When you read about the priest in the Old Testament, you will notice they made sacrifices wearing a special robe or garment. The word in the Hebrew that described the coat-like garment literally meant “to cover” or “to hide.” The same root word is used in Genesis chapter three where God covered Adam and Eve with the skin of an animal.
The garment that the priest put on was solid white representing the holiness and purity of God. The symbolism suggested that the priest was able to approach God on account that he was clothed in God’s character. Judgment would come upon any priest who did not approach God with the covering of the pure white robe.
There was one time in the Bible where a sacrifice was made without this garment. In fact, the priest who made the sacrifice did so without any covering. He made the sacrifice naked and it was accepted by God.
On Calvary Jesus was stripped of his clothing. Why didn’t Jesus need a robe as he made the sacrifice of his life? As Robert Coleman puts it, “This was the first time in our history that one had lived among us who was worthy in his own Righteousness.”
Our Lord Jesus needed no robe because he was the perfect Son of God. He didn’t need to cover up his shame for he had no shame. His perfect sacrifice provides for us the covering of righteousness that we need to stand before God.
2 Cor. 5:21 (NASB-U)
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Adapted from the book Written in Blood by Robert Coleman.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
CSI: Christians Seriously Investigated
If they investigated your life could they find credible evidence of your Christian faith?
Julins Palmer lived in England in the 1500s. He graduated from Oxford in 1550. He was a devout Roman Catholic who would teach at Oxford under the reign of King Edward VI. King Edward was a staunch protestant supporter. This did not make life easy for Palmer on account that he was pretty outspoken about his Catholicism. Because of his Roman Catholic beliefs, Palmer would loose his teaching position at Oxford.
But this changed after the death of King Edward VI. After his death, the new queen, Mary Tudor took the throne. She was an ardent Roman Catholic. She is better known as “Bloody Mary” because of her burning of Protestants on the stake.
Julins Palmer believed that Protestants would never choose to die for their faith, but they did. So he decided to investigate how they died. He learned in his investigation that Protestants were brutally tortured and murdered, yet they kept their faith to the very end.
As he investigated the faith of the martyrs God began to change Palmer’s heart. He started to earnestly study the Scriptures, which eventually led him to Christ and to become a protestant himself.
He was condemned to death for his faith in 1556. When he was brought to the place of execution he prayed Psalm 31. The last verse of Psalm 31 says, “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.” When the flames began to engulf his body, Palmer cried out, “Lord Jesus, strengthen me, Lord Jesus, receive my soul.”
Julins Palmer’s life was changed because he investigated the lives of devoted Christians and the evidence led him to Christ.
Christians should leave plenty of evidence in their daily living that can lead others to Christ!
Julins Palmer lived in England in the 1500s. He graduated from Oxford in 1550. He was a devout Roman Catholic who would teach at Oxford under the reign of King Edward VI. King Edward was a staunch protestant supporter. This did not make life easy for Palmer on account that he was pretty outspoken about his Catholicism. Because of his Roman Catholic beliefs, Palmer would loose his teaching position at Oxford.
But this changed after the death of King Edward VI. After his death, the new queen, Mary Tudor took the throne. She was an ardent Roman Catholic. She is better known as “Bloody Mary” because of her burning of Protestants on the stake.
Julins Palmer believed that Protestants would never choose to die for their faith, but they did. So he decided to investigate how they died. He learned in his investigation that Protestants were brutally tortured and murdered, yet they kept their faith to the very end.
As he investigated the faith of the martyrs God began to change Palmer’s heart. He started to earnestly study the Scriptures, which eventually led him to Christ and to become a protestant himself.
He was condemned to death for his faith in 1556. When he was brought to the place of execution he prayed Psalm 31. The last verse of Psalm 31 says, “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.” When the flames began to engulf his body, Palmer cried out, “Lord Jesus, strengthen me, Lord Jesus, receive my soul.”
Julins Palmer’s life was changed because he investigated the lives of devoted Christians and the evidence led him to Christ.
Christians should leave plenty of evidence in their daily living that can lead others to Christ!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Preach the Word!
A couple of years ago, I received an interesting comment on my blog. It came from an unknown source. I did some investigating and it led be to a man named Samuel Brown. On his website Brown was advertising his new book Son of a Bishop. He tells the story of how he had to come to terms with his sexual orientation growing up in a traditional religious family. Here is an excerpt from the book:
Samuel Marcus Brown was raised in a very traditional religious family, and his parents are leaders in the Church of God In Christ organization. Samuel has always loved the Lord and the church, and he has always had a heart to worship and please the Lord. After years of feeling personally bashed by the traditional organized church, he still continues to fellowship with the “saints.” He was finally forced to rely on his strong convictions that his mentor Jesus Christ loved and accepted him just the way he was made by God. Although he really tried, he could never receive the message from the traditional organized church that he would be “damned to hell” that he was “not in the Lord’s will” due to the authenticity of his innermost reality.
There are a couple of observations that I want to make concerning this statement, and then I want to make a general application to the church. First, I want to point out Brown’s understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. He calls Him “mentor.” In one sense Jesus is our teacher for we follow his teachings, but the reason that we follow these teachings is because he is Lord and Savior. He has authority over our lives as believers in Jesus Christ.
Second, Brown states, “he could never receive the message from the traditional organized church that he would be “damned to hell” that he was “not in the Lord’s will” due to the authenticity of his innermost reality.” He could not accept the authority of the Scriptures on account of the “authenticity of his innermost reality.” This statement is clear that Brown’s understanding of truth is not absolute. Truth is found in one’s reality, therefore, what is true for me, may not be true for you. The authority of the Bible and the truth of the Bible are not believed.
I see this same sort of belief in the pews of “traditional” churches today. People don’t want to submit to the word of God because their ultimate authority is found in their innermost reality. Thus, they don’t get involved with sharing the gospel because it doesn’t fit into their innermost reality. They don’t pursue holiness, or tithe, or do the work of the kingdom because they don’t fit into their “innermost reality.” They can actually say that their doing what God wants them to do even though God’s word says what they are doing is outside the will of God.
The only solution is healthy Biblical preaching from the pulpit. We need pulpits to preach the “whole counsel of God” and preachers who believe in the power of God’s Word. We need preachers who will say, “I will not compromise the Word of God.” We need preachers like the late Adrian Rogers who said, “I’m willing to compromise about many things, but not the Word of God. So far as getting together is concerned, we don’t have to get together…I don’t have to be the pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church. I don’t have to be loved; I don’t even have to live. But I will not compromise the Word of God.”
Preach the Word!
Samuel Marcus Brown was raised in a very traditional religious family, and his parents are leaders in the Church of God In Christ organization. Samuel has always loved the Lord and the church, and he has always had a heart to worship and please the Lord. After years of feeling personally bashed by the traditional organized church, he still continues to fellowship with the “saints.” He was finally forced to rely on his strong convictions that his mentor Jesus Christ loved and accepted him just the way he was made by God. Although he really tried, he could never receive the message from the traditional organized church that he would be “damned to hell” that he was “not in the Lord’s will” due to the authenticity of his innermost reality.
There are a couple of observations that I want to make concerning this statement, and then I want to make a general application to the church. First, I want to point out Brown’s understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. He calls Him “mentor.” In one sense Jesus is our teacher for we follow his teachings, but the reason that we follow these teachings is because he is Lord and Savior. He has authority over our lives as believers in Jesus Christ.
Second, Brown states, “he could never receive the message from the traditional organized church that he would be “damned to hell” that he was “not in the Lord’s will” due to the authenticity of his innermost reality.” He could not accept the authority of the Scriptures on account of the “authenticity of his innermost reality.” This statement is clear that Brown’s understanding of truth is not absolute. Truth is found in one’s reality, therefore, what is true for me, may not be true for you. The authority of the Bible and the truth of the Bible are not believed.
I see this same sort of belief in the pews of “traditional” churches today. People don’t want to submit to the word of God because their ultimate authority is found in their innermost reality. Thus, they don’t get involved with sharing the gospel because it doesn’t fit into their innermost reality. They don’t pursue holiness, or tithe, or do the work of the kingdom because they don’t fit into their “innermost reality.” They can actually say that their doing what God wants them to do even though God’s word says what they are doing is outside the will of God.
The only solution is healthy Biblical preaching from the pulpit. We need pulpits to preach the “whole counsel of God” and preachers who believe in the power of God’s Word. We need preachers who will say, “I will not compromise the Word of God.” We need preachers like the late Adrian Rogers who said, “I’m willing to compromise about many things, but not the Word of God. So far as getting together is concerned, we don’t have to get together…I don’t have to be the pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church. I don’t have to be loved; I don’t even have to live. But I will not compromise the Word of God.”
Preach the Word!
First Southern: A Loving Church!
It is amazing what kind and encouraging words can do for one's morale. I have received many notes of encouragement from the people of First Southern. The one that I am sharing below came at a time of desperation for my family.
The words of encouragement have made it all worth while. Glad to be a part of a loving church, and I thank God for people like the Simpsons who take time to pray and encourage their pastor.
Thank you so much for:
following God's direction in your decision to come to our church…
for the dedication you have to the Lord
for the love for our church you display in wanting us to be what God wants us to be
for the wonderful sermons you have preached lately
for the inconvenience you and your family have to encountered since leaving your home and coming to
but most of all for loving the people at First Southern.
Eulan and I just wanted you to know that we love and appreciate you so very much and pray for you often.
Have a great day in the Lord
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Charles Spurgeon - Daily Help
From the cross of Calvary, where the bleeding hands of Jesus drop mercy; from the garden of Gethsemane, the cry comes, "Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth. "From Calvary's summit, where Jesus cries, "It is finished," I hear a shout, "Look, and be saved." But there comes a cry from our soul, "Nay, look to yourself! look to yourself!" Ah, look to yourself, and you will be lost. As long as you look to yourself there is no hope for you. It is not a consideration of what you are, but a consideration of what God is, and what Christ is, that can save you.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
The Lord's Prayer
Q98:What is prayer?
A:Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God1 for things agreeable to his will,2 in the name of Christ,3 with confession of our sins,4 and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.5
1 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. (Psalms 62:8).
2 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27).
3 Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. (John 16:23b).
4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession. (Daniel 9:4a).
5 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6).
Q99:What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A:The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer;1 but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord's Prayer.2
1 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. (1John 5:14).
2 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, &c. (Matthew 6:9).
Q100:What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?
A:The preface of the Lord's prayer, [which is, Our Father which art in heaven,] teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence,1 as children to a father,2 able and ready to help us;3and that we should pray with and for others.4
1 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. (Isaiah 64:9).
2 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13).
3 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15).
4 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:18).
Q101:What do we pray for in the first petition?
A:In the first petition, [which is, Hallowed be thy name,] we pray, That God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known;1 and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.2
1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. (Psalms 67:1-3).
2 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:36).
Q102:What do we pray for in the second petition?
A:In the second petition, [which is, Thy kingdom come,] we pray, That Satan's kingdom may be destroyed;1and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced,2 ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it;3 and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.4
1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. (Psalms 68:1).
2 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. (Psalms 51:18).
3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. (2Thessalonians 3:1).
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (Romans 10:1).
4 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20).
Q103:What do we pray for in the third petition?
A:In the third petition, [which is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,] we pray, That God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey,1 and submit to his will in all things,2 as the angels do in heaven.3
1 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies. (Psalms 119:34-36a).
2 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. (Acts 21:14).
3 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. (v22) Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. (Psalms 103:20, 22).
Q104:What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
A:In the fourth petition, [which is, Give us this day our daily bread,] we pray, That of God's free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life,1 and enjoy his blessing with them.2
1 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. (Proverbs 30:8).
2 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. (Psalms 90:17).
Q105:What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A:In the fifth petition, [which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,] we pray, That God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins;1 which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.2
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. (Psalms 51:1).
2 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14).
Q106:What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A:In the sixth petition, [which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,] we pray, That God would either keep us from being tempted to sin,1 or support and deliver us when we are tempted.2
1 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. (Matthew 26:41a).
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. (Psalms 19:13a).
2 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. v12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalms 51:10, 12).
Q107:What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us?
A:The conclusion of the Lord's prayer, [which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen.] teacheth us, to take our encouragement in prayer from God only,1 and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him.2And in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.3
1 We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God. (Daniel 9:18b-19a).
2 11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine. v13Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. (1Chronicles 29:11a, 13).
3 Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20b).
A. W. Tozer - Mornings with Tozer
We See God's Purpose
That . . . he might gather together in one all things in Christ . . . in heaven, and . . . on earth. Ephesians 1:10We trust the Word of God—and the inspired revelation makes it plain to the believing Christian that all things in the universe have derived their form from Christ, the eternal Son!
We are assured that even as an architect builder gathers the necessary materials needed to fashion the structure he has designed, so God will ultimately gather all things together under one head, even Christ (see Ephesians 1:9–10).
Everything in the universe has received its meaning by the power of His Word; each has maintained its place and order through Him.
Jesus Christ is God creating!
Jesus Christ is God redeeming!
Jesus Christ is God completing and harmonizing!
Jesus Christ is God bringing together all things after the counsel of His own will!
I can only hope that as we grow and mature and delight in our faith, we are beginning to gain a new appreciation of God's great eternal purpose!
Your master design of the universe is perfect even though mankind has neglected Your creation and Your desire for fellowship. I pray that by Your Spirit our churches will become "like a mighty army" and help lead many people in the world to faith in Christ.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Salvation is Here, and He Lives in Me
This morning I have been contemplating what God did for me 20 years ago. It started around the Christmas holidays. I was loathing the person that I had become. I tried everything to make me happy, but only found that the things I tried were "incomplete joys." I wondered if I would ever be truly happy.
At that time, I started telling myself that I would never be happy until I became a Christian. Looking back, it was the Holy Spirit working within me, drawing me to Christ. I wanted what one of my brothers had, I wanted Jesus!
So, I started reading my Bible every night before I went to bed. I got to the fifth chapter of Matthew and God really started to speak. I started reading the Beatitudes, and as I read them, the Spirit of God said, "This is your brother." I started to weep, and kneeling by my bed, I simply prayed, "Jesus, I want to be a Christian, but I can't do it. I need your help." That prayer of surrender was the beginning of my new life in Christ.
I am so thankful for God's grace today. I am so thankful for his call upon my life. Today, I give thanks and praise to the my God, who does great and unsearchable things, miracles without limit.
At that time, I started telling myself that I would never be happy until I became a Christian. Looking back, it was the Holy Spirit working within me, drawing me to Christ. I wanted what one of my brothers had, I wanted Jesus!
So, I started reading my Bible every night before I went to bed. I got to the fifth chapter of Matthew and God really started to speak. I started reading the Beatitudes, and as I read them, the Spirit of God said, "This is your brother." I started to weep, and kneeling by my bed, I simply prayed, "Jesus, I want to be a Christian, but I can't do it. I need your help." That prayer of surrender was the beginning of my new life in Christ.
I am so thankful for God's grace today. I am so thankful for his call upon my life. Today, I give thanks and praise to the my God, who does great and unsearchable things, miracles without limit.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Priority of Corporate Prayer
The church makes a lot of assumptions when it comes to prayer. We think that the success of a church is determined by a good preacher or good music program,or beautiful buildings, or great visions. I am by no means discounting these things as important. I just want to put things into proper perspective.
The success of the church will not be determined by how much human resources that is at the church’s disposal, or how much human resolve we have to fulfill our duty. The success and effectiveness of the church will be determined by how much of God’s power we have working through us. The pathway to God’s power is prayer.
We can strategize and visualize all day long, but until God gives us direction and power it means nothing. The barometer of our church must become the corporate prayer meeting.
It is interesting that in Old Testament and also in the Gospels, the corporate gathering of God’s people is called a “House of prayer.” I love to preach, but God didn’t say, “My house will be a house of preaching.” I love music, but God didn’t say, “My house will be a house of music.” He said, “My house will be a house of prayer.”
The success of the church will not be determined by how much human resources that is at the church’s disposal, or how much human resolve we have to fulfill our duty. The success and effectiveness of the church will be determined by how much of God’s power we have working through us. The pathway to God’s power is prayer.
We can strategize and visualize all day long, but until God gives us direction and power it means nothing. The barometer of our church must become the corporate prayer meeting.
It is interesting that in Old Testament and also in the Gospels, the corporate gathering of God’s people is called a “House of prayer.” I love to preach, but God didn’t say, “My house will be a house of preaching.” I love music, but God didn’t say, “My house will be a house of music.” He said, “My house will be a house of prayer.”
Almost Home
Since September 20, 2009, I have not lived in my own home. I have either stayed with some very generous church members, or have been living at the North Campus. My family has been with me at the North Campus since the beginning of November.
On Monday, my family moved from the North Campus to our new home. We love it. However, our driveway has not been completed, and therefore we are living in a muddy mess.
My wife and I call it a good kind of muddy mess. It is good because we now have a home and are not living with a hundred other people at the North Campus. Even so, we still don't feel settled. We are a few more weeks away from being almost home, that is, to a place where everything is in place and in order.
I long to be settled in our home, but even when we are settled, I must remember that this earthly abode is not my true home. No, my true home is in God's kingdom, a kingdom that is now, but not yet.
I long for the day when Jesus returns and consummates his kingdom. I long for the day when my faith has been turned to sight, and all that I hope for is a reality.
I long for that day when Satan is cast into the lake of fire, and all the evil and sin in the world, and within me is gone. I long for that day when we are in eternal bliss in the presence of Jesus. Come Lord Jesus!
Until then, I will persevere knowing that everyday that passes means that I am almost home.
On Monday, my family moved from the North Campus to our new home. We love it. However, our driveway has not been completed, and therefore we are living in a muddy mess.
My wife and I call it a good kind of muddy mess. It is good because we now have a home and are not living with a hundred other people at the North Campus. Even so, we still don't feel settled. We are a few more weeks away from being almost home, that is, to a place where everything is in place and in order.
I long to be settled in our home, but even when we are settled, I must remember that this earthly abode is not my true home. No, my true home is in God's kingdom, a kingdom that is now, but not yet.
I long for the day when Jesus returns and consummates his kingdom. I long for the day when my faith has been turned to sight, and all that I hope for is a reality.
I long for that day when Satan is cast into the lake of fire, and all the evil and sin in the world, and within me is gone. I long for that day when we are in eternal bliss in the presence of Jesus. Come Lord Jesus!
Until then, I will persevere knowing that everyday that passes means that I am almost home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Divine Visitation
Have you ever experienced a divine visitation that left you awestruck? I’m not referring to experiences like encountering Jesus, as the apos...
-
History will reveal many opinions about the presidency of Donald Trump. Some good. Some bad. Some true. Some untrue. One of President Trump’...
-
The power of the gospel transforms lives. For the gospel is the power of God for salvation. When we trust in Christ our lives will change....
-
In a recent newspaper article, Robert Cook, the rector of St. Andrews Anglican Church in Little Rock, discussed the three streams of Anglica...
