Talk of JESUS . com

Tag: Proverbs

A popular saying, regarded as conveying wisdom. Scripture records a great number of didactic proverbs and also preserves some popular sayings.

Proverbs – Biblehub.com Proverbs topical index

proverbs-3-7

  • While we wait… DEATH and Resurrection

    While we wait… DEATH and Resurrection

    While we must wait…

    Life has not been progressing even remotely how we had planned.

    Here we are locked up as if in the prison of death. All normal life interrupted by events of recent days. Yet what next — what now?

    For the church in the year of our Lord, 2020 of these last days, it was Easter we could not celebrate in our familiar gathering of all who believe (as well as some who would like to hope in something other than death).

    In the first century, this waiting by the Apostle Thomas to see Jesus once more was somewhat different. For the other Disciples had given reliable first-hand witness of the Good News of the resurrection of the Messiah Jesus, their friend and Lord!

    In case you missed their perspective of Jesus’ DEATH and Resurrection, you might briefly look back.

    THE DEATH & RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

    Many of us have recently taken an entire day to worship the Lord Jesus on Resurrection Sunday or Easter Sunday.

    We have watched (even online) a sermon entirely dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ being raised by God the Father from the tomb after His Sacrifice — His real and human suffering in the flesh –His sacrificial spilling of His Blood on the Cross for our sins.

    He IS risen indeed!

    Yet what now? What in this long time of waiting will happen next? God only knows.

    And what, for Christ’s sake (yes, for the Messiah’s sake), must we do?

    Waiting AFTER the Resurrection

    DEATH cries out! from many perspectives

    My own study of the Gospel of John in the year of our Lord, 2020, has reached briefly into the doubting thoughts of all concerning death and what does follow.

    Today is the eighth day since Thomas received the reliable Good News that Jesus had appeared to the other Disciples after DEATH.

    The Apostle Thomas must have greatly anticipated the time (whenever it might finally come) to witness the risen Lord Jesus in person. (Most of us know the story already mentioned from the Gospel of John.)

    It’s just been eight days of the fifty days during which the risen Lord Jesus bodily appears at various times to more than 500 witnesses. For Thomas, just about six more weeks to once again personally see and hear the Lord, the Son of Man risen from the grave.

    If you follow talkofJesus.com did eight days seem like a long wait after the rapidity of the events leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus?

    And if you’re anything like me (and likely Thomas) even eight days, thirty or forty days must seem like an eternity. Remember, it is not.

    Today we take not the liturgical path leading to Pentecost, the chronological path of detailed witness of the Apostles, nor do we simply return to what we did before, recognizing that things have changed since we planned our year.

    Like Thomas and the Disciples, we did not come to this day anticipating it to be any different than the last three years.

    Life changed for the Apostles once Jesus rose from death.

    And now life changes for the 21st century church caught in a diaspora of faith and witness.

    Roger Harned talkofJesus.com

    Acts of the Apostles

    All seems lost for the Lord’s chosen Disciples once Jerusalem’s religious authorities and powerful Roman governor crucify the Messiah Jesus. Even those who had believed, been healed and followed Jesus to Jerusalem’s gates were left in despair. But then prophecy is fulfilled.

    The Sacrificial Lamb for our sin completes that for which the Son of Man was sent by God the Father.

    Jesus IS risen!

    After instructing the Disciples to take the Gospel into all the world, He ascends into the heavens from which He came. He will return once again in glory at the end of the age!

    Those same men who sought to preserve their own flesh by cowering behind locked doors now boldly witness the risen Lord Jesus in the public place.

    All the Apostles would eventually be martyred for their witness of Jesus Christ, except John (though he would be tortured and exiled). For now and until their earthly deaths the Apostles’ witness and preaching, emboldened by the Spirit of God, convicted sinners and attracted believers by faith in the Lord Jesus.

    Peter and the Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit of the Lord God, preach to the crowds in the Jerusalem!

    The crowds are amazed, then Peter directs his preaching directly to the Jews, a remnant of faithful Jews recognizing the fulfillment of prophecy in what they have just witnessed.

    Acts 2:

    ‘In the last days,’ God says,
    ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
    Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

    Acts 2:17 NLT, quoting Joel 2:28

    Take now to heart, fellow 21st c. believer, that which Peter preached to those who had not seen the Lord raised from death on the Cross.

    Most had not been among the more than five hundred to witness the risen Christ Jesus, before His ascension on Pentecost just a few days prior to Peter’s preaching.

    23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.

    Isolated, then sent out

    two men in discussion behind this building is closes sign in a large church

    Do you suppose that the locked doors of your church surprise God?

    Could the Lord have a purpose in all of this — a purpose central to the Gospel of Jesus Christ crucified, buried, risen and returning again in glory?

    Of course God knew it! – the Lord God knows everything that has happened and will happen, even those unseen things which require our faith and glorious things beyond our grasp.

    Peter now recognizes this through the Holy Spirit of God, the same Holy Spirit he witnessed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    God the Father and the Son of Man are ONE in the Same with the Holy Spirit!

    And Peter preaches the GOOD NEWS with anointed confidence to those with ears to hear.

    Son of David, Son of God!

    31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.

    “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.

    33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.

    34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,

    ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
    “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
    until I humble your enemies,
    making them a footstool under your feet.”’

    36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

    37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts…

    His words pierced their hearts

    Do they pierce yours?

    Does the Gospel of Christ Jesus, sent to save sinners from death ring out to the crowds beyond the locked doors of a church building where once you gathered?

    A response of faith

    … and they said to him and to the other apostles,
    “Brothers, what should we do?”

    What must we do?

    If now the Holy Spirit finally pierces our own tech-brittled 21st century hearts, what is our response while we wait for the LORD’s return?

    Or even our response in this brief time before our own inevitable DEATH?

    For like this time of waiting for the Apostles, this life will no longer be the same for you and me.

    A former perspective of Church

    We have put on our ‘Sunday best’ for Easter for all these years. And we call ourselves, “Christian.” (Always from within the walls of our ‘church,’ and occasionally even in this world where we live, work and play.)

    What witness of Jesus yet resounds in the hearts of those who hear us claim — the Holy Name of the Lord?

    For they no longer may enter the building of our gathering, the place to which we once gladly invited:

    “Let’s go to church.“

    It seems that everything has changed and our vision for the church building no longer applies.

    Could a prosperous and comfortable church of these recent centuries have wandered aimlessly into a by-path meadow? It has remained an enduring challenge to the church.

    May God’s Grace preserve you from straying into Bypath Meadow!

    The man who professes to be a Christian must not expect God’s angels to keep him if he goes in the way of worldliness. There are hundreds, and I fear thousands, of church members who say that they are the people of God, yet they appear to live entirely to this world. The great aim is moneymaking and personal aggrandizement—just as much as it is the aim of altogether ungodly men.

    C. H. SPURGEON, AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON, ON LORD’S-DAY EVENING, AUGUST 22, 1875.

    The World’s Perspective of the 21st C. ‘church’

    The Acts of the Apostles witnesses the boldness of the early church even in the face of DEATH for their confidence and love in Christ.

    Unbeliever you know in this 21st century world of chaos look near and far for an example of men and women who exemplify the ‘god’ we claim by the witness of our lives.

    We tell some that Jesus died on a Cross for our sins.

    While our witness makes them wonder of YOU ‘so love the world’ that YOU would die for THEM.

    ‘Where is the Christian who does not fear death,’ they ask?

    Yet when some agendized so-called ‘christians’ act boldly in ways repugnant to their own ideals, good-seeking souls of this world ask,

    ‘Why would I want to be a fool like THEM?’

    IF GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, WHY DON’T I SEE IT IN CHRISTIANS?

    • THEY are after our money to build their grand cathedrals of prosperous vanity.
    • How are their corporate jets any different than those of the world’s great philanthropists who would save our world for another generation?
    • Are these so-called ‘christians’ banned from their big gatherings any better than the man isolated in a cave or on a mountaintop?
    • Really, are Christians any different than me?

    Fair questions of the world to any who claim faith.

    In our witness they observe a discrepancy between claim of Christ and our inability to differentiate between you and the world, because of Christ.

    Assuming God (against Whom the world rebels), how must those obedient to the Lord act when the world seemingly slips rapidly back into the chaos preceding creation?

    Fortunately, scripture provides not only answers, but also direction. For we are SINNERS LIKE THEM seeking justice, yet offering solace in LIFE after DEATH.

    Are you the Christian who fears not DEATH (yet is no fool)?

    Proverbs & Prophecy

    When the wicked die, their hopes die with them,
    for they rely on their own feeble strength.

    Proverbs 11:7 NLT

    Evil people get rich for the moment,
    but the reward of the godly will last.
    Godly people find life;
    evil people find death.

    Proverbs 11:18-19 NLT

    We find that those who do not believe may well accept the comfort of Scripture as hope for their own future. Proverbial advice, however, need not come exclusively from scripture.

    Others may have it right as well, so our random words of wisdom from scripture may make no more difference than those from a worshiper of stone living in the lies of idolatry. The Lord our God is One!

    The Prophet Isaiah, who we so often quote concerning the Messiah of God also promises a glorious future:

    Behold, a king will reign righteously…

    No longer will the fool be called noble,
    Or the rogue be spoken of as generous.

    For a fool speaks nonsense,
    And his heart inclines toward wickedness:
    To practice ungodliness and to speak error against the LORD,
    To keep the hungry person unsatisfied
    And to withhold drink from the thirsty.

    Isaiah 32:1a,5-6 NASB

    Tell those of the world who speak sense that you know this One Righteous King.

    “He existed in the beginning with God. And “God created everything through him.

    How they will know

    Do you, beloved brother or sister in Christ, recall Jesus’ last command to the eleven after Judas left them to betray the Lord?

    It would be for this time of waiting by the Disciples who must endure during the trying times of Jesus’ crucifixion.

    One way to look at the timing and importance of the Lord’s ‘new commandment’ to the Disciples might be to rephrase it to say something like:

    If you don’t remember anything else of what I have taught you, remember this…

    DO YOU?

    AND does Jesus New Command to His Disciples apply to the CHURCH while we await His return in glory?

    John 13:

    33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

    “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

    John 13:34 NASB

    35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

    Does the church obey this new commandment of Jesus?

    IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER…

    Is this not the witness of Christ which builds His CHURCH — soul by sinful redeemed soul?

    Has the world not seen our white-washed building without seeing Christ?

    “Go into all the world,” the Lord commanded the disciples. Yet Jesus never suggested that we bring all of the world into our building of worship.

    Let your hearts, imprisoned in cells away from each other, hear what the Lord through Scripture says to the Church.

    For when once more we gather together, to ask the Lord’s blessing, perhaps those wandering lost souls of our neighbors will see that Christ’s Church is in fact, us.

    Amen.
  • The Tongue is a Fire! – Speaking of Christians

    The Tongue is a Fire! – Speaking of Christians

    If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.

    James 1:26 CSB

    Contents of 3-part series

    We began this forum for freely speaking whatever is on your mind with the substance and consequences of speaking out in POLITICS. November in the U.S. is always a contentious time and the approaching year of Presidential politics will offer more intense variations on the themes of hypocrisy and hatred.

    As the politically correct and often biased words of media might suggest, RELIGION has no say so in these arguments. The movie scene depicted in the photo for this series suggests a time when all of this correctness fails for all of us, including media.

    Next and finally, today we will take a look at what the Bible has to say about such things. Examine your heart further along with me as our tongues speak up (sometimes inappropriately) for Jesus Christ.

    Don’t be deceived

    Paul preaches to the church in Ephesus:

    Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Ephesians 5:6

    James suggests early in his letter how easily we deceive ourselves.

    James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God…

    He offers a remedy to hypocrisy, of which we will quickly be accused. And James illustrates our self-examination in the mirror.

    22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

    23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

    Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath!

    It’s just not our nature (Christian or not).

    Because we speak out so quickly, we show how easily we are deceived. It is the same deception of our own hearts mentioned in Genesis 3:13

    And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, H5377 and I did eat.

    Disobedience Brings God’s Judgment

    This has always been the warning of the LORD’s true prophets to a people who claim religious favor while displaying hypocritical sin.

    The Lord will judge and many have warned us throughout the millennia in scripture given by Almighty God.

    In order that you may anticipate my outline from the Lord’s word, we will examine four of these chronologically:

    1. Jeremiah ~687-520 B.C.
    2. John the Baptist ~A.D. 30
    3. Jesus Christ
    4. James, brother of Jesus, leader of the church at Jerusalem ~A.D. 50

    Jeremiah 9:

    3 “They bend their tongue like their bow;
    Lies and not truth prevail in the land;
    For they proceed from evil to evil,
    And they do not know Me,” declares the Lord.

    The LORD, through the Prophet Jeremiah, condemns the tongue of the religious leaders of Judah.

    5 “Everyone deceives his neighbor
    And does not speak the truth,
    They have taught their tongue to speak lies;
    They weary themselves committing iniquity.
    6 “Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit;
    Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the Lord.

    The Tongue that Answers Hypocrisy

    How is this any different than the hypocrisy of some who claim God today?

    Though this condemnation is directed toward Jews around 627 Before Christ, the Lord could well convict so-called christians of this 21st century in the year of our Lord.

    For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?
    8 “Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
    It speaks deceit;
    With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor,
    But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.
    9 “Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares the Lord.
    “On a nation such as this
    Shall I not avenge Myself?

    The Lord does not condemn the nations for the fire of their accusations against God, but those who claim the Name of the Lord whose tongue deceives their neighbor and speaks deceit.

    How are we not like those condemned here, where our tongues of fire shout against the evils of the world, “I’m mad and hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

    John the Baptist

    In a captive Israel (and Judah) after centuries of silence from the Lord, many recognized John as a Prophet of God. Jesus confirms it.

    “And if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.

    The testimony of Jesus Christ about John the Baptist – Matthew 11:14

    REPENT! you religious hypocrites

    John never said this in so many words, but repentance of sins and hypocrisy of the tongue by religious leaders held center-stage in his ministry to the crowds in the wilderness.

    Matthew 3:

    4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

    Although the son of a priest, John followed the Lord’s leading away from the Temple limelight into the wilderness. And his raiment reminded all of the great Prophet Elijah. John’s fiery calls for repentance he directed not to idolatrous followers of other religions, but to the Jews.

    Our most enduring impression of John may be his public accusation of the leaders of religion who came to hear him in the wilderness.

    What the crowds witnessed

    But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,

    “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    Matthew 3:7-8 ESV

    I could easily say more about John’s tongue of fire as it also applies to Christians, but I’ll save it for a more detailed look at John the Baptist, greatest of the prophets who the Lord sent before the Messiah Jesus.

    Proverbs for the Tongue

    There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

    The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

    Proverbs 12:18-19 KJV

    Christ Jesus

    As John and the Spirit testified, Jesus is more than a man who speaks truth. He IS the Perfect truth established before time for all time, the Son of God the Father!

    Previously in this series I mentioned Jesus’ caution about the tongue of one saying “raca” or “you fool” being liable to hell. Although this ought to be caution enough for those claiming Christ, here I will add an additional insight from Jesus about hell.

    Jews, Messianic Jews and Christians may differ on our views of hell; its punishments, certainly who is condemned and the nature of eternal life after death. Nevertheless, considering not the illustrative nature of the parable, but the truth of what the Messiah Jesus must witness by His very word, take just this one scene to heart.

    Luke 16:

    Jesus’ parable follows three more familiar parables about the lost followers of the LORD, Shepherd of Israel.

    Most hearers compare Jesus’ two main characters, a rich earthly master and his poor servant by identifying Jesus’ parable as The Rich Man and Lazarus. For many this may confuse the issues of resurrection (identified with the name of this other Lazarus) and salvation for the wealthy (which Jesus seems to oppose on many occasions).

    Neither wealth nor resurrection are at issue in this parable.

    Prior to this parable, Jesus categorically states:

    “Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.

    Luke 16:16 NLT

    Jesus on Social Injustice

    J.B. Phillips focuses our attention more to the issue of how we act toward others during this mortal life, introducing this parable: Jesus shows the fearful consequence of social injustice.

    It’s a tragic tale describing the inequities of this life, followed by a scene of the rich man gazing upon heaven from hell. The rich master and faithful servant have died, their fates having rewarded each justly.

    And from among the dead he looked up and saw Abraham a long way away, and Lazarus in his arms.

    ‘Father Abraham!’ he cried out, ‘please pity me.

    Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’

    Luke 16 excerpt J.B. PHILLIPS

    This follower of the LORD who had every blessing in life pleads to Abraham to intercede for him while he suffers the agony of hell! It would be like asking a saint of old or mother of our Lord to help you. Just cool my tongue from the agony in these flames.

    Jesus has already separated the sheep from the goats. This is no intermittent place of punishment where relief through others may take place.

    Dear brother or sister in Christ,

    Therefore, watch your tongue and actions in this mortal life. For we must now be perfect in Him before a world hearing us as Christ, named ‘Christians.’

    James

    Earlier this year I addressed the turmoil of religion and politics which preceded the appearance of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. If you would like to read more follow this link to James and Jerusalem’s Controversy.

    The applications of James to Christian contemporary thought may be helpful to each of us personally, particularly what I taught previously on this in James – Preaching to a Worldly Church.

    Even though I recently covered the entire book of James, his application to Christians is worth repeating as a brief conclusion to this 3-part series: The Tongue is a Fire!

    FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY:

    DISCLAIMER: IF you do not believe in God, no need to read further. As Jeremiah aimed his tongue of rebuke to the Jews and as John the Baptist also called God’s chosen to repentance, this is not for those who refuse the Lord’s grace.

    And so, you who claim Christ consider this:

    Your contemporary issue of how God can use your tongue of fire to save the world may not agree with scripture.

    Roger Harned – TalkofJesus.com

    Which issue excites your tongue to cry out, “you brood of vipers?” Abortion? Equal rights for women? Helping poor migrants trying to come to America? Healthcare, food and shelter for the poor? Fair elections? Tolerance for other religions?

    All of these causes may excite your witness to others, but the leaders of the church will warn you and me to watch our tongue and act like Jesus.

    You cannot go wrong by keeping the love of Jesus on your lips and the fruit of love in the harvest of your relationships with others. But look more closely at nearly every New Testament writer and the sayings of Jesus:

    Our words of refinement and love are for each other – brothers and sisters in Christ. If our actions match the love of Jesus, only then will the world take note of our words.

    James 3:

    2 For in many things we offend all. – KJV

    Christians excel in this, but the world should not be offended by you. Rather, the world is offended by Christ Jesus and will not accept the grace of His love.

    2-6 [PHILLIPS] We all make mistakes in all kinds of ways, but the man who can claim that he never says the wrong thing can consider himself perfect, for if he can control his tongue he can control every other part of his personality!

    Think of it. If you control your tongue, you can be perfect; that is, Christ-like. Your actions will finally become perfect, because you mirror our Lord.

    5b [NASB] See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

    The Not So Good NEWS of Today

    Can you think of some in the public eye whose tongues easily set social media on fire?

    Sadly, Christians participate in the hot debates of those worldly things which have little or nothing to do with Christ. I admit it. My speech before others sparks debate. Yet is it for Christ?

    Are you a disciple of your political party? Of your particular issue? Do you show religion as condemnation and faith as opposition to the value of others?

    8 [NASB] But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.

    Again, the hypocrisy of ‘christians’

    As we pointed a finger toward ourselves in an earlier post in this series, this is hypocrisy. James tells us that it must not be. He asks the church to direct our teaching first to ourselves.

    [PHILLIPS] … your lives will be an example of the humility that is born of true wisdom… —don’t deny the truth that you must recognise in your inmost heart… For wherever you find jealousy and rivalry you also find disharmony and all other kinds of evil.

    TRUE. True in the world and true in the church. Jealousy and rivalry lead to disharmony and many kinds of evil. Don’t get caught up in it all.

    Listen to this: James’ instruction to Christians in how to be perfect can be found in two verses of his letter. Consider them before your tongue turns your life off course in the next storm of public opinion.

    Wisdom from Above

    17-18 [PHILLIPS] The wisdom that comes from God is first utterly pure, then peace-loving, gentle, approachable, full of tolerant thoughts and kindly actions, with no breath of favouritism or hint of hypocrisy. And the wise are peace-makers who go on quietly sowing for a harvest of righteousness—in other people and in themselves.

    Would a list help?

    From the KJV, But the wisdom that is from above is:

    • pure,
    • peaceable,
    • gentle,
    • easy to be intreated,
    • full of mercy
    • good fruits,
    • without partiality,
    • without hypocrisy.

    We cannot be pure while leavened by the hatred of the world. And the world’s peace looks much different than the peace of Jesus.

    Can you imagine any more gentle example than our Lord Jesus Christ?

    Easy to be intreated would be advice from more obedient times meaning compliant or easily obeying. Modern translations sweeten it a bit calling this trait, ‘reasonable.’ Are you reasonable or compliant in your conversation with others?

    Full of mercy: there’s a trait we wish to encounter. Compassion, true compassion for others; not claims of a nice ‘christian’ to treat others with mercy, but Christ-like compassion for another.

    Jesus said:

    “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

    the words of Jesus to religious leaders – Matthew 9:13

    Are you a Pharisee of this 21st century in the eyes of those you encounter? You with ears to hear, hold your tongue until your heart finds mercy.

    We know many parables of Jesus about the fruit of righteousness. Do you show others how you, a sinner, have changed? Like John the Baptist scorned the Pharisees and Scribes coming for baptism:

    “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    Matthew 3:8 NASB

    Has Jesus changed you? Did your tongue receive Christ’s bridle of restraint of your words of witness to the world?

    Is your witness for a cause OR for Christ Jesus? What do your words say?

    Show no partiality or favoritism in your faith. Be unwavering for Jesus rather than swayed to the right or to the left by the crowds.

    NO Hypocrisy

    Hypocrisy is the mask of appearances, the make-up of our image. It is the false face of the world and their accusation of masked ‘christians.’

    The fire of our tongue will betray our motives. And our fruit of hypocrisy is witness against Jesus.

    Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. – Romans 12:9 NASB

    It is the genuine love of Jesus Christ, sincere faith in our Lord. The world must see Jesus in your actions, but first the world will hear your words.

    Are the words of your mouth witness that Jesus IS your LORD?

    OR

    Do you just have something more to say back to the world from your fiery tongue?

    Remember the love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, dear saint and fellow sinner. For you would not want to hear the Lord say,

    “I never knew you.”

    May the grace, mercy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ help you to hold your tongue from evil and witness His love through the Holy Spirit.
  • Elders – a letter from Peter – 9

    Elders – a letter from Peter – 9

    Peter has just cautioned the church that judgment begins with God’s household. He encourages all the believers suffering for Christ to keep fervent in your love. And in an appropriate exhortation for leadership of the family Peter urges wives to be submissive to your own husbands. Now the Apostle specifically exhorts the elders of the church.

    Church Leadership

    Before we address this divisive denominationalized topic written to a first century church in terms of today’s church, let’s begin with a contemporized paraphrase of these verses from the first letter of Peter by J.B. Phillips.

    1 Peter 5:

    A word to your leaders

    5 1-4 Now may I who am myself an elder say a word to you my fellow-elders? I speak as one who actually saw Christ suffer, and as one who will share with you the glories that are to be unfolded to us. I urge you then to see that your “flock of God” is properly fed and cared for. Accept the responsibility of looking after them willingly and not because you feel you can’t get out of it, doing your work not for what you can make, but because you are really concerned for their well-being. You should aim not at being “little tin gods” but as examples of Christian living in the eyes of the flock committed to your charge. And then, when the chief shepherd reveals himself, you will receive that crown of glory which cannot fade.

    Who is an Elder?

    I am not an elder of my church. Is he writing to me?

    Certainly Peter will follow this public exhortation with expected application to those humble members of their churches. And in a larger sense, he writes not to an individual group of Christ worshipers, but to the church as the whole body of Christ.

    Peter is not their Pastor, Priest, teacher or even a member of most churches to whom he writes, yet he clearly claims his authority “as your fellow elder.”

    Before we address this position which Peter claims from the greek word which he uses, συμπρεσβύτερος [sympresbyteros], let’s look back a bit to God’s presence before elders.

    Elders of the Hebrews

    We first hear of the elders in Genesis 50, transition in the Books of Moses to the exodus of a captive Hebrew people enslaved in Egypt.

    So Joseph went up to bury his father, and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household and all the elders of the land of Egypt, and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father’s household; they left only their little ones and their flocks and their herds in the land of Goshen. – Genesis 50:7-8 NASB

    Scripture refers to both ‘the elders of his [Joseph’s] household and all the elders of the land.

    Elders – zaqen – זָקֵן

    It is a description of older men, or men with familial and community authority. The LORD gives authority over families (households) and those with authority will be called before the LORD to account for those over whom they have authority. (We 21st century ‘christians,’ even Jews often struggle with such authority delegated from Almighty God.)

    God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.

    “Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying,
    “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt.
    Exodus 3:15-16

    How like a loving Father does the LORD show concern for those who worship Him.

    Yet Moses asked the LORD for help in governing these difficult people. (Aren’t we, the church, just as rebellious when it comes to Authority?) The LORD gave us elders to judge our own family, the followers of God.

    Exodus 24:

    וְאֶל־מֹשֶׁ֨ה אָמַ֜ר עֲלֵ֣ה אֶל־יְהוָ֗ה אַתָּה֙ וְאַהֲרֹן֙ נָדָ֣ב וַאֲבִיה֔וּא וְשִׁבְעִ֖ים מִזִּקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם מֵרָחֹֽק׃

    Then He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel, and you shall worship at a distance.

    Exodus 24:1 WLC [Hebrew]; NASB [English]

    4 Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord…

    7 Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!” …

    9 Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.

    Moses prepares the followers with him, interceding as their Priest returning them to holiness (or pureness), making sacrifices and covenants before God. The LORD shows mercy to the sinful leaders of the Hebrews. Moses intercedes for them, then they see the Lord God!

    12 Now the Lord said to Moses,

    “Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction.”

    13 So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. But to the elders he said,

    “Wait here for us until we return to you…

    Elders of the cities and other lands

    The leadership of elders is accepted practice and culture at every level from family to city, from state or province to nation. Eldership is not exclusive to the Hebrews, Israel or later Judah. Neither is our tendency toward personal freedom and resistance to any authority by man or God.

    • Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slain before the LORD. – Leviticus 4:15
    • The LORD therefore said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men from the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. Numbers 11:16
    • So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak’s words to him. Numbers 22:7
    • then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. Deuteronomy 19:12

    The LAW of the Hebrews is a higher Law from the Lord God. Furthermore, the Hebrews agreed to the Commandments of the LORD. Yet all sin and fall short of the Law.

    Moses had saved the Hebrews from Egypt, but he could not save them from their sin.

    Deuteronomy 31:

    Elders did not lead a people who just wandered in and out of the land or the Hebrew tent of meeting.

    Joshua, David, judges, prophets, elders of every generation — all are called by the Authority of God. The Hebrews they led had agreed to be led by the LORD.

    9 So Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel…

    12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law.

    26 “Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you… Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to witness against them.

    Deuteronomy 31:26,28 NASB

    The presence of the LORD has scattered them,
    He will not continue to regard them;
    They did not honor the priests,
    They did not favor the elders.

    Lamentations 4:16 of Jeremiah when Jerusalem fell & the Temple was burned ~567 BC

    Church Elders of the New Testament

    Elders – presbyteros – πρεσβύτερος

    Strong’s Definitions
    πρεσβύτερος presbýteros, pres-boo’-ter-os; comparative of πρέσβυς présbys (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”:—elder(-est), old.

    A general description of elders in the Church would be: among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably.

    Although Bishops and Archbishops, Pastors and Popes may be called elders of the church, authority from the Lord is not exclusive to any. With no regard to title or station, Christ, the Head of the body of the church will judge all.

    Peter, then, addresses the elders of the church in terms of their own behavior as examples of Christ Jesus and responsibility to their own small flocks as Peter well-knew Jesus had shown to the Twelve Disciples.

    1 Peter 5:

    I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed:

    Peter addresses these men as a fellow elder. He is not of their church or lording it over their church, but addressing them as a humble brother encouraging their leaders.

    Christians tend to look askance at the Jewish context of elders because of the Gospel record of the elders challenging Jesus. However Peter does not challenge any of the elders as if he is one who knows better or as even as an Apostle of higher authority.

    2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

    Peter then addresses our example of Jesus.

    4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

    Yes, Jesus IS resurrected, as witnessed by Peter, who knows directly from the Lord that Christ will give glory to those who serve Him faithfully.

    5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.

    Are you younger than the elders of your church? Of course. Therefore listen to their wise leadership.

    Humbly subject yourselves to them as Christ subjected Himself to the Father, even suffering death on a cross for our sins.

    All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because
    God resists the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.

    Peter asks every saint of the church to clothe yourselves with humility toward all members of the body of Christ. He then quotes a familiar Proverb, memorized between father and son.

    Proverbs 3:

    My son, don’t forget my teaching,
    but let your heart keep my commands;
    2 for they will bring you
    many days, a full life, and well-being.
    3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
    Tie them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
    4 Then you will find favor and high regard
    with God and people.
    5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own understanding;
    6 in all your ways know him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
    7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and turn away from evil…

    33 The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the righteous;
    34 He mocks those who mock,
    but gives grace to the humble.
    35 The wise will inherit honor,
    but he holds up fools to dishonor.

    Conclusion

    Peter concludes his letter advising this same humility which so often eluded him as a Disciple of Jesus. The Lord led with such humble gentleness and exemplary grace.

    Peter advises the saints of Christ’s body not to become fools in your actions toward your brothers in Christ. And do not mock the fools of this passing world so filled with sin. The saints must become Christ-like in all ways.

    Hebrew Scripture would have easily come to mind for these members of first century churches. Yet Peter’s exhortation applies aptly to you and to me.

    Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

    1 Peter 5:6-7

    ‘You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day. – Deuteronomy 5:15 NASB

    Now the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. – Joshua 3:7

    Psalm 69

    Perhaps from this excerpt below we might look into the hearts of Peter’s persecuted first century readers of his letter, lifted up by a song of their familiar worship.

    A Psalm of David.
    Save me, O God,
    For the waters have threatened my life…
    I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched;
    My eyes fail while I wait for my God…
    Because for Your sake I have borne reproach;
    Dishonor has covered my face…

    But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time;
    O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness,
    Answer me with Your saving truth…

    Oh draw near to my soul and redeem it;
    Ransom me because of my enemies!

    But I am afflicted and in pain;
    May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high.
    I will praise the name of God with song
    And magnify Him with thanksgiving…

    The humble have seen it and are glad;
    You who seek God, let your heart revive.

    Resist temptation

    8 Be sober-minded, be alert.

    Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

    Did you know that you are not the only one who suffers for Christ?

    Do you acknowledge the same powers and principalities who opposed Jesus also tempt you?

    Not all angels and spirits bring good news from God. Some heavenly messengers to mortals follow the fallen and deceitful angels of darkness and rebellion against the Lord God. If they oppose Jesus and you suffer for His Name, certainly you will join other saints faithful to the Lord.

    an Encouragement and Praise

    10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.

    11 To him be dominion forever. Amen.

    a Postscript

    Once Peter concludes his letter to the church exhorting its members and elders and closes with a general praise, we learn more about others who support the delivery of Peter’s good news to the churches.

    12 Through Silvanus, a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God.

    Peter likely dictated his letter to Silvanus, also known as Silas. Christian leaders like Silvanus and Timothy often worked with Peter or Paul. Letters to the church often express an understood Spirit-led leadership of like-minded elders of the church. We see this also in Peter’s next greeting.

    13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son.

    That is, John Mark, writer of the Gospel, much dictated by Peter and other Apostles.

    Who is ‘she who is in Babylon?’ Some suggest that it may be a veiled reference to Peter’s wife, who accompanied him in his journeys to spread the Gospel. As to the true location of ‘Babylon,’ commentators differ. At least three viable locations seem possible, including Rome, a Roman outpost in Egypt and a city in the area of ancient Babylon (Mesopotamia).

    Final greetings

    14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

    φίλημα ἀγάπη – philēma agapē. It is the kiss with which, as a sign of fraternal affection, Christians were accustomed to welcome or dismiss their companions in the faith. And agapē love, demonstrable affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love in Christ finds its root in phileō and philos – to treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend; one who associates familiarly with one, a companion.

    This personal love of God becomes evident in every relationship between brothers of the body of Christ; that is, the Church of which He is the head.

    Peace to all of you who are in Christ Jesus, Amen.

    1 Peter 5:14b