Set Apart

SET APART

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” - John 17:17

Life can seem rather mundane at times. It doesn't matter how long you live or successful you become, we are responsible to accomplish certain routine tasks. These chores are continual duties that never seem to end. These regular chores include washing dishes, doing laundry and paying bills. These jobs never seem to end.

Another task that we must undertake on a regular basis is grocery shopping. It doesn't matter how tired you are the end of the day, you still need to go to the grocery store on occasions. Yet there is a lesson to be learned when you shop for groceries.

If you're like most people, you enter the store and get a shopping cart or basket to get your groceries. Then you go through the process of finding what you need. For instance, if you need tomatoes, you go to the produce department and look for the tomatoes you want. You look through the bin and choose the tomatoes that look best. Then you set aside the ones you want. You store them in a little plastic bag and put them in your shopping cart. Later, when you check out, you pay for the tomatoes. They are yours to use as you wish.

We often set aside items when we shop. Whether you are purchasing fruit or vegetables, you choose the items you want and set them aside to purchase them.

We have been set aside by the Lord. We belong to Him. We are set apart from unbelievers. Being set aside or set apart has a theological term called sanctification.

When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Jesus was referring to His disciples and us when He spoke these words. He prayed that His followers would be sanctified.

There are three types of sanctification for a believer. First of all, there is positional sanctification. I've already referred to it. The Lord has set us apart for Himself. We've been made children of God by His grace. We are set apart for the Lord. That is positional sanctification.

Secondly, there is practical sanctification. This is His ongoing work in our lives to make us more and more like Himself. We are being sanctified in holiness. He is the Potter and we are the clay. We are being molded into vessels of honor, trophies of His grace. Our sinful blemishes and broken pieces are among the issues He is addressing in this ongoing process.

Finally, there will be permanent sanctification. Ultimately, we will be set apart eternally. The Psalmist refers to this in the first psalm: “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”

So how does God accomplish this work of sanctification? In His prayer, Jesus gives us the answer: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” The truth sets us apart. We are sanctified through the truth. It is no surprise the devil has targeted this area. In our world, “relative truth,” is the norm. “Relative truth,” teaches that what is true for me may not necessarily be true for you. According to the world, truth is highly subjective and probably doesn't even exist. This is a twisted lie of the devil. The devil has successfully deceived most people into doubting the Word of God. Just as he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden, the devil has people questioning God and His Word.

Yet there is truth. Jesus prayed, “thy word is truth.” While it is obvious that the Bible contains truth, it is more than that. The Word IS truth!

God uses His word to set people apart. It was His Word that convicted us and brought us to a saving faith in Christ. Our positional sanctification is due to His Word. His ongoing work to conform us to Christ is being accomplished as we read, study and apply His Word to our lives. Practical sanctification is being accomplished through His Word. Ultimately, our permanent sanctification will be due to His Word. He will return, as predicted by His Word. The Lord Jesus will come with a shout (1 Thessalonians 4:16). His Word has the power to raise the dead!

We have been set apart for the Lord. We belong to Him. He changed us by His Word at conversion. He is working in our lives, molding us into the people He wants us to be. He is changing us day by day by His Word. One day, He will come again and our bodies will be changed in an instant.

We are set apart by the Lord. We are set apart for the Lord!

This World Is Not My Home

 THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” - John 17:16

Home. That four letter word has great meaning to me. Few things bring me peace of mind, clarity of focus and waves of emotion like thoughts of home. The heart longs for the tranquility and love that exists at home. The old expression summarizes it best, “There's no place like home.”

When we think of home, we often go back in time to our upbringing. If you had a happy childhood, you probably have fond memories of the time you spent growing up with your father and mother. That old home-place may not exist now, but it is standing tall and strong in the vivid portrait of your mind. We have such fond recollections about our childhood because we were insulated from many of the world's problems. We did not have adult responsibilities back then. There in the innocence of our youth, strong memories were developed. We often long to return to such a time, even for a brief moment.

As adults, we've worked, saved and invested so we could eventually purchase a home for ourselves. We want to create such memories for our children to experience and enjoy. We tend to relive our youth through the lives of our children and grandchildren. We want our home to be a place that is a safe haven for them, a place that they will cherish.

Home is a place for family. As such, a good local church serves as another home that is special to us. When I was growing up, church attendance was not an option. We were in church every Sunday. I have memories of those days. Many of the saints who worshiped are not longer with us. Yet their spirit and love are still remembered by this author. Church is a spiritual home for believers. At church, lives are changed, hearts are touched and love is shared.

As believers, we have another home. A home that is perfect. It is eternal. This home is a place we call heaven. The temptation is for our roots to grow deep in this world. Yet this world is not our home. Your place of residence is just a temporary home. Your local church is just a home away from home. Our ultimate home is the abode of God, heaven.

When Jesus prayed in John 17, He spoke of His disciples when He said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” These words are true of us as well. No, we are not of this world. At one time, we were of this world. Our desires, goals and dreams were very selfish and worldly. But when Jesus entered our lives, He changed all of this. Now our permanent residence has been changed to a different country. Our affections have been altered. As we grow in our faith, it becomes more obvious that we don't really fit in this world.

As we see our world spiral into deeper levels of sin and depravity, our stand for truth and righteousness is in glaring contrast to the views of others. More and more, a committed Christian is viewed as “weird.” Back in the 1970's, the phrase, “Jesus Freaks,” was used as a derogatory description of zealous Christians. These days, we are viewed as bigoted, mean and intolerant.

Jesus was not of this world either. He was controversial, misunderstood, and even hated. Ultimately, the religious crowd encouraged the Roman government to execute Jesus. If we love Jesus and live for Him, why should we expect better treatment than He received?

Our job is not to find a way to fit in this world. It is not our mandate to make Christianity, “cool,” “relevant,” or “popular.” Our commission is to proclaim the Gospel in this world. We are not to change it so others will easily embrace the message. Instead, we are to boldly share the message in its fullness. The message will be received by some but scorned and rejected by many.

Also, it is not our job to conform to this world so that we will be more popular. Obviously, we are not be obnoxious either. Rather, we are to be people of integrity and live holy lives in this unholy world. I will never be “Citizen of the Year.” That's okay with me.

Since I am not of this world, I should not expect the world's applause. They are marching to a different beat. They are following a different leader. They are going in an opposite direction.

This world is not our home. Like Jesus, we are not of this world. Our home is in heaven. Our treasures are there. We are not pursuing the accolades of men. We are pursuing a crown. We don't covet the praise of men. Instead, we yearn to hear our Father say, “Well done.”

As I grow older, this world becomes less and less attractive. My thoughts drift toward a perfect place. It's a place I've never been to. Yet it is my home.

Like the old song says, “This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.”

Insulation, Not Isolation

 

INSULATION, NOT ISOLATION

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” - John 17:15

Leonard Ravenhill once said, “The greatest miracle that God can do today is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world and make him holy, then put him back into that unholy world and keep him holy in it.” Study those words carefully.

When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He addressed the issue of living in an ungodly world. Jesus was nearing the cross. The resurrection and ascension would follow. The disciples would be left to face an unbelieving, hostile world. We face the same dilemma ourselves.

The disciples would be entrusted with the message of the Gospel, the future of the church and the spread of Christianity. That's an impossible task. To make things worse, they would be faced with this task while enduring major persecution. So Jesus prayed for them. Of course, the Holy Spirit would also be sent to empower them to accomplish these things.

Knowing the challenges His disciples would face, Jesus prayed, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” Let's consider this request. Jesus prayed about their purpose and their protection.

First of all, Jesus prayed for the disciples, focusing on their purpose. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.” Rather than becoming monks and living a life of isolation, Jesus prayed for them to remain in the world.

At times, it would be tempting to get away from this world, wouldn't it? Like the Psalmist, we feel like saying, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” The problems, pain and persecution we have in this world have us aching for a better life in a better place. There is a better place just ahead for us. In the meantime, we are called to minister where God has planted us. Yes, there is a time when we must “get away,” from everything to get our spirit refreshed and renewed, but we are not called to remain there. Taking a vacation or going on a spiritual retreat is wonderful, but this is not to become our dwelling place. It would be tempting to “feel a call” to do mission work at a beautiful vacation getaway, but that is not normally the case, is it?

We have just a brief period of time to live here on earth. God has called us to be salt and light in this world. He uses common people like you and me to impact the culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, we are called to remain here in this world. Don't give up hope. Our Lord is soon returning for us.

Although we are not to live in isolation from the world, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be insulated from the world. Notice how He prayed, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” While He prayed that His disciples would be blessed to fulfill their purpose, Jesus also prayed for their protection. He prayed for His disciples to be insulated, not isolated, from this world.

There is much evil in our world. The devil is a wicked foe, seeking whom he may destroy. The world laughs at our belief that the devil exists. As humans, we tend to overestimate our ability. We also tend to underestimate the devil. So Jesus prayed for the protection of His disciples.

The devil once complained that God had put a hedge of protection around Job. It frustrated the devil that he didn't have unlimited access to Job's life. Although it seems like the devil is very successful these days, we must remember that he has limited power. He is on a short leash. Yet we need divine protection every moment. The devil is shrewd. He is cunning. He doesn't fight fair.

Jesus prayed for the protection of His disciples. We need such security ourselves. The President has the Secret Service nearby to protect him. We have the Spirit within us, the angels around us and a Savior praying for us. What a security team surrounds us!

While it is tempting at times to fly away like a dove, we have a job to do. We are on assignment for the King. We are ambassadors for Christ in a world of moral and sinful decay. God has given us a mission to fulfill.

Let's be faithful until He calls us home.

From Tragedy To Triumph

FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH

A personal reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” - John 12:24

I typically write these blog messages about three weeks or more in advance. This message is an exception. Last week, I posted a message entitled, WHY CHRISTIANS ARE HATED. I wrote that message in the middle of August, but when I posted it online last weekend, I had no idea that we'd be facing a week of great tragedy, spawned by hatred. The message seemed almost prophetic.

This week, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in front of thousands of young people. Charlie was very outspoken about his political and spiritual views. He related easily with young people. Yet this 31-year old man was gunned down simply because he expressed his views publicly. His death has greatly impacted our nation. He was murdered by a man with hatred in his heart.

Many Christians continue to mourn Charlie's death. A few people have delighted in his death, which shows you the depth of depravity that exists in our nation. Civility is missing from our country. Truth is despised. Truth bearers are targets. This event highlights the senseless hatred and violence that has spread across our land. Charlie Kirk was killed because he shared what he believed.

This whole ordeal doesn't make sense, does it? Some even question why would God permit such a faithful witness to perish like that.

Yet we've never been promised an easy life. We're not immune to tragic events. Little children die of cancer. Promising young people are killed in automobile accidents. Missionaries are martyred. Christians perish in tornadoes.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This verse does not teach that all things are good. There are many things in life that are bad. Instead, this verse teaches us that all things work together for good. Bad things can work together for an ultimate good result.

How can the Charlie Kirk assassination work for good? His precious family is in shock and mourning. His followers are heartbroken. Many are grieving. The devastation is real, deep and personal.

I am not God. I don't know why this situation was allowed to happen. From a human perspective, I am deeply saddened by his death. I can't image the pain his family is enduring.

Yet I know that God is in control. As a follower of Jesus, Charlie Kirk is in a better place. He is doing better than we are. Many thought that Charlie Kirk had a promising future ahead of him. He does. He will abide in the presence of God forever. That's the most promising future any person can experience. For him, this tragedy has turned to triumph.

Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” According to Jesus, a harvest of corn is enjoyed because death occurred to the seed. Most of us want to see much fruit, but we don't want to experience death. We want the product of the harvest without investing in the process.

Perhaps this week's tragedy will awaken many Christians to rise up and boldly take the Gospel to the world. Maybe many will be motivated to get out of their comfort zone and get in the growth zone. Perhaps this will be a rallying cry for the Church to get serious about the Great Commission. It could be that this painful experience may lead to revival here in America.

Yet I want to remind you of something. There was a senseless death that took place long ago. On a hill called Calvary, Jesus was put to death by wicked men. How can anything good come from that?

Well, everything actually hinges on that event over two thousand years ago. Jesus died for our sins. His death was required for us to live. Like a seed of corn that is put in the ground, Jesus died and was put in a tomb. Yet through His death (and resurrection) a great harvest of souls have found mercy and grace. Tragedy turned to triumph when Jesus rose from the dead. Now because of His sacrifice, lost souls can find redemption and eternal life through faith in Him.

As believers, we need remember what 1 Peter 2:21 says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” We are not called to lead a safe life. We are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. We are called to obey God, even at great cost to ourselves. There may come a time, like Charlie Kirk, we may have to die for what we believe in.

It is better to die for something worthwhile than to live for things that are worthless.

Why Christians Are Hated

 WHY CHRISTIANS ARE HATED

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” - John 17:14

We have many problems in our nation today. Among these problems, a lack of civility and common sense exists. While some advocate social justice, they sometimes do so in violation of the very justice they claim to pursue. While peaceful protests are protected by our constitution, riots are not.

Fueling much of the social anger and hatred are talk-show hosts and news commentators. While these individuals refuse to accept responsibility for their involvement in our nation's hostility, their dialogue and tone indicate otherwise.

Christians have become targets of hatred. Most believers seek to live quiet lives, making positive contributions to society through their hard work and charity. It is true that there is always a group of professing believers who seem to be very arrogant and abrasive, but they tend to be in the minority.

There are some who think that all Christians are hypocrites. This false narrative fuels their hatred. While hypocrites do exist, the fact is that most Christians are imperfect people who seek to serve a perfect God.

Christianity spreads a message of life, hope and love. Yet Christians are slaughtered in other nations. Even here in America, there is a faction of our population who despise Christianity and Christians.

Why is there so much hatred towards Christians?

When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He said, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Jesus specifies that the world hated the original disciples. That was the case for them and it is still the case for us.

One reason that the world hates Christians is because we are different from unbelievers. As Jesus put it in John 17:14, “... the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” We are different from unbelievers. They are offended by the difference they see.

Secondly, many hate Christians because we stand for the truth of God's Word. The very message we love and hold dear is the same word that condemns them. The Bible says that those who walk in darkness hate the light because the light will reveal their evil deeds. The Bible's message is one that condemns them. It is interesting that unbelievers expect Christians to live by the Bible, yet they have no intention of living by it themselves. The very Bible they expect us to live by has a message they reject and hate. When we claim to believe the Bible's message, we often receive vicious verbal attacks from the very ones who will also criticize us if we fail to obey the Bible's teachings. We are hated because of the message we've embraced and try to share openly.

Next, the world hates Christians because they hate Christ. There are many who hate President Trump, yet many more hate Jesus Christ. I still believe that Jesus is the most hated person in the world. They hate His teachings. They hate His claim to be God. They hate His demands to repent. They refuse to bow to a God who makes demands of them. They want to command Him. They want Him to be like a divine butler, always nearby to heed to their beckoning call. If they hate Jesus, they will hate the ones who follow Him. While this bothers many well-meaning Christians, we should find comfort in the fact that if we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him. We are in good company if we are rejected, hated and persecuted along with Jesus.

Christians are called to love others. It is true that we cannot condone the actions of many, but we are still called to care for them. We may not agree with the language others use, but we are still expected to speak to them lovingly. We may hate the immoral lifestyle of our neighbors and friends, but we still should care for them. We are called to love our enemies. The very ones who seek our harm and downfall are people with eternal souls. The Bible teaches us not to enact revenge on such people. We should never retaliate against others with hostility or anger. Instead, we are called to love our enemies, pray for them and do good to them. We are called to be different than this unbelieving world.

Yes, many hate holy things. Some see in us what they secretly desire, but refuse to admit. Our lives testify of God's goodness and grace. These are things they trample under their feet.

Perhaps someone close to you hates you and your faith. It could be a co-worker, a family member or an old classmate. Never give up praying for them. Keep in mind that Saul of Tarsus once hated Jesus, Christians and the Church. He zealously sought the utter destruction of all Christians. Yet he ultimately became an outspoken, fully-devoted follower of Jesus. His hatred to turned to love. Paul's zeal for persecution was transformed into a zeal for righteousness.

Never give up doing right and standing for what is right.

Jesus & Joy

 JESUS AND JOY

“And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” - John 17:13

One of my favorite movies is the 1959 epic, “Ben Hur.” The story follows the amazing fictional story of Judah Ben Hur, a man who faces great trials in life. What is interesting about the story is how that Judah Ben Hur has these brief encounters with Jesus of Nazareth. The director made the clever decision to never reveal the face of Jesus at any point.

I have seen many movies and portraits of Jesus. Most paintings, for instance, typically show Jesus to be rather stoic and serious. In our minds, we tend to think of Jesus that way, don't we? Yet as we read the Gospel of John, we are faced with an aspect of Jesus that we typically don't consider. Jesus was a man of joy.

I believe that the fruit of the Spirit consists of attributes that Jesus had. Furthermore, when a person is filled with the Spirit, he or she exhibits these same traits. In Galatians 5:22, Paul wrote, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy...” There is a serious shortage of joy among God's people. Few smile. Most will not sing unless it is time for them to sing a solo at church or it is the next item in the church bulletin. It is rare to meet someone with infectious joy. Only the Spirit can produce this in the life of a believer.

Most of the humor that is popular these days come from people who are empty inside. Their humor is often filthy and vile. TV shows and movies that are branded as comedies typically have little humor in them. Yet there is a difference between humor and joy. Comedy and joy are not synonymous. Many of the “comics” these days rely on drugs and alcohol just to get through the day. Secretly, they are lonely and miserable. They don't have joy.

Joy is an internal trait that tends to remain in spite of external changes. Joy is an inward work of God. Yet this joy can be lost. I fear this is the case for many believers. David lost his joy when he sinned against God. In his prayer of repentance in Psalm 51, David prayed, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” Many believers need to make this their prayer.

Jesus and joy go together. The closer you walk with the Lord, the more joy you experience. You don't believe me? Read Psalm 16:11. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Notice that the Psalmist said, “in thy prescence is fulness of joy.” There is joy in the presence of the Lord. Yet the Psalmist goes on to write, “at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” If you've lost your joy, you can probably trace it to a problem with your walk with God.

Yes, it is possible to go to church every Sunday and still lack joy. You can attend a Bible study or small group on a regular basis and do it all without joy. You can teach Sunday School or be involved in ministry and find that joy is missing from your life. What we need is the joy of the Lord.

When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He prayed, ““And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” Notice that Jesus speaks with the intent “that they mighty my joy fulfilled in themselves.” Notice He refers to joy in a personal way, “my joy.”

In John 15:11, Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. ” Not only did Jesus want His disciples to have His joy, He wanted their joy to be full. Are you full of joy?

Do you think that the disciples followed Jesus with a since of gloom and doom? I think they enjoyed being with Jesus. So should we.

Even now, heaven erupts with great joy when a sinner repents. In Luke 15:7, the Bible says, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Three verses later, Jesus said, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Could it be that the “presence of the angels,” includes our Lord? Think about it.

I believe that heaven will be a place of joy. When Jesus told about the faithful men who properly invested their talents, notice what He said about their reward, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” They will enter the JOY of their Lord. Heaven will be a place of joy because the Lord is there!

Yes, heaven will be a place of joy, yet there is a little bit of heaven that we can enjoy here on earth. As we walk with the Lord and experience close fellowship with Him, we can experience joy unspeakable and full of glory.

What is keeping you from experiencing such joy today?

Judas Iscariot

 JUDAS ISCARIOT

“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” - John 17:12

We tend to have a dim view of those who become traitors. A classic example of a traitor was Benedict Arnold. During the American revolution, he fought for the Colonial army, but later fled to the British and fought for them. We use the name, “Benedict Arnold,” as a label that we apply to those we feel are traitors in some form.

Probably the best known traitor of all time was Judas Iscariot. He was one of the original twelve disciples. He was personally chosen by Jesus to be among the twelve. Judas would ultimately betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

It has been said that, “everyone has their price.” I don't agree with that statement. There are some who have strong convictions and will refuse to compromise. Yet many in our culture do have a price. At the right price, they are willing to bend their ethics out of convenience or for profit. Judas was such a man.

When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He mentions Judas without specifically naming him. “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Jesus kept His disciples and specifies that none of them are lost … but one. When Jesus prayed these words, Judas had not yet betrayed Him with a kiss. Yet Jesus knew Judas. The kiss of betrayal in the garden would not come as a surprise.

Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. So why did He choose Judas as a disciple? Why include a man who would sell his soul to betray the Lord? Well, for one thing, it was the fulfillment of prophecy. In fact, Jesus mentions this as He prayed, “... none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Psalm 41:9 says, “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Zechariah 11:12-13 says, “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.”

I think there is another reason Jesus permitted Judas to be among His group of twelve. He knew that we would face such people ourselves. Jesus, being our example, showed us that others will disappoint us and even betray us. Jesus was not exempt from personal betrayal.

In His prayer to the Father, Jesus referred to Judas as, “... the son of perdition.”

According to dictionary.com, the word, “perdition,” means a state of final spiritual ruin, or loss of the soul. In other words, Judas was eternally lost. He was facing eternal punishment for his sins.

Let's consider some sobering facts about Judas. First of all, he walked with Jesus for three years. He heard the Lord's teachings. He saw the miracles. He was a witness to magnificent events. There are many who think that if their lost friends and loved ones saw a miracle, it would lead them to saving faith. Not necessarily. Judas saw the miracles and still perished. When the rich man was suffering in hell, he begged Abraham to send Lazarus back to his brothers. The rich man thought that if his brothers saw a dead man come back to life, they would believe. Yet Abraham said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

The problem with Judas was not in his head, but in his heart. He saw the miracles, heard the Lord's teachings and stood beside of deity & yet did not believe. To Judas, Jesus was a means to an end. He used the Lord to satisfy his greed. The Bible says that Judas was the treasurer of the ministry finances and he embezzled some of that money. Ultimately, Judas ended up selling the Lord for thirty pieces of silver.

Even worse, Judas had been involved in ministry. Jesus had sent His disciples out two by two. Yes, Judas was part of this short-term mission trip. Read Mark 6:7-13. The disciples were given power over unclean spirits. They preached. They performed miracles, such as the healing of the sick and casting out demons. Yes, Judas was part of this mission trip. He was part of a two-man team that was involved in this powerful ministry. Yet he was lost.

This should force us to look within. Just because you go on a short-term mission trip, serve in a ministry or participate in some evangelistic work … these things don't make you right with God. You must be born again. While the work of your hands is important, it is the state of your heart that makes an eternal difference. Don't continue playing church with a deceitful, hard heart. Get right with God. Repent. Turn to Jesus in complete surrender.

Don't be a Judas.

Protection & Purpose

PROTECTION AND PURPOSE

“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” - John 17:11

There are many who think that everything in life happens by chance. They believe that each day is like the rolling of dice and you never know what the results will be. From a human perspective, we don't know everything about the future. Tomorrow may be a wonderful day. But then again, it could a challenging, heartbreaking day. Each morning, we face a day of uncertainty. We may have high hopes and good intensions, yet this does not guarantee us that the day ahead will be good. I am reminded of the old Don Williams country song that was entitled, “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.” That title summarizes our approach to each day.

Yet as that song title indicates, there is One who does know the future. He is in control of our world. Nothing happens by accident. God is sovereign. Although He is not the source of evil, pain or sorrow, He does permit it at times.

In our text, Jesus is praying to His Father about His disciples. As Jesus was nearing the cross, He prayed, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” In regards to His disciples, He prayed about two things: their protection and their purpose.

The critical moment has arrived. His death upon the cross was imminent. That's why Jesus said, “And now I am no more in the world.” The time for ministry on earth was drawing to a close. Just ahead, Jesus had an appointment with the cross, where He would die for our sins.

Yet Jesus was acutely aware this His disciples were going to remain on the earth a while longer. He prayed for them. “... but these are in the world, and I come to thee.”

Since the disciples were being left in a sin-saturated world, Jesus prayed for their protection. “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me ...” When we pray, we tend to pray for our protection and for the safety of those we care about. Yet our prayers tend to focus primarily on physical protection. We pray for traveling grace. We ask God to keep us safe from dangers, seen and unseen. We want to be protected from burglars and murderers. We ask the Lord to keep muggers away from us.

Yet when our Lord prayed for the protection of His disciples, He was focused more on their spiritual protection. The Holy Spirit would not arrive until the Day of Pentecost. The disciples were being left in a vulnerable situation, having no spiritual help available till the Spirit would come. Thus, Jesus prayed for their protection.

Keep in mind that many of them would eventually suffer physically. Some would even die for their faith. God's will does not always provide us a haven from danger or pain. There are times His will is accomplished through persecution or problems. Thankfully, we are spiritually secure in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit, who came at the Day of Pentecost, has sealed us unto the day of redemption. Praise the Lord!

When Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:11, He also prayed for about their purpose: “... that they may be one, as we are.” Jesus prayed for His disciples to have a unified spirit. He wanted them to be in agreement on the work they needed to do. After Jesus died, arose and ascended, the disciples worked in unison. They had a mandate to carry the Gospel to all the nations. They established churches, encouraged believers and evangelized as they went.

Here in the twenty-first century, we are failing in this area. Rather than focusing on the primary things, we get side-tracked and focus on the small things. We emphasize what we disagree on instead of seeking common ground in the primary aspects of Christian doctrine and purpose. We've created labels that have separated believers. Many of these areas of disagreement did not exist in the first century. Even missionaries focus on the primary issues. Rather than winning the lost, we'd rather win an argument. Instead of changing the culture, we are trying to change opinions about minor issues. One day we will stand before the Lord. I can't help but believe that most of us will be ashamed how far off-course we lived.

It is possible to have denominational distinctives and yet remain focused on the primary things. My job is not to make Baptists out of everyone. Neither is it my job to make Republicans out of people. It is my job to exalt the Lord Jesus and spread His Gospel to the lost, while encouraging believers to do the same. I haven't done as well as I should have. What about you?

The disciples were kept by the power of God and mobilized to do the will of God.

May that be true of us today!

Prized Possessions

PRIZED POSSESSIONS

“And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” - John 17:10

What is the most valuable item that you own? Is it your car? Maybe it's your home. It could be a family heirloom. Perhaps it is the money you have stored away in stocks and bonds. Most of us aren't rich. I know I'm not. Yet compared to many people in the world, I seem wealthy. You see, some live on the streets. Others live in impoverished areas where mere necessities are rare. Some are starving to death as I write this. In spite of our best efforts, poverty is still a major problem here in America, as well as overseas.

While we may struggle financially in this world, we know that God is not poor. His treasures are immense, intrinsic and eternal. He is not concerned about the performance of the stock market. His wealth is not taxable. The filthy, greedy hands of sinful men are not permitted to touch His bountiful supply of riches.

As Jesus was praying to the Father in John 10, He mentions a possession that was precious to Him. Referring to His disciples, Jesus said, “And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” We shutter to think that one person owns another. We have this opinion due to our understanding of slavery, in particular as it unfolded here in America. We want to think that all Americans are free from such bondage. However, human trafficking is still an ongoing issue, even here in our country.

Furthermore, many are in bondage to substances like drugs and alcohol. Such bondage is real and lethal. I live in the southern part of West Virginia. Substance abuse is a major problem in this region. It is heartbreaking to realize that many of the funerals in my area are due to overdose. While we wish to brag that slavery is gone from our land, we must confess that many are slaves to substances and can't break free apart from a miracle.

Human slavery is illegal here in America, as it should be. While we emphasize human freedom, we must understand an important spiritual truth. We still belong to someone else. Either we belong to the devil or to the Lord. There are many who claim that they don't belong to anyone … yet that is a deception that many are living in. Sin is a form of bondage that is wrecking the lives of many. It is a sinister foe. We are all born into sin. Yet we must confess our personal choice to indulge in sin. Yes, we are sinners by birth. But we are also sinners by choice. The devil has many people bound in the bondage to sin. Many of them are oblivious to their perilous state. I was in the same situation. So were you.

Thankfully, Jesus came and purchased us with His blood. That transaction is something we call redemption. Through faith in Him, our title of ownership changed from the devil to the Lord. The devil does not care about his possessions. He treats people harshly and leads them to death. Our Lord has lovingly welcomed us into His fellowship. When He purchased us, He adopted us into His family. I don't keep myself. I am kept by One who loves me and seeks the best of me. He is actively working in my life, doing things for me that I could never do for myself. It is a blessing to belong to Him!

Returning to our text, Jesus prayed about His disciples, “And all mine are thine, and thine are mine.” All who belong to Jesus also belong to the Father and vice versa. The disciples belonged to Jesus and the Father.

What a blessing to belong to the Lord. Consider how prized we are to Him! He has invested heavily in us. Jesus gave His life to save us. Salvation is a free gift to us, but it came at a high cost to the Lord. That is how much He loves us. We are His prized possessions!

Jesus continued, “I am glorified in them.” His work in the lives of believers brings glory and honor to Him. Who are we to take credit for what the Lord does? If you are a child of God, this is due to the work of Christ, not your own. Our boasting is in vain. Only God should be praised for our salvation. His continued work of sanctification is something only He should be praised for. Our ultimate glorification at the resurrection will be His work, too. He, alone, will deserve praise for this. When we enter the bliss of heaven, we will be trophies of His grace.

Let's think about what the Lord did for us. When Jesus came to earth, God stepped down of heaven so that we may ultimately step up into glory. He made Himself of no reputation and humbled Himself, so that we may be exalted to be children of God. God came to men so that men could come to God. He died so that we may live. One day, I turned to Him in repentance and faith and a great transaction took place. I gave Him my life and He gave me His. I surrendered my empty heart so that He could make it new. He has moved in to stay. I was dead and He made me alive. I was an old relic that was nothing more than garbage. He took me and changed me and made me His very own. I am thankful that I belong to Him. The future is looking bright. I am an heir of the King! I am His prized possession.

Do you belong to Him? 

Intercessory Prayer

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” - John 17:9

It is comforting to know that someone is praying for you. Whether it is your spouse, your pastor or a close friend, it is good to have someone who cares enough to call out your name in prayer.

There are people who seem to have a special burden about intercessory prayer. They treat prayer requests seriously. If you ask them to pray about something, they will reach heaven on your behalf. These precious saints often engage in spiritual warfare on their knees. To them, prayer is more than a religious task or a personal discipline, it is their passion.

Where are such prayer warriors today? The church is in dire need of men and women who will get in the prayer closet and meet with God on a regular basis. When a person has the audience of God, their feeble prayers touch deity.

As I get older, certain things don't impress me like they used to. When I was a young Christian, I was impressed with mega-church pastors who saw their churches grow numerically at a significant rate. I was impressed with those who talked about their spiritual accomplishments. I am not as impressed with these things like I used to be. Some of the “numerical growth” that some bragged about turned out to be temporary and superficial. Others who eagerly shared phenomenal experiences have turned out to have major character flaws that ruined their ministries.

The things that are most impressive to me usually aren't seen or noticed by others. Such things as a strong prayer life, generosity and private piety. While we may catch a glimpse of these things, they tend to be conducted in private, away from the public gaze. While our society emphasizes external matters, God looks upon the heart. He sees the things done in private. He knows about the quality of our faith and the pureness of our motives. Such things please Him and impress me. These are things I want my life to exhibit in private before the Lord.

For some time, I've been writing about the prayers of Jesus. When our Lord prayed in public, His prayers were short in duration. His private prayers were often long. Many of these longer prayers are not recorded for us to read. In John 17, we find the longest recorded prayer of Jesus. We get a little snapshot of our Lord's prayers. Most of this prayer is a time of intercession for His disciples.

In our text, Jesus prayed, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” Jesus was referring to His disciples when He said, “I pray for them.”

Why did Jesus pray for His disciples? There may be numerous answers to this question, but let me give you the most obvious reason. He prayed for His disciples because they needed it. They needed His prayers. They were about to face uncertainty, confusion and desperation because of the arrest and execution of Jesus. Furthermore, there would be the time gap between the crucifixion and resurrection which would deepen their anxiety and pain. Ultimately, the future of the church and the advancement of the Gospel would be their responsibility. Yes, they needed the prayers of Jesus.

Notice that Jesus did not pray for the unbelieving world. That may seem strange for us. Most of us are praying for the conversion of many. Yet at this time, Jesus concentrated on His disciples, not the skeptics. The disciples were His close friends. He had invested a great deal of time with them. In earlier verses of this prayer, we learn that the Father had given these men to Him. Jesus dedicated much of His prayer to the men who had given up everything to follow Him.

I think it is great to have others pray for you, especially strong prayer warriors. To have your name on their hearts daily as they talk with God is a special blessing. Think of how great it is to know that your name is on the Master's heart and to know that He talks to the Father on your behalf. What a blessing that would be!

Yet even know, our Lord makes intercession for us. As the enemy accuses us to the Father, we have an advocate who speaks up in our defense. We have a friend in the highest position, interceding on our behalf.

There has never been an intercessor like Jesus. His intercessory ministry continues to this day. While we find great assurance and comfort in this fact, it should also motivate us to be an intercessor ourselves.

Jesus prayed for His disciples. Because we follow Him, He is praying for us right now.

What a blessing to know He is praying for me!

The Power Of The Word

THE POWER OF THE WORD

“For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” - John 17:8

Words have incredible power. The words you speak to another may either lift them up or put them down. Many people are hungry for words of affirmation or encouragement. A right word at the right time can make an incredible difference.

Yes, there is incredible power in words, but the greatest words ever spoken came from the lips of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. With His Word, God created the universe. His simply spoke and it was done. When God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, He uttered words that still impacts lives.

In Matthew 4:4, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Speaking for myself, I love to eat. Yet Jesus said that mankind cannot live solely by natural food. He needs spiritual food to really thrive. This soul food comes from the mouth of God. Jesus said that man shall live, “but every word that proceedeth out the mouth of God.” We need more than just a word or two. We need to live by every word.

Furthermore, in John 15:7, Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” There is power in His Word!

When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He prayed, “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” He gave His disciples the words of the Father.

Notice that three things happened when Jesus shared the Father's words with them.

THEY RECEIVED

First of all, “... they have received them.” The disciples readily received the words that Jesus shared with them. In Jesus' day, the religious crowd seemed to reject His words. Others seemed more interested in seeing a miracle or receiving a free meal. Sounds like a lot of people today, doesn't it? Yet Jesus gave of His time, sharing the words of the Father and His disciples received them. As you read your Bible and listen to sound preaching, do you receive the Word by faith?

THEY KNEW

Also, Jesus said that His disciples, “... have known surely that I came out from thee...” They knew that Jesus came from the Father. Jesus had told them that. Yet they also saw His miracles. They knew that Jesus was more than just a good teacher. Today, many will say that Jesus was a good teacher, but they never will admit that He came from the Father. They do not wish to confess that Jesus more than just a normal guy. While many believe Him to be a good teacher, they are not convinced that He was much more. The disciples were convinced. They knew He came from the Father.

THEY BELIEVED

Jesus said, “...they have believed that thou didst send me.” The disciples believed that Jesus came to earth with a divine purpose. He was sent to this world on a rescue mission. His birth was a miraculous event, predicted by the prophets, planned by the Father and unfolded in their lifetime. His birth, life, death and resurrection were all part of a divine plan. This plan was designed before the foundation of the world. God had a solution to man's problem before Adam fell in the Garden of Eden. Nothing catches God by surprise. He knows, in advance, what is going to occur. At the right time, Jesus came to die for our sins. The disciples believed that the Father sent Jesus on this soul-saving mission. Do you believe?

The disciples were changed by the words of Jesus. In John 6:68-69. Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” The disciples believed the words of Jesus and it made a difference in their lives. The very same disciples would eventually be filled with the Holy Spirit and would spread the message of Christ throughout the world. God used common men to do an uncommon work because of the power of the Word.

Faith in Jesus and His words will transform any person. I enjoy hearing the testimony of those who've been changed by the Gospel. The all-powerful God uses His powerful Word to make a difference in the lives of people like you and me.

I am thankful for the power of the Word. What about you?

What Do You Know?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

“Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.” - John 17:7

Have you ever taken an IQ test? I don't think I ever have... or I was too dumb to know what it was! Some believe that a high score on IQ test indicates that the person is highly intelligent. Of course, “highly intelligent” people have made dumb mistakes like I have. Although this fact doesn't excuse my dumb errors, it does make me feel a little better to know I am not alone with such stupid mistakes.

Life is a classroom unto itself. Whether we like it or not, all of us are enrolled in the school of daily living. Although I've been in this class for decades, I still feel like I am in kindergarten. When it comes to life's most difficult lessons, I seem to be a slow learner. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I really know.

It is important to know certain things. Of course, you know your name. You probably can provide the physical address where you live. You can recite your phone number. The date of your birthday is something you haven't forgotten. You may even know your social security number.

But when we are pressed about the most significant matters of life, can we honestly report what we know? Do you know that God exists? Do you know that Jesus is Lord? Do you know that you are saved? Can you honestly say, “yes,” in response to these questions? Ultimately, these issues are more important than your title at work or the details of your financial portfolio.

When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He spoke of His disciples when He said, “Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.” This was something the disciples knew. More than believing, they knew some things. They knew that “... that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.”

Our Lord's ministry on earth was in response to His Father's will. He was sent here. He was given what He needed to accomplish His mission. You see, in spite of being divine Himself, Jesus lived in dependence on the Father.

In John 8:28, the Bible says, “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” In John 14:24, Jesus said, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.” Furthermore, in John 5:19, the Bible says, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

The disciples were taught that Jesus came to earth in accordance to His Father's will. Additionally, they were taught that all Jesus had and all He did were from the Father and were designed to glorify the Father.

Yes, the disciples were taught by the great Teacher and were not swayed by the opinions of the crowd or the criticism of political leaders. These same disciples would ultimately teach what they were taught. Some of them would even be inspired to write books that would be included in our New Testament. We are still learning from them.

These days there are many who wish to inform us. News outlets are constantly teaching from their platform. Politicians try to teach us from their speeches. Even friends and co-workers use daily conversations to share a tidbit of “news” or gossip. Everyone seeks to persuade us by telling convincing stories. Personally, I know of some who seem to be constantly living in fear or anxiety because of the news.

Rather than living by fear, we are called to live by faith. This comes by opening our Bibles rather than the newspaper. Faith comes by hearing the Word. The message we need today is the very message that Jesus taught His disciples. This message needs to be taught to your children and your children's children.

What do you know? Let me answer for myself. I know that God sits on the throne. He created everything. God has revealed Himself to us through His Word, the Bible. He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for my sins that I may have eternal life through Him. I know that Jesus rose from the dead and has returned to heaven. He is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for me. I know that He hears and answers when I pray. I know that He still saves souls and still changes lives. I know He is coming again soon. Knowing these things are the most important things a person can possibly know.

What do you know?