A Tale of Two Testaments

And he said, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Matthew 22:36

When people compare the Old and New Testaments there is a consensus among most that the New Testament gives us a loving God while the Old Testament gives us the godfather. Why the difference? Why study the Old Testament at all? The Law and the mean God who gave it are so last year, and besides, we're under grace now. What's the point? OK, that's a legitimate question.

The Old Testament is really God's First Covenant with the human race, revealing to us His Character, and His expectations as the Perfect Law Giver. Under the Second Covenant, the New Testament, we're no longer required to practice the ceremonial or dietary aspects of the Old Testament, but we are still bound to obey its moral code, for it ever demonstrates to us the unchanging Character of God. Jesus said He never came to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, that is, its righteous demands (Matthew 5:17-18).

We need to read the New Testament with the Old to understand what the Old points to. What has God revealed about Himself in it? He doesn't want us doing something that is opposed to His Character. What does He say? Do not bear false witness, for He is true. Do not commit adultery because He is faithful. Do not murder because He is the Author of Life, Do not be unforgiving because He is forgiving. Do not be unloving for He is loving. Do not be unjust for He is Just.

The purpose of the Old Testament is threefold. (1) To explain what sin is. (2) To expose sin as it is. And (3) to express our need for a Savior. Both Testaments roll seamlessly into one another and find the Second is a continuation of the First. The God of all Creation expresses His Character in the First and finds that Character enfolded in flesh in the Next (John 1:14), becoming the answer to sin, and to His suffering our consequences for it. From Genesis to Revelation it is the most amazing and harmonious tale to be told in the history of the world. The continuing revelation of His story. An amazing and exciting Tale of two Testaments.

Ken

Ruling Regents

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2

We're all looking for peace in our lives. Whether personal peace from anxiety or peace with one another. Paul addresses all believers with this familiar greeting. The only exception is his pastoral letters where he adds the word 'mercy.' Christian Pastors and leaders who labor in preaching and teaching are worthy of double honor as they labor in the word and doctrine (1^st Timothy 5:17).

We tend to come up against a wall in our search for peace. Most of us want what we want first, and that is rest (peace) from the load we're under.

But grace must always come before peace. Until we experience the ease and dignity of God's grace in our lives, there can be no peace. Being under a penalty means getting what we deserve. But Christ who knew no sin took our penalty on Himself becoming sin for us that we might be made righteous (2^nd Corinthians 5:21). That's grace. That's peace.

God's grace is extended to all. He's unwilling that anyone should perish but all should come to repentance (2^nd Peter 3:9). Realizing the weight of that penalty being lifted can bring us to worshipful praise and thanks with a peace that cannot be fully fathomed.

Any weight lifted is a relief. Christ brings freedom to His children in any situation. His grace offers pardon and power. Power to obey, serve, pray, and tell others of their own reprieve and of the glorious God who made it possible. Grace and Peace to you. Or Grace with peace. Either way, where Grace rules, Peace reigns.

Ken

The Dingy Dozen

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. Luke 22:24

God never uses people with halos over their heads. Instead He consistently chooses to use imperfect people with dingy characters to show how His power is made perfect in their weaknesses (2^nd Corinthians 12:9).

Jesus chose twelve disciples who were obviously flawed in character. They were vain and ambitious (Luke 22:24, Mark 9:33-34), impulsive (Matthew 16:22, 14:28-29), doubting (Luke 24:13-35, John 20:25), given to wrath (Luke 9:54, John 18:10), and even one He called a devil (John 6:70).

When He chose disciples to become the nucleus of His ministry He didn't go to the Temple or the best Jewish educational institutions. He went to the lakeside and called fishermen, to the booth of a tax collector, He called an Israeli freedom fighter, and even the one who would betray Him. They were all flawed, but amazingly, He immediately named this dingy dozen Apostles (Luke 6:13).

They proved loyal to a point, that is, until His arrest, then they ran like deer and went into hiding. They remained so until He appeared to them after His resurrection. Boldness came on the day of Pentecost when they received the promised power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). These formerly timid men became spiritual lions and champions of the faith, turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6).

From dingy to delight, Christ Jesus loves revealing Himself through us when we know we can't do it on our own. He upholds us with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). To us be all the strength. To Him be all the glory. He will be faithful to do it. Amen.

Ken

Spoiler Alert

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2^nd Timothy 3:1

If you follow the news you have seen the difficulty our nation is in. We are more polarized and divided than anytime since our American Civil War. We are definitely in times of great difficulty.

Students of Scripture will not be surprised when 2000 years ago Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said in the last days people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness but denying its power (2nd Timothy 3:1-9). Sounds like it just came off a news feed of today, doesn't it? 

What does it all mean and how does Jesus commend us to live in these perilous times? He said He had all authority and to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey Him, promising to ever be with us (Matthew 28:18-20).

But what can we do now? It is obvious what 60 years of the majority remaining silent has brought our nation. To say Christians shouldn't speak up and get involved in the operation of our city, state, and federal governments rather defeats the purpose. Everything we do revolves around laws enacted by those governmental branches. Do you want to have a say in how you're treated? Be involved in the process. Be heard through voice or vote. I'm not telling anyone which political party to belong to or how to vote. Study the character of God and decide for yourself.

Inspired Scripture teaches God will remain in complete control of all things and will judge Earth's wickedness with righteous judgment. Then Jesus will return to Earth with His saints (All who have believed in Him), and His righteous kingdom will be established forever.

We can only keep our eyes on Jesus and the prize of life eternal, studying the Word of God to know how we should think, act, and be ready to answer anyone who asks us about our faith. Whatever happens may we not be overcome with 'world worry.'

As bad as things can look, take heart. The final book has been written. The Book of Revelation. Receive a blessing by reading and studying it (Revelation 1:3). Spoiler Alert: We win!

Ken

The Benchmark to Victory

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 

My chosen class in track was the 100 yard dash. Those who ran in any track class always tried to be as 'light as possible.' When we dressed out for any practice or meet, the first order in the locker room was to remove anything that would add weight. To run any race with weight would have been unthinkable and a sure bet for being last across the finish line.

Sin can weigh heavily upon us in so many ways. The Bible tells us it's wages is death (Romans 6:23). We often try to justify reasons to carry that weight as we push off the chocks and attempt to head down the track. It can wear us down to a slow walk toward the finish line.

The race can only be run by renouncing our sin and looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. That means seeking help for our addictions, tempers, or ending any illicit relational involvement, physical or emotional, outside of the one one we committed to. To repent means to turn away from the sins that cling and so easily hinders us.

The Lord Jesus Christ makes the offer to take His 'yoke,' or burden, onto ourselves for it is lighter than our sins. He says in doing so to learn from Him for in His humility and humble heart we will find rest for our souls. He says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” (Matthew 11:29).

We're all in it for the long-haul, whether in Christ, or not. We can run with what we've chosen to weigh ourselves down with or make the choice to trade in the weight of sin that so easily besets us for a burden that is lighter than light. If we want to be quick off the chocks, running with endurance, then dropping our weights and taking on His light yoke is the sure benchmark to victory.

Ken

What's in it for Me?

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that Day, and not only me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2^nd Timothy 4:8

I heard a funny story out of the 'What's In It For Me Generation' textbook. An arrogant man walked into a popular church and said to the pastor, “I'm looking to get involved in a church as a pastor. I want to know what your church can do for me.” He asked the wrong guy. This pastor was a retired Marine. He said, “I'll tell you exactly what this church can do for you. It can let the door hit your behind on your way out.”

The Good News of redemption is never about power or gain. The highest goal I can attain to is to preach sound doctrine and Christ and Him crucified (1^st Corinthians 2:2). My eye is not upon power or wealth but upon the Crown of Righteousness I will receive from the hand of Christ. To hear Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant,” will be enough.

If you have believed on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and look for His soon appearing, you too will receive a Crown of Righteousness that will include you in an eternity with Him (John 14:3). Money and personal ambition will perish as all things do. Look to things above, storing up treasures in heaven where things do not become corrupted (Matthew 6:19). Use money wisely, but put your store into a Crown of Righteousness that will never perish. “Well done, good and faithful servant” will be His words to you as He bestows on you your Crown of Righteousness. That's something money can't buy.

Ken

Now What?

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2^nd Timothy 2:15

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2^nd Corinthians 5:17). If you have believed on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you might be wondering what do I do next?

First, be encouraged. You were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promise of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). The Holy Spirit is living in you and will lead you into all truth.

Second, get yourself a Bible. I would recommend beginning to read the gospel of John. If you are coming from a Jewish background the new testament is completely Jewish and I would encourage you to read the Book of Matthew, with an introduction to the Jewish roots of Yeshua beginning with Abraham. The New Testament is a continuation of the Tanakh. You will find yourself immersed in writings by Jews.  But don't take my word for it.  Check it for yourself.

Find yourself a church that is doctrinally sound, preferably one that teaches through the Bible from cover to cover. While you are searching out a church there are several Christian growth websites I recommend. The Word For Today, with teaching through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation (the C3000 series) with Pastor Chuck Smith. Another is 'Cornerstone Chapel,' with Pastor Gary Hamrick, based in Leesburg, VA. Both are excellent resources.

You may immediately find a Christian or Messianic fellowship (church or synagogue) where you can find growth in your Christian faith. You may need to try out a few churches until you find a fit. I attended several in my town until I found a fellowship that met my needs for growth and discipleship.

The LORD wants you to grow in your faith. Remember, Christianity isn't religion, it's personal relationship; relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Grow in grace and truth, letting the Holy Spirit lead you to rightly understand and grow in God's word. What do you do now? Study to show yourself approved unto God as a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. I commend you on your journey. God bless.

Ken