Posted by Pastor Pat on November 9, 2010
Part 2
In Romans 3 the word “justified” is used several times (Rom. 3:4, 10, 20, 24, 26, 28, 30 [see also “righteous” Rom. 3:5, 21, 22, 25, 26). Only God can declare a man righteous and yet men continually seek ways to make themselves righteous.
“THERE ARE fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation: that salvation is from God, and that salvation is from ourselves. The former is the doctrine of common Christianity; the latter is the doctrine of universal heathenism. “The principle of heathenism is, negatively, the denial of the true God, and of the gift of his grace; and, positively, the notion that salvation can be secured by man’s own power and wisdom. Whether the works through which heathenism seeks the way of salvation bear a more ritual or a more ethical characteristic, whether they are of a more positive or of a more negative nature, in any case man remains his own Savior; all religions except the Christian are autosoteric . . . And philosophy has made no advance upon this.”
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Posted by Pastor Pat on November 20, 2009
Read Ephesians 4:17-32
The intent of this article is to show how what we once were in Adam we no longer are, but still have. Paul’s point from the beginning of the letter all the way through chapter 3 is to note how those who were once in sin’s debt and alienated from God are now redeemed from sin and adopted into God’s family. He is their Father and they are His children.
Paul is clear in verses 17 through 22 as to what this in Adam condition looks like both as a state and as a function. I would like us to consider the graphic nature of Paul’s language in describing those apart from Christ. There are several descriptive phrases that help us mark the unbelieving state and practice.
First, there is the futility of their mind (v. 17). The word “futility” speaks to vanity, emptiness. “The word contains the idea of aimlessness, the leading to no object or end.”[1] It is the same word used in Romans 8:20 (“For the creation was subjected to futility. . .”) and in 2 Peter 2:18 (“For speaking out arrogant words of vanity. . . ”). There is emptiness to the conclusion drawn by those who do not and will not acknowledge God. Because there is no fear of God within their thinking, they have no wisdom (Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10). This is the manner of life that characterizes the unbelieving.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on May 18, 2009
Read Mark 4:26-29
. . . 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows-
how, he himself does not know. 28 “The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade,
then the head, then the mature grain in the head.
29 “But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
As is true of all parables there is a large, singular idea that needs to caught by the listener. The intent of the parables as found in Mark 4 is to encourage His disciples as to the certainty of the work in which they are engaged and to instruct them as to the character of this kingdom. There are three aspects to this kingdom as it is described in the parable. First, the growth of the Kingdom is always constant. Second, the growth of the Kingdom is unavoidable. And finally, the growth of the Kingdom is complete.
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Filed Under: Mark
Posted by Pastor Pat on May 14, 2009
Read Mark 4:21-25
“The opening for of verse 22 indicates a close connection with what precedes. What had just been said in figurative language is now elucidated in literal terms. The double statement stresses the idea of purpose. The underlying law is that when things are hidden, the intention is that in due time they will be revealed.” (D. Edmond Hiebert, Mark: A Portrait of the Servant, 107).
In our context, what was unknown about the kingdom is now being made known. Jesus is unfolding and revealing those things that were previously unknown and concealed. His disciples are to be assured of the kingdom’s victory. The truth of God will triumph. Those who are opposed to Him are equally assured of their demise. No matter what man might do, God will win.
The Pharisees and Herodians sought to destroy Him (3:6) and the scribes accused Him of being demonic (3:20-30). This parable speaks directly to their actions. Instead of celebrating and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, they sought to place it under a peck-measure or a bed (4:21). Jesus assures His disciples that what they seek to hide will be disclosed and what is secret will come to light. Like the previous parable of the soils and the triumph of the good soil producing abundance, so also this parable assures His audience that victory is certain. The program of God is unstoppable.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on May 10, 2009
Read Mark 4:1-20
This parable of the soils is part of our Lord explaining the mystery of the kingdom of God. There are aspects of the promised kingdom presently being manifested.
An aspect of the kingdom revealed is pictured in the wide broadcasting of seed. The seed finds various receptions. The truth of God’s kingdom will be openly resisted by some. And because of misunderstanding of the true program of God, others will initially receive it with joy, but in time will abandon it because of failed expectations. Only a remnant will receive it with joy and see enduring fruit. This parable explains what is happening. In Mark 1 the authority of the King is established. In chapters two and three there is open resistance to the authority. Now in chapter 4 the reason this is true is explained. The primary idea in the parable of the soils is not to emphasize the ¾ who resist, but the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom in the world.
So far in the narrative, Mark has placed the person and work of Jesus in a context of strenuous opposition, whereby the religious establishment and political authorities are openly hostile to Him and are desirous of seeing Him destroyed. In this context, anyone who would claim to be His disciple would be discouraged and depressed. This parable seeks to show them the end of God’s program. In so doing, His disciples are to be greatly encouraged.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 19, 2008
So…what does it mean to be freed from the presence of sin? First, it would assume we understand to even the smallest degree what impact sin has had on our lives and circumstances. Think of all the trauma and heartache that exists in the world. Think with me of every tear that has been shed from the complete and utter anguish of soul when it is visited by hopelessness and dashed dreams.
Even then our inability to comprehend fully the loss this entails calls me to be cautious in any attempt to describe what freedom from the presence of sin might be like. Nonetheless what says the Scripture?
Everything about our existence is marred by sin. Nothing has escaped the touch of sin’s denigrating influence. Everything is in decay. Nothing is sustained indefinitely. Our hearts cry out in pain. We cannot feel because sin has dulled our sense of touch. We cannot see because sin has clouded our vision. We cannot hear because sin has silenced the voice of God. We cannot taste because sin has made us calloused to the true things of God.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 17, 2008
Romans 6: 7 – “for he who has died is freed from sin.”
It is the freedom from the penalty of sin that now affords me freedom from the power of sin. Sin’s authority over a people marked by the cross has been completely removed. Our death to sin has freed us from sin. Sin is no longer to rule over us. Sin once reigned and its reign resulted in death (Rom. 5:21), but sin’s reign has come to an end (Rom. 6:12).
The reign of sin speaks of its authority or power over its subjects. Sin was once king but has since been dethroned. Our Lord Jesus Christ led an insurrection against it and won. Sin no longer has authority over the people of God. It is hard for us to process the idea that sin no longer has authority over us when it would appear that we sin so easily. Yet, sin has no power over us because of Jesus Christ.
Sin pulls relentlessly at the hem of our garments. It leans against us ever so slightly but persistently until we bow under its enduring weight. This is the power of sin. It makes us doubt the goodness of God. It wants us to believe that His love for us is conditional and His acceptance of us is performance based. It delights in keeping us in bondage to its residue. It wants us to believe that God’s forgiveness, although complete, is still qualified. This is the power of sin. And it is this that the power of the cross has destroyed. As His people we have freedom from the power of sin.
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Posted by Pastor Pat on December 16, 2008
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,” Romans 8:3
Let me begin with a sentence that I will break down into five short statements.
The work of Christ (1 Pet. 2:24)
as the outworking of the Trinitarian eternal purpose (Eph. 1:4)
in behalf of His people (Matt. 20:28)
against sin (Rom. 8:3)
is finished (John 19:30).
So what…what difference does this “doctrine” make in the daily grind and routines of life?
My attempt in this short meditation is to unpack this idea.
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