Insights Magazine: Issue Five, 2024

Jesus didn’t limit His Great Commission to a certain class of spectacular Christians who had “arrived.” His command and promise are for all Christians who are maturing and walking in pursuit of His calling.

Growing and Learning in Pursuit of Jesus’ Great Commission

by Charles R. Swindoll

Many years ago, I was invited to travel across the country to speak at a small Bible college. Moral failures from the prior president had caused the school to flounder, and the successor, a younger man with little training, was given the heavy mantle of leadership to keep the school on target and alive. Being good friends with some of the school’s board members, I wanted to help however I could, so I went.

The new president waited to greet me as I walked off the plane.

“How are you today....” Before I could finish my sentence, he shook my hand from the wrist and exclaimed, “FANTASTIC!”

“Well, that’s great,” I said, “How’s the sch....”

“OUTSTANDING! Just outstanding!”

Nothing’s this good, I thought, and he went on with story after story.

I returned the year after, and he put on the same act.

“Everything’s FANTASTIC!”

From my first visit to the second, the student body dwindled. Then I went back for the third time. Between my second and third visits, the president’s life had collapsed. His marriage had ended in a divorce. His children were adrift. The student body was at an all-time low. Soon, it seemed, the college would be closing its doors.

I got off the plane and there he sat off in the distance on a bench—head down, alone, deflated. We made eye contact. No smile. No handshake. I grabbed his shoulders, stood

him up, embraced him, and then pushed him back and asked, “Now, how are you?”

With tears hanging on his eyelids, he quietly replied, “I’m growing and I’m learning... but I’m not fantastic.”

Growing and learning. That’s what life is about.

Life is rarely as fantastic as this new president first portrayed. Life is ordinary.

I like how one Quaker mother put it, “God moves among the casseroles.” Isn’t that fitting? Life is about growing and learning as you deal with children and needs and lunches and carpooling and business challenges and disappointment and failure and struggles and dogs you can’t train and people you can’t stand even though you’re supposed to love them. One of my daughters with busy children once said to me, “Dad, now I know why some animals eat their young,” and I responded, “Be grateful you’re alive, sweetheart.”

In a recent letter, I discussed how Jesus’ nonsensational appearance to Cleopas and his friend, who were travelling to Emmaus on the first Easter Sunday, depicts how Jesus often works in our lives. Quietly and slowly, but perfectly and deeply. The Resurrected Lord simply walked along with them, talked with them, and later ate with them. They learned. They grew.

Jesus doesn’t usually do the dramatic and spectacular in our lives hour by hour.

Be careful of those who frequently emphasize the super-sensational. Growing and learning is often imperceptible. Hyped-up language and

flowery depictions of the Christian life can make you feel inferior if your life is not FANTASTIC. Furthermore, it makes you feel you must “arrive” before you can really obey Christ in pursuit of His Great Commission. Nonsense!

Just weeks after Jesus’ stroll toward Emmaus, He appeared on a mountain before His followers and issued His universal directive:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

Jesus didn’t limit His Great Commission to a certain class of spectacular Christians who had “arrived.” His command and promise are for all Christians who are maturing and walking in pursuit of His calling. Here’s what I mean.

First, Jesus spoke with ordinary people who knew Him personally. They weren’t selected

because they were the best and brightest. They didn’t receive magic wands or halos or uniforms. They were ordinary folk, like you and me, whose main requirement was just showing up.

More than anything, obeying Christ’s call requires that we just show up.

Second, Jesus presented a simple and clear game plan. It’s uncomplicated: make disciples. We tell others about Jesus and help them obey Jesus. There is no trade secret or insider knowledge or coded language. We invite others to grow and to learn in Christ as we’re growing and learning in Him.

Third, Jesus was intense about the mission but relaxed about the method. There’s a place for everybody. You don’t have to be dripping with charisma or eloquent or charming or super-intelligent or stunning or wealthy or well-connected or beautiful. Christ will harness your personality, talents, gifts, and circumstances to further His mission with the method just right for you.

Growing and learning. That’s what following Christ is all about!

Coffee, Christ’s Coming, and a Sip of Comfort

by Charles R. Swindoll

The other evening my wife and I were enjoying a quiet conversation together. We were sipping some fresh-perked coffee, the house was unusually still, and we had no plans to go anywhere that evening. You know...one of those priceless moments that you wish you could wrap up and reserve for later use when it’s really needed.

For some reason our discussion turned to the subject of Christ’s return, and out of the blue, I found myself thinking about it more

than I had for months. Cynthia and I chuckled at some comments we’d made about letting the folks in the Tribulation worry with the hassles that we had to handle then—like cleaning out our garage or landscaping the backyard! We also smiled together, contemplating the joys of sharing our lives throughout eternity with family and friends in the body of Christ.

For the balance of that evening, I kept returning to the thought, He is coming back. What a difference it will make! It is remarkable, when you

stop and think about the many things we take for granted that will suddenly be removed or changed drastically. Think about that.

Is it a waste to focus on the Lord’s coming? Quite the contrary. It’s biblical; it’s the very thing Titus 2:13 says we ought to do:

Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. (NASB1995)

When was the last time you—on your own—meditated on that fact? If you’re like me it’s been too long.

People who are more practical than mystical, who are more realistic than idealistic, tend to only dwell on that stuff during times like funerals or near-death experiences. Most of us are here-and-now thinkers more than then-and-there thinkers. But Scripture says we are to “comfort one another” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) with information about Jesus’ return for us. It says these truths form the very foundation of a “steadfast, immovable, always abounding” lifestyle (1 Corinthians 15:50–58).

LISTEN, THIS BIBLE OF OURS IS FULL AND RUNNING OVER WITH PROMISES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RETURN OF OUR LORD CHRIST. I JUST CHECKED. IT’S NOT JUST HINTED AT; IT’S HIGHLIGHTED.

perverted it. Many will shout sarcastically, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). The return of our Saviour will continue to be attacked, misused, and denied. But there it stands, solid as a stone, soon to be fulfilled, ready to offer us hope and encouragement amidst despair and unbelief. “OK, swell. But what do I do in the meantime?” I can hear a dozen or more pragmatists asking that question right now. First, it might be best for you to understand what you don’t do. You don’t sit around, listening for some trumpet blast. You don’t keep staring up into the sky, looking for the “rapture cloud.” You don’t whip up a white robe and buy a helium-filled balloon with angels painted all over it. And for goodness sake, you don’t try to set the date because of “the signs of the times”!

Listen, this Bible of ours is full and running over with promises and encouragements directly related to the return of our Lord Christ. I just checked. It’s not just hinted at; it’s highlighted . It’s an obvious theme of New Testament truth. You can’t read very far without stumbling upon it, no matter which book you choose. In the New Testament alone the events related to Christ’s coming are mentioned over 300 times.

Critics have denied it.

Cynics have laughed at it.

Scholars have ignored it.

Liberal theologians have explained it away (they call that “rethinking”), and fanatics have

You do get your act together. You do live every day—as if it’s your last—for His glory. You do work diligently on your job and in your home— as if He isn’t coming for another 10 years—for His Name’s sake. You do shake salt out every chance you get...and you do shine the light...and remain balanced, cheerful, winsome, and stable, anticipating His return day by day.

And most importantly: “Comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Has the weight of the world crushed your spirit? Take comfort. Be encouraged. The Lord is coming soon.

Mary: An Average Woman with Extraordinary Faith

by Insight for Living Canada

The New Testament character of Mary is known for her obedience, humility, and faith. She was an average young woman who had no idea what God had in store for her life!

Name

Derived from Miriam possibly meaning “stubborn” or “bitter.”

Outstanding Characteristics

Humility, obedience, and faith.

Summary

Mary was an ordinary young Jewish virgin engaged to a carpenter named Joseph. An angel

named Gabriel appeared to her and announced she would be the mother of Jesus. Although she was confused at first, Mary soon responded with amazement, joy, and submission. She gave birth to Jesus in a stable, was visited by shepherds, and later was also visited by magi. When she learned of King Herod’s plot to kill Jesus, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt, although they eventually returned to Nazareth to raise Jesus. Scripture records Mary as present at various events during Jesus’ life and ministry such as when Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem

at the Temple (Luke 2:46–49), the wedding in Cana (John 2:3–10), when she came with Jesus’ brothers to find Jesus and take Him away (Mark 3:31–35), at Jesus’ death on the cross (John 19:25–27), and finally with the disciples in the upper room after Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:13-14). Mary was a thinker—wondering, pondering, and reflecting on all that happened to her. Despite not understanding it all, she was a humble servant who obeyed and praised God.

Key Scripture

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38)

Lessons Learned

1. God uses ordinary people to accomplish His plans God chose to use an ordinary young woman and her carpenter husband from a small village to bring the Messiah into the world. We too are God’s chosen instruments to accomplish His will and purposes in bringing the Good News to the places He has put us, including our family, workplace, and community. God can use those who are faithful to Him in His plans to accomplish great things.

what God is doing, yet He asks us to humbly and joyfully submit and trust Him through it all and allow Him to use us to fulfil His purposes.

4. Relying on God’s grace

Mary encountered much difficulty as a result of her pregnancy, Jesus’ birth, her flight to Egypt, and being the mother of Jesus. But she did it all by relying on God’s grace. No matter what God commands us to do or allows us to face, He will give the grace to accomplish if we rely on Him.

5. Turn to Jesus

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHARACTER OF MARY IS KNOWN FOR HER OBEDIENCE, HUMILITY, AND FAITH. SHE WAS AN AVERAGE YOUNG WOMAN WHO HAD NO IDEA WHAT GOD HAD IN STORE FOR HER LIFE!

Mary turned to Jesus for help when she had a problem to be solved. When the wine ran out at the wedding in Cana, Mary told Jesus, then told the servants to do whatever He tells them. When a problem arises where do we turn to first for help and guidance? Do we seek Christ or turn to others? Do we spend time worrying? Do we point others toward Christ to help them?

6. God doesn’t forget those who sacrifice for Him

2. Nothing is impossible with God

God enabled the virgin Mary to conceive Jesus and to raise Him. If He can do that, He can go above the laws of nature to fulfil His purposes. In our life also, God can overcome any obstacles, no matter how big or how difficult so that we can achieve what He has called us to do.

3. Joyful submission and humble obedience

Mary said “yes” to God’s plan for her life even when she didn’t understand how, as a virgin she could give birth. She had an obedient, submissive, and humble heart. Are we willing to say, “yes Lord,” to whatever task He calls us? Sometimes in our lives we don’t understand

God didn’t cast Mary aside once she had raised Jesus. Even on the cross when He had the weight of the sins of the world on His shoulders, Jesus made sure to make provision for a believer to take care of His mother and provide for her future. We can trust that if we sacrifice to serve the Lord, He will provide for us too.

Mary, an ordinary young woman, had a life characterized by humble obedience and faith. Her story can teach us a lot about trusting in the Lord’s guidance, wherever He leads!

Bible Basics: Composition, Compilation, and Biblical Themes

by Steve Johnson

The Bible is a compilation of books and it did not come into existence at one particular time or place. The 66 books of the Bible were written at different times, places, and under varying conditions.

The Bible we have today is composed of two major parts—the Old and New Testaments. Its structure is based on the fact that God made two testaments or covenants with His people, and that the second has replaced the first.

The Old Testament contains 39 books divided into four groups according to their contents. The first group from Genesis to Deuteronomy, containing the five books of law. These books are also called the Pentateuch and form the basis of all the Jewish law. They contain some of the best-known historical events recorded in the Bible such as the creation, the flood, and the exodus from Egypt.

The second group, from Joshua to Esther, contains 12 books of history and continues recording the history of the Israelite nation. They include the Israelite's settlement into the land of Canaan, the span of time under kings, the years spent in Babylonian captivity, and their return from exile.

The third group contains five books of poetry—Job to Song of Solomon. These books, written by various authors, are strong in ethical emphasis and content.

The fourth and last group in the Old Testament, from Isaiah to Malachi, is made up of 17 books of prophecy. These are sometimes sub-divided into five books of Major Prophets and 12 books of Minor Prophets—a distinction based on length. These books cover how Isaiah and other prophets brought God’s Word to their people and foretold the Messiah’s coming.

The New Testament contains 27 books, which are also divided according to their contents and arranged in a certain chronological sequence.

The first five, from Matthew through Acts, are books of history. The first four books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, tell us about the life of Christ. Then the book of Acts teaches us about the church’s establishment and its early growth.

Next are 21 letters of apostolic teaching, from Romans to Jude, which were written to congregations and individual Christians with instructions for the church and Christian living.

The final book in the New Testament is a book of prophecy known as Revelation. It portrays the continual struggle between the forces of good and evil.

Despite the order in which the books of the New Testament are arranged, the letters from the Apostle Paul were among the first to be written. After becoming a Christian, he began preaching Jesus as the Messiah and dedicated the remainder of his life to spreading Christianity.

Paul travelled all over the Roman world and wrote letters to the Christians in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, and so forth. These letters addressed specific problems or situations Christians were facing at that time. These letters were treasured, copied, and circulated, and various congregations and individuals made collections of them.

When were the accounts of Jesus’ life put into writing? At first there were only oral accounts by eyewitnesses, men who had been with Him. But as years passed, eyewitness accounts became insufficient, increasing the demand was for authoritative written narratives. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John filled this need.

Their writings are called gospels because each one announces the Good News about Jesus Christ. For example, John gives his reasons for writing:

consequences. There is the theme of covenant. Still others have suggested the main themes of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.

No one theme adequately captures the message of Scripture. But one flexible enough to integrate several different interlocking themes summarizing the fundamental and central message of the Bible is the theme of the kingdom of God.

THE COMPOSITION, COMPILATION, AND THEMES OF THE BIBLE MAY COME FROM DIFFERENT TIMES AND PLACES, BUT THEY ALL POINT TO THE SAME TRUTH OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT OUR PURPOSE IS, CULMINATING IN THE ULTIMATE RETURN OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.

But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. (John 20:31)

The first generations of Christians did not have the New Testament as we have it today, but the letters making up the New Testament were considered authoritative and were read in public assemblies (1 Thessalonians 5:27).

The New Testament was added to the Old Testament as an apostolic witness of Christ. From century to century, book by book, the unique compilation of our Bible came into being.

What’s the main theme of the Bible? There are many repeated themes in Scripture, but only a few that flow continuously from Genesis to Revelation. One example is the theme of God’s revelation of Himself and the Person of Jesus Christ. Another is the theme of sin and its

The kingdom of God is about the reign of God. In one sense, God is always the King of kings and the Lord of lords, ruling over everything that happens. But in another sense, God’s reign has been flouted since the fall of humankind, and the Scriptures tell the story of the kingdom regained. The focus on God as King is evident in the regular refrain found in Scripture, particularly the Old Testament, where God is identified as the Lord. As Lord, He is the Sovereign One, the Creator of all, the One who deserves praise and obedience. In other words, saying that the theme of Scripture is God’s kingship is verified and confirmed by the constant refrain that God is the Lord.

The kingdom of God is also about human beings as the subjects of the King. Human beings are the crown of creation, having been created in God’s image. Since God is King and Lord, it is His purpose and design that He be glorified in all things and by all people. God the King is honoured when human beings receive and depend on His love and experience His salvation.

The sovereignty of God and His kingship take place in history in the salvation story recounted in the Scriptures and revealed supremely in the ministry and person of Jesus Christ. And it is by means of His covenants

that God’s rule is established in the lives of His people. In the covenants God promises that He will accomplish salvation for His people and be their God.

Finally, the kingdom of God is about His rule being worked out in the realm of earth and heaven. The entrance of sin into the world represents a rebel kingdom that threatens God’s kingship and seeks to undo His love. The story of Scripture is not only the relationship between God and human beings, it also relates to the universe. What is the destiny of the world that God has made? The Scriptures promise that there will be a new heaven and a new earth—a new creation where the glory of God will illumine the cosmos.

So, the kingdom of God has a threefold dimension, focusing on God as King, on human beings as the subjects of the King, and the universe as the place where His kingship is worked out. The composition, compilation, and themes of the Bible may come from different times and places, but they all point to the same truth of who we are and what our purpose is, culminating in the ultimate return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.

THE

INTEGRITY

OF A LOYAL HUSBAND

insight for living ministries

The following mini-study is presented to familiarize you with Pastor Chuck’s method of Bible study and provide an opportunity to study the passage yourself.

“Although deceived by the man he trusted most, Uriah died with honour. How magnificent was this man of integrity!”

—Pastor Charles R. Swindoll

URIAH

was a man of integrity and an elite soldier named among David’s mightiest warriors (2 Samuel 23:39). But Uriah’s character was proven at home rather than the battlefield through commitment, consistency, and trustworthiness. Let’s learn how we can keep our integrity, even when the people we most admire have completely lost theirs.

Prepare Your Heart

We begin by opening our hearts to receive the truth God has for us in Scripture. In your journal, write down an invitation to the Lord to light your path through His Word.

Turn to the Scriptures

Our key passage for this study is 2 Samuel 11.

As king, David answered to no one and did whatever he pleased. He sent his commander, Joab, to fight the Ammonites while he “stayed behind in Jerusalem,” taking his ease (2 Samuel 11:1).

Lust overtook David when he eyed Bathsheba from his rooftop, sent for her, and “slept with her” (11:4). Their affair came to light “when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant” (11:5). Rather than confess his sin, David plotted a shameful cover-up involving Bathsheba’s loyal husband—Uriah.

Observation: Uriah, a Man of Integrity

As you observe the passage, follow the author’s progression of thought as Uriah

remained loyal and true to his convictions while David piled up one sin after another.

: O According to 2 Samuel 11:6–8, how did David first try to cover up his sin?

: O According to 2 Samuel 11:9–12, what did Uriah do and what reasons did he give David?

: O What character qualities did Uriah demonstrate?

: O According to 2 Samuel 11:13, what did David try next to soften Uriah’s resolve? What additional actions further demonstrated Uriah’s character?

: O Exploiting Uriah’s trustworthiness and obedience, David gave Uriah a letter to take to Joab, knowing Uriah would not open it. According to 2 Samuel 11:14:17, what treachery did Uriah deliver with his own hand? What did Uriah do that demonstrated his character all the way to the end?

: O The appalling charade continued in the tragic aftermath when Joab sent word of Uriah’s death to David. According to 2 Samuel 11:18–25, what sarcastic undertone do you observe in Joab’s message to David? What hypocrisy drips from David’s response?

: O How does the author conclude this dark chapter in 2 Samuel 11:26–27?

Interpretation: Uriah and David in Contrast

To interpret the passage, we seek to understand the meaning that the author intended for his orig-

inal audience. A clue is revealed in the number of times the author refers to Uriah as “the Hittite,” a foreigner (2 Samuel 11:3, 6, 17, 21, 24).

In boldest strokes, the author contrasted the indecency of the king with the nobility of the foreigner to give the strongest warning that no one is above God’s moral law.

: I What truth does the author make in 2 Samuel 11:27 that every follower of God must understand?

: I Summarize the lesson the author teaches through his contrast of Uriah’s integrity and David’s sin.

Correlation: Uriah’s Good Name, David’s Lingering Shame

:C According to Psalm 32:3–4, how did David’s sin detrimentally impact his life?

:C Psalm 51 records David confessing to God his sin with Bathsheba and asking Him for forgiveness. Which lines stand out to you as a model of confession for us when we sin?

Application: Four Lessons to Ponder

First, we learn how magnificently a man of integrity and loyalty like Uriah can live his life. In our day of moral darkness, a person of honourable character lights up the sky like a comet with their consistent commitment and trustworthiness. How magnificent! Ask God to help you be the Uriah in your family, at work, and in your community.

Second, we learn how hypocritically a person of importance and authority can hide his or her sins like David did. When we receive promotions, people respect us and look up to us. Not once did Uriah question David or think his king capable of such evil. Learn from David’s tragic fall to stay accountable and humble for the sake of those who trust you.

Third, we learn how treacherously someone under the authority of another, like Joab, can assist in their leader’s wrongdoing. Joab was a co-conspirator in Uriah’s death. He knew it was wrong to have the man killed. Be careful about blindly following a leader and not confronting his or her sin.

Fourth, we learn how completely our God knows, sees, and hears everything about us. We may be accountable to no one on earth, but all remain accountable to heaven.

:A What lesson from Uriah’s account do you find most fitting to your situation? What should you do this week to follow this principle?

A Final Prayer

Father, when I’m tempted to compromise my convictions and break my vows, remind me of Uriah’s example of consistency, commitment, trustworthiness, and loyalty to the end. May those who look up to me find me faithful to my promises and bold to always do right, even when those I admire are doing wrong. In the end, all honour and praise for everything I do well goes to You, my King. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Go to insightforliving.ca/husband to download the full-length Searching the Scripture Study and listen to Pastor Chuck’s message.