Good and Evil, Pt. 2

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Good and Evil, Pt. 2

Part 2, The Desire

April 12, 2024 • Central Baptist Church

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Good and Evil

Part 2, The Desire

“Why?”

It seems that human beings start asking this one-word question almost before we can say “da da” (oh, I’m sorry… “ma ma”). “Why?”, is a good question because we learn when we ask it. But “Why?”, can also be a dangerous question when it is directed, in a questioning manner, to someone in authority, for example, GOD!

After the creation, God made just one rule, just one law for his first man and woman. We can’t even imagine a world with just one law. Our planet is so inundated with laws, regulations, codes, and statutes that it’s often easier to say what we can’t do rather than what we can! But truly, the first couple had just one rule. God said, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die (Genesis 2:16, 17). Think of it! Every other element of the creation was Adam and Eve’s to enjoy. Just one tree—ONE TREE—was off-limits. Do you think they wondered, “Why?” I’m sure they did!

And so, what happened? Eve’s desire got the better of her. With the fallen angel Lucifer cheerleading, and twisting, and deceiving, Eve’s desire to know “Why?”, overpowered her senses and her respect for God and God’s Law, and she violated that one rule! She ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God tells us exactly what Eve was thinking and feeling.

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

As Paul Harvey used to say, “Now we know the rest of the story!” Adam and Eve’s desire caused them to question, and then disobey God’s Law, and it got them and us into an awful fix.

But God also has a desire. Jesus Christ, the God-Man, desired to fulfill The Trinity’s plan for the redemption, (i.e., the buy-back, the rescue) of mankind, so that He might bring many sons unto glory by his own suffering (Hebrews 2:10). In Hebrews 10 we read the prophetic declaration of the Son of God: Lo I come… to do thy will, O God (Hebrews 10:7, 9). On the evening[1] of the Passover, Jesus declared to His disciples, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:15, 16). We call Christ’s sacrifice His “passion”, and the week leading up to the crucifixion “passion week”. Jesus’ loving passion—His desire—was to pay mankind’s sin debt and make it possible for all men and women to be purchased back, to be redeemed. As Jesus explained to Nicodemus,

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:14-17).

Adam and Eve’s desire brought disaster. But Jesus’ desire brought deliverance! Praise God, we have been made redeemable through the blood payment of the Substitutionary Sacrifice, the Perfect Lamb of God.

So, what is your desire? Do you desire to be made free from the curse of sin? God is, …not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). You CAN apply the cleansing blood of Christ’s sacrifice. You CAN become a forgiven child of the King, by repenting (i.e., changing your mind about how to be accepted by God), and in faith (belief), crying out for His loving, forgiving grace! It’s NOT of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

For whosover shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

God bless and consider!

[1] The Jew’s day started at sundown, with evening, and then morning. See the Creation account in Genesis 1 and also Psalm 55:17.

The 4 P's, Pt. 4

June 28, 2024 • Central Baptist Church

June 28, 2024 The 4 P’s (A Purpose, a Plan, a Provider, and Paradise) Pt. 4, A Paradise This month we’ve been exploring God’s “Plan for Man” using 4 P’s: His purpose, then His plan, which showcased His provision, and finally in this installment, His all-in-all end goal, paradise! Almost every historical religion (except now for Atheism/Humanism/Secularism) has taught a concept of a conscious paradise, a final abode for the eternal human spirit and soul. The Norsemen had their Valhalla, Buddhists have their Nirvana, Hindus have the Moksha (the liberation from the endless chain of deaths and rebirths) and Christians, Jews, and Muslims have their own versions of “Heaven” or “Paradise”. Biblical Christianity presents man as an eternal physical being with only two possible end states: Heaven (a.k.a. Paradise) and Hell/The Lake of Fire, with no intermediary, second-chance, abodes (such as the Catholic doctrines of Purgatory and Limbo). In Luke 18 Jesus gave humanity the only glimpse into the afterlife. An unbelieving (lost) rich man died, and immediately opened his eyes in a place of torment and anguished regret. A believing (saved) beggar died and was escorted by holy angels into a place Jesus called Paradise, where (in contrast) he was comforted. Their final eternal destinations were not mitigated by any second chances, by any post-life efforts of loved ones or supposed church authorities. In the state they died, they will spend their eternity. And if you want the Big Picture presented in a “nutshell” version, it is this: God’s Purpose was revealed in a Divine Plan, which involved the Provision of a Savior, to the end that fallen humanity might be redeemed back to a relationship and fellowship with the Trinity God, in a place called “Heaven” or “Paradise”. And so, the Bible speaks much about how to gain Heaven and avoid Hell, for the Lord is, …not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). God’s purpose, plan, and Provision (Jesus the Substitutionary Sacrifice for man’s sin), will climax, …in bringing many sons (and daughters of course) unto glory… (Hebrews 2:10). In Jesus’ Revelation to humanity, He describes redeemed mankind’s final glorious abode: a recreated planet Earth. These new creations were prophesied by the Jewish prophet Isaiah, some 700 years before Jesus came. The prophet wrote, For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind (Isaiah 65:17). Peter referred back to this prophecy, …we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness in (2 Peter 3:13). And John was given a glimpse into the future of the God’s redeemed. He wrote, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away… (Revelation 21:1). Yes, friends, God’s entire purpose, plan, and provision is to redeem mankind and provide a Paradise for you and me. But He doesn’t force anyone into His plan. IF Heaven is to be our eternal home, it doesn’t happen by chance, or by pre-determination, or by being “good”, or by religious works. It happens on purpose when we REPENT, 1) we must ADMIT that we are LOST sinners, estranged from God, and in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23), and 2) we must BELIEVE (have absolute faith in the fact that…) the Savior was and is Jesus Christ, Emmanuel (God with us), the Incarnated Eternal Son, and that He came and took our place on that Cross so that we might have eternal life with Him (John 3:16), and finally 3) we appropriate God’s salvation ONLY by grace, not of works, but by CALLING OUT or CONFESSION. Just as the publican in the parable and just as the dying thief on a cross, we must cry out, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” When from convicted hearts we cry out to God in contrition and faith, we become born-again, citizens of God’s Kingdom, which will one day be manifested in an eternal New Heaven and New Earth. So, is God’s abode your guaranteed destination? It takes more than, “Well, I hope so”. It takes a change of mind and heart from self-reliance to Christ-reliance (this admission of sin and need is called repentance). It takes absolute faith (belief) in Christ’s death/burial/and resurrection alone (and not any religious works). And then we appropriate God’s forgiveness and the new birth by calling out to him! For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). God bless and consider!

The 4 P's, Pt. 3

June 21, 2024 • Central Baptist Church

The 4 P’s (A Purpose, a Plan, a Provider, and Paradise) Pt. 3, A Provider Ingratitude. Is there anything more offensive than an unthankful spirit? Parents work hard and sacrifice for their children’s needs, and often, even for their wants. Employees sometimes go the extra-mile for an employer, personally sacrificing for the company’s benefit. Members of our Armed Forces sacrifice their bodies, and even their lives, to provide national security and freedom. And many times, the response from those who benefit is a “ho hum”, big-deal attitude-of-ingratitude. We can so easily take our life-provisions for granted and forget the sacrifices that others have made so that we can enjoy great blessings. And this is especially so in our country of great plenty! Ingratitude is a very offensive attitude. Of course, our Creator is THE Great Provider. All things necessary for life emanate from Him. James puts it like this, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17). And our Creator cares not only for His human creation but for all of His creatures. Psalm 147:9 reads, He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. In Psalm 104:21 we read, The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. And in Matthew 6:26 Jesus explains, Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. But God’s provisions for us move far beyond the physical. Most important of all, God has also provided for us spiritually! And, tragically, this is where the vast majority of humanity shows the least amount of gratitude! If we know anything about the Bible, it is this: God gave Himself to rescue us spiritually! Our sin separates us from God; we are estranged enemies. Isaiah 59:2 reads, But your iniquities have separatedbetween you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Consequently, driven by His great love for humanity, the Second Person of our Trinity God voluntarily incarnated Himself, lived a perfect life, and then died a substitutionary death. He shed his Precious Blood for us (1 Peter 1:19)! But not only did He die for us physically, but he also suffered spiritually by becoming sin for us. The Scriptures declare that the sins of the whole world were placed upon Jesus during those three dark hours, when the Father turned His face from His own Son, and Jesus the Son suffered the infinite judgment of The Father. What Jesus endured for us spiritually is beyond our comprehension and ability to endure, but it was FAR more than just the physical torture of the crucifixion. So… if a person valiantly gave his own life to save your life, or your spouse’s life, or your child’s life… would you be grateful? Of course, you would! You would be very grateful! Your heart would overflow with gratitude. So, what would you think of a person who did NOT show gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice? I think I can answer for you. You would be aghast at that person’s ingratitude, pride, and arrogance. Well, let’s transfer this over to God the Father. When a human being says to God, “Hey God, I do appreciate what you’ve done for me, but I really don’t want your strings in my life. I want to live the way I want, I want to believe the things I want to believe, and after all, I’m a pretty good guy/gal. I mean, I haven’t robbed banks, I’ve not murdered, and I haven’t abused children. So, I know you’ll take that into account. Boy, I’m a lot better guy than my neighbor! That guy… he’s a heathen! So, all this repentance stuff, and humbling myself before you, and crying out for your salvation… well, I don’t think I need all that. After all, I know how to spell ‘J E S U S’. I know who He is. And I live in a Christian nation. I’m a Christian.” That person is expressing the greatest ingratitude, the greatest arrogance, and the greatest pride imaginable. And to that attitude God replies, He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people (Heb. 10:28-30). Friends, God has provided us the greatest gift; He offers us absolute forgiveness… FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR OWN FREE-WILL REBELLION! He gave His own precious Son to make it possible. What deadly ingratitude we show when we rebuff the wooing of the Holy Spirit and say to God, “No thanks. I’ve got this.” If that is our choice then we need to back up and read Hebrews 10:26, 27, For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Don’t be a spiritual ingrate. The cost is unrecoverable! God bless and consider!

The 4 P's, Pt. 2

June 14, 2024 • Central Baptist Church

June 14, 2024 The 4 P’s (A Purpose, a Plan, a Provider, and Paradise) Pt. 2, A Plan Our Creator, Jehovah God—the ONLY Deity—is the ultimate planner and provider. In our last installment, we spoke of God’s purpose in the Creation, especially in the creation of human beings, the only spiritual beings made in God’s tripartite image and likeness. In short, God is busy …bringing many sons unto glory(Hebrews 2:10) to the end that He might fellowship with us and receive our worship. He is worthy! And so, to accomplish His purpose, God had a plan… a wonderful plan! We read about the literal creation part of His plan in Genesis. God created space, the material universe, and life (including the first man and woman), in six, literal, 24-hour days. We say God created by “fiat”, i.e., a formal authorization or decree. Our Trinity God literally “spoke” the universe (and all it contains) into existence. We read the phrase, Let there be… several times in the Genesis account, and the Psalmist proclaims, For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast (Psalm 33:9). And then on the seventh day, He rested as an example for mankind. But there is an important part of God’s plan (a critical part in fact) that we often don’t think about or consider. I am speaking of God’s plan to redeem (buy back) a human race that was not yet existing or estranged! Our omniscient Creator pre-knew of Adam and Eve’s rebellion and fall in the Garden. And since God’s System requires that the penalty for rebellion and sin is death, then God’s justness necessitated a pre-planned solution for the sin-dilemma! We know this SOLUTION to be the marvelous Incarnation and the sacrificial death of the Eternal God-Man, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus’ sin-atoning sacrifice had to be in effect before SIN, or else the Just Nature of God would have required Him to judge humanity on the spot. And so, in the Counsel of the Pre-Creation Trinity, the Son of God became the, …Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). And Peter writes concerning Jesus the Messiah, Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you… (1 Peter 1:20). What a Purpose! And then, what a Plan! Our Creator has an overall plan for the race, and then an individual plan for every human being. Therefore, what a tragedy it is to refuse God’s Redemption Plan! But that is what men and women effectively demand, when in pride they REFUSE God’s redemption, when they, as Paul foretold in Hebrews 10:29, account the blood of Jesus an unholy thing, and do despite, i.e., they INSULT, the wooing Holy Spirit. Jesus was clear and frank. His precious blood can cleanse every sin… except for one! There is one sin that Christ’s blood will not assuage: the sin of unbelief. When men and women continually rebuff the wooing, convicting, pleading Holy Spirit, and then die in that state of prideful rebellion, there is no more remedy for sin, but only, …a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries (Hebrews 10:27). Solomon concurred in Proverbs 29:1, He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. What a horrific tragedy it will be to miss out on God’s glorious Plan. Jesus, His born-again children (his Bride), and the Holy Spirit all cry out, “Come!” Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. God bless and consider!