Evil and the Curse of the Cross

Posted on April 3, 2015 by eig
Today is Good Friday. It is called Good Friday even though it is the day that we observe the death of Christ on the cross. So why is it called Good Friday? I won’t dwell on the history of it, but I do want to tackle the theological thoughts behind evil as it relates to the cross (i.e., the death of Christ).

There are plenty of books (see below) and websites that discuss evil. It is a topic worthy of study. I am not a philosopher nor a theologian but I know several things that are clear from Scripture:

1. Evil is real. We can all recognize evil when we see it. In Scripture we see it from the beginning in the book of Genesis.

2. Evil does not originate from God. The Bible is clear that evil does not come from God. See Psalm 5:4.  He does not even tempt anyone to do any sin or evil (see James 1:13). He cannot. It is against his very own nature. Though it is hard for our finite minds to harmonize God’s goodness with evil, we know from Scripture that God is not the cause or the originator of evil.

3. Satan was the first to do evil (e.g. sin). He not only sinned but tempted many to sin including Adam and Even in Genesis 3.  He opposes everything God does and wants to do evil. He wants to kill and destroy (see John 8:44).

4. We are all born sinners with a sinful nature prone to evil acts.  See Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12.

5. The greatest evil happened on Good Friday.

Evil man killed the holy, perfect, sinless Son of God (Acts 2:23) and yet it was God’s plan all along. He came to die on the cross (became cursed by God – Galatians 3:13) for our sins to redeem us from them and to defeat Satan’s evil works (1 John 3:8). It is because of Christ that we experience a new life of Christ that does not have to be dominated by sin and evil. The greatest injustice brought forth the greatest act of mercy and grace.

“For whatever reason God chose to make man as he is— limited and suffering and subject to sorrows and death—He had the honesty and the courage to take His own medicine. Whatever game He is playing with His creation, He has kept His own rules and played fair. He can exact nothing from man that He has not exacted from Himself. He has Himself gone through the whole of human experience, from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair and death. When He was a man, He played the man. He was born in poverty and died in disgrace and thought it well worthwhile” (quoted here).

6. God is sovereign over evil.

Scripture is clear that God is sovereign over everything including evil (see Isaiah 45:7). I cannot understand how this works but I have to trust God. One day God will destroy evil and it will be no more (Revelation 21:5). God will reign. Jesus will reign. Goodness will reign.

Books on evil:

Alcorn, Randy. If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil. 2009.
Geisler, Norman. The Roots of Evil. 1978. Also If God, Why Evil?: A New Way to Think about the Question. 2011 

Keller, Timothy. Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering. 2013
Lewis, C. S. The Problem of Pain.1950.
Wright, N.T. Evil and the Justice of God. 2013



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Testifying For Christ (to Religious Leaders) Acts 22:24-23:10

Posted on March 29, 2015 by eig
Here is the audio recording for Acts 22:24-23:11 taught during our Sunday School hour at Village Bible Church.

In this section, Paul will attempt to testify to the religious leaders in two ways, a personal way and using the doctrine of the resurrection. It falls short but God has a plan and will accomplish it in spite of this.

When God calls, he prepares, he guides and carries the man on His mission. He’s called us all. We will fulfill His mission in our lives. We just have to trust Him through it all.

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Defending the Gospel – Acts 21:36-22:23

Posted on March 9, 2015 by eig
Here is the audio recording for Acts 21:36-22:23 taught during our Sunday School hour at Village Bible Church.

Paul’s trials which cover a period of two years, Acts 22-26, deal with his defense on the accusations that he is advocating an overthrow of the Jewish religion. He will argue that this is not what he is doing but is following a calling given to him by God. A calling that involves preaching the good news of the Gospel, namely, Christ is the risen Lord and Savior who call men to repent.

We learn several things from this passage:
1. When defending ourselves as Christians, the best way to do it is by sharing our testimony. We can model it after Paul by focusing on our life prior to becoming Christians, how the Lord saved us (focus on what the Lord did, not what we did) and how we are now because of Him.
2. Our calling, even in rough times, is to be his witnesses whatever the cost may be. We need to trust our sovereign Lord.
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Unjustly Persecuted For the Lord – Act 21:15-35

Posted on February 22, 2015 by eig
Here is the audio recording for Acts 21:15-35 taught during our Sunday School hour at Village Bible Church.

Unjustly Persecuted For the Lord – Acts 21:15-35


There are three things we can learn from this passage:
1. Believers Should Expect False Accusations and Unjust Persecution
Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:20-21
The Lord promised we would have accusations and persecution but didn’t promise he would deliver us from all of them. Paul had been delivered out of hands of evil men and from jail but not this time. There would be no divine intervention anymore.
We should also understand that we won’t always be protected. But God is sovereign and will accomplish his will in us through it all.
2. Believers Should Understand that the World is Not Their Home
1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13
We should not think that we are of this world. We are pilgrims. As pilgrims we shouldn’t be too comfortable and think that we are of this world.
” “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Talk about countercultural. In a world where everything revolves around yourself —protect yourself, promote yourself, comfort yourself, and take care of yourself —Jesus says, “Crucify yourself. Put aside all self-preservation in order to live for God’s glorification, no matter what that means for you in the culture around you.” ” David Platt, Counterculture
3. Believers Should Be Steadfast in Proclaiming the Gospel in spite of the Cost. 1 Corinthians 4:1-14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The mission of sharing the Gospel is for all of us no matter what is our daily job. We are called to be God’s witnesses (martyrs). There is a cost in serving the Lord but this shouldn’t really matter to us because we belong to the Lord. Jesus paid the greatest cost. If he did, why should we expect to pay less?
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The Martyrdom of Saints

Posted on February 20, 2015 by eig
The martyrdom of saints is something we have recently seen nowadays. It has become more real for us as new technology has shown us in our times. Yet, the martyrdom of believers isn’t something new at all. Fox’s book of Martyrs documents the lives of believers who have been killed from their faith. The martyrdom of saints has been part as long as the people of God (people of faith in Yahweh) have been part of this world.
Hebrews 11 is the chapter dedicated to those with faith in God (and Christ) whose lives have been persecuted and eventually experienced martyrdom. The life of a witness (martyr) of Christ considers persecution and death as part of faith. The Apostle Paul expressed this in Philippians 1:21: “For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but to suffer for Him.” (ESV) Paul’s desire was to be like Christ, including his suffering and death (Philippians 3:10).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer who also died for his faith said:
“Jesus says that every Christian has his own cross waiting for him, a cross destined and appointed by God. Each must endure his allotted share of suffering and rejection. But each has a different share: some God deems worthy of the highest form of suffering, and gives them the grace of martyrdom, while others he does not allow to be tempted above that they are able to bear. But it is the one and the same cross in every case.”

“Discipleship means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not at all surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer. In fact it is a joy and a token of his grace.” – The Cost of Discipleship
My son and I have been reading and discussing Pilgrim’s Progress on a weekly basis. This week the chapters dealt with a man called Faithful. Faithful and Christian walked together for a while until they reach Vanity Fair. There they both experience persecution for their faith, are incarcerated and Faithful is unjustly put to death. Here is brief description of it:
“And so they did. Faithful was condemned to be returned to his prison cell and there to be put to death by the cruelest method they could think of. So they led him away, to do with him according to their law. First they scourged him, then they beat him, then they lanced his flesh with knives. After that, they stoned him with stones, then pricked him with their swords, and last of all they burned him to ashes at the stake. And so Faithful came to his earthly end. Now I noticed a chariot and a couple of horses waiting for Faithful beyond the crowd. As soon as his adversaries executed him he was taken up into the chariot, and carried directly up through the clouds with the sound of a trumpet, taking the most direct route to the Celestial Gate. “
Christian’s Response clearly tells us that the death of any believer is not the end. It is a sign of judgment of those who oppose the Gospel and a sign of salvation for believers.
“As he went he said, “Well, Faithful, you have faithfully professed unto your Lord, with whom you will be blessed. When faithless ones, with all their worthless delights are crying out under their hellish plights, sing, Faithful, sing, and let your name survive. For though they have killed you, yet you are alive.” “


Our 21 young brothers who were just martyred in Lybia are not dead, they are alive more than ever. So are the many others before then (all of Apostles except one were martyrs as well). They are part of the chorus of believers who call upon God to avenge their blood. (Revelation 5:9-11) The time for it isn’t until the number of saints is complete whose lives will also be killed by evil men.
Until then we join them in their prayer to the Lord to come quickly and execute his righteous judgment. At the same time, let us live with the sobering thought that are lives are not our own and could well experience persecution and death because of our faith. It isn’t a shame. It is the greatest privilege.

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Ready to Die For the Lord – Acts 21:1-14

Posted on February 8, 2015 by eig
Here is the audio recording for Acts 21:1-14 taught during our Sunday School hour at Village Bible Church.

Paul left Ephesus and now heads to Jerusalem.
Commentators see a parallel between our Lord Jesus and Paul. Both do a final journey to Jerusalem (see Luke 9:22,44; 18::31-34 and compare with Acts 20:22-24; 21:4; 21:10-11) where suffering is expected by the hands of Jews.

This section from Acts 21:17-23:35 (covering less than 12 days ) marks the end of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey and the beginning of his imprisonment.

We also see the tension between God’s guidance and human decision-making in light of warnings given by others. We also see how in Christ the community of faith is bound in fellowship. These are important for us today as well. It will raise questions about our commitment to the service of Christ and to the fellowship of the saints.

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Dying Bodies, Renewing Spirits

Posted on February 3, 2015 by eig
In the past week or so I have been thinking about an old friend and brother in Christ. He has been diagnosed Alzheimer’s and it’s progressing. I met this dear brother over 20 years where we were part of our youth. I was one of the leaders. He and two of his siblings are also my friends. He is a very kind and soft spoken man but could get irritated easily. Yet I enjoyed seeing his response to things that bothered him because he was never threatening. Often we spent time in our Monday Bible studies and in many social church events. Several memories have come to mind. One of them was when he showed me a binder with all the Bible studies I had given during our Monday night. It showed me his desire to grow and learn about the Lord. We often had jog-athons at our church and he had an incredible stamina and resistance. He left me behind. What I admire most about this brother in Christ is his faithfulness to the Lord. This faithfulness is evident in everything he has done. He spent over 20 years in his job and about 13 years in the church he is still a member.

I have been praying for him, his family and desired to see him. This weekend we went to the church he attends to see him. He was glad to see us. We sat with him and his family during the service. After the service we went out to eat with his family. We had short conversations but noticed that he said things about his past that I had no part in. He mixed both the present with the past. Nevertheless, I enjoyed being with him again. Physically his body appears unchanged yet his mind is not the same. What struck of our visit was how his first born daughter showed affection to him. She often leaned close and touch his hair with much affection. The love of her daughter was evident. I can’t imagine the trials that lie ahead of them and yet I know they are in good hands.

As we left our time with them I was grateful to have spent this time with my friend and his family. I continued to pray for him as the day went on. I couldn’t grasp the whole experience. Here is a friend, brother in Christ that I have known for so long in a struggle with Alzheimer’s. I would have never thought that this would come to pass.

On Sunday my wife and I were reading 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 in the evening and it was encouraging.

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” (TLB)

We know our bodies are dying. But our bodies are not all there is in us, if they were, it would be hopeless. God has given us a spirit that has been endowed with eternal life through Christ. It renews daily. It groans to be free from our frail bodies. And yet, the sufferings we will experience in our life are real. They will hurt. But they will be temporary. All our troubles will end. We don’t focus on them but on the “joys in heaven which we have not yet seen.” The joys of heaven “will last forever.”

I look forward to spend more time with my friend. We may not spend much here on earth but we will certainly enjoy it in heaven where everything will be brand new. And that is only the beginning. We look forward to the resurrection when we will be clothed with new bodies. (See 2 Corinthians 5) Here lies our future hope.

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Encouraging Leaders of the Church to Lead Well (Elders/Pastors/Bishops) Acts 20:17-38

Posted on January 25, 2015 by eig
Here is the audio recording for Acts 20:17-38 taught during our Sunday School hour at Village Bible Church.

In this section Paul addresses the elders (bishops, overseers, bishops) of Ephesus. The elders (“presbyteroi” v. 17- see Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5) are the leaders of the church who lead with maturity. They are also the bishops or overseers (“episkopoi” v. 28, 1 Tim. 3:1; Phil. 1:1) who over see the church in all spiritual matters. *They are also the pastors (“poimen” v. 28, only once to refer to leaders or elders as a plural noun – Ephesians 4:11. As a singular noun see 1 Peter 5:1-2) who shepherd (guide-direct, feed, protect) the church in all spiritual matters.

Paul the Apostle encourages the elders of Ephesus to shepherd the church of God as he has done. In a very personal way he reminds them of his example to them and encourages them to do likewise. It is a passage relevant and applicable to our church today. Those of us called to be elders must heed the words of Paul. After all, it is not our church but God’s church that we shepherd. It is an honor bestowed by the Holy Spirit because of the grace we have received in Christ.


* Notice a correction on the audio. I forgot the use of “pastors” (“poimenes”) in Ephesians and a brother in our class pointed out to me after class! It’s good to be kept accountable.
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I Count My Life of No Value to Myself

Posted on January 22, 2015 by eig

Paul had a singular life focus but not for himself. In this over thirty years as a believer Paul travelled over 8,700 miles by foot, about 15,000 in his lifetime, planted at least 14 churches and wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament and suffered a lot. All for the Gospel of Christ. His life in of itself had no value unless it had to do with what God had called him to do, preach the Gospel. He knew it would cost him “his” life. According to tradition he was beheaded by Nero around 64-65 A.D. He finished his race, faithfully. 2 Timothy 4:8.

In our modern culture, even as Christians, we see the opposite. Our care is about ourselves (just look at our endless “selfies”), especially our bodies. We love ourselves (remember Narcissus?) and our comfort. What if we Christians really just lived for Christ? No, I mean really! What would it look like?

Acts 20:24. “But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”

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Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.Disclaimer: The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility. Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

 

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Encouraging & Strengthening Others, Worshipping on the Lord’s Day! Acts 20:1-17

Posted on January 4, 2015 by eig
It is interesting too that today in our Sunday School we got to put into practice much of what we learned. We had a visitor that showed up seeking help  and from the moment she walked into our church one of our class members spoke to her. She came to our class, listened and cried. After class she told us how what she heard applied to her. Many of us were involved and we were able to all help her both in tangible and non-tangible ways to get where she was going. God gave us an opportunity to apply his Word.

Here is the audio recording for Acts 20:1- 17 taught during our Sunday School hour at Village Bible Church.

It is interesting too that today in our Sunday School we got to put into practice much of what we learned. We had a visitor that showed up seeking help  and from the moment she walked into our church one of our class members spoke to her. She came to our class, listened and cried. After class she told us how what she heard applied to her. Many of us were involved and we were able to all help her both in tangible and non-tangible ways to get where she was going. God gave us an opportunity to apply his Word.

Applications from this section:

1. Encouragement in the faith comes through worship on the Lord’s Day through the preached Word, the Lord’s Supper. through exhortations, divine interventions and fellowship (meals).

2. The Bible is preached, taught, proclaimed, used for dialoguing, explaining, convincing others of their need of the Gospel of Christ.

3. Ministry involves plurality of leaders and co-laborers.

4. Helping the poor in the Church is an obligation of the Church. Those who have more need to help those who are needy.

One correction I need to make in the audio. 2 Corinthians was written from Macedonia not Troas.

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