NUMBER THREE, 2020
In this issue 3
Not to Worry…He's Risen!
6
Radical Adjustments
charles r. swindoll charles r. swindoll
8 Proverbs
steve johnson
11 A Splash of Colour in a Black-andWhite World
john adair
Bumper Sticker Theology 12 Let Go and Let God!
steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 14 A Resurrected Christ…A Transformed Life
Puzzle 15 Easter
Contest entries are limited to one per household, per puzzle. Open only to legal residents of Canada who are of legal age of majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside, and at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. Not open to Quebec residents. Not open to Insight for Living Canada staff or their immediate family. Mathematical skill testing question to be answered correctly to win. No purchase necessary. Puzzle solutions will be posted at insightforliving.ca/puzzle at a later date. 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 40 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright © 2020 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.
NOT TO WORRY…
HE'S RISEN!
by charles r. swindoll
Cover & Article Photo: Tim Foster on unsplash.com
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n the day Jesus was crucified, a sinis- do you look for the living among the ter darkness blotted out the sun and dead? He is not here, but has been raised!” smothered Jerusalem under a blanket of (Luke 24:5–6 NET). Rushing from the empty tomb, they evil. It would have appeared to anyone seeing through eyes of flesh that the darkness, encountered someone who calmed their the Devil, and death had defeated the Son fears. “Jesus met them, saying, ‘Greetings!…Do not be afraid. Go and tell my of God once and for all. I will admit to you that those three Ds brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me lie at the root of almost every worry I suf- there’ ” (Matthew 28:9–10). When the women told what had hapfer. I worry about death—in particular, the death of the people I love. I worry pened, the disciples dismissed their story about darkness, both literal and figurative. as insane, exaggerated chatter. Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene found Peter and I worry about what the Devil is up to. Demons, darkness, and death…all John. At first, they, too, dismissed her three worked diligently throughout the story, but curiosity eventually got the ministry of Jesus to bring about this long better of them and they raced to the tomb. When John arrived, he and anguishing day. But stopped at the entrance what no one could see was Joining Peter and looked inside. Peter that the Messiah’s death inside the tomb, ran straight into the tomb would strike at the very I like to think that and was shocked by what heart of evil. John whispered, he saw. Joining Peter Three days after Jesus inside the tomb, I like to was placed in the grave, “He’s alive!” think that John whispered, on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and a group of women con- “He’s alive!” As word spread, a multitude began to verged on the tomb. As they approached, they saw that the giant stone had been assemble at a home in Jerusalem. With the tossed aside. Mary Magdalene imme- doors locked tight, a familiar voice rose from diately ran to tell Peter and John: “They the middle of the room. “‘Peace be with you.’ have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, And when [Jesus] had said this, He showed and we do not know where they have laid them both His hands and His side” (John 20:19–20 NASB). And they believed. Him” (John 20:2 NASB). Unfortunately, Thomas, one of the While Mary Magdalene was away, the other women took a closer look. The Twelve, was not there. When he arrived, grave was gaping open. The grave wrap- everyone told him the story. Thomas pings lay there, still together and intact, wouldn’t believe the reports. “Unless I see but empty. The body was gone. They in His hands the imprint of the nails, and stood dumbstruck for several moments, put my finger into the place of the nails, until they realized that two angels and put my hand into His side, I will not appeared behind them. One sat on the believe” (20:25). Eight days later, Thomas stone while the other stood nearby. “Why found himself inside the house with the
doors of the room shut tighter than before. “Peace be with you” (20:26). Again, Jesus stood in the middle of the room. “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing” (20:27). Thomas didn’t move. He didn’t even lift a finger. He responded as only a genuine follower of Jesus can respond: “My Lord and my God!” (20:28). The responses of the people who knew Jesus that Sunday morning parallel the reactions I encounter every day as a modern-day bearer of this good news. Some believed immediately. They were given the information, remembered what Jesus had predicted during His ministry, and accepted His resurrection as genuine. Some believed with indirect evidence. They initially doubted the notion, but when they received further information— such as seeing an empty tomb—they knew He had risen.
Some believed with direct evidence. They only believed that Jesus had risen after seeing Him with their own eyes. Demons, darkness, and death have been vanquished, yet they continue to lash out in desperate hatred against everything in God’s creation. But not to worry…Jesus is alive with a new kind of life that He longs to give any and all who will believe. Are you in that company? Or, have you come to realize your need for a Saviour? Good for you! The Devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but the forces of evil are breathing their last. So there’s no need to worry…He has risen! He has risen, indeed! Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, “Not to Worry… He’s Risen!” Insights (March 2008): 1-2. Copyright © Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
Putting Wisdom to Work SINGLE CD MESSAGE
For ordering information visit insightforliving.ca or view enclosed flyer.
by charles r. swindoll
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n October 12, 1972, a Fairchild F-227 of the Uruguayan Air Force was chartered by an amateur rugby team. The plan? To fly from Montevideo to Santiago, Chile…a flight pattern which required flying over the rugged Andes. There were 45 on board, including the crew. Bad weather brought the plane down in Mendoza, a small Argentinian town. Since the weather improved the following morning, the Fairchild set off again, flying south to the Planchon Pass. They would never make their destination. • At 3:21 p.m. the pilot reported to Air Traffic Control in Santiago that he was over the Pass of Planchon
• At 3:24 p.m. he reported their plane was over a small town in Chile named Curico. He was authorized to turn north and begin his descent to the airport of Pudahuel • At 3:30 p.m. he reported his height—15,000 feet • When Santiago control tower spoke to the F-227 one minute later, there was no reply…nor would there be for the next 10 weeks. An extreme dilemma had transpired Several things made search attempts futile. The Andes are a vast, treacherous, and confusing range. The top of the plane was white, making it impossible to
It’s possible that you find yourself corspot from the air. Heavy snowfalls caused the vessel to blend into its surroundings. nered today. Although you are not lost in There was little chance that the plane the foreseen Andes, you feel gripped with would ever be found, and less chance still fear because your situation is extreme. It’s that any of the 45 passengers and crew time to get control of your finances. Or break off that compromising relationship. could have lived through the fall. Ten weeks later, a Chilean peasant tend- Or say yes to God’s clear leading. Or come ing his cattle in a remote valley deep in to terms with your priorities. Or get your the Andes spotted two gaunt, bearded fig- career in gear. It’s no time for a mild and ures in the distance. They made wild ges- easy shift. The dilemma is extreme and the tures. They fell to their knees as though only solution is a radical one. You’ve thought it through and you’ve in supplication, but the peasant, fearing they were terrorists, fled the scene. The considered all the alternatives. Your throat is sore from praying and next day, however, he your eyes burn from returned and noticed Had Christ not taken a weeping. You know it’s the two strangers were still there across the drastic step, sinners like us right, but you’re scared. would’ve never survived Really scared. Initially, river. He approached the bank of the river, the fall. We would never somebody won’t underwrapped some paper have been rescued. We stand and you’ll not be able to explain. Yet you and a pen into a handkerchief and tossed it to would be permanently lost. are convinced it’s best… it will glorify God…it can the other side. When it was thrown back by the bedrag- be supported by scriptural principles…and gled figures, these words had been written it’s right. So? So quit procrastinating and do it. with a quivering hand: Had Christ not taken a drastic step, sinI come from a plane that fell in the ners like us would’ve never survived the mountains. I am Uruguayan… Those who endured the ordeal had done fall. We would never have been rescued. We so because of a radical adjustment. They would be permanently lost. The cross was had become cannibals. Instead of starv- God’s incredible response to our extreme ing to death, they decided to strip thin dilemma. Christ did something radical. Now it’s your turn. Get with it. layers of skin off the frozen bodies of the victims and survive by eating the flesh of those who had once been their friends and Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share teammates. It was literally a life-or-death, My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. albeit painful, decision. But because of it, Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. 16 survived and were rescued. Their story is told in a book that bears an appropriate one-word title—Alive.
by steve johnson
Image: Joel Muniz unsplash.com
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erhaps you have heard and maybe even repeated the following: “a penny saved is a penny earned,” or “two wrongs don’t make a right,” or “don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” Sayings like these are distillations of human observation and experience meant to provide general guidance for living. We call them proverbs. A proverb is a short, straight-to-the-point statement about moral truth or general observation on life designed to direct readers toward right and away from wrong. Stylistically, proverbs rely on different kinds of parallelism, similes, repetition, and metaphors for emphasis. As a type of literary form common to wisdom literature, they are found throughout the Bible (even Jesus used proverbs, see Mark 12:17) but are predominantly in the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. The general guidelines for understanding and interpreting wisdom literature also apply to interpreting a proverb. 1. The purpose is not to teach theology but to make us wise and able to make righteous life choices. 2. Wisdom literature uses many figures of speech and stylistic devices to make a memorable point and for emphasis. 3. Context determines meaning. Wisdom literature needs to be contextualized in its historical setting of the Ancient Near East, since Solomon was not the only one who wrote and collected wisdom literature. We need to understand a single proverb or chapters of proverbs in the context of that style of writing. All wisdom writings, in particular problem passages, need to be understood in the framework of the rest of Scripture.
Here are some specific guidelines for interpreting a proverb. 1. Put the proverb back into its historical context by noting who the author is and the audience to whom it is written. 2. Interpret individual proverbs in light of the immediate literary context they appear in, as well as the overall structure of the chapter, purpose, and themes of the book. 3. Recognize what figures of speech and stylistic devices are being used since they directly impact meaning and interpretation. Figures of speech such as hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration), similes (making comparison), and stylistic devices such as parallelism, repetition, and synonyms are used for emphasis. Proverbs use a lot of hyperbole. For example, “lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth” (Proverbs 19:24). Unless we recognize the many different figures and stylistic devices we will make all kinds of strange misinterpretations. 4. Understand that the writers of proverbs were not making promises or stating guarantees from God. They were giving brief, general truth about life based on observation and experience filtered through biblical revelation. They generalize what takes place without making an irreversible rule that fits all circumstances. For example, Proverbs 22:6 says “direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” This is generally true but can’t be claimed as a promise to hold God to.
5. Realize that some proverbs are uncon- 8. When reading a proverb of any kind, ask “how do I understand the wisdom ditionally true. For example, “the and truth of this proverb in light of LORD demands accurate scales and the person and work of Jesus Christ?” balances; he sets the standards for fairAs with all wisdom literature proverbs ness,” and “we may throw the dice, but show the sinfulness, ignorance, and the LORD determines how they fall” folly of humanity and point to Jesus. He (Proverbs 16:11, 33). is proverb in the flesh 6. Recognize that some — He is the Wisdom proverbs are merely A proverb is a short, and Truth of God. descriptive showing straight-to-the-point Through proverbs, life as it is. “A bribe statement about Jesus speaks to sinners is like a lucky charm; moral truth or general who are searching for whoever gives one will a wise teacher to disprosper” (Proverbs observation on life perse their ignorance 17:8). Other proverbs designed to direct and errors and to help are prescriptive, trying readers toward right them think, believe, to influence behaviour. and away from wrong. speak, and do rightly. “The LORD detests the When Jesus came use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights” He was the fulfilment of the longing for One who would be greater than Solomon (Proverbs 11:1). 7. Understand the human characters (Matthew 12:42). The greater Solomon is referred to in biblical proverbs. The fool here—greater in holiness, greater in glory, is not dimwitted but is rather an unbe- greater in power, and far greater in wisdom. lieving pagan. The simple are those who Let us worship Him, hear His wise teaching, are immature and naive. The sluggard is be wise regarding salvation, and let us live one who is unproductive and lazy. And wisely to His glory and honour. the mocker is one who is antagonistic and hard-hearted. Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
Did you know Insight for Living airs on radio stations across the country every day? To find the program on your local station visit insightforliving.ca/find-station
A SPLASH OF COLOUR IN A BLACK-AND-WHITE WORLD by John adair
Source Image: Spencer Davis on unsplash.com
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have spent the better part of my adult life ruins are surrounded by a lush forest and a studying the Bible—for papers in college bubbling spring from which the Jordan River and seminary, in preparation for church les- emerges. In this remote location, far from sons, and while working on projects here at orthodox Jewish society and surrounded by Insight for Living Ministries. In the faded Greek and pagan influences, Jesus asked His blue, bare-bones NIV Bible I’ve worked with disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matmost often over the years, I know where to thew 16:15 NASB). Reading Peter’s confession find just about anything. Even if I don’t know that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God chapter and verse, I have a pretty good idea (16:16), we get a tantalizing glimpse into their of where a passage is located on the page. future. The apostles later went to the ends of Finding descriptions of places like the Sea of the earth proclaiming the Messiah to all in Galilee, Mount Carmel, and Golgotha in the their hearing, no matter the surroundings. The events at Caesarea black-and-white world of Philippi teach us somemy Bible is about as easy Seeing the land of Israel thing of Jesus’s person as finding my way home in person has forever and point us forward to from work. Imagine, then, the feel- changed the way I read, His most significant work ing upon my recent—and teach, and write about (16:21). In Gethsemane, first—trip to Israel. I the Bible—a change as we see that work set into motion. Jesus took His stepped off the plane, not into a world of words or stark as going from black disciples to the garden of and white to colour. Gethsemane on the night even photographs but one of His betrayal. Outside dotted with biblical sights, saturated with the sounds of spoken Hebrew, the walls of Jerusalem and surrounded by and filled with the aromatic spices and deli- gnarled olive trees, Jesus agonized over the cious foods of the Middle East. Even in those task before Him. Bent and twisted trees stood first hours in Israel, the land of the Bible came as silently then as they do today, a potent reminder of the anguish our Lord endured alive in full and vibrant colour. While I visited many historic and beautiful on that fateful night (26:36–46). Seeing the land of Israel in person has forlocations, two rather lonely places were especially significant, adding depth to the biblical ever changed the way I read, teach, and write narratives: Caesarea Philippi and the garden about the Bible—a change as stark as going from black and white to colour. of Gethsemane. Caesarea Philippi, in the first century a pagan city with a large temple dedicated to Copyright © 2011 by Insight for Living Ministries. All the Greek god Pan, sits in the far northeastern rights reserved worldwide. corner of the country at the base of Israel’s tallest peak, Mount Hermon. The extensive
Bumper Sticker
Theology by steve johnson
Let Go and Let God! “Let go and let God!” People have different ideas as to what this phrase means and how to apply it because it depends on the context in which it is said. Context determines meaning and whether the statement, “let go and let God,” is true or not. Its validity hinges on what one lets go of, and what one lets God do. Regardless, one thing is true: it is not a comprehensive mantra for the Christian life. When it is correct to say, “Let go and let God” 1. It’s correct to use this phrase when it comes to doing God’s will instead of our own. We are called to trust God in every aspect of our lives and seek first His kingdom not our own selfish pursuits. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,
and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). 2. It’s correct to use this phrase when it comes to our worries. “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:31). 3. It’s correct to use “let go and let God” when it comes to our burdens. Burdens are different than worries. Worry is mental, burdens are situational—afflictions, trials, disabilities, and problems. “Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (Psalm 55:22). Let go of the outcome you desire and let God accomplish His will. 4. It’s correct to use this phrase when it comes to having control of other people.
Another reason why this is not what we There may be people in our life whose lives, addictions, or poor behaviours should do when it comes to pursuing holiwe try to control and change. “Letting ness is that it creates two classes of Chrisgo and letting God” sometimes means tians. There are those who purport to “have allowing those people to experience the arrived” and there are those who still strugnatural consequences of their choices gle with sin making them second-class instead of bailing them out. It means Christians. Among those who struggle stop putting all your energy into trying there is often disillusionment and frustration because they are the “have-nots.” to get someone else to change. Those who claim to have arrived at holi5. It’s correct to use this phrase when it comes to God’s love. God’s love is some- ness usually have a shallow and incomplete thing we receive, not achieve. We need to view of sin. Sin is minimized and generally let go of performance-based living trying viewed as not engaging in external sinto earn God’s love and simply receive it. ful actions. What they ignore are sinful “But God showed his great love for us by attitudes, thoughts, and sins of omission— things they should be sending Christ to die doing but aren’t. for us while we were A better alternative to A better alternative to still sinners” (Romans the phrase “let go and let the phrase “let go and 5:8; Ephesians 2:4–5). God” is “trust God and let God” is “trust God When it is incorrect to say, “Let go get going!” Work out a and get going!” Work and let God” strategy for ensuring you out a strategy for ensuryou will not fall into One context where will not fall into sin again, ing sin again, and ask God this phrase is often and ask God to bless to bless your plan. Go applied is in the area forward in His strength of our sanctification— your plan. ready to say “no” when becoming holy. The teaching is that when Christians struggle temptation next comes. Wherever you look in the Bible, you will with sin and want to be victorious in that struggle they are to “let go and let God.” always see faithful people of God striving in Here, the key to holiness is in complete active obedience as a result of the grace that surrender to Jesus as Lord, after which one has transformed them. When Paul spoke of is a Spirit-filled Christian living in constant his work for the Lord he wrote, “That’s why victory. The wrong assumption is that in I work and struggle so hard, depending on our sanctification God does everything and Christ’s mighty power that works within the believer does nothing except surrender. me” (Colossians 1:29). We are to daily resist This idea elevates passivity in the Chris- temptation and put on the whole armour tian life. To think that a faithful Christian of God to fight against our enemy as we life is a passive act of deliberately doing actively pursue obedience and holiness. nothing will result in disappointment. God Trust God and get going! never calls us to passivity. And if we “let go” we are letting go of the means of grace God Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada. has given us to grow in holiness.
A Resurrected Christ…A Transformed Life
“If you’ve got questions, ask them. If you’ve got reservations, say so. There is nothing wrong with either. What’s wrong is sitting in silent unbelief, acting like you get it, acting like you go along with it when, in fact, you don’t. Thomas didn’t do that, and he’s a pretty good model to follow.” - CHUCK SWINDOLL As we approach the Easter celebration, our hearts joyfully turn to thoughts of Christ’s Resurrection. He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Those are the words exclaimed by countless believers around the world each Easter. But we have the benefit of reading the witness of centuries of faithful followers telling of God’s gracious gift of new life. What if you were among the first to hear of the empty tomb? What would be your response? Would you so quickly believe? Or would you remain, like Thomas, shrouded by doubts? Transforming Doubt to Faith In John 20:24–30, John described the stirring scene when Jesus appeared to His disciples—except for Thomas—following His Resurrection. Naturally, they were huddled in a closed room in fear for their lives. Once they realized they had seen the Lord, they sought out Thomas to declare to him what they had seen. Notice how Thomas responded to their report in John 20:25. What does this
reveal about Thomas’ mindset regarding Jesus’ Resurrection? Tenderly, Jesus greeted Thomas and invited him to put his hands in His wounded side and to observe the wounds in His hands (20:27). In response, Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God!” (20:28). Thomas moved from being stuck in his disbelief to making a bold appeal to faith! What impact do you feel Thomas’ words had on the other disciples? Jesus’ final words in John 20 reveal the ultimate interpretation of this masterful biblical scene. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” (20:29) Father, how I praise You for raising Jesus from the dead! And I praise You for dealing patiently and kindly with me even when I remain stubbornly bound by my doubts and fears. Thank You, Father, for extending Your kindness, which ultimately led me to repent and to believe. I give You my life, my all. In the name of the Resurrected Jesus, amen.
“A Resurrected Christ...A Transformed Life” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series A Great Saviour...A Humble Servant. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
Puzzle — Crossword
EASTER
Difficulty ● ● ○ ○ If you need help solving this crossword puzzle reread the last days of Jesus' life in the Easter narratives of the Gospels.
ACROSS 1. “Good news” 4. Jewish holiday 7. “Another Helper” 10. Jesus appeared to first 12. Eucharist 14. Pilate released Across: 15. Didymus 3. Ran intoheaven the tomb 17. Carried up into 5. Jewish holiday 18. Death on a cross
DOWN 1. Jesus arrested here 2. Casted lots for 3. Took in Jesus’ mother 5. Joseph of ________ 6. Hebrew for “please save us” 8. Sadducees deny this Down: ________ 9. Sacrifical 1. Jesus here 11. “The Placearrested of the Skull” 2. Casted lots for 12. High Priest 4. Took in Jesus’ mother 13. Jesus’ betrayer 6. Joseph of _______ 16. Ran into the tomb
8. “another Helper” 11. Jesus appeared to first 7. Hebrew for ‘save’ or ‘we pray’ 13. Eucharist _ _ _ _ _ _14. _ _ Carried _ _ _ _ _ _ _up _ _into _ _ _ heaven _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _9. _ _ Sadducees _ _ _ _ _ _ _deny _ _ _ _ this ____________ First and last Email address Phone_______ number 15.name Didymus 10. Sacrifical 16. Pilate released 12. ‘The Place of the Skull’ INSIGHT FOR LIVING CANADA PUZZLE CONTEST RULES 18. Death onare a cross 13.byHigh Priest Insights magazine subscribers invited to submit their completed puzzles mail, email, or fax for a chance to win a Swindoll Study Bible.19. Each‘Good month from January 15, 2020 to October 31, 2020 there will beJesus’ a new puzzle challenge with another opportunity news’ 17. betrayer to gain a contest entry. Completed puzzles received before November 13, 2020 will be entered into a draw. One grand prize winner will be selected by random draw and notified by email or phone. Further details can be found on page 2 of this issue.
Mail: 1-30445 Progressive Way Abbotsford BC V2T 6W3 // Email: info@insightforliving.ca // Fax: 1.604.870.8743
Our Easter page helps you better understand what really happened when Jesus died and rose from the dead, why there was no alternative, and why it makes all the difference today and every day! Visit insightforliving.ca/easter for articles, audio messages, and more to help you prepare your heart for Easter.
