12

Jump Start # 3554

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3554

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”

Did you see the eclipse Monday? It was amazing! I watched it from an old cemetery. The sky was changing. It was looking like dusk. Several buzzards were crying out and flocking to a tree. They must have thought it was time for bed. Then the street lights came on. Then it got very dark. I was amazed at how dark it was. I could not see across the cemetery. I wondered about the three hours of darkness when our Lord was upon the cross. I thought about the three days of darkness in Egypt. But, very shortly a sliver of the sun peaked out and it seemed like someone flipped on the light switch. It became very bright. This was the first complete or total eclipse that I have seen.

The next total eclipse for my area Indiana won’t happen for more than a hundred years. As the eclipse was taking place, I walked over, in the darkness to the grave of a famous Indiana preacher. He would have been alive at the last total eclipse, in 1869. He didn’t see this one. I saw this one, but I won’t see the next one.

Those that calculate eclipses tell us that in 2135, Indiana will have another total eclipse. As I thought about that, I wondered if that ole’ Indiana preacher ever thought the year 2024 would come around. That date likely seemed so far away he may have believed the world would end before then.

And, that’s where I’m at with 2135. That seems so far way. Will this world still be around then? Ignoring the alarmists who claim that global warming will destroy the planet in a few years, which is skeptical scientifically and erroneous Biblically, how long will this world continue on?

We know there is a time when Jesus comes. And, when He does, the earth and all its works will be burned up. Our verse today declares that. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins ends with, be on the alert for you do not know the day nor the hour. God keeps His promises, and Jesus has promised to gather His people home to Him.

Here are some thoughts:

First, one day, some day, will be the final day here on planet earth. People will have made plans expecting that life would continue on. Letters mailed, that would never be read. Books printed that were never sold. Business plans that never were completed. Houses under construction that were never lived in. Babies in wombs that never got born. People awaiting trial that never saw justice served. Debts that never got paid. Students who never completed their studies and received a degree. Vacations that were anticipated but never enjoyed. Apologizes never offered. Time ran out. One day, it will be that last day. I hope it’s a Sunday, the best day of the week. But, I don’t know.

Second, when that one final day comes, the history of life will have been written. No more discoveries. No more research. No more inventions. It will be a day unlike anything in history. There has never been a day like that final day will be. There is no example in history. There are no parallels from earlier times. The living will be changed in an instant, the Corinthians were told. All the dead will be raised. The skies will be filled with angels. I thought about that on our eclipse day. So many looking skyward, looking up. That will happen again, when Jesus comes. There won’t be any need to interview people, record events, take pictures, because that will be the end. There won’t be anyone nor any way to share those things with.

Third, there will be a lot of fear that day. Many won’t understand. Many have chosen to believe anything and everything but God’s word. In some ways, that last day will be terrifying. I expect some will be screaming. Some will be running. Some will be pleading. There will be no place to flee to. There will be no place that can shelter you. But for the believers, we’ve understood that this day was coming. They will know it’s the Lord. They will know what’s happening and what will happen. To their knees, I expect they will fall, in praise to the God that they have loved for so long.

Fourth, as our culture becomes darker and darker and indifferent and ignoring the pleas of God, one wonders just how much longer God will put up with these things. Will God give it another hundred years? Will God give it another thousand years? Or, is the last day coming soon? We’d sure like to know. Don’t be looking for signs in eclipses, earthquakes and international wars. That’s not the way God operates. There are not signs. When the Father is ready, when patience has run out, Jesus will be sent.

All of this begs us to be walking seriously with the Lord. We must quit playing church and stop the childish games of selfishness. Jesus is coming. That’s certain. As future eclipses are mapped out and dated, we know, one day, some day, all of this will end.

Eclipses in a cemetery. Great lessons to be learned. There’s a great day coming, a great day coming…

Roger

11

Jump Start # 3553

Posted on April 11, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3553

Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Our verse today presents two great ideas that are linked and joined together. Doing good is the first concept. Peter told Cornelius that Jesus went about doing good. Jesus did. And, so should we. Do good. Do good to all. Do good, especially to fellow believers.

The other concept linked to doing good is opportunity. Do good while you have the opportunity. What a great thought that is. That needs to be preached. That needs to be understood. That needs to be illustrated at home and taught at home.

Here’s why this is so valuable:

First, opportunities do not wait for us. The door of opportunity closes and much too often we missed the chance to do good. We were going to. We wanted to. But, when it fit in with our schedule the opportunity passed. And, some opportunities are gone forever. The opportunity to share the good news about Jesus. The opportunity to help someone financially. The opportunity to encourage someone.

The apostle encased his words with “while we have opportunity.” The “while” doesn’t stick around and wait for you. The “while” may come when we have so many other things to do.

Second, some opportunities are disguised as great challenges. We like things quick, easy and convenient. Not all opportunities are like that. Some are complex. Some take time. Some require a whole Saturday. Some may take weeks and weeks to complete. For those impatient, always in a hurry, they will pass on these opportunities because they are too involved.

Third, some opportunities do not bring immediate results. That shouldn’t stop us from doing good. We may never see the positive good from helping others. That’s ok. It’s not about getting a “thank you” from someone or a pat on our backs. Helping someone out of the ditch of life is worth it. It is because we have been in those ditches ourselves. We know what it is like to have to struggle alone. We also know what it is like to have someone in our corner who will help us and be there for us. Helping someone see Jesus clearly is so worth it. We may not witness their conversion to the Lord. We may not see their hearts turn to goodness. Knowing that we used an opportunity to do what we could is what is important.

The great reformer Luther was asked what he would do today if he knew he was going to die tomorrow. His response was to plant a tree. A tree which he would never be able to sit in the shade. A tree which he would never eat its fruit. Yet, others would benefit from the effort he extended in planting that tree.

That little boy in your Bible class, you may never see it, but he may stand before the people of God and preach the words of Jesus some day. That little boy may become a shepherd of God’s people decades from today. While you may never see that, the little seed that you dropped in his heart can make all the difference.

Fourth, sometimes we miss opportunities because we are not looking for them. If you are waiting for someone to call you up and ask, “Can you bring some food over because mom is sick,” you’ll never get that call. People won’t do that. But in any size congregation, if your eyes are open and your ears listening, you’ll see where a card in the mail will encourage someone. You’ll see where taking someone out to lunch will help. You’ll see so many good things that can be done. Yet, most will miss these. You won’t find these listed in the church bulletin. You won’t find people coming up and asking you. But for those who are looking for opportunities, they see them everyday. They see them everywhere.

What a blessing it is to be the hands, feet and eyes of our Lord. Let your light shine before men in such a way  that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. Those are the Lord’s words. He did more than speak those words, He lived them. Doing good. Good works.

When you are no longer on this side of life, how will you be remembered? The guy who always complained? The person who never did anything? The person who kept to himself? Or, the guy who did good.

He went about doing good. Spoken of Jesus. Ought to be spoken of us. It all begins with opportunities. While we have opportunity…

Roger

09

Jump Start # 3551

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3551

Acts 14:23 “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

I was asked recently to teach a men’s class in another city about the important topic of “Preparing to be an elder.” Leadership among God’s people is necessary and something that many do not put much emphasis upon. God has always led His people. Moses & Joshua, the Judges, the kings, the prophets, the apostles, our Lord and today, through shepherds, God provides leaders to help guide His people safely through the jungle of culture and fear.

In working up some material, I presented the idea that many do not have this on their radar. It never crosses their mind to serve this way. Many don’t want to. In congregation after congregation, men are asked if they will do the work of a shepherd, and so many refuse. They want no part of it. This decision often hurts the church. It sends an unpleasant message among the people.

Why is it that some do not want to do this noble work of leading the people of God? Here is what I came up with:

First, some have seen the negative ways elders are treated. Such not only is shameful, but wrong. If someone is not doing the work properly, the other shepherds ought to talk to that person. But, most times, that is not the case. Complaining members are given the freedom to gossip and trash talk the leaders of God’s kingdom.

If David refused to kill King Saul, who was trying to kill him, because Saul was God’s anointed, what will the Lord think about our grumbling and griping about the elders? There is a path to follow if there are accusations to be brought against an elder. Most don’t want to do that. They’d just rather talk to one another about how they don’t like the elders. Such sins, and that’s what that is, will not go unnoticed by our Lord. It’s time for the people of God to refuse to listen to such things. Be Biblical or be still.

Second, some have seen the ugly approach to appointing elders. Much too often the process is started with the idea that we must find something negative about the man who may be an elder. Just like in the political arena, the ground is scratched and scratched until enough dirt is found that the man withdraws his name, hurt, disappointed and disillusioned. If these things people say are true, why hasn’t anyone said anything before now? Again, too many are not following the Biblical pattern of how to deal with one another and they demonstrate a lack of compassion toward one of God’s children.

It seems that many have stopped growing in their faith and learning of God’s word. They have the basics down for salvation and worship and beyond that, they stumble through life ignoring plain Bible teachings on such things.

Third, there is a major misunderstanding about the role of shepherds. Some see it as the stressful job of taking care of the building, paying bills and once or twice a year figuring out who will hold a gospel meeting. Running the church is not the role of elders. Jesus runs the church. Elders are not at the top, Jesus is. Aside from running through the qualifications or qualities of a bishop, only when someone wants to be appointed, the role, work and relationship of shepherds to God’s church is gravely ignored. I know this because I’m asked to go to so many places and teach upon this. I know this because of what I see and hear in so many places.

Having a special study for the entire church on the leadership roles is something that ought to be done once a year. Layers upon layers of lessons can be looked at and explored. Young people need to see that it is such an honor to lead the people of God. One finds himself in the crowd of other leaders, such as, Moses and Joshua, the Judges, the Kings, the apostles and even our Lord. God has always provided leaders for His people.

Leading the people of God and protecting those people is such a noble task. It should be held in the highest respect. It ought to be one of the highlights of a congregation’s history when shepherds are appointed. What we think and say about God’s shepherds can encourage or discourage others from ever serving.

In our next Jump Start, we will explore the steps to prepare to be an elder.

Roger

08

Jump Start # 3550

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3550

John 9:5 “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”

Today is a big day for my state of Indiana. It’s eclipse day. Social media and news outlets have been talking about this for a long time. Stores have been selling special eclipse sunglasses. It is estimated that more than two million people will flock to our state to witness the eclipse. Indianapolis is expecting 1 million out of towners. Hotels are booked, some raising their prices 400%. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is preparing to host 40,000 people to watch it. The governor is calling upon nearby states to send some National Guard troops just to help with all the people coming. A few years ago we had a partial eclipse, but today is the big one, a complete or total eclipse.

How big is this? In my area of Southern Indiana, the last total eclipse was in 1869, 155 years ago. In the eastern part of the state, the last total eclipse was in the year 831, which was 1193 years ago. And, after today, the next one won’t be for decades down the road. So this is a big deal. The total darkness will be measured in minutes, but it is something unusual and special for this area of the country.

God used darkness as the ninth plague in Egypt. It wasn’t an eclipse that was measured in minutes. The darkness in Egypt lasted three days. The text of Exodus 10, where that plague is listed, states that the “darkness which may be felt” (Ex 10:21). It also states that “they did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place” (23). While it was dark in Egypt, Israel had light. This so infuriated Pharaoh that he told Moses to get out and don’t let me see your face again.

One of the great contrasts in the Bible is between light and darkness. Light representing righteousness and truth. Darkness connected to sin and wrong. Jesus said that men love darkness rather than light. John promised that if we walk in the Light, as Jesus is, we will have the forgiveness of sin. Light and dark. Seeing and not seeing. In the rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 23, several times Jesus states that they were blind. They dwelled in the darkness.

Some thoughts for us on Eclipse Day:

First, some are in darkness and they don’t realize it. Like sitting in a movie theatre or going inside a cave, our eyes can get use to the darkness. The same is true spiritually. Some have a conscience that is no longer working. They can say the most vile, offensive and cruel things and it not bother them in the least. Some are unable to speak one sentence without saying a cuss word. Guilt, shame, embarrassment, regret never enter their minds or heart. There are some who have lived in darkness for so long that they like it. Selfishness and sin are as normal as breathing to those who love darkness. They don’t see what’s wrong. They don’t want to see what’s wrong. They have been in darkness most of their lives and they like it that way.

Second, the contrast between light and darkness is dramatic and drastic. Have you ever been in a dark basement and then immediately gone outside on a bright sunny day? Your eyes squint. You can’t see for a moment. Throw some snow on that ground on a bright sunny day, and your eyes even hurt at first. That’s the light/dark contrast. That’s missing these days in cultural preaching. The distinction between the world and Christ is blurred and nearly the same. And, among our people, the distinctiveness of the Gospel has been lost. Some are mocking the idea of a pattern. If there isn’t a pattern, then what are we to do? When has God ever left things up to us to do? There has always been patterns. The ark. The tabernacle. The temple. The priesthood. Worship. Righteous living. God never leaves things up to us. The reason is, when things are left to us, we generally mess them up and get them wrong. Our young people ought to know that the way we worship is unique and special. What others are doing doesn’t matter. We focus upon what God wants. We don’t follow culture. We don’t do what others are doing. Our focus is upon that ole’ Gospel message. It worked then and it’ll work today, if we let it.

Third, once one is in the light, there is no desire to go back into darkness. This is true physically, mentally and spiritually. Ignorance is not bliss. Those that do not know are those who get sucked into error. It is those who do not know that Satan has most fun with. Truth liberates. Truth brings confidence. Truth feels so good. Truth drives out fear, worry and doubt. Being gullible and naïve is not a compliment. We ought to know the truth and stand by it.

I have come to look at my Bible as a dear, dear friend. It has taught me. It was warned me. It has given me hope. It has helped me when I was afraid. It has rebuked me. We have been together for a long, long time and I know when it is my time to leave this place, it will be my old friend, the Bible, that will get me safely through to the other side. I have rejoiced at the promises found in my Bible. I have come to love Jesus that my Bible has introduced me to. And, more than anything else, my ole’ friend, the Bible, has opened my eyes to see the light of God.

Eclipse day. It will be something. But, it will soon be over. The light of God lasts forever.

Roger

05

Jump Start # 3549

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3549

1 Corinthians 15:4 “and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

I have to admit there are things about the resurrected Jesus that I don’t understand. He seems very human and physical. He’s talking. He’s walking seven miles to Emmaus. But, there are other times, He seems very different.

When talking with the two at Emmaus, Luke says, “He vanished.” John’s Gospel leaves the impression that Jesus walked through a locked door and appeared to the disciples. He’s breaking bread in Emmaus and frying fish with the disciples along the sea side. Yet, his hands and side still showed the signs of a crucifixion. I assume that the hands were not oozing blood out of them. When Lazarus was raised, whatever led to his death was miraculously healed. The same for the twelve year old daughter of Jairus. It did little good to raise them if they still had a fatal disease that was going to kill them. They were raised cured. They were healthy. Yet, our Lord kept the signs of crucifixion. When Jesus spoke to Mary, she recognized His voice. Some things were the same. Some things were very different.

There are many things about all of this that is just hard to understand. And, that leads us to some things we need to realize:

First, there are aspects of God that we will never fully understand. That can bother us. We want to be able to explain everything. We are extremely limited in our knowledge and it is puzzling for the finite to grasp the infinite. It’s not from a lack of study that we declare, “We do not know.” That’s just the truth. It is much better to be honest and say that than to take a guess which could be way off.

What did Jesus do for those forty days between the resurrection and the ascension? Where all did He go? The post resurrection appearances in our Bibles are sketchy and few. They do not cover forty days. Speculation and guesses can lead to ideas that are simply in our minds and no where else.

It makes sense to show the nail prints to give proof that it was Jesus and that He was alive. But how did those open places not bleed out? Or, did He have blood any more? How was His life different now that He was raised? Did He sleep? Did He need to sleep?

Second, when John wrote in His first letter, “…we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” (3:2). And, just what will that be like? Paul’s description of the resurrection body leads to the concept of a better and glorified state. Perishable and imperishable. Dishonor and glorified. Natural and spiritual. Those are the contrasts Paul makes between how we are now and our resurrected state. And, since Christ is the first fruits of that resurrection, we conclude that His resurrected body was spiritual, glorified and imperishable. Had the Romans caught up with the resurrected Jesus, they would not have been able to put Him to death a second time. He was unable to perish. He was imperishable.

That is one of the great differences between the resurrection of Jesus and Lazarus. Lazarus was raised only to die again. Jesus was raised to never die again. Jesus resurrection proved who He was. His resurrection was the death blow to Satan.

Third, the fact that we will be raised one day only makes the future brighter and better for us. It doesn’t matter how dark the days are here, the sun will soon shine. It doesn’t matter the problem, because those problems stay on this side of life. One day we won’t be earth bound with all the limitations that come with that. One day we will be glorified, imperishable and with the Lord.

Because He lives, the hymn reminds us, we can face tomorrow. Because He lives, I know I will be ok. I may not fully understand. I may not get all that comes with that. I may not be able to explain it well. But, I know, because He promised, it will be great.

Roger