Disciple Up #192
Persecution, Disillusion & the End of 2020
By Louie Marsh, 12-30-2020
North Korean Persecution:
Ravi Zacharias’ Sin:
https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/update-from-rzim-board-allegations-against-ravi-zacharias
Your Calendar Won’t Save You!
Don’t set yourself up for failure by expecting things to magically get better just because we won’t be in 2020 anymore!
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Disciple Up # 191
Slaughter of the Innocent
By Louie Marsh, 12-23-2020
Old Episodes About Christmas:
Episode 35: Should Disciples Celebrate Christmas?
Episode 36: Tales From the Scrypt – the Christmas Story
Episode 87: The Non-Pagan Roots of Christmas
Episode 88: Christ IS In X-Mas
Episode 139: The Real Meaning of Christmas and Other Christmas Stuff
Websites Referenced:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/10/09/christian-victims-in-nigeria-fear-future-attacks/
https://www.christianpost.com/news/nigeria-christian-murdered-fulani-extremists-ambush-attack.html
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Disciple Up # 190
False gods & the Church at Odds
By Louie Marsh, 12-16-2020
Intro. What’s coming up for the next two weeks.
Link to the Article Read:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/december/idols-worshiping-false-god.html
QUOTE:
Our hearts still fall into that same satanic groove, quickly moving from confessing “I believe in God” to talking about “the God I believe in,” to making the most dire and pretentious utterance of all: “I could never believe in a God who…”
The problem of idolatry
“23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24, ESV)
Grievous way = way of an idol.
“21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21, ESV)
“5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5, ESV)
I do not believe that the big problem for the Bible believing church in the United States and around the world even, is legalism.
Yes, these idols are problems for sure. But there are far larger ones and more dangerous ones in our current era. As would be expected these idols flow from the culture we live in. You can see them slowly, almost imperceptibly in many cases worming their way into the church and our beliefs and practices.
I’m thinking of people who have somehow arrived at the conclusion that God is on their side politically and that whatever changes their party makes, God suddenly has always been behind that even when they themselves believed something different just hours or days earlier!
Take for example the huge shift in public opinion when Barak Obama said he had “evolved” on the issue of homosexual marriage. Now it was good where as before the election it had been bad. Immediately this was seized upon as the only right and moral position you could have, even though most of those doing the seizing had held the older positions mere moments before!
Many of these people would self-identify as Christians and yet they immediately jumped into this new moral standard with hardly a moments hesitation. (Yes, I’m aware many struggled with this choice, but the vast majority of those who changed did not. And of course all of us who didn’t change our beliefs because of what one politician said didn’t hesitate either.)
I don’t want to get off point here which I may already have by bringing up that topic. My point is if you are going to pontificate upon moral issues and you want your opinion to carry some weight you ought to be really seeking to live out what your belief system teaches you to do and not do.
If you don’t, then here’s what you can expect from me.
In the United States you have the right to speak. However you do not have the right to be listened too. In other words you can’t demand that I, or anyone else, pay attention to what you are saying or give it any weight at all in our lives.
If you aren’t active in a church, and at least seeking to find a ministry, and aren’t prayerfully trying to share the Gospel and live out your faith in everything you say and do then say what you will, I won’t be paying much attention to you.
After all, why should I? If you don’t know and seek to live out God’s Word then all your professions of spiritual wisdom are simply an expression of hypocrisy. Nothing more and nothing less. That doesn’t mean you might not be right – even a stopped clock is right twice a day. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be paying much attention to it!
There’s a term for this – virtue signaling.
Virtue signaling is hypocrisy.
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Disciple Up #189
Celebrity Pastors
By Louie Marsh, 12-10-2020
Article Link:
Celebrity Definition:
1: the state of being celebrated : FAME The actress lived a life of celebrity.
2: a famous or celebrated person. Many celebrities attended the awards ceremony.
Given that definition the Pope is a celebrity, Billy Graham was the biggest Christian celebrity of the last century, etc.
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Disciple Up # 188
A Disciple’s Identity Pt. 2 – Mourning
By Louie Marsh, 12-2-2020
Intro. First in this series was back in Episode 185. Today we’ll continue with part two.
“4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, ESV)
1, Can be translated “Happy”, but that is misleading, since happiness is a subjective emotion dependent on circumstances
2, In the Bible blessing is something a greater does for a lesser, it is an objective reality, and it’s given as a gift it’s not earned.
3, Perhaps the best way to think of blessed is the translation “Congratulations.”
a, Jesus is saying that God thinks these things are good, even tho we might disagree!
1, This follows on the heels of the 1st Beatitude and can only be understood in light of it.
2, Once we see and confess our spiritual poverty, that isn’t the end of it.
a, We are also called to mourn over it.
b, The extent of sin in our lives should be a cause of great grief to us.
3, In our rush to become “Happy Christians” we usually rush past this and hurt ourselves in several ways…
a, We make light of sin, and never take the time to see how deep it’s hold on us really is.
b, By papering over our weaknesses we set ourselves up for future failure.
c, By belittling sin we also never really understand the true extent of God’s comfort – His Grace.
Those who Mourn – I ADMIT my problem is sin.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 (ESV)
Problems are spiritual and in the Bible spiritual problems are called sin. Sin is my core problem in life and it impacts everything.
I must admit it’s sin! Like a 4 year old child who refuses to hold his parents hand to cross the street and instead darts out into traffic. The child dies because he refused to admit he needed his parents to control and guide him.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV)
o Focus on SELF – God has forgiven me but I can’t forgive myself.
This is self pity
o Focus on JESUS – forgiven, lifted up, empowered
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 (ESV)
COMFORTED
A form of the word Jesus used for the Helper or Comforter in John:
“16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16–17, ESV)
So we are comforted not by mere words or emotions, but by the presence and ministry of the Spirit of God Himself.
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Disciple Up # 187
What About Repentance, Works & Salvation?
By Louie Marsh, 11-25-2020
Intro. Happy Thanksgiving!
An E-mail comes in:
Hello louie this is josh again and I have been struggling to understand this topic that I have came apon concerning ones salvation. The topic is a few questions, are we saved in just believing in christ or Is repentance required for salvation? Roman’s 10:9-13. In this passage Paul does not mention repentance as a need for salvation. Is believing enough or is there more we need to do to be saved?
What got me thinking about this was this video I watched on this topic, which I would like for you to watch and see if what his is saying is right
Mike, holdingfirmly channel on YouTube
If You Do Well Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAdqrvjUn0&feature=youtu.be
“The Great deception among most Professed Christians is they refuse to recognize that Patient Continuance in Doing Well is the determining factor on whether or not they will enter the Kingdom of God. They think Salvation is a Package deal, that once they ‘receive Jesus forgiveness of past, present and future sins is assured and nothing they do or don’t do from that point forward has any bearing on the outcome of their inheritance of eternal life. Under the ‘not of works’, collective reasoning ‘doing well’ may be a by-product of Faith, but its never a necessity in that ‘NOT doing well will disqualify them form the Kingdom.”
Mistakes – “he told Cain to do well which he wouldn’t have done if he had a sin nature.” BUT Jesus regularly told people who were fallen to “go and sin not.” Plus later he says the whole structure of the Scriptures is God telling us to do well, but that contradicts which said about Cain.
“God expects an increase of His grace.” What does that even mean? How can you or I increase God’s grace since that comes from him and is a part of him?
This is based on a misunderstanding of the Old Testament Covenants (yes, there were more than one) and the New Testament covenant of Jesus.
He only quotes part of this passage and then concludes that the disciples were able to deal with sin –
“21And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”” (Matthew 20:21–23, ESV)
– when the passage proves the opposite! Great example of Is eisegesis – forming an opinion and then forcing it upon the text.
This man cannot properly interpret Scripture.
He either doesn’t know about or ignores one of the primary rules of interpretation of Scripture which is: You interpret the Old Testament in light of the New Testament. Not the other way around, which is what he does.
He points out that in the OT you had to work to be saved or in the kingdom, then he quotes Jesus to support this (mangling His words as seen above) and then concludes he’s right. He forgets or ignores that Jesus lived under the Old Covenant and spoke to people who lived under it too!
It’s not till He rises from the grave that the New Covenant takes effect.
They FAILED when they betrayed Christ!
I’m not saying he’s bad or evil or is deliberately trying to mislead. I am saying he’s wrong, woefully wrong and in a way that anyone who’s taken even ONE class on how to interpret the Bible ought to be able to see.
Josh’s Questions:
Are we saved in just believing in Christ or Is repentance required for salvation? Roman’s 10:9-13. In this passage Paul does not mention repentance as a need for salvation. Is believing enough or is there more we need to do to be saved?
Watch out for Proof Texting
A proof text is a passage of scripture presented as proof for a theological doctrine, belief, or principle. Proof texting (sometimes “proof-texting” or “proof texting”) is the practice of using isolated, out-of-context quotations from a document to establish a proposition in eisegesis (introducing one’s own presuppositions, agendas, or biases). Such quotes may not accurately reflect the original intent of the author, and a document quoted in such a manner, when read as a whole, may not support the proposition for which it was cited. The term has currency primarily in theological and exegetical circles.
“8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” (Romans 10:8–11, ESV)
Notice that this doesn’t mention repentance. So is it really necessary? Proof texters would say this proves it’s not important! But they taking the wrong approach. You need to look at all the verses on this subject and see what they say. Note that this verse doesn’t say you have to ask God to forgive your sins either.
Is that now something we don’t do?
Repentance is one of the things we do, along with believing, confessing and being baptized, that we do when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives.
Honestly and sincerely I don’t know what this means.
“20Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” (Romans 5:20, ESV)
“15For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15, ESV)
“6which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,” (Colossians 1:6, ESV)
I already answered this.
“14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:14–19, ESV)
“26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26, ESV)
You aren’t saved by works, but your works prove your faith. That’s it and that’s all.
This guys “Doing Well” stuff has another fatal flaw in it that I’ve save for now – HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU’VE DONE WELL ENOUGH TO BE SAVED?
He gives no standard for us to look too. There’s nothing about that in the Bible. So you are left up on your own never being sure if you are accepted by God or not.
You don’t have to have read much of the NT to see that this kind of insecurity isn’t typical of the language used about salvation. If he’s right then no one can ever know they are saved since they cannot know if they done well enough.
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Disciple Up # 186
Greater Than, Part 4
Jesus Suffered & Understands Our Suffering; Hebrews 2:5-18
By Louie Marsh, 11-18-2020
Intro.
Angels Won’t Rule the World – Hebrews 2:5-8
“5For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” (Hebrews 2:5–8, ESV)
The words “put in subjection” are the translation of hupotasso (ὑποτασσο), a military term used of arranging soldiers in order under the commanding general. The word speaks of an economy, a system of administration. – Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 10, p. 54). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
This speaks to the order that God always brings to things. Even when we can’t see it or understand it, it’s there. Which is why Paul says that God is not a God of confusion but of peace. – 1 Corinthians 14:33
We still marvel at the way nature works to this very day. We marvel at how human creativity works, at how things often seem to come together. This is why people say ignorant things like, “The universe brings this to me.” NO, it’s not the universe – the universe is just an inanimate created thing. IT’s God’s creation and the order He built into the universe that does all these things. Give Him the glory NOT the things He created!
This isn’t the usual word for world we see – Kosmos. Kosmos means a world system or what we call culture. But this word means…
The word “world” is the translation of oikoumene (οἰκουμενε), literally, “the inhabited earth,” – Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 10, p. 54). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
So he’s really talking about people here. In the world to come – Millennial Kingdom, whatever, Angels won’t be ruling over people. God and His people will rule.
6It has been testified somewhere… (Hebrews 2:6a)
I love this! He doesn’t have the reference in mind but correctly quotes the verses anyway! Here’s the reference from Psalm 8
“4what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,” (Psalm 8:4–6, ESV)
But this isn’t happening right now.
…Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” (Hebrews 2:8b, ESV)
This is another example of the realism of the Bible. Obviously this world isn’t under subjection to God and the Bible makes no attempt to pretend that it is. But someday it will be and that’s what this passage is talking about.
The Incarnation:
“9But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9, ESV)
Note here how the incarnation and Christ’s work on the cross is described:
“10For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”” (Hebrews 2:10–13, ESV)
Why is it fitting that Jesus had to suffer?
For it was fitting for him, on account of whom (are) all the (existing) things and through whom (are) all the (existing) things, that he as bringing many sons to glory make the Author of their salvation complete by means of suffering.
In the case of the Messiah suffering is so far from being an outrageous idea that in the accomplishment of God’s grace, that of bringing many sons to glory, it positively accorded with his own nature and his relation to all things to make the Author of their salvation the Author that he is by means of suffering. Nothing else would have befitted God, all Jewish and all human preconceptions to the contrary notwithstanding.
The writer does not speak of necessity although one might say that what is fitting and proper for God is, therefore, also necessary for him, for God cannot act in a manner that is unbefitting him. The fact that αὐτῷ refers to God and not to Jesus needs no proof. God is the agent of the passive participles used in v. 9 as he is the agent also of this new sentence. To aid us in understanding his thought the writer does not merely say that “it is fitting for God” but that it is fitting “for him on account of whom all the (existing) things (are) and through whom all the (existing) things (are),” τὰ πάντα as in v. 8. The two διά clauses declare that all the things that exist and occur do so “because of him” and “through him”: they are on God’s account, for his sake (i. e., for his glory), as they are also due to his agency (his hand being involved in them all.) – Lenski, R. C. H. (1938). The interpretation of the Epistle to the Hebrews and of the Epistle of James (pp. 79–80). Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern.
So Lenski is saying that it’s fitting because it’s connected with God’s nature and His relationships with His created beings to bring about salvation thru suffering. Man brought sin into the world, sin brings suffering, God suffers to free us from sin and suffering.
One source?
The words “of one” are literally, “out of one.” We have the ablative of source here. That is, the Lord Jesus and the saints, are all out of one source. Because the Lord Jesus and the saints are all out of one source, the writer says that He is not ashamed to call the saints His brethren. The Greek word for brother (adelphos (ἀδελφος)) means “from the same womb.” That one source is God the Father – Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 10, p. 61). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
How Redemption Works:
“14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14–18, ESV)
The Devil is destroyed Vs. 14
He destroys the devil by first of all removing his authority over death and hell. That now belongs to Jesus thanks to His death, burial and resurrection. “18and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18, ESV)
Our Fear of Death is Removed Vs. 15-16
Once we come to Christ we no longer have to fear death. This doesn’t mean many of us don’t, just that we have no reason too thanks to the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
He also circles back to his earlier theme of the angels when he mentions Jesus isn’t doing this for the angels.
To Fully Redeem He Had to Be Fully Human– Vs. 17
Propitiation – removing God’s wrath from those who have sinned. Jesus did this by suffering, bleeding and dying on the cross as a man.
Because He is both God and Man He Understands Our Suffering. – Vs. 18
Now – because He has suffered – He can completely understand our suffering, whatever that suffering may be.
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Disciple Up # 185
A Disciple’s Identity, Pt. 1
By Louie Marsh, 11-11-2020
Intro.
This is coming out on Veteran’s Day – November 11th so Thank You!
1) Jesus tells me what it TAKES & MEANS to be His disciple.
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. Matthew 5:1 (ESV)
In Greek THE mountain – the Sinai of the NT
2) He begins by describing WHO & WHAT real disciples of Jesus are.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:2-9 (ESV)
A new view of the Beatitudes.
Jesus begins the SOTM by vision casting who and what authentic disciples of him really are. All true disciples already have these characteristics. To one degree or another. No perfectionism here.
The Beatitudes contain:
What are they?
1st Beatitude blessed are ____ theirs IS
2nd – 7th – SHALL
8th – IS
Is exists now, shall is a promise of something to come at some point in the future
We are in the Kingdom NOW it’s benefits will come to us, but note we are not told when.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV)
3) God’s TRANSFORMATION of me is the real blessing.
Blessed – used 55 times in the NT. Used of outward prosperity and of the gods themselves in the Greek. Yet it’s not the common Greek word for happy which isn’t found in the NT. In the Bible there’s a moral and spiritual dimension added to it.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:13 (ESV)
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17 (ESV)
11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 1 Timothy 1:11 (ESV)
Many scholars translate it as happy. One well know Christian author and Pastor, and former chaplain of the US Senate Lloyd John Ogilvie said it should be translated “Congratulations!”
Test both out –
The glory of the happy God The glory of the congratulated God
Happy are the poor in spirit – Congratulations you poor in spirit!
4) To really follow Jesus I must ABANDON myself.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
Poor = extreme poverty. Think starving people in refugee camp kind of poverty.
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:34-35 (ESV)
A radical departure from our culture of selfism.
Selfism = believe in yourself, etc.
American Culture more than most tells us that life is manageable if only we try hard enough, get educated enough etc. That’s a lie. Thinking will power will get you through is a lie as well. Will power becomes won’t power quick enough.
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 (ESV)
Cultures mixed message on self – need self-esteem, self-motivation. Everyone sends you all sorts of things saying “you’ve got this,” “Believe in yourself.” People are urged to “find themselves.”
But at the same time we’re told that “Where ever you go there you are,” and “You are your biggest problem.”
So which is it? According to the greatest leader, thinker and teacher of all time – you need to become selfless!
Jesus says to listen to your doubts when you think I can’t do it, I’m not able. Because they are telling you the truth! You cannot save yourself and you cannot become like Christ by yourself.
The main problem all of us face is more than psychological it is spiritual. Problems go beyond what any of us can deal with except God alone.
AA 1st Step: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable.
Christianity isn’t self-help – it is self-surrender, self-denial, dying to self and living to God.
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Disciple Up # 184
When Your Side Loses
By Louie Marsh, 11-4-2020
Intro: Another show I’d rather not do but feel it’s needed. For the first time in my life I’m actually worried that no matter what happens in the election tomorrow (I’m recording this on Monday November 2nd 2020) that the United States might not stay united. That’s BAD!
Two kinds of people after an election – winners and LOSERS!! It’s not fun to be a LOSER! So how do we handle losing, especially when we think it was critical that we win? That’s what I want to talk about.
Note: I’m discussing the aftermath of an election; not the election itself and I will not be making any political statements myself. Yes I voted. Who did I vote for? None of your business! Thank God for the secret ballot. It lets me minister to everyone no matter what side they are on!
To understand the Christian view of this issue you have to understand what the sovereignty of God is and how He works His will in this world. You also have to understand the real focus of the Christian life is supposed to be and then you have to learn to cling to that focus and not be pulled off of it.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
“11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” (Ephesians 1:11, ESV)
“28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28–30, ESV)
“29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29–31, ESV)
“16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16–17, ESV)
“7I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things. 8“Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it. 9“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?” (Isaiah 45:7–9, ESV)
“33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33, ESV)
“2“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2, ESV)
“37Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? 38Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? 39Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins?” (Lamentations 3:37–39, ESV)
“27for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” (Acts 4:27–28, ESV)
“4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love” (Ephesians 1:4, ESV)
“1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,” (Romans 13:1–3, ESV)
HOW TO REACT TO LOSING!
1) Look at my problems from a KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV)
My Natural Perspective On Life: I ME MINE
A Kingdom Perspective: God’s Kingdom, Others, Myself
Trouble reveals the true condition of MY HEART.
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. 14 Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:13-14 (ESV)
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2) Put other’s salvation ahead of MY COMFORT.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, Philippians 1:12-18 (ESV)
3) Always keep God’s work in my life ROOTED IN THE GOSPEL.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:18-20 (ESV)
4) Make Jesus the very REASON I LIVE.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more. Philippians 1:21 (GW)
5) Move forward by SERVING & SACRIFICING for others.
22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. Philippians 1:22-26 (ESV)
This shows my love for them & Christ.
I can bring authentic joy into their lives
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Disciple Up # 183
When God Speaks…Listen!
By Louie Marsh, 10-29-2020
Intro. Thoughts on last week’s episode – No Place for Repentance? Sad that many leave their hidden sin as their legacy.
There are at least three times in the New Testament when God seems to have been rude to the Apostle Peter. Three times when God interrupted and silenced Peter to make a point. What was so important that God decided to act like this? Let’s find out.
I) The Content of Christianity
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen. Luke 9:28-36 (NIV)
A) The Three Figures
1, Moses = the Law
2, Elijah = the prophets
3, Jesus = the New Covenant
1, Peter saw all three as equal and valued them that way
2, God set Jesus above them all
“16“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.” (Luke 16:16, ESV)
The law and the prophets—till John; from then on the kingdom of God is being preached as good news, and everyone is energetically pressing into it[1]
1, Christ is superior to all and everything
a, That’s the whole point of the book of Hebrews!
2, To be a Christian is to realize and confess that Jesus outshines and rules over everything!
II) The Foundation of Christianity 16:13-23
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:13-23 (NIV)
1, Jesus was either Who He claimed to be – God
a, Or He was a liar or insane!
1, Compromise is a good way to solve problems!
a, But there are some things that you can’t compromise!
2, You cannot compromise on Christ’s identify
a, If we lose this – we lose the entire point and meaning of His life and teachings!
1, Obey Him!!!
a, If He really is God that’s the least we can do!!
2, Don’t argue so much!
a, It’s good to let it all hang out with the Lord.
b, One sign of spiritual growth is when I argue less and trust more!
III) The Sphere of Christianity Acts 10: 41-48
He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen–by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Acts 10:41-48 (NIV)
A) Not An Exclusive Club!
1, Not just for Jews – or the spiritual
2, But for Everybody!
1, There can be no place for bigotry in the Christian faith!
2, That includes all types of bigotry – racial, cultural, educational, religious, etc.
1, the more we realize this – the quicker the world will be won!
[1] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel (p. 839). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.