Ask the Pastor

My most regular questioner writes, “I have questions regarding Melchizedek…..Who and/or what was Melchizedek? I hear he was a great priest….I also hear that it’s not so much a name as it is a title or designation of honor. Well, that still leaves me confused.  I also heard that he was never born and didn’t have parents.  Please explain this to me.  Melchizedek’s name is always used as an example in the pulpit, also I know that Abraham paid tithes to him, but was he a human being?  I’ve even heard some people say he was Christ in the form of a man. HELP!!!!”

Great questions, all.  And I should admit upfront that there are many different opinions as to his identity.  But since this is my blog, I’ll tell you how I see it:

• by looking at Genesis 14:17-19, (the historical reference to him), plus Psalm 110:4 (a Messianic prophecy about Jesus), plus Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20 (all referring back to the prophecy of Psa. 110) and then Hebrews 7:9-20 (which explain the significance of that prophecy as it relates to Jesus, and his eternal priesthood), you have read everything we know about Melchizedek, except for what I consider the most pertinent information (and the answer to your questions)

• that info (and the ONLY other time he is mentioned in Scripture) is found in Hebrews 7:1-3.  There we learn:

1. He is the “king of justice and the king of peace“
2. There is “no record” of his mother or father, or of any genealogy as far as his ancestral line, which causes the writer of Scripture to say, “no beginning or end to his life”.  To me, that would really leave no option but to say that Melchizedek (like our recent question about The Angel who wrestled with Jacob) was a “theophany” (an appearance of God in the form of man; i.e., a pre-Bethlehem appearance of Jesus!)
3. Having said that, I should in all honesty say that some people disagree, and their explanation is that “he lost his birth certificate” (I guess I’m being a little sarcastic, because, in my humble opinion, the significance of him not having any ancestry is that his priesthood is eternal, which wouldn’t be true if he were just a human being)

So, to answer your questions, he was definitely a priest to whom Abraham paid tithes, and he was NOT born so he had no parents, but rather he was Jesus in human form prior to Bethlehem.  Since he never died, his priesthood lasts forever, unlike the priesthood of Aaron in the Old Testament!

I hope that helps.  Now, what would YOU like to Ask the Pastor?

Fat bones!

Not talking about barbecue ribs (although that does sound good)…..but the truth of Proverbs 15:30 and the great report I just received from our Backyard Bible Clubs this summer:

• 172 in attendance at only 5 clubs, with 18 salvation decisions, including the mother of one of the children attending!

• One child overheard to say, “I thought this would be boring, but it was the best Bible study ever!”

• Every CLC host family reported how much fun it was & wants to participate again in 2011!

Kudos to Pastor Cheri Garrett and Deanna Mason and their entire team for all the work in making this possible!  Enjoy a few pics:

Vision

Still chewing on the messages from Marilyn Hickey this past weekend, and particularly the “sofia” kind of wisdom, the-big-picture-kind-of-wisdom that God gives us.

One of the most insightful verses of Scripture about that is Proverbs 29:18 that tells us without vision, people perish (that’s the KJV that I grew up with). However, many other translations express it a little differently: notice the NASB,  or the ESV, or the NLT, or even the Message - and see that without an overarching big-picture vision for our life, we are unrestrained….we cast off restraints, or we run wild, stumbling all over ourselves.  In other words, unless we see God’s ‘big-picture’ for our live, it’s easy for us to chase after most anything, trying to find the fulfillment that ONLY is found within HIS plan for us!

The problem with promiscuity isn’t that we enjoy sleeping around; it’s that we don’t see God’s big picture plan for our life, so there’s no reason to pursue a more noble lifestyle.

The issue with sleeping late, wasting time playing video games, or allowing trivial pursuits to steal our days and nights is not that we’re just bored or lazy; it’s that we don’t have a ‘big-picture’ vision that’s compelling us to become the person God has caled us to be.

The reason even Christian leaders can just ‘punch the clock’ and put forth half-hearted, mediocre efforts in our area of ministry is not that we can’t do better; it’s that we still haven’t seen the ‘big-picture’ vision that makes our ministry meaningful and fulfilling.

I’ve got to get off my soapbox and get some work done, but let me simply ask: do you see the Big Picture that God has for your life?

If not, I’m praying Col. 1:9 over you today (the ‘wisdom’ there is ‘sophia’ wisdom!) Once you see it, you’ll never do life the same again!

Afterglow!

Well, it’s a couple of days since Marilyn Hickey was with us at CLC, and I’m still enjoying the afterglow! She was everything her website says about her: encouraging, optimistic, upbeat & energetic….at 79 years old! I kept checking on her between services, etc., asking if she wanted to rest a bit, have some refreshments….but honestly, I think she had more energy than I did!

I’ve been thinking about some of her quotes:

“God thinks you can do anything”

“You give people flowers, they wilt; give ‘em chocolate, make ‘em fat; give ‘em the Word, change their life!”

“I’ve been married for 54 and a half years, and I can still fit into my wedding dress!”

“I just tell the devil, it’s not over until I win!”

She must have told me a dozen times, “I’m a pastor’s wife“. In fact, she told me at lunch that she had never been ordained; she just holds a license with the AoG.  I mean, here’s a lady after my own heart: she hasn’t worried about titles or positions all these years because she’s been too busy teaching the Word and doing the stuff!

I loved how she illustrated the 3 Greek concepts of ‘wisdom’ by showing each one in the lives of Joseph, David & Esther – and she actually taught those principles in about 20 minutes per service!  (I’m trying to make my sermons shorter, I really am – but wow, what an example!)

For me personally, the biggest takeaway was just the simple truth of holding onto the Word during the process. We all know it, but it seems we often struggle during the process and sometimes doubt the Word we received, or (oh me) complain about our circumstances, instead of just standing in faith & holding onto the Word.

I want to change.  I want to be a better example of staying positive, remaining optimistic and just holding on to the Promise! I want to be more intentional about making friendships for the purpose of reaching people with the Gospel.  I want to make a difference, like Marilyn has for the last 50+ years.  And I think I want to invite her back to CLC, to do it all again!

How ’bout you?

Israel-Palestinian peace talks

Sometimes I read someone’s writing that is too good & too important to keep to myself, and such is the case today regarding the meetings this week between Israel and the Palestinians.  I highly recommend you read this and pray for God’s wisdom for these leaders.

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