ABRAHAM & THE GOSPEL

           

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        The three main religions referred to as Abrahamic are Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The star and crescent, the Star of David, and the cross symbolise each respectively. However, since all three of these systems of belief contradict each other, which of these three religions is true religion? In other words, which religion does Abraham belong to? Which one would he approve of?

Islam came on the scene some 6oo years after the advent of Christ, and though Jesus is honoured as a prophet by their Koran, He is not acknowledged as the eternal Word who became flesh. This is the same for Judaism. Thus, both Islam and Judaism deny the incarnation. Therefore, only Christianity believes that God became human by “being conceived by the Holy Ghost, [and] born of the Virgin Mary”, as succinctly stated in The Apostles’ Creed.

Indeed, both Islam and Judaism deny that God is three eternal Persons in one Godhead; the eternal Father, the eternal Word or Son, and the eternal Holy Spirit. And contrary to much contemporary belief, Judaism is not the same as the religion of the Old Testament. It is important that the reader understands this, as it will help in a proper understanding the rest of this book.

If you will, Abraham’s religion was Christianity before it was called Christianity. Jesus spells this out for us in the following example in which He corrects the followers of Judaism. They were saying to Jesus, “Abraham is our father” (John 8:39). Jesus makes it clear to them who their real father is, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:44). Jesus then went on to say,

 

“He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:47-58.

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Don’t miss that Jesus says His Father is not their God, and that He calls them liars, and says, “before Abraham was, I AM.” Thus, Jesus is claiming to be God, the great “I AM”, the same God who spoke to Moses. “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”’” (Exod. 3:14).

Islam and Judaism deny that Jesus is God, i.e., the “I AM’ that spoke to Moses. Thus, they deny that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Therefore, they deny the Son. “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also” (John 2:23).

To be the true children of Abraham we must believe in the One in whom Abraham believed, i.e., in the One to whom the promise was made, “just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness,’ Therefore know that only those who are faith are sons of Abraham” (Gal. 3:6-7). Thus, the children or the seed of Abraham are those who are in the One to whom the promise was made. In other words, Abraham heard God the Father making that promise to His Son. That promise is the Gospel.

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This can be observed in the following, “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Gal. 3:8-9). And “What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator” (Gal. 3:19).

Both Islam and Judaism have no faith in Jesus. Therefore, they are Abrahamic religions in name only. However, the good news is that we see that only those nations who are of faith will be blessed along with believing Abraham. Therefore, we pray that the Islamic and Judaistic nations will turn to Jesus Christ and be blessed with Abraham. For it is through belief in the Jesus of the Bible individuals and nations are redeemed.

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And keep in mind that the Gospel promise is not merely about a small number of people and a little piece of land, “Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:5-6). Yes, Abraham was also promised a place spacious enough for his countless seed to dwell in, even the world. “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith” (Rom. 2:13).

THE UNFAITHFUL BRIDE & THE FAITHFUL GROOM

See Amazon closest to you for a copy: The Unfaithful Bride and the Faithful Groom: The Biblical Story of Covenant Making, Breaking and Renewal: McKinlay, Neil Cullan, Schwartz, D. Rudi: 9798375129211: Amazon.com: Books

As you all know, I have no brains. I did not attend formal after-school education.

Over time I have read many books written by many different religions: Roman Catholic, Muslim, Uniting, Anglican, Jehovah’s, the English Church, many American Churches, and even atheist books, but not very many Presbyterian books. And even though I may have got something from some of them to use, it is sometimes hard to keep my thoughts in conformity with the Biblical Standards.

Recently I read this book written by Rudi Schwartz and Neil McKinlay, both retired Presbyterian Ministers. I wonder how two writers who are parted by distance can jointly write such a book.

I am very impressed with what I have read. It explains the whole Bible fairly simply and clarifies a lot of questions I have had.

I am pleased to say that it does show that I have not strayed from the Presbyterian standard. The book shows that Presbyterianism does follow the Bible teachings. Absolutely.

This book can help other Ministers or Elders. It is written in plain English.

I thought this sort of feedback is what authors need.

Tom Loechel (Ruling Elder)

Other Endorsements:

I commend this work to the reader and pray for its influence in a day which desperately needs it. This book well summarizes and explains the Christian hope for the fallen world.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.- (Author: Before Jerusalem Fell and He Shall Have Dominion)

This is an unusual work, but there is depth of thought in all this, a multitude of biblical references, apt quotations of other writers, and a clear narrative that many will find very helpful, with good reason.

Rev. Dr. Peter Barnes - (Author: John Calvin, Man of God's Word, and: Athanasius of Alexandria, His Life and Impact, and: A Handful of Pebbles, Theological Liberalism and the Church)

You will not need to embrace the authors' post millennialism in order to benefit greatly from an overview of the Bible that is detailed, insightful and ultimately God glorifying.

Rev. Dr. Ian Hamilton (Author: e.g., Words from the Cross, Our Heavenly Shepherd, Commentary on Ephesians)

This is a very comprehensive and thought-provoking book. The overview of the Bible is extensive and challenging. The authors engage very interesting aspects with deep theological insights. They deeply strengthen faith in the Triune God by this book. It should be read by all interested in the Christian faith.

Rev. Dr. Pieter Verster (Author: The Church of Faith, Love, Hope and Mission, and: New hope for the poor. A perspective on the church in informal settlements in Africa).

As all mature teachers do, the authors simplify learning the important Thoughts and Purposes of God, with great faithfulness to the beloved Bible. Read this book! Receive its gift! Rev. Ronald W. Kirk (Author: Thy Will Be Done)

The authors, sufficiently supported by an all-inclusive Biblical approach, present a main theme, masterly intertwined with sub-themes not often find elsewhere. Rev Dr Stanley Winter Theron (Academic Dean [emeritus]: PAX Academy for Xcelence [New Zealand], Church-planter)

This work is an insightful read that will deepen your understanding of the central message of the gospel - the glorious bond between Christ and his church. Rev. Andrew George (Pastor, Writer, Recording Artist USA/Australia)

Neil is a great communicator like my late friend Gordon Keddie. Always pitching their writing at an acceptable level without speaking down to the reader. Not that I'm against scholarly writing like Van Til or Dooyeweerd but I'd recommend Neil's books to my pals first!

Alan Wilson (Part-time tutor at Glasgow School of Art, Open Studio)

This book, through its down to earth prose, leaves one in no doubt that we serve a Sovereign Lord, who rules over all things and situations with absolute control. It gives believers the encouragement to persevere, knowing that we have only one thing to do to receive that eternal prize, and that is "...to run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..." (Heb. 12:1-2).

Robert Chopping (Retired Ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, Bible study leader).

SOCIALISM UNMASKED

Socialism Unmasked

Excerpted from SOCIALISM: My Part in its Downfall - SOCIALISM: My Part in its Downfall: McKinlay, Neil Cullan: 9798652466558: Amazon.com: Books

“She’ll be right mate!” is Australian vernacular for the postmodernist “whatever!”, which was a popular saying when I lived in Canada. When it comes to politics, both reek of complacent laidback-ness.

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Even among Christians there is debate as to whether identifiably Christian political parties are preferred to the usual atheist/socialist ones or even those conservative parties that espouse policies a lot of with which many Christians can agree. Surely Christians ought to form political parties based on the teaching of the Bible regarding life and politics. For, Scripture says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). Therefore, in light of this “qué será, será” laissez-faire approach to life and its issues, how can one expect civil disobedience from Christians? How should Christians respond when governments clearly overstep their God-given authority and start to lord it over the people? “She’ll be right mate” or active obedience to God? The general principle all Christians are to follow is summed up in this verse, “Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men’” (Acts 5:29).

One only has to consider the so-called COVID-19 government authoritarianism and downright totalitarianism that took place in many western countries during the “Pandemic” in 2020-22 and beyond. In Australia the socialistic state and federal governments locked people in their homes, wouldn’t let Australian residents return from overseas, nor allow interstate travel. Face masks were insisted upon by even those slightly less authoritarian states. Churches were not permitted to congregate, and when things lightened up a little, first, they were not allowed to sing praises to God even while wearing masks. Only family members could sit together, if not too many! And ‘social distancing’ became a thing. No golf! No kids playing in the park! No handshakes permitted and lots of hand cleaner available. Elderly people died alone, with loved ones not permitted to visit. Funerals could only be attended by a handful of people. All for what?

Then came Covid-shot police. People were ostracized for not getting the jab. Whistle blowers were silenced. Doctors and nurses lost their jobs for not conforming to the globalist/socialist narrative imposed by totalitarian/authoritarian governments. The authorities were informed by members of the public “dobbing in” their neighbours on hotlines designed just for that! Unfortunate for those whose name already is Karen, but a “Karen” became a derogative appellation affixed to any covid busybody. (See 2 Thess. 3:11; 1 Pet. 4:15.)  Police in some states were seen smashing members of the public’s faces to the ground for not wearing/improperly wearing their government-approved masks!

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Governments controlled the media narrative. The public was not even allowed to discuss the issue of COVID-19. “False information” notices appeared on social media whenever anyone attempted to address the issue and related issues. Posts were blocked. Free speech was reduced to whispers while looking over one’s shoulder.

Then came the negative bodily reactions against whatever was being injected into the masses. Reports of shingles, reactions from paralysis to death and everything in between. Again, governments would not allow any public discussion of this important issue.

We didn’t know whether it was germ-warfare from a manufactured virus in Wuhan in China through “gain of function” (a phrase that entered the public’s vocabulary), or something to do with infected bats and/or pangolins from a Chinese “wet market”. Confusion reigned as Australians began wondering if their old adage “she’ll be right mate!” was actually going to cover their present demise. People panicked! Some got many more “booster shots” to combat the virus, while others refused to get, even if they already had one, any more jabs. Distrust of government set in. “Big-Pharma” was viewed with great suspicion. Had they even tested their products, the stuff that they were being paid to manufacture and the authoritarian governments were insisting that the public have at least two jabs followed by many boosters? The short answer is that the public were being used as ‘Guinea pigs’. In the 1960s the hippies voluntarily took ‘experimental drugs’ in a foolish attempt to expand their minds. In the 2020s governments forced members of the public to take experimental drugs on pain of loss of job and/or loss of face in society to the point of being treated as anarchists.

Governments made daily announcements on television reporting how many covid cases there were, leaving the public confused as to whether people were dying with covid or actually dying from covid. Every hospital death, it seemed, was a covid death, whether the person presently had the flu or some terminal illness.

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Yes, the mask of Socialism slipped and exposed a face pock-marked with totalitarianism and authoritarianism, its slightly milder form. Neither of which are the Bible’s view of civil government. (See e.g., Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-14.) Clearly, many federal and state governments in western nations overstepped their boundaries. They refused to stay in their lanes and interfered in the equally sovereign but connected spheres of family and church. Some even pushed their nation’s constitution aside and handed over authority to health departments, many of whom, like “helicopter parents”, wrapped joe-public in cotton wool and bubble wrap and locked them in their room. “Safety first!” is the mantra of a nanny state, aka Socialiam.     

In 1644 Scottish Presbyterian minister, Samuel Rutherford, published a book called Lex Rex (Latin for The Law is King) advocating the rule of law, limited government, and the right to resist tyrannical rulers. Theologian, philosopher, apologist, and Presbyterian minister Francis Schaeffer wrote,

Civil disobedience is, of course, a very serious matter and it must be stressed that Rutherford was the very opposite of an anarchist. In Lex Rex he does not propose armed revolution as an automatic solution. Instead, he sets forth the appropriate response to interference by the state in the liberties of the citizenry. Specifically, he stated that if the state deliberately is committed to destroying its ethical commitment to God then resistance is appropriate.[1]

Clearly, civil disobedience was called for during the totalitarian state’s ‘war games’ practice run, aka the “Pandemic”. Though pockets of resistance were to be found here and there, Christianity failed miserably! “She’ll be right mate” is unbiblical. It is antibiblical! Schaeffer also wrote,

The civil government, as all of life, stands under the law of God. In this fallen world God has given us certain offices to protect us from the chaos which is the natural result of that fallenness. But when any office commands that which is contrary to the Word of God, those who hold that office abrogate their authority and they are not to be obeyed. And that includes the state.[2]  

If ever there was a time to form outwardly Christian governments, surely it is now? However, to counter socialist totalitarianism we need Christian governments built on more than one or two issues such as abortion and/or feeding the poor and clothing the needy. We need a contemporary Abraham Kuyper who was Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1905. His political party was called the Anti-Revolutionist Party. He implemented a system of “sphere sovereignty” among the different departments of government. This system has since through time and debate been perfected. There a three main spheres in a nation, viz, Family, Church, and State. Like each Person in the Godhead, each has its own sphere of authority under God but they are interconnected and must therefore look out for the other spheres without encroaching on their authority. Like Olympic swimmers, each sphere must stay in its own lane and operate therein without interfering with its neighbour.

COVID-19 was an exercise in government interference. It was when Socialism was totally unmasked.

---

[1] The Complete Works of Francis A Schaeffer; A Christian Worldview, Volume 5, A Christian Worldview of the West, (Crossway Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1982), 475.

[2] Ibid., 468.

THIS OLD HOUSE

 

THIS OLD HOUSE

Link to video of sermon:

https://youtu.be/ZokzDbqkWk4?si=jDvuLIyVxTvjOU03

Sermon notes:

This Old House

 

1 Peter 2:4-10

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For in Scripture it says:

‘See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.’

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,’

⁸ and,

‘A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.’

They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Introduction

In Glasgow, Scotland, there once were rows and rows of old tenement buildings. These old brick buildings used to house the workers in the day of Clydeside shipbuilding. As the shipbuilding industry died a death in Scotland so did these buildings. They became slums – good only for the wrecking ball! And so whole communities were disrupted as the demolition crews moved in.

Whole communities such as the Gorbals were demolished! The displaced people became known as the “Glasgow overspill.” There was social upheaval – social unrest. Then someone had a brainwave. Instead of destroying the community why don’t we renovate? And so rows and rows of old tenement buildings were spared. After renovation people flocked to these buildings wanting to live in these communities. It’s amazing what can be done with an old house.

If you were an old house, what do you think could be done with you? Do you think you should be condemned as unsafe? Or do you think you could be renovated to become a home fit for royalty? Well, in terms of the Bible, all mankind is standing like rows of condemned houses.

We are like derelict and dilapidated buildings with broken windows and leaky roofs. We stand covered in grime and soot awaiting the wrecker’s ball. But God has decided to spare some of us. He has decided to renovate us! He has purchased us and He is forming a new community. So let’s consider some of the work the Lord is doing as He renovates us.

1. Walls Removed

There has been a solid brick wall built up between you and God. Of course, this wall was demolished when you were converted. For when God began His renovation in you, He removed that wall. How did that wall get there? Well, sin built a wall between you and God. You inherited your house from your great, great… grandfather Adam. Adam was the master plan for every house that was to come after him. And he was the one that built the wall that separates each of us from God. His design was passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, you live in a house with a wall separating you from God.

However, when God moved into your (ie, the Christian’s) house, the wall of the carnal mind which is enmity against God was torn down. Romans 8:7 says, “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God…” Or as the NKJV puts it, “The carnal mind is enmity against God...” “Enmity” or “hostility” is something that separates. Enmity is a barrier, a wall. And as the walls of Jericho came a tumbling down, God levels that wall in you first off. Then He begins to patiently clear away the dust and rubble of that wall.

There’s another wall that needs to be torn down. The wall between you and your brother and sister in Christ. Scripture says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” Galatians 3:28.

There may be racism, social distinction, sexism in the world outside, but there is to be none of it in Christ’s church. Each of us has our different roles to play in the church and in society, but we are not to despise others because of their station in life.

In New Testament times, the Jews despised the Gentiles and called them dogs! But when a Jew and a Gentile were converted, they became as one. “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14.

However, the wall between you and your non-Christian neighbour stays in place. If you’ve ever renovated a house, you’ll know about “supporting” walls. A supporting wall cannot be removed unless you want the house to fall down. It’s kind of like our spine – we need it to keep us upright.

It was Adam who erected the wall between you and God. This wall is taken away by Jesus Christ. But it was God who put the wall in place between the Christian and the non-Christian. The Lord said to the serpent in the Garden after Adam fell, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.’” Genesis 3:15.

The “Offspring” or “Seed” of the woman is of course Christ, Galatians 3:16. And since the offspring of the serpent are all the non-elect, it means that there is a barrier between those who are of Christ and those who are of the world. Jesus says, “‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:18-19.

Therefore, the wall between the Christian and the world has to remain or Christianity crumbles. Christians need to be aware that it’s not a flimsy plasterboard partition. It is a load-bearing wall. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this where he says, 

This doesn’t mean that we are to turn our backs on the world. No of course not! Jesus sends us into the world with good news for the world. The point is “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.that we are not to become like the world. There is to be a difference between His Church and the world.

So we’ve then seen a couple of walls removed in the “old house” which is the Christian’s body.

2. Wires Replaced

What we’re talking about here is the rewiring of the mind. You wouldn’t renovate an old house without rewiring it. If you’re going to think the thoughts God wants you to, you’ll need a new electrical system. Scripture says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:2.

You used to be wired according to the system of this world. But now you’ve been rewired to accommodate a power way stronger than the power in the world. You can now do things that you couldn’t before. You now have the power to glorify God.

Before your regeneration and subsequent conversion, you didn’t have the power to do any spiritual good. Sin had tripped the breaker, blown the fuse. Sin had broken the connection with God. But now God has come into your house and is busy rewiring.

Now you have the ability, not only to understand the will of God, but to obey and do it. Where before, you were at best like a Pharisee able only to keep God’s Commandments outwardly. Now you can say with Paul, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13. This means that sin has no power over you. It doesn’t mean that you’ll never sin again. It does mean that sin has lost its dominion over you. Your sin used to rule in your old house like a tyrant. But now that the Lord has begun His renovations, you are back in control.

Your mind that was once controlled by sinful impulses, is now capable of resistance. Those sinful cravings can now be resisted by the power of God in you. If you were a glutton, for instance, the Lord has given you back control of your appetite. If you were a drunkard, the Lord has empowered you to control your drinking. Paul says to the Corinthians, “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were.” 1 Corinthians 6:10-11.

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The Lord is able to save even the vilest of sinners from their sins. He does so through regeneration and conversion whereby the power of Christ and His cross is, by the Holy Spirit, transferred to the Christian’s old house.

But this old house needs to be rewired to accommodate that power. You need to be converted from Alternating Current to Direct Current. The difference between AC and DC is this: Alternating Current means just that, that the current alternates back and forth, whereas Direct Current flows constantly in one direction only.

So then, before your conversion from AC to DC you would flip flop back and forward over things. You were like the children mentioned by Paul, who were “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming…” Ephesians 4:14. But the Holy Spirit has rewired the old house in which you live.

Conversion from AC to DC was complete when you were hooked up to the new power generator. The living, active and powerful Word of God is hidden in your heart like a battery in a watch. The Holy Spirit has flicked the switch and enabled you to welcome Christ into your home.

While running on this new power source you heard a knock at your door. You recognized the voice of the Lord and He came into your home to dine with you (Revelation 3:20). Things are still a bit of a mess in your house – what, with a couple of walls removed.

And when there are wires being replaced it can look like spaghetti-junction for a while. In fact, you’re embarrassed the Lord has come to visit and the place is in such a mess.

But don’t ever forget the reason why the Lord has come to your house. He has come to renovate, and He will clean up the mess. And the Lord will keep on renovating and cleaning up the mess until the job is completed. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.

But what about all those grime-covered and broken windows?

3. Windows Repaired

An old building wouldn’t be an old building without its grime-covered windows smashed. The world has been throwing mud and stones at you all your life. But the Lord is repairing your windows.

What are windows for? Windows are for letting in air and light and seeing out of. However, they also let out light, don’t they? When the Lord turns on the power in the Christian’s house the lights come on.

If Christ the Light of the world comes, by His Spirit, to live in your home it stands to reason that the lights will come on. A Christian house with all the lights on is warm and inviting on a cold dark night.

Now, Australia is a strange place at Christmas time. The sun is splitting the concrete in the streets. Even though it’s the middle of summer the Christmas cards are covered in snow! Therefore, no matter where you live you’ve all seen the little house with the warm glow emanating from it. The one with the snow-covered roof that looks all warm and cozy inside.

It would be a lie to tell you that the Christian’s heart is always like the house in that picture. However, there is a peace that transcends all understanding in the Christian’s heart. And that peace comes across to those who are on the outside looking in.

Where there were once panes of glass that couldn’t be seen through, there is now a welcoming warmth emanating out into the surrounding world. It’s a place of rest and refreshment for weary travelers. Why? It’s because Jesus, the Light of the world, lives in that house by His Spirit.

He is the One who is breaking down the walls. He is the One who is rewiring your home. He is the One who doesn’t want you hiding your light under a basket. He is the One who says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.

If someone came to you with a heavy problem, would you try to hide Jesus in the closet? Would you say, “Quick Jesus, in here! There’s someone at my door!”? No! It might very well be that the person has seen the light on in your home on a cold and dark night, when everyone else in the street has gone to bed so to speak.

And when the Lord repairs our windows, we begin to see the world through different eyes. We begin to see the enmity, the hostility, between the world and the kingdom of God. We begin to see the forces of darkness at work. We begin to see the battle between light and darkness.

We see it in the political arena. We see it in the state schools. We see it in the streets. We see it on the TV – on the radio – and in the newspapers. We see clearer and clearer the enmity between the seed of the serpent and the Seed of the woman.

But never forget that the Lord is more than able to save even the vilest of sinners. However, when the Lord repairs your windows, you are able to see the vileness of sin in the world outside – the sin that at one time had overcome your heart. But thank the Lord that you are able also to see the kingdom of God. Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” John 3:3. To have the Lord renovating your old house is to be born again which is to be converted. And when, by the grace of God, you are converted you see the world in a different light.

I began by talking about the old derelict tenement buildings in Glasgow being renovated. And we used that as a picture of the individual Christian being renovated by God. But let’s not miss an important point – as we begin to tie things together.

Christians tend to be a bit too individualistically minded. In other words, we tend to act as single people. But in Glasgow whole communities were renovated, not just individual houses. And so it is with us – we are part of a renovated community – a Christian community. We are a community within a hostile community. The world with all its false religions and philosophies setting themselves up against God.

Now, Jesus says that we are to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every nation. It seems to me that the local churches have been doing this in their communities. However, I believe a strange thing has been happening.

Because the churches have been so busy out there campaigning, they’ve been neglecting the upkeep of their houses, even their own Christian community.

It’s good and Scriptural that we reach out to the lost and dying in the world. But what about the Christian home? Scripture says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” Galatians 6:10.

So it’s right that we seek to do good to our non-Christian neighbour, but it is clearly wrong to neglect our own household. In fact, it makes you worse than an unbeliever if you neglect your local church.

Scripture says, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”1 Timothy 5:8.

A neglected house becomes dilapidated. A row of neglected houses becomes a slum. And a slum becomes ready for the wrecking ball.

At present, many other churches are obsessed with outreach in the community. On the surface this looks good. It’s good to care about winning the lost – but what’s really happening? Well, like any army on a campaign overseas, the home front becomes weak and prone to attack. A bunch of old codgers like “Dad’s Ary” are guarding things at home while the forces are overseas as it were. The enemy has been busy on the Home Front – busy swinging the wrecking ball. Whole Christian communities are being demolished rather than renovated.

And how does the enemy swing the wrecking ball? He does it by talking Christians into removing supporting walls. Do you remember that the Lord has put a wall between us and the world? Well, the enemy wants that load-bearing wall to come down. Remove that one and the building is liable to collapse and destroy everyone in it!

The enemy swings the ball by filling churches with people desiring to have their ears tickled. The Devil is filling the Lord’s Church with people who have no interest in sound Biblical preaching – as more and more churches become like the world to attract the world. Then the Christian community becomes a slum.

Think of the church at Corinth. The Corinthians received the Apostle Paul’s severe rebuke for turning the Lord’s Supper into a common meal that you could find in any everyday restaurant. When we evangelise and invite people to church, make sure they are coming to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed, that they are coming to a place that is special, a place that is as different from the world as the Lord’s Supper is to a Happy Meal from Maccas!  

However, the Lord is in the business of renovating. He can even rebuild run down Christian communities. He can remove walls. He can renew wires. He can replace windows.

Conclusion

I don’t want to live in a slum – do you? So let’s encourage our brothers and sisters in the faith. God has renovated you the individual along with others. He has renovated our whole church community. Your number one priority is to build up your brother and sister in the faith to the glory of God. Therefore, live as God wants you to live at peace with your Christian neighbor in a God-glorifying community. The Lord will draw others into your community as He spares other houses from the wrecker’s ball.

If all the old houses the Lord has renovated were gathered into one place, what a picture that would be. Think of it, all those little lights making up one greater light – the church. Now picture this on the top of a hill on a cold and dark night. What a sight this would be to a traveler wearied by this world.

Look around, people are sick to the back teeth with crime in the community. They’re sick of people spray-painting slogans on their walls. They’re sick of break and enters. They’re sick and tired of criminals getting away with murder. They don’t want their neighbourhood to become a slum. The whole nation is becoming weary of it all.

We have the answers! Can’t you see? The harvest is white so shine the light. But make sure there are walls where there should be walls. But also make sure there are no walls where they shouldn’t be. Make sure the wires are able to handle the power of the Lord. And finally, make sure the windows are clean. Make sure you can see the world outside. But make sure that the world can see the lights on in your home.

Isn’t it amazing what the Lord can do with an old house?