Genesis Redux Pt. 1 from Darren Doane on Vimeo.

These words from Paul to Timothy have been consistently running through my head over the past few days. Paul packs a lifetime of wisdom into two small sentences. These sentences sum up Timothy’s situation in Ephesus. Some people began teaching doctrine that was contrary to the gospel. Paul leaves Timothy in Ephesus to pastor and protect the fledgling church from “myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith” (1 Tim. 1:4). As he wraps up the letter, Paul warns Timothy not be caught up in the “silly myths” himself. Silly is a good word for some of the things we see put forth in our day. Most of the novelty items found in the average Christian bookstore is silly (cross shaped mints, “car will be unmanned in case of rapture” bumper stickers, the empty tomb paper weight, etc.). Relativism is a silly idea. Many people will argue that there is no absolute standard of truth until they have been wronged. I think it is more honest to say that there are competing claims of absolute truth. A person claiming to be both a Christian and a Muslim is silly. The two belief systems are fundamentally opposed to one another on the basis of Jesus Christ. A brief introduction to both religions will make that blatantly clear. And of course, I cannot talk about “silly myths” without touching on the health and wealth gospel.

The health and wealth “gospel” promises everyone exceedingly good health and more financial gain than a person can possibly handle for the relatively small price of greater expressions of faith found in lavish giving or showy trips down the “miraculous” aisle. Touch the screen with the freshly anointed prayer cloth that you received based on your generous donation and begin to experience healing for your (insert any and all ailments that exist in the world today that are now being called out specifically for you). Sound silly? Yes. Is there any truth to what is being said? Yes. The sliver of truth that exists throughout the prosperity teaching provides just enough connection to lull people into a position of trust. Can God heal your disease or ailment? If he can raise people from the dead then he is more than capable of healing your cancer. Is God pleased and honored by generosity and expressions of faith? Definitely. Christians are exhorted to extend hospitality liberally (Heb. 13:1) and give to all who have need (Acts 2 & 4). God is glorified and exemplified by such acts. However, Scripture does not say that greater faith and generosity will lead to greater finances and health. Paul warns about the deception that comes from the love and desire for money (1 Tim. 6:9-10). Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven and not on earth so that our efforts will be spent on eternal purposes that do not pass away. Furthermore, the prosperity teaching looks extremely silly in the face of centuries of Christian history where men and women lived in extreme states of poverty, ailment, and persecution despite tremendous faith in God (the Apostle Paul, Polycarp, John Huss, Jim Eliot, Joni Eareckson Tada, etc.). Did they not have enough faith to spare them death and disease as they experienced it? It is quite the opposite. Men and women who have battled through persecution, disease, and poverty tend to show greater maturity in faith as a result of such struggles. Their faith has been galvanized and refined by the fire of trials.

Trials test our faith and breed perseverance. They are a greater measuring stick for our faith than anticipated blessings of health and wealth. Earthly materials and personal health will eventually pass away but the benefits gained from the testing of our faith through trials of many kinds have benefits for this life as well as the life to come. The gospel proclaims the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He paid the price for our sin by dying on the cross and defeated death by rising from the grave. No matter what happens in this life, Christians have hope in the accomplishments of Jesus. We will die sinners saved by grace through faith in Jesus and rise again to live eternally with him. Paul’s use of the word silly is appropriate for everything that takes precedence over Jesus in light of this good news. So…look to Christ and leave behind the silliness.

More to come on the latter part of the verse…

God follows this statement of his unchanging love by bringing two charges against Israel. It is a strange way to follow such a merciful act. Why tell Israel that they will be shown mercy and then follow that up by charging them with their sin? In order for the Israelites to return to God, they must be aware of their sin so that they might turn away from it. Repentance is needed in order to reestablish that close relationship that Israel experienced in previous generations. Israel has not honored God for the provisions that have been received (i.e. Israel has not tithed) nor has trusted in the words of God to take care of them. Their faith has dwindled because of the prosperity of non-believing people. But again, despite Israel’s lack of faith and negligence in worship, God never abandons them. He disciplines his children by sending them into exile but then delivers them as an act of love. This exile occurs in order to open the eyes of his people to the sins they have committed against Yahweh. Even God’s discipline is an act of love.

So this week, think about the love of Christ that has been lavishly poured out on you. When you start to lament your situation or find yourself extremely discouraged, remember what Christ has done on the cross so that you might have new, eternal life. It came at a great cost. But that just goes to show you how great the Father’s love is for us.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer (one of my favorite authors).

What peace it brings to the Christian’s heart to realize that our Heavenly Father never differs from Himself.  In coming to Him at any time we need not wonder whether we shall find Him in a receptive mood.  He is always receptive to misery and need, as well as to love and faith.  He does not keep office hours nor set aside periods when He will see no one.  Neither does He change His mind about anything.  Today, this moment, He feels toward His creatures, toward babies, toward the sick, the fallen, the sinful, exactly as He did when He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die for mankind.

Colossians 1:1-14 (ESV)

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. behalf

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 12:33-37 (ESV)

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12:30-37 (ESV)

30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Jesus’ ability to cast out demons also says something about Satan and kingdom of God. Satan has been superseded and bound by Jesus. The kingdom of God has come and is currently working toward its culmination when Jesus returns. Satan has no authority or rule. Jesus has come to set the captives free.

Matthew 12:22-29 (ESV)

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.

So…the Pharisees catch the disciples gathering food during the Sabbath and jump all over this opportunity. They point out to Jesus that his disciples have now broken the law by laboring on the Sabbath. Jesus is once again forced to respond to the Pharisees claims. Not only does he respond, Jesus teaches the Pharisees that their understanding of the Law is inaccurate. They believe that the Law is kept through external obedience. They show little regard for internal faithfulness. But God desires mercy and not legalism. Mercy is inherent in the Law to begin with. It was God’s mercy that brought the Law into existence in order that man might know his sin and need for a Savior. Even the finer points of the law highlight God’s provision and mercy toward his people. For instance, giving the land a Sabbath rest ensures that it will retain its resources and continue producing crops to feed the people.

God is not impressed by legalism. What God desires is faithfulness in intention as displayed in our lives through the act of mercy. However, we should not pit law against mercy. By being merciful, you are keeping the intention of the Law.

Matthew 12:1-14 (ESV)

12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

Matthew 11:1-19 (ESV)

11:1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

Matthew 10:34-42 (ESV)

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”