tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354248308208145922024-03-13T10:21:16.631-05:00Central ThoughtsLloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-60648795529959632422015-04-05T08:56:00.001-05:002015-04-05T08:56:34.684-05:00Can I Be Confident Good Friday and Easter Happened?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This weekend, churches through the world are getting to celebrate Good Friday and Easter. In preparing to do that, we should remember that churches do that because they hold that Good Friday and Easter commemorate 2 historical events. Do we have any reason to believe that those event actually happened back in history? Clearly not everyone in the world believes that Jesus died and rose again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's start with Good Friday, the day that marks when the Lord Jesus was crucified by Romans soldiers. Two ancient historians, Josephus, a Jewish historian writing at the end of the 1<sup>st</sup> Century AD and Tacitus, who is considered the most important source on Ancient Rome who wrote at the beginning of 2<sup>nd</sup> Century, both noted in their histories that Jesus was crucified. Neither of these men were follower of the Lord Jesus, but they both affirmed that Jesus was crucified by the authority of Pontius Pilate ( Josephus, <i>Jewish Antiquities </i>18.63-64; Tacitus, <i>Annals</i> 15.44). A contemporary scholar, a man who is highly critical of the Bible, John Dominic Crossan stated in his book <i>Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography</i> “That he was crucified is as sure as anything historical can ever by” – (John Dominic Crossan, <i>Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, </i>HarperCollins, 2009, 163). The New Testament clearly affirms that the Lord Jesus died, but it is not just the New Testament that makes that affirmation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What about Easter? Easter marks the day the Lord Jesus was resurrected or rose again from the dead. Given that I am a pastor, and I have said publicly a number of times that the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus is the hinge of history, you would probably expect me to say that I believe the Lord Jesus rose again. My authority for that conviction is the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 15 is a chapter in the Bible that has influenced me hugely. But I recognize that not everyone believes that the Bible is the Word of God. But I do not think you have to believe the Bible is God's Word to see that the resurrection is a historical fact. Critical scholars of history do believe there is reason for us to understand that the resurrection was a historical event. Those scholars, many who do not consider themselves followers of Jesus see good reason to believe the resurrection happened. They point to a few things that lead them to conclude that:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(1) <span dir="LTR"></span>The disciples sincerely believing that Jesus rose again - the disciples claimed that they believed it to the point they were willing to suffer and die for that belief<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(2) <span dir="LTR"></span>The conversation of Saul the church persecutor to Paul the apostle<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(3) <span dir="LTR"></span>The conversation of skeptical James the brother of Jesus<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A slightly smaller number of critical scholars, probably 75% of those who seriously study the resurrection also believe the empty tomb is a historical fact. Again, not every scholar or person believes the resurrection took place, but there is noted historical evidence to suggest that it did take place (For more information on this topic, please see Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, <i>The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus</i>, Kregel, 2004).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Clearly part of the challenge for anyone considering the Resurrection is the fact that dead people stay dead. That is our experience. The Resurrection by nature would have to be a miracle. Anthony Flew, who, during his life, was considered to be the world’s foremost philosophical atheist was not willing to affirm that the resurrection was a historical event. But he was willing to say, and did say, “The evidence for the resurrection is better than for claimed miracles in any other religions." (<a href="http://www.biola.edu/antonyflew/flew-interview.pdf">Antony Flew Interview in Philosophia Christi Winter 2004</a>). This comment from a man who was also considered one of the chief philosophical commentators on the topic of miracles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The events being celebrated this weekend are historical events. But they are more than historical events. They are are events that change history, and can your life. If you would like to know about how Good Friday and Easter change history and your life, please contact me. I would love to talk with you about either.</span></div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-1479378364076764962015-01-07T13:22:00.002-06:002015-01-07T13:22:32.624-06:00Embraced by God's Word<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two Sundays ago, we focused on Psalm 1 and our need to embrace God’s
Word. I pray that you are taking the time to do that very thing – to get God’s
Word into your life and then have it run through your life. One thing I do not
think we talked about that Sunday connected to embracing God’s Word is that
when you embrace God’s Word, you will undoubtedly find that God’s Word will be
embrace you. What I mean by that is at different places and times, verses you
have memorized and meditated over will seemingly pop to mind, challenging you
to think about the verse again and again. When this type of thing happens, I believe
that is an indicator of the Holy Spirit seeking to help us. Last Sunday during
the Lord’s Supper I mentioned a verse the Holy Spirit has used with me a lot of
times – Romans 5:8. Another verse the Holy Spirit uses with me is Ephesians 5:8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ephesians
5:8 – </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for at one time you were darkness, but now
you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In those few words, God has reminds me of a couple of critical
facts. First, I was darkness. Second, I am light in the Lord Jesus. Because the
Lord Jesus came, died for our sins on the cross, and rose again, He made it
possible for me to go from darkness to light. The way that happens – for me to
go from darkness to light, for anyone to go from darkness to light, is that I
was introduced to the story of the Lord Jesus and I learned that if I would
turn from sin to God and trust the Lord Jesus as my Savior, He would make me
light in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God has also used Ephesians 5:8 to remind me that because I am
light in the Lord, that fact should change the way I approach and live life – I
need to walk as a child of light. That fact and its call for the right response
is literally life change in a big broad sense, but it should also show up and
impact each area of life. God’s Word really can spark changes in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-88411175207073070832014-11-25T11:30:00.000-06:002014-11-25T11:46:58.379-06:00Some Thanksgiving Thoughts<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This week is a bit odd for me. Part of my work time has been
about preparing for the Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday night and part of
it has been about getting ready for Sunday and the start of new series from
John 1 for Advent. Yet I have also been asked to take part in a discussion
about physician assisted suicide, and probably like many of you, I was deeply
saddened to hear the protests in Ferguson turned destructive. We are living in
a context that is dark, which means distress and gloom of anguish are around
us. That is a very sad and even disturbing thought, especially as we prepare
for Thanksgiving and anticipate Christmas. And yet, maybe that thought brings
Thanksgiving and Christmas into focus. The Lord Jesus did not come to earth
because everything was rosy and bright. He came because we desperately need Him
to be the Light of the world. Our world needs the reality of Christmas. <br />
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thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you.” How can we give thanks when businesses are burning and people are
looting? Please note carefully that we are not called to give thanks for all
circumstances, but rather in all circumstances. How can we do that? Perhaps Christmas,
the coming of the Lord Jesus can be the spark for our giving of thanks. Even
though circumstances are not great, the steadfast love of the Lord never
ceases. He sent His Son for us, and part of the Son coming, dying, rising
again, and returning to heaven leads to His soon return to earth to put all
things in subjection (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). We can give thanks because God’s
past actions on behalf of His people provide confident hope that He will
complete His plan and as Revelation 22:5 tells us, night will be no more.
Darkness and that all comes with darkness will be done. The Lord God will our
light. Let us give thanks because the God of Christmas calls us out of darkness
and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-28758040896529875172014-11-13T11:16:00.003-06:002014-11-13T11:16:42.408-06:00Thoughts About a Tough Message<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I write this blog with a heavy heart. For the next two Sundays
we will be doing a short series called, “What is Next?” The series is a brief look
at heaven and hell. This Sunday we will
start with hell. I just finished my
notes for Sunday, and I can say this message has been one of the more difficult
messages I have ever prepared. In preparing I read some words of a theologian,
Sinclair B. Ferguson that perhaps set some of the tone for my heart and mind. He
wrote, “To speak of hell is to speak of things so overwhelming that it cannot
be done with ease. . . . The contemplation of hell prostrated holy humanity. Our
Lord never spoke of it with relish.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/seniorpastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Elders%20Stuff/Emails%20and%20Letters%20to%20Central%20Family/2014%20Letters/141113%20Email%20to%20Congregation.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
In light of my inner turmoil you might
be wondering why we are doing this series or at least this message. Perhaps
these words written by Timothy Keller express it best: “If Jesus, the Lord of
Love and Author of Grace spoke about hell more often, and in a more vivid,
blood-curdling manner than anyone else, it must be a crucial truth.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/seniorpastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Elders%20Stuff/Emails%20and%20Letters%20to%20Central%20Family/2014%20Letters/141113%20Email%20to%20Congregation.docx#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I believe the wisest attitudes and actions to hold in life are attitudes
and actions that align with the Lord Jesus. Hell is not an easy subject, but it
is a subject that the Lord Jesus spoke about. It is something that He took
seriously. That should lead us to also take it seriously. In the fall of 1939,
C. S. Lewis preached a sermon, “Learning in War-Time” in the Church of St. Mary
the Virgin in Oxford, England. Early in the message he said concerning the Lord
Jesus and our attitude to hell, “I know, too, that nearly all the references to
this subject in the New Testament come from a single source. But then that
source is Our Lord Himself. . . . They are not really removable from the
teaching of Christ or of His Church. If we do not believe them, our presence in
this church is great tomfoolery. If we do, we must sometime overcome our
spiritual prudery and mention them.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/seniorpastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Elders%20Stuff/Emails%20and%20Letters%20to%20Central%20Family/2014%20Letters/141113%20Email%20to%20Congregation.docx#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Please pray for our time together on Sunday, please come on Sunday expecting
for the Lord Jesus to speak to us through His Word about a tough subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/seniorpastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Elders%20Stuff/Emails%20and%20Letters%20to%20Central%20Family/2014%20Letters/141113%20Email%20to%20Congregation.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sinclair B. Ferguson, “Pastoral Theology: The Preacher and Hell,” in <i>Hell Under Fire</i>, ed. Christopher W.
Morgan and Robert A. Peterson (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), 220.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/seniorpastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Elders%20Stuff/Emails%20and%20Letters%20to%20Central%20Family/2014%20Letters/141113%20Email%20to%20Congregation.docx#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://www.redeemer.com/redeemer-report/article/the_importance_of_hell">http://www.redeemer.com/redeemer-report/article/the_importance_of_hell</a>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/seniorpastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Elders%20Stuff/Emails%20and%20Letters%20to%20Central%20Family/2014%20Letters/141113%20Email%20to%20Congregation.docx#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The text of this message can be accessed by a Googling “C. S. Lewis Learning in
wartime”</span></div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-78527488621873263212014-07-03T10:40:00.002-05:002014-07-03T10:40:52.693-05:00Getting Ready for Sunday<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been pondering ideas related to love, gratitude, attitude,
and worship that were sparked by looking at a story Jesus told in Luke 7. Given
that we gather as a church every Sunday, it is possible for us to think of church simply as a
routine that might be a good thing in our lives, but hey, we all get tired or even
bored of routines. </div>
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The main thrust of the story in Luke 7 is not about worship,
but is about love and gratitude. As I thought about my love for and gratitude
toward God for what He has done for me, I was challenged to consider my attitude toward worship and how love and gratitude impact my attitude toward worship. Here is where my pondering took me: when we gather
on a Sunday morning for a time of group worship, I believe that my love and
gratitude toward God should be the motivator for me to be present in a service and for me to
participate in the service. But clearly, my love and gratitude do not start with me. I do not create them. They are
products of or responses to God’s love and forgiveness freely given to me through the Lord
Jesus. To me there should be a wow in our lives, even in the context of a
routine, when we consider what God has done for us. A wow that ignites me to action. When I ponder the truth of what God has done for me,
the idea of gathering with others to worship seems like an incredible blessing,
one in which I want and need to be a part of. Those thoughts are making me very
eager to participate in our worship service on Sunday. Yes we gather every week, but when I consider what God has done, we need to gather very week and give thanks. I hope you are eager to
participate too when you consider what God has done through Christ. </div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-52765570458251747312014-01-02T15:13:00.001-06:002014-01-02T15:13:19.940-06:00A Prayer for 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
When one year ends and another one begins, it is pretty
common for us to stop, though maybe only for a moment, to take stock of our
lives. But should we take the time to do this kind of thing? According to
Plato, during Socrates’ trial for corrupting the youth of Athens in 399 B.C.
Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” (<a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/scriptorium/2010/02/the-examined-life-of-socrates/">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/scriptorium/2010/02/the-examined-life-of-socrates/</a>).
Should you take some time and examine your life?</div>
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I believe the quick answer to that question is a qualified
yes. Your life should be examined, but it is nothing something that you can do
alone, you need help, honestly we all need help to accomplish such a task. Recently
I was reminded of why that is in fact the case. Jeremiah wrote these words a
long time ago:</div>
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Jeremiah 17:9-10 –<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> </span>The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
sick; who can understand it? <sup>10</sup>
"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man
according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our hearts, not the physical organ, by heart Jeremiah was
speaking of the totality of our inner lives, are not something we understand. And
sadly, our inner lives are not very pretty sometimes, yet how we act and the
attitudes we project come from that mess. Though we need to be examined, it is
not a private activity. As verse 10 shows us, the Lord alone is the One who can
do such an examination.</div>
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As we embark on a new year, I would like to suggest that
with some measure of regularity we need to pray a couple of verses of Scripture
and wait and listen carefully for the Lord to answer that prayer. The verses
are Psalm 139:23-24:</div>
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Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my
thoughts! <sup>24</sup> And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me
in the way everlasting!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Most men and undoubtedly many women go through each day at
full speed and do not carve out time for the discipline of praying, contemplating,
and reflecting over God’s answers. Such an activity may sound to some as a type
of useless nasal gazing. But I believe it should sound to us like an incredible
gift from God to us. Psalm 139 is written in the context of distress – note the
harsh words of verses 19-22. And in that context, the psalmist, presumably
David has noted that God’s knowledge of his life is complete and full (verses
1-12). Such knowledge should not surprise us given that God is the One who made
us (verses 13-16) and should drive us to worship God (verses 17-18). If the
first parts of the Psalm are true, then in a world that is not always what it
should be, we may not always be the people we should be. We probably need an
examination.</div>
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Maybe I am alone in this concern, but I wish I could do
parts of 2013 over again, and way too many previous years. I made choices and
mistakes that were ill informed, hurtful to others, and just plain stupid. I know that I am capable of repeating the same
actions in 2014 without inviting and heeding God’s examination. I need Him to
help me see His discernment of my motives and actions. I need to move toward
His transformative work in my life. Without asking for His examination, I will miss
what I truly need, which only He can give.</div>
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Please pray Psalm 139:23-24 regularly this year. </div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-56331730537158420642013-12-19T14:54:00.001-06:002013-12-19T14:54:18.352-06:00Thinking about an Incredible Christmas Gift<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the blessings of God in my life was being raised in a
family that loved God and loved each other. A noted result of that is Christmas
is filled with many positive memories for me. Memories from the wonder of a six
year old looking at the presents wrapped under the tree to 30 family members filling
my parents’ home for Christmas dinner seem to bubble up for me this time of
year. </div>
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Another memory that seems to re-surface each year is of
being a college student teaching Sunday school. A couple of years in a row, as
I taught 6<sup>th</sup> graders and then moved up to work with junior high
students (7<sup>th</sup>-9<sup>th</sup>graders), the story of the angel
appearing to Joseph seemed to be a part of the curriculum at Christmas time. Though
the story has much richness to it, one verse repeatedly struck me: Matthew 1:23. It reads:</div>
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"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).<o:p></o:p></div>
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For a number of reasons the words “God with us” have always
wowed me. The Lord Jesus came as a baby to save us from our sins, as Matthew
1:21 states, but the reason He did that was to be with us. Perhaps because as a
college student I struggled with issues of personal worth and value, I was
taken back in a good way by the statement that God the Son came to be with us.
God desires to have a relationship with us to the extent that He reached out to
us by coming to us. Though the analogy is far from perfect, indulge me for just
a moment. As a child, and maybe even as an adult, there is something about
having another child knock on your door and ask if you wanted to play. In coming,
the Lord Jesus is like the neighbor kid coming and knocking on the door asking
us to come out and play with Him. As I said, I know the analogy is not perfect,
but it strikes me that Jesus came to be with us. I do not deserve His interest
or attention, but I am dramatically blessed by it. We have been given an incredible
gift in Jesus’ coming.</div>
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No longer being in college – now we have two sons and a daughter-in-law
in college, with a third son starting next fall – that Sunday school teaching
college student era seems like a life time ago, but the wowness of Jesus coming
to be with us still shows up every Christmas. And I suppose part of the reason
why is because before the Lord Jesus ascending to heaven, He made an amazing
promise at the very end of the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 28:20 ends with the
words:</div>
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And behold, I am with you always, to
the end of the age.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The gift of God’s presence at Christmas is not just a
Christmas thing. Jesus is not just present during the time you have your
nativity set out. If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus, He has promised to be
present always. That is a Christmas gift that keeps giving and giving to us all
year round. God gives the most incredible gifts. I pray your Christmas is about
celebrating and thanking God for the amazing gift of a relationship with Him
this Christmas.</div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-7415767720088343542013-12-12T16:31:00.000-06:002013-12-12T16:31:17.198-06:00Being Impacted<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I was in the 11<sup>th</sup> grade and God brought me
into a personal relationship with Himself through the Lord Jesus, the Bible has
been really important in my life. As I have studied the Bible and had lots of
opportunity to teach the Bible, I have become increasingly convinced that the
Bible is a gift from God to us to mark our lives. Perhaps more exacting, I
should say that I believe is vital to us really being able to live life. 2
Timothy 3:16-17 have influenced me to reach that conclusion. Those verses read:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: HE;">All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, <sup>17</sup> that the man of God may be competent, equipped for
every good work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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That belief seems like a pretty big claim. Claims are easy
to make, but do they actually happen in life? It feels trite to say that the
Bible can promote or stimulate change in your life so you can really life. In the
trenches of real life, we want to that it does, and we want to know how we can experience
the impact, influence, and outcome of the Bible in our lives.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This Christmas season we have been studying Luke 1 and 2 as
a church family. In going through those chapters I have been hit by a couple of
things related to the above discussion. One is that Zechariah, hesitant to believe
a message from God, was given 9 months of silence. Coming out of that period,
he was changed (see Luke 1:5-20, 57-79). Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus, is
described in Luke 2:19 and 51 as treasuring and pondering the things said
concerning the Lord Jesus.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then, as I have trying to do work ahead on the series we
will be doing in the New Year from the book of Joshua, the words of Joshua 1:8
captured my attention:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: HE;">This Book of the Law shall not depart from
your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Zechariah, Mary, and Joshua are three people who were
greatly impacted by God’s Word. A common thread in their stories seems to be
either by choice (Mary), command (Joshua), or consequence (Zechariah) the
impact of God’s Word can be traced to their noted reflection on God’s Word. </div>
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<br /></div>
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There are a multitude of things that constantly clamor for
our attention, and often it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. To be
impacted by the Bible so that God informs our attitudes and actions, maybe I need
to see the Bible as a squeaky wheel. I need to give noted attention to what God
says, so my life is shaped by God and not by those other sounds. A God-shaped
life can look pretty good according to Psalm 1:1-3:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Blessed is the man who walks not in the
counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat
of scoffers; <sup>2</sup> but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his
law he meditates day and night. <sup>3</sup> He is like a tree planted by
streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not
wither. In all that he does, he prospers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sounds like if we want to prosper as 2013 ends and 2014
begins, we need to take some time to
mull over God’s Word so God, through His Spirit, does some molding and moving
work in us. </div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-22263405564742984812013-11-22T11:23:00.003-06:002013-11-22T11:23:23.541-06:00Who Am I? How Reconciliation Should Impact Your Answer<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In getting ready for Sunday’s message that will finish our 4
week Involveagram series, I was encouraged to think about the gospel – the good
news that Jesus came, died for our sins, and rose again, making it possible for
us to be forgiven and reconciled to God if we would repent and trust the Lord Jesus
as our Savior. Specifically I was encouraged to think about some of the impacts
in our lives of being reconciled to God, impacts that should inform how I look
at myself. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 is a passage that has helped me think about
those impacts. It reads:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the love of Christ controls us, because
we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; <sup>15</sup>
and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves
but for him who for their sake died and was raised. <sup>16</sup> From now on, therefore, we
regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ
according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. <sup>17</sup> Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has
come. <sup>18</sup> All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to
himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; <sup>19</sup> that is, in
Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses
against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. <sup>20</sup>
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We
implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. <sup>21</sup> For our
sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In brief, here are five impacts those verses tell us are
true about followers of Jesus:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Impact #1 – You Receive a New Life</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – In being
reconciled to God, we receive new lives – literally we are new creations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Impact #2 – You Gain a New Outlook</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> – 2 Corinthians 5:16 – instead of
looking at people based on gender or ethnicity or socioeconomic status, we can
look at people in light of eternity. So often we put barriers between ourselves
and others people because of short-term stuff. But when with the new perspective
we gain through being reconciled, we can invest in relationships across what
used to be barriers.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Impact #3 – You Report to a New
Leader</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> – 2 Corinthians
5:15 – being reconciled means that the Lord Jesus is really the driver of my
life bus, which means that my life is being led by the smartest, most powerful
person there is. But that raises a question: Why I follow the best leader? My life
can be very different when I do.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Impact #4 – You Are Stimulated by a
New Motive</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> – 2 Corinthians
5:14 – Lots of things can be the driving motive of our lives. Paul wants us to
know love can be that motive of our lives, specifically verse 14 it telling us
that we can be motivated by Christ’s love for us. Sometimes starting a new day
is hard, but think of how different each day can be when the spark in our lives
is not the cup of coffee we might crave, but will soon wear off, but instead is
Jesus’ love for us that He declared in dying on the cross while we were His
enemies.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Impact #5 – You Have a New Mission</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> – 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 – when
you receive Jesus, you are given the privilege of joining God’s State
Department as His ambassador to your home, school, neighborhood, workplace, and
social networks. There is a very real purpose for your life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If you are a
follower of the Lord Jesus you need to see yourself according to those impacts.
That is who God reconciled you to be. Lots of things can influence how we view
ourselves. But because of what the Lord Jesus did on the first Christmas, first
Good Friday, and first Easter, one influence can truly be the most influential.
Please, live according to the person God has reconciled you to be. Many will be
blessed by the impact of you being the God-reconciled person you are in the
Lord Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-18035209184229766512013-11-19T08:32:00.003-06:002013-11-19T08:32:45.107-06:00Praying for Central<br />
Prayer is an incredible gift from God to us. But for many of us, prayer is something we struggle with and find hard to do. As a church, Central needs to be praying, but we can struggle with how to do that too. The more I try to study about prayer and look for ways to help people, including myself through the struggles we seem to have related to prayer, I keep being pointed to the same conclusion: to become a "pray-er," I need to pray, but then I run into my struggle as if it is a reinforced brick wall. In an effort to help all of us grow in prayer, please read this helpful article -<a href="http://thomrainer.com/2013/11/19/10-days-of-simple-and-strategic-prayer-for-your-church/">Simple and Strategic Prayer for Your Church</a> - by one of my professors. I pray it helps you and me grow in prayer.Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-21888337187133026982013-11-13T10:12:00.002-06:002013-11-13T10:12:23.514-06:00Is God Central?<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, a man whom God has used greatly in my life, Dr.
Gary Inrig, spoke at the Fall Bible Conference at Grace University, where our
second son and our first son’s wife are currently students. Thanks to internet technology
I have been able to listen to those messages (you can too by using this link <a href="http://blogs.graceuniversity.edu/gracelife/">http://blogs.graceuniversity.edu/gracelife/</a>
and scrolling down). Dr. Inrig began his first message by quoting from the first
sentence of A. W. Tozer’s book, <i>The Knowledge of the Holy</i>, “What comes
into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”</div>
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I have been pondering that sentence since hearing it. I am
confident that there is much more to Tozer’s words than I have grasped or can
write in a blog post – after all, the sentence was the springboard to an entire
book – but I would like to share a couple of thoughts that I trust are of some
value.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First, I believe the sentence reminds us of the centrality
of God to all of life. Romans 11:36 I believe underlines that truth:</div>
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For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Often, too often, I can be self-absorbed and view life as if
everything revolves around me. I suppose a good word to describe that is pride.
But my pride is baseless. Things do not revolve around me or you. That in no
way means we have no value. We have value, but that value is derived from God. What
I mean by that is each person has value because each person is created in the
image of God. That fact should have huge bearing on how we treat other people,
recognizing God’s fingerprints on and purpose for their lives. In addition,
when a person receives the Lord Jesus as his or her Savior, Ephesians 2:10 says
that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which
God prepared in advance for us. God believes we have something significant to contribute,
we bring value to life.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If I forget or do not live in light of the centrality of God,
I will actual undermine or even remove the basis for my personal value. Thinking
that what I think about God is the most important thing about me does not
diminish me, it allows me to see myself accurately. Though that is contingent
on at least one factor, which is the second thought I had.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If Tozer’s sentence is true and God is central to life,
including my life, then it becomes really important for me to have an accurate
understanding of who God is. To process life, I need to think correctly about
God. On page three of <i>The Knowledge of the Holy</i>, Tozer offered, “I
believe there is scarcely an error in doctrine or a failure in applying
Christian ethics that cannot be traced finally to imperfect and ignoble
thoughts about God.” Thinking about God is a theological concern. But if God is
central to life, then if I have mixed up thoughts about God, I can have some
pretty mixed up attitudes and actions in my everyday life. To function well, I
need to think rightly about God. If I do not, there will be disconnect, and
sadly I may not even be aware of that disconnect. Tozer, on the second page of
the book noted, “We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental
image of God.” If my thoughts about God are off, a lot of things will be off. I
need to seek to understand God as He revealed Himself in the Bible, not how I
would like God to be.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Please let me know your thoughts about thinking rightly
about God.</div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-63544391133909715222013-11-08T12:29:00.001-06:002013-11-08T12:29:13.357-06:00What Made Moses Moses? Prayer?<div class="NormalindentedParagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have always wondered how
different biblical characters came to play the roles they did and become the
people they did. After Christmas we will be doing a series on Joshua, so I have
been thinking about Joshua, but whenever I think of Joshua, I think of Moses, whom
Joshua followed as the leader of Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10 gives us some idea
of how Moses was viewed: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Since that
time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to
face.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yet, when Moses started out,
Moses was incredibly reluctant to assume the responsibility of serving God.
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. described Moses, at the being of his ministry, as “timid,
unsure of himself, and shrank back from any self-assertiveness that his divine
commission demanded of him.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
How did Moses become the hero of Israel and an incredibly prominent figure in
the Bible?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A brief editorial insertion in
the golden calf narrative of Exodus 32-34 may offer the answer to that question.
Exodus 33:7-11 read as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the
camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone
who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the
camp. <sup>8</sup> Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would
rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had
gone into the tent. <sup>9</sup> When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of
cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would
speak with Moses. <sup>10</sup> And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud
standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship,
each at his tent door. <sup>11</sup> Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face
to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp,
his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the
tent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please notice three observations from
these verses that seem to explain how Moses changed and how following Moses’
example could stimulate change in our lives too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First, Moses’ action in verse seven
of putting up the tent suggests that Moses regularly took time to meet with
God. Moses’ life and his service for God operated out of the context of his
continuous interaction with God. Moses’ time with God, in prayer, empowered him
and gave him life for the tasks and responsibilities he faced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Second, verses 8 to 10 provide somewhat
of an explanation to the people of Israel and us of why Moses changed. People
saw that Moses actively sought time with God. It probably helped them to understand
that when Moses spoke, his words undoubtedly came from his time with God. Moses’
leadership was not from Moses’ skills, it was from his pursuing the leadership
of God in his own life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Third, the story ends with a
reference to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’ servant. The narrative seems to suggest
that Joshua not only stayed when Moses left the tent, but also was present when
Moses met with the Lord. Joshua directly saw how Moses commitment to prayer and
his relationship with God changed Moses; that vantage point undoubtedly marked
Joshua. It also must have made God’s words to him in Joshua 1:5 emphatic: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of
your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave
you or forsake you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Donald H. Madvig observed, “The secret of Moses’ success
had been God’s presence with him. It would be the secret of Joshua’s success
also, and it continues to be the secret of success for the church (cf. Matt
28:19-20).”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Moses was changed by God, in part because Moses sought God in prayer. Out of that habit, he was empowered and able
to do things he did not think he could do. As people watch his example, they
saw the secret of his success was his relationship with God. From a front row
sit, Joshua saw how being God transform a person and lead a person to do
incredible things for God, because God is present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Often we think that prayer is about bring requests and
asking God to do things for us. Requests are a part of prayer, but prayer is so
much more than that. Prayer can be a tool God uses to transform us to become people that do things beyond what we
would have ever imagined ourselves doing for God’s glory. Let’s pray like Moses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
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<br />
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<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., <i>Exodus,</i> in vol. 2 of <i>The Expositor’s Bible Commentary</i>, ed.
Frank E. Gaebelein and J. D. Douglas (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Regency
Reference Library, 1990), 318.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Donald H. Madvig, <i>Joshua,</i> in vol. 3 of <i>The Expositor’s Bible Commentary</i>, ed.
Frank E. Gaebelein and J. D. Douglas (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Regency
Reference Library, 1992), 256.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-2989790788169678632013-10-31T09:38:00.001-05:002013-10-31T09:38:54.273-05:00Does God Only Give Us What We Can Handle?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Given that
we live in a fallen world, because of things like social media and the context
of what I do for a living, I will regularly hear stories of people who are
dealing with incredibly difficult situations. In short, they are facing the
harshness of life and are having to experiencing incredible levels of
suffering. How should we respond when that happens? What should we say to them?
In reading the book of Job I know that I do not want to be like one of the Job’s
friends and say things with great intentions but which are inaccurate, wrong,
hurtful, and even harmful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
expression I have heard used a number of times, and probably have said myself,
is either stated positively, “God only gives you what you can handle,” or
negatively, “God does not give you more than you can handle.” I am confident
those words are offered with good intentions of seeking to offer comfort and
encouragement. But there is a problem with those words, whether stated
positively or negatively: those words are not exactly from the Bible, and they
do not seem to ring true in our experience. As such, the good intentions fail
to deliver the intended outcome. I do not believe it is accurate to say that
God only gives us what we can handle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So where do
we come up with this idea? So where did this expression come from? The words
probably come from a less than complete understanding of 1 Corinthians 10:13
which reads:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is
faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the
temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to
endure it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I believe the
words “not temped beyond your ability” may have been twisted to mean that God
will not give us more than we can handle. I do not believe that is what the
verse means though. The verse is talking about temptation not suffering. The
point of the verse is that as followers of the Lord Jesus, we can never be
tempted by something that is beyond the resources available to us to defeat. As
a follower of Jesus, I can say no to sin. Temptation does not have to triumph.
God does not allow me to be tempted in a manner that I have no choice but to
give into the temptation. There is always a way out for us from temptation –
God provide us that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So what should
we do about or with suffering? If I venture to say anything what should I say? When
I am suffering is there any scriptural hope or promise that I should lean on?
Or does God just let stuff happen? Does He just stand by and watch us or ignore
us struggle? If God does not promise that we will never be given more than we
can handle, what does He do? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the midst
of suffering God promises His people that He will be with us. Verses like
Isaiah 41:10, 13, and 43:1-5 speak not of perfect or even good circumstances,
but of God’s presence in ugly circumstances. And when God is present, He always
brings his mercy and faithfulness (Lamentation 3:22-23).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For reasons
that are hard to fathom, and probably we will not find a completely satisfying
reason this side of eternity, God does not crush all of the ugliness of life
yet – He will, but not yet. He is aware that we hurt and sometimes that hurt
grows to be a huge mountain balancing on a fragile person. But what He does do
is to promise His presence (Psalm 34:18).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I wish I
could say more or offer more when we suffering. There is a degree of mysterious
discomfort in suffering that is beyond intellectual processing. But in the midst
of that God offers Himself to be with us in our sorrow and suffering. The
suffering may go on, but God’s presence endures. What God offers all of
us this side of eternity is not a wonderful life, but a reconciled relationship
with Him, a relationship in which He is present. That is what He offers each of
us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-12701993165936388562013-10-28T14:36:00.001-05:002013-10-28T14:36:21.861-05:00Live Q&A Follow-up - The Husband of One Wife<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night we had a second Live Question and Answer night to
help conclude our message series, “God, I have a question.” One of the
questions asked was: <i>what is meant by the husband of one wife in the
qualifications for elders and deacons?</i> We did answer the question, but I
wanted to provide a more detailed answer given the importance of the concept.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
characteristic, the husband of one wife, is the first of six positive qualities
that Paul employed to help describe a life that is above reproach – being above
reproach is fundamental qualification of a church leader. The husband of one
wife is also the most difficult or contentious of the list to define. A scholar
named C. K. Barrett described this characteristic as “notoriously obscure.”</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At least
four basic interpretations and a number of variations of those views have been
offered. One scholar suggested that it could mean: “(1) ‘Must be married,’ (2)
‘Not polygamous,’ (3) ‘Faithful to his wife,’ or (4) ‘Not remarried/divorced.” Another
suggested that the trait was meant to exclude those who “(1) were unmarried,
(2) were polygamous, (3) had been divorced, or (4) had remarried after the
death of their first spouse.” Yet another writer described the views as
marriage as a requisite, one wife in a lifetime, no divorce, and faithful to
one’s wife. And one final scholar expressed the views as elders must be
married, elders must not be polygamists, elders may marry only once, and elders
must be martially and sexually above reproach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps the simplest explanation
for the challenge with this trait is that the phrase itself is unusual. A Greek
scholar William Mounce noted, “The Greek has to be ‘squeezed’ to illicit any
meaning.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Homer A. Kent, Jr. wrote, “The interpretation of this short phrase has been
disputed from the earliest times.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To help interpret the expression,
two considerations should be made. First, the overall tenor of the list found
in 1 Timothy 3 deals with issues of character not events or conditions. The marital
fidelity view understands the phrase “the husband of one wife” not as a
description of a condition that results from past events, but as a moral
quality that is currently being demonstrated. From a review of the grammatical
structure of the phrase in the context of the list, it appears that Paul was
emphasizing the man’s character related to male-female relationships and not
his actual marital situation. Well known pastor, John MacArthur affirmed the
same conclusion when he stated: “Paul is not referring to the leader’s marital
status, as the absence of the definite article in the original indicates.
Rather the issue is his moral, sexual behavior.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
The first consideration gives merit to a marital fidelity view, which would be understood
as Paul calling for an elder to be faithful in his relationship with his wife
and with women in general.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="NormalindentedParagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Second, a
scholar named Sydney Page concluded from a study of the New Testament and
comparable literature that there was no obvious way at the time to express the
concept of marital fidelity in the Greek language at that time.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The lack of such an expression
may be a result of excessive moral laxity within the Greek culture. Again, John
MacArthur noted this qualification of marital fidelity “was especially
important in Ephesus, where sexual evil was rampant.”</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The end result means that if you
wanted to express the idea of man who was faithful to his marriage vows or to
sexual morality if single, in a positive way, you would probably have to coin a
phrase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="NormalindentedParagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="NormalindentedParagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Understanding exactly what is
meant by the words the husband of one wife is not simple. But it would appear
that a noted part of being above reproach as a church leader would mean that
the man in question exhibits faithfulness and fidelity to the marriage
relationship. His interaction with his wife and women in general is worthy of
imitation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">C. K. Barrett, <i>The Pastoral Epistles in the New English
Bible: With Introduction and Commentary</i> (London: Oxford University Press,
1963; reprint, Grand Rapids: Outreach Publications, 1986), 58.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">William D. Mounce, <i>Pastoral Epistles,</i> Word Biblical
Commentary, vol. 46 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000), 172.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Homer A. Kent, Jr., <i>The Pastoral Epistles: Studies in I and II
Timothy and Titus</i> (Chicago: Moody, 1958), 126.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John MacArthur, Jr., <i>1 Timothy,</i> MacArthur New Testament
Commentary (Chicago: Moody, 1995), 104.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sydney Page, “Marital
Expectations of Church Leaders in the Pastoral Epistles,” <i>Journal for the Study of the New Testament</i> 50 (June 1993): 119.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=835424830820814592#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">MacArthur, <i>Different by Design</i>, 116. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-51074155603519116592013-10-25T09:56:00.004-05:002013-10-25T09:56:59.587-05:00Live Q&A Follow-up - Satan and Pride<div class="MsoNormal">
I am almost through the questions we did not have time to
answer at the Live Question and Answer night on September 29. Here is another
question: <i>If heaven is perfect and there is not sin there, how did Satan
have the sin of pride which got him thrown out of heaven?</i></div>
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This question, like the other question, is a good question.
Sometimes good questions are not easy to answer. We do have a good sense that
at some point Satan had to sin. Some scholars have offered Isaiah 14 and
Ezekiel 28 as expressions of that very sin. But not all scholars would agree
those passages are directly referring to Satan and his fall. So though they
might give us some idea of what the sin of pride looks like, it may not be an
actual reference to Satan.</div>
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So how did Satan have the sin of pride? I do not believe
that the Bible takes the time to deal with that question. The Bible was written
to help us live in a world that is marked by Satan and his sin of pride. But
given the validity of the question let me offer a suggestion from Augustine. In
his book <i>The City of God</i>, Augustine wrote, “For when the will abandons
what is above itself, and turns to what is lower, it becomes evil – not because
that is evil to which it turns, but because the turning itself is wicked.” What
I am suggesting is that perhaps Satan allowed himself to be captured more by
the wonder of himself as a creation of God than he was with the God who created
him. Pride came into his life because he got caught up in his goodness, but
forgot that goodness was a gift of God. Pride came because of failing to focus
on the One who was the completeness of goodness. God’s creations are amazing.
But they will always be lower than God. When we forget that, we will be in big
trouble. I would suggest that Satan got caught up in himself instead of God and
the whole of creation has paid ever since. Even in the perfection of heaven,
turning attention from lesser good can bring the evil of pride.</div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-39260889659407001292013-10-25T09:55:00.002-05:002013-10-25T09:55:45.738-05:00Live Q&A Follow-up - Pacifism<div class="MsoNormal">
One more question from the September 29 Live Question and
Answer night: <i>should Christians be pacifists?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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This question deals with a subject that I am not well versed
on in any measure. I do know that a number of serious, thoughtful people have
come to the conclusion that we should embrace such an approach to life. In contrast
I do know other mature believers who would disagree with the idea that
Christians must be pacifists. Given that
this issue is not one that I have study in depth in the past, I thought it
might be wise to offer three links to other people who obviously have thought
through the subject. If you have questions after reading their thoughts, please
comment below.</div>
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Link #1 - <a href="http://www.pacifistchristian.org/idelology.html">Five Biblical Reasons Why Christians Should Be Pacifists</a></div>
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Link #2 – <a href="http://thecripplegate.com/are-christians-called-to-pacifism/">Five Reasons Why Pacifism is Not a Biblical Approach to Ethics</a></div>
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Link #3 – <a href="http://www.harvardichthus.org/sections/features/2009/11/must-christians-be-pacifists/">Must Christians Be Pacifists</a></div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-56636968164672253422013-10-24T16:11:00.003-05:002013-10-24T16:11:23.125-05:00Live Q&A Follow-up - Euthanize a Pet?<div class="MsoNormal">
Another question from the Live Question and Answer night:<i>
Do you believe it is right to euthanize pets? Is it right to take their life
just because they suffer?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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To answer this question I think it is wise to remember
Genesis 1:26-28:</div>
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Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after
our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the
birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over
every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." <sup>27</sup> So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and
female he created them. <sup>28</sup> And God blessed them. And God said to
them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have
dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over
every living thing that moves on the earth."<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a part of our creation as humanity, God gave us
responsibility to rule over creation. The idea of the word translated dominion
is that of absolute mastery. God has given us the responsibility over creation
as listed in those verses. Please note carefully though, we do not have
absolutely right over ourselves or other people.</div>
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If we take into consideration the responsibility God has
given us to rule or have dominion, then I think it is possible to suggest when
it comes to our pets that God has placed them into our responsibility in manner
similar to God being responsible for our lives (Job 1:20-21 teaches that God is
rightfully sovereign over our beginnings and endings). If that suggestion is
accurate, then I would offer that we do have the right to make decisions about
the ending of the life of a pet who is suffering. We have been given the
responsibility to make, in the case of the pet, that kind of decision. We do
not have the right to make that decision about ourselves or other people, because
God has not given us that responsibility – that is His responsibility.</div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-20759037976765885842013-10-24T13:18:00.001-05:002013-10-24T13:18:04.463-05:00Live Q&A Follow-up - Cremation<div class="MsoNormal">
I am trying to answer a few more of the questions left over
from the Live Question and Answer night on September 29. The question for this
post is: <i>Cremation – how should we view it – is it biblical? how should we
discuss this option with others?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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To answer the first part of the question in terms of whether
or not cremation is biblical, two things should be noted. First, there are at
least three examples in the Old Testament of a type of cremation – Achan in
Joshua 7:25, Saul in 1 Samuel 31:12, and the King of Edom in Amos 2:1. Though cremation
took place, each of those examples is tied in some way to God’s judgment and
curse. Second, there is no direct command that I am aware of that prohibits
cremation. So if we just give consideration to the biblical data, we can say on
occasion cremation took place, but it is not something that was promoted and
the more normal practice was burial. Why was that the case?</div>
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To answer the why question we should probably consider
history and tradition for a moment. Cremation was a normal practice for Greeks
and Romans, yet the catacombs in Rome suggest that the early Christians buried their
dead. Christian grave sites, cemeteries, which comes from a word that means
sleeping places, were understood o reflect a belief in the future resurrection.
</div>
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Why did the early church adopt that view in a culture
pro-cremation? It seems that early church believed that cremation was
associated with pagan rituals and beliefs that were unbiblical. As such the
most God-honoring way to handle the body of a Christ follower who died was to
bury the body in anticipation of the future resurrection. As result for most of
church history, burial was the common method.</div>
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Cremation entered into American culture on December 6, 1876
when Baron Joseph Henry Louis Charles De Palm was cremated in Washington,
Pennsylvania. Baron De Palm was part of the Theosophical Society, a group that
was influenced by many things other than God and the Bible. The cremation
ceremony included readings from Charles Darwin and Hindu sacred writings.</div>
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So where does that leave us? Well, I cannot say that the
practice of cremation is unbiblical, in that it is not directly prohibited in
Scripture. But, cremation does have a tainted history and was not associated
with God in a positive manner. Personally, I believe it might be wiser for a
follower of the Lord Jesus to be buried rather than cremated. </div>
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To address the second part of the question in terms of how
do you talk to others about cremation and burial, I would suggest you start with
recognizing it is difficult to talk about things related to death. Then I would
simply look at the history of cremation and its biblical connection. Then I would probably ask the question: Does my burial method communicate any message
about the hope of the gospel? Should the resurrection have any impact on how I
am buried? Please note, I am not saying that cremation prevents a person from
being resurrected in any way. But I do see value in thinking about the how a
burial may make a statement about the resurrection and not simply think about
the economics of cremation versus a full casket burial.</div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-86525883767654781012013-10-24T11:19:00.002-05:002013-10-24T11:19:39.024-05:00Live Q&A Follow up - Pentecostals and Tongues<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is another question that we did not have time to answer
at the Live Question and Answer night on September 29: <i>Why do Pentecostals seem
to the gift of tongues and we don’t?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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In trying to answer this question, I sense the possibility
of the answer generating follow-up questions. Please either use the comment
section of the blog site or bring your question to the next Live Question and
Answer night on October 27 from 6 to 7:30 pm.</div>
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To answer the question I think we need to start by
explaining the Classical Pentecostal understanding of salvation and the
connection of the salvation to the Holy Spirit. To double check my answer
please refer to <a href="http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_fundamental_truths/sft_full.cfm#top">the Assemblies of God's Fundamental Truths</a>, especially points 7 and 8.</div>
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First, the whole process obviously begins with a person repenting
and trusting the Lord Jesus as his or her Savior. Then, subsequent to that,
this same person should expect and earnestly seek to experience the baptism of
the Holy Spirit. Please note, I do not believe this experience is guaranteed,
so it might be possible for a person who is saved to not experience it. It is
at this point that tongues come into the picture, Classical Pentecostals hold
that the initial physical evidence of experiencing the baptism of the Holy
Spirit is speaking in tongues. Though this type of speaking in tongues is
similar to the gift of tongues discussed in 1 Corinthians, it is actually different
in purpose and use.</div>
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So when we talk about Pentecostals having this gift, they
might in fact state that in a number of cases it is not the gifts of tongues, but
rather it is the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. </div>
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That kind of changes the question to why do we not have this
initial physical evidence for the baptism of the Holy Spirit? We would agree
very much with our Pentecostal friends that people do repent and trust the Lord
Jesus as their Savior. But, in light of verses like 1 Corinthians 12:13, we
believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not something that we should
seek subsequent to being justified by the Lord Jesus. Rather the baptism of the
Holy Spirit is something that occurs simultaneously to every believer at
conversion. It is an objective salvation fact every believer benefits from not
an experience that comes later that we may or may not receive. The initial
physical evidence, the most controversial portion of the Classical Pentecostal
position, is something that we do not see as having biblical warrant. We do not
believe that a person needs to speak in tongues to give evidence of having received
the baptism of the Holy Spirit. So that is why you will see many Pentecostals speaking
in tongues, but we do not.</div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-26316175681133564422013-10-10T13:45:00.002-05:002013-10-10T13:45:01.756-05:00Prophets today?<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is another question left over from the Live Question and
Answer night on September 29: <i>Are there still prophets today?</i></div>
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In pondering this question I think we need to keep a few
things in mind as we move toward an answer. First, in the Old Testament there appeared
to be an office of prophet (see for example 1 Samuel 10:11). There are also a
number of books in the Old Testament that we refer to as the Prophets. It has
been suggested that the Old Testament prophets did basically two things. One,
they were involved in foretelling, meaning they revealed new information that
was not previously known. I was told, though I cannot find a footnote to
confirm it that about 10% of the prophecy was foretelling. The second thing the
prophets did was to forth telling or remind people of things that had already
been said. This function could account for 90% of what is called prophecy in
the Old Testament.</div>
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Second, in looking at 1 Corinthians 14, specifically verse
3, it seems like the role or function of the prophet was to speak to people for
their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort. They did not necessarily speak
with divine authority according to 1 Corinthians 14:29. Other people, most
likely the elders of the church, would evaluate and weigh what had been shared.</div>
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Third, the book of Revelation appears to share with the
church a message about how the future will unfold. At the end of Revelation 22,
the following is stated in verse 18 and 19:</div>
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I warn everyone who hears the words
of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the
plagues described in this book, <sup>19</sup>and if anyone takes away from the words
of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life
and in the holy city, which are described in this book.</div>
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It seems like God believes He has spoken a final word to us
in Revelation, and there is not a need for the church to receive a further
divinely authoritative message concerning the future. We may like to have more
information, but God does not seem to be of the same conviction on the matter.</div>
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Putting those three matters into the mix, here is how I
would answer the question. In 1
Corinthians 14:1 and 14:39 Paul speaks highly of prophecy that would lead me to
think that there could very well be a role for prophecy or a prophet today. With
the statement in Revelation, I would hold that the idea of prophecy being something
new and authoritatively binding on church is not possible. Foretelling would
seem to be something that came to an end. But the idea of forth telling,
especially in the sense of forth telling to encourage and strength people seems
valid and within the biblical message. In that sense I do believe that we could
have people today who could serve as prophets or speak prophetically in that
they could remind us of God’s truth, renewing our minds to a heavenly or divine
perspective on issues. In many ways I can see that we need that type of prophetic
voice as we seek to operate in a changing culture.</div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-64588406723138025802013-10-03T09:57:00.002-05:002013-10-03T21:44:37.250-05:00Another Live Q&A Response<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is another question from the Live Question and Answer
Night on September 29:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is meant by
believing children as far as being eligible to be an elder?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This question refers to a phrase in Titus 1:6. The whole verse reads this
way in the English Standard Version: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children
are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="NormalindentedParagraph" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To answer the question we need to understand what is meant by the Greek
word, </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, which is translated as “believers” in the
ESV cited above. That particular Greek would can be translated in the active
sense of believing, or as in three older English versions, the King
James, the Geneva Bible, and the Douay Rheims, and three newer English versions,
the New King James, the New English Translation, and the Holman Christian
Standard Bible, it can be translated in a passive sense of being faithful. To answer the question we need
to reach a conclusion about what is the correct way to translate that word –
are children to be believers or faithful?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First Timothy 3:4 seems to be a
parallel verse to Titus 1:6. First Timothy 3:4 reads:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He must
manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children
submissive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The emphasis of 1 Timothy 3:4 is
on the elder’s ability to manage his household well, which is expressed by his
ability to keep his children under control. The children are mentioned in
relation to the father’s functioning, which makes sense in that list of
characteristics in 1 Timothy 3 are to help Timothy determine in a man is
qualified to be an elder. In the English versions that translate </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> in an active sense in Titus 1:6,
the focus would seem to shift from the father onto the child. That does not
seem to fit the way the rest of characteristics are understood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">According to Greek scholars it is
“not easy” to determine the correct interpretation of </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> in Titus 1:6. The reason for
that is the word </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> has both an
active and a passive sense in the places it is used. Having said that, from analyzing
the usage of </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> in the
writings of the Septuagint, Philo, Josephus, the apostolic fathers, and the New
Testament, a scholar named Norris C. Grubbs concluded that the vast majority of
usages of </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> were passive. He wrote, “Approximately 92
percent of the usages of </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, a total of 241
occurrences, display the passive idea of ‘faithful,’ trustworthy,’ or
‘reliable.’”<a href="file:///C:/Users/SeniorPastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Blog%20Stuff/Blog%20Posting%20on%20October%203,%202013.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Paul’s usage
of </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> in the Pastoral Epistles varies from that percentage of usage. Of the 33
times Paul used </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, 17 of those usages were in the Pastorals. Six of the 11 times Paul used </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> in 1
Timothy, he used it in an active sense. In light of that, it should not be
surprising to learn that many commentators agree with an active translation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Taking all of that data into
consideration, I believe, in contrast to the majority of the English
translations, it would be best to adopt a passive translation of </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> in Titus 1:6 for the following
reasons. First, when Paul used </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> a second time in the Titus 1 list in verse 9 and in a similar
list in 1 Timothy 3:11, it is normally translated in a passive sense. The usage
in Titus 1:9 is not as strong a reason for concluding that Titus 1:6 should be
understood passively, given that in verse 9, </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> is modifying word (</span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">λόγος</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">), rather than speaking in reference to a person.
But in 1 Timothy 3:11, Paul clearly used </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> with respect to describing a person.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Another
reason in support of the passive reading would be the structure of Titus 1:6.
An active reading of </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 11pt;">πιστός</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> would suggest that Paul is first addressing the eternal status of
the child, and then the next qualifier emphasizes the children’s behavior. If
that was correct, in the words of Homer Kent Jr., “It is possible for one’s
children to be professed Christians but still be a source of embarrassment to
their fathers because of unrighteous lives.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/SeniorPastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Blog%20Stuff/Blog%20Posting%20on%20October%203,%202013.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> Such an understanding would seem
to be in conflict with Paul’s understanding of what God’s grace does in a
person’s life according to Titus 2:11-14. Titus 2:12 suggests that not only does
God’s grace saved believers, but God’s grace also has the ongoing task of
teaching them to live righteously. The active translation in Titus 1:6 would
seem to make it a very real prospect for children to be distant from the
ongoing task of grace in their lives. That would not seem to fit the thrust of
Paul’s message in Titus as a whole. A passive understanding would fit the
overall context better, and would render Titus 1:6 as stating the behavior of
children in both positive and negative terms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To try and answer the
question, the issue of Titus 1:6 is not so much about children being believers,
as it does a father, who is being considered as an elder, operating as a dad in a
way that his children are well behaved. I do not think that means that they are
perfect, but as we look at how a dad operates with his children does he teach
them to be responsible, empathetic, and respectful. Does he discipline and
correct them or does he just punish them or perhaps worse, ignore them? To be
an elder involves managing and leading God’s people. Paul, inspired by the Holy
Spirit, is telling us a way we can discern if a man is ready for that
responsibility is to look at how he is doing as a father and whether or not his
children are behave and function.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/SeniorPastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Blog%20Stuff/Blog%20Posting%20on%20October%203,%202013.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Norris C. Grubbs, “The Truth about
Elders and Their Children: Believing or Behaving in Titus 1:6?” <i>Faith and Mission</i> 22, no. 2 (Spring
2005): 8.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/SeniorPastor/Documents/Lloyd's%20Documents/Blog%20Stuff/Blog%20Posting%20on%20October%203,%202013.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Homer A. Kent, Jr., <i>The Pastoral Epistles: Studies in I and II
Timothy and Titus</i> (Chicago: Moody, 1958),</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">220.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-81207158778192709202013-10-02T10:14:00.001-05:002013-10-02T10:14:06.546-05:00Called to Ministry QuestionOne of the questions from the Live Question and Answer Night on Sunday was:<br />
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<i>How can a person know if they are called to full time ministry?</i><br />
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Here is a link to an article by Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary that addresses that question:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2013/07/19/has-god-called-you-discerning-the-call-to-preach-2/">Has God Called You? Discerning the Call to Preach</a>Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-35095927565252474952013-10-01T15:29:00.000-05:002013-10-01T15:29:54.171-05:00Question from Luke 16<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is another question from the Live Question and Answer
Night on September 29:</div>
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<i>Luke 16:11 says, “So if you have not been trustworthy in
handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” What are these
true riches? And Will this happen only after we get to heaven?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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To try and answer the question, let me first set the scene. The
context of this verse is the parable of the shrewd manager. A noted emphasis of
verses 10 to 12 is that how we handle money is a reflection of our characters.
God puts resources into our hands to train us to handle true riches.</div>
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Though we seem to put incredible value on money in our everyday
lives, the Lord Jesus seems to be reminding us in verse 11 that money is not
true riches. To answer the first part of the question, true riches are most
likely spiritual blessing of services in God’s kingdom. And to answer the
second part of the question, these true riches are future to us, and I think
the sense is that we will encounter true riches in eternity.</div>
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To wrap up this question and answer, it should be underlined
that the Lord Jesus is telling us that how we handle money has eternal
consequences. If we play games with what God has given us now, it reveals a
great deal about our characters, and will have consequences. We need to
remember: how we operate with money matters for more than just today.</div>
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Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-41406275075058041112013-09-30T17:16:00.005-05:002013-09-30T17:16:43.975-05:00God, I Have a Question Follow-up <div class="MsoNormal">
As church, Central is in the middle of a series called, “God,
I Have a Question.” The series was generated from questions asked by people in
the church during the spring of 2013. On September 29, as a part of the series,
we did a live Question and Answer night. More questions were submitted then
could be answered on that night, so I will try to answer more of the questions
through this blog.</div>
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Here is one of the questions: <i>Why and how did the Sabbath
get changed to Sunday? It is not in the Bible. Shouldn’t we do what the Bible
says?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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In answering this question, we should probably keep a couple
of things clear. First, the Sabbath never changed to Sunday or the Lord’s Day,
at least in the Bible. From the practice of the early church, both in Greek and
Jewish areas, suggests that they did not view the Lord’s Day as a fulfillment or
replacement of the Sabbath. The assessment
of a scholar by the name of R. J. Bauckham suggested that the idea of Sunday
replacing the Sabbath did not begin to show up until after Constantine, which
would be in the 300s AD, well after the early church began worshiping on Sundays.</div>
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Second, though the time or day of worship of the early
church does not get much attention in the New Testament, there is some
references we should note. Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, and Revelation 1:10 speak
either of the first day of the week – i.e. Sunday - or the Lord’s Day. We would
understand the expression the Lord’s Day or the day of the Lord as a reference
to Sunday, the day of the week on which the Lord Jesus rose again.</div>
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It would appear that the early followers of the Lord Jesus
began to gather together on Sundays to worship the Lord. There does not appear
to be any debate in early church history over when the church should meet –
they understood that the day of the Lord, the day of the Resurrection was a
very good time to meet.</div>
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To wrap up this answer, Sunday did not replace the Sabbath,
but our worshiping on Sundays does in fact seem to be something expressed in
the New Testament as the practice of the church, and early church history would
seem to support the practice.</div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835424830820814592.post-20772095532972451622013-08-28T16:43:00.001-05:002013-08-28T16:43:21.914-05:00Divine Constructs: GraceHere is another post from my son Zach. I would love to hear your thoughts about it.<br />
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Grace
is an easy sermon topic, it is all about getting things that we do not deserve
but I think we often miss the heart of grace. Grace has a purpose and a desire.
Grace is one of many instruments that God has implemented to bring about the
realization of His plan. Grace’s construct or the desire of grace is
restoration. The divine construct that grace is exists primarily to reconcile
God and humanity but it exists to reconcile also humanity within itself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Grace
is more than God simply pouring His love out lavishly upon those whom he
chooses, no doubt this is part of grace but if we reduce God to a divine
grandma who spoils us then we have committed idolatry and reduced God to the
pathetic musings of our imagination. Thankfully God is much more than a divine
grandma and His grace is not the arbitrary dispersion of some abstract
characteristic like a sprinkler over your lawn. Though as a culturally
conditioned western man it is hard to grasp the idea that I am the bride of
Christ it is a true statement and is an important reality. Christ pursues his
bride with a passion and intense love that sent him to the cross, demonstrating
the perfection of the Father’s grace. The intent of the cross was restoration,
reconciling a pathetic people with their Savior King who lavished a divine love
to remind the wayward hearts of His people that He is the perfection of good
and the embodiment of satisfaction and only in Him can we find these things.
Robert Robinson expressed this idea very well in his hymn “Come thou fount”
with the lyrics <o:p></o:p></div>
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“<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">O to grace how great a debtor</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Daily I’m constrained to be!</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Let Thy goodness, like a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">fetter,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Bind my wandering heart to Thee.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Prone to leave the God I love;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Seal it for Thy courts above.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Robinson understood the failings of his own heart
very well and knew tendency to abandon what he knew to be good and perfect. He
understood something else though, he understood the role that grace plays in
God’s wooing of His people back to him. There are time when punishment is
needed but I have found it to be very true in my life that God chooses to show
me grace in a variety of ways and I find that it often comes despite my sin and
is accompanied with blessed conviction. God desires to show His people how good
He is, He promises to bless His people and these promises can be seen
throughout the Old and New Testaments to Abraham, Moses, David and through the
Apostles and most notably through Christ on the cross. These blessings are the
manifestations and evidence of the grace of God being poured out upon us. Though
I may seem repetitive it is because I want to try and explain this clearly and
from as many sides as possible, the grace God shows us is not impersonal or
arbitrary, it is deeply personal and intentional, a divine conspiracy to bring
a people hell bent on their own destruction into the presence their mighty
Creator and loving friend. The design of grace is not a talent show or God
showing off. The construct of Grace is the holy design of a sovereign and
loving God bringing his people His people into an active relationship with Him
through subtle and extravagant reminders of the radical love of God for his
people. <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lloyd Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278388235137158561noreply@blogger.com0