New Song Community Church

Going Deeper
A Radio Ministry by Pastor Hawkins

08/07/06- law/nomos, The Mirror of God's Love
Paul the apostle said in Romans 7:7, "...I would not have known sin except through the law..." Mr. Luther said the law has 3 main uses: a curb to restrain ungodly behavior, a rule to pattern our lives after, and as a mirror to show us our condition before a Holy and righteous God. The Word translated law here in the Greek is nomos. The idea here is a "holy standard." So the word law is used in a sense of mirror. When we look into the law of God, we see our our sinful condition before a holy and righteous God.

Perhaps a clearer example is that of an x-ray. An x-ray can reveal a great deal about the condition of the bones in our bodies. In the same way the law was designed by God to diagnose the sinful condition of humanity for the central purpose of showing men their need for a Savior!

Take a hard look in the mirror of God's law today. And when the law brings you face to face with your utter depravity repent and embrace God's only answer to sin in Jesus Christ today.

08/08/06- Walking the talk, anhupocriteis
In ancient Greek dramas, a person behind a curtain spoke the lines while the performer on stage acted out the role. We might refer to the speaker behind the scenes as one who didn't "practice what he preached." The person behind the curtain of Greek drama reminds me of a problem we as Christians follow today. Many are skilled at talking the talk but fail to walk the talk.

The Bible says in James 3:17, "The wisdom that is from above is...without hypocrisy." The Word translated here as hypocrisy comes from the Greek word an-hupocritos. This word appears only here in the New Testament. It literally means "without a mask." It denotes a consistent, unwavering person who is undivided in his commitment to Christ.

A Christian who makes the greatest impact on a watching world, is one whose walk matches his talk. Our role as Christians is vastly different from the Ancient Greek actors. God calls you and me to be people who speak what we do and do what we speak.

08/09/06- Renewing your mind/akakainosei tou noos
Latest research on the human brain says, "use it before you lose it." Our best research today says we have the power to help keep our brain fit and working well. Reserach suggests things like crossword puzzles and taking a new route to work helps to stimulate the brain and keep it healthy. The goal is to replace routine with fresh awareness and new focus. The same is true of the Christian. There is great reward for the believer who employs spiritual disciplines in a way that fully engages the mind.

The apostle Paul understood the importance of this truth 2000 years ago when he wrote, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2) the phrase translated here as "renewing your mind" comes from the Greek "anakainosei tou noos." The idea here is regeneration through fresh stimuli. This kind of renewal can only happen through consistent study and meditation of God's Word. So keep your mind fresh and get into the Word and let the Word get into you.

August 10th, Magnifying the Master/Megaluntheisetai christos
As a man of rock-solid conviction, the apostle Paul had a singular magnificent obsession. He spelled it out in his letter to the Philippians. "Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death." (Philipppians 1:20) The word translated as magnify here is "megaluntheisetai" in the Greek. It literally means "to be made big" or "to be enlarged." Today we would say "supersize!"

In other words, the apostle is saying here, "No matter what I suffer. No matter what hardships await me. I will walk in step with Christ. His purpose is my purpose. His life will be supersized in my life no matter the cost." And the Biblical record indicates that Paul made good on that confession through peril, pain, and even imprisonment.

Althought living in a much different world, we too can live a super-sized life for the Savior. Our hands can magnify the Lord as we give to the poor. Our feet can magnify Him as we serve one another. Our voices can magnify him as we share the faith and praise His name. So what say you Christian - Will you magnify his precious name and allow his purpose to be super-sized in your life today?

August 11th, Love Like His
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13, "Love does not envy..." (1 Corinthians 13:4) In the Greek this phrase reads like this, "He agape ou zeloi." Most of us recognize the agape part as the Love of God. I want and turn your attention to the other part of this passage on "ou zeloi." The english translates this word as envy or jealous. This comes from the Greek verb zeu which means "to seethe." So, the apostle is saying here Biblical love never "seethes with desire" the possessions of another.

I remember one Christmas when I was a boy, I had received the toy I wanted and was very happy and things were great- until I went over to my friend's house. He had a toy I had never seen before. It was battery operated shark with a tail that moved and actually swam through the water. I thought to myself, "Wow! This is the coolest toy in the world! If my parents would only have gotten me that toy!" Suddenly all my toys meant meaningless. I was consumed with my desire for what my friend had. I "seethed with desire" the toy of another boy.

The Bible says God's love is not jealous. May God help you and me to have a love like His.



	Going Deeper A Radio Ministry by Pastor Hawkins 08/07/06- law/nomos, The Mirror of God's Love Paul the apostle said in Romans 7:7, "...I would not have known sin except through the law..." Mr. Luther said the law has 3 main uses: a curb to restrain ungodly behavior, a rule to pattern our lives after, and as a mirror to show us our condition before a Holy and righteous God. The Word translated law here in the Greek is nomos. The idea here is a "holy standard." So the word law is used in a sense of mirror. When we look into the law of God, we see our our sinful condition before a holy and righteous God. Perhaps a clearer example is that of an x-ray. An x-ray can reveal a great deal about the condition of the bones in our bodies. In the same way the law was designed by God to diagnose the sinful condition of humanity for the central purpose of showing men their need for a Savior! Take a hard look in the mirror of God's law today. And when the law brings you face to face with your utter depravity repent and embrace God's only answer to sin in Jesus Christ today. 08/08/06- Walking the talk, anhupocriteis In ancient Greek dramas, a person behind a curtain spoke the lines while the performer on stage acted out the role. We might refer to the speaker behind the scenes as one who didn't "practice what he preached." The person behind the curtain of Greek drama reminds me of a problem we as Christians follow today. Many are skilled at talking the talk but fail to walk the talk. The Bible says in James 3:17, "The wisdom that is from above is...without hypocrisy." The Word translated here as hypocrisy comes from the Greek word an-hupocritos. This word appears only here in the New Testament. It literally means "without a mask." It denotes a consistent, unwavering person who is undivided in his commitment to Christ. A Christian who makes the greatest impact on a watching world, is one whose walk matches his talk. Our role as Christians is vastly different from the Ancient Greek actors. God calls you and me to be people who speak what we do and do what we speak. 08/09/06- Renewing your mind/akakainosei tou noos Latest research on the human brain says, "use it before you lose it." Our best research today says we have the power to help keep our brain fit and working well. Reserach suggests things like crossword puzzles and taking a new route to work helps to stimulate the brain and keep it healthy. The goal is to replace routine with fresh awareness and new focus. The same is true of the Christian. There is great reward for the believer who employs spiritual disciplines in a way that fully engages the mind. The apostle Paul understood the importance of this truth 2000 years ago when he wrote, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2) the phrase translated here as "renewing your mind" comes from the Greek "anakainosei tou noos." The idea here is regeneration through fresh stimuli. This kind of renewal can only happen through consistent study and meditation of God's Word. So keep your mind fresh and get into the Word and let the Word get into you. August 10th, Magnifying the Master/Megaluntheisetai christos As a man of rock-solid conviction, the apostle Paul had a singular magnificent obsession. He spelled it out in his letter to the Philippians. "Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death." (Philipppians 1:20) The word translated as magnify here is "megaluntheisetai" in the Greek. It literally means "to be made big" or "to be enlarged." Today we would say "supersize!" In other words, the apostle is saying here, "No matter what I suffer. No matter what hardships await me. I will walk in step with Christ. His purpose is my purpose. His life will be supersized in my life no matter the cost." And the Biblical record indicates that Paul made good on that confession through peril, pain, and even imprisonment. Althought living in a much different world, we too can live a super-sized life for the Savior. Our hands can magnify the Lord as we give to the poor. Our feet can magnify Him as we serve one another. Our voices can magnify him as we share the faith and praise His name. So what say you Christian - Will you magnify his precious name and allow his purpose to be super-sized in your life today? August 11th, Love Like His The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13, "Love does not envy..." (1 Corinthians 13:4) In the Greek this phrase reads like this, "He agape ou zeloi." Most of us recognize the agape part as the Love of God. I want and turn your attention to the other part of this passage on "ou zeloi." The english translates this word as envy or jealous. This comes from the Greek verb zeu which means "to seethe." So, the apostle is saying here Biblical love never "seethes with desire" the possessions of another. I remember one Christmas when I was a boy, I had received the toy I wanted and was very happy and things were great- until I went over to my friend's house. He had a toy I had never seen before. It was battery operated shark with a tail that moved and actually swam through the water. I thought to myself, "Wow! This is the coolest toy in the world! If my parents would only have gotten me that toy!" Suddenly all my toys meant meaningless. I was consumed with my desire for what my friend had. I "seethed with desire" the toy of another boy. The Bible says God's love is not jealous. May God help you and me to have a love like His.	Catch Pastor Hawkins' Radio Ministry on WYLL 1060 between 7:25 and 7:30am Monday through Friday. Running from August 7 through October. Text transcripts of the series will appear here the beginning of each week.

Portion of a greek manuscript of Leviticus. One of the oldest known Bible manuscripts.