There are several verses often cited from Scripture that are near and dear to us military folks and our families. Below are three:

• And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:9, ESV)
• “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, ESV).
• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV).

Context, Context, Context: As always, to properly interpret Scripture we must have the proper context so as to prevent plucking pet verses out of the Bible to fit our agenda. It’s God’s book; therefore, we need to understand that Scripture is God’s revelation, not a trove of quotables for proof texting.

• Isaiah was called by God to herald the truth of God to a stubborn and recalcitrant people. Isaiah’s ministry was promised to be brutal, and it was. Isaiah’s great theme was God, not Isaiah.
• John 15:13 is Jesus’ farewell discourse in John’s Gospel wherein Jesus is telling his disciples what Christian obedience looks like–namely, obedience to God and love of neighbor. That means a life of sacrifice–with Jesus as the perfect model.
• And Joshua is God’s raising up Joshua to be the national leader after the death of Moses. It is a picture of what a high calling it is to shepherd and lead a people–spiritually, militarily, and governmentally.

Encouragement: Tomorrow is Veterans Day in America, a national holiday to honor all those who serve and have served. I’m grateful for you, brothers and sisters. Some of the finest people I’ve ever known have been my fellow military personnel. I’m also deeply grateful for your families who have often stood behind and beside you. Despite many days and years of separation, you remained steadfast. I salute you, too.

Introduction: This week I’m preparing to teach Romans 1:8-15, “Will You Have a Harvest?” to the saints of Christ Covenant
Church (3cs-canton.org). In verse 13 of this passage, Paul writes, “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles” (Romans 1:13, ESV).

In one verse, Paul (a man who shouldered a formidable workload) expresses longing to demonstrate his intention to do still more on behalf of others he loves. He says that he has “often intended to come to you.” That is, he has been working. He has not been idle. He has gone from persecutor of the Christian faith (“the Way,” as it was known then). See John 14:6 for the reason why. He was met personally by the Lord Jesus in Acts 9 and was born again there by the Spirit of God. He was made an apostle to the Gentiles by Christ himself (Acts 9:15). Paul would go on to pen much of the New Testament. Why? To be used by God to produce a massive “harvest.” But Paul was not wrapped up in Paul; he was, rather, a man consumed by his mission–namely, for the sake of Jesus’ name and glory (Romans 1:5).

Connections for Us: How many of us have had those in our lives who helped make us better people? I remember when I was stationed at Fort Benning for four years. I had a boss there that did that for me. Every time I was around him, he somehow motivated me (and I’m a self-starter). I don’t need much oversight. Some folks need someone to look over their shoulder, but I’m definitely not that type. If you’ll entrust me to to do a good job, I will. I’ll outwork the next guy. That’s what my boss was like at Fort Benning. He’d not say much other than, “Jon: Do what you do. I know who you are. If you need any help, ask me. Otherwise, just send me regular updates. Move out.” And I would. And I thrived. Why? Well, he trusted me to cultivate a harvest. I worked hard, and he knew it. Because I love what I do, it’s not a burden but a duty and joy.

But if we’re honest, we have probably also had other types of folks in our lives. Perhaps they were those who were takers instead of givers. Perhaps they were poor communicators. When you’d reach out to them, they’d not return a call or email or text. Or perhaps they were so wrapped up in their own agendas that you came to realize they were not about the team but only about self. That sort of titular leader undermines the team. In fact, that makes a true team nearly impossible. Trust is deracinated and people don’t feel they have a valued seat at the table any longer.

That’s the exact opposite of what you see with Paul. With Paul, we see a man who was outward-focused. He worked hard because he knew that he answered to the Lord, that he would give an account for the way he spent his time and labors. He longed to “reap some harvest” from those into whom he poured and for whom he labored.

Encouragement: Will you and I have a harvest? I aim to. I value work. I find myself at times dispirited at others’ indolence. I don’t have much patience with lazy people. We’ve been given an appointed number of days to do what we’re supposed to do. I think Paul was wired like that, too. He was consumed by a passion for truth and for laboring well. He aimed to have a harvest–not just from others but from himself. That is, he lived by example. He didn’t worry about his name, because he kept short accounts with God and understood that God only does what is right. How might that theology inform and shape us, so that we, too, have a harvest?

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton

I’m sure you’ve thought about it, even if you didn’t share it. What’s the “it”? The election results. The “blue wave.” The “shellacking.” The “disaster.” The descriptions could continue. I have no desire to descend into name-calling here. The media of your choice will carry that water for you–whatever side you take. If you turn on Fox, you’ll get one message. If you turn on CNN, you’ll get another. If you listen to your radio or podcast personality, you’ll get that one. It’s almost impossible to find anyone who thinks for himself. Usually what you get is someone sharing his preferred person’s views with a tone of authority. Frankly, it sickens me. I’m still an officer in the U.S. military. As such, I cannot weigh in on such matters publicly. I take orders and move out, whether I like my leadership or not. But here’s where I’m going with this: if you are a Christian, your story is much bigger and better than this–or any–human election. I’m not saying that elections are unimportant.

What I am saying is that your world–as a Christian–is much deeper, much more lasting, much more important and precious, than any political leader. God is not surprised–ever. He rules history; it is not ruled by sinners. God raises kingdoms and empires up. God destroys kingdoms and empires. Often that trajectory comes via sinners’ own suppression of the truth. The default position of the sinner is to think he outwits God, that he can outrun God, and do things to thwart God’s plan. (Ask Jonah how that worked out.)

Your story is much bigger and better than this moment. Learn to take the long view. The Christian church is a church that has endured massive obstacles, guys. Massive. Fight the myopia that so easily afflicts some types of people. If you only focus on the immediate, the urgent, the “Breaking Now!” breathless assault of moment-by-moment headlines, you’ll quickly tire. There’s only so much gas in each person’s spiritual tank. So, what to do?

Breathe. Open your copy of the Scriptures. Read. Listen. Cry out to God. Read again. Pray. Be silent. Turn off your screens. Take a walk. No phone. No screens. No music. Just walk. Pray. Listen.

If you’re a Christian, beloved, your story is much bigger and better than this moment. If you’re not a Christian, then it’s possible cultural shake ups will lead to your undoing. What’s down in your well will come up in your bucket. So, choose the right well. Don’t succumb to the mind-numbing triviality and miss the life-changing theology: the gospel.

After Cain murdered Abel, Seth still was born. The gospel promise continued. After Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, God preserved him, and the gospel promise continued. After the flood, God still had a remnant, and the gospel promise continued. After Herod slaughtered the innocents in the 1st century A.D., Jesus was preserved and fulfilled his mission. The gospel promise continued. After Roman and Jewish religious leaders crucified the Christ of God, Jesus was raised bodily from the tomb and was seen by hundreds of eyewitnesses. The church was built. And the gospel promise continued.

Your story is bigger and better than any one single moment. Keep the main thing the main thing. Do the next right thing. Trust the Lord. And just be faithful.

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton

Introduction: This evening after a supper with friends CJ and I returned home and I began reading. One of the passages I was reading was Matthew 26:36 and following. This was Matthew’s account of when Jesus prayed in Gethsemane and the events just before Judas betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. But my focus here is not on Judas. It is on Jesus. Specifically, I want to focus on the prayer of Jesus in Matthew 26. And what struck me so deeply about the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 26 is that it was simultaneously a prayer to the Father about his (Jesus’) immediate suffering and about Jesus’ willing obedience to that suffering.

In verse 39, Matthew records that Jesus fell on his face in prayer to the Father. That’s a posture of complete submission. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (v. 39). In this posture of humilty the Lord of glory submitted obediently and perfectly to the will of God. Who among us has ever done God’s will perfectly? Not one, per Scripture. Only Christ has done that.

And in verse 42, Matthew records Jesus’ prayer again: “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

And in verse 44, Matthew records that Jesus prayed the same prayer a third time. For some reason, God loves threes. Three times Jesus prayed here. Peter denied the Lord Jesus three times. God is Trinitarian. On and on it goes with threes in Scripture.

But my concern here is not that; it is, rather, the peace of Jesus’ obedience. He knew the suffering that was imminent. “Friend, do what you came to do,” he tells Judas in verse 50. God’s plan for redemption would be accomplished. How? By one man’s obedience: Jesus’ obedience.

Encouragement: This is why Scripture teaches again and again that Christ is our peace, that Christ is the believer’s righteousness, that by Christ’s wounds, we sinners who repent and believe are delcared forgiven and righteous and healed from ultimate judgment. It’s all an imputed righteousness that believers have. It’s not native to us. What’s native to us is sin, disobedience, and cowardice.

Who was the One who obeyed? It was Christ. Who’s the One who prayed that God’s perfect will would be done in his life? It was Christ. In Christ alone. Solus Christus.

I’ve just begun to teach verse by verse through the book of Romans at Christ Covenant Church (3cs-canton.org). It will take me many months to teach our people, and there’s no hurry to do it. Why? Because each verse builds on the previous ones. It’s all unfolding the grand narrative of redemptive history by the Triune God–and of how God the Son, Jesus, the Christ, obeyed perfectly in all the places the first Adam failed. And that’s why Jesus is the hero of the story. It’s why Christians across the earth will celebrate the incarnation of God the Son at Christmas season. It’s the reason your calendar is dated the way it is. It’s the reason atoms hold together–the word of Christ. There’s a peace that comes supernaturally through obedience to the Lord.

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@jonpirtle2605

Writing ministry: http://www.jonpirtle.com

Church YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@3cs-canton

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