Tag: Holy Spirit

January 27 – Matthew 28 – Making Disciples

The end of the Gospel according to Matthew gives a clear understanding of what Jesus expected us to be doing until he returned. In Matthew 28 the resurrected Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew28:18–20NIV

These verses are often called The Great Commission. In them we recognize the authority given to Christ. He is in charge of everything, as “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to [Jesus].” He is the one who had the authority to send the original disciples. He has the authority to tell us what to do. We are not in the business of making members, or recruiting givers, or looking to build magnificent buildings. We are to “make disciples of all nations.” We are to baptize “them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded us.

This can be a daunting commission if we think about accomplishing it in our strength and wisdom. However, this commission contains a fact that is empowering and comforting. Jesus said, “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Through the presence of his indwelling Spirit, Jesus is strengthening us and giving us the wisdom to make disciples of all the nations. The proof is in the pudding. The church has been growing since the time of Christ and will continue to do so until he returns!

Prayer:

Loving and gracious Lord Jesus, I am glad all authority has been given to you! Help me to remember I am called to make disciples. Help me to rely on you for strength and wisdom in reaching others with the Gospel. Amen.

January 26 2023 – Hebrews 4 – Our Great High Priest

In Hebrews 4, two things caught my attention. The first was when the author of Hebrews quoted David from the Psalms. “…Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews4:7NIV  I grew up in a very evangelistic tradition. We were always inviting people to be saved. I can remember hearing preachers pleading with people at the end of the service altar call. “If you hear Jesus calling you, do not pass up this opportunity… be saved today!” There was the implied and sometimes spoken idea, that the Spirit of God may not come back around to you again. You hear that idea in the song Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior.

There is something else in the words of David quoted by the author of Hebrews… the idea that we can and do harden our hearts to God. The warning is not so much that God isn’t calling, rather don’t harden your heart. That can be cherishing sin and refusing to repent or it can be as simple as hearing God’s will and saying not today. The burden of responsibility in that statement is on us. “…Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews4:7NIV

The other thing in Hebrews 4 that caught my attention is at the end of the chapter. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews4:14–16NIV

In these verses we learn than not only did Jesus pay the price for our sins, he knows exactly what we are going through when we are tempted. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin. When you struggle with sin, know that Jesus endured the same temptation and did not sin. He knows what you are going through because he was tempted in every way just like you.

Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit to be able to resist temptation. Because of Pentecost you have the Holy Spirit living in you. That same power that was able to deliver Jesus from temptations is available to you. When you feel overwhelmed by temptation, go to Jesus in prayer. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews4:16NIV

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for atoning for my sins! Thank you for being able to understand and empathize with my weaknesses because you were tempted just like me. Lord help me to yield my will to you when I hear your Spirit and not harden my heart. Amen.

January 23 2023 – Hebrews 1 – Who Is Jesus?

Who was Jesus? That is a question that is pondered in academia still today. In the modern world, some “scholars” will side step the plain teachings of Scripture to try to piece together a historical picture of who Jesus was. They have seminars where they speculate about him. They cast their votes as to the authenticity of his words presented in the Bible. In these votes, they have almost eliminated all of the words attributed to Jesus in the gospels.  He was a good teacher seems to be the consensus outside of Christendom. Some people would go so far as to say Jesus never even existed, ignoring ample historical evidence outside of Scripture.

In beginning Hebrews 1, the unknown author gives us a description of Christ. In Hebrews, the author is showing the supremacy of faith in Jesus Christ over the Old Covenant. The readers of Hebrews at the outset are given an understanding of just who Jesus is.

First, we learn that God spoke to us through Jesus. “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” Hebrews1:1–2NIV  In that statement we understand that as heir of everything, all that is, belongs to Jesus. As a result of our faith in Christ, Paul tells us that we are co-heirs with Christ so we share in the inheritance.

In verse 2, we also learn that the universe was made through Jesus. We have heard and many of us memorized John 1:1-3. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John1:1–3NIV  Hebrews 1:2 reinforces our understanding that Jesus is not just a good teacher, he is a co-creator with our Heavenly Father.

What does God look like? Does he look like Michelangelo’s commonly accepted presentation of the gray-bearded, old man upstairs? The Bible tells us God is invisible and God is Spirit. However, Hebrews tells us, “the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” Hebrews1:3NIV  If you want to know what God looks like, look at Jesus.

We also learn that everything in the universe holds together in Christ. “…[He, Jesus, is] sustaining all things by his powerful word…” Hebrews 1:3 NIV  John Wesley said that Jesus holding the universe together is like a person holding up a rock. If he were to let it go, everything would undo into nothingness.

Who is Jesus? Jesus is God! Jesus was with God in the beginning and everything that is, was made through him and belongs to him. He holds it all together through his powerful word. He is the exact representation of God and the radiance of God’s glory. He is also our redeemer. When we were dead in our transgressions and sins, he bore them on the cross for us and ransomed us back to God. Hebrews tells us, “…after he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews1:3NIV  At the appointed time, the Heavenly Father is going to send Jesus back to get us and we will be with him where he is.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for creation made for and through you! Thank you for representing the Father to me! Thank you for atoning for my sins! Lord help me to live for you through your Holy Spirit. Amen!

January 22 2023 – Matthew 23 – Hypocrites

In Matthew 23 Jesus castigates the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. Throughout the chapter he calls them hypocrites, snakes, vipers and says they are full of all kinds of uncleanness. As I read their condemnation, I thought how could they be so awful? How could they miss what seems so clear to me as a twenty-first century Christian? I think I understand the Scriptures reasonably well. I have heard some good teachers and preachers explain it.

That is exactly what they thought too. They studied the Scriptures, memorizing whole chapters at a time. They had rabbis and schools of thought that lined up with their understanding of Scripture. They were confident they, and the interpretation they subscribed to, had it right.

Jesus says to them, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” Matthew23:15NIV   I believe what led to their hypocrisy was pride. There must have been pride that the rabbis had when they garnered followers. There must have been pride that the ardent pupils had when debating the teachings of their rabbis with others.

In this rebuke of Jesus, we need to hear a warning about pride that leads to hypocrisy. We need to talk about our understandings of Scripture with a healthy dose of humility. We need to recognize that “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians13:12NRSV   Coming to the Scriptures in humility will remind us to depend on our true teacher, the Holy Spirit. Humility will help us to listen more and try to convert others to our views less. In the process, Jesus through the Holy Spirit will point out our hypocrisies. Hopefully, we, unlike the Pharisees and teachers of the law, will have ears to hear what the Spirit says to us.

In our reading of Scripture and affirmation of beliefs about it, we have not uncovered all of the mysteries of God. It is possible, being the recipients of these sacred writings handed down from generation to generation, that we could be reading our culture and experience into them, and we could misunderstand what God was inspiring the writers to say.

Read the Bible independently and in a community of faith, in humility and in dependence on the Holy Spirit. Give others the same attentive patience as they share what they have heard and understood from it. Share what God has revealed to you through the Holy Spirit, not as an expert, but in humility as one who knows in part, because in this world only God knows fully.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for revealing yourself and your love for me in your Holy Scriptures! Lord, help me to depend on your Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth. Help me to have an attitude of humility as I join conversations about your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 20 – Titus 2 – Godly Training

In Titus 2 the Apostle Paul is giving Titus instructions to pass along to the people Titus serves. There are instructions for older men and women, for younger men and women, even for slaves as they serve their masters.

The Apostle Paul says that the grace of God is “training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus2:12-13NRSV

Those verses say several things to me. First, God is training us. It isn’t something that we get instantly when we get saved. It is something that takes a long time, possibly a lifetime. Second, we are all called to live lives “that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.” Lastly, we are all waiting for our blessed hope to appear, “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

We know who we are called to be. God is training us continually to be who we are called to be. We know that there is a day when all of our struggles will be over… the day when our Lord is revealed!

Prayer:

God, thank you for the grace you brought to us all through Jesus Christ. Thank you for training us to be who you are calling us to be. Thank you for the blessed hope we have in the return of Jesus Christ! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 18 2023 – Leviticus 19 – Be Holy

The founder of the Methodist church, John Wesley, believed that we could become perfected in love in this life. The Wesleyan tradition places a lot of emphasis on holiness. Elders are asked at ordination if they are moving on to perfection and do they expect to achieve it in this lifetime. While not claiming we could be completely sin free (he still allowed we could sin accidentally or unintentionally), Wesley did believe that people could be perfected in love. That meant he believed a person could become so sanctified in Christ that every decision was made out of motivation to love God and others.

Even if you take the sin free aspect out of the equation it still seems like a tall order. Where in the world did he come up with such a notion? Wesley, believed that God would not have told us to do something that was impossible to do. In Leviticus 19, Moses is told by God to, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Leviticus19:2NIV

There are some interesting things to note. 1. The instruction was for the “entire assembly of Israel.” This was not just an instruction for the Priests or Levites. This was an instruction for everyone. 2. It was not optional. There were no qualifiers like, “if you feel like it,” or “if you can,” added. 3. We are to be holy because God is Holy. We are to be like God. When God became man and dwelt among us, that gave us an even more specific example. We are to be like Jesus.

Holiness is the goal because our God is a Holy God. It is not optional. It is not just for some of us, we are all called to be holy. So how do we, mere mortals, live up to such a high calling? We are not God after all.

We are not God, but we do have God with us. “For in him [God] we live and move and have our being…” Acts17:28NIV  Not only are we in God, but God is also in us. “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” 1 Corinthians6:17, 19NIV  We are in God and God is in us. The same God who gave us the goal of being holy, lives in us and is enabling us to do just what he commanded.

In our own strength, holiness is impossible. However, for the Holy God living in us, nothing is impossible. It is possible for us to be perfected in love in this lifetime, in as much as we depend on a perfectly Holy God to bring that about in us.

Prayer:

Holy God, thank you for your perfection. Help me to rely on you living in me to become like my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.