Jesus is More Than Qualified...

Have you ever asked yourself this question:  "Why should I listen to Christ?"  What qualifications does Christ have that requires me to listen (not to mention obeying) to a word spoken about Him?  I think this is a valid question.  In the Church we don't like to ask these types of questions, let alone answer them.  Well, I am tired of not asking the hard questions.  I am tired of not asking MYSELF the hard questions about why I believe what I believe.  I think asking ourselves the difficult questions and digging and digging until we find the answer is a Biblical command.  Listen to the words of the Apostle Peter:   

"...but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and ALWAYS be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."

In Hebrews 1, the writer of Hebrews (whomever he may be) begins the process of answering the question stated above.  The writer begins, in verse 1, by telling us how God spoke in the past.  He spoke "to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways."  Then, beginning in verse 2 through the remainder of chapter 1, the writer tells us how God has spoken "in these last days."  The writer states, "He has spoken to us by His Son."  This is extremely important.  God no longer used things like donkeys, bushes, prophets, and plagues to speak to His people.  He is now speaking to us through His very own Son, Jesus Christ.

Again, I ask the question.  "So what?  Why should I listen?"  In verses 2-4, the writer of the book of Hebrews gives us Christ's qualifications that prove His validity.  The writer gives us Christ's "resume" that proves that He is more than qualified for the job.  Let's take a look.  Here is a list of Christ's qualifications:

1. Appointed by God has the heir of all things-v. 2
2. Avenue through whom God made the universe-v. 2
3. Radiance of God's glory-v. 3
4. Exact expression of God's nature-v. 3
5. Sustains all things by His powerful word-v. 3
6. Made purification for sins-v. 3
7. Sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high-v. 3
8. Higher in rank than the angels-v. 4
9. Inherited a name that is superior to the angels-v. 4

Now, I don't know what you're thinking, but to me this is a pretty impressive resume.  Let's face it, however.  It does not matter whether you, me, or anyone else (believer or unbeliever) thinks, this is impressive because God says it is.  I want you to understand something.  This is only the "launching point" to answering this question.  There are several other places in the Bible that will aid one in finding further proof that Jesus is more than qualified.  Let me leave you with these words from the writer of Hebrews:

"We must therefore pay even more attention to what we have HEARD, so that we will not drift away (Hebrews 2:1)."

What does this mean?  We must pay extremely close attention to what Christ is saying.  Christ is speaking to us and we must listen.  Why must we listen?  We must listen so that we don't drift away.  We must listen so that we don't find ourselves in a broken relationship with God.  We must listen so that we don't begin to "crack" the foundation that we have in Christ Jesus.  This is further proof that Jesus is more than qualified.  

Things We Must Put Away...

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander...

1  Peter 2:1 (ESV)

We began a series of blogs this past week based on a passage from 1 Peter 2.  Specifically verses 1-3.  To read the previous post, click here.    Today, I want us to take a detailed look at some attitudes and actions that we must "put away" in order for us to grow in our relationships with Christ.  To begin, let's look at the phrase "put away."

To "put away" something is a forceful word that means "to cast off" or "to cast aside."  Often times we take the Christian life and reduce it down to that "its all God job and I get to be lazy and/or do what I want."  Here is the problem with this philosophy and mindset:  God has certain things that He requires of His children.  One of things that God expects from His children is that we continually grow in Christlikeness.  In order for us to grow in Christlikeness and to mature in our relationship with God there are some attitudes and actions that must be cast off, cast aside, and "put away."  Let's take a look at 5 things in 1 Peter 2:1 that Peter tells us to "put away."

#1:  Malice

Malice is a word that is used eleven times in the New Testament to indicate the wickedness that comes from within a person.  More specifically, malice is a desire to inflict pain or injury on another person.  Personally, I don't think many believers take malice to this degree.  However, malice can also include holding deep grudges and acting upon those grudges.  I think many believers take malice to this level.  Malice must be "put away."

#2:  Deceit

Deceit is being deliberately dishonest.  Deceit is speaking or acting with ulterior motives.  Anything less than speaking the full and honest truth from the heart is deceit.  I don't know what you are thinking at this point, but this is something I struggle with.  God help us to "put away" deceit.

#3:  Hypocrisy

This is a buzz word in the Christian circle.  We all know what hypocrisy is, don't we?  Hypocrisy is acting out one part while at the same time concealing your truth heart and motives.  Let's face it, we are all hypocrites.  Often times you hear about unbelievers accusing believers of being hypocrites.  They are correct.  Here is where the rub comes in:  Christians try and act like they are not hypocrites and play one part outwardly while being something completely different inwardly.  Let's be real.  Admitting the problem is the first step in curing it.  Stop trying to be what you really are not.  Put hypocrisy away.

#4:  Envy

Envy is a desire to possess what belongs to someone else.  This often times lead to resentful discontent.  For example, a certain person has something that you desperately want.  Because that person has something that you desperately want, you begin to become resentful towards that person.  This becomes extremely toxic both to the individual and the Church.  Let's praise the Lord for what He has provided and "put away" envious thoughts and actions.

#5:  Slander

Slander is speaking out against someone.  On the surface, speaking out against someone is not a bad thing.  Where speaking out against someone becomes slander is when one speaks out against someone and attacks their reputation or character falsely.  Slander is when you or I assault someones character unjustly and untruthfully.  This must be "put away."

To close, I want to leave you with one main thought to meditate upon.  In this passage Peter is essentially saying this:  If you want to grow in your relationship with Christ you must "PUT AWAY" these five things.  If you feel like you are not growing in your relationship with God, are you holding onto things like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy or slander?  The reverses side of the statement is true as well.  If you want to STOP GROWING in your relationship with Christ, allow these five things to run wild in your life.   My advice to you (and to myself) is to "put away" anything and everything that is keeping you from having a deep intimate relationship with God. 

Next time we will look at "How to Put Things Away."  Blessings for now!

What Do You Crave?...

I am captivated by Scripture.  Now, don't get me wrong, this is not always the case in my life.  However, in my life right now God has used the work of the Holy Spirit inside of Derek to crave a "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6).  God has giving me a craving for "the pure spiritual milk" (1 Peter 2:2).  God is using the "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12) "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17) to mold me and shape into His wonderful "workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10).

I would love to sit here and say that this has always been the case with me and God's Word.  I would love to say that I have always had a passionate desire for the Word of God to "dwell in me richly" (Colossians 3:16).  After all, "all scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16).  After all, the word of God "is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Currently at Ada First Free Will Baptist Church I am preaching through a series entitled Stand Firm:  An Indepth Look at First Peter.  We are eight sermons into preaching/teaching through this book by the Apostle Peter.  This past Sunday was sermon eight in the series.  Our text was 1 Peter 2:1-3.  Let the simplicity, yet convicting truths of this passage ring in your heart and mind this morning:

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.  Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation--if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Over the next several days, we will be taking a closer look at exactly what this passage is instructing believers to do.  Tomorrow we will begin by looking at:  "Things We Must Put Away".  Blessings!

P.S.  If you would like to listen to the sermon I preached from this passage, click here.