Category: From the Preacher’s Pen

In Colossians 3:1-2, the apostle Paul wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” In light of the corruption that is present in our own society, such words are certainly needed.

The call is for Christians to comport themselves differently because of their relationship with their Savior.  We have been raised with Christ.  As Paul put it in Romans 6:4, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” While not explicitly stated in the text, our leaving the waters of baptism, dead to sin and alive to Christ, is a raising that parallels the resurrection of our Lord.  It is a new birth, a renewal, a conversion.  We should not longer be as the world, but rather “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

The call is accomplished in the mind.  We set our minds on things above.  Our focus is not on the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, but on our eternal abode and the things of God.

Why do we do this?  Back to Colossians 3:4, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” The old man (the man of sin) is dead.  Because of this, the new man is to “put to death [his] members which are on the earth” (vs. 5).  This is not optional.  It is what it means to belong to Him.

The second chapter of the book of Acts records the activities of Christians at the dawn of the church’s existence. “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (vs. 44-47).

The text reveals an idyllic state among the people of God — one to which we today should aspire. Luke quickly begins to recount sin among the brethren (Acts 5), cultural conflicts (Acts 6) as well as persecution from without (Acts 7). But, early on there was only joy and encouragement as brethren showed hospitality toward each other, and came together in praise and worship to God.

No doubt such joy is available to Christians today. It is possible for righteous people of God to have the same mind, to endure opposition, and maintain the peace and joy that comes from our common heritage. It must be fostered and maintained, but it is possible, and it is a state God desires for his people.

If you want that joy, then do as they did in Acts 2. Assemble with the saints to worship God. Show love to your brethren through benevolence and hospitality. Thank God for the wonderful blessings you receive. Be glad for who you are, and the hope of heaven you enjoy. It is wonderful to be a child of God, and to rejoice in the hope of heaven!

A few days ago I came across the written thoughts of a young Christian who took issue with the idea of making New Year’s resolutions, at least with regard to a person’s efforts to serve his Lord.

He made some good points, emphasizing that we should resolve today and every day to serve God acceptably. This, of course, is true. I certainly would not suggest that anyone wait until January 1st before beginning an effort to serve God. (If you do that today, you would be waiting for 360 days!)

However, the first month of the year remains as good a time as any to take stock of your spiritual standing, and to determine to do better than you have in the past. With that in mind, I would encourage you to consider what you did last year in the following areas, and to contemplate what you could do to improve in 2013:

• Making prayer a habit. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Reading and studying God’s word (Psalm 1:1-2)
• Diligently attending worship (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Achieving focus and zeal in worship (John 4:24)
• Expressing interest in brethren (Philippians 2:4)
• Walking with Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
• Placing Christ first in life (Galatians 2:20)
• Sharing the faith with others (1 Peter 3:15)
• Living a transformed, holy life (Romans 12:1-2)
• Practicing benevolence (James 1:27)
• Practicing hospitality (Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9)

Surely each of us, no matter what efforts we have made in the past, can do better this next year as we seek to serve our Lord!

(This is a comment I recently made during an online discussion on the subject of abortion. It is edited for space).

The abortion debate is polarizing. I think by nature it must be. If one holds my position, it is black and white, and there is a place for condemnation of the act. If one holds the other position, the belief is that condemnation is inappropriate. The crux of the matter is whether a fetus is a child. If one grants that the fetus is human, when that life is taken it is murder. If it is not human, then it is simply a part of the woman, and there is nothing immoral about removing it.

Morality is objective, not subjective or relative. The true standard of what is moral has been established by God, and man has no right to alter it. When men do so (be they individual or government) they substitute their own will for God’s. As it relates to our topic, abortion is a subset of the general category of murder (as is genocide, patricide, matricide, infanticide, etc.) We rightly have laws against all of these. When men choose to disregard these laws, we as a society judge and punish them. While mitigating circumstances (upbringing, mental illness, economic circumstances) may lessen the punishment, it does not change the fact that a crime has been committed, and innocent parties have been harmed. When in 1973 the laws on abortion were changed, the Supreme Court wrongly allayed itself against the will of God. Abortion should still be illegal. The purpose of government is to protect the innocent. There is no more innocent an individual than an unborn child.

So, to me there is little nuance, and there is every reason to judge and condemn. I will never hesitate to speak out for the most innocent and pure individual in every abortion scenario — the threatened unborn.

The ties of a durable marriage are not like the pretty silken ribbons attached to wedding presents. Instead, they must be forged like steel in the heat of daily life and the pressures of crisis in order to form a union that cannot be severed.

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. 1989 (M. P. Green, Ed.)

The scripture informs us that marriage is a lifetime commitment. Jesus affirmed such in Matthew 19:4-6, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Jennifer Baker, of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, reports that in America 45-50% of all first marriages end in divorce. Sadly, 60-67% of all second marriages end in divorce; and, the rate increases to 70-73% for third marriages. These statistics indicate that those who divorce do so primarily because of a failure on their part to commit to the relationship. It takes great effort and fortitude to forge a lasting marriage. The commitment is seldom seen in our society, but is possible for any couple who is determined to please God.

In the Fort Worth Star Telegram on the crosswords page, there are two “jumble” type puzzles, where you have to rearrange letters to uncover the intended words. Each of them have a “payoff” word that comes with a clue. I liked the “Scramlets” puzzle from Tuesday. The clue was:

Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts.

Wisdom comes from the most unexpected places. The quote acknowledges that everyone has thoughts that are rude or inappropriate, but a polite person chooses carefully those thoughts he will express.

This reminds me of James’ thoughts regarding temptation and sin in James 1:14-15, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings for death.”

All are tempted to sin. No matter the enticement, no matter the desire, sin is avoided when we choose not to pursue it. The choice is not always easy to make, and is made easier only as a Christian matures spiritually. However, two things are indisputably true. First, we can resist the temptations to sin. Paul wrote, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Second, we are accountable for the choices we make! “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14, ESV).

The Bible calls us to be content in our lives. Jesus said, “Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” (Matthew 6:31). The apostle Paul exemplified this attitude, even while imprisoned, in his epistle to the Philippians, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, bot to abound and to suffer need” (4:11-12).

However, as our initial text notes, there is one area where contentment can be detrimental to the Christian, and that is self-satisfaction in the area of his Christian walk. While it would be unfortunate for us to doubt the Lord’s promises of blessings to his followers, we should never be satisfied with where we are in our journey to heaven. It is necessary that we continue to press forward, lest we falter.

The Hebrew writer warned about neglect, and exhorted his readers to “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (2:1). He noted that some of them had “become dull of hearing” (5:11). For the Christian, diligence is the watchword. Contentment and self-satisfaction are the enemies of faithfulness!

How important is a love for truth? This is a legitimate question as we live in a culture that champions the concept of relativism. In the view of many, ultimate or actual truth is not attainable, at least not in spiritual matters. So, personal and subjective feelings (sincerity) have replaced the search for objective truth, as the standard of acceptability to God.

However, though men do not believe an adherence to truth to be of any great importance, a simple consideration of scripture shows that God does. Consider the following:

1. Love for God is paramount. Consider Jesus’ words, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).
2. But, Jesus defined love in a very specific way. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
3. His commandments (truth) is found in scripture. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

To rightly claim a love for God, we must keep His commandments. Since He has revealed His will for man in the Holy Scriptures, it is there we will find truth. What is truth? Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” How important is a love for truth? Very! It is required! Do you have an encompassing love for the truth of God?

I recently came across this paragraph, written by Foy L. Smith. I believe it was written in 1963. It clearly states the attitude that gospel preachers should have toward their work. It also asserts the importance of sharing the gospel with others:

Brother, roll up your sleeves and thunder forth that message that rocked the hills and vales around the Jordan long ago — that pierced the hearts and convicted thousands on the day of Pentecost and subsequent days — that vibrated through the hills and valleys of Kentucky and Ohio in the days of the restoration, and that still thrills and influences the hearts of men when it is given its rightful place and emphasis! Preach it because you can do nothing greater. Preach it because you love it. Preach it because you are afraid not to preach it. And preach it exactly as it is written, neither fearing nor favoring men. Preach it every time you go into the pulpit like that time will be your last time. Preach it as “a dying man to dying men”

Foy L. Smith, Firm Foundation Vol. 80, Num. 5

The zeal revealed in the quote is one that is too seldom seen among God’s people. Are we apathetic? Paul said, “So as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel” (Romans 1:15). May we all emulate the great apostle!

“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:103-106).

It is a wonderful thing to have opportunity to read, study and meditate on God’s word. Those who give themselves to such study, with the purpose of sharing the fruits of their study with others, are to be commended. In Romans 10:15, Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah in describing the preacher of the gospel. Isaiah’s words, found in Isaiah 52:7 are:

“How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

We are blessed this week to have the opportunity to hear brother Chip Foster proclaim the sweet words of Jehovah in our hearing. The gospel of our Lord is the “power of God unto salvation” (cf. Romans 1:16). Please take advantage of every lesson, and rejoice in the easy availability of His will for man. We are truly living in times of blessing, and look forward to our week together!

The apostle Paul was very enthusiastic about the preaching of the gospel. He wrote to the Romans, “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:15-16).

In the apostle’s estimation, there was nothing more important than preaching the gospel of Christ. There was no force that could better effect change in the lives of saint and sinner alike. Opportunities to hear God’s word are precious, and should be coveted by each one of us.

We have such an opportunity to hear the gospel preached beginning next Saturday. Brother Chip Foster loves the truth of God, and has set himself to proclaim it in our presence. Opportunities will be available each day from May 5-10 to hear that gospel described by Paul as the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

You may have other things to do that week, but one thing is sure — there is nothing you can do that week that is more important than what God’s saints will be doing at the West Side building, or more beneficial to you and yours. So, how about it? Will you be there?

I recently came across an article that was discussing advice given by a “preacher” to a young Christian who was wondering if it was acceptable for Christians to go to night clubs. The preacher wrote him:

“… I urge you to stop living under that unbiblical legalism and live more like Jesus. Jesus hung around prostitutes and sinners and partied with tax collectors.”

Later, the preacher ridiculed what he considered that legalistic view:

“We can’t hang out with sinners but — at most — we can stand at a distance and preach at (usually condemn) them. Not a brilliant tactic. Not successful. Not like Jesus…”

In reality, the Lord ate and drank with sinners (cf. Luke 5:30) — He didn’t “party” with them. And, He had a purpose in approaching them, “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” (vs. 31-32).

We are to be in the world, but we are not to be of the world (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11). And, we are certainly not to be like the world (cf. Philippians 2:14-15). The young man was not asking permission to “shine his light” he wanted to be justified in “fitting in.” That is something Jesus never sought to do! In this unfortunate example, the preacher’s words are shameful and wrong!

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one” (Psalm 14:1-3).

Today, April 1, is commonly called “April Fool’s Day.” It is a day for misdirection and practical jokes. These things are just silly fun, as long as they do not get out of hand. However, some people are making fools out of themselves! Those who deny God’s existence take a stand that is intellectually absurd. First, this is so because it is impossible to determine that God does not exist, unless one is both omniscient and omnipresent. Second, and most importantly, there is abundant evidence that God does indeed exist!

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1-3).

Don’t be a fool today, or any day! God exists!

Last Sunday I used the phrase “the proof is in the pudding” while preaching. It is a phrase I had long heard, but some were wondering about it’s origin and meaning. So, I looked it up.

The phrase is actually a misquote of the phrase “the proof of the pudding” (which is fairly nonsensical), but is a shortened form of the phrase, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” which makes more sense. It means that to fully test something you need to experience it yourself. There are examples of the phrase being used early in the 17th century.

When I use it I intend a similar idea. That it is possible to claim something to be true, but claiming is not the same as demonstrating it to be so. There are numerous applications of this in scripture. For example, in the area of repentance. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 7:11 about the Corinthians proving of themselves, “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

When it comes to repentance, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. It is not enough to say you are sorry for your sin, you must prove it in your life. Makes sense!

(Note: At the time this was written, the Saturday quarterly singing had not happened. We recognize that life is a vapor!, and that we have no promise of tomorrow. After all, the Lord could come at any time. Nevertheless, I desired to emphasize the significance of the event, and have it published the day following. This accounts for the language of the first paragraph).

Last night we had a wonderful opportunity to come together, and spend 90 minutes praising God in song. Singing is such a blessing and opportunity. All who were there were blessed in their worship. Why do we sing? The Psalms tell us why!

We sing because God is righteous: “I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High” (17:1).

We sing because God is generous. “I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me” (13:6).

We sing because God is powerful. “Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power” (21:13).

We sing because God is merciful. “Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” (30:4-5).

“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding” (47:6-7).