• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Sept. 14 focuses on Ephesians 4:1-6.

Unity is one of the most challenging issues in human life. History is filled with countless stories of people groups who forced themselves to accomplish collective feats. Several examples can be found in the Bible. The story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) describes how people were unified in a project that opposed God’s purpose for mankind (compare Genesis 11:4 & 9 with Genesis 1:28).

While God works to bring disunity and frustration to the efforts of sin-focused humanity, he commands his followers to be united, “of one mind” (2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:2; 1 Peter 3:8). Philippians 2:5-11 describes the mindset God desires—the selfless, self-sacrificing, servant-mindedness modeled by Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-6 contributes to this conversation by revealing the oneness motif of God’s kingdom work. The Apostle Paul shows God’s oneness calls for the practice of unity.

We are to humbly accept each other (Ephesians 4:1-2)

A major section of this epistle begins in chapter 4. Here lifestyle actions are strongly urged. The first word (in Greek) in verse 1 is the strong command “exhort.” Sometimes this word is rendered “ask” or “encourage,” but the more powerful force of “exhort” or “strongly urge” is required.

The urgency behind the actions exhorted in this section derives from God’s outstanding accomplishments revealed in chapters 1-3. Verse one states the summary command for this section—live worthy of one’s calling. The word translated as “live” actually is the word “walk,” used by the New Testament to refer to lifestyle.

One’s calling is to salvation and to live by God’s character, actions and direction. Paul’s reference to himself as a prisoner in the Lord underscores that Paul has responded to this exhortation to live worthy on one’s calling. It has landed Paul in prison, to await testifying before the emperor, and thus is a worthy consequence of living by his calling.

Verse 2 lists four qualities that characterize living out one’s calling. Humility heads the list, emphasizing the understanding of one’s position in life. Humility neither exalts nor debases, but leads one to live out properly one’s relationship with God and other human beings. Gentleness, or meekness, refers to strength under control, meaning a believer knows how to relate to others. Patience is the quality of accepting God’s timetable. Forbearance refers to forgiveness and enduring the actions of others and is to be governed by agape love—pure, selfless interest in the welfare of others.

We are to strive to keep the unity of the church (Ephesians 4:3)

The purpose of practicing these characteristics, states verse 3, is to produce unity in the body of Christ. God’s transformation of the lives of believers provides plenty of incentive to associate in unity. Unity among believers is lauded in Psalm 133. Unity is such a priceless commodity, the Lord promises the blessing of eternal life upon his people who practice it.

Verse 3 finishes the long sentence of verses 1-3 with a participial phrase describing how to accomplish the “walking” or “living” urged in verse 1. The first word of verse 3 is a participle that means “make haste” or “hurry” as an expression of zealousness or eagerness. Some translations render the word as “take pains.”

The point is to make every effort, with a zealousness that responds to the Lord’s strong urging, to guard the unity of the church. Disunity must be seen as a wicked, worldly and unwelcome invader in the assembly of the faithful. God’s followers must be as alert as military personnel on guard duty as they protect congregational unity.

God’s peace is the basis for unity among people once separated from God because of the strife and warfare of sin that once reigned within them. Now the Prince of Peace rules their lives, and the effect should be peace within each believer and unity in the assembly of God’s people.

The “oneness” of God is the foundation for the unity of the church (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Now Paul refers to the unity God has worked into all his endeavors. This “oneness” theme begins with the declaration in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Only one God exists, and he operates with unity of purpose. Paul demonstrates this matter in a list of seven items that are distinguishable yet have a unified focus. Through them is shown God’s ability to synchronize the grand elements of the spiritual realm. The items move from the body of Christ, which is near, and reaches to God himself. The five intervening elements include the remaining members of the Trinity, two grand characteristics of the Christian way and the singular act of commitment to Christ’s way.

The reference in verse 4 to one body shows Christ’s redemption transforms Jews and Gentiles into believers who can associate in harmony. The Spirit indwells and leads God’s people. Hope rises from the Spirit’s presence, for when God is with people, they find encouragement.

In verse 5, the Lord stands in the middle of the sequence, the object of hope, and the one inspiring faith. With but one Lord, there can be only one faith, just as Jesus declared he was the only way to life (John 14:6). Baptism follows as the demonstration of one’s faith and commitment to walk by the Lord’s leadership.

The whole sequence points to God the Father in verse 6. God has supervised the entire process—over all, through all and in all—so people are reconciled with him. Unity begins with God’s oneness and continues through God’s mighty work until God’s people are transformed into people who live by God’s character of unity. Therefore, unity among believers becomes a testimony to God’s presence among his people.

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Sept. 14 focuses on Hebrews 2:1-4.

It seems everyone is talking or writing about the decline of the church in Western culture. Kenda Creasy Dean’s book, Almost Christian, based on evidence gleaned from the National Study of Youth and Religion, sounds the alarm on the growing apathy seen in American teenagers. While young people generally see themselves as spiritual, they lack the tenets of a committed faith well grounded in Scripture and Christian discipleship.

Worse, churches have passed down a diluted version of Christianity that has done really well at shaping nice young people and nurturing the American Dream, but has done quite poorly at teaching young people to rearrange their lives around the life and teaching of Christ. The result has been a teenage faith comprised mainly of self-serving, feel-good beliefs.

Where did the American church go wrong?

Where did the American church go wrong? Dean says, “The National Study of Youth and Religion reveals a theological fault line running underneath American churches: an adherence to a do-good, feel-good spirituality that has little to do with the Triune God of Christian tradition and even less to do with loving Jesus Christ enough to follow him into the world.”

Unlike many of today’s religious doomsdayers, Dean goes on to propose a solution for the American church—one that involves a rediscovery of Christian discipleship and mission. The signposts of a mature, passionate faith we desire for our young people point to “an articulated God-story (their stated or unstated ‘creed’), a deep sense of belonging in their faith communities, a clear sense that their lives have a God-given purpose and an attitude of hope that the world is moving in a good direction because of God,” Dean wrote. We have much work to do.

Despite the urgency of this crisis, the problem is not new. The preacher in Hebrews 2 warns the congregation about the dangers of drifting away from the core message of the gospel (v. 1). We almost can picture him at the front of the sanctuary, leaning forward over the podium, either pounding his fist or pointing his finger with an intent gaze that pierces the heart of the listening worshippers, and nearly shouting in stereotypical Baptist preacher style, “Pay attention!”

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (v. 1). The faith of the early church was not relativistic. It was built on the foundation of God’s interaction with the people of Israel and centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ.

A message in two stages

The message had come in two stages. The first was written in the law, which Jewish tradition said had come through angelic intermediaries. The law prescribed a strict adherence. Spiritual transformation and salvation hinged on faithful obedience, and the law promised consequential blessings or punishment (v. 2).

But now, in these “last days” (v. 2), the ultimate salvation was proclaimed and accomplished directly through Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it was confirmed by eyewitnesses in the Gospel accounts and passed on through the burgeoning church (v. 3). And as if to make this message completely indisputable, it was demonstrated publicly through the “signs, wonders and various miracles” we see with the coming of the Holy Spirit (v. 4).

In elementary school, children often are taught a game called “telephone.” You start with a specific message passed on from one child to another, usually just long enough to make it difficult to remember exactly. Each child passes on the message they heard to the next person. You know what happens—with each passing, the message is altered just slightly, so the message heard by the last person bears only a faint resemblance, if any, to the original content. It’s not unlike the way gossip travels through a small town, becoming less and less reliable with each transmission.

Paying attention

If the early Christians didn’t pay close attention, they ran the risk of their faith being transmitted like a game of telephone. Their apathetic faith would be paramount to ignoring “so great a salvation” (v. 3) as was wrought by Jesus’ death on the cross. However, the early church was given a distinct advantage absent in the game of telephone. The content of the gospel message was not arbitrarily passed on from one person to the next. This message was announced, confirmed and testified. It was written in their minds and in their hearts (Hebrews 10:16), having taken root as they lived out their faith in the gospel.

Our abundant life now and our eternal joy hinge upon us sticking close to this gospel message. “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (v. 1). It was important to the first Christians, and it is crucial for the church today as well. The faith of our young people, and all of us, depends upon it. We must pay attention.

• The BaptistWay lesson for Sept. 14 focuses on Ephesians 2:1-10.

There’s a difference in a trained eye. They can see things most of us miss. Take for example the case of Big LT this summer. After numerous calamities, both financial and medical, LT faced a bleak future. One day when he saw a TV program featuring an incredibly valuable Navajo blanket, he realized he had one similar to it, passed down through his family. Calling an auction house to have it evaluated, the appraiser carefully examined the fibers and dyes, which revealed it was indeed a rare and valuable blanket.

The appraiser said the auction house would be happy to help him auction it, and because of its excellent condition, they expected it to sell for a minimum of $100,000. LT was amazed. He possessed an item of amazing worth, but lacking a trained eye, he couldn’t take inventory of the blanket’s qualities and realize its potential value.

Inventory of the human condition

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians includes a careful inventory of the human condition. Using fully plural nouns and verbs, he makes it clear no one is exempt from the realities of our plight. However, God’s trained eye (so to speak) can see through our depravity to our potential and value as his workmanship, and he even has planned good works for us to accomplish.

Paul says we were:

• Dead (vv. 1-2)—Left to our natural state, our situation is utterly hopeless. We aren’t just sick. Not wounded. Not struggling. We are dead in our sins, absolutely beyond the capacity to remedy the situation or even able to call for help from someone else. We are hopeless. 

• Fleshly and filled with wrath (v. 3)—The worst part about being dead is we did it to ourselves—our own willful choices destroyed us. We volitionally chose to take the path that killed us, like Darwin Award winners. Darwin Awards usually are given posthumously, granted to individuals whose reckless choices led to their own demise. It’s easy to read the stories with ridicule and ask, “How could they be so foolish?” However, if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll confess we’ve done the same thing. Maybe not physically, but spiritually. While living disobedient lives with other disobedient people, we indulged in human desires. Yet fulfillment didn’t come, and we became angry and deserving of anger in this dissatisfied state, repeating destructive behaviors and volitionally wrecking havoc upon our lives.  

But…

Our Redeemer arrived (vv. 4-5)—Is there any greater theological statement in Scripture than “But because of his great love for us …”? God’s deliberate, passionate and transcendent mercy and love caused him to act on our behalf by becoming incarnate to redeem us. It wasn’t because of something we did to attract his attention or because he couldn’t get along without us. Seeing our desperate situation, he sought us out, even though dead in our choices. Why? Because out of the richness of his mercy, he came to find us and make us alive in Christ. Paul’s emphasis is clear—this is a work of grace.  

Our God raised us up (v. 6)—Not only did we see love, mercy and grace demonstrated as we were made alive, but God also raised us up with him. From the depravity of lostness, brokenness and hopelessness, by faith, we are lifted to heights we never could attain on our own—the heavenly realms. Paul doesn’t explain how and when this takes place or what it looks, but the reality is clear. When Christ’s life infuses ours, the Holy Spirit’s power changes us now and for eternity. We can live above the worldly fray around us, because our home, assurance, peace and rest are not found here.

Our souls received grace (vv. 7-9)—And why did he raise us up? In order to show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Grace is a word used far too often with far too little consideration of its full implications. It isn’t the same thing as mercy, which desires the consequences of behavior to be circumvented, wiped away or erased. Rather, grace is favor, given and bestowed, not earned or demanded. It’s a gift we receive by the conduit of faith in spite of ourselves. We’re the recipients of God’s activity on our behalf. It’s not just that we couldn’t earn what God did; we didn’t even know such goodness existed!

Our purpose was made clear (v. 10) – This unbelievable act of grace wasn’t an impetuous or emotionally rash act. It was a deliberate and passionate choice, planned far in advance (see again 1:11). As we serve Christ, fulfilling the good deeds God planned for us, which he wisely knew would match our interests, skills, talents and giftings, we show off his marvelous craftsmanship of each one of us! We find the purpose and fulfillment for which we’ve longed, the church is edified (Ephesians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 12:7), and he gets the glory!

So, what happened to LT and his blanket? That trained eye wasn’t connected to an omniscient mind like our God possesses. It didn’t sell for $100,000; it sold for $1.5 million. 

What unrecognized potential do you have? What unrecognized kingdom values do members of your small group and/or church have? Take time to lift yourself and them before the Master Appraiser in prayer, asking him to reveal his inventory of your strengths and theirs.

• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Sept. 7 focuses on Ephesians 2:17-22.

Introduction

With this lesson, Bible Studies for Life begins a six-week study of the importance and benefits of churchmanship. The central theme is connectedness—being joined to Christ through participation in the body of Christ. This is the central emphasis of the book of Ephesians. In this epistle, the Apostle Paul describes the extraordinary life God designed for his people through the saving work of Christ Jesus.

Connectedness to the body of Christ is vitally important for Christians today. Believers need the encouragement and growth that comes from associating with dedicated followers of Christ. Congregations need the edification and unity that comes from members ministering among one another. Furthermore, Christ desires his people work together serving his kingdom.

We all have access to God through Jesus (Ephesians 2:17-18)

Two verses describe the access all followers of Christ have to God. Verse 18 explains access as the consequence of Christ’s atoning work, referenced throughout chapter 2 and described in verse 17. Access to God is a tremendous benefit for the believer, who once was estranged and separated from God.

Verse 17 explains Christ “preached peace,” by which he transformed into believers those who responded with faith. In view here is “God’s peace,” which reflects the believing community’s use of the Hebrew word “shalom.” To have a relationship with God is to be at peace with him. This peace is far more than an emotion. It is the status of community, harmony, tranquility, security, wellness, welfare, friendship, agreement, success and prosperity all wrapped up in one package. God offers this abundant peace to all.

Those who respond and commit themselves to him experience the transformation and enduring effects of God’s peace. The New Testament uses the word “peace” to describe the blessed results of reconciliation to God (Colossians 1:20).

Christ’s preaching brings peace to people “far and near.” Christ’s preaching extends through human servants, but the activity and effects are attributed to Christ himself. Of great importance is the Greek word underlying “preach.” It is the verb form of the word translated as “evangelize.” The word means “to proclaim, announce or preach the good news.”

Reconciliation and transformation

Sometimes this word is rendered by the single word “preach,” but it is vital to understand more meaning is packed into the underlying Greek word than one word in English can convey. The English word “preach” is no longer readily understood to refer to preaching the gospel. Even the concept of gospel is not readily understood. Therefore, it cannot be overstated that the preaching of Christ’s gospel brings reconciliation and transformation to those who receive it.

Christ’s gospel is powerful. It transforms Jewish people who are near to God, having the benefit of learning from Hebrew Scripture (Romans 3:1-2). It also transforms Gentiles who are far from God, not having Hebrew Scripture.

Verse 18 refers to the access all believers have to the Father. This is the intended consequence of Christ’s tremendous life-transforming work on the cross. Believers have access to God because they are at peace with God. They have been purchased by Christ’s great work of redemption and won over by his marvelous demonstration of love (Romans 5:8; Psalm 118:23). Access to the great Almighty is facilitated through the Holy Spirit, that is, his Spirit.

Jesus brings all believers into God’s family, the church (Ephesians 2:19)

Verse 19 uses the pronoun “you” because Paul wrote of a status that did not apply to him. Paul was estranged from God, but he was Jewish and therefore conceptually “near” to God. His readers were mostly Gentiles. They were foreigners to the covenant and strangers to its provisions. God did more than bring Paul’s readers “near,” he closed the distance and made them part of his people.

God’s people are those who place their trust in God. He cultivated followers in Israel for centuries. Along with Paul’s first readers, we too, if we have received the transforming gospel, experience the benefits of being included among God’s people.

The term “household” indicates the collective nature of God’s people. There is a rich, domestic life for those who belong to God. Here is a welcome reminder we belong to God’s household. We have family chores that should be approached with delight because our outstanding Father leads and provides for us.

Christ, the Foundation and Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22)

One could ask how Jewish and Gentile believers find can community. This passage answers that Christ’s saving work transforms both so all can be built together in harmony. Jewish and Gentile believers should affirm one another. Each is being built into God’s grand-scale temple. The Temple is the Almighty Lord’s dwelling place, royal court and throne room. Since his temple is holy, we too must be holy as the Lord himself is holy (Leviticus 20:26).

God started construction of his temple through the work of his Son and his human servants. Jesus is the chief cornerstone of this great temple. The foundation is the apostles and prophets, the great proclaimers of his gospel message. We must find our place in the remaining architecture, which finds its grounding in this great foundation.

To be connected to God in Christ is the great privilege of all God’s people for eternity. It started in our lives inauspiciously, cloaked in mystery to our formerly spiritually blind eyes, but now the advantages of our personal connection to God, the chief of which is peace, are the great experience of every believer.

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Sept. 7 focuses on Hebrews 1:1-4.

A pastor friend recently was a visiting preacher for another congregation. He arrived early, as requested, to review the order of worship and plan for the day, only to wait nearly an hour.

When his host finally arrived, my friend had to remind him of their plan to go over the service details. It was as if his role in the service—the sermon—was insignificant. In fact, when he later stood up to preach unannounced, he had to preface his sermon with, “Hi, my name is … .” Introductions, or lack thereof, are key. They set the tone for what is to come, both in style and in content.

An early Christian sermon

Although it generally is grouped among the epistles, the book of Hebrews actually is an early Christian sermon. Lofty in style and in content, these first four verses serve as a foretaste of what can be expected in the rest of the sermon. In this introduction, the preacher focuses our attention on God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.

Every skilled preacher has a few rhetorical devices up his or her sleeve to captivate the listener’s attention, and this preacher is no different. He begins with alliteration—five Greek words in verse 1 beginning with the letter “p,” or “π.” The preacher then describes the Son in a series of chiastic phrases, where the elements in the first part are repeated in reverse order in the second part, a sort of oral outline that would have been familiar to the listening congregation. Like interwoven elements of a worship service, the preacher utilizes what probably was an early Christian hymn to highlight some of the praiseworthy characteristics of Christ.

This sophisticated style is matched by the complexity of his theology. Hebrews 1 grandly begins with the thesis statement: “God has spoken” (vv. 1-2). In a former era, God spoke through the prophets, each with their own unique style and message. Biblical history proves the message was not received and enacted effectively, for the people of God failed time and again to live in full obedience to God’s word. But God is faithful, patient and persistent. With the incarnation of God the Son, God has spoken anew.

The person of Christ

God’s revelation through Jesus Christ is made clear not only through the words of Christ, but also in the very person of Christ. Christ is the “heir of all things” (v. 2). Here and again in verse 5, the preacher recalls Psalm 2, where God’s Son is promised, “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8). Invoking this psalm is a reminder of Christ’s present rule and a promise of his eternal dominion as well.

The Son also is praised as an agent in creation, as one “through whom also he made the universe” (v. 2). The Apostle Paul conveys the same point: “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live” (1 Corinthians 8:6). The created order and the ages were made from God the Father through Christ the Son, who now holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).

Like the brightness of the sun’s rays, the Son reflects the divine glory of God to humankind. Christ shows us what it means to bear the light and the image of God. The same Word that created also sustains creation in perpetuity. Christ maintains creation in the way a manager ensures the organization and continuation of a business.

From creation to Christ

The sermon ushers the congregation down a timeline from creation through Christ’s sustained history to the triumphant end. The preacher proclaims Christ as Savior and Redeemer, the purification for our sins, and as exalted Lord, enthroned majestically at the right hand of the Father. In both position and authority, the Son is superior even to the angels, who throughout the Bible are messengers of God.

Jesus Christ the Son is the Word of God. The sermon of Hebrews reminds the congregation then, as well as us today, that God has spoken and continues to speak. In a world where technology and social media spew forth religious opinions and diatribes, there is a Word who can be trusted. We can know God and follow God because of the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. God has a word for the church, then and now, and the message is found in the person and work of God’s Son.

Like the best of sermons today, the introduction of Hebrews points us to Christ. Just as “in the past God spoke … at many times and in various ways” (v. 1), when we look to Christ, we can be assured God speaks to us. In times of great joy and great sorrow, through anxiety or confidence, uncertainty or resolution, we look to Christ. Through prayer and Scripture, through creation, through the Church as the people of God, Christ speaks to us. May we be found ready to listen.

• The BaptistWay lesson for Sept. 7 focuses on Ephesians 1.

Karen Blixen’s novel Babette’s Feast tells the story of an acclaimed French chef who flees to Denmark to avoid persecution. She anonymously finds work cooking for two elderly sisters in a strict, fundamentalist religious community. Her only connection to Paris—to which she longs to return—is an annual lottery ticket. Yet nightly she prepares the austere women the same, unimaginative meal they demand—boiled fish and potatoes—because, they say, Jesus commanded not to worry about food or drink (Matthew 6:25).

Then one day, Babette wins the Paris lottery’s small fortune—10,000 francs! In excitement, she asks if she might prepare a full-course French dinner for the entire village to celebrate the community’s upcoming anniversary.

At first, the townspeople refuse, but Babette begs and finally they relent. Yet unbeknownst to her, they secretly vow not to enjoy the feast, believing the indulgence won’t be sin as long as they occupy their minds with spiritual things. Finally, the day comes, and the people gather.

The meal is exquisite! Because of her lavish and delicious kindness, they drop their guard and embrace her generosity. The sisters express their appreciation, assuming she now will return to Paris. However, Babette replies, “I will not return; I have no money. I spent it all on the feast.” Her provision for others cost her everything.

Christ’s provision for us cost him everything.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wanted the church to understand what God had provided for them. Paul knew them and their needs well. He visited several times and spent more than two years of his ministry serving there (Acts 18,19). Playing their part in the body of Christ wasn’t to be a duty, obligation or option. It was a privilege, because the source of their participation—their salvation—was lavishly and generously given through Jesus’ shed blood.

With that in mind, Paul opened this letter with the longest sentence in his entire library. In Greek, verses 3-14 are one sentence. It’s as if Paul wanted to stuff a list of all of God’s good provision into one big bag so as to not leave anything out. Here’s a few of the themes he emphasizes:

God chose us

God deliberately, willfully and specifically selected us as his own, and that’s a powerful thought. Before we were even capable of returning the favor, God set his affections on us. We can rejoice because:

• His choice was based on his character of love (v. 4), not ours.

• His choice was based on his wisdom (v. 8), not our ability to comprehend him.

• His choice was for his eternal plan and the hope of his kingdom (vv. 3,18), not because of our loveliness.

• His choice makes us “holy and blameless” (v. 4); it’s not because we endeavor toward or achieve virtue.

• His choice was accomplished by his power (vv. 19-20), not our strength.

• His choice was for a purpose (vv. 9-10).

God adopted us

In Greek culture, infant adoption was unusual. Rather, the Ephesians were familiar with adoption in which adults were embraced by wealthy, childless couples or families in which children were estranged or unreliable. Adoptees generally were chosen because adopters appreciated and cared about them, despite known flaws.

This occurs in the 21st century, too. In 2010, the Smith family adopted Billy, a 22-year-old U.S. Marine. Charee Smith, the mother, had known him while serving at a home for abused and neglected children. What a beautiful picture of belonging. Billy says: “Before, every decision I made, I made it for me. Now I consider what my mom, dad or sisters might do. There’s a sense of belonging to something bigger than myself.” 

Adoption does that—it takes something and makes it intimately yours, creating a bond that didn’t exist before but can’t be broken now. God wants us to have that same sense of belonging to something much bigger than ourselves—the Church universal. He desires for us to experience the commitment, responsibilities, benefits and costs of family. Furthermore, God didn’t decide on a whim to adopt us. In love, he predestined—decided ahead of time—for us to be his children before creation was even formed, because the idea gave him pure delight.

Three years ago, my husband and I adopted a beautiful baby boy. He was five hours old when they placed him in our arms. At that moment, we had a choice to make. Not adopting would’ve been easy and far less messy. We were under no obligation—moral, legal, ethical or financial—to take this child.

We had no connection to his past and no reason to feel compelled to receive him as our own. We could walk away without responsibility. Instead, in love, we chose to take Joshua to be ours, with all the good and bad, and let him turn our whole world inside out and upside down.

God redeemed us

Our transcendent God deliberately chose to involve himself in our messy affairs, too. Our sin neither dissuaded nor discouraged him, but because God can’t have family members in his presence stained with sin, he had to do something to make us holy. Our forgiveness for salvation, Paul indicates, is rooted in Christ’s redemptive act of self-sacrifice, and is the foundation for all the other generous provisions, including the Holy Spirit.

Our Redeemer exchanges our ashes for beauty (Isaiah 61:3) and redeems our lives from the pit (Psalm 103:4), much like the “Recycled Orchestra” created by Favio Chavez, a young music professional in Paraguy. Chavez observed the desperate conditions of residents in and around a landfill there and opened a music school with five instruments.

Enrollment rapidly increased, so they began making instruments from recycled landfill materials: a flute from tin cans; a drum set using X-rays as the skins; a saxophone with bottle caps as keys; a double bass constructed from chemical cans. Together, the orchestra now infuses the landfill with dignity and beauty as they play music on the miraculously redeemed instruments.

Ultimately, God chose, adopted and redeemed us for the sake of the expansion of his kingdom, and his design is that the church be the kingdom on earth. The church is “God’s possession” (v. 14) and Christ is “head over everything for the church” (v. 22). Is your life as a member of “his body” (v. 23) lived in anything less than submission and grateful response to his lavish provision and for the “praise of his glory” (v. 12)?

The Merciful Scar by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue (Thomas Nelson)

Dove and Grammy winner Rebecca St. James joins Christy Award author Nancy Rue in penning The Merciful Scar. In the novel, Kirsten only finds relief from a family tragedy through self-injury. The neat lines carved by sharp objects help her manage the pain like a throbbing boil that hurts when lanced but feels better afterward.

Cut by cut, she handles her life through high school, college and into graduate school. Then the night she thinks her boyfriend will propose, she catches him kissing her best friend. He barges in on her, causing the scissors to slip and dig into a vein. She almost dies in what he calls an attempted suicide. Although she doesn’t think she needs the psych ward, she begins to understand she needs help.

When her pastor recommends an out-of-the-ordinary recovery program on a working ranch, Kirsten opts in, even though her divorced and dysfunctional parents think she should opt out. The ranch owners, fellow guests and animals all carry their own scars. And they all need mercy, redemption, forgiveness and grace. Slowly, Kirsten allows herself to remember and begin healing.

In The Merciful Scar, St. James and Rue tackle a difficult topic with honesty and compassion. While the novel has intense scenes, the story of self-injury and self-forgiveness demonstrates the power of Christ’s love flowing through his followers.

Kathy Hillman, first vice president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco

Getting Life: An Innocent Man’s 25-year Journey from Prison to Peace by Michael Morton (Simon and Schuster)

Michael Morton’s autobiographical recollection of the years he spent in prison after being falsely accused and convicted is riveting. Morton wrote in journals throughout his time in prison. Those journals, together with court records and help from the Innocence Project and several attorneys along the way, gave him much to take to court when that time finally arrived. The book deals with just how long that took, as Morton wondered whether the judicial system would allow new evidence in his case.

This book has a happy ending with relationships restored and new relationships begun. Morton gives the grace of God and faith in the Lord due credit. He closes by thanking everyone he can remember who helped him through the 25-year ordeal. In his author’s note at the book’s end, he states: “If I’ve erred anywhere, please forgive me. I did my best to be accurate, but I’m only human.”

A DVD documentary is available separately.

Skip Holman, minister of discipleship

Northeast Baptist Church

San Antonio

• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Aug. 31 focuses on Leviticus 25:1-7.

Farming is part of my family heritage. Both grandfathers and several uncles made a living from the land. They knew hard work was necessary to support their families.

They had a healthy respect for the seasons and what each brought to growing crops. They knew when and how to prune their peach trees. Irrigation was necessary in Colorado to provide the water needed to keep the peach orchards thriving.

My farmer relatives knew God was the one who ultimately made the harvest possible. The earth belonged to him; they were only stewards of what he had entrusted to them.

The land God gives

Leaving 400 years of slavery in Egypt behind, God led his people to the land he had promised them. For two years, he had the Israelites camp at the foot of Mount Sinai to prepare them to live as his people in their new home.

This week’s lesson comes from the book of Leviticus. It was written as a handbook for the priests of Israel, which outlined their priestly duties. It also was a guidebook for the Hebrew nation to teach them how to live holy lives. They were to be set apart, different in attitude and action because they belonged to a Holy God.

Moses received the Ten Commandments during this time. The fourth commandment was to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8). It was a day set aside for worship and rest. The people were to remember their Creator rested on the seventh day and set that example for his people. They could cease their work knowing he would provide what they needed.

In Leviticus 25:1-2, we see God instructing Moses to tell the people about another dimension of sabbath rest. The first thing to pay close attention to is the fact that God keeps his promises. Joshua 21:43, 45 reads: “So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. … Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

Coupled with the promise was the gift. God gave them the Promised Land. He chose it for them. It was a land flowing with milk and honey. God knew this land would provide crops to feed the people. It would be a place where herds of sheep and goats would provide meat and wool. He also knew what was necessary for the land to remain fruitful because the 12 tribes were large. If not taken care of properly, the nation would deplete the resources God had given them.

A sabbath for the land

Even as the Israelites observed a sabbath rest once a week, now they were to allow the land to experience sabbath every seventh year. Leviticus 25:3 provides instruction for the farmers and vineyard owners. For six years, crops were to be cultivated in the fields. For six years, vineyards were to be pruned so grapes would grow in abundance and produce juicy fruit. Every year those who planted the fields or tended the vineyards were to gather the crops.

In Leviticus 25:4-5, we learn God instructed that in the seventh year the land was to observe, practice, experience a sabbath rest to the Lord. No planting or pruning was to occur.

What could be the purpose of this? First, the Israelites did not practice crop rotation. Giving the land a rest would help the land recover from continuous use. It would have opportunity to rest and rejuvenate.

Second, the Israelites would live among peoples who did not know their God. The nation was to be holy even as their God was holy in order to point other nations to him. To allow their land to lay fallow for a year would show the trust they had in Jehovah Jireh, their provider.

Provision for many

Even though the land was at rest, some food still would be produced. People were allowed to use the food for themselves, their servants, their hired workers, the temporary residents who lived among them, as well as their livestock (Leviticus 25:6-7).

The text doesn’t tell us if the abundance of the six years was stored in preparation for the seventh year. We do know God was in control and provided what his people needed. Even though they didn’t cultivate crops during that year, he allowed them to eat whatever the land produced without their help.

Who provides what your family needs? It is tempting to think we do it by ourselves. We work hard to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. We labor long hours to ensure our families have all they need.

Work is honorable and ordained by God. What we must never forget, however, is that our Holy God created a natural rhythm of work and rest. Sabbath was created for man. When we rest from our work we acknowledge God is able to meet our needs and take care of us. We can rest in his care. As stewards of God’s creation, we also acknowledge the earth belongs to him. He has set the same natural rhythm of work and rest for it as he did for human beings.

Taking care of the earth does matter. How can the land produce a harvest if we deplete the resources necessary for that to happen? How can oceans, lakes and rivers provide fish to eat and water to drink if they are polluted with toxic chemicals? Be mindful of Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Aug. 31 focuses on Daniel 9:20-27; 12:9-13.

There is unparalleled unrest in the world today. Iraq is coming apart at the seams. Syria is disintegrating and threatening to take the entire region down with it. Religious minorities are being threatened with genocide. Even innocent infants aren’t spared the horror of a war someone started but no one is able to stop.

Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza still are rocketing and bombing each other. Again, many of the victims are innocent children. The Russian bear also seems to have come out of hibernation and is hungry for territory in a way that brings chilling memories of a Cold War we thought was over.

‘Wars will continue…’

This begs a question. Has there ever been a time in history when all the above or some version of it wasn’t the case? Since Cain slew Abel, has there ever been a time of total peace in the world? Gabriel gave what might perhaps be the most dire of warnings. “‘War will continue until the end’” (Daniel 9:26). Truer words never were spoken.

Every single day, we educate our youth in four military academies to be the leaders of the next war. Strategic planning happens in secret places as to how we will fight when that time comes. Our tax dollars are spent today to lay in store the weapons used tomorrow.

Just the same, throughout history, there are those who looked at the events of human-on-human depravity and read in those events the hand of God at work to bring God’s creation as we know it to an end. How can any generation know when it will be the generation when God brings all of this to an end and peace will rule, when the lion will lie down with the lamb?

Perhaps we have sometimes made a mistake in the way we preach the gospel. We promise people if they will follow Christ life will be full of nothing but joy and happiness. Perhaps we misidentify the “abundant life” as meaning a life without pain or hardship.

Great tribulation

In fact, Daniel envisioned a time when Christ, the very son of God himself, would suffer great tribulation. When Jesus entered public ministry, from the beginning, he warned his disciples he would have to suffer greatly in order to accomplish the purpose of God. Those who wanted to follow him, Jesus warned, would have their cross to bear, their own instrument of pain, suffering and even torture.

If that was what Daniel and the prophets foresaw in the suffering Savior and that is what Jesus promised, on what basis do we believe following Jesus will make life easier? Perhaps “abundant life” means something other than an abundance of material wealth or ease of life.

Perhaps the abundance Jesus promised his followers is the fulfillment that comes not from knowing our lives will be carefree but from knowing our lives count for something beyond ourselves—that our lives have eternal not just temporal meaning, and we participate with God in the work of redemption in this world.

The famous comedian Robin Williams apparently took his own life. Every time this kind of thing happens, even Christians are given to wonder how a person with such wealth and the power of celebrity could assess his life as being unworthy of living. We discount the power of clinical depression that can rob a person of good judgment. We also show our hand—that there are still vestiges of the world left in us, and we still tend to believe abundance of the material equates to abundance of the spiritual.

Living as though we believe

Often, we fail to preach the gospel more effectively not because our sermons and worship are lacking in quality but because we fail to live as though we believe it ourselves. We pursue the same kind of security the world seeks. We chase the material with the same sense of passion and urgency everyone else does.

People question our faith not because we don’t know the right words but because we don’t make choices any differently than everyone else does, even those who make no claim to have any interest in Christ. We panic every time the headlines change. We fret when the economy takes a rollercoaster ride up and down. We worship physical beauty as though it was the highest form of beauty.

Daniel’s experience with Gabriel is not a clear roadmap about how things will turn out when the world comes to an end. Sincere believers of the Bible have disagreed for generations as to the meaning of the mystical words in the book of Daniel and other apocryphal books.

Daniel’s words are an ancient reminder of two things. First, the world will be in turmoil until God completes the work of redemption. War will continue to the end. Second, in the end, God will complete the work of redemption. Only those who can trust God’s redemptive purpose can live in peace even when peace is nowhere to be found.

• The BaptistWay lesson for Aug. 31 focuses on Isaiah 6:1-8 and Revelation 4:1-11.

While in seminary, I had a mentor who led his church to begin a contemporary worship service. He was ecstatic when the vote passed to move Sunday school up 90 minutes to fit between the traditional service at 8 a.m. and what would take shape as the contemporary service at 11 a.m. He was even more thrilled when the contemporary service launched and university students flocked to it. At first, the church assumed those attending the contemporary service were students who previously attended what had now become the traditional service.

What the church found over time, however, was that many of these young students were not members of the church at all. My mentor, in effect, had created two congregations that met in the same church building. He has since left the church, and interestingly, the church now is discussing going back to one service.

Defining worship

The lesson I’ve taken from this scenario is the reminder that the format of our worship makes a statement. We may not always be aware of the statement it is making, and it might even make an unintended statement, but the fact remains all the same. Too often, we simply equate the subject of worship in our Baptist churches to music. While music can and should be a huge part of worship, all music is not necessarily worship, and worship certainly is not all music.

Terry York, associate professor of Christian ministry and church music at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, believes worship is something that needs to be thought about in a way that transcends the discussion concerning musical style and preference and enters into the realm of theology. “Theology and worship cannot be separated. Theology informs worship, and in the same way, worship informs theology. It’s a circular thing in which both are present. You can’t say you have one particular theology, and then worship in another way,” York said.

So, instead of focusing on worship as a particular style, let us focus on worship as an expression of what we believe about God. After all, that is the way the Bible speaks about it.

Worship on Earth (Isaiah 6:1-8)

When Isaiah is given his commission through a vision of God “seated on a throne” (v. 1), he is overwhelmed with what he encounters. The first hymn in most hymnals, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” echoes the cries of the angels he saw worshipping God in their magnificent splendor. His response is one of humility and shame at his and his people’s sin. While we do not have a vision like this to motivate us, an awareness of God’s holiness, majesty and supreme rule should serve as a catalyst as we seek to worship him on earth. We need to remember the call Isaiah received came specifically as a result of a lack of true worship among God’s people. In 1:11, Isaiah rebukes them harshly: “‘The multitude of your sacrifices—what are they to me?’ says the Lord. ‘I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.’”

The redemptive part of Isaiah’s vision comes from the forgiveness he receives resulting from his humility before God (v. 6). It is only after Isaiah has humbled himself in true worship and received forgiveness from God that he can respond with those famous words: “Here am I. Send me!” (v. 8).

How we worship on earth is not nearly as important as whom we worship. When it is done in any other way or for any other reason—regardless of the number of people involved or how attractive the music or setting might be—it falls short of genuine, life-changing worship.

Worship in heaven (Revelation 4:1-11)

According to a vision in Revelation 4, worship in heaven will look very similar to the vision Isaiah received many years ago. The familiar “Holy, holy, holy” refrain is again found on the lips of imagination-defying creatures. However, John takes the scene a step farther. He describes not only the worship of God by angels (what he refers to as “creatures” in v. 8), but also 24 elders that likely represent the church bowing down and proclaiming: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (v. 11).

Finally, we have a perfect picture of God’s people responding just as they should. They aren’t worshipping in response to hearing a certain kind of music, being influenced by the personality of a flamboyant preacher, or because they hope it will better their reputation before others in the community. They simply are worshipping God because of who he is.

Worship starts with God. To the best of our ability, let us strive to make that our starting place for worship on earth, as we anticipate the holy and perfect worship of heaven.

A Secret Star by Krystyne F. Aleksandr (Tag Publishing)

In her autobiography A Secret Star, Krystyne Francis Aleksandr—formerly known as Natalie Winters—paints a tragic picture. The honor-roll cheerleader from Amarillo relates a horror story at the hands of adults and a system that failed a little girl who came under the care of foster parents Faye and Jack.

Many community leaders believed the pair qualified for sainthood for fostering Natalie, as well as a series of medically fragile children. On the surface, the girl’s life seemed perfect. She was pretty, vivacious and intelligent.

Behind closed doors, she was beaten, denied food, locked in dark closets, abused in unspeakable ways and used to help care for sick little ones. The one time she reported the family, retaliation resulted.

Eventually, several friends and a kind officer believed Natalie. She learned the truth as she searched for relatives using her mother’s obituary. After her mother’s death and under threats, her father sold the preschooler to Faye for $200.

All along, her mother’s family tried to connect with her.Her cousin even cheered on the same squad, but Faye kept them away, saying Natalie wanted nothing to do with them, while repeatedly telling Natalie they didn’t want her. Finally, as a high school senior, she plotted a dangerous escape.

After reaching legal age, Natalie changed her name to Krystyne (follower of Christ) Francis (freedom) Aleksandr (denoting a warrior or soldier fighting for the rights and safety of others). A Secret Star makes for difficult reading. However, Krystyne serves as an inspiration and challenge to every Christian. Her story deserves to be heard for herself and others.

Kathy Hillman, first vice president

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Waco

The Jesus Answer Book by John MacArthur (Thomas Nelson Publishers)

This unique book describes in detail the life of Jesus Christ from birth to ascension.

The author covers the life of the Savior quite adequately in four major divisions—who he is, his works and words, his Passion and why he matters. However, the subtopics under each of these divisions comprise the real value of this 205-page book.

This treatment of Jesus offers an excellent resource for witnessing to individuals of another faith. Christianity comes to life with the reading of the answers to thought-provoking questions MacArthur provides. They obviously are the result of personal witnessing experiences.

While the book deals with great theological truths, they are presented in concise and readable language. Since these answers are clearly written, The Jesus Answer Book answers many key questions and will aid people in making a decision to follow Jesus Christ.

The size and price of the book make it accessible to those seriously seeking answers to the truth about Jesus Christ.

Ed Spann, retired dean

College of Fine Arts

Dallas Baptist University

• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Aug. 24 focuses on Psalm 104:1-5, 24-30.

For two years, I lived in a country where people believed in many gods. They believed some gods lived in trees, others in the waters and still others in the sky. I watched people bow in worship before idols made by men. They put their hope in gods that had physical attributes like eyes to see, ears to hear and mouths to speak, but they could do none of those things. Their worldview was very different from mine.

Every person has a worldview. What is that? A simple definition of worldview is a conception of the world and how it works. One important component of developing one’s worldview is answering questions about creation. How was the universe created? Is there really a creator and if so, what is the creator like? What is the purpose of the universe?

The writer of Psalm 104 reveals something about his worldview when he states God is the creator and sustainer of the universe.

Our powerful Creator

Who is this Creator God? What is he like? How did he create? Where do we fit into the picture? Psalm 104:1-5 lays out a picture of a powerful, unlike-any-other Creator. Praise flows from the one who writes these words. He declares the Creator is his Lord and God. His praise is specific in describing God’s majesty and splendor.

Kings and queens always are clothed in splendor. The finest cloth is used to make their garments. The finest leather is used to fashion their footwear. The loveliest jewels adorn their crowns. If you ever have been to the Tower of London and seen the crown jewels, you know what I mean. But no earthly monarch can compare to the splendor of Creator God. He does not clothe himself with jewels and fine clothes that can be stolen or destroyed. He is clothed in light. His splendor cannot be extinguished or diminished. It is not relegated to one place or time. It shines for all to see throughout eternity.

The psalmist describes the first day of creation. God is not earthbound. He lays the heavens out like a tent. His chariot is not wood and metal but the very clouds he created. He rides on the winds, and they obey his commands. Fire and wind are his messengers, his servants. His creation is at his command to do his bidding.

The psalmist declares God set the earth on its firm foundation and nothing can move it without his permission. Psalm 115:2-3 says: “Why do the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” Yes, Creator God is worthy of our praise, because he is powerful.

Our wise Creator

Have you ever known someone who was powerful but not wise? Power without wisdom can be a dangerous thing. Creator God is both. Read Psalm 104:24-26.

God’s creation is diverse. The earth is filled with all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, insects and human beings. He made food for their nourishment. He gave them the instinct to find shelter. They can procreate. Someone with a biblical worldview recognizes how God brings order to all he has created.

On the last day of creation, God made man from the dust of the earth. Then he created a helpmate for man by making woman. After blessing them, he gave them the responsibility to be fruitful and increase in number. They were to be stewards of all he created (Genesis 1:27-30). God looked at all he had made and declared it very good.

Our loving Creator

God, in his loving wisdom, didn’t create this wonderful world and leave it uncared for or unattended. He didn’t walk away as some would claim. He still is involved in this world. In Psalm 104:27-28, we see God’s creation looking to him for what is needed to sustain life. Do we have that sense of need and dependence on God? How easy it is to delude ourselves into thinking we take care of ourselves versus recognizing God is our Provider. Without him, we are unable to live one moment.

Can you create the air you breathe? Can you make it rain? Can you cause food to grow apart from the seeds God has provided? A biblical worldview says we are dependent on him and all he has made.

These verses also show the generosity of our Creator. When God gives what we need the psalmist says the receiver gathers it up. This conjures the notion of receiving much. Notice also the receiver has to open his or her hand to receive what God provides. Open hands are prepared to receive; closed hands are not. How would you describe your hands?

Our loving God only gives what is good for us. The psalmist says we are satisfied by what God gives. Are you satisfied by God’s gifts to you? We may need to examine our hearts to see if we recognize God’s good bounty.

Dependent on Creator God

In Psalm 104:29-30, the psalmist shows our need to depend on God. When God’s face is hidden from his creation, all creatures are terrified, he says. When God takes away their breath, they die and return to the dust of the earth.

Then the psalmist shows us the opposite. When the Spirit of God comes, the earth is renewed, and life is created. Hope is born. Our God created us, sustains us and is constantly with us. Will you declare with the psalmist, “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods” (Psalm 96:4)? There is none like him.