Insights Magazine: Number Eight, 2018

NUMBER EIGHT, 2018

SEVEN IMPOSSIBILITIES JESUS MADE POSSIBLE charles r. swindoll

THE TAILOR’S NAME IS CHANGE charles r. swindoll

THE WORD steve johnson + more

In this issue 3

Seven Impossibilities Jesus Made Possible

6

The Tailor’s Name Is Change

8

Opening a Can of Evangelism

11

The Father of Compassion

charles r. swindoll charles r. swindoll steve johnson

Annalisa Patenaude

Coming to Terms 12 The Word

steve johnson

Beyond the Broadcast 15 Straight Talk to the Timid and Reluctant

Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bibleteaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 35 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ.

Copyright Š 2018 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved.

No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration

by Tim Schellenberg. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.

by charles r. swindoll

Cover and artilce Images: Gleb Kozenko on Unsplash

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mpossible! tasted that Jesus had not only turned Has this word crossed your lips the water into wine, but the best wine lately as you peer at an unsolvable (John 2:1–12). problem? The dictionary defines impossible 2. Power over distance. Later, a royal as “incapable of being done, attained, or official came to Cana to ask Jesus to fulfilled: insuperably difficult.”1 heal his dying son in Capernaum, So, what’s your “insuperably difficult” about 20 miles away. Without moving, circumstance? Perhaps an adult child who Jesus told him, “‘Go back home. Your has strayed in the wrong direction? Maybe son will live!’” (4:50). He healed the a marriage in which you and your spouse boy from a distance. hardly speak to each other? A physical ail- 3. Power over time. By the pool of Bethesda, ment declared untreatable by a doctor? The Jesus saw a man who had been disabled categories of “imposfor 38 years. The Lord We are all faced sibilities” go on and on. commanded him, “‘Stand Whatever the obstacle, it’s up, pick up your mat, and with a series of impassable; whatever the walk!’” (5:8). It didn’t great opportunities, matter that the man had situation, it’s intolerable. brilliantly disguised as been lame for almost four No counsellor, friend, pastor, or family member can impossible situations. decades; when Jesus said bring the needed change. “walk,” he walked!

If I’ve described your situation, I have 4. Power over quantity. Next, Jesus fed a great news. I’m so glad that I memorized crowd of over 5,000 people with five it years ago and call it to mind often. Here small loaves and two sardine-sized it is: We are all faced with a series of great fish (6:1–15). How could so little feed opportunities, brilliantly disguised as so many? The math didn’t add up for impossible situations. the disciples, but lack of enough never That impossibility in your life? Inside limited Jesus’ ability. its uncrackable shell is an incredible 5. Power over nature. When a strong wind opportunity waiting to come to life. How stirred up the sea and the terrified do I know? Because Jesus has the power to disciples strained at the oars to make it make the impossible possible! How can I to shore, Jesus walked on the water and be certain? Because Jesus demonstrated calmed the storm (6:16–21). such power during His ministry. The book 6. Power over misfortune. In Jerusalem, Jesus of John records seven miracles that show noticed a man blind since birth. Without Jesus’ astonishing power over things that hype or hoopla, the Light of the World can stump us. Let’s look at all seven briefly brought light to the man’s eyes (9:1–7). and the power they display: 7. Power over death. When Lazarus 1. Power over quality. At a wedding in Cana, died, his sisters’ hopes died with him. when the wine ran out, Jesus told the However, Jesus transformed their servants to fill six stone pots with water impossibility into the perfect opportuand take a cupful to the headwaiter. nity to glorify God by bringing Lazarus Putting the cup to his lips, the waiter back to life (11:1–44).

Humanly speaking, each of these problems seemed as impossible as calculus to a preschooler. But to Jesus, the solution was obvious. He understood, “‘What is impossible for people is possible with God’” (Luke 18:27). He lived every day by Jeremiah’s prayer: “O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” (Jeremiah 32:17) Why don’t you take a moment to pray Jeremiah’s prayer regarding your impossibility? Finish the phrase, “O Sovereign Lord, nothing is too hard for You regarding ________________,” and write down your personal impossibility. Then commit to surrendering that impossibility to the Lord from this day on.

Miracles are surprising, unexplainable, and as rare as a flawless pearl. But they do occur! We can’t predict when God will

sovereignly say, “Now,” and transform our impossibilities into opportunities. What we can do is believe in His power and rest in His sovereignty.

Let me add a final thought. When Jesus issued the Great Commission, He invited each of us to live in the realm of the humanly impossible. At Insight for Living Ministries, we thrive on impossibilities because, frankly, if we’re not attempting the impossible, we might be missing an opportunity for God. Will you join us?

Let’s witness Jesus making the impossible possible in our day!

Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.

1. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Ed., ed. Frederick C. Mish, (Springfield, Mass: MerriamWebster, Inc., 2008), s.v. “Impossible.”

An Unforgettable Dinner on the Grounds SINGLE CD MESSAGE

ARE YOU IN AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION?

For ordering information visit insightforliving.ca or view enclosed flyer.

by charles r. swindoll

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hen you boil life down to the nubbies, the name of the game is change. Those who flex with the times, refuse to be rigid, resist the mould, and reject the rut—ah, those are the souls distinctively used by God. To them, change is a challenge, a fresh breeze that flows through the room of routine and blows away the stale air of sameness.

Stimulating and invigorating as change may be—it is never easy. Changes are especially tough when it comes to certain habits that haunt and harm us. That kind of change is excruciating—but it isn’t impossible.

Jeremiah pointed out the difficulty of breaking into an established life pattern when he quipped: Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?

Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil. (13:23) Notice the last few words, “accustomed to doing evil.” The Hebrew says, literally, “learned in evil.” Now, that’s quite an admission! We who are “learned in evil” cannot

Image: Javier Reyes on Unsplash

do good; evil habits that remain unchanged prohibit it. Evil is a habit that is learned; it is contracted and cultivated by long hours of practice. In another place, Jeremiah confirms this fact: I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, “I will not listen!”

This has been your way from your youth; you have not obeyed me. (22:21) All of us have practiced certain areas of wrong from our youth. It is a pattern of life that comes “second nature” to us. We gloss over our resistance, however, with the varnish of excuse: “Well, nobody’s perfect.”

“I’ll never be any different; that’s just the way I am.”

“I was born this way—nothing can be done about it.”

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

Jeremiah tells us why such excuses come so easily. We have become “learned in evil”... it has been our way from our youth. In one sense, we have learned to act and react in sinful, unbiblical ways with ease and (dare

we admit it?) with a measure of pleasure. developed in the daily discipline of living.

Admittedly, there are many times we do it Breaking habit patterns you established unconsciously; and on those occasions, the during the passing of years cannot occur in a few brief days. Remember that. “Instant” depth of our habit is more revealing.

It is vital—it is essential—that we see our- change is as rare as it is phoney.

God did not give us His selves as we really are in God did not give us His Word to satisfy our curithe light of God’s written Word to satisfy our osity; He gave it to change Word...then be open to our lives. Can you name a change where change curiosity; He gave it to couple of specific changes is needed. As stimulatchange our lives. Can God has implemented ing and invigorating as you name a couple of in your life during the change may be—it is never easy. And when it specific changes God has past six or eight months? comes to certain habits implemented in your life Has He been allowed, for example, to change your that haunt and harm us, during the past six or attitude toward somechange can be excruciateight months? one...or an area of stubing. But it isn’t impossible.

I warn you, the number one enemy of bornness...or a deep-seated habit that has change is the hard-core, self-satisfied sin hurt your home and hindered your relationnature within you. Like a spoiled child, it ship with others for a long, long time...or a has been gratified and indulged for years, so pattern of discourtesy in your driving...or a it will not give up without a violent temper profane tongue...or cheating...or laziness?

Perhaps a better question would be, tantrum. Change is its greatest threat, and a confrontation between the two is inevitable. “Exactly what changes do you have on your Change must be allowed to face and conquer personal drawing board?”—or—“What are the intimidations of inward habit—and you asking the Lord to alter and adjust in I repeat the warning that a nose-to-nose your life that needs immediate attention?”

The tailor’s real name is the Holy Spirit. meeting will never be an easy one.

The flesh dies a slow, bitter, bloody You can count on Him to dispose of your death—kicking and struggling all the way old threadbare wardrobe as quickly as He down. “Putting off” the clothes of the old outfits you with the new. By the way, He’s self (the old, habitual lifestyle) will not be also on call 24 hours a day when you have complete until you are determined to “put the urge to slip into the old duds “just one on” the garment of the new self (the new, more time.” If you ask Him, He’ll help you fresh, Christian lifestyle) [see Colossians remember what you looked like on the day 3:9–10]. The tailor’s name is Change, and you first walked into His shop. He has a mirhe is a master at fitting your frame. But the ror with memories—the Bible. ’Nuff said. process will be painful...and costly.

Change—real change—takes place slowly. In first gear, not overdrive. Far too Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. many Christians get discouraged and give up. Like ice skating or mastering a musical Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My instrument or learning to water ski, cer- Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, tain techniques have to be discovered and Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

by steve johnson

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’m not a big fan of “canned” evange- able to give a reasoned approach to faith lism. By canned I mean impersonally is only a part of the equation.

One of Satan’s main objectives in his manipulating conversations so you can dump your theological truckload on some war against God is to keep unbelievers unsuspecting lost soul. Entire ministry from coming to faith in Christ. Second dynasties have been built around it, but it Corinthians 4:4 says, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds makes me uncomfortable.

Here’s why. Think of when David was of those who don’t believe. They are given Saul’s armour to wear to fight unable to see the glorious light of the Goliath (1 Samuel 17:38-39). It was the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory canned “one-size fits all” In many, if not most, cases of Christ, who is the approach to battle. Had David worn the armour the fight to lead someone exact likeness of God.” Satan uses the weaphe would have failed, to freedom and faith in since fighting Goliath Christ is a battle of inches. ons of lies and deception to attack, blind, and hold required him to move It’s one step at a time. people. Engaging in freely. Similarly, personal evangelism—like hand-to-hand combat— evangelism means engaging in spiritual requires the freedom to strike strategically. hand-to-hand combat for the souls of men Perhaps because we are flesh and blood and women, boys and girls. It is personwe can easily forget the spiritual dimen- ally storming the strong man’s house to sion in evangelism. We may think the way free his captives. Ephesians 6:17-18 says to be most effective in evangelism is by our weapons to free the captives are truth being able to use reason and sound argu- (“the sword of the Spirit, which is the word ments to convince someone to think dif- of God”) and prayer in the Spirit.

In many, if not most, cases the fight ferently about their relationship to Jesus Christ. While that is important, being to lead someone to freedom and faith in

Christ is a battle of inches. It’s one step at a time. It is a series of hard-fought decisions over biblical truth, sometimes taking place over the span of years, with each one building on the previous one until the decision to repent and believe on Christ as Saviour and Lord is reached.

Is this biblical? Compare the tactics of Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) and those of Paul with the Athenians (Acts 17:16-34). The eunuch feared and worshipped the God of Israel and accepted the Old Testament as God’s Word but he was blind to Jesus as Messiah.

When Philip explained the truth about Jesus, the Spirit opened the eunuch’s eyes and he believed and was baptized.

When Paul spoke to the Athenians, who were at a different place spiritually, he couldn’t start where Philip did. He had to start with basics: declaring God as the Creator and man’s accountability and judgment by Him at the Resurrection.

Many Athenians were still deceived, blind, and stuck on the point about Resurrec-

tion. But some weren’t. The Spirit opened their eyes and they believed.

Satan’s blinding and captivity are personal. Unbelievers are deceived about different things. The lie that is holding one captive may not be the same lie that is holding another in its grip. And so, our advance with truth must likewise be personalized.

If someone is captive to the lie that God doesn’t exist, we cannot ignore that and open a can of “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” Blindness to the existence of God and indifference to His claims are the particular battleground.

We have to gain that piece of ground before progressing on to other truths.

Approaching evangelism in this way means fighting one truth-battle at a time, rather than trying to wage the whole war at once. It also puts the personal back in personal evangelism.

Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.

Insight for Living Canada began over 30 years ago when a Bible-study group in Vancouver decided to look into bringing Chuck Swindoll’s messages into Canada.

For more visit insightforliving.ca/our-history

by annalisa patenaude

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Image: Mário Silva on Unsplash

Second Corinthians 1:2-5 refers to God hen I was 16 my life was changed while on a three-week mission’s as “the Father of compassion” (NIV). Jesus’ actions on earth are our greatest example trip at a Mexican orphanage.

One night, I sat with a young girl and we of compassion because they reveal the watched the Jesus film play on the back of a heart of God to us. Christ died for us to van. Her dress was ripped and worn and it give us eternal life. How can we not show was hard to ignore the thick smell of smoke grace and compassion to others knowing and dirt. I was struck with the realization this? Compassion is a direct result of that after this evening I would never see accepting Christ into our hearts.

Being a Christian my whole life, I’ve this little girl again.

What made leaving more difficult was heard it over and over how we are to act, think and feel as she did not know Jesus’ actions on earth are Christians. It was Jesus. She didn’t on my mission’s know how much He our greatest example of trip I realized my loved her. Before compassion because they own undeserved leaving that night, I reveal the heart of God to us. acceptance by God, shared the Gospel with her, explaining how Jesus died for which stirred a deeper understanding of us because He loves us. Without knowing compassion within me.

If I can share one more thought, it the impact this would have on her life, I slipped the bracelet I was wearing around would be to follow God’s example. He her small wrist, hoping she would always didn’t just feel compassion for you and me. He sent His one and only Son. I’m remember our conversation.

My eyes filled with tears as we left. overwhelmed when I think about the Compassion for the people I had met possibilities in my own life to show overwhelmed me. And I was compelled compassion to others. to pray as we drove away, for this little girl’s salvation. I recognized this was a Annalisa Patenaude is the Living Bridge Media prompting from the Holy Spirit. assistant at Insight for Living Canada

THE WORD | God’s Word is eternal

By His Word God commands nature Jesus as the Word is the message of God's love

By Steve Johnson

Photo by Shelby Miller on Unsplash

Terms in the Bible are specialized words of particular significance. In Coming to Terms we explore the significance of these terms to deepen our understanding of biblical truth through a question and answer format.

Unpacking the term

God’s Word is eternal, “Your eternal word, God is a living, communicating being. O LORD, stands firm in heaven.” In GenThe term “word” is used to describe the esis 1 we see the phrase “Then God said,” expression of one’s thought. In the Bible the repeated over and over as God spoke the terms translated “word” have both Hebrew universe into being. Creation, as the and Greek roots. For the Jews the Hebrew expression of God’s mind, reveals God term dabar pointed to the active, powerful and tells us about the power and divine instrument for executing God’s will. The nature of God (Romans 1:20). Creation is Greeks had the concept of logos, which was a general revelation of God. Throughout the Old Testament, the translated as “word,” “speech,” “principle,” or “thought.” They also had rhema, which Word of God was the means by which God revealed and carried out His will. It refers to spoken words or sayings.

Is there a difference between rhema was active in creation. “The LORD merely words and logos words? Some think rhema spoke, and the heavens were created. He refers to spoken word while logos refers to breathed the word, and all the stars were the written word. But based on their use in born” (Psalm 33:6).

By His Word God commands nature. the Bible there does not appear to be much distinction between their basic meanings “He sends his orders to the world—how as they are used interchangeably. The only swiftly his word flies! He sends the snow distinction is that logos is more associated like white wool” (Psalm 147:15-18). God with Jesus Christ Himself and the Word of also healed by means of His Word. “He sent out his word and healed them, God while rhema is not.

What is the connection between cre- snatching them from the door of death” ation and the Word? Psalm 119:80 says (Psalm 107:20).

What is the connection between the municated everything He desired. Jesus Word and Jesus? The revelation of God embodied God’s total message to man starts with creation but in the New Testa- and that is also why He is called the Word ment John expands on that to show that of God. How can Jesus and the Bible both be God is also personal. He begins his gospel with the words “In the beginning ” to the Word of God? The phrase “word connect to God the creator (John 1:1). He (logos) of God” is also is used to refer to also connects Jesus with the logos of the the written message of God (John 17:17).

Greeks and the “word” of the Jews since In John 5:39, Jesus showed a link between the written Word of God and Himself, in he is writing to both Greeks and Jews.

John identifies the Word as God and that He is the subject of the written Word: also as distinct. “In the beginning the “You search the Scriptures because you Word already existed. The Word was with think they give you eternal life. But the God, and the Word was God. He existed Scriptures point to me!”

Jesus as the Word is the message of in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2).

Then John goes on to show that not only God's love. He showed this by suffering is God the Word personal, “…the Word on the cross for our sins.

We can also spread the Word and share became human and made his home Jesus with others. Jesus Christ is God's among us” (John 1:14).

Finally John identifies this One who is personal message of love, truth, and God and the Word as Jesus Christ (John peace to us. “Long ago God spoke many 1:17-18) and “He has revealed God to us.” times and in many ways to our ancestors In connecting Jesus with the Word, John through the prophets. And now in these also tells us Jesus is eternal, God, the Cre- final days, he has spoken to us through his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). He tells us to ator, the giver of life, and human.

Jesus is God and man in one Person. believe in Him and spread the Word By presenting Jesus Christ as the Word about Him to everyone. through which all things were created, John is saying that God chose Jesus as his messenger to tell us about Himself and Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for reveal God the Father. In the teaching, Living Canada. life, and work of Jesus Christ, God com-

Straight Talk to the Timid and Reluctant

“The Apostle Paul clearly determined to die well. He fought the fight and kept the faith. Let’s do the same.”

- CHUCK SWINDOLL

Following Christ ought to come with a warning label: Christianity is a battleground, not a playground. For 30 years, Paul had “fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7), suffering for the cause of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Paul’s heroics are writ large over our faith, making it easy to conclude that every believer ought to be or have been just like him—charging the gates of hell with a bucket of ice water. Not so. Some of God’s choicest saints were reluctant (like Moses), rebellious (like Jonah), and fearful (like Timothy). Despite his timidity, Timothy was called to follow God onto the battleground. To do so, the young man needed courage to stand for Christ, even if it meant suffering.

Second Timothy 1:8-12 has a simple message: Stiffen your resolve! Stand Strong! Be brave! That’s what Paul is telling Timothy to do. And in a spiritually soft and passive society, it’s a message we’d be wise to heed with one important caveat: we can’t do it apart from God.

God has given us the Spirit of power (2 Timothy 1:7) yet Timothy was afraid. Paul was in prison and Christians in Rome were being persecuted. To Timothy, his choices were either shame or suffering. Paul told Timothy to pick suffering and gave him five action steps to stiffen his resolve.

1. Do not be ashamed of the name of Christ (2 Timothy 1:8) 2. Do not be ashamed of the people of God (2 Timothy 1:8) 3. Be willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:8) 4. Be sure your life is anchored in sovereign grace (2 Timothy 1:9-11) 5. Be convinced that God will vindicate your life (2 Timothy 1:12) Stiffen your resolve! Paul gave us five steps to do just that. All that’s left is for you to answer one question—a question only you can answer. Are you willing to give God your very best? God gave His best—His Son, His grace, His Gospel. What about you? Is God worth your best?

“Straight Talk to the Timid and Reluctant” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Paul’s Swan Song. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.

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