Category Trouble

What can the 7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross teach us about our pain?

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Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me” (Matt 16:24). We are to die to self and live for Him.

The Gospels reveal 7 sayings of Jesus when He was on His cross. These sayings have important meaning for themselves, but they also leave an example for us who are suffering on our crosses.

What can the 7 sayings of Jesus on the cross teach us about handling our own pain, suffering, & earthly hurting?

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

We often suffer at the hands of those close to us. Jesus suffered at the hands of God’s chosen people. We will often complain about what they should do, but didn’t do. Yes, they shoulda, and coulda, but didn’t. This powerful example of Jesus teaches us to be a forgiving people. We need to complain with grace, ready to Forgive, or Forebear, or Forget (release from our heart). Forgive those that are hurting you…

But Stay on the cross.

“To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

When others fail, remember that God doesn’t fail. There’s hope in the midst of our pain. There’s even hope when our pain is self induced. The thief admitted his guilt, and was a mocker along with the other one, but later he had a change of heart. It’s then he looked to the only one that could help, Jesus. Sometimes our suffering is self induced, but the Lord is faithful to forgive those that are in Him (1John 1:9). Repent…

But Stay on the cross.

“Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!” (John 19:26-27)

Your friends may have turned their back on you. I hate that. However, If you’ll look, you’ll see that not everyone has left you. Some are nearby unable to take away your pain, But they can take some of your responsibilities. Just ask them for help. Some of us just don’t know what to do, but we’re willing if you’ll let us know.

When you’re overwhelmed with your main priority, let go of some of the other important, but lesser stuff.

But Stay on the cross.

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mat 27:46)

People will let you down at your lowest point. The disciples left Jesus. It will also APPEAR that God has left you too. He hasn’t. He’s with you. While this saying has prophetic significance, it is a reminder of how lonely we can feel in our darkest moments. We need to remember that Jesus said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5).

But Stay on the cross.

“I thirst.” (John 19:28-29)

Life is a dry, and thirsty struggle, metaphorically speaking. Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink. He received a bit of a rebuke (John 4:7-9). Isn’t that the way it goes sometimes? Jesus said, “I thirst,” and He received sour wine. When we need help we sometimes receive a sour response. Ask anyway…

But Stay on the cross.

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Jesus stayed on that cross to the very end because He knew that what He was doing was essential for salvation for the world. (cf. Matt 16:21-23; 26:52-55). Keep on pushing through the pain until you complete your duty as a child of God. It’s important that we stay the course of faithfulness. We may not see the benefits until much later (Rev 2:10),

But Stay on the cross.

“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

Even when all others fail you, God never does. Trust God. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2Tim 1:12). Whatever happens to you…

Stay on the cross.

Agape,

Spencer

We Gotta have GRIT

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you’re going to Endure You Gotta have Grit.

“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”  (James 5:11)

Endurance is a highly favored quality of mankind. It is most often associated with success despite difficulty or pain. We praise endurance because of the win that usually follows.

Endurance is necessary to our survival, and essential for our salvation. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matt 10:22).

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev 3:10; cf Jas 1:12).

GRIT is another description of endurance. It is having a firmness of character; an unconquerable spirit. We gotta have GRIT, but how do we get us some?

The Hebrew writer in chapter 12, a chapter about endurance, gives us 4 keys on how to get GRIT.

[12] Therefore, lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees,

[13] and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed.

[14] Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord,

[15] looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring up to trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Key #1 is GET UP AND GO.

“Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees” (Heb 12:12). This is a command for us to get busy working on strength building.

When Elijah was facing persecution, God told him to GO. “And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1Kings 19:9). “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria” (19:15).

Key #1 is GET UP AND GO.

Key #2 is to READ the Bible with a focus on the New Testament.

“…and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed” (Heb 12:13). The straight path for our feet is found through the illumination of the word of God, consider Psalm 119:105… “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Key #2 is READ the Bible with a focus on the New Testament.

Key #3 is to be INTERESTED in and pursue peace with people.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord,” (Heb 12:14). We can endure longer when we stop making enemies.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18). “I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, [2] for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1Tim 2:1-2).

Key #3 is to be INTERESTED in and pursue peace with people.

Key #4 is to look and TEST everything people are teaching.

“…looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring up to trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Heb 12:15). Looking diligently is about searching out the truth, proving it, and applying it to our lives.

Paul wrote; “Test all things; hold fast to that which is good” (1Thess 5:21). We must be on guard against error and false teachers. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you…” (2Pet 2:1a). We’ll gain more endurance as we clear away errors and false teachers.

Key #4 is to look and TEST everything people are teaching.

Summary:

Key #1 is GET UP AND GO. Strengthen the hanging hands.

Key #2 is to READ the Bible to shine a light on your path.

Key #3 is to be INTERESTED in and pursue peace with people.

Key #4 is to look diligently and TEST everything people are teaching.

Agape,

Spencer

Hebrews 12; developing GRIT

The Preacher 1 Comment

Hebrews 12:12-15 provides a great formula for developing Endurance (GRIT).

Heb 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the palsied knees;

Get Busy Working. cf. Eph 4:28

13 and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.

Read, Apply Psalm 119:105; Prov 6:23

14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:

Increase in Love. 1Thess 3:1-12; 1Tim 2:1-8

15 looking carefully lest there be any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled;

Test all things. 1Thess 5:21

Along with it the writer provides a warner for lacking endurance.

LEST…

Turned away,

Healed,

No man will see the Lord,

falleth short,

bitterness to trouble you,

Defiled.

for an overview of the book of Hebrews.

Hearing the Voice of Jesus, Pt2

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“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)

Last week we began the discussion about hearing the VOICE of Jesus. The previous article included the first 3 of 5 points.

This article will touch on the next 2 points in this series.

What does it mean to hear the VOICE of Jesus? Some claim He will speak directly, personally, and miraculously to us. What is the truth?

Hearing the VOICE of Jesus.

The voice of Jesus (through the study of His Word) is a source of comfort for us in our pains, sorrows, and hurts. The letters of the New Testament are also the commands of Jesus; “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1Cor 14:37), The truths contained therein contain comfort. One example is in 1Thess 4.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1Thess 4:13-18).

We can find comfort through the words of Jesus. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2Cor 1:3-4)

Another one of the ways His word comforts us is through the assurance we have from His promises. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil” (Heb 6:18-19). “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6).

Paul wrote; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2Tim 4:7-8).

When we seek His voice through the reading & study of His inspired word, and we Obey it, we can have the assurance that He will reward us.

Finally, His voice has the words of ETERNAL Life.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).

Sadly, some will hear it & turn from it. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68).

Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

The writer of Hebrew was inspired to write, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9). Cornelius was told he needed to hear words, so he sent for Peter who came to tell him words and they were ready to, “hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:6, 22, 33).

When we read, we can believe that we might have life, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). When we read, we can understand the mystery, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:4).

The VOICE of Jesus is represented as a sword in the imagery seen by John in Revelation 1:16. The Hebrew writer said, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12).

The sheep will find comfort, peace, assurance, and salvation through the words of the Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus.

–Spencer

Lessons from 1Peter 5; SATAN

The Preacher 1 Comment
unscriptural portrait of Satan; this what people who don’t read the bible think he looks like cf. 2Cor 11:14

1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Some truths about SATAN.

SUBJECT TO GOD. Mark 5; Job 1

ANGEL OF LIGHT. 2Cor 11:14

TAKES AWAY THE WORD. Mark 4:15; 2Thess 2:11-12; Eph 2:2

ACCUSER. Rev 9:11; Abaddon. Adversary, 1Pet 5:8

NEVER QUITS. 2Cor 11:14; 1Pet 5:8

7 Things we ought to PROTECT pt 1

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pt1. Personal Safety.

“O Timothy! keep that which is committed to thy trust,” (1Tim 6:20).

Last week we looked at an overview of 7 things we ought to protect. These next 7 articles will dive deeper into each of those items.

The first one is about PERSONAL SAFETY.

Can a child of God protect, preserve, save their life? Is it always necessary to die for the cause of Christ? Yes and no, it depends on the situation.

We have several examples from the life of the Apostle Paul. Let’s learn from his example when his life was under threat of imminent death.

On his way to Jerusalem the Apostle Paul said, “for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Upon arriving to Jerusalem and entering the Temple he was arrested. Paul was ready to die.

At first, he was going to be scourged by the Roman guard. “The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him” (Acts 22:24). Paul was ready to die.

But Paul said, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned” (v25)? Upon further questioning, they discovered that Paul was a natural born Roman citizen. They became afraid of what they were about to do to him and they backed away. “Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him” (v29). Paul was ready to die.

We conclude that while it is important to be ready to be beaten for the cause of Christ, it’s not necessary if you can lawfully avoid it without denying your faith in Christ. He did not violate Matt 16:25, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Paul was ready to die.

Later, during this same arrest event, a plot was discovered to assassinate Paul. “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul” (Acts 23:12-16). Paul was ready to die.

Upon learning of the plot Paul did this, “Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him” (Acts 23:17). The plot was told to the chief captain, “But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee” (22:21). The chief captain then sent Paul that night along with two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred (v23). Paul was ready to die, but it wasn’t necessary, and he did not deny the Lord in the process.

We conclude that a Christian ought to be ready to be jailed, beaten, and even die for the cause of Christ (Acts 5:4-41). However, if there is a lawful means of protecting your life without denying the Lord that bought you, then do it. We could cite other such examples from Paul’s missionary journeys (Acts 9:25; 2Cor 11:33; Acts 16:35-40), in all Paul was ready to die.

If the means necessary to avoid persecution is to deny the Lord, then we’ve violated the command, denied the faith, and are in jeopardy for our soul. “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 10:33).

Paul was ready to die, arrest, beatings, and eventually did die. All for the cause of Christ (2Cor 11:23-33; Phil 1:20-22; 2Tim 4:6-7).

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev 2:10).

Spencer

Lessons in 1Peter 2: Follow in His STEPS

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1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

How do we follow in His STEPS?

SUFFERING Innocently. 1Peter 1:20-25

TRUSTING (committing / entrusting). Pet 1:23

ENDURED reviling, threats. 1Pet 2:23; Rev 2:10

PATIENTLY. V20. 2Pet 1:6; 3:15

SERVANT to others. John 13:1-20 

Lessons from 1 Peter

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Here are a few lessons from 1Peter. Check back as new lessons are added.

INTRODUCTION OUTLINES:

1Peter Overview Chart.

Who is PETER?

1Peter is a quick start guide for Christians.

The POWER of the suffering Savior.

CHAPTER 1 OUTLINES:

Overview of 1Peter 1.

CHAPTER 2 OUTLINES:

Desiring the Sincere MILK of the word. 1Peter 1:22-2:3

We are LIVING STONES. 1Peter 2:4-8

Offer up SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES to God by Jesus Christ.

We are CALLED out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1Peter 2:9

PILGRIMS and Strangers. 1Peter 2:11

Just a-PASSING through.

by thy GOOD WORKS. 1Peter 2:12 (Scriptures about Good WORKS)

SUBMIT to one another. 1Peter 2:13-25

Follow in His STEPS. 1Peter 2:20-25

CHAPTER 3 OUTLINES:

a Husband DWELLS with his wife. 3:7

How to be READY to give a defense. 3:15

the BAPTISM that saves. 1Pet 3:21

Christ is on His THRONE now. 1Peter 3:22

CHAPTER 4 OUTLINES:

They Think it STRANGE. 1Peter 4:4

Be SOBER and watching. 1Peter 4:7-11

CHAPTER 5 OUTLINES:

the work of ELDERS.

Ye younger SUBMIT.

Ye shall receive a CROWN.

Our adversary the Devil, SATAN.

Who is SILAS?

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger Texas.

CALLED out of darkness

The Preacher 1 Comment

The term ‘church’ (ekklesia) literally means, ‘the called out.’ It is a derivative of the word ‘kaleo’ which means a ‘calling out.’

I bring this to you attention because this is the word Peter uses in his 1st letter to us, the church.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath CALLED YOU OUT of darkness into his marvellous light” (1Peter 2:9; emph mine seb).

Peter’s inspired letter says much about being separate, set apart, and different from the rest of the world. The comparison in this verse is light vs darkness.

This calling is to be heeded, but how? To understand what Christian must do to stay out of the darkness and be in the light can be seen in a study of chapter two.

Before we begin, it’s important to remember that the calling by God occurs through the word preached. “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2Thess 2:14). We become Christians by obeying the Gospel. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:3-4; 2Thess 2:8-9; 1Cor 15:1-4). After responding to this call, we can then continue to answer the call to walk in the light as He is in the light (cf. 1John 1:7).

With this background, we can now proceed to answer how to answer the call to come out of darkness.

CAST OFF

Beginning at verse one of chapter two we read, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings…” From this we see that we are to CAST OFF worldly behaviors. The Christian that is walking in the light has nothing to do with worldliness and sin. Paul wrote, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Eph 5:3). Paul also described the putting off as a putting to death these worldly attributes.

APPETITE for the word

Continuing on, Peter gives the source of knowing what is to be cast off and what our attitude should be toward it. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1Peter 2:2). The revealed word of God is the source book of information to teach us the difference between light and darkness, and that we need to develop an APPETITE for it as much as a newborn baby cries out for milk when it’s hungry. What a vivid description for us to see how vital the bread of life is to our growth.

LIVING STONES

From here, Peter describes who the called are. “To whom coming, as unto a LIVING STONE, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as LIVELY STONES, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1Pet 2:4-5, emph mine seb). This is important to understand for the Christian. Especially as we face persecution for being Christians. Peter will point this out in the remainder of this letter. We are the LIVING STONES of the Spiritual Temple of God.

LIGHT BEARER

Another thing to notice for those that walk in the light. We are to be LIGHT BEARERS to the dark world. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1Peter 2:9-12). Notice that we are to “shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out.” We can do this directly through preaching, and also through our actions in the world. Note verse 12, “they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” The Christian that is CALLED out of darkness shines forth the Light of Christ in their words and deeds (cf. Col 3:17).

EXAMPLE

This walking in the Light becomes an EXAMPLE for others to observe and to follow. Peter lists several areas in which the Christian can shine the Light, “which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1Peter 2:13-17)

DO GOOD

Finally, those that are called out of darkness are to be DO GOODERS. People that continue to do good despite persecution. “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (1Peter 2:18-25).

But this is not a do as I say, not as I do command. It is a “do as I did” command. Jesus Himself being the standard for those called to follow. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1Peter 2:21-24, emph mine seb).

It’s interesting to note that chapter two is not the only place in this letter that talks about our being CALLED (see 1Pet 1:15; 3:9; 5:10). The last one is given just before the closing greetings.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

(1Peter 5:10)

This gives us comfort as we suffer persecution because we walk in the Light. It comforts because the suffering is only temporary, but glory is Eternal!

Spencer

Spencer is an evangelist of the church of Christ in Borger Texas. He has been working with the congregation on Franklin and Juniper since 2014.