Author Archive: Pastor Mark

Wisdom Proverbs 8

I, Wisdom…

Posted on by

This is a very unique chapter in all the Bible! While several of the first 9 chapters of Proverbs, personify wisdom – THIS chapter, seems to go a little further, suggesting that this is more than simply allegory.

Regardless of whether the existence of Wisdom as a real spirit as opposed to simply being represented as such for literary and allegorical reasons, we still learn much about wisdom in this chapter.

Certainly what is further stressed in this chapter is the lasting value of Wisdom and that those who proactively seek her find life and the favor of God!

Continue reading→
Saving grace

Saving grace has been revealed to all

Posted on by

In Paul’s letter to Titus he gave instructions regarding Christian behavior so that believers on Crete would honor God in their lives and be living witnesses unto the gospel.

However, in his closing statements in chapter 2 Paul explains that God’s grace has already gone before them. That through creation and the direct influence of the Holy Spirit God has paved the way for their living testimony by influencing the hearts of everyone in the world in preparation for the gospel they are to live and preach.

Continue reading→

Hear my wisdom son – Avoid the adulterous woman!

Posted on by

Proverbs 7 continues the tradition of the first 9 chapters by being advice given Solomon by his father (and mother) which he in turn penned down for all future generations.

David knew his son Solomon, and understood his weakness was beautiful women, so the wise counsel he offered him along this line was extensive.

In this chapter wisdom is again personified as it will be in the following 2 chapters, but in this case wisdom is the witness to the story AND the one telling the story both!

The development of the chapter goes like this:
A son receives wise counsel from his father
Wisdom then is personified to witness and narrate a story in which the son does not heed his fathers instruction
The “villian” if she can be called that, is an adulterous woman
The story ends in the near ruin of the son
The chapter ends with the closing statements of the father.

So I encouraged everyone to use their imagination to take on the role of wisdom as she viewed the entire story as it unfolded from her balcony window.

After looking at the mistakes, missteps and foolishness of this naive son, we cast our glances back at the woman – the adulteress. What was her story? What likely led her to this ungodly decision? What motherly advice did she scorn or fail to receive?

Hopefully this will be a blessing as you walk through this chapter afresh and with perhaps a perspective that you will find unique.

Continue reading→
Sound Doctrine Good Works

Sound Doctrine leading to Good Works

Posted on by

Today we’re beginning the “book of” Titus!

This letter has a distinctly familial feel to it and with good reason. Titus was another one of Paul’s beloved sons in the faith!

Like Timothy who was left in Ephesus with a similar mission, Titus was left in Crete to set in order the things which still needed doing which included establishing sound doctrine and pastors in all the churches on the Isle.

Crete is an island which was part of the Roman empire and though it is not small (approximately 3,800 square miles) its population 2000 years ago was only about 200,000 people. This equates to about 78 people per square mile. For scale Tampa, FL is only about 114 square miles and currently boasts about 3,376 people per square mile.

The point being that in each township there was a relatively small population and yet in each town where there was a church, each had at least two pastors of equal authority which played into the purpose of God for the church and for Titus being sent into the hostile area.

Paul quoted one of the prophets of Crete as saying, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons”. Paul agreed with this assessment.

So sound doctrine was paramount as was correcting error and silencing opposition in the church. Titus had his work cut out for him, but the result was to establish Christians throughout Crete who were eager for good works!

Continue reading→
Proverbs 6 Lazy Content

The Proverbial sluggard… are you Lazy or Content?

Posted on by

If the Apostle Paul had “followed his heart” and “pursued his dreams” he would have ministered exclusively to the Jews and missed his calling to the Gentiles.

This is just one of countless examples where conventional worldly wisdom has entered into the church and distorted our understanding and values. The modern church teaches things Jesus actually taught against. Things the apostles and early church would have found both foreign & carnal.

Modern Christians pursue self-focused ambitions by either twisting the scriptures away from their intended meanings or through plain ignorance of what their bible teaches.

We are told “God will give you the desires of your heart” and “without a dream, people will fail” or “I know the plans I have for you says the Lord…” all in an attempt to place God’s seal of approval on our flesh driven pursuits, but what do the scriptures REALLY say?

Christians who are content with what they have are accused of lacking ambition, while those who openly pursue materialism are praised and celebrated.

In tonight’s installment of ‘Thru the Bible’ we examined Proverbs 6 which contains many truths and instructions, but the one that stood out among the rest was the teaching on the sluggard. So we dove into that topic – taking a 30,000’ view of scripture in order to seek out the whole counsel of God’s word on the topic and the results expanded our teaching to include the topics of laziness, ambition, contentment, needs, desires, pursuits, dreams, materialism, God’s will & the kingdom of God.

The findings may surprise you! At very least we arrived at a more informed grasp of God’s thoughts on these issues which for a true follower of Christ is a win regardless!

Continue reading→