Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 29, 2011

“for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 15:29-32.
 
“29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead?  If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
 
30 Why are we also in danger every hour?
 
31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
 
32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me?  If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE.”  1 Corinthians 15:29-32.
 
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Paul continues to talk hypothetically.  In other words, to use my own words to paraphrase in a nutshell today’s Scripture, Paul is saying hypothetically:  “If there is no resurrection from the dead, then I might as well party all the time if I am only going to die without any punishment for bad behavior or any reward for good behavior.”
 
But, Paul is inferring by today’s Scripture that there is indeed a resurrection from the dead.  Paul knows that there is a resurrection from the dead and that is why he is willing to suffer so much for the sake of the gospel.  We will be held accountable at the end of our lives for our actions during our lives.  We will be punished for bad behavior or rewarded for good behavior.  There is a hell, and there is a heaven.
 
Paul later states in the Book of Galatians:  “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked;  for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:7-10.
 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 28, 2011

The Blessing to the Church of Christ’s Sovereignty

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.
 
“20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 
 
21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 
 
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 
 
23 But each in his own order:  Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,
 
24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 
 
25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 
 
26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 
 
27 For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.  But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 
 
28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.”   1 Corinthians 15:20-28.
 
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Christ’s sovereignty is emphasized in today’s Scripture, particularly the repeated use of words similar to the following:  “HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET”.  Christ’s sovereignty extends from His punishment of the wicked (a/k/a non-elect) to His protection, guidance, and other blessing upon the righteous (a/k/a elect a/k/a His church).  There are many descriptions through Scripture of this sovereignty.  Psalm Chapter 2 and Psalm Chapter 110 are two examples.  For today’s devotion, we will look at two Scripture passages concerning Christ’s sovereignty in His protection, guidance, and other blessing upon the righteous (a/k/a elect a/k/a His church).
 
The first Scripture generally tracks the Scripture for today in following the order of God raising Christ from the dead and God putting all things in subjection under Christ’s feet.  And, what is so beautiful about this Scripture is the conclusion that God gave Christ to the church to be the head of the church over all things to the church which is His body.        
 
“18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.  These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”  Ephesians 1:18-23. 
 
The second Scripture goes into more specific things that Christ has done for the church.  Christ made us alive!  Christ removed our slavery to our sinful flesh by His circumcision of us!  Christ forgave us all of our transgressions!  Christ “canceled outthe certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross”!  Christ has “disarmed the rulers and authorities”, our enemies that were also hostile to us!  Christ has made us complete in Himself!  Christ is our head over all rule and authority!
 
“9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.   13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  Colossians 2:9-15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 27, 2011

The Necessity of the Resurrection of Christ

Today’s devotion is 1 Corinthians 15:12-19.
 
“12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;  14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.  15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.  16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;  17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.  18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”  1 Corinthians 15:12-19.
 
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It is difficult to read today’s Scripture.  There are seven “if”s.  There are such hopeless “then” consequences of these “if”s.  There is the final summary consequence of “we are of all men most to be pitied.” 
 
What is the purpose of today’s Scripture?  We all know that Scripture clearly teaches that Christ “was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” as stated in the immediately prior section of Scripture.  1 Corinthians 15:4.  We all know that Scripture so repeatedly teaches the resurrection of Christ and its meaning to us throughout the New Testament with prophecies in the Old Testament.
 
It seems to me that Paul does not want this part of the gospel to recede from the position of historical fact to just a belief.  Paul knew that over a short amount of time the remaining eye-witnesses of Christ’s resurrection would die.  Although “most of whom remain until now, … some have fallen asleep (died)”.  1 Corinthians 15:6.  Paul knew the danger that there would not only be unbelievers who would be unbelieving, there would also be the danger that believers would be skeptical and hold to the resurrection of Christ as just a belief and not as a historical fact.  Paul knew the danger that the resurrection of Christ would be considered less important than other things, such as the teachings of Christ.
 
How often have we heard:  “All that matters is that we love our neighbor.”?!
 
Today’s Scripture shows the necessity of the resurrection of Christ to the gospel, our faith.  Without the resurrection of Christ, our preaching is vain, our faith is vain, we are false witnesses of God, our faith is worthless, we are still in our sins, and “we are of all men most to be pitied”.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 26, 2011

The Grace of God

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 15:9-11.
 
“9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
 
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain;  but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
 
11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”  1 Corinthians 15:9-11.
 
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Today’s Scripture focuses on “the grace of God” which is mentioned twice and which is demonstrated in Paul’s life.
 
Paul did not use that grace as an excuse for laziness, and neither should we.  Paul stated that:  “His grace toward me did not prove vain;  but I labored even more than all of them”.  But then, Paul quickly added:  “yet not I, but the grace of God with me”.  
 
Paul was not boasting.  He previously “set the stage” by declaring that he was “the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God”.  And, he concluded:  “Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.” 
 
Paul recognized that “the grace of God” deserved the credit for whatever success was accomplished.  When Paul states:  “Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”, we remember what he wrote earlier in this book of 1 Corinthians.  “What then is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.  So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.”  1 Corinthians 3:5-7. 
 
So, then let us look at a few things of this “grace of God”.
 
First, we were created by God for the specific good works that He gifts us and otherwise also enables us to do.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.
 
Second, God gives us the will to do His will.  God works within us.  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  
 
Putting these two things together using a musical analogy, God gives us each different musical instruments (“we are His workmanship”), and then God’s Spirit blows through each instrument (“to will and to work for His good pleasure”) to combine and orchestrate the two into beautiful music.  “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  1 Corinthians 12:5-7.
 
In briefest summary, all is accomplished by “the grace of God”.  It is all “His doing”.  “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 25, 2011

The Facts of First Importance of our Faith

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.
 
“1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;  7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;  8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”  1 Corinthians 15:1-8.
 
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The emphasis of today’s Scripture is that certain historical facts occurred that were witnessed and thereby proved.  Christ died.  Christ hung high on the cross in the open on a hill for everyone to see.  There were plenty of witnesses to that historical fact of Christ’s death.  Christ was buried.  There were plenty of witnesses to that historical fact. Christ was raised on the third day.  Notice how verses 5 through 8 emphasized the number of people to whom Christ “appeared”, thus proving His resurrection.  There were plenty of witnesses to that historical fact.  During all times, “eye-witnesses” are one of the best means of proving facts.

These facts are of “first importance” of our gospel a/k/a faith.  For example, although The Apostle’s Creed is very short, it contain these three facts of “first importance”:  Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism states in part to these three facts of “first importance”:

Question 40.  Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even unto death?

Answer.  Because with respect to the justice and truth of God, satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God.

Question 41.  Why was he also “buried”?

Answer.  Thereby to prove that he was really dead.

Question 42.  Since then Christ died for us, why must we also die?

Answer.  Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life.

Question 43.  What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?

Answer.  That by virtue thereof, our old man is crucified, dead and buried with him;  that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us;   but that we may offer ourselves unto him a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Question 45.  What doth the resurrection of Christ profit us?

Answer.  First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, that he might make us partakers of that righteousness which he had purchased for us by his death;  secondly, we are also by his power raised up to a new life;  an lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.

In conclusion, through God’s grace and work within us, today’s Scripture encourages us to remember and share these simple three facts of “first importance”:  Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 23, 2011

“But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 14:34-40.
 
“34 The women are to keep silent in the churches;  for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.  35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home;  for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.  36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth?  Or has it come to you only?  37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.  38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.  39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.  40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”  1 Corinthians 14:34-40.
 
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Some may bristle against verses 34 and 35 that women are to keep silent in the churches.  However, this is not an isolated nor mistaken command.  1 Timothy 2:11-15 likewise commands:  “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.  But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.  For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.  And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.  But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”

Paul recognized that there would be those who personally thought for various different reasons that women should be allowed to teach in the worship services.  Paul recognized that they would have strong personal opinions that would seem logical, and therefore he emphasizes the importance of this law by sarcastically commenting in verse 36:  “Was it from you that the word of God first went forth?  Or has it come to you only?”  In other words, God’s law did not originate with the Corinthians, they only were blessed to receive it.  Therefore, the Corinthians did not have the basis of justice and equity in their personal lives through which they could create God’s laws or amend God’s laws or revoke God’s laws that they did not like.   

Now and then, we need to get past a fear of women to get to a fear of God.  We need to worry more about what God would think about our search for loopholes to get around this command to excuse our disobedience than we need to worry about what a talented woman in our church may think about our presentation, obedience, and support to this law.

Our fear of God can increase through a reminder of Uzza’s story.  The LORD had make strict commandments on how the holy ark of the covenant should be approached and transported.  But, the people did what was right in their own eyes.  It seemed as if they were doing good, and they “were celebrating before God with all their might”.  And, Uzza prevented the ark from falling off the cart.  But, here is what we read in 1 Chronicles 13:1-10.  

“1 Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds, even with every leader.  2 David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is from the LORD our God, let us send everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel, also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands, that they may meet with us;  3 and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.”   4 Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.  6 David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, the LORD who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called.

7 They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.  8 David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, even with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals and with trumpets.

9 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it.  10 The anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark;  and he died there before God.”  1 Chronicles 13:7-10.  

In applying Uzza’s story to this command that women should be silent in church, it may look right in everyone’s eyes that women should be allowed to teach in church.  The women may be doing good.  The women may be celebrating before God with all their might.  The women may prevent some bad things from happening to the church.  But, all of this does not excuse or allow us to break God’s commandment and allow women to teach in church, and if we allow it to happen, the anger of the LORD may burn against us too.  

Now, there certainly may be forgiveness, but let us be careful that whether it be women being silent in the churches or some other specific matter.  “… all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 22, 2011

“Let all things be done for edification.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 14:20-33.  Here is a link to this Scripture –
 
 
We will focus on the following verses 26 through 33. 
 
“26 What is the outcome then, brethren?  When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.  Let all things be done for edification.  27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;  28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church;  and let him speak to himself and to God.  29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.  30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.  31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;  32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;  33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”  1 Corinthians 14:26-33.
 
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Edification, which is the building up of the church, continues to be the theme of 1 Corinthians Chapter 14.  Today’s Scripture contrasts disorganized speaking in tongues with organized clear teaching.
 
Although we may not be tempted in Reformed and Presbyterian churches to allow such disorganized speaking in tongues in our services (or any speaking in tongues, whatsoever, for that matter), we can learn from a more general principle taught here that all things should be done for edification.  “Let all things be done for edification.”:  “so that all may learn and all may be exhorted”.
 
Thus, even though there may not be the temptation for a minister or teacher to allow such speaking in tongues, I do see the temptation for a minister or teacher to get carried away by his own “cuteness” or “cleverness”.  He may inappropriately try to be funny.  He may inappropriately try to show off his own knowledge or otherwise focus on himself. 
 
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”  Ephesians 4:29
 
And, I also can see that today’s Scripture may wrongly be used by some to argue for a “free for all” that everyone should be allowed to teach in a worship service.  Although we can give more opportunity for teaching and other participation in Sunday School classes, today’s Scripture needs to be considered with other Scripture which would limit such teaching.  As just one example, even in the very next verse after today’s Scripture, we read:  “The women are to keep silent in the churches;  for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.”  1 Corinthians 14:34.
 
But, even more generally, we should consider Scripture such as the following Ephesians 4:11-16.  We can clearly see that this following Scripture also focuses on the common goal of edification of the church, but we also clearly see that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are given for “the building up of the body of Christ”.  We should trust their leadership and not use Scripture such as today’s Scripture to force our way into teaching in the worship service.
 
“11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.  14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;  15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”  Ephesians 4:11-16. 
 
In summary, let us be careful that all things be done for edification.  Whether we are a minister considering our choice of words in a sermon, let not our goal to be funny or clever or cute.  Or, whether we are a lay person in a Sunday School class, let us not be eager to just blurt something out.  For all of us, let our words be only those which are “good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”   Ephesians 4:29.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 21, 2011

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching …”

Today’s devotion covers 1 Corinthians 14:1-19.  Here is a link to it – Click here: 1 Corinthians 14 NASB – Prophecy a Superior Gift – Pursue love – Bible Gateway
 
We will focus on the first five verses that I will quote herein.
 
“1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.  2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God;  for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.  3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.  4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself;  but one who prophesies edifies the church.  5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy;  and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.”  1 Corinthians 14:1-5.
 
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When we read the following definition of “prophesy” and consider all the definitions, it seems as if the context of today’s Scripture is using the term “prophesy” to mean “to generally teach a religious matter” – 

I am not going to specifically address speaking in tongues in this daily devotion.  It is not as much as a practical concern to the readers of a Reformed Doctrine blog as a more general concern about the importance of preaching and teaching without the specific comparison to speaking in tongues.
 
I am also not going to specifically address the importance of preaching beyond this fleeting reference in this paragraph.  Much has been written about preaching as being one of the two “means of grace” in addition to the sacraments.  Here is one example of such a writing.  It is a sermon titled “The Means of Grace” by Rev. Herman Hoeksema of the Protestant Reformed Churches in 1936 – Click here: The Means of Grace   Rev. Hoeksema quotes The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 25, Question 65:  “Since then we are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits by faith only, whence doth this faith proceed?  Answer:  From the Holy Ghost, who works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, and confirms it by the use of the sacraments.” 
 
Today’s Scripture is directed more generally to teaching than specifically to preaching.  The prophesy within today’s Scripture seems to be less formal, and more general, than just preaching.  “… I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.”  1 Corinthians 14:19.  In addition, today’s Scripture seems applicable to a greater range of people than just ministers.  There is not the use of words like “minister”, “pastor”, “preacher”, “elder”, or “preaching”, but rather there is use of more general words like “one”,”you”, “speaks”, “teaching” and “instructs”. 
 
So, after all this introduction, let’s get to it.  Today’s Scripture points to the importance of prophesy.  “But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.”  But, today’s Scripture does not limit such edification, exhortation, and consolation to a sermon or even a Sunday School class.  As stated above, “… I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.”  1 Corinthians 14:19.
 
Most of us can do it.  We can edify, exhort, and console others.  Yes, there are spiritual gifts to preach and teach.  But, first of all, today’s Scripture exhorts us to “… desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”  1 Corinthians 14:1.  Secondly, even if we don’t have a spiritual gift to do so, it does not mean that we should not edify, exhort, and console others at all.  
 
We may not have speaking in tongues preoccupy us, but we may have a more general reluctance to teach others.  Too many people in church act like silent pious statues.  They don’t want to admit their shortcomings.  They don’t want to admit their troubles.  They don’t want to say anything that could imply that they have any problems or even that they had any problems, which provide the basis for their teaching.
 
However, our shortcomings and troubles are often the best teaching tools, because they produce empathy and practical experience.  We can sincerely feel the empathy with others, because like those others, we were in that situation before.  We have practically learned how God’s Word has been fulfilled in our lives.  It does not necessarily mean that we should teach on every subject.  But, we can follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.  We will know the time when we should at least say those “five words” that could edify, exhort, and console. 
 
And, let us not just use our common sense to edify, exhort, and console.  But, rather, let God’s word richly dwell within us, so our words come from that fountain of pure living water! 
 
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 20, 2011

“Love never fails”: The Hope of Reformed Doctrine

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.
 
“8 Love never fails;  but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away;  if there are tongues, they will cease;  if there is knowledge, it will be done away.   9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part;  10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.  11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.  12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face;  now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.  13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three;  but the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:8-13.
 
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“Love never fails”.  
 
Yesterday, I described God’s love as “heroic”.  “God’s love saves!”  But, there are isolated, “one-time”, “one-act” acts of heroism.  But, not from God!  God’s love never fails!  Romans 8:26-39 gives us insight into how God’s love never fails.
 
“26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;  for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 
 
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  30 and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
 
 31 What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;  who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 
 
36 Just as it is written,“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;  WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
 
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:26-39.
 
 

Reformed doctrine a/k/a Calvinism gives us a better understanding of God’s never-failing love.  Reformed doctrine is in contrast to Arminian doctrine.  

Arminian doctrine emphasizes man’s free will and teaches that God loves everybody and Christ died for everybody, but then God’s love stops and is in essence an isolated, one-time act of heroism, and it is up to man to follow through with his own “free will” works or faith, to basically save himself. 

On the other hand, in sharp contrast, Reformed doctrine emphasizes God’s sovereignty and teaches that although salvation is limited to God’s elect, God’s love never fails in providing all that the elect need for salvation including limited (but completely effective) atonement, irresistible grace, and preservation of the saints.  Praise God that His love never fails!  This is the hope of Reformed Doctrine.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 18, 2011

“God is love”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
 
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;  love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
 
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“God is love”.  1 John 4:16.
 
God is patient.  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9 
 
God is kind.  “The LORD is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds.”  Psalm 145:17
                          
God “does not take into account a wrong suffered” from His people.  “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.”  Proverbs 10:12.  “… God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”  2 Corinthians 5:19  It is time to pause and consider that God only loves His people.  For the non-elect, the wicked, God does not love them, but rather, God does take into account a wrong suffered from them, and God does count their trespasses against them. 
 
God bore the sins of His people:  “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”  Hebrews 9:28
                            
God endured the cross.  Let us fix our eyes “… on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:2.
 
God bears fruit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23. 
 
In conclusion, we should not think of “love” just as an abstract concept.  Rather, we should think of love as personified in God.  “God is love”.  Yesterday’s devotion focused on God as the source of love.  Today’s Scripture focuses on the specific qualities of love, namely God’s qualities.
 
And, God’s love is not just a warm, cozy feeling.  God’s love is heroic!  God’s love saves! 
   
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Titus 3:4-7.

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