Category: Margin Notes

Margin notes: Things I scribbled in the white spaces on Oct. 14, 2K9 – Jesus’ Primer on the Signs of Greatness – Part 4

October 14th, 2009

” At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”” (Matthew 18:1, ESV)

Who indeed is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? So far Jesus has told us three things which signal heaven’s kind of greatness. First, those who have no concern for greatness in their own eyes nor in the eyes of men. Second – those who not only avoid seeking greatness in this world, but who violently oppose that tendency in themselves. And third, those who invest their lives in the lives of the humble.

(more…)
Margin notes: Things I scribbled in the white spaces on Oct. 13, 2K9 – Jesus’ primer on the signs of greatness – Part #3

October 13th, 2009

Matthew 18 (ESV) 1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”…10“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

1 John 2:16 reminds us that the World has precious little to offer anyone: a. The desires of the flesh (what I can physically experience), b. The desires of the eyes (delight in what things look like only on the surface), c. Pride in possessions (what I have, or do, or think I am in my own estimation or that of others). All three leave the person bankrupt. All three are purely temporal, fleeting, and have no lasting value of any kind. The 3rd one however speaks directly to our topic at hand. How many of us strive after reputation, standing, a name for ourselves in the eyes of others – or just in our own eyes? How many of us, if not openly, at least secretly, yearn for greatness in this life? It is a deadly desire.

(more…)
Margin notes: Things I scribbled in the white spaces on Oct. 9, 2K9 – Jesus’ Primer on the Signs of Greatness – Part 2

October 9th, 2009

Matthew 18:1-9 (ESV) At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”… 7“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

The Disciples wanted to know WHO would be the greatest, the top person recognized in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus answers a very different question. The WHO is not as important as the WHAT. In other words, what is the nature of greatness in this kingdom of heaven? What will that look like in an economy where God immediately rules and reigns? And there is no question that it will be far different than how we look at personal greatness here and now. For one thing (as we saw last time) those reckoned as “great” there, are those who don’t pursue greatness as we know it at all. That is not what they are after. Jesus is about to open this door even wider.

(more…)
Margin Notes: Things I scribbled in the white spaces on Oct. 8, 2K9: Jesus’ Primer on the Signs of Greatness – Part 1

October 8th, 2009

” At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”” (Matthew 18:1, ESV)

Often, the 18th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel is looked at as a somewhat disconnected series of scenarios. It seems more likely however that the entire section contains the multi-faceted answer of Jesus to the question posed in the first verse by His disciples.

“Greatness.” How do we define it? What is it? And what especially does it mean to be great (let alone THE greatest) in the kingdom of heaven? Let’s take some time to consider each aspect of the answer Jesus gives them.

(more…)
Margin notes: Things I scribbled in the white spaces on 10/2/2K9 – Does “if” really exist in a universe where God is truly sovereign?

October 2nd, 2009

Matthew 11:20-24 (ESV) Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Among the issues in theology which can give one a brain cramp, this one ranks right at the top: How a sovereign God can use the word “if”? “If” is a word, and a concept which Jesus clearly builds the rebuke in our text upon. It shows up in many other Scripture passages as well. So how are we to think in terms of “possibility” or something which may or may not happen, in light of the revelation both of God’s omniscience and sovereignty over all things?

(more…)
Margin notes: Things I scribbled in the white spaces on Sept. 30. 2K9 – Faith is NOT a “work”.

September 30th, 2009

“And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.” (Matthew 9:20-22, ESV)

” And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.” (Matthew 9:27-31, ESV)

Faith, is NOT a work. When this truth is lost, the preaching of a full and free offer of the Gospel, and the calling of men to faith and repentance gets lost with it. Fortunately, passages like these two give us tremendous help in untangling a knotty problem indeed.

(more…)
Margin notes: Things I scribbled in the white spaces on Sept. 29, 2K9

September 29th, 2009

Proverbs 29:19 (ESV) By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.

Are you merely a servant of God, or are you also a child of God? The issue is an important one. How you think of yourself in these categories will impact how you respond to Him.

(more…)
It’s that time again! – Off to get in touch with my inner-pig.

August 24th, 2009

Be back around Sept. 9th.

I “may” post once or twice while away.

Don’t count on it.

Hopefully I’ll get back rested up and ready to jump back in.
“Doing Church”

August 19th, 2009

“Doing Church” is a big buzz-word topic these days. But to tell you the truth, it all seems like a buch of hub-bub to me. The nature of the Church as Christ’s Kingdom, founded, being built and approaching fulfillment – it seems to me captures the essence of “doing Church”. And if you’ll jump to the rest of this very short entry – I think you might agree that we need not complicate things so much. Instead, we need to be about the business Christ has given us to do. That way – we won’t have to “do” Church, Church will get done.

(more…)
Great “new” (OLD) quote on the atonement debate.

July 31st, 2009

My friend Tony Byrne over at the THEOLOGICAL MEDITATIONS blog posted a wonderful and useful quote today. It’s worth your time. CLICK HERE! or on the image, or the link in the blog name.

No doubt, someone will find my having links to something by Tony and James White side-by-side ironic. But, I’ve got brothers I love everywhere in Christ’s family.