Tag: Jesus

What The Holy Spirit Will Never Do

Neal Pollard

There is no question that the Holy Spirit, as an everlasting personality of God, is unlimited in power.  He can do whatever it is possible for God to do, for He is God.  It is interesting to read or hear religious people, from preachers to other members, claiming or asserting things the Holy Spirit is doing in churches and lives today.  In fact, several of these claims demand an answer, principles from scripture that must be considered before such claims are believed and embraced.  What are some things the Holy Spirit will never do?

The Holy Spirit will never override our free will.  John Calvin, a 16th century protestant reformer, went to an extreme that placed salvation solely in God’s hands.  He contended that man did not have a part in it at all.  From this premise came five broad religious ideas that eventually became identified as Calvinism.  One of these tenets is called “irresistible grace,” the idea that those God chooses for salvation are led to faith by the work of the Holy Spirit upon the human heart.  Tragically, this false idea is supported by many in religion today.  Yet, Scripture makes it clear that even in the first century, when the Holy Spirit operated miraculously in confirming the spoken message of Christ, His apostles, and other early Christians, He never directly operated upon the human heart in a way that overtook or overwhelmed the free will of the individual.  Cornelius received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:48-49), but how was he saved?  Acts 11:14-15 indicates that it was words told to him whereby he and his house were to be saved.  1 Corinthians 1:18 tells us that God chose to save souls through the message preached.  One can look in the Bible from cover to cover and never find a statement or implication that God acts directly upon the human heart in a way that overtakes our will and leads us to belief and salvation.  Scripture repeatedly urges man to choose for himself, if he wills (Rev. 22:17; Matt. 11:28-30; etc.).  The Holy Spirit works powerfully upon the human heart to persuade man to obey God, but He does so through the powerful word (Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:16).  This message is so compelling and convicting, but God has left it to our free will to decide whether to accept or reject this message.

The Holy Spirit will never contradict revealed truth.  Increasing claims are made in churches today about what the Spirit is working in churches to accomplish.  Often, the Spirit has been given credit for a church’s change of policy in women’s role, how or on what to spend money (such as for a grandiose campus), or even a strange, new doctrine.  Such assertions, however, ring hollow.  If these contentions were true, such would reflect most negatively on the character and nature of God.  The result of God revealing one thing in scripture, then revealing something else directly, is contradiction and confusion (cf. 1 Cor. 14:40).  God claimed that He was giving us His will for all people of all time (John 14:26; 16:13; Jude 3, 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3).  If He is still revealing new truth through the Spirit, was He right in those passages?  If He is still revealing new truth through the Spirit, how does this not reflect on His honesty?  God cannot lie (cf. Ti. 1:2), but those who claim Holy Spirit guidance in revealing new truth today, if they are correct, make Him such.

The Holy Spirit will never assert what cannot be confirmed.  Considering the work of Moses, then the later prophets, Jesus, His apostles, and others who asserted that their message was directly from God, one finds miracles being performed which confirmed without doubt the source of the message.  Without such tangible confirmation, how does the one who receives the claim know that claim to be true?  Anyone can claim that the Spirit revealed something to them or told them to do something, but how can anyone know they are right without clear confirmation?  That is what Aaron’s rod was for.  Isaiah (7:14), Jeremiah (44:29), Zechariah (3:8), and others all pointed to a sign that would confirm the veracity of their message.  History bears witness to the truthfulness of their claims (cf. Deut. 18:22).  After the church was established, Paul was already teaching in the first century that the miraculous gifts would not be needed once the written word was completed (1 Cor. 13:8-12).  God has never left Himself unsubstantiated.  How do we confirm doctrine?  We go to the Word God breathed.  It reveals His thoughts and His will.  He will not sanction men’s unconfirmed claims, and we are wise not to rest our hopes on such.  It is a dangerous and unfounded precedent to simply claim divine guidance without proof.  With such an approach, every person can claim a certain revelation, guidance, and heavenly message.  Without confirmation, no one’s claims can be tested!

The Holy Spirit is Divine, living, and powerful.  As God, He is at work in lives today.  He indwells the Christian (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14; etc.).  He strengthens the inner man (Eph. 3:16).  However, may we never fall prey to the false ideas that man creates and that cannot be verified by scripture (cf. 1 John 4:1).  The Bible exists for the reason of testing such ideas as these.  It must be the standard that proves and disproves men’s claims today.  Know for certain that the Holy Spirit does not today, nor has He ever, overtaken man’s free will.  He will never lead one to a conclusion or teaching that contradicts the Word He inspired holy men of God to pen.  If one claims a Holy Spirit-given message that is more, less, or different from scripture, it must be rejected!  If the alleged Holy Spirit-given message is the same as scripture, then why would God have given us scripture in the first place if He was going to directly dispense the same message apart from the Word?  Finally, He will never allow men to pass off as truth that which they cannot confirm in some way that proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the message is divinely given.  Let God’s people be diligent students of the Bible and as such able to discern right and wrong in such matters as these!

God’s “Seal Training”

Jon Paschal

During the mask era, while I was playing on social media, I found this inspirational speech made by Navy Seal Admiral William H. McRaven during the 2014 University of Texas in Austin commencement.

Most of you are aware that the Navy Seals make up the tip of the spear for our military. Although I do not have the distinction of having trained with them, I have known a few and I can tell you they are some of the most tested, battle hardened, and confident men you will ever encounter.

Wouldn’t it be great to have similar confidence, spiritual fortitude, and faith like a seal has? I believe this is the faith described by Jesus in Matthew 17:20 and displayed by Peter as he steps from a boat of full of scared men out on to the waves of the lake in a storm expecting walk on water to his Lord.

I highly recommend you listen to the admiral’s speech. His 10 key points are very similar to a lot of Bible lessons.

1. Start off by making your bed. This may sound a little silly, but the premise is that if you complete something simple it can build a level of confidence. This confidence carries with you through the day as you attempt to overcome harder tasks. -This is a lot like little prayers before you start on a difficult task. Just like Nehemiah asking for direction, protection, and strength, I guarantee a short plea to God will be way easier to accomplish than anything else you do. And the knowledge that you have requested the assistance from God, the one entity that can make you overcome all obstacles is quite comforting. His will might not be for you to succeed every time, but by asking you have a better opportunity than not asking and it will bring you closer to the Lord.

2. Find someone to help you paddle – This is a lot like Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”.

3. Measure a person by the size of the heart, not the size of their flippers – This is a lot like Matthew 7:15-20 where Jesus says to measure a person by their fruits.

4. Get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward. When the admiral failed in BUD/S training, he ended up wet and covered with sand or, as he referred to, as a sugar cookie. -Basically, sometimes no matter how hard you try you still fail. And even though you fail we must be like Paul in Philippians 3:13-14 “forgetting what lies behind” and “press on toward the goal”.

5. Don’t be afraid of the circuses. Circuses are the extra work that the would-be seals must do when they fail a test to build strength. – And like in James 1:2-4 these extra trials produce steadfastness and make you complete.

6. Sometimes you have to slide down an obstacle headfirst – basically you must use your personal skills to do things more efficiently. In Matthew 25:14-32 the 5 and 2 talent men illustrate this point.

7. Don’t back down from the sharks – This story exemplifies overcoming fear like Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous… for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.” Or Isaiah 41:1-20, which says, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you”

8. You must be your very best in the darkest moment- This lesson is similar to what Paul provides to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:11-16 “Fight the good fight of the faith”

9. Start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud- Singing can help lighten a mood and strengthen your resolve. I believe this is why Psalm 96 teaches us to sing to Lord, daily.

10. Don’t ever, ever ring the bell. – Never give up. Look at the stories of Job, the apostles, and Jesus. All went through great adversity and never stopped praising God.

Although most of us will never be a navy seal, we can take the admiral’s stories along with what the Bible has taught us to do our part in changing the world and make us better Christians.

Crucified With Christ

Carl Pollard

In Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul states, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” This concept speaks to the core of what it means to follow Jesus and to experience a true relationship with the Father.

Identity

To be “crucified with Christ” is identification with Jesus in His death on the cross. This concept is not merely theoretical; it speaks to the reality of what happens when we follow Christ. It involves a change where the old self—marked by sin and separation from God—is put to death. In this sense, it represents a fresh start, a new beginning in our life

Freedom

One of the most powerful implications of being crucified with Christ is the freedom it brings from the power of sin. As Christians, we believe that through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are no longer bound by our sinful nature. Instead, we are free to live in a way that reflects God’s love and righteousness. Romans 6:6 emphasizes this by stating, “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with.” This freedom allows us to break free from guilt and shame, and serve God with everything in us! 

Change

Being crucified with Christ also speaks to the transformation that occurs in our lives. When we follow Christ, we are not only forgiven but also made new. This transformation is an ongoing process, allowing us to reflect Christ’s character in our lives. The Spirit works within us, producing the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, etc. Crucify yourself with Christ, and what used to define you will be no more. You are a totally new person in Christ! 

Perspective 

Living out the truth of being crucified with Christ requires daily surrender. It means recognizing that life is no longer about our own desires but about living in accordance with God’s will. This surrender can be challenging, but it is essential for spiritual growth. It forces us to let go of our worries and fears, trusting that God is in control.

Ultimately, being crucified with Christ calls for a life of faith. It means trusting in Jesus for every aspect of life, knowing that He is present and active. Living by faith helps us to navigate life’s uncertainties with hope and confidence, rooted in the promises of God.

Isaiah: Trusting The Holy One Who Rules The World (XXIX)

The Righteous King And The Spirit (32:1-20)

Neal Pollard

It is difficult to say whether or not the king in verse one is Messianic, especially since he is mentioned in tandem with princes who also rule. Yet, his coming is mentioned in connection with the Spirit being poured upon God’s people from on high (15). The princes may refer to those subordinated to this king, whether apostles or disciples. Of course, there is a contextual meaning as with previous Messianic passages (7:14; 9:6,7). The more immediate application, if this is dual-fulfillment, could apply either to Hezekiah or Josiah, since the general time line is close to the invasion of the Assyrians in 701 B.C. Contrasted with a more hopeful future is the disastrous leadership of the current rulers. 

The hope of a better day is set against the spiritual troubles of the present. Whereas there is wind and drought (2,13), blindness and deafness (3), hastiness and deficiency (4), folly and dishonor (5), sin and error (6), and weak women (9-12), Isaiah says these will be done away by a better day. He also writes of the turning point that will happen with the coming of the Spirit (15-20). The blessings include fruitfulness (15), justice and righteousness (16), peace (17), security (18), and prosperity (19-20).

Is Isaiah referring to the spiritual blessings to come in the day of Christ? I believe so. Yet, I also think in the more immediate sense that Isaiah portrays the day that would come after the oppression of foreign invaders when the nation returns. They were about to endure some intensely frightening things as a means of turning their hearts back to God (9-14). What Isaiah holds forth would come after this. Ultimately, the spiritual blessings that would come with the appearance of the Messiah would bless “the people who walk in darkness [that] will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them” (9:2; Mat. 4:16)!

Beauty

Gary Pollard

This week’s question is a new one for me: What is beauty? A follow-up question some of you may ask is, “What does that have to do with Christianity?” More than we might think! Beauty is a powerful evidence of intelligent design, an aspect of reality that inspires both fear and wonder. 

God shows us what he’s like through what he created. As Paul puts it, “There are things about God that people can’t see — his eternal power and all that makes him God. But since the beginning of the world, those things have been easy for people to understand. They are made clear in what God has made, so people have no excuse for the evil they do” (Rom 1.20). 

Inquisitive minds have marveled at the beauty/symmetry of nature for millennia. A pattern is obvious in so many seemingly-unrelated things! The “Golden Ratio” under various names has been important to our study of reality for thousands of years. It can be seen in the number of leaves on a stem, in the pattern of a nautilus shell, and even the proportions of our faces.1 Not all of us are remotely mathematically minded (at least I’m not), but I don’t need to understand the properties of Φ to appreciate its role in nature’s beauty! I have eyeballs and some level of consciousness, so it’s self-evident. 

The question wasn’t, “Why is beauty important to a believer?” Some consider this topic irrelevant or unimportant or even repulsive, but beauty plays such a powerful role in showcasing God’s unlimited power and love!

So what is beauty? In nature, it is symmetry and something that inspires awe. Snowcapped mountains and roaring seas each have their own beauty (see I Cor 15.40-41 for other examples). Awe is fear with beauty, the goosebumps we might get when we see something truly incredible or terrifying.2 God made nature and people beautiful as an expression of himself! From almost the very beginning, humanity’s enemies hijacked beauty to interact with it in ways God never intended. There’s nothing new under the sun — beauty is just one of a few things God created for good that have potential for abuse. 

In the abstract, beauty is (at least in part) whatever we might call “good” or “beneficial”. When someone helps another person we call that “beautiful”. When a person’s actions and disposition align with what is good, we call that “beautiful”. It is difficult to describe, but God has written a moral code in each person’s heart. Some listen to it, many do not. But we don’t have to delineate this code to know when something is beautiful! Anything done by that ethic is beautiful. 

So God created humans in his own image. He created them to be like himself. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, “Have many children. Fill the earth and take control of it. … God looked at everything he had made. And he saw that everything was very good” (Gen 1.27-28, 31). 

 1 Examples of the golden ratio you can find in nature. (n.d.) Sacramento State University. https://www.csus.edu/indiv/m/mirzaagham/math1/SQ5.pdf
2 See also Mcphetres, J. & Zickfield, J. (09.2022). The physiological study of emotional piloerection: A systematic review and guide for future research. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 179 (pp. 6-20). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.06.010

Isaiah: Trusting The Holy One Who Rules The World (XXVIII)

Who Do You Trust (31:1-9)?

Neal Pollard

This fifth woe again centers around the foolish choice of trusting man instead of God. We sometimes sing, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own” (cf. 3). The sentiment of Isaiah’s words in this relatively brief chapter supports such an admonition. 

The call of the first three verses is to look to and call upon God rather than trust in the Egyptians for refuge and protection. Everything they desired from Egypt they already had in God. What Judah wanted from this nation it could not deliver, but those very things were ready resources available from One whose resources are inexhaustible. How foolish to misplace trust like that! There is no infallible human helper. Once again, Isaiah uses the imagery of God with an outstretched hand. When He does so, men feel His omnipotence.  So, what does God want from Judah?

Faith in God’s rescue and protection (4-5). Isaiah urges this through two examples from the animal kingdom. God would be as fierce as a lion honed in on its prey, undeterred by any action by human shepherds to keep it from its goal. God would be as protective as birds which hover over its eggs or chicks, keeping away predators. God’s fierce love and care for Judah is illustrated with both power and tenderness!

Genuine return and repentance (6-7).  Look at the elements of repentance called for here. First, there must be a turning to Him from defection or revolting. This describes an awareness that we have been disloyal and disobedient, but that we understand how wrong this is! It also involves a turning away from the sinful actions that grieved God in the first place. Here, it was casting away idols of silver and gold (7). What a useful illustration of what true repentance is, turning from wrong and turning to God. 

Patience to wait for God’s judgment (8-9). That God is behind the coming punishment of Assyria is made clear by the close of this chapter. They will fall by God’s sword of judgment, whoever the men are who may be holding it. God is the fire and furnace that will consume Assyria when He says the time is right. God’s character is trustworthy, and He will do what is right when it is best.

These are timeless principles. We have a choice about who to trust for our help and strength. It is easy to rely on ourselves, our nation, or some earthly resource which we can see, but we are called to lean on the Everlasting Arms. It is essential to return to God from wherever we have wrongly gone to find refuge. It is enlightened to rest in God’s sure response to the wicked! 

“Who Do People Say I Am?”

Neal Pollard

Mark 8:27ff is the pivotal moment of Mark’s gospel. Before the conversation in this section of Scripture, Mark records 20 miracles performed by Jesus. There are only six miracles recorded in the last half of Mark, which follows this conversation. People have been marveling at Jesus and people have been trying to determine who He is. So Jesus’ question here, “Who do people say that I am?,” is not just important for the disciples walking with Jesus in Mark 8, but for those of us who read the book today. Notice a few answers we glean from Mark 8:27-9:1.

He is “Jesus” (27). The name means “Savior,” and is, in fact, the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Joshua” (“Jehovah saves”). Matthew connects the name and the person of this Jesus with the salvation He came to bring. An angel of the Lord explains to Joseph, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (1:20-21).  “Jesus” also expresses His humanity, as it is the name He goes by and even used with His hometown when He is called “Jesus of Nazareth” (1:24; 10:47). The fact that my Savior shares my humanity encourages me. I know He can empathize with me (Heb. 2:14; 4:15; 5:7). 

He is “Christ” (29). While this designation of Jesus is found seven times in the gospel, He does not use it of Himself until after Peter confesses Him to be the Christ (9:41; 12:35; 13:21). It is this claim that enrages the High Priest (14:61) and draws the mockery of the crowd at His crucifixion (15:32). “Christ” means “anointed one” or “Messiah.” In the Old Testament, the anticipated deliverer is called “Anointed” (Ps. 2:2) and “Messiah” (Dan. 9:25-26). Kings (1 Sam. 24:7), priests (Lev. 4:3), and the patriarchs (Ps. 105:15) are said to be anointed. All of these have connection to Jesus. He came to become “King of kings” (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16). He is our great High Priest (Heb. 4:14). Those patriarchs are part of the Messianic lineage. No wonder Jesus (John 14:6) and His disciples (Acts 4:12) communicate that salvation from sin can only come through Him. Peter correctly discerned that Jesus is no mere prophet or harbinger. He is the expected deliverer. I must come to, live with, and share with others this conviction! That fact is the central difference in how I live my daily life!

He is “Son of Man” (31,38). Jesus connects this designation with more than one thing. First, He connects it to His upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection (31). Then, He connects it to His Lordship (8:34-9:1). Properly understood, “Son of Man” will “convey if possible a (messianic) sense of dignity, authority, and responsibility. Strictly to be avoided is any translation which would equate the title merely with ‘man,’ ‘a human being” (Bratcher-Nida, Handbook on Mark, 81). It is Mark’s most common designation for Jesus, found thirteen times in this book (2:10,28; 8:31,38; 9:9,12,31; 10:33,45; 13:26; 14:21,41,62). But by using this designation, which Jews would equate with authority and majesty (Dan. 7:13-14), Jesus is connecting dots in revealing the great mystery of God’s eternal plan. The majestic Messiah was about to suffer. It’s this aspect that Paul shares with us in the necessary development of our mindset, illustrated by God emptying Himself and lowering Himself for the purpose of sacrificing His life for us (Phil. 2:5-8). When I consider this designation for my Savior, I am reminded of the greatness of service and His worthiness to be completely followed and obeyed. But, His suffering does not indicate weakness, but rather power (9:1). The Lamb will one day be the Judge. 

In his book The Essence Of Life: The Book Of Answers, Ralph B. Smith noted that children ask 125 questions per day (many parents can attest to this being a reasonable estimation). Adults ask only six questions per day, on average. Yet, there is one question we all must ask and properly answer. Who do we say that He is (29)? Is He my Savior? Is He my King and High Priest? Is He my Deliverer? Is He my Lord and Master? Is He my Authority? He must be my everything and my all! If not, I have missed who He is but I will also miss all He came to offer. I cannot do that! 

Encouragement

Travis Harrison

It’s not hard in today’s world to find things that discourage us. There are plenty of things that can bring us down. At times it really does feel like wherever we go, whatever we do, or say, there is something ready to discourage us. Unfortunately, people can be those roadblocks as well. That’s far from what we as Christians are called to do.

It was important in the days of the early church to encourage one another. So important that God commands it. It was important to God then – its important now.  Thankfully we have blessings such as the church and our church family to help us through those discouraging times. How do we go about finding ways to encourage each other? Is it the way we speak or how we live, or is it in our faith? Is it all the above? The fellowship we have with our friends, our family, along with worshipping and singing praises, and studying God’s Word are just a few. These are blessings that we receive when we meet together no doubt, but let’s not contain our encouragements just to the assembly. Our everyday lives are just as important and those around us everywhere need to feel encouraged regularly.  I just want to share briefly a few examples of what the Bible says about encouraging others and ways we can do just that.

Encouraging others is important, it’s necessary, it’s a command. Paul was one, if not the, most influential apostles of the first century church. He was a great teacher, preacher, mentor, and guess what? He was great at encouraging people. At the beginning of most of his letters he would begin with words of praise and thanks. (1 Thess. 1:2-3,) (Phil. 1:3-8,) (1 Cor. 1:4-5) are a few examples. In (Romans 1:12) Paul writes that he longs to be with them so that they can encourage one another in the faith. These types of encouragements were part of his everyday life.

We can’t discuss encouragement without mentioning Barnabas, the “son of encouragement.” He is mentioned several times in the New Testament, but he wasn’t a main character like Paul – he played a smaller, but still very important role.  Paul spent his early life persecuting Christians. The people of the first churches, as well as the disciples feared this man, and rightfully so. After he became a Christian, the disciples didn’t believe he was one of them, so what did Barnabas do? He encouraged Paul by standing up for him in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-31). He was a fellow missionary with Paul, Mark, Titus, and others. He encouraged those in Antioch to remain faithful in the Lord with steadfast purpose, (Acts 11:23.) Paul and Barnabas visited these churches, they taught, and they lived out their teachings. They encouraged them in their works and through their faith. They instilled hope, strengthening the church’s faith. (1Thessalonians 5:11) – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We can all benefit from their examples. 

Let’s face it, life is hard at times. Certain situations bring us discouragement and can distort and change our thinking. Who wouldn’t want to be encouraged and uplifted in these hard times?  It might not seem like a big deal to some, but kind words of encouragement and praise could make all the difference in the world. (Proverbs 16:24) – Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (Proverbs 12:25) -Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. We shouldn’t be surprised that little things like sending a card or giving a compliment, sending a text message, phone call or email, could make a big difference. How underrated but so appreciated those things can be!  It’s hard not to smile and be filled with some kind of encouragement if someone messages you to say they’ve missed you, and been thinking about you, been praying for you.  Check in on those you haven’t seen recently – Invite someone new to dinner – someone not typically in your crowd or someone new to the church. Practice hospitality as it says in (Romans 12:13.) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor, (Romans 12:10.) 

When we encourage people we show our love, compassion, understanding, and we give them hope. It helps reset our minds, builds our confidence in each other, and allows us to see God more clearly. More than anything we are showing others how we live our faith just as Paul and Barnabas did. We show we want to be like Christ and people can see God through our actions towards them. Encouragement is powerful! Just remember that sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impacts. 

Love For God

Carl Pollard

When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment of all, He quoted the Shema. In Hebrew, “Hear o Israel,” is “Sh’ma Yes’ra’eil.” This wasn’t anything new, but was an essential verse. It is the first a Jewish child will memorize. The question of the most important commandment had long been settled among God’s people, “Love the Lord God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and might.” And all of Israel knew that truth since God was clear on this to begin with. Knowing the truth was the easy part. Acting on it was another story. 

Jesus fulfilled this command perfectly. He loved God completely. He depended on God through prayer, knowing the Scriptures, and submitting to God’s will even at the cost of His life. What does it take to love God completely? In Mark 10:17-22, another man approached Jesus, desperately wanting to please God. He runs up, falls on his knees before Jesus, and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answers with, “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

The man said he had kept them all. Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

This man couldn’t do it. He left, overwhelmed with emotion. Turns out he was very rich. What was the problem? This man loved his wealth too much to give it all away, and until he was willing to make that sacrifice he could not have the one thing he lacked: Jesus. 

Once we realize who Jesus is and what He offers us, there is nothing we wouldn’t give to have Him. Jesus loved the “rich young ruler,” but the man who came to him couldn’t part with the things he loved. That’s exactly how it is today, a Savior who loves us, but we can’t seem to love Him enough to sacrifice. When people see this kind of sacrificial love for God, they never forget it. Those who love God with their entire being leave a legacy that isn’t quickly forgotten. 

There are many to this day we can all think of who left a powerful legacy because of their love for God. The Plague of Cyprian came along a couple centuries after the time of Jesus. One document says that in Rome, where a million people lived, as many as 5,000 died per day. This plague terrified people. It was so devastating that when the first symptoms appeared some villages simply emptied out, leaving the sick behind. There was no cure. There was no hope. So they left sick family members in their beds and ran for their lives. But Christians didn’t run. They stayed and brought water to the sick. They fed them. They changed their bandages. They loved and encouraged them. And they even got sick in the process.

There’s no telling how many people came to Christ because Christians served, and there’s no telling how many Christians lost their lives because they stayed behind. People were stunned at the love these Christians showed to the sick. This is why the Roman Empire changed so dramatically. 

They couldn’t ignore the actions of people who loved God so much that they would be willing to give up their lives. And in the same way, when we sacrifice on behalf of others, they will see our love. The church that sacrificially loves and cares for its community will discover that it holds more power than any person or group in power. 

There’s no single action that defines a person who loves God completely, but fulfilling the royal law will always speak volumes of our love for God.

Beyond The Fruit

Recognizing The “Big Three” Temptations In The Bible And Today

Brent Pollard

The number three is significant in many areas, reflecting its longstanding presence in human consciousness and the natural world. Often, it represents balance, harmony, and the union of opposites, making it a powerful symbol in spiritual practices. The “rule of threes” is a common phenomenon, likely due to confirmation bias, where people tend to notice and remember patterns more quickly, leading them to attribute significance to events that occur in threes.

The number three holds significant importance in religious contexts, especially in Christianity. In 1 John 2.16, John identifies three fundamental categories of temptation leading to sin: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These categories offer insight into the underlying causes of human moral struggles, with most sins attributable to one or a combination of these three factors.

This pattern of temptation is evident in several biblical narratives:

The Beguiling of Eve (Genesis 3.1–6):

  1. Lust of the flesh: The fruit was “good for food.”
  2. Lust of the eyes: It was “a delight to the eyes.”
  3. Pride of life: It was “desirable to make one wise.”

The Choice of Lot (Genesis 13.10–13)

  1. Lust of the flesh: Fertile plains to support abundant livestock.
  2. Lust of the eyes: The appealing appearance of the land.
  3. Pride of life: Desire for social and economic advancement near Sodom.

The Temptation of Jesus (Luke 4.1–13)

  1. Lust of the flesh: Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread.
  2. Lust of the eyes: Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.
  3. Pride of life: Satan challenged Jesus to prove His divinity by jumping from the temple.

These examples show how the “big three” temptations shaped human decision-making and moral choices throughout biblical history. Recognizing these patterns allows us to understand better temptation and how it affects human behavior.

In today’s world, Christians face similar temptations in various forms. The lust of the flesh manifests itself in overconsumption, addiction, and sexual immorality (Galatians 5.16–17). The lust of the eyes manifests itself in materialism, covetousness, and the constant pursuit of the next best thing (1 John 2.15–17). The relentless pursuit of status, power, and self-importance gives rise to life’s pride (James 4.6). However, just as Jesus resisted temptation by referring to Scripture (Luke 4.4, 8, 12), modern believers are encouraged to arm themselves with God’s Word (Ephesians 6.17). They are encouraged to “flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” (2 Timothy 2.22), remembering that God has provided a way out of every temptation (1 Corinthians 10.13). By recognizing these patterns of temptation and actively seeking God’s guidance, Christians can navigate the complexities of modern life while remaining spiritually intact.

…

From The Problem To The Solution

Neal Pollard

Discussing a spiritual problem with one of our excellent elders, we were trying to pinpoint how our subject could be making the choices they were making. I said the problem starts with “s” and ends with “n.” He quickly said, the solution also starts with “s” and ends with “n.” Look at the difference at not just a single vowel, but what is represented by both.

Sin is a “contrary desire” (Gen. 4:7). Sin is “against God” (Gen. 39:9). Sin blots one out of God’s book (Ex. 32:33). Sin can be doing what God has not commanded to be done (Lev. 5:17). Sin is to act unfaithfully against the Lord (Lev. 6:2; Num. 5:6). Sin causes one to become guilty (Lev. 6:4). Sin is “impurity” (Lev. 16:16). Sin is to act with hostility against God (Lev. 26:24,28). Sin is to go astray (Num. 15:28). Sin is “doing evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke Him to anger” (Dt. 9:18). Sin is “transgression” (Josh. 24:19). Sin is to forsake the Lord (1 Sa. 12:10). Sin is linked to guilt (2 Chr. 28:13). Sin is synonymous with “rebellion” (Job 13:23). Sin can make one “full of anxiety” (Ps. 38:18). Sin is spiritual filth (Ps. 51:2). Sin is an injury to self (Pr. 8:36). Sin is “a disgrace to any people” (Pr. 14:34). Sin weighs one down with iniquity (Is. 1:4). Sins are like a heavy mist (Is. 44:22). Our sins testify against us (Is. 59:12). Sin withholds good against us (Jer. 5:25). Sin brings spiritual death (Ezk. 18:4,20). Sin is to “act wickedly” and turn aside from God’s commandments and ordinances (Dan. 9:5). Sin is “impurity” (Zech. 13:1). Sin a “fault” (Mt. 18:15). Sin brings death (Jn. 8:21; Rom. 6:23; Js. 1:15). Sin is enslaving (Jn. 8:34). Sin is common to all (Rom. 3:23). Sin can come to reign in our bodies (Rom. 6:12). Sin is “whatever is not of faith” (Rom. 14:23). Sin is synonymous with “trespasses” (Eph. 2:1). Sin may be led on by various impulses (2 Tim. 3:6). Sin is perverting and self-condemning (Ti. 3:11). Sin is “deceitful” (Heb. 3:13). Sin is “entangling” (Heb. 12:1). Sin is knowing the right thing and not doing it (Js. 4:17). Sin is “unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 5:17). Sin is “of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8). 

Oh, but the Son! The passages about Him exceed even those about sin! The Son came to take away sins (Rom. 11:27; 1 Jn. 3:5). He came to destroy sin’s power (1 Jn. 3:8). The Son condemned sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3). The Son cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn. 1:7). That only begins to scratch the surface of the power of the Son to absolve us of the guilt of sin, if we desire to put sin away and come to Him. 

What will give us the strength and heart to turn from the sin to the Son? Maybe the difference is in those vowels, “I” and “O.” When I truly understand my debt, I will deal with this problem. Sin is a spiritual debt “I owe.” I cannot pay it. But the Son can (Col. 2:14)! As the song suggests, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.” Yet, to exchange a debt of guilt for a debt of gratitude is the difference between a life of misery and a life of fulfillment, the difference between an eternity of regret and an eternity of rejoicing. 

The Bible is devoted to alerting us to our problem, but equally devoted to sharing the solution! May we have the humility and honesty to seek it! 

Destroyed

Gary Pollard

It’s probably safe to assume we believe strongly that Jesus is our savior. But what does that mean? It means that Jesus is going to rescue us from something bad. You don’t save someone from a good situation. Salvation always implies the existence of a negative circumstance. Jesus is the one who will take us out of that negative circumstance and place us in a perfect one. What is this negative circumstance? To understand this, we have to study the word translated “salvation” (σωτηρια). God told us what his son will save us from. 

  1. Hb 11.7 — Noah was saved from the flood, meaning that he and his family didn’t drown with the rest of the world. 
  2. Acts 7.25 — Moses thought the people of Israel would understand that God sent him to save them from Egypt, but they didn’t. Their salvation meant rescue from Egypt. 
  3. Lk 1.68-79 — God speaks through John the baptist’s father, saying that God would save Israel from their enemies and from the power of those who hate them. 
  4. Phil 1.28 — Paul says that suffering for Christ is proof that he will save us while our enemies will be lost; word for lost here is απωλεια which means “destruction”. We will be saved from destruction. 
  5. II Cor 7.10 — Paul says that the kind of sorrow God wants to see leads us to avoiding the fate of evil people. 
  6. I Thess 5.9 — Paul connects salvation/rescue to Jesus’s return, whether we’re alive or dead; this rescue means we live with him when the ungodly are destroyed. 
  7. Hb 5.9 — The Hebrews writer says that Jesus will save us from death, just like God saved him from death. 
  8. I Pt 1.9 — Peter makes it clear that our salvation comes after death when Jesus returns. 
  9. II Pt 3.7 — Peter says that the current earth and sky are being preserved for a specific fate: judgment of earth in the form of consuming fire and the destruction of ungodly men. A few verses later, our fate is very different. Our rescue means that we won’t suffer the fate of ungodly men. 
  10. Lk 21.28 — Jesus commands his followers to stand up and shake off their fear when sun, moon, and stars all show some kind of terrifying indication that the world is ending — he says, “Know that it is almost time for God to save you.” From what? Earth’s destruction!

So we’ve established two things: One, Jesus is the one who saves. We have no hope for salvation through any other source. Two, we are being saved from three things — 1. Sin 2. Death 3. Destruction. All three of those things are pretty much interchangeable. Sin is death and sinners will be “destroyed” at the end. Every person on this planet will be made immortal when Jesus returns. The difference is that our immortal bodies will leave this earth with Jesus when he comes back, and everyone else will suffer on this earth as it burns. Jesus is saving us from the fate of the wicked at the end by saving us from our sins. 

Never Give Up!

Jermie Emmanuel

If you like fishing, you know it can be fun; and overwhelming sometimes.

 One  day I was just sitting at home and one of my friends invited me over to go fishing with them,  so I packed my gears and went. On that day I did not catch anything, not even a little fish. On the second I got invited over to go fishing but still I did not catch any fish. On the third day I got invited again so I packed  my gear and went and I caught a big fish! That third trip taught me something, to never give up.

Just like the story of Daniel as we read about in in (Daniel 6:10). He never gave up. He prayed to God three time a day and he never stopped praying and God delivered him from the lion’s den.  

Or the story of Abraham, as we read about it in Romans 4:18-21. He never gave up. He kept believing he would have a son and trusted God. 

 We can also learn something from the story of Job as we read about it in James 5:11. Job didn’t give up when he was suffering. He kept waiting for God’s help.  

 Or as we read in Luke 8:40-48 about the bleeding woman. She didn’t give up trying to be healed. She came to Jesus and he healed her.

Or as we read it in John 17:4. Jesus didn’t give up on saving us!

So we shouldn’t give up either;  just because you are having a bad day or dealing with a life crisis that shouldn’t stop you or discourage you from praying to God. Leave you worries to God. You know that He will never leave you if you keep on seeking Him first. And stay courageous because there’s a happy ending and endless joy in God’s kingdom!

Do not give up!

(Jermie is a refugee originally from the Congo who came to the International Center in Bowling Green. He obeyed the gospel only a few months ago! He was invited by another new Christian and fellow refugee, Jonas Gwishi, who was invited by one of our young adults, Chase Johnson)

Selfless Prayer

Carl Pollard

Our prayers can have a tendency to be self centered. Whether we mean to or not, our prayers can end up being all about our problems and needs. God wants to help us, but prayer is so powerful we should be thrilled at the ability we have to pray to God for others. 

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Do you love others? Mention them by name to God. There’s nothing greater you could do than to thank God for His children by name. Take the church directory, scroll through and pray for each family by name. If we all did this, there would be blessings on end. 

Jesus was not selfish with His prayers. In John 17 Jesus prays for His disciples. There is so much love in the words He spoke. He prayed for their faith, their strength, their work. He prayed for us who would believe in the teachings of the apostles. He prayed that they would persevere, that they would have unity, He prayed for growth. He spent time in prayer over the ones He loved. And that includes us! 

He continues to pray for us today. Hebrews 7:25 gives us the most encouraging news about our Savior. Jesus has made it His constant purpose to pray for you and me. 

“He.” Jesus stands in the gap making petitions to God on my behalf. He is our representative. He is our mediator in salvation and our mediator in heaven.

“Always.” Permanence and authority are in the role that Jesus plays. Jesus never stops praying for us. He is always at our disposal before the throne of heaven pleading our case and sharing our cause with the Father.

“Lives.” Jesus is alive to fulfill his role. His resurrection proves that Jesus is alive, but what is he doing with all that time at his disposal? He is praying for you and me. Christ’s life in heaven is his prayer for us.

“To intercede.” The word means “to meet, to approach, to appeal, to make petition. Intercession involves our Lord’s representation of his people at the throne of God. Through Christ, believers are able to draw near to God in prayer. Sometimes I do not know what to pray or even how to pray, but Jesus does. He goes before the Father with my concerns. Jesus always knows how to pray as He should.

The prayer life of Jesus…that’s a humbling study. He goes above and beyond what I have ever done. Throughout the gospels we find a prayerful Savior. Prayed over food (Matt. 14:19-21). Prayed in stress (John 17). Prayed alone (Mark 1:35). Prayed often (Luke 5:16). Prayed for others (John 17:9).

He Prayed with His Heart. Jesus gave His all. And He continues to give today! 

The Unimpressed Judge: A Warning Against Lawlessness

Brent Pollard

On January 21, 2004, a state trooper pulled over the renowned folk musician Art Garfunkel for speeding in upstate New York. During the stop, the trooper discovered marijuana in Garfunkel’s jacket, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. Despite Garfunkel’s protests, the trooper issued him a ticket, seemingly unfazed by the musician’s celebrity status.

This anecdote raises an intriguing question: how many people will react similarly to Garfunkel on the Day of Judgment, expecting their earthly accomplishments to be significant? Jesus Christ himself addressed this issue by saying:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7.21-23 NASB95)

Jesus’s words reveal a sobering truth: many will attempt to leverage their reputation among people to impress Jesus, but their efforts will be in vain. Even if they have performed remarkable deeds, they will face the consequences of their actions if they do not align with God’s will.

Are you consistently doing good deeds in the name of Jesus throughout the week? The important question is: are you truly fulfilling God’s will? It’s easy to get caught up in our responsibilities and forget the duties God expects us to carry out. For example, the Pharisees were careful to tithe on herbs like anise, mint, and cumin, but they neglected the more important aspects of the Law, as mentioned in Matthew 23.23. The Mosaic Law required tithing on agricultural produce (see Deuteronomy 14.22), but it didn’t require tithing on herbs. So, we could see the Pharisees’ actions as self-imposed, stricter rules meant to enhance their status among people. However, Jesus was not impressed because their actions disregarded God’s will.

May you stand before the Judge of mankind (as referenced in Romans 14.12) with unwavering confidence, knowing that your actions were guided by God’s will. Otherwise, be prepared to hear Him say, “Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.”

Why You Must Repent

Carl Pollard

There’s a story told of a man who came forward every Sunday to ask for prayers. 

He continued responding every week for several months. Every time he would confess this same sin he would say, “Lord, take the cobwebs out of my life.” 

Finally, one Sunday, the man responded again with the same sin, and asked for the cobwebs to be taken out of his life. To which the preacher responded, “just kill the spider already.” Often, we come to God asking for forgiveness from the same sin time and time again, and yet we continue to leave the source of temptation in our lives. 

Sin always requires forgiveness. Forgiveness requires repentance. Repentance requires change! Repentance is a topic we are all familiar with. The word repent/repentance is used over 170 times in the Bible It is stressed as a part of the process by which we are forgiven of our sin. Verses like Acts 2:38 come to mind when we hear this word. To repent means to change your mind which leads to a change in direction. It means to feel remorse for sin, and it includes a change in lifestyle. 

When faced with temptation, true repentance is choosing not to sin. When caught in sin, repentance is a godly remorse. It is sincerity in your desire to “go and sin no more.” We understand this. It’s important for the born again Christian, but also for those who are wanting to be immersed and added to the body of Christ. 

We know what it is, but we also need to realize what it isn’t. Repentance isn’t just feeling sad. Paul tells us that worldly remorse is just feeling sorry that you were caught. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Godly grief that leads to repentance is remorse that you have sinned against the God of our salvation. 

Worldly repentance is hollow and empty. 

It isn’t feeling remorse just because you were caught doing what you shouldn’t. True repentance is so much more. True repentance does not regret parting with sin, false repentance does. True repentance hates sin, false repentance hates the consequences of sin. True repentance accepts godly counsel and accountability, false repentance avoids accountability. 

Our goal must be to practice true repentance, and we can’t fool ourselves. We are ALL in need of forgiveness, but we must be willing to confess our sins, to hate the sin, and change our lives to mirror Christ. 

Why Is repentance needed? Whether it is in relationships, in the church or in the world, God will not forgive us if we are unwilling to change sinful behavior.

Repentance isn’t just guilt, although guilt can sometimes motivate us to repent. 

In Luke 13:3,5, Jesus tells those who come to him to repent or they will perish. In this section several people come to Jesus to talk not about their own sins, but the sins of others. It’s a whole lot easier to see the faults in others rather than the blatantly obvious faults we have in our own lives. 

Here the people have done exactly what we continue to do today, talk about the sins of others rather than their own. But Jesus tells them they are horribly mistaken. There is power in repentance, and twice in this one conversation Jesus tells them to repent.

If I am honest, there have been far too many times I have failed to just “kill the spider.” I am ashamed of the sin I continued to feed all the while pointing out sin in everyone else’s lives. God will look at each and every one of us. He sees our sins and there is no one to blame but ourselves. Repent. Before your conscience is seared or the end comes. Repent.

Who Is Our Neighbor?

Caden Hammer

This past weekend, a group of us college students traveled to Sneedville, Tennessee, to do service work. Lauren Ritter and her home congregation have a long-standing relationship with the community of Sneedville and have done a lot of outreach over the years. At the young adult’s retreat, Lauren suggested a group of us could go do a project there. Sneedville is a poor community in Appalachia with low access to running water, employment, and education opportunities. Along with delivering groceries to local families, we took on a large project of building a wooden platform and placing a 500-gallon water tank on it to give a family access to water. I am very grateful to have been involved in the project, and have reflected on the experience a lot over the last several days. 

If you would go ahead and turn your Bibles to Mark chapter 12, verse 28. In the verses before this, Jesus has been questioned by the Pharisees and Sadducees who were trying to trip him up and get him to make a mistake in his answers. In verse 28 they ask him another question. Starting in verse 28 it says, “And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, Which commandment is the most important of all? Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

The first thing we have to figure out in these verses is, Who is our neighbor and how do we love them as ourselves? Well, Jesus gives us the answer in Luke 10. Jesus is talking to a lawyer who wants to know how to be saved. The lawyer already knows that he is supposed to love his neighbor as himself, but like a lot of us he isn’t sure who his neighbor is or how to love them that way. The lawyer asks in Luke 10 verse 29, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus then responds by telling the parable of the good Samaritan, which most have us have heard plenty of times. While we have all heard this parable and know what it says, I’m not sure we really understand the significance of it. The person who helped the man was supposed to be an enemy of him. They were supposed to hate each other. They were completely different, yet the Samaritan was the one who chose to help. Jesus then asked the lawyer at the end of the parable, “Who was the neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” and the man understood that it was the Samaritan. The lawyer Jesus was talking to understood what exactly that parable meant and what he was supposed to do. But do we? Do we understand that our neighbor isn’t just our friends or people we go to church with, or people that look like us, or act like us, or people we think are cool? While those people are also our neighbors, the people Jesus focuses on are the people that are the most different from us. Just look at the people that Jesus talked to the most. The sinful woman in Luke chapter 7. He ate with tax collectors in Mark chapter 2. He touched the bleeding woman in Mark chapter 5. He drank water from the woman at the well in John chapter 4. These people were either completely different than him or hated by everyone else in the community. Yet these are the people that Jesus chose to be with. We tend to look down on people that are different than us, but Jesus says that loving them as ourselves is the second greatest command only behind loving God.  When we learn to love like Jesus it opens our eyes to see people for who and what they really are: a soul that is precious to God. The good Samaritan helped the man not knowing anything about him, his past, his work history, his family situation, or if he would be receptive to the Gospel.  If we learn to love people like this, it will change us. 

While this past weekend was focused on providing for physical needs, we should never forget the greatest need of all is spiritual. Loving people with no strings attached and forming relationships eventually allows people to be receptive to what good news you have to offer.  When they see you love them as you love yourself, they know you want what is best for them. Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world preaching the gospel. There are people all over the world and in our communities who have never had someone show love to them the way Jesus loves and to point them to Him. This weekend really opened my eyes to this.  While these people look and live much differently than I do, their needs are no different than mine, and they are no less loved by God.  Learning how to step outside our comfort zones and love and serve people will provide opportunities to share the gospel.  

The finished product: installed water tank for the family in need

The Giver Of Life

Carl Pollard

 There are some in the world who follow Christ for the wrong reasons. Perhaps they were told that everything in life would be perfect if they chose to follow Jesus. It is possible that they did it for their family and not out of their own conviction. Maybe they became a Christian to try and get some physical blessing out of it. 

To put our faith in action we are all motivated by something. If we aren’t careful, we can quickly lose motivation if it is based on the wrong ideas. For a few moments we are going to turn our attention to the cost of discipleship. As Christians, we are called to follow God, and not because our faith will come with certain perks. We follow Christ because He is the Son of the Living God. The truth of His resurrection compels us to put our faith in action. The many attributes of Christ compel us to trust in Him as Lord. He is worthy of our worship, our love, and our obedience. 

But even more, the beauty of the Gospel is that in trusting Jesus and acting out our faith, we find that He pours many blessings into our lives. This is not our motivation, but it is a side effect of faithfully following the Savior. I used to believe that it was wrong to think, “what’s in it for me.” 

We may even feel guilty for thinking this way. We do our best to put our faith in action and often we ask, “what’s the point?” 

This is NOT wrong. In fact, this is the definition of “counting the cost.” Luke 14:28, Jesus says, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” 

In this section, Jesus is teaching us to realize just how much it will cost us to become His follower. Faith in action is no easy task. Obeying the Son of God isn’t a walk in the park. There were several occasions where the people believed that Jesus’ teachings were too hard to obey. But that sacrifice is part of following the Son of God. Deny self, take up cross, follow Him. 

Those are difficult decisions to make. 

Jesus, in Luke 14, shows us the importance of fully understanding what it will cost us to follow Him. In this mental exercise, you measure the cost against what you stand to gain in following Jesus (hint, you’ll gain far more than what it cost you). As we think about the idea of counting the cost, there’s one of many reasons why Jesus is worth the Cost: Jesus Gives Life. 

In John 6, Jesus presents some very difficult teachings to the crowds. He is teaching in the synagogue in the city of Capernaum to a large group of Jews. These hard teachings from Jesus actually caused many followers to leave Jesus! Verse 60 says, “When His followers heard this many of them said, ‘this teaching is hard, who can accept it?’” 

How often do we respond like this? 

There’s more discussion, and Jesus knew this would happen. Finally, in verse 66, it says that after He said these things His followers left him and followed Him no more. 

After these people leave Him, He turns to His disciples and notice what He says: “Do you want to go away as well?’” (67).

Peter answers, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Peter’s response is profound. When faced with the question, “will you also leave?”, his response is “to whom shall we go?” This is a question we must all consider. Who would you be without Christ? Who could take the place of Savior in your life? Many have made the decision to let the world be their savior.

If Christ wasn’t in your life, who could you turn to? 

It is in the identity of Jesus that we find the main appeal of God’s Son. Jesus is God. Peter realized this powerful truth. Christ has the words of eternal life. This was all he needed to follow Jesus to the very end. 

If Jesus is God, His words are more than just words. His words are truth. His words open our eyes to the truth of eternity. Jesus is worth following; He is worthy of our faith, because He gives us eternal Life. 

Jesus gives us the option to follow or leave. But who would we turn to? He is the Son of God, His words give life. This powerful encouragement shows us that every word of Jesus pierces the depths of our souls and binds our lives in truth. This cannot be found anywhere else. Others can offer words of wisdom and words of truth, but Jesus alone gives the words that can be trusted for an eternity.

As we count the cost, we must keep in mind that Jesus gives everlasting life to those who put their faith in Him.

The Power Of The Resurrection (Pt. 2)

Carl Pollard

The power of the gospel is grounded and built on four essential facts. If just one of these is wrong, there’s no point in being a Christian. No point in worshipping as a family, no need to change the way we live, and no eternal life. These four essential facts are simple–I’m sure you’ve heard them before–but they are life changing. 

Fact number one…He Lived. 

This simple truth determines the outcome of the gospel truth. We need to establish that Jesus lived, before we can determine if there was a resurrection. If there is no life, there can be no death, no death means no resurrection. Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth. 

Scripture says this in John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The apostles here claimed to have seen God in the flesh. He dwelt among them, flesh and blood. ALIVE. The Logos, the word took on flesh. He was fully human! 

He was flesh and blood just as we are. 

For example, Jesus ate (Luke 7:34), He slept (Matt. 8:24), He walked (Luke 24), sometimes on land, sometimes on water…but nevertheless God took on flesh. He wore sandals, His feet got covered with dust from this very world. He felt emotions. He expressed joy (Luke 10:21), He wept (John 11:35), He loved (1 Jn. 4:19). A straight forward reading of scripture teaches us that Jesus truly lived. 

But let’s take it a step further and look at some historical proof. The fact that Jesus lived is pretty much universally accepted. 

Even people who were enemies of Christ admitted that He lived. Flavius Josephus, a non Christian historian spoke of Jesus in his history of Judaism titled “Jewish Antiquities.” In AD 97. He said this about Jesus, “There was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works—a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

Just so this article doesn’t turn into history class, we will keep the old quotes to a minimum. But if you want to look it up on your own time, there are many more historians who wrote of Christs existence. Pliny the Younger and Tacitus both reference a man named Jesus who died on a cross. 

Point is, history gives us undeniable truth that Jesus lived. Do you believe in George Washington? How about Abraham Lincoln? How come? You’ve never seen him! Historians and eye witnesses give us proof. We have the exact same evidence for Christ.

The power of the Gospel is found in the truth that Jesus the Son of God came down to this earth, took on flesh, and walked among us! He taught, He healed, He was a servant. And to this day He continues to impact millions with the life He lived. 

Tune in next week for fact number 2.

Secrets!

Gary Pollard

The greatest secret in the universe has been revealed to humanity: Jesus himself (Col 2.2-3). This is perhaps a hint that the groups harassing the believers at Colossae were Gnostic as well as Jewish. Gnostics were all about secret knowledge and asceticism (at least in this group, cf. 2.18). Paul addressed the Jewish elements in this section too. I’m certainly not dogmatic about this, but it does seem possible that at least elements of Gnostic thought were influencing Colossae, on top of the pervasive traditionalism of the Jewish Christians. 

Either way we should pay attention to an important point — all of humanity from the dawn of civilization has been trying to figure out what a specific something is. We’ve always been impressed with a sense that something bigger than us is out there. Since we’ve recently been able to take a crude glimpse into the cosmos itself, we’ve only been more impressed with how powerless we are on this little blue marble. Cosmic scales are something we can’t even wrap our minds around. There’s so much raw power that can only be viewed from distances so vast that we could never hope to travel them physically (eg. supernovas). But a simple cometary fragment could wipe out our little rock, if God willed it! 

Most early civilizations deified some element or other natural force on this planet, or they deified what they could observe with the naked eye in the heavens. Many ancient cultures worshipped powerful or beautiful animals, stars, or even political/military celebrities (sometimes all of the above). They were searching everywhere, desperate to find the source of infinite cosmic power, wisdom, and guidance that they instinctively knew existed, but could not identify. Since God is invisible (cf. 1.15), he had to be revealed to us. This great mystery was solved once and for all with the arrival of Jesus on the planet he created (2.16-17). He is that power, and he cares about us! That means he wants to take us with him when this earth is destroyed (2.18-20). The mystery is far more profound (and practical and humbling) than we thought. What is that thing every ancient culture has tried to identify and worship? The Great Mystery of the Eons — Jesus: Creator, Teacher, Civilizer, Rescuer, God.

This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth — which is for all people — is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory (2.27).