Weeds in the Church; February 28, 2021

Posted on March 2, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 13:29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.'”

It’s very difficult to pull out one verse from this parable, because all seven verses are very much part of it. However, the point of the parable is very clear: bad people are going to get into the Church, but they will be dealt with in the end. This has been evident throughout the past 2000 years, and it’s certainly in operation today. It’s much easier to look back over Church history and point out examples of “weeds,” but it’s much more risky to do so today. Some seem glaringly obvious, as they promote teaching and practices that are clearly in opposition to Scripture. However, other “weeds” are legalistic, and seem from some angles to be righteous. The problem comes in what we are to do about them. No group is immune, so we need to be active in our own sensitivity and obedience to the Holy Spirit, not running around accusing, but making it clear by example what genuine “wheat” looks like, so others aren’t as likely to be deceived. I frankly don’t like to imagine what is going to happen to the “weeds” in the end, but that isn’t our responsibility. Those who do genuinely love God are to keep speaking the truth in love, remembering that God’s love forgives but doesn’t excuse, and sometimes is very firm. We tend to confuse love and “warm fuzzies,” thinking that admonition and correction aren’t loving, when quite the opposite is the case. We are to be clear-eyed and vigilant, and at the same time accepting of repentance and encouraging. Otherwise we run the risk of becoming “weedy” ourselves!

I have known a few “weeds” myself, and in my view, there are some that are glaringly obvious on the world stage today. However, I’ve got to remember that in Jesus’ parable the concern wasn’t with the weeds so much as with the genuine “wheat.” I am to be an instrument of restoration and healing for those who have been damaged by the “weeds,” pointing them to Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His full work as the Comforter. It has been quite a shock to find out some people were weeds years after I had interaction with them. I am to remember that prayer is the only safe “herbicide,” dealing with the weeds without damaging the wheat. I’m not to be a “weed inspector,” but rather focus on my Lord, hearing and obeying Him faithfully.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the people You have brought into this church, and those You have removed. Those who have left have certainly not all been weeds! I ask Your blessings on them as they serve You, across this nation and around the world. May I keep planting good seed, preparing soil and watering, so that Your harvest may come in Your time for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Harvest Workers; February 27, 2021

Posted on March 2, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

This could hardly be a more familiar passage. I don’t remember when I first learned it, but it was certainly in my childhood. Also, it was our Scripture for the Year just a few years ago. The question remains, however, how well I am following through with what it says. After talking with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus told his disciples to stop quoting what seems to have been a proverb of the day about the harvest being some time off, telling them that the fields were already ripe. (John 4:34) It is a perennial problem in most churches that the average believer isn’t sensitive to those around them to know when they are open to be led to faith in Christ. That could be said to be part of the gift of Evangelist, and this statement by Jesus is telling us to pray for more people to have that gift. The tricky thing about prayer, however, is that genuine prayer offers yourself to God as an instrument for the prayer to be answered. In other words, if you are praying for God to send evangelists, you need to be willing to be one yourself. A lot of people balk at that! Going further, in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus expressly said, “make disciples.” “Laborers for the harvest” doesn’t just include those cutting the grain, it also includes those bundling the sheaves, threshing the grain, and getting it into the storehouse. Nurturing and maturing new believers is as important as street corner evangelism, at least. Of course we can’t do any of this right on our own, so prayer of this sort must include asking for the guidance and anointing of the Holy Spirit. What we must not do is ignore the whole issue, being satisfied with our own salvation and letting everyone else go to hell.

Just knowing this Scripture without applying it is just fooling myself. (James 1:22) As a pastor I am certainly to “do the work of an evangelist,” just as Paul told Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:5) but I am also to “prepare God’s people for works of service,” (Ephesians 4:12) training them to be evangelists and disciplers. To this point I’ve not been very successful at that, and part of it is that I’m not a very good evangelist or discipler myself! The principle of Coaching that I’ve been learning for the past couple of years should really help with that, but I’ve got to put it into practice, and not just let it reside in my brain as theory. Frankly, I’ve been lazy, not putting in the effort to create and maintain the human interactions that are essential to all of this. When it came up in a conversation a few weeks ago my daughters were both quick to say that I am an introvert, but that is no excuse. I am to be a faithful servant of my Lord Jesus Christ, fully willing to do whatever He says, whether it is in my “comfort zone” or not.

Father, thank You for this strong admonition. Help me follow through, listening accurately to You and doing precisely what You desire, so that I may serve both as a harvest worker and a harvest trainer, raising up other harvest workers, to bring the Japanese people into Your kingdom, Your family, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Fear of Death; February 26, 2021

Posted on February 27, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 6:27 “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?”

I was about to write on a different verse from today’s passage when this one hit me between the eyes. Nothing could be more timely! The current pandemic, that has run for over a year now, has indeed taken many people from this life. The question remains, however, how many more lives have been destroyed because of fear of the pandemic. Just yesterday I saw another recognition of the statistic that there has been an extremely low incidence of influenza over the past year in the US, when in normal years that claims tens of thousands of lives. It’s not at all that COVID-19 isn’t a real disease that can be fatal, especially for the elderly, but rather that fear of it has been turned into a political weapon, with untold “collateral damage.” We will all die sometime, but we don’t like to admit it. Hebrews tells us that Jesus came specifically to “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:15) Someone who doesn’t have the assurance of salvation in Christ is naturally going to be afraid of death, but why do Christians join the panic? Diseases are just part of what Jesus was talking about when He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) That doesn’t mean be careless, much less ignore basic hygiene, but it does mean, don’t be a slave to fear.

This is personal for me, because I had a friend die from COVID-19 after having been infected while ministering the Gospel at Mardi Gras in 2020. That was sad, but he was certainly ready to go. My own granddaughter and her husband have both had it, and have recovered beautifully. America has made a big deal of the total number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 going over 500,000, but there is very little reporting of the fact that the rate of infections has gone down precipitously over the past six weeks. I find myself most disgusted over the politicization of the whole thing. Some horrible decisions were indeed made, and it looks like at least one governor is going to pay a heavy price for his, but there seems to be no hint of genuine contrition and apology. That is tragic indeed. Japan is just now rolling out vaccinations, but I don’t expect to get one myself. I’m not immune, but I refuse to be afraid! As the Bible expresses in many places in many ways, the only thing I am to fear is the judgment of God Himself, and He has provided His Son to take the penalty for my sins.

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. I find myself “swimming upstream” fairly often these days, often against people who are close to me. Help me speak the truth in love, not condemning but allowing You to use my words to set people free, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Baptism; February 25, 2021

Posted on February 27, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

I have heard virtually countless sermons, teaching, and discussions on this verse since I was first exposed to the Charismatic Movement back in 1973. The thing of it is, as long as it is theoretical, we can’t really understand it. We have to experience it to really grasp it. It’s like my father told me (not long before he graduated from this earth), he had written his doctoral dissertation on “In Christ,” but he didn’t really grasp what it was until he had a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit. We can talk about this sort of thing all day, but we have to experience it to understand it, and then we may not have words to describe it! Ritual bathing was a familiar part of Jewish culture in those days, as well as in various others. It was particularly emphasized by the Essene sect that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls, and there is evidence that John the Baptist was essentially raised by the Essenes, since Luke tells us his parents were up in age when he was born. For that matter, one of the major archaeological discoveries in Israel in the past year was a ritual bath in the area that was probably the Garden of Gethsemane. In other words, what John was doing wasn’t anything strange in the culture of the day, but rather than using a dedicated facility, he did it in the Jordan River. What made it notable, causing many people to come to him, was the power of the Holy Spirit in him. Luke tells us that he was filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb. (Luke 1:15) He certainly didn’t mince words, and was the antithesis of politically correct. It was that power that drew people to him, so it was very significant that he said that the one to come after him was even more powerful. He said that the baptism he performed was “for repentance,” something to cause or help people to make that clear-cut decision to leave their old ways and walk in obedience to God. In nominally Christian cultures, baptism is for acceptance, an initiation into a group. If it is no more than that, there is little if any spiritual benefit. Water baptism must not be separated from repentance. However, John’s major point here is that the Messiah would do far more, baptizing in the Holy Spirit and fire. The Charismatic Movement has been big on baptism in the Holy Spirit, but there are a lot of different opinions about baptism in fire! This isn’t the place to discuss all of those, because as I said, all of this must be experiential to be real. Whether you were sprinkled or dipped, if the Holy Spirit wasn’t involved, in conviction, cleansing, and empowering, you just got wet.

I was baptized at age seven on the basis of my own clear decision. I still remember with considerable clarity going to my parents one night before going to bed, expressing my desire to be baptized. That was real and valid, but I don’t remember how much repentance was involved. At 24, when I was already a father, God showed me the state of my heart, and my repentance was so overwhelming that I requested, and received, water baptism a second time. However, it wasn’t until I was 26 that I experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit, not as emotion or “spiritual gifts,” but as God flowing through me to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it says in Acts 1:8. It was a couple of months later that I started receiving, and exercising, the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. I think I have received more than one baptism in fire, but I can’t say I don’t need more! There are still things that could profitably be burned out of me. I can’t bring those on, but I am responsible for my response when God does bring them. I desire to be a tempered blade in His hand, to defeat the lies of the enemy and set people free.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me walk in total submission to all that You want to do in and through me, for the blessing of many and for Your glory alone. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Financial Blessing; February 24, 2021

Posted on February 26, 2021 by jgarrott

Haggai 1:6 “You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

This chapter, along with the more famous passage in Malachi 3 about tithing specifically, deals with the whole matter of priorities. It’s not wrong to live in a nice house, as it mentions in verse 4, but it is wrong to forget God and focus on your own comfort and pleasure. That is a perennial problem, and James dealt with it too. “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:2-3) When we are self-centered rather than God-centered, nothing really goes right. It may seem to for a while, but in the final analysis the only thing that really matters is our relationship with our Creator. This particular verse speaks to many people’s personal experience. They do all they can, but never seem to get ahead. That’s because God is trying to get their attention. When you can’t meet your goals, sometimes it’s time to examine your goals! Our fundamental goal needs to be knowing God, hearing and being obedient to Him. When that is firmly in place, everything else falls into line. We need to remember that the devil is always out to steal, kill, and destroy, (John 10:10) and he does all he can to fix our attention and our appetites on things other than God, knowing that will accomplish his goals. That applies even to legitimate needs! That’s why Jesus said, so famously, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) It all boils down to the focus of our heart.

This is something I’ve experienced abundantly, but still can’t say I have it all down perfectly. As I have written before, it’s been 47 years since Cathy and I decided to tithe first, whatever our finances looked like, and God has been amazingly faithful. God has provided abundantly, often in ways that didn’t interest the tax office. People tend to think we have a very comfortable income, when actually our income is so low we haven’t paid income tax in many years. As an example, I get compliments on clothing that I’ve had for over 20 years! God has given us wisdom and we have very little waste in our lifestyle, so everything goes further. I often deal with people who are struggling financially, sometimes with more income than I have! I seek to help them rearrange their priorities, but all too often they refuse to accept the message. The god of this world has blinded their eyes, because he doesn’t want anybody to have their real needs met and be genuinely happy. (2 Corinthians 4:4) I am not to give up but keep speaking the truth in love, so that people may have a chance to receive the truth and be set free. (John 8:32)

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for showing me how I can share this with the congregation on Sunday. I ask for a good title, since I used “Priorities” just a month ago. I pray that Your truth through me would indeed destroy the lies that bind many, both in this congregation and among those who hear electronically, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Unity in Christ; February 23, 2021

Posted on February 26, 2021 by jgarrott

Zephaniah 3:9 “Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.”

Every once in a while you run into a verse in one of the “minor” prophets that blows your mind. (Incidentally, they are called “minor” simply because their books are short.) This verse explicitly states that every people-group on earth will call on the name of the Lord and serve Him as one (as the Japanese puts it). From our current Christian perspective it seems almost incredible that the Jews were so insular for so long, so convinced they were the only ones whom God could accept. However, there are people of various races even today who are convinced their genetics make them somehow superior to others. Right now in America there is a strong push in some quarters to despise Caucasians, simply because Caucasians seemed to “have the upper hand” for so many centuries. This verse expresses something disciples of Jesus Christ have known since the 1st Century: in Him, there are no racial barriers at all. We know, simply from a mention of his nickname, that one of the leaders of the church in Antioch was a black man. (Acts 13:1) And he’s the second one listed, right after Barnabas! The devil wants us to focus on differences, when ultimately there is only one race, the human race. That awareness should color both our daily lives and our attitude toward evangelism and missions. We want to be useful to God in the fulfillment of this prophecy!

As I have written before, this has very much been my experience. I remember meeting a couple of Russians at a conference in Hong Kong (where we were all “foreigners”) and how delighted they were that I could say a few words in Russian. My pronunciation was good enough that at first they were convinced I really spoke it! I have had sweet fellowship in prayer with people of many nationalities and languages, some of which I could pick out a few words and some not at all, but we were all motivated by the same Spirit, and it was glorious. I look forward to that day when I will worship God before His throne with “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.” (Revelation 7:9) Until that day I will strive to be useful to God in adding to that number, whatever they look like or sound like!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You also for the clarity that so much of what is going on in the US today is of the devil. I do pray that Your name would be acknowledged as holy and Your kingdom come as Your will is done on every level, in love, purity, and holiness, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Worship; February 22, 2021

Posted on February 25, 2021 by jgarrott

Amos 9:11 “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be.”

Several Bible interpreters have taken this verse to indicate the restoration of the tabernacle that David erected for the Ark of the Covenant, before Solomon built the first temple. That in itself seems without dispute, but they go further to say that this is talking about the 24/7 praise and worship that went on there, and the fact that ordinary people could approach and see the Ark, and they say that the worship style that has arisen since the start of the Pentecostal Movement over a hundred years ago, and especially the Charismatic movement that began around 50 years ago, is the fulfillment of this verse. In the service yesterday we sang the song, Days of Elijah, that directly references that understanding. I wouldn’t swear that is the correct interpretation, but it certainly seems possible. Heartfelt praise and worship certainly bring us to a level of intimacy with God that is quite apart from religion as such. We go through all sorts of things in the name of religion, but God desires honesty and intimacy. James deals with the honesty part when he says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) However, that can become cold and legalistic without the intimacy of offering ourselves to God in praise and worship. It’s not an either/or situation, but very much a both/and one. It’s very much like something I referenced in a message recently. In the early days of the Pentecostal Movement, deep Biblical scholarship seemed to be in short supply, but the seminaries of “mainline churches” were so enamored of human intellect and the ideas that spring from it that they fostered what has become essentially a negation of the truth and authority of the Bible. Thankfully, Pentecostal scholarship has become far deeper, and interestingly, the Charismatic Movement sprang up in “mainline” churches because the people were so hungry for a real connection with God. On our own we can’t keep the balance, but God in His mercy will enable us to do so if we will ask and allow Him to.

I was raised in a home that was steeped in Scripture, but I didn’t encounter Charismatic worship until I was already a father. In fact, it was around the time of the birth of our second daughter. My family was very musical and we loved singing hymns together, but I wouldn’t say we got very deep in praise and worship. At the same time, many of the “worship choruses” seem shallow, and some of the current “worship music” seems downright monotonous. I am not to discard the old hymns that are rich in meaning, but neither am I to despise songs that really trigger emotion. As Jesus said, I am to worship in spirit and in truth, (John 4:23-24) submitting my mind and my emotions, my body and my lifestyle, to Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You also for the awareness that I can’t walk the line without Your help. May every part of my life be pleasing to You, that I may walk in the intimacy that You desire, and by Your grace I desire as well, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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God’s Revelation; February 21, 2021

Posted on February 25, 2021 by jgarrott

Joel 2:28-29 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

Just within the past day or two I was reading an article by someone who was pointing out that many English-speaking people misunderstand this passage because of the KJV translation of “all flesh.” The NIV and the Japanese are more accurate in saying “all people.” God isn’t going to pour His Spirit out on animals! One of the biggest points of this is that distinctions of sex, age, and social status disappear. That was quite shocking in a male-dominated, hierarchical society, but it gets overlooked even today. The “elites” get upset when “common people” get ideas of equality! That might be expected in society, but sadly it still happens in the Church as well. Peter quoted this very passage on the day of Pentecost, but even he didn’t really grasp it until he experienced God pouring the Holy Spirit out on Gentiles (shock!) in the house of Cornelius. (Acts 10) Sometimes God has to do extraordinary things to get through to us! Just as Peter experienced, sometimes God speaks through us more than we ourselves grasp. A somewhat extreme example is Caiaphas, who prophesied that Jesus would die for everyone, even though he was a ringleader in the plot against Jesus. (John 11:49-53) We get in trouble when we try to place limits on what God has said and what He is doing. We glibly quote Isaiah 55:8-9 about God’s ways and thoughts being higher than ours, but at the same time think that we ourselves are the exception, that we understand God! How silly! We are to welcome the insight and understanding that God gives us, but never think that we have the whole picture. The old Indian parable of the blind men encountering an elephant is very true indeed. As Paul said, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) We are to rejoice that God pours His Spirit out on us, but we are never to think that we could contain all of Him, and we are to rejoice in His filling others as well, regardless of their “status” in anyone’s eyes.

I think I was raised with a very egalitarian mindset, but at the same time I tended to feel that I myself was “super-special.” I had no trouble with race or social distinctions, but I was personally mired in pride to the point of conceit. God has dealt with that in me over the years, but I still can’t claim to be totally free of it. At this point I urgently, almost desperately, want Him to pour His Spirit out on the people of this church. I see flashes of it from time to time, but not the strong, glorious flame that I desire. I myself am in the category of “old men” at this point, and I need to welcome God’s dreams. I am not to look at others and see their deficiencies, but rather be open and honest about my own. I need and desire the Holy Spirit to pour into and through me more and more, so that God’s purposes for me may be fulfilled, on His schedule and for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the message You’ve given me for this morning about Your time, and how it’s different from how we perceive time. Just as You have told me to do, may I rest, relax, and rejoice in You, keeping You as my focus, my first priority, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Active Faith; February 20, 2021

Posted on February 21, 2021 by jgarrott

Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
and showers righteousness on you.

This verse has been put to a very catchy tune by Noriko Sasaki, and I translated it to be able to sing it in English as well. To me, this is an extremely appropriate verse for America right now. The moral and political mess can be directly attributed to believers being lazy or even asleep, failing to recognize the enemy’s tricks and stand against them. We have a lot of unplowed ground in our hearts! Just the other day I heard a magnificent message by E. W. Jackson that was nearly half quoted or paraphrased Scripture. He could easily have claimed this verse as his theme! We can’t save ourselves, but that doesn’t at all mean that we are to be passive. To use the image in this verse, we are to be active farmers (or gardeners) of our own hearts, plowing and removing weeds and rocks, planting good seed and anticipating the showers of righteousness that only God can provide. The problem is, when we fail to do that, not only does the ground become hard and unfruitful, weeds flourish and the enemy can build towers right in the middle of our field/heart. We certainly can’t look forward to much of a harvest in that case! America is in a mess, true, but the answer doesn’t lie in politicians, it lies in individual believers waking up and seeking the Lord, submitting to Him and resisting the devil. (James 4:7) America does have millions of people who love God, but not so many who are active in their faith, truly seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness above and before anything else. (Matthew 6:33) With the Bible’s characteristic consistency, that is exactly what this verse is telling us to do.

It is easy for me to see how others have failed to be active in their faith, but I tend to overlook my own lapses. I am spiritually lazy! The Lord has given me the object lesson of allowing me to tend a garden. This afternoon, after a wedding this morning, I need to get out there and pick up another bucket or two of rocks, getting ready for the spring plowing I need to do before long. We just had a really cold snap, but it looks like spring is definitely on its way, and I need to be accountable for the resources and opportunities I’m given. That applies doubly, at least, in the spiritual realm. I feel God really is bringing a season of fruitfulness to us, but I’m not to be passive or act somehow entitled. The past year of shutdowns and anxiety over the virus has left people hungry spiritually, and that can be a very good thing. I am to be active in presenting the Gospel however the Lord directs, so that as many as will may repent and believe, experiencing the glorious truth of this verse, not to mention the whole Bible!

Father, thank You for this encouragement. Thank You for the brother in the Lord who sent me that video link so that I could hear Your Word through E. W. Jackson. I do ask Your mercy for America right now, and I stand against the devil and his schemes around the world. He’s doing some pretty nasty things in a lot of places, but He’s no match for Your Spirit! I pray that Your children would actively open themselves up to the Holy Spirit, allowing You to empower and use them so that indeed, Your name may be recognized as holy and Your kingdom come as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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God’s Time; February 19, 2021

Posted on February 21, 2021 by jgarrott

Ezekiel 37:24 “‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.'”

From the time of Nehemiah on, distinctions between Northern and Southern tribes were largely forgotten, and were certainly not an issue at the time of Jesus. However, the point of one Ruler, and especially of the people being faithful to the Lord, is still in the process of being fulfilled as the Jews recognize Jesus as their Messiah. We tend to take prophecies as one piece, when often they are fulfilled gradually or in stages. That doesn’t make them any less real or valid, but it can certainly skew our perception of them. As many times as we say it, or think we understand it, we really have great trouble grasping the reality that God is outside of time, seeing everything at once, so Peter’s statement that “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8) is perceptive and something we really need to remember. Peter was dealing with exactly this issue in his letter. God does work in the flow of time. Jesus came at just the right time, but His suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection are effective for all time, for all mankind from Adam to the end of the world. As the saying goes, “That does not compute.” Some have spoken of this as the paradox of already/not yet. Paul dealt with this issue a lot, in Romans and elsewhere, saying things like, “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11) We have been crucified with Christ, (Galatians 2:20) but we are still tempted, and occasionally stumble. Paul himself was very clear that he was not yet perfect. (Philippians 3:12-14) In the same way, the unity of Israel under the Messiah, spoken by God through Ezekiel, is totally accomplished from God’s viewpoint but still in process from ours, and that’s just one example. The neat thing about all of this is that we have the privilege of participating in what God is doing, not being anxious because we know that in Him it’s already a done deal, whatever it looks like to us at the moment.

This has absolutely huge implications for me. We have been given a magnificent vision of Omura again being the foremost Christian city in the nation, actively advancing the kingdom of God to the end of the earth. We have also been given specific prophecies that give me cold chills to go back and read. However, we don’t see these things in our time frame. My parents labored for the salvation of the Japanese, yet in their lifetime saw very little of what they hoped for. It’s just as it says in Hebrews: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40) I am to rejoice that everything God has said is already accomplished, and at the same time have patience until I see it in my own experience. And I am to rejoice even if the fulfillment is after I am out of the picture. It’s as Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus said that before He was crucified and resurrected, as far as linear time goes, but from God’s perspective, Christ’s victory was already accomplished fact.

Father, thank You for this Word. I had no idea what I was supposed to speak on Sunday, and certainly didn’t expect to get it out of this passage! However, far more than just one sermon, help me live this out for the rest of my days on this earth, because from Your perspective I’m already in eternity! May I walk more and more, even on this temporal level, in all that You have already accomplished for me in Christ, so that I may be fully useful to You in tearing down the devil’s works (1 John 3:8) and setting the captives free, (Luke 4:18-19) for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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