Grace and Peace

Priority One for the believer is given by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40:

Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

It is pretty clear that the most important thing we can do is love God and out of that must flow a love for the people that He loves.

You might remember that this answer was given when a teacher of the Law of God asked Jesus what He thought was the greatest commandment.  Funny thing about those Pharisees, they had found 613 commandments in the Scriptures.  248 were “positive” (do this, do that) and 365 were “negative” (don’t do this, don’t do that).  613 things to do and not to do; my, that is a little cumbersome.  Imagine trying to remember and keep 613 different laws in order to please God.

Yet God's way is much simpler than the convoluted thinking of mankind.  Love God.  Love people that are made in the image of God.  That pretty much covers everything.

I am getting ready to leave for the next session of the conference on the Gospel of Mark. That conference concludes at noon and I will soon thereafter travel back to my home sweet, home. I hope to give you some insights into the presentations and discussion from our panel of theologians soon. As a tease just let me say, Maurice Robinson last night presented a brilliant textural, historical, linquistic, and external evidence defense of the inclusion of the longer version of Mark 16.  Many modern Bible translations and scholars cast doubt on the viability of verses 9-20.  Dr. Robinson refuted such thinking with brillant and inspired scholarship.  He is a great defender of the faith.

As a postscript to yesterday's post, I did indeed spend time on the campus of SEBTS with Allison Oliver and her husband to be Ryan Thomas.  It was such a joy to see a young couple excited about their future and excited about the Lord.  The more I am with Christian young adults; the more hope I have for the future of the church.

The conference on the Gospel of Mark is off to a good start.  One of the reasons I wanted to participate was to interact with Maurice Robinson.  Dr. Robinson is the Senior Professor of New Testament at SEBTS...a brilliant and godly man.  I will report more about the specifics of the conference in a later post.

Allison Oliver and her soon to be husband, Ryan Thomas, are coming up to the campus today to meet Becky and I.  It will be my pleasure to show them around my alma mater today and introduce them to a few professors.  Allison and Ryan are planning to marry in July and move to Wake Forest in August so that she can attend SEBTS.  Pray for this fine young couple.

Becky and I had a chance to see Amazing Grace yesterday.  This fine movie details the abolitionist struggle in England and the life of its point man in the House of Commons, William Wilberforce.  By far, this is one of the finest movies I have ever viewed.  By all means take an opportunity to see it.  Then read some of the writings of Wilberforce.  They will stir your soul.

I am getting ready to leave for a conference exploring the Gospel of Mark, so I don't have time for a lengthy post.  Still I wanted to share this outline of thoughts accompanied by the Scripture which engendered them.  I believe most followers of Jesus want to find and do God's will for their life.  All would agree that obeying God is always the best plan of action.  But sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we know God’s plan but need to find the strength to do His will?  This snapshot from the life of Jesus points the way for us.

1.    MAKE PRAYER A PRIORITY

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane , and He said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." Matthew 26:36 ESV

2.    SEEK THE SUPPORT OF GODLY FRIENDS

And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, Matthew 26:37a ESV

3.    FACE YOUR EMOTIONS

He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with Me." Matthew 26:37b-38 ESV

4.    MAKE YOUR DECISION BASED ON GOD’S WILL NOT ON YOUR EMOTIONS

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39 ESV

5.    RELY ON GOD’S POWER NOT YOUR OWN

And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. Luke 22:43 ESV

6.    REFUSE TO BE DISTRACTED BY THE FAILINGS OF THOSE AROUND YOU

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on.  See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Matthew 26:40-45 ESV

7.    ACT ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL

Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." Matthew 26:46 ESV

I read the following news in yesterday's Religion Today Summary from Christianity Today:

New Study of U.S. Catholics Cites Young Adults as Problem for Church

The U.S. Catholic Church's relationship with younger adults is problematic, says a newly published study by four leading sociologists of religion, Catholic News Service reports. In one recent survey "just over half of American Catholics said that young adults' lack of participation in the church is a serious problem," the 205-page book says. That concern was reflected not just by older Catholics, but even by nearly half of the younger adult Catholics surveyed, it says.

I suspect young adults are not just MIA in Catholic Churches, but it most Protestant Churches as well. I can even understand why some young people turn away from the church when it is more focused on politics and positions than it is on Jesus.  But what I find really disturbing about the piece is that "just over half of American Catholics said that young adults' lack of participation in the church is a serious problem."  That says to me that about 50% do not see this discontinuity between the generations and the church as being important.  Or even worse, that older church attenders are so preoccupied with their own concerns that they don't care about the next generation.

I am glad to be part of a church family that brims with young adults, teens, children, and babies.  May their tribe increase.  I made an appearance in our new members class Sunday to share a little about the history of our church and help our newbies see that the people before them had laid down a solid foundation of faith and ministry which they have now inherited and in turn must pass on to succeeding generations.  All ten in attendance were in their twenties.  That comforted me.  Enon Chapel is concerned with being a multigenerational family of faith and is making strides in accomplishing that feat by reaching young adults.  I praise God for that.

Happy Easter, friends!  It was wonderful to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with His followers today.  If you were part of the congregation today, I want to express my gratitude for to you for your fellowship in Christ.  If you were elsewhere today, I still appreciate the bond we share in Jesus that transcends time and distance.  As I thought about the family of God at Enon Chapel and the many friends I have known across the years, I realized that today I preached the message of the resurrected Christ for the 21st time from the Enon Chapel pulpit.  It has been a privilege to serve as your pastor.  I am grateful to God and to you for this great blessing in my life.

On another note, I received this message today by email from my friend Chaplain Bruce Crouterfield.  He is currently in Iraq serving with our fine young marines and sailors.  Even in that place of warfare and strife, the gospel is reaping a harvest of souls.  Read Bruce's email and pray for our men and women deployed around the world.

Wow...what a week!  We've been traveling the region and doing Easter Services with the Marines and Sailors.  Those who were able came out and worshipped with us.  We shared communion and focused on the significance of Easter...that Christ came to us, that He died for our sins, and that He rose from the dead.  The gospel message was shared at each service.

I talked to young men from all over the country...from Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Alabama, Virginia, and more.

At one service, a squad of Marines was preparing to go out on a foot-patrol and they were gathering together for their pre-patrol brief in the same place we were going to have the service.  But the wind kicked up and started a sand-storm, so the patrol was postponed until the wind died down.  The Marines took off their helmets, flack-jackets, and set down their weapons and gear.  I wasn't sure what was going to happen next, but they all found a place to set down and worshipped with us.  I told them that God must have wanted them to go to church today instead of on patrol.

RP2 Kunjufu and I returned here, our home-base, yesterday so we were here for Easter Sunday.  We weren't sure when we left that we would be back in time to celebrate Easter here because of uncertain travel issues, so we didn't schedule a service for this morning.  But when we woke up, we noticed people gathering at the chapel.  There were people from several different faith groups and quite a few men from Uganda wondering if there was going to be an Easter Service.  So RP2 K jumped up and set the communion table and I preached and shared the gospel.  So we had Easter and then went to lunch. 

I've attached a picture with four men setting at a table.  The gentleman on the far left, with sunglasses is an Iraqi interpreter named Saif and he's a Muslim.  We spent three days with Saif and he had a lot of questions about Christianity.  One night, while enjoying the evening outside our command post, I had an opportunity to share the gospel with Saif.  I don't know if he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, but he wanted a Bible and we found him one.  We also gave him a copy of Dr. D. James Kennedy's book, "Why I Believe."  I found Saif reading the book a number of times.  Hopefully the Lord is drawing Saif to Him.  I'm looking forward to seeing him again soon.  Pray that God moves in his life and that he might become a light in a dark world.

We thank you for your prayers!

In His Service!

Chaplain Crouterfield

 

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46 English Standard Version)

This saying is prophetically foreshadowed in Psalm 31:5.  As Jesus died, He acknowledged the Father even as He had in life.  At the very moment of His death, Matthew tells of an interesting event that occurred at the Temple.

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, (Matthew 27:50-52 English Standard Version)

Because Jesus died and rose again, we are no longer separated from God.  We have direct access into the presence of the Father.  We do not need a Priest, Rabbi, or Spiritual Leader.  We can boldly go into His presence by the blood of the Lamb.  Hallelujah!

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  (John 19:30 English Standard Version)

"It is finished" could also be interpreted as "Paid in full."  It was a common term used in the business and legal practices of the time.  "Paid in full" means that once a thing is paid for, you never have to pay for it again.  In fact, "paid in full" means that once a thing is paid for, it is foolish to try to pay for it again.

Let me illustrate, some time ago, Becky and I along with Darby and Theresa Worrell were dining at Cracker Barrel.  When we went into the restaurant we saw Randy and Lisa Brewer and stopped to speak to them.  Then we went to our table, ordered, and enjoyed our meal.  Afterwards, when we were ready to go, we still had not received our check for the meal.  I asked the waitress and she said, "Your friend has taken care of everything."  Indeed they had.  We didn't need cash or a credit card.   They weren't necessary because our friends Randy and Lisa had personally paid the price in full.

Christ's death on the cross paid our debt of sin.  He provided . . .

• Full satisfaction for God's just demand
• A fountain of grace that will flow forever