Moment With The Master

Moment With The Master

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Heavenly Fellowship

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24)

These verses mark the climax of this great letter.  In keeping with the theme, the author provides a contrast between the Mosaic dispensation and the Christian dispensation.  Fiery Mount Sinai is the emblem of the Mosaic law.  The heavenly city of Jerusalem symbolizes privileges and blessings that flow from a new relationship in Christ.

Pictures of God’s people are found throughout the New Testament.  God’s people are the “church” (Ephesians 1:22,23), the “body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:22,23), the “temple of God” (Ephesians 2:19-22), the “living stones” (I Peter 2:5), the “bride of Christ” (Ephesians 5:23-33), and “Christ’s sheep”. (John 1:14-15; 25-30)  In this context we have a seven-fold description of God and his people.

Consider each of these seven descriptions.  First, they had come to “Mount Zion”, the city of God.  They had come into the presence of God, the heavenly Jerusalem.  Second, they were in the presence of an “innumerable company of angels”.  These angels rejoice when just one sinner repents.  Third, they had come to the “church of the firstborn”.  All of the rights of God’s inheritance go to the firstborn.  Fourth, they came to “God, the judge of all”.  They must live out of reverence to Him.  Fifth, they had come to the “spirits of just men made perfect”.  They were in company with saints of old – Abraham, Sarah, David, etc.  Sixth, they had come to “Jesus, the mediator”.  He is the source of all of their hopes and dreams.  Seventh, they had come to “the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel”.  While Abel’s blood cries out “condemnation”,  Christ blood shouts “you are forgiven”!  Each of  these must have filled their souls with excitement!  

What should these truths mean to us?  They should remind us of  things heavenly and eternal!  However, with these great blessings come great responsibilities!  These images should create in our heart a longing for fellowship.  We need God and his  people!  Thus, the Hebrew author commands: And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

By George Slover


 

Receiving Jesus

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12)

John’s gospel begins by abruptly announcing that God (vs.1) became flesh (vs. 14) and took up residence among men.  Though many rejected him, some received him.  Those who received him were given the highest honor- the right to be the sons of God.

According to the text, receiving Jesus equals believing in his name.  His name is significant whether it is “Christ” or “Immanuel”.  His name sets before us the object of faith.  One becomes a son of God on the condition of faith in Christ.  (Galatians 3:26,27)  There is no son-ship without this living faith.

Faith in Christ involves more than mere belief of truth, though that is involved.  It involves more than just believing:  “Jesus died for me”.   It is trusting in the person of Christ.  One must believe on Christ for salvation.  They must trust him as the all-sufficient mediator and obey him as Lord.  (Mt. 7:21-23)

Just what is offered to those who receive Jesus?  They are given the right to become children of God.  This exalted position is more than a title.  It involves participation in the greatest blessing a human can receive including the promise of being the heir of an eternal home.  (Rm. 8:17,18)  However, this exalted position comes with responsibilities that accompany this noble relationship. (Eph. 4:1,2)  

Sadly, John tells us (Jn. 1:10,11) the majority, including the educated and influential, rejected him.  It is easy to follow the crowd.  Following Jesus involves independence and a decision of character.  However, the rewards will be well worth it.  It is better to accept the one who was “despised and rejected of men” than to reap the consequences of rejecting him.

By George Slover  
 

Father Lead Me

Tuesday, November 05, 2024

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. 
(Psalms 139:23-24)

Psalm 139 is one of my favorites.  This is a passage worth committing to memory, a reminder of God’s constant presence.  A young lady once requested this passage to be read at her wedding.  How appropriate!  Surely God was the most important guest of the day!

The Psalm is easily divided into four sections.  The first section (vs.1-6) tells of the impossibility of concealing anything from God.  The second section (vs.7-12) declares the impossibility of escaping from God’s presence.  Section three (vs.13-18) speaks of God’s great power.  In section four (vs. 19-24) the psalmist enters into supplication to God.  It is on the last two verses I wish to focus.  Here the psalmist enters into reflective self-examination.  Consider below three important lessons.

First, the poet implies his imperfect knowledge of is own character.  Sin creates darkness and deception.  “Who can understand his errors?” (Psalm 19:12)   We are easily subject to a sense of self-importance.  It is easy for us to excuse ourselves or to lessen the guilt of sins to which we are inclined.  Thus, there is wisdom in asking the Searcher of our hearts to try us and cleanse us.

Second, the psalmist plainly states he is willing to know the worst about himself.  Men are generally afraid to be placed under such scrutiny.  If we go to the doctor want to know everything even the worst, but not so with the soul.  The true spirit is a willingness to be tried.  Only when God reveals our true character can we make the needed changes.

The third lesson is the assurance that God is able to lead him in the right way.  “Lead me in the way everlasting”.  “Show me the good way, the way of the righteous, the path that leads to light”.  Only God, through his word, can show us what we are and set us on the right path.
 
By George Slover


 

Profiling for Christ

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

"Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. "And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."  (Luke 14:12-14)

One Sunday morning, when I took my place in the pulpit, I noticed a guest sitting on the back pew.  Our visitor, dressed rather poorly, was slouched in his seat, and had his shirt unbuttoned revealing much of his chest.  I had pretty much sized up the young man deciding he was a typical “church bum”.

When the invitation song was led our guest came to the front and expressed the need to get his life right with God.  While I was still skeptical of his motives, I accepted his confession.  Less than a year later both his wife and 14 year old son were baptized.  He and his family never had much of this world’s goods to offer, but what they did give was far greater than any material thing – it was hearts of gratitude.

The above passage is a rather probing one.  The Lord demands that we examine the motives behind our generosity.  Jesus cuts to the heart of religious profiling.

What is the motive behind your religious work?  Some give out of a sense of duty, others to feel superior, and others because they cannot help it.  It is the later that is the law of the kingdom of Christ.  This is the only way to serve!  This places us in character with God himself.  (Mt. 5:45)  If one gives to gain a reward, he will receive no reward; but if one gives with no thought of the reward, his reward is certain!  Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 
(Acts 20:35)

By George Slover
 

Words of a Cynic

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
 
In a recent conversation the observation was made about the conduct of many:  “Well, folks usually do what they want to do”.  One misses a worship assembly on Sunday morning for a golf game, another refuses to change the lifestyle and friends that leads to worldliness, or another chooses a career path that will obviously put serving the Lord in jeopardy, another takes a job that will occupy so much of his time that he has no time for family or the Lord, parents will choose activities for their children that will take time away from Bible study.  Am I cynical?  It is true:  “Most people do what they want to do”.  Now let me add a couple thoughts that should frighten us!
 
First, most people will do what they want to do and think they can still be the Lord’s disciple.  The above passage points to the contrary.  Notice Jesus says:  “let him deny himself”.  Serving the Lord is not about what I want, but about what Jesus wants!  Christianity is not a religion of convenience, but conviction.  It is not self-serving, but about self-sacrifice!  Here Jesus speaks of the conditions of discipleship – “if anyone desires to come after me”.  Thus, the conclusion:  many who think they are the Lord’s disciples are not!
 
Second, Jesus said:  "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Only a few will find the narrow way and many will find the broad gate.  Perhaps, I’m not cynical after all.  Even Jesus said, “most folks will do what they want to do”!  Only a few are willing to make the sacrifice to serve Him.
 
Finally, I want to end with a positive tone.  The reality is that anyone who desires can change.  We can make the personal choices that will prioritize their lives and make Jesus first.  It is all up to you and me!  It all depends upon our “want”!
 
George Slover

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