Daily Devotionals with Pastor Rod: June 2012

Friday, June 29, 2012

Do Him Proud! (Jude 24-25 Part 4)

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

THE STUDY:

In verse 25 four virtues are attributed to God: glory, majesty, power and authority. Over the next few days we will be looking at each one individually.

Glory (doxa) describes the overwhelming radiance inherent to God’s being. The virtue of glory is present in virtually every doxology in the NT (except for 1 Tim 6:16 and 1 Pet 5:11). The English word doxology (= a word of glory) is actually derived from the Greek word doxa (glory).^{^[1]}

Ascribing glory to God is merely acknowledging an essential aspect of his being, for in essence God is glory. On earth Christ’s followers reflect the glory of God in word and deed. But when they enter heaven, believers are glorified and share in God’s glory (Rom. 8:30).^{^[2]}

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away this morning with the understanding that the Glory of God is the totality of God. As believers we reveal His glory in our words and actions.

APPLICATION:

A few months ago my teenage son wanted to buy a shirt. Let me correct that statement: My teenage son wanted ME to buy him a shirt. After scanning the writings on the shirt which was not bringing Glory to God, I told him I was not going to purchase that specific shirt. As he walked away dejected I heard him say, “I wish I was not a preachers kid.” I asked him to repeat what he said and then I shared some information that, I believed, shocked him.

I told him, “It’s not because I am a preacher that we are not buying this shirt. Even if I was not a preacher we would still not be purchasing the shirt.” We were not going to buy it because as a Christian we are to bring glory to God in our words and our actions. Purchasing that shirt would not have done that!

My morals and character are not based on what I do for a living (minister) but on who I live for. I have told my children as they would head out of the house to a friends house, the park, or somewhere out of my supervision, “Remember, you are representing yourself, this family, but most importantly Christ!” Do us proud!

Today, as you head out into this weekend remember, your representing yourself, your family, but most importantly; Christ. Let His Glory shine through you today. Do Him Proud!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (301). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^{^[2]} Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 16: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude. New Testament Commentary (412). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The One True God! (Jude 24-25 Part 3)

THE STUDY:

Jude clarifies who is able to keep believers secure and to whom glory should be given: It is to the only God, our Savior. The KJV uses the reading “to the only wise God.” But the word “wise” is found only in a few later, less reliable manuscripts. “Wise” was probably assimilated into these manuscripts under the influence of the doxology of Romans, which gives glory “to the only wise God” (Rom 16:27).

The description of God as Savior (sōtēr) is rare in the NT. It is found only eight times including this verse. Typically, the title Savior is reserved for Jesus Christ (fifteen times). But God is consistently identified in the NT as the initiator of the process of salvation made possible through Jesus Christ (e.g., Rom 5:8). Thus, it is not surprising God may also be identified as Savior.^{^[1]}

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away this morning with the understanding that Jude’s God is the same God you and I know today, Yahweh! He is the one who started the process of our salvation by sending His son Jesus to redeem us.

APPLICATION:

For man, it is hard to comprehend the aspect of being redeemed. I believe the reason it is difficult is because we are man and not God. Years ago I had a boss in the secular world that was as evil as evil can get. I was tried and tempted by this man just because he knew I was a Christian. I remember looking at him one day and asking him this simple question, “Do you know what the difference between you and God is?” He looked kind of dumbfounded when he responded, “No! What is the difference?” I said, “God doesn’t think He’s you!”

This might not have been the best way of handling the situation but the point is, this person is in each and every one of our lives today. They are those individuals who believe they are god or they can do a better job than our God is doing.

I am reminded of a song that is out on Christian radio today. The song is by the group Big Daddy Weave called “Redeemed!” (click on this link to watch the video) One of the verses in the song reads:

Seems like all I can see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me “son
stop fighting a fight that’s already been won”

Today, let us not forget the God we serve! He is the one who is able, who is willing, and who is the only one who can redeem! Satan wants us to believe what the song says,

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret

God wants us to believe and have faith in Him. The song continues on to say,

But when I hear You whisper, “Child lift up your head”
I remember oh God, You’re not done with me yet

You and I are redeemed by the one true God! Now let’s start living like!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (300–301). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Don’t be Fearful, Be Joyful! (Jude 24-25 Part 2)

THE STUDY:

Yesterday we looked at the first thing Jude list of what God is able to do: keep us from stumbling. Today we will be looking at the second thing which is God’s ability to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy. The presence of his glory refers to the day of judgment when all people will stand before God to give an account of their lives. Jude assures his readers that God is able to protect them from sin so they can stand before him blameless (amōmous). Amōmous was originally used to describe acceptable sacrifices (Heb 9:14). But it came to be used generally to describe moral purity. Peter uses this word to describe Jesus as the perfect sacrificial lamb (1 Pet 1:19). God’s ability to keep you from stumbling will be abundantly evident when believers stand before his throne blameless. As a result, the day of judgment will not be a time of fear or dread for believers. Because of “him who is able,” believers will celebrate that day with great joy.^{^[1]}

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away this morning with the understanding that Jesus was and is the prefect sacrificial lamb. It’s within this faith that believers can stand before God on the day of judgment with joy in their hearts and not fear.

APPLICATION:

Early on in my walk with Jesus I had come to an understanding that this whole Trinity of God looked something like a court room: God is the judge and Jesus is my defense lawyer. After spending many years in studying the scripture I have come to the conclusion, this analogy is wrong!

We will not be standing before God on judgment day! Our defense Lawyer will be the Holy Spirit and Christ will be the judge. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Cor. 5:10) We will be judged on what we have done since accepting Christ as our personal savior. Christ is the one who will present us to the Father. God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:16) If you think about it, this is how we want it to be.

Today, if Christ is Lord in your life don’t be fearful of the second coming, rejoice in it. But, if you have not accepted Christ as your personal savior then let fear be the motivation for you to turn your life over to the one who stands at the right hand of the Father for you: Christ! Don’t be fearful, be joyful!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (300). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

GOD IS ABLE! (Jude 24-25)

THE STUDY:

Jude's lengthy description and warning of the false teachers must have cast a dark and dreadful cloud over his readers. But his doxology lifts their attention to the triumphant One: To him who is able. The focus of the doxology is on God. Jude directs his readers’ attention to two things God is able to do. Today we will be looking at the first one.

The first thing God is able to do is keep you from stumbling. The theme of “keeping” is prominent throughout the letter. Jude expresses this in a positive and a negative way. Positively, Jude affirms that believers are “kept by Jesus Christ” (v 1). In response, believers must also “keep” themselves “in God’s love” (v 21). Negatively, Jude uses the same verb (tēreō) to underscore the certainty that God keeps sinners for judgment (vv 6, 13). In his doxology, Jude reiterates God’s positive keeping power with a new verb that affirms the power of God to keep (phylaxai: guard) believers from falling. This Greek word conveys the image of “standing guard,” kept in protective custody. Stumbling (aptaistous) refers to falling into sin (Jas 3:2).

The metaphor to keep you from stumbling is probably derived from the psalmist, who often describes the disasters that would befall believers if God did not prevent their feet from stumbling or slipping (Pss 38:16; 56:13; 66:9). God is powerful enough to protect Christians from falling into the sinful ways of the false teachers. God keeps them so that they may attain final salvation.^{^[1]}

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away with the understanding that “GOD IS ABLE!” He is able to protect the believers (keeping us from the snares of the demonic forces). He will also “STAND” guard. The scripture says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Duet. 31:6)

APPLICATION:

I remember when my children were born. This was a wonderful time as we sat in that delivery room replaying in our mind the miracle that had just taken place. I remember looking at my wife and saying, “Get some rest, Let the nurses take care of the baby for right now.” I would sit and hold them in my arms and when the nurses would walk in and I would hand the new-born over to them and sit back in the chair and go to sleep. We were able to do this because we had faith and trust in the staff at the hospital. I knew they were able to handle anything that may arise.

Excitement filled our hearts as we were leaving the hospital. But as my wife was being wheeled out to the car, all of the security (Faith and trust) left me. I started thinking, “no more nurses to take the child when we needed some rest.” Questions started flooding my mind: what if something bad was to happen? It was then I was reminded of Duet. 31:6! Be strong and courageous because my God will not leave me. Security and peace came rushing back and we knew everything was going to be fine because God is able!

Today, maybe you are in a situation where you feel weak or fearful. Let this devotional be an encouragement for you to be strong and courageous. No matter what you are going through, our God is able!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (300). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Ministry is Dirty! (Jude 22-23 Part 3)

And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

THE STUDY:

Last week we looked at the first two ways Jude revealed how we are to reach out to the non-believers: by showing mercy and snatching them from the fire. Today we will look at the third way which is Jude giving the command: to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garments stained by the flesh. The strong language suggests that Jude has the false teachers themselves in mind here. They are to have pity upon even the most abandoned heretic, but to exercise great care while getting alongside them lest they themselves become defiled. Although they should be shown mercy, their mercy must be mixed with fear (en phobōi). In the NT, fear (phobos) typically denotes that reverential awe with which believers should view the holy and majestic God.

The idea of “garments stained” refers to the garment worn next to the skin. Jude pictures the sinful teaching and practices of these people as underclothes fouled by feces. These words create a vivid and intentionally unpleasant image. Jude suggests that whatever comes in contact with these people is contaminated by their sins. Because of the awful threat of contamination, believers should show mercy on them, but they should be careful. Their mercy should be with fear lest they be tempted and drawn into the same awful contamination of the false teachers.^{^[1]}

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away with the understanding that in ministry we are going to get dirty. But in the midst of the dirt, mud, smoke and/or dust we are to be careful to not slip and fall to the sins of those we are trying to minister too.

APPLICATION:

As a youth pastor I was faced with the question, “How do we witness to our friends who are not believers?” This is a great questions and I believe it is answered in these last couple of devotionals. Show mercy, snatch them from the fire when necessary, and show reverence to God! I would always caution my teens with this thought in mind: As long as you are leading those friends toward Christ, continue the relationship but if you feel they are drawing you away from Christ then discontinue that friendship.

Today, there might be someone in your life that you are ministering too. If you are leading them toward a personal relationship with Jesus then keep on witnessing to them. But, if you are starting to feel more compelled to follow them in their unhealthy ways, stop, drop, and roll. Stop what you are doing, Drop to your knees and seek God’s strength and guidance. Once you have done this start rolling the opposite way; back toward Jesus! Ministry is a calling Christ has for all of His believers but it is also dirty.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (296). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Caring enough to Intervene! (Jude 22-23 Part 2)

And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

THE STUDY:

Yesterday we looked at the first way of reaching out to the non-believers: having mercy. Today we are looking at the next way Jude describes for believers to reach out. Judes dear friends must snatch others from the fire and save them. Some people need to be helped directly and vigorously. Fire is used frequently in the Bible as an image of everlasting punishment (e.g., Matt 5:22; Mark 9:43, 48). The appeal is probably influenced by Zech 3:2, where Joshua the high priest is described as “a burning stick snatched from the fire.” Wesley understands fire as imagery for “sin and temptation.” These lead people to the fire of final judgment.

Those snatched from the fire are probably believers who have fallen into sinful behavior under the influence of the false teachers. They have not already fallen into the fires of hell through their sinful behavior. But they are on the brink of it and can be snatched back before they fall into it.

Snatching is a vivid word. It means “to seize upon with force.” The word suggests that an aggressive and direct path of action is required for the salvation of some people. The faithful Christians of the community were to snatch and save others before it was too late.^{^[1]}

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away with the understanding that believers are not only to show Mercy but there will come a time when we need a more drastic approach such as with force (Snatching).

APPLICATION:

Have you ever watched the show “Intervention?” It’s a program about the realities facing addicts of many kinds. Each program follows one or two participants, each of whom has an addiction or other mentally and/or physically damaging problem and believes that they are being filmed for a documentary on their problem.

An intervention is an orchestrated attempt by one or many, people – usually family and friends – to get someone to seek professional help with an addiction or some kind of traumatic event or crisis, or other serious problem.

As I read this passage this morning I thought about this show! Jude tells us that we must love the non-believers by displaying mercy. But there will come a time when are love must go to the next level which is by force. This is not promoting physical harm to someone but loving them enough to physically do something (Taking away their phones, their computers, their car, and the list could go on). We need to love them enough to say “it matters to me whether you spend eternity with Christ or not!” Let us care enough to intervene!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (295–296). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

HAVE MERCY! (Jude 22-23)

And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

THE STUDY:

After securing their own salvation, believers must help those whose spiritual condition is uncertain. Jude commands his readers to reach out to three different groups of people.

First, they must have mercy to those who doubt (diakrinomenous: dispute). Jude uses the same Greek word to describe the archangel Michael who was “disputing” with the devil (v 9). The translation doubt is the more usual meaning. Within the context, Jude is more likely to have urged his readers to be merciful to those who doubt than to those who are disputing.

“Those who doubt” probably refers to believers who were influenced by the false teaching of the intruders. Just as Jude’s readers have set their hope on the mercy (eleos) of the Lord Jesus Christ (v 21), they are now urged to have mercy (eleate) to believers wavering in doubt.^{^[1]}

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away this morning with the understanding that salvation is not an end result but a beginning point. Accepting Jesus as our Lord and savior doesn’t mean we then sit back and coast to the finish line. We are to “BE CHRIST” to those who don’t believe or have doubt. We help those who don’t believe or are doubting through love and mercy.

APPLICATION:

Many of us have watched the old TV show, “Full House!” One of the characters on the show named “Uncle Jesse” had a phrase he would use when he felt he was about to receive a gift or blessing that he didn’t deserve. He would say, “Have Mercy.”

This morning I believe it would be appropriate for us to say the same thing! Go ahead, say it! “HAVE MERCY!” That felt weird right? WHY? Because mercy is kindness or forgiveness shown especially to somebody a person has power over. As sinners we feel we don’t deserve forgiveness but yet God sees us as someone who does.

Many of you reading this devotional today understand what mercy feels like. But, there are people in your circle of friends who don’t or they doubt it. Be that person today that extends Christ to them. “Have Mercy!”

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

^{^[1]} Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (295). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.