Blog Archives - WELCOME TO THE JOY OF TROY

November 30, 2018

11/30/2018

Focus on Jesus                        WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED

        And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2:8.

    Have you ever felt that you were becoming calloused to the cross? Have you ever felt that you have heard so much about it, and seen so many pictures, that it no longer moves you? 1 Corinthians 1, beginning with verse 18 says, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

    One of the apparent handicaps of the early church was that they had to present a God that had been crucified. This was unheard if in the history of gods. And when the Christians came along and preached Christ crucified, it seemed to do away with their whole message.

    In the days of the early church, people knew what crucifixion meant. Some people today have reacted against spending time dwelling on the cross; they feel that we should not focus so much on all the blood and gore. But we need to recognize that there was blood, and there was pain, and there was hurt. It would be a tragedy if we forgot the reality of the cross. Perhaps we should be reminded of the stark facts of crucifixion, and what was involved in the death that Jesus died for us, since in our culture today it is no longer a familiar sight.

    Jesus, with His divine nature, suffered every pain and every insult, to as much greater a degree as His nature is greater than ours. When we come to understand a little more of the extent of His sacrifice for us, we understand better, how much He loves us, that He would be wiling to give His life for our salvation.

November 29, 2018

11/29/2018

Focus on Jesus                        AS THOUGH YOU HAD NEVER SINNED

        These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

    God's kind of forgiveness is far more than the simple forgiveness that we know. When you forgive me, you can still have memories of my horse running through your petunias! But when God forgives me, I stand before Him as though I had never even sinned!  Steps to Christ, page 62, shares the promise, "He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned."

    Jesus said to His disciples in the upper room, before Peter denied Him and before they all forsook Him and fled, "Now ye are clean" (John 15:3). Ye areclean. Did that mean that they would never fall again? No, but at that moment they stood before God as though they had never sinned. They were clean through what Jesus had done and was doing for them. We can have this peace with Godtoday. Jesus said, "In me ye might have peace" (chap. 16:33). "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Peace with God? No question about it.

    This seems to many of us a truth almost too good to be accepted. But it's still the truth, whether we accept it or not. Is there someone who says, "It sounds good, but it's not for me; I've gone too far"? Then notice these encouraging words: "Put away the suspicion that God's promises are not meant for you. They are for every repentant transgressor. Strength and grace have been provided through Christ to be brought by ministering angels to every believing soul. None are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness in Jesus, who died for them. He is waiting to strip them of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and to put upon them the white robes of righteousness; He bids them live and not die."--Ibid., pp. 52, 53. This peace and acceptance and forgiveness by Jesus is yours today, if you accept it.

November 28, 2018

11/28/2018

Focus on Jesus                        ACCEPTANCE FULL AND FREE

        Anyone who gives heed to what I say and puts his trust in him who sent me has hold of eternal life, and does not come up for judgment, but has already passed from death to life. John 5:24, N.E.B.

    The key word in the theme of justification by faith is the word acceptance. When you study what Jesus had to say about justification, and as you see how He treated people, you can't miss this conclusion. We are always accepted just as we are. We don't change ourselves in order to come to Him. Jesus loves to accept us just as we are. This is true not only for the beginning of the Christian life but for every day as well.

    Luke 15:2 says, This man receiveth sinners." In John 6:37, Jesus said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Chapter 3:17, "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Jesus said to the woman dragged to Him, "Neither do I condemn thee" (chap. 8:11). Jesus said, "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world" (chap. 12:47). And in our text for today, Jesus said that those who trust in Him don't come up for judgment.

    Isn't it good news, my friend, to know that we don't have to face the judgment? This acceptance is full and free, and it is based on what Jesus has already done for us. It's good for every day. It causes the poor publican who can't even get into the back row or lift his eyes to heaven to be able to go to his house on the other side of town, holding his head high. He realizes that he is worth everything to God. He is accepted, he is forgiven, he is justified.

    Jesus said that forgiveness is unending for anyone who comes, and who keeps coming, to Him. Will this lead to license? No, because the more you are forgiven, the more you love. And the more you love, the more you obey. God's forgiveness, when rightly understood, does not lead us to play loose with God's grace, but leads to love. And love leads to obedience. It's just that simple.

    Once agan I'd like to remind you of the friendly arms that still open to receive us when we come. Jesus said in Luke 23:34" "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." That forgiveness, that acceptance, is available to you today, as you come to Him.

November 27, 2018

11/27/2018

Focus on Jesus                        SALVATION IS A GIFT

        But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:13, 14.

    We are reminded in the story of the Pharisee and the publican that salvation is a gift. It isn't something we can secure by our fasting or by our tithing, or by any good work that we might do that we think would make us righteous. Salvation is a gift.

    Jesus came one day to the Temple with His disciples. He saw the money-changers, and the buyers and the sellers, and He drove them out, saying, "Make not My Father's house a house of merchandise." There's something deeper here than just the doves and the pigeons and the lambs. God's house is not a marketplace. Salvation is not to be bought and sold. It is a gift, freely given to all who will accept. Jesus indicated in our text for today that the ones who can't pay are invited to the gospel feast. He calls the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind--those who cannot repay Him for His kindness--to come to His table. And He invited us to relate to other people in the same way that He deals with us.

    The publican prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Do you have to be bad in order to make this kind of confession? Do you have to be scooped out of the gutter? Do you have to be a criminal? Paul wasn't. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He lived a blameless life, so far as outward actions were concerned. But one day he had seen so much of the love and righteousness of Jesus that he was willing to say, I am the chief of sinners.

    But it's more than just a matter of saying the right words. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that conviction can be brought so that we mean the words we say. The Holy Spirit brings conviction as we look to Jesus and learn of Him and His love for us. If I want to be sure to stand in the publican's shoes today and experience true repentance, what do I do? I go and study about Jesus and what He has already done for me; and it will break my heart. I will realize that I am one of those who cannot repay Him, and yet was invited to His table. When this happens, we accept the sacrifice provided for us, and we, too, will be justified.

November 26, 2018

11/26/2018

Focus on Jesus                        GOD JUSTIFIES PUBLICANS

        And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Luke 18:9.

    "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week [the Pharisee was probably slim and trim], I give tithes of all that I possess [the church that he attended was probably financially secure]. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:10-14).

    We notice first of all that this parable was spoken for certain persons who trusted in themselves. The initial thrust of this parable is for the Pharisee. Notice that both men went to the Temple to worship, but only one worshiped God, because you can't worship God and self at the same time. They both went there to pray, but only one prayed to God. The Pharisee prayed to himself.

    The Pharisee reminds us by contrast of what Jesus said in Matthew 9:13, "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." And He said in Matthew 5:20 that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Pharisees, there's no hope. The problem with the Pharisee is that he had the idea he could save himself. Anyone who thinks he can save himself is becoming his own God. The hardest hitting warnings in all of Scripture are against that. Trying to take the place of God is called blasphemy by Jesus (John 10:33). And blasphemy doesn't get very good marks.

    It is possible to be a Pharisee today. It is possible today to be guilty of the sin of blasphemy. There is nothing in our tithe-paying, or our fasting, or any of our good works, to commend us to God. Each one of us must recognize anew each day that we are sinners, in need of God's mercy. As we bow in humility with the publican, we too will receive of God's justifying grace, and have peace with God.

November 25, 2018

11/25/2018

The Holy Spirit                        THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR GUIDE

        He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:14.

    The Holy Spirit is given to lead us to Jesus. His work is to glorify Christ. When we become preoccupied with the Holy Spirit and are more interested in the manifestations of the Spirit than we are in Jesus, we have gone beyond what even the Spirit Himself would be comfortable with. That is because the spirit bears witness to, and testifies of, Jesus. Whenever you hear someone talking primarily about he Holy Spirit and His supernatural works, and very little about Jesus, you can immediately suspect, on the basis of God's Word, that it’s the wrong spirit working through him. If it is the wrong spirit, such as an evil spirit in spiritualism, you can be sure that that spirit does not like to hear Jesus uplifted. It is the false manifestation of the Spirit that calls attention primarily to the Spirit instead of to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit "shall not speak of himself" (John 16:13).

    The Holy Spirit also guides us into truth. "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (verse 13). We don't have to depend upon our own feeble human understanding in any situation. The Holy Spirit is willing and ready to bring us divine guidance, to direct our thoughts, to indite our prayers, to show us more of Jesus and His will for us. "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23). We don't have the wisdom to choose rightly, apart from the direction of the Spirit. But the Holy Spirit leads us to understand the will of God for us, as we depend on Him for guidance.

    The Holy Spirit wants to be our guide, not only in living the Christian life but in witnessing as well. He can give us the sensitivity that Jesus had of when to speak and what to say to each person within His sphere of influence. We do not have to rely upon our own power but can trust the Holy Spirit to bring us His power to know how to "speak a word in season to him that is weary" (Isa. 50:4).

    The most outstanding thing about the way Jesus witnessed was that He depended upon power from above Him in knowing how to reach out to others. He did not depend upon His inherent wisdom as God, but gave us an example of being led and guided by the Spirit to reach hearts.

November 24, 2018

11/24/2018

The Holy Spirit                        COMFORTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

        Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Rom. 8:26.

    The Holy Spirit prays for us. The third mighty person of the Godhead is involved in intercession on our behalf. He is on our side. He's for us. He's our Friend. Jesus also is our intercessor. Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." With Jesus and the Holy Spirit both praying for you and interceding for you, how can you miss? There must be a great deal of stubbornness in the human heart that would cause anyone to be lost with this kind of force on our side.

    God has not made it easy for anyone to be lost. He wants each one of us to come to Him and have life eternal. He has made every provision for every need that we have. And the only reason a person is lost someday is because he is just plain stubborn, and holds out in his stubbornness. It is his own resistance. Let's not forget that the only thing necessary for salvation is for us not to resist the mighty forces of heaven. If we do not resist, we will be drawn to Christ. I don't want to resist Him today, do you?

    God invites us to become His sons and daughters, to accept Him as our Father. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are united with Him in seeking to draw us to the place of accepting that relationship with Him. They are united in the work of presenting every enticement to convince us of their love.

    The Holy Spirit is called a Comforter. Have you ever needed comfort? Did you ever fall down when you were small and scrape your knee, and Mother was there to bring comfort? Have you ever known sorrow as you grew older, and had parent or brother or sister or friend to comfort you and bring help, to be there with you? The Holy Spirit is by our side today to bring comfort, to bring help, to bring us to Jesus. In the daily life, in the battles with the enemy, in times of discouragement, He is always there to bring comfort. When you've ended up bruised and bleeding, and afraid that God couldn't forgive you, the Holy Spirit is there. He is by your side today.

November 23, 2018

11/23/2018

November 23

The Holy Spirit                        THE PERSISTENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

        And grieve no the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph. 4:30.

    Have you ever had the idea that the Holy Spirit is easily hurt? At first glance, this text could give that impression. But it is a mistaken impression. The Holy Spirit is not easily hurt--in fact, I don't believe that the Holy Spirit ever gives up. I don't believe that the Holy Spirit ever leaves us. It is possible for us to leave the Holy Spirit, and it is possible for the Holy Spirit to accept our leaving of Him, because of the respect He has for our power of choice. But the Holy Spirit simply does not come to some point where He says, "I'm giving up now--it's no use." Not at all. One of the greatest attributes of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated by the children of Israel. Think of their lives of rebellion and apostasy, of their ups and downs. Yet for hundreds of years, God through the Holy Spirit kept working with them, never giving up.

    Has the Holy Spirit given up on the individual within the nation of Israel, eventoday? No--He still hasn't. We have evidence that right up to the close of time, the Holy Spirit does not give up, in spite of everything. One of the greatest traits of the Holy Spirit is the way He stays with a person, not being pushy--but being persistent. Some of you have had evidence of this in your own life.

    When a person comes along who is absolutely certain that he has committed the unpardonable sin, it is not so. The fact that one is still concerned and seeking after God is an evidence that God is still seeking after him by the power of the Holy Spirit. The unpardonable sin is a very difficult sin to commit.

    The invitation by Jesus that whoever comes to Him He will in no wise cast out has no date on it. Anyone, no matter how far he has gone, if he will come to Jesus and respond to the drawing love of the Holy Spirit today, will be freely accepted and forgiven. God does not give up on man easily. The only way it happens is when man finally gives up on God, and refuses to be drawn to change that decision. But the love and patience of God, and of Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit, continue to this very day. If you come to Him today, you will be accepted.

November 22, 2018

11/22/2018

The Holy Spirit                        YOUR FRIEND, THE HOLY SPIRIT

        But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. John 15:26.

    When we say that the Holy Spirit is a person, we are not speaking of a physical body such as we know. We are speaking of knowledge, feelings, and emotions, and will--the power of choice. It is not necessary to personality to have hands and feet. There are people who have personality who have no hands and feet. But the elements of knowledge, emotion, and power of choice are essential to personality.

    In 1 Corinthians 2:11, it speaks of the Spirit, "For what man knoweth the things of a man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." The Spirit of God knows. Here you have evidence that the Holy Spirit has the power of choice and therefore is an intelligent being, something more than simply an influence. He divides the spiritual gifts to different people "severally as he wills." As He wills! It takes an intelligent being to have the power of choice.

    One of the reasons that we can be sure that the Holy Spirit is a person is because only a person can be treated with rebellion. You can vex and grieve only a person who has personality and a mind. The Holy Spirit is a person, for it is possible to wound Him, grieve Him, and refuse His love (Eph. 4:30).

    In Romans 15:30 we read, "I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me." Whenever you think of the Holy Spirit, do you usually think of Someone who is a loving person? Or do you think of a Being lurking somewhere in the shadows, not too close, checking up on you? Do you think of the Holy Spirit as one who is easily hurt, sensitive? Do you think of Him as impatient, easily grieved? Or do you have the picture of a loving Person when you think of the Holy Spirit? He is one who stays with you and does not easily give up. God is love. The Holy Spirit is love. He stays by your side, seeking to bring comfort. He is your Friend.

November 21, 2018

11/21/2018

The Holy Spirit                        THE HOLY SPIRIT USES US

        For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom. 8:14.

    Which is more important--to try to get more of the power of the Holy Spirit or to try to let the Holy Spirit get more of us? In heathen religions, getting power is apparently the goal. A witch doctor is the one who has obtained most of the power of the heathen gods, and in that way he has more power over the other people in his village. But God does not operate in that way. The secret of the greatest power with God is to allow Him to have the absolute power with us. The more fully we are under His absolute sway, the more constantly we depend upon Him, the more He is able to work in our lives.

    This is the unique Christian approach to religion. Christianity is not for the purpose of getting power over others, as the heathen do. To allow the Holy Spirit to gain control of us and have power over us is to come to the point of subordination and surrender. This brings humility. If you can think of the Holy Spirit, with all His might and all His love and all His mercy, as one of the great members of the Godhead, condescending to come and dwell in us, that in itself is a humbling thought and might keep us from the dangers of becoming drunk with power.

    Satan always uses the power that he has to force those under his control to do his biddings. There is no freedom in being controlled by the power of the devil. His primary purpose is to keep all people under his control and bondage forever. One of the hallmarks of false religions is their lack of freedom of conscience. At Satan's directions, the most cruel persecutions have come as a result of trying to force the minds of others to conform. But the Holy Spirit's control is never of this variety. The Holy Spirit, as an integral part of the Godhead, shares the respect that all of the Godhead have for man's power of choice. Man is free at any time to choose to leave the Spirit's control, and it is only as man man continues to choose that control that the power of the Holy Spirit is manifested in his life.

    God is not interested in a forced loyalty or obedience. God knows that love cannot ever be forced, but is only awakened by love. It is as we respond to the love of the Holy Spirit, as He seeks to draw us, that we know the peace and freedom that comes from being controlled by God.