Posted on by craigcondonlayreader

1 Kings 19:1-15 Why Are You Here?

Do you ever think that you are doing God’s work and things still aren’t turning out? When that happens, do you think to yourself, “What’s with this awful mess?” If you have, then perhaps you can sympathize with the prophet Elijah and what he was going through in 1 Kings 19:1-15.

Elijah had just stood on Mount Carmel and withstood 450 prophets of Baal, and he had outrun Ahab to Beer-sheba. But at the news that Jezebel was coming, he ran as fast as he could and for as long as he could. For a moment Elijah forgot all that God had done and acted in fear rather than faith.

Great challenges often follow great victories. Elijah had just seen God do a great miracle, but Jezebel’s threat scared him. None of us stand strong in faith all the time, but God still uses us. Elijah had great zeal for God, but zeal, unattended eventually becomes its own God. It compels us toward expectations which are unrealistic and outside the timing and anointing of God. To remain balanced, zeal must be reined in and harnessed by strategic encounters with the living God.

Being afraid is not a sign of weakness; it is the response to fear that reveals character. Stressful situations can drive us to inappropriate responses. Elijah might have fled to the wilderness not so much to escape Jezebel’s threat as to engage in a spiritual retreat for the benefit of his soul. He wanted to be alone with God in order to pour out his troubles, recommit his soul to the Lord, and see what God would say to him.

The Israelites believed that suicide was an affront to the Lord, so it was not an option for Elijah. That’s why he asked God for death, because he saw the situation as hopeless. Elijah did not really want to die; he was just despondent and in need of rest and sustenance. Christians should be glad for the prayers that God does not answer, and thankful that He sifts through their prayers, interpreting their real needs and longings.

God did not chastise Elijah or punish him. God provided for Elijah’s physical needs before meeting his spiritual and emotional needs. It has been suggested that what happened to Jesus after His temptation in the wilderness was very much like what happened when the angel ministered to Elijah. When Elijah was at the end of his strength, God intervened. Being out of strength is not a bad place to be. If we look to God, He is prepared to meet us in our moments of need.

Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, is where Moses received his commissioning at the burning bush, and where Moses struck the rock and water miraculously came out. More importantly, in this very mountain where God instructed Moses regarding the formation of Israel, He instructed Elijah about the reformation of Israel. As Moses had spent 40 days on Mount Sinai without bread and water, sustained only by God as he waited for a new phase of service, so Elijah was to spend 40 days depending on God as he prepared for a new commission from God.

Elijah’s self-pity is out of character for him since he had so recently experienced dramatic evidence of God’s care. If the earlier miracles were not enough to encourage him, the meals he received from the angel should have convinced him that God still loved him and cared for him.

All the strength God gives us is meant for service, not for indulgence or pride. When Elijah found the cake baked on the coals and the jar of water placed at his head as he laid under the tree, he was not being given a special treat that he could lie back and enjoy. He was being sustained so that he could fulfill his responsibilities for the next 40 days and 40 nights. It is the same for us. We eat the bread of heaven so that we can expend our strength in God’s service. God cares for us, feeds us, and watches over us, even in our moments of despair. God will provide what we need so that we can take up the journey ahead of us. In fact, God has already provided for us through His Son, Jesus Christ, who invites us to come and rest in Him.

In answering God’s question, Elijah did what discouraged people do; he selectively-and inaccurately-reported the facts, magnifying the problem and minimizing the good. In this case, he underestimated the strength of God and overestimated the strength of the enemy. Yet God would minister to him through the demonstration of His presence, the small voice, the new assignment, the assurance that there were still many who were like him, and the supply of a ministry partner and friend. God would assign three men to complete what Elijah had begun in removing Baal worship from Israel. One of them, Elisha, would be God’s answer to the solitary Elijah’s need for a friend. Elisha’s name means, “God saves.”

Like Elijah, we need to rest in God, recall his faithfulness, and trust Him for the future. God remains active in our lives even when it feels as though He has fallen silent. How many of us have prayed that we might die when confronted with stubborn unbelief or fierce opposition? Time alone with God can provide a remedy.

God used three signs that traditionally accompany His presence-wind, earthquake and fire-to communicate to Elijah on the mountainside. His presence in the still small voice suggests that God works in gentle ways as well as powerful ways.

Elijah needed to restore his faith in God, his faith in himself, and his faith in others. His wilderness experience addressed all three. God was still there, as powerful and loving as ever. Elijah could still trust Him. Eijah could believe in himself because he was still important to God. There was still work for him to do.

On Mount Sinai, God focused Elijah’s attention on the problems of other people. He needed to begin thinking about the faithful remnant who had not bowed the knee to the prophets of Baal. He needed to be concerned about others who were waiting for his prophetic words. The vision of need gave Elijah new enthusiasm for his work.

God did not speak through the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. He spoke in a gentle whisper. Today there is a surplus of noise in our lives, but God still speaks in a quiet voice through the Scriptures and by His Spirit. If we take time to prayerfully focus our attention on Him, it will help us tune in to His comforting, guiding voice.

All of us go through times of loneliness and despair. We may even think that God doesn’t care for us because we have not seen Him around us in a long time. We may think that God may speak through something dramatic in our lives and expect it to happen in a thunderstorm. More often God speaks to us in the quiet moments of life when we have the time to really listen for God’s voice. That voice is the Holy Spirit.

When we realize that God has placed a call on our lives, and we say “yes” to that call, then as long as we live on this earth, we will never be done. Our call isn’t over until God says its over and takes us home. Until then, all of us, no matter what our age, or health, or ability level, or energy level have a vital, vibrant ministry to do. We have something unique to add to the kingdom. That does not mean that we will never be afraid, worried, tired, or just want to crawl under the covers and say, “I’m done, God.” It just means that our ministry isn’t always what we plan.

Elijah teaches us to bring all our emotions and problems to God. God will be present to us in different ways on different parts of the journey we call life. He might not speak to us through a storm cloud or a deluge of rain, but He will find a way to be present with us. He touches our lives through the people He places around us, because they are the hands and heart of God to us. If there are no people, God will personally come through for us, giving us strength out of nowhere.

God asks us the same question He asked Elijah: “What are you doing here?” What motivates us to be in church, a minister’s study, a particular job, a particular church activity, or a retirement hobby? What will we do with our lives, short as they are compared to God’s timeline? What are we afraid of? What keeps us from claiming our divine destiny? When life questions us, we may discover new sides of ourselves and the divine-human presence in our lives.

If we find ourselves in the desert, we must not simply lie down. Our best days are not behind us. Encounters with God are calls to action. They can transform us and empower us. God has a purpose for us. He completes what He begins. We can be refreshed by the reminder of God’s presence and press on in the work He has called us to do.
(An audio version of this message can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/1-kings-19-verses-1-15-why-are-you-here–66672053)

Bibliography

  1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 469-470)
  2. Dilday, R., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 9: 1,2 Kings (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc., 1987, pp. 199-208)
  3. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
  4. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
  5. Bill Crowder, “Listening for God’s Voice.” Retrieved from www.rbc.org
  6. Garrett Galvin, “Commentary on 1 Kings 19:4-8.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org
  7. Bayless Conley, “The Power of Zero.” Retrieved from Bayless@AnswersBC.org
  8. Os Hillman, “Mount Horeb.” Retrieved from os@marketplaceleaders.org
  9. Joni Eareckson Tada, “Had Enough?” Retrieved from response@info.joniandfriends.org
  10. Kurt Selles, “Sleep of Exhaustion.” Retrieved from today@thisistoday.net
  11. Bruce Epperley, “Finding God in Silence and Chaos-Pentecost 2 Commentary.” Retrieved from https://www.patheos.com/blogs/livingaholyadventure/2025/06/finding-god-in-silence-and-chaos-pentecost-2-commentary/#disqus_thread
  12. The Rev. Sharron R. Blezard, “What are you doing here, (insert your name)?” Retrieved from www.stewardshipoflife.org
Posted on by craigcondonlayreader

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 A Thorn in the Flesh is Not a Sign of Weakness

For most of us, the idea of strength in weakness doesn’t make any sense. Strength and weakness are opposites. They don’t go together at all. Weaknesses are bad and are to be avoided at all costs. Strengths are good, and something all of us want. That explains why most of us do everything we can to avoid, overcome, or conceal our weaknesses. They make us feel vulnerable. They can even frighten us.

The apostle Paul was under attack at Corinth by people who claimed they were better speakers and had supernatural powers and visions. They claimed they were better apostles than Paul. Instead of engaging in one-upmanship with them, Paul took the opposite approach. He claimed that his ministry followed the model of the Suffering Servant and backed it up by listing all the hardships he had endured in the service of Christ. Paul also told the story of an unusual spiritual experience he had in the past. This vision was so extraordinary that Paul was afflicted by “a thorn in the flesh” to keep him from boasting about it.

The passage we heard from 2 Corinthians 12 describes a moment in Paul ‘s life when he had a heavenly experience. Scripture does not provide many details. In fact, Paul seemed reluctant to even mention his own name, instead saying, “I know a man…” Scholars agree, however, that Paul was talking about himself. He was not even sure if his experience was physical or spiritual, but he did know he was given the unique privilege of going to heaven and returning to tell of it.

Much debate has surrounded Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” The point is not the specific thorn but that it existed at all. The flesh is still corrupt and corrupting, even in an apostle who was given divine revelation and visions. But God is greater than Satan and greater than the flesh. Through human brokenness, as God servants are made humble, the power of Christ shines through their lives and ministries.

This thorn greatly pained Paul, but God’s provision was and is sufficient. God’s grace for personal trials is always able to meet human need. In the face of the thorn that remained, Paul did not complain about his state. Rather, he cultivated a new attitude, recognizing that what was weak in him served to magnify what was strong in God. God always wants those who are weak to be channels of His great power. His struggle with physical vulnerability revealed to him more surely than any divine ecstasy could the nature of the power of God; this is a power that shows itself in this world in and through weakness.

There is a correlation between weakness and spirituality. The more vulnerable we are, the more open we make ourselves to the presence of God, and the deeper our faith and our spirituality. God’s sovereign grace is most evident in the life of his people when they are inadequate rather than strong. Paul boasted in his weaknesses.

When we are beaten low, it is then we can recognize and apply God’s sovereign grace. Weakness, failure, trouble, doubt, fear…all the things that seem to confine our individual Christian lives and the life of our Chrisitan community, is the stuff that lays bare the operation of God’s sovereign grace.

That grace is shown in the message of the cross. It puts all virtues in a very different light. The cross was shameful. To the Jew it was the symbol of God’s curse. To the Greeks, it was a symbol of public disgrace. To the Romans, it was the death of traitors and rebels. Nothing in the structure of these cultures prepared anyone for the preaching of the cross. It was a stumbling block to Jews and absurd to the Greeks, but to those whom God had called, it was Christ-the wisdom of God and the power of God. In our modern culture that stresses personal autonomy and social advancement we should more directly conform our mindset to the gospel of our weakness.

It is okay for our weaknesses to be seen. Don’t be afraid to be a fool who boasts of the weakness of his or her virtues. When we see the weakness of our virtues, then we realize that the kingdom does not rest upon our virtue and power, but upon God’s.

(An audio version of this message can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/2-corinthians-12-verses-1-10-a-thorn-in-the-flesh-is-not-a-sign-of-weakness–66465377?fbclid=IwY2xjawKy5lRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0RnRlOUNnZHplVWpYQmJvAR7bx_7UmAR3gtMDb7gknajs0Km9icBkS1lbjZMOe3694cO7w3nwBoXB33rk4A_aem_MCaXcs_kSo5b25NV0_2sPA)

Bibliography

  1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worth Publishing; 2013; pp. 1614-1615)
  2. The Rev. Dr. Alan Brehm, “Strength in Weakness.” Retrieved from www.thewakingdreamer.com
  3. Sally A. Brown, “Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:2-10.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org
  4. Dan Lewis, “The Gospel of Our Weakness.” Retrieved from www.journeywithjesus.net
Posted on by craigcondonlayreader

Psalm 19 Listen to God and His Creation

When you were young, were you ever told to mind your manners? In that respect, “minding” is more like “remember” or “pay attention to.” It’s a matter of “keeping it in mind.” That is the type of minding we read in Psalm 19.

Psalm 19 reveals the God who is continually communicating with us through His works and through His Word. The psalm begins with a meditation on the works of God: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.” As we “listen” to the heavens we hear God’s glory. They “continually declare” as they both worship the Creator with their praise and witness his glory to us. If you want proof, go outside on a clear night and just stare up into the sky for several minutes. Soak up the grandeur, majesty and vastness of the starry host-and then think: My God made all this. Nature is only a name for an effect, and the cause is God. The touch is his.

We are not to listen for literal speech, but there is real communication. Thus Paul sees all of us accountable to God because of creation. He writes in Romans 1:20 that “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so they are without excuse.” God is not limited to words in His communication with us. He uses angels, visions, dreams, even impressions and mental pictures.

This psalm points out the two areas where God has chosen to reveal Himself: “the heaven” refers to what appears in the sky above; “the firmament” means the expanse of God’s creation. The entire universe testifies of the Creator and brilliantly displays the glory of God.

God has placed the sun (an object of worship among the pagans) in the heavens and is therefore supreme over it. The figures of the bridegroom and the runner picture the sun’s glory and power as it moves across the sky. Since it is so glorious, how much more glorious must the Creator be?

The words “testimonies,” “statutes,” “commandment,” and “judgments” are all synonyms for God’s law-the Bible. The connection between creation and God’s Word here is that as the sun is the centerpiece of creation, so must God’s Word be the centerpiece of believers’ lives.

The opening of Psalm 19 reveals the God who communicates His glory to us through His creation.  His continual communication is a witness to His desire to always be known and worshipped by us. He is also the universal God claiming all people for Himself. There is a problem. Sin has darkened our perception of Him. We have “erorrs, secret faults, and presumptuous sins.” We need more than the witness of creation. We need the Word of God so we can understand the works of God.

Psalm 19:7 tells us that “the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” The function of the law is to convert us. Through it we are restored or returned to our Creator. The legislation in the Old Testament law reveals God’s holiness and our sin. It drives us to despair so that we may be driven to Christ.

God’s law helps us avoid sin and enjoy fellowship with Him. The law does not prevent enjoyment but encourages it. Above all, His laws show us great love, and His wonderful creation proves His existence.

Psalm 19 also talks about the testimony of the Lord. When God testifies about Himself, He tells the truth. We can throw our weight on God’s testimony, and it will hold us up. His testimony is ritually clean and morally right because it is given by the holy God.

The psalmist also tells us that “the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.” In this case, fear does not mean being afraid of God. Instead, it means that we are to respect and obey God. Scripture is the essential guide and authority for determining Christian moral and ethical conduct. When God reveals His will, it is awesome. The law came from Mount Sinai with thunder, smoke, and fire. Also, God’s will is fearsome because of our sin. When God reveals Himself in His holiness, we cry out “Woe is me.” It is through God’s law that God establishes His justice and His judgment. God reveals what is true and right. We are accountable to that revelation on the Day of Judgment. To hear His Word and to do it is to build our house upon the rock. To see, to study, and to obey God’s Word is to labour with that which lasts.

God’s law is like a mirror that reveals our spiritual posture. There are corrections we can make once we are warned, but that only gets us so far. That’s why we need a Rock and Redeemer to revive our spiritual hearts.

In the Psalms, “keeping” the commandments resembles the way the whole of creation obeys God’s will. It’s simply a matter of doing what we’re meant to do by instinct. In the same way, God’s law teaches us the way to live in harmony with God’s will-with God’s justice, mercy, and love.

Verse 11 mentions that there is a great reward in obeying God’s law. The reward is threefold. First, there is the reward of doing God’s will. Second, it is the reward of living a fulfilled life-converted, wise, rejoicing, enlightened, enduring, true and righteous. The third reward is the assurance of being ready to stand before Christ’s judgment seat.

All of revelation, general and special, all of God’s streams of communication to us, have only one goal. God wants us to know Him, to worship Him, to love Him, to obey Him. All of the heavenly “mass media” and all of the biblical “special programming” are for us. By faith we must switch on the receiver. The God who made us by His almighty power offers to exercise that same power on our behalf to help us speak and think in a way that honours Him.

The way we can know God, worship God, love God and obey God is to meditate on God’s Word. Meditating on God’s Word is like the tune that lingers in your head all day. You whistle, sing and strum until your life is consumed with the song. Meditating is to have God’s Word of the day echo in every moment. Meditation is also like a cow chewing its cud. The beast munches, swallows, then brings it up for another chew, just to make sure it gets out all the nourishment.

The lesson from Psalm 19 is to be wise, fear God, turn away and spare ourselves the inevitable chastisement that will follow when we sin and do not repent. God’s grace in Christ Jesus is unconditional, eternal, and greater than sin, but when temptation strikes, look at the cross! Count the cost and ask, “How can I sin and presume that I will receive God’s grace in the face of such love? Who do I think I am? How can I deliberately sin and presume that God will forgive me later?” This psalm reminds us that when we fail to obey God’s laws, we must ask for forgiveness and seek to change our ways. The earth can only be healed when we turn from our selfish disregard of God’s glorious creation.

(An audio version of this message can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/psalm-19-listen-to-god-and-his-creation–63894263)

Bibliography

  1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 718)
  2. Williams, D., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 13: Psalms 1-72 (Nashville, TN: Inc., Thomas Nelson Inc.,; 1986; pp. 157-165)
  3. Stanley, C.F..: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles, 2005)
  4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
  5. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 710-712)
  6. Joni Eareckson Tada, “Touches of Home.” Retrieved from commuinic@joniandfriends.org
  7. Dr. Ed Young, “The Meditating Heart.” Retrieved from ministry@winningwalk.org
  8. Matthew Stith, “Commentary of Psalm 19.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org
  9. Dr. Mark Schreiber, “Who Do We Think We Are?” Retrieved from www.lhm.org
  10. Karen L. Leedahl, “God Pause for Tuesday, January 21, 2025.” Retrieved from communic@info.luthersem.ed
Posted on by craigcondonlayreader

Colossians 3:12-17 The Clothing Christ Gives Us

As Pastor Dodd began his sermon, Debbie yawned and began scribbling a note on her bulletin. “Dear Carol,” she wrote. “Sorry I can’t study at your house tomorrow night. My mom and I signed up for an exercise class. I think it will be fun!” Then she added, “Much more fun than sitting here for an hour. What a drag!” Debbie folded the note and turned around to pass it, but when she noticed her mother frowning at her, she stuffed it into her Bible and read her Sunday school paper instead.

The next night, Debbie excitedly went with her mother to the big gym. She was impressed with all the exercise equipment available to them, and she had a great time trying it out during the class. “That sure was cool, Mom,” she said happily as they drove home. “I like using all that stuff. Maybe we can try out the pool next time.”

Mom yawned. “It sure made me tired,” she said.

“I’m tired, too,” agreed Debbie, “but it was fun. My muscles are a little sore, but

I feel good. I know that working out makes me stronger.”

Mom smiled. “I know what you mean,” she said with a nod. “I felt something like that after my workout yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” Debbie frowned. “You didn’t exercise yesterday, Mom. It was Sunday. We just went to church.”

“I got a spiritual workout yesterday,” said Mom. “You missed it, though.”

“But, Mom! It was just a church service, and to tell the truth, I think sermons

are usually boring,” grumbled Debbie.

“They’d seem boring to me, too, if I just sat there and really paid no attention

to what was being said,” replied Mom. “I know it’s hard for little kids to sit still

and listen, but you’re old enough now to follow along and even take few notes.

If you do that, you’ll get more out of the message.”

Debbie shrugged. “Do you think so?” she asked.

“I know so,” said Mom. “You need to exercise your mind, just like your body.

You need the spiritual exercise that you can get by thinking about what God wants

to teach you through Pastor Dodd.”

How many of you received clothing for a Christmas gift this year? Did you know that when Jesus was born He gave us a gift that is similar to clothing? The apostle Paul talks about this in Colossians 3:12-17. We are to put on the garments of Christian grace.

The first garment of Christian grace that we are to put on is tender mercies. Tender mercy suggests the deep feeling of love that has to express itself in action. That action involves compassion. Compassion begins with pity, but it is more. Compassion is that deep remorse we have when we do something about our feelings of pity. We can feel sorry for other people and do nothing about it. Feeling sorry for others may result in our pitying them, but to be moved by others’ pain, to feel their situation so deeply that we seek to act on their behalf, is compassion.

The next garment of Christian grace that we are to put on is kindness. Kindness is tender goodness, goodness that is for the well-being of others. It is defined in Scripture as the virtue of the person whose neighbor’s good is as dear as his own. It can be hard work, and occasionally this may mean that we have to face difficult situations that drain us emotionally and physically, but kindness can’t grow without conflict and strife.

Another garment we are to put on is the garment of humility or lowliness. Humility has nothing to do with self-deprecation, or cowering back, nothing to do with self-disgust at our shabby lives; nor is it a downcast, brow-beaten stance. The humble know who they are in relation to God and other people. They soundly estimate their strengths and weaknesses. They do not flaunt them but take their place in God’s kingdom without fanfare.

We are also to put on the garment of meekness. Society has forgotten the meaning of meekness today. We don’t always admire meek people, but Jesus said that the meek will inherit the earth. The Greek philosopher Aristotle defined meekness as the happy medium between too much anger and too little anger. A meek person is self-controlled because he/she is God-controlled. A meek person knows himself/herself and operates out of the realization of God’s control of his/her life.

We must also put on the garments of forbearing and forgiving. To forbear has the negative meaning of “to refrain or abstain,” or “to control oneself.” It also has the positive meaning of “bearing one,” or carrying. Forbearing and forgiving go together according to Paul. Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel. At the core of our Christian experience of salvation is our acceptance of God’s forgiveness extravagantly provided through Jesus. Forgiven people must always be forgiving. As God forgave us, we must forgive others. Only forgiving people can be forgiven.

Choosing to forgive does not condone sin, excuse the wrongs done to us, or minimize our hurts. Offering forgiveness simply frees us to enjoy God’s undeserved gift of mercy, as we invite Him to accomplish beautiful works of peace-restoring grace in our lives and our relationships. Part of forgiveness is releasing the person from the debt we think they owe us. Refusing to let go of the hurt and pain someone has caused in our lives will always rob us of our joy,

The final garment we are to put on is the garment of love. Paul puts love at the top of the list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Love is the fruit of the Spirit, and each fruit of the Spirit which follows in the list is another expression of love.

Putting on something such as love has to do with a deep and transforming inner experience which reflects itself outwardly. God’s chosen ones will not simply set aside the old life and its ways. They will display eight new characteristics, culminating in love-the bond of perfection that has the power to change the world. While humility is a grace that grows within a Christian’s heart, it is also a choice that believers make each day.

All of these garments knit us together in a legion of passion and love, of fear and hope, of jealousy and trust, of cynicism and goodwill, of indifference and concern, of distrust and awareness. How are all of these feelings to be arbitrated, to be harmonized? What feelings are to be given reign? What or where or who is the umpire to settle the clashes? The answer is to let Christ be the umpire. In Him, we have the key factor for our getting along together-the peace of Christ. To know about the garments of grace is one thing, to wear them gracefully is another.

Anyone who is joined to Christ is joined to all others who have a share in the new community. This does not mean that uniqueness and distinctiveness are obliterated; the church is not to be a nameless, faceless fellowship. The Spirit makes us one and in Christ we are of equal worth. We can’t grow into maturity in Christ Jesus without the encouragement, help, and even the needs of others.

In all things we are to be thankful. Being thankful is one sign of becoming like Christ. Paul shared four steps to becoming Christ-like:

  1. Let the peace of Christ have the final say in our lives.
  2. Make God’s Word part of our lives.
  3. Be ministry-focused instead of self-focused.
  4. Regularly express gratitude to God.

In view of what God has done through Jesus Christ for the believer, Paul described the behaviour and attitude God expects in response. The antidote to sin is to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus and to thank God in every word and deed. Praise and thanksgiving are barometers of spiritual health. Peace is Christ’s gift to His followers today and forever.

Christ doesn’t love us because of our merits. He knows we are sinners. He loves us just because He loves us. He gave Himself for us, unworthy as we are. In the same way, the love of Christ within us seeks to serve, not to be served.

Do you think church is boring–that it’s a waste of time because you don’t get anything out of it? Church is not a place to sit and daydream. It’s a place where true believers in Jesus meet to worship and serve God and to learn how to live for Him. Listen and pay attention. The more you put into it, the more you’ll benefit from it.

(An audio version of this message can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/colossians-3-verses-12-17-the-clothing-christ-gives-us–63486813)

Bibliography

  1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1675)
  2. Dunnam, M.D., & Ogilvie, L.J.,: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 31: Galatians/Ephesians/Philippians/Colossians/Philemon (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.; 1982; pp. 375-384)
  3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
  4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
  5. Xochitl Dixon, “Should I Forgive?” Retrieved from donotreply@email.rbc.org
  6. Mary Southerland, “The Freedom of Forgiveness, Part 1”. Retrieved from www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/
  7. Dr. Robert Jeffres, “Count Blessings, Not Sheep.” Retrieved from drrobertjeffres@ptv.org
  8. Dr. David Jeremiah, “Laughter Through Tiers.” Retrieved from TurningPoint@davidjeremiah.org
  9. “Spiritual Workout”. Retrieved from www.keysforkids.org
Posted on by craigcondonlayreader

Joel 2:21-27 God’s “Do Overs”

To kids on a playground, the concept of a “do-over” is well-known. When they’re playing kickball and the ball gets stuck in a tree, or when they’re playing basketball and the ball sticks between the backboard and the rim, a chorus of “do-over” can be heard. It’s an unspoken rule that every kid knows.

Sometimes as adults we wish we could resurrect the rule in our own lives. When we miss a bill payment, we long to be able to appeal to the utility company for a “do-over.” When we speak a thoughtless word that hurts another person, we wish for the same. Through the prophet Joel God tells the Israelites they can have a “do-over.” If they repent God will return what He has taken away in punishment. A plague of locusts destroyed the nation’s crops, and God promised to give the people abundant harvests once again.

Many people have had similar situations happen in their lives. Addictions, bad decisions, divorce, abuse, and other sins bring a hoard of consequences. These “locusts” rob us and those we love. Sometimes we wonder if we can ever recover from the days of spiritual ruin. Maybe you feel that your past sins have robbed you. God promised to “repay” His people “for the years the locusts have eaten.” God graciously wants to bring restoration.

Joel 2:21-27 is a reminder of how God has provided for us in our lives. In the good times and in the problems solved and health restored, we are quick to inhale and ask for more, but in the not so good times…in the hard places of life that are not so easy to chew and almost impossible to swallow, we rarely even finish the first helping.

In order to digest the nutrition God gives us properly, we must consider the following words:

  1. “You will have plenty to eat…” If we are still standing on this earth, God is assuredly providing a way for us to be here another day, and if He’s provided another day, He will get us through it.
  2. “…and you will praise the name of the Lord your God.” Good entrees in life call for a side or two of praise.
  3. “…who has worked wonders for you…” By recognizing the miracles God has woven into our everyday lives, we acknowledge the fact that He’ll do it again! The Israelites had to be reminded constantly of the way God brought them out of Egypt and provided for them. If they were prone to forget the massive miracles that God had bestowed upon them, then we are surely prone to forget what He’s done in our lives. We must choose to remember.
  4. “…never again will my people be shamed…” When Christ died on the cross, the guilt and shame and wrath we deserve for our sin was wiped out. In one last breath, He sealed those that believe in Him for good. Though our lives remain imperfect, grace forgives us over and over as we grow in holiness all the way to heaven.

God brings about both the good and the bad. The seasons of famine have a divine purpose in our lives. They accomplish things that only these hard times can accomplish. There is a time when those hard times have accomplished their purpose and He begins to restore. God wants us to know that there is a time when He will restore in order to demonstrate His gracious hand in our lives. He is a loving God who tenderly guides His children through the difficult places.

So how can we make the reality of “do-over” active in our lives once again? This concept usually doesn’t work in our adult lives and relationships without a good deal of work and humility on our part. We bear the consequences of our mistakes until regret grows and we ask for forgiveness. That’s when grace can intervene, and the person we’ve harmed can forgive. The same is true in our relationship with God. If we understand that sin has kept us from realizing our potential, we need to do the same as the Israelites: repent.

God’s provision of rain is highlighted in Joel 2:23 for good reason. Most of Palestine was totally dependent on rain to provide the water necessary for growing crops. There was no great river for irrigation, such as those enjoyed by Egypt and Mesopotamia. Sufficient rainfall was a crucial gift of the Lord to His people. Where there is rain, there can be growth. Where there is growth, there can be a harvest. Where there is a harvest, there can be hope. Where there is hope, there can be prophetic vision.

If we are without hope in the face of it all, the prophetic vision for change will not come. If we are without a harvest-without the richness of community, the resources for wellbeing, the fruits of wisdom-hope might not form. If we are without growth from seed to self, from fear to freedom, from apathy to love, we might miss the abundance of the harvest. If we are without rain-without the water and breath essential to life, without the respite of cool grace to ease the burns of struggle, without the clouds to pour over the maddening world until it stills-without rain we might not grow.

Joel 2:26-27 presents the results of the restitution offered in Joel 2:25. The receptacles for the products of the harvest will be overflowing. The threshing floor, where the grain is separated from the straw, will be full of wheat. The vats, where the olive oil and grape juice collect after the fruit is crushed, will overflow. The harvests will again be plentiful enough for the people to eat and be satisfied. The people will then praise the name of the Lord, recognizing the source of their sustenance. The people will confidently know God, His presence, and His uniqueness. They will know that He is in their midst, effectively present with them, that He is their God, active on their behalf and the One to whom they owe allegiance.

While it’s true that in the natural world we can’t get back time, we serve a supernatural God who knows how to make up for lost time. He’s not going to just restore the years we lost. He promises us an abundance of joy, an overflow of peace, and more than enough resources for what should have been ours-and that is a reason for us to be thankful.

(An audio version of this message is available at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/joel-2-verses-21-27-god-s-do-over–62342740)

Bibliography

  1. Ogilvie, L.J., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 22: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc., 1990, pp. 252-254)
  2. Os Hillman, “When God Restores What The Locusts Eat.” Retrieved from os@marketplaceleaders.org
  3. Joel Osteen, “It’s Not Too Late.” Retrieved from www.joelosteen.com
  4. Rachel Hackenburg, “Rain in the Forest.” Retrieved from dailydevotional@ucc.org
  5. Ron Moore, “Restoration.” Retrieved from www.ronmoore.org
  6. Meg Bucher, “The Swiftness of God’s Provision.” Retrieved from www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-bible-verse/
Posted on by craigcondonlayreader

James 2:1-17 Actions Do Speak Louder Than Words

The story has been told of a man who asked a minister to conduct a memorial service for his pet dog. The minister was irate. “We do not hold memorial services for dead dogs! You might try the church down the street.” As he turned to leave the man said, “I really loved that dog. I was going to offer a million-dollar gift for performing the service.” The minister spoke up, “Wait a minute, you never told me your dog was a Christian!”

We all do it. Whatever the defining factors are-race, denomination, political views, gender, economic class, or interests, too often we categorize people as “in” or “out.” These categorizations are demonstrated when we play favourites. The sin of partiality is one of the most subtle of all. Partiality reveals a non-Christian sense of values. James wrote in James 2:1-17 to warn believers of the sin of partiality and to remind us of God’s sense of values. He taught his readers to avoid partiality by observing three specific principles.

First is the example of the rich man who would enter a church service. He would be wearing fine clothes and gold rings. The human tendency would be to welcome him warmly and invite him to sit in the place of honour. James warned against this preferential treatment, arguing in James 2:6-7, “Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?” James stated that rich people should not be treated with any special honour or favour. True value in the kingdom of God has nothing to do with bank accounts, gold rings, or fine clothes.

Instead of honouring Jesus Christ, James’ readers were revering the rich and despising the poor. Instead of accepting people based on their faith in Christ, they showed favouritism based on appearance and status. Such choices allow evil to enter among believers. Our vision of God as the lover of all creation inspires us to welcome the stranger and uplift the impoverished. Beneath the exteriors of wealth and poverty and power and weakness, God’s Spirit lives. In Matthew 25 Jesus tells us to treat the poor with grace and hospitality-with equality and hospitality-because our care for the creature and the Creator are one in the same reality.

James presented a second hypothetical example to illustrate his warning against the sin of partiality. He suggests that a poor man might come into the church dressed in filthy clothes. The tendency would be to treat him much differently than a rich person. James and Jesus tell us not to dishonour the poor, and to not put down a person simply because he or she is poor.

When James uses the term “my brethren,” he is about to point out something that his readers need to change in their lives. Here he denounces all forms of prejudice, snobbery, and lack of respect for people, especially with regard to the poor. The word “partiality” means “to receive the face” and describes the favouritism that was shown to the wealthy. Such conduct dishonors the Lord, who does not play favourites.

Earthly riches do not equal spiritual wealth any more than economic poverty indicates spiritual poverty. Those who love God, regardless of their earthly financial position, are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. Jesus calls on us to serve the ones who hate us; forgive the ones who hurt us; take the lowest place, not the highest; seek to serve, not to be served; retaliate, not in kind, but in kindness.

James emphatically states that mistreating the poor (or anyone else) does not just show a lack of respect, but it also violates God’s law. Here James refers not to just Mosaic law but to the law of God’s kingdom, which Jesus stressed throughout His earthly ministry. It is the law of loving a neighbour as oneself. James stressed in chapter 2 verse 8, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself,’ you do well.”

Jesus was anything but a snob. He never walked around with His nose in the air, reminding everyone that He was somebody special. He treated the Samaritan woman at the well as kindly as He treated noble Nicodemus. He was as gracious to a beggar and a prostitute as He was to Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue. James writes, “Act like Jesus Christ; think like He thought; live as He lived; treat others as He treated them.” The world says, “Treat people like they treat you.” Jesus challenges us to live with an entirely different attitude.

Most people whom God chooses to use are not rich or powerful. When Christians reject the poor in favour of the rich, they dishonor the very people whom God has singled out for special blessings in both this life and the next. Scripture tells us that the poor are precious in the Lord’s sight. James describes the faulty thinking of his readers. Here are the poor that God wants to bless, yet James’ readers ignore them. Here are the rich who are cheating them, yet James’ readers give them honour.

When we love another with Christ’s love, we are always at eye level. We can neither look up at another person nor down. Everyone who comes into our lives is on one level, whether rich or poor, bathed or unbathed, impressive or unimpressive. Love is the key to the Christian lifestyle. Love is the very essence of God. Jesus came to teach the importance of the life of love. In John 13:34-35, He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

This is the royal law of love. James states that this love is essential. He teaches us how to obey this royal law:

  1. All of us have broken God’s law.
  2. Only love can fulfill the law.
  3. Only Christ can supply that love.

We can only fulfill this royal law when we:

  1. Acknowledge that we have broken God’s law.
  2. Discover that only the life of love can fulfill that law; and
  3. Believe that only Christ can supply that love.

Then we must receive the gift of the Holy Spirit each day so that God’s love can live within us and flow from us to touch the lives of others. The law of liberty is not a series of separate edicts but a unified whole that ultimately calls God’s people to a life of love and mercy.

Verbal faith-faith that consists of words without actions-is insufficient. It cannot save, serve, or survive. But everyone profits when the love of God abides in the believer and is expressed through good works. When James asks, “Can faith save him?” he expects a negative answer, “Of course not!” A faith that does not demonstrate itself in works is not genuine. Although works do not earn salvation, they are necessary as the proof of genuine conversion. Real faith results in a compassionate life. Any professing Christian who refuses to help a brother or sister in need casts doubt on the integrity of his or her own faith. This person shows that he or she has never responded to the great mercy of God, and as an unredeemed person, will receive only strict, unrelieved judgment in eternal hell.

Faith unaccompanied by works was never alive. A workless faith is a worthless faith. As Martin Luther said, “It is as impossible to separate works from faith as it is to separate burning and shining from fire.” Saving faith must include deeds or works. Any faith without works is useless. Works can be placed into one of two categories. There are works of the flesh and works that are done with the help of the Holy Spirit which bring glory to God

The fruitfulness of our Christian life is not just the sounds we make or the activity we generate-what we say or how busy we are. As believers, we are no longer free to respond to people based on our feelings or emotions. We must choose to act according to the royal law.  Our fruitfulness is measured by what is actually produced in our lives-the fruit of the Spirit and our witness. Bible faith is always active faith, and active faith always results in something happening. It is inconceivable for those who are walking in the Spirit to say that they have faith if that faith is not translated into appropriate works of the Spirit in reaching out and responding to the needs of a brother or sister. In other words, actions really do speak louder than words.

An audio version of this message can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/james-2-verses-1-17-actions-do-speak-louder-than-words–62149005

Bibliography

  1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp 1772-1773)
  2. Cedar, P.A., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 34: James/1&2 Peter/Jude Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984; pp. 53-64)
  3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
  4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
  5. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 1710-1712)
  6. Jim Liebelt, “Playing Favorites.” Retrieved from www.crosswalk.com/devitionals/homeword/
  7. Dr. Paul Chappell, “Productive Faith.” Retrieved from daily@dailyintheword.org
  8. Vikki Burke, “Love is a Gift.” Retrieved from www.dennisburkeministries.org
  9. Stephen Davey, “Don’t Be a Snob.” Retrieved from www.wisdomonline.org
Posted on by craigcondonlayreader

1 Corinthians 3:18-23 How to Gain God’s Wisdom

Have you ever said to yourself, “if only I knew God’s thoughts?” Some people seem presumptuous to think that they do know God’s thoughts. They’re full of advice and act as if they understand exactly what God thinks and what He would do in every situation. Too often such people fail to recognize that God’s thoughts and ways are far beyond our ability to understand. His ways are typically not our ways.

God’s Word does give a glimpse into His thoughts and desires. He calls us to forsake our worldly thought patterns and learn His principles for life because conventional, worldly wisdom is the exact opposite of God’s ways. By saturating our minds with God’s Word we begin to see both God’s message and His method.

What God calls wisdom and what the world calls wisdom are two very different things. The world looks to academia for wisdom. That is a trap. Pride loves the appearance of wisdom, but it is always rooted in self-deception. The wisdom of God; however, is viewed as foolish to the world.

Many people have concluded that when the light of faith goes on in a person’s heart, the light of knowledge in their brain has to be put out. Nowhere in Scripture does God condemn the acquisition of knowledge. It is only when experts elevate human knowledge over godly wisdom-that they become foolish. God isn’t against human knowledge. He who gave us brains to think is pleased when we put them to use. When earthly experts elevate human knowledge over God’s wisdom, they become foolish.

God used infinite wisdom when He created the earth. God by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. It would be wise to fear God, which means to stand in awe of who He is. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

If we think we have a lot of religious knowledge, we actually might not know anything. The core reason for this is that true Christianity is not adherence to doctrine and devotion. It’s a mystery that can only be known in the context of relationships. If we have the Holy Spirit in our spirit and God’s Word in our hand, all things pertaining to the mystery and all things pertaining to salvation and life in Christ are available to us. We can understand them as the Holy Spirit reveals them to us. As we submit to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to do that, He will be faithful to do it.

When we confuse being current with being wise, we deceive ourselves. The only way to be wise is to walk with God. To walk with God, we need to spend time reading and studying the Bible. There are no shortcuts to wisdom! We can ask God to give us a desire for His wisdom over any worldly wisdom. When we live in light of what He reveals to us in His Word, we won’t need to know everything in the world. We won’t need to be right all the time.

God gave us Jesus. We are the Father’s love-gift to His Son. He assessed the price of our redemption and decided it was worth the torturous, bloody death of Jesus on the cross. This knowledge will shore up our hearts against temptation. Knowing how easily we fall into temptation, we can say “I cannot, and will not do this offensive thing, for I am Christ.” This simple phrase is all the Holy Spirit needs to pull us back from the edge of disobedience.

(An audio version of this sermon can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/1-corinthians-3-verses-18-23-how-to-gain-god-s-wisdom–62148448)

Bibliography

  1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New Kings James Version (Nashville, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1378)
  2. “Reading God’s Mind.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
  3. Pastor Daid McGee, “Need Wisdom?” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
  4. Joni Eareckson Tada, “You Are of Christ.” Retrieved from communications@joniandfriends.org
  5. Pastor Ken Klaus, “Real Wisdom.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org
  6. Raul Ries, “Man’s Futile Wisdom.” Retrieved from www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/somebody-loves-you-radio-w-raul-ries/
  7. Pete Briscoe, “Do You Really Know Him?” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
  8. Rick Warren, “A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t.” Retrieved from connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com