Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Louis

Christmas is a man made holiday. It is not taught in the Bible. Yes, the birth of Emmanuel is recorded in the scriptures, but not keeping the day. The Lord’s way has always been to clearly describe what days He wanted observed. In the book of Numbers a succession of special days are recorded. They are  summarized with this statement; “And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 29:40)

What? You mean now that the Messiah has come we can do anything we want? No doubt for many, it is in the spirit of wanting to do good. Peter was like this, He said; “. .  if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” (Matt.17:4) Notice that Peter said “if thou wilt.” He recognized the proper thing was to subject the proposal to God’s will. The Heavenly Father’s response to Peter was; “. . hear ye him.” It appears somebody way back when had the idea of making a special day for the Lord’s birthday, as well as other religious things. It caught on.

The Lord gave leeway for the Jewish believers to come to terms with the great lack of ceremony in the New Covenant. This is evidenced in Acts 21:19-26 and the book of Hebrews. The fourteenth chapter of Romans teaches moderation and love as we behold one another in our growth as disciples. And there is a place for keeping customs of the land as long as they are not confused with Divine ordinance; “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” (I Cor.9:19-23)

However, the above statement is about intermingling with people, being flexible in our care for others. It’s not about permission to do anything we want in the worship of God. May His mercy be upon us all as we try to make our way through the brambles of human tradition.

It is nice to have a holiday. It is pleasant to have time to relax with family and friends. For some, there may be a degree of extra religious devotion on Christmas. For others like myself, there’s no more religion on Christmas than on any other day. This is all on a personal level. But what about the congregation, the assembly of believers? The apostle Paul made it clear when he wrote some would-be makers of holy days; “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” (Gal.4:10-11)

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Rituals

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Louis

Something about human nature loves rituals. A ritual is to step from the symbols of alphabetical characters (which convey words unto ideas) to fabricating symbols out of gestures, designs (in fabric, glass, works of art, etc) set phrases, and any other stimulus to support an idea being communicated. They are called ceremonies for civil activities. In the religious world they are called ceremony, and sometimes liturgy.

It is not the spreading of hands, the ceremonial bow, the chant, the candle’s glow, the earthen bowl or the golden cup. The real issue is what God thinks of us. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb.4:13) Charlotte Elliott and William Bradbury wrote a hymn harmonious with this scripture; “Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me. .” To be just as we are requires keeping the awareness of how we stand before our Creator, and living by that awareness. Sometimes it gets us down, because we need correcting. “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” (Prov.3:12) At other times “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11) is graced upon us through our Lord’s tender mercy. To shun His correcting hand is to drift into fabricating an image of ourselves, which is hypocrisy.

If individual hypocrisy is a problem, what then do we have with man made religious liturgy? Is it a doorway to spirituality, or a guide to ignorance and a pillar of foibles? It deflects us away from the reality of who we are. It deflects because it distracts us from self examination in the face of God’s revelation. Yes, we can get that “Oh it really made me think” or, “Wow, it made me confront. .” When in fact, the thinking and the confronting are not real. They are charades of what we would like to think of ourselves. (“I am real, I confront, I, I, I. . .”) Human liturgy is almost erotic because it relies on stimulating the senses. (Howbeit in the guise of profound revelation.) Jude described the advocates of such religion; “These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” (Jude vs. 19)

The apostle Paul and those who labored with him brought reality to the Corinthians (subsequently to us):

(God) “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.” (II Cor.3:6-10)

A testimony of God has been fully given for us to be innocent in spirit and truth. It is the fruit of that covenant which God gave through Moses:

“For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.  Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (II Cor.3:11-18)

For the Jews who sincerely look to the Law, it is a veil keeping them from who they truly can be. For the Gentiles, inventive liturgy is like a concrete wall infused with quotes from the Bible coupled with liturgies born of paganism, philosophy, psychology, and our vivid(?) imaginations. Such service to God is farther removed from reality than any shadow could ever be.

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Planning to fulfill a prophecy?

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Louis

“Hear ye, hear ye; step right in and make your plans to fulfill the prophecies. . . Do we have a Cyrus in our midst? Who is going to be the next Elijah? Perhaps we have some strong bulls of Bashan out there.”

The above makes reference to a number of things contained in the prophecies under the Law of Moses where long range forecasts were made. Did any of these individuals who came into being make plans to fulfill them? Rather, they were chosen by God as in the case of John, (Elijah to come) who had the gift while yet in his mother’s womb. Or some made their own decisions and inadvertently stepped into fulfilling the vision; such as Cyrus and the tormentors of Jesus (the strong bulls of Bashan).  The point is, not one presumed to fulfill a prophesy. Whether they were on the side of the just or otherwise, they had no preconceived notion about fitting themselves into God’s prediction of events.

Peter wrote; “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (II Pet.1:19-20) A light in a dark place is always inferior to the light of day. Therefore prophecy is an aid in the darkness rather than a sun shinning unto absolute knowledge.

Men’s predictions about what the Bible says concerning future events on earth are about as useful as the speculations concerning Elijah (as per Malachi 4:5) must have been before John the Baptist came on the scene. This is not to say we cannot be edified by prophecy. We can be edified and aided to keep our feet on solid ground. But to start making plans. . . ? “Hey, where’s that red heifer?”

“Hear ye, hear ye, step right up and make your purchase. . .”

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Tabernacles

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Louis

The feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is one of the three holy days wherein all males were commanded to assemble. “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty” (Deut.16:16).

There are two apparent features to this celebration:

  • A remembrance of  the sojourn in the wilderness before coming into the promised land.
  • A celebration of the year’s final harvest.

Jesus’ brothers wanted Him to go up to this feast to show Himself openly. ( I take this to mean they wanted Him to show off His power.) He responded; “. . . My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.” (John 7:6-8)

From the days of Jesus to the end of time, His power has been forwarded for the sake mankind’s repentance. It is not a time for using His power to vanquish wicked men. “My time is not yet full come.” However, His time will transpire for the full display of power. He will come “ . . in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel. .” (II Thes.1:8) This will be among other things.

It won’t be a matter of some political overhaul. There will be no movement among mankind facilitate the Lord’s coming. People will have no determination in this other than to repent before it is too late.

The ultimate fulfillment of  the Feast of Tabernacles will be after the final harvest, the end of this material creation and the judgment of all. It will occur after the Lord’s kingdom will be delivered to God. In the new heavens and new earth there will be a feast of commemorating the great sojourn of souls through the wilderness of earth and time. There will be great rejoicing in the fruits of that final harvest.

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days, months, times, and years. . .

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Louis

God gave to Israel three annual holy days wherein all males of the land were called to the place where God established His name: Passover, First Fruits, and Tabernacles. Also given was the solemn national day of Atonement for remembrance of sins. Many other observances were commanded to be kept. All of which foreshadowed the reality of blessings through the Messiah.

Gentiles have dragged their old pagan rituals onto the scene and have tried to marry them to Christ. So we have Easter, Christmas, etc. Many are making plans to sacrifice animals again “as a reminder” of what the Messiah did for the world. What in the world have we been doing? What blasphemy!

Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. (Galatians 4:10-11)

On the other hand, our Jewish neighbors are still holding on to the a shadow of a shadow; Passovers that cannot be kept, Atonements that cannot be fulfilled because the Temple is gone, the priesthood is not, and there is no Urim & Thummim through which to consult.

The true Passover has come for Jews and Gentiles alike; release from the captivity of sin through the Lamb of God. The First Fruits has ascended to the Right Hand of the Father, and many now live. We wait for the final harvest and celebration of a wilderness journey which will be in the past.

 

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Specifics

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Louis

There is difficulty with the many publications which purport to divine the word of prophecy (aside from all the commercialism). It has to do with specifics. Prophecy is not meant to be clearly understood until after the events occurred. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (IIPet. 1:19-20)

A light that shines in a dark place gives a sense of the surroundings, enables some navigation. It does not replace the light of day. Prophecy can give a sense of direction, but it cannot reveal all details. For example, Malachi prophesied concerning the return of Elijah. Who could have anticipated that John the baptist was the fulfillment? It required Jesus to explain this truth, and subsequent revelation through the scriptures.

What about the Messiah? Even to this day, there are those who claim His name who are looking for a kingdom which would bring about a makeover of this current world; the lion and the lamb scenario. It is the same mentality that wanted to coronate Jesus after He fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish. (cf. John 6) It’s the “Give us a King” mentality. (Give us a Messiah that will enable us to have better TV programming, etc.) In Jesus’ day it was; “Get those Romans out of here.” In our day it’s . . .  temples and portraits and great men on stage calling the people for a turn of events.  A lot of money has been made by that spirit; the so-called christian publishing houses and entertainment industry flourish. Ministries called by the names of men prosper. All the while such stimulated vision obscures the fact; Jesus came “to seek and to save that which is lost.” (Lk.19:10)

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world has made it possible for the wild in spirit, those lost in sin to be reconciled with the heavenly Father.

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Great and Mighty

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Louis
Ge 18:17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

The great Egyptians built amazing structures. The Assyrians gobbled up other nations with cruelty. The Babylonians built an awesome city and empire. The Medes and Persians conquered it. The Greeks inculcated a culture and language which influences us to this day. The mighty Romans ruled vastly, and their love of law has tendrils intertwining into modern society.

God brought something more powerful through Abraham, “a great and mighty nation.” Compare that nation with other nations. Did it conquer vast tracts of land? Rule other nations in an Empirical fashion? Did it extend the arm of colonialism into the world? Did this nation make the world tremble through military power? (In fact its king was commanded not to maintain a cavalry. Cf. Deut.17:16) The nation’s foundation was found in Abraham’s way; “. . he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment. . .” This is much more powerful than armies or nuclear weapons. Invested in Israel was the seed of God’s good will.

A voice cried from this nation: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

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to be blessed

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Louis

God said to Abram; “. . . And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This was at the time of Abraham’s departure from Ur of the Chaldees.  (Gen.12:2-3) The essence of this promise was repeated to Isaac and Jacob. (Gen.26:4 / 28:14) The heart of these promises is the hope of blessing for all nations.

The blessing is “. . . turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” (Acts 3:26) This is better than health, wealth, power, or a long life. The Messiah came to redeem man from sin which began with Adam so long ago. . . man driven from the tree of life.

God preserved this truth through Israel. He founded this redemption through that ancient nation.

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. . .There is neither Jew nor Greek. .

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Louis

If there is hope that the nation of Israel will recognize Jesus as the Messiah, how would that fit with the unity of believers? “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal.3:27-28) The scripture cites a spiritual reality, yet there are earthly protocols.

Consider the differences between a man and woman: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Eph.5:22-23) Do these differences stand in the eternal glory or does the Lord intend for us to keep these truths for the earthly condition?  Jesus said; “. . .The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage. .” (Lk.20:34) It is evident there is an earthly arrangement for man and woman separate from the world to come.

It is similar with regard to Israel. There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile) in the spiritual dimension. Yet, there are earthly realities that must be respected.

Israel is called:

  • The natural branches.
  • Beloved for the sake of the fathers.

These references are not about Gentiles who have received the Messiah of Israel.

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Land and the Kingdom of Christ

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Louis

Israel now has possession of the land, at least a significant portion. Enough so these words of Jesus stand out; “And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Lk.21:24) It calls for a question. – How can a society possess land in the name of the Lord? This is of particular interest if we hope this society of Israel will, in truth, follow Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah of God. How could such a society maintain possession of the land in name of one whose kingdom is not of this world?

For me, this is answered by “What if?”  Jesus said; “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matt.23:37) What if they had been gathered together? What if they (as a national consensus) had accepted Jesus as the Messiah? What would have happened? Because Jesus demonstrated His willingness that such a thing should happen, it indicates the potential has merit.

The answer of possessing land in the name of the Messiah cannot be seen any more than the “What if?” can be answered. Because the potential is meritorious, the answer rests with God. It remains for us to watch and pray. Perhaps we will live to see what He has in mind for the hope of Israel with regard to the question of land. One thing is for certain, Israel now meets the criteria which in bygone days was withheld from them; (God) “. . . hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. . .” (Acts 17:26-27)

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CONSERVATIVELIBERALCONSERVALIBRECONSLIBRCONLIB

Posted on October 5, 2010 by Louis
(I received the following article from Jay in response to the last post. I thought it best to present it as a unique posting. ~ LG)

I was in a discussion recently with some members of the churches of Christ that reminded me of how important labels are to some.  If the conversation had not been so sad it would have been joyfully humorous, however if it had not been humorous it would have been so very sad.  Our discussion included a number of “issues” that are used to define a Christian as “Conservative or Liberal”.

There are many convictions that I and other Christians have that are often unjustly used to decide “which side” we are on as if the issue is being on one man’s side or another’s.  In reality I refuse to accept such man-made labels to define my faith, for none of man’s sides defines me.  The discussion was almost comical as these men were struggling to define me in either or both of these terms, and they could not decide which one!

I have some convictions that lead many to consider me as a “liberal”.  For instance I see nothing wrong with a church building housing a kitchen.  A kitchen encourages brethren to fellowship together, and the Scriptures teach us fellowship is vital for a church to prosper.  There are a number of members of the churches of Christ that consider this a “liberal” stance.  I also think brethren should teach on “love”, after all, Jesus said this issue defines the two greatest commandments.  Certainly “love” should be taught as God defines it and not as man tends to define it, but it should be a primary focus among the churches.  I have been called “liberal” for this conviction.  Am I a “liberal”?

Consider—I have other convictions that lead some to call me a “conservative”.  For instance I believe that churches ought not to offer the Lord’s Supper more than once on Sunday.  This stance is considered “conservative” by many.  I have strong convictions against a church hiring a man to act as a “Professional Edifier” for the church to speak as their primary exhorter.  I believe such a work takes away the privileges/responsibilities of the other brothers in teaching one another.  This particular conviction is considered way too “conservative” by many.

So which is it?  Am I a “liberal” or a “conservative”?  Which term defines my faith?  Which defined the Lord?  Neither to all of the above.  These terms have become catch-words by many as they feel compelled to pigeon-hole Christians to decide which side they are on.

My faith should be defined by my relationship to the apostles as taught in 1 John 1:1-4.  The tendency for such labels as discussed above are to easily assign us to one side or another, when in reality we should be concerned with being on the Lord’s side by virtue of the apostles’ inspired writings and nothing else.  We should be careful not to fall into this trap of “labels” but to be concerned with obeying the Lord.

I will close this article reminding you of an interesting discussion between Joshua and The Commander of the Lord’s Army in Joshua 5:13-15.  Joshua asked who’s side the Man was on, and the Man said, “As Commander of the Lord’s Army I have now come.”  Joshua expected the Man to either say he was on their side or their enemies’ when He was in reality on neither side.  He was on the Lord’s as we should be.

~Jay Graham

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“. . .because He knew all men. . .”

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Louis
This is veering from the usual considerations, but here goes. . . (apologies to Mike for the excerpt)

Last Saturday Eldon hosted their annual Turkey Festival. The church I work with put up a booth to maintain a simple message: “Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. .” I saw the need to spark some additional thinking so I put up a whiteboard with this simple message:

“But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men. . .”

~ John 2:24

I think I used the context in a fair manner, because it has to do with Christ not committing Himself to the causes of men.  After all, we as well as they have our own ideas as to what the Messiah should accomplish, and we can get hung up in presumption.  Anyway, a lady asked me; “What does that sign mean?” I spoke to the effect that Jesus is more important than our political desires. She said; “Don’t you think Jesus wants us to stop abortion?”  I responded; “He came to call the lost to repentance. Don’t you think the supporters of abortion are in need of salvation?” She told me what I was doing was worthless, and that I was worthless. It got pretty heated. That’s it in a nugget.

In time past, we had a similar reaction in Flagstaff from a guy who was uber-liberal. He accused us causing the deaths of so many in Iraq, etc. He was spitting mad (really.) His accusations were on the basis of statistical indicators concerning religion and voting trends. (It is a drag to be stereo-typed.) Fortunately, he was willing to talk and we were able to have a somewhat peaceable understanding.

It seems like the political right has the potential to oppress. It seems like the political left will do the same thing.  Currently, we get by in a stasis between the tension of the two. There are good points on both sides, but there is also plenty of evil.  As a citizen of this country, I fear if one side or the other gets the upper hand.  Ah well, there really is no lasting kingdom of men.

No matter how the politics unfold, the world to come and our need to be prepared is what matters.

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blindness in part

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Louis

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” Rom. 11:25

Here are two intriguing things; “blindness in part” and “fulness of the Gentiles.”

The “in part” denotes:

  1. A duration of time. As if blindness will occur while the Gentiles do their thing or come into their fullness. (whatever ‘fullness’ happens to be)
  2. The effect upon individuals. It cannot be said that all Jewish neighbors are blind in their assessment of who the Messiah is, no matter what age we live in. By the same token, it cannot be said that all Jewish neighbors will see, whether during or after the fullness of the Gentiles.
  3. The expression “in part” can be reiterated “for the most part” or “as a whole.” I think the context directs us to this conclusion.
  4. Therefore for the most part Israel will be blind to the Messiah until. . .

Now what about those Gentiles in their fullness?

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World Outreach?

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Louis

Terry Jones of the Dove (?) World Outreach Center plans to burn a document held sacred to others; his response to 9/11. This is far different than those “. . .which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all. . .”(Acts 19:19) Those who lived in Ephesus did this out of the spirit of repentance. What spirit is this which would call a crowd together, and in their presence throw a match on a pool of gasoline? May the Lord deliver us from such.

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Cherubim with sunglasses

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Louis

Inside the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high. (I Kings 6:23) This was in the sanctuary of Solomon’s temple. Did the artisan(s) include sunglasses or perhaps sideburns on the Cherubim? What aesthetics were incorporated? Seeing this replacement for the tabernacle was done under the inspired leadership of Solomon, who can say? Because the people of God were forbidden to make   “. . any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath. .” there is no record of the aesthetics. Who stands today with the inspiration of Solomon or Bezalel & Aholiab to build a temple? It is somewhat understandable concerning those who have not yet accepted Jesus as the Messiah. They might be inclined to try such a thing. But what can be said of those who claim to have accepted the blood of the everlasting covenant? They should know better.

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