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“Then Jonah Prayed”

Commissioned by the Lord to warn the Assyrians (in Nineveh) of the soon-coming judgment of God, Jonah refused. What if they repented? They were a danger to Israel and would continue to be if God did not destroy them. So Jonah, thinking he knew better than God, took a ship heading in the opposite direction. However the Lord sent along a tempest to get him to reconsider.

Then Jonah prayed.

Realizing the storm was his fault, and that he was endangering the mariners on board, Jonah asked to be cast into the sea. The sailors finally agreed, and a sea monster God had specially prepared swallowed His reluctant servant. It is at this point we read, “Then Jonah prayed” (Jon. 2:1)

  1. THEN Jonah prayed. His response to the storm was to volunteer to be thrown into the sea (1:12). His stubborn patriotism led him, in effect, to attempt suicide, rather than helping Israel’s enemy. But God’s severe and gracious discipline not only preserved him but brought him at last to prayer.
  2. Then JONAH prayed. His shipmates had been praying before this. First, it was an appeal to their own gods (1:5), but then to Jehovah (1:14). Strangely, they showed more readiness than God’s own prophet to bow the knee to Him. Unknown to Jonah, the calming of the sea may even have brought about their genuine conversion (1:16).
  3. Then Jonah PRAYED. First, he ran from God (1:3). But now he prayed to Him. To be running from the Lord is to be off praying ground. But the chastening of God has recalled him (2:7-9). Never was there a stranger prayer cell! But it was the attitude of Jonah’s soul that mattered. When he said, “Salvation is of the Lord” (2:9), he not only meant his own potential deliverance, but that of the Assyrians as well. He was confessing God to be sovereign in these things.

The Progress of Hope

One of the great problems in our world today is a loss of hope. We cannot live without it. And biblical hope is not a wish or a maybe. It can be defined as: the joyful certainty of future blessing (cf. I Pet. 1:3-5). The word “hope” is found frequently in Lamentations 3:16-33. It translates a couple of Hebrew words whose meaning is similar: to hope, wait for, expect.

Jeremiah had warned the people of coming judgment, and now it had fallen. The Babylonians had destroyed his beloved Jerusalem. The prophet mourned over the devastated city, and hope seemed to waver. But as he meditated on the things of God it was rekindled and refocused. See in this passage…

  1. Hope Exhausted (vs. 18; see context, vs. 16-18)
  2. Hope Encouraged (vs. 21. There should be a colon after vs. 21, not a period. It introduces vs. 22-23.)
  3. Hope Energized (vs. 24)
  4. Hope Expectant (vs. 25; “wait for, NKJV, = hope)
  5. Hope Evaluated (vs. 26)
  6. Hope Enduring (vs. 29)

Views & Reviews: The Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations

There are many good books of sermon illustrations, but this one is extensive (as the title suggests), not only in the number of stories provided, but in the breadth of the subjects covered. The work has nearly doubled in size since its original publication nearly thirty years ago.

This is an enjoyable book to browse through, as well as using it for sermon preparation. Paul Lee Tan’s collection is a great investment for any pastor or Bible teacher. Recommended.

See more at Encyclopedia of 15,000 illustrations

Preach the Word! (and take notes)

“Preach the Word!”

This is a simple plea directed especially to pastors–though Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders need to give heed as well. Too many churches today have opted to study books about the Bible, with little but an occasional proof text from God’s Word here and there. I know of one church where the pastor chose to “preach” through Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. One attending a service said there was very little Scripture in the message, though this professes to be a Bible-believing church.

There are many good books available, but there is only one inspired Word of the living God. It is not John Bunyan or some other author that transforms lives–insightful as they may be–it is the Spirit of God working through the Word (Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:25-26; 6:17; II Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12). Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy needs to be heard afresh today: “Preach the Word!” (II Tim. 4:2). God’s Word: correctly interpreted, clearly explained, creatively illustrated, and carefully applied. Make every effort possible to nurture people with the Scriptures.

And let me go a step further. There is certainly a place for topical preaching. I have done it myself on occasion. Series on basic Bible doctrines, on prophecy, on the grace of God, on dealing with emotional depression, and so on. But I am convinced what helps people the most is the careful exposition of the Scriptures, verse by verse. That is the way to expose a congregation to the flow of biblical thought. Likely it is also the way they will be handling the Bible in their daily devotions, verse by verse, chapter by chapter.

With this in mind, exhort your people to bring with them the same Bible they use at home, and encourage them to mark their Bibles as you preach. The simple underlining of a word, or adding basic definition in the margin, will be of help to them in future time in their own study. For example:

  1. You might invite those before you to underline the repeated and terrifying words of Romans Chapter 1, “God gave them up” (vs. 24, 26), and “God gave them over” (vs. 28), explaining the significance of this.
  2. When dealing with First Thessalonians Chapter 2, you might have folks underline “as a nursing mother” (vs. 7) and “as a father” (vs. 11), explaining how Christian ministry is to have qualities exhibited by both parents.
  3. Next to the word “blessed” in Psalm 1:1 I have written a definition which I find helpful: “Enriched, contented, and fulfilled.”
  4. Having folks jot down a cross reference next to a verse can also be helpful. For instance, next to Luke 16:15 I have written Deuteronomy 12:30-31, next to Psalm 71:18 I have Acts 13:36.

Views & Reviews: Israel My Glory

Israel My Glory

Israel My Glory is the award-winning monthly magazine of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry Incorporated. The magazine accurately characterizes itself as, “The world’s most popular magazine on Israel, the Bible and prophecy.”

This excellent publication provides articles on Jewish history and culture, and sound articles on theology. But perhaps its most valuable contribution is its commentary on the news as it pertains to Israel and to the Jews across the world. Recognizing that many in the news media are biased against Israel, one is hard-pressed to hear the other side of current issues. Israel My Glory provides this.

Very highly recommended.

To subscribe, visit the official website here: Israel My Glory

Ideas for Your Church: Mystery Box

Prepare a sturdy box which can stand up to reuse. One possibility is to purchase a good-sized lunch pail for the purpose. You could paint Mystery Box on the side of it, or perhaps scattered question marks. Inside the lid of the box, glue the following instructions.

About Our Mystery Box

Mystery Box

God has designed the physical world around us to be full of illustrations of spiritual truth. Everything from rainbows to rocks, wind to weeds, and more, is used in the Bible to teach important lessons. For example, Proverbs says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard [you lazy person]! Consider her ways and be wise” (Prov. 6:6). In the verses that follow, ants are used to teach the importance of hard work and careful preparation for the future. Using this principle of comparison, we can illustrate many valuable lessons using objects we find around the house. Think! What lesson might by illustrated with a mirror, or a postage stamp, or a glass of water, or a packet of seeds? Here is your assignment–something the whole family can work on together:

  1. Choose a familiar small object. It should be something recognizable to the pastor and to most of us in the church, or the lesson may be lost.
  2. Decide on a good lesson that can be illustrated by the object. Discuss this together. You could ask your family and friends for ideas. Some clues: Ask yourself what the item is used for. What are its characteristics? What would happen if you didn’t have one? And how is something here like what we have, or need, in our Christian lives?
  3. Place the object in the Mystery Box, and bring it to church. Wrap it carefully, if it is something that could spill or get broken.
  4. During the morning service, the pastor will take a quick look at the object, and try to come up with a lesson that could be illustrated by it.
  5. If you stump the pastor–if he can’t think of a good less from the object you brought–you can share a lesson you came up with.

In introducing this project, the pastor himself should choose the items for several weeks, so everyone understands what is required. Then, he can ask for a volunteer–either an individual or a family– to take the box home and come up with something themselves. You could do this for several weeks, and then take a break from it. Use your own judgment. Don’t let the activity become stale.

The objective behind this little game is to teach the use of analogy. Much of the wisdom of Proverbs uses this technique. By being observant and using some imagination, we can find wonderful illustrations of spiritual truth all around us. This should become a habit!

“Not one of His bones shall be broken.”

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Question: Glenn writes, “During our New Years Eve party at a friend’s home we had a discussion about what it means in Scripture when it says that Christ was a perfect sacrifice. My question is specifically dealing with the prophesy in the Old Testament, that was fulfilled at the crucifixion in John 19:36, where it says, “Not one of His bones were broken.” In our discussion there was a bit of a disagreement as to what this verse means. Concerning His bones, is it correct to say that this would even include when Christ was a child, that not one of His bones would be broken? In what way was Christ a perfect sacrifice?

Answer: I know of no specific verse in the King James (or New King James) versions which describes Christ as “a perfect sacrifice.” Almost always the word “perfect” applies to ordinary human beings. And rather than having the sense of sinless perfection it usually means complete or mature. (The New King James renders it so in verses such as: I Cor. 2:6, “those who are mature;” II Tim. 3:17, “that the man of God may be complete.”) That Christ is the one and only truly perfect Sacrifice is without doubt. This perfection related both to the kind of sacrifice offered (i.e. His Person) and the result of the sacrifice. Christ was sinlessly perfect in Himself in the most absolute sense, using the word to mean flawless, without the slightest imperfection. He is compared to “a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Pet. 1:18-19; cf. 2:22; Heb. 4:15). He is the only One to ever walk this earth who lived his whole life utterly and completely without sin.

Then, Christ’s sacrifice was perfect in its outcome in that it fully accomplished the Father’s will. In his multi-volume work on theology, Lewis Sperry Chafer discusses some fourteen things accomplished by the death of Christ (Systematic Theology, Vol. III, pp. 55-115). For simplicity’s sake, let me mention just one: that Christ fully and completely paid the debt of the world’s sin (I Jn. 2:2). There is not a single human sin that has been or ever will be committed that was not paid for at the cross. The Lord “laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). It is a perfect redemption.

I am not sure what connection your question makes between these things and John 19:36. However, let me comment on the verse. John quotes a psalm of David and applies it to Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (cf. Ps. 34:20). We know next to nothing about the childhood or the teen years of Jesus (except about the trip to Jerusalem when He was twelve, Lk. 2:41-52). Therefore, we simply do not know whether He suffered any broken bones in His youth. I am sure in many ways He was a normal active boy. However, Satan later applied Psalm 91:11-12 to Christ: “He shall give His angels charge over You…lest You dash Your foot against a stone” (Matt. 4:6). Was he correct in seeing this as referring to Christ? It would seem so. And if so, it does suggest God’s special protection of Him.

All this aside, the reference in John 19:36 is not to Jesus’ life in general but to the crucifixion in particular. With this brutal method of execution it sometimes took many hours–even days–for death to come. Victims would often brace their feet against the vertical post of the cross and push, to lift the weight off the nails through their wrists (not the palms, as is often depicted). This upward thrust took pressure off the diaphragm and aided breathing. But if the Romans wished to hasten death and bring the torture to an end, they would shatter the legs of the individual, making this impossible. Death often came quickly by suffocation as a result.

The Jews were anxious to hasten Jesus’ death so His body could be removed before the beginning of the Sabbath (Jn. 19:31), which, according to Jewish reckoning, officially began at 6:00 p.m. Friday. But when a soldier came to Jesus that day, it was evident He was already dead (vs. 33), so he did not break the leg bones. He did however thrust Him through the heart with a spear (vs. 34), fulfilling yet another Old Testament prophecy (Zech. 12:10). Thus, from the human perspective, the bones were left intact simply because it was unnecessary to break them. It served no valid purpose. But from God’s perspective it was according to plan.

The Jews were specifically taught not to break the bones of the Passover lamb (Exod. 12:46; Num. 9:12), and the Lord Jesus Christ was Himself the fulfilment of the Jewish Passover ceremony (I Cor. 5:7; cf. Jn. 1:29). There are several possible reasons for the leg bones of the lamb (and of Christ, the Lamb of God) to be left intact.

  1. It is understandable that the Passover lamb was to be handled with special reverence because it was a picture of Christ.
  2. The bones being unbroken suggests unity and wholeness, perhaps symbolizing the oneness of the spiritual body of Christ (Eph. 4:4).
  3. The legs relate to the walk or behaviour, and there was a wholeness and perfection in the daily walk of the Son of God. (Cf. Ps. 51:7-9, where the destructive effects of sin are compared to broken bones.)

Views & Reviews: Foxe’s Book of Martyrs

Though he lived over 400 years ago, John Foxe’s famous work is available still–in many different editions.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs

Originally called The Acts and Monuments of the Church, it is popularly known by the shorter title. It preserves for the modern reader many of the great acts of heroism and bold faith of believers who lived during the first 14 centuries of the Christian era. Not easy or pleasant reading, but every church library and every home library should have a copy. Check out Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.

Ideas For Your Church: A Hymn Writer Program

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We live in a day when many churches seem to eschew the hymn book and its precious contents in favour of choruses projected on the wall. This effectively robs the younger generation of a depth of teaching no repetitious chorus can deliver. So many of our hymns are based on the deep spiritual experience of the writers. They provide a richness of reflection on the Scriptures and a language for worship that is irreplaceable.

One way to spark more interest in the use of hymns is to plan an occasional service in which the hymns of a particular author are featured. You can tell folks a little about the writer’s life, or explain the background of several hymns. You may also be able to organize the hymns around a theme, or in some logical order. Then you can add in some Scripture readings and perhaps a message on a related topic.

Fanny Crosby is a fine one to start with since so many of her hymns are found in the average hymn book, and information on her life is more easily available. However there are others to consider. Here are some suggestions, by century. From the 20th century: Charles Gabriel, Lelia Morris, John Peterson; from the 19th century: Philip Bliss, Fanny Crosby; from the 18th century: John Newton, Charles Wesley; earlier still, Isaac Watts (called the father of English hymnody because of his important contribution early on).

Check a hymn book which includes an Index of Authors and Composers and you will see a list of hymns by each of these. Then, check out the writings of Ken Osbeck for material on hymns and their authors. He has written: 101 Hymn Stories, and 101 More Hymn Stories. We talked about another significant work of Osbeck’s last week. On the Web, The Cyber Hymnal (www.hymntime.com/tch/) lists some 5,500 hymns, and often has photographs of the writers. (It will even play the tune for you, if that is unfamiliar.)

Views & Reviews: 52 Hymn Stories Dramatized

52 Hymn Stories Dramatized

The title of this work by Ken Osbeck is pretty self-explanatory. He tells the stories of dozens of hymns, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, How Great Thou Art, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Because He Lives, Wonderful Grace of Jesus, and many more.

These are presented as dramatic readings, requiring anywhere from two to half a dozen readers. They can simply be read, or you could consider having individuals memorize the material and present the short vignettes in costume. There is great flexibility in the presentation. Recommended.

Check out 52 Hymn Stories Dramatized.

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