MATTHEW 19:28-30: ORDER UNDER JESUS' REIGN

MATTHEW 19:28-30: ORDER UNDER JESUS’ REIGN

            One of the most spoken of subjects in Christianity is heaven and the new world. What will it be like? We have glimpses of it in the Bible, but the truth is that nothing can fully explain how amazing it will be to reign with Christ forever. Jesus spoke of the new world in Matthew 19:28-30, and in this passage of scripture, there are three conclusions we can draw about order under Jesus’ reign.

Matthew 19:28-30

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,^[a] when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold^[b] and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Jesus Is the Ultimate Judge (v. 28)

            We first see that Jesus is the ultimate judge. While it is true that believers who have followed Christ will also judge with him, he is the ultimate authority. When verse 28 mentions judging the twelve tribes of Israel, it is referring to Israel’s rejection of him as the Messiah. We should take comfort, however, in the fact that Jesus will ultimately judge. It is no human that can do so but only Christ.

There Is a Reward for Following Christ (v. 29)

            We can clearly see from verse 29 that there is a reward for following Christ. More than that, however, the cost of following Christ on earth is great. Jesus mentions those who have literally left everything behind for his sake. This is the cost of following him. The reward is so much greater though. 

Jesus’ Order Is the Opposite of Worldly Order (v. 30)

            We lastly see that Jesus’ order is the opposite of worldly order. He says that the first will be last and the last will be first in his new world. Worldly wisdom teaches that we are to strive to be first, to be at the top. Jesus’ wisdom, however, teaches that we are to sacrifice and humble ourselves. If we do this, we will be first in his order. This is the reverse of worldly order.

Conclusion

            Order under Jesus’ reign will be vastly different from current order in our world. Let us embrace it and long for the day when he returns to claim his bride.

2 CORINTHIANS 7:1: COMPLETE HOLINESS

2 CORINTHIANS 7:1: COMPLETE HOLINESS

            It is no secret that we are not yet complete. The day of completion comes when we are with Christ. Until that day, nonetheless, God continuously making us like him through the various circumstances and consequences in our lives. This is the idea of progressive sanctification. We are progressively being made into the likeness of Christ or, as Paul puts it, being transformed from one degree of glory to the next until one day we are completely holy and like Christ, not in power but in righteousness. Paul clarifies this idea further in 1 Corinthians 7:1. Working this particular verse backwards, we see this idea revealed.

2 Corinthians 7:1

English Standard Version (ESV)

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body^[a] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

God Is Working to Bring Our Holiness to Completion

            Ultimately it is a promise and a blessing that God is working to bring our holiness to completion. Without his work, our holiness would be impossible. We must keep in mind that holiness is not the result of anything we do but only because of what Christ has already done and what he continues to do. God is currently and actively at work to complete our holiness in the fear of God.

Complete Holiness Requires Cleansing of Defilement

            Although holiness is not a result of our action, God’s work requires and demands a response on our part, namely the cleansing of defilement in our lives. It is not that we cleanse ourselves only out of obligation, but we cleanse ourselves as the natural response to God’s working in our lives. The more God works, the more holy we become. Paul tells us that we are to cleanse ourselves of every defilement of both body (or flesh) and spirit. In other words, every external and internal thing that looms in the way of holiness must be severed from our lives. God does his part, and as a result, this is our part.

Our Action Is Based on a Foundation, Namely the Promises of the Gospel’s Power

            The action we have just seen is based on something, and that is the promises of the gospel’s power. In the previous chapters of 2 Corinthians, Paul discusses the work of the gospel and its power. He then says that it is because we have these promises that ultimately our holiness is being completed. The promises of the gospel’s power form the foundation our action and God’s working is based upon. If we base our actions on anything of this world, including our own personal ambitions, we risk incomplete holiness, but if we base our actions on the promises of God, we are promised that our holiness will be made complete.

Conclusion

            This verse should be a flood of hope for us. God is at work in us; because of his work, we are moved to action; and both of these facts move us to complete holiness. We are being made complete in Christ. We are blessed for that very reason, and our lives must exemplify this fact.

REASONS FOR FRUSTRATION WITH GOD

What is the most common reason we get frustrated with God? Don't act like it doesn't happen. If someone claims they have never been frustrated with God, they are likely in denial. It is OK to admit frustration with God. It is not that he deserves our frustration, but it is a fact of life that we are indeed frustrated with him at times. What is the most common reason though? I have narrowed the answer to this question down to two common reasons: timing and lack of control.

Often in circumstances than are less than ideal, we are frustrated with God because we are not in control. The truth is that we are never in control so we must be very careful not to think we are in times when things are in our favor because it is when things are not in our favor that we are frustrated with God.

The other reason is timing. This may be linked to control because when things do not happen in our time, it upsets us. We must keep in mind, however, that God does not work in our time but in his own time, which is the best time.

Let us learn to trust God and his control and timing. This will save us much frustration.

LUKE 12:49-53: THE PURPOSE OF JESUS ON EARTH

LUKE 12:49-53: THE PURPOSE OF JESUS ON EARTH

            Too often we think of Jesus’ purpose on earth as one of peace. Scripture is clear, however, that he, being God, is capable of judgment and will indeed carry it out to fulfill his purpose. We are commanded to be peacemakers (not necessarily peaceful at times), but he is the only one who can and will judge. Judgment is not peaceful though. Jesus’ purpose on earth, as presented in Luke 12:49-53, was not peace but rather division.

Luke 12:49-53

English Standard Version (ESV)

Not Peace, but Division

⁴⁹ “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Jesus’ Purpose: Judgment (vv. 49-50)

            Jesus clearly presents his purpose in this particular passage. One part of that purpose is judgment. He says that he came to cast fire on the earth, fire being a symbol of judgment. He also mentions baptism, which historically symbolized destruction and death. This is why when we are baptized, it is a symbol of being raised from death to new life. For God to be glorified and for new life to occur, judgment has to happen.

            Let us not underestimate the power and realization of God’s judgment. It is far too often that we overemphasize his mercy. As important as mercy is, we must not forget that without judgment, there could be no mercy. The cross was not only a display of mercy but also a display of wrath, of God’s judgment. This is part one of Jesus’ purpose on earth.

Jesus’ Purpose: Division (vv. 51-53)

            Part two of his purpose on earth is division. Nowhere in scripture does Jesus say that he came to bring people together. He instead makes it clear that he came to divide, even dividing families. Some may ask how this can be so. Keep in mind that the believer in Christ is to live a life above compromise and above reproach. Therefore, our lives must be different from the lives of someone of the world, one who is not a Christian. This, in and of itself, creates division. Our lives do not conform to the world. This means that there will be disagreements; there will be tension; and there will even be persecution. It does not mean that we do not love those of the world, but it instead means that we are different and have no part of the things they do. This was Jesus’ purpose on earth, to bring division.

Conclusion

            We try to glamorize Jesus’ purpose on earth, but it is true that his purpose was so much more than what we have made it. In fact, I would submit that his purpose on earth is drastically different than what most people believe. It was to judge and to bring division. This may seem radical, but it is, in fact, scripture. Jesus himself said as much. Let us draw two conclusions here: 1) that we are not to judge but only God and 2) that we are to be different from the world. This was Jesus’ purpose on earth.

CHURCH MUSIC TO BE A CROWN, NOT CRAP

Fifteen years ago, ten years ago, perhaps even five years ago I would have preferred modern worship music over traditional. That has changed for various reasons though. Being a musician, music is obviously an important part of my life, and I firmly believe that the church has allowed music to fall by the wayside. Unfortunately the music commonly played in our churches is crap. I do not hold, as many do, to the idea that modern music is crap. In fact, I enjoy it very much. However, through musical maturity and intellect, I have come to appreciate the great music that can be made in a traditional setting. In either a modern or a traditional setting, the fact is that most church music is crap. Either one can and should be done well, but the problem in our churches is not necessarily the style (as many believe) but rather the quality. We have given in to employing mediocre musicians in our churches, and it shows. It is why the stigma of crappy church music exists, and as much as it pains me to say it, it is more common in churches that use modern music more than it exists in churches with traditional music. I cannot count the number of times a minister of music / worship leader (whatever the preferred term) has been referred to (even by pastors) as a music guy. “Let’s just get someone who can play guitar and sing slightly in tune and employ them as our church musician.” This is sadly the attitude of many churches.

Having said that, I do not believe that a church should sacrifice spirituality for musicianship, but is it really necessary for the most spiritually mature person in the entire church body to be the musician when they can barely read music to begin with? We are all growing in our faith so we must realize that even church musicians will not be perfect in their walk with God. However, near perfection in their music is achievable. We must strive for this. I, for one, am sick of walking into churches only to be literally disgusted by the music, not because of style but because of the lack of quality. Certainly no one will be perfect, but excellent is what we cannot lose. Far too often, however, we are indeed losing just that. Let the music in our churches be a crowned jewel, not crap.

HEBREWS 11:1-3: BIBLICAL FAITH

HEBREWS 11:1-3: BIBLICAL FAITH

            Faith is a word mentioned quite often in the church. However, it is mentioned without any understanding of what it is other than a vague idea. I would dare say that the word itself is rarely used in any other context than a religious one. That is because so much of what we do and believe in a religious context is based on faith. Because it is so unclear to many people, the definition given might vary from party to party. Nonetheless, there is indeed a biblical definition of faith. Hebrews 11 gives us the clearest picture of what faith is and how it works. Verses 1-3 might be seen as the prequel to the rest of chapter 11, often known as “The Hall of Faith.” It is verses 1-3 though that paints a clear picture of faith and how it works in the life of believers.

Hebrews 11:1-3

English Standard Version (ESV)

By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

The Definition of Faith (v. 1)

            This passage first gives us the definition of faith. For many in our modern society, faith requires proof, which is not really faith at all according to the biblical definition. The Bible defines faith as the assurance of things hopes for and the conviction of things not seen.

Assurance

            The first aspect of this definition is assurance. When we are assured of something, we are confident in it. When one buys a new car, often the salesman will say something like, “I assure you that this is a reliable car.” That assurance alone seems to comfort us. The first part of faith though is the assurance of things hoped for. We often speak of hope as if it is a wish, and we seem to use the two words, “hope” and wish,” interchangeably. They are not the same though. A hope is more expectant than a wish. When we hope in something, we expect something to happen. Therefore, faith is the assurance that those things we hope for will come to be.

Conviction

            Conviction is the second part of the definition of faith. Typically conviction comes from proof. Many translations say that this is the evidence of things not seen. However, this is astounding because true faith is conviction even without seeable evidence. It is difficult to believe in something we cannot see. This is why this definition of faith is amazing. We truly have faith in something we cannot see nor fully explain. We cannot see how God works; nor can we explain it. Yet we have faith in him, nonetheless. This is the definition of faith.

The Working of Faith (v. 2)

            From this passage, we can also see the working of faith. The Bible says that by faith, the people of old received their commendation. In other words, everything we do, we must complete by faith. If we are not living by faith but are instead making feeble attempts to live by sight, we will not see the great things of God accomplished. The working of faith equals great accomplishments, things that we cannot explain. Hebrews 11, known as “The Hall of Faith” tells us great things that men of God in years past have done, but the distinction is made that they accomplished these great things by faith alone. This is the working of faith. The fact is that faith should stir the working of God in our lives. If faith is not working, we are, in fact, lacking it.

The Mystery of Faith (v. 3)

            We also see the mystery of faith in this passage. Verse 3 says that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. We believe in a God that we cannot see. We trust in him and put our hope in him. This is a mystery. Why would anyone believe in something they cannot see? The mystery of faith is that an invisible God works in visible ways. Let us trust him not because of what he does, but let what he does come because we trust him.

Conclusion

            We must examine ourselves to determine if we have biblical faith. It is quite different than what a worldly definition might be. We live by faith and not by sight. It is crucial that we realize the importance of faith. Do you have biblical faith?