Monthly Archives: September 2019

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

The most important and fundamental question in life is "What does God think of me?" What is your answer?

The answer determines literally everything. If you decide He doesn't care, then you're on your own. If you believe He rejects or is angry with you, then fear will rule your life. If you believe God is reluctant or disappointed in you, then you will feel highly insecure as you struggle to meet His out-of-reach demands.

However, if you believe God loves you, then that changes everything too.

No single verse in the Bible better sums up God's attitude toward you than John 3:16. Luther called it the gospel in a nutshell. It's likely the most memorized verse in the Bible and for good reason. It settles the matter of how God feels about every individual. It's the ultimate answer to the first question of meaning: "who am I?" You are created, loved, and redeemed by God.

You might not know this, but scholars are not entirely sure if these words are from John, the writer of the Gospel, or if he was quoting Jesus. The verse comes on the heels of Jesus' meeting with Nicodemus where they discussed new birth and the work of the Spirit. Jesus appears to finish His words in verse 15. Verse 16 begins John's reflections on Jesus' teaching.

It doesn't change the meaning of the verse at all, but it's an important point. The Gospel of John was the last of the four to be written, and it appears to have been late in the first century. John was an old man, perhaps 80. He was even older when he wrote his letters (1, 2, and 3 John). So, he had all those years to think about his time with Jesus, reflect on His teaching, and come up with the very best way to present the core message in, well, a nutshell.

Not only did he write "for God so loved the world" in his Gospel, he also wrote "God is love" in his first letter. Twice. You never find a verse in the Bible that says "God is uncaring" or "God is mad" or "God is unimpressed." But you do find John, after decades of reflection on the ultimate revelation of God saying, "He really, really loves you."

Remember our story from Acts about John Mark and all the voices he must have heard when he disappointed Paul? Today we complete the trilogy, and it's important because you have those three voices also. The voice of your critic provides correction. The voice of your supporter provides encouragement. But the voice of God always provides your value. God's voice absolutely must be the most constant and insistent.

Life often is hard, and you can be very hard on yourself. The worst critical voice is the one that shows up at 2:00 a.m., the proverbial buzzard on the headboard. It's the voice that originates between your ears.

Life also can be much clearer when you radically accept the truth that God radically accepts you. That's what Jesus' life, teaching, death, and resurrection demonstrate most powerfully. That voice, that truth, absolutely will silence the critical voice.

I recently heard someone say "You may feel that you are only one in the world, but you are the world to One." That's the answer you need to the most important question.

Grace,

Dr. Terry Ellis

September 29, 2019

"Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

I would have liked Barnabas.

He was the older cousin of John Mark, a young man we met in the book of Acts a couple of weeks ago. John Mark had run afoul of Paul, the great Apostle to the Gentiles, when he had left him and Barnabas in the middle of a missionary journey. When Barnabas proposed a second trip, Paul aggressively opposed taking John Mark with them. The two men went separate ways. John Mark heard the criticism, and that's always hard. Fortunately, that was not the only voice he listened to.

That brings us back to Barnabas. His name literally means "son of exhortation" or, in some translations "son of encouragement." He must have had a great father for this wonderful trait shows up in every scene we have of Barnabas in the Bible.

You remember Paul's early history with Christians? He persecuted them, imprisoned them, and even consented to the death of Stephen. Then he became a Christian and tried to join with other believers. Imagine that scene on Sunday morning. "Any guests with us today? Oh my…" Do you know who smoothed the way and vouched for him? Barnabas.

One early controversy in the church concerned Gentile believers. Could they become followers of Jesus? Or did they first have to become Jewish? The two sides were entrenched, and there was some hostility. Church leaders needed someone with a clear head and warm heart to investigate and make a recommendation. They chose Barnabas, and he helped calm a very tricky situation.

I had many occasions in my pastoral career to rely on certain people who were genuine statesmen; men and women who simply combined grace, strength, and persuasion to defuse controversy. They were also typically the people who were my steadiest supporters and encouragers. They knew how and when to speak a positive word.

Dot Robertson was one of those people for me. She was a member of Berwick Baptist, a little white clapboard church about 10 miles beyond the Great Commission in rural Mississippi. Dot was 70 when I started, an age that sounded impossibly old to me then. She was a retired teacher who stayed in public schools during segregation because she thought little black children needed a good education just as much as the ones who went to private schools.

Dot did everything with enthusiasm. She sang enthusiastically, albeit not very well, but that was part of her charm. She kept the books accurately. Showed up for everyservice. Was never afraid to speak her mind. And she sure did love Jesus and the string of young preachers who drove up from the seminary on Sundays for decades to inflict their sermons on that patient congregation.

I recall after an unpleasant encounter with a couple of disgruntled church members, I dragged myself back to Dot's house and told her what had happened. She listened, then just walked over, hugged me, and told me that couple had been doing that kind of thing for quite a while. She added that I was a good man and good minister. Actually, she probably said I was "such a good little preacher." That's the way they talk. I learned to accept it as a term of endearment.

On the wall of her home she had cross-stitch that her daughter had given her. It read "I wonder if you realize how many times your love for me has helped me to find a strength I didn't know I had; How many times your faith in me has made the difference between giving up and trying again." I came to realize that Dot embodied that kind of encouragement. That's what an encourager does. They help you recover your strength and hope. That's exactly what Barnabas did for John Mark.

Here's what I suggest for you this week when life beats you up, or when you beat you up, ask God to send you an encourager. He will. God has sprinkled them throughout your life. Just watch and listen for them. They are the oxygen of hope and will help you recover your courage and faith.

But also, ask God to lead you to someone who needs encouragement. Those hurting people are all around you too, and they're waiting for you. God will help you notice them. And oh how wonderful it feels to help someone recover courage and faith!

Of course God goes before you and will not forsake you! That scripture is true and powerful. What is equally true and powerful is that God uses believers to carry out His will and purpose, and manifest His character and glory. God's encouragement for you will come this week through one of His sons and daughters. And you can pray for the wisdom and insight to become one of those sons and daughters to people around you.

Grace and peace,

Terry Ellis

September 10, 2019