Resolute!

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution in 2024? If so, how did you do?

Were you ‘resolute’?

Personally, I don’t get excited about New Year resolutions. However, when I was a school teacher I made resolutions prior to each school year. I guess it is not that important when a resolution is made. For some folks the end of calendar year is the end of a cycle. For others it might be some kind of cycle at work. For some, there are no regular cycles, but times of transition. These all seem to be popular and reasonable times to make resolutions.

Resolutions mark a beginning, and often an end. Looking forward to the future and anticipating better things, a resolution comes from a desire for change. It may be that you want to do something you have never done before. Or, you may have a desire to put negative habits or experiences in the past.

Resolutions come after genuine reflection. Naturally, the ending of some sort of cycle in life is a perfect time to reflect on the past and formulate future goals. In contrast, resolutions which are little more than passing whims or impulsive thoughts are the most difficult to keep.

Every year articles are written a month or two into the new year describing broken resolutions. Perhaps the broken resolutions are because many people are not resolute when making resolutions.

Are you familiar with the word resolute? According to Webster’s dictionary it means:

"Having or showing a fixed, firm purpose; determined; resolved; unwavering ."

Those are strong words. Each begs the use of ALL CAPS and an exclamation point for emphasis:

FIRM PURPOSE!

DETERMINED!

UNWAVERING!

A synonym for resolute is FAITHFUL.

Have you ever considered Christianity a resolution? Was your decision to follow Christ RESOLUTE!?

Resolution: God’s will, not mine.

He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." 

--Luke 22:41-42

Resolution: Die to self, Follow Jesus.

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” 

--Luke 9:23

Resolution: Living Sacrifice, Holy Sacrifice.

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 

--Romans 12:1-2

Whether you make a New Year’s resolution or not, be RESOLUTE in your commitment to Christ.

Mark Stinnett

December 29, 2024

Saints by Calling

Many people in our day have misunderstood God’s calling. They consider every ‘calling’ in the New Testament to be similar to the way Jesus individually called the apostles to follow Him. With the apostles, He did indeed pick them out by name from among His followers.

Some people think that God’s omniscience, His divine quality of being all-knowing, means that no one really chooses Jesus. Rather, God has pre-chosen each follower of Jesus. After all, He knows beforehand whether you are a follower of Jesus.

The flaw in this reasoning is just that, it is human reasoning. Human reasoning is applied to things beyond creation, things beyond the scope of man’s understanding.

While it is true that there are some passages of Scripture that are difficult to explain because, on the surface, they sound like God arbitrarily chose those who would follow Jesus, they must harmonize with all other Scripture. It is apparent from many Scriptures that God does not hand-pick anyone to follow Jesus. He did not choose you or me before our birth as if to say we had no choice but to follow Jesus.

This kind of thinking is disastrous. It would say to a person who has come to faith in Jesus and who follows Jesus with all their heart that they might not be among the ones preselected. For that reason, they are doomed!

The early Christians endured mocking, “Where is the promise of His coming?” The Apostle Peter reminded his readers, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:3-9) That does not sound like God chose some to be saved but did not choose others. He wishes for ALL to come to repentance.

The Apostle Paul wrote that we who are Christians are saints by calling (1 Corinthians 1:2). That means that we are not saints by arbitrary choice, or individual choice, or by divine decree. It means that God has called us to be followers of Jesus. Then he leaves it up to each individual to respond to His call.

It really is as simple as an advertisement on television or that you receive in your email or that you see on a huge billboard along the highway. The advertisement is a call to everyone hearing or seeing the ad. It is an invitation to accept the offer. There may be terms to fulfill. There may be something to buy. It may be a limited time offer. Whatever the case, the offer is made and nothing is final until YOU make a decision and respond to the ad. You must answer the call.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He did not qualify His offer. It was extended to ALL people.

God really does want every person to turn to Him. He extends His arms of love to all. He offers forgiveness and acceptance to all. His mercy and grace are extended to us by calling.

Some people like to say that our salvation is all Jesus, that we can do nothing to receive salvation. Even the grocery store teaches us that we have to respond to the sale ad to receive the gracious benefit being offered.

God has done everything. He has provided a sacrificial Lamb as an offering for our sins. And He has called us to follow Jesus.

Saints by calling: 

   God has called.

   We must responded.

Mark Stinnett

December 22, 2024

The Power of Mockery

Perhaps one of the most demeaning aspects of the life of Jesus was the mockery He endured during His trial and crucifixion.

Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king and Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world. After that, Pilate referred to Jesus as the king of the Jews. In doing so, he mocked the Jews who accused Jesus, but he also mocked Jesus.

Before being crucified Jesus was scourged (whipped) like a criminal. The Roman soldiers dressed Him in purple as if He were a king: mockery. They twisted a crown of thorns and put it on Him: mockery. They called to Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Mockery. They beat His head with a stick, spit on Him, and were bowed before Him: mockery.

The Jews were no different. As Jesus was displayed on the cross to passer-byers (mockery), the religious leaders of the Jews said, “He saved others; He cannot save himself.” Mockery. Those passing by wagged their head at Him and sneered: mockery. Some were saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Mockery.

Even the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus insulted him: mockery.

It is my opinion that no one reading this has been mocked like Jesus. And yet, all mockery is the same, perhaps just different in severity.

A little child would say that he/she was made fun of. Mockery is ridicule that insults and shows contempt toward another person. People may mock ideas or ideals that are held by others. Mockery is usually a verbal expression that sharply puts someone down or devalues something held to be true. Mockery may also be non-verbal.

A young man tells his girlfriend, “If you love me you will….” Then he tries to coax her into compromising her sexual purity. He is mocking love and mocking his girlfriend for his own pleasure.

A friend group pressures a reluctant teen to shoplift as an initiation into the group. They mock the law and they mock the teen for his reluctance.

A young lady is left out of future outings with friends when she insists on abiding by her parents’ curfew. Her friends mock her obedience and, in doing so, also mock God’s word that instructs children to honor their parents.

A person declares, “You have your interpretation of the Bible; I have mine.” He mocks the existence of knowable truth.

A college student scoffs at the biblical account of creation claiming a conflict with science. She mocks genuine scientific inquiry and, at the same time, the divine revelation of God.

Mockery may be experienced through an accusation on social media or ridicule for something you did or said that offended someone. Your boss may take advantage of your Christian values and in doing so, mock you and Christianity.

Solomon said that there is a time to answer mockery and a time to remain silent. (See Proverbs 26:4-5.) We need discernment.

Jesus answered mockery by fulfilling His earthly mission. He was then enthroned as King of the kingdom of God!

The power of mockery lies in those who listen, who give mockery relevance. Some believe they must defend the truth. Yet, in reality, truth defends itself and in doing so mocks the mocker.

Do not fear powerless mockery. 

God is your Judge, and He is your Father.

Fulfill your purpose.

Mark Stinnett

December 22, 2024

Psalm 23: Why Keep Sheep?

When we read about the offering of lambs in the Old Testament, we probably do not think much about shepherds. We usually focus on some aspect of sacrifice and make connections to Jesus or to Christians. On the other hand, when we consider passages about shepherds and shepherding, we probably do not think much about altars and sacrifices. We tend to focus on the vulnerability of sheep and the role of the shepherd as it applies to our relationship with God. All of this is fine. It accords with scripture.

Isn’t it amazing that the shepherd knows his sheep, each one? That close relationship demands careful attention on the part of the shepherd.

The shepherd spends time with his sheep providing care and assistance. He recognizes and wards off potential trouble before it can become a serious threat. He spends his time away from the sheep in search of good pasture and clean water.

When a sheep wanders off, the shepherd leaves the flock to search for the lost sheep. The good shepherd cares deeply for his sheep. So...

Why Keep Sheep?

Have you ever thought about the connection between the shepherd and the sacrifice?

It would be easier if we simply considered the shepherd as a dealer in wool. Every season he would shear his sheep and sell the wool in order to make a living. However, this would leave an incomplete picture.

A shepherd eats his sheep. He also takes the best of his sheep to offer as a sacrifice to God. During the time of Jesus some shepherds would sell some of their sheep to provide Passover lambs for travelers who could not supply their own.

A cow is sold or slaughtered. It has value, but it is a cow. A sheep is sold or slaughtered or sacrificed but it has a name and is known by its shepherd. So...

Why keep sheep?

When Jesus was baptized by John, the Spirit of God visibly descended and remained on Him. It was a sign from God: The one on whom the Spirit descends and remains; this one is the Son of God. (John 1:29-33) God then announced Jesus as His Son, in whom He was well-pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

The next day John was with two of his disciples and he saw Jesus and said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” (John 1:34-35) “Lamb of God” is not a title or a name. It indicates a relationship. Jesus was the lamb that belonged to God; God’s lamb.

Not only was God the Shepherd for King David but also for Jesus of Nazareth.

There was a year in history that was different from all other years. That year, at the Jewish Passover, a most unique sacrifice was offered: The only Lamb of the Great Shepherd. God took his Lamb in whom He was so pleased, and He presented His Lamb as a sacrifice, not for His guilt, but for the sins of the world. His Lamb was not a dumb wooly animal, but His own Son who was devoted to the will of the Father. His Lamb did not go to the ‘altar of sacrifice’ (the cross) unwillingly, but yielded Himself to the Great Shepherd. In that way the Great Shepherd offered His only Lamb as the perfect and supreme sacrifice for all mankind for all ages.

It is amazing to think that The Shepherd is still in the sheep business. But that was the real reason for His sacrifice. He sacrificed His beloved Lamb for all those who were lost. The Great Shepherd loved the sheep in such a way that He gave up His one precious Lamb to go in search of the ninety-nine who were lost.

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Mark Stinnett

December 8, 2024

Psalm 23: Now...and Forever...

My cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and lovingkindness 

   will follow me all the days of my life, 

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

—Psalm 23:5-6

The shepherd David viewed himself as a sheep in the care of the Great Shepherd. After considering all the care, provision, and protection of the Great Shepherd he could draw only one conclusion: My cup overflows.

While the word “cup” is often used in scripture to indicate trials, it is used here to describe bountiful blessings given by God. His cup was not merely filled with enough, his cup was not merely full to the brim, his cup overflowed, being unable to contain all the blessings being poured out by the Great Shepherd. Such was the condition of this sheep...for now.

The final verse in this beautiful psalm completes the picture by looking forward, even to eternity.

The word ‘follow’ more often describes the action of ‘falling in behind someone in order to go where they lead.’ Sheep follow their shepherd. However, in this verse it is not the sheep that is following. The sheep is being followed, or more accurately according to the Hebrew, it is being pursued.

Generally, this term was used in the Psalms to describe the enemies of David as they pursued him. If you were to tell a shepherd that something or someone was in pursuit of his sheep, he would automatically think of the natural enemies of sheep: wolves, mountain lions, etc.

The greater danger was that the pursuit was continual. The enemy of the sheep would not give up until its hunger was satisfied.

An amazing contrast is seen in the life of the sheep in the flock of the Great Shepherd. The Psalmist describes a pursuit, but not by an enemy. Instead, the sheep of the Great Shepherd are chased by goodness and lovingkindness. These two are in hot pursuit and will not give up until their hunger is satisfied. The scene in our minds is almost comical as we picture the embodiment of goodness in hot pursuit continually overflowing the cup of the sheep.

Lovingkindness describes the love of God that motivated Him to make covenant promises to Abraham. At the same time it is the guarantee that He will never break His promises. It is a steadfast love on which the sheep knows it can rely. And this love is in pursuit of the sheep!

As if that is not enough, the final statement conveys a scene that transcends anything our minds can comprehend. Words like infinite, endless, eternal, everlasting, and forever are easily used, yet we cannot possibly understand beyond a trite acceptance of dictionary definitions. How can we truly understand endlessness!?

We can begin counting until we exhaust our language of words to name the next number. Yet the next number exists even if we cannot name it; it is one value beyond the last and there is always another. Eventually, we must simply turn our attention elsewhere because the finality of endlessness does not exist. Perhaps as we consider this thought we would do well to leave off the period at the end of the psalm.

It is within this framework of endlessness that David describes his life in the presence of God. He will not live in a physical structure such as the earthly tabernacle or temple where God’s presence was seen on earth. Rather, he will go to have permanent residence in the true house of God…without end...eternal rest...eyes open...

  And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...

 

 

Mark Stinnett

December 1, 2024