Serving Jesus Christ

Welcome to Saturday, August 14th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Be Patient For 5 Minutes!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

  "Be Patient For Five Minutes!"

"I have been patient for five minutes!" my granddaughter informed me. While sitting on my lap waiting for her mother to cut her brother's birthday cake, she complained that her mother was so slow. I told her to "Be patient for five minutes!" A few minutes later, she continued with, "You know, it's been much longer than five minutes!"

I laughed. Charlotte didn't think it was funny. She thought I was making fun of her. Actually, I was laughing because it sounds just like us at times. Most of us have very little patience. Why is that? For one thing, we live in the microwave age. Food can be cooked or warmed up in minutes.

Think of what it took to make popcorn years ago. Making popcorn was a big production when I was little. You put the corn popper on the stove, heated it, put in some oil and popcorn, put on the lid, and then turned the crank until all the kernels popped. The whole process took at least ten minutes.

Now, what do we do? We take the popcorn bag out of the plastic wrapper and place it in the microwave. Our biggest decision is whether to put the bag seam up or seam down.

In just a couple of minutes, we're eating popcorn!

How does this affect our spiritual lives?

We fall into the trap of thinking that God does not hear our prayers or understand the matter's urgency. We also equate today's prayer to an answer tomorrow.

Listen to the words of:

Isaiah 40:31 NAS95

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

As Isaiah wrote these words, the Israelites were facing many decades of sadness and struggle. Judah would gradually fall into great sin over the next decades resulting in the Babylonian Captivity for 70 years.

The Israelites needed to be encouraged. Those who honored the Lord were to live in hope. However, at the moment, they not only wondered but accused God of forgetting them. This verse encouraged them to wait patiently.

The believer who truly places his hope in the Lord will renew his strength, exchange his weaknesses for the Lord's strength.

Sadly, we sometimes lose our patience with God.

That sounds terrible when I say that!

Our lack of patience sometimes shows when we are at the end of our rope and barely hanging on. We wonder why our prayers seemingly go unanswered. We wonder why we don't see His hand at work in our lives.

In Psalm 27, David prays as his enemies surround him. After expressing concern over his situation in:

Psalms 27:9 NAS95

Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!

David concludes in the last verse of the chapter:

Psalms 27:14 NAS95

Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

Just like I encouraged my granddaughter, God tells us to be patient. Though we sometimes cannot see how God is working out the needs of our lives, He is doing precisely that.

As a child of God, He is Your Heavenly Father and always operates as such.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Help us to trust that You are always working all things out for our good.

May we never doubt Your presence in our lives.

Strengthen our walk with You this day.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Friday, August 13th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Road Trip

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

  Road Trip

My wife and I just returned from a short road trip to visit our oldest daughter and family in Wisconsin. Ten months had passed since we found the opportunity to visit with them. I like road trips. There is something about the planning process, the packing, and the miles spent on the road.

A quirk of mine is that I like to take the most indirect route to wherever I am traveling. For example, earlier this summer, we visited with two other daughters and their families in the State of Utah, and for the 4200-mile trip, we only drove about 400 miles on four-lane interstate roads. All additional miles traveled were on secondary and out-of-the-way roads.

Even though it was out of our way, we saw the real America in these areas, such as small towns, museums, parks, and regional farm life. We talked with the folks that make up the backbone of our country. Of course, some of the roads were terrible, while others were just fine. But the fact is, we had a great time traveling in this fashion. We did so in the same manner on this most recent 700-mile trip.

Years ago, we would take out the road atlas and plan out our trip. Today, we plan it using Google Maps. Once you have it planned, you can even print out the whole trip.

How about our lives? Could we describe our lives as a road trip? I think so!

As believers, our road map is God's Word.

Psalms 119:105 NAS95

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

This verse describes life as a path. The light of God's Word shines just far enough ahead to keep us on the trail. Therefore, we need to constantly read and consult the Word of God as we live out our lives.

Sometimes, the journey or road trip includes a few bumps and a flat tire or two. These experiences cause us to be even more adamant about completing the journey.

God also allows bumps and flat tires in our lives. Those times cause us to increase our reliance on Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NAS95

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  [6]  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

We do find ourselves on secondary roads at times. Sometimes, it is a road we never thought we would travel but know God has led us. At other times, these secondary roads can be ones traveled due to our wandering from the will of God.

When we find ourselves getting lost, we usually stop and evaluate where we are. If the same thing occurs in our spiritual lives, we should do the same thing. Then, we can get back on the path by confessing our sins.

1 John 1:9 NAS95

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

How are you doing on your road trip? Are you following the map laid out in God's Word, or are you deviating a little?

Don't forget that when you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you accepted His version of the road trip for your life.

Taking a moment to evaluate our lives is always valuable.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We ask that You bring conviction to our hearts when we deviate from the path You have laid out for our lives.

Strengthen our faith in the plans that You have laid out for our lives.

Guide our paths this day.

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Welcome to Thursday, August 12th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

A Little Gratitude

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

  A Little Gratitude Have you ever given someone something or provided a service for them and not received a thank you?

It's not like we did it to only receive an accolade from them, but it is nice to have our effort acknowledged.

Do you remember your mother or father coaxing you to say thank you when someone gave you a gift or complimented you? In fact, it was more than just a suggestion; it was a command!

Why is that?

They understood how important it is to instill the practice of gratitude into our lives. My mother used to say that a person should look for ways to express gratitude.

The Bible records an instance in which only one out of 10 individuals whom Jesus healed from leprosy showed any gratitude.

Luke 17:11-19 NAS95

While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.  [12]  As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him;  [13]  and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"  [14]  When He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed.  [15]  Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,  [16]  and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.  [17]  Then Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?  [18]  "Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?"  [19]  And He said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has made you well."

The disease of leprosy was often a death sentence to those who caught the disease. Today, antibiotics cure this awful disease.

Leprosy required segregation away from the general population. Transmission occurred if one was in prolonged, close contact with someone with leprosy. It didn't matter who you were: doctor, community leader, or a mother; you needed to live apart from your family and the entire community.

All ten lepers sought the help of Jesus. Perhaps, they heard stories of how this Jesus healed people of various diseases. They asked for mercy, and Jesus granted it.

The central thought of the passage is:

Though ten lepers were cleansed – only one returned to give glory to God!

They were expected to be thankful and to demonstrate their gratitude. But the former lepers were negligent and ungrateful, and Jesus notices their ingratitude!

Often, we miss the point of verses 15-16.

Luke 17:15-16 NAS95

Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,  [16]  and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

Who was the one who returned to give thanks? He was a Samaritan and, as such, viewed with contempt by the Jews. The Samaritans did not worship the One and only True God. Nevertheless, this leper understood that the mercy of one True God had touched him. As a result, he gave thanks.

We need to pay more attention to how and when we show gratitude. For example, our prayers certainly ought to include thanksgiving and expressions of appreciation.

How about those we interact with daily? Do we often take them for granted? Make a note to do better in the gratitude department this week!

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Help us to look for ways to show gratitude to those who care for and support us.

May we not forget to give thanks for our salvation and all you provide us every day.

Guide our hearts as we seek to live for You this day.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Wednesday, August 11th!

This episode of The 7-Minute Cross Talk Bible Study is titled:

Solomon's Ascension

For this Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week’s Old Testament Lesson - 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14.

If you desire further information, it may be requested from [email protected].

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

This podcast is a ministry outreach of Our Savior's Lutheran in Argyle, Minnesota - United States.

* * * * *

Solomon’s Ascension

Would you please pause the audio and download and print the 7-Minute Work Sheet before continuing?

The link is located right below this audio player.

For this Wednesday Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week's Old Testament Lesson: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14.

Hopefully, these studies encourage you to engage in a deeper study of the current passage. But, more importantly, I hope these studies deepen your love for the Word of God.

Let's begin:

Over these past several weeks, the Old Testament lesson pertained to King David. Recently, we discussed how David committed adultery with Bathsheba and brought the consequences of death and misery to his family.

While the first son he fathered with Bathsheba through adultery died, God was gracious to provide other children. Solomon was the fourth and youngest son born to King David and Bathsheba.

Follow along now as I read the Old Testament lesson for this week.

1 Kings 2:10-12 NAS95

Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.  [11] The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years he reigned in Hebron and thirty-three years he reigned in Jerusalem.  [12] And Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

1 Kings 3:3-14 NAS95

Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.  [4] The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.  [5] In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, "Ask what you wish me to give you."  [6]  Then Solomon said, "You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.  [7]  "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.  [8]  "Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.  [9]  "So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"  [10]  It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.  [11]  God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice,  [12]  behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.  [13]  "I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.  [14]  "If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days."

The beginning of the Old Testament lesson indicates the number of years that King David ruled. As you notice, his rule was split between his time as king of Judah and as king of all Israel.

It is interesting to note that following the death of Solomon, the kingdom was split once again.

However, the focus of the Old Testament lesson is on Solomon. His reign will be marred by his gradual falling away from fully following the Lord.

At this time, verse 3 indicates that he loved the Lord. However, notice the word except that occurs in the middle of the verse.

1 Kings 3:3 NAS95

Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

It seems that though worship at these high places was excusable at the time since the temple was yet to be built, Solomon’s use of them continues throughout his life.

Even at this point, Solomon could have only worshiped the Lord in the tent tabernacle where the Ark of God resided.

The next verses in the text point to a moment in Solomon’s life with which we are very familiar.

God approaches him in a dream and offers to bless him with whatever gift he might desire. The point we often make here is that for most of us we would have asked for riches since, as they say, money makes the world go round.

Solomon shows his natural wisdom by asking not for money but for wisdom.

1 Kings 3:9-10 NAS95

"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"  [10]  It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.

Because Solomon thought about the good of the kingdom instead of his own personal gain, God blesses him with what he did not ask for.

1 Kings 3:11-13 NAS95

God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, [12] behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.  [13] “I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.

We could rightfully say that Solomon begins his reign over all Israel with God’s full blessing upon him. Every advantage has been afforded him.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

May our focus only be on worshiping and honoring You in all that we do.

May we never have a divided allegiance.

Strengthen our resolve to serve You under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Wednesday, August 11th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

The Problem Of Evil and Suffering

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

The Problem Of Evil and Suffering

In recent years, a number of unbelievers have challenged me with various questions concerning the problem of evil and suffering in the world. Even believers struggle at times in this area.

These unbelievers usually word the question something like:

If this God you are talking about is so wonderful, why does He allow so much evil and suffering in the world?

Often, the purpose for asking such a question is to derail the conversation over sin and their need for a Savior. Even though these individuals might have an ulterior motive for asking the question, I understand their confusion and concern.

First of all, the evidence of evil and suffering is on display all of the time through news reports and personal observation and experience.

From a human reason standpoint, it does seem contrary to what we know about our omniscient God. Human reason finds it to be a challenge to reconcile a belief in an omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent God, with the existence of evil and suffering.

This topic is much too large for a short devotional, but let me share a few thoughts with you.

When God created the heavens and the earth, as noted in Genesis 1:1, He created a perfect world with no sin or defect. He placed two perfect human beings upon this earth; each created with free will.

Genesis 1:1 NAS95

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

God placed a condition upon the living practices of Adam and Eve.

Genesis 2:16-17 NAS95

The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;  [17]  but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."

When Adam and Eve transgressed God’s command, sin entered into the world along with its manifestation - suffering. The world was, as we would say, turned on its head, something totally opposite of what God intended.

Man’s intellect fell along with every aspect of this world. As a result of sin, evil thoughts, motives, and actions became ingrained in the human spirit.

Since we are participants in this world, we are subject to the effects of evil and suffering. Even creation was affected. We now have tornados, hurricanes, and famine along with a host of other natural disasters. Men and women die from old age as well as a multitude of accidents and diseases. This is a fallen world.

Using our human reason, we find it difficult to reconcile what we see and experience with an omnipotent God. However, as an all-powerful God, He is in control of all things, including the passing of time.

God’s Word says that a day is coming when all evil and suffering will be defeated. God sent Jesus as the one who would conquer sin and death. His death and resurrection made it possible for fallen human beings to be forgiven of their sin and to be assured of an eternity living in a perfectly restored world.

As believers, we trust in the words of:

Romans 8:28 NAS95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Can we answer all the questions associated with the topic? We cannot, but we can trust in the Word of our God.

Revelation 21:4-7 NAS95

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."  [5]  And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."  [6]  Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.  [7]  "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

The new creation spoken of in Revelation 21 will be like the initial creation, perfect in every way.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Help us to see past the evil and suffering of this world to the time of a restored creation, to a time of being in Your presence for all eternity.

Help us not to dwell on questions which our human understanding struggles with.

Strengthen our faith and trust in You this day.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Tuesday, August 10th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Covering Up Our Sins

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

Covering Up Our Sins

A couple of Sundays ago, I preached on how engaging in sin can so easily bring us down to the depths of depravity. The text was the Old Testament account of King David and Bathsheba. The fact is that all of us have real-life experiences with the insidiousness of sin.

I shared a short quote with the congregation to sum up both the experience of King David and all of us when we get caught up in the web of sin.

Sin will take you farther than you ever thought you’d go; it will keep you there longer than you ever intended to stay, and it will cost you more than you ever expected to pay.

When we consider the sin David engaged in and the consequences he experienced, we readily declare that we will never fall into such a trap. And yet, we do!

Since we still carry our old nature around with us, we fall into the clutches of sin on a regular basis. Our desire is that we wouldn’t, but it happens. What we do next is so important; it determines the outcome.

Two options are available to us.

King David chose one option. He decided to cover up his sin. Many people seek to do the very same thing - to cover up their sins. The folly of this is found in the fact that God is omniscient, that is, all-knowing.

Scripture records a number of notable individuals who sought to cover up their sins. The story of Adam and Eve jumps off the first few pages of the Bible. They soon found out that God knew what they had done.

A New Testament example is Ananias and Sapphira who sought to hide the details of their money fraud. They paid for their coverup with their lives.

Can we hide anything from God? Of course not! When teaching catechism classes I always emphasize the omniscience and the omnipresence of God. I remind the students that wherever they go God is there and that he knows everything about what they are doing. I sometimes can see by the look in their eyes that they had never considered that.

Hebrews 4:13 NAS95

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

If King David chose one option, what is the second? The second is to come before the Lord confessing and repenting of our sin.

1 John 1:9 NAS95

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

King David resisted owning up to and confessing his sin. For months after his sin, David kept quiet somehow believing that time would erode the memory of God. God intervened using the prophet Nathan to bring David to repentance.

Maybe you are living under a cloud of sin. Perhaps, as with King David, you have sought to cover it up which means you are in fact unrepentant.

Remember, God already knows. His greatest desire is for you to own up to what you have done and to come before him with a penitent and repentant heart confessing your sin.

The great blessing is that if we do this we can claim the promise found in:

Psalms 103:12 NAS95

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Since God already knows what you have done, just bring it before the Lord.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We find it so easy to fool ourselves over our sin.

May we be reminded that You know everything about our lives.

May we see the folly of trying to hide our sin from You.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Monday, August 9th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

A Crazy Bargain

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

  A Crazy Bargain

All of us have probably made a bargain with someone in our lives that we would like to forget. Either because we, in essence, were scammed, or it makes us look very foolish and gullible.

Either way, we desire that no one knows the details. Did we enter into the bargain believing that it would turn out to our disadvantage? Of course not! We felt like we had the upper hand. We felt like we had already won.

Why then do so many people enter into a crazy bargain that not only affects their lives here but also their eternity? Why would they make a deal with the devil?

Mark 8:36 NAS95

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

When an ordinary bargain goes wrong, we may lose face or possibly some finances. So what does the man lose who makes the bargain in this verse?

They lose their soul. They also forfeit the present.

As believers, we experience a foretaste of eternity in this life. Day by day, we feel the care, comfort, and blessings of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we gain in both the present and the future.

Once again,

Why do people make this crazy bargain? Why do they trade their souls for something temporary?

We know that the devil seeks to deceive the entire world. He does not want any sinner to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and thereby come to faith. Satan seeks to accomplish this by any means available and necessary. Therefore, never forget that he is a very dangerous and deadly enemy.

I do admit that the shiny things of this world appeal to the human lust of the flesh. Unfortunately, our old nature enjoys sin.

John warns the believers in 1 John 2:15-17 to be ever so careful.

1 John 2:15-17 NAS95

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  [16]  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  [17]  The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Men and women lose their souls by persisting in sin and rejecting Jesus Christ. As I was writing this, I thought of some of the richest men and women in the world who have everything but reject God. Their lives illustrate the statement that we may gain the whole world and end up losing everything. They fail to realize that giving our lives to Jesus does not diminish our lives; it adds to it.

Unbelievers are addicted to this world. If we could test for the drug we call the lust of the flesh, these folks would test positive.

It is also valuable for us to take the same test – to see if we love the world. Are we attached more to the corruptible and deteriorating world than we are to Christ? The command not to love this world does not mean that we don't appreciate and enjoy the beauty and resources of this world. However, we must not love this world more than our desire to be with the Lord.

Take a moment to do a whom do you love more inventory test!

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

May we keep our eyes intently focused on Jesus.

Help us to guard our hearts against the shiny things of this world.

May these thoughts cause us to have a renewed burden for the lost.

In the Name of Jesus, Amen!

Welcome to Sunday, August 8th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Truth With A Capital "T"

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

* * * * * *

  Truth With A Capital "T"

If asked, followers of the various worldwide faiths are willing to share why they believe their faith is the truth. It's reasonable to assume that they would not be adherents of their particular faith if they did not think it to be the truth.

Right!

However, here's the problem. Truth is a singular entity. Therefore, according to the Law of Non-contradiction, every faith cannot be the truth at the same time in the same way.

Suppose a black chair is sitting in front of me.  I cannot say that it is both black and red at the same time in the same way.

One declaration is accurate, and the other is false.

Speaking from a spiritual standpoint:

If both Christianity and another faith claim to hold the absolute truth concerning life's purpose, meaning, and the afterlife, only one can be true because they both cannot be true in the same way at the same time.

Conflicting truths cannot coexist.

The words of Jesus either are true, or not true, but they cannot be both.

John 14:6 NAS95

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Some Christians have told me that it makes them uncomfortable presenting Christianity as the only true faith. This, of course, is why so much of the world is so intolerant of the Christian faith; its bedrock principle is that it claims to present the only absolute truth.

We are deemed intolerant because of the last phrase of John 14:6.

No one comes to the Father but through Me.

Intolerance is not a new charge against Christians. The Roman Empire could not figure out why Christians were steadfast monotheists instead of polytheists, as was the empire. The Christians refused to acknowledge the Roman and Greek gods.

As a multi-cultural society, people today expect the way to heaven to be the same—different faiths, but which all end up at the peak of the mountain regardless of the trail traversed and method.

• How should we respond to the charge of being intolerant over our claim that Christianity holds the only absolute truth?
• How can we counter the multi-cultural view of faith and eternity?

In a sense, many of those we seek to share the Gospel with present themselves as our enemies.

Jesus said:

Luke 6:27-28 NAS95

"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  [28]  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

We need to remember that their response to the Gospel is because they are lost. Therefore, sometimes, at least for the moment, our greatest ministry towards such individuals is to pray for them. We pray that God will bring about circumstances that provide an opportunity to share the Gospel.

Another way of gaining permission to share the Gospel is to build authentic relationships with people. Not false relationships so that we can just add a notch to our belt, but genuine relationships. People very quickly catch on when we do not honestly care about them.

Instead of being intolerant and judgmental, we are to exhibit longsuffering towards those who label us as intolerant because our goal is to win them for Christ.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Please help us to be patient with those who condemn us and the Christian faith.

Help us remember that they are lost as we once were, living with a darkened understanding of You.

We thank You for the salvation that You have extended to all.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

 

In this episode of Serving Jesus Christ, Pastor Swanson shares a Sunday message titled,

Since We've Been Saved!

At the beginning of this message, I noted:

As new creations in Christ, we are to be different.

• Is it possible to go on living in the same way once we accept Jesus Christ?
• Is it possible to be kind, compassionate, tender-hearted, and yet bitter at the same time?
• Can we live as forgiven sinners and not forgive others?

Our faith in Jesus Christ should affect every area of our lives. Most certainly, all those around us should be able to discern a significant internal change. Overall, our entire lives should be different because of what has happened to us.

In this week's message, the Apostle Paul paints a picture of how the believer is now to live.

As new creations in Christ, we are to be different.

Paul encourages us to remove the garments of our old life and put on the garments of the new man.

If you desire further information, it may be obtained at [email protected].

 * * * * * *

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed, it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

The music "Be Thou My Vision" and "Revive Us Again" are arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission. The music "Jesus Paid It All" was arranged and played by Greg Howlett. Used By Permission.

Welcome to Saturday, August 7th!

This episode of The 7-Minute Cross Talk Bible Study is titled:

The Living Bread

For this Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week’s Gospel Lesson - John 6:41-51.

If you desire further information, it may be requested from [email protected].

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

This podcast is a ministry outreach of Our Savior's Lutheran in Argyle, Minnesota - United States.

* * * * *

 

The Living Bread

Would you please pause the audio and download and print the 7-Minute Work Sheet before continuing?

The link is located right below this audio player.

For this Saturday Bible Study, we will consider the words of this week's Gospel Lesson: John 6:41-51

Hopefully, these studies encourage you to engage in a deeper study of the current passage. But, more importantly, I hope these studies deepen your love for the Word of God.

Let's begin:

This week's Gospel Lesson notes the first of seven I Am statements found in the Gospel of John. What do I mean by the I Am statements?

To understand the significance of the idiom I Am, we must go back to Exodus 3, the account of The Burning Bush. During the conversation, God informs Moses that He is sending him back to Egypt as the deliverer of the Israelites.

Moses is concerned that if he went back and declared that God had sent him to deliver them, the people would be very skeptical.

• What god was it that had sent him?
• What god actually had the power to save and deliver them from their terrible circumstances?
• What was his name?

Listen as I read the account:

Exodus 3:10-14 NAS95

"Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt."  [11]  But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"  [12]  And He said, "Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain."  [13]  Then Moses said to God, "Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you.' Now they may say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?"  [14]  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

As you noticed, God identifies Himself as I Am. When Jesus uses the same Jewish idiom, He is claiming to be pre-existent and divine! The meaning is not lost on His listeners.

Listen now as I read this week's Gospel Lesson.

John 6:41-51 NAS95

Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, "I am the bread that came down out of heaven."  [42]  They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now say, 'I have come down out of heaven'?"  [43]  Jesus answered and said to them, "Do not grumble among yourselves.  [44]  "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.  [45]  "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.  [46]  "Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father.  [47]  "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.  [48]  "I am the bread of life.  [49]  "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.  [50]  "This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  [51]  "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."

The events described in these verses occur the day after the Feeding of the 5,000. The crowds had followed Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. After they figure out that He is not going to feed them on demand, they become unruly.

John 6:26-27 NAS95

Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  [27]  "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal."

In this week's Gospel Lesson, these religious Jews disbelieve the claim of Jesus that He came down from heaven. After all, many of them knew his family and had watched Him grow up.

Jesus notes in:

John 6:44 NAS95

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

Jesus says that it is now He whom God uses to touch the souls of men and women. In the past, it had been the prophets and others.

It is also impossible to claim to know God and reject Jesus. Jesus explains God.

Men and women come to Christ by yielding to the drawing power of God. Therefore, if a man or woman wishes to learn of God, they have to go to Christ.

Let's take a moment and delve into the latter half of the Gospel Lesson.

John 6:47-51 NAS95

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.  [48]  "I am the bread of life.  [49]  "Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.  [50]  "This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  [51]  "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."

A person must believe that Jesus is the bread of life. He reminds his listeners that the manna did keep the Israelites alive but in the end death still comes. Physical food only sustains for a short time.

Eating the bread is a once-for-all event. We receive Christ and are saved. Jesus also notes that He is the living bread that gives life to men and women forever.

The offer of eternal life in verse 51 is conditional. First, a person must eat the bread, must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

In this week's Gospel Lesson, Jesus emphasizes that He is not just some food supply, but that He provides the central need of man – peace with God.

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Jesus to be the Bread of Life.

Guard our hearts so that we would never seek nourishment anywhere else.

Help us to honor You in all that we do this day.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!