Wisdom, Forgiveness, and Perseverance

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 39-40

 

Psalm 40:16

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”

(NKJV)

 

We live in a world full of violence, hatred, and evil. In such an environment, it is easy for fear to creep in, causing us to lose faith and trust in God. David experienced the full spectrum of evil during his life on earth, but in the psalms of this text, he asks for wisdom and forgiveness so he can persevere in the trials of life. We can learn much from these psalms and find what we need to persevere in our lives.

 

David wrote Psalm 39 for the chief musician, Jeduthun. It begins with David vowing to guard his ways, especially his tongue (Psalm 39:1). David remained mute and silent, holding his peace, even from good, but when his heart burned within him, he spoke (Psalm 39:2-3). David asks the Lord to reveal his end and the number of his days so he can know how frail he is, knowing that his life is but a handbreadth and a vapor (Psalm 39:4-5). Every man is like a shadow, busying themselves in vain, gathering up riches without knowing who will gather them (Psalm 39:6).

 

David then asks himself what he is waiting for because his hope is in the Lord (Psalm 39:7). David asks the Lord for deliverance from his transgressions, not wanting to be a reproach to the foolish (Psalm 39:8). David remained silent and mute until the Lord opened his mouth (Psalm 39:9). David asks for the Lord to remove the plague of sin from him with him consumed by the blow of the Lord’s hand (Psalm 39:10). When the Lord rebukes in correction of a man’s iniquity, his beauty melts away for surely a man is a vapor (Psalm 39:11). The psalm concludes with David asking the Lord to hear his prayer and to remove his gaze so he can regain strength before going away and being no more (Psalm 39:12-13).

 

David also wrote Psalm 40 for the chief musician. It begins with David waiting patiently for the Lord and having Him hear his cry (Psalm 40:1). The Lord has delivered David from a horrible pit of miry clay and set his feet upon a rock, putting a new song of praise to God in his mouth that many will see and fear, putting their trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:2-3). David knows that one is blessed who places his trust in the Lord, not respecting the proud nor turning to lies (Psalm 40:4). The works of the Lord are numerous with His thoughts toward us innumerable (Psalm 40:5).

 

It is not sacrifice or offering that the Lord desires or requires, but He delights in one delighting in doing the will of God with his law written on his heart (Psalm 40:6-8). David has not been silent in the great assembly, boldly declaring the Lord’s righteousness, which is not hidden in his heart but boldly declared by David’s lips (Psalm 40:9-10). Innumerable evils surround David, with him overtaken by his iniquities, causing his heart to fail (Psalm 40:11-12). David asks the Lord to quickly come to deliver him, asking that those seeking his destruction be driven backward, confounded, and brought to dishonor (Psalm 40:13-15). The psalm concludes with David asking for those seeking the Lord to rejoice and be glad, magnifying the Lord (Psalm 40:16). David is poor and needy, yet the Lord thinks of him and is his helper and deliverer, with David asking the Lord not to delay (Psalm 40:17).

 

David was a great king who faced many trials in his life. In Psalm 39, he asks for wisdom and forgiveness, while in Psalm 40, he asks for faith and perseverance in trials. Psalm 39 begins with David asking the Lord to guard his ways and his tongue. James 3:1-12 teaches that the tongue is untamable, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of nature (James 3:6). This is why David remained silent until the fire burned in his heart to speak out (Psalm 34:3). This burning in his heart was the Lord, with the Lord speaking through him when he opened his mouth (Psalm 34:9).

 

Psalm 40 begins with David waiting patiently for the Lord, with the Lord inclining His ear to listen to him (Psalm 40:1). David has a new song in his mouth, a song of praise unto the Lord that many will hear and put their trust in the Lord. David knows that the Lord does not desire burnt and sin offerings, but our praise and worship. David has the boldness to declare the righteousness of God in the great assembly (Psalm 40:9-10). David can have this boldness despite the innumerable evils surrounding him (Psalm 40:12). David demonstrated perseverance in the numerous great trials in his life.

 

Like David, the fallen world in which we live presents trials and tribulations, with even Jesus reminding us of this (John 16:33). While this is not encouraging, it is encouraging to know that God is with us through them all. The world is full of chaos and evil, with temptations everywhere. This can cause great fear, which is a weapon of Satan and not from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Satan used fear to cause King Saul to lose patience in waiting for Samuel, going ahead, and making the sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:1-15). Fear that God was withholding knowledge from them is what led to Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden (Genesis 3:1-5). Fear of rejection led to Peter’s denial of Jesus (John 18:15-18). To persevere in our faith, we must place our total trust in the Lord and not allow fear to keep us silent.

 

In boldness and without fear, I want to invite everyone reading this to experience forgiveness of sin and eternal life by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, rest assured that God has totally forgiven you and that you are a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12). Find a Church that teaches the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

The Church is Born

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 2:1-13

 

Acts 2:12

So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

(NKJV)

 

Like the announcement by an angel and heavenly choir to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus, the coming of the Holy Spirit is with great and miraculous fanfare. It comes with wind, fire, and the miracle of people speaking a language they do not know. The question that has caused division in the Church throughout its history is whether these signs, or at least the sign of speaking in tongues, must occur as an indication that one has received the Holy Spirit. The purpose of this post is to lend biblical clarity to this debate.

 

It is the day of Pentecost, one of the Jewish feasts requiring that all come to Jerusalem. As such, Jews from all over the known world have gathered in Jerusalem. The 120 disciples of Jesus are in the upper room when they hear the sound of a rushing mighty wind enter the room where they are praying (Acts 2:1-2). Then they see tongues of fire sitting on each of them (Acts 2:3). They are then filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in other tongues, or languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4).

 

This sound must have been loud because it got the attention of the multitude gathered for Pentecost, confusing them because they heard these people speaking in their own language (Acts 2:5-6). The crowd was also amazed because those speaking in tongues were not among the highly educated and elite of Jerusalem but people from Galilee (Acts 2:7-8). Adding to the miracle was that the people hearing the Galileans speak in their language were from many diverse places, hearing people praise God in their native tongue (Acts 2:9-11). Some among the crowd were amazed and perplexed, wondering what this sign meant, with others mocking the Galileans, saying they were drunk with some new wine (Acts 2:12-13).

 

The Church is the bride of Christ and functions in a fallen world. In this environment, it needs the power of the Holy Spirit to be effective (Acts 1:4, 8). This power source has come with a glorious entrance involving.

• A rushing wind (Acts 2:2) – Like any guest coming to the house, the Holy Spirit enters the room like a wind. Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be born of the water and Spirit to be part of the kingdom of God, with him comparing those born of the Spirit to the wind (John 3:5, 8). In nature, wind is unseen but powerful, causing damage or generating power through a wind turbine. It is the wind from a jet engine that produces the thrust to propel a large airliner into the air. The Holy Spirit has made His presence known to the 120 in the upper room.
• Tongues of fire (Acts 2:3) – The tongues of fire rest on everyone in the room, an indication that the Holy Spirit is for everyone in the room. John the Baptist told his followers that he was not the Messiah, for he baptized with water, but that the Messiah would baptize them with fire (Luke 3:16; Matthew 3:11). The tongues of fire resting on everyone is the fulfillment of this prophecy and indicates it is for them all.
• Speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4) – Speaking in tongues is a sign indicating the empowerment of the Spirit to share the Gospel. While those filled with the Spirit did not know all the languages of those gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost, they were able to praise God in all the languages spoken (Acts 2:7-8). The sign occurs two more times in the Book of Acts. First, as a sign to Peter that the Gentiles had been saved (Acts 10:44-46), and second as a sign that a group of people baptized in John’s baptism had received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-6).

 

Just as a cell phone with a low battery needs to be plugged into its charger, the Church becomes weak without plugging into the power of the Holy Spirit. However, some have turned the signs that occurred at Pentecost into a show to gather large crowds, especially the sign of speaking in tongues. Unfortunately, this has turned some off from believing in the power of the Holy Spirit in ministry, resulting in a weak Church. These are two extremes of worship, with the first group worshipping in spirit, not necessarily the Holy Spirit, without any regard for biblical truth for what they are doing. The other group does not want to go into non-biblical worship and ignores the need for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in ministry.

 

Jesus warned his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until receiving the empowerment of the Holy Spirit with the Church today also needing this empowerment. The Church functions in a fallen world with persecution, something the Church should expect (John 16:33). A weak Church without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit will go dead and give in to persecution unless it plugs into the power source of the Holy Spirit for charging. The Church needs to wordship in both Spirit and Truth (John 4:24). The sign one has the Holy Spirit in their life if their life has the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

If you are reading this and have never made a public profession of faith in Jesus as your savior, I urge you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.

 

Continue Telling It on the Mountain

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Luke 2:8-20

 

Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be ^[a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

(NKJV)

 

The Bible has many examples of Jesus using ordinary people, and even people viewed as outcasts, to accomplish his purpose. A young shepherd boy becomes King of Israel and part of the lineage of the Messiah. A Samaritan woman, people viewed as outcasts by the Jews, meets Jesus, and there is a revival in her town. At the Savior’s birth, God chose to announce the birth to a group of shepherds, people few wanted to associate with. God does not choose the strongest, most attractive, or the most popular to conduct His work, just those who are willing.

 

Just outside of Bethlehem are grassy fields known as the shepherds’ fields where shepherds allow their flocks to graze even today so it would not be unusual for a group of shepherds to be out there at night (Luke 2:8). However, on the night of Jesus’ birth, the unusual happened with an angel of the Lord appearing to shepherds causing them to fear (Luke 2:9). The angel quickly relieves their fears by announcing the birth of Jesus with them the first, besides Mary and Joseph, to know of the birth (Luke 2:10-11). The angel also gives the shepherds a detailed description of the baby so they can go there and find Him (Luke 2:12). Then the night turns even more unusual with a heavenly choir singing and praising God (Luke 2:13-14).

 

Knowing they had just experienced something divine and miraculous, the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see what had happened (Luke 2:15). They found that what the angel told them was true, and upon seeing Jesus do not hesitate to tell everyone about it (Luke 2:16-17). Everyone marveled at what they heard from the Shepherds with Mary still pondering it in her heart (Luke 2:18-19). The shepherds return from telling everyone and go back to tending their sheep glorifying and praising God (Luke 2:20).

 

The high priest and Jewish religious leaders at the time were only five miles away in Jerusalem, so the angel could have announced Jesus’ birth to them. However, as we would find out during the ministry of Jesus, these men would not have believed their Messiah would come in such a manner, seeking a sign (Matthew 12:38-42). Instead, God has an angel of the Lord make a grand entrance and announce the birth of the Messiah to shepherds who do not seek a sign but come to Jesus and believe (Luke 2:15-18). God can and will use anyone willing to go.

 

A new year begins tomorrow, and as with any new year, it brings both hope and uncertainty. Unfortunately, the problems of the old year do not end with the start of the new year but carry forward. The hope is that solutions for these problems may be found. For those of us having faith in Jesus Christ as our savior, with hope found in the truth of God’s Word, promising the return of Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth. However, until that time occurs, Jesus commanded His Church to do as the shepherds did and tell everyone about Him (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). There is a ripe harvest field of lost souls waiting for workers to go in (Matthew 9:37-38) and bring in the harvest by sharing Jesus as the shepherds did. The question is, will you be one of them?

 

Perhaps you are reading this and are one of those lost souls who are seeking answers in the coming year. The good news is that you can make this next year a year of change in your life by praying to profess your belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). If that is you, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church teaching from the Bible so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Preparation for the Birth of the Church

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 Text: Acts 1:1-26

 

Acts 1:8

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

(NKJV)

 

The Book of Acts is a historical account of what occurred over the first thirty years of Church history. While the early Church had its difficulties, it did gain a reputation for turning its world upside down (Acts 17:6). This historical account provides an example of how the Church today can bring transformation to a world in dire need of returning to Godliness.

 

The Book of Acts begins with Luke referring to his gospel, which was about the life and ministry of Jesus, ending with Jesus taken up to God after giving the apostles commandments (Acts 1:1-2). Jesus also appeared to the apostles after the resurrection, providing infallible proof He had risen from the grave (Acts 1:3). Jesus also gave the apostles specific instructions to wait in Jerusalem until they received the promised Holy Spirit, telling them that John baptized with water but that they would be baptized by the Holy Spirit in a few days (Acts 1:4-5). This prompted the apostles to ask if that would be the time when He would restore the kingdom to Israel, with Jesus reminding them that it was not for them to know that time, only God the Father (Acts 1:6-7). Jesus then tells them that when they receive the Holy Spirit, they will receive power to be witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

 

After this, Jesus was taken up in a cloud, and as they looked up into heaven, two men appeared by them and asked why they just stood there looking up because Jesus would return someday, just as he went up (Acts 1:9-11). Out of obedience to Jesus ' command to wait for the Holy Spirit, they went to the upper room where they were staying to wait (Acts 1:12-13). While waiting, they began to pray in one accord with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and His brothers (Acts 1:14). Peter then took a leadership role and stood up to speak to the group numbering 120 (Acts 1:15).

 

Peter lets them know that what happened to Judas was foretold in Psalms 41:9 (Acts 1:16). Judas was part of the ministry of Jesus, but out of guilt for what he did, purchased land upon which he killed himself (Acts 1:17-19). Peter also reminds them that the Psalms said the land where Judas killed himself would be desolate with no one living on it and that another would take his place (Acts 1:20; Psalm 69:25, 119:8). Those in the upper room then begin the process of selecting a replacement for Judas, deciding it must be someone that was with Jesus from his baptism until seeing Him after His resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). Two men are nominated, and after prayer, they cast lots and select Matthias (Acts 1:23-26).

 

The book of Acts begins with the ascension of Jesus, which is where the Gospel of Luke ends (Luke 24:50-53). The Gospel of Luke records Jesus’ time on earth, whereas the Book of Acts records the first 30 years of Church history. In Acts 1, a foundation is laid for the birth of the Church, the Bride of Christ, whom He redeemed from sin by offering Himself (Ephesians 5:25-27). This foundation consists of,

• Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit and command to be witnesses after receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 8) – Jesus knew the persecution that would come to the Church from both Jews and Gentiles would lead to the martyrdom of many Christians. Since Jesus knew he would be leaving to be with the Father, He did not want the disciples to venture out into ministry without the power of the Holy Spirit within them (John 14:15-18).
• Jesus’ ascension to heaven with the promise of His return (Acts 1:9-11) – Jesus did not ascend to the Father to do nothing until His return, but sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for His Church (Mark 16:19; Romans 8:34). As our intercessor, Jesus hears our prayers and gives them to the Father.
• Meeting for prayer (Acts 1:12-14) – After seeing Jesus ascend to heaven and receiving the promise that He will return, the disciples return to the upper room where they had been staying. The difference this time is that they are not there cowering in fear (John 20:19), but they are assembled in prayer, awaiting the promise of the Holy Spirit.
• Choosing a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:15-26) – Peter reminds those assembled in the upper room that there is some unfinished business regarding who will replace Judas. Two men were proposed, and they chose Mathias. There is no mention of Mathias after this, and since there is no mention of the disciples praying to select the nominees, we must wonder if God’s chosen replacement was Paul, chosen on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9).

 

Although not perfect, during the first 30 years of Church history, the Church gained a reputation of turning its world upside down, or right side up depending on one's perspective (Acts 17:6). The mission of the Church given by Jesus (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) has not changed but we must ask if the Church has maintained its world transforming reputation? While there have been times of revival in the Church, there have also been schisms or divisions that have weakened the Church's effectiveness. One major point of contention within the Church has been regarding the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, with some believing it is no longer needed because we have the complete Bible. This overlooks what Jesus told the Samaritan woman: true worshippers of God worship in Spirit and Truth.

 

Persecution in the Church remains, with some of it a soft and non-violent persecution and some a violent persecution. In either case, a believer needs both the truth of the Bible and the power of the Holy Spirit to be effective. The Church in the Book of Acts is an example of a Church armed with Truth and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 

If you are reading this and have never publicly professed your belief in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for salvation (Romans 10:9-10), I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church teaching from the Bible so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

A Not So Silent Night

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Luke 2:1-20

 

Luke 2:9-11

And ^[c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

(NKJV)

 

One of my favorite Christmas songs is Silent Night. The song began as a poem written by Joseph Mohr in 1816. The song was put to music and performed during a Christmas Eve service in 1818, with the author of the lyrics playing guitar in accompaniment. While the song speaks of a quiet, peaceful, and silent night with the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, the events that transpired on that night were hardly silent, especially for Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds.

 

Picture Mary and Joseph living in Nazareth, with Mary waiting for the time when her Baby would be born. This baby is no ordinary baby, however, for the father of this baby is God the Father (Luke 1:26-38). Then, there is a change of plans with Caesar Augustus ordering that all the world be registered, requiring each family to go to the city where they were born. For Mary and Joseph this meant going to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-5). Unfortunately, due to the large number of people arriving in Bethlehem for mandatory registration, Mary gives birth to her special baby not in the comfort of her own home, but in a barn, laying Him in a manger or cattle trough instead (Luke 2:6-7). This is hardly a silent night for Mary and Joseph.

 

However, there is going to be even more noise tonight involving shepherds peacefully watching the flocks (Luke 2:8). I picture these shepherds lying under the stars and trying to grab some sleep after an exhausting day herding their sheep when their silent night is interrupted by an angel and the glory of God (Luke 2:9). The angel announces that this is a special night with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Luke 2:10-11). The angel helped them identify the baby as the one lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling cloths (Luke 2:12). Then the night really gets noisy with a choir of the heavenly host praising God (Luke 2:13-14).

 

After witnessing these events, the shepherds go to Bethlehem to see what has happened and find Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in a manger just like the angel said (Luke 2:15-16). Filled with excitement, the shepherds cannot keep silent and tell everyone they can about what has happened (Luke 2:17-18). However, Mary kept quiet, pondering what had just happened in her heart (Luke 2:19). The shepherds returned to their flocks praising God because of what they had just heard and seen (Luke 2:20).

 

What started as a quiet night in Bethlehem, turned into a not-so-silent night for Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, but this was all according to God’s plan. Mary could not give birth to Jesus in Nazareth because the birthplace of the Messiah was prophesied to be in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Therefore, God devised a plan forcing Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. Messiah was born in humility, not in a palace as a future king, with his birth a royal announcement, but in a barn with his birth announced by angels using lowly shepherds as the messengers. This is hardly what one would expect with the birth of the Messiah, the King of Kings, and Savior of all humanity, but it is how God chose to do it. This humble beginning is perhaps part of why the religious leaders of the time could not believe Jesus is Messiah.

 

Even though we sing the song Silent Night during the Christmas season, Christmas today is hardly silent but a busy time as people prepare to travel and spend time with family, buying gifts, and decorating. Unfortunately, all the busyness can cause us to forget that the reason for the celebration is the birth of Mesiah, the Savior of humanity, who was promised in Genesis 3:15. The fact that God would come to fallen humanity in human form, starting as a baby and climaxing in his death, burial, and resurrection is mind-boggling. I invite everyone reading this to take time out of the busyness of the Christmas season to reflect on this truth.

 

If you are reading this and have never made a public profession of faith in the Lord who came to us as God, born in a manger on Christmas, and died for your sins, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I urge those who just prayed to tell someone, like the shepherds did, about their discovery of the savior. I also encourage you to begin the new year by finding a Church that teaches the Bible as the word of God so you can learn more about your savior. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post, and Merry Christmas!

The Ups and Downs of Serving Christ in a Fallen World

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 21:1-25

 

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

(NKJV)

 

To achieve the level of a doctor, I wrote a dissertation about the importance of mentoring the next generation. The focus was on individuals who felt a calling to ministry and currently serve in ministry, to discover how they were mentored through the process. Many of those interviewed mentioned the ups and downs of ministry, with one even saying it is not all unicorns and rainbows. In this text, we have Peter, who experienced the low of denying Jesus three times and returning to fishing, reinstated to ministry by the Lord.

 

Jesus is about to appear to a group of disciples for the third time (John 21:1). This group consists of Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples (John 21:2). Peter decides to go fishing with the others following, the profession they had before following Jesus, but they caught nothing (John 21:3). This is when Jesus appears to them, asking if they caught any fish, to which they answer no (John 21:4-5). Jesus then makes a strange request by telling them to cast the net on the other side of the boat (John 21:6). Since this group of disciples did not know the man on the shore was Jesus, it is possible they complied to show how foolish his command was. However, a miracle did occur when they brought in more fish than they could manage (John 21:6).

 

This is when John recognizes that the man on the shore is Jesus, with Peter putting on his outer garment and diving into the sea (John 21:7). The other disciples brought the boat and the fish to shore (John 21:8). As soon as they reached shore, they saw a fire of coals with fish already on it and Jesus asks them to bring the fish they just caught (John 21:9-10). It was Peter who dragged the net containing 153 large fish with the net miraculously not broken to Jesus (John 21:11). This is the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples, this time having breakfast with them, with none of them asking who Jesus was (John 21:12-14).

Jesus then asks Peter to come to Him and asks him if he Loves Him and Peter replies that the Lord knows he loves Him, with Jesus telling Peter to feed his lambs (John 21:15). Jesus asks Peter a second time if he loves Him and Peter again responds with the Lord knowing he loves Him, with the Lord this time telling Peter to tend His sheep (John 21:16). The Lord asks Peter a third time if he loves Him and this time Peter is grieved and responds with the Lord knowing all things and knowing that he loves Him with Jesus telling him to feed His sheep (John 21:17). Jesus then signifies how Peter will die bringing glory to God and commands Peter to follow Him (John 21:18-19).

 

Peter then points to John and asks what will become of Him with Jesus telling him not to be concerned with that by telling him it is His will if he should die or remain till He returns (John 21:20-22). This started the erroneous rumor that John would live until the return of Jesus, something we know to be false since John died on the island of Patmos (John 21:23). The book of John ends with John validating his testimony as true with many other miracles done by Jesus, but not enough books to write them all down (John 21:24-25).

 

Jesus has appeared to the disciples twice in a locked room (John 20:19-29) and now appears by the Sea of Galilee. This shows us that the initial fear of retaliation is subsiding, with the disciples not afraid to venture outside. It also indicates a desire on their part to return to what they did before following Jesus, especially for Peter who decides to go fishing, but the Lord had other plans for Peter.

 

The Lord had one more miracle for those who returned to fishing. He appeared to them a third time, this time cooking them breakfast on the shore. He cries out to the disciples and asks if they have caught any fish, and since they have not, Jesus tells them to do something strange, to try fishing from the other side of the boat. They do as this strange guy on the shore tells them, possibly trying to prove him wrong, only to bring in a haul of fish they can hardly manage. Jesus reinstates Peter and puts him in charge of tending to the flock, the Church, which will take the Gospel to the world.

 

Following Christ has its ups and downs. The hope of eternal life with the Lord as promised in John 3:16 is an up. Knowing that the Lord is returning as promised by the angels when He ascended (Acts 1:9-11) and in the book of Revelation (Revelation 19:11-16) is definitely an up. However, ministry can also have its downs, like the disciples felt after the crucifixion of the Lord, secluding themselves in a locked room out of fear (John 20:19). In ministry, and we all have a ministry, these down times may make one want to quit and return to what we did before entering ministry, like Peter going fishing (John 21:). However, the Lord will come into our lives at these times and focus us on ministry as He did with Peter.

 

Jesus told his disciples and us that in this world there would be trouble (John 16:33) with Paul telling the Galatians not to grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). Serving the Lord in a fallen world is difficult and even dangerous, but we must not allow that to stop us for what we do is not by our own strength but through the strength of the Holy Spirit within us (Zechariah 4:6). Please join me in learning to rely on the strength of God’s Spirit and to put on the full armor of God and pray continually (Ephesians 6:10-18).

 

If you are reading this and have never made a public profession of your belief in Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection to be saved (Romans 10:9-10), I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church teaching from the Bible so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Growth Through Chastening, Repentance, and Forgiveness

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 38:1-22

Psalm 38:21-22

Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me!
²² Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!

(NKJV)

 

Sin is missing the mark with God, and what separates us from a relationship with Him. Adam and Eve had an intimate relationship with God until they sinned, and God evicted from the paradise of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). The good news for us all is sins separation from God does not need to be permanent because we have a merciful and gracious God. David knew this, and it is to God he offered this prayer during a time of chastening in his life.

 

Psalm 38 begins with David asking the Lord not to chasten him in His hot displeasure or to let His arrows of discipline pierce him deeply or for his hand of chastening to press him down (Psalm 38:1-2). Because of the Lord’s anger there is no soundness in David’s flesh nor health in his bones because of his sin (Psalm 38:3). David admits his iniquities have gone over his head and are a burden too heavy for him to carry (Psalm 38:4). David admits that his foolishness has caused foul and festering wounds to his soul (Psalm 38:5).

 

David is troubled, bowed down, and in mourning all day long due to his iniquities (Psalm 38:6). This has led to his loins or thighs being full of inflammation with no soundness in his flesh, leaving David feeble and severely broken with his heart in great turmoil (Psalm 38:7-8). However, even in this state, David acknowledges his desire is before the Lord with his sighing not hidden from the Lord (Psalm 38:9). David is honest with the Lord, admitting his heart pants or is thirsty and his strength fails him, with the light of his eyes gone from him (Psalm 38:10). David’s plague does not go unnoticed with his friends, loved ones, and relatives avoiding him and those seeking his life laying snares for him and seeking his destruction (Psalm 38:11-12).

 

David is like a deaf mute who cannot hear or open his mouth to speak or complain (Psalm 38:13-14). Instead, David’s hope is in the Lord, and he knows the Lord will hear him because he has asked the Lord to hear him, so his enemies do not rejoice and exalt themselves against him (Psalm 38:15-16). David admits he is ready to fall with his sorrow continually before him (Psalm 38:17). David is repentant over his sin, openly declaring it and in anguish over it (Psalm 38:18).

 

However, David’s enemies are vigorous and strong with those hating him multiplying (Psalm 38:19). David’s adversaries are those rendering evil for good because David follows what is good, His Lord (Psalm 38:20). David concludes the psalm by asking the Lord not to forsake him or be far from him but to make haste in coming to help him because He is his Lord and salvation (Psalm 38:21-22).

 

David finds himself in a time of chastening for his sin and offers this prayer. David has a repentant heart, acknowledging his sin while seeking the Lord’s mercy without making excuses for what he has done (Psalm 38:1-8). However, this is only the first step of repentance because repentance is a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction of the sin one has committed. In David’s case, he also acknowledges that the Lord is his hope and that he desires to hear from the Lord (Psalm 38:15). When we acknowledge our sin and vow to turn from it, we need not fear because the Lord is right there to accept us like the father accepting the prodigal son (Luke 15:20-24). The Lord promised not to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

 

When facing times of chastening from the Lord, we may feel uncomfortable praying, but this prayer of David shows us a man with a repentant heart praying to God during a time of chastening. Satan, our enemy, may tell us that the sin we committed is too great and unforgivable. This is a lie from Satan because 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us.

 

However, in many churches today, there is little mention of sin, with the doctrine of cheap grace taught, teaching that God has forgiven our sins and that there is no need to repent. This is a deceptive theology and promotes one remaining in their life of sin instead of growing closer to the Lord. A biblical example of this is the Church in Corinth, with Paul telling them their sin prevented them from receiving the deeper truth about the Bible, relegating them to a diet of the basics (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Hebrews 5:12-13). Like a child who matures through discipline, a child of God matures through repentance when corrected and learning from the word of God, the Bible.

 

Perhaps you are reading this and believe God will not hear you because of the great sin in your life. This is a lie from Satan designed to prevent you from receiving salvation, which is not based on what you have done, or not done, but on the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you find yourself in this condition, I invite you to pause and pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, rest assured that God has totally forgiven you and that you are a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12). Find a Church teaching the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.