GPBC Blog

Imagine this.
Your father has passed away, and you, the younger sibling, didn’t know him all that well. But you’ve got an older brother who worked closely with him for years, keeping the family business running.

One day you find a stack of old letters your dad wrote — full of advice and instructions — all addressed to your big brother.

So you sit down and start reading:
“Son, when you get in tomorrow, straighten the back room. Wear the blue tie — the one that makes you look sharp. Look the customer in the eye. Don’t let the front sign light burn out. Sweep up before you close. Keep the books clean.”

You can feel your father’s presence in every word.
But it quickly becomes clear: those notes weren’t meant for you.

You don’t need to wear a tie every day.
You don’t need to wake up at 5 a.m. or sweep the floor.
That was big brother’s role — his job, his instructions in dad’s business.

You even find some strict rules:
“Don’t eat this kind of meat.”
“Keep your beard a certain way.”
“Don’t work on this day of the week.”

Although those instructions weren’t for you, it still show who your father was — what he cared about: discipline, integrity, faithfulness, excellence.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
(2 Timothy 3:16)

It’s exactly like that with God’s Word.

The Old Testament is full of instructions written to Israel — our big brother — who faithfully preserved God’s Word throughout history, keeping the lights on for the world to see and shining the light to others.

We were also told:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
(Matthew 4:4)

Every word — even the ones addressed to big brother — still has value for us.
We don’t follow the Old Testament laws to earn favor, but they help us see our Father’s heart.

Ever hear scoffers ask...?
“Why don’t you Christians stop eating pork if your Bible says it’s wrong?”
“Why don’t you stone rebellious kids like your Old Testament commands?”

— They don’t understand who God was writing to.

“For freedom Christ has set us free.”
(Galatians 5:1)

Big brother, just like Old Testament Israel, spent his years meticulously keeping the lights on — not just for himself, but so the whole world could see — sweeping floors, tending the building, and shining the light to others.

But when the veil was torn — by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross...

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
(Matthew 27:51)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
(Matthew 5:14)

...big brother was released from his old role and commissioned to join his little brother — together building the kingdom of God until the day Christ returns.

It’s obvious every time I come to church, from the greeters, baristas, teachers, and all the “behind the scenes” people — it’s all working together beautifully.

The Kingdom of God is alive and well, and it makes me proud to work alongside you — in God’s family business.

Truly the best-kept secret in Portland.