In a recent book (Benjamin Wiker and Jonathan Witt, "A Meaningful World") our old friend Darrel Dawkins is taken to task over some monkey business he has tried to pull off with some primates and a computer (he has apparently got them to produce a phrase from Shakespear’s hamlet by random chance). Their book, has received excellent reviews as it takes the intelligent design argument a step further. They argue that creation not only evidences design, but genius. Like the kind of genius seen in Shakespear’s Hamlet. One illustration is that of whimsy - which not only requires order and design, but design with a funny twist. To illustrate this they use the Panda which they call an instance of “comic relief” or “divine whimsy.” Of course they anticipate a reaction from creationist because, as a whole, we tend to be a bit too focused on finding flawless design in everything and forget that God is not a humorless engineer, but more like a quirky inventor.
They write:
"To spurn the notion as if it were patently ridiculous, as beneath consideration, is merely to expose one's utilitarian presuppositions. Why, after all, should the designer's world read like a dreary high school science textbook, its style humorless, homogenous and suffocating under the dead weight of a supposedly detached passive voice? Why should not the designer's world entertain, amuse and fascinate as well as 'work'? Why, in short, shouldn't we expect it to have the richness of variety and tone we find in a work of art like Hamlet?"
anyone that's ever been snorkeling or gone to an aquarium should know that our God had ALOT of fun making his creatures!! His creation is truly a work of art!
H. Turner always wanted to know - what about the Woodpecker? Did they beat their brains out before the pad in the back of their head evolved? Good ole' Turner.
In this text, Paul explains how the foolishness of God demolishes the wisdom of men. We sometimes take this expression to mean something like, “God at his worst, on an off day, when He hasn’t had time to think things through, can still outdo the best and brightest of the world’s thinkers.” But, when we put it in such crass terms it becomes clear that something else must be meant. Paul is actually saying that God delights in using things the world finds contemptible, weak and foolish to wreck havoc with the things the world exalts and glories in. While it is important to understand this in principle, it is more important that we understand that God has actually done this in history. In fact, this is precisely what God has done in the cross.
In our text Paul draws attention to the wisdom and the rulers of this age and to the hidden wisdom of God (2:7) or the foolishness of God (1:25). What he wants us to see is that both of these came together at one particular moment in history at the cross of Christ and he wants us to see what happened when the two collided. Because God’s wisdom is hidden, especially from the proud, the wise rulers never saw it coming. If they had known, Paul tells us, they never would have crucified the Lord of glory (2:8). The question we will pursue this morning is threefold: who were these rulers, what was their wisdom, and in what sense are they coming to nothing?
Who Are The Falling Rulers – The simple answer to this question is to point out the civil and religious authorities specifically mentioned as responsible for Jesus death. This would include, Caiaphus, the majority of the Sanhedrin, and other ranking Jews among the Pharisees & Sadducees. We would also have to number the Gentile authorities represented by Pontius Pilate. Interestingly, history tells us a good deal about what became of a number of these rulers. Within six years Pilate was removed from office and overcome by misfortune, killed himself. Herod Antipas died in exile, many of the Jewish leaders were crushed by the Romans when they destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD. But if we stop here we would neglect specific refrences to another ruler who was implicated in the crucifixion of Christ. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." This He said, signifying by what death He would die (John 12:31-33). Finally, we must see that such “rulers of this world” (v. 6), represent an entire way of thinking that had dominated the world for millennia. But, in view of the cross of Jesus, Paul looked around him and said, these kinds of rulers “are coming to nothing.” Paul clearly thought in terms of a present evil age, world, creation that was passing away or being subverted by a new world, new age, a new creation in Christ.
What Was The Collapsing Wisdom – Taking our cue from the gospels, it is clear what wisdom the “rulers of this age” employed. We are given insight to the secret counsels of the ruling authorities in John 11:45-50. We also see this played out in the trial of Jesus itself. The wisdom of this age is the wisdom of self-preservation, the wisdom of accusation and condemnation, the wisdom of unbelief and disobedience, the wisdom of a calloused heart. It is a wisdom that knows only power, and the use of force to accomplish its ends.
Coming To Nothing – In the death and resurrection of Jesus, God overturned the wisdom of this age. The spread of the gospel is a public expose of the actual men involved in the injustice surrounding the death of the innocent Son of God. But Paul says it goes beyond this by exposing that same “wisdom” wherever it exists. This means that when the gospel is faithfully preached it gradually brings to nothing human arrogance, injustice and the common practice of railroading, scapegoating and every other sham that the rulers who cling to the pre-Christian era love. The public preaching of the cross is the humiliation of both the men involved in Jesus death, and of everyone before or since who employ their method. "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2:15).
What does this mean for us. It means we must never exchange the new life in Christ for the wisdom of the age that is passing away. We must never resort to the will to power but resolutely follow the way of the cross. We are to walk humbly before our God and deal with one another justly and even more, with grace and mercy. It means that we must oppose the “wisdom of this age” anywhere and everywhere we see it rear its ugly head.
Where does it show itself today? In politics where the wisdom of the world is still far to pervasive. The church must show the world a better way by the manner in which we seek position and rank among ourselves. In the workplace where the old ways are often manifest in the competition, the envy and the rumors we must do better, refusing to take part. In a day when families are in crisis due to the selfish ambitions, contentions and jealousies of their members, we must live in the new creation, remembering that the old way is of the Devil and are coming to nothing as surely as Christ died and rose again. What are the ways of the word? selfish ambition, pride, envy, lust for power, saving face all of which were on public display at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Of course they disguised their hideous and disfigured forms under the guise of righteous zeal, “He is worthy of death,” “He misleads the people,” “He claims to be king” “He is a blasphemer” “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” But God exposed the whole thing for what it was when he vetoed the crucifixion with the resurrection. So, what is the cross? It is the judgment of this world; it is the casting out of the ruler of this world; it is the lifting up from the earth, the humble King who is drawing all peoples unto Himself.
hey.. what's up host father .. long time no see miss you all a lot .... is every thing going on well? how is your church work going on ? busy? do you do a lot of work in our land ? cut trees? that's that i am thinking you were working on ./. and . i think you all out of town ,, right? where did are you right now ? love you .. zack
Good to hear from you Lawrence, i shall be writing something soon. I hope all is well with you? Kevin and I had discussed having you over again sometime (I know reside with them, on behalf of their hospitality).
I heard on the radio today that the second most popular baby name in Great Brittan is Mohamed.
I also ran accross this little jewel:
"This has produced the extraordinary phenomenon of radical Islam—which denies female equality and preaches death to gays—marching under the banner of human rights. The self-styled progressives on the British left, for whom human rights have replaced Christianity as the religion for a godless society, have formed a jaw-dropping axis with militant, fundamentalist Islamism. These two revolutionary camps have put their very sizable differences to one side so that each can use the other to advance their goal, which is the destruction of Western society and its foundation values. The effect on Britain of Islamist-chic has gone far beyond left-wing circles" (Melanie Phillips, Londonistan, p. xxiii).
Unfortunately many people in history have sided with the very thing that brought about their destruction. Perhaps it might be justice for some of our Godless liberals to live under and Islamic regime.
Once there were two boys who happened to be twins. Most of the time they got along wonderfully well, but on other occasions they could treat each other like the worst of enemies. One summer afternoon, their mother asked them if they would like some ice cream and, as you might imagine, they were both delighted. They climbed up onto the kitchen stools and waited patiently while their mother dipped the first bowl. When she finished, she slid it over in front of the oldest who dug in with wide eyed delight. The other said nothing, but was inwardly murmuring and thinking, “He always gets served first.” When their mother finished the second bowl and slid it in front of the other, he was well pleased because it had a smidgeon more in it that his brother’s. Unfortunately, when the first brother noticed this he erupted over the blatant injustice. “You always get more” he said, “You always get served first” the other shot back. But their mother was wise and simply put both bowls back in the freezer and asked, “What is the one rule your father has required of you in your treatment of each other?” They had heard this a thousand times before and sheepishly replied, “That we love one another.” “The Bible says that ‘love does not envy’ and the two of you are green with it.’” “Yea but he always...” “No he doesn’t ‘always’ and even if he did, love would mean rejoicing with him over his good fortune as cheerfully as you would over your own.” “Do both of you understand?” “Yes Ma’am” they answered and then told each other they were sorry. “That’s better. Now, who wants their brother to have some ice cream?” “Me” they both replied with a grin. “Now, that’s more like it.”
As we gather together today as God’s family, you will notice that not everyone here has been given the same amount of wealth, good looks, intelligence, quality of voice, influence, authority, etc. What are we to do with such diversity? We can give way to envy and call God unfair, or we can love one another and be just as grateful to God for what He, in his love and wisdom, has given to our brother as we are for what He has given to us.
Once there was a college freshman who was delighted by the fact that he was now grown and out from under the tutelage of the schoolmarms down at the local high school. He had once overheard his mother telling someone on the phone that he was actually smarter than most of his teachers and of course he believed it. To some extent his confidence was well founded. He had been a precocious child and, as he aged, continued to be well above average at school. Now, half way through his second semester in college he really found his stride. His grades were excellent and he had been asked by one of his professors to do some research for him, something the professor told him he had never asked a freshman to do before which added to the young man’s feeling of self-importance. One Sunday morning an elder at church, who had long taken an interest in Larry, for that was his name, and who was concerned about the direction he was heading, took him aside for a little talk. “Larry” he said, “I heard you decided to stop going to Bible class.” “Yes sir, at least for now” he replied. “I really don’t get much out of Mr. Walker’s teaching, it’s really basic.” “I see, and you think that you already have all the basics down?” “Yes sir, I’m a quick study. In fact doctor Rictor says I’m...” “Well, I’m sure that you remember what the apostle Paul told the Corinthians about knowledge then?” Larry thought a moment, “Didn’t he say something like “knowledge is the key to success?” “No Larry, he said, ‘Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.’” “I want you to think about something Larry. the university is not the place where you get to forget all that you learned in kindergarten. All the Sunday School basics apply to everyone here, all day long, every day. Tell the truth. Be honest. Be kind. Let others go first. Work hard. Respect your parents and teachers and so on. One of the first lies that sin tells us is that it is possible to grow past these things. We are told that maturity means that the basics don’t apply anymore, and we tend to look down on those poor saps who are still paying attention to them.” After a brief moment of silence, he went on, “Larry, I’d like for you to reconsider your choice, and more importantly I’d like for you to rethink the reason why you decided not to go to class.”
The first paragraph really speaks to my heart. I believe in all families, physical and spritual, it is easy discredit the talents of others for reasons of envy or etc. I have come to truly believe the differences in our physical families of each individual members is meant to the longevity and survival of the family. Instead of begrudging a sister for being creative when I am less so, I should be glad my family includes a creative person and I will be able to benefit from said talent. Likewise, when I recognize I have a talent or gift which is lacking in others in my family it should be shared for mutual benefit to all the members of my family. I think this really should be the defining quality of families born and made.
All sin is deadly but the two I’ve saved for last are exceptional. All sin damages our relationship with God, but pride and envy possess a destructive power that wrecks havoc in the lives and communities of those where it takes root like nothing else. Justification for such a claim comes from both the experience and teaching of Jesus Himself. The pharisees knew how to keep a clean white shirt looking nice and tidy, while yet rolling around in the filth of pride and envy which was rampant in their ranks. What did Jesus warn them about? The drunks and harlots will enter the kingdom before you! He didn’t say this just to get a dig in at his adversaries; He said this because it was true.
Envy is like covetousness, with a wicked twist. Whereas the covetous man wants what another man has, the envious man wants the other person ruined. To covet is to want what another person has enough to steal it, to envy is to resent what another person has so badly that we are tempted to destroy it or them. In Dante's Purgatory, the punishment for the envious is to have their eyes sewn shut with wire, because they have gained sinful pleasure from seeing others brought low.
The first thing we need to know about envy is that while we can smell it from a mile away in someone else, we can rarely detect, even a hint of it, in ourselves. Here are some questions to ponder: When was the last time you attributed any of your sorry behavior to envy and petty jealousy? Have you ever seriously acknowledged this? Have you ever specifically asked God or a brother’s forgiveness for committing this sin in regards to a specific incident?
In plain language the Bible tells us that at the root of most quarrels and disturbances in churches, families and other human associations is envy (James 3:13-4:6). Here we are told that the root is desire or want. Do you take notice of how much money other people make? Then look for trouble. Do you envy the good fortune of others? Then expect to find fault with them. Do you resent that you have comparatively little, or less than you deserve? Then James tells us that the root of the quarrel is already within you, whatever the occasion for the quarrel might happen to be. We do not know what day will be chosen to have the root spring up, but it will do so. This passages explains what is often mystifying to the observer of fights and quarrels. Sometimes the envy is easily apparent, but on those occasions where it is not lying on the surface we should remember the diagnosis of James and understand that somewhere under all the whitewash is seething envy.
James isn’t alone in this. A considerable amount of ink is used in scripture to illustrate envy’s hellish work. Consider the following examples, and as we do, keep a running tab of the common thread that provokes envy in each instance.
Cain & Able – In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast (Gen 4:3-5). By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings (Heb 11:4). For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous (1 John 3:11-12). Able acted in faith and Cain did not. Able received a blessing from God and Cain did not. In short, Able was in a right relationship with God and this provoked Cain to envy.
Joseph – Gen 37:11 tells us plainly that Joseph’s brothers envied him. The reasons why are in the text. First, he was Jacob’s favorite son. Second, though youngest, he had been given authority over his brothers. Third, God had shown him in dreams, that his brothers would some day bow down to the earth before him. Because of their envy they plotted to kill him, but in the end were persuaded to sell him for a slave. Perhaps most telling in the story is their haste to strip him of his colorful coat - the symbol of his superior stature among them. This is envy laid bare. They didn’t just want a coat for themselves, they wanted Joseph to be coatless.
Jesus – The Jews were unable to conceal their true motive in seeking the death penalty for Jesus. Mark 15:10 says that Pilate knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. Jesus had developed a significant following. He had repeatedly bested them in public debate. His love, mercy and relationship with the Father was obviously superior to their own and they burned w/ murderous envy. This example is particularly important because it puts the lie to the common sentiment that envy always has a hint of justification. Jesus was both sinless and humble. He was in no way responsible for the hatred and jealousy directed toward him. The sin of envy is owned by the envious alone.
Paul – When Paul preached in Antioch, the local authorities saw the large multitude that showed up to hear Paul preach and they were filled with envy (Acts 13:45). The same thing happened in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5). Not only were Jewish leaders afflicted with it, so were Christian preachers (Phil. 1:15). In the middle of a difficult church problem, it is frequently said, “I wish the Lord or one of His apostles were here to sort this thing out.” If we are paying any attention to scripture at all, we would realize that in ninety percent of the cases we deal with, the presence of the Lord or an apostle would not help at all and would likely inflame the situation even more. It was the O.T. church that crucified Jesus and the N.T. church that fought like crazy to silence Paul. When envy is the problem, the presence of wisdom, holiness and authority only inflame the hearts infected by it.
The common thread running through these stories is that the thing that is envied is the blessing of God upon superior spiritual virtues. Able, Joseph, Moses, Paul and Jesus were envied, not because they were arrogant and boastful. They all walked humbly before God in faith and God accepted them. More than anything, the ungodly want to see those living under the blessing of God, lose it. Since they have no means of actually destroying the relationship between God and the godly, they strike at the life of the godly itself.
Because this theme is so prominent in scripture, we should not be surprised to see it in the church today. The more godly a man, the more fruitful his ministry, the more the lord blesses his labor, the more we should expect to see him criticized, accused and in a word, envied. Now the envious Christian can’t take away his brother’s money, houses or cars, but he can go after something even more valuable - his reputation. For various reasons some can’t be a preacher, elder, teacher or respected influence in the church, but they can undermine the influence of those who are over them in the Lord. Another can’t seem to get it together and live as godly or holy a life, but he can mock the maturity of his spiritual betters. On and on we could go, and in the average local church we do. Because of this Paul warns Timothy about those with an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction. He admonishes him to withdraw himself from such people (1 Tim 6:4-5).
This theme is so pervasive that one might despair that envy can ever be overcome. But there are instances of this as well. The finest example is Jonathan, the heir to Israel’s throne who perceived that David was his superior and that God had blessed David in greater measure than himself. His response was to gladly acknowledge this and lend David his whole hearted support. This was not because Jonathan was a quivering coward, he was a warrior and a leader, but above that he was determined to accept God’s choice for king and take pleasure in David’s greatness.
The inaugural address at a Bible college put it well. “Don't envy the ease with which your classmate memorizes the presidents, or covet her looks, or brains. Rejoice for her. She is your sister. Don't covet your friend's car, or money, or girl friend, or wife. Don't want, don't grasp, don't desire, don't get a case of the gimmes. The sovereign God, who alone is wise God, has apportioned this world's resources, and the fact that He did not bequeath to you stunning good looks, the young man/woman of your dreams, and a katrillion dollars was apparently not an oversight. Be content and give thanks.”
Conclusion: Because of Cain, Able was cut off and yet the world is full of his descendants. Those who trust in the blood sacrifice to atone for their sins are true children of Able. Cain’s descendants are also numerous. They are the ones that will not have on their hands the blood of the one sacrifice that can truly deal with sin, every sin, including our own envious hearts. As a result they will have the blood of their brother’s always on their hands.
