This blog serves as an outreach for Pastor Randy Powell of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, PA. Feel free to ask questions or send me an e-mail at pastorpowell@hotmail.com
The most important events in human history invariably later involve those asking two questions: How did it happen? Why did it happen? For the most singular and momentous event in human history, the advent of the Christ child, the question of how was answered by the angel Gabriel, although it remains shrouded in mystery. The question of why, however, has been clearly answered by Scripture, we need only ponder the character of God as we examine it.
The zeal of the LORD brought the Emmanuel, God in the flesh, to earth. Why zeal? Zeal is the emotion that is connected to both love (ardor) and anger (envy, jealousy) relating to the relationships between people and between God and people. In this case, the zeal of God as our Heavenly Father would not allow God to sit idly by as humanity self-destructed in its rebellion against God. The love of God, propelled by zeal, moved God to act in accordance with his holiness, thus the advent of the Son of God, sent to be a sacrifice for sin, sent to redeem humanity from darkness.
As we celebrate Christmas, marveling at the wondrous deeds of love which God has wrought, let us remember that zeal motivated God, for his is our God, and we are his people.
Many a tale, particularly those aimed at children, ends with some variation of, "and they all lived happily ever after". Real life isn't like that, it doesn't suddenly become devoid of problems, nothing in our experience can approximate the fairy tale's claim of "happily ever after". Are they any real happy endings that won't end? Only one story, thankfully a factual one, will have an ending that will be glory and joy everlasting, that of the Chosen One of God, the Messiah.
The prophet Isaiah described who the Messiah would be in Isaiah 9:6, here in 9:7, the prophet speaks about what the Messiah will do. The promise that he will reign on the throne of David with an unending government of justice and righteousness remains a future prediction, for the throne of David in Jerusalem remains vacant nearly 2,700 years after the last king of Judah. We can, however, have confidence that this kingdom will be established, for the LORD's promise to send a Messiah was fulfilled when Jesus came as Immanuel, God in the flesh. Jesus came first to serve and to save, he will return in power to reign. What will that kingdom look like? It will be unlike anything we can imagine, for no human government has ever been established upon justice and righteousness.
As Advent approaches, remember that God not only promised to send a Messiah, but to establish and everlasting kingdom among men as well, and while we will never know the day of its arrival, it is always closer with each new day.
What's in a name? The Messiah promised by the prophet Isaiah is given many names in Scripture: Jesus, Emmanuel, Son of Man, Son of God, Lamb of God, and Man of Sorrows (among others). Here in Isaiah 9:6b, the prophet adds four titles given to the one who will bring God's salvation to earth: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Each of these in turn further explains who the Messiah will be and what he will accomplish.
At a mid-week Church Service held at Magnolia Springs Baptist Church of Theodore, Alabama, a protest began with shouting during a political speech being given by Senate candidate Roy Moore. Protests during speeches are nothing new, they're happening increasingly often and increasingly violently whether the speaker represents the political Left or Right, but the important thing to note is that the protest happened during what was described by Rev. David Gonnella as a worship service. The pastor said, "I would remind everyone again that this is a worship service. And by the way it is illegal to disturb a worship service. The next one to disturb the service will be turned over to the police." At least four uniformed police officers were in the sanctuary for the service, when the protest broke out they removed the protester and a few minutes later a comedian posing as a Moore supporter.
The Alabama Senate special election says a lot about politics in America, not much of it good, but it says something far more disturbing and dangerous about the Church. How can a worship service be a political rally, just who/what is being worshiped by the local church when a politician is campaigning for him/herself? Perhaps money and power are being worshiped, but to say that God is being worshiped at any such service, whether at a liberal or conservative church, whether the politician is a Democrat, Republican, or independent, is to risk (if not outright commit) blasphemy against God.
God is not an American, God is not a Republican or a Democrat, and in case you've been under a mistaken impression, God isn't white either. God is the creator of the universe and the redeemer of humanity, we do God a great disservice when we lower the respect, admiration, and worship that we owe to Almighty God by bringing our own battles for money and power into the house of the Lord. Politics is not pure, it cannot be, but the time and place where we worship God must be. That worship has no room for ego, pride, jealousy, greed, or the pursuit of power. When we the people of God, who are the Church, gather together to worship our Savior, our priority must be the elevation of God and the proclamation of his Holy Word as those who are the disciples of Jesus Christ fellowship together and the Lost are invited to hear the Gospel and repent. Where in Scripture is the Church called to advocate for any political cause? Where is the command to mix the worship of God with the business of man?
To put a man or a woman behind the pulpit, when God's people are gathered in worship, who has his/her own advancement as the goal of what is being said, is a slap in the face of God. That this practice has a long history in America is no excuse. Politics is an unholy marriage with the Church, the Bride of Christ is having her reputation dragged through the mud.
You can ignore the first part of the video if you like, it is the introduction to and commentary on this clip by James White, the relevant portion begins at the 6:58 mark and lasts until 8:40. The voice in the background is actually that of a comedian, but you can hear the words of the pastor as quoted above for yourself (beginning at 7:49 where he begins his comments by insulting the protester from the pulpit).
Why did take the extraordinary step of the incarnation? Why come himself to earth, taking on human likeness, why not just continue using intermediaries like the prophets and priests of old?
In this crucial passage about the promised Messiah, the prophet Isaiah lays forth who the child that he called Emmanuel ("God with us") back in chapter 7 is going to be and what he will accomplish. Jesus, who 8 centuries after Isaiah fulfilled his promise, would be no ordinary man, but the very Son of God, God in the flesh, here on earth to save humanity from itself. Why? Because humanity was hopeless, even with the assistance of God's Law and those called by God to assist his people, to save itself. Humanity couldn't even govern itself, let alone save itself. Outside help was needed, mankind needed a Messiah.
The reason why is simple: The sinful nature of humanity prevented any form of reform or revival in the face of how deep-seated our rebellion against God was in human nature. A rebirth was needed, and for that the penalty for sin of death would need to be paid for.
In addition to solving the problem of sin (no small task!), the Messiah would also one day take upon his shoulders the government of the world. Every human leader who ever has been, male or female, and who ever will be, is inherently flawed. All are either sinners in need of God's grace, or sinners saved by God's grace, all are sinners. Every human leader, no matter what form of government, will be prone to the temptations of sin, will fail at some point, for none can compare to the perfect Messiah.
As Christians, we long for a leader unlike any other, we long for a government unlike any other. Our kingdom is not of this world, for we await the return of the Messiah, for when he returns to reign there will truly be a government of justice and peace.
