Author: Warren Berkley

Check my podcasts on the gospel of John, now all complete: Click Here.

From Preaching with Variety: How to Re-create the Dynamics of Biblical Genres (Jeffery Arthurs)

Preachers are heralds who speak on behalf of the King, and their job is to faithfully and skillfully re-communicate what has already been communicated. Thus, when I advocate variety, I propose variety of form, not of subject matter.

God Has Spoken By His Son, #20

Once For All

Hebrews 9:23-28

²³ Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, ²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. -Heb. 9:23-28

First, I want to mention a phrase in this text, reference another one like it – then make a point. This passage begins, “It was necessary” in the English Standard Version. Similar to this, back in 7:26, “it was fitting.” My Point à When God through Moses, set up the Old Covenant system for the Jews, with the Levitical priesthood, the altar for animal sacrifices and everything that went with that – it was necessary or it was fitting – because God was sending a signal or image of what He intended to do in the future. The future being, the coming of Christ and all that attended the person and work of Jesus Christ.

So, with respect to the aspects of the Mosaic Covenant under consideration in Hebrews nine – “it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites” in just the manner God commanded – because, God was picturing the New Covenant of Christ. It was necessary from God’s point of view to the future plan, for all these things to occur just as God said.

Something else to observe here. We are beginning to get a clear view of the difference between the animal sacrifices repeated over and over – in contrast to the SINGULAR, PERFECT SACRIFICE OF CHRIST. Christ was “offered once to bear the sins of many.” That singular sacrifice can be your redemption, if you will respond to Jesus Christ and be His disciple.

Good Workers & Bad

2 Timothy 2:14-19

Warren E. Berkley

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are  Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. ¹⁹ But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” – 2 Tim. 2:14-19

Often, in Paul’s writings to Timothy and Titus, this word stands out: “Remind.” As these young men worked among Christians, they were charged to remind the brethren of truth previously heard and accepted. After the “trustworthy” saying in verses 11-13, and before another call to action and warning, the apostle says to Timothy: “Remind them of these things.” Forgetting is a spiritual hazard.

“…and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.” Not all controversy is bad. Not all attention to words is bad, obviously. But there was a certain tedious and dogmatic debate that not only contained no good for the hearer, the result would be ruin.

Rather than that engagement, Timothy needs to do his best “to present” himself “to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” To present yourself to God is to give your life to Him for His keeping and to be under His authority. The goal is, to be “approved” and that will involve work or activity that is honorable, zealously in pursuit of a faithful use of God’s Word. Verse 15 is the positive imperative, followed by the negative: “avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.”

Talk that is disrespectful, irreverent, and that doesn’t lead people to God, is to be carefully avoided. Do not be the speaker or hearer when the content is irreverent babble. This kind of dialogue is like a lethal cancer, spreading “like gangrene.”

Hymenaeus and Philetus were two examples of men who had “swerved from the truth.” Paul exposes their specific error: “…saying that the resurrection has already happened.”

This section is of great value in telling us the difference between good workers and evil workers.

• Good workers do not strive about words to no profit.
• Good workers are diligent.
• Good workers present themselves approved to God.
• Good workers rightly divide the word of truth.
• Good workers shun profane and idle babblings.

Here on earth, there are good workers and bad workers. But here is a blessed certainty: “God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity’.”   

If, in your experiences, you are discouraged by the likes of Hymenaeus and Philetus, take comfort in this promise, the Lord knows those who are his.

If you experience difficulty discerning who people really are – good workers or evil, take the same promise as your comfort: the Lord knows those who are his!

From Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts (Gerald Bridges and Jerry Bridges)

It is not easy to trust God in times of adversity. No one enjoys pain, and when it comes, we want it relieved as quickly as possible. Even the apostle Paul pleaded with God three times to take away the thorn in his flesh before he finally found God’s grace to be sufficient. Joseph pleaded with Pharaoh’s cup-bearer to “get me out of this prison” (Genesis 40:14). And the writer of Hebrews very honestly states, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful” (Hebrews 12:11).

Warren’s Podcasts

Dogs

While preaching in Mississippi several years ago, there was an unexpected visitor at every service. Not unexpected to the members of the church, but to me. Every time we arrived at the building this scrappy little dog was there. He was there on time, greeting every one arriving. (And I thought I saw a couple of people slipping him a treat or two.)

I referred to the canine visitor once or twice in my preaching. And one day I did a little internet searching and found out – dogs so something much better than humans.

For one thing, most dogs have a far better sense of smell than we do, and there is a physical reason for that. The sinuses of humans have about 6 million receptor cells that can sense the chemical odors afloat in the air. By contrast, the average beagle has more than 300 million receptor cells in its snout—that’s 50 times more cells for smells. The dominant sense through which most humans perceive their world is their eyesight, but the dominant sense through which dogs perceive their world is through their nose. A human can walk down the sidewalk and perhaps perceive a faint aroma of flowers upwind a few feet ahead. A dog walking the same sidewalk perceives as well the traces of every dog or animal that has been in the area. PreachingToday.com

But there is something we can do dogs cannot do. God has granted to us the capacity to use His Word to program our conscience. And then respond when that alarm goes off, repenting, seeking forgiveness and living right. Spiritual discernment is a gift. Use it!

See Gen. 1:26, 1 Pet. 3:21

Post Script – I’m aware of a book in the publishing process now, about the animal imagery in the Bible, with chapters about deer, dogs, snakes, etc. Be looking for announcements about this around the first of the year.

John’s Second Epistle

2 Jno. 1-3

Truth

¹ The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, ² because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.  –2 Jno. 1-3

Among New Testament writers, John is not known for sequential arguments (like Paul in Romans). He is not known for relating cases of conversion (like Luke in Acts). He is not known for contrasts between the covenants (as in Hebrews). John is known for his directness and simplicity. And, for his interests in stating his purpose in writing (see 1 Jno. 2:14-14 and Jno. 20:30,31). In this second epistle his purpose is to encourage “the elect lady and her children” to know, love and abide in the truth.

It is noteworthy, reading Second John there are words and phrases that stand out: Truth, Walking in Truth, Commanded, Watch yourselves and avoid giving support/endorsing those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ.

John’s love for his readers compelled him to remind them of their commitment to the truth of Christ, revealed through the apostles.

Since the time John wrote this, nothing has happened that should cause us to take it less seriously today. Christians are people who want to know the truth, love the truth and walk in the truth. Part of that obligation is to avoid, mark and not support those who would lead people away from the truth Christ revealed through His apostles (see Rom. 16:17,18).

You Haven’t Stop Pressing Have You?

Warren E. Berkley

The apostle Paul is highly regarded by Bible students. We admire his conversion to the Lord, his courage in preaching the gospel, his willingness to face hardship, his love for people and passionate love for the Lord. Paul’s example helps us see what it means to be a Christian.

While we might look to him as a fully developed, “all together,” perfect Christian – he would make no such claim. He said . . .

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” (Phil. 3:13-14).

Not a single reader of this blog has arrived at perfection. None can make the claim to have arrived.

So our challenge is to determine what we can do better. Mediocrity is distasteful to people with good and honest hearts. To fall into a rut and never grow would create shame before God; not to mention judgment. What are you doing now that is right, that you can do better. There is not just one answer that fits all.

The answers will vary from individual to individual. Some may need to be better Bible readers and students. Others may need to take the knowledge they have, and determine to share it with others. Some of us need to get more involved with helping people, encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ. There are young men who can prepare themselves better for future service. There are wives and mothers and young ladies who can learn how to teach children and become good caregivers.

Five Destroyers

1 Pet. 2:1

Warren E. Berkley

What if I told you, “I have discovered five things that will destroy your life!” Would you be interesting in knowing what those things are? I’m telling you, these five things will take you away from God, disable you as a good parent, ruin your marriage, send people running away from you and corrupt your character. Are you going to keep reading?

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,” (1 Pet. 2:1).

Five Destroyers

All Malice

The word “all” is not insignificant. Whatever malice is, I must not have any of it in my heart. Repentance and ongoing  spiritual discipline demand I renounce malice entirely; I must refuse to hang on to any of this.

Malice means desire to injure! You may carelessly or impulsively say or do something that hurts, immediately “taking it back” with an apology (prompted by sincere remorse). Malice is different. It is an evil habit of mind that is not compatible with the mind of Christ at all. It is a desire or purpose to injure. It is intentional, and the intention is to hurt.

It is a destroyer and so each of us need to use the Word of God to look deep inside. Finding any malice, we must get rid of it at once. It is a self-destructive destroyer of marriages, churches, friendships and reputation. Most serious, it takes us away from God. (See also in Titus 3:3-5).

All Guile (deceit)

This means the use of bait, to snare someone in your trap; to lure your victim to his/her defeat. Are you willing to use carnal methods to deceive someone, tricking someone, concealing your true motives to ambush your opponent? That isn’t constructive, destroys you, hurts people and takes you away from God. Use the Word of God to search your hearts for this destroyer and lay it aside before more damage is done.

Hypocrisy

The Greek word used by Peter and other New Testament writers was taken from the context of drama, describing an actor or actress playing the part of another. Think of pretense, pretending to be someone else, to entertain on the stage, playing to an audience.

A hypocrite is one who pretends to be something that he or she is not. In your heart there is one person. In your public life – there is a different person?

Do you realize that some people live a lie! Their life is a lie. In their public conduct there is the appearance of good character, right intentions, fellowship with God, a member of the church in good standing, etc. But in heart there is not good character; an absence of right intentions; no real association with God in the heart, only in pretentious conduct before men.

Growth cannot be pursued with any serious vigor as long as  there is this inconsistency between heart and life. We must use His Word to identify and remove these attitudes. They are destroyers.

Envy

Sometimes you’ll hear someone express some difficulty distinguishing between two things – jealousy and envy. Jealousy indicates being overly possessive of what you believe belongs to you. Jealousy – in course of time and if not handled wisely – develops into contentious rivalry, even violence or murder.

Envy is defined as “a feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others.” It generally works something like this: You believe somebody has what you should have . . . The attitude is: “They shouldn’t have that . . . I should!” This is the term used in Matthew 27:18  to signify that Pilate knew that Jesus had been delivered to him because of envy.

The common people listened to Jesus; they paid attention to Him, followed Him and celebrated His entrance into Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders saw that, didn’t like it  – – thought they ought to have that attention. Envy! It destroys.

All Evil Speaking (NIV, Slander of every kind.)

Let me observe that if there is a progression in 1 Pet. 2:1 it tells us, these attitudes eventually find their way to the tongue! If I let my heart become the home for malice; if I use guile to trap my victims; if I am hypocritical and envious -eventually these diseases will kill me in my mouth through what I say!

Bro. Clinton Hamilton wrote a useful commentary on 1 Peter, in which he said concerning evil speaking:

 “What is under view is every act whereby one might slander or libel another, the purpose of which is to do the person detriment or hurt. The tongue is a very willing instrument to express the ill will of the heart,” (p.#62, Truth Commentaries, 1 Peter).

It is helpful to think of the tongue as an instrument which expresses the content of the heart. It is not just helpful. It is the truth, spoken directly by the Lord Himself. Who said, in Matt. 12:34,  “…out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth  speaks.” If I have any trouble with my tongue, the source of that trouble is MY HEART. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

I speak insults … accusations without evidence … snide little remarks about people … I have heart trouble! If I am willing to lie … curse … use profanity … express lewd or immoral things … that kind of talk comes from an evil heart. If I revile … If I participate in gossip or slander – all evil speaking comes from the heart.

And growth cannot be enjoyed, while involved in any evil speaking.

¹So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. ³You’ve had a taste of God. ²Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.

The Message

God Has Spoken By His Son, #19

The Past Pictured The Present

Hebrews 9:1-10

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence.^[b] It is called the Holy Place.  Behind the second curtain was a second section^[c] called the Most Holy Place,  having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.  Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties,  but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.  By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,  but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

When you first read this section in Hebrews 9, your first thought is – This is about how the Jewish people worshipped under the Old Covenant system.

That’s right. But why is this brought up here? Not to restore or resume that system. Rather, to point out – that system of worship under Moses in the Old Testament – not only functioned for the Jewish people in the wilderness. It pre-figured, it foreshadowed what God had planned for the future. The writer is not calling upon his brethren to return to this. He is calling upon his brethren to consider how that system was only a picture of the fullness of blessings now available through Christ.

Now, it is worthy of note – there was, in that tabernacle system – a distance from God. The people could not directly approach God. Their worship was through the mediation of priests. And, only the High Priest could go into the Most Holy Place, and only one on one day a year.

In contrast, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, He entered into the presence of God and is there for His people now. We have access to God through Jesus Christ. In obeying the gospel and daily discipleship, we have access to God through Jesus Christ. The old system only pictured the fullness of access we now have.