The Great Pork Slaughter

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scriptural Text:  Mark 5:1-20

Mark 5:12-13

¹² and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” ¹³ So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

(ESV)

Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare that typically takes place in high places, but this spiritual warfare can manifest itself in the physical realm (Ephesians 6:12).  The account of Jesus casting out demons from a possessed man in the country of Gerasenes is one such instance.  This account illustrates the power and authority of God over Satan but also illustrates how idolatry can blind people to understanding who Jesus is.

The account begins with Jesus and the Disciples arriving at the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  Immediately after stepping out of the boat, a man possessed with a demon approaches Jesus.  Please note that Jesus did not seek out the demon, but the demon sought him.  Mark 5:3-4 tells us that the people in the area had tried to bind the demon-possessed man many times, but with no success.  Mark 5:5 also tells us the demon tormented the possessed man.  When the demon-possessed man approached Jesus, he does not ask for relief from his demonic possession but instead cries out with a loud voice saying, “do not torment me.”  (Mark 5:6-8).  However, this is not the man speaking but the demon possessing the man who understands who Jesus is

The demon possessing the man identifies himself as Legion for it is a group of many demons.  Then the demon makes a strange request, asking Jesus not to cast him out of the country but instead into the swine.  After casting the demons into the swine, the great pork slaughter begins as the pigs run off the cliff and drown in the sea (Mark 5:9-13). 

After seeing this event, the herdsmen tending the swine went to the city telling their story.  The people, possibly including the owners of the swine, come out to see what had happened.  Seeing the demon-possessed man now in his right mind and their herd of swine destroyed, the people from the city ask Jesus to leave.  It would appear these people did not realize that Jesus had demonstrated power and authority over demonic powers they could not bind and instead have concern over the loss of their herd and the man’s healing (Mark 5:14-17).  The previously possessed man, however, realizes a miracle has just occurred in his life and wants to go with Jesus.  However, Jesus directs him to instead go to the Decapolis and share the testimony of what just occurred (Mark 5:18-20). 

This account teaches us that,

1)      We are to resist not confront demonic powers – The airwaves on some cable channels are full of shows about the paranormal.  While the existence of a spiritual dimension is biblical as demonstrated by this account in the Bible and Ephesians 6:12, the Bible instructs believers to resist and not confront the Devil (James 4:7).  In the interest of TV ratings, many of the individuals on these shows go to locations to confront demonic powers.  These are  demonic powers for none of what they encounter is the soul of a deceased person for upon death, we enter the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).  Many of the people on these programs are fighting a spiritual war without the spiritual weapons provided by God (Ephesians 6:10-20).  They are playing with fire and risk being spiritually burned. 

2)      Unlike the people from the city, the demons understood the authority and power of God present in Jesus – James 2:19 reminds us that demons believe in God and shudder.  This contrasts heavenly beings who worship God (Isaiah 6:1-3).  There are no atheists in the heavenly and demonic realm. 

3)      Idols in our lives can blind us to God’s power, authority, and grace – The people from the city have just heard the eyewitness account from the herdsman, seen the once demon possessed man restored, and the loss of two thousand swine.  However, even this does not create a desire to find out more about Jesus and instead, they ask Him to leave.  While scripture does not provide the reason they ask Jesus to leave. we can surmise it is possibly due to the loss of two thousand of their herd.  The fact is that sitting in front of them is the Son of God, God Himself who has just demonstrated his authority over demonic forces, the power to cast them out, and power to completely restore someone tormented by them.  Instead of wanting to find out more about Jesus, they reject Him. 

4)      We are to share with others what Jesus has done in our lives as God directs.  Unlike the people from the city, the formerly demon-possessed man wants to go with Jesus.  However, Jesus instructs him to share his experience with others in Decapolis.  It does not take some great theological degree or special calling from God to share the Gospel, just someone that has a personal relationship with God sharing what God has done in their lives. 

Perhaps you are reading this and do not have a personal relationship with God.  If so, I urge you to enter a personal relationship with God by praying 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, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Now, like the formerly demon-possessed man, share what has just occurred in your life by telling someone.  I also urge you to find a church teaching from the Bible so you can learn more about Jesus and develop a strong relationship with Him, the one with authority and power over demonic forces, even death. 

The Church: Qualifications of Overseers

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scriptural Text:  1 Timothy 3:1-7

1 Timothy 3:1

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

(ESV)

The Apostle Paul is preparing Timothy for the position of pastor at the troubled church in Ephesus.  To avoid further damage from false legalistic teaching, it is crucial for Timothy to lead the church with impeccable character so as not to feed the belief by false teachers that the teaching of grace was heresy.  For the church to remain an unstoppable force for Christ in the community, it must have leadership with impeccable character.  This was true in the time of the Apostle Paul, and remains true for the church today and why those accepting the call to high positions of ministry must pay close attention to the teaching of 1 Timothy 3:1-7. 

Overseers are who would be elders, pastors, and bishops in today’s church (1 Timothy 3:1).  While all believers in Christ have a calling to be ambassadors for Christ and participate in spreading the Gospel through what they say and how they live, the calling of overseer is a high calling.  The special calling of the overseer has special qualifications that ensure only people having this special calling fill these positions.  This special calling requires the overseer have.

1)      A respected attitude (1 Timothy 3:2) – This includes behavior that is above reproach.  The many scandals involving those in high positions of ministry illustrate what can occur when one in ministry behaves inappropriately.  While there is grace to save someone in ministry that sins, the sin causes loss of respect for ministry and is difficult to overcome.  Not only must one in a high position of ministry be able to teach, but they must also have soberness of mind or thinking, exercise self-control, act respectably, be hospitable to others, even those opposing their ministry (Matthew 5:43-45). 

2)      Respectable behavior (1 Timothy 3:3) – Similar to one in ministry having a disrespectable attitude, disrespectful behavior also brings harm to the ministry.  The world and congregation will not tolerate their pastor acting like a drunkard, violently, argumentatively, or flaunting their wealth.  All these behaviors indicate the minister lacks self-control, providing an inroad for the enemy to use to take down the ministry. 

3)      Management of household (1 Timothy 3:4-5) – How one manages their household is a snapshot of how one may manage an organization.  One in a high position in ministry will also find themselves in situations where they must offer marriage counseling.  If the minister is unable to manage their marriage, how would one have the confidence to come to them for marriage counseling. 

4)      An established relationship with God and not someone new to the faith (1 Timothy 3:6) – One would not think of placing someone fresh out of college into a high position of leadership in an organization.  Similarly, one does not achieve a high position of ministry as an overseer in the church until they demonstrate a solid commitment to Jesus as their savior.  This waiting period allows any issues with attitude, behavior, or family to surface prior to one’s ordination to ministry. 

5)      A good reputation in the community (1 Timothy 3:7) – The objective of an overseer should be to have the same reputation as Samuel when he issued his farewell address (1 Samuel 12:1-5).  Once again, there is grace to forgive those in high ministry that sin, including grace to cover sins occurring prior to one receiving Christ and a high calling to ministry.  This good reputation is, therefore, a good reputation since entering ministry with no hidden sins that could surface later bringing shame to the church that tarnish the message of the Gospel delivered by the church.  From this good reputation, outreach with the Gospel into the community is more effective. 

Just as with secular organizations, the tone of the leadership of an organization determine the ethics with which the organization will function.  This is even more important in ministry as one has a calling and responsibility to lead by the precepts of the Bible.  Failure of leadership to follow the precepts of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 not only brings embarrassment to the church and minister but could result in someone viewing the church as full of hypocrites, causing some to lose an opportunity to accept Jesus as Savior.  Leaders in ministry are to shepherd the flock not become an obstacle to advancing the Gospel message. 

Calm in the Storms of Life

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scriptural text:  Mark 4:35-41

Psalm 23:1-2

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

(ESV)

The secular world is a world of turmoil.  There is political turmoil that divides nations and people leading to loss of friendships, divisions in families, and in extreme cases, war.  Economic turmoil can lead to loss or destruction of wealth that people have spent a lifetime acquiring.  Religious turmoil has a history of war and murder especially for Christians in many parts of the world who continue to suffer persecution for their beliefs.  Everyone must also deal with the inner turmoil within their souls as they struggle to trust and find contentment in their relationship with God. 

While the turmoil of life resembles the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee, Our Good Shepherd, Jesus wants to lead us beside still or calm waters (Psalm 23:2).  In Mark 4:35-41, we see Jesus asleep during a dangerous storm with everyone else in panic even though the Good Shepherd was with them wanting to lead beside still waters.  The fact that the Disciples were afraid even though Jesus was with them prompts Jesus to ask them why they were afraid.  This probing question is one all believers should ask for in so probing our hearts, we will find idols other than God that we fear losing.  As believers in Jesus as Savior, Christians must remove the idols of,

1)      Politics – This is not a call for Christians to totally abandon any political involvement for not only are Christians commanded to pray for their leaders (1 Timothy 2:2), but work to place Godly people in office through the electoral process.  However, politics becomes an idol when it becomes the first place Christians turn to for solutions to turmoil in their lives.  While this is a political blog, its purpose is not to call people to political activism but instead a call to prayer for political leaders and greater dependence and intimacy with God in the lives of those reading it.  God’s people are to seek God first, leaving the calming of the storm to Him (Matthew 6:33) for the political powers behind political turmoil are spiritual requiring spiritual weapons (Ephesians 6:10-12). 

2)      Money – Money is not evil but necessary for one to function in the modern economy.  The problem is when people love money and it becomes the idol people turn to when they have an economic need in their lives (1 Timothy 6:10).  Seeking of the Kingdom of God that meets the needs of Christians occurs as Christians give to their church as God directs, the church takes these offerings and uses them to spread the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  In return, God brings peace to economic turmoil through the provision of the needs of the giver and the church (Philippians 4:19). 

3)      Religion – While it is common to equate Christianity with religion, it is much more for it is a restored personal relationship with God, made possible through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus.  Religions are earthly organizations promoting spirituality.  Christian religions and denominations are religious organizational structures through which spreading of the Gospel can occur through efficient use of resources.  However, simply becoming a member of a church organization does not bring spiritual peace in one’s life.  Spiritual calm comes as one acknowledges their sinful state and that they are under a death penalty due to the sin in their lives (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).  The calm comes when we acknowledge Jesus died for us in our sinful state and that we can receive total forgiveness and salvation (Romans 5:8; Romans 10:9-10). 

4)      Liberty – The Bible reminds that liberty is wherever the Spirit of the Lord is (2 Corinthians 3:17).  In countries like the United States where religious liberty and freedom of speech are a matter of law, it is easy to make the law an idol that protects liberty.  In fact, many have died defending and upholding the Constitution and laws of the country.  However, these documents and laws are fragile and not something Christians should depend on for liberty that calms the storms of life.  Instead, Christians must depend upon the Spirit of God within their hearts to bring needed calm due to the storms of life. 

Jesus promised that in this world we will experience trouble or storms in life, but also reminds us he has overcome these troubles (John 16:33).  The key to finding calm in the storm is not some earthly idol of creation but faith in the creator.  It was the creator in the person of Jesus Christ that calmed the storm on the sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41).  Turn to the creator and not some political, monetary, religious, or legal idol when the storms come. 

The Church: A Force of Orderliness Under God’s Authority

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scripture Text:  1 Timothy 2:8-15

1 Timothy 2:8-10

⁸ I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; ⁹ likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, ¹⁰ but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

(ESV)

Evidence of the orderliness of God is clear all around us.  So precise is the speed of rotation of the earth that measurement of days into 24-hour portions is possible.  From this orderliness, people can plan when to wake-up, work, and go to sleep.  The tilt of the earth on its axis separates the year into seasons which allow farmers to plan when to plant and harvest, providing food.  The earth is the precise distance from the earth so life can thrive there and not on any other planet in the solar system.  The earth also has the correct mixture of gases in its atmosphere to support life plus water necessary for life to thrive.  Please take a moment to watch this video which illustrates and praises the orderliness of God. 

In 1 Timothy 2:8-15, the Apostle Paul calls for the same orderliness in worship since we worship a God of orderliness.  The typical church worship service involves a time of worship, often using music, to focus attention away from the cares of life to God.  With the congregation’s focus on God, they are ready to receive teaching from the Word of God.  While the Bible provides no specifics as to the order of services in the time of Paul, the emphasis of this passage of Scripture is orderly worship focused on God and not people attending the service.  The passage encourages orderliness through,

1)      Prayer without anger or quarreling (1 Timothy 2:8) – In last Saturday’s post, we studied the church as a force of prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-7).  However, quarreling and anger serves to dim the lamp and stifle the growth of the seed of prayer.  1 Timothy 2:8 urges men to lift up holy hands in prayer without quarreling and anger for in so doing they ensure the light of God’s power and grace is in their prayers, providing nourishment to the seeds of faith in prayer. 

2)      Modesty with good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10) – Sadly, some church leaders have used this passage of Scripture as a call for women to only dress in a plain manner without any jewelry or makeup.  Instead, we must view this passage in context and with consideration of the audience addressed.  (1)  The Greek women in Ephesus could have been dressing elaborately to indicate their class superiority.  With the Gospel inclusive of all choosing to accept Jesus as savior, the flaunting of wealth by these women would have led to feelings by poorer women that they did not belong, depriving them of an opportunity to worship God and learn from God’s Word.  It is not a matter of what one wears when coming to worship God but a matter of attitude.  Worship of God must be about God and not bringing attention to one’s self through wearing elaborate clothing, regardless of whether one is a man or woman (Proverbs 16:18). 

3)      Learning and teaching under submission to God (1 Timothy 2:11-15) – It is not just flaunting of expensive clothing and jewelry that can divert attention from God to one’s self but also knowledge or one having a high level of education.  There is nothing wrong with education for certain professions like medical doctors who work with the health of individuals require a high level and ongoing education.  However, when one flaunts knowledge, diverting attention from God to them, it becomes an idol dimming the light and power of the Gospel message.  The message of the Gospel is simple, all have sinned (Romans 3:23), the penalty for that sin is death (Romans 6:23), but God has paid the death penalty for us through Christ if we choose to accept it (Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10).  Just as one wearing elaborate clothing to Church, flaunting of superior education could cause some to believe they do not belong.  Those having higher levels of education should use their knowledge under submission to God to point people to the Gospel and not to bring attention to themselves. 

Salvation through Christ is available to all regardless of social, economic, or academic status.  Jesus already did the work for our salvation on the cross, making it available to all simply by asking.  If you have not prayed to accept Jesus as your savior, I encourage 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, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

A word of caution, however.  While structure in how public worship of God occurs, there must also be room for the Holy Spirit to move.  I have been in services where the pastor stopped teaching and offered an invitation to receive Christ with many coming forward in a profession of faith in Christ.  I shudder to think of how some of those coming forward would have missed their opportunity to receive Christ had the church and pastor felt compelled to adhere to the structure of the message instead of getting out of the way for the Holy Spirit to move.  However, this is not an abandonment of orderliness but submission to God’s order in the service.  May God bless and order the lives of those reading this. 

1. Priscilla Papers: The Academic Journal of CBE International. Does 1 Timothy 2 Prohibit Women from Teaching, Leading, and Speaking in the Church? www.cbeinternational.org. [Online] CBE International . [Cited: May 16, 2019.] https://www.cbeinternational.org/resources/article/priscilla-papers/does-1-timothy-2-prohibit-women-teaching-leading-and-speaking.

Light and Seed: Guidance and Growth Through God’s Word

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scriptural Text:  Mark 4:21-34

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.

(ESV)

One of the blessings of living in the digital age is the ease of access to massive amounts of information.  While I still carry a Bible with me to Church, I can also have access to Scripture on my phone, tablet, and computer.  However, just as a Bible in book form is useless unless opened and read, the Bible in digital form is useless unless opened on the device.  In Mark 4:21-34 Jesus teaches through the use of parables to illustrate the power of the Word of God in providing light, as a seed, and as the light that causes the seed of the Bible in the life of Christians to grow.  These parables compare the Word of God in the heart of a believer to a,

1)      Lamp under a basket (Mark 4:21-25) – Psalm 119:105 reminds us that the Word of God is the light that illuminates the journey through life for a Christian.  The history of the world is a history of darkness and evil.  Just as one would not drive without their headlights, one should not go through life in a dark and evil world without some light illuminating the way.  However, we must let that light shine and not hide it through living like the world, or, assimilating into the darkness of the world.  Instead, we must let the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shine through us even though the world will reject it and us or even persecute us. 

2)      Growing seed (Mark 4:26-29) – The previous parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-9) spoke of planting seed but plants that come from seed need light to grow.  For Christians, the light is the light of the Word of God.  We must let that light shine inwardly through prayer, study, and meditation on the Word of God providing growth as the light of the Holy Spirit brings understanding.  However, when spreading the seeds of the Gospel in a dark and lost world, we not only must cast the seed on good soil but provide the seed with life-giving light.  This occurs as we let the light of the love of God shine through our lives and as we live lives in obedience to the Word of God. 

3)      Mustard seed faith (Mark 4:30-34) – This parable brings comfort to us as it illustrates it is not the amount of one's faith that matters.  Even an insignificant amount of faith has great power when backed with the power of the Holy Spirit and nourished by the light of the Word of God.  Every believer in Jesus as Savior has a measure of faith given by God.  It is what a believer does to nourish and grow this measure of faith that matters. 

To bring revival in the dark world in which we live, we must not only plant Gospel seed through sharing of the Gospel with others but let the light of God’s Word shine through us to bring nourishment to the seed.  We must bring revival first to our lives by allowing the Word of God to shine inwardly in our lives, bringing spiritual growth and closer intimacy with God into our lives.  We must also let the light of God’s Word shine from our lives to nourish and bring growth to the seed planted through sharing the Gospel. 

If you are reading this and have never accepted Jesus as your savior, I urge 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, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

A powerful mustard seed measure of faith now lives in your heart.  To make that seed more powerful I encourage finding a church teaching from the Bible so you can gain knowledge of God’s Word.  You should also study the Bible yourself and spend daily time with God in prayer.  I also encourage taking time to reflect or meditate on what you read or hear taught from the Bible as this helps in applying it to your life.  May God bless everyone reading this and may the light of the love of God shine through your life lived in obedience to God’s Word that shows God’s love. 

The Church: A Force of Prayer

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scripture Text:  1 Timothy 2:1-7

1 Timothy 2:1-2

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

(ESV)

For those having strong political opinions, the thought of praying for an ungodly president, king, or some other high government official seems to go against our opinions.  However, the promise of a peaceful and quiet life is appealing for that is where God wants to lead us (Psalm 23:1-2).  As a force for prayer, the church body must pray for both the Godly and ungodly for in doing so, the church will enjoy a quiet and peaceful relationship with God who sent His Son Jesus to die for the ungodly (Romans 5:8). 

James 5:13-20 illustrates that prayer is more than just some spiritual activity or ritual but something with great and miraculous power.  We pray for ungodly leaders not out of agreement with their ungodliness but prayer that the Holy Spirit will convict them of their ungodliness knowing that the Holy Spirit has the power to bring about transformation in their lives.  The life of Peter in the Bible provides an example of such a transformation that occurred between his denial of Christ and his powerful and bold sermon on the Day of Pentecost.  What happened in Peter’s life was an encounter with the risen Christ and empowerment by the Holy Spirit in the upper room.  Some things the Church as a powerful force for prayer should pray for are,

1)      Repentance of any personal sin in our lives – Revival begins with those in the church.  The world influenced by Satan the deceiver is quick to point out any hypocrisy in the life of a Christian.  Granted, Christians are human and will act up with God providing forgiveness (1 John 1:9).  The example Christians must demonstrate is one of being quick to repent of their sins to God and tell anyone harmed by their sin they are genuinely sorry.  Not just a surface apology when caught doing something wrong, but a heartfelt sorry with a desire not to do it again.  This is especially true between believers for we must work in unity to bring revival. 

2)      That we would treasure our relationship with God – The words we speak come from the treasure of our hearts (Luke 6:45).  Not only are the lost in the world looking at the actions of Christians but they also pay attention to the words Christians speak.  While this is a big responsibility, it is also an opportunity for one that treasures their relationship with God to speak words from that treasure that plant seeds of the Gospel in the hearts of the lost.  As we practice the spiritual disciplines of meditation on the Word of God and prayer, our hearts will begin to treasure a deeper relationship with God.  As we speak from this treasure, we will speak words that may appeal to someone seeking peace in their lives opening opportunities to share the Gospel with them. 

3)      For political leaders that lead from a heart that treasures God – A community led by a godly leader allows the church to function with a minimum of government interference.  However, political leaders are often ungodly but 1 Timothy 2:2 reminds us that we still must pray for these leaders.  Prayers for these ungodly leaders should be prayers asking God to send advisors that will show these leaders that the Church is not the enemy of the state but an ally.  Even ungodly leaders like King Cyrus can make godly decisions (2 Chronicles 36:22-23).  It is not a stretch of the imagination to believe the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus because of the prayers of the Israelites in exile. 

4)      That God would open doors of opportunity to share the Gospel – The mission of the Church is actually a simple mission, spread the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  However, executing this mission places the church in a spiritual war, requiring special weapons and a foundation of prayer (Ephesians 6:10-20).  This makes prayer more than just an exercise and item to check off the to-do-list but a continual process that keeps the church in continuous communication with God, receiving direction and guidance. 

An ungodly world needs Jesus with the role of the church as ambassadors given the mission of bringing the message of the Gospel to an ungodly world.  To do this, the church must become a force of prayer, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring the transformative message of the Gospel to a world in need.  Please join me in praying for our own revival by repenting of any sin, ridding our lives of actions and words that do not glorify God, praying for our leaders, and open doors of opportunity to share the Gospel.  The quiet and peaceful life the church can enjoy is the quiet and peace that comes from a life lived in service to God. 

Please join with me in praying for revival and living in obedience to God, going wherever he leads. 

Sowing Gospel Seeds

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scriptural text:  Mark 4:1-20

Mark 4:1-3

Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. ² And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ³ “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.

(ESV)

The concept of one sowing seed to eat is foreign to many in our modern culture because we can go to a store lined with shelves stocked with many choices of food to eat.  In the digital age, a better correlation would be the sharing of an idea by social media or the internet.  Therefore, when reading Mark 4:1-20, try to think of the sower as one spreading ideas or information over digital media and how those reading it may accept the message.

Ironically, the information in this post is going over the digital media of a blog so the teaching of Jesus in the parable of the sower applies to how the information in this blog is accepted by those reading it.  As I write, you read, and share the information in this blog keep in mind those reading it may,

1)      Quickly forget what they read – The removal of the seed from the ground by birds symbolizes the removal of the seed before it has an opportunity to grow.  When reading something over digital media, including the Bible, it is easy to just read it and quickly forget the words we read.  Missing is the idea of meditation or taking time to reflect and contemplate on the words and how they apply to our particular situation (Genesis 24:63; Psalm 63:6; Psalm 119:148; Psalm 1:2).  The practice of journaling helps in taking something read and reflecting on its meaning and application in life.  Do not allow the birds of the air to take away the meaning of words read but take time to plant them in the soil of our souls and spirit by meditating on their meaning and application

2)      Become distracted by life – Our lives are busy and the urgency of what we must do daily can make us hurry through our days, spending little or no time in meditation on the Word of God or time in prayer.  A hurried life is a life lived on rocky ground.  Even Jesus had a busy life but took time out of ministry to be with God the Father in prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16).  We must establish boundaries in our lives that allow us to detach from others hurrying us to do what they believe we should do and allow time in meditation and prayer with God to determine what we are meant to do.  (1)

3)      Give in to deception, temptation, or fear – Satan has one purpose, the kill, steal from, or destroy the child of God but Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10).  Satan’s main tactic is deception and getting us to believe God is holding out on us (Genesis 3:1-7).  Satan also brings temptation that can lead to sin (2 Samuel 11).  Satan can also bring fear of rejection leading to rejection of God (Matthew 26:69-75).  These tactics of Satan represent thorns that will choke out the seed of Gods Word if not taken out.  Through regular meditation on the truth of God’s Word, we become familiar with truth and discern deception.  This regular meditation gives us wisdom and knowledge to resist the temptation to sin.  Meditation on truth sets us free from fear for fear is not from God (John 8:32; 2 Timothy 1:7).  Therefore, we must pull out the thorns of Satan’s tactics.

4)      Meditate on the words read with the seed of the words read permeating one's soul and spirit – My prayer is that those reading this blog will take time to read the biblical links, links to videos, and references highlighted in the text.  These are there to make it easy to meditate further on the topic of the posting.  Using the farming illustration of Jesus, these links represent the fertilizer that nourishes the soil of our souls so the words can find application in our lives. 

The words of Scripture contained in the Bible are life-changing words.  Do not let the birds of the air take these words, let them fall on stony ground, or be taken over by the thorns of Satan’s destructive tactics.  Instead, allow the Word of God to fall on soil nourished by meditation on the Word of God.  The importance of the Word of God, and especially the red letters or words of Christ.  I encourage those reading this to click on the link to this music video and allow it to remind us of the importance of making time to meditate on God and His Word. 

1. Worthington, Alli. Breaking Busy: Jesus Needed Rest and So Do You. www.faithgateway.com. [Online] Faithgateway, October 19, 2018. [Cited: May 5, 2019.] https://www.faithgateway.com/breaking-busy-jesus-needed-rest/#.XM9S6o5KiUk.

The Church: A Force for God’s Grace

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scriptural Text:  1 Timothy 1:12-20

1 Timothy 1:15-16

¹⁵ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

(ESV)

Prior to his miraculous conversion and encounter with God on the road to Damascus, the Apostle Paul was a staunch declarer of his view of truth, the rejection of Jesus (Acts 8:1-3).  His view of biblical truth, however, was minus one thing, the power of the Spirit of God.  It was not until his salvation through his encounter with God on the road to Damascus that he experienced the power of God’s grace and understanding that the truth of Scripture pointed to Jesus the Messiah (Acts 9:1-19).  While the church is a force for truth, the force behind that truth must be the grace of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Prior to leaving to be with the Father, Jesus commanded His followers to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5,8).  This dynamic of ministry is not optional and sadly missing in many churches and ministries today.  In 1 Timothy 1:18, the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy that ministry is warfare with the soldier engaged in this spiritual war needing both truth and power through the grace of God and the Holy Spirit. 

The Bible illustrates the magnitude of this spiritual war in the account of Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and the riot that ensued (Acts 17:1-9).  The jealous Jews, of which the Apostle Paul used to be among, could only bring one charge against the believers they brought to the authorities, that they had turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).  Would the Church today be guilty of the same accusation?  Sadly, the answer is no with the church having the full revelation of truth through the Bible but lacking the power to declare its truth.  Instead, the theology driving the church today is either,

1)      Liberal believing in salvation for all through God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8) – While there is nothing one can do to receive salvation from God, the gift of salvation must be opened to be fully received (Romans 10:9-10).  Jesus’ death on the cross did not provide blanket salvation to all humanity but instead provides an opportunity for salvation offered to all humanity.  Like the Apostle Paul, each individual must have a personal encounter with God where they either accept Jesus as their savior or reject Him.  Paul chose to accept Jesus and after many days learning from the disciples in Damascus, began declaring the Gospel of God’s grace in power in the synagogues (Acts 9:19-22). 

2)      Legalistic and moralistic (Matthew 7:1-2) – While the Church possesses Biblical truth in its entirety through the Bible, it must guard against becoming prideful by becoming legalistic and moralistic.  When the church presents the Gospel in a legalistic and moralistic manner, the world seeks any sin in the life of the one presenting the Gospel.  Since all believers have sin in their lives (Romans 3:23), those digging deep enough into the life of a believer will find hypocrisy and a reason to reject the Gospel.  Those in the synagogue hearing Paul after his conversion were not impressed with his moralism or theology but the miraculous change in his life. 

Instead of a message of acceptance for all or prideful moralism and legalism, the church must return to a declaration of Biblical truth empowered by God’s grace and the Holy Spirit.  A culture of murder through the legalization of abortion, a culture of perversion through acceptance of gay marriage, and a culture of lies propagated through academia and fake media needs transformation.  The early church understood this and was guilty of turning its culture upside down (Acts 17:6) as it powerfully declared the Gospel of God’s grace empowered by the Holy Spirit.  The Church today needs the wildfire of the Holy Spirit to bring revival to a dying culture.  However, just as the Apostle Paul had to have an encounter with God to experience Salvation by grace, we too must accept God’s gift of grace.  If you feel the need to accept this gift right now, I encourage you to pray 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, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

My prayer is that the power of the Holy Spirit would make the Church a force of God’s grace through sharing God’s transformation in our lives.  I also pray that we would learn Biblical truth not to use it as a hammer to bash unbelievers with legalism or moralism but to present the truth of a loving Heavenly Father who sent Jesus to provide salvation for sinful humanity.  I also urge all believers to join me in praying for the wildfire of revival to turn our culture upside down for Jesus.  May God bless everyone reading this. 

The Community of Christ

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scriptural Text:  Mark 3:31-35

Mark 3:34-35

³⁴ And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵ For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

(ESV)

The depth to which our relationship with Jesus Christ grows is dependent upon our connection with God through His Word, prayer, and our connection with the community of Christ.  While Satan will place obstacles in the path of any believer when it comes to each of these, connection with other believers seems to present an obstacle for many, especially in the digital age.  While the digital age adds convenience like availability of the Bible on mobile devices, prayer groups on social media, and even live streaming or podcasts of church services, these conveniences can lead to less one-on-one connection.  Hebrews 10:25 reminds believers not to forsake meeting together as this is where believers find encouragement from each other.  This is especially true in times of increasing persecution and ungodliness as the time of Jesus’ return approaches. 

The lack of one-on-one connection in the Body of Christ causes loss of the sense of community within the Church.  It is this sense of community that Jesus is referring to in Mark 3:34-35.  Jesus also knew that the purpose of his mother and brothers seeking Him was not to hear his teaching but a belief that He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21).  Jesus is not purposely ignoring His family but understanding that they do not yet understand totally who He is or His purpose for coming.  This is similar to his parent’s lack of understanding of why he left them at noon to spend time with teachers (Luke 2:41-52).  While Jesus’ human family did not understand His purpose for coming, Jesus knew it was vital to make a connection with the people to demonstrate the power of God and to die for their sins, including the sins of His family who believed He had lost His mind. 

The importance of one-on-one connection with other believers is,

1)      To be ministered to – The reason the Church is referred to in scripture as the Body of Christ is that even though Jesus is real and risen from the dead, he is not on earth in human form (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).  Instead, he sits at the right hand of God the Father and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in flesh and blood people on earth (Acts 2:32-33).  These Spirit-filled people are the arms and legs of the Lord on earth given the commission of spreading the good news of the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28;19-20).  Just as fleshly bodies can become weary or sick, our spiritual bodies can also experience fatigue or illness.  While God is our healer, he often accomplishes healing through the Body of Christ.  However, to receive this healing we must connect with the community of Christ. 

2)      To minister to others – It is common to think of ministry as the vocation of one that preaches from the pulpit, but all parts of the Body of Christ have a calling to minister in some capacity.  The capacity to minister for each individual is based upon the gifts God provides (1 Corinthians 12).  However, these gifts go unused if one is not regularly engaged in the community of Christ.  Each person using their God-given gifts is a part of the body with each part contributing to making the Body of Christ function effectively in fulfilling its role of spreading the Gospel and making disciples. 

3)      Encouragement in an ungodly world (Hebrews 10:25) – As the time of the return of Christ approaches, the world seems to turn more ungodly and evil with greater hatred of Christians.  The digital age of instant news can instantly bring discouragement to Christians hearing reports of ungodliness and evil.  However, regular emersion in a Christian community of like-minded people brings needed encouragement to press on with the mission of the Church and our role in ministry. 

4)      Establishing eternal connections – All professing faith in Jesus as their Savior will inherit eternal life.  They will also all be living in heaven with Christ for eternity.  Therefore, the earthly connections we make with other Christians on earth will become eternal connections in eternity.  Why not make some of those connections now by becoming part of the community of Christ. 

Being part of a community of Christians is where like-minded believers gather to minister and receive ministry.  It is where we connect to find encouragement in an ungodly and evil world.  It is also where believers strengthen their connection with Christ and where we begin making eternal connections with others who will be with them for eternity in Heaven.  I encourage everyone reading this to become part of a community of believers in Christ and to find a place to contribute to its ministry and mission of spreading the Gospel.