Undeserved

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Mike Benson

Jesus knock2.jpg A MAN IN his sixties was walking down the street of a modern subdivision…
In his hand was a scrap of paper from a doctor’s office with a name and address scribbled in pencil. As the man approached the house, he waded the paper and pushed it into his pocket. He made his way to the front door, pushed the doorbell button, and waited anxiously.
Earlier that day, the man had been reading a medical journal in a doctor’s office wiating room when he came across an interesting article about organ donation. He was reading how so many people were on waiting-lists for kidney transplants, and how some would surely die waiting. As he closed the journal, still waiting for his name to be called, he imagined what it would be like too be dying in a waiting room. Right then, he made the decision to donate one of his kidneys.
An hour after asking his doctor for a lead, he was standing out in the cold on the doorstep of a complete stranger. As he herd the door being unlocked from the inside, he was eager to look upon the face of the one who would benefit from his sacrifice. The door pulled open.
“If you’re selling something, I’m not interested.” The first response was automatic. The man inside was middle-aged and appeared somewhat annoyed by his uninvited guest. “No, I’m not selling anything sir,” the older man answered back. “Actually, I guess it might seem odd why I’m here, but you see, I was just out walking and this air is terribly cold, so I thought perhaps you would allow me to step in for a few moments to warm up…” The man inside hesitated for a couple of seconds, glancing back and then sighing with a hint of frustration. “Alright, come on in.” The invitation was cold and half-empty.
The older man stepped into the warm house, and for the next few minutes, he did everything he could to carry on small-talk with the stranger. More than anything, he just wanted a glimpse of who this man was, a peek at the life he would spare. But it soon became evident that this man was ready for his guest to leave. “Sorry, but I’ve got something planned, so I’m afriad you’re going to have to be on your way now.”
The older man generously offered his thanks and quickly stepped back out into the cold. As he walked away from the house, he paused and looked back. Through the large front window, he watched as the man inside plopped down in front of a television and reclined back in his chair. It was precisely at this moment, as he looked upon the undeserving man, that he smiled and said to himself, “This is the man I want to help.”
THOUGHT: Why choose to help someone who doesn’t deserve it? When Jesus came to this earth, he voluntarily sacrificed himself to offer us hope — and certainly not because we deserved it. As Christ hung on the cross, He looked down upon an undeserving crowd of spectators and cried, “Father, forgive them…” Thank God that His desire to save the hopeless was not detoured by rejection. Alan Pitchford
KneEmail: “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8
Bible reading for 11.04.09: Hebrews 1; Jeremiah 32, 33
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Panic

Posted on September 25, 2009 by Mike Benson

THERE WERE SOME anxious moments at our house as my daughter and I prepared for our mission trip…
Late in the packing process we discovered that my passport that had been set out earlier, was not a current passport! That current passport was not where we expected it to be.
For about an hour, we gave the term ransack new meaning. God answered our fervent prayers and we found the all-important document.
Those who travel understand the seriousness of misplacing a passport. This document shows you are a citizen of the United States and have been cleared for travel to other countries. Without it I would have been denied admission to Peru. Actually, I wouldn’t have been allowed onto the plane headed for Peru. I would have been left behind.
As I reflect upon that nerve-wracking episode, I think of a more vital appointment. Jesus spoke about it in Matthew 25:31,32:
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and
all the holy angels with Him, then He will
sit on the throne of His glory. All the
nations will be gathered before Him, and He
will separate them one from another, as a
shepherd divides his sheep from the goats”
(NKJV).
Following the pronouncement of judgment, only two destinations will await those who have been sentenced. Of the two, heaven and hell, all know the destination to which they want to go.
Earlier in that chapter (verses 1-13), Jesus spoke the parable of the wise and foolish maidens. Ten young women anxiously awaited the arrival of the bridegroom. The wait was longer than expected and five of them found that their supply of oil for their lamps was not sufficient. While they were away buying oil, the bridegroom came and the door was shut. The five foolish maidens were barred from the celebration they had dreamed about. They should have made better preparation.
There will be those at the Day of Judgment who will experience panic far worse than I recently felt. They will assume they’re ready for the coming of Jesus — but they won’t be. For them there will be no second chance. The sound of heaven’s door closing will be heard, and it will prompt “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30). As you read this, realize one thing: You have this opportunity to make preparations for the coming of the Lord. You may not have another opportunity. We urge you out of genuine Christian love to prepare your soul for the certain arrival of Jesus Christ! Tim Hall at http://forthright.net
KneEmail: “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them.” Matthew 25:1-3
Bible reading for 09.25.09: Galatians 4; Song of Solomon 6 – 8
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Saved

Posted on September 15, 2009 by Mike Benson

TO BE “SAVED” means to be made safe…
It implies that the unsaved person is in danger. Mark 16:16 speaks of salvation and safety from sin. When the term saved is used in reference to a Christian, it means he is made safe from the guilt and eternal consequences of his sins (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 15:2; Ephesians 2:15; Titus 3:5). This safety is brought about by God’s pardon, which can be affected in no other way. It means the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). This salvation is equivalent to the promise of pardon for those who believe and are baptized. Many religious people balk at the idea of placing baptism in such a connection with salvation (that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins). However, we must remember that it was Jesus Himself Who placed baptism in this connection. When a mind revolts at any of His words, it is not His fault but their fault. The stubborn heart bears sole responsibility for one’s failure to heed God’s Word. When considering the concept of being saved, one must take into account the power of God to deliver an individual from the bondage of sin by the power of the Gospel. H.D. Simmons
KneEmail: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16
Bible reading for 09.15.09: 2 Corinthians 8; Proverbs 22 – 24
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Remember

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Mike Benson

I HAVE A vivid recollection of that day…
My wife came in the room, turned on the TV set and then spoke in shaken tones. She said, “They’ve flown a jet-liner into one of the World Trade Center towers in New York…” For the next several hours I sat transfixed before the television and watched in horror as the events of 911 unfolded.
Exactly eight years after that dreadful day, many Americans, like myself, look back on September 11 with intense emotion. We recall those gaping wounds in the sides of the towers. We remember those ill-fated flights and how they were intentionally slammed into the very icons of our nation. We remember those thick plumes of noxious smoke as they bellowed out of the top of those lofty skyscrapers and into our collective conscience. We remember our own anxiety and ponder what must have raced through the hearts of fellow-citizens as they contemplated the end of their earthly existence and the brevity of human life. We remember the internal shock of watching the first, and then the second tower plummet to the ground. We remember those feelings of helplessness and despair as lower Manhattan was engulfed in ash and debris.
But may I suggest, dear reader, that there is a far more terrible tragedy that warrents our joint remembrance. Every first day of the week (Acts 20:7), we need to call to memory (1 Cor. 11:23-26) those horrific events which transpired nearly 2,000 years ago:
We need to remember the murderous plot against the innocent Son (Mt. 26:3-4; Heb. 4:15; 7:26). We need to remember the Lord’s internal struggle as He pondered His impending death (Mt. 26:37-39). We need to remember His betrayal at the hands of one of His own disciples (Mt. 26:47-50). We need to remember the ill-informed attempt to thwart His crucifixion (Mt. 26:51-54). We need to remember the disciples’ cowardice and how they fled for their lives when He needed them the most (Mt. 26:56). We need to remember the howls of the angry mob as they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Mk. 15:13-14). We need to remember the incredible injustice of both the Jewish and Roman courts (Mt. 26:57ff). We need to remember Pilate’s timidity before that blood-thirsty crowd (Mt. 27:24-26; Lk. 23:13-25). We need to remember the brutal flogging (i.e., “little death”) at the hands of the Roman lictors (Jn. 19:1). We need to remember Peter’s lying about his association with Jesus (Mt. 26:69-75). We need to remember the slanderous mockery of the soldiers, priests, and thieves (Mt. 27:27ff; 39-44). We need to remember the Lord’s humiliation as He was stripped of His clothing and numbered with lawless, ungodly men (Isa. 53:12; Mt. 27:28; Heb. 12:2). We need to remember that ruthless blow to His head (Mt. 27:30). We need to remember the heavy burden of the cross that was thrust upon His weary shoulders (Mt. 27:32). We need to remember those cruel nails that pierced His hands and feet and how that He was suspended between holy God and sinful man (Jn. 3:14; 12:34). We need to remember the bitter taste of sour wine mingled with gall (Mt. 27:34). We need to remember His desperate cry to His own Father (Mt. 27:46) and how that heaven itself turned away from His mangled form. We need to remember the frightful earthquate that shook the earth the moment the Savior died (Mt. 27:54). Perhaps most importantly, we need to remember that our own sins made this barbaric occasion necessary (1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53).
“Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.”
KneEmail: “…Do this in remembrance of Me…” 1 Cor. 11:24, 25
Bible reading 09.11.09: 2 Cor. 4; Prov. 10-12
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Posted on June 16, 2009 by Mike Benson

“YOU’LL HAVE A hard time topping him…!”
This was the comment made by a well-intentioned Christian lady to the next speaker on the lectureship. He responded to this sister, “I don’t want to top him. We’re on the same side.” Though I’m sure this sweet Christian lady meant nothing negative, it reminds me of the old saying, “There is no competition among light houses.” We would do well to remember that sentiment on a regular basis.
There seems to be an infatuation with some Christians that they “get credit” for their work. Some preachers have even warned, “If you use my material, be sure to give me credit.” In the secular world there is surely understandable, but in the Lord’s church the obsession with getting credit seems a bit out of place. My goal as a Gospel preacher is not about “getting credit.” My “credit” is not on this earth. My goal is to save souls, and if I produce something that will help others more effectively accomplish this goal, then please use it.
The Pharisees were very concerned with getting credit and with being seen of men. When they gave alms, they wanted credit among men. When they prayed, they wanted credit among men. But the Lord said, “Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward” (Matthew 6:2). May our righteousness exceed that of the Pharisees!
One is also reminded of Herod in Acts 12 who evidently had given a very eloquent verbal presentation. Though the praise of the people was certainly excessive, Herod enjoyed it nonetheless. The text however says that “an angel the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God…” Without a doubt this is where all credit should be directed. Though we may have been blessed with great ability, it must be remembered that it was given to us by God.
In the business world, employees who work for the same company labor together to produce a product that will benefit the business. And ultimately, the credit goes to the company, not the individual. In fact, under the U.S. copyright law’s work-made-for-hire-doctrine, the owner of an intellectual creation is not the employee who originated the idea, but rather the company for whom he works.
In the Lord’s church, well all work for the same “company” if you will. Though the Lord’s church is not a company, it is a team of people all working together to accomplish the same goal — save souls and to give God the glory. Let’s let the credit remain with the Owner of the church. (Don Blackwell)
KneEmail: “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.” Psalm 57:5
Bible reading for 06.16.09: Acts 2:22-47; Nehemiah 4 – 6
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John 3:16

Posted on June 2, 2009 by Mike Benson

john 316b.jpg WITHOUT QUESTION, THE best-known verse in the Bible is John 3:16…
Martin Luther called it the Bible in miniature, and some even go so far as to say that if the Bible were lost except for John 3:16, we would have all the Scripture we need in order to be saved. Here is how the Golden Text reads: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Is John 3:16 all we need? Jesus didn’t think so. John 3:16 is JUST ONE VERSE in a lengthy conversation with Nicodemus. And when we look at the WHOLE picture, we are better able to flesh out what Jesus meant to summarize in this verse.
John 3:16 has often been cited to support the idea that a person can be saved by faith alone. Those who make this claim have not carefully studied the whole chapter.
The following information gives context to what Jesus proclaimed in John 3:16:
Near the beginning of His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). “Water is clearly a reference to baptism. Later in the narrative we read of Jesus and John baptizing in the Jordan River (John 3:22-23; 4:1-2)
In the two verses prior to John 3:16, Jesus alluded to the bronze serpent Moses lifted up in the wilderness as a symbol of the crucifixion. In consulting the original account of that event, it is evident that the case of the bronze serpent was one of obedient faith: those who were bitten by the fiery serpents were not healed by merely believing in the bronze serpent; they had to look upon it to live (Numbers 21:9).
In the verses FOLLOWING John 3:16, Jesus explains what He meant by “believe” in terms of “coming to light.” In verse 21 He says, “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” What is meant by, “does what is true” and “works” in this statement if these words do not apply to the conditions of salvation?
Finally, the last verse of John 3 reads, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” The close observer will notice that John the Baptist, who is speaking here, uses the terms “believes” and “obey” interchangeably. THE FAITH OF JOHN 3 IS LIKE THE FAITH THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT–AN OBEDIENT FAITH.
John 3:16 will remain the favorite text of Christians. But if we are not careful, we will damage a priceless piece of revelation with reckless interpretation. We must be careful in our excavations not to separate the Golden Text from its context. (Drew Kizer)
KneEmail: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:14-18
Bible reading for 06.02.09: John 13:1-20; 2 Chronicles 17, 18
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Alone

Posted on March 23, 2009 by Mike Benson

WHEN SOMEONE BEGINS speaking by saying, “The ONLY thing you have to do to be saved is…” they involve themselves in error or double talk…
There is no “alone” in the salvation process. It takes a combination of things on man’s part as well as God’s part to accomplish this wonderful event.
More and more we hear people say that we are save by grace “alone.” Such cannot be the case. This with me for a minute. If salvation is by grace “alone,” would that not logically imply that all men would be saved? Paul stated in Titus 2:11 that the “grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all men. If all that was necessary for salvation to occur was grace “alone,” then all would be saved, for God’s grace has been offered to all.
If one the other hand, man must act in some fashion to secure and appropriate God’s grace, then man’s response becomes a part of the equation. Does this minimize God’s grace? Do we diminish from its power in suggesting that man must respond to grace in order for it to save us? Does man’s response diminish the power and greatness of God’s grace. Of course not. Certainly the Bible teaches that the salvation of man arises from the kindness, love, and mercy of God, independent of our own goodness (Titus 3:4-5). However, while salvation arises from the gracious qualities of God, it is not accomplished until man acts in response to His grace.
While some proclaim we are saved by grace “alone,” others among us are proclaiming that we are saved by faith “alone.” This too is erroneous. To say that one is saved by faith “alone” means that nothing else is involved (i.e., if “alone” really means “alone”). Would that not imply that God’s grace is not even necessary? It would if “alone” means “alone.” If this faith “alone” doctrine were true, it would eliminate God’s part in the salvation process, while the grace “alone” doctrine would eliminate man’s part in the salvation process.
Salvation requires two parties — God and man. The scheme of redemption had its beginning in the gracious, compassionate, love of God. But it is not completed until man responds to the divine conditions of pardon set forth in Scripture. There is just no “alone” in the scheme of redemption. (Steve Higginbotham)
KneEmail: “For by grace (God’s part) you have been saved through faith (man’s part), and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” (Eph. 2:8-9a).

Touch

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Mike Benson

A MAN VISITED Tiffany’s jewelry store in New York City…
He was shown a magnificent diamond with its gleaming yellow light and many other splendid stones. But he observed one stone that was perfectly lusterless and said, “That has no beauty about it at all.”
The friend who was with him put the stone in the hollow of his hand and held it there for a few minutes. When he opened it, the man said, “What a surprise! There is not a place on it the size of a pinhead that does not gleam with the splendor of the rainbow. What did you do with it?”
His friend answered, “This is an opal. It is what we call the sympathetic jewel. It only needs contact with the human hand to bring out its wonderful beauty.”
How many lives there are that need only the warm touch of human sympathy to make them gleam with opalescent splendor.
Aquilla and Priscilla ran into Apollos, who needed to know the way of the Lord more perfectly. With love and kindness they touched him with the truth, and Apollos became a brilliant apologist for Christianity.
Saul of Tarsus was a much-feared persecutor of the church, but a friend named Barnabas (son of encouragement), stood at his side and defended him to the other Christians. As you know, Saul the persecutor became the apostle Paul, touched by a messenger Ananias and an encourager Barnabas.
A confused Eunuch rode along, not understanding what he was reading. What a blessing that the Spirit urged Philip to join the Eunuch’s chariot and to preach the gospel of Jesus to him. The confused man found answers and went on his way rejoicing.
The hopeless jailer, fearing the worst from the earthquake, thought to take his own life. But two beaten and imprisoned men, who knew the grace of God, cried out, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!” They kept him from taking his life by giving him the Lord Jesus Christ. That very hour, the man who had no hope, found great joy in Jesus.
Do you know a downcast and discolored soul you may touch? The warmth of your love coupled with the truth of the gospel can turn a dull soul into one of the lights of the world, like a city set on a hill. (Phil Sanders at http://www.forthright.net/from_friend_to_friend/the_sympathetic_jewel.html)
KneEmail: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

Tell

Posted on January 8, 2009 by Mike Benson

I HEARD ABOUT a baby camel that asked, “Mom, why do I have these huge three-toed feet…?”
The mother replied, “To help you stay on top of the soft sand while trekking across the desert.”
“And why the long eyelashes?”
“To keep sand out of your eyes on our trips through the desert.”
“Why the humps?”
“To store water for our long treks across the barren desert.”
The baby camel considered that and then said, “That’s great, Mom. We have huge feet to stop us from sinking, long eyelashes to keep sand out of our eyes, and humps to store water, But Mom…”
“Yes, son?”
“Why are we in the zoo?”
THOUGHTS: That’s a question for all of us to consider. If we’ve been given all the resources we need to carry our Lord’s message far and wide, and if we’re completely equipped to fulfill the Great Commission, why do we keep it within the four walls of our church buildings? The Gospel isn’t something we come to church to hear; it’s something we go from church to tell. (David Jeremiah)
KneEmail: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matt.28:19-20a).

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