Author: Warren Berkley

No fear of death

Writing on the subject of fearing death, Leslie Weatherhead, noted English writer and preacher, once drew a parallel between the beginning of life and what is often perceived to be the end. A baby would never choose on its own to leave the security of its mother’s womb, so safe, so secure, so warm, he said. But Nature prevails and when the time is right the baby is sent forth into the uncertain and unknown. But what a surprise awaits the child—a loving mother holds it close to her warm body and she feeds it and cares for its every need. All around are people who shower affection upon it.

Is it not much the same, Weatherhead speculates, at death? Again, we are reluctant to leave, reluctant to embark on an uncharted journey into an unknown land. But if the Bible is true, there awaits for all who believe in Jesus a wonderful welcome, full of affectionate reunions, full of joy and unprecedented love and peace. With such a prospect in store, we need have no fear of death.

—Linda Gramatky Smith in Christianity Magazine,

^[1] Lewis, B. (1986). And Then Some …. Christianity Magazine, 3(8), 8.

 Enter, Because

(Matt. 7:13,14)

Warren E. Berkley

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it,” (Matt. 7:13,14).

The word “enter” combines two simple concepts: action and access. When you approach a building and see a sign that says, “Entrance,” you move in that direction, through a door; you take action to gain access.

The God of heaven sent His Son to die for us. Based on that atoning sacrifice, even though we have sinned, God offers us access into His favor and His family. Through the gospel, God informs us, appeals to us and invites us in – to enter; to come into the Kingdom. If we want access, we must take action – the action God has specified. Those who desire access into the blessings and fellowship with God must take action (see Acts 2:38). Jesus said, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door…,” (Lk. 13:24). When you hear the gospel, believe in Christ, repent of your sin, confess your faith and obey the Lord in baptism – you are entering (action to gain access). As you remain faithful to the Lord, you are remaining in that place you entered. We have “access by faith into this grace,” (Rom. 5:2).

Note, there are two gates: the narrow gate and the wide gate. Little deliberation is necessary to discern which gate should be entered. Modern thinking favors the broad gate: do anything you want; go anywhere; join any church; take any path; make any choice; do what is easy! Jesus doesn’t speak nor condone the carnal appeal. There is a single-minded narrowness of focus in His words, compared to the carefree, crowd-pleasing broad way of the world. Now good things abound in this narrow way. Great blessings await those who choose to be citizens of the kingdom. There is no better way of life, than to live in fellowship with God, in surrender to the authority of Christ. Only in the King’s narrow highway is the willful spirit conquered.  Only in the narrow way is there “the way that leads to life,” and sadly, only a few find it.

Look through the rest of the seventh chapter of Matthew. Carefully observe: two gates, two kinds of fruit, two foundations! Will you be saved or lost? The appeal is clear and urgent.

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Men and women are one and equal in their relationship to God and to the rest of creation (Genesis 1:26–28). They are “joint-heirs” of God’s eternal purpose (1 Peter 3:7), called to the same glorious destiny (Romans 8:28–30). But if their ultimate nature and destiny are the same and much that they are to be in life is identical, there is an essential dissimilarity in the sexes that is not cultural but real. They were made to be complementary parts of a remarkable whole. By this reality the wonder of marriage is made possible. There is one glory of the man and another glory of the woman.

Woman was the grand climax of God’s creative tour de force. For the man she was the absolute marvel of the created universe because she answered perfectly to the emptiness inside of him (Genesis 2:23–24). No light in the heavens shone so brightly in his world as she did. Mountains and forests and seas paled beside her. The woman was made for the man, to be his helper and companion in the great adventure to which God has called them both. She was to be the crown on her husband’s head (Proverbs 12:4).

^[1] Earnhart, P. (Ed.). (1995). Theme Editorial: Proverbs 31: The Ways of the Worthy Woman. Christianity Magazine, 12(10), 11.

Full Peripheral Vision

(Eph. 5:15)

Warren E. Berkley

“See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,” Eph. 5:15.

Paul gives instruction for our good in this verse. And this is about the sound combination of mobility (walk) and full peripheral vision (circumspectly). God’s people are to be mobile and that mobility must be accompanied by circumspection, which simply means looking all around; full peripheral vision! Webster says of “circumspect” – Attentive to all the circumstances of a case or the probable consequences of an action; cautious; prudent; wary. The Greek word centers on diligence; taking care to guard against temptations and to live as one should through them.

When Jesus made His “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem, and in Mark’s report of this arrival, it is said of Jesus, He looked around at all things (Mark 11:11). We do not believe this was the casual observation of a tourist, nor any limited focus. This was the serious perspective of One who was attentive to all circumstances. He had full peripheral vision of all that was happening in the behavior of Jerusalem’s people.

Like Jesus, we must look around at all things, being watchful with prayer; alert to the varied and subtle approaches of the enemy, and ready to abide in the Word of God through whatever temptations or trails may come. Let us not wander through life as fools, but “as wise.” To this I should add, be watchful of opportunities to serve others, reach out to them, listen to them and be equipped to help in the best way possible.

Hebrews 8:8-13

“…Speaking of a New Covenant…”

Hebrews 8:8-13

⁸ For he finds fault with them when he says:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
    when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
    and with the house of Judah,
⁹ not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
    on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
    and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
    after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
    and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.
¹¹ And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
    and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest.
¹² For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
    and I will remember their sins no more.”

¹³ In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

It isn’t unusual to find a quotation from the Old Testament in a New Testament passage. Often, it is one or two sentences. And usually, to make a point regarding Christ fulfilling a prophecy.

But here, in this quotation from Jeremiah 31, there is a lengthy quotation, and very specific to the New Covenant.

See, God knew He would enact a better covenant on better promises through Christ. He said what He was planning to do, back in the time of Jeremiah, long before Christ came.

Not only is this an instance of prophecy and fulfillment – this highlights some of the differences between the old and new covenants.

The take away for us today is, we have this better covenant, better High Priest, better promises – and remember, it is through the activity of our faith that we are able to access God through Jesus Christ.

If You Really Want To Go To Heaven . . .

• You Must Know Jesus Christ & Obey Him (1 Jno. 5:20; Heb. 5:9).
• You Must Read Your Bible (Eph. 3:1-4).
• You Must Get Your Priorities Right (Matt. 6:33).
• You Must Give Up All Sin ( 6).
• You Must Join With Others Who Are Going to Heaven (Acts 9:26).
• You Must Worship In Spirit And In Truth (Jno. 4:24).
• You Must Keep Your Attitude Right (Phil. 2:1-5; Eph. 4:2).
• You Must Not Be Surprised By Persecution (1 Pet. 4:12).
• You Must Do All You Can Do (1 Pet. 4:10,11; 12:6-8).

www.lhmcallen.org

ISTANBUL: Hundreds of sheep followed their leader (a mixed up lamb) off a cliff in eastern Turkey, plunging to their deaths this week while shepherds looked on in dismay. Four hundred sheep fell 15 metres to their deaths in a ravine in Van province near Iran but broke the fall of another 1,100 animals who survived, newspaper reports said yesterday. Shepherds from Ikizler village neglected the flock while eating breakfast, leaving the sheep to roam free – trying to follow each other, the Radikal daily said. The loss to local farmers was estimated at $74,000.

Memories Are Worth A Lot

Phil. 1:3-5

Warren E. Berkley

 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.

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. 

Well-Driven Nails: The Power of Finding Your Own Voice,by Byron Yawn:

“The notable expositors of our day share some common traits: efficient mental discipline and a determined capacity for reflection. As Solomon put it, they “ponder.” They think really well and deeply. Is it not the finely-sliced nuance which creates the enviable dynamic in their presentation? They have the capacity to focus their minds on a singular topic or truth for the length of time necessary to penetrate the obvious and unearth the profound. When they do deliver their sermons they come across as ‘well-driven nails’.”