Uncategorized

Bless Me Too, My Father

Genesis 27:1-41

When our children were young, they participated in the San Diego County Bible Bowl sponsored by area churches of Christ. For a full year, the students would study and be drilled in a book of the Bible. This would culminate in an area-wide competition in Bible knowledge of that book. Trophies were given and the event created a lot of enthusiasm and motivation to study the Bible. Canyon View, where we worked and worshiped, would usually field  several teams in various age categories.

In 2005, the book selected was Genesis and we would listen to Scripture with the kids in the car everywhere we went – school, practice, shopping, etc. We used a recording that was known for its dramatic reading and the  narrator’s vocal interpretation would often make you see the text in a different way. Genesis 27, relating the deception of Isaac by Jacob in receiving the blessing (in the place of Esau) was one of those readings.

Esau is usually depicted in the Bible as a crude, brutish individual. The Hebrew writer goes even farther than that, “See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son” (Hebrews 12:16).

However, in Max McLean’s narration, we get a picture of Esau which really reveals the pathos and bitter disappointment he felt over Jacob’s deception. If you are viewing this article digitally, you can click on this link for  McLean’s narration of the entire chapter. Esau’s pitiful outburst begins at the 4:11 timestamp, https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Gen.27.

“When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me– me too, my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.” 36 Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?” 37 Isaac answered Esau, “I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud” (Genesis 27:34-38).

Esau had a right to be upset. Jacob had cheated him here and taken advantage of his brutishness earlier in the birthright trade. They both saw this as a competition. There was only one birthright and one blessing. Jacob won. Esau lost. Zero-sum. The sad thing is that this was never really a competition. In spite of all of Jacob’s plotting and scheming and Esau’s resentment, God had already decided their paths from before birth (Genesis 25:23). Their  competition was a result of misguided parents choosing and grooming their favorite.

My message Sunday involves those who are not in the formal leadership. We’ve been talking about selecting Elders and Deacons and their qualifications. Many names have been submitted, but not all will be chosen. This is not a competition. There are no losers.

In fact, we are all winners when we let God have final say. Selecting leadership is a cooperation with the will and purpose of God. Remember Acts 20:28, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.”

Speaking of the gifts of leadership Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 12:18, “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” (cf., Ephesians 4:11-13).

There is also a blessing for you – whether in formal leadership or serving in another capacity. We will explore it Sunday.

Joey

The Qualification of Deacons

Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Introduction

1. The Boise Church Needs Strong Leadership to Navigate us Through the Days to Come.
2. The First Quarter of Every Year as a time of (Re)-Confirmation of Elders and Deacons
3. Messages on the Work and Qualifications of Deacons and Elders.
4. Today, The Qualifications of Deacons.

I. Positive Qualifications:

1. “Full of the Holy Spirit” (cf., Galatians 5:22-25)
2. “Wisdom” (cf., James 3:13-18)
3. “Above Reproach“
4. “Worthy of Respect“
5. “Keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” – They must know, be committed to, and be faithful in obeying/applying the truth of God’s word.
6. “They Must First be Tested” – tested and proven in the sense of previous experience serving and in character

II. Negative Qualifications:

1. “Sincere“‑ “not double-tongued,” “not a gossip”?
2. “Not Indulging in too much Wine – “not a heavy drinker”
3. “Not Pursuing Dishonest Gain”‑ not greedy

III. Special Qualifications:

1. “Husband of One Wife;” lit., “a one woman man.”
2. “Must Manage his Children Well”
3. “Must Manage His Household Well”

III. Qualifications for Women/Wives (1 Timothy 3:11)

1. “Above Reproach”
2. “Worthy of Respect”
3. “Not Malicious Talkers” (Gossips, Slanderers)
4. “Temperate” In Everything (Sober, Self-controlled)
5. “Trustworthy in Everything” (Faithful, Reliable)

Conclusion

1. 1 Timothy 3:13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
2. We Need Strong Leadership to Take us into a Glorious Future.
3. Please Prayerfully Consider and Participate in this Process of Confirmation and Reconfirmation our Leaders.

The Work of Deacons

Acts 6:1-6

Introduction

1. The Boise Church Needs Strong Leadership to Navigate us Through the Days to Come.
2. The First Quarter of Every Year as a time of (Re)-Confirmation of Elders and Deacons
3. Messages on the Work and Qualifications of Deacons.

I. Contextual Information from Acts 6:1-6

1. Grecian Jews Complained their Widows were Neglected in the Daily Distribution of Food.
2. Apostles Objected to having to Divert their Attention from Word Service to Table Service (Serving Tables).
3. Seven Men were Selected to Distribute Food.

II. Information from the Words Used for the Work & Office

1. Diakoneo (the action) – to serve, prepare a meal, wait on, care for, provide for, to deacon (serve as a deacon)
2. Diakonia (the service) – ministry, service, contribution, help, support, mission, distribution of food, preaching/teaching, or office (of a deacon)
3. Diakonos (the person)
   1. General Word for Waiter, One Who Serves Tables, servant
   2. General Word for any Christian Servant (servant, minister, preacher, helper)
   3. Specific Word for Office (Philippians 1:1, Deacon; Romans 16:1, Deaconess/Servant.

III. Information from the Qualifications

1. Acts 6:1-6: Full of the Holy Spirit/Wisdom
2. 1 Timothy 3:8-13: Respectable, Honest in Speech, Not Heavy Drinkers, Not Greedy, Good Managers

IV. Information from Synagogue Precedents

1. Synagogues had “Keepers.”
2. Synagogues also Selected 7 Men as Alms Collectors.

V. Information from Early Church History

1. Ignatious – “For they are not deacons of meats and drinks [only] but servants of the church of God.”
2. Hermas – “They that have spots are the deacons that exercised their office ill and plundered the livelihood of widows and orphans and made gains for themselves from the ministrations they had received to perform.”
3. Justin, 1st Apology, 65 – “Those who are called by us deacons to give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced,  and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.”

Conclusion: Contemporary Examples of the Work

1. Elders Delegate Tasks to Special Servants, Male and Female. Male Servants are Often Called Deacons and Serve as Church Officers.
2. Deacons are often Selected as Individuals who Oversee Specific Ministries: Benevolence, Worship, Outreach, Building Maintenance, Youth, etc.
3. Often Deacons Administrate Ministry Teams made up of other Men and Women. Ex., B.O.D.Y.
4. Here, Deacons form an Administrative Body of their own to Carry out the Delegated Tasks of the Elders. They also Have Specific Ministries given to them Individually.

The Qualifications of Elders/Shepherds

1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4

Introduction

• A. The Boise Church Needs Strong Leadership to Navigate us Through the Days to Come.
• B. The First Quarter of Every Year as a time of (Re)-Confirmation of Elders and Deacons
• C. Messages on the Work and Qualifications
• D. Today, We will Discuss the Qualifications of Elders.

I. Positive Qualifications:

• A. “Above Reproach”‑”Blameless
• B. “Temperate” ‑ (Showing Moderation/Self-Restraint)
• C. “Self-Controlled” (Sober Minded, Sensible/Prudent)
• D. “Respectable” (Well-Behaved)
• E. “Hospitable“
• F. “Gentle” (Not Violent, Yielding/Kind)
• G. “He Must Manage his own Family Well” (Household)
• H. “Good Reputation with Outsiders“
• I. “One who Loves What is Good”
• J. “Upright” (Righteous with God. Fair with Others)
• K. “Holy” (Devout, Pious, Pure in Heart/Life)
• L. “Disciplined“
• M. “Of a Ready Mind” (Eager to Serve)

II. Negative Qualifications:

• A. “Not Given to Drunkenness” (Not a Heavy Drinker)
• B. “Not Violent” (Not Pugnacious/Combative)
• C. “Not Quarrelsome” (Not Contentious, but Peaceable)
• D. “Not a Lover of Money” (Not Covetous/Greedy), “Not Pursuing Dishonest Gain”
• E. “Not Overbearing” (Not Self-Willed/Arrogant)
• F. “Not Quick-Tempered“

III. Special Qualifications:

• A. “Husband of One Wife” (lit., “A One Woman man;” Faithful to his Wife)
• B. “A Man Whose Children Believe” (lit., “Having Faithful Children”)
• C. “Able to Teach;” “They Must Keep Hold of the Deep Truths of the Faith;” “Hold Firmly to the Trustworthy Message so that he can Encourage Others by Sound Doctrine and Refute those who Oppose it.”
• D. “Not a New Convert” (lit., “A Neophyte;” Novice)

Conclusion (Observations):

• A. These Men are Appointed, Not Elected.
• B. This is Not a Popularity Contest; or Referendum on Ideological, or Methodological Views.
• C. Elders/Shepherds/Bishops are Placed in Leadership by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11). We are to Submit/Obey (Hebrews 13:17).
• D. Please Prayerfully Consider and Participate in this Process of Confirmation and Reconfirmation our Leaders.

The Work of Elders/Shepherds

Acts 20:17-31

Introduction

1. The Boise Church Needs Strong Leadership to Navigate us Through the Days to Come.
2. Our Shepherds have Designated the First Quarter of Every Year as a time of Confirmation/Reconfirmation of Elders and Deacons in the Church.
3. During the Next Four Weeks, I will Share Messages on the Work and Qualifications of these Church Leaders.

I. There are Three Primary Designations for Elders that are Used Interchangeably (Acts 20:17, 28).

1. Presbuteros – Elder (Older, Wiser Man; Judgments)
2. Poimen – Shepherd/Pastor (Metaphorical Usage. One who cares for, provides for, and protects sheep).
3. Episcopos – Overseer/Bishop/Superintendent (One who watches over)

II. Church Ecclesiology/Polity in the New Testament

1. There was No Ecclesiastical Manual Given at Pentecost.
2. Apostolic Authority (Acts 2:42; Acts 6:2, “ministry of the word”; Acts 15:1-31, Apostles & Elders now at Jerusalem).
3. Elders were Appointed to Serve in the Place of Apostles/Missionaries/Evangelists (Acts 14:14, 23; 1 Timothy 2; Titus 1; Ephesians 4:11).
4. Elders filled the Apostolic Void in Leadership and Teaching.

III. Biblical Responsibilities of Elders/Shepherds

1. General Oversight of the Local Congregation:
   • 1. Keep Watch, Be Shepherds (Acts 20:28)
   • 2. Be Examples (1 Peter 5:1-4)
   • 3. Teach/Admonish (1 Thessalonians 5:12)
   • 4. Oversight in the Financial/Material (Acts 11:29-30)
   • 5. Watch/Protect from False Teaching (Acts 20:29-32)
   • 6. Encourage Healthy Teaching and Refute those who Oppose it (Titus 1:9)
2. They have the Authority to do Whatever is Necessary to Perform their Function (Hebrews 13:17; cf., 1 Peter 5:3).
   • 1. Set and Enforce Policy.
   • 2. Arbitrate Disputes/Discipline Members.
   • 3. Request Assistance from Members.
   • 4. They May Employ any Outside Help Required.
   • 5. They can Select Definite Helpers, such as Deacons, or other Individuals.
   • 6. They Supervise the Work of the Local Ministers.

Conclusion

1. We Need Strong Leadership to Take us into a Glorious Future.
2. Please Prayerfully Consider and Participate in this Process of Confirmation and Reconfirmation our Leaders.

— Here is a memo from our shepherds outlining the current confirmation process:  Memo

The Gospel of From Now On

Luke 5:1-11

Introduction

A. Luke 5:1-11 From now on, you will catch men.

B. What should we resolve in 2024?

I.  To Give / Rededicate Our Lives to Christ

Faith     Commitment     Baptism     Repentance

II.  To Renew Our Commitment to the Boise Church

Membership     Attendance     Involvement

III. To Take the Next Step in Your Walk of Faith

Teaching     Leading     Serving     Giving

IV. To Spend More Time in Private Worship

Daily Prayer     Bible Study     Spiritual Disciplines

V. To be a Better Steward of my Resources

Time     Money     Body

VI. To Get to Know My Neighbors

Introduce Yourself     Invite Over     Serve

VII. To Lead One Person to Jesus

Family     School     Work

Conclusion

A. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

B. This is a New Year; make the most of it.

Courage For The Days Ahead

This week’s post is from an article previously published at CrossWalk.com.  Read the whole message of encouragement at:  Original Post

Advent Love

Advent is a time of preparation and expectant waiting for the promised Savior. Each Sunday of Advent focuses on a particular theme.

On the last Sunday of Advent, churches will light a fourth candle as a symbol of Advent love. Believers will reflect on scriptures from the Old and New Testaments about God’s love for us. God’s love undergirds the whole story of the Bible: creation, fall, redemption, and the ongoing process of restoration.

God’s Love from the Beginning

It might seem a little odd to begin our reflection on Advent love all the way back in Genesis 1, but we need to remember that God’s loving plan for us started with his very first act of creation. Out of nothing, God called forth light. He separated land from the sea, created the sun, moon, and stars, and all the creatures of earth, but the the pinnacle of his creation was humanity.  He created us in his own image and made us to love and be loved (Genesis 1:26-30). However, the first humans doubted the truth of God’s love for them and rebelled. But even in humanity’s fall into sin, we find God’s loving mercy. God did not destroy Eve and Adam, and even as they began to experience the serious consequences of their sin, God made his first promise of future redemption: that Eve’s own offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent once and for all time (Genesis 3:15).

God’s Loving Promise

As we trace the story of God’s people through the Old Testament, we see God’s loving plan unfold. God promised Abraham that he would make his descendants a people who would bless all  people. God foretold of the One, born of a virgin, who would free the captives, bear our transgressions, suffer in our place, redeem God’s people, and usher in a peace unlike anything ever known. Isaiah prophesied the words of the Lord, “‘For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’” (Isaiah 54:10).

Love with Us

Revisiting the big picture of God’s love for his people during Advent helps us understand the significance of that very first advent, the coming of a Savior. For this precise reason, Matthew starts his gospel with Jesus’ genealogy, tracing his lineage back through King David to Abraham. Matthew wants us to understand that this major event is connected to God’s bigger story of love and  redemption. Love, incarnated in the form of a tiny baby, came to fulfill a promise God made centuries before. Paul explains, “he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7).  And he did it because “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This is Advent love, “not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). (Article attributed to author Robin Basselin)

Advent: Prince of Peace?

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Jesus is heralded as the “Prince of Peace,” but since his coming the events of the world have seemed, at least, to prove otherwise. A Lutheran church nativity scene in modern Bethlehem has the  baby Jesus lying amidst rubble, presumably as a commentary against the Israeli war with Hamas. However, modern events are not all that dissimilar from the actual time of Jesus’ birth.

Most scholars put the birth of Jesus around the year 4 BC. This was one of the most violent years and led to one of the most violent times in Jewish history.* With the death of King Herod the  Great the same year, Judea entered a period of violence and unrest. For the previous 150 years, Judea had been deeply divided by warring factions. This was largely kept in check during Herod’s reign of terror. We know what he did in the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18). He was equally brutal with any rival to his throne.

With Herod gone, Jewish nationalism again reached a fevered pitch and there was hope that the Jews could win their independence from their Roman overlords. Skirmishes, insurrections,  uprisings ensued literally foreshadowing and contributing to the Jewish War in AD 66 . During these early years, Josephus states there were over 10,000 “disorders” in Judea.

This was the world into which the “Prince of Peace” was born.  Some of these horrors occurred near Nazareth, the hometown of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. They were, no doubt, terrorized at times by the unrest around them. Many of Jesus’ followers were Zealots some of which tried to make him a King (insurrectionist) by force (John 6:15).

Since that time humanity has continued its pursuit of war and oppression. Just think of all the wars our country has participated in over the last 250 years. Modern times are no different with war and unrest everywhere. Jesus himself told his disciples in the context of persecution that his followers would experience familial, social, political, and national unrest.

Matthew 10:34-36 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law– 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

So what do the angels mean when they herald “peace on earth?”  How can Jesus be the “Prince of Peace” when there has be no peace “on earth” in the 2,027 years since his birth?

This is the question my lesson Sunday will seek to address. Does the Prince of Peace have a message for us in the midst of our unrest? Can the baby Jesus amidst the rubble save us from the rubble  surrounding us?

Joey

 Follow the link below or type/paste it into your browser for devotions on the four themes of Advent. It is hot linked if you’re working from a digital version of this article.

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22462

*For more information on the unrest at the time of Jesus, see

https://www.abc.net.au/religion/a-most-violent-year-the-worldinto-which-jesus-was-born/10097496

Guest Speaker Today: Jared Turbyfill

Jared Turbyfill is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian College. He was an Interdepartmental Studies Major with an emphasis on Youth Ministry. He went to OCU on a varsity soccer scholarship.

Jared has served churches as Youth Minister in Frisco, Texas (2012-2018) and is currently serving in Chatham Township, New Jersey.  Jared’s focus is on youth, teaching, and counseling.

Jared is a personal friend of Chris Stevens and is staying with him for a few days. They know each other from their work together at the Shawnee Trail Church of Christ in Frisco, Texas.

He will be speaking this morning on Joy. Please welcome Him.

Advent: Good Tidings of Great Joy

Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” It is the Latin translation of the Greek word parousia (1 Timothy 6:14) and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person. In Christian communities around the world, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus on Earth and the anticipation of his second coming. It’s a time to reflect on the  unexpected nature of Jesus’ humble birth and join in the anticipation of when he will come again to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all.

It is common to reflect upon four themes in devotions and lessons during this time: hope, peace, joy, and love. It has been my intent to focus on each of the four of these themes in my lessons leading up to Christmas.

I failed to account for our guest speaker in my planning. How serendipitous that his lesson is on Joy! I don’t have an article from Jared to prepare your minds for his presentation so I will share some of the thoughts I have and would have shared in my presentation. I pray this will complement his lesson.

Luke 2:8-15 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Luke 1 & 2 have been called two of the happiest chapters in the Bible. Not only do they tell the story of the birth of Jesus. They do so in song! Everybody is singing!

In Luke 1:41 in the presence of Mary, now carrying Jesus, Elizabeth breaks out in prophetic song. In verse 46, when Elizabeth finishes, Mary breaks out in prophetic song (We even sing part of this in our worship chorus, “The Magnificat.”). Beginning in verse 67, after the birth of John and the return of his speech, Zachariah breaks out in prophetic song. Then in Luke 2:8 we find the angelic  chorus singing their “good tidings of great joy! Finally, in Luke 2:28-38 we find Simeon and Ana praising God at the the news of his birth.

The birth of Jesus brought such great joy and song, because of what the 1st and 2nd coming of Jesus would bring to the world!

Joey

Follow the link below or type/paste it into your browser for devotions on these four themes. It is hot linked if you’re working from a digital version of this article.

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/2246