“Knowing Others By Their Fruits” (Pt. 2) (March 20, 2019)

Allen Raynor Weblog: “Knowing Others By Their Fruits” (Pt. 2)

(Mar. 20, 2019)

 

          You have probably sang the Christian song that goes “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”  The meaning behind that chorus is that the fruit produced by being a “true” Christian/believer is love.  Christians bear good fruit, whereas pretenders either produce bad fruit or are simply barren.  True believers differ in significant ways from false teachers who try and catch the latest wave or are blown about by every wind of doctrine.  Sadly, in this day and time, many preachers with substantial platforms have succumbed to the spirit of the age and have compromised on many key issues where the Bible is clear.

          It would be impossible to try and cover all the types and specific examples of false teachers in our age.  We could study them and critique them one by one, but there is not tremendous value in doing so.  When people who handle money are taught how to spot counterfeit money, they do not try to learn about every possible type/way of counterfeiting.  Instead they study very closely the real thing – real money!  They know it inside and out.  That is what leads them to not get taken easily.  If you have been a believer for any length of time, you should not have to wonder if a certain preacher/teacher is a false preacher/teacher or not.  But, sadly many are being manipulated and fooled.

         What are false teachers?  Where do we draw the line?  Are Methodists, Presbyterians, Nazarenes, and others false teachers because, perhaps we as Baptist see things differently?  We can vary on numerous points and it is ok.  Maybe they are wrong.  Maybe we are wrong.  The false teachers discussed in the New Testament go well beyond the majority of mere “denominational” differences.  These would deny, to greater and lesser degrees, such fundamentals as the inerrancy of Scripture, the virgin birth of Christ, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, the literal bodily Resurrection of Christ, the literal bodily return of Christ, salvation by faith in Christ alone (not universalism), etc.  Today it most certainly would include those who advocate wrong, unbiblical positions regarding practices such as same-sex marriage, practice of homosexuality, advocate abortion, allow sex outside of marriage, etc.  Teaching a “this worldly” approach to Christianity such as the “name it and claim it” or “health and wealth” (prosperity gospel) which paints a false picture of the Gospel.  In fact, it is more than misleading; it is another “gospel” entirely.  Sadly, it can also include silence where raising a voice is called for.  One prominent preacher at a very large Houston church said in an interview that he just did not like to mention “sin” because people have enough bad stuff and negativity going on in their lives and they know what sin is.  There was just no need for him to talk about it.  He believed his job was to help people feel good about themselves. 

          We see plenty of examples of television preachers flaunting their wealth with luxury cars, multi-million dollar homes, gold fixtures in the bathroom, their own private jets, air-conditioned dog houses, extravagant jewelry, expensive tailor-made suits, and on and on.  What are they teaching when they live this way?  They are conveying that their living that way is more important than missions, the homeless, the poor, the diseased, the oppressed, the suffering, and much more.  Would Jesus really live that way if He were to come back today? Ten million dollars will purchase one jet plane for a televangelist or could do extraordinary amounts of evangelistic work in the hands of missionaries.  Commentator Douglas Sean O’Donnell writes “To contemporize our Lord’s teaching, it’s as if Jesus says, ‘I teach self-denial; they teach look great, feel great.  I teach the dangers of materialism; they teach live your best life now.  I teach that there is only one way to God; they teach love wins – that the wideness of God’s mercy is so wide that everyone is eventually included in his kingdom.  I teach humility and dependence upon God; they teach if it’s to be, it’s up to me.’” (Douglas Sean O’Donnell; Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth; PTWC; 198)

          A tree is known by its fruit.  When I was growing up, we would not say, “that tree out by the barn,” we would say “The walnut tree.”  We would not say, “those trees at the end of the garden,” we would instead say “The peach trees and the apple trees.”  Many can deceive for a time/season but eventually, it becomes known that they are by what kind of fruit they are producing.  In Matthew 7:18 Jesus says “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”  A prophet’s fruit includes both words and deeds.  True prophets teach doctrine that is sound and live holy lives.  False prophets may have great speaking skills and social graces but their doctrine and their ethics are gravely flawed.

          During his long reign of terror, Saddam Hussein claimed to be a bold fighter and brilliant leader.  But his deeds and words when he was captured revealed who and what he really was.  He had a loaded pistol at his side, but chose not to fight.  Instead he showed his cowardice.  He said, “I am willing to negotiate” when he was captured, as if he was in a position to bargain!  His words showed that he was vain and deluded not brilliant.  Every tree, Jesus says that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire, signifying punishment for the false teachers who bear bad fruit.  By the fruit they produce, you will know them.  Some will say, I know this person is a good teacher because look at how many followers they have; listeners they have; books they sell; some may say “I personally know people they have helped.”  We should never judge by that standard.  Only God’s Word can be the standard.  You can justify almost anything if you follow the numbers, or find people who like something, or think they have benefitted from something.

          God’s Word is “living and powerful” and it conveys God’s agenda for this world.  It needs no mixture of selfishness, individualism, or worldly-oriented false teachers with their lies, self-promotions, and distortions.  What we need now is what we have always needed –Truth!  By a person’s fruit, you will know them.

 

In Christ,

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

“Knowing Others By Their Fruits” (Pt. 1) (March 14, 2019)

Allen Raynor Weblog: “Knowing Others By Their Fruits” (Pt. 1)

(Mar. 14, 2019)

 

          Chuck Swindoll tells the story of the time one of his friends was tricked into eating dog food while attending a dinner party at the elegant home of a physician.  The dog food was served on delicate little crackers with a wedge of imported cheese, bacon bits, and an olive, topped with a sliver of pimento (hors d’oeuvres a la Alpo!).  This prank was pulled off by someone who had just graduated from a gourmet cooking course and decided she would put her skills to the ultimate test.  After doctoring up the food, she placed them on a silver tray and served them and one by one watched them disappear.  Swindoll’s friend said, he could just not get enough of them and kept going back for more.  Evidently everyone there had a good sense of humor, because when she admitted what she had done later, they all had a good laugh!  This true story is the perfect illustration of what goes on in the realm of religious deception.  Every day there are phony preachers, and other “professional” Christians that are marketing their wares and serving their hors d’oeuvres on silver platters to the undiscerning who are being fooled.  If it looks fancy enough, is served the right way, and looks appetizing, a certain number of people will always think it is good.

          In the Old Testament, there are multiple warnings about false prophets.  There were strict tests/criteria for a true prophet (Deut. 13:1-11; 18:20-22).  In the New Testament the Apostles give many warnings about false teachers.  You see it in nearly every book of the New Testament.  In the case of Jude, for instance, the whole book is dedicated to refuting false/deceiving teachers.  Jesus Himself also warned strictly about false teaching and teachers.  False teaching and false teachers running amok is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the last days according to Matthew 24.  Jesus had nothing kind to say about them, only the strongest words of condemnation.  In Matthew 7:15-20 He says “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

          In verse 15 of Matthew 7 Jesus teaches that false teachers can be known by the cloths they wear.  They are wolves dressed as sheep.  When we see a sign that says “Beware” we hopefully take notice.  Jesus says “Beware of false prophets!”  A false prophet does not simply make a mistake in his teaching; everyone makes mistakes.  The difference with false prophets is that they make mistakes in the fundamentals.  They misrepresent God himself.  They misrepresent the Gospel.  They deny God’s message and his messengers, and they resist correction.  They disguise themselves in an attempt to be less obvious.  Jesus tells us they come to you dressed as sheep; appearing as sheep, but are actually ravenous wolves.  In biblical times there was no greater threat to sheep than wolves.  They would utterly devour sheep.  Sheep are basically defenseless animals and a wolf could devour them in nothing flat!  The only thing that stood in the way was the Shepherd whose job was to protect the sheep from the wolves.  If the shepherd did not do his job, the sheep were left highly vulnerable.

          On the outside, these false prophets claim to be part of the flock of God, but on the inside they are ravenous wolves.  Picture a hungry, slobbering, growling wolf.  This is what Jesus uses to describe these false teachers.  It is quite a picture!  Commentator Daniel Doriani writes “To complete their disguise, they use biblical language even while they distort its meaning.  They recite creeds, but reinterpret their meaning.  They also have credentials – graduate degrees and ordination certificates.” (Daniel M. Doriani; The Sermon on the Mount: The Character of the Kingdom; 213)  Believers (sheep) need to be careful, watchful, and discerning knowing there are plenty of false teachers filling pulpits, writing books, coming over the airwaves, and streaming on the computer; but we should be familiar enough with our Bibles to know when major doctrines are twisted, changed, or ignored.  Furthermore, we should know when these false teachers add to the teachings of what the Bible says.  In these last days it is more important than ever to be on guard, be discerning, and be ready!

 

In Christ,

 

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

“Two Paths to Follow” (Pt. 2) (March 6, 2019)

Allen Raynor Weblog: “Two Paths to Follow” (Pt. 2)

(Mar. 6, 2019)

 

          Christians are often called “narrow minded” these days for holding to a belief that the path to salvation is limited rather than inclusive or broad.  The reason the world is attracted to the broadness is that they do not wish to be told their way is wrong; that the way of someone they love is wrong; or that even total strangers, in some cases, are wrong.  These days it is not unusual to hear someone say something to the effect of “Well, my god would/would not do . . .” Perhaps their “god” is ok with whatever they seek to justify; however true and absolute justification does not come from one’s own mind, heart, ideas, or philosophies but rather from the one true and living God. The one true God has revealed Himself to mankind through His written Word - the Bible.

          The English word “narrow” comes to us from (stenos) in the original Greek language of the New Testament and carries the meaning of  “groaning” or “to groan” as from being under pressure.  It is the word from which we derive our word “stenography” which refers to writing that is abbreviated or compressed.  “Narrowness” or “Narrow-mindedness” is seen “selectively” as a bad thing in our culture.  People insist on “many” paths to certain things – such as God; they are however fine with “narrowness” in a great many other areas.  Commentator Douglas O’Donnell writes “We are all opposed to narrow-mindedness but we are not as opposed to exclusivity as we might at first think.  For example, no one is opposed to a supermarket or restaurant – a place where food is handled and sold and consumed – having an exclusive sign on the front glass that reads, ‘No shoes, no shirt, no service.’  No one is opposed to the Spanish Club at your local high school being comprised only of members who have an interest in and a basic knowledge of the Spanish language.  No one is opposed to Woman’s Workout World having a policy that men are not allowed to work out there.  And nobody thinks that if there is only one vaccine that will cure polio, that is too narrow, that we should be able to take whatever drug we want to cure polio.” (Douglas O’Donnell; Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and Earth; PTWC; 195)

          Beyond simply “narrowness” some believe it is “unjust” for there to be only “one way” to God (through Jesus Christ).  Scripture is abundantly clear on this issue; for instance in John 14:6 Jesus says, exclusively “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  In Acts 4, Peter is preaching before the Sanhedrin.  Verse 8 tells us he was filled with the Holy Spirit as he spoke.  He then says in verse 12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)  In Matthew 18 the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him “Who then is the greatest in the  Kingdom of Heaven?”  In response to that question, in verse 3 He says “Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Mat. 18:3)  Is Jesus too narrow and/or exclusive?  Many certainly think so!  Interestingly, and quite ironically, there is a prevailing belief that many, or perhaps almost all, paths lead to God except for the one God actually tells us that leads to Him!  This is what philosophers call an “absurdity” when trying to follow a track of reasoning that simply makes no sense.  It is such a strange position you can hardly believe anyone would hold it; however, it is prevalent.  Sadly, this position often does not go much deeper than the surface. 

          Where do the questions leveled against the exclusivity of the Gospel and Jesus’ requirements really come from?  Are they from a genuine and humble desire to locate the truth; or are they merely attempts at self-justification?  O’Donnell goes on to write “We would not question the justice and goodness of the scientist who found the one cure for the Great Plague.  So why do we question God when he has provided only one cure for our Great Plague [sin]?  Thus the question ‘why so narrow?’ is a question of ingratitude and insubordination.  It is as contemptible as putting Sir Alexander Fleming on trial for only giving us penicillin.  Therefore in this courtroom I throw out this case against God.  Instead I do what God does here in his Word.  He puts us on trial. We must stand before him and give an account to our choices.”  (Douglas Sean O’Donnell; Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth; 195)

          When you think about it, Jesus has done a wonderful thing by making it so straightforward.  He is saying, in effect, this is it!  In John 10:9 Jesus said “I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved . . .”  All people are told they must enter by that narrow way if they will come inside.  Jesus gives true rest to all those who find Him.  In Mat. 11:28-30 we read His words “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Why would anyone be resistant to such an offer?  We are told the answer to this perplexing question in John 3:19-20 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” Sinful man creates his own confusion and ambiguity when it comes to salvation.  He actually finds self-affirmation for his sinfulness in the self-made murkiness.  When you stir up crystal clear water it becomes hazy.  That is precisely what some in our day are doing.  Through it all, Jesus’ Words are clear “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Mat. 7:13-14)

 

In Christ,

 

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

"Two Paths To Follow" (Pt. 1) (Feb 28, 2019)

Allen Raynor Weblog: “Two Paths to Follow” (Pt. 1)

(Feb. 28, 2019)

 

          We live in a confusing world in a confusing time.  Everyone, it seems, claims his/her own path to success, satisfaction, and fulfillment.  One auto manufacturer claims to make the best cars, then another makes the same claim, then another, and on it goes.  A multitude of restaurants claim they have the best steaks, the best chicken, the best pizzas, the best salad bar, etc.  Several insurance companies make the  claim they have the best rates and the best coverage.  Cellular companies each advertise saying they have the best service, fewest dropped calls, and the best customer service.  It is hard to maneuver through this world of advertising with its endless sea of claims, gimmicks, and promises.  Who is telling the truth?  If we can hardly figure out how to maneuver the treacherous waters of advertising, then how much more do we struggle when it comes to decisions which have “eternal” implications!  Especially since we know that Satan is actively working to confuse and distort the truth and work against us at every turn.

          In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Today, more than ever, people are claiming many paths/ways to God.  They are saying it all leads to the same place – but does it really?  Our culture has slowly become inclusivistic.  It desperately wants, and even demands, to believe “I’m ok – you’re ok.”  Anyone who does not embrace an “inclusivistic” outlook is seen as “narrow,” “closed-minded,” “ignorant,” “ill-informed” and perhaps “stupid.”  While we may feel like we need to be concerned what others are saying and thinking; in the end it really only matters what Jesus said!  People who are confronted with their sins these days will often say something like “God is my judge,” or “Judge not lest you be judged, (Mat. 7:1)” even quoting the Scripture they neither know nor trust in.  While these statements are true, they are only true in their context and in the way God meant them.  These are meant as warnings for all people to give careful heed to His Word and adjust their lives accordingly.  God does not judge on some arbitrary, whimsical basis, but always in accordance with His Word.  Many people these days are, in effect, proclaiming they want to be judged by a standard they do not really know rather than a standard of which they do know.  They do not really like the standard God reveals in His Word so they cling to a false hope that there is somehow another unknown standard that exists whereby God will judge them in a way more favorable to their liking. To make the statement “Only God can judge me” is to say one of two things 1) Yes God will judge me according to the precepts and truths revealed in His Word, or 2) God will judge me according to a standard by which I really know nothing about, but I am confident that it will come out good for me in the end.  There is absolutely no basis for the second statement, but the consistent, overwhelming message of Scripture fully supports the first statement.

          In Matthew 7:13 and following Jesus gives a series of contrasts.  In each case, one is right and one is wrong; one is good and one is bad; one is desirable and one is undesirable (Two Paths vs. 13-14; Two Trees vs. 15-20; Two Claims vs. 21-23; and Two Houses vs. 24-27).  Beginning in verse 13 Jesus teaches that there is a superhighway to destruction.  Throughout the course of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has been laying out a case for the superiority of the Kingdom of God and why anyone hearing His Words should want to become a citizen of that Kingdom, inherit eternal life, and escape the wrath and judgment which is to come.  But, for most people it seems easier to follow the crowd.  We have all said to our parents at some point “Mom/Dad, everyone is doing it!” or “Mom/Dad, everyone’s got one!”  Then parents say, something like “If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you?”  In some situations we realize that following the crowd is not a good idea, but in other situations we seem to think it is a very good idea.  Jesus is making it clear that if you follow that wide road, or enter through that wide gate you are headed for destruction along with “the crowd” of many others who are also going through it.  John MacArthur writes “The way that is broad is the easy, attractive, inclusive, indulgent, permissive, and self-oriented way of the world.  There are few rules, few restrictions, and few requirements.  All you need do is profess Jesus, or at least be religious, and you are readily accepted in that large and diverse group.  Sin is tolerated, truth is moderated, and humility is ignored.  God’s Word is praised but not studied, and His standards are admired but not followed.  This way requires no spiritual maturity, no moral character, no commitment, and no sacrifice.  It is the easy way to floating downstream, in ‘the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience’ (Eph. 2:2).  It is the tragic way ‘which seems right to a man,’ but whose ‘end is the way of death.’ (Prov. 14:12).” (John MacArthur; Matthew Vol. 1; 454-55)

          From the time each of us understood “salvation” or what it meant to be “saved,” we have understood that mankind could not save himself no matter how hard he tried.  We came to realize we had to rely on a Savior (Jesus).  The world will often refer to God in a very generic sense but even the mention of Jesus’ name is highly upsetting to many folks.  Why would Jesus upset so many?  It is because they want to do what they want to do without having to answer to anyone.  We live in a culture where “individualism” has run amok!  Everyone is expected to celebrate and applaud the individualism of others no matter how crazy what they are doing seems, with just a couple of exceptions.  1) You cannot harm/hurt others against their will 2) The Christian worldview is simply not acceptable.  All viewpoints are given a fair hearing, tolerance, and often applause, except for the Christian worldview.  This is seen regularly, for instance on college campuses, where Christian speakers are barred from speaking. 

          The broad road, Jesus says, leads to destruction.  It will always seem to lead to life and happiness.  It seems right because so many are on this road.  It seems right because it strives for political correctness.  It seems right because, by its broadness alone, it conveys safety in numbers.  It seems right because it protects the rights of the individual to say, do, or be anything he/she wants to be.  But Jesus says, this is not the path to Him, nor the one that leads to life.  No matter how attractive or alluring the broad road, it always leads to destruction. 

 

In Christ,

 

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

         

"Persistence in Prayer" (Pt. 1) (Feb 13, 2019)

Allen Raynor Weblog: “Persistence in Prayer” (Pt. 1)

(Feb. 13, 2019)

 

          For more than twenty centuries archaeologists, tourists, and tomb robbers had searched for the burial places of Egypt’s pharaohs.  It was believed that nothing remained undisturbed, especially in the Royal Valley where the ancient monarchs had been buried.  A British archaeologist named Howard Carter carried on a search, however with only a few scraps of evidence.  He was privately funded because nobody felt there was anything left to be discovered, but he was convinced there was one more remaining tomb.  Twice during his six year search he came within only two yards of the first stone step leading to the burial chamber but finally he found it.  When the tomb was excavated it was found to be full of wooden animals, statues, chests, chariots, carved cobras, vases, daggers, jewels, a throne, and a hand –carved coffin of a teenage king.  It was the priceless tomb and treasure of King Tutankhamen (King Tut), the world’s most exciting archaeological discovery.  Howard Carter’s great perseverance brought him King Tut’s treasure.  How much greater our rewards, as believers, when we persevere in praying for God’s spiritual treasure!  In reality, King Tut’s treasures brought him no happiness; and if you were as rich as he, the effect would be the same.  King Tut left it all behind.  It goes to show that the kind of treasure the secular world is seeking does not matter. 

          Believer’s are children of a King!  In fact, Our Father (Aba; Father; Daddy) is in Heaven and He has promised to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  He extends to us the invitation to ask for things, and ask with persistence through prayer.  Jesus taught in Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”  We are first to “ask.”  It is very mild, calm, and non-threatening.  We are next told to “seek.”  It is slightly more intense.  Now, you are searching for something; looking for something, and there is some level of urgency involved.  We are told that if we “seek” we are going to find it.  Thirdly, we are told to “knock.”  Now it is more urgent.  We are told that if we “knock” the door will be opened for us.

          Jesus gave a parable that illustrates what He is saying in Matthew 7.  In Luke 11 we read “And He said to them, ‘Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer from within and say, Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you?’  I say to you, ‘though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.’” (Luke 11:5-8)  This seems to indicate that some prayers are only answered because of persistence.  Which brings up an interesting challenge to us.  What do we care about strong enough that we pray with strong persistence?  We have lots of calm prayers, but what are we really praying for urgently?  We are told in verse 8 that the “asker” receives, the “seeker” finds, and the “knocker” has the door opened for him.

          There are so many examples of people who have had such walks with God that seemingly everything they asked for in prayer was given.  Men like George Mueller, and Robert Sheffey (the American circuit riding preacher).  Many of these people are mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, preachers of tiny churches, widows and widowers who were faithful prayer warriors who simply trusted God and believed His Word.

          Some have suggested that “prayer” is a “blank check” just waiting for us to fill in the amount, but that is not accurate.  The “name it and claim it” erroneous theology, promoted by some, love verses like this and they take them and turn them around and in the end make it much more about them than about God!  Instead of the emphasis being on God and His desire to give, it ends up being about them and what they want!  We should be very careful to never make prayer just about what we want.  Prayer is yielding to God and without that yielding, prayer is merely going through the motions and is not really getting in tune with God.

 

In Christ,

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

"Who Is Your Master?" (Jan. 31, 2019)

Allen Raynor Weblog: “Who is Your Master?”

(Jan. 31, 2019)

 

          There was a farmer who reported very happily to his wife that his best cow had just given birth to twin calves, one red and one white.  He said, ‘I have been led of the Lord to dedicate one of the calves to Him.  We will raise them together.  Then when the time comes to sell them we will keep the money from one calf and give the money from the other to the Lord.’  His wife asked which one he was going to keep and which one he was going to dedicate to the Lord.  He answered ‘No need to decide right now,’ since he was planning to treat both the same.  Several months went by and one day he walked into the kitchen with a long, sad face.  His wife asked what was wrong and he answered ‘I have bad news, the Lord’s calf is dead.’  His wife said “But you had not decided which was to be the Lord’s calf and which one was yours.’  ‘Oh yes,’ he said.  ‘I had always determined that it was to be the white one, and it is the white one that has died.’  Sadly, it seems to always be “the Lord’s calf” that dies.  It is something of a metaphor for our lives and our stewardship unless we make a conscious decision, at the beginning that we will put God’s interests first.  We cannot put God first and ourselves first.  We have to make a decision.

          In Matthew 6:24 Jesus taught “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”  There is an old saying which goes “Money is a wonderful slave, but a lousy master.”  The ancients came to see that money is like sea water.  “The more you drink, the thirstier you get.”  In the day in which Jesus spoke, slavery was a common practice and a slave had absolutely no individual rights of his own.  People in prison today have far more rights and privileges than slaves did back then.  The slaves’ master had absolute authority over him, including every single moment of the slave’s time.  The slave was on duty at all hours.  In our society we may say someone is “moonlighting” meaning they have two jobs at once.  Someone could work a full-time job during the day and then have a part-time job in the evening.  The two do not really conflict.  But a slave in Jesus’ day had no off hours.  He belonged entirely to one master.

          Many have thought they could love both God and money, or at least like both, but Jesus says “No – it does not work that way.”  Jesus can always see a lot further down the road than we can and He knows where everything is leading.  With that knowledge of where the road leads, He tells them bluntly, “You cannot serve two masters.”  It is just that simple.  Both “masters” make total demands on us.  Yet, we are so prone to compromise.  Time after time, in my work as a pastor, I have seen people who were serving God start to love something more than God and it quickly took the place of God in their lives.  Invariably their love for God diminished in equal proportion to their love for something else increasing.

          We cannot serve both God and wealth/money.  Commentator James Montgomery Boice writes “In the original text of Mat. 6:24 the word translated ‘money’ is mammon (KJV).  Mammon came from a Hebrew word meaning ‘to entrust’ or ‘to place in someone’s keeping.’  The noun, therefore, referred to the wealth one entrusted to another for safekeeping.  At this stage the word did not have any bad connotations.  If something bad was meant, it was necessary to put another word with it, as in ‘mammon of unrighteousness.’  Yet as time went by, the meaning of ‘mammon’ shifted from the passive sense of ‘that which is entrusted’ to the active sense of ‘that in which one trusts.’  When that happened, the word originally spelled with a small ‘m’ came to be spelled with a capital “M,’ as designating a god, which is why, for instance the NIV capitalizes the word Money!” (James Montgomery Boice; The Gospel of Matthew; The King and His Kingdom; Vol. 1; 105)  “Mammon,” “money,” “wealth,” has been, and continues to be, a “god” to a great many people.  In Luke 12:15 Jesus warns “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

          Believers, of all people, should know better than to trust in money.  It might be something we do in the immaturity of youth, or perhaps when we are a new Christian; but there is no excuse for the longer-term Christian.  In Mat. 6:24 Jesus is essentially admonishing them to get their priorities straight and to get on down the road toward maturity.  This love of money/wealth is essentially bringing down our society.  Commentator Craig Blomberg writes “Many perceptive observers have sensed that the greatest danger to Western Christianity is not, as is sometimes alleged, prevailing ideologies such as Marxism, Islam, the New Age movement, or humanism but rather the all-pervasive materialism of our culture.  We try so hard to create heaven on earth and to throw in Christianity when convenient as another small addition to the so-called good life.  Jesus proclaims that unless we are willing to serve him wholeheartedly in every area of life, but particularly with our material resources, we cannot claim to be serving him at all.” (Craig L. Blomberg; Matthew; NAC; 124)  Every person has got to decide who their “God” really is.  It is not just who they say it is.

          In 1 Kings 18 we read of Elijah’s dealings with the Prophets of Baal.  Elijah lays out the truth for them.  In vs. 21 it says “And Elijah came to all the people and said, How long will you falter between two opinions?  If the Lord is God follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” (1 Kgs. 18:21)  If money is god, then follow it.  If sex is god, then follow it; if some particular possession of yours is god, then by all means follow it.  But, if the God of the Bible is God, then follow Him!  God does not like, nor does He deserve, divided loyalties.  In Luke 17:32 Jesus warns His followers to “Remember Lot’s wife.”  God told Lot and his wife to flee the wicked, perverse city of Sodom and “Do not look back,” but she did look back and consequently she was turned into a pillar of salt.  Forever and always she would be an example of “divided loyalties.”

          When a marriage ceremony is performed and two people make their vows to “forsake all others;” and to be loyal to the other person only; suppose the groom said in his vows, “Yes I will love my new bride, but I also have 3 other girlfriends and they mean a great deal to me and I am just not willing to give them up.  I will make my new wife a good husband, but I am not willing to sever the relationships I have with my other girlfriends.  I think it is only fair that I should be able to spend time with them and enjoy them also.  We would say of such a person, he is no where near ready for marriage, because he does not seem to know the first thing about it!  Does God deserve any less from us who claim to be Christians?  Our faithful God deserves our undivided loyalty and utmost faithfulness.  He deserves to be our only Master!

 

In Christ,

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

"How Do You See Things?" (Jan. 24, 2019)

Allen Raynor Weblog: “How Do You See Things?”

(Jan. 24, 2019)

 

          A man was planning a visit to New York City and he asked a friend who knew the city well to tell him what kind of city New York really was.  The friend told him that New York is both the best city in America and the worst city; he told him it would depend on what he looked for.  In New York he could find some of the most beautiful churches in the world.  He could hear some of the greatest preachers.  He could see in the art galleries some of the most beautiful paintings.  He could hear some of the world’s most glorious music played there.  He could attend some of the finest dramatic productions the world affords.  He could eat in some of the nicest restaurants.  Indeed, if he looked for it, he could find in New York the good and the beautiful and the true.  His friend told him on the other hand, in that same city, he could find some of the worst slums.  He could see some of the most hardened criminals.  He could visit some of the cheapest and the most vulgar night clubs.  There he could associate with people who had sunk to the lowest level of life in every respect.  If he wanted to look for it, he could find New York to be the very worst city there is.  Therefore, whether his visit to New York was to be one of joy and inspiration, or one of despair and discouragement, ultimately depended on what he looked for.

          People will often refer to something (politics; economy; a news story; a personal story; etc.) by saying “The way I see it . . .” then they will go on to share their opinion (give their 2 cents worth).  The way people see things is based on such factors as their experience, their stage in life, their perspective, and much more.  All of our senses come into play when we try and “perceive” or understand something.  Perhaps, none of our senses plays a bigger role than our sight (seeing).  A person may not believe what another one is telling them and, as a sort of “proof that no one can argue with” one blurts out with frustration “I have seen it with my own eyes.”  I have made the statement on a few occasions myself that “I would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes.” 

          People in ancient times saw things much like we see them, but they were much more superstitious where the “eye” was concerned.  Today we can look at eyes, examine them, get corrective lenses, treat diseases of the eye, and more.  Most of us probably see an eye doctor on a regular basis.  But, for most all of human history, the eyes were very mysterious and little was known about them other than just very basic things.  There is a very real sense though (they had it, and we still have it) that “seeing” and how we “see” and “perceive” things is very, very important.  The “eye” is the organ with which we do that, but it is so much more than just the organ called the “eye.” When Jesus spoke of the “eye” in Mat. 6:22-23, He was talking about much more than the physical eyes.  He says “The lamp of the body is the eye.  If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But, if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Mat. 6:22-23)

          With the eye, we can do a lot of “good” things.  It would be impossible to name them all but our eyes are used to glorify God.  We are a very visual society.  Everything from T-shirts to pick-up trucks come in different colors.  Those who make the products know that people will make purchases based on color preferences.  Over 20 years ago I worked for a period of time in a shoe store.  Every day, without fail, someone would look at a shoe and ask “do you have this in a lighter/darker color?”  “Do you have this in brown/black?”  If you allow your eyes to do so, they will control your life.  If you insist on having everything in the exact shade you desire, you are letting your eyes – your appetites – control your lives.  But, if you have a good, disciplined, well-trained eye it will “serve your body, your mind, etc.  If your eye desires dark/sinful things the eye will lead you down the wrong path into darkness.  Jesus said it was better for a person to pluck out an eye, and live without it than to have both eyes and let them destroy your soul.  In Mat. 5:29 He says “If your right eye [dominant eye] causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”

          Sadly, people are prone to want to look upon dark things, but several places in Scripture they are told to look away from sin and sinful things.  Jesus says, for instance in Mat. 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery’ but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” 

          If a person has a “bad eye,” one that controls the body and leads it astray to sinful purposes, it can utterly destroy the whole person right down to their very soul!  People can allow lust/desire for “things” to lead them to steal, manipulate, and become obsessed with how to get it.  They may have to lie, cheat, or do who knows what to get it, but their eyes lust after “things” or “objects” so much that they become consumed.  People allow lust, desire for sex, desire for a relationship with a man or a woman due to the lust of the eyes to lead them into bad (even terrible) unhealthy, hurtful relationships.  People allow lust to lead them to pornography, to strip clubs, prostitutes, adultery, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and every sort of “pornea” which is the general term used in Scripture for sexual sin.  People allow the lust of the eye to lead them to eat too much, drink too much, buy too much, get into too much debt, and watch too much TV.  People allow the lust of the eye to put more emphasis on the “physical” realm ruled by Satan than on the “spiritual” realm ruled by God.  Paul warned in Rom. 1:25 of a day when there would be those “Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature [created things] rather than the Creator [God] who is blessed forever Amen.”  John wrote in 1 John 2:16-17 “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

          I have been both amazed and discouraged, along with other pastors and youth ministers I know, at how quickly strong kids in the youth group turn away from God and toward the world once they graduate high school, go off to college, or generally begin life on their own.  Before you know it, many of these kids have dropped out of church, are having pre-marital sex with a boyfriend or girlfriend, and may not even really believe some of the most basic and fundamental tenets of the Christian faith any longer.  Many of them quickly become money and/or possessions oriented and life becomes about fulfilling the “American dream,” and the Scripture they had been taught for years fades quickly out of sight.  What causes this to happen on such a consistent and predictable basis?  Nothing short of what John calls “the lust of the flesh” and “the pride of life.”  They let their eyes take over their bodies, thereby allowing their eyes to take control of their whole lives.  This is certainly not limited to young people.  I have baptized people who gave every indication of having a true change of heart who were only months later posting vile things on social media and acting in all sorts of ungodly ways.  I have seen and even counseled many young women who were committed to God and growing in their faith and service to the Lord by all appearance, yet a guy comes along into their lives, they believe the lies he tells them and almost instantly they drop church like a burning hot coal.  What happens in these common instances?  Quite simply, the devil has taken control of their eyes and their eyes are now controlling their bodies.

          Maturity, dedication, and resolve are all things that help us control our eyes.  If our strategy is to just be strong in the moment, when it comes, we are packed and ready for a trip to failure!  Just as the angels in Heaven rejoice when a sinner comes to repentance, I believe it is safe to say, Satan and all his demons rejoice when people let what their eyes see, and lust after, be their god.  In the last sentence of Mat. 6:23 Jesus is telling them that if the light inside them, the thing that keeps them going, is really a dark, devious, sinful thing then there are hardly words to describe that level of darkness.  You then are identifying with the Prince of Darkness – Satan.

          Commentator R. Kent Hughes writes, “The believer who has a generous spirit, who is not tightly grasping the things of this world, maximizes the reception of light  (divine truth) in his life.  The Scriptures are open before such a heart, for his is seeking the things above.  Then not only does the eye of such a person receive light, but it radiates light to those around.  This person is ‘a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.’ (Mat. 5:14).  This person’s light shines before others in such a way that they see his beautiful works and glorify his Father in Heaven (Mat. 5:16), and as we might expect, a person with a generous spirit holds the things of life loosely bringing great joy to others and experiencing it himself.” (R. Kent Hughes; The Sermon on the Mount: The Message of the Kingdom; 220)

 

In Christ,

Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor