Genesis 9 – Part 1 – RAINBOWS AND EMPTY ROOMS
A couple of days ago, I saw a rainbow. It was just over there – a few houses away. If only they knew. There, like a mysterious portent of blessing, defying the mist of rain and piercing the imagination with it’s multiplicity of colours, the heart with it’s beauty, and I smiled, as often I do when I see a rainbow. “Look Mum, there’s a rainbow. Isn’t it beautiful?” – I’ve always felt that way about rainbows since I was little.
If the altar was Noah’s expression of his commitment to God, the rainbow is God’s expression of his commitment to Noah and ultimately to me. Thanks Lord, I’m still touched and inspired by your watercolours.
In Genesis 9:8-10 (NASB95) it says, “Then God told Noah and his sons, “I hereby confirm My covenant with you…” but He doesn’t stop there. He says 3 more significant words full of hope and promise for me – “and your descendants,” THAT’S ME! He includes me in the promise He made to Noah. Now that is cool!
He even includes the animals. “and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth.” Why did God worry about the animals? Because God promised Adam and Eve that they would rule over the earth and the animal kingdom. GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES!
The word “COVENANT” appears 8 times in a very short space in the next few verses. So it must be important. WHAT IS A COVENANT? It’s an agreement, a promise. God says, “Yes, I am confirming My covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”
“Where do we go from here?” Noah would say, “TRUST IN THE PROMISES OF GOD.” Look for the covenant promises. Make sure you have entered into a covenant relationship with Jesus, not based on my promises to God but on His promises to me (It’s much more reliable that way).
“Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of My covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed MY RAINBOW IN THE CLOUDS. It is the SIGN OF MY COVENANT with you and with all the earth.”
A RAINBOW IS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF CHRIST. Jesus is called the light of the world. A rainbow has 3 primary colours, red, green and purple.
RED SPEAKS OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST – His sacrifice on the cross for me. Genesis 8:21 says “The intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth;” Jesus paid the price for my sin. “The blood of Christ”, the Bible says, “cleanses from all sin.” Now that’s good to know. Isaiah 1:18 puts it this way “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”
GREEN SPEAKS OF NEW LIFE after the storm. Genesis 8:11 (NASB95) says, “The dove came to him (Noah) toward evening, and behold, in her beak was a freshly picked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the water was abated from the earth.” The olive leaf was a picture of new life after the storm. Jesus said “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly” Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
PURPLE IS THE COLOUR OF KINGS. When Jesus was being tried, they mocked Him and dressed Him in purple. He is called King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus knew what it was like to go through a storm. He is still my King of kings and my Lord of lords.
The Rainbow declares to me today and perhaps to you too, “If I have been through a storm, then God still has a future for me.” In fact you can’t have a rainbow, without having a storm or at least rain.
Where did I start all this. Oh yes, with a rainbow. Beautiful. Makes me smile. Just after the rain subsided – a rainbow in the sky from heaven touching earth. In Europe the rainbow is called “the bridge of the Holy Spirit” and as I sit with my computer on a card table in the middle of a mostly empty study (gave away my beautiful desk), the Holy Spirit is here right now.
“WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE, LORD?” Like Noah of old, He says to me “It’s time to trust in Me, as always”. So I build an altar, – surrender my life afresh to Christ as an act of worship. And I offer up my worship to my Lord and Saviour who loves me with an indescribable love, intercede on behalf of my community with a fervency and expectation of Gods miraculous intervention into the circumstances of our everyday lives, renew my dependence on Him, believe in the power of a rainbow, and let the covenant relationship with my Lord wash over me with it’s colours by trusting in His promises.
“Lord You do everything in your time. Thankyou for continuing to complete the work You have begun in my life and in Julie’s life and in my family and Church.
Father, when the storms abate and the floods recede, I am washed by Your promises and stand clean before You, and as I’m looking out this window into the garden beyond, I’m almost expecting to see a rainbow again. It’s there in my heart.
Thankyou Lord Jesus for taking the full force of the storm when you died on the cross, that the ground is now dry for me to walk upon with You.
Holy Spirit, continue to speak with me and guide me. I don’t want to stay huddled up with the security of Your past guidance and afraid to move with Your most recent guidance.
Help me Lord, today, to act upon what You are saying, now. I choose to be obedient today and take the risk of faith. Cover me Lord with the rainbow of Your protection and grace.
Thankyou for establishing Your covenant with me. I commit myself and my family, my Church and my friends to you. Help us make a difference in this world.”
God bless you Church as you marvel at the colours of a rainbow and make this your prayer too. And thanks for sharing my quietime with me.
Pastor Ross
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Genesis 8 - Part 3 - REMOVAL VAN PRAYER
Genesis 8 - Part 3 – REMOVAL VAN PRAYER.
Well, Julie and I have got a house full of boxes and a quietness amidst the echoes, as we see the final things accomplished before our move to Sydney - a trailerload of Church related archives in a cupboard, and a list of people we need to see before we go – especially Dot Hamilton who is old and unable to come to Church now. And the question that people have asked through the ages still finds its way from my stomach to my lips “Where do we go to from here”.
The removal van people said they would be here a day later than they originally said. You wouldn’t believe what repercussions that has for us. So many phonecalls to rearrange things. Julie is amazing. She just does it all despite the frustration. That’s what made me call this “Removal Van Prayer.”
This morning I am looking at how Noah handled the move. I know his move was a little different (he had cats on board), but essentially when he got off the removal van and unloaded the furniture and pets, he was faced with that same question as he looked toward a whole new beginning. He did what we all do with a new beginning – prayed to God. Worship is so important when your heart is heavy about leaving but excited about what is ahead – it’s the only way to handle such Schizophrenic emotions.
As he gets off the Ark (Great name for a removal van), Noah did something that I almost missed – he prayed for us! Just as well really, but I didn’t expect that.
On Tuesday night, we went around to Jeremy’s place with a group of young leaders to share with them some insights – you know, from the vast accumulated wisdom of our years (Just joking – more like from the mistakes we have made). They did something so precious to us – they gathered around at the end of the night and they prayed and even washed our feet. We were so humbled by the honour they gave us so freely. God wants me to be like that – to pray into peoples lives and give voice to deep things that need expression in the very throneroom of our God. God not only wants my heart, but He wants my prayers. If Noah was here today, he would say “If you want to know where to go from here, then intercede (ask on somebody's behalf) for God’s blessings.” Noah prayed for the generations to come as only a man who understands what it means to be saved can pray. You won’t find the prayer there in Genesis 8 but you do find God’s response.
Why did Noah build an altar and offer these animal sacrifices? Was it a sin offering? I’m sure every sacrifice is. But there’s something more. The bible says Noah was a righteous man. Sure, he, like everyone who believes in Christ today, was sinner saved by grace, but it wasn’t only a sacrifice for sins. There’s more to it than that.
I believe there was something else that also inspired Noah to sacrifice those animals? Verse 21 gives us a clue. Don’t drive by too fast or you’ll miss it.
To find the clue you need to look at God’s response - “and the lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice”. Now this is more than just God being pleased with the smell of a good barbecue. In this case the aroma drew God’s favour. That’s not always the case in the Bible. Sometimes, like in Leviticus 26:31, and Amos 5:22, God refuses to smell the sacrifice. And that means divine disapproval and rejection. When the sacrifice rises, if God is pleased with the smell, that means He's pleased with the heart and prayers of the worshiper. If it displeases Him, then He's not pleased with the heart or prayers of the worshiper.
What about my worship? I want so much for it to be a sweet smelling aroma to God. A sweet smelling aroma was a way of saying God heard Noah’s prayer. He was pleased with Noah’s heart. You get an idea of what Noah prayed for as God hears and says to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things.” That makes me think that Noah probably prayed “Lord, protect my family. Have mercy on future generations Lord. Have mercy upon the human race” He looked around at a devastated world and his heart cried out for us!
God waited to hear that prayer. The only reason you and I are here, is because the Bible says in 2 peter 3:9 (NLT) “the Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
It is time to pray – yes, I need to pray for Julie and myself and our needs, but God calls me to pray for more than just that - pray for my children and my grandchildren, pray for our Church, (I’m still Pastor of an incredible Church for at least 3 days and my prayers for you will continue), pray for the Whitsundays, pray for Queensland, Australia, the world, that God will have mercy upon us and usher in a time of harvest – amen?
And that will require me to renew my dependence upon Christ. Just because I’ve weathered some storms and found God’s favour, doesn’t mean that I am now strong enough to face whatever comes my way. Don’t kid yourself, Ross.
Storms leave me vulnerable. Blessings leave me thinking somehow I deserve it (How fickle my heart can be). What I really need to understand is that all my time here in the Whitsundays, the storms and the fair weather times leave me even more in need of Jesus. Someone said, “The flood didn’t neutralise the influence of the serpent. The Cross defeated the serpent.” (I may have said that, but I’m not sure. It sounds too profound for me).
God bless you Church as you learn the power and value of prayer that reaches out past yourself to others – your children, your grandchildren, your Church, to Julie and Ross (just thought I’d add that in), to our community and ultimately our World.
Pastor Ross
Well, Julie and I have got a house full of boxes and a quietness amidst the echoes, as we see the final things accomplished before our move to Sydney - a trailerload of Church related archives in a cupboard, and a list of people we need to see before we go – especially Dot Hamilton who is old and unable to come to Church now. And the question that people have asked through the ages still finds its way from my stomach to my lips “Where do we go to from here”.
The removal van people said they would be here a day later than they originally said. You wouldn’t believe what repercussions that has for us. So many phonecalls to rearrange things. Julie is amazing. She just does it all despite the frustration. That’s what made me call this “Removal Van Prayer.”
This morning I am looking at how Noah handled the move. I know his move was a little different (he had cats on board), but essentially when he got off the removal van and unloaded the furniture and pets, he was faced with that same question as he looked toward a whole new beginning. He did what we all do with a new beginning – prayed to God. Worship is so important when your heart is heavy about leaving but excited about what is ahead – it’s the only way to handle such Schizophrenic emotions.
As he gets off the Ark (Great name for a removal van), Noah did something that I almost missed – he prayed for us! Just as well really, but I didn’t expect that.
On Tuesday night, we went around to Jeremy’s place with a group of young leaders to share with them some insights – you know, from the vast accumulated wisdom of our years (Just joking – more like from the mistakes we have made). They did something so precious to us – they gathered around at the end of the night and they prayed and even washed our feet. We were so humbled by the honour they gave us so freely. God wants me to be like that – to pray into peoples lives and give voice to deep things that need expression in the very throneroom of our God. God not only wants my heart, but He wants my prayers. If Noah was here today, he would say “If you want to know where to go from here, then intercede (ask on somebody's behalf) for God’s blessings.” Noah prayed for the generations to come as only a man who understands what it means to be saved can pray. You won’t find the prayer there in Genesis 8 but you do find God’s response.
Why did Noah build an altar and offer these animal sacrifices? Was it a sin offering? I’m sure every sacrifice is. But there’s something more. The bible says Noah was a righteous man. Sure, he, like everyone who believes in Christ today, was sinner saved by grace, but it wasn’t only a sacrifice for sins. There’s more to it than that.
I believe there was something else that also inspired Noah to sacrifice those animals? Verse 21 gives us a clue. Don’t drive by too fast or you’ll miss it.
To find the clue you need to look at God’s response - “and the lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice”. Now this is more than just God being pleased with the smell of a good barbecue. In this case the aroma drew God’s favour. That’s not always the case in the Bible. Sometimes, like in Leviticus 26:31, and Amos 5:22, God refuses to smell the sacrifice. And that means divine disapproval and rejection. When the sacrifice rises, if God is pleased with the smell, that means He's pleased with the heart and prayers of the worshiper. If it displeases Him, then He's not pleased with the heart or prayers of the worshiper.
What about my worship? I want so much for it to be a sweet smelling aroma to God. A sweet smelling aroma was a way of saying God heard Noah’s prayer. He was pleased with Noah’s heart. You get an idea of what Noah prayed for as God hears and says to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things.” That makes me think that Noah probably prayed “Lord, protect my family. Have mercy on future generations Lord. Have mercy upon the human race” He looked around at a devastated world and his heart cried out for us!
God waited to hear that prayer. The only reason you and I are here, is because the Bible says in 2 peter 3:9 (NLT) “the Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
It is time to pray – yes, I need to pray for Julie and myself and our needs, but God calls me to pray for more than just that - pray for my children and my grandchildren, pray for our Church, (I’m still Pastor of an incredible Church for at least 3 days and my prayers for you will continue), pray for the Whitsundays, pray for Queensland, Australia, the world, that God will have mercy upon us and usher in a time of harvest – amen?
And that will require me to renew my dependence upon Christ. Just because I’ve weathered some storms and found God’s favour, doesn’t mean that I am now strong enough to face whatever comes my way. Don’t kid yourself, Ross.
Storms leave me vulnerable. Blessings leave me thinking somehow I deserve it (How fickle my heart can be). What I really need to understand is that all my time here in the Whitsundays, the storms and the fair weather times leave me even more in need of Jesus. Someone said, “The flood didn’t neutralise the influence of the serpent. The Cross defeated the serpent.” (I may have said that, but I’m not sure. It sounds too profound for me).
God bless you Church as you learn the power and value of prayer that reaches out past yourself to others – your children, your grandchildren, your Church, to Julie and Ross (just thought I’d add that in), to our community and ultimately our World.
Pastor Ross
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Genesis 8 - Part 2 - SAVE OUR ANIMALS! ARK OR ALTAR?
Genesis 8 – Part 2 – SAVE OUR ANIMALS! ARK OR ALTAR?
Julie and I move to Sydney on Monday night. We’ve done all the packing and I still need to pack away the last vestiges of files from my study, a never ending process. We are looking forward to getting to Sydney after a couple of days journey in the car. 26 hours driving time, so I can put on the timer and I won’t have to ask “Are we there yet!” I am looking forward to getting out of that car already at the other end and sorting out what we will be doing.
Noah stepped out of the ark to a whole new world. Now don’t get the wrong view of this. When Noah stepped off the boat, it wasn’t like I have seen in the picture books and children’s stories - all sunshine and a big rainbow, and the animals are all smiling. And there's trees and there's rivers and there's green grass everywhere. I am sure that wasn't what they saw.
They came off that ark, and there was death everywhere and desolation, and a landscape devastated by flood - incredible erosion and upheaval. I’m sure there was plant life, but it probably wasn't profuse. It still had to develop and grow again. It certainly wasn’t like Eden. It would have been the opposite of that. It was a destroyed planet.
And when they walked off, maybe the first thing that they saw were carcasses and dry bones. Massive evidence of death and destruction, the aftermath of judgment.
I bet one of the questions Noah had was “Well lord, where do we go from here?”
That’s the question all of us ask when we’ve had the faith and trust to put your life into God’s hands, and Noah answers that question.
Genesis 8:20 (NIV) says “then Noah built an altar to the lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.”
The first thing Noah did in verse 20 was build an altar. Where do you go when the world you knew has been ripped apart, and all you see is the aftermath of the storm - when you really come to grips with what life would be like without God.
Noah says to me and you, “Build an altar - totally surrender your life to Christ in an act of worship”
Genesis 8:20 (NIV) says “then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.”
God didn’t command him to do that. It was a freewill offering. By the way, some people think that there were only 2 of every animal in the ark, but Noah was told to take 2 of every unclean animal and 7 of every clean animal (or domesticated animals) into the ark. (Genesis 7:2-3)
Noah’s reputation with the Animal Rights movement was good until this time, but in the Bible, a burnt offering is primarily a recognition of total devotion to the lord. There were some offerings where you put it on the altar and burned some of it and you ate some of it. But a burnt offering was totally consumed in the fire, and it was a picture of total devotion, total dedication to the Lord. You gave everything to the lord. You didn't keep anything back for yourself. You just gave your all.
If you just got off the Ark you would say, that is very generous offering. Remember, it’s not as if there’s a lot of animals around. In fact there was an animal shortage! Nevertheless, he didn't say "Look, we don't have a lot of animals here to populate the whole world, so I’m just going to hold back a little on the offering side of things. Things are tight at the moment. We have a severe animal shortage.” He didn't do that! He took from every clean animal and every clean bird he had, slaughtered them, and burnt them all totally on the altar, as an act of unrestrained worship. When it came to giving worship to God He didn’t hold back.
By this time the animal rights groups would have notified the authorities. As they held up their placards saying “SAVE OUR ANIMALS FROM EXTINCTION” Noah would have been fined thousands of dollars. Fortunately for Noah, it was the animal rights group that had become extinct!
If you just survived a worldwide flood, would you be giving up your livelihood by giving God the best of all you had. What did Noah need the most? The domesticated animals and he gave one seventh of his livestock to God, as a sacrifice.
This wasn’t just a tithe. Like one woman said to her pastor, “Pastor, I can’t afford a tenth of my income. I’ll have to give you a seventh instead!”
It requires faith to give to God and risk. If the storm is a financial storm, it doesn’t make sense to give.
There is a choice involved in obeying God, and building an Ark. And there is a choice involved in worshiping God and building an altar. No ark, no altar. You won’t know what it’s like to worship, until you appreciate what it’s like to be saved, and then your worship will never be something trivial. It will be a wholehearted expression of thanksgiving.
This is the first mention in the bible of an altar. Cain and abel gave an offering, but there's no indication about an altar. This is the first time an altar is used for the purpose of sacrifice.
You may be asking like Noah, “Where do I go from here?” Here and now is your opportunity to build an altar, to totally dedicate your life to Christ.
Romans 12:1 (NASB) says “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
So the altar is a picture of total devotion, total dedication to the Lord, where you give everything to the Lord. You don’t keep anything back. You just give all of yourself to the Lord.
God bless you Church as you declare “I’ve been saved in order to serve unreservedly, total commitment. It’s no longer ark building time. It’s altar building time!” It’s time to give sacrificially! Of time and talent and yes, of treasure. Worship for me must never be just being there on Sunday. It involves sacrifice, giving of myself completely to Christ. He want’s my heart.
Pastor Ross
Julie and I move to Sydney on Monday night. We’ve done all the packing and I still need to pack away the last vestiges of files from my study, a never ending process. We are looking forward to getting to Sydney after a couple of days journey in the car. 26 hours driving time, so I can put on the timer and I won’t have to ask “Are we there yet!” I am looking forward to getting out of that car already at the other end and sorting out what we will be doing.
Noah stepped out of the ark to a whole new world. Now don’t get the wrong view of this. When Noah stepped off the boat, it wasn’t like I have seen in the picture books and children’s stories - all sunshine and a big rainbow, and the animals are all smiling. And there's trees and there's rivers and there's green grass everywhere. I am sure that wasn't what they saw.
They came off that ark, and there was death everywhere and desolation, and a landscape devastated by flood - incredible erosion and upheaval. I’m sure there was plant life, but it probably wasn't profuse. It still had to develop and grow again. It certainly wasn’t like Eden. It would have been the opposite of that. It was a destroyed planet.
And when they walked off, maybe the first thing that they saw were carcasses and dry bones. Massive evidence of death and destruction, the aftermath of judgment.
I bet one of the questions Noah had was “Well lord, where do we go from here?”
That’s the question all of us ask when we’ve had the faith and trust to put your life into God’s hands, and Noah answers that question.
Genesis 8:20 (NIV) says “then Noah built an altar to the lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.”
The first thing Noah did in verse 20 was build an altar. Where do you go when the world you knew has been ripped apart, and all you see is the aftermath of the storm - when you really come to grips with what life would be like without God.
Noah says to me and you, “Build an altar - totally surrender your life to Christ in an act of worship”
Genesis 8:20 (NIV) says “then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.”
God didn’t command him to do that. It was a freewill offering. By the way, some people think that there were only 2 of every animal in the ark, but Noah was told to take 2 of every unclean animal and 7 of every clean animal (or domesticated animals) into the ark. (Genesis 7:2-3)
Noah’s reputation with the Animal Rights movement was good until this time, but in the Bible, a burnt offering is primarily a recognition of total devotion to the lord. There were some offerings where you put it on the altar and burned some of it and you ate some of it. But a burnt offering was totally consumed in the fire, and it was a picture of total devotion, total dedication to the Lord. You gave everything to the lord. You didn't keep anything back for yourself. You just gave your all.
If you just got off the Ark you would say, that is very generous offering. Remember, it’s not as if there’s a lot of animals around. In fact there was an animal shortage! Nevertheless, he didn't say "Look, we don't have a lot of animals here to populate the whole world, so I’m just going to hold back a little on the offering side of things. Things are tight at the moment. We have a severe animal shortage.” He didn't do that! He took from every clean animal and every clean bird he had, slaughtered them, and burnt them all totally on the altar, as an act of unrestrained worship. When it came to giving worship to God He didn’t hold back.
By this time the animal rights groups would have notified the authorities. As they held up their placards saying “SAVE OUR ANIMALS FROM EXTINCTION” Noah would have been fined thousands of dollars. Fortunately for Noah, it was the animal rights group that had become extinct!
If you just survived a worldwide flood, would you be giving up your livelihood by giving God the best of all you had. What did Noah need the most? The domesticated animals and he gave one seventh of his livestock to God, as a sacrifice.
This wasn’t just a tithe. Like one woman said to her pastor, “Pastor, I can’t afford a tenth of my income. I’ll have to give you a seventh instead!”
It requires faith to give to God and risk. If the storm is a financial storm, it doesn’t make sense to give.
There is a choice involved in obeying God, and building an Ark. And there is a choice involved in worshiping God and building an altar. No ark, no altar. You won’t know what it’s like to worship, until you appreciate what it’s like to be saved, and then your worship will never be something trivial. It will be a wholehearted expression of thanksgiving.
This is the first mention in the bible of an altar. Cain and abel gave an offering, but there's no indication about an altar. This is the first time an altar is used for the purpose of sacrifice.
You may be asking like Noah, “Where do I go from here?” Here and now is your opportunity to build an altar, to totally dedicate your life to Christ.
Romans 12:1 (NASB) says “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”
So the altar is a picture of total devotion, total dedication to the Lord, where you give everything to the Lord. You don’t keep anything back. You just give all of yourself to the Lord.
God bless you Church as you declare “I’ve been saved in order to serve unreservedly, total commitment. It’s no longer ark building time. It’s altar building time!” It’s time to give sacrificially! Of time and talent and yes, of treasure. Worship for me must never be just being there on Sunday. It involves sacrifice, giving of myself completely to Christ. He want’s my heart.
Pastor Ross
Monday, January 11, 2010
Genesis 8 – Part 1 - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Genesis 8 – Part 1 - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
I feel as if a flood of memories from the last 10 years is sweeping over me, and like Noah I would like to hear the voice of God say “Come into the ark” where you’ll be safe. Instead, He is saying “GO OUT OF THE ARK” and face whatever is out there. It will be a new beginning. God has lifted me up and brought me safely through some stormy times, and when the fountains of the deep burst open God closed the door of His protection and shielded me. But now it’s time to move on. You can’t stay in the ark forever or it becomes a comfort zone. It was never intended to be a permanent dwelling place, just a temporary safe haven, but that hasn’t stopped me from asking “Lord, I want to know where to go to from here.” Noah gives me some good advice for this new year.
Noah is one of the greatest men who ever lived and he knew how to please God. In fact that’s why he was great. I imagine him as an old man, face weathered, hands boney, pure white hair and beard, older than any man I’ve ever seen, although sometimes I look in the mirror and catch glimse of such a man.
I’m a little seasick, like the first time I went out in a boat in the Whitsundays, but I want to know WHERE TO GO FROM HERE.
If Noah was here he would say, “Where you go from here will be determined by your faith and your faith will be tested by what remains after the storm.”
Noah would say, “Let God close the door on your past.” It’s no use carrying around the baggage of my past. Christ died to forgive me. I accept that forgiveness and find a new future by trusting in Him.
Noah would say, “Wait for God’s timing. Sometimes His timing isn’t ours, which means we have to wait. But waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing. Make good use of today.” Noah prepared for the future, even while he was in the ark. He sent out a raven, then a dove and then removed the covering. When opportunity comes it’s too late to prepare. I need to prepare ahead of time. I can always ask God what I need to do to prepare for your future.
Noah would say “Don’t stay in the ark.” It’s easy to stay in that place where God has met me in the past and never progress beyond that point. God wants my testimony to be up to date
What interests me is Genesis 8:15-16 (NLT)
“Then God said to Noah, “leave the boat, all of you—you and your wife, and your sons and their wives.”
The last time Noah heard the Lord speak was when the Lord said, "Come in to the Ark" and then he doesn't hear anything for a long time - for a year and nearly a month. And then God says, "Go out!" I notice that Noah didn’t ask any questions. I’m sure he was glad to obey! When God has just destroyed the world as you knew it completely, you do as He says, no questions asked.
God bless you Church as you let go of the past and step out in faith and obedience to God this year.
Pastor Ross
I feel as if a flood of memories from the last 10 years is sweeping over me, and like Noah I would like to hear the voice of God say “Come into the ark” where you’ll be safe. Instead, He is saying “GO OUT OF THE ARK” and face whatever is out there. It will be a new beginning. God has lifted me up and brought me safely through some stormy times, and when the fountains of the deep burst open God closed the door of His protection and shielded me. But now it’s time to move on. You can’t stay in the ark forever or it becomes a comfort zone. It was never intended to be a permanent dwelling place, just a temporary safe haven, but that hasn’t stopped me from asking “Lord, I want to know where to go to from here.” Noah gives me some good advice for this new year.
Noah is one of the greatest men who ever lived and he knew how to please God. In fact that’s why he was great. I imagine him as an old man, face weathered, hands boney, pure white hair and beard, older than any man I’ve ever seen, although sometimes I look in the mirror and catch glimse of such a man.
I’m a little seasick, like the first time I went out in a boat in the Whitsundays, but I want to know WHERE TO GO FROM HERE.
If Noah was here he would say, “Where you go from here will be determined by your faith and your faith will be tested by what remains after the storm.”
Noah would say, “Let God close the door on your past.” It’s no use carrying around the baggage of my past. Christ died to forgive me. I accept that forgiveness and find a new future by trusting in Him.
Noah would say, “Wait for God’s timing. Sometimes His timing isn’t ours, which means we have to wait. But waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing. Make good use of today.” Noah prepared for the future, even while he was in the ark. He sent out a raven, then a dove and then removed the covering. When opportunity comes it’s too late to prepare. I need to prepare ahead of time. I can always ask God what I need to do to prepare for your future.
Noah would say “Don’t stay in the ark.” It’s easy to stay in that place where God has met me in the past and never progress beyond that point. God wants my testimony to be up to date
What interests me is Genesis 8:15-16 (NLT)
“Then God said to Noah, “leave the boat, all of you—you and your wife, and your sons and their wives.”
The last time Noah heard the Lord speak was when the Lord said, "Come in to the Ark" and then he doesn't hear anything for a long time - for a year and nearly a month. And then God says, "Go out!" I notice that Noah didn’t ask any questions. I’m sure he was glad to obey! When God has just destroyed the world as you knew it completely, you do as He says, no questions asked.
God bless you Church as you let go of the past and step out in faith and obedience to God this year.
Pastor Ross
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Matthew 5 - Part 20 - YOU THINK YOU'RE SO PERFECT!
Matthew 5 – Part 20 – YOU THINK YOU’RE SO PERFECT!
Jesus says “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). What is that supposed to mean? Like, that’s impossible, right?
In fact there are a number of contradictions in this section of the Bible, until you look further. For instance, Jesus speaks of loving your enemies. I’ve always thought that to be contradiction because if you love someone they are no longer your enemy, but of course, He is saying that although you may love them, they still don’t love you. The enemy bit is theirs not ours.
Then He shocks us again! He says that when we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, we do it “in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven”. So does that mean that if I don’t love my enemies, I can’t be a child of God anymore? No, I don’t think that’s what He’s trying to get across. What He is saying is that God loved me when I was His enemy, and so if I am a true child of God, then I’ll behave in the same way. I am to be my Father’s Son. I am to see things the way God sees things. When I do that I am doing all that God calls me to do.
But then Jesus goes on to say something ludicrous to me. Or at least at first glance it is ludicrous. Lord, you go on to say “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”. That’s going TOO FAR! I’M NOT PERFECT, Lord. You know that I fall short of this. So what are you trying to say? Your standard is way too high for me.
But then when I think about it, God couldn’t have very well said to me, “Just do your best, and I’ll accept that.” A perfect God doesn’t give me an imperfect standard to live by. HE DOESN’T LOWER HIS STANDARDS JUST TO ACCOMMODATE ME.
I guess when I love my enemies, then I participate in something that is part of God’s perfect character. I do something perfect in His strength, but I still don’t get to that kind of standard in the everyday part of my life. I still get it wrong at times.
“PERFECTION” in the original Greek has the idea of “COMPLETE” ie “capable of doing everything that God calls us to do”
Colossians 2:10 (NLT) says “So you also are COMPLETE (or “perfect”) through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”
PERFECT (teleios from télos = goal, purpose) means “one who has accomplished the intended goal (telos).” If something accomplishes what it is designed to do, it is said to be perfect (teleios). A child is imperfect in the sense that they have not yet grown to full maturity. So telios is often translated as “mature”. When something is fully developed then it is said to be perfect. So Telios has the idea of “being complete.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) says, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.:”
When I trust in what Jesus did for me on the Cross, then I am complete. God sees me as righteous, ie in right relationship with Him, as perfect and complete, as forgiven of all my sins. Instead of seeing me, He sees what Jesus did for me, and so I stand before Him AS PERFECT.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to be perfect in my everyday relationships. I’m never going to be perfect in that way. I get it wrong all the time. But as the Lord works through me, I live out the kind of life He wants me to live. I am complete. I am doing all that God has called me to do, and in that sense it is PERFECT and I live in a way that is HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. It is a journey of perfection that I am taking. I need to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 5:18) in order to do this.
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) spells it out better than I can. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
1 Peter 1:14-16 (NLT) says “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
Philippians 3:12-16 (NLT) explains it further,
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”
The Bible is my perfect standard for life and faith, and as I live it out then I display glimpses of the perfection of God in my life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” The Kings James Version says “That the man of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
God bless you Church as you live a perfect life (ie complete everything God has called you to do).
Pastor Ross
Jesus says “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). What is that supposed to mean? Like, that’s impossible, right?
In fact there are a number of contradictions in this section of the Bible, until you look further. For instance, Jesus speaks of loving your enemies. I’ve always thought that to be contradiction because if you love someone they are no longer your enemy, but of course, He is saying that although you may love them, they still don’t love you. The enemy bit is theirs not ours.
Then He shocks us again! He says that when we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, we do it “in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven”. So does that mean that if I don’t love my enemies, I can’t be a child of God anymore? No, I don’t think that’s what He’s trying to get across. What He is saying is that God loved me when I was His enemy, and so if I am a true child of God, then I’ll behave in the same way. I am to be my Father’s Son. I am to see things the way God sees things. When I do that I am doing all that God calls me to do.
But then Jesus goes on to say something ludicrous to me. Or at least at first glance it is ludicrous. Lord, you go on to say “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”. That’s going TOO FAR! I’M NOT PERFECT, Lord. You know that I fall short of this. So what are you trying to say? Your standard is way too high for me.
But then when I think about it, God couldn’t have very well said to me, “Just do your best, and I’ll accept that.” A perfect God doesn’t give me an imperfect standard to live by. HE DOESN’T LOWER HIS STANDARDS JUST TO ACCOMMODATE ME.
I guess when I love my enemies, then I participate in something that is part of God’s perfect character. I do something perfect in His strength, but I still don’t get to that kind of standard in the everyday part of my life. I still get it wrong at times.
“PERFECTION” in the original Greek has the idea of “COMPLETE” ie “capable of doing everything that God calls us to do”
Colossians 2:10 (NLT) says “So you also are COMPLETE (or “perfect”) through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”
PERFECT (teleios from télos = goal, purpose) means “one who has accomplished the intended goal (telos).” If something accomplishes what it is designed to do, it is said to be perfect (teleios). A child is imperfect in the sense that they have not yet grown to full maturity. So telios is often translated as “mature”. When something is fully developed then it is said to be perfect. So Telios has the idea of “being complete.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) says, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.:”
When I trust in what Jesus did for me on the Cross, then I am complete. God sees me as righteous, ie in right relationship with Him, as perfect and complete, as forgiven of all my sins. Instead of seeing me, He sees what Jesus did for me, and so I stand before Him AS PERFECT.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to be perfect in my everyday relationships. I’m never going to be perfect in that way. I get it wrong all the time. But as the Lord works through me, I live out the kind of life He wants me to live. I am complete. I am doing all that God has called me to do, and in that sense it is PERFECT and I live in a way that is HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. It is a journey of perfection that I am taking. I need to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 5:18) in order to do this.
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) spells it out better than I can. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
1 Peter 1:14-16 (NLT) says “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
Philippians 3:12-16 (NLT) explains it further,
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”
The Bible is my perfect standard for life and faith, and as I live it out then I display glimpses of the perfection of God in my life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” The Kings James Version says “That the man of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
God bless you Church as you live a perfect life (ie complete everything God has called you to do).
Pastor Ross
Friday, January 8, 2010
Matthew 5 – Part 19 – “BUT THE GUY IS A JERK AND DESERVES IT!”
Matthew 5 – Part 19 – “BUT THE GUY IS A JERK AND DESERVES IT!”
Most action movies I have seen have some aspect of revenge in their storyline. And I must admit it, when the bad guy finally gets killed, I am there saying on the inside “The guy was a jerk and deserved everything he got!” Am I the only one? Is “jerk” a swearword?
Some friends of mine were driving me home one night when we came across a drunk man walking home and because we knew him, we offered him a lift. He was an alcoholic friend and we had been encouraging him to take action and get help.
While he was in the car we talked to him about other things, but as he got out I expressed my concern with his drunkenness and encouraged him to find help. All of a sudden he was furious. He dragged me from the car and was extremely offended that I should suggest that he even had a problem. How dare I judge him! He began to hit me in the face. His blows stung at first but as he continued, my head became numbed.
I thought how crazy this was – a drunk man beating me up and I could not even fight my way out of a wet paper bag. It took some time for my friends to get him off me. I had no choice but to offer him the other cheek, but is this the kind of thing Jesus is advocating in Matthew 5:38-48. If I had known how to fight I am sure I would have defended myself and perhaps injured him. As it was, some time later, he apologized to me so sincerely, and we prayed together as he admitted that he really did have a problem.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:38-48 (NLT) “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Sometimes I look at passages like this and think that Jesus is so naïve. In my arrogance, I am wrong of course. When I think it through it makes a whole lot more sense than first meets the eye. Thanks Lord.
God’s focus seems to be for me to show mercy, rather than get my own back. I can make a choice not to press charges. I am to look for other ways which will preserve the relationship above my rights for justice whenever this is possible.
Actually getting revenge is all about me and the wrong done to me. It’s essentially SELF CENTRED and rather destructive in the sense that it desires to strike out towards another person to gain satisfaction, and that person ends up ruling my life. That can’t be right!
What about when someone gets divorced and they need to go to court and get a settlement? What about taking justice on a murderer? Yeah, I know. Sometimes justice inevitably will be served. Jesus isn’t saying there’s anything wrong with the law. But I know one woman who was ruled by vengeance and holding onto her rights. She was miserable because she lived her life thinking of new ways to get even. Her ex-husband was actually exercising more control than he had ever had over her, without any contact with her at all! When she let it go, she was a much happier person and so much easier to talk to.
Jesus is just saying I don’t always have to take it to the limit and mete out my pound of flesh. He’s not saying I am never to resist evil. Just see the law from the standpoint of wanting to exercise mercy rather than get vengeance or mete out the last bit of justice. I’m glad God doesn’t choose vengeance on me before mercy! Taking my friend to court for beating me up would not have led to anything but misery, for him and me. Jesus says in effect “Don’t look for ways to retaliate! Look for ways to bring something good out of a bad situation. Offer forgiveness.”
Proverbs 20:22 (NLT) “Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.”” Sounds like the Lord is the only One who is really capable of exercising true justice anyway. And He does everything to show mercy first.
1 Peter 3:9 (NLT) repeats this principle for leadership. “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it.”
Going a second mile isn’t all that difficult when I see the benefits it has for me. I lose the bad attitude and instead of exercising bitterness and resentment, instead of spending my life griping and complaining and being involved in self pity, I actually enjoy the privilege of being able to serve someone else, form a relationship and maybe reach out to someone for Christ who doesn’t know Him.
Lord, as a Christian I know I am not to retaliate just because I have the right to do so. Help me to live with a focus on blessing others, knowing that You will provide for me. I want my focus to be knowing You, Lord Jesus, and making You known to others. Relationship is more important than rights. Help me to do everything I can do to find agreement first.
God bless you Church as you focus on blessing other people not in getting your own back.
What about the bad guy in the movie? Didn’t he deserve it? Stop! Breathe! Now Rewind!
Pastor Ross
Most action movies I have seen have some aspect of revenge in their storyline. And I must admit it, when the bad guy finally gets killed, I am there saying on the inside “The guy was a jerk and deserved everything he got!” Am I the only one? Is “jerk” a swearword?
Some friends of mine were driving me home one night when we came across a drunk man walking home and because we knew him, we offered him a lift. He was an alcoholic friend and we had been encouraging him to take action and get help.
While he was in the car we talked to him about other things, but as he got out I expressed my concern with his drunkenness and encouraged him to find help. All of a sudden he was furious. He dragged me from the car and was extremely offended that I should suggest that he even had a problem. How dare I judge him! He began to hit me in the face. His blows stung at first but as he continued, my head became numbed.
I thought how crazy this was – a drunk man beating me up and I could not even fight my way out of a wet paper bag. It took some time for my friends to get him off me. I had no choice but to offer him the other cheek, but is this the kind of thing Jesus is advocating in Matthew 5:38-48. If I had known how to fight I am sure I would have defended myself and perhaps injured him. As it was, some time later, he apologized to me so sincerely, and we prayed together as he admitted that he really did have a problem.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:38-48 (NLT) “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Sometimes I look at passages like this and think that Jesus is so naïve. In my arrogance, I am wrong of course. When I think it through it makes a whole lot more sense than first meets the eye. Thanks Lord.
God’s focus seems to be for me to show mercy, rather than get my own back. I can make a choice not to press charges. I am to look for other ways which will preserve the relationship above my rights for justice whenever this is possible.
Actually getting revenge is all about me and the wrong done to me. It’s essentially SELF CENTRED and rather destructive in the sense that it desires to strike out towards another person to gain satisfaction, and that person ends up ruling my life. That can’t be right!
What about when someone gets divorced and they need to go to court and get a settlement? What about taking justice on a murderer? Yeah, I know. Sometimes justice inevitably will be served. Jesus isn’t saying there’s anything wrong with the law. But I know one woman who was ruled by vengeance and holding onto her rights. She was miserable because she lived her life thinking of new ways to get even. Her ex-husband was actually exercising more control than he had ever had over her, without any contact with her at all! When she let it go, she was a much happier person and so much easier to talk to.
Jesus is just saying I don’t always have to take it to the limit and mete out my pound of flesh. He’s not saying I am never to resist evil. Just see the law from the standpoint of wanting to exercise mercy rather than get vengeance or mete out the last bit of justice. I’m glad God doesn’t choose vengeance on me before mercy! Taking my friend to court for beating me up would not have led to anything but misery, for him and me. Jesus says in effect “Don’t look for ways to retaliate! Look for ways to bring something good out of a bad situation. Offer forgiveness.”
Proverbs 20:22 (NLT) “Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.”” Sounds like the Lord is the only One who is really capable of exercising true justice anyway. And He does everything to show mercy first.
1 Peter 3:9 (NLT) repeats this principle for leadership. “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it.”
Going a second mile isn’t all that difficult when I see the benefits it has for me. I lose the bad attitude and instead of exercising bitterness and resentment, instead of spending my life griping and complaining and being involved in self pity, I actually enjoy the privilege of being able to serve someone else, form a relationship and maybe reach out to someone for Christ who doesn’t know Him.
Lord, as a Christian I know I am not to retaliate just because I have the right to do so. Help me to live with a focus on blessing others, knowing that You will provide for me. I want my focus to be knowing You, Lord Jesus, and making You known to others. Relationship is more important than rights. Help me to do everything I can do to find agreement first.
God bless you Church as you focus on blessing other people not in getting your own back.
What about the bad guy in the movie? Didn’t he deserve it? Stop! Breathe! Now Rewind!
Pastor Ross
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Matthew 5 – Part 18 – SO WHAT YOU’RE SAYING IS THAT GOD CAN’T MAKE UP HIS MIND?
Matthew 5 – Part 18 – SO WHAT YOU’RE SAYING IS THAT GOD CAN’T MAKE UP HIS MIND?
Occasionally I meet Christians who say “God is telling me to go and do this or that” and then the next minute God seems to have changed His mind. I remember one guy who made God look like He didn’t know how to make up His mind at all! One day it was “God wants me to do this.” and the next day it was something totally different. That’s not the unchangeable God I know and read about in the Bible.
So what I really want to talk about is OATHS AND SWEARING!
Jesus chooses to teach some radical principles to His disciples up on the mountain. Who can question that He knew what He was doing. And so far, I’ve got to admit, it is all applicable to me as a Christian leader.
Jesus spoke about Oaths and Swearing. He says in Matthew 5:33-37 (NLT) “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is His footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”
He says don’t go making promises and assurances that you may not be able to keep or being profane in your language by bringing God’s name into it. Just let your yes be yes.
So let me get this straight - Don’t make promises but keep them anyway. Have the character to do the right thing anyway and speak in a way that is straightforward.
I guess Jesus is thinking of the 3rd commandment as He teaches this principle. Exodus 20:7 (NLT) says, “You must not misuse the Name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse His Name.” Leviticus 19:12 (NLT) makes this even clearer - “Do not bring shame on the Name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord.”
Now these passages from the Old Testament don’t say “DON’T MAKE AN OATH” but they do encourage us not to make an oath and not keep it. Numbers 30:2 (NLT) says “A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.” but Jesus says “DON’T MAKE OATHS AT ALL!” What, doesn’t Jesus trust us? What happens if I go to court and have to swear on the Bible to tell the whole truth? Somehow I think Jesus knows that I am capable of stretching the truth, of exaggerating and just plain lying at times.
Annanias and Sapphira dropped dead after lying to God about giving all their land to the Church. In Acts 5:4 (NLT) Peter says to them “The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
Jesus says vows and swearing aren’t necessary. He simplifies the law to the basics.
God is the only one who is really capable of keeping an oath. Hebrews 6:17 (NLT) says “God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.”
Lord, thankyou that I can trust in You to come through with what You have promised. Help me to honour Your Name in the way I speak.
God bless you Church as you “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6 (NIV))
Pastor Ross
Occasionally I meet Christians who say “God is telling me to go and do this or that” and then the next minute God seems to have changed His mind. I remember one guy who made God look like He didn’t know how to make up His mind at all! One day it was “God wants me to do this.” and the next day it was something totally different. That’s not the unchangeable God I know and read about in the Bible.
So what I really want to talk about is OATHS AND SWEARING!
Jesus chooses to teach some radical principles to His disciples up on the mountain. Who can question that He knew what He was doing. And so far, I’ve got to admit, it is all applicable to me as a Christian leader.
Jesus spoke about Oaths and Swearing. He says in Matthew 5:33-37 (NLT) “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is His footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”
He says don’t go making promises and assurances that you may not be able to keep or being profane in your language by bringing God’s name into it. Just let your yes be yes.
So let me get this straight - Don’t make promises but keep them anyway. Have the character to do the right thing anyway and speak in a way that is straightforward.
I guess Jesus is thinking of the 3rd commandment as He teaches this principle. Exodus 20:7 (NLT) says, “You must not misuse the Name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse His Name.” Leviticus 19:12 (NLT) makes this even clearer - “Do not bring shame on the Name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord.”
Now these passages from the Old Testament don’t say “DON’T MAKE AN OATH” but they do encourage us not to make an oath and not keep it. Numbers 30:2 (NLT) says “A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.” but Jesus says “DON’T MAKE OATHS AT ALL!” What, doesn’t Jesus trust us? What happens if I go to court and have to swear on the Bible to tell the whole truth? Somehow I think Jesus knows that I am capable of stretching the truth, of exaggerating and just plain lying at times.
Annanias and Sapphira dropped dead after lying to God about giving all their land to the Church. In Acts 5:4 (NLT) Peter says to them “The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
Jesus says vows and swearing aren’t necessary. He simplifies the law to the basics.
God is the only one who is really capable of keeping an oath. Hebrews 6:17 (NLT) says “God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.”
Lord, thankyou that I can trust in You to come through with what You have promised. Help me to honour Your Name in the way I speak.
God bless you Church as you “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6 (NIV))
Pastor Ross
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