“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

The above passage is among many bold claims made by the apostles of Christ – i.e. “our message comes from God and not from man”.    Other such claims are found in John’s writings:  “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place.”  (Revelation 1:1)  Peter makes a similar claim:  “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)  These are bold claims!

However, the apostles, through the power of God, offered evidence to back up those claims.  “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” (2 Corinthians 12:12)  Surely such signs were done in the presence of their enemies.  Had they not been convincing, the apostles would have lost all creditability!

In addition to the signs they performed, the apostles readily abandoned long held beliefs and practices of their former religion.  These men, before preaching Christ, followed institutions that had been in vogue for more than 1500 years – i.e. animal sacrifices, Sabbath keeping, and many other traditions of Moses’ law. Not only did the New Testament writers abandon such treasured beliefs, but so did thousands of other Jews!

What compelled them to make such a dramatic shift?  Instead of animal sacrifices they honored Jesus as the Lamb of God.  Instead of Sabbath keeping, they assembled on the First day of the week.  And instead of following a physical king, they honored Jesus as the spiritual ruler of their hearts!

Such compelling evidence gives one every reason to believe, and no reason to doubt the validity of the New Testament and its authors!  Christ is risen indeed!  Christ is Lord!

By George Slover
 

Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23)

After clearly predicting his fate (Luke 9:22), Jesus enumerates the terms of discipleship.  True disciples are called to lead lives of self-denial and commitment.  Four times in the context (vs. 23,58,59,61) Jesus uses the word “follow” as a mark of genuine discipleship.

William Barclay’s (New Testament Words, pg. 41) references the uses of the Greek word “akolouthein”.  In classical Greek it was used to describe a soldier following a commander, a slave attending to his master, a servant obeying a leader, or of attaching oneself to another to receive a favor.  The Christian is a soldier in Christ’s army, the Lord’s bondservant, a citizen in His kingdom, and always in need of the Savior’s grace and favor.

Following Jesus involves counting the cost. (Luke 9:59,61)  Jesus will not accept our false pretenses or emotionally charged promises.  He requires genuine self-denial.  There were some early disciples who left all to follow Him. (Mark 4:20)  Following Jesus involves a cross – bearing our cross for Him.  This may require the sacrifice of our own habits, ambitions, and pleasures.

There are inadequate ways of following Jesus.  Some have tried to follow from a distance. (Matthew 26:58)  Had Peter followed closely, he may not have denied Jesus.  Some have refused to follow Him. (Matthew 19:21)  The result was sorrow instead of joy.

The tenderest words to ever fall from human lips were the words of Jesus – “follow me”. (Mark 2:14)  Some times the crowd followed Jesus to experience his healing power, some times to listen to his words, sometimes in wonder and admiration.  It was sinners (Mark 2:150, not self-righteous that followed Jesus.

When one embarks upon this great journey, Jesus will keep him in the way of light, instead of darkness.  Ultimately, the disciple will arrive at eternal glory.  The path will not be easy, but the reward will be well worth it.

By George Slover

"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:27-28 NKJV)

As an Apostle and servant of Christ, Paul also served as a model for evangelism.  Paul was a suffering saint and prisoner of the Lord.  All of his strivings were motivated by man’s greatest cause – the cause of Christ.  In his life’s work, Paul can be a model for us. 

The subject of his preaching is Christ.  Paul says: “we proclaim Him”!  His message did not consist of vain philosophy or religious tradition (Colossians 2:8).  Thus, our mission is to uphold Christ – to proclaim his death, burial, and resurrection, to draw portraits of His life, to herald His grace, and to clearly spell out His demands.

The scope of his preaching is all mankind.  Paul says, “We admonish every man”.  C.S. Lewis stated: “There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.  But it is immortals whom we joke with, marry, snub, and exploit- immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”  What a sobering thought.  No one is safe without Jesus!  All men are accountable to God.  Thus, our mission is to generously scatter the seed.

The method of Paul’s preaching is practical instruction – “warning and teaching”.  The goal must be to convict the sinner of his guilt (Romans 3:23), and encourage them by the offers of the gospel.  The terms of pardon are "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”. (Acts 20:21) This also includes submission to God in baptism.  (Acts 2:28)

The goal of gospel preaching is to present every man perfect in Christ.  The work of the preacher is to mold lives and develop character.  Redeeming the sinner of guilt and saving the eternal soul are important, but the work is not finished with conversion.  It only begins there.  In fact the eternal goals will not be realized unless one grows on toward perfection in Christ.

It was to this work Paul devoted all of his energy.  It is to this same ministry Christians are also called.  There is not a more important endeavor.

By George Slover 


 

So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the LORD has said we will do." (Exodus 24:3)

The giving of the Book of the Covenant now completed, Moses descends from the mountain and declares it to the people.  (vs.1-3)  When the people heard they expressed a willingness to obey: "All the words which the LORD has said we will do."  Moses takes the blood and sprinkles half of it on the altar and half of it on the people and their acceptance of the covenant is complete.

Upon this occasion God accepted the accolades of Israel.  With the altar and sprinkling of blood, God provided a means by which Israel could be reminded to make good on their promise.  Unfortunately, Israel would prove to be a fickle people and soon forget their commitment to Jehovah.

The fickleness of Israel has been often repeated by others.  One has good intentions, but often fails to follow through.  He is torn by emotions that draw him in one direction and his reason which draws him in another.  Thus, one will make promises, as Israel did at Sinai, but when the emotion of the moment is gone and life gets ordinary and dull, he finds his pledge hard to keep.

The gospel of Christ demands commitment.  We are not just saved to be saved (Romans 12:1,2), but we are saved to serve.  God demands implicit faith committed to righteousness rather than sin.  (Romans 6:18)  All too often the new convert on the day of baptism starts with lofty goals, but will soon drop out of the race.  

Like Israel God has implemented ways to remind the Christian of his initial commitment.  The Lord’s Supper is our memorial of Christ, should rekindle our spirits. (I Corinthians 11:23-29)  The word is designed to stir us up.  
(II Peter 3:1,2) God’s people should provoke us to love and good works.  (Hebrews 10:24,25)  

So when our life ends will we be among those who followed through or among those who failed?  Take up the tools God gave you, keep the heart burning for Christ, and one day you will reap the rewards.

George Slover 

 

"For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary." And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people. (2 Chronicles 30:18-20)

During the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah, arrangements were made to observe the Passover.  The sweeping reforms of this righteous king were designed to turn the heart of the nation away from idols and back to Jehovah.

A larger number of people assembled in Jerusalem in answer to the king’s invitation.  A mixed assembly from regions of Judah, Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulon, with singleness of heart, united themselves to keep the Passover.  This would be something many of them had never done.

Necessary preparation involved two things: 1) the purging of the city of idolatry which was carried out with great efficiency, and 2) the purification of the participants.  However, a very interesting incident occurred during this celebration.  Many who brought lambs had not been properly purified before engaging in the act of sacrifice and were not qualified to slay the lamb.  In an act that was not according to the letter of the law, the Levites stood in their place.  But, prayer was made by Hezekiah for those who ate the Passover contrary to what was written, and the Lord healed the people.

Hezekiah’s prayer for pardon was granted.  We may also pray for the lost, however this does not relieve them of personal accountability.  Each individual must repent of their sin, appeal to the Lord in a spirit of self-surrender, and choose for themselves the kingdom of heaven. We may not build on a brother’s help, or presume on a brother’s prayer.  However, when Hezekiah prayed, the Lord healed the people.

These transgressions were forgiven by virtue of Hezekiah’s prayer.  However, primarily God forgave them because he discerned in the people a spirit of obedience.  Each one had prepared his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers.  Each one approached God with faith and submission.  They had a strong desire to obey Jehovah.

It is this spirit of obedience which God demands of us.  If that is absent, nothing else will suffice.  If that is present the small details may be forgiven.  To have a pure and deep desire to serve the Lord- that is the essential thing.    

By George Slover