Author: Warren Berkley

John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 5:13-15

Knowing!

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – 1 Jno., 5:6-12

John was not writing just because he had an assignment to write. Several times (for instance in Jno. 20:30,31), he wants to state his purpose and directly address his readers. So this section begins, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God.”

Addressing his readers he adds: “…that you may know that you have eternal life.” You cannot persevere in a life of faith, based on a hunch, a guess or something like a lottery expectation. It is critical to have solid knowledge that as you walk in the light, the current blessing and future outcome is a certainty. A certainty because of the God who has made the promises.

One dimension of that confidence is knowing that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the results that we have asked of him.”

Pagan religions came with no such confidence. Humanly manufactured religions fail to provide this level of certitude.

Through Christ, we have this marvelous access to the God of creation, who is faithful to His promises.

Knowing is a blessing!

Acts of the Assembly: Scripture Reading

by Ethan R. Longhenry

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching (1 Timothy 4:13 ESV).

One of the great advancements in “Western” society over the past few centuries involves literacy rates. Whereas fewer than a quarter of the population could functionally read and write in the ancient and medieval world, well over 90% of people in America today can do so. This means that the vast majority of Americans have the capability of picking up a Bible, reading it for themselves, and coming to a basic understanding of its contents.

The ability to read and understand the Bible is a blessing, but we do well to remember that the idea that most individuals in a congregation can read the Scriptures is a modern phenomenon. For most of history most people did not come to an understanding of God’s message through sitting down and reading a Bible: instead, they heard the message of God read as part of a service, either in the Temple, a synagogue, or the assembly of Christians (Luke 4:16-19, 1 Timothy 4:13).

It is for this reason that Paul encourages Timothy to devote himself to the “reading of Scripture” in 1 Timothy 4:13. Paul does not have in mind some concept of private study with texts with Timothy quietly reading to himself; instead, just as Timothy is to devote himself to preaching (exhortation) and teaching, he is also to devote himself to the reading of the Scriptures before those in the congregation with which he labors.

Devotion to the public reading of Scripture may seem strange to modern eyes, since listeners of Scripture readings today can compare what they hear with what they see written in the Bible. Yet when most of the members of a congregation are illiterate, and especially in a situation in which a congregation is most fortunate if they even possess one full set of scrolls of the Bible, the only experience many will have of the Bible comes through its public reading. If a reader misspeaks or is careless with his reading, the listeners may well be led astray or maintain false impressions regarding what the Scriptures teach since they have no other means by which to come to an understanding of what God has said. If people were going to understand God’s Word accurately, those who read the Scriptures in the assembly needed to devote themselves diligently to the task.

One might wonder why the reading of Scripture in the assembly would still be useful when everyone in the congregation is able to read. Its role has certainly diminished over the past few generations; these days it often becomes the means by which to highlight the main passage of the lesson. Nevertheless, the public reading of Scripture maintains value even in a literate age. Even if people can read the Scriptures, few do with any regularity. Even if we frequently read Scripture, hearing it read may provide a complementary way of understanding the text, and we may notice something we might have missed in reading.

God’s message was always meant to be heard and spoken: such is how the present connects with the past. The prophets and the Apostles may have died thousands of years ago, but we can hear their words spoken to us just as they were first proclaimed so long ago. Yet this connection can only take place when the Scriptures are read like they were originally spoken, with inflection and emotion along with the words. A dramatic reading of Scripture, based on good study of the message, with proper emphasis and appropriate emotion, can bring God’s Word to life. Rushed, careless, flippant, or lifeless reading may quench what the Spirit seeks to accomplish with His Word and does not reflect a healthy respect for God’s message (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 1 Peter 4:11).

The public reading of Scripture in the assembly provides Christians with the opportunity to experience the pure and living Word of God without additional commentary (cf. Hebrews 4:12). We do well to speak God’s words to one another even if most of us can read it on our own. Let us devote ourselves to the public reading of Scripture in our assemblies and thus glorify and honor God in Christ!

Ethan R. Longhenry

FROM Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World by Michael S. Horton —

“We’ve become accustomed to looking around restlessly for something new, the latest and greatest, that idea or product or person or experience that will solve our problems, give us some purpose, and change the world. Although we might be a little jaded by the ads, we’re eager to take whatever it is ‘to a whole new level.’

Sometimes, chasing your dreams can be ‘easier’ than just being who we are, where God has placed you, with the gifts he has given to you.

American Christianity is a story of perpetual upheavals in churches and individual lives. Starting with the extraordinary conversion experience, our lives are motivated by a constant expectation for The Next Big Thing. We’re growing bored with the ordinary means of God’s grace, attending church week in and week out.

Doctrines and disciplines that have shaped faithful Christian witness in the past are often marginalized or substituted with newer fashions or methods. The new and improved may dazzle us for the moment, but soon they have become ‘so last year’.”

God Has Spoken By His Son, #17

He is Seated At God’s Right Hand

Hebrews 8:1-7

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ² a minister in the holy places, in the true tent^[a] that the Lord set up, not man. ³ For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. ⁴ Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. ⁵ They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” ⁶ But as it is, Christ^[b] has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. ⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

Heb. 8:1 reads like a conclusion. It is based on the argumentation that is previous. Jesus is our High Priest. He is seated at the right hand of God, there to provide our access to God. What Moses did, following God’s instructions about the tabernacle, was a foreshadowing of “the heavenly things,” not the final arrangement.

The main point of this, not only here in chapter eight, but in the previous texts is – CHRIST HAS OBTAINED A MINISTRY THAT IS AS MUCH MORE EXCELLENT THAN THE OLD, AS THE COVENANT HE MEDIATES IS BETTER, SINCE IT IS ENACTED ON BETTER PROMISES.

If you have obeyed Jesus Christ in repentance and baptism and you are serving Him now – it is in your compliance with the New Covenant, the New Testament. Please note in this passage – clear reference to the first and second covenants. It is the second, the New Testament, that speaks to us about our access to God through Jesus Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God. The priests of the Old Testament stood at the altar, temporarily and in succession. Christ is seated, permanently, at the right hand of God for us.

The prayer of Epaphras:

What We Need To Learn

Philemon 23,24; Col. 4:12,13; Col. 1:7,8

Warren E. Berkley

Three brief passages in the New Testament mention this man, Epaphras.

“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.” Philemon 1:23,24.

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.” Col. 4:12,13.

“…as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.” Col. 1:7,8.

Assuming these passages refer to the same man, our first impression of this individual is favorable. This Christian was willing to be a “fellow prisoner” because of his relationship with Christ and he wasn’t ashamed to be associated with people known for their allegiance to Christ. He considered himself a “bondservant of Christ,” labored fervently for brethren in his prayers, entertained great zeal for God’s people and worked as “a faithful minister of Christ.”

This is an example of the kind of people we ought to be. Have you ever wondered, what would Paul have written about me? If Paul lived and wrote epistles today and knew you, what would he say? We all understand, what matters most is that we please the Lord. But when we read what Paul wrote about individual people like Epaphras, it may be profitable for us to consider how he might evaluate us. Would I be described as someone like Epaphras?

Epaphras was a man who prayed without ceasing. And in Colossians chapter four Paul gives us an idea of the content of those prayers: He prayed “that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

He knew that Christians must “stand.” Perhaps he had been instructed by Paul who urged Christians to “stand fast in the faith,” (1 Cor. 16:13), “stand fast” in the liberty we have in Christ (Gal. 5:1), “stand fast in one spirit,” (Phil. 1:27) and “stand fast in the Lord,” (Phil. 4:1). Paul and Epaphras knew – either Christians stand or they fall! If we stand, that means we are characterized by stability, strength and the activity of commitment.

He prayed that his brethren might stand “perfect.” This is not about sinless perfection. This is about spiritual maturity. Paul’s goal was to proclaim Christ, “admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ,” (Col. 1:28). One of his last recorded statements to his brethren in Corinth was, “Finally, brethren, farewell, be perfected,” (2 Cor. 13:11; see also Matt. 5:48, 1 Cor. 2:6; 2 Cor. 13:11 and Eph. 4:12,13). In the NIV, Epaphras prays that Christians might be “mature.” How can I tell if I’m mature? By comparing my attitude, commitment, behavior and zeal to what the New Testament teaches.

Epaphras wanted Christians to be “fully assured” or “complete in all the will of God.” In my efforts to learn the will of God and be mature, I must strive for wholeness, attending with active faith to all the will of God. I must not tolerate personal neglect in one area due to my professed diligence in other areas of obedience. Paul wanted the saints at Corinth to prove that they were “obedient in all things,” (2 Cor. 2:9), and the Ephesians needed to grow up “in all things into Him who is the head – Christ…,” (Eph. 4:15).

Epaphras prayed for what every Christian should be working to demonstrate – standing; standing complete; being fully assured in all the will of God. This should be the prayer of every child of God.

Reflections from John 15:1-11

-Warren E. Berkley-

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

In the section of the gospel of John that begins with chapter 13 and ends with chapter 16, Jesus is speaking to the men who were chosen to serve as apostles.

First, that means some of this is specific to the apostolic work and the inspiration imparted to these men, through whom the truth would be revealed (see verses 14:26 as an example).

Second, when Jesus speaks of a person’s relationship to God and the obligations and life of every disciple of Christ, we apply that to our lives. For instance, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Love that produces obedience wasn’t something limited to the apostles.

As we read and study John chapters 13-16, we must be careful to distinguish between what is specifically apostolic and what is generally about anyone’s relationship to God.

We come now to John chapter 15 and the above cited text. The opening verses are not about matters limited to the apostles. Everyone who comes to God through Jesus Christ needs the nourishment that is the subject of these verses.

• There is only one source of nourishment and life for the branches. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the Vinedresser.” {Jesus didn’t need to stop and explain this. His imagery was based on horticulture or viticulture commonly known among these men in that time.} Jesus followers (apostles or not) would be nourished by Him, the true Vine. There is no book, no preacher, group or religious empire able to provide the nourishment every disciple of Christ needs. There is only the one source, Jesus Christ. And mark that word “nothing.” Without Me, “you can do nothing.” In baptism, you attach yourself to the True Vine. As you stay connected to Him, you are nourished for good harvest and growth.
• “Abide in Me.” If I understand that Jesus is the only source of nourishment, I will want to abide in Him. Not just claim He is my nourishment but receive that nourishment by abiding in Him. As I believe in Him and follow His instruction, I am abiding in the Vine. That’s relationship, based on trust that produces fruit. The call of the text is not limited to apostles. And the call of the text is, not only to become attached to the True Vine, but to say there: “abide.”
• Fruit bearing. When Jesus used these agricultural images – when He spoke of seed sown in soil, etc., there was always an end product: Harvest; Fruit bearing. But this is generic. What are the specifics of this harvest. Gal. 5:22,23. The fruit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control; against such there is no law.” Not just the apostles. Every disciples of Christ should be “bearing fruit in every good work,” (Col. 1:10).
• Many today back away from this word. Jesus didn’t hesitate to demand obedience. “Whoever does what is true comes to the light,” (Jno. 3:21). “Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see light,” (Jno. 3:36). “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” So, my initial attachment to the True Vine is in obedience in repentance and baptism. My continued attachment is surrendering to His will in obedience, abiding there day by day.
• “Every branch that does not bear fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Non-bearing branches are taken away. Fruit-bearing branches are tended to with care; pruned so that they bear more fruit.

What a simple way to consider relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Have you attached your life to Him? Are you abiding in Him?

-My Podcasts on the gospel of John, Click Here.

Temporary Conditions

I was the visiting speaker at a large local church in a metropolitan area here in Texas last month. As the announcements scrolled across the screen, then prayers offered, there were those words I see over and over: Cancer, Heart Attack, Asthma, Parkinson’s, Surgery, Diabetes, Leukemia, Alzheimer’s, Brittle Bone, on and on.

When we see or hear these words, we often feel disappointed, defeated and we grieve with the “sick and afflicted” and their families. Sometimes the word “terminal” is part of the reality.

Here is another perspective. All these conditions are temporary! It is so hard to replace the word “terminal” with the word “temporary.” But when the full scope of existence is brought into view, that there is an existence after this life, “terminal” is overpowered by “temporary,” especially for those who build their lives on the foundation of active faith in Christ.

I was preaching from 1 Peter 1 at this church. I read their list of conditions/diseases and told them, “these are all temporary,” then I read 1 Pet. 1:6.

Truth Connection: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.”

John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 5:6-12

Testimony

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. -1 Jno., 5:6-12

John is principally concerned with evidence and testimony that Jesus is the Christ, in the gospel of John. That concern surfaces here in his first epistle. This paragraph is mainly concerned with testimony that is part of the evidence that Jesus is who He claims to be.

The testimony of God has been abundantly given. He has borne witness to His Son, leading John to stress that faith in Him is essential. “Whoever has the son has life; whoever does not have the son of God does not have life.”

“Having” the Son of God means – He is in your heart and life, as real, true and the only way out of sin. God grants eternal life through His Son. Have you, by the activity of faith, accepted that grant?

“Let Your Speech Be

Always With Grace”

In reply to his “friends,” Job said:

Doubtless you are the people,

and wisdom will die with you!

But I have a mind as well as you;

I am not inferior to you.

Who does not know all these things?

Job 12:1-3

Job’s pain incited his friends to come to his side, but not with warmth, care and love. Instead, they went on and on about how he must have done something that was so bad, it brought all this pain into his life.

Job’s frustration boiled over from time to time, causing him to speak frankly with his friends. That’s what we are reading in the above text.

What can we learn?

We should never speak to people in a demeaning manner. Apparently Job’s friends spoke as if they were “the people,” and as if, upon their death, wisdom would die! Further, it seems they spoke down to Job so arrogantly, they implied that Job wasn’t as smart as they were; thus prompting Job to say in his defense, “I have a mind too!”

No matter what we perceive people have done, and no matter how clear we believe we need to be, demeaning speech is never justified.

Fortunately my parents were very careful to teach me this. Through example and with direct admonitions they trained us to avoid demeaning speech. We were not allowed to call people, “stupid” or “idiots.”

It is not helpful! We cannot “win” people, train people and help people while we demean them and berate them. The object of all speech should be, to help, not hurt; to educate, not denigrate.

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one,” (Col. 4:6).

Sometimes we may be justified in thinking about people with this typical response: “You think you are so smart. Not so much. I have a mind too!” Let’s be careful to not provoke such thoughts in those we speak to.

-web

My Podcasts Click Here

The One Talent

Hide not thy talent in the earth,

However small it be;

Its faithful use, its utmost worth,

God will require of thee.

His own, which He hath lent on trust,

He asks of thee again;

Little or much, the claim is just,

And thine excuses vain.

Go, then, and strive to do thy part,

Though humble it may be;

The ready hand, the willing heart,

Are all heaven asks of thee.

– William Cutler