Most of us have trouble letting things go; things that have seemed to bring so much joy, pleasure, security, and even things that enable or even keep us ignorant. If the teacher could take the liberty to be transparent, one such “thing” in my life that at first brought great discomfort to let go was bodybuilding.  For the sake of time and space I will only but briefly expound upon this matter.  First I don’t believe in and of its self, bodybuilding is a sin, but I confess with experience that it is the temporal things that when left unchecked and unbalanced can become sinful. Paul exhorts us with these words of wisdom: “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”  It was only when I was willing to weigh the costly personal investment of bodybuilding’s demands, and the personal and specific paths I believed the sovereign Lord was leading me to, the conclusion I came to was it no longer profited me.  I still find great enjoyment in pounding the weights, but not only does it not have a prominent seat anymore, without any hesitation or reservation it is the first of my personal investments to suffer for the sake of others. Coming to the point of our study, let’s begin with a few observations to apply to our walk.

1. There can be no transformation in our lives without a willingness to “OMIT”
2. What we omit generally ( or collectively) is solely based upon the God’s word and the demands it places on us
3. What we omit personally is, just that personal. It comes not by force, nor by might, but the leading of the Spirit. Are there Christian bodybuilders? Absolutely, but for me “personally” it was a pursuit I need to forsake
4. Lastly, and hopefully what we will build upon in this study is we are challenged daily by God to omit. If this challenge is not heeded ,what we choose to hold on to can become a contaminate

Contamination is a serious issue; one that if avoided by foolish neglect can have a myriad of consequences, not only for us personally (choose to sin, choose to suffer), but all we find ourselves connected to (choose to sin, choose to bring suffering to others).  When we apply this to Bible study, our unwillingness to omit contamination (doubt, perspectives, the old man…etc.) is not only unwise, but also a grievous affront to God and His provided Christ. Omitting is tough mostly because it cost us to release parts of ourselves we have either grown to love or have tried to so hard to cover up. Omitting is also the process of bringing us to Holiness, or “Wholeness”. Leviticus (the most exciting book of the Bible) is the book of Holiness which means it is also the book of omitting applied. We find the context for our lesson in Chapters 13, and 14 hoping we can shake the dust off this often avoided text, seeking the application By the Holy Spirit.

Leviticus is a book of rich symbols: these symbols are deep illustrations that find their application in the New Testament. At first read it can seem dry and of no value to the modern unreligious Christian, but hopefully a fresh perspective and open curiosity for the whole counsel of God’s word we can extract these symbols for our modern edification.  Let’s begin with this thought; what we wear says a lot about who we are and what we value. This has always to some degree throughout history been true. What we wear is the message we are choosing to express. Often we make considerations to wear what is suitable for a given task. A solider comes prepared to fight, a teacher to teach, a judge to judge. These examples are endless but an observation we can make in everyday life is this; often the message we chose to convey by our attire is that  what we wear is in one respect an expression of our character, or the character that our profession wants us to put on display. The question then is, is what we wear a biblical symbol for one’s character also? I believe this to be true, but let us see if the scriptures make this claim.  Paul writes in Romans: “But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”  Here we see two characters in view, and a choice to choose wisely.  Later in the book of Colossians he declares: “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Again we are given insight that what is worn visibly is all about character. What then does this have to do with Leviticus and how can we attach these applications to Old Testament symbols.  Let’s begin by reading Leviticus 13:47-49,

⁴⁷ “When a garment(character) has a mark of leprosy(contamination) in it, whether it is a wool garment or a linen garment, ⁴⁸ whether in warp or woof, of linen or of wool, whether in leather or in any article made of leather, ⁴⁹ if the mark is greenish or reddish in the garment or in the leather, or in the warp or in the woof, or in any article of leather, it is a leprous mark and shall be shown to the priest.

We find on the surface that God is greatly concerned by things that contaminate. We also see in view that the garment (character) is important to preserve, and for the sake of preservation checking for symptoms of contamination is two-fold. On one side you have the personal responsibility of the one who wears the garment on the other you have accountability imposed by the one who inspects your garment. In the text the imposed accountability come from a priest, because he alone knows the mind of God (Think of our great high priest Jesus). A priest is the intercessor, or the one who stands between two for the benefit of man. What we may infer then is God is concerned about reconciling the blemishes that destroy holiness (wholeness) in our character. Another question that comes to mind might be what envelops the symbol of character? This question has an important answer because we want to be aware of what God is inspecting in us. I think it would be easier if we look at character as relational, and from that vantage point we see that it is our personalities, thoughts, motives, attitudes, behaviors, and interactions that are subject to contamination. Where the symptoms of contamination go unanswered they become destructive because they aggressively spread.

A Garment (character) may fit well and even be pleasing to the eye: it may have been fashioned with great concern and skill in mind, but in the end by neglect be ruined by a blemish in the area of our character mentioned above. I wonder if you caught the hasty judgment I just made. It is something we all commonly do, sometimes without even a thought. God doesn’t make the outright judgment that the garment is ruined. In fact he looks to reconcile the garment, preserve the garment.  God goes to great detail in how the priest working together with the owner of the garment can restore it, or better stated make whole again. It isn’t until all else fails the judgment comes, the burning of what is not fit is prescribed.

As we set our gaze to our approach to studying the Scriptures we see that God is concerned about making us whole. That wholeness comes by the inspection of the Spirit of God, working with us to reveal the symptoms of contamination and convince us that God has made away to reconcile us to Him. Remember these words from Romans 12,

”And do not be conformed to this world (contaminated), but be transformed (made whole) by the renewing of your mind (inspection. Instituting, omitting), so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

In the second installment of this lesson the teacher, Lord willing will commit to deal with the remedy giving to reconcile the garment back to wholeness, and seek to discuss the house that becomes contaminated. Until then pick up your sword… it the leather one. - Ryan

Gospel of Luke-Lesson28

Contenders Bible Studies
Theophilus Project: The Gospel of Luke: Lesson 28
 ( Ch. 6:20-26)
The Kingdom of Separation-Part 2

Introduction

With a failing boxing career and His locker soon to be cleaned out Rocky Takes a good look at his life of thirty years. Nothing in his life seems to be going anywhere, but one thing is worth revisiting every day. Across the street from Mick’s gym is a small pet shop, but the animals aren’t his interest. The object of promise is a shy hometown girl by the name of Adrian. You see, to Rocky he had “gaps” and she had “gaps” but together they would fill gaps. The Sermon on the Plain (Mount) has a similliar connection. Before our encounter with the overwhelming grace of God our lives seemed at best hopeless (or for some a beautified version of hopeless) But there was a recognition of our “gaps”. Jesus is presented as the ultimate gap filler (and so much more). It is something from outside ourselves that changes everything; this change has visibility and puts on display for all to see (especially the hopeless). How does this process take place, and what are the markers of the authentic. Today we hope to explore this in our lesson by extracting from the underlining message.

Transitional Outline

1. Challenging ones Possession
2. Confronting ones Perspective
3. Charging ones Position

Unnatural Application
The Sermon on the Plain is a call to true discipleship; a discipleship that transforms from within, and isn’t secretive but visible. The beatitudes are the visibility of an authentic citizen of the Kingdom of God . Citizens are on mission; A mission to bring others to the King, and making disciples of them. This is a mission of patience and acceptance to a process.  

1. We challenge their possessions
2. We confront their perspective
3. We charge them to change their position

Contenders: Institute Part 2

“I can't do it.” “What?” “I can't beat him.” “Apollo?” “Yeah.” “I been out there walkin' around, thinkin'.” “I mean, who am I kiddin'?” “I ain't even in the guy's league.”  “What are we gonna do?” “I don't know.” “You worked so hard.”  “Yeah, that don’t matter.”  'Cause I was nobody before.”  “ Don't say that.” “Ah come on, Adrian, its true. I was nobody. But that don't matter either, you know?” 'Cause I was thinkin', it really don't matter if I lose this fight. It really don't matter if this guy opens my head, either. 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood.”  

    This dialogue full of all its grammatical errors comes from arguable the greatest movie of all time (at least 1976’…just saying), Rocky. This conversation takes place the night before the unlikely event of a bum given the undeserved chance to fight the Champ.
As we look to continue where we left off in our previous lesson Contenders: Institute part 1; we may learn a few character points from the Italian Stallion to get our mind set on instituting Gods word. First to be plain we were all apart from Jesus “bums”, But God through grace has giving us the chance of a lifetime; a chance to get in the ring of life and go the distance. Second we must foster an attitude of a champ, against all odds, and against any punishment we may take along the way. Lastly the hope of a champ never fails; it sees the success of instituting sound and practical principles, and simply does it. Solomon repeatedly said

“ There is nothing new under the sun”, but lucky for us Contenders (champs) institute things from far above the sun" (the Highest Position)

There are three remaining areas of focus we want to draw our attention to in uncovering institute as an approach.

1. Hopeful Planting
2. Healthy Patterns
3. Helpful People

Hopeful planting- In the parable of the sower of seed a lot of attention is given to the four soils (as it should), but the often looked over principle is the sureness of the seed. The truth never compromises, or promises to conform to our soils. Jesus said to the always crafty religious leaders when they tried to twist the truth,

“you are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.

We have the promise that the word will transform us, and transformation is our hope (expected end). Transformation also means conformation; conformation to the perfect image of the Son. This transformation/conformation combo comes by instruction. Roman 15:4 states:

        ⁴ For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

It’s only by hopeful planting that we institute the framework of our expected end.

Healthy Patterns- Have you looked in the mirror lately, like what you see? When you want to transform your physique calling upon the professionals is a sure fire way to find the success you desire. This is not the case for transforming the spiritual woes we often see in the mirror of God’s Holy word. Calling in the professionals (leaders in the Church) is really only the tools and material used to transform us. What we really need is to be connected to the Builder; He is the one who makes sense of all the externals. Notice the teaching of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:13

^“ which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit,
combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”

Paul is driving home the point that it is our reliance on the Spirit that institutes the teachings laid out throughout scripture. The Holy Spirit by His thoughts and words (often in our leaders) is the Institutor of healthy patterns in the lives of the redeemed. This process isn’t a cookie cutter factory spitting out model Christians. Jesus has sent the Helper to YOU to meet you where you are; The Helper is the One who comes along side us to transform us into the design of the Father.

Helpful People- As the cross draws closer we encounter a dramatic shift in intensity, we also become privy to a lengthy conversation between the Father and Son. In John 17 the heart of Jesus is put on display in His priestly prayer; This prayer closes with a focus on His chosen apostles to bring the sanctifying word to the world. The Transforming power of God’s word is first personal, but by design it germinates and pollenates in the world around those who have received it. If we can make this more practical look at Ephesians 5:25-28

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
²⁶ so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
²⁷ that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. ²⁸ So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;

Just in the family dynamic we can see how the responsibility of transforming others lies in the hands of the sacrifice of one. Contender take on a faith that moves out from within for the sake of all. The Redeemed become helpful people.

   Today is the night before your big fight with the champ. He is scary. He is ready to prove that your worthless and that you in all your weakness can’t even stand in the same ring with him. The fact is this isn’t Rocky. When you step in the ring ready to go the distance it won’t be in your strength or will but in the grace that is sufficient to overcome even death. So stand, swing, slip the jab, and know that even if you take one on the chin you will be standing in the end. On the journey there pick up your sword…it’s the leather one. -Ryan