Getting Used to the Dark

Here are the words to a song by the McKameys. It says, "Sin is all around, but we don’t think this world is as bad as it seems. We just close our eyes to what is going on. Christian lives are wrecked by sin and we blame it on the world we’re in. We say there is nothing we can do. Instead of being a shining light, we’re just doing right in our own eyes. As Christians, we’re not doing our part. We’re just getting used to the dark. We’re not praying to change any hearts, we’re just getting used to the dark." As a matter of fact, I believe that we've become so comfortable with the dark that we can't even worship God with the lights on anymore.

Given to Change, Part 1

I was working my way through the tiny book of Titus when I came upon this verse in Titus 1:9 which says, Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. I began meditating on the phase holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught and it got me to thinking about change. Proverbs 24:21 says, My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: As a matter of fact, the Bible speaks profusely about change and how that it is not always good.

The Bible also warns us against being so quick to withdraw ourselves from our past. II Thessalonians 2:15 says, Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Jeremiah 6:16 says, Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Unfortunately, as I reflect upon my nineteen years of ministry, we are a people who insist upon change.

I've come to the conclusion that we are too quick to want change today. Don't get me wrong. I certainly do not advocate that we return to the dark ages. I do enjoy being able to write these thoughts on a computer, in a climate controlled environment under the warm glow of incandescent lighting! No, I'm not talking about that kind of change. I'm talking about change when it comes to the things of God and the house of God. Now maybe I'm getting a little older and I've already been there, bought the T-Shirt and back again, but I've learned and observed a few things over the years that concern me.

As I reflect upon many of these changes, I simply do not see the fruit of them. The end result today is that the average church member is lost. George Barna concludes that six out of ten in the evangelical church in America is lost today. Dr. R. Albert Mohler is his studies of Southern Baptist life concludes that fifty percent of his denomination is not saved. I’m afraid that we have lost something in our rush to change things.

The Ashes of the Red Heifer

In Numbers 19, God gives instructions to Moses about the ashes of the red heifer. Moses is told that the heifer must meet several specifications. First, it to be perfect in that there is no spot or blemish to be found in it. Second, it must not have more than two hairs of any color. Thirdly, it must not have ever had a yoke upon her neck.

Finally, the heifer was to be taken outside of the camp and slaughtered with a knife and its body burned to ashes before the high priest on cedar wood. It was then to be mixed with hyssop, scarlet, and running water to be stored in a stone pot for the purpose of purification; most importantly the purification of the temple, its implements, and priests.

The significance of the red heifer is important today as that before the third temple can be rebuilt as prophesied in Scripture and the priesthood restored, the ashes of the red heifer must be reestablished for the purification of the temple, its implements, and priests.

This is where some disagreement arises. The disagreement is as to whether simply raising another red heifer that meets the specifications is sufficient while others believe that the original ashes from the ninth red heifer from Moses must first be found and added to the new before it is acceptable.

This is exciting as that Jewish tradition teaches that upon the establishment of the tenth red heifer, the Messiah will come!

Three Views of the Rapture

In response to some of your questions, I just added a new category called "Writings". The first paper I placed in it is called "Three Views of the Rapture" that I wrote in 2005. It deals with the three views in regards to the timing of the Rapture of the Church.

Ten Stages of a Jewish Wedding

I was reviewing this with my class today. These are the ten stages of a Jewish wedding and their significance to the Church.

1. Betrothal - This often took place when the couple was still yet children. The agreement was made between the parents. Application: The Bible says that we are betrothed to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).

2. Visit with the Father of the Bride - Once the groom was ready for marriage, he would leave his father's home and go and visit with the bride's father to express his intentions and request permission. Application: Jesus left his Father's home to visit with us and express his intentions (Matthew 11:28).

3. It was at this time that a dowry or a purchase price was agreed to. Application: Jesus paid the purchase price for us (1 Corinthians 6:20).

4. The groom would then return to his father's house and begin making preparations for when his bride arrived. Application: Jesus has returned to the Father were he is currently making preparations for our arrival (John 14:2-3).

5. In the meantime, the bride never knew the date of the grooms arrival and was therefore required to live in anticipation. Application: We do not know the day nor the hour of Christ's return, so we much be ready (Matthew 25:13).

6. On the appointed day, the groom would go and get his bride and bring her to his father's house for the wedding ceremony. Application: Jesus will return for us in the Rapture and we will be taken to the Father's house for the ceremony (Matthew 25:13).

7. The marriage would then be consummated. Application: As the marriage was consummated and the proof of virginity presented, so too, we will experience the Judgment Seat of Christ at which time our faithfulness will be presented (2 Corinthians 5:10).

8. The wedding feast would begin. Application: At that time, we will sit down to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

9. The bride stayed in her bridal chamber for seven days. Application: The Church will be hidden away for seven years while the Tribulation is taking place on Earth (Revelation 3:10).

10. She would then be allowed to come out of the bridal chamber. Application: After seven years, the Church will come out of her bridal chamber and appear with Christ at the Second Coming (Revelation 19:7).

There are many more references than those given. Look them up for yourself. I know that you'll be blessed.

Food for Thought

There are two different New testament text families comprising about 5,400 manuscripts. They are the Textus Receptus and the Alexandrian texts. The Alexandrian texts were written by Origen and Eusebius who were both gnostics and heretics. These texts represent only ~3% of the total 5,400. They do not agree with each other, are totally mutilated and have been corrected thousands of times. On the other hand, the Textus Receptus comprises ~97% of all manuscripts and 90% of those agree so strongly that they form their own unique text - the Textus Receptus. The KJV is the only Translation done exclusively from the Textus Receptus in the last 400 years. Just something to think about.

How to Have a Happy Marriage

These are my notes from my message at our Valentine's Day Banquet here at Calvary Chapel Lima.

Illustration: I was told as a young man before getting married that if I wanted to have a happy marriage, I had a choice to make. I could choose to be right or I could choice to be happy. To this day, I am a happy, happy man.

The Institution of Marriage

Cf. Genesis 2:18-24

The Fall

The Temptation (3:1-13)

Curse on the Serpent (vv.14-15)

Curse on the Woman (v.16)

Curse on the Man (vv.17-19)

Notice in v.17a “because you listened to your wife”.

In other words, “Adam, you chose to listen to your wife instead of to me.”

Notice in v.16b “your desire shall be for your husband, but he will rule over you.”

This means that the desire of the woman will be to rule over her husband.

Love vs. Submit

I find it interesting that the Bible never directly tells a man to submit to his wife, but instead repeatedly tells him to love her.

I also find it interesting that the Bible never directly tells the woman to love her husband, but instead repeatedly tell her to submit to him.

Why? – It all goes back to the Fall (the Garden of Eden).

The bottom line is that men have a hard time loving and women have a hard time submitting.

The interesting thing is that herein lies the key to a happy marriage!

If the husband would love his wife unconditionally, she would submit.

And if the wife would submit to her husband unconditionally, he would love her.

The problem today is that most couples are so worldly orientated that they must be deprogrammed.

In our society today, love is always conditional and “submit” is a dirty word.

And yet without both, one cannot be a Christian.

The Church and Christ

The marriage should be modeled after the relationship that Christ has with his Church.

A preacher can’t even read these verses without cringing today.

Cf. Eph. 5:22-33

Pearls of Wisdom

With all of this in mind, I just want to just give you guys some words of wisdom tonight.

My precious wife and I have been married for 23 years and I’ve learned a few things during that time that I can share with you.

Honesty

Always be totally honest with each other about the past, the present and the future.

Never ever lie to one another no matter how much it costs.

A relationship is built on honesty and trust.

Once that is broken, there is not much left.

Finances

In regards to money, always agree up front with how much each can spend without the others consent.

Money is the number one reason given for divorces.

Things Not to Do

1. Never Judge - You may think you know, but maybe you don’t.

Pro. 18:13 “He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.”

2. Never Put-down each other.

3. Never refuse to forgive and forget.

The Bible says that love keeps no record of wrongs.

4. Never Criticize.

Criticism should be helpful and not hurtful.

Eph. 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

5. Never compare your mate to someone else.

6. Never purposefully cause a fight.

7. Never be blind and deaf to the needs of each other.

8. Never use sarcasm and jokes about your spouse.

Words are like bullets.

9. Never ignore each other.

10. Never fail to express appreciation for each other.

11. Never ignore the In-laws.

They are number three of the list of reasons for divorce!

12. Never over commit yourself to others at the expense of your family.

Keep your promises even if it hurts!

13. Never be unwilling to admit that we are wrong.

Jas 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

14. Never go to bed angry.

Eph 4:26 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

There is nothing wrong with being angry, but if left unaddressed it will become sin.

15. Never nag.

Pro. 21:19; 27:15-16a

Some Things to Do

1. Listen to each other

Jas 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.

Defense Mechanisms to effective communication

1. Joking

2. Attacking

3. Pulling back

2. Respect each other

She is your queen and you are her king!

Men demand respect more than women.

A survey not many years ago found that the majority of men can live without love but not without respect.

3. Men, always be a gentleman. (Open the doors for her!)

4. Women, always be a lady. (Stand there until he does!)

5. Always talk to each other.

Read 1 Cor. 13:4-8a and place your name in the text every time you read the word "love".

Labored in Vain?

I never cease to be amazed at the carnality that I see in the Church. It absolutely saddens me to no end. I see "so-called" Christians that I have personally ministered to for years and I must confess that, I truly doubt if they have really been born-again. I think that I know what Paul meant when he said to the Galatians, "I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain" Galatians 4:11.

In the end, I can only look at the fruit that I see in their lives. Of course, today that's not a very hard thing to do because you only have to take a quick glance at their Facebook and MySpace (if you feel spiritually secure enough to venture to the latter) accounts to see it for yourself. Truly, out of the mouth proceed the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Luke 6:45) and a man is known by the "Facebook" friends he keeps.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:33, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit." The Bible makes it abundantly clear that good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit. It further emphatically says that it is impossible for good trees to produce bad fruit and for bad trees to produce good fruit (Matthew 7:18). And yet, these same self-proclaimed "good trees" are producing bad fruit. Oh, don't get me wrong, they are "good" and "moral" people by the worlds standards.

I must ask why and I must conclude in the end, that we have become such a worldly bunch. Many times, our chief aim is to walk like'em, talk like'em and indeed look like'em. Our sinful culture ensures absolute conformity. Anyone who is different will stand out and receive their justly deserved criticism. I am convinced and know that it is tool of Satan himself.

Christians have got to come to the realization that God has indeed called us to be different. Jesus said in Luke 6:22-23, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. (23) "Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets." The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (15) Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? (16) Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. (17) "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. (18) "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty."