An Offering

He offered what!? 

(Righteous Lot - Genesis 19)

God sent two angels to warn Lot and his family of the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was evening when the angels arrived at the city of Sodom and found Lot at the city gate. Upon their arrival Lot, not knowing that they were angels from God, invited the strangers to his home.

Before going to sleep that night men from all over the city of Sodom came and surrounded Lot’s house. They called to Lot instructing him to release his guests to them so they could commit terrible sexual sins with the strangers. Lot refused and advised them against their wickedness.

Then something happened that absolutely stings the mind to even think about. As a parent it is unbelievable and shocking.

Lot called back to the men of the city and...
Offered them his own daughters for their sexual desires...

Was he out of his mind!?!

He offered what!? 

(Jephthah, Judge of Israel - Judges 11)

Jephthah was an outcast among the Israelites; his mother, a prostitute. So he had been driven away.

However, when Israel found herself facing a war against the nation of Ammon, she needed a strong warrior to lead her. The elders of Israel called on Jephthah to lead them in battle.

Jephthah, still bitter over the way he had been treated, agreed to lead Israel in battle with one condition: He would become their head leader. The elders agreed and Jephthah became the general of their armies and the leader of Israel.

The Bible says that the Spirit of God came upon Jephthah as he led Israel. He then made a vow to God. Jephthah vowed that if he was victorious, he would offer as a burnt offering whatever came out of his house upon his return.

It is doubtful that Jephthah could have imagined what would happen upon his return. Most likely he imagined that an animal would exit his house and that he would joyfully sacrifice the animal to God as thanks.

God gave Jephthah success in battle, however, upon his return home it was not an animal that exited the doors of his house. Jephthah was devastated as he saw his daughter rush out of his house to greet him. He knew that he had made a vow to God that could not be taken back.

The scene is mind-numbing. How could a man be so foolish? How could he have overlooked this possibility? How could he possibly keep this vow? How could he not keep a vow to God!?

One’s mind races with thoughts of horror, but the broken hearted warrior kept his promise and… offered his own daughter as a sacrifice...

Was he out of his mind!?!

An Offering
Years after the days of Lot and Jephthah, yet many years in our past, the world was in turmoil. The power of sin reigned and there was no hope for mankind. But Deity looked down with compassion, hearing our cry, and….

Many agree that it is the most well-known verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world….” You see it on homemade signs held up at football and basketball games. Our children recite it and we are proud of them, maybe even entertained. It rolls off our lips so easily: “For God so loved the world….”

Does it sting our minds more to think of Lot’s offering or Jephthah’s sacrifice than the offering and sacrifice of Jesus?

God offered as a sacrifice his only begotten Son…

Was He . . . !?!

Mark Stinnett

August 25, 2024

We Own Our Lips!

Listen to the boast of the ungodly:

We will triumph with our tongues;

We own our lips –who is our master?

--Psalm 12:4

Just prior to this boasting, David described the one who lies to his neighbor through flattery and deception. We are surrounded by the same kind of flattery and deception in our current society. It breeds mistrust and shallow relationships.

David wrote that empty speech, lies, and boasts describe the ungodly and faithless person.

Jesus said to let your “Yes” be “Yes” and let your “No” be “No.” This was in response to the way in which the people would make a claim or a promise. To swear by the temple was a strong vow. But to swear by the gold in the temple was even stronger. Jesus taught his followers to speak truth with no disclaimers or qualifications or hidden meanings.

Have you ever rationalized a white lie in order to avoid an embarrassing truth? Some call it tact (though that is a gross misunderstanding). We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever greeted someone with words of warmth and interest, yet the greeting was empty. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever twisted the truth to keep someone from getting hurt? It actually made things go better! We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever made a bold claim or promise without really thinking about whether you could keep your promise? People are impressed and perhaps even inspired. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever told the truth, but in a way as that intentionally give you an advantage? We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

It wasn’t adultery, it was an affair. She isn’t rebellious, she’s a free spirit. I am not being deceptive, it is a gentler way to say things. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever showered someone with complements…so you would appear encouraging? Flattery gets you everywhere. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

The joke was a little ‘shady,’ but it was soooo funny. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Have you ever used a word that rhymes with an obscene word or that only suggested something of a sexual nature? We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

We live in a country that guarantees free speech. It is our first amendment right! We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Churches have argued over doctrine. Christians have split hairs wrangling over words. Churches split. We own our lips! Aren’t we clever?

Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, “We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips – who is our master?”

--Psalm 12:1-4 (NIV, 1984)

Is the Lord your Master or your arrogant lips?

Truth and genuine encouragement, or silence!

Mark Stinnett

August 11, 2024

To Be or Not To Be...Angry

Have you ever known anyone who was never angry?

If so, you have either not known that person very long, or you have found a truly remarkable individual. Anger is a natural human response.

Most often, however, the Bible describes human anger as evil, something to avoid. Yes, it is true that God was sometimes angry. Jesus was also angry. Yet, divine anger does not justify the anger of man. Some have correctly described God’s anger as righteous anger.

The Apostle Paul taught, “Be angry and do not sin.” (Ephesians 4:26) Yet, we should not think that Paul promoted anger, but rather that he encouraged Christians to deal with their anger before it became sin. The remainder of the verse says, “do not let the sun go down on your anger.” The simple point: Do not allow your anger to go unresolved because unresolved anger is sin.

God’s anger is always just. It is right for God to be angry at a nation, a city, or an individual who opposes Him or who harms His people. God is pure and holy. To oppose God, even in disbelief, opposes all that is good and true. Jesus was angry, but His anger was rooted in His zeal for God and for the temple of God. So, is it possible for us to be angry like God? Like Jesus?

When children are disobedient and show dishonor, is parental anger justified? If that anger is grounded on biblical teaching and is not merely a selfish and impulsive response, “Yes,” that anger toward one’s child is justified and should be followed by appropriate discipline and instruction. The simple reason is that God instructs children to be obedient to their parents. That anger is justified.

When a co-worker or acquaintance uses God’s name in profanity, or the government legalizes sin, is anger justified? If motivated by true zeal for the name of God and his principles, and not motivated by a pious, holier-than-thou attitude, “Yes,” that anger is justified. Even so, it must not be justification for other sins of aggression, defiance, or hatred.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus described anger much differently than the two examples above. Jesus warned against anger because it devalues other human beings. Anger that devalues others is never justified. God loves every man, woman, and child. Anger that devalues another person opposes God’s love and minimizes the loving sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. That anger must be resolved before the sun goes down!

Whenever people justify anger, they may not realize that they have accepted the fact that anger is bad. Justification is a way of finding find a rational explanation to excuse things that are known to be wrong, or to cast wrong in a different light as if it is good. In general, anger is not good! It is NOT emotionally or physically or spiritually healthy to hold on to anger or to express one’s anger.

It is wise to learn how to deal with anger. Yet, it is even wiser to submit to God’s instruction and learn self-control. Self-control is the natural outcome of one who bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit; anger is not fruit of the Spirit.


Mark Stinnett

August 11, 2024

Distracted by the Headlines

Taking a break from my studies I walk laps in the auditorium, music from my phone playing in the background. I am lost in thought, distracted.

Social media has exploded with comments about the pro-LGBTQ display during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Some defend, some condemn, some say, “Just watch the games,” and others, “If you don’t like it, don’t watch.” And still others have mixed the parading figures in the opening ceremonies with prophetic imagery from Revelation and declared…. 

(I don’t know what they are declaring. I didn’t listen long enough to find out. I didn’t have to; I didn’t want to.)

Much like the unexpected display in Paris was an unexpected event at the time of Jesus. The Roman governor Pontius Pilate mixed the blood of some Galileans with pagan sacrifices. Some Jews came to Jesus to ask His opinion of this startling headline news. His answer:

“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?”

—Luke 13:2 (ESV)

Jesus’ question made His listeners think about God’s judgment. It was a way of asking whether the Galileans who died had received divine judgment at the hand of Pilate for being worse sinners. In reality, all sinners are worthy of divine judgment. Then, Jesus continued…

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (v. 3)

Jesus redirected their focus from the headline news of the day to their individual response to God. They needed to change their way of thinking (repent), or they would perish, i.e., die in their sins, just like those Galilean sinners.

We need to stop reacting to headline news; we need to stop focusing on the inequities of life.

Recall what the Apostle Peter wrote:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

—1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)

Peter was trying to prepare the early saints for persecution, something far worse than being offended by a public display interpreted as ungodly. Why would it be strange that a group/ organization that promotes the glorification of human achievement does not honor God?

Saints, do not be naïve! 

We cannot expect those who do not know Christ to act like Christ! Stop reacting to headline news and the inequities of life. Stop living with your head in the sand engaged in things elsewhere in the world, things over which you have no influence or control. 

Pray? Yes! But wake up!

The words of Jesus echo through the centuries, “Repent!” We must focus our minds on the current year, our current place of residence, and the circumstances surrounding our individual lives. We each need to focus on the kingdom of God. There will be yet another headline tomorrow, another great injustice, another offense. And there will be, for some, true persecution for doing good and standing for Jesus.

On the great day of judgment God’s interest will have nothing to do with your opinion of the questionable things that have occurred on the earth. He will want to know whether you pledged your allegiance to Jesus; whether you remained faithful to Jesus; and whether you went through each day striving to be holy and striving to do good. 

Refocus!

Mark Stinnett

August 4, 2024