February 11, 2007
Ministry:
Let’s turn back to Revelation for a moment. We were looking at chapter 5:9; it is wonderful to read, but when it really happens, we will be there: “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy”; they sing of His worthiness, this Lamb that was slain. “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” His wondrous work of redemption on the cross of Calvary is what makes it possible for us to be there and give us a reason to declare His worthiness in song with thousands of others. However, before ch. 5, we have ch. 4. John can write all this from a heavenly perspective because in ch. 4:1 he is invited into Heaven. At the end of the chapter, in v. 10, we see the 24 elders, which signify Old and New Testament saints, of which we are a part: “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying, Thou art worth, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power”; Why? “For thou hast crated all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (vv. 10 & 11). His creatorial power will bring praise, for He is worthy. How wonderful it is to think of all the worthiness of the blessed Lord, and to worship Him as Creator and Redeemer of the saints, of creation, of all. Such is what lifts our voices in worship now, more so when we are there.
EG Hymn 139 – What can wash away my sin? Prayer • I want to start by asking you a question: what season are we in? Winter; and what do you think of when you think of winter? Snow, and colder temperatures. I want to talk about the snow. Read Job 38:22. What is a treasure? A treasure is something valuable, something very special. So snow is very special. Every snowflake has six sides; it might have arms, or flat sides with designs in it, but they all have six sides. It always looks very pretty on trees, especially when the sun sparkles on it. But not only does it look nice, it also protects the trees: it keeps the ground from freezing too much and hurting the roots of plants. It also gives the plants moisture. Some small animals burrow in the snow, while others use it for camouflage, to help in hunting or hiding from hunters. A Ruffed Grouse will actually dive into a snow bank if it is being chased. Isaiah 55:10 tells us that after the winter is over, melting snow will water the earth. Now, how do snowflakes form? They form around particles of dust. We don’t usually think of dust as something to enjoy. We can think of dust as what we are when we are born: sinners. Yet, when we are saved, the Lord covers us with salvation (Isaiah 61:10). When we take the Lord as our Saviour, He washes us white as snow, as it says in Isaiah 1:18. So whenever we see snowflakes falling, let’s remember what the Lord has done for us in making us like snow.
Hebrews 13:8–11 • Last week we looked at vv. 7 & 8. V. 7 talks about those who have gone before us and how we are to follow their manner of life. What we drew from that is that we live in a very changing world. The comfort was that, v. 8, we always have bedrock, the Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of a conference, when someone would lament that the conference was almost over, Mr. McDowell would say, “What made yesterday so special? It was the Lord. What made today special? It was the Lord. Well, ‘Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.’” He was the constant; He is brought out in this last chapter of Hebrews as the One who changes not. But He was also portrayed in the first chapter. Read ch. 1:8–12. Here He is again, in a bit of a different context: as compared to creation. He is eternal, while creation is not. In the New Translation, v.12 reads, “But thou art the Same.” “Same” is capitalized; it is a title of the Lord (Your name is what you are, for example, Jesus; your title is what you do, e.g., Lord [the one in authority]). The Bible has many names and titles for Jesus: “Jesus the Same.” You know, if it had been said of anyone else, it would not be half so marvellous, because, as humans, we are always trying to get better; we don’t want the same old, same old thing. But the Lord is perfect; He has no room for improvement. He is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent One; He is always “the Same.” Read also Deuteronomy 32:39, New Translation. So if the doctrines we believe are all based on the Lord, can it change? No; so how do we get divers and strange doctrines, v. 9? It is the ones interpreting the truth that change. Over many years, people have created denominations, even other religions, with new ideas, some not even in the Bible. And there have been those in the assemblies who have caused divisions because of strange doctrines. These Hebrews had been under the law, but were now into grace; they might have a tendency to go back to that law. Of course, in Acts, we read of those who said you needed both law and grace. V. 9 also mentions meats; for example, Roman Catholics will not eat meat on Fridays; Jews will not eat pork at all. But it is not talking so much about the meat; it is driving at the traditions of men. Traditions are not what you believe, yet they can still have harmful effects; for example, Seventh- Day Adventists read the Bible, yet for some reason they go to meetings on Saturday. This verse also tells us how not to be caught by these “winds of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). It is to be let your “heart be established with grace.” If we only have it in our heads, then when new ideas come around, we might follow them. But if we love the Lord with all our hearts, we will stay in the truth. Colossians 2:6 & 7 warn about traditions; we should be grounded in truth, so that we won’t be taken captive. May the Lord preserve us. EG Hymn 380 – Standing by a purpose true, Prayer