The Potter

My family and I are spending a few days in Pigeon Forge. Today we walked around a local craft fair. At one of the shops they had a man working a potter's wheel. My family and I were mesmerized by this man skill and the artistry involved in his work.

He would take a piece of clay that was nothing more than a lump and in a matter of moments he would transform it into something beautiful. People couldn't simply walk by, they had to stop and observe.

While standing there my mind went to the prophet Jeremiah as he visited the potter's house. The story in Jeremiah is a wonderful picture of our lives in the hands of our heavenly Father. I'm sure most of you have read this story, but I want to share a couple things that jumped out at me while watching this process in action.

The transformation of this process is amazing to me. Something that starts as plain, and even ugly is transformed into something beautiful when allowed to be molded by the Potter. I don't know about you but when God found me I was like that lump of clay. In sin we are ugly and without form. However when the heavenly Potter is allowed to mold our lives He is able to transform us into something amazing.

This process may require some tugging, molding and even cutting some ugly pieces away. It is for this reason than many never allow the Potter to transform their lives. The molding process is so scary that they choose to just stay the way they are. I wonder what we sacrifice when we are reluctant to give our lives over to the hands of God.

I also noticed that, while the Potter made the same form over and over, each piece was unique and different. Some of us get the idea that we are just another singer, another preacher, or another church member. We look at someone else and wish we were more like them. "I wish I could sing like them."  "I wish I could preach like them."

The truth is that it is our unique differences that make us special. If God had wanted you to be different He would have made you different. It is your uniqueness that makes you special, beautiful, you.

Thinking about this I can't help but wonder what the Potter has planned for my life, and your life. Do we trust Him enough to place our lives in His hands? I bet if we do, something amazing will come from it

Intimacy, Inability and Inadequacy

The Song of Solomon

Chapter 1

The way the Song of Solomon begins it can be a little hard to understand. The reason for this confusion is that chapter one does not start with the beginning of the story. We notice two things that are confusing. One, in this chapter we see a great celebration, but we are not told why the people are celebrating. Secondly, we see a woman in the palace that apparently does not belong. The reason I know she doesn’t belong is because everyone is staring at her. How did she get there? To understand these two things we need to turn to chapter eight.

“Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.”  Chapter 8:11

In this verse we are told that Solomon owned a vineyard and has leased it out to tenant farmers. It seems that the woman in the palace in chapter one, is on the farm in chapter 8. Obviously her family was tenant farmers.

We will soon see that this woman was being abused by her family.  Her siblings are making her do all of the work in the vineyard. She is spending so much time outside working that it has affected her appearance.

Someone may ask, “How did Solomon meet this woman?” It seems to me that at some point Solomon decided to go down and check on his vineyard. It also seems that when he did this he disguised himself as a shepherd.

“If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.”   Song of Solomon 1:8

You may wonder, “What did Solomon know about being a shepherd?” Well, have you forgotten who his father was? I can picture Solomon going through some old trunks up in his attic and finding his father’s old shepherd clothing.

Once disguised he goes to check on his vineyard. When he gets down to the vineyard he discovered this young woman is the only one working. More than likely he goes over and starts a conversation with her. Over the next several days they start to become close.

Finally, the day comes that Solomon must leave, and he tells her to come with him. I can almost hear her say “How can I come with you, you are just a shepherd? What would Solomon think if I went with you?” At this point Solomon removed his shepherd clothing and reveals the fact that he is Solomon.

(What a wonderful picture of Christ and his bride. When Christ came to this earth he did not come as a king, but as a shepherd. Each of us fell in love with the shepherd before we fell for the king.)

Now we understand why this woman is in the palace. Solomon has brought her home, made her his bride and is throwing this grand celebration.

Their Intimacy

Beginning in verse two we see the close relationship these two share. She is the first to speak and immediately makes her intentions known. In verse two she asks him to kiss her. This request shows us the intimacy between these two. A kiss is a sign of a close personal relationship.

Notice also that the word kiss in verse two is in the plural form. She wanted more than just one. This woman is not afraid to let it be known the way she feels about Solomon.

The child of God should not be satisfied with God just kissing them with salvation. We should want so much more than that. I don’t know where we get the idea that God only wants to bless us with salvation. God doesn’t just save us and leave us to ourselves. God wants to be part of our lives every day and at every moment.

Notice the way she describes these kisses. She tells us that this kiss was sensitive. She wants him to kiss her with his mouth. This kiss was superior. The woman says that her lovers kisses are better than wine. They were better because of their:

1. Price – His love was free and wine was costly.
2. Taste – The more a person drinks wine the more they desire it. The problem is the more wine you consume the worse you become. Likewise, the more we taste the goodness of the Lord the more we will desire it. God’s love will never harm you though.
3. Results – You hear all the time about a parent abusing their children because of wine. People lose their lives because of drunk driving. God’s love will only do you good. It will cause you to even do well to others.

Not only was his kiss sensitive and superior, but in verse three we learn that it was sweet. His kiss was like the savor of good ointments poured forth. When we think about the life of Christ ointment is a good description.

I want to point something out before we move on. Notice that this woman has not been in the palace long and she already wants a kiss. A lot of people feel like you have to be saved for many years before you can experience the goodness of God. This simply is not true. The moment you become God’s child you are able to experience this type of relationship.

Notice also that she does not care who is around. She wants the attention of Solomon and does not care who knows it. I wish we would learn to say within ourselves, “I don’t care who is around, I want the Lord to kiss me!”

Her Inability

In verse four the bride gives her second request. She wants Solomon to draw her. She is in love and desires close fellowship with Solomon. She is also aware of her inability to obtain this fellowship. Even so, you and I are not able to reach a level of close fellowship with Christ on our own. If we ever fellowship with Him it will be because He draws us to Himself.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  John 6:44

Maybe she is sensing a distance beginning to form between her and her love. She does not want a distance to form between them so she asks him to draw her. I want to point out that she does not ask him to draw her because she is lazy or indifferent. She is helpless.

Notice three things she says that she will do if drawn:

1. Run – We see many today who are running before they are drawn. You will never be able to run for Christ until you have been drawn by Him. Notice also where she is going to run. She is going to run after him. That should be our desire.
2. Rejoice – We cannot even rejoice if we have not been drawn. We can rejoice in our flesh, rejoice in ourselves, but to rejoice in Christ we must be drawn.
3. Remember – To remember can be a blessing and a curse. If we remember the days we spent in sin without being drawn it can cause us harm. Only once we have been drawn close to Him can we properly look back over our lives.

At this point in the story Solomon has brought her into his chamber. This is a place of his secret love. This is like the cleft of the rock God hid Moses in. It is like the most holy place in the tabernacle. In this secret place she makes a confession.

Her Inadequacy

In verse 5 &6 she gives a confession. “I am black.” She is saying that she does not look like all the other women in the palace. Because of her position as a tenant farmer the sun has darkened her skin. In this day a woman desired to be fair skinned. To have a tan was a bad thing. She is ashamed of her skin.

I would like to point out that she is confessing what everyone already knows. Everyone in the palace already knows that she is dark. She felt the need to confess this anyway. Many of us make the mistake when we sin of saying, “Everyone already knows it anyway. God already know about it.” While this may be true, there are certain things that we need to confess anyway.

Solomon knew that she was “black” yet he still wanted her in his chamber. God knows the failure that I am, that I have been. God know the wrongs that I have done. If you knew me like God knew me you probably would not want to read this blog. God knows, but He still wants me in his palace.

In her eyes she is like the tents of Kedar. The tents of Kedar were made from the skin of black sheep and goats. They were weather beaten, worn and dark. These tents make us think of her pilgrimage. Her journey has resulted in her not being everything she wanted to be.

In the eyes of Solomon we see a different picture. Solomon says that she is like a curtain. This speaks of royalty, luxury and beauty. You may see me as black. I may see me as black, but in the eyes of my heavenly Solomon I am of beauty and value.

Solomon responds to her confession in verse nine by telling her that in his eyes she looks like a horse. Please don’t think this is a crude example. (Please don’t call your wife a horse.)

Remember that this woman has just confessed that she has a very low estimation of herself. These horses were very valuable. Solomon is saying “You may not think you are valuable, but I think you are of great value.”

At this time in history Solomon had just purchased several horses from Egypt. He chose these horses, paid a great price for them. Even so, Christ chose each us. He paid a great price for us.

Notice that he does not compare her to just any horse, but to the horses in Pharaoh’s chariot. He is saying there is something royal about her. He thinks of their relationship as going places.

Solomon not only compares her to a horse in verses 15 & 16 he tells her that while she may be “black” in her own eyes, she is “fair” in his. Many times we are black with sin, but in the eyes of God we are white and clean.

As this book will progress we will see that this woman is far from perfect. She will make mistakes and do things she will later regret. In all of these ups and downs we will see a consistent love on the part of Solomon. Aren’t you glad that God’s opinion of you isn’t your opinion of you? So many times I am disappointed in who I am and what I do, but God sees me through different eyes. He sees me as one who is covered in the blood of Christ and has had the righteousness of Christ applied to my life.

You can watch this lesson taught live at this link

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A Promise and a Problem

A Promise and a Problem

The apostle John wrote several books in the New Testament. The last books he wrote were the epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John. When John wrote these epistles he was dealing with a church not so different than our churches today. The epistle of 1 John was written to the people of Ephesus. In its glory, under the early ministry of Paul, this church was on fire for God. They were seeing multitudes saved, false religions thrown down, and cities turned upside down. At this point in history the fire is dying out.

John is writing to the children and grandchildren of these early church members. These descendants were not as “on fire” as their ancestors were. In fact when Christ spoke of this church in the book of Revelation He complains that they have left their first love (Christ).

A Promise

In an effort to help this church John writes the epistle of 1 John. In the first chapter John states two reasons for writing this book. John states in verse three that he is writing so that they might have fellowship with God, and in verse four he says that he is writing that their joy would be full.

The promise in verse three is one of the most wonderful in the entire Bible. It is the promise that you and I can have fellowship with God. What a wonderful thought that mankind can fellowship with the God of the universe.

In verse three the word fellowship means to share something in common. For example my wife and I have fellowship with one another because we share some things in common. We both love each other. We love our children. We love our home. We have common goals for our marriage, and our future. The same should be said for the church. We should have fellowship with one another. A church should share a common love for Christ, and each other. A church should share common goals and visions for their future. A marriage or a church that does not have fellowship will soon fall apart.

A Problem

When I think about this wonderful promise of fellowship with God a problem immediately comes to mind. Here is the problem. Amos asked this question in his book.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”   Amos 3:3

This is what is known as a rhetorical question. The answer is obvious. No, two cannot walk together if they are not in agreement. Therefore we have to determine how a sinful man can have fellowship with a holy God. Man has been asking himself this question for many years. In answer to this question mankind has devised three methods to attain fellowship with God. John discussed these three methods in 1 John chapter one. I would like for you to consider them quickly with me.

Method #1 “I will bring God down to my level”

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”  1 John 1:5, 6

Light produces life, beauty, wonder and radiance. Darkness produces everything that is opposed to light. If God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all, then how are we to have fellowship with Him? In the mind of man one of two things has to happen. One, we must bring God down to our level. Second, we must arise to God’s level. Both of these methods end in failure.

It is impossible for you to be walking in the darkness of sin and at the same time have fellowship with God. If this is your story then John says that you are a liar. Many times when people are guilty of sin they are also guilty of trying to hid their sin from other people. Think about David after he sinned with Bathsheba. He tried over and over to cover his sin and act like nothing was wrong in his life.

None of us are perfect, but God does not want us walking in open sin. To claim fellowship with God while walking in sin is to attempt to bring God down to your level. God cannot be brought down to your level.

Method #2 “I will arise to God’s level.”

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”  1 John 1:8

This may even be worse than the first method. To be a liar is one thing, but John says that if you believe you have no sin you don’t even know what truth is. This is even worse than being a liar. A liar knows the truth, but chooses to ignore the truth. The person who does not believe they sin doesn’t even know the truth.

I feel sorry for people who teach and believe that they must live in sinless perfection in order to obtain, or maintain salvation. This is an impossible task. Notice that John says that if you believe you have no sin you are deceiving yourself. The person who feels that they do not sin is not fooling anyone other than themselves. Trust me, your spouse, your family, your coworkers and your neighbors know that you sin. The only one you are fooling is yourself. Method 2 also ends in failure.

Method #3 “I will confess my sins.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   1 John 1:9

The Greek word translated “confess” in this verse means “to say the same thing.” It simply means that when God reveals sin in your life, you look at that sin from God’s perspective and proclaim “Lord, you are right that is sin and it is wrong.” That is confession.

When you are willing to take sides with God against yourself, then God is willing to forgive you of those sins and clean you up. Sin is terrible and God hates it. God cannot fellowship with someone who is walking in open sin. When we confess our sins however God will clean us up and accept us into fellowship with Him. Method 3 is a success.

What is your opinion of sin? None of us are perfect. All of us sin. The question is what you do about that sin. Do you ignore it? Do you act like you don’t sin? Or, do you confess sin? Only when you are willing to confess the sin in your life will you be able to experience fellowship with God.

Woe, Woe, Woe

Revelation Chapter 9

As Revelation chapter 8 ends we witness an angel flying through the midst of heaven proclaiming three woes to the inhabitants of the earth. Beginning in chapter 9 we are given the first woe, and the beginning of the second woe. It will not be until chapter 12 that the final woe is come. Let us now look at some (in my opinion) most terrible judgments that will come during these seven years of tribulation.

First Woe (Fifth Trumpet)

When chapter nine begins we witness a “star” falling from the sky. The fact that this is not a literal star is pretty obvious. The fact that this star, or angel, falls from heaven does not imply that the angel is a fallen angel or Satan himself as some would imply. John simply is saying that this star descended from heaven at a rapid rate, so as to appear to be falling.

This is the same star angel found in chapter 20:1-3. The angel in chapter 20 is seen coming down from heaven with the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. The angel binds Satan and casts him into the pit for 1,000 years. The work of both angels is the same, to unlock and lock the bottomless pit.

There is a great deal of speculation as to who the angel of verse one is. I think that it is not important, and does not add to the importance of the scriptures. There is little doubt that this angel is not Satan, and I do not believe he is Christ. This more than likely is an angel that has been tasked with opening and sealing the bottomless pit.

The “bottomless pit” mentioned in these verses is not hell, nor is it Hades. This is a place where wicked, disembodied spirits are held. In the New Testament this bottomless pit is also referred to as the “abyss”. This place is so terrible that when Christ cast the demons out of the maniac in Luke 8 the demons begged Christ not to send them into the “abyss”. They would rather have embodied a group of pigs than to go to this terrible “abyss.”

When the angel opens the bottomless pit a group of demon locust comes forth. These are not ordinary locust. We know this because they were a combination of horse, man, woman, lion and scorpion.

These terrible creatures are instructed to torment those who do not have the seal of God on their forehead. This torment is so great that it lasts for five months. During this time of suffering men and women will be in so much pain that they will desire to die, but death will not be allowed. Can you imagine suffering pain so great that you wish you could just die and end it all, but death will not come?

These locusts have a king over them. The name of this king is “Apollyon” which means “The Destroyer.” Since Satan is not called by this name in the scriptures, this cannot be their king. Instead this demon is simply the king of the bottomless pit.

Second Woe (Sixth Trumpet)

When this trumpet blows four wicked angels are loosed. We know they are wicked angels because up until this point they have been bound. These four angels are the leaders of 200 million demonic horsemen. We can assume that they have been bound near the river Euphrates, where Satan’s seat was in ancient days, and where the New Babylon will stand.

Again these are not ordinary horses. Their heads were as the head of a lion, their tails like serpents and smoke, fire and brimstone comes out of their mouth. The invasion of this cavalry will leave behind millions of dead for they are commanded to kill 1/3 of all living. They will kill around one billion people. Men will die either by being burnt to death by fire, by suffocating on the smoke or by the sting of the serpent like tail.

They are sent to punish men for their idolatry, demon worship, murder, sorcery, fornication and theft. The staggering thing is that the men who are not killed still are unwilling to repent of their sins.

This is amazing for we have seen the release of 13 judgments, seven seals, and six trumpets. One would think that after experiencing these judgments men would begin to think of eternity, but this is not so, they continue to rebel. We are told in the word of God that men will not repent of their sins even after they have been placed into hell. In hell they continue to gnash their teeth and wail out against God. They are angry with Him and are not willing to repent.

These verses tell us of five sins that man would rather hold onto than turn to the Lord.

1.      Occultism – This will be a time of pronounced devil worship. We know that many will fall down and worship the image of the beast, but this is currently seen today. We see the same today however, on our street corners and televisions. What do you think psychics and astrologers are?

2.      Murder – In this day murder becomes a sport, it is pleasurable to them. Today we see the acts of terrorism and hate crimes that people commit without any remorse.

3.      Drug abuse – The word used for sorceries is “pharmicia” and is translated today as pharmacy or pharmaceutical. In all of the Old Testament and in the book of Acts the word sorcery is translated and means witchcraft and should be translated as such. There are five instances however in the New Testament where this word is translated differently.

These next two are interlinked. In an effort to support their drug abuse women will sell their bodies and men will steal.

4.      Fornication

5.      Stealing

What a terrible time to live in. I’m glad I will not be here. How about you?

Life is a Relay not a Sprint

Last night I was in church and our pastor was reading a passage of scripture before his message and one of the verses seemed to jump off the page at me. The verse was 2 Timothy 2:2.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Here Paul was instructing the young preacher Timothy that he was to remember the things that he heard Paul teach and preach. Then Timothy was to teach others the things that Paul had taught him.

I’m afraid too many of us are living the Christian life like it is a sprint instead of relay. A sprinter is concerned only about himself. The only concern that a sprinter has is to make sure he gets to the finish line in first place. This is the way that many Christians are living their lives. They are only concerned about their own life, or only the life of their family. As long as they make it to heaven, or as long as they understand the scriptures then that is good enough for them.

From Paul’s description in this verse the Christian life should be a relay. A relay is run by a team of people who run as hard as they can, and then they pass on the baton to someone else who can run after they are finished. This is the way the Christian life is to be lived.

One of the darkest times in history, in fact we refer to it as the “dark ages”, was when the church decided that the average man should not be able to read or understand the Bible. The church felt that it was better that the average man just took the priest’s word concerning the scriptures instead of reading and learning for himself. The church was so strong in this belief that they even persecuted and even killed those who would try to translate the Bible into a language the average man could understand. This brought on a great deal of false religion, traditionalism, and false doctrine. The main reason that the church wanted these people in the dark was because that means they could not be held accountable for the things that they taught.

Sadly this is the way that some so called “men of God” want their people to be. They do not want their people to know as much as them, definitely not more. For if their people knew the truths of the Bible this would mean they would be more accountable for the things that they preached and taught. God help us when we delight in the ignorance of the scriptures!

Paul wanted to be held accountable for what he said. He said that the church who studied the scriptures for themselves were “noble.” And in the verse I mentioned earlier he wanted Timothy to teach others, so they in turn could teach others.

It should be our desire to learn all we can about the scriptures, and then pass that knowledge along to someone else. I want my children to be better Christians than I am. I want my Sunday school class to study along, and be wise in the scriptures so that they can teach someone else the things that I have taught to them. In fact, when I am the most discouraged, regarding my class, is when I feel like that those I teach do not fully understand what I have taught them.

God help us to live our Christian life like it is a relay. Help us to pass along the baton of the scriptures to someone else, so they can do the same. How can the word of God live on if we are not teaching and training someone who can do the same? The answer is that it cannot.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

This past week I began teaching through the book of Revelation again. The study of Revelation is one of my favorite studies, but one of the most difficult as well. I enjoy this book so much that I used the study of Revelation when writing my thesis when receiving my doctorate. Most people are intrigued with the event relating to the future, but at the same time they do not understand much of what they read in the books of Revelation and Daniel.

I may try to blog through this book the best I can over the next several months. Beginning this coming Sunday you will also have the ability to watch to these lessons by clicking on http://www.ustream.tv/channel/thoughts-of-theology-josh-sharp . 

In this blog I would like to give you a few tips to remember when studying this book as well as a brief run down of the chapter.

In Mark 13 the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him when the things that He prophesied against Israel would come to pass. In verse 32 Jesus answered the disciples and said, “but of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only.” It seems that when Jesus came to this earth as a man He forfeited certain information. Some have a hard time believing this, but when you consider the verse mentioned along with verses like Luke 2:40 you will have to agree this is true.

Knowledge about these end time events must have been some of the information He did not have. After His resurrection Jesus received from His Father the information that the disciples asked Him for. Before the close of the first century, while at least one of the disciples were still living, Jesus appears to John and reveals to him the information asked for many years before. This information is recorded in the book of the Revelation.

Points to consider

This is a prophetic book, not a historical book. This book does not record the past, but the future. This book is the summary and fulfillment of all prophecy left unfulfilled. There has been no new revelation since this one. Any person who claims to have a “new revelation” is in danger of the plagues promised in chapter 22.

This is the only book in the Bible to begin with a blessing and end with a curse. God promises a blessing to anyone who reads or hears the writings of this book. God also promises a curse to anyone who dares take away from, or add to the writings of this book.

This is a symbolic book. In the first verse we are told that an angel signified these things to John. The main word of signified is “sign”. This is a book of signs and symbols.

This book is not only symbolic but it is literal as well. This is where most get confused when reading or studying Revelation. This book should be taken literally whenever possible. Most things in this book are self-explanatory.

This book is given in consecutive order. The main events are as follows, seven seal judgments, seven trumpet judgments and seven vial judgments. Some claim that these three groups of seven are the same judgments repeated from three different viewpoints. This is not true. These are seven unique judgments that God will release upon the earth.

Tips for study

Do not seek to find hidden meaning to the words of the scripture. Be satisfied with the explanation that God gives to us and do not try to add something to it. For example all of us have read the emails that take a person’s name and transform the letters in their name to come up with the number “666”. I can’t tell you how many emails I have gotten trying to convince me that Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, George Bush and now Barak Obama is the antichrist.

Next you need to forget the idea that prophecy can only be understood after it is fulfilled. If this is true then prophecy has failed at its job. Why tell someone in advance what is going to happen if they are going to be unable to understand? That makes no sense. All true prophecy is clear in itself.

Lastly do not interpret God’s own interpretation of any symbol or prophecy, or change God’s meaning from what is plainly clear. If God clearly tells you what something is, looks like, or does, do not try to change it to mean something else.

Chapter One

In this chapter we are introduced to the main character of the book. The main character is Jesus Christ. It has always bugged me that most bibles will place a chapter heading over this chapter that reads “the revelation of saint John the divine.” This is not the revelation of John, but the revelation of Jesus Christ according to verse one.

Let me also say that this is not the book of “Revelations” as so many refer to it as. This is the book of the “Revelation”. This is a singular word. This book is not filled with many revelations, but it is one revelation. The word “revelation” means to unveil. It is like an artist removing a cloth that covers a statue so to unveil it.

In chapter one Jesus is seen by John in His glorified state. Jesus no longer is the humble carpenter walking along the Sea of Galilee. He is the risen, soon coming, and king of glory. When John sees the resurrected Christ he is so shocked and humbled that he falls at His feet like a dead man. Understand that John is a man that walked and talked with Christ while upon this earth. John had ate with Him, saw Him do miracles, watched as he was transformed, even laid his head upon Him.

As he does this the Lord tells him to fear not. This is the same message that Christ is sending today. I do not believe that Christ wants us to live in fear. What are we to fear? If Christ be for us who can be against us? Why be fearful of death? Why be fearful of hell? Christ holds the keys for both. Christ controls death and controls hell, so why fear, why not simply rest in Him?

Lastly we are given the key, or order to this wonderful book.

The things which thou HAST SEEN – This is described in chapter one. This is the revelation and appearance of the glorified Christ.

The things which ARE – These are the things wrote to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3.

The things which SHALL BE HEREAFTER – These are the things that shall take place once the dispensation of the seven churches is finished. This is the future of the world described in chapters 6 and following.

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It’s Time to make your voice heard!

When you read through the book of Esther you see a development in the life of Esther. After she receives the news that the wicked Haman had plotted against the Jews she is nervous and afraid. As she develops she moves to prayer, steps out of faith in appearing before the king and now in this chapter the time has finally arrived when she must make her voice heard. God has set the stage for what we see in chapter seven.

Throughout the pages of the Bible God’s people are told to make their voices heard. We are told to make our voice heard in praise. During the triumphant entry of Christ, we are told that the people cried “Hosanna” “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” The disciples wanted to quite the crowd. Jesus told them that if they were to be quite the rocks would cry out.

We are told to make our voice heard in witnessing. Jesus gave the example of the man who made a wedding celebration for his son. Once the wedding was prepared he called for the guests. One by one the guests declined to come. Because of this, the man told his servant to go out into the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, so that his house would be full. What a great example of the witness we should be.

We are told to cry out against sin and the list goes on. The church has been silent too long. It is time make our voices heard.

Speak up before the king

In chapter seven we see the seventh banquet mentioned in the book of Esther. The three main guests at this banquet are the king, Esther, the queen, and Haman. I’m sure that when Haman goes to this banquet he does so with mixed feelings. He is happy to be the invited guest of the queen, but at the same time his pride is hurt because the honor he just had to give to Mordecai in chapter six.

As the king did on two other occasions he asks what the petition of the queen is. Once again he offers her up to half of the kingdom. (This did not mean he would really give her half of the kingdom. This was an expression used to demonstrate that the kingdom was willing to be generous.) It seems that this petition of Esther is something that has been weighing heavy on the kings mind. He does not waste any time in asking Esther about it. I’m sure this has been heavy on Esther’s mind as well. No doubt she has rehearsed this speech many times.

Her request was that her and her people be spared from certain doom. You will remember way back in chapter two that Mordecai had instructed Esther not to reveal her nationality when she entered the contest for queen. She has kept that secret this whole time. I’m sure this statement perplexed the king. I can see the shock in his face. “What does she mean her people?” “Is she not Persian?” “Has a secret been kept from me?”

It is now time for Esther to take her place with her people. For her to do this was to not only identify her nationality, but to reveal her religion as well. In this day to be identified as a Jew was much more than nationality. Having made her request it is now in the hands of the Lord.

Startled the king asked who the person was that would do such a thing. Either the king is looking for someone to blame or he does not even realize yet that Esther is a Jew. The king was already hit with one surprise when he found out that his queen was a Jew. He is going to be hit with another. He is about to learn that his number one man is the one responsible for this problem.

Speak up before it’s too late

I can see Haman’s mouth fall open. He has no words. He does not know what to do. Haman may not have known, but God has promised that no weapon formed against His people will prosper. God promised Abraham that he would bless those that blessed him, and curse those that cursed him.

The king is so shocked and enraged that he storms off from the table into the garden. We don’t know what was going on in the king’s mind. It may have been anger. It may have been embarrassment. It could be far more than these two things. Did Haman really want to slay the queen? If Haman wanted to kill the queen could it be that he was involved in the crime of Bigthan and Teresh? Could he want to kill the king as well?

I don’t know what the king thought but I know that it was not by chance that the king was just reminded that a Jew named Mordecai saved his life. If Esther was a Jew, and Mordecai, the man that saved his life was a Jew, then why would he want to kill the Jews? The king walks up and down in the garden trying to control his anger.

When the king returns to the room he sees Haman pawing at the couch of Esther. Haman knows that his last resort is to beg the queen for forgiveness. Seeing this, the king immediately accuses Haman of trying to molest the queen. This crime is punishable by death. The gallows that Haman constructed for Mordecai were convenient, so they take Haman and hang him on his own gallows. Apparently Haman had let it be known that he intended to hang Mordecai, because the people of the palace knew about the gallows he built.

The day before Haman led Mordecai around the city with royal apparel on. Now he is being led through the city with his head covered. No doubt Haman’s wife and his ten sons witness his execution.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”  Galatians 6:7

Haman sowed hatred against the people of God. Haman attempted to kill Mordecai by hanging him on the gallows. Now Haman is hanging 75 feet off the ground with a rope around his neck.

National Day of Prayer

As most of you already know today is the day that our nation has set aside as a day to pray. While I believe that everyday should be a day of prayer, it is wonderful that we set aside a day to remind us of the need to pray.  I can’t help wonder how our nation, our world, or even our homes would be different if we pledged to make every day one of prayer.

 

I thought I would take just a second and share my prayer with you today.

“Lord, I’m so thankful today. I have been blessed beyond what I deserve. You have blessed me with a wonderful home, with health and with happiness. Most of all you have blessed me with the privilege of knowing you as my savior. I’m so glad that on February the 23, 1993 you saved a 14 year old kid who was on his way to hell. From that point I have never been alone. You have me your Spirit who lead, guides, and comforts me every day.

Today I pray for my family. I love my wife and two girls. I’m glad that you placed them into my life, and could not imagine my life without them. Bless them today, give them protection and happiness. Please bless mine and my wife’s family, my church family, my pastor and his wife.

I pray for those that we love who are suffering today. I pray for those who have sickness, heartache and suffering. I pray for those who are sick in sin. I have family that is lost. I lift them up to you today pleading for their soul. Lord please don’t let any of my family die lost. I pray for that small group of people who I am privileged to minister to. I pray for my Sunday school class, the children I minister to at church and for the one who is reading this blog.

I ask your protection over our country. America is not what she once was. We have allowed too many distractions to come into our lives that have caused us to take our eyes off of you. Please send revival to our country once again. Let it begin with the local church and move throughout our communities, our states and our nation.

God you are good, your mercy is great and your truth endures through all generations. You are worth our love and praise.

In Jesus name, Amen.”

That is my prayer today. What is yours? Have you prayed today? Let me finish by saying that if it has been awhile since you last prayed, today would be a good day to fix that problem.

Your friend in Christ,

Joshua Sharp

Is God glad we killed Osama Bin Laden?

I usually don’t post two blogs in one day, but this is something that has been on my mind all day. I thought I would share my thoughts on this subject in this blog. So, Is God glad we killed Osama Bin Landen? The answer to this question is two-fold. Truthfully the answer is yes and no.

Let me begin by saying that the Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the unrighteous. God spoke through Ezekiel telling us “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”  There has never been a sinner die and go to hell and God be pleased about it. “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

In my blog earlier today I talked about the death of another wicked man by the name of Haman. (If you did not read my earlier blog it's entitled "It's time to listen to the voice of God.) Haman was a man not unlike Bin Laden. He hated the Jews, he hated the one true God and he was willing to murder and kill if that is what it took to promote his cause. It is wasn’t for the hand of God moving on behalf of the Jews Haman would have succeeded and eliminated the Jewish population. But before God allowed Haman to be killed he warned him on more than one occasion to repent of his ways.

Had Osama Bin Laden been willing to repent of his ways and turn to God then I believe he could have found salvation. John 3:16 tells me that God sent His Son to die for the sins of the whole world. Osama Bin Laden is burning in hell as I write this blog, and although he was a terrible man, God takes no pleasure in his death.

While God does not take pleasure in the death of the unrighteous, He does from time to time have to eliminate them. A lot of praise will go out to a lot of people for finding and killing America’s number one enemy. The fact of the matter is that if God was willing they never would have found him.

I believe that Bin Laden's hatred for America was because we supported Israel. His number one enemy was the Jew and that meant we were his enemy as well. The trouble with being the enemy of the Jew is that, when you are the enemy of the Jew you are also the enemy of God.

Way back in the book of Genesis God told Abraham that he would make him a great nation. Along with the promise came another promise. God promised to bless them that blessed Abraham (his decedents the Jews) and curse them that cursed Abraham. God has made good on that promise. One of my heroes J. Vernon McGhee was famous for saying “The Jews have been around to attend the funeral of every enemy who tried to kill them.”

Osama Bin Laden was an old enemy with a new name. His name could have just as easily been Pharaoh, Caesar, Haman, Hitler or Stalin. Each of these men have in one way or another tried to eliminate the Jewish people and each of these men have suffered a similar fate to that of Bin Laden.

Woe unto the person, or nation that turns to harm the Jew! It is my hope that America will forever be the friend of Israel. God will bless those that bless the Jews. The day we turn our back on our Jewish friends is the day God turns his back on us. Let us, as the people of God, pray that that day never comes.

God took no pleasure in the death that took place late last night, but the enemy of the Jew is the enemy of God. Osama Bin Laden picked the wrong fight.

It's time to listen to the voice of God

Have you ever heard the saying “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”? Well that could not be said for Haman in Esther chapter 6. The fact is, as when chapter six begins it will be the last day of the life of Haman.

When I taught this lesson to my class at church I titled chapter six “It’s Time to listen to the voice of God.” If Haman would have listened to the voice of God this day may have went different. Before the chapter is over Haman will be warned many times about his wickedness, and on each occasion Haman will ignore God’s voice. Haman continues to run head first into his wickedness.

“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”   Ezekiel 33:11

The fact is that God has no pleasure in the death of a sinner. God does not want anyone to die lost and go to hell. The Father rejoices, the Son rejoices, the Spirit rejoices, and the heavens rejoice when a sinner is saved. If Haman would have turned to God he could have been saved. God would have loved to save Haman.

God speaks His will, verses 1-3

Many times God speaks to us without us even realizing it. We assume that when God speaks He does it in such a way that there is no way we can misplace His voice. This is not always true.  Sometimes God speaks in a “still small voice” as He did to the prophet Elijah. Sometimes He speaks through an event in our life. Sometimes He speaks through others. Maybe He speaks to us through something we read, or hear. In chapter six He will speak through a sleepless night.

I believe it is important that we train ourselves to hear the voice of God. There have been many times that God has spoken to me. Most of the time when God speaks He does it in a small way. A nudge saying maybe you should do this, or not do that. I try my best to listen.

This night in Shushan was a sleepless night. Haman is up all night supervising the construction of the gallows that he intends to hang Mordecai from. The king is up all night as well.  Shakespeare wrote, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” King Solomon agreed by saying,

“The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”  (Eccl 5:12)

I’m sure that the king had spent many nights awake. No doubt the king had many responsibilities and worries that kept him up at night. He worried about the finances of the kingdom. He worried that someone would try to take his life. Maybe he ate too much at the queen’s feast. We don’t know why he is awake, but God is keeping him awake for a purpose. This night however will be one of the most eventful in history.

Since the king is unable to sleep he orders one of his servants to read to him. Again, this is the hand of God working. The king had many forms of entertainment at his disposal. He could have called for a musician to play music or a troubadour to tell him a story in a song. He could have called for some of his officers to come play a game. He could have called for a woman to come to his chamber. Instead the king asks one of his servants to read to him.

The Persians had a strict order of honor and rewards. This kept the people loyal to the king. As the servant reads the account of something in the mind of the king clicks. It’s like a light going off. He realizes that nothing was ever done to honor Mordecai for saving his life.

You can almost picture the servant reading and the king sitting up in his bed asking, “You didn’t read what was done to honor that man. What did we do for him?” The servant looks over his notes and replies, “Nothing was done to honor him.” If Mordecai would have been honored 5 years before, the events of this day could not have occurred. There was a definite reason that Mordecai’s deed was wrote down, but no honor was given.

God speaks to the wayward, verse 4-14

God takes no pleasure in the unrighteous, but he also takes no pleasure in the unrighteous person’s death. The bible is clear that God does not bring judgment without first bringing a warning. Before Judas betrayed Christ he was warned. Paul tells us in his epistles to warn the unruly. God does not just judge someone without first giving them the opportunity to repent.

I have seen God warn people about their sin. I have also seen people ignore the warnings of God. To see someone ignore the warnings of God is one of the scariest things you can watch. In these verses we will watch Haman ignore the warnings of God. We will also see what happens to a sinner that continues to ignore the warnings of God.

Haman hasn’t slept this night either. He has been up all night supervising the construction of the gallows he intended to hang Mordecai on. Once they are built he goes to the palace early to get permission to kill Mordecai. I’m sure Haman thought that if he would get permission early then Mordecai would have to hang there all day, giving everyone the opportunity to see his dead body.

When Haman arrives the king hears someone stirring in the court so he asks who is outside. When he finds out that it is Haman he calls him into his bed chamber. Again, the hand of God is moving. Had Haman arrived an hour later the king may have already consulted with one of his other advisors. God wanted Haman to be the first one there. God wanted Haman to be the one that spent the day honoring Mordecai, not killing him.

When Haman is called for the king asks him a question without giving the background of the question. “What should be done to the man the king wants to honor?” Haman thought the king meant him. After all, he was the prime minister. He had been given the ring of the king. He was given permission to destroy the Jews. Surely the king was thinking of him. Little did Haman know that before the day was over the situation would be reversed. Haman would spend the day honoring Mordecai and the gallows that were meant for Mordecai would hold his body.

Imagine the sequence of events. First he has to go find Mordecai and bring him to the palace. He has to put the royal clothes on him and get him on the king’s horse. Next, he had to walk up and down each street of the city proclaiming that this was the man that the king wanted to honor. When all this was done he was to take Mordecai back to the palace, remove the clothes from him and send Mordecai away. This was quite a day.

When the day is over Haman heads home. He has his hood over his head like someone has died. He has been publicly humiliated and does not want anyone to see his face.  When he arrives home he again gathers his family and friends like he did in chapter five. What a difference a day can make. This time he does not call them to brag, but to share his humiliation. When he tells his wife and friends about the day he has had his wife speaks up. What she says is very interesting.

Basically his wife is saying that there is no way Haman can prevail over Mordecai. God is sending another warning to Haman. Had Haman repented of his deeds and asked for forgiveness, God would have forgiven him. This may have spared the lives of himself and his ten sons. I don’t know if she thought the day was a bad omen or if she knew the history of the Jews, and God’s promise to Abraham. She did know something was not right. Just as Pilot’s wife warned her husband not to have anything to do with Jesus because of the dreams she had the night before. Haman’s wife is warning him about bad things that lay ahead.

While they are discussing these things a knock is heard at the door. It is an escort come to bring Haman to the banquet Esther is making. As Haman leaves he has no idea he is headed to his last meal. Oh, how things would have been different if Haman would have listened to the warnings of God.

It's Time to take action

Esther Chapter 5

In the fourth chapter of Esther we read the account of Mordecai’s mourning. This mourning eventually comes to the attention of Esther. Mordecai explains to Esther the evil plot of Haman to destroy the Jews. Haman has convinced the king to sign into law a decree that allowed the Persian people to kill the Jews, take their possession, and the Jews were not even allowed to defend themselves. When Esther is presented with these facts she determines that she will go before the king (a potentially deadly decision) and beg for the lives of her people.

I have titled chapter five “It’s Time to Take Action.” Just to determine to help was not enough to save the Jewish people. If the Jews were going to be helped, Esther would have to act on what she had determined.

A church was praying one night that God would do away with the new night club that was built right next to it. While gathered around the altar praying the congregation heard sirens, ran outside and saw the night club burning up in flames. The congregation was so surprised that God had answered their prayers. Then the pastor notices one of his members running around the back of the church with a can of gasoline in one hand and a lighter in the other. The pastor asks what the member is doing. The dear sister replies “sometimes you have to put legs on your prayers.”

I’m not saying that you should do something this crazy, but I am saying that sometimes we need to put legs on our prayers. Just think what would have happened if David would have just prayed that Goliath would go away. What if Moses would have just prayed for God to make a way around the Red Sea? What if Jesus had have just prayed that God would provide a way for us to be saved? What if Esther would have just prayed for God to change the kings mind?

No doubt all of these people prayed, but each of these people put some legs on their prayers. Sometimes it is not enough just to pray that God will save your family. Maybe you will have to go after them. Sometimes it is not enough just to pray that God will restore your home. Maybe you have to make it happen. It is not just enough for you to pray for God to use you in His service. You have to get busy. Esther is about to get busy putting legs on her prayers.

Take Action on the things you Ask for

When chapter 5 begins we see the king sitting on his throne. No doubt he is surrounded by his attendants and officers. He is conducting some sort of official business. While the king sits on the throne, in an alcove stands a very nervous Esther. Esther had been preparing for this moment for three days. When she steps into the throne room the moment is dramatic. I can picture Esther stepping into sight and just standing their nervously waiting for the king to notice her. The question is will the king raise his scepter to her? We have no record of this, but I would imagine in that moment Esther prayed.

You can almost see as the king looks up and notices Esther. In the midst of the crowd of people around the king, he notices Esther. She must have been striking. In that moment the king’s heart is moved toward Esther and he raises his scepter to her. Can you see her smile? I can. She goes forward and places her hand on the end of the scepter.

He knows that she has come with a need. Something is troubling the queen, maybe she is trembling. Seeing this, the king wanting to make Esther feel comfortable, tells her that she can ask whatever she wants and he will give it to her. Instead of making her request known, Esther invites the king and Haman to a lunch. She wants Haman there when she lets the king know that he has tricked the king into the death of the Jews, her death.

The question is, “Why didn’t Esther just go ahead and tell the king Haman’s evil plot?” Dr. Wiersbe says there are at least four reasons.

1. It wasn’t the right time? The king was unprepared to receive this shocking news. It could have been that the king would have considered her accusation an act of treason, or maybe just gossip.
2. It wasn’t the right place. It would have been against palace etiquette for the queen to make her plea publicly.
3. Esther wanted Haman, and only Haman present when she told the king about the evil plot.
4. One more event had to occur before she could share her burden with the king. This will happen that very night. We will see this in the next chapter.

Take Action on your Attitude

The chapter ends with the wicked Haman calling his friends together and bragging about the day he has had. Haman is so excited. He was the honored guest of the king and queen. He has also been invited back the next day to another banquet.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”   Proverbs 16:18

There are a few things that men like to brag about. They like to brag about their riches, the money they make. They like to brag about their children, or grandchildren. Then they like to brag about their promotion or position. Haman boasted about all three of these things. Notice the number of times the word “his” is used. He is so full of himself.

The last thing men like to boast about is how great they are with the women. Haman is bragging that the queen invited him to lunch, and then tomorrow he will eat dinner with her. If Haman knew what the queen had in store for him, he would have turned down the invitation. Things are not going as well as he thinks.

But, all of these good things are meaningless as long as Mordecai will not bow to him. The size of the man can be determined by the size of the things that irritate him. Mordecai was only one man, a man that Haman should have ignored. Instead Haman complains that all the good things that have happened to him are meaningless because Mordecai will not bow to him.

Haman’s malice is so great that it has infected his wife and friends. It is suggested by Haman’s wife that they build gallows for Mordecai. So that night Haman had built gallows 75 feet tall. I would like to point out that the name Mordecai means “little”. Mordecai was a short guy. Why build gallows that tall? The reason that Haman does this is because of the hatred he holds in his heart. Satisfied with this plan Haman ends the night with construction of the gallows that will eventually end his life.

Christian?

The phrase “Christian” is one that is heavily abused today. We say that we live in a “Christian nation”. Most people here in the south will proudly proclaim that they are “Christians”. But have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “What does it really mean to be a Christian?” I think we might be surprised by what it truly means to be a Christian.

To be a Christian means that you are like Christ. In Acts chapter 11 the disciples were the first group of people referred to as Christians. These men were called Christians because they conducted themselves in a way that reminded the people in Antioch of Jesus Christ. Therefore to be a Christian you must be like Christ. So, that brings up a good question. What was Christ like?

Jesus was a man who cared more about others than He did himself. Everything that Jesus did, He did for someone else. From the time that Jesus left heaven to be born in Bethlehem until the present, when He is seated next to His Father making intercession for the child of God. Everything He did was for others. When Jesus walked among men He confessed that there were times that he didn’t even have a place to lay his head, but when the multitudes came to hear Him teach and grew hungry He always found a way to feed them. Jesus was mocked, beaten and killed by an angry mob. Why, because He cared more for others than He did Himself. He cared more about your sins and my sins than He did His own personal wellbeing.

Jesus went about to do good. Everywhere He went He was looking for someone to bless. Jesus was a shining example of how to care for the poor, how to reach out to a community, how to share the good news that is the gospel message. Whether it was healing the sick, feeding the hungry, teaching the ignorant, He always went about to do good.

I could say so much more. Jesus was a man that had compassion. Jesus was a man who was willing to compromise when necessary, but unwilling to compromise when necessary. Jesus was a man who believed in hard work, paying your bills, being honest in business and helping your fellow man.

So, this brings me to another question. Are you Christ like? Are you a Christian? Do you care more about others than yourself? Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was. He answered that the greatest commandment was to love God with all your heart, but He quickly added that the next greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself.

Do you go about trying to do good? Could it be said of you that you are compassionate? Are you willing to compromise if needed, and at the same time unwilling to compromise on certain things? Do you work hard, pay your bills, and are honest in business? If you can’t answer yes to these things then you may not be as much like Christ as you think you are. Oh how we use that term “Christian” so loosely.

Let me say before I finish that another characteristic of Christ was that He always had His priorities in the right place. When Martha complained that her sister Mary was not helping her with the house work Jesus answered that Mary had chosen the “good part.” You see, Mary was not working around the house because she was sitting at the feet of Jesus. On another occasion Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for complaining about the disciples. The Pharisees did not feel that the disciples were doing enough for the poor and needy. They felt they should spend more time working in the community and less time with Jesus. To this Jesus explained that the poor and needy would always be around, but He would not.

It is possible to get so involved in helping others, working in the church and in the community, that we lose sight of what is really important. Jesus complimented the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2 for all their hard work, but also warned them because they were so focused on their work they lost sight of their love for God. It is sad when a church ceases to be a church and becomes a community outreach center. Yes, we are to help others, but that should never take the place of spending time with God.

I know it seems like a fine line we are supposed to walk. Jesus said that the path that leads to heaven is straight and narrow. Fortunately we do not have to walk this path alone. Jesus knew that we would need help, so He promised that he would never leave us alone. I challenge you to examine yourself. Ask yourself the question. Could it be said you are a “Christian”?