Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
Editors: Warren E. Berkley, Jon W. Quinn
Nostalgia
The Front Page 15.1
By Warren E. Berkley
I'm thinking you have never heard of Johannes Hofer. I didn't think so. He was a Swiss medical student (1669-1752). In 1688 he coined he word "nostalgia." Our English term is derived from two Greek roots, nostos, returning home, and algos, pain or longing. Hofer wanted to express the pain a sick person feels because he wishes to return to his native land, but fears he will never see it again. In his era, it is reasonable to think Hofer witnessed many people, displaced and filled with the yearning to go home - ill or healthy. In the evolution of language, the term has eventually come to mean a longing for the past.
Measured objectively, such longing is entirely unpromising. Time machines have a magical intrigue and supply imaginative movie plots, but don't work. We just can't go back, not actually. But we can embrace good memories, and those thoughts are not wasted.
I have altogether pleasant memories about these past 14 years editing EF with Jon. I will not re-tell the whole story here. Jon is such a pleasant, cooperative fellow to work with. With the current state of technology, it is relatively easy for us to collaborate and compile without talking on the phone or meeting in person ... (could that be why he is so pleasant and cooperative with me?).
Seriously, we have a high regard for each other, work well together and take great pleasure in providing this material. Sometimes we think nobody is reading it, then we get the hit and view reports from the servers and sometimes hear from people who have been either helped or agitated by something in the journal.
So our work continues - we pray, to the glory of God. Thanks to Steve Rudd for his part in the distribution. Thanks to our writers and readers. We would love to hear from you.
The Psalmist asked the question of the Lord, "What is man that Thou dost take thought of him?" (Psa. 8:4). Even though the Bible was written over a period of 1500 years, its teachings are consistent about the nature and identity of the human being. Human philosophies underwent drastic changes and revision, but the Scriptures always taught the same things because its ultimate Author is God.
From Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
The Central Place of Attitude
Philippians 2:1-4
By Warren E. Berkley
If your attitude is not right, I don't think you can fix anything else! Everything else in your life, depends upon attitude: Your participation in worship; Your responsibility to your spouse and children; Dealing with people; Handling temptation; Enduring suffering; Being properly related to other Christians. If your attitude is not right, you cannot effectively handle, or deal with or fix anything else. It is as Solomon wrote - in Prov. 4:23.. "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."
If we will develop good focus and clarity about attitude, that will put us in position to properly approach every other aspect of practical life. Just look at the words and phrases packed into this little paragraph: love, affection, mercy, and joy and then, consolation in Christ; comfort of love; lowliness of mind. Further, observe what is forbidden: selfish ambition and conceit.
This is about attitude, and this attitude of unselfish humility is essential in order to please God, follow Christ, have personal peace of mind, and to live in harmony with others.
We cannot be united with each other until we are first united with Christ. Our relationship with God through Christ is the basis of our good relationship with each other. And when we address the subject of unity, we need to be sure we work from the right place, and the right place is in Christ. If I'm living in Him, and you are living in the same place, we will be able to be united in attitude.
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself."
Earlier in Philippians, reference is made to preachers who may deliver the right message but their motives are wrong. Back in 1:16, there is the reference to preaching Christ from selfish ambition. Teaching from this text I recently said: For a man to think about elevating himself above another is never a right thought! I said - For a preacher to worry about why some other preacher has more attention, or more praise or acclaim? There is never a time when that kind of thinking is justified.
Now, here in Phil. 2:3, we are back to that and it is exceedingly important for every one of us to get this. "Selfish ambition or conceit" just has no good place in our attitude.
Never a time .
. .
Never a place . .
Never a circumstance . . .
No occasion ever, when we should be driven by selfish ambition or conceit.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit..." "Nothing!" Just forget it! These immature, selfish attitudes can never be justified.
And I think we all realize, where there is selfish ambition and conceit, people don't get along and the Lord's work is not done. Isn't that right? You show me a group of people were there are power plays . . . battles for personal prestige . . . rivalry . . . desire for recognition - it is ugly; there is discord, division, & tension people can see and feel. Selfish ambition kills churches, dishonors the cause, makes people sick, and offends God.
So let's make up our mind, we will have no part in it! I need to make a specific choice. You need to make a specific choice that you will not have a parade in your own honor and that you will not exalt yourself and look down on others. You will not praise yourself, boast, or act in any conceited way. We need to learn what good attitudes are in keeping with the gospel of Christ, then evaluate ourselves, review that teaching, and determine personally: we will do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
See more about this in Jas. 3:13-18; Eph. 4:1-3; 1 Cor. 3:1-3 and Matt. 18:1-5.
"...in humility, consider others better than yourselves." Phil. 2:3b
Now let's be honest, sometimes we come to a passage in the Bible like this, and our first thought may be à That doesn't really mean that! That has to be an exaggeration. There must be some interpretation, figure of speech, literary form, something! Honestly, sometimes we seem to want to unload the Word, taking the power away.
While there is such a thing as hyperbole, I'm convinced - in this context - looking now at the last phrase in verse 3 in Philippians 2, we need to let this stand, and be challenged by it: "...consider others better than yourselves."
If we try to take something off of this or minimize it through some sophisticated explanation - - I think we're going to wind up putting ourselves above others, and arranging ourselves above others will take us away from everything this passage says about genuine humility.
Add verse 4 for further explanation: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Our selfishness may not be well concealed. We talk about ourselves . . . We get upset when people don't pay attention to us . . . We expect people to treat us in certain way, and we are almost defensive before we meet people - wondering if they will give us the attention we believe we need. We may have our greatest interests directed to - what people can do for us, rather than what we can do for them. Self-centered preoccupation is just not very graceful.
Our good brother, Walton Weaver, helps us with this in his commentary: "But Paul says the Christian must esteem others better than themselves, not merely view them as equals. This is to be done, not because it is the natural thing to do, but because as Christians we are commanded to do it. Jesus in his example showed it is the proper thing to do, and he taught that it is the mark of true greatness ... It was for this reason that the apostles commanded it. True unity among brethren is impossible without humility on the part of each Christian," (p.#77, Truth Commentaries, Philippians, by Walton Weaver.).
From Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
A Don't Quit Praying!
Luke 18:1
By Jacob Hudgins
"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart"(Luke 18:1)
Jesus knows us. He knows our weaknesses and tendencies. He knows our strengths and successes. A warning from the mouth of one who knows us so well should carry much weight. So what does Jesus warn us about in times when we "lose heart"? "Men ought always to pray and not lose heart"(Luke 18:1). Don't quit praying!
Jesus tells a parable to illustrate the principle (Luke 18:2-5). A widow requests justice from a judge, who for a while refuses to act. However, the widow's persistence finally leads him to avenge her "lest by her continual coming she weary me"(Luke 18:5). We must learn the lesson well from this determined widow: don't quit praying!
Don't quit praying because God hears! Often our discouragement stems from a feeling of inadequacy in our prayer: God hasn't helped me, and I'm not even sure my prayers go higher than the ceiling. Never forget that as long as we are living as we should (1 Pet 3:12), God hears our prayers! There is no question this judge heard the widow's request-the text says he simply "would not for a while"(v.. 4) do what she asked. Further, when Jesus applies this parable to our prayers to God, He asks, "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?". God always hears the cries and requests of His children! Though we may think God has forgotten about us when our prayers are not immediately answered the way we'd like, we must never lose heart! God speaks directly to such a mindset and says "men ought always to pray and not lose heart"(v. 1)! Don't quit praying; God hears!
Don't quit praying because God rewards persistence! What finally got the judge to act? "yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me"(v. 5). The continual, persistent asking of this widow got her what she desired. Can the same be said of our prayers? Her persistence made this woman more powerful and influential than the greatest of men, whom the judge had no regard for (v. 2, 4). Making the application, Jesus speaks of the elect of God "who cry out day and night to Him"(v. 7), adding that as a result God "will avenge them speedily"(v. 8). An earlier parable of Jesus tells of a man going to his friend at midnight to ask for food, and only receiving it because of his continued asking. Of that man, Jesus says, "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs"(Luke 11:8). Like the characters in these parables, God rewards persistence in prayer! Please understand that God is not saying that we can nag Him into giving us whatever our heart desires. Rather, when we genuinely need something and continually trust that He is the way to receive it, He is more likely to give it to us. If we ask for something from God once, then forget about it, do we really need it or truly trust He will provide it? Remember, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"(James 5:16), but the occasional, haphazard prayer of a lukewarm man accomplishes little. Don't quit praying! God rewards persistence!
Don't quit praying because God desires faith! Isn't it faith that buoys us through the times when we lose heart and strengthens us to keep looking to the Father? Despite the fact that our prayers might not be answered-or answered in a way we prefer-can we keep asking and trusting? Jesus, having told the parable, laments, "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"(Luke 18:8). Faith is God's desire. When cancer has taken our loved one, can we pray that God will heal someone else with cancer, truly believing He can and will? When we have failed in temptation so many times, can we ask Him for help and forgiveness, truly believing we can overcome with His help? When life is hard, when money is tight, when people are angry, when we can't see our way, do we trust and look to our God? "But without faith it is impossible to please Him"(Heb 11:6). God knows about all that life contains, but still desires us to trust Him! Take your problems to the Lord. "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you"(1 Pet 5:7). Whatever you do, don't quit praying! God wants you to believe!
Remember that stubborn widow-a character Jesus used to illustrate our stubborn devotion and trust to God. A dogged determination to appeal to our Father will be rewarded. Jesus knows us better than anyone, and His prescription is more prayer. Don't lose heart! Don't quit praying!
From Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
Out With The Old and In With the New
"Created in the likeness of God"
Ephesians 4:17-24
By Jon W. Quinn
"...and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." (Ephesians 4:24) The "new self" which we are to put on is not merely "a little" different from the old self, but a vivid contrast. Forget trying to change "just a little." This is a major renovation we are talking about here.... And it does not happen overnight.
Walk No Longer As The Gentiles Walk (Eph. 4:17-19)
First, the things Paul instructs us on how to live are also the Lord's instructions. To disobey apostolic instruction is to disobey the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:1-5). Those who think they can pick and choose whatever apostolic doctrines they want to obey or not and still be faithful to the Lord are mistaken. Many are willing to subvert Scriptural authority to political correctness/popular sentiment. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Acts 14:15).
Second, there are consequences of walking according to the world's standards and not according to God's. Paul describes living by worldly standards as "walking in the futility of their mind" (17). Understand, now as well as then, to allow popular opinion to be our guide is futile. It may please more folks, but it is vain as far as helping them prepare for eternity.
This mentality is also described as being "darkened in understanding" (18). Wisdom is clouded when estranged from God. This explains why people do so many self-destructive things to themselves and even bring harm to those they love. Worldly cleverness is often at odds with the beauty of wisdom from above (James 3:13-18).
Another consequence of this is to be "excluded from the life of God" (18). Spiritual death... hopelessness of alienation from God and a perception that life itself is vain is what lies at the end of this path should any choose to follow it that far, and some do. (Psalm 55:4-8).
Then, there is "ignorance within them" (18). Sometimes, ignorance is willful. Who has never tried to talk about God to someone who refused to listen? Jesus did (Matthew 23:37).
Often there is "hardness of heart" involved (18). Note the progression: Excluded because of ignorance; and ignorant because of hardness of heart. One who closes his or her heart to the gospel has close their heart to hope and victory (Revelation 3:20). They may think of their heart as a strong fortress that has kept Jesus out; but in reality, it is a prison in which the soul is detained until judgment.
One can become "calloused" (19). Even the death of the Savior on the cross can become a thing to be mocked. It happened. It is still happening.
They had "given themselves over to sensuality" (19) Things become more important than principles and character. It is as if it does not please my eyes or touch or taste, then it is not worth anything.
Finally, there is the "practicing of every kind of impurity with greediness" (19). Perhaps not everyone will complete this path to its bitter end, but it is destructive, and there is no reason to take even the first step. Often, when a line is crossed, there remains no good stopping place until ultimate degradation (see also Isaiah 56:11; 2 Peter 2:12-14).
Christ is Not Learned This Way (Ephesians 4:20-22)
Those who have truly learned Christ know He is nothing like what we have just described. The Lord came to give Himself to redeem us and rescue us from this darkness! (Titus 2:11-14). If indeed they had been taught in Him (21) then they know this is so.
When you see a member of the church behaving like the world; reacting to life's situations as someone darkened in their understanding; then you might be looking at one who has never truly learned about Christ; or having learned, has forgotten (2 Peter 1:9).
The truth is in Jesus (21; see also John 1:17; 14:6; 17:17). The faithful are certain of the promises of Christ as revealed in the gospel (Ephesians 1:13). In reference to the former manner of life, the "old self" is laid aside (22). It's gone. Do not hold on to a small portion of ignorance, darkness and death! The "old" me was "corrupted in accordance with lusts of deceit". We will not allow ourselves to be lulled back into it all (some do! Hebrews 3:13).
Renewed in the Spirit of the Mind (Ephesians 4:23-24)
In place of the "old self" we are to put on the "new self" (24). It is said to be "in the likeness of God". Wow!
How do we put this "new self" together? As we come to know the Creator better, we look to Him and follow Him as His children (Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 5:1). We see His patience with us, and learn patience. We see His love, and we love. We see His holiness and righteousness, and follow His lead. We rejoice in the God of joy and comfort. We extend our hand to others.
We understand that to be like the Lord in the resurrection, we must become more like Him now (1 John 3:2,3).
Conclusion
"... and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth" (Ephesians 4:24). The obvious challenge in this passage is to be more like Christ in my manner of life. This involves rooting out any leftovers from the world so all things can be made new in attitude and conduct. I have an idea that the process of "putting on the new self" never ends in this lifetime. While I understand there are still levels of spiritual maturity that I have yet to attain, I thank God for His grace to allow me to prepare myself to dwell with Him in eternity. Faith means to "press on" and "climb higher" in the assurance and confidence in the promises of God. My imperfections are not the standard of what I want to be. The standard is the Word of God. Let us all press on toward perfection, even as we rejoice in the victory God gives to us flawed human beings.
From Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
God's Plan for Marriage
Malachi 2:13-16
By Jonathan L. Perz
One Man - One Woman - For Life!
The downfall of the family unit in society is one of the most tragic things facing mankind. The destruction of the family unit all begins with the destruction of what starts a family - the marriage of a man and a woman. It is hard to find people who have not been divorced and remarried at least once these days. Why? Because, the institution of marriage and family is generally not held in the esteem that God meant for it to be.
The family was God's first institution, but today man seems to think it is the worst institution. In the beginning, God created man and woman and joined them together for life. He said in Genesis 3:24, "Therefore man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." In these words God, instituted the marriage relationship and ordained the family unit. Later, after their transgression, Adam and Eve had children which completed the family unit in its simplest sense. The problem today is that many want marriage and even children, but when things get difficult (even barely difficult) - they want out. This is why divorce rates have skyrocketed over the last 30 years. Irreconcilable differences, money, children, infidelity, and "not what they expected" are all justifications men and women use to end marriages. Ultimately, they amount to a long list of excuses and center around one person, "me." Selfishness is the biggest destroyer of marriages. In turn, the family unit has for the most part come to mean nothing. Children in turmoil and confusion are the consequences of such thinking. They get wrapped up in a vicious cycle of broken homes that only they can choose to break. That is, the average child of a divorced couple will inevitably divorce unless they consciously and determinably choose not to fall prey to the same thing their parents did. This is shameful.
God never desired these things for the family. Malachi 2:13-16 says...
And this is the second thing you do: you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and crying; so He does not regard the offering anymore, nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. 14 Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. 16 "For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one's garment with violence," says the LORD of hosts. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."
It is easy to see why God despises divorce. He stands on high looking down on the destruction of His first institution! He sees children suffering greatly and shedding many tears at the hands of selfish adults who cannot fulfill vows and work out problems! He sees His children break His commands and His children's children learn to do the same! He sees treachery! It is both a wonder and wonderful, that God sent His Son to die for such a sinful and rebellious people.
Now look at what the Lord said of marriage in Matthew 5:31-32.
Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say unto you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality (fornication, jlp) causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery."
That's right! The Lord said that we are not to give our wives (spouses, for that matter - God holds no double standard between man and woman - see Mark 10:12) a certificate of divorce! If we do, we cause them to commit adultery. In other words, we cause them to sin and will be personally held accountable (Matthew 18:6-8). Furthermore, anyone who marries someone who is unscripturally divorced, commits adultery. I don't know about you, but I know many people in this situation today.
There is only one exception given to this rule, and that is when one is sexually unfaithful (commits fornication outside the marriage relationship) to their spouse. The innocent party who has put their spouse away can remarry, but the guilty party cannot. Notice Matthew 19:3-10.
3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." 10 His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry."
The Lord said it very plainly and simply. What is tolerated today was not so from the beginning and will not be tolerated in the judgment. If we divorce our spouse for any reason except sexual immortality (fornication), and then remarry - we commit adultery! If we marry one who has been divorced and remarried for any reason save sexual immorality - we commit adultery! We know from Galatians 5:19-21, that no adulterer will inherit the kingdom of God! It is that simple! Marriage, while not existing in eternity (Mark 12:25), has eternal consequences.
Notice the statement made by those who heard this teaching. They said, "...it was better not to marry." The Lord did not disagree, but knew that some could not keep this saying - so marriage, when properly esteemed is left honorable in the sight of God and man (Hebrews 13:4). Overall, what this says is that the marital commitment is a serious one and is never to be taken lightly. It is a life-long commitment (Romans 7:1-3)!
When two people are lawfully married, God recognizes that union and joins them together (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31). In Matthew 19:6, the Lord said, "Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man put asunder." This is a command of the Lord given in regards to marriage. Nevertheless, God joins two together in the marital relationship and they stay bound until death do them part (Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:39) or until they lawfully end the marriage (because of sexual immorality - fornication - Matthew 19:9), in which case only the innocent party can remarry. Consider what John the Baptist said to Herod, who was, in the sight of God, unlawfully married to his brother's wife, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife" (Mark 6:17). Why did he say this? Because she was still bound to Philip, and could not lawfully be married to Herod. These words were as unpopular then as they are today. Then, it cost John the Baptist his head. Today, many a soul will despise another for teaching the truth. Nevertheless, this is clearly what scripture says we must do if we are in an unlawful relationship.
Consider also the example of the woman of Samaria whom Jesus spoke with at Jacob's well (read John 4:15-18). She had been married five times, yet according to the Lord, had no husband. Why is this? Because our ways are not God's ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Because what we sometimes recognize as a marriage, God recognizes as unlawful. Notice, the Samaritan women knew the error of her way without the Lord's prompting. Once again, what does the scripture say?
What about those today who are committing adultery by living in an unlawful relationship - that is, a marital relationship that God considers adulterous? What must they do to make it right with God? Put simply - repent (Acts 3:19; Acts 8:22; Acts 17:30)!
How does one repent of an unlawful marriage? Two ways are revealed in scripture. The first, and ultimately best way, whenever it is possible, is to end the unlawful marriage in the sight of men, and be reconciled to the one whom God knows you are still joined to in His sight (your first lawful marriage - 1 Corinthians 7:10-11). Whenever the first way becomes impossible, because the first spouse does not want to be reconciled, we are left only one choice. We must become a eunuch for the kingdom of heaven's sake (remain unmarried and do not commit fornication - Matthew 19:12; 1 Corinthians 7:11).
What if children are involved? This is where things get very emotional and messy, but do not change the law of God. Read the following passages and consider who must come first - God or man: Luke 14:26, Mark 10:29-30 and Matthew 10:37-39. Obviously the children cannot and should not be abandoned, but the unlawful relationship must end if repentance is to prevail!
To despise vows made before God and to fulfill the desire of the flesh by living in an unlawful relationship bears serious consequences - the loss of our salvation. In the end, we'll reap the reward of our lives here. Unfortunately, for many, the choice is to reap their reward now in this life and deny the glory awaiting them in heaven. Hopefully, all who find themselves in an unlawful marriage relationship will repent before the everlasting too late!
From Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
Having a Tight Grip on Your Joy and Commitment
Topical Study
By Warren E. Berkley
One measure of our spiritual maturity is, what it takes to rob us of our joy. Someone will be delighted to become a Christian, then involved with other Christians, devoted to Bible reading and Bible study; seemingly committed and active. Everything is great. Then, something happens and both their commitment and joy is gone.
It may not take much: a difference in opinion with someone; a misunderstanding; maybe some unfortunate reversal of finances; marriage trouble, injustice, conflict. Something happens, and in that difficulty, the joy of serving God is given up. One measure of our spiritual maturity is, what it takes to rob us of our joy.
Turn your attention to the life of the apostle Paul. His spiritual maturity is evident in that, when he suffered grief and disappointment, those circumstances did not rob him of his joy or his commitment to serve God. Read now, Phil. 1:15-30.
The character and maturity of the apostle Paul is dramatically evident. He was persecuted and then imprisoned. I believe he certainly experienced sorrow and shed tears. There is no doubt he was troubled by sinful, weak, and contentious men.
Yet, there never seems to have been a time in his life when his circumstances diminished his joy, or reduced his level of commitment to God. In fact it might be argued, it seems as if the worst affliction actually tightened his grip on the joy of being a Christian. It ought to be so with us. {This line of thought suggested to me as I read John MacArthur's lesson book on Philippians.}
From Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
The Plan of Salvation
By Jon W. Quinn
Plan #1
Announced by the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to new believers in Christ who asked what they must do:
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ -- this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:36-38).
Plan #2
On the back page of a tract, sinner were urged to pray this prayer to be saved. This prayer is not found in the Bible; nor were alien sinners commanded to pray for their forgiveness.
The Sinner's Prayer:
"O' Lord, I accept that I am a sinner and that Jesus died for my sins. I now accept Him into my heart as Lord and Savior asking for your mercy and forgiveness in His name. Amen."
The editors of Expository Files are happy with plan #1 and thankful to the God of all grace for it. We cannot recommend Plan #2 at all, but will change our minds when this prayer can be shown to us in the Bible.
From Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
Fourteen Years of Expository Files
The Final Page 15.1
By Jon W. Quinn
I was looking over the coverage of expository articles that have been published in Expository Files since our beginning in 1994. We have expository material from every book in the Bible, though there are still portions that are much more lightly covered than others. That will probably always be the case. I even noted that I have accidentally run a couple articles twice through the years, having forgotten that I had already used them. Once I neglected to move a guest article to the "used" file and ran it twice too. That's life. At least it was a good article that Wayne had written.
Our oldest child was in high school and learning to drive in 1994 as we began Expository Files. Our youngest was in 5th grade. Our middle child was, well, in the middle. Our oldest child now married and has three children of her own, our youngest is married and almost ready to receive her Master's degree in oboe performance, and our middle child is preaching the gospel out in Nebraska. That's a lot of water under the bridge. See, I can wax nostalgic too (see Warren's Front Page editorial) though he seems more well read than me.
In 1994, when Warren and I began this venture together, Nelson Mandella became president of South Africa. Also that year, we all watched that white Ford Bronco being chased down a California highway previous to the arrest of its passenger O.J. Simpson for murder. 1994 also saw a mass murderer by the name of Jeffrey Dahmer, who had recently studied the Bible and had been baptized into Christ, murdered in prison. Olympic hopeful skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked in a bid to keep her off the ice and Richard Nixon died.
May everyone have a happy and prosperous new year, but more than that, may all who read these words make great spiritual progress. Thanks to Warren for his friendship. It is our hope that all of our readers, old and new, will benefit from our efforts.
From Expository Files 15.1; January 2008
