True Religion

by Jeff Curtis

Matthew 23 is often called “The ‘Woe’ Chapter” because of Jesus’ use of that term (Matthew 23:13,14,15,16,23,25,27,29). The word from the Greek translated as “woe,” indicates the Lord’s sorrow due to the spiritual state of the Jewish leaders, as well as the promised judgment that would fall on them. The scribes and the Pharisees were religious and zealous, but they were lacking in the qualities that are acceptable to God. Five lessons about true religion can be gained from this chapter.

1. An act may be religious without being righteous (23:1-12). The Pharisees performed many religious acts, but often these were done only to be seen by men. They broadened their phylacteries and lengthened their tassels. They loved the position of authority of teaching and all of the perks that resulted from it, including seats of honor and reverential titles. The motives behind their acts invalidated them.
2. An act may be religious without being beneficial (23:13,15). In fact, such acts might even be harmful. The Pharisees exerted great effort om making converts. The end result, however, was that these converts were even more corrupt that those who converted them.
3. An act may be religious without being adequate (23:23). Jesus didn’t condemn the Pharisees for being faithful in minor things. For the Jews, tithing even the smallest of garden herbs and spices was a good thing. Instead, He condemned them for majoring in minors. While emphasizing the smallest matters, they neglected the more important things: justice, mercy and faithfulness.
4. An act may be religiously visionary and idealistic but useless if it is not carried out (23:29-36). The Pharisees honored the tombs of the prophets, whom their forefathers had murdered; but they had not changed their hearts. They also mistreated and killed those sent by God in their time – Jesus and His disciples.
5. Those who engage in religious acts that are wrong do not have to remain wrong forever (23:37-39). They can repent and be right with God. It is a fearsome error for one to reject the Lord permanently, but no one has to remain in an unsaved condition.

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Enoch Did Not See Death

by Heath Rogers

Genesis chapter 5 contains the genealogical record of Adam to Noah. A familiar phrase is found 8 times in this chapter – “and he died.” When men like Joshua and David said, “I am going the way of all the earth” (Josh. 23:14; 1 Kings 2:2), they were referring to their approaching deaths as a common experience of all mankind (Heb. 9:27).

The phrase “and he died” is found 8 times in Genesis chapter 5, but there are 9 men who are mentioned in the chapter. Of Enoch it is said, “So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Gen. 5:23-24). What exactly happened to Enoch?

Hebrews 11:5 clarifies the matter for us. “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken, he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (emphasis mine – HR). Enoch did not experience physical death.

One interesting note about Enoch’s being taken in Genesis 5 is that it is the first evidence in the Bible that man continues to exist after his physical life on earth is over. Enoch did not cease to exist. He was taken from this world to another place. This begins the Bible’s teaching on man’s eternal existence.

Job asked, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14), to which Jesus later responded, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29). This physical life is not the entirety of our existence; it is just the beginning. Are you planning for eternity?

Lessons From the Passover

by Jeff Curtis

God said to Israel through Moses, “remember this day” (Exodus 13:2). The day to remember was the day when God’s people were saved from the tenth plague and delivered out of Egypt.

At its inception, the Passover emphasized the family aspect of Israel’s religion. Each family was commanded to choose a lamb, kill it at twilight without breaking any of its bones, roast it, and eat its entirety. If there were too few people living in the house to eat the whole lamb, then two families could join together to eat it. The blood of the lamb was to be sprinkled on the doorposts of each house. When God saw the blood on the hose, He “passed over” and did not allow the destroyer to enter. Those eating the Passover meal wore their robes and sandals and kept their staffs (Exod. 12:11), ready to leave in a hurry.

As the years passed, this celebration allowed the Israelites to teach their children about their deliverance. Each requirement for the feast was a reminder of how God had delivered them from bondage, passing over the Israelite homes when the firstborn of Egypt died.

What lessons can Christians today learn from the Passover? Thinking about the Passover should cause us to do these things:

Recognize the importance of worshipping as a family. Of course, when we come together to worship, we do so as a family, God’s family. In addition, we ought to worship the Lord at home with our families. We can sing and pray with our children and instruct them at home, as Israel did in observing the Passover.

Remember the role of Christ in salvation. Paul spoke of Christ as “our Passover” (1Cor. 5:7). Jesus was the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29,36), the “Lamb that was slain” (Rev. 5:12). Christ was like the Passover Lamb in that He was unblemished (Exod. 12:5; 1Pet. 1:18,19), not one of His bones were unbroken (Exod. 12:46; John 19:36), and His blood was a sign before God (Exod. 12:13). Like the Passover, His memorial feast includes unleavened bread (Exod. 12:18, 1Cor. 5:8).

Realize the value if commemorating our redemption. The Passover Feast was designed to remind Israel of their rescue from Egypt. In a similar way the Lord’s Supper, instituted during the Passover, is intended to serve as a memorial of Jesus’ death and our salvation through His death (Luke 22:19; 1Cor. 11:24-25). We need to be reminded constantly of what Jesus has done for us.

Remind each other that we are on a journey. Just as the Israelites were dressed for travel when they ate the Passover, so Christians should always keep in mind that we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Remembering Jesus’ death by taking the Lord’s Supper should cause us to look away from this world and to look forward to His second coming.

A Working Church Is…

Six rules which will move a congregation, if properly applied!

1. A growing church, because the members are doing the things necessary for  

growth (Col. 2:6-7).

2. A happy church, for people are happy when they are working for the Lord (John 13:17; 1 Pet. 1:8).
3. A peaceful church, for people that are busy in the Lord’s work do not have spare time on their hands to stir up trouble (2 Thess. 3:10-12).
4. A planning church, for nothing worthwhile is accomplished by accident. Their plans are carefully made and followed faithfully (Rom. 12:11).
5. A praying church, for the members realize the need of constantly being in direct touch with the Lord (1 Pet. 3:12).
6. A giving church, for we give to that which we love and never consider it a

hardship, nor do we complain because we are to give as we have been prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2).