JUNE EDITION... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE...

                                                    by Dr. Keith J. Wise

INTRODUCTION: June is the month of Father's Day, Flag Day and historically the month of weddings and graduations.  We won't cover all these in this issue but will attempt to give some interesting trivia on Father's Day and Flag Day. We will continue some insights into Church History and some apologetic material to help you "give an answer to those who ask." The sermon outline will enhance the preaching and teaching for individuals who choose to use them. As we enter a busy month of planting, nurturing and anticipation of the harvest, may God bless us.  This cycle is not only applicable to the physical world but also to the spiritual world. Introspection is always welcome at this juncture.What is the seed in your hand? What are you doing in daily life to enhance your future harvest and ultimately, eternity?  The intention of this blog is to help you to understand your impact as an individual Christian in light of the fleeting days of your life.. Beloved, make every day count for the Lord..."work for the night is coming, when men work no more."

DIGGING DEEPER... Some Insights to Church History...(Denominations)

This Post provides some overviews to Church history. It is an intentional desire to foster understanding of how we have arrived at this current stance in the western Church.  Please understand, the church in the world is much larger and  equally significant as the church which exists in the United States or Europe.  The imperative then, is to look at major developments and consider their impact on both of these facets of the Church universal. This blog has  briefly covered the rise of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox tradition in light of their varied views.  Now  consideration will be given to the historical context in which the Lutheran Church  emerges from the larger study of the Protestant Reformation.  Long before the 16th century, there were already anti-clerical and anti-organized church protests.  These forms of protest centered around church doctrines that had transmuted themselves from the simplicity of the New Testament teaching, and the corruption of the clergy(or church government).  

    Historians and theologians have focused their activity on the 16th century in several movements designated as the Protestant Reformation. This has been primarily noted and documented in the life and impact of German friar and scholar Martin Luther. (1483-1546)  Furthermore, a new dynamic of "new technologies" will spread and energize ideas of the Reformation along with an insatiable hunger for learning.  This phenomina is the scholastic movements of Europe for the common man.

    Martin Luther was born a Roman Catholic. He planned and realized a law career, receiving an A.B. degree in 1502  and a Masters Degree from the University of Erfurt in 1505.  As he returned home from his studies he and his horse traveled through a violent thunder storm. At some point, lightening struck near him and threw him off his horse. For Martin Luther,  this was a monumental event in which he saw a sign from God to preserve and to redirect his life.  This new self evaluation prompts him in 1505 to enter a monastery in the tradition of the Augustinian Order that was considered regular clergy.  Martin Luther became an ordained priest in 1507 and becomes intensely convicted about his sins.  In the Catholic thinking and practice of the time, he fasted often, offered many prayers, and sought to punish his body to abstain from sexual temptation. Wittenberg University was his first appointment where he taught in 1508, In 1510 he was sent to Rome for further teaching and instruction.  While in Rome Luther was shocked by the worldliness and practices of the Roman Church and Papacy.  Luther returned to Germany in 1513 and taught at the University of Erfurt. He later moves on to a vacancy at the University of Wittenberg. Here Luther spent the next decade teaching in particular books of the Bible. During this decade Luther taught the book of Psalms,  the book of Romans, and also the books of Galatians, Hebrews, and Titus.  This is the period in which Martin Luther develops his theology, notably, his profound discovery of Romans 1:17 and Romans 5:1 which he believed taught salvation by Faith alone.  This was a departure from biblical teaching and also came about by his reaction yo the "works" salvation of the Roman Church.

In the flow of significant historical events, other equally significant issues often influence the primary perspective of  a brief study.  During this juncture of Martin Luther's life, a larger series of catalysts emerged which accelerated the development of a profile that would become known as the Protestant Reformation.  First, during this period there was a drive by the Papacy to repair and enlarge St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Archaeologist note that the first building was in A.D. 319.  However, during this period  a larger construction project was started under Pope Julius II (1503-1513) and completed by Pope Leo X (1513-1521). Another considerable influence was the "Black Plague" of the 15th century.  The Roman Church had been in a clergy crisis to fill hierarchical positions in various cities of the Holy Roman Empire. These influences and events come together in our second reason of discord by this following illustration.  Albert of Brandenburg who was the Archbishop of Magdeburg was also the Bishop of Halberstadt; thus holding two offices at once.  This practice of holding two ecclesiastical offices at once was known as "Pluralism."  It was not considered ethical because it tended to corrupt the system of clergy oversight as it was played out in the Roman Church of the day.

In 1514, the Archbishop of Mainz, one of the most prestigious positions to hold in Europe suddenly dies.  In an interesting series of negotiations, Albert of Brandenburg noted above, made it known that he desired this open position as the Archbishop of Mainz.  However, the Pope in the midst of raising money for the new Basilica in Rome told him he would have to "pay" for the office and for the position. Albert suggested 7,000 ducats for the seven sacraments.  The Pope replied that 12,000 ducats was much more appropriate for the twelve Apostles.  They finally reached an agreement for the office of Archbishop of Mainz of 10,000 ducats for the ten commandments of Decalogue.  Albert did not have the monies on hand for the purchase, but was directed to the Papacies primary banking family of the time called the Fuggers.  With permission of the Pope, Albert needed to pay back the loan by selling "Indulgences."  Half of the loan went to help pay toward the building of St. Peter's Basilica and half to repay the Fugger family of Augsburg.  The practice of charging for "Indulgences" had been a minor practice in the Roman Church, but was not considered controversial until this period by its wide and broad use.  An "Indulgence" was the payment of monies for relief of "temporal" sin from Purgatory. Purgatory was the temporary holding place, taught by the Roman Church, for punishment until a person could be released.  An Indulgence "released" the repentent Catholic early because of this donation. The famous "Indulgence Personality" of the day was a priest by the name of Johann Tetzel. He was of the Dominican Order. When Tetzel came to Wittenberg to sell the Indulgences, the people came to Martin Luther to complain.  In October 31, 1517, Luther posted his now famous 95 Theses. In this document he did not directly oppose "Indulgences" but faintly criticized such a practice.  He expressed through this document which he posted on the Wittenberg door, a series of "debatable" practices which he felt needed public exposure. The immediate outcome of this "posting" was to charge Luther as a "Heretic."

In 1518 Luther went on trial in Augsburg under Cardinal Cajetan.  Cajetan after putting Luther under questioning was quoted  saying that "...Luther is irreconcilable to the Church." With all this discussion, numbers of intellectuals within the Roman Church were seeking to find a uniform policy in these controversial matters. Honest scholasticism which had been growing over several centuries stimulated interest in learning and expanding the discussion of ideas. The main vehicle which became a pathway of reaching conclusions in a logical fashion was the model of the debate. In 1519 a famous debate takes place between Johannes von Eck a famous Catholic scholar and Andreas Bodenstein of Karlstadt. This was known as the Debate of Leipzig.  The debate ran from June 27 until July 14 when Luther, who was much more familiar with the language and style of debate, now became the main opponent of  von Eck. Without getting too much into the weeds of this debate, von Eck goaded Luther into saying that the Council of Constance (1414-1418) or the 16th Ecumenical Council  made several decisions that were in error. Among these was the burning at the stake of John Hus the Bohemian protester, an early critic of Roman Catholic teaching and tradition. This debate was won, as history notes, by neither scholar, but aired the new and controversial ideas of Luther.

By 1520, the next year, nothing was still concluded concerning Martin Luther.  Luther on the other hand has become more dynamic in his approach, by the use of publishing his ideas through the new technology of the printing press.  One can not express how important this was to gaining a larger audience of supporters and powerful interests.  He will produce three pamphlets in which he states that the Pope is hiding behind three great walls.  The title of the first pamphlet was Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation.  In this pamphlet he enumerates the following three walls which had been confidently expressed by Rome in the debates and his rebuttal as follows: 1.) Spiritual Powers are Greater than Secular Powers- Luther's counter to this position was that governments were of God and punishments should be carried out by these secular powers. 2.) Only the Pope can properly interpret scripture. Luther responded that if that were purely true, only the Pope should speak and no on else.  Furthermore, this will develop into Luther's instruction on the "Priesthood of all believers." 3.) The third wall proclaimed that "only the Pope could call a church council."  Luther retorted that if one looks at Acts 15 and the Council of Jerusalem, it was called by the Elders and Apostles of the Church.

In likely fashion, Luther aggressively makes twenty seven recommendations to the nobility of Germany to reform the church.  He continued his publishing by producing a pamphlet entitled, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church.  He also wrote a third work called, Freedom of the Christian Man. Following these works a Papal Bull was issued by Pope Leo X which set in motion the later excommunication of Luther from the Roman Catholic Church on October 10, 1520.  He is given sixty days to repent.  On December 10, 1520, Luther publicly burns the Papal Bull along with the canon law.  This he did in the presence of the Wittenberg faculty and students.  Leo X formally excommunicates Luther on January 3, 1521.  Later on April 18, 1521 Luther is ordered to appear before the German Diet of Worms by Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor.  Here he will make his great statement of not recanting his positions unless persuaded by argument from scripture. Charles V denounces Luther "as a true and convicted heretic."  As Luther returned to Wittenberg, he was "abducted" by one of the nobility of the German nation, Prince Frederick the Wise, one of Luther's protectors.  Prince Frederick will take him to an obscure castle called the Wartburg.  There Luther will remain from May 1521 to March 1522, devoting himself to translating the Greek New Testament into German.  Another great player in the Lutheran movement by the name of  Phillip Melanchthon, also known as "the quiet reformer," carried on the principles of Luther's reformation into other parts of Europe.  Again, the proliferation of published material informed a hungry population.

DID YOU KNOW... A FATHER'S DAY LEGACY... A DAY FOR DADS

The impact of fathers has been known for centuries.  Traditionally the backbone and pocketbook of families. Healthy fathers are there in times of crisis to support wives and children.  Recent studies over the last ten years has noted the significant contributions of fathers. 

With these thoughts in mind, and having a wonderful father of her own, Mrs. John Bruce of Spokane, Washington, in 1909 proposed to the Ministerial Association of her city that a day be proclaimed on which to honor fathers.  The association liked the idea and suggested June 6, 1910, a Sunday, as the first official Father's Day.

During Woodrow Wilson's term as President, he gave special recognition to the Spokane observance by pressing a button in Washington which unfurled a great American flag to Spokane, flown on that day especially honoring dads. 

in 1911, Chicago began observing Father's Day, and sincerely believed that the idea was original with the "Windy City."  Two years later, Vancouver, Washington never having heard, apparently, of Spokane's observance, began paying an annual tribute to fathers. 

In 1920, President Calvin Coolidge congratulated Harry Meek, president of the Uptown Lions Club of Chicago, for his "original" idea of honoring fathers each year.  Coolidge wrote that such an observance would "create more interesting relationships between fathers and their children and impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations."

With other cities taking up the idea from time to time, the sentiment for a national Father's Day began to grow.  Twice bills were introduced into Congress, and defeated; but the third time such a bill was successful, and on June 17, 1934, Father's Day was officially proclaimed as a national observance.

Roses remain the appropriate flower for the day except in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, where the dandelion is the Father's Day flower, because "the more it is trampled on, the more it grows."

QUOTES FOR OUR FLAG...

   "Many have laid down their lives for the red, white and blue without thought or hesitation..."

   "When Prussia hurried to the field, and snatched the spear, but left the shield!" (Walter Scott's statement in Marmion:

   "It speaks of equal rights; of the inspiration of free institutions exemplified and vindicated; of liberty under law intelligently conceived and impartially administered..." from What Means This Flag? by Charles Evans Hughes

  "Its a grand old flag its a high flyin flag..." George M. Cohen

MAY ISSUE... 8                 WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE...

                                                                By Dr. Keith J. Wise

I. INTRODUCTION: 

    May is the month of offerings.  There are two noted holidays in the month that signal beautiful gardens, new life, and national memories.  The holidays that I note are Mother's Day and Memorial Day.  Below I will emphasize some noted information concerning Memorial Day, and provide some great quotes for Mother's Day.  I will continue to provide another chapter on our our journey in Church History, and contribute another sermon outline, for those ministers/elders who preach on a regular basis.  Next month I want to exhibit a Communion Meditation and talk about its purpose in preparation for taking the Lord's Supper.  May is a growing month of display and offerings of remembrance. Therefore, read and learn and share as God receives the glory for this blog.  Why??? BECAUSE IT STILL MATTERS...

II. DIGGING DEEPER... (The Journey of Church History)

     A couple of months ago I introduced this topic to inform, and to fill in blanks as to the subject of how the church finds itself in its modern condition in the West.  To summarize, we noted that there was a movement from the functional simplistic model of the New Testament to a culturally biased over lay model of societal traditions that tended to embrace some forms of paganism.  Controversies emerged in several areas as to the nature of Christ and the divisions of leadership roles within the the Church. Instead of the emphasis of "the priesthood of all believers" we see a strict division of Clergy/Laity that encumbered the discipleship of converts, growth and provisions of the local church; thus confronting the pagan culture that existed at the time.   In the West, a system of governing reflected the old Roman political arrangement of the Roman Empire.  Great ecclesiastical systems then restricted, and at times reinterpreted New Testament models laid out by the Apostles and the Holy Spirit.  It is my conviction that there was a genius in the simplicity of the Biblical model. By abandoning that model, division was propagated over unity. I believe Church History bears this out.

    By 1054 the various versions of doctrinal interpretations cast themselves in the form of the Eastern and Western Churches.  "The Great Schism" as it is called, finds a pronounced number of reasons for this split.  Here are a few but not all.

1. Those congregations of the Eastern areas tended to be more "philosophical" in their view of scripture and church liturgy.  The Western church saw all "traditions" binding and were practical in their approach.  

2. The Eastern Church produced, according to the West, a vast majority of the "heresies" that would endanger the churches' effectiveness.   Examples of these would be forms of Gnosticism, Docetism or coming from a Greek word meaning "to seem."  In other words it only "seemed" that Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. Forms of Monasticism, or the withdrawal of communities of believers from the world to meditate, redefine and focus on various spiritual disciplines occured; even though this exclusive contradicted the "Great Commission" of the Lord to "go into all the world."(Matt.28:18-20)

3. The changing of the capitals of the Eastern Empire in A.D. 330 by Constantine brought a new invigoration to the East, which possessed larger and wealthier populations than the West.  Constantinople, built on the old Greek site of Byzantium, became a growing trade and intellectual center.  The Eastern Church sought to rival its Western counterpart and did. Space does not permit us to enumerate such areas.  The greatest rival of the Bishop of Rome, who would eventually be elevated as Pope, was the Patriarch of Constantinople.  

4. Doctrinal differences also protruded during the centuries after 1054. Here are a few of the thorny issues that divided East and West Churches: Celibacy, the dating of Easter, Confirmation and who could perform such an act, the use of images (the "Iconoclastic Controversy") the nature of the bread for the Lord's Supper.  The East permitted "leavened" bread, the Western church used "unleavened bread."  Eventually, Popes in the West excommunicated Patriarchs in the East and vice versa in a cavalcade of  "power" controversies.  Church councils and edicts tended to bring strange conglomerations  of dictates to both sections of the Eastern and Western Churches.
     There were attempts at reconciliation between the East and West because the division was weakening both traditions in light of Islamic expansion in the East. Of all the Crusades from the 11th to the 13th centuries only the First Crusade was successful in the eyes of the West.  By the 4th Crusade (1202-1204) we see the tragedy of Venician businesses backing this crusade in order to weaken and even eliminate Constantinople as a competitor.  The great city was sacked by the crusaders in this crusade from which she never recovered. There was the 17th Ecumenical Council or the Council of Ferrara in Florence(1438-1439) in which compromises were made on both sides, due to the invasion of the Ottoman Turks.  By 1453 Constantinople fell to the Turks, essentially ending the pronounced Christian influence in the East. By 1869 Pope Pius IX, the longest reigning Pope, invited representatives of the Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church to meet in what would be called Vatican I.  The Patriarch refused.  In 1894 Leo XIII called for reunion of churches and sought a meeting through a letter to the Easter Patriarch. The Patriarch sent a letter back to the Leo XIII enumerating all the errors of the Roman Catholic Church in the West. There seemed to be a breakthrough by what is called Vatican II or the 21st Ecumenical Council (1962-1965) when Pope Paul VI met with the Patriarch (Athenagoras) of the Eastern Orthodox Church .   There have been contacts since these official meetings. A number of informal conclaves  attempted some form of reconciliation.  This has become more difficult over the centuries since the original Orthodox Church of the East has itself been divided into several basic Orthodox Communions.  They have remained in touch with the original Eastern Patriarch and continue in communion with him. These are: 1.)The Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Eastern Church, 2.) The Greek Arch-Diocese of North and South America, 3.) The Albanian Orthodox Church 4.) The Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church, 5.) The Orthodox Church of Greece, 6.) The Serbian Orthodox Church, 7.) The Russian Orthodox Catholic Church (note- the Patriarch of Moscow as leader). All of the above separated  from the Eastern Orthodox tradition in 1589. There are several changes in tradition and order of liturgy, but they remain closely affiliated.  NEXT MONTH WE WILL MOVE INTO THE HISTORICAL JOURNEY OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCHES.

III. DID YOU KNOW? THE MEMORIAL DAY LEGACY...

     No day of the year is more typically American than Memorial Day.  It is observed each year at the end of May.    Its roots go deep into our national character.  As a people, we have profound and abiding respect for courage and bravery, and thus we are bound close to those who have died in battle defending the ideals in which American people believe.  In America, more than anywhere else in the world, the life of each individual is a very dear and precious commodity, and death, therefore, assumes a far greater proportion and significance.
     Originating in the South shortly after the Civil War, Decoration Day, as it was first called, would be later adopted by most of the other states of the Union.  It is now universally celebrated by our country. Originally intended as a day for paying homage only to those who had given their lives for their country in battle, it was solemnized.   This day became generally popular for a broader observance as a logical time for relatives to gather at cemeteries to pay tribute to all departed loved ones.  This is still the case, as in many towns and cities of America, families decorate their deceased family's tombstones and plots.
     In 1922, the first sale of "Buddy Poppies" was held in Memorial Day week, sponsored by the American Legion, using poppies made by French women and children in the devastated areas of France from WWI.  Two years later, the plan was expanded to permit veterans of the First World War, who were disabled but capable of some employment, to make the poppies to be sold, and this practice is still in use, although more symbolically than in actual fact. The name "Buddy Poppy" was selected as a means of honoring "buddies" who had given their lives in the war; and the poppy was selected as the commemorative flower because of its mention in the then popular poem by Lt. Col. John McCrae: "...In Flanders Fields where poppies blow between the crosses, row on row..."
     On Memorial Day, America remembers the courage exhibited on the battlefields, the lives sacrificed for an ideal, and those left broken and lonely by the destructiveness of war.  And on this day it is fitting that Americans offer sincere prayers that never again shall war stalk across the earth, bringing its incalculable toll of destruction, suffering, and death.

IV. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... A Memorial Day Sermon Outline

Title: A Day of Remembrance
Text: Romans 5: 6-8

Introduction: This Memorial Day weekend, we as a nation take time to remember.  What we call Memorial Day in the United States is called "Remembrance Day" in England.  This reflects the thought of the devastation of a whole generation experienced in England during WWI.  None of us intends to forget those to whom we owe so much...but it is human and so easy to forget.  In the spirit of  "remembering" let us think of those men and women who are deceased and sacrificed their lives for the tree of freedom. Let us today...

I. Remember Those Who Risked Their Lives For Us...

II. Remember Those Who Lost Their Lives For Us...

III. Remember The One Who Gave His Life For Us All...(Christ)

Conclusion:

V. QUOTES FOR MOTHER'S DAY...

1. "It was my sainted mother who taught me a devotion to God and a love of country, which have ever sustained me in many lonely and bitter moments of decision in distant lands.  To her I yield anew a son's reverent thanks for her guidance on a path of duty as God gave me the light to see that duty." General Douglas MacArthur, WWII military leader in the Pacific.

2. An Irish quote... "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world..."

3. A mother's advice to President Andrew Jackson.  "...In this world you will have to make your way.  To do that, you must have friends.  You can make friends by being honest, and you can keep them by being steadfast.  You must keep in mind that friends worth having will in the long run expect as much from you as they give to you...Avoid quarrels as long as you can without yielding to imposition, but sustain your manhood always... Never wound the feelings of others. Never broker wanton outrage upon your own feelings.  If you ever have to vindicate your feelings, or defend your honor, do it calmly.  If angry at first, wait till your wrath cools before you proceed." (quote from Sunshine Magazine (May 1959)

4. "The future destiny of a child is the work of a mother..." Napoleon Bonaparte.

5. "Mother is the name of God in the lips and hearts of little children..." Thackeray

6. "The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her..." A tombstone message

APRIL EDITION... Wonderful Words of Life...

 

Issue 7  WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE... APRIL EDITION

by Dr. Keith J. Wise

I. Introduction for April... 

    April is a month of new beginnings.  The snows of winter really begin to disappear in most of the United States, and the calendar for  2017  look to the celebration of Easter or Resurrection Sunday.  But as I have said before, Easter brings with it a preparation of profound importance.  The farmer begins to think about his soil, the taxes must be sent in if not earlier, and calendars are checked and scheduled for camps and vacation and special events.  In this issue we will proclaim the never ending and wonderful message of Easter and the resurrection.  We must prepare through study and meditation, which some call Lent, to open our hearts and allow the "washing of the word.." as Jesus noted in John 15. Shortly before His Ascension, Christ reminded the disciples concerning some of the things he had taught them. They as with us must be reminded.  He brought to their attention the truth that "...all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms, concerning me." (Luke 24:44)

II. Why it Still Matters... The Resurrection

     When you receive this study on this blog, you will have a few weeks to prepare yourself for the celebration of the Resurrection Sunday.  The history of the Church proclaiming the message of resurrection is powerful and meaningful and has changed world history and civilization.  The sign of the resurrection was meant to set Jesus apart from anyone else who ever lived, and it would designated Him the Son of God. (Romans 1:4)  He was so determined to leave this impact, knowing how fickled and quick men forget events, that there are "post resurrection" appearances to sear this truth into the record.  There were eyewitness accounts and people whom Jesus appeared to alive over a forty day period after His public crucifixion.  Writing about A.D. 56, the apostle Paul mentions the fact that more than 500 people had witnessed the resurrected Christ at one time and most were still living when he wrote. (I Cor. 15:6)

There have been any number of strong defenses from many individuals both scholars to the illiterate. They have come to the simple but profound truth that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead.  Of the many that could be cited, would be a man by the name of Frank Morrison.  Frank was an agnostic journalist, who attempted to write a book refuting the resurrection of Christ. This has happened before and since to those who have been curios and honest inquirers.  Morrison shared and described what happened to him. "It is not that the facts altered, for they are recorded imperishably in the monuments and in the pages of human history.  But the interpretation to be put on the facts underwent a change." (Who Moved the Stone? Zondervan, 1971)
     Morrison boiled down his conclusions to groups of people that surround the resurrection story.  There were the Romans, the Jews or Jewish leaders, and the disciples.  The Romans would have had no reason to steal the body, since they wanted to keep the peace in Palestine.  They were not at all interested in some sort of grassroots uprising or revolution.  This would came later in the Great Jewish War(A.D.66-70) some forty years later, and prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24.  They had a policy of keeping the provinces as quiet as possible, and the stealing of this Jewish rabbi's body would not have accomplished this goal.  The Jews or Jewish leaders would not have taken the body, because the last issue they desired was a clear proclamation of resurrection. Remember, they are the ones who asked for a guard to be placed. (Matthew 27)  Finally, the disciples were at this point a frightened and dishearten bunch of followers. If they had stolen the body and committed such a ruse, their later posture of honest proclamation which cost them their lives, would have been a senseless lie.  Morrison, along with countless others through the ages came to the most evident and apparent conclusion, that Jesus had risen from the dead.  Not only had He done so, but witnesses had see Him. This event was not a matter of the brief conclusion of His earthly ministry. Remarkably, He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament of Messiah which furthermore provided the evidence for the apostolic message on the day of Pentecost. Jerusalem would be where Peter preached the first sermon with an empty tomb within walking distance. (Acts 2) Later, Peter will at the end of his life, in reference to the Transfiguration in II Peter 1:16, captures the whole sentiment of the resurrection, by conclusively saying "...For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty."
     Beloved, we have a reason for our faith, and a purpose set before our eyes in these day of irrational skepticism.  The next time you stand next to the casket of your loved one at the time of their passing, you will thank God and the Lord Jesus Christ for the resurrection.  History tells us the early Christians would gather on the Lord's Day and the Evangelist or Pastor would declare, "HE IS RISEN!!!"  The congregation would then resound as one voice together, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!"

III. DID YOU KNOW?  ... Resulting Facts of the Resurrection..

     If we examine the results of the resurrection after the gospels we see a remarkable result of cause and effect.  Unknown to many Christians is that fact that I Corinthians 15 is the great treatise of the resurrection for the Church.  Its implication is for us who by our faith and obedience have acquired our salvation from the Lord.  Here are some implications of such a great savior, salvation and hope in the resurrection from I Corinthians 15.

1. "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen..." (vs. 13) No Resurrection, No Savior.

2. "And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is in vain..." (vs. 14) No Resurrection, Nothing to Preach.

3. "...and your faith is also vain," (vs.14) No Resurrection, our Faith is Vain.

4. "Yes, and we are found to be false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: who he did not raise up if it be said the dead do not rise" (vs. 15) If Christ did not Rise, then the Apostles and Prophets were Liars. 

5. "For if the dead did not rise, then Christ did not rise..." (vs. 16) The origin of he Resurrection is Christ...His is the source and proves Christianity and the Scriptures with it.

6. "And if Christ is not raised, your faith is in vain." (vs. 17) No Resurrection, No one to Trust.

7. "You are still in your sins." (vs. 17) No Resurrection, No Forgiveness of Sin.

8. "Then they which have died ("fallen asleep") in Christ are perished." (vs. 18)  If Christ did not Rise, Neither will Anyone Else. 

9. "If in this life we only have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable." (vs. 19) If there is no Resurrection, then Christians are Worse Off than Sinners.


III. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... An Easter Sermon... The Day When Death Died.

Text: I Corinthians 15: 20-26

Introduction: Resurrection Sunday is a day of celebration.  On this day Christianity celebrates the day Christ rose from the tomb and vanquished death in many ways not totally understandable to us in this lifetime.  In reality for us, death is a fact.  We have all buried someone in the local cemetery, but our faith commands our heart and mind.  Death is a foe; but death is a defeated foe.  In the most triumphant terms the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ defeated death.  The power of death was defeated in Christ's resurrection in the following ways.

I. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Defeats Death's Keeping Power...
    A. Jesus willingly laid down His life. (John 10:18)
    B. Jesus is the first fruits. (I Cor.15:20)
    C. Jesus is the last Adam. (I Cor.15:22)
    D. Eyewitness accounts affirm the resurrection. (I Cor.15:8; I Cor.15:14-15)

II. The Righteous Second Coming of Jesus Christ Defies Death's Killing Power...(I Cor.15:51-52)
    A. I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Mark 13:32-37

III. The Reign of Jesus Christ Destroys Death's Kingly Power...
    A. Death had a dominion (Rom.5:14) Jesus destroyed that domain!!
    B. Consider: II Timothy 1:10; I Cor. 15:54-57; I Cor. 15:25-26

Conclusion:  Beloved, death has been swallowed up in victory.  Because He Lives... we to shall live.  Claim the resurrection today and every Lord's day for your life.

MARCH EDITION... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE...

Issue 6

by Dr. Keith J. Wise

I. INTRODUCTION... 

     We begin with the month of March to set us before the truth of God's Word and the words of life for daily living.  March is a month in which the winds blow to sometimes confuse far flung meteorological predictions.  But out of the confusion, the steady movement of the sun and calculated principles of natural science brings forth the spring and new life and new beginnings.  It is much like life.  There are times of predictable days and sometimes monotony, when the drudgery of the mundane can seem confusing.  Then, out of nowhere comes that sudden, sometimes unpredictable change or opportunity.  Beloved, that is what God wants to do with you and I.  How many times do you read in the Bible,"but God" in a verse?  HE changes everything... See the miracles in the small events and large ones, the great stories of scripture and their faith building hope.  Today is the first day of the rest of your life!!

II. DIGGING DEEPER ... Some history of denominations

     I had a great professor of history at Kentucky Christian University (nee Kentucky Christian College).  His name was Thomas Gemeinhart. He passed into glory this year and his family and students will miss him. His details of lecture and requirements were sometimes overwhelming, but set forth a standard to challenge young minds to learn.  This month I am going to periodically talk about the origins and statistics of his classes along with my own study over the years.  People in the congregations we have served, and my teaching experience of the college classroom have motivated me to share this information. 

The Roman Catholic Church- It might surprise some of our readers that the Roman Catholic Church that sits on your corner in your community with its various teachings, is not the Church of the New Testament.  Their claim to be the first church is somewhat erroneous from the facts of history and its own teachings.   As Alexander Campbell stated in his famous debate with Bishop Purcell in Cincinnati in January 1837, "... the catholic church is neither Roman nor Catholic..."
The Roman Church like other denominations is normally recognized by it organization.  We can observe three basic patterns of Church government in Church History: One will be Congregational, in which each congregation elects or selects it own leaders from its own spiritual reservoir.  This is done from observing the quality of these persons among them and following Apostolic instructions noted in the Pastoral Epistles.  These congregations may in turn, at various levels, see engage other like minded congregations, in loose methods of mutual goals and support systems.  Another method of Church governance is called the Presbyterian form.  In this system, local congregations develop a Presbytery in which they control issues and dialogue through the local congregations by the collective Presbytery.  This in turn will be further organized at a Synod level comprising many Presbyteries. Finally, any number of Synods will reach their junction in the churches General Assembly where often political and social debate are voted on and embraced or discarded.  Last but not necessarily least, will be the Episcopal form or church government.  Here we see a variety of power sharing actions between the local clergy as priests who are accountable to a Bishop who was accountable to an Archbishop and so on.  The Archbishop in this form will, as history notes, the Bishop of Rome eventually became the Pope.  The Eastern Church used the term "Patriarch" for their sole leader.
     The Roman Catholic Church derived their authority for its thinking from what was known as the Petrine Theory.  Simply stated, it derived its view from Matthew 16:18-19 where the Apostle Peter makes the great confession of faith.  In this view of Roman Catholic interpretation, Jesus gave the headship of the church to Peter.  One of many issues of difficulty with this view is that the other Apostles taught, including Peter, that Jesus is the head of the church. (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18)   After serving preeminently in the early chapters of Acts, Peter virtually disappears as Paul becomes more visible. Consequently, early centuries of the church used the term "catholic" in a generic sense not wishing to be exclusively seen as an arm of Judaism.   Ignatius who was martyred, in a letter to Polycarp, noted several times in a series of letters of which we have seven, between 110-115 A.D. that there were references to the church as "catholic" or universal.(small "c")  This connection in context of the period is natural, without specificity dealing with a religious group.  If we think about this in the period, the gospel was to be preached "universally" to all peoples for all times as Jesus commanded in the great commission.  New scholarship has noted that there were varieties of Christianity emerging in various areas until a uniform system of theology and polity were established. This typically after the first century came to be determined by the term Bishop.  English theologian and historian Edwin Hatch, in his noted work The Organization of the Early Christian Churches suggested that this term Bishop was used for one who held the money or treasury, and later saw the position as a wider encompassing office.  The weakness of some of these systems was the attachment policy of local pagan customs into the local congregations, then moving into the higher arenas of church government. As the Roman civil government collapsed under the invasion scenarios of the Germanic invasions, the only literate class that was available was the church and its structure to fill that vacuum.
     So, let us summarize this area by saying, that as social and homogenization of Apostolic teaching became more pronounced, the ingenious simplicity of the New Testament organization and teaching became compromised in favor of societal norms and church tradition plus questionable incorporated practices.  Therefore, we see two pillars of Roman Catholic broadcasting; one will be scripture and the other will be tradition.  This orthodoxy will encompass the traditions of the church fathers, the traditions of the church councils, and eventually the decisions of the Papacy speaking ex cathedra or "from the throne" in terms of church morals.(TO BE CONTINUED)

DID YOU KNOW?...  

As we live in an era of "fake news" or "false reporting," this has not gone unnoticed or surprised the living God who is interested in cultivating the "Good News" into the lives of His people.  Jesus in His early ministry and His clear pronouncements of himself will eventually reveal this aspect of faith and confidence in His miracles and His salvation.  For instance, in Matthew 9:29 two blind men came to Jesus and asked to be healed.  Jesus will ask them, "...do believed that I can do this?"  Their healing was based on their faith in His ability.  This ability issue will be expanded after the resurrection in areas listed below in the word ABLE.  Take a look.

1. He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him. (Heb. 7:25)

2. Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling. (Jude 24)

3. He is able to succor (assist) them that are tempted. (Heb.2:18)

4. And being fully persuaded that, what he has promised, He was also able to perform. (Rom.4:21)

5. God is able to make all grace abound toward you. (II Cor. 9:8)

6. I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. ((II Tim. 1:12)

7. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. (Eph. 3:20)

When we go back to that occasion in Matthew 9:29, the two blind men say, "Yes, we believe that you are ABLE. "  That faith made a difference in them.  We to by remembering the Christ who rose from the dead is able to meet your needs today and give you a new perspective in your new life now and the one to come.

NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... ( A SERMON OUTLINE)

                                     THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND

Text: Mark 6:30-44

Introduction: CHRIST is the pivotal personality of Scripture.  Take Christ away from the scripture, and everything else falls into confusion.  Seeing Christ in the scripture and the key is found to understanding and grace, peace and hope of God.  Notice this great miracle and we all learn.

I. They were gathered to Jesus- (vs. 30)

II. They were speaking to Jesus- (vs.30)

III.They were invited by Jesus- (vs. 31)

IV. They were running after Jesus- (vs.33)

V.  They observed the compassion of Jesus- (vs. 34)

VI. They listened to the instruction of Jesus- (vs.34)

VII. They were directed by Jesus- (vs.37)

VIII.They were questioned by Jesus- (vs. 38)

IX. They were commanded by Jesus- (vs. 39,40)

X. They looked for Jesus- (vs. 41)

XI. They sought the blessings of Jesus- (vs. 41)

XII. They observed the action of Jesus- (vs. 41)

XIII. They received the gift of Jesus- (vs. 41)

XIV. They welcomed the distribution and division of Jesus- (vs.41)

Conclusion: He is the bread of life and we as that multitude on that day, can partake of the bread of life in Christ Jesus. In a true sense, each week we partake of the bread of life in the Lord's Supper, and when we read His Word we take in the bread of life.

PROVERBIAL WISDOM... (Continued)...

"Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe." (Prov. 2:11)NLT

"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and the people, and you will earn a good reputation." (Prov. 3: 3-4) NLT

"A wise child accepts a parent's discipline, a mocker refuses to listen to correction." (Prov.13:1)NLT

"Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster." (Prov.17:19) NLT

"A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered." (Prov.17:27) NLT

  

FEBRUARY EDITION... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE     Issue 5

by Dr. Keith J. Wise

I. INTRODUCTION:  

February has been called the "middle month."  It is called this because in many climates, the freezing hands of winter begin, in some small ways, to loosen its grip.  It has also been called the month of "Heroes and Hearts."  It is the month we celebrate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln plus Valentines Day.  So there is much to consider in the Christian life and the hearth and home.  We as a nation have historically been a people who value patriotism of the nation, and love of family and life.

 

II. DIGGING DEEPER: Considerations Concerning the Gospel of Luke

Luke is a wonderful gospel.  It is considered one of the best of the four gospels in many respects.  It is a part of the "Synoptic" trio of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, meaning they are "similar" in content and emphasis and character.   It is in comparisons to other New Testament literature, if added to Luke's other volume Acts, the larges number of verses by any author of the New Testament. (If you reject Hebrews as Pauline)... This author does not.  Who was Luke anyway?  Colossians 4:14 indicates he was a friend and physician of Paul.  He is a Gentile and a second-generation Christian, basically meaning that he did not see or known Jesus personally during his earthly ministry.  His Koine Greek, (the original language of the New Testament), is considered the most grammatically correct and centered on all the New Testament writers.  Luke will give attention to groups that were usually forgotten or neglected by the religious leaders of the day and the culture at large.  People such as; women, the poor, the socially, racially, and religiously ostracized.  

What seems to be striking with Luke is the eyewitness memories of Mary and also her genealogy.  His Gospel is dramatically introduced with the stark premise that it was based on interviews and research. (Luke 1:1-4)  If you look at his Gospel and the book of Acts, he will measure the historical periods by Roman Emperors reigns or those of other Roman and Jewish officials.  Since we are primarily looking at the Gospel of Luke just consider Luke 2:1 (Augustus) or chapter 3:1 (Tiberius) notice Luke 1:5, 2:1-2, Herod the Great and Quirinius, governor of Syria.  In the noticed ministry of John the Baptist, (Luke 3:1-2) Luke will acknowledge Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, Herod the tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, plus Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene. 

As to authorship, most of the early church fathers and traditions have Luke writing this Gospel.  Remember, he was a physician and historian.  He is driven by details and exact information to bring logical conclusions to the material.  Here are a few of the confirmation sources for Luke's Gospel: Irenaeus, the anti-Marconian Prologue to Luke, Tertulian, the Muratorian Fragment, Origen, Eusebius and others.  In terms of recipients, it is dedicated to Theophilus. (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1) I believe Theophilus was a person.  Luke calls him "most excellent," the same term and title he uses for Felix in (Acts 23:26; 24:3) and Festus (Acts 26:25). There is a strong emphasis to Gentiles and Luke targets them quit distinctly.  He explains Jewish customs, and that his gospel is for all people. (Luke 2:10)  He quotes prophecies which refer to "all flesh" in Luke 3:5-6, which is a quote from Isaiah 40.  The genealogy is Luke goes back to Adam (all humans- Luke 3:38). He uses Old Testament examples that announce God's love for the Gentiles (Luke 2:32; 4:25-77).  In Luke's version of the Great Commission, he asserts that forgiveness must be preached to all nations and the predictions of Jesus as Messiah were announced in every area of Jewish Literature and context of the Old Testament. (Luke 24:36-49) 

As readers, two thousand years separated from this account of Jesus, we can rest assured that what we are reading is accurate and transformational.  It is not only important that we mark our Bibles, but more importantly, that our Bibles mark us. This is the reason I have called this Blog, "Wonderful Words of Life."  

DID YOU KNOW?   

Since February is a month as a nation we celebrate two of our Presidents, let me tell you something about Abraham Lincoln from a comparison of his physical stature.  Most of this information is from Carl Sandburg's monumental work, Abraham Lincoln-The War Years.

On his way from Springfield to Washington, for the inauguration, many men stepped up to the platform to stand back-to-back with Lincoln, and measure their height against his.  Most of them were shorter.  In Pittsburgh, a husky coal-heaver proved to be exactly as tall as Lincoln.  Was he really as tall as Lincoln?  Lincoln was taller in many respects that his physical height.  He was tall in Character.  He stood out, head and shoulders above the crowd, a measuring standard for manhood.  He was tall in Humility.  When one of his generals who insulted him and kept him waiting for several hours Lincoln remarked: "I would hold his horse, if he would only give us victories."  He was tall in Tolerance.  It was Lincoln who uttered those immortal words: "With malice toward none, and charity for all."  He was tall in Justice.  He pardoned many soldiers.  "A boy," he said, "should  not be blamed if his legs are cowardly."  He was tall in Humor.  Lincoln was big enough to laugh at himself.  We it was reported that one of his cabinet members had called him a fool, Lincoln retorted: "He must be right-- he is a very smart man."  He was tall in Faith.  In the dark days of war he said: "Let us have faith that right makes might, and, in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."  On the wall of history Lincoln has left us a mark to which we can aspire.  He was a in a national and spiritual sense one of God's tallest heroes.

NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT: (Sermon Outline)  

Title: Let Us Learn and Grow In Saying "Thank You."

Text: Psalm 35:18   (consider the words from the hymn "Count Your Blessings."

Introduction: 

One of the great sureties of scripture is the command and encouragement to give thanks.  If I calculate correctly, there is something about the grateful heart that brings pleasure and satisfaction to the heart of a holy and righteous God.  In fact, one passage I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "... give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." If this is such an imperative, why should we seek to develop skills of thanksgiving?  

Here are a few suggestions: 

I. It Pleases the Lord- (consider the above passage)

II. It Proclaims our Gratitude- (Luke 17)

III. It Provokes others to encourage with thanksgiving- (Hebrews 10:24)

IV. It Produces "Contentment."- (Psalm 100)

V. It Portrays Christ- (See the prayers of Jesus invoking thanks)

Conclusion: 

In the year 2012 one thousand couples in America who were married for over fifty years where asked the secret to there long and seemingly satisfying marriages.  Of all the varied responses, one quality that emerged in most, if not all of the couples was the ability to be "thankful" for their spouses' positive and negative qualities.  Yes, thanksgiving will keep you marriage solid and your relationship with God in good stead.

PROVERBIAL WISDOM... (Thoughts from the book of Proverbs)

"To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction." Prov. 12:1(NLT)

"Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Prov. 14:34(NLT)

"Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city." Prov. 16:32(NLT)

"Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished." (Prov. 17:5)NLT

Wonderful Words of Life - Issue 4 - New Years Edition

By Dr. Keith J. Wise

DIGGING DEEPER...

Having received a number of interesting comments concerning Augustus and Herod the Great in my Christmas issue, several wanted to know more about the Herodian Dynasty.  We won't spend a lot of time dealing with Herod the Great, but just note he is the Herod of the Christmas story. (Matt. 2:1; Luke 3:1)  He ruled from 37-4 B.C. and was known as a master builder in the mold of other Roman-Hellenistic rulers throughout the Mediterranean Basin.  Furthermore, he was considered cruel and ruthless in his rule by his Jewish subjects. He rebuilt and enlarged the city of Caesarea on the coast, called "Caesarea Maritima."  It was a modern port of the best technology of the day. (Poured cement through water to create the Harbor)  It contained magnificent aqueducts many of which are seen today.

  

     All the other Herods mentioned in the New Testament were the sons or grandsons of Herod the Great.  Herod's son Antipas succeeded him as Roman governor of Galilee and Perea (Matt. 14:1).  Antipas was responsible for the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (Luke 3:19, 20; Matt. 14:1-12).

     Herod the Great's grandson Agrippa was named ruler over all of Palestine by the Roman emperor Caligula.  Agrippa is known as a persecutor of early Christianity.  He had James put to death and had Peter arrested and placed in prison. (An Angel miraculously freed him) Because of his cruelty and blasphemy, Agrippa was slain by an angel of the Lord (Acts 12) 

      In A.D. 50, Agrippa's son, known as Agrippa II, was made ruler of the kingdom of Chalcis.  Later he was given Abilene, Trachonitis, Acra, and important sections of Galilee and Perea. The only references to this Herod in the New Testament occurs in Acts 25:13-26:32, which deals with Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea.  Agrippa listened to Paul's defense, but the apostle appealed to Rome as a Roman citizen.  In this case Agrippa had no power to set him free. 

     The other two Herods mentioned in the New Testament are Herod Archelaus (Matt. 2:22) and Herod Philip (Luke 3:1).  Both of these rulers were sons of Herod the Great; they ruled parts of the territory previously administered by their father. 

DID YOU KNOW?  A Teaching Point...

The Church Is A Divine Organism of God and Christ Himself... (People)

     As you drive up and down the average street of America there are numerous church buildings with various traditions attached to them.  Some of these are based on the Bible and some are creations of man's vanity or the whimsy of a time or period in history.  However, our goal in this blog is to call you to scripture and to scripture alone in our understanding of what the Church is and how she functions.  Here are three of many points we could make concerning the Church.

I. The Church was Planned... The Apostles carried out the mandate of the New Testament as Jesus instructed them.(Matt.28:16-20)  Paul in particular will say that the "... manifold wisdom of God" might be known in or through the church, and further that such as "according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:10-11) 

II. The Church was Promised... Besides the prophecies of the Old Testament and pictures that Jesus said were declared about Himself. (Luke 24:44) He declared to His Apostles "...upon this rock I will build my church..." (Matt. 16:18).  Jesus Christ promised to begin the Church upon the foundation that He was "... the Christ, the Son of the living God."  This was the great confession of Peter, not Peter himself.

III. The Church was Established... On the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover of the Passion, we see God's workmanship in power.  Here, the third person of the trinity, God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Counselor, came in power to help us live out the Christian Life in this new kingdom of God.  Furthermore, entrance into this new kingdom was provisioned by Peter who used the keys given by Christ to declare the first sermon of the kingdom the church. So dramatic was this event that as the Jews heard the saving message they believed that Jesus was the Messiah and Savior.  They responded by asking a question.  "What shall we do?..."  Peter, with the authority of an Apostle said, "...repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins..."(Acts 2:38).  Then they that "...gladly received his words were baptized(immersed)... for the remission of sins."  "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:47)  As people simply responded to the gospel the Church came into existence. Initially, 3,000 responded to the "good news." The Church then were simply those "called out" (ekklesia)  from the world by the gospel. (2 Thess. 2:14) 

NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT...

Sermon for a New Year...  COMMITTING OURSELVES FOR A NEW YEAR

Text: Philippians 3:13-14

Introduction: It's that time of year again.  Happy New Year!!  As Christians we pray we are wiser and more committed than this time last year.  God has guided us through mountain tops and valleys in ways we know are within His providential care. Our physical, mental and emotion health will be enhanced as we consider God's encouragement and our "resolutions" based on His provisions and strength.  Here are three workable and practical "resolutions" in His power.

I. Commit Yourself to Forget Your Failures- Paul in our text today gives some of the best advice to travel our path in the future of 2017.  "...forgetting what is behind..." All of us have failed in some fashion in our lives over the past year.  In some way we may have made the wrong decisions, said or did the wrong things, and in some cases relationships ended.  God's Word would have us claim the future and learn from that past and not be bogged down by its weight.  God is prepared to help you and I to anticipate the future with His presence and His power. Consider the Children of Israel when they, in one of their rebellious modes, God sent serpents among them.  Moses crafted a serpent on a staff for them to look at for healing from the poisonous bit of the serpents. We sing the old hymn, "...Look and Live..." meaning our Lord Jesus Christ who is able to deliver us from sin and failure when we look on Christ by faith, and we walk in His provision and faith. Look to Him not only in your initial salvation, but in your walk as a Disciple day by day.

II. Commit Yourself to Give Up Your Grudges-  Sometimes we, in the midst of our hurt "rehearse" these painful feelings, not allowing the forgiveness of God to work in us and releasing it to Him in prayer and thanksgiving.  Read again Colossians 3:12-14.  This has great advise for the Christian.  Beloved, grudges are dangerous and destructive. Grudges destroy marriages, break up families, ruin friendships and split churches.  God is speaking to all of us today in some way to GIVE UP YOUR GRUDGES FOR THE NEW YEAR... LET THE PAST BE PAST!!

III. Commit Yourself to Turn Your Back On Your Transgressions- Here is a great illustration of this last point.  After the Civil War, history tells us that many slaves did not become free and take advantage of the Emancipation- Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln.  Many stayed on the plantation with their former masters.  If we are not careful as Christians we can become comfortable with our old masters, of sin that brings death.  Romans 6:22 says, "...But now that we have been set free from sin and have become slaves(servants) to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."

Conclusion: We have a "Bridge to the Future" which is Jesus Christ our Lord.  Employ these three great commitments for the New Year. It will change and help you. Jesus, speaking of the past and future in Luke 17 says simply "... remember Lot's wife..."  She looked back and died.  You and I with the power of God helping, guiding, and giving peace to us so we can Live, Live, Live... Lets just praise the Lord for His everlasting provision.  

QUOTABLE QUOTES...

Jack London... "A bone given to a dog is not charity.  Charity is the bone shared with the dog when you are just as hungry as the dog."

Helen Keller... "Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow."

Charles F. Kettering... "My interest is in the future, because I am going to spend the rest of my life there."

Short Thoughts... for good: Do something worth while when nobody makes you do it.

This day's sunset gives one less day to live, but one more day to remember and reflect.

MY CLOSING THOUGHT FOR A NEW YEAR...  May Wisdom Guide You, True Love Bless You, And Peace Be Unto You...  Dr. Keith J. Wise

Wonderful Words of Life - Issue 3

By Dr. Keith J. Wise

Digging Deeper: (Backgrounds of Christmas)

 

    The God of the Bible is a God of History.  The nation of Israel was a nation, early on, that was bound up in the empires of the world and the promised coming of a Messiah.  Galatians 4:4 tells us that "in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law."  It is then not ironic that Jesus was born during the times of the Roman Empire. In his providence he had prepared the world religiously, linguistically and politically.   Specifically we are told in Luke 2 that the impetus to drive Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem was a decree by Caesar Augustus, the first Emperor of the growing and expanding Roman Empire.  But who was this man?  Do we specifically know anything about him?  Is this his name, or does he go by another?

    The answers to these questions are found in the Bible and in secular history.

    He was born in Rome on September 23, 63 B.C.  His native name was Gaius Octavius, after his father.  His father had brought honor to the name by being the first senator of the family.  He died unfortunately before his son(Gaius) was five years of age. The following year, his mother married L. Marcius Philippus who, while his stepfather in name, proved to be a worthy father to Octavius.

    His mother, Atia, was the daughter of Julia, sister of Julius Caesar. When Caesar was murdered in the Senate House, on the Ides of March, 44 B.C., Octavius learned that he had been designated his heir.  This was secured in in 45 B.C. but was kept secret.  He was eighteen years old at the time. He was studying at Apollonia in Illyria, where he had been sent by the illustrious uncle. There, Caesar had a army in preparation to invade to the east and deal with the threat of the Parthians.  When Octavius heard of his uncle's death, he immediately added the name of "Julius Caesar" to his own.

    Even though he was warned by his mother and others of the pitfalls of politics, his courage won out as he pursued the path through the gauntlet of Caesar's "Legal Will."  To the amazement of seasoned politicians and the despair of his rivals, he soon displayed himself as a leader to prominent leaders of the Senate, and a darling of the people. Within months he was on his way to becoming the master of Rome.

    In November, 43 B.C., Octavius, Anthony and Lepidus were formally appointed to supervise the reorganization of the republic.  This group was known as "The Second Triumvirate."  Lepidus was soon seen to be the weakest member of the trio and easily squeezed out of real power.  Thus began the competition for supremacy between Anthony and Octavius.

    In reality at this point in their relationship they were pretty much evenly matched.  To prove this, there was effected a form of reconciliation, by Anthony marrying Octavius' sister, Octavia.  The two power brokers now divided the Commonwealth between each other.  Octavius stayed in the west to consolidate his power base from Rome, while Anthony moved east as he succumbed to the charms of Cleopatra.

    When news reached Octavius that Anthony was going to divorce his sister, in order to marry Cleopatra, all agreements of peace were off.  He moved east with a large force and navy under the brilliant leadership of Agrippa, one of the greatest tactician in Roman history.  Octavius and his forces defeated those of Anthony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium, on September 2, 31 B.C. With the pressing of the campaign Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide in different places. With her death ended the dynasty of the Ptolemies in Egypt.  Eventually, after a great triumph in Rome, Octavius was determined not to appear too autocratic like his adopted father Julius Caesar.  On January  11, 29 B.C., the doors of the Temple of Janus, the god of war, were closed for the first time in two hundred years.  On January 16, 27 B.C., the Senate named him Augustus.  His full official name was Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius Augusts. The Greek form is Sebastos.  The word means "reverend" or "venerable."

    Octavian (Augustus) was a remarkable man, who though not necessarily a politician, had great political and powerful instincts that allowed him to make the republic a true empire.  He was a man of letters and education, and gave Rome its first public library.  He was the patron of Virgil, Ovid, Livy, and Horace.  He gave his name to a significant age of literature.

    As we look back, we see the Emperor on the high throne of world power.  In the same glance we see in far off Nazareth, two humble townsfolk, who Augustus' word had commanded to travel to Bethlehem of Judea to be listed in the census of his powerful state. Unbeknownst to him, his word would be subject one day to the "Word that was to become flesh..." during his reign.

    When August died on August 19, A.D. 14, at Nola, a few miles from Rome, in the same room in which father had died before him, and on the anniversary of his entrance upon his first consulship fifty-seven years before, he did not know or realized that in Galilee there was a carpenter's apprentice. Now in his teens, one day this person's followers would spread out to the the ends of the earth, and proclaim His infinite glory for centuries after the Empire of the Caesars and of Rome had crumbled into dust.

THOUGHT AND QUOTES:

If you would like to leave footprints on the sand of time, you had better wear work shoes.

Some minds are like concrete-- all mixed up and permanently set.

Flattery is like perfume-- you're supposed to smell it, not swallow it.

Every day we are sowing seed, and the harvest is ahead.  It is not wise to spare the seed if you would reap a good crop.

The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention.

A man's ability is usually rated by what he finishes, and not by what he starts.

NUGGETS FOR NOURISHMENT:  (Sermon Outline for Christmas)

Title: FOUR PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS-  by Dr. Keith J. Wise

Text: Luke 2:20 and Matthew 2:12

Introduction: The story of Christmas is about God giving us His "unspeakable gift."  This gift is so great that it has many aspects and dimensions.  Here are just a few of the many components of God's gracious nature to us.

I. A GIFT OF A RENEWED LIFE... 

In Christ, we are a "new" Creature...(II Cor. 5:17).  For us, all things are new...look and live.
In the Christmas drama (Matt.2:12), we see the Wise Men as they departed "another way."  When we come to Christ and seek the riches of His glory, we will go "another way" than the world goes.  In microcosm we did this in repentance in our conversion, and do it now sometimes daily and especially around the Lord's Table.  We see Biblical examples of this to teach us.  Blind Bartimaus was not the same after he met Jesus.  Also, the Gadarene demoniac found himself in his "right mind" after meeting Jesus.

II. A GIFT OF SERVICE...

The shepherds "came with haste" (Luke 2:16)... They found Jesus and they wasted no time in doing so after the instruction of the Angel.   We need to come with haste like Zacchaeus.  He will motivate us to action as Isaiah said... "...here am I, send me."  Saul of the New Testament said in Acts 9:6"...Lord, what will you have me to do?..."

III. THE GIFT OF WORSHIP...

In Matthew 2:11 the "Wise Men" "...fell down and worshiped Him..."  This expresses our need to humble ourselves before God and worship the King.  His birth demands a response from us... we see this in the whole Christmas drama in faith, courage, and obedience.

   A. That as the Innkeeper, you will find a place for the Christ child.
   B. That as the Wise Men, you will be wise enough to follow His star.
   C. That as the shepherds, you will  be open to the miracles god sends your way.
   D. That like Mary, you will surrender to the will of God.
   E. That like Joseph, you will live righteously, compassionately, and faithfully.

IV. THE APPROPRIATE GIFTS...

The "Wise Men" brought three types of gifts in Matthew 2:11.
    A. Gold: This is a tribute to a King and shows forth His deity.  Quote: "Before we are friends of Christ we must submit to Christ.  (Illust: Lord Nelson in receiving the sword of surrender said         "... your sword then your hand...")
    B. Frankincense: This gift would be symbolic of purity of life.  It was a sweet smelling savor and the gift of or to a priest.  In Latin the word priest is "pontifex" which means "bridge builder." Jesus Christ is our bridge builder to God through his death, burial, and resurrection.
    C. Myrrh: This is a bitter gift, used for the purpose of embalming.  Jesus came into the world to die, and this tacit gift would lend itself to preparation for His body after the crucifixion.  However, after His resurrection it would have been rendered meaningless. The powers of this world are powerless before this risen, reigning King.
    D. What would our gift to Christ be?
        1. We are to be living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1-2)
        2. Paul tells us that "...I die daily..." (I Corinthians 15:31)

CONCLUSION:   The greatest gift we bring is ourselves to the King.  As we do, this gift increases in value as it identifies with the living Lord of Life.  As we die to self and live to God, then our influence increases and blesses others.  The reward is coming... Jesus said "...my reward is with me."(Revelation 22:12)