Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Relationship with Christ created separation from self-righteousness. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were confounded, confused, and did not understand God's justice and righteousness. The Old Covenant was based on the strength of man. The New Covenant is based on the strength of God.

OLD order: Self-righteous could not produce a righteous lifestyle no matter how hard one tried.

NEW order: The gift of righteousness produces a righteous lifestyle. The grace of God provided everything needed through Christ, which made self-righteousness unnecessary.

But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Reflection Question: Why is self-righteousness unnecessary?

My Action Item(s) Based on Understanding:

_______________________

For a more in-depth study on matters of justice and righteousness, Get the book,

Biblical & Social Justice: What Is It?

Available in print, Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Digital Voice editions

https://www.biblicaljusticebook.com/

WATCH THE LESSON

“Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Your prophets have been like jackals among ruins, O Israel.” Ezekiel 13:3

This season is revealing all types of behavior. Disappointment and pressure reveal essence. Difficult times do not create character, it reveals character. God's justice and righteousness shine into our hearts.

As a prophetic minister, I am sensitive to claims made by “prophets.” Every election cycle in the USA features lots of “prophecies.” There is value and blessing in prophetic ministry, but there's also danger. The blessing is discussed below. The danger is "prophets" drawing people after themselves and introducing confusion leading to deception.

The Apostle Paul admonished leaders and believers to properly apply Biblical practice and truth: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

The word “divide” means, “To cut straight, hold a straight course, to handle aright.” This suggests that “workers” (ministers) are responsible to accurately represent God and His Word. The ministry of a prophet in the New Testament is not about making predictions. The prophet's ministry is part of a collective group of ministry gifts who share a God-given task to equip Christ Followers and build up the body of Christ (the church):

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Many “prophets” today identify with the likes of Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah, Elijah, and Isaiah. However, EVERYTHING changed when Jesus came!

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

What is the work of a prophet today?

As stated earlier, the work of a prophet is to “equip” and “edify” the church. According to Ephesians the outcome of equipping the saints and edifying the body of Christ includes, “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14)

Judas (not Iscariot) and Silas were examples of New Testament prophets, When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. (Acts 15:31-32)

Prophetic ministries have keen insight and grace by the Holy Spirit to strengthen believers in Christ. They are part of the core leadership of Christ's church (Acts 13). The prophetic ministry (and the spiritual gift) operates as follows: But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. (1 Corinthians 14:3) Prophets like Agabus carried a greater measure of prophetic grace and spoke about a coming famine, which helped to church to prepare (Acts 11:27-29). He also spoke to his fellow-laborer Paul. (Acts 21:10)

Prophets are not “at-large” Lone Rangers making predictions like who will be the next President of the United States (as we saw in 2020). Prophets are subject to fellow ministers/elders and what they say should be judged, affirmed, or rejected. (1 Corinthians 14:23-32)

What Ezekiel said about false prophecies back in his day is true in our day: “Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Your prophets have been like jackals among ruins, O Israel” (Ezekiel 13:3)

A jackal is essentially a wild canine like a dog or a fox. Many scriptures describe God's disdain for presumptuous and false prophets. He doesn't want His people looking away from Him. God wants a direct relationship (not indirect through someone) with His people through Christ. “Jackals among ruins” speaks of disorder among confusion. It also suggests seeking prey.

Church leaders need the courage to confront error, we must secure God's people, and identify bad influences. “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17)

Those among us who are recognized ministers/elders are mandated to share Jesus’ life, His word, and God's kingdom. God's people will learn to follow Christ more closely when we preach the word of God, love them, and lead by example.

Remember that today God is speaking through His Son Jesus! Ministers should represent Him.

Reflection Question: What did you learn from this lesson?

My Action Item(s) Based on Understanding:

_______________________

For a more in-depth study on matters of justice and righteousness, Get the book,

Biblical & Social Justice: What Is It?

Available in print, Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Digital Voice editions

https://www.biblicaljusticebook.com/

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

Our text comes from an occasion when the Apostle Paul called for elders from Ephesus to join him at a place called Miletus. Ephesus was located in ancient eastern Greece and Miletus was located nearby in modern day Turkey.

Paul was on his way to Jerusalem. He wanted to give the church leaders some important instruction and encouragement. During the discourse Paul indicated that they would never see him again. What do you say to people you will never see again? You're going to say things that you believe are essential to leave with persons. The apostle Paul highlighted these priorities, among others:

1. Remember those who are weak. Paul was concerned about those who are vulnerable to neglect and abuse.

2. Follow the example of hard work and service he had shown them.

3. He reminded them of something that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.“

These words of Jesus are not recorded in the Bible. The Apostle John wrote, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." Jesus did and said much more than we've read.

The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of doing what we call "social justice," which is serving others from a heart of justice and righteousness towards God. In the church today, we don’t seem to have the same priority to help and protect the weak. It seems too much of the church today is more focused on gravitating towards powerful people, growing in fame, and amassing power.

Paul‘s final words to a group of leaders he would never see again in the First Century provides God's mandate to those of us who serve Christ in the 21st Century.

Reflection Question: What priorities and words of guidance would you communicate with significant others if you thought you might not see them again?

My Action Item(s) Based on Understanding:

_______________________

For a more in-depth study on matters of justice and righteousness, Get the book,

Biblical & Social Justice: What Is It?

Available in print, Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Digital Voice editions

https://www.biblicaljusticebook.com/

(Photo from mission trip to Kenya, 2013)

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)”

The work of Christ followers is not only evangelism of the lost. We don't only seek to win souls through preaching the gospel. We also seek to serve all people, from fellow believers in Christ to people in our community. Again, we can call this social justice because we are taking what God has given us, justice and righteousness, and sharing what we have gained with people around us. Paul was clear in his statement, "let us do good to all." Because we are a community of believers in Christ, or "household of faith," charity starts at home.

It was easier to serve people they knew, so Paul challenged the Galatians to see beyond their own Christian community. We should do this type of service in our time. The keyword here is "opportunity." The word for opportunity is also the Greek word, kairos, which is defined as: A fixed and definite time, the right time, set time. Kairos does not refer to the time of day, but suggests something planned.

Doing good for all requires prayer, thinking, planning, and committing to action. We don't wait until we receive a feeling, we make a decision to make a difference for others.

Reflection Question: In what ways have you planned to serve others? Why is it unhelpful to wait for a feeling?

My Action Item(s) Based on Understanding:

_______________________

For a more in-depth study on matters of justice and righteousness, Get the book,

Biblical & Social Justice: What Is It?

Available in print, Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Digital Voice editions

www.biblicaljusticebook.com

Jeremiah 29:7, And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

Today, we do not consider ourselves as “carried away captive” to our particular nations. Although, for my African-American ancestors who came to America as slaves, this text would correctly describe their plight. The difference between Jews carried away to Babylon and Africans brought to America was stark: Jews in Babylon were not mistreated in the same manner as Africans by the American institution of slavery, which was largely condoned by Christians in the Antebellum South.

That said, we have a responsibility to pray for the city and country in which we live and to seek its peace. This should be a function of social justice flowing from God‘s justice and righteousness within believers. How we relate to our city is informed by our relationship with God.

As I write this post on November 7, major news organizations have recognized the election of Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris to the presidency and vice presidency respectively. For the first time in my recollection, and probably in our nation’s history, the sitting president has not recognized the results of the election and has lied about the nature of the election. His supporters have gathered to protest and call the election “stolen” and “rigged.” This is the kind of activity that hurts a city and a nation. Democracy is voluntary and participatory. It relies on the citizenry to accept the outcome, even if the candidate we voted for does not win.

It is the responsibility of Christ Followers to provide the proper example of citizenship, to pray, and seek peace, for the city and nation. What makes this election cycle troubling is the behavior of some Christians who have put loyalty to a political office holder above loyalty to the nation. Early indications show signs of anarchy, but we are hopeful that justice and righteousness will prevail.

Reflection Question: What will you do to bring peace to your city and country?

My Action Item(s) Based on Understanding:

_______________________

For a more in-depth study on matters of justice and righteousness, Get the book,

Biblical & Social Justice: What Is It?

Available in print, Kindle, Apple iBooks, and Digital Voice editions

www.biblicaljusticebook.com