Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Godless Men Change the Grace of Our God Into a License for Immorality—Jude 4,11

UMC Split

Lubber Opinion

The views and opinions expressed by this lubber do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the crew. Reader discretion be advised. – Staff

Dear friends, certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and oppose Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign Lord. Jude 4

These men are shepherds who feed only themselves. They follow the way of Cain. They rush for profit in Balaam’s error. Jude 11

“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you,” Jesus said. “You have people who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by committing sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” Revelation 2:14-16

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edge sword. It penetrates to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow. It judges thought and attitudes of the heart. Hebrew 4:12

These dreamers who pollute themselves have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

Korah became insolent and rose up against Moses. 250 well-known community leaders came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron. They said, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them. The Lord is with them. Why then do YOU set yourself above the Lord’s assembly?”

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron; “Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” As soon as Moses finished saying all this the ground under him split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed Korah, his men, their households, and all their possessions. They went down alive into the grave with everything they owned. And the earth closed over them. Numbers 16

Enoch prophesied about these men: “The Lord is coming to judge everyone and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in ungodly ways. These men boasts about themselves for their own advantage. Jude 14-16

A missionary is someone in whom the Holy Spirit has brought about this realization: “You are not your own.” The Holy Spirit interprets and explains the nature of Jesus to me to make me one with my Lord. The desire that comes into a disciple is not one of doing anything for Jesus, but of being a perfect delight to Him. Oswald Chambers

Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2020

The Lord’s Will Be Done

Acts 21

We tore ourselves away. Acts 21:1

Though the Spirit they urged Paul not to go . . . we continued on our way. On the beach we knelt and prayed. Acts 21:4-5

Phillip the evangelist had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Acts 21:9

The prophet Agabus warned, “The Holy Spirit says, the owner of this belt will be handed over to the Gentiles.” Acts 21:11

We pleaded with Paul not to go. Acts 21:12 But then we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:14

Often we think an open door is God’s will. Or that a closed door is his answer to our prayer. Other times the nudging of the Holy Spirit seems to point us in a direction . . . or stop us in our tracks. In all cases we need to test the spirits.

In the above passages, twice the Holy Spirit warned Paul of the trials he would face if he proceeded. Paul’s godly friends begged him to turn back, but Paul remained sure of his calling and God’s will for him. The Holy Spirit did not tell Paul to turn back, but the Spirit of Christ did prepare him for the trials he was to face. And all that the Holy Spirit warned of came true, and yet Paul did not die. Though he was imprisoned, God opened a door for him to witness in Rome to those in the household of Herod.

If we pay close attention we can hear the Holy Spirit speaking of the trials we may face. This warning may not be our call to retreat, but, like Paul, to advance boldly. Are you leaning forward in your walk with Christ, or looking back?

Posted on Monday, November 16, 2020

Savage Wolves Will Come in Among You and Will Not Spare the Flock

Acts 20

While I testified to the gospel of God’s grace I have served the Lord with great humility and with tears. Although I was severely tested by the plans of others, you know I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you. Acts 20: 19-20

I have declared that all must turn to God in repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:21

Now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going, not knowing what will happen to me. Acts 20:22

I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the WHOLE WILL of GOD. Therefore, keep watch over all those whom the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Acts 2028

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples. Therefore, I have warned you: Be on your guard! Acts 20:29-31

If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time. – Oswald Chambers

Posted on Thursday, November 12, 2020

Soon the Whole City Was in an Uproar

Acts 19

About the time Paul visited the province of Asia there arose a great disturbance in the city of Ephesus about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius called together the craftsmen and said, “You see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name but the goddess Artemis will be robbed of her divine majesty.” Acts 19:23, 26-27

When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis.” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Paul’s traveling companions and rushed as one man into the theater. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting on thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. They all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis.” Acts 19:28-29, 32, 34

How about us? Are we in an uproar over some grievance or offence? Have we been insulted, disrespected, disenfranchised, under counted, over looked, left behind, or misunderstood? Are our hurts worth the division and violence that will follow from our outburst?

The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. If you have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly.” Acts 19:35, 36, 38-39.

When we died in Christ and were born into his Spirit, we agreed that our natural born rights granted in the Kingdom of Man became secondary to the rights gained in the Kingdom of God. Now the only right that matters is the right to be called a child of God. In our actions are we imitators of Christ? Let us live in peace with others through the Spirit of Christ, not as the ungodly who worship the idols of some fading movement. Our neighbors are watching.

Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Apollos Was a Learned Man, With a Thorough Knowledge of the Scriptures

Acts 18

Apollos was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor. He taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. – Acts 18:24-25

Are we learned men and women? Do we meditate on God’s word daily? Are we thoroughly knowledgable of the Scriptures?

The Religion News Service recently quoted an individual as saying, “I started to break down my faith and ask, ‘Why is all the Bible written by men? Why is it all one-sided? What do we do with the genocide and the poor treatment of women?’ ”

This individual reflects a growing segment of the population who hold that the Bible is little more than a flawed historical document. To this point Dr. George Barna, founder of The Barna Group, a market research firm specializing in studying the religious beliefs and behavior of Americans, was recently quoted as saying,

“America is in a post-Christian Reformation theology and this reformation is being driven by American culture rather than biblical truth. The worldviews embraced by the adherents of these distinct religious communities reflect contemporary, worldly influence, rather than biblical influence. The most startling realization is how many people from evangelical churches are adopting unbiblical beliefs.”

“Evangelicals have traditionally emphasized the importance of seeing the Bible as the infallible, inerrant Word of God. Now, however, 52 percent do not believe in objective moral truth, which ‘equates to most evangelicals believing that the Bible is either not inerrant or trustworthy in its content.’ That, said Barna, “is a radical and critical departure from the traditional teachings and biblical reliance of evangelicals.”

Contrast the current state of the religious beliefs and behavior of Americans with those of Apollos who, “began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” – Acts 18:26

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he asked some disciples, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
Paul then placed his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other languages and prophesied. – Acts 19:2-4, 6

How about you? Have you been baptized into Christ through his death and resurrection? Do you recall when you professed your faith in Christ? Were you confirmed into a church without receiving the Spirit of Christ through the laying on of hands? If so, find a body of believers who will witness to your Holy Spirit baptism and then record the date of your Holy Spirit Baptism in your Bible. There may come a day when your family and loved ones will find comfort in knowing that you professed your faith in Christ on a certain date.

However some in Ephesus became obstinate. They refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. – Acts 19:9

A hardening of the heart follows obstinance and rebellion. Left unchecked, a mocking spirit takes residence within.

But others were seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. – Acts 19:17-18

Fear of the Lord leads to reverence. Reverence leads to worship. Worship leads to a desire to honor God. And when we have fear of, reverence for, and desire to honor God, we will repent, confess our sins, and worship God with thanks.

By going through our trial we learn to know God better. Oswald Chambers

Life is one trial after another. With the Spirit of Christ within, we can treat each trial as another opportunity to experience God’s love in greater ways.

Posted on Monday, November 9, 2020

Examine the Scriptures Every Day

Acts 17

The Bereans examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11

How about us? Do we examine the Scriptures each day to see if what Paul said, what a writer, preacher, friend says about God’s words are true? God is not worried that an audit of his words will reveal an error, for through his Spirit the writer of Proverbs said, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5

Jealous Jews rounded up bad characters, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. These jealous Jews went to Berea, agitating the crowd, and stirring them up. Acts 17:5 & 13

Do we? When circumstances run counter to what we hoped would happen, do we round up a tribe of like-minded believers, form a mob, and riot in the streets and online? Perhaps because Paul endured beatings prompted by agitated mobs, he wrote, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18

A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with Paul, asking, “What is this babbler trying to say?” They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “You bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” Acts 17:18-21

Is this the way we seek wisdom and knowledge? By rushing after the latest popular movement or some awakened understanding that suggests we are more enlightened than God? Do the words of God leave us confused, as though he speaks in code? If so, we only need to raise our hand and ask for help. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”- James 1:5

“God is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, for he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. God made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place. God did this in order that they should seek him, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us. In the past God overlooked our times of ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:26-31

As the psalmist says, “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” Psalm 100:2. Never forget that we can only serve God because through his mercy he allows us to come into his presence. He does not need to be served, but through his grace, he allows us to anoint his feet with perfume and wipe his feet with the very hairs on our head. He saves. He redeems. He has fixed a day for judgement. All he asks of us is that we turn from our sins and towards him. Will we?

Lord, you are my shield around me. You bestow glory on me. You lift up my head. To you, I cry aloud and you answer from your holy hill. I lie down and sleep. I awake again because of you. Sustain me. Arise, O Lord. Deliver me, O God! From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessings be on your people. May your blessings be on me. Psalm 3