The Church of Jesus Christ celebrated Ascension Day this past Thursday, May 13, 2010 (That was also the day 15 years ago that Vickie and I walked along Lake Michigan near Lincoln Park in Chicago, and I gave her a white Bride’s Bible and asked her to be my wife.)
So what were Peter and John and James doing on this day, 1,980 years ago? What were Andrew, Philip, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Bartholomew, Simon, and the other disciples doing on this day, the first Resurrection Day without the Savior on Earth.
In Acts 1:14 we read:
These with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus and with his brothers.
But where do we find the disciples?
Back in the Ancient city of Jerusalem, the disciples were in an upper room praying.
There would be time taken out to select a replacement for Judas, but then again they would be back on their knees in prayer.
Jesus had given them strict instructions: Acts 1:4
And while staying with them he charged them, not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said ‘you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit/Ghost.
Yes they were to be witnesses. Right before ascending to heaven Jesus gathered his disciples and said, “All authority (power) is heaven has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father an dof the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19,20
And only minutes before Ascending, Jesus said,
Acts 1:7,8
It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has in his own power. But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me, in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And then he was gone…Angels beside him saying, “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven, this same Jesus which is taken up from you shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go.”
NOW THEY ARE PRAYING…
If prayer was the Lord’s command, and the first and foremost duty of the First Christians, why would we suppose ourselves exempt from the call to persistent, insistent, consistent prayer?
The Churches of our nation are more and more worldly, as nearly half of those who profess to be born again do not believe that the 10 Commandments are absolutely true—and that Jesus Christ is the only way to God.
The culture is more violent, promiscuous, and hateful by the day.
Only a move of God in Holy Ghost, Sin-Killing, Devil-Defeating Revival Power can stem the tide and turn our nation back to God.
WE MUST PRAY…AS INDIVIDUALS…
Until we pray we will never see God for who He is, and us for who we are.
--THE HOLINESS AND POWER OF GOD…our own sin and powerlessness and profound dependency
Until we pray, surrendering our lives to His absolute authority, we will have no authority against sin.
AS A COMMUNITY OF FAITH…
There will be no revival without prayer. And revival begets more prayer.
Only the effectual fervent prayer of God’s righteous men will avail much against the strongholds of the enemy.
Jesus said, My House shall be called an House of Prayer! Not a crass commercial business.
Jim Cymbala observes, “God birthed the church in a prayer meeting, and prayer meetings today are almost extinct.”
Until we pray we will not have what we need most—we rush around, we run around after this and that, when God is saying, “everything you need I have.”
Only a praying Church can be a soul-winning church
Only a praying Church can be a place where lives are changed, and the power of God is released in miracles.
Only a praying Church can be a bold witness against the Spirit of the Age.
No church should be measured by attendance, rather we must measure ourselves with the Word of God and our faithfulness to it.
Daily in the Temple and in every house…
Only a praying Church will be concerned about the never-dying souls of its community, of its neighbors, of its family.
Oh yes they prayed and turned the world right-side up.
Will we?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
LET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER...
What God Has Joined Together…
JESUS said, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Mark 10:9). The disciples had asked the Lord about marriage. Christ was clear. It is not possible for a man to divide what God has joined together.
I have been thinking about other things that God has joined together that carnal men are trying to “put asunder” and divide.
THE UNITED STATES AND CHRISTIANITY
Before turning to the Scriptures, we would observe that our great nation was founded on the principles of the Judeo-Christian ethic, with a firm reliance upon the God of Scripture and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Declaration of Independence reads, “All men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Our first President, George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern without God and the Bible.”
John Adams wrote, “The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity…I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
In his plan for education, Benjamin Franklin insisted that schools should teach, “the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern.”
Patrick Henry declared, “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”
The United States Supreme Court ruled, “America is a Christian nation,” at the end of the 19th century.
Yet at the dawn of the twentieth century, voices began to be heard, seeking to divide that which “God had joined together.” Now liberty has been uncoupled from morality. Rights have been separated from Right. And Privilege is no longer dependent upon Responsibility.
What God has joined together we put asunder at our own risk. Unless there is a great awakening, our liberty, our property, even our very existence is at risk.
THE SCRIPTURES teach us that God has joined together these great truths:
REPENTANCE AND FAITH
Until there is sincere repentance there can be no saving faith. It is impossible to believe that God has truly forgiven us until we have fully repented—literally changed our minds about sin.
After his baptism, Jesus preached, “Repent and believe the Gospel.” (John 1:15).
In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul tell the Ephesian Elders, “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying to the Jews and Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:20,21). See also Hebrews 6:1.
It is our conviction that the reason so few possess the full assurance of faith, is that so few have failed to thoroughly repent of sin—wilful disobedience against the known law of God. Consequently many “profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:16).
SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION
In his second letter to the Church at Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul declares, “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
To the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
While we contend that sanctifying grace is able to cleanse away our natural inclination to sin and renew our heart in love, the Scriptures clearly teach that saved men are initially sanctified. In nearly every case that sanctification is not entire, but it is begun in the heart of the regenerated. God can only call a man righteous He has made righteous. He cannot lie.
HOLY HEARTS AND HOLY LIVES
There are some who have confused the effect of holiness (separation from the world, the flesh, and the devil) with the cause of holiness, and in so doing they have entirely missed the heart of holiness (i.e. righteousness, joy, peace, and love). Their bitter, censorious, and harsh critique of those who do not live “by the book” (that book usually being the Church Manual) has turned many away from the highway of holiness.In reaction against those who have accented separation from the world (especially in entertainments, adornments, and lifestyle), there has risen a large contingent of “Anti-Pharisees” who believe themselves to be “Super Saints.”
Like the Gnostics of the First Century they suppose that they know the real truth, and so how they live their lives is not important. They criticize their critics and unwittingly fall into the same bitter attitude as those they despise.Indeed “legalism has slain its thousands, while liberalism has slain its tens of thousands.” Sadly, both make shipwreck of their faith.If God’s Word is inspired (and it is!), and if God’s Word reveals God’s will (and it does!), then God’s People will take seriously the spirit and the letter of God’s will as it is revealed in God’s Word and by God's Spirit.To neglect separation from the world is folly, but to reject separation from the world is rebellion.
God has joined Holiness of Heart and Holiness of Life together. The Bible says that those who are “made free from sin,” [holy in heart] are “become servants to God.” [holy in life], and they have “fruit unto holiness.” (Romans 6:22).
DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE
There are many who suppose that they can divide the doctrines of Christianity from the disciplines of Christian living. It is an error as old as the Gnostics of the First Century. The Apostle John confronted this heresy directly, “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” (1 John 2:29). The Bible nowhere teaches us that those who believe correctly will be saved. But it does say, “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (1 John 2:17).
Right doctrine (orthodoxy) and right practice (orthopraxy) are in God’s word, inseparable. But some are attempting to divide what God has joined together.
PURITY AND POWER
Jesus instructed his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the “promise of the Father.” He told them that when the Holy Ghost was given they would “receive power.” On the day of Pentecost, as the disciples were in one accord in one place, they were filled with the Holy Ghost.
Peter would later described Pentecost as the day the disciples were “purified by faith.” (Acts 15:8,9).
Was it Power that they were given at Pentecost? Or was it Purity of heart that came with the Spirit? It was both. Christ came to “purify the people with his own blood.” And, He came to empower his people to victory over the world, the flesh, and devil. Where there is no purity, God’s power will be absent. And wherever you discover God’s power working, you will see God purifying His people from all sin.
HOLINESS AND PEACE
The writer to the Hebrews urges, “Follow (pursue) peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14). In Romans we read, “to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6). “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17). Indeed without holiness there can be no peace.
HOLINESS AND HEAVEN
Finally, we know that Holiness and Heaven are inseparable. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). In writing of Heaven, the exiled Apostle John declares, “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27).
CONCLUSION
We are fooling ourselves if we suppose that we can divide without consequence that which God has joined together. Every attempt to do so will be met with certain judgment. Lay it to heart my dear reader. Let us not resist the law of God, but rest in the comfort of doing God’s will. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:21).
JESUS said, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Mark 10:9). The disciples had asked the Lord about marriage. Christ was clear. It is not possible for a man to divide what God has joined together.
I have been thinking about other things that God has joined together that carnal men are trying to “put asunder” and divide.
THE UNITED STATES AND CHRISTIANITY
Before turning to the Scriptures, we would observe that our great nation was founded on the principles of the Judeo-Christian ethic, with a firm reliance upon the God of Scripture and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Declaration of Independence reads, “All men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Our first President, George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern without God and the Bible.”
John Adams wrote, “The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity…I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
In his plan for education, Benjamin Franklin insisted that schools should teach, “the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern.”
Patrick Henry declared, “It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”
The United States Supreme Court ruled, “America is a Christian nation,” at the end of the 19th century.
Yet at the dawn of the twentieth century, voices began to be heard, seeking to divide that which “God had joined together.” Now liberty has been uncoupled from morality. Rights have been separated from Right. And Privilege is no longer dependent upon Responsibility.
What God has joined together we put asunder at our own risk. Unless there is a great awakening, our liberty, our property, even our very existence is at risk.
THE SCRIPTURES teach us that God has joined together these great truths:
REPENTANCE AND FAITH
Until there is sincere repentance there can be no saving faith. It is impossible to believe that God has truly forgiven us until we have fully repented—literally changed our minds about sin.
After his baptism, Jesus preached, “Repent and believe the Gospel.” (John 1:15).
In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul tell the Ephesian Elders, “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying to the Jews and Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:20,21). See also Hebrews 6:1.
It is our conviction that the reason so few possess the full assurance of faith, is that so few have failed to thoroughly repent of sin—wilful disobedience against the known law of God. Consequently many “profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:16).
SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION
In his second letter to the Church at Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul declares, “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
To the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
While we contend that sanctifying grace is able to cleanse away our natural inclination to sin and renew our heart in love, the Scriptures clearly teach that saved men are initially sanctified. In nearly every case that sanctification is not entire, but it is begun in the heart of the regenerated. God can only call a man righteous He has made righteous. He cannot lie.
HOLY HEARTS AND HOLY LIVES
There are some who have confused the effect of holiness (separation from the world, the flesh, and the devil) with the cause of holiness, and in so doing they have entirely missed the heart of holiness (i.e. righteousness, joy, peace, and love). Their bitter, censorious, and harsh critique of those who do not live “by the book” (that book usually being the Church Manual) has turned many away from the highway of holiness.In reaction against those who have accented separation from the world (especially in entertainments, adornments, and lifestyle), there has risen a large contingent of “Anti-Pharisees” who believe themselves to be “Super Saints.”
Like the Gnostics of the First Century they suppose that they know the real truth, and so how they live their lives is not important. They criticize their critics and unwittingly fall into the same bitter attitude as those they despise.Indeed “legalism has slain its thousands, while liberalism has slain its tens of thousands.” Sadly, both make shipwreck of their faith.If God’s Word is inspired (and it is!), and if God’s Word reveals God’s will (and it does!), then God’s People will take seriously the spirit and the letter of God’s will as it is revealed in God’s Word and by God's Spirit.To neglect separation from the world is folly, but to reject separation from the world is rebellion.
God has joined Holiness of Heart and Holiness of Life together. The Bible says that those who are “made free from sin,” [holy in heart] are “become servants to God.” [holy in life], and they have “fruit unto holiness.” (Romans 6:22).
DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE
There are many who suppose that they can divide the doctrines of Christianity from the disciplines of Christian living. It is an error as old as the Gnostics of the First Century. The Apostle John confronted this heresy directly, “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” (1 John 2:29). The Bible nowhere teaches us that those who believe correctly will be saved. But it does say, “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (1 John 2:17).
Right doctrine (orthodoxy) and right practice (orthopraxy) are in God’s word, inseparable. But some are attempting to divide what God has joined together.
PURITY AND POWER
Jesus instructed his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the “promise of the Father.” He told them that when the Holy Ghost was given they would “receive power.” On the day of Pentecost, as the disciples were in one accord in one place, they were filled with the Holy Ghost.
Peter would later described Pentecost as the day the disciples were “purified by faith.” (Acts 15:8,9).
Was it Power that they were given at Pentecost? Or was it Purity of heart that came with the Spirit? It was both. Christ came to “purify the people with his own blood.” And, He came to empower his people to victory over the world, the flesh, and devil. Where there is no purity, God’s power will be absent. And wherever you discover God’s power working, you will see God purifying His people from all sin.
HOLINESS AND PEACE
The writer to the Hebrews urges, “Follow (pursue) peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14). In Romans we read, “to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6). “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17). Indeed without holiness there can be no peace.
HOLINESS AND HEAVEN
Finally, we know that Holiness and Heaven are inseparable. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). In writing of Heaven, the exiled Apostle John declares, “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27).
CONCLUSION
We are fooling ourselves if we suppose that we can divide without consequence that which God has joined together. Every attempt to do so will be met with certain judgment. Lay it to heart my dear reader. Let us not resist the law of God, but rest in the comfort of doing God’s will. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:21).
Saturday, May 29, 2010
MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE - MAY 2010
In cemeteries all across our nation grieving families have bid farewell to their soldiers, soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Who can ever forget the loud report of the soldiers firing the 21 gun salute, and then the bugler playing the mournful tune "Taps." Though there are no official words to the tune, there are some popular lyrics that are rich with meaning:
Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills,
From the sky.All is well,
safely rest,God is nigh.Fades the light;
And afarGoeth day,
And the starsShineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone,Night is on.Thanks and praise, For our days,'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,'Neath the sky,As we go, This we know,God is nigh.
Though the President of the United States can't make it to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown soldier, (he's on vacation in Chicago), let us each one pause to thank the Lord for not only the soldiers who have died defending freedom, but all of our loved ones who've now made the crossing and are safe in the arms of Jesus.
May the devotion of those who have gone before inspire us all to greater faith and deeper commitment to the Cause of Christ, and His Kingdom.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The United States military requires every soldier to uphold this code of conduct:
1. I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
2. I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.
3. If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole or special favors from the enemy.
4. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
5. When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
6. I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
Here is a CODE OF CONDUCT for SOLDIERS SERVING THE BODY OF CHRIST that my Father wrote and delivered:
I.
I am a Christian. I serve in the defense of Christ and His way of life. I am prepared to die for Him.
II.
I will never surrender to the enemy of my own free will. If I am a pastor I will never surrender one of the flock.
III.
If I fall captive to temptation, I will turn to Christ, the sure way of escape. I will aid others to escape. I will never accept compromise to ease the pressure exerted against me.
IV.
I will keep faith with my fellow Christians. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am a pastor, I will take, responsibility to shepherd the flock. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
V.
When questioned, I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to Christ or the Church or harmful to their cause. I will freely and fully profess my faith, and make every effort to bring my questioners to salvation.
VI.
I will never forget that I am a Christian, responsible for my actions before God, and dedicated to the principles of the Word of God. I will trust God and be true, whatever it costs.
Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills,
From the sky.All is well,
safely rest,God is nigh.Fades the light;
And afarGoeth day,
And the starsShineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone,Night is on.Thanks and praise, For our days,'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,'Neath the sky,As we go, This we know,God is nigh.
Though the President of the United States can't make it to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown soldier, (he's on vacation in Chicago), let us each one pause to thank the Lord for not only the soldiers who have died defending freedom, but all of our loved ones who've now made the crossing and are safe in the arms of Jesus.
May the devotion of those who have gone before inspire us all to greater faith and deeper commitment to the Cause of Christ, and His Kingdom.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The United States military requires every soldier to uphold this code of conduct:
1. I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
2. I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.
3. If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole or special favors from the enemy.
4. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
5. When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
6. I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
Here is a CODE OF CONDUCT for SOLDIERS SERVING THE BODY OF CHRIST that my Father wrote and delivered:
I.
I am a Christian. I serve in the defense of Christ and His way of life. I am prepared to die for Him.
II.
I will never surrender to the enemy of my own free will. If I am a pastor I will never surrender one of the flock.
III.
If I fall captive to temptation, I will turn to Christ, the sure way of escape. I will aid others to escape. I will never accept compromise to ease the pressure exerted against me.
IV.
I will keep faith with my fellow Christians. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am a pastor, I will take, responsibility to shepherd the flock. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
V.
When questioned, I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to Christ or the Church or harmful to their cause. I will freely and fully profess my faith, and make every effort to bring my questioners to salvation.
VI.
I will never forget that I am a Christian, responsible for my actions before God, and dedicated to the principles of the Word of God. I will trust God and be true, whatever it costs.
ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION DEFINED
Would you not agree that most modern day holiness preachers sell this grace short?
FROM JOHN FLETCHER
Again: we give the name of “Christian perfection” to that maturity of grace and holiness which established adult believers attain to under the Christian dispensation: and thus we distinguish that maturity of grace, both from the ripeness of grace, which belongs to the dispensation of the Jews below us; and from the ripeness of glory, which belongs to departed saints above us. Hence it appears, that by “Christian perfection” we mean nothing but the cluster and maturity of the graces which compose the Christian character in the Church militant.
In other words, Christian perfection is a spiritual constellation made up of these gracious stars, perfect repentance, perfect faith, perfect humility, perfect meekness, perfect self denial, perfect resignation, perfect hope, perfect charity for our visible enemies, as well as for our earthly relations; and, above all, perfect love for our invisible God, through the explicit knowledge of our Mediator Jesus Christ.
And as this last star is always accompanied by all the others, as Jupiter is by his satellites, we frequently use, as St. John, the phrase “perfect love,” instead of the word perfection; understanding by it the pure love of God shed abroad in the hearts of established believers by the Holy Ghost, which is abundantly given them under the fulness of the Christian dispensation.
FROM JOHN WESLEY
22. By what "fruit of the Spirit" may we "know that we are of God," even in the highest sense?
By love, joy, peace, always abiding; by invariable long-suffering, patience, resignation; by gentleness, triumphing over all provocation; by goodness, mildness,sweetness, tenderness of spirit; by fidelity, simplicity, godly sincerity; by meekness, calmness, evenness of spirit; by temperance, not only in food and sleep, but in all things natural and spiritual.
23. But what great matter is there is this? Have we not all this when we are justified?
What! Total resignation to the will of God, without any mixture of self-will? Gentleness, without any touch of anger, even the moment we are provoked? Love to God, without the least love to the creature, but in and for God, excluding all pride? Love to man, excluding all envy, all jealousy, and rash judging? Meekness, keeping the whole soul inviolably calm? And temperance in all things? Deny that any ever came up to this, if you please; but do not say all who are justified do.
FROM BROOKS, SCRIPTURAL SANCTIFICATION
In telling us what this enlargement is, Bishop Foster gives the following definition ordescription of this "higher experience," which, in advance of more elaborate definitions, we adoptas our own:
"What is this higher grace? Some call it holiness; some, purity; some, sanctification; some,perfection; some, maturity. There has been much unseemly disputation over the name as well asmuch fanatical profession concerning the experience, and much crude and unsound teaching as towhat it includes and how it is to be attained, and much ill-tempered criticism.
"It answers all the ends of description to say, it is the perfecting of the soul in love. Love isnot simply the queen of the graces, but the mother of them all -- the all-embracing.
Love is thefulfilling of the law; love made perfect excludes envy, jealousy, pride, and all violent and hurtful tempers and acts; love is reverent, meek, humble, docile, patient, obedient, worketh no ill,fulfilleth all righteousness. Perfect love inspires perfect faith, courage, heroism, self-denial,casteth out all fear ... God fills the soul with his love to overflowing. It thrills with gladness; itexpels impurity. While it reigns, there is no place for evil thoughts, evil desires, evil feelings.Heaven has already come. Can it be permanent at its highest pitch? We think we are safe in saying no, as an emotion. The thrill of love and joy must be intermittent in a life like ours on earth. Otherfeelings must come, and for the time obscure and replace these. But as a principle governing thelife, we are bold to say love may and should abide moment by moment and without alloy."
FROM JOHN FLETCHER
Again: we give the name of “Christian perfection” to that maturity of grace and holiness which established adult believers attain to under the Christian dispensation: and thus we distinguish that maturity of grace, both from the ripeness of grace, which belongs to the dispensation of the Jews below us; and from the ripeness of glory, which belongs to departed saints above us. Hence it appears, that by “Christian perfection” we mean nothing but the cluster and maturity of the graces which compose the Christian character in the Church militant.
In other words, Christian perfection is a spiritual constellation made up of these gracious stars, perfect repentance, perfect faith, perfect humility, perfect meekness, perfect self denial, perfect resignation, perfect hope, perfect charity for our visible enemies, as well as for our earthly relations; and, above all, perfect love for our invisible God, through the explicit knowledge of our Mediator Jesus Christ.
And as this last star is always accompanied by all the others, as Jupiter is by his satellites, we frequently use, as St. John, the phrase “perfect love,” instead of the word perfection; understanding by it the pure love of God shed abroad in the hearts of established believers by the Holy Ghost, which is abundantly given them under the fulness of the Christian dispensation.
FROM JOHN WESLEY
22. By what "fruit of the Spirit" may we "know that we are of God," even in the highest sense?
By love, joy, peace, always abiding; by invariable long-suffering, patience, resignation; by gentleness, triumphing over all provocation; by goodness, mildness,sweetness, tenderness of spirit; by fidelity, simplicity, godly sincerity; by meekness, calmness, evenness of spirit; by temperance, not only in food and sleep, but in all things natural and spiritual.
23. But what great matter is there is this? Have we not all this when we are justified?
What! Total resignation to the will of God, without any mixture of self-will? Gentleness, without any touch of anger, even the moment we are provoked? Love to God, without the least love to the creature, but in and for God, excluding all pride? Love to man, excluding all envy, all jealousy, and rash judging? Meekness, keeping the whole soul inviolably calm? And temperance in all things? Deny that any ever came up to this, if you please; but do not say all who are justified do.
FROM BROOKS, SCRIPTURAL SANCTIFICATION
In telling us what this enlargement is, Bishop Foster gives the following definition ordescription of this "higher experience," which, in advance of more elaborate definitions, we adoptas our own:
"What is this higher grace? Some call it holiness; some, purity; some, sanctification; some,perfection; some, maturity. There has been much unseemly disputation over the name as well asmuch fanatical profession concerning the experience, and much crude and unsound teaching as towhat it includes and how it is to be attained, and much ill-tempered criticism.
"It answers all the ends of description to say, it is the perfecting of the soul in love. Love isnot simply the queen of the graces, but the mother of them all -- the all-embracing.
Love is thefulfilling of the law; love made perfect excludes envy, jealousy, pride, and all violent and hurtful tempers and acts; love is reverent, meek, humble, docile, patient, obedient, worketh no ill,fulfilleth all righteousness. Perfect love inspires perfect faith, courage, heroism, self-denial,casteth out all fear ... God fills the soul with his love to overflowing. It thrills with gladness; itexpels impurity. While it reigns, there is no place for evil thoughts, evil desires, evil feelings.Heaven has already come. Can it be permanent at its highest pitch? We think we are safe in saying no, as an emotion. The thrill of love and joy must be intermittent in a life like ours on earth. Otherfeelings must come, and for the time obscure and replace these. But as a principle governing thelife, we are bold to say love may and should abide moment by moment and without alloy."
YOU ASK ME WHY I'M HAPPY
Why are we so happy?
It’s not because we have solved all our problems and met every challenge we’ve faced. It’s not because we never face illness and tragedy. It can’t be because we’re thrilled with our government. It certainly can’t be because the world’s economy is so good.
So let me give you five—five reasons why Christians are happy, or what the Bible calls, “Blessed.”
The doubters say that Christians are happy because they are deceived and confused. They say that if Christians understood their situation, they’d be as unhappy as the rest of the world. And certainly, if I was a doubter, skeptical of Christ and critical of God’s Word, that’s what I’d say too. It sure beats admitting one is wrong. Read these survey results and you will see Bible-believing Christians are indeed happier! http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/80-peoples-faith-flavor-influences-how-they-see-themselves?q=happiness
FIRST, WE KNOW THAT GOD IS GOOD AND THAT HE LOVES US.
The God of the Holy Bible is not limited (He is all-powerful), mean-spirited (He is full of compassion), or inconsistent (He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!). He is good, and He is good all the time. Here’s proof:
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who
trust in Him! Nahum 1:7 Good and upright is the Lord… Psalm 25:8
O Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. Psalm 34:8
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:8,9.
There is none good but one, that is God… Matthew 19:17
Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Romans 2:4
SECOND WE KNOW THAT THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS, OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN, FORGOTTEN, FOREVER!
For “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved!” (John 3:17). “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “There is therefore now, no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1).
Psychologists and counselors tell us that that what people need more than anything else is a fresh start. Christ has given that to us! By paying the penalty for our sins, He has set us free.
“I’m free from the fear of tomorrow.
I’m free from the guilt of the past.
For I’ve traded my shackles, for a glorious song!
I’m free, praise the Lord, free at last!”
Not only are we free from the guilt of sin, but in Christ there is victory over sin! “Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory .” “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” (Romans 6:14) “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ...” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
THIRD WE KNOW THAT GOD WILL DIRECT OUR LIVES, SUPPLY OUR NEEDS, AND NEVER LEAVE US. Our security is not found in uncertain riches. But our Heavenly Father is watching over us.
Here’s what Jesus said:
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:25-34).
Indeed the Prophet Jeremiah was so right, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22,23. Isaiah said it this way, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24
FOURTH WE KNOW THAT GOD HAS A GOOD AND PERFECT PLAN FOR OUR LIVES. When we surrender our lives to His control, we find perfect peace and contentment.
Our happiness does not rest in relationships with people. Nor do we depend on uncertain riches to make us happy.
Our strength comes from the Lord. Our direction comes from His Word and His Spirit. And His will does not lead us where His grace cannot keep us. He has never failed us!
“For I know the thoughts [the plans that I have for you] that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14.)
FIFTH WE KNOW THAT HEAVEN IS OUR DESTINY.
No matter how deep the trial, no matter how long the journey, no matter how difficult the circumstance, no matter how grievous the pain, one of these days the children of God will be Safe in the Arms of Jesus! And “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!”
Heaven is real, and it is really wonderful! I haven’t located heaven’s exact address in the universe, but I have located heaven’s description in God’s Word. It is a place where there will be no more tears, no more death, neither sorrow, no crying, and no pain! (Revelation 21:4)
Heaven is cheap at any price. It is forever at home with the Lord. It is peace and security. It is everlasting life. It is the blessed home of the sanctified.
It is worth more than money (ask poor Lazarus and the multitudes of earth’s poor who now are rich in heaven treasure—a treasure that moth and rust cannot corrupt).
It is worth more than pleasure (ask the rich man who had everything in life and is now suffering the loss of everything and is being tormented in hell’s flame).
It is worth more than the opinions of the world (ask those who were mocked, and scorned, and ridiculed by this world, because they were different, looked different, acted different, and lived different. Today they are reigning with Christ in glory).
It is worth more than life itself (ask the millions who have been martyred for their faith.)
I SAY, HALLELUJAH! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! I’M SO GLAD I’M A CHILD OF THE KING! I LOVE THIS WAY! AND I’M GLAD I’VE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS!
It’s not because we have solved all our problems and met every challenge we’ve faced. It’s not because we never face illness and tragedy. It can’t be because we’re thrilled with our government. It certainly can’t be because the world’s economy is so good.
So let me give you five—five reasons why Christians are happy, or what the Bible calls, “Blessed.”
The doubters say that Christians are happy because they are deceived and confused. They say that if Christians understood their situation, they’d be as unhappy as the rest of the world. And certainly, if I was a doubter, skeptical of Christ and critical of God’s Word, that’s what I’d say too. It sure beats admitting one is wrong. Read these survey results and you will see Bible-believing Christians are indeed happier! http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/80-peoples-faith-flavor-influences-how-they-see-themselves?q=happiness
FIRST, WE KNOW THAT GOD IS GOOD AND THAT HE LOVES US.
The God of the Holy Bible is not limited (He is all-powerful), mean-spirited (He is full of compassion), or inconsistent (He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!). He is good, and He is good all the time. Here’s proof:
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who
trust in Him! Nahum 1:7 Good and upright is the Lord… Psalm 25:8
O Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. Psalm 34:8
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:8,9.
There is none good but one, that is God… Matthew 19:17
Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Romans 2:4
SECOND WE KNOW THAT THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS, OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN, FORGOTTEN, FOREVER!
For “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved!” (John 3:17). “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “There is therefore now, no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1).
Psychologists and counselors tell us that that what people need more than anything else is a fresh start. Christ has given that to us! By paying the penalty for our sins, He has set us free.
“I’m free from the fear of tomorrow.
I’m free from the guilt of the past.
For I’ve traded my shackles, for a glorious song!
I’m free, praise the Lord, free at last!”
Not only are we free from the guilt of sin, but in Christ there is victory over sin! “Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory .” “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” (Romans 6:14) “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ...” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
THIRD WE KNOW THAT GOD WILL DIRECT OUR LIVES, SUPPLY OUR NEEDS, AND NEVER LEAVE US. Our security is not found in uncertain riches. But our Heavenly Father is watching over us.
Here’s what Jesus said:
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:25-34).
Indeed the Prophet Jeremiah was so right, “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22,23. Isaiah said it this way, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24
FOURTH WE KNOW THAT GOD HAS A GOOD AND PERFECT PLAN FOR OUR LIVES. When we surrender our lives to His control, we find perfect peace and contentment.
Our happiness does not rest in relationships with people. Nor do we depend on uncertain riches to make us happy.
Our strength comes from the Lord. Our direction comes from His Word and His Spirit. And His will does not lead us where His grace cannot keep us. He has never failed us!
“For I know the thoughts [the plans that I have for you] that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14.)
FIFTH WE KNOW THAT HEAVEN IS OUR DESTINY.
No matter how deep the trial, no matter how long the journey, no matter how difficult the circumstance, no matter how grievous the pain, one of these days the children of God will be Safe in the Arms of Jesus! And “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!”
Heaven is real, and it is really wonderful! I haven’t located heaven’s exact address in the universe, but I have located heaven’s description in God’s Word. It is a place where there will be no more tears, no more death, neither sorrow, no crying, and no pain! (Revelation 21:4)
Heaven is cheap at any price. It is forever at home with the Lord. It is peace and security. It is everlasting life. It is the blessed home of the sanctified.
It is worth more than money (ask poor Lazarus and the multitudes of earth’s poor who now are rich in heaven treasure—a treasure that moth and rust cannot corrupt).
It is worth more than pleasure (ask the rich man who had everything in life and is now suffering the loss of everything and is being tormented in hell’s flame).
It is worth more than the opinions of the world (ask those who were mocked, and scorned, and ridiculed by this world, because they were different, looked different, acted different, and lived different. Today they are reigning with Christ in glory).
It is worth more than life itself (ask the millions who have been martyred for their faith.)
I SAY, HALLELUJAH! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! I’M SO GLAD I’M A CHILD OF THE KING! I LOVE THIS WAY! AND I’M GLAD I’VE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS!
KINGSWOOD GRADUATION 2010
I would first like to say…
“Congratulations” to CHARLIE--CHARLES STEVEN DURST! Your hours of study and hard work have paid off.
“Commendations” to CHARLIE’S teachers! Your devoted teaching—pouring not only information but inspiration—into this life have brought us to this good hour.
“You Made It!” to CHARLIE’S parents!
Hours of driving – driving between Decatur and Urbana, and driving your son to do his best—represented a tremendous sacrifice for you, but will bring life-long blessings to your son.
As you leave Kingswood School and enter the University of Illinois, you will face the greatest challenges, and greatest opportunities of your life. Unlike Kingswood—a school that is Christian, Biblical, and Classical—the University will be Hostile to Christian Orthdoxy, Critical of Scriptural Authority, and dismissive of the great thoughts and thinkers of Western Civilization.
Your fellow university students will not have experienced the New Birth, they will not believe that Biblical Morality is inspired and inerrant, and they will be driven by the desires for pleasure and acceptance, more than discipleship and principled leadership.
They will have imbibed the spirit of this age. They will live as though morality is a myth, judgment is fiction, and eternity in heaven or hell is a fairy tale. In this they are not unlike their parents and professors. We are living in decadent days.
And yet, it is with great confidence that we face our times. With Winston Churchill we will “Never give in. Never, Never, Never, Never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in... Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
With FAITH IN THE FUTURE we face the challenge of this day.
Faith in the God who made heaven and earth!
Faith in the Savior who suffered, bled, died, and rose again!
Faith in the Spirit of Holiness who indwells, empowers, and directs God’s people!
Faith in the Word of God that is inerrant, inspired, and our sole authority!
Faith in the Church of Jesus Christ that will assault and prevail against the gates of hell!
Faith in the Cause of Right and Righteousness!
The Enemy has come in like a flood! In these last days he has unleashed every weapon in his arsenal to defeat Christ and Christ’s Church.
…He is still saying as he said to Eve, “Hath God said…” injecting doubt into the minds of men.
But my Grandmother Jones was right when she wrote to Dad, “Sin is just as black as it ever was, and must be declared as such. It takes the same remedy to cure this awful malady as it always did. When God says what is right and what is wrong, that is how it is! It has already been settled in heaven, centuries ago. (Psalm 119:89).
…He is still distracting God’s people from the place of prayer, from the study of God’s Word, and from Worship! Even innocent entertainments are numbing the minds and dulling the spiritual sensitivity of good people. And what’s worse, the Church herself has imbibed the spirit of the age, so that feasting has replaced fasting, playing has replaced praying, gaming has replaced going (to the lost), and happiness has replaced holiness as our first concern.
…He is placing into the media, the government, and the leadership of our nation, people who are anti-Christ. They are “enemies of the Cross” and they are determined to undermine Christian faith, the Christian Church, and the Christian nation that has secured liberty and done more good than any other nation in the history of mankind.
…And He still seeks to sabotage our faith, by strategically placing into our lives, compromising friends who will erode your determination to act right and be holy. Worldly friends are dangerous, but worldly professing Christian friends may pose the greatest threat to your soul.
Graduate, these are not dark days, but these are great days!
Never seek the favor or approval of men. Never thirst for the approval of this world. Never fear the loneliness of standing alone for the Savior—He stood alone for you one day!
Charlie, God knew you would come to the kingdom for such a time as this. God knew exactly what the world would be like when he gifted you with life. God knew what trials and temptations you would face. God knew what abilities He would give you!
There is only One whose approval you must seek. Let the Apostle Paul’s testimony be yours,
“2 Corinthians 5:9 …we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”
On May 6, of 1985 my Father wrote to his fellow pastors. Remember:
“We are foundation men. It may be that in some future time others will be able to assemble the superstructure more rapidly, but we are truly unique in the marketplace of churches to be offering costly grace when cheap grace is the “in” thing. Yet it is for this very reason that we find our own efforts closely paralleling the New Testament example. Except for those disciples of John, and the Jews who converted, the work was not easy. "
"Progress was bought with life-shortening labor and persecution, and the loneliness of the whipping post and desertion of fellow “Christians” in Caesar’s Court."
"This is the precipice of glory! This is life with meaning! This is counting all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Let us storm the gates of hell with with the confidence of men who have heard the Divine affirmation that those gates will not prevail.
Now go make a difference for Christ and for eternity!
“Congratulations” to CHARLIE--CHARLES STEVEN DURST! Your hours of study and hard work have paid off.
“Commendations” to CHARLIE’S teachers! Your devoted teaching—pouring not only information but inspiration—into this life have brought us to this good hour.
“You Made It!” to CHARLIE’S parents!
Hours of driving – driving between Decatur and Urbana, and driving your son to do his best—represented a tremendous sacrifice for you, but will bring life-long blessings to your son.
As you leave Kingswood School and enter the University of Illinois, you will face the greatest challenges, and greatest opportunities of your life. Unlike Kingswood—a school that is Christian, Biblical, and Classical—the University will be Hostile to Christian Orthdoxy, Critical of Scriptural Authority, and dismissive of the great thoughts and thinkers of Western Civilization.
Your fellow university students will not have experienced the New Birth, they will not believe that Biblical Morality is inspired and inerrant, and they will be driven by the desires for pleasure and acceptance, more than discipleship and principled leadership.
They will have imbibed the spirit of this age. They will live as though morality is a myth, judgment is fiction, and eternity in heaven or hell is a fairy tale. In this they are not unlike their parents and professors. We are living in decadent days.
And yet, it is with great confidence that we face our times. With Winston Churchill we will “Never give in. Never, Never, Never, Never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in... Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
With FAITH IN THE FUTURE we face the challenge of this day.
Faith in the God who made heaven and earth!
Faith in the Savior who suffered, bled, died, and rose again!
Faith in the Spirit of Holiness who indwells, empowers, and directs God’s people!
Faith in the Word of God that is inerrant, inspired, and our sole authority!
Faith in the Church of Jesus Christ that will assault and prevail against the gates of hell!
Faith in the Cause of Right and Righteousness!
The Enemy has come in like a flood! In these last days he has unleashed every weapon in his arsenal to defeat Christ and Christ’s Church.
…He is still saying as he said to Eve, “Hath God said…” injecting doubt into the minds of men.
But my Grandmother Jones was right when she wrote to Dad, “Sin is just as black as it ever was, and must be declared as such. It takes the same remedy to cure this awful malady as it always did. When God says what is right and what is wrong, that is how it is! It has already been settled in heaven, centuries ago. (Psalm 119:89).
…He is still distracting God’s people from the place of prayer, from the study of God’s Word, and from Worship! Even innocent entertainments are numbing the minds and dulling the spiritual sensitivity of good people. And what’s worse, the Church herself has imbibed the spirit of the age, so that feasting has replaced fasting, playing has replaced praying, gaming has replaced going (to the lost), and happiness has replaced holiness as our first concern.
…He is placing into the media, the government, and the leadership of our nation, people who are anti-Christ. They are “enemies of the Cross” and they are determined to undermine Christian faith, the Christian Church, and the Christian nation that has secured liberty and done more good than any other nation in the history of mankind.
…And He still seeks to sabotage our faith, by strategically placing into our lives, compromising friends who will erode your determination to act right and be holy. Worldly friends are dangerous, but worldly professing Christian friends may pose the greatest threat to your soul.
Graduate, these are not dark days, but these are great days!
Never seek the favor or approval of men. Never thirst for the approval of this world. Never fear the loneliness of standing alone for the Savior—He stood alone for you one day!
Charlie, God knew you would come to the kingdom for such a time as this. God knew exactly what the world would be like when he gifted you with life. God knew what trials and temptations you would face. God knew what abilities He would give you!
There is only One whose approval you must seek. Let the Apostle Paul’s testimony be yours,
“2 Corinthians 5:9 …we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”
On May 6, of 1985 my Father wrote to his fellow pastors. Remember:
“We are foundation men. It may be that in some future time others will be able to assemble the superstructure more rapidly, but we are truly unique in the marketplace of churches to be offering costly grace when cheap grace is the “in” thing. Yet it is for this very reason that we find our own efforts closely paralleling the New Testament example. Except for those disciples of John, and the Jews who converted, the work was not easy. "
"Progress was bought with life-shortening labor and persecution, and the loneliness of the whipping post and desertion of fellow “Christians” in Caesar’s Court."
"This is the precipice of glory! This is life with meaning! This is counting all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Let us storm the gates of hell with with the confidence of men who have heard the Divine affirmation that those gates will not prevail.
Now go make a difference for Christ and for eternity!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
JOY!
The fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance.
Galatians 5:22,23
The circumstances you are facing today come as no surprise to God. God is still in control!
He loves you. He gave His only begotten Son to save you.
He has a purpose and plan for your life.
He desires that you would desire Him, so that you could experience His love, His joy, and His peace. All who have made Him the center of their existence discover life with meaning, victory over vice, the knowledge of God’s favor, and an unshakable hope and confidence.
Wow I am so glad I’ve decided to follow the Lord!
I’ve made my share of messes, but our wonderful Savior has never failed!
He revealed himself to me!
He redeemed me!
He restored me!
He reconciled me!
He renewed my strength!
He remodeled me!
He revolutionized me!
He is my reason for living! (Now if that’s too many exclamation points I’m sorry!)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS JOY!
The Scriptures tell us that the fruit of the Spirit is Joy! The tragedy of our day is that so few experience this Joy in their lives.
Unbelief does not bring joy. Voltaire, one of the most ardent opponents of Christ wrote, “I wish I had never been born. Pleasure does not bring joy. The poet Lord Byron lived a life of unbridled pleasure, and concluded, “the worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone.” Money cannot buy joy. Jay Gould, one of the richest Americans said on his death-bed, “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”
JOY CAN BE FOUND ONLY WHEN THE SPIRIT OF GOD INDWELLS THE HEART.
By nature we are not just physical beings we are spiritual. When sin and rebellion are in our hearts the Holy Spirit of God is driven out. People try to fill the void that remains in their hearts with physical pleasure or positive thinking, but only God's Spirit will suffice.
While God’s Spirit brings us joy, it first brings us deep conviction and sorrow for our sins. If you feel guilty for running from God, that’s God’s Spirit speaking to you. If you feel sorry for living life outside God’s will, that’s God’s Spirit convicting you. If you’re beginning to think you need to get right with God, that’s God’s Spirit drawing you. Thank God He loves you enough to come after you!
When you repent (change your mind about sin), and believe in Christ (a change of heart), then you will be “born of the Spirit!” You will experience what Jesus called “the new birth.” (See John 3:1-16). And with the Spirit of God comes Joy!
THE JOY OF SINS FORGIVEN!
Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my JOY might remain in you, and that your JOY might be full.” (John 15:11). Preachers, poets, and songwriters, have not yet found words to express the wonderful joy that comes to those who are saved. But that has not kept them from trying! We sing:
“Life now is sweet, and my JOY is complete for I’m Saved! Saved! Saved!”
“It is JOY unspeakable and full of glory…and the half has never yet been told!”
“Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of Glory, Lord of Love!”
“I’ve got the Joy! Joy! Joy! Joy! Down in my heart!”
THE JOY OF KNOWING GOD!
When the Gospel came to Samaria the Bible tells us, "There was great joy in that city!" (Acts 8:8). In Acts 13 we read that even when the disciples met opposition they were "filled with Joy and the Holy Ghost." (Acts 13:51,52). Indeed, living life as God intended for us to live is "joy unspeakable and full of glory!" (1st Peter 1:8,9).
THE JOY OF KNOWING THAT NO MATTER WHAT TOMORROW HOLDS,
WE KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW!
The Apostle Paul was warned that the Jews were out to silence him. Even so, the Apostle testified to the Christians at Ephesus, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy." (Acts 20:24).
Because the world is not the source of our joy, the world can never take away our joy. Our confidence rests in God, the Maker of heaven and earth.
THE JOY OF ANSWERED PRAYER!
If we "regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us." (Psalm 66:18), but Jesus urged His disciples, "You have asked nothing in my name, ask, and ye shall receive, that your JOY may be full!" (John 14:24). "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear, What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!"
THE JOY THAT SUSTAINS US EVEN WHEN WE ARE PERSECUTED!
Dictators and tyrants--those who persecute, know nothing of this joy! It's hard to imagine that Nero and Caligula were men with a song in their hearts. But Paul and Silas, after they were brutally beaten, roughly thrown into a Macedonian prison, placed in an unspeakably rancid cell, prayed and sang praises to God while their feet were bound in stocks and their wrists were wrapped in chains!
I can hear them singing now,
"Glorious freedom! Wonderful Freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious emancipator!
Now and forever He shall be mine!"
Then after a shout of praise, God's men sang,
"Through many dangers, toils and snares,
We have already come,
'tis grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home!"
Ah, "anyone can sing when the sun is shining bright, but you need a song in your heart at night!"
Though persecuted God's people rejoice in the God of their salvation. Our worship has always been punctuated with joy. The great British preacher Spurgeon said it this way:
"High joys were common when the Bridegroom comforted His bride in the dens and caves of the earth. Those pioneers of our holy faith were destitute, afflicted, tormented--yet were they men of whom the world was not worthy--and men who counted it all joy to suffer for Christ's sake!"
THE JOY OF SEEING JESUS!
One of these days we will be face to face with Christ our Savior. One day the faith shall be sight. And friends, "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus! One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase!"
The anticipation of that grand reunion draws us forward, for "we look not at the things which are seen, for the things that are seen are temporary, but the thing that are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18).
As a third century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend:
"It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians--and I am one of them."
May God so fill us with His Spirit that His Joy would be our possession, now and forever! Amen!
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