This morning, we attempt writing upon a subject we have never written about before. Looking at the world around us, entertainment abounds, and most of it is foolish at best and ungodly at worst. A question that I as a minister get asked more and more often is, “Is there Biblically authorized entertainment that I can participate in without violating my walk and profession to Christ? If so, what is it?” Now, these people are not asking about church-sponsored activities and events. None of those would be authorized or condoned by Scriptural record, but on an individual level, what constitutes our “down time” or entertainment on a purely natural level? Does anything? As the world becomes more and more entertainment minded, I feel confident that I and many other ministers will have to field these types of questions more and more.

Undoubtedly, Scripture declares that we should love the Lord with every fiber of our being. (Luke 10:27) So, with such a clear principle, some would conclude – and some have – that entertainment is inherently bad as it detracts from that. As we should magnify the Lord with our body and spirit, some might think no room was left for entertainment of any sort nor of leisure time that was not immersed in the active, devoted service to Christ Jesus the Lord. While we should be found engaged in the clear commandments above, the Scriptures do bear out that times are necessary in this world for things of a nonspiritual nature.

Before we launch into the broad waters of what might be considered good entertainment or not, let us consider the difference between something being “unspiritual” or “nonspiritual.” We might also label the contrasting terms “carnal” or “natural.” When looking at the term “unspiritual” which would equate to something being “carnal,” we see something that is opposed to spirituality and is its enemy. Since the carnal mind is God’s enemy (Romans 8:7), unspiritual activity would be entertainment or otherwise that is contrary to spiritual things and dampers them in our lives. On the other hand something that is “nonspiritual” or maybe simply “natural” is something that does not actively destroy spirituality but simply lacks it. Rather than being spiritual things’ enemy, it is simply neutral.

Now, having laid out those two terms, one might say, “What was the point of that?” The point is simply this: many things in life are done that have no spiritual significance that do not actively destroy spirituality in our lives. For example, should I take my children to the park and spend time with them sliding down slides, etc. there is absolutely nothing spiritual in that activity. Truly, my love for my children has roots in spiritual things, but the activity itself does not actively promote spirituality. It is simply a natural pleasure. Does this mean that it dampers my spiritual thinking? It could should I be excessive in the activity, but the activity itself does not deter my spiritual deportment.

In our study verse above, we read about the word “leisure” with the thought that the disciples did not have it on this occasion. Our verse above gives insight into how we should view leisure. The word leisure simply means to have a convenient time. They did not have enough convenient time to even eat on this occasion. During their service to God, they could not even find a moment to eat and simply relax in a natural way. This brings us to a Biblical point that eating food bears no spiritual significance. Paul laboured to make such a point when dealing with Christian liberty in Romans 14. Are we any more or less spiritual depending on our diet or lack thereof? Not according to Paul. It is a natural activity that – inherently speaking – is simply nonspiritual.

These disciples were so engrossed in the service of God with so many others on this occasion that they could not even eat. No leisure for a meal. This should show us that leisure, entertainment, and the like always takes a back seat when the Master bids us. If we are engaged in God’s house, food is secondary. All things else are secondary. Now, the verse does show the Master’s understanding that rest is necessary. Therefore, while He does bid us come and labour with Him, He is also gracious to bid us rest a while as well. Labouring spiritually is taxing upon the natural faculties, and He understands that we need leisure from time to time. Notice though that the service was first; the rest was second.

So, the first principle about this leisure is that God’s work still comes first. Christ declared that His righteousness, His kingdom, etc. should always come first (and thereby most important) in our lives. (Matthew 6:33-34) What about food? He promises that should His service come first and more important in our lives, natural blessings, such as food, would be added as well. When Christ and His disciples walked, He did not preach all day every day for 3.5 years. They would naturally rest, naturally eat, naturally sleep, etc. None of these things bore spiritual significance, but were simply natural activities of a non-carnal nature.

Understanding that His service is first, let us seek some ground to discover what the Bible says about leisure or having convenient time to participate in natural things. Eating has been covered as one of those things. What about a husband and wife’s activities together? Certainly, my love for my wife should be rooted in the love of Christ and understanding how to treat her, with the example of Christ’s love to His bride. Do all of our actions bear spiritual significance? No they do not. Isaac was found sporting with his wife Rebekah. (Genesis 26:8) That word “sporting” means to laugh, play about, or even mock in a kidding way. What Isaac did with his wife was share time that just the two of them could enjoy with each other – nonspiritual in nature – that showed their enjoyment of one another’s company. So should it be with the husband and wife today.

Paul laboured to show that marriages have things other than just simply vows and service to God. (I Corinthians 7) During his lengthy discourse on that subject to the Corinthians, he plainly states that a man’s service to God will suffer (time-wise) as he will HAVE to make time for his wife. While his wife is definitely secondary with the Lord first and foremost, he does have to make time to please his wife, spend time with her, and share moments of laughter, sport, etc. with her. The reason that it is necessary is that God knows that our natural relationships need that. Paul understood such, and declared the necessity of husbands and wives pleasing one another with time (leisure) and entertainment.

So also does the family of a man require time devoted to them. As we stated earlier, we love our wife and children based on the love of Christ for and to us. What we do with them and for them should extend beyond natural affection and into the realm of self-sacrificing and abiding love. However, with that well-spring of love to them, we will certainly have affections for them that necessarily should be met. Could I pray and meditate more without doing things with my children? Absolutely. Could I find more time to study without a wife? Definitely. However, they should not be looked upon as detriments to our service, nor their requests for time met as deterrents to our walk. Rather, we should delight to spend time with them, and pray that God would sweeten our time with them and abundantly enrich our time with Him.

Inevitably, someone now says, “But preacher, you have not listed acceptable nonspiritual activities against unacceptable unspiritual activities.” No I have not, for the list could be lengthy and endless. However, Paul stated toward the end of a passage about liberty of action to do all that we do for the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31) He specifically had eating under consideration. Do we eat or not? That is unimportant when compared to the why. Why do it or not do it? For the glory of God. So, are we back to decrying against all leisure and entertainment? No we are not. Simply put, we are summing the matter with this thought.

If leisure time is secondary to God’s service of a spiritual design, spiritual service should be done to the glory of God. However, knowing that we have natural needs that must be serviced, that should be done to the glory of God. Perhaps we are in a season where we must put family or even food aside to worship God and actively walk with Him in sweet fellowship. If that is the proper course at the convenient time, we should do it to the glory of God. Perhaps our family needs attention, the children need some playtime, the wife needs some quality time, our bodies need rest, food, or relaxation time. Whatever the natural need might be, service it to the glory of God. How? Do it firstly because He says He is pleased when we live as families in such a way. Do it secondarily as it will strengthen our frame for future efforts of service to Him. No one is of much good to God’s kingdom as a “spiritual burn-out.” One of the fastest ways to reach that point is to deny the benefit and Biblical aspects of good leisure and recreation. It is never the first course, nor is it the biggest portion, but giving it its due place, we will experience more energy and efficiency for our times of spiritual service to God.

In Hope,
Bro Philip

This is Elder Martin Onyoni, pastor of First Primitive Baptist Church of Kisii, Kenya. I hope hope you, your families and the churches you pastor are doing fine in the Lord. It has been for a while that I have not talked to some of you after my return home from the US visit. I just want to let you know that all of you, your families and the churches in America have been constantly in my thoughts and in my prayers. I thank the Lord for every remembrance of you and your faithfulness for the cause of Christ. I rejoice to let you know that I really felt blessed to visit you all, and I still have fresh sweet memories of sharing my joy with you during my visit. I thank the Lord for the good moments we shared and rejoiced together in the Lord. I thank the Lord for those I visited in their homes when the Lord gave me the opportunity. All in all, I enjoyed visiting both your homes and your churches. It is my prayer that the Lord may continue to bless the fruits of your labor.

I also take this opportunity to thank the Lord for your willingness to share the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This true Gospel of God’s Grace has been warmly received the hearts of the Lord’s saints in many households here in Africa. What a blessing that the Lord has given to us by His GRACE! The hearts of the Lord’s saints in many households in Africa are happily rejoicing and daily praising the Holy name of what He has done for them… Saved them by His Grace alone! What a Wonderful Savior is our Lord!

I just want to thank you again and let you know how I appreciated your generous contributions during my visit in your countries. I was able to purchase a church property for the church I pastor. We bought a building in which we had been renting as our meeting house for worship services and its attached building. The plot/land on which it is built is also among the church property. I have attached pictures showing the property from all directions. I also bought a Motor bike for one Elder here who walks on foot or 3 hours every Sunday morning without breakfast to be in the church he is pastoring. What a blessing to him from the Lord! He no longer walks on foot but instead he enjoys a less than one hour motorbike ride to be in his church. What a blessing!

The Lord willing, next week, 1 hope to travel to Tanzania for 2 weeks to preach and minister to the church in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. I also look forward (the Lord willing ) to travel to Uganda a neighbour country to the West in early March and to Zambia (a neighbour country to Tanzania, south-west ) to proclaim the true Gospel of our of Lord Jesus Christ. 1 have been communicating with
the brethren in this countries and from their emails one can tell how the Lord’s Holy Spirit is working in them searching and having a burden to share the truth with their brethren and fellow kinsmen. I’m forwarding to you an email I received recently from a brother from Zambia which shows how zealous this dear is. It really touched my heart and increased my burden to this dear brethren.

I ask that you pray for me that the Lord may bless my presence in these countries and be fruitful to these dear brethren. Also I ask that you pray for my dear family and the church I pastor that the Lord may take care of them while I will be away.

Your brother and servant in Christ,
Bro. Martin Onyoni

Wednesday 7:00 PM
Thursday 7:00 PM
Friday 10:30 AM. 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM (cookout following worship)

If you plan on attending please contact Elder Jamey Tucker: 229-426-1503

The meeting will start Friday morning at 10AM followed by lunch, an afternoon service, supper at 5:00PM and another service at 6:00PM. Saturday service starts at 10:00AM followed by lunch and another service at 1:30PM. Sunday service will start at 10:30AM and will be followed by lunch. Sunday’s service will be at the church located at 201 Cadle Drive, Crestview, FL.

For information and directions: David Cadle 850-682-6828. Gavin Pun is 850-902-0098, David Warren 407-620-6509.

Sure, we expected the house built on rock to wether the storm, and we were not surprised when the house built on sand fell; but, both houses were tried. In other words, stuff happens to both obedient and disobedient folks. Jesus was not teaching righteous people’s lives will be without storms. He was teaching storms come upon all people and righteous people are better equipped to weather those storms.

We live in a culture where victim mentalities run rampant. Folks, stuff happens: economies sour, cars crash, people get cancer, children rebel, sons go to war, and companies reorganize. The fact that storms beat on both house-types ought not surprise us. Many of us are not surprised when a storm decends upon someone else, but for some reason, we are surprised when it happens to us.

We ought not wonder if a trial will befall us, but when a trial will befall us. If we live long enough, we will face a storm or two or three. Jesus is telling us to expect storms. How ought we build a storm proof house? Build our houses on rock, and that Rock is Jesus Christ -1 Corinthians 10:4.

When rain, wind, and floods beat on storm proof houses, shingles may need refastening, carpet may need replacing, yards will need cleaning; however, the Rock will deliver the house. And great is the fall, when there is not a Rock.

This morning, God receives less respect from the world at large than perhaps any other time in recent history. While the wicked, ungodly, unregenerate populace are just as disrespectful as at any other time, today’s world also drives up the disrespect factor through the behaviour of many professing Christians. They view God as their “pal,” “friend,” “daddy,” etc. while Jesus is our “buddy,” “boy,” “JC and crew,” etc. These monikers mark clear disrespect to the God who deserves more honour in our address with him than that. At my workplace, my superior laments a marked decline in professional respect from when he first became a business professional. The former days could be characterized by professional addresses of “Mr. So-and-so” and “Ms. So-and-so” with the last name being the preferred designation. Nowadays, people speak without the “Mr.” or Ms.” and use the first rather than the last name.

Considering aspects of God from the pages of Scripture, we should be able to glean many necessary points that lead us to the highest plane of respect and awe for and to God. Upon reaching that plane of respect, we will find no place for the popular addresses of and to God today. Our study verses above follow Job’s declaration of inferior position to God. At this point in Job’s conversation with his three miserable comforters, he cannot see something that he later recalls in Job 19:25-27. In chapter 19, Job recalls to mind and realigns his sight upon the coming Redeemer who not only would come into this world, but would also ultimately raise up Job’s body to be with Him in heaven. In chapter 9, Job cannot see this like he does 10 chapters later.

To start the chapter, Job declares some knowledge and lack of knowledge. Verse 2 shows what he does and does not know. Knows: man is just with God. Knows not: how that is possible. It is indeed a Biblical truth that an innumerable company of men from Adam’s race are just with God, but Scripture is also just as abundantly clear how that is possible. Matthew 1:21 gives as succinct an answer as there is: His people were saved from their sins by the efforts of the Saviour Jesus Christ. How are we just with God? His work plus nothing. However, Job continues speaking through chapter 9 by contrasting his inferior position with God’s superior position. In doing so, Job correctly articulates and expounds upon man’s inability to please God and honour Him acceptably by his own efforts. The reason is that man is too puny and small in and of himself to be able to meet with and sit with God – he is far too filthy to do so as well.

The verse before ours (Verse 33) employs a word that is quite necessary for us to understand Job’s mindset in our verses. The word daysman from that verse speaks of one that is able to sit as a mediator between two parties. Now, from chapter 9’s language, the two parties are God and man. If sitting as a mediatorial judge between those parties is necessary, then there must be a problem between them and a wedge that prevents reconciliation. Job’s problem is that he cannot see any daysman to sit with (or between) him and God. Without this one, Job cannot come unto God nor reason with Him in judgment or other matters. (Verse 32) While Job’s sight did find the daysman later, understand that without knowledge of our Daysman or His character, we would have every reason to look at God the way that Job does in our study verses.

The last phrase of verse 35 “it is not so with me” shows that without an understanding of the Daysman, we would have His rod forever upon us, His fear forever terrifying us, and never able to speak without fear unto and with Him. There are countless reasons why this is so, but let us investigate a few of them this morning for a two-fold purpose. As we research what characteristics of God (as compared to us) should strike fear into the heart of man, let us also discover how those characteristics of God – while true – should not give us fear today but also keep us cognizant of the respect that He deserves.

God is perfect. Everything He does is just, without iniquity (Deuteronomy 32:4), and no blight or blemish could possibly be attributed to Him. Due to this impeccable nature, He is purer than to even behold sin itself. (Habakkuk 1:13) This means that anything with the impurity that sin brings does not have the right to speak with Him or approach unto Him – which includes us. His presence demands spotless perfection. Imperfect, spotted things have not the right to stand in His presence. Seeing then that we fail on this count, man has every right to be nothing less than terrified in His presence and afraid of His speech.

God is infinite. Since His mind and understanding have no bounds (Psalm 147:5), He comprehends everything both seen and unseen. Just looking at the finite realm of this created universe for a moment, what percentage of it do we mortals understand? Excepting everything in the universe save the earth for a moment, just how much of the earth do we understand? These are just things seen of a natural order. The Bible speaks of things unseen and of a spiritual order. How much of that do we understand? Now, take that minimal amount of knowledge and understanding and compare it with the boundless and ceaseless concept of eternity and God’s eternal existence. Without beginning and without end, compared to a mere fraction of understanding in the finite world and universe. Do we have any reason to expect audience with Him? On those grounds, no. Do we have every reason to cower in fear before Him. On those grounds, yes.

God is unequaled. With no one like Him (Isaiah 46:10-13), who can talk with Him or be counted worthy of audience with Him? Everything both seen and unseen – save God – has a beginning. On that point alone, He is unequaled. He knows not only what has happened, but what will happen, and what could have happened. (Hebrews 4:12-13) He is without peer on this as well. None can match His power, glory, majesty, or countless other qualities and traits. Therefore, with no equal, terror by His inferiors is the logical end.

These three concepts should suffice us to understand that God is worthy of our terror when considering His person compared to ours. As inferior, finite, and imperfect beings, what reason would there be – using this comparison – for us to have anything less than abject dread when considering Him? Yet, the Bible also abundantly teaches us that we should not live in fear, but that our fear or respect of God should abound with thanksgiving, praise, and joy. (Philippians 4:4, Hebrews 13:11) So, the question ultimately becomes, how can we do that when simple observation of God and man’s characters demands otherwise?

For us to be able to approach unto God, we have to be perfect. Of ourselves we are not. However, our Daysman did come and show forth perfection in character, coupled with perfection in action. Jesus Christ – no less God than the Father or Holy Ghost – is no less perfect than God, for He is God. (John 1:1-3) Furthermore, after His work on this earth was fulfilled, He ascended to intercede (as our Daysman) at the right hand of the Father for us. (Hebrews 9:24) Therefore, as God the Father looks at us today, He looks through the perfection that is His Son and sees the ultimate complete perfection that will embody us in the resurrection. Are we perfect? Of ourselves no! Through Him and in Him, yes! Should we live in fear as imperfect people? No; we should rather live in joy at being made perfect and complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10), and seek to emulate that in our lives. (Matthew 5:48, I Peter 1:16)

To be able to talk and fellowship with God, requires His equal and fellow. Considering that He is without equal, how is a fellow (equal) with God found? Since Jesus Christ (as shown above) is no less God, He is God’s fellow. (Zechariah 13:7) However, since that same One is a man, He is our fellow as well. Consider the awesome mystery of such a thing! (I Timothy 3:16) The One who is God’s fellow as God is man’s fellow as man. We have the right to sit and speak with Him, and He has the right to sit and speak with God. Truly, God is still without equal, but He has made Himself in the Person of His Son our equal as well by taking part of the same flesh and blood – sin excepted – that we have. (Hebrews 2:14, 16) Should we fear talking with another man? We should not, nor do we on a regular, daily basis. Therefore, we should have no fear talking with God, for He is also a man – yea even still today – for us to be able to approach Him and converse with Him.

Finally, and the hardest to comprehend is that we have the right to talk with God being made without spot and perfect. To think of us in that regard is hard to imagine and comprehend. Yet, what does the Bible say about it? Indeed, this old man is still corrupt and the body of death still plagues us. However, something inside of God’s regenerate children is perfectly suited for heaven, as the change of soul and spirit is forever and effectual. Upon the death of the body, soul and spirit immediately fly back to God ready at this time for that moment to be with Him forever. Is that just? Absolutely, for the change worked in our inward parts is perfect and perfect forever. (I John 3:9) Even though the body is still corrupt, yet one day it will stand before God in perfection as well. Legally, we are wholly perfect already in the Person of Christ. Vitally, we are already wholly perfect in the new man. One sweet day, we will be wholly perfect in body, soul, and spirit in heaven and immortal glory. (I Thessalonians 5:23)

Looking at God’s character and nature, we have been made fit recipients of those same things by His power. (II Peter 1:4) Being made a partaker of His nature shows that we have the right to approach unto Him, talk with Him, and walk with Him without fear. We have been made just with God, and the reason is by and through the Daysman Jesus Christ. Now, as we come to the close of this writing, let us go back to where we began: respect. Seeing where we were and where we are now, what has not changed and what has? What has changed through that whole ordeal is us, and we even yet await the final installment of the change. Something else that changed is that God took upon Himself something that He was not before: human manhood. What has not changed is the righteous character of God and His divine qualities.

Therefore, if we have changed and still yet change and He was willing to become something that He was not before for our required change yet without ever harming or rendering His character guilty, how should we view His unchangeableness? How should we view His righteous character even with the knowledge of undergoing human suffering for us? How should we view our standing with Him with the knowledge of what it took to get us there? All of these questions are answered with Him deserving the highest of respect from us. He is not worthy of our chipper and trite monikers. He is not worthy of our casual thoughts towards Him. Christ is God’s fellow and equal, and Christ respected His Father in all things. Truly, as a man, He is still yet above us. So, we are without excuse to render unto our God the highest of respect, even though it can and should be done without fear and full of thanksgiving unto Him for all of His benefits toward us.

In Hope,
Bro Philip

This morning, feelings of entitlement abound. Modern day society deems hard work and sustained, long-term effort to be needless. Rather, society thinks that things are “deserved” and not “worked at.” While Scripture undoubtedly refutes the “worked at” notion of getting to heaven – it is a free gift of grace and mercy by Almighty God – Scripture also just as plainly refutes the entitlement concept that is void of labour. For an example of free grace, Paul employs Ephesians 2:8 and II Corinthians 8:9 for that purpose. For an example of working at things in this life, Paul asserts the necessity of work for food itself in II Thessalonians 3:10. Part of the reason for the prevailing mindset of less work and more benefit is that life is full of more creature comforts and “extras” than ever before. Considering what we have versus what we need, the possessions of life today for most far outweigh the actual needs that we have.

Something that must be worked at, consistently and fervently, is the study of God’s word. No one can just claim to be entitled to knowing what it means and deserving of its teachings. Rather, effort of the faculties must be employed coupled with the fervent prayer and desire of Almighty God that He season the study and sweeten it by His Spirit. Paul asserts to the young minister Timothy the absolute necessity of it. Paul’s language in this verse is not some optional suggestion, but rather, Paul speaks matter of factly about the authoritative command to study, the manner of study, and the effect of study. Command: study to shew thyself approved unto God. Manner: rightly dividing the word of truth. Effect: a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.

Recently, my thoughts were pulled back to this basic concept of Scriptural study when I was asked point blank how I studied and what a typical day was for me while submersed in the word of God. While no two people are going to study the word of God exactly the same (our minds work in different manners), I do believe there are some general principles to follow that serve us well in this regard. Sadly, I have not employed them nearly as I should, but when they are put in motion, there is no reason to be ashamed, for it is a sweet time to walk with God and feel His approval as we delve into the sacred pages.

Something I seek to impress upon anyone that sincerely desires to know guidelines for the study of God’s word is the value of consistent, daily, chronological reading. Many times, we as people can become so involved in minute studies of small little details and facets that we miss “the big picture” of things. There is little doubt from clear Scriptural statement that reading blesses and benefits God’s people. (Revelation 1:3) Indeed, there is more to study than this (as we shall discuss), but without a good foundation of consistent cover-to-cover reading, we may end up ignorant of huge portions of Scripture. One of the things my late father used to say when people asked him how he remembered or memorized Scripture was this, “It’s not hard to remember what you just read.” His goal was to read the Bible through over and over and often enough that it was all “fresh” to him making remembrance of it easier.

Once the foundation of solid, consistent reading is set in our minds, we now take up the examination of fine-tuned study. While I do not plan to go into all the avenues of word study, phrase comparison, or original language investigation in this piece, those different study methods do have place and profitable aspects to them. However, we today would like to look more generally at how one arrives at the proper conclusion of “rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul encouraged the young minister to that end in his efforts. Paul was not telling Timothy to have two great big buckets with “Truth” and “Error” marked on each one, tossing Scriptures and phrases into the appropriate bucket. Should that be the case, one bucket would overflow and the other left empty. (II Timothy 3:16-17) Rather, Paul encouraged Timothy to rightly apply the specific aspect of truth to the right passage.

Whenever a farmer plants a field, he seek to keep the corn with the corn, the potatoes with the potatoes, etc. So it is with Scripture. We should keep eternal principles of God’s grace and salvation unto His elect family with the right verses, and we should keep the daily cross-bearing admonitions and encouragements with the right verses. We should apply things as they should be. Doubtless, our first goal is to be sound in our espoused principle, but ultimately, we should also desire to have our thoughts on a verse, phrase, or passage fixed upon the intended teaching and rightly applied. How do we do that? What do we look for when trying to get to the bottom of the verse’s meaning?

The first principle to consider when studying a verse in such a manner is to understand the meanings of different words. Three little words that I despised hearing from my parents while growing up was “look it up.” While I hated hearing those words (for they meant effort on my part instead of being handed an easy answer), they did provoke me into some good habits for later use in the investigation of God’s word. If we are reading the Bible or looking at a verse and have no idea what a word means, by all means look it up. Without an idea of what words mean, we cannot possibly hope to arrive at the intended teaching.

If we understand what the words of a verse mean, we should then examine the verse’s tense. Is this event past tense, presently happening right now, or yet to come in the future? The Bible can show from the tense that God’s work in salvation is done (Romans 8:29-30), proper worship of God is yet ongoing right now (John 4:23-24), and heaven awaits for all of the purchased possession at the resurrection in the future. (Job 19:25-27) What would happen if we referred to heaven and the resurrection as past? We would be guilty of preaching the same vain and profane babbling that two did a couple of verses later. (II Timothy 2:16-18) What would happen if we spoke about salvation of God’s family as something yet to come or ongoing right now? We would be guilty of Scripture contradiction that declares His work fulfilled and done. (Hebrews 10:14) And, what would happen if we referred to our work and labour as past and not needful for the future? We would be guilty of teaching that over half of the New Testament’s present tense admonitions are meaningless and “outdated.”

So, after we understand the verse’s word meanings and tense, we then need to examine its context. What do the verses just before ours say? What about the verses just after? What is the setting of the account or epistle? Who is being spoken to, by whom, and when? The answers to all of these questions can be easily resolved by taking a few moments to consider the verse’s surrounding verses and the opening and close of the book we are in. The books of the Bible often open with the answers to some of those questions, they close with answers to other of those questions, and the surrounding verses answer the rest of those questions. Both the immediate context and “book context” can prove vitally useful in discovering what a verse’s correct application is.

Yet, how long does it take us to look up words, discover the tense, and peruse the immediate and/or book context? Those three exercises can often be performed in 5-10 minutes. Looking up words like propitiation, justification, imputation, and purloining are done in seconds to minutes with a good dictionary. Discovering the past, present, or future aspect of a verse’s language takes just seconds. Looking at the immediate and book context can take just a handful of minutes. Is this all there is?

The fourth thing to consider when studying a verse’s meaning is to discover how it fits within the overall framework and harmony of God’s word. Many times, I get asked questions about verses I do not understand – from say Revelation or Ezekiel – and I have to say, “I don’t know.” When they hear me admit that I do not know what the answer is, they oftentimes promote their answer (which is what they really wanted to tell me anyway). After listening to them lay out their thoughts on the verse’s meaning, I many times say, “That is not what it is saying.” This answer coupled with my clear admission of ignorance as to the right application is met with awe. “How can you say it is not when you admit you don’t know what it is.” The simple answer is that a clear, undeniable verse in another place contradicts the teaching that they ascribe to the verse in question.

So, while I may not know what a verse is saying, I need to be familiar enough with the overall harmony of Scripture to be able to identify things it is not saying by being able to detect unsound principles. While the verses and passages do describe different areas of truth, they fit together like nothing else that has ever been written fits together. Every word is just as it needs to be, with every mark just as God intended for it to be. (Psalm 12:6-8) Our job while studying its content is to ascribe the proper area of thought within the framework to the associated verses that teach those points. This brings us back to the first principle of study: reading. How can we possibly fulfill the injunction to overall Scriptural harmonization without going through all of the pages on a consistent basis?

On one occasion many years ago, I received quite a shock as a young minister when I heard an older minister – who had been preaching longer than I had been living – admit that he had never read different portions of Scripture. Most of the things he had never read were the prophets at the end of the Old Testament like Haggai, Nahum, Obadiah, etc. However, what if I believed something about the Bible when one of those “little” books from some “minor” prophet gave a clear rebuttal of my thoughts? Having never read that portion of Scripture, my thoughts would violate the overall harmony of Scripture, based on my neglect to read it all in study as I should.

Friends, our daily routines may vary. How we approach it might deviate from person to person. However, words have meaning, tense has place, context is important, and Scripture never violates itself. Keeping these things in mind while daily reading and searching will get us closer to the right applications while ultimately seeking the favour and approval of Almighty God. One thing that pleases Him is when we do this for Him out of love for Him. We sing a song sometimes called “I Want to Love Him More.” If we read and study because we love Him and we want to love Him more, the final and best advice about study that I give all who ask is to study “more.” Do more today than yesterday. Do more tomorrow than today. Read the Bible more this year than last and next year than this year. By doing so, we show more manifest love for God, find less shame as a workman, and more favour as His faithful followers.

In Hope,

Bro Philip

We live in an age of instant gratification, instant food, and instant belief. Many people seem void of the patience or skill to deal with life from a wise, long-term perspective. In their minds, forget about ten years from now; how will this situation impact my life next week? Forget about complex recipes, however healthy and balanced; just give me a “quick and dirty” TV dinner. This superficial mindset appears often in the way these same people read and interpret the Bible. They look superficially at a passage and seldom give thoughtful reflection to the implications of what they read and believe.

1. Who hears the gospel with understanding and conviction?
2. What is the texture and character of warnings in the gospel? Yes, the New Testament gospel does contain warnings, but what is their precise intent?
3. When do our actions appear in judgment before God?
4. Will every human being, including God’s children, appear before the “Great White Throne” in that Day of Judgment?
5. If God’s children will not face the judgment of the white throne, when and how do their actions appear in God’s judgment?
6. How many times does God require legal satisfaction for our sins? Does He require Jesus to pay for them, and then send us a bill for the same debt?

Scripture deals with these questions if we take the time and invest the study to learn from Scripture rather than trying to force Scripture to teach what we want it to teach, what we’ve already decided to believe before we ever consult Scripture. Our study this week addresses some of these questions. Paul’s Colossian writing dismantles a number of errant ideas. We need to spend time with these writings and apply them to our daily lives.

God bless,
Joe Holder

Preaching Jesus

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Colossians 1:27–29)

Early in my ministry a very wise man and a good Bible student taught me a simple principle of Biblical interpretation. Always anchor your mind in the passage. As you begin to form thoughts about the Holy Spirit’s intent, weigh your possible interpretations against the passage. Some ideas will say more than the passage says; some will say less than the passage. If your ideas either understate or overstate the passage, you have the wrong idea, the wrong interpretation.

Sadly a large number of commentaries present ideas regarding this passage that hopelessly confuse the role of the preacher with the role of the Lord Jesus Christ. They suggest that the presenting of every man in this passage refers to the Second Coming and the triumphant appearance of all God’s elect before the Father with Jesus. However, this interpretation requires that we ignore a glaring contradiction of the idea with other Scriptures. For example, consider this passage that few commentaries and Bible students will deny refers to the Second Coming.

And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (Hebrews 2:13)

In this Second Coming passage, do we see each preacher presenting the people he convinced to believe the gospel to God? Or do we see the Lord Jesus Christ presenting them to the Father? Simply put, you can’t have it both ways. Either Jesus presents His redeemed elect to the Father, or preachers present them. Preachers are not God’s one and only Son. They are not God’s one and only Savior of sinners. They teach, they warn, the instruct, but they do not redeem, and they shall not finally present anyone to the Father at the Second Coming.

How then do we interpret this passage? How and when do preachers present people they’ve taught in the gospel to the Lord Jesus Christ? The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary explains “every man” in this passage.

every . . . every man–without distinction of Jew or Gentile, great or small….

every man–Paul is zealous lest the false teachers should seduce one single soul of Christ’s people at Colosse. So each individual among them should be zealous for himself and his neighbor. Even one soul is of incalculable value.[1]

The commentary makes two pertinent points. First, “every man” refers without distinction to Jews and Gentiles, great and small. The appeal of the gospel to God’s regenerated elect, is not confined to one superficial class of people. Gentiles are not excluded from the gospel because they are Gentiles. Jews are not left out because they are Jews.

The commentary further refines the application of the term in this verse, “Paul is zealous lest the false teachers should seduce one single soul of Christ’s people at Colosse,” Paul wrote the Colossian letter to every member of the Colossian Church. He did not want the Gnostic seducers to lure even one child of God away from the truth of the gospel.

If we accept these “every man” terms as all-encompassing universals, we cannot avoid concluding the errant view of universal salvation, the highly sentimental, but also highly unbiblical notion that God shall ultimately save every human being. Hell, according to this errant notion, shall be empty, and heaven shall realize a population explosion.

A further interpretational filter appears in this lesson.

perfect in Christ–who is the element in living union with whom alone each believer can find perfection: perfectly instructed (Eph 4:13) in doctrine, and full grown or matured in faith and practice.[2]

The perfection of which Paul writes reflects the truth of his teaching, not spiritual or moral sinless perfection such as we have positionally and legally in the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the Colossian letter and any other opportunity he may find, Paul will take advantage of every occasion to teach the error of the false Gnostic gospel and the truth of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. His objective is to present these disciples to His Lord, and their Lord, in the “here and now” with perfect understanding of the gospel and as fruitful believers in Christ as a consequence of Paul’s teaching.

This interpretation comfortably harmonizes with the various passages that reserve the final, Second Coming presentation of all the elect to the Father by the Lord Jesus Christ. It also supports the New Testament’s teaching regarding the purpose and role of the gospel.

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ” (Ephesians 4:12–15, KJV)

Notice the similar terminology to our study lesson; “…perfecting of the saints…” “…unto a perfect man….” In this true work of the gospel, preaching should confront and transform God’s children who hear it, not superficially entertain them. We live in an age that expects preachers to entertain, to be good politicians who tell people what they want to hear, not what God wants them to hear.

Paul uses two terms to frame his preaching.

1. …warning every man…. The word translated “warning” means, ” “to impart understanding (a mind for something),” with acc. of person (e.g., Test. Jos. 6:8), “to set right,” “to have a corrective influence on someone,” with double acc. “to lay on the heart of someone.” νουθετεῖν can mean “to impart understanding,” “to teach”[3] Paul will not rest with superficial, politically correct entertainment. He strives to touch mind and heart in his hearers, to change the way they think and act. Nothing less satisfies the New Testament gospel’s objective.
2. …and teaching every man in all wisdom. “…teaching…” refers to the imparting of knowledge, functional and effective knowledge. “The word calls attention to two aspects, being applied on the one side to the insight of the one who is to be instructed and on the other to the knowledge presupposed in the teacher. In relation to the second aspect, especially when it is a question of practical arts and crafts, the example of the teacher forms a bridge to the knowledge and ability of the pupil.2 Thus διδάσκειν is the word used more especially for the impartation of practical or theoretical knowledge when there is continued activity with a view to gradual, systematic and therefore all the more fundamental assimilation.”[4]

Notice in the definition of knowledge the process “…is continued activity with a view to gradual, systematic, and therefore all the more fundamental assimilation.” This definition matches perfectly with a gradual growing of people under the influence of the gospel to a greater “assimilation” of its truths into their lives. Our “presentation” to the Father at the Second Coming shall be an instantaneous event, “…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye….” (1 Corinthians 15:52) The presentation in our study lesson occurs gradually over time as those who hear, believe, and work to obey the gospel gradually become transformed by its absorption into their minds (intellect), hearts (emotions), and lives (personal actions or conduct).

Some will always protest that this idea of the gospel is not realistic. People simply refuse to change so easily. Paul counters that the power behind this transformational teaching is God’s power at work both in the hearers and in the preachers of the gospel. We need to expect life-changing results from our preaching.

[1] Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, copied from SwordSearcher Bible software.

[2] JFB, SwordSearcher.

. of persoaccusative.

. 6:8), “t Test. Jos. Testament of Joseph.

. “to lay accusative.

[3] Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley and Gerhard Friedrich, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-).

2 2 “Pupil” is not to be understood here as though the scholar were merely passive; the relationship is rather sociological.

[4] Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhard Kittel….