Author: Warren Berkley

“Everything” Summed Up

by Doy Moyer

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Think about what this says regarding “the Law and the Prophets,” then add to this that the Law and the Prophets hang on the two greatest commandments: love God and love others (Matthew 22:36-40).

However we understand the Law and the Prophets, we need to see them through the interpretation given to them by Christ Himself. All the Law and the Prophets are summed up in the need to love God and to love and treat others properly. Any interpretation of the Law that does not take these into account will be flawed.

Does this include the issues of justice and restitution in the Law? Does this include the death penalty for particular crimes? Does this include various judgments upon the nations who refuse to repent?

Yes, for if the integrity of loving God and others is going to be kept intact, then the Law could not allow society to be held hostage to the crimes and violations of those who act contrary to the image of God in the furtherance of their own evil selfishness. If those who refuse to love God and others are allowed to do whatever they want to the detriment of those who desire to do what is right, then the entire system built on love and respect is undermined and will only deteriorate. Freedom is a prized ideal, but when it is used to violate others, then that freedom will either be forfeited to those who are selfish and evil, or it will be lost for those who desire to do good. Justice enacted upon the evildoers, therefore, preserves the integrity of a system built on treating others with love and respect.

Does the New Covenant incorporate these same ideals?

Yes, for Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44). The purpose of the Law and the Prophets was not to be an end in themselves, but rather to point to the Messiah who would complete the purpose. While we normally think of this in connection with matters like the temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifices, we should also see the broader scope of what the Law was about. It was a way by which people could live together with honor for both God and fellow human beings. It was a way of life.

Jesus is the greatest example of what it means to love God and others. He is the epitome of the ideal for how to treat others. All that the Law and Prophets had to say about these matters is summed up in the attitudes and actions of Jesus. Notice how Paul points to Jesus as the ideal in his letter to the Philippians:

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (2:3-5).

Paul then describes what Jesus did. He emptied Himself, took on the form of the servant, and died on the cross. Through Jesus’ humility, He demonstrated how to treat others and how to take the focus off of self. This is the very attitude disciples are to take upon themselves. The way to do this is to look to Jesus and imbibe His mindset. 

Paul also writes, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. … Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10).

The New Covenant carries forward the ideals of loving God and treating others as we want to be treated through love. This must be done freely, and, though freedom is so often abused, Christians especially need to see their actions as having a greater impact on those around them.

“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:16-17).

The greatest defense of the Lord that can be given will be found in the lives of the disciples who are determined to show love for God first, and love for others as a reflection of the love shown by Jesus. Yet to show the kind of love Jesus exemplified also means that disciples will desire to spread the gospel message as much as possible. If we truly love others, if we really desire to treat others as we want to be treated, then we will pay attention to the need for forgiveness, salvation, and redemption, and we will share the hope of eternal life. “Everything” can be summed up in this.

From Pressing On Magazine

Oct. 2015

Matthew Henry: We must mind the concerns of another world more than the concerns of this. We must make heaven our scope and aim, seek the favour of God above, keep up our communion with the upper world by faith, and hope, and holy love, and make it our constant care and business to secure our title to and qualifications for the heavenly bliss. And the reason is because Christ sits at the right hand of God. He who is our best friend and our head is advanced to the highest dignity and honour in heaven, and has gone before to secure to us the heavenly happiness; and therefore we should seek and secure what he has purchased at so vast an expense, and is taking so much care about. We must live such a life as Christ lived here on earth and lives now in heaven, according to our capacities.

Comments on Col. 3.

Ten Questions

(That could be useful when you read the Bible and study with a non-Christian)

1. Who Is God?

Acts 17:22-31

2. Who Is Man?

Gen. 1:1,27; 2:7,19-25

3. What Is The Bible?

2 Tim. 3:16,17; Eph. 3:1-7

4. What Is The Old Testament?

2 Cor. 3:4-18; Matt. 17:1-5

5. What Is The New Testament?

Heb. 8:6-13

6. Who Is Jesus Christ?

Jno. 1:1-18

7. What Is The Problem?

Rom. 3:10-23

8. What Is The Solution?

Rom. 116,17; 3:23-26

9. What Do I Need To Do?

Heb. 5:9; Acts 2:38

10. What If I Do Nothing?

2 Thess. 1:7,8

Consider Him

(Heb. 3:1)

In the first two chapters of Hebrews there is a very clear line of thought developed. Following this line of thought will not only open up the book of Hebrews to better study, but will provide great truth to change your life or keep your life changed. Here’s the way this line of thought might be outlined:

• God has spoken in His Son (1:1,2).
• His Son, Jesus, is far above angels (1:3-14).
• Therefore, we should give more earnest heed to the gospel (2:1-4).
• Though above angels, Jesus was made lower than the angels; deity became flesh, but was exalted: “crowned with glory and honor,” (2:5-8).
• The incarnation took place “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone,” to “bring many sons to glory,” (2:9-13).
• He frees us from the lifelong fear of death and comes to our aid (2:14-18).

This leads us to Hebrews 3:1 – “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.”

This word “consider” in this verse has no casual connotation. In modern use we may apply the word “consider” to matters of no great importance. Or we may use the word to indicate some passing notice or choice we might think a little about. “Consider” in this passage means much more. This has to do with perception far deeper than casual choices.

It means “to perceive clearly,” and “to understand fully, consider closely.” Jesus said to consider the beam in your own eye (Matt. 7:3) and consider the lilies of the field (Lk. 12:27). Later in Hebrews, Christians are admonished to consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works (Heb. 10:24). W.E. Vines says of the original term, “It is translated by the verbs ‘behold,’ Acts 7:31,32; Jas. 1:23,24; ‘perceive,’ Luke 20:23; ‘discover,” Acts 27:39.”

In your Bible reading and study, little will be accomplished until you really get serious about considering Jesus Christ. Everything in the Old Testament points to Him. Everything in the New Testament informs us of His arrival, showing Him to be our Savior. The preaching of the apostles was the preaching of “Jesus Christ and Him crucified,” (1 Cor. 2:2). Baptism is “into Christ,” (Rom. 6:3), putting us into the Church of Christ (Acts 2:47). Those who have obeyed the gospel are Christians (of Christ), and they live under His authority (Matt. 28:18-20).  There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12). If you neglect the truth about Jesus Christ, you have missed the point of the gospel. Consider Him. He must be the object of close and serious consideration.

The exhortation in Heb. 3:1 is directed to Christians: “holy brethren,” “partakers of a heavenly calling.” The Hebrew letter was originally written to Christians who came out of Judaism. They were being tempted to abandon Christ and drift back into Judaism. One step they needed to take away from this temptation was, to consider Jesus Christ; to seriously think about and discover the value of the truth about Him.

You cannot be faithful to a Master you do not know! You cannot effectively share a message you do not fully appreciate. You cannot relate to your brethren and serve their needs if you do not cherish your elder brother. Consider Him.

He is “the Apostle.” Jesus is the One sent by God (Jno. 3:34; 5:36-38; 20:21). God didn’t send an angel. He didn’t send Moses to be our Savior. Jesus is the One sent. Consider Him.

He is the “High Priest of our confession.” Think of access to God. Jesus is our access to God. He came “to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people,” (Heb. 2:17). “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need,” (Heb. 4:15,16).

You can be a stronger, better person, as a result of every moment you spend in serious contemplation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Consider Him. Who is He to you? The race God has set out before us cannot be finished without “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” (Heb. 12:2).

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.”

“This verse holds up Jesus as the Apostle, High Priest and Paragon of all religious pro-fession, the only infallible Exemplar, the universal Archetype of the Gospel dispensation, in contradistinction to Moses in bygone ages.” (W.B. Godbey)

From Barnes: “Consider – Attentively ponder all that is said of the Messiah. Think of his rank; his dignity; his holiness; his sufferings; his death; his resurrection, ascension, intercession. Think of him that you may see the claims to a holy life; that you may learn to bear trials; that you may be kept from apostasy. The character and work of the Son of God are worthy of the profound and prayerful consideration of every man; and especially every Christian should reflect much on him. Of the friend that we love we think much; but what friend have we like the Lord Jesus?”

When He writes “forgiven”

In a small town in the South during the Great Depression, there was a Christian physician widely known for his medical skill and for his kindness.

After his death, when his books were examined by his wife and other heirs, there were many accounts which had written across them in red ink the words, “Forgiven—too poor to pay.” The wife and heirs were not as kindly disposed as the old doctor, and they determined to collect these accounts since they added up to quite a large sum of money.

They sued for the money. The judge asked the wife, “Is this your husband’s handwriting in red?” She answered that it was. The judge shook his head and said, “In this case, there is not a tribunal in the land that can collect this money, for he has plainly written ‘Forgiven’ on these accounts.”

We can be sure that when the Great Physician has written “Forgiven” on our spiritual debts, we have been forever released from them.

—Author Unknown^[1]

^[1] Lewis, B. (1991). And then Some …. In Christianity Magazine: August 1991, Volume 8, Number 8 (8). Jacksonville, FL: Christianity Magazine.

This is a sample of what I’ve just started on my podcast channel. I’ll post two a week through the book of Philippians. You can access these and sign up to listen at this link.

First, about Philippians …

Philippi was one of the principal cities of Macedonia; historically famous as documented in Greek and Roman history. It was the location of a Roman military colony, set for the defense of Roman interests. Founded by Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, it was located in the province of Macedonia, along the northern coast of the Aegean Sea.

The Acts background can be read from Acts chapter 16. That evangelistic effort resulted in the beginning of the local church there. Lydia, from Thyatira, was baptized “and her household.”

As Paul and Silas continued the work in Philippi, they came into collision with an alleged “fortune telling” person (a woman possessed with an evil spirit, being used by men for their profit).

When Paul expelled the evil spirit from her, “her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone,” so “they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.”

False accusations were made. Paul and Silas were put in jail.

In that unlikely location for a singing, Paul and Silas were heard singing praise to God. There was an earthquake; the prison opened up, and the jailer started to kill himself.

Paul shouted to the man, “do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Paul preached the gospel to this man, “and immediately he and all his family were baptized.”

Released from prison, Paul and Silas visited Lydia, before their departure.

Sometime later, Paul was inspired by the Spirit to write to these Christians in Philippi.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. – Phil. 1:1,2

To be a “servant of Christ Jesus” includes responding to the needs of saints, and in this case, that included providing teaching with encouragement.  Their interest in the church at Philippi begins with their wish or greeting of GRACE (generosity) and PEACE (harmony) from God.

The members of this church were all saints (set apart for God when they obeyed the gospel of Christ).

Qualified male saints became overseers and deacons. This was not involuntary service, but God’s use of good men who were anxious to do all they could to further the Lord’s work in that place.

Spiritually, these Christians were located in Jesus Christ. Physically, they were located in Philippi.

I hope this is being heard by servants of Jesus Christ, and that your commitment to Him is your way of life.

PPE

by Mark White

Before the coronavirus pandemic, I would certainly not have known what the acronym, PPE meant. In fact, I had never heard the term before. However, medical personnel are quite familiar with “Personal Protective Equipment.” N95 masks, disposable gowns, gloves, face shields, shoe coverings— all of these items are necessary equipment to keep health care workers safe as they do their job of caring for those sick with the virus. Recent discussions about mask-wearing in the general population are also a part of these PPE requirements. School children and teachers who return to the public classroom will be wearing masks and face shields. Hand sanitizer will be in easy reach. Soap and water will be abundant. The same is true for those who are still working at public jobs where they must interface personally with other people. PPE is a huge deal right now in the fight against the spread of this contagion.

Christians have been outfitted by God with personal protective equipment in a spiritual sense. Read carefully Paul’s description of both offensive and defensive equipment we are given as we wrestle against spiritual threats, from Ephesians 6:10- 17: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (NASU, emphasis mine, MW)

These images of battle equipment should call to mind the true struggle we all face against sin and unrighteousness in our personal lives. Our enemy, Satan, is using every available means to attack us and render us useless to God and His cause. Arm yourself so that you can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. —

Thanks to Mark W. White

Midweek Messenger

July 8, 2020

Published by the Cy-Fair church of Christ, Houston, Texas

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. – Phil. 1:3-5

Think about memory, association and attitude. Paul tells the Christians in Philippi that he remembers his good association with them. And, that this memory is entertained with an attitude of joy and gratitude to God.

Paul first came to Philippi, simply to preach the gospel to the lost. As he undertook that challenge, he was mocked, seized and imprisoned. He was not treated well in Philippi (see 1 Thess. 2:2).

But now (as a prisoner in another place), Paul is able to write back to Christians in Philippi without any bitterness. He remembers them with an emotion of joy.  “I thank God in all my remembrance of you.”

Just pause here and reflect on how valuable this attitude is. What a high example and standard for us to imitate. It is positive, mature, godly and healthy – to remember the good and reject bitterness and resentment. The painful things of the past ought to be managed by exalting good things and good people. Gratitude to God makes this conceivable.

There is another part of this good attitude toward the saints in Philippi: “…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

How did they “partner” with Paul? What was the nature of their participation or fellowship?

The Christians in Philippi acted toward Paul, based on their commitment to God. They were committed to God, therefore committed to His servants. Not only through prayer.

Later in this epistle we learn that they responded to Paul’s needs. They sent aid to him once and again (Phil. 4:16).

It was not just that Paul was in “their thoughts and prayers,” though that is certainly true. Their commitment to God led to their sacrifice for His servants. Their interests in the lost caused them to support those who faithfully preached the gospel to the lost. Their love for brethren prompted their active love for Paul. All of this can be summarized as their fellowship with Paul.

Because they were connected with God, they were connected with His servant, the apostle Paul. 

My Pre-recorded Bible class content, first class in Philippians, Click Here.

Godliness Makes The Difference

Warren E. Berkley

Samuel Johnson prepared a monumental work first published in 1755, Dictionary Of The English Language. He read the great works of English literature, devoured text books, catalogued massive libraries, organized a staff of writers and research people, and lived in pursuit of the task for almost ten years.

Johnson was an enigma in person. A brilliant master of words and syntax, but a miserable man who was often broke, alienated from family, struggling with failed relationships and never with full commitment of heart to be a godly man.

Reading a book about Johnson’s struggles, I’ve become reacquainted with the fact that intelligence and eloquence never finds their highest potential without godliness. For one thing, an intelligent eloquent writer or speaker can say almost anything well, regardless of heart and life.

Samuel Johnson, for example, wrote against the use of alcohol: “these liquors, my Lords, liquors of which the strength is heightened by distillation, have a natural tendency to inflame the blood, to consume the vital juices, destroy the force of the vessels, contract the nerves, and weaken the sinews . . . they not only disorder the mind for a time, but by a frequent use precipitate old age, exasperate diseases, and multiply and increase all the infirmities to which the body of man is liable.”  {See Prov. 20:1}

Johnson, however, wrote with equal eloquence in favor of alcohol: “The Cyder, Sir, which I am now rescuing from contemptuous Comparisons, has often exhilarated my social hours, enlivened the Freedom of Conversation, and improved the Tenderness of Friendship, and shall not therefore now want a Panegyrist. It is one of those few Subjects on which an Encomiast may expatiate without deviating from the Truth.”

Give a good writer almost any subject of controversy, and he can write well on either side. We recognize this as duplicity.

Godliness enables us to use our talents with integrity and reverence to God. Godly people serve God and others in high quality because they have given their talents to God, to be used under His instruction and for His glory.

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Heb. 13:15

Johnson Quotations from the book Samuel Johnson: The Struggle, by Jeffrey Meyers.