D-Groups Blog https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:36:53 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Momentum At Moody https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/momentum-at-moody https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/momentum-at-moody#comments Sun, 01 Mar 2026 19:00:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/momentum-at-moody Every Monday at 10:00 a.m., morning chapel required us to sign in on our own
numbered box and sit in Torrey-Grey Auditorium to hear the message from Dr.
Sweeting. I’m not saying that he was a “clock freak”, but he arose, approached the
pulpit and spoke his first word as the sweep hand crossed 10:00 precisely. At the other
end of his always fine message, he ended in prayer with a hearty “Amen” as the sweep
hand exactly crossed 10:20.

Dr. Sweeting was a godly and gracious man, yet a disciplined and demanding one. His
tall handsome stature coupled with gleaming white hair made for an imposing figure that
I imagined was much like Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai aglow with the glory of
Yahweh Himself. When he spoke, you wanted to listen and you had better listen. His
chapel message always contained some noteworthy nuggets.

In 1979, electronic devices were well out of price range for most people, especially
college students. So, I always carried a few 3x5 index cards in my button-down shirt
pocket so I could make notes of such gems. Usually, I was asked to “loan a card” to
several students sitting around me. It was a ministry for me to supply them.

My freshman class numbered more than 660 in August of 1979. In 1982, the number of
graduating students was an average, modest 230-some. The balance, for one reason
or another, had dropped out, went home or went elsewhere. I knew that several
students possessed valid reasons for their departure, e.g., illness, stress, family
problems, financial difficulty, academic challenges, etc. Honestly, stress and physical
illness nearly brought me to an early out. So, I didn’t take the dropout matter lightly.
Back to “George”: in one of those early year chapel messages, our President made a
profound statement that was 3x5 card worthy and life-long memory worthy. He said in a
very fatherly manner, “Any fool can quit, and they usually do.” In Sweeting’s eyes,
quitting for a less than mortal reason was foolish. And honestly, many of my classmates
fell into that category. For many years Dr. Sweeting was pastor of Moody Memorial
Church up on North LaSalle Drive. He was not only a great speaker, but a gentle
pastor. His quote on quitting (much like the words of the Hebrew pastor in chapter four)
was not aimed at scaring, berating, or shaming a potential dropout. His words were
intended to warn, challenge, encourage, and motivate the weak and heavy laden (of
which I was one) to continue by looking to Christ for grace and help.

That chapel quote corresponds well with Hebrews chapter four. The Kadesh Israelites
foolishly “dropped out” of God’s plan and purpose for them. Pastor Sweeting desired
better choices for the Class of ’79. When I heard the challenge, I accepted it, deciding
to persevere by God’s grace and help. I praise the Lord for that. Without it, I would
have been laid low.

Please carefully heed a pastoral word of warning, encouragement, exhortation and
challenge to all of us who are weak and heavy-laden. Don’t be foolish enough to quit.

Persevere in your Christian life. Come daily unto Jesus, who will give you rest unto
your souls. By the grace of God let us, each one, exercise faith in Christ’s shepherd
character and exhibit true momentum for His glory.

]]> Every Monday at 10:00 a.m., morning chapel required us to sign in on our own
numbered box and sit in Torrey-Grey Auditorium to hear the message from Dr.
Sweeting. I’m not saying that he was a “clock freak”, but he arose, approached the
pulpit and spoke his first word as the sweep hand crossed 10:00 precisely. At the other
end of his always fine message, he ended in prayer with a hearty “Amen” as the sweep
hand exactly crossed 10:20.

Dr. Sweeting was a godly and gracious man, yet a disciplined and demanding one. His
tall handsome stature coupled with gleaming white hair made for an imposing figure that
I imagined was much like Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai aglow with the glory of
Yahweh Himself. When he spoke, you wanted to listen and you had better listen. His
chapel message always contained some noteworthy nuggets.

In 1979, electronic devices were well out of price range for most people, especially
college students. So, I always carried a few 3x5 index cards in my button-down shirt
pocket so I could make notes of such gems. Usually, I was asked to “loan a card” to
several students sitting around me. It was a ministry for me to supply them.

My freshman class numbered more than 660 in August of 1979. In 1982, the number of
graduating students was an average, modest 230-some. The balance, for one reason
or another, had dropped out, went home or went elsewhere. I knew that several
students possessed valid reasons for their departure, e.g., illness, stress, family
problems, financial difficulty, academic challenges, etc. Honestly, stress and physical
illness nearly brought me to an early out. So, I didn’t take the dropout matter lightly.
Back to “George”: in one of those early year chapel messages, our President made a
profound statement that was 3x5 card worthy and life-long memory worthy. He said in a
very fatherly manner, “Any fool can quit, and they usually do.” In Sweeting’s eyes,
quitting for a less than mortal reason was foolish. And honestly, many of my classmates
fell into that category. For many years Dr. Sweeting was pastor of Moody Memorial
Church up on North LaSalle Drive. He was not only a great speaker, but a gentle
pastor. His quote on quitting (much like the words of the Hebrew pastor in chapter four)
was not aimed at scaring, berating, or shaming a potential dropout. His words were
intended to warn, challenge, encourage, and motivate the weak and heavy laden (of
which I was one) to continue by looking to Christ for grace and help.

That chapel quote corresponds well with Hebrews chapter four. The Kadesh Israelites
foolishly “dropped out” of God’s plan and purpose for them. Pastor Sweeting desired
better choices for the Class of ’79. When I heard the challenge, I accepted it, deciding
to persevere by God’s grace and help. I praise the Lord for that. Without it, I would
have been laid low.

Please carefully heed a pastoral word of warning, encouragement, exhortation and
challenge to all of us who are weak and heavy-laden. Don’t be foolish enough to quit.

Persevere in your Christian life. Come daily unto Jesus, who will give you rest unto
your souls. By the grace of God let us, each one, exercise faith in Christ’s shepherd
character and exhibit true momentum for His glory.

]]> Surviving the Wilderness https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/surviving-the-wilderness https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/surviving-the-wilderness#comments Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/surviving-the-wilderness The untamed wilderness can be a breathtakingly romantic place to see God’s glory and handiwork. From the brilliant fall foliage of the Shenandoah River Valley to the sculptures of Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park, God’s artistry is on full display. What’s more, God’s grandeur is displayed in the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park and the spectacular waterfalls of Yosemite National Park. John Muir, often called “the Father of the National Parks”, once wrote, “God never made an ugly landscape. All that sun shines on is beautiful, so long as it is wild.” Yet, the wilderness can also be a harsh and unforgiving landscape striking fear into hearts and stretching ability and strength. Places like Death Valley and Denali National Park provide harsh environments and dangerous wildlife that, without the proper gear or the help of others, require experience to survive. Regardless of one’s perspective, God is not absent from the wilderness. As a matter of fact, He meets us in the wilderness of this broken world if we are willing to look, listen, and obey.

In the book of Exodus, the wilderness was a place that presented a great opportunity for God’s people to see His beauty and might, and follow Him with wholehearted trust. God had rescued His people from slavery in Egypt, taken them through the waters of the Red Sea, destroyed their pursuers, and blessed them with the riches of their Egyptian masters. Now that same faithful God was leading them through the wilderness to their new home, Canaan. Shockingly, the wilderness quite literally turned into a cemetery for an entire rebellious generation. The writer of Hebrews draws from Psalm 95:7-11 to remind his readers of the events that led to this tragedy and to warn them of the danger of doubting God in the wilderness. Hebrews 3:7-11, 15-19 records the "pastor's" words:

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” …

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. 

The urgency of the writer is evident. The time to listen to God’s voice and take action is today - not tomorrow, not later, but today (Heb 3:7, 13, 15)! The plea is to trust the God who is Creator, King, and Father. He speaks with power, authority, and care. Previously, the Jewish audience was reminded that God had spoken to their forefathers by the prophets and angels, but His full and final revelation came through His Son (Heb 1:1-4). The crux of the matter is that God desires to make Himself known and give us decisive and reliable direction. He entered our wild world so we might come to know Him and enter His rest rather than wandering aimlessly through life (Heb 4:3; Matt 11:28-30; Matt 7:24). 

Amazingly, God still speaks. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that there is no substitute for the God-breathed communication of our Heavenly Father. The Bible is God’s Word, “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” It is milk for the new believer and meat for the established one. It protects our hearts from constant attacks. The wilderness is an unrelenting and unforgiving place, but His words “are life … and healing” (Prov 4:20-23).

When God speaks, it is time to listen! Three times the writer employs “today” to emphasize the urgency of his message to his readers. May the emphasis and seriousness of his plea not pass us by. We are not just commanded to hear, but to listen, because when we truly listen, we will be moved to trust and obey. May we also remember that we are not alone. God provides a community of believers to “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’” (Heb 3:13). The church is repeatedly commanded to love one another (1 Pet 4:8), show hospitality to one another (1 Pet 4:9), comfort one another (2 Cor 13:11), build one another up (1 Thess 5:11) pray for one another (James 5:16), and so on. This is to be a regular, even daily, practice. Why? So that we may persevere and that none of us might become calloused to the deceitfulness of sin and fall away from reaching our promised rest (Heb 3:12).

Romans 15:4-6 (ESV) - For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

]]> The untamed wilderness can be a breathtakingly romantic place to see God’s glory and handiwork. From the brilliant fall foliage of the Shenandoah River Valley to the sculptures of Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park, God’s artistry is on full display. What’s more, God’s grandeur is displayed in the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park and the spectacular waterfalls of Yosemite National Park. John Muir, often called “the Father of the National Parks”, once wrote, “God never made an ugly landscape. All that sun shines on is beautiful, so long as it is wild.” Yet, the wilderness can also be a harsh and unforgiving landscape striking fear into hearts and stretching ability and strength. Places like Death Valley and Denali National Park provide harsh environments and dangerous wildlife that, without the proper gear or the help of others, require experience to survive. Regardless of one’s perspective, God is not absent from the wilderness. As a matter of fact, He meets us in the wilderness of this broken world if we are willing to look, listen, and obey.

In the book of Exodus, the wilderness was a place that presented a great opportunity for God’s people to see His beauty and might, and follow Him with wholehearted trust. God had rescued His people from slavery in Egypt, taken them through the waters of the Red Sea, destroyed their pursuers, and blessed them with the riches of their Egyptian masters. Now that same faithful God was leading them through the wilderness to their new home, Canaan. Shockingly, the wilderness quite literally turned into a cemetery for an entire rebellious generation. The writer of Hebrews draws from Psalm 95:7-11 to remind his readers of the events that led to this tragedy and to warn them of the danger of doubting God in the wilderness. Hebrews 3:7-11, 15-19 records the "pastor's" words:

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” …

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. 

The urgency of the writer is evident. The time to listen to God’s voice and take action is today - not tomorrow, not later, but today (Heb 3:7, 13, 15)! The plea is to trust the God who is Creator, King, and Father. He speaks with power, authority, and care. Previously, the Jewish audience was reminded that God had spoken to their forefathers by the prophets and angels, but His full and final revelation came through His Son (Heb 1:1-4). The crux of the matter is that God desires to make Himself known and give us decisive and reliable direction. He entered our wild world so we might come to know Him and enter His rest rather than wandering aimlessly through life (Heb 4:3; Matt 11:28-30; Matt 7:24). 

Amazingly, God still speaks. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that there is no substitute for the God-breathed communication of our Heavenly Father. The Bible is God’s Word, “breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” It is milk for the new believer and meat for the established one. It protects our hearts from constant attacks. The wilderness is an unrelenting and unforgiving place, but His words “are life … and healing” (Prov 4:20-23).

When God speaks, it is time to listen! Three times the writer employs “today” to emphasize the urgency of his message to his readers. May the emphasis and seriousness of his plea not pass us by. We are not just commanded to hear, but to listen, because when we truly listen, we will be moved to trust and obey. May we also remember that we are not alone. God provides a community of believers to “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’” (Heb 3:13). The church is repeatedly commanded to love one another (1 Pet 4:8), show hospitality to one another (1 Pet 4:9), comfort one another (2 Cor 13:11), build one another up (1 Thess 5:11) pray for one another (James 5:16), and so on. This is to be a regular, even daily, practice. Why? So that we may persevere and that none of us might become calloused to the deceitfulness of sin and fall away from reaching our promised rest (Heb 3:12).

Romans 15:4-6 (ESV) - For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

]]> The Builder And The Son https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-builder-and-the-son https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-builder-and-the-son#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:05:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-builder-and-the-son Over the past decade or so there has been a deluge of television shows that have made many viewers wish they had the money or the talent to build or renovate their own home. Generally, these shows follow a similar script with a home owner or buyer needing significant work done on their home and having the improvements completed by a skilled crew of workers. Architects, interior designers, and construction workers all contribute to the overall project. Usually the owner of the home has little to no input on the project once it begins and we, the viewers, get only small glimpses into the renovation and reconstruction as it takes place. The creators of the show strategically wait until the last few minutes to surprise us with the final reveal. The goal is to create a “Wow!” moment for the viewers, and most of the time the creators succeed. As the camera pans out and moves through the various spaces of the house we think, “What a beautiful home! Its layout, architecture, lighting, and furnishings are breathtaking. I wonder if they could come and renovate my house?”

The writer of Hebrews does something similar in Hebrews 3:1-6. However, his aim is not to get us starry-eyed over a beautiful house. Rather, he uses the metaphor of building and owning a house to show the power of the Builder and the authority of the Heir.

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses – as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house … 

The text clearly intends us to reflect and to marvel. We are to “consider Jesus” and to exclaim, “Wow!” as we discover Him to be the superior builder and superior son. In order to evoke this reaction, the text reminds us that Jesus is faithful like the most revered and respected figure in the entire Old Testament: Moses. Both Moses and Jesus were sent (Ex 3:9-10; Gal 4:4) and both were mediators between God and His “house” (Heb 3:2; Ex 19:3-6; 1 Tim 2:5). Moses’ legacy is inseparable from God acting on behalf of His people (Num 12:7). Moses faithfully liberated God’s people out of their bondage in Egypt, faithfully delivered and administered the Law, and faithfully led Israel to the promised land. Similarly, Jesus’ work is inseparable from God acting on behalf of His people. But Jesus' faithful work is infinitely more potent. Jesus faithfully freed God’s people from more than just physical bondage, but from the spiritual shackles of sin. Furthermore, Jesus faithfully administered grace, rather than the Law God’s people were unable to keep. And finally, Jesus faithfully leads His people into their promised rest (Matt 11:28). The writer’s argument is as follows: if the man, Moses, is worthy as a servant in God’s house, how much more worthy is the God-man, Jesus, who is the builder of God’s house (Heb 3:3-5).

Jesus' role as Builder becomes even more captivating and wonderful when we remember what and who the household of God is. According to the Bible, God’s people are described as God’s dwelling place. In the Old Testament we first find God in perfect communion with Adam and Eve before the fall. Later, we see Him manifest His presence in the midst of people, dwelling in the Tabernacle and the Temple. In the New Testament, God goes beyond dwelling with His people to residing in His people. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that “We are his house” (Heb 3:6), and that Jesus is the Builder of the house. In other words, the household of God is you! 

To lift Jesus even higher in the hearts and minds of his readers, the writer proclaims that Jesus' superiority goes beyond being the Builder of God’s household to being the Son of God’s household. In other words, as the son, Jesus is also the heir (Heb 1:2). The church belongs to Him. He is the owner of God’s household. We are “living stones being built up as a spiritual house … and … a people for his possession” (1 Pet 2:5, 9). Jesus affirms this by proclaiming, “I will build my church” (Matt 16:18). To bluntly state this beautiful truth: If you believe who Jesus is and what He has done, and repent of your sin, He is yours and you are His (Mk 1:15)! 

With that in mind, we are fittingly asked to “consider Jesus”, meaning we are to observe Him fully and behold Him for who He truly is. Our Savior is the cornerstone for those who believe, but a stumbling block and rock of offense to those who reject Him. There is no in between or straddling the fence. Let us boast in our true and only hope - Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

1 Peter 2:4-9 (ESV) - As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

]]> Over the past decade or so there has been a deluge of television shows that have made many viewers wish they had the money or the talent to build or renovate their own home. Generally, these shows follow a similar script with a home owner or buyer needing significant work done on their home and having the improvements completed by a skilled crew of workers. Architects, interior designers, and construction workers all contribute to the overall project. Usually the owner of the home has little to no input on the project once it begins and we, the viewers, get only small glimpses into the renovation and reconstruction as it takes place. The creators of the show strategically wait until the last few minutes to surprise us with the final reveal. The goal is to create a “Wow!” moment for the viewers, and most of the time the creators succeed. As the camera pans out and moves through the various spaces of the house we think, “What a beautiful home! Its layout, architecture, lighting, and furnishings are breathtaking. I wonder if they could come and renovate my house?”

The writer of Hebrews does something similar in Hebrews 3:1-6. However, his aim is not to get us starry-eyed over a beautiful house. Rather, he uses the metaphor of building and owning a house to show the power of the Builder and the authority of the Heir.

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses – as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house … 

The text clearly intends us to reflect and to marvel. We are to “consider Jesus” and to exclaim, “Wow!” as we discover Him to be the superior builder and superior son. In order to evoke this reaction, the text reminds us that Jesus is faithful like the most revered and respected figure in the entire Old Testament: Moses. Both Moses and Jesus were sent (Ex 3:9-10; Gal 4:4) and both were mediators between God and His “house” (Heb 3:2; Ex 19:3-6; 1 Tim 2:5). Moses’ legacy is inseparable from God acting on behalf of His people (Num 12:7). Moses faithfully liberated God’s people out of their bondage in Egypt, faithfully delivered and administered the Law, and faithfully led Israel to the promised land. Similarly, Jesus’ work is inseparable from God acting on behalf of His people. But Jesus' faithful work is infinitely more potent. Jesus faithfully freed God’s people from more than just physical bondage, but from the spiritual shackles of sin. Furthermore, Jesus faithfully administered grace, rather than the Law God’s people were unable to keep. And finally, Jesus faithfully leads His people into their promised rest (Matt 11:28). The writer’s argument is as follows: if the man, Moses, is worthy as a servant in God’s house, how much more worthy is the God-man, Jesus, who is the builder of God’s house (Heb 3:3-5).

Jesus' role as Builder becomes even more captivating and wonderful when we remember what and who the household of God is. According to the Bible, God’s people are described as God’s dwelling place. In the Old Testament we first find God in perfect communion with Adam and Eve before the fall. Later, we see Him manifest His presence in the midst of people, dwelling in the Tabernacle and the Temple. In the New Testament, God goes beyond dwelling with His people to residing in His people. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that “We are his house” (Heb 3:6), and that Jesus is the Builder of the house. In other words, the household of God is you! 

To lift Jesus even higher in the hearts and minds of his readers, the writer proclaims that Jesus' superiority goes beyond being the Builder of God’s household to being the Son of God’s household. In other words, as the son, Jesus is also the heir (Heb 1:2). The church belongs to Him. He is the owner of God’s household. We are “living stones being built up as a spiritual house … and … a people for his possession” (1 Pet 2:5, 9). Jesus affirms this by proclaiming, “I will build my church” (Matt 16:18). To bluntly state this beautiful truth: If you believe who Jesus is and what He has done, and repent of your sin, He is yours and you are His (Mk 1:15)! 

With that in mind, we are fittingly asked to “consider Jesus”, meaning we are to observe Him fully and behold Him for who He truly is. Our Savior is the cornerstone for those who believe, but a stumbling block and rock of offense to those who reject Him. There is no in between or straddling the fence. Let us boast in our true and only hope - Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

1 Peter 2:4-9 (ESV) - As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

]]> So Great A Salvation https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/so-great-a-salvation https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/so-great-a-salvation#comments Sun, 01 Feb 2026 18:00:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/so-great-a-salvation Christian summer camp can be one of the most transformative times for students of all ages. There is something incredibly powerful that occurs when all of the noise in a student's life is stripped away for a few days. The voice of God is more easily heard and His direction is more readily received. Through chapel, counselors, fellow campers, creation, and unique activities, God encounters campers in often unexpected ways. Personally, I have many fond and formative memories of my times at camp. On one particular occasion I had the opportunity to go sailing off the rocky shores of Camp Patmos located on Kelley’s Island in Lake Erie. After a short lesson, I received sole responsibility to skipper a little Sunfish sailboat. To be fair, I had naïvely given the impression that I knew more about sailing than I actually did. Once I was released from the security and protection of the dock, my hands began to shake and my heart started racing. Even though the waters were calm, my frame of mind was not. I was concerned about the shifting winds, my lack of sailing experience, and, of course, the growing distance between the sailboat and the dock. At that moment, the question that screamed in my head was, “Will I be able to make it back to the safety of the dock?”

A similar image is used by the writer of Hebrews as he pens the beginning of chapter 2. The picture is of a ship - untethered and unmanned - drifting from its harbor’s safety into the dangers of the open sea. He writes,

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The image of this drifting ship vividly warns those who have heard the glorious message delivered through the words and actions of Jesus to be wary of neglecting “such a great salvation” (Heb 2:3). But why is it so important to pay attention to “what we have heard” (Heb 2:1)? Two momentous reasons call for us to give the message constant attention. First, the message comes from the highest authority imaginable. Immediately following mankind’s rebellion and fall from innocence into a state of sin and separation, God announced His redemptive plan (Gen 3:15). God promised a Redeemer and initiated salvation history. Everything from that moment on tilted dramatically toward the incarnation, the cross of Calvary, and the suffering Servant (Jn 1:1-5, 9-14). God took initiative and full responsibility in meeting humanity in its need and rescuing it from its lost estate. Which leads to the second reason to pay attention to God’s message: the message is good news. It is good news because it saves us from something and for something. The gospel saves us from sin’s penalty (Rom 8:1), sin’s power (Rom 6:6-7), and even sin’s presence (1 Jn 3:2). Furthermore, it saves us from God’s wrath (Rom 5:9-10). God hates sin and sinners are “by nature children of wrath … But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:3-7). What a loving and gracious God! Did you notice He not only rescued us from sin and from wrath, but He has saved us for freedom from guilt, for a reconciled relationship with Him, for a life of obedience, for eternal joy, and for much, much more!

The writer’s warning or admonition has an enormous ramification. By including himself as a target of the warning through the use of the first-person plural pronoun “we”, the writer hints at an audience of believers. The Jewish believers, tempted to return to their Mosaic traditions, are told to pay close attention to what they had heard. The writer’s appeal is as follows: if the Law of Moses, delivered by angels on Mount Sinai, was binding and warranted punishment for disobedience, how much more does neglecting the gospel received from the Son of God call for discipline? While this may come as an initial shock to some, it is important to remember that a born-again believer is a redeemed and adopted child of God. As a beloved child, “the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb 12:6). Warren W. Wiersbe notes, “We have the idea that believers today ‘under grace’ can escape the chastening hand of God that was so evident ‘under law.’ But to whom much is given, much shall be required.”

The gospel message is to be greatly loved and equally respected. We need to be secured to the mooring of the gospel of Christ! This first of five warnings reminds us that we need help to avoid drifting. God has provided His Word, His Spirit, the ordinances (communion and baptism), and His church to remind us to remain true to the salvation that is ours. Likewise, warnings function to encourage us to persevere. They are one of our Heavenly Father’s means to safely bring us to glory.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (ESV) - Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

]]> Christian summer camp can be one of the most transformative times for students of all ages. There is something incredibly powerful that occurs when all of the noise in a student's life is stripped away for a few days. The voice of God is more easily heard and His direction is more readily received. Through chapel, counselors, fellow campers, creation, and unique activities, God encounters campers in often unexpected ways. Personally, I have many fond and formative memories of my times at camp. On one particular occasion I had the opportunity to go sailing off the rocky shores of Camp Patmos located on Kelley’s Island in Lake Erie. After a short lesson, I received sole responsibility to skipper a little Sunfish sailboat. To be fair, I had naïvely given the impression that I knew more about sailing than I actually did. Once I was released from the security and protection of the dock, my hands began to shake and my heart started racing. Even though the waters were calm, my frame of mind was not. I was concerned about the shifting winds, my lack of sailing experience, and, of course, the growing distance between the sailboat and the dock. At that moment, the question that screamed in my head was, “Will I be able to make it back to the safety of the dock?”

A similar image is used by the writer of Hebrews as he pens the beginning of chapter 2. The picture is of a ship - untethered and unmanned - drifting from its harbor’s safety into the dangers of the open sea. He writes,

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The image of this drifting ship vividly warns those who have heard the glorious message delivered through the words and actions of Jesus to be wary of neglecting “such a great salvation” (Heb 2:3). But why is it so important to pay attention to “what we have heard” (Heb 2:1)? Two momentous reasons call for us to give the message constant attention. First, the message comes from the highest authority imaginable. Immediately following mankind’s rebellion and fall from innocence into a state of sin and separation, God announced His redemptive plan (Gen 3:15). God promised a Redeemer and initiated salvation history. Everything from that moment on tilted dramatically toward the incarnation, the cross of Calvary, and the suffering Servant (Jn 1:1-5, 9-14). God took initiative and full responsibility in meeting humanity in its need and rescuing it from its lost estate. Which leads to the second reason to pay attention to God’s message: the message is good news. It is good news because it saves us from something and for something. The gospel saves us from sin’s penalty (Rom 8:1), sin’s power (Rom 6:6-7), and even sin’s presence (1 Jn 3:2). Furthermore, it saves us from God’s wrath (Rom 5:9-10). God hates sin and sinners are “by nature children of wrath … But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:3-7). What a loving and gracious God! Did you notice He not only rescued us from sin and from wrath, but He has saved us for freedom from guilt, for a reconciled relationship with Him, for a life of obedience, for eternal joy, and for much, much more!

The writer’s warning or admonition has an enormous ramification. By including himself as a target of the warning through the use of the first-person plural pronoun “we”, the writer hints at an audience of believers. The Jewish believers, tempted to return to their Mosaic traditions, are told to pay close attention to what they had heard. The writer’s appeal is as follows: if the Law of Moses, delivered by angels on Mount Sinai, was binding and warranted punishment for disobedience, how much more does neglecting the gospel received from the Son of God call for discipline? While this may come as an initial shock to some, it is important to remember that a born-again believer is a redeemed and adopted child of God. As a beloved child, “the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb 12:6). Warren W. Wiersbe notes, “We have the idea that believers today ‘under grace’ can escape the chastening hand of God that was so evident ‘under law.’ But to whom much is given, much shall be required.”

The gospel message is to be greatly loved and equally respected. We need to be secured to the mooring of the gospel of Christ! This first of five warnings reminds us that we need help to avoid drifting. God has provided His Word, His Spirit, the ordinances (communion and baptism), and His church to remind us to remain true to the salvation that is ours. Likewise, warnings function to encourage us to persevere. They are one of our Heavenly Father’s means to safely bring us to glory.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (ESV) - Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

]]> One Of A Kind https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/one-of-a-kind https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/one-of-a-kind#comments Sun, 11 Jan 2026 18:05:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/one-of-a-kind Have you ever considered that you may have some valuable items in your home, stored in your attic or buried in your basement? Their value is ultimately determined by their condition and their rarity. The more rare the item, the more valuable it is likely to be. However, it is doubtful that any of us will discover a one-of-a-kind item stashed underneath a pile of old newspapers, tucked behind a stack of deteriorating cardboard boxes, or crammed in the back of an old wardrobe. One-of-a-kind items are unique. It is what makes them true treasures, like the Hope Diamond, the Rosetta Stone, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Crown Jewels of England.

Better even than these, Jesus is the true priceless treasure (Phil 3:7-8). Everything Jesus is and everything He has done, puts Him in class all His own. He truly is unrivaled. To put it another way, there is no one like Jesus. There is no one who could have accomplished what He has accomplished.

Sadly, we have a tendency to be captivated and infatuated with lesser things. In Moses’ final address to God’s people, the great leader warns Israel of the folly of turning to idols. His words in Deuteronomy 4:28 are prophetic as he tells them that they will “... serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” That is exactly what happened. Of course what is true of Israel is true of us also. Moses’ words describe our obsession with things other than God and give us a glimpse into the crookedness that inhabits our hearts. Yet, from the moment mankind rebelled against God and was cast away from His presence, God promised a one-of-a-kind Redeemer who would crush the enemy and restore the relationship that had been broken (Gen 3:15; 1 Jn 3:8; Ps 110:1). Hebrews 1:1-4 eloquently shares the fulfilment of this promise by reminding its readers of the supremacy of Jesus, the Messiah:

… in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The passage points out three traits that place Jesus above everything else, making Him a one-of-a-kind treasure: Jesus is the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, and the Savior of humanity! Not unlike a priceless one-of-a-kind item, the uniqueness of who Jesus is determines the value of what Jesus is able to do. To be perfectly clear, since Jesus is the one-and-only God and the one-and-only Creator, He is capable of doing what no one else is capable of doing: saving us to the uttermost (Heb 7:25). There is no one but Jesus who was able to make “purification for sins” (Heb 1:3). The King James Version emphasizes Jesus’ sole salvific ability by translating this phrase in the following manner: “… he had by himself purged our sins.” He is the one-and-only Savior! His redemptive work is incomparable in its effectiveness. As the once-and-for-all Purifier of sinners, Jesus’ atoning work provides inner cleansing from the pollution of sin and removes the barrier that separates us from God (Heb 7:27; Eph 2:14). The One who miraculously made the worlds, also magnificently made purification inviting us back into a relationship with God! But Jesus’ uniqueness doesn’t end there. His redemptive work is also incomparable in its power, protection, and favor. Jesus’ seated posture “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3) points to the totality and sufficiency of the salvation He offers. He is the Lord of our salvation, the only one who could adequately gain it and supremely sustain it. What Jesus has powerfully gained, He protects. He deserves all the glory, honor, and praise! Finally, Jesus’ redemptive work gains Him authority based on His relationship and His role. He inherits what has been His in eternity past, the name “Son”. This sounds a bit odd, but practically “sonship” relates to the authority an individual wields based on who they are. In the context of kings, it usually took the form of a public declaration or inauguration. In Jesus’ case, His divine eternal relationship to the Father, His incarnate earthly relationship to the kingly line of David, and His righteous triumph publicly authenticated in the resurrection declare and practically inaugurate His “Sonship” as He received His inheritance (Ps 2:7-8). Simply put, based on who Jesus is and what He has done, the Father exclaims, “That’s my Son!” (Acts 13:32-33).

When it comes to everything this world has to offer, Jesus is the one-and-only priceless Treasure. He is real, and He has made Himself known (Heb 1:1-2). Everything this world has to offer is temporary. Its value is fleeting and its sheen will tarnish. Yet, God has spoken and made Himself known. Come to Him in repentance and faith today. He “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5).

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

]]> Have you ever considered that you may have some valuable items in your home, stored in your attic or buried in your basement? Their value is ultimately determined by their condition and their rarity. The more rare the item, the more valuable it is likely to be. However, it is doubtful that any of us will discover a one-of-a-kind item stashed underneath a pile of old newspapers, tucked behind a stack of deteriorating cardboard boxes, or crammed in the back of an old wardrobe. One-of-a-kind items are unique. It is what makes them true treasures, like the Hope Diamond, the Rosetta Stone, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Crown Jewels of England.

Better even than these, Jesus is the true priceless treasure (Phil 3:7-8). Everything Jesus is and everything He has done, puts Him in class all His own. He truly is unrivaled. To put it another way, there is no one like Jesus. There is no one who could have accomplished what He has accomplished.

Sadly, we have a tendency to be captivated and infatuated with lesser things. In Moses’ final address to God’s people, the great leader warns Israel of the folly of turning to idols. His words in Deuteronomy 4:28 are prophetic as he tells them that they will “... serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” That is exactly what happened. Of course what is true of Israel is true of us also. Moses’ words describe our obsession with things other than God and give us a glimpse into the crookedness that inhabits our hearts. Yet, from the moment mankind rebelled against God and was cast away from His presence, God promised a one-of-a-kind Redeemer who would crush the enemy and restore the relationship that had been broken (Gen 3:15; 1 Jn 3:8; Ps 110:1). Hebrews 1:1-4 eloquently shares the fulfilment of this promise by reminding its readers of the supremacy of Jesus, the Messiah:

… in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The passage points out three traits that place Jesus above everything else, making Him a one-of-a-kind treasure: Jesus is the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, and the Savior of humanity! Not unlike a priceless one-of-a-kind item, the uniqueness of who Jesus is determines the value of what Jesus is able to do. To be perfectly clear, since Jesus is the one-and-only God and the one-and-only Creator, He is capable of doing what no one else is capable of doing: saving us to the uttermost (Heb 7:25). There is no one but Jesus who was able to make “purification for sins” (Heb 1:3). The King James Version emphasizes Jesus’ sole salvific ability by translating this phrase in the following manner: “… he had by himself purged our sins.” He is the one-and-only Savior! His redemptive work is incomparable in its effectiveness. As the once-and-for-all Purifier of sinners, Jesus’ atoning work provides inner cleansing from the pollution of sin and removes the barrier that separates us from God (Heb 7:27; Eph 2:14). The One who miraculously made the worlds, also magnificently made purification inviting us back into a relationship with God! But Jesus’ uniqueness doesn’t end there. His redemptive work is also incomparable in its power, protection, and favor. Jesus’ seated posture “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3) points to the totality and sufficiency of the salvation He offers. He is the Lord of our salvation, the only one who could adequately gain it and supremely sustain it. What Jesus has powerfully gained, He protects. He deserves all the glory, honor, and praise! Finally, Jesus’ redemptive work gains Him authority based on His relationship and His role. He inherits what has been His in eternity past, the name “Son”. This sounds a bit odd, but practically “sonship” relates to the authority an individual wields based on who they are. In the context of kings, it usually took the form of a public declaration or inauguration. In Jesus’ case, His divine eternal relationship to the Father, His incarnate earthly relationship to the kingly line of David, and His righteous triumph publicly authenticated in the resurrection declare and practically inaugurate His “Sonship” as He received His inheritance (Ps 2:7-8). Simply put, based on who Jesus is and what He has done, the Father exclaims, “That’s my Son!” (Acts 13:32-33).

When it comes to everything this world has to offer, Jesus is the one-and-only priceless Treasure. He is real, and He has made Himself known (Heb 1:1-2). Everything this world has to offer is temporary. Its value is fleeting and its sheen will tarnish. Yet, God has spoken and made Himself known. Come to Him in repentance and faith today. He “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5).

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

]]> The Best https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-best https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-best#comments Sun, 04 Jan 2026 17:00:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-best I have wonderful memories of going to concerts, amusement parks, or to the ocean as a teenager. These events and places etched themselves into my memory. The beauty of live music, the thrill of a breathtaking rollercoaster ride, and the wonder of diving into crashing waves were amazing experiences! When shared with friends or family, we would often exclaim, “That was the BEST!” Yet, when the last note was played, the rollercoaster pulled back into the station, and the sunscreen and bathing suits were loaded for the trip home, the adventures came to an end. What was amazing for a moment never lasted beyond the moment and we longed for the next “best” thing. Looking back, I still find these experiences fantastic, but they were far from being “the best”.

In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer uses the word “better” throughout. Thirteen times the word “better” is used in connection with who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. It could be said that the writer describes Jesus as being “superior”. Which begs the question, “Superior to what?” The historical and religious-cultural background of Hebrews as recorded in Acts 13-18 gives us insight. Here we find the account of the Apostle Paul’s first two missionary journeys, the persecution of the early church (including Aquilla and Priscilla’s expulsion from Rome), and the challenges the council at Jerusalem faced in deciding the role the Mosaic Law would play in the early church. While we cannot with certainty identify the human author of Hebrews, the writer certainly knew Timothy (Heb 13:23) and was therefore Paul’s contemporary. Consequently, the challenges we find in Acts shape the content of Hebrews and its emphasis on Jesus’ superiority. As the gospel spread through Jewish communities, those who left their Mosaic Law-abiding religious heritage in order to follow Jesus, were cast out and ostracized by their families and religious institutions (Heb 13:1-3). They were persecuted and experienced various degrees of suffering (Heb 13:12-14). Their newfound faith and transformed lifestyle put them at odds with the world around them, and the siren call to return to the safety of the closely knit Jewish community and former way of life became very tempting. Maybe they were asking themselves, “Is Jesus truly worth all of this hardship?” Maybe you have asked yourself the same or a similar question.

Clearly, the Divine Author - the Holy Spirit - wants us to open the eyes of our heart and see the glorious Person and gracious work of Jesus. He wants us to stagger back in awe at the wonder of the Son of God! For thirteen chapters, Hebrews explains how Jesus, the promised Messiah, is better than the prophets, better than the angels, better than Moses, better than Joshua, better than Aaron, better than all the priests, and better than the sacrificial system. Its purpose was to demonstrate to Jewish believers that Judaism had been superseded by Christianity. Christ established a “better covenant,” by which sinners are saved “to the uttermost” (Heb 7:22–25). As a matter of fact, only by turning to Jesus, do we receive forgiveness of sin and a perfect standing before God that never ends (Heb 10:11-18). 

It is easy to get caught up in the details of the epistle to the Hebrews like the “better than” examples and their ensuing admonitions. However, at the heart of the letter is Jesus, who “is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature” (Heb 1:3). God’s faithfulness to His people is indelibly linked to the person of Jesus. He is the Word that we confess, the Hope that provides certainty, the Priest who gives us confidence, and the Sacrifice that is entirely sufficient. It is essential to understand this overarching theme of Jesus’ superiority if we are to understand the writer’s shepherd-like plea to remain true to Christ and the new covenant of grace rather than return to our self-righteous efforts, chained to dead works. These are but filthy rags without the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Jesus is truly better. As a matter of fact, He’s the BEST! 

Luke 22:17-20 (ESV) - And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

]]> I have wonderful memories of going to concerts, amusement parks, or to the ocean as a teenager. These events and places etched themselves into my memory. The beauty of live music, the thrill of a breathtaking rollercoaster ride, and the wonder of diving into crashing waves were amazing experiences! When shared with friends or family, we would often exclaim, “That was the BEST!” Yet, when the last note was played, the rollercoaster pulled back into the station, and the sunscreen and bathing suits were loaded for the trip home, the adventures came to an end. What was amazing for a moment never lasted beyond the moment and we longed for the next “best” thing. Looking back, I still find these experiences fantastic, but they were far from being “the best”.

In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer uses the word “better” throughout. Thirteen times the word “better” is used in connection with who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. It could be said that the writer describes Jesus as being “superior”. Which begs the question, “Superior to what?” The historical and religious-cultural background of Hebrews as recorded in Acts 13-18 gives us insight. Here we find the account of the Apostle Paul’s first two missionary journeys, the persecution of the early church (including Aquilla and Priscilla’s expulsion from Rome), and the challenges the council at Jerusalem faced in deciding the role the Mosaic Law would play in the early church. While we cannot with certainty identify the human author of Hebrews, the writer certainly knew Timothy (Heb 13:23) and was therefore Paul’s contemporary. Consequently, the challenges we find in Acts shape the content of Hebrews and its emphasis on Jesus’ superiority. As the gospel spread through Jewish communities, those who left their Mosaic Law-abiding religious heritage in order to follow Jesus, were cast out and ostracized by their families and religious institutions (Heb 13:1-3). They were persecuted and experienced various degrees of suffering (Heb 13:12-14). Their newfound faith and transformed lifestyle put them at odds with the world around them, and the siren call to return to the safety of the closely knit Jewish community and former way of life became very tempting. Maybe they were asking themselves, “Is Jesus truly worth all of this hardship?” Maybe you have asked yourself the same or a similar question.

Clearly, the Divine Author - the Holy Spirit - wants us to open the eyes of our heart and see the glorious Person and gracious work of Jesus. He wants us to stagger back in awe at the wonder of the Son of God! For thirteen chapters, Hebrews explains how Jesus, the promised Messiah, is better than the prophets, better than the angels, better than Moses, better than Joshua, better than Aaron, better than all the priests, and better than the sacrificial system. Its purpose was to demonstrate to Jewish believers that Judaism had been superseded by Christianity. Christ established a “better covenant,” by which sinners are saved “to the uttermost” (Heb 7:22–25). As a matter of fact, only by turning to Jesus, do we receive forgiveness of sin and a perfect standing before God that never ends (Heb 10:11-18). 

It is easy to get caught up in the details of the epistle to the Hebrews like the “better than” examples and their ensuing admonitions. However, at the heart of the letter is Jesus, who “is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature” (Heb 1:3). God’s faithfulness to His people is indelibly linked to the person of Jesus. He is the Word that we confess, the Hope that provides certainty, the Priest who gives us confidence, and the Sacrifice that is entirely sufficient. It is essential to understand this overarching theme of Jesus’ superiority if we are to understand the writer’s shepherd-like plea to remain true to Christ and the new covenant of grace rather than return to our self-righteous efforts, chained to dead works. These are but filthy rags without the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Jesus is truly better. As a matter of fact, He’s the BEST! 

Luke 22:17-20 (ESV) - And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

]]> The Mandate https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-mandate https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-mandate#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:25:15 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/the-mandate The Great Commission in Matthew 28 tells us to GO and make disciples. This mandate is unmistakable. The Greek word “GO” really means “as you are going”. So, as we are living our daily life, we are to make disciples. This mandate has been well-preached, well-taught, and certainly well-understood by Christians. Luke, in his gospel, also recorded a mandate and Great Commission from Jesus in Luke 24:44-49: Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 

Luke 24:47 would perhaps be the best summary of this mandate. It gives us the message, the method, the man, and the map of this Great Commission from Jesus. The message of priority  is “repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. The method to be used is  “proclamation”. The man of the message to be proclaimed would be Jesus, “in His name”. The map of where all this should take place is “all nations” but it begins in “Jerusalem”, our very own backyard. Examining these four elements should encourage us to fulfill the Great Commission.

The message we are to share is repentance for the forgiveness of sins. There is not a need for us to opine on many other things in life. We are to focus on calling people to repentance, so they may receive forgiveness of sins. Our efforts are to bring people to Jesus; to salvation, for their eternity’s sake! What a worthwhile message that is! So, let us focus on sharing this message. 

The method to share this message given to us is proclamation. Webster defines the word proclaim in two ways: 1) to declare publicly, typically insistently, proudly, or defiantly and in either speech or writing and 2) to give outward indication of. Under this definition, we understand that we are asked to boldly speak this message. Speak to ensure that others know why we are Christians. Speak to ensure others know our reason for living. Speak to ensure others know of our eternal hope. Speak to ensure others know that we have repented to be granted the forgiveness of sins. And not of ourselves but as a gift of God’s abundant grace and mercy. We are to use our mouth and words.

The man that this message is to be proclaimed is Jesus Christ. It is in His name that anything is worthy of doing, but certainly in the work of the Great Commission! We do not proclaim this message in our own name as if we are so intellectual or we know of a secret. We do not do this as if we are the ones who are better than our audience. No. We proclaim this in Jesus’ name because He is the one who deserves the credit and honor. And we know that anything done in His name doesn’t return back void. So then, we share this message in Jesus’ name and not our own. 

After outlining the message, the method, and the man of this mandate, we are given a map of where it is to be taken. “All nations”, but beginning in “Jerusalem”. The goal is for the ends of the earth to know Christ, but without forsaking the work in our own backyard; or front yard for that matter! When was the last time we walked across the front yard to have intentional “Jesus conversations” with our neighbor? We support missionaries in far away land but do we share the message with our colleagues at work? The map outlined is so comprehensive but yet it doesn’t release us from doing the work in our very own life. It is easier to send a check to a missions agency. But it is much harder to do the work of discipling a young person who could be a missionary one day. This mandate requires us to do both and also all the work in between.

So, Luke makes it abundantly clear what the mandate is for us as Jesus-followers: to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name to the ends of the earth but starting with the people who are in our immediate lives. May this unburden us from the perception that the Great Commission is reserved for missionaries but instead encourage us to the reality of fulfilling the Great Commission on a daily basis.

]]> The Great Commission in Matthew 28 tells us to GO and make disciples. This mandate is unmistakable. The Greek word “GO” really means “as you are going”. So, as we are living our daily life, we are to make disciples. This mandate has been well-preached, well-taught, and certainly well-understood by Christians. Luke, in his gospel, also recorded a mandate and Great Commission from Jesus in Luke 24:44-49: Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 

Luke 24:47 would perhaps be the best summary of this mandate. It gives us the message, the method, the man, and the map of this Great Commission from Jesus. The message of priority  is “repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. The method to be used is  “proclamation”. The man of the message to be proclaimed would be Jesus, “in His name”. The map of where all this should take place is “all nations” but it begins in “Jerusalem”, our very own backyard. Examining these four elements should encourage us to fulfill the Great Commission.

The message we are to share is repentance for the forgiveness of sins. There is not a need for us to opine on many other things in life. We are to focus on calling people to repentance, so they may receive forgiveness of sins. Our efforts are to bring people to Jesus; to salvation, for their eternity’s sake! What a worthwhile message that is! So, let us focus on sharing this message. 

The method to share this message given to us is proclamation. Webster defines the word proclaim in two ways: 1) to declare publicly, typically insistently, proudly, or defiantly and in either speech or writing and 2) to give outward indication of. Under this definition, we understand that we are asked to boldly speak this message. Speak to ensure that others know why we are Christians. Speak to ensure others know our reason for living. Speak to ensure others know of our eternal hope. Speak to ensure others know that we have repented to be granted the forgiveness of sins. And not of ourselves but as a gift of God’s abundant grace and mercy. We are to use our mouth and words.

The man that this message is to be proclaimed is Jesus Christ. It is in His name that anything is worthy of doing, but certainly in the work of the Great Commission! We do not proclaim this message in our own name as if we are so intellectual or we know of a secret. We do not do this as if we are the ones who are better than our audience. No. We proclaim this in Jesus’ name because He is the one who deserves the credit and honor. And we know that anything done in His name doesn’t return back void. So then, we share this message in Jesus’ name and not our own. 

After outlining the message, the method, and the man of this mandate, we are given a map of where it is to be taken. “All nations”, but beginning in “Jerusalem”. The goal is for the ends of the earth to know Christ, but without forsaking the work in our own backyard; or front yard for that matter! When was the last time we walked across the front yard to have intentional “Jesus conversations” with our neighbor? We support missionaries in far away land but do we share the message with our colleagues at work? The map outlined is so comprehensive but yet it doesn’t release us from doing the work in our very own life. It is easier to send a check to a missions agency. But it is much harder to do the work of discipling a young person who could be a missionary one day. This mandate requires us to do both and also all the work in between.

So, Luke makes it abundantly clear what the mandate is for us as Jesus-followers: to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name to the ends of the earth but starting with the people who are in our immediate lives. May this unburden us from the perception that the Great Commission is reserved for missionaries but instead encourage us to the reality of fulfilling the Great Commission on a daily basis.

]]> Man Among Men https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/man-among-men https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/man-among-men#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2025 17:30:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/man-among-men I am forever grateful for the church that was part of my formative years. After coming to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus through repentance of sin and personally trusting in His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, my parents made a concerted effort to find a church that would help our family grow in its understanding of the Bible and our Savior. The pastor and the community of believers had a great respect for the Lord Jesus. The Savior’s glory, majesty, supremacy, and authority were consistently communicated (Jude 25). His sovereignty and unchanging attributes were rightfully praised. And His deity was never questioned or in doubt. Imagine my surprise when, over time, I was introduced to the humanity of Jesus. I almost considered it to be disrespectful to the reputation of the Savior. My mind wrestled with the concept that the glorious Creator of the universe, the One who holds all things together, the One to whom all creation bows, had become a human being just like me. It blew my mind! Yet, surely, this is the natural response for a believer who genuinely makes an effort to appreciate the mystery of the incarnation - the Son of God took on flesh, simultaneously becoming fully God and fully man. Wow!

Truth be told, the incarnation of Jesus is - like the Trinity - beyond our full comprehension. Therefore, what we need to embrace is less about understanding the “how” and more about believing the “what”. The Gospel of John makes it very clear that Jesus is none other than the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Gen 1:1), eternally present with God and eternally the same in essence and nature (Jn 1:1). However, in introducing Jesus as “the Word”, the apostle further asserts that He - present from the beginning and existing outside time and space - entered time and space at a particular point in history, and “became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). Remaining what He was, the Son of God became what He was not. Amazing! 100% God + 100% Man = 100% Jesus. It’s hard to grasp, isn’t it?

Paul gives us further insight into the incarnation claiming that Jesus, “… though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Phil 2:6-7). We can draw several profound conclusions from Paul’s description. First, Jesus has always and will always be fully God. In His “emptying”, Jesus did not relinquish any of His divine attributes. As a matter of fact, “in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col 2:9)! Rather, in taking upon Himself “flesh”, Jesus emptied Himself of every trace of advantage and privilege. In every way, He humbly submitted Himself to the Father’s will. This leads to a second conclusion: Jesus sacrificed His privileges and position. By “taking the form of a servant”, Jesus became a slave in the fullest sense. His incarnation made Him a man among men, lacking anything that might be outwardly impressive in appearance (Isa 53:2-3). His earthly existence was characterized by owning very little and borrowing much. Consider for a moment that He borrowed a manger, food, a boat, a donkey, and even a tomb. What a meek and unassuming God! Which leads to a third penetrating conclusion: Jesus was fully subject to the human experience. In his commentary on Philippians, John MacArthur wrote, “It’s important to understand that Jesus … took upon Himself all the frailties, limitations, problems, and suffering that were the heritage of the Fall, enduring all its terrible earthly consequences.” As a man, Jesus was just like us and completely unlike us! He endured the consequences of the Fall, yet was born without a sin nature - perfectly holy!

Jesus’ incarnation truly brings the joy of Christmas near to all people. In Matthew 1:20-23, we find Jesus' divine birth announcement shared with Joseph: “… behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means God with us).” What a beautifully intimate name! The invisible God became visible in the person of Jesus. He makes Him known (Jn 1:18). What joy is ours knowing that the relationship that Jesus’ shares with the Father, He has come to share with you and me! He has entered into our world, suffered the full human experience, understood temptation, and become our perfect representative. The incarnation binds Himself to His followers forever!

So, let us rejoice in Jesus’ incarnation. As we rediscover Jesus’ humility in taking upon Himself all that it means to be human, may we respond in awe and worship Immanuel - God with us!

Isaiah 53:1-3 (ESV) - Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

]]> I am forever grateful for the church that was part of my formative years. After coming to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus through repentance of sin and personally trusting in His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, my parents made a concerted effort to find a church that would help our family grow in its understanding of the Bible and our Savior. The pastor and the community of believers had a great respect for the Lord Jesus. The Savior’s glory, majesty, supremacy, and authority were consistently communicated (Jude 25). His sovereignty and unchanging attributes were rightfully praised. And His deity was never questioned or in doubt. Imagine my surprise when, over time, I was introduced to the humanity of Jesus. I almost considered it to be disrespectful to the reputation of the Savior. My mind wrestled with the concept that the glorious Creator of the universe, the One who holds all things together, the One to whom all creation bows, had become a human being just like me. It blew my mind! Yet, surely, this is the natural response for a believer who genuinely makes an effort to appreciate the mystery of the incarnation - the Son of God took on flesh, simultaneously becoming fully God and fully man. Wow!

Truth be told, the incarnation of Jesus is - like the Trinity - beyond our full comprehension. Therefore, what we need to embrace is less about understanding the “how” and more about believing the “what”. The Gospel of John makes it very clear that Jesus is none other than the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Gen 1:1), eternally present with God and eternally the same in essence and nature (Jn 1:1). However, in introducing Jesus as “the Word”, the apostle further asserts that He - present from the beginning and existing outside time and space - entered time and space at a particular point in history, and “became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). Remaining what He was, the Son of God became what He was not. Amazing! 100% God + 100% Man = 100% Jesus. It’s hard to grasp, isn’t it?

Paul gives us further insight into the incarnation claiming that Jesus, “… though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Phil 2:6-7). We can draw several profound conclusions from Paul’s description. First, Jesus has always and will always be fully God. In His “emptying”, Jesus did not relinquish any of His divine attributes. As a matter of fact, “in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col 2:9)! Rather, in taking upon Himself “flesh”, Jesus emptied Himself of every trace of advantage and privilege. In every way, He humbly submitted Himself to the Father’s will. This leads to a second conclusion: Jesus sacrificed His privileges and position. By “taking the form of a servant”, Jesus became a slave in the fullest sense. His incarnation made Him a man among men, lacking anything that might be outwardly impressive in appearance (Isa 53:2-3). His earthly existence was characterized by owning very little and borrowing much. Consider for a moment that He borrowed a manger, food, a boat, a donkey, and even a tomb. What a meek and unassuming God! Which leads to a third penetrating conclusion: Jesus was fully subject to the human experience. In his commentary on Philippians, John MacArthur wrote, “It’s important to understand that Jesus … took upon Himself all the frailties, limitations, problems, and suffering that were the heritage of the Fall, enduring all its terrible earthly consequences.” As a man, Jesus was just like us and completely unlike us! He endured the consequences of the Fall, yet was born without a sin nature - perfectly holy!

Jesus’ incarnation truly brings the joy of Christmas near to all people. In Matthew 1:20-23, we find Jesus' divine birth announcement shared with Joseph: “… behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means God with us).” What a beautifully intimate name! The invisible God became visible in the person of Jesus. He makes Him known (Jn 1:18). What joy is ours knowing that the relationship that Jesus’ shares with the Father, He has come to share with you and me! He has entered into our world, suffered the full human experience, understood temptation, and become our perfect representative. The incarnation binds Himself to His followers forever!

So, let us rejoice in Jesus’ incarnation. As we rediscover Jesus’ humility in taking upon Himself all that it means to be human, may we respond in awe and worship Immanuel - God with us!

Isaiah 53:1-3 (ESV) - Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

]]> Before and Forever https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/before-and-forever https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/before-and-forever#comments Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:50:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/before-and-forever I am certain that I am not the only one who considers Christmas one of their favorite times of the year. As Andy Williams used to sing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” There are so many traditions that make this time of the year special: decorating a Christmas tree, building a snow man, singing carols, kissing under the mistletoe, baking Christmas cookies, and wearing ugly sweaters, just to name a few. Most importantly, of course, is to remember that it is the season that celebrates Christ. This is certainly fitting, since that is what Christmas is all about: the birth of Jesus. Yet, as we celebrate Christmas, it is easy to equate Jesus’ birth with His “beginning”. 

Philippians 2:5-6 gives a perspective that can easily be overlooked. As Paul encourages his readers to humbly consider others as more important than themselves, the apostle presents the divine Jesus as their perfect pattern:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped!

The newborn baby that was brought into this world on the floor of a stable, likely surrounded by animals, and then laid in a feeding trough is, in fact, God. He is the second person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with God, the Father and God, the Spirit. The Bible is very clear that the “history” of Jesus didn't begin in a little town called Bethlehem, but precedes “the beginning” of all creation. The first verse of the Bible begins with the following statement, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1). John begins his gospel with the exact same three words as he introduces Jesus to his readers: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). The Word refers to Jesus, who “… has explained Him [the Father]” (Jn 1:18, NASB). The Bible is straightforward about who Jesus is. He pre-existed all of creation, is the Creator of all that exists, and is “… the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3).

To be sure and preclude any misunderstanding, the Bible includes further testimony from Jesus Himself and those who were eyewitnesses to His life and ministry. Jesus claimed, “… Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…” (Jn 14:9). He also foretold His death and resurrection by declaring that He would lay down His life and take it up again on His own accord and by His own authority (Jn 10:18). Then, after His resurrection, Jesus commissioned His followers to make disciples, claiming that “all authority in heaven and on earth” were His (Matt 28:18). Lastly, the Lord Jesus consistently referred to Himself by the personal, covenant keeping name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush encounter - I AM (Ex 3:13-15). These are not claims that leave much to nuance or interpretation. They are statements that were understood by those listening and either violently rejected (Matt 26:63-68) or wholeheartedly accepted (Lk 2:25-32). Not surprisingly, we find in the Bible and in early church history that believers worshiped and prayed to Jesus, practices that were reserved for God alone by the predominantly Jewish followers of the Way. The divine identity of Jesus is not left ambiguous. The entire biblical account points to a divine Rescuer, who is Christ, the LORD!

This truth should overwhelm us with great joy! The implications of Jesus’ divinity are staggeringly wonderful! Consider for a moment that only God can save (Is 43:11). We are unable to save ourselves from the shackles and destruction of sin, yet Jesus is the divine Rescuer. Even His name, Jesus - meaning “Jehovah saves” - is a reminder of His ability to save. Rejoice, for Jesus is able! Even more reassuring is that His ability to save is moved to action by His compassion. The divine Jesus is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Ps 145:8). He is seeking to rescue and restore, having already given Himself on our behalf at the cross, and fully satisfying God, the Father’s righteous standard in the process. Rejoice, because Jesus is actively for you! Finally, only God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6). We are all guilty of changing our minds, altering our allegiances, and breaking our promises. Jesus, however, remains rock-solid in all of his attributes and commitments. We can be fully at peace, trusting Him completely. Rejoice, for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb 13:8)!

It is worth rediscovering the joy of Christ’s divinity this Christmas. As a matter of fact, celebrate the Son of God with an undivided heart and great reverence every day of your life!

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

]]> I am certain that I am not the only one who considers Christmas one of their favorite times of the year. As Andy Williams used to sing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” There are so many traditions that make this time of the year special: decorating a Christmas tree, building a snow man, singing carols, kissing under the mistletoe, baking Christmas cookies, and wearing ugly sweaters, just to name a few. Most importantly, of course, is to remember that it is the season that celebrates Christ. This is certainly fitting, since that is what Christmas is all about: the birth of Jesus. Yet, as we celebrate Christmas, it is easy to equate Jesus’ birth with His “beginning”. 

Philippians 2:5-6 gives a perspective that can easily be overlooked. As Paul encourages his readers to humbly consider others as more important than themselves, the apostle presents the divine Jesus as their perfect pattern:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped!

The newborn baby that was brought into this world on the floor of a stable, likely surrounded by animals, and then laid in a feeding trough is, in fact, God. He is the second person of the Trinity, co-equal and co-eternal with God, the Father and God, the Spirit. The Bible is very clear that the “history” of Jesus didn't begin in a little town called Bethlehem, but precedes “the beginning” of all creation. The first verse of the Bible begins with the following statement, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1). John begins his gospel with the exact same three words as he introduces Jesus to his readers: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). The Word refers to Jesus, who “… has explained Him [the Father]” (Jn 1:18, NASB). The Bible is straightforward about who Jesus is. He pre-existed all of creation, is the Creator of all that exists, and is “… the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3).

To be sure and preclude any misunderstanding, the Bible includes further testimony from Jesus Himself and those who were eyewitnesses to His life and ministry. Jesus claimed, “… Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…” (Jn 14:9). He also foretold His death and resurrection by declaring that He would lay down His life and take it up again on His own accord and by His own authority (Jn 10:18). Then, after His resurrection, Jesus commissioned His followers to make disciples, claiming that “all authority in heaven and on earth” were His (Matt 28:18). Lastly, the Lord Jesus consistently referred to Himself by the personal, covenant keeping name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush encounter - I AM (Ex 3:13-15). These are not claims that leave much to nuance or interpretation. They are statements that were understood by those listening and either violently rejected (Matt 26:63-68) or wholeheartedly accepted (Lk 2:25-32). Not surprisingly, we find in the Bible and in early church history that believers worshiped and prayed to Jesus, practices that were reserved for God alone by the predominantly Jewish followers of the Way. The divine identity of Jesus is not left ambiguous. The entire biblical account points to a divine Rescuer, who is Christ, the LORD!

This truth should overwhelm us with great joy! The implications of Jesus’ divinity are staggeringly wonderful! Consider for a moment that only God can save (Is 43:11). We are unable to save ourselves from the shackles and destruction of sin, yet Jesus is the divine Rescuer. Even His name, Jesus - meaning “Jehovah saves” - is a reminder of His ability to save. Rejoice, for Jesus is able! Even more reassuring is that His ability to save is moved to action by His compassion. The divine Jesus is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Ps 145:8). He is seeking to rescue and restore, having already given Himself on our behalf at the cross, and fully satisfying God, the Father’s righteous standard in the process. Rejoice, because Jesus is actively for you! Finally, only God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6). We are all guilty of changing our minds, altering our allegiances, and breaking our promises. Jesus, however, remains rock-solid in all of his attributes and commitments. We can be fully at peace, trusting Him completely. Rejoice, for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb 13:8)!

It is worth rediscovering the joy of Christ’s divinity this Christmas. As a matter of fact, celebrate the Son of God with an undivided heart and great reverence every day of your life!

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

]]> A Fond Farewell https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/a-fond-farewell https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/a-fond-farewell#comments Sun, 23 Nov 2025 21:05:00 -0500 https://www.faithbaptist-mv.org/d-groups-blog/post/a-fond-farewell Writing the closing to a letter can be a tricky, even agonizing, proposition. One must consider the circumstances or occasion for writing, the pre-existing relationship, and of course, the emotional state of the recipient. These and more elements influence the tone utilized, the words used, and the length of the closing employed. The closing can summarize and lend emphasis to the letter’s content or leave the reader confused and unfulfilled.

Paul concludes possibly his most personal letter in a manner that some might find a bit odd. The history he and the Philippian believers have shared includes the ups and downs of partnering in the gospel. It is not surprising then that the overall tone of the epistle communicates this flock’s special place in Paul’s heart. Yet, unlike his letter to the Romans or his second letter to Timothy, Paul’s concluding words to the Philippians are brief and concise. The conclusion includes very little in the form of an admonition or encouragement. It also lists no one by name. Paul’s closing recorded in Philippians 4:21-23 sounds abrupt and gives the impression of carelessness. But is that a fair characterization? Here are the apostle’s words:

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit!

It is important to note that Paul has incorporated a three-fold greeting into his closing words. Each greeting conveys an essential ingredient in the relationship and partnership the writer shares with his brothers and sisters. First, Paul asks his friends to greet every saint. His request implies a personal greeting to each individual, deliberately communicating value and importance to each believer. Furthermore, Paul tells the Philippian church that the brothers that are with him send their greetings. It is a sweet reminder that each individual is part of a greater whole - a faithful “local” community, which in turn, is part of a “global” spiritual family. What an encouraging greeting that reminds us that a believer is never alone, but a part of a vast and diverse multitude that marches together on a mission. Therefore, it is unnatural for Christians to live in isolation. The final greeting spills out of the previous one. Paul reveals that “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. Wow! These words must have been the most reassuring to the Philippian believers, who have experienced their share of persecution and hardship for the gospel’s sake. The power of the gospel has no peer nor equal. Nothing can stop the gospel. Nothing! Whether the opposition comes in the form of earthly totalitarian governments or dark spiritual forces, the good news of the sinless and risen Savior cannot be thwarted. Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them” (Col 2:13-15). Even as shackles bound the apostle’s wrists, he proclaims that “the word of God is not bound” (2 Tim 2:9). God’s powerful grace is truly amazing!

And that is exactly how Paul concludes his farewell. He writes, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Phil 4:23). God’s grace saved us, freeing us from sin and making us new. But the grace Paul is speaking of in his closing words is the grace that carries us through every day and from one moment to the next - it enables and sustains us. It actively empowers us to live the life that God called us to and nourishes our inner spiritual life so we can do so victoriously. Paul gives his dear friends confidence in the gospel and in their Savior. His words sound similar to the words of the writer of Hebrews, who tells his readers to “... Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb 12:1-3).

Every true follower of Christ is part of a glorious community that spans time and space. We need each other - bound together through Jesus, who is our Savior and Joy. What a sweet union we have been baptized into! May our common bond in Christ and the power of His grace catapult us into our families, neighborhoods, places of work, and even nations around the world so that the light of the gospel might reach the places it has not yet illuminated!

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV) - For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

]]> Writing the closing to a letter can be a tricky, even agonizing, proposition. One must consider the circumstances or occasion for writing, the pre-existing relationship, and of course, the emotional state of the recipient. These and more elements influence the tone utilized, the words used, and the length of the closing employed. The closing can summarize and lend emphasis to the letter’s content or leave the reader confused and unfulfilled.

Paul concludes possibly his most personal letter in a manner that some might find a bit odd. The history he and the Philippian believers have shared includes the ups and downs of partnering in the gospel. It is not surprising then that the overall tone of the epistle communicates this flock’s special place in Paul’s heart. Yet, unlike his letter to the Romans or his second letter to Timothy, Paul’s concluding words to the Philippians are brief and concise. The conclusion includes very little in the form of an admonition or encouragement. It also lists no one by name. Paul’s closing recorded in Philippians 4:21-23 sounds abrupt and gives the impression of carelessness. But is that a fair characterization? Here are the apostle’s words:

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit!

It is important to note that Paul has incorporated a three-fold greeting into his closing words. Each greeting conveys an essential ingredient in the relationship and partnership the writer shares with his brothers and sisters. First, Paul asks his friends to greet every saint. His request implies a personal greeting to each individual, deliberately communicating value and importance to each believer. Furthermore, Paul tells the Philippian church that the brothers that are with him send their greetings. It is a sweet reminder that each individual is part of a greater whole - a faithful “local” community, which in turn, is part of a “global” spiritual family. What an encouraging greeting that reminds us that a believer is never alone, but a part of a vast and diverse multitude that marches together on a mission. Therefore, it is unnatural for Christians to live in isolation. The final greeting spills out of the previous one. Paul reveals that “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. Wow! These words must have been the most reassuring to the Philippian believers, who have experienced their share of persecution and hardship for the gospel’s sake. The power of the gospel has no peer nor equal. Nothing can stop the gospel. Nothing! Whether the opposition comes in the form of earthly totalitarian governments or dark spiritual forces, the good news of the sinless and risen Savior cannot be thwarted. Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them” (Col 2:13-15). Even as shackles bound the apostle’s wrists, he proclaims that “the word of God is not bound” (2 Tim 2:9). God’s powerful grace is truly amazing!

And that is exactly how Paul concludes his farewell. He writes, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Phil 4:23). God’s grace saved us, freeing us from sin and making us new. But the grace Paul is speaking of in his closing words is the grace that carries us through every day and from one moment to the next - it enables and sustains us. It actively empowers us to live the life that God called us to and nourishes our inner spiritual life so we can do so victoriously. Paul gives his dear friends confidence in the gospel and in their Savior. His words sound similar to the words of the writer of Hebrews, who tells his readers to “... Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb 12:1-3).

Every true follower of Christ is part of a glorious community that spans time and space. We need each other - bound together through Jesus, who is our Savior and Joy. What a sweet union we have been baptized into! May our common bond in Christ and the power of His grace catapult us into our families, neighborhoods, places of work, and even nations around the world so that the light of the gospel might reach the places it has not yet illuminated!

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV) - For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

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