Types and antitypes in the Bible

Last Wednesday night I presented the class a "type vs. antitype" lesson and used ancient Egypt (type) and Israel as the antitype. I didn’t have enough time to cover some additional points I thought appropriate to that lesson so I’d like to continue on with it today and use it in conjunction with some thoughts on our coming holiday.

Next Thursday is our July 4^th celebration. It’s pretty much referred to nowadays as "The Fourth Of July." What with all the fireworks, picnics, BBQ’s, parties and travel outings, I feel like we’ve forgotten, or overlooked, the proper title of this holiday - "Independence Day." Probably even more correctly stated would be the "Declaration of Independence Day."

In figurative likeness to Moses telling Pharoah, "Let my people go" were our brave forefathers demanding freedom from King George of England. And, as Pharoah didn’t immediately comply with Moses’ request, neither did the King to the freedom demands of the colonies. Exactly how much time passed from the demand by Moses to the Exodus of Israel isn’t known, but it obviously took some time to be accomplished.

Same with our nations’ declaration and the final accomplishment of gaining our freedom from England. It took seven long years (1776-1783) of suffering and death to accomplish. That is the reason that we’ve celebrated on the 4^th of July since shortly after the end of the War of Independence.

Another "type" point that I see here is that God ordered a day to be set aside for the remembrance of the gaining of Israel’s freedom from Egypt and the cost of accomplishing it, IE: the "death" of the first born of Egypt. We’ll see the "antitype" to this point later on, but my point here is, it was never to be forgotten the cost of their freedom.

As a side thought here, what worries and bothers me about our coming national holiday next week is that, by my observations anyway, a large portion of our society has seemingly forgotten the cost of our country’s freedom. It seems to me that this "portion" of our population is more concerned with the "festival" aspects of a long weekend holiday than with the remembrance of why we celebrate it in the first place.

We seem to be celebrating having more days available to party, more time to travel and play in some manner, than in considering the real meaning of the day. Perhaps it’s my age and generation coming to the fore here but, it appears to me that it’s the older folks that observe it for its true meaning.
That was pretty easily noted during my recent trip to and stay in Washington DC over the Memorial Day weekend. To couch my observations there in the language of "The Declaration" I’m afraid that our national efforts in the "pursuit of happiness" have transcended our efforts toward remembering the costs of "life and liberty."

Well, how do my thoughts about our "Day of Independence" relate to our Wednesday night lesson and thus, a scriptural lesson for today? Here is how I’ll try to accomplish it and I appreciate your considering if for a few more moments.

In Ga. 5:13 the Apostle Paul says that, as Christians, we’ve been "called into liberty." We’ve been liberated, been given our freedom, from the bondage of sin ("elements of the world" - Gal. 4:3) Here’s another "antitype" lesson to the "type" seen recorded in Exodus regarding Egypt and the Israelites. Israel did not gain their freedom based upon anything they did. They were given their freedom because of what God did.

And, recall that I earlier said that I’d return to this point about freedom from Egyptian bondage required a "death" in order that it be attained? Our freedom from the world’s bondage likewise required a "death" for its attainment. And, in likeness to the freedom of Israel from Egypt, the likeness of our freedom from sin - the freedom of our nation required the suffering and death of many of our soldiers in attaining it.

Now, back to the crux of this lesson, the most important point - the "death" that accomplished a Christian’s freedom from sin. There’s no shortage of scripture that tells us Who is the subject of our freedom-causing "death." As good as any is the 6^th chapter of Romans and it alone would be sufficient this task without looking at others, but we will. I encourage you to read the whole chapter, but I’ll just direct your attention to several significant points.
In verse 3 it tells us that when one is "baptized into Christ" they are "baptized into His death." In verse 7 we find that by this "baptism" we are "freed from sin." I think that I’ll just quote verse 10 in its entirety: "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God." Point is, if we are in His likeness and He "lives to God", so should we.

In keeping with the thought line of our "holiday" lesson, I’ll ask you a question. Are we to just participate in this freedom-granting procedure and then forget its meaning? Not by the hair of your chinny-chin chin. Gal. 5:1 tells us that we are to "stand fast in the liberty by which Christ made us free."

If you look back at our nations history, you’ll read where various ceremonies were designated to be performed during our celebration of Independence Day. Likewise, a day of remembrance was set aside with its accompanying ceremonies so that we would not forget the "death" that gave us our freedom. 1 Cor. 11:23-29 details these ceremonies with the admonition being that we do these things "IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME." And Acts 20:7 shows us which day was designated for this commemoration.

Just as Israel was given a specific day to remember (consider) the "death" by which they were freed, Christians are also given a day in which we are to consider and remember the "death" that freed us.

In closing my thoughts today, let’s not be like my aforementioned "large portion" of society and forget the true meaning of our Independence Day celebration and I emphasize the word "celebration" because that’s exactly how we should view this occasion. Likewise, let’s meet on the 1^st day of the week and "celebrate" our freedom from the bondage of sin and never FORGET THE COST OF IT!
 

Ron Covey

Is it a sin for Christians to drink alcohol?

Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

As a child of God, it is my strong conviction that I must abhor the use of alcoholic  beverages in any form whether it be wine, beer, gin or whiskey. There is a lot of complacency among many people concerning the use of alcohol. Tragically, this is true of many members of the Lord’s church. The use of alcohol may begin because of those pictures on television or in magazines that portray good times. Those pictures do not tell the whole story because they  present only the beginning, not the end. They do portray the disturbing scenes of misery, suffering, self loathing and even death that can and often does become the picture for the drinker of alcoholic beverages.

Consider carefully the following passages: Proverbs 4:17, Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-32, Ephesians 5:18, Isaiah 5:20-23, Habakkuk 2:15, Matthew 24:48-51 and Galatians 5:21.

Using alcoholic beverages will destroy the influence of a child of God. We are to be examples in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity (1 Tim. 4:12). I, personally, do not believe that I can be that example if I drink alcoholic beverages nor do I believe that anyone else can either.  In passages from Matt. 7:16-20 and Matt. 12:33. Jesus tells us that a tree is known by its fruit. This writer knows that in these passages, Jesus is telling us how to detect false teachers. However, there is a principle here that extends far beyond that premise alone. You can judge any activity or action on our part by the kind of fruit it bears and the fruit borne of the alcoholic beverage is nothing short of horrendous. As witness to this, turn to the hospitals, jails, courts, newspapers, streets and highways and learn how it injures the body and mind. Use of alcohol affects judgment and lowers inhibitions causing people to say and do things they ordinarily would not say or do. It brings misery, pain, poverty, destroys peace of mind, ruins lives and will become a bar to heaven’s door. It all begins with that first glass of wine, that first beer or mixed drink.  

Make no mistake about this: the drinking of alcoholic beverages will, as the writer of Proverbs tells us, one day bite and sting with terrible consequences (Prov. 23:29-32). Drinking alcohol in any form is like holding a lit stick of dynamite in your hands and not being able to toss it away. It is going to explode with dire consequences. Social drinking is one of the great curses of our day.  In this connection, examine in depth Matt. 24:48-51. Again, this writer knows that the context of this passage deals with watching and being ready for the Master’s return. But notice closely, one of the reasons the servant is cut asunder because of his drinking with the drunken—social drinking? The child of God should stay away from the devil’s brew.

Charles Hicks

Fourth of July is Independence Day!

I was born just after World War 2 and raised during a period of strong patriotism. We didn't just celebrate the Fourth of July, but we celebrated Independence Day. Now you may think there is no difference and the official word is that there isn't any difference, but I've seen a change in our country through the years.

The official history of the day is as follows: " Variously known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues." (Via History.com)

Somewhere along the complicated path we walk in this life, it seems to me that folks are more interested in the "festivities" part of the holiday rather than the true meaning of the celebration.

I am still moved when I see our flag flying. I still recognize the sacrifice of our many men and women in the military. I recognize the struggle that our forefathers had in bringing us the freedoms we have today. I celebrate the Fourth of July, not just as a time off work or a time to party with friends and family, but for what it is, the seed of all that we have today in our great country. I celebrate our Freedom to worship as we please, to pursue happiness in our life and work, to live and raise our families where we want.

I celebrate our Independence of our nation from the control of foreign governments and the ability we have to rule ourselves, making our own mistakes and paying for them because we made them ourselves, not because of something forced upon us by others.

We have grown into a great nation, because on July 2, 1776 the leaders of our new nation chose to stand in the face of a great power and shake their fist and say, "We no longer cower at your threats!" "We no longer serve you as slaves!" "We the people will live suffer or prosper as an independent people and we are willing to die for our beliefs!"

Is all that I said any different from what we believe as Christians? Christ Jesus died to give us freedom also. Freedom from sin and death, freedom from eternal separation from the presence of God. He was willing to die for our independence as were a host of early disciples.

In Romans 5:6-9 Paul reminds us, "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation."

And in Romans 8:2 he reminds us that: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

That is the Freedom which I remember this week! The freedom to worship our God of freedom, because of the sacrifice of those who have gone before us! What about you?

Russ Lawson

Practice what you preach

And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry
                      by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline
                      and instruction approved by the Lord."                Eph. 6:4 (NLT)
Since I wrote an editorial on Mother’s Day last month it’s only fitting, with gender correctness, that I put forth an equal effort today on Father’s Day. If we considered the importance of mothers on society and family life, it’s only fair that we discuss the same areas of importance as regards fathers, don’t you think? I do anyway, so that’s our subject under consideration today.
When we discussed mothers last month we looked at their influence on families, society and the world in general. I think that fathers can be looked at and examined under this same set of circumstances. We talked about the importance of the mother’s influence over the children and it’s my humble opinion that the father should also have a certain relationship and influence over those same children. 

Before I go any further with this lesson, let me offer up a short caveat. As I am a father, twice-over, I feel qualified to offer opinions on the subject of fatherhood but, when I cite scripture to you, I’m not offering my opinion. If I write something apart from scriptural reference, that is my opinion and is to be understood as such.

That being said, let me start our lesson by asking, "What is a father’s job?" As previously stated, we know what the mother’s job is, but what exactly would you say the father’s job is? In other words, what is his responsibility? This is probably as good a spot as any to offer a personal opinion that I believe is consistent with Biblical teaching, that a "family" consists of a "father" (male) and a "mother" (female) and, if fortunate, children (gender as issued by God).
Ok, back to our question - the father’s job. According to what I read in Ephesians 5 and 6, father’s are to be the "head" of the family. I don’t think there is any argument as to the definition of "head", is there? The "head" of any entity is that which directs that entity. As an example: it is our "head" that directs our body, therefore it’s the father that directs the family in the same manner as Christ is the "head" (directs) His church.

Where I’m going with that line of thought is, Christ set the standards by which the church operates. In like manner, the father’s job is to set the standards by which the family conducts itself. Now don’t read into what I just said to get the idea that a father is to be an autocrat and that the rest of the family has no input. I’m not saying that at all. 

What I mean by using the example of Christ and the church is, that the father should live his life and conduct himself in such a manner that he sets the standard for the family to follow as Jesus Christ did for the church. The father can’t just dictate how things are to be done and how the family is to conduct itself, he has to DO. To borrow an old phrase, he can’t just preach, he has to also practice.

Speaking of standards, here is the area where a lot of fathers get into trouble and that’s determined by where they go to obtain their standards. Wouldn’t you agree that he should have a sound, reliable source of standards to draw on in order that his family follows the right standards? That’s a pretty easy equation to follow, isn’t it?

You can trust me when I say that any standard set by society is not a sound nor reliable one and if followed by the father would be detrimental to the family. The main problem with society’s standards is that they change daily. You only have to watch the news broadcasts to see that most of society’s standards are set by political correctness and we know how stable and sound politics are, don’t we? I see society’s standards as being whatever is convenient at the moment and when you look at the definition of what a standard is, that isn’t.

No, there is only one sound, reliable source for both wisdom and standards for how our families, ourselves and everyone should conduct themselves and that is - God! To quote a phrase from our study of Proverbs that speaks directly to what I just said, please read with me Prov. 9:10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
Back to our equation. If a father is truly following God’s standards he is then setting the proper standards for his family. Does this prevent fathers from making mistakes? Absolutely not! I know this may come as a shock to my children, and I hate to burst their bubble, but I’m not perfect. They may not be too shocked though as I suspect that their mother has already "spilled the beans" if you know what I mean.

But, leaving the joking aside, it’s my humble opinion that the most important job a father has is this: to possess in himself the standards which define a follower of Christ, IE: a Christian, and thus provide those standards for his family to follow. Does a father want his family to be productive, law-abiding, honest citizens living Christian lives? Then he had better set those standards for them to look at and follow.

In a reverse sense, there’s an example of what I’m saying found in something said by Jesus of the Pharisees. In the 23^rd chapter of Matthew Christ is severely chastising the conduct of the Pharisees and notice how He puts it in verse 32: "Fill ye up the measure of your fathers." In other words, by their unrighteous conduct, they were living up to the standards set by their fathers who had "killed the prophets." He’s telling them that their current unrighteous conduct is no better than the unrighteous conduct of their forefathers.
Let’s turn our Bibles to some words that show fathers how and where a good or proper set of "measures" (standards) can be found. It’s the scripture with which we started this lesson: "And now a word to you fathers. Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord."

Not only am I a father, but I’m also blessed by having grandchildren so I’ll bring this to a close by offering you another bit of God’s wisdom from the book of Proverbs. In chapter 17, verse 6 we read: "Grandchildren are the crown of old age, and the glory of children is in their fathers." What do you think wise old Solomon is saying there?

In short, God, through the hand of Solomon is saying that it’s a great honor for a man to live to see his children have children and for those children to be following God in their lives. And when you think about it, what greater "crown" could there be to a father than to see his "house" continuing in the standards and examples that he’s set if those standards are from God. And the other half of that proverb is that it’s also an honor for his children to have wise and godly parents.

Respectfully submitted, 

Ron Covey

FATHER'S DAY 2013

FATHER'S DAY - It just isn't the same!

If you've been a father for awhile you may have noticed that your reaction to it has changed through the years. When the kids are small it's a big deal to them (and to you). They do their best to make it special and it always is!

When they were younger things they made with their own hands were exiting to them and you. You relished the fact that they had taken the time to draw that card or make that clay ashtray (even when you didn't smoke), usually accompanied by a hug or a sloppy kiss. Many of you, like me, probably have some of those early gifts which you cherish.

As both they and you get older there seems to be a subtle change. Gifts move from the "I made it myself" stage, to the buying it at the store stage. Now that's fine, there are lots of neat things at the stores to purchase. But often it gets to the "I don't know what to give dad this year" stage. Yet, most dads I know would treasure the same thing they got in years past, a handmade card and a big hug.

Why the change, perhaps it is the society in which we live. A society that says, "Love is demonstrated by how expensive of a gift, how large or how many gifts you give." That generally is not true; most dads cherish the love much more than any gift. I wonder though if we as dads don't promote that idea. What do they see when we give gifts to them?

I don't know how many times I have seen parents and grandparents almost compete for the love of the child by giving lavish or expensive gifts. I wonder if our children have learned to equate love with money or expensive gifts.

Yes, Father's Day is a day when traditionally the family (especially the children) give some recognition to the father for all he does for the family,  but it's not just about gifts. It's about love and honor! Ephesians 6:2-4 tells us: "Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord."

Children you do the honoring part, dads you do the "bringing up with discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord" part. That's God's plan and that will work, things may not be the same, but they can be better!

Russ Lawson

How to spell rhododendron

The day was much too pretty to stay inside, and my wife's urging to get out and take a hike (?!) convinced me. I decided to hike to Grassy Ridge Bald on Roan Mountain since it was nearly time for the rhododendrons to bloom.

The rhododendrons are late this year (you can see them in full bloom in a video I made last year by going to http://youtu.be/TCFzeA7Netg), but that didn't keep the park from being crowded. Even on the Appalachian Trail, which takes one to the balds (mountain summits which are mostly free of trees), I met probably 100 hikers in my three-plus hours on the trail.

Traveling down the Interstate highways, you meet thousands of fellow travelers. In those circumstances, though, I see cars, not people. On foot my fellow travelers have faces, and most of them have smiles on those faces. I've made it a practice to greet all whom I encounter, and I find that virtually all of them return the greeting.

Though I've never had to put it to the test, I'm convinced that any of these fellow hikers would lend me a hand if I asked for it. Twisted ankles, dehydration, exhaustion - all of these and more are dangers one faces when hiking. Hikers, though, are good people (generally), and I or they would be quick to help if there was a need.

Not everyone is a hiker, but all of us are travelers. We're making our trek through this life to eternity. Along the way we all develop problems that make it challenging to continue the journey: illness, injury, economic setbacks, family strife, etc. Will anyone stop to help? Will anyone care?

Two travelers are the main characters in Jesus' well-known parable of the good Samaritan. A Jewish man was on a business trip to Jericho when thieves assaulted him. Besides taking his goods, they almost took his life. His need was obvious, but two of his own countrymen passed him by instead of stopping to help.

It was a Samaritan - a race despised by most Jews of Jesus' day - who "had compassion" on the wounded man. He went out of his way to help him; the Samaritan drew from his own time, energy and resources to help him. At the end of the parable, Jesus' lesson was clear: "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:30-37).

Circumstances and needs vary greatly, but all travelers occasionally need help. The law of Christ instructs us to take time to help one another: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself let you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:1,2).

Seeing others at a distance - from my car to theirs, for example - it's hard for me to detect their personal qualities. There is little impulse for me to show compassion at a distance. But when I see them up close, face to face, I realize that they are more like me than I had imagined. And in times of need, differences really don't matter so much, do they? What matters is who will reach out to help.

Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you'd like to discuss these ideas further.

Timothy D. Hall.

Dear Dad

I was in a second hand shop the other day and bought a book, yes a real book printed on paper. I have nothing against electronic books, I have a tablet which lets me read books on it also, but I guess I'm of the generation that still likes to hold a book printed on real paper too.

Anyway, a few days later I started reading the book. As I normally do, I read the front and rear covers and normally check to see what year the book was written, etc. (just a curiosity of mine). While looking the book over I found an inscription in the front of the book and the inscription has more meaning than the book itself.

In 1993 two children, Rachael and Richard wrote this message (in part) in the cover of the book: "Dear Dad… I read something today that reminded me of you, so here it is… 'A father is strong, yet flexible; wise, yet always learning; a leader, yet serving others.' That's you dad! We love you."

We all dream of having the "Perfect" relationship with our children patterned after some thing we have seen, read or been taught. The problem is that many in our world rarely have that kind of relationship. We have been blessed in our family in the fact that now as adults our children seem to like us pretty well, but it wasn't always that way when they were growing up. There were lots of times when they probably didn't like us very well, maybe even wished they had other parents who were more like their idea of the "Perfect" parents.

That's part of what being a dad is about though, isn't it? A dad is a source of love and protection, but he is also a source of rules and discipline. As the inscription said, "A father is strong, yet flexible; wise, yet always learning; a leader, yet serving others." The Scripture instructs us as parents, to "Train up a child in the way they should go." (Proverbs 22:6), and from experience I can tell you, that's not always easy.

Too often today, it seems that Dad's try and be "Best Friends" to their children, but you can't "Always" be in that place, because God gave you a greater job. Sometimes you have to face up to the fact that there are times while they are growing up, that you kids won't like you very well, but that's how it is suppose to be. Because no one likes to be disciplined, the scripture tells us, "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening, it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:11, NLT)

Now that they are adults our children can appreciate the discipline they had while growing up in our home. Occasionally, I'll even get the "Dear Dad" note or phone call. Those are special and meaningful, but I don't believe they would happen, if I had been less than a "Real Dad" while they were growing up. So, dad's, if you want to change the world, if you want to raise good kids, step up to the place and responsibility God has given you.

And Rachal and Richard, you message is still appreciated, even by a different dad than your own.

Russ Lawson