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The Dread of Death

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (Hebrews 2:14)

That God became a man is the world’s most incredible story. The son of God entered the world as a baby, lived a human life, and died a human death as a show of his marvelous love for unworthy sinners. What more does this text teach?

First, the passage tells us that Jesus became a man. He took on flesh and blood. He had a human body subject to pain, hunger, and thirst. He had a soul that felt both love and hate or joy and sadness. All of these feelings were real and not pretended. His Godhead did not lessen the infirmities of his humanity.

Second, Jesus became a man so that he might die. Other men die because they are human, and death is unavoidable, but Jesus assumed our nature for the express purpose of acquiring the capability of dying. He could have chosen to live many years in this world, healing the sick and teaching the people, and then, like Elijah, be suddenly lifted to heaven. Instead, he chose to die. And he experienced an extremely painful death.

Third, by his death and resurrection, Christ destroyed Satan, the one who had the power of death. Death is the result of sin in the world, and Satan is the one who propagates it. Satan kindles the passions which lead to sin and death – anger, lawlessness, and murder. He strikes terror and dread into those who contemplate death.

Fourth, Jesus chose to die to deliver man from the bondage of fear. The dread of death holds us in bondage. Jesus sacrificed himself as an atonement for the sin Satan promotes. Christ’s death and resurrection can remove the guilt of sin, and offer the promise of eternal life. Jesus Christ took the sting out of death.

One who accepts Jesus on his terms, (Acts 2:38) and gives their life to him, can enter into a covenant relationship with God. They join a brotherhood where the Lord is their big brother and leader leading them toward heaven.

By George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master

Bring Them to Christ

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

He answered him and said, 'O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.'"(Mark 9:19)

The occasion of the words mentioned above was sometime during the 3^rd year of the Lord’s earthly ministry. A father’s son was possessed with a demon causing him to behave violently. Though the Lord had given his apostles the authority to cast out demons, because of their lack of faith they had failed in healing this boy.

Fortunately, Satan has no power today to possess a person as he did during the time of miracles. However, there is still an important lesson for modern disciples. Our faithlessness mirrors the faithless activity of these early disciples.

While we do not live the age of demon possession, Satan is still exerting much influence in our world. Personal lives, homes, communities, and local churches have been affected by his power to deceive and entice. We ought to be able to help that poor “demon possessed” friend, but it could be said of us as well – “they could not”. The disciples could not and we cannot.

In our unbelieving generation churches have tried every gimmick in the book to gain the numbers. Those churches on the left have tried the allurement of the social gospel – “win ‘em with coffee and donuts, fun and games for the family, etc.” Other churches who would oppose such tactics have pushed such gimmicks as – “you’ll really like our singing, or our preacher, or our Bible classes”. All of the above-mentioned methods are carnal. We forget about the One who has the power to solve our problems.

“Bring them to me”, Jesus said. Our job is not about the latest religious gadget, but about winning others to Christ. He is the only one who can bring them into a right relationship with God.

George Slover

Posted in Moment With The Master

He Does All Things Well

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." (Mark 7:3)

As Jesus was ministering in the region of Decapolis a man was brought to him who was deaf and mute. By the power of God, the man’s ears were opened and tongue loosed. So amazed were those who witnessed this great wonder, they proclaimed: "He has done all things well.”  Indeed, what Jesus did and still does is just what we need.

Jesus is truly worthy of such praise for it was well for him to exercise his authority on earth in healing the sick, for such is a pledge of his power to accomplish much more. He did well by his sinless life, for he became the perfect sacrifice for sin. Jesus does well when he frees the sinner from guilt by His shed blood.   Every thing Christ does is done liberally, graciously, and mercifully. In view of these things, we must join the multitudes in saying:  "He has done all things well.”

Heaven rejoices in Jesus for he does all things well. The hosts of heaven rejoice over one sinner who comes to the Great Physician.   The saints rejoice for they have been made kings and priests unto God! Christ’s ability to heal broken hearts has reached down to man and met all of his inner needs. Truly, Jesus does all things well.

These simple words have been repeated through the ages. Jesus heals the sick, renews the soul, and makes us delight in His word and rejoice in his love.

“All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy who through life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

“All the way my Savior leads me; Cheers each winding path I tread, Gives me grace for ev’ry trial, Feeds me on the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And, my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see. Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.

“All the way my Savior leads me, Oh the fullness of his love! Perfect rest to me has promised, In my Father’s home above. When my spirit clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day. This my song thru endless ages; Jesus lead me all the way. This my song thru endless ages; Jesus lead me all the way.
Fanny J. Crosby

By George Slover

By George Slover | Visit www.smcofc.org or www.ibiblestudy.net

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Manna From Heaven

Thursday, August 31, 2017

I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" (Exodus 16:12)

To satisfy the hunger of Israel, God provided quail in the evening and manna in the morning. Specific instructions were given by God as to the manner it was to be gathered. They ate this bread from heaven for 40 years. (Exodus 16:35) The manna was a type of Christ, who is the true bread from heaven” (John 6:31-35)

Just as it is hard to imagine the world without bread, it is more so a world without Christ. The purpose of his life, the power of his word, the impact of his death, and the victory of his resurrection fulfill man’s greatest needs. What a famine in a world without Him!

The manna from heaven was given for the nourishment of Israel. Christ is food for the soul during our wilderness journey. God heard the cry of a starving world and gave his son, the bread of life, as atonement for sin.

Apparently, the manna from heaven was white and sweet to taste. The life of Christ has been described by one inspired writer as “holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners”. (Hebrews 7:26) Jesus had no ulterior motives or personal agenda. His influence and presence are sweet to taste.

The manna from heaven was given at a time when Israel was complaining against God. Dwelling on the lost delicacies of Egypt, Israel breaks out in unjust murmuring. God responded to their impatience by graciously providing food. He also overlooked man’s stubborn behavior, by extending mercy and terms of pardon through His son.

God instructed Israel to gather this manna early in the morning. If there was any delay the sweet bread melted away. Jesus, the bread of life, must not be neglected, or it may be too late to receive his blessings.

Just as manna was refreshment for Israel, Christ fulfills the hunger of starving souls in our age. He must not be ignored.

By George Slover

By George Slover | Visit www.smcofc.org or www.ibiblestudy.net

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Righteousness

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.” (Philippians 3:9)

Before his conversion to Christ, Paul was profiting greatly by his status with the Jews. Among his peers, he had an impressive resume and was on top of the world. But when the Lord appeared to him, all of that changed. From then on his life’s focus was to “gain Christ and to be found in him”. (vs. 8)

“Righteousness” describes a state of being right with God. The “righteousness of God” is an expression Paul commonly uses (Romans 3:21,22; Romans 10:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21) to describe this blessed state. New Testament writers also use the word "justified” to describe this relationship.

Paul observes that being found in Christ will not be accomplished through his own righteousness which is by the law. From a purely pharisaical viewpoint, Paul may have attained this lofty relationship with God, but not from God’s viewpoint. Paul, like all of mankind was a law breaker.

Our lack of absolute righteousness is why God had to provide a perfect way through Christ. It is made possible by Christ’s death (Romans 3:24-26) and resurrection. (Romans 4:25) “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;“ (Romans 4:7)

This blessed relationship is imputed to us. This is an accounting term and means that something (in this case righteousness) is placed on the credit side of the ledger. The Bible says one's faith (Romans 4:3,5) is accounted for righteousness.

Such faith is not just easy believism, but a living and active faith. God's word offers marvelous examples to illustrate this kind of faith. For example, read Hebrews 11:7. Noah became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith, when he took God at his word, and by faith prepared an ark.

If we too will do what God requires, on the basis of our faith, God will impute righteousness to us. One may gain much in this life but lose it again. But, the sinner who gains Christ obtains a bliss without end!

By George Slover

By George Slover | V

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