Audio Archive

Transcript

my dear brother and sisters i bring to you greetings from the brethren sisters in england

and their love to all of you here

and at times such as this we are all reminded of the worldwide nature of our faith

that we have one faith and we are constituted in one body in christ jesus

from many in varied circumstances and backgrounds

but able to gather together here through the one faith and the one hope and this surely my dear brethren sisters is indeed a great privilege for which we are all deeply thankful this week

this series of addresses on discipleship is concerned to explore the great issues and the great principles associated with our walk in christ issues that transcend the particular historical circumstances and situations which first called them forth principles which are timeless and eternal perpetual and abiding

ever-present realities continual truths

not confined to particular situations ages or circumstances but always relevant vital important interesting and most importantly challenging

and our aim this week my dear brethren sisters is to be both expositional and exhortational in this series of studies that each of us might benefit from this consideration of discipleship and those issues in which we are all involved what are their foundations and bases in scripture

no study of this nature is complete

unless it seeks to consider again the fundamental and basic scripture teaching associated with the true service of our god and his son the lord jesus christ

without the foundations we are lost

left to drift aimlessly and even subjectively through life

with no chart

no yardstick

by which we might evaluate it its experiences its opportunities and its challenges

but with the foundations we have objective and positive truth to help us and guide us to assist us and lead us

this then is the primary purpose of our exegesis and our exposition and there are two aides my dear brother and sisters which are of primary help to us

first of all the word

and secondly the word made flesh

firstly the word

this word is quick and powerful it is living and active it is perpetual and abiding it is efficacious and all sufficient

with it we have hope and confidence

with it we can have faith and trust in god

but without it we are doomed

and secondly the word made flesh

the word made flesh who is ever-present and all-powerful

an ever-present mediator at the father's right hand faithful and sympathetic to all our requests

we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin

and all powerful too

all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth go ye therefore and teach all nations

baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit

teaching them to observe all things whatsoever i have commanded you

this word my dear brethren sisters and the word made flesh

are our basis

this gracious revelation of the lord god in his word and in his son

is the foundation for all our consideration

revelation directs our reason

and reason directs and interprets our experiences

in the life of discipleship

and not the other way around

experience

does not direct our reasoning

and as we know only too well this is one of the common evangelical pitfalls in the world around us for us brethren sisters revelation directs and is the basis for our reason and intelligent faith

and this intelligent faith directs and interprets our experiences

during the light of these bases in the light of these great teachings we can derive much help and benefit by way of exhortation

we shall not be concerned to consider these principles in an abstract way still less as an end in themselves merely that we might know more or understand more but that we might be helped and encouraged to lives of greater and stronger commitment in our individual discipleship

this surely is one of the primary purposes of bible school

but a consideration of this word first of all should have a positive practical beneficial effect upon each one of us that we might be edified instructed motivated and encouraged so that henceforth we might live lives that are more pleasing to our heavenly father lives characterized by greater selflessness loyalty steadfastness devotion enthusiasm and zeal

i should make it clear brother and sisters that we do not intend to cover all the important principles of discipleship

this study does not claim to be exhaustive

exhausting it may well be and proved to be but exhaustive it is not in other words a selection has been made from a large number of possible topics and i have selected subjects which i hope you will find instructive and helpful interesting and challenging

you may feel for example that we do not spend sufficient time considering the great blessings associated with the life in christ the hope that is ours through christ jesus the confidence of present help in time of need

the blessings of friendship companionship and fellowship in the truth

the great contribution that the ecclesia can and does make to the life of every disciple and also vice versa the great contribution that the life of every disciple can and does make to the corporate life of the ecclesia

the blessing of sin forgiven and of hope renewed through the sacrifice of jesus christ

the power of prayer individually and communally

for all these things my dear brother and sisters we are indeed deeply thankful

and if perhaps we do not seem to give sufficient time to these it is not because we think that they are less important or even unimportant

very much the reverse

they are all as we know supremely important

but a selection has been made

and we hope that this selection will be helpful

but as we consider

the great teachings of scripture on the responsibilities and the challenges of discipleship we each of us might be encouraged towards a greater utilization of our opportunities a firmer commitment to our stewardship a more purposeful approach to our preaching a more thorough going attitude to our working in the ecclesia and a greater appreciation of the true and lasting issues of discipleship that discipleship

which seeks always to follow the master

even unto the end

well that brother and sisters was the introduction

from fish's net from fig tree shade

god gathers whom he will

touched by his grace

such men are made his purpose to fulfill

in today's class we are to consider the call of the disciples

the conditions of the call

and the carrying out of the call

first of all then can we go to the fifth chapter of the gospel of luke

and verse one

it came to pass that as the people pressed upon jesus to hear the word of god

he stood by the lake of ghaneseret

and saw two ships standing by the lake

but the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets

and he entered into one of the ships which was simon's and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land and he sat down and taught the people out of the ship

and when he had left speaking he said unto simon launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a drought

and simon answering said unto him master we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing nevertheless at thy word i will let down the net

when they had this done they enclosed a great multitude of fishes and their net break

and they beckoned unto their partners which were in the other ship they should come and help them and they came and filled both the ships

so that they began to sink

when simon peter saw it he fell down at jesus knees saying depart from me for i am a sinful man o lord

for he was astonished and all that are with him at the drought of the fishes which they had taken

and so was also james and john the sons of zebedee which were partners with simon

jesus said unto simon fear not

from henceforth

thou shalt catch

men

or as the parallel account in matthew 4

verse 19

follow me and i will make you fishers of men

peter andrew james

and john

it's very interesting my dear brother and sisters to notice

that these men who were called personally by the lord jesus were not renowned for their scholarship or their influence or their wealth

or their social background

but they were lowly men

they were fishermen

men whose working lives would be characterized by preparation patience perseverance skill

and courage

in this picture that is presented to us in the early verses of the fifth chapter of luke i think we have a microcosm of the purpose of god

let us consider these men who were called

called from their work upon the seas of catching fish to work upon the land work for the purpose of god to catch men for the gospel of his kingdom

the choice of fishermen surely gives us an insight into the characteristics and the qualities that are required by the lord jesus in all those whom he graciously calls

first of all

there is patience

a fisherman

has to have patience

in the work that he seeks to do

it is not accomplished in a moment in an instant of time

but it requires preparation

and patience

in order that that catch which is sought

might finally be brought to land

similarly for the true disciple

he too throughout his calling and discipleship must be prepared to wait

to wait patiently

for god to act

or to show the way

and then there has to be perseverance

in patience

prepared to go on waiting

prepared to go on watching

just as the fisherman in the task to which he sets his hand

there has to be courage

the fisherman is in a small boat

often in a large ocean

a fisherman needs courage

in order to enter that ship

to accomplish the task

so too for the true disciple

even the aggregation of disciples

even ourselves today know that we are in a very small minority in a very large and often hostile world

and we like the fishermen

need courage

in the task to which we set our hands

the fishermen needed an eye for the right moment

a judgment when the circumstances are exactly right for the catch to be made the maximum catch

that it might be brought safely back to land

so too for the true disciple

it's strange isn't it my dear brother and sisters we often use this quality in the business world

the eye for the right moment

sensitive to other people's needs

and conditions

perhaps there's more harm being done

in our tr in the truth and in our fellowship together

by failure

amongst ourselves to be sensitive to one another's needs and conditions to have an eye for the right moment

to have the word fitly spoken

and fitting the bait to the fish i included this one because i thought you might find it interesting and challenging

what is true for fisherman is perhaps true also for disciples of the lord jesus

we too have to seek to fit the bait to the fish or as the apostle paul proclaimed to be all things to all men if by any means

we might gain some

and surely my dear brother and sisters these were some of the characteristics and some of the qualities which the lord jesus saw

in these men who were to form as it were that closer nucleus of his larger group of twelve disciples

these lowly fishermen

these men who were to be used by the lord jesus to call men and women to his kingdom

disciples who would be willing to learn through instruction and first-hand experience

willing to learn from their master and the gracious words which came from his lips and from their experience

both with him and with one another it's a very interesting matter this two-fold association

the lord jesus with the disciple the disciple with the lord jesus and secondly the disciple with the disciple

the disciples with one another

we notice that there is no such thing as a solitary saint in the new testament scripture

it is always used in the plural

almost as if it was always envisaged that there would always be a company of disciples that there would always be an association

between the disciples between themselves

and then between themselves

and their lord

you cannot have the one

without the other i know that some of us live our lives of discipleship perhaps almost in isolation

but events such as this at bible school give us the confidence and the reassurance that nonetheless we are still part an integral part of this larger body the body of christ

we cannot have the one without the other we cannot have the individual discipleship we cannot have the solitary saint

without that association first of all with the lord jesus christ

people try from time to time to accomplish this

but they will always fail

secondly the conditions of the call

firstly

self-denial

matthew chapter 16

and verse 24.

the crossroads in the ministry of the lord jesus the place is caesarea philippi

and from this time forward from this place onward he sets his face to go to towards jerusalem verse 21

from that time forth began jesus to show unto his disciples how that he must go into jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised again the third day

and so that destination point of the lord jesus christ and the revelation of that culmination and consummation of his ministry is given in that very forceful way to his disciples

there was of course that misunderstanding jesus explains what is involved in all those who would seek to follow him verse 24

then said jesus unto his disciples if any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me

for whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it

and so the life

to which the call is directed

is a life characterized by service of the lord and of self so the aim is basically positive self is denied and has to be denied in order that the lord might be served first of all

and each disciple

has to take up his cross

and why is this

well consider first the lord jesus himself

we know that jerusalem was in view for him

and who was really prepared to follow him

on these terms

how could the true disciple

try and persuade his lord

that it would be better to aim for a different destination

to be a faithful disciple demanded an open and a full realization of what was going to happen and a commitment in the individual life of an appreciation of those things

the sons of zebedee came to jesus

and the mother of zebedee's children

they wanted to be on the side of jesus

but their intention my dear brother and sisters preceded their commitment

it had to be the other way around there had to be the commitment first there had to be the understanding and the comprehension of the suffering and all its implications

then there could be the looking forward to the prospect of what was yet to be

the cross had to come before the crown

both for the lord jesus

and also for all his disciples

or it was like the man who had to sit down first and make preparations and make plans

to build a tower

if he was going to be successful if he was going to accomplish the work to which he set his hand

otherwise it was going to be embarrassing wasn't it if the tower was left off half finished

and so to faithfully follow the lord required giving his cause first priority chapter 10

and verse 37

matthew 10 verse 37 he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me is not worthy of me he that findeth his life shall lose it and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it and the great paradox is my dear brother and sisters of the life of discipleship

that every attempt to consolidate our life our existence in this present world by whatever means

or whatever root

is finally and ultimately self-defeating

it is only with the denial of self that the true self can finally and ultimately be realized through christ jesus

and so for each of us

both at the start of our discipleship

and continue continually throughout its progress there will come the times and we'll have to put aside our own will

consciously and deliberately that we might take upon ourselves

his will

go to gethsemane

and to calvary with him

for he is the pattern

for every disciple

the second condition

of the call

is that of renunciation

mark chapter 10

and verse

28.

mark 10 28

then peter began to say unto jesus lo we have left all and have followed thee

jesus answered and said verily i say unto you there is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospels but he shall receive 100 fold now in this time houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life

many that are fur shall be last and the last first disciples in those days had left all in order that they might follow the lord jesus were there to be compensations indeed there were

not only the blessing of a life

as a companion of the lord but the added blessings in their daily lives and the ultimate blessing of being granted eternal life

and so the friendship of the lord jesus

our association with him is surely greater

than all other friendships

his is the preeminence

our friendship and our love for him

and his friendship and his love towards us

it is of a reciprocal nature my dear brethren sisters and we are each called upon to enter into it

matthew 19

and verse 27 reminds us of the future aspect of this renunciation

matthew 19 verse 27

then answered peter and said unto him behold we have forsaken all and followed thee what shall we have therefore jesus said unto them verily i say unto you that ye which have followed me in the regeneration when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of israel

and so to be a disciple then

was indeed to be in a very privileged position it was to have this gracious hope this prospect in view for the future

but what of ourselves my dear brethren sisters this is the crux isn't it this is the central issue of our series this week how much of this for example is relevant to ourselves as disciples today the circumstances have changed the environment is different the lord jesus has ascended to his father's right hand

you recall his words

if any man

will come after me

let him deny himself

and take up his cross

and follow me

for whosoever

shall save his life shall lose it and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it any man

whosoever

words that come down across the ages

words that contain an eternal principle a perpetual truth

not confined to the initial set of circumstances and environment which first call them forth but transcend and go beyond and come down and challenge each one of us here today

another example luke 17

and verse 28

the calling of lot out of the destruction that was shortly to overtake the cities of sodom and gomorrah

luke 17 verse 28

likewise also as it was in the days of lot they did eat they drank they bought they sold they planted they built it but the same day that lot went out of sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed

it's a clarion call from history it's a warning of a future time when the lord jesus christ is going to be revealed

and there was a warning particularly associated with the wife of lot

in verse 31 i think there is an indication as to the true state of her heart she didn't just look back in the sense of a fleeting glance

it revealed that her heart was in sodom the very things from which god was seeking to save her and because her heart was there

she was destroyed as if she had been there

and that pillar of salt became a monument to all those like ourselves who follow after

who seek to escape from the judgments that are coming upon the world who seek to commit ourselves into the cause of the lord god and his son the lord jesus christ that we might escape

the judgments that are to be poured out on the earth and so remember lots why

verse 33

whosoever

shall seek to save his like life shall lose it and whosoever shall lose his life

shall preserve it

a lesson from history but a lesson that contained a perpetual principle whosoever

whatever circumstances

or whatever age

thirdly

steadfastness

the parable of the sower implies that there would be a varied response to the word of the lord that there are indeed different kinds of ground

but the lord jesus proclaimed if ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free

we know that many disciples start well

but love and commitment often wane

no steadfastness of purpose

but true discipleship always steadfastly puts christ first for all of us my dear brother and sisters there has been that initial promise but what of today

is there still today that same loyalty that same enthusiasm that same commitment that same steadfastness of purpose

as we had on the day of our baptism

or has the loyalty being compromised has the enthusiasm faded has the commitment diminished

what a tragedy it is when previously loyal and full-hearted disciples begin to falter and fail

but all of us without exception

are dependent upon his forgiving mercy

through the lord jesus christ

and we are able to return with new resolution and with a fullness of heart

but what if we begin to walk distantly

holding on by the tips of our fingers

only just

able to continue

in the way of life

well if perhaps there are any here this day

who feel that they are in that position

may i bring you to the sixth chapter of john's gospel

john chapter 6

and verse 65 there had of course been

many hard sayings that day the bread which came down from heaven

they were invited to lift their minds from the temporal the physical and the material to consider the eternal things centered in jesus christ

jesus said verse 65

therefore said i unto you that no man can come unto me except it were given him of my father

from that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more

with him

what a tragedy it was

so close to the son of man

the savior of the world

they'd heard his gracious words

they'd seen the miracles that had been performed

and yet they turned away

verse 67 then said jesus entered unto the twelve

will ye also

go away

and simon peter answered him lord to whom shall we go

thou hast the words

of eternal life

will ye also

go away

today brethren sisters

it could be for you or for me

the experience or the witness

of apparently meaningless and arbitrary suffering

or nagging intellectual doubts that could cause otherwise loyal disciples to ask themselves the fateful question

why stay disciples

it could be a feeling of disillusionment with our lot a feeling of futility as we contemplate the feeble influence of the message of salvation

of a world wracked with violence and hopelessness

why stay disciples

if in a moment of despair

or of suffering or of tribulation or of anguish this is our question

then let us realize that in reality we have given up all hope

that there is any meaning to life

or any belief that it is within our power to help to lift the burdens from others

and there was one disciple who heard that question of the lord jesus

and ultimately made up his mind

to go

and when the time came

at that first last supper in jerusalem

judas received from the lord a piece of bread dipped in wine

then says the apostle john

he immediately went out

and it was night

yes my dear brother and sisters it was night for judas

it was the end

not of ourselves

is there anyone who you would exchange

for the lord jesus

as the lord and master

as the pattern for your discipleship

surely we all make the discovery that once we have known him through this word

there is no one for whom we would desert him

you may hear you may hear of those who have left the path of discipleship for this reason or for that

but i've never heard of anyone who was left because they have found someone better

than the lord jesus christ

we stay disciples

and we stay forward-looking disciples

because we see no rival lord

this is the great hope brethren sisters and this is the confidence that we have

through him

and fourthly

fruitfulness

that great picture presented by the lord jesus in the figure of the vine

obviously there's too much material here to go into any detail just one verse john chapter 15 and verse eight herein is my father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my disciples and so fruit-bearing fruitfulness was closely and integrally associated with the path of discipleship

but once again these words were clearly addressed to his immediate disciples we can ask ourselves the question how much of this is true for ourselves today

well we know that john chapter 15 is part of a fairly long section in john's gospel and in john 17 and verse 20 we have these words in the prayer of jesus neither pray i for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word

so we today are associated with that great prayer of the lord jesus we too are called upon to enter into the principles of these things

blessed are they that have not seen

and yet have believed

and so from the local to the universal is a very interesting theme and perhaps is a very interesting study in its own right and it continually reappears in the new testament scriptures

let's just look at one or two examples

this is a very small selection of the ones that are available but i think these will demonstrate the point

matthew chapter 5

and verse 1.

the great teaching of the sermon on the mount

clearly we might think addressed to the immediate disciples of the lord jesus matthew 5 verse 1 seeing the multitude jesus went up into a mountain and when he was set his disciples came unto him so we have a picture of the lord jesus upon the mountain and immediately around him there are those disciples who are listening attentively to the words to the principles that he has solely for them

so perhaps he was never envisaged that these principles will be put into practice by the world it essentially is the manifesto of the king the coming king for his loyal disciples

but chapter 7

and verse

28 indicates that there is a wider audience

it came to pass when jesus had ended these sayings the people were astonished at his doctrine for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes so perhaps there were others there too and the traditional picture of the lord jesus upon the mount surrounded immediately by his twelve disciples and then by a great congregation is perhaps not very far from the truth

but throughout these words and let's just take these words as an example there are many principles

which jesus clearly expresses to the immediate jewish circumstances

there are many occurrences of the word ye and you we're not going to look at them

verse 11 verse 12 13 14 16 of chapter 5

but there are many other words also which indicate that a wider audience was intended whosoever matthew 9 matthew 5 verse 19

whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so so he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven

similar examples verse 22 verse 28

chapter 7 verse 24

and verse 26

the use of the word all

moving on now to chapter 28 and verse 18.

go ye therefore

and teach all nations verse 19

baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son of the holy spirit teaching them to observe all things whatsoever

i have commanded you

so it becomes very difficult my dear brother and sisters to seek to drive a wedge of distinction between the words of jesus addressed to the immediate twelve and the words addressed to the whosoever

because by this

commission all these words of the lord jesus come down to us

some more examples mark 13 verse 37

matthew 16 and verse 24

and in that warning of the return of the lord jesus about how he can return unexpectedly and suddenly as a burglar coming into your house

jesus says what i say unto you immediate 12

i say unto all

watch

so the commission the warning the principle comes down to ourselves in these days

finally the carrying out of the call

just two aspects that have been selected there are many issues and principles associated with the faithful carrying out of the call

the faithful response to the call of the lord jesus i have just selected two for our consideration romans chapter 10

and verse 14.

the letter to the romans concerned with the great theme of justification by faith contrasted with the works of the law nevertheless towards the end of the epistle we are reminded of the practical implications of being associated with this great doctrine the practical effect that is intended to have in our individual lives

so there's the need for each one of us to consider the subject of witnessing the need for we ourselves to be fishers of men in turn as we have been graciously called so we should endeavor to pass on that calling to others

romans 10 verse 13

whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord shall be saved how then how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach

except they be sent as it is written how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things

there's a progression of thought here an argument and we ourselves are called upon to enter into this to play our part in being the beautiful feat

in bearing the gracious message of the gospel of salvation to those who are yet in darkness isaiah had to do it in his day and these words call to mind that situation and that circumstance there was very little response but it didn't affect the commission it didn't affect the message that had to be given so too in the days of the apostle paul and so too in our day today

each one of us my dear brethren sisters is called upon to show our appreciation and our thankfulness for the message of the gospel that has first come to us by sharing it with those who have not yet received it we remember that the command go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature was originally spoken to the eleven disciples

and yet you might like to look at this afterwards in acts chapter 8 the first four verses it was obviously not the apostles who were then following the command at this particular point it was the ordinary brethren sisters who were witnessing here they weren't leaving it to though for those to whom the commission had originally been given

be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear to all men we are ambassadors my dear brethren sisters

surely one of the issues that we'll have to face at the last is this how have we witnessed to the word of life not just in the development of a christ-like character not just in the development of the faithful life of discipleship but in the proclamation of that character and in the proclamation of that life to those in the world around us

so the path of discipleship is not simply a call and conditions but we have to live the call

true witnesses are not just talkers evangelists or preachers

but martyrs for that's the word willing to suffer death to stand up and be counted for the gospel of the kingdom to live the truth in all its aspects

but finally my dear brothers and sisters there is one aspect that we should never forget

that great fisher of men was told in the end as recorded in john chapter 21

to care for the flock of god

feed my sheep

and he himself reiterates this to us in 1st peter 5.

in the truth

we should never have an attitude like this

if we are preachers

right you've been through the course

you've been baptized

now get on with it we're going over here to continue the preaching it should never be sink

or swim

fish that have been caught

should never be left to die

we who catch men for christ by the power of the gospel

should never leave them to die

but feed them lead them guide them restore them and uphold them

feed the flock of god which is among you being examples to the flock

and when the chief shepherd shall appear

ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away

Transcript

jesus thou son of righteousness shed forth thy living rays stir up thy strength thy mightiness and manifest thy praise

send down thy blessing from on high and cause thy word below the good seed of thy kingdom nigh in faith and hope to grow

i think brother david brown my dear brother and sisters captures the spirit and essence of our class together this day

today's subject the mystery of the kingdom is

a much more difficult subject than the one that we

presented yesterday

and i hope in the light of this that

you will bear with my measured words

as

we as it were walk amongst precipices

or perhaps take the canoe towards the edge of the abyss as we did last night

and those of you who've read work right widely will indeed appreciate that this is a difficult subject but it is one that is integrally related to the theme of discipleship and it is one i think that we should face up to the challenge

when jesus was alone

they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable and he said unto them unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of god

but unto them are without that are without all these things are done in parables

so the first question my dear brother and sisters

is to seek to elucidate the meaning of this term mystery

now of course in our present usage

this means something deep profound obscure and perhaps even very difficult to elucidate

but i think when we turn to the scriptures the center of gravity of its meaning is rather different to the normal english usage

the same flavor of the deepness and profundity is still there but perhaps the idea of obscurity and difficulty of elucidation is no longer there

there are many passages which support the general view

that the mystery especially in the new testament is not something that we should understand as being mysterious but rather as a further portion of divine revelation and there is a number of passages here which support this general thesis

romans 16 verse 25 and 26

now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of jesus christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began but is now made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting god made known to all nations for the obedience of faith

something formally hidden but now made known by further revelation colossians 1 verse 26 and 27

the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his saints to whom god would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles which is christ in you the hope of

glory there the idea of mystery is linked with the supreme revelation of god in and through jesus christ and the way in which believers disciples are called upon to be associated with god through him and thereby with the hope of glory centered in him

ephesians 1 verse 2

you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of god which is given me to you ward how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery as i wrote a four in few words whereby when ye read you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of christ which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit so great though the former revelation was

its magnificence the word of the lord nevertheless in the end it was fragmentary and incomplete only in god's revelation in his son did his revelation become definitive and final

so i think we should bear in mind this general idea this general teaching associated with the word mystery in the new testament something kept secret throughout past ages but now disclosed by men of god as they were moved by the holy spirit a mystery is a divine purpose hidden in the divine counsels of god for long ages but finally disclosed in a new revelation of god's redemptive work

but there's also the feeling associated with this teaching that the way it affects us

is associated with our walk our commitment and our discipleship this mystery will perhaps be something that will only be finally and fully comprehended

by those who are endeavoring to serve the father

matthew chapter 13

and verse 10

his disciples came and said unto him why speakers though unto them in parables

he answered and said unto them because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to them it is not given for whosoever hath to him shall be given and he shall have more abundance but whosoever hath not from him shall be taken away even that he hath

therefore i speak to them in parables because they seeing see not and hearing they hear not neither do they understand

so there is a polarizing power in this teaching in this in these parables of the lord jesus christ

potential unbelief refuses to see the message

belief understands new truth understanding is deepened comprehension is increased

i think we may consider those words of the lord jesus alongside the additional words recorded in john chapter 7.

he that willeth to do his will he shall know

of the doctrine

in other words there is a degree of moral commitment required in order that we might fully understand those things in which we are involved

so let's first of all consider the kingdom

the old testament foundations are very clear perhaps john what just one passage in this connection will summarize the flavor of them all daniel chapter 2 and verse 44

in the days of these kings shall the god of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever that great and glorious consummation of the purpose of god in the establishment of the kingdom of god upon the earth a kingdom that will manifest and reflect his glory

and so the old testament prophets looked forward to the day when god would set up his reign upon the earth

his kingdom will displace all other reigns all other kingdoms and all other authorities it will break the proud sovereignty of man that has been manifest throughout the ages of the earth's history god's reign and god's rule will finally and definitively sweep away all all opposing rule

in this single great event in this mighty manifestation of power the wicked kingdoms of the earth will be swept away and the earth filled with righteousness

and there is new testament confirmation

of this great teaching we could think for example of the parable of the nobleman who is to go into a far country and to receive for himself a kingdom and to return and by implication if you look carefully at the parable the nobleman is the lord jesus christ himself jesus builds upon and confirms that teaching of the old testament prophets

the last book in the new testament looks forward to the time when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our lord and of his christ and he shall reign forever and ever the same great and glorious consummation when the glory of god will finally be revealed and will fill the earth

but then my dear brethren sisters is the revelation in the new testament perhaps especially in the

new testament parables

what is this new revelation with regard to the to the gospel of the kingdom of god

i think there are two points one of which i've already mentioned

firstly it all hinges around the concept of time

when the gospel of the kingdom of heaven the gospel of the kingdom of god was preached by jesus and the disciples and the apostles it was very clear that now was the time of opportunity to receive this gospel of the kingdom

now is the time to choose between

serving christ between taking up one's cross

or denying him

a time to choose between accepting god or rejecting him

the gospel of the kingdom was present in both the words the teaching and the actions of the lord jesus

but although it was there it could still be accepted or rejected

the good news was there

but it was with persuasion and not with power

only at the last day would there be that unavoidable confrontation the day of vengeance of god

but that confrontation presupposed that at that day it would be too late to accept or reject

the decision would have had to have been made earlier

the decision would effectively have been decided by one's earlier response to the message of the gospel of the kingdom

i'd like now very briefly to look at the parables of the kingdom

these are mainly contained in matthew chapter 13

i've given the verses there on the transparency

and there's one of them the parable of the seed in the ground in mark chapter 4.

these are parables my dear brother and sisters that we know very well so i don't think it necessary for me to go through the verses so let's just summarize the truths

that come from these parables the parable of the sower

remember the proclamation of the lord jesus associated with these parables it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven these parables that the lord jesus christ gives to his disciples encapsulate this mystery of the kingdom of heaven

the parable of the sower

here is the mystery of the kingdom the gospel of the kingdom is here but not with irresistible power

the word of the gospel is preached but it is not like a stone grinding the image to powder it is not now destroying wickedness it is rather giving men and women a gracious time of opportunity

it does not force itself upon men

there are some like the good soil who receive it but there are many others who choose not to receive it

some hear the word but it does not enter into their heart they hear the word but they do not fully appreciate it the adversary comes and snatches it away there is no root and so there is no life

others are shallow they hear the gospel of the kingdom they seem to receive it and they make the appropriate response

there is semblance of true life but there is no depth

perhaps the intellect or the emotions have been stirred by these gracious words of jesus but the will has not been moved

there is no real life when trouble arises they find that the gospel that they have received does not immediately deliver them from evil or suffering they wither and die

when they meet persecution and evil and tribulation for the very reason that they embrace the hope of the kingdom they do not grow because there is no life

their professed belief is shown to be false

still others are like the thorny ground

they seem to receive the word they appear to believe it and to give evidence of life

but they are not prepared to accept the necessary disciplines involved to be a true disciple of necessity

means that they must accept the disciplines of that life the cares of the age the love of riches the ambition the pressure of conformity to this age in which we live choke the word and it becomes unfruitful

jesus brings the gospel of the kingdom

and yet men are free to reject it the gospel will not experience uniform success not all will receive it

one day the kingdom will come with power

but now is the time of opportunity

one day god will manifest his mighty power to purge the earth of wickedness sin and evil

but not now

now is the time to receive the good news of the kingdom

and this response must come from a willing heart and a submissive will

the next parable the parable of the wheat and the tares

illustrates a parallel truth

a man sowed wheat in his field but his enemy sowed tears and weeds

when the weeds were discovered the servants wanted to pull them out but they were told to let both wheat and tears grow until the harvest then the separation would take place

until the harvest time

we

tears and wheat must grow together

the sons of the kingdom those who have received the gospel of the kingdom

and the children of the world are to live together in the world until the end of the age

now both you and i know brethren sisters that this parable has sometimes been used in the context of the ecclesia

but i think this is foreign to the context here

it's talking about the believers the disciples of the lord jesus christ living in the world the two groups the saints and the world and i think if you consider the teaching of that parable in the light of the teaching of the gospel of the kingdom you will find added confirmation of this fact

the parable of the mustard seed demonstrates a further truth about the kingdom

in ancient semitic idiom the mustard seed was a proverbial symbol for that which was tiny and insignificant

and the mustard grew rapidly into a very large plant

so the gospel of the kingdom is present among men in a form not previously revealed it is here as something tiny and insignificant as something as small as a mustard seed

but although it is small

although it is tiny

it is very important

it is the kernel

and it is the guarantee

of that which is to come

now the message of this parable i think is not concerned with the way in which the tiny seed will become a tree

many have placed great emphasis in their expositions upon the element of growth and have used it to illustrate the gradual extension of the church's influence in the world

but i don't think this is really in the parable

if the lord had wished to teach slow growth and gradual expansion i think the choice of the mustard seed which quickly becomes a large shrub would have been quite inappropriate the slow growth of the oak would have been far more suitable to demonstrate slow growth and influence and consolidation

growth i think is not the point of the parable here it is not teaching anything about how the kingdom will come in the future we know from other scriptures that the kingdom will come in mighty power it will possess the earth only when the lord jesus christ returns in majesty and glory

the form of the coming of this kingdom i suggest to you is not really an element in this parable

one truth one primary truth is set for

the message of the kingdom the gospel of the kingdom will appear totally insignificant to men now

but in that day its majesty will fill the earth

the parable of the leaven illustrates a similar truth

and once again this parable i think has been widely misinterpreted in two directions firstly that the gospel is destined to conquer the whole earth by gradual permeation and penetration

and that this is represented by the action of the leaven on the unleavened dough

or secondly the leaven symbolizes evil and demonstrates that the church the ecclesia the aggregation of disciples would rapidly become apostate

but neither of these my dear brethren sisters is necessarily revealed in this parable of the leaven indeed what the leaven represents may not be a valid consideration at all

we know that a parable is a story drawn from familiar experiences of everyday life

and it may well be that some of the details are only incidental to the setting forth of the principal truth of the parable and of course a very good example of that is the parable of the unjust steward

i suggest to you that this parable sets forth the single truth

that men should be wise in their use of substance

they should invest it so that it will help them in their day of spiritual need all else is incidental to the story

if we try and attach specific meanings to other details of this parable then we may begin to think that jesus was perhaps teaching that the end justifies the beings

or sharp practice unlawful method is not really wrong if good comes from it the lord my dear brother and sisters clearly did not teach this for him underlying motive was more important than external behavior this was the source the basis the foundation for everything else

so i think this principle this observation is relevant in our consideration of the parable of the leaven the truth is not that of gradual permeation of the world by the ecclesia the scripture nowhere teaches this the truth is like that of the parable of the mustard seed

in its present manifestation the gospel of the kingdom is like a handful of leaven in a bowl of dough

the dough swallows up the leaven so that one is scarcely aware of its presence instead of the power of god shaking the earth his purpose was manifested in the lamb of god who was meek and lowly who was destined to be put to death

one who had only a handful of supporters

from the world's point of view

what was centered in him was totally and completely insignificant

indeed the roman historians of the time hardly mentioned the life of jesus but those who had true eyes to see

would realize that out of these apparently totally insignificant beginnings would spring the continuation and finally the culmination of god's purpose with the earth

leaven may indeed appear to be a small and insignificant thing despised ignored and rejected by men but god's purpose is sure

nonetheless

the parables of the treasure

and the costly pearl

the gospel of the kingdom is of inestimable value

its value will ultimately transcend all other possessions

it is like a pearl whose acquisition merits the loss of all other goods

yet we must notice again the fact that the man buys the field

or the merchant buys the pearl does not mean my dear brother and sisters that salvation can be bought or that it can be earned

ultimately it is the gift of god

and yet even though it is god's gracious gift it is also costly

salvation may be free

to we who are undeserving

but it is never cheap

and we are each called upon to count the cost

of our association with these things

it may cost a man his earthly possessions it may cost him his friends

it may cost him the affections of his family and his children

it may cost him his very life

but whatever the cost

its possession its acquisition justifies all that is sacrificed

the parable of the net

those who have been caught up in the call of the gospel will include both good and bad

the parable of the wheat and the tares describes the world at large but perhaps in this parable we have a narrower reference

a description

of the circle of men and women who have been influenced by and have accepted the gospel of the kingdom

even evil men and women would be found amongst the fellowship of this relatively small group and we know that just as a fact of history there was one of the twelve

who later showed that he had interests that were alien to the cause of his master

it's interesting to notice that jesus did not go out searching such or pointing the long finger of suspicion

but it was a fact

that there was one in his midst

who turned out to be evil

we remember that the apostle paul

warned that perverse men

would enter the ecclesia itself and turn others away from the lord jesus christ and so by implication ecclesiastes

can turn out to have members who have interests which are ultimately alien to a seeking first of the kingdom of god and his righteousness

the parable of the seed in the ground

the kingdom of god is like a seed in this one point the seed contains a principle of life within itself there is nothing that the farmer can do to add to the intrinsic life of the seed his one task is to sow the seed

then he may go about his other tasks

while he is busy with other things even while he is asleep

the life that is resident within the seed and the powers that are resident in the earth combined together to produce fruit

it is a miracle

my dear brethren sisters

and so it is with the kingdom of god

this too in like manner will be a miracle it will be supernatural men and women cannot build the kingdom they cannot erect the kingdom it will be brought by god

but it is our responsibility to proclaim the good news about this kingdom

but the actual working of the kingdom will be by a divine hand

the relationship between the gospel of the kingdom and the future reality of the kingdom

remember the beginning of the ministry of the lord jesus jesus came into galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of god and saying

the time is fulfilled

and the kingdom of god is at hand repent ye and believe the gospel

here my dear brethren sisters very clearly is a

focal point in the purpose of god it's the lord jesus christ at the crux of history

as for the lord jesus so also for his disciples

they have the commission into whatsoever city you enter and they receive you eat such things as are set before you and heal the sick that are therein and say unto them the kingdom of god is come nigh unto you it was the focal point there was a sense of urgency there was a sense of immediacy not only about the message associated with this kingdom but about the fact of the kingdom itself

and yet nonetheless

the fullness and the reality of that kingdom

was still future

this day is salvation come to this house for the son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost the very central feature for the ministry of the lord jesus his self-giving his self-sacrifice associated with those who came to him is followed by a looking forward to the consummation of all things

and as they heard these things he added and spake a parable because he was nigh to jerusalem and because they thought that the kingdom of god should immediately appear what more natural than that they should think but in the presence of the future king he would immediately take his kingdom and set up the kingdom of god but their understanding has to be enlarged

about the purpose of god that it's only going to be finally consummated at that great day

what then about the relationship between

the theme of discipleship and the gospel of the kingdom

this is really the crux of our subject today

well we know all too well that the kingdom of god is clearly and unequivocally identified with the goal of our discipleship for each one of us there is the primary and first objective seek ye first the kingdom of god and his righteousness

our father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name

thy kingdom come

so the very next thing after our awareness of the majesty and the greatness of god is our prayer that his kingdom might come and be manifested in the earth

this is our goal this is our objective

but the kingdom of god is also identified with the course and the pathway

by which it is to be finally achieved

and this course and pathway is our association with the ecclesia the body of christ

think of these words of the lord jesus

and he was speaking to the chief priests and elders the kingdom of god shall be taken from you

and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof so there is not only brother and sisters the goal of the kingdom the destination of the kingdom but there is the bringing forth of the fruits of the kingdom and by implication these fruits are born along the way to the kingdom not after the kingdom is established

the chief priests and elders and the scribes

had proved by their attitude their beliefs their motivations

that they had interests that were alien to this future kingdom of god and so it was to be taken from them and given to someone else

and so we have here something that is more than just an abstract a distant hope

but it is for each one of us an opportunity a gracious opportunity to manifest its values even now

to bring forth the fruits that are acceptable to god

and that are consistent with the possession of the kingdom the possession of the gospel of the kingdom

a number of other passages which i put in parenthesis here

relate this hope to the bearing of the fruits thereof romans 6 22

but now being made free from sin and become servants to god you have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life there's the goal the end the objective and there is the root that leads us towards that goal

the servant of god

and bearing fruits unto holiness galatians 5 22

the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance

ephesians 5 verse 9

the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness

and truth

philippians 1 verse 10

that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of christ

being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by jesus christ unto the glory and praise of god

and so there is not my dear brethren sisters void between the present time and the day of christ

there has to be the path of discipleship and the being filled with the fruits of the spirit

first peter 2

and verse 9

ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood and holy nation a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light which in time past were not a people but are now the people of god the apostle peter is talking about the disciples the saints those who have been called out from the world to an inheritance in the kingdom of god and he proclaims that the saints are a kingdom of priests even now

both in principle and in prospect

priests who appreciate the principles of that kingdom verse 10 of chapter 2 who manifest the values of that kingdom verses 11 to 25

and who proclaim the fact of that kingdom verse 12.

ephesians chapter 4

one lord

one faith

one baptism

one lord

one faith

in the things pertaining to the kingdom of god and the name of jesus christ

what is that but the things pertaining to the king

and the things pertaining to the kingdom

one baptism into that faith which is a submission in symbol to the government of the lord whereby the believer becomes part of the one body

luke chapter 12

and verse 32

fear not little flock for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom

the ecclesia the aggregation of the saints is the embryonic form of the coming kingdom of god

it is that root and that pathway

by which for the saints the objective is finally realized

notice the context of those words verse 31 of luke 12. seek ye

the kingdom of god

as well as bearing the fruits of the kingdom

there is present hope and confidence for each one of us

this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness and to all nations

now we are not concerned with seeking to define how far the terms world or nations are to be understood

we are concerned to notice that the gospel of the kingdom was and is preached

and a witness was made and is still being made

it is therefore a central feature

of the message

the gospel of the kingdom of god

and we have ample confirmation of this in the following new testament scriptures just take the example of the apostle paul he expounded and testified the kingdom of god persuading them concerning jesus both out of the law of moses now to the prophets from morning till evening interesting to notice the sequence there isn't it we might have thought that jesus would be first

but no

the kingdom of god

and also persuading them concerning jesus

he was preaching the kingdom of god and teaching those things which concern the lord jesus christ with all confidence no man forbidding him

i think therefore my dear brother and sisters

that these passages and their attendant lessons and implications

this perspective

helps us towards a fuller understanding of a number of very interesting perhaps rather difficult passages in the new testament and i think they can now be seen to confirm this picture that we have presented to you today

colossians chapter 1 and verse 12

giving thanks unto the father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light who hath delivered us from the power of darkness

and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son

notice the tense there is the past tense it is our association with the gracious hope of salvation

and the word translate in that passage is a word that is closely associated with the word used in the translation of enoch in hebrews chapter 11 and verse 5.

in other words we have been called out of the world we have been called into the ecclesia

and in the mercy and grace of god we are destined for the kingdom of god

romans 14

and verse 17

for the kingdom of god is not meat and drink but righteousness and joy in the holy spirit for he that in these things serveth christ is acceptable to god and approved of man and the context here is the relationship between considering the weak brothers conscience and the need to show love and consideration

the need to build up and to edify rather than to cut down and to destroy

the relationship between all these things

and the values

of the kingdom

it's sacrificial love in action in the context of the ecclesia

matthew 12 and verse 28

if i cast out devils by the spirit of god then the kingdom of god is come nigh

unto you

in the presence of jesus

in the presence of the future king

his character his disposition and his values and the power that was manifested in his works

the word was made flesh with undeniable historicity

i came to do thy will oh god yea thy law is within my heart

so it was surely in that sense that the kingdom of god had indeed drawn nigh in the manifestation of power in the works that were accomplished by him

in mark chapter 10

there's a record of the disciples rebuking those who brought young children to jesus that he might touch them

in verse 14 it is recorded when jesus saw it he was much displeased and saith unto them suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is

the kingdom of god

verily i say unto you whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of god as a little child he shall not enter therein

a very definite relationship between the necessary childlike trust faith and humility and the entrance into the kingdom of god

matthew chapter 21

the parable of the two sons

once said he would go to work in the father's vineyard and didn't

one said he wouldn't but later repented and did

who did the will of god

well clearly the latter

jesus saith unto them verse 31

verily i say unto you that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of god before you

the context there is the chief priests and scribes and elders once again

matthew chapters 16

and 17

the great chapters considering the theme of cross cross-bearing the ultimate issues of saving one's life or losing it and then at the beginning of chapter 17

the transfiguration

there's a very interesting juxtaposition of thought here presented to us in the record

the association of future glory

and also present hope and aspiration

the characteristics and qualities that are needed in those who would be disciples in order to achieve and aspire to that future glory

the son of man chapter 16 and verse 27

shall come in the glory of his father with his angels and then shall he reward every man according to his works verily i say unto you there be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the son of man coming in his kingdom

so finally my dear brother and sisters

may we summarize what we have said today

the mystery of the kingdom is the revelation of god through jesus christ of the things pertaining to the kingdom its nature its character its hopes and its values

it is centered in the lord jesus christ

and in all those who are and will be at that day part of his body

all those who have seen heard believed

and entered into the things concerning the kingdom of god and the name of jesus christ

and who thereafter have as the primary guiding force in their lives that seeking first of the kingdom of god and his righteousness

lives that give this girl their undivided attention

seeking even now to manifest its values in a consecrated life in the treasuring of his word in a ready receptivity to his commandments in humble service seeking his will above our own in the giving of ourselves for the flock of god in persistent preaching in continual teaching in a patient waiting for the coming of the lord jesus christ

even so come

lord jesus

Transcript

know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into jesus christ were baptized into his death

therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father even so we also should walk in newness of life

for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection

my dear brother and sisters if we wanted to know something about the great theme of justification by faith we would go surely to the letter to the romans

if you wanted to know something about the supremacy of the lord jesus christ we would go to the letter to the hebrews or the letter to the colossians

if we wanted to know about the contrast between the old way of life under the law and the new way of life centered in jesus christ

we would go to the letter to the galatians

if we wanted to know about the fundamental issues of discipleship we would go to the letters of john and the letter of james if we wanted to know about the pastoral care of the flock of god we would go to the letters to timothy and to titus

if we wanted to know about the practical problems of life in the ecclesia on their prayerful solution we would perhaps go to the letter to the corinthians

if we wanted to know about life

and new life

i think a good place to start would be the gospel of john and also the epistles of john

just a very brief investigation with the tools available for bible study tell us these this very interesting fact

that out of the total usages of the words life

eternal life or life eternal everlasting life and life everlasting we have the following proportion in john's gospel and john's epistles

the word life

in john's gospel and john's epistle occurs 30 percent of its total number of times in the new testament

eternal life or life eternal

in john's gospel and his epistles

occurs 50 percent of its total occurrence in the new testament and everlasting life and life everlasting once again 50

of its total occurrence in the new testament

so of course there were talking about words life or phrases eternal life life eternal and so on

so i think brothers and sisters for our purposes today we shall begin with the gospel of john perhaps we could begin in the 20th chapter

where there the apostle gives to us a very clear indication of what the purpose was for the overall writing of this gospel

john chapter 20

and verse 30

many other signs truly did jesus in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book but these are written that you might believe that jesus is the christ the son of god and that believing ye might have life through his name we mentioned at the beginning of this series my dear brother and sisters that your speaker had made a selection of topics to present to you this was also true of the apostle john when he wrote his gospel he made a selection but it was an important selection for it had a very important goal in view these are written that you might believe that jesus is the christ

so this is the reason behind the inclusion in this gospel of those seven or perhaps eight if you include the resurrection of the lord jesus christ himself those eight signs that jesus might be recognized as the christ the son of god secondly that by or through believing

life through his name might be possible

who can receive this

well surely the twelve disciples at immediate circle of the followers of the lord jesus but perhaps not only them

we ourselves also i'd like to propose to you that this is one of those whosoever passages which i mentioned in outline in an earlier class

these are written that ye might believe in other words any reader who reads the gospel of john in whatever age or in whatever circumstances

it is to the reader that the message is

and directed think there's confirmation of this in the context if we look back at verse or two verse 29

i know this is a different

subject but nevertheless there's a juxtaposition of ideas in these verses thomas because there has seen me there has believed blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed and so arising out of this immediate context there is the all-inclusive character of the purpose of this of this revelation included are those who were not first-hand witnesses of these things

this includes ourselves my dear brethren sisters so the full force of this witness of the apostle john and his teaching comes down to us to challenge us to instruct us to guide us and to lead us

considering these occurrences of the word life and the phrase eternal life and life eternal everlasting life and life everlasting

i think it would be wrong for us to suppose that the use of the word life by john in his gospel was meant to mean only ordinary life ordinary human existence

as if perhaps in view of this table we might be entitled to draw a line underneath the word life and separate it from eternal life and life eternal and draw another line after the second group and separate that from everlasting life and life everlasting

consider these words in the gospel

except you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you

just a simple use of the ordinary word life john 6 53

but it's not saying you will die literally is it it's talking about a certain kind of life isn't it needs defining of course but it's certainly more than ordinary life it's certainly more than ordinary human existence or again the words that i speak unto you they are spirit and they are life

chapter 6 verse 63 he that believeth not the son shall not see life but the wrath of god abideth in him chapter 3 verse 36

in jesus was life and the life was the light of men chapter 1 verse 4

as the father hath life in himself so hath he given to the son to have life in himself chapter 5 verse 26

jesus words you will not come to me that ye might have life chapter 5 verse 40.

i am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly

or again i am the way the truth

the life

just a simple use of the ordinary greek word for life

yet we know just by the context of those words that there's much more to it for john is not presenting to us a picture of ordinary life at all but life filled with a new dimension of meaning in all these passages where this word is used as it were on its own

but you might you may compare some of those passages which i've just quoted with these further parallel passages

whosoever eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life and i will raise him up at the last day

lord thou hast the words of eternal life chapter 6

68

he that believeth on the son hath everlasting life

chapter 3 verse 36

everyone which seeth the son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and i will raise him up at the last day chapter 6 and verse 40

i give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand

the father's commandment is life everlasting

whatsoever i speak therefore even as the father said unto me so i speak

so i think there brethren sisters is ample evidence that there is perhaps no easy clear-cut division between those words life eternal life and everlasting life

not so easy to compartmentalize them when we consider the fullness of teaching in the gospel of john

perhaps you want to say to me

aren't we getting too technical

aren't we getting too overloaded with statistics with categorizations with observations and with deductions

perhaps you want to say to me it's not all that involved it's really quite simple

we know what jesus means by new life

life through his name

we believe

we have been baptized into him and we now live in him

indeed that phrase in christ is on its own a very interesting and profitable study in the new testament

or the phrase through christ

and we know what this means

its connection with the high priesthood of the lord jesus surely perhaps therefore you wish to say to me this new life and its definition is very simple it means firstly our life of discipleship in him

founded upon belief in jesus as the christ and all its attendant implications in the promises and the prophecies that were revealed in him and will be finally consummated in him this is the foundation stone the basis of our belief

secondly our life of following his example taking up our cross and following in his footsteps

thirdly our association continually with his sacrifice

not only in the important way in the breaking of bread and in the drinking of wine except the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood you have no life in you not only in that important way but in the carrying out of that principle day to day and week to week in an individual life of commitment and sacrifice that endeavors to mirror that of the lord jesus christ himself

and fourthly

our expectation of his return and the consummation of all things in him

this is what is involved in the new life

in life through his name

well of course my dear brother and sisters this is true

but i think the message of the apostle john to us today is that this is not all the truth on this very important matter

there is something more

and it's something to do with the goal that we are aiming for

and not only that

when we talk about life

or age-abiding life

we usually think of it in terms of its length

when it starts

how long it goes on for and if and when it concludes

so we picture immortality as best we can as a life of unending continuity

my dear brethren sisters there's something more isn't there

we know in our heart of hearts that this is so from the teaching of scripture

for immortality is not only a life of of unending continuity

it is also a life of unsurpassed quality

this was the proclamation of the apostle paul of those to whom he wrote

so my proposition to you today

is that when the apostle john talks about life

and about new life

he's not merely thinking about its length but more importantly its breadth and what do i mean by its breadth well its characteristics its quality its direction its goal and its values

and the supporting evidence is of course in the scripture and i'd like you to come with me to the first epistle of john and the first chapter

there are many passages that could be used to confirm this observation but i'm just going to give you one

let's begin with the first chapter just to set the scene and the context first john chapter 1 and verse 1

that which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the word of life for the life was manifested and we have seen it and bear witness and show unto you the eternal life which was with the father and was manifested unto us

i'm sure my dear brother and sisters you will agree with me we have something here that is more than the written record about the word made flesh

that which we have seen with our eyes that which we have looked upon and our hands have handled surely here we have a direct reference to the person of the lord jesus christ himself

the life of jesus

its example and its basis

chapter 5

and verse 12

with that picture of the lord jesus in your minds

consider this teaching of john

he that hath the son hath life

and he that hath not the son of god

hath not life

very clear cut isn't it

there is to be for each one of us a spiritual life in this life and that spiritual life is centered and based upon the lord jesus christ and this spiritual life is the precursor to that life in the mercy of god that will be revealed in the future and so we see eternal life supremely manifested in the sun in the way that he lived and in his complete responsiveness to the father's will

a consideration of the lord jesus and his obedience to his father should give us a new dimension in our thinking and it is a spiritual dimension

so the living can be dead

and the dead can live again

the strong the hail and the hearty can be described as dead their life has gone out in spiritual terms

the scriptures are full of examples of this the prodigal son was dead

but he came to life again and it wasn't bodily resurrection but it did reveal the kind of life that he had been leading

it was a cul-de-sac filled with all kinds of waste and refuse

i think you have an even more dramatic term in this country for our term cul-de-sac the term dead end

which even more graphically represents the kind of life in which the prodigal son was engaged

it was the terminus of life and it was the beginning of death

to the man with the secular and the earthly interests the lord jesus christ said let the dead bury their dead

to the merry widow in first timothy 5 6

paul proclaims

she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth to the ecclesia at sardis jesus said i know that there has to name that thou livest and are dead

no doubt it was a famous ecclesia it looked like a temple

but jesus saw inside and what did he see he saw too

a grave

the ecclesia was pulsating with life it was vibrant it was memorable

but it was spiritually dead in the sight of god

in other words death was a quality of life it was life descending it was life temporal it was life transient it was life degenerating it was life decaying it was a selfish life

and a selfish life is a self-indulgent life

and a self-indulgent life

is a wasted life

that my dear brother and sisters is the fullness of teaching of the lord jesus on taking up the cross

he that seeks to save his life

shall lose it

but the new life the life through the name of the lord jesus christ

is life exalting ascending renewing triumphing and victorious over the forces of sin and temptation it is life at its highest and at its best it is life as it was potentially meant to be in the purpose of god

and in essence my dear brethren sisters these two kinds of life are poles apart for that is the implication of the usage of these words in the scriptures

life and death

light

and dark and so we are related to one or the other this is the implications of this principle dead to sin and alive unto god or living and still dead

and there's one passage in the gospel of john

chapter five

which will be well known to you and we often use it in connection with

the resurrection of the lord jesus christ

and the resurrection at the last day

as a proof text to encourage our friends towards this belief in the resurrection at the last day but i think perhaps as we have noticed there is further truth in these verses

john chapter 5

and verse 24.

verily i say unto you

he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hat everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death and to life

verily verily i say unto you the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of god and they that hear

shall live so we know certainly and unequivocally that the lord jesus christ was talking about the last day go a little further down verse 28 marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the grave shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good and to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation that great picture of the coming out of the graves at the last day the separation and the polarization between those who are faithful and those who are not

but that's not the only truth my dear brother and sisters in this passage is it

consider again the words in verse 25

the hour is coming future tense and now is present tense when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of god

and they that hear

shall live in other words for the present tense application he must be talking about the spiritually dead that they too can come out of that state of death even in the present life and come to a new life a fullness of life based upon the lord jesus christ and his sacrifice

there are further passages which i'm not going to turn to which i think confirm this first peter 4 verses 5 to 6 and 1

john 3

verses 14 to 15.

but an important question my dear brother and sisters for each one of us is this can we determine

to which category we belong do we belong to the old life the spiritually dead or do we belong to the new life those who are spiritually alive in the sight of god

i think we can and one very important test is whether we see the spiritual beyond the material whether we see those things that are associated with the new life the spiritual life

whether we see the spiritual life above and beyond the material life

consider the experience of the lord jesus himself

consider the lilies of the field he said

how they toil not neither do they spin

yet i say unto you that even solomon in all his glory was not arrayed

like one of these

wasn't just decoration that the lord jesus christ saw

not just an ornament or a pretty picture

but he saw the purpose of god in the past

he saw its connection with the present

and he saw its application to the life of the disciple

therefore if god so clothed the grass of the field

shall he not much more

clothe you

or again therefore take no thought saying what shall we eat

or what shall we drink

two things that the lord jesus christ brought out from that observation of the lilies in the field just ordinary flowers

but his insight into the spiritual dimension associated with those things was related

in teaching to the lives of the disciples

so my dear brethren sisters

go out into your gardens

go out into the fields

and consider this these words of jesus

surely their primary purpose is lost

the flowers the fields and the gardens

if they do not remind you of spiritual things of eternal things

the flowers of the field

created

by the father's hand

consider the flowers at a funeral

their freshness does not remain for long

they soon lose their beauty

and return to the earth

and they mirrored do they not

the life of the one in whose memory they have been given

so soon cut down

and the spirit returns to god who gave it

the transience of life

always a reminder to we who are living

that the opportunities are so short-lived

and we so soon pass away

so teach us to number our days

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom

that we may personally and individually search out and seek to cultivate the christ-like life

while there is yet time

jesus knew

his faithful friend lazarus had fallen asleep

behold how he loved him

said the jews

but the lord jesus christ

saw beyond the raising of a friend

he saw the raising of all the faithful at the last

day and so that resurrection of lazarus to a continuance of mortal life was but a foretaste wasn't it

but martha's faith

sealed it

both the resurrection then

and the resurrection at the last day i know that he shall rise again in the resurrection

at the last day

what a faith she had not only in the purpose of god as it had been revealed in the past but the purpose of god is it was sent in the lord jesus christ who was in her very presence

that it was to be indeed christ the first

and afterward they that are christ's at his coming

jesus looked up to heaven and saw the birds

the sparrows

and he saw that not one of them fell to the ground unnoticed by his father in heaven

and from the sparrows

he considers ourselves

that all the hairs of our head

are numbered

and we are of more value than many sparrows

he saw the children playing in the streets

and what did he see

not just their games and their joyful association together

but he saw their angels in heaven

their angels do always behold the face of my father which is in heaven

he saw a man and a wife

and what did he see

he saw in the beginning

and he saw also

christ

and the ecclesia we know that he did because the apostle paul later proclaims this as a teaching and as a doctrine to the ephesians

and the epistle of james when considering the principle of giving

invites us to consider our gifts

gracious though they may be

as but temporal things

and that every good and perfect gift cometh down from above from the father of lights with whom is no variableness

nor shadow of turning

and in all these simple things my dear brother and sisters these temporal things and these transient things we are invited

we are encouraged we are commanded to see behind them the fundamental and spiritual things of the purpose of god

the lord jesus always saw eternal things beyond temporal things

for his mind was in tune with the eternal he seemed to have nothing by the standards of the world and yet we know he had everything

what about the opposite kind of life

the old life

those who can so easily be spiritually dead

well we know there are examples in scripture

and in giving this example to you we do not in any way wish to imply that we look down upon them from a great height

as if we in any way are more superior

more developed in our christ-like life

but merely is a warning

that has been given to us in the word of god

there was the opposite kind of life in certain of the brethren sisters in corinth

who indulge themselves who pursued private goals who neglected their brother or even worse would attempt to take him to law

they pursued a course of self-aggrandizement i have better gifts than you

they got involved in parties and infections they fell prey to immorality eat what you like think what you like do what you like and be what you like

and it was all

centered in a temporal kind of existence

eat drink and be merry almost

so preoccupied with today and today's experiences

and today's temporal life that they forgot to look beyond to the spiritual

the rich young ruler came to jesus one thing thou lackest he said

sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come

follow me

and so it's got to be treasure on earth or treasure in heaven that was the choice then and it's the choice today

it's one or the other in the end

not a little of each mixed until the blend is just right it's not the blend that counts it's the end the goal the destination for jesus said where your treasure is there will your heart be also

along that central axis of our existence the heart its affections its desires its objectives the final issue will be decided

where is our treasure

my beloved brethren sisters

for the heart cannot be in two places at once

for jesus says it would be like trying to serve two masters

you will either love the one and hate the other or hate the one and love the other

it would be like a city divided against itself it would not be able to stand

its treasure in heaven or treasure on earth it's life through his name or life against his name

it's the new life

the spiritual life

or it's the old life dressed up it's the old life masquerading

as the new life

he that is not with me said jesus is against me and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad

its life abundant or its life descended to the dust

from which we came

the apostle peter reminds us that we do indeed have a lively hope blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of jesus christ

from the dead

this surely my dear brethren sisters should be a great motivating force in our life lives of discipleship the lively hope pointing us to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you

and we remember in our association with the sacrifice of christ

in a sense a foretaste of these things for we were not redeemed with corruptible things

such as silver and gold

but with the precious blood of christ

the very act of partaking should remind us of the inheritance that is yet to be

the inheritance that is incorruptable and undefiled

that we eat this bread and drink this cup

until he come just a little word the word until but invites us to cast our minds back across the ages

to consider the present in the light of the past and to consider the prospect of the future

in the light of the present and to aim always for that future this is the goal and the destination it is reserved in heaven for those who are kept by the power of god through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed

in the last time

the past

the present

and the future

associated with the great work of salvation is indeed a very interesting study and i remember it was an elderly brother in my own ecclesia who's now fallen asleep in jesus many years ago who first suggested this to me as a topic for a bible class

for bible study

that there are brothers and sisters these three tenses of salvation used with all the great words associated with the salvation of god it's very interesting to study them i'm not going to do so today i'm just really reminding you of this fact it's very interesting how that some of the contemporary communities to ourselves

only emphasize perhaps two of these three tenses of salvation

perhaps the present and the past

perhaps the present and the future only and forgetting

the words of god through the old testament and so on

we can only have a balanced picture a full picture of the revelation of god if we endeavor to keep all these three tenses together intention the one with the other

so the new life life through the name of the lord jesus leads to that fullest realize it realization of life at that great harvest that is yet to be

you can't really tell the difference now between a man who lives the old life or a man who lives the new life the man who lives to himself

so difficult isn't it for us to judge one another's hearts

the parable of the net that we considered yesterday demonstrates that you have to wait till the end

for the separation to be made

jesus said

that only then would the final polarization take place

but the end result my dear brethren sisters is related to the time now to our present experience

it is related to the sowing that we may choose to do now

and there's a law of sowing we are either sowing to the lord or we are sowing to ourselves

one or the other

if we wish to live that fullness of life in the kingdom we must be sowing to that kind of life now

but there's nothing really magical about an inheritance in the kingdom of god we know what the qualities and characteristics and values of that kingdom will be and so even now we should be cultivating

and seeking to demonstrate in our own lives

those values

these things are written said john that ye might believe that jesus is the christ

the son of god and that believing he might have life through his name

the disciples the twelve disciples

were confronted with the message of the lord

and thomas

that sturdy-minded empiricist said

except i shall see in his hands the print of the nails

i will not believe what a strange thing

but it didn't really matter what it was did it

it began with a little word

except and that was enough

and we can say the same thing my dear brother and sisters

we can attempt to have a kind of conditional discipleship

i will follow thee lord

but with certain reservations

because i'm not quite sure what the outcome is going to be

or what kind of tribulation or suffering may lay before me

the answer of jesus is always the same

and it comes down across the ages be not faithless

but believing

the great and central issue of faith and doubt

or perhaps more correctly

faithlessness

and doubt for is the hint in that word that faith is something more than something that is static

something more than a commitment that was made at a point in time in the past

and is the basis and foundation for the status quo but is rather something that is continual continually developing and growing

dynamic

not static

the apostle paul proclaimed i am crucified with christ nevertheless i live yet not i but christ liveth in me and the life which i now live in the flesh i live by the faith of the son of god who loved me and gave himself for me

so he could proclaim certainly

i can do all things through christ

who strengthens me

so may we summarize my dear brother and sisters what we're trying to say today

in one sense we already have redemption

romans 3 24

ephesians 1 7 colossians 1 14

but in another sense we have still to wait for the redemption that is to say the redemption of the body

in one sense we have already been justified

romans 5 verse 1

but in another sense righteousness is something that we still await and hope to attain unto galatians 5 5

we look forward to the glory that is yet to be revealed in us by the mercy of god romans 8 verse 18

but already we are being transformed from one degree of glory to another 2 corinthians 3 verse 18.

we have already been granted new life romans 6 4

2 corinthians 3 verse 6

but eternal life still remains an end and a goal to be striven for romans 6 22

galatians 6 8

we are already in the process of being saved first corinthians 1 18 15 2

2 corinthians 2 15

but our salvation will only be complete at the last day

romans 5 9

1 thessalonians 5 8-9

we have already received the status of adopted sons romans 8 15 galatians 4 5

but we still wait for the adoption as sons romans 8 23

in all these principles there is a tension between present fulfillment and future hope there is a dual relationship between the part and the whole

and each word indicates that salvation is not something attained all at once in this life or wholly reserved for the next it speaks of something begun in the present but not completed something participated in but not yet fully possessed and so it is with resurrection and new life

in one sense the resurrection is already passed for at our baptism we share in christ's resurrection colossians 2 12

and 3 1

but in another sense the resurrection is clearly and definitively future for only then with the resurrection of the body will the whole man be made alive romans 6 verse 5

first corinthians 15. so the future is related to the present glorious hopes of present realities future prospects have for us an immediate foretaste

the things that will be are related inescapably to the things which now are

so ponder this my dear brethren sisters

as you consider his promises

on the precious privilege even now

of new life in christ jesus

Transcript

there are six elements in the fourth chapter of the first epistle of peter which we can notice in a kind of overview fashion to begin our class today

first of all the apostle peter reminds us of the day of reckoning verse 5

who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead the day of reckoning for the life lived and the actions done

secondly

the possibility of trial between the present time and that future time

that last day

verse 12

beloved think thinking not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you

and therefore thirdly by implication this trial should not come as a surprise

fourthly the disciple should remain unmoved nay even more he should rejoice verse 13

rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of christ's sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with exceeding joy

to rejoice

both at the prospect of trial

and in the trial itself

the most remarkable thing a most unusual thing by the standards of the world

fifthly

there are at least in the context here two kinds of trial that brought upon oneself by evil doing verse 15

let none of you suffer as a murderer or as a thief or as an evil doer or as a busy body in other men's matters

and the other kind of suffering that brought upon oneself by bearing the name of christ

verse 16.

if any man suffer as a christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorify god on this behalf

and both of those

two kinds of trial two kinds of suffering have their consequences

but the first is the wrong kind of trial brought about by the consequences of sin it's evil it's abhorrent it's unnecessary and it's avoidable

and the second kind is brought about by the world's natural hostility to christ

and all those who seek to bear the name of christ

for dark and light in the end are at opposite poles

just notice in passing how this theme of judgment

reappears again in verse 17

bracketing this consideration of trial between verses 5 and sixteen

and sixthly

the trial should be a greater impetus to faith and trust in god verse nineteen wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of god commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful creator

true worship and service of the faithful creator

should result in true and faithful disciples

particularly in the context of trial and suffering

so here my dear brethren sisters are six elements to the subject of trial and suffering which are apparent just from a careful reading of this chapter

we don't need any special ability to see the message and to derive help and guidance and perhaps even courage from these words

and so the whole passage and the context implies constancy consistency and continuing in the faith

the circumstances of discipleship may vary

they may in fact not be conducive to discipleship in its truest and best sense they may even be hostile

but the disciple on his part should never vary

save to improve his faith to improve his trust in god

and his resolve resolve of the will to seek to perform the father's will

the ship my dear brother and sisters that sets out from the port and returns again when it encounters a storm

never reaches the destination and similarly the disciple having begun the journey must seek all ways to continue that journey

until the harbor of the destination is reached

but it will not be an easy journey

we know that the storms of life

are very like the storms at sea

for example

seasickness

forces upon the mind the horror of continuing the journey as all those who who have experienced it will testify

but the journey must go on

for in a sense it is out of our hands

the captain steers the course he knows the way

he knows the ultimate destination

and he know that it is better to reach that destination than to retrace one steps

he knows that in retrospect

the journey is far better to be completed than to be abandoned

and once on the far shore

the one who perhaps was weakest at the knees during the journey

only complains of being slightly off color

the strange thing it is this difference between prospect the experience

and looking back in retrospect

so it is with the way to the kingdom the captain of our salvation knows the root the difficulties the trials and the obstacles

and he knows that in retrospect the journey will be the better for being completed

recall again the parable of the sower and he that received the seed into the good ground

there was progression there was development there was fruitfulness there was responsiveness and there was faithfulness

the seed and the good ground

that which was capable of life matched by the quality of that which received it

the question for us my dear brother and sisters

is this do we value truly value that which we have received

is it a pearl of great price

do we treat the hope of salvation like that

or do we treat it as if it were an imitation

leave it lying around unguarded and uncared for

if we are conscious of the inestimable value of something so that it is in reality completely irreplacea irreplaceable

do we not take steps

to ensure its continual safety

we keep a watch over it night

and day

or the other category

when tribulation arises

or persecution because of the word

by and by

he is

offended only dureth

for a while

and so in these words my dear brother and sisters there is a very clear teaching that it is only the passage of time that tells the true story of the character the nature and the quality of a man's discipleship

it's not sealed in a moment of time it's only sealed at the last day when the pilgrimage has run its course

and so if there's no developing interest on our part now in spiritual things

will there be an opportunity for us in the kingdom of god

for that will be its primary preoccupation

so the key idea is developing

growth and development can be seen at every hand on the natural plane in the world

sometimes it is good

and sometimes it is bad

and so too in the spiritual world it is a spiritual thing to receive the word

it must be

for it doesn't make a man bigger or stronger or more athletic necessarily

but this is but the beginning

an acorn may say

great oak trees

from little acorns always grow

and we may say

i will leave it to god

he will ensure that i grow into an oak tree

in his good time

the law of nature my dear brethren sisters

but the law of discipleship

is not the law of the acorn

there are at least four laws four principles revealed to us in that parable of the sower different courses that can be taken different results that can be the final outcome

all receive the word

but not automatically into good ground

it is not a law of nature

in spiritual things

it is rather related to our choice

it is a matter of the will

we decide what we are going to do with the hope that we have received

we decide what we are going to do with our time with our money and with our energies

our employer perhaps takes a third of our time

our rest at night takes a further third but we decide how we are going to use the remainder

food transport shelter and clothing takes a certain proportion of our money

but we decide how we are going to use the remainder perhaps even then we've got it the wrong way around

we should be thinking first

of that which should be devoted to god

and then consider how we may utilize the remainder

our energies are partly devoted to our work

the necessary work we decide

how we will use the remainder

so constancy and discipleship implies perpetual steady abiding with respect to time that is always passing

how do you regard time my dear brethren sisters is it your friend

your companion

or is it your enemy

a faithful disciple is one who is a good steward of all his resources which he recognizes are all god given in the first place

this is the transforming perspective which builds up today's disciple and prepares him for the trials and the tribulations

that may come tomorrow

its challenges its opportunities and its perils

particularly

in the context of our address today

its persecutions

and its tribulations

there is no doubt my dear brother and sisters that the immediate application of these words in the fourth chapter of the first epistle of peter anticipated the time of persecution shortly to come upon those disciples to whom the apostle peter wrote

but these principles

and these teachings are surely no less true for subsequent generations

verse 15

applied directly of chapter 3 rather

sanctify the lord god in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is within you with meekness and fear no doubt this applied directly to the situation of giving an account before the authorities something that they immediately expected and wish to be prepared for

and we recall that the apostle paul answered for himself before festus and before

agrippa at my first answer he wrote to timothy no man stood with me but all men forsook me

patrolling my dear brother and sisters these principles are true in a wider context

be ready always

to give an answer for the hope that was that is within you

not just in the first century context

but in any context of discipleship

there are a number of other passages in the first epistle of peter which relate to this theme of endurance in the face of impending trial tribulation and persecution perhaps we could just look very quickly at them chapter 1

and verse 6.

wherein ye greatly rejoice though now for a season if need be we are in heaviness through manifold temptations

that the trial of your faith being much more precious than a goal that perisheth though it betried with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of jesus christ

once again this idea of suffering and persecution and of testing

must be seen in the context of that which is yet to be

the coming of the lord jesus

chapter 2

and verse 19.

this is thank worthy if a man for conscience toward god end your grief suffering wrongfully

for what glory is it if when you be buffeted for your faults you shall take it patiently but if when you do well and suffer for it you take it patiently this is acceptable with god

for even here unto were ye called because christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that you should follow his steps

chapter 3

and verse 14

but and if ye suffer for righteousness sake happy are ye and be not afraid of their terror neither be troubled

verse 17

it is better if the will of god be so that you suffer for well doing than for evil doing

for christ also hath one suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to god being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the spirit

the time of persecution

anticipated by the apostle peter

is no doubt a situation in a circumstance

that was very different to our own times today

perhaps today

the primary adversary is indifference

but which my dear brother and sisters is the worse

persecution imminent persecution

did mean that a resolution had to be made

a tribunal meant that a decision had to be made

for or against christ

the issue was immediate and the issue was clear-cut

and so the day of christ

could be looked forward to

one way or the other

in hope and in confidence

or with a sense of foreboding

perhaps our age of apathy and indifference

is conducive to twilight discipleship

never really in the light

and never really in the dark

not constant

but fluctuating

and i use the word twilight

from man's viewpoint

we know what the lord god's viewpoint is

that there is only light

or dark

a twilight disciple

one who sticks to the shadows between the meetings of the ecclesia

not really in the light

not really in the dark

and so trial

whether it be

tribulation

suffering

or persecution

will always sharpen the issues

and i think we may distinguish

ten principles

associated with trial

it will come

we know that through much tribulation

we must enter into the kingdom of god

but it cannot do us any real injury

for the experience can lead to blessing

first peter 3 and verse 14.

thirdly

the final issue can always be left with god

first peter 4

and verse 19.

fourthly

for he watches over his children

and also their persecutors chapter 3

and verse 12.

fifthly

suffering can be a test

to prove the reality of faith

first peter 1 and verse 7.

sixthly

god may try or test and therefore strengthen our faith

first peter 1 verse 7

seventhly

it can also be a sharing a partaking

a participation in the sufferings of christ

first peter 4 verse 13

eightly

as they were the pathway to glory for jesus himself

so they can be also for his followers

first peter 4 verse 13

and 16.

ninthly

such suffering

is to be for us a reminder of the future

god will begin his judgment with the saints

and so they can look

beyond the persecution the immediate situation to a glorious future

but on the other hand

the unrepentant sinner has nothing to look forward to

first peter 4 verse 17

intently

god the creator

is also

preserver

consider this very interesting juxtaposition of idea in first peter 4 19 and chapter 5 and verse 10

wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of god commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing

as unto a faithful creator

verse 10 of chapter 5

but the god of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory by christ jesus after that you have suffered a while make you perfect establish strengthen

settle you

and so the god whose marvels and wonders

we have so recently last evening witnessed

in the works of his hands in creation

he's also revealed as preserver

that those works of his hands continue

and they are as marvelous today

as they were when they were created

and what is true in the natural world is true also in the spiritual world

and so persecution sharpens the issue adversity highlights the principles tribulation tests and develops the character

let us consider our blessings for a moment my dear brethren sisters

how many of god's blessings do we take for granted in today's twilight world

the breaking of bread

the fellowship together with our brethren and sisters

the lecture

the bible class

the fraternal weekend

the bible school

if you were in south africa

and in prison

you would not be able to go to any of these

if you were in prison

you wouldn't be concerned about the house

or the garden

or the car

or the job and its possibilities

life would be reduced to its fundamental issues

would we be constant then

in those circumstances

would we be able to see things to be thankful for

in a dark and dingy dungeon

we hope that we would

the hope of the gospel

life itself

my dear brother and sisters fundamental things associated with our calling and our discipleship are vitally important things

we must endeavor to take away the trappings of our life

and see what really lies beneath

what are we left with

are we left with a faith that is true

constant vital and dependable

let us consider the future

first of all

we must be retrospective

and consider the past

i'd like for a few moments to consider the man joe

i almost hesitate to do so in the context of this class

for we all know how deep and profound are the principles and messages contained in the book of job

but i think brethren sisters as his experiences and as his words are so intimately and closely bound up with our theme today it's only right and proper that we should endeavor however briefly to face up to the challenge that is presented to each one of us in the book of job

is suffering

the central issue in this book

is paying god's megaphone to rouse a deaf world

i wonder

may i suggest you that perhaps the real issue in the book of job is not so much the problem of suffering

but rather the transcendence of god his almightiness his majesty

and the way that this impinges

upon our world a finite world

a world of mortal men and women

so the speeches of god in chapters 38 to 41

speak of god's power his majesty and his almighty nets

and does the almighty spend time seeking to answer the questions and charges of job

at first sight it appears not

was job there in the beginning does he know where light dwells

can he bind the stars

god speaks to job of hippopotamuses of ostriches of whales

things in his creation

of meteorology astronomy and cosmology

but suffering is never mentioned

why is this

surely my dear brother and sisters

because job has no right

to argue with god in this way in the first place shall not the judge of all the earth do right

job in his suffering

enquires of god

and god does grant job that which he requests

but the experience

is not at all what job expected

for he is put firmly in his place

and the almighty deals mercifully with job

for he is humbled rather than humiliated

he is vindicated rather than vanquished

at all events he is vindicated against his friends

and their specious interpretations of the significance of the events that came upon him

and i think at the end we do all get the feeling that job is satisfied because the almighty has answered him

and as it were the problem of suffering

is bypassed

why should all those things have come upon this man job

this man who was so upright

and a man of god

so job

cannot solve the problems of suffering at least in a philosophical sense

but because he has

seen

and heard

and witnessed that revelation of god firsthand

it does not matter now in the way that it mattered before

i have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear

but now mine eye seeth thee

so my dear brethren sisters in the life and experience of the man job we have evidence of a man who bore the test

faithfully

and a man who at the end

received more than he had at the beginning

surely here we have a very graphic picture

of the overall purpose of god with each one of us as disciples of the lord jesus christ

that we too might humbly accept what he may choose to bring upon us that in the end we may be the better fitted for his kingdom

that he may be able to give us

much more than we had at the beginning

so the ways of god are in the end finally inscrutable from the viewpoint of man

he may or may not see fit to give us reasons for our experiences

and we cannot my dear brethren sisters

hope to answer the problems of suffering one by one indeed i think if we think we can we ourselves

paradoxically become insufferable to our brethren sisters

only god knows the answers and the final outcome

the lessons from the life of job enable us to meet the problems to be able to cope with them

and not to be crushed by them

in the midst of unexplained adversity the lord god still reigns supreme

as job himself came to realize

behold

we count them happy which end your

ye have heard of the steadfastness of job and have seen the end of the lord

that the lord is very pitiful

and of tender mercy

be ye therefore steadfast

unmovable

always abounding in the work of the lord

for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain

in the lord

think also of other events from the past

god who delivered faithful men in old testament times

can deliver again

god who led the children of israel through the red sea

also led them to the promised land

and we too have come out of egypt and are on the wilderness journey to the promised land

and the coming out

is the foretaste and the guarantee

that the entering in can just as surely follow if we have faith throughout the wilderness journey

god who guided the children of israel by the cloud and by the fire

can still today guide through the unknown

god who provided the manner can provide again to sustain those who put their trust in him

past deliverance assures us of future deliverance past salvation assures us of future salvation

so my dear brothers and sisters we must always remember that faith can

and must be made stronger

as it passes through the trial

soldiers are never proved in the military academy

students are never proved in westfield college

this is the place where instruction is given and where measurements are made

measurements of intellect accomplishment and endeavor

students are not proved at bible school

teachers are not approved at bible school

the instruction may be the very best that can be given the equipment may be the finest that money can buy

but in the end

a soldier is proved in action

he's proved in the battlefield

a student

is proved after he graduates

in the employment

and the success or failure that he makes of it

and we all as bible students

are proved on the battlefield of life

as in the world as we leave this place

we seek to apply the great issues of discipleship

to serve our lord and our master

a man who is a theorizer only

is no good

when it comes to the real world

we must all my dear brother and sisters

be men and women of action

we must be dynamic in our discipleship

theory and practice must go hand in hand and through adversity trial and tribulation they are forged together into an unbreakable unity

faith and action

faith and faithfulness

consider all those great examples of men and women in faith in hebrews chapter 11

all of them without exception are set forward in the context of men and women whose faith was proved in action

out on the battlefield of life

prepared by the word of god indeed fortified by the word of god yes indeed but still proved in the application of that word in their lives

my dear brethren sisters

this life

this life of discipleship

is the only opportunity that the lord god has

to prepare us

to fit us

and equip us

to shape us to mold us to discipline us that we might be fit vessels in his mercy

for his kingdom

finally

let us summarize

the subject of faith on trial began as it were as an exposition of the word words of the apostle peter

and it must surely end

as an example

in the word of god himself

the word made flesh

not just a theorizer

but a man who applied that word in all its aspects

it must end as an example in the life of the lord jesus christ himself

consider him

that endured

he learned obedience

by the things which he suffered

my dear brother and sisters as disciples

we are called upon

to follow him

and to enter into his experiences

as he entered into ours

and we remember

that the lord jesus was constant throughout his ministry

constant

in the trials that came upon him

from the mount of temptation

to the cross

he was constant

and he was constant

in the trial

father

if it be thy will

harm yourselves therefore my dear brethren sisters

with the same mind

Transcript

in our life of discipleship well surely they must be the essential components of that life of discipleship we may think firstly of the word of god

that word which is quick and powerful living and active perpetual and abiding efficacious and all sufficient

when we consider the scriptures my dear brother and sisters we are considering the word of god not was the word of god but is the word of god

in these scriptures we have not merely an accurate god-given history book

but the living word of god always relevant exciting and challenging

this word which is living and therefore able to adapt itself to new situations new circumstances new challenges

it has been well said the more a man makes of the bible the more it will make of him faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of god

and the two attendant implications

this word and its preservation reminds us firstly of the power of god

the lord jesus christ said to the sadducees ye do er

not knowing the scriptures nor the power of god

and so i think brethren sisters from the very beginning it was envisaged that we should take these two things hand in hand it wasn't just that they failed to understand the word that god had given that they had also denied the very power of god himself

the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness

but unto us which are saved it is the power of god

and so in the very preaching of the gospel message in the sacrifice of christ we have a revelation of the power of god and the wisdom of god perhaps from man's viewpoint man's reasoning a very strange revelation a very unusual feature but nevertheless the wisdom of god and the power of god

and the second implication of the word as we mentioned earlier in this series of addresses is of course the word made flesh

i'd like just to refer you to one or two passages in this connection perhaps we could go firstly to the second letter to the corinthians in chapter 12

beginning at verse 9.

2 corinthians 12

verse 9

and he said unto me my grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness

most gladly therefore will i rather glory in my infirmities that the power of christ may rest upon me

therefore i take pleasure in infirmities in reproaches in necessities in persecutions in distresses for christ's sake for when i am weak then am i strong

remember the words that we mentioned in an earlier class about the person and work of the lord jesus christ and how that saul later paul came to be associated with that work i am crucified with christ he said

nevertheless i live and the life which i now live in the flesh i live by the faith of the son of god who loved me and gave himself for me

so that in another place he could proclaim i can do all things through christ who strengthens me

itself denied

and it is the christ-like life

ephesians chapter 1 and verse 17

a further example

ephesians 1 verse 17

that the god of our lord jesus christ the father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places further evidence of the greatness of god and his power was revealed in the resurrection of jesus christ

so the apostle paul proclaimed

to the philippians that we may know him and the power of his resurrection

and considering the lord jesus christ not only as savior coming king to manifest the power of god in the earth we may think also of an aspect of his work which takes us on to our second motivating force

the life of prayer the lord jesus christ whoever liveth to make intercession for us let us come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy

and grace to help in time of need hebrews chapter 4.

philippians 4 verse 6

in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto god

and there are many other passages my dear brother and sisters which emphasize beyond all shadow of doubt the supreme importance of the prayer life of the disciple

thirdly

the breaking of bread our association with the sacrifice of the lord jesus christ in the celebration of his death and resurrection as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you do show the lord's death until he come

not only the remembrance of the past and the anticipation of the future

the application for ourselves as disciples today both individually and collectively

we being many are one bread and one body for we all partake of that one bread

what is the apostle saying there my dear brother and sisters in first corinthians 10 verses 16 and 17.

i think perhaps alternative translations help us better to understand the meaning of these words because there is one bread we being many are one body

so consideration of that one bread upon the table

and its division perhaps into many pieces as it circulates

throughout the assembly of the brethren sisters is a reminder to us

that this is the means by which our unity is to be achieved

as he was one as there is one body so we in consideration of this are exhorted to be united in our lives of discipleship and in the life of faith and of hope

so the breaking of bread leads us on naturally considered fourthly fellowship

the fellowship of the ministering to the saints the pastoral care of the flock paul wrote to timothy in first timothy 3

15 the house of god which is the church or the ecclesia of the living god the pillar and ground

of the truth

so we cannot my dear brother and sisters dissociate the truth from our fellowship together

we cannot separate the truth from the ecclesia its basis and its foundation for the ecclesia is the pillar and ground of the truth proclaims the apostle paul

four motivating forces and their attendant implications

for our lives of discipleship

are these motivating forces having their intended effect in our lives this is the crucial issue ascent

to the principle is one thing

manifesting the principle in our lives is another

how therefore my dear brethren sisters may we measure our standing as disciples of jesus

are we nearer to the goal

than we were at our last bible school

or are we further away

what exactly do we mean by the goal

and how do we measure our path of progress towards that goal

so i'd like now to consider the goal

and the measurements that we may make upon ourselves as to whether this goal is being achieved

i'd like to do this by drawing your attention

primarily to the first epistle of john

if john's gospel contains signs to encourage and to impel faith

then john's epistle contains tests by which that faith may be judged

no doubt when this epistle was written

some time had passed since the message of the gospel had first been preached and over the years new ideas had begun to infiltrate into the minds of the disciples to whom john is writing

and so he's particularly anxious to be to bring them back into a true appreciation of the principle and cardinal points of the christian faith

the letter presents to its readers a series of tests whereby their lives can be judged

just as in the laboratory we may be given a piece of litmus paper and told to judge whether a liquid is acid or alkali by seeing how the paper reacts how it changes color when it is dipped in the liquid so here we are given numerous tests which can similarly be applied to the life of the disciple in order to see how they stand in relation to the demands and the privileges of discipleship

just as the litmus test is a kind of universal it can be used in any laboratory in any place of the world in any circumstances so the tests in john's epistles are a kind of universal they are not confined to the particular historical circumstances that call them forth but can be used in any age and in any circumstance

and although we know very well that the words that john wrote were called forth by particular problems and difficulties particular beliefs nevertheless i submit to you that the principles proclaim there transcend those initial circumstances

at your leisure you might like to just look at the occurrences of the word whosoever in this epistle

so the first epistle starts with the fundamental announcement in verse five of chapter one that god is light god is all goodness there is no place in his being for any darkness any dark deeds or thoughts this being so

it is to be expected that true disciples should walk in the light

but there is always a very real possibility that disciples who think that they are in the light

are from the from god's viewpoint in reality in the dark

and so john sets out the tests whereby we may determine in absolute terms not relative ones whether we are really in the light

or in the dark

walking in the light or walking in the dark

the first few verses remind us that god has been revealed in his son jesus christ in an actual historical manifestation and one of the purposes of this declaration is given in verses three to four to enable the readers to share fully in the life of the believing community a life which is itself a sharing in the life of the father and the son and the shared life leads to a completed joy

and as earlier in john chapter 15 the sharing of the truth led to fullness of life and fullness of joy so it is here

and in this the true disciple may see the reality of his fellowship with god through faith in and obedience to the lord jesus christ

what then my dear brother and sisters are the reliable and certain signs of a life that is truly lived in fellowship with god

and i think verses 8 to 10 give us our first measurement

what is our attitude to sin

verse 8 if we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness so there's two attitudes to sin sin can be faced admitted confessed and forgiven or it can be denied ignored tolerated or perhaps even enjoyed

if our attitude is the former we are walking in the light but if it is the latter we are walking in darkness the important thing is to admit and to confess sin

to claim to be sinless or to never have committed sin is self-deception

forgiveness of sin can only be looked for if honest confession of sin is first made

but you will know well that later on in this epistle we appear to get an advance on this disciples must turn their backs upon sin for sin cannot be entertained as being in any way compatible with the new life in christ

some have felt difficulties with the apparent opposition of verse eight of chapter one and verse nine of chapter three let's give them both together verse eight of chapter one if we claim to be sinless we are self-deceived

verse nine of chapter three a child of god does not commit sin

how may we reconcile these two statements

well i understand there is some support in the greek for the rendering of verse nine of chapter three does not commit sin habitually that is to say as a regular practice

something premeditated

on a regular basis

but i think more probably both statements are answers to specific arguments

that came to the apostle john

and so find their true meaning in the context that first call them for against those who boast a sinless record john says this is self-deception

as paul also effectively proclaimed

all have sinned and come short of the glory of god

against those who say sin doesn't matter john says god's children do not sin

so perhaps both statements are true in their context and both of them consolidate our first test our attitude to sin

the second measurement is our attitude to his commandments

verse 3 of chapter 2

hereby we know that we know him if we keep his commandments

the men of knowledge of the first century no doubt made the claim as many do today

i know him

that their lack of obedience belied their words

no doubt it can be philosophized as to a certain extent it was then

god is primarily concerned with the spiritual man

the actions of the body are religiously indifferent this is the key to unlock the prison of matter and escape into the freedom of the spirit

this will not do my dear brethren sisters it would not do in the days of the apostle and it will not do today

man does not have a body

he is

a body

this is a great truth of scripture we often urge upon our friends in our lectures to demonstrate the truth that man is mortal that he does not have as a separate entity an immortal soul but rather he is a soul a being a living creature

but the message my dear brothers and sisters is for ourselves as well

the actions of the body

are supremely important

and so our claims of knowing god stand or fall

with our attitude to his commandments whether we seek to obey them or not if we do then we are truly in christ to be in christ means to be united with him to belong to him to trust in him and to be there by a true disciple we in christ

and christ in us the hope of glory perhaps a little digression at this point consider again the figure of the vine

i am the vine said jesus ye are the branches

he is the vine

in totality

and we are in him

and the life of the vine

is to be in us

a further test verse 6

the christ like life

he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked

jesus said i have set you an example you are to do as i have done for you reiterated by the apostle peter in his first epistle in chapter 2 verse 21 christ left you an example that you should follow in his steps

the fourth measurement our attitude to our brethren sisters verse 9 of chapter 2 he that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now he that loveth his brother abideth in the light and there is none occasion of stumbling in him

so the presence of hatred

in our heart for our fellow brethren sisters is a sure sign that we are walking in the dark and our discipleship will be null and void for god is both light and love

and not to share god's love means not to share his light

hatred therefore belongs to the walker in the dark

on the other hand if we love our brethren sisters we will walk in the light we will dwell in the light

and we are very unlikely to run into stumbling blocks

jesus said a new commandment i give unto you

that ye love one another

even as i have loved you

the love of the lord jesus christ

was to death wasn't it

it was to the death of himself the old commandment thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself

the new commandment

thou shalt love thy neighbor

to the death of thyself

far more searching much more far-reaching

verse 20 of chapter four i think

confirms the

severity of this measurement if a man say i love god and hateth his brother he is a liar for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen

how can he love god

whom he hath not seen

so it is impossible my dear brother and sisters to love the unseen god and to hate

the brother who is visible some have not always found this convincing

i perhaps could love my brother if i hadn't seen him or known him but having done so i find that i cannot

john says otherwise

this commandment have we from him that he who loveth god love his brother also

the fifth measurement

our attitude to the world

verse 15

of chapter 2

love not the world neither the things that are in the world if any man loved the world the love of the father

is not in him for all that is in the world the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world and the world passeth away and the lust thereof that he that doeth the will of god abideth forever

we have a direct choice my dear brethren sisters

love of the world and its transience

or obedience to god's will with its promise of eternal life

so if we as disciples of the lord jesus love the world our discipleship is not merely weakened it is rendered pointless we become a stranger to the father's love

measurement number six

right belief

verse 18

little children it is the last time does he have heard that antichrist shall come even now there are many antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time

antichrist then and now characterizes the opposition to the true faith

so the true disciple will believe rightly about jesus christ the son of god who was a real literal historical figure who walked the streets and hills of galilee and who gave his life a ransom for many

the false disciple will have accepted what amounts to a species faith

he will have denied both the father and the son and perhaps would even go so far as to say that historicity or literality did not really matter

i think verse 19 in an alternative translation brings out the implications of this point

they went out from our company but never really belonged to us if they had they would have stayed with us they went out so that it might be clear that not all in our company truly belong to it

measurement number seven the moral implications of our hope for the future verse 28

chapter 2

now little children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming

verse 2 of chapter 3

beloved now are we the sons of god and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is and every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure

so only the pure in heart brethren sisters will be able to see god in his full purity and glory and here surely is the incentive to continue the process of becoming more like christ in purity of character

the next measurement are we to others what christ has been first

to us

chapter 3 and verse 17

whoso hath this world's good and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of god in him

perhaps even more forcibly we're not going to turn to this in 2 corinthians chapter 8

when we consider our giving even of material things

we are exhorted by the apostle paul to consider first the supreme giving of the lord jesus christ

the giving of his life

so each of us my dear brother and sisters is called upon to live a life like christ in this respect a life of self-sacrifice and self-giving a life of generosity

generosity of spirit as was supremely revealed in his life

are the principles

being carried into practice

verse 7 of chapter 3

little children let no man deceive you he that doeth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous

so claims to be standing right with god separated from right behavior are meaningless

faith divorced from deeds is lifeless as a corpse very graphic translation there in a modern version of james 2 verse 26

and some have said of course that paul and james are at variance with regard to faith and works but i think that the gap is much smaller than a superficial comparison would first suggest paul writes in part to those who thought that they could work their way into the kingdom james writes to those who thought that they could intellectualize their way into it paul insists that justification is by faith not by works though he clearly expects

that faith to bear fruit in love

james abhors a barren faith a faith that is without deeds a faith that is a mere ascent to the claims of discipleship and not a commitment to them so principles and practice precept

and the application of those precepts must go hand in hand

the way to victory a well-known passage chapter 5

verse 4 whatsoever is born of god overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world even

our faith

and so the key to victory brethren sisters is true faith faith in the lord jesus christ as son of god

and for us such faith will unite us to god through his son who conquered the world

the last measurement we are to consider

is the measurement of prayer

chapter 5 and verse 14.

this is the confidence that we have in him but if we ask anything according to his will he heareth us and if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him

a great excitation there my dear brother and sisters to continue faithfully in the life of prayer

and consider the prayers of the lord jesus throughout his ministry and supremely in the garden of gethsemane

this we are to consider in greater detail tomorrow there surely we have the great pattern for the disciple today

so we've considered some of the measurements that we can apply to our lives of discipleship to see how we're progressing i'm sure brother and sisters and what we have considered there there is much food for thought and indeed further consideration

what i'd like to consider now is

our response we've considered the motivating forces the word of god prayer the breaking of bread the fellowship of the brethren sisters and all the attendant implications of those things

what are the responsive forces on our part that these motivating forces can encourage in us

or perhaps

little

in a rather unusual way i'd like us to consider ourselves

in three groups

i'd like us to consider the sisters

first of all

sisters

what tremendous power you have

a power to good

or a power

to evil

both in the home

and in the ecclesia

how many good brethren in the history of the truth have been dragged down by the wrong kind of woman

how many weak brethren in the history of the truth

have been held up by a strong wife

a wonderful woman like abigail

a woman of good understanding she saved her husband nabal for folly was with him

or the opposite kind of person

jezebel not a homemaker

but a bringer of strife

you can almost see the epitaph written across ahab's two the man whom jezebel his wife

stirred up

or michael

observing david dancing before the lord how glorious was the king of israel today as one of the vain fellows

and she despised him in her heart

and in between these two extremes my dear brothers and sisters there is a spectrum

of good bad and indifferent wives

sisters never underestimate the power that you have

always use it for good

to the building up of the family in the home and the building up of the larger family in the ecclesia of christ

you're not in the position of prominence in the spotlight

on the platform but we know that what goes on behind the scenes

is often far more important in the service and in the purpose of god

it's the unseen things isn't it that in the end prove to be the eternal things

the lasting things

sisters

just a simple test for you

when you last arranged for a babysitter where did you go

you went out

did you go to a meeting of the ecclesia

did you go to visit the elderly brother and sisters

or was the arrangement for the babysitter for a purpose not related

to our walk in christ

single sisters

what opportunities for service and devotion

you have

you have been denied the opportunity of a happy family life and a home with children

but there are still innumerable opportunities in the larger family in the sunday school in the ecclesia

in the bible school

no doubt there are many here today who have occasion to be deeply grateful for the unstinting service of labour and love in the work of such sisters in teaching in the sunday school in visiting the sick in caring for the elderly and the infirm

surely they have many more children of the spirit

than would have been possible had they married

these are the lasting things my dear brethren sisters these are the eternal things

brethren

husbands love your wives even as christ loved the ecclesia

and gave himself

for it

brethren

never underestimate your influence and your power in the ecclesia

speak thou the things which become sound doctrine

be thou an example to the believers in word in behavior in charity in spirit in faith

in purity

brethren

never underestimate

the power and the effect of your example on your immediate family

the best of men the best of brethren

in a moment of weakness can do a terrible amount of harm think of david

a man after god's own heart

the very best of men

and his son amnon

with his illicit desire for his sister tamar

amnon let his weakness

run away with him

but perhaps brother and sisters he saw precedent for it in the behavior of his father

dad did what he wanted with bathsheba

and then with uriah why shouldn't i do what i like with tamar

some men's sins are open beforehand going to judgment

and some men they follow after

and they followed after david

so although his sins were forgiven

the consequences of those sins

and destroyed his family life

if ever there was a man who was cornered by the effects of his own sin

it was the man david

and he ended

as it were like the prodigal son

in a cul-de-sac

in a dead end

because you could not eradicate the consequences of those sins

elders

a very quick look at first peter chapter five

first peter five verse one

the elders which are among you i exhort who i'm also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of christ and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed feed the flock of god which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy luca but of a ready mind neither is being lords over god's heritage but being in samples to the flock and when the chief shepherd shall appear he shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away

jesus said blessed are those servants whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching

and the context of those words implies that the watching ones are those who will be giving service in the household of faith

those able to spiritually feed the members of the community to build them up and to prepare them and to equip them for the coming of the day of the lord

elders

managing brethren arranging brethren

are you fulfilling your responsibilities in the ecclesia of guard

feeding

the flock of guard

meetings of the ecclesia

all elders should be there

to see that this process of spiritual feeding can take place

unhindered

the consideration of elders

leads us naturally into our conclusion

consider the words of the apostle paul as he left the elders at ephesus

i commend you to god and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance

this was the primary method wasn't it

by which the inheritance could be achieved

to god

and to the word of his grace

this brethren says it is our best means of securing in the mercy of god

the promised inheritance

this word which is able to guide to lead to prepare to uphold us to fit us and equip us for his kingdom

so that each of us when it comes

might in his mercy be invited to share in those glories which will fill the earth