30 Years and 45 Seconds
December 28, 2021 at 2:55 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 5 CommentsTags: anniversaries, anniversary, Biblical marriage, Christian marriage, marriage, wedding anniversaries, wedding anniversary
This past week my wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. I guess you could argue that it was more of a “recognition” than a “celebration,” since we only got to spend about 45 seconds together on the actual date of the anniversary, and those 45 seconds were spent in the parking lot of a hospital where one of our daughters was in labor with our first granddaughter. My wife was on her way to the delivery room, but the hospital would only let one of us enter. Thankfully, my daughter delivered a healthy and beautiful baby girl, so everything worked out wonderfully, and we didn’t begrudge the reason why, for first time in 30 years, we spent our anniversary in separate locations.
I was going to write something along the lines of, “As we’ve grown old together…” but that doesn’t really apply to both of us. I will readily admit that I’ve grown old (well, at least oldER), but my wife apparently discovered some miraculous fountain of youth around the age of 23 that has allowed her to remain as beautiful, intelligent, optimistic, patient, kind-hearted, and as full of life as she was on the day we got married.
When God announced the brilliant idea (way back in Genesis 2:18) to create wives, He used the expression “an help meet for [husbands]” and some time later people got confused about this concept and starting calling wives “helpmeets” and “helpmates.” What He was really saying was that He intended for wives to be helpers perfectly suited for their husbands. I am especially grateful to God for doing this. 30 years has taught me many things, and one of them is that a “helpmeet,” “helpmate,” or an ordinary “helper” would not have been enough for me. I needed (and still need) a perfectly-suited helper. That’s how much help I need.
I don’t have a big enough vocabulary to describe how much she means to me, and how much I love her. I thank the Lord for putting us together, for giving her to me, for sticking with us, and carrying us along for 30 glorious years. We don’t know what the next 30 years (or even 30 minutes!) will hold, but we’ve put all our trust in Him. We’re not scared of the Delta and the Omicron because we know the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13). We give Him the glory and praise for Christ-empowered, Gospel-proclaiming marriage.
Here are a couple of previous anniversary notes:
Marriage: The Long and the Short of It (20th)
Here’s a Quarter, Thanks to the God Who Cares (25th)
Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 6)
December 16, 2021 at 2:16 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 3 CommentsTags: apostasy, deconstructing faith, doctrine of eternal security, eternal security, eternal security of the believer, everlasting security, Josh Harris, Joshua Harris, once saved always saved
Objection: I don’t know if you’ve heard of Joshua Harris, but he was a famous Christian pastor and author, and now he says he’s not even a Christian. Doesn’t that mean you can lose your salvation?
Answer to Objection: I don’t know all that much about Joshua Harris, although I did read one of his books several years ago. From what I can see on the internet, it does look like he has tried to renounce his Christian faith. However, that in no way means that a person can lose the eternal salvation given to him by God in Christ.
We do not look to the lives, professions, statements, or examples of human beings to determine whether what the Bible says is true or not. Here are, however, some facts we can apply to any person, whether he is a famous “Christian” or not:
1. Merely saying you are saved does not make you saved (Romans 3:21-4:25; Matthew 7:21-23).
2. Writing books, speaking at conferences, and being given the title of “pastor” does not make you saved.
3. A person can be a false convert, and later renounce his false profession of faith. If he believes he was really saved, but now says he doesn’t really want to be saved, his belief in his own salvation may very well have been false (I John 2:18-19).
4. Some people who are truly saved fall into egregious, public, even scandalous sin, which might make it appear that they have lost their salvation, but God, Who knows who is really saved and who is not, may go after that person like a good shepherd going after a sheep who has strayed into severe danger, and, through chastening, discipline, repentance, and grace, will bring that person back to faithfulness and obedience (Hebrews 12:6-7; I Corinthians 5:5; II Samuel 12; Psalm 51).
A good way to think about Joshua Harris and people like him is to pray that, if he ever was really saved, that God will bring him to repentance, and that, if he was never really saved, that God will now truly save him. False professions and sinning Christians are extremely poor and illogical arguments against the doctrine of eternal security.
How to Repair a Broken Relationship
December 9, 2021 at 11:03 am | Posted in II Corinthians | 3 CommentsTags: 2 Corinthians 7, Biblical reconciliation, broken relationships, commentary on 2 Corinthians, restoring friendship, Sunday School lessons on 2 Corinthians
In II Corinthians Chapter 7 we can get some guidance on repairing broken relationships.
1. Point out your own loyalty and the benefits of your past relationship.
Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
II Corinthians 7:2
2. Don’t try to hide that you are hurt, and speak positively about the other person.
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
II Corinthians 7:5
3. Admit your part in the breakdown of the relationship – even if your part in it wasn’t sinful.
For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
II Corinthians 7:8
This was a reference to the missing Corinthian letter – a letter which is not in the Bible or still extant, to anyone’s knowledge – which addressed the problems mentioned in I Corinthians. Apparently it was a very harsh letter – but a very truthful letter. Paul at one point regretted sending it, but now:
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
II Corinthians 7:9
Sorrow and shame don’t feel good, but they are key instruments used by God for our correction and sanctification. Christians should not enjoy conflict, but two errors when dealing with conflict are: (1) handling it the wrong way (without love and grace); and (2) avoiding it altogether, even when it is necessary.
4. Rejoice over the prospect of restoring and/or rebuilding the relationship.
Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
II Corinthians 7:13
I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
II Corinthians 7:16
Jobbed with a Long O
December 7, 2021 at 4:18 pm | Posted in Job | Leave a commentTags: Bible lessons on Job, Bible study on Job, Book of Job, commentary on Job, Job, Sunday School lessons on Job
A child learning to the read the Bible on his own at a young age might be excused for mispronouncing the name of the famous patriarch Job. It looks exactly like the word which means a bit of work, or someone’s occupation. Of course, once you becoming passingly familiar with the Bible you associate the name not with employment, but with patience, or, more properly suffering.
The slang term “getting jobbed” refers to the act of being swindled, deceitfully mistreated, or cheated, especially in the context of a sporting event. It is associated in the minds of some people with the world of professional wrestling.
The historical character, Job, for whom the Old Testament book of the Bible is named, certainly may have been tempted to think he was getting a raw deal, since he knew in his heart that he honored God with his life but had no clue about the behind-the-scenes machinations involving Satan which led to his tremendous suffering. Of course, how much do any of us really know about how the sovereign but secret will of God is being worked out in our lives – in the good times and the bad times, in the exciting times and the mundane times? The Book of Job contains great depths of wisdom along with difficult-to-answer questions that remind us to remain humble before the God who has greater and better plans than we could ever fathom.
Below are a list of links to a few lessons in the category on Job:
1. Behind the Scenes of Suffering (1:1 – 2:9)
2. When Sparks Fly (4:2 – 6:29)
3. Our Daysman (8:20 – 9:35)
4. How Not to Comfort a Grieving Parent (9-11)
5. A Greater Ladder (9:32-33; 33:22-24)
6. Easily Offended (17-23)
7. The Depths of Wisdom (24:12 – 28:28)
8. The Good Old Days (29:4 – 36:10)
9. The First Interpreter (33:22-24)
10. Who Do You Think You Are? (38:2)
11. S.W.I.M. with Humility (38:16)
12. Better Than Explanations (38-42)
Modesty and Louis
December 2, 2021 at 2:45 pm | Posted in Ephesians, Uncategorized | 7 CommentsTags: Biblical marriage, Christian marriage, Ephesians 5, Gospel marriage, John 3, John the Baptist, marriage, marriage ceremony, marriage vows, wedding vows
Remarks from my second daughter’s (and the second to get married) wedding on October 24, 2021:
We are gathered here today in the presence of God and in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord to witness and to celebrate this marriage. We thank God for the gift of marriage, and on behalf of the bride and groom and their families, we thank you for coming.
This is my second time to do this in the same year, and I thought it would be easier the second time, but it’s not.
My wife and I love marriage and we love weddings, but when it’s your own daughter, the feeling is bittersweet. Don’t get me wrong, it’s only 10% bitter and 90% sweet (which is pretty sweet), but it’s tough to remember your adult daughter as a baby and a young child and not wonder at how fast the time went. You can’t really get rid of – and you wouldn’t to – that image of a little girl playing dress-up as a four year old bride – or an eight year old bride – or, in my daughter’s case, still playing dress-up when she was 18!
All of our daughters are special to us – just as I know the groom is very special to his parents and grandparents and family. There comes a time as a parent when you have to shift your perspective and remember that God’s plan for most young people is to get married and start their own family. I think weddings are joyous things – and they very much help in that transition. I was thinking the other day about Bible verses that talk about marriage and a strange one came to mind.
Some of you know who John the Baptist is from the Bible, but in case you’re not as familiar, he came onto the scene right before Jesus, and he had a pretty big ministry. He was baptizing many people. That’s why they called him John the Baptist (the Baptizer).
After Jesus showed up and started His own ministry some of John’s disciples thought John might be a little upset, so they came to him and said, “Everybody’s going over to Jesus now instead of following you as much. What do you think about that?” Now, my daughter is known for being competitive (the groom is a little more irenic, so I think they’re going to balance each other out), and in competition – especially in sports – every play makes someone happy and someone upset. But John the Baptist wasn’t playing a game. He told them that his whole ministry had two main messages: (1) “The Messiah is coming;” and (2) “I’m not Him.”
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
John 3:29
That’s one of the great things about marriage: Nobody should be upset. Everybody is happy. We have been preparing the bride, and the groom’s family has been preparing the groom, and grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends and relatives have all played a part in helping to make them the people they are today, so today we rejoice. It’s their special day, and they are the happiest ones here, but we are all filled with joy for them and because of them, so, before we get to the vows, let me read one short passage of Scripture from the Bible that gives God’s revelation about what marriage really means:
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Ephesians 5:22-33
This is the Word of God. Christian marriage was designed by God to be an illustration of the relationship between Christ and His Church. The husband represents Christ, Who is the Head of the Church. Groom, you must cherish the bride and give yourself for her. You must love, serve, sacrifice, and provide for her. Bride, you must willing submit to the groom, and serve, love, honor, and respect Him. This is going to be for your good, but it is a big responsibility, too. You need show the world the glory of Christ, and what it means to love and serve like Him.
The rest of us are celebrating, but we have a big responsibility here, too. As true friends and family members, we need to commit to pray for the bride and groom, that the groom would be safe on his job, and that the bride would continue to influence and teach children, which is what she’s been called by God to do.
This marriage is about the bride and the groom. It’s about the people who love and care for them. But first and foremost it is about God and His Gospel. God is loving, but He is also just. Y’all are some of the finest people I know, but we’re all sinners. Sinners are people who have broken God’s law and must be punished by a just judge. HOWEVER, God has made a way for forgive sinners. He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ the Lord, to take our sins on Himself and carry them to the Cross and pay for them in full. He laid down His life, He was buried and He rose again. He is alive today, seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will give you a new heart, eternal life, and a guaranteed home in Heaven if you repent, believe, and trust in Him alone.
Now, we will hear the groom’s and bride’s vows:
To the groom: Do you take this woman to be your wife in the holy covenant of Christian marriage, promising to love her, honor her, protect her, provide for her, be faithful to her, and to give yourself for her as Christ gave himself for His Church?
Groom: I do.
Do you promise with God’s help to honor these vows to her in sickness and in health, in prosperity and in poverty, for better and for worse, in times of joy and in times of grief, forsaking all others and continuing to abide with her as long as you both shall live?
Groom: I do.
To the bride: Do you take this man to be your husband, promising to love, reverence, honor, help him, be faithful to him, and to lovingly submit to him as he honors Christ in your marriage?
Bride: I do.
Do you promise with God’s help to honor these vows to him in sickness and in health, in prosperity and in poverty, for better and for worse, in times of joy and in times of grief, forsaking all others and continuing to abide with him as long as you both shall live?
Groom to bride: I take you to be my wife, and I promise and commit in the presence of God and these witnesses to love and serve you as long as we both shall live.
Bride to groom: I take you to be my husband, and I promise and commit in the presence of God and these witnesses to love and serve you as long as we both shall live.
Groom to bride: I give you this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.
Bride to groom: I give you this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.
Prayer: Lord God, we ask you to bless this covenant of marriage between Joey and Juliette. Please help them to honor the vows that they have made today, and give them a joyful, fruitful, loving, Gospel-centered, Christ-honoring, and grace-fueled marriage, so that their love for You and for each other grows greater, deeper, and richer each day. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
Considering the vows you have made today and in view of what the Bible says about the glorious gift of marriage, I am pleased to pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
Keeping in mind that you are in public, you may give each other an appropriate kiss.
The Deep End 
An Exemplary Church
December 14, 2021 at 4:52 pm | Posted in I Thessalonians | 3 CommentsTags: 1 Thessalonians 1, Biblical joy, Biblical suffering, commentary on 1 Thessalonians, Divine election, election, joy, joy in the Holy Spirit, Sunday School lessons on 1 Thessalonians
I Thessalonians 1:1 (emphasis added)
Note the “church” in Verse 1; there was a local church assembly. The start of the church at Thessalonica is described is in Acts 17. It is possible that I Thessalonians is second oldest epistle in the Bible (possibly predated only by Galatians).
Acts 17:1-3
Thessalonica – originally named Therma for the hot springs nearby – was renamed after Alexander the Great’s sister, “Thessalonike,” which meant “Thessalian victory,” Nike being the mythological god of victory. It is possible that Paul was only there for three Sabbaths. Thugs were hired by the Jewish religious leaders there to rile everybody up, and Paul and Silas had to leave by night.
I Thessalonians 1:4
The Thessalonian believers understood that they had been saved BY THE LORD. He chose them – He elected them. The Lord shares the title of Savior with NO ONE. These Thessalonian Christians were not saved out of Judaism for the most part. They were saved from idol-worship.
I Thessalonians 1:9-10
They turned from their idols, and they were persecuted by the gentiles. They suffered for Christ.
I Thessalonians 1:6
They were exemplary in their obedience, and their faithfulness in suffering encouraged other churches to follow their example.
I Thessalonians 1:7
They were also exemplary in their enthusiasm and soul-winning. They expected Christ’s soon return, but they were not idle or fearful. They were excited and busy. They knew that on the day of accounting they would not present to the Lord their vain idols. They had a LIVING hope in the LIVING God.
I Thessalonians 1:3
They placed a high value on their status as CHILDREN OF GOD. They were NEW CREATIONS – HIGHER creations, redeemed for a greater purpose than they could have imagined before they were redeemed. No vain amusement or material possession of this world could fulfill them. By the same token, no persecution, trial, trouble, or temporary circumstance of this world could make them truly miserable. They were too joyful for that, because their joy was in a Treasure that is greater than any earthly treasure.
I Thessalonians 1:6 (emphasis added)