Sin and Reproof

We intuitively like to think that what we do is right. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,” the Bible says (Proverbs 21:2). But when we honestly reflect on our lives we know that we are not always right, and what we do is not always what we should do. That’s not hard to admit – as long as we keep it in general terms. The problems arise when someone dares to be specific in pointing out a wrong in our lives. Which, by the way, is something that will necessarily be taking place in any community of loving Christians who truly know and value the Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). The ability to accept this kind of reasonable “reproof”, as the Bible calls it, is the difference between being designated by God a fool or a wise man. God’s word goes so far as to say, “he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1). On the other hand, “The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise” (Proverbs 15:31). With so much at stake, it is regrettable that so many of us would rather be artificially consoled by the “deceitful kisses” of those who don’t really have our best interests at heart, than to be genuinely helped by the “wounds” caused by the corrective words of true friends (Proverbs 27:6).

-- Pastor Mike

For more sermons and devotionals on Sin & Reproof, please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org. 

Training

Accomplished athletes make their sport look easy. But for all of us who have tried to advance in a sport, we know there is nothing easy about reaching a level of proficiency in athletics. Some people can make godliness look easy. They seem to effortlessly love God and do what is right. But the Bible is clear that like athletics, reaching a level of proficient godliness requires a lot of hard work. Paul wrote, “train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). The word that translates “train” is the Greek word gymnazo, from which we get the words “gymnasium” and “gymnastics.” This word carries with it the sense of strenuous, persistent, and sweaty exercise. And that certainly doesn’t sound easy. Of course it is not physical exercise Paul is promoting, as he goes on to say: “…while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way” (1 Timothy 4:8). But the parallels are undeniable. To grow in godliness we must strenuously and persistently work to establish and intensify godly habits, godly traits and godly patterns of thinking. This is key in moving us toward spiritual maturity, which the writer of Hebrews defines as “those who have their powers of discernment trained (gymnazo) by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). So keep at it. And remember that God’s Spirit is in you to carry you forward as you give yourself to the hard work of becoming a more godly person.

-- Pastor Mike

For more sermons and devotionals on Training please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org. 

Juicy Morsels

There is little debate that “there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Even the most godly Christians are quick to concede that “we all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). Thankfully, when it comes to imperfect people engaging in imperfect fellowship the Bible tells us “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Unfortunately though, the gossips among us make it their aim to neutralize this divinely sanctioned “oil of love”, which God provides to grease the gears of Christian unity. These perverse and selfish personalities whisper and mutter as they steady the spotlight on any hint of imperfection to leverage others’ shortcomings into something truly demonic (James 3:14-16). What would otherwise be forgiven and forgotten is protracted and exacerbated by the work of these satanic emissaries (2 Timothy 2:23-26). “For lack of wood the fire goes out,” the Bible says, “and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases” (Proverbs 26:20). While Christ works to establish love and harmony among his people, the “whisperer” toils to “separate close friends” (Proverbs 16:28). The latest gossip may be a kind of “delicious morsel” to the twisted appetite (Proverbs 18:8), but we would be wise to build up a strong distaste for the kind of private conversations that do so much to tear apart what Christ gave his life to bring together. -- Pastor Mike

For more sermons and devotionals on Juicy Morsels please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org. 

Easy Answers?

We all like easy answers. Yet the Bible tells us that “It is the glory of God to conceal things” (Proverbs 25:2). That may appear to be a cruel portrayal of God, who is lauded for stealthily hiding important matters from his creatures. But think for a moment about how loving parents routinely and strategically choose to refrain from simply handing over the answers to their children’s homework questions. Parents and teachers alike intuitively recognize that there is virtue and lasting benefit bound up in the process of learning, not just in possessing the right answers. Of course God could have constructed a universe in which the answers to everything were easy to come by. But he didn’t. The world he made for us requires that we search for wisdom and understanding “as for hidden treasures” (Proverbs 2:4). As hard as that often is, the Bible extols the process as a godly and noble task. God praises us for continuing to ask, seek, knock, study and labor to arrive at prudent and judicious answers and insights. Life will always require it. Godliness will perpetually demand it. So remember that yes, “It is the glory of God to conceal things” (Proverbs 25:2) but it is also “the glory of kings to search things out” (Proverbs 25:2). -- Pastor Mike

For more sermons and devotionals on Easy Answers?, please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org. 

Why Me?

“Why me?” That’s a question we usually mutter in bad times, but it’s actually a great question to ask when things go well. Of course the theological answer is easy and concise – namely, God’s grace. But beyond that, asking “why me?” when you are blessed may have practical and more specific answers that are worth discovering. In the Old Testament the question was asked of Esther, who had been plucked from the foster care of her cousin Mordecai to become the wealthy and pampered queen of Persia. After her unexpected rise to prominence a plot had been uncovered that threatened to annihilate the Jews in the region. Mordecai then wisely asked Esther to consider if perhaps God had blessed her in the way that he had so that she could leverage that blessing into something that would meet the need of the moment. Mordecai was confident God would deliver the Jews in one way or another, but he had to ask her, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Great question. And one that the rest of the story clearly answers. Yes, the dramatic promotion of Esther was God’s strategic means for foiling an evil plot and protecting his people. So the next time God clearly and perhaps unexpectedly blesses you, acknowledge the grace of God, then consider how that blessing might be utilized to advance the cause of Christ and make a difference for God’s glory. You may find that it was granted to you “for such a time as this!”

-- Pastor Mike

For more sermons and devotionals on Why Me?, please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org.