culture

http://theologyexplained.blogspot.com/

broken

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 51:17 nkjv

Psalm 51 provides three beautiful pieces of seeking God's mercy, bathed in the context of a man, David, who committed some of the most grievous sins possible.

Confession of sin (vv. 1-6), petitioning God's cleansing (vv. 7-11), and a humble, willing worship and ministry (vv. 12-19) are the fruits of a broken and contrite heart that desires restoration to God and is willing to accept His forgiveness.

All of us are capable of the path David chose in disobedience, so, by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we all respond to our faults with the same attitude of obedience as we learn to yield to God's ever present lovingkindness.

crucified reposted

It is refreshing to me that many preachers, scholars and writers are speaking again of the power of the cross. They are finding that no element of tightly programmed services, eloquent words or even gracious relationships can take the place of the primacy of the cross in our lives. The cross is the most applicable doctrine we can speak of, and it is the centerpiece of our faith. The reminder that Paul gives us is this: if all we know and all we can attest to is the wondrous cross of Christ, than we are on the right track.

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:1-5 nkjv)."

leadership

In an evangelical culture obsessed with various creative and often professionalized terminology for leadership, desiring to produce "change agents" ready to transform the culture around us, it is nothing short of fresh and enlightening to draw from the depth of Scripture for the source of what spiritual leaders and spiritual servants should truly seek after:

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Ac. 6:2-4 nkjv).”

In the early church pastoral oversight devoted itself to the word of God and to prayer, and those that assisted them in service were wise, full of character and had the evidence of the Holy Spirit flowing through their life.

A simplicity is to be found in this text, for these early followers of Jesus Christ sought these very foundations for their ministry, rather than trendy methods and man made wisdom. We will do well if we follow their example in the avenues of service where we have been called, and in the spheres of influence in which we are given.

fighting God

"'But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it-lest you even be found to fight against God (Ac. 5:39).'"

These words by the respected, but non-believing Jewish teacher Gamaliel (Paul's very own instructor) are strangely prophetic in that they summarize Jesus' statement to Peter "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Mt. 16:18 nkjv)."

God's plan's of redemption, both for Israel and the Church, cannot and will not be hindered, though Satan, nations, and even you and I fight against Him.

If God's will cannot be undermined, and His ways will come to pass, then the question remains, "will you trust Him, even when it means giving up your control?"

boldness

In the life of the apostles, there seems three motivators to a life of boldly preaching the Word of God and the Gospel it contains:

First, understanding the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection as the only way of salvation (Ac 4:5-12),

Second, knowing this Jesus so personally that our experience with Him goes beyond mere intellectual assent and fear of man (Ac 4:13-22), and

Third, living out this faith to the extent of praying that the Word of God may be spread with boldness and power (Ac 23-31).

The questions for us to wrestle with today in response to Peter and John's testimony are quite simple - If we are not boldly preaching the Word of God, then do we not know His salvation offer? Do we not know Him personally? Do we not pray for boldness?

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness (Ac 4:31)."

joy

It is surprising that in today's churches believers continue to look to strategic planning, relevant programs, dynamic preaching and engaging worship music to fabricate joy, when the answer to this desired value is quite simply found in the words of holy scripture:

I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps 16:8-11 nkjv)."

When Peter quoted this in Acts chapter 2, he clearly understood this Psalm of David to be a prophetic declaration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that this truth is sufficient to bring believers gladness and joy.

What a blessing that will take place if we too begin to understand where the true source of joy should lie!

encouragement again

It is easy to recognize that encouragement and discouragement are contagious attributes that can spread throughout a community without hindrance.

All of us who are believers can learn from Barnabas, who seemed to spread his encouraging spirit everywhere he went.

Now, it must be recognized that his encouragement was not empty, superficial or deceitful; but rather, it was full of the grace of the gospel as people heard and were saved, even in the midst of the most trying times of persecution imaginable.

"Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26)."

mission

There is no question our role as believers is that of a missionary, carrying out an important call by God, often called the great commission. If this is true, then all of our statements and summaries of vision, purpose and mission should embody what the Lord Jesus Christ laid before His followers :

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:16-20 nkjv)."

This is not to be taken lightly or skimmed over; however, for the complete command by the Lord must be followed, rather than mere selection of one's favorite activity.

The commission by our Messiah is that of going. It is of proclaiming the gospel to make followers and baptizing them, and it is of continual teaching of the tenets of the faith so they may partake of this replicating process as well.

The plan is simple. Doubt and motivation is the difficulty.

encouragement

Certainly the Jewish believers in Christ would have understood the concept of a sabbath rest that went beyond merely the keeping of a day in the week. The writer to the Hebrews spoke of a kingdom rest that was a fulfillment of the Sabbath day. A rest that comes with salvation and is completed in Christ's future coming. A rest that was a motivator for these believers to press on in Christ Jesus.

"Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it... 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16 nkjv)."

For us today, we have an opportunity to be encouraged to go to our High Priest, our Messiah, Jesus, the Son of the living God, who offers us the grace of salvation, a renewed life of prayer, and the grace to move on, as we look to His return in Glory.

NEW BLOG

I have created an additional blog designed to present theological and philosophical opinions, which will exceed the purpose of my main blog here. This present blog, Zach Doppelt, however, will continue functioning as my main blog

The other blogs address is

http://theologyexplained.blogspot.com

crucified

It is refreshing to me that many preachers, scholars and writers are speaking again of the power of the cross. They are finding that no element of tightly programmed services, eloquent words or even gracious relationships can take the place of the primacy of the cross in our lives. The cross is the most applicable doctrine we can speak of, and it is the centerpiece of our faith. The reminder that Paul gives us is this: if all we know and all we can attest to is the wondrous cross of Christ, than we are on the right track.

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:1-5 nkjv)."

christian

It is nothing short of an oddity that the word "Christian" has become a word worthy of avoidance among some of those who who claim Christ's name on their life. It is true that many under the guise of Christianity have committed atrocious sins, yet it does not mean that the word itself is to be looked down upon. Changing what you call yourself means nothing, but letting Christ live through you is everything.

Don't be ashamed of the title, be ashamed of the sins.

"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter (1 Peter 4:15-16 nkjv)."

sufficiency

What one believes about the sufficiency of scripture for faith, life and ministry will directly influence their practice.

Will they add additional structures, plans and programs to what the Bible has laid out, or will they trust that through its complete words God will speak?

Will they conjur dreams, visions and emotion to hold onto, or deem God's laws as appropriate enough to take joy in?

Be it in Israel's day of conquest, the early church's founding, or in the life of the contemporary church today, this principle still remains true:

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you (Dt. 4:2 nkjv)."

Let us not be guilty of knowingly or unkowingly adding to God's commands.

partiality

There is a current trend among ministers today, just as there was a trend among the Jewish priests after God's people returned from their exile and rebuilt God's temple. And this trend is to show partiality in how much of God's law is presented, both in word and deed.

"So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction (Malachi 2:9 NASB)"

The result of this lack of shepherding was to be expected. The people lived apart from their covenant responsibilities, leading to marrying outside of the faith and giving up on their marital commitments.

Just as Paul in Acts 20:27 preached all of God's purposes and counsel to believers and non believers alike, so too must we not fear from presenting all that God has in His word. Just as Jesus preached through the prophets about Himself, so must we reveal and live out what even the hardest books of Scripture have to say.

delight

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The question is often asked, "What do we have to be excited about?" And the answer is quite simple: When we are wise, we learn to delight in God's law and His word. We meditate on it often and it gives us a firm foundation which in due time will reap its own rewards in our soul. Make no mistake, the externals of how we worship, the programs we create, and the way we present ourselves cannot take the place of love for God, love for people, and love of His laws.

small things

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
9 ' The hands of Zerubbabel
Have laid the foundation of this temple;
His hands shall also finish it.
Then you will know
That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
10 For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the LORD,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth (Zech. 4:8-10 NKJV).' "

Undoubtedly, the Jews saw the small beginnings of the rebuilding of the temple, and questioned whether it would ever have the grandeur of the old temple of Solomon. Yet, how important it was for them to open their eyes and see the magnificent work which only God was doing, and only God could do. Likewise, it may be easy for us to look back at the days when our church buildings were filled with people, only to fail to see the beautiful work which God is doing in each of us spiritually right now...

The prayer is that we as believers spend time in continued rejoicing of our risen Savior, Christ the LORD, and to take time to soak our souls in the wonderful transforming power that He offers us day by day in His Spirit, as He molds us into the spiritual temple that is fit for His purposes and His ways!

equality

"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man (James 2:1-6 nkjv)."

Should we not treat all men and women with equality and respect, especially when they enter into our assembly and our community? Do we not do a disservice when we treat those honored guests or speakers with the praises of presidents and kings, yet in the same moment smirk when one comes in dirty and unkept?

This is no small matter to be overlooked, for the scripture is clear. Partiality is not the proper response to the One who has given we who are filthy the best seat in His house.

home

Where is it that we truly live? Is it this world we are to settle, decorate and dwell? Or is there somewhere else we look to as our permanent residence and home?

The Scripture gives us an answer to this question which must shape our focus and our hope:

"20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself (Philippians 3:20-21 nkjv)."

We wait for the coming of our Lord. We are as children, spending a brief moment at our school of preparation, waiting for our father to pick us up and take us back to where we know we belong. Waiting to be taken back to a safe place. Waiting to go to our precious home where peace, joy and rest replace labor, effort and stress.

Let us walk as a people looking for Him.

healing

"I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him (Hosea 14:4 nkjv)."

If Israel would turn away from their spiritual adultery, God would heal them.
If they would renew their commitment to Him, God would demonstrate His love in them.
And, in His ever present knowledge of all that is, and the kingdom life that would be,
God had already removed His anger from their presence.

He does this as well with His Church today - yet do we offer the same grace to those whom we care for; whom we should love?

"... even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do (Colossians 3:13 nkjv)."