"I Press Toward the Goal To Win the Prize"

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
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Sometimes it does make a difference which version of the Bible is used. For example, the title of this article is the NIV rendition of Philippians 3:14 while the Scriptural quotation is from the KJV. One would hardly suspect that they are the same passage. The NIV doesn’t make it clear what the goal or the prize is. It could be anything. The KJV makes it perfectly clear that the prize is "the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Of the several translations examined, only the Message is even less clear than the NIV in what this passage is really saying. It simply states, "I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back." Wow, that’s open-ended. Depending on the version we use, we might gather from these two versions of Paul’s letter to the saints at Philippi that we are off and running and not looking back or that we are moving toward some undefined goal of winning an equally vague prize. Lots of room for mischief if we don’t study His Word.

An unscrupulous "preacher/teacher" desiring to cater to the mob might well use such a passage to tell his audience that "all is well with the world." By the examples he uses, he could suggest that someone who wins a marathon race has "a crown of success" on his head. Equating winning a gold cup in a "big tournament" for catching the largest fish with Paul’s idea of "winning the prize" would validate the preacher’s listener’s worldly pursuits – to say nothing of trivializing that passage of Scripture to the level of an absurdity. Left with the idea that God’s calling" can be exemplified by winning tournaments, what’s so unreasonable about concluding that making money is just as much an expression of God at work in us, my pressing on to the goal, to win the prize, to which God has called me? Even more so because that would be doing something "useful."

There are warnings in the Scriptures that preachers will tell the people what they want to hear. For of this sort, Paul writes to Timothy, are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. "Silly women" are those, men as well as women, who "are a ready prey to the false teachers who promise ease of conscience." He also writes, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. About those "itching ears" Gill writes, "to have their ears scratched and tickled with smooth things; that are pleasing and agreeable to natural men, and carnal minds; as the purity of human nature, the power of man's free will, the excellency of his righteousness, and the merit of his works." The JFB Commentary says those with itching ears "come as to a theater to hear what will delight their ears, not to learn." It’s interesting that more and more we refer to the front of the church as the "stage" and the church bulletin as the "program" and the congregation as an "audience." Can actors and scripts be far behind? Actually this time, The Message just might present the idea of itching ears best. It states, You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. "Spiritual junk food, catchy opinions" – sound familiar? John warns that such preachers who "tickle our ears" are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. Joy and happiness do come from within. The question is what produces them.

Even though a well known television minister did, looking to the sum of the Bible, is it reasonable to consider worldly goals, material prizes, (27% of his message was about a fishing tournament) as a legitimate interpretation of this verse from the writings of Paul or is it another case of telling us what we want to hear? Those less concerned with budgets and fame suggest not. Consider what was not quoted from the NIV interpretation of Philippians 3:13-14 by the "pastor" in question, (Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do) Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize (for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.) Often it’s not the version of the Bible used but the omissions that skew our understanding of Scriptures. First of all, Paul is saying that he doesn’t claim to know everything, but one thing he does is put his worldly and sinful past behind him and concentrates instead on increasing his knowledge of Christ and his holiness. The calling is from above, and the prize is a "crown of righteousness," salvation and eternal life through Jesus.

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5

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The Financial Benefits of Spiritual Gifts
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 KJV
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A number of British service personnel were freed from several days of captivity in Iraq. They had been the focus of much speculation as to their destiny and the consequences of they were not released. As one might expect, they were also the object of much world-wide news coverage. Upon their return to Great Britain, several accepted generous offers from various sources for the exclusive rights to their personal accounts of their experience. That set off a firestorm. Was it right to profit from the episode especially, when initially, they had not behaved in the best traditions of the British Military? The Parliament didn’t think so and promptly passed a law forbidding such.

Thought such as this is in the secular realm, it does put into perspective the matter of profiting from one’s gifts. Also in the news recently by winning the Masters Golf Tournament was Zach Johnson who "felt he was helped by his family and friends, and by his faith. Appropriately, he won on Easter Sunday." He went on to say, "I felt like there was certainly another power that was walking with me and guiding me." We won’t comment on whether he was guided and blessed in such a plebian enterprise. And surely he was forthright in giving credit to God and his savior Jesus. "My Christian faith," he said, "is very important to me. It was very special to win the Masters golf tournament on Easter Sunday. I am very blessed. I would like to thank God. I felt Jesus Christ with me on the golf course every step of the way." It’s a wonder such comments weren’t "bleeped" by the National network coverage. Incidentally, Zach won $1,305,000.00.

Is it fair to suggest that God used Zach Johnson’s gifts to witness to the world? Though the 16 million or so TV viewers who watched the Tournament doesn’t quite match the 30 million who weekly watch "American Idol" or even the 22 million who regularly watch "Dancing With The Stars," it’s a respectable audience. It’s more than most churches can lay claim to. But, is there a line to be drawn where we can say one’s accomplishments however positive; are not a proper use of God’s gifts? There is, of course, a Biblical answer. This time, it is one passage from the opening verse. 1 Peter 4:11; tells us that in all we do, we should act in such a way that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Rightfully, we are told, "Whatever gifts or endowments any man may possess, they are: properly speaking, not his own; they are the Lord's property, and to be employed in his work, and to promote his glory (Adam Clarke's Commentary). Another reinforces this interpretation. Gifts, it states "are the common property of the Christian community, each Christian being but a steward for the edifying of the whole, not receiving the gift merely for his own use." Quite a challenge.

It seems that the use to which Zach Johnson put "his" gifts will be evaluated on the same footing as how each of us make use of ours. Service to the Lord by serving others is possibly the best way to summarize the proper use of all our gifts. In contrast, they are not to be used for self-aggrandizement. That’s the lesson of the Parable of the Talents. It’s what Jesus said, For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Quite a challenge.

As motive, service and humility stand out above the rest as reasons for our actions. But they aren’t sufficient to whitewash all our actions even if we proclaim our motives to be of the highest order. It is doubtful the "Robin Hood Syndrome (robbing the rich to give to the poor) would be looked upon favorably. In the same respect, after striking it rich at the gambling tables, proclaiming, "I would like to thank God. I felt Jesus Christ with me every step of the way" would doubtless fall on deaf ears. There are a host of other things we might do in the name of Jesus also. Mass murder for example. Many have tried the appeal. Everyone knows better. We may be the best at Burglary, assault, prostitution, fraud and embezzlement, but no one would ever agree such actions glorified God. We can shout it from the rooftops that we embezzled millions to honor Jesus by supporting His church to no avail. What about "tithing" from the proceeds of our "house of ill repute?" The claim could be made that they were "serving" others. Well, where’s the Scriptural support for all of this absurdity? Try: 1 Thou shalt have no other gods. 2 Thou shalt not make any graven image. 3 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD in vain. 4 Remember the sabbath day. 5 Honour thy father and thy mother. 6 Thou shalt not murder. 7 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 8 Thou shalt not steal. 9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house. Exodus 20:1-17

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You Can’t Do Church Alone

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20
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Some television "ministries" invite viewers to make their "ministry" the viewers’ church. Others invite people to join their "congregation" regardless of where they live – anywhere in the world. All they have to do is send in their application. With the increasing popularity of the Internet, this trend toward isolated, individualized "church" is a growing trend. What these trends are doing is not just redefining the "church" but Christianity itself. From its very beginning, "church" has been. "an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting, a company of Christians." As a matter of fact, the word church "referred only to the actual meeting, not to the citizens themselves. When the people were not assembled, they were not considered to be the ekklesia (church)" according to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary. According to this same source, in the New Testament, " ekklesia [ejkklhsiva] is used of the community of God's people some 109 times." If we accept the Bible as inspired, or at least "sufficient for instruction of the saints," then sitting in front of a TV screen or computer monitor does not qualify as a church experience. To emphasize that, 1 John 1:7 says, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. There are other such passages. For example: Hebrews 10:25 warns us not to give up meeting together, Acts 5:12 all the believers met together, Acts 2:42 the continued together in fellowship. James 5:16 tells us we are to confess our sins to one another. 2 Corinthians 8:4 speaks of taking upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. Perhaps most convincingly is this passage from John 13:35, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. How can that happen at home alone?

But the misconception that there is such a thing as "stay-at-home-Christians," is only part of the new "isolationism" invading contemporary Christianity. Many years ago a book was written titled The Lonely Crowd. In it, the author, David Riesman put forth the idea that one could be lonely, alone and desperate, in a crowd of people. Surrounded by those we know and "love" we can still be alone. It was a study of the changing American character what Riesman saw as a shift from people who were "inner-directed" to those coming on the scene whom he termed the "other-directed." What interests us here is the distinct possibility of being alone in the midst of a group of people. Nothing better describes most of today’s churches than as "lonely crowds." It is a case that is perfectly obvious in our burgeoning "mega-churches" but it is not found just in these massive "spiritual warehouse" gatherings. Actually, being lonely in church, is immune from size. It can and does infect all different sized congregations. It isn’t the size per se it’s the attitude of those attending – what they are there for.

Several times the idea of a "spiritual warehouse" has been used to describe a certain kind of church. A warehouse is defined by the Encyclopaedia Britannica as, "a structure or room for the storage of merchandise or commodities." It also implies, "to leave somebody in an institution that does not provide adequate care or treatment." Thus a spiritual warehouse is a church building in which spiritual merchandise and commodities are stored but not used and in which the parishioners spiritual (sometimes called audience) are not cared for – form, no substance. Most striking is the absence of fellowship – that is a group of equals, friends and comrades sharing common interest, activities, feelings and experiences- companions, comrades. In a spiritual warehouse we are a lonely crowd because the ingredient of knowing and caring about one another is missing. We may find the "merchandise" and "commodities" of Christianity there, but we are strangers to one another. We are just as much alone in such a crowd as if we were at home alone.

This is not church. Paul described the church as we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. The endearing term "brethren" is frequently used to describe the intimate relationships between members of the church (e.g., Acts 9:30, 1 Thessalonians 4:10, Ephesians 2:19). There is no better example of the church than the sacrament of communion as expressed by Paul saying, For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Strangers set on their individual paths and separate agendas are not in communion with one another.

Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 1 Corinthians 10:24

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THE GAP
theory of Creation
better known as another "sell-out" of God's Word

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2
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When we see the words "The Gap," most of us think of one of the world’s largest clothing outlets specializing in such brand-name clothing as "Banana Republic, "Old Navy" and, what else, "Gap" generating billions in revenues. There is a considerably less recognized "Gap" found in some corners of Christian Theology. There it is the name of a theory that tries to reconcile Biblical and scientific accounts of creation. Specifically, "The Gap Theory" attempts to square the Biblical age of the earth at approximately 6,000 years with the billions of years Geology determines to be its "real" age. It is based on a presumed "gap" existing between the first two verses of Genesis cited above. Of the several versions, (among the several is the "Ruin-and-Reconstruction Theory," the "Pre-Adamic Cataclysm Theory," and the "Restitution Theory") most place the fall of Satan and the dinosaurs in this gap between when God created the earth – it was without form – and when He got busy with the details of creation. So, all of the "ages" of scientific evolution took place before the six days or Creation recorded in the Bible. How strikingly simplistic.

Some versions wax poetic about what took place in the "Gap" saying, "In the far distant dateless past, God created a perfect heaven and perfect earth. Satan was ruler of the earth which was peopled by a race of ‘men’ without any souls. Eventually, Satan, who dwelled in a garden of Eden composed of minerals (Ezekiel 28), rebelled by desiring to become like God (Isaiah 14)." Now isn’t that curious. Somewhat less lyrical most contemporary Gap Theories believe that, "creation was despoiled because of Satan’s rebellion against God, resulting in his being cast from heaven with his followers. A cataclysm occurred at the time of Satan’s overthrow, and is said to have left the Earth in darkness (the ‘waste and void’ of Genesis 1:2)." Among their many positions, Gap theorists believe, "that the word bara (used in Genesis 1:1, 21, 27) must mean ‘to create’ (i.e.: ex nihilo creation), while the word asah cannot mean ‘to create,’ but rather means ‘to make.’ Therefore, the original creation was ‘created;’ the creation of the six days was ‘made’ (i.e., ‘made over’). Gap theorists suggest that the Hebrew verb hayetha (translated ‘was’ in Genesis 1:2) should be rendered ‘became’ or ‘had become’—a translation required in order to suggest a change of state from the original perfect creation to the chaotic conditions implied in verse 2. Gap theorists believe that the ‘without form and void’ of Genesis 1:2 (tohu wabohu) can refer only to something once in a state of repair, but now ruined." Further they believe that, Isaiah 45:18 ("God created the earth not in vain"—tohu; same word translated "without form" in Genesis 1:2) indicates that the Earth was not tohu at the initial creation." They also suggest that, "Genesis 1:2 can refer only to a judgment brought upon the Earth by God." And, most contend that "there was a pre-Adamic creation of both non-human and human forms—a position adopted to account for the fossils present in the geologic strata." As tantalizing as this may be, questions remain unanswered.

First of all, if the Gap theory is correct, why didn’t God just flat out say this is the way thing happened? Why leave us guessing? Why is His account of creation so obtuse as to require our renditions to make sense of it all? Is it possible that He has told us all He thinks we need to know – that He created all, everything, the entire universe? If that isn’t good enough, rather than engage in the mental gymnastics and word games, the Gap theory requires, why not just reject His account of creation found in the Bible straight out? Why not just flat out accept the theory of evolution if we are dissatisfied and/or embarrassed by the Biblical account of creation? We are saying Scriptures are incomplete, unreliable, subject to interpretation.

Second, who really cares? Of what merit is it that the Word of God corresponds with man’s understanding and comprehension? Christ’s God/Man nature is just as incomprehensible to human wisdom. His virgin birth is not scientifically demonstrable or His resurrection or ascension. Actually, there is very little in the Bible that is comprehensible to the human mind alone. The parting of the Red Sea isn’t, the "burning bush" isn’t. Don’t we refer to our beliefs as the Christian faith? How much of that do we demonstrate to the world when we hold up our Holy Scriptures to be compared with human theories that are, at best, speculative and dangerous? O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves? If ye had faith as a grain of mustard see. I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent

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 THERE ARE NO FAVORITES
In my Father's house are many mansions:
if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2
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How often has a kindly preacher unwittingly used this passage from John in an attempt to assuage guilty consciences – his own perhaps and certainly what he perceives as those of his listeners. Maybe it’s applied to "new Christians," not far on their journey of sanctification – still "wet behind the ears," novices, as it were. Some even verbally paint a picture saying such things as "Not only are there many mansions, but mansions have many floors, different levels; many different sized rooms. Lot’s of room for everyone." And there is this, There are "various degrees of glory, suited to the various capacities and attainments of my followers" (from Adam Clarke’s Commentary). Unquestionably there is a hierarchy and there always has been: God the Father, Jesus the Christ, the Holy Spirit. Nor are we overlooking the "angels" spoken of by Jesus in such passages as matt 22:30, mark 8:38, luke 16:22, the "principalities and powers in heavenly places" Eph 3:10, as well as in Revelation. We are, however, talking about our brothers and sisters in Christ. You know, those whom God said He would pour out His Spirit upon, your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. There is no indication of favoritism here which is astounding considering the male-centered culture in which this prophecy was given. The "all flesh" in the first of the verse refers to all God’s people. It doesn’t mean to all human beings any more than to animals. The reference does expand God’s favors to "non-Jews" (gentiles) but not to non-believers where, previously His favor was only upon the seed of Abraham (Jews). Now its all people who accept Jesus the Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Beyond that rather important distinction (believer – non-believer) God plays no favorites. Remember the little incident with Mrs. Zebedee asking a special favor for her two sons, James and John? In heaven, she wanted one to sit at His right side and the other at His left – positions of great prominence. Unlike nowadays, He didn’t turn to His treasurer (Judas) and inquire about their giving record before responding. Diplomatically, Jesus replied, sitting on my right hand, and on my left is not mine to give. He went on to say, whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among your, let him be your servant. Another time, He told His disciples, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Luke 22:25-26 KJV. Amen. The lesson is preached many times in the Gospel (Matt 18:4, Mark 9:35), none more eloquently than in the way Jesus the Christ lived His life. Still we want to elevate ourselves to positions of high esteem – Benefactors. On what basis would we choose to be singled out to stand above our brothers and sisters with such a title of honor and distinction? Our "Benefactor," our "Prince," was content with being a servant and die for us, should we ask for more?

The Gospel of Mark has James and John asking to sit at His right and left instead of their mother doing in for them. The results were the same, however. By the way, when the other disciples heard the request these two had made, they were quite upset (Mark 10:41). One commentator asks, "And can we blame the ten for the indignation which they felt?" Why not? Such a request was completely self-centered. On the other hand as Matthew Henry’s Commentary indicates, the other disciples were angry at James and John "for affecting precedency, not because it did so ill become the disciples of Christ, but because each of them hoped to have it himself." Such partiality does produce anger and resentment and possibly because of envy and jealously. Paul wrote to Timothy, For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy and so it seems we are. And so we are.

What we are to become is strong enough in character to love others just as much, perhaps more, than ourselves. That is the example Jesus the Christ sets, and He tells us to love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. How much of what we presume to do by way of good in the church, how often are our efforts to entice others into our fellowship revealed for what they are, set askance by our self-centered desires for recognition, prestige, fame and power when, instead, all we have to do is as the Christ did and as He told us to do? Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:3-4

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I Baptize Thee

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The Truth

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
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We seek after many things, significance, wealth, prestige and fame – synonyms for worldliness. There are others: success, victory, prosperity, achievement, recognition and many more snares the master of this world has set for us. They are all enticing – that’s exactly the point. They may not only look harmless but, actually, very good and positive. What "red-blooded" American child isn’t indoctrinated with the idea, "if you can dream it you can do it" – rags to riches, you can be President when you grow up (just eat your spinach.) We’re also taught the "work ethic" is the way out of "rags" into "riches" (maybe less now than before) or as one pastor titled a sermon series, "Nothing Great is Ever Accomplished Without Sacrifice." That’s another expression of worldliness – "greatness." "No," you say, "you’ve gone too far with this. You’re attacking the American Dream!" As true as that may be, there are many passages in the Gospels, throughout the New Testament that repeat Jesus’ words on such matters. There’s this passage from the Message’s rendition of Matthew 23:11 which says, "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant." In His parable on the sower, as well as many other places, He warns us that, the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

The Truth is Jesus doesn’t preach the "American Dream." Oh, there are "rags to riches" and sacrificial themes alright, but nothing the Unitarian preacher/author Horatio Alger would recognize or appreciate. The "rags" Jesus teaches about are our sins and the "riches" are the heavenly rewards for those of us that will, deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Notice as well the "struggle" and "sacrifice" He speaks of – self-denial. Quite the opposite of the so-called "American Dream." What He does teach about is Truth. Truth (Aletheia) is spoken of twenty-seven times in the Gospels alone, most directly in the Book of John. It is there we find such memorable verses as, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Perhaps less well know but as poignant is Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Jesus was praying for the sanctification of His disciples, the saints – all of us. He was asking that we become separated from profane things and dedicated to God and consecrated things to things of God by His truth. Profane is the opposite of Godly. It means "unhallowed, common, public place of men, ungodly." He was praying that we be made holy, the opposite of profane – dedicated to Him alone. As James wrote, that we lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word. The means of this consecration is the truth – His Word. The People’s New Testament Commentary states the proposition aptly, "Every disciple should be thus consecrated, but the means is not a miraculous work of grace, but the reception of God's word into our hearts and the complete surrender to his will spoken in his word." This appeal for sanctification through the truth is the Lord’s Prayer for His disciples shortly before His crucifixion. This is why, with confidence He could say, ye shall know the truth.

It seems the Truth isn’t like power, fame and fortune that we must seek after and strive for. If we are saints, His disciples, we have it already – it is God’s Word. More likely it appears what we must do is turn our backs on it, ignore it, disobey it. That prize, the greatest of all, is ignored. As He said, the deceitfulness of riches, the American Dream, choke the word, and (we) becometh unfruitful. How hardly, Jesus said, shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! Luke 18:24 KJV It appears the Truth is not only stranger than fiction but very difficult to accept. Not really? What about His advice to the "young man," sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. How many of us have done as He said or have we found reasons to turn our backs, ignore and disobey Him?

It is true that we can do as He told this rich young man and still be poor of spirit. It is also true that He said He came to preach the gospel to the poor in fulfillment of prophecy; He spent His life here on earth in their midst and He told His disciples to deny themselves. Is there any doubt that caught up in that bundle of denial is forsaking worldliness? Truthfully, who is our life’s model, J. Paul Getty, Howard Hughes, the Rockefellers, J. P. Morgan, Donald Trump or Jesus the Christ? Where do we spend our efforts and time – doing what? Sometimes, the truth hurts.

This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:21

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VOID AS IN NULL AND VOID
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2
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When we are told the earth was "without form and void," well just how empty that void was is not subject to speculation but is answered in Scriptures. "Without form" (Tohuw) means confusion, emptiness, nothingness, empty space, a wasteland, chaos. If that isn’t a sufficient picture, "void" (Bohuw) means "emptiness, void, waste." We’re being told twice in the same sentence that the earth contained nothing – nada. The emphasis, the stress of the duplication, should be convincing. Yet, some still want to find something in the nothing. With God speaking, and those of us who accept the Bible as His Word He is the one speaking, once is generally enough for Him to say something. When He says it twice – pay attention!

But, just to be sure this process of creation is perfectly clear, He proceeds to tell us what He put into this formless void and the sequence in which He did so. The first thing He created was light (v.14). Before that, there was no difference between night and day in this formless void. On the second day, He cleared the atmosphere of the dense mists that previously surrounded earth and filled it with clouds and rain. It wasn’t until the third day that there were any oceans or dry land. Not until then would there have been anything to eat or drink. There had to be a sun to sustain the growth of all this food stuff (photosynthesis, remember) but that didn’t come into existence until the fourth day along with the moon and stars. Life of any sort doesn’t begin until the fifth day – aquatic life and birds. Six days, 6 days, after he started giving form to the formless void did the "beasts of the earth" make an appearance. Then, at the same time, on the same day, God created human beings. He said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion. That was on the sixth 24hour day. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day (v.31). It is there for anyone to read. Or is this a case of Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?

Several times in this discussion a statement has been made and then repeated slightly differently for emphasis and, prayerfully, greater clarity. It is a widely used technique both in writing and speaking. Why, therefore, isn’t that a viable explanation for the difference between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 into which the Gap Theorists want to squeeze millions, billions, of years of evolution? Why do we feel the need to declare, as did G. H. Pember, that, "There is room for any length of time between the first and second verses of the Bible." (Earth's Earliest Ages, 1987, p 28) This is the "Ruin Reconstruction Theory," or simply the "Gap Theory" that insists, "There is a time-gap between the first two verses of Genesis." We are to believe that the Gap Theory, "is based on the Scriptural fact that, in the second verse of Genesis, the Holy Bible simply and clearly states that the planet Earth was already here (but in a ruined state) before the creative process of the seven days even begins." According to the theory this, "opens a more perfect way to understanding how and why the Bible and the Geological record are actually in agreement." Wonderful.

It’s inescapable that some will attempt to reconcile Scriptures and science. But as one of the early advocates of the Gap Theory, Pember recognized the "Church is weakened when man’s philosophies are used to interpret God’s Word." To that, we can only add our big amen. A cultish devotion to any human fable or theory, particularly science, has weakened the "church" as surely as using contemporary society’s standards to interpret morality – divorce and fornication as only two examples. Moses came down from the mountain to discover the people of Israel, led by Aaron worshipping a molten calf. Paul speaks of those who, Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. He tells of those, Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Whatever we call our cultisms, when we presume to exchange human knowledge for the Truth of God, aren’t we falling down and worshipping the creature more than the Creator? Science is the golden calf of these latter days. All we need is a statue erected to it upon the Temple platform in Jerusalem.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; Romans 1:16

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In 1850 John Millais (1829-1896) painted a picture of Jesus working in Joseph’s carpentry workshop,
 entitled Christ in the House of His Parents
The Disciples Workshop

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,
that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16
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The first question (prayerfully rhetorical) we should ask when examining a passage such as this, is whether Jesus meant it only for the Disciples or for all Christians through time – even today. Prayerfully the question is rhetorical because if He intended what He said then only for those few and for that time, the Bible becomes infinitely less useful as a guide for our lives. Let us then agree that unless it is unequivocally clear a passage is only intended for such a limited audience that it has complete and total application for our lives today – rather directly. The "you" is "me" and "you" – us. When reading this passage from John’s writings, I may transliterate it as His saying to me, "He chose me. He ordained me. I am to get to work. When I do that, what I ask of God to further my ordained work will be given to me." Four other times in the Gospels He repeats the statement, I have chosen you." Two more times He told the disciples that He ordained them. One more time He told them to "get to work." Four times He told them what they needed to accomplish their work would be provided. We are chosen and ordained for the work of the Kingdom. The "tools" needed/required to accomplish our assigned tasks will be provided. Emphatically. Take it to the bank.

How is it we argue so vehemently against works as though it were some deadly poison? We even have a name for that poison –Arminianism (or Calvinism as the case may be). What Jesus is quoted in John 15:16 as saying has nothing to do with "free will" vs. "total depravity." Nothing to do with "conditional" vs. "unconditional election." It makes no statement about "universal redemption or general atonement" vs. "particular redemption or limited atonement." There is absolutely nothing in what He says about whether or not the Holy Spirit can be resisted or about the irresistibility of grace. In this passage, He said nothing about "falling from grace" or the "preservation of the saints." As charming as these points might be, He said nothing about them. What He did say was get to work. He did say our needs would be taken care of – over and over again. But it is "needs," not "wants," and certainly not to excess.

The matter of "works" is not tied to salvation in this passage. Actually the matter never came up because He was talking to His disciples. The fact that Judas was among those to whom He was speaking might have occasioned the question of salvation, but He didn’t mention it. Instead He talked about "bearing fruit" and commanded we love one another. The question isn’t about works leading to salvation but salvation leading to works. Just because some guy in a long robe wearing his collar turned around backwards pronounces, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" (with some variations in the amount of water applied and the substitution of "thee," thou" and Holy Ghost") the show is not over. The curtain has not come down. To the contrary, it has just begun. That’s what Jesus is saying. Actually the reason He chose us and ordained us was so we would go and bring forth fruit.

Many preachers ensnare "seekers" into the "waters of baptism" by tempting them with promises of untold riches. "We are children of The King and heirs to the throne," they are told. Therefore, anything, anything we ask/demand will be ours. That’s what it says, whatsoever ye shall ask. The first part, the IF, is ignored. They have Jesus the Christ performing mental gymnastics. On the one hand they quote Him saying, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal and on the other twisting His words to suggest we should do exactly that. We can become wealthy, and have need of nothing (Rev 3:17) just by "declaring" what is our heart’s desires. Instead of servanthood, these preacher teach, "As a child of God we should be receiving ‘preferential treatment’ by everyone." Things as mundane as speeding tickets can be avoided, the best parking spots in a crowded parking lot and first class accommodations on crowed airplanes to say nothing of fine clothes, expensive cars and multimillion dollar houses are ours by "claiming God’s favor." Where’s the line for the dunking pool?

This is a little more than distortion it is total deception. The "product" of a disciple’s workshop is not prestige, power or fortune. It is acting in such a way that our God is glorified. Judas might have been terribly disappointed when he finally figured out Jesus the Christ was not the Mashiyach everyone had anticipated He was – a great military man, judge and philosopher who would come to save their miserable souls for them. He wasn’t alone – even among the 12 disciples. The difference is that they didn’t "rat" Him to the authorities, they just ran home. Those who try to deceive modern "seekers" and Christians into thinking the product of a disciple’s workshop is in earthly things are just as misguides as Judas.

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Matthew 16:23

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Winners or Whiners?
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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It isn’t a matter of whether or not "God wants you to be a winner, not a whiner" as one noted "blab it and grab it" preacher said.  It’s a matter of understanding what winners and whiners are. If we look at Scripture and Christian theology as it has been preached for 2,000 years, it is very clear that Christians are winners already by the very fact of their eternal salvation. Indeed, what more could one possibly ask for other than what we have already? Instead of grumbling, fretting, griping, fussing, moaning, complaining because we don’t have more and praying for a winning hand, those of such a mindset should realize that they are already in God’s favor; that they are already feasting on a sumptuous meal at His table – the Eucharist. Actually, it seems the "blab it and grab it crowd" is begging for a meal of cheese and crackers when we Christians are already feasting at God’s table. The meal we are feasting upon is His loving grace.

A winner knows that he is saved and will spend all eternity in the presence of the heavenly throne. A winner knows that God’s love is so unlimited and deep that He sent his only Son, Jesus the Christ, down into this ghetto to tell us about Him, to be murdered as a sacrificial lamb for our transgressions, to defeat death and to ascend again into heaven. Truly, what greater prosperity could a landlord offer his tenants than this? Totally undeserved, gracious, undying love when, by our actions, we deserve the fires of Hell. Isn’t this, ''a little bit better than your best life now?'' What more could anyone possibly ask for? Evidently, there are those who seem to believe this is nothing more than the hors d’oeuvres.

Then, surely, a whiner is one who sees God’s grace, His eternal love, the sacrifice of His Son and the assurance of eternal life with Him is insufficient. In other circumstances, such as these would be seen as spoiled little brats. Living in the "lap of luxury," they cry for, demand, more and more. The more they get, the more they demand. Their worship if it can be called that, is little more than, "I got that" and their prayer-life nothing more than "gimmie gimmie. Living in a palace in Beverly Hills, they whine, "God can’t I have a better house in a better neighborhood?" Registered at an "ivy league" university, they whimper "God, don’t my kids deserve a better school?" Their offering theme is, ''Let him breathe the breath of life into your finances and he'll give it back to you bigger than you could ever give it to him.'' They’re all "about calling on the Lord for a winning basket in a basketball game, and then sinking it; and even of circling a parking lot, praying for a space, and then finding it – better yet, 'it was the premier spot in that parking lot.'' Discontented with the life they are living, the "blabbers/grabbers" console themselves with the theme song, "We have not because we ask not." The first stanza of this "hymn" is, "shunning negativity and developing positivity will draw God's benignity."

John 3:16 is supposed to be the best well known, most quoted Scripture in the entire Bible. It is an excellent summary of the fundamentals of Christianity. First, it speaks of God’s love for us. There is nothing more essential in a believer’s life than knowing God is love. It is His nature. John tells us, God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16 Then it speaks of His immeasurable, unmerrited, sacrifice, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14 Third, this Scripture gives humanity its assignment – to believe, nothing more, nothing less. Believe who Jesus the Christ says He is – God’s only begotten Son. Next, if we do believe, we will not be destroyed, to be "put out of the way entirely, abolished." Finally, we will have everlasting life in the kingdom of glory – "with out beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be."

On the whole of it who are the winners and who are the whiners? Are those who treat God as a concierge demanding that He take better care of us now really winners? If by some means our materialistic desires are fully granted, are we winners or losers? In contrast, are those of us who accept the role of servant whinners? It doesn’t seem so, And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:20

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Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

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Peace and Prosperity
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Luke 9:25
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The Book of Luke tells an account of Jesus the Christ sending His twelve disciples out on their own for the first time to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. At this point, they had been with Him for several years. Facing a potential audience of their Jewish friends and acquaintances, what would the disciples say to them? The New Testament was so new that it wasn't written yet – actually they were living it. What had their "life-experiences" with Him taught them? Possibly they could have comforted their Jewish friends saying, "Yes, we worship the God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob We believe in the same God." When asked about Jesus, they could have said, "Well, he’s the rabbi at the Capernaum synagogue – nice guy. He tries to get along with everyone. We can’t count the times he’s said, ‘Love thy neighbor as thy self.’ No, no, he didn’t come to destroy the Law. He came to fulfill it. He’s one of the good guys." All of which would have been true to the ½ degree.

If He gave us that assignment, (which He has) after being revived and picking ourselves up, we’d probably go home and freshen up on our Introduction to the Christian Faith booklet series. Would the booklet say, "It's the goodness of God that leads people to repentance." Would it say, "I think God wants us to be prosperous. I think he wants us to be happy. To me, you need to have money to pay your bills. I think God wants us to send our kids to college." That would go over big. Without intimidating anyone, we could safely say, "as children of God, we are overcomers and more than conquerors and God intends for each of us to experience the abundant life He has in store for us." But would that be what Jesus the Christ meant when He sent His disciples out to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Earlier in Luke, that’s what He said He had to do, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. We know to the Jews of His day the word "Messiah" meant the return of Israel to its former position as a united and wealthy kingdom as they had under Solomon’s rule. Is that what He preached?

If so, Jesus had some confusing ways of being that anticipated David-like messianic king. That’s why on one day He rides into Jerusalem to the shouts of joy and great expectations, with crowds waving palm branches. A little later he is humiliated, beaten and crucified while this same people jeer Him, spit upon Him and choose Barabbas to be set free instead of Him. He had disappointed them by not living up to those messianic expectations – to restore Israel to its grandeur in this world. Evidently the disappointment in or misunderstanding of His ministry was not just restricted to the Jews of His day. Those today who have come to understand it also reject Him for the simple reason that they realize His was not a ministry to restore either Judaism or Israel to a place of prominence. His Kingdom will be on this earth, but to get there we must die and be born again. That isn’t idle speculation, He said, unless we are born again, we can’t even see His Kingdom. To remove any doubt about this, He said quite plainly, My kingdom is not of this world.

There are growing numbers of Christians having difficulty understanding that in this life we will not find peace and we will not find riches. Think not, He told a crowd, that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. In the Book of Luke the supposition of peace is put to rest - Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division. Isaiah called Him the Prince of Peace, but that refers to His sacrifice reconciling us to God. In the Gospels, Jesus makes it plain that wealth stands in the way of entering the Kingdom of Heaven. At least, that’s what this sounds like, Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Then, this passage, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and this, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. That doesn’t sound very much like a peaceful prosperous gospel. Jesus does say, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. That peace as is the case with the quotation from Isaiah is our reconciliation with God through Him. We are also told, "when his kingdom is fully established, men shall learn war no more."

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:9

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Troubled Waters
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. John 5:4
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