Head-dibs

“But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent--not to be too severe. This punishment which [was inflicted] by the majority [is] sufficient for such a man,” [2 Corinthians 2:5,6 NKJV] What do you do if someone sins then repents? Forgive him, right? The Corinthian church had it backwards: a man in the church was having an incestuous relationship and they overlooked his sin, tolerated it--acting like they forgave him. When he was finally disciplined and repented, they held him at arm’s length. Paul writes this second letter with instructions that give right perspective on sin and forgiveness. First, sin brings grief, heaviness, sorrow to God. Grief over sin does not occur naturally because we are born sinners. We grieve sin when we understand what God thinks of sin. Consider Isaiah 63:10 “But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.” Sin does not make friends with ...

One of the joys of teaching through the Bible verse by verse is the absence of agenda. What I mean to say is that when one is systematic in teaching, one addresses issues as they are presented. If God sees fit to align a lesson from His Unchanging Word with the headlines, then it happens by His design, not mine. In today’s text (2 Corinthians 2:5-11) we begin a new section I call “The Forgiveness Factor.” The incident here concerns a church who does not forgive a man who repented of his sin. Now, before we take up arms in a cause against the church, let us be clear about one fact: Jesus said He would build His church and the New Testament is the record of Him fulfilling that promise. That this church had a problem with forgiveness is really the second half of the story--they actually had forgiven the man, but in the wrong way. Here’s what happened. In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul addresses an error: a man who attended the church was having a sexual relationship ...

"A man who makes it his business not to confess his sin, but to understand it and explain it, no matter how philosophical he may seem, is walking in darkness, and the truth is not in him." ( Scottish  Theologian, James Denney, 1856-1917)

Ash Wednesday is the day many show an outward sign of repentance before God by wearing an imposing application of ash on the head or in the hair. This is derived from the biblical practice of mourning over sin “in dust and ashes.” What does it mean to mourn over sin? Consider the question in light of A.W. Pink’s thoughts on the Apostle Paul’s inspired teaching, "The sorrow of the world works death." (2 Corinthians 7:10): “Just as surely as happiness is the attendant of holiness--so misery is the certain result of sin. The sorrow of the world is not occasioned by mourning over sin as sin --but over the retribution which sin brings. The sorrow of the world does not arise from just views of sin, nor does it proceed from any concern that God has been offended. It does not lead the soul to God in true penitence, nor to turn to Him for consolation. When the worldling's dream of earthly happiness has been dispelled by misfortune--he feeds only on the sour bread of self-...

Shrove Tuesday gets its name from an obscure term (“shrive”) that means “absolve” or “forgive” and is specifically used in reference to one seeking forgiveness of sin by means of confession and works of repentance. Another way to explain this would be thus: this is the day to tell God one is sorry for sin, receive forgiveness and demonstrate one’s sorrow by doing works of penance before returning back to normal life. We just need to say “sorry” and God will forgive? How is this possible when God says that’s not how it works? “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.” (Proverbs 17:15). If someone merely tells God, “sorry for my sin” then God would be an abomination to Himself by letting the sinner go without punishment (“the wages of sin is death” Romans 3:23). God cannot simply “just forgive.” He cannot be bribed by good works. Eat as many pancakes as you like. God can’t overlook sin.

Celebrate, Ents everywhere! You know how it is--you just get all settled in, snug under the covers, sound asleep then the next thing you know, the alarm clock goes off. Just five more minutes. Just five more minutes. Just five more minutes, etc. The past few weeks have been unseasonably warm here and I can’t help but wonder if the trees have been thinking, “Really? Already? Just five more weeks.” Trees don’t have snooze alarms. Or do they . . .  ? Today marks the new year for trees, so if Ents celebrate, they do it slowly today. Actually, Tu B’shevat is the Jewish observance of this kind of new year, recognizing that trees begin waking from their winter naps and start blooming for fruit-bearing. Produce growers in the Holy Land separate out tithes from everything grown and the day is observed by eating fruit, specifically of the “seven kinds” described in the Torah (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates). Four thoughts and one question from God's unchanging W...

"I, ________, beginning to be enfeebled in body, and fearing that I may soon be palsied in mind, and having entered upon that course of drinking from which I have not resolution to flee; do make and publish this, my last will and testament-- Having been made in the image of my Creator, capable of rational enjoyment, of imparting happiness to others, and of promoting the glory of God--I know my accountability. Yet such is my fondness for sensual gratification, and my utter indisposition to resist temptation, that I give myself entirely to alcohol and its associate vices, and make the following bequests-- My property I give to be wasted--knowing it will soon fall into the hands of those who furnish me with liquor. My reputation, already tottering on a sandy foundation--I give to destruction. To my beloved wife, who has cheered me thus far through life--I give shame, poverty, sorrow, and a broken heart. To each of my chi...

I saw the following “conversation” (one of three, actually) written by a young man named Lev Novak posted on a website (forgive me if I don’t provide the link): “God: Noah, all the people of earth are sinners. You alone are righteous. Noah: Thanks God. Long time fan, first time prophet. God: So, I have decided to smite the entire world with a flood. (pause) Noah: Couldn’t you just teach man goodness? God: No. I’m thinking “flood.” Noah: So you’d rather just kill every- God: What part of “flood” do you not understand?” The act of God flooding the earth is a noteworthy matter for consideration, but is the conclusion correct? What we call “Noah’s Flood” was not a stand-alone incident and sudden whim of God.  The young man gave the reason for God’s judgment by flood in the very first sentence, “all the people of the earth are sinners.” The Bible says, “ The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his h...

Vampire Christianity describes the kind of person who wants the blood of Christ to pay for their sins and keep them from hell—and nothing more. Vampire Christianity seeks forgiveness from sin, but no cleansing from sin. The Vampire Christian wants nothing to do with the life of Christ, being filled with the Spirit or walking in obedience—they just want “fire insurance.” This kind of thinking does not reflect (no pun intended) biblical teaching. Perhaps we could call it “Twilight Christianity”—the kind that is not quite in the light. God, the righteous judge, wants to give those who repent more than forgiveness and fire insurance—He wants to give new life that comes in no other way but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by what He accomplished through shedding His blood. This happens by dying to sin in Christ, that sin would have no power over the believer. God does not intend for one who was dead in sin to be saved from sin and live like he or she is still dead in sin. This is the very ...

Part of my daily routine is simple: check the news. I open my browser, select my news source and skim the headlines--I like to be informed by my local news source that I can trust (morning news, "Drive time" news, mid-day news, evening news and late night news). News can be breaking, hard, soft, canned, managed, slanted, spot or straight. News categories include general, national, science/tech, entertainment, environmental, political, religion, digestive, organic, earth-friendly, pregnancy, nutrition, diabetes . . . Our choices are no longer relegated to the newspaper or newsletters because we can get it via tv, internet, cell phone and all variations in between. Remember when we were young and thought "good news/bad news" were our only choices? What if we gave bad news in a good way . . . ? I like to be informed, but then what? I don't know what to do with this information. I really can't do anything about what I read, can I? Neil Postman wrote: "Our p...

Are you familiar with this word, "abomination?" Perhaps now it is an older word and not much used today. The word is used in reference to something extremely disgusting--so disgusting in fact, that one would put distance between himself or herself and whatever the abomination is. That which makes you jump up and run into the other room might be considered an "abomination." We've all seen the videos of people jumping up, running and screaming from dead rats (fake or otherwise) bugs, or just being scared in general. This is the idea that something is so horrendous, one flees the scene. Perhaps we would not jump up and run from these things, but consider our reaction to certain people or situations. We will not tolerate cheating either in business or in board games. What is your reaction to a business that steals from its customers, or treats its employees unfairly? We would avoid that business, and perhaps report to some authority regarding unethical business prac...

Here's hoping for long delays! Massage parlors, beds, swimming pools . . . why even get on the plane ? Ever wonder about how " youthtastic " your Youth Minister (Student Pastor) is? Dr. Larson provides insight about economic sanctions against Iran . Want to see 5000 years of religion in 90 seconds ? Which is bigger: logic; or, sin ? Oh, and on this day, April 15 (the day we file our taxes): The Titanic sunk, Lincoln was assassinated, San Franciso rocked in an earthquake (1906), not to mention the Fall of Saigon (1975), Chernobyl (1985), the Los Angeles Riots (1992), Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine shootings, and the introduction of "New Coke" (1985)? I'm starting to see a pattern here . . .

To whom may I recount my sins, with all their pains and woe? And where shall my detail begin; And who can stand to know? My wicked tales in someone's ear-- how can I stain their head? So how to tell and cast my fear of sinful guilt and dread? My own life cannot bear the load of all that I have done! How can I take you down my road? There is none, save but One. Confession gives the soul all good, so who should stoop to hear? 'Tis Jesus Christ (thank God alone), He all my life can bear.

"Once while bathing in the river Sutlej I sank deep into the water. Above my head were tons of water and yet I did not feel the burden at all. When I camed back to the bank, I lifted a pot filled with water and found it very heavy. As long as I was in the water I did not feel the weight. Similarly a sinner does not feel that he is a sinner as long as he lives in sin." (Sadhu Sundar Singh, 1889-1929)

To say, "I have not sinned" is to make God a liar ( 1 John 1:10 ); To say, "I must sin," is to deny the gospel ( Jude 24 ; Galatians 2:20 ); To say, "I must not sin," is to conform to the gospel ( Colossians 3:17 ); To say, "I need not sin," is to state my priviledge ( Ephesians 1:4 ); To say, "By the grace of God I will not sin," is to live the gospel ( Galatians 5:25 ).

Didja hear the one about the man who came upon a skunk with its' head stuck in a small fruit jar? It was evident that the skunk would smother and die if the jar was not removed, but every attempt to remove the jar was met by the skunk raising his tail in defense. The skunk was unaware that he was not only in a dangerous situation, but that the man was trying to help him. God offers salvation to the sinner who is smothering, dying in the guilt of his own sins. Only when he trusts Lord Jesus Christ, who through his death, burial and resurrection paid the penalty for sin, will he be free from the power of sin! God in Christ Jesus alone can remove the "jar" called sin whose reward is death.

Once when takling about man's nature, Watchman Nee remarked, "we have all sinned in Adam." A man who was listening exclaimed he did not understand what this meant. Nee explained, "If you great-grandfather had died at the age of three, where would you be? You would have died in him! Your experience is bound up with his! And just in the same way your experience is bound up with that of Adam's."

"Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of man he is. If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding. In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me ill-tempered, it ony shows me what an ill-tempered man I am." (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

"With the discovery of the atom, everything changed, except for man's thinking. Because of this, we drift toward unparalleled catastophe." "The true problem lies in the hearts and thoughts of men. It is not a physical but an ethical one . . . . What terrifies us is not the explosive force of the atomic bomb, but the power of the wickedness of the human heart." (Albert Einstein, 1879 - 1955)

A tightwad went shopping to find an inexpensive gift for a friend. In one shop, he spotted a vase which had been broken. He bought the broken vase (next to nothing in price) and asked the store to send it to his friend, who would assume the vase had been broken in transit. A few days later, a note arrived from the friend. "Many thanks for the vase," the note read, "and it was so thoughtful of you to wrap each piece separately!" Numbers 32:23 "you may be sure that your sin will find you out."