Matthew - Fasting, Giving, and Looking

In today's study from Matthew 6:16-23, our Lord discusses some practical spiritual matters in regards to fasting, giving, and looking.

Practical Spiritual Matters

vv.16-23 “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  17  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;  18  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.  19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

In this passage, Jesus gave his Jewish disciples instructions on some practical spiritual matters. He teaches them on fasting (vv.16-18), giving (vv.19-21), and looking (vv.22-23). It boils down to the fact that there is spiritual help in what you don’t eat, what you don’t keep, and what you don’t seek.

What You Don’t Eat (Fasting)

First, Jesus deals with what you don’t eat in fasting. The first thing that we see is that fasting is not to be done for appearances. Ephesians 6:6-7 “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:”

Lent is a prime example of fasting for appearance.  Everybody does it at the same time, it begins with black ashes displayed on the forehead so that the whole world will see that their “giving up something for God.” The bottom line is that while fasting, the appearance should be normal and between you and God according to the words of our Lord.

Is Fasting for Today?

I believe so. 1. Jesus said so. He said in Matthew 9:15, “Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” The apostles did it. We find in Acts 13:2-3, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Paul also did it because he said in 2 Corinthians 11:27, “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” Understand that fasting is not to align God’s will with ours but ours to His.

Neglected Today

In spite of all of this, it is a discipline that is often neglected by American Christians. It’s interesting that Physiologists tells us that when there is no food in the stomach, there is greater blood flow to the brain. You can actually think clearer when you're not digesting burgers and fries. Imagine that! That’s not hard to believe because when I get full the conversation is over! Once you overcome those first pangs of hunger, your’ thinking processes are more focused and clearer than ever. On the other hand, if you have two Whoppers and a couple of shakes, all you want to do is sleep! Amen?

What You Don’t Keep (Giving)

vv.19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Second, Jesus deals with what you don’t keep in giving. The major problem with money is the accumulation of it and not the money itself. Our Lord said in Luke 12:15, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Also, the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 5:10, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver.”

We are constantly warned in Scripture that wealth accumulated here will rust, get eaten, decay, or get stolen. Job 1:21 Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither. So, the only way to keep it is to give it (v.20). Treasures in heaven are only laid up as treasures on earth are laid down. In other words, when you lay it down, you send it ahead.

Rich Young Ruler

Notice what Jesus said to the rich young ruler. Matthew 19:21, "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." In the parable of the pounds, the Lord showed us that the man who made the ten pounds in service to the Lord got to keep it and got more. Luke 19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

It’s a Heart Problem

You can tell a lot about your heart by how you give (v. 21). If your treasure is in the earth, your heart will be worldly. The Bible says in James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” If your treasure is in heaven, your heart will be godly. Paul said in Philippians 3:19-20, “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” George Truett said, “If you’re not right with God in your giving, you’re not right with God in any area of your life.”

What You Don’t Seek (Looking)

vv.22-23 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Third, Jesus deals with what you don’t seek in looking. In this section, the Lord’s admonition is to keep the eye single (clear focused). Jesus kept His eyes clearly focused while He was here on this earth in three ways.

1. He was blind and deaf to anything ungodly. The prophet said in Isaiah 42:19-20, “Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant?  Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.”

2. He did not judge with his eyes and ears. The prophets also said in Isaiah 11:3, “And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:” In other words, He looked deeper than just words and actions. He looked at the heart. The Psalmist said in Psalms 44:21, “Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”

3. He did those things that were pleasing to God. In the Gospel of John it says in John 8:28-29, “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” In like manner, we are to serve the Lord. Paul told the Colossians in 3:22-24, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” The simplest way to keep your eye single is to keep your eyes on Jesus and in his Word. The Bible says in Psalms 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Should Women Be Ordained? - Part 9

This is part nine in a series on what the Bible says in regards to the ordination of women in the church. Again, instead of rewriting what I believe has already been well laid out, I am sharing Dr. Jim Feeney’s writings on the subject for your edification. You may disagree, and that is your right, but please be able to point to the Bible for your reasons and not the culture.

Argument #9: “But sister ___ is not exercising ‘authority’ in violation of 1 Timothy 2:11-12. She is simply ministering her ‘giftedness’ (as an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, or elder).”

A Biblical Response: I have heard this erroneous argument more than one might imagine. The response to that is simple and biblical. We cannot isolate authority from these God-ordained ministries. For example:

•• Matthew 7:29   [Jesus] taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. One mark of a God-called and anointed teacher is teaching with authority.

•• 2 Corinthians 13:10   This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority — the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. Paul’s apostleship to them included God-given authority.

•• Titus 2:15   These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. The Bible does not state precisely which of the fivefold offices Titus held. But whichever one(s) it was, he was to exercise it “with all authority”. It is illogical and without Scriptural support to suggest that one can receive a fivefold ministry office from the Lord without the God-given authority to fulfill it.

•• Hebrews 13:17   Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. These unnamed spiritual leaders had authority, to which the saints were to submit and obey.

•• 1 Timothy 5:17, KJV   Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. Here we see elders ruling, a clear statement that church elders have authority from God.

In sum, we see again and again in the Bible that when God grants a fivefold ministry gift, He grants the authority to fulfill it. So the argument that ordained women ministers with great giftedness are exercising that gift without authority is not biblical. To be a pastor of a church and yet not have authority in that church is nonsensical. To be an apostle and not have what Paul called “the authority the Lord gave me” is antibiblical. To be a teacher without authority is to be like the scribes of the Law, not a Spirit-anointed teacher. This argument of giftedness-but-not-authority is a nonbiblical attempt to circumvent the clear teaching of 1 Timothy 2:11-12 that a woman in the church is not to have authority over men. Without God-given authority, ministries such as pastoring and teaching would be flat, lifeless, and ineffective.

Matthew - The Lord's Prayer, Part 3

In today’s final study from Matthew 6:9-14, we look at the elements of compassion, dependence, and acknowledgment in regards to prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

vv.9-14 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)   Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  (14)  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Now the Lord instructs the disciples on how to pray with what has been improperly titled “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is actually the “Disciples Prayer” for the Lord said, “After this manner therefore pray ye,” (v.9).   The “ye” would be them and not him.

I. Definition of Prayer

Prayer may best be defined as “having fellowship with God.” 

II. Elements of Prayer

Looking at the model prayer that was given here by Jesus, we find that prayer includes ten elements.

1. A Personal Relationship with God: “Our Father”

2. Faith: “in heaven”

3. Worship: “Hallowed by thy name”

4. Expectation: “Thy kingdom come”

5. Submission: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”

6. Petition: “Give us this day our daily bread”

7. Confession: “And forgive us our debts”

Please understand that we do not receive forgiveness as we forgive our debtors today, we forgive today because we are forgiven. Again, do not be tempted to spiritualize this passage it is not to us today under Grace. The blood of Christ will forgive us of every sin, but not one excuse. Once we come to Christ by faith, all of our sins are forgiven, past, present, and future.

8. Compassion: “as we forgive our debtors”

Yes, we are to be people who forgive others always. We need to keep short accounts with people. As God has forgiven us, we should also forgive them. No buts…

9. Dependence: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil”

If should be understood that, while God has never promised to keep us from temptation, he has promised to preserve us in and through the temptation. 1Co 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

10. Acknowledgment: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever”

King David actually anticipated the final part of Jesus’ model prayer. 1Ch 29:10-11 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  

One day, Martin Luther’s little puppy happened to be at the table, he looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes; to which Martin Luther replied, 'Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish or hope."

Should Women Be Ordained? - Part 8

This is part eight in a series on what the Bible says in regards to the ordination of women in the church. Again, instead of rewriting what I believe has already been well laid out, I am sharing Dr. Jim Feeney’s writings on the subject for your edification. You may disagree, and that is your right, but please be able to point to the Bible for your reasons and not the culture.

Argument #8: “Sister ___’s prophetic ministry is so powerful, how could we deny that gift of God in her life by failing to recognize her as a prophet?”

A Biblical Response: As mentioned earlier, having a spiritual gift in one’s life — even at a very high level of anointing — is not the equivalent of holding the related Ephesians 4:11 fivefold ministry office. The illustration we gave was that of the evangelist Philip’s “four unmarried daughters who prophesied” (Acts 21:9). Despite that spiritual gift of prophecy in those young women of faith, when God wanted to deliver a major prophetic word to the apostle Paul, He led to that very home “a prophet named Agabus” (vss. 10-11), who delivered a vital prophetic word to Paul. The young ladies’ gift of prophecy did not make them prophets like Agabus.

•• Revelation 2:20, KJV   Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

• The New Covenant was established by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. And the New Testament record subsequent to the Cross names only one “prophetess” — Jezebel of Thyatira. And she was clearly a self-appointed, false prophetess — “which calleth herself a prophetess”. Furthermore, Jesus was rebuking the church’s senior minister for permitting this false prophetess to have a teaching ministry to the church — “...thou sufferest that woman Jezebel ... to teach and to seduce my servants”. To any church leaders reading this, I urge you to consider the consequences of permitting women in your churches, with your permission, to violate 1 Timothy 2:11-12 by allowing them to teach men and/or to have authority over the men of the church.

• In sum, the biblical record of the New Covenant under which we live shows no record of a God-called, New Testament, female prophet/prophetess. That is entirely consistent with Paul’s apostolic command that women not teach or have authority over men.

Matthew - The Lord's Prayer, Part 2

In today's study, we are still in Matthew 6:9-14, and are looking at the elements of submission and petition in the Lord's Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

vv.9-14 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)   Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  (14)  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Now the Lord instructs the disciples on how to pray with what has been improperly titled “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is actually the “Disciples Prayer” for the Lord said, “After this manner therefore pray ye,” (v.9).   The “ye” would be them and not him.

I. Definition of Prayer

Prayer may best be defined as “having fellowship with God.” 

II. Elements of Prayer

Looking at the model prayer that was given here by Jesus, we find that prayer includes ten elements.

1. A Personal Relationship with God: “Our Father”

2. Faith: “in heaven”

3. Worship: “Hallowed by thy name”

4. Expectation: “Thy kingdom come”

5. Submission: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”

Jesus would later give the finest example of this element in the garden of Gethsemane. Matt. 26:39 “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” We should always seek the Lord’s will to be done and not our own.

Prayer is surrender--surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will.  If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore?  Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God.

6. Petition: “Give us this day our daily bread”

1 John 5:15 “And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” Notice that this is the first place in the Lord’s Prayer where personal needs are mentioned. Unfortunately, most of us go to God like we go to Santa Clause or a genie in a bottle. There is nothing wrong with praying that God would meet our personal needs as long as they are in His will.

While crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner, F.B. Meyer was asked to address the first class passengers.  At the captain's request he spoke on "Answered Prayer."  An agnostic who was present at the service was asked by his friends, "What did you think of Dr. Meyer's sermon?"  He answered, "I didn't believe a word of it."  That afternoon Meyer went to speak to the steerage passengers. Many of the listeners at his morning address went along, including the agnostic, who claimed he just wanted to hear "what the babbler had to say."

Before starting for the service, the agnostic put two oranges in his pocket.  On his way he passed an elderly woman sitting in her deck chair fast asleep.  Her hands were open.  In the spirit of fun, the agnostic put the two oranges in her outstretched palms.  After the meeting, he saw the old lady happily eating one of the pieces of fruit.  "You seem to be enjoying that orange," he remarked with a smile.  "Yes, sir," she replied, "My Father is very good to me."  "Your father? Surely your father can't be still alive!"  "Praise God," she replied, "He is very much alive."  "What do you mean?" pressed the agnostic.  She explained, "I'll tell you, sir. I have been seasick for days.  I was asking God somehow to send me an orange.  I suppose I fell asleep while I was praying.  When I awoke, I found He had not only sent me one orange but two!"  The agnostic accepted Christ at the next service.

Matthew - The Lord's Prayer, Part 1

In today's study from Matthew 6:9-14, we continue to look at what is called The Lord's Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

vv.9-14 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)   Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  (14)  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Now the Lord instructs the disciples on how to pray with what has been improperly titled “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is actually the “Disciples Prayer” for the Lord said, “After this manner therefore pray ye,” (v.9).   The “ye” would be them and not him.

Topical Message “Prayer”

Now, I would like to start a topical message on the issue of prayer today for the church. Let’s take a closer look at the “Lord’s Prayer”.

I. Definition of Prayer

Prayer may best be defined as “having fellowship with God.” It is more than simply talking to God, but rather talking with God. It implies a two-way give and take.

II. Elements of Prayer

Looking at the model prayer that was given here by Jesus, we find that prayer includes ten elements.

1. A Personal Relationship with God: “Our Father”

2. Faith: “in heaven”

3. Worship: “Hallowed by thy name”

Worship means to honor and love as a deity.   It is to regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion or to revere. David felt this part of prayer to be so important that he appointed a select group of men who did nothing else in the temple but praise and worship God (cf. 1 Chr. 23:1-5; 25:1-7).

In the book of Revelation we are told that there are four special angeles who exist solely to worship God! Revelation 4:8 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

Jesus spoke of worship when speaking to the Samaritan woman. John 4:23-24 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God desires to be worshiped by us.

4. Expectation: “Thy kingdom come”

This kingdom is that blessed millennial kingdom spoken of so much in the Old Testament (cf. Isa 2:2-4). We should live in the expectation of the kingdom being established today. We should want it to be established today. However, for us, it will begin with the Rapture of the Church.

Once while Francis of Assisi was hoeing his garden, he was asked, "What would you do if you were suddenly told you would die at sunset today?" He replied, "I would finish hoeing my garden." Would we have that kind of attitude if we knew today would be our last?

According Gallup, “The belief that Jesus Christ will return to earth someday is held by 62 percent of all Americans” (cf. Luke 12:31-40).

Should Women Be Ordained? - Part 7

This is part seven in a series on what the Bible says in regards to the ordination of women in the church. Again, instead of rewriting what I believe has already been well laid out, I am sharing Dr. Jim Feeney’s writings on the subject for your edification. You may disagree, and that is your right, but please be able to point to the Bible for your reasons and not the culture.

Argument #7: “My wife is called ‘pastor’ because I’m the church’s pastor and she shares those pastoral burdens as my wife.”

A Biblical Response: I pastored local churches for 22 years and never called my wife “pastor”. Did she share with me behind the scenes all the joys and heartaches, the stresses and blessings, of my pastoral role? Absolutely. But did she share with me in the performance of those pastoral duties? Not at all. Being married to me, a pastor, did not make her a pastor. Similarly, being married to me, a former pilot and Air Traffic Controller, did not make my wife those things. As one of my sons correctly pointed out, if a woman marries a helicopter pilot, that doesn’t make her a helicopter pilot. My God-given call to teach and lead men did not confer that call upon her, because that would violate the command that a woman is not to teach or have authority over men in the church (1 Timothy 2:12; 3:15). My pastoral ordination in 1980 did not extend pastoral ordination by association to my wife. Nor should it.

•• The New Testament apostles’ wives were never called apostles. There is no New Testament instance of an elder’s wife becoming or being called an elder herself. In fact, one of the qualifications of being an elder is being “the husband of but one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6).

•• The process leading to the ordination of a male pastor involves much training, preparation, and practical experience. This process includes such things as:

• helping him discern that he is indeed called by God

• getting him involved in extensive biblical and practical training

• seeking the wisdom, counsel, and approval of his church elders

• often serving a substantial internship

But then often without his wife having done most or all of these things, some churches will just automatically call them “Pastor Joseph and Pastor Mary”. There is no biblical support for this.

What the Bible Says about Divorce, Part 2

Today, we continue to see what the Bible truly says in regards to the issue of divorce and what it doesn't.

Can you get a divorce, remarry, and still be in the will of God? I believe that the answer is yes as long as there are scriptural reasons. I believe that there are three clear reasons given in the New Testament for a justifiable divorce: they are Adultery, Desertion, and Death.

The Misunderstanding

Unfortunately, there are many who hold that no matter the reason for divorce, one can never again remarry because of Old Testament Mosaic Law. That is not true because we are not under Old Testament Mosaic Law. Christ fulfilled the Law so that we do not have to, remember. We are under the New Covenant of Grace. However, some will point to Romans 7:1-4 to make their point.

Rom 7:1-4 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?  2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  3  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.  4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

In this passage, Paul is illustrating a doctrinal truth that we are free from the Law because we have died to our flesh and are now free to remarry Christ. He is making a doctrinal illustration and using marriage as an example. He is not saying that once divorced a person can never again remarry.

Three Justifiable Reasons

That being said, let’s look at the three justifiable reasons given in the New Testament. Let’s look at the easy one first.

Death

1Co 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

This passage clearly states that once one partner has died, the other is free to remarry. However, it must be “in the Lord.” In other words, they cannot be “unequally yoked.”

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Now, let’s look at the second reason.

Adultery

Remember that in the Old Testament, once adultery took place, the offending party was put to death. It was a pretty open and shut case! However, we do not live in the Old Testament anymore. We cannot kill our cheating partners. That would cause us to break man’s law. So, instead of stoning, divorce is the only option that we have under the New Testament.

However, I do not believe that divorce should be the first option. God wants forgiveness and reconciliation to take place if possible. However, if that is not possible, divorce becomes the only option. In that case, I believe that the offended can remarry while the offender cannot. I believe that once adultery takes place, it divides the "one flesh" of the marriage (Gen. 2:24) and creates a new one (1 Cor. 6:16). Again, God would prefer forgiveness and reconciliation.

Desertion

The third justification for divorce is desertion. This is never mentioned by our Lord but by the Apostle Paul.

1Co 7:12-15 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  13  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  14  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.  15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

Here is a case where a husband or a wife gets saved and the unbelieving spouse decides to leave. Paul said, “Let them go!” Paul recommends that the deserted spouse remain single (1 Cor. 7:27). But he also tells us that it is not a sin if he or she remarries (1 Cor. 7:28a). Again, the only condition on the remarriage is that the deserted spouse marries a saved person.

Warning

Notice what Paul says in 1 Cor. 7:28, "such shall have trouble in the flesh," (1 Cor. 7:28). In other words, you’d better spend a great deal of time in prayer before you even think about remarriage. You need to look deep before you leap because there are consequences for everything (1Co 7:32-35).

Real Reasons for Divorce

In conclusion, I am going to suggest to you that a good marriage takes work. It is not for the fainthearted. We must all leave, cleave, and weave.

The five causes of divorce that is most often given include 1. Money; 2. Sexuality (adultery); 3. In-Laws; 4. Breaking fellowship, and 5. Parenting differences. However, in all honesty, I believe that the two real reasons for divorce are selfishness and immaturity.

Should Women Be Ordained? - Part 6

This is part six in a series on what the Bible says in regards to the ordination of women in the church. Again, instead of rewriting what I believe has already been well laid out, I am sharing Dr. Jim Feeney’s writings on the subject for your edification. You may disagree, and that is your right, but please be able to point to the Bible for your reasons and not the culture.

Argument #6: “God is moving mightily in our time! These are special times. How can we hold back the anointed women preachers and teachers?”

A Biblical Response: The Book of Acts records highlights of the activities of the early Church in the first century. God was moving mightily then, too! And in those spectacular spiritual times recorded in the Book of Acts every single named fivefold preacher and teacher was a man. Every one. Despite the fact that those were clearly “special times”, we saw no women pastors, no women elders or apostles or other leaders and pulpit ministers of the early Church.

Matthew - Almsgiving and Prayer

In today's study from Matthew 6:1-8, our Lord speaks on the issues of almsgiving and prayer.

Almsgiving and Prayers

vv.1-8 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  (2)  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  (3)  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  (4)  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.  (5)  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  (6)  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  (7)  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  (8)  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

In this chapter, Jesus begins to instruct the disciples on the right motive and method for giving alms and praying. Alms are voluntary gifts to aid the poor and needy. We see examples of this in Acts 3:2-3 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;  3  Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. Also in Acts 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Wrong Motives

The wrong motive for almsgiving and praying is to be seen of men. Hypocrites would go so far as to sound a trumpet, stand in the synagogue or stand on the corner of a street to pray or to give something to the poor so that men would notice them (v.2, 5). That was their motive and their reward was solely the recognition they received from the men who saw them (v.1, 2, 5). They lost their reward from God when they done this (v.1).

Right Motives

The right motive for almsgiving and prayer is for the Father and Him alone. The right method, therefore, for almsgiving is in secret (v.4). The giver wasn’t even supposed to account for his gifts; so that the left hand wouldn’t know what the right hand was doing (v.3). The right method for prayer was also in secret (v.6), without vain repetitions (v.7), and with forgiveness for those who had trespassed against him (v.12). That way, the Father would reward him openly and forgive him as well (v.6, 14, 15).

The Lord’s Prayer

vv.9-14 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)   Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  (14)  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Now the Lord instructs the disciples on how to pray with what has been improperly titled “The Lord’s Prayer.” It is actually the “Disciples Prayer” for the Lord said, “After this manner therefore pray ye,” (v.9).   The “ye” would be them and not him.

Contextual Interpretation

Now we have to remember that Jesus Christ was sent to the people of Israel. It was not until well after His ascension that Christ sent Paul to the Gentiles, who were not under the Law of Moses. This prayer was for the Jews who were under the Law of Moses to pray. Therefore, it is not necessarily ours to pray. For example, when the prayer says, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven ....", it is alright for us today to pray for that, but understand that it has a different meaning for us than it did for the Jews who were under the Law of Moses. We can pray for His kingdom to come, but we know that for us, that means we will be raptured, and that God's will regarding the tribulation and the setting up of the kingdom will be fulfilled afterwards. In other words, we have a slightly different perspective of the kingdom from that of the Jews in Christ's day. The same could be said of the other statements in the prayer as well.

Topical Message “Prayer”

Now, I would like to start a topical message on the issue of prayer today for the church.

Mary, Queen of Scotland once said of John Knox, the found of the Presbyterian Church, “I fear John Knox's prayers more than an army of ten thousand men.” Thomas Lye once said, “I had rather stand against the cannons of the wicked than against the prayers of the righteous.” Let’s take a closer look at the “Lord’s Prayer”.

I. Definition of Prayer

Prayer may best be defined as “having fellowship with God.” It is more than simply talking to God, but rather talking with God. It implies a two-way give and take.

II. Elements of Prayer

Looking at the model prayer that was given here by Jesus, we find that prayer includes ten elements.

1. A Personal Relationship with God: “Our Father”

The word “Our” signifies the believer’s brotherly relationship between himself and all other Christians. While the Bible nowhere presents the universal fatherhood of God, it does declare the universal brotherhood of believers because the word “Father” signifies the relationship between God and the believer. He is not everybody’s Father.

John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

You are either a child of God or a child of the devil.

2. Faith: “in heaven”

Jesus said in Joh 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. That takes faith to believe in that promise. And Paul declares in Hebrews that without this element in our prayers, they are useless. The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 11:6 “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.”

What is faith? Websters defines it as “a confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.  It is a belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.” The Bibles defines it in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.