A Great Cloud of Not So Great Witnesses

This week's Fighter Verse, Hebrews 12:1, refers to a "great cloud of witnesses," and these witnesses are the faithful saints referred to in chapter 11. 

MacArthur's New Testament Commentary: Hebrews contains an interesting thought-provoking note about Hebrews 12:1b.

I do not believe that the cloud of witnesses surrounding us is standing in the galleries of heaven watching as we perform.  The idea here is not that we should be faithful lest they be disappointed, or that we should try to impress them like a sports team trying to impress the fans in the bleachers.  These are witnesses to God, not of us.  They are examples, not onlookers.  They have proved by their testimony, their witness, that the life of faith is the only life to live. (375)

Hebrews 11 contains "so great a cloud of witnesses" who are far from perfect.  
The chapter is filled with those who lied, got drunk, killed, deceived, committed adultery and even more.
The chapter is also filled with those who trusted God and were not perfect.
This not so great, "great cloud of witnesses" give testimony of what their great God has done.

Part of last night's Fight Night study was talking to your children about those Bible stories that are hard to talk about with children.  The reason we did this as part of the study was because the PrimeTime kids' study was looking at Jephthah during their Bible time.

Two of three stories I want to mention in this story are individuals in Hebrews 11.

The first is David, who had an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and had her husband killed in battle.  This "man after [God's] own heart" (Acts 13:22) was not perfect.  Here is a graphic that shows how to talk about this story to children of different ages (not cited because I cannot remember where I found it).  Click on the graphic for a better view.

In each account, the story focus on David sins, repentance and God's forgiveness.

The second individual was Jephthah, the individual the PrimeTime kids studied last night.  
I referenced two Answers in Genesis article about Jephthah:

• Jephthah's Vow
• Unacceptable Offering?

Here is an extended quote from the Jephthah's Vow article.

As I wrote in the footnote of the original article, “Jephthah is listed in Hebrews 11, which is often called the ‘Faith Hall of Fame,’ but it is important to notice that he is listed with Gideon, Barak, and Samson (Hebrews 11:32). When they trusted Him, God used these men to win important victories in the book of Judges, but each of them had serious problems, such as idolatry (Judges 8:27), cowardice (Judges 4:8), and infidelity (Judges 16:1), respectively. So we should not necessarily hold them up as examples of godliness.

Hebrews 11 certainly includes some of the incredible heroes of the faith, but many of these people also committed some pretty heinous acts (as many believers since then have also done). Abraham and Isaac lied (or at best misled others) about their respective wives. Jacob deceived his father. Moses murdered a man. Rahab was a harlot. David also appears in this chapter and is elsewhere called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22; cf. 1 Samuel 13:14), yet he committed adultery with Bathsheba, tried to cover it up, and then arranged for the murder of her husband. Were David’s actions any better than child sacrifice in fulfillment of a rash vow?

The Big Reminder in all of this is the Bible is, first and ultimately, about God and His glory.  


The third narrative which is not in Hebrews 11 and we did not talk about in the study is the story of Achan.

One of the lessons for Emmanuel Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School was Achan.
This story of a disobedient person and his family being swallowed up by the earth is a difficult story for children and for adults.

To help the teachers tell this scary story in a God-glorifying way, I shared a part of Jack Klumpenhower's Show Them Jesus in a blog post. 
ekidzministry.blogspot.com/2017/06/achan-scary-vacation-bible-school-story.html

HERE is a review of the book.

HERE is where you can purchase the book at Amazon and don't forget LifeWay on Talmadge will price match Amazon.

1 John Lesson 5

Throughout this study of 1 John, we have taken the time to read an extended passage of scripture and then discuss it.  It is my prayer that attempting to model a One-to-One Bible Reading Model in class might motivate others to read passages of the Bible with someone else.

SPECIFIC WORDS IN CHAPTER FOUR:

Two words from 1 John 4:9, "In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him."
Manifest:

• clear or obvious to the eye

• display or show by one's acts

• be evidence of; prove

"In" and "through"

• "in" appears in verse 12

• Fixed position; rest.  Check out www.blueletterbible.org

• We are told to rest in, trust in God's love and God.  

• "through" appears in verse 9

• A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act.  Check out www.blueletterbible.org.

• The verse says we might live "through" Jesus not "like" Jesus.  Jesus is the source of real life.  We need to do God's work God's way which is through the power of Jesus Christ.  

The second usage of a unique word:  Propitiation

• This word appears in 1 John 2:2 and 4:10

• It is the appeasement of God's wrath

• This word appears a co"Propitiation" through Jesus Christ doesn't just remind us that God loves.  It is necessary for a right relationship with God the Father.

VERY BASIC OUTLINE OF CHAPTER FOUR:

1. Confession of Jesus' Deity (4:1-6)
2. Actions of Love (4:7- 
1. Love of God
• Worship
2. Love of other Christians
• Equipping and training
• Service
3. Love of the world
• Evangelism
• Service

Chapter 18 Holiness

Welcome to the 18th week of reading the book Holiness.

This week's chapter is "Unsearchable Riches"

I want to encourage you to continue reading this great book 

or to start reading it today.

For general info about the reading schedule go to 

http://drodgersjr.blogspot.com/p/t4g2018.html

Here are the questions for this seventeenth chapter.

GENERAL (Questions for each chapter)

1.  What is a quote or two from Chapter 18 that stood out to you?

2.  What was something this chapter said about God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

3. What was something this chapter said about man?

4.  What was something this chapter said about how a Christian is to live?  

Think general and specific applications.

SPECIFIC (Questions specific to this chapter)

5.  According to this chapter, what should preaching be?

FINAL QUESTION
6.  What is the most significant thing that you learned from this chapter?

Established Steps

Psalm 37:23, 24

The steps of a man are established
by the Lord,
When he delights in his way;
though he fall,
he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.

This Psalm was written by David.
When you consider David's life
and this Psalm you see a man
who knew that his steps
were established by the Lord.

When the bad guys win,
remember God is in control and
he will uphold you by his hand.

When life doesn't go the way you expect,
trust in God.


Here is a very encouraging quote from The Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent that I have used many times.

The gospel enables me to embrace my tribulations and thereby position myself to gain full benefit from them. For the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance in which I live and move; and every hardship in my life is allowed by God only because it serves His gospel purposes in me. When I view my circumstances in this light, I realize that the gospel is not just one piece of good news that fits into my life somewhere among all the bad. I realize instead that the gospel makes genuinely good news out of every other aspect of my life, including my severest trials.

These truths are so very different than the world's thoughts.
HERE is an article about Oprah Winfrey's thoughts on Psalm 37:4

For more about the Fighter Verses go to www.drodgersjr.com/p/fighter-verses.html

Chapter 17 Holiness

Welcome to the 17th week of reading the book Holiness.

This week's chapter is "Thirst Relieved"

I want to encourage you to continue reading this great book 

or to start reading it today.

For general info about the reading schedule go to 

http://drodgersjr.blogspot.com/p/t4g2018.html

Here are the questions for this seventeenth chapter.

GENERAL (Questions for each chapter)

1.  What is a quote or two from Chapter 17 that stood out to you?

2.  What was something this chapter said about God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

3. What was something this chapter said about man?

4.  What was something this chapter said about how a Christian is to live?  

Think general and specific applications.

SPECIFIC (Questions specific to this chapter)

5.  How does this chapter relate to evangelism?

FINAL QUESTION

6.  What is the most significant thing that you learned from this chapter?

A Different Kind of Class Time

This morning's Genesis class adult Bible class is going to have a time of
reviewing 1 John 1-3
reflecting on what God has been teaching us and doing in our lives
praying for one another, our class, and West Cannon Baptist Church.

I have included some basic outline points and a great quote from Christ-Centered Exposition: 1, 2, 3 John

Big Dreams

The Fighter Verses starting tomorrow are Psalm 37:23-24

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;  though he may stumble, he will not fall,  for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

The two previous weeks' verses were Psalm 37:1-4 and 5-8.

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be not envious of those who do wrong;  for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.    

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.    

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.   

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

As I was doing some reading, journaling, and thinking about tomorrow, I decided to check out the devotional for Psalm 37:23-24.

I am very glad I did.  

The title was "Why you should dream big for the glory of God."

The writer then goes on to share "three simple (overly-simple) points" (emphasis mine):  

1. If you are in Christ you are called to God's purpose.
2. God's purpose will not fail.
3. Therefore, all our dreams toward that purpose (God's purpose) will not ultimately fail.

This weekend there have been a couple of challenges but this devotional has reminded me, once again, that God is in control.  The Psalm 37 reminders over these three weeks have been a blessing from God.  

While I don't need to go into the specifics of the challenges, I can share one of the specific things that have been a help.

Reminders from God's Word about who God is.

God's purpose will not ultimately fail.  That word ultimately is a big word in this statement.

Things may not work out the way you planned but if you are delighting in the Lord, the desires of your heart move beyond your short-sighted, temporary plans to God's long-term, eternal, ultimate plans.

I would appreciate your prayers as I dream big for my family, my ministry and my life.  

At the end of my internship at Emmanuel Baptist Church, I remember at different times with different people saying something like "If God has to move me somewhere else for the purpose of His glory I pray He would help me do it even if I don't want to."
God did move us from Emmanuel five years later.  

This past month at West Cannon Baptist, I have been thinking, preaching and sharing about motives and God's glory.

This current month at Emmanuel Baptist Church, they are beginning their missions emphasis month using the book RADICAL by David Platt.  This book has been a blessing and encouragement to me over the years.  I have even posted about it HERE.
God has used the motivation focus, The book RADICAL, and Psalm 37 to help me gain a better understanding of how God is working in my life.

It is my prayer that God would use my life for his glory wherever I am.

God is definitely trying to teach me some things about Him and His plans.  While it is challenging, he is God.

For more about the Fighter Verses go to www.drodgersjr.com/p/fighter-verses.html

Motives and the Great Commission

While this post refers to some specifics about West Cannon Baptist Church, I believe the post will help and encourage those who attend WCBC and those who attend other churches.

At the beginning of February, I shared resources with the small group leaders at West Cannon Baptist Church about talking with their group members about motives.  
One of the big reasons for doing this in February was because of our annual church business meeting.  There were a couple of big items that the congregation was voting on regarding building upgrades and especially changing our leadership to more of an elder-led structure.  There were reasons, motives, behind each of these and other items.  Pastor Doug and Pastor Dave Parmerlee did a great job of leading the meeting and explaining the motives.  Both of these items and others and several other items passed with an over 95% vote.  

As we move forward this year, it is my prayer and I know the prayer of the other pastors at West Cannon Baptist Church that we as a church family would glorify God and make disciples in the Grand Rapids area and around the world.  Whether you were in a group that talked about motives or not, prayerfully remember your life is not sure.  

• In Philippians 1:15-18 we are reminded that my life is not about my name but Christ’s name 
• In Philippians 1:21-26 we are reminded that my life is not about my will but Christ’s will
• In Philippians 1:29-30 we are reminded that my life is not about my comfort but the cause of Christ 
• In Philippians 2:3-11 we are reminded that my life is not about my interest but the interest of others because of Christ 

Here is a quote I recently saw in Radical Together by David Platt.

Our churches never have to choose between impacting people with the gospel locally and impacting them globally. Disciple-making frees us from having to make that choice. As we lay down our lives to multiply the gospel in the context of intentional relationships where we live, we are always doing it ultimately for the spread of the gospel far beyond where we live. And if we are faithful to Jesus’ command in the Great Commission, we will always be living and longing for the spread of the gospel to all people groups.

Live Great Commission lives!  Not Self Gratification lives!!

Commit and Trust

Psalm 37:5-6 challenges the reader to COMMIT, TRUST, BE STILL and WAIT PATIENTLY 

and then God will "bring forth your righteousness as the light and 

your justice as the noonday."  

We need to remember that "your righteousness" in this passage is actually God's righteousness showing itself in His people.

Then Psalm 37:7-8 commands the reader to FRET NOT, REFRAIN from anger, FORSAKE wrath and FRET NOT.

We need to remember that worry and fret"tend only to evil."

When I read through Psalm 37:5-6, I was reminded of a Biblical Counseling chart the "Y" diagram.

This chart focuses on the fact there are two ways - God's way or the selfish way.

Verse 5 states that we need to commit our way to the Lord's way.

Is our motive God's glory or my selfish desires.

HERE is a video that explains how to use the "Y" diagram in counseling and discipleship.

Psalm 37:7 says "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."

Here are some other verses that either command people to be still or show God stilling creation.

All of these of these verses focus on the fact that God needs to be trusted 

because of His power over creation or His faithfulness to His people.

Exodus 14:14

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Joshua 3:8

"And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”

1 Samuel 12:7

"Now, therefore, stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord" that he performed for you and for your fathers.

1 Samuel 12:16

"Now, therefore, stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes."

Job 26:12

"By his power, he stilled the sea; by his understanding, he shattered Rahab."

Psalm 23:2

"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."

Psalm 37:7

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 65:7

"who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,"

Psalm 76:8, 9

"From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth."

Psalm 89:9

"You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them."

Psalm 107:29

"He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed."

Mark 4:39

"And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Personal note

Teaching the truths of this Psalm last night was a challenge.I have been struggling with fretting.  We are still looking for a house and on top of that there are the other everyday concerns of life.As I was standing there reminding those in the study that they need to trust the Lord and not worry, I was overwhelmingly reminded that I NEED TO TRUST THE LORD and NOT WORRY.

For more about the Fighter Verses go to www.drodgersjr.com/p/fighter-verses.html