Weekly Bulletin Article 2008
By Bro Jim Brasseal, Pastor Landmark MBC
Jul 13, 2008 - The Troubled Sea
Jul 06, 2008 - Life at its Best
Jun 29, 2008 - Haggai's Message for Hard Times
Jun 22, 2008 - This is the Day
Jun 15, 2008 - Instructions for Fathers
Jun 08, 2008 - The Lord Knows Your Heart
Jun 01, 2008 - Salvation
May 18, 2008 - The House of the Lord
May 11, 2008 - Under the Wings of the Lord
May 04, 2008 - Through His Name
Apr 27, 2008 - Lord, Open Our Eyes
Apr 20, 2008 - For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is Settled in Heaven
Apr 13, 2008 - Growth in the Lord's First Church
Apr 06, 2008 - An Examination of the Word “For” in Acts 2:38
Mar 30, 2008 - The Ministry of Jesus Christ Continues
Mar 23, 2008 - Victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ
Mar 16, 2008 - Music in Heaven
Mar 09, 2008 - False Witness Against Jesus Christ
Mar 02, 2008 - The Agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
Feb 24, 2008 - The Night Cometh When No Man Can Work
Feb 17, 2008 - The Field is the World
Feb 10, 2008 - God’s Promises Do Not Fail
Feb 03, 2008 - The Call to the Gospel Ministry
Jan 27, 2008 - The New Birth, the Renewing of the Mind, and the Resurrected New Body
Jan 20, 2008 - He Saved Us by the Washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Ghost
Jan 13, 2008 - Passed from Death unto Life
Jan 06, 2008 - Only One Way to Eternal Salvation
The Troubled Sea
Isaiah 57:20-21
Jul 13, 2008
“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:20-21).
A good description of a storm-tossed sea is found in Mark 4:37. “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.” Jesus calmed that storm and brought peace and safety to his disciples. Another storm is described in Acts 27:14-41. The ship that was taking Paul as a prisoner to Rome was completely destroyed, but all of the 276 passengers and crew were saved from the shipwreck.
Isaiah 57:20-21 describes the condition of the wicked lost soul in need of forgiveness and reconciliation. Sin has brought turmoil into the heart, soul, and mind of the wicked. Romans 3 and Isaiah 59 describe the person who has no peace with God. “And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:17-19).
Man’s own efforts, works, and religion cannot calm the storm and bring peace to the troubled soul, but God has a plan that will not fail. Romans 5:1-21 shows God’s plan of salvation. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:8-10).
Life at its Best
Matthew 16:24-25, John 10:10, I Timothy 6:17-18
Jul 06, 2008
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (I Timothy 6:17-18).
These scriptures give us valuable insights into the purpose of life, the value of life, and the enjoyment of life. We have physical life because of God’s creative power. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17:28). By faith in Jesus Christ, we have spiritual life, which is everlasting life (John 3:16-18).
But there is more to your life in this world than just being prepared for heaven. As we live in this world, we can take up our cross and follow our Savior (Matthew 16:24-25). To take up our cross means that we are to sacrifice for Christ. To follow Christ means that we are to be an obedient disciple.
We have the opportunity for an abundant life (John 10:10). This means that our life can be fruitful and productive.
We have the opportunity for an enjoyable life (I Timothy 6:17). This means that there can be real joy in our life, “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Peter 1:8).
The life of faith, obedience, sacrifice, fruit-bearing, and joy unspeakable is life at its best.
Haggai's Message for Hard Times
Haggai 1:2-7
Jun 29, 2008
After seventy years of captivity in Babylon, God raised up men such as Ezra and Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. Nehemiah 3-4 show that they started with the city walls and gates. God’s instructions were for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt next. The people delayed the work on the house of God and devoted their attention to their own houses. The message of Haggai is to show them that the LORD will withhold his blessings until they are obedient to him.
“2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built. 3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:2-7).
The dissatisfaction in Israel at the time of Haggai is now expressed throughout our country. God could say to his own people now, “Consider your ways.”
The words of Jesus from Matthew 6:31-33 still apply today. “31 Therefore take no thought [anxious worry], saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33).
This is the Day
Psalm 118:24
Jun 22, 2008
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
When you awake and face a new day, consider these truths from the word of God about each day.
Our text in Psalm 118 shows that this day is a gracious gift from the hand of the LORD. This day is a time to rejoice and to be glad.
This day is a time to speak of the LORD. “My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof” (Psalm 71:15).
Value this day because you have no sure promise of tomorrow. “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).
This day is a good day for the gospel message to be given to some lost soul that needs the LORD. “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
This day brings us one day closer to the return of our Lord and Savior. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11). The word “salvation” in this verse refers to our deliverance from this sinful world. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12).
Instructions for Fathers
Ephesians 6:4
Jun 15, 2008
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
Please consider these Biblical principles that are connected to this command from the Lord. We learn from the book of Genesis that the LORD God instituted the first marriage when He joined Adam and Eve as husband and wife. Ephesians chapter five shows us the proper loving relationship in the family. Children are a blessing from the LORD. “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3). In giving the law to Israel, Moses gave the command, “Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 32:46). God’s commands are always good and beneficial for the family.
Ephesians 6:4 has a negative part: “provoke not your children to wrath.” These words have this meaning “Do not anger and irritate by vexations, unreasonable commands and blame, and by uncertain temper.” Colossians 3:21 has this same command with these additional words: “lest they be discouraged.”
In contrast to the negative part of Ephesians 6:4, we have this positive command. “But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” These words indicate a personal loving guidance by the father into the discipline and instruction of the way of the Lord.
What a priceless blessing is the father who will love and train his children in the true Christian life!
The Lord Knows Your Heart
I Samuel 16:7
Jun 08, 2008
“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). These words were spoken to Samuel when he had looked on an older brother of David and though that this man, Eliab, was surely the next king of Israel. God in his power and wisdom can see right into your inner being. God can see your real character. “Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:21). This same truth is taught in the New Testament. “And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4).
When God looks into the heart of a lost person, he sees evil in the heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
God can also bring conviction to the heart as he did with Lydia in the city of Philippi.
“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14).
When you trust Jesus Christ as your Savior, your heart is changed, cleansed, and purified by his grace. “And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them [Jews and Gentiles], purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:8-9).
Salvation
Text
Jun 01, 2008
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
One of the hymns in our songbook, “In Spirit and in Truth,” is “Saved, Saved!” (number 253). These beautiful words are in the chorus.
Saved by his power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!
All of Isaiah 12 shows us a joyful song of praise for the blessings of salvation. The joy of God’s salvation is taught in verse three “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Jesus also used the figure of water from Jacob’s well as a picture of everlasting salvation. In John 4:14, Jesus said, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Notice these words in verse one: “...though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.” The same message of deliverance from the anger and wrath of God is found in Romans 5:9. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
If we go through a day without joy in our heart for God’s salvation, it would be good for us to offer up this prayer of Psalm 51:12: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
The House of the Lord
Psalm 122:1
May 18, 2008
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1).
This verse shows us the right attitude about the church services that we have the privilege to attend. When this verse was written, the tabernacle of Israel was called the house of God. Later in the days of Solomon, the temple in Jerusalem was built, and that temple was called the house of God.
Jesus entered into the temple of God in Jerusalem and cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple. He said, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12-13). Notice that he called the temple, MY HOUSE.
Paul wrote to Timothy, the young preacher, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). This verse does not refer to a man-made building but the body of disciples that make up a local New Testament church.
Involved in the very definition of the word CHURCH is the idea that the disciples in one of the Lord’s churches will assemble, congregate, meet together and conduct services.
The Lord has given us a command about coming together for the church service. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
With Psalm 122:1 in mind, our attitude about God’s house should be “I eagerly look forward to meeting together with my brethren in Christ where it will be a joy to study God’s word, sing songs of praise to God, pray with God’s people and worship my heavenly Father in spirit and in truth.”
[Originally appeared in bulletin on October 9, 2005]
Under the Wings of the Lord
Ruth 2:12
May 11, 2008
“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”
The first chapter of the book of Ruth tells of the famine in the town of Bethlehem that caused Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and her two sons to go to the land of Moab. Great sorrow came to this family. Elimelech died, and two sons died after they were married. When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, she tried to persuade her daughters-in-law to return to their own families. Ruth’s answer is given in this wonderful statement: “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16).
The words of Ruth to Naomi and the words of Boaz (Ruth 2:12) show us that Ruth did trust the LORD God of Israel. She is described as a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11).
By God’s loving care, Boaz and Ruth were brought together. Notice the compassion and concern that Boaz shows to Ruth when she comes to his field to harvest barley (Ruth 2:5-17). He is a kinsman of the family of Elimelech and soon makes arrangements to redeem the property of Elimelech. The greatest blessing that Boaz received from the LORD was that Ruth became his wife. The words of Proverbs 31:10 can be used to apply to Ruth. “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
God blessed their marriage with a son, Obed, who became the grandfather of King David, and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
A blessed place of trust for any woman or any mother is under the wings of the LORD God of Israel.
Through His Name
Acts 10:43
May 04, 2008
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
To help us understand the importance of the expression “through his name” in Acts 10:43, we can examine several other verses in Acts that refer to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Acts 2:21, we have: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” In Acts 4:12, we learn “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
In Acts 5:14-41, we can see blessings and persecution coming to the church in Jerusalem. “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (Acts 5:14). The Apostles were arrested, put in the common prison, beaten, and then commanded “that they should not speak in the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:40). “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).
When the Apostle Peter spoke to all those gathered at the home of Cornelius and gave them the wonderful gospel message, he explained that all of God’s prophets in Old Testament times also preached a message of forgiveness by believing in the Savior.
When Peter said, “through his name,” he did not mean that they were just to speak the name of Jesus. The words of Acts 10:43 speak of trusting, receiving, believing in the authority, character, majesty, power, and excellence of everything in the person described by the name.
Lord, Open Our Eyes
2 Kings 6:8, 15-17
Apr 27, 2008
By Jeffery K. Barron
The Lord’s churches have a mission today that is greater than any other, and that mission is to share his Word and stand for his Truth. However, it seems today that it is so difficult to tell others about Jesus. It is as if no one wants to hear what the Bible says. However, Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” What if we do look, but we still can’t see it? What if we don’t recognize the opportunities that Jesus was talking about?
There was a time during the ministry of Elisha, the man of God, when “the king of Syria warred against Israel” (2 Kings 6:8). The king of Syria sent “horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about” (2 Kings 6:14).
Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, “was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). The city was surrounded, and it looked to Gehazi like there was no way to win. After Gehazi had asked Elisha what they were going to do, Elisha responded, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16). Gehazi looked around and saw no way that Elisha could be right. It was clear to him that they were outnumbered.
Elisha prayed, “LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17). At that moment, “the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
Let us pray that the Lord will open our eyes so that we can see the fields ready to harvest. “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).
For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is Settled in Heaven
Psalm 119:89
Apr 20, 2008
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
Psalm 119 has one hundred seventy six verses and is the longest division in the Bible. It is divided into twenty-two sections of eight verses each and is arranged in the order of the Hebrew alphabet. The first eight verses in Hebrew begin with the Hebrew Aleph, the next eight verses begin with the Hebrew Beth, and continues in order for all verses.
Each verse teaches us about God’s word, God’s law, God’s commandments, God’s testimony, God’s precepts, etc.
Verse 89 uses the word “settled” to describe the Word of God. The Hebrew word “Natsab” used here is also translated “to stand,” “to establish,” and “to set up” as a pillar. The Word of God stands firm, is unshaken, and is trustworthy.
In this world of spiritual darkness, the Word of God shows us the right way. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Word of God is sweet when life turns bitter. “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11).
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Growth in the Lord's First Church
Acts 2:41-42
Apr 13, 2008
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
The body of disciples who had “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14) after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ numbered about one hundred and twenty (Acts 1:15). We can correctly call this body of disciples “the Lord’s church.” When we study all the scriptures of the New Testament that inform us about the word “church,” we learn that the Lord’s church is a local visible body of saved baptized disciples who are united in a covenant under the leadership of Jesus Christ. The purpose of this church (Greek: ekklesia) is to assemble for regular services and to work together to fulfill the commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). This first church had its beginning during the personal ministry when Christ called together the first small company of disciples. In John 1:29-49, we learn that this small company, which consisted of Andrew, James, John, Simon Peter, Philip, and Nathanael, had first been disciples of John the Baptist. Men and women were added to the number during the earthly ministry of Christ. Jesus Christ was the head, the chief Shepherd, and the pastor. The first special office in the church was the office of apostle.
Some of the basic principles in the growth of the Lord’s first church are:
- The true message of salvation was taught by Christ and his disciples throughout all the region of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee.
- Disciples were made and baptized (Acts 2:41 and John 4:1-2) “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples [did baptize]).” Please note: Baptism was not necessary to salvation but it was an essential part of identification and participation in the fellowship of the first church.
- The membership of saved baptized disciples continued “stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). These early church members were faithful in their responsibilities. This is a very good example for us today.
An Examination of the Word “For” in Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38
Apr 06, 2008
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
We use the word “for” in these two different ways. We might say, “Go to the store for groceries.” We are using the word to mean “to obtain” or “to get.” If that is the meaning in Acts 2:38, then baptism is a condition of receiving the remission of sins, and those who teach that you must be baptized in order to be saved are teaching correctly. However, that would contradict the answer of Paul to the Philippian jailor in Acts 16:31. “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Consider another way that we use the word “for.” We might say, “John is laughing for happiness.” The word “for” is then used to mean “because of” or “as a result of.” The baptism of Acts 2:38 is then “because of” the remission of sins. The remission of sins comes first, and then the saved person follows the Lord in baptism. This is the correct way of interpreting Acts 2:38 and is in harmony with all the scriptures that teach salvation by grace through faith.
In Matthew 12:41, we find the word “at” which is translated from the Greek word “eis” from which we translate the word “for” in Acts 2:38. Jesus said that the men of Nineveh “repented at the preaching of Jonas.” The men did not repent to obtain, to get, or to receive the preaching of Jonah (Jonas is translated from the Greek form of Jonah). They repented because of, as a result of, and on account of the preaching of Jonah.
According to Acts 2:38, baptism is not the means of salvation, but it is the act of obedience for one who has first repented and received the remission of sins.
See Take Two Aspirin for Your Headache.
The Ministry of Jesus Christ Continues
Hebrews 9:24
Mar 30, 2008
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”
After his glorious resurrection, Jesus Christ spent forty days meeting with and teaching his disciples (Acts 1:3). He gave this promise and this responsibility to his church. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). After Jesus spoke these words, “he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). We know from Hebrews 9:24 and Acts 2:33 that Jesus Christ entered into heaven where he now intercedes for us at the right hand of God the Father.
His ministry in this world continues through his authorized representatives, his churches. His churches are working under his commission, in his name, and by his power. His churches should be careful to do his work just as he instructed because Jesus Christ is the Lord and Master.
His ministry in heaven continues as our High Priest, our Mediator and our Advocate. Because he is our High Priest, we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16) . Because he is our Mediator, we can “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). Because he is our Advocate we can come in confession of our sins with full assurance that God will forgive us (I John 1:9-2:2).
Victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ
I Corinthians 15:57
Mar 23, 2008
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The fifteenth chapter of I Corinthians is devoted to the subject of the resurrection. In verses 4-8, the absolute truth that Jesus Christ rose from the dead is established by many witnesses. In verses 1-3, the resurrection of Christ is shown to be an essential part of the true gospel message. Then in verses 12-19, Paul uses supposition to show the awful consequences that would follow if Christ did not come forth from the grave in his glorified resurrected body.
If Christ be not risen then:
- Our preaching is vain
- Your faith is vain
- We are false witnesses
- Ye are yet in your sins
- Those who have died have perished
- We have no hope
- We are of all men most miserable
We then have the positive statement that this supposition is not true. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (Verse 20).
Our faith is anchored in the solid truth that Christ is risen from the dead. Our hope for the future is based on God’s immutable promises. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (Verse 52-53).
Our service to God is encouraged by this promise: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (Verse 58).
Music in Heaven
Revelation 5:8-14
Mar 16, 2008
“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Verse 9). This book in the right hand of the One on the throne is a legal document, a deed that gives title to an eternal inheritance. Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, the Lamb of God, was the only one able to open the book. This indicates that our eternal inheritance is made possible only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus opened the book, a glorious song was sung around the throne of God. This song was a song of redemption through the blood. Redemption is connected to forgiveness and grace and means that we are purchased out of the slave market of sin and given liberty in Jesus Christ. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). These musicians did not give credit to man’s righteousness, faithfulness, or good works because these things cannot produce eternal salvation.
This song is a song of praise to the One on the throne and to the Lamb as we see in verse 13. “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
This song shows us that the death of Jesus Christ was for “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Verse 9). We learn this same truth from Hebrews 2:9. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
Will you be in that number, praising God for redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ?
False Witness Against Jesus Christ
Mark 14:55-58
Mar 09, 2008
“And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.”
The One who is described as “the faithful witness” (Rev. 1:5) and who described himself as “the truth” (John 14:6) now faced an illegal, unjust trial. The vehement hatred of the Sanhedrin council and the chief priests against Jesus caused a violation of one of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16).
From the words of Jesus in John 10:17-18, we learn that he freely gave his life for us, and no man could take his life. We also learn from Acts 2:23 that the events of this trial came about according to the “determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.” We see in the trial and unlawful sentence of Christ that wicked sinful men are held accountable to God, even though God uses their wickedness to fulfill his purpose.
Proverbs 6:17-19 shows us that God hates a lying tongue and a false witness that speaks lies. Our witness for Christ is to be truthful and loving. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). There are so many wonderful things that we can say about his character, his life, his teaching, his gospel, his salvation, and his power. We need to spend our whole life being a true witness for Jesus Christ.
The Agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-44
Mar 02, 2008
“Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:38-39).
The following outline of our text verses is from the book, The Fountain of Life, a selection of sermons by the English pastor, John Flavel (1630-1691).
- The place where this remarkable prayer was poured out to God was the garden of Gethsemane, which signifies the valley of fatness, or of olives. Christ went not into this garden to hide or shelter himself from his enemies. This was the place where Jesus was accustomed to pray, and a place well known to Judas.
- The time when he entered into this garden to pray was the shutting in of the evening; for it was after the passover and the supper were ended. It is thought that he went into the garden between the hours of nine and ten, and was taken by the Roman soldiers at about midnight, thus he had about two or three hours to pour out his soul to his Father.
- The matter about which he prayed is indicated in these words, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). By the cup, understand that portion of sorrows then to be given to him by his Father. Great afflictions and bitter trials are frequently expressed in Scripture under the metaphor of a cup. “Thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out” (Isaiah 51:17). Such a cup was now Christ’s cup, a cup of wrath; a large and deep cup, that contained more wrath than ever was drunk by any creature, even the wrath of an infinite God. A mixed cup, mixed with God’s wrath and man’s in the extremity. And all with bitter aggravating circumstances that ever could be imagined; great consternation and amazement; this was the portion of his cup.
The Night Cometh When No Man Can Work
John 9:4-5
Feb 24, 2008
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus Christ was about thirty years of age when he was baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 3:21-23). Shortly thereafter, he began his public ministry. His ministry was relatively short, only about three years until his crucifixion and resurrection.
Those three years were full of history-changing events. He traveled to villages and towns throughout Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. He taught in the synagogues, in the streets, in homes, from ships, along the seashore, and on the mountainsides. He called out his first disciples to assist him in his ministry. With these disciples who had first worked with John the Baptist, and who had been baptized by John, Jesus established his first New Testament church. He prepared his first church to fulfill his commission to take the gospel to all people. He preached with love and compassion to sinners. He won new converts to saving faith. When necessary, he rebuked and warned the self-righteous Pharisees.
Jesus wasted no time. Each day was important in his work. He had a commission from his Father, and there was urgency about his ministry. Remember his words to his own disciples in John 4:35, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?” Jesus Christ is our Savior and our example. We need to carefully study his every word. We need his love, his compassion, and his urgent attitude.
“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:14-16).
The Field is the World
Matthew 13:38
Feb 17, 2008
“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one.”
Jesus gave important lessons to his disciples using parables. In Matthew 13, we read these parables: (a) The Sower, (b) The Wheat and Tares, (c) The Mustard Seed, (d) The Leaven Hid, (e) The Goodly Pearls, and (f) The Fish Net. I would summarize some of the teachings of these parables in this way. God’s will is that the message of the gospel and the other lessons of the inspired Bible are to be sown in this whole world to all people. This commission is given in Mark 16:15 in these words: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” When you study the first two parables of Matthew 13, you will see that the enemy, Satan, will fight and work against this mission of the Lord’s true disciples.
As a New Testament church which is committed to the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), we have great responsibilities, great opportunities, and great power given by the Lord to do the work. One area of our work is the entire Denver metro area. In this area, we have many lost people who need eternal salvation, many people who are saved and need the fellowship and instruction in the Lord’s church, and some who have been active in the Lord’s work in the past but have drifted away and need to be reclaimed for God’s kingdom. (Read about those in Matthew 13:22 who have let the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and have become unfruitful.)
We have been greatly blessed in supporting the God-called, church-sent, dedicated missionaries in Romania and Mongolia. Soon, Brother Mike Rogers and his family will be moving from Romania to the country of Moldova, east of Romania. My prayer is that we will be able to help in this new work as Brother Rogers sows the seed of God’s wonderful Bible message in this country. Based on Matthew 13, we can be sure that Satan will work against him all the way. God can overcome all that Satan throws against him (James 4:7 and I John 4:4).
God’s Promises Do Not Fail
I Kings 8:56
Feb 10, 2008
“Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.”
This verse was spoken by Solomon at the time of the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, when the ark of the covenant was placed in the most holy place under the wings of the cherubims. (I Kings 8:6) The entire chapter emphasizes the wonderful blessings of God on the nation and assures the people that God always keeps his promises.
The fact that God keeps his promises is the sure foundation for confidence, faith, assurance, and trust in the LORD. Abraham is described as a man of faith. Verses that describe his faith are Romans 4:20-21. “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
We can know and understand God’s promises and thus trust his promises by accepting the inspired word of God, the Bible. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
There are many promises made in the word of God to the lost sinner. Two sure promises that the lost person can consider are: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31). “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jesus Christ also gave us an example of one man’s simple prayer when he called upon the Lord. “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
Two sure promises for God’s people are: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Why would we ever doubt even one word of God’s promises?
The Call to the Gospel Ministry
II Timothy 1:11
Feb 03, 2008
“Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”
The week of February 3 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the time when I sat in a service in Starkville (where I was attending Mississippi State University) and said in my heart, “Yes, Lord, I will give my life to you as a preacher of the gospel.” A few days later, I explained my decision to my mom and dad. I then drove over to the home of Brother Claude A. Walker, my pastor at Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church. He was a wonderful, dedicated man of God who gave me much encouragement and support. He was getting ready to attend a revival meeting in Bogalusa, Louisiana, so I traveled with him and spent about an hour with Brother Bob Nusco, the pastor there, who offered valuable advice about the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock. The following Sunday morning, I announced my call to the church and was asked to preach my first sermon that night. Early, early, on Monday morning, I was on a Trailways bus headed for the Seminary in Little Rock.
One of my first classes was Ministerial Practicalities taught by Dr. L.D. Foreman, another great man of God. The following quote is from his book used in that class. This quote expresses my own experience of the call to preach.
“What is the call to preach? ‘Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God…’ (Ephesians 3:7) Perhaps no man on earth can give a better answer to this question than the Apostle Paul when he said, ‘Woe is me if I preach not’ (I Cor. 9:16). God does not speak to us in audible tones as He did before the Bible was completed. Besides the Bible to instruct us, the Spirit of God places in the conscience of a man the desire to preach. He feels that God wants him to preach. Seeing the multitudes, he is moved with compassion for them. He knows that they are helpless, damned to an eternal hell. He knows that he has the very message that they need. His own soul has been set free from the snares of the devil and the love of God has been placed therein. This desire can be satisfied only by a complete surrender to the Lord. We believe that God has a place in His vineyard for all of his people, but none of these have the divine appointment, such as received of the gospel minister.”
The New Birth, the Renewing of the Mind, and the Resurrected New Body
John 3:3, Romans 12:2, I Corinthians 15:42-44
Jan 27, 2008
The three scriptures that appear above show us that the power of God will finally bring each child of God to full deliverance from the curse of sin. We will then know the fulfillment of the promise of I John 3:2. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). When a person is saved by grace through faith (born anew, born from above, and becomes a new creation in Christ), that person is delivered from the penalty of sin. That deliverance involves being delivered from condemnation (John 3:18), delivered from the second death (Revelation 20:6), and delivered from the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
After a person is saved, the new nature, which is from the Spirit of God, is in conflict with the old nature of the flesh. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17). In this battle, which is also described in Romans chapter 7, we need understanding of the Word of God, (II Timothy 2:15) we need to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, (II Peter 3:18) and we need strength in the inner man (II Corinthians 4:16). The understanding, growth, and strength are available to each child of God according to Romans 12:2. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The final step in our deliverance from the curse of sin is that blessed day when Christ shall raise these mortal bodies in the glorious resurrection. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power” (I Cor. 15:42-43).
Come to Jesus Christ through faith. Only in Him can you have victory over the curse of sin.
He Saved Us by the Washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Ghost
Titus 3:5
Jan 20, 2008
The lost person is described as “foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).
This terrible sinful condition required a change in our heart, soul and spirit that was beyond our power. This change could not be accomplished by any good works (Titus 3:5). This change was beyond the power of our flesh or will (John 1:13).
This change required a new birth. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). This new birth made us “partakers of the divine nature” (II Peter 1:4). This new birth made us a “new creature [creation]” in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). By this new birth, we are now in the family of God. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God” (I John 3:2). “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). By this new birth, we now have “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). By this new birth, we can now love God and love other people. The Holy Spirit now dwells in us (Romans 8:11). The physical body of the born again child of God is now the temple of the Holy Ghost. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (I Corinthians 6:19).
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). This verse shows us that this wonderful inward change, this regeneration, is by the power of the Holy Ghost. This change is available by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).
Passed from Death unto Life
John 5:24
Jan 13, 2008
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Another scripture that uses the word “death” or “dead” to describe the spiritual condition of a lost person is Ephesians 2:1. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Notice also the phrase “being alienated from the life of God” found in Ephesians 4:18.
These three scriptures teach us that a lost person does not possess eternal life, which is received as a gift of God at the new birth.
We must be careful not to make an exact parallel in comparing physical death with the condition of being dead in trespasses and sins. When a person dies, he will still have consciousness in either heaven or hell (Luke 16:19-31). However, when one is physically dead, his dead body cannot hear any thing, cannot respond in any way to stimuli, cannot make any decisions, cannot express any emotion, and cannot have any concerns about his physical condition. Jesus raised a man who was physically dead (Luke 7:11-15). This man was one hundred percent passive in that transaction.
Now consider the wonderful lesson of the blind man in John 9. He was lost, yet he was blessed by the Lord by having his sight restored. He was able to listen to the voice of Jesus when Jesus asked, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” (John 9:35). He was able to respond to that question with this question. “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?” (John 9:36). Jesus answered, “Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.” (John 9:37). That man then responded, “Lord, I believe” (John 9:38). Based on the promise of John 5:24, we believe that this man passed from death unto life. He was not completely passive in his conversation with Jesus but was interactive.
Only One Way to Eternal Salvation
John 14:6
Jan 06, 2008
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). God’s inspired Word teaches that throughout the Old Testament times, the New Testament times, and even now, access into Christ, by whom we have eternal salvation, is by faith. Consider these seven scriptures that show the one plan of salvation.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life “ (John 5:24).
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43).
“And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9).
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).