For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the focal point of the apostles preaching.  His first advent, of which the apostles were witnesses, is the object of the Christian’s faith. Christ’s second advent is the object of the Christian’s hope. A foundation of such faith and hope are those who testified of the marvelous revelation of Jesus.

The Christian’s faith is not based on fables.  There were many strange stories circulating among both the Jews and the Gentiles.  (Matthew 13:22) But the story of Jesus is not a myth. It is history- real history.  The story of Jesus is an incredible one.  The apostles were witnesses of those things Jesus did and taught. 

The Christian’s faith is based on eyewitnesses.  The apostles were eyewitnesses of his Majesty.  The word “eyewitness” alludes to the careful scrutiny of those who testified.  There was no deception or imagination.  They truly witnessed his majesty!  Peter, James, and John saw in Jesus the glory of God on the Holy Mountain. 

The Christian’s faith is based on the testimony of the Father.  On the mountain of transfiguration, the apostles not only saw the glory of God but heard a voice from heaven.  The Father said: “this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5)  Only the Father could make such an announcement.   He was well pleased with his son!  Instead of Moses or Elijah, man must now listen to Him.  Regardless of what man may think of Jesus, he is still honored by the Father.   It would behoove us to heed the Father and listen to his son. 

Human nature is such that it would be easy to doubt the incredible story of Jesus. However, when one fully examines the evidence and accepts its reality with trust, love, and hope, he is constrained to make Jesus his Lord and is motivated by the promise of the Lord’s victorious return. (2 Peter 3:10-14)

By George Slover

And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name-and to do for Youself great and awesome deeds for Your land-before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? (2 Samuel 7:23 NKJV)

This is one of my favorite moments in Old Testament history.  It is a great moment in David's life.  Instead of pouting that God has denied him the right to build the temple David goes before the Lord in submission and gratitude.  Included in his prayer is gratefulness for what God has done for Israel. God has redeemed for himself a people. He has delivered them from Egyptian bondage.  By this action he made a name for himself. 

While Israel was blessed above all the nations Christians are blessed above all people. Israel was delivered from Egyptian bondage, but Christians are delivered from the bondage of sin (Titus 2:14) and the threat of death (Hebrews 2:15). 

When God led Israel out of Egypt he did marvelous things for them such as parting the Red Sea. For our eternal redemption, God commended his love toward us by the death of his Son (Romans 5:8). By the power of the Holy Spirit, he revealed and confirmed this incredible story of love. Just as God made a name for himself in the redemption of Israel he also purchased a people by the blood of his Son “to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:6). Jesus through his humility acquired a name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9-11).

What a marvelous thought that God intervened powerfully in the nation of Israel to nurture her, patiently enduring her stubbornness to ultimately produce a Savior for the world. Thoughts of the rich blessings enjoyed in Christ should bring us to our knees and call us to say: “And what is my house, that You have brought me this far” (2 Samuel 7:18)?

By George Slover

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (1 Peter 2:2)

How are God’s people to live in the world without living like the world?  How are they to lead holy lives?  (I Peter 1:15, 16)  An important aspect of holy living is spiritual growth!  Living the sanctified life comes in progressive stages that take one from childhood to maturity.

So, how is one going to mature as God wishes?  Peter offers two keys to spiritual growth:  1) lay aside any sins that may hinder the process, and 2) desire the sincere milk of the word.  It is the later that I want to focus on.

Peter tells us that the word of God is necessary for spiritual growth.  God’s word, the spiritual seed, is the basis for holy living!  By obeying this truth, souls have been purified, and they’ve been born into the kingdom of God.  Christian growth depends upon the proper use of God’s word.

The word of God is food for the soul like milk is for infants.  It can provide the spiritual nourishment essential to the process of maturing.  It contains all of the necessary nutrients.  God’s word is a source of spiritual life.  It is an “incorruptible seed that lives and abides forever”.  It has the power to create and sustain a relationship with God when planted in an honest heart.

Therefore, our spiritual growth depends upon our desire for God’s word.  The imagery here is like a baby longing for nourishment.  Like it or not, we must use our intellect to receive it and digest it.  Like a baby crying for mother’s milk, we are to crave the milk of the word.  This would include daily reading, meditation, and application.

Experiencing God’s word in our life is sweet to taste:  “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious”. (1 Peter 2:3)  Peter does not imply doubt here, but supposes that they have tasted, and urges them on the ground of the first taste, to long for more.


God has not given us a hope that can never be realized.  He also gives us his word which moves us to conversion and then, if we crave it, sets up shop within us and goes to work preparing us for the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

By George Slover

 

So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, (Haggai 1:14)

During the rule of Cyrus, the Persian, God allowed a band of Jewish exiles to return to Judah to rebuild the temple.  However, apathy and discouragement hindered the progress.  Thus, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubababel and Joshua, their leaders, and the spirit of the people to complete the project. 

The message of Haggai, the prophet, mingled with obedient hearts, resulted in the remnant fully surrendering to the work.  No one had to be coerced against their will.  The people came and did the work without a grudge or indifference.  There was not a slacker among them. 

There are obstacles that often hinder the work of Christians.  Our progress may be hindered by a failure to recognize our priorities, a failure to appreciate our talents, or opposition from our enemies.   There are times when Christians need to be stirred up. 

Instead of concentrating on God's house, (Haggai 1:4) the people had been tending to their own houses.  Some had allowed memories of the glory of the former temple to discourage them from the work before them.  In Haggai’s stirring exhortation he reminds them that “God is with them.” 

There are times when Christians become depressed and discouraged.  We must recognize our priorities, acknowledge our talents, focus on the great heavenly reward God has promised, and accept God's gracious assistance. 

God wants us to get busy with His work.  Just as he gave these Jews courage, he will do the same for us today.

By George Slover


 

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:9.10)

When Paul visited Corinth, he preached the simple gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It was the acceptance of this message by which he and his audience had been saved.

Such a remarkable story as the resurrection of Christ needed witnesses. Among these witnesses was Paul: “one born out of due time”. (vs.8) He was chosen to be Christ’s special instrument to preach to the Gentiles. The previous life before his conversion, coupled with those who tried to discredit his apostleship, prompted Paul to engage in the practice of humble assertion.

The life of Paul was certainly marked by courage. He did not shirk his duty to God regardless of the threat. When his apostleship was in question, he boldly defended it. He did this knowing his powerful testimony could lead others to the Savior.

Paul’s boldness was coupled with diligence: “I labored more abundantly than they all”. Truly devoted disciples are hard workers – giving their all for the cause of Christ. They’ve made great sacrifices, untouched by circumstances, good or bad to minister to others the soul-saving message of Jesus. Others profess to believe, but either does very little, or shout to the world the great sacrifices they made for the Lord.

However, Paul describes his ministry with words of humility: “by the grace of God I am what I am”. He found shame in having persecuted the church. If each disciple would candidly look at their own life they would also say: “by the grace of God I am what I am“.

Few Bible authors are given more to paradox than Paul. He was eager to boldly defend the cause of Christ and the authority of his apostleship that bolstered the message. He claimed pre-eminence in the labor that involved long journeys and many hardships. Yet he was quick to add that the fruit of his labors was due to the grace of God.

Truly great disciples will see things as they are. As they grow in the Lord, God‘s power seems greater and greater, and their accomplishments seem less and less. They zealously labor in the Lord, but give all the glory to Christ who is all and all.

By George Slover