|
MY BIBLE BLOG
JANUARY 2007
A MATTER OF TRUST.
I have heard many sermons based on the
story of the Lord Jesus walking on the water (see Matthew 14:22-33). I
have related to every one of them. Perhaps this is because the story
conjures up pictures in my mind. But I have always related to the story
at a deeper, spiritual level. Here are the elements of the story:
• The disciples were on Lake Galilee fighting storm conditions
• The Lord Jesus came to them, walking on the water
• He spoke reassuring words to them
• Peter asked the Lord to invite him onto the water
• Jesus invited Peter to walk on the water
• Peter walked on the water until he took his eyes off the
Lord
• Jesus rescued Peter, and the boat came safely to land.
The spiritual application is clear. Jesus comes to us in the storms of
life to offer his words of comfort and strength. He rescues those who
call upon him. When we trust him he helps us to overcome our
circumstances. The secret of faith is to keep our eyes on the Lord, and
not on our situation. It’s a matter of faith. Let’s trust him in 2007.
“TRUST in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your
paths straight” (Prov.4:5-6).
FEBRUARY 2007
THE WORD OF GOD?
Doctrine statements form the basis of most
Christian fellowships. These include tenants concerning the Godhead,
salvation, and the Christian life – present and future. Basic to them
all is belief that the Scriptures, the Bible, is the Word of God. But
do we believe this? I ask the question because many evangelical church
services do not include the reading of Scripture.
The earliest churches followed the Jewish tradition of systematically
reading the Word of God in their public services. Then the Church
developed its own lectionaries, which included the Old and New
Testaments. Paul reflects this early practice when he exhorts Timothy:
“Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (1 Tim.4:13).
Many modern sermons and Christian songs give scant recognition to the
Word of God. Christian worship is becoming increasingly subjective.
Songs and sermons are often self-centred. Existentialism rules okay!
Subjects like repentance, holiness, service, suffering, heaven and hell
are outmoded.
Let’s get back to basics! We must promote Bible reading in our pulpits,
using a good modern translation that everyone can relate to. And we
need a revival of expository preaching.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path” (Psalm
119:105).
MARCH 2007
TRUTHS to live by.
This month a Christian minister wrote in
the Letters Column of a local newspaper suggesting society would do
well to return to the Ten Commandments. The following week a member of
the Humanist Society responded by saying we should not teach human
values rooted in ‘ancient fairy tales’. He took the opportunity to
undermine the Christian Faith.
This is a shame. If the humanist could share a better set of
directives, why didn’t he? The fact is the Ten Commandments are not
unique to Moses (see Exodus 20:1-17). King Hammurabi of Babylon (1810
-1750 BC) formulated similar rules based on justice (The Code of
Hammurabi may be found on a stele in the Louvre Museum in Paris.) They
protect family rights, false accusations, and property rights. Humanely
they defend the weak, poor, women, children and slaves.
But there is a difference between the two codes. Hammurabi excludes any
reference to God. The Ten Commandments relate to humanity and God - and
God first. This is the fact that upset the humanist. But belief in God
applies the rules relating to human relationships. Jesus Christ said we
should love God and our neighbour as ourselves.
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13).
God Bless you
|
