Author: Warren Berkley

           1. No condemnation (1).

           2. Privilege of walking according to the Spirit (1).

           3. Freedom from the law of sin and death (2).

           4. To be spiritually minded – life and peace (6).

           5. To be subject to the law of God in daily practice (7).

           6. To please God (8).

           7. Christ in you and the Spirit in you (vss.9-11).

           8. Out of debt to the flesh (12).

           9. Led by the Spirit (14).

           10. Spirit of adoption (15).

           11. Heirs (17).

           12. Glory after suffering (18).

           13. Glorious liberty (21).

           14. The redemption of the body (23).

           15. Saved by hope (24).

           16. The Spirit helps (26).

           17. Intercession (27, 34).

           18. All things work together for good (28).

           19. Predestined to be conformed (29).

           20. Justified, Glorified (30).

           21. He freely gives us all things (32).

           22. Being inseparable from the love of Christ (35).

           23. More than conquerors (37).

           24. Being inseparable from the love of God (38, 39).

“What then shall we say to these things?

If God is for us, who can be against us,” v.32

F. W. Boreham

From a sermon on 1 Tim. 3:16

On the deity-human of Christ

“He was born a tiny babe in Bethlehem – He was as human as that! Yet angels filled the air with heavenly song – He was as divine as that!

He rested, tired and thirsty, on Samaria’s well – He was as human as that! Yet He told the woman whom He found there that she had but to ask and He would give her the water of everlasting life – He was as divine as that!

He slept, exhausted, in the bow of a boat – He was as human as that! Yet, when He rose and rebuked the angry waves, they crouched like dogs at His feet – He was as divine as that!

He wept with the sisters beside the tomb at Bethany – He was as human as that! Yet, He cried ‘Lazarus come forth!’ and he that was dead left the sepulcher – He was as divine as that!”

Character Development Prepares You For Crisis

Warren E. Berkley

The Bible is God’s textbook for character development. But you can’t wait till a crisis, quickly pull the book off the shelf, turn to a few pages, do a quick read and suddenly be equipped with strength to travel through the crisis bravely.

Life on earth brings to us a variety of difficulties, challenges and hardships. Generally, men and women here on earth do not accept suffering and disappointment graciously. When we are in trouble, we want out. When adversity knocks at the door, we want to hide. When things happen we don’t understand, we may latch on to denial. We may agree with Solomon about the futility of earthly life, but without reading his conclusion (Ecclesiastes 1:14,15 and 12:13,14).

When difficulties intrude into our lives, our reaction is driven by the character we have developed before the difficulty arrived. If we react to problems with resentment, grumbling and bitterness – that says something about who we were before the problem came up! If something bad happens and we speak against God and back away from obeying Christ, that tells the sad story of our neglect of character development before that event.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” (Jas. 1:2). James does not specify just one kind of trial. It is likely his readers were undergoing persecution. That is included in “various,” but so is cancer, serious injury, loss of loved ones, financial disaster, conflict or any other upheaval that becomes your personal trial.

One reason Christians are able to have this “joy” is – we know something. We know that the testing of our faith is good for us, producing steadfastness (see also Rom. 5:1-5 and 1 Pet. 1:6,7). We know that faith and character pursued before trials prepares us for trials. We know that the reading and studying we have been committed to in the past, serves us well now and in the future when difficulties intrude. We also know what is ahead. We know how everything will turn out eventually and eternally. We have a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, “a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus has gone…,” (Heb. 6:19,20a).

“Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,” (Jas. 1:2-4).

Brother L.A. Stauffer said it well: “Christians are not oblivious to troubles and burdens. They know problems are there, but they have gained the spiritual insight to look beyond them. When they face manifold trials, they ‘count it all joy … knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience’ (James 1:2–3). Spiritual wisdom sees the steadfastness, the spiritual wholeness and approvedness that suffering produces (Romans 5:3–4; James 1:4). It is a matter of perspective—seeing beauty rather than ugliness in life. Christians cannot complain about what they have learned to overlook. Paul saw his trial at Rome as a ‘defense of the gospel’ rather than a ‘tribunal of death’.”^[1]

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^[1] Stauffer, L. A. (1984). Murmuring—A Spiritual Tantrum. (B. Lewis, Ed.)Christianity Magazine, 1(7), 19.

(1) You don’t have to sin: Jas. 4:7,8

(2) God put sex in marriage: Heb. 13:4

(3) God expects us to be sober: Prov. 20:1; 23:29-35

(4) God expects us to NOT conform to the world: Rom. 12:1,2

Hurried lives
One of the scientists who figured prominently in our national space program had four trays on his desk. Executives usually have two trays, one marked “In” and one marked “Out.” On this administrator’s desk, however, were four, labeled “Frantic,” “Urgent,” “Pressing,” and “Overdue.”Most of us are living hurried lives. The thing that breaks down our stamina is not so much external stress, but internal pressures and spiritual emptiness. When we possess the inner peace that comes through Christ, our physical health can improve, our general outlook is more positive, and our relationships with others can be deeper and more fulfilling.
—Author Unknown

Lewis, B. (1988). And Then Some …. Christianity Magazine, 5(8), 8.

Worry? Who Me?

We are familiar with what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount: “do not worry,” (Matt. 6:25-34), in some versions, “do not be anxious.” Add to this, we know what Paul wrote in Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything,” (Phil. 4:6). In both passages the instruction is, in essence, instead of worry, trust in God (with all that biblical trust includes).

Got it? Maybe not. Here’s what we may try to do, to walk away from this. We look at those words, “anxiety” and “worry,” and we defensively claim that’s not what we are doing. We craft self-serving definitions to ease back from the guilt.

Worry? Who Me? No, that’s not what I do. I reflect on legitimate concerns; I plan; I have foresight; I’m just trying to look ahead and … contingency plotting … yes, that’s it. That’s what I do. But worry? No, not me.

Come on folks. We know we are guilty, but rather than admit it, we define our way out of penitent confessions. Our definitions and labels serve to comfort us. But that’s dangerous. It takes us away from application.

Instead of all the semantics and self-serving definitions, why not just do what Jesus and Paul said: “…in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God,” (Phil. 4:6), and “seek first the kingdom of God,” (Matt. 6:33).

-Warren E. Berkley

“All Scripture Is Breathed Out By God”

2 Tim. 3:16

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16,17)

It may at first sound crude, but I want us to consider that God doesn’t have bad breath! Everything that comes from the mind of God; everything God caused to be written for our learning is good, perfect and necessary. “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change,” (Jas. 1:17). Once we become convinced of the perfection of God and the perfect love of God, we entertain no doubt that all that He has given for us to read, study, believe and do is for our present and eternal good. God breathed out, God exhaled from His perfect mind and will. The result is Scripture.

This means there is no other book or writing that compares with Scripture. There may be books, articles and sermons that help us focus on Scripture and motivate us to apply it. There may be people who teach us and direct our thoughts into the text of Scripture. But there is no other book, no other person, no other presentation that is equal to the power and truth of what God caused to be written for us.

This means if we think we have discovered something to do as “the Lord’s work,” but there is nothing in Scripture to lead to that, it isn’t worthy of our energy or attention. It is through the use of Scripture that we are “complete, equipped for every good work.” Man cannot just harvest some bright idea or project out of his mind, call it “the Lord’s work” and recruit followers, thinking it is all approved by God – when there is nothing God has ever said that authorizes or leads to that activity.

This means our spiritual nourishment comes from what God has revealed, that provides the full benefit we need – for teaching, for reproof, for correction and training in righteousness. All my spiritual needs can be met when I rely only on Scripture. God breathed out and the result was exactly what we need.

This means I must read and study Scripture, then put the instruction into my mind and life, consistently and without long dry spells of neglect. How many of us have started reading Scripture, perhaps at the first of the year, but dropped it in March or April? How many of us have seasons of zeal and prayer and deep interests in Scripture, then let that season pass, distracted by the world? If we believe what Paul wrote in this passage, that belief must express itself in our habits, our thoughts, our priorities, our relationships and our growth as disciples of Christ.

Recent Evidence Shows?

Warren E. Berkley

Several years ago scientists (especially in the behavior field) formed a research team. The simple question to be studied was – What can be done for people who are depressed? Not severe depression that has some physiological cause. Just people who visit a therapist and they present symptoms of depression; functional but depressed.

So, this team set about the task of finding a non-pharmaceutical treatment (apparently not funded by the pharmaceutical companies). They did their research, accounted for all the data, poured over case studies and conducted interviews. Finally, the findings were published.

HEADLINES: NEW RESEARCH!

Published by the University of California at Berkeley (no relation to author), here is a quotation from their findings: “Recent evidence suggests that a promising approach is to complement psychological counseling with additional activities that are not too taxing for clients, but yield high results. In our own research, we have zeroed in on one such activity: THE PRACTICE OF GRATITUDE.”

It is remarkable – and it happens all the time – that some who are held in high esteem in the academic world find something God has said from the beginning and God’s people have always practiced; and when they sign their collective names to it, it becomes “new research.”

The document went on to say, “…many studies over the past decade have found that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and less depressed.”

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” (1 Thess. 5:18). Let’s keep doing what we know moves us further into the light of Christ and away from the darkness of this world. Count your many blessings. Name them one by one.

Source: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain

Do Your Best (2 Tim. 2:15)

1. To read and understand what the Bible message is. “…understand what the will of the Lord is,” (Eph. 5:17).
2. To respond to that message with personal obedience. “…Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you,” (Lk. 6:46). “Be doers of the word,” (Jas. 1:22).
3. To respond just as described in the New Testament. “…practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you,” (Phil. 4:7). “…Do everything in the name of the Lord,” (Col. 3:17).
4. To worship God, as He has directed. “…worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth,” (Jno. 4:23,24).
5. To honor – with your participation – what the New Testament says about being with and working with other Christians in your area. “…joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love,” (Eph. 4:16). “…not neglecting to meet together…,” (Heb. 10:26).
6. To share the gospel with your friends and family. The first Christians “did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus,” (Acts 5:42).
7. To expose sin and offer the remedy. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them,” (Eph. 5:11).
8. To be engaged from the heart with your family. “Husbands, love your wives… Let the wife see that she respects her husband … Children, obey your parents … Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,” (Eph. 5:25-6:4)
9. To love your neighbor. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” (Mark 12:31).
10. To be nourished with the Word of God in such a consistent way, you never stop growing spiritually. “…long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation,” (1 Pet. 2:1).

The Benefits of Old Testament Sacrifice

By Phil Roberts

WE KNOW THAT the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament did not really take away sin. But what did they do?

The Law of Moses provided the Israelites with a temporary solution to the problem of sin. God had a solution to the problem of sin which He announced to Abraham, saying, “In your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” But the fulfillment of this promise would take time, and a lot of preparation was needed. So God gave the children of Israel the Law of Moses as a temporary solution. As such, animal sacrifices provided the following blessings for the children of Israel:

1. Provisional forgiveness of sin. The writer of Hebrews teaches us that the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). But Moses told the Israelites that their sins were forgiven when they offered their animal sacrifices (Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31). So which is true? Did they receive forgiveness of sins when they offered their animal sacrifices or not?

I find it helpful to answer this question by a comparison to the modern custom of writing checks. If I sell a used car to my neighbor and he writes me out a check, have I been paid? Most of us would surely say yes to this question. But we all know that we won’t really be paid until a few days later when that check goes through the bank. Yet we still say that we have been paid when we get the check; we feel like we are paid, and we are happy about it.

Our neighbor might even tell us as he writes out the check,” Now don’t try to cash this until after Friday when I deposit my paycheck.” And yet, if we trust our neighbor, we still say that we have been paid and we feel like we have been paid, even though we know that technically we haven’t. We can say that subjectively we have been paid, even though we know objectively that we have not. And, interestingly enough, it all depends on how much faith we have in the person who wrote the check.

This illustrates, in a crude sort of way I admit, what happened when God “forgave” the sins of the Israelites. Objectively, legally, no real forgiveness could take place until the price for sin was actually paid by the death of Jesus on the cross—until the payment price was actually deposited “in the bank.” But subjectively, their sins were “as good as forgiven.” A promise of forgiveness from God, who cannot lie, is just as good as forgiveness itself, but only if you fully trust in God.

2. Awareness of the horror of sin. The Old Testament sacrifices provided, however, far more than just a sense of forgiveness. Those sacrifices also provided instruction that God’s people vitally needed if they were ever going to appreciate and understand the real solution when its time came.

Specifically, they needed an understanding of the horror of sin. An Israelite would take his goat of sin offering to a priest and, while he was holding his hand on the head of the animal, the priest would slay it (Leviticus 4:15, 24, 29). The offerer could literally feel the death of the animal—perhaps one his children had played with as it grew up (1 Samuel 12:3)—as it collapsed from beneath the touch of his hand. He could see the blood and feel its warmth as it spilled out on the ground. It was not a pretty picture. It was the picture of the horror of his sin—a picture that could not easily be forgotten. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The ancient Israelite worshipper might not have understood how God would eventually provide His own Son as the sacrifice for sin, but he certainly knew the awful, death-dealing power of sin—and that was a blessing. It was a much needed “remembrance of sins year by year” (Hebrews 10:4).

Indeed, we would be blessed to have a greater appreciation of the horror of our own sins. Try this during the Lord’s Supper this week: Close your eyes and imagine your hand on the head of Jesus as He dies for your sin (Isaiah 53:5–7).

3. Awareness of the need for a greater sacrifice. Finally, one of the most powerful paradoxes of the Old Testament, displaying the manifold wisdom of God, is the fact that animal sacrifices could provide the Israelites with an assurance of God’s forgiveness and, at the same time, could be teaching them of the need for a still greater sacrifice.

Micah asks directly, “Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?” (Micah 6:6). Micah, David (Psalm 51:16–17), and many other Israelites, I am sure, came to see that a greater sacrifice was needed—a sacrifice of obedience to the will of God—to do justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8; see also Psalm 51:17). They came to see a need for greater obedience on their part and, in the light of their continuing failures, the need for the sacrifice of the perfect obedience of Jesus (Hebrews 10:5–10; Philippians 2:8).

Via Christianity Magazine, December 1991, Vol 8, No. 12.