Ephesians 5:6-10, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the
sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
Were you ever in conversation with someone who could express himself at length while depriving his content of all substance? If you have, you understand what the Apostle Paul meant by empty words, words devoid of true value. Not only
are the words empty, they are deceptive (?????? (apatao, intentionally misleading). Just don’t affiliate with such persons!
Why? Because while you were at one time walking in the same darkness, possessing the same deceptive intentions, you
are not like that now! You are light in the LORD! The Apostle John said, “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1Jn 1:5). And that’s exactly what Paul means by being “light in the LORD.”
Paul’s words are not deceptive, like some men’s words are. He is straight up when he speaks of “the fruit of the light.” The word “fruit” (??????, karpos) means benefits, proceeds). So, what is the benefit of walking in the Light of the LORD? Verse nine of our passage lists the benefit as threefold: goodness, righteousness, and truth. Be careful to note that it is not your
goodness or your righteousness or your truth. These are qualities of the LORD Himself. Oh, there are times when we have
been good; but, perhaps, there was a hidden purpose behind that goodness. There were times when we were righteous; but again, that righteousness might have had a personal agenda. Yes, there were times when we told the truth; but it may have been because we feared punishment if we were not truthful.
The entire situation here teaches us that when we are truly born-again believers in Jesus Christ, our lives are changed! We
are new creatures! We live under new colors! And we are not ashamed, because we are walking in His Light, and our behavior is focused on bringing the LORD all the glory! Is that how you are living? If not, what are you going to say when you stand before Him? That invites some serious thought. I’ll be praying for you.
John 21:15-17, “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more
than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’
16 He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love
You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’
17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time,
‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My
sheep.’”
“How many time have I told you that you cannot go until your room is clean?” How many times have we heard this from
our mothers? Most mothers would probably say that it is more impairing to them to repeat the warning than it is to their children
to hear it. Somehow, I think that’s what Jesus felt when He was speaking with Peter.
Breakfast was a welcome relief to the weary fishermen. They had fished all night and caught nothing –that is, until Jesus said,
“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find a catch” (Jn. 21:6). And catch they did! The nets were full – 153 fish, but their stomachs yearned for that breakfast.
It was after breakfast that Jesus asked Peter, “…do you love me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, LORD; You know that I love You.” Subsequently, Jesus repeated the same question two more times. Now, to the English reader, that is called redundancy; you know, “I heard you the first time.” But, the key to all of this lies in the Greek words for “love.” Philos is the word for “friendship love.” Agape is the strongest word for love. It activates a supreme love that yields everything to the other person without expecting anything in return. In His first two inqueries, the LORD uses agape while Peter replies with philos. In the third instance, the LORD uses Peter’s word, philos. It must have crushed Peter that the LORD lowered His word to match Peter’s. The three questions paralleled Peter’s three denials. It was like rubbing salt into an open wound.
Nevertheless, at the conclusion of each inquiry, the LORD mentioned something for Peter to do: “Tend (feed, instruct) My sheep,” and “shepherd (lead, guide) My sheep.” The lesson was over. Peter was not excoriated; but he had received what he deserved. Now, with this final instruction from the Savior, Peter was put back into active service.
Oh, that some pastors today would differentiate between “feeding” and “fleecing” the sheep! But, it is not for us to instruct them; they are presumptive servants of the LORD. Our responsibility is to pray for them and listen to their instruction from the Word. If the instruction is accurate, the Holy Spirit within us will say so. If it is not, He will make that plain to us, as well. Either way, we are to pray and to witness to those who are lost. Jesus is coming soon! When is not for us to know. What we do know, however, is that tomorrow brings us another day closer to His Coming. Always be faithful! Be prayerful! Be a witness for Him!
2 Chronicles 29:17-19, “Now they began the consecration on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they entered the porch of the LORD. Then they consecrated the house of the LORD in eight days, and finished on the sixteenth day of the first month.
18 Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed the whole house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering with all of its utensils, and the table of showbread with all of its utensils.
19 “Moreover, all the utensils which King Ahaz had discarded during his reign in his unfaithfulness, we have prepared and consecrated; and behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.”
Men and women are vastly different in many ways. For one thing, men don’t see dust; women complain that they cannot see the furniture because of the dust. In recent months, a Christian lady has been coming to clean my house. It was the first time
in my life that I heard the term “deep cleaning.” If you wipe off the kitchen counter, it is clean. How do you “deep clean” a kitchen counter? So, I find myself in school again –as a student, learning what “deep cleaning” means when applied to “dust.”
Ahaz became King of Judah when he was 20 years old. To say that he did not understand “deep cleaning” is an understatement.
In fact, Ahaz became an admirer of pagan gods and really spread “dust” everywhere! The LORD’s House was ignored and the
people became followers of pagan gods and riled the LORD considerably! In time, Ahaz died and Hezekiah, his son, became king. Some kids just have it all together! Hezekiah saw the “dust” in the LORD’s House and immediately called for a “deep cleaning.” Don’t ever let anyone tell you that pastors and deacons don’t see “dust.” Hezekiah’s spiritual leaders saw it and moved immediately to thoroughly cleanse the LORD’s House. It took them eight days.
When the cleansing was completed, these Priests and Levites came to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed (taher, purified) the whole house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering with all of its utensils…” Naming King Ahaz as the one who neglected the LORD’s House, they indicated the depth of their cleaning when they mentioned the utensils. These had been cleansed and consecrated to the LORD like everything else.
The utensils captured my attention. Who thinks about knives and forks and spoons when it comes to cleaning the house? The lady who periodically cleans my house has never washed my eating utensils. But when the LORD cleanses, He cleanses everything! We are His utensils. We don’t amount to as much as some larger things. We just hide in the drawers of the kitchen. But His cleansing of us is thorough, whether we’re on display or not. And when company comes, and we’re needed, no one has to ask if we’re clean. They can see us sparkle in His handiwork. Furthermore, we’re important to the company. Have you ever
cried to eat chocolate cake without a fork, or eat ice cream without a spoon?
You are important to God! He wants His company to see His love and concern for them. And His use of us is one way He does it.
He cleansed you from your sin. Keep clean, so others will see His handiwork and come to Him for cleansing, too. He does “deep cleaning”; but that only has to happen once! May God cleanse, bless, and use you abundantly is my prayer.
2 Chronicles 26:3-5, 15b-16a, “Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in
Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jechiliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did right in the sight of the LORD according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
5 And he continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he
sought the LORD, God prospered him,” and “…his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.
16 But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God…”
Not everyone, who starts out right finishes and wins the race. If 16 years old seems a bit too young to be anointed king, you and I are thinking along the same lines. But, it was the way of those in Old Testament times. Most of the time it had to do with lineage.
Yet, sometimes the one who proved his courage in winning a battle was sufficient for exaltation to the high office of king.
Not everyone who starts out well ends up the same way. The kid who was the last to be chosen for the sandlot ball team and ends up winning the game by hitting a three-run homer, is certain to be the first-chosen the next time the boys decided to play.
But a cranky attitude and a smug pride will ultimately sidelined him from all future games.
Uzziah was that 16-year-old boy who became king. He followed the footsteps of his father, Amaziah, and did right toward the LORD. The verse above tells us that “as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him.” But it was then his heart became flooded with pride. He trusted his own instincts and overstepped his boundaries when he barged into the Temple of the LORD and behaved corruptly and unfaithfully toward the LORD. His ending was totally the opposite of his beginning.
That can happen to us! King Solomon wrote, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Pro. 16:18).
Pride can occur right in the pulpit. Years ago, I witnessed a young preacher, who started his message with the credible appearance of true humility. Hardly into his message, he looked at the clock on the wall and said, “Wow, only 10 minutes gone! We’re really movin’ now.” In that instant, pride took over, and whatever message the LORD had given him, was replaced with the stuttering, mismanagement of words that pride itself had inserted. Be faithful to the LORD! Study and share only His Word with those who need Him. He will bless! He is faithful! And He tramples pride beneath His feet as He leads us into glorious paths of spiritual righteousness.
Matthew 28:1-7, “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary came to look at the grave.
2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the
stone and sat upon it.
3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow;
4 and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has
been crucified.
6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.
7 “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there
you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”
On the eve of this Resurrection Sunday, it seemed appropriate that I should send you some fundamental–
PROOFS OF
THE RESURRECTION
OF JESUS CHRIST
Once again Resurrection Sunday is upon us. Of all the precious doctrines encompassed by the Holy Scripture, none is more vital than the Resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ.
When it became necessary for our LORD Jesus to state in unequivocal terms precisely why He had come to Earth, He said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
The Apostle Paul explained yet more precisely how the LORD’s salvation was to work, he wrote, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:9). The apostle further supports his thesis with evidence cited in First Corinthians 15, the “resurrection chapter.”
Someone in more modern times stated that “the most incontrovertible fact in human history is the resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ from the dead.” Quite evidently, it is so because with the passing of some 2,000 years, the fact of Jesus’ Resurrection has suffered no refutation.
Considering everything, we can offer the following spiritually logical truths in support of Jesus’ literal, physical, bodily resurrection from the grave:
I. First, Jesus’ body was not stolen!
1. Jesus’ enemies would not have stolen His body because that would have propagated the very prediction that
He would rise from the dead.
2. Jesus’ disciples could not have stolen His body because Pilate established Roman guards to stand watch over
the tomb lest His body be stolen.
(1) Ironically, many of Jesus’ disciples were not fully convinced of His Resurrection itself until His
post-resurrection appearances.
(2) The very character and the later history of the disciples compels us to believe that they neither
stole nor secretly carried away the body of Jesus.
II. In nearly 20 centuries, no body –except the Resurrected body of Jesus Christ– was ever found. Thus, the evidence needed
to disprove Christ’s prophecy is missing.
III. The mathematical probability of anyone being able to perpetrate any hoax –especially concerning Christ’s Resurrection–
over 20 centuries is astronomically negative!
IV. The prophecy prediction record of the Old Testament is 100 percent accurate!
V. Notice that the chief priests and the elders never questioned whether the tomb was empty. There is no record anywhere
that they even questioned whether the guards’ report were true. They knew is was true!
VI. Notice that the soldiers were told to say that Jesus’ disciples came and stole the body away while they (the soldiers) were
asleep! How could they have known what was going on if they were asleep?
VII. The leaders of Judaism in Jerusalem, who had put the LORD Jesus to death, had nothing to offer to contradict these
disciples as they continued to preach Jesus and His Resurrection– because all Jerusalem knew the tomb was empty. If
there had been trickery involved, sooner or later it would have been suspected, then proven.
VIII. Had fraud occurred, surely one of the disciples, even most of them, would have confessed it under the horrendous
persecution they underwent. It may be possible to live a lie, but men seldom die for a lie –and most of these men died
for what they believed.
IX. The result ultimately would have been that the message that Christ had risen would have suffered the fate of all such
unfounded stories– it would have lost its power. Instead, this truth has swept the world, closed pagan temples, won
millions of disciples, brought hope to a despairing humanity, was the very foundation truth of the early Church, and is
as freshly glorious as ever!
X. But not only did Jesus come alive again, He did not disappear to leave the disciples speculating through all the subsequent
days as to what had happened to Him. Instead, He appeared to them literally, visibly, frequently and in bodily form –to
more than 500 believers following His Resurrection from the dead.
After more than 60 years in the Christian ministry, it has been my observation that those who persist in denying the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, are in the grip of some personal sin, which they are unwilling to surrender in order to lay hold of Christ. As with physical survival, it is in the nature of man to embrace hope, not to disparage or deny it. Thus, when men engage in unmitigated attacks upon the only One who offers true hope to all mankind, it is undeniable proof both of man’s own decadence and of his love of sin (GLJ).
You just might want to hold on to these proofs, as you witness of our LORD Jesus. If you have yet to accept Him as your LORD,
please consider these proofs. To whom else could they be applied except Him? Don’t wait! Trust Him right now!
