Bible Doctrine Series-Jehovah-M'Kaddesh

Jehovah-M’Kaddesh. The Hebrew word m’kaddesh means “to purify, cleanse, set apart as sacred; to declare holy and consecrated to God.” Jehovah-M’kaddesh is the Lord who makes us holy. Repeatedly in Scripture we are reminded of the awesomeness of our God. Moses was instructed to remove his shoes in the presence of a holy God. Only the high priest could enter into God’s holy presence once as year, and then, he was required to be covered with a blood sacrifice for his sin. David declares the holiness of his God. Psalm 103:1 “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Merrill C. Tenney says this about holiness: “Holiness is first applied to God, and is early associated with ideas of purity and righteousness….Holiness means the pure, loving nature of God, separate from evil.” In the Old Testament, people were instructed to offer something to God. In the New Testament, we are to be that living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice offered to God. Paul concluded that such action on the part of a believer was reasonable. In Christ we were not only accepted, but made acceptable. We were made the very righteousness of God in Him, born-again as a new species with the character and nature of God’s holiness. We are now to work out what is true within. Note: In many cases the Jehovah of the Old Testament is none other than the Jesus of the New Testament. Cf. Isaiah 40:3 with Matthew 3:5; Numbers 21:5-6 with 1 Corinthians 10:9. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Where is Home

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured. Refusing to accept release, so that the might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, and they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-of whom the world was not worthy-wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:32-40). As we look at the end of this grand chapter, we feel a crescendo of compassion for these great men and women of God. Although the writer admits that time does not allow him to name all their exploits of courage, these nine verses do much to convince us that each one deserves our highest respect. Imagine yourself in their place? The subject here is endurance in both triumph and tragedy. Note several things about the triumphs and tragedies of the faithful. First, there are erroneous ideas about the Christian life. There are at least four wrong conclusions regarding Christians that have been drawn over time and must be dismissed from our minds. Regarding passivity: “Christians are followers of Jesus, so they are meek, mild, and passive people.” Let's examine the subject of persistence: “Because Christians are people of faith; therefore, they never doubt or become discouraged.” Regarding perfection: “Christians, because they are Christians, are perfect-free from the marks of imperfection.” Regarding protection: “Christians know God, so they are shielded from hardship, calamity, and tragedy.” 1. Jesus was not passive, He stood firm against His critics. 2. Christians, being human do teeter on the fence of uncertainty at times. Defectors have been found within the ranks of Christianity throughout all generations. 4. Christians can and do experience such things as financial disaster, mistreatment, trips through the deepest valleys imaginable. Second, note some actual examples of endurance. The writer attempts to stir up endurance in his readers. Here he gives a sampling of those who have already endured. Several historic names and roles are noteworthy (v.32). Not one of these people was perfect, passive, persistent or protected. They were people who experienced the full spectrum of life’s offerings: both its triumphs and its tragedies. Let’s examine two extremes (vv. 33-38). Triumphs: (vv. 33-35a). 2. Tragedies: (vv 35b-38). Tragedy does not happen only to the wayward, the unkind, the hypocritical, the ungodly; it happens to mature, sensitive, obedient, and concerned believers as well. In this generation, an illusion is spreading: that people of true faith experience only wealth, health, and happiness. Scripture does not support such a superficial teaching. Effect then and now (vv. 39-40). All these magnificent folk of the past who experienced and endured both triumphs and tragedies brought honor to God because of their faith. Through their faith they gained approval. The person of Messiah, the promise of God, under laid each heroic act of faith. Third, note the practical impact of this teaching today. Several unavoidable conclusions must make their way into our thoughts if we are going to see life as God sees it. Undeserving and sinful Christians often rejoice in unexpected triumphs. Godly and great Christians often suffer through unexpected tragedies. Both extremes link us with an uninterrupted history: a history we call “God’s plan” (v.40). How do you respond when you see sinful Christians experiencing triumphs? What type of response does the Scripture teach us? How do you respond when godly Christians suffer tragedy? What type of response does the Bible teach us? Have you personally experienced either of these conditions? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Blessings from the Furance

Please read I Peter 4:12-19. Every Christian who lives a godly life experiences a certain amount of persecution. It may happen on the job, in school, in the neighborhood, perhaps in the family. Peter dealt with this kind of "Normal persecution" earlier in his letter. In the above passage he explains a special kind of persecution, a "Fiery trail" that was about to overtake the entire church. Peter gave the believers four instructions to follow in the light of the coming "Fiery trail." First, we can expect suffering. A believers life produces a different lifestyle. Much of what goes on in the world depends on lies, pride, pleasure, and the desire to get more. God declared war on Satan after the fall of man, and Satan has been attacking God through His people ever since. Jesus explained to his disciples that they should expect opposition and persecution from the world. A fiery trial comes because we are faithful to God and stand up for that which is right. The word "Happened" is important, it means "To go together." The trials are part of God's plan, and He is in control. Second, we are to rejoice in suffering. He said were are to "Be constantly rejoicing." Peter named several privileges that we share that encourage us to rejoice in the midst of the fiery trail. Our suffering means fellowship with Christ. Jesus is with us in the furnace of persecution. Our suffering means glory in the future. "Suffering" and "Glory" are twin truths that are woven into the fabric of Peter's letter. God is not going to replace suffering with glory, rather He will transform suffering into glory (see John 16:20-22). Our suffering brings to us the ministry of the Holy Spirit. "For the presence of the glory, even the Spirit, rests on you." The reference is to the Shekinah glory of God that dwelt in the tabernacle and in the temple. Our suffering enables us to glorify His name. Third, we are to examine our lives. In the furnace of persecution and suffering, we often have more light by which we can examine our lives and ministries. During this time we must ask several questions. Why am I suffering. Let's be sure we are suffering because we are Christians and not because we are criminals. We must ask, am I ashamed, or am I glorifying God. Not being ashamed is negative, and glorifying God is positive. It takes both for a balanced witness. During this time am I seeking to win the lost? Our present "Fiery trial" is nothing compared with the "Flaming fire" that shall punish the lost when Jesus returns in judgment. Forth, we must commit ourselves to God. We can commit ourselves into the care of God. The word is a banking term, it means "To deposit for safe keeping." This picture reminds us that we are valuable to God. This commitment is not a single action but a constant attitude. "Be constantly committing." Peter referred to God as "A faithful Creator" because God the Creator meets the needs of His people. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

A Study in Humility

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). Notice Jesus didn't say "Blessed are those," but "Blessed are you." Jesus takes His teaching on non retaliation to its logical outcome. Not only should we not strike back, but we are to rejoice when we are persecuted. Wow you might say, how do we do that? Well, our trust in God's promise of reward comes into play. The prophets suffered likewise (II Chron. 36:15-16). For you see our role as a disciple of Jesus Christ is greater than that of an Old Testament prophet. I can almost hear you saying lets have some proof of that. All right, take out your Bibles and look up Matthew 10:41-42; 23:34 and 11:9, 11, 13:17 and see for yourself. Thus we can identify with prophetic leaders like Jeremiah, Isaiah and Ezekiel. Here is why we are given a greater honor than being prophets; God summons us to bear the name of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:27; 20:28). Please note the characteristics of our Savior, He is lowly in heart, mourns over the unrepentant, shows mercy and He is a peacemaker. How much more so must be His disciples who are to imitate His ways. A Christian is a little Christ. Contrast the attitude of a real disciple to those in the world who receive honor among men. I recently heard a pastor say "The church is like an old prize fighter who has lost his punch." We lose our punch when we stop being like Jesus. Our Lord told us "The greatest among you is servant of all." In the Christian life the way up is down. We are told to learn from Jesus who is "Meek and humble of heart." We are never so much like the devil as when we are proud. We learn from James to "Humble ourselves under the mightily hand of God and He will lift us up." We are taught by Peter that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." This could be a good time to learn a lesson in humility, its a requirement for discipleship. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Soap for a Dirty Mouth

I grew up in a culture where any good mother fixed the problem of a dirty mouth with soap. Several of my grade school friends experienced a good mouth washing. They related to me that a mouthful of soap really doesn't taste all that great. The problem of a dirty mouth goes a little deeper than the tongue. The battle for a pure mouth starts at the heart. A godly man was helping shingle the roof on a church. He hit his thumb squarely with the hammer. As blood squirted from the wound he said "This is going to really be inconvenient." "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Paul challenged the believers at Emphasis with the following. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29). As believers we are ambassadors of Christ. A faithful ambassadors is on duty 24/7. Every conversation we engage in gives opportunity to impart grace to those who might be in desperate need of it. We must be careful to not waste such an opportunity by means of frivolous, meaningless conversation, or even worse speech that is vulgar or obscene. Every believer is given opportunity to point lost, hopeless, people to the Lamb of God, who takes away sin. When Paul wrote about "Unwholesome talk" I believe he had several things in mind. The first thing would be taking the Name of the Lord in vain. This would be a great contradiction of who we are as Christians. No one in a good marriage would stomp on his marriage license or wedding ring to express anger, they stand for that which is holy and pure. So does the Name of our God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Second, trivializing the terrible. Things like hell, damnation and holiness. These are all realities. It is a travesty to use the reality of hell like a punctuation mark for emphasis when talking about sports or politics. The same holds true for damnation. The divine command "Be holy as I am holy," carries for us the same weight it carried for Moses, Jesus and the apostles. To use the expression "Holy cow or holy anything ought to smite our hearts, because it treats something infinitely precious as trifle. Third, referencing sex and the body in vulgar ways. The whole assumption behind the use of vulgar four-letter words is that they communicate scorn, disdain or hate. How does the act of sexual relations, created by God as good to be fulfilled in marriage get translated into a four letter word and carry the meaning of hate and scorn? The answer is simple, first one has to get God out of their mind. When God is pushed out of a persons thoughts, they are then "Free" to become "Slaves to sin." (Romans 6:20). And fourth, speaking in mean spirited ways. This reflects the attitude behind the words. Castigating a person, besmirching or putting others down, indicating they are stupid, worthless, drawing attention to their shortcomings, mocking another. This all relates to unwholesome talk which ought not characterize a believer. We can talk ourselves out of a good testimony. Some questions to ask about our use of words. Do they nourish? Do they heal? Do they lift up and encourage? Are your words coming from a healthy heart? Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:34-37). This might be a good time to ask the Lord to use some divine soap on your heart.

Staying Clean in a Dirty World

The old hymn writer asked "What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus..." James says "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:21. The story is told of a man living in a place where the soil was salty and nothing would grow in it. Yet one day outside his kitchen window beautiful flowers sprang up and bloomed. Upon investigation it was learned that he threw his dish water out the window each day. In time the water washed the salt out of the soil. He received a gift of flower seed and placed the packet on the window. a wind blew through the house and cause to seed to tumble to the ground outside the window. The daily soaking from the dishwater opened the packed and planted the seeds. In time with the proper soil, rain and sunshine the seeds grew. The flowers came up in an "Impossible" place and put forth their fragrance. This brings us to our verse. How do we get clean and stay clean in a dirty world. The answer is to humbly accept the Word that is planted in us. How does the Word become planted in our hearts? By daily sowing, as we read the Word, the Word becomes planted. What type of soil do the Word grow best in? The soil of humility, we are to humbly accept the Word which is planted in us. This is why Jesus said "You are clean through the Words I have spoken to you." Are you allowing the Word to grow in your heart? Do you daily wash your soul with the "Water of the Word?" Are you becoming the Christian God has called you to be. Let God cleanse your heart that you might grow into His likeness.