As we look at pictures of the ruins of the Parthenon in Greece, we see some of the building techniques common in Paul’s day. That part of the structure is still standing more than two thousand years later is a testament to the efficacy of the design. It was this type of construction to which Paul referred in his descriptions of the church as a building which God was building.
As we look at the pictures, we notice that the foundation is comprised of huge cut and fitted stones. Paul is adamant that this foundation is Jesus Christ, declaring in I Corinthians 3:11, “1co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” This statement is in accord with Jesus statement in Matthew 16:18 when he said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Peter or petros refers to a small stone, while the rock(petra) refers to a huge stone. I Corinthians 10:14 tells us that rock(petra) was Christ.
On top of the foundation, we see several massive pillars which support the main beams. Each pillar is supported and stabilized by a base which keeps the pillar from falling over. I timothy 3:15 describes the church as being that pillar and base. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” That base is essentially a foundation for the pillar, and Ephesians 2:20 describes that base. “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” The church is totally based on the teachings of the apostles and prophets, aligned to what Jesus himself taught.
II Peter 1 describes how the apostles obtained their message. Peter then stresses the importance of the scriptures, and that accurate interpretation can depends comparison with other scripture in II Peter 1:19-21. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The pictures of the Parthenon I have seen show many fallen pillars, and the base of each fallen pillar has been destroyed. As Psalm 11:3 asks, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The strength and stability of each pillar is dependent on the strength and stability of it’s base. The building has many pillars, just as there are many churches, and each section is dependent on the individual pillar being built to the proper specifications.
God is both owner and architect. We are laborers, doing the actual building, but it is critical that we build according to the architect’s plans. II Corinthians 3:9-10 describes our part. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” When each part of the building is properly completed to God’s specifications it will be his own house, as Ephesians 2:21-22 describes. “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Those who don’t build according to the specifications hold up construction while corrections are made. Are you building according to the plan and using proper materials?
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Are You Getting Everything You Need?
I listened to two friends arguing over whether the nutrients in natural fertilizers or commercial fertilizers were better. The supporter of commercial fertilizers, Tom, insisted that nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus were the same no matter how they were produced, while the other man insisted they were not. The argument became quite heated, with both men feeling the other didn’t know what he was talking about.
Later, I realized that both had facts on their side, but that both were also wrong. Tom was correct that nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous are identical in makeup no matter how they are produced. Most plants cannot use pure forms of any of these elements, and must obtain them as part of some compound. Some compounds make the needed elements more readily available than others. How effectively the plant is able to use the elements will depend on which compounds are present in the fertilizer, whether organic or commercial.
If the commercial fertilizer uses the same compounds in the same ratio, the plant will have the same access to the same nutrients. Both were ignoring the fact that organic fertilizers are rarely as pure as the commercial fertilizers. As a result organic fertilizers make a far broader spectrum of other potential nutrients available. Since plants need more than just nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous to be really healthy, plants raised with commercial are more likely to be deficient in certain trace nutrients if the soil is deficient.
The ability to easily control exactly how much of each major nutrient is delivered in commercial fertilizer enables the farmer to attain maximum growth, producing the largest crop. Unfortunately, because the commercial fertilizer does not replace some of the other nutrients, the soil becomes increasingly deficient in them, requiring more fertilizer to maintain production.
Organic fertilizers also contain non nutritive fiber which makes them more bulky and harder to apply, but loosen the soil, making plants better able to access what is available. They also prevent the loss of nutrients, holding them in the soil until needed. Because of the fiber and additional trace elements, organic fertilizer tends to improve the soil over time, reducing the amount of fertilizer required.
Just as it is easier to control the growth of a crop by controlling the exact composition of the fertilizer, it is easier to control the growth of a church by controlling the teaching. As a result, most preaching and teaching is from a topical approach, to deal with specific needs. Unfortunately, it tends to neglect some teachings that seem less important, producing Christians that are increasingly spiritually deficient. Maintaining the church takes an increasing amount of specialized teaching to counteract the deficiencies.
An expository approach is more like the organic fertilizer, providing a far greater variety of teaching, connecting and clarifying many of the basic doctrines and preventing misinterpretation. The results tend to be a little slower and less exciting, but to increase over time, as people become more solidly grounded. The church becomes stronger as a result, and less problems require attention, freeing the pastor and leadership to reach out.
Nehemiah 8:7-8 describes the expository teaching of the scripture. “Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”
Nehemiah 8:14-9:38 describes the results. First, they realized they had neglected some things in their effort to serve God, and corrected the lack. They understood what God had done for them completely. They drew closer to him, and they made a commitment to serve him fully.
It is really easy to fall into the trap of only studying or teaching the things we enjoy or consider important, but we may not be receiving or supplying everything that is needed, just as child begin to eat only certain things. I hope to leave behind Christians that continue to grow and be more productive. I am troubled by the number of Christians who ‘used to’ but have quit. I suspect that many times the problem is not receiving a full range of spiritual teaching.
Later, I realized that both had facts on their side, but that both were also wrong. Tom was correct that nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous are identical in makeup no matter how they are produced. Most plants cannot use pure forms of any of these elements, and must obtain them as part of some compound. Some compounds make the needed elements more readily available than others. How effectively the plant is able to use the elements will depend on which compounds are present in the fertilizer, whether organic or commercial.
If the commercial fertilizer uses the same compounds in the same ratio, the plant will have the same access to the same nutrients. Both were ignoring the fact that organic fertilizers are rarely as pure as the commercial fertilizers. As a result organic fertilizers make a far broader spectrum of other potential nutrients available. Since plants need more than just nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous to be really healthy, plants raised with commercial are more likely to be deficient in certain trace nutrients if the soil is deficient.
The ability to easily control exactly how much of each major nutrient is delivered in commercial fertilizer enables the farmer to attain maximum growth, producing the largest crop. Unfortunately, because the commercial fertilizer does not replace some of the other nutrients, the soil becomes increasingly deficient in them, requiring more fertilizer to maintain production.
Organic fertilizers also contain non nutritive fiber which makes them more bulky and harder to apply, but loosen the soil, making plants better able to access what is available. They also prevent the loss of nutrients, holding them in the soil until needed. Because of the fiber and additional trace elements, organic fertilizer tends to improve the soil over time, reducing the amount of fertilizer required.
Just as it is easier to control the growth of a crop by controlling the exact composition of the fertilizer, it is easier to control the growth of a church by controlling the teaching. As a result, most preaching and teaching is from a topical approach, to deal with specific needs. Unfortunately, it tends to neglect some teachings that seem less important, producing Christians that are increasingly spiritually deficient. Maintaining the church takes an increasing amount of specialized teaching to counteract the deficiencies.
An expository approach is more like the organic fertilizer, providing a far greater variety of teaching, connecting and clarifying many of the basic doctrines and preventing misinterpretation. The results tend to be a little slower and less exciting, but to increase over time, as people become more solidly grounded. The church becomes stronger as a result, and less problems require attention, freeing the pastor and leadership to reach out.
Nehemiah 8:7-8 describes the expository teaching of the scripture. “Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”
Nehemiah 8:14-9:38 describes the results. First, they realized they had neglected some things in their effort to serve God, and corrected the lack. They understood what God had done for them completely. They drew closer to him, and they made a commitment to serve him fully.
It is really easy to fall into the trap of only studying or teaching the things we enjoy or consider important, but we may not be receiving or supplying everything that is needed, just as child begin to eat only certain things. I hope to leave behind Christians that continue to grow and be more productive. I am troubled by the number of Christians who ‘used to’ but have quit. I suspect that many times the problem is not receiving a full range of spiritual teaching.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Knowing the Danger
A young woman was mauled by a bear near Albuquerque in July. As a result, the Department of Fish and Game hunted down and killed the yearling bear. Many people felt that it was unfair that the bear had to be killed because the mauling could have been prevented so easily.
The couple camped in a picnic area clearly marked that no overnight camping was allowed. They ignored signs warning that food must not be allowed to stand open as bears would be drawn by the scent, leaving empty food containers on the table, while taking the rest of the food into their tent and going to sleep.
During the night , a young bear was drawn by the scent of food and examined the containers on the table. Finding them empty, he then attempted to get at the food he smelled in the tent. Startled awake, the woman screamed and kicked at the bear in panic, which also panicked, biting and clawing her and destroying the tent in an effort to get away.
The decision to kill the bear was based on the fact that the bear had learned that food could be easily obtained at picnic areas, and so he would certainly return since his goal was to obtain food. The fact that he had been able to enter the tent and obtain the food, and that the woman had not inflicted serious injury would imply that the had nothing to fear from repeating the episode, greatly increasing the probability of him invading another tent or home and injuring someone else. Had he not mauled her, the bear would have simply been relocated to prevent raiding the picnic area again.
The entire episode could have been prevented by any of several different actions. Had people not previously left food at the campground, the bear probably would not have come seeking it. Had the couple not been asleep, they would have heard the bear examining the food containers and probably frightened it away. Had they realized the bear would try to get the food, they could have put it in another location and prevented his tearing into the tent. Had they not ignored the signs, they would have been aware of the danger. Had she lain quietly rather than panicking, the bear would probably have simply taken the food and left without harming the woman.
Some people go through life with no awareness of the danger around them. They ignore the warning signs, assuming those are for other people and that it couldn‘t happen to them. Many times they are injured or killed as a result of stupid decisions. One mystery writer described it as “dying of the dumbs.” A second group is petrified at the thought of danger. They will not try anything new or different, because it might be unpleasant, missing most of life’s pleasure.
The third group enjoys life far more than either of the first two. They are not paralyzed by fear, but they do not ignore danger. Instead they identify what the dangers are and take appropriate actions to avoid danger, and to protect themselves when it cannot be avoided. Doing so requires a clear understanding of what the danger is, and why, as well as knowing when and where the danger may lurk. Living a happy and productive Christian life requires a similar understanding of the dangers involved. Otherwise, we risk being either paralyzed by fear, or destroyed as a result of ignorance.
I Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Satan is far more dangerous than any bear or lion. He is so powerful that even angels who are more powerful than we are do not dare confront him. Jude 1:9 tells us, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”
It is stupid for us to assume that there is no danger, or that we can defeat Satan. Over the years, I have observed a number of men who attempted to command Satan to do as they wished. The results have always been like those of Sceva’s sons in Acts 19: 13-15, who were over powered by the devil. While they were not demon possessed, all became dominated by fear of Satan, and their ministries were compromised.
Had the young couple understood the bear’s purpose was to obtain food, they could have easily avoided the danger by eliminating the hope of getting food. Knowing what Satan is trying for will enable us to avoid most of the danger of his attacks. Isaiah 14:12-14 describes Satan’s goals. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
Satan’s goal is control. He wants control over God and everything else. He cannot tolerate anything he can’t control. For an example check out the actions of controlling people who constantly seek to expand their control over those around them. When God speaks of his hatred for the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes in Revelation 2, he is referring to controlling people. Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45, and Luke 22:25-27 all forbid the practice in the church. It is literally Satanic, or Satan like.
Knowing that Satan is seeking Control, we need to be aware of anything that attempts to control us. Satan will use anything that can give increased control. Teachers who demand you obey them without question are one way control can be obtained. Political power is a tool he uses frequently, but many others are more subtle.
Alcohol use was referred to as “Demon Rum” by the so called Temperance Movement in their efforts to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol was not the demon. It was however a tool which enabled demons to gain control for a time. God made man with the ability to choose for himself what he wants. Satan can only gain control if man gives up that ability. Drugs and alcohol are one way of getting people to surrender control of their mind. If continued long enough, it may result in actual demon posession, as the person surrenders control completely.
Another tool that can be used by Satan is anger. When we begin to allow anger to control our thinking, whether by holding grudges, or by simply allowing it to take over, we enable Satan to gain control of our mind. An uncontrollable temper is the result of allowing Satan to have control. It can also lead to demon possession. God repeatedly warns us of the dangers of anger. While anger can serve a useful purpose, it must be properly controlled.
A third tool that can cause people to give up control is fear. While Satan can never possess a Christian, because to do so, he would have to throw the Holy spirit out, he can control them if they allow him to direct their thoughts. Three of the men who attempted to show their control over demons were all manipulated by Satan through their fear. As they allowed Satan to guide their thoughts through fear, they become his slaves, as Romans 6:16 states. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? That fear can keep one enslaved to a religion, a political system, or an abusive mate. It can also prevent one from trusting God, or obeying him.
The list of things Satan can use to control one is far longer, including peer pressure, money, sex, and fame. To deliberately give up control of your own mind as asked in hypnosis, or emptying out your mind and allowing things to flow in as encouraged in much eastern meditation and self help programs makes yielding to Satan easier.
While satan seeks to enslave us, God is seeking our freedom. II Corinthians 3:17 declares, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Jesus promised freedom through his word in John 8:31-32. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Freedom requires taking our responsibility for our own decisions, rather than allowing someone else to make them.
The couple camped in a picnic area clearly marked that no overnight camping was allowed. They ignored signs warning that food must not be allowed to stand open as bears would be drawn by the scent, leaving empty food containers on the table, while taking the rest of the food into their tent and going to sleep.
During the night , a young bear was drawn by the scent of food and examined the containers on the table. Finding them empty, he then attempted to get at the food he smelled in the tent. Startled awake, the woman screamed and kicked at the bear in panic, which also panicked, biting and clawing her and destroying the tent in an effort to get away.
The decision to kill the bear was based on the fact that the bear had learned that food could be easily obtained at picnic areas, and so he would certainly return since his goal was to obtain food. The fact that he had been able to enter the tent and obtain the food, and that the woman had not inflicted serious injury would imply that the had nothing to fear from repeating the episode, greatly increasing the probability of him invading another tent or home and injuring someone else. Had he not mauled her, the bear would have simply been relocated to prevent raiding the picnic area again.
The entire episode could have been prevented by any of several different actions. Had people not previously left food at the campground, the bear probably would not have come seeking it. Had the couple not been asleep, they would have heard the bear examining the food containers and probably frightened it away. Had they realized the bear would try to get the food, they could have put it in another location and prevented his tearing into the tent. Had they not ignored the signs, they would have been aware of the danger. Had she lain quietly rather than panicking, the bear would probably have simply taken the food and left without harming the woman.
Some people go through life with no awareness of the danger around them. They ignore the warning signs, assuming those are for other people and that it couldn‘t happen to them. Many times they are injured or killed as a result of stupid decisions. One mystery writer described it as “dying of the dumbs.” A second group is petrified at the thought of danger. They will not try anything new or different, because it might be unpleasant, missing most of life’s pleasure.
The third group enjoys life far more than either of the first two. They are not paralyzed by fear, but they do not ignore danger. Instead they identify what the dangers are and take appropriate actions to avoid danger, and to protect themselves when it cannot be avoided. Doing so requires a clear understanding of what the danger is, and why, as well as knowing when and where the danger may lurk. Living a happy and productive Christian life requires a similar understanding of the dangers involved. Otherwise, we risk being either paralyzed by fear, or destroyed as a result of ignorance.
I Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Satan is far more dangerous than any bear or lion. He is so powerful that even angels who are more powerful than we are do not dare confront him. Jude 1:9 tells us, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”
It is stupid for us to assume that there is no danger, or that we can defeat Satan. Over the years, I have observed a number of men who attempted to command Satan to do as they wished. The results have always been like those of Sceva’s sons in Acts 19: 13-15, who were over powered by the devil. While they were not demon possessed, all became dominated by fear of Satan, and their ministries were compromised.
Had the young couple understood the bear’s purpose was to obtain food, they could have easily avoided the danger by eliminating the hope of getting food. Knowing what Satan is trying for will enable us to avoid most of the danger of his attacks. Isaiah 14:12-14 describes Satan’s goals. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”
Satan’s goal is control. He wants control over God and everything else. He cannot tolerate anything he can’t control. For an example check out the actions of controlling people who constantly seek to expand their control over those around them. When God speaks of his hatred for the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes in Revelation 2, he is referring to controlling people. Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45, and Luke 22:25-27 all forbid the practice in the church. It is literally Satanic, or Satan like.
Knowing that Satan is seeking Control, we need to be aware of anything that attempts to control us. Satan will use anything that can give increased control. Teachers who demand you obey them without question are one way control can be obtained. Political power is a tool he uses frequently, but many others are more subtle.
Alcohol use was referred to as “Demon Rum” by the so called Temperance Movement in their efforts to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol was not the demon. It was however a tool which enabled demons to gain control for a time. God made man with the ability to choose for himself what he wants. Satan can only gain control if man gives up that ability. Drugs and alcohol are one way of getting people to surrender control of their mind. If continued long enough, it may result in actual demon posession, as the person surrenders control completely.
Another tool that can be used by Satan is anger. When we begin to allow anger to control our thinking, whether by holding grudges, or by simply allowing it to take over, we enable Satan to gain control of our mind. An uncontrollable temper is the result of allowing Satan to have control. It can also lead to demon possession. God repeatedly warns us of the dangers of anger. While anger can serve a useful purpose, it must be properly controlled.
A third tool that can cause people to give up control is fear. While Satan can never possess a Christian, because to do so, he would have to throw the Holy spirit out, he can control them if they allow him to direct their thoughts. Three of the men who attempted to show their control over demons were all manipulated by Satan through their fear. As they allowed Satan to guide their thoughts through fear, they become his slaves, as Romans 6:16 states. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? That fear can keep one enslaved to a religion, a political system, or an abusive mate. It can also prevent one from trusting God, or obeying him.
The list of things Satan can use to control one is far longer, including peer pressure, money, sex, and fame. To deliberately give up control of your own mind as asked in hypnosis, or emptying out your mind and allowing things to flow in as encouraged in much eastern meditation and self help programs makes yielding to Satan easier.
While satan seeks to enslave us, God is seeking our freedom. II Corinthians 3:17 declares, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Jesus promised freedom through his word in John 8:31-32. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Freedom requires taking our responsibility for our own decisions, rather than allowing someone else to make them.
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