Date: 19 January 2009
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 13:58-14:34
The Death of John the Baptist
14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him." 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, 4 because John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." 17 They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." 18 And he said, "Bring them here to me." 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Ps 15:1-2
O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does that is right and speaks truth in his heart;
Sun Tzu:
Draw them in with the prospect of gain, take them by confusion.
The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006)
The Solar System is composed of 4 terrestrial planets- Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars- and four gaseous giants- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Outside of Neptune lies the Kuiper Belt of comets of which Pluto is now a member. The Kuiper Belt also contains newly discovered UB313 (Xena), Quaoar and Sedna which are as big or bigger that Pluto but orbit a bit further out. There are 153’ish moons in our solar system.
Events:
Marla, mom and I went to Church yesterday. Great service and gospel presentation and a couple really good points (see below). Dad drove up from hunting in south Texas and we went to Perico’s Mexican Restaurant together. Relaxing afternoon watching football together then ate salmon for dinner and celebrated Marla’s birthday with a brownie cake (as she doesn’t really like normal cake).
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. because John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Herod may have felt that he was above the Law because he was a worldly King, but the King of Kings has instated a moral law, a transcendental law that all humans are subject to. Our pastor did a great Job yesterday emphising that God’s hatred of sin, though the world may criticize it of being intolerant, is a good thing. Too often, when I am feeling the condemnation of my own sin or my brother’s sin, I wish that God did not take sin so seriously. It seems bad news that God will condemn those without Christ because of their sin. Maybe, because we live such sheltered lives in America, we forget just how terrible the world is. Perhaps if we witnessed the genocide taking place in Darfur or the warlords in Somalia steeling the food of the relief effort that has been meant for the starving children, perhaps then we would cry out for and rejoice in a God who doesn’t take sin lightly. A God who will not just give a “free pass” to these evil men. Thankfully, our God is a Just God, and we can be assured that these criminals will receive their due punishment; a far worse punishment than any human court could sentence…an eternal punishment.
2. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children Pretty amazing, not much to say about that.
3. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone Though I spent a great deal of time alone this fall, it gives me great Joy to realize that I never actually was alone. The intimacy we have with Christ our king is not a worldly type of conversational intimacy. Though we can occasionally feel the spirit leading us (some more than others…me not so much), and we can unidirectional pray to God, it is a rare instance when God communicates back with the clarity of human conversation. In my opinion, part of the meaning of “living by faith” (apart from salvation by faith) is that we are not typically 100% convinced that we are doing the exact right thing at the exact right time. Is this the right job? Did I say the right thing? What should I do this summer? These questions have the ability to produce crippling anxiety. I knew people in college who were paralyzed by the decision of what Christian Camp be a counselor at, afraid they would make the wrong decision and somehow corrupt God’s plan for their lives. “Living by faith” is not being overly concerned with these questions that at the moment may seem life or death. Living by faith and the intimacy that we enjoy with Christ is based on the promise that no matter where we are or what we do, as Christians, God is working in our lives to bring about his glory and our sanctification. The Intimacy we have with God is the knowledge that he truly understands us better than anyone on earth. God has seen us through all of the hard times and all of the great times, nothing that we have done, seen or thought has been lost to antiquity. We have lived our lives before an audience of one from the beginning and when we realize this and move forward in this promise it inspires in us a confidence that the world can never understand or compete with.
4. 28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" This is one of the best examples of faith (even if it was weak faith) in the bible. The Reformers delineated the parts of a true, saving faith:
a. Knowledge: Saving faith has a direct object and content. We must first know what is to be believed. We don’t need to know everything there is to know, but we must know:
i. Who the true God is.
ii. Who the historic Christ is.
iii. Man’s predicament:
(1) Adam sinned as our federal head.
(2) We were born in trespass and sin.
(3) We have done nothing but sin against God’s standard.
(4) Wages of sin is death, eternal death in hell.
iv. What Christ did:
Christ obeyed the law perfectly. Died vicarious death on cross. Rose again, ascended, seated at right hand of God. And will come again to judge the living and dead.
b. Belief: Secondly, that content must be believed. We must believe that the facts are true, not fiction.
c. Trust: We must also place our trust in this Gospel. This is where works enter, as a demonstration of our belief not a foundation of our salvation. We live as law abiders out of thanksgiving not out of obligation.
In this chapter, we see Peter not only know and believe but also Trust…he steps out of the boat.
Sun Tzu:
1. Victories are often won by allowing the enemy to move forward easily and quickly thereby stressing their supply lines then hitting them when they are unable to get reinforcements or even food. This is very similar to what happened to the Banking industry in America. The greed for money lead the banks to move further and further into debt, issuing one bad loan after another, until they were dependent upon the very bad loans that they were making for their own survival. Justice if you ask me.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Matt 13
Date: 18 January 2009
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 13
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."
The Purpose of the Parables
10 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
"'You will indeed hear but never understand,and you will indeed see but never perceive.15 For this people's heart has grown dull,and with their ears they can barely hear,and their eyes they have closed,lest they should see with their eyesand hear with their earsand understand with their heartand turn, and I would heal them.'
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 "Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
The Parable of the Weeds
24 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
31 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."
33 He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
Prophecy and Parables
34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:
"I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." 37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
New and Old Treasures
51 "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes." 52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.”
Ps 13:5
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
Sun Tzu:
“When you are going to attack nearby, make it look as if you are going to go a long way; when you are going to attack far away make it look a if you are going just a short distance.”
“When you are going to Battle make it seem as if you are retreating. When you are going to hasten, make it seem as if you are relaxing”
“Deception is for the purpose of seeking victory over an enemy; to command a group requires truthfulness”
The Intellectual Devotion:
The Parthenon was built in Athens Greece in the 15 years between 447-432BC. Dedicated to Athena Parthenos (patron god of Athens), it was built to celebrate the victory of the Greeks over the Persians. The Parthenon was used as a house of worship even centuries after the fall of Athens. It was converted to a church in the 6th century, then a mosque by the Turks in 1458. During a battle in 1687, a Venetian shell landed on a Turkish powder keg stored in the temple and destroyed most of the building. In 1801 the British ambassador received permission to ship most of the Parthenon’s sculptures to England, where he sold them to the British Government. Today many of the best art works still sit in British Museums despite Greek efforts to have them returned to the Parthenon.
Events:
Mom came in yesterday. My parents go to Argentina next week and may otherwise, miss seeing me before I deploy. We went shopping in Bracken Village (small girly shopping center) where I spent most to the time talking to my good friend Joel. I feel incredibly privileged to call Joel my friend as for a long time we had more of a “father/son” relationship when I was a young believer. We met in College and for the first 2 years of our relationship, I was an unbeliever. Joel prayed for me then and watched me believe and then mentored me for the first 2-3 years of my walk. We still have much the same “father/son” relationship when we play chess (he destroys me every game) but in life, I am glad to say we have become brothers. Joel is my longest running friend and over the years we have both accomplished much (Joel finished 4 years in the Army, had awesome 2 kids, then went back seminary where he will finish up this year during which time he has been promoted from part time ICU nurse to a full time position managing a hospital) but we have managed to stay very close. Joel will be moving to Washington DC this summer and is currently raising support for an internship that he will do next year and a church plant that he has been slotted for the following year. Marla and I will of course be supporting him as no one has been more influential to my faith than my best friend Joel. Don’t know if anyone will read this but if you do, please consider helping his family out as well.
After shopping we went out to Spice for dinner and it was awesome. We came home and watched one of the cheesiest movies that I have ever seen (but sort of heart-warming ,I guess) The Note.
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. v10 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Christ here says that he speaks in parables explicitly to keep the “weeds” (next parable) from even coming close to a knowledge of the Kingdom. Non-Christians frequently make comments about Jesus being an “amazing teacher” because he spoke in parables. But what “great teacher” intentionally speaks in riddles to deceive his students. The parables of Christ are not meant to be a simplification doctrine in order that the laity derives some life application. The parables of Jesus are told so that the “weed,” may hear but not understand, and see but not really see. 1st Corinthians 2:9-15 gives us a bit more understanding:
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"—10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Without the Holy Spirit, men are “not able” to understand the gospel message. The prerequisite Holy Spirit given at regeneration necessarily precedes our ultimate repentance and salvation. This is why Christ later says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. (John 6:44)”
2. v18 "Hear then the parable of the sower” So what seed is indicative of the true believer? Is it possible to be a carnal Christian? This is the heart of the “Lordship Salvation” controversy. Can Jesus be your savior if you still fail to submit to his Lordship? The answer is in how we define “Carnal Christian.” If by “Carnal Christian” you mean someone who understands, believes and trusts in the gospel but is trapped in a life of sin that they are trying desperately to escape from then yes, it is entirely possible to be a “Carnal Christian.” If however, you mean someone who has knowledge of the Gospel (first 3 seeds) but feels no need to repent of their deeds and escape their sin then no, it is not possible to be a Carnal Christian. The bible teaches that true believers have the Holy Spirit (see yesterday) and the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to convict the believer of sin and lead the believer to Christ. Thus is would not be consistent to say someone is a believer (has the Holy Spirit) yet still has no conviction of the life of sin that he is in. We all sin, we all fall, the difference is that a believer feels conviction away from sin and towards repentance. The unbeliever feels no such convection.
3. "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. Many live with the misconception that God unconditionally loves every person in the world. In this parable we see the clear segregation between God’s Chosen people (good seeds), those who God truly loves as adopted children through Christ, and those children of wrath (weeds). In fact, before we became Christians, we were all children of wrath, as Paul writes in Eph 2:1-4
“and you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4. The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl both point to the unsurpassing greatness of the kingdom that, through Christ, we have gained as our promised inheritance. The worlds present struggles and even joy’s are nothing compared to our reward in heaven. When we have this worldview, we need not be anxious about our finances, relationship or even health because we remember that we are aliens in this world. This is not our final resting place. The concerns of today that seem so overwhelming will not even be remembered in 10,000 years when we sit in heaven with Christ our king and our fellow believers as our neighbors.
5. v49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Make no mistake, the bible teaches of a final judgment and punishment for those who die outside of a saving faith in Christ. It may seem unloving or intolerant for Christians to preach of the Judgment to come but, if it is truth (as the Bible teaches) then it is far more unloving not to send out the warning of the coming Judgment.
6. And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? More biblical evidence that Jesus was not Mary’s only child. Just in case it ever comes up in conversation.
7. 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” Jesus does not heal for healing’s sake. Jesus heals for faith’s sake. While Jesus does have compassion on the suffering people for their physical ailments his primary objective is their spiritual ailment. As Jesus instructed his disciples, Matt 10:14-15
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
True to his word, even in his hometown, Jesus see’s his town’s hard hearts and washes his hands of them. Jesus desires the Father’s glory, not his own glory or his hometown’s glory. The reason we are saved is not our glory (though we will be glorified), not for our eternal joy (though there will be eternal joy) but the glory of God.
8. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." It seems to me that the “intellectual” laity feels that, thought they may not be able to explain the mysteries of the universe, there is someone out there with a long white coat on that can. For goodness sake, look how far science has come; look how smart we humans are, surely there is someone out there who can explain evolution even if I can’t. Well, let me be the first in a long white coat to tell you that we can’t. It is utter nonsense to look at the creation (general revelation) and say, “there is not God.” Follow me on this, does it take more faith to believe in a creator who fashioned the universe or to believe the Big Bang theory (our best guess now). Lets briefly talk about the Big Bang theory, out of nothing was appeared 2 particles (might as well believe in 1 creator out of nothing if you’re going to believe in 2 particles), these 2 particles found each other vast expanse of nothingness and collided. While trillions of particles collide on the head of a needle every second, this collision caused a fusion reaction and explosion to the extent that it created not just 1 new particle (normal fusion) but many (crazy, fictious fusion) then these many particles began to expand and (defying the very rules of Entropy (tendency of nature todards disorder)) began to combine to form larger and more complex structures. These Structures got bigger and bigger until they were so massive that they became hot enough in the center to create fusion reactions themselves, thus creating all of the other elements on the periodic table. These elements then defied entropy again and formed particles, defied entropy again and formed single celled organisms, life then sprung into existence (out of nothing). These singled celled organisms then decided it would be better to work together (though they have no brain or sense) and formed multi-celled organisms, these multi-celled organisms choose to differentiate (at no particular advantage to the next cell) in order to become Large multi-celled differentiated organisms. Pretty stinking unbelievable, each step in this nonsensical cascade requires as much, if not more faith than simply believing that a creator organized it. You would have to be a madman to believe this all occurred without an orchestrator. I laugh when people accuse Christians of checking their brain at the door. Sadly, many Christians have bought into the worlds lie that Religion and Science are incompatible. Far from incompatible with religion, science magnifies my faith. I could tell you things about the human body that would blow your mind. When polled, it has proven true that far from being less spiritual, scientists tend to be far more spiritual when compared to nonscientists. Truly, the fool says in his heart, “There is no God”
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 13
The Parable of the Sower
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."
The Purpose of the Parables
10 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
"'You will indeed hear but never understand,and you will indeed see but never perceive.15 For this people's heart has grown dull,and with their ears they can barely hear,and their eyes they have closed,lest they should see with their eyesand hear with their earsand understand with their heartand turn, and I would heal them.'
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 "Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
The Parable of the Weeds
24 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
31 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."
33 He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."
Prophecy and Parables
34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:
"I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."
The Parable of the Weeds Explained
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." 37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
New and Old Treasures
51 "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes." 52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.”
Ps 13:5
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
Sun Tzu:
“When you are going to attack nearby, make it look as if you are going to go a long way; when you are going to attack far away make it look a if you are going just a short distance.”
“When you are going to Battle make it seem as if you are retreating. When you are going to hasten, make it seem as if you are relaxing”
“Deception is for the purpose of seeking victory over an enemy; to command a group requires truthfulness”
The Intellectual Devotion:
The Parthenon was built in Athens Greece in the 15 years between 447-432BC. Dedicated to Athena Parthenos (patron god of Athens), it was built to celebrate the victory of the Greeks over the Persians. The Parthenon was used as a house of worship even centuries after the fall of Athens. It was converted to a church in the 6th century, then a mosque by the Turks in 1458. During a battle in 1687, a Venetian shell landed on a Turkish powder keg stored in the temple and destroyed most of the building. In 1801 the British ambassador received permission to ship most of the Parthenon’s sculptures to England, where he sold them to the British Government. Today many of the best art works still sit in British Museums despite Greek efforts to have them returned to the Parthenon.
Events:
Mom came in yesterday. My parents go to Argentina next week and may otherwise, miss seeing me before I deploy. We went shopping in Bracken Village (small girly shopping center) where I spent most to the time talking to my good friend Joel. I feel incredibly privileged to call Joel my friend as for a long time we had more of a “father/son” relationship when I was a young believer. We met in College and for the first 2 years of our relationship, I was an unbeliever. Joel prayed for me then and watched me believe and then mentored me for the first 2-3 years of my walk. We still have much the same “father/son” relationship when we play chess (he destroys me every game) but in life, I am glad to say we have become brothers. Joel is my longest running friend and over the years we have both accomplished much (Joel finished 4 years in the Army, had awesome 2 kids, then went back seminary where he will finish up this year during which time he has been promoted from part time ICU nurse to a full time position managing a hospital) but we have managed to stay very close. Joel will be moving to Washington DC this summer and is currently raising support for an internship that he will do next year and a church plant that he has been slotted for the following year. Marla and I will of course be supporting him as no one has been more influential to my faith than my best friend Joel. Don’t know if anyone will read this but if you do, please consider helping his family out as well.
After shopping we went out to Spice for dinner and it was awesome. We came home and watched one of the cheesiest movies that I have ever seen (but sort of heart-warming ,I guess) The Note.
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. v10 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Christ here says that he speaks in parables explicitly to keep the “weeds” (next parable) from even coming close to a knowledge of the Kingdom. Non-Christians frequently make comments about Jesus being an “amazing teacher” because he spoke in parables. But what “great teacher” intentionally speaks in riddles to deceive his students. The parables of Christ are not meant to be a simplification doctrine in order that the laity derives some life application. The parables of Jesus are told so that the “weed,” may hear but not understand, and see but not really see. 1st Corinthians 2:9-15 gives us a bit more understanding:
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"—10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Without the Holy Spirit, men are “not able” to understand the gospel message. The prerequisite Holy Spirit given at regeneration necessarily precedes our ultimate repentance and salvation. This is why Christ later says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. (John 6:44)”
2. v18 "Hear then the parable of the sower” So what seed is indicative of the true believer? Is it possible to be a carnal Christian? This is the heart of the “Lordship Salvation” controversy. Can Jesus be your savior if you still fail to submit to his Lordship? The answer is in how we define “Carnal Christian.” If by “Carnal Christian” you mean someone who understands, believes and trusts in the gospel but is trapped in a life of sin that they are trying desperately to escape from then yes, it is entirely possible to be a “Carnal Christian.” If however, you mean someone who has knowledge of the Gospel (first 3 seeds) but feels no need to repent of their deeds and escape their sin then no, it is not possible to be a Carnal Christian. The bible teaches that true believers have the Holy Spirit (see yesterday) and the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to convict the believer of sin and lead the believer to Christ. Thus is would not be consistent to say someone is a believer (has the Holy Spirit) yet still has no conviction of the life of sin that he is in. We all sin, we all fall, the difference is that a believer feels conviction away from sin and towards repentance. The unbeliever feels no such convection.
3. "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. Many live with the misconception that God unconditionally loves every person in the world. In this parable we see the clear segregation between God’s Chosen people (good seeds), those who God truly loves as adopted children through Christ, and those children of wrath (weeds). In fact, before we became Christians, we were all children of wrath, as Paul writes in Eph 2:1-4
“and you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4. The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl both point to the unsurpassing greatness of the kingdom that, through Christ, we have gained as our promised inheritance. The worlds present struggles and even joy’s are nothing compared to our reward in heaven. When we have this worldview, we need not be anxious about our finances, relationship or even health because we remember that we are aliens in this world. This is not our final resting place. The concerns of today that seem so overwhelming will not even be remembered in 10,000 years when we sit in heaven with Christ our king and our fellow believers as our neighbors.
5. v49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Make no mistake, the bible teaches of a final judgment and punishment for those who die outside of a saving faith in Christ. It may seem unloving or intolerant for Christians to preach of the Judgment to come but, if it is truth (as the Bible teaches) then it is far more unloving not to send out the warning of the coming Judgment.
6. And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? More biblical evidence that Jesus was not Mary’s only child. Just in case it ever comes up in conversation.
7. 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” Jesus does not heal for healing’s sake. Jesus heals for faith’s sake. While Jesus does have compassion on the suffering people for their physical ailments his primary objective is their spiritual ailment. As Jesus instructed his disciples, Matt 10:14-15
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
True to his word, even in his hometown, Jesus see’s his town’s hard hearts and washes his hands of them. Jesus desires the Father’s glory, not his own glory or his hometown’s glory. The reason we are saved is not our glory (though we will be glorified), not for our eternal joy (though there will be eternal joy) but the glory of God.
8. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." It seems to me that the “intellectual” laity feels that, thought they may not be able to explain the mysteries of the universe, there is someone out there with a long white coat on that can. For goodness sake, look how far science has come; look how smart we humans are, surely there is someone out there who can explain evolution even if I can’t. Well, let me be the first in a long white coat to tell you that we can’t. It is utter nonsense to look at the creation (general revelation) and say, “there is not God.” Follow me on this, does it take more faith to believe in a creator who fashioned the universe or to believe the Big Bang theory (our best guess now). Lets briefly talk about the Big Bang theory, out of nothing was appeared 2 particles (might as well believe in 1 creator out of nothing if you’re going to believe in 2 particles), these 2 particles found each other vast expanse of nothingness and collided. While trillions of particles collide on the head of a needle every second, this collision caused a fusion reaction and explosion to the extent that it created not just 1 new particle (normal fusion) but many (crazy, fictious fusion) then these many particles began to expand and (defying the very rules of Entropy (tendency of nature todards disorder)) began to combine to form larger and more complex structures. These Structures got bigger and bigger until they were so massive that they became hot enough in the center to create fusion reactions themselves, thus creating all of the other elements on the periodic table. These elements then defied entropy again and formed particles, defied entropy again and formed single celled organisms, life then sprung into existence (out of nothing). These singled celled organisms then decided it would be better to work together (though they have no brain or sense) and formed multi-celled organisms, these multi-celled organisms choose to differentiate (at no particular advantage to the next cell) in order to become Large multi-celled differentiated organisms. Pretty stinking unbelievable, each step in this nonsensical cascade requires as much, if not more faith than simply believing that a creator organized it. You would have to be a madman to believe this all occurred without an orchestrator. I laugh when people accuse Christians of checking their brain at the door. Sadly, many Christians have bought into the worlds lie that Religion and Science are incompatible. Far from incompatible with religion, science magnifies my faith. I could tell you things about the human body that would blow your mind. When polled, it has proven true that far from being less spiritual, scientists tend to be far more spiritual when compared to nonscientists. Truly, the fool says in his heart, “There is no God”
Matt 12
Date: 17 January 2009
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 12:1-21
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." 3 He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."
A Man with a Withered Hand
9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"— so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
God's Chosen Servant
15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope."
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
Return of an Unclean Spirit
43 "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation."
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Psalms 13:5-14:1
But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Sun Tzu:
A Military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006)
The “Harlem Renaissance” (1920-1930’s) or “New Negro Movement” was a flourishing of African-American Literature and art in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City as millions of newly freed southern blacks moved to NYC in an exodus known as the “Great Migration.” Much of the foundation of the movement was set by W.E.B. DuBois a social theorist, author of the book, “The Souls of Black Folk,” and funder of the NAACP in 1909. This movement produced African-American authors (James Johnson, Nella Larsen, Zora Hurston) poets (Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes who began to put poetry to music and helped nationalize Jazz music) and painters (Palmer Hayden, Lous Jones and William Johnson).
Events:
Yesterday, I got up read and wrote, took Sadie out, got a weight workout. After that, I went to Lunch with Marla and her Team mates at P. F. Chang’s (Trying to eat real good before I deploy). I paid for my own lunch as pharmaceutical reps are no longer able to take doctors to lunch. There is a lot of debate over the new Pharmaceutical restrictions (no pens, notebooks, out of office lunches etc…) In my opinion these are good changes. The Pharmaceutical industry throws away millions of dollars a year on these trinkets that offices subsequently throw away. It is not the Pharm Rep’s job to feed an office or provide the pens and pencils and I am annoyed when a physician or medical assistant comes to expects their free lunch and office goods. We have had these restrictions in place for years in the Army and most physicians that I know still spend just as much time talking to the reps and learning about the new drugs. The Chief of the ED at BAMC loved to show us pictures of conferences where otherwise respectable physicians are reduced to children running around like kids in a candy store frantically grabbing the free pens, calculators and books. As Physicians we should be above this and remember that the Pharm Reps have an important job and it is not office supplier or delivery man.
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. v12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." The Pharisees were likely the first Legalists. A Legalist add’s laws that were never in the bible. We see this today as prohibitions on drinking, dancing, dating and Legalistically holding ourselves to the practices of the faith like going to church and reading our bibles. None of these practices in themselves is sin or salvific. At its best Legalism it makes forgiven, redeemed believers feel guilty when they can’t follow a bunch of manmade, extra-biblical rules like, don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t date etc… At its worst legalism leads to the heresy of Pelagianism (works not faith based righteousness).
2. v21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope." This is one of the hundreds of OT prophecies of the coming messiah. This one in particular widens the scope of the Jews messiah to the savior of Gentiles (you and me) as well. This is what the frequent usage of the term “whole world” both in the New Testament and Old Testament refers to. As the bible teaches that some will be condemned to Hell, the phrase “whole world” cannot mean that Jesus truly did save the whole world. No, the phrase refers to the extension of Gods promise to every people not every person.
3. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Wow, this is a scary verse. Even scarier is, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. It is vitally important to evaluate this verse as this seems to imply an “unforgiveable sin.” In context, simply put, the Jews have just accused Christ of being the Devil (or at least a demon) when they say, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." These pharsees not only do not believe in Christ as the son of God, they have acused Christ as being a Son of Satan. But Jesus does promise, “32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven” Which is all they seem to have done thus far. They have acused Christ of being a demon. This as Christ delineates is permissible and forgiveable, so what is this “speaks against the Holy Spirit” that they have become dangerously close to? Let’s evaluate who the holy spirit is and what he does. The Holy Spirit later discussed as a “helper” in John 14:25 "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit teaches of the person and work of Christ. Further, John 16:7-15:
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, and teaches us of the righteousness of Christ and instructs us to the Judgment to come. The Holy Spirit teaches us the Gospel. But, deeper than simply teaching us, the Holy Spirit “convicts” us. This word “convicts” signifies internal change not simply the external hearing of the Gospel. Thus, Blaspheming the Holy Spirit implies the Blasphemer has not only learned about Christ but has actually experienced the Holy Spirit’s conviction away from Sin and towards Redemption but has denied them. The Pharisees here in Matt 12 have followed Christ for some time now, they have heard him preach, they have acknowledged that he claims to be God and the Lord of the Sabbath, they have witnessed his healing. Externally speaking, they have come dangerously close to a full knowledge of who Christ is and what he has come to accomplish but still blaspheme him. This is not unforgiveable but Jesus warns of the next step, the point at which the internal conviction of the Holy Spirit changes the unbeliever internally making him believe in Christ as the King of Kings and ransom for our sin, If at this point they Blaspheme the Internal Spirit (which is actually impossible, we’ll get there J) then there is no forgiveness. Paul echo’s this in: Heb 6:4-8
“4 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
4. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. This is a very convicting verse when I hear myself utter a string of expletives. I realize the vileness of my own heart and the truth of the reformers statement, “Simul Justus et Peccator,” in English this means Simultaneously Righteous and Sinner. Meaning, every day we fight with a flesh (Romans 7) that desires sin but we also have within us a foreign righteousness (Christ’s Righteousness) at work. If I ever get a tattoo, it will include this inscription.
5. “45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation." The bible talks about angels and demons more frequently than it does the infamous “God’s Love.” Angels and Demons, while not a visible or massive are a fact of the Biblical Worldview, as difficult as it may be to accept in today’s culture of secularism that denies all hint of the transcendental.
6. 46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Great verse, if Mother Mary did not hold any special privilege in Jesus life on earth, why do some give her special privilege in heaven? Some also deny the fact that Jesus had brothers and sisters because they feel that it stains Mary who by their tradition actually deserved heaven by her own merit not Christ’s. Either this verse is incorrect or their doctrine is incorrect, they are mutually exclusive as far as I can tell.
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 12:1-21
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath." 3 He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."
A Man with a Withered Hand
9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"— so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
God's Chosen Servant
15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:
18 "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope."
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit
33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
Return of an Unclean Spirit
43 "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation."
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Psalms 13:5-14:1
But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Sun Tzu:
A Military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006)
The “Harlem Renaissance” (1920-1930’s) or “New Negro Movement” was a flourishing of African-American Literature and art in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City as millions of newly freed southern blacks moved to NYC in an exodus known as the “Great Migration.” Much of the foundation of the movement was set by W.E.B. DuBois a social theorist, author of the book, “The Souls of Black Folk,” and funder of the NAACP in 1909. This movement produced African-American authors (James Johnson, Nella Larsen, Zora Hurston) poets (Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes who began to put poetry to music and helped nationalize Jazz music) and painters (Palmer Hayden, Lous Jones and William Johnson).
Events:
Yesterday, I got up read and wrote, took Sadie out, got a weight workout. After that, I went to Lunch with Marla and her Team mates at P. F. Chang’s (Trying to eat real good before I deploy). I paid for my own lunch as pharmaceutical reps are no longer able to take doctors to lunch. There is a lot of debate over the new Pharmaceutical restrictions (no pens, notebooks, out of office lunches etc…) In my opinion these are good changes. The Pharmaceutical industry throws away millions of dollars a year on these trinkets that offices subsequently throw away. It is not the Pharm Rep’s job to feed an office or provide the pens and pencils and I am annoyed when a physician or medical assistant comes to expects their free lunch and office goods. We have had these restrictions in place for years in the Army and most physicians that I know still spend just as much time talking to the reps and learning about the new drugs. The Chief of the ED at BAMC loved to show us pictures of conferences where otherwise respectable physicians are reduced to children running around like kids in a candy store frantically grabbing the free pens, calculators and books. As Physicians we should be above this and remember that the Pharm Reps have an important job and it is not office supplier or delivery man.
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. v12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." The Pharisees were likely the first Legalists. A Legalist add’s laws that were never in the bible. We see this today as prohibitions on drinking, dancing, dating and Legalistically holding ourselves to the practices of the faith like going to church and reading our bibles. None of these practices in themselves is sin or salvific. At its best Legalism it makes forgiven, redeemed believers feel guilty when they can’t follow a bunch of manmade, extra-biblical rules like, don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t date etc… At its worst legalism leads to the heresy of Pelagianism (works not faith based righteousness).
2. v21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope." This is one of the hundreds of OT prophecies of the coming messiah. This one in particular widens the scope of the Jews messiah to the savior of Gentiles (you and me) as well. This is what the frequent usage of the term “whole world” both in the New Testament and Old Testament refers to. As the bible teaches that some will be condemned to Hell, the phrase “whole world” cannot mean that Jesus truly did save the whole world. No, the phrase refers to the extension of Gods promise to every people not every person.
3. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Wow, this is a scary verse. Even scarier is, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. It is vitally important to evaluate this verse as this seems to imply an “unforgiveable sin.” In context, simply put, the Jews have just accused Christ of being the Devil (or at least a demon) when they say, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons." These pharsees not only do not believe in Christ as the son of God, they have acused Christ as being a Son of Satan. But Jesus does promise, “32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven” Which is all they seem to have done thus far. They have acused Christ of being a demon. This as Christ delineates is permissible and forgiveable, so what is this “speaks against the Holy Spirit” that they have become dangerously close to? Let’s evaluate who the holy spirit is and what he does. The Holy Spirit later discussed as a “helper” in John 14:25 "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit teaches of the person and work of Christ. Further, John 16:7-15:
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, and teaches us of the righteousness of Christ and instructs us to the Judgment to come. The Holy Spirit teaches us the Gospel. But, deeper than simply teaching us, the Holy Spirit “convicts” us. This word “convicts” signifies internal change not simply the external hearing of the Gospel. Thus, Blaspheming the Holy Spirit implies the Blasphemer has not only learned about Christ but has actually experienced the Holy Spirit’s conviction away from Sin and towards Redemption but has denied them. The Pharisees here in Matt 12 have followed Christ for some time now, they have heard him preach, they have acknowledged that he claims to be God and the Lord of the Sabbath, they have witnessed his healing. Externally speaking, they have come dangerously close to a full knowledge of who Christ is and what he has come to accomplish but still blaspheme him. This is not unforgiveable but Jesus warns of the next step, the point at which the internal conviction of the Holy Spirit changes the unbeliever internally making him believe in Christ as the King of Kings and ransom for our sin, If at this point they Blaspheme the Internal Spirit (which is actually impossible, we’ll get there J) then there is no forgiveness. Paul echo’s this in: Heb 6:4-8
“4 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
4. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. This is a very convicting verse when I hear myself utter a string of expletives. I realize the vileness of my own heart and the truth of the reformers statement, “Simul Justus et Peccator,” in English this means Simultaneously Righteous and Sinner. Meaning, every day we fight with a flesh (Romans 7) that desires sin but we also have within us a foreign righteousness (Christ’s Righteousness) at work. If I ever get a tattoo, it will include this inscription.
5. “45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation." The bible talks about angels and demons more frequently than it does the infamous “God’s Love.” Angels and Demons, while not a visible or massive are a fact of the Biblical Worldview, as difficult as it may be to accept in today’s culture of secularism that denies all hint of the transcendental.
6. 46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Great verse, if Mother Mary did not hold any special privilege in Jesus life on earth, why do some give her special privilege in heaven? Some also deny the fact that Jesus had brothers and sisters because they feel that it stains Mary who by their tradition actually deserved heaven by her own merit not Christ’s. Either this verse is incorrect or their doctrine is incorrect, they are mutually exclusive as far as I can tell.
Matt 11
Date: 16 January 2009
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 11:1-25
Messengers from John the Baptist
11 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,
"'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.'
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Ps 12:3-4
The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
Sun Tzu:
“Assess the advantage in taking advice, then structure your forces accordingly, to supplement extraordinary tactics. Forces are to be structured strategically, based on what is advantageous”
The Intellectual Devotion:
Sparta was every bit as tough as depicted in the movie 300. Spartan babies were examined for weakness and if any defects were found they were thrown into a gorge. If a baby passed the first test the training was cruel and relentless prompting the saying, “For the Spartans, actual war was a holiday compared to their tough training.”
Events:
Had a great day with my beautiful wife and puppy dog yesterday. My PA took clinic so that I could come home and spend the day reading, writing and playing with my dog. Sadie and I went for a long run through McAlester Park. I have been running a lot in preparation for an Army PT test that I have to take before I deploy and my pace yesterday would have been good enough to max the test. Last night we watched Hitman (a pretty good movie) and I took a chess tutorial. I plan on playing a lot of chess during deployment and would like to get better.
Thoughts:
Bible
1. v2 "now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see" The first time that I read this, I asked myself, “Isn’t this John, the man that stood face to face with Jesus and professed to the people, ‘behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’? It most defiantly is, so how can this be? John, while a prophet, is still a man and as such is, like us, a victim of the fall of Adam. Further, he is not unlike many of the Old Testament prophets who when faced with challenges and adversity, waivered in their faith (remember Moses, Jonah, David). John was now in prison and would soon be executed by Herod. Like any of us, his faith may have wavered a bit. John, as the rest of the people in the Old Testament, knew God’s plan for redemption in part. He knew there was a promised messiah and King to come who would rescue Israel. But he may have rightly wondered why he was still sitting in that cold cell if Jesus really was the prophesied King (they were friends, even cousins; why had Jesus not rescued him?). Why had Jesus not demanded Johns release if he truly were the prophesied king? As John was like the Old Testament prophets, he was also much like Christians today tend to question their faith when faced with challenges and adversity. We tend to ask, “why did God let this happen?” However, unlike John, who had to send his disciples to Jesus for reassurance, we now have our reassurance at our fingertips. John had revelation in part (the Old Testament), but we now have revelation in full (the completed bible). When adversity came to John, he went to the source of his strength for reassurance. When adversity comes to us we must also go to the source of our strength for reassurance. We must remember the promises of Jesus and his finished work on the cross. In adversity, we must adjust our worldview and become a kingdom minded people. By kingdom minded, I mean, remembering this world is not our home and this body is but a shell for our eternal soul. Remembering that, because of the fall, we have been promised adversity in life and we must temporarily weather but, because of Christ’s death, we have been promised ultimate victory over this adversity.
2. v10 "This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,who will prepare your way before you.'11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Jesus maintains that John came in the spirit of Elijah (though not DNA of Elijah) to prepare the way for Christ. As great a man as John was, in our glorified state (in heaven) even the most carnal of Christians will be more knowledgeable than John, Love more deeply than David, and be more powerful than Elisha.
3. v7 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' Absolutely love this verse! What a great picture of a culture who does not understand the taint of sin. Without a full understanding of sin we do not cry and we cannot therefore rejoice at the salvation of Christ. This is why all great (and true) revivals begin with the correct preaching of sin (example: Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”). Without such preaching, we do not understand that this fallen world is our temporary place of suffering (despite how good it may seem) not our eternal place of joy. It is impossible to treat someone who does not recognize their sickness and there is no joy in curing someone who does not realize what he has been cured from. If I told you that you had been exposed to Mononucleosis but fought it off on your own years ago (as 90% have) you would not rejoice. If I told you that your Mononucleosis caused a cancer and the only treatment was a bone marrow transplant that will kill the donor (let’s say your mother) and she willingly dies to save your life…how great the gratitude. Preachers in liberal congregations do not preach sin and hell for fear of offence, the result is a congregation that can neither morn their sin or rejoice over their salvation. Christian Preachers preach sin, condemnation, death and Hell; then give an actual reason or rejoicing, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
4. v24 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades Not the friendly, all-accepting teddy bear in the sky the world would have us believe in.
5. I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Why am I a Calvinist? Because I believe in the Bible. I believe in the God that exists, not the God that I wish existed. It is not an easy doctrine to preach but if I am commanded to faithfully preach the word of God then I must. I was initially driven to Calvinism when I looked up the usage of the words choose and choice in the bible and found that every usage describes God’s choice of us not our choice of God. Simply stated, Calvinism teaches that all men are free to follow their will. The will of fallen man, however, will never lead him to a saving faith of Christ. Instead, fallen man will always willingly choose to glorify himself and flee from Christ’s lordship. Thus, all men are willing sinners and deserving of the wrath stored up for them. However, God out of love for a predetermined few has changed their hard hearts of stone into hearts of flesh that are no longer compelled to follow their own evil desires, instead these “regenerate” hearts then produce a spirit that willingly believes in Christ’s historic work and accepts his lordship. No one ever wanted to be a believer without first being drawn by the father; the very will to follow Christ indicates Gods inner working. Thus, no one ever wanted salvation but were denied because they were not chosen. Likewise, no one was ever saved without a faith in the historic work of Christ. All people acknowledge that God has something to do with our salvation but the Calvinist says that God has everything to do with our salvation. The purpose of our salvation is not our glory but God’s glory. By doing all of the work, God rightfully deserves all of the Glory. If salvation is our choice then we are sovereign and not God, thus when we stand before God in judgment then we do have something to boast about. The God that I serve, the God of the bible, will share his glory with no man. This is why he has these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;” This is a topic we will touch on again and again. The above is an adequate summary of the verse at hand.
6. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? My God is strong, as above, he will share his Glory with no man.
Sun Tzu:
1. Forces are to be structured strategically, based on what is advantageous” Every situation is different, there is no right answer all of the time. In Joe Poole’s book, “The tiger’s way,” he faults American forces for always playing by the book. Doctrine in war and otherwise must be flexible and allow for strategic innovation. Doctrine must not stifle ingenuity but encourage it. The private on the ground has the most intelligence and vested interest in doing things right, listen to him.
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 11:1-25
Messengers from John the Baptist
11 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,
"'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.'
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Ps 12:3-4
The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
Sun Tzu:
“Assess the advantage in taking advice, then structure your forces accordingly, to supplement extraordinary tactics. Forces are to be structured strategically, based on what is advantageous”
The Intellectual Devotion:
Sparta was every bit as tough as depicted in the movie 300. Spartan babies were examined for weakness and if any defects were found they were thrown into a gorge. If a baby passed the first test the training was cruel and relentless prompting the saying, “For the Spartans, actual war was a holiday compared to their tough training.”
Events:
Had a great day with my beautiful wife and puppy dog yesterday. My PA took clinic so that I could come home and spend the day reading, writing and playing with my dog. Sadie and I went for a long run through McAlester Park. I have been running a lot in preparation for an Army PT test that I have to take before I deploy and my pace yesterday would have been good enough to max the test. Last night we watched Hitman (a pretty good movie) and I took a chess tutorial. I plan on playing a lot of chess during deployment and would like to get better.
Thoughts:
Bible
1. v2 "now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see" The first time that I read this, I asked myself, “Isn’t this John, the man that stood face to face with Jesus and professed to the people, ‘behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’? It most defiantly is, so how can this be? John, while a prophet, is still a man and as such is, like us, a victim of the fall of Adam. Further, he is not unlike many of the Old Testament prophets who when faced with challenges and adversity, waivered in their faith (remember Moses, Jonah, David). John was now in prison and would soon be executed by Herod. Like any of us, his faith may have wavered a bit. John, as the rest of the people in the Old Testament, knew God’s plan for redemption in part. He knew there was a promised messiah and King to come who would rescue Israel. But he may have rightly wondered why he was still sitting in that cold cell if Jesus really was the prophesied King (they were friends, even cousins; why had Jesus not rescued him?). Why had Jesus not demanded Johns release if he truly were the prophesied king? As John was like the Old Testament prophets, he was also much like Christians today tend to question their faith when faced with challenges and adversity. We tend to ask, “why did God let this happen?” However, unlike John, who had to send his disciples to Jesus for reassurance, we now have our reassurance at our fingertips. John had revelation in part (the Old Testament), but we now have revelation in full (the completed bible). When adversity came to John, he went to the source of his strength for reassurance. When adversity comes to us we must also go to the source of our strength for reassurance. We must remember the promises of Jesus and his finished work on the cross. In adversity, we must adjust our worldview and become a kingdom minded people. By kingdom minded, I mean, remembering this world is not our home and this body is but a shell for our eternal soul. Remembering that, because of the fall, we have been promised adversity in life and we must temporarily weather but, because of Christ’s death, we have been promised ultimate victory over this adversity.
2. v10 "This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,who will prepare your way before you.'11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Jesus maintains that John came in the spirit of Elijah (though not DNA of Elijah) to prepare the way for Christ. As great a man as John was, in our glorified state (in heaven) even the most carnal of Christians will be more knowledgeable than John, Love more deeply than David, and be more powerful than Elisha.
3. v7 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' Absolutely love this verse! What a great picture of a culture who does not understand the taint of sin. Without a full understanding of sin we do not cry and we cannot therefore rejoice at the salvation of Christ. This is why all great (and true) revivals begin with the correct preaching of sin (example: Jonathan Edwards, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”). Without such preaching, we do not understand that this fallen world is our temporary place of suffering (despite how good it may seem) not our eternal place of joy. It is impossible to treat someone who does not recognize their sickness and there is no joy in curing someone who does not realize what he has been cured from. If I told you that you had been exposed to Mononucleosis but fought it off on your own years ago (as 90% have) you would not rejoice. If I told you that your Mononucleosis caused a cancer and the only treatment was a bone marrow transplant that will kill the donor (let’s say your mother) and she willingly dies to save your life…how great the gratitude. Preachers in liberal congregations do not preach sin and hell for fear of offence, the result is a congregation that can neither morn their sin or rejoice over their salvation. Christian Preachers preach sin, condemnation, death and Hell; then give an actual reason or rejoicing, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
4. v24 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades Not the friendly, all-accepting teddy bear in the sky the world would have us believe in.
5. I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Why am I a Calvinist? Because I believe in the Bible. I believe in the God that exists, not the God that I wish existed. It is not an easy doctrine to preach but if I am commanded to faithfully preach the word of God then I must. I was initially driven to Calvinism when I looked up the usage of the words choose and choice in the bible and found that every usage describes God’s choice of us not our choice of God. Simply stated, Calvinism teaches that all men are free to follow their will. The will of fallen man, however, will never lead him to a saving faith of Christ. Instead, fallen man will always willingly choose to glorify himself and flee from Christ’s lordship. Thus, all men are willing sinners and deserving of the wrath stored up for them. However, God out of love for a predetermined few has changed their hard hearts of stone into hearts of flesh that are no longer compelled to follow their own evil desires, instead these “regenerate” hearts then produce a spirit that willingly believes in Christ’s historic work and accepts his lordship. No one ever wanted to be a believer without first being drawn by the father; the very will to follow Christ indicates Gods inner working. Thus, no one ever wanted salvation but were denied because they were not chosen. Likewise, no one was ever saved without a faith in the historic work of Christ. All people acknowledge that God has something to do with our salvation but the Calvinist says that God has everything to do with our salvation. The purpose of our salvation is not our glory but God’s glory. By doing all of the work, God rightfully deserves all of the Glory. If salvation is our choice then we are sovereign and not God, thus when we stand before God in judgment then we do have something to boast about. The God that I serve, the God of the bible, will share his glory with no man. This is why he has these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;” This is a topic we will touch on again and again. The above is an adequate summary of the verse at hand.
6. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? My God is strong, as above, he will share his Glory with no man.
Sun Tzu:
1. Forces are to be structured strategically, based on what is advantageous” Every situation is different, there is no right answer all of the time. In Joe Poole’s book, “The tiger’s way,” he faults American forces for always playing by the book. Doctrine in war and otherwise must be flexible and allow for strategic innovation. Doctrine must not stifle ingenuity but encourage it. The private on the ground has the most intelligence and vested interest in doing things right, listen to him.
Matt 10
Date: 15 January 2009
Bible (NT/OT): Matt 10:1-11:1
The Twelve Apostles
10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Persecution Will Come
16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the
Son of Man comes. 24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Have No Fear
26 "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Rewards
40 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."
Ps 11:5-6
The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
Sun Tzu:
“Therefore use these assessments for comparison, to find out what the conditions are. That is to say, which political leadership has the Way? Which general has ability? Who has the better climate and terrain? Whose Discipline is effective? Whose Troops are stronger? Whose officers and soldiers are better trained? Whose system of rewards and punishments is clearer? This is how you can know who will win”
“The one who treats me well is my leader; the one who treats me cruelly is my enemy.”
“So set up rules that are not to be broken, do not fail to punish any offenders.”
“Make everyone equal under the law”
“See who is able to make rules clear and commands easy to follow, so that people listen and obey.”
“If you are superior in all of these seven things (above questions), you have won before you have even done battle…Therefore it is possible to know the victory beforehand.
Events:
Yesterday, I woke up and drove to the Clinic where I started my reading and writing then struggled the rest of the day to finish, finally finishing this morning. I had 2 big meetings and saw a couple patients between them. My PA has received his computer access so we are going to start alternating days so that I can spend more time with Marla and Sadie before I leave. I drove home last night and plan to enjoy the 4 day weekend. I guess not much happened of note.
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority” Notice here that Jesus specifically gives the 12 disiples/apostles authority to perform miricalous powers. Two very important things here.
a. The pupose of these powers is only to magnify Christ and bring his Children to repentance
b. The powers are given specifically (and only) to the 12 apostles. The thought that these powers have continued in subsequent generations simply by linage (the line of Peter for example) is not supported biblically.
2. Vs 5-40: If you want to know the true, historic Jesus read and digest these verses. This is not the watered down, politically correct Jesus of the American Culture. These verses do not support the tolerant, all loving, all accepting, “great teacher,” that is proclaimed from the pulpit of liberal churches every week. Christ is either the Savior of the world, Lord of heaven and Earth and God incarnate or he is a raging lunatic. But let’s not let today’s gentiles get away with, “your Christ is a wonderful , compassionate teacher but not a, prophet, priest or god.”
3. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. Travel in faith. Mission’s are as much for the Missionary as they are for the “missionees” J. I have friends who have become frustrated with the “designer” mission trips that my mentor, Dave Philips used to put on. We would spend a couple days preaching the word, a couple days building physical structures and relationships and a couple days relaxing. These were amazing trips and for the mature Christian maybe a bit lavish. However, my friend Dave was the minister for the high school and college ministry and in the spirit caring for “infant Christians” as the vast majority of kids who went on these mission trips were, he did not put a new patch in an old wineskin (read yesterdays). He did not have the expectation of the kids that they would perform as the great missionaries to South America, China, Africa etc… Instead he used the relaxation time to build up and disciple those on the mission trip. Having experienced the trips, I never complained about the 5-star accommodations J. In-fact, I feel that we did more for the kingdom as we discipled the kids then when we sent the kids out to share and work. The purpose of mission trips is the Glory of God, not some number of “converts” that we may claim. The Glory of God was achieved as these kids came to a fuller knowledge of their own depravity and Christ as their savior.
4. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Wow, not really the way the gospel is pushed upon people today. How could Jesus (who knew the truth of Hell’s pain) not frantically evangelize poor, fallen humanity? Jesus obviously does not believe that salvation lies solely in peoples hearing the gospel and then making an informed (and independent) decision for or against salvation. No, Jesus was most definitely a Calvinist. Jesus acknowledged that Gods ultimate salvation of souls was not in the hands of the Preacher or the person being preached to. If it were then the preacher could boast in his effectiveness at “winning souls” and the believer could boast in his wisdom to make a better decision than his neighbor. Likewise, an ineffective preacher would then be accountable for loosing souls and condemning humans to hell. Further, Christ’s death on the cross would not have effectually accomplished anything, salvation instead would be won every day by effective preachers and smart laity. This is not the biblical view of salvation. Praise the Lord that, Salvation “depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Rom 9:16-17)”
5. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles So what is the problem with the health and wealth gospel? Doesn’t Christ just want you to have, “your best life now?” The problem is that the bible does not support the fact that as Christian’s life will be easier in fact, life is promised to be much, much harder. How about, “22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake…34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household…” So who’s right, Jesus or Joel? Why don’t you ask Paul,
“Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (2 Cor 11:23-28).
The problem is that when we preach health, wealth and our best life now we are setting people up for failure. The Hope of Christianity does not lie in this world but in the world to come. In fact all that we are to expect from this life is suffering and persecution. Remember this world is the punishment for our fall out of Eden (Gen 3), not some kind of reward for making a good choice for Christ. When we fix our worldview, we are no longer disillusioned when things are not going our way, we no longer struggle with the faith when we are persecuted or sick. When we have a correct worldview, we instead use such struggles to strengthen our faith in the promise of our future reward, our best life in eternity!
6. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. This is how we should live. When unafraid of death, we can live as those unafraid of life. We are now free to go to war and face melanoma without the fear of missing out on our best life now. Don’t get me wrong, death is not natural, it is a direct consequence of the fall. Despair over the death of a loved one and a slight apprehension over our own death is to be expected. However the fears of death that I see daily in the ER, a paralyzing fear that drives patients to waist a day in the ED for every little cough and cold, this we are not to fall victim to. Instead, as Christians we are to look forward to our future glory. If I no longer fear death, how much less do I fear man, how much less do I fear embarrassment, public speaking etc…
7. Ps 11:5-6 “The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.” The biblical God does not “hate the sin, and love the sinner,” as the liberal church would have us believe. Apart from Christ, God hates the Sin and the Sinner. Apart from Christ, we are children of wrath, children of the devil (Eph 2). This is a very sad fact but if we profess to be Christians and worship the god of the bible, this is the God that we are worshiping. Don’t make a Golden Calf because you cannot stomach the true God of the bible. If this is not the God you worship please do us a favor and don’t call yourself a Christian.
Sun Tzu
1. The one who treats me well is my leader; the one who treats me cruelly is my enemy.” “So set up rules that are not to be broken, do not fail to punish any offenders.” “Make everyone equal under the law” Amazing that though the eastern world loves this guy, they sure are not adhering to his teachings.
Bible (NT/OT): Matt 10:1-11:1
The Twelve Apostles
10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Persecution Will Come
16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the
Son of Man comes. 24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Have No Fear
26 "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Rewards
40 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."
Ps 11:5-6
The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
Sun Tzu:
“Therefore use these assessments for comparison, to find out what the conditions are. That is to say, which political leadership has the Way? Which general has ability? Who has the better climate and terrain? Whose Discipline is effective? Whose Troops are stronger? Whose officers and soldiers are better trained? Whose system of rewards and punishments is clearer? This is how you can know who will win”
“The one who treats me well is my leader; the one who treats me cruelly is my enemy.”
“So set up rules that are not to be broken, do not fail to punish any offenders.”
“Make everyone equal under the law”
“See who is able to make rules clear and commands easy to follow, so that people listen and obey.”
“If you are superior in all of these seven things (above questions), you have won before you have even done battle…Therefore it is possible to know the victory beforehand.
Events:
Yesterday, I woke up and drove to the Clinic where I started my reading and writing then struggled the rest of the day to finish, finally finishing this morning. I had 2 big meetings and saw a couple patients between them. My PA has received his computer access so we are going to start alternating days so that I can spend more time with Marla and Sadie before I leave. I drove home last night and plan to enjoy the 4 day weekend. I guess not much happened of note.
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority” Notice here that Jesus specifically gives the 12 disiples/apostles authority to perform miricalous powers. Two very important things here.
a. The pupose of these powers is only to magnify Christ and bring his Children to repentance
b. The powers are given specifically (and only) to the 12 apostles. The thought that these powers have continued in subsequent generations simply by linage (the line of Peter for example) is not supported biblically.
2. Vs 5-40: If you want to know the true, historic Jesus read and digest these verses. This is not the watered down, politically correct Jesus of the American Culture. These verses do not support the tolerant, all loving, all accepting, “great teacher,” that is proclaimed from the pulpit of liberal churches every week. Christ is either the Savior of the world, Lord of heaven and Earth and God incarnate or he is a raging lunatic. But let’s not let today’s gentiles get away with, “your Christ is a wonderful , compassionate teacher but not a, prophet, priest or god.”
3. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. Travel in faith. Mission’s are as much for the Missionary as they are for the “missionees” J. I have friends who have become frustrated with the “designer” mission trips that my mentor, Dave Philips used to put on. We would spend a couple days preaching the word, a couple days building physical structures and relationships and a couple days relaxing. These were amazing trips and for the mature Christian maybe a bit lavish. However, my friend Dave was the minister for the high school and college ministry and in the spirit caring for “infant Christians” as the vast majority of kids who went on these mission trips were, he did not put a new patch in an old wineskin (read yesterdays). He did not have the expectation of the kids that they would perform as the great missionaries to South America, China, Africa etc… Instead he used the relaxation time to build up and disciple those on the mission trip. Having experienced the trips, I never complained about the 5-star accommodations J. In-fact, I feel that we did more for the kingdom as we discipled the kids then when we sent the kids out to share and work. The purpose of mission trips is the Glory of God, not some number of “converts” that we may claim. The Glory of God was achieved as these kids came to a fuller knowledge of their own depravity and Christ as their savior.
4. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Wow, not really the way the gospel is pushed upon people today. How could Jesus (who knew the truth of Hell’s pain) not frantically evangelize poor, fallen humanity? Jesus obviously does not believe that salvation lies solely in peoples hearing the gospel and then making an informed (and independent) decision for or against salvation. No, Jesus was most definitely a Calvinist. Jesus acknowledged that Gods ultimate salvation of souls was not in the hands of the Preacher or the person being preached to. If it were then the preacher could boast in his effectiveness at “winning souls” and the believer could boast in his wisdom to make a better decision than his neighbor. Likewise, an ineffective preacher would then be accountable for loosing souls and condemning humans to hell. Further, Christ’s death on the cross would not have effectually accomplished anything, salvation instead would be won every day by effective preachers and smart laity. This is not the biblical view of salvation. Praise the Lord that, Salvation “depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Rom 9:16-17)”
5. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles So what is the problem with the health and wealth gospel? Doesn’t Christ just want you to have, “your best life now?” The problem is that the bible does not support the fact that as Christian’s life will be easier in fact, life is promised to be much, much harder. How about, “22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake…34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household…” So who’s right, Jesus or Joel? Why don’t you ask Paul,
“Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (2 Cor 11:23-28).
The problem is that when we preach health, wealth and our best life now we are setting people up for failure. The Hope of Christianity does not lie in this world but in the world to come. In fact all that we are to expect from this life is suffering and persecution. Remember this world is the punishment for our fall out of Eden (Gen 3), not some kind of reward for making a good choice for Christ. When we fix our worldview, we are no longer disillusioned when things are not going our way, we no longer struggle with the faith when we are persecuted or sick. When we have a correct worldview, we instead use such struggles to strengthen our faith in the promise of our future reward, our best life in eternity!
6. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. This is how we should live. When unafraid of death, we can live as those unafraid of life. We are now free to go to war and face melanoma without the fear of missing out on our best life now. Don’t get me wrong, death is not natural, it is a direct consequence of the fall. Despair over the death of a loved one and a slight apprehension over our own death is to be expected. However the fears of death that I see daily in the ER, a paralyzing fear that drives patients to waist a day in the ED for every little cough and cold, this we are not to fall victim to. Instead, as Christians we are to look forward to our future glory. If I no longer fear death, how much less do I fear man, how much less do I fear embarrassment, public speaking etc…
7. Ps 11:5-6 “The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.” The biblical God does not “hate the sin, and love the sinner,” as the liberal church would have us believe. Apart from Christ, God hates the Sin and the Sinner. Apart from Christ, we are children of wrath, children of the devil (Eph 2). This is a very sad fact but if we profess to be Christians and worship the god of the bible, this is the God that we are worshiping. Don’t make a Golden Calf because you cannot stomach the true God of the bible. If this is not the God you worship please do us a favor and don’t call yourself a Christian.
Sun Tzu
1. The one who treats me well is my leader; the one who treats me cruelly is my enemy.” “So set up rules that are not to be broken, do not fail to punish any offenders.” “Make everyone equal under the law” Amazing that though the eastern world loves this guy, they sure are not adhering to his teachings.
Matt 9
Date: 14 January 2009
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 9
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he then said to the paralytic—"Rise, pick up your bed and go home." 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Jesus Calls Matthew
9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
A Question About Fasting
14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, "See that no one knows about it." 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak
32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." 34 But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."
The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Ps 10:4
In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God."
ESV
Sun Tzu:
Everyone has heard of these 5 things (the way, weather, terrain, leadership and discipline). Those who know them prevail, those who do not know them do not prevail.
The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):
Socrates (470-399 BC), considered the founder of western philosophy, never wrote a book. What is known of him comes mostly from the writings of his most famous pupil Plato. Throughout his life Socrates did not accept payment for his philosophy as many had because he claimed to have “nothing to teach” Socrates maintained that if he appeared wiser than others, it was only because he knew his own ignorance. Socrates was put on trial and convicted for corrupting the youth of Athens. During his trial he made the comment, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” He was sentenced to death by means of drinking poison Hemlock (very interesting from a toxicology perspective). The Socratic method (likely the most effective teaching method) is based on teaching though a series of questions that enable the student to come to his own conclusions about the subject matter.
Events:
Yesterday, I got up early read and wrote in Temple before coming to work. Drove into Fort Hood (a trip that takes about 45 min) then saw patients threw the morning and afternoon. Weight workout yesterday evening and went to Pluckers on the way back to Temple. While I was a Puckers , eating some awesome wings, I one of the waitresses came over and started talking to me. Turns out she is the daughter of the commander in Iraq. I had seen her in clinic before but had since forgotten her face. We talked about my upcoming deployment. Apparently she goes to all of the deployment ceremonies and described them as real tear jerkers. Marla and I had been kind of hoping that I would be flying out of Dallas on a civilian flight in order to avoid a dramatic ceremony (pretending instead that I was just going on a short vacation or something) but, It looks like I will be Flying out of Fort Hood, send off ceremony included J. Apparently there is a short time for family to hang out around the Brigade before we load up on busses and go a large Gym for accountability. At the Gym we sit with our families for about an hour making what is sure to be painful conversation and say our final goodbyes. We then line up, march out and load the busses. And that’s it for the family. Sounds like one of the hardest things that I will ever do. I’m not dreading 6 months in the desert as much as I am dreading those goodbyes.
Thoughts:
Bible
1. "This man is blaspheming." 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he then said to the paralytic—"Rise, pick up your bed and go home." It may have been easier to say…”your sin’s are forgiven,” as there is no immediate proof to the observers. The Pharasees, however, would have known immediately that Jesus was claiming to be equal to God. So while it may be easier to “say” your sins are forgiven, the authority to actually forgive sin rested with God alone.
2. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." Does this mean there are some people who will remain righteous throughout their lives and be justly admitted into heaven without need for Christ? No…it does not, it cannot. There are countless other passages in the bible that profess man’s inability to keep the law (most notably Romans 3). In fact, the entire discourse that just completed (Matthew 5-7) spoke to man’s inability to keep God’s perfect law. So if no one is righteous, then who is Christ speaking to in this passage? Christ is speaking to the heart of pride, the heart of self-righteous that does not realize a need for salvation. Christ is speaking of our American spirit that says, “I’ll do it myself, I’ll get mine.” A spirit that has been extremely successful in producing our great nation, but a spirit that, when brought to salvation, may be the death of us. I can testify to the point that it is impossible to treat someone who does not think he/she needs treatment. The humility that follows a true acknowledgement that we stand condemned as lawbreakers before a holy, just and wrathful God is prerequisite of the felt need for a savior and final acceptance of Christ as that savior. God hates pride so much because pride prevents the person from acknowledging how sinful and pitiful he truly is, hitting his knees and crying out to Christ for help.
3. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. John’s disciples (likely prompted by the Pharisees) here confront Jesus disciples with the question of why they are not fasting as often as Johns disciples. First of all it is amazing to make a distinction as John Himself says that He must become less and Christ must become more and I have faith that as soon as John knew the Identity of Christ that he led all of his disciples to leave him and become followers of Christ. That point aside, the heart of the question seems to center around pious external expression of the faith. The fact that this question follows so closely on the heels of the Criticism that Jesus Disciples are a bunch of tax collectors and sinners implies that the a better understanding is not the heart of John’s disciples question, instead they too have become critical of Jesus and his disciples and are attempting to invalidate his ministry. Jesus answers the question with great tact. While Jesus could have taken them head-on by repeating of his sermon on fasting (as I probably would have), Matt 6:16-18
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
And then hit them with something like Matthew 23:27-28 (again, as I probably would have)
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Jesus, instead, in compassion (realizing that John’s Disciples had simply been used as plants by the Pharisees) softens his blow and speaks the parable above. Outside the text this parable may be talking about the New (or furtherance of the) Covenant. However, inside the text Jesus is speaking of his disciples in the 1 Cor 3:1-3 sense:
“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh.”
Jesus realizes that contrary to the Pharisees (and likely most of John’s disciples) who had performed religious rituals for years (incorrectly as they may have been); Jesus disciple’s just days prior were tax collectors and fisherman. Jesus disciples were brand new believers, still “infants in Christ” and were not yet ready for the deeper practices of the faith. Based on this question, I don’t believe the Pharisees or Johns disciples were ready for true fasting either (though they sure thought they were) as they had to be instructed that the purpose of a fast is not while you have all that you need (as Jesus was present), but when you are experiencing hardship (as John was in prison), "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. (mat 9:15)”
4. "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." … "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose
5. Jesus does not heal for the physical bodies sake, but for the souls sake. Jesus miricals are not primarly concerned with temporal healing and comfort but with demonstrating the mirical that jesus would ultimately perform in his death. He gives Faith to the spiritually blind, he allows the spiritually deaf to hear his gospel, he heals our hands and legs paralyzed with sin to go out and truly help our neighbor, he opens our mouths that we can proclaim his gospel and he raises our stone, dead hearts that we may believe and live never die.
6. Ps 10:4In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God." I choose this verse out of the psalm because it echoes what I said of pride in Thought #2. I like the saying, “Pride is the only disease that makes everyone sick except the one suffering it.” While this is definitely true in the worldly sense, in the eternal sense it is the proud who suffer. Pride says, “your good enough, just look at your neighbor.” It is pride that says, “Look at all the good that I have done in this world, if God still wants to condemn then he’s no god that I want to serve.” Pride looks only at the good that we have done while completely ignoring the bad. The sad fact is that “the healthy have no need of a physician.” Those who feel that they are good enough never seek help. No sin like pride is able to condemn the unbeliever, only pride through its lies of self-worth and self-esteem will prevent the unbeliever from breaking in order to be rebuilt. Hitting bended knee and crying out for God’s Mercy.
Matt 8
Date: 13 January 2009
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 8
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
8 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them."
The Faith of a Centurion
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Jesus Heals Many
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."
The Cost of Following Jesus
18 Now when Jesus saw a great crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 21 Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 22 And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs." 32 And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Ps 9:13-14
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:14 That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
Sun Tzu:
Discipline means organization, chain of command, and logistics. Organization means that the troops must be grouped in a regulated manner. Chain of command means that there must be officers to keep the troops together and lead them. Logistics means overseeing supplies.
The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):
Melody (tune) is a succession of pitches arranged in a way that they make coherent sense or seem to belong together. Melodies are usually divided into shorter “phrases”. These musical phrases are usually arranged in a musical question (antecedent) and answer (consequent) format. Harmony on the other hand is several pitches that belong together played at the same time.
Events:
Yesterday, I got up took Sadie for a run, read, wrote then drove up to Fort Hood. While driving I was listening to Glen Beck who echoed something that I have been feeling for some time now. Glen Beck was discussing “global climate change” the new term for the old “global warming” since it is apparent that we actually have not been warming for nearly 10 years now. I have a couple thoughts on global warming:
1. The pollutants of cars and factories pales in comparison to the natural pollutants of a forest fire or volcano. The world has been adapting fine to the above for billions of years so what is another drop in the bucket if, let’s be honest it’s not hurting anything (best guess maybe a degree warmer over the last 100 yrs and who knows what actually caused this).
2. My biggest peeve against global climate change is that we are throwing billions of both public and private money towards fixing a theoretic problem when we have real problems that truly need and deserve that money. The fact that the Global warming people could organize a worldwide campaign and raise millions of dollars is great but where did that money go? What could those millions of dollars have done for the troops fighting our nation’s two wars? What could that money have done for the starving and sick around the world? Places where 10 dollars could save a life, not where we throw millions upon millions of dollars at a fictional problem. I don’t fault the good people who are truly concerned about our future on this planet, I fault the media and Al Gore’s of the world that have sensationalized a theoretical problem that even the scientific community cannot agree upon. The theoretical “global warming” needs to be last page news until we have some causal relationship between manmade pollutants and actual warming. It may, in fact, be real but until we have a verifiable diagnosis how can we justify throwing millions of dollars and crazy solutions at it? You would not think me a very good physician if I saw a patient and without any tests or verification, just my hunch not only told the patient that they had Cancer but started them on expensive and extremely dangerous chemotherapy. The treatment that we have attempted for Global Warming is just that, treating a disease without a diagnosis with expensive therapies that are unproven and potentially more dangerous than the original theoretical disease.
Got to Hood, saw some patients and stayed in Temple last night.
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them." Jesus does not heal or witness with the same dramatization that we see in many churches today. Why is this? I don’t truly know but I have a couple thoughts. Here Christ wants to ensure that the ceremonial law is kept in that a Jew with Leprocy was to be declared “Clean” by the priest before re-entering society. By avoiding this law the man 1) could have been thrown into jail but worse 2) If the Priests had known that Jesus had healed the man, they likely would not have declared him clean. They would have instead made it seem as though Jesus failed at his miracle so to discredit him. But why isn’t Jesus racing from town to town preaching and healing with great impetus? I mean he’s only got like 3 years to “win” as many souls for God as possible right? Jesus ultimately understood, as we should, that it is God who draws and God who saves. It would be shocking for a present day minister to say to his high-school kids leaving for their summer mission, “If San Antonio doesn’t welcome you and receive your message, just keep going, don’t stay there and debate, fight or “win” just leave.” Not very motivating but this amounts to what Jesus says in Matthew 10. Our Job is to Share the Gospel, it is not to fight or convince. And, it is defiantly not to water it down so that it is more tolerant and acceptable.
2. Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. What a leader, to care this much for his servant. So what is it that Jesus Loves? The Soldiers Faith right? But Faith in what? Why does Jesus say he has found no such faith in Israel? We Christians throw around faith all the time. It seems that all you need for salvation is some abstract concept of Jesus. As James says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (James 2:19-20)”
Jesus is impressed with this Gentile’s acknowledgement of his deity and sovergenity. The Centurion is a Gentile not a Jew, he did not have the privilege knowing the old testament and all of it’s prophecies to the Kingship of the Christ . None the less, the Centurion first acknowledges Christ as Lord, then acknowledges Christ’s dominion over man, sickness and distance. The Faith of this gentile is not simply in Christ as healer, but in Christ as Lord. Everyone could see that Jesus could heal but the centurion announces Christ’s Lordship. This profession precedes that of Jesus closest disciples by months to years. This is why the Centurion is so highly praised. There was a recent controversy in the church over what was called “lordship salvation”. The question was, can a person be saved by faithfully acknowledging Christ’s power over death without acknowledging Christ’s Lordship over them? Can a person be saved who cries out for salvation but does not the have any desire to live by the law of God? Interesting discussion, food for thought but in the end the answer is no. In salvation we realize that we have been bought with a very costly price, we have been rescued from sin and death and if we are truly saved we are grateful beyond words and could no longer allow for sin to rule our lives. Do we fall and sin? Yes but as Christians do we want sin and the self to sit on the throne of our lives NO, that is not if we are true believers.
3. V11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Fulfillment of the promise that even the Gentiles would be saved through this coming, now come messiah. Despite Jewish tradition, salvation does not and never did depend on lineage.
4. V22 And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." A difficult saying, but one that tests the heart. Will we choose our worldly relationships and loves over Christ? This verse, of course, does not forbid us from attending funerals. The point is that this scribe is standing with Jesus and with the opportunity to follow Christ looks back and sees a more worthy activity. Jesus will later says “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matt 10:37-38)” Christ is our savior and our only king or he is nothing to us and we should sleep in on Sunday mornings.
5. V 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" I wonder what the Centurion’s response would have been.
6. Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Make no mistake, we serve a Victorious King, even the Demons acknowledge this. In due time, the events spoken of in the closing chapters of Revelation will come to pass and the ruler of this current age (the devil) and his demons will be thrown into a lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20:10) and we will sit down and dine with our fellow saints and triumphant King.
7. V34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
This entire chapter has recorded Jesus dominion first over the Jew (with leprosy), then over the Gentile (Centurion), then over nature (boat incident) and now over the demons. And when faced with such dominion what is fallen man’s response? Run, leave, escape. Everyone wants a savior, no one wants a Lord. No one wants to step off his throne and let Jesus take over.
8. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:14 That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. As we step off our throne and fall in line with Christ, our reward may not be our “best life now” but it will be our best life soon. We will find a Heavenly father far more loving and forgiving than any worldly father could ever be. A Father that knows us intimately and looks forward to spending eternity with us.
Bible (NT/OT):
Matt 8
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
8 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them."
The Faith of a Centurion
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Jesus Heals Many
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."
The Cost of Following Jesus
18 Now when Jesus saw a great crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 21 Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 22 And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs." 32 And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
Ps 9:13-14
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:14 That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
Sun Tzu:
Discipline means organization, chain of command, and logistics. Organization means that the troops must be grouped in a regulated manner. Chain of command means that there must be officers to keep the troops together and lead them. Logistics means overseeing supplies.
The Intellectual Devotion (Kidder, D. & Oppenheim N. The Intellectual Devotion, Rodale. NY, NY 2006):
Melody (tune) is a succession of pitches arranged in a way that they make coherent sense or seem to belong together. Melodies are usually divided into shorter “phrases”. These musical phrases are usually arranged in a musical question (antecedent) and answer (consequent) format. Harmony on the other hand is several pitches that belong together played at the same time.
Events:
Yesterday, I got up took Sadie for a run, read, wrote then drove up to Fort Hood. While driving I was listening to Glen Beck who echoed something that I have been feeling for some time now. Glen Beck was discussing “global climate change” the new term for the old “global warming” since it is apparent that we actually have not been warming for nearly 10 years now. I have a couple thoughts on global warming:
1. The pollutants of cars and factories pales in comparison to the natural pollutants of a forest fire or volcano. The world has been adapting fine to the above for billions of years so what is another drop in the bucket if, let’s be honest it’s not hurting anything (best guess maybe a degree warmer over the last 100 yrs and who knows what actually caused this).
2. My biggest peeve against global climate change is that we are throwing billions of both public and private money towards fixing a theoretic problem when we have real problems that truly need and deserve that money. The fact that the Global warming people could organize a worldwide campaign and raise millions of dollars is great but where did that money go? What could those millions of dollars have done for the troops fighting our nation’s two wars? What could that money have done for the starving and sick around the world? Places where 10 dollars could save a life, not where we throw millions upon millions of dollars at a fictional problem. I don’t fault the good people who are truly concerned about our future on this planet, I fault the media and Al Gore’s of the world that have sensationalized a theoretical problem that even the scientific community cannot agree upon. The theoretical “global warming” needs to be last page news until we have some causal relationship between manmade pollutants and actual warming. It may, in fact, be real but until we have a verifiable diagnosis how can we justify throwing millions of dollars and crazy solutions at it? You would not think me a very good physician if I saw a patient and without any tests or verification, just my hunch not only told the patient that they had Cancer but started them on expensive and extremely dangerous chemotherapy. The treatment that we have attempted for Global Warming is just that, treating a disease without a diagnosis with expensive therapies that are unproven and potentially more dangerous than the original theoretical disease.
Got to Hood, saw some patients and stayed in Temple last night.
Thoughts:
Bible:
1. "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them." Jesus does not heal or witness with the same dramatization that we see in many churches today. Why is this? I don’t truly know but I have a couple thoughts. Here Christ wants to ensure that the ceremonial law is kept in that a Jew with Leprocy was to be declared “Clean” by the priest before re-entering society. By avoiding this law the man 1) could have been thrown into jail but worse 2) If the Priests had known that Jesus had healed the man, they likely would not have declared him clean. They would have instead made it seem as though Jesus failed at his miracle so to discredit him. But why isn’t Jesus racing from town to town preaching and healing with great impetus? I mean he’s only got like 3 years to “win” as many souls for God as possible right? Jesus ultimately understood, as we should, that it is God who draws and God who saves. It would be shocking for a present day minister to say to his high-school kids leaving for their summer mission, “If San Antonio doesn’t welcome you and receive your message, just keep going, don’t stay there and debate, fight or “win” just leave.” Not very motivating but this amounts to what Jesus says in Matthew 10. Our Job is to Share the Gospel, it is not to fight or convince. And, it is defiantly not to water it down so that it is more tolerant and acceptable.
2. Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. What a leader, to care this much for his servant. So what is it that Jesus Loves? The Soldiers Faith right? But Faith in what? Why does Jesus say he has found no such faith in Israel? We Christians throw around faith all the time. It seems that all you need for salvation is some abstract concept of Jesus. As James says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (James 2:19-20)”
Jesus is impressed with this Gentile’s acknowledgement of his deity and sovergenity. The Centurion is a Gentile not a Jew, he did not have the privilege knowing the old testament and all of it’s prophecies to the Kingship of the Christ . None the less, the Centurion first acknowledges Christ as Lord, then acknowledges Christ’s dominion over man, sickness and distance. The Faith of this gentile is not simply in Christ as healer, but in Christ as Lord. Everyone could see that Jesus could heal but the centurion announces Christ’s Lordship. This profession precedes that of Jesus closest disciples by months to years. This is why the Centurion is so highly praised. There was a recent controversy in the church over what was called “lordship salvation”. The question was, can a person be saved by faithfully acknowledging Christ’s power over death without acknowledging Christ’s Lordship over them? Can a person be saved who cries out for salvation but does not the have any desire to live by the law of God? Interesting discussion, food for thought but in the end the answer is no. In salvation we realize that we have been bought with a very costly price, we have been rescued from sin and death and if we are truly saved we are grateful beyond words and could no longer allow for sin to rule our lives. Do we fall and sin? Yes but as Christians do we want sin and the self to sit on the throne of our lives NO, that is not if we are true believers.
3. V11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Fulfillment of the promise that even the Gentiles would be saved through this coming, now come messiah. Despite Jewish tradition, salvation does not and never did depend on lineage.
4. V22 And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." A difficult saying, but one that tests the heart. Will we choose our worldly relationships and loves over Christ? This verse, of course, does not forbid us from attending funerals. The point is that this scribe is standing with Jesus and with the opportunity to follow Christ looks back and sees a more worthy activity. Jesus will later says “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matt 10:37-38)” Christ is our savior and our only king or he is nothing to us and we should sleep in on Sunday mornings.
5. V 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" I wonder what the Centurion’s response would have been.
6. Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Make no mistake, we serve a Victorious King, even the Demons acknowledge this. In due time, the events spoken of in the closing chapters of Revelation will come to pass and the ruler of this current age (the devil) and his demons will be thrown into a lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20:10) and we will sit down and dine with our fellow saints and triumphant King.
7. V34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
This entire chapter has recorded Jesus dominion first over the Jew (with leprosy), then over the Gentile (Centurion), then over nature (boat incident) and now over the demons. And when faced with such dominion what is fallen man’s response? Run, leave, escape. Everyone wants a savior, no one wants a Lord. No one wants to step off his throne and let Jesus take over.
8. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:14 That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. As we step off our throne and fall in line with Christ, our reward may not be our “best life now” but it will be our best life soon. We will find a Heavenly father far more loving and forgiving than any worldly father could ever be. A Father that knows us intimately and looks forward to spending eternity with us.
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