To Whom Shall We Go?

The title question of this article is something I have wished to write about for some time. Our church is celebrating its 50th anniversary of ministry this Sunday and I felt this was a good time to share some thoughts on this matter. The theme of our anniversary is "Celebrating 50 years of holding forth the Word of Life". In this article I hope to convey what I believe to be the privilege, responsibility and necessity of doing just that, "holding forth the Word of Life".

As I considered the matter for which I felt the Lord was putting on my heart to write about, the Helper reminded me of the words spoken by the Apostle Peter in response to a question that Jesus had asked His disciples. In John 6 we find the Apostle John describing the decision by many of Jesus' disciples to withdraw from Him and stop walking with Him any longer. In verse 67 Jesus asked this pointed question of the twelve; "You do not want to go away also, do you?" In the following verse Peter's response to the Lord's question is recorded for us. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." Oh that the Church would have this same response today! Where would we go but to Jesus. I fear that we live at a time when members of the body of Christ are quick to go everywhere but to Jesus and His words of eternal life. Believers struggle to find a local church to attend that preaches Christ, holds fast to the gospel of grace and has a concern for the purity of doctrine, rightly dividing the word of truth and teaching the whole counsel of God's word.

Yes, the Church finds itself in a struggle to endure sound doctrine. To be sure, some desire the pure milk of the word. But make no mistake, as the Apostle Paul warned Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3, a large number of our congregations want to have their "ears tickled" and have accumulated “for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires”. I’m not suggesting that this is new or a surprise, but I am suggesting that it is a matter of great importance to the Church today. Along with Paul's warning to Timothy, he also gave him (and us) the correct response to this problem. In 2 Timothy 4:2 Paul urged Timothy to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." It would seem that the Church is faced with the same decision that Timothy had to make. We must preach the word, reprove, rebuke and exhort with great patience and instruction, or not. The former will be to our edification and His glory while the latter will be to our detriment.

I appreciate the principle found in the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth. In verses 22-23 of the 1st chapter, Paul wrote that the Jews asked for signs and the Greeks searched for wisdom. But neither of these two groups would get what they wanted. God desired to impart to them something of greater value. They would be given that which they needed. Paul and those who served with him would tell them of Christ and Him crucified. Our bibles are full of truths that we need to hear time and time again. The flesh may not wish to hear these truths but they must be proclaimed regardless.

We are truly living at a time in Church history when Paul's prophetic words to Timothy seem so descriptive of what we see happening in our churches. But we must preach the word. We must “reprove, rebuke and exhort with great patience and instruction". To do otherwise would dishonor the One who put us into service and be unfruitful and harmful for the body of Christ. As "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" we have an obligation to "stand firm and hold to the traditions" which we have been taught. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says that "it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy" and we are "stewards of the manifold grace of God".

The scripture reveals to us a close relationship between the Apostle Paul and Timothy. Paul referred to him as his "beloved son" and "his true child in the faith". He told the Philippians that he had "no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned" for their welfare. When inspired to write his second letter to Timothy, the apostle wrote some very strong words to him. He challenged Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul himself. He spoke of Timothy's need to "kindle afresh the gift of God" which was in him. The letter included many things that may have been difficult for Timothy to hear. But they were necessary and although "God breathed", they were written out of love for Timothy and love for Christ and His Church.

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, we see that he was inspired to write words that would be used by God to cause them sorrow. In 2 Corinthians 7:8-9, in reference to the first letter, Paul wrote, "For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it--for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while. I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us." Godly sorrow brought about by the word of truth resulted in repentance and a church getting right with God. This was not an ear tickling letter. It contained words that were not easy for the writer to pen or the reader to receive. But they were necessary for God’s purpose in edification.

I must take a few moments to address this matter of tickled ears. Webster's defines “tickle” with some of the following words; to excite or stir up agreeably, to touch as a body part lightly so as to excite the surface nerves, to provoke to laughter or merriment. The desire to have one's ears tickled is of the flesh and not the Spirit. It is the desire of those acting as a "mere men", seeking that which will tickle their ears but not go beyond the surface. In Romans 12:2 we are admonished to not be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This comes through the unadulterated word of God. Preaching and teaching that simply tickles the ear has no power to renew minds and transform lives.

Tickling suggests a surface level activity that only affects the outer nerves. Those who find themselves wanting to have their ears tickled will find that it results in a surface level relationship with the Savior. The scripture suggests that those who wish to have their ears tickled will find no shortage of teachers willing to tell them things that will appeal to this unholy desire and draw them away from the power of His precious word. Oftentimes, perversions of the gospel, a loss of focus on the power of His cross, His blood and our need to "be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus" seems to follow. An ambition of the Apostle Paul's, that we should share also, was to "know Him and the power of His resurrection". Words that tickle the ear would not have helped Paul in this pursuit. And it will not help you and I in our desire to know Him better.

As for the teachers who are ready and willing to tickle the ears of God's people, I will say this. I believe that some are teachers that were given by God to His Church for its edification who have not handled accurately the word of truth or who have wandered from the faith. Some to be sure are false teachers altogether. I’m concerned that many who stand in the pulpits of our churches and many who occupy teaching and other leadership positions, do so according to the will of men and not the will of God. This is a very serious matter for the body of Christ. On any given Sunday morning, men and women will stand in roles of authority, declaring “thus saith the Lord” when the Lord has not said it.

As mentioned already, the answer for those wishing to have their ears tickled is to preach the word. Consider the sharp contrast that we find in Hebrews 4:12 where we read, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart". This is what the believer needs. We need that which can go deep to the heart and soul to conform us to the image of Christ. This is the opposite of the teaching that only tickles the ear, without the power to penetrate as God purposes in His word to do.

Oh that God's Church and those in its pulpits would preach the word. We need the word of truth which is "living and active and sharper that any two edged sword", changing the lives of those who humbly receive it. Members of The Way need to reject the empty and powerless preaching and teaching that tickles the ear and surrender to the power of the word of truth. We still need to hear the words written to the Romans, the Corinthians, the Galatians, the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, the Thessalonians and the Hebrews. We need to hear the words written to Timothy, Titus and Philemon. We need the words of James, John, Peter and Jude. If we do not echo Peter's words, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life", to whom will we go?

Are you subjecting yourself to the word that is able to pierce "as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart"? Or have you found yourself attempting to be satisfied with having your ears tickled? Is the leadership in your church accurately handling the word of truth? Is Christ being preached? Is the whole counsel of God being taught. Is grace the song of your hearts or is it being perverted and abandoned? I believe these are important questions to consider.

Father, help us to love the One who "has words of eternal life". Help us to have a passion for the Lord Jesus, the living Word and to have a love and hunger for His written word. We ask for your guidance and direction in being good stewards of the words of eternal life. Help us to handle it accurately and preach it passionately. Help us to reject the fleshly desire to have our ears tickled. As the apostle Paul instructed Timothy, help us to preach the word, reprove, rebuke and exhort, with great patience and instruction. For those who have strayed from the faith; for those who have erred from sound teaching; for those who have found themselves caught up in the scheme of ear tickling, both teachers and hearers, we ask that you would intervene in a manner that brings glory to your Son. Thank you for Lewis and Clark Bible Church. By your grace and your mercy, help us to continue “holding forth the Word of Life”.

What Can Compare?

For the believer in Christ, what can compare with being in His presence one day; face to face? I'm sure that most of us would be quick to answer this question with one resounding word, "nothing". After all, it is the hope of our faith. Being with Him is the fulfillment of all that we look forward to as Christians. It is the keeping of a promise made by the Savior. In John 14:2-3, the beloved apostle recorded these words of Christ's; "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Surely this is the "blessed hope" spoken of by Paul in his letter to Titus, referring to "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus".

In 1898, a woman by the name of Carrie E. Breck wrote the lyrics to one of the great hymns of our faith. She has been described as a woman who had no sense of pitch and one who could not carry a tune. But she had a hope of one day being "Face to Face with Christ, My Savior". She captured the thoughts and hopes of believers through the years when she wrote these words:

"Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face - what will it be, When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ Who died for me?"

"Only faintly now I see Him, With the darkened veil between, But a blessed day is coming, When His glory shall be seen."

"Face to face - oh, blissful moment! Face to face - to see and know; Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ Who loves me so."

"Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky; Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!"

Thank you Mrs. Breck for the words that you chose to express the faith that we share! They remind us of the blessed hope that belongs to all those who are in Christ. But I would like to reconsider the question that was posed above. No, I'm not going to suggest that there is something that equates with seeing Him face to face, because there is nothing that can. I'm not going to suggest that we can experience "heaven on earth", because we can not. But I am suggesting that there is a truth that deserves our sincere consideration.

In Philippians 1:21 the apostle Paul wrote, "To live is Christ and to die is gain". In verse 23 he said that his desire was to "depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better". But despite his knowledge of what it would mean to be face to face with Jesus, there was something that caused him to be "hard pressed" from two directions. Clearly one of those "directions" was "above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God". But what could compare with that? What could this other direction be that seemed to have a most compelling pull? In verse 22 Paul wrote that to remain on in the flesh would mean "fruitful labor" for him and in verse 24 he wrote that to remain on in the flesh was "more necessary" for their sake. And then in verse 25 he was inspired to write these very powerful words, "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith". This is quite an amazing truth when you think of it. The deciding factor between these two directions that Paul was "hard pressed" to choose between was which one was "more necessary" for the sake of others. What may have been "very much better" for Paul was superseded by that which was "more necessary" for the body of Christ. Paul has since achieved his desire to "depart and be with Christ" and has come to know that which is very much better.

Being face to face with Christ our savior has no equal. But perhaps God would have us consider that which we might compare. Fruitful labor. Ministry in the body of Christ. Being used by Him to help others; for their progress and joy in the faith. Yes, to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord. To die is certainly gain to the believer. But "to live is Christ".

Lord, we long to be with you. "Face to face - oh, blissful moment! Face to face - to see and know; Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ Who loves me so." But as we remain on in the flesh, we pray that you might put it in our hearts and minds that "to live is Christ". Instill in us a desire to be involved in "fruitful labor". Help us to be vessels that you might work through to help others in their progress and joy in the faith. Help those who have long been involved in "fruitful labor" to not grow weary in doing good. For those who have, I pray that you might cause them to gaze afresh on the Savior and be renewed in His strength. Thank you for the privilege that is ours to be fellow workers with you until that day we are with you.

The Significance of One

Without question, the life of the Jesus Christ is the most significant life that has ever been lived upon the earth. There is no other life that can compare with the significance of His. But it is not the life of the Divine One that I wish to consider in this article. In fact, it is a principle that I wish to consider more than any one's particular life. The writer of Hebrews was inspired to name Noah amongst those listed in the 11th chapter of Hebrews as having lived by faith. As we look at this reference to Noah and other scripture from Genesis, I hope to use Noah to look at this "significance of one" principle.

Although he is referenced in only one verse by the Hebrew writer, the account of Noah's faith is truly amazing and profitable for us to consider. The reverence and faith he demonstrated were remarkable. In Hebrews 11:7 we read, "By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." As you may remember, this is tied directly to the definition of faith given by the Hebrew writer at the beginning of the 11th chapter where he proclaims that faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen".

God had told Noah that "the end of all flesh has come before Me" and that Noah was to build an ark as God was "bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish". As indicated above, this was certainly something that Noah had "not seen". There had never been any such judgment, any such ark, any such flood of water and any such salvation. This proclamation could only be accepted by faith and Noah responded with the same, believing God. The evidence of his faith was seen by his reverence in doing that which God had instructed him to do. In regards to this principle that I wish to convey, I would like to make a couple of observations about Noah and this account.

I must first say, thank God for Noah! Consider the circumstances surrounding God's pronounced judgment and this one man named Noah. In Genesis 6:5 we read one of the most profound statements in all of scripture where the author writes, "Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". "Only evil continually" was a desperately grim description of the heart of man. And then in verses 8-9 of the same chapter, the significance of Noah is declared. This scripture reads, "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God". We must take a moment to consider this tremendous statement. Of all the inhabitants of the earth, the scripture speaks of one person who "found favor in the eyes of the Lord" and was described as a "righteous man", "blameless in his time" and one who "walked with God".

We have the tendency to think that since we are only one out of so many, that our life couldn't possibly make that much of a difference. I believe Noah's story is one of several that teach us that such thinking couldn't be further from the truth. The life of this one man had a significance that we may not be able to comprehend this side of heaven. I would suggest that our lives, our walk with Him and the decisions we make everyday have more significance than we may ever know. May the Lord help us to realize the significance that a single life can have when lived by faith. Faith in Him. Christ living in these vessels that are our bodies as we find that place of surrender to His will. In Galatians 2:20 the apostle Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me". Oh that Christ might live in us as we live by faith in Him.

Regarding Noah's ark, I would like to make one final observation in closing. I did not grow up in church listening to bible stories and so I don't remember ever being told the story of Noah's ark. But after I became a Christian it seems like the "Noah's ark" story often had references to Noah trying to tell others of the coming judgment and that there was some sort of open invitation to join him; both in building and occupying the ark. But when I read the account I see the sovereign act of a just and merciful God but find no such references. God clearly intended the ark for Noah, his wife, his three sons, their wives and the animals. In Genesis 6:18 we read that God told Noah, "But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark--you and your sons and your wife, and your sons' wives with you". There were no empty rooms that were unoccupied because others had chosen not to believe Noah and join him. God was doing the very thing He had told Noah He was going to do. And He was doing it just as He said He would. What we do see is the wickedness of man, whose hearts were evil continually, the significance of one man who found favor in the eyes of the Lord and our sovereign, just, gracious and merciful God accomplishing His will.

Lord, may we come to understand and appreciate the value of a life of faith. Help us to understand the significance of a single life lived by one who has been clothed in the righteousness of your Son, crucified with Christ, yet Christ living in them. Thank you for Noah's faith. Thank you for the grace and mercy you extended to his wife, his sons and their wives. Thank you for Jesus and the grace and mercy you have extended to me and my family. May our faith be seen in our reverence to you. Thank you for being sovereign. I know there are some who struggle with your sovereignty but Lord help us to be people who find rest and peace in it.