From John 11:39-44 – “Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
Three things we are commanded to do for those Christ is to raise up:
a. Remove the stone(s).
First, even before the day of resurrection, take away the stone(s). Clear the way. Remove any obstacles that men may encounter unnecessarily.
This is a profound need for both apologetics – where there are legitimate questions which need answered, AND the crying need for the Church to avoid placing obstacles in the way of those the Spirit is quickening by the voice of Christ.
Do not require them to be clean first.
Do not make them fit into a preconceived cultural framework.
Several years ago I had a conversation with a friend who evangelizes in predominately Muslim countries. When I asked him about the key “stone” he needs to clear away for those hearing the Gospel, it he told me that they feared they had to become Americans in order to be Christians. His BIG work was to disabuse them of that concept.
We need to help take away the objections their own fallen minds, the world and the enemy have placed in front of them as best we can.
And arrest all of their doubts by pointing exclusively to the Cross, to Christ! To faith in Him and His atoning work, and to nothing else.
We must labor to take away the stones.
And, we need to be sure not to put stones in front of them ourselves.
Don’t make them victims of Christian-speak.
Don’t connect their coming to Christ with a political point of view.
Don’t require anything of them Christ does not require.
I fear that right now in American Evangelicalism, we are making it seem (if not actually saying it) that one must be a Republican or a Trump supporter – or at the very least, a Biden/Democratic hater – in order to be a Christian.
God forgive us for such a conflation and for placing this monumental stumbling stone in front of the graves Christ is calling them out of.
b. Unbind, unwrap them.
People come to Christ with their old grave clothes still clinging to them. Some former sins still drag on them, and they need help getting extricated from them. They have the smell of death still on them.
They are bound in hand – for they do not yet know how to praise, nor how to work for the Lord. They are bound in their feet: How to walk with Him is still beyond them, even though they’ve taken the few feeble steps to exit the tomb. And their faces are wrapped in a cloth: They cannot yet see very well. The truth of God’s Word must be taught to them that they might truly know this Christ and His wonders.
c. Release them. Let them go.
Do not make them bound now to you – but make them free to follow Christ wherever He goes.
You did not raise them – Jesus did.
They do not belong to you, they belong to Him.
As long as they follow Him and serve Him and love Him, no matter that they leave you. Let them go.
Last evening, I had the privilege of speaking to 13 participants in the Pastoral Residents program hosted by Emanuel Community Church in Elmira NY. This is under the leadership of Matt and Mitch Bedzyk and the other elders at ECC.
My assignment was to spend time unpacking 2 Timothy 3. Others had already addressed the earlier chapters.
Below are the contents of my notes. I pray they may be of some use to others.
By this time, you’ve already been steeped in the material of 2 Tim. And hopefully, you’ve seen how important and informative it is for those in ministry.
Over the years, this letter has been my most cherished go-to when challenges, discouragement and and other “fainting fits” as Spurgeon called them – troubled me.
I could come back here to resharpen my focus, and get back to the grounding in what pastoral ministry is all about from God’s perspective, rather than models imposed upon me by the outside – by the Church gurus, growth experts and current trends.
What does God want me to be about in seeking to minister to men’s souls in the context of the local assembly?
Then, no matter what else may be happening, growth, decline, overwhelming cultural moments, trends, etc., I can make sure I have solid footing for maintaining and moving forward.
So in turning your attention to Paul’s 2nd letter, and to this 3rd chapter particularly, I am well aware I’m covering well trodden – tho still hallowed ground.
At the same time, I am reminded that one of the severest of the noetic effects of the Fall is how leaky our memories are when it comes to Spiritual and Biblical truth.
I once penned in the flyleaf of my Bible, that “it is in the aftermath of God’s manifested grace in a trial, that I craft a more accurate theology, which I promptly forget the next time I’m in trouble.”
Someone may have mentioned it already in this study, I am aware that some today argue that Timothy was not actually a pastor, but instead, an apostolic representative when this was written to him.
So be it.
But if the key directions we see here cannot be absolutely applied to those in pastoral ministry, then I am at a loss as to what instruction in the Scripture would be more finely useful than these powerful chapters.
That is not to say they do not have broader application to all in Christ – but in my estimation, they have a unique force of argument on pastors as we function as sheep leading other sheep.
As your handout shows, I once arranged a study of the whole letter around 20 imperatives contained in the text. Obviously, the list is not exhaustive. It grew out of times when I was questioning how I was to frame all of my pastoral ministry, and served as a useful organizing principle.
Perhaps you’ll find it so as well.
I might recommend for your own study, John R. W. Stott’s arrangement in his commentary “The Message of 2nd Timothy” as exceedingly useful:
Chapter 1: The charge to guard the gospel.
Chapter 2: The charge to suffer for the gospel.
Chapter 3: The charge to continue in the gospel.
Chapter 4: The charge to proclaim the gospel.
Tonight, even though chapter 3 neatly divides itself into two sections – 1-9 and 10-17, I am going to add a 3rd subsection.
In the process, hoping to point out some things which have stood out to me, and refreshed, clarified and reinforced my own soul in times when my pastoral focus grew fuzzy, my heart grew faint, and when putting out fires claimed more of my attention than bringing the light of God’s glory to bear for those under my care.
Section 1: Recognize the Times –2 Timothy 3:1–9 – Recognize the Times / “understand this” so you don’t get disheartened or discouraged.
The simple truth is, that in ministry, difficult, or “dangerous” times will come. They are to be expected.
I would imagine that most of you here agree that the “end times” began with Jesus crucifixion and ascension, and stretch until His return. At least that is my understanding of Matt. 24 and other places. So we should neither be surprised, nor disheartened by what is cataloged here.
What is the chief characteristic of these difficult times of concern to Paul?
The Economy? The Culture? Ecology? Geo-political upheaval? Politics Pandemics?
None of the above. PEOPLE! Perhaps, all of the above can be rolled into that one word – people.
When men are lovers of self – and especially affluent so as to indulge self – they will be proud & self-congratulatory at every turn – just watch the preoccupation with selfies;
arrogant – If you are at all active on social media, you know in reading the comments, that no one can possibly be wrong about, anything – especially political pundits. We arrogantly imagine we can discern everyone else’s motives.
abusive – the same word as slanderous below – but more likely toward God here, blasphemous and arrogant toward God. Judging Him.
disobedient to their parents and all authorities;
ungrateful because spoiled;
unholy because self is god;
heartless, more literally unfeeling – toward all who are not them;
impossible to make happy – utterly unappeasable if offended in any way; Hence the rise of the ubiquitous Kevins and Karens –
quick on the draw to slander anyone and everyone – especially behind the anonymity of a keyboard;
slanderous of others. They cannot just disagree, they must paint all others as evil.
utterly given over to their lusts and desires;
utterly brutal to any who oppose them – savage. Look at the rise in blood-sports and the proliferation of even Christians joining venues like mixed martial arts competitions. And note how many women are now engaged in that as well.
Look at the riotous responses to real or imagined social injustices.
having no natural affection for good – probably the public good is meant here;
treacherous – devoid of genuine loyalty;
reckless – impetuous, thoughtless, rash;
swollen with conceit – distorted by their own self-image;
seeing pleasure apart from any reference to God as the chief good above all other things;
(v19) And all this – even in people who proclaim themselves to be spiritual or even Christians – but utterly without the Spirit of God within them.
The $64,000 question is – what are we to do with such people who will in time bring trouble upon the Church?
And in short, Paul’s answer is – AVOID THEM!
Avoid them.
This is a favorite admonition of Paul’s in no less than 6 places: Rom.; 1 & 2 Tim.; Titus.
Do not spend hours and hours engaging them, avoid them.
I really would have expected some tactic to combat them. But no.
The chief tactics if any are – prayer and the preaching of the Gospel and thereby demonstrating that we do not have truck with those attitudes and traits.
Look at what Paul says in 8 – in citing the account of Jannes and Jambres – 2 Timothy 3:8–9 / “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.”
We glean 3 things from this –
1 – This is nothing new. As long as people are people, we’ll be facing this.
2 – These are not the traits of Christians, so do not align yourself with them in the Church. They are disqualified regarding the Faith. Right now, the rise of the pugnacious preacher is much in vogue. Don’t get sucked in.
3 – They won’t get very far. They will be exposed in due time.
Summarizing this portion might look something like this in 5 statements regarding those he’s referring to –
1 – Note Their CHARACTER: (1-5) 19 Traits – culminating in: “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power = Void of the Spirit’s influence. The Last one: They are even Religious! Or “Spiritual” as many have it today.
Verse 13: calls them “Imposters”
2 – Note Their TACTICS:(6) 2 Insidious methods.
a. “Creep” Slyly, not openly. b. “Capture” Take captive, not deliver.
3 – Note Their PREY: (6-7) 4 Descriptive terms.
a. “Weak women” – Weak WILLED. His point is not that they are weak willed BECAUSE they are women, but merely that women who are weak-willed are easy prey.
b. “Burdened with sins”.
Either: Loaded with them and wanting relief, but not content with the Gospel – or: Loaded with them and wanting an excuse not to abandon them.
Either way – Looking for something other or more than – the Gospel.
c. “Led astray by various passions” Making decisions by feeling rather than truth. “Sensual” in Peter and Jude as well.
d. “Ever learning – never arriving”. The pursuit is the constant titillation of one new thing after another. No satisfaction – No constancy / Just like the Athenians of Acts 17:21.
This COULD be the source of the worst kind of discouragement:
“HOWEVER” – Paul lays out a powerful and clarifying portrait doesn’t he?
Keep these focii in mind – you know:
1 – What I believed and taught (doctrine – Biblical truth)
2 – Was the basis for how I lived (conduct)
3 – It informed my goal(s) (aim)
4 – Fueled my faith (faith)
5 – Gives me (patience)
6 – Gives me (love)
7 – Gives me (steadfastness)
8 – Even in persecutions and sufferings.
And we’re right back to something Paul has raised several times already – you’ve seen how I suffered.
6 times Paul brings up suffering in this connection, and we need to learn it well. Back in Ch. 2 he admonished Timothy to “share in suffering”. To not become soft.
And if you are anything like me, sometimes, we grow weary in our work even if we are not weary of it.
Spurgeon remarks: “a minister, wherever he is, is a minister, and should recollect that he is on duty. A policeman or a soldier may be off duty, but a minister never is. Even in our recreations we should still pursue the great object of our lives; for we are called to be diligent “in season and out of season.” There is no position in which we may be placed but the Lord may come with the question, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” and we ought to be able at once to answer, “I have something to do for thee even here, and I am trying to do it.” The bow, of course, must be at times unstrung, or else it will lose its elasticity; but there is no need to cut the string. I am speaking at this time of the minister in times of relaxation; and I say that even then he should conduct himself as the ambassador of God, and seize opportunities of doing good: this will not mar his rest, but sanctify it.” Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to My Students: A Selection from Addresses Delivered to the Students of the Pastors’ College, Metropolitan Tabernacle. Passmore and Alabaster, 1875, pp. 181–82.
And just as it pertains to spiritual growth for all God’s children, that there is no such thing as stagnancy – it is like climbing up the down escalator; the moment we stop, we actually go backward – so it is especially for we in ministry.
I know you’ve already covered it, but let me remind of that section in Ch. 2 again.
Paul draws on 3 similes there.
vs. 3: “Share in suffering”: a. As a good soldier.
No solider is in the army by him or herself, we serve together. Both with fellow ministers, AND with our people.
So the unique word he uses here emphasizes suffering WITH others, not just suffering generically.
Not only is suffering to be expected, we need to remember that we do not suffer alone, nor do those we minister to.
And part of our suffering, is entering into the suffering of others, the way Jesus entered into ours.
Additionally, it takes much to remain a single-minded soldier, set on serving the commander and prosecuting His battle amid all the distractions that come our way.
But that’s the point.
Our people are fighting those battles too and must strive against the World, the Flesh and the Devil the same as us. And we, the same as them.
Being in ministry offers no exemptions. Just the opposite, it opens us up to even more.
I have a dear pastor friend (who shall remain nameless) – who in a moment of passive-aggressive weakness, frustrated with some in his congregation who didn’t show up at services regularly because too much of life got in the way – did the following.
He stepped into the pulpit, dressed in greasy work clothes and announced: “There will be no sermon today. This week our washer broke down, and I’m still waiting on the part to fix it; I needed to put new brakes on my wife’s car; we needed to take one of the kids to emergency when he fell off his bike – so you’ll just have to do without.”
Maybe you’ll be tempted to do something similar too. I know I have. Obviously I recommend this to no one.
I wonder what would have happened if he had stepped in the pulpit and commiserated with his people in that moment – told them he knows how they struggle because he struggles too, and comforted them with the comfort the Lord comforted him with in those difficult times?
Could he instead have pointed to the exhausted Jesus in Mark 4? That our great Redeemer knows just how whipped we can be at times?
And then turned their attention to the God of Ps. 121 who never sleeps nor slumbers and who will not break the bruised reed nor snuff out the faintly burning wick?
Are there times for rebuke? Sure.
But it is helpful to remember that we are ALL serving our commander, from the greatest to the least of us – and to suffer WITH one another – even as Christ in His incarnation suffered with us.
Of course, Paul’s solider metaphor is aimed at this ultimate point: If we are going to really serve well, we will have to willingly give up those extraneous things which might hinder us from single-mindedness.
The Enemy deploys one of his most potent weapons by means of simple distraction. Distraction especially from remembering that we are in a perpetual war.
Battle, nearly constant battle, is to be expected.
b. As an athlete.
The self-disciplined athlete Doesn’t just want to participate or run, he looks to win. He sets his mind wholly on it. Frames his entire life, including his personal habits around being ready to compete. He has a goal.
And here, the lack of ministerial metrics rises to the surface once more – We suffer with some ambiguity in measuring our ministries.
So our goals have to be clear. Goals I would advance as chiefly 2: Personal growth in the character and image of Christ and assisting others in the same.
It’s what I hear Paul alluding to when he says self-referentially later: He has kept the faith. Faithful to follow, faithful to press on.
c. As a hard working farmer.
The picture is of one who is hands-on in the dirt (if I can say it that way) but who also looks for a reward based upon what he grows – i.e. spiritual rewards for spiritual labors.
In all three there are these things:
Give up thoughts of “career” – Even in ministry
Give up thoughts of “civilian life” where you don’t have to be on the forefront of defending Scripture truth, being an apologist for Christ, pouring over Scripture, not worrying about having a great private life filled with recreations and lots of pass-times and fringes. Give yourself to this work.
This triad emerges:
The soldier battles the enemy – The Devil and his minions.
The athlete battles himself – The flesh.
The farmer battles the environment which threatens the crop. And he does so rigorously on every front.
Ministry is WAR!
And might I add one side note here in terms of a debate about whether or not as preachers, we should ever be self-referential in our sermons.
Without wading into those waters too deeply – I think one application of suffering together with our people is to let them know from time to time how it is we suffer too – not for sympathy’s sake – but so that we can more directly comfort them with the comfort wherewith we have been comforted. To let them know how He has met us in our sorrows and trials.
I am reminded of how Spurgeon closed one of his sermons: “I wish I could have spoken worthily on such a topic as this, but a dull, heavy headache sits upon me, and I feel that a thick gloom overshadows my words, out of which I look with longing, but cannot rise. For this I may well grieve, but nevertheless God the Holy Ghost can work the better through our weakness, and if you will try and preach the sermon to yourselves, my brethren, you will do it vastly better than I can; if you will meditate upon this text this afternoon, “Of him, through him, and to him are all things,” I am sure you will be led to fall on your knees with the apostle, and say, “To him be glory for ever;” and then you will rise up, and practically in your life, give him honour, putting the “Amen” to this doxology by your own individual service of your great and gracious Lord.” Spurgeon, C. H. “Laus Deo.” The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 10, Passmore & Alabaster, 1864, p. 312.
Personally, I am stunned every time I read the account of Jesus in Gethsemane in Matt. 26:37-38 “And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.””
What self-disclosure! And from the very Son of God!
And yet we sometimes feel the need to put on a front that makes people think we are impervious to the same things they face. No, we do not want to set ourselves forward as shining examples as though we never flag or have some sort of spiritual superiority. Nor do we want to give the impression that we have become hopeless.
But rather, let them see how we personally and truly depend upon grace in our own lives, the way we ask them to.
Think of 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 “we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”
Paul personally wants them to be very aware of what he had faced. He did not fain invincibility.
Stott also advances that in today’s parlance, Timothy might well have been classified as an introvert.
Sharing that trait with Timothy, I also know how that leads me to flee confrontation, and at times even to cave into cowardice.
“Preachers are tempted to moral cowardice more almost than to any sin. Too many ministers, says Bernard, are “men pleasers, not the servants of Christ…he that fears his people’s faces is the man that is most likely to murder their souls.” Cook, Paul. “The Life and Work of a Minister according to the Puritans.” Puritan Papers: 1956–1959, edited by J. I. Packer, vol. 1, P&R Publishing, 2000, p. 185.
So I feel the prick of this particular admonition quite keenly, and have had to revisit this place at times when I have been quite tempted to shrink back from necessary confrontation.
All this given, it’s no wonder then that Paul immediately moves to calling us to really think these things over – AND, so quickly injects the next section:
You’ve known my –
a. Teaching / It was consistent, plain and always in accord w/extant Biblical truth.
b. Conduct / Public, not sneaking into houses – Synagogues, Mars Hill, Market Place, Public Prayer (Lydia)
c. Aim / Announced, never covert – anchored in The Great Commission – Remember him before Agrippa? Acts 26:29 “And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.””
Even there he was clear about his aim.
d. Faith / Whom I believe – WHO it is I’ve trusted all along.
e. Patience / Forbearance w/others.
f. Love / How I consider my ministry to have been betrothing other to Christ and not myself – 2 Cor. 11:2.
g. Steadfastness / No deviation. I’ve stuck to the main things.
h. Persecutions / No compromise.
Remember how in Antioch – I was driven out by the Jews?
Then in Iconium – how I was driven out by the Jews & Gentiles together?
And then in Lystra – How I refused to be worshiped AND as a result was stoned?
i. Remember the example of my own endurance / How? No sinful response to any who mistreated me.
Paul has certainly served up a full plate of counsel thus far, but he’s not quite done yet.
The Holy Spirit does not just spin out maxims, platitudes and raw data. Our Great Shepherd Jesus, through His Spirit in Paul is ever about supporting us to the full.
So we move to our last 5 considerations in this text.
To me they are so encouraging and refreshing because they are so focused and concise.
These are the true metrics by which we can measure ourselves in ministry.
Are we faithful to our Master in these? Then we will be fulfilling our call no matter what anyone else may think.
And rightly we can look at this last portion as some keys to remaining faithful in the face of all.
1. Teaches us what we OUGHT to believe and live out.
2. It offers Reproof – telling us what we ought NOT to believe and not to live out.
3. It corrects us – Fixing what we believe WRONGLY and live out wrongly.
4. And all this so that we might live RIGHTEOUSLY. How it prepares us to meet our God.
SO:
1 – DON’T GET DISCOURAGED / Leadership needs to be aware that there will ALWAYS (until Christ comes) be such dangerous seasons.
They may come and go – but they will not cease to come and go.
2 – DON’T BE DECEIVED / Profession & Character must always go hand in hand.
No matter how righteous some may appear, if they do not teach rightly – do not regard them.
Isa. 8:20 “To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.”
And no matter how orthodox they may appear, if they do not walk in holiness, they have disqualified themselves from the faith. 2:8.
Christ came to save us FROM our sins, not to leave us IN them.
Where Christian character does not accompany a profession of faith – something is wrong: 2 Cor. 11:4 provides a wonderful 3 fold test of who we receive as teachers, leaders, etc.
A – Do they bring us the Jesus of Scripture? Son of David? Born of a Virgin Sinless? Crucified – Dead – Risen? Coming again? God in human flesh?
B – Do they come in the Spirit of Christ? Is the pursuit of the character of Christ evident both in how they live, and what they teach? He is not called the HOLY Spirit for nothing. It is His chief characteristic, and it is the chief characteristic of those under His influence.
C – Do they bring the Gospel of Christ? Grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone?
3 – SO – DON’T GET DISTRACTED
Fighting and correcting these types will be a never ending temptation.
Stick to the Word.
Aim at betrothing men to Christ.
Help the Saints grow in grace – in Christ’s character.
Help men become Heavenly minded.
These are the AIMS of Scripture
DON’T GET DISCOURAGED
DON’T BE DECEIVED
DON’T GET DISTRACTED
This is what RETAINING THE ESSENTIALS does – They will keep us on solid ground
We might take a page from The history of the English Reformation in regard to Retaining the Essentials, while also maintaining a goodly breadth of fellowship with other men of God. From D. Martin Lloyd-Jones’ 1969 Lecture on the Puritans – The Puritans, Their Origins and Successors, pages 234-235.
“In 1654 Oliver Cromwell – with his idea of Toleration – and the Parliament called upon the divines to define what should be tolerated or indulged among those who profess the fundamentals of Christianity. If effect they said, we have all these division and sects and groups; what are the fundamental of Christianity on which we can have fellowship together? So a committee was set up and the members of the committee were these: Mr. Richard Baxter, Dr. John Owen, Dr. Thomas Goodwin, Dr. Cheynel, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Reyner, Mr. Nye, Mr. Sydrach Simpson, Mr. Vines, Mr. Manton, Mr. Jacomb. As I said earlier, Baxter tried to short-circuit the whole proposal at the beginning by saying that nothing was necessary but the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Commandments. But that was rejected. Then they proceeded to work, and they produced 16 Articles which they felt stated the fundamentals on which, and on which alone, true fellowship is possible between Protestant Evangelical people. Here they are –
1 – That the Holy Scripture is that rule of knowing God and living unto Him which whoso does not believe cannot be saved.
2 – That there is a God who is the Creator, Governor and Judge of the world, which is to be received by faith, and every other way of knowledge of Him is insufficient.
3 – That this God who is the blessed Creator is eternally distinct from all creatures in His Being and Blessedness.
4 – That this God is One in Three Persons or subsistences.
5 – That Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and Man without the knowledge of whom there is no salvation.
6 – That this Jesus Christ is the true God.
7 – That this Jesus Christ is also true man.
8 – That this Jesus Christ is God and Man in one Person.
9 – That this Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, who by paying a ransom and bearing our sins has made satisfaction for them.
10 – That this same Lord Jesus Christ is He that was Crucified at Jerusalem, and rose again and ascended into Heaven.
11 – That this same Jesus Christ being the only God and Man in One Person remains forever a distinct Person from all saints and angels notwithstanding their union and communion with Him.
12 – That all men by nature were dead in sins and trespasses, and no man can be saved unless he be born again, repent and believe.
13 – That we are justified and saved by grace and faith in Jesus Christ and not by works.
14 – That to continue in any known sin upon what pretence or principle soever is damnable.
15 – That God is to be worshipped according to His own will, and whosoever shall forsake and despise all the duties of His worship cannot be saved.
16 – That the dead shall rise, and that there is a day of judgement wherein all shall appear, some to go into everlasting life and some into everlasting condemnation.
”They were the 16 points. We have the authority of Richard Baxter for saying that it was Dr. John Owen who worded those Articles, that Dr. Reynolds was the scribe and that Mr. Marshall, a sober, worthy man did something, but the rest were little better than passive.”
”Now these Articles were designed and intended to exclude not only Deists, Socinians and Papists, but also Arians, Antinomians, Quakers and others. What I am asking is this: Cannot we accept those as fundamentals? Are those not sufficient? We remember, of course, that bishops, deans, etc., etc., had been abolished at hat time, and therefore did not need to be mentioned; and also that they did not have to contend with a ‘higher critical’ attitude to the Scriptures. They were agreed also in their attitude toward ‘tradition’, Their object was to define the irreducible minimum on which evangelical people could work together. We, today, need to elaborate some of these statements in view of our peculiar circumstances; but, still, I suggest, we should seek the minimum definition and not the maximum. Then, united on that basis, we can as brethren work together, and meet together for discussion of the matters on which we differ, and for our mutual edification.”
Section 1: Recognize the Times
Section 2: Remember My Example
Section 3: Retain the Essentials / “continue in what you have heard” – Don’t move from the Scriptures!
(Out of Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible, Based upon Deut. 33:25)
Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near Thy Savior’s gracious promise hear, His faithful Word declares to thee, That as thy days thy strength shall be.
Let not thy heart despond and say “How shall I stand the trying day?” He has engaged by firm decree, That as thy days thy strength shall be.
Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong, And if the conflict should be long, The Lord will make the tempter flee, For as thy days thy strength shall be.
Should persecution rage and flame, Still trust in thy Redeemer’s Name; In fiery trials thou shalt see, That as thy days thy strength shall be.
When called to bear thy weighty cross, Or sore affliction, pain, or loss, Or deep distress or poverty, Still as thy days thy strength shall be.
In vss. 1-5, three things show themselves as absolutely necessary to true understanding (seeing all things as God does) and growing close to the Father:
a. Knowing and TREASURING God’s Word. “Keeping” His Word throughout Scripture is not as much observing the letter of it, as it is seeing it as precious. That which is precious to us, will capture our devotion.
b. Seeking to understand God’s Word, studying it – not simply preserving it like an ancient artifact.
Having a Ming vase that is never used AS a vase, but merely as a work of art, is a good analog. Many approach God’s Word this way. They know it is “precious” but precious in the sense that it is to be put on a self and admired – but not as though it is to be employed in the fabric and situations of every day life.
We cannot approach God’s Word in this way and hope to be truly impacted by it. We must study it not as a curiosity, but as the study of life itself. We must employ it. It will resist being turned into a religious, social or intellectual artifact.
c. Prayer (3). If we are not interacting personally and regularly with our Lord – we cannot hope either to understand Him, or His Word. We must never allow knowledge about Him to eclipse firsthand knowledge OF Him in living discourse. Lose this aspect, and religion freezes into form and mere doctrine at best, and random subjectivity at worst.
Following this – The Writer give us four promises if we will pursue the previous 3.
5-8 / We will come to an understanding the fear of the Lord.
9-15 / We will come to an understanding true righteousness, justice and equality.
16-19 / We will find deliverance from temptation.
20-22 / We will learn how to walk in righteousness.
From Matthew 26:17-25 / A Study in Sovereignty and Personal Responsibility
The doctrine of the absolute sovereignty of God in all things, is the fundamental building block of the Biblical Worldview – of reality. Real, reality as Francis Schaeffer used to call it. There is reality – in terms of all we perceive empirically and experientially – and then there is the truth behind it all which we only receive by means of the special revelation of God’s Word.
I can know the physical universe exists by feeling it, touching it, living in it, smelling it, investigating it, etc. But I cannot know why the universe exists apart from the One who created it revealing His intent. He must speak. And He does so in His Word. It is there alone that we are shown that all things have come from Him, and they exist for Him, and will one day be shown to have served all His plans and purposes.
On top of that basic truth, we find out that all His plans and purposes have to do with eternal things like: “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Eph. 1:9-10)
And there are other such like comprehensive statements in His self-revelation.
Starting with an unprovoked creation of all things – His purposes lying only within Himself – He goes on to reveal that His sovereignty extends to all things. Even us. So we read in a place like Daniel 4:34-35 “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”’”
It is here we confront a mystery. How is it that God can be so absolutely in control of all things, and yet humankind, made in His image, still be morally responsible creatures, making and carrying out our own decisions?
In truth, God’s revelation does not tell us HOW it is so that both of things are true – it only tells us that both things ARE true. The mechanics behind this dual reality are not given to us. But that this is the truth, was so important to the Biblical writers, that the Scriptures are replete with examples. Not the least of which examples find a place in the earliest teaching of the Apostles. And, in a passage like the one before us.
A useful Old Testament example can be drawn from Isaiah 10. There, God has told Israel that He will use Assyria to punish Israel for their infidelity to Him. The language is remarkable. “Isaiah 10:5–7 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury! Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. But he does not so intend, and his heart does not so think; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.”
What is happening? God is pronouncing woe against pagan, rapacious Assyria for its decimation of Israel. But what does God call Assyria? “The rod of my anger, the staff in their hands is my fury.” Astounding. God is using them. He sends them against Israel, which He calls a “godless nation.” That He Himself appointed them to “take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.”
And then we are met with a most amazing insight. Vs. 7 – “But he does not so think.” Assyria is not carrying out this campaign because they are consciously serving God’s purposes. No. It is simply “in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.” i.e. Assyria is acting by its own sinful will, and yet in God’s providence, their sinful actions carry out God’s plan. They are still responsible for acting upon their sinful impulse are morally responsible agents, even as God’s necessary plan is carried out.
So we come to Peter’s preaching at Pentecost: “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23)
And: Acts 3:17 – “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.”
Yet again: Acts 4:27-28 – “for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”
You can see how central this concept is in the earliest preaching of the Church, so that 2 things are perfectly preserved: God, sovereign over all, and Humankind, morally responsible for their decisions and actions.
From a slightly different angle, there is the story of an old, poor woman, who was always trying to communicate her faith to her wicked landlord.
One day, the landlord passed by her window, and heard her praying earnestly for just some bread. She had nothing to eat. And he sought the opportunity to overthrow her faith.
The landlord went to the bakery, purchased a loaf of bread, and retuned which she was still on her knees. Without her knowledge, he tossed the loaf onto her bed from the window.
Later, in conversation, the landlord prodded the woman about her faith, and she told him the wonderful news that even while she was praying that day, a loaf of bread miraculously appeared on her bread in answer to her prayer.
“Hah!” scoffed the landlord. “God didn’t hear your prayer, I did. And I went and purchased bread and threw it in through your window. What do you think of your God now?”
The old woman blinked and said: “Why He’s even more wonderful than I imagined! For not only did He hear my prayer for bread, He used the very hand of the Devil to provide it!”
So it is we come back to our text today. “The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
Jesus had to die for our sins, that we might be redeemed from the curse of Adam and reconciled to the Father. And, Judas’ betrayal was not some forced action against His will. He acted out of His own sinfulness. Thus his actions, no matter how used by God, are not mitigated because of God’s sovereignty over his free actions. Judas remains fully, personally, and singly responsible.
So do you and I. God’s sovereignty is never an excuse for our sins either.
Praise God then for the gift of repentance and the forgiveness of sins, for all who take complete responsibility for their sins – and come to Him with no excuses.
“Then”, is a sometimes a very important word. And in this case, monumentally important.
What is it that seems to finally push Judas Iscariot over the edge? What so offended his personal sensibilities that he was ready to kick Jesus to the curb?
John gives us the needed insight.
He thought the money Mary had just “wasted” on anointing Jesus was too much. And, if it had been sold and put into the Disciple’s coffer instead, he could have gotten his cut; by theft. 30 pieces of silver would have been a little over 3 month’s wages. Only 1/3 of what Mary’s perfume probably cost. No one would miss it given their habit of giving to the poor. And it didn’t seem like anyone kept track of how Judas administrated the purse.
Judas just wanted his due – and not for everything to be about and expended upon Christ. He had a bad case of “hireling syndrome.”
You know the tinge of this yourself don’t you? I know I do. I’ll serve Christ and His people, but good golly, I want my share of the praise and recognition. After all, it isn’t ALL about Jesus, is it? Don’t I deserve my pat on the back? The occasional “well done” by others, before the one I’m to receive on the last day? I mean, I’m not just a servant you know, not a slave. I deserve my cut too. I know Jesus is God and all, and He’s deserving of His glory – but not ALL the glory -right?
This is a particularly dangerous temptation for those of us who preach and teach.
None of this is to ignore the fact that as those ministered to by others, we ought to give them proper recognition. Paul writes to Timothy “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”’”
But there is a vast difference between our recognition of others, and our “need” to be somehow recognized by others.
By the time we get to this point in the Gospels, Jesus had already said this to His Disciples: ““Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ” (Luke 17:7-10)
Judas wasn’t having it. Not all the way.
Now is all this to somehow suppress or devalue Christ’s servants? Not in the least! We know His value and regard for us as we gaze upon the Cross. He has set a value upon us that is not intrinsic, due to us, but due to His simple, sovereign love.
It is a marvel to contemplate.
But oh how sin has reversed the tables, and somehow caused us to set some certain value upon Him, based on our personal sensitivities, upon our fallen, self-focused self-love. And can any value we place upon Him be quantified in any way? Obviously not.
Mary had said in effect – “nothing is too good or too much to lavish upon Him.”
Judas had said in effect – “He is wonderful, but only – this much – if it costs me in the process.”
So we ask ourselves – how do we value Jesus? What is our cutoff point, where we’re not getting our fair share?
As I’ve oft quoted before from old John Flavel: “It is a special consideration to enhance the love of God in giving Christ, that in giving him he gave the richest jewel in his cabinet; a mercy of the greatest worth, and most inestimable value, Heaven itself is not so valuable and precious as Christ is: He is the better half of heaven; and so the saints account him, Psal. 73:25. “Whom have I in heaven but thee?” Ten thousand thousand worlds, saith one,* as many worlds as angels can number, and then as a new world of angels can multiply, would not all be the bulk of a balance, to weigh Christ’s excellency, love, and sweetness. O what a fair One! what an only One! what an excellent, lovely, ravishing One, is Christ! Put the beauty of ten thousand paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one; put all trees, all flowers, all smells, all colours, all tastes, all joys, all sweetness, all loveliness in one; O what a fair and excellent thing would that be? And yet it should be less to that fair and dearest well-beloved Christ, than one drop of rain to the whole seas, rivers, lakes, and fountains of ten thousand earths. Christ is heaven’s wonder, and earth’s wonder.
Now, for God to bestow the mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in heaven or earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as his Son was, yet not to account him too good to bestow upon us, what manner of love is this!1
From J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on Matthew Matthew 27:27-44
“We must not be content with a vague general belief, that Christ’s sufferings on the cross were vicarious. We are intended to see this truth in every part of His passion. We may follow Him all through, from the bar of Pilate, to the minute of His death, and see him at every step as our mighty Substitute, our Representative, our Head, our Surety, our Proxy,—the Divine Friend who undertook to stand in our stead, and by the priceless merit of His sufferings, to purchase our redemption.—
Was He scourged? It was that “through His stripes we might be healed.”—
Was he condemned, though innocent? It was that we might be acquitted though guilty.—
Did He wear a crown of thorns? It was that we might wear the crown of glory.—
Was He stripped of His raiment? It was that we might be clothed in everlasting righteousness.—
Was he mocked and reviled? It was that we might be honored and blessed.—
Was He reckoned a malefactor, and numbered among transgressors? It was that we might be reckoned innocent, and justified from all sin.—
Was he declared unable to save Himself? It was that He might be able to save others to the uttermost.—
Did He die at last, and that the most painful and disgraceful of deaths? It was that we might live for evermore, and be exalted to the highest glory.—
Let us ponder these things well. They are worth remembering. The very key to peace is a right apprehension of the vicarious sufferings of Christ. Let us leave the story of our Lord’s passion with feelings of deep thankfulness. Our sins are many and great. But a great atonement has been made for them. There was an infinite merit in all Christ’s sufferings. They were the sufferings of One who was God as well as man. Surely it is meet, right, and our bounden duty, to praise God daily because Christ has died. Last, but not least, let us ever learn from the story of the passion, to hate sin with a great hatred. Sin was the cause of all our Saviour’s suffering. Our sins platted the crown of thorns. Our sins drove the nails into His hands and feet. On account of our sins His blood was shed. Surely the thought of Christ crucified should make us loathe all sin. Well says the Homily of the Passion, “Let this image of Christ crucified be always printed in our hearts. Let it stir us up to the hatred of sin, and provoke our minds to the earnest love of Almighty God.”
Ryle, J. C. 1860. Expository Thoughts on Matthew. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.
Some details in Scripture are so subtle, we can pass right over them without a second thought. I think we have something of that in the verses before us today.
J. C. Ryle frames the situation for us well: “We now approach the closing scene of our Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. Hitherto we have read of His sayings and doings: we are now about to read of His sufferings and death. Hitherto we nave seen him as the great Prophet: we are now about to see Him as the great High Priest. It is a portion of Scripture which ought to be read with peculiar reverence and attention. The place whereon we stand is holy ground. Here we see how the Seed of the woman bruised the Serpent’s head. Here we see the great sacrifice to which all the sacrifices of the Old Testament had long pointed. Here we see how the blood was shed which “cleanseth from all sin” and the Lamb slain who “taketh away the sin of the world.” We see in the death of Christ, the great mystery revealed, how God can be just, and yet justify the ungodly. No wonder that all the four Gospels contain a full account of this wonderful event. On other points in our Lord’s history, we often find, that when one evangelist speaks, the other three are silent. But when we come to the crucifixion, we find it minutely described by all four.”1 1 Ryle, J. C. 1860. Expository Thoughts on Matthew. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.
While the language here cannot bear more weight than is intended, nevertheless we see this remarkable feature: It is only “WHEN” Jesus had finished all these sayings and announced once more His impending crucifixion, that the opposition which had been mounting all along – finally “THEN” gathered to plot their final actions.
As the Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes as well: “Certainly the opposition had been rising for some time…On the other hand, by placing 26:3–5 immediately after vv. 1–2, Matthew gives the narrative the flavor of God’s sovereign control. The leaders may plot; but if Jesus dies, he dies as a voluntary Passover sacrifice (vv. 53–54; John 10:18).11Carson, D. A. 1984. “Matthew.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, 8:523–24. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
O how we need to see the sovereign hand of God in it all.
Many may think that only one thing is going on in Jesus’ death – that wicked men are having their day. That darkness has its hour. That Satan murders the King. And while all those are true, it is also true that God is doing what He had foretold from the Garden on – that the Seed of the woman would at last crush the Serpent’s head. And so the evil of the Devil and those under his influence can only in the final analysis, actually accomplish God’s sovereign will in making the atonement for sin.
Beloved, this is what is happening in your life and mine as well – this very moment.
Yes, the World, the Flesh and the Devil conspire to enslave our souls to sin and keep us from our Redeemer. But the hand of the One who rules all is at work on our behalf. The Christian knows His loving Father’s sovereign hand in the most difficult, confusing, and painful circumstances no matter how involved the enemy of our souls may be.
For us, it is only “when” our God speaks, that “then” even the most wicked forces can act. And then it is we see the wonder of Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The verse DOES NOT say all things are good in and of themselves. But in our Father’s hand, all that befalls us, is designed and used that we might know His glory, and come to greater good.
We may not be able to see how it is so in some situations, and may never know fully until eternity. But this we know, we can trust Him. And if even the “then” of Jesus’ enemies couldn’t transpire until the “when” of Jesus’ pronouncement – we can know He rules in our lives the same.
And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”;
for the Most High himself will establish her; The LORD records as he registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah Ps. 87:5-6
In human terms, it is common for us to both refer to and bear the marks of – our heritage.
I, am a native New Yorker. That brings peculiarities with it. When I am in the South, those things distinguish me. My accent, certain attitudes, etc.
Even more specifically, I am from Rochester – western NY. And that means I know what a garbage plate is, and until recently, Wegman’s (a local grocery chain) was uniquely ours. White hot dogs, the prominence of fish-frys on Fridays. NY pizza. Different from everywhere else. The Lilac Festival, what The Can of Worms was, and all sorts of other things mark me out. Not the least of which is the nasally way we say “Rahchester”.
In Matthew 26, when Peter was following Jesus to His mock trials, some bystanders marked Peter out as a Galilean due to his accent.
But what are the distinguishing marks of those born again into the new heritage of hailing from The City of God? What is our accent? How do our speech, our comportment, our attitudes, responses, values and motivations make us known as citizens of Zion?
Can people note something different about us? Like those in Acts 4:13, will people take note that we have “been with Jesus”?
Will they note what it is we love, and what it is we detest? Will they see us as a joyous people? Peaceful and seeking peace? Patient in trial in tribulation? Inherently kind? Upright in our dealings with others? Loyal and faithful to our Master and one another? Gentle in the face of opposition? And full of self-restraint?
Will they be able to know that we are filled with His Spirit because refuse to be drunk with wine and flee debauchery? Addressing fellow citizens of Zion with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs because we are forever making melody to the Lord in our hearts, and thus perpetually thankful to the Father in the name of Christ?
Bold but not brash. Steadfast but not unnecessarily rigid. Flexible but not compromising. Truthful and merciful at the same time. Seeking the best for the souls of others before the throne of God. Hopeful in the face of a disintegrating culture and world.
Will any be able to say after meeting us: “I know where they are from, they must have been born in Zion, the City of God?”
O may it truly be so. May our accent give us away every time.
Many is the time I’ve heard a Mother’s Day sermon preached on this passage. Maybe you have too. And there is no question that one considering marriage does well to consider the kinds of attributes displayed in this passage when choosing a prospective mate. One must remember however this is a collective of ideals. All will fall short in places. AND, women should keep in mind those passages which outline the character traits of a godly man before opting for someone to be one with. There are some pretty high standards to be found for men as well.
All that said, I think we may lose something of the broader application of this passage if we only see it in terms of human marriage. Along with the likes of the Venerable Bede, John Gill, Wordsworth, Ambrosius, Augustine, Harry Ironside, Robert Hawker, Peter Lillback and others – I see here something of great importance in describing what should be the nature of Christ’s Bride – The Church. Read that way, the passage gives us much to consider if the Church is painted with these colors.
Think about it –
Proverbs 31:10–11 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
Can Christ trust us that He will gain from our efforts? That we are committed to His interests?
Proverbs 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Do we do Him and His cause good? Or does His work or reputation suffer at our hands?
Proverbs 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
Are we industrious for the Kingdom? Or just making do?
Proverbs 31:14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
Do we go to great lengths to get His choice Word for our souls?
Proverbs 31:15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
Do we labor secretly to see to it His Word is prepared for ourselves, His household, and for those who are close at hand?
Proverbs 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Do we seek the growth of the Kingdom and set in motion plans to make it happen, that the Fruit of His vine might increase?
Proverbs 31:17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
Have we strengthened ourselves in the Lord? And clothed ourselves in His righteousness?
Proverbs 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
Do we perceive how eternally valuable what we have in Him is – this ministry of the Word? Does His Word light us at all times?
Proverbs 31:19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Are we busy producing the bare thread of what becomes the garments of righteousness?
Proverbs 31:20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Are we generous to the lost and those in need?
Proverbs 31:21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
Do we not fear evil and “cold” seasons because we have prepared well in Him? Prepared our hearts to trust Him at all times and in all things?
Proverbs 31:22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Do we make room for times of deep intimacy with Him? And do we adorn ourselves with the good works that make us attractive to Him?
Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
Have we protected Christ’s reputation in the marketplace?
Proverbs 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Are we about the business of getting the garments of salvation out among the people?
Proverbs 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
Are we strong in our relationship with Him and not fearful of the coming judgment because of it?
Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Are we making the Gospel known, and communicating it in kindness and compassion for the souls of men?
Proverbs 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Are we mindful of the orderliness of His Household, and not disengaged or lazy in our labors within it?
Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Will those who come to Christ rise to bless our efforts on their behalf? Will the other saints? Will he?
Proverbs 31:29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Are we admired by Him for how we have attended Him in faithfulness?
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Have we been more occupied with making ourselves beautiful outwardly to the world, than about what pleases Him?
There are churches which specialize in charm – in appealing to tastes. And churches which specialize in the temporary beauty of the hour, being outwardly attractive. But the Church God praises, is the one that fears Him above all. This does not mean we ought to be purposefully unattractive or repellent, but it does mean fearing God will give us a sweet aroma and a beauty in the eye of the One we wish to please most.
Proverbs 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
If our reward is the fruit of what we’ve done in His name – will it prove sweet, satisfying and abundant?
Is the Church, are we – His excellent wife? Heavenly Father, make us so by Your Spirit.
We now come to the end of Jesus’ public teaching on the end times. It is both a sour and a hopeful note. Which, depends upon your relationship to Him in faith. J.C. Ryle writes: “There are few passages in the whole Bible more solemn and heart—searching than this. May we read it with the deep and serious attention which it deserves.” Ryle, J. C. 1860. Expository Thoughts on Matthew. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.
Note first, that we must beware of turning an analogical statement into a full orbed theological and doctrinal construct. This is a common error in our Bible study and interpretation, and an easy one to fall into. Jesus’ simple point is, that on the final day, He will separate Believers from unbelievers, and each will receive appropriately from His hand.
Some, mistakenly, have turn this parabolic statement into a construct of ontology. They see it as though the world is made up of people who are as fundamentally different by nature, as sheep are from goats. One confused soul even said to me once: “I was never a goat, I was always a sheep.” This is just confused.
Yes, the one who is saved by grace has become a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, born again by His grace and adopted into the Family of God. But we must never forget Paul’s words in Eph. 2 when marking out what ALL of us used to be: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Eph. 2:1-3)
Did you catch that last sentence? We were all, “by nature” children of wrath like the rest of mankind. There was no ontological, no constitutional difference between all human beings before salvation. We are all drawn from the same, fallen lump of Adam’s race.
As Don Carson is wont to say, we cannot make every simile, analogy or parable “walk on all fours.” We can over-interpret this way and end up distorting Scripture.
Note second: In the same vein as above, be careful to see that there is no attempt on Jesus’ part to turn “sheep” into believers everywhere sheep are mentioned in Scripture and “goats” everywhere they are mentioned into unbelievers. Sometimes, sheep are just sheep, and goats are just goats. All that is said here is that the Son will separate the believers from the unbelievers, in the same way a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The issue is separation, not ontological assignation.
Once again, if we press Jesus’ analogy too far, we’ll be at a real loss to deal with things like the Passover meal when instituted in Ex. 12; where the Israelites could select their Passover sacrifice from either the sheep or the goats, without distinction.
Note third: That the judgment for these two groups is different. One is rewarded for what they DID do, the other, punished for what they DIDN’T do. It is a most interesting dichotomy.
The Believer is rewarded according to his good acts, and the Unbeliever punished for his wicked acts.
Nothing that is holy but neglected will go undiscovered. Nothing done in earnest to serve Christ will go unnoticed either.
Note fourth: Both the terror and the glory of this one thing – It is Christ Himself who will sit as judge. Many a religionist fails to recognize that Jesus Himself is the judge. Yes, He is The Savior. Yes, He is the substitute. Yes, He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And yes, He will be our final judge. The omniscient, Son of God. The God who walked in human flesh and knows every heartache, every temptation, every opportunity, every obstacle, every circumstance we all have faced in this life. He, will judge us all. With the unsparing scrutiny of His omniscience. He is the Living Word, who discerns even the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Nothing will serve as a justifiable excuse for failure to reckon with the demand of the Gospel to find forgiveness and grace in Christ. He knows us. He knows all we face. He knows all of our circumstances. And no one will be able to exempt themselves from His all-seeing examination.
By the same token, nothing that any who are His have done because they are His, no matter how small, how seemingly insignificant, how unknown by any other human eye or ear – will go unrewarded.
Note fifth: Because of who He is – because He is God, and perfectly holy, He can neither over-punish, nor under-punish sin. He knows what the penalty of sin costs personally. He endured it on the Cross. And for the very same reasons, He can neither over-reward nor under-reward His saints in judgment. And yet, He is free to pour out of His limitless grace, infinitely more than our just rewards, for He makes Himself our inheritance. His eternal limitless self. The fountain of all goodness, grace, love, wonder and joy.
1 Pet. 1:3-9 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
ResponsiveReiding 