April 2024 T4T Newsletter: Resurrection Verse Pack

April 2024 T4T Newsletter: Resurrection Verse Pack

It’s thrilling to know that the same question that plagued Job is the same question that has challenged all of humanity. In Job 9:2 he asked a question for the ages, and one that has indeed been asked over and over again and is the greatest question facing all of humanity.

“How can a man be in the right before God?” (Job 9:2)

Job is simply asking what must a person do in order to be in a right relationship with God. This is the most important question and one that each of us would do well to ponder. Interestingly, the world over, the mass of humanity has sought the answer to this question by looking inwardly. Such looking has led to every known human derived institution of religion known to man. Save one. Christianity.

And in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have had revealed to us by God Himself, the right answer to Job’s question. The answer of which is provided by God Himself.

In fact, God did provide Himself as the means by which a man or woman could be in a right relationship with Himself. 

Jesus Christ, the God-man, being without sin, became sin by taking on Himself the sins of the world. And at the cross, He bore the wrath of God as the right punishment for those sins. The New Covenant was established and those for whom Jesus died in their place, could now live as forgiven sons and daughters of God.

This good news, this gospel message, is at the heart of God’s redemptive plan for the ages. And how we can know for certain that God’s gospel is on the solid, and can be trusted in, is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus. Because as the Apostle Paul said to the believers in Corinth, “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless, you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17) The resurrection of Jesus Christ is without question, the validation and vindication of God’s eternal purpose. The Apostle Paul said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was God’s “proof to all” people everywhere that Jesus, the very Son of God, was indeed Himself God in the flesh come redeem His very own.

And while that’s indeed good news, and the reason for the hope that all of God’s children possess, the hope of knowing we have the free forgiveness of sins and are thus made to be in a right relationship with God for all eternity because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We also need to be ready to make a defense for this hope we possess to others when asked.

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15

So let me encourage you to put together a ‘Resurrection Verse Pack’ so that you will indeed be “ready” when asked “to give an account for the hope that is in you.”

1. Jesus predicted His own resurrection:

Matthew 16:21

From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.

Matthew 17:22–23

22And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; 

23and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved.

3. Matthew 20:18–19

18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, 

19and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

Luke 9:21–22

21But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, 

22saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”

Luke 18:32–33

32“For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, 

33and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.”

In each of these verses Jesus foretold of His death, burial and resurrection. Now in the next set of verses, we have scriptural support for the fact that it happened just as Jesus foretold.

II. Post-resurrection verses

Luke 24:6–7 

6“He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 

7saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

Luke 24:45–48 

45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 

46and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 

47and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 

48“You are witnesses of these things.

Acts 10:39–41 

39“We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. 

40“God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 

41not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:3–5 

3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 

4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 

5and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

III. Verifiable Burial

Another scriptural support for the hope of the resurrection is a verifiable burial. All four gospels give independent accounts of Jesus’ proper burial at the hands of one Joseph of Arimathea.

Joseph was a “prominent member of the Council” who deliberated on what to do with Jesus. Joseph was a very well known person within Jerusalem and would not be the sort of person who would have been invented by the disciples if they were intending to make up a phony story about Jesus’ burial. This shows us that the disciples simply recorded the facts as they occurred. 

Verses to support this: 

Matthew 27:57 

57When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.

Mark 15:43 (NASB95)

43Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

Luke 23:50–53 (NASB95)

50And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 

51(he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; 

52this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 

53And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.

John 19:38 (NASB95)

38After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.

IV. Women Were the First Eyewitnesses

Another scriptural support for the hope of the resurrection is both simple and profound. The empty tomb of Jesus was first discovered by women. All four gospels affirm that the empty tomb was discovered first by women. Which, if the disciples of Jesus were trying to invent a plausible story, they would have never had women as the first witness at the empty tomb. In the first-century Jewish society, a woman’s testimony wasn’t even permissible in a court of law. In other words, a woman’s testimony would not have been regarded as truthful. So again, if the disciples wanted to deceive people into believing a fake resurrection story, they most certainly would not have had women first at the empty tomb. Instead, they would have had men there first. So again, there is biblical, historical, and logical evidence to support the accurate reporting of Jesus' resurrection. Another point here is the love of Jesus for women. We see all through the New Testament that women are esteemed and loved by our Lord. 

Verses to support this:

Matthew 28:5–6

5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 

6“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

Mark 16:6

6And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.

Luke 24:3–6

3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 

5and as the women were terrified…the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 

6“He is not here, but He has risen.

John 20:2

2So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

Now, for a few more historical facts that help support the resurrection story of Jesus are these: 

V. The Disciples Willingly Died for Their Beliefs

“People will die for their religious beliefs if they sincerely believe they’re true, but a person won’t die for religious beliefs if they know absolutely their beliefs are false.” History shows us that Jesus’ disciples lived the rest of their lives in very difficult circumstances and ultimately became martyrs for their faith in Jesus. These men were in a unique position not only to believe Jesus rose from the dead, but to know with 100% certainty. Surely they didn’t die believing in a lie. Their martyrdoms are established historical facts. 

VI.  Changes to Key Jewish Social Structures

In Peter's earliest sermons, we see that several thousands of Jewish people were committing themselves to the faith of Jesus being their long awaited Messiah. In order for them to do this, it required a staggering change for them and their families within the social structures of their Jewish communities. Such changes could only be understood in light of their seeing and hearing of all that happened to Jesus, including of course His death, burial and resurrection. 

All of these facts are without dispute and should enable us as disciples of Jesus Christ to be very bold in our witnessing to others about the reality that Jesus rose from the grave just like He said He would.

1. The testimony of Jesus Himself.

2. An indisputable burial. 

3. The testimony of the women at the tomb.

4. The life transformation of His disciples.

5. Changes to Jewish social structures.

All five of these PROOFS give support to the reality of the hope we have in the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

March 2024 T4T Newsletter: So Great A Salvation

What if I told you that everything related to your salvation depended on God? Which, is what Jesus taught us recently in Matthew 13:11 in the parable of the Sower, Seed and Soil. God “granted” some “to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”, and to others He did not grant such knowledge. I’m willing to speculate that most of us would readily agree with the proposition that God is the one who saves. Yet, when pressed on this issue, if God sovereignly saves some people but not all people…well, it seems that some people aren’t ready to say that, feeling that somehow, we ultimately do have something to do with our salvation. When pushed as to what that “something” might be, well, we often say…, ‘we must repent” (Matt. 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22; 17:30; Rev. 2:16) or “we must repent and believe” (Mark 1:15; 5:36; John 1:12; Acts 8:37; 16:31; Rom. 3:22; 4:24; Gal. 3:22) or “we must repent, believe, and confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord” (Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8; Rom. 10:9; Phil. 2:11). Well, knowing that the scripture indeed tells us that we must do each of these things, it would seem correct to say that we do indeed have something to do with our own salvation.

Unless, we understood, that those actions we freely take, such as believing, repenting and confessing, which are indeed actions taken by those who are “saved”, are in fact actions we freely take AFTER Jesus has first drawn us to Himself, and ransomed our spiritually dead soul from the dungeon of Adam’s original sin (Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:22). After seeing the kingdom of heaven as the “hidden treasure” (Matthew 13:44) that it truly is. The ransom price being Christ’s own life as the sinless sacrifice whose blood did once and for all permanently what the countless lambs previously sacrificed could only do temporarily. Expiate our sin (Matt. 26:28; Rom. 3:25; 5:9; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:25; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:11-28; 1 Peter 1:19; Rev. 5:9-10)! And indeed, that’s what Jesus’ death upon the cross of Calvary DID for the elect of God, those whom He predestined unto salvation according to His good pleasure and will (Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:5,11). This is why John 12:32 is a very important verse in understanding why salvation is a singular act of God alone that then, and only then, enables God’s elect children to freely repent, believe and confess Jesus as Lord.

I believe we see this very promise from Jesus Himself in John 12:32, when He said…

32 As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.

33 He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.

His being lifted up from the earth is clearly a reference to His being crucified on a CROSS. 

John confirms as much in verse 33…

Now, notice…Jesus said that at the cross He would “draw” all people to Himself. 

Notice these three words from the text…I WILL DRAW…what possibly does Jesus mean here?

This verb “draw” is translated from the Greek verb…ἕλκω…which translates ‘I will draw’. 

It means “to pull or drag, requiring force because of the inertia of the object being dragged—‘to pull, to drag, to draw.’”

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 207). New York: United Bible Societies.

We see from this definition, and its use in John 12:32, that Jesus is the one initiating the action of this verb, it is something He will do, and that “all people”, is the object of which Jesus’ drawing will happen. 

So if we are to take Jesus at His word here in John 12:32, that when lifted up from the earth to die on a cross, he “will draw all people to [Himself]”;  we are forced to say that Jesus alone is taking credit for the work of ‘drawing’, the individuals of whom make up the class of “all people” (John 6:44; 65).  A class of once spiritually blind and spiritually dead souls, who were dead in Adam’s original sin, incapable of coming to Jesus of their own accord (Rom. 3:9-20; Eph. 2:1-3). Thus we see both the reason and need of Jesus “to draw” them to Himself in the first place.

Jesus’ death upon the cross didn’t simply make salvation a possibility for ALL PEOPLE…that would be to say that Jesus’ death saved nobody; it just made salvation possible for everybody. This understanding of Christ’s death demonstrates a misunderstanding of the atoning blood sacrifice and its proper application.

“The Hebrew word translated ‘atonement’ is kaphar, meaning ‘to cover.’ This suggest that through the act of atonement sin is covered so that God no longer sees it. Throughout the OT the covering is achieved, ostensibly at least, with the blood of an innocent animal whose innocence renders the repentant sinner innocent as well (Lv 1:4-5; 17:11). The New Testament term hilasterion, ‘propitiation,’ continues this OT concept, again in contexts of blood sacrifice (Rm 3:25).” Eugene H. Merrill; Jesus and Atonement in the Old Testament; HCSB pg. 2123

What Jesus accomplished when He died on the cross as an ATONING SACRIFICE was an actual "blood covering" for those He came to save, it was a procurement and guarantee of salvation for their very souls; for the ELECT of God (Matt. 24:22, 24, 31; Rom. 8:33)…for the particular sheep whom He said that He would lay His life down for (John 10:11,15).

And we see this in these three words…I WILL DRAW! Jesus left nothing to chance (John 10:27-30)! 

Now, this begs a different kind of question.

Does this mean that ALL PEOPLE will ultimately be saved? After all…Jesus said…, “I will draw ALL PEOPLE to Myself.” Is the idea of a universal promise of salvation taught here?

Certainly not…we see in John 5:28-29…Jesus has already made it clear that some will be lost…and in John 10:24-30, Jesus says that not all people are His sheep.

So how are we to understand the words, ALL PEOPLE in relation to Christ’s “drawing”?

Well, in this context…as well as in a few other passages that would seem to indicate a universalistic application of Christ’s atoning death (see…1 John 2:2; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 1 Timothy 4:10; 2 Peter 3:9), the best understanding of “all people” can only be that ALL PEOPLE is referring to the elect of God which will include, “ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE”…meaning…both Jews and Gentiles. Because, if you don’t take this understanding, the only other option you have, is to say, that all people will be saved in the end, even those who die in unrepentant sin professing hatred against Christ and His cross.

Those elect which will be saved then will include not only Jews, but also those from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Rev. 5:9; cf. John 10:16; 11:52). Jesus dies for ‘all kinds of people’, for the stated purpose of making “one flock”, all of whom will have “one shepherd” (John 10:16). 

So, what if I told you that everything related to your salvation depended on God? Everything (1 Cor. 1:30-31)! Let’s never stop thanking and serving God for His amazing grace shown us in the person of Jesus Christ (Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; 5:2)! And let’s keep SOWING (Matt. 13:3) and KINGDOM CASTING (Matt. 13:47-50) until HE comes again (Revelation 6:12-16), because until HE comes, HE is still drawing all kinds of people unto salvation. AMEN!

February 2024 T4T Newsletter: Are You a Living Bible?

This year as we venture into 2024 with aspirations of continued spiritual growth in our Christian walk, let’s make the decision to consume more of God’s Word this year than in any previous year. I’ve got a link for Bible reading plan options at the end of my article! 

Like Spurgeon of old who said of the beloved author of Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan, 

“I would quote John Bunyan as an instance of what I mean. Read anything of his, and you will see that it is almost like reading the Bible itself. He had read it till his very soul was saturated with Scripture; and, though his writings are charmingly full of poetry, yet he cannot give us his Pilgrim’s Progress—that sweetest of all prose poems — without continually making us feel and say, “Why, this man is a living Bible!” Prick him anywhere—his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his very soul is full of the Word of God. I commend his example to you, beloved.”

 As we recently looked at the command from 1 Timothy 4:7 to “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness,” I encouraged you to make a purposed plan for spiritual growth that was both intentional and sustainable. In other words, start a Scripture reading plan that you can stick with and can thus experience sustained progress and success with. 

Consider with me the importance of God’s Word with regard to our continued spiritual growth and successful walk in following Jesus. One particular Scripture that informs our thinking in this manner is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches us that ALL of the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, a collection of 66 books, were ALL inspired by God, for the express purpose of growing us spiritually and preparing us to successfully follow Jesus. My pastor in college used to say that he could never get over the fact that God had written him a letter for what to know while on earth. He was a man known for his great Bible intake. 

When we allow the authors of these pages of Scripture to speak for themselves, what they tell us overwhelmingly, over 2,000 times in just the Old Testament alone, is that the pages of Scripture that were written by the hand of man are actually a Word from God Himself. So a logical question might be, ‘How is that even possible?’.

The Apostle Peter tells us how God did this in 2 Peter 1:21 when he said, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” As such, Scripture is not of human origin but clearly of divine origin. The Holy Spirit of God is thus the acting agent in the production of the Scriptures as each writer was borne or carried along by the Spirit of God while writing, all the while using their own personality, inflection and style of writing, to produce the collection of 66 inspired letters from the mouth of God.

Let’s look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and be reminded again of just how much we need a consistent plan of Scripture reading and memorization for our continued spiritual growth. 

2 Timothy 3:16

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

Let’s make 7 simple observations from this text.

#1. All Scripture…this would include both Old and New Testament…are inspired writings.

As such, as we see here, ALL SCRIPTURE is breathed out by God.

#2. Breathed Out by God = God Breathed (literal translation)…All Scripture is thus from the mouth of God to the pen of certain individuals whom He chose to write down HIS WORD. The Word of God is perfect, without error, and infallible; it cannot be broken. 

#3. Profitable…it’s for your flourishing in life…it’s for your gain…and specifically it’s profitable in four distinct ways. 1) Teaching. 2) Reproof. 3) Correction. 4) Training.

#4. Teaching…comprised together, the OT and NT provide for all mankind, a comprehensive understanding of what the Creator of the Universe wants us to know about HIM, Ourselves & Sin, the Gospel & Redemption in Jesus, the Resurrection, Heaven & Hell…everything God wanted us to know…the Scriptures teach.

#5. Reproof…this is the work of Scripture whereby it rebukes us for sinful behavior and attitudes and beliefs. When we believe and thus live as if our way is better than God’s way, God’s Word will rebuke us. The Word of God is a rock. It can wound, hit, and break. It is a fire. It purifies us.

#6. Correction…this is the work of the Scripture whereby it restores what has been broken and brings it back to its intended condition. Meaning…the Scriptures are there continually pointing all people back to the right standards that God has established for them. Then they can make things right. Think of correcting a math problem. The mistakes are erased and the correct way recorded. This is what our amazing and loving God does. He redeems it. He makes things right. In my home, my wife and I often pray for God to redeem things. To make it right. To make up for the mistake. 

#7. Training in righteousness…as a parent trains a child to live rightly…so do the Scriptures train God’s children to live righteous lives to the glory of His name and in accordance with the gospel of grace. He is a good, good Father. He doesn’t throw us in the ocean and say, “Swim!” He teaches and trains us like the perfect teacher and coach who shows their students how to do what they are calling them to do. We see in Christ the perfect example to follow. 

Verse 16 shows us what the Apostle Paul thought about the origin, value, and effectiveness of God’s Word. Imagine if we lived having this same perspective and the difference it could make as we consider our personal daily intake of the Word of God.

And then we see the WHY of all of this come together.

2 Timothy 3:17

“That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

I have 3 observations for us here. These observations are as Paul said, for the man and/or woman of God. 

#1. Complete… this is the idea of being competent, capable of living for God all the days of your life. God uses His Scriptures to complete us in this life.

#2. Equipped…this is the idea of being ready for all of the opportunities that God gives you to live for Him and to let your light shine for Him in your generation. God uses His Scriptures to equip us for useful ministry in this life.

#3. Every Good Work…the very purpose for which God saved you. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that God saved us unto good works. And here we learn that our interaction with the Word of God is the means by which God plans on making us useful, for every good work, in the divine plan of building up His kingdom and the body of Christ.

As such, the importance of daily Bible intake comes more clearly into view as we see and understand that God’s plan all along was to use His Word, the Bible, to grow us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ, for the purpose of accomplishing His Kingdom work this side of heaven. I like the motto of The Master’s Seminary, “Train for ministry. Lives depend on it.” As you spend time training for ministry in God’s Word, God will use you in the lives of others. Their lives depend on it. 

So let’s get into God’s Word in 2024 and allow it to do its good work in our lives each and every day! 

Need ideas for a reading plan? Bible Reading Plan Options

Enjoy your time in the Word!

Pastor Ben

Jesus: The Light of the World

Jesus: The Light of the World

Now that the Advent season of celebration is behind us, it’s utterly important to remember that our life mission consists of sharing the knowledge of Jesus to a lost world.

Jesus Himself reminds us of this mission in John 12:46.

46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.

The first observation I make here is Jesus’ admission that all people who believe not in Him are living “in darkness”. And as long as unbelievers chose not to believe in Jesus, He says that they will “remain in darkness”.

What does this mean? What does it mean to be in or to persist in a place of or realm of “darkness”. After all, according to Jesus, the only way out of this “darkness” is by coming to believe on Him.

Contextually, from John 12:31-36, we have some clues as to the meaning of being “in darkness”. Jesus, in v.31, talks about a coming judgment against “this world” and against the “ruler of this world”. That judgment Jesus speaks of, is a judgment against Satan as the “ruler of this world” and against his evil “world” system that has enslaved everyone under the death curse of Adam’s original sin, plunging them into Satan’s realm of “darkness”.   This has rendered them both helpless and hopeless. The realm of “darkness” in which all shall “remain” (v.46) is nothing less and nothing more than the curse of Adam’s original sin that has rendered all people spiritually dead; it has rendered all people totally depraved (Romans 3:9-10,18). As sure as Adam ate from the forbidden tree…he experienced spiritual death (Gen. 2:17). He was separated from the life and light of God that he was created to live in and experience daily (Gen. 3:8). He was separated from the place and presence of God and was forced outside the realm of Eden (Gen. 3:23-24). And there in Genesis chapter 3, we are introduced to the promise of God’s final redemption from that curse of spiritual death in the person of Jesus Christ (Gen. 3:15). This is why Jesus Christ can assure all people who come to Him in saving faith that they assuredly “would not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46).

Paul the Apostle says it like this in Colossians 1:13, “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.” And the reason Paul says it like this, is because Jesus said it to him just like that at his conversion as recounted in Acts 26:12-18. Listen to what Paul tells King Agrippa concerning his conversion and gospel commission…this quoted section (v.17b-18) is Jesus speaking to Paul,

v.17b-18 “I now send you to them to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified.”

Clearly we see here that unbelievers live in “darkness” and that “the power of Satan” is equated to that realm. And as we see in John 12:46, it’s for this very purpose that Jesus has come into the world as “the light of the world, so that everyone who believes in [Him] would not remain in darkness.”

We first saw this truth about Jesus in chapter 1 of John’s gospel...

John 1:4-5 "Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it."

And most specifically in John chapter 8...

John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life."

Here we see how following Jesus and believing in Jesus are synonymous terms.

And in John chapter 9...

John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

One more in John chapter 12...

John 12:36 "While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light."

So...what does it mean that Jesus is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD? When Jesus came into the world, His teaching, His life, His ministry, HIS PURPOSE...according to John 4:34...was "to finish" the Father's WORK!

Which we know from John 4:23 was to “seek for people to be His worshipers.”

The reason Christ came into this world as light was to see lost sinners saved by the vastness of God’s amazing grace...thereby making them true worshipers of God.

And in the process of being THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD...His life and teaching and ministry exposed the darkness of the world for what it truly is...satanic...and eventually, those who love darkness, had Him crucified.

Now...look at v.46 again...

46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.

Question: Have you believed in Him?

Remember, people who do NOT believe in Jesus live perpetually in darkness in Satan’s domain...apart from the life of God, apart from the wisdom of God, apart from the favor of God...and they live instead for their own passions and lusts that are according to this world’s system…catering to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:15-17).

And such were all of us prior to our conversion (1 Cor. 6:11).

But to KNOW Jesus...is to understand the CENTRAL FACT of life.

That Jesus came into the world as LIGHT...seeking to SAVE!

Which is why Jesus tells His disciples in John 4:35...

John 4:35 "Don't you say, 'There are still four more months, then comes the harvest'? Listen to what I'm telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest."

And Jesus says the same, through this Word, to His disciples even today. "Open your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready for harvest.”

As Christ’s disciples, can we honestly say that one of our main priorities in life is the glory of God through the redemption of sinners?

Is there a hunger in our soul to see sinners SAVED through the power of the gospel? It was for this reason that Jesus came into the world as “the light of the world”. Let’s share HIS light!

A couple of easy ways to share the LIGHT of CHRIST in 2024:

• invite people to church

• give them a solid theological tract that explains the gospel (there are some in the foyer)

• learn the Navigator’s Bridge illustration

• pray every morning for opportunities with non-believers

• read your Bible and pray each day so that you are a nourished believer who has something to give to others

Daily Advent Reading 2023

Dear Jenks Bible Church Family,

I hope each of you had a blessed Thanksgiving Day yesterday with both family and friends!

We have so much to be THANKFUL for indeed!

Psalm 100 reminds us of His “lovingkindness” that is “everlasting”.

Let that sink in. Let’s practice being still before our God.

Psalm 100:1–5

1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.

This should cause us all to say a heart felt, AMEN!

Now, with Advent before us, I am recommending that all of us treasure Christ together by reading Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent by Charles Spurgeon. There will be copies at the back of the church ($5 suggested donation) this coming Lord’s Day or you can order it on Amazon. Joy to the World by Charles Spurgeon.

The readings will help all of us stay focused on Christ during this Christmas Season.

Also, don’t forget to check out my article in the upcoming December church newsletter to consider why we have hope (and how to keep it!) in the midst of our unique circumstances this Christmas. 

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Ben

December 2023 T4T Newsletter: Our Joy is in Jesus

It’s Hallmark Christmas movie time where everything is perfect or at least turns out that way in about two hours. We can feel overwhelmed by the expectations of perfection, whether it be in small things like home decor and hospitality or big things like relationships, finances, and circumstances in general. Mental health experts say many feel depressed this time of year and no wonder with that kind of pressure! If life has to be perfect for us to have joy, then we are in for a mournful life. 

Enter Christianity. Shouldn’t we be different? What are our expectations this Christmas? 

Remember in Jesus Christ, we are never disappointed. If we have correct expectations, we are never disappointed. 

Experience grief? Yes. Loss? Yes. Painful wounds? Yes. Difficulties. They are promised.

But what does this verse mean that in Christ, we are never disappointed. Also, let’s take a look at Mary and Joseph as examples of how to respond to life-altering circumstances.

In Romans 10 it says “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Clearly a reference to Christ’s saving work on our behalf, imputing his righteousness to our account permanently. This verse is a quote from Isaiah 28:16 and 49:23 where God is speaking to the nation of Israel encouraging them to wait on the Lord. Wait in hope. God will provide. God will fulfill his promises. This is still true today. It is true in justification, God has given us the righteousness of Christ. It is true in sanctification, God will conform us to the image of Christ. It is true in glorification, we will be with Christ forever and ever enjoying his eternal kingdom. Until then, we wait. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 are verses to memorize and write on your heart. They are our theology of suffering. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

The greater the suffering now, the greater the glory to come. So, we endure with HOPE. 

What are you enduring these days? What things are not “perfect” in your life? Small things? Big things? Both, I’m sure. 

Don’t compare your sufferings with others. They are yours and belong to you. They are from your Father and meant to accomplish the work of sanctification in your life. Hammer blows. Raspings of the file. Same God. The greater the suffering now, the greater the glory to come.

Let’s look really quickly at Joseph and Mary. Mary received the news that she would bear God’s Son, the long awaited Messiah. This was shocking news. She responds with such quick acceptance, we are immediately impressed with this young woman. Probably around 14 years old (think high school freshman) her response to this life-altering news was “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” Then we see Mary’s prayer, again think-freshman in high school-overflowing with Old Testament allusions (probably about 15 references)! In her biblically saturated prayer, her heart overflows with references to God’s Word. She clearly loved the Word. She understood the law, the prophets, and the covenants of God. So when life drastically changed one day, she was ready with a theology that kept her standing strong. 

Then, there’s Joseph. He, too, receives life-altering news. The woman he is going to marry is pregnant. He is going to raise the child. The child is God. We see Joseph obey at every turn. No matter how upsetting or dangerous the situation; remember he was woken up in the middle of the night to the knowledge murderers were after his son. He listens to God’s commands and does exactly what God says. He leads his family calmly and courageously in difficult times.

As Christians, our Christmas celebrations aren’t about outward circumstances and appearances. Our celebration is about the coming of Christ to save us from our sin. This was our central and biggest problem. It has been solved. The unrighteous have been made righteous. We then can always have hope, no matter what happens to us. THIS is the only reason we are not ultimately disappointed. And then on top of that, we have the promise that all suffering now is a test of our response and trust in our sovereign God and will be rewarded in the age to come. The greater the suffering now, the greater the glory to come. 

We can be like Mary and Joseph. We can live with quick and total obedience no matter what is happening to us or around us as we stay saturated in God’s word and filled with the hope of Heaven. We don’t need suffering free lives to be filled with JOY. 

Merry Christmas!

Also, during the busy-ness of this season, purpose to priortize spiritual things in your own personal life as well as for your family. Take time for daily time in the Word and prayer. Nourish your soul. You are spiritually hungry–whether you feel like you are or not.

I am recommending that all of us treasure Christ together this Christmas by reading Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent by Charles Spurgeon. There will be copies at the back of the church ($5 suggested donation) or you can order it on Amazon. Joy to the World by Charles Spurgeon.

Dr. Rick Cornish Sermon Outline John 1:1-5

                                                                                                                                                [Dr. Rick Cornish, Nov 5, 2023]

                                                JOHN 1:1-5

                      INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

                                       TEXTUAL EXPOSITION

                   THE ETERNALITY AND DEITY OF THE WORD  (1-2) 

(vv 1-2)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.   (Gen 1:1; John 10:30)

                          THE CREATION THROUGH THE WORD  (3) 

(v 3)  All things were created through him, and apart from him nothing was created that has been created.   (Heb 1:2;4:12; Ps 33:6; Col 1:16,17)

                          THE LIFE AND LIGHT OF THE WORD  (4-5) 

(v 4)  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.   (John 11:25a;5:26; Ps 36:9a,9b: Eph 5:8-9; John 14:6;8:12;11:25; Rom 1:20)

 (v 5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.   (John 8:12;12:46; Rom 1:21; Mat 16:18)

                                    THEOLOGICAL EXPANSION

           (THE DOCTRINES IN THIS PASSAGE, & WHO THEY REFUTE)

1.  The timelessness and aseity of God.

2.  The Deity of Christ.

3.  The Trinity.

4.  Creation ex nihilo.

5.  General and Special Revelation.

6.  Illumination.

7.  The Fall and the Curse.

 8.  The Cosmic Conflict.

                                   APOLOGETIC INTERACTION       

         (JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES AND JOHN 1:1, and COLOSSIANS 1:15)     

John 1:1:

 Colossians 1:15:

                                     APPLICATION PRINCIPLES

1.  (2 Cor 11:31; 2 Chr 2:12; Eph 1:3) 

2.  (2 Tim 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1)                                                                     

3.  (2 Tim 3:14; 1 Tim 6:20)

November 2023 t4t Newsletter: Giving Thanks Instead

How many of us like to be around people who grumble and complain? Exactly! Nobody wants to be around people that see the negative or difficult side to every circumstance in life. Negativity acts as a drain on our energy and strength. The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” 

Try to imagine what it was like for Moses as he, in obedience to God, while leading the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt, had to endure disgruntled complainers mile after long mile (see Numbers 11:1; 14:2,27,29,36; 16:1-3; 17:5). We see from the scriptures cited here that God takes great exception to grumbling and complaining.

In Colossians 1:12-14, we were reminded from Paul’s prayer that God is still desiring for His children to be ‘thankful’ instead of complainers. That’s why it is always important for us to remember, not just during the ‘Thanksgiving  Season’, that we need to be people who continually seek to be ‘Thankful’ in all things. So, when you are faced with an option to complain, try GIVING THANKS INSTEAD! Every day we are given opportunities to grumble, to complain about this or that situation in life, and to blame others or even worse, God, for our lot in life. God’s word calls us to lift our eyes off of the things of this world, and to choose as an exercise of our will…TO GIVE THANKS INSTEAD… instead of grumbling or complaining or wishing for something that we (wrongly) believe God is currently withholding from our lives. GIVE THANKS INSTEAD.

Do you remember the story of Corrie ten Boom, the middle-aged Dutch woman who went from living a calm, normal life to having her life turned upside down? She and her family hid Jews during Hilter’s occupation of the Netherlands during World War II, and she ended up in a concentration camp. Her sister, Betsy, would die there. Yet, Corrie gave thanks. She even gave thanks for the  infestation of fleas in their barracks. She found out later God used the fleas to keep the guards away from her and the other ladies, which not only protected them but freed them up to have Bible studies. We don’t know why God is allowing certain things to happen or not happen. What we do know is that He will work all things together for good for His children (Romans 8:28). We can boldly give thanks for all things. 

As you would imagine, the Bible repeatedly stresses the importance of giving thanks to the Lord. Look at just a few verses that show us that truth…

-Psalm 50:14 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.”

-Psalm 107:21-22 “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving-kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His works with joyful singing.” 

-Psalm 92:1 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High.” 

-Ephesians 5:20 “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.”

-Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

-Hebrews 13:15 “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.”

-1 Thessalonians 5:18 sums it up well: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

And since these verses are all true, ‘thanksgiving' should permeate our very lives!

Paul, in his prayer for all believers, uses the recognition of God’s favor toward us in salvation, as the bedrock upon which we can and should be “Giving Thanks Instead”.

Let me show you how Paul did that…

Look at Colossians chapter 1 verse 12- 

12 with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” 

Paul shows us here that the right and necessary result of being a child of God, is an attitude of joyful ‘thanksgiving’. “With joy” describes the attitude of our hearts that we as God’s children are to have while telling God “thank you” for all of the STUFF that He has allowed to be part of the tapestry of our lives. And then from the rest of the verse he tells us why. Let’s read verse 12 once again and look specifically at the second half of this verse.

12 with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” 

The word ‘qualified’ is from the Greek word hikanoo which is only used twice in all the New Testament, and it means – ‘to make sufficient, to empower, to authorize, or to make fit.” Paul, in support of his supposition that joyful thanksgiving is fitting for the children of God, here lets us know why this is true. Specifically, it was God who qualified us, who made us sufficient, and who authorized us to “share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” The fact that God has qualified us, and not we ourselves by means of good works, is here to remind us that God’s gift of salvation is utterly free. And based on the knowledge that God has freely given us heaven instead of hell, which by the way is what our sins rightly deserved. THIS is to be the impetus that causes our hearts to ALWAYS JOYOUSLY GIVE THANKS TO GOD! Regardless of our current circumstances, our heavenly “inheritance” will never change! Paul uses the work of God in salvation as the fountain from which our joyously giving thanks to the Father for all things, all of the time, flows!

Isn’t that good! Now, forever allow that truth from God’s word to permanently and radically transform how you think, and thus how you live your life as a grateful, joyful, thankful child of the King of heaven, who, come what may, GIVES THANKS INSTEAD!

October 2023 t4t Newsletter

Church Family!

I am so excited about this first issue of Truth for Transformation! I hope that this new way of communicating will indeed give us all more truth that can transform us more into the image of Jesus! 

What can you expect in each issue?

• Updates from each ministry

• Opportunities to engage and serve

• Prayer requests

• Upcoming event information

• Highlights from what’s happening at JBC

In my column, I will be suggesting good resources along with personal book reviews. Also, I’d like to answer a question or concern you might have. This can be a Bible question, family question, or something related to the culture. Email me at ben@jenksbible.org with a question that is on your mind. 

This month I’d like to answer a question that I think might be on the mind of a lot of young families in our church. 

 What are some things I can do to raise a godly family or a biblically based family? 

This question is near and dear to my heart as I have just sent my youngest child off to college. Lisa and I have been working at this noble task of raising a family “in the Lord” for 27 years with our five children. Here are some  points that come to my mind after almost three decades of child-rearing. 

These children of yours belong to God. They are on loan to you to train up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. It is your highest calling. It is worth all the sacrifices you have to make. This includes sacrifices of money, time, and career. It takes a lot of time and energy to raise a family. 

You, men, need to bear the heat of the day to provide and protect your family. The Bible says “act like men” and I want to say to the men of JBC, do just that. Let your wife know that you will do whatever it takes to free her up to focus on being a mother and a home keeper. (Titus 2, 1 Timothy 5:14). You are accountable and responsible for your family before God. Does this mean wives can never work? No, I’m not saying that. You will need to figure that puzzle out for your family. What I am saying is that you must take responsibility for your family and seeing that all their needs (physical, spiritual, emotional, educational) are being met. Children are only young once and focus is going to be key in terms of raising them well. Mothers have been uniquely gifted by God to nurture children. Free your wife up to be the one nurturing your children as much as possible. As the man of your home, you also need to do what it takes to free your wife up to be the “home despot” or “home manager.”  Running a home is a very complicated and noble task. Your children will remember a happy and peaceful home. This does not mean men get a pass with household work and the discipleship and raising up of children. On the contrary, it means a godly man is helped by a godly wife as she “looks well to the ways of her household” (Proverbs 31) and the family succeeds as both husband and wife work as a team subduing everything under their responsibility. The man provides leadership, service, and will lay down his life at all times in all situations for the good of his family, whether that means doing dishes or working overtime to pay bills. It is a myth that a woman or man “can do it all!” As the leader of your household, men, you have to figure out, along with your wife, how to make God’s priorities the priorities of your home. But you, sir, are the one ultimately accountable to God for the care of your family. 

Next thing I would say is prioritize spiritual things with your words and actions with the foremost things being God’s Word and the Church. So much more is caught than taught. Children will watch you live your life. They will hear what you say, but so much more valuable is your life lived in front of them. The way you prioritize God’s Word and God’s Church will forge a mark on them that they won’t soon forget. When they see you say no to lesser things in order to spend time in God’s Word and with God’s people, that’s what they will naturally know is most important in life. Commit to have them in Church on Sunday. This sounds easy but you have an enemy that will make it hard. Activities will always be screaming and vying for attention. Say no. Prioritize Sunday morning church attendance. Prioritize youth group. Show them that the Body of Christ is where they live, laugh, and cry. They will thank you for the rest of their lives. Having said that, only God can save your child. You are stacking the deck and asking Him to do that. Pray for your children daily. Never give up on them. Ever. 

One more thing and I’ll wrap up. Be all in with them. Work at getting to know each of your children as an individual. How can you help them flourish? How are they unique? What gifts has God given them? Do whatever you can to walk with them so that they can excel in the areas God has gifted them in. Know them intimately. The Bible says they are your arrows. A warrior spent a lot of time crafting each arrow so that it was ready to go. Take time with your arrows. Each child is a masterpiece of God, made in the image of God. Each one needs your thoughtful attention as to what will help them be all that God has made them to be. 

Resources we would highly recommend in your pursuit of a godly family:  

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp

A Man After God's Own Heart by Jim George

A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

T4T,

Pastor Ben