#1502 John 11 part 1 Mi Familia De Bethany

 

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He *said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples *said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 He said these things, and after that He *said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him.” 12 The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be saved from his sickness.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of actual sleep. 14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” 16 Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.” John 11: 1-16 LSB

John 11: 1-16

…30‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16: 30-31

V. 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany - Lazarus was a common name meaning "whom God helps", and also the name Jesus chose to use in the parable of the "Rich Man and Lazarus". How fitting and I believe quite purposeful of God to choose that name. It was the rich man who asked that Father Abraham send someone back from the dead to warn his brothers. Bethany means "house of figs' or some render 'house of dates", for the many fig trees and date palms there.   

Arnold Fruchtenbaum sees John 11:1-44 as a presentation of the first sign of Jonah writing "The resurrection of Lazarus, recorded in John 11:1–44, is the presentation of the first sign of Jonah (Mt 12:39-40+, Mt 16:4+, Lk 11:29-30+). The Messiah had raised others from the dead, yet all of the other resurrections are covered in just a few verses. But here John the Apostle uses 44 verses to give great detail about the resurrection of Lazarus. Why? This is the sign of Jonah that Yeshua had promised." - Precept Austin

J C Ryle - The chapter we have now begun is one of the most remarkable in the New Testament. For grandeur and simplicity, for pathos and solemnity, nothing was ever written like it. It describes a miracle which is not recorded in the other Gospels—the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Nowhere shall we find such convincing proofs of our Lord’s Divine power. As God, He makes the grave itself yield up its tenants. Nowhere shall we find such striking illustrations of our Lord’s ability to sympathize with His people. As man, He can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. Such a miracle well became the end of such a ministry. It was fit and right that the victory of Bethany should closely precede the crucifixion at Calvary. - PA

V. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume, and wiped His feet with her hair - This was the sister of Lazarus. Mary was also a common name so there was a need for distinction, but this also answers who the woman of Matthew 26 was, and we see her and her sister, Martha, in Luke 10 as well. 

6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. 8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?… Matthew 26: 6-8

38As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”…

…41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. 42But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 38-42

More on Matthew 26

V. 3 Lord, behold, he whom You loved is sick - They call Him by His rightful title, and one day every knee will bow, whether of love or no place left to turn, no excuses remaining, everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. There is a very familial sort of bond here, as Jesus had been hosted in Martha's house, and had forgiven the sins of Mary. This should be characteristic of His disciples, love for Christ and love for each other.

…34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” 36“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”… John 13: 34-36

V. 4 But is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it - John has been highlighting several miracles that substantiate Jesus' claim to deity and Messiahship. He claimed to be the bread of heaven, and He broke bread, showing His creative power in the feeding of the multitudes. He calls Himself the light, and He gave a physical representation of this in causing men to see. Now He has also called Himself the life, and said that He will rise again of His own on the third day. You can go to magic shows today, people love stories of the miraculous, or of super heroes, even the sciences have gone to the supernatural, seeking answers in the form of multiverses to answer their present problems. People seem revolted by reality, wanting nature to be non caloric, thinking that there should be no demand upon their being. I know people who say "work is for stupid people", but they get really offended when you say, "starving is for people who don't work". It's an uncomfortable reality for them, and to avoid it they look for someone to champion their cause, to help them get out of work, even if everyone who does work for the betterment and health of society has to pay their way. So how do they talk someone into that? Easy, those false prophets and politicians just ask for your vote in a democracy. In other places it is socialism or it's grown up form, communism, and the state allots a certain amount to each individual in it's purist form, but as China and all else have found out, people want reward, and others are happy to slack. When the Jews saw Jesus could could make food, they thought He would be a Messiah like that as well. Jesus' miracles point to Who He claims to be, God, but He doesn't use His power the way they want Him to. It is not for entertainment, it is not a side show, it is not for free food of the glory of men, but for the glory of God and the fulfillment of His Word.

11If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.… 1 Peter 4: 11-13

V. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus - He loved the whole family. Martha some say means "bitterness" or the opposite of Lord, "Lady or Mistress" of the house. She does seem to be the matriarch, extrovert and organizer. They also appear to be a family of great means, given the extraordinary perfume that her sister used to anoint Jesus, but also serving as hosts. Mary means "beloved". 

V. 6 He then stayed two days in the place where He was - The message took some time to arrive, arrived, Jesus heard, and then decided to stay where He was. He does not rush out to the one He loves. 

18Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him. 19O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.… Isaiah 30: 18-19

…8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,… Isaiah 55: 8-10

V. 8 Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You - This places the time frame close to the events of the last chapter, and this doesn't seem like a good idea, going where you are not wanted. 

Vs. 9 & 10 Are there not twelve hours in the day - He is on a mission and time is getting short. Timing is a huge theme in the gospels. Christ is not taken till His time, not put on the cross until the appointed time, and not stoned. 

Jesus (Iesous) answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? Jesus asked a rhetorical question to draw His disciples in. In a day without watches and clocks, days were divided into 12 equal hours from sunrise to sunset, regardless of the time of the year. Depending on the time of the year, the actual length of daylight was from 9 hours 41 minutes to 14 hours 12 minutes. Jesus is speaking figuratively here for He knows that He has only a short time remaining before He is crucified (cf Jn 12:27). He is referring to the time allotted by His Father to accomplish His mission on earth. - Precept Austin

…10Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.… 1 John 2: 10-12

V. 11 Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep - Such a light way of looking at it. This is the terror of most, and I think for Christians it is still even a point of concern because of who they leave behind, and also how they will conduct themselves through the pains and grips of death, but that is the great hope of this passage, the tone of the message. Jesus is not alarmed or taken off guard, it is time to go wake up His friend. 

…18We were with child; we writhed in pain; but we gave birth to wind. We have given no salvation to the earth, nor brought any life into the world. 19Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. 20Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed.… Isaiah 26: 18-20

…13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. 14So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,… Ephesians 5: 13-15

V. 12 & 13 But they thought He was speaking of actual sleep - They did not have the same amount of light, and a metaphor like this would be lost on them. It is too light hearted maybe considering the family that it affects, and they were probably hoping that Lazarus did not have the sort of sickness that was unto death, or that Jesus would heal him from afar. They would still be nervous about returning to that town. Death and sleep are held very far apart at least here. There is certainly a finality, and I know people who don't even want to discuss it, but it is one of the surer and more common experiences to all of us. Many take comfort today thinking there is nothing after this, and others make up a place after their own fancy, the happy hunting grounds or a planet full of virgins, all are wrong according to God. The Bible tells us that death is a result of sin, that all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death. It states not only this but that there is a resurrection unto life and one unto judgment. Those who are found in Christ are saved in judgment, those who have trusted in something else, themselves, some cult leader, some political party, will be resurrected to a final judgment which will be their entry into eternal torment. There is nothing light hearted about that. 

…54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.… 1 Corinthians 15: 54-56

…14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.… Acts 24: 14-16

1“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.… Daniel 12: 1-3

V. 14 Lazarus is dead - Now we are all on the same page.

V. 15 I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe - That He is the resurrection and the life, that He is God. Anyone Who is the life, self existing, without beginning, what life proceeds from, that is God. He is not procreative, but Creator, He can speak life into being. They have seen a lot of miracles, and there will be plenty of witnesses to this, to someone coming back from the dead, and many of those won't believe, but this will help His disciples. 

…14knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.… 2 Corinthians 4: 14-16

V. 16 Let us also go, so that we may die with Him - Ah Thomas, doubting Thomas, but let's be clear, he didn't run, he didn't refuse. It is quite stoic, but then none of us went through almost seeing our Master stoned. When God draws a man it is all the way, and we see along the way points of doubt, confusion, depression and despair, but to those that are chosen these become an exercise towards spiritual maturity. They called Him Rabbi earlier, ruler or teacher, and here is the proof of it in that they will follow Him even back to where they do not wish to return. 

…18Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.” 20Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”…

…21When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”… John 21: 18-23

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#1501 John 10 Part 4 Little g's

 

31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and continue knowing that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39 Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41 And many came to Him and were saying, “While John did no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in Him there. John 10: 31-42 LSB

John 10: 31-42

V. 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him - I think they try to kill Him like this a total off four times, but they can't because it's not His time. God is sovereign, and He has a set time for all of these events. Jesus is the Passover Lamb, so it will have to wait till the right Passover in the right year.

…10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—… John 1: 10-12

V. 32 Jesus answered them - That is composure. He doesn't run, doesn't start begging, and it is also power, because they have the stones, they are that angry, yet they don't stone Him. This is very similar to when the religious leaders arrest Him in the garden. They fall back and down when He confronts them. It is such a display that I think it triggers or feeds the courage of Cephas to go on the attack and cut off one the guard's ears. He is the same with the storm on the lake, unfazed. One must ask how He, one man, is also able to make a whip and chase the money changers out of the temple as well? How is it that no guards do anything about it? 

…5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.… John 18: 5-7

V. 33 Because You, being a man, make Yourself God - They are trying to get Him for blasphemy, and the worst sort, a man calling Himself God. They see Him only in that sense, blind by what their eyes can perceive. He said, "I showed you many good works from the Father", and they saw that too, that He did things that men can't do of their own, or believe me, we would. There were heresies that came about later denying Jesus' humanity, and this was clear to all that saw Him though, He had a human birth, childhood, the whole human experience, but He was sent from the Father. He was born of a virgin because His origin was divine. As God the Son He preexist His incarnation, was never called into being, but was life itself, before time, before matter, the eternal One. If only they would read their prophets and believe.

…13Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? 14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. 15By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey.… Isaiah 7: 13-15

You remember back in chapter 5? He says, “As the Father has life in Himself, so the Son has life in Himself.” That’s God. Whoever does not receive life is God. Whoever is the source of life that everything that lives receives from is God. When Jesus says, “I give eternal life,” He is saying, “I am the source of life, therefore the eternal God.” - J Mac

V. 34 Has it not been written in your law, 'I said, you are gods' - He takes them back to the OT, to the poetry of the Psalms, to Psalm 82. Jesus always uses scripture, and how fitting, He is the Word become flesh to dwell among us. 

Go back to Psalm 82, because that’s what He quoted. Psalm 82. And Psalm 82 is a judgment by God on the rulers of Israel. Verse 1. “God takes His stand in His own congregation.” God shows up in Israel, and He’s not happy. “He judges in the midst of the rulers.” So we’re talking about rulers. And by the way, rulers were judges. That’s essentially what they did. They were judges. They adjudicated issues, solved problems. Says to the judges, “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” You’re corrupt. You are partial to the wicked; because of your corruption you have an affinity for the corrupt. “Vindicate the weak and fatherless.” You’re supposed to be their protectors. “Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.” The plaintiffs. “Rescue the weak and the needy,” implied from the oppression. “Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” That’s what you’re supposed to do. “But they do not know nor do they understand. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.” Listen, everything that holds together society is rattling loose because there’s no justice.

Verse 6. “I said, ‘You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High.” What does He mean? He means look, small G. You are gods. Because you are the representatives of the one true God. You are God’s agents in the world. You are the sons of the Most High. He is delegated authority to you, and you receive His Word. That’s what it says over in John 10. If He called them gods to whom the Word of God came, they were the ones who were to teach, and apply, and uphold the Word of God. “Nevertheless, you will die like men.” And there’s some irony and some sarcasm in use of gods. He may be saying, “And you think you are gods, you think you are more than you really are.” But you will die like men, “and fall like any one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is You who possesses the nations.”

In the Old Testament, Jesus says, “Corrupt judges were called gods.” Maybe sarcastically, maybe ironically. But the word was used for them because they received the Word of God, and they were the instruments of God, and the agents of God. And there’s a sense in which that’s true, with a small G. Well, if those corrupt judges could be called gods, if He called them gods, God Himself in Scripture called them gods, to whom the Word of God came. Do you say of Him, whom the Father set apart, and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’” You see the analogy. - J Mac from I and the Father are One part 3

V. 35 If He called them gods to whom the word of God came - Watch this, as Macarthur points out He is making the argument from the lesser, these Pharisees and Scribes, of the people that God had set apart to record and teach His word, to the Greater, Himself, the Word sent down from heaven. Think about it, if you are a dad, God shares His name with you, Father, and so to your children you are the representation of that authority, part of that chain. You are entrusted with little ones to teach them about their state as humans, that they are fallen, that all God owes them or anyone else in that state is death, which would be justice. If you are a Christian, you are not Jesus, but the word means little Christ, a representative, and so you should be looking more like Him in word and deed as you are being conformed to that image. 

V. 35b And the Scripture cannot be broken - Jesus is giving His view of Biblical authority. The Scriptures are tested, the prophecies proven, and once God said it it was canon, fixed. 

…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17

V. 36 Do you say of Him, Whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world - If you are little g's for receiving the Word of God, what does it say of Me, Jesus, Who is the Word of God? He wasn't from here, His origins are from eternity, He was with the Father, and sent here. "Go ask those who were at My baptism, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on me like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, 'this is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased'." The whole Trinity was present for His ordination into ministry. The same at His birth. 

…34“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.… Luke 1: 34-36

…2For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.… Romans 8: 2-4

V. 37 If I do not do the works of My Father then don't believe Me - I tremble here, my heart hurts for people that see this much. He healed by His words, by a touch, told the sea to be calm, nature obeyed Him. There were people that couldn't walk, couldn't see or hear, that met Jesus and had all that change. He raised the dead, and when He did acts of mercy on the Sabbath, they accused of breaking God's law. It's sad, there were those that hated Him because He disagreed with them, showed all the power and sign of someone from God, but they accused Him of being from the devil. He is asking to be judged by His works. He is a model reformer. They want to hold fast to their traditions though, the Pharisees were just like the papal figures of Roman Catholicism. They add stuff that isn't in Scripture, like priests that can't marry, like indulgences, preaching a different Christ, having men take comfort in another gospel. Don't laugh because you are a protestant. How many of you hold to the doctrine of the carnal Christian, that you said a sinner's prayer when you were a kid so you are safe to live like hell now and in no danger of God's wrath? How many of you take comfort in that for your children or that they were sprinkled when they were little, and went to Christian camp? Children that have grown to look nothing like Christ, people who want to believe in the Jesus who can heal their back or their bank account but is powerless to save them from sin, what did you believe? I see the vestiges of the legalist Pharisees and the papal traditionalist still alive in the evangelical churches even today. We need a reformation even among those who are "reformed", we need to return to Sola Scriptura. We put a lot on form, on outward appearance, when my Lord had none of those things that men find majestic about Him. 

20Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.…

…23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” 25At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.… Matthew 11: 20-25

V. 38 Believe the works - If you can't believe My words then measure Me by what I am doing. Come on now, who does the things that Christ did? Who lives such a sinless life? Who performs such miracles and knows the very thoughts of men? They are standing there with stones, yet He is able to say all this.

…21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ 22Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. 23He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.… Acts 2: 21-23

V. 39 He eluded their grasp - Again, it's not His time. He was very clear again, that He and the Father are one. Jesus is God and it is only the cults that do not believe that.

…10So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?” 11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.” 12From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”… John 19: 10-12

V. 41 While John did no sign - John preached and many were baptized unto repentance. He was akin to the OT prophets and proclaimed the coming of Messiah. People don't seem to realize the power of God's word; it is beautiful, and when properly handled it is God's voice in this dark world. It is how He calls His own.

…16But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”… Romans 10: 16-18

1Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. 2I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. 3On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.… Psalm 138: 1-3

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#1500 Leader Is Servant (Part 2 of If Any Man Aspires)

 

A note and follow up due to the events surrounding the fall of Steve Lawson. 

I thought about removing the above quote, but what he says is true, and it needs to be applied to himself as well as all of us. We can see a lot of people talking about this, and many people defending Steve, while at the same time saying they don't defend what he did. In watching his last sermon, he, like so many others seem to defend his legacy, his life work, his "ministry". I disagree with him and all these people. They say, "what about David", well, what about it? David was a king, which is a type of shepherding position, but above that is the position of a preacher, for they inform kings as to what God says, and they warn kings when they stray from what God says. He was in a very public position as king, so his sin took a very public seat, and so also did his rebuke. Listen to what the prophet Nathan says to David and what David says the man deserves who did less than he did.

5 Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As Yahweh lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die. 6 And he must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.”

7 Nathan then said to David, “You are the man! Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, ‘It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these! 9 Why have you despised the word of Yahweh by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon. 10 So now, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says Yahweh, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives from before your sight and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’” 13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against Yahweh.” And Nathan said to David, “Yahweh also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of Yahweh to blaspheme, the son also that is born to you shall surely die.” 15 And Nathan went to his house. 2 Samuel 12: 5-15 LSB

For those of you who have forgotten or are new to Scripture, God took the life of David's child after this, and the sword never departed from his house. One of his sons raped one of his daughters. Then Absalom, her brother went and killed the half brother who raped his sister. Later Absalom would be the one to fulfill Nathan's words, which are actually God's words, that David would be openly shamed in front of all Israel. His own son went and slept with David's wives on the roof top. David hid from God for a year after his sin, before Nathan confronted him. I am learning more about this now, but Mr. Lawson, it appears that you, a 70 some odd year old man has been having an affair with a woman who was in her 20s, and this has gone on for some 5 years now. Her father had to confront this. You didn't come of your own, and given your last sermon, and the fact that you have given many in that 5 year span, you have been mocking God for quite some time, while also presenting a huge block of stumbling. 

…5And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!… Matthew 18: 5-7

Given the duration, your willingness to go to the pulpit, and your statement in your last sermon, about not judging the entirety of a man's ministry on one "hiccup", I don't think I go too far in saying that you only care about yourself, how you look, and not about the blemish you are to the body of Christ. How lightly you esteem His sinless life, the one He had to live in my and your place, if you have ever even truly believed that. What a joke you make of the cross by getting up to preach about it, knowing that you are unrepentant. How many times have you taken communion with the saints in those 5 years? This is the problem with so many preachers, especially in the west, it's more like a job with good benefits, a corporation with opportunities to move up, a way for you to gain the esteem of men, but not a holy calling. People want to compare you to David, but to me it looks more like Judas, who walked with Jesus for 3 years, and then sold Him out for so little. I originally wrote this series for another pastor who preaches like Steve. You can have correct doctrine in the pulpit, Steve did. He even fooled John Macarthur. You can have the gift of teaching, be a sound teacher, but this is only one part of how we are to examine ourselves and each other. We also have to examine our own lives and each others. We have to make ourselves available for that sort of examining, and we need to be humble. 

…28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”… Hebrews 10: 28-30

…15Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4: 15-16

One last thing on this, please remember this. God is beholding to no man for his ministry. It is Christ Who builds His church. It doesn't belong to you. He has never needed you or any other man or woman. He chose to use you, and yours as a pastor, mine as a supervisor, a father, a husband, a Christian, should all be to His glory. Let my honor be that Christ was glorified. If the church is dependent upon a man it is not the church, that's celebrity, that's a cult, that's the papacy, and not Christianity. Your doctrine has to be sound, but your life has to be sound as well. Mr. Lawson, if you want glorify God in this, then you need to repent, and your need to esteem Him so high as to not enter the pulpit again, and don't defend yourself, there's no defense for what you've done. Put the bar back up where it belongs by not entering the pulpit again. I pray for you and your family, the woman and her family. Repent.

…9And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.… 2 Corinthians 7: 9-11

…19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.… Galatians 5: 19-21

1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. 3In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.… 2 Peter 2: 1-3

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, leading their children and their own households well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3: 8-13 LSB

1 Timothy 3: 8-13

Deacons likewise must be dignified - The word deacon means servant, those that serve in the church. It is not just a title, not just someone who passes the plate, not for pride, not a singularly prescribed definition as to duty. To be an elder one must be able to teach, and that is not said of deacons, though there are some that serve in this capacity, and we will see that, regardless, their doctrine must be pure as well. "Likewise", has followed the very clear expectations given to the elders. An elder is an experienced servant, a model for the deacons, and one who applies much time to learning and teaching. Stephen is an example of a deacon who also preached, and was stoned by Saul as a martyr for the faith.  

Wait a minute, the reason you have elders is not to say, “Well, here’s a spiritual standard; they’re different,” but to says, “Here’s a spiritual standard; we’re to all be like that.” The same is true of deacons. Deacons are the models of spiritual virtue. They stand, in that sense, alongside the elders. There’s no diminishing. You don’t have elders here, and deacons here spiritually. The elders have the authority because they carry the power of the Word of God in their teaching emphasis. But the deacons from the standpoint of spiritual modeling are equal. In fact, there’s no difference between the spiritual qualifications of the two.

So, these are to be equally godly men, but men whose strength is not in the teaching area. That’s the difference. That’s where a pastor and an elder and an overseer steps apart. His overall responsibility is in the ruling of the church through the authority of the understanding and proclamation of the Word of God. But right alongside him come those who implement what he teaches, who implement the ministry, and whose lives are no less godly than his. And the reason is to pull the whole congregation to that level, not to set those people apart and say, “Well, they’re the abnormal pious ones; none of us could ever be expected to live like that.” Quite the contrary. The message of what a deacon is to be is a message of what you and I are to be, because they’re there to model that for us. - John Macarthur

Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” 5 And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. Acts 6: 1-7

Not double tongued - Not saying one thing to someone and another thing to someone else. People often do this who are people pleasers, they read body language, will back down or away from truth to appease someone. So now you have a double standard, truth for those who can handle it, and then milk that has so much water added to it that it is useless for those that hate the truth. I have seen this start all sorts of factions. I think, in the broader sense, Peter was guilty of this when converted Jews were present. He acted and lived differently with them then he did among gentiles. Paul corrected him as brothers should. We are not here to protect each others egos, but to protect the purity of the gospel, the representation of Christ. My opinions don't matter, but God's word does, and it is of utmost importance that it is understood and proclaimed clearly. There is only one Gospel, only one Jesus, all else is ushering people towards certain destruction. A double tongued person lacks integrity of  speech.

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles, but when they came, he began to shrink back and separate himself, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before everyone, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

15 “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2: 11-21

Not indulging in much wine, not fond of dishonest gain - As pointed out before it is not a good thing in those who rule or serve to be controlled by drink and not able to think clearly. Taking up the offering and counting the money is not the sole purpose of deacons, though at many churches you would think that is the case, but someone who steals or does business of a questionable nature should not be considered. I mentioned the deacon I grew up with before and his porn, but I have known pastors and elders who also have tried to use their position to talk people out of money that was owed, to not pay for damages they caused, or to say they are a deacon where it seemed to mean something to the person over them at work. That is not a model life. 

V. 9 Holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience - His doctrine is sound, the mystery of the OT, the Seed foretold in Genesis, this man can see clearly that this mystery of the gospel is revealed to us in Christ, taught to us in the NT. I will include a link that you can follow to trace this revelation through the OT pictures. At the bottom of each one if you click the left arrow it will take you to the next in the series.

Seeing Red Part 1

V. 10 And these men must also be first tested - This is something left out of the majority of evangelical churches, and they are in full on disobedience here, but they make it out to be such a light thing. We have fallen to the level of , "I like his hair cut, his suit, she smells nice, they always seem so happy, they give a lot of money here, we play golf together, he is my fishing buddy." We are far too quick to lay on hands just because someone wants the title. This is a huge problem in the corporate world as well. Character needs to come back into fashion, and I will not give my name for someone else until I have tested them, and even then I will follow up with them when I think they are an embarrassment to their title. Leaders need to be the greatest servants, but some only see it as prestige. Did God not make you? Did you create the talents that you have? God has put first in all these list, not ability, not looks, but character. Note the word "also" which can only refer to the elders in this context. This assumes that elders are first tested. 

21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. 22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.… 1 Timothy 5: 21-23

…27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” 29As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.… Matthew 20: 27-29

V. 11 Women must likewise be dignified - I think the Legacy Standard Bible gives one of the better linear translations here. The word deacon means servant, and so women that serve must have their lives evaluated in the same manner. Women had specific roles that were named, like teaching children, but also the older were to teach/disciple the younger women. Some serve as secretaries, as accountants, and so they would need to not be lovers of dishonest gain either. When it comes to teaching, I had Sunday school teachers that were all over the place as a child, no one checked to see if they were sound, only too happy to let them fill a perceived void. As a teenager we had youth groups, which I mostly condemn because of what I saw, but I have seen it done well at Grace in St. Cloud. At the mega churches, like FBCO, we played chubby bunny to see how many marshmallows you could put in your mouth, sang a lot, had a lot of plays and performances, but somehow they didn't think we needed sound teaching as we approached adulthood. They wanted moralists, for us to be well behaved, but fed us entertainment, worried more about filling seats. There were Sunday school teachers that never even went to a service, and so no one seemed to care or know about their spiritual maturity. I think of the woman in Proverbs 31, she was a great leader, but not to the neglect of her household. People have looked down on motherhood for far too long, and the results have been devastating. Not all women become mothers, and some have the gift to remain single, but a woman that would take on one of these roles must show that she has done so as the guardian/ruler of her home. Since the 60's on I would say that we have produced the most insecure and feral generations due to a lack of parenting and trusting others with what was entrusted to us.

8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. 9For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck. 10My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.… Proverbs 1: 8-10

More on Proverbs 31

V. 12 Husbands of one wife - These mirror the moral character requirements of the elder in the previous post. I find it hard to trust a man who is not true to his wife, who talks viciously about her or to her. Marriage is a covenant ordained by God, and to enter into such a union is before Him, and so why if you do what God opposes in this should I trust you in anything else. After the contract between Creator and creation, there is no higher contract than that of marriage. It is the building block of the family which is the foundation of civilization. 

…4Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”… Matthew 19: 4-6

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