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Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Peter 3:14-16 We read in the New Testament how the early church multiplied and spread throughout the known world in the Roman empire. This happened despite opposition from Jews and Greeks alike. This persecution was severe at times with Christians being hauled off to prison and even put to death. Yet, despite all of this, the church grew. How did this happen? What were they doing? First, they went out with the message of the gospel just as Jesus had commanded. They had the sure knowledge that He had overcome sin, was resurrected from the dead and offered everlasting life in His kingdom. They believed it, they lived it, and they proclaimed it. They went on the offense into a dying world with this glorious message of hope. Secondly, they were able to defend their beliefs against any attacks on their truthfulness or credibility. They were convinced that their faith and the gospel were grounded in the truth and reality of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. They knew what they believed, why they believed it and were able to give explanation to all those who would ask about this hope they had. So we see that the church was both out there on the offense with the gospel, and also it was able to defend its faith with reasoned arguments based on truth and reality. Both were needed to convince a skeptical, unbelieving world. But scripture does not indicate that this was done through large organized campaign-like events. Christians were so energized and zealous about their faith that they just wanted to tell about it! “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4). Today, young people are leaving the church, congregations are closing their doors, and some are “just hanging on.” What’s to be done? Perhaps we should listen to the voice of our Savior and Lord who said to take the gospel into all the world. Should we be on the offense or the defense? YES!!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2; 8:8; 12:6-7 The Preacher wrote: “...there is...a time to give birth and a time to die.” Many of us tend to take these two events as rather simply the normal happenings of life. And truly birth and death happen every day on this planet, and they happen with every person. However, neither of these events are mundane nor ordinary. They are both sacred events - sacred places. Why so? First, God is present. Second, He is effecting great changes. Birth is a sacred place. Here is the culmination of God’s creative process which began at conception. Life began. And now a another human being made in the image of God has come into the world. God has breathed the breath of life into yet another person. God has been involved from the beginning, and now this helpless “man” has begun his or her journey through life. What an exciting day it is! What a time for rejoicing! Birth is a sacred place. Death is a sacred place. The life begun some years back has now reached the end of its journey. Perhaps the individual has walked with the Lord and was being conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. She has been diligent to listen to the voice of the Shepherd. He has been devoted to serving the Lord by serving others. Or maybe not. Perhaps this person has walked in the ways of the world, indulging in the pleasures of life with little thought for God or even other people. Every journey is different. But now, the day of death is near. The Preacher wrote: “No man has...authority over the day of death.” This authority is reserved exclusively by God for Himself. He stands ready to receive the spirit which He had imparted when this person’s life began (Ecclesiastes 12:7). God is near. Death is a sacred place. Both birth and death are very visible acts of our Holy God. They are both sacred places.

Jeremiah 32:36-44 When Judah was in the midst of the trauma of being enslaved and deported to Babylon, Jeremiah found himself confused. He had been imprisoned for speaking the word of God about the exile, and many of his people had already been carried away. But then his cousin came to him and asked him to buy his field! This made no sense to Jeremiah (32:25) since the Chaldeans were already in possession of Jerusalem. Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah to reassure him that what was happening was not permanent and that fields would again be bought and sold in the land and that God would restore their fortunes - what was happening at the present was not to be the way things would always be from then on. During this corona virus situation, we have been hearing the phrase “the new normal.” I don’t care for that phrase, and I reject it. There is nothing normal about what we are experiencing. •We are in the midst of a pandemic which has killed hundreds of thousands of people •Many businesses are closed •Many people have been forced out of work •We are told not to gather in large groups •We are told to do social distancing in public •Churches in some states have been told they cannot sing or even assemble •Sporting events have no spectators •We are supposed to wear a mask when in public None of this is normal!! And we should not accept it as normal nor begin to get comfortable with it. This is why I wear your everyday generic mask. I do not want to get comfortable wearing one. By His grace and in His own way, the Lord God will remove this virus and return us to “normal.” What’s happening now is abnormal. Let’s see it that way.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Wrath is an “old” word in the English language which isn’t used much any more. Webster (College Dictionary, Fourth Edition) defines wrath as 1) intense anger, rage, fury; 2) any action carried out in great anger, esp. for punishment or vengeance. It isn’t a popular exercise in today’s religious climate to speak of the wrath of God, but we ignore the subject at our own peril. It is certainly attested to in the Holy Scriptures. In our text the Holy Spirit speaks of a “wrath to come.” That wrath will be God’s bringing destruction on His enemies at the end of time. Few people realize that the Almighty actually classifies some people as His enemies. (See Psalm 21:7-13 for this thought and for how God moves against His enemies.) Lest we misunderstand, the Lord disciplines His “sons” (Hebrews 12:4-11), but He brings His wrath against His enemies. Who then are the enemies of God? Basically speaking they would be anyone who opposes the will of God. This would include people continually involved in any sort of evil as defined in God’s word: murder, robbery, sexual immorality, covetousness, lying, hatred, lawlessness, selfishness, etc. Those guilty of teaching false doctrine and leading people away from the truth of the gospel or even away from God Himself would also be enemies of God. In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians (1:6-10), he speaks more specifically about the Lord’s return “in flaming fire” when He will bring retribution “to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” Obeying the gospel is a reference to a person’s initial faith in Christ and baptism into His death. Knowing God comes about in one’s Christian walk as he or she is conformed more and more into the image of the Christ. It seems rather plain that those who have not obeyed the gospel nor know God fall into the category of God’s enemies. How can I avoid the wrath of God? Obey the gospel and come to know Jesus. Only He can deliver from “the wrath to come.”

Genesis 3:8-11 “Where are you?” is the first recorded question that God asked of man. Now when God asks a question of any person, He is not searching for information since He knows everything. God’s question is for the benefit of the man to bring him face to face with some truth or reality. So why did God ask this question of Adam? Just prior to this, the serpent (i.e. the devil) had come into the garden of Eden where Adam and his wife Eve had been graciously set up by God in a paradise. However, the devil, being the enemy of God and therefore mankind, proceeded to tempt Eve to sin so as to disrupt this entire arrangement and put man at odds with the Lord. Through cunning words and outright lies he convinces Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. She shares with Adam who it appears just stands by and watches the whole event unfold. (We men still have much to learn about leadership.) So when the pair had eaten of the forbidden fruit, “the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked.” They sewed coverings for themselves of fig leaves and hid when they heard the sound of God walking in the garden. Prior to this, they had never hidden from God and had enjoyed open and transparent communion with Him. But their sin had changed all of that! It had become a barrier between them and their Father and Creator. Thus God’s question: “Where are you?” God wants them to tell Him why they are hiding so He can explain the seriousness of what they’ve done and the consequences which were to follow. They were both now dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) which caused God to remove them from His presence. In time, they both suffered a physical death. People have been trying to “hide” from God in various ways ever since: deliberate ignorance, excuses, too involved with work, health issues, finances, et al. And God keeps asking the same question because He loves all His children: “Where are you?”

Philippians 3:13; 2 Peter 1:9 We are creatures of time and memory. The things which happen to us in time (especially what is significant, traumatic, thrilling, satisfying, etc.) are indelibly etched in our memory. We can recall these events at will and “remember” them, savoring the good and cringing again at what was troubling. When it comes to things spiritual, Dr. Del Tackett observes that we tend to forget what we should remember and to remember what we should forget. I tend to agree with him, but Paul and Peter noted this before we did. Paul (Philippians 3) recounts everything which he used to put stock in of his Hebrew background: ancestry, zeal in persecuting the church, blameless keeping of the law, et al. He relates, however, that he has given all of this up to gain Christ and to know Him. He has come to believe that Christ is of far greater value than anything he previously had. Thus, he purposes to forget all of those things which he used to hold dear and to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” In doing so, he sets the example for us to do the same - not to look back longingly at what you have given up for Christ. Cut yourself loose from your past idols and weaknesses and press on to the goal of knowing Christ Jesus. Peter (2 Peter 1), on the other hand, reminds his readers that there is something which they dare not forget. He notes the “precious and magnificent promises” which have been made to Christians and exhorts them to be diligent to progress in various qualities of discipleship: faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love. If they do this, they will be effective and fruitful in the true knowledge of Christ, but if they do not, they will even forget they have been purified from their sins. For Peter it is most important that we remember that we were dead in sin and that Christ Jesus has cleansed us from every one of them! We are indebted to Him for His love and His cross. So, what do you need to forget? What do you need to remember? Hmmm?

Hebrews 10:35-39 In their book The Warrior’s Soul, Jerry Boykin and Stu Weber discuss the need for each Christian to develop and regularly review their own set of spiritual values. What do you personally absolutely believe? For what truth will you fight and die, if need be? For whom will you die? What are the driving principles in your spiritual fight? They provide a quotation attributed to a young Rwandan man who was faced with having to die for his faith in Christ. As his impending death neared, he wrote the following description of his own faith and spiritual values by which he lived and would die: “I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made - I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, worldly talking, cheap giving & dwarfed goals. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till He stops me & when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.” Powerful stuff!! It’s the same powerful stuff which we need today to fight against all the evil which is being perpetrated in our world and to bring people to Christ for saving and freedom. For what will you die?

James 1:19-20 Most of us are not “natural born” listeners. We tend to either be disinterested in what another person is saying or “hijack” the conversation and make it about ourselves. Being a good listener takes effort, but it produces great rewards. James admonishes for us to be “quick to hear, slow to speak.” In context, he is most likely talking about hearing the word of God since he mentions it in vv 18, and 21 to 23. For sure, we must be quick and eager to hear the word of God for our own good, but the principle can certainly be applied to our interaction with others. Let’s consider this with a personal conversation in view. Resist... reacting immediately to what another person is saying. Don’t jump in with “That happened to me once...” or “This is what I think about that...” You have hijacked the conversation. Empathize... by listening with your heart. Try to enter into their situation whether it be a joyful event or a difficult happening. Try to “hear” exactly from where they are coming. Brother Jim McGuiggan notes that “Listening is more than saying nothing while another is speaking.” Ask questions... so you can further understand what their situation is. Draw them further into the conversation and make it about them! Offer... help if it is warranted. Prayer is always appropriate, but you may be able to do something else. Perhaps you can enlist the help of another or maybe even the church. Identify... with their situation if you can. This should be done after they have fully shared their situation. Now you can say: “I remember when...” or “This happened to us...” But avoid ever saying: “I know exactly how you feel.” No two people or situations are exactly alike. If we learn to practice “quick to hear, slow to speak,” our relationships at home and in the church will climb to new heights!

Ephesians 2:4-10 The scriptures plainly teach that we are saved by the grace of God. Grace means something similar to a favor or kindness rendered to another. Often in our own lives, someone will do something for us and we “return the favor.” In the case of God’s saving us by His grace, the favor He renders us is unmerited. He is not returning us a favor but doing something for humanity wholly out of His love for us. Little do we realize the depth of God’s grace toward us. Let us consider these thoughts from scripture. God’s grace is rich toward us in that He loved us before we loved Him. In fact, God enables us to love! “...love is from God.” We would not know love except God showed us what love is and enables us to love Him and one another. (1 John 4:7-8, 19) God’s grace is rich toward us through the power of the cross. Jesus said: “And I, if I am lifted up f rom the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” (John 12:32) When the message of the cross is told to people - that God Himself was suffered death by crucifixion to save humanity - it resonates in the heart. It has great power and appeal. True, people can turn away, but there is still an attraction there. God’s grace is rich toward us by the power He has provided to work in us by the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks of our being “strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man” and God’s being “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” (Ephesians 3:16, 20) At baptism, believers receive the gift of the Spirit, and He begins to transform us into the image of the Son and to empower us to do God’s will. Christians are tapped into a divine source of power! The Spirit of God is also active in leading the Christian in his/her daily walk (Romans 8:12-14), and He helps in our weakness by interceding for the saints in our prayers (Romans 8:26-27). The work of the Spirit is wide-ranging and never ending. We are truly saved by grace, from our initial obedience and on throughout our daily walk. Thanks be to God!

1 Corinthians 13:13 “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Have you ever wondered why love is the greatest? Let’s consider these three which are the essence of the human response to an almighty Creator God. Faith is the foundation. If a person does not believe that God exists, he will go no further. Faith begins with believing in the existence of an “invisible” God who created all that we can see and not see (Hebrews 11:1-3, 6). God is real and has chosen to reveal Himself to the sons of men in various ways and at different times. The most significant revelation was when God came in the person of Jesus, the Son. But simply believing in the existence of God is not faith. Belief elevates itself to faith when a person begins to accept the word of God as truth and follow it in his life. The believer begins to change and walk with God. Trust develops. The individual places their life, the now and the future, in the hands of this benevolent and holy God. This brings us to hope, a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). Through faith in God and belief that His word and promises are true, hope flourishes. God has made promises of great reward and eternal life for those men and women who are faithful through life. This hope is solidified by belief in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Now for love. As a person begins to understand what this God is offering them and to grasp the love which moved Him to send His Son to obtain it by coming in the likeness of men and submitting to death on a cross, the flame of love is lit in the person’s heart. Love is the humble response. It is no coincidence that Jesus affirmed the foremost commandment to be: “...you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart...” (Mark 12:29-30). This love is not something we manufacture but is a natural outgrowth of faith and hope. Then we note John’s observation that “...God is love.” (1 John 4:8). When an individual begins to return God’s love to Him and to love others, he becomes more and more like God. Thus, love is the greatest!

Ephesians 5:25-30 Back in the 1960's and 70's during what was later termed as the “sexual revolution” a phrase was coined - “free love.” The idea was that love - by which sex was implied - should be without any attachments. There would be no personal commitments, no restrictions regarding partners and certainly no marriages. This idea continues with us today as people continue to disregard God’s design for “love” and indulge themselves in all types of sexual activity outside of a marriage covenant. If we examine this concept of “free love,” we notice two important things. First, the word “love” has been hijacked to mean something other than what it truly is. Second, it is a contradiction. Love is not a synonym for sex. Neither is love only about having “feelings” for someone. Love is devotion. In his instructions about marriage, Paul tells husbands to love their wives “just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” In using Christ’s example of love for the church, Paul very clearly spells out the nature of love. It is fully devoted to another for their good, even to the point of giving one’s life for their benefit. This is love at its finest. But love also expresses itself in small acts of kindness and deference such as making your spouse’s cup of tea; putting the dishes away; encouraging your spouse to choose the restaurant; overlooking little irritations; seeing to your spouses' needs when she is ill, etc. In looking at Christ’s love for the church which is enjoined upon husbands for their wives, one sees the contradiction in the term “free love.” Love isn’t free, and true lovers don’t want to be free. In fact, they bind themselves together in a marriage covenant in which they pledge their full devotion to one another through “richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.” They pledge their faithfulness to one another just as Christ demonstrated His love for the church and gave His life for her. Lovers wouldn’t have it any other way. “Free love?” No such thing. The word of God says so.

Luke 18:9-14 Many of us have been blessed to have been born into Christian homes. Our parents loved us and cared for us from birth. They weren’t perfect, but did their best to teach us right from wrong and to discipline us when necessary. (Some of us received that discipline a lot more frequently than others!) They told us about God, took us to church and modeled the ways of Christ for us in our home. This was truly a great blessing, and more than likely it kept us from a life which sank into the “deep things of Satan” (Revelation 2:24). Many (though not all) who did not have the benefit of this Christian upbringing were drawn into the depths of evil. Among such things are sexual immorality of all types, drunkenness, drug addictions, greed (manifested in theft, gambling, shady business practices, etc.), Satan worship, human trafficking (for sex and money), slavery, pornography, abuse of power, etc. We are aware of such things, but let’s observe this. If a person has never been caught up in any of these things, especially for a significant period of time, they really have no idea what it’s like to be enslaved by Satan in any of these traps. To feel the helplessness, the hopelessness, the guilt, the shame - to be convinced that there is no way out nor even a reason to want out - most of us will never know these feelings or be so totally deluded by such lies. It is imperative, then, that those who have had the benefit of being reared in a Christian home, be extremely careful about how they view those who have been or even still are caught up in the evil ways of the world. Jesus told a parable about this. The Pharisee prayed, pointed out his own righteous deeds, and thanked God he was not like other people who had been involved in sins and crimes of all sorts. The Publican could only look away from heaven and pray: “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” I wonder if God saw the self-righteousness of the Pharisee to be a worse sin than anything which the Publican might have done?