Author: NBibens

Focused On…

Focus is required for success. Whether one is training for an athletic event, studying for a test, or mastering some habit and skill, we need the ability to focus on the path that will help us achieve our goal. That sounds simple enough, but as we all know, maintaining focus is no easy task. Why is focus so hard? Simple—distractions. When we lose focus, it’s probably not because we are unable to focus. More likely, we have become distracted and begun to focus on something else—something easier or more immediate. We don’t lose focus so much as we misdirect focus. 

Philippians 3:19 says this about the enemies of the cross of Christ: “…they are focused on earthly things…”[1]

What are you focused on today? Are you focused on the glorious and the eternal, or are you focused on the earthly and carnal? Are you focused on the Lord and serving Him, or are you focused on and serving yourself?

[1] CSB

Acts 2:14-21

Peter’s Pentecost sermon is founded in Old Testament Scripture. The first passage he uses helps explain the extraordinary events the crowds were witnessing, which left them bewildered. Peter proclaimed they were seeing the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32. But how so? What was Joel predicting, and why does Peter use that passage? In this sermon from the Acts series, evangelist Nate Bibens focuses on the first portion of Peter’s sermon and his use of Joel 2.

No Tears in a Holy Place

One of the most cherished promises in the Bible is that, in Heaven, God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of the saved.[1] We might assume these are tears of pain and loss. But could there be more to it? 

In Nehemiah 8, the people gathered to hear Ezra and others read and teach God’s Law. But as they listened, something strange happened—the people wept. Surely their weeping was induced by the guilt they felt over their failure as God’s people. But Nehemiah and Ezra exhorted the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep…And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”[2]

Of all the tears God will wipe away, perhaps the greatest will be the tears of guilt and shame. What a day to look forward to—a day when tears of guilt and shame will be no more as we live in the Holy presence of God!

[1] Revelation 21:4

[2] Nehemiah 8:9-12

Hosea: An Overview

Hosea isn’t a comfortable read. It’s the story of a tragic marriage and a faithless nation. It’s an unsettling promise of judgment because of flagrant rebellion. Yet Hosea is also a story of hope because of God’s relentless love. In this sermon from his Bible Book Overview series, evangelist Nate Bibens provides an overview of this Old Testament book of prophecy!

To Finish With Joy

When you think about death, what emotions are stirred within you? Even if such an event seems far off, it can still evoke sadness or fear, which isn’t surprising. After all, life is valuable. Furthermore, the ending of life is rarely, if ever, peaceful. When people die young, it is typically the result of some accident or terrible disease. When people die of old age, they go through years of decreasing health and wellness. The ending of life doesn’t appear to have anything positive about it. 

And yet, the Apostle Paul once looked ahead to a period of persecution and possibly death, and said, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy…”[1] However and whenever our end comes, it will be with some hardship and pain. But if we remain focused on serving the Lord, then we too can finish our course with joy.  

[1] Acts 20:24, KJV

Forsook and Served

Isn’t freedom wonderful? We cherish our rights and our liberty. But what is freedom? We often think freedom is about fulfilling our desires, preferably without consequence. We view freedom as the lack of restraint and rules. Freedom is serving ourselves instead of anyone else. But that’s not how freedom works. In one way or another, we will always serve something. 

In Judges 2:13, we read that Israel “…abandoned the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.” To ancient Israel, the religion of Baal likely seemed liberating. It certainly didn’t make the moral demands that YHWH did. And so, they abandoned God. But did that bring freedom? No, it just brought about a dark servitude. Enslaved to false gods, Israel walked a painful path that led to affliction and oppression. 

And that’s what sin does. It appears liberating to follow our carnal desires, but it results in bondage and death. Instead, serve the Lord, and you can find freedom and life. 

The Subject of Faith

If you were asked to discuss the subject of faith, what types of things would you talk about? In many religious discussions, it’s common for the subject of faith to be boiled down to “belief.” It’s also common to see faith and obedience presented as opponents. But listen to Acts 24:24-25:

“…When Felix came with his wife Drusilla…he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid…”[1]

When Paul discussed the faith in Jesus, he preached about righteousness, self-control, and God’s judgment. Paul didn’t boil faith down to mental belief, nor did he separate faith and obedience, and neither should we. If we want genuine faith—a faith that is ready for judgment—then we need a faith that induces righteous and self-controlled living—in other words, faith that moves us to obey Jesus as Lord.  

[1] CSB

Proverbs of Ash

Just because a phrase is catchy or clever doesn’t mean it’s true or helpful. In the social media age, it’s pretty standard to see posts and memes with witty one-liners, and videos of discussions often focus on “gotcha” moments. But to discern truth, we must be willing to dig deeper, and frequently we might find that what appears to be wise is actually foolish. While social media might be new, this truth isn’t. 

The Book of Job recounts Job’s suffering and how his three friends responded to and counseled him. Job’s friends thought they were quite wise in their advice. At one point, however, Job says, “Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.”[1]

Don’t believe something, and definitely don’t repeat or teach something, just because it sounds wise. Use God’s Word as a guide and ensure you heed and teach genuine truth, not proverbs of ashes that are helpless if not dangerous. 

[1] Job 12:13

In Light of the End: Serve One Another

Hollywood has captivated audiences with various portrayals of apocalyptic catastrophe and life after disaster. One thing is common in most renditions—people imagine that disastrous end times would bring out the worst in people. Well, we are living in the end times. And they certainly don’t appear as dramatic as is typically displayed, but it’s true. First Peter 1:7 reads, “The end of all things is at hand…” 

In light of that truth, Peter teaches us to live a certain way. However, the principles he presents are quite different than one might expect. Peter exhorts us to be self-controlled, sober-minded, and loving and hospitable towards others. He ends his instructions with this command, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another…” As we prepare for eternity, what is the best use of our precious and limited time? To serve others. Use the gifts God has blessed you with to be a blessing to others.