If I were to sum up this book in one sentence,

“Life is miserable when you realize that God was true to His word when He said, ‘If you embrace sin and reject me your life will be miserable.'”

This applies both corporately and personally. As we see in the book of Lamentations Jeremiah applies the punishment of sin both to himself and to the people corporately. In doing this I believe Jeremiah shows great humility, in as much as he was the prophet that was calling the people to repent and because they did not repent they are now suffering. It was less about his personal sin and more about the corporate sin of the people and yet he is so intrinsically tied to them that he joins in their shame, suffering, and sorrow.

In the midst of this mighty lament by the weeping prophet Jeremiah there are some of the most quoted hope passages in all the Bible,

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.”

We have numerous and varied needs related to our facilities at the Spencerville Church and sometimes I think, “do we really need to fix this or that?” or “this all seems like it is going to take forever and for what purpose?” I also think, “can we really ask the people again to help us with another project?

But with many of our readings of late I am reminded time and time again how important it is to care for the place where we worship the Lord. Now obviously I understand theologically that our modern churches do not have the same role as the temple that Solomon was building. Yet, it is still a place that is seen by many both within and without of the church as representing God and His people. If this is the case should it not represent our Lord correctly?

I found this quote that was also convicting along with all the scripture I have been reading,

“The Lord instructed Moses, for Israel: ‘Thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.’ This was to be a continual offering, that the house of God might be properly supplied with that which was necessary for His service. His people today are to remember that the house of worship is the Lord’s property and that it is to be scrupulously cared for. But the funds for this work are not to come from the tithe.”

Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church Vol. 9, p. 248

Scrupulously cared for because it is the Lord’s property!

Convicting to me! Makes me wonder about our pealing 1970’s wallpaper 😉

Next Reading: 1 Kings 5-9

I must repent…

I have used a text and today it struck me that I’ve misused a text often in the last several years.

First let me say this I believe women can be ordained as pastors, the priesthood of all believers.  And also I just think our way of ordaining is all afoul, you can read my thoughts on that HERE.

In these last several years though I have not only used the reasoning of priesthood of all believers as a reason for my position I have also used this text quite often,

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Since my mind wasn’t even thinking about women’s ordination as I read these three chapters and all I was doing was focusing on the definite context of Galatians 1-3 when I suddenly read Galatians 3:28 without thinking of it in terms of social or role equality I realized, this text in my understanding of strict contextual exegesis has nothing to do with “male” or “female” roles. It is 100% solely in the context of how a person receives salvation and what Paul is saying is that it doesn’t matter if you’re a slave or a free person, a man or a woman, Jew or Greek, can we add Adventist or Catholic, we all are inheritors of the promise of salvation through the same means, “faith in Jesus.”

This text is not about gender roles or social equality it is about access to salvation. Jesus and Jesus only!

So I repent for misusing the text far too often. I want social equality on this issue, but not at the hands of poor exegesis.

Next Reading: Exodus 33-36

I am going to refer you back to a previous blog posting for this reading since this is the fulfillment of God’s instructions that were given in THIS previous reading.

One note that goes beyond that original post. In chapters 39 & 40 I count 17 times (let me know if I missed any) the phrase or a very similar phrase appears,

“as the Lord had commanded Moses”

Here is the thought that popped into my head and I wrote down.

“Chad how much of your life could it be said this is done, ‘as the Lord had commanded Chad’?

Something to ponder.

Next Reading: 1 Kings 5-9

I LOVED these chapters…I’ve actually been away from home and I left my Bible in my car before I got on the plane like a dummy and so I wasn’t in the Word for two days…maybe a pastor isn’t supposed to admit that, but I will…anyway, I stopped by my parents for a quick visit and so I have a Bible now and man did I miss it, so I’m sure these chapters would be good no matter what, but they fill extra good having not read for a couple days. And yes I know there is a Bible on my phone or computer…but when it comes to the Bible I just struggle reading unless it is the actual pages in hand.

Okay so to our text–

In Luke 5 & 6 there are two mentions of Jesus taking time to pray, one in Luke chapter 5 and one in Luke chapter 6,

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” -Luke 5:16

and

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” -Luke 6:12

I mention these because in context they show us times we should definitely spend much time in prayer…well the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, but these are definite times…

Luke 5 = Jesus is doing all kinds of ministry, He is serving everyone. He withdraws to pray for recovery. Even the greatest servants of our God must withdraw to live to serve another day.

Luke 6 = Jesus is about to make a very important decision in His ministry. When faced with a big decision we must spend much time in prayer, otherwise we can’t trust that decision!

Another point I want to mention from these chapters is to address one of my absolute LEAST favorite texts…is someone allowed to have a least favorite text?

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged.” -Luke 6:37a

This is not my lease favorite text because I want to judge everyone. It is my least favorite because it seems to be a favorite “pet” text of so many, and it is a favorite because it is used by preachers and millions of others SO WRONG! If it was understood properly it would not nearly be as popular, but I would like it a lot more 🙂

Here is how most read this…

“Jesus said, ‘Judge not,’ so you can’t say if I should or shouldn’t eat this entire batch of brownies.” (Or put in whatever particular action critique you want to).

That is why this text is popular because it is an immediate in your face text that someone can vomit up the moment his or her actions are criticized, called sin, etc..

But that is not what the text is talking about…

In the full text it reads,

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” -Luke 6:37

All three of those statements are related…

• Judgement
• Condemnation
• Forgiveness

They are all related to “ETERNAL” consequences not ones immediate actions. We can make “judgement” on the actions of another.

How do I know? The very next section of scripture…

“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite!” -Luke 6:41, 42a

Of course that doesn’t really prove my point, in fact it sounds like it proves the exact opposite…

Oh and by the way this “plank” in the eye text is also a “pet” text of people to say, “don’t judge my actions”

But they need to read the rest of it and we’ll see that the Bible is surely not addressing the outward “actions” of others in verse 37 nor is the plank in the eye, it is not saying never look at the outward actions of another and judge them…

“41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” -Luke 6:41, 42

I highlighted the point often left out so we wouldn’t miss it.

Notice the “First” “Then” transition of the text.

We are to judge our own actions first, this means don’t be in denial of our own issues. Address them so we “CAN SEE CLEARLY” in other words, “JUDGE” the actions of our brothers, not to condemn, remember the text above, “judge not, condemn not” but to help them remove the “speck” so they can grow.

It sounds to me like the Bible is saying I am to judge my own actions and make sure I am walking according to the will of Jesus and then I will be better able to help others reform their actions and walk according to the will of Jesus.

Which in our modern society people would say is being “judgmental” but really it is just being a Christian!

What say you? Do you agree or disagree?

Next Reading: Galatians 1-3 (and I do know I have some past readings to make-up…Don’t judge me 😉 )

One text in this reading struck me,

“Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles (by the way I like the ESV translation of super-apostles, made me think of famous television evangelists). 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.” -2 Corinthians 11:5 & 6

Today for whatever reason this verse struck a nerve…a good nerve…a needed nerve, but still a nerve in me. In ministry there is the temptation to compare ones skills against another, the minister that has never done it…I don’t believe…even the best and most successful do, check out this testimony, this moment with Dwight Nelson and Mark Finley,

So it is a struggle. But verse 6…

“Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.”

Paul tells us what brings ultimate success, i.e. glory to God. It is the message we share. Not being the best skilled. Paul said I am a plain speaker, but I am not inferior because of the message. The message is everything. The message being the Gospel, Good News of Jesus Christ…His life, His death, His resurrection!

Can I apply this to those not in professional ministry. Every person that sits in the pew has the access to the same Holy Spirit, the same Bible that I do or any other preacher does. They can know this same message, each person to the same degree as myself or Dwight Nelson or Mark Finley can understand the Gospel. If you have that knowledge and are willing to share that message you will be successful in your witness to your neighbor, your family member, the stranger you sit next to on the metro. To the thousands you may one day preach in front of. Have that message. Jesus loves you, He died for you, He wants to live through you and make you holy, and He’s coming back for you. That message not the skill changes the world.

Next Reading: Exodus 29-32