Henry's Musings

Context is our friend

2008-07-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

I want to continue talking about interpretive issues that we face when attempting to study the bible. Today, let's look at a passage found in Galatians chapter 6 as an example.

Gal 6:1-5
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden. (KJV)

There is so much that could be said about this passage, but since I'm not preaching this text (and this is only a blog...not a novel), let's deal specifically with the phrase in verse one "ye which are spiritual". Immediately, one might ask "who are the spiritual people in the body of Christ?". Using purely subjective methods, we might draw our own conclusions. Perhaps the spiritual are those who are the most demonstrative in times of praise and worship. Could it be those who say "Amen" in response to the eloquence and force of the preacher's words? Or maybe one who is especially gifted in the area of prophecy?

Well, theoretically, all of those could be possible answers, but a better method of evaluation is context. Did Paul make any remarks near or around chapter 6, that might indicate to us who the spiritual truly are? Well, if we back up just a few verses, we find this discourse which might give us a good indicator of who the "spiritual" are. Let's take a look:

Gal 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (KJV)

So by using the tool of context (a word that simply means "with the text"), we see that Paul addresses who the spiritual truly are. It has little to do with the criteria I listed earlier. Instead, the "spiritual" are those who demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, and those who do so in humility and without an envious attitude. So an objective look at spirituality (at least in this context) shows that character defines who the spiritual are, and thus makes them qualified to participate in the ministry of restoration.

We may not always have a clear contextual argument to help us understand a questionable phrase or passage, but it's always a good practice to see if the answer is close by, before jumping to conclusions or producing subjective interpretations based on faulty premises.

Until next time....

Interpretive Issues

2008-07-17T05:53:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be fun (for me at least) to share a few posts regarding interpretive issues and personal bible study. How do we properly interpret the scriptures? Let's define a few "theological" words before we begin. Don't let these words scare you- they have simple meanings. The first word is hermeneutics ('herman-newticks'); this word simply refers to the principles of interpretation. The second word is exegesis; this is simply the practice of hermeneutics. Eisegesis is the opposite of exegesis and it means to express your own interpretation of a text (i.e. "to read into it" as opposed to exegesis which is to "draw out" from the text). In case you didn't know (wink wink), exegesis is the preferred method of interpretation; allowing the text to speak to us, rather than trying to make it say something we've conceived. The final word today is exposition. I chuckle when I read advertisements for local churches in the newspaper. They will often make the boast "We feature expository preaching at our church!" Obviously this is worn as a badge of honor, and I wonder if the people truly know what expository really means, or if it just sounds cool or profound to them. The word exposition simply means to pass on or to explain a text (pretty complicated stuff eh?)

Ok, now that we've got some of the white-collar stuff out of the way, let's look at a brief example today in closing. Let's take a verse like Psalm 115:17 as an example that presents a simple challenge in interpretation.

Ps 115:17
17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.(KJV)

Well, if we take a wooden, literal approach to this text, then one might come to the exegetical (there's one of those big words again) conclusion that people who die lose their ability to praise God in eternity. Using this method of interpretation, we might imagine Heaven as a kind of public library where the saints do not mutter a word, and perhaps even the angels whisper to keep from making any commotion. Of course, I drew a rather silly conclusion to try and engage and amuse you as a reader of this blog. But on a more serious note- I wonder how many would take a text like this (standing alone without the support of other scriptures) and use it as a support for a doctrine like "soul-sleep" (i.e., the idea that a person who dies goes into a spiritual coma until the day of the Resurrection)? So you see, it's not hard for something which seems rather benign in terms of interpretation to become serious.

Perhaps if this were the only text we had regarding the dead and their activities, the wooden-literal approach to interpreting this text would be favorable. However, we have the benefit of many other Scriptures which describe the activities of the saints (I'll just deal with the saints in this blog for sake of time) in Heaven. The book of Revelation, in particular, describes the activities of those who have been martyred for Jesus, and they are anything but silent! This illustrates the absolute necessity of allowing scripture to interpret scripture. That means that an obscure text which seems to have a strange meaning must always be intrepreted in light of the other scriptures which deal with the same subject. As with most things in life, there may be some exceptions, and some situations where we don't have a multiplicity of other examples to draw inferences from. But as a general rule, this principle will serve you and I well in our personal bible study.

That's all for today...more soon!

He who prevails!

2008-06-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
(KJV)

We are currently conducting our annual VBS at our church (that's "Vacation Bible School" for all you folks living under the proverbial rock). The theme for this year's VBS is "Game Day", with most of the materials containing a sports motif. Many are surprised to learn how many terms from athletic contests are within the pages of the bible. Today, I want to focus on the word translated as "overcome" in our English bibles. The Greek word is nikao (nik-ah'-o) and it is defined as the following:

"To conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory"

Every promise of life and blessing in the book of Revelation is made to the "overcomers". The fact that the bible uses this terminology should give us some healthy indication of what we should expect as normative of the Christian life. Despite all of the admonitions and warnings in scripture about the struggles of life, followers of Christ still stand amazed at the difficulties that they face on a daily basis. Opponents are easily identified in athletic games. Whether it is two opposing individuals or teams, the contestants are easily recognizable. It's not always that easy in the walk of faith.

Sometimes we stand squarely against demonic powers. Ephesians chapter 6 outlines the invisible armies of darkness that stand ready to oppose and "wrestle" with us at every turn. Other times, we struggle with our own doubts or fears. Sometimes the opponent is disguised as an unhealthy appetite for the things of this present world. Regardless of the face(s) of the opponent, we have no other option but to prevail. Admittedly, I'm a lover of stories that contain epic battles between good and evil. The greatest and most appealing are usually those in which the "good guy" must overcome insurmountable odds and defeat a physically superior foe with sheer will-power, faith, and determination.

I think we fail to realize that we are in a contest because our opponents are invisible. An ungodly attitude doesn't always come at you like a powerful left hook to the jaw. A soul-warring habit doesn't always stand squarely in front of you like a boxer in the ring. But that doesn't mean it's any less of a real and valid contest, where the stakes are life-or-death. Paul said in I Corinthians 9 that he doesn't run aimlessly or fight as one beating (or boxing) the air. Whatever opponent(s) you are facing today, remember that your victory is found in the person of Jesus.

John 16:33
33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (NKJ)

Good Friday Blog

2008-03-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

On this Good Friday, I wanted to share a few random thoughts. First of all, you were put on this earth for a reason. You were created by God for a specific purpose in life. God has plans for you- He knows where you live- He knows every weakness- every sorrow-every temptation-every longing of your heart. Many are in pursuit of "the meaning of life" and have come away without discovering the answer. That’s because the meaning of life cannot be found within. Contrary to popular belief, happiness will evade you if you try to find it in materialism, acceptance by others, relationships (sometimes even toxic relationships), or "success" (however one would define that). Some of the most "successful" people in life, are miserable. History has documented many such instances, especially where wealth in particular did not bring contentment and fulfillment in life.

This brings me to my point today. Many will commemorate "Good Friday" today without giving any real thought to the meaning behind it. Some employers will give employees the day off, many children will be on holiday from school responsibilities, and others will see it as merely a kickoff to spring break. Good Friday is good, but not because some get a vacation day. Good Friday is good, because it is the day in which God demonstrated His love for mankind in a very tangible way. The Apostle Paul told the Romans in very plain terms the ramifications of Good Friday:

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJ)

This is the message of Good Friday. There was nothing "good" about it for Jesus Christ. For Jesus, this is a scriptural account of Good Friday found from the prophet Isaiah:

Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; he was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (NKJ)

He suffered and died to procure the salvation of mankind, and ensure that they could spend eternity in Heaven with Him one day. So I pose the question to all who read this blog today- have you considered where you will spend eternity? There is a popular expression briefly summarized this way..."you only live once". Unfortunately, though popular, it’s false. Humanity will live forever because God created us as eternal beings. There are two possible destinations for man when he leaves this world. For those who follow Jesus Christ, they will spend eternity with Him and experience joy, contentment, and fulfillment that the human mind has never comprehended. It will be a real, literal place- not just floating around, eating marshmallow clouds, and playing harps- this is a mischaracterization of Heaven. Heaven and the New Earth will be real and tangible just like the Earth you live on now is. There will be real people, real cities, real bodies to live in (remember that Jesus ate fish, was recognizable, had a flesh & bone body that Thomas touched after His resurrection), and plenty of activities to participate in (far beyond the scope of harp-playing, despite how appealing that may be to some).

Consequently, the bible also speaks of a place called Hell. It is not simply a place of annihilation, nor will it be the proverbial picnic that the world portrays. It is a place of torment. It is a place of separation- from God, happiness, hope, and basically anything that is desirable. Jesus described hell as a place where "the worm never dies". Jesus told a story of a rich man in hell, and remarkably, one of the main concerns of this rich man was this- that none of his friends and family also go there. That’s right- those in hell are not looking for company- they are actually hoping that someone will warn their beloved friends and family not to come there! What a sobering thought.

That brings me to conclusion. Many have never heard "The Gospel" (literally, the Good News). That’s right- the Gospel is Good News. It is not a message of condemnation. Jesus did not come to the world to condemn the world, but to save it! But in order to be saved, one must repent and believe the Gospel. What is the Gospel you ask? Rather than give you some pre-packed Christianese answer, let me just quote the words of Paul:

1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-- unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, (NKJ)

So on this Good Friday, have you considered how much God loves you? Are you still trying to be a "good person" (which is a myth) so that God will perhaps grant you entrance into Heaven when you die? Remember the Scripture I posted earlier that stated that Jesus died for us while "we were still yet sinners"? What would really make this the best Good Friday ever for you is to call on the name of the Lord who loves you. If you have any questions about how to appropriate this, give me a shout- I would be glad to pray with you and help!

-H2

"It's no good, it's no good"

2008-03-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

Prov 20:14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. (KJV)

This proverb always brings a smile to my face. If you're like me, there's probably a friend or family member who is always ready to analyze your latest purchase. My favorite response is the typical "you should have bought that at (insert store name here), because you could have saved two dollars". Some seem to really take bargain finding to another level altogether- willing to drive an extra ten miles to save an additional $0.50.

The "buyer" in the proverb above goes a step further. In his negotiating (reminds me of the typical "yard-sale" negotiator), he deliberately portrays the goods in question as worthless or of low quality, in order to gain an advantage and procure a discount. His duplicity is evident for when he has "gone his way" he boasts of his bargaining skills and the great product he has gotten as "a steal".

I love a good deal as much as the next guy. There is no sin in taking advantage of a good deal when you run across one. I understand that (most) vendors are in business to make a profit. I don't have a problem with that. Obviously some sellers may have extravagent mark-ups in their pricing which might appear to justify the aforementioned practice. But let's resist the temptation to convey their goods as faulty or defective in order to get the best deals. We may go our way boasting of the purchase, but is God smiling down on us?

Ox or No Ox, that is the question......

2008-03-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

Prov 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.(KJV)

I preached a sermon on this at our church a little less than a year ago, taking a different angle than many would have. I preached it from the perspective of "church". I speak with countless pastors who unfortunately lament to me "pastoring would be great if it didn't involve working with people". While I certainly do understand the cry behind such a statement, it also indicates a problem with our thinking. I would be lying to you if I said that being a pastor at times didn't "get on my nerves". Not because I don't care about people, but because people frequently ignore biblical counsel in favor of their own solutions to life's problems. To be completely fair, some pastors (yes even me!) have difficulty implementing their own biblical strategies to the complexities of life.

Many imagine and fantasize about a "clean crib" (any reference to the modern term "crib" for a person's residence is purely coincidental here...). There are many parents who can't wait for an "empty nest". Perhaps there are pastors like the anonymous friends above who dream of having a trouble-free congregation of one family (the pastor's own family that is...). The only problem with that line of thinking, is that there is "much increase by the strength of the ox". Yes, children can be loud, rude, messy, obnoxious, selfish, insensitive, ....ok you get the picture. But they are also a wonderful delight. For every mom or dad who counts down the days to an empty nest, there are two more who wish their kids would come running to the door to greet them when they get home from work.

True, ministry (and in particular pastoring) can be difficult at times due to personality conflicts. But much can be accomplished when the saints of God gather together and unite for common goals. God created us for community. One of the first recorded words we have from God in Genesis concern man's need for companionship and help. Yes, if there is an ox in the crib....you can count on the floor getting messy! I don't think many live with the impression that there is the "perfect" church- postmodern thinking has pretty much destroyed this mythical entity. But still people are surprised that church and ministry can be messy at times. Leaders lock horns over issues, congregations are divided about the direction that leadership is taking. But at the end of the day, we need one another.

Your ability to lead is not measured in terms of getting everyone to agree with you or to fit into some type of paradigm that you have adopted. But real strength of character and leadership is displayed when you can influence others even when they may have some disagreements with your methodology. Real leaders are able to make the most out of a bad situation and earn the respect of those who disagree with them. I didn't intend for this post to be about leadership per se, but perhaps that's the direction that God wanted to take it.

Have a great weekend!
-H2

Better to be a nobody

2008-03-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

Prov 12:99 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.(KJV)

We live in a society that values those who "have the most toys" and those who are popular. Countless television programs and publications are devoted to following every minute detail of the lives of celebrities. The Christian community is not much different, as we have our own celebrities and much-imitated personalities. Certainly godly influence is virtuous, and even the apostle Paul declared "follow me as I follow Christ". But I don't think Paul envisioned having "groupies" who parroted his words and tried to emulate his mannerisms, style of dress, and so on. It always makes me a little sad when I see that a really good Bible teacher or talented musician begins to receive mainstream acceptance. It's not that I don't want them to prosper, or that I want the message of the Gospel to be stifled in any way- it's just that notoriety has a way of ruining even the best of intentions.

Today's Proverb says that it's better to be a "nobody" with a servant than some big-name who lacks sufficient bread. I wonder how many people are envied with a passion, and yet they would do anything to trade places with a "nobody"? Probably more than you might think. The celebrity who has spent a great portion of his life trying to "make it big" then spends the rest of his time trying "to live a normal life" once he achieves it. The tabloids refuse him any privacy or sense of normalcy in his life. And often the perceived wealth that people have is really not wealth at all.

I'm reminded of a recent television commercial which depicted a man riding on his lawn mower in front of a lavish-looking home in a prominent community. Smiling as he rode along his 2 acres on his John Deere, he proclaimed "I'm in debt up to my eyeballs." It humorously (but honestly) portrayed the "American Dream". There is nothing wrong with success in business, and even the bible states that God will prosper those who labor and are generous. But let's not fall into the trap of wanting to be a "somebody" by worldly standards. Remember Jesus made Himself of "no reputation" when He was on the earth. I can't think of a better model to follow!

Until next time....

A Just Weight & A False Balance

2008-03-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Pro 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

We don't deal as much with primitive means to determine weights and measurements. However, the principles of ethical behavior (or the lack thereof) are still the same. Abomination may seem like a rather harsh term to use for the practice of shady business dealings, but that's the way God feels about such. We're coming up on the dreaded tax deadline here in the States. Granted, I don't enjoy taxes any more than the next guy. But, yet there will be countless numbers of people who employ (pun intended) false balances in order to gain an advantage over "Caesar".

Can you put a price tag on your integrity? It has been said many times by secular humanists that "every man has his price". Jesus asked the question that demands an answer- what will a man give in exchange for his soul? I can assure you that no amount of profit is worth eternal loss. Just as dishonest business practices are an abomination in the sight of God, ethical dealings in commerce bring delight to the heart of God. Yes, God is actually pleased when we place a premium upon integrity and justice in our dealings with our fellow man.

Until next time....

A Proverb a day?

2008-03-10T18:31:00.000-07:00

I know, it's way too ambitious a goal for me, and probably neither practical nor prudent (I'm using alliteration a lot today!), but the thought has occurred to me that perhaps we should study a Proverb every day....or at least a small portion of it. How many sermons have I heard that outline the fact that there are almost as many Proverbs as there are days in each month? Well, I'm not making any promises, but for my own personal devotions I think I'm going to look at the book of Proverbs and the corresponding days & chapters. Since today (or what's left of it) is March 10th, let's look at a portion from Proverbs 10.

Prov 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.(KJV)

Now that's a mouthful isn't it? (pun intended) I'm not sure who coined this phrase (I think it was Abraham Lincoln), but there is one that goes something like this: "better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt". Perhaps Abraham (or the true author of the quote) borrowed his wisdom from the Proverbs. Whenever there are a multitude of words, sin never seems to be far behind. Rare is the church that doesn't have to decry the sin of gossip on a regular basis.

Ever notice that in any given courtroom situation, that the more a person says on the witness stand, the more they seem to incriminate themselves? Precisely the reason that law enforcement uses the phrase "you have the right to remain silent". The bible says that we will be much better off if we exercise that God-given right of silence. True, there will be some willing to part company with you, but that's ok.....where there is no talebearer...the strife ceases!!!

-HMH

Freedom Theology

2008-02-28T08:26:00.001-08:00

There seems to be an epidemic in the Pentecostal & Charismatic churches (I can speak candidly because I am a "full-gospel" minister) today. We cling fondly to the idea that deliverance can be found in a prayer-line, or perhaps a session with some noted "deliverance minister" who is skilled in "binding and loosing" demons (perhaps more on that later....). I do not discredit the ministry of casting out demons in Jesus' name. Nor do I discount or discard the idea that God can (and does) work supernaturally (sometimes instantaneously) in the lives of individuals through prayer and the laying on of hands.

But I believe Jesus gave us the greatest clue as to how deliverance/freedom can be obtained and maintained in John's gospel.

John 8:31-Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."(NKJ)

Freedom is essentially rooted in good theology, and faith based on biblical principles. Of course it is possible for one's theology to be completlely orthodox, and yet in practice he/she may not be free (i.e. "in bondage"). So this is not merely a mental (or even verbal for my WoF friends) agreement with the bible, but it is the place to start. Most of Paul's letters follow the same format; heavy on theology in the front end- heavy on the practical ("working out") on the back end. He is intentional with this method- we must be grounded in truth, before we can expect radical freedom and obedience.

Jesus declared that it is the Truth that sets us free. The Word of God is critical in every phase of the Christian life. It takes the seed of the Word of God for us to hear the truth. We are then born-again (according to Peter) by the "incorruptable" seed of the Word of God. We grow by the "sincere milk of the Word". Our faith continues to grow because "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God". Our discernment grows as we transition from milk to meat, training our senses to discern between good & evil (and soul & spirit). The Word is the agent of our sanctification in practical terms (Jesus said "sanctify them through thy Truth- thy Word is truth"). Our freedom and deliverance and continued discipleship are also contingent upon the Word of God.

Perhaps more later....

-H

Has it really been months since my last blog?????

2008-01-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe we are full-swing into the year 2008! Furthermore, I was shocked when I logged on to my blog to find it had been months since my last entry. Sure, the holidays have been busy, and the demands of ministry are ever-increasing....but I think the greatest explanation lies in my lack of inspiration. I'm not one of those who enjoys blogging about what I had for breakfast, or being overly open about the details of my personal life (no offense intended if you are such an individual....just not my cup of tea).

I feel that if I take the time to write something, it should be at least minutely inspirational and uplifting, or perhaps lead you to deeper pontification or self-examination. Honestly, I haven't felt many of those moments lately, so I have spared those in cyberspace the agony of reading my uninspiring entries (until now that is....). I've probably lost some readers due to my absence (shucks...who can blame 'em?), but I have to prioritize my life, and quite frankly...blogging has been very low on my list of priorities.

I apologize if I have let you down in any way. It's awfully presumptuous of me to think anyone actually receives a blessing from reading these entries, but you never know who is reading over your shoulders. So for those who perhaps faithfully read my blog in the past, please accept my sincere apology for not offering fresh content. Right now I am re-evaluating many things in my life, and trying to simplify as much as possible. Therefore, I'm not going to make any promises (as I have impulsively done before) to "do better" when it comes to regular blogging in 2008.

Instead, I'm going to resolve to blog only as I feel I have something substantial to offer. I earnestly covet your prayers as I strive to the best husband, father, Christian, and pastor in this new year. That may mean less time for activities like blogging, internet forums, and the like- but I'm approaching this year without any preconceived notions. Thanks for all of the support over the years and for those who have read but never "wrote back" to tell me so. Even without your feedback, your readership has been (and is) appreciated.

All the best!
-Henry

Faithful are the wounds of a friend

2007-09-10T04:51:00.000-07:00

Prov 27:5-65 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.(KJV)

As a pastor, I love serving in the role of encourager. One of my favorite things to do is build up the people of God through the Word. The bible says that the role of prophecy is primarily to speak unto men edification, exhortation, and comfort. I typically enjoy less the role of "rebuker" and "reprover." After all, it's much more fun to build people up than to give them a scold (I realize there are some exceptions and I will attempt to resist the need to "rabbit trail" here simply to indulge my funny bone).

But the bible says that we must "speak the truth in love". I think we sometimes have the mistaken notion that we must sacrifice truth in order to love....that somehow we have an obligation to keep people happy, even if it means watching them go down a road to destruction. God's word says that there are times when it is necessary to "wound" the pride of our friends, for their ultimate benefit.

On the other end of the spectrum is the "flatterer". His kisses, though seemingly convey friendship are deceitful. One immediately thinks of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Master with a kiss. I'm not a forty-year veteran in the ministry, but I didn't just fall off of the proverbial turnip truck either. Here are some of my observations about these things:

It's typically not the man or woman who occasionally wounds my pride that seeks to undermine my ministry efforts. Sometimes their feedback may be sharp or stinging (after all..."iron sharpens iron" according to scripture), but usually their intent is to make me a better person. But the ones I have learned to watch out for are those who make me out to be the best thing since sliced bread. Those who use excessive flattery or praise often (but not always) have a hidden agenda. It will usually come to the surface at some later point. Here is an illustration from the Word regarding "the flatterer""

Prov 27:1414 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him .(NKJ)

Those who go out of their way to use flowery language and excessive praise, prove their motives to be suspect. There's nothing wrong for giving encouragement for a job well done, or letting someone know how much you care. But when it becomes overkill, naturally it does (and should) cause suspicion to arise. In like manner, we shouldn't always get angry when someone loves us enough to tell us the truth. After all, the bible says "faithful are the wounds of a friend."

Until next time...

Liberty Worship Center Sermons Now on iTunes

2007-07-31T08:13:00.000-07:00

You can now listen to our sermon podcast on iTunes. This means that you can listen on your computer if you have the iTunes software downloaded, or if you have a mobile player such as an iPod or other mp3 device, you can automatically receive the materials and listen to them at your convenience.

All you have to do is Click Here to subscribe and/or listen to the sermon podcast

Have a blessed day!
-Henry

New Sermon Podcast

2007-07-27T22:57:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to announce that I just launched a sermon podcast. Feel free to check it out over at Liberty Worship Center

Swimming in the Deep End

2007-07-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 05, 2007
Swimming in the deep end

I'm blogging tonight from beautiful Surfside Beach in SC. I am a firm believer that God uses everyday, ordinary events to speak to His creation. I think that I had one such moment today at...of all places....a swimming pool. My oldest daughter still hasn't mastered the art of swimming. Actually her doggie-paddle isn't even anything to write home about- but she tries (bless her heart).

Fortunately for us, the pool at our resort has no real "deep end." The pool is 3 & 1/2 feet at both ends, and 4 & 1/2 feet in the middle. For all of you quick thinkers like myself, that means....both ends are shallow. But this is the first time my daughter has swam in such a pool configuration. She's used to one end being the "shallow" end...and the other end...well....you know.
I've had a difficult time this week, trying to get her to understand that she can safely "swim" at both ends of the pool. Even though I've been right by her side; encouraging, cajoling, and entreating her to enjoy both sides of the pool she has been quite reluctant. Despite what the markings on the side of the pool say, and what her loving, handsome (indulge me here please), and trustworthy dad told her- she allowed past experiences to shape her understanding of the current situation.

Ok- now I'm going to get spiritual (you knew it was coming didn't you?). How often does our Father tell us to go over to the "other side" and that everything will be just fine and we refuse to believe Him? He has declared the end from the beginning, He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith- He is the forerunner who has already gone before us.

Admittedly, I was a bit frustrated that my daughter didn't trust what I was trying to tell her. Tonight, I ask myself and any other poor soul bored enough to read my blog....in what ways am I frustrating my Father? Does He not always have my best interest at heart? Has He ever once failed me? Even in suffering, He has promised He would never leave me nor forsake me and that He would be with me always- even to the end of the age! Have I limited Him in such a way that I have turned a shallow end....into a deep end? Is anything to hard for God? Remember the wilderness wanderers of the Old Testament? They entered not in because of unbelief.

Lord don't let that happen to me! Oh- and I still love my daughter dearly, and look forward to swimming with her again tomorrow. I have to believe that my Heavenly Father is ready to give me another shot as well. Be encouraged and be blessed!

-Henry

Obsolete

2007-05-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 8:13 In that He says, “A new covenant, ” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away (NKJV).

The writer of Hebrews is making a powerful point about the only means of sacrifice that God now accepts. I fear that far too many of us have a fascination with the obsolete in our spiritual lives. Can you imagine going down to your local car dealership and requesting a test drive but with this caveat...."I only want to test drive cars that have an 8-track player in them"? I realize some of my twenty-something and younger readers may not be familiar with the glory days of 8-track cassettes, but I'm sure you still get the point. Or how about going down to the local Best Buy (or insert your fave electronics store here) and asking for a PC that runs on BASIC language commands (remember those old Texas Instruments computers)? Very few of us demand that our next purchase of a laptop come equipped with Windows 95 (please- no quips from you Mac users- I still love you though!).

Back to a serious note: The intended audience for the letter of Hebrews was weighing a tremendous choice. They had already endured one round of persecution (see Heb 10:32-34) and apparently were facing another bout with it. The choice set before them was this: to endure suffering in the present time, with the knowledge that a far greater realm of glory and deliverance lie just ahead......or......return to an obsolete system that would alleviate present persecution, but would have everlasting consequences and punishment. To you and I, the decision seems so simple- why return to an obsolete system of sacrifices which were only the type and shadow and never the substance?

But every generation faces such a challenge. For you and I, it may not be a return to a system of temple sacrifices and ritual cleansings but it may be a return to our former lifestyle. Human nature is to remember "the good ole days" with great fondness. The Israelites cried for deliverance from Pharaoah and God answered. But it wasn't very long after their miraculous rescue from bondage, that they were crying for the "good ole days" again. What seemed so bitter and cruel at the time, seemed a little more sweet in the face of the trials in the wilderness. What Satan does not want you and I to realize, is that his system is obsolete. While the world is still operating at a functional level- it is going to vanish away in its present form. Right now the wicked prosper, the faithful are tempted, evil men seem to live life on easy street, true Christians endure hardships. But the Bible promises a new heaven and a new earth where the first will be last, and the last will be first. Injustice will be eliminated, and those who have been faithful in a few things, will become ruler over many.

Be encouraged today as you face the trials of life. No matter how lovely and attractive the world and the devil makes the alternative look- remember that the whole system of the world is obsolete and will one day vanish. Let's not be like Esau who sold his birthright for a meal but afterward regretted it. Let's value the investment we've made in an eternal Kingdom which shall never pass away or become obsolete.

Until next time......

~Henry

Blogging Hiatus

2007-03-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

I apologize for my absence in recent days/weeks. I feel as if I've had very little to say of any real substance in this format, and even though this is a "blog", I'm still a bit reluctant to post mindless drivel about the minutia of life. Perhaps I'm just a bit too self-important and should lighten up (yeah, that's probably it). Well, oddly enough, today's entry will be rather self-indulgent, and lacking in any real substance as far as devotional value. Basically, I wanted to let people know I haven't dropped off of the face of the earth. Here are some pictures from a recent "Marriage Renewal" day we celebrated at our local church. In case you're wondering, I'm the guy who happens to appear in all of the photos.

Desire Spiritual Gifts

2007-02-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

1 Cor 14:11 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (NKJ)

I'm teaching a series on spiritual gifts in our local church. It has been rewarding for me to revisit some of the great texts of the bible which deal with the subject of spiritual gifts. Many people immediately think of the Corinthians when the subject of spiritual gifts comes up. But there is a wonderful passage in Romans 12 about spiritual gifts as well as Ephesians chapter 4. Because of the Corinthian excesses and selfish displays, many have sought to discredit the value of spiritual gifts in our post-modern era.

To use the book of 1 Corinthians as some kind of proof-text against spiritual gifts is a grave error. Paul was not seeking to forbid or devalue the importance of spiritual gifts- just the wrong use of them. What becomes evident from the very outset of Paul's letter to the Corinthians is that they had a problem with divisions and factions in the church. Paul makes numerous references to this problem (I Cor 1:10,11, I Cor 3:3, I Cor 11:18) in this letter. This problem spilled into the arena of spiritual gifts as well- some felt superior because of their gifts, while trying to demean those who had (what they deemed as) the "lesser" gifts.

Many have rightly emphasized the need to follow and pursue charity (love). But following love and desiring spiritual gifts go hand in hand (see the initial verse I posted at the top of this blog entry). The two are not mutually exclusive! I have noticed and observed that many have made attempts to excuse their lack of desire for spiritual gifts. I hear comments like "well, if God wants me to operate in spiritual gifts, He will give them to me, but right now I don't think it's His will." While there is a truth in the sovereignty of God in the distribution of the gifts (I Cor 12:11, 18, 28), this should not be used as a cop-out for not desiring the gifts. This is much like the instruction in the book of James regarding prayer for the sick. While we acknowledge that not everyone is healed when we anoint with oil, and pray the prayer of faith- this does not diminish our responsibility to follow the directives of scripture. Regarding spiritual gifts, God may not grant us the spiritual gift (or gifts) that we desire, but that does not negate our responsibility to desire and pray for them. Paul especially seems to value the need for prophecy in the church.

Until next time...

Life Under the Sun (Part I)

2007-01-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

I'm beginning a series of sermons on the book of Ecclesiastes, so I thought I would blog some of the highlights from the messages here. Today I preached a summary from the first two chapters of the book. In the first chapter, the writer of Ecclesiastes (most likely King Solomon, who refers to himself as "the Preacher") laments a life lived only with an earthly perspective. The Hebrew word translated Ecclesiastes means "to assemble." Bible scholars believe that Solomon probably wrote this book in the latter portion of his life. It is not difficult to imagine him assembling folks around him to rehearse the meaning of life and teach lessons about wasting youth on pleasure and the pursuit of earthly wisdom.

He realizes that things continue on an unchanged course- the rising and setting of the sun- the cyclical patterns in history- and that there is "no new thing under the sun." He describes how he sought meaning in life through wisdom. Without doubt Solomon was the wisest man of his day and beyond (until Jesus Christ's advent of course). He had such a breadth of knowledge that he could intelligently speak about horticulture, agriculture, zoology, and practically any other topic. And yet with all of that knowledge he was still miserable.

Then he says he decided to search for purpose in pleasure (the beginning of chapter 2). Scripture records that Solomon's house was 13 years in building. He had thousands of stalls for his horses and chariots to match. He had beautiful gardens and waterfalls to entertain him. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines (which eventually turned his heart away from the Lord to serve idols). He could easily say with confidence to anyone who asked of him that he had "been there...done that...and got the t-shirt." If anyone knew what it was to live a life of luxury, power, and pleasure...it was Solomon.

He then laments the fact that all of his wisdom, pleasures, and riches and labor could not prevent his death. That one event unites the foolish with the wise. The writer of Hebrews says that it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this- the judgement. Further compounding the problem is the fact that most likely his heir Rehoboam would turn out to be a flop (which history and scripture both reveal that he did- disregarding the counsel of wise men and keeping the company of fools).

Until next time....

Beating the Air This New Year?

2007-01-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

1 Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air (KJV)

If you're like me then you're probably midway through your first day of your new diet and already wondering if it was such a good idea after all! By the grace of God (and the loving support of my wife), I somehow found my way to the treadmill this morning for a brisk walk. I must say that it felt good to get my blood circulating this morning and get some excercise. (We'll see how it works out tomorrow). Ok- enough about me and my journey towards physical fitness, let's wax spiritual for just a moment.

Paul told the Corinthians that he discharged the duties of his ministry with purpose. It's very easy to make bland and generic goals when a new calendar year rolls around. We say things like "I'm going to pray more this year", or "I'm going to get closer to God", or perhaps "I'm going to increase my giving to the work of the ministry this year." These are all noble desires, but sometimes I think we are like the proverbial man that Paul describes "beating the air" or running around aimlessly. Many times we expend a lot of energy and resources, but end up accomplishing very little for the Kingdom of God.

I hate to sound cliche' but just as the old proverb goes, "no one plans to fail, they simply fail to plan." Paul used the analogy of an athlete. No serious athlete approaches a contest or competition with a haphazard method of training. They typically follow a strict diet, exercise, and rest routine in order to maximize fitness and endurance. I'm not saying that our Christian life must be so rigid and programmed that there is no sense of vibrance or variety (the Pharisees and their customs immediately come to mind). But I also believe we should set some quantifiable goals and then be mindful to evaluate our progress (or the lack thereof). Paul said that he had to beat his body into subjection and make it his slave. We must take the initiative and do those things that we know are needful for our spiritual maturity.

If you've been waiting for someone to motivate you into action, then hopefully today's blog entry will serve that purpose. I know I have certainly challenged myself to do more for the Kingdom in 2007.

Until next time.....

Are we missing Jesus?

2006-12-05T18:05:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. (NKJ)

In reading the Christmas story accounts in the Gospels, it is tempting to overlook this account that takes place when Jesus was 12 years old. Much emphasis is made of the fact that Christ confounded the teachers in the temple with His wisdom. But I think there is much to be said for the fact that Jesus was missing and yet life went on for Mary and Joseph. There are many (myself included) who would fall into the category of overprotective parents at times. Let's not forget that Mary and Joseph had Divine confirmation that the Son of God was living with them. And yet even with that knowledge, they somehow allowed Him to get "lost in the shuffle" of their busy lives.

Thank God they felt a sense of urgency, and sought him anxiously (the KJV says "sorrowing"). Friends, it is easy to take for granted the presence of Jesus in our lives. In this time of year especially, as we make preparations and plans for festivities and even religious activites, let us not forget to fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. As ironic as it seems, at a time when we are celebrating the birth of Christ, it seems more difficult to resist the temptation to get caught up in all of the frenzy of the season which is supposedly dedicated to Him. Admittedly I find my own thoughts preoccupied with more trivial matters at this time of year (do I really need a new electronic gadget every December?).

Just a reminder that we shouldn't leave Jesus behind as we pursue all of the activities of this holiday season.

~Until next time....

Sin's Devastating Effects

2006-11-28T04:53:00.000-08:00

I Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (KJV)

I recently preached a series of sermons at our church from the book of First John. What became very obvious as we went through the book, is the serious nature of sin and the toll it takes on the community of faith as well as the individual. Today, I want to briefly talk about the devastating effects of sin on the human body. Now let me preface my remarks by saying that I do not believe all sickness or disease is related to some sin in a person's life. We live in a fallen world and our outward man is perishing even though our inner man is being renewed day-by-day.

One of the first examples that come to mind are the believers at Corinth. In chapter 5 we read of a man who is involved in a form of gross sexual immorality. Because he (and the congregation) saw no need for repentance or discipline, Paul instructed the church to hand him over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh. Paul seems to indicate that sexual sins are particularly destructive to the human body:

1 Cor 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.(KJV)

To this same church, he also warned that coming to the communion table in an unholy manner and a reckless way could result in premature death as well as sickness. Yet another extreme but biblical example is that of Ananias and Saphira. Their sin brought immediate physical death. John stated that he wrote his epistle so that the believers would not sin (I John 2:1). Not only does sin have eternal consequences when not repented of, but it can have devastating effects on the human body.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T08:43:00.000-08:00

Phil 1:33 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, (KJV)

I want to say a special thank you to all who read this blog regularly and contribute. I also want to thank God for His great salvation. I hope that all who read today will be blessed as they reflect upon the goodness of God. Thank God for the people in your life who make a difference.

In closing, please allow me to share a story about the late bible commentator Matthew Henry:

"Matthew Henry, the famous Bible scholar, was once accosted by thieves and robbed. In his diary, he wrote: "Let me be thankful first, because I was never robbed before; second, because they took my purse and not my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed." "

God bless you today
~Henry

Mechanics of Bible Study (II)

2006-11-14T04:42:00.000-08:00

In our last blog entry, we looked at some of the how-to's of bible study, using I John for illustrative purposes. We're looking primarily at chapter one in our example. So if we were going to begin studying the book of I John and beginning with chapter one, this is the way I would approach study. First, I would do as I spoke of in my last entry- read, read, and read it again. Next, I would try to determine the recipients and occasion of the letter. It is not 100% obvious from reading strictly chapter one (that's why I recommend especially with the smaller epistles to read them all the way through several times before beginning more thorough study) exactly what's going on in the Johannine community but there are a few clues.

First we see that John begins with an interesting phrase in his greeting:

I Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (KJV)

Again, without reading the entire epistle it would be unwise to read very much into this, but if you had read the entire epistle you would realize there is some controversy regarding Jesus Christ coming in a physical body. So now the fact that John emphasizes that he has heard (with his own ears), seen (with his own eyes) and "handled" (leaned on his breast) Him takes on even more meaning.

We also see that this verse looks very similar to the introductory verse in the Gospel of John. We will later discover many similar themes between I John and the Gospel of John. In this same thought, we also see some repetetive words in this chapter, one in particular being "Light." A cursory reading or search of the Gospel of John reveals that the imagery of light is a popular theme in the Johannine writings. Walking in the Light is tantamount to living as Jesus did.

In this short chapter, we see this phrase three times "If we say....." so there are certain things we can gather from this. First of all, there are possibly some catch phrases or slogans that have floated around the Johannine community (much like the Corinthians were famous for "everything is permissable "). Perhaps false teachers or deceived persons are making false boasts or claims. One thing is certain, John is trying to alert the reader that verbal profession is not the basis for determining one's standing before God and his "walking in the Light." His deeds are what truly reveals one's spiritual condition and standing before God. In other words, John is concerned that people are actually "walking the walk" and not just "talking the talk."

We also see the word "fellowship" (Greek word Koinonia) repeated numerous times in this chapter. John (through the Holy Spirit) is concerned that his readers have true fellowship or communion with God and with one another. This is only possible when we have a proper understanding of Jesus Christ and the nature of saving faith. John will later offer one of the most transparent and blunt methods of discerning the children of God and the children of the devil in chapter 3, but he definitely whets our appetite for more in this introductory chapter.

Yet another powerful theme in this chapter is that of the nature of sin. We can immediately discern that some have a faulty understanding of the destructive nature of sin in one's relationship with God. It is impossible to determine precisely the meaning of these "if we say..." clauses but there are some pretty strong indicators. Either these professing this thought that they had reached a level of sinless perfection, or this is a foreshadowing of what would later become called "Gnostic" teaching (i.e. that "matter is evil."). Such a person would believe that the regenerated spirit was so pure that no deeds done in the body were considered sinful....obviously a doctrine of demons.

These are all weighty themes, and John will develop them further in his epistle. These are just some basic guidelines of how to approach a biblical text for study. I recommend that you read other books on the topic because there are so many different approaches out there and none of them are exhaustive. I think it's important as with anything else, to make your study fun. Mixing things up, using pneumonic devices, scripture memorization, and word studies can really breath life into the task.

Enjoy yourself...until next time!

~Henry

Mechanics of Bible Study (Part One)

2006-11-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

Again, I apologize that I seem to have such a difficult time updating my blog. I would promise to do better, but I seem to be really bad at good intentions too. Oh well, enough about me, let's continue talking about bible study. I wanted to first give you the spiritual dynamics (certainly not all of them, but a few) of bible study. Some things are rather straightforward, while others may not be so obvious to everyone. Having said that, let's look at some of the nuts & bolts of bible study today. Because I'm currently preaching a series at our church on I John, I thought I would use that epistle as an example. Let me share a few ways that I would approach my study of this book, and the first chapter in particular.

First, I would say to do what almost every "expert" (I'm not including myself in the expert class, just in case you were wondering) does when approaching a passage of Scripture. Read it, read it some more, read it again, read...well you get the picture. I know some of my friends reading this are probably of the KJV-only persuasion, but even if you do hold to this position, I encourage you to read a passage of scripture in numerous different translations, just to get a feel for the text. Sometimes the archaic language of the KJV makes it difficult to grasp the meaning of a particular word or phrase. I don't wish to engage in any type of bible translation debates, so please no hateful e-mails or comments (experience tells me I have to include such disclaimers...sorry).

Epistles in particular should be read all the way through in one sitting. This is the way we treat secular literature (especially letters or e-mails sent to us). We don't go "lucky dipping" in the middle of the letter to try to get the sense or tenor of the letter or e-mail. We read the greeting(s), introductory remarks, body of the letter, and the conclusion (or benediction). Reading an entire epistle helps us to discern the tone of the letter. Is it warm and familial? (John frequently uses the term "my little children" as an address in this epistle) Or is it more serious and corrective (as in Galatians where Paul gets right to the issue of false teaching/gospels)? Many commentaries are available which give the "occasion" of the letter, but I would suggest before you ever consult a commentary (as a matter of fact, I recommend that this is the LAST thing you do-and I will discuss this more indepth later) that you read and pray over the text yourself. In doing so, you will probably have a good sense of the occasion of the letter. Pay special attention to the recipients of the letter, personal pronouns and other descriptive titles.

Now in the example of I John, this letter begins with a strong similarity to the Gospel of John. Most conservative theologians agree that the Gospel of John, I, II, and III John, and Revelation have the same author (there are those who disagree, but I will not deal with that here for sake of time). Operating under that premise, it would be wise to be familiar with the other writings by this author. You will find that there are many similar themes between I John and the Gospel by the same name. For illustrative purposes, I'm really only going to deal with the first chapter of I John, but the "purpose statement" of this letter can be found in the last chapter. John says that he writes these things "that you may know you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God" (I John 5:13b). So it becomes evident by reading the entire letter through in one sitting, and paying attention to the "purpose statements" of this epistle (phrases like "these things I have written to you because..." or "I am writing to you so that.." or "I'm writing you because") that the Johannine community needs clarification or at least John through the Holy Spirit was concerned that they needed further information regarding the nature of salvation and assurance.

We will look at some more mechanics in the next entry-until next time.....

~Henry