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Month: January 2020

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Proper Attire Required (Conclusion)

The invitation has been sent!

“God gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16) and His Son having been “made a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:9), “dwelt among us” (John 1:14), “died in our place” (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2) and three days later rose again (1 Corinthians. 15:4) “stands at the door (of your heart) and knocks” (Revelation 3:20). The followers of Christ have done out declaring the good news (Matt. 28:19-20): a way has been made (John 14:6) and the Way said, “Come unto me all you who labor (who try to save yourselves) and are heavy laden (burdened by guilt and shame) and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26) and then He asked:

“Do you believe this?”

There is one acceptable covering, one way, one hope of redemption – Jesus Christ! Only by faith in Jesus will anyone enter into the kingdom of Heaven – only by the blood of Jesus, the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8) will anyone be welcome there. God “made Him who knew no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) “Many are called but few are chosen…” everyone is invited but it will only be by faith that anyone will be “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6), selected and approved by God for a place in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…”(Acts 16:31)

I need to say one more thing before I wrap this up. The invitation to come is a limited one – you cannot make the choice to accept Jesus’ invitation to come after you pass from this life. You cannot accept the robe of righteousness He provides, from the grave. We have been give one life on this earth; James the half-brother of Jesus said of this life: “It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14). The choice to believe in, follow and live for Jesus must be made during your limited time on this earth. “(I) We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says:“In an acceptable time I have heard you,And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

If you feel the pull to believe in Him now – God is calling you!

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)

Invite Him who is inviting you into your heart and life, believe in that Jesus died for you and in your place on the cross and you will be saved, covered, filled with the Spirit of God (see Romans 8:9) and thereby made ready for the kingdom of Heaven.

He has called you – will you receive from God the only way to enter in?

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Proper Attire Required (Pt. 2)

It may have come as nothing new to you to read that “the many” who Jesus was referring to in His parable (Matthew 22:1-14) is a reference to all people. But Jesus was not teaching so called Christian Universalism or the view that, regardless of belief every human being who has or will ever live will ultimately be saved and restored to a right relationship with God.

The Bible makes it clear, while everyone will give answer to God in Heaven for the things that they did in the flesh, not everyone will live there for eternity. Those who believed in the Lord Jesus will give answer at the “judgement seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10) they will be judged and rewarded on the basis of the works they did for Jesus AFTER they believed in Him (see Matthew 16:27, Revelation 2:23, 1 Peter 1:17). The rest of mankind, all who ever lived but never believed in Jesus Christ will appear before Him who sits on the “great white throne” (see Revelation 20:11-15); but they will not have a part in the kingdom of Heaven.

That being said, how DO the “many” who are called become “the few” who are “chosen” (literally ĕklĕktŏs – selected , chosen out from among, or approved) by God?

Look again at the parable we are discussing; the king’s servants, without discrimination or partiality and per his orders again went out and invited everyone they could find to the feast. Those invited came just as they were in terms of character, social status and even apparel and were supplied the necessary wedding apparel by the host – the King himself; this was customary during the days in which this parable was told. That this was the case in our parable becomes apparent in (vs. 11-12):

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.”

Clearly, everyone at the feast came without the proper attire for a wedding. Graciously, the host provided appropriate attire to all, but one guest did not feel it necessary to take put it on. That one, represents all people (including the religious leaders to whom Jesus directed this parable) who because of self-righteousness, tradition, religion or their good works think that they do not need the approved covering which the king supplied by which to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. The improperly attired guest had been invited like the rest and a way had been made for him to be acceptable to the host but he refused it and was (v.13) bound hand and foot, taken away from the feast and cast “into outer darkness, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

My friends, remember this parable concerns the kingdom of Heaven and specifically entrance into it; this man’s expulsion from the wedding feast illustrates a far more fearful outcome for the purpose of helping all people see the right and only way to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

 If you are a Christian today the process was NOT initiated by you. “He who began a good work in you” (see Phil. 1:6) – God the Father, by way of His Holy Spirit invited you into the kingdom of Heaven. The Spirit of God convicted you both of your own sinfulness and neediness (John 16:7-15) as well as of the love of God in Jesus Christ toward you (Romans 5:8-11) and when you believed, you were clothed in the righteousness of Christ (Colossians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

The apostle Peter wrote in (1 Peter 1:18-19:

“…you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

That precious blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary’s cross cleanses us from all unrighteousness and by it, we are in essence clothed in garments of white (see Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18-20; Revelation 7:9-14). To be clear, our covering is NOT external. While one day, in the kingdom of Heaven we will wear a garment of white, believers today have an internal covering: the blood of Jesus “cleans(es) our conscience(s) from dead works to (or, so that we can) serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14). By faith in the shed blood of Jesus, we “…were WASHED, but you were SANCTIFIED, but you were JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God;” (1 Corinthians 6:11) the blood of Jesus Christ having cleansed us from all sin (see 1 John 1:7).

The blood of Jesus and His righteousness exchanged for our sinfulness from His cross IS the covering by which we may be numbered among the accepted few….

Join me for the conclusion to this study tomorrow…

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Proper Attire Required (Pt. 1)

In our introduction to this study, we unpacked what a parable is and how important the context of a passage is in understanding and applying it. We also identified that the main point addressed by Jesus’ parable found in (Matthew 22:1-14) is the mandatory prerequisite for entrance into the (v.2) “kingdom of heaven.”

Key to the understanding the parable is what seems to be the summary of the parable found in (v.14):

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Before I unpack that pivotal and (in my mind) often misunderstood verse lets consider the parable in context.

In the parable which Jesus told, the King, representative of God sent his servants out (v.3) “to call those who were invited to the wedding;” twice he sent them “and they were not willing to come.” Instead those invited disregarded, literally they (v.5) “made light of” the kings summoning them to come, shamefully or “spitefully” (v.6) treating the servants the king sent and ultimately killing them. In response to their constant rejection the king (v.7), “sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”

Jesus’ parable is not merely a story meant to illustrate a point, but biblical and historical allusions to God’s consistent effort to reach the Jewish people through the Old testament prophets as well as prophecy concerning His efforts to reach them through His Son Jesus Christ and the disciples He selected to reach out to those same people in the New Testament. All of them were sent by God to call people to God; both they and their message was rejected time and time again by a majority of the Jewish people and the messengers themselves, including the Lord Jesus Christ were killed only Jesus Christ to this day has risen again. God’s wrath on the nation for its disregard of His gracious invitation and the shameful treatment and murder of His messengers was poured out in AD 70 when the Romans razed Jerusalem and burned the temple to the ground. But neither the King of Christ’s parable nor the God of heaven and earth (whom the king of the story represents) was done.

The king sent his servants out one more time to invite (v.9) as many as they could find “to the wedding” and they (v.10) “gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

Who and of what sort of character were those invited guests labeled either “bad and good – were they unrighteous or righteous people?

Actually, the primary audience that Jesus was addressing consisted of self-righteous men – pharisees, chief priests and elders of Israel. The three parables found from (Matt.21:23-22:46) were spoken directly to these men – religious leaders who had rejected Jesus as Messiah and ignored the Holy Spirit concerning both their sins and their need of redemption. These, in my mind are numbered among the “bad” guests populating the wedding hall. But the fact is that by human standards some people are good – they are kind, giving, empathetic and compassionate towards others and some are bad – greedy, self-centered and self-serving; by God’s standards, no one is good. Jesus Himself, when one called Him a good teacher responded: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Matthew 19:17) In reality we all fall under the assessment of Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 64:6):

“But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

What you and I need to understand here is that the “bad and good” people who filled the hall for the feast is a reference to you, me and every other human being past, present and future. We read in (2 Peter 3:9) that “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.”

Look again at (v.14) of our parable, “Many are called…” That word called is translated from the GK word klētŏs which means invited. Jesus came “to save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21); His people is an immediate reference to the children of Israel – the people of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob thus “the many” who are called is first a reference to the children of Israel. But they refused to come, the Apostle Paul said of them in (Romans 11:11-12):

“I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!”

Because of their rejection of the invitation, “the many” of (v.14) refers to all of us – every man, woman and child from every nation, race, tongue and tribe – both Jew and gentile; both the bad as well as the good – we have all been invited.

More on that next time….

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Proper Attire Required

The sign may not be as common as it once was, but there was a day when a sign hung in the doors of restaurants and stores which stated: “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service.” Once upon a time, fine dining establishments required both its wait-staff and its patrons to dress in formal attire and even today, there are a handful around the country which still require it. Of those that do require it, loaner coats are provided for men who come unaware of it. Today, there are many places (hospitals, schools, worksites) which, based on your apparel, credentials or personal appearance you may or may not be able to enter.

The parable which Jesus told in (Matthew 22:1-14) not only illustrates that the kingdom of Heaven enforces a dress code, declaring the eternal importance of being properly attired and the implications for those who chose not to comply; it also makes it clear, that like the few fine dining establishments left today which enforce a dress code, the required attire is also provided.

Before we jump into the passage, lets consider for a moment the purpose of a parable.

A parable (parabŏlē in the GK) is defined as a fictitious narrative of common life conveying a moral. Most of us are accustomed to interpreting what we read in the Bible according to life as it is today and while we may apply it to daily life today, we must first understand or interpret it based on both the authors original intent and the hearers understanding of it in the day it was given. Thus, key to applying scripture today is understanding the historical, geographical and cultural context in which it was first spoken and received. A failure to do that will result in a flawed application of how to live out those biblical truths today.

I know what you’re thinking! You are thinking, “I don’t have the time to study the Bible like that! Why should I anyway? Isn’t that what pastors and teachers like you are for Rich?!” Well if, as J.I. Packer once said, “A misinterpreted Bible is a misunderstood Bible, which will lead us out of God’s way rather than in it,” shouldn’t each of us want to understand it as best we can? There are many good commentaries available today which will help you in your study of the Bible; likewise there are many good Christian websites like preceptaustin.org which provide a ton of solid biblical scholarship. Prayerfully utilizing tools like these as well as the sound teaching of trusted pastors and teachers can aid you in “rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Regarding the text that we are about to study, it would serve us well to understand that while Jesus’ parable utilizes a wedding to illustrate the main point, the subject of Jesus’ parable here is NOT the “marriage supper of the Lamb” found in (Revelation 19:7-9) but the “the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 22:2); specifically, it addresses the basis upon which one is or is not welcome there. More on that next time…

Because this study is a little lengthy and in the hopes that you will continue to study it with me, we will unpack this important parable over the next week or so. I hope you’ll join me….

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Never Alone

” Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Some of you may have seen the movie Overcomer, for those of you who have not, let me declare a spoiler alert here – but no worries; even after reading my comments on the movie in this post, I’m confident that when you see it for yourself you’ll be blessed.

The movie is about a girl named Hannah, a loner really who has no sense of who she is or if she even matters to anyone at all. The girl’s father left her and her mother right after she had been born and it was her understanding that he had since passed away.

Hannah did not know her father’s love for her until one day when the man, presumed dead re-entered her life. His life was a mess when she was born but in the 15 years that followed, he had come to believe in Jesus Christ and his prayer was to one day be reunited with his daughter.

Later, Hannah learned that her heavenly Father and Maker loved her too and that He demonstrated His love for her by sending His Son to redeem her. She also believed the gospel concerning Jesus and her connection with Him changed her completely.

Hannah was a cross country runner as her dad had been but because of an ongoing illness she struggled in every race. In the Overcomer allegory….the girls dad, bedridden and unable to be present with her for her final race led her to victory by coaching her through every mile of her race via a prerecorded message.

My friends as believers, we are all like Hannah. We are all in a race. We all struggle with things that hinder us in the race but our heavenly Father speaks tenderly to us. He has left us a “pre-recorded” message as well. Through those words, by His Spirit as well as other believers He encourages us, He informs us, He directs us and if we will listen and do what He says He will lead us to overcome every challenge and finish our race well!

Whatever you’re facing today and no matter what hurdles stand in your way, know that you are NEVER alone. God goes with you – trust Him for EVERY step!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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Stay Sharp

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save (sozo, deliver from bondage) both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

I recently heard an Irish folk tale that goes something like this: Two lumberjacks – one older and proven; the other, young and with something to prove were taking their lunch break one day when the younger stepped up to the older and challenged him to a contest. The younger proposed that they compete to see which of them could fell more trees in a single day. The older lumberjack accepted the challenge.

The next morning at the sound of a whistle the two began hacking away…the younger relentlessly going at tree after tree; the older lumberjack on the other hand took a fifteen minute break after every tree he felled. At the end of the day the trees were tallied and the older woodcutter won. The younger, astonished at his defeat turned to his opponent and asked, “How did you knock down more trees than I did? I know that you took a break between each tree and I did not.” The older and wiser woodcutter responded, “What you don’t know is that during each break I spent the time sharpening my axe.”

In Christian ministry as in other works where our focus and priority is on those around us it often happens that we neglect ourselves. The Christian minister is often so concerned with discipling others that he neglects to take the time to prepare himself. Just as a dull axe won’t cut wood well, a Christian minister, missionary or witness will have little impact in the lives of others if he fails to take time to work on or sharpen himself.

My friends, let us take the time, everyday to prepare ourselves BEFORE we set out to teach, preach or reach out to others in Jesus name.

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Putting Others First

Several months ago I read a book by Jared Wilson titled, “The story of Everything.” One of the things that stuck with me from the second chapter is that in essence all of us are narcissists at heart, meaning that everyone of us considers ourselves to be the most important person in our own lives.

What do you think? is that a fair and accurate statement?

As you ponder the question I’d like you to consider how you respond when someone arriving after you gets served before you at a restaurant, at an automotive service department, at the deli counter or at the doctors office. In addition, how do you respond when you’re cut off in traffic, at an exit, or in a parking lot or garage when someone takes the parking space you’ve been waiting for?

Now consider these words from (Philippians 2:3-4):

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Recently, I suffered a traumatic head injury and was in need of urgent treatment. Life Flight was grounded because of the weather and I ended up being transported by ambulance the 140 miles or so to University hospital in San Antonio where the trauma team there took great care of me and takes great care of EVERY patient brought to them – they put me on the road to recovery.

A few days ago I had to return again by ambulance for what I thought was nothing but what doctors thought might have been a stroke. Thankfully, it was not. But on that occasion I became angry and frustrated because I was still there and was no being so urgently tended to; to be honest I became inconvenienced. Then it dawned on me that the team, which weeks earlier had been doing everything to get me on the road to recovery was doing the same for others who were like I had been and worse and in urgent need of help.

They were helping others and I began to deeply regret my attitude.

In reality, that team of interns, doctors, surgeons and nurses were doing what every believer is called to do – they were esteeming others as greater or more important than themselves.

Jesus, our great Physician did that too!

In (Luke 5:31-32) we read that Jesus said: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Were the Pharisees – is anyone righteous? No, but some people in their sin and self righteousness don’t know how urgent their need is of our great Physician. I bring the passage up however because of the lengths that Jesus went to in order to make sin sick souls well: Jesus laid His life down for the sake of sinners and enemies of God – for our sake (see John 10:11) and in obedience to His Father’s will (see Luke 22:42, John 4:34). In a sense, Jesus esteemed us better than Himself (see Philippians 2:5-11); His Father was the most important person in Jesus’ life and fulfilling His Father’s mission was all that mattered to Him.

The most important mission for the EMT’s neurologists, neurosurgeons, doctors and nurses at University hospital is saving the lives of others. Likewise, the most important people in our lives ought to be those in urgent need of forgiveness, grace and abundant life made available to them through our great Physician Jesus Christ; and our greatest mission is to care enough about them to point them to Him, to love them like He loves us John 13:34, 15:12) and to esteem them – to put them before ourselves.

Who and what is most important to you? Will you join me in moving self out of the way for the sake of others?

Lord, help us move from being focused on ourselves, our lives and our to-do lists that we might become focused on the needs of those around us instead.

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