1 & 2 Samuel - The Rise of the Kings

This Sunday we will be opening up a new study at Calvary Chapel of Wilmington:  1 & 2 Samuel.  These two books (which were originally one work) chronicle the transition of the nation of Israel from a theocracy, or a nation led by God, to a monarchy, being led by a king. You see, after Israel had taken possession of the Promised Land, the nation went through a period of approximately two hundred years where they were led by “judges.” Israel would do well for a while, serving and worshipping the true God.  But then they would start falling away, or as the bible says, “…did evil in the sight of the Lord.” The Lord would discipline them by causing the pagan nations that surrounded them to rise up and oppress them. Then Israel would call out to God for help, God would raise up a judge to deliver them, and the cycle would repeat itself all over again.

By about 1100 B.C., the people came to the conclusion that they wanted to be like the nations around them, and have a king of their own. I’m sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.  The nation was at a low point spiritually, and even the priesthood was corrupt. With a king they could have a strong leader to look up to, and to lead them into battle. They could have the glory of royalty, and they would have someone to blame if things went wrong. So the people came to the prophet Samuel to demand a king. God answered their request, and gave them Israel’s first king; Saul.

And so 1 & 2 Samuel gives us the account of the ministry of the prophet Samuel, the rise and fall of Israel’s first King, Saul, and the account of Saul’s successor, King David.

Of the many things we will learn from this study, one thing that will stand out is that the people of ancient Israel were just like we are today.  They had their strengths, their weaknesses, and sometimes they completely blew it! We will learn about leadership. We will learn about trusting God.  We will learn about the importance of obedience. We will see the consequences of compromise played out in the lives of men and women.

But through it all we will see that God remains sovereign, and His plan for Israel and for mankind will be accomplished, even if through imperfect men and women.

Join us Sunday, for the introduction to 1 Samuel.

... till the whole world hears, 

Pastor Clay

Israel and US Support - waning by the day

Yesterday President Obama gave his much-anticipate Middle East speech. Among the many things he touched on, one of particular interest to bible students was the comments that he made regarding the “Peace Process” with the Palestinians.

Specifically the President stated that Israel would have to “return to the pre-1967 borders” in order to facilitate the peace process as outlined by the US and UN. This statement has both political and spiritual ramifications, the first of which I will address will be the spiritual aspect:

For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. -- Joel 3:1-2

The Key to understanding the scriptures in Joel 3:1-2 is to actually read what it says.

• It will be a judgment of God on the nations that have done certain things to Israel.
• It will be in the last days when God comes to bring the final deliverance to Israel and the city of Jerusalem.
• It will be a judgment on those that have scattered Israel into the nations.
• It will be a judgment upon those that have parted or divided the land of Israel.

In other words, God does not look kindly to those who would come against Israel, or attempt to divide the land.  In effect, that is exactly what Israel is being told to do: Give up land for peace.  The problem with this directive is that the entity that they are being asked to broker this ‘peace agreement’ with is in fact not interested in peace at all, but in the complete destruction of Israel.  It’s no secret, it’s written into the charter that formed Hamas.

Just look at what the Hamas Prime Minister said as recently as this week:

“Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh spoke to Muslim worshipers on Sunday morning, telling them to pray for an end to Israel,” reports the Jerusalem Post. “‘Palestinians mark the Nakba with great hope of bringing to an end the Zionist project in Palestine,’ Haniyeh told 10,000 people at Gaza City’s al-Omari mosque, AP reported. ‘To achieve our goals in the liberation of our occupied land, we should have one leadership,’ he reportedly said, praising the recent unity accord between Hamas and Fatah. Haniyeh added that Hamas would not recognize Israel.”

We find an interesting note in Daniel concerning Israel and the end times:

Daniel 11:39: Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

I am not saying that Obama is the anti-Christ, but I believe we are seeing and alignment between the US government, the UN, and what will become the government of the anti-Christ, who will in fact divide Israel.

From a political perspective, if you look closely at what President Obama said in his speech, you will find the following points of commission and omission:

• He said Israel has to concede its right to defensible borders as a precondition for negotiations;
  >>> In other words, Israel will not be allowed to defend herself.
• He didn't say he opposes the Palestinian demand for open immigration of millions of foreign Arabs into Israel;
  >>> In other words, Israel will be forced to allow millions of Israel-hating Arabs to come into Israel unhindered.
• He again ignored Bush's 2004 letter to Sharon opposing a return to the 1949 armistice lines, supporting the large settlements, defensible borders and opposing mass Arab immigration into Israel;
  >>> In other words, Israel will be split in two by the peace accord.
• He said he was leaving Jerusalem out but actually brought it in by calling for an Israeli retreat to the 1949 lines;
  >>> In other words, all of Jerusalem would be part of the Palestinian state.
• He called for Israel to be cut in two when he called for the Palestinians state to be contiguous;
• He called for Israel to withdraw from the Jordan Valley - without which it is powerless against invasion - by saying that the Palestinian State will have an international border with Jordan.

These are indeed dark times for Israel, as our President has essentially given the signal to Israel that they can no longer count on our support. Our President is making a strategic shift in US foreign relations policy in the Middle East from that of support for Israel, our one and only democratic and free ally, to that of giving our support to the Arab nations that are sworn enemies of Israel, freedom, Christianity, and the US.   

President Obama’s statement that the US will "support the governments that will be elected later this year" in Egypt and Tunisia is also of great concern.  We currently do not know what type of government will emerge from these Arab uprisings, especially given the involvement of the Muslim Brotherhood.  To commit support for a government that has not yet been formed means that our President is naïve and foolhardy, or he has already made commitments to these future governments that we do not know about.

Either way, there is great cause for concern for the future of the US, both spiritually and politically.   Pray for our country, God knows we need it.

Judgment Day?

There has been a lot of talk recently concerning “Judgment Day” coming on Saturday, May 21, when the rapture will supposedly occur and the world will be destroyed.  These rumors and stories have all originated from the teaching of a Mr. Harold Camping.

Mr. Camping is a Christian broadcaster and president of Colorado-based Family Radio (not the Wilmington Family Radio).  Mr. Camping is a long-time student of the bible, and seems to have a particular interest in attempting to decipher dates from the bible to uncover when the Day of the Lord will occur. Mr. Camping seems to have settled on May 21, 2011 as the “Day of the Lord.”

This is not the first time that Camping has predicted Judgment day.  Back in the 90’s, Camping predicted that the world would end in September of 1994.  When the Lord did not return on that date, Camping adjusted his prophecy (a sure sign that he is NOT a true prophet) to say that 1994 marked the “end of the church age” and that the world is now in the last days, with May 21, 2011 being the true day of judgment.

While attempting to figure out the date of Jesus return may be an interesting exercise, it is in fact a pointless exercise.  When Jesus disciples asked Him about His return, Jesus told them:

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 

-- Matt 24:36

In other words, God the Father knows the day and hour that Jesus will return, but no one else knows, including Jesus and the angels.  While Jesus did not pinpoint the date of His return, He did tell us about the signs that would lead up to His return:

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.  And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. – Matt 24:4-14

In other words, Jesus wanted us to be able to see the times and the signs to be able to understand the day in which we live.  But Jesus NEVER called us to try and pinpoint that date.  Matter of fact He was quite clear: NO ONE knows the day and hour except God the Father.

I do believe that as Christians we are called watch for the return of Christ, and we are to live our lives as if He could return at any moment.  The apostle Paul encouraged the church at Thessolonica:

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. – 1 Thess 4:13-18

So all this talk about Saturday being "Judgment Day" is nothing but speculation, and pointless in my opinion. So don't fear, and don't run up your credit card! Live for today, love God, love people, serve the Living God, and await His return.  

For more info, you can listen to my teaching series from the book of Revelation, you can start at chapter 19 which deals with the return of the Lord.

http://www.calvaryofwilmington.org/TLW/Revelation/revelation.html

...till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

Love - beyond the church walls

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. – Acts 2:42

As I write this I am sitting in a hotel somewhere in Arkansas, catching some rest before Chelsea and I hit the road again tomorrow. I was able to catch a little of the Sunday service on our LiveStream webcast, but it wasn’t the same as being there! I so look forward to being back in Wilmington and seeing you all on Sunday.

As you know we finished up our study of Hebrews, and  have told you that our next study will be in 1 Samuel, looking at the lives of Saul, David, and Solomon. But before we begin God has put a message on my heart that I plan on sharing with you Sunday.  The message that the Lord has given me has to do with fellowship.

Jesus told us:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – Matt 13:34-35

Don’t misunderstand my intentions; I believe that our church is a very loving church! But I get the sense from Jesus that for us to “love one another” requires more than being nice and greeting one another at church. 

Join us Sunday as we look at love beyond the walls of the church.

Pastor Clay

Holy Grounds in the News!

Did you catch the WECT news feature of Holy Ground on Wed?  On Wednesday morning during our staff meeting, WECT reporter Casey Roman came into Holy Grounds and wanted to see what God was doing here! She had heard about our Coffee Shop/Food Pantry from the guys over at 88.5 The Edge (shout out to Scott and Earl!), and came to see for herself. Well, herself and all the WECT viewers!

Now sometimes I get a little on edge when the news wants to do a story on what God is doing. The news station may have an agenda, or they may not capture the heart of what God is doing.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the piece; Casey and the WECT crew did a great job of capturing the heart of Holy Grounds.  

But not only do I thank the WECT crew; the one I really want to thank is THE LORD!  You see, I believe God orchestrated that feature so that more people could hear and see what He is doing in and through us here at Calvary Chapel of Wilmington. When we are willing to reach out and bless others, sharing the love of Christ and meeting the needs of people, God will expand our borders!

Tammy’s quote captures it completely:  "Every time they come in and bring a can of food or buy a cup of coffee they are making a difference in someone's life," said Tammy. "Although it may be small, it's real and it's happening here."

This week I will be flying to Costa Mesa to attend Chelsea’s graduation from the CC School of Worship, then driving back to NC with her (road trip!).  Pastor Ron Dozler from CC Myrtle Beach will be teaching this week, and I know that you will give him a warm and friend CCW welcome!

Keepin it Real...

We have been in Hebrews for seven months now – from Sept of 2010 until this Sunday when we will finish Hebrews (yep, finally!).  All through this incredible book we have sailed the heights of theological imagery, learning how the events and circumstances of this physical world bring us into direct connection with the spiritual realities of the heavenly realm.  Deep stuff man!

But now we come to the end, and the writer suddenly drops into a section where we are presented with simple and practical encouragements regarding our daily Christian life.  Yes the lofty spiritual things are important, but there comes a time when we need to practice the practical aspects of our Christian walk, one day at a time. And it’s all here:  relationships, hospitality, the oppressed, marriage, contentment. How to live the Christian life.  Just keeping it real!

Oh, and this Sunday is communion.  So come to church with hearts ready to worship the Lord, take the Lord’s supper, and be strengthened in the Lord!

...till the whole world hears

Pastor Clay

On the death of OBL...

 Today will be one of those days. The entire country will be glued to the news channel, or news websites, blogs, twitter feeds, Facebook – we will be getting every nuance and angle of the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death in Pakistan. I bet productivity today will drop by 50%!

 
And certainly it has been a long awaited day.  In the entire history of our country, I don’t think any other single person has caused us more pain, aroused greater emotion, or consumed more of our military and intelligence resources than Osama Bin Laden.
 
OBL’s death has sparked a litany of thoughts, feelings, and emotion.  Millions are celebrating.  Vindication seems to be the prevailing feeling. People are proud of our military, who have performed bravely. Those who lost loved ones have a sense of closure.
 
The death of OBL has also raised questions among Christians.  How should we feel about this? Is it OK to celebrate a man’s death? Proverbs 11 provides some perspective:

"When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting." 

- Proverbs 11:10
 
This scripture simply acknowledges the reality that when a evil person dies, people rejoice.  People are relieved that OBL can no longer hurt them.  People feel a sense of justice. So it should not be considered “wrong” that there is some elation over OBL’s death.

How does God feel about all of this?  Certainly no one can claim to precisely know God’s position on OBL, but there are a few biblical accounts that can help us understand.

First I think of the account of Jezebel, one of the most wicked queens that had ever existed among God’s people. She murdered the prophets of God, murdered innocent men for personal gain, and led the nation to worship a false god. God spoke through the prophet Elijah regarding Jezabel:

“And concerning Jezebel the LORD also spoke, saying, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ 

– 1 Kings 21:23.

In the account of Jezebel, recorded in 1 Kings, we see God intervening in the situation using Elijah, Jehu, and a few eunuchs that were standing near Jezebel at an opportune time, and they tossed her out a window.

But there is a flip side, in that while God may intervene to remove a wicked person, that does not mean He takes pleasure in their death. In Ezekiel we read:
 
Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live? – Ez 18:23

In other words, God loves all people, and His greatest desire for an evil person is that they would repent and turn away from their evil ways, worship the true God, and live! Even people like OBL. Just think of what could have been had OBL repented, and renounced violent jihad.