Five Pictures of Hope

Wade Webster

The Bible gives us five powerful pictures of hope. Let’s quickly examine each of them.

Hope Is A Light Against The Darkness Of LIfe

Life can be dark. Paul spoke of a time when he had not seen “sun nor stars in many days” (Acts 27:20). Perhaps, you have been through one of these dark patches in life also. Although we as Christians face the dark problems of life, we have been provided with a light to help us to see through them. You might say that God has left a light on for us. In the book of First Kings we find the following statement, "Nevertheless for David's sake did the Lord His God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem (1 Kings 15:4; cf. Lev. 24:2-4; 1 Sam. 3:2-3; Psa. 132:17). In the context, we learn that times were dark in Israel. Wicked King Jereboam was on the throne and God's people were engulfed in a dark cloud. However, for the sake of David, God left a lamp of hope on for them.

Hope Is A Nail Against The Pressures Of Life

Have you ever felt like everything in your life was coming apart? Probably, we will all admit that there were times when we don’t know if we can hold things together or not. The pressures of life can threaten to tear us apart. Although we as Christians sometimes face some of the same pressures that those around us face, hope serves as a nail to hold things in place for us. Ezra, the great priest and restorer, asked God simply for a "nail in His holy place" (Ezra 9:8). Asking for a nail doesn't seem like much does it? Yet, Ezra realized that all that he needed was a little reason to hope. This nail would serve as a reminder that the temple could be rebuilt and that the people could be restored.

Hope Is A Door Against The Temptations Of Life

Have you ever felt trapped by temptation or problems? Have you ever wished for a way of escape? Hope provides a way of escape. To the saints at Corinth, Paul wrote, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). In like manner, through Hosea, God promised to provide His people with the valley of Achor, for a door of hope (Hos. 2:15; cf. 2 Kings 9:3, 10; 1 Cor. 10:13). In the midst of persecution and captivity, God's people must have felt like they were enclosed in a vault with no way out. To relieve these feelings, God provided them with a door to brighter days.

Hope Is A Helmet Against The Blows Of Life

Have you ever felt bloody and bruised from the blows of life? Although we as Christians suffer some of the same blows that others face, hope serves as a helmet to protect us. In addressing the Christians at Thessalonica, Paul told them to put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet, the hope of salvation (1 Thess. 5:8; cf. Eph. 6:10-17). No doubt, Paul knew how cruel life could be. More than once, he had felt life's blows (2 Cor. 11:23-25). Had it not been for the helmet of hope, he would not have made it.

Hope Is An Anchor Against The Storms Of Life

Have you ever felt as if the storms of life were going to blow you away? No doubt, most of us have experienced a few stormy days and nights. Although we as Christians are not immune to the high winds of life, we do have an anchor to help us ride out the storm. Paul spoke of hope as "an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast" (Heb. 6:19; cf. Col. 1:23). If you are familiar with the book of Hebrews, then you know that the Hebrew saints were being persecuted on every side. Paul wanted them to know that they could weather the storms of life with the anchor of hope (Psa. 16:8). He did not want them to be “tossed to and fro” and “carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:13-14). We know that he was speaking from experience because he had weathered a storm or two in this way (Acts 27:22-23, 29-30).

Are you living in hope (Tit. 1:2) or without hope (Eph. 2:12)? God wants you to know that there is hope for you. There's a light to help you see through the darkness of life, a nail to hold things together in the midst of the pressures of life, a door to help you escape from the temptations of life, a helmet to protect you from the blows of life, and an anchor to hold you through the storms of life. These things can be yours if you are willing to lay hold upon the hope set before you. Through God's grace, your obedience will let you face each day with the hope of eternal life (Tit. 2:11; Mat. 7:21). Hope is one of the key things that separates Christians from others (1 Thess. 4:13; 1 Pet. 3:15; 1 Cor. 15:55-58). Do you have this key difference? Do you have this sustaining power?

"This Is A Faithful Saying”

David Sproule

Five times in his letters, Paul used the expression, “This is a faithful saying,” and all of them are found in his letters to Timothy and Titus.  Of course, all Scripture is comprised of the “faithful sayings” of God, but let us see what we can learn from these five truths that Paul identifies as “faithful.”

The first “faithful saying” focuses on the purpose of the coming of Christ.  “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15).  Didn’t Timothy already know that?  Of course, he did!  But we all need to be reminded regularly that Christ came into this world, not for Himself, but to save sinners like me!

The second “faithful saying” focuses on the paramount work of elders.  “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work” (1 Tim. 3:1).  Being an elder is not a high position of honor and nobility.  It is not a promotion for successful deacons.  It is a position of service, as those who aspire to this “good work” set the work and needs of the church above themselves, indicative of their deep sense of dedication to the Lord.

The third “faithful saying” focuses on the PROFITABLENESS OF SELF-DISCIPLINE.  While it is true that “bodily exercise profits a little,” Christians must “exercise/discipline” themselves “toward godliness.  For…godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” (1 Tim. 4:7-9).  We have many goals in life, but to which one are we constantly and rigorously training in order to reach?  May we discipline ourselves toward godliness!

The fourth “faithful saying” focuses on the PROMISES OF GOD.  “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.  If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:11-13).  If we are faithful to Him, we shall “live with Him” here and “reign with Him” in eternity.  But, if we are not faithful, He is still faithful and will bring upon us His just consequences.  His promises are greater than we deserve!

The fifth “faithful saying” focuses on the PRACTICE OF DAILY CHRISTIAN LIVING.  “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works” (Tit. 3:8).  We are busy people.  God tells us to be busy and to take the lead in engaging in “good works,” which He has detailed for us in Scripture and which should characterize His children.

God’s faithful sayings should propel us to faithfulness.

Pray And Not Lose Heart

Wade Webster

The last few weeks, we have been examining prayer. In the first few lessons we noticed prayer and watching, prayer and fasting, prayer and seeking, prayer and confessing, and other things. In this lesson, we are going to notice prayer and one of the NOT connections. We will focus in this lesson on praying and not losing heart.

Perhaps, you recall the Parable of the Persistent Widow. Luke introduces the parable with the following words, “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). The Greek word translated as lose heart means “to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted.” The weariness that this widow felt was more than physical. It was emotional. It was not just weariness of body, but also weariness of soul. The Hebrew writer declared, “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:3).

Prayer gives us the opportunity to cast that which is wearying us on One who can carry it far better than we can. David wrote, “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalms 55:22). In like manner, Peter wrote, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

Prayer also involves trust. It involves waiting on the Lord. Those who wait on the Lord renew their strength. Isaiah declared, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

If the persistent widow could get what she needed from an unjust judged who didn’t care about men or fear God, surely we can get what we need from a just God who deeply cares about us.

As we get ready to worship this week, let’s pray and not lose heart. Let’s cast our cares upon the Lord and renew our strength by waiting on Him.

The “Open Marriage” That God Approves

David Sproule

So, among those who some consider to be the “elite,” the “sophisticated,” the “woke,” the “enlightened,” the “cultured” of our day, the practice of an “open marriage” is acceptable, admired and applauded.  Open marriage is defined as a consensual “form of non-monogamy in which the partners of a dyadic marriage agree that each may engage in extramarital sexual relationships, without this being regarded by them as infidelity, and consider or establish an open relationship despite the implied monogamy of marriage.”  That’s a long definition.  Let me define that with one word (the one that God uses):  adultery! 

God created marriage and God created the “sexual relationship,” and God placed the sexual relationship inside and ONLY inside the husband-wife relationship.  From a Biblical standpoint (the only viewpoint that matters), an adulterer is one “who has unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another.”  It is “unlawful” because it violates the “law” of God (Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 6:9; Jas. 2:11).  Thus, practicing anything like what society calls an “Open Marriage” today is sin in the eyes of God, plain and simple.

So, put society’s practice and explanation of “Open Marriage” aside.  Now, pick up the phrase “Open Marriage” in a different and more Biblical light.  Let me ask you, do you have an “open marriage”?  Again, I’m not talking sexually! 

Do you have an “open marriage” in the sense that the Bible is what is “open” and guiding your marriage (Psa. 119:105)?* If your marriage is “closed” to the Bible, it will fail.

Do you have an “open marriage” in the sense that you are engaged in worship with the church and Bible study every time the doors are “open” (Heb. 10:25)? If your marriage is “closed” to the church and worshiping God, it will fail.

Do you have an “open marriage” in the sense that you both “open” your hearts to God and talk to Him together (1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6)?  If your marriage is “closed” to prayer, it will fail.

Do you have an “open marriage” in the sense that you are “open” to considering the needs of each other (1 Pet. 3:7)?  If your marriage is “closed” to looking out for both of your needs and each partner fulfilling the needs of the other, it will fail.

Do you have an “open marriage” in the sense that you are “open” with each other and communicate freely about all things in your life without fear of harm or danger (Col. 3:18-19)?  If your marriage is “closed” to listening to each other’s hearts, it will fail.

Do you have an “open marriage”?  Not the one that society lauds as “woke,” but the one that God longs for you to have with Him and with each other?  If not, “open” up!

*Note: I added a few supporting Scriptures.

The Historicity of Jesus

Wade Webster

There’s no question in our minds that Jesus existed. We accept the record of the Bible. We accept that He was born of a virgin in Bethlehem, that He grew up as a carpenter’s son in the Galilean city of Nazareth, that He became a great teacher and healer in Israel, that He was crucified outside of the gates of Jerusalem, and that He rose from the dead the third day.

However, there are others, who may ask for evidence outside of the Bible. Is there evidence in secular history for Jesus? Does this evidence agree with the record of sacred history or the Bible? The short answer to both questions is yes. F.F. Bruce, Rylands professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester, wrote, “Some writers may toy with the fancy of a ‘Christ myth,’ but they do not do so on the ground of historical evidence. The historicity of Christ is as axiomatic (unquestionable) for an unbiased historian as the historicity of Julius Caesar. It is not historians who propagate the ‘Christ myth’ theories.”

The Bible sets a basic standard for accepting testimony at the mouth of two or three witnesses (Deut. 19:15). Let’s apply this standard to the historicity of Jesus. Let’s notice three witnesses.

Cornelius Tacitus (Born A.D. 52) - A Roman Historian

Writing on the reign of Nero and the belief that he started the fire of Rome, he said, “Hence to suppress the rumor, he falsely charged with the guilt and punished with the most exquisite tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Cristus, the founder of the name was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius.” Annals XV.44*

Please note that Tacitus spoke of one named Christus. The accompanying details clearly identify this man as the Christ of the New Testament. He founded the name by which men were commonly called Christians (Acts 4:12; 11:26; 1 Pet.4:14-16). He was put to death by Pontius Pilate the procurator or governor of Judea in the reign of Tiberius (Lk. 3:1; Mt. 27:1-2).

Flavius Josephus (Born A.D. 37) - a Jewish historian - became a Pharisee at age 19

“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.” Antiquities, xviii.33

Please note that he spoke of a man named Jesus. Of course, this is in harmony with the Bible (Mt. 1:21). The other details fit too. He was a wise man (Mt. 12:42; Lk. 2:52) and a doer of wonderful (John 11:47; Acts 10:38). Pilate, at the suggestion of the Jewish leaders, condemned him to death (Mt. 27:1-2). He appeared to the disciples alive again the third day (1 Cor. 15:4-5).

Plinius Secundus, Pliny the Younger (Born A.D. 127) - Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor

Pliny the Younger killed a number of Christians - old, young, male, female. He tried to make them bow down to statues of Emperor Trajan and to curse Christ. He said of those who were being tried: “They affirmed, however, that the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verse a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves to a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit an fraud, theft, adultery, never to falsify their word, not to deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up.” Epistles, X.96

Please note that the Christians were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day. Of course, we know that the day was the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). As a part of the meeting, the Christians sang a hymn to Christ (Col. 3:16). In addition to worshipping on a set day and singing, the early Christians were committed to leading holy lives (1 Pet. 1:15-16; 2;9).

The witnesses have spoken. Secular historians and sacred historians agree. Jesus Christ really lived.

*All quotations are from: McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands A Verdict, Volume I. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1979, p. 81-87