Tag Archives: forgiveness

Words of Encouragement – May 15, 2013

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 5:18

God’s Word does not condemn the right and moderate use of alcoholic beverages such as wine; but it very clearly condemns all drunkenness, that is, being intoxicated or impaired by the use of alcohol or other drugs. Therefore, it is a sin to become drunk (or high); and those who do not repent of their drunkenness will not inherit the kingdom of God but will instead be condemned to the eternal fires of hell (Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 6:23a)!

God would have all repent of their sinful ways, trusting in Him to forgive their sins for the sake of Jesus Christ and His holy, precious blood, shed upon the cross for the sins of the world (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 33:11; 1 John 1:5—2:2).

As forgiven children of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26), God would not have us be drunk with wine (or any other drug), but, rather, be filled with His Holy Spirit, who has graciously brought us to faith in Christ and who sanctifies and keeps us in that faith through the hearing of God’s saving Word (cf. 1 Cor. 12:3; Rom. 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:13-15). God desires that we continue in His Word and follow the leading and guiding which His Spirit gives us there (cf. Col. 3:16). He would have us yield ourselves to His Spirit, who dwells in us, and not give in to the sinful desires of our flesh (cf. Gal. 5:16).

And why? That the Spirit might continue His gracious working in our hearts and lives and bring us safely through this life to our eternal home in heaven (cf. 2 Tim. 4:18)!

Dear Heavenly Father, for Jesus’ sake, forgive us for the many times we have sinned against You and grieved Your Spirit. Grant that we not give in to our old evil nature or let ourselves become intoxicated with alcohol or drugs. Rather, give us the desire to study and learn Your Word and yield ourselves to Your indwelling Spirit. In Jesus’ name name we pray. Amen.

 

Meditations in the Commandments

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

While me might commonly think of adultery only in the narrowest sense of being unfaithful to the marriage vow by engaging in a sexual relationship outside of marriage, this commandment of the LORD God really applies to all perversions of – all adulterating of – God’s original design and intent for the marriage relationship described for us in Genesis 2.

Thus, a person commits adultery when he or she is unfaithful to the marriage vow and has a sexual relationship outside of marriage; but a person also commits adultery through divorce, evil thoughts, pornography, fornication, sexual immorality, homosexuality and any other sexual perversion. Even a refusal to fulfill one’s duties in marriage is contrary to God’s intent and design (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:1ff.). And, whatever is not in accord with God’s intent and design at creation – the lifelong commitment and union of a man and a woman in marriage – is adultery.

This is why Jesus said, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28). He also says, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery” (Matthew 5:32; cf. Mark 10:12; Matthew 19:3ff.). The Bible clearly teaches: “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

When we consider this commandment, we again see our sins and failures to live up to God’s holy intent and design in creation. In fact, our whole culture is in rebellion against God’s will and design for marriage and a sexual union between one man and one woman within marriage; and we, as individuals, have also disobeyed and rebelled in our thoughts, words and actions.

Our only hope is in Messiah Jesus, who kept this commandment perfectly in our stead and then bore our full punishment and won our pardon and release when He suffered and died upon the cross for the sins of the world and rose again on the third day. He calls us to repent of our evil ways and turn unto Him for forgiveness and life everlasting. Only in Him and His blood shed for us upon the cross can we sinners find pardon, forgiveness and peace!

O dearest Jesus, forgive me for my sins in thought, word and deed. Change my heart to be like Yours. Amen.

 

Preparing for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are: Psalm 14; Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-47. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship.

Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue its study of 1 Peter, continuing in chapter 5.

 

Verse to Remember

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” Joel 2:28-29

 

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – for Sam Rusch, Bonnie Hawes, Robert and Dawn Hiebert, Mel Boren, Jennifer Rhamy, Harley Woods, Freda Stueland – for our extended families and for believers who are alone and have no congregation.

 

Events and Announcements

Passion Play - The congregation is considering a trip to Eureka Springs to see the Passion Play. A tentative date is the evening of Saturday, June 8. Show time for the Passion Play is 8:30 p.m., but free performances of David the Shepherd and Parables of the Potter begin at 7 and 7:30 p.m. The group pricing is about $21 for adults and $11 for children 6-16. Children under 6 are free. The voters have approved paying the cost for members and guests to attend. Members would have the option of contributing to help cover the costs. Anyone interested in attending is asked to contact Jim Mayer (jmayer@jkjarchitects.com) as soon as possible so that reservations can be made. Should June 8 be unworkable for members, alternative dates may be suggested. June 7 was suggested, but some have already said that date would not be workable.

Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by email at pastor@goodshepherdrogers.org.

Words of Encouragement – May 1, 2013

Have we forgotten our Maker?

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand….” Psalm 95:1-7a

In Hosea 8:14, we read that “Israel hath forgotten his Maker.” These words are not only true of Old Testament Israel at the time of Hosea the prophet; they are true of us today. As a nation and people, we have forgotten our Maker and we neglect to give Him the glory and praise due unto His name.

We need to remember that “the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).

Not only did He create all things and form us in our mothers’ wombs (Ps. 139:13-16), He redeemed us through the innocent sufferings and death of Christ Jesus, God the Son, that we might have forgiveness for all our sins and again be alive to God and worship His name.

In spite of man’s attempts to escape this fact, the truth still remains that the God of the Bible (the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost) has created us and all things by His almighty word (Gen. 1-2; Neh. 9:6). God has made us; He gave His Son to redeem us; we rightfully belong to Him, and we are accountable to Him!

Isn’t it about time we remember our Creator; look to Him to forgive our sins for the sake of the holy life and bitter sufferings and death of the Son, Christ Jesus, and then worship and serve Him with our lives!

If we do not humbly kneel before Him now, we shall be humbled and kneel before Him on the Last Day when He executes His judgment upon all people (cf. Phil. 2:5-11).

O Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Savior, forgive us for our many sins against You, and grant that we might kneel before You and worship You both now and forevermore in heaven! Amen.

 

Meditations in the Commandments

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

This commandment of the LORD requires us to honor our parents as our God-given representatives.

Children are to obey their parents; and parents – especially fathers – are to bring up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21; Deuteronomy 6:4-9). The only exception to God’s command to honor and obey parents is that we “ought to obey God rather than men” when there exists a conflict between the will of parents and the will of God Himself (cf. Acts 5:29).

This means that children sin against God when they disobey their parents and do not show them the honor and respect which God requires. Parents too are guilty of sin when they do not bring up their children to know the LORD and His ways.

How thankful we can be that Jesus Christ kept this commandment perfectly for us, not only in deed, but in word and desire! The Scriptures tell us that He submitted Himself to His parents and honored them (Luke 2:51; cf. John 19:25-27).

And, how thankful we can be that Jesus also bore upon the cross the just punishment for our sin! In Him, we sinners find pardon and forgiveness; and, in Him, we find strength and guidance to amend our ways and live in accord with God’s will and command.

Dear Lord Jesus, Son of God and our Savior, forgive our sins against the perfect will of God, our Maker, and give us the desire to live our lives for You. Amen.

 

Preparing for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are: Psalm 13; 1 Timothy 6:1-21 ; Luke 5:33-39. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship.

Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue its study of 1 Peter, continuing at chapter 4, verse 12ff.

 

Verse to Remember

“And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.” Luke 5:37-38

 

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – for Sam Rusch, Bonnie Hawes, Robert and Dawn Hiebert, Mel Boren, Jennifer Rhamy, Harley Woods, Freda Stueland – for our extended families and for believers who are alone and have no congregation.

 

Events and Announcements

Passion Play - The congregation is considering a trip to Eureka Springs to see the Passion Play. A tentative date is the evening of Saturday, June 8. Show time for the Passion Play is 8:30 p.m., but free performances of David the Shepherd and Parables of the Potter begin at 7 and 7:30 p.m. The group pricing is about $21 for adults and $11 for children 6-16. Children under 6 are free. The voters have approved paying the cost for members and guests to attend. Members would have the option of contributing to help cover the costs. Anyone interested in attending is asked to contact Jim Mayer (jmayer@jkjarchitects.com) as soon as possible so that reservations can be made. Should June 8 be unworkable for members, alternative dates may be suggested. June 7 was suggested, but some have already said that date would not be workable.

Ascension Day Worship will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. All are invited to join us as we worship our risen and ascended Savior, Jesus Christ.

Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by email at pastor@goodshepherdrogers.org.

Letter from the Philippines

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Words of Encouragement – April 17, 2013

On the Importance of Exercise

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 (Read 1 Timothy 4)

Exercise is important for our bodies, but its benefits are little in comparison to living a godly and Christian life.

Bodily exercise does profit or benefit us a little; it may keep us healthier and even lengthen our earthly lives. We may feel better and be more able to do our work and carry out our responsibilities through regular physical exercise. But godliness is profitable for all things. God promises to bless those who exercise themselves in godliness, both in this life and also in the life which is to come!

This is all the more reason for us to continue in God’s Word and in prayer, and to live our lives according to that Word. It is through the Word of the Gospel that we have been brought to trust in Christ Jesus as our Savior; and it is through that same Word that the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen and keep us in the faith (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15ff.; Rom. 1:16-17; 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Phil. 1:6). Through the Word, we are assured that Christ died for our sins and redeemed us – that we are acceptable in God’s sight and have His forgiveness for our sins (cf. Eph. 1:6,7; 1 Pet. 3:18). And, through the Word, we also learn of the blessings which God gives to those who follow Him and keep His commandments (cf. Ps. 1:1-3; Deut. 4:40; Isa. 65:17ff.; Rev. 2:10; 7:9ff.; 14:13; 21:1ff.).

Dear Gracious Father, we thank Thee for redeeming us from sin and everlasting torment through the holy life and innocent sufferings and death of the Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that we not only exercise and care for our bodies, but also our souls. By Thy Holy Spirit, nourish and build us up in the true faith through Thy Word. Move us to love Thee and live our lives for Thee because of Thy great love for us in sending Thine own dear Son to die for us and redeem us. Keep us in the one true faith that we may enjoy Thy blessings, not only in this life, but also in that which is to come, and worship and glorify Thy holy name forevermore. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 

Meditations in the Commandments

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

Many consider it a light thing to misuse God’s name in their language and speech. They curse, swear, lie and deceive by it. Some use God’s name or His Word, the Bible, to support their own false beliefs and teachings. Some use it superstitiously, as though their use of God’s name or things connected with it will bring them good luck and fortune. And, all too seldom, is God’s name used rightly: to pray to Him, praise and glorify Him, and give Him thanks!

God says that He “will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” It is not a trivial offense with God to abuse His holy name, but a serious offense which will bring His wrath and judgment!

This commandment condemns us all for our misuse of God’s name and for our neglect to use it rightly – in ways which bring to the LORD God honor and glory and praise. God’s Word applies to each of us, when it says, “The LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

Our only hope is in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, for He kept this commandment perfectly for us and used God’s name rightly. Jesus called upon His Father in prayer and praises. He taught God’s Word rightly. And His whole life brought honor and glory to God’s holy name – whether that be through His manner of living, His teaching or His miracles.

And, in His death and resurrection too, Jesus brought honor and glory to God’s holy name. He willingly carried out His Father’s will and went to the cross and bore the guilt and shame and punishment for the sins of all mankind that God might show us mercy and give to us forgiveness in His Son, Christ Jesus. And Jesus rose again and is ascended to the right hand of His Father and continues His work of bringing life and salvation to lost sinners.

Jesus, rightly prayed, “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:1-3).

Jesus Christ, on the tree of the cross, brought glory to His Father’s name and bore the full punishment for all our sins. He desires that we, too, bring God glory by repenting of our misuse of God’s name and of our failures to live and speak in ways which bring God’s name glory. He desires that we turn to Him for mercy. And, in His Word, He promises that forgiveness for all our sins and life everlasting, as well as the help to use God’s name rightly, are ours through faith in Jesus’ name.

And placing our faith in Jesus – trusting in Him alone for forgiveness and life – brings glory to God’s name!

O LORD God, forgive us for taking Your holy name in vain, and for neglecting to use it rightly. Graciously help us to hallow Your name among us. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ and His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross to redeem us. Amen.

 

Preparing for Sunday

Scripture Readings for Sunday are: Psalm 23; 1 Timothy 4:1-16 ; John 10:1-30. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship.

Sunday Adult Bible Class will continue its study of 1 Peter, continuing at chapter 7, verse 5ff.

 

Verse to Remember

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

 

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – for Bonnie Hawes, Robert and Dawn Hiebert, Mel Boren, Jennifer Rhamy, Harley Woods, Freda Stueland – for our extended families and for believers who are alone and have no congregation.

 

Events and Announcements

A congregational voters’ assembly will follow our worship service on Sunday, April 21. Members are asked to stay after service for the meeting. A potluck dinner is also planned following the service. All are invited to stay and join us for this meal.

Ascension Day Worship will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. All are invited to join us as we worship our risen and ascended Savior, Jesus Christ.

Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by email at pastor@goodshepherdrogers.org.

What does the empty tomb mean?

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”  Luke 24:5-7

What does the empty tomb mean? We’ve read and heard from the Bible how Jesus suffered and died, not for any fault of His own, but for the sins of all mankind. Following His cries, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit,” Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb and sealed inside with a large stone rolled in front of the tomb’s entrance. To further appease Jesus’ enemies, a Roman guard was set.

Yet, when the women arrived at the tomb early on Sunday morning to finish the anointing of Jesus’ body for burial – something they did not have opportunity to complete because of the Sabbath Day – the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. The body of Jesus was not there!

While perplexed and wondering at what had happened, two angels stood by them in shining garments and said to them: “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”

The women remembered Jesus’ words and ran to tell the Eleven and the rest the good news, yet it seemed to their hearers like idle tales. But Peter – along with another disciple, probably John (John 20:1ff.) – ran to the tomb and found it empty, as the women had said, with Jesus’ burial clothes still lying there.

But the words of the angels were no “idle tales” because Jesus appeared to Peter, to two on the road to Emmaus, to the Eleven, to James, to Paul and even to over 500 brethren at once, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15. If anyone needed proof, witnesses to the risen Christ Jesus were abundant.

But what does it mean? It means the penalty for our sins has been paid in full, that God accepted the sacrifice of His Son as full atonement for the sins of the entire world (Rom. 4:25; 1 John 2:1-2). It means that your sins and my sins are pardoned and forgiven and we are accepted by God as His own dear children through faith in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:6-7; Gal. 3:13,26; 1 Cor. 15:1-20). And it means that we too will be raised up on the Last Day to be glorified with Christ and live with Him forever in the mansions of heaven (cf. John 11:25-26; 14:1-6, 19; 1 Cor. 15:20ff.).

Yes, the tomb is empty! It means our redemption is accomplished. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures … He was buried … He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3,4). It means our sins are pardoned and we have life everlasting through faith in Jesus!

Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your death upon the cross for our sins and for the empty tomb, for Your resurrection assures us of Your gift of forgiveness and life. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Does Jesus weep over you?

“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” Luke 19:41-42 (Read v. 28-44)

Luke’s gospel tells us that Jesus, when He drew near to the city of Jerusalem, wept over it because its people did not recognize Him as their Messiah and Savior – they did not know and recognize the things which make for peace between God and man; they were hidden from their eyes. He so loved them that He shed His blood in death upon a cross to redeem them, but they didn’t know and didn’t see and didn’t turn to Him in faith!

As a result of their unbelief, God’s judgment came upon them. The words of Luke 21:20-24 (cf. v. 43-44 and 23:28-31) were fulfilled when the Roman armies besieged and destroyed the city and the temple in 70 A.D. The people were killed and taken away captive.

But does Jesus weep over you? Does He weep because He willingly went to the cross and paid in full for all your sins and yet You do not recognize Him and His sacrifice and continue on in impenitence and unbelief?

“When [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). People today are no different than people of Jesus’ day. They wander to and fro like sheep without a shepherd. They do not recognize their own utter sinfulness, nor do they recognize Jesus as God’s Son in human flesh and their Savior from sin and eternal death.

We see it in family members and friends, coworkers and acquaintances. They are lost and headed for the fires of hell and don’t even know it. They may know of Jesus, but they do not know Him and trust in Him for pardon and peace, forgiveness and life everlasting!

Yes, Jesus weeps, and we weep with Him in sorrow as we see people living their lives in ignorance of Jesus and what He has done for them in love – in ignorance of the judgment which is soon coming upon them.

But does Jesus weep over you? Does He weep because He loves you and went to the cross and paid in full for all your sins and yet You do not recognize Him and His sacrifice for you and continue on in impenitence and unbelief?

O Dearest Jesus, eternal Son of God and son of man, open my eyes to Your love, cleanse me from all my sins and give me life in fellowship with You, the Father and the Spirit. I ask this for the sake of Your holy and precious blood shed for me upon the cross. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins

“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’”  Matthew 9:2

What is our greatest need in life? Without good health, it is difficult to enjoy life; so many may consider being healthy to be our greatest need.

But, far more important, is our need for spiritual health and well-being. Our God created every one of us to live for Him and to serve and glorify Him with our lives; but, because of the sin and disobedience in our lives, we have become useless to God and do not know that perfect joy of walking in harmony and fellowship with our Maker.

When the paralyzed man was brought to Jesus, most must have thought that his greatest need was to be healed of the sickness and disease that ravaged his body; but Jesus saw otherwise. Jesus dealt first with this man’s greatest need, to have forgiveness for all his sins.

Jesus said to the paralyzed man: “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” Then to prove that He had authority on earth to forgive sins, Jesus told the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” (9:6); and he was healed and did so.

What is your greatest need? You may think it is to be healed of a physical disease or handicap, to be helped with financial problems or troubles in the home, or to have certain other earthly needs met; but your greatest need is to have forgiveness for all your sins and to be right with God! That is why the Bible speaks of the blessings of forgiveness and urges us all to confess our sins unto the LORD and receive full forgiveness for Jesus’ sake (Psalm 32; 103; 51; 1 John 1:5 – 2:2; Isaiah 55:6-7).

And how do we know our sins really are forgiven? Jesus not only speaks the words, He went to the cross, suffered and died for all sins and rose again in triumph on the third day (cf. 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Because He died for us and rose again, the Bible assures us that in Jesus we do “have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (cf. Ephesians 1:6-7; Colossians 1:14).

We can, indeed, be of good cheer!

O Dearest Jesus, cleanse us from all our sins and move and enable us to live for You. We ask this for the sake of Your holy and precious blood shed for us upon the cross. Amen.

 

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

We are called to be fishers of men

“Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” Luke 5:10 (read v. 1-11)

Though they had fished all night and caught nothing, at Jesus’ command, Peter and the other disciples launched their boats out into the lake, let down their nets again, and the nets were filled with fish – so full they had to call their partners to help them, and both boats were filled with fish to the point of sinking.

When Peter saw the miracle which Jesus had done, he recognized his own utter sinfulness and unworthiness to stand before the Lord Jesus. He fell down at Jesus’ knees and cried out: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

Jesus, who had directed His disciples to launch out into the deep and let down their nets for a catch, now said: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”

On our own, and with all our own “fishing” skills, we will catch no one for the kingdom of God. Even if we toil all night, our nets will be empty. But when Jesus commands us to launch out into the deep and let down our nets, we better be ready for an abundant catch, for He – through the net of His Word – calls men to repentance and faith in Him. He reveals our utter sinfulness but offers and gives to us pardon and a place in His everlasting kingdom, all for the sake of His holy life and innocent sufferings and death in our stead.

And our crucified and risen Savior has commanded us to launch out into the deep and let down our nets. He commands us to disciple the nations by going out, baptizing in the name of the Triune God and teaching them to observe all He has commanded (Matt. 28:18-20). He commands us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). We are to preach “repentance and remission of sins … in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47).

With our own methods and our own nets – things we think are sure to draw in a crowd – we will catch nothing for Christ’s kingdom; but with the Word of forgiveness and life in Jesus, people will be brought to faith in Jesus and into His everlasting kingdom.

Though we, like Peter, are unworthy to stand before the Lord Jesus, who is the Son of God and the Judge of all, He tells us not to be afraid – He’s died for our sins and is risen again. In Him, we have forgiveness and life everlasting! And He sends us out as fishers of men, to proclaim the good news that God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son to redeem us, and to proclaim forgiveness and life in Jesus’ name (cf. John 3:16; Eph. 1:6-7; Col. 1:12-14). And when we do as Jesus commands, we ought not be surprised if the nets are filled!

Jesus, You came into this world to bear our sin and to win for us remission of sins and a place in Your everlasting kingdom. Though we are sinful and unworthy to stand in Your presence, You tell us not to be afraid, for You have died for our sins and redeemed us from death and hell. You also command us to launch out into this world and proclaim the good news of forgiveness and life in Your name. Grant that we let down the nets in faith, that You may fill them and bring people into Your kingdom of grace and glory. We ask this for the sake of Your blood shed for us on the cross. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Are we penitent or impenitent?

Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3:7-9 (Read v. 1-20)

John the Baptist called upon all who would hear him to repent of their sins and look to the coming Messiah and Savior for pardon and life eternal – he even rebuked the king for his sins. Yet, John also warned against a false piety and feigned penitence, calling many of his hearers a “brood of vipers” who came to him for baptism but produced no fruits of repentance.

It would do them no good to depend upon their religious heritage or descent from Abraham. The judgment of God was coming, and His ax would cut down every tree which bore no fruits of faith in God’s Messiah.

In the light of John’s message, it would also behoove us to examine ourselves to see whether we are truly penitent and whether we truly have faith in Messiah Jesus as our Savior. The apostle Paul enjoins us: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5).

How do we test ourselves? Consider the following questions: 1. Are we truly sorry for our sins and do we truly repent of them? 2. Do we believe and trust that God is gracious to us and forgives us all our sins for the sake of Christ Jesus and His holy life and innocent sufferings and death in our stead? 3. Do we desire and purpose, with the help and aid of the Holy Spirit, to henceforth amend our sinful lives and live in accord with God’s will?

If we cannot answer an honest “yes” to all three of these questions, we remain impenitent and unsorry for our sins and continue in disobedience and rebellion against the LORD God who both created and redeemed us. The ax is laid to our root and we are about to perish forever in Christ’s judgment.

On the other hand, if by the grace of God, we are truly sorry over our sins and disobedience and look to the crucified and risen Christ Jesus for pardon and forgiveness, the Spirit of God will also move us to desire to live for Christ Jesus and will produce the fruits of faith in our lives. And, as John said, Jesus will gather us into His eternal storehouse, where we will have life in fellowship with God forevermore!

Grant us true repentance, O Lord, and let us not deceive ourselves into false hopes based upon religious heritage and traditions or feigned piety. Reveal to us our utter sinfulness and move us to look to You and Your atoning sacrifice for pardon, peace and new life in fellowship with You. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Christmas joy can be unending

Though I write this before Christmas, by the time you read it, Christmas of 2012 will be past, church services and celebrations will be over, gifts will be opened — some broken and others exchanged or packed away — and the focus of the holiday season will be shifting toward the upcoming New Year’s celebrations and activities.

Though Christmas celebrations pass quickly — sometimes even before our minds have accepted the fact that the season is upon us — the joy of the season doesn’t have to pass away or be packed away with the decorations, ornaments and gifts.

The reason for the season — which is often missed and forgotten — takes us back to ancient Bethlehem and the fields surrounding that little but, at the time, bustling city. In that city, now over 2,000 years ago, God kept the promises He had been repeating to mankind for 4,000 years. The Seed of the woman who would crush the head of Satan (Gen. 3), the Seed of Abraham who would bring blessing to all the nations of the world (Gen. 22), the Son of David and the Root of Jesse who would establish an eternal kingdom (2 Sam, 7 and Isa. 11), the Child born of the virgin who is God Himself with us (Isa. 7 and 9), the One who would suffer and die to make atonement for the sins of all people and rise again in triumph (Ps. 22, Ps. 130 and Isa. 53) and that Ruler who was to come from Bethlehem (Mic. 5) was born.

Perhaps the words of Gal. 4, summarize it best: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (v.4-5).

God fulfilled all those promises when Mary gave birth in Bethlehem and laid her child in a manger: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

To understand the true significance of this historic event and why it offers and gives unending joy and happiness, I urge you to hear again what God Himself says of this very real and historical event through His heavenly messenger, an angel. The words of the angel to the shepherds when Jesus was born still apply today. God still tells us what this humble birth in Bethlehem is all about: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

Jesus’ birth and the angel’s message are, as he says, good news of great joy for all people, for on that very day in human history, in Bethlehem, was born a Savior who is the long-promised Messiah (the Christ) and also the Lord (Jehovah God Himself in human flesh) come into this world to save us from our sin and the just condemnation we all deserve on account of our sin and disobedience.

Because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16), the shepherds were filled with joy and, after they had gone and seen the newborn Jesus, returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

You and I too can continue to glorify and praise God — even after the Christmas season is past — for all we have heard and seen through God’s Word of Scripture, for God so loved us, He stepped into history, sending His own Son to make atonement for our sins, that we might, when our place in history is done, step into eternity with Him.

His mercy is on those who fear Him

“And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.” Luke 1:50 (Read v. 39-56)

In Psalm 103, David writes: “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children…” (v. 17; cf. v. 10-18).

Mary, in her words of praise to the LORD God, echoes these words as she blesses the LORD for showing mercy to her and to all who humble themselves before the LORD.

Those who exalt themselves and refuse to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God will be humbled on the Last Day in God’s judgment, but those who acknowledge their utter sinfulness and unworthiness before the LORD and look to Him for mercy for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death of Christ Jesus shall be exalted in that Day (cf. Luke 18:14; Psalm 32; 51; 34:18; 103:8ff.).

Mary’s words, based upon the Old Testament Scriptures, remain true yet today. The LORD brings down the haughty and proud, both the self-righteous and those who scoff against the LORD God and His Word. But the LORD lifts up the humble and shows mercy to those who fear and honor His name – from generation to generation!

Though certainly a God-fearing young woman, Mary was not sinless and holy. But she received mercy of the LORD God and was indeed blessed of Him – even chosen of the LORD to be the mother of God the Son and God’s instrument in accomplishing His plan of salvation – and she blessed God for looking upon her with favor and for remembering His promises of old to send the Messiah and Savior of fallen mankind.

In Mary’s humble faith in God’s mercy and her song of praise to the LORD, we have an example for our own lives of what it is to humbly fear the LORD God and trust in His mercy for the sake of His Son, the Messiah and Savior of the world.

“His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.”

O LORD God, grant that we reverently fear You as our Creator and Sustainer, our Redeemer and our Sanctifier. Grant that we not live in rebellion against You but humble ourselves before You and submit to Your will for us, acknowledging our utter sinfulness but looking to You for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Your Son, Christ Jesus, our crucified and risen Savior. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.