Wisdom-Trek ©

Putnam Church Message – 02/26/2023 

What Does God Want? -  God Is With His Family Forever 

Last week, we continued our series with the overall theme to answer the question: What does God want? The answer we discovered over the past five weeks was that God wants you and everyone who will ever live. In other words, God wanted a human family. God wants co-workers to take care of His creation. God wants you to know who you are and why your life has value to him. He loves you and desires that you also love Him. So, in last week’s message, we explored how “God Pursues His Family through the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This week, we will extend that thought and see that “God is With His Family Forever” throughout all eternity.

I ended last week’s message with a firm grasp of some apparent points. Christ is risen. All those who have put their trust in what he did on the cross and his resurrection as the only means of salvation will have everlasting life. But while we are already members of Christ’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13), that kingdom has not yet come to its fullness and finality.

The same is true of the defeat and destruction of The Satan (devil) and various fallen sons of God. It is already in progress, but not yet realized. The Satan, the devil, and all the evil ones have no claim— no ownership, no power of death—over any member of the kingdom of God. We belong to God through Jesus, and Jesus conquered death so that we might be resurrected to everlasting life with him and God the Father (Rom 6:8-9; Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 6:14).

While this is terrific, we must remember that while we are still here on earth, we have evil adversaries influencing those who have not yet become citizens of God’s kingdom. Ephesians 2:2 says,  “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.” On earth, the evil ones are the entities at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Likewise, the powers of darkness have been dethroned. But they have not surrendered. They resist, fighting a losing battle. Every person who embraces the salvation God offers through Jesus is not under his control. Colossians 1:13-14 says, “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” As the kingdom of God grows, the kingdom of darkness diminishes.

It’s easy to get lost in the still-present evil and suffering of the world instead of looking to the future. Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that Jesus has already rescued us from the evil ones, as we are told in Galatians 1:4, “Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.”

The Bible doesn’t condemn that we are perplexed and sometimes anxious about the evil and suffering we observe. Instead, it’s honest about it.

We will obtain our resurrected bodies when Christ returns to finalize God’s kingdom and restore the global Eden.

Today is the final portion of our story narrative of this series of messages, and I want to focus on the amazing ending—the finalization of God’s kingdom, the restoration of the Global Eden. Every great epic has a memorable ending, you know. The biblical story is no exception. (If you expect harps and clouds, you will be disappointed).

We tend to process the final act of the Bible’s story in terms of what we get. So, for example, we’ll have everlasting life, not death. That’s exciting, but “everlasting life” doesn’t say much. It’s just a description of duration, not quality.

Quality of everlasting life emerges more in our minds when we process the end of the story as life in a new, global Eden. The book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, completes the story with Edenic imagery (Rev 21-22). God is there. Heaven has returned to earth. Jesus is there. The tree of life is there. This Eden is better than the original Eden. Evil has run its course. There is no rebellion waiting to explode into the world. Creation is, therefore, perfectly optimized. There is no disease or death anywhere in the plant, animal, or human experience. There is no killing or violence. It’s like nothing we’ve ever experienced.

The “Eden angle” gets us closer to what the Bible emphasizes at its story’s climax. The passage from Romans 8 I read above adjusts our thinking to bring the absolute pinnacle of God’s plan: “the revealing of the sons of God...the glory of the children of God.” Yes, the creation groans to be remade new, but that deliverance is linked to the glorification of God’s human family.

In other words, we are the end game to what God has been doing. Our status as his children permanently fit for his presence and present with him forever is at the forefront of the Bible’s story. Where we live for eternity is just scenery (no doubt spectacular). The book of Revelation’s final vision of the new Eden makes this point for me when it begins the final scene this way in Revelation 21:1-4.

The “the revealing of the sons of God…the glory of the children of God” is a way of saying that we will someday be transformed and made like Jesus. As the apostle John said in 1 John 3:2, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” The same thought is expressed in several other verses.

Romans 8:29 - For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

The Bible finishes our story with resurrection and transformation with 1 Corinthians 15:53-58.

My favorite passage about our final destiny and glorification is slightly more obscure. It’s a scene in the book of Hebrews (the book we will study after Easter) where Jesus introduces us to God and God to us. Jesus stands before God and “the congregation,” the heavenly sons of God, the heavenly court. He confesses boldly that he feels no shame in having us as siblings in the family and then says to God and the supernatural members of the family in Hebrews 2:11-12.

So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God,

This is your ultimate destiny—becoming a permanent, legitimate member of God’s family. In the end, you belong in God’s family. It’s what he’s wanted from the very beginning. That is what the whole creation is yearning for.

Have you ever had a conversation about what life in the new creation, the new global Eden (heaven), will be like? Many people describe it as a continuous worship service, an endless Q&A session with Jesus, or a glorified church meet-and-greet. (That last one frightens introverts like me).

While we could infer some things by imagining what life in a perfected Eden might entail, the Bible doesn’t say much about the experience. Moreover, what it does say defies the sorts of guesses listed above. For example, Revelation 2:26 says, “To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations.” Revelation 3:21 says, “Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”

What do these phrases mean? We can start by asking who rules the nations now. The answer is the fallen sons of God allotted to the nations at Babel. In other words, the nations at this moment have not yet been entirely (or even mostly) reclaimed by God. As we’ve noted, expanding the kingdom of God is a gradual process that is “already” begun but is not yet “complete.” When the process is complete at the end of the days, believers will “judge angels”—we will pass judgment on the fallen sons of God by replacing them. We will rule the nations with Jesus our king—and brother.

Whenever I speak about this idea, I get certain inevitable questions: What tasks will we have? Will some believers have more authority than other believers? Will I be another believer’s boss? How can we all be rulers? Do our good works on earth dictate who is over whom?

These are all understandable questions from people living in an imperfect world. The flawed, damaged world taints the perspective we experience. But the Bible doesn’t portray our final destiny as a boss-employee relationship. Instead, it’s a father-child relationship. We, God’s children, work with him alongside our siblings, whether human or divine. We image God together now the way we were intended to do. And the “brother” we all look up to most is Jesus. All of God’s children have been made like Jesus, the ultimate imager of our Father.

The point is that our rule in the new Eden isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about family partnership. The need for a supervisory hierarchy disappears when all the family members are glorified.

To be honest, we just can’t conceive anything like this. We live in a corrupted world. God wants us—he wants you—to experience life with him the way he intended it to be. And someday we will. As the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9:

Over the past six weeks, we have gone through an overview of what the Bible is really about. It’s an amazing story. You’re probably wondering where we go from here. There are some important concepts to think about in light of the story.

Early in the story, I spoke about Abraham:

The apostle Paul used Abraham as an example of believing loyalty (Romans 4:1-12). Abraham believed and was accepted by God before he obeyed any rules. The rules were about showing he believed. They did not replace belief. Belief (faith) was the one essential thing. Loyalty to that belief—to that God—is something we’ll talk about later. Today, we call it discipleship. Belief and loyalty are two distinct things. They are related but not interchangeable. The same is true of salvation and discipleship.

The phrase “believing loyalty” will be our road map or guide during the remaining three messages of this series. Let me illustrate:

Next, we’re going to talk about the gospel. We’ll talk about what it is and isn’t. We’ll learn what it means—what the gospel’s content is according to the Bible. That’s important because believing the gospel is how we become members of God’s family. It’s how we are saved. Salvation is by faith. It is how God has provided salvation, the path he created for joining his family. That all centers on what Jesus did.

In the final couple of messages, we will learn about discipleship. “Disciple” is a term that means “follower.” Being a disciple of Jesus means following him—imitating him. Jesus said in John 14:9, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! ” Jesus lived in a way that showed he loved God—that he was loyal to his Father and His plan. Discipleship is how we show we love Jesus and love God. It’s not about earning God’s love. It’s how we thank Jesus for accomplishing God’s plan to save us. It’s not about replacing or supplementing what Jesus did for our salvation. That would be impossible. It’s how we show we believe in what he did for our salvation James 2:14-26, “Works show our faith; Loyalty shows our belief.”

As I said earlier, belief and loyalty are two related, but distinct things. They are not interchangeable. The same is true of salvation and discipleship. We believe the gospel for our salvation. We show loyalty to our Savior by being his disciples.

In today’s message, we see how God is with His family forever, and a glimpse of what eternity may be like; it is our responsibility through believing loyalty to be an imager of Christ as He was the imager of God the father. Next, we will build the Foundation of the Gospel, “Good News,” and in the following weeks, we will explore What is

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2208 of our trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m excited to continue our exploration of the profound wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Today, we’re delving into Proverbs 10:1-8, from the New Living Translation. So, fasten your hiking boots, and together, we’ll uncover the path of the wise in these verses.

In Proverbs 10:1-8, we begin a new section of Proverbs that contrasts the wise with the foolish. These verses provide valuable insights into the characteristics and outcomes of living a life of wisdom.

Verse 1: “The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.”

These verses open with a clear distinction between the wise and the foolish. A wise child brings joy to a father, while a foolish child brings grief to a mother. This serves as a universal truth that underscores the profound impact our choices have on our loved ones.

Verse 2: “Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.”

This verse reminds us of the fleeting nature of ill-gotten gains. Tainted or dishonest wealth may bring temporary prosperity but lacks lasting value. In contrast, right living, characterized by moral integrity and wise choices, has the power to save and enrich our lives.

Verse 3: “The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.”

Here, we see the divine principle of provision. The Lord ensures that the godly do not go hungry. However, He withholds His blessings from the wicked, refusing to satisfy their insatiable cravings. This verse highlights the importance of living in alignment with godly principles.

Verse 4: “Laziness leads to poverty; hard work makes you rich.”

This verse underscores the relationship between diligence and prosperity. Laziness and a lack of effort lead to poverty, while hard work and diligence result in wealth. It’s a reminder that success often follows sustained effort and dedication.

Verse 5: “God blesses the godly with a secure heritage, but he curses the wicked with destruction.”

Here, we observe the contrasting destinies of the godly and the wicked. The godly are blessed with a secure heritage, while the wicked face the consequences of destruction. This verse emphasizes the importance of living a life characterized by righteousness.

Verse 6-8: “The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land. The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.”

These verses continue to emphasize the contrast between the godly and the wicked. The godly are blessed, while the wicked hide violent intentions in their words. The godly enjoy security and stability, while the wicked face removal from the land. Lastly, the wise embrace instruction and thrive, while fools, known for their empty chatter, stumble and fall.

As we reflect on Proverbs 10:1-8, we are reminded that wisdom is not just about knowledge but also about our choices and their impact on our lives and those around us.

Take a moment to consider these questions: How can you cultivate wisdom in your life to bring joy to your loved ones? In what ways can you choose right living over tainted wealth? Remember, wisdom equips us to make choices that lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Let’s summarize the key takeaways from Proverbs 10:1-8:

Impact on Loved Ones: Our choices profoundly impact our loved ones, either bringing them joy or grief.

Tainted Wealth vs. Right Living: Ill-gotten wealth lacks lasting value, while right living can enrich and save our lives.

Divine Principle of Provision: God blesses the godly with security and provision but withholds His blessings from the wicked.

Diligence and Prosperity: Hard work and diligence often lead to prosperity, while laziness can result in poverty.

Contrasting Destinies: The godly enjoy blessings and security, while the wicked face destruction and removal.

In closing, remember that wisdom equips us to make choices that lead to a life of fulfillment. As we continue our journey through the vast landscapes of wisdom, may we walk with discernment and choose the path of the wise.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to actively embrace wisdom’s call and make her a daily presence in your journey. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and grace.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

 

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

 

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2207 of our trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m genuinely excited to continue our exploration of the profound wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Today, we’re diving into Proverbs 9:13-18 from the New Living Translation. So, put on your hiking boots, and together, we’ll explore the captivating call of folly in these verses.

In Proverbs 9:13-18, we encounter a stark contrast between the call of wisdom and the seductive call of folly. These verses provide valuable insights into the consequences of our choices and the importance of discernment.

Verse 13: “The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.”

These verses introduce us to the character of Folly. She is described as brash, displaying a reckless and arrogant demeanor. What makes her particularly dangerous is that she is ignorant of her own folly. This ignorance can lead those who heed her call into treacherous territory.

Verse 14-15: “She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. ‘Come in with me,’ she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says...”

Folly’s call is not subtle; she positions herself prominently, overlooking the city. She targets unsuspecting passersby who are simply minding their own business. Folly’s invitation is directed toward the simple and those who lack good judgment, exploiting their vulnerability.

Folly’s call is laced with deceit. She entices with promises of stolen pleasures, suggesting that secret indulgence is the most satisfying. However, the consequences are dire. Those who heed her call unknowingly tread into the depths of the grave. This imagery serves as a stark warning against the allure of folly.

Verse 18: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions, but the path to wisdom is a well-marked highway.”

This verse underscores the peril of following the seductive call of folly. It likens it to a well-paved road that leads to destruction. In contrast, the path to wisdom is described as a well-marked highway, suggesting that wisdom is readily accessible to those who seek it with discernment.

As we reflect on Proverbs 9:13-18, we are reminded of the importance of discernment in our choices and the grave consequences of heeding the call of folly.

Take a moment to consider these questions: How can you cultivate discernment in your life to avoid the seductive call of folly? Have there been moments when you’ve been enticed by promises that turned out to be empty? Remember, wisdom equips us to make choices that lead to a life of fulfillment, while folly leads to destruction.

Let’s summarize the key takeaways from Proverbs 9:13-18:

The Call of Folly: Folly is characterized by brashness and ignorance, enticing those who lack discernment with stolen pleasures.

Deceptive Allure: Folly’s promises are deceptive and lead to destruction, unknowingly taking its followers into the depths of the grave.

The Path of Wisdom: Wisdom, in contrast, is a well-marked highway, readily accessible to those who seek it with discernment.

In closing, remember that wisdom equips us to make choices that lead to a life of fulfillment. As we continue our journey through the vast landscapes of wisdom, may we walk with discernment and choose the path that leads to life, not destruction.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to cultivate discernment and avoid the seductive call of folly. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and purpose.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to actively embrace wisdom’s call and make her a daily presence in your journey. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and joy.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Putnam Church Message – 02/19/2023

What Does God Want? -  God Pursues His Human Family

Last week, we continued our series with the overall theme to answer the question: What does God want? The answer we discovered over this past month was that God wants you and everyone who will ever live. In other words, God wanted a human family. God wants co-workers to take care of His creation. God wants you to know who you are and why your life has value to him. He loves you and desires that you also love Him. Last week’s message showed that God joined His human family. When God joined His human family, all covenants were fulfilled, all rebellions were overcome, and all death was extinguished. Because of the Resurrection, our distance from God was bridged. Today, we will explore how God Pursues His Family. There is a lot of scripture in today’s message, making me think of this beautiful basket. OT & NT weaved together to see how the kingdom of God is being weaved together.

As I noted in the last message, the coming of the Holy Spirit fulfilled the new covenant described by Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 36:22-28). Let me read the verses of Ezekiel 36:25-27, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” The Spirit’s ministry in each believer makes victory over depravity possible. Think of it as a slap in the face to the fallen sons of God. But it’s an even more direct assault on another set of supernatural villains.

The Spirit’s arrival launched an infiltration campaign against the sons of God to whom God assigned the nations he divorced at Babel (Deut 32:8). When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court. The supernatural beings who defected from serving God and became corrupt, abusing the people under their dominion (Psalm 82). Jesus knew all that. We habitually miss this point in reading the New Testament books that come after the resurrection (i.e., Acts through Revelation).

Jesus’s departure put the coming of the Spirit into motion. John 14:26 says, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 15:26 says, “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” John 16:7 says, “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. Luke 24:49 says, “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” While the resurrected Jesus was still on earth, he told his followers what was coming right around the corner in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” If you keep reading the book of Acts, figuring out what Jesus was forecasting doesn't take long. Once he leaves (Acts 1:9-11), the Spirit arrives in (literally) a blaze of glory.

Acts 2:1-4 tells us of this event. On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

The rest of the account tells us that the Holy Spirit enabled the followers of Jesus to speak in all sorts of languages. They were telling the story of Jesus —his death and resurrection—to Jews from all over the world. “Jews” was the name given to the Israelites in foreign lands, who had been scattered worldwide when the Assyrians captured the ten northern tribes exiled back in Old Testament times. So, the Jews who heard the followers of Jesus preaching to them in their own language were descendants of Old Testament Israelites. They had come to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the holy feasts on the old Israelite religious calendar. An interesting point is the listing of nations in these verses are the same nations listed as Noah’s descendants at the time of Babel. Let me follow with Acts 2:5-13.

The people in Jerusalem who knew who the followers of Jesus were thought the whole public display was drunken madness. It just wasn’t possible that these men could speak in other languages all of a sudden. But then the apostle Peter laid it all out for them. But, honestly, he did more than that—he let them have it in Acts 2:14-24.

‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

Your young men will see visions,

and your old men will dream dreams.

In those days I will pour out my Spirit

even on my servants—men and women alike—

and they will prophesy.

And I will cause wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below—

blood and fire and clouds of smoke.

The sun will become dark,

and the moon will turn blood red

before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord

will be saved.’

Peter was telling them what they were seeing with their own eyes, and hearing with their own ears, was a miracle caused by the arrival of the Holy Spirit of God. He told them God had sent his Spirit to tell them what had happened. The Messiah had come, been killed, had risen from the dead—and they needed to believe. The result of Peter’s explanation was stunning, as we read in Acts 2:41, “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.”

 

This is usually the point in the story where the preacher moves on (or backward) to discuss the cross. That’s all well and good, since the cross and the resurrection led to this moment. But again, we’re missing something very significant about the story.

Remember, what happened in Acts 2 was about the coming of the Spirit. The arrival of the Spirit was the crucial element of a new covenant—a new set of promises God was giving to humanity. Many Christians don’t realize that this also meant God was launching a spiritual war to reclaim not only Jews who had rejected Jesus but also Gentiles, people from the nations he had rejected back at the Tower of Babel. God was pursuing his family; it didn’t matter where his children lived. He wanted them and would find them.

The passage we read in Acts 2 tells us the Spirit came with wind and fire (Acts 2:2-3). Fire and “burning smoke” were common elements in visions of God’s presence in the Old Testament (Exod 13:21-22; Ezek 1:4, 13, 27). God at times came in a “whirlwind” (Isa 6:4, 6; Ezek 1:4; Job 38:1; 40:6). Jews who heard Peter’s message and saw the coming of the Spirit with their own eyes knew the day of salvation had come.

Think about what happened in this scene. Three thousand Jews, living abroad in the nations where their ancestors had been scattered, had come to Jerusalem for a religious feast day. They witnessed the coming of the Spirit and heard about Jesus, the Messiah, and what he had done. They believed in Jesus. They became Christians, his followers. What do you suppose they did next? They went home.

Why does that matter? Because now the lost, divorced nations had three thousand evangelists planted. They were like secret agents, embedded in hostile territory held by other gods from the Babel incident. They would be God’s initial means to multiply the size of his human family. They were the first wave. Their mission? The same one Jesus had given to his disciples: the Great Commission. Christians know the verses well: Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” But again, something is missed. That’s the Great Commission, but I skipped verse 18, which is usually overlooked when discussing our evangelization mission. Here’s the complete statement of Jesus with the preamble to the great commission.

Did you catch that? Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. The authority in heaven part is pretty easy to understand. Jesus ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God (Col 3:1; Heb 12:2). But what does the “on earth” part mean? This is easily missed. His ascension—which naturally had to follow his resurrection—marked the end of the authority of those who held power on the earth up to that point. Who was that? The fallen sons of God, who were appointed over the nations when God divorced them at Babel (Deut 32:8).

The implication is that the resurrection and Jesus’ return to heaven meant that the authority of the rebel sons of God was now null and void. They no longer had legitimate dominion over the people in those nations. Salvation was not just for Israelites (Jews), even though the Messiah was a descendant of Abraham and David. Jesus was the Messiah for everyone, and the rightful lord and king of every nation. The resurrection, ascension, and coming of the Spirit marked the beginning of the end for the fallen sons of God. They had lost their legitimacy.

The New Testament associates the resurrection and ascension with defeating the supernatural powers of darkness. This concept is summarized in a letter written to a Gentile church. Colossians 2:12-15 says, “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”

Recall that “rulers and authorities” are terms Paul uses for the supernatural fallen sons of God who became the evil gods of the nations in Old Testament times. There are several examples of this language (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 2:2; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:13). This is best described in Ephesians 6:10-12, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

The “rulers and authorities” is a favorite expression of the apostle Paul to describe the defeated powers of darkness. Three more examples from the New Testament. 1 Peter 3:22 says, “Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.” Ephesians 1:19-21 says, “This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.” And 1 Corinthians 15:24 says,  “After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power.”

Paul saw the resurrection and ascension as the beginning of the end for the fallen sons of God allotted to the nations. So it’s no surprise that he also linked that thought with the salvation of Gentiles, the people of the forsaken nations. The resurrected Jesus and the Spirit would release the Gentiles from dark powers who enslaved and abused them Psalm 82.

he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:

“How long will you hand down unjust decisions

by favoring the wicked?

uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

Rescue the poor and helpless;

deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

But these oppressors know nothing;

they are so ignorant!

They wander about in darkness,

while the whole world is shaken to the core.

you are all children of the Most High.

But you will die like mere mortals

and fall like every other ruler.’”

for all the nations belong to you.

Recall that God appeared to Abraham after dividing the nations at Babel. He told Abraham that all those nations would one day be blessed through him and his descendants. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, knew that promise well. So he wrote in Romans 15:8-9, “Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: ‘For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.’”

Paul wasn’t done there. He was fond of quoting the Old Testament to show that God never gave up on the Gentile nations. He had wanted them in his family all along. Paul knew that the Messiah, called the “root of Jesse” in the Old Testament (Jesse was King David’s father), Isaiah 11:10 says, “In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.” Paul knew that the forsaken nations would one day worship the true God as is written in Psalm 117:1, “Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth.”

This program—a spiritual warfare campaign—was launched when the Spirit came, and 3,000 people believed in Jesus (Acts 2). Those new believers went back to their home countries. The gospel of Jesus infiltrated the nations under the dominion of hostile supernatural powers. The Bible refers to this as the growth of the “kingdom” of God. They were once immigrants in hostile foreign kingdoms, but now they were citizens in the kingdom of God by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was their passport, proving that they were citizens of God’s kingdom. They were now responsible for assisting other...

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2205 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m thrilled to continue our journey through the book of Proverbs, where we explore its timeless wisdom. Today, we’re delving into Proverbs 9:7-12, from the New Living Translation. So, fasten your hiking boots, and together, we’ll uncover the path of wisdom in these verses.

In Proverbs 9:7-12, we encounter a powerful contrast between the way of wisdom and the way of folly. These verses provide valuable insights into the consequences of our choices and the importance of embracing wisdom.

Verse 7-8: “Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.”

These verses highlight the challenging nature of correcting those who mock or act wickedly. It often results in insults and harm. However, the wise are receptive to correction and appreciate those who offer guidance. It’s a reminder that wisdom is not just about imparting knowledge but discerning when and how to share it.

Verse 9: “Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more.”

This verse emphasizes the receptivity of the wise and the righteous to further learning. They understand that wisdom is an ongoing journey and eagerly embrace growth opportunities. Teaching them is an investment in their continual development.

Verse 10-11: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.”

These verses underline the foundation of wisdom: a deep reverence for the Lord. Knowledge of the Holy One leads to good judgment, and wisdom is a source of life extension. It’s a powerful reminder that wisdom isn’t just about worldly knowledge but aligning our lives with divine principles.

Verse 12: “If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.”

This final verse encapsulates the core message of these verses. It emphasizes personal responsibility for the consequences of our choices. Becoming wise benefits us, while scorning wisdom leads to suffering. The path we choose ultimately determines our outcome.

As we reflect on Proverbs 9:7-12, we are reminded that wisdom is not just about knowledge; it’s about our choices and how they shape our lives.

Take a moment to consider these questions: How receptive are you to correction and guidance in your life? How can you further cultivate a heart of wisdom and reverence for the Lord? Remember, wisdom is not just about what we know but how we live.

Let’s summarize the key takeaways from Proverbs 9:7-12:

Receptivity to Correction: The wise are receptive to correction and appreciate guidance, while mockers and the wicked often resist it.

The Foundation of Wisdom: The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom, leading to good judgment and a longer, more fulfilling life.

Personal Responsibility: Our choices determine the outcomes in our lives. Embracing wisdom benefits us, while scorning it leads to suffering.

In closing, remember that wisdom equips us to make choices that lead to a life of fulfillment. As we continue our journey through the vast landscapes of wisdom, may we walk with discernment and choose the path of wisdom that leads to blessings.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to embrace the way of wisdom and make choices that lead to a life of fulfillment. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and purpose.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to actively embrace wisdom’s call and make her a daily presence in your journey. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and joy.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

 

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

 

Putnam Church Message – 02/12/2023

What Does God Want? -  God Joined His Human Family

Last week, we continued our series with the overall theme to answer the question: What does God want? The answer we discovered over this past month was that God wants you and everyone who will ever live. In other words, God wanted a human family. God wants co-workers to take care of His creation. God wants you to know who you are and why your life has value to him. He loves you and desires that you also love Him. Last week’s message was a high-level overview of the history of Israel, God’s chosen people from the Exodus out of Egypt through the return from exile in Babylon. We learned that even though God was betrayed by His family, he still loved them and pursued them. There was only one solution left. God would have to become one of us to have the human family he desired and loved. That is precisely what happened. Today, we will see that God Joined His Human Family.

Christians know all about the coming of Jesus. They know he was miraculously birthed by Mary, a young girl who was a virgin (Matt 1:18-25). The broader culture is even familiar with the image of this baby.

Jesus in the manger, especially in Christmas decorations and nativity sets. Several old but popular Christmas songs celebrate how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about a messiah.

The entire focus is typically on Jesus being born into the world to eventually die on the cross. He would be the means of forgiveness for our sins and, thus, our passage back into God’s family in John 3:16-17, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” In other words, when most Christians think about Jesus, they have the cross in mind. That misses something.

The fact that God became a man in Jesus gets a little lost in focusing on the cross. Most Christians don’t realize that it was necessary for God to become a human for many reasons: to fulfill all the Old Testament covenants and overturn the results of the supernatural rebellions we discussed two weeks ago.

The hope that human beings could still one day be with God forever was kept alive by God’s refusal to eliminate humanity or scrap His plan. He kept returning to humanity, offering them forgiveness and a relationship with him. God wanted them to believe and show they believed by living in harmony with him and each other. But God’s children rejected him at nearly every turn. It’s as though every time God said, “You can still be with me—believe that and then show me where your heart is,” the problem worsened. The Bible uses the analogy of wandering sheep with no shepherd to describe this propensity in the Old and New Testaments Isaiah 53:6, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.” Matthew  9:36 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” That’s pretty much on target.

As I noted in last week’s message, God’s children needed new hearts and God’s presence to help them believe. They needed a means to be saved from themselves and from a destiny that didn’t include everlasting life with the God who loved them. There had to be a way for God to honor his covenant promises, reverse the curse of death, and help his people continue their faith.

God’s solution to these problems was radical. He had to become a man. He had to join the human race. This is where Jesus enters the story. Jesus was God who became human (John 1:1-2, 14; Col 1:15-20; 2:6-9). In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God…So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. Jesus was the solution to every one of these obstacles.

Only by dying on behalf of all humanity could the curse of death upon humanity be reversed. That meant such a death had to be followed by a resurrection, something only God could accomplish. Jesus was the solution for what happened in Eden.

Remember God’s covenant with Abraham? God had supernaturally intervened to enable Abraham and Sarah to have a son. That was the beginning of the nation of Israel. God told Abraham that one of his descendants would bless the nations God had forsaken at Babel. But how could a mere man do that? Only God himself could be the loyal descendant of Abraham who would fulfill the promise of that covenant to bless the nations outside Israel. Jesus was that descendant of Abraham. Matthew 1:1 says, “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.” He was the promised offspring who would release people in the divorced nations (“Gentiles”) from other gods so they could rejoin God’s family.

(For example, putting on new clothes – remember this quilted jacket with little squares.)

Jesus was also a descendant of David, so he was the rightful king (Matt 1:1; Luke 1:32; Romans 1:3). The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line. Jesus was also the solution for fulfilling the covenant with David. He had the right ancestry and was perfectly loyal to God. He never disobeyed God. He never committed any sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22). The fact that he never sinned also meant he was the perfect example of the purpose of God’s law and the covenant made at Sinai. Jesus was the solution for fulfilling the covenant with Moses. Jesus was the ultimate imager of God (2 Cor 4:4; Colossians 1:15 ). Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.

He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He illustrates how to image God; God wants us to conform to Jesus’s example (2 Cor 3:18; Colossians 3:10). Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. As we’ll see later in our series, that is also what being a disciple means (1 Peter 2:21).

God becoming a man is a complex idea to grasp. God could become a man because he is more than one person. God is three persons who are entirely the same in their nature. The Bible uses the terms “Father,” “Son,” and “Holy Spirit” to distinguish these three persons. Christians call the result of that labeling the Trinity. “God the Son” became a man as Jesus (John 1:14). So the Word became human and made his home among us. Theologians call that the incarnation, which means God coming “in the flesh.” Jesus would be the only human God the Father could rely on to fulfill the covenants.

You might recall that I mentioned earlier that God knew “from before the foundation of the world” that he would send the Son, Jesus, to bring people back into his family (Eph 1:1-14; 1 Pet 1:20). God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now, in these last days he has been revealed for your sake. Amazingly, the Son was willing to become a man, be tortured, and die so that God could have a human family. Here’s how one section of the New Testament describes the conversation: When Christ came into the world, he said to God the Father what is written in Hebrews 10:5-7.

But you have given me a body to offer.

 You were not pleased with burnt offerings

or other offerings for sin.

Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God—

as is written about me in the Scriptures.’”

It’s good that God the Son was willing to be born as Jesus. Not only were the covenants at risk, but overcoming all the misery caused by supernatural rebellions was also at stake. We must understand that those rebellions required God to become a man—because God joining his human family set the stage for the coming of the Spirit.

Because God became a man in Jesus, he could die. That was important because death could only be defeated by resurrection. You can’t have a resurrection without a prior death. Since Jesus was also God, he could bring himself back to life. John 10:17-18 says, “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” Since the death of Jesus was God’s plan, God knew from before the foundation of the world that he would raise Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:23-24, 32; 3:15; 10:40; Gal 1:1).

Because of the resurrection, our distance from God was bridged. (Bulletin) Death was overcome. Those were the effects of the rebellion in Eden. The Adam and Eve problems, caused by the temptation of the evil one (serpent, Satan), were solved. Everyone who believes that Jesus’ death and resurrection provided forgiveness of sin and everlasting life will be in God’s family forever (Rom 4:16-25; 8:10-11; 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:14).

Once Jesus rose from the dead, he had to return (“ascend”) to heaven. Jesus ascended to heaven and took his throne next to God the Father (Mark 16:19; John 20:17; Col 3:1; Heb 12:2). This was a precursor to sending the Holy Spirit, who would indwell believers (Acts 2:33; Rom 8:9-11). Jesus had to leave /so the Spirit could come (John 14:25-26; 15:26; 16:7; Luke 24:49).

 

The coming of the Spirit fulfilled the new covenant described by Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer 31:31-34; Ezek 36:22-28). It would be the Spirit who would provide victory over depravity (Gal 5:16-17), and whose works would be “greater” than Jesus’s own (John 14:12). “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” Jesus knew his death and resurrection were vital to the new covenant coming to pass. This is why at the Last Supper, Jesus told the disciples that his blood was “the blood of the covenant” (promise) poured out for them (Matt 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20). Once Jesus ascended back to heaven, and the Spirit descended to earth, humanity was not helpless against depravity.

The bottom line is that for God to clean up the problems with having a human family—the perpetual failures and rebellions—he had to become a man and fulfill all the terms of the covenants himself.

Think about my original question in these messages: What does God want? He wants you. And he sent his unique (one and only) Son to earth as Jesus to fix the problem of death and sin, to fulfill his covenants with humanity so that he could bring you home forever. God joined the human family. There was no other way. There are many reasons why the gospel has nothing to do with our behavior—earning God’s love and salvation. This is the biggest of them. It’s insane to think our imperfect behavior could ever be adequate. The coming, death, and resurrection of Christ/ would never have been necessary if we could earn salvation.

There’s one more twist in this story that I don’t want you to miss. You may have wondered something. I know I did (more than once). Suppose the death and resurrection of Jesus overturned the effects of what the evil one (serpent/Satan) had done, impeded the wickedness that permeated the world, and amounted to taking away the authority of the defiant gods of the nations. Why would Satan and the other evil spirits ever kill Jesus? It seems blazingly stupid.

Think about it. (The devil tempted Christ in the wilderness in the same manner as he did Adam and Eve, hoping to eradicate the human race) The key to God’s plan was Jesus’ death, because you have to have a death to have a resurrection that overcomes death. And Jesus could not have gone back to be with God the Father if his mission was not accomplished—which means the Spirit could not have come to deal with depravity. So, if Satan and all the other powers of darkness had just left Jesus alone, God’s plan would have failed. Are they supernatural idiots?

I’ve studied a lot about this topic. It’s fascinating. The New Testament actually answers this question. In talking about the good news (“gospel”) of Jesus that he preached, the apostle Paul said: 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, “No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.”

“Rulers” is a word Paul used elsewhere for evil members of the spirit world (Eph 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16). The point is simple: Satan, demons, and the rival sons of God didn’t know God’s plan. (They saw pieces of the plan, but did not understand) For sure, they knew who Jesus was when he started his ministry. So the evil demons called Jesus the “son of God” and “son of the Most High” (Matt 4:1-11; 8:29; Mark 1:12-13, 21-24; 3:11; Luke 4:1-13, 31-37; 8:28).

The Old Testament made it pretty clear that God still wanted a human family to rule with him, just like the original idea of Eden. Satan and his buddies could have guessed Jesus was here to get that ball rolling. But they had no idea how. The logical thing, in their view, was to kill him. But that was the key to everything. So God played them like fools.

It’s easy to chuckle about how much more intelligent God was than any of his supernatural enemies who were part of God’s supernatural family until they chose to reject Him. But let’s not miss the point. God joined humanity not to make Satan or demons look silly. He did it because he wanted you in his family. He needed no other motive. You were enough.

But there’s still more to the story. Jesus did his part. We need to take a closer look at the Spirit’s role for a simple but significant reason—it’s directly tied to our roles in helping God recruit as many people as possible back into his family. We are citizens of God’s kingdom and are to assist fellow immigrants to citizenship.

Now that God Joined His Human Family, we will see how God pursues His family next. Please read John 14:26, 15:26, Luke 24:49, and Acts 2 in preparation.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to actively embrace wisdom’s call and make her a daily presence in your journey. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and grace.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2203 of our trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m excited to continue our journey through the book of Proverbs, where we uncover its timeless wisdom. Today, we’re delving into Proverbs 9:1-6, from the New Living Translation. So, put on your hiking boots, and together, we’ll explore the beautiful imagery of the Feast of Wisdom in these verses.

In Proverbs 9:1-6, we are presented with a vivid contrast between God’s wisdom and the world’s folly. These verses invite us to partake in the life-giving feast of wisdom.

Verse 1-2: “Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table.”

These opening verses paint a picture of wisdom as a skilled architect and hostess. She has built her house with precision and beauty, symbolized by seven sturdy columns. Wisdom has prepared an abundant banquet, mixed fine wines, and carefully set the table. The imagery here is rich, highlighting the grandeur of wisdom’s invitation.

Verse 3-4: “She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. ‘Come in with me,’ she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says...”

Wisdom is not exclusive; she sends her servants to invite everyone. Her call is loud and clear, echoing from the heights overlooking the city. She specifically urges the simple and those who lack good judgment to come in. This inclusivity is a testament to the universal appeal of wisdom.

Verse 5: “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.”

In this verse, wisdom extends a direct invitation to partake in her feast. She invites us to eat her food and drink the wine she has mixed. This invitation symbolizes the nourishment and refreshment wisdom offers those who accept it.

Verse 6: “Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”

Wisdom’s invitation comes with a transformational call. We are urged to leave behind our simple ways and embrace a new life, marked by sound judgment. Wisdom is not just about knowledge; it’s about applying that knowledge to live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Reflecting on Proverbs 9:1-6, we must recognize that wisdom is not a distant concept; it’s a feast of life-giving principles waiting to nourish our souls.

Take a moment to consider these questions: How can you actively accept wisdom’s invitation in your life? What simple ways can you leave behind to embrace a life marked by sound judgment and purpose? Wisdom’s feast is within your reach, waiting to enrich your journey.

Let’s summarize the key takeaways from Proverbs 9:1-6:

The Feast of Wisdom: Wisdom is not passive but a gracious hostess who invites us to partake in her abundant banquet of knowledge and good judgment.

Universal Invitation: Wisdom’s call is for everyone, regardless of their background or station in life.

Transformational Call: Accepting wisdom’s invitation leads to a new way of living, marked by sound judgment and purpose.

In closing, remember that wisdom equips us to make choices that lead to a life of fulfillment. As we continue our journey through the vast landscapes of wisdom, may we walk with openness and embrace the feast of wisdom that awaits us.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to accept wisdom’s invitation and partake in the feast of life-giving principles. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and purpose.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to actively embrace wisdom’s call and make her a daily presence in your journey. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and joy.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2202 of our Trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m excited to continue our journey through the book of Proverbs, where we uncover its timeless wisdom. Today, we’re delving into Proverbs 8:32-36, as translated in the New Living Translation. So, lace up your hiking boots, and together, we’ll explore the profound message of embracing wisdom’s call in these verses.

In Proverbs 8:32- 36, we discover the importance of heeding wisdom’s call and its profound benefits to our lives. These verses offer a clear path to a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Verse 32: “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.”

This verse begins with a loving and inviting call from Wisdom. She addresses us as her children, emphasizing the familial and intimate relationship we can have with wisdom. She promises that all who follow her ways will find joy.

Verse 33: “Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.”

Wisdom urges us to listen to her instruction and become wise. The key here is active listening and a commitment to applying wisdom’s guidance in our lives. Ignoring wisdom’s counsel would be to our detriment.

Verse 34: “Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!”

Here, Wisdom paints a picture of those who eagerly seek her. They find joy in listening to her, watching for her daily, and waiting outside her home. This imagery illustrates the dedication and anticipation with which we should approach wisdom.

Verse 35-36: “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”

These final verses contain a stark contrast. Finding wisdom leads to life and favor from the Lord, while missing wisdom results in self-inflicted harm. The strong statement that “all who hate me love death” emphasizes the gravity of neglecting wisdom’s call.

As we reflect on Proverbs 8:32-36, we must recognize that wisdom is not a passive concept; it’s an active pursuit that requires our attention and dedication.

Take a moment to consider these questions: How can you actively listen to and follow the ways of wisdom in your life? What steps can you take to make wisdom a daily presence in your journey? Remember, wisdom is not just a concept to be understood; it’s a path to be walked.

Let’s summarize the key takeaways from Proverbs 8:32-36:

Embrace Wisdom’s Call: Wisdom invites us to listen to her and become wise, promising joy to those who follow her ways.

Active Pursuit: Seeking wisdom requires dedication, anticipation, and daily commitment to her teachings.

Life and Favor: Embracing wisdom leads to life and favor from the Lord, while neglecting her brings self-inflicted harm and, ultimately, death.

In closing, remember that wisdom equips us to make choices that lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment. As we continue our journey through the vast landscapes of wisdom, may we walk diligently and embrace the call of wisdom in our lives.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to actively embrace wisdom’s call and make her a daily presence in your journey. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and joy.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Putnam Church Message – 02/05/2023

What Does God Want? -  God Was Betrayed By His Family

 

Last week, we continued our series with the overall theme, which is to answer the question: What does God want? The answer we discovered was that God wants you along with every person who will ever live. In other words, God wanted a human family. God wants co-workers to take care of His creation. God wants you to know/ who you are/ and why your life has value to him. /He loves you /and desires that you also love Him. Last week’s message explored the three rebellions in Genesis 3-11. After those rebellions, God chose to restart his human family with Abraham and Sarah, which resulted in the nation of Israel, God’s portion or, as we refer to Israel, as chosen God’s people. Deut 32:9: “For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession.

The history of biblical Israel was a long, meandering affair filled with triumph and tragedy. God wasn’t surprised. He knew what to expect from people. God had always known what he was dealing with.

God let Abraham know that the future of his descendants would be challenging. He was honest. Genesis 15:13, Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. That was the bad news. God provided some hope in Genesis 15:14: But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth.

Sure enough, the descendants of Abraham, now led by his grandson, Jacob, whose name God changed to “Israel,” eventually wound up in Egypt under the thumb of Pharaoh (Exodus 1). They’d gone there with God’s approval to avoid a famine (Genesis 45:5-11). Where they went wrong was that they didn’t return to the land God had given to them after the famine was over. Instead, they stuck around in Egypt way too long.

 

While in Egypt, the Israelite nation grew numerically, so much so that Pharaoh got paranoid about being able to stay in charge of the country (Exodus 1:8-10). He put them into forced labor and exterminated new babies if they were boys (Exodus 1:14-16). But God intervened and made them grow even stronger (Exodus 1:8-21).

 

All told, Israel spent four centuries in Egypt under harsh conditions. Eventually, God intervened and preserved the life of a baby boy named Moses. God engineered circumstances, so the baby was raised in Pharaoh’s house, right under his nose (Exodus 2:1-10). Moses led a life of privilege but one day committed a capital offense, murdering a man in a fight that began as a defense of a helpless Israelite. He fled Egypt to escape justice.

Moses found a new life in a desert place called Midian. God met him at Mount Sinai in a burning bush (pre-incarnate Christ), an encounter that would change the history of his people and the world (Exodus 3:1-15). God sent Moses back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh. He was to demand the release of God’s people. God promised to protect Moses and empower him (Exodus 3:16-22).

The rest of the story is one of the most famous in the world. Even if you’ve never read the Bible, you’ve probably heard of it or seen one of the movies about it. God sent ten plagues against Egypt and its gods when Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go (Exodus 7-12). God used Moses to force the release of multitudes of Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He parted the Red Sea to save them when the Egyptians chased them into the desert to slaughter them (Exodus 13:17 through Exodus 14). The crossing of the Red Sea is far and away, one of the most spectacular miracles of the Bible. But it wasn’t showmanship. It was about preserving a people. God wanted his family.

Eventually, God brought his people back to where he initially spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai. There, he gave the Israelites his laws—the Ten Commandments. He made a covenant promise with them. It’s important to realize that Israel was already God’s people before the Ten Commandments were given. God had referred to the people as his family when Moses confronted Pharaoh (Exodus (3-7) 3:7, 10; 4:23; 5:1; 6:7; 7:4). The laws weren’t about earning a place in God’s family. Israelites were already God’s family.

 

We need to unpack this distinction. It’s pretty essential. Rather than earning a place in God’s family, God gave his people laws to show they wanted to be in the family. God’s laws were about showing God they wouldn’t be disloyal and align themselves with some other god. Being loyal believers would allow God to use the Israelites to minister to all the other nations like “a kingdom of priests” (Bulletin Insert) (Exodus 19:5-6). 5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.” God wanted humanity in his family. He was restarting with one group—Israel. If they were loyal believers, they would be a blessing to all the other nations (Genesis 12:3). 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

 

There’s one more angle to understanding this covenant. God’s laws also weren’t about being good enough to make God love them. God already loved Israel (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). 7 “The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! 8 Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He had supernaturally enabled the elderly Abraham and Sarah to have a child from which Israel, in time, would come. Having a family was the whole point. God didn’t create a list of rules so they would qualify as family. They were his family. God’s laws were designed to help his children avoid other gods and live happy, peaceful lives with one another, not to improve God’s disposition toward them.

 

True to form, God would not dismiss their free will. He just asked that they believe in him—who he was, and that he had created them out of love—and to forsake all other gods. Any member of Israel could reject God’s love if they wanted. They could choose not to believe. They could choose to worship some other god. As we’ll see, many did just that.

 

Once the Israelites left Mount Sinai (where God gave them the law), God led them in the form of a man (an angel-Pre-incarnate Christ) to the Promised Land (Bulletin Insert) (Exodus 23:20-23). 20 “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. 21 Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion. 22 But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you. 23 For my angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, so you may live there. And I will destroy them completely. Along the way, the people constantly complained about insufficient food and water. God provided (Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-30). They had to fight for their lives against lethal enemies in the land. God saved them from destruction (Deuteronomy 2-3; Joshua 11-12; Psa 136:10-24; Acts 13:19).

You’d think that after God brought Israel into the land, the Israelites would have felt an overwhelming love for God—their believing loyalty would be at an all-time high. Not so much. It became a downward spiral. Instead, they decided that co-existence with evil could work. They refused to drive idolaters (people who worshipped other gods with idols) out of the land. It’s like the Israelites knew nothing of the past, how rebellion brings disaster. Their disloyalty and lack of love for God led to this demoralizing scene in Judges 2:1-3: (same as in Exodus)

God had to judge his people . . . again. He basically said, “I’m out of here. Let’s see how you do on your own since you don’t want me.” We’ve seen that before. And, as we’ve seen before, God’s people did very poorly without their God being present. And since we’re rehashing history, God’s response also looks familiar—he kept coming back to Israel to lift them out of trouble. We all know people like that. Maybe you’re one of them. You stick to helping someone because of love, even to the point that it seems irrational. And if you think about what God was doing, it does seem insane. But God wants a human family even when he’s unwanted. His love defies logic.

 

The whole biblical book of Judges, from which the scene above was cited, is about a seemingly never-ending cycle of spiritual rebellion, the suffering it brings, crying out to God for help, and God coming back in love. That cycle persisted for a few centuries. Then, finally, it reached a climax when the people within the nation of Israel demanded that Samuel, a priest, and prophet, anoint a king to rule them.

 

Not surprisingly, the people’s choice of a king (Saul) was an unmitigated disaster. You know things aren’t going to go well (or ought to know) when your choice for a king has to be dragged out of hiding to take the job (1 Samuel 10:22). Eventually, God chose David to replace Saul. David was a moral mess, but he was better than Saul. He never showed disloyalty or a lack of love for God. He broke several of God’s moral laws but repented and never worshipped another god. Therefore, God made a covenant promise with David that said only his sons could be legitimate rulers of Israel.

 

This covenant was about creating a dynasty for David. God would only consider one of his descendants the legitimate king. Sadly, the rest of Israel’s history in the Bible’s story included many men with the correct lineage who were otherwise unfit to be king. God had to remove many of David’s descendants because they were disloyal to him, choosing to follow other gods. (inclusion/exclusion in God’s family) A descendant of David inheriting the throne was supposed to love God and have the proper family history. This is why every king was supposed to keep a copy of God’s laws with him (Deuteronomy 17:18; 2 Kings 11:12). The king was to be the most excellent example (imager) of a loyal believer.

David’s son, Solomon, was the greatest king in Israel’s history (if land holdings and wealth are the litmus tests). But, sadly, his believing loyalty in the true God wavered. He sacrificed to other gods and had a series of political marriages that brought the worship of other gods into Israel (1 Kings 11:1-8). In other words, Solomon began a cycle of spiritual compromise and rebellion that led to national ruin.

 

After Solomon’s death, ten of the twelve tribes revolted against his successor (1 Kings 11:41-12:24). The kingdom of Israel was divided into two parts by tribes and geography. God’s family was now a broken home, so to speak. Sadly,/ many kings during the ensuing period /had never even seen a copy of God’s laws (2 Kings 22:8-13).

 

The northern part of the divided nation (the ten tribes that rebelled politically) immediately plunged into spiritual rebellion (1 Kings 12:25-33). Instead of showing believing loyalty to the God /who had given them the land/ and supernaturally brought them into existence,/ most of Israel betrayed God. This is why the prophets who roamed about the countryside preaching during this time compared the spiritual rebellion to “playing the whore” and spiritual adultery. It was a vivid analogy. The southern part of the country (two tribes) went into spiritual rebellion more slowly. But gradual sin is still sin.

 

Abandoning God never goes well. As the Bible says in Numbers 32:23, But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. As he had done at other times, God let his people exercise their freedom and pay the consequences. In 722 B.C., the northern part of the nation was eventually overrun by a people I like to call the Klingons of the Old Testament—the Assyrians. (Star Trek Reference) If the Lord of the Rings is more familiar to you than Star Trek, think of the Assyrians as the hordes of Mordor.

I like the analogies because the Assyrians had a well-deserved reputation for cruelty. They scattered the ten tribes throughout the ancient world, breaking up families and robbing them of everything they owned. (It reminds me of another Star Trek analogy as being the Borg…Resistance is Futile; you will be assimilated.) The two remaining tribes in the southern part of the nation were conquered by the Babylonians a little more than a hundred years later (586 B.C.). As a result, thousands of Israelites were forcibly exiled to Babylon. However, they were permitted to keep some traces of their Jewish culture. A remnant returned to Jerusalem from this group to rebuild the walls and, eventually, the temple. The remaining ten northern tribes were not brought back to Israel until Pentecost, when all the world nations were brought together under Christ.

 

Let’s be honest. We’d understand if God forgot about his people at this point. They had rebelled repeatedly for well over a thousand years since the time of Abraham. So it’s hard to avoid the conclusion they got what they deserved. But that isn’t how God works.

Rather than just calling it quits, God decided that He still wanted a human family. But getting his people—and the rest of humanity—back into his family required a change of tactics. God had made a series of covenants with his people. But people are, obviously, mere humans. They fail. . . a lot and with predictable regularity. The rest of humanity had been assigned to supernatural beings (the “sons of God”; Deuteronomy 32:8). When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.[a] These supernatural rulers had become enemies of their creator, the God of Israel. Things were complicated.

God had a two-part solution to all this. When the last children in God’s family were on the verge of exile, God prompted two prophets (Jeremiah and Ezekiel) to tell people they were not wholly forgotten. God would make a “new covenant” with his children, one marked by the coming of his Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-28). There was a new day coming.

But the “new day coming” didn’t address the question of how God could honor the older covenants without scrapping or changing them. A lot of Israelites rejected God and worshipped other gods. They showed their contempt for him by breaking his laws. This grieved God. He wanted to honor his promises, but so many of his children were seduced into worshipping the gods of other nations.

 

That was the path of death. Remember, because of what had happened in Eden, every human being was destined to die and not have eternal life unless they turned to the true God and believed in his love and promises. Far too many Israelites forgot all that. They couldn’t just pick and choose gods whenever they felt like it from a spiritual buffet. They had to believe in the true God and keep believing.

 

The situation was especially problematic when it came to Israel’s kings. God had promised David that his heirs would inherit his throne, but many of them turned away from him. God couldn’t ignore this lack of believing loyalty. He also couldn’t just scrap his promise. That would be like admitting the whole thing was a bad idea—and a God who knows everything can’t have a bad idea.

 

So how could God honor his promises to a people who had rejected him and were estranged from him? They needed new hearts. They needed his presence to guide them. What

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2200 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I’m delighted to continue our journey through the profound wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Today, we’re diving into Proverbs 8:22-31 from the New Living Translation. So, fasten your hiking boots, and together, we’ll explore the wisdom of creation in these verses.

In Proverbs 8:22-31, we encounter a majestic portrayal of wisdom as being present at the very inception of creation. These verses invite us to contemplate the divine wisdom that underlies the universe.

Verse 22-24: “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.”

These verses open with a profound statement that the Lord formed wisdom from the very beginning, even before the creation of the universe. Wisdom was appointed in ages past, before the earth and oceans came into existence. This paints a picture of wisdom as an eternal and foundational principle of the cosmos.

Verse 25-26: “Before the mountains were piled up and before the hills, I was born—before he made the world and its fields or even the first dust of the earth.”

The narrative continues, describing wisdom’s existence before the formation of the mountains, hills, and the very earth itself. Wisdom predates the physical world, highlighting its timeless and preeminent nature.

Verse 27-28: “I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth.”

Here, we witness wisdom’s involvement in the creation of the heavens, the setting of horizons on the oceans, and the establishment of the intricate systems of the natural world, such as clouds and springs. This portrayal underscores wisdom’s integral role in the orchestration of the cosmos.

Verse 29-31: “I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.”

These verses culminate in the image of wisdom as the architect by the Creator’s side during the establishment of the earth’s foundations and the setting of the seas’ boundaries. Wisdom is described as the constant delight of the Creator, rejoicing always in His presence. This vividly portrays wisdom’s intimate connection with the divine and its pivotal role in the grand tapestry of creation.

As we reflect on Proverbs 8:22-31, we are reminded that wisdom is not merely a human concept but a divine principle intricately woven into the fabric of the universe.

Take a moment to consider these questions: How does contemplating the role of wisdom in creation impact your understanding of the world around you? How can recognizing wisdom’s presence in the cosmos deepen your reverence for the Creator? Remember, wisdom is not limited to human affairs; it extends to the very foundations of existence.

Let’s summarize the key takeaways from Proverbs 8:22-31:

Eternal Wisdom: Wisdom is not a recent invention but has existed since the very beginning, appointed by the Creator Himself.

Foundational Role: Wisdom played an essential role in the formation of the universe, from the establishment of the heavens to the setting of earthly boundaries.

Divine Connection: Wisdom is intimately connected with the Creator, delighting in His presence and participating in the act of creation.

In closing, remember that wisdom equips us to make choices that align with the divine principles that govern our existence. As we continue our journey through the vast landscapes of wisdom, may we walk with reverence for the Creator and the wisdom that underlies all of creation.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope these verses have inspired you to contemplate the divine wisdom that permeates the universe and deepened your reverence for the Creator. As we continue our journey, may we navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and awe.

Thank you for joining me on this leg of our Wisdom-Trek. I hope this cautionary tale has inspired you to exercise discernment and wisdom when faced with temptation. As we continue our journey through the vast landscapes of wisdom, may we navigate life’s challenges with strength and resolve.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!