1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Every year, from February 1st to February 14th, we probably read 1 Corinthians, chapter 13 more often than usual.  The Scripture passage is well-known as The Love Chapter.  As Valentine's Day quickly approaches, let's take a closer took at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 14:4-8 (NIV)

A Closer Look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient.

Some versions read "love is long-suffering."  It is one thing to be patient, but long suffering implies a deeper meaning.  Dictionary.com tells us the word "patient" means quietly and steadily persevering, while "long-suffering" means long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation (something that incites, instigates, angers, or irritates).  You see, the word long suffering is much more than just waiting on someone to ask you out on a date or waiting for your husband or wife to apologize for something they've done or not done, probably without ill-will.  Long suffering is a love that reaches beyond the deep pain of intentional hurt and heartache.  A long suffering love will love past the intentional act of hurt aimed directly at you.  If you are thinking that this kind of love is impossible, you might be right, but only impossible without Jesus.  Only He can help us practice a long-suffering love.

Love is kind.  

We are taught that kindness is a character trait and it is.  A person is either kind or not-king, but the kindness in 1 Corinthians 13 is an active kindness.  The Believers Bible Commentary refers to this kindness as an active goodness.  It is something we do, not for ourselves, but in the interest of others.  

Love does not envy.

We usually think of envy as jealousy.  Jealousy is a synonym of envy and I think we have all experienced jealousy at some point.  I also think social media has made envy more powerful.  We compare ourselves to others more often as we scroll past small snapshots of the best moments in the lives of others.  We need to keep jealousy in check, because this Biblical definition of envy-free love means that we not just tolerate the successes of others, but we should be happy for their accomplishments.  We should celebrate the successes of others and avoid giving the enemy a playing field in this area of our lives.

Love does not boast.

Let's piggy-back this section on the heels of the last one.  Just like love does not envy when others are successful, we shouldn't boast about our own successes either.  It's OK to let others know we've achieved something we've worked hard to achieve, but not in such a way that makes us feel better than others.  The definition of the word "boast" means "to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride."  Did you notice the words "excessive" and "pride?"  Let's not be jealous when others are successful, and let's not be excessively prideful over our own accomplishes either.  Let's keep it all in its proper place and if we strive to always life others above ourselves, this is easier to do.

Love is not proud.

There is that "pride" word again.  Some versions say that love is not "puffed up."  As believers, we should already know that nothing have is our own, but gifts from God instead.  We have nothing to be prideful about.  It is by God's grace and mercy alone that we even live and breathe.  There is nothing prideful about love.

Love does not dishonor others.

Love leaves no room for rudeness.  Dishonoring others is the opposite of loving them.  Love is always considerate of others.  

Love is not self-seeking.

As believers, we are children of God.  Our mission here on earth is to tell others about God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.  Someone once said, "I'm here to take as many people to Heaven with me as I can."  We should always be seeking ways to benefit others, not ourselves.

Love is not easily angered.

True love is able to suffer through pettiness.  Remember "long-suffering?"  For the benefit, and maybe even the eternity of the offender, we can call on Jesus to help us shorten our fuses and not be easily angered.

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

This one is a really tough one.  Once someone has wronged us, it is difficult to forget it.  How often do we bring up past offenses?  Truth be told, we all do it and maybe more often than any of us want to admit.  This is a tough one for me personally, but we can put wrongs behind us if we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us.  

Love does not delight in evil.

God is love.  The opposite of love is hate or evil.  Therefore hate and evil are the very core of Satan's character.  We should never ever celebrate evil.  Our culture tells us that in order to love others, we have to also love the sin they are involved in.  Well, we are all sinners.  Jesus showed us how to treat others when he called out their sin, but He told them to sin no more.  We are to love the sinner, but hate the sin.  We are to hate their sin, our sin, all sin.  By calling sin what it is and showing others who Jesus is, we are offering the real love we all need, the same love that Jesus offers.

Love rejoices with the truth.

We are never to delight in evil, but we are to always rejoice in the truth.  The Believer's Bible Commentary had this to say about these last two points.

There is a certain mean streak in human nature which takes pleasure in what is unrighteous, especially if an unrighteous act seems to benefit one’s self. This is not the spirit of love. Love rejoices with every triumph of the truth.  

It is as simple as this.  Satan is the author of confusion, sin, and lies.  God is the author of sound mind, purity, and truth.  We cannot have it both ways.  We must choose one.  Choose wisely.  Choose truth.

Love always protects.

Believers have the resources to protect others against evil.  We have God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit.  We have His Word.  It is our responsibility to protect others and lead them to a saving relationship with Jesus.

Love always trusts.

Love always trusts God, His Word, the Gospel, and truth.  We must be careful to not put our trust in the wrong place.  We cannot trust the lies and snares of the enemy, but we can always trust God and His plan for our lives even when things don't work out like we planned and even when He doesn't answer in the way we hoped He would.

Love always hopes.

Love never gives up.  Love always hopes for things to work out for the best.  As we stated above, love always hopes for the best even when God's plan doesn't line up with our own.  Our hope is in Him, not ourselves.

Love always perseveres.

The definition of the word persevere is "to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly." My eyes concentrated a little longer on the words "maintain a purpose."  Our purpose is to lead others to Jesus.  Love maintains this purpose against all obstacles and discouragement.   

Love never fails.

There is no better way to explain it.  No matter the what, love never fails.  This is a beautiful truth.

There is a whole lot of love language packed into those 5 sweet Bible verses.  I know Valentine's Day is a day set aside for romantic love, but so many people out there have been shown so little love in any of its true forms.  Maybe we can take some extra time this week to think about what real love is and share it with others.

This "Love Never Fails" wall art is available here.

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A Closer Look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

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Christ Took Your Punishment in Your Place

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled Christ Took Our Punishment.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

The majority of people who believe there is a Heaven believe that doing good things is how you get into Heaven.  This is because they don't know the message of the cross.  The Bible teaches us that no one is without sin.  We all deserve death.  We all deserve the cross, but someone died in your place.  His name is Jesus.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Christ Took Your Punishment in Your Place

1.  Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

We are not good enough.  We could never be good enough to get to God in Heaven on our own.  We cannot, on our own, escape God's punishment which is death.  His judgment is coming to everyone.  If God brings His judgment upon us right now, based on our works, we will all be wiped out.

BUT, we are made alive in Jesus.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. - Ephesians 2:1-3

We are rebellious by nature, but God is good, perfect, and holy. He is also perfectly just. He is a just God who cannot let sin simply slip away. He demands justice.  

God does not send people to Hell.  We were already going there.  

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

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 God sent Jesus in our place.  

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29

Jesus absorbed all the wrath of God on the cross.

God is perfectly just and He perfectly loves us so that He sent Jesus to take our punishment.  God knows who you are.  Jesus knows who you are and He died for you.

2.  What will you do with the message of the cross?

It is foolish to reject it.  

it is foolish to make excuses.

It is foolish to look for another way to God.

Will you share the message of the cross?  

Will you surrender to the message of the cross?

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Christ took your punishment in your place.

Jesus Was Relational (Jesus Habits Series)

Jesus was relational.

If you read and study the Bible, especially the gospels, you'll quickly realize the habits of Jesus.  You'll see His characteristics and His behavior.  You'll recognize the habits of the Man who lived a sinless life.  My pastor is leading us through a series called Jesus Habits.  We are learning about various Jesus Habits because as Christ followers, we should be copying the habits of Jesus as closely as we possibly can.  Today, we are learning that Jesus was relational.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

 Jesus Was Relational

Relational people draw others to themselves.  They don't push others away.  They don't talk about others.  They talk to others.  They don't look down on others or pull others down.  They lift others up.  They don't take from others.  They give to others.  Instead of pre-judging others, they intentionally seek to get to know others.  

What habits have you formed regarding other people?  Would you be considered a relational person?

Relating to others is the key to opening the door to their hearts.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them." - Luke 15:1-2

Jesus was relational.  Notice in Luke 15:1-2 above that the tax collectors and sinners were "coming near Jesus to listen to Him."  Jesus drew people to him.  Jesus loved people.  He cared and still cares about people.  Jesus was always intentional about bringing people to their greatest  need, a relationship with God.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a series of stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son.  Every one of those items were found.  Let's read the entire chapter together.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. ² And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

³ And so He told them this parable, saying, ⁴ “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the ^[c]open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

The Lost Coin

⁸ “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin which I had lost!’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Prodigal Son

¹¹ And He said, “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. ¹³ And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. ¹⁴ Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. ¹⁷ But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! ¹⁸ I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ ²⁰ So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; ²³ and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; ²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. ²⁹ But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; ³⁰ but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ ³¹ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” - Luke 15

Did you notice that in all three of Jesus' stories, He illustrates the passion of loving relationships?  Jesus pursued relationships with others to bring them to God.

My pastor mentions the lyrics to a song called Reckless Love.  Some of the lyrics are:

There's no shadow You won't light up,

Mountain you won't climb up; coming after me.

There's no wall You won't kick down,

Lie You won't tear down; coming after me.

Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God . . . 

It chases me down, fights till I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine.

The love of God is powerful and relational!

All throughout the gospels, the examples of Jesus relating to others with love are everywhere.  Those examples are likely found around you as well, in your church and in Jesus-followers who live life around you.  

Jesus comes to you, relates to you, loves you where you are, and transforms you by His power.

Here are a few more examples of Jesus relating to others. 

Jesus began a relationship with a man named Matthew, an unpopular tax collector, and it opened many other doors. 

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting in the tax collector’s office; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. - Matthew 9:9-12

Jesus demonstrated that sharing a meal is one of the best steps to building relationships.

Jesus valued relationships over "red tape."

Now a man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. ⁶ Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, said to him, “Do you want to get well?” ⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” ⁸ Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” ⁹ Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

Now it was a Sabbath on that day. ¹⁰ So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is a Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” - John 5:5-10

Are you someone who removes "red tape" so some relationships can be formed and others can come to Christ?

 Jesus removed "red tape" multiple times.

*The Samaritan woman in John 4.

*A sinful woman in John 8.

*Zacchaeus in Luke 17.

*The leprous man in Luke 5.

*Nicodemus in John 3.

The last thing Jesus did before He died on the cross was to build a relationship with a person.

⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” ⁴³ And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” - Luke 23:42-43

If we want to follow Jesus's habits, what does this look like for you?

1.  Be authentic.

Be authentic in your identity.  Be yourself.  Some people will like you and some won't but you are unique and gifted to relate to others. God is always at work in YOU.  Be YOU.

Be authentic in your motives.  Your motive should always be about getting others into a relationship with God.

2.  Be aware.

If you want to be like Jesus, then you have to be aware of His work.  Be aware of His work around you.  Be aware of divine appointments.

But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” - John 5:17

Where has God placed you?  Do you view where you are as a divine appointment, His assignment?

3.  Be approachable.  

Smile.  Be nice.  Be kind.  Be friendly.  Be interested in others.

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. - Romans 12:9-10

Don't pretend to love others.  Really love them.

4.  Be affirming.  

Acceptance doesn't mean approval.  We can affirm others because they were made in the image of God.  Everyone has the same basic needs.  Our affirmation of others is always rooted in God's love for them.

All that you do must be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

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Is there a bad habit that you need to let go of so that you can begin to relate to others like Jesus did? 

Jesus wants a relationship with you!  

Learn more about how you can have a relationship with Jesus here.

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Jesus was relational.

Should Easter Be Cancelled (Asking for a Friend Series)

It's Easter Sunday in the year 2020.  Due to the COVID19 virus, the country is on shut down.  Restaurants are closed.  Theaters are closed.  Factories are closed.  Retail stores are closed.  Pretty much everything is closed except for government declared "essential" businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations.  Even our churches are closed to gathering in person.  Basically . . .the United States and much of the world is cancelled and closed.  BUT, should Easter be cancelled?

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Should Easter Be Cancelled?"  This is the first installment in his "Asking for a Friend" series.

You are invited to listen, watch, and worship with us here.

Should Easter Be Cancelled?

In 1 Corinthians 15, we learn the facts about Christ's resurrection.

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
 
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.  For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. - 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Friend, Easter CAN NOT be cancelled . . . ever.

Why?  Because . . . 

Easter is something that has already happened.  It is a fact.  Refer to 1 Corinthians 15:4 above.  Jesus was dead but now He is alive again.

I'm reminded of an old song we used to sing at church titled "Because He Lives."

 

Easter is our foundation.  We stand firm on the fact that Easter has already happened.  We stand firm on the gospel.

Because of Easter, we know that Jesus is who He says He is.  Jesus keeps His promises.  There is life after death.

The risen Jesus comes to where you are.

Jesus first appeared to Peter.  Then, He appeared to all the disciples who were hidden in a home because they were afraid.  Jesus brought peace to His disciples.  He will bring peace to you too.

You can read more about Easter morning, the empty tomb, and Jesus' appearances here in John 20.

The risen Jesus calls you by name.

The Bible tells us that He keeps a record of our tears.

You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in Your book? - Psalm 56:8

Jesus appeared to many.  Is He appearing to you?

Who in your family may come to Jesus during this Corona-virus crisis?

Jesus came to Paul while Paul was in a state of rebellion. (Acts 9:1-19)

Are you in the middle of something right now, a situation that seems hopeless?  Jesus come to you right where you are.

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Easter is an event but it is also an experience.

There is nothing wrong with dressing up in new spring clothes, enjoying egg hunts, and bunny treats, but Easter is SO MUCH MORE!  

Easter is a personal event.  Has Easter happened to you?

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. - Philippians 3:10

What does it mean to experience Easter?

*My sin is forgiven.  (1 Corinthians 15:3)
*My present has been transformed.  I am different. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
*My future is totally secure.  (1 Corinthians 15:22)

We are all going to physically die, but because of Easter, we can live eternally.

Where will you spend eternity?

Do you have a relationship with Jesus?  Learn more here.

In closing, I'm reminded of a more recent song that beautifully illustrates my relationship with Jesus.  I hope that you will choose to begin or deepen your relationship with Jesus too.

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Should Easter Be Cancelled?

You might be interested in this FREE Easter mini lesson.

About Caleb (Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series)

About Caleb (Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series)

Our pastor recently took us through a short series about ordinary heroes of the Bible.  We studied about how God uses ordinary people to accomplish His will.  Our first lesson was about a man named Caleb.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "Caleb."  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

 Caleb | November 3, 2019 | Pastor Jeff Crook from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

Our Scripture texts for learning about Caleb are Numbers 13, Joshua 14, and 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.

God chooses to use ordinary people like you and me every day to accomplish His purposes.  Let God use you in a powerful way.  Stop thinking that you, for whatever reason, cannot be used by God.  God is not done with you.  He wants to use you.

But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. - Numbers 14:24

Caleb had a different kind of spirit.  He didn't come from a prominent family.  God used Caleb because he FULLY followed the Lord.  Caleb didn't half-heartedly follow the Lord.  He fully followed whole-heartedly.  

Caleb was part of a crowd of  two million Israelites whom God delivered out of Egypt.  God told Moses that because of the unfaithfulness of the entire older generation, that not one of them would enter the Promised Land except for Caleb and Joshua.

"Except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and to his sons I will give the land on which he has set foot, because he has followed the Lord fully." - Deuteronomy 1:36

In Numbers 13:28, Moses' spies or scouts reported back about the land of Hebron (Canaan).  The spies felt that the people of Canaan were too large and too powerful for them.  Caleb spoke up and said, "We can do this."

Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.” 

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” - Numbers 13:28-30

In Numbers 14:2, the people were crying in discouragement.  They even wanted to return to Egypt! 

All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! - Numbers 14:2

The next several verses gives us Joshua's and Caleb's response to the people who were grumbling.

Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them." - Numbers 14:6-9

Then, the grumbling people wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb to death!  They pushed the limit.  God became fed up with the grumbling, whining crowd.  They had crushed the vision.  God wanted to smite the people but Moses asked God to not smite the people for the sake of God's own name and reputation among the people.

The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.”

But Moses said to the Lord, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought up this people from their midst, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, O Lord, are in the midst of this people, for You, O Lord, are seen eye to eye, while Your cloud stands over them; and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if You slay this people as one man, then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, ‘Because the Lord could not bring this people into the land which He promised them by oath, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.’ But now, I pray, let the power of the Lord be great, just as You have declared, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’ - Numbers 14:10-18

Now skip ahead 45 years.  Joshua finally gave the land of Hebron (Canaan) over to Caleb, an ordinary hero.

What can we learn from Caleb?

1.  God will honor faithfulness.  

Caleb was a behind-the-scenes ordinary man, but he was faithful.  Many people forgot about Caleb but God did not forget about him.  45 years later, Caleb received his inheritance.  God keeps His promises.

But just as it is written, "Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, and which has not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9

This wall art featuring 1 Corinthians 2:9 is available here.

There were probably plenty of times when Caleb felt discouraged, but he remained faithful to God and God rewarded Celeb.  

2.  God has more in store for you.

We have a tendency to dwell in the past.  The past is a blessing but we can't live there.  God has a "next" for us.  If we are living and breathing, then there is more that God wants to do with us.  We can look back at what we have done in the past but our focus needs to be on what we are doing now.

When your memories are greater than your dreams, your days are numbered. - Unknown

Whatever you may have done in your past, there is always room to grow.

3.  God must be wholly followed. 

Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I respond to it. - Chuck Swindoll  

Don't let the valleys make you bitter.  Let them make you better. 

Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments. - Deuteronomy 7:9

Remember that God loves to use ordinary people.

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. - 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

For the Kids:  Here's a coloring page depicting Joshua and Caleb and the grumbling Israelites.  Simply right-click and save to your computer and then print it out from your own home printer.

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About Caleb (Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series)

Find all posts in the Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series here.

The Future in View: What will Heaven be like?

The Future in View:  What will Heaven be like?

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon titled "The Future in View."  The Scripture text is from Revelation 21:1-2.

A new world is coming so don't get attached to this one.  Look forward to Heaven.

Joy is the serious business of Heaven. - C.S. Lewis

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

The Future In View. | September 29, 2019 | Pastor Jeff Crook from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

The Future in View

1.  An incredible future place awaits us.

God is going to recreate everything.  New Jerusalem is a real city.

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements. The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed. - Revelation 21:9-25

But just as it is written,“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Think of the most beautiful place you know.  That place is still under a curse.  However, New Jerusalem will be perfect.  There, we will see God face-to-face for the first time.

Jerusalem: A Biblical and Historical Case for the Jewish Capital

2.  An incredible restored relationship awaits us.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. - 1 Corinthians 13:12

And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:4

Our pastor recommends the book titles Heaven by Randy Alcorn.  

Imagine what Heaven will be like.  There will no longer be any sicknesses.  No cancer, no diabetes, no arthritis, Crohn's Disease, or other autoimmune diseases.  There will be no broken relationships.  No divorce or feuding families.  There will no longer be any death. 

There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. - Revelation 22:3-4

After Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to people who recognized Him.  Therefore, we believe we will recognize people we know here on Earth.

Animals will not eat each other in Heaven.

The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord. - Isaiah 65:25

Jesus is coming quickly.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. - Revelation 22:20

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:5-8

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The Future in View:  What will Heaven be like?

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