God's Plan for the Family

The following is the manuscript used in basis for the sermon given on September 15 at GracePointe Church.

 

Sermon Outline: “God’s Plan for the Family”

Good morning, Church. Wow it’s good to be back. As most of you know, last week I was not able to be here, and I am so grateful that Bodie Beaman not only came in at the last minute to preach, but out of 66 books of the Bible, God led Bodie to preach the same text of Scripture as I had two and three weeks prior from the book of Nehemiah.

Bodie didn’t know I had already preached out of Nehemiah. But he said this in his sermon, “If you have read Nehemiah, go back and read it again with this in mind. You may read the scripture in one season and then the next season you read it again and that same scripture will say something different to you. That's the Living Word of God. That's what I love about God because his Spirit speaks to us and His word speak to us differently in different seasons.”

So, what is God saying to GracePointe? We need to get out and rebuild the walls of protection around our church, our community, our country, and today, I want to talk about building a wall around our families.

The Government does not produce families. The government schools do not produce families. Only God produces families.

The Government is not the parent of families. If we ever get to the point where we call the Government “Mother Russia” or “Mother America” we have gone to communism. If we go and let society dictate what we as families should and should not do or be, then we’ve gone to socialism.

No, we are not communists. We are not socialists. And when it comes to families, God’s plan is not even a democracy. In the family, we don’t pledge allegiance to the republic for which it stands. God’s plan for the family is that we are to be a theocracy where God reigns and rules. The problem with the family is we are not following the rule, the reign of God, found in the Bible.

No, the government does not produce families, it’s not the parent of families, Government is the product of families. Our families are foundational to our church and to our state.

So, the title of the message today is God’s Plan for the Family. Turn with me to the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, chapter 6.

Deuteronomy means the second reading of the law, given after the 40 years of wandering are about to be over. The people of God are about to go into the Promised Land. In chapter 5, Moses reminded them of what the ten commandments were.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Father God, open our ears this morning. This message is for us and for our children. We don’t know what is going on in this world, but you do, and you know the urgency of our times. We got to get this message, the Good News of the Gospel, out. More than that, we have to live it out ourselves. Let us be better listeners than Israel was; let us be better hearers than our parents were. Bring us to restore the walls of our family for our part of the wall. We pray this desperately in the name of Jesus. Amen.

THIS was the centerpiece of Deuteronomy, the second hearing of the Law, and the famous line is called the Shemah, which means hear or listen.

Moses says, “Listen, Hear Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone, and you shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your might.” This became a very important daily prayer in Judaism, and it brings all of the themes of the book together.

So, the word “listen” or Shema in Hebrew, means much more than just to hear; its meaning includes responding to what you hear, or in English we would say obey.  It means to TAKE heed

I. The Command to Obey (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)

Notice this is not just a good Idea. This is not just a suggestion. It’s not a hopeful pep talk from a 120-year-old man who led Israel for the last 40 years.

These are commands. God wants His people to obey. They are about to be in battle of their lives and the previous generation did not leave much of a legacy of obedience for the future generation.

All of the people who were 20 years old and older had all died and now Moses would not be there to lead them. The next generation needed to take the lead.

FAMILIES: Do you hear? Are you listening?

In order for us to conquer the land, to possess the land, our families, our children and grandchildren, our future need to listen, to hear, and to do what God says.

Has anyone ever gone to IKEA? Have you ever bought a new gadget and right on top of the gadget is the instruction manual. How many of you love an instruction manual? You know what I don’t like about an instruction manual? I hate it when they put it in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, all on the same sheet or book.

But more than that, I hate not getting the instructions. If I don’t get the instructions, I’m calling the manufacturer. You see, if I get the instructions and I don’t follow it, that’s on me. But if I don’t get the instructions, that’s on the manufacturer.

Our families got the instructions. The people of Israel are getting the manual. Did you see that in verse 3. It’s not the government. It’s not the church or synagogue. It’s the families who are to be teaching our children and grandchildren to take over our land. We need to get serious. There is a great shaking coming. There is an impending battle is coming and our families need to get ready.

II. Not only is some commands of God that need to be obeyed, there is a commitment than that needs to be made and that is LOVE.

God’s plan for the family is that we understand that the Lord Our God is ONE. Now we know that God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all three of these are ONE, right?

When for the family, the HUSBAND, the WIFE needs to be under the LORDSHIP of God in a holy reflection of the TRIUNE God. Look at your sermon notes.

Do you see our PURPOSE STATEMENT?

Our purpose is to glorify the Triune God through fulfilling the Great Commandment and the Great Commission

The plan for the family is for the family to reflect the triune God. Three in One. One in Three. I did a marriage this summer for my daughter, and I said that the purpose of a marriage is to procreate, but even more important than that it is to provide and protect, but even more important than that we are to be a parable, a picture to the world of what Jesus Christ is to the Bride the church.

God is looking primarily to the men to be a parable a picture to the world of what God is to us. Yes, we have the instructions but the instructions are based in the language of LOVE.

We got the instructions, we have the commandments, but if we are not reading them in the language of love, we are never going to put this IKEA furniture of family and society together.

Men it starts with you. There are FAR too many examples of men who do not step up to the plate and being the godly leaders in their family. Moses looked to the men to love their God and love their wives.

Men, God looks to you to be the spiritual leader. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 11, verse 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. ³ But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Men, the families are not under the authority of the pastor. MEN, you are under Christ. If you want your wives and families to get under your headship, then you need to get under the headship of Jesus Christ, who is under the headship of God the Father.

It doesn’t say the head of every man is the pastor. The Pastor is not the head of the family. God is. And under the Father is Jesus, who is called the WORD. The Revelation of God. And men, Do you know what the most recurring command for the man is in relation to the family.

To love his wife as Christ loved the church.

Men does Christ love the church? How much? Enough to die for her?  Enough to live for her? Men Love you wives by first loving God with all your heart Soul and Strength.

Not your jobs. Not your gaming. Not the finances. Not sports. LOVE YOUR WIVES. To Live and Die to yourselves for her.

It’s a commandment. It’s a commitment.

Encourage the congregation to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength.

III. Thirdly, it’s a commandment, it’s a commitment, but it is also a continuation that needs to be laid for future generations.

 (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

Verses 6-9: Look at this: The Bible is the inerrant infallible and inspired word of God, and it tells us that it’s not the church’s job to teach the next generation. It’s the Dad’s job and not just to little johnny when he’s three years old. It’s all the way until he’s a dad himself.

We have way too many Dads and Moms who stop being parents to are training their adult children to Love God with all their heart soul mind and strength.

We have to continue to the next generation.  Do you know when we fumble the ball? It’s when they are little, we don’t show them. It’s not telling. Telling is not teaching. And Listening is not learning. We have to show them how to love God. How to love our neighbors. How to love the lost to bring them the great commission.

I feel for Moses. He’s at the endzone. It’s the fourth quarter. It’s the final countdown. And he wants the people to go into the promised land.

We have to continue this on to the next generation. It is not the church. It’s the family. The dads and Moms to convey the importance of instilling God’s commandments in the hearts of children.

Teach diligently, talk about them at home and on the road, bind them as symbols.

I want to ask you. How are you showing and incorporating Loving God, loving your neighbors, loving the lost in your lives.

Finally let’s look Commands that need to be obeyed, the Commitment that needs to be made in Love, the Continuation that needs to be laid for the future generations, but church hear Moses, Hear the word of the Lord. Let’s look at the consequences when the commands are disobeyed.

Do you want to really mess up a child? Do you know what is the worst thing for a child and really for us if we don’t follow God’s plan for the family?

Deuteronomy 6:10-12: Warning against forgetting God in times of prosperity. Remember God’s deliverance and blessings.  Encourage gratitude and remembrance of God’s faithfulness. Every Wednesday night we start off with praises to the Lord.

Verses 13-19: Avoid idolatry and remain faithful to God. Serve God alone and avoid the gods of surrounding nations. There are modern-day idols and how to stay faithful.

No matter what, God is there

Romans 15:1-8; 13-20

Years before Chan Gailey became the coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the late 1990s, he was the head coach of Alabama’s Troy State football team.

They were the unlikely team playing for a National Championship.  It was the week before the big game . . . interview requests were pouring in from everywhere.

A few days before the championship, Gailey was heading to the practice field when his secretary called him and wanted to transfer a call to him.  Somewhat irritated, Gailey told her to take a message because he was on his way to practice.  She responded “Are you sure?  It’s Sports Illustrated.”

“I’ll be right there,” he said.

As he made his way back to his office, he began to think about the article.  It would be great publicity for the program at Troy State, in fact, 3 pages wouldn’t be enough to cover the great story.

Coming even closer to his office, he started thinking that he might even end up on the cover.  “Wow . . . should I pose or go with some kind of action shot,” he wondered.  He wrote that his head was spinning with all the possibilities.

When he picked up the phone and said hell, the person asked, “Is this Chan Gailey?”

“Yes, it is,” he replied with a measure of pride.

“This is Sports Illustrated, and we’re calling to let you know your subscription is running out . . . do you want to renew?”

·        Coach Gailey concluded that story by saying, “You are either humble or you will be humbled by life.”

Follow the Bible, no matter what (1-4)

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 15:4

There is a parallel passage in 1 Corinthians 10: ⁶ Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. ⁷ And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” ⁸ Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; ⁹ nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; ¹⁰ nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. ¹¹ Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. ¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

And again in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

·      Fellowship with Believers, no matter who (5-7)

Be likeminded…with one mind and one mouth glorify God…
Therefore receive one another 15:5-7

This too has a parallel reading in other writings of Paul. Philippians 2 says, ¹ Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, ² fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 

·        Fulfill your calling, no matter the cost (13-20)

​​“by the power of the Spirit of God,
so that from Jerusalem and round about to
Illyriccum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ."

Now THERE’S a memory verse for you!

With the Gospel, we have a ministry (14-16)
Even though Paul did not specifically know the Roman church, he knew many of them and their character: verse 14 said they were

1.                       good,

2.                       knowledgeable, and

3.                       able to instruct others.

I’m sure he was thinking of Priscilla and Aquilla, of Phoebe, who came from Corinth. Many of the Jews had been cast out of Rome in the late 40s, coming among other places, to Athens, just about the same time as Paul was coming to Greece. (ACTS 18:1-2)

​​“ that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God,
(NIV, ‘He gave me a priestly duty of proclaiming the Gospel”;
ESV, ‘the priestly service of the gospel of God’
BBE, ‘doing the work of a priest in the good news of God,’ 
that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

What is your purpose for being on earth? 

In other words he's saying the God of Hope is going to give you hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and then he says this and I want you to look at the map.

Paul said “I am confident in you my brethren that you are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able to admonish one another. Paul had never been to Rome. In the late 40s A.D. Emperor Claudius the Caesar of the time cast out all of the Jews but it wasn't just his will to do this; it was God's doing.

All of the Jewish people left Rome and came to Corinth,  came to Athens, including Priscilla and Aquila. At the same time Paul was being obedient, going on missionary journeys. You've heard of the first missionary journey, the second missionary journey. Paul was going to all these places while all of the Jewish people are being cast out of Rome. There in Corinth, he's able to meet with them and convince them to accept Christ.

 God is working through all of this and Paul said I have this burden for the Gentiles to convert them so he's telling the Jews but also telling the Gentiles he said I've written you boldly on some points reminding you because the grace given to me that I as a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles ministering the gospel that may be an offering to the Gentiles might be acceptable and Sanctified in the Holy Spirit

Paul gives five instances of the Old Testament which says that the Gentiles are to be included in Grace. We say, “well duh,” we're all Gentiles. God wants to save all of us. But they didn't know that at the time. Paul's trying to convince them for the Jewish people to accept the Gentiles and the Gentiles to accept the Jews and then he says this: that I as a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles ministering in the gospel of God might be able to give an offering to the Gentiles.

Now what's my point? The point is fulfill your calling no matter what the cost. Paul said I want to fulfill my calling but what's your calling? What's your purpose of being here what's your point of being here on Earth?

God has a reason for you to be here you know if we read verse 19 . It’s not a very great memory verse not all that Earth shattering. You wouldn't find that on a coffee cup or on a t-shirt but I want to tell you here's what it is Paul saying, “Hey! I'm doing my part how about you? How about you?

I remember that one evangelist named David Ring.  He was famous for saying, “I have cerebral palsy! What's your excuse?”

He would say it, even less intelligible than I could imitate. But he would win people to Christ. (for more on David Ring, go to David Ring's homepage)

So what, even if you have an excuse, so what if you have a problem? Paul had a ministry and he said “I have fully preach the gospel of Christ.”

Paul was saying to them I know you maybe he had seen them in Athens he said you're good and you're knowledgeable and you're able to instruct others but I'm sure there for all of the Priscillas and Aquilas and Phoebes that we see in chapter 16, there was a number of people who said “Man, if you'd just give over your life to the Lord you could be doing so much more.”

 I want to ask you what's your excuse? Paul fulfilled his ministry at a cost at a cost. What's your excuse?

When we look in Acts chapter 18, verses 1 and 2, it said that they were ministering the gospel and Claudius had expelled out the Jews so that they could come to Christ perhaps through Paul's ministry, then go back and fulfill their ministry.

Paul said “I hope I will just be stopping at Rome and going all the way to Spain.” Now why Spain? That was the extent of the Roman Empire. Paul wanted to go where the gospel was still news. The good news was still news. I want to ask you if Paul was willing to do that, are you? Am I? Is this Church willing to serve God no matter what. Are we willing to Fellowship together no matter who?  Are we going to share the gospel no matter the cost?

It's tough. it's scary, but God can move that mountain!

The other side of Good News: The Wrath of God

The Wrath of God

Romans 1:18-24

Today we are going to go from midway through the 1^st chapter of Romans all the way to the end of the third chapter of Romans.

I would really encourage all of you to read through Romans yourself throughout the week to get the finer details of what Paul is saying, but I will state this. If you do not see chapters 1, 2, and 3 as one single unit, you will likely become confused.

I say that because if I were to bog down in one aspect of Romans 1 through 3, I would likely get confused. Not really, but there are some devices Paul uses in communicating with the Romans that if we were to look in isolation of some of those arguments, it would seem to say the opposite of what the final conclusion is.

So rather than do what I have seen some preachers do and go painstakingly through Romans verse by verse and even spend weeks or months on a single verse, I want us to look at it with the bottom line in view. What is the point.

Last week I preached on the Good News, the Gospel, which is God’s Only Son Provides Eternal Life. Eternal Life is not simply going to Heaven when you die. Eternal Life is knowing God intimately as the only true God. It’s having a relationship right now with Jesus Christ. Eternal Life is having God’s Holy Spirit in you, the God of the universe living through you. Christ in You, the Hope of all Glory.

In your bulletin, you will see an outline of chapters 1b through 3,

1. The Wrath of God and the immoral/unrighteous Romans 1:17-32

2. The Wrath of God and the moral/self-righteous    Romans 2:1-16

3. The Wrath of God and the religious/overly righteous              Romans 2:17-Romans 3:6

When I read the book of Romans, I’m reminded of a little story I read when I was a kid about a man telling a friend about his adventure of getting to fly in an airplane and his friend said well that’s good.

     That’s bad bc. the plane flew upside down and I fell out.

No, that’s good because I had a parachute.

   That’s bad because the parachute didn’t work.

no that’s good because down below I saw a haystack.

    That’s bad because I saw a pitchfork in the haystack

no that’s good because I missed the pitchfork.

     that’s bad because I also missed the haystack.

no that’s good because I landed in a lake right beside it.

     that’s bad because bad because I couldn’t swim.

no that’s good bc a man nearby jumped in to save me.

     That’s bad bc he was a lawyer and said I had to pay him

No, that’s good, bc he helped me sue the airlines and I got a million dollars

     You better believe that’s good.

What brings the wrath and judgment of God?

1.         Perversion of God’s Righteousness:

“suppress the truth” (v 18) and then later they “exchanged the truth of God into a lie…” (Romans 1:25a).

People exchanged the truth about God for a lie, embracing idolatry and false beliefs. When we distort the truth, we open the door to all kinds of immorality.

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

2.         Progression of UnRighteousness:

God gave them over to their lusts and impurity. Sin begets more sin. Their idolatry led to shameless immorality and unnatural acts.

“God gave them up to uncleanness… dishonoring their own bodies” (Romans 1:24).

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

3.         Penalty of Rejection (26 items):

Humanity willingly forsook God, and He abandoned them.

Rejecting God leads to a complete moral breakdown.

²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

    In summary, Romans 1:24-32 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. May we heed this warning and seek His truth and righteousness. To say that “I was born this way, so that makes it okay,” is not correct. We were born in sin.

    Paul was writing from Corinth in Greece where there were all types of immorality going on, temple prostitution, idolatry, rejection of virtually every one of the ten commandments. Pretty much like what we see today.

2. The Wrath of God and the moral/self-righteous    Romans 2:1-16

Paul recognized however within himself, that he too was a person who was born with a sin nature and he will get into that in chapter seven. He recognized as he was in Corinth that even though he knew what was the law (In other words, he reminds both sides of the church—that we are ALL sinners. We have the same problem—we are equally hopeless without Jesus.

In fact, of the three types of people he was speaking to, I think this category of the moral self-righteous people, Paul was speaking most to himself.

As your pastor, I have to caution myself in this area. I think bible study teachers, deacons, church leaders, all need to really consider this aspect more so than Romans 1 and more so than the end of Romans 2 and the first part of Romans 3.

Notice that the wrath of God is mentioned the most in this passage.  Read Romans 2, beginning in verse 5

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

What Paul is saying here is to the Romans and also to GracePointe, don’t forget that you goody two-shoes people who don’t struggle with the immorality and the irreligious things listed in Romans 1, don’t be so self-righteous because you needs God’s grace too.

Some of the hardest people to convert to Christianity are those who are morally good because they don’t compare themselves to God, but rather to other people.

But the wrath of God comes to everyone who does not rely on salvation by faith through Jesus Christ.

There is no partiality with God. Wrath comes to everyone but also so does grace.

3. The Wrath of God and the religious/legalist/overly righteous            Romans 2:17-Romans 3:6

Thirdly, Paul knew he was writing to Jewish believers in Rome. He knew what he was like when Paul was a legalistic, hyper religious, overly righteous person.

It was the religious Jewish leaders that Jesus had the greatest problem with and the most harshest criticism of.

In fact, if you read the sermon on the mount and the beatitudes and even beyond that, Jesus was raising the bar from the Old Testament, not lowering it.

You think you are doing great because you haven’t murdered? Don’t murder with having anger in your heart. You never committed adultery? Don’t lust in your heart. ]

Paul writes to those Jewish and religious people who are so busy keeping the law and reminding them that they too will face the wrath of God.

We often don’t read Romans 3:23 in context. The context is not so much the immoral but rather the overly moral, the hyper religious, that they too need grace because they too are sinners.

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all  who believe. For there is no difference (No difference in the irreligious, the religious and the hyperreligious); 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation (that means the sacrifice that brought sinner and savior together) by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Now I am going to jump over chapter 4 and come back to it next week just to give you an idea where we are going in the next few weeks. Before we leave the wrath of God, Paul brings it up again in chapter 5.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 

James Boice in his commentary about Romans chapters 1-4 concludes with the following true story from a time when Thomas Harris wrote a book of pop psychology called I’m Okay—You’re Okay.

Shortly after that book came out John Gerstner, Professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, used that book as a jumping off place for the story from when he and his wife had been in Kashmir.

They were returning from a shopping expedition in a little boat that had just pulled up beside a larger junk near the shore. There was a bump, and some water splashed on them. The owner of the boat got very agitated, yelling and gesturing for them to get out. 

Gerstner told how said to his wife, “See how excitable this fellow is? We get a little water splashed on us, and you would think it was a catastrophe of the first order.” The driver got more and more agitated and Gerstner kept saying, “It’s okay…It’s okay.” 

Finally, the owner of the boat got so excited that he broke out of the dialect he had been using, which the Gerstners had been unable to understand, and shouted. “It no okay!!!” 

At this they got the message and quickly climbed onto the shore.  The owner then threw his grandchild up to them and climbed out himself.

When they turned around the boat was gone. The hull had been punctured in the collision and the undertow had quickly swallowed their boat. If the Gerstners had delayed a moment longer, they would have been swallowed up with it.

This is the message of these first chapters of Romans, “It no OK. Society no OK. I am NOT O.K. You are not O.K. Jew and Gentile—No one is O.K.” And the sooner we admit that we are NOT okay and turn to the One Who knows that we are not, but Who offers us a way of salvation anyway, the better off we will be.

When we prevail in prayer...

 On Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at GracePointe Church, we are going through the seven portraits of prayer. However, there is another portrait in prayer, perhaps the most famous prayer portrait of all, found in our Daily Audio Bible reading for today.

In Genesis 32 there is a fascinating story about Jacob wrestling with an angel, whom Jacob later identified as a bodily, human manifestation of God.

Jacob was about to encounter someone whom he thought was his mortal enemy: his own brother, Esau. Jacob sent his wives, his children, all of his possessions and was left alone to wrestle with God.

Jacob had been a deceiver. Jacob had also been deceived. However, it was time for Jacob to come home and face his past, but before he could face his past, God showed up so Jacob could face his God in prevailing prayer.

First, notice prevailing prayer can come upon us in an instant. The man/Angel of the Lord came upon Jacob suddenly. Jacob was no stranger to visiting with angels or messengers from God. Look at verse 1 earlier in the chapter. Even before that, he had seen angels going up and down on a literal, spiritual stairway to heaven (see Genesis 28:12 and following verses). But here, in Genesis 32:24, there was no warning that this man/Angel of the Lord was going to come upon him.

We need to be ready and prepared to be in prayer and even wrestle with God about our needs. Luke 21:36 says, “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

We also need to be prepared not only in prayer but also in the Word. 2 Timothy 4:1 says to “be instant” to preach the word. Be prepared to patiently encourage, correct, and even rebuke with the right doctrine.

Secondly, we need to not only be prepared, but we need to be persistent in prayer. Jacob wrestled all night in his struggle. Don’t you sometime wish God would just instantly answer us? If we are to be instant in prayer, why can’t He be instant in answering? The truth is God’s delays are not God’s denials, but in fact God’s delays are God’s desires!

God wants us to be persistent in prayer. Look at Luke 18 and the woman who kept coming to the unrighteous judge. How much more does God want us to come to Him, the righteous judge.

Thirdly, God was us to prevail. Have you ever play-wrestled with your kids? Isn’t it funny we don’t see moms doing it as much as dads? I’ve seen some dads who pin their kids down again and again and pretty soon, the kids don’t want to “play wrestle” because they always lose.

But what happens when dads let their kids pin the dads down? Nothing makes the kids squeal with delight than when that happens. And doesn’t that seem like what’s happening with Jacob and his all-night wrestling match? So much so that God changed the name of Jacob, the deceiver, to Israel, the Prevailer! “Prince of God”.

There’s one last lesson to learn from prevailing prayer and that is the price. The Angel of the Lord touched Jacob’s hip and caused him to henceforth walk with the limp. There’s a cost to discipleship. There is a price we pay in prayer. Life’s greatest lessons we learn often cause us to limp as reminder of the price, the sacrifice we make to see God face to face.

Jacob called the place Peniel, the Face of God. 2 Chronicles calls us to seek God’s face. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Psalm 27:8 cries out to us: When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”

While Isaiah 59:2 states, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God;

And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear,” Jesus promises us that the pure in heart are blessed because they will see God (Matthew 5:8)

Be prepared to wrestle with God, persistent in prayer, and even “prevail” with God, because He WANTS you to win. But there is a price to pay: the cost of us being pure and separating from our sins.

But don’t “let go” of God in prayer. If we hang on to Him, He’ll bless you with a new name, a new identity, and a testimony of us being forever changed.

Substance of Hope, Evidence of Unseen (Hebrews 11:1)

    A lot of people want to go to Heaven, especially in comparison with the alternative of hell, but sadly many Christians are more interested in laying up treasures on earth, even though Jesus said that’s where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). 

    An avid fisher-woman told me that she wasn’t too excited about going to Heaven, saying if Heaven was better than her sitting by the water with her fishing rod, she just didn’t think she could handle it. 

    Another Christian I know was defending his lifestyle of not glorifying the Lord. His response was he was saved by grace and didn't care anything about living for Christ now and laying up rewards in Heaven. "I don't care about a mansion in glory," he said. "As long as I have a tiny little shack on the outskirts of Heaven, that would be fine with me." 

    Such a low view of Heaven and a high view of Earth is not Biblical, especially in light of Hebrews chapter 11. One way to keep our focus on Heaven is to first define what it means to have faith and second to see what faith in action looks like. 

     Hebrews chapter 11 defines faith in verse 1 and demonstrates faith throughout the rest of the chapter. Hebrews 10 introduces chapter 11 with words like “full assurance of faith” (10:22), “confidence” (10:19, 35), and “not shrink back”. Since we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), the question of “What is faith?” is a good one. 

    King James and New King James versions use the word "substance" to translate the word hupostasis of what is "hoped for". That word is similar in sound and spelling but in in sharp contrast with two similar words for “shrink back”: hupostoles and hupostello in the previous two verses of chapter 10. Let's look at how the writer leads into the wonderful chapter 11, or what many call the "Hall of Faith".

 

    "Shrinking back" leads to destruction, but the “certainty” and “assurance” of faith leads to the testimonies in chapter 11.

     The word "substance" in 11:1 is translated into English in several ways, including "substance" (KJV, NKJV), "confidence" (NIV11, YLT, NLT, TCNT), "assurance" (NASB95, ESV, LSB), "being sure" (NIV84, NET, NCV), "certainty" (NASB20, Adams), "reality" (CSB, HCSB, CEB). All those words mean basically the same thing with a little different nuance. Those words describing and defining "faith" are the basis for our “hope”. Paul gives a great explanation of unseen but eagerly anticipated “hope” in Romans 8:20-25.

²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in HOPE; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we were saved in this HOPE, but HOPE that is seen is not HOPE; for why does one still HOPE for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we HOPE for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

     After the certainty of things hoped for, we see that Faith is also the conviction of “things not seen”. This thought found also found in a similar passage in James 2:18, when the writer said he would “show his faith by his works”. Faith is unseen, but the proof of faith, seen in its actions, is undeniable.

Still in need of prayer

I am so appreciative of people who have expressed their prayers for me in this endeavor of 

Seven Portraits of Prayer. 

I am also amazed that this is taking so long, so please pray and read through these pages and send me an email (not a message here as I often do not see these messages) if you find any improvements I can make before this goes to print production.

Even if you have already gone through these devotionals, click on them again, as you will find these prayer devotionals have been updated, now going seven days a week, morning and evening, for seven weeks.

 Click here to discover "Portraits in Prayer"  

Revelation 14: The 144,000, 3 flying angels, 2 harvests

     Revelation’s Chapter 12 is an overview of the spiritual war in heaven and the battle between the dragon and the woman and her offspring. Chapter 13 is an overview of the anti-Christ (beast out of the sea) and the false prophet (beast out of the earth). 

     Chapter 14 is an overview of the final half of the Tribulation, also called the 3 ½ year Great Tribulation. Its three parts are about the 144,000’s victorious standing with the Lamb, the three angelic proclamations, and the two sickle harvests.  

 

¹ Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. ² And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. ³ They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. ⁵ And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

 

Is this the same 144,000 as in Chapter 7? Some have questioned whether these are the same people mentioned in chapter seven (including Tim LaHaye). Others have questioned whether these are in heaven or still on earth. Zion is the hill just east of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and is first mentioned as a stronghold taken by King David (2 Sam. 5:6-10). If this is the earthly Zion, then it must be a foreshadow as the Lamb of God will not come until the end of the Tribulation. When Christ returns, He will come and cause the Mount of Olives to split in two, falling to the north and south (Zechariah 14:4). 

However, in the New Testament, Mount Zion symbolizes heaven (Heb. 12:22), and it appears that following the resurrection of the two witnesses (Revelation 11), the 144,000 are also taken to heaven either through death or Rapture. If through Rapture, this is the firstfruits of the Jewish to God and to the Lamb.

There is a similarity in these who are taken to heaven and those who are in heaven in chapter 5. There is singing, harps, and redemption. The word “redeemed” means to buy in a marketplace (See 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23, and 2 Peter 2:1). Jesus bought us with the very price of His life, and it especially is significant that these 144,000 were purchased out of the Great Tribulation. They apparently did not believe until after the Rapture, but these Jewish men were among the firstfruits of the Tribulation, and perhaps were among the converts of the two witnesses, believed to be Elijah and Enoch.

They had been sealed during the first part of the Tribulation, but not for the entirety of it. They and other believers who are saved during the Tribulation will be blessed by coming out of the horrible events to come. A singular voice out of heaven which sounds like many waters has to be that of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:15). 

While many will be redeemed out of the Tribulation (Revelation 7:9-14, a multitude no one could number), these 144,000 have special privileges, including singing a song that no one else could sing. While most commentators have said that these are not necessarily virgins, but rather faithful men, a literal reading of the text indicates just that, and even Paul attested to the fact that abstaining from marital and sexual distractions is favorable with the Lord’s soon return (1 Corinthians 7:29). That they are without deceit, guile or fault does not mean they were perfect, for they had apparently rejected Christ until the Rapture, but it means that they were morally without reproach before men and even before God, much like Job and Noah were deemed by God as morally impeccable. Obviously, they were not without sin at all, for none of humanity is (Romans 3:23).

⁶ Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- ⁷ saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” ⁸ And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” ⁹ Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, ¹⁰ he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” ¹² Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. ¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

 

Another angel flying in heaven refers all the way back to Revelation 8:13, when an angel proclaimed the three woes upon the earth. This angel is the first of three angels proclaiming messages of salvation, destruction, and ultimately damnation if the inhabitants take the mark of the beast or worships him. If the 144,000 taken out of the earth leaves a void, it’s possible that God, in His immeasurable love, will send an angelic messenger to proclaim salvation and warnings. Others have theorized that the angels (Gr: aggelos aggelos) are messengers, possibly satellite broadcasts, sent around the world for all to receive. Either way, the earth is without excuse for not receiving salvation. The first message is the everlasting gospel or good news. The gospel has always been the same (Genesis 3:15; Romans 4:3). People will be saved the same way in the Tribulation, through faith, but it begins with the fear of God (verse 7). 

God created everything and is about to bring creation to a closing hour of judgment. Secondly, another angel warns of the fall of Babylon. This is not “that great city” of Babylon of old, for Isaiah 13:20 prophesies that that city will never be rebuilt again, at least not to its former grandeur. It is interesting to note that Saddam Hussein attempted to restore Babylon’s glory in the 1980s and he and the city’s rebuilding was put to a halt in the Gulf War in the 1990s and again in the Iraq war.

What is “Babylon”? It is a religious and political (the Greek word of city is polis  polis) system with both worship and economical effects around the world. There will be a one-world government, monetary system and religious system, centering in an area or city known for its fornication, which does not necessarily mean solely sexual immorality. It appears to be the fornication which causes people to fall away from God spiritually. Spiritual adultery is a far greater sin against God than marital infidelity, although today’s society is seeing an increase in both. The third message declares the assured judgment of God of those who worship the beast and his image, and the phrase “wine of the wrath” connects both God and the judgment of those who commit fornication with Babylon.

The wrath of God includes eternal fire and brimstone punishment. Many people will say that hell is the absence of God. Not true, as the Bible declares God is everywhere (Psalm 139:8), and even the Lamb is present in the unbelievers’ punishment. Hell is only the absence of God’s love but is the full presence of Him and His judgment. Heaven is the opposite. It is the presence of God’s mercy, but the absence of His righteous punishment of sin. However, the patient endurance of the saints to the end will result in everlasting life and rewards.

¹⁴ Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. ¹⁵ And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” ¹⁶ So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. ¹⁷ Then another angel came out of the temple, which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. ¹⁸ And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” ¹⁹ So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. ²⁰ And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

Christ talked about the end times being a time of harvest by the angels (Matthew 13:24-30). With Christ on the clouds with his golden crown and a sharp sickle, He first has a harvest of those who have been saved, a good and ripe harvest. The second harvest is one of judgment, filled with wrath. The blood coming up to the horse’s bridles for one thousand six hundred furlongs or about 180 miles refers likely symbolically to the massive distance in which tremendous bloodshed will take place from Megiddo on the north (Zechariah 12:11; Revelation 16:16) to Edom and Petra in the country of Jordan on the south (Isaiah 34:5-6; 63:1).