NATURAL GIFTS

I have started to reread the work of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans this year. In the first chapter he speaks about our natural gifts. Natural gifts have been a point of contention at times among believers. Some have believed that in Christian Service natural gifts are not as important as spiritual gifts; even to the point that they are not the same. I have often questioned that idea. It seems to me that natural gifts are transformed into spiritual gifts in the life of a believer; however that is not to say the believer cannot be given new spiritual gifts in addition to natural gifts. But on natural gifts here are some points that Lloyd-Jones makes:

• There is nothing wrong with natural gifts in and of themselves.
• It is unscriptural and unchristian to decry natural gifts.
• Natural gifts are not done away with or set aside by the Holy Spirit.
• In a Christian, natural gifts are not to be relied upon; they are not to be gloried in. They are for the use of the Master—for His glory.
• The Holy Spirit wants to control them and to use them.
• It is God who gave us the gifts in the first place. The Holy Spirit uses the man who surrenders himself and his gifts to be used by God for His glory.

He concludes: “We all have our gifts, let us therefore hand them back to Him that He may use them…Let God use the gifts He has given us.” To which I say, Amen. Let us do so in this New Year.

Source: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, ROMANS: The Gospel of God, Exposition of Chapter 1, Zondervan, Grand Rapids MI, 1985.

WHAT IS A PROPHET?

[Notes on Prophecy #1]

WHAT IS A PROPHET?

The earliest name for a prophet is a “seer” (1 Sam. 9:9). A prophet is a man or women to whom the will of God was revealed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in order to communicate it to people.  

What did he see?

1. The Word of God (Isa. 21:10).

Forth-telling means normally in form of warnings, rebukes, promises, and/or exhortations. They are the voice of God (“Thus saith the Lord”—Jer. 37:17). He speaks the Word of the Lord regardless of the audience (Ezk. 3:11).

2. Events.

Foretelling is usually in the form of prognostications and predictions of coming events (Jer. 37:17). These may have near or far application, or both.

Prophecy is the oral or written message of the prophets.

Review of Guide to NT Greek

Book Review

Douglas S. Huffman, THE HANDY GUIDE TO NEW TESTAMENT GREEK: GRAMMAR, SYNTAX, AND DIAGRAMMING, (Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI), 2012.

I must say I was surprised when I received this publication, as I was expecting a larger book. While the size of the publication is surprising, it is not small in content. Its size makes sense because it is a guidebook, able to be carried with a Greek New Testament.

I am delighted with this guide. I am not a Greek scholar, but I am a Bible student. While I have had Greek in college, like many Pastor I have not kept up with it beyond the occasional uses. I have worked with the language, which has entailed thick lexicons, grammars, and dictionaries to find meanings and syntax. This guide will help its users to save time. This guide does not relieve one from the necessity of having to use books for deep study. It is only a guide, but it does speed up the process. It will increase the students’ efficiency by a quick reference to find the needed basic information.

The guide is in three sections. Part 1 is Greek Grammar. Beginning with the Greek Alphabet carrying through the verbs, it gives a summation of Greek Grammar. Overall it gives good concise definitions of every part of grammar. It is reinforced by charts on almost every page.

Part 2 is Syntax Summaries. Syntax is where the language becomes real: it is the practical outworking or usage of the grammar. This will be the section that gets the most use by Bible students. This part gives us concise definitions and relationships reinforced by NT examples that are helpful. While not chart heavy like the grammar section, what charts are found are very helpful.

Part 3 is Phrase Diagramming. Diagramming the original text does two things: First, it aids in understanding the meaning of the text. Second, it gives one the flow of the argument of the author. It provides step by step instructions on different types of diagramming, plus how to deal with special issues and problems in diagramming.

This guide is a very good addition to any Pastor’s or Bible student’s library.  While it is intended for a second-year Greek student, those who even have a beginning knowledge of Greek could use it. It will set on my desk and be the first used to begin any word or Greek study. It is a handy addition.

Thanks to Kregel Publishing for supplying a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. 

Christmas 2012

GABRIEL & MARY

Luke 1:26-38

It was six months since his last assignment. Now Gabriel has a new assignment at Nazareth in Galilee. This is one of the last places on earth one would expect the mother of the Christ to come from. First, because the Galileans were looked down upon by those who lived in the big city: Jerusalem. Second, it was a place of a Roman Garrison and known as a place of vice. Nazarenes were despised by the rest of the population.

However, Gabriel was dispatched to a young girl living in this Nazareth by the name of Mary. We know two things about her: First, she was a virgin (1:27, 34). Dr. Luke emphasizes the purity of this girl. Second we know she was in the state of betrothal. Although this was much like an engagement, it was much more. It was a legal status that could only be dissolved by death or divorce.

There are three things Gabriel says about Mary (1:28-33).

• She was favored by God (1:30). She was a special recipient of His Grace. She was not to fear.
• The Lord was with her. She is not alone in her mission. God is there to empower and sustain her. 
• She will have a Son. This speaks of Mary’s privilege, she will give birth to the Messiah: Jesus (1:31).

She was a woman of character. Her character is displayed by:

·         Thoughtfulness (1:29). Although perplexed, she considered the situation. Revelation and reason should go together. This led her to request (1:34) an answer (1:35).

·         Obedience (1:38). Mary response’s was that of submission to the Word of God.

God uses humble and obedient believers.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Luke opens his narrative with the announcements of the birth of John and Jesus. The announcements have much in common. The parallels are:

                  God’s initiative in action           1:11; 1:26

                  Instruction not to fear               1:13, 1:30

                  Revelation about the birth         1:16, 1:31

                  Task of the Child                      1:15, 1:31-32

                  Gabriel Message                      1:19, 1:66

Confirmation                            1:19, 1:35

     The announcements of the birth of John and Jesus speak of God’s renewed activity and fulfillment of His promise.

REDEMPTION in the BIBLE

"The underlying theme of all the Scriptures is Redemption: in the Old Testament the anticipation of it in type and prophecy; in the Gospels the accomplishment of it by the death of Christ; in the Acts and Epistles, the application of it to the needs of man; and in the Revelation, the achievement of it in the subjection of all kingdoms to the rule of God"--W. Graham Scroggie

FUTURE JUDGMENTS

It is generally and widely held that there is one end time judgment. However, as one studies the Word there seem to be a number of judgments. I see four future judgments in Scripture, each being unique and at a different place and time.

First, the judgment of the believer in this dispensation for his works at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10). Notice, this is a judgment of believers. This is not a judgment of condemnation, for there is no condemnation of those in Christ (Rom. 8:1). The basis of this judgment is not the believer’s sin, but their works. The result is not a loss of salvation, but or rewards (cf. 1 Cor. 3:11-15). This will take place at the rapture of the church (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

Second is the judgment of the nation of Israel (Ezek. 20:34-38, Matt. 24:21-31). This will take place at the end of “Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:4-7; Dan. 12:1). The place will be around Jerusalem (Zech. 14:1-11). Since Israel is an earthly people, the judgment takes place on earth (Zech. 14:4) after the return of their Messiah (Christ). It will concern the nation of Israel who are gathered back to Palestine who are unconverted (Ezek. 20:34-38). Malachi describes this judgment (Malachi 3:2-3, 5). Those will not enter His kingdom and will be destroyed with the wicked (Ezek. 20:37; Matt. 25:30). Those remaining will be the remnant that enters the earthly kingdom (Ezek. 20:37; Rom. 11:26).

Third, is the judgment of the Gentiles (Matt. 25:31-46). This will take place before the millennium and at the end of the Great Tribulation. It takes place in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:1-2). This involves Gentiles living on earth at that time, for there is no resurrection mentioned in connection with this judgment. It takes place upon the return of Christ to earth. The basis of this judgment is their treatment of Christ’s brethren, the Jews (Matt. 25:32). The result is that some Gentile nations continue to exist and go into the millennium (Matt. 25:41).

Fourth, there is the judgment of the unsaved at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). This takes place at the end of the millennium (Rev. 7, 11). The subjects are the unsaved dead (Rev. 20:12). The result of this judgment is consignment to the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). 

ZACHARIAS & ELISABETH

LUKE 1:5-25

Four Hundred years silence from God; not a word nor a whimper from Him. Life goes on day in and day out. Herod is King. Priests serve faithfully. There are some 20,000 priests. They are divided into 24 orders. Each order served 8 days in the Temple. It took 50 priests to serve a day and fulfill the duties in the Temple. There were many duties in the Temple that must be performed everyday. The highest honor was to offer incense. It was an honor a priest had only once in a lifetime. Today it was the honor of Zacharias.

Zacharias was a humble priest that lived with his wife, Elisabeth. They were a childless couple, advanced in years. They went about living their lives in faithfulness to God. We are told they were “righteous before God” (1:6). This is seen by the following:

·         Faithful & blameless concerning His Word and the requirements of God.

·         Faithful in service (1:8)

·         Faithful in prayer (1:13)

In was in this ordinary day to day faithfulness that God breaks his silence. God speaks and works in the ordinary. It is in the ordinary faithfulness of service that God speaks. It is when it is least expected that God speaks through means most unusual that the voice of God is heard. While Zacharias was fulfilling his duty, an angel of the Lord speaks to him. He is given a promise—“your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John” (1:13). Let us not despise the ordinary. God uses the ordinary to do great things.

Embedded in this story is the great message for us living in the ordinary. It may seem to many of us that God is silent. The message is hidden in the names of these ordinary servants—Zacharias and Elisabeth. Zacharias means “God remembers” and Elisabeth means “God’s Oath.” Thus, God remembers His oath. God is active and fulfilling His Word by becoming active in history. He remembers His oath to Zacharias in John the Baptist. He remembers His oath to the world by sending His Son. Zacharias’ son will pave the way for the Son of God. God is faithful! He does no overlook his servants. God remembers. God honors.

PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP 3

Insights from Nehemiah

This the last post of this series. In this post we look at the last three principles.

Principle 3: LEADERSHIP MEANS TAKING RISKS

Risk is AN essential part of leadership. Risk is the exposure of one’s self, power, and ability. Nehemiah had to expose himself and his heart to the king. He was risking his position, the king’s anger, and his whole future. Risk is part of taking a stand and getting involved. Risk should never take place needlessly; but at the same time it is not playing it safe.

Principle 4: LEADERSHIP SETS GOALS

Nehemiah had a goal—to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Goals need to be both necessary and obtainable. Goals come from seeing what is and what could be. They must be realistic, yet they must be challenging. Setting goals involves three things: Investigation of the current situation; second, a definition of goal; third, the ability to find the resources and to be able to organize them to overcome and obtain the goal. A goal setter must also be a problem solver. Nehemiah evidenced such skills when he was ready to tell the king (2:7-8). A leader is a man of vision—He sees where we are, where we need to be, and how to get there. He leads them to the goal. He is a man walking by faith—looking to God for solutions, ability, and grace to lead to the goal set before them. 

Principle 5: LEADERSHIP MUST BE ABLE TO DELEGATE.

Leaders must be delegators. No man can do it all. Yet, this may be one of the hardest principles to practice. Some Christian leaders think it is easier to do it themselves. This is wrong thinking for three reasons: First, it robs others of using their gifts for the common goal. Second, it hurts efficiency. John White defines efficiency as the means “of achieving goals with the smallest waste of resources.” [EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP, 35]. A leader who tries to do it all without the use of delegation is not an efficient leader. Third, it compromises one’s leadership. It has the tendency to turn leadership into dictatorship. Nehemiah knew how to delegate, spreading the work among forty-two groups. Wise leadership recognizes individual gifts and talents in others; matching gifts and needs. Delegation also leads to appreciation—appreciation for another’s contribution and the truth that the church is truly a body, dependent on each member.