garymerkel

So when is justice needed and when if forgiveness needed? Are they mutually exclusive? Since Jesus forgives us our eternal debt because of our sin, does He then say, "Go ahead and live as you want?" No, but rather, "Go and sin no more" = leave the lifestyle of sin. But what about us, when we are betrayed or someone owes us $$$ and walks away? When is it ok to forgive the debt? When is it ok to require justice so the debt is repaid? For, me, I need biblical discernment to know when to forgive a debt and when to ask for justice, legally and biblically.

Q9. (Mark 7:14-23; Matthew 15:10-11, 15-20) What does Jesus teach about the heart of man? What does Jeremiah 17:9 tell us about the heart of man? Why do we try to look good on the outside, but resist letting Jesus change us on the inside? Why is repentance necessary for an outwardly “moral” person in order to be saved? The question for is: Can a person be saved without sanctification? Is there true repentance with out fruit? The "heart" with which we are born spiritually is DEAD. Only through the new birth is a person saved, justified, but when a person is justified, set right with God by NO works of his own, then the sanctification process begins immediately, being set apart for God's use and glory. The connection must be made. The old nature will fight it but the battle is GOOD, because it says there is something NEW inside trying to grow. Resistance to change spiritually is pride, whether King David or anyone else. No outward morality is acceptable to God without repentance because morality, in itself is idolatry = man's idea of being acceptable to God. Our righteousness must come from God and then be worked out in practical living through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Q7. (Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 14:15-24) In Jesus' Parables of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew) and the Great Banquet (Luke), who are the people represented by those recruited from the streets and lanes of the city? From the highways and hedges? Who do the servant-recruiters represent? How diligent are you and your church in recruiting those who are of a lower class than others in your congregation? What keeps you from this Kingdom task? How might your church fulfill it? Lost people to come hear the gospel. Believers. Reaching out is a lifestyle regardless of "class". Witnessing, inviting wherever we go, wherever we are. From the poorest to the richest would be welcome at our church to hear the gospel. The issue often is their misperception of church or a bad experience of a professing believer or the insanity often preached on TV or radio, but mostly a long term hardened heart. Our society is so broken. Of 450 visits over a 3 year period, we did not find one biological family and NONE visited our church. We greeted warmly, gave Bibles and information, expressed love, gave a gift, a gospel tract, but no response. 80+% of people come to church because a FRIEND invited them. This should tell us something...we better be friends to sinners, building biblical relationships as we share Christ.

Q6. (Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 14:15-24) Who do the excuse-makers represent? What are the potential results of excusing ourselves from carrying out God’s will as we know it? Lost people. Ezek. 3: God will hold us accountable at the judgment seat of Christ and we lose blessing in the here and now. Excuses place a huge question mark on our lives of whether we really know Christ or not. Ananias and Sapphira may be good examples of not carrying out God's will. Excuse making is a dangerous way to live and totally not worth it.

Q5. (Luke 13:6-9) What caused Israel’s barrenness in Jesus’ time? What keeps the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) from growing and maturing in our lives? What can we disciples learn from the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree? Disobedience. Disobedience. God expects continual fruit bearing...the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of witness. John 15. Yielding, surrendering to the Holy Spirit along with obedience, empowered by the Spirit...obeying God's Word keeps a person from being barren.

I have personal experience, an ungodly forced resignation in 2011. The church had grown from 125 to 425 in participation over 8 years. 150 baptisms. Solid growth. A thriving AWANA ministry. Expanding youth ministry. Then...a rogue youth pastor and deacons. Bottomline, they were asked why they asked me to leave, "We were growing too fast and getting the wrong people in." "We want our old church back." We had built a new sanctuary, went to 2 services, 1 intentionally traditional, 1 mildly contemporary. I received counsel from 2 long term large church pastors and the DOM. "That's the history of the church...you won't be able to change it." I wept. God opened the door within 3 months to another church 60 miles away. The previous church gave a FULL 6 month severance package. Later, the youth pastor HAD to resign and the worship pastor was shoved out. After 12 years, they are now back to under 200. It still grieves me. I have several friends with whom I'm in contact but we don't discuss this. I still pray for the church who is on their 3rd pastor since me. The church was started in 1886 and had become a small regional church, ready to launch 1 or 2 new church plants. So, before I thought forced resignations were due to at least some pastoral ineffectiveness, but I found out that many pastors are forced to resign who were leading the right way, biblically. REGARDLESS, the church will prevail and the gates of hell will not. God has used us in continually pastoral ministry since and still pastoring, now in year 37. God is faithful even when people are not.

Forgiving the HUGE debt would have been unbelievable in that day. When I consider the debt I owe because of my sin and against Whom I have sinned, it is a much, much greater debt. After being a sold out Christian since age 11, now 73, the debt I owe God and the punishment I deserve is beyond my imagination. I deserve absolute justice and hell forever. According to the world, I'm as good as good can be, but the world's evaluation system has nothing to do with eternity and sin. Years ago a friend owed me $20,000 for lending him and his son the money for a restaurant venture. The restaurant burned, not enough insurance and $20,000 was GONE. The debt was forgiven and the next time I saw him I bought his breakfast, no mention of the money. That's NOT a pat on my back but praise to God. God never misses a step. He has supplied our needs in a wonderful way. Yes, lots of hard work, but God has given the health and energy to work hard. He supplies!! Praise to Him!! I cannot outgive God's forgiveness.

Q4. (Matthew 18:23-35) In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, where do you see justice? Where do you see grace? Where do you see greed? Where do you see unforgiveness? What lessons from this parable are disciples to incorporate into their lives? These are great questions. As a believer, the questions before me are, "When is mercy to be given?" "When is grace to be given?" "When is justice to be served?" Forgiveness, yes, always, but what does forgiveness mean? Trust? No. But then I ask myself, "Is my forgiveness supposed to be like God's Who is omniscient?" Should trust blindly? At what point should restoration be required like Zachaeus? What are my motives when I forgive? At what point is the fruit of repentance observed? How do I know when I'm being conned and need discernment in the process of forgiveness. After decades of jail/prison ministry have I become jaded? At what point does a person pay consequences even though forgiven? Definitely, God wants me to be merciful and forgive AS He forgives me, but there are times I know I'm forgiven by God but suffer some temporal consequences. After all these years I still ask questions regarding discernment when it comes to justice and grace.

I have to ask myself this question: How large is my debt of sin? My answer: Just as large as the greatest sinner because I sinned against God and sin against God when I sin. My expression of gratitude will take eternity. I received Christ at age 11 and began witnessing and have ever since. After 52 years in ministry I identify with this woman and with the Apostle Paul in Romans 7. God has greatly increased my sensitivity to sin and it deeply grieves me that I sin. The size of the debt cost Jesus coming to die on the cross in my place, taking into Himself the eternal punishment I deserve. As the woman poured out her all, how can I do less? For me, her act of love and devotion was the outgrowth and expression of her salvation, her debt of gratitude so to speak. She saw her sacrificial gift as a privilege and was living Romans 12:1-2 before it was written. My desire, even after 62 years of following Christ is to be like this lady, day by day.

Lost son: Applications? Were both sons "lost", one away and one at home? One outwardly rebellious and one inwardly rebellious. The father loved them both and it appears that the father was a just, loving father. Both sons sinned against their father. One outwardly and one inwardly. Is this a picture of Christians or lost people? These sons, growing up in a Christian home, both lost? Or were they "saved" but "backslidden"? Was the son at home a "Pharisee" and the son away the publican? Does the son who left represent a lost person, knowing ABOUT God, but coming home after sorrowful repentance...saved in the pigpen, but demonstrating humble salvation by returning home with the attitude of a servant. The father...receiving him as the Heavenly Father receives a lost person OR the Heavenly Father receiving a wandering Christian who has come home through repentance? Are there many applications? One main one, but several ways to apply it?

I also like to connect with Revelation and the church at Ephesus that lost its first love. They were doing lots of right things but lost the underlying motivation, God's love. The parable plus other passages like Revelation and the church at Ephesus remind us of the undergirding of the motivation of God's love, whether going after the lost and/or wayward or seeking to reconcile a wayward brother or sister in Christ with their foundation in Christ.

Q2. (Luke 15:11-32) What does this parable have in common with the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? What does the parable tell us about our Father’s way of operating and his values? In what ways does the older son hold his father’s values? In what ways does he lack them? What should disciples learn from this parable to equip them for ministry? I agree with what has been posted but I also apply this to people who have "drifted" in their walk with God since there are many discouraged Christians these days. We must also lovingly go after those who were once active but have allowed other things such as jobs, children's sports & activities, etc to cause them to lose their way...without losing their salvation. The same love and passion is needed, same values. The ministry of reconciliation deals with both the lost and the saved. Lesson: beware of allowing your love to grow lukewarm or cold. Daily time with Jesus in His Word plus sharing what God is speaking into your life will encourage believers and will cause non-believers to think, "What's with this person and their relationship with God?" Just some additional thoughts.

Q3. (Luke 7:41-43, 47) According to Jesus’ Parable of the Two Debtors, do you think the woman was saved prior to the dinner or during the dinner? How effusive is your love for Jesus? How should we as disciples express our gratitude for salvation? 1. Either way, she was saved by grace through faith and her salvation was immediately expressed with the deepest of gratitude. 2. God gives me the love to love Him back. I have no good or love in me except which comes from our Lord. His love overflows and is one of the reasons I've been involved in jail/prison ministry. Except for the grace of God I would be worse than all of them combined. A pride filled person, rejecting the convicting love of God may be worse off than those in prison. 3. I don't not believe, when we stand before God, that we will say, "I wish I had not given my all to Christ." "I wish I had not sacrificed." "I wish I would have done something else." Etc. Whatever the deepest level of gratitude is, that might come from our lives, Jesus is worthy of infinitely MORE. Gratitude is expressed by the way we live, talk, act, and how we freely share God's love through Christ with others. We express our gratitude for salvation through words, actions, body language, attitude, motives, and how we respond to adversity.

Q2. (Luke 15:11-32) What does this parable have in common with the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? What does the parable tell us about our Father’s way of operating and his values? In what ways does the older son hold his father’s values? In what ways does he lack them? What should disciples learn from this parable to equip them for ministry? 1. The eternal value of each lost person. If "lost" sheep and coins are worthy of diligent search, O my, how much more lost souls. 2. God, our Father, planned before the foundation of the universe to search for us, lost, disobedient, and undone...by coming to this earth to take our place on the cross, taking into Himself our eternal punishment, rightfully due, yet offering us forgiveness and cleansing of our souls through free choice. Our lives are priceless to God because HE created us. 3. The older son worked hard for his father. 4. The older son worked hard in order to get, not because he deeply loved his father. 5. Expect rejection, ridicule, indifference, BUT, NEVER stop loving with God's love and reaching out with His love, because of Who He is and What He has done for us. It is our privileged obligation to cooperate with God in His mission in reaching out to the lost with His great salvation. Be patient, God knows the best timing for people to respond to the gospel. Be expectant, but patient. Pray earnestly as the father of the sons obviously did. Ask for the heart of God, then stay active, even in waiting, when we share the gospel. GOD saves, GOD gives the increase. We are successful in God's eyes when we obey, through His love, His call to bear witness of His saving, redeeming grace. Lastly, pray for laborers, influencers for our children and grandchildren. Who knows who might have witnessed to the wayward son.

I am blessed and thankful for this replies. You are wonderful encouragers. I pray God will greatly and continually deepen our love for the lost day by day. Thank you for sharing and God bless you as you bear witness of God's forgiving, saving, grace through Christ.

Bro. Ralph, My heart breaks over the lost and I pray so more each day. I have a growing list over the years. It's hard to imagine Jesus knowing 8 billion people and caring for them with His eternal love....each one on His heart of love. God reached down to me as an 11 year old boy in 1961 and radically saved me. In the church I pastor we pray for lost people by name and for lost people groups (Joshua Project). Obviously, God's heart breaks much more than mine for the lost, but it causes me to weep as I realize their eternal destiny. Thank you for this God-ordained ministry and your faithfulness to the Gospel. With His love, gary

Q1. (Luke 15:1-10) What do the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin teach disciples about God’s heart? In what way do these parables represent a contrast to the murmuring of the Pharisees? How should a disciple implement Jesus’ value of seeking the lost in his or her own community? 1. Every person is of eternal value; God loves every person; He wants NONE lost to His love. 2. Pharisees, who knew the law, didn't know the Lawgiver, and desired their own elitists' ideas and interpretations. 3. I would love to hear specific examples of what others are doing to witness to the lost. Example: I type out my testimony to give out depending on the situation and person to whom I will give it. I belong to a gym, so I typed up my testimony of the circumstance of how I came to Christ. I gave it to "Don", "Joe", and "Kay" and asked them to read it when they had time and to let me know if it came across as judgmental, obnoxious, "goofy", etc. I had been building relationships with them as I came to exercise and joked with them. They knew I was a new Christian pastor of a local church. So I was soliciting their response when I said, "You know, I'm a Christian and pastor, trying to share with people how to know Jesus personally, but I need help expressing it so I don't come across as preachy or judgmental. Would you help me?" All 3, at different times, said, "Yes." So now I'm at the point of follow up of asking, "Hey, what did you think? Be honest...I want to improve on this, but need your honest evaluation." 4. So...I would love to hear what you are doing, saying, writing, HOW you are going about witnessing to potentially LOST sheep and coins. Thank you and God bless you. (I'm 73 and I've been a pastor for the last 37 years. I'm always looking for ways to build relationships with the lost and I'm stuggling with the younger generation and relating to them. It was much easier witnessing in the 1960's-80's.) Thank you so much...Blessings, Gary

Day 10 Meditation (Psalm 129). Can you think of times in your life when God has delivered you from affliction? "Afflictions" have been few. I was betrayed by a staff member years ago which resulted in a forced resignation. By God's grace no one could find fault...deacon chair said, "We have a different philosophy of ministry." God provided every step of the way and has used us to help other churches and GOD grew each one. Once, as bi-vocational, the deacs/personnel thought I should go full time at $300 a week, in 2000, in NY....God opened a door of ministry and then He greatly grew the new ministry. Or perhaps from "the cords of the wicked"? I've had great deacons and some, well, not so great. Their sins have found them out and I didn't have to point them out. How have you dealt with the bitterness that comes from oppression? God delivered me up front from any bitterness. I was grieved that deacons/a staff person did what they did, but I did not become bitter. I prayed God would bless them with what they needed. God does a much better job at dealing with those who betray and discourage than I. I don't need bitterness on my plate when God has so much blessing and joy. Have you been able to forgive? Yes. Forgiveness has never been an issue as I reflect on how much God has forgiven me and still does. If not, what would it take to enable you to forgive your enemies and offer them a blessing? I have not had to experience someone killing or torturing my wife, daughter or her family with 5 grandsons. I don't know what that would be like. Many have to deal with that. In theory, I see God's "blessing" as His deep conviction of sin that leads to repentance. If they don't repent, they face His judgment and it is not His will that any perish in their sin.

Day 9 Meditation (Psalm 128). What does it mean to "fear the Lord"? Awesome respect, being in awe of God, not desiring to disobey God's loving commands, now wanting to disappoint Him through disobedience or momentary lapse of judgment, revering God, not wanting to violate the relationship He has made possible with Him. What kinds of blessings has God showered over your life? SALVATION through a personal and intimate love relationship with Him through Christ; the indwelling Holy Spirit; using adversity for good; using pain for good; using betrayal and hurt for good; using loss for good; God's promises; health, strength, healing, wisdom, abilities, agility, mobility, opportunities to be used of Him for His glory and for the blessing of others, incredible godly wife and daughter - to start... Why does he allow remaining struggles? We live in a sinful, fallen world and just as martyrs depended on God, so the struggles in this life simply remind us that this world is not our home. Struggles keep my eyes fixed on Jesus who never fails. Does faith always result in prosperity? YES!!! ABSOLUTELY!!! How do you define prosperity? Prosperity of soul; knowing and experiencing God more fully day by day regardless of circumstances; living in the conscious presence of God as did Brother Lawrence. Relationships because so many will last forever. Relationships that open opportunity of sharing Christ, witness, testimony.

Day 8 Meditation (Psalm 127). Why is work without trust inadequate? Work without trust in God means we are trusting in ourselves to be acceptable to God which is idolatry. Work without trust means WE want to be seen and thanked rather than God being seen and glorified. No trust, no strength so God's results emerge. Why is trust without work an illusion? It develops false hope based on works rather than faith. The devil is a master of illusion, causing a person to believe HE/SHE is responsible for the good results of good works. Any "work" that is actually GOOD, must be initiated and empowered by God not self. How can we achieve the kind of balance that affords us good rest? By surrendering our all to Christ, depending on the Holy Spirit to direct our steps and energize us to He produces His results through our lives. Practicing the presence of God as did Brother Lawrence, brings joy to the labor and not toil. Yes we get tired serving. Even Jesus got tired. We rest knowing that God has been at work through us accomplishing His will. It is a sweet sleep, leaning back into the arms of God. Why do you think the psalmist stresses that children are both a "heritage" and a "reward"? I think of our own daughter, not planned from a timing standpoint but very much wanted. She continues the legacy of faith with her 5 boys and husband. Children are eternal so godly children are both a present heritage and a future reward in that they carry on the faith to future generations. My wife and I have been very blessed in having a godly daughter, son in law, with the 4 oldest grandsons knowing Christ and the 5th is just 3. Our boast is in Christ alone for HIS work in them and through them. They are very involved in missions in Canada, extending to Africa and Haiti.

Day 7 Meditation (Psalm 126). Why doesn't God always do the stupendous miracles of which he is capable? Most likely, most always, it would cause us to become dependent on miracles and not God. We would become spoiled brats. "Without FAITH it is impossible to please God." God wants to grow our faith and trust in Him. He alone is worthy of all of our faith and trust. Why is patient obedience over the long haul necessary to both the success of our labors and our own spiritual maturity? Patient obedience is like training muscles. They weaken and atrophy if not used. Look how patient God is with us. Patient obedience keeps our eyes focused on Jesus rather than "success" which can cause pride to arise. Patient obedience brings glory to God and blessing to others as well as to ourselves. GOD enables us to endure thus building strong faith muscles so we do not waiver when the storms of life come. Can we shout for joy now, even before we receive the answers to our prayers? What might prompt that in us? The "sacrifice of praise" is based on Who God is and What He has done. It is based on His power, His might, His love, His will. Phil 4....Be anxious for NOTHING...Heb. 12...but for the JOY set before Him, He endured the cross...God will ALWAYS answer the right way at the right time and in our best interest. We cannot look at the cross and believe otherwise.

Day 6 Meditation (Psalm 125). What does this psalm teach us about the security that the Lord gives us? When our trust and reliance is in Him and on Him, HE will guard our hearts and minds. Whether we understand a situation is not the issue, it is our trust in Him because of Who He is and what He has done for us. Not one single promise of God has ever failed or will fail. John 10:28-30 No one can take us from God's hand. What examples do you see of unrighteous rulers? Regardless of country, all who go away from God and His Word. LOTS of examples throughout history and today. What kind of government happens when rulers are unrighteous? Government becomes the "god", the super nanny, the one who calls all the shots of who has what...it becomes an evil government run by evil elitists. What happens in the government of our hearts when we allow unrighteousness in us to continue to guide our actions and thoughts? We become like ancient Israel/Judah who strayed from God and disobeyed. It is then time for discipline, sometimes very harsh to get our attention and draw us back. It is TOO costly to disobey and slide away from God and His heart of love and grace.

Day 4 Meditation (Psalm 123). What does this psalm teach us about trust that our Master will right our wrongs? What does it teach us about contempt for others? What group of people in your particular community most bear the brunt of prejudice? What can you do to go out of your way to show active love toward them? Romans 8 comes to mind and that God also restores the years the locusts have eaten. He is a redeeming God, the One Who can make all things new. Righting wrongs means we are willing to confess our sin and receive God's cleansing and we are confess our faults to one another, seeking reconciliation when we have wronged someone. Contempt? Except for the mercy, forgiveness, and grace of God we are all contemptable in God's sight, lost, undone...while we were sinners Christ died for us. We are to hate sin as God hates sin. We are to love others with the love God has for us, enabled by the work of the Spirit in us. There is no place for contempt of people. Prejudice comes in all forms whether against the poor, the rich, the "lucky", skin color, ethnic origin, religious belief, education level, etc. If someone wants to be prejudiced, they can find a reason. In my community the brunt of prejudice is mostly against those who break the law and our system of "justice" promotes law breaking. If you're rich enough or know the right people you can "skate". I must admit my own prejudice against many politicians who "live above the law" yet look down their pharisaical noses at law abiding citizens. One day justice will be served, BUT, I pray for their salvation. I speak about policies for which they support ie. abortion. I address issues via mail and email and phone calls. I let them know I am praying for them. I let them know they will answer to God one day as I will. I share my testimony of coming to faith in Christ....the biblical principles on which our country was founded...the need to return to God... "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." I conduct jail ministry and nursing home ministry. I talk with law enforcement. I talk with people at gas pumps or the convenience store. I wear Christian clothing with a message ie "I KNEE FOR ONLY ONE MAN AND HE DIED ON A CROSS". Let me please address "racism": We are one race, the human race, one blood - many ethnicities. I understand the term "racism", but the word "race" is being misused since there is only one race. The moment a person uses the word "race" is divides. It is a prejoritive word...automatically has a negative connotation, consequently, I don't use it. I try to emphasize we are ONE race under God and that by seeking HIM and His Word, issues/problems can be solved.

Day 3 Meditation (Psalm 122). Why do people desert the house of God in our day? Why do so many Christians believe they can mature in Christ without the help of Christ's people? How can you pray for the peace of God’s house? What can you do to “seek the good” of God’s house? What the Scripture says: In the last days people will want messages that tickle their ears...their hearts will grow cold, but the blame cannot ALL go there. As I have traveled other coutries and even different areas in the USA, various people have been more receptive to the gospel, yet in the "Bible Belt", "everyone is a Christian", YET, the fruit of repentance is NOT there. People desert God today for the same reasons they forsook God in the past. The devil has created an atmosphere of pseudo Christianity = I can "believe" - (mental accent) the essentials about God, Jesus, the Bible, and that's good enough...in other words, God created me, cool, and now I ask Him to help me live life the way I want. Believing the devil's lies plus little or no teaching of God's Word in the home plus liberal theology in churches plus the pull of the worldly and fleshly desires results in worldly thinking about the definition of true Christianity. Also, the warnings of God are NOT taken seriously due to His love, patience, mercy, and grace. Many Christians do NOT take seriously God's call to be watchmen on the wall, warning the wicked of their ways. Praying for the peace of God's house?: Peace among members so the reality of faith is seen which means praying for reconciliation is members are not unified in God's mission. Seek the good of God's house = Give testimony of the honor and privilege of being God's child, the privilege of worship, service, being on mission, speaking well of the church and God's call to total discipleship.