The Pastor’s Pen

Lincoln writes to encourage and build up God’s people with God’s Word.

Christ – the greatest treasure – Part 2

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

When Christ resurrected and then ascended, the Father seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:20-22). This answers the question; why do Christian’s emphasis Jesus so much? Because He is supreme over all others and beyond compare in every way. Therefore, it is the Christian’s pleasure to explore Christ’s being, His character, His position, His purposes, His works, and His reign.
Making much of Christ is as natural to a believer as breathing. We seek to glorify Christ not because we must, not because we have been instructed to, and certainly not because we have been coerced, but because we desire to. This desire compels the Christian to employ all they have; their intellects, their abilities, skills, energies, gifts, and their possessions, in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:11). A believer should never need to be instructed to consider Jesus (Heb 3:1), they can’t help but think of Jesus because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus (Php 3:8).

Just as Christ is superior to angels (Heb 1:4), so He is also superior to mankind, even though He came to this world in the form of a humble human servant (Php 2:6-8). God temporarily placed Jesus in a position lower than the angels (Heb 2:7) for the purpose of going to the cross. There, Jesus willingly suffered execution so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone, making propitiation for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:9, 17). It is through Christ’s death in our place that He was able to appease God’s wrath for our sin, making peace with God possible (Romans 5:1). By believing this, sinners are justified and declared innocent by God. Therefore, God has elevated Christ to the highest place, having crowned him with glory and honour, putting everything in subjection under his feet (Hebrews 2:7-8).

Even though Christ is exalted above everything and everyone in heaven and on earth, He is still able to sympathize with our weaknesses, as one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Christ lives as our high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens, interceding for those He sacrificed His life for (Hebrews 7:25-26). It’s no wonder then, that though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).

So, when considering Christian living, it goes without saying that the obvious evidence of faith is the happy pursuit of Christlike character expressed through actions. Christians are not those who profess to know God but deny him by their works (Titus 1:16). Believers welcome the world’s observation as an opportunity to give testimony to Jesus through their lives. Conduct that communicates Christ should never be considered a burden, rather, it is the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s fruit that the Lord Jesus Christ lives within (Galatians 5:22-23).

With these brief thoughts in our minds, we can agree with Paul in his closing benediction of Romans 16:27, to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

To be continued…

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Christ, the greatest treasure! – Part 1

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

The Bible rightly gives much attention to Jesus Christ. For although the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). As the revealer of truth, Jesus does what no one else could, He accurately makes God known to humanity (John 1:18). The exposure of God which comes through Jesus is unparalleled by anything or anyone in all creation. This is because Jesus Christ is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore, it is right for Christians to proclaim the excellencies of Christ (1 Peter 2:9).

More than anything else, over the past two years we have learned how easy it is for God’s people to become completely distracted from Christ. With the many loud and passionate voices demanding prominence, we are to take care with one another not to speak or do things which could develop an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God (Hebrews 3:12). We, like the authors of Scripture, know how easy it is to become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:13) which leads our affections away from Christ. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end (Heb 3:14).

To refine and strengthen our faith we consider Jesus (Heb 3:1); giving our thoughts, our songs, our time, and our desires to knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. As the apostle Paul testified, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8). Instead of allowing worldly thoughts and attitudes to dominate, we give ourselves to being transformed by the renewal of our minds (Rom 12:2) to knowing Christ.

As those called to belong to Jesus Christ (Rom 1:6), we Christians elevate Christ to the highest place in our hearts and lives. We resonate with God’s testimony of Jesus, declaring; “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions” (Hebrews 1:8-9). Jesus is qualified to reveal the Father to us because Jesus is one with the Father, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (Philippians 2:6). Only Jesus could truthfully say, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus, who is God over all, blessed forever (Romans 9:5), is the Sovereign we yield our affections to.

While God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world (Hebrews 1:1-2). In centering our thoughts on Jesus, we see that He is the source of our being, He is our creator. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life… (John 1:3-4). As the One who is life in himself (John 5:26), He speaks living creatures into being. All created things are the expression of Christ’s creative power and sovereign will.

May we be truly Christ centred, Christ focused in the routines of life. May the name of our Lord Jesus be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:12).

To be continued…

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Easter – there’s only one!

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

As a nation, we celebrate Easter once every year. And at best, it’s an atheistic celebration. But as believers in Jesus Christ, we celebrate Easter every time we partake in communion. It’s our pleasure during Communion, and at Easter time, to proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). While thinking about this, my thoughts have been drawn into the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:23, the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was being betrayed took bread. There’s a great deal unfolding throughout these events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, as humanity abandons Christ the Messiah.

I’m sure most of the key players in the events of Easter thought they had it under control. Not realising the significance of what was playing out before them, they were all looking out for themselves, and dominated by self-interest.

  • The disciples, well, a dispute arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest (Luke 22:24). So, they didn’t notice the intensity of the Passover Jesus was leading or the predictions Jesus was making of His death.
  • The Pharisees only wanted to be rid of Jesus as He kept on publicly exposing their self-righteous scandals. Matthew 26:3-4 tells it plainly, the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.
  • Small-minded Judas thought he was going to make an easy 30 pieces of silver with minimal fuss (Mat 26:15), all he had to do was deliver Jesus to the chief priests and Romans.
  • Pilot was only interested in maintaining his political position over the Jews within the Roman government (Mk 15:15).
  • The Roman soldiers suffered their usual irritation from dealing with anything Jewish, let alone another blood thirsty crucifixion. Meanwhile Herod with his soldiers treated him (Jesus) with contempt and mocked him (Luke 23:11).
  • Murderous Barabbas must have been elated when Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas (Mark 15:15) in a political exchange for Jesus’ life.
  • The crowds, stirred on by the chief priests, shouted all the more, “Crucify him” (Mark 15:14).
  • The 2 criminals crucified either side of Jesus, hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Lk 23:33, 39). Initially, they only wanted rescuing from the death penalty. But then, one of them repented.

What a terrible mess humanity had made of this. But none of these selfish traits were true of Jesus! He was the ONLY ONE not consumed by self-preservation or self-advancement. Jesus’ primary interest was doing the will of His Father (Mat 26:42; Jn 6:38), which meant going to the Cross. Secondly, Jesus knew He was about to suffer on the Cross, once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Therefore, Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8) becoming the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10). Consequently, we believers have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). The victory of Jesus’ Cross is affirmed in that He has risen (Luke 24:6). Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Romans 8:34).

In response to these Easter mercies of God, we present our bodies (lives) as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship (Romans 12:1).

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Pains of the heart – Part 5 (Final)

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

King David knew better than most about prolonged pains of the heart, and he realised that bodies often heal easier and faster than hearts and minds. While there are occasions when the Lord brings immediate and total recovery, for the most part, the Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3) progressively. Today I want to speak of some practical application which Christians sometimes fail at in the recovery process due to an unwillingness or inability to put God’s Word into practice.
Typically, the Lord’s recovery comes in synchromesh with a believer’s actioned faith. Depending on the causes, medication and counselling may play an important part, but it is consistency of applied biblical instruction that brings biblical truth to reality in a believer’s life.

Following are some practical suggestions, in no particular order, which can assist recovery.

  • Try not to obsess over pain. Seek help and accept help when offered to you. Do not believe the lie that says, “there is no help.” Share life with others who will help you shift your focus towards recovery.
  • Daily read, meditate upon, and memorise God’s Word. Even in small doses, God’s Word is soul food.
  • Pray. This is simply talking with the Lord with a watchful attitude. Speak to Him with gratitude about all the things of life, not only your problems but also of the blessings.
  • Seek forgiveness from both the Lord and people you may have hurt with either actions or words. This will clear your conscience and alleviate crippling guilt.
  • Forgive those who have hurt you. And every time you recall their offence, forgive them again.
  • Fellowship. This may be with just one other believer. Even if unable to meet them in person, use technology to have discussions and prayer time with them regularly.
  • Worship, whether in private, with a prayer partner, or at church with your spiritual family.
  • Physically exercise in a place where you can praise God for the things you see and feel in creation.
  • Do NOT isolate. Loneliness only feeds deeper loneliness. And do NOT assist others to isolate from the body of Christ. Isolation from church, from God’s people, only ever brings certain disaster sooner or later.
  • Be open with your church leaders about what is happening in your life. This may simply mean sharing that you are experiencing great pain or difficulty, enough information so they can be supportive, praying for you, and offer assistance.
  • Seek help with accountability from a stronger Christian over compulsive and repetitive sin in your life.
  • If needed, change your friends should they be predominately negative, complaining, and unforgiving of others. If they are typically critical, rebellious, and demeaning of others, they will drag you into despair.
  • Reach out to serve someone else, not as an authority, but as a calming friend. Bless someone else with the kind of Christian friendship you appreciate having. Treat them as you would like to be treated. Look for friends who you can lift up, who you can refresh, who you can encourage.
  • Be extremely careful with your time on the internet. Social media and web sites which are negatively focused and conspiracy promoting should be avoided. Stay far away from all forms of pornography and sexually wrong relationships. Purity is critical for healthy spiritual recovery.
  • And finally, be patient with yourself, with God, and with others.

I conclude this mini-series with wise words from the apostle Peter. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).

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Pains of the Heart – Part 4

By / The Pastor's Pen / 3 minutes of reading

Christians, be assured that great trials which produce great pain captivates the attention of our great God, and it is Jesus Christ, who is God over all (Romans 9:5). There simply is NO higher authority or greater resource available to us! A brief look at Israel highlights the sovereign grace of God which not only preserved Israel, but equally preserves every believer today.
God had sent Babylon to administer correction for Israel’s persistent idolatrous unfaithfulness to Yahweh (Isa 42:22-24). It was a desperate time in Israel’s history. Yet, while captive to Babylon, Yahweh offered hope and comfort. But now thus says YAHWEH, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

These few words communicate essential truths relevant for every child of God in pain. These are sanity savers, possibly even life savers, which God intends us to cling onto with all our might.

First, YAHWEH is the ultimate authority as your creator. God did not make a mistake, He intentionally made you unique and He has not forgotten you (Job 10:11-12; Psa 139:13-16). No matter how severe the situation, God is greater than your fears, therefore, trust in God and NOT the words that generate fear and suspicion. Just as Yahweh was Israel’s Redeemer, guaranteeing their present and future security, so Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13) guaranteeing our eternal security.

Suffering Christian, be grateful that your name is known by God Almighty. The Lord reminded Jeremiah that “before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you…” (Jeremiah 1:5). Believers are assured that those whom he (God) predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (Romans 8:30). If you have been called to salvation, you are secure for eternity because he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Therefore, it is with much tenderness that Yahweh reminded Israel, as He also reminds us today, that “you are mine.”

God continues in Isaiah 43, to affirm three expressions of His nature which are critical for any of His children needing assurance and hope during difficult times. These three expressions are NOT due to any redeeming qualities on Israel’s part but come purely from the holiness of Yahweh. Isaiah 43:4, you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you. YAHWEH valued Israel as precious. He honoured Israel above all other nations. God loved and continues to love Israel today. God’s affection for Israel was built upon the relationship that God had established with Israel. God explained in Deuteronomy 7:6, for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Similarly, God chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:4-5). If you are suffering pains of the heart as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, remember that you are a direct result and expression of the will of God. Heart recovery begins with resting in these truths.

To be continued…

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