Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People

(This is my review of Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People, Revised and Expanded Edition, by Will Metzger)

This volume is definitely a treasure on the subject of evangelism, especially personal witnessing. My interest in reading this book has led me to read Part One and Part Two, where Metzger talks about the Whole Gospel (or content of the gospel) to the Whole Person (or the conversion of the total person). I also covered Part Four (The Gospel Offered by Whole People) where the author focuses on the person's character and communication in witnessing. The four appendices were also briefly examined. Overall, this is indeed a good 'training manual on the message and method of God-centered witnessing.'

I find some connections with the author while reading this book. First, his experience as a new Christian wanting to witness for Christ in a friendly setting resonates with my own journey in seeking to be an effective Christian witness. I therefore can relate with him when he said, “I was one of those Christians who believed in friendship evangelism, but for me it turned out to be all friendship and little evangelism” (15).

Second, his desire to understand the message and the methods of the gospel that led him to attend various evangelism trainings and seminars resembles with my early Christian experience.
Third, I can also relate with his stories how frustrated he was in hearing methodologies, rather than clear gospel message, in many seminars he has attended on evangelism. These seminars were more harmful than helpful to the gospel.

Fourth, I can identify with the joys and the challenges he had as a former campus minister with Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship, having been a former staff member with Inter Varsity Philippines myself.

Metzger's motivation in writing this book comes from his conviction that while the Church has a mandate to evangelize, many within the Church, were (and still are) not evangelizing at all. And even those who were engaged in evangelism were not doing it the right way.

In response to this sad situation, Metzger's desire to help fellow believers led him to write this book with the intention to “"show and tell" the gospel in a way honoring to God, helpful to others and liberating for [them]” (15).

The way he presented the book (which exactly corresponds with his goal for the book) does not only explain clearly what evangelism is and what the gospel is. It also includes many practical steps on how to engage oneself in God-honoring evangelism. His methodology complements very well with that of Nick Pollard in his book "Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult."

The four appendices are even very useful in terms of starting a training in Evangelism in the church. Appendix A (Training Materials for Learning God-Centered Evangelism) and C (Study Gide of Metzger's book) are especially handy for pastors or teachers in the church who want to learn and apply the content of Metzger's book in training believers for effective witnessing.

The three sections of Metzger's book that I have read are hereby summarized:

➢ Part One deals with the content of the 'whole gospel.' Metzger begins by emphasizing that bearing witness is more than just giving one's testimony. There is a specific message to which one is bearing witness. (His discussion in this section closely corresponds with the class notes on the evangelism part of the course). This leads the author to go on to explain what he perceives to be the essentials of the biblical gospel. In his estimation, which I believe is not un-Scriptural at all, any biblical gospel presentation must be God-centered, and give answers to the following questions: (1) Who God is? (God as our Owner, Father and Judge); (2) What constitutes a God-centered living (Perfect obedience to God's law); (3) What is man's real status before God? (Man living a self-centered life, separated from God and enslaved by sin); (4) Who is Jesus Christ? (He is the way back to life and God); and (5) What is man's necessary response to God? (Coming home to Him through Jesus in faith and repentance). Metzger also believes that knowing accurately the content is more important than simply sharing with as many people as possible.

➢ In Part Two, Metzger focuses on the idea of converting the whole person. One chapter (Chapter 4) deals with viewing salvation from two different perspective. Here Metzger distinguishes between regeneration as a view of salvation from God's side, which “is an instantaneous impartation of life to the soul” (89) and conversion as “viewing salvation from our perspective” and “is a process of the entire work of God's grace from the first dawning of understanding and seeking to the final closing with Christ in new birth” (89). I believe this is a helpful distinction, especially in properly understanding both our role in evangelism as the 'proclaimer' of the good news, and God's role as the One who brings the positive result of salvation. The author goes on to talk about his desire to see a better biblical balance between the use of the emotions and the mind in evangelism. Metzger encourages those who present the gospel not to rely on an appeal to the emotions. The truth of the gospel should inform the mind and so move the emotions. He completes this second section of the book by reminding his readers that the will also plays an important role in evangelism. In sharing the gospel an appeal to the will is also necessary. A radical call to live a life of obedience to the Lord is also appropriate. “Our evangelism must therefore be to the whole person, allowing that the response will be in accord with each unique personality” (110), says Metzger.

➢ In Part Four, Metzger deals with the character and way of communication of the whole person who proclaims the message of the gospel. The author maintains that ordinary Christians can make an effective gospel presentation. His discussion here includes, among other things, reasoning with people, fears in witnessing, and simple conversation. Metzger explains how our society has become pluralistic and relativistic, and how people have their own set of presuppositions about the world (168-169). Here our evangelism must interface with our apologetics that presumes the existence and preeminence of God who reveals truth to us. When relating the gospel personally, the author tells us that we must be careful not to shift the focus to our personality and experience, but include essential elements of the gospel message. Like Pollard, I absolutely agree with Metzger's emphasis on the importance of prayer in doing evangelism. “Prayer for others is the supreme God-ordained method in evangelism. Unless God changes a person's heart, nothing lasting will be achieved. Prayer is a means of raising dead sinners to life!” (178), Metzger asserts. He concludes his book by describing some practical effects of grace-centered evangelism with a goal leading to discipleship. True conversion in one's life truly leads to sincere obedience, a love for the brethren, and a life of service (202).

Metzger's discussion and methodologies on evangelism are thoroughly informed by his biblical knowledge. This makes the book very Scriptural. Anyone who would take issue with Metzger must take into account the whole teaching of the Bible on evangelism and show that the author has misread the Bible. In a day and age when much of what the church does, including evangelism, is based, not on the timeless truth of the Scripture, but on pragmatism, Metzger's training manual is much needed. His guidelines in evaluating different evangelism presentations and methods throughout the book are very helpful.

Among the books I've read in seminary, particularly on the subject of Missions and Evangelism, Metzger's book is undoubtedly one of the most valuable tools for evangelism. Not only because of the various reasons mentioned above, but also because I thought Metzger has avoided two prevailing errors in evangelism: (1) he has avoided the problem of allowing his theology to be disconnected from practice (It is clear from his explanation of the gospel that Metzger holds a high view of God's sovereignty that is characteristic of the Reformed faith); and (2) he has not, in any way, let his theology hinder his zeal for evangelism. Usually, those who embrace a high view of God's sovereignty lack a passion for seeing the lost come to saving faith. Metzger was able to show that a true Calvinist can be as zealous as, if not more zealous than, any Arminian in reaching out to the lost with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed this book is truly a precious gem.

Leaving All to Follow Christ - Part 3

(Part 3 of a sermon on Luke 18:18-30)

Following the Kingdom’s King (vv.28-30)

The disciples who have left everything in order to follow the Lord for the sake of God’s kingdom receive commendation from the Lord. For in reality, following Christ and giving up everything for His kingdom is the essence of the Christian life. And Christ promises that those who paid the price can expect many times as much blessing both in this world and in the world to come, including eternal life.

If you have left parents, brothers and sisters for the sake of God’s kingdom you will gain many times as much as you have lost. If you have left a promising career to serve the Lord in a far away place so that He may be known there you will obtain many times as much as you have lost. If you have given up something which is temporary – may it be money, social status, or fame – for something eternal, such as laboring for God’s kingdom, knowing and enjoying God, working or praying for the salvation of the elect, and discipling the nations, you will gain more than what you have given up.

Our missionary friends who left their homes, their friends and their promising career or high paying jobs have gained many homes and friends in this life. They have experienced exceeding joy in serving the Lord and His people in other lands. God never fails to fulfill His promises to those who count the cost to obey and serve Him. For God grants His kingdom and everything that goes with it, including eternal life, to those who faithfully follow Christ, God’s Anointed King and our Lord.

Let us therefore press on and serve our Lord and King Jesus Christ, counting everything as nothing compared to Him and to His promises of eternal life and treasure in heaven. Let us think of how we can serve God better and obey Him all the more this week and every day of our lives. May He find us faithful in trusting Him daily. To Him be all the glory! Amen.

Leaving All to Follow Christ - Part 2

(Part 2 of a sermon based on Luke 18:18-30)

Entering the Kingdom of God (vv. 24-27)

So from Jesus’ demand to trust God and to rely on Him for salvation, Luke now focuses on Christ’s sad comment about the man. Jesus said, “It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.” As we can see the expression ‘to enter the kingdom of God’ is closely related to the idea of obtaining eternal life and salvation.

To enter the kingdom of God is to inherit eternal life, and ultimately to be saved. But why is it that Christ said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God’? Does it mean there are no rich people who can be saved? That could not be. We know Abraham and Job were rich people. Zacchaeus was also rich, and probably Barnabas.

One scholar has rightly said, “The inability to trust God and be humble can come with [self-preoccupation] and greed that money can bring” (see further Luke 6:24; 12:15, 21). While in some occasions wealth is a sign of divine blessing, those who pursue wealth and hold on to them can be distracted from pursuing God.

So what Jesus meant was that "those who persist in letting their riches come between themselves and their allegiance to God can never be saved." Anything that enslaves a person, whether money or other things, also keeps him from entering God’s kingdom. For God’s kingdom is for those who humbly submit to His kingship.

You cannot be a citizen of the God’s kingdom unless you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is your Lord and God is your one and only King. That’s the essence of entering the kingdom of God. The most important thing for you to do as citizen of the kingdom is to seek and to obey God and His will first above all else.

Earlier Jesus told his disciples that the kingdom of God belongs to the children (18:16, 17). The attitude being emphasized there is that children easily accept Christ’s calling and teaching. They simply trust God and obey what He says. So their trust and obedience to the Lord stand in stark contrast to the rich young ruler’s cold response and disregard of Jesus’ demand.

Again the point is that, those who trust on something other than God for their salvation will not obtain it. Those who want to enter the kingdom of God on their on terms will be surprised to know that they are excluded from it.

In the first place, it is God who has the prerogative who is in and who is out of His kingdom. He grants the privilege to anyone He is pleased to give to be in the kingdom. In Jesus’ word, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

So who has the power to grant eternal life? Who holds the key to the kingdom of God? No one except God alone. That’s what we have to remember always. If we belong to God’s kingdom, that’s only because God accepts us and loves us in His Son. He is pleased to give us to His Son Jesus Christ. By faith, we are united with Him and granted everything we need in order to live in this world as His subjects. Also in the life to come, He promises to clothe us with the righteousness of His Son so we can stand in His presence and see Him face to face.

However, those who want be in His kingdom, God asks one thing. In our text, we can see that the disciples fulfilled, again only by the grace of God, what is being asked: to be able to leave everything in order to follow Christ (v. 28).

Leaving All to Follow Christ - Part 1

(Part 1 of a sermon based on Luke 18:18-30)

In the three-year ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth He was asked by different people with different kind of questions. Some asked Him in order to test or to trap Him. Others, however, asked Him sincerely.

In our passage today, we can see a very sincere person asking our Lord Jesus what to do in order to obtain eternal life. Unlike the lawyer who put our Lord to the test by asking Him the same question (Luke 10:25), here Luke does not tell us that the man had such a motive to trap our Lord.

The question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is a very important question. The person who asks such a question is concerned not only of life in this world but also in the world to come. For the question itself pertains to our eternal comfort and salvation wherein God’s promise of abundant life in His presence is at stake.

In our passage, we are going to see that eternal life is for those who leave everything for the sake Jesus Christ and His kingdom.

What must you do to inherit eternal life? That’s the question I want to address as we look at our text. First, we will try to understand what it means by obtaining eternal life. Second, we will explore on the related theme of entering the kingdom of God. Third, we will wind up in discussing the encompassing theme of following Jesus Christ, the Lord and King in the kingdom of God.

Receiving Eternal Life (vv. 18-23)

What does it mean to inherit or to receive eternal life? What really is the essence of this man’s question? Maybe it is necessary to point out that the one asking our Lord is no ordinary person. Luke tells us that he is a ruler. Most probably the man was a respected leader in Jewish society, not necessarily a synagogue or religious leader because in Matthew’s account he was still young (Mt. 19:20). As noted earlier, his question is similar to the lawyer in Luke 10.

In essence, the ruler wants to be assured of his salvation in the final resurrection. Eternal life for him, in other words, is the essential covenant blessing that God promises in His Word, not only for this life but especially for the life to come.

So he is asking if there’s still something he needs to do in order to enjoy God’s blessings both in this life and the future life. So the question pertains to the kind of life God promises to all His covenant people, to all His children.

The answer this man got from Jesus does not immediately address his question. For the Lord made him realize something about what he said. He calls Jesus a “Good” Teacher. Before Jesus answered his question, he told the man that no one is good except God.

Why did Jesus point out to this man that no one is good except God alone? One possibility is that, before the ruler understands what he is asking, “Jesus wants [him] to focus on God and his will [first] so that he will be genuinely responsive to God.” The mention of the commandments supports this interpretation. Jesus wants the man to first realize who God is and what He demands from man.

Jesus is therefore asserting God’s absolute goodness and His righteous requirements in the face of his question on how to earn eternal life. In other words, the ruler must realize, first of all, that God is good and that He is holy. If he desires to obtain an inheritance from God, he has to remember that God is full of goodness and at the same time He desires perfect obedience to His law.

Friends, do you see the cost to inherit eternal life? First you have to acknowledge that it is God alone who is good and the source of all good things, including eternal life. Not us. Not our good works.

When Jesus mentioned about the commandments to love one’s neighbor, the ruler confidently said that he has kept all of these since his youth (v.21), which is equivalent to early teen years in our time. So this man is not only a respected leader, he is also a very pious person. He keeps the law of God.

However, when Jesus further tells him what else is lacking, something within him was exposed that disqualifies him from obtaining what he asks. Jesus commands him to sell everything he has and to give them to the poor. In doing this Jesus promises him of treasure in heaven. This treasure of course includes eternal life and other blessings both in this life and the life to come. Then Jesus wants him to follow Him.

What can we see from the Lord’s demand from this man? Why he has to sell everything he owns and give the proceeds to the poor? Does Jesus prescribe a new way to be saved? What does Jesus ask of the man when he told him to sell everything and give to the poor? Someone says, “The selling of all is intended to force the ruler to trust God and humbly rely on him.” In context, this is the fundamental issue that Luke wants to point out. Humble acceptance of one’s inability to earn God’s favor and confident trust in God alone to provide one’s need, both in this life and the life to come, is at the heart of what Jesus asked of the ruler.

Not everyone who wants to be saved and to follow Jesus was told to sell what he has. But everyone who wants to become a disciple of Christ is compelled to obey Christ and to trust God for his salvation. This may mean different things to different people. For a fraud tax collector like Zacchaeus, it shows in giving half of his possession to the poor and to return four times the things he earned from corruption. For an adulterer like the woman in John 8, it means to stop his adulterous relationship and to start obeying God. Salvation is from God. One has to trust Him in order to obtain eternal life.

At this point, Luke tells us that the man became very sad upon hearing our Lord’s demand. Reason? He was very rich. He was not ready to let go of his possessions and help the poor. In other words, he is not ready to come to God and to follow Christ. He wants to earn eternal life. But he does not want to do the first step to obtain it. He does not want to listen to the One who gives eternal life. For Jesus alone has the power to grant eternal life to those who ask for it. But what is eternal life? Jesus said in John 17:3 that it is to know the one true God and the one He sent to save the world, who is Jesus Christ.

The man seems to be admiring Christ of His perfect character yet He is not willing to listen to what Christ tells him to do. He cannot give up his earthly treasures for a heavenly one.
Bottom line: this man is still in the grip of his greed, not of God’s grace. His wealth still holds him. They bind him so tight he cannot take hold of God. He may have obeyed the other commandments. But he stumbled on one. James said it counts to nothing (2:10).

If he really wants to obtain eternal life by means of obeying the law, he has to obey everything perfectly. Otherwise, the law condemns him. Or he can simply humble himself before Christ and trust God for His salvation. No one can obtain eternal life apart from the grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ. In other words, no one can enter the kingdom of God apart from God’s saving grace.

God's Miraculous Provision - Part 3

(Part 3 of a sermon based on 2 Kings 4:1-7)

SIGN OF DRAMATIC REDEMPTION (v. 7)
As a sign, this miracle of the widow's oil points to something. It bespeaks of something more dramatic than this miracle that sets the widow free from her debt and sustains her life. For this miracle anticipates the complete redemption of God's people from all kinds of bondage and slavery unto life.

At this point in the story Elisha is back in the scene. He is called the man of God (v.7). The widow came to him and told him about the abundant provision of oil. We are not told, young boys and girls, how happy she was as she reports back to Elisha that his word came true. But we can just imagine how glad and joyful she and her sons would have been. Tears of joy could have flowed from her eyes knowing that she's not going to lose her two young boys anymore.

Elisha further instructed her to go and sell the oil and pay her debts. He assures her that the remaining amount from the sales will take care of her and her sons to stay alive and out of debt. He says, “You and your sons can live on what is left.” Elisha, in his office as the prophet of God, speaking to the widow, prefigures the prophetic work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:14-15; Matt 4:12-17; 5-7) who is the living Word and the One who speaks the living word of life.

Through this miraculous provision of oil, the widow was not only saved from further anguish caused by the creditor's threat of slavery. She was also saved from sure hunger and eventual death. In other words, she was not only delivered from debt and slavery, she also was given a new life. She was about to lose everything – children, house, future, even life. No one was willing to redeem her.

So in performing this miracle, God once again has fulfilled His promise that He would defend the cause of the fatherless and the widow (Deut 10:18). Moreover, God has literally became a kinsman redeemer to the widow and her sons. The debt they could not pay was paid by the Lord. When no relative has claimed and helped her, God has assumed the role of the kinsman redeemer for her. Now she's free and alive. What a deliverance!

Maybe some of you have experienced some difficult times in life you couldn't see a way out. But I'm pretty sure you can testify how the Lord has provided you the way out. Each of us has our own story of deliverance by the Lord. Those stories are signs of God's divine power and grace.

This story of God’s miraculous provision causing the widow to be released from debt portrays a more dramatic redemption that God has effected in our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know that God also became our kinsman redeemer? When He came as flesh and blood in the person of His Son Jesus Christ God has redeemed us from debt. The late Dr. Raymond Dillard was right when he says, “The greatest debt we all have is the mortgage on our soul. It is a debt we cannot pay. But God can pay it. He has paid it by giving his own Son as a ransom for our souls.” In Christ, we are brought into God's kingdom debt-free. Now God calls us to live in that freedom, in faith and obedience to His word.

Praise the Lord that through Jesus Christ He continues to supply our every need (Phil 4.19). He will never fail to add the blessings of His kingdom to those who seek it (Matt 6.33). In fact, He will cause His kingdom blessings to abound in us as we remain in Him (John 15.7). The widow and her sons have experienced a foretaste of that abundance in the kingdom of God, just as you and I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.

But the fullness of it is yet to come when Christ the King returns. Through our Lord Jesus Christ God is going to effect the most dramatic redemption of all: the fullness of redemption of the elect, the bride of Christ. When Christ comes again, all the people of God would revel in the super-abundance of God's blessings and provisions in the new heaven and the new earth. Aren’t you excited of that? No more sin, no more sufferings. No more threat and terror. No more death. There is only life, life in its fullness in the presence of our triune God.

But as we wait for His glorious appearing LET US continue to walk in the way of faith, loving God and doing good to our neighbor.

You know what, I may not be able to live and see the freedom of our country from corruption, exploitation and idolaty. That dream might just remain as it is – a dream. But the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to take His people with Him and to bring them to His kingdom of glory and bliss, free from any bondage, is no dream. It is going to happen! And I know it's going to happen for He who has promised these things is faithful. And He will do it by His power and for His glory. May God find faith in us now and at His coming.

God's Miraculous Provision - Part 2

(Part 2 of a sermon based on 2 Kings 4:1-7)

ACT OF DIVINE COMPASSION (vv. 3-6)

In the second place, I say that this provision of oil is an act of divine compassion. This widow has a Savior. Thank God! Believe me God was there in Israel, just as He is with us today and He looks after not only the affairs of the nations but also the needs of His own people. For some of you who are widows or widowers, I want to remind you that God sees your sufferings and He knows your every need. His gracious protection and provision will come as a response to your faithful cry for help. The psalmist says, “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (Ps.68:5).

Yes, this widow may have felt the whole weight of the world on her shoulder, but we need not ignore her boldness to approach Elisha for help. In doing so, she showed her faith in God. To those who walk by faith God shows Himself to them that with Him there are treasures of freedom and life, and in His mercy He graciously grants them.

Do you have the boldness to approach God in your helplessness or are you doubting whether God can help you in your desperation? Do you have faith in God to meet your need today? God assures you that if you walk by faith, believing His divine providence, you and I will enjoy real life and freedom that the world doesn't know. God promises great things in His Word but He also requires from us faith and obedience.

As we think about Elisha’s question to her, “How can I help you?” (v.2) we need to remember that Elisha was the prophet of God (v.7). In a very unique way, Elisha represented the person, power, and care of God. Now this widow is in the presence of Elisha. By crying out to him, she was seeking God’s intervention through Elisha, whose name literally means “My God is Salvation.” Elisha is like Jesus who is filled with compassion and looks at the oppressed with the heart of a shepherd (Matt 9:35-38).

In those dark days of apostasy, God had acted powerfully through Elijah and Elisha. Through His faithful prophets God authenticates His covenant care for Israel. When Elisha asked her, “How can I help you?” he was in essence saying, “What do you want God to do for you through me?” If you notice Elisha did not wait for an answer. He was eager to help her in her distress. It is obvious that Elisha bleeds for her. O congregation, your God is eager to listen to you and to act accordingly when you bring your troubles to Him. Do you have the confidence to cry out to God for help?

I am reminded of Matthew 6:8 and 32. God knows our needs before we ask. In fact He has known them from all eternity. And because of this we boldly ask and pray for prayer causes us to be dependent on Him. It demonstrates our faith and shows that it is He who ultimately meets our needs. To those of you who are in desperate need today, make your request known to God. Maybe you're wondering where to get the next payment for that housing loan, medical bill or rent. Or maybe your need is more than material or economic in nature. Do not be anxious. Pray in the name of Christ that God would meet that need. And when God meets your needs He shows that He cares for you, and you are led to thank Him.

The woman told Elisha that the only resource she has was a jar of oil. So Elisha instructed her what to do. He told her to go around and borrow as many empty jars from her neighbors. Then she has to go inside and shut the door, and start to pour the oil from her jar into the borrowed jars (vv.3-4). These are simple instructions that one can easily follow. But without faith in God, these words mean nothing at all. Who in his right mind would pour oil in empty jars out of a small jar of oil that was probably almost empty? That's crazy! But notice how the story continues (vv.5-6).

Though the text does not describe the woman going to her neighbors to borrow empty jars, we know that she did because she was able to acquire them. The narrative goes on with the widow shutting the door, filling vessel after vessel with oil from her jar. Elisha disappears from the scene. But we see the widow and her sons doing exactly what Elisha told her to do. I'm quite sure, boys and girls, that her two sons helped their mom in filling those empty jars with oil. I can just imagine how happy and amazed they were, seeing all those jars filled with oil. When all the borrowed jars were filled the supply of oil also stopped.

A miracle has taken place! It happened behind closed doors. No neighbor has seen the miraculous flowing of oil. No media coverage, so to speak.

This seems to be the way God operates in His kingdom. While the unbelieving world is blinded from the many blessings of God, His faithful people, on the other hand, are experiencing His gracious provisions. Israel, in her pursuit to serve Baal and everything he represents, has been missing the abundance of God's grace which this widow is now enjoying. It's just a matter of time that Israel would be banished from the Promised Land and be exiled to a foreign land because she persisted in her unbelief, unlike this widow who put her trust in God.

So this miracle, while it proves the goodness of God, also serves as an indictment to the unbelieving Israel who have forsaken her God for riches and 'good life' in the presence of Baal. For a while, this miracle was hidden but it would soon be known to the neighbors, and later in Israel, that this poor widow, whom some of them may have ignored and neglected, has been miraculously provided by God with a means to be freed from debt.

God said that the poor would always be with you. Both the OT and NT attest to their continuing presence in the society, even today. The poor and the needy are always there. They exist not as objects of our ridicule and judgment but as objects of mercy and compassion. We cannot simply say that the government is now responsible for them because we pay our taxes anyway. So we just turn our backs on them.

If we truly desire to serve God we would also be careful to hear and obey the teaching of James when he said, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (1:27). This is something that you and I as the Church of Jesus Christ need to seriously think about: How the widows and widowers, the poor and the needy among and around us are ministered? When was the last time you visited a widow or ministered to an orphan? When was the last time you brought gifts to the poor or the needy in their home?

Israel should have known that God would not allow the poor to be oppressed or ignored or the widows and orphans to be neglected. He doesn't want His people to be indifferent and unconcerned of the plight of the needy. When His people are in need and God hears their cry for help, He comes to their rescue.

Praise the Lord for He has sent the One who said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Thank God that He has sent His Son Jesus Christ to us, poor and needy as we are, like the widow, because of our sins.

God's Miraculous Provision - Part 1

(First part of a sermon based on 2 Kings 4:1-7)

1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”
3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

As a Filipino I long for our beloved country to live out her reputation as a ‘Christian’ nation in the Far East. Sadly, although the Philippines is noted to be a 'Christian' nation yet the evils of corruption, injustice and idolatry are also widespread in the country.

Our situation as a ‘Christian’ nation known for corruption and idolatry is comparable to that in Israel during the time of Elisha. The Scripture tells us that Old Testament Israel is God’s chosen nation. God chose Israel and brought her out of slavery from Egypt to bring her to a land flowing with milk and honey. God has saved Israel so that she will be free to worship Him. And by living as God's chosen people who obey His laws Israel would be blessed and a blessing to the nations for the glory of God.

In many ways, God has blessed Israel with many blessings. Yet as soon as she has experienced abundance and prominence among the nations, Israel forgets the Lord and His covenant. She instead follows the ways of other nations which are detestable to the Lord. And one despicable practice in Israel is the evil of oppressing the poor and the helpless, which is the case in our text.

2 Kings 4 records four miracles which show that God is the giver and sustainer of life for those who come to Him in faith, whether Jew or Gentile. Our text pertains to the first miracle. Here we consider how “The Lord miraculously provides for the widow with oil.” God performs a miracle for the poor widow. We will consider three aspects of this miracle. First, this miraculous provision is a response to a desperate situation; second, it is an act of divine compassion, and third, it is a sign of dramatic redemption.

RESPONSE TO A DESPERATE SITUATION (vv. 1-2)

Our text begins with the wife of a prophet crying out to Elisha. Now we need to understand that this is no ordinary cry. Hers was a plea of a helpless person who is in a very serious situation. The word translated 'cried out' in verse 1 comes from a verb which means 'to cry out for help due to a great distress.' This verb is closely related to the word used in Exodus 2:23, which describes Israel crying out for help to the Lord because of her slavery. In this verb we must feel the anguish and pain in the woman's voice as she approaches her husband's master. “Your servant my husband is dead,” she cries out desperately. She had lost her husband by death. We do not know how he died, but to lose a husband in her time is to lose a human provider and protector. So can you see her helplessness?

But as if her troubles weren’t enough, another misfortune confronts her. She’s also on the brink of losing her children to slavery (v.1b). And you know what that means? She’s in danger of losing her means of support and her hope. Without a husband, her boys are a kind of security for a better future. But her boys are also about to be taken away from her.
We are not told how this debt was incurred. But it is there, bothering her, threatening her very soul. Boys and girls, it's like your parents have incurred a huge debt they cannot pay and the creditor insists that you go to jail instead of them. Isn't that scary? This widow feels distressed just as your parents would feel devastated if you are going to jail for unjust reason. She's in despair.

Now v. 1 also tells us that her husband had been part of a group called ‘the company (or sons) of the prophets.’ In 2 Kings 2 there are several places in Israel where this group exists: Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho. Many of these men had wives and children, as in the case of the dead husband whose wife is crying out in v. 1.

So who were these men? They were the ones preparing for or engaged in prophetic ministry. Someone has noted that these 'sons of the prophets' may represent the closest Old Testament equivalent to a theological seminary. In that case her husband was a 'seminarian', studying or ministering under the supervision of Prophet Elisha, probably at Gilgal Theological Seminary. And he was a faithful seminarian, mind you. She tries to remind Elisha, “You know that he revered the LORD.”

The text does not tell us how this family ended up in a huge debt, but there are things we need to know why they may have incurred it.

First, it was certainly difficult to be a faithful prophet during this period of Israel's history. Do you know why? If you were a God-fearing prophet at this time you will not be well-supported by the people because they will hate you for the message you proclaim. The people comfortably serve the Canaanite god Baal and if you tell them to repent from their idolatry and follow the Lord, they will not like it. They will disdain you!

So if you are to survive as a prophet you may have to be dependent upon the gifts of the faithful Israelites at that time, and there were only a few of them. You may also have to sell your property or place it as collateral, or you may have to ‘earn your keep’, so to speak. Thus these prophets may have enjoyed just a little more than the barest necessities of life. The prophets and priests of Baal, however, are living ‘the lifestyle of the rich and famous.’

Second, for some years past Ahab and Jezebel were in power. Not only were the faithful followers of the Lord persecuted but also the prophets went in danger of their lives (1 Kings 18:4). The situation did not change a lot during the reign of Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel. And this story happened when Jehoram was Israel's king. Maybe it was not as bad as it was during Jezebel's time, but still it was a tough time for the servants of the Lord.

You may not be able to identify with the abject situation of these prophets. But you must see their struggle in living their faith in an environment that is cold, if not hostile, to the God of the Scripture. And when you do, you would understand them in their desire to live faithfully in an idolatrous society, just like ours, where the Lord or His word is not widely honored.

So when God's people are disobedient to His Word, they are also negligent to the preacher of that Word. In their unfaithfulness, those who are called to uphold God's honor in the world has instead joined the world in persecuting those who walk according to God's Word. Yes, if you remain faithful to God in a world that denies His rule, you will be persecuted, even impoverished, by the world. But in reality, you who are faithful are blessed in the eyes of God and are rich toward Him. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled,” says the Lord.

What I'm saying is that, Israel in general has abandoned her faith in God. She stopped loving the God who never stops loving His people. We see here how unfaithfulness and disobedience to God's law opens up to all kinds of misery. The widow's predicament would never happen in the first place if Israel faithfully obeys the covenant law of God.

Remember that God has instituted in Deut. 4:4, 7-11 a form of relief for the poor among them, which was to prevent this situation. There may be an instance when an Israelite falls into poverty that he had to sell himself as a slave. But then again, Leviticus 25:39-43 states that the master must treat such a person not as a slave but as a laborer.

In other words, God would never allow an Israelite to become a real slave of another Israelite. Nowhere in the law of the Lord can we find any provision granting a creditor to do what the widow in this story feared to happen, i.e., for the creditor to come and take her sons to make them his slaves. In fact, when things like this happen the prophets of the Lord are quick to denounce such injustice, as in the case of Amos (2:6; 8:6) and Isaiah (1:16-17).

God has also provided laws pertaining to kinsman redeemer. And how does this law function? A kinsman redeemer is the nearest relative who could step in and "buy back" what his relative was forced to sell (Lev.25:48ff). The kinsman redeemer is a rich benefactor or person who sets free the debtor by paying the ransom price (Lev.5:25; cf. Ruth 4:4, 6).

We are not told in this story whether the widow had relatives or not who can redeem her and her children from debt. Two things are sure: her children are about to be taken as slaves and she’s a poor widow who owns nothing except a jar of oil (v.2b). She was so destitute that the only thing she had was this oil. Now with these in mind you would understand her earnest plea, wouldn’t you?

We are not also told about the creditor who is coming after her children whether he was a fellow Israelite or not. Whatever the case may be, the creditor could have been a staunch follower of Baal, whose only aim was to become rich and successful even at the expense of others. One author says that the creditor here is the picture of a “stone-hard, a full-blooded materialist who stood on his rights and did not show even a token of mercy.” He is like the devil who oppresses people and treats them without mercy.

So who can save the widow and her sons now from such oppressor? Thank God there is someone in Israel who is full of mercy and compassion for people such as the widow in our story.