Verse of the Day 12/15
Hebrews 13:7-8 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. English Standard Version (ESV)
I received word this morning that R.C. Sproul has passed away. He was a Pastor, theologian and proclaimer of God's Word. While he was not the pastor of my church I benefited from much of his teaching over the years. I first began listening to him when I went to a men's Bible study back in Elgin Illinois. We met at 6:30 and he was always on at 6 am and I started listening to his ready program which was on at that time. I then read some of his books and ordered some of his tape series including "Dust to Glory" which walked through the Bible with over 20 hours of teaching. His "Reformation Study Bible" was my study Bible for several years and I've been receiving his "Tabletalk" devotional for more than a decade.
In watching, listening to or reading his messages you quickly learned that he firmly believed in the supremacy of God and the authority of His Word. He wasn't one for compromise yet in attending some of his conferences he would have a different stance than some others on such topics as baptism or the end times. He would invite pastors such as John Piper, John MacArthur and others to speak at his conferences even though they might disagree on some of these things. But they would all agree on the tenets of the faith.
I've watched him age over the past several years, but his vigor for preaching and teaching never diminished though his body fought against him.
When I read the notice of his passing, today's verses came to mind. They are a reminder to consider those leaders who have taught us and spoke to us the Word of God. To defend the faith, proclaim it, hopefully with the same passion to our last breath.
The second part is more important, to remember that Jesus Christ IS the same yesterday, today and forever. He won't grow weary, He will never age.
Max Lucado writes, "The present tense Christ. He never says, "I was". We do. We do because "we were". We were younger, faster, prettier. Prone to be people of the past tense. Not God. Unwavering in strength, He need never say, "I was". From the center of the storm, unwavering Jesus shouts "I am".
It is good to have spiritual leaders in the faith, but we are to remain anchored to the One who won't change, Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever.
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Hebrews 13:7-8The Message (MSG)
7-8 Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn't change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.
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