Wolfe-Friends

Ye Did Run Well

2012-01-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

Galatians 5:7

Ye Did Run Well

There was a time when "ye" (plural of you, to the Galatian churches) followed the fundamental teachings of the Gospel of grace by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. There was a time when you believed in and followed Christ and not man. There was a time when you did your work with singleness of heart and not in division, allowing men to have such influence on you.

There is mostly always a time in the past when believers have trusted the Lord more, served him more, and loved him more. It is certain that churches do leave their first love (Rev. 2:4). Some of the Galatian churches had, no doubt, left their first love, or they were on their way to doing so. "Ye did run well" in the beginning of your service to Christ, but what about now?

Who Did Hinder You?

Churches will go along just fine with their "first love" of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ until a person (who) comes along to mar the image of the blessed Gospel and to pervert it, making it a human idea or philosophy instead of a heavenly gift.

Notice Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Someone has bewitched these believers not to obey the truth of the Gospel.

It was interesting to look up the word "who" in the book of Galatians to see their antecedents. There are 14 references with the word "who." Four times the word "who" refers to God or Christ. Three times the word "who" refers to believers. Once it refers to Jews, and six times the word "who" refers to those who are trying to hinder the Gospel.

Here are the references: 2:4 "false brethren;" 2:6 "those who seem to be somewhat;" 3:1 "ones who bewitch;" 4:23 " those of the bondwoman;" 5:7 "those who hinder;" and 6:13 "those who are circumcised and do not keep the law."

These are the ones who hinder the Gospel, the truth of it, and the glory of it. Theirs is a humanistic Gospel, a social or religious Gospel; but Christ's Gospel is one of divine origin and of God's working.

That Ye Should Not Obey The Truth

The truth begins with Gospel truth. That truth is the power of God unto salvation, and no other "truth" will accomplish real, genuine, and active salvation. Many religionists today are hindering the preaching of the Gospel of Christ by their humanistic means, their shallow doctrine, and their pernicious ways. Beware of false prophets (Matt. 7:15); beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (Matt. 10:17); and Phil. 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. Concision means mutilation, and that is what these interlopers do.

But Faith

2012-01-18T07:31:00.000-08:00

Galatians 5:6

Paul is explaining again, as he has so many other times, that circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing as far as our salvation is concerned.

John 7:22 says, "Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision." John 1:17 says that "... the law was given by Moses." So, we are speaking about the law when we speak about circumcision. Circumcision was the sign of a law covenant between God and Israel, and it runs parallel to God's conditional promise to keep Israel in the land if they will obey all of his laws, Exod. 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Circumcision, then, was an important part of Israel's obedience to God when he was building, promoting, protecting, and promising Israel. Circumcision was to be done on the eighth day after birth, and it was kept in the main by Israel except for some aberrations at times. In those times God disciplined Israel for not keeping the commandments of God.

Circumcision is a type of sin, and sin must be dealt with. Sin is the excess flesh, if you will, that is detestable even to the mind. So, God in a type had Israel to rid themselves of that excess skin in the flesh in order to picture the ridding of one's sin in the flesh; and Paul teaches us that for sin circumcision is ineffective. Circumcision is only a sign, a type, not a real spiritual rebirth.

Circumcision will not rid a person of sin, but faith will. Remember it is the faith that is by the grace of God, and only that faith, that can save. This faith works by love, for God so loved. He loved me so much that he came to earth and died for my sins personally, and it is only by faith in him that will work.

It is faith that works, not we ourselves; and faith works because Christ is the object of it and because that faith is in the work that Christ did in his death, burial, and resurrection. Therefore, baptism, communion, church membership, doing good deeds, or believing a particular set of doctrines will not and cannot save: it cannot rid a person of his sins; but faith can.

There is no difference, then, between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile): Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

The waters of baptism cannot save,
but faith can.

The force of the law can't make us behave,
but faith can.

So the heart of the matter
Makes wickedness scatter

The works of the law can't save us at all,
but faith can.

Wait For The Hope . . . By Faith

2012-01-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

Galatians 5:5

We who believe in and preach faith for salvation are not "fallen from grace" but are preaching the real and true gospel of Christ, for it is a gospel of grace, not a gospel of works. Hence, this verse follows verse four with a salient anticipation for a hope, but not only a hope alone, but also a hope of righteousness, a continued righteousness that was begun in us and one that will be accomplished until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6).

We wait "through the Spirit" for this hope of righteousness. This hope is begun by, substantiated by, and fulfilled by the Spirit of God and of Christ Jesus. The Spirit is our Comforter, our Teacher, our Guide, and our security. We are led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14); we are justified by the Spirit (1 Cor. 6:11); we are quickened by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18); we speak by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3); we know his abiding by the Spirit (1 John 3:24).

The hope we have is a "sure and steadfast hope." It is our hope that rests completely in Jesus Christ, not in our own, personal, simple, Sandamanian faith, but in our genuine, God-given, righteous faith that produces fruit in the Christian life. It is a hope of righteousness, perfect and flawless, by which Jesus Christ can present us faultless before his Father.

But let us not forget that, behind every element of faith is grace, that grace which emanates from God, flows from him to the believing sinner, quickens the sinner, and sustains him unto that eventual perfection that awaits all who truly believe in Christ.

With that sense of comfort and security, every believer should be able to patiently wait for that which is to come, though present circumstances may seem to oppose our optimism. Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Ye Are Fallen From Grace

2012-01-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

Galatians 5:4

These nominal believers have not in reality been justified, for they claim to be justified before God by the law of Moses; but Paul himself says that one cannot be justified by the works of the law, Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Instead, Christ has become of no effect to them. Christ has not convicted them of their depravity and their active sin; he has not behooved them to come to him; he has not regenerated them nor converted them nor forgiven them; for in the law are none of these things. If law can save, then Christ died in vain, and our faith is vain: 1 Cor. 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. But our faith, not standing in the law but in Christ, is sufficient through his grace to justify the vilest sinner.

The law is our schoolmaster (Gal. 3:24-25) to condemn us so that Christ can save us from the bondage of the law. If the law is the object of justification, then no one is justified before God, Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Those who are justified by the law are "fallen from grace." They have turned from the only object who can justify: Jesus Christ. They have turned away, or fallen away, from the only true Gospel, the Gospel of grace. There is mercy in the law, but there is no grace in the law, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, John 1:17.

Certainly they had not fallen from a condition or position of grace in Christ, for they show themselves to be without grace in Christ, yea, without Christ Himself, and without divine justification. They are leaven (verse 9), and they will leaven the whole lump if not stopped; and they will bear their judgment (verse 10).

Paul puts it succinctly in Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Our Liberty In Christ Jesus

2012-01-09T16:28:00.001-08:00

Galatians 5:1-3

Being saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10), we are free. The truth has made us free indeed. We are now free from the bondage of the law of Moses, which had kept us under tutelage until faith came (Gal. 3:23). We have been made free from sin (Rom. 6:18), free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2), and free from all men (1 Cor. 9:19). We are free to serve Jesus Christ and be among his bondslaves, or servants of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:1).

Now that we are free, we are to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free. We do this by faith, knowing that we are no longer in bondage but are set free from the bondage of sin and the law and are made free in Christ Jesus, 1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

The greatest challenge, evidently, of nominal new-born believers is that temptation that comes to bring ourselves (usually by the help of those who have come in unawares) back under the bondage of the law, the "yoke of bondage." Those unconverted proselytizers demanded that new believers be circumcised, as under the law; but Paul instructs the Galatians that, if they are to be circumcised, there is no profit from Christ in that, Gal. 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Under the New Covenant Jesus Christ does not bind us under the obligatory service of the Old Testament Law; therefore, circumcision means nothing, and uncircumcision means nothing (See 1 Cor. 7:19; Gal. 3:28; Rom. 3:22; 10:12).

If a man is circumcised, he is a debtor to the whole law. The Greek word for "whole" here is HOLOS and means "completely, every whit, every part." James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. This means every jot and tittle of the law, every nuance of the law, every practice of the law, and this, being impossible to do, plunges those who surrender to it into a situation of a dire circumstance, one from which a man cannot lift himself except by divine faith in Jesus Christ and not in Moses.

If one cannot stand in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and if he is willing to be put back under the yoke of bondage, then it seems to me that he does not have genuine, divine faith in Jesus Christ and that he is not indeed free but is still in his sins.

Be thankful for your freedom, your liberty. We are free in Christ, and the law cannot condemn us, for Christ has nailed all of these ordinances to the cross. Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

We are servants either of sin or of Christ. When Christ made us free, we were freed from being servants of the law to being servants of God and of Christ. Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

We Are Not Children Of The Bondwoman

2011-12-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

Galatians 4:17-31

The Affection, 17-21

The pronoun "they" in verse 17 refers back to Galatians 2:4 "false brethren unawares brought in." These false brethren affect the true believers with their zealous work that they may bring the Galatians under the bondage of the law. The effect is not a good one, because it destroys the freedom that we have in Christ (See Gal. 5:1). They do this so that they may steal the affection of these believers away from Paul and his true Gospel unto themselves and their damnable doctrine of salvation by the law.

Paul here challenges the believers that they may be zealous, but only in a good thing. In other words, the truth matters. He is concerned about them, because he is like a mother who has travailed to birth in his work for them, and they were born again by the message of grace that he brought to them. Now he is travailing "in birth again" as he did in the beginning when they believed in Christ, but now his travail is for their further maturity in Christ so that false brethren will not be able to turn them away from their teaching and preaching the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. At this point he stands in doubt of them, that perhaps they have not been truly born again as they may profess.

The Allegory, 22-31

These verses relate a familiar story from the Old Testament of Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah. We know that the son born of Abraham by Hagar was not the child of promise that God was going to use to both bring a holy posterity to Abraham and to fulfill a promise that would eventually be an allegory to teach salvation by grace.

Ishmael was born of the bondwoman. This illustrates how we through Adam were born in bondage to sin and the condemnation of the law. Isaac was born of Sarah through a promise given by God.

Hagar represents Mount Sinai; Sarah represents Mount Zion (Jerusalem which is above). We see a good contrast of these two mountains in Hebrews 12:18-24, which read soon. Now we are "the children of promise," 28.

There is, then, persecution from those born under bondage toward those who are born free. Therefore, we are to "cast out" the bondwoman (Mount Sinai, the law) and her son (whatever doctrines spring from dependence upon the law).

Instead of cooperating with the Gospel of the law or assimilating its teachings with the true Gospel, we should "cast out" that carnal and damnable doctrine and trust Christ alone for salvation, so that we can be children "of the free." Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Have I Become Your Enemy?

2011-12-06T09:47:00.001-08:00

Galatians 4:10-16

"Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years." These were the observances that both Paul and many of the Galatian believers had done in the past when they were children under the law. But now these observances have been "done away" (2 Cor. 3:11-14). They are but shadows of that which was great, that which was to come, the mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16), which Paul preached was in Jesus Christ.

Since the Galatians have taken up again the elements, or rudiments, of the law, from which they were delivered through grace and faith in Christ, he says that he is afraid of them, afraid that he has bestowed his labor, the labor of preaching the pure gospel to them, in vain, verse 11.

In verse 12 Paul encourages them to "be as I am," which intimates that they should be standing in the grace of God (Rom. 5:2) and not in the elements of the law. Paul is only a sinner saved by grace, delivered from the offenses of the law, and made new in Christ; therefore, he can also say "I am as ye are." Their turning back to the law has not injured Paul, but it has injured the cause of Christ and the cause of the preaching of the gospel of Christ. Their witness was overshadowed by the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Col. 2:8).

Paul originally came to them with "infirmity" and "temptation." The infirmity is from a word that means "weakness," so this could have been some type of physical ailment that Paul had (many say his eyesight was dim--Gal. 6:11). The temptation was some type of trial that he may have been having as he did his work among the Galatians. Whatever it was, the Galatians knew of it, and they were well with it and even showed him kindness in it and joy in the message that he brought, which was the gospel of the grace of God, verse 13-14, and they received him as an angel, or as they would an angel of God.

In those beginning days of Paul's preaching to them the gospel of Jesus Christ, they loved him so and was so kind and blessed to him that they not only spoke of that kindness to him, but they would have also plucked out their own eyes and given to him (which lends another evidence that his weakness could have been his eyes). This is how much they loved, grasped, and propagated the gospel of Jesus Christ at the first, 15.

But now they seem to be enemies of Paul. Why? It is because they have now turned from the pure grace of God (in their teaching) to the beggarly elements, whereunto they desire to be in bondage (see verse 9). It seems that they have become his enemy because he tells them the truth and will not go with them to the new doctrine of Mr. Law; that is, the law mixed with grace, which is not grace at all (see Rom. 11:6). Law and grace have always been enemies, for the law does not allow for grace; it allows only for mercy. Paul will continue to tell them the truth no matter what they do, because once the message of the gospel has gone away from its true character and principles, the message will continually change to please the ears of hearers; but the truth never changes. John 17:17 -- Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

When We Were Children

2011-12-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

Galatians 4:1-9

Dispensationalism teaches us that this reference to being a child refers to the Old Testament dispensation, wherein those hearing the word of God were still under the Law of Moses, and that they were released from that when Jesus died. This does not seem to be the meaning here, in my opinion.

Being a child and under tutors and governors has reference to our being, as unbelievers, under the law, constrained by the law for a better moral behavior, and sternly corrected by the law as to our many wrongs. We as unbelievers are under the stringent rule of the law "until the time appointed of the father." In our case it would be the appointed time of our Heavenly Father.

When we were children, unbelievers, we were "in bondage under the elements of the world" (verse 3). This explains to us that, when we were lost in our sins, we were under the influence of only earthly and humanistic elements, worldly elements. Even the law is a worldly element, for all the law can do is bring us to guilt and shame; the law cannot bring freedom, yea, it has no desire to free us from itself: it only holds us to itself in jealous ownership. Thus, salvation cannot come by the law, since it is made up of "elements of the world."

In verses four and five Paul explains to us how that we can, despite the law's ever-insistent commands, be free from the law for salvation. It is because God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem us so that we might receive, by his grace, the adoption of sons.

Now that we are free from the law and sons of God, being born from above (John 3:3), we have the Spirit of his Son (the Holy Spirit) in our hearts by which we call out to our Heavenly Father in a very personal way (6), knowing we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17).

Now that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10), we are no more children, but sons, and heirs (7) according to the promise (Gal. 3:29) and according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7).

Verse eight and nine describe that when we were children we "knew not God" and "did service unto them which by nature are no gods." We served the "elements of the world" and not God. But now, after we are known of God, how can we turn again to the "weak and beggarly elements"? How can we desire to be in bondage as a child under the "elements of the world" when we have been made free from them by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that perfect work that redeemed us by his blood through the death of the cross?

We Must Believe That He Is

2011-11-30T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 11:6

Heb. 11:6 . . . he that cometh to God must believe that HE IS!
Acts 9:20 . . . he is the Son of God.
Ac 10:36 . . . (he is Lord of all:)
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace . . .
Eph 5:23 . . . he is the saviour of the body.
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
2 Tim 1:12 . . . he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Heb. 2:18 . . . he is able to succour (help) them that are tempted.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Heb 9:15 . . . he is the mediator of the new testament . . .
Heb. 10:23 . . . he is faithful that promised
Heb. 11:6 . . . he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
1 Pet 2:7 . . . he is precious
1 John 1:9 . . . he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7 . . . he is righteous
1 John 3:3 . . . he is pure.
Rev 3:14 He is . . . the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 17:14 . . . he is Lord of lords, and King of kings
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; . . .
Re 2:23 . . . I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Neither Jew Nor Greek

2011-11-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

Galatians 3:28-29

There are at least three areas in life where people make a difference in social standing or in religious priority. They are (1) Jew and Greek, (2) bond and free, and (3) male and female.

The first area of division is cultural. The Jews in biblical times had no dealings with the Gentile nations. In fact, God told them not to mimic the Gentile nations as to their way of life. They were not to marry them or to have business dealings with them. This, of course, was sanctioned by God only to show his selection of Israel as a nation and his sovereign choice as it stands in his attributes--God can choose what or whom he will choose. Then Jesus broke the barrier when he spoke to the Samaritan woman in John chapter four. Then he completely eliminated the difference when he gave the Great Commission to his churches, that they should go and preach the Gospel to all nations (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, etc.). Paul tells us in Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. In the local church of the Lord Jesus Christ there is no difference between the members in God's sight. They are all sinners saved by grace and baptized into the membership of that church (1 Cor. 12:13) whether they be Jews or Gentiles.

The second area of division is societal. There were both bond and free men in Bible times. The bondage of a slave did not preclude his being saved by the grace of God without the deeds of the law. The free man had no more opportunity to be born again than the bondman did. Paul was a free Roman, and he used that to his advantage; but he was not any more prone to be born again than a man who was in bondage. In the local churches in Galatia, the members were all saved by grace and baptized into the membership of those churches (1 Cor. 12:13) whether they be bond or free.

The third area of division is gender. There is neither male nor female. Now, there certainly is a vast difference between a male and a female in this life, but there is no difference in God's sight in salvation, and there is no difference in the membership of a local church. Certainly, in the churches there are different positions for male and female; but as far as membership itself, there is no difference in male and female.

We have now only to consider the reason that the divisions are not different. It is because of what is mentioned in verse 29: "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." It is, of course, because in Christ we are all the children of Abraham (his seed) and heirs of Abraham. Rom. 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. We are joint-heirs with Christ: Rom. 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

So, there is no difference in any of these areas; therefore, we are all personally responsible to God no matter what nationality, social standing, or gender. Every man must give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12); and in the churches we are to love one another, for there is not one member that is any better than another member as far as our standing before God.

The Day After Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T07:50:00.001-08:00

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie Wolfe – November 25, 2011

Still, still my heart sings on, believing on His Precious Son.
One day is not enough to raise exhaustive song, extended praise.
So further still my heart sings on the praise of God’s eternal song.
Just saved by grace through faith divine, sublimest thought is ever mine.

And when tomorrow’s troubles come and strong desire to them succumb,
Again I turn my heart to thee, and pray thy word to set me free.
Then with thy words deep in my mind, I step on forward, life refined,
And put my trust alone in thee, still praising God his will to be.

Baptized Into Christ

2011-11-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

So much confusion has been wrought by misapplying the meaning of "baptized" in this and other verses in scripture. A basic rule of interpretation instructs us to give priority to the most basic and obvious meaning of a word rather than to give it a spiritual application. This phrase "baptized into Christ" has been skewed by many religions. One interpretation is that we are baptized in water "into" Christ, meaning that we are saved through the operation of baptism. Another interpretation is that we are baptized "into" Christ in a spiritual way; that is, we are saved by our being baptized (dipped) with Christ, not in a literal way in water, but by being buried with Christ when he was buried and resurrected when he was resurrected. But this not only puts salvation in the wrong place in time, but it uses a Protestant-invented theory that has been used against immersion for baptism [see Graves-Ditzler Debate, et al].

To be "baptized into Christ" means to be baptized in water (which is the basic and obvious meaning of the word baptize) in relationship to Christ; that is, we are baptized in water because Christ died, was buried, and resurrected. Baptism is a wonderful picture, a type, a figure of the very act of the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Peter 3:21).

This baptism in water is a prerequisite to being a member of a local church, and the churches of Galatia were all local assemblies -- 1 Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. We are baptized in water in relationship to one body, which is a local church.

Now in being baptized into Christ, we have put on Christ, which means that we have identified ourselves with Christ as our Savior and Lord publicly, as when putting on a uniform. He is the head of each local church, and he instructs us through his word by the work of the Holy Spirit. We should all, then, surrender to his leading and submit to his orders. We put on Christ by being a member of a Bible-centered local church and working through that church to bring honor to God and his Son, Jesus Christ.

So, before thee, Lord, empty hands we bring.
Fill them with your perfect will.
As members of your local church,
Our sullen hearts your Spirit fill.
--//--

Children of God By Faith

2011-11-24T15:32:00.000-08:00

Galatians 3:26

The simplicity of this passage should allow no doubt in the mind of any reader that salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). For those who desire to append baptism or the works of the law, this terse and forceful statement should suffice to quell the slightest belief to the contrary.

God has made the Gospel plain in his word, and the requirement of those who are born again is only that they believe. Now, for those who would say that this is too easy, the reminder remains that this faith is not a carnal or human faith but one that is given by the grace of God. The popular verses of Eph. 2:8-9 let us know that faith is a gift, and also Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith . . . . Also, the Bible teaches us in Heb. 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Yes, we are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, but we must understand that the carnal mind cannot attain to this divine adoption of the children of God. Rom. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

There is no salvation until there is a genuine giving of life to the sinner. This regeneration is the power of God using the Gospel to bring a lost sinner to His saving knowledge. What a true and blessed relationship this is between the sinner and God! The sinner's faith is genuine, and God's grace is genuine; but both must be intact and exercised before true salvation can be had.

Christ Jesus, then, is the object of this faith, for this faith is "in Christ Jesus." With our faith locked in to Jesus Christ, we can be assured that this object will not fail us and that we will be saved unto the uttermost (Heb. 7:25).

Soul's salvation, grand and sweet
Procured through faith at Jesus' feet
Drawn up from our Savior's love
Accomplished in His realm above.

Sovereign Savior, giver of life
Stand with God where grace is rife.
Settle His cause, accuse no more
Faith procured by Calvary's sore.

From The Mountain Top

2011-10-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie Wolfe
Funeral Poem For Stan Garrison
October 8, 2011 – Shelbyville, Kentucky

From the top of the mountain I look below
To see life’s journey to and fro.
I notice there a cruel thing
As the west winds blow and the sparrows sing.

When comes forth life from the mother’s womb,
So quickly follows the cold, cold tomb.
How short this life with its ups and downs
As goes its way like circus clowns.

I grieve as I see my comrades pass
But I thrill when they leave this world first class.
They leave this world from the broken sod
To a city whose builder and maker is God.

And wait there anxious to see our face
Who’ve been redeemed by amazing grace.
And great reunion we’ll enjoy
And to our God rich hymns employ.

From the mountain top I look on high
To that great hope beyond the sky
And look to Christ, my greatest end
And there unite with this my friend.

The Law Is Our Schoolmaster

2011-09-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

Galatians 3:24-25

The schoolmaster, or tutor, in its proper use and administration is only temporary; for every child grows to maturity and then goes on without a schoolmaster to carry on the more mature ventures and qualities of life. Therefore, the law of Moses was also a temporary restraint to the Jews that they would know righteousness and holiness only through signs, symbols, types, and ordinances.

The Jews, in their former position before Christ came, performed the commandments of the law, both ceremonial and moral, in order to be refrained from the conduct and attitudes of the Gentiles. They were God's chosen people, and they were to be separate.

They, however, did not understand the mystery of the Gospel until Jesus, their Messiah, had come and done his duty as High Priest, taught them verbally, and sent the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth. When the Messiah came, he was to fulfill all the ceremonial law and meet the demands of the moral law. When, in his redemptive work on Calvary, Jesus brought to nothing the need for the law to be a schoolmaster, it was "done away" (See 2 Cor. 3:7, 11, 14).

Christ's fulfilling the law manifested that our justification is not by the law but completely by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). The schoolmaster simply brought men up to the point where Christ was to be given as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins: the law pointed to Christ all along the way until Christ fulfilled the law. Then the law was no longer a necessary witness, but Christ himself became our witness through the Holy Spirit.

Before faith comes, we are all under the schoolmaster; for the law is the only instrument that we have to restrain our actions and to produce any level of guilt in our conscience. But after faith comes, we are no longer under the schoolmaster (the law) because of Christ: Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.

Thus, by faith we are the children of God and not by the law. Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

In Memory

2011-07-29T10:57:00.001-07:00

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie Wolfe, 5-27-2010

A nation built by death and tears
Has come to lax throughout the years
And, cumbered with so many things,
Listens not as the sparrow sings.

She dances in the dark of night,
Entertains her friends till light,
Sleeps till noon in light of day,
And throws her memories far away.

Remembers not the battle cry,
The swords, the planes in the warrior sky,
Nor thinks of men who gave their lives,
The wounds on which this country thrives.

Look back again, my country fair
At noble men out there somewhere,
Who gave it all for thee to live,
For younger ones their lives to give.

Now sits a country tilting free
Upon the fulcrum all can see.
Which way to turn to set us free?
Forget not “sea to shining sea.”

Free From The Law, Oh Happy Condition

2011-07-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

Galatians 3:23

Before Faith Came

Instead of Christ, the object of our faith, and instead of the doctrine of faith, as is mentioned by John Gill, this is saving faith in my opinion. Everyone, whosoever he may be who is saved by the grace of God was sometime in the past without faith, had no hope, and was without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). Each one of us had to wait until faith came to us, for faith is the object of God's grace, the result of his great love for us, a divine fruit of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22). Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

We Were Kept Under The Law

In ancient times slaves were used in the daytime sometimes to turn the mill, but they were not free. At night they were put down into a pit, and a grinding stone was put over the pit to prevent their escape. They continued to be slaves until they were redeemed or set free from their slavery. Also, as a soldier, the slaves were guarded from escape, keeping each slave on guard against a resistance to the law of his owner. So, the law of God kept watch over us before faith came to us. We were guarded and made responsible for each and every law issued forth by God and were due condemnation for each error made against the law.

Shut Up Unto The Faith Which Should Afterwards Be Revealed

But the law cannot condemn a man who has been set free from the condemnation of the law. The law has no more control over him, but his Redeemer is his lawyer, his teacher, his comforter, and his Master. To every believer this faith was to be revealed. This faith came after the law had condemned us and had shut us up; but Christ broke through the chains of the law and gave us faith by measure (Romans 12:3).

Jesus Christ has set us free; we are no longer under the law but under grace (Romans 6:14-15). Jesus Christ was made "under the law" (Gal. 4:4) so that he might redeem us who were under the law (Gal. 4:5). Therefore, we are free from the law, "oh happy condition." Being led by the Spirit of God, we are not under the law, guarded by it, or condemned by it (See Gal. 5:18; Romans 8:1).

No on Post

2011-07-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that I have not been on post lately. I have been busy preparing for two classes to be taught online this fall for Antioch Baptist College. I will be teaching Ecclesiology and Anthropology this fall. If you are interested in taking the classes, please respond to this post. I hope soon to continue on the book of Galatians. Thanks, everyone, for reading.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2011-03-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

Wherein Is The Law?
Galatians 3:19-22

If the law cannot save, which is amply illustrated in this chapter, then what need is there that a law exist? It may seem to be of no value to anyone who is hearing these words of Paul.

But then Paul answers this objection by explaining that the law was added because of transgressions; that is, it did not take the place of the promise that was made 430 years before it, given to Abraham. It cannot supplant that promise nor make it of none effect.

The law was added to this promise to regulate the behavior of the people of God who would, without the law, no doubt have been even more sinful than they actually were. Being constrained by the law, their lives were to be holy before their Almighty God. They were to be true to holiness and righteousness. They were accountable to each and every law that God added to his promise. In other words, they became guilty before God as a results of the entrance of the law.

The law was for their good; for without the law of God, they would never have known anything about the life of holiness that would bring them success, joy, peace, and fellowship with the Father. They were constrained by the law to live a valuable and fruitful life that would bring God's blessings.

There must, then, be a reconciliation between God and man, because a man and his law cannot bring them together; it can only make men responsible before Him. Man is one, and with one there can be no mediator (verse 20). Man is one side of this disagreement (sin) between man and God, and God is one (the other one involved). We read, of course, in 1 Timothy 2:5 that Christ Jesus is the only mediator between God and men.

The law was given until the seed (Jesus Christ) came, to whom the promise was made (verse 19). This promise was not only made to Jesus Christ, but it was also accomplished in Him.

Now, if the law could give life (verse 21), then righteousness could be obtained and attained by the keeping of the law; but since the law is dead ("the letter killeth"), the conclusion must be that "all (are) under sin," and the promise "by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." See Titus 3:5.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2011-03-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

The Covenant And The Law
Galatians 3:17-18

Although Abraham is the father of the nation of Israel, the covenant made with Abram was to bless all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:3). Paul tells us in Gal. 3:17 that this covenant was "confirmed before of God in Christ." So, this covenant was not just a promise of a land for Israel; it was a promise of eternal life for those who believe. Romans 4:3 says, For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. To prove that this is a spiritual covenant, Paul goes on in Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

This covenant (promise) was made before the law, which rejects the law for salvation. Salvation is by promise, not by law (works). Paul uses an allegory to show this in Gal. 4:23 But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise. The difference is "after the flesh" and "by promise."

If you are saved "after the flesh," then you are not really saved. If you are saved "by promise," then you are truly saved. These are not my words but God's words.

This is true, because the promise was made to Abram 430 years before the law was given to Israel through Moses, so we know that Abram was saved by grace through faith and not by works. The law does not and cannot make void the promise that was 430 years before it.

Galatians 3:18 tells us that, if the inheritance (salvation) is of the law (of the flesh), then it is not of promise. Conclusion: "but God gave it to Abraham by promise." It is blessed to be saved by grace through faith without the deeds of the law. Rom. 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

The Abraham Factor #2

2010-12-17T07:08:00.000-08:00

Galatians 3:15-16

The Word

"I speak after the manner of men" points to the fact that men enter into agreement, not with a heavenly language, for that would be unlawful for man to speak (2 Cor. 12:4), and a man has not the capacity to comprehend that which is spoken on a heavenly level. The word must be plain, concise, and complete so that each participant can with complete understanding enter into an agreement. Neither can anyone outside those parties break the agreement or change it in any way. This is an agreement between two men only, and even the law itself cannot interfere with its content or purpose.

The Covenant

Even though the covenant that God makes with man is in human speech, the fact that it is in man's words does not make the covenant void if it is confirmed. Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

A covenant from God is confirmed by two immutable things: God himself and the oath that he has made. God cannot change; God cannot lie. Therefore, any covenant that God makes with man is one that cannot be interrupted or changed by man's doing. It is a firm foundation upon which we can believe and depend. No man can disannul it nor add to it. This is the reason that we cannot add to nor take from the Gospel message concerning Jesus Christ and his righteousness. This is the reason that we cannot add to nor take away from the very words of God, which are written in the Bible. The Gospel and the Word of God are a covenant made with man and confirmed by God and his oath.

The Promises

The promises that were "made" (REO, meaning literally "to flow out" or "to speak") were not here first made as in beginning the promises. The promises of God to his people were made in timeless eternity past and through God's Son, Jesus Christ. Here the promises are reiterated (re-affirmed) through Abraham and his seed (See Genesis 17:7).

These promises were not to many seeds, many Gospels for many people, especially speaking of the Jews and Gentiles, no Gospel for Gentiles with another for Jews, etc. There is only one seed (Christ), and the promises are centered in him alone. The promises were given only to Abraham's seed, and that spiritual seed, since all who believe are the children of Abraham (Gal. 3:7; Rom. 2:29; Gal. 3:29).

One Abraham, one covenant, one Gospel, one Christ, and one salvation. "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

The Abraham Factor #1

2010-12-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

Galatians 3:6-14 -- See also Romans Chapter 4

The Faith of Abraham, 6-7

It is not by accident or a paraphrases that Abraham is known as "faithful Abraham" (Gal 3:9) or "the father of us all" (Rom. 4:16). It is because of his sincere faith in Christ that sets him apart from the world, and it is because of this same faith in us that separates us from this same evil world.

This faith in Abraham was accounted to him for righteousness. So then, if any person has faith, he has also the righteousness of Christ, Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Works are not, then, accounted for righteousness; for if righteousness comes by the law (works), then Christ is dead in vain (Gal. 2:21).

So, then, those who are of faith, or those who have faith in Christ, have surrendered to him or have submitted to him and are the children of Abraham. See also Romans 2:29; Gal. 3:29.

The Gospel of Abraham, 8-9

We know from this passage that the Gospel was preached to Abraham "afore," or in a former time than the writing of the book of Galatians, before the coming, dying, resurrecting, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Gospel is an old message. Christ preached it in the Garden of Eden to Adam and Eve, it is preached here to Abraham, and it has been preached through the years to innumerable individuals who have either believed it or rejected it, even to the Gentiles, who were not heirs of the oracles of God.

The Gospel was preached in these words: "In thee shall all nations be blessed." This was a foreseeing of the preaching of the Gospel to Gentiles as well as Jews. Christ foresaw through the scriptures (the scriptures by way of an anthropomorphism) not only saw that the Gospel would be preached among the Gentiles but also told it many times throughout the Old and New Testaments.

The Curse Of The Law, 10-12

Those who work the law endeavoring to gain eternal life are under the curse of the law, because everyone who does not continue in all the things that are in the law is cursed. Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

The just are to live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:). This makes it evident that a person is not justified by the law. Paul cannot say this too many times. He is obsessed with this idea: that salvation is by faith and not by the works of the law. The law merely gives commands to every individual on the earth. There is no faith in the law, simply commands from God; therefore, all who are under the law must do everything that is commanded in the law (Gal. 3:12; Rom. 10:5; Deut. 27:26).

The Redemption of Christ, 13-14

Christ, then, has redeemed us "from the curse of the law" (vs. 13). This word for "redeem" is the Greek word EK-AGORAZO, which means "out of the marketplace." We were all in the marketplace of sin under the tutelage of the law. We were hopelessly dead to Christ and his eternal life. But Christ Jesus purchased us "out of the marketplace." He took us out of the marketplace never to be on sale again. His purchase is effective and final.

This redemption was done by his becoming a curse for us, being hung on a tree (a tree of death), which was a curse for us. He did this that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so they might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith in Christ. This promise we will consider shortly.

Obeying The Truth

2010-12-06T17:36:00.000-08:00

Galatians 3:1-5

There has been much said and written about obeying the truth. Some, who are bent on teaching that a person is saved by works, think that this obedience to the truth is a work such as those of the works of the law or of the works of the flesh, that man can physically work in order to attain salvation; but this section of scripture denies that, and so do many other passages in God's word.

The Galatians had been "bewitched," or fooled into thinking that they need not obey the truth but that they need rather to produce some good work on their own part in order to inherit eternal life. This was, no doubt, offered by some false teachers who had come in that through envy they might change the simple Gospel into that which is subversive to true faith and an alternative to the true grace of God. This Paul sets to the proper standard as he continues through this chapter. The truth of which Paul speaks is the doctrine of justification by faith, which Paul is vindicating throughout this book, placing it against the teaching of the shadows of the Gospel, the Law of carnal commandments.

A Clear Gospel

Paul first brings notice to them that Jesus Christ was crucified among them, being eye witnesses of that crucifixion, not in a literal sense, but through the eye of faith, since the true Gospel had been preached clearly to them so that they could see with their faith the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in their midst, a significant practice of Paul; that is, of making Christ vividly clear to the hearers of the Gospel, as he was determined to preach nothing else but the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ in presenting the doctrine of biblical justification.

Concise Questions

To those who have the Spirit of God to hear the truth, Paul introduces the first concise question: "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?" The law was preaching incessantly in old times, and Israel would not hear, though God outstretched his hands to them, Romans 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. But here the Spirit of God, which indwelt the believers at Galatia, was received, not by the preaching of the law, but by the hearing of faith: Romans 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So, the question is asked and answered. The Spirit did not and does not come by the works of the law but by the hearing of faith.

The second question is "having begun in the Spirit, are ye made perfect by the flesh?" The answer is NO. If we begin in the Spirit, we must continue and culminate our lives in the Spirit. Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: This is the drawing, convicting, justifying, and keeping work of the Holy Spirit, not of the works of the law.

The third question is "have ye suffered so many things in vain?" The Galatians have suffered reproach and persecution for Christ and the Gospel. Was it all in vain? They suffered for the true Gospel, not so that they may deny obedience to the truth. They, of course, have not suffered, and neither do we suffer, in vain for the truth of the Gospel.

The fourth question deals with whether the "minister" of the Spirit of God (meaning Christ) ministers the Spirit or performs miracles by the works of the law or the hearing of faith. The Spirit is given to everyone who believes, and it was given through the hearing of faith, not by the works of the law. Jesus Christ used the law to manifest to us our depraved condition and our need of a Savior, but he gives the Spirit by the hearing of faith. When Christ works miracles among them, it is not by the works of the law but through the hearing of faith.

Thus neither the works of the law nor the works of the flesh can bring justification or preserve the saints of God. It must be by faith, as is stated many times in scripture. Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

For those who believe that there is a third work besides the works of the law and the works of the flesh, i.e. the works in obedience to faith, it must be said that there is no mention of such in the Bible, nor is there any intimation of it or even an implication of it. There is no work that can redeem a soul no matter what it is called. Gal. 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

So, how do we obey the truth? We obey the truth by believing it, submitting to it, and living by it. There need be no action on our part physically to obey the truth: no baptism, no church membership, no good works. Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-10-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:19-21

Dead Through The Law

The law of Moses (the Torah--Genesis-Deuteronomy) portrayed Jesus Christ as the true Messiah and, therefore, it brought the message of condemnation to Paul, expounding to him his need of another way to justification besides the law itself, which cannot bring justification before God, though it can simply before men. Paul was able to see the perfection of Christ, his fulfilling the law with no guile and without sin, and he recognized the need not only of the law to bring him to Christ, but also the need of Jesus Christ to be his substitute for sin as the law determined and commanded.

The law,then, at one time was Paul's friend, Paul not realizing that his neglect to keep the law perfectly was his sure condemnation to Hell. Then the commandment came, sin revived, and Paul died (to himself and to the law for justification before God, See Romans 7:9). He is dead, then, through the law. Law did its job: to manifest the exceeding sinfulness of sin (Rom. 7:13).

That I Might Live Unto God

If the law could bring life (Gal. 3:21), then justification would be by the law; but since it can bring only death, there is a need for the Spirit of God to bring life into a person, being brought to life by the Spirit by grace: Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Of course, we know that to be quickened means to be made alive. We know that the letter (of the law) kills, but the Spirit makes alive (2 Cor. 3:6).

That We Might Be Married To Another

Another reason that we are dead to the law is so that we can be married to another, which is Jesus Christ (See Romans 7:4). Through faith in Jesus Christ and the Gospel through grace we are married to Jesus Christ, and we are to be faithful to him as a man is to be with his own wife.

Crucified With Christ

We are crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20); we have died to the old flesh and are alive unto God (Rom. 6:11). Therefore, it is not we who live (since we are dead), but it is Jesus Christ who lives in us. We live in our flesh by the faith of the Son of God, because he loved us and gave himself for us (Gal. 2:20).

Do Not Frustrate God's Grace

If Paul were to live under the law from which Jesus has set him free, he would frustrate (despise, disannul, bring to nothing) the grace of God; because if works (the law) were added to grace, grace would no more be grace (Rom. 11:6). If grace were added to works, then works would no longer be works. This would bring the grace of God to nothing (make it worthless).

Anyone who believes that he can be justified before God with his works (the law) frustrates the grace of God and depends upon the law under which he is cursed, because no man has kept the law, and has not believed upon Jesus Christ and his Gospel (death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ) for the remission of sins: Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-10-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:17-18

We Seek To Be Justified By Christ

Of course, this is the only way to be justified. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6). The word of God says that no man seeks after God (Rom. 3:11), but Prov. 8:17 says, I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. We know that the depraved soul does not seek after God, because he has no desire for God; but God's people seek after him and shall find him.

But here Paul is referring to salvation and says that we seek after Christ, turning from law to another Savior, Jesus Christ, the righteous one. We do this by the prompting of the Holy Spirit; and, of course, all by the grace of God by his mercy and through faith.

But when the Jews turned from the law to Christ, they were considered sinners; because they were turning from what the Jews considered the way to God: the law of Moses. If that is the case, then, we are found sinners, sinners against the law that God has laid down for all of us. If, then, we have turned from the law of God, which is supposed to be our savior, then not only are we sinners (through breaking the law), but this makes Christ the minister of sin. This makes Christ the minister of sin, because it is Jesus who has taught the apostles to turn away from the law and turn to Christ.

Paul says that, no, it does not make Christ a minister of sin. He uses an old cliche "God forbid," which is not a literal translation of the Greek words. The words literally mean "let it not be." Let it not be, or God forbid, because Christ is not actually a minister of sin but a minister of righteousness.

We Are Not To Build That Which We Destroy

If Paul, who has destroyed his old way of life, turning from his persecution of the church unto Jesus, the head of the church, and trusts him completely for salvation, then what need does he have in building again that former life from which Jesus saved him? Gal 4:9 tells us, But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

You see, the law had us under its curse; and in order to be brought from under this curse, we had to turn from the law to Christ; for there is no redemption in the law, no life in the law, only death in the law. Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Thank God, we are free, free to serve Christ, to love Christ, to love others, to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to sing of his beauty, to preach his word, to study his word, to depend upon his grace, which is sufficient for every aspect of our lives. We are no longer in bondage to sin, law, and death. We have been freed from them all and have liberty in Jesus Christ, to whom be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-10-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:15-16

No Justification By The Law

Paul, Peter and other disciples who trusted in Jesus Christ were Jews by nature; that is, they were Jews by blood linage. They were born Jews and had advantage as such from God because of God's special favor on the Jewish nation as his chosen and loved nation.

But they, along with all of the "sinners of the Gentiles," or the "wicked of the nations," were the same in the sense that they both must be justified, not by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ, For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him (Romans 10:12).

These Jews (Paul, Peter, and others) knew that they were not justified by the law. Saul had spent his entire life serving the law, and it had in it no justification for Saul. First, God had to reveal his son in him (Gal. 1:16). Then he understood that all those years of serving the law had done him no good. He was without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). He needed justification, and he realized on the road to Damascus that only faith in Jesus Christ could justify him before God.

Now, a person can be justified by works before men but not before God. Romans 4:2 tells us: For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Then James tells us that Abraham was justified by works: James 2:21-22 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Abraham was justified by his works before men but not before God.

Those who teach that a person can be justified by works before God are living in the world, but those who trust completely in Christ as the object of their faith are genuinely justified before God and are living above the world, above the curse of the law, above the challenges of personal endeavor, above all carnal efforts and petty works of man's hands. This is living like a king (Rev. 1:6), out of this world with Christ.

By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified, that is, before God. Baptism, good deeds, church membership, benevolences, these are all works of the law; for, if they are not done as Jews, who are under the oracles of God (Rom. 3:2), they are done as Gentiles, who, if they do what is written in the law, they are a law unto themselves (Rom. 2:4).

The law itself has brought us to God (Gal. 3:24), but it cannot justify us, but after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Ga 3:25)-- "Free from the law, oh happy condition, Jesus has died, and there is remission." Because of Jesus' keeping of the law, he could die for our sins in perfection satisfaction to the Father's command. Now those who come to Christ by faith can be justified forever. Amen!

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-10-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:11-14

The Standoff

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Some things we are to withstand, or stand against. We know that we are to stand against the wiles of the Devil and not to be overtaken with the enemies of God. We are to be faithful in God's work.

Peter was in the wrong in these verses, because he was a hypocrite. He pretended to be one and the same with Gentiles until the Jews came around; then he decided to change and pretend that he was with the Jews, one and the same with them. I wonder what the Gentiles thought as Peter separated himself from them? What would you think if someone pretended to be your friend and then turned his back on you? Is this ministry to Peter (to the Jews) a ministry that is exclusive in the sense that God is saving only Jews and that Peter must cater to the Jews? No. It is, we have already learned, for both the Jew and the Gentile.

Peter may very well eat with the Jews, but he has just given his right hand of fellowship condoning the work of Paul among the Gentiles and agreeing that God saves Jew and Gentile alike. To break from a lifelong tradition is very difficult, and to Peter a Gentile was a dog; and he and other Jews were not permitted to eat with them lest they become defiled. Peter should know better, because he is the one who had the vision from Heaven that revealed to him that God had cleansed the Gentile to receive the Gospel, cleansed the Gentile so that he is no longer a defilement to the Jews but that they are sinners in the same lot (See Acts 10:28).

Peter acted out of fear. We as God's children do that often, but we are not to fear the flesh, because the flesh cannot do anything against the truth (2 Cor. 13:8).

Paul had good reason to withstand Peter, because Peter was to be blamed, blamed for being inconsistent concerning the truth of God's working among Jews and Gentiles. Not only so, but he was causing others to be led astray, especially Barnabas, who was carried away with their "dissimulation," which means hypocrisy. We must take care lest we lead others astray.

Peter should not have been teaching the Gentiles to live as the Jews. He definitely was to be blamed. We are free from the law, oh happy condition. All have sinned against God (Rom. 3:23), and all need to repent (Luke 13:3) and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

Let us not be guilty of hypocrisy. We must preach the Gospel to every creature alike. Every man must give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).

Yes, we need to stand against some things, but let us be faithful lest Paul or someone else may need to withstand us concerning our hypocrisy or our unfaithfulness.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-09-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:10

Remember The Poor

To remember the poor is written in the Mosaic Law: Deut. 15:11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. This is not simply a New Testament command but a command for all time.

Zophar accused Job of oppressing the poor, and he, no doubt, thought that this was the sin that brought God's anger against Job and gave him his great illness: Job 20:19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not; This was considered a great sin against God then, and it is also considered a great sin today. However, Job answered to him, Job 29:16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

The wicked persecute the poor in their pride: Psalm 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. These will be taken in their own devices.

A strong statement is made in Prov. 14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. I would never want to reproach my Maker, and neither would Paul the Apostle; and he was very knowledgeable of this scripture, I am sure.

Again Jesus says in Matt 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. So, we have a perpetual privilege and command that we should remember the poor, for they are among us and always will be with us.

Now Paul later on was involved in collecting money for the benefit of the poor saints (Rom. 15:26 et al). Thus, in our text the Apostles at Jerusalem encourage Paul and his company to remember the poor, which Paul and his company were forward (diligent) to do. It is, then, the commandment of the Law and the commandment of Christ to remember the poor.

James says that we have despised the poor (James 2:3). We as God's children should never be guilty of that, for we must remember that . . . every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Rom. 14:12). Thus, Paul and we ourselves are forward to do.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-09-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:6-9

The Equal Ground

Paul at no time thought of himself as being superior to anyone else; neither did he consider others to be superior to him. The only exception is on the occasion that he expresses his energy in exercising the Jews' religion -- Phil. 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

In the flesh he was more adept, more scholarly, more energetic, and more intentioned than anyone else in his religion; but in the Gospel Paul did not rely on the flesh but on God alone. Even the Apostles were off limits to his investigation. He trusted only God, for it was God who called him. No one intimidated him, nor were they seemingly intimidated by him. They all stood on equal ground before God: they owed it all to God and not man. Those who seemed to be "somewhat" were nothing to Paul (verse 6).

The Effectual Work

The Apostles "saw," or understood and were persuaded, that the Gospel of the uncircumcision (Gentiles) was committed to Paul, and they also "saw," or understood, that the Gospel to the circumcision was committed to Peter. Both Peter and Paul were persuaded (and so were the other Apostles) that the Holy Spirit (rendered by "he" in verse 8) had brought about effectually in both of them their calling to the Jews and the Gentiles respectively.

The Earnest Consent

Then a final decision was made for Peter that he and his followers were to evangelize the circumcision (Jews), and Paul and his company were to evangelize the uncircumcision (Gentiles). Thus the missionary direction was laid down for all time thence forward. Our evangelism is in tact; our plan is clear: we must evangelize the whole world (both Jew and Gentile) for the glory of God. Paul and Barnabas were given the right hand of fellowship for the approval to do this work of God planted in their hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-09-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:5

No Subjection

In the last lesson we considered that there were some false brethren who were come in privately to spy out our liberty in Jesus Christ that we might be brought under bondage; that is, bondage to the law, to Judaism, to this crumbling and rejecting world.

We have not received the spirit of bondage to fear but rather the spirit of adoption, whereby we know that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:15). We, along with all creation, will be delivered from this bondage of corruption one day when Jesus returns (Rom. 8:21). That is living above the world, because that deliverance is past, present, and future: 2 Cor, 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. We have been delivered by faith in Jesus Christ, we are being delivered by the seal of the Holy Spirit, and we shall be delivered physically out of this world by the return of Jesus Christ. What a wonderful life, this life above the world!

Therefore, Paul says in our text that we are not to give place (or allow or acquiesce) to this bondage of the world which the false brethren might bring upon us if we compromise, no, not for an hour. One hour can make a tremendous difference in one's life, so we cannot and will not bend or bow to the worldly likes of false brethren brought in so that we might be under bondage. We are to be subject to higher powers, for they are ordained of God (Rom. 13:1). We are to be subject (as churches) to Christ (Eph. 5:24). We are to be subject to our masters (1 Peter. 2:18), and we are to be subject one to another (1 Peter 5:5); but we are not to be subject to church bosses or self-proclaimed church leaders, which many times bring in heresy to our churches and corrupt the true Baptist perspective. A one-hour sermon has changed many a young mind from truth to error; and once that mind change has come, bringing it back to truth is very difficult.

The truth of the Gospel is at stake. We dare not allow antinomians, legalists, and perfectionists in our pulpits, no, not even for an hour. It will be like water poured out on the ground: it will be very difficult to get it back into the bucket. Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Pastors, our people are counting on us to give them the truth. The truth will set us free. Thank God! Preach the word!

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-09-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

Galatians 2:1-4

Paul has been living above the world, manifested by his faith in Jesus Christ, which came through Jesus' personal revelation of himself to Saul (Paul). He was living above the world when he pronounced the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, iterating that there is only one Gospel, whether it be preached by Paul, Peter, James, John, or anyone else.

In this devotion we find that now Paul, by the leadership of God (above the world), goes to Jerusalem to communicate the Gospel to those at Jerusalem. He took Barnabas and Titus with him. He spoke publicly to all the disciples, but he communicated with the apostles one by one, verifying that the Gospel which Paul preached is precisely the same Gospel that is being preached at Jerusalem by the other apostles.

Titus, who was a Greek (Gentile), was not required by the apostles at Jerusalem to be circumcised, because they all understood the freedom that the Gospel enabled for every believer and because there were many at Jerusalem who had feigned faith in Jesus Christ in order that they may bring into bondage again those who had left the ordinances which were shadows of good things to come, they being fulfilled in the work of Jesus Christ.

Many Legalists would love to bring believers back under the bondage of the law, requiring not only circumcision, but also celebration of holidays and symbolisms. Even in our day some "Jewish Christians" would love for our churches to take up the celebration of their Jewish holidays and symbolisms: I get printed material often which give evidence of this.

Gal. 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Let us live above the world under the auspices of the great Gospel of Jesus Christ which was received from God above and not from men. Let us understand that our Gospel is a heavenly one and has set us free from the law. Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Sin has no more power over us: Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

If sin has no more power over us and we are free from the law, then let us live in liberty above the world to the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-09-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

Galatians 1:11-24

PAUL'S EXPRESSION (vss 11-12)

Paul here is reiterating, or certifying, that the gospel that he preaches is not of man. Its origin is from above, above the world. The gospel we preach is not our gospel but God's gospel. This gospel is not "of," or "according to" (kata) man. Paul did not receive it from (para) man. The gospel was revealed only "by" (di) Jesus Christ.

PAUL'S EXAMPLE (vss 13-24)

This is the crux and the force of Paul's argument. His dedication and certification to the gospel is shown in his change of life. If the gospel does not change a life, then it is not truly in force in a man's life.

Paul's Previous Life, 13-14

Paul's conversation (or way of life) in the past was in the Jews' religion, and that religion persecuted Jesus and the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul went beyond the very religion itself and appended to it persecutions that were "beyond measure," or beyond the measure of the law that was in force against the way of Christ.

This excess shows in three ways: (1) Going "beyond measure," which we have already considered; (2) He profited in the Jews' religion more than any other person had ever done; and (3) Paul was "more exceeding zealous" of the Jews' traditions.

Paul's Changed Life, 15-19

But something happened to Paul: he was immediately changed by God's pleasure, God's separation, God's calling, and God's revelation (see also verse 12). God revealed his Son in Paul (read Acts 9:1-9), that he might preach Jesus among the heathen (Gentiles); and when God revealed Jesus to him, he did not seek out flesh and blood, including the apostles at Jerusalem, but went into Arabia to be taught of the Lord himself. Many believe that he spent three years in Arabia being taught of the Lord (reference is here to verse 18).

Paul's Confirmed Message, 20-24

Because he was taught the message by the Lord himself, Paul's message is not a lie (vs 20). Paul kept himself far away from most men, especially of the apostles; so he was unknown by face to the churches of Judaea. They had only heard of him, but the message was a good one. They had heard that the man who once persecuted the churches is now preaching "the faith," that form of doctrine that is true to Jesus Christ's message to Paul and the other apostles, the same message to both. He preaches the faith that he once destroyed. Then they glorified God in that knowledge. Who, having the true Spirit of God, would not glorify God in the truth of the message of the gospel? Certainly God is glorified every time the gospel is preached; therefore, we should all be witnesses of the one and only true gospel of Jesus Christ, which is revealed, not by men, but by the grace of God. To him be glory forever!

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-08-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

Galatins 1:10-12

Paul cannot preach a different Gospel, because he is not persuading man, but God (vs. 10). He is not out to please men, but God. If he pleases men by catering to them, taking their advice, or depending upon them for his spiritual understanding, he cannot be a servant of Christ. If he were a merely religious man, as he was in the past, then he could and would receive instruction from religious men with influence; but since he is preaching the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, then he cannot lower himself to the realm of man for the final proof of the evidence of the saving grace of God as it is related in the preaching of the true Gospel of Christ.

The Gospel that was preached to Paul was not from men (vs. 11). Man's gospel is one of socialism, a Social Gospel, which is so rampant in our own day. Jesus Christ has been removed from the central theme of most gospels today. In the minds of men, Jesus is no longer the Head of the Church, the only Savior of men, the way, the truth, and the life, and men have done as Israel, as Paul describes them in Romans 10:2, "and they, being ignorant of God's righteousness (Jesus), and going about to establish their own righteousness (not Jesus), have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God (Jesus).

Man's gospel is no good for spiritual things: for salvation, for security, and for the deliverance of God into glory. Man's works fall short of God's righteousness; therefore, they are insufficient for their salvation, and their message is weak, pale, and ineffective to bring a man to God. Jonah explained it when he said in Jonah 2:9 "Salvation is of the Lord."

Neither did Paul receive this Gospel from man or was taught it by man, but he received it directly by a revelation of Jesus Christ Himself. We know the story of his falling to the ground as a result of the great light that shone from Heaven, Jesus being the revelation in the light by a voice that spoke to Saul, revealing himself to Saul as "Jesus, whom thou persecutest."

Paul was swept from his feet, struck with a great degree of weakness and dependence at that very moment, knowing that he must obey the heavenly vision; so he said, "Who art thou, Lord?" Jesus then announced his name "Jesus." Without Jesus, Paul could not rise from the ground, speak his own mind, or resist the vision. He was completely helpless to his own devices. He there surrendered wholly and completely to this Lord named Jesus.

Jesus, then, revealed the true Gospel to him just as he does to everyone whom he calls, and we were all helpless in that moment when the Spirit of God convicted us and wrought that great grace in our souls, convincing us of sin, and delivering us from the power of darkness, being brought into the marvelous light of the Kingdom of God. This is not of man but wholly of God. Thus Paul reiterates here in Galatians.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-08-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

Galatians 1:6-9

In order to live above the world, an individual must first come into contact with the true gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). If a person is not first approached with the gospel and is not a true believer in that one gospel, then he cannot, no matter how much he may desire to do so, live above the world in that heavenly bliss of the eternal glory of God, his deliverance from sin, his sealing of the Holy Spirit, his joy of service, and the rapture of living above the earthy and having our citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

But some in the churches of Galatia had turned from the true, sound, and powerful gospel to another gospel. Since there is no more than one gospel, then turning away from that one and true gospel is the same as turning away from God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (to which the word "him" refers in verse six.

This alternate gospel is another (Greek heteros) gospel, or a gospel of a different kind. There is, then, only one kind of the true gospel, not several variations or multifarious gospels of the same kind. Any "other" gospel would be of a completely different kind.

That is why Paul says in verse seven, "which is not another (Greek allos). There can never be another gospel of the same kind as the real and true gospel; thus, Paul warns against any variation of this true gospel. Any variation would be a perversion.

If a gospel of another kind is ever preached, the person by whom it is preached is to be "accursed." This other gospel is one with no power, no cause, no heavenly source, no command for propagation, no blessing of God upon it; so every preacher of the gospel must be very careful to preach the one and only true gospel lest he be accursed by God. See verse eight.

This is such an important concept that Paul repeats himself in verse nine to put forth the forceful and needed pronouncement that anyone who preaches a gospel of another kind will be accursed. Of course, only a lost person would preach such a gospel that is foreign to the word of God. No believer, who has met with the gospel, has been convicted by its power, and has been delivered by faith in it, would dare preach "another gospel." The gospel is the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Thank God I have met it, have believed it, and have eternal life because of it.

Living Above The World - Galatians

2010-08-06T09:25:00.001-07:00

Galatians 1:1-5 - Introduction

In the wonderful book of Galatians, Paul the apostle writes his experience of, first, living among the men of the world and trying to please men and, second, living above these men and above the world to please God. This is done through faith. The word "faith" is used 20 times in this book, and that word is the basic theme of the book.

Paul explains that he is an apostle, not by men nor of men (within the confines of this world system) but is an apostle by his Savior, Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him (Jesus) from the dead (vs. 1).

He extends greetings from himself and those who are with him to the specific local churches which are located in the area of Galatia. Churches are all local; they are not universal or invisible (vs 2).

To give bonafide evidence that he is living above the world, Paul gives greetings of "grace." Now, grace does not come from man but is a gift of God; and here Paul extends a greeting of grace to these churches from God the Father and Jesus Christ. Where else would this grace come from? There is no other source or treasury whereby grace can be extended. It is a heavenly greeting, not an earthly one (vs 3).

Paul gives specific attention to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He calls him Lord in verse three, and he expresses the work of Jesus Christ as our Savior in verse 4. Jesus Christ "gave himself for our sins." The Greek word for "for" is huper, and it means "in behalf of." Jesus Christ gave himself in our behalf, or in our place. When he was on the cross, he took my place. I should have been crucified, not Jesus Christ, who had no sin. I was the sinner, but I could not die for myself, nor could I suffer in the flesh for any or all of my sins. It took a Savior to die for me. Faith in Jesus Christ raises us above the elements of the world and helps us to live above the world just as it did the apostle Paul (vs. 4).

But why did Jesus die in Paul's place? The verse continues to explain to us that the reason is "that he might deliver us from this present evil world." This deliverance happens upon our being born again and allows us to live above the rudiments of the world and from under the traditions of men. We can live in and by the Spirit of God and can enjoy Heaven's best blessings without the help of people or things in earth. Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (vs. 4)

It is the will of God, our Father,that we live above the world, having our conversation in heaven (Phil. 3:20), our minds on Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), and having a separation from the world (1 John 2:15; 2 Cor. 6:17).

This is all done to the glory of God, and this glory will last forever and ever. Ephesians 3:21 tells us that his glory is gained in the church (the local churches), and that glory will endure forever. May God be please to both prompt us to live above the world and to separate ourselves from the world and its traditions, as Paul did, so that we may be proper instruments of service to his honor and glory.

The Bible vs The Koran

2010-07-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Bible, God’s word, is the most wonder, beautiful, trusted book in the world. If Christians had no Bible, they would be helpless, and faith would be in vain. But we have a Bible. Read it often; memorize it; hide its words in your heart that you might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). Preserved properly in the King James Version, we use it in all the teachings and devotions at First Baptist Church.

At this point in history, America is at a crossroads of religion. America, as all of us know, was established upon, not only Biblical principles, but more specifically upon Christian principles. This is not to say that Biblical and Christian principles are at variance, but it is to be noted that many people who are not Christians believe the Bible. America has not falsely been called a Christian nation.

The crossroads seem to be upon religious grounds, and it is a charge of controversy against many of the axioms of the Koran. It seems that the Koran has taken the place of the Bible in many educational institutions and in other areas of American life.

We all know that God has a Son named Jesus and that He is the “only begotten” Son of God, that he was given in death and resurrection for our sins, and that he saves anyone who will come to him in repentance and faith. The Koran denies this in several passages: “… Jesus, the son of Mary, was no more than God’s apostle … God is but one God. God forbid that he should have a son.” (4:171). “Praise be to God, who has never begotten a son; who has no partner in his Kingdom (17:111).

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

Compare Hosea 11:1 with Matt. 2:15.

In Memory

2010-06-01T05:45:00.000-07:00

By Pastor Ronnie Wolfe - 5/27/2010

A nation built by death and tears
Has come to lax throughout the years
And, cumbered with so many things,
Listens not as the sparrow sings.

She dances in the dark of night,
Entertains her friends till light,
Sleeps till noon in light of day,
And throws her memories far away.

Remembers not the battle cry,
The swords, the planes in the warrior sky,
Nor thinks of men who gave their lives,
The wounds on which this country thrives.

Look back again, my country fair
At noble men out there somewhere,
Who gave it all for thee to live,
For younger ones their lives to give.

Now sits a country tilting free
Upon the fulcrum all can see.
Which way to turn to set us free?
Forget not “sea to shining sea.”

Muslim Wins Religion Prize

2010-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

A man by the name of Eboo Patel has won the Grawemeyer religion prize from the University of Louisville and the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Mr. Patel is an adviser to the White House's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Mr. Patel's organization, Interfaith Youth Core, is now active in 75 college campuses "for exposing young people to pluralism to help counteract the influence of religious radicals." [The Christian Century, December 29, 2009, pg. 17].

Mr. Patel was named one of "America's Best Leaders 2009" by U. S. News & World Report. Everyone should watch this man and others like him, because his intention may not be the most honest one. His intention may be a deceitful acquiescence to the faith of Islam. The article in The Christian Century ends with a citation from Harvard's Kennedy School Review "as one of the 'five future policy leaders to watch.'"

Take that for what it is worth, and it is worth taking a look and watching the coming events from these organizations and Mr. Patel.

Oh Death!

2010-05-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

By Pastor Dr. Ronnie Wolfe – May 5, 2010

Oh death, that ceaseless wonder
That grasps the very depths of comprehension,
That awesome, capturing wonder,
That captures all its prey with stark attention:

How weak the cumbrous provisions
Made by men in useless preparation
For that fateful day of death,
When no one in himself meets else but desperation

Your grasp and grip are strong;
Your hold more strong than all imagination;
Retreat from your cold clutch
Seems now a gross exaggeration

Hold fast, oh death, your duty;
Grip your prey with one eternal chord.
Ne’er loose, oh death, your order,
Lest prey arise from grave, your solemn word.

As there you held our Savior,
But let him slip that one remembered day;
Ne’er loose the dead now sleeping
Lest by one promise the chosen slip away.

How ignorant you, oh death,
That you should think yourself so vast, eternal.
Your strength in human sin,
The power of grace superior and supernal.

The sting of death has victory,
Swallowed up by sovereign grace divine.
Your horrid blanket o’er my body
Brings no fear: your putred stench not mine.

For there waits blessed victory
My soul redeemed from death and human sin.
God’s blood cleansed my transgressions,
His life was giv’n my fallen soul to win.

Oh death, be calmly quiet;
Your days are numbered like human bones decay.
For then the day death dies
Brings victory, flesh and soul, in glorious day.

Simple Faith

2010-05-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

We hear much about simple faith, and we as Baptists do believe in only faith for salvation. But we need to be careful about using the phrase “simple faith.” This subject has been a topic of great controversy among Baptists in the past.

During the early days of Baptists in America, these churches had to contend with many controversies. One was that of the anti-mission Baptists; another was the controversy over baptismal regeneration; and a third was the doctrine of Sademanianism. The Baptist theologian of the 19th century, Andrew Fuller, named this doctrine in 1812 in a book with twelve letters entitled “Strictures On Sandemanianism.” He says in this book that he calls this doctrine by this name, because no one has used any other name; so Mr. Fuller named it after its originator, Robert Sandeman.

This doctrine states that a person can make a simply “intellectual assent” to the truth of the Bible and be regenerated in that way. This is what many call “simple faith.” We do believe in “faith alone,” but not in a simple intellectual faith. I fear that too many people who call themselves Christians have a simple intellectual faith in Jesus Christ. But true faith in Jesus Christ involves both our emotions and our minds. Before I tasted honey, I did not like it; but after I tasted it, I wanted more and more honey. The same is true with Jesus Christ. Peter said in 1 Peter 2:2-3 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Faith is a taste of eternal things that directs our minds and hearts toward Jesus Christ, and we love him and serve him with a true heart. I have never lost my taste for honey.

Look for an article in The Baptist Defence on this in the next issue.

The Newness In Resurrection

2010-04-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Rev. 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

A New Life — 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Jesus’ resurrection brought new life with assurance to believers. It guarantees that this new life will be sustained by the Spirit of God, and his promises will be fulfilled completely unto our eternal abode with Jesus Christ.

A New Day — The new day of worship, Sunday, was practiced in New Testament days because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This new day depicts the wonder of Jesus’ resurrection and celebrates the new life, the new beginning, in every new believer. It is to be observed as the Lord’s day, and it is not to be forsaken. Heb. 10:25 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.

A New Covenant — Jer. 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: — Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. — Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Keeping The Foundations

2010-03-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

Psalm 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Three of the foundations that we should not allow to be destroyed are (1) the Bible, (2) the church, and (3) the family. These have been found in scripture and in society to be the building blocks of a righteous society. Without these solid foundations any nation is doomed to the rule of the wicked. Prov. 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

The Bible As A Foundation

When I speak of the Bible, I speak of the lineage of manuscripts upon which the King James Version of the Bible was translated. The Tyndale Bible, the Geneva Bible (which our founding fathers used), and several other editions came from the same good manuscripts, a line that has been preserved down through the centuries. In the mid to late 1800's new manuscripts were found, and new versions of the Bible have been produced from these discarded manuscripts. The King James Version was translated and published in 1611, and it brought many revivals and spiritual growth for over 270 years until a version came out in 1880, which was based upon the newly found Greek manuscripts. Many of the people who use the new versions of the Bible develop a disrespect and even a hatred for the King James Version. Show me the revivals and the spiritual growth that has come from these new versions. God has preserved his word, and it is the same word that was written by the prophets of old (2 Peter 1:21), the same scriptures that were being written in Timothy's day (2 Tim. 3:16), the same scriptures that were to have a completeness (1 Cor. 13:10), and the same scriptures that are not to be appended (Rev. 22:18).

The Church

Christ's kind of church is a local assemble of baptized believers in Christ who are covenanted to a dedication of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). The writer of Hebrews says that we are not to forsake assembling in that local church (Heb. 10:25). Jesus Christ receives glory in his churches (Eph. 3:21), and the church of Jesus Christ is the pillar and ground (foundation) of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).

The Family

God instituted the family in the Garden of Eden, bringing together one man and one woman to be one flesh. They were later commanded to replenish (fill) the earth with their offspring (Gen. 1:28; 9:1). The importance of the family is taught all through the scriptures. The Bible teaches us that we are to train up our children in the way of the Lord (Deut. 6:7; Eph. 6:4). Our children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). They are as arrows (Psalm 127:4-5), and the quiver should be full (remember, some quivers are larger than others).

If these foundations be kept up and supported, we can live in righteousness. These foundations crumble with age, and they are fragile to many opposing blows; and that is the reason that we need to constantly keep them repaired. Once they have been damaged, it is very difficult to repair them.

Prayer, scripture reading, church attendance, righteous living, and witnessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ are things that will help keep these foundations in repair; for, if the foundations be destroyed, what will the righteous do? We have nowhere else to turn.

Perfect Peace

2010-02-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3.

What is perfect peace? It is a peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). It is the peace of God (Phil. 4:7; Col. 3:15). It is peace with God (Rom. 5:1).

There is no peace in the earth except that peace which rests in the hearts of believers in God and his Son, Jesus Christ. This peace resides deep in the recesses of the inner being of the believer. It is difficult to understand and to explain. Like the calm which Jesus manifested as he slept on the boat in the midst of a vehement storm (Matt. 8:24), like the calm on the sea just after the Lord said "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39), we can have this same peace in our hearts, though the world give us grief, trouble, and sorrow.

There is no break in perfection: it is constant and continuous. This perfect peace rises above our trials and our worries. It settles arguments and brings friendships. It edifies saints and enhances fellowship among believers. That is because it is God's peace. There is a song that says so correctly, "There's a deep settled peace in my soul."

If you do not have that spiritual peace with God, you can through faith in Jesus Christ, his Son, believing that he died to pay for sin, that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Bring your heart and soul into that permanent peace with God through justification by faith (Romans 5:1).

The Purpose of Proverbs

2010-02-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

The wisdom of Solomon is manifested to us at its best in the book of Proverbs. These terse and touching maxims from the Holy Spirit are comfort to the soul and correction for the body and mind. Solomon wrote these proverbs for several reasons.

(1) To know wisdom, which all of us need. James tells us that, if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God. We all do lack it to a perfect degree, and the wisdom of God's word is paramount in our lives as a result.

(2) To know instruction, which without we would be blundering anarchists of the worst sort. God has given his word for "correction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).

(3) To perceive the words of understanding, of which the Bible teaches us that we have none (Rom. 3:11).

(4) To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. We are all ready to hear instruction, but we are not so ready to receive it in our hearts and minds to obey it. Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22; cf Prov 21:3).

(5) To give subtilty to the simple. The Hebrew word for "subtilty" means "shrewd, crafty, or prudent." That is, the proverbs give to the simple the wisdom that the learned world tries to grasp but falls so much short of.

(6) To give to the young man knowledge and discretion. The Hebrew word for "discretion" can also be translated "purpose." A man (person) needs a purpose in life, and the word of God will give that to him.

We should give ourselves to reasoning which is developed from God's word. These proverbs will give us opportunity for much deep thought and contemplation. We should read a little every day and be wise servants of Jesus Christ.

Baptist History Vindicated - J. T. Christian

2009-11-13T15:44:00.000-08:00

Peter's Conclusion

2009-10-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 5:12-14

Silvanus the Brother, 12

Being, no doubt, delivered by the hands of Silvanus (Silas) to the church or churches to whom Peter is writing is a faithful brother to those written to as well as to Peter. We have many brothers just like this in our day, who are instantly willing to do whatever they are able to do in order that the Kingdom of Christ may be continued and exalted and that the Gospel be preached throughout the world.

Peter sent with his concluding remarks the idea that the true grace of God is existent and confessed among those to whom Peter is writing. The true grace of God is his electing grace (1 Peter 1:2), and it is a grace wherein we are to stand continually and not to forsake, which some have done in our day, becoming lackadaisical and unconcerned about the work of the Lord. We should always stand in the grace of God, always busy about the Father's business. This is our life-long vocation.

The Church At Babylon, 13

This church was, no doubt, made up of pure-blooded Jews who did not return to Judah from Babylon when they were taken away in the captivity. The Gospel had got to them, and they were saved by the true grace of God. Peter is here acknowledging them; otherwise, we would have no knowledge today of their existence. It is believed that this letter was written from Babylon.

It is miraculously by grace that God would find and save people who seem to have been forgotten by God at the time when he was sending Jewish people back into their land after the 70-year captivity. But God has not forgotten his people nor forsaken them. He will save all his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).

From Babylon, that deceitfully beautiful city with all of its idolatry, its prostitution, its wantonness and greed has in it a remnant who have been touched by the true grace of God; and these lovely people, who have been saved amidst all of this degradation, are now saluting the people to whom Peter is writing as fellow saints of God with Christian love and generosity.

The Holy Kiss, 14

Peter wishes them cordiality and love among themselves, for without love the grace of God is squandered and misrepresented (See 1 Cor. 13 for the more excellent way). Love among brethren is paramount in our ministries today. We must "love the brethren," for this is a genuine testimony of the grace of God that has been worked in our souls (1 John 3:14).

Peter wishes them peace, not world peace, but the peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7), that peace with God (Rom. 5:1) that is greater than world peace, and the peace of God (Col. 3:15) which rules in our hearts and pushes us on toward the prize of the high calling of God (Phil. 3:14). The only way we can have this peace, Peter explains, is through Christ Jesus. He is the only way, truth and life (John 14:6). Neither is there any other name whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

So ends the book of 1 Peter with many instructions on how to live the new life that we have in Christ Jesus. He has mentioned many things that affect our individual lives and also church life. This book should be read often and heeded. May God be our guide to follow this instruction for the duration of this short life. Amen.

Humility Among Church Members

2009-10-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 5:5-11

Humility In The Church, 5

The younger are the common members of the church, since in Biblical days pastors were usually the "elder" of the membership. These younger are to submit unto the elder, or the pastor(s) of the church. This humility is a genuine character of a true believer. It is warranted among the young of any church. The elders, or pastors, are to be respected highly. The younger are also to submit themselves to other elder ones who are not pastors. In this they can learn the true Christian graces and the practical work of serving in the Lord's church.

There is also to be a general submission or humility among all the members of a church. We are all to be clothed with humility. God gives us the reason we are to be clothed with humility: God resists the proud. This is a quote taken from Proverbs 3:34. In this passage, Solomon puts it this way Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. God scorns the scorners; therefore, we do not need to scorn the scorners. Our job is to be humble, and God will take care of the scorners. He will give grace unto the lowly. James 4:6 tells us that he giveth more grace.

Humility To Be Done, 6

We are to humble ourselves. This is not something that God does without our surrender. Our proud hearts and arrogant character must be subdued, and that submission must be done by our own hearts. If our hearts are humbled, God will exalt us in due time but not until that time.

How To Be Humble, 7-9

The first step to humility is to cast all our care upon him (God). We can trust him, because he cares for us.

The second step to humility is to be sober, that is, sober-minded and vigilant (watchful); because the devil is seeking whom he may devour. He would love to ruin our reputation and cause us to fall into temptation.

The third step to humility is to resist the devil and to remember that our brethren who are serving Christ also have the same temptations and the same testings from the devil, who would love to make us a castaway and ruin our testimony for Christ.

What Will God Do? 10-11

Peter prays that God will bring each believer through the sufferings of this life and into that glorious entrance into the eternal heavens where every believer will be perfect, established, strengthened, and settled. This will be done, and it will be done to the glory of God, who has glory and dominion forever and ever.

This life is a path of genuine suffering and service. It is a path of genuine humility before God, and God will reward each believer in his own good time. We are looking forward to a grand entrance into that eternity that God has promised everyone who loves him and trusts him as Savior.

The New Life In Service As An Elder

2009-10-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 5:1-4

The Position

Each elder of a church, or pastor of a church, is exhorted or encouraged by Peter. He is mentioning their position before the church, a position that should not be taken for granted or one that should be boasted about or allowed to swell up the preacher's ego. The position is a good work (1 Timothy 3:1), and it is one that should be respected; but it is not one that is to be allowed to make a man arrogant or proud. It is a position of service. Paul told the Colossians that "ye serve the Lord Christ," Col. 3:24.

The Purpose

The purpose of the elder is to "feed the flock of God." This feeding comes from the word of God, Jeremiah says in 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Each believer in a church who hears the word of God will rejoice in the truth; and those who have been in error and who have found the truth are thrilled at how the word of God itself transforms their minds and gives them contentment and consolation in God's word alone.

Another purpose of the elder or pastor of a church is "taking the oversight." This is the leadership of the pastor, and it is a tender vocation; for we as pastors are not to oversee the Lord's flock as furious lords over God's heritage but as tender nurses who take care of little babies. Paul told the Thessalonians that he was gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children (1 Thess. 2:7). Being a nurse is neither an easy nor a pleasant job, but it is a needed job. Rather than being proud, then, as elders, we should be as nurses cherishing the Lord's flock.

This job is not to be taken by constraint (by the pressure of another pastor or of mother or father) but willingly, as God would lead by his Holy Spirit, who will both prepare the heart and place the man into this ministry as he sees fit. It is not to be taken for greedy gain (filthy lucre) but of a ready mind, a mind that is intent upon doing the job and willing to study to show oneself a workman that needs not be ashamed.

The Problem

The problem with being an elder is that ego can very easily get in the way of service. Rather than being lords over God's heritage, we are to be examples of believers. Paul told Timothy in 1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. This is the duty of an elder. The problem is that our own ego and arrogance sometimes hinders us from doing this very thing.

The Prize

If we serve the Lord Jesus Christ as elders in a way that pleases God, then we shall receive a prize, which is a "crown of glory that fadeth not away." No one knows what this crown looks like or actually what it is, but we know that whatever it is, its glory will shine in our behalf because of our surrender to the service of God. It is not that we deserve this crown, but it is that God desires to reward us with this prize. We are to work for this prize, for Paul said in Phil. 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Why would God give a church elder a prize for simply surrendering to his service? It is because that is God's will for us. Notice what Paul said to the Philippians in 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Part of this surrender is to be willing to suffer for Christ's sake. If we do not suffer for him, then we will not pursue the prize of the high calling of God. Let us be true to God and make ourselves of no reputation, as Jesus did (Phil. 2:7).

Living The New Life With Suffering

2009-09-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 4:12-19

The Fiery Trial, 12

There is a trial of which Peter warns these believers. John Gill suggests that it may be the trial of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, but this does not seem to be the sense of verse 12. There is a common trial that comes upon Christians daily or at least from time to time. This is the same as the tribulations referred to in Acts 14:22 ". . . and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.." It is also the same as the divers temptations of James 1:2 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;" We all as believers should expect the trial of our faith.

The Joy, 13-14

We can rejoice in our trial, because we are partaking of Christ's sufferings We will one day be glad when Jesus comes again in his revelation. The two words "rejoice" and "be glad" are the same Greek word. The word "happy" in verse 14 is the same Greek word used in Matthew Chapter five that is translated "blessed." We are to have this happiness when we are reproached for Christ's name. When we are reproached, the spirit of glory and of God is resting upon us. In other words, we cannot be happy unless we have the spirit of glory and of God. Even though others speak evil of God, we glorify his name in our speech. God through his Son, Jesus Christ, is our only Savior and Lord. How can we do else but glorify his name?

The Suffering, 15-19

We as believers are never to suffer for our sins, being punished by the law or by God for the sins mentioned in verse 15; we should be ashamed of committing any of these sins. But if we suffer as Christians, we need not be ashamed, for we glorify God in doing so.

Judgment begins at the house of God, which is the church of the Lord, Jesus Christ; and if it begins here and God is the judge of the righteous, then what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel? The righteous are "scarcely saved," meaning that they cannot come to righteousness except by the grace of God. If this is true, then what about the ungodly sinner?

We should as believers commit the keeping of our souls to God, who is the faithful Creator.

Living The New Life With Love

2009-08-20T08:12:00.001-07:00

1 Peter 4:8-11

See also the blog from May 26, 2009

What these verses say is "above all things." That means that it is a serious priority for our consideration. The subject of this section of scripture, love, is incumbent upon each and every one of us to love one another, and not only to love one another, but to love one another fervently. I see that the Greek word for fervent literally means "stretched out." This means that the love wherewith we are to love one another is one that is to be stretched out, or one that lingers long, even to the end of life.

The reason for the fervent love (charity) is in order to cover a multitude of sins: each one of us has a multitude of sins. There is not a one of us who does not have enough sins to stretch over the entire earth and back again, enough to reach through space almost endlessly. The only thing that will cover sins is love. John 3:16 expresses God's love toward his people in that he forgave us our sins so that we shall never perish. We should reflect this divine love one to another so that we, also, may have our sins covered, covered that they may not be brought up and reminded and rebuked continually. This fervent love between believers will make our co-existence not only easier but formidable.

The Greek word for "hospitality" means literally "the love of strangers." If we would just learn to love one another as believers, we would not need to worry about strangers. No Christian should be a stranger to another Christian. We have a communion together that makes every new believer we meet a common fellow.

Now this love and hospitality is a gift, as shown in verse 10. God has given believers many gifts, and this is a primary one, one that we should use on a daily basis to live the new life with love, thus being good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Now when we speak to one another, we should speak the truths of the "oracles of God," the word of God that is always pure and perfect. No believer should ever be offended at another believer when he hears the truth from God's word. It is the word of God which brings us to repentance and conversion in our daily lives. We should read the word often and listen to it in conversation and in teaching and preaching, verse 11.

All this living with love and listening and preaching the word of God is done to the glorification of Jesus Christ, for it is to him that we owe our praise, and to him belongs dominion forever and forever. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and he has brought us together as believers to be one in Christ through his blood. With love we can have a divine communion one with another, and no believer will be a stranger to us.

Living The New Life Judged By God

2009-08-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 4:4-7

The Wicked's Attitude

The wicked think it is strange that we who are God's children do not follow them to their drunken party, why we do not enjoy their excess of riot and their sin in general. They wonder why we do not enjoy their music, their jokes, and their language. Since we have been changed by God's grace, our interests are different now. Old things are passed away, and all things are become new (2 Cor. 5:17).

Sometimes the lost will try to encourage us to be involved in things that Christians should not do, and that is when we must say "No." They, then, speak evil of us as though we are the ones who are in the wrong. Their lost mind cannot understand why we turn away from these evil things.

The Wicked's Judgment

These wicked ones must give an account to God, but they do not think that they will ever meet him. One day they will understand that our trust in Christ's second coming is not to no avail. Every evil person will stand before the Judge of all.

But not only will God judge the wicked; he will also judge the righteous (Eccl. 3:17). Our text says that he will judge the quick (living) and the dead.

Judgment In The Flesh

The Gospel was preached to those who are dead, literally dead, those who have died in the past who are in Christ. The world judged them in the flesh, but they lived according to God in the spirit. This is how we live today: toward God in our spirit, because his Spirit bears witness to our spirit that we are the children of God. Therefore, we are to be sober and to watch in prayer, watch for the judgment of God upon both the lost and the saved.

Judgment At His Coming

The end of all things is at hand. Anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ, his death, burial, resurrection, and his precious blood will be judged according to God's mercy. Let's live in this world knowing that we are his children and that God's judgment is just with mercy through the death of Jesus Christ.

Living The New Life With A New Mind

2009-08-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 4:1-3

The most magnanimous event in history is that Jesus suffered for us, the just for the unjust. He suffered the penalty of Hell in the place of the sinner who comes to know Jesus Christ as Savior. What an adventure of suffering was this! He suffered Hell for us. Of all the theological discussions people can have, this one brings the greatest discussion, difference of opinion, and the greatest joy to those who understand it biblically.

Because Jesus has done this for us, we must arm ourselves with that same mind, the mind of surrender to God's will, even if it is unto death (See Phil. 2:5-8). This same mind, because the one who has suffered in the flesh (while still alive) has ceased from sin. When faith came to each individual believer, he suffered with Christ "in the flesh" through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, he has ceased from sin; that is, he has a part of himself that does not sin, yea, cannot sin (1 John 3:9). The spirit of a man who has faith in Christ does not and cannot sin. It is regenerated and secured by the grace and the Spirit of God, verse 1.

Therefore, that believer who has ceased from sin should no longer live in this life to the lusts of of men, lost men who do not know Jesus Christ as their Master; but he should live his life to the will of God, following the scriptural mandates for the believer and developing the character of a true Christian, verse 2.

The past life, which we lived among the Gentiles when we were lost in our sins, is not to command our lives, but the grace of God is to be recognized, embraced, and pursued for growth and understanding (2 Peter 3:18).

The ways we walked in those days in our lost condition are listed in order to remind us of our old mind, our old attitude, in comparison to our new one in Christ. (1) lasciviousness, which is unbridled lust and excess of sin; (2) lust, which the strong desire to sin--which was our nature under the law; (3) excess of wine, which, of course, intimates drunkenness; (4) revelings, which indicates half-drunken men and women who have late-night parties of excessive revelry; (5) banquetings, which indicates, again, drunken parties and feasts; and (6) abominable idolatries, which, of course, indicates the worship of false gods.

Notice the progression of these sins. Not only does the first lead to the second and the third, etc., but each sin gets deeper into the character of the sinner, thus pulling him down to habitual lust and sin; but also the root and ground of the matter is mentioned last. Idolatry is at the root and base of sin. Remember that every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed (James 1:14), verse 3.

This should be our mind:

(1) The mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16)
(2) The mind of humility (Phil. 2:5; Acts 20:19; Rom. 12:16; Col 3:12)
(3) The renewed mind (Rom. 12:2)
(4) The mind of service (Rom. 7:25)
(5) One mind to the glory of God (Rom. 15:6)
(6) A willing mind (2 Cor. 8:12)
(7) A ready mind (2 Cor. 8:19; 1 Peter 5:2)
(8) A sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7)

Living The New Life With A Good Conscience

2009-08-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 3:16-22

Some people speak evil of Christians, and this is seemingly getting worse as time goes on. But we need to understand that, in the midst of the world's calling us evil, we are to have a good conscience, assured that we are God's children, saved by his grace and kept by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5). When men speak lies about us, we should show our good conscience and assurance in Christ, therefore making them ashamed. They will also be ashamed when they stand before Almighty God in judgment. If we are to suffer, it is better to suffer for good instead of evil. Never should it be said that a Christian suffers for wrongdoing, because we are to be ye therefore perfect, even as my Father in heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:48). If we are to suffer, it should be for Christ's sake, verses 16-17.

Christ, our great Example, suffered for sins, but not for his own but for ours, the just (Christ) for the unjust (the sinner). He was obedient unto death, because it was his Father's will and plan (Phil 2:8). He did this that he might bring us to God, his Father, where he is and where we shall be later (See John 17:24). He died in the flesh, but he was alive in the Spirit. When the body dies, the spirit is still alive. When Jesus died, Jesus' Spirit went to be with his Father (Luke 23:46).

By this same Spirit Jesus, through Noah, went and preached to the spirits "in prison," the prison of sin and captivity of the lost soul. These were the people who lived during the life of Noah and during the time the ark was being prepared. Jesus spoke to these sinners by his Spirit through Noah the precious message of the Gospel. They were warned to pending doom to every soul who did not trust God's divine word. In that time only eight souls were saved: Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives. These were saved "by water," which does not, of course, indicate that they were saved by means of the water, for the water was for the destruction of those sinners who rejected the message of Noah. They were saved by water in that the water was a testimony of their earnest trust in God. Many may have said they believed what Noah said or what God was going to do; but until they were willing to step into the ark, their faith was vain. Many believe in that same way today. Water did not save Noah's family; the ark did.

Now this is a figure, a shadow, a type of baptism and how it saves us today. Baptism does not literally save us, but it is a testimony of our salvation, thus giving us a good conscience toward God. We are answering to God's demand, his will, and his plan. We are committing ourselves to his service in being baptized in water. Verse 21 is broken by a parenthesis. By excluding it from the reading one can understand the basic sentence, which is The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also save us . . . by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as the water lifted up the ark to be a testimony of God's grace to Noah, so our baptism lifts up the resurrection of Jesus Christ as that which actually saves us, verse 21.

Now this is the same Jesus Christ who is gone into heaven by ascension (Acts 1:11). He is now at the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:56) where he is making intercession for us (Heb. 7:25). Angels and authorities and powers kneel at his presence and serve him as King of kings and Lord of lords, verse 22.

There is nothing greater than to serve Jesus unless it is having a good conscience toward God. As believers we are to "have a good conscience." If we know that we are doing right, we need not be ashamed whether we are at peace or whether we suffer for Christ's sake. May God help us to have a good conscience.

Living The New Life - Giving An Answer

2009-07-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 3:8-15

In this section of scripture Peter is setting up the believer to be able to give an answer to everyone who might ask the reason of the hope that lies within us. How do we prepare to give this answer? These verses will give some insight.

First, we are to be of one mind, not disagreeing with our fellow believers on the foundation of truth that is revealed by God through prophets and apostles. We must all agree with truth; if not, we will not give a right answer.

Second, we are to show compassion toward one another. This shows that we are in agreement with the truth and that there is a love between believers in Christ that transcends the love of the world. Peter details this love further when he mentions being pitiful and courteous toward people in general. We are not to seek revenge but show a blessing to all people with our love and pity, because we are called unto this, verse 9.

Third, we are to be very careful about what we say and how we say it, not speaking any evil or guile (deceit). People actually listen, not only to what we say, but how we say it; and this speaks volumes as to our witness of the truth, verse 10.

Fourth, we are to turn away from(eschew) evil and do good. These two things go hand in hand. We cannot do one without doing the other. We are to seek peace and follow after(ensue) it. In other words, we are not to be confrontational. This we do, because God is always watching us, and his ears are listening to our prayers, but the face of the Lord is against (turned away from) them that do evil, verses 11-12.

Fifth, we need to understand that no one wants to harm a person who identifies with the aforementioned qualities. It should be very hard, according to this, to pick a fight with a believer who is giving an answer to the hope that is in him. However, there are some who desire to harm all believers, and nothing will stop them; but we need to realize that we are appointed to this (See Phil. 1:29). We are not to be afraid of their terror or to be troubled by them (See Gal. 2:6), verses 13-14.

Sixth, we are to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts: be aware that God is with you wherever you go (Psalm 23:4). Be in constant awareness of God's presence, because he said "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5), verse 15.

Then, when all of these qualities have been obtained in our new life, we shall be in a position to give an answer to everyone who asks about the hope that is in us, and we can do it with meekness and fear: meekness, because these qualities give us self-confidence and bring us to our knees in the presence of our God; and fear, because we know that, when we answer the truth, we are answering the very words of God from his word. What an awesome challenge for every believer!

Living The New Life - Wives and Husbands

2009-07-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 3:1-7

The word likewise in verse one refers back to 2:13, which instructs those living the new life to submit to every ordinance of man, etc. Peter here deals with the wives and then the husbands.

He speaks, first, of women in general, telling them that they should be in subjection to their own husbands. This should be a thing that is simply assumed, but evidently it is not, since God reminds us here through Peter about it. Ladies, set it in your mind to do what these verses instruct you to do. Both women and men have a responsibility to God to keep his commandments.

One of the reasons that God wants women to be in subjection to their husbands is so that, if the husband (a saved man) disobeys God's word, he can be won back to a good walk in the Lord by simply seeing the obedience of his wife. This obedience, then, is an object lesson to a woman's husband, and this passage does not say how long this will take. The husband will see the wife's conversation (way of life) along with the object of that life, which is the fear of God, verse 2.

As the husband beholds the wife, she should be adorned, not with the lustful dress of the world, but with the hidden "man" of the heart, which is a meek and quiet spirit, not a spirit of disdain and constant nagging, verses 3-4.

Peter then gives an example of "the old time," using Sarah, the wife of Abraham, as an example of this meek and quiet spirit. These women in "the old time" trusted in God and were not afraid to obey God, verse 6. Sarah called Abraham "lord." This was out of respect to him as her head. This is God's way (1 Cor. 11:3).

In verse 7 Peter turns to talk to husbands concerning their wives. He says to "dwell with them." This means that the husband should not quickly leave a woman but understand his position as husband and father. He is to give honor to his wife. This Greek word for "honor" is the basic word for "precious." So, the husband should consider his wife to be precious to him. He is to consider her the "weaker vessel," refusing to use his bodily strength against her but to consider her precious, not precocious.

The husband is to consider his wife "heirs together of the grace of life" so that their prayers not be hindered. Too many times either husband or wife will think himself better than the other in one way or another; but God says they are equal spiritually in regard to the grace of life. The Bible is very clear in teaching the place of both man and woman in service of the local church, but in regard to grace, they are equal in the presence of God.

The New Life Manifested In The World

2009-06-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 2:11-25

The first thing we must understand is that we are pilgrims and strangers in this world. We do not belong here in mind and soul, though we are here in body. As pilgrims and strangers, we are to abstain from fleshly lusts. Lusts are those things that stimulate our bodies to satisfy the flesh. From this we are to abstain. The body may want to do one thing, but God may want us to do another.

We are to have a good conversation (way of life) in the world so that people in the world may see our good works and glorify God in the day of visitation (examination).

We, though we live above the world, are by the same token to submit ourselves to the laws of the land, because God has put the magistrates in their positions for our peace and safety.

We are to live as free people, because we have been made free from sin by our Savior, Jesus Christ. But we are not to take that liberty too far and use it as a "cloak of maliciousness," but we are to use that liberty to serve God.

We are to honor all men as they are due that honor, love the brotherhood (saved people), and honor the king. As servants we are to be obedient to our masters (perhaps employers)no matter what kind of master he might be.

If we suffer wrong for doing the right thing, we are to endure that suffering. We should never be guilty of wrong. In this we shall be accepted of God. Christ left us an example that we should suffer even as he has suffered. He did not sin, but he suffered nonetheless; but he committed himself to God, who judges righteously.

This section closes with the supreme example of suffering: that Jesus carried our sins up on the tree so that we, being dead to sin, may live unto righteousness. By his stripes (suffering) we are healed. We have returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. Therefore, we have a supreme Master who is above the world, and we can live above the world with his leadership.

Living The New Life - Coming To The Living Stone

2009-05-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 2:1-8

Instead of having malice (hate), guile (deceit), hypocricies, envies, and evil speakings, we are to desire the sincere milk of the word so that we might grow. This is the nature of the new life. We desire the milk of the word of God as a new-born babe desires its mother's milk.

We can do this only if we have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and he has been gracious to every one of us who has trusted in him as personal Savior. His amazing grace has both surprised us and has blessed us with spiritual blessings.

We came to him (verse 4) as to a living stone. Peter is not the rock, Jesus is. He is both Petra and Lithos (rock and stone). He is the stone that was chosen of God to be our propitiation, our substitute, our Savior. He is precious. Peter uses the word "precious" seven times in his writings. The word precious tells us that he is greater than anything that has been created, and he has a name that is above every name.

We, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house. This house is the kingdom of God, the household of faith. We are also a holy priesthood, the priesthood of the believers. Every believer is a priest of God (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). Therefore, we are to send up spiritual sacrifices to him: the sacrifice of ourselves, our talents, our minds, our prayer and praise. These will be acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. God has laid in Zion a chief cornerstone, and those who believe on him will not be confounded or ashamed.

To us who believe he is precious, but to those who do not believe, he is disallowed; but Jesus has been made the head of the corner (the Cornerstone) of his kingdom. To the unbelievers, he is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. These unbelievers, rather than desiring the sincere milk of the word, stumble at the word of God. They think the word of God is less than precious.

God has determined to save certain people in the earth, and he will save them according to his own will and purpose (Eph. 1:4), but some he has determined to leave in their sinful state. We cannot regard this as an easy doctrine, but it is one that is borne out in scripture time and time again.

The central message of these verses is that we have come to the living stone, and we are to give praise and glory as well as our lives and minds to send up spiritual sacrifices to our God, who saved us by his grace. We should, then, be grateful and thankful that we are the children of God. Let us read our Bibles and desire to know God's word so that we can work for him and send praise to him our whole lives.

Living The New Life - In Loving One Another

2009-05-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 1:22-25 - (C) 2009

Loving one another is the basic theme of these few verse of scripture. This is one of the strongest subjects of the New Testament--that of loving one another. The phrase "love one another" is mentioned 35 times in the New Testament, so it must be an important subject.

This subject is surrounded with some circumstances that make loving one another one of the most vibrant doctrines of the scriptures. In order to love one another properly we must understand some basic doctrines that give us strength to be able to accomplish this commandment.

First, we have the fact that we (those who love one another) have purified our souls by obeying the truth. Obeying the truth is the same as obeying the gospel. Obeying the gospel means that we have believed it (See Rom. 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?). When we believed the gospel, we obeyed the gospel (the truth), and our souls were purified, or sanctified, John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. This purification has given us a new life so that we can in a real way love one another.

We obeyed the truth through the Spirit of God, for without the Spirit we can do nothing. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22. The Spirit of God indwells us, for the Bible says in Rom. 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his; and if any man does not have the Spirit of God, he cannot love his neighbor in the true sense of the word.

Second, we have been born again, not by corruptible seed but by the word of God, that is the word of the gospel (See 1 Peter 1:25). This word lives and abides forever: it will never change or become corrupt as seed in the ground corrupts before it brings forth its stalk and fruit. Jesus died on the cross and came forth in his glory, but the gospel is the same in time and eternity. If we are born again with this incorruptible seed, then we can love one another truly.

Third, we find a comparison between the grass of the field and the word of the Lord. The grass "falleth away," but the word of the Lord (the gospel) never fades. It endures forever. The same word (gospel) that sustains our love one for another in this life will continue to sustain that love in timeless eternity future.

This love is an unfeigned love, one that is true and not deceiving. Having this kind of love is an evidence of our true salvation from above: 1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Living The New Life - As Obedient Children

2009-05-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 1:13-21 - (C) 2009

In living the new life as obedient children, we are not to fashion ourselves according to the former lusts in our ignorance (when we were lost in our sins). Paul said in the book to the Romans in Rom. 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. We are living a new life, not the old life under the law and under sin, whereby sin reigned in our flesh.

Living Hopefully

1 Peter 1:13 tells us that we are to be sober (sober-minded) so that we can hope to the end of grace. That end is our deliverance from this world at the return of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Many believers do not live hopefully; they live as though they are burdened down with yesterday's and today's burdens and problems. If we were to look to the future at the grace that will be ours in our great deliverance, we would not be so anxious about the things that come to us every day of our lives.

Living Holily

1 Peter 1:15 tells us that we should be holy in all manner of conversation (practices of life). We should consider everything that we do whether it is holy or whether it will bring shame to our Savior or bring disgrace to our own witness. Peter alludes to a scripture in the Old Testament to call us to holy living: Lev. 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

Living Fearfully

Notice 1 Peter 1:17 says that we are to pass the time here on earth with fear; that is, if we call on the Father, who judges without respect of persons. Everyone wants God to be his Father, but we must all remember that he is the Great Judge of all. He will not count us guiltless who claim him as our Father and then disregard the judgment of God, for one believer is no greater than another in God's judgment. We are to fear this judgment, for he will judge every man's work--my work and your work. He will not allow one work to go unjudged. We should live in the fear that we might disobey him in his commandments; therefore, we should study his commandments, meditate in them day and night, and obey every one without slackness.

Living Redeemed

Part of living this new life is to know that we were redeemed, but not with corruptible things such as silver and gold or from the religious practices from the tradition from our fathers. We were, however, redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who is without spot. Notice 1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: This Redeemer was foreordained to be our Redeemer, and he was manifested (shown) unto us in these last days for us to love and appreciate and obey.

Living Faithfully

We believe in God by Jesus Christ, his election and calling, and his mercy and grace. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). God raised him from the dead, which is the crux of the Gospel, the living value of the life and work of Jesus Christ, that in which we have our justification. Our faith and hope are in God through Jesus Christ; therefore, it is important that we live this new life by faith. Remember, the just shall live by faith (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38).

This is an awesome new life that we are living, but we are not living it for our own benefit but for the glory of God. Jesus is the reason for our faith, the awesome object of our faith, and the finishing of our faith. Through faith in Jesus Christ we have abounding grace and sustaining faith that will lead us into a bright future. We cannot lose, because Rom. 8:31 says, What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Living The New Life - The New Life Begun

2009-05-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 1:1-12 - (C) 2009

Here we find the beginning of the new life in Christ. Peter explains to the strangers scattered the beginning of spiritual life. Every believer knows about this beginning. He knows that he was once dead and now he is alive. He knows that he has been spiritually resurrected from the dead and that he lives in the Spirit of God.

Peter in these verses gives us some theological insight regarding the beginning of our new life. He speaks, first, of election. The word election means chosen. We who are saved have been chosen. Notice Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: This election, or God's choosing us before the world began, has to do with his foreknowledge, knowing his people intimately beforehand.

The Spirit of God has been sanctified, or set apart, for the purpose of bringing us to conviction and faith in Jesus Christ: John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: . This was not done, however, without the obedience of Christ in sprinkling his blood from the cross, washing our sins in that precious blood so that he could bring us to God (See Rev. 1:5; 1 Peter 2:18-19).

He has begotten us again (verse 3) unto a lively, or living, hope by his resurrection from the dead. Because Jesus Christ is no longer dead, neither are we dead but have been resurrected unto new life to an inheritance, one that does not corrupt, is not defiled, and that does not fade away. However, that inheritance is reserved in heaven for we who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, and it will be revealed in due time.

Because of all that God has done for us, we are to rejoice greatly even though we have many temptation. If the preamble to this book does not ring loud and true in your ears, then you will not be prepared for the trials that will most certainly come your way; because the trial of our faith is more precious than gold. These trials must be tried; otherwise, they are not trials. These trials are to bring glory and praise to God at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Though we have not seen Jesus, yet we love him: we believe in him, for salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Now, even though we have trials, we rejoice with a joy that is unspeakable but is full of glory to God.

The prophets inquired into this salvation and searched diligently to know more about it, but the mysteries of this salvation were for us, not them. The Spirit of God was in those prophets (See Numbers 27:8 and Nehemiah 9:30), and they prophesied about the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow those sufferings.

The angels desire to look into the mysteries of salvation, but salvation does not pertain to them; it pertains only to God's chosen. This should make us, his chosen, very grateful and humble.

The new life has begun; now we must live it. It is to God that we live it, not to ourselves. We shall see many ways in which we can live this new life taught to us by the apostle Peter.

My Mother

2009-05-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

MY MOTHER
By Pastor Ronnie Wolfe
May 7, 2009

Her softest voice gave comfort sweet.
Her gentle hands gave peace.
Melodious voice soothed every soul.
And gave my heart release.

Her calm reminder of my wrong
And sternest interjection
Gave me pause to think the right
For sin a strong rejection.

Her skill amazed me as I watched
Her hands sew stitch to stitch.
The finest garments we all wore.
They satisfied our itch.

Her faith was strong, my constant guide
To draw me to my God.
Her Bible near and full of cheer
She taught me how to love.

God took her home to live with Him,
And all our hearts fell ill,
But we know how to remain strong;
Her heart is with us still.

Obama And Messiahship

2009-04-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

Now, I am not interested in simply belittling Barack Obama. I know that each one of us should pray for him as our president that God will give him guidance to lead our country in the right way. But I cannot help noticing that he has been considered by many to be, if not the Messiah, at least in some ways like the real Messiah, Jesus Christ.

To show how many people relate to his being the Messiah, you may have noticed that a painting of him with arms outstretched and a crown of thorns on his head to be unveiled on April 29, 2009, in New York City. Also, a sculptor in Des Moines, Iowa, created a statue of Obama riding on a donkey depicting his "triumphal entry" just as Jesus had his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem in New Testament days. On January 24, 2009, he paraded this sculpture in an inaugural parade.

Even Obama himself said, "Contrary to popular belief, I was not born in a manger. I was born on Krypton." He seems to think of himself, maybe not as much a Messiah as a superman who is out to save the world.

Remember, though, that there were two opinions of Jesus when he was here on the earth. Many believed on him as the real Messiah who came to save his people from their sins, but many others believed that he was a blasphemer (Matt. 9:3). They did not believe that he was really God (Matt. 13:55); they said he was only the carpenter's son. Even his disciples misunderstood him, thinking that he would set up his kingdom at this time in the world against the Roman government. And even when he died and was resurrected, they did not believe it. Remember that Jesus said ". . . for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."

The real Messiah was not a blasphemer. He was really and truly God in the flesh (Immanuel). He did not set up his kingdom at that time but will later. He did die and raised himself up from the dead (John 10:15, 17, 18; 13:37).

Which one of these Messiahs is Obama? Is he the one who came to save the world through his own death, burial and resurrection? Or is he the other one? Think about it?

Family Web Site

2009-04-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you have an interest in the Wolf-Wolfe/Blackburn/Jenkins/Maddox Web site, you may write me an e-mail at rwolfe2080@aol.com, and I will send you an invitation to join us to view new and old pictures of the family and be able to upload pictures that pertain to these families and will be of interest to the viewers.

Thanks to all who are visiting regularly to the web site. The more the merrier.

New Hate Crime Law

2009-04-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

A frightening law is being considered in this country's House of Representative. It is a new Hate Crime Law, called David's Law from David Ray.

This new law would find at fault acts of hate, including "perceived" hate. This is very discomfitting to me. If someone has a particular sensitivity to a word or phrase, he may consider it a hate crime when he hears the word or phrase--it could be perceived to be hate when it actually may have no hate involved.

This is HB 256.

Harry Jackson, Jr. of High Impact Leadership Coalition, believes that this bill will give homosexuals a protected status -- http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=379590

“This part of the bill means [H.R. 256] will very quickly turn into a speech crime law,” explains Rev. Ted Pike, a Christian minister and free speech advocate.

It "would be operated by 'a private civil liberties organization'." http://www.therightperspective.org/hate-crime-bill-makes-its-way-forward/

Pray God's intervention to this bill. Do some reading, and call your congressman.

Christian Persecution In Turkey

2009-04-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

Our president was in Turkey today speaking to their Parliament. He spoke that he would help Turkey fight against Al Quaida and PKK. The problem with this is that the people of Turkey consider Christians as equal to Al Quaida and PKK. Read the following paragraph taken from http://www.christianwatch.org.uk/faithful_unto_death.html.

"From December 2005, after having a long meeting regarding the Christian threat, the wife of Former Prime Minister Ecevit, historian Ilber Ortayli, Professor Hasan Unsal, Politician Ahmet Tan and writer/propagandist Aytunc Altindal, each in their own profession began a campaign to bring the public’s attention to the looming threat of Christians who sought to 'buy their children’s souls'. Hidden cameras in churches have taken church service footage and used it sensationally to promote fear and antagonism toward Christianity."

Also . . .

"In an official televised response from Ankara, the Interior Minister of Turkey smirked as he spoke of the attacks on our brothers. Amid public outrage and protests against the event and in favour of freedom of religion and thought, the media and official comments ring with the same message, 'We hope you have learned your lesson. We do not want Christians here.'"

Pray for our missionaries in Turkey and for our country as our president agrees with Turkey (by implication) that Christians are a threat to Turkey. Maybe he thinks they are a threat to our country, too.

Anniversary Service

2009-03-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

The 61st Anniversary of First Baptist Church of Harrsion, Ohio, was a great success on Sunday, March 22, 2009.

We had some good singing, a very nice dinner, and some great fellowship. Bro. Donnie Burford preached both services, and the messages were challenging and timely.

The elevator in our church was not operation, so that made it hard on people who could not go up and down stairs. Their families brought food upstairs to them, and they ate in little rooms alongside the auditorium.

Thanks for everyone who made this a great Sunday. I am sure the Lord was there and was pleased with our praise.

Fall At Church

2009-03-20T14:58:00.001-07:00

On March 15, 2009, I fell at church after the morning service. I fell down four steps in the vestibule of the church. I caught myself with my hands, but my arms were not strong enough to hold me up at that hard a fall; so I bumped my head above my left eye. I also rubbed my face on the carpet and have some pretty messy carpet burns. Today is Friday after the fact, and I am looking much better. I hope this will all be gone in about another week. Nothing was broken, but I did receive a small bruise over my left eye.

Jeremiah

2009-02-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

We are having a wonderful time studying the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah had a very hard job: to prophesy the end of the kingdom of Judah where they would go into captivity for 70 years.

In Chapter 14 God explains to Jeremiah that the prophets of his day were liars and deceivers. They are telling the people that there will be peace and not war, but God is telling Jeremiah that there will be war not peace. These prophets were not preaching the word of God but their own words. They were not sent by God, but they sent themselves to be prophets to the people.

Today we have many preachers who were not sent of God but have taken up their post as preachers on their own. Therefore, many are preaching false doctrine. They preach a prosperity gospel and are denying the judgment of God.

God is a God of love, but he is also a God of anger and judgment. We must always fear him, not only as our Lord and king, our daily Comforter, but we should also understand that he is a God of judgment, and he will judge all who sin against him.

Creation Sunday

2009-02-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

Today in Sunday School I taught a lesson on creation. I told about the scientists who believed in God and Jesus Christ and in creation. Until about 1850 almost all scientists believed in creation without doubt. After Charles Darwin published his "Origin of Species," many scientists began to believe that creation did not come from God but that evolution came from the elements of the world. This brought a complete change in scientific theories, and today most scientists are directly opposed to creation and teach instead a humanist theory of beginnings--historical evolution.

Bro. Bob Jones preached a good message on creation in the morning service. Then, he, his wife, Sue, and the Kittle family went out with me to eat with my three grandsons. We had a good time of fellowship; then I took my grandsons to my house for the afternoon.

Ge 1:1 ¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Ec 12:1 ¶ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Mr 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Snow Again!

2009-02-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

Oh, no! Not snow again! Meteorologists are expecting from two to four inches of snow for our area again today. We just went through a week of ice and snow, and now here we go again.

I still cannot get into the office at the church because of the ice, and it looks like I may not be able to get into the office for another day or two. I have not been able to update the church's web site because of this. I need to be at the office in order to update it. All the files are there.

But I can sure study at home, and I can pray at home, and I can call people at home, and I can write e-mails at home and write sermons at home. So I suppose that is what I will do today.

Snow and Ice

2009-01-31T06:59:00.000-08:00

I have been in the house since Tuesday, and I am getting a little tired of just being home. I am hoping to get out today--Saturday, and I certainly hope we can have church tomorrow. I hate to miss church. Most of the people in our church also hate to miss church. Many are older people, and they really enjoy coming together for fellowship and worship. Even our young people enjoy coming to church. I am happy that young people today enjoy going to church. The Bible tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, because some people are accustomed to missing church either on Sunday morning, Sunday night, or Wednesday night. All of these services are important to every Christian. Some of the happiest and most encouraging services we have are on Wednesday evening when many people stay home--that is sad!

At this present time I am babysitting for my two grandchildren--two little girls. They are playing children's games on their computers, so they are pretty good right now. Actually, they have been good all morning. I have been singing some Christian songs and some older "silly" songs with them from the internet. They have been enjoying that, and so have I. My son and his wife should be back in a little while, so then I will go out to see how the weather is.

A young man of 19 years old was baptized last Sunday. To see young people dedicate themselves to the service of the Lord is exciting and is a great blessing. We will pray for this young man that he will surrender his entire life to God's service and will remain faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of his life.

Ron Crisp

2009-01-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

Today, January 24, 2009, First Baptist Church of Independence, Kentucky, is honoring Bro. Ron Crisp for his many years of faithful service for the Lord. He has been a stalwart of study, writing, and other ministries for many years. I am thankful to God for men like Bro. Crisp. He has been such a blessing to many, many people around the world.

First Baptist Church has benefited much from Bro. Crisp's pastorate there. The mission giving of this church is well known to people around the world. This church has given regular and special offerings to many, many missionaries and to others who have fallen on hard times. The Lord is pleased in this and will bless the church and its pastor because of this work that continues to proceed from the church.

Bro. Crisp has meant much to me as a friend. He is a mild-mannered man, but he is a man who stands by his convictions and is not afraid to acknowledge to the world those wonderful doctrines of the word of God.

Bro. Ron Crisp is suffering from Parkinson's disease, and thus it is difficult for him to maintain the regular routine of a pastor. Pray for Bro. Crisp that he will have improved health and that God will give him grace and fortitude in these days when he is going through so much.

Ephesians 2:1-10

2008-11-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

I challenge everyone reading this blog to memorize Ephesians 2:1-10. My, what a wonderful passage of scripture this is! Say it often after you memorize it. Teach it to your children and grandchildren. This scripture tells us what God has done for us by his grace--and only by his grace.

Without grace we would have no life. It is God who gives us life and liberty. We have eternal life by grace (John 3:16, 36; 5:24; Matt. 25:46; John 17:3; Gal. 6:8).

We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10). We are the workmanship of God; he has made us his children; he has given us eternal life; he has promised us an inheritance incorruptible (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Christ is the object of our faith. We have faith in no other. Since he is God, we have our faith in God (Mark 11:22). Since the Holy Spirit is God, we have our faith in the Holy Spirit, and the three (the Trinity) work together in a perfect way to bring about everything that each believer needs to be saved, be secure, and be faithful.

Good Conference

2008-11-14T13:20:00.000-08:00

I just returned on Wednesday from a Bible Conference at Bible Baptist Church in Harrisburg, Illinois, where Bro. Art Donley is pastor. We had a great attendance, and many preachers were there. We heard some great preaching. I wish I could have stayed for the Wednesday night service, but I came back for our good services here at First Baptist Church in Harrison, Ohio. Bro. Bob Jones and Bro. Bobby Green were preaching in the Wednesday services in Harrisburg.

We had a good service at First Baptist Church. Our attendance was not too good, but God blessed. I am preaching through the book of Jeremiah, and I was in Chapter 4. I did not finish the outline, so I will need to continue in this chapter next week.

On Sunday mornings I have just finished a series on "Why We Do Not Need To Be Baptized To Be Saved." There were six messages altogether. Sunday I will begin on a new series, or I will preach a sermon or two before starting on another series or a book of the Bible.

On Sunday evenings I am preaching on 2 Samuel.

Bed Bugs

2008-10-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

We have bedbugs! That is not funny, so quit laughing. There is an epidemic of these little rascals in Cincinnati this year. They were brought into our house by a "friend" who came to do his laundry. To rid our house of these pesky little things, we must go through a regiment of vacuuming, removing drawers from dressers, washing all clothes (clean and dirty) and putting them into garbage bags, removing all items from drawers and putting these items into garbage bags, putting everything in one room in the center of the room away from the wall--what a mess!

But, then, sin is just that hard to get rid of. Many people clean out their dirty words, their bad attitudes, and their bad habits and try to get rid of their sin; but they find that the sin is still there. Many try to stop taking drugs, stop smoking, stop cursing, etc., and they find that they go right back to it. How can we get rid of our sin? What steps do we take for that?

I have a sheet sitting right here in front of me telling me what I must do before the pest control people come to the house and do their work. But I am here to tell you that you do not have to do any preparatory work before Jesus Christ forgives you of all of your sins. He died on the cross to pay for sins; and if you can repent of your sins and place your complete trust in Jesus, his death, burial and resurrection, then your sins will be gone forever.

I am so afraid that, after the pest control people come to do their exterminating, we may still have some bed bugs; but when Jesus takes your sins away, there is not one sin left. He cleanses us from all of our sins. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. They can never be remembered any more.

We will have to wait a few weeks to know whether all of the bedbugs are gone, but we do not have to wait to know that our sins are forgiven. They are forgiven instantly and without work and without charge. Thank the Lord for his unspeakable gift!

Science & Global Warming

2008-09-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

To see what scientists say about Global Warming, just click on the following link:
http://www.dailytech.com/A+Melting+Arctic+Happy+News+for+Mankind/article12882.htm. Copy and paste this link into your web browser.

In Mansions Bright

2008-09-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

In Mansions Bright
By Ronnie Wolfe – Sept. 19, 2008

In mansions bright my soul will go
In joy of soul be swept away.
My heart rejoiced, my mind at peace,
All sorrows gone, no debt to pay.

In mansions bright there’ll be no sun
For Jesus is the only Light.
Fellowship and praise divine
Make these mansions brilliant bright.

Home of soul and home of Christ
There I’ll be with Him for e’er
There His love I’ll understand,
For on the cross my sins did bear.

Come, dear friend, and go with me
To this my home of eternal rest,
And bid this world a last good-bye
Knowing Christ has done his best.

For funeral of Ruth Moore

Gustav Is Coming

2008-08-31T18:31:00.000-07:00

The storm is coming to our southern shores, and Gustav may be as bad as Katrina. We who live north of the predicted harm must keep our minds on the need that will exist once this storm has done its damage.

If there is a need for help, Elliott Baptist Church in Mississippi is gearing up to be as much help as possible. They are already getting ready to house many people in their church building, and several of their members are inviting strangers into their house to help them out, since they had to evacuate due to the storm.

If you would like to help with financially, you may call the church at the following numbers.

Elliott Baptist Church
662-417-6089
662-565-2507
662-226-4425

Why Doesn't God Heal Amputees?

2008-07-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

This is a question that has been asked by a disgruntled atheist. Atheists always question our faith, but they never question their own faith in logic, reason, and science, though these all come short and are limited in what they can do.

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

We do not worry about the things that God does not do; we know nothing about that. We are concerned about what God does, and we know that God heals. No one disproved that the man in John chapter five was healed of his impotency. I am sure that every Pharisee and scribe would have done so if they could. No one disproved that the blind did actually receive sight. No one disproved that Lazarus was raised from the dead. I am sure many would have done so if they could.

We also know that God saves sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), that God created the earth, that Noah built an ark and weathered a universal flood, that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, and that Lazarus was raised from the dead. We know this by faith the same way that you know certain things by your own faith: evolution, uniformitarianism, transcendental knowledge, aliens, and ghosts, which are all purported by scientists.

If God decides to heal a liver rather than an amputated leg, that is his business, not ours. The secret things belong to him.

Why is it so that you do not distrust science, since there are many things that science cannot do and has not done. Why cannot science heal an amputation? Since your faith is in science, that would be your question, and it is mine, also. Can you give a reasonable answer to that? Why cannot science raise the dead?

God can do anything he purposes, but he does not do them at our whim but according to his own will and purpose: Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4).

The Heart-beat of Missions

2008-06-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

A denominational paper ought to be the counterpart in spirit and purpose of the Acts of the Apostles. Instead of a little "missionary corner" in the paper there ought to be a pulse-beat in every line for missions. The supreme trouble with the missionary work now is that it is crowded off into a little corner. We want a missionary literature that will enthrone the one great passion and purpose of Jesus Christ, and do this in every issue of the paper and in every column of every issue. Until that is done by our papers, our preachers, and our churches, the continuing black plague upon all our religious efforts will be the anti-missionary spirit. We are not here primarily to cultivate sociology or to build up civilization. Our primary business is to give the gospel to the whole world. On no other basis has a church the moral right to the plot of ground on which her building stands. What was our Lord's conception of his church? For what did he build it? His church, he tells us, was to be his body, the instrument of his will, the medium through which be would manifest himself to the world. It is the business of the body to execute the purpose of the head. Christ's church is his body, and it is his purpose that the body shall carry forward the work that brought him from heaven to earth. For what did he come? "It is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This was his supreme mission, and that of his churches is identical with that of their divine founder and king. For this cause he brought them into the world, and for this cause he keeps them here.

Taken from "The Inspiration of Ideals" by George Truett, Page 42

Psalm 23 - #10

2008-05-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:6b . . . and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

This is the kind of expression that makes those who do not believe in God flinch. They believe that there is no place to dwell after a person is dead. If evolution were the proven scientific theory that many believe that it is, this may be true; but evolution has not and cannot be proven. Therefore, the possibility of an Intelligent Designer, thus, God, is very real. That reality springs to the truth that what God says in his book is true.

Jesus said in John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Where is Jesus? Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

So Jesus is ascended up on high; that is, Heaven. He is at the right hand of the Father: Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

One day I will dwell there. My mother is there; my wife is there; my foster brother is there; many of my friends are there; and Jesus is there. I often tell the story about the woman who became my wife. Before we were married, I told her that I did not know where I would be living, since I was a preacher. She said, "As long as you are there, I don't care where we are." That is the nicest thing she ever said to me. I feel the same way about Jesus. If he is there, that is where I want to be.

In this verse I find the promise that I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Forever is a long, long time. Only our Shepherd can make such a promise. The promise goes out to everyone who is his sheep: John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Let the Atheists howl of their empty destiny. Let the Modernists make fun of a real place called Heaven. Let the Moderates wonder about eternity and its beauty and its permanence. I will put my trust in God. Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Thus goes the Psalm about our Shepherd. I shall not want. I shall be supplied. I shall eat and drink of good things. I shall live in his house forever. What more can I desire, and what more pleasure can I have than to know without a doubt that I will be with my Shepherd physically and eternally?

2 Tim. 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

On those streets, whether gold or not
Fastening my eyes upon my Lord,
Jesus on the throne there sitting,
Issuing standards from his Word.

Alive I'll be and present there
To behold my Shepherd in fine array.
I'll sing his praises without end
And worship God through endless day.

Psalm 23 - #9

2008-05-11T05:31:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

From the time that I was conceived in my mother's womb, God was present with me. His prevenient grace gave me stay and protected me, following behind my every move and thought. He was hidden from my realization of him except for what I was taught from others; but when I was 13 years old, I began to know him intimately. That is when he saved me by his grace.

It was not until later that I realized all the care and kindness that God had shown me before my salvation. When I was a baby, I drank some turpentine and almost died; but God was there to care for me. When I was a little older I had double pneumonia and almost died, but God was there to care for me. When I was almost three years old, I had Polio and could have died; but God was there to care for me. When I was in my 20's, I crossed a railroad track and realized that a train was speeding from around the corner unbeknown to me, but God was there to care for me. I am now 63 years old, and God has been caring for me all the time. From my conception until now God has been my Caring One.

"All the days of my life" does not refer only to my life since my salvation; it denotes every day of my life from first to last. He has always cared for me; he loved me from the foundation of the world. But his providence has been active in my personal life all the days of my life.

God's goodness is his protection and prosperity. He always has and always will give me the necessities of life. When it is my time to die, he will allow death to take this body; but he will still care for me through eternity. All the days of my life include every minute of every day and every second of every minute. He is there "all the days," not just a few of the days. Remember, God is with you every day and all day long, even through the night when we are unaware of our surroundings. Psalm 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

God's mercy is countless, sublime and supreme. Mercy is a spiritual and divine thing. God's mercy follows me. The word "follow" in the Hebrew means "to pursue." Mercy will chase after me, find me, and bless me: We do not follow after mercy, because we are all human and depraved in heart and mind; but God's mercy runs after us just as a guided missile. When needed, it overtakes us and overwhelms us. Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Then we feel his blessings and know his love. Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

Tomorrow will be no different from today. His goodness and mercy will follow us through the night and into the next day. They never cease pursuing us as God's children. Every day without exception they follow us. When goodness and mercy are needed, just cry out as the Psalmist in Psalm 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. He will not turn you away but will come to your aid, especially when you are obedient to him. Zech. 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Psalm 23 - #8

2008-04-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

He preparest a table before me. As I wander through this dark world, with evil all around and enemies thinking nasty of me, I can have a sweet fellowship with the Lord and put the thoughts of earth's dangers and darkness aside for a while and just be fed by God himself. We sit (my Lord and I) at the table with good things to eat, spiritual things that reach far above all earthly provisions.

In the presence of mine enemies. Though my enemies be close at hand, though they taunt me concerning my faith in the Lord, though they may hate the very Lord that I love, yet the Lord and I sit close by the enemies and, notwithstanding their jeers and hatred, we enjoy our fellowship together. The enemies may desire that I fall in my testimony; they may desire that I fail in my efforts to serve the Lord; they may wish that the Lord himself did not exist; but that makes no difference to my Lord and me. We simply sit together and enjoy the table that is spread with every kind of sweet and delicate serving of spiritual food.

When I finish eating at the table with the Lord, I am refreshed and charged with energy to again face my daily enemies, loving them for the cause of Christ, witnessing to them of God's amazing grace, and living among them and not entangling myself in the world with them. 2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Thou anointest my head with oil. We may notice that the Hebrew word for "preparest" is in the Qal tense, or the casual or simple present tense of action. However, the word for "anountest" is in the Piel tense, which is the "intensive" present tense. You might say "I broke the dish." That would be in the simple or Qal tense of the verb. But you may also say "I broke the dish into a million pieces," which is the intensive or Piel tense.

When the Lord anoints my head with oil, he does it in an intensive way. It is as if he wants the enemies to know in a physical way that God has not forsaken me. My enemies cannot understand why I am so happy with my quiet life, loving and serving the Lord. They do not understand why I cannot enjoy the loudness of the world, the abundance of extreme energy engaged by the world in order to try to be happy. My joy is with the Lord, not in worldly pleasures. Oh yes, I have my problems with worldly pleasures just as everyone does; but that is not my real joy.

The word "anointest" has to do with being prosperous or fat. The word fat in the Bible has a good connotation. It implies success and prosperity. So, the Psalmist is saying in this Psalm that God is benefiting us in a good way and giving us a supernatural unction from his Holy Spirit. We are, you might say, fat with blessings.

My cup runneth over. The word oil in the Hebrew can also be translated "fat things." So, the Lord fattens us with fat things. I hope you understand what that means: it means that we as his children are benefited above the world with his good things. Psalm 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord will not fill my cup if I do not present it to him for additional servings of fat things. I must bring my cup to him and ask him for a refill. He will never refuse me that. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I am thankful to God that he will give me whatever I need to serve him, and he makes my cup run over, or he gives me more than I need so that I can enjoy of his abundance. He gives us abundant grace (2 Cor. 4:15); he gives us abundant rejoicing (Phil. 1:26); and he gives us abundant mercy (1 Peter 1:3). What else do we need when we have the abundance of God's cup running over with blessings?

Psalm 23 - #7

2008-04-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:4b -- . . . thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

The rod and the staff are the same instrument used by the shepherd. The rod is the straight part of the instrument with which the shepherd turns back the enemies of the sheep, such as the wolf and the lion. There are many enemies of God's people, and with the word of God they are pushed away by our dependence upon his holy word and the instruction that it gives us when we spend much time in it. Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. In this meditation we find much rest and security as if God were with his Shepherd's rod turning us away from the enemies of truth.

I remember that, when I was a teenager, I listened so several radio preachers. One of them was Herbert W. Armstrong. He said to me from the radio one day that there is no such thing mentioned in the Bible as eternal damnation. As I listened, I continued to read God's word daily. Then one day I read this in my Bible, Matt 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. After I read this, I turned off the radio and did not listen to Herbert W. Armstrong any more. The word of God settled it for me. The word of God was God's rod to turn back the enemy of God's word. Praise the Lord!

The rod is also used to count the sheep. To "pass under the rod" meant that the sheep was counted as the shepherd's own property. Ezekiel 20:37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: It certainly is wonderful to know that God knows his own. 2 Tim. 2:19 . . . The Lord knoweth them that are his . . . . He marked us out in eternity past, chose us before the world's foundation, and brought us to himself through faith in his gospel. With his rod, he marked us out as his own property, and nothing can change that, because he is the one who has done it.

The staff is the crooked part of the instrument that the shepherd used. The shepherd mainly used the staff to pull sheep back to himself away from a dangerous situation or to guide a sheep by pulling him from side to side with the hook.

God leads his dear children along, the song says. "Some through the water, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood; some through great sorrow, but God gives a song; in the night seasons and all the day long." His staff, then, comforts us as he gently guides us through the valley of the shadow of death, beside the still waters, and in the paths of righteousness.

The rod and staff does two opposing things: it will turn us away from danger and from error, push us out into the world to be a witness, or it will tenderly bring us to the Savior for his leadership and comfort. I am thankful for God's rod and staff. They comfort me. Do they comfort you?

Psalm 23 - #6

2008-04-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me . . .

Though I Walk. The believer walks in the way of God, in the paths of righteousness. On the way to his Heavenly home, he encounters many troublesome obstacles that come in the way as he walks toward his goal. Some of these obstacles may bring the believer to the shadow of death, not death itself, but its shadow, giving the potential of fear on every hand. This idea is taken from the sheep that the shepherd watches as they travel over many sharp rocks and come at different times to the potential of death, as they may fall into a ditch, come to some water where the sheep may drown, or a cliff where the sheep may fall to his death.

Are you willing today to walk in the shadow of death for the Lord? Are you strong enough in your faith that you will face the enemies of the cross? Are you assured that God is with you and that he will lead you all the way to Heaven? That is what this Psalm is about.

Through The Valley of the Shadow of Death. But if the shepherd is doing his job, he will keep the sheep from danger; for, as the sheep approaches the potential of death, the shepherd will take hold of the sheep and lift him above the danger and bring him back onto the solid ground. This, then, becomes only a shadow and not death itself. Believers often fear death, at least the prospect of death's coming by way of some horrible calamity; but we also fear the shadow of death, those times when death seems to be so near as we walk our Christian walk.

Have there come some deep valleys in your life? Do you remember going through them as you walked along the Christian path? Do you know that the Lord is with you there just as he is when you are happy and enjoying the good things of life?

I will Fear No Evil. We are not to fear those times when death is near, whether it be at the end of a gun barrel, as the young lady gave her profession at the point of a gun at Columbine High School, after which the gunman killed her, or as the great martyrs who stood firm in the fires as they testified of their Savior, or those who faced the wild beasts which eventually tore them to shreds. We are to fear neither the Evil One, Satan himself, nor those evils which he can put in our way to try to make us stumble. Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Neither should we be afraid of death, because we know that it is only a channel-way to get to Heaven, a bridge to cross, a river to pass over. It is only a quick change from this life to the next life. 1 Cor. 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Thou Art With Me. The Lord, as our Shepherd, is always with us. He promised us that he would never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He is there to lift us up when we fall, to encourage our weakened and discouraged souls, to teach us of his good doctrines, and to rejoice with us as we receive his blessings with thanksgiving.

We do not need to fear, because the Lord is with us. Just as, when you were a child, your parents gave you great security by their very presence; even so the Lord will give us great security when we know that he is with us. Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psalm 23 - #5

2008-04-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:3 . . . he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

He Leadeth Me. This is a straightforward clause which declares a straightforward action on God's part. "He" is the subject of this clause, and it declares God as being the one who is the Actor in this event. If it were not for God, and we could exist without him, then we could not be led in the paths of righteousness; because God must do this leading, since he is a righteous God, and there is no righteousness without him.

The object of this clause is "me." The action that God takes in this clause is directed to me. This makes this action personal. God is interested individually in his sheep. He takes a personal and intimate interest in each one of his children. What would I be without God? I would be nothing--I could not exist apart from this Providence.

The action of this clause is "leadeth." This verb is in the present tense, so God's leading is an ongoing action. He does not lead us for a while and then leave us to ourselves. He leads us all the way to eternity and throughout eternity. If we had no leader and could exist aside from him, then we would be going every which way, and there would be chaos on the earth (if there could be an earth). Isn't that what is happening in the world today? People are neglecting God and his word, and the world is becoming more and more chaotic. Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

In The Paths Of Rightousness. When God leads us, he does not lead us into paths of wickedness: Matt 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. God leads us in one direction only, and that direction is toward him. Part of the redemptive purpose of God is to bring us to God, and that is what he is doing in all of his Providence. His immanence is precious to every saved soul. He works directly in our individual lives by leading us in the paths of righteousness where there is light and life: Prov. 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

But if we as God's children veer off the righteous pathway, there is death:

Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; . . .

1 John 5:16 . . . There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Job 24:19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned.

Outside the paths of righteousness is death. God will punish sin with death, yes, in his children. He will bring death upon those who refuse to walk in the paths of righteousness. I do not pretend to know when God does that, but his word says that he will do it.

Within the paths of righteousness is life, and we would all do well to cry out to God even as Job did in Job 23:3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! We should seek the presence of God whatever it takes in our lives to do so. Every Christian should desire to walk in the paths of righteousness and to bring glory to God.

But how can we be led in the paths of righteousness? Notice Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word. We must spend much time in Bible reading and study and in prayer that we may find God and study his attributes, his graces and benefits, and his chastisements.

For His Name's Sake. God does not lead his children into dark places where sin dwells. He does not lead them where danger of temptation lurks. He leads his children in his own path, but not for their sakes but for his own name's sake. Remember we are but the dust of the earth; we are only his creatures. We deserve none of the goodness that God manifests to us. God is the one who deserves all the credit, all the reward, all the praise, all the service, etc.

His name is JESUS (Matt. 1:21). His name is holy (Luke 1:49). His name is to be preached among all nations (Luke 24:47). We have life through is name (John 20:31). We should be willing to suffer shame for his name (Acts 5:41). Our sins are remitted through his name (Acts 10:43). We should give thanks to his name (Heb. 13:15). His name is called The Word of God (Rev. 19:13).

Psalm 23 #4

2008-04-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: . . .

The Hebrew word for "restoreth" means "to return, to bring back." This happens in several ways as God works with his chosen ones. This restoration comes from God: "HE restoreth my soul." We cannot restore our own souls from sin and backsliding. God must be the author as well as the finisher of our faith.

He restores us from our sins in salvation. We all fell in Adam, turning away from God in disobedience. We all fell into sin: the practice of sin and the condemnation of sin. Notice the following scriptures.

Rom. 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

John 3:18 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.

In our sinful condition, we need salvation by grace which comes only from God. It is by grace that we are saved: Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

He restores us from backsliding. Jer. 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. So many in our own day have turned from their Lord to the beggarly elements of the world: Ga 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Either true believers or simply professed believers have turned their backs on the Lord for these beggarly elements and have turned to the world for their satisfaction. From this the true believer can be turned and shall be restored when the grace of God is effective in his life.

Jer. 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. Jeremiah prophesied much concerning backsliding Israel. They are encouraged to "return." This is the same word that is used in Psalm 23:3 that is translated "restore." It is God who turns us, pricks our hearts, and carries us back to himself through his word even as he did Peter when he denied the Lord.

So, dear believer, keep yourself under the preaching of God's word, for it is God's word through which God will restore your soul, and it will be restored to the blessedness of the Savior and the sweetness of his communion. We dare not return back into the world once we have been restored. Once should be a sufficient number of times to teach us the difference between being backslidden and being in God's constant care and assurance.

He will restore us from weakness. When our bodies get weak and we cannot do what we once did (and many who read this have already experienced this), it is God alone who can restore the soul in these times, draw us above the strife of heart that is brought by the overwhelming calamity of disease and sorrows of life. As our hearts get weaker and weaker and our bodies diminish their usefulness, God is there to restore that body to that which his purpose claims.

It may not be God's will that you or I will return to our former youthful energies, but God will nonetheless restore our souls, not only in our confidence that God is working in us both in strength and weakness, but he will ultimately bring us to himself through his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: He will bring us to bodily death and quicken us through his Spirit so that we may experience the ultimate of God's blessings and entertain a wonderful reception in Heaven for all who believe. This is the greatest and most splendid restoration.

So brighten up your corner by believing in God, that he will restore your soul. He is our Shepherd, and this is one of his duties as our Great Shepherd.

Psalm 23 - #3

2008-04-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:2 . . . he leadeth me beside the still waters.

The fact that God leads us is a fascinating thing. This infers that we are not simply lying down in green pastures as God's sheep--we are on a journey and need for someone to lead us on this journey. We must get up and follow the Shepherd. Notice John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: This is the duty of a believer: to follow the Shepherd, not to constantly lie down in green pastures or expect the Lord to continually put us in a place of contentment and relaxation. We must fight the battle before us. The Shepherd will go before us and lead us on through the battle.

While he is leading us, he will supply us with spiritual necessity. Not only is it necessary for us to lie down in his pastures and enjoy God's graces, but it is also necessary for us to be refreshed along the way with the waters that he supplies. The plural of water (MAYIM in the Hebrew) speaks of cleansing. These waters are not only for refreshment and hydration for our bodies, but they are also for our cleansing. Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. This cleansing is necessary, because our old natures surge up as we travel along this life. This cleansing comes from the word of God, which is like water being poured over a wound for healing. The word of God is refreshment and helps us in times of trouble.

In the cold of winter, the flesh on our bodies tends to become dry and cracked. For healing, this takes water and a protection so that the moisture will not leave our skin. We use hand lotion to keep the moisture from going out of our skin. As long as the moisture is in the skin, the skin will heal; but when the water dissipates from the skin, then the skin begins to crack again.

We are in a dry, weary land, and we need water. Remember that God gave the Israelites water when they were in the desert. Without this water, they would die. Can we realize that God is daily sustaining us with the water of his word and the oil of his Holy Spirit? Remember that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). This is the protection like a lotion that keeps the moisture in; and as we read God's word and are obedient to him, the moisture comes into our lives, and the Holy Spirit protects us by keeping the moisture in it.

But the moisture will not stay in our hands forever even with the lotion applied to the hands; so it is with our lives. We cannot study God's word once and expect the moisture from his word to stay with us forever. We must study it day by day even as we must apply the hand lotion every day. Our lives get dry from staying so long away from God's word. Therefore, we need to have a daily supply of God's word in reading, studying and meditation. Then the Holy Spirit will seal that in our lives, but he will not seal it there forever. We must go back for a refreshing new supply of water.

Water is a healing agent. One of the first things one uses in medicine is water. We bathe with water and clean wounds with water. God's word (like water) is a cleaning agent and will cleanse the sinner of the most horrible of sins. Eph. 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

As we journey this Christian life, we should expect God, our Shepherd, to give us water as needed along the way and to energize the churches of God with this same water. The Christian journey is a dusty one, and we accumulate this dust in our lives, which signifies sin. But the water of regeneration and the water of the word keep these sins at bay and keep us serving our Master, who supplies all the water we need.

Someone said a long time ago, "Still waters run deep." This is true with God's supply of water. There is no shortage, the well is deep, and who can go into the depths to draw out this water for us? Only our Shepherd, just as he did with the woman at the well in John Chapter Four.

Psalm 23 - #2

2008-03-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

The same Shepherd that is mentioned in verse one is the same Shepherd who makes us lie down in green pastures. He will never allow a proxy, a substitute or a hireling to take his place when communicating with his people. This Shepherd will now and always watch over, care for, and attend his people individually. Each lamb and each sheep has great value to him.

Matt. 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

These green pastures are places of tender grass where the sheep can enjoy luscious grazing of fine refreshment. In the lives of believers these tender grasses are the graces which God extends to us continually. The grace of salvation, the grace of believing, the grace of righteousness, the grace of preservation, the grace of promised glorification are all ours, and we feed on these great truths from his pasture, the word of God. And in this world we relax and retreat from the world, worship our Lord in this comfortable place, and have a place to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Psa 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

We need a gentle and tender place to bring up our children. We need a hiding place, a place away from the world around us and them. We need to shelter our children, unlike the advice of many child psychologists today. Our children need to taste of this green pasture and understand our welcome forethought of going there and enjoying the things of God, feasting upon his word, the truth that separates us from the world and brings us into the realm of Heaven.

This is a good pasture, although many prefer the rough briers of the world, the challenges and stresses of the workaday world, the influences of men's depraved minds, and the pleasures of sin for a season. These pastures green will satisfy the hungriest soul, the thirstiest heart, and the panting of the harts along the water brooks of peaceful waters flowing aside.

Ezekiel 34:14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

Psalm 23 #1

2008-03-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Lord. This is the "Lord of all." This is the "Lord of Sabbaoth, the Lord of hosts, the Lord of lords and King of kings. This is the person who is speaking to us in this Psalm. Never read this psalm without knowing and understand who is speaking to you. This is the Lord, Jehovah, the God of Heaven and earth, the Almighty sovereign. He condescends to a very lowly state to speak to us human beings--how can he do such? God is amazing in this way.

The Lord is. We know by scripture, and by our own innate understanding of things, that God is. To be saved we must understand that he is. Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Lord is my. This word "my" is an implied word in the Hebrew, but it has a strong significance. This word in English shows possession, and it is true in the Hebrew that this implication is correct. This intimates that God is in some way related to us. In fact, the implication is so strong as to say that he belongs to us in some way. To know that God not only created us but is also connected to us in a personal way is the mystery of the ages; it is bound up in the Gospel message.

The Lord is my Shepherd. The word Shepherd in the Hebrew is RA-AH and has a definite agricultural meaning at its base. It speaks of a shepherd of sheep or a herdsman of animals. But it also carries the meaning of pastor, ruler, or one who has compassion on others. It is with this word that God makes a specific connection with his people. He is our Shepherd. When no one cares for my soul, God does; when troubles are all around us, God is there with his mighty presence and his care; when tribulation comes, God sees us through them; when we are hungry, he feeds us; when we are thirsty, he gives us water to drink. He supplies all of our needs. It is so sad that many times we are not cognizant of these things, but God continues to supply these things nonetheless.

I. This is a personal pronoun and refers to the person who is reading the psalm. It denotes the person who is at the receiving end of the blessings of God, the provisions of God, and the wonderful opportunity to praise God for what he has done for us. "I" am the one who needs the Lord; "I" am the one who cries out for help; "I" am the one who needs refreshment; "I" am the one who is the beneficiary of God's greatest blessings. The only time that it is proper to be intrinsic and self-centered is when we are in a thankful attitude that God would look upon such a worm as "I."

I shall not. Many times we as God's people are concerned about the "I shalls" of the Bible. We are concerned about what we need to do to serve God. We concern ourselves about God's commandments and how many we are keeping. But what about the "shall nots" of the Bible? Sometimes they are more blessed than the "I shalls."

I shall not want. This word "want" means "to be in want, to be decreased or abated, to lack." We shall not go backward but forward if we are his sheep. We shall not be abated from a positive journey in the Lord's vineyard. Even when we backslide as believers, we are still going forward toward the Lord's purpose in our lives. He will eventually bring us to his Kingdom. We shall not lack anything that we need to serve God. God has supplied every need for us. Even David, who wrote this magnificent Psalm, had no need that God could not supply. We have only to see David and the way God blessed him to realize how great our God is. We have the same needs that David had, and he is our God and our Shepherd just as much as he was David's.

May God give us a new understand of the Shepherd, the sheep, the pasture, and the supply that our Shepherd gives us so freely and joyfully. Don't we have a wonderful Shepherd?

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #19

2008-03-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

Rev. 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Jesus is depicted here as having the seven Spirits of God. This speaks both of the fullness or completeness of God's Spirit as having been given to Jesus without measure: John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. It also represents the Spirit of God in all of the seven churches, which designates that the Spirit of God rests in every true church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us first take up the idea of the Spirit of God in the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Revelation seven churches are mentioned: Ephesus, Smyna Pergamus, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodacia. Each one of these churches had the Spirit of God. We notice in at least four of the addresses to the churches this clause: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. The Spirit of God has a particular interest in each local church and, I believe, is in attendance at every worship service. We are brought into the membership of the local church by the leadership of the Spirit of God: 1 Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. This is the Spirit of God into which we drink when we are led by this same Spirit to join with God's people in God's church, which was purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28).

Sweet Spirit draw us unto Thee
And find our spirits to be free
From sin and sanctified to Thee
Till our eyes see only Thee.

Sweep us from our earthly heart
And take our longings far apart
From evil that our hearts now breed
And to thy church thy Spirit lead,

Where we can worship Thee apart
From worldly lust and sorrowed heart
And long for thy unchanging care
Through saints who sing thy praises there.

Then we see the complete Spirit of God represented in the perfect number seven. We have seen that this Spirit is given to Jesus without measure, and we know that Jesus had ready access to that Spirit, though he limited that access when he became a man made like unto sinful flesh. He laid down his ultimate power in heaven when he came to earth and became submissive as a servant of God, the Son of man (Phil. 2:7).

We see this seven-fold Spirit coming down upon Jesus when he was being baptized by John: Matt. 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: We see this same Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matt. 4:1). This is the same Spirit by which Jesus cast out demons (Matt. 12:28). The Spirit led Jesus into the temple at a young age (Luke 2:27). Jesus had the power of the Spirit when he went into Galilee to minister (Luke 4:14). This Spirit of God is the same Spirit who was to come as the Great Comforter: John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

It is this same Spirit which Ananias and Sapphira tempted when they lied to Him. It is the Spirit of the Lord who led Philip to speak to the Eunuch, and it was the same Spirit who caught him away (Acts 8:29-39). This is the same Spirit who spoke to Peter in a vision concerning the salvation of the Gentiles (Acts 10:19). This same Spirit hindered Paul and his company from going into Bithynia (Acts 16:7).

This is the same Spirit after which God's children walk, and not after the flesh (Rom. 8:1). It is the same Spirit that makes us free from the law (Rom. 8:2). He dwells in us (Rom. 8:11), and if we are led by the Spirit of God, we are truly his sons of God (Rom. 8:14). He bears witness with our own spirit that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:16), and he helps our infirmities when we do not know what to pray for (Rom. 8:26). And he does so much more; and as we read through the scriptures, we see him in both the Old and New Testaments.

When all is over for this earth and this era, the Spirit will say "Come," and we are to invite others to come to this same Spirit of Christ, and whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely (Rev. 22:17). We see this Spirit of Christ in the beginning as he moved upon the face of the waters (Gen. 1:2), and we see him again at the end of scripture in Rev. 22:17. He has been faithful to his job as God's Spirit, not bringing attention to himself, but exalting Jesus Christ. He will exist throughout all eternity, and by that same Spirit we shall dwell in God's eternal temple and enjoy the blessings of God.

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #18

2008-03-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

Rev. 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Here we see Jesus revealed as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is both King and Lord. No position can exist higher than those two positions, and Jesus deserves both positions, and no one else does.

King of Kings. Jesus is King of the kings of the earth, and scripture has much to say about the kings of the earth. First, they set themselves against the God of Heaven and his anointed (Christ). Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us (see also Acts 4:26). This is the state of mind of the kings of the earth. These are the rulers of the world. In the main they do not accept the wisdom of God through scripture, but they set themselves upon all types of philosophy and sociology, and even science, to prosper in the world. They want and think they need to associate with other rulers of the earth, so they disdain and ignore the wisdom of God. Many nations were once built upon the principles in God's word but are now turning from those principles to the wisdom of men. Our own country has been doing this for many years. But notice what the Lord thinks of this: Psalm 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Notice God has set his king upon Mount Zion, and he reigns from above. This is Jesus.

Second, when compared to the kings of the earth, he is the prince. Rev. 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. He is the head, the commander, this magistrate of the kings of the earth. The kings of the earth can do nothing without his permission.

Third, the kings of the earth, along with the great men, the rich men, and the chief captains will hide themselves in the rocks and dens due to that which is coming on the kings of the earth because of their sin and their rejection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the King (Rev. 6:15).

Fourth, the kings of the earth will one day behold the glory of the Lord as they fear him. Psalm 102:15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. Notice Psalm 138:4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. The glory of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is nothing compared to that of our Lord in his kingdom. Even the glories of the kingdom of Solomon are nothing to be compared to our Lord's glory as the King of kings.

But not all of the kings of the earth will so turn from the Lord and his Christ. Some will come to know and trust Jesus Christ and be in his glorious kingdom. Rev. 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. However, they will no longer be kings of the earth, but they will be children and servants of the great King of kings. I am reminded of Queen Elizabeth who was asked what she was thankful for. She said, "I am thankful for the letter 'm'." When asked why, she said the Bible says that "not many noble are called." It does not say "not any noble are called."

The most glorious thing about Jesus' kingship is that he is King of saints. Notice Rev. 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. He rules our salvation; he rules our lives; and he is the Great King who will take us to be where he is. This is a marvelous thing!

Lord of Lords. Moses, I think, put it best when he said in Deut. 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: Jesus is Lord because of his nature. He exists to be Lord of all (Acts 10:36; Gal. 4:1).

Many today are preaching the "Lordship of Christ," in salvation. In other words, one must make Jesus his Lord in order to be saved. This, however, is not the Gospel concept. Jesus is already Lord, else Saul would never have said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me do?" Jesus was already his Lord. As Lord, Jesus commands that every man everywhere repent, Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: This declares his Lordship. He does not wait until a person believes to become his Lord; Jesus is already and always Lord of all.

There are gods many and lords many, 1 Cor. 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) . . . but there is only one real Lord, Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: Notice also 1 Cor. 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. He is the only Potentate, 1 Tim. 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; This is the reason that we as pastors cannot be lords over God's heritage (1 Peter 5:3), but we must be examples to the flock of God. Only Jesus is Lord, not people who think they are smarter than God, arrogant and proud in their own flesh. We must submit completely to his Lordship and his Kingship. He is both King and Lord. Let us submit to that and live as his humble servants, for we are his children, and he loves us with an everlasting love. His commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3).

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #17

2008-03-03T06:14:00.000-08:00

Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Jesus in this verse is mentioned as "Christ": the Messiah, the Promised One, the Anointed One, the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies.

Christ From The Past. As early as the book of Genesis we find the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. Most know of this first prophecy in Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. God put hatred between the serpent and the woman and between his seed and her seed. Satan's seed is the Antichrist, for he is born of Satan's influence throughout the ages. The woman's seed is Christ, for Gal. 3:16 states Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. This one seed of the woman is Jesus. The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled when Jesus came to earth, born of a woman, born under the law (Gal. 4:4), and he grew to manhood under God's protection and leadership. He died on the cross, and in doing so crushed the serpent's (Satan's) head. In the meantime, Jesus Christ's heel was bruised. To die for the sins of a people is a venture that is incomprehensible to man, and it is a venture that brought much pain and sorrow to Christ. In this venture he procured the salvation and security of all of his people. Thank God he is faithful to his promise from the past. For a recap of these events please read Acts 3:18-26.

Christ In The Present. As the Messiah, Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures. During the time when Jesus was walking the earth, that was NOW to those people who lived alongside of him. What a time to live--to see Jesus walk, teach, do miracles, and interact with the current society! That generation was put into a great responsibility, because they were seeing the Messiah, the fulfillment of scripture, the Savior, perfect humanity, perfect God in the flesh. After Jesus died, was buried and resurrected, he appeared to many, and then he went to Heaven. Now in this present time, we acknowledge that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father on the throne of God (Mark 16:19). That is where Jesus is today. He is making intercession for his people there on God's throne. Notice these scriptures

Rom. 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom. 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Heb. 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

In this present time we stand as believers before a holy God, the Holy Spirit, and the Christ with great assurance that we have a Great High Priest who is making intercession for us, assuring us that we can never lose the salvation that he has given us, and giving to us diurnal grace whereby we may serve him faithfully. We must acknowledge daily that he is our God, that we have the Holy Spirit, and that Christ is performing his duty as our High Priest. There is no greater assurance than that.

Christ In The Future. Jesus has already made the promise that he will come and take us to be where he is: John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. When that is accomplished, we shall see the ultimate victory of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. The power of his Christ is found in the casting down of the great accuser (Satan). One day Satan will be completely defeated by Jesus Christ, and Jesus will rule and reign as the ultimate Christ, manifesting all of his power and glory. What a day that will be!

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #16

2008-02-27T05:34:00.000-08:00

Rev. 21:3 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.

Here Jesus is described as the tabernacle of God. This is the ultimate purpose of God in all of his work on earth: to bring men to God (1 Pet. 3:18) and to dwell with us eternally (John 17:24). Jesus is portrayed in the Old Testament tabernacle wherein were vessels which gave symbolism to Christ himself (see Heb. 9:2-4). This tabernacle was a temporary edifice which was moved with Israel through the wilderness. A more permanent building was built in Solomon's day, and it, too, was in symbolism of the Messiah in all its parts.

Both the tabernacle and the temple are gone now, but the symbolism continues through the churches of the Lord in baptism and communion. In baptism the Gospel is symbolized by the immersion, submersion, and emersion of a believer. In communion he is symbolized by unleavened bread, whereby his perfect life in his body was portrayed, and in the fruit of the vine, which symbolizes the blood that was shed, the precious blood of the Lamb.

But Jesus remains in symbol as the tabernacle, because he will one day be with his people even as he was with men when he was incarnated, when he "dwelt (tabernacled)" among his people. Again he will "tabernacle" among us when he comes to take us to be with him. We shall dwell with him on earth eternally when he comes from Heaven to take us away from all evil and present us faultless before him in love (Eph. 1:4; Jude 1:24).

Notice that he dwelt among men, not trees or animals. Certainly he was here with trees and animals, but he is not spoken of as dwelling with them. This is significant in the sense that Jesus came to redeem human beings from their sins, not animals or trees. He is our Kinsman Redeemer, taking upon himself the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7), though he was in the form of God (Phil. 2:6).

Let us be thankful that we now live under his shadow, protecting us from any spiritual or eternal harm. He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), and he has become our buckler and shield. One day we shall live under his visible reign where we shall praise him eternally and live without evil or sin, for our sins have been plunged beneath his blood, and he has washed us from all our iniquities (Rev. 1:5).

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #15

2008-02-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

Rev. 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Jesus is revealed in two ways in this verse. First he is revealed as "our Lord," and in the same verse he is revealed as "his Christ." These are paramount descriptions of Jesus.

The phrase "our Lord" is indicative of God the Father, who owns all of the kingdoms of the earth. He is the Great Creator of all things, and he will eventually own everything in perfection, for it is his purpose and duty to bring everything into perfection, as he has predicted early in scripture. It is the duty of every creature of God to love him, obey him, and give honor to him. But if this Lord, the Father, is not believed in and trusted through his Son, Jesus, then he is not our "our Lord," but "their Lord." The world today seems to be turning away from any trust in God; they seem to want to destroy the very mention of God in any way, but God will have his deserts: Psalms 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

God is "our Lord," because he so loved us (John 3:16) that he gave his only begotten Son that we who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life. God is faithful to that, and we who believe upon his Son, Jesus, do have eternal life without any worry of falling, for he "upholdeth him with his hand" (Psalm 37:23-24).

God is "our Lord," because he belongs to us by grace. Notice Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: Here we see that "the Lord is our God." He belongs to us personally through faith in his Son, because Jesus died that he might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). It is wonderful to know that God is our God, our Lord. If he had not revealed himself to us, we would never had known him; we would never have him as our own.

But then, Jesus is revealed as "his Christ." Christ belongs to God. Notice 1 Cor. 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. God the Father is Christ's head. Jesus Christ is completely surrendered to the perfect will of his Father, and he performs that will to perfection. Jesus is the Lord's anointed against whom the kings of the earth set themselves (Psalms 2:2).

Being God's Christ, the transaction of redemption was God's altogether. The blood which Jesus shed was God's blood (Acts 20:28). The fulfillment of God's purpose in redemption was God's, and it was done through his anointed, Jesus Christ. There is, therefore, no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

One day these earthly kingdoms will become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ. It will not be our kingdom but his kingdom. We are only permitted to be a part of that kingdom by his free grace. Every believer should be in wonder and amazement at the fact that God is our Lord, and Jesus is his Christ. This is the only plan that will bring eternal life.

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #14

2008-02-25T06:29:00.000-08:00

Rev. 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

One of the greatest emblems of Jesus is his being pictured as a lamb. Here he is a Lamb slain, having seven horns and seven eyes. The emblem is used 26 times in the book of Revelation. In this very fifth chapter of Revelation, the word lamb is used four times to designate Jesus. In verse six he is introduced and is pictured as a Lamb slain, having seven horns and seven eyes. This shows his power (horns) and his wisdom and authority (eyes). Then in Rev. 5:8, 12, and 13 he is shown as the Lamb that deserves praise.

In chapter six Jesus is portrayed as the One who can open the seals of the book (6:1), and the One before whom the wicked of the world fall down in fear (6:16).

In chapter seven we see Jesus portrayed as a Lamb before whom the saved of the earth appear (7:9) and to whom they give praise for salvation (7:10). In 7:14 and 12:11 Jesus as the Lamb is credited for saving his people from their sins by his own blood and washing their robes as pure as the snow. This Lamb shall feed them (7:17), lead them to living fountains of waters, and wipe away all tears from their eyes.

In chapter 13 we find that Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world and is in victorious competition with the lamb which speaks like a dragon (Satan).

In chapter 14 this Lamb stand on Mt. Zion with 144,000 who have the Father's name written in their foreheads. These follow the Lamb wherever he goes (14:4), were redeemed from among men, and are firstfruits unto God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

In chapter 17 the Lamb overcomes all obstacles which stand in the way of his reigning in complete fullness as King of kings and Lord of lords.

In chapter 19 and 21 we read of the marriage of the Lamb. What a wonderful event when God's people will be eternally joined with Christ.

In chapter 21 we see the Father and the Lamb as the temple of this eternal place, the Lamb is the light of that place, and he has the Lamb's book of life.

In chapter 22 we see the crystal river proceeding out of the throne of God, a throne that equally belongs to the Lamb (vs 1). There will be no curse there, because the Lamb is in this place, "and his servants shall serve him."

There are Four other references to the Lamb of God in the New Testament outside the book of Revelation. The first is on the occasion of John's baptizing and seeing Jesus pass by and says "behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29, 36). Philip explains the meaning of Isaiah 53:7-8, which takes us back over 600 years before the New Testament was written. Peter, then, gives full explanation of this idea when he mentions in 1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Oh Lamb, meek and mild
Yet strong as Judah's Lion,
Make us whole with sprinkling blood
And bring us all to Zion.

Make your enemies to fear
And conquer Satan's realm.
Cast him down to hell's dark place;
With power, you take the helm.

Guide the course to victory's place
And keep your children well.
Save your children from their sins;
Deliver each from hell.

Thank you for your Lion's strength
To die on Calvary's hill.
Thank you for your lamb-like love
To save us at your will.

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #13

2008-02-24T06:21:00.000-08:00

Rev. 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Today we shall take up the subject of Jesus as the Root of David. In Isaiah 11:10 Jesus is prophetically called "the root of Jesse." In Revelation 22:16 Jesus is called "the root and offspring of David," and as such is "the bright and morning star." He is also mentioned in Rom. 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

The preservation of the Messianic seed throughout the Old Testament is a detailed study in itself, but that preservation is one of the most interesting and exciting studies a Christian can make. The ultimate achievement of this progeny, the Messiah, Jesus, is that he has prevailed and has the authority to open the book that is in his hand and to open the seven seals, behind which are hidden the greatest blessings of Christ.

Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, was a descendant of David and Jesse (See Luke 3:31-32). Mary, Jesus' earthly mother, was also a descendant of David and Jesse (See Matt. 1:6). We read a capsule of Jesus' descendancy in Matt 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

In Acts 13 Paul delineates this principle of Jesus' ancestry when he said in Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: So Jesus' Messiahship is based upon the idea that he would be a descendant of Abraham, Jesse, and David. This promise being fulfilled, Jesus appeared as the Savior of men, the only Savior, for he is the only one who can fulfill the promise of a Messiah given to Old Testament Israel.

The following scriptures give promise of the Davidic Messiah.

2 Sam. 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

Psalm 132:17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

Jer. 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Herein lies our assurance, that God has made promise through his seed, the one seed: Gal. 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. This one seed is Christ, the one seed who can save a soul from sin and give confidence of eternal security and blessing.

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #12

2008-02-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

Rev. 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

In this study we will consider Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. "The lion has long been recognized as 'The King of the Beasts.' A male lion can weigh anywhere from 350 to 600 pounds.
Most males are about nine feet long from the nose to the end of the tail. They are about 3 1/2 feet tall at the shoulder. Male lions are the only cats with manes. This collar of long thick hair covers their head, except the face, and the neck down to the shoulders and chest. As well as providing a majestic appearance, it also protects him during a fight." [Names of Christ, Dr. James Modlish].

First, a lion is known for his strength. Lions have been known to drag 600-pound animals long distances. Saul and Jonathan were portrayed as having the strength of a lion (2 Sam. 1:23). Jesus, being the Lion of the tribe of Judah, also was a man of strength. Many people think of him as weak, but this is not so. He drove the money changers out of the temple (Matt. 21:12-13). He also had the ability to carry a heavy cross on his shoulder after being scourged nearly to death (Matt. 27:26). Then, when Jesus comes again, we shall see him with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30).

Second, we notice the roar of the lion. Notice the roar of the Lord as a lion: They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion (Hosea 11:10). But there is more than one kind of roar from the lion. There is the soft roar after the catching of the prey to call her little ones to eat Psalms 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The lion will also roar loudly when seeking for others in the pride, then will listen to hear an answer: Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. There is also a roar of fear, and we have much need to fear the One who can destroy both body and soul in Hell (Matt. 10:28).

Third, we notice that lions were used in judgment (1 Kings 13:24-26; 1 Kings 20:35-36). When a lion eats its prey, he will tear it apart and eat the entrails first. Notice Psalms 7:2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

Remember that Satan himself is also pictured as a lion 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: This simply means that we cannot fight against Satan. He is too strong for us. It will take a lion against a lion to bring reconciliation of the sinner before God, grasp him out of the mouth of the lion, and the great Lion of the tribe of Judah will win in the end.

I am grateful to be on the winning side of this battle. We who trust in the Lion of the tribe of Judah will be the victors, for he has made promises to us that only he can keep. In him we must trust completely lest Satan, that old serpent and roaring lion, have victories in our lives. Thank God for his Lion.

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #11

2008-02-22T11:58:00.001-08:00

Rev. 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever . . . Rev. 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Today we want to notice the phrase "him that sat on the throne." In Chapter Four of Revelation, we have a scene in Heaven as John is taken up to view this splendid place. This One who sat on the throne is none other than Jesus Christ, a wonderful revelation of him in this final book of scripture. The One sitting on the throne was worthy of all praise from the four beasts (living creatures) who shouted to him "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

Following the four beasts and their thanksgiving to the One sitting on the throne, the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him. This is the praise that our God deserves and that only God deserves. Since Jesus is God, then he deserves this ultimate praise and worship. He sits in the heavens (Psalm 2:4). He is Hosanna in the highest (Mark 11:10). He sits on the circle of the earth (Isa. 40:22). He is in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3). Thus, we, too, must bow to our Lord who is above all principalities and powers, and might, and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in the world to come (Eph. 1:21).

But not only does our praise go to the heavenlies where Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55), but our service should be done with the knowledge that Jesus watches our every motive and movement; and we know that God does not look upon the outward appearance as much as he looks upon the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

As we serve Jesus Christ, we understand that he is higher than any man and that our trust in him, as well as our dependence upon him, provides everything we need to serve him and to live righteously in this present world (Titus 2:12). He supplies every need we have (Phil. 4:19), and we can do all things through him, because he strengthens us (Phil. 4:13).

So we are "bound to give thanks to God . . ." (2 Thess. 2:13), for it is he who "has chosen us to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." With thankfulness we trod along this journey realizing that only God through Jesus Christ can satisfy our souls. He redeemed us by his own precious blood; he saved us by his grace; he keeps us by his Spirit; and he promised to come to take us away to heaven, there where he sits on the throne.

What a glorious morning that will be when we see Jesus there at the Father's right hand, either standing or sitting. We shall see him as he is and know him as he is. We shall worship him as he is, and he is the same yesterday, today and forever. We shall know that he is the only human being who has the right to sit with God in his throne. We shall not lust after or covet that position, because his being in that position has made us what we are, for it is by grace that we are what we are (1 Cor. 15:10).

Jesus Revealed In The Revelation #10

2008-02-21T17:55:00.000-08:00

Rev. 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Jesus Is The Amen. The meaning of the word Amen is "truly," "so be it," or "let it be so." It is derived, some say, from the Berber language, which is a very ancient language. In the Kabyle language it means "like that." The word is an affirmation that what has just been said it true. Jesus is the Amen, because he is truth. He is true to his word, to his covenant, to his promises, to his purpose, to his Father, and to his people. This word also shows the finality of a statement. The word Amen is usually used at the end of a statement, after it has been finished and the logic of it has been delineated. Thus, Jesus is the end of all argument, all discussion, and all doubt. At the end of his words, there should be and shall be a hearty Amen (Rev. 19:4). His words are final when spoken in love, encouragement, comfort, or judgment.

Jesus Is the Faithful and True Witness. Jesus witnessed his Father's glory in timeless eternity past. He witnessed the indignant and sorrowful estate of man and lived among them when he came to earth to be our Mediator. He witnessed the wrath of God as he hung on the cross and received from God's hands just deserts for the sins of his people. He witnessed the victory of his resurrection and the glorious joy of his people as they one by one come to know him and to receive life at his hand. These witnesses of Jesus are faithful and true. Then one day he will be the faithful and true witness of the judgment of Almighty God against the wicked and his own judgment for his people at the Judgment Seat of Christ. As he was a faithful a true witness in Jeremiah 42:5, so he is in everything that he witnesses.

Jesus Is The Beginning of the Creation of God. "The first cause of the creation" (Gill), because "without him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3). He is the first cause of the creation in the universe wherein all material things are a part; but not only that, he is the first cause of the creation of man's new life in Christ--salvation. He is ultimately the first cause of the new Heaven and the new earth. Without Jesus Christ there is no creation, because man is not the first cause of anything except sin on the earth: "by one man sin entered into the world" (Rom. 5:12). Jesus is most importantly the first cause of our spiritual creation, for in him we are made new creations (2 Cor. 5:17).