Why Are There So Many Bible Translations?

Posted on February 28, 2006 by Steve Weaver

This is the third in a series of three based on a teaching series on Bible translations which I recently taught on Sunday nights. For the first post on “The Necessity and Purpose of Bible Translations” click here. For the second post on “The History of Bible Translations” click here.Some translations exist for a specific agenda . For example, the New World Translation was specifically translated by Jehovah’s Witnesses to deny the deity of Jesus Christ. Another example of a translation with a specific agenda is the TNIV which was translated in order to replace masculine references in the Greek text with gender neutral terms in the English. Some translations are seemingly being made in order to make money.

But there are two major reasons for the variety of translations that are available today: textual issues and translation issues. I will deal with the translation issues momentarily, first though I would like to address the textual issues that have resulted in the different translations that are available today.

The English translation of the New Testament in the Bibles of the 16th and 17th centuries (including the KJV) were all based upon the Textus Receptus or the “Received Text” that was compiled by Desidirius Erasmus from about six different Greek manuscripts. In the late 1800′s, as the result of the abundance of new manuscript evidence (which was in fact older than what Erasmus used), new translations in English were desired which took into account the new but older manuscripts. That’s why in the last 100 years there has been an explosion in the availability of English Bible translations similar to the explosion of new translations in the 16th and 17th centuries. Instead of being a sinister plot, it is an altogether natural and understandable development. Just as Erasmus work with the Greek text of the New Testament resulted in a desire for English translations based thereon, the new Greek text of the late 1800′s resulted in new English translations that took into account the new findings. The KJV and NKJV are the only major translations available that are based upon the Textus Receptus. All other modern translations are based upon the Greek text that has incorporated the new findings of the last hundred or so years.

The other major reason for the number of English translations available today is due to translation issues. There are two major different philosophies of translation. One is called formal equivalence. The other is called dynamic equivalence. It is the difference between a “word for word” translation (formal) and a “thought for thought” translation (dynamic). Among the major English translations available today, the KJV, NASB, NKJV and ESV were all translated based on the philosophy of formal equivalence (“word for word”) and the NIV, NLT, TNIV, GNB and CEV were all translated based on the philosophy of dynamic equivalence (“thought for thought”). In the last twenty years the emphasis in Bible translation has been in the area of dynamic equivalence.

Now before we jump to any conclusions about the superiority of one method over the other, let me suggest that it is not as simple as it may seem. For example how would you translate figures of speech like: “He’s pulling my leg.” from English into a language where “pulling one’s leg” means only someone is literally pulling on your leg. Would you translate that word for word or thought for thought? When someone says “thank you”, the English response is: “You’re Welcome!” But in Spanish the response is: “De Nada!” which literally means “of nothing”. How would you translate it? What if you’re listening to the radio and you hear the football announcer say of the quarterback: “He really put some mustard on that throw.” Would you translate it word for word or thought for thought? Any time you translate from one language to another you have to deal with this issue. All translators have had to make these decisions, even the KJV translators. For example, in Isaiah 15:3 the KJV says, “And in their streets every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.” But the Hebrew phrase is literally translated “descending into weeping.” Another example is in Hebrews 7:3 where Melchisedek is described as being “without father, without mother, without descent”, the Greek phrase is literally “without pedigree”. In Exodus 4:10 Moses is recorded as saying, “And Moses said unto the Lord, I am not eloquent.” but the Hebrew word is literally translated “a man of words.” 3 John 14 says “And we shall speak face to face.” but the Greek literally translated would be “mouth to mouth.” In the Old Testament, in many places which speaks of God becoming angry, the literal Hebrew phrase is “God’s nostrils enlarged.” So all translations (even the KJV) translate some phrases which contain figures of speech in a “thought for thought” manner, otherwise they would not be understood in the English language.

“Thought for thought” translations like the NIV are very readable. This is their main value. However, I believe these translations sacrifice accuracy and precision for readability!

Therefore, I think the best translations are those which strive for as close to word for word literalness as possible. This translations include the KJV, NKJV, NASB and ESV. Here are a couple of reasons why I believe this:

One of the most helpful things I’ve ever done in my own personal Bible study was to read through the Bible in a translation other than the King James. The reason this was so helpful to me is simple. I know the language of the KJV. I can anticipate the next word in the sentence. Therefore, it was easy for me to mindlessly read Scripture because of its familiarity. Reading through the Bible in a different translation, however, forced me to focus on the words of the text. This dynamic together with the increased understandibility of the English language and grammar resulted in a more fruitful encounter with the Word of God. I would recommend a similar approach to anyone. Choose from one of the good translations mentioned above a translation different from the one you are most familiar with and read through it. You’ll be glad you did!

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Submission to Government (Exposition of Romans 13:1-7)

Posted on February 27, 2006 by Steve Weaver

What is a believer’s relationship to government? How should a believer relate to the laws of the land?

At the beginning of chapter 12, Paul called upon believers to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds. In the remainder of the chapter, Paul provided several important examples of what a renewed mind would look and act like.

Some could have responded to the apostle Paul’s appeal to not be conformed to this world, by refusing to submit to any earthly authority. Paul immediately corrects this possible misapplication of his teaching at the beginning of chapter 13. As believers we are not to be conformed to the mindset of this world, yet there remains in this world vestiges of God’s rule through the institutions that He has ordained. Two very important institutions that have been ordained by God are marriage and civil government. Marriage was ordained by God before the Fall as a means to populate the earth. Government was ordained by God after the Fall and Flood to restrain sin by the punishment of evil. Therefore government has an important function in the world today, even for believers. In Romans 13:1-7, Paul lays out a case for submission to government.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. (7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

I. Government is Ordained By God, vv. 1-2.

Paul calls for submission to authority three times in this passage (verses 1, 5 and 7). In the first of these, Paul states the command in a very straightforward manner: “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers.” This is then followed up with the key rationale for this imperative: “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

This is our Father’s World! As Daniel said while in captivity in Babylon as recorded in Daniel 2:20-21,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:

God is Sovereign! This belief is the foundation for what Paul is saying in these verses. If God is completely in control of all things, then obviously whoever is setting on the throne is there because God put them there.

The implication of this declaration is spelled out in verse 2. To resist the authority of government is to resist the authority of God and will result in judgment (both now from the civil authorities and in the future from God).

There are some who say that the only reason Paul writes in such a positive way about government is because he has not yet been unjustly persecuted by government. According to this view, Paul was naively optimistic about the role of government.

However, Paul bases his argument not upon his own experience but upon some fundamental theological beliefs. These beliefs include the idea that God ordained government and a recognition of God’s absolute sovereignty. If these two premises are each true, then Paul’s conclusion is valid. That conclusion is that rebellion against government is rebellion against God.

Paul, of course, would agree with the other apostles who in the book of Acts declared that it is better to obey God than man (Acts 5:29). When the choice is between obeying God or man, choose to obey God. However, most of what government requires us to do does not violate the law of God. Therefore, we have a responsibility in most cases to obey God by obeying man!

II. Government is Ordained by God to Protect the Innocent by Punishing the Guilty, vv. 3-5.

Why did God ordain government? The reason is spelled out by Paul in verses 3-5. Government’s God ordained role is to protect the innocent. This is accomplished by the punishment of the guilty! As verse three states, those who are innocent have nothing to fear from government (this is generally true, though not in every case). The ruler is God’s servant to protect the innocent (see verse 4). In order to fulfill this responsibility, God has granted to Civil Government the power to enforce the law (the sword).

After the Flood, God issued the first ordinance of civil government. It was the institution of capital punishment. In Genesis 9:6, God told Noah and his family,

Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

The civil ruler is God’s servant to execute judgment upon those who violate the law. He is called here an “avenger” or “revenger”. This statement comes only verses from Paul’s command to believers to not avenge themselves (12:17-21). Here, however, Paul is not addressing the individual believers response to wrongs done to him personally, but the government’s responsibility to crimes against the innocent. This raises the question: What about the Christian ruler, policeman or soldier? What is their responsibility? Well, their responsibility as individuals is to not avenge themselves, but their responsibility as government officials requires them to fulfill their God-ordained duties to protect the innocent by punishing the guilty. I think the implication of this passage is that Christians need not be pacifists. We should all be pacifists in regard to personal wrongs done to us. But if we are placed by God in a position of authority, we must use that authority as God intended for it to be used.

In other words, when personally wronged believers have the responsibility to turn the other cheek. But government does not have that same responsibility. In fact, government has the opposite responsibility of punishing wrong-doing.

Recently, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we were given the opportunity to see a little of what society could be were it not for the restraining arm of the law. The rioting and looting in the streets of New Orleans became shocking evidence of what this world would be like without God-ordained government. In other words, we need government in this sin cursed world until the day when “the kingdoms of this world is become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.”

III. Therefore, Government Should Be Supported Financially, Feared Respectfully and Honoured Reverently, vv. 6-7.

Paul’s conclusion is found in verses 6 and 7. His conclusion is that since government is ordained by God to protect the innocent by punishing the guilty, this is the reason we pay taxes. None of us can afford individually to support an army, man a police force or fill our courtrooms with judges. Therefore, we each pay local, state and federal taxes so that government can provide those services.

Not only do we have a responsibility to pay for the support of our government officials, we also have a responsibility to pray for the salvation of our government officials. Paul told Timothy in 1Timothy 2:1-2,

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

In Romans 13:7, Paul lists four duties that we have to government officials: Tribute (direct taxes like income taxes), Custom (indirect taxes like sales taxes), Fear (because of the sword), and Honour.

According to the IRS Oversight Board’s Special Report for the fiscal year of 2005, 19 % (nearly 1/5) of all Americans admit that they approve of cheating on their income tax. That doesn’t include the probably larger percentage who don’t approve, but do it anyway! Paul, however, says that we have a responsibility to pay taxes

This is also the teaching of Jesus Himself in Mark 12:13-17.

And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. (13) And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. (14) And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? (15) Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. (16) And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. (17) And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

Conclusion:
An annonymous Christian from the 2nd century AD wrote the following description of Christians as a defe1nse to a tutor of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius named Diognetus. This excerpt from that letter sums up the proper attitude of Christians in this world in relationship to government.

For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct which they follow has not been devised by any speculation or deliberation of inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of any merely human doctrines. But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred. From the Epistle to Diognetus, chapter 5

This should be our testimony as Christians in the world, even by those who hate us!

Filed under: Expositions, Romans | 2 Comments »

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Posted on February 26, 2006 by Steve Weaver
Me and my dad in Dr. R. Albert Mohler‘s Library

Today is my dad’s (Garry Weaver) birthday. He is 52 years old! He is a great dad! He taught me to love God, the Bible, the church and reading books by his example. He is my hero!

For those of you who would like to see what my dad looked like when he had hair (back in the ’70′s) click here for a recently discovered home video that had been thought to be long lost.

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The History of Bible Translations

Posted on February 21, 2006 by Steve Weaver
John Wycliffe


This post is the second in a series of three based on a teaching series on Bible translations which I am teaching on Sunday nights. For the first post on “The Necessity and Purpose of Bible Translations” click here.
George Santayana is credited with having said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Interestingly, much of the controversy over modern Bible translations today is a repetition of mistakes made in the past by previous generations.
When we study the history of Bible translations a lot of the disagreements about Bible versions just melt away. Studying the history of Bible translations serves to clarify many of the issues while correcting many misunderstandings.

There is no virtue in accepting something just because it is new. Neither is there any virtue in rejecting something just because it is new. There are two extremes that we need to avoid. They are the extremes of novelty. First, we need to avoid the extreme of novelty. Just because something is new doesn’t mean that it is better. This is true in the area of Bible translations. We don’t need 100 different translations of the Bible into English. We don’t need a Bible specifically translated for left-handed diabetics. But on the other hand we need to avoid the extreme of tradition that says everything new is bad, just because it is new. As James White wrote in his book called The King James Controversy, “Believers have to walk the narrow path between these two extremes” (p. 9). According to Jesus in Mark 7, it is possible to reject the Word of God by man’s traditions. This has happened before in church history and I believe it is happening today in some circles. Here are a couple of examples from history:

The Hebrew Old Testament was translated into Greek by 70 scholars at Alexandria around 200 BC. It is called the Septuagint from the Greek word for 70. Also known as the LXX (the Roman Numerals for 70). The LXX was the translation of the Old Testament used by the authors of the New Testament.

Many Christians believed the LXX to be an inspired translation of the Old Testament. When Jerome began translating the Old Testament from Hebrew into Latin some were upset. In fact, the great St. Augustine opposed the reading of Jerome’s translation. His explanation went as follows:

[M]y only reason for objecting to the public reading of your translation from the Hebrew in our churches was, lest, bringing forward anything which was, as it were, new and opposed to the authority of the Septuagint version, we should trouble by serious cause offense the flocks of Christ, whose ears and hearts have become accustomed to listen to that version to which the seal of approbation was given by the apostles themselves.
Quoted in James White’s The King James Only Controversy, pp. 11-12

Sound familiar? The same argument is being used today in defense of the KJV.

The Old and New Testaments were translated into Latin in the early 400′s (5th Century) by Jerome. This translation is called the Latin Vulgate and was the official Bible of Christendom for approximately 1200 years! Then along came Desiderius Erasmus. Erasmus went back to the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Using six or so manuscripts, Erasmus put together something called the Textus Receptus or the “Received Text”. This was the Greek text from which the English translations of 16th and 17th centuries translated the New Testament (this includes the KJV). Interestingly, just as many had opposed Jerome’s Vulgate for leaving the LXX, now many opposed Erasmus for leaving Jerome’s Vulgate. Erasmus, like Jerome was accused of changing the Word of God. Every time in Church history when a translation of the Bible has become the traditional accepted Bible after centuries of use, the result is a strong reaction against the new translation as changing God’s Word. This is what we’re seeing today in our generation with the KJV. After one translation of the Bible has been dominant for 400 years, all new translations are now considered to be an attempt to change God’s Word. This should not be the case, especially when considering that the real issue is not how a particular translation measures up to the KJV but how it measures up to what is actually in the Hebrew and Greek texts!

Perhaps, it is very possible that sometime 400-500 years from now there will be a group of people who are NIV only or ESV only. I hope not, but if they fail to learn from history it could happen!

After introducing the topic of the history of Bible translations, I continued by providing a brief historical survey of English Bible translations. For this purpose I used the history and timeline available online at greatsite.com. This is a great resource for the study of the history of the Bible. To access the English Bible history and timeline click here. Below is the section of the timeline which I used in my study:

1384 AD: Wycliffe is the First Person to Produce a (Hand-Written) manuscript Copy of the Complete Bible; All 80 Books.

1455 AD: Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press; Books May Now be mass-Produced Instead of Individually Hand-Written. The First Book Ever Printed is Gutenberg’s Bible in Latin.

1516 AD: Erasmus Produces a Greek/Latin Parallel New Testament.

1526 AD: William Tyndale’s New Testament; The First New Testament printed in the English Language.

1535 AD: Myles Coverdale’s Bible; The First Complete Bible printed in the English Language (80 Books: O.T. & N.T. & Apocrypha).

1537 AD: Tyndale-Matthews Bible; The Second Complete Bible printed in English. Done by John “Thomas Matthew” Rogers (80 Books).

1539 AD: The “Great Bible” Printed; The First English Language Bible Authorized for Public Use (80 Books).

1560 AD: The Geneva Bible Printed; The First English Language Bible to add Numbered Verses to Each Chapter (80 Books).

1568 AD: The Bishops Bible Printed; The Bible of which the King James was a Revision (80 Books).

1609 AD: The Douay Old Testament is added to the Rheims New Testament (of 1582) Making the First Complete English Catholic Bible; Translated from the Latin Vulgate (80 Books).

1611 AD: The King James Bible Printed; Originally with All 80 Books. The Apocrypha was Officially Removed in 1885 Leaving Only 66 Books.

1833 AD: Noah Webster’s Bible; After Producing his Famous Dictionary, Webster Printed his Own Revision of the King James Bible.

1846 AD: The Illuminated Bible; The Most Lavishly Illustrated Bible printed in America. A King James Version, with All 80 Books.

1885 AD: The “English Revised Version” Bible; The First Major English Revision of the KJV.

1901 AD: The “American Standard Version”; The First Major American Revision of the KJV.

1971 AD: The “New American Standard Bible” (NASB) is Published as a “Modern and Accurate Word for Word English Translation” of the Bible.

1973 AD: The “New International Version” (NIV) is Published as a “Modern and Accurate Phrase for Phrase English Translation” of the Bible.

1982 AD: The “New King James Version” (NKJV) is Published as a “Modern English Version Maintaining the Original Style of the King James.”

2002 AD: The English Standard Version (ESV) is Published as a translation to bridge the gap between the accuracy of the NASB and the readability of the NIV.

This English Bible History Article & Timeline is ©2002 by author & editor: John L. Jeffcoat III. Special thanks is also given to Dr. Craig H. Lampe for his valuable contributions to the text. This page may be freely reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, in print or electronically, under the one condition that prominent credit must be given to “WWW.GREATSITE.COM” as the source.

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Genuine Love in Action (Exposition of Romans 12:9-21)

Posted on February 21, 2006 by Steve Weaver
I believe that verse 9 provides an adequate summary and appropriate heading for what follows in vv. 10-21. The first sentence translated: “Let love be without dissimulation.” is only two words in the Greek, a noun and an adjective. It is literally “non-hypocritical love” or “Genuine Love”. Genuine love does not say one thing and then act another way. Agape love is not to be used like a mask on a stage in order to pretend that we are someone that we are not. Instead, our love is to be genuine and verses 10-21 spell out what genuine love in action looks like.

I believe that Paul is continuing the theme of mind renewal began in vv. 1-2 and continued in vv. 3-8. Just as we need to learn to “think as a body”. We also must have our mind renewed in order to put genuine love in action to the family of God, humanity in general and even to our enemies. This passage is all about developing the mind of Christ and showing what the will of God is: “the good, perfect and acceptable.”

As in 1 Corinthians 12-13, the apostle Paul moves from his discussion of spiritual gifts to the topic of love. I think it is very interesting that in both of these passages one may observe the themes of: humility toward one another, unity in the body, diversity in spiritual gifts and love in action.

As we look at the second half of verse 9 in more detail, we see that genuine love includes an abhorrence of evil, as well as a commitment to the good. In other words, genuine love is not a passive, effeminate quality that sugarcoats evil, but rather an active, righteous quality that opposes evil. Allow me to be provocative and suggest a new slogan based on the description of genuine love in this passage, namely: “True Love Hates!”

As we look at this passage we will see genuine love in action looks as it is shown to the family of God, humanity in general and our enemy in particular.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (10) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; (11) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; (12) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (13) Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (14) Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. (15) Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (16) Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. (17) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21

I. Genuine Love in Action to the Family of God, vv. 10-13.
Paul moves from his description of believers as the body of Christ in verses 3-8 to the metaphor of believers as the family of God in verse 10. That familial love is referred to in this passage is shown by two compound Greek words that are used in this verse.

The first is philostorgoi which is translated “kindly affectioned” and combines two Greek words for love. The first is a general term for love in the New Testament, the other a word that refers specifically to natural affection as shared between parents and children. “Kindly” is here being used in its original sense as related to our being “kin” to one another. In other words, we are to love one another as family. Just as you don’t have to take classes to learn to love your children or love your parents, our love for one another as believers should be that natural.

But there’s another term used in this verse that indicates that familial love is in view. The word is philadelphia which means “brotherly love” (which is why we call Philadelphia, “the city of brotherly love.” This word is the combination of two Greek words philos (meaning “love”) and adelphos (meaning “brother”). So you can now see how much emphasis Paul placed on this love being shared in the family of God. The next few verses spell out for us the specifics of what this love looks like.

First, “in honour preferring one another” which means we are to consider our brothers and sisters in Christ to be more worthy than ourselves.

Second, in verse 11, “Not slothful in business” which means we are not to be lazy in our duties to one another.

Third, “fervent in spirit” which literally means to have spirits which are boiling over. This happens when we our spirits are inflamed by the Spirit.

Fourth, “serving the Lord” meaning we are to be in submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Fifth, in verse 12, “rejoicing in hope”

Sixth, “patient in tribulation” meaning that when persecuted we are to endure, not passively set by but actively to persevere.

Seventh, “continuing instant in prayer” carries the idea of urgency and steadfastness in prayer.

Eighth, in verse 13, “distributing to the needs of the saints” uses the verb form of the word koinonia to denote the fellowship or sharing in each other’s needs.

Ninth, “given to hospitality” which involves sharing of one’s home and resources.

This is Genuine Love in Action!

II. Genuine Love in Action to Humanity in General, vv. 14-16.
I believe that Paul begins discussing how a believer’s genuine love should be displayed to humanity in general in these verses. Some connect verses 14-16 with verses 10-13 because of the content of verses 15 and 16. Others link verses 14-16 with verses 17-21 because of the content of verse 14. Since there is clearly a break here (note the shift from participles to imperatives), I prefer to think of this as a separate section dealing with humanity in general. These are general attitudes and actions we should have toward believers and unbelievers alike.
The first way in which love is to be shown to our fellow human beings is that we are to bless those who persecute us! This is a revolutionary concept that is reminiscent of the teaching of Jesus in Luke 6:27-36,

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, (28) Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (29) And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. (30) Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. (31) And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (32) For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. (33) And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. (34) And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. (35) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (36) Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Next, in verse 15, Paul says to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” May I say that it is much easier to do the latter than the first. Some have suggested that reason Paul put rejoicing with those who rejoice first was for that very reason. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 these words,

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. (26) And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. (27) Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Then, in verse 16, Paul exhorts to unity and humility. Isn’t it interesting how often in Paul’s writings these two ideas come together. This is because that the means to true unity is always humility! Since the means to true unity is humility, Paul gives the example of Christ in Philippians 2 as a motivation to humility and therefore unity. This is genuine love in action!

III. Genuine Love in Action to an Enemy, vv. 17-21.
This is where the rubber meets the road. This proves whether or not your love is genuine. It’s easy to pretend to love when everyone loves you, but what about when someone hates you and persecutes you.

Paul here says to “repay no one evil for evil”! Again, Paul shows a familiarity with the teaching of Jesus who said in Matthew 5:43-48,

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? (48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

One reason that Paul gives for not repaying evil with evil is that we might “provide things honest in the sight of all men”. This means that others are watching how we are responding to the evil that is being done to us! We must be blameless. This is exactly what the next verse (18) calls us to be. We can’t control others actions and reactions, but we can control our own. With some people it will prove impossible to have peace, but we can be blameless so that the lack of peace is not our fault! We can be peaceable even if we can’t have peace.

Paul emphasizes his point again in verse 19 by saying “don’t avenge yourselves!” We are not to take vengeance for evil done toward us into our own hands! Instead we are to “give place to wrath” which means we are to get out of the way and allow God to bring judgment. In other words, “Let go and let God!” This is clearly what is meant because Paul next quotes from Deuteronomy 32:35 the following statement, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.”

But what is our response to be to our enemies. We are to bless those who persecute us (verse 14). As Paul now quotes from Proverbs 25:21-22 in verse 20. We are not to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good (verse 21).

But what does this mean? How does doing good to our enemies heap coals of fire on their heads? Why is this a good thing?

Well, this is the way you can get rid of your enemies. This passage is simply stating that acts of kindness done to your enemy shame him and bring him to a place of repentance. As Bible commentator James Denney wrote, “The meaning of ‘heaping burning coals on his head’ is hardly open to doubt. It must refer to the burning pain of shame and remorse which the man feels whose hostility is repaid by love. This is the only kind of vengeance the Christian is at liberty to contemplate.” Greek scholar A.T. Robertson wrote that the burning coals were a “metaphor for keen anguish.” St. Augustine said, “We should incite those who have hurt us to repentance by doing them good.” This view corresponds to an ancient Egyptian custom. When a person wanted to demonstrate public contrition, he would carry on his head a pan of burning coals to represent the burning pain of his shame and guilt.

This passage provides a dramatic picture of how God deals with man in goodness to lead him to repentance. As Romans 2:4 states, “knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Likewise, in the verse we have been examining, we are commanded to do good to our enemies to produce a state of repentance in them. Martin Luther comments, “God converts those whom He does convert by showing them goodness. It is only in this way that we can convert a person, namely, by showing him kindness and love.” Wasn’t this the very way that God responded to His enemies at Calvary? As commentator John Phillips has written,

The cross represents the greatest manifestation of the hatred in the heart of man toward God and at the same time the greatest manifestation of the love in the heart of God toward man. That very spear which pierced the Saviour’s side drew forth the blood that saves” (Phillips, John. Exploring Romans. p. 211).

So do you have enemies? Do you want to get rid of them? Try showing kindness to them! Then not only will you have gotten rid of an enemy, you will also have gained a friend!

This is the result of genuine love in action to our enemies!

In the end, the question that remains is: Are you a hypocrite or do you have genuine love?

Filed under: Expositions, Romans | 5 Comments »

Mac Brunson Elected to Pastor FBC, Jacksonville

Posted on February 19, 2006 by Steve Weaver
In a special called business meeting at the close of this morning’s service, the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL voted to call Mac Brunson to be their pastor. This breaking news story was carried by the Florida Baptist Witness today.

The church’s press release is listed below:

DR. MAC BRUNSON VOTED PASTOR OF FBC JACKSONVILLE

Jacksonville, Fla. (February 19, 2006) – Dr. Mac Brunson was voted Pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, in the 10:20 a.m. worship service on February 19, 2006. He delivered the sermon in the worship service in view of a call to pastor the church. After the service, a special business meeting was called by Nelson Sturgill, Chairman of Deacons as moderator where a motion was made, with a second, and a vote to call him as pastor. Dr. Brunson accepted the call. His first day in the pulpit will be announced at a later date.

Dr. Brunson is formerly senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. He was pastor of Green Street Baptist Church in High Point, North Carolina, from 1992-1999 and served previously in churches in Virginia and South Carolina. He was president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference in 2003 and president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina from 1997-1999.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Furman University, a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Dallas Baptist University. He and his wife Debbie have been married for 26 years and have three children: Courtney, Trey, and Wills.

A video introducing Dr. Brunson and his family to the FBC, Jax congregation is viewable by clicking here (Windows Media Player) or here (Real Player).

Filed under: Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

The Logic of the Gospel (Exposition of Galatians 3:10-14)

Posted on February 17, 2006 by Steve Weaver
Recently my friend Jeff Wright issued a plea for posts regarding the content of the gospel. He is collecting and moderating all such posts on his blog. His initial post referenced Galatians 3:6-14 and since this is one of my favorite texts of Scripture, I would like to contribute the following sermon which I first preached about ten years ago (and several times since) to the discussion. I enjoy preaching this sermon as much as any that I’ve ever preached. I hope it will be helpful.

The book of Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of Christian liberty and the Christian’s Declaration of Independence. Just as it is necessary to understand the background and circumstances leading to the writing of the Declaration of Independence, it’s also necessary to understand the background of Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

Paul had founded in the church in Galatia on his first missionary journey but soon after he left, some teaches from Jerusalem came and preached a different message from what Paul had preached. Paul had said that you are saved by trusting in what Christ has done on the cross. The new teachers, called the Judaizers, said that yes you’re saved by trusting Christ, but you must also be circumcised. They just added to faith. As the Judaizers taught their new gospel they attacked Paul personally. They attacked his authority as an apostle and the authority of his message. When Paul heard the news from Galatia he was heart broken. The people with whom he had invested so much time had forsaken the Gospel. So Paul writes a fiery, passionate letter to condemn the Judaizers’ false teaching and the Galatians’ acceptance of it. This is the most intense of Paul’s letters because of what was at stake. Paul realized that what was at stake was not merely his reputation as an apostle, but the Gospel itself so He writes with fervor. See Galatians 1:6-9 for evidence of this.

Paul begins his letter then by defending his call to apostleship and the source of his message in chapters 1 and 2. But then in chapter 3, he begins to defend the message: the Gospel!

Because the Judaizers based their teaching on the law from the Old Testament, the apostle Paul uses the Old Testament to make his argument. The false teaches said that Paul was teaching a “new” way that was in opposition to the “old” way of the Old Testament. In this passage paul demonstrates from four key Old Testament passages that the “Gospel” is the “Old” and “New” way.

I like to call Galatians 3:10-14 the “logic of the gospel” because Paul logically builds his argument for the Gospel with four consecutive statements from the Old Testament which summarize the Gospel. These are: 1. A Statement of Accusation; 2. A Statement of Justification; 3. A Statement of Condemnation, and 4. A Statement of Propitiation.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:10-14

I. The Statement of Accusation, v. 10.
Here Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 27:26 which says, “Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” We are each shown our guilt here. This gets everyone from the most moral to the drunk on the street. The word “cursed” has to do with “a proclamation of doom by God.” Romans 6:23 says it this way, “The wages of sin is death.” But this proclamation of doom and death is upon “every one”. From the big to the little, from the smart to the ignorant, everyone is under this curse. But Paul gets more specific: “that continueth not”. This is where everyone is caught. You say, “I do good,” “I keep the law,” but the Scripture says that you have to keep keeping the law. You can’t let up for one second. If you break one law, one time you are cursed. James 2:10 says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” If I kept every law that Lenoir City and Loudon County has for the next fifty years, I can wait in vain for the city and county to honor my achievement with a medal or plaque. It won’t happen. The law never rewards obedience, it only punishes disobedience. But I guarantee you that if after fifty years of faithfully obeying every law of Lenoir City, I am caught running a red light, I will be punished. Nothing will be said of my fifty years of perfect obedience. In the same way, the law cannot save anyone, it only condemns those who offend in any point. We are cursed!

II. The Statement of Justification, v. 11.
But Paul says that we can be declared righteous in the sight of God. How? By faith! No man is declared righteous by the law. But “the just shall live by faith.” In v. 11, Paul quotes from Habakkuk 2:4. He is still using the OT. Paul breaks in amid the doom and gloom and says that there is hope of escaping the curse, but it’s not by the law. It’s in Jesus!

Here we see the contrast between the only two religions in the world. The one of law, the other of faith. One is works, one is grace. One is dependent on man, the other is dependent on God! These are the only two religions in the world: the religion of human achievement and the religion of divine accomplishment. The religion of human achievement is masked behind a thousand different names, but it is always recognizable. The religion of Divine accomplishment involves God declaring guilty sinners to be righteous because they are trusting in Christ’s righteousness. The justified sing with Augustus Toplady, “Nothing in my hands I bring!” But the religion of works says, “Something in my hands I bring!”

III. The Statement of Condemnation, v. 12.
Next Paul moves to a statement of condemnation. We’ve already been accused and given a word of hope in justification. But now we’re finally condemned. Verse 12 says that the person who keeps the law shall live, but this is just a euphemism for if you don’t keep the law, you die. Yes, we are cursed and the curse is death! Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death.” The death sentence has already been passed on you unless you’re in Christ. You are just waiting for the day for the executioner to come and take you to the grave and hell forever. Don’t cry for mercy if you won’t trust Christ. There is no mercy for one who depends on his own efforts or abilities.

If you say that you want to take your own chances, you will surely die. If you ever broke one law, one time, then you are guilty and must die. Don’t say, “Well, I’m better than some. You’re not going to be judged against someone else. You’re judged against God’s holy standard which knows no compromise. Christ is your only hope.

IV. The Statement of Propitiation, v. 13.
Propitiation is an old word that I’m afraid we lost its meaning. It means “to satisfy wrath.” Many do not believe in the wrath of God in our day so this word is little comfort to them. But to those of us who have been accused and condemned by a Holy God, we know this is a profound truth.

You see every religion has an idea of propitiation, but it’s always man trying to appease their gods. But Bible Christianity is the only religion which teaches that God has satisfied his own wrath. He has been propitiated. How? Verse 13 says, “Christ was made a curse for us.” Here again Paul quotes the Old Testament: “Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” Deuteronomy 21:23. This verse was written thousands of years before Christ was born and yet God was already preparing his people for the substitutionary death of Christ on our behalf.

The Vietnam War Memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982, honoring the 58,000 American troops who died. Marine Sergeant George Hutchings of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Division, Charlie Company said of the Vietnam Memorial: “On that wall is the name of Corporal Quinton Bice, who was hit in the chest with a rocket running a patrol in my place. A Christian, he had shared the Gospel with me, but I didn’t understand it till he gave his life in my place.” Jesus Christ took the rocket of God’s Judgment upon sin in the place of all believers.

Conclusion:
Let’s see if we can piece together what Paul is saying:
1. We are cursed.
2. We can be declared righteous.
3. The curse is death.
4. Christ took the curse.

Christ hung on a tree. He took the curse of the law on Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

The question is not, then, whether or not you are cursed. We’ve established that everyone is. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The question is not whether or not you are condemned. The curse is death and John 3:18 says, “he that believeth not is condemned already.” The question is whether or not Christ was condemned for you. Your sins will be punished. Will you pay for them yourself in hell forever or has Christ paid already paid for them on your behalf on the cross?

Filed under: Expositions, Romans | 2 Comments »

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Posted on February 16, 2006 by Steve Weaver
I agree with Tim Ellsworth and Kim Riddlebarger, the beginning of baseball Spring Training marks the most wonderful time of the year! But while Tim and Kim are pulling for the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees respectively, I am a die-hard Braves fan and today pitchers and catchers have reported to the Braves spring training facility at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL (to read more click here). Although there have been many disappointments over the years, as C.S. Lewis pointed out in a much more serious context that pain is a part of the joy. I remain a Braves fan, not because they’ve won the division 14 straight times, but because they are closest team in proximity to my home and I have been a Braves fan for not 14, but 18 years! That means I was a Braves fan (listened to every single game on the radio) when they were losing 100+ games a year and finishing last in the National League West each year. My favorite player was Dale Murphy and I wept bitterly in my pillow late one night when it was reported at the close of one of the Braves games that he had been traded to the Phillies in 1990.

Anyway, enough about my emotional instability in regard to baseball. I love baseball in general and the Braves in particular. I am thankful that God has permitted this game to be invented and to be enjoyed. I don’t think there is any other game that equals baseball in its quality. I think that the popularity of sports like basketball and football over baseball represent a decline of all that is good and honorable. I cringe when I hear someone say that baseball is boring, because they obviously do not understand the complexities of the game that take place on every single play! I regret that football and basketball are attempting to eclipse baseball as the national sport, because I think it is a symptom both of our societies constant need to be entertained every single second and inability to slow down, think and relax.

I know many will be offended by my strong opinions about baseball. If you want to argue for your sports supremacy in the comments section, you may. I however will continue to believe that baseball is the greatest American sport, the national pastime and the game that I will pass down to my three sons!

Man, it felt good to get all that off my chest!

Filed under: Baseball | 10 Comments »

John Piper says "Don’t Waste Your Cancer"!

Posted on February 16, 2006 by Steve Weaver
John Piper had surgery on Tuesday to remove a cancerous prostate. The surgery went well and Dr. Piper is now recovering (for more details click here). But the night before his surgery Dr. Piper wrote an article titled “Don’t Waste Your Cancer!” This article is available in its entirety by clicking here. Below is a summary of the ten major statements that make up the article. This article is both a challenge and a blessing. Piper is living what he preaches and that is in itself both a challenge and a blessing! I pray that God will allow me to face suffering in my life with a similar attitude.
  1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.
  2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.
  3. You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.
  4. You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.
  5. You will waste your cancer if you think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
  6. You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.
  7. You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.
  8. You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope.
  9. You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before.
  10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Filed under: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

"Look and Live" Isaiah 45:22

Posted on February 15, 2006 by Steve Weaver
Due to popular demand (see here) I am posting last Sunday morning’s sermon notes (incomplete and inadequate as they are). As you can see, I took a break from my series in the book of Romans last Sunday. The reason was a winterstorm was forecast and foreseeing that many would not be able to attend I chose to preach from the text used by God in the conversion of Charles Haddon Spurgeon in another winterstorm many years ago.

On January 31, 1892, the famous British preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon died at the age of 59. He was buried exactly 114 years ago last Saturday (February 11th). During his lifetime, Spurgeon preached enough sermons to fill 63 volumes. The sermons’ 20-25 million words are equivalent to the 27 volumes of the ninth edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. The series stands as the largest set of books by a single author in the history of Christianity.

But Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s story really began 42 years earlier when on February 6, 1850 (just a little more than 156 years ago) Charles Haddon Spurgeon experienced salvation on a snowy day in England.

The snow was so bad that the young Spurgeon could not make it to the church he had planned to attend that day. So he turned into a small Primitive Methodist chapel. The minister was snowed in and couldn’t make it there, but that day a lay member of the congregation took as his text Isaiah 45:22 and read, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.”

This is the text from which I will be preaching this morning.

In this short text three important aspects of the gospel message are evident:

1. The Exclusivity of the Gospel Message;

2. The Simplicity of the Gospel Message; and,

3. The Universality of the Gospel Message

I. The Exclusivity of the Gospel Message, “Look unto me!”
This text is a very exclusivistic one. In this text the LORD says, “Look unto ME!” He does not say look anywhere you please, one look is as good as another. No, He declares that “there is none else.” The context of Isaiah 45:16-25 is very clear. Notice the exclusivistic claims there.

The New Testament Parallel to this passage is John 3:14-15 which refers to the account recorded in Numbers 21:4-9 of the children of Israel’s experience in which they were bitten by poisonous snakes. This plight had come upon the children of Israel because of their continuous complaining against Moses and God. After many people had already died from their snake bites, the ones who had been bitten but had not yet died cried out to Moses acknowledging their sin. God then provided a means of healing from the deadly serpent’s bites. It involved the construction of a serpent of brass placed upon a pole (debatably, the source for the medical symbol). Anyone who looked upon the serpent on the pole would be healed and escape death.

The serpent symbolized the sin of Israel. Because of the Israelites sin of unbelief God sent the serpents in judgment. The serpent was a reminder of judgment which in turn was a reminder of the sin. Those who looked on the brazen serpent were acknowledging that their sin was the cause of their judgment and death.

Similarly, as Jesus Christ hung on the cross He symbolized God’s judgment upon sin. This was testified in the Old Testament in the words of Deuteronomy 21:22-23:

And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: (23) His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Likewise, Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:21 states that God made Christ “to be sin for us”! This means that God the Father treated His own Son as if He had committed all of our sins!

For he hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

In John 3:15 it is stated that as the wounded who looked upon the brazen serpent were restored to temporary health, so in this case eternal life follows from the faith of the believer on the crucified and exalted Lord. This is the message which Spurgeon heard over 156 years ago. He later recalled:

Then the good man followed up his text in this way: — “Look unto Me; I am sweatin’ great drops of blood. Look unto Me; I am hangin’ on the cross. Look unto Me; I am dead and buried. Look unto Me; I rise again. Look unto Me; I ascend to Heaven. Look unto Me; I am sittin’ at the Father’s right hand. O poor sinner, look unto Me! look unto Me!

II. The Simplicity of the Gospel Message, “Look unto me!”
What a simple message! Look and Live! Look to Jesus now and Live! It is a simple message, but not simplistic. They are great depths of truth in the gospel that have occupied the greatest minds in human history, yet there is a simplicity that even a child can understand. As someone said of Scripture there are waters deep enough for an elephant to swim and shallow enough for a child to wade.

Again note the parallel to Numbers 21 and John 3.

To look, to believe, says more than mere cognitive awareness. It includes the recognition of a desperate need (Why else would one look?).

When one turns to Christ, he is turning away for oneself. He is willing to be transformed. He doesn’t want to be left in the same state. He wants to be changed! Faith and repentance go together!

Listen as Spurgeon describes his first encounter with the simplicity of the gospel:

Then he looked at me under the gallery, and I daresay, with so few present, he knew me to be a stranger. Just fixing his eyes on me, as if he knew all my heart, he said, “Young man, you look very miserable.” Well, I did; but I had not been accustomed to have remarks made from the pulpit on my personal appearance before. However, it was a good blow, struck right home. He continued, “and you always will be miserable — miserable in life, and miserable in death, — if you don’t obey my text; but if you obey now, this moment, you will be saved.” Then, lifting up his hands, he shouted, as only a Primitive Methodist could do, “Young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look! Look! Look! You have nothin’ to do but to look and live.” I saw at once the way of salvation. I know not what else he said, — I did not take much notice of it, — I was so possessed with that one thought. Like as when the brazen serpent was lifted up, the people only looked and were healed, so it was with me. I had been waiting to do fifty things, but when I heard that word, “Look!” what a charming word it seemed to me! Oh! I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away. There and then the cloud was gone, the darkness had rolled away, and that moment I saw the sun; and I could have risen that instant, and sung with the most enthusiastic of them, of the precious blood of Christ, and the simple faith which looks alone to Him. Oh, that somebody had told me this before, “Trust Christ, and you shall be saved.”

III. The Universality of the Gospel Message, “All the ends of the earth.”
Again, notice the parallels to Numbers 21 and John 3. In Moses’ day the invitation was open to everyone. Any who would look could be spared their violent death. In John 3:15, the text states that “Whoever believes will not perish, but will have everlasting life.”

This is a message that is for everyone of every race, class, gender and background. This the message that young Spurgeon also heard:

The preacher began thus — “My dear friends, this is a very simple text indeed. It says, ‘Look.’ Now lookin’ don’t take a deal of pains. It ain’t liftin’ your foot or your finger; it is just, ‘Look.’ Well, a man needn’t go to College to learn to look. You may be the biggest fool, and yet you can look. A man needn’t be worth a thousand a year to be able to look. Anyone can look; even a child can look. But then the text says, ‘Look unto Me.’ Ay!” said he, in broad Essex, “many on ye are lookin’ to yourselves, but it’s no use lookin’ there. You’ll never find any comfort in yourselves.

Conclusion:
Have you ever looked to Christ alone? Are you still clinging to your righteousness? There must be recognition of your need for healing if you are to look to Christ. Do you realize that you need Christ?

Notice that I didn’t ask if you’re a church member. I didn’t ask if you’re a good neighbor. I didn’t ask if you’re a good father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, child, etc. Have you looked to Jesus?!?!

All of us were bitten by the serpent, the devil, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. As a result the poisonous venom of sin courses through our veins and will eventually lead to eternal separation from God in hell.

There is only one remedy, there is only one antidote! See the man hanging on the cross! See him bleeding and pleading for you! Look to him and you shall live! Look! Look! Look!

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

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