NUMBER TEN, 2021
In this issue 3
Giving and Living the Gospel
6
The Surprise of Victory in Christ
charles r. swindoll david carl
Leaders: Lives and Lessons 8
Joseph and Overcoming Temptation
11
Changing Our Minds, Changing Our Lives
colleen swindoll thompson
steve johnson
Purposeful Living 12 Purpose to Live as a Truth-Seeker steve johnson
Beyond the Broadcast 14
How to Make the Truth “Stick”
Puzzle 15 Overcoming Temptation Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bibleteaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 40 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright © 2021 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Tim Schellenberg. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.
GIVING AND LIVING THE GOSPEL by charles r. swindoll
Cover & Article Photo: Matthew Smith on unsplash.com
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ne of the most effective evangelists you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke I have ever known was a fellow who 23:43 NASB1995). What qualified this thief for heaven? ran a service station on Arlington Avenue He didn’t perform any good works to just outside Boston. He never spent a day in seminary or earn heaven. In no way did he prove himtook one course in a Bible institute, but self worthy of eternal life. So, what had his Bible was well-worn and open near he done to receive eternal life? What did his cash register. He regularly dealt with Jesus accept? Faith—simple, unadultersouls who came into his place of business. ated, unproven faith in the living Christ. He’s now changed locations but, I’m sure, That’s all God requires, and that’s all we can offer. is still a faithful witness. The snapshot of Jesus’ life that the This man doesn’t nitpick when he shares the Gospel. He focuses on the life thief saw from his unique perspective of Christ, the hope of eternal life by faith convinced him that he was next to the in the Lord, and then he lets the Lord do Son of God. From Luke 23 we witness their simple conversathe work in bringing What did Jesus tion and the exchange results. In marvellous wisdom and love accept? Faith—simple, of death for life. Their dialogue teaches us he presents the most unadulterated, attractive and encourunproven faith in the three important truths about conversion. aging message of living Christ. That’s 1. No one is ever too eternal life. Through all God requires, and far gone to become a the years, hundreds of people came to know that’s all we can offer. Christian Can you think of someChrist on Arlington one you’ve written off ? “Oh, they will Avenue thanks to this consistent man never come to know Christ. I’ve tried who leaves the results with God. everything I know to win him, and he’s What a relief it was the day God connever going to respond.” When you’re vinced me that He doesn’t hold me tempted to think anyone is beyond the responsible for how people respond to reach of grace, remember the criminal the Gospel. He holds you and me responon the cross. sible for giving and living the Gospel; what 2. Your godly life is the most effective someone does with it is His business. tool of evangelism Think about the thief on the cross who Socrates once called words “stupid hung there next to Jesus. If ever there things.” I’ve never seen that more was a deathbed conversion, that was it. pronounced than when people force a The thief lived his entire life a sinner, a witness with words. The real message hoodlum. As he hung on that cross with is in your life. When your life draws the blood coming out of his hands and feet, attention of lost people, you will have he said, “Lord, remember me.” You know sufficient proof to back up the words Jesus’ response by heart—He says, “Today
you use. Let God do the work in their lives and in yours. When He does, you’ll be amazed at how He brings you the appropriate words. 3. A ll that God requires and accepts is simple faith If you’re working hard to earn your way into the kingdom of heaven, stop— you’re on the wrong path. Think about it—how many works will be enough to get you in? If salvation is by faith, all the work and all the glory are God’s. All God wants from you is your faith—faith alone in Christ alone. One last thing to give you courage, my friend—never doubt your instant acceptance into God’s family when you come His way. The thief didn’t doubt the Lord. He didn’t have to make Him any promises. He believed with all his heart and was saved right then and there.
Like my friend in the Boston service station, be ready to share the wonderful truth of what God has done for you at every opportunity He provides. God will give you the words of life to share with others right then and there. Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, “Giving and Living the Gospel,” Insights (April 2002): 1–2. Copyright © 2002 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.
How to Make the Truth “Stick” SINGLE CD MESSAGE
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THE SURPRISE OF VICTORY IN CHRIST by dav id c a rl
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ictory in Christ. It’s what many Christians want. It’s what we’ve been promised by Christ himself. But a number of questions come to my mind, questions like: “Why don’t we see more victory in Christ?” or “Why don’t I have more victory in Christ myself ?” Theologian J. P. Moreland made a very disturbing statement: “It is possible
for 95 per cent of Christians in any generation to have their conceptualization of what Christianity is be fundamentally flawed.” For example, if we had been alive during the Crusades, most “good Christians” would have been certain that they could earn admission to heaven by going to fight in the Holy Land. All this to say, it is sometimes dif-
Article Photo: Nik Shuliahin on unsplash.com
ficult to separate what God has told us is true kindness of others, and He depended on from what we simply assume is true because the disciples to spread His message after He was gone. That’s a lot of dependence. everyone around us says or believes it is. At one time, I assumed that “victory in I realize I need to be increasingly more Christ”—or living a victorious Christian dependent on God, and what I’m now life in the middle of our sinful, messed-up learning is that I need to be more depenworld—meant having victory in my own dent on the Christians around me too. life, as I chose to define it. Because of my If I allow my life to become intertwined culture, I thought that having victory in with theirs—to let them know my weakChrist meant that I had to become increas- nesses and failures, my struggles and ingly self-sufficient. Americans are known hopes, and to understand theirs—I am for our independence, self-reliance, and following Jesus’s example and He will willingness to “go it on our own.” These be honoured. As I do this, I grow. My Christian friends tell qualities are tremenAt one time, I assumed me things that I would dously helpful when that “victory in Christ”— not come up with on homesteading or my own. Some of them inventing the cotton or living a victorious gin or even starting up Christian life in the middle are embarrassing, and some hurt. But somea business, but they are of our sinful, messed-up times my soul is encournot great assets when world—meant having aged and refreshed in trying to find true victory in Christ. For me, victory in my own life, as I ways it would never be otherwise. this independent spirit chose to define it. Responding well to has actually kept me in these kinds of blessings—the ones that a sort of spiritual stasis. In 1 John 5:3–4, we read, “In fact, this is hurt and the ones that refresh—are one love for God: to keep his commands. And part of what “victory in Christ” looks like. his commands are not burdensome, for They only come from a concerted pursuit everyone born of God overcomes the world. of dependence. But even though this This is the victory that has overcome the idea is contradictory to my culture and to world, even our faith” (NIV). So I believe my own instinct at times, pursuing this that in order for me to become victorious, I victory in Christ is more surprising and need to grow in my love for and obedience wonderful than I expected. to Christ. I want to be like Him—and He was not an island. He was not a maverick 1. J. P. Moreland, “The Importance of the Mind in Christian Living,” podcast, The Veritas Forum, who did whatever He wanted. In John 8:28 http://veritas.org/media/talks/172, accessed (NASB1995), Jesus said, April 7, 2008. “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do Copyright © by Insight for Living, Inc. All rights nothing on My own initiative, but I speak are reserved. these things as the Father taught Me.” Jesus lived in total dependence on God. He chose to live in dependence on the
JOSEPH AND OVERCOMING TEMPTATION by steve johnson
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sk any athlete or soldier—faith, of fellowship with God and I believe that courage, and strength in the heat impacted Joseph who, by the young age of the contest or battle does not come of 17, was a man of principle. When he because it is mustered at that moment. saw his step-brothers doing things they It’s there because of the preparation that shouldn’t he reported this to their father. precedes the battle. Joseph shows us the This shows that Joseph was a person of integrity, character, and strength. He was same is true of defeating temptation. Joseph’s temptation was strong. He was willing to act against wrongdoing even young and didn’t speak the language. He in his own family. He had the courage to had no prospect of marriage or of going report on his older brothers not letting home. His only likely prospect was that wrong-doing slide for the sake of pleasing his brothers even of being a slave forever. Joseph can teach us though the stand he took Then Joseph is propositioned by Potiphar’s wife many lessons. But the resulted in being sold (Genesis 39:7–18). The lesson of overcoming into slavery. 2. He believed the Lord temptation is flattering temptation through was with him and besides the obvious what we believe and Even as a slave and sexual appeal yielding could have been a way to how we behave is one then as a servant in get ahead. On top of that, lesson all leaders and Potiphar’s house Joseph elieved this and Potiphar’s wife is relentbelievers need to learn. bremained faithful and less. How is he able to submissive, not complaining or rebelsuccessfully resist? The battle against temptation is about ling (Genesis 39:1–6). He accepted his beliefs and behaviours. Joseph thinks situation and walked with God in the differently and that is ultimately how he midst of it. The Lord was with him and blessed him and even blessed Potiphar’s resists temptation. life because of Joseph. If Potiphar saw this Beliefs Temptation is won or lost first in the obviously Joseph did too. Joseph acted in mind. Joseph believed things that provided faith, recognizing God’s hand in his life, and whatever he was required to do he did a mindset to resist temptation. 1. Joseph believed in right and wrong, and both willingly and well. God honoured and remembered Joseph, because Joseph acting against the wrong We can’t ignore the influence his father honoured and remembered God. This Jacob must have had on his life. In his chapter teaches us that God is with us and later years, Jacob had come to a new level often chooses to bless us even in difficult
circumstances rather than to place us in happier ones. 3. He believed he must be trustworthy because he was in a position of trust (Genesis 39:8–9) As a man of character, he took the trust Potiphar had placed in him seriously and had reasons to prove trustworthy. How much sin would be resisted if we took our positions of trust as leaders in our homes, churches, and jobs seriously? 4. He believed sin was sin and “a wicked thing” (Genesis 39:9) Sin is attractive but it is wicked. Sin inevitably happens when we minimize it, don’t see it as wicked, or rationalize it as “not that bad.” 5. He believed sin is “sin against God” David understood this when he repented of his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51:4). We too need to see all of life in reference to God and not think “what can I get away with?” Instead seek to honour God. What makes all sin wicked is that it defies the God who made us and redeemed us. 6. H e believed purity was more important than promotions or prospects (Genesis 39:12) Joseph knew what Potiphar’s wife was going to do with his cloak when he ran away. His flight saved his purity but lost his prospects. Purity was his priority.
These beliefs resulted in certain behaviours. Behaviours 1. Joseph set a boundary to avoid sins of the flesh He refused to spend time with Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:10). If you don’t want to get burned don’t play with fire! He knew he could fall and so he knew not to play with fire. The person drawn to holiness will not try to see how close he can get to wickedness. Set boundaries to protect what you do, see, hear, and think about. 2. He ran from the trap Potiphar’s wife breached Joseph’s boundary and grabbed his cloak. He did what 2 Timothy 2:22 says. “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.” And the rest of the verse gives the proactive side of dealing with temptation. “Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” Joseph can teach us many lessons. But the lesson of overcoming temptation through what we believe and how we behave is one lesson all leaders and believers need to learn. Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
Insight for Living’s Bible-teacher Chuck Swindoll has spent more than 50 years emphasizing God’s grace alongside a commitment to practical application. Learn more about our pastor at insightforliving.ca/chuck-swindoll
CHANGING OUR MINDS, CHANGING OUR LIVES by colleen swindoll thompson
Article Photo: Simon Berger on unsplash.com
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he opening line of the sermon was: “What you believe about life affects everything about how you live your life.” The congregation quieted and heard once again: “What you believe about life affects everything about how you live your life.” Sometimes we believe happiness will eventually show up, or we might suppose, “If I do ‘this,’ then ‘that’ will result.” However, if what we believe is not based on biblical truth, challenges are certain to affect how we live our lives. For example, when a loved one is diagnosed with a disabling condition, disillusionment can follow because it can directly shake our fundamental beliefs about life itself. In a helpful section of the book titled The Lost Virtue of Happiness, authors J. P. Moreland and Klaus Issler write about this subject. The most significant verse he [Paul] ever penned about spiritual transformation is Romans 12:2.... “Do not be conformed to this world,” he tells us, “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”... Think of what Paul could have said—but did not. He could have said, be transformed by developing feelings of closeness with God, by exercising your will in obeying biblical commands, by intensifying your desire for the right things, by fellowship and worship, and so on. Obviously, these are important parts of the Christian life. Yet Paul chose to mention none of them in his
most important summary of the spiritual life. Why is that? It is clear that, for him, how one thinks and what one honestly believes form the very core of character and transformation.... Beliefs are the rails on which our lives run.¹ Sometimes the “light at the end of the tunnel” is seen when we choose to examine what Scripture reveals about life rather than how quickly we can remove our pain. The New Testament book of James is a great place to begin. Candidly and vividly, James illuminates important principles about our lives, reminding us what it means to live in truth—truth which promises to set us free (John 8:32). I strongly urge you to read a few verses from James each day and ask these three simple questions: 1. What truths are found in these verses? 2. What have I believed about life that conflicts with these truths? 3. Am I willing to release my false beliefs in order to believe what is true? Remember, “What you believe about life affects everything about how you live your life.” 1. J. P. Moreland and Klaus Issler, The Lost Virtue of Happiness: Discovering the Disciplines of the Good Life (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2006), 94–96. Used by permission of NavPress, All rights reserved. www.navpress.com (1-800-366-7788)
PURPOSE TO BE A TRUTHSEEKER by steve johnson
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hen I was a young pastor and one particular man would pray for me, he would pray, “keep him in the truth of your Word.” His fear was that I would stray from the pure milk of the Word and substitute it with something false. That has stuck with me and become even more important for all of us in these days when lies and confusion in our world seem to be more prevalent than ever. Because we fallen people are living in a fallen world, everything, even so-called truth has been corrupted. That means the only source for absolute truth is revealed truth which we have in the Bible. Jesus said, “I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). He also said to His Father about His followers, “Make them holy by your truth; teach
them your word, which is truth” (John 17:17, emphasis added). Believers have the Holy Spirit to illuminate us to the revealed truth of the Word. But we have a responsibility to make it our purpose to be a truth-seeker with the Word. We must be like the Bereans of Acts 17:11–12, “They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” Facts versus Meaning One essential aspect of being a truthseeker with Scripture is understanding the relationship between individual facts and meaning. There is an important distinction. It’s like the difference between a pile of bricks and a brick building. The bricks are like the individual facts, the building is the truth they form. An isolated fact is
Some of the most profound and beloved like a stray brick. It’s a fragment of information. The truth, on the other hand, is truths of Scripture came in response to questions by truth-seekers. Here’s a few from all about meaning. As it relates to the truth of Scripture John’s gospel. Think of Nicodemus (John 3:1–20). When individual words in a verse are like those bricks. And they are connected to other Jesus told him, “…unless you are born again, words in the verse to form a larger block of you cannot see the Kingdom of God” Nicodefacts. And while the facts they convey may mus asked, “What do you mean? How can an be true and even helpful by themselves, old man go back into his mother’s womb and until we see them in their larger context, be born again?” (v. 4). When Jesus explained we won’t know their meaning because spiritual birth Nicodemus asked, “How are these things possible?” (v. 9). context determines meaning. In the next chapter the Samaritan One of the cardinal sins of Christians is proof-texting—pulling a single verse woman asked Jesus, “Why are you asking or phrase out of context to prove a point. me for a drink?” (John 4:9). When Jesus While the verse may provide facts to prove spoke of living water she asked, “Where would you get this living a point, it may not be true One of the cardinal water? And besides, do you in relation to the larger think you’re greater than meaning or truth that verse sins of Christians is is part of. Seeking and proof-texting—pulling our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can discerning truth is a mata single verse or you offer better water than ter of interpreting the facts in their context. A text phrase out of context he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” (v. 11–12). without a context becomes to prove a point. Jesus’ great pronouncea pretext. The correct meaning emerges when the real relation- ment, “I am the way, the truth, and the ship between the facts and their context life. No one can come to the Father except becomes clear. This is why Scripture through me” came in response to Thomas asserts that Jesus Christ is the Truth (John asking “We have no idea where you are 14:6). He is the Truth because all things going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5–6). “hold together” in Him (Colossians 1:17). Finally, read John 18:28–19:16. Pilate asks Questions versus Assumptions The other essential aspect of being a a whole string of questions as he tries to truth-seeker with Scripture is about asking seek out the truth about Jesus. Jesus wants us to seek truth and ask quesquestions. Asking questions is the truthseeker’s main tool for uncovering one’s tions as we do. “Keep on asking, and you will ignorance, assumptions, biases, miscon- receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, ceptions, prejudices, and attitudes. If we and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the think we already know the truth we won’t door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Purpose to be a truth-seeker with the find more truth. A truth-seeker asks questions and wants to understand and know. Word. They’re not afraid to admit they don’t know something. A truth seeker takes the Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada. attitude of a learner.
How to Make the Truth “Stick”
Too often, we receive solid biblical teaching but do not take it with us. We read meaningful books, but they do not affect our lives. We hear a profound statement from a wise counsellor, but it quickly fades into the background. How does the truth become more than just an abstract thought? How can it seep into our lives and become part of us, part of our very essence? The person of character is one who both knows the truth and can apply it to the circumstances life brings. But how does one make the transition from head to heart? How can we make the truth “stick”? God’s Word makes it clear. 1. The Problem of Ignorance (1 Peter 3:13–16)
Our culture is becoming less knowledgeable about both general and biblical knowledge. 2. T h e I m p o r t a n c e o f Te a c h e r s (1 Corinthians 15:58) Teachers need to know that their work is not in vain and their teaching is not fruitless. 3. A Foundation for Learning (Ezra 7:10) Three commonalities with Ezra provide a fertile ground for learning. Every student needs to adopt four strategies to make sure the truth takes root in his or her life: make a personal commitment, become a loyal student of the Bible, practice the truths of Scripture, and share Christ with someone else.
“How to Make the Truth ‘Stick’” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Character Counts: Building a Life That Pleases God. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
Puzzle — Fill in the Blank
Overcoming Temptation Difficulty ● ○ ○ ○
Yielding to temptation is not inevitable. We have resources to help us overcome temptation when it strikes. Listed below are some phrases describing these resources. Fill in the blanks with these key statements or phrases. The solutions are direct quotes from the NIV Bible translation.
1.
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
2.
(Matthew 26:41)
3.
(James 4:7) (Hebrew 2:18)
4.
(Ephesians 6:13)
5.
(2 Timothy 2:22)
6.
(2 Corinthians 10:5)
7. (Psalm 119:11)
8.
(Romans 12:2)
9.
__ (Galatians 5:16)
10.
____________________
____________________
____________________
First and last name
Email address
Phone number
INSIGHT FOR LIVING CANADA PUZZLE CONTEST RULES
21MIN10
Insights magazine subscribers are invited to submit their completed puzzles by mail, email, or fax for a chance to win a Swindoll Study Bible. Each month from January 15, 2021 to October 31, 2021 there will be a new puzzle challenge with another opportunity to gain a contest entry. Completed puzzles received before November 12, 2021 will be entered into a draw. One grand prize winner will be selected by random draw and notified by email or phone. Contest entries are limited to one per household, per puzzle. Open only to legal residents of Canada who are of legal age of majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside, and at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. Not open to Quebec residents. Not open to Insight for Living Canada staff or their immediate family. Mathematical skill testing question to be answered correctly to win. No purchase necessary. Puzzle solutions will be posted at insightforliving.ca/puzzle at a later date. Mail: 1-30445 Progressive Way Abbotsford BC V2T 6W3 // Email: info@insightforliving.ca // Fax: 1.604.870.8743
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