Category: The New You

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Monday, April 21, 2014
“Life is a Stewardship”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Monday, April 21, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is THE NEW YOU!

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man’s all.

For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing,

Whether good or evil (Eccl. 12:13-14)

Ecclesiastes asks the question, “Is life worth living?”. While hints to the answer are found throughout the book, one has to wait until the very end – in chapters eleven and twelve – to get the final conclusion to Solomon’s life experiments. In the final two chapters of Ecclesiastes, the preacher describes life in four ways. He says that life is an adventure to live by faith, that life is a gift to enjoy, and that life is a school to learn our lessons. We’ve examined each of these topics in previous episodes of The New You. Today, we focus on the fourth of these life lessons and it’s this: Life is a stewardship; fear God.

Webster says that a steward is “a person whose job is to manage the land and property of another person.”. God created life (Gen. 1). He is the giver of all gifts (James 1:17), and it is in Him that we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). We depend entirely upon God for the very air that we breath and for each day that we’re given.

Paul says “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7), so we better use the things we’ve been given to accomplish God’s will. James says, “you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away … you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (James 4:14-15).

As Christians, we understand our dependency upon God. Where would we be without God’s grace, mercy, kindness and love? Ephesians tells us exactly where we’d be – Christ-less, spiritually homeless, hopeless and God-less (Eph. 2:12).

One who is truly wise will realize his or her dependence upon God early on. Solomon conducted one experiment after another to find the purpose of life. He looked at power, riches, wisdom, and everything else only to find that all is vanity and grasping for the wind. But when he broadens his view and stops looking at life solely from an “under the sun” human perspective, he finds the real purpose of life: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Eccl. 12:13).

To “fear” God means to honor and respect God. We stand in awe of Him! We are aware of His great power and of His great love for mankind (John 3:16), and our reaction is one of pure respect. Note that this reverence for God is necessary before the next step, keeping His commandments, is possible. In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” The same logic is used there in John as here in Ecclesiastes 12. We must love the Lord first, then we will serve Him. We must love God first, then we will serve Him.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 cannot be overlooked here. Life has purpose because of its relation to eternity. We will be judged by everything that we have done – whether good or evil. Even the secret things will be exposed on that judgment day!

Let’s wrap it up: We all have an appointment with the judgment day (Heb. 9:27), so we need to be prepared! Here’s how to do it: give your life to the Lord. Completely and fully give it to Him. Relinquish control of your life and allow yourself to be the clay and God to be the Potter. Then, be a steward. Understand that God gave you life so that you would live for Him. Accomplish His will. Bring Him glory. This is man’s all. Nothing is more important than that.

Memory Verse: Turning now to this week’s memory verse. Today’s thoughts are so important that I think we need to reflect on them all week long. So, this week’s verse is Ecclesiastes 12:13!

Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

Great job! We’ll have this verse down in no time.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

Do you have a suggestion for The New You that would help this podcast better meet your needs? Have an idea that would make the program more compelling to you or to someone you know? Why don’t you contact me with your suggestions! I’ll be happy to hear them! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-265-4448. Questions for Q & A Saturday are also welcome there, of course. That’s 903-265-4448 or robert@thelightnetwork.tv

I’ll meet you tomorrow for another edition of The New You.

Until then, remember that, as a Christian, you are a steward of your resources – including the most basic resources of life that God gives you each day. Use your life wisely. Live for God and glorify Him. 1 Corinthians 6:20 puts it this way: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

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Saturday, April 19, 2014
“Q & A Saturday”

 

 

 

 

Submit Questions for Q & A Saturday!

• Email: robert@thelightnetwork.tv
• Voicemail: 903-26-LIGHT (903-265-4448)

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• Click here to see all of the episodes of The New You.

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Saturday, April 19, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is the Saturday edition of THE NEW YOU!

Welcome to Q & A Saturday! Let me take just a moment here at the beginning to remind you that I could really use your questions for next week! If you have a question or comment – anything you’d like to add in to the show – I’d love to hear it! Don’t be afraid to ask anything. Email me at robert@thelightnetwork.tv or, better yet, give me a call and let’s hear your voice right here on the show! My voicemail line is 903-265-4448.

Let’s get started.

Question #1: “In school we have discussion about global warming (the cause and effects). Is it wrong to believe in global warming?”

A: Is it wrong to note that the earth’s temperatures are changing? No. However, we shouldn’t believe the idea that the earth’s resources are being depleted (including the depletion of the ozone layer) because of human inventions or actions. God sustains the entire universe, and the earth will stand as long as He wills for it to stand.

Here are some helpful articles on this subject:

• “Christians Believe In Global Warming” by Dave Miller, Ph.D. (Apologetics Press)
• “Global Warming, Earth’s History, and Jesus’ Return” by Eric Lyons, M.Min. (Apologetics Press)

Question #2: “Is it wrong to not want to get married or to not want to have children?”

A: No, it is not a sin to remain unmarried and to have no children. Read 1 Corinthians 7:1.

However, several things should be considered:

1. Marriage is awesome! When two people are committed to God first and then committed to each other, then their marriage will be what God intends for it to be. It will be happy and beautiful. Sadly, few people see marriage as God intends is to be because of sin. In Genesis 2, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” In Hebrews 13:4, the Bible says, “Marriage is honorable among all.” If you are interested in getting married and having a family one day, don’t give up too soon! On the flip side of that, don’t settle, either! Ask God to help you find the right person, someone who loves God, who obeys God, and who will be dedicated to helping you and your family go to heaven.
2. Sexual intimacy is only Scripturally acceptable within the marriage bond (Hebrews 13:4). Sex outside of marriage is sin. Look at 1 Corinthians 7:1-2: “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:  It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband“ (emphasis added, RH).
3. Children are a blessing. Again, many people choose to go against God’s pattern for the home and for parenting, so they do not enjoy the joy that God intends for parenting. Psalm 127:3 says that “children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Further, the Psalmist states: ” Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psa. 127:4-5).

Memory Verse: On Saturdays we like to see how well we’ve done with the week’s memory verse. Here’s what I’m going to do: I’ll say the verse but with blanks. As I say it, you say it with me and see if you can fill in the blanks. We’ll review the answers at the end. Here goes!

Romans 5:___ – But ______ demonstrates His own _______ toward us, in that while we were still __________, Christ _______ for us.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Great job!

Over the weekend: Tomorrow is the first day of the week! That’s the day that the first century disciples gathered to worship (Acts 20:7). Modern followers of Christ will do the same. Do you have a place to worship tomorrow? If not, check out our show notes over at thelightnetwork.tv for an interactive map of congregations. (http://www.searchtv.org/mapchurch.html). Search for your area and I’m sure you’ll find a nearby congregation with which to worship.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. You can contact me by email at robert@thelightnetwork.tv or by phone at 903-265-4448. Archives of this program and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

I’ll meet you on Monday as we begin another work week together right here on The New You!

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Friday, April 18, 2014
“Because He Lives…”

 

 

 

 

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• Email: robert@thelightnetwork.tv
• Voicemail: 903-26-LIGHT (903-265-4448)

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Friday, April 18, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is THE NEW YOU!

The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day (Luke 9:22).

Preaching Jesus Christ is not complete unless we preach the resurrection. What happened atop Calvary’s hill is a beautiful picture, but a bleak one unless it is accompanied by the picture of the empty tomb! Yesterday, you and I looked at the results of Jesus’ death. Today, let’s look at the results of Jesus’ resurrection.

Because He Lives…

1. I have CONFIRMATION. Jesus’ resurrection confirms that there is a resurrection from the grave! Notice these three confirmations that Jesus’ resurrection offers us:

First, the resurrection confirms the truth of Christianity. 1 Corinthians 15:14 says: “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” I know that Christianity is true – and, thus, that the Christian life is a life worth living – because Jesus’ tomb is empty. Think of the millions of people who identify themselves religiously by human names and who, in some cases, even flock to the tombs of their beloved leaders to worship and pay respect. Christians don’t have any need for such actions – Christ isn’t there! His tomb is empty!

Second, the resurrection confirms that there is a future state. Jesus sought to comfort the hearts of His disciples as He said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). He proceeded to tell them about heaven. He described the many rooms that are in His Father’s house. Then He said,

…if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:2-3).

Jesus promised us that there is a future state, and He promised that He has gone to prepare a place for the righteous.

Third, the resurrection confirms that the dead will rise. Hear John 5:28-29:

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Because He lives, I have confirmation!

2. I have TRANSFORMATION. Jesus’ resurrection has transformed my outlook on life! Notice three ways in which this is true:

First, the resurrection dispels the darkness of the grave. Because of eternity, Paul was able to look at death as a victory! In the great resurrection chapter, we read:

 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54).

Second, the resurrection means that Jesus conquered death. The Hebrews writer says that Jesus released those who were afraid of death and who were subject to a lifetime of the bondage of sin. Jesus conquered the grave! Jesus conquered sin!

Third, the resurrection means He has brought life and immortality to light. 2 Timothy 1:10 says that Jesus has “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Because He lives, I have a transformation in the way that I see life! Life is now all about Him and about being with Him eternally in heaven when this life is over (Col. 3:1-2).

3. I have MOTIVATION. The resurrection gives me the motivation that I need to seek Him first.

First, the resurrection shows proper priorities. “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 6:11 says.

Second, the resurrection gives us hope. How pitiful would our existence be if this life were all that there is! We would run into the complex that Solomon ultimately faced in Ecclesiates: life is vanity and grasping for the wind! But, because of Jesus, life not only has purpose, it also has hope! Paul says, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Cor. 15:19).

Third, the resurrection motivates us to bear our trials for His sake. Have you ever suffered for Jesus? Maybe you have endured verbal persecution for the cause of Christ. Perhaps you are listening to this and you have experienced something worse than verbal persecution because of your faith in Jesus. In 2 Timothy 1, Paul points out that his motivation for enduring trials rested in Jesus:

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day (2 Tim. 1:12).

Let’s wrap it up: Jesus died that we might live. Jesus lives that we might live eternally in heaven. How do we respond this type of love? I think this song sums it up pretty perfectly:

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!

Memory Verse: That love is echoed in our memory verse this week:

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

I’d always love to hear your questions, comments or suggestions for this podcast! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-265-4448.

I’ll meet you tomorrow for the Q & A Saturday edition of The New You. Have a great weekend!

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Thursday, April 17, 2014
“Because He Died…”

 

 

 

 

Submit Questions for Q & A Saturday!

• Email: robert@thelightnetwork.tv
• Voicemail: 903-26-LIGHT (903-265-4448)

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Thursday, April 17, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is THE NEW YOU!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

It is one of the most familiar verses in all of the Bible, yet its message is one of the most profound. God loved, He gave, we believe, we live. This, my friends, is the epitome of both grace and mercy.

Today and tomorrow, I want us to look at this great manifestation of God’s love from two perspectives. Today, I want us to look at the result of Christ’s death on the cross. Tomorrow, I want us to examine the result of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Today, “Because He died… .” Tomorrow, “Because He lives… .”

Because Jesus Died…

1. I have REDEMPTION

Redemption is “the action of regaining or gaining possession of something [or, in this case, someone] in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.” Redemption is a result of a ransom price being paid. The Bible says that “without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). So, Colossians 1:14 says that in Jesus “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Truly, His wounds have paid my ransom! Because He died, my debt of sin is paid!

2. I have RECONCILIATION

To reconcile is to restore to friendship or harmony. Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2), and puts us at enmity with God (James 4:4). Yet, through the cross of Christ, I can have a relationship with God because I can be forgiven of my sins! Listen to Colossians 1:19-20:

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Because He died, my relationship with God is restored! (2 Cor. 5)

3. I have PROPITIATION

Webster defines propitiation as “to make (someone) pleased or less angry by giving or saying something desired.” Jesus’ propitiatory sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God toward me. Romans 3:25-26 put it this way:

whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

There’s a lot of meat in those two verses. They’re worthy of your careful consideration in the privacy of your personal Bible study. The point is this: Because He died, my place was filled! Jesus’ death satisfied the wrath of God that I deserve.

4. I have JUSTIFICATION

We are justified in Christ Jesus! That is, it is “just-if-I’d” never sinned! It means that Jesus has made us just, that is, upright, good. This is certainly a result of the grace of God, coupled with my acceptance of God’s gift of grace through my obedience to His will. Romans 3:23-24 puts this beautifully:

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Because He died, I am forgiven of my trespasses! I can be rendered right in the sight of God, and I can remain so as I continue to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).

5. I have SALVATION

Salvation is “preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.” That pretty much sums up where we were before Christ: harmed, ruined, and lost. Just read Ephesians 2 and you’ll see that contrast. But here’s the beautiful part: Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). He died that we might live!

Peter puts it this way over in 1 Peter 2:24:

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

Those are powerful words. The stripes are the wounds that Jesus bore. Wounds from the scourging which preceded the crucifixion, and, of course, wounds from the crucifixion itself. Those wounds – that death – that Only Begotten Son – that grace – saved us. “We, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.” Because He died, I can live!

Let’s wrap it up: What I’ve just told you represent what life is all about. Life is about going to heaven. That’s true success. If you miss heaven, you’ve missed it all. Don’t miss heaven. There’s no excuse for it.

Memory Verse: Let’s remind ourselves once again of God’s grace by looking at this week’s memory verse.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Sometime today: Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 and contemplate the benefits we enjoy because Jesus rose from the grave.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

I’d always love to hear your questions, comments or suggestions for this podcast! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-265-4448.

I’ll meet you tomorrow for another edition of The New You.

Today, thank God for John 3:16 and for the truth that it discloses. God loved. God gave. We believe. We live.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014
“There is One Faith”

 

 

 

 

Submit Questions for Q & A Saturday!

• Email: robert@thelightnetwork.tv
• Voicemail: 903-26-LIGHT (903-265-4448)

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Wednesday, April 16, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is THE NEW YOU!

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Eph. 4:4-6).

As I reflect today on the opportunity that many of us will have to assemble with the saints for Wednesday evening Bible study, I’m reminded of the great fellowship that we enjoy together. There’s a unity that we have as God’s people. You know, fellowship is more than just talking and visiting; it is a state of existence, a commonality between agreeing people on a set of standards and rules for a given activity. For example, people who play golf are a part of a fellowship in the context of golfing. They understand and agree upon the rules of the game.

Fellowship with God is exactly the same. We have a standard, a set of rules, by which we govern our lives, and we understand that abiding by the rules is necessary to maintaining our fellowship with God and with God’s people.

Ephesians 4:4-6 gives us seven pillars on which we stand to be unified together: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. This Wednesday edition of The New You brings us to an examination of the one faith.

Faith and knowledge are linked together. You can’t have faith without knowledge. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing God’s Word. In fact, faith and knowledge are so linked together that the New Testament often places the article “the” in front of the word “faith” to refer to the New Testament’s teaching as a whole.

Let me illustrate. In Galatians 1:23, Paul mentions some brethren in Judea who had heard of his conversion to Jesus. He says that they heard this about him: “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” What did they say Paul was preaching? “The faith.” Note the singularity of this message that Paul preached; it was THE faith, implying that there is no other. But we don’t have to just imply the singularity of this message. Paul actually preached and boldly defended the singularity of the message of Christ.

In Galatians 1:6-9 Paul warns these brethren that they have been deceived by false teachers to think that there is another gospel. Paul says that this isn’t another message, instead “there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:7). Then we find these chilling words:

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).

Now how many times does the Holy Spirit have to say something in order for it to be both true and binding? Well the answer to that is only once. Here, this inspired apostle offers two back-to-back warnings of the danger of perverting the pure, true New Testament.

Let’s wrap it up: There is one faith. That’s “the faith” that had converted Paul to Christianity. That is “the faith” which Paul preached to Felix (Acts 24:24). That is “the faith,” the doctrine of Christ, that unifies you and me as new creatures in Jesus Christ. For that matter, that is “the faith” which continues to renew the inner man day by day (2 Cor. 4:16).

By the way, you and I are to have a passion for the defending the faith, too. Listen to Jude 3:

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Memory Verse: How are you doing with this week’s memory verse? I love this verse! I’ll say it once, then you repeat it with me the second time.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Sometime today: Speaking of this week’s memory verse, sometime today head on over to Romans 5:6-11. Read that text at least once today and spend a few minutes thinking about how the death of Christ has impacted your life. We’ll look at that topic together tomorrow.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

Do you have a suggestion for The New You that would help this podcast better meet your needs? Have an idea that would make the program more compelling to you or to someone you know? Why don’t you contact me with your suggestions! I’ll be happy to hear them! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-265-4448. Questions for Q & A Saturday are also welcome there, of course. That’s 903-265-4448 or robert@thelightnetwork.tv

I’ll meet you tomorrow for another edition of The New You.

Today, increase your faith by studying and applying THE faith. Learn it, love it, spread it, and defend it.

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Tuesday, April 15, 2014
“The Things that Are God’s”

 

 

 

 

Submit Questions for Q & A Saturday!

• Email: robert@thelightnetwork.tv
• Voicemail: 903-26-LIGHT (903-265-4448)

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• Click here to see all of the episodes of The New You.

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Tuesday, April 15, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is THE NEW YOU!

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mat. 22:18-21).

Here is one of several examples in the New Testament of Jesus totally silencing those who sought to attack Him. The Pharisees and the Herodians conspired together against Jesus, seeking to “entangle Him in His talk,” according to Matthew 22:15. They use the political issue of taxation, intending to trap Jesus.

They begin their attack with hypocritical flattery: “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men” (Mat. 22:16). If they would have meant the words that they spoke, then they would have been showing a great devotion to the Lord. They list four things about Jesus that actually were true, though they didn’t believe them. First, they said that Jesus was true. Then, they said that He taught the truth of God’s way. Third, they said that Jesus was courageous enough to teach the truth even though it might be an unpopular truth. Finally, they said that Jesus showed no partiality. Again, all of these statements were factual regarding the Lord, though the Pharisees and the Herodians did not believe them. They were attempting to build Jesus up, emphasizing His independence.

Now they go in for the attack: “Tell us, therefore, what do You think? It is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Mat. 22:17). By “lawful” they mean is it in accordance with the Law of Moses.

The Pharisees and the Herodians would have fallen on both sides of this issue. The Herodians were loyal to Herod, as indicated by their name. They were more of a political sect than a religious one. They understood that Herod’s power came from Rome’s Caesar, and so they were in favor of the tax. The Pharisees, on the other hand, opposed the Roman tax. They did not want to submit to Gentile power. On top of that, they knew that the Roman Caesar was deified and practically (sometimes even literally) worshipped. Furthermore, they felt that they had better use for their money than to give it to Rome.

By asking this question, they felt that Jesus would have to come down on one side of the issue, thus showing partiality to one side over the other and offending His people. Perhaps they even thought that they might could get the Lord for treason if He said that it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.

Jesus, however, saw right through their petty schemes. Matthew 22:18 says that “Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, ‘Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?’.” Jesus uses this occasion to silence His enemies and to teach those who were listening an important spiritual truth. So Jesus asked for some tax money. Now each ruler would have minted his own coins, putting his own image and inscription on them. Jesus asked, “Whose image and inscription is this?” no doubt, holding up the coin that He had been given. Well, they had to answer “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus gave us this simple, but profound truth: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mat. 22:21).

Let’s wrap it up: The Light Network, of which The New You podcast is a part, is blessed to have an international listening audience, for which we are grateful. For those of us in the United States, April 15 may be a date that makes us cringe: tax day! Today’s examination of Matthew 22 teaches us three important lessons concerning Christians and our country:

First, Christians honor and obey rulers. Romans 13, 1 Peter 2, and 1 Timothy 2 all teach this to be true. We may not – and probably won’t – agree with a lot of what happens in the political arena. Something tells me that our first century Christians had very little in common with the ethics of the political climate in which they lived. However, they were still told to pray for their rulers, to honor the king, and to submit to their rule.

Second, Christians honor and obey God. Jesus said that they are some things that belong to Caesar, and then there are things that belong to God. Of course, everything belongs to God, doesn’t it? And yet, God has given authority to the civil government to rule over our lands (Romans 13). Our chiefest allegiance is to God. Peter and John are great examples here. They said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Third, Man bears God’s image and owes God everything. Caesar’s image was on his coin, but God’s image is on man (Gen. 1:26-27).

So, today we pay our taxes as citizens of the United States of America. We thank God for our country and for the lives that He continues to bless in abundance. Yet, we constantly remember that our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20), for we have been created anew in Christ Jesus.

Memory Verse: We focus this week on a great verse about God’s love expressed through His Son’s sacrifice:

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Sometime today: Let’s return to the seven pillars of unity in Ephesians 4:4-6 and focus upon the phrase “one faith” found there in verse five. What does that mean: “there is one faith”? Why is that important? More on that tomorrow.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

Questions, comments, suggestions, and other correspondence is always welcome! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-265-4448.

I’ll meet you tomorrow for another edition of The New You.

Today, thank God for your country, and follow Peter’s instructions from 1 Peter 2:16 to be a model citizen: “as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”

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Monday, April 14, 2014
“Life is a School”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Monday, April 14, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is THE NEW YOU!

The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh (Eccl. 12:10-12).

Welcome to the beginning of a brand new work week! Sometimes Mondays can be difficult. Today, I’m here to remind us that life is worth living! Solomon’s point in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes is to find the meaning of life. His grand conclusion is this: life has meaning and purpose, but only in God! Apart from God, life is nothing but vanity.

In his journey to find the meaning of life, Solomon discloses this important truth: Life is a school; learning your lessons!

I remember being a student in high school learning how to write research papers. We were to write about important topics and we were to draw conclusions and support those conclusions with the documented research that we had done. I remember that the Internet had only recently been introduced into our daily lives in small town, Tennessee, so our high school teachers warned us and even restricted our use of online sources for our papers. They wanted us to learn to use the library and to get our sources through the library instead of through the world wide web. They wanted us to learn true versus bogus sources.

Life’s school teaches us many lessons. Solomon wants to be sure that we go to the right sources to learn those lessons. The alternative, of course, is to learn these lessons the hard way, which is never pleasant. So “the Preacher sought to find acceptable words.” Other translations say “delightful” words. Further, he sought words that were “upright – words of truth.”

What are your arguments for living life the way you do? Do you have the sources to back up those arguments? Living life based upon what feels right just isn’t sufficient documentation. Living life based upon what someone else says isn’t enough, either. Instead, let’s go all the way to the Source. God created this world (Gen. 1:1), and He knows how to live life to the fullest. We have the truth of God right in His Word, the Bible (John 17:17).

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

We should be able to trace our lives back to life’s Source, God in heaven. He is the Shepherd mentioned here in Ecclesiastes 12:11. Solomon says that God’s Word is like goads and well-driven nails to those who wisely receive the Word (James 1:21).

But Solomon takes this conversation one step further in Ecclesiastes 12:12: “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.” These words are from the man who was blessed with wisdom from God. You know, you can find people to agree with almost any crazy idea out there, but following crowds is not going to lead you to heaven (Mat. 7:13-14). Some people put so much stock in their studies that they’ll “study” themselves right out of all rational thought! Paul talked about those who were “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). Is the Bible against learning and higher education? Absolutely not. But the Bible is against alleged scholarship deceiving masses into thinking that faith is for the uneducated and the illogical.

Let’s wrap it up: The school of life has many lessons to learn, especially for new Christians. But here’s my greatest takeaway from Ecclesiastes 12:10-12: go to the right Source, the Bible. Let God be your guide and you’ll never go wrong.

Memory Verse: A new work week means a brand new memory verse! Today we turn our attention to this magnificent verse from the New Testament book of Romans:

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Great job! Let’s keep at it all week long and we’ll have Romans 5:8 down in no time!

Sometime today: Ok now this is for those of us in the United States: have you filed your income taxes yet?! Tomorrow’s the deadline! Sometime today, read Matthew 22:15-22 where the Pharisees asked Jesus whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. We’ll discuss that together tomorrow.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

Do you have a suggestion for The New You that would help this podcast better meet your needs? Have an idea that would make the program more compelling to you or to someone you know? Why don’t you contact me with your suggestions! I’ll be happy to hear them! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-265-4448. Questions for Q & A Saturday are also welcome there, of course. That’s 903-265-4448 or robert@thelightnetwork.tv

I’ll meet you tomorrow for another edition of The New You.

Until then, recognize the Word of God for what it is: a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psa. 119:105). It is the manual by which we should guide our lives.

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Saturday, April 12, 2014
“Q & A Saturday”

 

 

 

 

Submit Questions for Q & A Saturday!

• Email: robert@thelightnetwork.tv
• Voicemail: 903-26-LIGHT (903-265-4448)

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Episode Outline:

Question: “Sometimes I feel all alone as a Christian, as though no one else is trying to do what I’m trying to do. Is that a sin?”

No, being discouraged is not intrinsically sinful. However, unless we properly deal with it, discouragement could cause our faith to falter. Taking the example of Elijah in 1 Kings 19, let’s look at how to deal with discouragement:

1. Elijah needed to rest, eat and drink (1 Kings 19:5-8).
2. Elijah needed to draw near to the Lord (1 Kings 19:10-12).
3. Elijah needed to seek God in the peace of the small things (1 Kings 19:12).
4. Elijah needed a reminder that he was never actually alone (1 Kings 19:13-18).

An important New Testament example is found in Acts 4:23ff. where Peter and John went to the church to pray after being told not to teach about Jesus any more.

Other relevant passages:

• Galatians 6:9
• 1 Peter 5:7
• Philippians 4:6-7
• Hebrews 13:5-6

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Friday, April 11, 2014
“The Bond of Perfection”

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Friday, April 11, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is THE NEW YOU!

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection (Col. 3:14).

The love about which the apostle here writes is that famous Greek word agape. I like the way R.C.H. Lenski defines the term: “the love of intelligent comprehension and of corresponding purpose” (p 172). This is the love that seeks the highest good of its object. It comprehends a need, then responds to meet that need.

This verse says that love is “above all.” Above all of what? If you’ve been with me this week for The New You, then you know what all love is above. On Tuesday we noted five virtues listed in verse 12 that all Christians are to put on: tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering. Yesterday, we parked in verse 13 for a while and noted that Christians are to be bearing with one another and they are to be forgiving one another to the extent that Christ has forgiven them. Now, Paul gives the crown jewel of all of these qualities, and that is love.

Note that this kind of love actually originates in the mind, not in the emotions. True love is a decision, not merely a feeling. I’m deciding ahead of time that I’m going to love my brethren. Now here’s the thing about my brethren: they’re human just like I am! I know how I am far more often that I would like to admit. I’m imperfect, unloving, and sometimes unlovable! I’m continually working to put on (and to keep on) the new man who is different. Here’s my point: my brethren are the same way, aren’t they? You, too, have good days and bad days. You, too, are sometimes unlovable. But what is my response to you? Love!

It’s interesting that Peter saves “love” for last as he lists the Christian graces. He says,

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love  (2 Pet. 1:5-7).

Some have suggested that Peter saves “love” for last because it is the highest of all of these virtues to which we could attain. Perhaps, too, it is the most important. Didn’t Jesus say that the greatest command is to love God with all of our heart, soul, and strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Mat. 22:37-39)? Yes, love is that important.

It’s no wonder, then, that Colossians 3:14 identifies love as the “bond of perfection.” That word “bond” is descriptive of the unity that they enjoyed as God’s people. Back up in Colossians 2:2, the Holy Spirit says that God’s people are “knit together in love.” The words translated “knit together” comes from the same Greek word translated “bond” in our verse for today.

Let’s wrap it up: Do you want to be a part of a spiritually mature and unified group of believers? Then you want to be sure that you put on love. Take special care in how you treat your other brothers and sisters in Christ. Be friendly, kind, and humble. Walk in their shoes, forgive, and forbear. This is God’s plan for the way we should interact as the church. Just think what the church would be like if all of us would be the new you that is described in Colossians 3:12-14! Just think about how much more effective we would be in our communities! Let’s be THAT church. It all begins with you and with me.

Memory Verse: We turn once again this week to our memory verse. I’ll say it once, then you repeat it with me.

Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

Great job! Tomorrow we’ll go over it with blanks to see how well we’ve done at learning this verse throughout the week.

Over the weekend: Be sure to worship on the Lord’s day! Can I help you find a place to worship on Sunday? I’d love to help any way that I can. I’ve put a link in our show notes today (http://www.searchtv.org/mapchurch.html) that has a map of congregations. You can search for your area and I’m sure you’ll find a nearby congregation with which to worship.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

Email me with your comments, thoughts, and questions for Q & A Saturday! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-265-4448.

I’ll meet you tomorrow for the Q & A Saturday edition of The New You!

Let’s go into this weekend with the words Jesus on our hearts. These are found in John 13:35: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Have a great weekend.

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Thursday, April 10, 2014
“Let Brotherly Love Continue” Part 2

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

It’s Thursday, April 10, 2014, I’m Robert Hatfield and this program delivers daily thoughts for new Christians. This is THE NEW YOU!

  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do (Col. 3:12-13).

Five virtues are listed in Colossians 3:12 that all Christians should possess and apply as they interact with other Christians. It is necessary that one develops these virtues before the thoughts in verse 13 can be adequately applied. Paul says we must put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering (all qualities that we discussed Tuesday), so that we can bear with one another and forgive one another. Let’s look at these two important phrases today.

First, note that Paul says that we should be “bearing with one another.” The tense there is interesting, indicating a present activity in which we are engaged. The King James Version says “forbearing,” where the New King James translates “bearing with.” The thought here is of patient endurance. When we put on the virtues listed in verse 12, then we will understand that our brethren have needs just like we have needs. I’m talking about emotional needs as well as physical needs. Some of us are better at communicating our needs than others of us, but when we all realize that we all need each other, then that will help us to bear with one another.

Now I want to make an emphatic point here. This does NOT mean that we’re tolerating one another with insincere politeness. Have you heard of this philosophy people have where they say things like: “The Bible says I have to love them, but I don’t have to like them!”? Let me tell you something: that philosophy is unbiblical! Would Jesus ever respond to someone with that sort of attitude? Absolutely not! Would our Lord ever say that about one of His sheep? Absolutely not! So why do we feel like we can say those sorts of things? Listen. I get it. Some people are easier to relate to than other people. Further, some days people wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Or am I the only one? There’s a reason Colossians 3:13 is in the Bible and I think it has something to do with how we are to conduct ourselves as Christians. We better listen up.

But I also want to swing over to the opposite end of the spectrum to make this point: “bearing with one another” also does NOT mean overlooking a brother’s or sister’s shortcomings. We have to help each other when we fall into sin. Listen to this week’s memory verse, Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Isn’t it interesting that this verse is not directed only to preachers or to elders? To whom is it directed? “Brethren.” That’s to all Christians!

Next up, Paul says that we are to be “forgiving one another.” Note again the present tense. This means I’m not going to hold a grudge against my brother or sister in Jesus. In order to do this I must remove all bitterness and irritation. Remember that 1 Corinthians 13 teaches that love keeps no record of wrong doings. Further, once again note that adding virtues like the ones mentioned in Colossians 3:12 will help us to continually forgive each other.

Finally, let’s look at that last statement in Colossians 3:13: “if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Notice that Paul doesn’t speak to whether there is a justified reason for the complaint. It just doesn’t matter. No matter the case, here’s the prescription: forgive each other just like Christ forgave you.

Let’s wrap it up: Ephesians 4:32 puts all of this in a nice package and wraps it with a pretty bow on top: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” There’s the standard. May God help us to follow it and to apply it.

Memory Verse: I mentioned our memory verse a moment ago, let’s review it one more time together. I’ll say it once, then you say it with me the second time:

Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

Great job! Once again, let’s ask God’s blessings of courage to apply this command in the right spirit of meekness that the Word prescribes.

Sometime today: Read Colossians 3:14 about the bond of perfection. What is that bond? We’ll study that together tomorrow.

OUTRO:

Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Archives of this program, episode transcripts, and more Christian podcasts can be found online at thelightnetwork.tv.

I want to hear from you! Do you have a Bible question or comment? Anything you’d like to throw into the discussion? Let’s hear it! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-265-4448.

We’re quickly approaching another weekend! I’ll meet you tomorrow for another edition of The New You. Have a great Thursday!