OBC South

The Freshness of God's Word

Erik_Raymond — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:57:27 -0500

Here on vacation we recently we read a few articles as a family that were written in the mid 1600's. The author and pastor was exhorting his congregation unto godliness from the pages of Scripture. As I read the author's words and considered their age I was struck again by the freshness of God's Word.

There were of course expressions and words that he used that we no longer use. The editors had to provide synonymns and definitions for some of the phrases because the language was archaic. However, the Scripture he quoted and the exposition he provided were as timeless as God's eternal reign.

In a world full of expiration dates and spoiled treasures where else can you open the lid on something nearly 400 years old and find such refreshment and delight?

Just as Israel found fresh food from God on the Arabian desert floor we too come daily to the Scriptures for our blessed buffet. We feed upon Christ, his person and work; and so delight in the goodness of our God. Let us remember today that "the grass whithers, the flower fades but the word of our God will stand forever" (Is. 40.8). And so we sniff, taste, and enjoy to the glory of God!

Are you walking in love?

Dave_Pugh — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:05:39 -0500

"I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" - Ephesians 4:1-3

In this passage, the Apostle Paul implores the Ephesian church to walk worthy of their Gospel calling. Notice the specific characteristics that should describe their Christian walk (i.e. the way they should live). Within the church body, there should be:

Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Bearing with one another in love
Eagerness [NASB-diligence] to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

Remember that this passage flows out of Ephesians chapters 1-2. Chapters 1-2 describe in great detail the incredible wealth of the Believer’s position in Jesus Christ because of the Gospel of grace.

Now, consider your relationships within the church body of Omaha Bible Church. Do these characteristics describe you? Are you eager and diligent to preserve loving unity in the body of Christ? Because of the Gospel, each of us should be viewing our relationships with one another through the “lens” of God’s Grace in our own lives.

I realize that we are a diverse group of people…

…with different gifts

…with different temperaments

…with different perspectives

However, because of Jesus Christ and His grace, we can celebrate these differences and pursue peace and harmony with each other.

The Apostle Peter says it this way, “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9)

May this describe us.

Dave Pugh

Getting Started Class begins this Sunday

Erik_Raymond — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:23:36 -0500

Just a quick note to remind you that we begin the Getting Started class this Sunday am during the 9.00 Sunday School hour. We will be meeting in the cafe area.

Who should take this class? Simply anyone who has not previously taken it!

Why should you take this class? We take the time to talk together about what the local church is all about, why we are here, how we go about doing this, and how you can get involved. This is a great venue to get answers to any questions you might have about OBC life and ministry. In addition, this is the place where we teach you the 'secret handshake' :)

If you are a member of OBC please consider forwarding this info on to some of your friends who are new.

Have a great rest of the week!

Erik

God is our Refuge

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:28:03 -0500

God has given us a special blessing in the fellowship we have as believers. We are called, “one body” (Eph. 4:4) and “members of His body” (Eph 5:30). We are instructed to “love one another” (Jn. 13:34). Yet, sometimes, by God’s providence we find ourselves outside the regular fellowship, encouragement and love of believers. For me, it is these times I feel most vulnerable to the temptations of this world. Yet, I know that our brotherly fellowship is only an earthly representation of the refuge we have in our God through Christ Jesus.

In my most recent absence from your presence, I found strength and encouragement to this end in First and Second Peter. Along with exhortations to remain alert, being of sober spirit and preparing our minds for action we are told: “fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13) With this as our hope we can, even surrounded by the most depraved of men and exposed to what may seem the most worldly of generations, endure their persecutions and resist the devil, “knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being [and have been] accomplished by your brethren who are [also] in the world” (1 Pet. 5:9)

But more than this brotherly assurance (which, as a note of encouragement, was made clear to me by the faithful correspondence of several brothers while I was separated from you) let us find our ultimate assurance in God’s strength, as we live among the world as aliens and strangers, to enable us to persevere in times of temptation:

And if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation…(2 Pet. 2:7-9)

If He can deliver Lot from the influence of those surrounding him, how much more will He continue to deliver us, whether while with the body or away from it. For since we’re not redeemed with perishable things, but with the precious blood of Christ, we know that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). Praise be to God for He is our Refuge.

By: Armand Fondren

Becoming a Fellow Partaker of the Gospel

Wed, 20 May 2009 17:55:55 -0500

“I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it”—(1 Corinthians 9:23).

Many of us are quite familiar with this verse and recognize it as an excerpt from a passage in which the Apostle Paul explains his commitment to the gospel. He was driven by the desire to proclaim that God-pleasing righteousness is acquired only through trusting in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for His people. As far as it depended on Paul, he wanted nothing about his life to get in the way of others hearing that message. That is why he did not insist on earning a living from his ministry or on being treated according to his rights as an apostle. The only offense and stumbling block in his ministry would be the Christ-exalting and man-humbling message of the cross.

While it is good and right to mediate on this truth, it is also important to focus on the last few words of this verse, “…so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” What does Paul mean by saying that he does everything for the sake of the gospel that he may become a fellow partaker of it?

The fact that I even ask this question exposes some narrowness in my thinking. It is true that belief in the gospel message results in justification for God’s people which will result in our eventual glorification. But the good news is not limited to the wonderful truth that we will be with our Savior one day. There are also benefits of the gospel that apply to me today!

The gospel is powerful enough to cause me to enjoy Christ. The Son has made me free! Every sin that I commit is an assault on the Holy God, yet because of my union with Christ, I do not need to fear His wrath nor do I need to do any sort of penance to “make things right.” In fact, I now have the freedom to serve Christ by proclaiming His message and by living a gospel-transformed life, just as Paul did.

A gospel-focused life ensures that we can participate in its benefits today. Meditating and studying on the wonderful salvation achieved by our Savior brings rejoicing and fruit. What a privilege we have that our Savior wants us to understand more and more about “the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe,” (Ephesians 1:19) and that He wants us to become partakers in the blessings of His gospel even now.

By: Eric Ball

Sunday Afternoon Picnic

Erik_Raymond — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:23:44 -0500

Come out to the picnic Sunday night at the Balls' house on the lake for Memorial Day!

Bring lawn chairs or blankets, balls & gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, swimsuits, and the food item your care group was asked to bring (don't forget coolers to keep it cold -- no extra fridge space there). We will gather at 4 pm and eat about 6 pm. Their address is 406 Shorewood Lane in Waterloo.

Not in a Care Group? Show up and enjoy the evening!

Here is a list of what to each care group is to bring:

Free- Drinks
Martina- Plates, Napkins, Forks, Spoons, Condiments
Raymond- Past/Potato/Other Salads
Atkins- Desert
Fudge- Buns and Chips
Pugh- Hamburger patties

Looking forward to a great time of fellowship this weekend!

(In case of bad weather, we will cancel for this year. Call 980-9150 to confirm cancellation.)

The Crown of Thorns and the Last Adam

Erik_Raymond — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:52:19 -0500

This past weekend I was struck by the words as we were singing the hymn The Wondrous Cross. Specifically the verse that says:

See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

I was struck by the irony of the scene that is painted with the crown of thorns.

Because it is so Wrong
It is ironic because Christ is a King and he was mocked so with this crown. He is heir of creation, the Sovereign King of kings, the source and sustainer of all life. Yet, he has the hateful derision personified in a sharp, merciless thorns upon his head. It was thrust down and twisted upon that sacred head with hatred and scorn. O' the depths of the King's condescension for such traitors to his rule and authority.

Do you see the horrific display that is occurring here as Jesus wears this crown?

Because it is so Right
Secondly I was struck by the appropriateness of the crown of thorns. You might say, "It is entirely inappropriate, that is the point!" And you are right. But at the same time it is appropriate. It is appropriate because of who Jesus is and what he came to do.

Jesus is the last Adam. He comes as the One who would give rest to the seed of the woman by triumphing over the seed of the serpent (Gen. 3.15). Where our representative Adam failed Jesus our representative is victorious. He came to rescue his people from the curse of sin by becoming a curse for us.

We understand that one of the most visible forms of this curse in the Garden of Eden was the emergence of thorns and thistles (Gen. 3.17-18). Our first parents now saw very clearly the agricultural illustration of their rebellion. The ground would no longer be submissive servants to their rule but would, like they themselves with God, be opposed and contrary to them at every turn.

It was fitting then for the last Adam to be crowned with such. As he bore the crown of thorns upon the cross he bore the curse of God upon man. He became our curse (Gal. 3.13).

So yes, behold the crown of thorns with the horror that is due it; it is unimaginably displaced. Your sin, my sin precipitated it being thrust upon him. However, also behold the crown with humble joy. See Jesus there upon the cross bearing the shame, the insults, the spit, the beatings, and the horrors of Calvary. But see him also guzzle the eternal vat of condemnation that is due to a sinner like me and you. See him do this successfully, completely, powerfully, and gloriously! See him do it with the crown of the curse thrust upon his brow.

For we understand that without Christ bearing the crown of thorns we would never be able to walk where there is no curse in that sacred city, the New Jerusalem; where we will enjoy the river of life, the fruit from the tree of life, and the healing leaves that are promised.

Indeed that crown was rich. It was rich because of who's head it was upon and what he was doing.

Gather round that cross and marvel at such love and sorrow as it is punctuated with its glorious victory!

Marveling together with you,

Erik Raymond

Why we are switching to the English Standard Version

Erik_Raymond — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:57:22 -0500

As we announced this past Sunday, OBC is making the switch to the English Standard Version (ESV) as the primary translation for preaching and ministry. There are several reasons why the elders have made this decision. I want to highlight some of these in this post here.

Before we look at these, please understand that the switch from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) did not come lightly. The pastors have been reading through the ESV for more than a couple of years in our own personal devotions. We have been carefully and prayerfully considering this change. We recognize that there are other good translations (including the NASB!) so this is by no means a shift to becoming an ‘ESV-only’ church. We just simply think that the ESV is the best translation for Omaha Bible Church to put in the hands of our people.

There are three big reasons for the change to the ESV.

1) The ESV is an excellent translation

By excellent translation I mean that it is a word-for-word translation as opposed to a thought-for-thought translation. This becomes critically important for us because God did inspire thoughts but rather words (2 Tim. 3.16).

Furthermore, the ESV also emphasizes and demonstrates a high literary quality. In other words, the translators have worked hard to ensure that the ESV maintains the high literary quality of the Bible. The translation reads better than many others and it has a greater sense of literary beauty. We have used the NASB for a number of years and really enjoyed the attention given to the word-for-word translation from the original. However, the same care was not given to preserving the Bible as a literary treasure.

The ESV helps us to have a word-for-word translation with a high literary value.

2) The ESV appears ‘here to stay’

As I mentioned above we did not make this switch casually. We have been carefully evaluating the translation, the publisher, and its growing support for some time now. We recognize that while the ESV is popular it is not merely trendy or faddish. It seems as though that many of the churches who are serious about studying the Bible, exposition, the primacy of the gospel, and the Sola’s of the Reformation are using the English Standard Version.

The ESV appears positioned to be the translation of choice for serious minded Christians in this era.

3) The ESV has strong support

Crossway is the publisher of the ESV and they have done a fantastic job thus far. Specifically I am thinking about how they seem to be so ardently resolved to make the Bible accessible in a variety of mediums. This may have something to do with the fact that Crossway, unlike so many Christian publishers, is actually owned by believers!

Some examples include ESV.org where the Bible is easily searchable. You may also listen to the Bible as Max Mclean reads it to you. In addition the ESV Study Bible is a wonderful gift to the church. The Study Bible includes detailed commentary by various scholars as well as very helpful articles on such things as ethics, history of salvation, hermeneutics, Bibliology and Archeology. All of this to say, Crossway is forward thinking and working hard to come alongside the church and put the Bible in peoples’ hands.

Conclusion:

As a church we aim to make the glory of God central by unfolding and applying the Word of God. Therefore we want to help believers to read, understand and apply the Scriptures. The English Standard Version seems like the best translation for us to use for the pulpit ministry as well as daily reading, memorizing and meditation.

Delighting in God’s Word with you,

Erik Raymond

(note: We are giving away one new hardback pew Bible per family to read and become familiar with. If you did not get a copy this past week please swing by the bookstore and pick one up this week. In addition, Crossway has agreed to let us sell the ESV for 55% off list price during our transition time. The North Campus bookstore has a large selection of discounted Bibles. We will also have many at South Campus this weekened as well.)

Revelation 5:7,8

Jeremy Plathe — Sun, 03 May 2009 09:00:52 -0500

Since we have already started verse seven this will be more of a refresher for most. After being introduced to Christ with such contrasting descriptions--"Lion of the Tribe of Judah/Lamb standing as though it had been slain"--He takes the scroll from the right hand of God the Father. Since verse 8 is right around the corner it will be added in this post as well so as not to flood your email with posts. In verse 8 the crowd of elders respond to Him who is worthy by falling down before Him. What an appropriate response and an awesome image!

"And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.⁸ And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Revelation 5:7

The flow of the first seven verses so far:

¹"Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. ²And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?' ³And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, ⁴and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. ⁵And one of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' ⁶And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.⁷And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.⁸And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Confound and Challenge

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:28:49 -0500

I have heard countless sermons on the story of the confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees about paying taxes to Caesar. The text is found in Matthew 22: 15-22

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. [2] 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. [3] 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. (ESV)

The emphasis of these sermons has almost always been on Jesus confounding His detractors, which is proper, but usually underemphasized is Jesus’ challenge and encouragement to his followers.

In confounding his detractors, Jesus recognizes the attempted cleverness of the Pharisees in asking a question that they felt had no right answer. Jesus would be discredited by either answer, “yes” or “no”. Jesus turned their ploy back upon them by answering their question by posing a question of his own. The Pharisees, recognizing that the tables had been turned on them so elegantly, do not even offer an answer but go away marveling at the wisdom of Jesus; response. The “likeness” on the coin was Caesar’s and it was clear in everyone’s mind that, therefore, Caesar had the right to make demands upon it and each was responsible to respond to the demand; each must “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's.”

But very little attention is given to the balance of Jesus” answer, “and to God the things that are God's.” It is clear that his hearers knew exactly the radical richness of Jesus’ statement but for us it requires a bit of digging. The Greek word used for “likeness” is eikon (εικων), from which we get the English “icon”, and is better translated in the AV as “image”. The reason that Jesus’ meaning was impactful on his hearers is that this same Greek word is used in Genesis 1:26-27 in the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures which was the most commonly read and quoted version of the Old Testament of the day.

Genesis 1: 26 Then God said, “Let us make man [8] in our image (εικων), after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image (εικων) in the image (εικων) of God he created him; male and female he created them (AV)

Since, as Jesus had said, without contradiction, that the one who has the right to make demand on a thing is indicated by the image that the thing bear, then while it is sure that Caesar has demand rights on the coin with his image then God has the right to the thing that bears His image. Genesis 1; 26-27 Makes it clear that what God has this right to is our very selves. While Caesar’s right is limited, here only to money, God’s right is unlimited because of who he is and what he has done in Special Creation, creating man in his image. In challenge and contrast to the Pharisees, who carefully crafted there devotion, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (Matthew 23:23), Jesus’ followers are to give (render) to God all in reckless abandon and recognition of his right and Lordship.

Paul reiterates this same emphasis when after the matchless doctrinal exposition of the first eleven chapters of Romans; he opens the application section of the epistle with:

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (ESV)

The question for each of us, then, is, “Am I holding back while maintaining appearances, like the Pharisees, or am I, without reservation, presenting my body as a living sacrifice?”

May God grant us mercy to glorify him by giving all.

By: Richard Huggins