“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).

Public speaking, especially in preaching and teaching, demands the best one can give.  Care about preparation, delivery and choice of words will always be vital to speaking effectively.  While everyone has not had formal training on sermon preparation and delivery, there are important aspects to speaking as the Bible addresses that should be true of any man who tries to present God’s word.  Consider three points concerning speaking that are found within the pages of the Bible.

1. Power in the Word of God. The concept of speaking as the oracles of God (cf. 1 Peter 4:11) is to let the text of the Bible be the message presented.  Paul stated of the gospel, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).  Paul wrote also to the Roman brethren, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).  Therefore, the faith that saves is not just any faith, but it is the faith that is tied to the word of God.  Human interest stories and personal experiences have their place in conversation, but they do not have the power of the actual word of God.  David wrote, “I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me” (Ps. 119:93).  Truly, the word is living and powerful (cf. Heb. 4:12).
2. Persuasion from the Word of God. Paul exhorted Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).  When Paul was questioned by certain ones at Rome about the nature of the church, Luke recorded, “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening” (Acts 28:23).  Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God” (1 Cor. 2:1).  His means of persuasion was from the motivation found through the crucified Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 2:2).
3. Product out of the Word of God. “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11).  If one is going to get the proper product from sowing, then the right seed must be used.  Another kind of seed is reproductive seed to produce children.  James wrote of God the Father (cf. James 1:17), “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:18).  Peter wrote, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23).  A TED talk may be eye-catching in its technology, entertaining in its content, and well designed in its form, but the word of God produces what the Lord has designed for it to do.  Isaiah stated of the word, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:11).  May such speaking abound.

Jimmy Clark

“Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Col. 1:29).

The word translated “striving” (Col. 1:29) is from the word meaning “to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers; to endeavor with strenuous zeal, strive” (Thayer, p. 10).  Paul believed in what he was doing.  There was no quit in him when it came to his work.  He would put forth his full strength into whatever he could to do to see that the cause of Christ prospered.  Sometimes when looking back on a lack of success in an endeavor, there are indications of a lack of effort as the root cause.  It is not that the cause was not noble.  It is not that the participants did not know what their job was.  It comes down to not putting forth the effort to see the job done well.  Consider three spiritual causes that are worth putting forth the effort.

1. Entering into the Strait Gate. Luke wrote of Jesus’ words, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24).  Matthew wrote of Jesus’ words, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13,14).  Jesus is realistically proclaiming that the way to heaven is difficult and not a path that the majority of people will follow.  Some will not attempt to try the life of a Christian.  Some will begin and find it not to their liking only to fall away (cf. Luke 8:13).  While heaven is a highly desirable eternal destination, putting forth the effort is a challenge some will not accept.
2. Endeavoring Together for the Faith of the Gospel. Paul wrote, “Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” (Phil. 1:27).  The unity of the church in the spiritual work of the church is worth putting forth the effort.  Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).  The pleasantness and beauty of unity in the greatest cause on earth is truly worth the effort (cf. Ps. 133:1).
3. Exerting the Energy to Receive the Incorruptible Crown. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Cor. 9:25).  Temperance involves the self-discipline to hold oneself accountable.  Running the race (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24) to receive the crown demands the best effort of the runner.  While some may cheer and support in every way, it is still the case “For every man shall bear his own burden” (Gal. 6:5).  As the old Olympic athletes trained hard every day to reach their goal, so is it the case with the Christian.  Paul stated, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).  The judgment on “that day” (2 Tim. 1:12) with eternal consequences (cf. Matt. 25:46) makes striving in the effort worthwhile.

Jimmy Clark

“And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean” (Acts 17:19-20).

When Paul declared the truth to those in Athens, they were both confused and curious of such teaching.  Their worldview was not the same as Paul’s and thus his teaching was “strange” (cf. Acts 17:18, 20).  Paul, as well as all those who were proclaiming the gospel, held the worldview of a Christian.  Consider some of the basics of the Christian’s worldview.

1. Origins. Paul started with creation.  “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:24-28).  How different is this from the secular, humanistic teaching of today!  Paul declares that the Creator brought life into the world and that all nations came from one blood.  Therefore, he would affirm that Moses’ record in Genesis 1 through 11 was accurate history.  If man is mistaken about physical origins, what will happen when looking at the origins of sin, suffering and salvation?
2. Objective, Moral Standard. Paul stated in view of the resurrection of Christ, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).  Judgment in the last day is based upon righteousness.  That denotes a standard common to all men.  It is God that ordained Christ to judge righteously in that day (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8).  Therefore, all are to both know and comply with such righteousness that is of God, not of men.
3. Obedience of Faith. Paul further stated, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” (Acts 17:30).  Hence, the “Lord of heaven and earth” (Acts 17:24) commands all to “repent” (Acts 17:30).  What they were ignorant of concerning God is now not a matter of ignorance.  God’s command is to be obeyed.  When Paul preached “the faith in Christ” (Acts 24:24), Luke records concerning Felix, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, . . .” (Acts 24:25).  Paul did not hesitate to make it clear to Felix who was truly in charge and that one could know the will of God and pattern his life by it.  The stand made by Christians declaring that the word of God is the definitive answer to all questions is the correct worldview.  Paul wrote to the Romans concerning his work, “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name” (Rom. 1:5).  Faith must comply with doing the will of God (cf. Matt. 7:21).  This worldview challenges all who will not conform.

Jimmy Clark

“How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” (Prov. 1:22).

The phrase “simple ones” (Prov. 1:22) appears in several passages in the books of Psalms and Proverbs.  It denotes those who are inexperienced and thus without wisdom or void of understanding.  Interestingly, the term literally means “simple, as open-minded; . . . open to the instruction of wisdom or folly” (Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 834).  Ponder three points about “simple ones.”

1. Greatly Needing Instruction. Solomon wrote concerning wisdom’s appeal, “O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart” (Prov. 8:5).  Again, “Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding” (Prov. 9:4-6).  It is the word of God that provides what is needed to the simple.  It is written in the Psalms, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7).  Again, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Ps. 119:130).
2. Give Attention to Punishment of Others When Observant. Solomon wrote, “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge” (Prov. 19:25).  Again, “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge (Prov. 21:11).  Discipline gets the attention of the simple.  As to whether he will set his heart to do the will of God depends upon his desire and direction as seen in the next and final point below.
3. Gullible and Easily Enticed If Refuses Instruction. This quality of “simple ones” is the difference between being simple who will become wise or one who is simple and will “love simplicity” (Prov. 1:22).  One who is a fool and simple is characterized by a host of negatives.  Solomon wrote, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going” (Prov. 14:15).  The consequence of such is seen in the words “The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge (Prov. 14:18).  Notice the following about the simple who are foolish: “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (Prov. 1:29-32).  It is the simple one who loves folly that turns unto the woman who would entice him toward sin (cf. Prov. 7:7-23).  It is the simple one who will heed such, for “A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him” (Prov. 9:13-16).  “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Prov. 22:3; 27:12).

Jimmy Clark

“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord” (Ps. 116:17).

The psalmist is portraying the gratitude of a humble servant (cf. Ps. 116:16).  It is interesting that thanksgiving is identified here as a sacrifice unto God.  Thanksgiving, therefore, demands that the offeror give of himself in the expressing of thanks.  Hence, the heart of gratitude is being offered through the words given.  The Lord would know if the heart is in the words or not (cf. Ps. 139:2).  Consider three reasons from Psalm 116 why the psalmist would give a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

1. Hearing of Prayers. “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclinded his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live” (Ps. 116:1-2).  A child of God is truly blessed in knowing that the Father hears His childrens’ request.  Why would one pray to God if he/she did not believe that God does not hear?  Mankind is often thankful for friends and family that would take the time to listen to them, especially if they believed that they had to ability to respond favorably.  How much more is this true when one is reaching out to God?  The New Testament declares such as well (cf. 1 Peter 3:12).
2. Help from Trouble and Sorrow. “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me” (Ps. 116:5-6).  Previous to this statement, he wrote, “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow” (Ps. 116:3).  Here is an indication of how much trouble his life was in when he prayed to the Lord God.  If it were not for God’s help, he would have met the end of life.  How much should a person who is given another day to live being freed from the ordeals of life give a sacrifice of thanksgiving?  Think of those in the military who have faced active combat and lived to see more days.  Think of those who have overcome diseases that could have easily taken their lives but survived.  Truly, gratitude and its corresponding life should follow from such blessings.  The psalmist even asked, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” (Ps. 116:12).
3. Hope even in Death. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15).  Life here will not exist forever (cf. Heb. 9:27).  Eternal life is promised beyond this life (cf. 1 John 2:25).  This psalm addresses God’s deliverance from death and yet speaks of the death of saints.  One can truly give the sacrifice of thanksgiving in knowing that God is with His people, even in death.  Solomon wrote, “The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death” (Prov. 14:32).

Jimmy Clark

 

“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

It is not uncommon in the electronic media to see posts like “What Elders Want All Members to Know” or “What Members Wish All Elders/Preachers Knew” as a message to communicate the needs of the church.  However, the problem with finite man is that he does not always know what is needed.  Man often confuses what are needs to what are mere wants.  The question should rather be “What Does the Lord Want All Brethren to Know?”  Consider three topics complementary of the passage above that show a sampling of what the New Testament declares is needed.

1. Truth Continues to Set One Free. Jesus clearly stated to certain followers, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).  Fake news is nothing new.  The devil has been lying from the beginning (cf. John 8:44).  His ministers (cf. 2 Cor. 11:12-15) are still alive and well in every quarter of the world.  It is the “word of truth” (James 1:18) that begat children of God.  It is that same “incorruptible seed” (1 Peter 1:23) that is to continue in the child to keep one from practicing a life of sin (cf. 1 John 3:9).  It is through the obedience of the truth (cf. 1 Peter 1:22) that one purified his/her soul.  One cannot deviate from the light of truth and be in fellowship with God (cf. 1 John 1:6-10).  Brethren are to love the truth (cf. 2 Thess. 2:10).  God’s people are exhorted to buy it and sell it not (cf. Prov. 23:23).  Truth is consistent and reliable in contrast to falsehood that deceives and harms.
2. Turn Away from Every Evil. Peter wrote, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11).  Solomon wrote to his son, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil” (Prov. 3:7).  Again, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident” (Prov. 14:16).  And again, “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul” (Prov. 16:17).  Sin truly is an insult to any people (cf. Prov. 14:34).
3. Take Responsibility for One’s Own Decisions and Actions. Paul wrote, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:11-12).  As soon as Adam and Eve were confronted with their sin, they attempted to pass the responsibility to someone else (cf. Gen. 3:12-13).  The Lord said to Cain after his rejection, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Gen. 4:7).  Attempting to avoid responsibility is as old as time.  Confessing and forsaking one’s sins brings mercy (cf. Prov. 28:13).  King Saul tried to put the accountability on the people (cf. 1 Sam. 15:15) while King David admitted his sin (cf. 2 Sam. 12:13; Ps. 32:5).  Personal responsibility is a sign of maturity and integrity.  May all appreciate the things God wants for us.

Jimmy Clark

“Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well” (Ex. 2:15).

The Holy Spirit through Luke records of Moses, “And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?” (Acts 7:23-28).  Both the Old and New Testaments declare that Moses took a lead in seeking to deliver Israel but the leadership of Moses was not to be for another forty years (cf. Acts 7:30).  He would spend time in the wilderness that would be valuable to his future.  Consider three aspects of his training that have practical applications.

1. Taking a Wife and Having Two Sons. Moses wrote of himself, “And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land” (Ex. 2:21-22).  Luke records that Moses had two sons at this time (cf. Acts 7:29) as does Moses himself in the book of Exodus (cf. Ex. 4:20).  Moses gained valuable experience in the ruling of his own home.  The first proving ground of a great leader is among those with whom he has the greatest influence.  If there is a problem within the house, what shall be the situation concerning the household of God (cf. 1 Tim. 3:5)?  Moses would be married for forty years with two sons before God would call him to be the great leader of Israel.
2. Tending to Sheep. “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb” (Ex. 3:1).  Moses would not be the soldier type leader of an Egyptian but the shepherd type leader of a Hebrew.  He would go before the flock of God and lead as a true shepherd.  The great king David was first a shepherd before he ultimately became king over Israel.  Handling the daily responsibilities of sheep would give preparation for the arduous work with God’s flock.
3. Time with the Lord. Moses finally gets a course in spiritual training at age 80 (cf. Acts 7:30; Ex. 3:2-4:17).  He would learn about himself before the Lord.  He would learn that the power of leadership was not in himself but in the Lord who was with him (cf. Ex. 3:11-12).  He would learn that the Lord’s instructions are to be passed on and that the Lord’s word could be fully trusted.  He would learn that his weaknesses are the tools of God’s strength.  He would learn that human inadequacies could be overcome through teaching and application (cf. Ex. 4:10-12).  He would learn that quitting on the Lord is not an option.  The imperfections of Moses can show all leaders, present and future, that God can use the humble man.

Jimmy Clark

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16).

There are two things in this passage on suffering that reveal facts about a Christian.  First, he is not to be ashamed in suffering for righteousness.”  Second, he is to glorify God in the suffering.  Peter along with John did exactly that, as it is written, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).  A Christian is as unique a person in the world as light is to darkness (cf. Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15).  Consider three of many traits about a Christian that must be manifested.

1. Truth Loving. Jesus stated of those who would come to the light, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:21).  It is by the “word of truth” (James 1:18) that anyone becomes a Christian (cf. James 2:17).  One purifies his soul “in obeying the truth” (1 Peter 1:22).  Salvation is directly connected to the truth as those who will perish are characterized by the words, “they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10).  The church is clearly described as “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).  Truth is a trademark of God’s people and must never be compromised.
2. Tenderhearted. A second quality of a Christian is a tenderhearted disposition.  While the Christian does not love sin, he does love people and sympathizes with the struggles of man with sin.  One is to speak the truth “in love” (Eph. 4:15) flowing from a heart that heeds the words “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).  Peter wrote, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Peter 2:8).  Those who are genuine followers of Jesus Christ are to have the same mind as the Lord.  As was Christ, being the great example, so are Christians to be.
3. “Thick-skinned.” Peter also wrote, “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).  Nothing about the Christian life is promised to be an easy path (cf. Matt. 7:14; 2 Tim. 3:12).  Christians are to develop a temperament that does not give in to the pressure to quit or retaliate.  Forbearing and forgiving are two qualities that are to be developed as the Lord was forbearing and forgiving to all.  Sometimes one just has to take it.  Here is true strength that even the world notices.  While it is indeed true that “the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41), the inner man is responsible to control the outer.  The longevity of relationships is tied to not letting the “little annoyances” destroy what is truly important.  The “good ground” (Matt. 13:8) is not characterized like the soil “when the sun was up, they were scorched: and because they had no root, they withered away” (Matt. 13:6).  Longsuffering and patience are continually mentioned in the New Testament as spiritual qualities of the Christian (cf. Eph. 4:2; Col. 1:11; 3:12; 1 Cor. 13:4; James 1:3-4).  Qualities that God commands Christians to have are not just possibilities but musts to apply.

Jimmy Clark

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13).

There are many ways that men have tried in dealing with sin.  One way that some use to seek to justify their shortcomings is through excuses.  Adam did this in the garden (cf. Gen. 3:12) as well as the woman (cf. Gen. 3:13).  Aaron blamed the people for the making of the golden calf (cf. Ex. 32:21-25) as did king Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 15:20-21) in his not obeying the Lord.  Excuses are found throughout the Bible as examples of what not to do when sin is exposed.  Consider some examples in the Bible where confession without excuses and forsaking brought mercy from God.

1. The Proclamation of Judah. Moses recorded the incident where Judah brought forth children through his daughter-in-law Tamar in Genesis 38.  It is through one of these children that the Christ would come (cf. Matt. 1:3).  When Judah did not fulfill his promise to Tamar in the giving of his son Shelah to her for a husband, she dressed in the clothes of a harlot and sat by the wayside where Judah would travel by.  Judah saw her and being motivated by the flesh contracted to give her certain things for his being with her.  She deceived him in the act and conceived twins with Judah in the process.  When it was told Judah that Tamar had “played the harlot” (Gen. 38:24) and was with child, Judah set forth the decree to have her burned (cf. Gen. 38:24).  When she revealed by the tokens of the man by whom she was with child that it was Judah himself that was at fault, the text states, “And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more” (Gen. 38:26).  No excuses were made and no further sin with her was done.  Such is a keen example of confessing and forsaking.
2. The Penitence of David. David’s attempt to cover his transgression in the death of Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, and then the taking of Uriah’s widow to himself for a wife after she was already with David’s child (cf. 2 Sam. 11) brought a sermon by the prophet Nathan to David.  When David’s sin was exposed (cf. 2 Sam. 12:1-12), the text then states, “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die” (2 Sam. 12: 13).  David wrote Psalm 32 against the background of this scene.  He stated in the psalm, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (Ps. 32:5).  Here again is a great example of confessing and forsaking without excuses.
3. The Prodigal’s Confession. Jesus gave a parable about a young son who wasted his inheritance in a far country.  When he was at the lowest point of his life in dire need, “he came to himself” (Luke 15:17).  He arose and went home to his Father and said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (Luke 15:21).  The father went immediately into action to rejoice with the restoration and reconciliation of the son (cf. Luke 15:22-24).  No excuses were made.  This is what the Lord is seeking in a poor and contrite spirit (cf. Isa. 66:2).

Jimmy Clark

“And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity” (Luke 13:11-12).

The paragraph that begins at verse ten and ends at verse seventeen of Luke chapter thirteen gives a detail of Jesus healing an infirmed woman.  The beloved physician (cf. Col. 4:14) Luke wrote by inspiration concerning this healing and is the only one to record it.  Jesus, the greatest healer of all, came into the world to show the kindness of God in every way.  Matthew states of one of the aspects of the life of Christ, “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses” (Matt. 8:16-17).  It is a common thing to see in church bulletins long lists of people who are sick and infirm.  Consider three lessons to be learned from this account of Jesus seeing and tending to the needs of this woman.

1. Seizing the Opportunity. While the healing took place on the sabbath day, such did not stop Jesus from doing good.  It was a common practice to see Jesus doing good (cf. Acts 10:38).  There is never a bad time to do good.  When the criticism came about the healing being done on the sabbath, Jesus quickly pointed out, “doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox and his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?” (Luke 13:15).  The hypocrisy and inconsistency of the critics was brought to silence and shame (cf. Luke 13:17).  Those who will be in heaven serve without reservation, as Jesus said, “I was sick, and ye visited me” (Matt. 25:36) and “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40).  Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians comes to mind, where he wrote, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).
2. Showing the Glory of God. Luke gave the detail, “And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God” (Luke 13:13).  Again, he wrote, “And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him” (Luke 13:17).  When one sees healing from sickness, one should give thanks and credit to God.  It is written in the Psalms, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Ps. 103:2-3).
3. Satan as the Originator of Suffering. Jesus laid the blame for sickness and infirmity where the cause lies.  He plainly stated, “whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years” (Luke 13:16).  Who brought the great sickness upon Job? (cf. Job 2:7).  Too many see their physical suffering as brought by God.  Satan brought sin and with it the infirmities and the ultimate end of human life: death.  The last day will bring the end of all suffering and death (cf. 1 Cor. 15:24-28).  Therefore, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).                                                                                           

Jimmy Clark