The message title was
"Raise the Standard".
I admit to being quite partial and biased with the pastor who delivered the message
(who also happens to be my beloved husband).
Standard: represents something or a direction, it can also mean proclaiming truth.
Numerous Scripture passages were shared about God saying to "Lift up a standard"
Isaiah 49:22 "God will set up His standard"
Is. 62:10 "Lift up a standard for the people"
Jeremiah 4:6 "Set up a standard"
Jeremiah 50:2 "Set up a standard, publish it, proclaim it"
Jeremiah 51:12 "Set up the standard"
Jeremiah 51:27 "Set ye up a standard"
The "Standard" is the Word of God.
Jesus Christ is the Standard.
If there was ever a time that we need to raise up the standard....it is today! Instead, the world and many, many churches are lowering the standard. Recently I was listening to a Mennonite Conference being asked to completely embrace and accept homosexuality as Godly/Christian. Does it not matter what Scripture says and what it calls sin? If homosexuality and adultery aren't sin, then why is murder, sexual abuse, stealing, etc? If we don't call sin what God calls sin, then who decides which one we call sin and which one we don't call sin?
Today so many people separate Jesus from His Word. We have the idea that someone can commit their life to Christ, yet have very little to do with His Word.
Jesus and His Word are inseparable....they are one and the same. John 1:1-4
The Bible is the Word of God. It was God-breathed. II Tim. 3:16
The prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit as they wrote. II Peter 1:21
Recently our country decided to legalize homosexual marriages; it lowered the standard. Today churches and conferences are looking for ways to make homosexual and adulterous marriages (and many other things the Bible calls sin) acceptable. Again, lowering God's standard. We shouldn't be shocked when unbelievers lower the standard but our hearts should be deeply grieved when those who profess Christ follow suit.
I drank as these words were read across the pulpit:
"If you follow Christ and His teachings; you are raising up the standard."
"When you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; you are raising up the standard for the world to see."
"When you love your neighbor better than yourself; you are lifting up Jesus Christ."
"Men, when you love your wife as Christ loved the Church and gave His life for it; you are raising up the standard."
"Ladies, when you respect your husband; you are raising up the standard."
"Children, when you obey your parents; you are raising up the standard."
"When you respect those in authority; you are raising up Jesus Christ."
"When you love your enemies; you are raising up the standard."
"When you deny yourself and take up your cross; you are raising up the standard."
"When you assemble yourselves together with other believers; you are raising up the standard."
"When you love the brotherhood; you are raising up the standard."
"When you are a living sacrifice; you are raising up the standard."
"When you are not loving the world; you are raising up Jesus Christ."
"When you live a modest lifestyle; you are raising up the standard."
"Women, when you veil your heads; you are raising up the standard."
"Men, when you embrace leadership; you are raising up the standard."
In other words,
I am lifting up the standard, Jesus Christ, when I follow His teachings.
I am only following Jesus Christ as wholeheartedly as I am following His Word. I cannot pick and choose which part of His Word I follow. If I am not following His Word wholeheartedly, then I can quit professing to be His follower because I am not following Him!We are also enjoying Vacation Bible School this week and in the adult class I was inspired as Rod shared on what the early church believed and practiced and challenged by how the West's view of God and Scripture has been influenced and watered down compared to the early church age. Here are some of his quotes:
"We are saved by faith but if I don't have obedience, then I'm not saved."
"Grace is God helping me to do what is right and good."
"Temptation can be a joy and strength if I use it to overcome."
"Freewill is a factor in eternal security."
"God does not retaliate against evil men."
"The New Birth gives us a new desire to pursue the goodness of God."
"Evil is in the world because of freewill."
"So many today, too, believe they have their ticket into heaven and at judgment will somehow flash their "pass/ticket" and slide on by, that only the wicked will be judged. According to Scripture, everyone will be judged. We will be judged for our deeds/actions and words." Something to think seriously about!
Listen to the Psalmist David's words in Psalm 119
that speak of his LOVE for God's Word,
that speak of his LOVE for God's Word,
Law, testimonies, statutes, precepts/judgments/commands, etc.
Some of these words are so taboo in today's church,
yet here is David publicly proclaiming how he loved them!
Where and how have we lost our love for God's laws?
Ps. 119:
14: rejoice in God's ways as much as in riches.
16: delight myself in thy statutes
24: delight in God's testimonies
34: observing God's law with my whole heart.
40: longing after God's precepts
47: delight in God's commands, which I love
54: God's statutes are his song
72: God's law is better than thousands of gold and silver
93: never will forget God's precepts for they bring life
97: o how I love God's law, it is my meditation all the day
103: God's Word is sweeter than honey
111: God's testimonies are my heritage and rejoicing of my heart
112: will perform God's statutes always, even unto the end
127: love God's commands above gold.
The question ringing in my mind is:
How wholeheartedly am I following Christ?
I'm only following Him as wholeheartedly as I'm following His commands and teachings.
Nothing more and nothing less; because I cannot separate Christ from His Word.
