Archives by: Gary Hoag

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Darrell L Bock in Luke (NIVAC; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996) 92-93.

Sometimes the most generous thing we can do in times filled with trouble and uncertainty is to be “righteous and devout” in a world filled with “trial and disappointment.” In a word, we must be “expectant” people.

In his case, the Sovereign Lord had made it clear to him that he would see the consolation of Israel. He could have waited and given up hope. Times were tough. But He lived with trust in the fulfillment of what was promised.

Today is election day in the USA. While we may not have a statesman like Simeon on the ballot, we can live generously by aiming at living “righteous and devout” lives. We can live expectant that God will fulfill His promises.

What does this do? It brings the one thing the whole world needs: hope.

One day Elisha went to Shunem and a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” 2 Kings 4:8-10

“She was well-to-do, literally a “great woman,” a person of standing and status who lived in the village of Shunem. Located just north of Jezreel, this was in an area much traveled by Elisha. On one occasion the woman urged him to stay for a meal. That led to a habit of hospitality for the prophet, whom she recognized as a holy man of God. Finally, she approached her husband with a suggestion: Let’s make a small room on the roof. The prophet could lodge there when he was in the area. Elisha was grateful for this woman’s kindness.”

Max Anders and Gary Inrig in 1 and 2 Kings (HOTC; Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003) 221-222.

Elisha would go on to do miracles for this woman, but don’t miss how the relationship started. She had a habit of hospitality even in times of personal crisis. God sees when we do this.

In this example, the habit of hospitality started with seeing a need and meeting it. First, it was making food. That grew to making space for serving other needs that the ministry worker had. Second, it was providing lodging.

What might a habit of hospitality look like for you? Can you meet a need of a ministry worker, then learn other needs and meet those too, even though you may have real needs?

A hindrance to hospitality is the notion that we must just look out for ourselves. Another is that that we can only give when we have no needs ourselves. Both perspectives will hinder generosity.

Only in looking out for others generously do we position ourselves for God to look after us. God watched all this unfold. He saw needs the childless Shunemmite woman and met them.

If we are living a life with little hope, the only answer is to be generous—have a habit of hospitality—to meet the needs of others and trust God to sort what we cannot sort for ourselves.

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.” 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.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 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.”

She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 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. 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.” 2 Kings 4:1-7

“In this chapter we shall read of a number of further miracles, both of provision and healing, that remind us of Elijah in the same way. The first of these is occasioned by a crisis facing the widow of a member of the prophetic groups under Elisha’s leadership. Her sons are to be taken as slaves in payment of a debt. Like the widow of Zeraphath (1 Kings 17:7-16), she possesses only a small amount of oil. As in the Elijah story, the small amount is transformed into an abundance; it fills the empty jars the widow can find. The proceeds from the sale of this oil will leave the family enough to live on, even after the debts have been settled.”

Iain W. Proven in 1 & 2 Kings (UBCS; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995) 187.

Notice the powerful words of the prophet. “What do you have in your house?”

Don’t miss this lesson which points to the doorway of God’s generous and abundant economy. When we are in crisis he wants us to put to work what we have. Only then will it be “transformed into an abundance.”

This past week at GTP, we did a webinar on “Growing Local Giving: Biblical and Practical Tips” (click to view it). The message of this text was proclaimed by the speakers from six countries.

When the community of faith has needs, the focus should not be on what we don’t have but faithfully putting to work what we do have. Only then can it be “transformed into an abundance.”

I saw this growing up with seeds. Only when a seed goes into the ground and dies, does it bear fruit in abundance. Only when it is put to work does God work to multiply provision.

If you are struggling right now or have needs personally or in community, try this. Pause. Reflect on this profound idea. Take inventory of what you have. Then put it to work, and see what happens.

But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David. He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. Then David said to Abiathar, “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”

When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!” Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.) 1 Samuel 22:20-23:6

“David acknowledged that he himself was significantly “responsible for the death of” Abiathar’s clan. He was accountable, not because of anything he had done, but because of something he had not done; David failed to kill Doeg although he has reasonable suspicions that he would inform Saul about David’s activities in Nob. David’s admission of homicidal negligence could not bring the dead back to life, but it could motivate him to give special consideration to the lone survivor of the massacre. Accordingly, David asked Abiathar to “stay with” him, assuring the priest would “be safe with” David. Abiathar accepted the offer…

Before going into battle, Israelites would normally await a confirmation that the Lord would give the enemy into their hands. In keeping with the tradition, David formally “inquired of the Lord” and received word that he should “attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”…While David was at Keilah, a large number of individuals joined his ranks. Of those who came to him there, none was more important to him than “Abiathar son of Ahimelech.” Abiathar’s presence in David’s camp was especially important as he had “brought the ephod.”…Thus with Abiathar’s arrival, David now had acquired access to the only revelatory device sanctioned by the Torah.”

Robert D. Bergen in 1, 2 Samuel: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 7) (NAC 7; Nashville: B&H, 1996) 231-232.

I am enjoying drilling deeper into the lives of biblical characters.

David exhibited accountability; he offered protection to Abiathar, and in turn was blessed with discernment. What a beautiful picture!

In similar fashion, I am thankful for Rich Haynie. He’s an Abiathar to me. Like David, I am not responsible for the death of the priests, but I am a leader who relies on Rich to journey with me, to pray for me daily, and to offer spiritual discernment. We meet regularly. I am so thankful for how he generously speaks into my life.

Do you have anyone to whom you are accountable and who helps you discern direction? Provide that person protection. In modern terms, create a safe environment for them to come speak into your life. In turn you will get more than a sense what next steps to take. You get a friend, someone who is with you despite difficulties, and who will speak truthfully to you. Rich is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Thank you God for Rich.

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:13-15

“Lydia pleads for Paul’s group to stay. Hospitality was both a sacred duty and a privilege for the host, especially if the guest was a particularly honorable person. Insisting on a guest staying was good form and refusing an invitation could be deemed rude. Both Lydia and the jailer (Acts 16:34) demonstrate the reality of their faith by hospitality.”

Craig S. Keener in Acts (NCBC; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020) 393.

Looking at Lydia we see a vibrant faith verified by her zealous and generous hospitality. She obviously knew something that can only be learned by experience: hosting others is both a sacred duty and a privilege.

It gives one a glimpse of God’s abundance. Those that serve others are refreshed, refilled, and rewarded with blessing. They don’t end up empty but enriched. How might you and I show hospitality like Lydia?

I am particularly struck by Keener’s depiction that Lydia “pleads for Paul’s group to stay.” What might it look like for you to to plead for the opportunity to bless others through sharing and caring? Follow the leading of the Spirit.

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Acts 12:8-12

“When Peter escaped he took his way straight to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. From that we learn that this was the headquarters of the Christian Church. It has indeed been suggested that it was in this very house that the Last Supper was eaten and that it continued to be the meeting place of the disciples in Jerusalem. Note what the Christians were doing. They were praying. When they were up against it, they turned to God.”

William Barclay in The Acts of the Apostles (DBSS; Philadelphia: Westminster Press 1976) 95.

In the early church, Mary, the mother of John Mark, was a prayer warrior. She opened her home despite the risk, and it became the center of the Christian church. It was a house of prayer.

This is not an insignificant point. She had space in her home and made margin in her calendar. Those dedicated to prayer are not peripheral but central to Christian mission.

People ask me about my global work with GTP. Let me tell you about my mom. As today is her 80^th birthday, I want to honor my mother, Patricia “Patsy” Hoag. She prays for me every day.

If I navigate hard situations, have wisdom for difficult tasks, and find courage in crisis, it comes, at least in part, as a result of her prayers. I continue to be sustained by her encouragement and intercession.

And she extends this not just toward me and my family. For her whole life, she has opened her home and heart to others making it a pivotal place for God’s worker to fellowship and get fueled for service. Happy Birthday Mom!

And thanks, Mary, the mother of John Mark, for your example of faithful intercession coupled with generous hospitality. Imagine your home as the place where Peter would ran when miraculously delivered from chains by the angel!

Wow! God, make us people like Mary so people run to us for refuge.

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Acts 9:36-42

“Luke describes her as “full of good works and acts of mercy,” where the sense is that her life had been devoted to these things. Her loss was deeply felt by the Christian community…The widows were there showing him the garments that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. The participle in the middle voice implies that the widows were actually exhibiting the clothes on themselves.”

David J. Williams in Acts (UBCS; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011).

The exploration of the 70 inspired me to look at other names in the early church in the New Testament to see how their ordinary lives exhibit an extraordinary testimony of devotion to Jesus Christ.

Take Dorcas for instance. Many would label her insignificant. Her focus was serving widows. In antiquity, widows were forgotten women, and they had few rights. Most suffered a lonely and impoverished existence.

But not the widows around Dorcas. They were styling because of her generosity. What wares do you make that you could share with others? Clothing? Cookies? Whatever you make, devote yourself to sharing it generously.

God sees our devotion, especially the care we show to the least among us.

Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.’” Luke 10:7

Hippolytus of Rome gives us the oldest extant list of the 70 (Luke 10:1-7). Today’s post highlights his account of 51-60.

“61. Tychicus, bishop of Chalcedon.

62. Carpus, bishop of Berytus in Thrace.

63. Evodus, bishop of Antioch.

64. Aristarchus, bishop of Apamea.

65. Mark, who is also John, bishop of Bibloupolis.

66. Zenas, bishop of Diospolis.

67. Philemon, bishop of Gaza.

68, 69. Aristarchus and Pudes.

70. Trophimus, who was martyred along with Paul.

Hippolytus of Rome in On the End of the World, 49.

As I stated previously, for some of these names, it is impossible to note whether they are the ones mentioned by Paul or Luke in the writings of the New Testament, but it is interesting to note that these names do seem to play key roles in Christian mission.

For example, we find a mention of a Tychicus is Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7. Paul left a cloak with Carpus, and asked Timothy to collect it with his books and parchments in 2 Timothy 4:13.

Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus are mentioned in Colossians 4:10-11. Philemon is a Colossian convert and co-worker of Paul. He has his own letter in which Paul urges him to free a slave, Onesimus.

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke are mentioned in Philemon 1:24. Peter refers to John Mark as “my son” (1 Peter 5:13), even though they are not blood-related.

Zenas is a lawyer whom Paul tells Titus to send along with Apollos, seeing “that they lack nothing” in Titus 3:13. I love that a lawyer is a part of the story near the death of Paul. It seems that Paul wants to spend time with his lawyer on his way to Rome to meet the emperor.

Trophimus, lastly, comes into view as a Christian from Ephesus in Asia who travels with Paul for a while. He’s mentioned with Tychichus in Acts 20:4 and also in 21:29. Paul left him ill in Miletus in 2 Timothy 4:20. Hippolytus adds that he was martryed with Paul.

What is unmistakably evident is that mission was back then and is today a team effort. Also, no task is more or less important whether you are delivering a coat and books or a gospel message.

Also, sacrifice is evident. To see that “someone lacks nothing” means that sometimes our role is to resource God’s servants who are on mission with whatever we have. Teamwork. Sacrifice.

And one more thing from Hippolytus. To use “my son” language of a Christian brother surfaces the notion that when we work together on mission, we are family. Teamwork. Sacrifice. Family.

Thanks Hippolytus for this list and for reminding us to work together, even to the point of giving our lives—generously and sacrificially—as a family who aim only to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Luke 10:6

Hippolytus of Rome gives us the oldest extant list of the 70 (Luke 10:1-7). Today’s post highlights his account of 51-60.

“51. Cephas.

52. Sosthenes, bishop of Colophonia.

53. Tychicus, bishop of Colophonia.

54. Epaphroditus, bishop of Andriace.

55. Caesar, bishop of Dyrrachium.

56. Mark, cousin to Barnabas, bishop of Apollonia.

57. Justus, bishop of Eleutheropolis.

58. Artemas, bishop of Lystra.

59. Clement, bishop of Sardinia.

60. Onesiphorus, bishop of Corone.”

Hippolytus of Rome in On the End of the World, 49.

It must be noted as we draw near to the end of this list of the 70 that some names are common.

It is really impossible to locate whether or not a person in this list is the same as those listed in the New Testament. It seems however that this section of the list would become co-workers of the Apostle Paul in the region of Asia Minor.

Sosthenes was an official of the Jewish synagogue at Corinth. Paul calls him a “brother” in 1 Corinthians 1:1 and Acts 18:17. This may be the same guy.

We find Tychicus as a co-worker and messenger in Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7. This name also comes up as number 61 linked to a different city so it is hard to pinpoint which Tychicus is in view.

Epaphroditus is the human care package mentioned in Philippians 2:25 and sent to Rome to minister to Paul. When Paul sends him back to them, likely with the letter to the Philippians, he asks them to give him a hero’s welcome.

Mark is mentioned preaching in Cyprus with Barnabas in Acts 15:39, but unfortunately Acts says nothing more about him after this. But Colossians 4:10 does tells us that Mark was “the cousin of Barnabas.”

Justus was another name for Jesus. He was a converted Jew from “among the circumcision” and greeted by Paula as a co-worker in Colossians 4:11. Artemas, if it is the same person, was Paul’s messenger to Titus in Titus 3:12.

Clement is mentioned as a fellow worker to Paul in Philippians 4:3. Lastly Onesiphorus, is a faithful supporter to the ministry of Paul. Paul mentions him in 2 Timothy 1:16 and 4:19.

Paul mentions all these people in his writings. It reminds each of us that we are players on a grand stage working out a great story together—God’s story—in a part of the world where He has placed us.

We might think we are not making a difference, but one day we are a messenger or a co-worker, the next day an overseer of God’s growing work. The only way this happens is if each of us plays our part.

We must work together. Perhaps that’s the lesson here? A small group of generous people who are willing to give their lives for the gospel can change the world, but only if they work together!

Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house.” Luke 10:5

Hippolytus of Rome gives us the oldest extant list of the 70 (Luke 10:1-7). Today’s post highlights his account of 31-40.

“41. Philologus, bishop of Sinope.

42. 43. Olympus and Rhodion were martyred in Rome.

44. Lucius, bishop of Laodicea in Syria.

45. Jason, bishop of Tarsus.

46. Sosipater, bishop of Iconium.

47. Tertius, bishop of Iconium.

48. Erastus, bishop of Panellas.

49. Quartus, bishop of Berytus.

50. Apollo, bishop of Caesarea.”

Hippolytus of Rome in On the End of the World, 49.

We find some of these names in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Almost certainly many of them ministered in Rome and at least two, Olympus and Rhodion were martyred there.

Paul describes Philologus as a “saint” in Romans 16:15. He refers to Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater as “kinsmen” in Romans 16:21. Erastus and Quartus are mentioned in Romans 16:23.

For today’s post, let’s zoom in on Tertius. Tertius is credited as the writer or scribe who helped Paul write the letter to the Romans in Romans 16:22. Think of him in modern times as Paul’s publisher.

He probably helped Paul for weeks or even months to build the complex argument of Romans. Then, imagine writing it down by hand on papyri. What a sacrifice, but think of the return!

I came to faith in Jesus from by following the Romans Road: Romans 3:23. Romans 5:8. Romans 6:23. Romans 10:9-10. Countless other people have become Christians too, in part, thanks to Tertius.

What gift do you have that you could put to work to advance God’s kingdom?