Comfort When the World is Seemingly Falling Apart.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text Psalm 76

 

John 16:33

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)

 

The words of Jesus in John 16:33 serve to remind us that we do not live in a utopian world free from problems but have the promise Jesus has overcome the world. While it would be nice if there were no problems after we come to Christ, that would be a false belief going against what the Word of God says. Instead of living in a utopian world after salvation free of problems, we must learn to persevere in tribulation with the hope of knowing Jesus has overcome the world. In Psalm 76, Asaph helps us focus on the might, majesty, and glory of God with Paul telling believers to comfort each other with the news Jesus is coming back for His Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

 

The Psalm begins with a declaration that God is known in Judah with His name great in Israel (Psalm 76:1). During the time of Asaph, the abode of the Lord was in Salem, or Jerusalem, with his dwelling place in the Temple on Mount Zion (Psalm 76:2). From this abode and dwelling place, the Lord broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war of Israel and Judah’s enemies (Psalm 76:3).

 

God is glorious and majestic, stripping the stouthearted of their spoil, sinking them into sleep with the men of war unable to lift their hands (Psalm 76:4-5). The rebuke of the Lord stuns both the horse and rider of the enemies of Israel and Judah (Psalm 76:6). The enemies of Israel and Judah that rouse the anger of the Lord should fear for no one can stand against Israel and Judah when God is with them (Psalm 76:7). God utters judgment from the heavens causing the earth to fear and stand still (Psalm 76:8). When God arises to establish judgment, he does so to save all the humble of the earth (Psalm 76:9).

 

The wrath of man will certainly praise Israel and Judah, with them wearing the remnant of wrath like a belt (Psalm 76:10). One must perform vows made to the Lord with all around them bringing gifts to Israel and Judah who are to be feared (Psalm 76:11). Israel and Judah are nations who cut off the spirit of princes and feared by the kings of the earth (Psalm 76:12).

 

Perhaps during a time of struggle in Israel, which would be during most of its history, Asaph writes this Psalm as a reminder of God’s might, majesty, and glory. God is mightier than any of the enemies attacking Israel and Judah and Israel’s enemies should fear when they rouse the anger of the Lord. One making vows to the Lord must perform them for it is God who cuts off the spirit of princes and is feared by the kings of the earth. In a time of tribulation, struggle, or attack, Asaph is reminding Israel to put their trust in their mighty, majestic, and glorious God.

 

In a world that is seemingly falling apart, God’s people must take time to reflect on the might, majesty, and Glory of God. While Psalm 76 does not provide any context of what was occurring in Israel at the time of its writing, its applicable to anyone enduring a struggle or trial in their lives. This Psalm of Asaph reminds us to look up when facing the struggles of life, knowing that Jesus promised there would be tribulation in life, reminding us that He had overcome the world (John 16:33). Philippians 4:13 reminds us that through Christ, and not the things of the world, we can do all things.

 

If you are reading this and attempting to function in a world seemingly falling apart at the seams without a relationship with Jesus Christ, I encourage you to enter into a relationship with Jesus 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.

 

I pray those reading this will find comfort in knowing Jesus is coming back to take His church home to be with Him for eternity (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post, providing comfort in tribulation. 

Servants, Stewards, or Superstars.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 4

 

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

(ESV)

 

The media does an excellent job of promoting superstars in movies, television, and sports. They highlight the lavish houses and cars they own, and their extravagant travel. This creats in many a desire to obtain superstar status. Preachers with a strong media presence can attain a superstar status with many following them placing them on a pedestal of worship. The Church in Corinth had placed Paul, Apollos, and Peter on such pedestals of worship, causing divisions in the Church (1 Corinthians 1:11-13, 3:1-4). In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul tells the Corinthians not to regard the apostles as superstars but instead as servants of Christ and stewards of the Gospel, removing them from any pedestal of worship.

 

The heart’s desire of Paul is that he be regarded as a servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God who is found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Paul considers it a small thing to be judged by the Corinthians or a human court, and does not even judge himself (1 Corinthians 4:3). Paul is unaware of anything against himself but it is not this that acquits him for it is the Lord who judges him (1 Corinthians 4:4). Paul then tells the Corinthians not to pronounce judgment before the time when the Lord will judge (1 Corinthians 4:5; Revelation 20:11-15).

 

Paul and Apollos apply the application of regarding ministry as servanthood and stewardship of the things of God for the benefit of the Corinthians. This is done so they are not puffed up with pride thinking they are special but also servants of God and stewards of the things of God (1 Corinthians 4:6). The Corinthians have not received anything different than anyone else who has confessed their faith in Jesus as their savior and therefore have no reason to boast as if they did not receive God’s grace but something special based on their efforts (1 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

By God’s grace, the Corinthians have already received all they should want and have already become rich and have become kings. However, Paul wishes they would reign as kings so he can share in their rule (1 Corinthians 4:8). Paul then flips the table on the Corinthians who have placed Paul, Apollos, and Cephas on a pedestal by stating he views the ministry of apostles as last of all. Paul views apostles as fools for Christ’s sake, as weak, as people held in disrepute (1 Corinthians 4:9-10). The apostles are in hunger, thirsty, poorly dressed, buffeted about, and homeless (1 Corinthians 4:11). The apostles work with their own hands, bless when reviled, endure when persecuted, and entreat when slandered. The apostles are like the scum of the earth, the refuse of all things (1 Corinthians 4:12-13).

 

Paul is not writing this to disgrace the Corinthians but instead to admonish them as beloved children (1 Corinthians 4:14). The Corinthians have countless guides in Christ but few fathers with Paul viewing himself as their father in Christ through the Gospel, urging the Corinthians to imitate him (1 Corinthians 4:15-16). Paul has sent Timothy to remind the Corinthians of Paul’s ways in Christ as he teaches wherever he goes (1 Corinthians 4:17). Some of the believers in Corinth are arrogant, thinking Paul is not coming to them, but Paul does intend to come soon, not to hear what they have to say but to discover the power behind them (1 Corinthians 4:18-19). This is because the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20). Paul concludes this section by asking the Corinthians if he should come to them with a rod of correction or in a spirit of love and gentleness (1 Corinthians 4:21).

 

The Church in Corinth was divided because the members were finding their identity in the person under whose ministry, they came to accept Jesus as their Savior (1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 3:1-23). The Corinthians assigned superstar status to various ministers in the Church, causing divisions between members saved under the different ministries of leaders in the Church. To bring unity to the Church, Paul teaches the Corinthians the ministry of Apostles in 1 Corinthians 4, a ministry as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, the Gospel (1 Corinthians 4:1). The religious leaders of the time of Christ were the scribes and Pharisees sitting on Moses’ seat (Matthew 23:2). The scribes and Pharisees had stewardship of the things of God and should have served as servants of God but instead wanted attention brought upon them (Matthew 23:4-6). The scribes and Pharisees wanted people to view them as superstars for God, but Paul, a Pharisee wanted nothing to do with this and wanted the Corinthians to view him as a servant and steward of the things of God.

 

Ministers of the Gospel today have the benefit of mass media and social media making it possible for ministers to have their teaching available to people all over the world. There is no longer a limit to this global access for large Churches, but it is available to any Church, large or small. While the ability to reach out with the Gospel to anyone in the world is a powerful tool, it is also a two-edged sword that can lead to ministers viewing themselves as superstars with a global outreach. Paul, a Pharisee who experienced a dramatic conversion (Acts 9:1-18) could have given in to the temptation to be viewed as a superstar but instead was satisfied to be viewed as a servant of Christ entrusted as a steward of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1).

 

The Mystery of God entrusted to Paul was the truth that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and a man without sin who died, was buried, and resurrected to forgive the sins of humanity. My prayer is that ministers of the Gospel would use the tools of media to broaden the spread of the Gospels, not to become superstars but instead to be more effective servants of Christ in spreading the Gospel. Using the tool of this blog, I want to reach out to anyone reading this post who has not prayed to receive Jesus as his or her savior. If that is you, please take a moment 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, 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. 

Which Judgment Will You Be Part of?

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 75

 

Psalm 75:1

At the set time that I appoint
    I will judge with equity.

(ESV)

 

Frivolous lawsuits brought before a court of law waste the court's time and can cost innocent people large sums of money, but they can also be humorous like the case of Chambers v. God in Nebraska. In the case, Chambers, a state senator, sued God for acts of terrorism against the state to protest the filing of frivolous lawsuits. The suit asked for God to cease and desist from causing floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, plagues, famines, droughts, wars, birth defects, and the like. (1) The court dismissed the case because God does not have an address, so the court was unable to issue God a summons. Chambers did have his day in court, alleging that since God is omnipresent, he is present in the courtroom, but the court still threw out the case because it could not issue God a summons. Psalm 75 reminds us that unlike human courts, God judges with equity.

 

The congregation singing this song begin with thanks to God, knowing He is near, recounting His wondrous deeds (Psalm 75:1). God then reminds us that at a set time appointed by God, God will judge with equity with this judgment occurring at a time when the earth totters along with its inhabitants with God keeping the pillars of the earth stable (Psalm 75:2-3). God then issues a warning to the boastful and wicked not to be boastful, lift themselves up, or speak with haughtiness (Psalm 75:4-5).

 

Lifting oneself up does not come from the east, west, or wilderness because it is God who executes judgment lifting one up and putting one down (Psalm 75:6-7). Asaph then refers to a cup of foaming wine in the hand of the Lord that the wicked drink completely (Psalm 75:8). This is perhaps a reference to the cup of wrath partaken in at the Passover dinner, something the wicked will have their fill of. Asaph concludes the Psalm with a declaration to forever sing the praises of the God of Jacob (Psalm 75:9). When judgment comes, the horns of the wicked will be cut off, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up (Psalm 75:10).

 

With the knowledge of a future judgment by God lifting up the righteous and putting down the wicked, one must determine how to be on the side of the righteous. Revelation 20:11-15 is a prophecy about a future judgment, the White Throne Judgment. This judgment is to determine if one’s name is found in the Book of Life with those not found in the book thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). However, the Great White Throne Judgment is not a judgment of sin because sin was already judged by God on the cross where Jesus took the penalty of sin upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8, 6:23). Therefore, the Great White throne judgment is for those whose names have been blotted out of the book of life for not accepting God’s judgment of sin through Christ, receiving forgiveness from sin and becoming the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-22). 

 

Since the Great White throne Judgment has not occurred yet, there is still time for one to escape it through acceptance of the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross, taking the death penalty for sin upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 6:23). Those choosing to accept God’s gift of salvation through Christ are those eagerly waiting for the appearance of Christ the second time not to deal with sin but to take His people home (Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). If you are reading this and have not prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation through Christ, 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, 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.

 

1. Falsani, Cathleen. You can sue God, but you can't win. huffpost.com. [Online] Huffpost, November 21, 2008. [Cited: July 22, 2023.] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/you-can-sue-god-but-you-c_b_136453.

Belonging to Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 3

 

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³ and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

(ESV)

 

We live in a divided world and with this divisiveness comes hatred. Divisiveness in our modern culture over race, sexual orientation, and political affiliations leads to name-calling, separation of friends, and even violence. A culture so divided is an immature culture full of hatred and violence.

 

There was immaturity in the Church in Corinth and for that reason, Paul could not address them as spiritual people but as people of the flesh because of divisions in the Church. These divisions revolved around some believing they should follow a flesh and blood leader instead of following Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). To eliminate these divisions, Paul asks the question of who Apollos or Paul are, answering the question that they are servants of Christ through whom they came to believe (1 Corinthians 3:5). Each of these individuals had a role to play in the conversion of the Corinthians with Paul planting, Apollos watering, and God giving growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). The one planting and watering mean nothing with the need to focus on God providing the growth (1 Corinthians 3:7). Divisions in the Church over whether one follows the one planting or the one watering are not to occur for the Church belongs to God (1 Corinthians 3:8-9).

 

The only foundation upon which the Church should build is a foundation built upon Christ as the Messiah the Son of the living God (1 Corinthians 3:10-11; Matthew 16:13-20). If anyone builds upon a foundation of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, what they build will be tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-13). The worker will receive a reward for whatever survives the testing by fire and suffer loss for what does not survive but he will survive (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). We are the temple of God full of the Holy Spirit with God destroying anyone trying to destroy His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

 

Paul cautions the Corinthians not to fall into deception, believing they are wise in their mind of flesh but to instead become fools so they may become wise in the things of God (1 Corinthians 3:18). The fleshly wisdom of the world is folly to God, with God catching them in their craftiness, with God knowing the futility of their thoughts (1 Corinthians 3:19-20). Paul concludes this passage by telling the Corinthians not to boast in men like himself, Apollos, or Cephas but in Christ to whom they belong (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).

 

The Corinthian Church was a divided Church with believers finding their identity in men instead of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:4). This identification with men who are servants of God limits the spiritual growth of the Corinthians because the men they identified with had flaws (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23). Jesus knew no sin and was without flaws and despite having no flaws, he loved sinful humanity so much, he chose to die for their sins as a substitute (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 6:23). Paul is challenging the Corinthians to grow by finding their identity in Christ and not a messenger of Christ. The trials of life test the foundation upon which one builds their faith, like testing by fire. If the foundation of one’s faith is of gold, silver, or precious stones, it will withstand and have refinement by the fires of life. However, if the foundation is of flesh, made of wood, hay, or straw, testing by the fires of life will consume it. Paul wants the Corinthians to build their faith on the solid foundation of gold, silver, and precious stones, or Jesus Christ.

 

The Apostle Paul did not have social media or mass media to assist him in the spread of the Gospel and had to physically travel from place to place to spread the message of the Gospel. Despite this lack of tools to instantly spread the message of the Gospel, Paul achieved celebrity status with some in Corinth finding their spiritual identity in Paul and not Christ. In our present age of mass media, social media, and blogs, a minister of the Gospel can quickly achieve celebrity status with people identifying with them instead of Christ. Ministers of the Gospel must guard against their congregations viewing their minister as a celebrity or idol to worship and encourage them to find their identity in Christ as children of God (1 John 3:1). As believers in Christ, we must guard our hearts not to place those ministering to us on a pedestal as an idol. Instead, we should test their teaching as Bereans (Acts 17:10-11) testing the validity of what they heard against the Word of God. If you are reading this and have not entered into a personal relationship with Christ so you can identify as a child of God, 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, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God bless everyone reading this post. 

Rejecting the Fear of Man with the Truth

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 74

 

John 8:31-32

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

(ESV)

 

Living in the information age means that information is plentiful and readily available. Unfortunately, much of this information is lacking a valuable ingredient, the ingredient of truth. This ingredient is important because it is the ingredient of information that sets one free. Like the Bereans who daily examined Scripture, believers must daily expose themselves to the truth of God’s word to discern false teaching (Acts 17:10-11).

 

Asaph is in anguish asking God why he has cast off Israel forever and why His anger appears to smoke against the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 74:1). Asaph asks God to remember His congregation purchased of old and redeemed as the tribe of God’s heritage (Psalm 74:2). Asaph asks God to direct His steps to the perpetual ruins for the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary (Psalm 74:3).

 

Asaph then provides details of the plight of Israel. The foes of Israel have roared into God’s meeting place and set up their own signs (Psalm 74:4). Like those that swing axes in a forest of trees, the enemy has broke down all the carved wood with hatchets and hammers (Psalm 74:5-6). The enemy has profaned the Temple where God dwells, vowing to subdue Israel by burning all the meeting places of God (Psalm 74:7-8).

 

Adding to the anguish of Asaph is the fact Israel sees no sign from God with no prophets knowing how long the enemy will prevail (Psalm 74:9-10). Asaph then asks why God holds back His hand and does not destroy the enemy (Psalm 74:11). Asaph then remembers how God is from of old and works salvation amid the earth (Psalm 74:12). God’s might has divided the sea, broke the heads of sea monsters, and crushed the heads of leviathan, giving them as food for the creatures of the wilderness (Psalm 74:13-14). God split open springs and brooks, dried up ever-flowing streams, owns the day and night, and establishes the heavenly lights and the sun (Psalm 74:15-16). God has established the boundaries of the earth and made summer and winter (Psalm 74:17).

 

Asaph reminds God of how the enemy scoffs and foolish people revile God’s name (Psalm 74:18). Asaph then pleads with God not to deliver Israel’s soul to the wild beasts and not to forget the life of the poor (Psalm 74:19). Asaph asks God to have regard for the covenant because the land is full of habitations of violence and not to let the downtrodden turn back in shame but to let the poor and needy praise the name of the Lord (Psalm 74:20-21). Asaph concludes with a plea for God to defend His cause, remembering how the foolish scoff at Him all day (Psalm 74:22). He also pleads for God not to forget the clamor of His foes and the uproar of those that rise against God continually (Psalm 74:23).

 

Asaph is in anguish at seeing the destruction of everything in the sanctuary and the foes of God setting it on fire (Psalm 74:3,7). In addition, there are no longer any signs from God or prophets to tell them how long God will allow His foes to scoff and refile His name. In his anguish, Asaph questions God regarding how long before He will destroy His enemies. However, instead of giving up on God, Asaph remembers how God has delivered His people in the past and how He created the stars and sun, fixed the boundaries of the earth, and made summer and winter. Empowered by this knowledge, Asaph asks God to remember His covenant with his people not to leave them but to be with them forever (Deuteronomy 4:31). Asaph’s anguish finds comfort in God’s promise not to leave His people defenseless.

 

Jesus warned His Disciples that in this world they would experience tribulation but promised He overcame the world (John 16:33). Even though Jesus warned His believers of tribulation, this does not lessen the anguish believers can feel when the world rejects them because of their faith. Faith for salvation comes to us by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17), but faith by hearing the word of God does not end with salvation but is the truth that sets one free (John 8:32). To be free from the snare of the fear of men (Proverbs 29:25) and the anguish of tribulation and persecution from man, one must regularly expose him or herself to the truth of God’s word that that sets us free.

 

The initial receiving of faith through hearing the word of God brings one to salvation for the truths of Scripture are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). If you are reading this and have not prayed to receive forgiveness from sin by accepting 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. 

Wisdom from the Spirit

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 2

 

2 Corinthians 2:10-11

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

(ESV)

 

In the process of going through old items in my home, my wife and I ran across an old set of encyclopedias. For my younger readers, these were books containing information, the Google of the time. While there was a time lag waiting for the latest editions of the encyclopedias, this lag time made it possible for editors to review the information for accuracy before publication, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information. Information on the internet is instantaneously available but lacks an editing process ensuring accuracy, leaving the review process to the reader of the information. The apostle Paul was more than qualified to teach from Scripture but did not want people to depend on his wisdom but the wisdom of the Spirit of God.

 

As a Pharisee, Paul could have made a lofty argument for Jesus as Messiah when he approached the Corinthians but instead decided to know nothing and proclaim Jesus Christ crucified to them (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). His reason for this was his desire to have the faith of the Corinthians rest not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:3-5). Among the mature, Paul imparts wisdom, but it is not the wisdom of men which will pass away but a hidden wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:6-7). This hidden wisdom is unknown by the rulers of Paul’s time because if they had known it, they would not have crucified Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:8-9).

 

Paul receives wisdom through revelation from the Spirit of God who knows everything, including the depths of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11). The power of what Paul proclaims is not from the spirit of the world, but from the Spirit of God, helping humanity understand the things freely given to humanity by God (1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul’s teaching is not from human wisdom but from the Spirit of God who interprets spiritual truths to those who are spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13; John 14:26).

 

The wisdom of the Spirit is not something understood by a natural person because it is foolishness to him or her, and he or she cannot understand it because it is spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). A spiritual person possessing the wisdom of the Spirit judges all things but judged by no one due to his or her lack of understanding of the wisdom of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:15). One must possess the mind of the Lord through the Spirit of God to understand the mind of the Lord. Therefore, Paul who has the Spirit of God within him has the mind of Christ and has the wisdom of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:16).

 

Paul as a Pharisee could have dazzled the Corinthians with his vast knowledge of the Scriptures but instead shared the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). The reason for this decision was the encounter Paul had with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). Paul knew Scripture but lacked an encounter with the risen Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul’s knowledge of Scripture, which did not recognize Jesus as Messiah, turned to wisdom from the Holy Spirit and knowledge of Jesus as Messiah.

 

A believer in Christ must study to show themselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15), and like the Bereans, conduct a daily examining the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). However, Jesus told the Samaritan woman that true worshippers of God worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:23). While we commonly think of worship as singing to God, study of the Word of God to discover more about God our Savior is also a form of worship. However, worship through the study of Scripture, acquiring knowledge without the counsel and power of the Spirit is empty and can lead to false theology like Paul not seeing Jesus in Scripture prior to his Damascus encounter.

 

Access to knowledge of Scripture has never been easier than it is in the information age in which we live, but sadly this knowledge lacks the power of the Spirit and has led to many deceptive theologies. The Laodicean Church of today has a vast knowledge of Scripture but is using this knowledge in a self-serving manner, focusing on their prosperity (Revelation 3:17) instead of the mission of the Church to take the message of the Gospel to the world (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Like the Apostle Paul, the Church needs an encounter with God through the Spirit to receive power to take the Gospel to a world in desperate need (Acts 1:8). Paul did not use his knowledge of Scripture for his self-interests and instead boldly shared the Gospel, suffering for it (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). Please join me in prayer that everyone reading this would experience an encounter with God through the Spirit, empowering them to share the Gospel. If you are reading this and have not taken the first step in having an encounter with God through accepting 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.