The Burden of the Lord

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 23:18-40

 

Jeremiah 23:33

“When one of this people, or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord?’ you shall say to them, ‘You are the burden,[a] and I will cast you off, declares the Lord.’

(ESV)

 

In Galatians 6:2, the Bible says we are to bear one another’s burdens for in doing so, we fulfill the law of Christ. However, the burden of the Lord is not a burden any of us wants to bear for it comes with the consequences of the Lord casting them off (Jeremiah 23:33). Those in ministry must ensure they do not become a burden of the Lord but messengers of the Word of God.

 

Jeremiah 23:18-40 begins with Jeremiah asking a rhetorical question of who has stood in the council of the Lord to see and hear His word (Jeremiah 23:18). This question is rhetorical because Jeremiah knows he is the one who has stood in the council of the Lord. The lying prophets of Jeremiah’s time did not stand in the council of the Lord and did not speak His words but spoke their own visions and dreams. God did not send these so-called prophets and that is why they will suffer the wrath of God (Jeremiah 23:20).

 

Instead of prophets proclaiming the Word of the Lord, these lying prophets are a burden to the Lord because they lead God’s people astray into the duplicitous worship of God and Baal (Jeremiah 23:26-27). However, instead of sharing this burden like we are to share our burdens (Galatians 6:2), God does not want to share this burden for it will lead his people astray. Therefore, God has no choice but to cast this burden aside and why these false prophets are going to suffer the wrath of God. Instead of Scripture touting these prophets as great prophets of God like Jeremiah, their legacy is one of everlasting reproach and perpetual shame (Jeremiah 23:39-40).

 

The office of a prophet in the time of Jeremiah was an office with a high calling and responsibility (Jeremiah 1:5-10; Amos 7:14, 15; Isaiah 6:1-10). Prophets choosing not to speak the words of the Lord as Jeremiah did and instead their own dreams and aspirations carried the burden of the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:22). This burden came with the consequence of God casting them from His presence. The burden of the Lord also brings everlasting reproach and shame (Jeremiah 23:38-40).

 

The consequences of a prophet not speaking the words of the Lord have application in the Church for those serving in ministry. The calling to ministry is one with a high calling from God and not something one does for personal profit or gain. The role of a pastor is to shepherd his congregation through equipping, encouraging, and empowering them with the word of God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit (Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Unfortunately, some churches have become social clubs or self-help centers with little challenge to live a Christ-like life, these Churches are a place that tickles the ears of the congregants and does not challenge them (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

 

For revival to occur, the Church must be like the Church in the book of Acts and turn its world upside down (Acts 17:6). For this to occur, those in ministry must study the Word of God to show themselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15) and make sure they do not become a burden of the Lord but instead a Gospel spreader and disciple-maker. May God challenge and bless those reading this post.

Shipwrecked but not Destroyed

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 27:39-44

 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

(ESV)

 

God has a plan for each of our lives and while world events may seem to shipwreck these plans, God is not surprised at world events. Since 2020, the world has experienced a global pandemic that has devastated economies and many lives. In the United States, it was a contentious election that remains under investigation. Now with the fall of Afghanistan, the threat of terrorism looms large in the minds of many, and with the wide-open southern border in the United States, and the possibility terrorists may already be in the country planning their next attack. However, those of us having faith in Jesus as our Savior need not have troubled hearts for God is in control, promising a bright future (Jeremiah 29:11; John 14:27).

 

The Apostle Paul is a great role model of someone having faith in Jesus as his Savior experiencing trouble and not wavering in his faith (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). Acts 27:39-44 is an account of one of Paul’s shipwrecks, designed by the enemy to keep him from speaking in Rome. Paul’s speaking in Rome is not part of his plan but part of God’s plan for his life (Acts 23:11), and why no shipwreck will keep him from his divine appointment in Rome.

 

In addition received a promise from the Lord that lives would be spared with only the loss of the ship (Acts 27:22). However, there is one more effort to kill Paul before getting to Rome by the soldiers who wanted to kill the prisoners before abandoning ship and heading for land (Acts 27:42). Thankfully, God uses the centurion to spare the life of Paul and the other prisoners on the ship with everyone arriving safely on land (Acts 27:43-44)  

 

In the upper room discourse, Jesus told his disciples they would have trouble in this world with the promise He overcame the world, something Jesus would do on the Cross, conquering death by His resurrection (John 16:33). The life of the Apostle Paul epitomizes a believer experiencing persecution for his faith yet not wavering from his mission of spreading the Gospel message. Even though Paul is now shipwrecked he is not destroyed and will make it to Rome (Acts 27:39-44).

 

World events such as Covid 19 represent shipwrecks for the Church but need not destroy it. Churches were able to function while exiled to shipwreck due to shutdowns with an online presence and able to begin resuming getting together as the threat of Covid19 reduced. There may be more shipwrecks for the Church and believers in Christ, but they need not destroy us for we have a blessed hope in Jesus Christ and eternity with him. May God bless and challenge everyone reading this post. 

Lies and Deceit

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 23:9-17

 

Jeremiah 23:16

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

(ESV)

 

The foundation of liberty is truth (John 8:32). Unfortunately, the truth can be hard to accept, especially when it points out one’s mistakes or lies one believes are truth. It is crucial to have a standard of truth to follow that alerts us when we are straying from truth and beginning to believe lies. However, for one to align with this standard of truth in their lives, they must study to know the truth and apply it to their lives. This is what the Jews in Berea did daily (Acts 17:10-15), providing a model we should follow as Christians to maintain our liberty in Christ

 

The text of Jeremiah 23:9-17 is the beginning of Jeremiah’s calling out of the lying prophets of Israel. His heart is broken at the lies spread by these prophets with Jeremiah calling them adulterers bringing down a curse on the land and the drying up of the pastures and wilderness (Jeremiah 23:9-10). Jeremiah continues his discourse by calling out the ungodliness of the prophets and priests with him finding evil even in the Temple, the house of the Lord (Jeremiah 23:11). This ungodliness is a slippery path that will lead to their fall and disaster (Jeremiah 23:12).

 

While the prophets of Israel have done an unsavory thing by prophesying by Baal, the prophets of Jerusalem have done a horrible thing by walking in lies. This prophesying by lies has strengthened the hands of evildoers so that no one turns from evil and instead continues in evil and sin like Sodom and Gomorrah (Jeremiah 23:13-14). The consequences for these lying prophets are illustrated as one eating bitter food and drinking poisoned water (Jeremiah 23:15). Jeremiah tells the people that the Lord says not to listen to the words of these lying prophets who promise vain hopes that are from their own minds and not from the Lord (Jeremiah 23:16-17).

 

The prophet Jeremiah is referred to as the weeping prophet. In this passage, Jeremiah shares a cause for his weeping so-called prophets of God who lie and lead the people astray. The office of a prophet has a high standard to only prophesy about God’s Word (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). While Scripture does not specifically tell us if the lying prophets provided a sign or wonder that led the people to the worship of Baal Jeremiah does specifically call out the prophets of Samaria for prophesying by Baal, leading the people of Israel astray (Jeremiah 23:13). It is also possible the people were led astray by prophets prophesying by Baal telling the people all will be well and that there will be no consequences from the duplicitous practice of worshiping false gods and God who commanded them not to worship any other gods (Exodus 20:1-3).

 

In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 the Apostle Paul warns Timothy of a coming time when the people will not seek sound teaching of truth from the Word of God. Instead, people will seek teaching that suits their own passions straying from the truth. Sadly, many churches do not preach about something Christians and non-Christians have in common, sin (Romans 3:23) due to not wanting to offend anyone and risk them leaving the Church or stop contributing to the Church. Instead, the preaching is to have people follow the passions of their hearts which are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).

 

The truth of the Gospel is that we all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that the penalty for that sin is death (Romans 6:23). This is the hard truth everyone must face, but there is good news in that Jesus died for our sins while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). To receive the gift of salvation from God, one must make a profession of belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have never made a profession of faith in Jesus as your Savior, 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.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Storms in life, Peace in Jesus.

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 27:13-38

 

Acts 27:22-25

Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, ²⁴ and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 

(ESV)

 

Since the outbreak of Covid in 2020, there have been plenty of stormy times not just in the United States but other parts of the world. These stormy times involved the shutting down of businesses and forced quarantine in some parts of the world causing the isolation of people from friends and families. However, for Christians, it presented an opportunity for deeper study of God’s Word and more time in prayer. For those using the downtime of quarantine for prayer and Bible study, the storms of life could lead to peace in Jesus.

 

The text of Acts 27:13-38 provides a pattern for one having peace in a storm.

1)      Despair (Acts 27:13-20) – The experienced sailors on Paul’s ship have most likely endured storms in the past and during this storm take the normal precaution of attempting to secure the ship's boat (Acts 27:13-16). This securing of the ship's boat also involved supports to undergird the ship, and fearing they would run aground, they lowered the gear (Acts 27:17). Due to the violence of the storm tossing endured by the sailors, they began to jettison the cargo and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard (Acts 27:18-19). However, with the darkening of the sun and stars for many days, all hope of being saved was lost (Acts 27:20). All this preparation with no results has left the sailors in despair.

2)      The message of Salvation (Acts 27:21-26) – In this state of despair, Paul speaks up reminding them of how he had warned them about setting sail (Acts 27:10), but Paul does not leave them in despair but offers hope. He tells the men there will be no loss of life among them but only the loss of the ship (Acts 27:22). Paul then shares about the angelic visitation he had, reminding him that he would appear before Caesar in Rome (Acts 23:11; 27:23-24). Paul’s angelic visitation also promised safety for the crew leading Paul to state his faith in God and that it will be exactly as God said but that the ship would run aground on some island (Acts 27:26).

3)      Resisting the temptation to abandon ship (Acts 27:27-32) – However, 14 days without sunlight or stars has caused the sailors to go back to fix-it mode, this time taking soundings of the depth of the water and dropping four anchors from the stern (Acts 27:27-29). The sailors began to look for ways to abandon the ship with Paul speaking to the centurion saying, “unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved (Acts 27:30-31).” Based upon Paul’s angelic visitation, the ship will be lost but at this point represents a safe haven for the sailors. Realizing this, the sailors cut the ship’s ropes and let it go (Acts 27:32).

4)      Peace in the storm (Acts 27:33-38) – Paul is at peace with God and what God has shown him through an angelic visitation and the promise that he would speak in Rome (Acts 23:11; 27:22-25). So at peace is Paul that he urges the men to eat since they have not eaten for 14 days and sets the example by eating himself (Acts 27:33-35). The sailors follow Paul’s example and eat until they are full and then lighten the ship’s load by throwing the wheat overboard (Acts 27:36-38).

 

The sailors in this text are in despair fearing for their lives and the lives of everyone on board and are doing what they believe is best to save everyone. In the middle of this storm, Paul has received an angelic visitation that reminds him he is destined to speak in Rome (Acts 23:11) which means he will not lose his life and that the lives of the crew will also be preserved (Acts 27:22-25). Paul has found safety from the storm in the promises of God’s Word and is so much at peace, the crew is encouraged.

 

Whatever storms in life we may encounter, we have a God able to save us. No weapon formed against the Children of God will succeed (Isaiah 54:17) with God working all things out for our good (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28). In these storms of life, those believing in Jesus as their Savior must resist the temptation to abandon God and revert to their own ways of fixing things and be at peace with God. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

 

A Bright Future

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 23:1-8

 

John 12:32

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

(ESV)

 

When in the middle of a struggle, it is difficult to see a bright future for our attention focuses on what is happening now and in a trial that appears gloomy. This is why we must learn to live by faith for even though things may appear gloomy, it is possible to have a bright future of eternal life and freedom from condemnation (John 3:16-17). In Jeremiah 23:1-8 God issues a woe to the shepherds or religious leaders who have led God’s people into exile but also a promise of a bright future to the remnant driven into exile that will return to the land. The text also includes a messianic promise that applies to everyone reading the text today. In Jeremiah 23:1-8 we see,

 

1)      A woe and a promise (Jeremiah 23:1-4) – The word woe is not often used in our language today in this context it could be viewed as a warning of consequences due to misbehavior. In this case, God has issued numerous warnings to the priests due to their duplicitous worship of God and pagan gods in violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:1-3). The consequences of this duplicitous worship are found in Deuteronomy 28:15-59, something these priests should have been fully aware of. Instead, they ignored the warnings that are now a woe of the consequences to come. God does have a remnant of people driven into exile and promised shepherds who will care for them (Jeremiah 23:3-4).

2)      A promise of the Messiah (Jeremiah 23:5-8) – The passage then provides a messianic promise of a coming king who will reign with justice and righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5). This promise aligns with the promise God gave to David that there would be one of his lineage sitting on his throne for eternity (1 Kings 9:4-5). Those reading this promise today have the benefit of hindsight knowing the righteous branch spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah is Jesus. While Jesus has already come and died for the sins of humanity, he is coming again to straighten out the mess the world currently finds itself in. This promise is the source of the bright future for Christians today (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

 

The shepherds leading Judah and Israel have divided loyalties, claiming to worship God while offering worship to pagan gods (Jeremiah 11:6-13). Their divided loyalties have caused the people to be scattered into exile with these leaders destined to die in exile, but God has reserved a remnant whose heirs will return to the land (Jeremiah 23:3). These returning Jews will be the ancestors of Mary from whom the Messiah will come. God never intended to completely destroy his people, just to purge them of leaders who were leading them astray.

 

Some churches today do not mention sin out of fear of alienating some in the congregation causing them to leave and take their contributions with them. However, this fear of alienation has the consequence of the congregation not coming to grips with the fact they are sinners (Romans 3:23), condemned to death (Romans 6:23). Woe to pastors no longer mentioning sin for you have lost your missional focus (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) for the Church mission is not in building larger numbers, greater contributions, and massive buildings but pointing people to the saving grace of God. The righteous branch of Judah that will sit on the throne of David is Jesus who said if we lift Him up, he will draw people to Him (John 12:32). Sin is part of lifting up Christ for it was why He had to die on the cross (Romans 5:8).

 

For those reading this post who have not made a profession of faith in Jesus as their 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.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Going Against the Wind

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 27:1-12

 

John 16:33

³³ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

(ESV)

 

Trouble is not something a sane person looks for in their life but according to John 16:33, something we should expect. The good news for those with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their savior is Jesus has overcome the world through his death burial and resurrection. A believer in Jesus Christ can have joy in trouble knowing it is temporary and a means of building character in one’s life (James 1:2-4). Unfortunately, for many encountering a challenge in life causes them to quit or run and as a result, businesses in the United States are having difficulty keeping employees because they quit when the work becomes difficult because they still receive money to live upon.

 

Paul’s ministry was full of challenges that could have caused him to quit and go back to being a Pharisee persecuting Christians. However, this was not an option for Paul for his focus was not on the problem but the overcomer, his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now as he begins his journey to Rome in fulfillment of the word he received from the Lord in Acts 23:11, he finds difficulty as he is sailing against the wind (Acts 27:4). The delay caused by having to sail against the wind has caused them to miss the fast placing those on the ship in danger (Acts 27:9). Paul has a divine perception of this danger but when he mentions it, the Centurion ignores him and pays more attention to the pilot and owner of the ship. The delay in their voyage also means they are in a port not suitable for winter and set out to reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete that is more suitable for winter.

 

Going against the wind is nothing new for Paul since his conversion on the road to Damascus. As we have seen in this study of the Book of Acts, Paul’s custom when reaching a new city was to visit the synagogue first and reason with the Jews in the city that Jesus was the Christ from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2). This led to a riot in Ephesus and the Jews falsely accusing Paul of stirring up riots as a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 19:21-41; 24:5). Now, on his journey to Rome, Paul faces contrary winds that cause delays in their journey in an attempt to get them to give up and head back to Caesarea, but Paul has had a visitation from the Lord, confirming he is going to speak to Caesar (Acts 23:11). However, the Lord has given Paul a perception that the journey will experience trouble (Acts 27:10).

 

As promised by the Lord, life will come with trouble, but Christians have an advantage for they have a personal relationship with the Lord who overcame death on the Cross and who sits at the right hand of God the Father (Romans 8:34). Covid 19 was trouble with a global impact that for churches meant they could not gather as mandated in Scripture (Hebrews 10:25). However, this did not shut down Churches for when things began to return to normal, Churches reopened because no weapon formed against the people of God will prosper or succeed (Isaiah 54:17).

 

The Church has a mission of sharing the Gospel and making disciples that goes against the wind of a dark world living in sin (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). These contrary winds will not go away and become stronger and why the Church must prepare through prayer, study, and meditation on the Word of God. For those reading this who have never prayed to make a profession of faith in Jesus as their Savior, I encourage you to do so 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, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Hot and not Lukewarm

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 22:11-30

 

Revelation 3:15-17

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 

(ESV)

 

The Church in the Book of Acts had a reputation of turning their world upside down (Acts 17:6) but it would appear the Church at Laodicea did not share in the missional success of the Church (Revelation 3:14-15). It is also possible the Church at Laodicea had an initial missional focus of sharing the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) but lost that missional focus as it became enamored with its success and not its relationship with Christ and sharing the news of his death, burial, and resurrection. There are many similarities between the Church at Laodicea and the sons of Josiah, providing a warning for the Church today.

 

Josiah had four sons Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Shallum (1 Chronicles 3:15). Josiah led many reforms in Israel, leading the nation back to God (2 Kings 23:1-20) but his sons did not follow in his footsteps, doing evil in the sight of the Lord. Jeremiah 22:11-30 records the Word of the Lord to two of these sons Jehoiakim and Shallum.

 

1)       Shallum – This is the fourth son of Josiah and the one sitting on the throne at the time Judah went into captivity in Babylon (1 Chronicles 3:15). The Word of the Lord in the text accuses Shallum of building his house by unrighteousness and injustice, making his neighbors serve for nothing by robbing them of their wages. His interest was not in serving God but instead, the acquisition of wealth believing that one was considered a king based upon the level of wealth they obtained (Jeremiah 22:14-15).  Instead, Shallum should have observed how his father ruled with Justice and righteousness and that God took care of him so all was well (Jeremiah 22:15). Josiah ruled with a heart concerned for the cause of the poor and needy while Shallum sought dishonest gain, shedding innocent blood, and practicing oppression and violence.

2)      Jehoiakim – The word of the Lord to Jehoiakim is harsh with the Lord telling Jeremiah not to lament for him and even saying his burial will be that of a donkey buried, dragged, and dumped beyond the gates of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 22:18-19). Jehoiakim’s reign was characterized by compromise and appeasement with him selling out to Nebuchadnezzar for three years (2 Kings 24:1). Jeremiah 22:21 speaks of Jehoiakim’s lack of listening to the voice of the Lord since his youth. Failure to inquire of the Lord when in trouble and instead a strategy of compromise with the enemies of Judah as the Lord sent Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites against him. His strategy of compromise backfired on him.

 

Josiah was a good king in Judah bringing reformation (2 Kings 23:1-20) but his children did not follow in his footsteps, leading to Judah’s decline (2 Chronicles 36:1-16).  Jeremiah 22:11-30 is a word from the Lord, letting the sons of Josiah know the consequences of their rejection of the Lord. Being the son of a righteous king is not enough to guarantee a right standing with God.

 

Throughout Church history, there have been great times of revival with the early church gaining a reputation of a movement that turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Because of these revivals, the Church has prospered with the existence of many mega Churches and large denominations due to many coming to know Jesus as their Savior. However, if the church loses its missional focus of sharing the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), it can become lukewarm as it becomes enamored with its success and prosperity (Revelation 3:14-17). To prevent this loss of missional focus, the Church at Laodicea was encouraged to buy from the Lord gold refined by fire or seeking purity from the Lord, white garments of the Lord's righteousness to cover their sin, and salve to anoint their eyes so they may see the truth in God’s Word (Revelation 3:18). God reproves those He loves and stands at the door ready to forgive (Revelation 3:19-20).  The question the Church must answer is will we open the door and accept the reproof of God, repenting of our sin and returning to the Church’s missional focus, or ignore His reproof. This is the challenge for the Church and Christians during these chaotic times and I pray we do not react in a lukewarm manner like the Church at Laodicea. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.