GRACE AND PEACE!

GRACE AND PEACE!

2 Peter 1:2

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

          Peter introduced his second general epistle with the above prayer. We give it little notice but in this greeting we find two urgently needed gifts. The first is grace which is the Greek word charis and means: “the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.” Peter wanted his readers to experience divine influence upon their hearts.

          Grace is divine favor or help. If it is God’s purpose to build maturity and responsibility in us, then His workings of grace may appear as trials. Yet the divine influence upon the heart can’t be denied. During these difficult times we know that God is at work. The circumstances may be hard but we know the outcome will be good because God is good. If God is working in my life the result will be beneficial to me.

          Peace is more than lack of conflict. It is a deep internal calm associated with grace. The more I perceive God’s influence upon my heart the more peaceful I become. Circumstances may demand every ounce of my strength but, if I can sense God’s presence and purpose, peace works alongside me. It is in these times I know intuitively that I am accomplishing something; that real work is being done. I can feel myself maturing and moving from one level to another.

          Let us not waste the opportunities God has given us to mature! The gracious, divine influence upon our hearts is meant to produce peace. God can’t build our character without our cooperation. If we do not pass this current test we will be destined to repeat the class until a certain quality of character is born in us.

Gal 6:9

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Dear Lord, please apply the ointment of grace and peace as we apply ourselves to spiritual maturity. AMEN

GEMS IN MY POCKET!

GEMS IN MY POCKET!

Mal 3:16-17

16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

          Little boys, like myself, are gem collectors. We find pretty rocks in the gravel driveways of the world. These precious stones have been ignored and rolled over by the wheels of ignorance but it takes the mind of a little boy to know their true value! How many of these have been plucked from pockets on laundry day and cast aside only to be found again and recovered? Jewels are in the eye of the beholder.

          Preachers, like myself, are soul collectors. We find common souls with sparkles in the driveways of the world. These precious souls have been ignored and rolled over by the wheels of ignorance and carelessness but it takes the mind of a preacher to know their true value! When plucked from our pockets and cast aside we run to find them again. Precious souls are in the eye of the beholder. One such gem is an email from a former church member. He writes about the day he was saved and gives his old preacher way too much credit for it. If you will handle it with care, I will show it to you.

Hi Pastor Ron,

I said you had a "black & white" style but what I meant to say was that you were the type of preacher I needed.   The day that I walked to the altar, you had tears in your eyes and you said, "I've been waiting for you Marty"

How wonderful it is to remember that day.  I attended church for my wife up till then.  But, on Sundays, you were only talking to me (or it seemed that way) 

I never went to church other than Sundays.  That day, the Lord grabbed me by the arm and said, let's go------me & you Marty!  

 You couldn't have stopped me from going no matter what.  I couldn't wait for the call (and I always had thought that I would be embarrassed)

The rest is history as they say. 

Marty

          Did you see how this common rock sparkled? Do you understand why I have kept it safe in my pocket? Can you imagine the huge collection of shiny rocks in Jesus’ pocket? Can you even believe that one of them is you?

Dear Jesus, thank you for seeing something worthy in me. Thank you for picking me up off common ground and putting me amongst your jewels. AMEN

FINISH IT!

FINISH IT!

Phil 4:7

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

          My desk is stacked with half finished projects. I dare not clear the clutter for fear that I will upset some project which must then be started over. It is a shameful admission, I know, but I suspect many of you can relate to this. I think it is because a new project is presented to me before the old one is done. This happens so often that soon I am hopelessly behind in my work.

          Paul, writing to the Philippians, urges them to finish the process of discipleship. They had been taught sound principles from the Bible and had seen them practiced by their teacher. Now it was time to do what they knew to do. The little word “do” is the Greek word prasso and means: “to practice repeatedly; to accomplish; to finish.”  Are you practicing repeatedly and habitually all the “Christianity” that you have been taught? The Apostles were given one final command before Jesus returned to His Father. We know it as The Great Commission.

Matt 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

James Ryle relates a story of Leonardo Da Vinci and one of his students. The Master had prepared a canvas, mixed the palette, sketched in the picture of what he was going to paint, and began applying his brush to the work — laying in colors and tones, shadings and hues that brought the sketch to life with every stroke.

Then, without any warning, Da Vinci turned to his student and handed him the palette and brush, saying, "You finish it." The student was taken back. "Your greatness," he said in true humility, "I cannot even presume to finish your work." And Da Vinci replied, "Will not what I have done inspire you to do your very best?"

Dear Lord, let me be inspired by your work and your sacrifice so that I may finish my assignment here. AMEN

MORE THAN ENOUGH!

MORE THAN ENOUGH!

Ps 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Notice the upward focus! The eyes of the person of faith are elevated above the clamor and calamity. There is calm in the hills of help. There is consolation, comfort and cure! Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and full of praise and worship, think on these things. Our focus is important! How often do we magnify our problems and minimize our help? He is more than adequate for any situation.

Notice the source of our help! Lest we think the psalmist is seeking guidance from some zany guru on a hilltop, he explains in verse two that his help comes from the Lord. Lest we remain confused as to the identity of this “lord” he further qualifies Him as the One who made heaven and earth. Oh, that Lord is more than sufficient for our problems. This Lord needs neither slumber nor rest. He is eternally vigilant on our behalf. He is our keeper. He is our shamar (shaw-mar'), our guard and protector.

Notice the details of His care! Even the Sun and Moon shall not “smite” us! By day the glory of the Almighty both shaded and led Israel through the wilderness. By night the cloud became a pillar of fire to warm and to brighten the night sky. Jesus noted that even the very hairs of our head are numbered and known by the Lord. He pays attention to the minutiae of our lives.

Notice the extent of this care! Never flagging care is promised to the one who looks to the Lord. The psalmist also asked: “Where can I go from thy presence?” The answer is evident and sure. We can never run so far that the Lord is not there. No trouble is too big for our God, even for evermore.

Ps 121:8

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Dear Lord, I thank you for being more than enough for my every need today. AMEN

QUALITIES OF THE OVERCOMER!

QUALITIES OF THE OVERCOMER!

Ps 84:5-7

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

          There are some who allow the circumstances of their life crush them beneath the weight. They are overwhelmed! Still others suffer the same blows and bear up courageously. They overcome! What is the difference?

1. The Overcomer draws his strength from God!

2 Cor 12:9

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ps 28:8

8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

2. The Overcomer is fully committed to his God!

Isa 26:9

9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

James 1:6

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Ps 57:7

7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: [nailed down] I will sing and give praise.

3. The Overcomer makes bad things better!

Ps 84:6

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

The word for Baca is “mourning” or “the valley of weeping.” They dig a well in the dry places. God turns their journey into joy and all around them drink.

4. The Overcomer grows stronger and stronger!

Like the athlete who strains at his training, the discipline becomes easier and easier to bear.

Phil 4:13

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Isa 40:30-31

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Dear Lord, we are told to pray “lead us not into temptation” but if into temptation we are led – give us strength, wisdom and endurance. AMEN

DON’T FAINT!

DON’T FAINT!

Gal 6:9

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Satan will see to it that we are challenged strongly and often. As he senses that his time is short the pressure upon believers will be overwhelming. Many will be tempted simply to stop putting forth the effort required to do right.

The word “faint” in the above text means to relax in discharging responsibilities in obedience to the Lord. It is the Greek word ekluo and means “to loose, as a bow-string.” The mental picture is of one engaged in hard labor or combat slumping in exhaustion.

So how does the believer press on without fainting?

1. LEARN ENDURANCE – HANG IN THERE!

2 Tim 2:3

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 4:16-17

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

We have heard it and spoken it many times: “This too shall pass!” Paul said our light affliction, though it may not seem light to us, is only for a moment. If we endure with patience it will pass.

2. LET TRIALS PURIFY YOU!

1 Peter 1:6-7

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Precious metals are subjected to incredible heat in order to remove impurities. Peter likens our trials and troubles to that refining fire. So, in times of great distress, allow the experience to drive you to God and drive you to your knees. Ask God to reveal and remove your impurities.

Charles Stanley, in a recent sermon, said there are no less than ten things to consider when you are going through a trial.

1.     God is in control of the time & intensity of my trial.

2.     God has a specific purpose for my trial.

3.     This trial is designed to meet a specific need.

4.     The trial will be good for me if I respond in faith.

5.     This trial can strengthen my faith.

6.     This trial is an opportunity to demonstrate perseverance under pressure.

7.     This trial will develop Christ-likeness in me.

8.     This trial will help me measure my spiritual maturity.

9.     God will walk me through my trial.  (“The Lord is at hand!”)

10.By God’s grace and power I will overcome this trial.

3. PRAY AND EXPECT AN ANSWER!

Ps 91:14-15

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

If you love God He has promised to answer you when you pray. Verse 15 promises that He will be with you in trouble. Do you sense His presence even in difficulty? He plans to deliver you and honor you. Watch for it – wait for it. It’s coming.

Dear Lord, many of my friends are going through extreme difficulty. Please be with them and hurry to help them. AMEN

PART OF IRON AND PART OF CLAY!

PART OF IRON AND PART OF CLAY!

Dan 2:31-34

31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.

32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,

33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

Dan 2:42-43

42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

          We need not be confused by Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. He saw a huge image which represented all the kingdoms of the earth. We are living in the time of the feet and toes. We are losing our national distinction and we are losing many of our fundamental laws. We do not cleave to one another because there is no common bond. Even now our nation is deeply divided and each side thinks the other side a bit crazy. The elements needed for strife only needs a catalyst.

          God is in control of history! Even the most wicked ruler is restrained by the hand of the One who gave him authority. We also have observed that human governments decline over time. The gold becomes silver and then bronze and finally iron and clay.

          The good news for Christians is that this present period of geo-political rule will soon be replaced because the God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. His kingdom will break in pieces the weak structure of clay and iron and consume them. Jesus is coming soon!

Rev 21:2-4

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

King Jesus, look down upon us who live between the toes of the image. Give us grace to do right and patience to wait upon your coming kingdom. Even so come quickly! AMEN

HELP! I’M NOT JESUS!

HELP! I’M NOT JESUS!

Mark 11:25-26

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

I’m toast! It’s hopeless! I don’t think I can forgive like Jesus forgave. He is, after all, the Champion forgiver. Oh, how I have hurt him and yet he forgave and continues to forgive me. I just don’t seem to be able to forgive like Jesus.

After a hurt, new rules are constructed in my mind regarding the offending party. The old rules of trust have been broken and if there is to be a relationship there must be new rules! Trust which I thought was unconditional has always rested on the condition that you would never hurt me. Now, after the hurt, I will restore you to fellowship only on the condition that you never hurt me again. I am so glad that Jesus does not function the same way with me!

How can we forgive like Jesus forgave? Wycliffe says: The point here is that a disciple cannot pray effectively if an unforgiving spirit has broken his fellowship with God. I would suppose that the first prayer of ANY prayer must be a prayer asking for cleansing from an unforgiving spirit. Each time we pray it is a reminder not only of Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins but of our need to extend the same courtesy to those who have wronged us.

I find that the portions of Scripture that really bother me must also trouble the “scholars” because there is not much definitive information on Mark 11:25 & 26. I am left to the clear teaching of Scripture. God has forgiven me and He does not take kindly to my withholding forgiveness from others. The problem is that I’m not Jesus. I need forgiveness even for my unforgiving spirit.

Col 3:12-13

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Dear Lord, please forgive my unforgiving spirit. Put your very own Spirit in me. AMEN

TRUE RICHES!

TRUE RICHES!

Prov 10:22

22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

1 Tim 6:9-10

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

          Suppose you had been born to a family in a truly third world country instead of in America. Look around and take inventory of all your things and then begin to throw most of it away. Remove most of the furniture except for an old kitchen table and a wooden chair or two. You have never had a bed so replace it with a few old blankets. Watch as both your cars evaporate and disappear. Go to your closet and remove all but your oldest and most ill-fitting clothing. If you are a man, keep one pair of old pants and one shirt. A woman would keep one old, all-purpose, dress. Throw away all your shoes. Rip out the plumbing, turn off the water and throw out anything that runs on electricity. We will stop here but you get the idea. We are blessed!

          As indicated by our text, it is possible to be so captivated by greed that one’s life becomes enveloped in sorrow. Paul likens it to many arrows shot by the bow of circumstance and disappointment. Frustration pursues the greedy like a hunter and shoots at him with each new unfulfilled desire. The irony of greed is that it is never satisfied.

          There is a richness that comes from a devoted life. The believer that finds his treasures in Christ will never lack supply and will never be disappointed. He expands his passion for the purposes of God and delights to do His will. His wealth grows with each act of generosity. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:18 that he had enough because he had received the gifts brought by their messenger. We suspect it was meager compared to our standards. The real riches were in the church that sent it and the messenger that brought it.

Ps 16:11

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Dear Lord, forgive my grasping for more and whining for what I think is my poverty. I am blessed and showered with treasures. At Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. AMEN

HE HAS OVERCOME!

HE HAS OVERCOME!

John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

          We who believe in Jesus have been made citizens of heaven. This inner spiritual transformation has made us foreigners in our native world. That world is now hostile toward us because we no longer conform to their standards of thought and behavior. To the world, we have become like a cancer that must be rooted out. We are friends of Jesus and can never again be a friend of the world. The world, then, has become to us a very unfriendly place and it is sometimes confusing when we look to the world for comfort.

          The word tribulation has retreated from common usage and is now isolated in the language of religion. We still understand it, we think, but enclosed within the word is many more ideas that are more familiar to us. The Amplified New Testament actually lists these for us as: “tribulation and trials and distress and frustration.” It is an army of relentless irritants bent on stealing our peace.

            The encouraging words of verse 33 immediately follow an attempt by Jesus to explain His approaching passion and death. Jesus’ sufferings would insure peace for the disciples. Jesus speaks as if the conflict were already over and He was the winner when he says: “I have overcome the world.” Literally He meant “I have deprived the world of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.”

          The promise of verse 33 is a prelude to Jesus’ High Priestly prayer in chapter seventeen. This chapter is filled with intercession for believers. He prays that we might be one with Him. He prays that we might be kept from the world and He prays that we might be sanctified or kept apart from the world. It is this very sanctification that causes our conflict with the world and holds us up in the midst of it.

1 John 5:4-5

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Dear Lord, the world is a very unfriendly place full of tribulation and trials and frustration. Thank you for overcoming the world for me. AMEN

ARE YOU AN ATTRACTIVE CHRISTIAN?

ARE YOU AN ATTRACTIVE CHRISTIAN?

2 Tim 2:15-16

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Titus 3:10

10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

          The word “shun” in verse 16 means what you think it means. It means to stand aloof. The word “heretic” does not refer to one who believes or teaches false doctrine. No, in Titus, the word means “schismatic” and refers to one who is divisive.

Our spirit seems to broadcast itself to others no matter what we may do to prevent it. As a believer there are people I shun if possible even though they may claim to be Christians. I’m not being a snob; I just don’t feel comfortable around them. They seem to have a private agenda and it seems clear to me that any friendship we may develop is meant to further their agenda. I feel used and I develop an atmosphere of caution around them.

There are other spirits that act as magnets to me. I am drawn to them. I want to know why they are so peaceful when all around them there is so much pain. I want to know and understand the things that they know and understand. I’m curious, even envious of their spirit. I want to know where God is taking them and why. I am drawn to follow these people and learn their ways.

Maybe it is no more than the difference between honesty and dishonesty. Perhaps it is much more than that! I suspect it may mean that some “Christians” are simply more Christian than others. I am drawn to what I want to become. Perhaps I am even drawn to what I already am. I seek the person who can fuel my dreams.

Dear Lord, bring people into my path today that can fuel my relationship with YOU, make it stronger and not tear it down. Let me be that person to someone else. AMEN

THREE IMPORTANT “LOOKS”!

THREE IMPORTANT “LOOKS”!

Num 21:8

8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

          The idea that a simple look could produce a cure for snake bite is ridiculous until you consider that it was the Lord’s plan. Even today the image of serpents entwined around a pole is the symbol of doctors. It was an important “look” that required the bitten to give up ordinarily rational thinking and obediently act upon faith. This morning I would like to suggest that there are three important “looks” that we should consider.

          Look around! When we look at the world we are discouraged. We grasp hopefully for answers but the world offers none.

Isa 8:21-22

21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.

22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

          Look within! Self-evaluation is almost always a disappointment. The Prodigal found that the best environment for taking personal inventory was a hog pen. It is foolish to disconnect ourselves from God and to join ourselves to a citizen of that godless country. The Prodigal took that important look within and found truth.

Luke 15:17-19

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

          Look unto the Lord! The Prodigal began to look toward home; to look toward the father and when he did his life changed. The father saw him returning from a great way off and ran to him with love, forgiveness and restoration. He will do the same for you!

Isa 45:22

22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Mic 7:7

7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord ; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Dear Lord, as I look around I see trouble, as I look within I see failure, but when I look to Thee I see hope. Let me set my eyes upon you today. AMEN

SOME TRUST IN CHARIOTS!

SOME TRUST IN CHARIOTS!

Isa 31:1

31 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!

Ps 20:7

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

          This election cycle has produced more angst in me than any other in my lifetime. To me, the choice is so clear that I can’t understand anyone being truly undecided. In fact It is frightening to me that the country is so evenly split between what is to me obvious wrong and obvious right. Our culture is collapsing and our freedoms are being traded away for a few entitlement dollars. We look for a political savior who will lead us out of this chaos and all the while we fear that any human savior will be inadequate for the task.

          Those who trust only in chariots will be disappointed in battle! “Going down to Egypt” refers to reliance upon the world and secular resources. When we place our trust in parties and their candidates for hope we can’t be sure of satisfaction. The last four years of governance has brought much change but little hope. Regardless of which party wins the current, hotly contested, political race, our hope remains in God. He takes down rulers and replaces them as He sees fit. We may not understand it but we are forced to acknowledge it.

Ps 75:7

7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Dan 2:21

…he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

          Do not neglect your civic responsibility. Educate yourself on the issues and vote Biblical values but do not abandon your hope in God. He is the only true source of hope. Do what you can, and all that you can, then leave the outcome to God.

Dear Lord, in Thee do I put my trust. Let me not be ashamed. Let not my enemies triumph over me. AMEN

THE GOD OF HOPE!

THE GOD OF HOPE!

Rom 15:13

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

          Paul, writing to the Romans, offers multiple views of God. In Romans 15:5, He is the God of patience and consolation. The patience is His and the consolation is ours! Here the word “consolation” is paraklesis and is the same word that is translated “comforter” when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16. The word is made more powerful by the use of a definite article making it “THE consolation.” Consolation is in the person of Jesus Christ.

          He is the God of peace in Romans 15:33 and the word “peace” is eirene and indicates both quietness and prosperity. It also is preceded by a definite article which makes it “THE peace.” Peace, both quietness and prosperity, is in the person of Jesus Christ.

          In our text this morning, He is the God of hope. Here hope is elpis (el-pece’) and means both expectation and confidence. Once again it is forcefully preceded by a definite article. The hope that we have in eternity is an expectant hope. It is like an “expectant” mother large with child. She is confident of delivery but uncertain of the date! Many signs, both visible and known only to her, assure her that her hope is well founded.

Dear Father, all around we see signs and evidence of your soon coming. Inside us also there is a confidence that our hope is well founded. Thank you Lord, that our hope, our peace and our consolation is firmly grounded in your person. AMEN

SERVING OTHERS!

SERVING OTHERS!

Gal 5:13-14

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 

Rom 15:1-2

15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

The success of our church is determined by the church itself. I do not know what I would do without those volunteers that are so faithful they are mostly forgotten. Their value is evident only when sickness or some other necessity causes them to be absent. No one considers what they do but without them the whole system tends to collapse. The biblical basis for what we often call the “Prophet’s Chamber” is found in the following portion.

2 Kings 4:8-10

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

 

Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus often provided lodging for Jesus since he “had no place to lay his head.”

Matt 21:17

17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

 

Ø It was at Bethany the barren fig tree was cursed.

Ø It was at Bethany the Alabaster Box was broken and Jesus was anointed with the perfume.

Ø It was at Bethany that Judas (seeing the waste of perfume) launched his plan to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Ø It was very near Bethany that the colt was found upon which Jesus rode on Palm Sunday.

Ø It was at Bethany that Lazarus was raised from the dead.

Ø It was from Bethany that Jesus ascended into heaven.

Service makes you significant! No other action or attitude attracts the attention of the master like humble and extravagant service!

Dear Lord, give me a servant’s heart. Let me be faithful as a volunteer. Help me to do what I can and make a difference. AMEN

WE ARE THE CHURCH!

WE ARE THE CHURCH!

Eph 1:22-23

22 And hath put all things under his [Jesus’] feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

          Today marks the beginning of the demolition and rebuilding of our church sanctuary. Ours is the fourth church in our small town to either rebuild or experience a major remodel. As I drive by those churches I see some things I like and some things that I don’t like. It is easy to become envious. But none of these buildings is the church.

          The church is a collection of saved sinners, believing the same thing, and meeting together for the common purpose of worshipping the God who saved them and growing both in knowledge and grace. The word “church” in the New Testament is a combination of two Greek words which can be most clearly translated as “assembly.” So, the church is wherever an organized group of believers meet together.

          This truth was never more pressed home to me than last night when we held our final baptism in our old auditorium. The sight was a bit sad because large cross buck braces held up the ceiling. The pews had been removed along with the sound system and everything that might get in the way of the workers who will come in this morning. The true church stood, as if at the side of a river, to watch five precious ones follow their Lord in believer’s baptism. The building is not the church!

          Hanging on my office wall is a picture of a western wagon train circled for the night. Around a central campfire all the people stood listening to the preaching of one man in black holding an old black book. These people were in transition. They had not yet reached their destination and their homes were temporary. Every time I look at this picture I am reminded that the center of worship is that book and the man holding it.

Matt 16:18

18 …upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Dear Lord, thank you for the collection of people that I call my church. AMEN