NUMBER TWELVE, 2017
In this issue
8
6 3 6
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
Names of Jesus
charles r. swindoll
11 Immanuel
Four Strategies for Overcoming the Post-Christmas Blues
12 Assurance of Salvation
robyn roste 8
12
Let’s Put Herod Back Into Christmas
steve johnson
The Hea[r]t of the Issue steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 15 God’s Astonishing Love
Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bible-teaching 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 © 2017 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.
Let Every Heart
Prepare Him Room
by charles r. swindoll
I
f news networks had been invented in 1809, they would’ve covered one story: Napoleon sweeping across Austria like a wildfire. Napoleon was the talk of the world, on the move from Trafalgar to Waterloo. Everything was about Napoleon. Now, at the same time, babies were being born, but who cared? Someone should have! Whole cadres of world-changers took their first breaths in 1809. Let’s take a trip back and see for ourselves. Our first stop: Liverpool, where Baby William is meeting the world. No one has a clue he’s destined to become Great Britain’s Prime Minister—not once, not twice, not three times, but four times. William Gladstone, 1809. Cross the Atlantic to Cambridge, and you’ll hear the cry of another baby named Oliver. A prodigy, Oliver enters Harvard at 16, graduates before 20, gets his medical degree, practices medicine, and begins teaching at Dartmouth and Harvard. Today, his legacy includes a long list of still-respected books. Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1809. Travel up and cross the Charles River until you get to Boston, where another baby, Edgar, is being born. Edgar’s father quickly abandons him; soon after, his mother dies. A family named Allan take Edgar in, and he takes their last name as his middle. He becomes the father of the American short story. Edgar Allan Poe, 1809. Back across the pond, journey to Shropshire, where a family welcomes their fifth child, a boy. Soon, they realize they have a
young scientist on their hands. Before he dies, he’s spread his theory of evolution around the world. Charles Darwin, 1809. Over in Lincolnshire, Baby Alfred takes his first breath. Before he’s buried, he becomes the poet laureate of Ireland and Great Britain, still among the most admired and prolific poets. Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1809. We can’t leave out a one-room log cabin in Kentucky, where Thomas and Nancy are thrilled to welcome their second child, whom they name after his grandfather. They can little imagine their baby will lead the nation through civil war. Abraham Lincoln, 1809. All these men born in 1809…but who cared? Few historical buffs could name one of Napoleon’s campaigns! What seemed super-significant proved, ultimately, no more exciting than a Sunday-afternoon nap. What seemed totally insignificant was, in fact, the genesis of an era. Let’s go back farther, to the first century. Rome captivated the world. Bordered by the Atlantic, the Euphrates, the Danube and the Rhine, and the burning sands of the Sahara, the Roman Empire was vast and vicious. Political intrigue, racial tension, rampant immorality, and enormous military might occupied everyone’s attention. All eyes were on Augustus—the Caesar who demanded a census. No one cared about a couple making the 90-mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. What could be more important than Caesar’s decisions in Rome? Yet, mighty Augustus had unintention-
While Rome was busy making history, God arrived. He pitched His fleshly tent on straw in a humble Bethlehem stable.
ally become a mere errand boy for the fulfilment of Micah’s prediction. While Rome was busy making history, God arrived. He pitched His fleshly tent on straw in a humble Bethlehem stable. Reeling from the wake of the Greats—Alexander, Herod, and Augustus—the world overlooked Jesus. It still does. Many believers do too. Our times aren’t altogether different than 1809 or even the first century. That list of Roman distractions sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Political intrigue. Racial tension. Rampant immorality. Enormous military might. To enhance our tunnel vision, we DO have news networks. Most of us have smartphones that alert us to every new development in (and friend’s opinion about) the “it” story. It’s easy to get sucked into the fear and anxiety. Don’t misread me. The events flashing across our news channels matter. Some of them have deeply impacted you. They are not trivial. But make no mistake—Satan
wants to distract you from the message of Christmas. It’s a message we need today as much as those who lived under the crushing weight of Rome’s heavy boot. So, here it is: Immanuel—God with Us. Christmas is about God’s coming down to live in this weary world with us. The long-awaited Messiah finally letting out His first cry. The Saviour, the only Hope for a world that drowns Him out. The conquering King of Kings, who is coming again to make wrong right once and for all. That King is OUR King! As life rages around you, please pause. Feel the truth of God’s drawing near to you. Let His Word drive out your fear and let His hope bind your heart. Fix your eyes on Him and receive your King!
Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
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by robyn roste
T
hese days there is such a build-up to Christmas and then suddenly, it’s over. In shops, the Christmas decorations are quickly replaced with hearts, the radio stations stop playing carols, and the colourful lights are put away for another year. And of course, the holidays are finished and it’s back to work and school. Suffering from the post-Christmas blues is understandable—all the good cheer and glad tidings comes to an end and the humdrum of life takes over once again. We mourn for what was, feeling like there’s nothing to look forward to.
The best way I’ve found to ward off postChristmas blues is to focus my mind and heart on what matters. But perhaps it’s better explained in analogy. Giving high fives. There’s a right and a wrong way to give a high five. Connect and you feel confident and cool. Miss and things get awkward. Here’s the trick to giving high fives the right way: keep your eyes on the elbow. That’s it. Keep your eyes on the other person’s elbow and never again miss a high five. There are lots of simple hacks like this to make our lives a bit easier. The wording of this high five secret reminds me of the lifechanging advice in Hebrews 12:2: keep your eyes on Jesus.
Photo by: shutterstock.com
When the advent season begins, our stressed-out and overworked spirits are refreshed by renewed anticipation of all Christmas means to us. But how do we hold onto that hope and stay on course throughout the year? Keeping your eyes on Jesus may seem too simple to actually work but, just like the high five trick, if you know where to look, you won’t stray off course. In Hebrews 11, the Apostle Paul catalogues people who lived by faith—those who “placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35) rather than tried to avoid trials. It’s the practical howto guide to answer the question: How do I live by faith? Paul compares the Christian life to a race—a marathon, really. I don’t know what it is about marathons, but lately it seems like everyone is either doing one or talking about training for one. Why are so many people into marathons? For most people, crossing the finish line is seen as a great life accomplishment. With this as the goal of a marathon, it makes more sense why someone would completely change their life and diet, endure injuries and pain, and persevere past the point when your brain shouts “Stop!” Since the goal is worth so much more than the cost of preparation and training, people don’t mind the sacrifice. In this context, Paul’s marathon analogy makes perfect sense. Why would anyone choose a life of discipline, sacrifice, and pain and suffering, unless the goal was worth more than the cost of living? It’s by placing our hope in a better life, which is the finish line Christians race towards. Hope is in abundance at Christmastime. When the advent season begins, our stressed-out and overworked spirits are
refreshed by renewed anticipation of all Christmas means to us. But how do we hold onto that hope and stay on course throughout the year? Here are four suggestions. H—How did Jesus run the race? Not only did He take our physical form to give us the gift of salvation, but He also ran our same race to perfection. Study, observe, learn, imitate. O—Obstacles are inevitable. Many think hard times are only for unbelievers but in reality, we all live in a sinful world filled with suffering. If we expect to encounter pain at some point, then we won’t be so shocked when we do. P—Prepare. Finishing a race takes purpose and discipline. The essential disciplines Jesus demonstrated help us prepare for what we’ll face as we run toward our heavenly reward. E—Endure. When we reach the point where we want to quit, let God be our strength. He will give us what we need the moment we need it to keep our eyes on where we’re headed, “that exhilarating finish in and with God.” Just like a marathon, this Christian life is a test of endurance. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus, prepare for what’s ahead, and trust God for our strength, we are equipped to continue running with vigour and stamina.
Robyn Roste is the media and marketing manager at Insight for Living Canada.
by steve johnson
When we sentimentalize the Christmas story we trivialize it.
Illustration by Tori Nikkel
D
on’t get me wrong. I love the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. And I love that God gave us emotions so we can fully experience the joys of this season. But at the risk of sounding like Scrooge, one danger we easily fall into, especially with the Christmas story, is sentimentalizing Scripture. Experiencing emotions is one thing. But to sentimentalize something means viewing it with exaggerated and self-indulgent feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia. We do this with the Christmas story when we emotionally idealize it. It’s about Jesus, a cuddly, cute baby with a warm glow about Him set in an idyllic barn with quaint shepherds nearby. It’s about food, family, and giving gifts. What could be better? Where’s the danger? When we sentimentalize the Christmas story we trivialize it. Unquestionably, family and giving gifts are good things. But these are things we have imbued into the story. If we think that is what the Christmas story is about we have seriously missed and minimized the meaning of Jesus’ birth. It was an event of eternal, cosmic proportions, not something to be reduced to a sentimental excuse for all kinds of excess. Our sentimental approach to Christ’s birth sanitizes the event to the point where we re-cast the story for palatability,
nostalgia, and commercial manipulation. We select the charming and the cute, separating Christmas from its true and gritty elements. It takes on the qualities of a fairy tale. But treating it that way distorts and dilutes the impact God intended it to have. We lose touch with the crisis that Christ brings to our society and to our lives and ultimately, why He came. Another danger of sentimentality is that we tend to avoid the parts of the story that are not so comfortable. We smile at the cozy nativity scene, but have you ever spent a night in a stable or given birth in a barn? The reality is very different. Some scholars suggest that in Luke's account it's not just that the inns were full but that Mary and Joseph were forced to take the stable because their family had rejected them. Joseph had relatives or friends of relatives in Bethlehem. Rather than receiving hospitality by family or friends, Joseph and Mary are shunned. Family and neighbours declared their moral outrage at the fact that Joseph showed up on their doorsteps with his pregnant girlfriend. This gives us clues to the destiny of the child whose birth we celebrate. He was born an outcast, and his life ended similarly. The crib is a pointer to the cross. When we romanticize Christmas, or say it’s only for children, we lose sight of its deep liaison with the Resurrection.
Sentimentalizing Scripture can often mentality of Christmas to anaesthetize ourcloud our thinking or cause us to avoid selves. In doing so, we fail to understand understanding truth. Christ’s birth story the pains and agonies of where Jesus was also includes the horrific slaughter of born, lived, preached, and died. The danger of sentimentality is always babies by Herod. He recognizes something about Jesus that in our fog of sentiment real and we need to proceed with caution. we either minimize or fail to see—that the “So the Word became human and made his birth of this child is a threat to his king- home among us” (John 1:14) is a deep mysdom, a threat to that kind of domination tery and truth; it’s earthy, rooted in reality, and rule. Jesus challenges the very power deeply human, deeply divine, and far from structures of this evil age. So Herod has all sentimental. Can we separate sentiment (emotion) the male infants in Bethlehem murdered. The babe in the manger is the Messiah from sentimentality (emotional indulwho entered the bloody history of Israel gence)? Yes, if we stay rooted in the biblical text. Let the Bible be your guide and the and the human race. Herod represents the dark side of the source of truth with which your mind and Gospel. He reminds us that Jesus didn't emotions engage this season. enter a world of spiritual fuzzies. Jesus entered a world of real pain, serious dys- Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for function, brokenness, and political oppres- Living Canada. sion. Jesus was born an outcast, a homeless person, a refugee, and finally a victim. Jesus is the Saviour of outcasts, refugees, and nobodies. There’s a real danger that, faced with the anguish of our world, we’ll use the senti-
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“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)
Origins: From the Hebrew immanu “with us” and El “God” Meaning: God became flesh and dwelt among us in the person of His Son Jesus (John 1:14). God’s presence with His people in the wilderness tabernacle is now “tabernacled” in the personal abiding presence of Jesus. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 Usage: Jesus assures His disciples He’s Immanuel in Matthew 28:20, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Not only is He with us, He lives in us (Galatians 2:20).
Illustration by: Laura Vanderwel
Application: If you are born again Christ lives in you so that you are saved and His image will be seen in and through you. How are you working at becoming more like Christ? Because God is with you, you will never be separated from His love (Romans 8:38-39). When you are afraid, trust in the Lord because He is always with you. His presence overcomes your fear (Hebrews 13:5). Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). When Christ returns, your body will be glorified and your body will be like His. Live with that in view so you can be unashamed when Christ returns.
Assurance of Salvation by steve johnson
A
Photo by: Eunice Lituañas (unsplash.com)
re you assured of your salvation and if so, how? Should you worry about assurance? At the heart of these questions is the interplay between the objective truth of Scripture about the securing and security of your salvation versus the subjective experience of your feelings and fruit of salvation in your life. Assurance is the confident realization that your salvation is secure.
you’re saved. You doubt your sincerity, your faith, and the truth of Scripture at times. You ponder your failures as a Christian and wonder whether you were ever saved at all. Theologically you believe once you are saved nothing can separate you from Christ, but experientially you aren’t so confident.
Here’s Where Scripture’s At
It is possible for Christians to believe but lack assurance they are saved. John wrote, “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you Here’s Where They’re At When the topic comes up with your adult may know you have eternal life” (1 John children or other believers you may hear 5:13). God wants you to have assurance of statements like, “No one can know for sure your salvation. Assurance is attainable since Paul wrote they are saved,” or “There are people who think they are saved but aren’t,” or ”If you he was “...convinced that nothing can ever are saved it doesn’t matter how you live,” or separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38). “You can save yourself through hard work In spite of the afflictions and tribulations he experienced Paul was confident as he and being good.” spoke of the crown of righteousness waiting for him (2 Timothy 4:8). Here’s Where You’re At There are both objective and subjective You know you’ve asked Christ to be your Saviour but sometimes you’re unsure if reasons for assurance of salvation. The
objective reason is the finished work on the cross (Hebrews 10:14). Assurance is grounded in the work of God in Christ outside of and apart from you (Romans 8:32). God did what needed to be done and will give you everything you need in Christ for eternal salvation. It is faith in Him, not in you, a church, or in faith that saves. It is also not the intensity of your faith but the Object of your faith that saves. The Gospel transforms so a changed life is subjective confirming evidence of salvation: love for the brethren (John 13:35), the testimony of the Spirit (Romans 8:16), and the desire for holiness (Romans 8:5). A sinful or inconsistent Christian life destroys faith and hinders assurance (Romans 8:412; 15-16). And claiming doesn’t count (1 Corinthians 6:9)—Christ must also know you (Romans 8:9). Those who start but end up leaving show they were never of us. Genuine faith sticks (Hebrews 3:14).
ground of the blood of the lamb. Stand firm on the promises and passages noted here that indicate salvation is God’s work. Christ is your judge and He is the One who died, rose again, and intercedes for you. Show that you are a child of God by putting to death the deeds of your sinful nature (Romans 8:13-14). Live each day filled with God’s Spirit as an outgrowth of loving, delighting in, and knowing Jesus for who He is. Stick with it (Hebrews 3:14). Grow and thereby prove your faith is genuine. To paraphrase John Newton, you may not be what you ought to be, and you may not be what you want to be, and you are not yet what you will be. But don’t be what you were.
Where to Go From Here
The Bible makes the plan of salvation clear: Believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). Have you repented? Do you believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sins and rose again from the dead (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)? Do you trust Him alone for salvation? If your answer is “yes,” you have established the foundation for your salvation! Sincerity, effort, or focusing on your faith doesn’t grant true assurance. The real ground of God’s acceptance is the grace that He has showered on you through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ (Revelation 12:10-11). You overcome Satan’s attempts to rob you of assurance on the
REMINDER:
Ask yourself, “Do I believe what I am saying or am I speaking from platitudes?”
This series provides training on having difficult conversations. How do you discuss difficult topics in a way you hear and are heard, maintain your influence, and avoid alienation? How do you deal with different worldviews while still valuing the person? Read our basic guidelines for having difficult conversations at insightforliving.ca/tough-talk.
God’s Astonishing Love
“To you who have lost hope, who have shame, heartbreak, and a trail of wrongs: God loves you.” - CHARLES R. SWINDOLL Christmas is simple. There’s a virgin, a baby, a bewildered husband, a dirty manger, a few shepherds, some travelling magi, and that’s all there is to the familiar story, right? Wrong! Christmas represents the most magnificent message that’s ever been told, which so far exceeds the details we have memorized. Unfortunately, most people don’t pause to think about the significance of the message. Yes, a baby boy was born to a virgin in a dirty stable, but this baby boy was not just any baby. He is God in the flesh—Immanuel, God with us. Let’s cut to the chase. The reason for the Christmas story and the mysterious baby born in the manger comes down to three words: God’s astonishing love. To drive home the importance of believing these words, we must re-examine one of the most familiar verses in the whole Bible, John 3:16, and connect it to the Messiah’s birth. Before God gave His only Son to be born, He loved. Because love is an essential part
of His character, God’s love is unconditional. Love is just as much a part of God’s being as holiness, truth, justice, eternality, goodness, faithfulness, and all the rest of His attributes. Out of His being, God loved and therefore, He gave. God’s love extends to every person around the world, from those with great notoriety and wealth living in big cities, to the unknown and poor in the middle of nowhere. God’s unconditional love for the whole world resulted in the sacrifice of His Son, with whom He shared perfect fellowship and love from eternity past. And nothing will ever cause God to withdraw His love from those who believe in Jesus. Many people, Christians or not, live their lives feeling defeated, guilty, and unloved by God. For those of us who know God’s love, now is the time to meditate on it and thank God for it. For those who have never known unconditional love, make this Christmas the one in which you truly accept God’s astonishing love through Jesus Christ.
“God’s Astonishing Love” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Divine Love and Grace. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
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