The Ancient Greek word for “blessed” (makarious) means to be fortunate, happy, and well off. It occurs nearly fifty times in our New Testament and in a wide range of contexts. The most well known location is perhaps the many times it’s used in the Sermon on the Mount beginning in Matthew five. Here we find the poor in spirit who are blessed. The mourners, meek, righteous, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted, and several others that are all described as blessed. There’s another location where we find the word used and the implications of its textual application are exciting.
In Luke 11:28-29 a seemingly random woman shouts from the crowd, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you!” The timing of this statement might take the modern reader off guard. Jesus had been teaching on demonic possession. Was it the way He spoke of the spiritual realm? What made this woman make such a declaration at that moment? Perhaps it was a combination of what she had heard about Jesus, coupled with the authority He taught with. The Lord’s response is also interesting. He doesn’t disrespect His mother, but He redirects her praise upwards by saying, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
There’s a progression in the maturity of the blessed Christian when it comes to God’s Word. It begins as a burden. God’s Word guides us to give up and reshape our lives in ways that can be painful. The blessed Christian who continues in the Word then feels a burden of responsibility. Notice, Jesus says that the happiness occurs once one hears and then acts in obedience. Hearing has never been enough, it’s always been the case that doing and living the Words has been the key. Those that hear and don’t act, aren’t happy. Those that act in robotic or ritualistic fashion, aren’t happy. Those that understand and live out what God has said find happiness. Happiness is in the light and the blessed are happy to be recipients of grace and salvation.
Between 2003 and 2017, I have seen (or heard) lions in several places across northern Tanzania. Each time you see or hear one is truly unforgettable. They are fierce, fast, and powerful creatures. Each time, I have been grateful to have had the safety of an automobile to offer protection.
In three trips to Israel, I have not seen or heard a lion. That’s because you can’t find one in the wild there today. But, after Assyria carries off Israel into captivity, they settled people from other nations into Samaria and the other cities of the northern kingdom. These newly-settled citizens did not fear the Lord, so He sent lions among them to kill some of them (2 Kings 17:25). They appeal to the king of Assyria to help them “know the custom of the god of the land” (26). The king of Assyria’s solution was to send a priest from among the exiled Israelites back into the land who lived in Bethel and taught the new inhabitants “how they should fear the Lord” (28). Sound like a feel good story of mass conversion, right? Well, not exactly.
The people, like the Athenians later in history (Acts 17:16-23), just added Jehovah to their list of gods. “They feared the Lord and served their own gods” (33). They had no history with and no grounding in the Law of Moses , so they continually violated His will and commandments (34-40). “So while these nations feared the Lord, they also served their idols; their children likewise and their grandchildren, as their fathers did, so they do to this day” (41).
Mixed up religion is not just a problem of ancient times. It is alive and well today. What do people serve alongside Jehovah? The teaching and commandments of men, patriotism, tradition, money, culture, and more. They take elements of each and the end result is a watered-down, unacceptable substitute for true religion governed and guided by a reverent, informed knowledge of God’s Word. Syncretism is “the amalgamation (act of combining or uniting) or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.” Some world religions are syncretistic in nature. But, true religion–biblically defined–does not allow for anything mixed with it. In fact, the Bible defines true religion as “pure and undefiled” (Jas. 1:27). Worship is according to truth (John 4:24), and God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).
God does not allow for watered down substitutes and self-customized religion. The only way to avoid that is to know what His Word says, and then do it (Jas. 1:21-25). Otherwise, our efforts are made in vain (Mat. 15:9). Mixed up religion condemns. The sage observation of Jeremiah ought to serve as our beacon of light: “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (10:23).
Got real close to this dude in Ngorogoro Crater, 12/7/17
As many of you know I have a way of relating my lesson around the fire service and I’m going to do that again here tonight. But some of you may not understand the similarities the fire service has to the Church. Let me give you short list of comparisons. It is a brotherhood. We are a family. We watch out for each other. Call each other out when we stumble. Get each other back on the right path when we go astray. We push each other. And like every one of you, we support each other. We lift each other up when we’re struggling. And we always seek to find the best in one another.
At the firehouse we’ve adopted a saying from the US Navy seals that says “Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable”. If you can be comfortable being uncomfortable, you’ll be prepared to handle whatever situation comes along in your own life. “For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not” (Rom. 7:14-18).
Who gets uncomfortable just reading that? Paul is talking about the flesh, his sinful nature, not his new nature in Christ. All the good in Paul’s life comes from Christ living in him, rather than originating in Paul. While the inability to do what is righteous and holy highlights humanity’s sinful nature, it also demonstrates the goodness of the law, in contrast to the power of sin. As we are in pursuit of Jesus, we are dumbfounded by our ability to do something, well, ignorant. At times we might ask ourselves, why did I do that? That’s not going to get me any closer to Christ. The struggle is real. But Paul also points out the Grace of God is sufficient in our failings and our weaknesses. See at the firehouse for me, we are placed in uncomfortable situations almost every day. It could be out on an accident scene where no one has any regard for a big red truck with lights on in the road. Could be in a fire trying to put it out or search for victims. Or it might just be at the station behind closed doors having those difficult discussions with the ones we work with and care about. However getting comfortable with being uncomfortable does not mean to be complacent or use our flesh as a reason to sin. It means we need to stay vigilant and prepared. We need to understand that when we fall short of the goal, or we just miss the mark all together, the grace from God is there to lift us back up.
I have one other saying I’d like to share from our firehouse with you that hits home every time I say it. “Would you want you rescuing you?” We have one of the most physically demanding jobs in the world. The decisions we make and the actions we take have very real consequences. On each and every call we are working to increase the chance of survival for our fellow man. This mission is driven by perfected skills and physical preparation. It is our responsibility to show up physically prepared and hold ourselves accountable to the oath we swore (Eph. 6:10-17).
As Christians the decisions we make and the actions we take have very real consequences. Are we working each and every day to save our soul? Our mission is clear. The word of God provides us everything we need to extinguish evil. It is our individual responsibility to remain prepared and hold ourselves accountable to the oath we swore.
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?” (Psalm 8.3–4 NASB95)
We discover divine wisdom hidden in the heart of these lovely words as we delve into their heart. Consider King David, the author of this psalm. David, a humble shepherd who rose to become king, was astounded by how the Lord created the world and chose him to lead His people.
Even though the universe, the moon, and the stars are all beautiful, they pale in comparison to God’s choice of David, an ordinary person. But the Bible repeatedly demonstrates that God’s ways are not our ways. He selects the humble, familiar, and overlooked and then uses them to accomplish amazing things (cf. 1 Samuel 16.7). For example, the Sanhedrin even thought that Jesus’ chosen twelve were “uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4.13 NASB95).
David’s words reassure us that God genuinely cares. Even though he has done many bad things, David claims that God has been thinking of him because of His great love and mercy. Let this serve as a reminder to all of us that God loves us regardless of what we’ve done or have done in the past.
The second way to interpret this psalm is as a representation of Christ, the true personification of the psalms. We encounter divine awe in Christ. The wonder of His birth, His teachings, the extent of His love that cost Him His life, and His miraculous resurrection demonstrates how much God loves people. He is mindful of us.
The psalm demonstrates how much God the Father loved His one and only Son, even though He allowed Him to die for us. This gracious gift is the most effective way to demonstrate how much God loves and cares for us.
Finally, let’s look at the psalm through our own eyes. The psalm asks us to view ourselves honestly. We seem so insignificant and unworthy compared to the marvels of God’s creation. Nonetheless, amid all this, we find an acknowledgment and a joyful realization that God cares about us, despite our smallness. God watches out for us. He is concerned about us (cf. Matthew 6.25ff). This truth allows us to learn more about God, His promise, and His love for each of us.
The psalm also makes us reflect on ourselves. What are we as individuals? We are born into a fallen world and will inevitably choose sin with our free moral agency, but God’s grace makes us new. God loves and selects us despite our flaws.
Ultimately, this psalm drives home an important truth: we need to give God the same amount of thought He gives us. We should not view this requirement as a burden but as a source of comfort. Even though we know God is always present, He calls us to maintain a deep, loving relationship with Him.
Let’s keep our eyes fixed on God and constantly remind ourselves of His presence and the eternal future He has promised us as we navigate life with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows.
Colossians 3.8ff is about how our relationships should work when we grow our love for each other. Wives who grow in love voluntarily submit themselves to their husbands (18). Husbands who grow in love show that love and gentleness to their wives (19). Children who grow in love do what their parents ask them to do (20). Fathers who grow in love don’t intentionally irritate their children (21). Paul follows this one up with, “If you are too hard on them, they might give up.”
Servants who grow in love will do whatever their masters ask them to do, even when they aren’t looking (22). This is analogous to the employer-employee relationship today. If we’re growing in our love for God, we’ll be the best employees we can possibly be. Not to get ahead in the company, but because we fear God (22-23). Bosses and managers who grow in love will treat their employees fairly and generously (4.1). Paul follows this one up by reminding them that they have a master, too — Jesus.
The letter ends with a few commands — never stop praying. Be ready for anything by praying and being grateful. Be conscious about behavior when we’re around non-believers. We should be kind and wise, especially around those non-believers. The very last phrase in this letter is “may God’s grace be with you.”
October 2, 2006, was a terrible day for several families among the Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A deranged man, Charlie Roberts, took an Amish schoolhouse hostage and tragically killed five girls. It was also a terrible day for Charlie’s very religious family members who lived near the Amish. The Roberts were absolutely shattered by their son’s and husband’s actions. Friends and church members came to comfort them. But the first visitor they had was Henry. Why is that remarkable? He was the father of one of the victims! He went to the Roberts’ home and consoled this shooter’s grieving parents and wife. The entire Amish community sent a clear message that they forgave Charlie and showed them love and mercy.
Charlie’s family used words like redemption and restoration to describe what the Amish did as an illustration of what God did. Paul writes to a church while in prison for preaching Christ (Col. 1:19-23). Try to imagine the emotions those Amish families went through on their way to consoling the family of the man who took their children and permanently changed their lives. Then try to imagine a perfect, all-powerful and all-knowing God, whose perfectly innocent Son died because of us. What kind of people were we? Paul says we were enemies, separated from Him by our evil thoughts and actions. We may not have been a Charlie Roberts, but our sin separated us from God (Isa. 59:2). But we weren’t just related to a sinner; We were the sinner.
But God did not sit back and wait for us to grovel and beg. He had a plan before the first person ever sinned. Paul discusses this plan in Romans 5:6-10. God reached out to us and justified and reconciled us. Paul begins that discussion in verse one by saying, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. That is what Paul says to the church in Colosse. And he spells out the price of peace, “The blood of the cross of Christ.” What does this gift show us?
It shows us how much He wants a relationship with us (Col. 1:18-21). The Father held back nothing to heal the fracture our sin caused in our relationship. What steps did He take? God became flesh (19-20), He experienced the pain and suffering we rightfully deserved (20; 2 Cor. 5:21), then He gave us the roadmap home through the gospel (23). It’s absolutely true that the response of the Amish reflected God’s response to our spiritual crimes.The offended took the first step to mend a broken relationship. Charlie’s dad was an Amish taxi driver and who knew these folks.
It shows us how much potential He sees in us (Col. 1:22). There’s a powerful phrase here: “In order to.” This is a purpose statement. Why make peace through the blood of Christ’s cross?Christ wants to present us before God with three important qualities–holiness, blamelessness, and being beyond reproach. The devil would like us to stay stuck in our sin and guilt. To let that beat us down and keep us from our potential. But Paul says the cross overcomes what we were and makes us more than we ever thought we could be.
It shows us how much it should effect us (Col. 1:23). The way the Amish treated the Roberts profoundly effected them. It changed their life! They repeatedly spoke of how blessed they felt to have experienced that lovingkindness. While they would have desperately wished never to have gone through such shame and loss, the grace they felt changed them. Paul is saying that’s what the cross should do for us. He says, “Plant your feet in the concrete of Scripture.”Don’t let anything move you away from the hope of the gospel. Let it make you so resolved to love and follow God that no trial, temptation or teaching can succeed in making you abandon Jesus.
Steven Curtis Chapman wrote, “How do you explain? How do you describe a love that goes from east to west and runs as deep as it is wide? You know all our hopes, Lord, you know all our fears, and words cannot express the love we feel but we long for you to hear.” Try to put yourself in Charlie Roberts’ parents’ and wife’s place, watching members of the Amish community, whose daughters were taken by your son, walking up your sidewalk, coming in your house, hugging you and praying with you. How would you describe that to other people? By a life lived in appreciation for that incredible gift. There’s no comparison to what Christ did through the blood of the cross. It brings instant harmony in our relationship with God, making things right with Him. It’s hard to describe that feeling, so the best thing we can do is live lives that show everyone how much we appreciate it!
A Cessna 206 was carrying seven people between district airports in Columbia, South America. It crashed in the early morning hours of May 1st. The pilot, co-pilot, and a mother with her four children crashed in a thick jungle in the southern part of this country. Tragically, the adults died after the impact. However, the four children survived this crash. Their next challenge, though, was surviving in the wilds of the jungle with only their skills. The siblings were 13, 9, 4, and an 11-months old!
On June 10, these kids were found alive! How did they do it? Their grandmother, who raised them, taught them how to fish, hunt, and find safe food in the wild. They knew which fruits and seeds were safe to eat in the rainforests and which were poisonous. Thanks to two rescue dogs, Tellius and Wilson, leading 150 soldiers, the children were found, dehydrated and full of mosquito bites, but very much alive!
How often do we speak figurative, saying, “It’s a jungle out there!” The idea in that expression is that of a threatening environment that is difficult to survive. This is not just true of adults, but it is especially challenging for society’s youngest members. Think of the obstacles and challenges faced by our youth right now, the messages and indoctrination so contrary to Scripture, the diversions and distractions pulling them away from faith. How can they survive this metaphorical jungle?
It’s the same way as those fortunate little ones in Columbia. First, survival skills must be taught in the home. This implies much time, effort, patience, and hands-on training. Second, those skills must be practiced. Third, survival must continue until rescue and relief comes.
Do we have homes that equip our children to make it through the difficult spiritual terrain? This equipping centers around filling their hearts with God’s thoughts (Deut. 6:4-6). It centers around practical outlets to put that information into motion (Phil. 4:9). By the time they are out on their own, they should have the training they need to make it on their own (Prov. 22:6). We should teach them to “hold on” until rescue and relief comes (2 Thess. 1:6-7).
It’s hard to imagine something worse than a plane crash befalling our children or grandchildren, but there is! There’s a shipwreck of faith (1 Tim. 1:19), upset of faith (2 Tim. 2:18), going astray of faith (1 Tim. 6:21). That’s all synonymous for failure to survive that spiritual jungle!
Let’s put in the necessary time to train, equip, and prepare our family to make it through this world spiritually alive!
One notices how frequently Job dismisses his “friends” as poor comforters when reading Job. This accusation is not surprising, given that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were all involved in Satan’s trial of Job. However, the devil took advantage of an all-too-common human flaw: a lack of active listening skills. Job’s companions were more interested in displaying their wisdom than listening to what he said.
The three guests should have listened to Job before passing judgment on him, but they were too full of themselves to do so. Job’s frustration with his friends’ inane chatter is a clear speech and active listening lesson. Active listening, which entails paying attention, demonstrating comprehension, and responding appropriately to the speaker’s emotions and needs, is highly valued in psychological studies.
Here are seven ways Job points out the failings of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.
They possessed superficial understanding. Job condemns his companions for their insensitivity and failure to comprehend his predicament. He feels they can’t possibly understand how much pain he’s been through or how complicated his life has been (cf. Job 16.2; 19.2).
They made false assumptions. Job accuses his friends of making incorrect assumptions about his character and actions. They imply that Job’s suffering directly results from some hidden sin or wrongdoing, which Job emphatically denies (cf. Job 11.2-3).
They lacked compassion. Job condemns his friends’ callous behavior. He believes they care more about proving their theological points than comforting him in his suffering (cf. Job 6.14–15).
They offered empty words. Job criticizes his friends’ meaningless and empty speech. He claims that rather than relieving his distress, their words made it worse (cf. Job 16.2-3).
They needed to provide more adequate explanations. When Job’s friends try to explain away his pain, Job questions their motives. He considers their theological justifications flimsy at best (cf. Job 21.34).
They should have offered practical help. Job expresses dissatisfaction with his friends’ lack of helpful assistance or support. He expected them to be there for him in his hour of need, but they fell short (cf. Job 6.14).
They lacked empathy. Job accuses his friends of being uncaring and failing to put themselves in his shoes. He thinks they cannot comprehend his suffering (cf. Job 19.21).
As previously stated, these men took part in Satan’s trial of Job. As a result, he allowed them to show off their flaws. The devil employs three methods of temptation, one of which is boastful pride in one’s own life. Pride indeed compelled Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar to be lousy comforters.
But what about you and me when faced with the trials of a friend? Can’t we also be bad comforters? To make this more concrete, consider the following reasons for failure that do not involve pride or poor active listening skills:
We are uncomfortable. Empathy is the ability to connect with and comprehend the emotions of others, including their pain, sadness, or distress. People may sometimes find it emotionally difficult to confront or experience those intense emotions. This discomfort can make genuine empathy challenging to express.
We need more life experience to be able to assist. It can be difficult to empathize with an experience one has not personally experienced. When there is no direct personal reference point to draw on, understanding and relating to someone’s emotions and struggles may be more difficult.
We are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. People may be concerned about saying the wrong thing or causing additional distress. Fear of saying something insensitive or inadequate can lead to a reluctance to express empathy.
We are concerned about cultural, ethnic, or socioeconomic barriers. We are hesitant to lend a helping hand because we do not share common bonds, such as culture, ethnicity, educational attainment, etc., with those needing our understanding. These things indeed impact our interactions with others, for better or worse, but unfortunately, they can and do become obstacles. This fact is especially true in modern society, which goes out of its way to emphasize such differences between people of different backgrounds and experiences for political purposes. Nobody wants to be labeled an “ist” for inadvertently touching culturally sacred cows.
We are unable or unwilling to see things from a different perspective. I am not suggesting that we ignore sin. However, someone may see things differently than we do. How good are we at looking at things from different angles? Empathy necessitates understanding another person’s emotions and experiences from their point of view.
We are exhausted and overwhelmed. If you are already a caregiver for someone else, you may have already expended a lot of emotional energy dealing with their needs. Unfortunately, these personality types attract those needing assistance while being harder on themselves by refusing to say “no” to those in need. As a result, a person wants to help but is emotionally “running on empty.”
We need effective communication skills. Listening entails more than just our ears picking up on the sounds made by others. Indeed, the brain must assign meaning to those sounds. We must allow our minds to process what others say. We call this action active listening. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar lacked this ability. If we only want to offer advice, we will focus on a few words and practice our response without giving the other person a fair hearing. Or we won’t listen because we’ve already decided what we will say based on what we think we know about the situation. Active listening, like Biblical love (agape), necessitates effort.
The story of Job is one of human connection and communication in the face of adversity. We are encouraged to confront our fears, discomfort, and insecurities to practice active listening, genuine empathy, and love that embraces the other’s pain in shared sorrow and hope. In a superficial world, listening is witnessing another’s soul; the greatest gift we can give in times of suffering is to hear others. This sacred act of listening best expresses our shared humanity and journey through life’s frequently turbulent sea. May we reassure those around us by genuinely listening to their stories instead of offering rash advice or superficial comfort. As Job teaches us, listening is invaluable to someone who is hurting.
In 1978, Thomas Hansen of Boulder, Colorado, sued his parents for $350,000 on grounds of “malpractice of parenting.” Mom and Dad had botched his upbringing so badly, he charged in his suit, that he would need years of costly psychiatric treatment.
I grew up in a family that was fully devoted to Christ. My parents created a home that in every way glorified God. The principles they taught us, the love my parents had for each other, the desire to love and serve God, were seen for as long as I can remember. They both helped create a God-fearing Home. Recently, my wife Emily and I had our first Child. He was born January 27th, and he is the cutest little chunk. I never thought babies were cute until Rich was born, and then everything changed.
Having a child really makes you think about the future. It puts everything into perspective.
I want to have a family that glorifies God. Mom and Dad both set the bar high, and I want to do the same for my own family. I want to glorify God through the way I love my spouse, the way I raise and teach my children, and through the influence we have on others. Glorifying God in the family is one of life’s greatest pursuits. Numerous verses teach us the importance of family, more specifically the importance of a family that glorifies our Father in heaven.
The family was created by God.
From the beginning Gods design has been one man and woman for life. Genesis 2:22-24, “The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.’ For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”
A family unit is established by the joining of a husband and wife, and this is God’s design!
The only way for a family to glorify God is to accept and follow HIS design. Since the family was created by God, we need to recognize that we exist for the glory and purpose of God.
God is speaking to the nation of Israel when He says this in Deuteronomy 6:2-3: “So that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. “O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.”
The Israelites had a purpose for their family, fear God and keep His commandments.
Notice that they kept these commands for their own good. God is the Designer of the family, and His commands will not only glorify Him, but will benefit us as well. Obeying God’s commands will result in a peaceful and unified family. Everything created by God exists to glorify Him; therefore, since God is the creator of the family, the family exists for His glory (Isaiah 43:7).
Christian families are now in submission to His Son. Each person in the family is given a role in Christ and we do so to the Glory of God. Glorifying God in the family is essential because the family was created by God.
But the question is how? How do we glorify God in the family? Very simply, we glorify God by fulfilling our purpose. We can bring glory to God if we obey His commands. We don’t have to guess what or how to bring Honor to Him. We just need to fulfill our purpose. Sadly, the world today has twisted and perverted the home. Many struggle in their relationships with family members, and children grow up in a divided home. Now more than ever, we should be showing the world what a God fearing home can achieve. The Goal of the family is to be unified in submission to God.
If we will return to fearing God in our homes, the world will become a better place.
Colossians 3.3 says, “Christ is now your life. When he comes again, you will share his glory.”
This has a follow-up: “So put everything evil out of your life: sexual sin, doing anything immoral, unhealthy desire, and wanting more things for yourself, which is the same as worshipping a false god (3.5). And, “Get these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things that hurt others, and saying shameful things. Don’t lie to each other.”
These were the kinds of things we did before we were saved. God chose us to be his special people, so he expects us to show mercy to other people, to be kind, humble, gentle, and patient.
3.13 is an important verse because it refutes another harmful teaching we’ve all probably heard — “you don’t have to forgive someone unless they ask for forgiveness.” 3.13 says, “Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If someone wrongs you, forgive them. Forgive others because the lord forgave you.”
Not, “forgive others when they ask for forgiveness,” but, “forgive them because your master forgave you.” This is tied to three other concepts in this section — having love for each other (14), having God’s peace while living for peace (15) and being thankful (15).
If someone does something wrong to us, we should automatically forgive them. God forgives us when we mess up, even when we don’t ask for forgiveness (I Jn 1.7). We forgive each other because we love each other, just like God forgives us because he loves us.
The farmer threw seed and some fell on the pathway and was eaten by birds. Some seeds fell on shallow soil, sprouted quickly, but were scorched by the sun. The sower continued to throw out the seed but it fell among thorns and the young plants were choked out before maturity.
In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, each inspired author writes the same story. Their accounts provide additional insights and details but all of them provide the key to every parable Jesus told. Three of the four soils are deadly while only one is capable of producing healthy plants.
The sower is the Savior, the seed is salvation, and the soil are the souls. This particular story is well known by most of the religious world but its implications can’t be overstated or overstudied. Throughout the gospels we read of the multitudes that followed Jesus everywhere He went and the crowd largely consisted of societal castaways. The demon possessed, the terminally ill, the crippled, and the spiritually challenged were more than just a handful.
Jesus Dealt With The Dirtiest Dirt
They were dangerous. On occasion the crowds threatened the life of Jesus and His disciples (Mk. 3.7-10).
The were demanding. Jesus would seek solitude after receiving news of John the Baptists’ death. When the needy crowd learned of His location they swarmed Him (Matt. 14.14).
They were disloyal. In spite of the evidence they heard and saw, many disciples would walk away from the Savior (Jn. 6.59-71).
The ministry of Jesus was a labor of love and it reminds us how undeserving we are to be the recipients of it. Let’s not forget that we’re soil surrounded by soil. People (souls) are not to be seen as an inconvenience, source of frustration, or the cause of our recoil. Let’s sow with our Savior and like our Savior because that’s part of what being good soil is all about.
Forget, “Don’t be grouchy like a rooster!” These days, we are singing, “Don’t be broody like a hen!” In our flock of Easter-Eggers, as Spring gives way to Summer, we have had one of our female fowl think she’s hatching little ones. While this maternal instinct is God-given, our girl is experiencing these urges because of hormones. She is convinced she’s going to incubate chicks, even though they aren’t fertilized. A brooding hen will remain in such a state to her own detriment, neglecting herself to “hatch” what will never hatch. Weight loss and dehydration are common in hens allowed to stay broody. She will growl and even peck when you try to break her of this behavior. The behavior will even spread to other members of the flock. While she is sure she is hatching chicks, she is totally wrong!
I wonder if God gives us such natural illustrations to paint a picture of greater truths He wants us to understand. Concerning some who did not receive the love of the truth in order to be saved, Paul explains, “For this reason, God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false” (2 Th. 2:10-11). In that context, he is writing about those who are persuading people to believe untruths about the Second Coming of Christ. Those who didn’t love the truth made their minds vulnerable to false ideas. The fruit of exchanging truth for a lie is being given over to impurity, degrading passions, and depraved minds to do improper things, “being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boasters, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful” (Rom. 1:18-31).
We can be totally convinced that wrong is right, right is wrong, up is down, and day is night. Just because we are sincere and totally committed to that idea does not make it right. We may convince others of it. We may fight passionately for that conviction, yet still be dead wrong! This is true whether the matter has to do with God’s plan of salvation, sexual orientation or identity, acceptable worship, or really anything God has clearly revealed in His Word. A world full of people may be persuaded that something is acceptable or unacceptable despite what God has said. Persisting in such a mindset is self-destructive.
When a hen is brooding, it’s incumbent upon the owners to exercise their superior reasoning and strength to help remedy the situation. They must break the brooding, culling them out of the flock and putting them somewhere (a separate pen) away from the dark and exposed to direct sunlight to snap them out of it. This will take time, but it is the most effective and compassionate way to resolve the problem.
Spiritually, the same is true. Personal attention and exposure to the Son is what corrects those with a good and honest heart from fatal ideas. The process may be unpleasant both for the one experiencing the delusion and those trying to help them. We cannot force anyone to give up destructive beliefs. The omnipotent God does not even do that. But, compassion and concern will cause us to do what we can to help those who “oppose themselves” (2 Tim. 2:25, KJV).
These girls are going into a “broody-breaking pen” today!
When I was a kid, one of my favorite things about the beginning of June was hearing my mother’s tongue-in-cheek rendition of “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” from Carousel. While some aspects of Carousel are dark, this song is a joyful celebration of the arrival of summer and the blooming of nature. It exudes optimism. In some ways, we can see this song’s themes of rejuvenation and new beginnings metaphorically resonating with Billy Bigelow’s chance to make things right after his tragic death. That theme of new beginnings and seasonal renewal is what I prefer to associate with June.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, I dread June’s arrival. The joyous celebration of the approaching summer season in June has shifted from hope and rebirth to the sinful attribute of pride. Yes, as we all know, it’s that time of year when pandering businesses surround us with new logos that incorporate the misappropriated rainbow, the chosen symbol for 7.1% of the U.S. population’s sense of entitlement. (Jones) The word “pride” becomes so common in June that it causes nausea. And I am not even addressing the matter of the many shades of sexual immorality that it celebrates. People have forgotten that a small amount of pride goes a long way. They’ve also forgotten that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16.18).
When we have healthy pride, we can find satisfaction in our accomplishments. Nothing is wrong with this. Solomon may have thought his overall pursuits were futile, but he recognized that the ability to reflect on the fruits of one’s labor is a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 3.12–13). Pride can also motivate us to put forth our best efforts, knowing that our work positively impacts our community. For example, the men with Judge Gideon raised a chant of “For the Lord and Gideon” (Judges 7.18). They did so because they were proud of their God and their general. When we show our pride in others, we express our belief in the person we praise. So, when we offer pride on behalf of another, it can be beneficial. However, Paul cautioned Timothy not to show such support hastily (1 Timothy 5.22).
But in June, when we hear “pride,” we don’t think of any of those things. What effort or success does one honor when seeking the approval of others for their way of life? Members of the LGBTQ+ community tell us that their genetic makeup determines their sexual orientation or gender identity. If true, isn’t this the same as a redhead being proud of her hair color or a Caucasian being proud of his skin color? Is it not, in other words, someone bragging about something they have no say in? Why isn’t there a “blue-eyed pride month” if we need gestures like what we see each June to show acceptance of a “minority group”? After all, only about 10% of the population has blue eyes. (Moor) There must be something different about the kind of pride promoted in June.
Yes, the pride celebrated in June is sinful. This display is the harmful pride condemned in Scripture, the same pride that led to the devil’s downfall (1 Timothy 3.6). There is a reason why Roman Catholicism considers this type of pride to be the first of the “seven deadly sins.” Pride is the root sin from which all other sins can spring. The Bible defines sinful pride as an excessive love and admiration for oneself, an exaggerated sense of one’s importance, and a disregard for the worth and needs of others. It entails exalting one’s abilities, accomplishments, and status, which can lead to an arrogant and self-centered attitude. John lists this pride as one of Satan’s three main temptations to get us to sin (1 John 2.15–17).
What about psychology? Excessive pride is viewed negatively in this academic study of the mind and behavior. Organizers ostensibly created “pride month” to raise awareness and signal to other members of the same community who were “closeted” that they could freely be themselves publicly and find support from a broader population who would accept them. However, this has devolved into a show of superiority over those not part of their small community. They used to complain that they didn’t have a voice and were left out, but now they want to push out anyone who may tolerate their behavior in a free society but won’t support and celebrate it as vociferously.
This pride celebration also shuts down all discourse because pride does not allow for perceived criticism. For example, when someone says that specific displays are inappropriate for children, it is automatically interpreted as bigotry rather than an opportunity to discuss how oversexed we have become as a society. It is not a question of one group against another as it is of whether we will allow children to grow up in innocence, free from outside influences, and make these important decisions for themselves. If the “pride community” would listen, they would hear us say that we are also uncomfortable with the flood of sexually charged heterosexual displays. But once again, pride prevents open dialogue. Worse, this refusal to hear causes heated rhetoric on social media with groups like concerned parents being mislabeled things like fascists or terrorists!
As a parting thought, let me say what happens when others impose this pride on everyone in June. The result of such pride is alienation and loneliness. Consistent displays of excessive pride make the proud seem unapproachable, and this makes it harder for them to form meaningful relationships with others outside their small group, stunting their social development. If “pride month” is supposed to make those not part of the LGBTQ+ community accept them, it accomplishes the opposite. It has a chilling effect. It does turn society into “us vs. them.” And it makes some people even more determined to shun and ostracize the LGBTQ+ community when they would have otherwise just left them alone.
Ultimately, disillusioned individuals in the LGBTQ+ community will find themselves feeling even more isolated and depressed because these kinds of excessive displays of pride turn people off. Even though teachers will hide their gender change or sexual preferences from their parents and social media influencers encourage them, these confused youth, whom the devil promises will be like God, only discover their nakedness and shame (cf. Genesis 3.4–7). Consequently, the number of young LGBTQ+ people considering suicide is rising. (Powell)
Once again, I wish to say that this article is not a discussion of biblically permissible sexuality and identity. This article is only about the pride the LGBTQ+ community and their allies praise and celebrate every June and the trouble it causes. In contrast, Jesus left His humble example for us to follow. Paul beautifully describes how Jesus “emptied Himself” to become a servant willing to die on the cross (Philippians 2.3–8). And Paul believed that the only thing he could boast about was his weakness because it highlighted his need for God’s grace (2 Corinthians 11.30). Let us also make June, and every month, a month of affirming humility and acknowledging that in doing so, God can be the one lifting us (Matthew 23.12).
Seeing Paul’s prayer life and how strong it was and how much he relied on it shows me how much I lack in my personal prayer life. A major eye-opener is reading about the absolute and total trust that he had in prayer.
In Philippians 1:3-8, we read Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving. Most often in our own prayers we are not specific in our requests. And it seems like more and more, the only times we pray is when we need something. But this is not the case for Paul. Just by reading through a few of his prayers you can see his genuineness and the true relationship that he had with God.
Not only did Paul have a genuinely healthy personal prayer life, he also didn’t pray for just himself. The next time you read one of Paul’s prayers, notice in how detailed a way he prays for others. In Philippians 1, we read of how he prayed for the Christians there. But he wasn’t vague; his prayers were specific to their needs. He prayed that they would approve the things that are excellent, that they would be sincere, that they would be without spot, for their perseverance, that they would be filled with the fruit of righteousness, and that God would be praised and glorified.
Paul recognized the power of prayer and what praying for others can accomplish. And I think sometimes we can forget just how powerful prayer truly is. Most say, “All we can do now is pray.” But we have it all wrong when we say this. The very first thing we should do in trials and struggles is to pray. We see our greatest example, Jesus, do this before He went to the cross. We read of Paul and how he was always praying for others.
Paul prayed for the Philippians’ perseverance, and we need to persevere in our prayers during trials. Paul says in Philippians 1:3-4, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy…” He says “every prayer” not some or a few of his prayers. He was dedicated to praying. Paul tells the Philippians he prayed that “your love may abound more and more…” And I pray the same thing, that our love may grow more for others and that we might be able to pray for others more and remember their needs when we go to the Father.
Colossians 2 repeats the confidence theme — “I want them to be strengthened and joined together with love, and to have the full confidence that comes from understanding.” We can only get this confidence by sticking to the essentials that Jesus gave us.
2.4 says, “I tell you this so no one can fool you by giving you ideas that seem good, but are false.” Then 2.7-8, “You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. Never stop thanking God. Be sure you aren’t led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and are only trying to trick you. That teaching isn’t from Christ. It’s only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world.”
Man-made traditions are powerless and often damaging, since they come from the powers that influence this world. But that wasn’t Jesus’s purpose!
2.13-14 says, “You were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you weren’t free from the power of your sinful self. But God gave you new life with Christ. He forgave all of our sins. Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt — a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross.”
This leads to 2.16 — “So don’t let anyone make rules for you about eating or drinking or about Jewish customs. In the past, these things were like a shadow that showed what was coming. But the new things coming are found in Christ.”
The entire book of Colossians is summarized with 2.18 — “Some people enjoy acting as if they are humble. They worship angels, and they always talk about the visions they’ve seen. Don’t let them cheat you out of your reward. It’s foolish for them to feel any kind of pride because it’s all based on their human ideas.”
The keyword of 2.18 is καταβραβευετω (translated “cheat” in the verse above) — today we might say something like “umpire”. Don’t let anyone try to force you to observe a man-made tradition and then say “you’re out” if you don’t follow it. Paul lists some specific traditions in Colossians — circumcision (2.11) and prohibitions like “don’t eat that” or “don’t taste that” or “don’t touch that stuff” (2.21).
This is after he says, “You died with Christ and were made free from the powers that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the world? I mean, why do you still follow those rules? Those rules are talking about earthly things that are gone after they’re used. They are only human commands and teachings. These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop doing the evil that our sinful self wants to do.”
This section reminds us that the power of our faith comes from Jesus, not man-made traditions. In fact, enforcing man-made traditions as important to our faith is sinful. If we follow those enforced traditions, we run the risk of losing our reward. If we want to see God, we need only what Jesus told us and nothing more (2.13-14).
The news can be depressing! Here’s ten verses of encouragement from the Psalms and Proverbs— hand picked by my wife and me.
Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
Proverbs 10:21 “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.”
Psalms 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.”
Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
Psalm 40:11 “As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!”
Psalm 54:4 “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.”
Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.”
Proverbs 16:24 “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Psalm 62:6-7 “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”
Shortly after I moved to Colorado to preach for the Bear Valley congregation, some unknown prankster gave me one of the coolest gifts I have ever owned. In a large blister card, sealed in plastic with a cardboard backing, there were eight Matchbox cars that had been smashed and semi-crushed. At the top of the cardboard backing was an inscription: “Everybody always prays for the preacher to have a ‘ready wreck collection,’ so here it is. Your very own wreck collection.” That was nearly 17 years ago and it still sits in my office today. What a genius prank!
Preachers greatly appreciate those prayers. Much study and preparation goes into each lesson and we want to remember what and how to say what we plan to present. “Ready” implies we don’t have to struggle. “Recollection” is the ability to recall what is in the mind (or on the page).
Have you ever thought about how vital a ready recollection is for all of us as Christians, as we live our daily lives?
When the world tries to give you a rival, recall that the Lord is God, and there is no other (Isa. 46:8-9).
When you are afflicted, recall the Lord’s lovingkindness (Lam. 3:19-22).
When you are so troubled you cannot speak, remember your song in the night (Psa. 77:4-6).
When you feel forgotten, remember the deeds and wonders of God (Psa. 77:11).
Whether life is going great or poorly, remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth (1 Chron. 16:8-12).
When you are afraid, remember the Lord who is great and awesome (Neh. 4:14).
Before the difficult days come, remember your Creator in your youth (Ecc. 12:1).
When you hit a spiritual low point, remember your sin and hate it (Ezek. 20:43-44).
When faced with the needs of the weak, remember how Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
When looking at your past, remember what you were but thank God for what you are now in Christ (Eph. 2:12-13).
Whatever your circumstance, remember Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:8).
Walk through Scripture and see how often it says to “recall” and “remember.” The Lord’s Supper is instituted as a weekly reminder for us to recall the price paid for us. God knows that we can become lax and forgetful. All of us are served well by having ready recollections. Let’s build our collection of the things we need to remember to spiritually survive this world and prepare ourselves for an eternity in the presence of the great God who has done so much for us!
1 Chronicles 12 describes David’s loyal followers gathering and supporting him as he prepared to become King of Israel. This chapter emphasizes the unity and strength that resulted from the various tribes rallying behind David, laying the groundwork for his reign and the kingdom’s unification.
The men of Issachar stood out among these tribes for their understanding of the times and their knowledge of what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12.32). They understood that God had anointed David as king while Saul was on the throne. Their kinship with their brethren and willingness to support Israel led them to assist David and his men at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12.40). Their leadership in this matter served as a model for other tribes that were still undecided.
We can draw inspiration from the men of Issachar and apply their lessons to our modern world during our current cultural civil war, characterized by fierce rhetoric and ideological conflicts.
We need wisdom and insight above all else. We must understand the complexities of our times like the men of Issachar did while avoiding falling prey to mere sentiment or rhetoric. We must recognize the cultural shifts, ideologies, and conflicts shaping our world today.
A usurper rules the world (1 John 5.19). We recognize that this usurper is a master manipulator who duped our mother, Eve, into sin (Genesis 3.1–7). Jesus referred to him as the father of lies and a murderer from our beginning (John 8.44). On the other hand, Revelation 19.16 reminds us that Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, God’s anointed (Acts 10.38). Yet, unfortunately, many people, including some of our family, friends, and neighbors, still regard Satan as their king.
We must demonstrate the men of Issachar’s willingness to put our efforts into action since we know what we must all do. When making decisions, we must use sound judgment by weighing various options and understanding the consequences. The Gospel’s teachings give us a sound mind, which leads to discipline. These characteristics enable us to face our opponents and carry out our duties without fear (2 Timothy 1.7). Amid our cultural civil war, it is critical to make decisions guided by God’s truth and values, contributing to the well-being of others and the pursuit of justice.
Second, even in discord, we should strive for harmony, following in the footsteps of the men of Issachar, who were instrumental in establishing and maintaining national peace. Even though we offer peace terms to people whose sins have gotten the best of them (cf. Matthew 5.9), they must know that their rebellion against God warrants death (Romans 6:23). Nonetheless, we bring the good news of God’s gift of eternal life through Christ. Regardless of contentious issues, we are encouraged to approach discussions and conflicts humbly, preaching the truth in love (Ephesians 4.5). We can contribute to a more constructive and peaceful engagement with those harboring different points of view by encouraging dialogue and building bridges.
Third, Christian ethics should guide our responses to current issues, just as God’s commandments guided the men of Issachar. God has given us everything we require for life and godliness (2 Peter 1.3). We look to the Scriptures in our cultural context because the words of Christ will judge us (John 12.48). We can apply Christian ethics to issues of cultural civil war by drawing on Christ’s teachings and grounding our engagement in love, truth, and reconciliation. Even during heated debates, our words and actions should reflect Christ’s character (1 Peter 2.23). Peter reminds us that Christ suffered for us, leaving an example for us to follow in His footsteps (1 Peter 2.21).
Finally, the example of the men of Issachar encourages us to develop a voice of reason in these contentious times. We must cultivate a reasoned voice that speaks the truth, confronts sin, and offers hope, just as the men of Issachar did.
An event in the divided monarchy’s history illustrates this task. Ben-hadad, the Aramean king, had besieged Samaria, resulting in extreme conditions and even cannibalism. In a twist of events orchestrated by God, the Arameans were frightened into fleeing, leaving their supplies behind. The discovery of the abandoned camp by four lepers resulted in abundant riches and food.
Their consciences, however, troubled them, and they realized they couldn’t keep the good news to themselves (2 Kings 7.9). Likewise, we have information that is too good to keep to ourselves. As a result, we, like Issachar, should provide leadership and point people to the transformative power of the cross.
By incorporating these insights into our understanding of the men of Issachar, we can navigate the challenges of the cultural civil war with discernment, seek unity amid division, apply Christian ethics, and cultivate a reasoned voice. As a result, we can contribute to a more constructive and transformative engagement in our culture, even amid heated rhetoric and ideological clashes.
May the Lord give us the wisdom and courage to apply these principles daily. May we be reconcilers, peacemakers, and bearers of Christ’s transformative power.
Faith impacts every aspect of life and that’s why we should always strive to grow our faith. A quick look at the church and we will see that there is a need for greater faith! We can grow our faith by looking to those who Jesus commended for their great trust.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry he encountered several people that showed great faith. There are only two occurrences in scripture where Jesus “marvelled.” Mark 6:7 says Jesus marveled at their unbelief (lack of faith). Luke 7:9 tells us that Jesus marveled at the centurions great faith. With our faith we have the ability to cause Jesus to marvel. The question is, will Jesus marvel at our belief or our unbelief? Let’s look at a few examples to imitate:
Example #1 Matthew 8:5-10
The centurion comes to Jesus with a faith that caused Jesus to marvel. It’s rare to find someone with this kind of faith. Many today have a hard time trusting others. And for good reason since many have evil intentions.
But we must be careful not to let this impact our faith in God. We can and should trust in the Lord! He cares for our well being and we can rely on Him. We can be wary of the world, but we should never believe God to be a liar. The centurion came to Jesus with a great faith.
Why was it great? Notice what he says to Jesus, “You don’t even have to come.” He believed that Jesus had the power to heal his servant without even being present. Most people in his position would have wanted to see Jesus heal them in person. That way you could watch Jesus do it, and watch the sickness leave. But the centurion was so confident in Christ that he knew his servant would be healed, even though he was separated from him. He saw Jesus for who He was. A man/God with power and authority.
In verse 13 we read the result of this great faith. The centurion’s faith was placed in the right thing. His faith paid off and his servant was healed “at that very moment.” He would go home to a perfectly healthy servant. And that’s the result of a great faith in the Almighty.
Example #2 Matthew 9:1-2
It says that Jesus “saw” their faith. They didn’t speak, they didn’t tell Jesus anything that showed faith. Jesus saw their faith. What did He see? He saw a group of people coming to Him carrying a paralytic. What faith did Jesus see? He saw people that came to Him for help.
They had a problem and they believed that Jesus could fix it. Do we see Jesus as the answer to our problems? Do we believe that He is what we need? Does Jesus see our faith? Do our actions show that we believe in Him?
These people saw Jesus as the master physician and they acted on their faith.
Example #3 Matthew 9:19-22
This woman’s faith was so strong she knew that just a touch would heal this problem that she had been dealing with for 12 years. She didn’t believe it was necessary for Jesus to look at her, lay hands on her, or speak. Just a touch would do the trick. Jesus responds by saying “your faith has made you well.” Jesus had the power, but the woman had the Faith to be healed. If she lacked faith she wouldn’t have been healed.
Example #4 Matthew 9:27-30
Jesus asks the men an important question, “Do you believe I can do this?” When we experience suffering and heartache what is our response? If Jesus came to you and asked, “Do you believe I can fix this?” How would you respond? These blind men came to Jesus and believed that He could heal them.
Vs. 29 says, “According to your faith be it done to you.” Once again their healing was based on the faith they possessed. God rewards those who have faith.
If you read through the accounts where Jesus heals the sick there’s a phrase that keeps coming up, “Your faith has made you well.”
Mark 10:52 “go your way, your faith has made you well”
Luke 7:50 “your faith has saved you, go in peace”
Luke 17:19 “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 18:42 “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”
Based on these verses, what quality saved them? Their faith. Which begs the question…
Will your faith save you? Do you believe in heaven and hell? Will your faith in God cause you to live according to His word? Will your faith save you? Or do you cause Jesus to marvel at your lack of belief?
