do not have the gift of speaking in tongues but I do believe that I have the gift of helps first and teaching second. I cannot heal anyone but I can give help to the sick. I am not a prophet or an apostle but I can explain the writings of the prophets and the apostles. I am a Registered Nurse who felt compelled to study theology. 

The Lord God drew me to nursing before I repented and believed in the gospel and after believing he drew me to the study of his word and the church. Can I be satisfied helping the sick and teaching the word of God? I do believe that I can and desire to do so. 

What is the ministry that the Lord has given you? What is the ministry that the Lord has given me? I have called this blog The Nurse Theologian because that is who I am. I am a nurse who studies God. I am not an apostle or a prophet but I can teach. I do not have the gift of miracles, or healings but I can help. I do not believe that I am gifted in administrations or various tongues.  I am simply a man who loves the Lord and loves my neighbor. I am a nurse-theologian but my gifting is not greater than someone who is gifted differently than I, for we are all members of the same body, that is, the body of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Monster Inc.

Yesterday, a couple of monsters came by the hospital. I think that there is some truth in these funny costumes with regard to the world that we live in. Each year, in the month of October, I drive by some gruesome images displayed in some of our neighbors yards, and others put on costumes that glorify evil and death, but still others were costumes like these that look fun and inviting. We should keep in mind that no matter how gruesome or friendly the monster looks, they are nonetheless monsters. People very in their appearance, thought, actions and words. Some are more wicked than others but all people apart from Christ are monsters no matter where they might fall morally on a scale between Hitler and Mother Teresa. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The goal is not to be like other people, even the best person that you know, but to morally like God in every way. God said of Jesus: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is the exact representation of the nature of God in human flesh. For this reason no one can come to God except through the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus willing died for our sins and he was buried and he rose from the dead on the third day. All who repent and believe in the gospel died with Christ Jesus and were buried with him and have been raised with him to walk in newness of life. Repent and believe in the gospel!

Perhaps Our suffering In It Keeps Us From Clinging To It!

I saw a picture on the back of a woman’s phone while at church. I was so mesmerized by it, I drew out what I saw on the back of a ministry card that I keep in my wallet. 

I am mesmerized by it because the three stick figures represent my life: I ran away from God’s perfect plan, repented and believed in the Lord Jesus. The imagery is so simple and yet it is so profound. I am not an artist but I can quickly doddle this symbolic message of life on the back of a card. 

In addition to the three stick figures, there are three circles: The first circle represents God’s perfect plan for life. The second circle represents the broken world that we now live in and the wavy arrows represent out attempts to escape this broken world. The third circle represents the gospel of God: the eternal Son of God descended and entered this broken world becoming one of us; He died a death that He did not deserve; He rose from the dead, ascending to the righthand of God; all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The first man ran away from God. The second man comes to God broken with a contrite heart. The third man believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, goes forth rejoicing because he has assurance of being in the paradise of God with the Son of God.

This simple picture on the back of a woman’s phone preaches to me more than anything that I have heard in recent memory. I am redeemed from death and eternal punishment but I am presently in a broken world. Nothing is easy here and life on this side of glory is very difficult, during the past year:

• My mother in-law (my wife’s mother) died.
• I was sick causing us to be estranged from family during Christmas.
• Our daughter came out of the closet as a gay person and entered into a civil union with another girl.
• Our son lives estranged from us, God and the church.
• Our nephew just a few years older than our son unexpectedly died.
• My mother has been having dizzy spells and I do not know what to do for her.
• A former nursing colleague whom I considered to be a friend and brother was convicted of murder.

I could go on and on listing more like these but I will stop with these seven. I do not understand rejecting God because of the bad things that happen to us in this broken world. The Bible promises trials, tribulations and persecutions to go on until the coming age of the Kingdom of God. In John 12:25 Jesus said something to his disciples that I think is very profound, especially in this modern, or should I say post-modern world but I never hear mentioned. 

He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 

Why does God allow his people to suffer? Perhaps our suffering in it keeps us from clinging to it!

Dear Neighbor,

This morning I began to read the Acts of the Apostles. John following Luke is most confusing because Luke and Acts have the same author and were meant to go together. The New Testament is setup with the four gospels at the front, followed by the book of Acts, then the apostles letters to the churches and concludes with the Revelation of Jesus Christ; therefore, most people read the Scriptures in that order. But to read Acts after reading Luke is the way that it was originally written. Am I saying that the order in the Bible is wrong? No, that is not what I am saying at all. The Bible is a library and just like any good librarian would do, the books are put together into categories. 

I also find it interesting that people read their belief’s into the text. The first Christian sermon, preached by the apostle Peter at Pentecost is a good example: In Acts 2:37-39, the men that Peter had just preached the gospel too were convicted and asked the apostles: Brethren, what shall we do? Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.

A baptist will read this text and say, See, baptism follows faith. Someone from the Church of Christ will read it and say, See, you receive the Holy Spirit when you are baptized.  A Presbyterian will read this text and say, See, it is both believers and their children who should be baptized. I think in every instance the focus is in the wrong place. The focus is repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. The focus should not be on baptism or receiving the Spirit but repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. I believe that if ones focus is on what the author is saying, rather than trying to find a proof text for ones belief, then the text can be properly understood. 

So, repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins! This is a promise for everyone!

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Dear Neighbor,

In our Sunday morning bible study we discussed baptism. Our leader Shane had previously taught on the etymology of the word baptism, showing that the word means to immerse. He taught on the typology of baptism being a picture of death and resurrection. And he taught about the chronology of baptism in the scriptures and in history. He taught about other Christian beliefs about infant baptism; catholic, Lutheran and Reformed. Lastly, he went through several text of scripture refuting those views.

It was after this, during corporate worship service, while singing hymns and praises to our Lord that I saw the picture that I included. I saw the picture on the back of a woman’s phone in the pew in front of us. I recognized it as being the three-circles method of sharing the gospel, but it was different, instead of using words, the artist used symbols to tell a story.

The first circle represents the good world that God created; everyone loved God and one another. Then there is a man going his own way, running away from the world that God created. The next circle represents the world that we now live in which is broken. There are squiggly lines and arrows coming out of the world and these represent human efforts of escape but they are like cords that snap one back into the brokenness of this world. The next is a man praying and this symbolizes repentance. Instead of trying to escape the brokenness on his own, he comes to God with a sorrowful and contrite heart. The next circle is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Word descended and became flesh, died on a cross for our sins, and rose again; all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to King Jesus. The next is a redeemed man who believes the gospel and is headed back to the paradise of God.

What intrigued me about this picture is that it represents how I came; I was running from God, I attempted to escape the brokenness on my own, I came to God repentant, he preached to me the gospel, I believed and rejoiced. It intrigued me because I realized that baptism not only represents Jesus’ death and burial, but it also represents how a redeemed person comes to faith; dies to self and is alive in Christ.

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Dear Neighbor,

It is a cool fall morning outside and I am in my study having read the word of God. I am currently reading through Luke. My first post was on June 19, 2010; therefore, I have been writing to you for over 11 years. I have gone from writing articles to writing a daily, sometimes semi-daily letter to you. I do not personally know you or know where you are but I know that you are special because if you were created in the image of God. 

Life in this world can be harsh and lonely but I know that God loves us because the scripture says, even while we were yet sinning Christ died for us. Who would do that except someone who truly loves his people? And you are one of his if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Today is the Lord’s day and what does that mean? God created all things in six days and he rested on the seventh day but we who believe in Jesus call the first day of the week the Lord’s day because it was on the first day of the week that God raised Jesus from the dead. He is risen and he has ascended to the righthand of the Father God, the Almighty, and he will return to judge the living and the dead. Before his death, Jesus said to the thief on the cross beside him: today you will be with me in paradise. And he promised his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. There is a place for you in the house of God if you repent and believe in Jesus, he is the Christ, the Son of God. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus!

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Dear Neighbor,

I am writing this letter as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am not a preacher, I am just a man who has read the Bible a lot. Sometime after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ I desired to go deeper and gain knowledge of the Christian faith. I looked at certificate programs because at the time, I had an Associate degree in nursing. I decided to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing so that I could attend a seminary. I decided on Midwestern Baptist theological seminary after watching a documentary about the late English Baptist pastor Charles H. Spurgeon. I started my first class in mid-march of 2016 and graduated with a masters degree in theological studies on May 3, 2019. I studied the genres in scripture and was given a hermeneutic by which to study and interpret scripture. I studied church history from the book of acts to the present age. I studied systematic theology and I studied the practical theologies of ethics, church administration, apologetics, evangelism and discipleship, and missions. 

After studying all of those things and I must tell you that I truly enjoy church history because it helps me to understand why things are like they are but I also must say that I am where I was before going to seminary; nothing has really changed. I am a registered nurse who reads the Bible and nothing more than that. It is not studying genres or hermeneutics that saves a person. It is not church history that saves a person. It is not systematic theology that saves a person. It is not the practical theologies that save a person. It is the word of God that saves. If I could encourage you to do one thing, it is to just pick up a copy of the Bible translated into a language that you can understand and just read it. When you have read through the Bible, read it again!

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Repent, Believe, Persevere and Overcome

Dear Neighbor,

Sin separates man from God. God is righteous and just but we are neither righteous nor just. It is not a sliding scale by which we are judged but it is perfection that we must obtain, the perfection of God. Jesus said: “You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But we are not perfect, everyone has sinned and falls short of God’s glorious standard.

We cannot turn back to God because only that which is perfect can be allowed in his presence. But God rich in mercy has made a way for sinful man to be righteous in his sight. Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

God became a man in the person of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He lived a righteous life pleasing to God. He willingly died on a cross for our sins and rose again. Because Jesus was a perfect sin sacrifice, God can be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

There are two things that you must do; you must repent and believe. Repentance is a change of heart, mind and action. I was going my own way but now I am going to follow Jesus Christ. I believe that he is the way and the truth and the life. I believe that I can and will have a right relationship with the Father God through Jesus Christ.

However, you must continue to repent and believe all the days of your life. There are so many things in this world to distract us from the prize, which is eternal life with the Father and the Son in the paradise of God. Therefore, we must persevere in our repentance and faith; by doing so, we will overcome Satan, the world and the flesh for these are our true enemies.

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 13, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Jesus was transfigured on the mountain to whom Moses and Elijah appeared in glory, speaking to Jesus of his departure from this world that was to be accomplished at Jerusalem. 

Peter wanted to make three sacred tents; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Moses represents the Law, the first five books of the Bible. Elijah represents the prophets. In a Jewish context, the prophets are not only the writings of the prophets but what we call the historical books of the Old Testament; therefore, Moses and Elijah represent the two halves of the Old Testament which was the Bible for the New Testament writers.

After Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Luke 9:33) Peter did not realize what he was saying, for Jesus is greater than Moses or Elijah because he is the Son of God.

While Peter was saying this to Jesus, a cloud began to form and overshadow them; and Peter, James and John who had gone up the mountain with Jesus began to become afraid, fear gripped them. Then they heard the voice of God: “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Luke 9:35)

God will not have us worship the Law or the Prophets but only his beloved Son. The Law and the Prophets are written to point us to Jesus. If the Law and the Prophets do anything but point us to Jesus, then they have not accomplished what they were designed to do. 

The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3:19-20:

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

And in Galatians 3:24-25 he wrote:

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Look to Jesus, he is the Son of God, the Christ, and listen to him!

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 12, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

I believe that one of the most fascinating parables that Jesus told was the parable of the sower. (cf. Luke 8:4-15) For one, it is one of the few parables that Jesus explains. Two, it explains why some follow Jesus Christ and others do not; though they may do so for a while and fall away, or may think that they are following the Lord when they are truly raped up with the things of this life.

In this parable, the seed is the word of God and the soils represent the hearts of those whom the word of God is spoken too: beside the road, rocky soil, thorns, and good soil. Anyone who has done any type of planting knows that to grow a fruitful crop the soil must be prepared by the sower. It is the prepared soil that is the good soil, the good soil bears much fruit. The hard packed earth, like a road, has not been prepared by the sower. The rocky soil has not been prepared by the sower. The thorny soil has not been prepared by the sower. In fact, the word is not intended for these but falls on them; the word is intended for the good soil.

Jesus told the Pharisee Nicodemus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) For a person to hear, believe and bear good fruit in abundance; they must be born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 11, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

What are the actions of a thankful person?

In Luke 4:38-39, there is a very short story about Jesus’ healing of Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue, and the people were amazed at his teaching because unlike the rabies, Jesus spoke with authority. After leaving the synagogue, he came into Simon’s (Peter’s) home. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. 

I do not know how Jesus came to be in Simon’s home. Did Simon (Peter) invite him or did Jesus suggest it? The text does suggest invitation because the text says that they asked Jesus to help hear. Jesus demonstrated compassion towards Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law and for the household of Simon (Peter). Jesus stood over her, he rebuked the fever and it left her.

If Jesus commanded that an illness or demon depart, it did what Jesus commanded. The high fever departed from Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law upon Jesus rebuke of it.

What does she do after the fever left her? Does she curse God for giving her a fever? Does she say, “Why did you give me a fever, a good woman, and a descendant of Abraham?” No, she immediately got up and served them. She served the Lord and his disciples. Service is a true demonstration of thanksgiving!

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 10, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

This is the day that the Lord God has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps.118:24) Psalm 118 is a Psalm of Thanksgiving for the Lord’s saving grace. 

Every single day is a blessing from the Lord our God. Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, makes us right in his sight. He did this through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; presenting him as the sacrifice for sin. Therefore, all are made right with God when they repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. God is just to forgive the sins of all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom.3:23-26)

Therefore, everyday is a day to rejoice and be glad because the Father God has given his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish (as the Law demands) but have eternal life in the new heaven and new earth. We should rejoice because there is no judgment against anyone who believes in Jesus. (Jn.3:16-18)

It was early on the first day of the week that Jesus rose bodily from the dead; therefore, Sunday is the Lord’s Day. The secular world calls this day Sunday, but to those who believe, it is the Lord’s day because on the first day of the week, we gather with the local believers to baptize the new converts, share the Lord’s Supper, and listen to the word preached. So, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 9, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Do you hate sin? To love sin is insanity because the wages of sin is death. 

Romans 1:32: and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Yet, everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Rom.3:23) 

Why? This makes no since at all. Why do we do what is bad for us? Why do we damage our relationships and our bodies? Death and sorrow abound on the earth. I have stood over so many dying, pounding on the chest of a being created in the image of God, in a desperate attempt to keep them alive, knowing that what I am doing is in vain. 

We are all slaves to sin. That is why we do what we do, but who will set us free? 

Romans 7:24: Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

The answer is through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom.7:25) Jesus paid the price for our sin. He died a death that he did not deserve, so that we who believe in him may live the life that we do not deserve in his Father’s house. What a glorious and wonderful gift. The absolutely free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 8, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Jesus was the master of analogy, metaphor and hyperbole; in doing so, he would state something that had to be payed attention too.

In Mark 13:37, Jesus said to the disciples: “Be on the alert!” In Mark 13:33-37, Jesus had used the metaphor of a man away on a journey who put his slaves in charge of various task in his household. These slaves had to be ready, in a moment, to receive their master home. Everything must be kept in order to receive him and the tasks that each was assigned to he must be found doing.

The Lord Jesus Christ will return on a day and hour of the Father’s choosing. No man knows the day or hour. Neither the angels in heaven or even the Son of God; only the Father God knows. But that day will come and what will the Lord find you doing when he returns?

In the parable, Mark 13:33-37, Jesus is the man away on a journey, and the disciples are his slaves in charge, assigned each one his task. Every christian has a job assigned him by the master of the house. We are justified by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone; however, we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Eph.2:10)

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 7, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; all things in heaven and on earth were made by him and for him. He is the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to God except through Jesus.

Jesus taught his disciples to be humble of heart and to honor the other person. This is so contrary to our nature. It is our nature to be on top and put others down. 

When I was a child, a favorite game was king of the mountain. I don’t know why, but in the area that I grew up, there always seemed to be a dirt mound. Whenever there was a dirt mound in our neighborhood, we would end up playing king of the mountain. One would stand on the top of the mountain as king and push down any that would dare to ascend. The others would try to dis-throne the king and stand on the mountain as king. 

Jesus said to his disciples: “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:42-45)

Nurses serve the needs of the other person; therefore, I believe that nursing is ministry. We do not lord it over others but we serve the medical team and the patient. My favorite text with regard to this is 2 Corinthians 4:5

For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 6, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Who do you say Jesus is? During Jesus’ earthly ministry people said that he was John the Baptist risen from the dead, others said that He was the prophet Elijah or one of the other Old Testament prophets. Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am? Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Messiah.” (Mk.8:27-29)

There are many-things that people say about Jesus today but are they true? The apostle John said in his first letter. “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.” (1Jn.4:2,3)

During John’s day there was a heresy that believed that Jesus was not a man but a Spirit that manifested itself in the appearance of a man. Later in church history, men would go the opposite direction and say that Jesus was a mere man and not of God.

All who are of God believe that Jesus is the God-Man; fully God and fully man in one person. He is not part God and part man but fully God and fully man. 

This is My beloved Son, listen to Him! ~Mark 9:7

When Jesus spoke, He was not like the prophets who spoke long ago but a man speaking as God!

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 5, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

What do you think about death? Jesus has promised eternal life to all who repent and believe in the gospel. In the Gospel According to Mark 1:14-15, Jesus came into the region of Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus did not believe that the kingdom of God is coming but was at hand. In Mark 5 there is a story about Jesus regarding a synagogue official whose daughter was sick but before Jesus could come to her side the little girl died. The people told her father to let the teacher go, for it was hopeless, the little girl was dead. However, to Jesus, the little girl was not dead but only asleep. He commanded that she get up, she got up and began to walk. Then Jesus told those who stood in amazement that they should give her something to eat.

Death is not a permanent state but only a period between lying down and getting up, just like when one goes to bed at night. At Jesus’ return, all will rise and be separated by Jesus. The blessed of God will inherit the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation of the world but the accursed will go away into eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. (cf.Mt.25:31-46)

Therefore, do not think that anyone has died because all are alive to Jesus. (Lk.20:38) 

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

October 4, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

My words cannot save anyone, yet the Lord commanded that the disciples go make disciples of all the nations. Baptizing the new disciples in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching the new disciples to observe all that Jesus had commanded them. And Jesus promised to be with them always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) If I can encourage you to do anything, may it be that I encourage you to read the Bible because it is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit that saves.

Yesterday, I listened to Shane espouse the typology of baptism (cf. Romans 6:3 & Colossians 2:12)

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

And the etymology of the word baptize. In other words; what is the picture that baptism is displaying and what does the word baptize mean. The picture is death, burial and resurrection, and the word baptize means to immerse. Baptize is an alliteration of the Greek (βαπτίζω baptizō). Take off the (ō) because that does not sound or look english and replace it with an (e) and you have baptize. He asserted that the the early english translators purposely did not translate the Greek (βαπτίζω baptizō) to the english meaning (immerse) because it did not fit with their practice of sprinkling babies, rather than immersing believers. I must say, quite the interesting class and I look forward to what else Shane might have to say about baptism.

I have spent the past three weeks at a new job, same hospital, but knew job. When I say knew job, what I am doing is nursing of course but I am not in the intensive care unit. I have been working in the pre and post cardiac cath unit. It has been enjoyable but somewhat different and will take some getting use too. One thing that will take getting use to is working a Monday-Friday job, rather than 3 twelve hour shifts. It is my desire to honor the Word of God in all that I do, exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and seek the good of my neighbor. Lord willing!

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Repentance

There are three Greek words used in the New Testament, together they give us understanding. The three Greek words are:

1. μετανοέω metanoeō: which means to think differently or reconsider.
2. μεταμέλομαι metamelomai: this word implies feeling of remorse; therefore, it is a change of heart.
3. μετάνοια metanoia: the context in which this word is used implies a change of course.

μετανοέω metanoeō and μετάνοια metanoia are used of John the Baptist in his preaching saying: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt.3:2) and “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Mt.3:8) μεταμέλομαι metamelomai is used of Jesus in the Parable of Two Sons. (Matthew 21:29,32) The first son said that he would not go to work in the vineyard as his father asked, but he regretted it, he had a change of heart, and went.

True repentance is a change of mind, a change of heart and a change of action. Many people change there mind but there heart is not in it. Many people have a change of heart but there mind is unchanged. However, a change of mind and a change of heart should cause a change in ones actions. 

The apostle Paul wrote, 2 Corinthians 7:10:

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Repent and believe in the gospel!

Seeking Honor for Self (Matthew 23:1-12)

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples about the scribes and the Pharisees. In first century Judaism, these had sat themselves in the place of honor. God had called Moses but He did not call the scribes or the Pharisees. The scribes and the Pharisees not only taught what the Scripture said but added to the Word of God. They made laws so heavy and so burdensome that it was impossible for they people to carry them. Everything that the scribes and the Pharisees did was to be noticed by men. It was for their own honor that they did the things that they did.

Recently I attended a banquet in the community that I live in and there were those who had the place of honor at the banquet. I do not know the hearts of these men to know if they loved the place of honor, or if they are truly humble of heart. It is the seeking of honor among men that Jesus speaks against the scribes and the Pharisees.

Jesus teaches the crowds but more so His disciples; do not be called teacher, for One is your Teacher, but to think of each other as brothers. It is the Holy Spirit who is our teacher. Do not call any one father; for One is your Father, it is God who is our Father, we are to think of each other as brothers. Do not be called leaders for One is your Leader, that is, Christ, and we are His subjects.

We are to think of each other as equals. Some in the church have studied more than others and have knowledge that other does not have. Some have God given abilities that others do not have. However, why are you teaching? Is it to be honored among men that you are teaching? Why be called father? Is it because you want a place of honor in the church? Why be called leader, or the term that is used in my local church, elder, is it because you want a place of honor that you are called leader?

Jesus said that the greatest among us is the one who serves and whoever exalts himself shall be humbled. The one who humbles himself as a servant shall be the one whom Christ exalts.

The Disciples Tongue and Ear (Isaiah 50:4)

The Lord He is God. He created heaven and earth and all that is in them. He created what is seen with the eye and what is unseen. He created our inward parts and knitted us together in our mother’s womb. We were hidden but then revealed at birth.

A true disciple becomes like his teacher. The Lord Jesus Christ sustained the weary one with a word; therefore, His disciples sustain the weary one with a word.

Isaiah is an interesting book and interpretation has been difficult for some. Who is the servant of the Lord? Isaiah, like all of the Old Testament books must be interpreted through the lens of the New Testament. The servant of the Lord is the Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples.

The Lord awakens His disciples morning by morning. It is the Lord who gives to His disciples ears to listen as disciples. Jesus Christ is the disciple of the Lord and He is the Lord. God taught Him as a man and He is God in human flesh. 

It is the Lord who awakens me morning by morning. It is the Lord who awakens my ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord both gives me the tongue of a disciple and the ear of a disciple. The Lord is sovereign over the tongue and the ear, yet each of us is responsible for the things that we say and we are responsible to listen to the Word.