When We Are Confronted With God's Holiness (Isaiah 6:1-8): Tinubos blog's 6th anniversary post

ISAIAH 6:1-8 (NIV 1984)

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

  "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory."

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

    "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

    Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

    Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
    And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

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Photo credit: David A Ziser at Digital ProTalk

Unlike all other elective positions, the Constitution makes no provision for the reelection of the nation's chief executive. That means as long as this Constitution is in effect, we will have a new president every six years, except in cases where a person who has succeeded as President has only served for less than four years and decides to run for the same office just like Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who served for a total of more than nine years.

We also know that whenever a new president is elected, there will be changes. For no two presidents are exactly alike; each one will have his own personality and leadership style. Each one will also have different sets of friends and preferences so the cabinet will not remain the same.

In chapter 6, Isaiah tells his story on how he was called to be a prophet. He was called in a year of impending change, for it was in the year King Uzziah died. This king's reign lasted 52 years. To put that into perspective, that is one and a half years longer than the periods of Marcos, Cory, Ramos, Erap, GMA and Pnoy combined (assuming Pnoy would finish his term and step down in 2016).

We could imagine the prevailing uncertainty in the hearts and minds of the Israelites in the year he died because this king managed the nation well. The account of his reign in 2 Chronicles shows he was a good administrator. During his reign, the water supply was improved, agriculture flourished, and the national defense was fortified. He even spearheaded a research project for the innovation of their weapons. Imagine a king who would deliver an impressive State of the Nation Address(SONA) year after year for five straight decades!

In the later part of his life, he took a spiritually fatal step. Because of his accomplishments, pride was conceived in his heart. He disregarded the law by doing the work of the priests. And when confronted with his sin, he responded in anger. As a consequence, he was struck by the Lord with leprosy and lived in isolation. Yet, still nothing changed the fact that he was a good administrator, and his death is a big change in the lives of the people.

Isaiah tells his story that in the year the great earthy king died, he saw the greater King in heaven. In the year that the life of the mortal king ended, Isaiah saw the immortal King whose reign will never end. Kings and kingdoms; emperors and empires will all pass away. But as for the one enthroned in heaven, he will go on reigning forever and ever. Psalm 90:2 says "From everlasting to everlasting, you are God". There is a King in heaven-- greater than those who are currently reigning here on earth so we have a reason to hope whatever takes place here on earth.

Isaiah's experience here was similar to John in Patmos whose eyes and senses were suddenly opened to witness what the normal eyes and senses could not see and perceive (Rev. 1:10, 4:2)

“I saw the LORD!”, Isaiah claimed. But when he described what he saw, these are all he could describe:

• the position of the throne
• the hem of the robe
• the seraphims surrounding him

Suppose a friend told you that the reigning Miss Universe visited his baranggay and that there was a point when she was only a few steps away from him. Of course your curiosity was awakened so you asked your friend, “How does the reigning Miss Universe look like?” To your disappointment, all your friend describes are the following:

• her yellow skirt
• her floral headband
• her personal assistants

I myself would be frustrated with your friend. I don't care about the skirt color. I don't care about the floral headband. I don't care about her personal assistants. All I want to know is what the beauty queen looks like in person!

As for Isaiah however, we must remember that the Lord's prophet is not stupid. We could assume that he was trying to give the best description of the things he saw. But what more could he do when what he saw were beyond words? That's why we sing:

You are beautiful beyond description

Too marvelous for words

Too wonderful for comprehension

Like nothing ever seen or heard

Let us therefore get the most out of the descriptions he gave us.

The position of his throne (seated on a throne, high and exalted) and the hem of his robe (the train of his robe filled the temple) is about his unequaled majesty and authority by any other power (Rev. 19:16; Psalm 2:2-4). As for the seraphims around him who each had six pair of wings, we must remember that God wisely designs his creatures for their habitat and their survival. Fins and gills for the fish, shell for the turtle, strength for the bear, speed for the cat, etc. The seraphims were given different sets of wings to cover themselves because they are moment by moment exposed to the majesty and holiness of God. They needed that to survive!

More than their appearance, we should pay attention to what they are saying. They call out to each other:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory."

The word “Holy” is mentioned three times for emphasis and intensity. It indicates how awed they are. One aspect of holiness is morally purity-- freedom from sin and unrighteousness. But that could not be the message the angels are emphasizing here; for they themselves are holy inhabitants of heaven. They are also morally pure

I think what's being emphasized here is another aspect of holiness which is solitariness. He is separate. He is totally of a different class; he is not like us or any other thing in existence.

There is a category for angels.

There is a category for men.

There is another category for eagles; and another for worms.

Yet angels, men, eagles and worms are all mere creatures. Only one is separate as the Creator. He is matchless. He is without peer. He is holy, holy, holy.

His perfections in all his character and attributes convey his matchless beauty and splendor, so we are told by the psalmist:

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” (Psalm 29:2)

The seraphims also declare that “The whole earth is filled with his glory.”

Earthly kings extend their glory by conquering other territories. The bigger the area, the greater glory for the king. The angels declare that there is no portion of the earth where the glory of the Lord is not present. He does whatever pleases him in Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa and the whole universe (Psalm 135:6).

The purpose by which he created this world is for his glory. And there is no part of this world which is not for this purpose even the place you call your home or your personal and private room. Are you glorifying him in these places? Or are you in rebellion? Submit now or pay the consequence later! Are you in submission to the King?

What Isaiah saw was a frightening scene. The place was shaking as if there is an earthquake. Smoke filled the place as if a volcano erupted. By this time Isaiah can't take it anymore. He cried “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:5)

Let us enumerate three things that happened when we are confronted with God's holiness.

1. When we are confronted with God's Holiness, we see the depths of our sin.

Isaiah saw the filthiness of his lips. Filthy lips indicate a filthy heart.

Luke 6:43 -45 ”No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

It's not just the mouth, but all our body parts are dirty because we all use them in our enjoyment of sin. When confronted with God's holiness, you will be grieved by all the unholy things you did by which you involved your eyes, your hands, your feet, your brain and the rest of your body parts.

Notice also that it breaks spiritual pride in Isaiah for he put himself on equal footing as the rest – to the people he lives among with.

Isaiah's account also gives us an idea of what it fells to be truly blessed. Without being confronted with God's holiness, one may think he is blessed when in reality he is not.

Social Media give you an idea of what people are doing daily: the restaurant they recently visited, the wedding ceremony they attended, what they sketched on paper when bored at work, etc. On a particular Sunday, one professing Christian posted a status at 12 noon. He informed everyone that he was present at this particular church, and that he was "feeling blessed". If that is true, then well and good! Praise the Lord!

Yet at 1pm, he posted another status. He's watching a Sunday noontime show and proudly told the whole world that he was enjoying a sensual dance number by a well-known sexy actress. I doubt the truthfulness of his claim 60 minutes earlier that he was blessed.

I would tell you what a blessed man looks like upon attending a worship service. (see 1 Corinthians 14:24-25). He comes in with sins he secretly nourishes. But in the community of saints, by the ministry of the word, the secret issues of his heart are addressed. He will fall down in humility and worship God. He then concludes that God is present in the assembly. That's what a blessed man looks like.

If secret sins are not dealt with; if after attending a worship service, you did not feel the holiness of God confronting your sin, I doubt if you were really blessed. Perhaps you enjoyed the music in the same way you enjoy the FM radio. Perhaps you enjoyed the pretty faces and friendly smiles of those in attendance. Perhaps you enjoyed the preacher's punchlines. Well the best way to describe what you have just experienced is that you have been entertained. It is one thing to be blessed and another thing to be entertained. They are not the same.

2. When we are confronted with God's Holiness, we realize that we are deserving of punishment and in need of salvation.

“Woe is me” is the opposite of blessing. It was used by Isaiah in this book at least 20 times to indicate that the Lord is about to repay evil deeds. It is fair to say that it's a well-used part of Isaiah's prophetic vocabulary. But before he ever uttered a woe upon others, he first issued the woe upon himself. Recognizing God as holy, holy, holy means acknowledging he has every right and authority to inflict punishment upon us.

One of the principles I use when sharing the good news is this: Bad news before the good news.

One must first be confronted with who God is and what he demands. Then show the prospect how he failed, and that he cannot save himself. It must be clear before him that he is in trouble before the holy God, unless God himself provides the remedy. Only after hearing the bad news will he be ready for the good news of forgiveness and cleansing.

Such is the case of Isaiah. God did not immediately cleanse his dirty lips. He first showed him his holiness so that Isaiah might see his sinfulness and realize the bad news. When Isaiah understood the bad news, then he was ready for the good news: God's provision of cleansing and forgiveness.

In verse 6, one of the seraphims flew toward Isaiah with a burning coal with him. As he came nearer and nearer, Isaiah might have had thought this is punishment for him. The seraphim would harm him with the burning coal. The seraphim finally came close enough to Isaiah and with the coal, he touched Isaiah's lips, one of the most sensitive of our external parts. To Isaiah's surprise, the coal did not harm him. On the contrary, it did him good. His iniquity was taken away and impurity cleansed.

To whoever is broken by God's holiness, he is ready for the next step. The forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of God's son (Ephesians 1:7)

3. When we are confronted with God's holiness, we are convicted that the majestic King must be served

So far the one who sits on the throne hasn't spoken yet. Now he does. He announces a job vacancy in his Kingdom. He was looking for a prophet. God announced this vacancy to a sinner named Isaiah. That's grace. In fact all the workers the Lord has ever hired were all sinners.

Having been cleansed, Isaiah did not hesitate to join the King's work force. He replied, "Here am I. Send me."

Up to this day, there are vacancies in the Lord's field:

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Luke 10:2)

In whatever capacity the Lord has gifted and equipped us, let us serve him. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the blood of Christ cleansed us that we may serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14). Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10) and that for the praise of God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:11).

Serving God would not be easy. Isaiah's task was hard for he was sent to a people who would not receive the word. There rarely was a “prayed to receive Christ” (PRC) check mark on his evangelism blitz report sheets. Yet Isaiah persevered. It was in the year of Uzziah's death when he was called, and he lived and served in the times of three more kings: Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah-- 53 years of faithfulness in a ministry full of heartbreak. Yet it is all worth it when you think about the privilege of serving the holy, holy, holy God.

My final word for all of us--- for us who have unclean mouths, hands, feet, hearts and minds. Let us continue exposing ourselves to the word of God. For in it the holiness of God is revealed. It is the only hope for morally corrupt men and women.

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Works consulted:

• Raymond Ortlund, Jr.; Isaiah: God Saves Sinners (Preaching the Word Series; Crossway Books 2005
• R. C. Sproul; The Holiness of God (Tyndale House Publishers 1985, 1998)

Soundtracks for the Redeemed

Play Eye of the Tiger and people will remember the boxer named Rocky.
Sing The Moment of Truth and The Karate Kid comes to mind.
Scenes from the Titanic flash before people's memories when the disc jockey cues My Heart Will Go On. 
(paumanhin, panay luma alam kong mga pelikula. LOLz )

Part of good film making is composing its appropriate soundtrack, that when the song is played, people will remember the film long after it was shown in the cinemas. If there are enough number of songs, they compile it into an album and is sold separately from the film itself.

When DreamWorks released the animated film The Prince of Egypt, three albums were prepared: The Prince of Egypt OST, The Prince of Egypt Inspirational, and The Prince of Egpyt Nashville.  Yet the Bible itself provides the  most appropriate soundtrack for that grand event-- the parting of the Red Sea for the salvation of Israel and the destruction of the Egyptian forces. This song is Exodus 15.

Do you have a song in your heart? If you have experienced salvation from the Lord, I guess you should have one, or even multiple songs. In one of his last sermons, James M. Boice described music as: “a gift from God that allows us to express our deepest heart responses to God and his truth in meaningful and memorable ways. It is a case of our hearts joining with our minds to say, ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ to the truths we are embracing.” (cited in P. Ryken, Exodus: Saved for God's Glory)

But if you are going to compile a soundtrack album for your life story, what kinds of songs ought to be included? Let me offer two guidelines.

1. The Soundtrack of Our Lives Must Include Songs About Who God Is.
Exodus 15 is replete with words describing the character and the attributes of God: his eternity, his power, his wrath, his supremacy, his holiness, his glory, his love, matchless deeds. As we sing about who God is, we are also describing the kind of God we need.

•    We are mere mortals, so we exalt the eternal God.
•    We are a needy people, so we praise a God who is self-sufficient and able to provide for our needs.
•    We are weak, so we worship God for his matchless power
•    We live in a world full of hatred so we rejoice in singing about a loving God
•    We live in a world full of lies and liars, so we sing about God's truthfulness
•    We live in a world full of injustice where evil people go unpunished, so we sing about the God of justice, a God who expresses his wrath against wickedness.
• We sing about a forgiving God because we are sinners in need of forgiveness.
• We sing about a God who saves because we are bound to destruction without a savior.

2. The Soundtrack of Our Lives May Include Songs About What God Has Done.
Just as the Israelites sang Exodus 15 because of their experience of deliverance, we too may sing of the mighty acts of God in our lives. Some don't like this suggestion fearing we may end up singing songs which are purely built on the subjective rather than on objective biblical truths. But if your experience is in harmony with God's revealed truth and if our responses to those truths are appropriate responses, I see no reason to prohibit experience based-songs.

God is alive, therefore he is active. He is doing things in the lives of his redeemed, both individually and corporately. We cannot divorce our experiences from biblical truths. In the Bible, believers' dramatic personal experiences with God result in a gladness that overflows into singing: David in 2 Samuel 22, Hannah in 1 Samuel 2, Zechariah in Luke 1;67 ff. and Mary in Luke 1:46 ff. to name a few.

Church Harmony and the Oil Poured on Aaron

Psalm 133:1

How good and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in unity!

Psalm 133:2

It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
  running down on Aaron's beard,
    down upon the collar of his robes.

Unknowingly, those who cause unnecessary divisions in the church deprive themselves of wonderful blessings, much like dumping a pile of mud on the very well where they fetch water.  

Psalm 133 should motivate us to pursue church unity; for it pronounces blessing upon brothers who "live together in  unity". That blessedness was likened to two things: first, the oil poured upon Aaron (verse 2); and second, the dew of Mt. Hermon (verse 3).

In this post, we will dwell on verse 2. The third verse will be tackled in the next post.

1. The Oil Conveys the Blessing of Being Special
We derived this first point by looking into two questions:
       a. What the oil was?
       b. What the oil did?

Both of these questions are answered in Exodus 30:22-33.

As to the question "What the oil was?" we see that it was a very special fragrant oil. It was exclusively for tabernacle use. The proper blend was a general knowledge; the right proportion is known by all for it is written in the book. But I guess no one dared to imitate the blend for personal use, for a warning was issued: "Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.'"

As to the question "What the oil did?", we find out that whatever it touched became holy (v.29). Ordinary utensils became holy. Ordinary men from the tribe of Levi became special when the oil was applied on them.

Thus, church harmony is pleasant for it conveys that we are a special people. It is a manifestation that we are a holy nation. We may look ordinary in the eyes of men, but our unity in the faith testifies that we are a people belonging to God.

2. The Oil Conveys the Blessing of Acceptable Worship.
The mention of Aaron's name drives us to look into the significance of the Aaronic ministry. The primary aspect of the ministry is to offer sacrifices in behalf of the people.

In Leviticus 9, after Aaron offered the sacrifices, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out before the Lord's presence to consume what was offered. The people fell on their faces out of reverence yet they were shouting with joy knowing that their sacrifices were accepted.

Another aspect of Aaronic ministry is to pronounce the priestly blessing upon the people (Numbers 6:23-27). Part of the formula to be uttered is "the LORD make his face shine upon you" (v.25). The NLT renders it as "May the LORD smile on you". The opposite of that is for the Lord to face you with a frown. When a king is displeased with you, you know your life is in danger. You may sing praises to him all day but it will not change a thing; it may even aggravate the situation for your voice is an abomination to his ears.

Church harmony is pleasant for it conveys that out worship is not in vain. We can come to God corporately and he faces us with a smile. We may not be the best of singers but our praises are accepted before his throne. He is pleased with what we offer and he bestows blessing upon our lives.

3. The Oil Conveys Abundant Grace
Notice that the Psalmist pays attention to the quantity of the oil poured upon Aaron. Upon the first drop, it would have been enough to make Aaron fit for the ministry. Yet the oil was poured lavishly that it flowed from his head, to his beard and to his robe. You can also imagine how fragrance filled the air.

Church harmony is pleasant because it conveys the abundance of God's grace on his people. When he bestows blessing upon us, he doesn't measure it in teaspoons. What he gives his people is "grace upon grace" (John 1:16)

Payapang Isipan sa Araw ng Linggo

Nang makita ni Isaias ang kabanalan ng Panginoon, siya ay nanginig sa takot. Napagtanto niya kung gaano siya karumi, at akala niya ay iyon na ang araw ng kanyang kapahamakan (Isaias 6:5).

Tatlong tao ang gumising nang maaga sa araw na ito at sila ay may kanya-kanyang lakad.

1. Sa nauna, nakasanayan na niya ang mamasyal at manood ng sine tuwing araw ng Linggo.
2. Sa pangalawa, ni hindi na siya naligo. Ayon sa kanyang pamahiin, mamalasin ka sa sabungan  kapag nagpunta ka doon nang malinis at mabango.
3. Ang pangatlo'y ikaw. Oo ikaw na naririto ngayon upang sumamba.

Sa inyong tatlo, wala ni isa man ang nanginig sa takot tungkol sa poot ng banal na Diyos. Sa una at pangalawa, 'yan ay madaling unawain. Kulang sila sa kaalaman tungkol sa kabanalan at poot ng Diyos. At kung anumang kaalaman meron sila ay kanilang sinusupil (Roma 1:18). Sa kalagayan ng mga hindi sumasampalataya, wala ka talagang aasahang takot ng Diyos sa kanila (Roma 3:18). Subalit ikaw,  ikaw na babad sa aral mula sa pulpitong iyan, alam na alam mo na ang Diyos ay banal at kailanman ay hindi siya nalulugod sa kasamaan. Bakit pumarito ka nang hindi nanginginig sa takot?

Nawa'y ang dahilan ng iyong kawalang takot ay batay sa mga katotohanang narito Awit 32:1-2:

1. Hindi ka natatakot sapagkat alam mong ang iyong mga pagsuway ay pinatawad na.
2. Hindi ka natatakot sapagkat alam mong ang iyong mga kasalana'y tinakpan na
3. Hindi ka natatakot sapagkat alam mong wala nang paratang ng kasamaan laban sa iyo

Sa halip, sabi pa nga dito ay "pinagpala" (blessed) ka. Hindi ka man kasinyaman ng iyong kapitbahay; hindi ka man kasinlusog ng umaaway sa'yo, ikaw ay pinagpala sapagkat nilimot na Diyos ang iyong paghihimagsik laban sa kanya. Ikaw ay inari niya bilang kanyang anak (Juan 1:12) at inilagay sa lugar kung saan tatanggap ka ng patong-patong at walang patid na mga pagpapala (Juan 1:16).

Mas mamamangha ka sa habag ng Diyos kung iyong mauunawaan na ito ay isinulat ng isang taong nakagawa ng mga karumaldumal na kasalanan: Pakikiapid (adultery) at Pagpatay (murder). Mapaya ang mga araw ni David hanggang sa ipamukha sa kanya ng Propetang Natan ang kanyang tunay na kalagayan. Nawala ang kapayapaan at kagalakan sa puso ni David (v.3-4; Awit 51:12). Ngunit matapos ang pagsisisi, bumalik ang kapayaan at kagalakan sa kanyang isipan. Sinasabi niya ngayon na siya ay "pinagpala" sapagkat nahugasan na ang kanyang pagkakasala. Bukod doon ay alam niyang pinakikinggan ng Panginoon ang kanyang mga daing at binibigyan pa ng proteksyon (v.6-7).

Ganyan kadakila ang kapayapaang hatid ng pagpapatawad ng Panginoon. Maging ang mga pinakamatitingkad na mantsa ng ating kasamaan ay nabubura.

Dagdagan pa natin ang ating pagkamangha. Sa panahon ng Bagong Tipan, ang awit na ito ang isa sa mga katibayan ni Apostol Pablo sa kanyang pagpapatunay na ang mga tinatangap ng Diyos ay hindi naman talaga mga matuwid. Bagkus, sila ay mga makasalanan na ibinilang ng Diyos bilang mga matuwid sa pamamagitan ng kanilang pananampalataya-- tulad nina Abraham at David (Roma 4:1-8).  Ito ang dahilan ng payapa nating isipan sa hindi lamang tuwing araw ng Linggo kundi sa bawat sandali (Roma 5:1)

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Suggested Reading:

 The God Who Justifies

James R. White

The Happiest and Safest Place in the Universe

The Manila Bus Hostage Crisis; a screenshot from a Youtube video.

I will use the 2007 data because I can't find a more recent report on Philippine tourism. In that year, the Philippines ranked #53 with 3.1 million tourist arrivals. I hope my forecast is wrong, but it is reasonable to expect a decline in our tourism industry after that horrible Manila Bus hostage crisis.

I would say that in order to attract tourists, we have to convince them of two things:

1. We have to convince that they will be happy here-- that they will enjoy their stay here.
2. We have to convince them that they are safe here-- that no harm awaits them.

France was the top tourist destination for that year with 81.9 million tourist arrivals (kaunti lang lamang nila sa atin-- 78.8 million lang).

For some reasons, people are convinced of two things:

1. They are convinced that they will be happy in France
2. They are convinced that they are safe and secure in France

Now, suppose a multi-billionaire offers you an all-expense paid trip to France with the following benefits:

• you shall be there not as a tourist but as a resident in Paris, France's best city for a period of 1,000 days (almost three years)
• you can take your loved ones with you so you won't miss them
• you shall receive a lavish allowance regularly so you don't have to worry about earning money.

Let's suppose all these are available to you with a few conditions:

• You are forbidden to open the bible
• You are forbidden to pray
• You are forbidden to attend church
• You are forbidden to sing songs of praise and worship to your God.

 Would you accept the offer?

The psalmist has already made up his mind:

Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Psalm 84:10 (NIV)

He is convinced of two things:
a. True happines is in the Lord's presence only

the LORD bestows favor and honor;
  no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 84:11

b. True security is in the Lord's presence only
he is our "shield" (v.11) a protection from flaming arrows and bullets.

Apprehending the goodness, grace, mercy, and power of God will make you desire to stay with him. You will not trade him for all the best things the world has to offer. The happiest and safest place in the universe is God's presence.

I CANNOT Worship with Philips, Craig, & Dean

Kari Jobe, another popular CCM artists performs onstage with 
Philips, Craig & Dean at the Dove Awards.

Though they work with popular Christian artists

Though Christian recording companies market them

Though their records are sold at Christian bookstores

Though their music is aired on Christian radio

Randy Philips, Shawn Craig, and Dan Dean are all Oneness ministers. 

Dr. James White explains:

"I don’t believe it is proper to be led in worship by someone who worships a different God than I do and who specifically denies the truth of the Triune existence of God. One would think that theological orthodoxy would be the first and foremost requirement of a worship leader. Indeed, how can one lead us to worship God when that person does not have a true knowledge of the Almighty? Far too often one’s ability to sing, play an instrument, or write a song is more important than the content of his or her teaching, theology, and doctrine. And our worship reflects it."

(read White's article in its entirety here)

Historic Christianity supports White's position:

"So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity."
(The Athanasian Creed)

 

Beautiful Extravagance

Within our sensibilities, we know that extravagance is wrong. That's why there was a public outrage when the a scoop came out that the President with other government officials spent around $20,000 for a single dinner at Le Cirque, a luxurious French Restaurant in New York

I think I am even more sensitive to extravagance because I live in Region 1 -- the Ilocos Region. (Alam naman ninyong may reputasyon tayo dito bilang mga kuripot pagdating sa gastusan). But I must go with historian Teodoro Agoncillo that Ilocanos just earn their money the hard way so they hate spending it. So I think even non-Ilocanos who earn their money the hard way can sympathize with me when I say that I don't understand people who spend fortunes collecting stuff such as shoes, bags or Barbie dolls.

In the Bible, extravagance is usually presented as an ugly thing. God requires the king not to acquire for himself a great number of horses or to accumulate large amounts of silver and gold (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). And in the story of the Rich man and Lazarus, the rich man who went to Hades at death wore expensive clothes of purple and linen and spent lavishly for daily feasting (Luke 16:19).

What has drawn me to this text is because there is an unusual twist here: Extravagance is called a beautiful thing. Caring for the poor is even seen as a lesser priority compared this type of extravagance.

The event took place less than a week before the crucifixion. A dinner was held in the house of Simon- a man who recovered from leprosy. A controversy arose because a woman approached Jesus with an alabaster flask of expensive perfume (probably imported because it is native to India). From Mark's account, we know that it is worth a year's wages.

The woman broke the thin neck of the bottle and she poured it's contents on Jesus' head. It's volume is considerable because it flowed to cover Jesus' body also.

Matthew records: "When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor"  (Matthew 26:8-9).

Jesus answered: ""Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial."

There are any other things that could be pointed out in this account like the significance of the perfume in Jesus' coming burial (verse 12) and the promise that her story will be remembered wherever the gospel is proclaimed. But I will just focus on one aspect.

This type of extravagance was commended because it was not done to feed the ego or satisfy the flesh. It was done out of devotion to Jesus. An extravagance that recognizes the greatness of our Lord is beautiful. He deserves our all. He deserves our best. Anyway, he owns all things and all these things were created by him and for him (Psalm 24:1; Col. 1:16). Nothing we possess is too costly to be disposed for his sake.

"Nasaan ang Paggalang na Nararapat Para sa Akin?"

Malakias 1:6-14
An Exhortation Delivered at GLCC-Dagupan
(March 25, 2007)

Daloy ng buong aklat ng Malakias:
Nang pinayagan ng mga mananakop ang mga Judio na makabalik sa kanilang lupain at muling itayo ang templo, nagkaroon ng panibagong pag-asa; pag-asang tuloy-tuloy na ang pagpapala ng Panginoon sa kanyang bayan- Kasaganaan, Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran ng bayang Israel.

Subalit hindi pa man lumilipas ang sandaang taon, muling nakaramdam ng pagkabigo ang bayan. Hindi naganap ang kanilang inaasahan. Sa kabanata 3:14, ganito ang kanilang reklamo: “Walang kabuluhan/Walang Saysay ang maglingkod sa Diyos. Ano ang ating pakinabang/ano ang ating napala sa pagsunod sa kanyang mga utos? Ano ang ating napala sa ating pagluluksa sa ating mga kasalanan?”

Sa ganitong panahon isinugo ng Panginoon ang Propetang Malakias.

Ang unang tiniyak ng Panginoon ay ang kanyang Pag-ibig. Sa Kabanata 1:2, “Inibig ko kayo”, diin ng Panginoon at bilang patunay, inihambing Niya ang kalagayan ng Israel sa kalunos-lunos na kalagayan ng kapatid na bansang Edom. Pagkatapos, sa buong aklat ni Malakias ay inilahad ng Panginoon ang tunay na sanhi ng pagkaudlot ng mga pagpapala:
1. Paglapastangan ng Israel sa kanilang paghahandog
2. Pakikipaghiwalay sa kanilang asawa
3. Pag-aasawa ng mga sumasamba sa mga diyus-diyusan
4. Pananamantala sa mga nangangailangan
5. At pagnanakaw sa pamamagitan ng hindi pagbibigay ng nararapat na ikapu at mga kaloob.

Ang lahat ng mga nabanggit ay paglabag sa Kautusang ibinigay ng Diyos kay Moises. Ang pagkukulang sa hindi sa Diyos. Ang nararapat na pagbuntunan ng sisi ay ang Israel. Sa sandaling panahon matapos muling maitayo ang templo, ang bayan ay bumalik sa buhay na marumi- buhay na bulok- buhay na mabaho.

Basahin:Malakias 1:6-14

Ang unang hinarap ng Panginoon ay ang mga saserdote/pari. Sa kautusang ibinigay kay Moises, ang mga pari ang inatasang mangasiwa sa mga handog na ihahain sa altar. Hindi dapat tanggapin ang may sakit, ang bulag, may pilay, may bali, putol o durog ang ari, may pangangati, may galis; Ang mga baka, tupa o kambing na iaalay ay dapat walang kapansanan o anumang kapintasan.


Subalit ang mga utos na ito ay binale-wala ng Israel at ito’y kinunsinti ng mga pari/saserdote.

Hindi naman sa ang Diyos ay nangangailangan. Ang bawat malusog na baka, kambing at tupa, hindi lamang sa Israel kundi sa buong mundo ay pag-aari ni YHWH. Ang Panginoon ay hindi isang pulubi na namamalimos ng handog; sapagkat ang lahat ng yaman sa ibabaw at ilalim ng lupa, sa gubat, sa karagatan, sa himpapawid at maging sa langit at pag-aari ng Panginoon.

Hindi naman talaga handog ang hanap Niya, subalit ang mga inihahain nilang mga handog ay nagpapakita ng kalagayan ng kanilang mga puso. Kaya naman dito sa ika-6 na talata ay kanyang sinabi: “ O mga Pari na humahamak sa aking Pangalan”. Pangit ang kanilang mga handog sapagkat pangit rin ang kanilang puso- Mga pusong humahamak sa pangalan ng Diyos.
“Iginagalang ng anak ang kanyang ama”
“Iginagalang ng alipin ang kanyang amo”

Subalit nasaan ang paggalang na para sa Diyos. Ang kanilang mga handog ay hindi tanda ng pagsamba. Bagkus ito ay tanda ng pagyurak sa ngalan ng Diyos.

Ang kanilang mga pangit na handog ay ni hindi nga tatangapin ng gobernador. Ito ay insulto para sa gobernador. Ngunit sino ba ang gobernador kung ihahambing sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos? Sino ba ang mga mortal na hari sa ibabaw ng lupa kung ihahambing sa kaluwalhatian ng walang hanggang Diyos na nakaluklok sa langit at ang lupa ay tuntungan lamang ng kanyang mga paa. Sa talata 14 ay kanyang inihayag: “Ako ay isang Dakilang Hari... Ang aking Pangalan ay kinatatakutan ng mga bansa."

Mga kapatid, nasa puso pa ba natin iyon, na ang ating Diyos ay isang Dakilang Hari, at nararapat lamang sa kanya ang ating pinakamainam na alay- at iyan ay ang ating buhay? Nawa’y ating sikapin na ang ating buhay ay maihain natin sa kanya nang walang bahid ng anumang kapintasan- isang haing buhay na katanggap-tanggap para sa isang Dakilang Hari..

Mga kapatid, ito ang dapat nating katakutan.

Sa ika-10 talata ay makikita natin na mas nanaisin pa ng Panginoon na makitang nakasara ang mga pintuan ng templo kaysa sa pagpapatuloy ng pag-aalay ng mga handog na hindi naman Niya ikinatutuwa. Kung hindi na natin kinikilala ang Kadakilaan ng ating Hari, kung wala na tayong paggalang sa kanya, mas nanaisin ng Panginoon na maisara ang mga pintuan ng gusaling ito. Kung wala na tayong takot sa Diyos, wala ng kabuluhan ang ating pag-awit, at mas gugustuhin ng Panginoon na manahimik ang ikatlong palapag ng Armar Building.

Ito po ating isa-isip, ngayon at sa susunod nating mga pagtitipon.

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