18

Jump Start # 3370

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3370

Galatians 6:17 “From no one let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”

It is hard for us to truly grasp what the apostle Paul endured. His brief accounts are sobering, humbling, and shocking to us. Beaten with rods. Stoned. Whipped. Hungry. Homeless. And, as our passage today states, bearing the marks of Jesus on his body.

There was an expression about Indy car race drivers decades ago called ’the Indy shuffle.’ It came about as drivers crashed into the wall and often had their feet and ankles shattered. Massive surgeries followed and those guys would return to racing. But to see them walk, they “shuffled.” They bore the marks of high speed accidents.

Older football players also carry the marks of years of practice and playing. Their knees hurt. Their backs hurt. They also have their own shuffle.

But here, it’s the apostle. I don’t see him hopping up to the pulpit to preach. I see a shuffle as he walked. His back likely showed the scars of whippings. The rods easily could have broken bones that in these days would require surgery but it wasn’t known back then. So the bones healed, maybe crooked. His face would have looked tired, weathered and old. The enemies of Christ used Paul as a punching bag. Stones would have cut his skin and left scars.

Some lessons for us:

First, those that hate Christ have no limits to how they manifest their outrage on those that are His disciples. The abuse that Paul endured was because of the message He preached and the life he tried to imitate. Christianity is peaceful. Kindness, compassion and gentleness are the hallmarks and the qualities of Christianity. The enemies are not that way. They will lie. They will misquote. They will injure. They will go to any length to make Christians suffer. It’s that way today. Instead of rods, it’s insults. Instead of rocks, they throw verbal hatred. Instead of whips, they use their tongues to ridicule, mock and hurt the heart of disciples.

And, for many, that’s all it takes to hide their faith, blend in with the world and pretend to not be a Christian. They want to get along with people who do not want to get along. They want to make peace with those who are looking for war.

Second, the outward beatings did not stop Paul from spreading the message about the risen Christ. There were times when he was afraid. There were times when he was discouraged. There were times when he needed help to continue on. It’s like the injured football player who is helped off the field by a couple of other players. His arms wrapped around their shoulders so they can support him. Emotionally and likely even physically, that’s our Paul. Wounded, but still in the game. Hurting, but not stopping.

How was this possible? He understood that our Lord endured so much for and He did it for our sake. No one has carried the sins of the world. No one can treat us with such wickedness as Jesus endured. Paul also did not focus upon himself but the glorious mission he was on. Our culture is stuck on itself. How I feel. What I want. What I think. Everything is seen through the lens of self. Why should I? What do I get out of this? Me. Me. Me. Paul didn’t think that way. Paul understood that the salvation of so many meant that they had to hear the message. He was that messenger.

Third, Paul doesn’t seem to draw attention to the marks of Christ on his body. We have this passage, but we don’t read about Paul lifting up his shirt to show his scared back to the audience. He doesn’t tell us the details of how many cuts, broken bones, lingering headaches that he endures. Paul was not the poster child of what a persecuted life looks like. He doesn’t write a book about fighting the wild beasts at Ephesus. The bullet points of suffering in 2 Corinthians are used as a defense of his apostleship, not as bragging that he was better than others. Paul didn’t wear the victim badge.

The message of Paul wasn’t about himself. The attention was upon him. He wanted everyone to see the Christ of the Cross. Paul didn’t like talking about himself. He’d rather talk about Jesus. It wasn’t his story that was important. It was the story of Jesus that everyone needed to know.

Through the years I have collected books about the prodigal son. It’s my favorite parable. But in so many of those books, the author has to detail their own journey to the far country and their own trials and troubles as a prodigal. One can’t improve upon the Lord’s story. Don’t give me your biography. Focus upon the Lord’s story.

A tired, shuffling, scared, worn-out apostle. That’s likely the way Paul was. It sure makes us think about what little we have to deal with today.

Roger

17

Jump Start # 3369

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3369

Acts 15:39-40a “And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left…”

We have so many wonderful hymns that build upon our love and fellowship for each other. “Bless be the tie that binds our hearts;” “Love one another” are a couple examples. The N.T. is layered with passages about forgiving one another; loving one another; and getting along with one another.

To be honest, fellowship is hard. The larger the congregation, the harder it becomes. Different ideas. Different backgrounds. Different issues. Some young in faith. Some fighting hard to keep the ole’ traditions alive and well. Some get it. Some are trying to get it. Some are not sure if they want to get it.

And, here in a most dramatic passage, we find Paul and Barnabas in a massive disagreement over another person. Paul had his reasons. Mark had left them and gone home earlier. Barnabas had his reasons. Mark was his cousin. Give him a second chance. Yes. No. Yes. No. Back and forth until there was no settling this disagreement. The only answer was splitting up. You go your way and I’ll go my way. And, that’s what they did.

Today, disagreements among brethren continue to lead to separations. They lead to splitting up of congregations. They lead to people never speaking to each other again. They lead to believing the other side is wrong.

Here are some interesting things from the Paul/Barnabas disagreement:

First, God recorded this for us to see. This certainly wasn’t a fond memory that either Paul or Barnabas cherished the rest of their lives. We may think it would have been better had God not recorded this for all times, but He did. It helps us to see that an apostle didn’t always get his way and he didn’t always have sunny days. You and I have disagreements. We can leave worship shaking our heads. We may disagree with the decisions that our shepherds make. That was very clear during Covid. Masks or no masks. Do we cancel gatherings or keep coming together. Pass the Lord’s Supper as we always have, or go to disposable packages? So many decisions to make. And, in most congregations there were a few bumps along the way. Some weren’t happy. Some thought the wrong decision was decided.

Human interactions are difficult.

Second, it shows that Barnabas stood up for someone that he believed in. He opposed an apostle. Paul didn’t pull rank on Barnabas. The two went at it, arguing for what they thought was right. One could make the case that Barnabas didn’t submit or subject himself to Paul.

It wasn’t too much before this that Barnabas was standing up for Paul when the apostle wanted to connect with the brethren in Jerusalem. He had persecuted disciples there. They were afraid of him. Barnabas supported and used his influence to defend Paul. Now, Barnabas was doing this for Mark. But this time, Paul wasn’t having it. He didn’t want Mark. I wonder if Barnabas reminded Paul about Jerusalem and what he did for him?

Third, they went their separate ways continuing to preach Christ. One doesn’t see that Barnabas tried to undermine Paul. We don’t find Paul trash talking Barnabas. The last mention of these two is when Paul rebukes Peter for his hypocrisy and even Barnabas was caught up in that.

Later, in Paul’s last few sentences under inspiration, he asks for Mark to come. Mark is useful. Paul gave him a second chance. Paul was willing to change his mind about Mark.

The disagreement in Acts 15 with Paul and Barnabas wasn’t doctrinal. It wasn’t a matter of what the Bible said.

Sometimes we have to fight for what we believe in, but realize consequences follow.

There may come a time when one just can’t come to an agreement. It is at that point that one must decide whether or not he can continue to work, worship and fellowship with others. The way one leaves speaks volumes about one’s faith and character. Don’t leave angry. Don’t leave trash talking those that stay. Don’t say things on social media. Don’t call others and try to win them to your side. If you must leave, leave nobly as a disciple of Jesus. Don’t burn bridges that will keep you from coming back. And, by all means, don’t forget to pray. Pray for your attitude and spirit. Pray for the wellbeing of those that you separated from.

Seeing the character of Paul that is reflected in his writings, one just knows that there were nights when the apostle prayed and prayed for his dear traveling companion, Barnabas.

When we read Acts 15, who was right? Who was wrong? And, just why do we have to assign those labels? Could it be that they were both right and in some ways both wrong. But more than that, it sure makes us take a long, long look at some of the disagreements we’ve been involved in with brethren. Have there been splits that maybe patience and forgiveness would have prevented? Have there been things that should not have been said?

Paul and Barnabas…they disagreed about Mark. They didn’t disagree about Jesus and they didn’t disagree about what God wanted them to do. Can you imagine that grand reunion in Heaven, with Paul and Barnabas hugging one another!

Roger

14

Jump Start # 3368

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3368

2 Peter 3:7 “For the present Heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

We began a new series of classes back home in our congregation. I’m teaching “How does it end?” Paul told the Corinthians, “Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father…” (1 Cor 15:24). Well, what happens at the end?

It is easy to simply say, “Heaven and Hell. That’s what happens at the end.” While that is true, that question opens up several things that many have not considered before. Such as:

First, there are several things that Biblically have already ended:

  • The active role of prophets and apostles
  • The tabernacle and temple and animal sacrifices
  • The use of miracles
  • The O.T. being the law for God’s people
  • God talking directly to people

Second, there are several things currently in our lives that will be ending:

  • Time
  • Physical world
  • Death
  • Crying, mourning, pain
  • Lord’s Supper
  • Preaching
  • Baptisms
  • Governments, laws and rules
  • Congregations
  • Marriage
  • Our physical lives
  • Opportunities

Third, some things Biblically will never end:

  • God
  • Eternity
  • Love of God
  • Our souls
  • The sovereignty and authority of God
  • Fellowship with God
  • Heaven and Hell

The concept of Uniformitarianism is that things are constant, uniform, staying the same. Some in Peter’s day were saying that. Nothing changes. Everything remains the same. Because of that, they concluded that Jesus wasn’t coming.

Our verse today indicates and implies that the world had changed. The present heavens and earth were not the same as the first heavens and earth. That first world was destroyed. How is the present world different?

Genesis 1 makes it seem like all the land was in one place and all the sea was in one place. Not today. We have seven seas. Before the flood, man and animals were both vegetarians. Not after the flood. Before the flood, many lived several centuries. That changed after the flood.

Although it’s the same planet we live on, it’s a different world. The present world is not like the first world. That’s Peter’s point. He is telling those mockers that you don’t understand history and more than that, you don’t understand God. If the Lord makes a promise, it will happen. “In His time,” is not the same as our time. If God said it, it will be.

The day is coming when one won’t have any more opportunity to seek the grace of God. For the foolish virgins, in Jesus’ parable, the door was shut and they were not let in. In Noah’s time, the ark door was shut and those on the outside were not allowed in. Kicking the can down the road of what we ought to do is a dangerous way to live. All we have is today. Need to apologize? Do it today. Need to forgive? Do it today. Need to repent? Do it today.

A changing world…that’s what we call life.

Roger

13

Jump Start # 3367

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3367

Genesis 7:16 “Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the Lord closed it behind him.”

I recently took a friend to the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. It is outstanding. It is massive. Life-sized ark. Lots of facts. Lots of information. Lots of things most of us never thought about such as how did they feed the animals or deal with waste. It’s a must trip that everyone ought to take.

One of the information signs estimated the human population at the time of the flood. No one knows for sure, but based upon some genealogies in early Genesis, at a population growth rate of 1.2%, the low estimate was over 730,000 people. At a growth rate of 1.4%, the upper estimate was 19 billion people. Those numbers are staggering.

Then it hit me. There are people on both sides of that ark door that will be in Heaven. Of course, on the inside was Noah, and his family. He’s listed in Hebrews 11 as one who gained approval. But on the outside of that ark door, killed by the wrath of God, would be innocent children and babies who never sinned. Inside the ark and outside the ark, but together in Heaven. Now, that’s a thought I have never really pondered before.

Consider for a moment:

First, there are many who would worship the Lord if they could but they are prohibited. Parents who do not believe keep their children away from God. A spouse who pressures his or her mate to stay home and away from the Lord and His people. Tragically, these situations are like a spiritual prison. Beyond their control they live in darkness because of others. Their lives would be so different if the Lord was invited into those homes. Many grow up with no direction and the only examples they see are the wrong examples. Anger, hatred, gossip, indecency are as common as food on the table. Habits of lying and dishonesty are praised and bragged about. A culture of wrong is all some children see.

Second, the Lord knew about the children outside the ark. His love would invite them even though at the same time His wrath destroyed their parents. Love and wrath together, something we have a hard time with. For us, it’s one or the other, and it’s never at the same time. As the children outside the ark died, their pure souls would be lifted heavenward. They were not forgotten. They were not ignored. God knows.

Third, this isn’t the only occasion where wrath and love come together. At Sodom. At the destruction of Jericho. Even, the second coming, illustrate this mix of love and wrath. Heaven and Hell. Saved and lost. The modern church has no tolerance for a wrathful, just God. Hell has evaporated from most sermons. And, as they define love, it’s become do and be whatever you want. The honor of the Lord has been ignored.

What a responsibility to raise our children to know the Lord. What a shame it is to keep them from the Lord.

Both sides of the ark door—yet together in Heaven.

Roger

12

Jump Start # 3366

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3366

Mark 5:36 “Jesus overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.’”

Peterson adds a line in his version of the Bible that is not in most others. The thought is there. Peterson simply says it. He writes Jesus as saying “Don’t listen to them; just trust Me.” And, that is right where we are today. So many voices. So many opinions. So much talk. And, this talk scares us. This talk rattles us. This talk shakes us. And, what we need to hear is, “Don’t listen to them, trust Me.”

First, don’t listen to them because they don’t know. Oh, they think they know, but they don’t. Jesus does. They think they have all the answers. But they don’t. Some have read just enough of the Bible that they think they are experts, but they are not. Some have belonged to a church just long enough that they think they know all the ins and outs and ups and downs. But, they don’t. Don’t listen to them, trust Jesus.

Second, many are just troublemakers. Titus was told, “there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers…who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain” (1:10-11). Empty talkers. Deceivers. Upsetting whole families. There is a lot of that it seems. Rather than building up, they enjoy tearing down. Rather than strengthening, they weaken. And, without realizing it, they are doing the work of Satan. Their mouths need to be closed. They will have an audience among the weak and ignorant. But for the disciple, “don’t listen to them; trust Me.”

Third, the voice of Jesus reassures us. The voice of Jesus calms us. The voice of Jesus healed the lepers. The voice of Jesus brought the dead back to life. The voice of Jesus promises us. The voice of Jesus is absolute. Don’t listen to them, trust Me. Opinions are like noses. Everyone has one and they all think theirs is the best. Not so. Don’t listen to them, just trust Me.

When the storm clouds gather and things are looking dark, do I trust Him? When it seems that everyone is against me, do I trust Him? When I have to draw a line in the sand and stand with the Lord, do I trust Him? Do I trust Him in the sunshine as well as the darkness? Do I trust Him when things are going well and things are not going well? Do I trust Him when I must do what I don’t want to do, such as apologize or forgive another? Do I trust Him when I come to the end of my life?

Advice is cheap. Everyone can tell you what you need to do. Don’t listen to them, trust Me. Those words will help you when you feel alone. Those words will strengthen you when others point their fingers at you. Those words will help you when you feel like quitting.

Trust the Lord. The three Jewish youths did that when they faced a fiery furnace. Joshua did that when he stood at the base of the walled Jericho. Paul did that when the prison doors closed.

Trust Me.

Roger