RR “GIVE ‘EM HELL, TENNESSEE” By Dr. Raymond Finney
Shavuah Tov,
“It’s football time in Tennessee,” shouts the Voice of the Vols into his radio microphone. Throughout America, fanatics (er, fans) gather for the Saturday ritual of playing the greatest sport ever devised– college football.
I subscribed for a pair of UT season football tickets years ago. I went to all of the games. My wife dutifully attended with me, until one of our children reached sufficient age to go in her place. She “regretfully” (unconvincingly) gave up her ticket for our child. Then, the season ticket price skyrocketed. I now sit in comfort in an easy chair at home, drinking coffee and watching the Vols on television. I miss some aspects of a live game, but the at-home experience is far more enjoyable and relaxing.
THE CHEER’S MESSAGE. I cannot hear cheerleaders on televised games. When I attended Neyland Stadium in person, a popular cheer was, “Give ‘em hell, Tennessee!” Is this cheer still used?
I am not so thick that I do not understand the intent of this cheer. Most cheerleaders and fans surely do not wish that our visitors from Alabama, Florida, and other states spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. The cheer’s wish is that the opposing team face tough pressure from the Vols and lose at game’s end.
BELIEVERS AND THE GOSPEL. Many Believers are lax in spreading the Gospel. “Gospel” translates the Greek euangelion (“good news”). Our Good News is the First Advent (First Coming) of Yeshua to bring salvation to the world.
Are most church/synagogue worshipers disciples or apostles? A disciple is a learner, which is the first stage of a Believer. An apostle is a disciple who is sent out into the world among unbelievers to minister/testify to them what he/she learned during his/her discipleship. Yeshua’s followers followed this division. For the three and one-half years of Yeshua’s ministry, the followers were disciples. As Yeshua prepared to leave earth, He promoted the disciples to apostles. Are you a disciple or an apostle?
Yeshua summoned His twelve disciples (Matthew, chapter 10). He gave them authority over unclean spirits and illness. The newly appointed apostles were sent into the world in poverty to deliver the Gospel to anyone who would listen. He warned them they would be as vulnerable as sheep among wolves, while being as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. Hated by all, they would suffer for Yeshua’s name. He gave them hope, though. Even if the body is killed, the soul cannot be harmed. He assured them that anyone who receives Yeshua also receives Father God. Even small gifts to God’s messengers will be greatly rewarded. Read Yeshua’s beautiful message in chapter 10 of Matthew to understand more about apostleship. The Great Commission (following) applies to any Believer, not just The Twelve.
THE GREAT COMMISSION. As Yeshua prepared to leave earth, He gave all of us instructions (“marching orders”) – the Great Commission-- for His absence. (Matthew 28:18-20: And Yeshua came up to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach ha-Kodesh, 20 teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”) NOTE: The ever-popular King James Version translators again erroneously translated the Greek aion as “world,” rather than the correctly translated “age.” (Tree of Life Version is correct.)
Sitting on a pew or chair and listening to a message is appropriate for a disciple (a learner), but more is required of an apostle (an emissary). In the Great Commission (preceding paragraph, Matthew 28:19a), Yeshua told His former disciples, now new apostles, “Go therefore….”
Paul also emphasized going out to the unsaved as apostles, rather than hoping the unsaved might drop by a place of worship to learn from disciples. (Romans 10:14: How then shall they call on the One in whom they have not trusted? And how shall they trust in the One they have not heard? And how shall they hear without someone proclaiming?) Of course, there are more ways to help spread the Gospel than personally going somewhere. Imagine how busy and effective the Apostle Paul would have been, if he had access to our means of communication and enjoyed freedom of speech-- radio, television, telephone, gift-supported ministries, Internet, social media, printing presses, and so forth.
You and I have greater responsibility to spread the Gospel than, say, a Believer in Bangladesh. We Americans have freedom of religious and secular speech, we have more resources, and we probably enjoy greater wealth. We have greater responsibility because so much has been given to us, according to a general principle taught by Yeshua. (Luke 12:48b: [Yeshua said] “… From everyone given much, much will be required; and from the one for whom more is provided, all the more they will ask of him.”)
Would a worship service be more effective and follow Yeshua’s teachings more closely if Believers (apostles) met not in churches/synagogues but on street corners and business parking lots or knocked on front doors? Numerous Websites discuss ways to spread the Gospel. How effective would congregations of Believers be, if they tried to reach the lost in their communities rather than meeting in air-conditioned sanctuaries?
A Believer often proclaims Yeshua by his/her life. Who is more likely to be a role model and have people wish to have what he/she has in life? Is it the Believer who curses, demeans others, cheats customers and employer, and always has a smutty story to share? Or, is it the Believer who always speaks in uplifting language, praises and helps others, is scrupulously honest, and always uses clean speech? Francis of Assisi is attributed with a quote (although it is claimed he never said or wrote this statement): ”Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” This statement is another way of saying, “Do as I do, not as I say.” You may be the only Believer some people know. As an apostle, you are Yeshua’s representative or ambassador on earth. Treat your office with care and respect. Do not betray the trust Yeshua has placed in you.
GIVE ‘EM HELL, BELIEVER. I am as guilty of this criticism as you may be. I start with a personal example. I practiced medicine for approximately four decades. Before that, I was a “disciple.” I sat through years of premedical education and medical training. Then, I spent years in internship and residency. The day came when I was armed with a medical diploma, license, and certification of a completed residency. With fear and trepidation, I joined a partner in Morristown to practice pathology. I was now an “apostle.”
I hope I contributed positively to patients in the communities that trusted me. There came a time when I needed to ‘”put my big boy pants on” and face a difficult world in which I was legally and ethically responsible for every action I took. It would have been comfortable, if I could have remained for a lifetime in a desk chair taking college courses preparing for a career in medicine. I would have been of no use to patients. At some point, I had to enter my community as a board-certified pathologist, issuing diagnoses to help in disease management, but also assuming the risks of heartbreak over any error in diagnosis or meeting lawyers in court.
A similar evolution of duties confronts the Believer. After serving briefly as a disciple, he/she must serve as a lifelong apostle. As quoted above, (Matthew 28:19-20: [Yeshua said] “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, immersing [baptizing] them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach ha-Kodesh, 20 teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”) Jacob (“James”) summarized this division of duties well. (James 1:22: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.) Do the Gospel, not hear it only.
Must a Believer go on a mission trip to a foreign country? No. All people need the Messiah– even people in your hometown. Which of the following two reactions should be a Believer’s response for his/her neighbors? “I’m not interested in spreading the Gospel. Give them life eternal in the Lake of Fire (‘Give ‘em Hell’).” Or, “I’m going to spread the Gospel in any way I can. Give them life eternal in Heaven.” Your ministry– your apostleship– could make the difference in someone’s eternal life.
If you are a Believer, some person or persons loved you enough to share the Gospel with you. This Gospel has spread from person to person since Yeshua’s life, death, and resurrection. Yeshua, quoting Leviticus 19:18, gave us a commandment by which we should live. (Mark 12:31: [Yeshua said] “… ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself….’”) If you are blessed by God’s grace and love, you should want your neighbor to share in God’s blessings. You can do this by helping to spread the Gospel. There are numerous ways to spread the Gospel. Choose one or several ways to show you love God and your neighbors. Until September 21, Shalom and Maranatha.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun7 Sep 202514th of Elul, 5785
De 26:1-11Ob 12 Ch 12Heb 11:20-40(Ac 7:1-29)
“It’s football time in Tennessee,” shouts the Voice of the Vols into his radio microphone. Throughout America, fanatics (er, fans) gather for the Saturday ritual of playing the greatest sport ever devised– college football.
I subscribed for a pair of UT season football tickets years ago. I went to all of the games. My wife dutifully attended with me, until one of our children reached sufficient age to go in her place. She “regretfully” (unconvincingly) gave up her ticket for our child. Then, the season ticket price skyrocketed. I now sit in comfort in an easy chair at home, drinking coffee and watching the Vols on television. I miss some aspects of a live game, but the at-home experience is far more enjoyable and relaxing.
THE CHEER’S MESSAGE. I cannot hear cheerleaders on televised games. When I attended Neyland Stadium in person, a popular cheer was, “Give ‘em hell, Tennessee!” Is this cheer still used?
I am not so thick that I do not understand the intent of this cheer. Most cheerleaders and fans surely do not wish that our visitors from Alabama, Florida, and other states spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. The cheer’s wish is that the opposing team face tough pressure from the Vols and lose at game’s end.
BELIEVERS AND THE GOSPEL. Many Believers are lax in spreading the Gospel. “Gospel” translates the Greek euangelion (“good news”). Our Good News is the First Advent (First Coming) of Yeshua to bring salvation to the world.
Are most church/synagogue worshipers disciples or apostles? A disciple is a learner, which is the first stage of a Believer. An apostle is a disciple who is sent out into the world among unbelievers to minister/testify to them what he/she learned during his/her discipleship. Yeshua’s followers followed this division. For the three and one-half years of Yeshua’s ministry, the followers were disciples. As Yeshua prepared to leave earth, He promoted the disciples to apostles. Are you a disciple or an apostle?
Yeshua summoned His twelve disciples (Matthew, chapter 10). He gave them authority over unclean spirits and illness. The newly appointed apostles were sent into the world in poverty to deliver the Gospel to anyone who would listen. He warned them they would be as vulnerable as sheep among wolves, while being as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. Hated by all, they would suffer for Yeshua’s name. He gave them hope, though. Even if the body is killed, the soul cannot be harmed. He assured them that anyone who receives Yeshua also receives Father God. Even small gifts to God’s messengers will be greatly rewarded. Read Yeshua’s beautiful message in chapter 10 of Matthew to understand more about apostleship. The Great Commission (following) applies to any Believer, not just The Twelve.
THE GREAT COMMISSION. As Yeshua prepared to leave earth, He gave all of us instructions (“marching orders”) – the Great Commission-- for His absence. (Matthew 28:18-20: And Yeshua came up to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach ha-Kodesh, 20 teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”) NOTE: The ever-popular King James Version translators again erroneously translated the Greek aion as “world,” rather than the correctly translated “age.” (Tree of Life Version is correct.)
Sitting on a pew or chair and listening to a message is appropriate for a disciple (a learner), but more is required of an apostle (an emissary). In the Great Commission (preceding paragraph, Matthew 28:19a), Yeshua told His former disciples, now new apostles, “Go therefore….”
Paul also emphasized going out to the unsaved as apostles, rather than hoping the unsaved might drop by a place of worship to learn from disciples. (Romans 10:14: How then shall they call on the One in whom they have not trusted? And how shall they trust in the One they have not heard? And how shall they hear without someone proclaiming?) Of course, there are more ways to help spread the Gospel than personally going somewhere. Imagine how busy and effective the Apostle Paul would have been, if he had access to our means of communication and enjoyed freedom of speech-- radio, television, telephone, gift-supported ministries, Internet, social media, printing presses, and so forth.
You and I have greater responsibility to spread the Gospel than, say, a Believer in Bangladesh. We Americans have freedom of religious and secular speech, we have more resources, and we probably enjoy greater wealth. We have greater responsibility because so much has been given to us, according to a general principle taught by Yeshua. (Luke 12:48b: [Yeshua said] “… From everyone given much, much will be required; and from the one for whom more is provided, all the more they will ask of him.”)
Would a worship service be more effective and follow Yeshua’s teachings more closely if Believers (apostles) met not in churches/synagogues but on street corners and business parking lots or knocked on front doors? Numerous Websites discuss ways to spread the Gospel. How effective would congregations of Believers be, if they tried to reach the lost in their communities rather than meeting in air-conditioned sanctuaries?
A Believer often proclaims Yeshua by his/her life. Who is more likely to be a role model and have people wish to have what he/she has in life? Is it the Believer who curses, demeans others, cheats customers and employer, and always has a smutty story to share? Or, is it the Believer who always speaks in uplifting language, praises and helps others, is scrupulously honest, and always uses clean speech? Francis of Assisi is attributed with a quote (although it is claimed he never said or wrote this statement): ”Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” This statement is another way of saying, “Do as I do, not as I say.” You may be the only Believer some people know. As an apostle, you are Yeshua’s representative or ambassador on earth. Treat your office with care and respect. Do not betray the trust Yeshua has placed in you.
GIVE ‘EM HELL, BELIEVER. I am as guilty of this criticism as you may be. I start with a personal example. I practiced medicine for approximately four decades. Before that, I was a “disciple.” I sat through years of premedical education and medical training. Then, I spent years in internship and residency. The day came when I was armed with a medical diploma, license, and certification of a completed residency. With fear and trepidation, I joined a partner in Morristown to practice pathology. I was now an “apostle.”
I hope I contributed positively to patients in the communities that trusted me. There came a time when I needed to ‘”put my big boy pants on” and face a difficult world in which I was legally and ethically responsible for every action I took. It would have been comfortable, if I could have remained for a lifetime in a desk chair taking college courses preparing for a career in medicine. I would have been of no use to patients. At some point, I had to enter my community as a board-certified pathologist, issuing diagnoses to help in disease management, but also assuming the risks of heartbreak over any error in diagnosis or meeting lawyers in court.
A similar evolution of duties confronts the Believer. After serving briefly as a disciple, he/she must serve as a lifelong apostle. As quoted above, (Matthew 28:19-20: [Yeshua said] “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, immersing [baptizing] them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach ha-Kodesh, 20 teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”) Jacob (“James”) summarized this division of duties well. (James 1:22: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.) Do the Gospel, not hear it only.
Must a Believer go on a mission trip to a foreign country? No. All people need the Messiah– even people in your hometown. Which of the following two reactions should be a Believer’s response for his/her neighbors? “I’m not interested in spreading the Gospel. Give them life eternal in the Lake of Fire (‘Give ‘em Hell’).” Or, “I’m going to spread the Gospel in any way I can. Give them life eternal in Heaven.” Your ministry– your apostleship– could make the difference in someone’s eternal life.
If you are a Believer, some person or persons loved you enough to share the Gospel with you. This Gospel has spread from person to person since Yeshua’s life, death, and resurrection. Yeshua, quoting Leviticus 19:18, gave us a commandment by which we should live. (Mark 12:31: [Yeshua said] “… ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself….’”) If you are blessed by God’s grace and love, you should want your neighbor to share in God’s blessings. You can do this by helping to spread the Gospel. There are numerous ways to spread the Gospel. Choose one or several ways to show you love God and your neighbors. Until September 21, Shalom and Maranatha.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun7 Sep 202514th of Elul, 5785
De 26:1-11Ob 12 Ch 12Heb 11:20-40(Ac 7:1-29)
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RR Psalm 30:6 Part 5RR Psalm 30:7 Part 6RR Psalm 30:8 Part 7RR - Psalm 30:9-11 Part 8RR Psalm 30:12,13 Part 9RR Favor (Chen/Charis) in Proverbs By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 31:3 Part 2RR Psalm 31:4 Part 3RR Psalm 31:5 Part 4RR Psalm 31:6 Part 5RR Psalm 31:7 Part 6RR Kohelet By David HarwoodRR “Taking Our Thoughts Captive – Part 2” By Jerry MillerRR Psalm 31:8 Part 7RR Psalm 31:8 Part 8RR Psalm 31:9 Part 9RR - Psalm 31:10 Part 10RR Psalm 31:11 Part 11Zechariah and Favor By David HarwoodRR - Psalm 31:12-14 Part 12RR Shalom SpecialRR Psalm 31:15 Part 13RR Psalm 31:16,17 Part 14RR Psalm 31:18 Part 15RR Psalm 31:19,20 Part 16RR Adonai-Tzva’ot and End-Time Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:21 Part 17RR Psalm 31:22 Part 18RR Psalm 31:23 Part 19
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RR Psalm 31:24 Part 20RR Psalm 31:25 Part 21RR Psalm 32:1 Part 1Rabbi’s Reflections - Favor and Luke By David HarwoodRR Taking Thoughts Captive Part 3 by Jerry MillerRR Psalm 32:2 Part 2RR Psalm 32:3,4 Part 3RR Psalm 32:5 Part 4RR Psalm 32:5 Part 5RR Psalm 32:6 Part 6Some Nuances of Charis By David HarwoodRR Psalm 32:7 Part 7RR Psalm 32:8 Part 8RR Psalm 32:8 Part 9RR Psalm 32:9 Part 10RR Psalm 32:10 Part 11RR Psalm 32:11 Part 12RR Psalm 33:1 Part 1RR Psalm 33:2,3 Part 2RR Psalm 33:4,5 Part 3RR Psalm 33:6,7 Part 4RR Psalm 33:8,9,10 Part 5Favor In Acts 1 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 33:11,12 Part 6RR Psalm 33:13,14 Part 7RR Psalm 33:15,16 Part 8RR Psalm 33:17,18,19 Part 9RR Psalm 33:20,21 Part 10RR Psalm 33:22 Part 11RR Favor in Acts 2: Stephen by David HarwoodRR “Endurance for the Race” by Jerry Miller