“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
(Titus 2:12-14 KJV)
Well, we are finishing up another week. As some of you are aware, I have had to take a temporary job to help with the added expenses of keeping my grandkids in Christian school and preparing for Christmas. The job will end this weekend until the next need arrives, but God is good to allow me the opportunity to work and add to the salary He provides through the church. We are very grateful for His wonderful provision. I am getting older and "tired-er" but still able.
Now I will spend the next few days preparing for the Romanian missions trip. It is my privilege to go along with World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions vice president, John O'Malley, to interview a Romanian national missions candidate. I will have opportunity to teach in the missions school and speak in their chapel. On the way home we will stop off in Germany where I will be preaching to the German nationals in their church service and the U.S. military men and women in their service. As you might imagine, I am quite excited about it.
All of this got me thinking as I was reading the Scriptures this morning about how excited we should be every day that the Lord could appear and we would be transported to Him and transformed in His likeness. As I prepare for this earthly ministry trip, I should prepare each moment for the heavenly voyage. I am excited about it!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
ONE TO ANOTHER
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”
(Ephesians 5:21-28 KJV)
It seems most difficult to get folks to see the relationship between husband and wife is a picture or reflection of the relationship of Christ and His Bride. One lady even told me, "He (her husband) is not Jesus and when he becomes Jesus I will submit to him." I am afraid she missed the whole meaning of the Scripture. We are commanded to submit ourselves "one to another" and this is not an option or contingent upon the actions or responses of other. Husbands are to love their wives whether they submit to them or not. Wives are to submit to the authority of the husband whether the husband loves them as he should or not.
Some few years ago, I had been preaching on the subjects of stewardship, tithing and support of missions. During the series of messages one of our ladies approached me with a burden she had to give to missions each week. She and her husband had separate jobs and incomes. I told her that before she made a pledge to give to faith promise missions she should discuss it with her husband and get his permission. She was married to a lost man who had at that time and still today has no interest in spiritual things or the salvation of others. Her response to my statement was, "Oh, he won't care." I told her, regardless of his lack of concern, she should still get his approval. She was then concerned that he would disapprove. "Well," I said, "if he does not care as you say, and this is a true burden from God, then he will approve and you will have obeyed the Scripture." So she took the matter to him and he told her it would be fine. Now she can say with a completely clear conscience she has obeyed God in those matters.
I know a preacher, of all people, who took his wife and children on the road of evangelism. He allowed a pastor friend to speak critically about his wife to him. The evangelist's reaction was to scold his wife for not being submissive. It was not long until the devil was able to put a pry-bar between them and tear up a home and destroy a ministry. What should he have done? Stand up for his wife. But he was more concerned about being embarrassed in front of his friend, or losing a meeting in a church than showing true love to the wife of his youth and the mother of his children. By the way, last I heard, that pastor is no longer pastoring.
There is a Christian lady who takes a lot of pride in her house. She has put a lot of work into getting just the right decor and furniture to make the house a show place as far as is within their means. But she has made her house just for her. The husband has obviously been excluded from the house. There is hardly any trace of his presence. So, he has made his home in the garage or yard or barn. She has forgotten that he is suppose to live in the house with her and he has forgotten that he needs to spend time with her.
No man is Christ, but we are to endeavor to be like Him. No woman is the church, but she is to submit with the attitude of the church submitted to Christ. God's word really works and when it is applied to our lives we find a joy that comes no other way.
(Ephesians 5:21-28 KJV)
It seems most difficult to get folks to see the relationship between husband and wife is a picture or reflection of the relationship of Christ and His Bride. One lady even told me, "He (her husband) is not Jesus and when he becomes Jesus I will submit to him." I am afraid she missed the whole meaning of the Scripture. We are commanded to submit ourselves "one to another" and this is not an option or contingent upon the actions or responses of other. Husbands are to love their wives whether they submit to them or not. Wives are to submit to the authority of the husband whether the husband loves them as he should or not.
Some few years ago, I had been preaching on the subjects of stewardship, tithing and support of missions. During the series of messages one of our ladies approached me with a burden she had to give to missions each week. She and her husband had separate jobs and incomes. I told her that before she made a pledge to give to faith promise missions she should discuss it with her husband and get his permission. She was married to a lost man who had at that time and still today has no interest in spiritual things or the salvation of others. Her response to my statement was, "Oh, he won't care." I told her, regardless of his lack of concern, she should still get his approval. She was then concerned that he would disapprove. "Well," I said, "if he does not care as you say, and this is a true burden from God, then he will approve and you will have obeyed the Scripture." So she took the matter to him and he told her it would be fine. Now she can say with a completely clear conscience she has obeyed God in those matters.
I know a preacher, of all people, who took his wife and children on the road of evangelism. He allowed a pastor friend to speak critically about his wife to him. The evangelist's reaction was to scold his wife for not being submissive. It was not long until the devil was able to put a pry-bar between them and tear up a home and destroy a ministry. What should he have done? Stand up for his wife. But he was more concerned about being embarrassed in front of his friend, or losing a meeting in a church than showing true love to the wife of his youth and the mother of his children. By the way, last I heard, that pastor is no longer pastoring.
There is a Christian lady who takes a lot of pride in her house. She has put a lot of work into getting just the right decor and furniture to make the house a show place as far as is within their means. But she has made her house just for her. The husband has obviously been excluded from the house. There is hardly any trace of his presence. So, he has made his home in the garage or yard or barn. She has forgotten that he is suppose to live in the house with her and he has forgotten that he needs to spend time with her.
No man is Christ, but we are to endeavor to be like Him. No woman is the church, but she is to submit with the attitude of the church submitted to Christ. God's word really works and when it is applied to our lives we find a joy that comes no other way.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
ANOTHER
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9 KJV)
I would like to share a story with you. It is not so funny, but it does have a point. There was a gentleman, we shall call him Thomas, who attended a wedding reception. At the affair another gentleman, we shall call him Cedric, started a conversation with him. As the two men chatted Cedric picked up his glass of punch and threw it into Thomas' face.
"Oh, I am so sorry!" said Cedric. "This is so embarrassing. I have certain urges that I just can not resist. It is very embarrassing."
"Well, maybe you could use some counseling," said Thomas. "I understand that the new pastor down at the New Gospel Family Life Center, you know, where the Old Time Bible Baptist Church used to be, he counsels people about their problems."
"You may be right," replied Cedric. "Thanks, I will give it a try."
A month passed and then the two men saw each other at a mutual friends house.
"Hey," asked Thomas. "Did you ever go get counseling for your embarrassing urges?"
"I sure did," answered Cedric. "And I want to thank you for the recommendation." Then suddenly Cedric pitched another glass of punch into Thomas' face.
"Well," said Thomas annoyed. "I guess the counseling did not help"
"Oh, yes it did," responded Cedric. "I still have the same urges, but I am no longer embarrassed by them."
Now the moral to this story is that changing the message, or hyping the emotion in order to get people to feel differently about their sin does not really help them. They just feel better about themselves. Guilt and embarrassment about sin is given to us to bring us back into proper relationship with God. The Holy Spirit of God is not only our Comforter, but also our convictor. ALL SIN KILLS. Changing its name, or using others to excuse our sin, does not make it any less deadly.
I would like to share a story with you. It is not so funny, but it does have a point. There was a gentleman, we shall call him Thomas, who attended a wedding reception. At the affair another gentleman, we shall call him Cedric, started a conversation with him. As the two men chatted Cedric picked up his glass of punch and threw it into Thomas' face.
"Oh, I am so sorry!" said Cedric. "This is so embarrassing. I have certain urges that I just can not resist. It is very embarrassing."
"Well, maybe you could use some counseling," said Thomas. "I understand that the new pastor down at the New Gospel Family Life Center, you know, where the Old Time Bible Baptist Church used to be, he counsels people about their problems."
"You may be right," replied Cedric. "Thanks, I will give it a try."
A month passed and then the two men saw each other at a mutual friends house.
"Hey," asked Thomas. "Did you ever go get counseling for your embarrassing urges?"
"I sure did," answered Cedric. "And I want to thank you for the recommendation." Then suddenly Cedric pitched another glass of punch into Thomas' face.
"Well," said Thomas annoyed. "I guess the counseling did not help"
"Oh, yes it did," responded Cedric. "I still have the same urges, but I am no longer embarrassed by them."
Now the moral to this story is that changing the message, or hyping the emotion in order to get people to feel differently about their sin does not really help them. They just feel better about themselves. Guilt and embarrassment about sin is given to us to bring us back into proper relationship with God. The Holy Spirit of God is not only our Comforter, but also our convictor. ALL SIN KILLS. Changing its name, or using others to excuse our sin, does not make it any less deadly.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
"...then vanisheth away."
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14 KJV)
The young seem to always wish to grow old and the old seem to wish for youth. Why? Because man begins knowing very little about the value of life and learns very little until life is almost gone. If he lives long enough he will mourn unrealized dreams, unattained goals and unfulfilled purpose. That is, unless he has given his soul to Christ and walked with the Lord.
The believer who submits to the will of God, especially in his youth, can not remorse over lost days or wasted years. Every moment with the Ancient of Days is fulfilling and fruitful. And though none of us can return to the past to make up for lost time spent in selfish endeavor, all of us can use what time remains to honor Christ and be spent for the most worthwhile of living.
The young seem to always wish to grow old and the old seem to wish for youth. Why? Because man begins knowing very little about the value of life and learns very little until life is almost gone. If he lives long enough he will mourn unrealized dreams, unattained goals and unfulfilled purpose. That is, unless he has given his soul to Christ and walked with the Lord.
The believer who submits to the will of God, especially in his youth, can not remorse over lost days or wasted years. Every moment with the Ancient of Days is fulfilling and fruitful. And though none of us can return to the past to make up for lost time spent in selfish endeavor, all of us can use what time remains to honor Christ and be spent for the most worthwhile of living.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Ingrates
2Tim. 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Tim. 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Tim. 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Tim. 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The Apostle gives young Timothy this caution. At the beginning of our text we are warned "perilous times shall come." At the end of the passage, again a warning, "from such turn away." The first characteristic of last day men is that they are "lovers of their own selves." The last in the list of characteristics is "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:" And we find in the very middle of it all the word "unthankful."
I believe this is the very heart of the matter today. The ingratitude of society in general is indicative of all the mis-qualities listed concerning the last days. Recently, an acquaintance had gone to one of the local department stores and noticed that the decor had overnight been changed from halloween to Christmas. He said to one of the clerks, "Do you not know that there is a holiday between halloween and Christmas?" He was informed that the store was not interested in promoting Thanksgiving, just not enough profit in it.
Well, they are totally wrong. The real profit would come from exalting God and showing our gratitude for His blessings and mercy. Let me assure you, dear reader, that the antichrist will be proud and a blasphermer and disobedient to parents and unholy and without natural affection along with all the rest. But most of all he will be unthankful. Hide and watch, then let me know...I won't be here.:-)
2Tim. 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Tim. 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Tim. 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The Apostle gives young Timothy this caution. At the beginning of our text we are warned "perilous times shall come." At the end of the passage, again a warning, "from such turn away." The first characteristic of last day men is that they are "lovers of their own selves." The last in the list of characteristics is "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:" And we find in the very middle of it all the word "unthankful."
I believe this is the very heart of the matter today. The ingratitude of society in general is indicative of all the mis-qualities listed concerning the last days. Recently, an acquaintance had gone to one of the local department stores and noticed that the decor had overnight been changed from halloween to Christmas. He said to one of the clerks, "Do you not know that there is a holiday between halloween and Christmas?" He was informed that the store was not interested in promoting Thanksgiving, just not enough profit in it.
Well, they are totally wrong. The real profit would come from exalting God and showing our gratitude for His blessings and mercy. Let me assure you, dear reader, that the antichrist will be proud and a blasphermer and disobedient to parents and unholy and without natural affection along with all the rest. But most of all he will be unthankful. Hide and watch, then let me know...I won't be here.:-)
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