Gather, Hear, Learn And Teach 

“Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children” (Deuteronomy 4:10). When the people of God were gathered at Mt. Sinai (Horeb) to receive the law they were given four directives that would guide their lives. Contained within this admonition is the same principle the people of God must follow today.

“Gather the people Me.” The Lord has always wanted men to seek Him. As the people assembled beneath the terrible image of Sinai the Lord wanted them to be brought close to see His power and hear His law. We must come to God to know His will and to seek Him to understand His grace. Later in Deuteronomy 4 Moses reminds the people how they will need to “seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (v29). The reason that many people do know God is they do not seek Him. Zephaniah writes, “Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together … seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility” (Zephaniah 2:1-3). To know the Lord we must first gather to Him and seek His will.

“Let them hear My words.” Two voices challenge the will of man: the voice of man’s reason and the voice of God. More often the will of man chooses to heed the will of man’s reason and knowledge. The flood (Genesis 6-8) is a result of man seeking his own wisdom. The wise man reminds us “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25). The words of eternal life can only come from Him who possess eternity. Simon Peter answered Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

“Learn to fear Me.” Hearing the word of God brings the fear of the Lord. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). This is a respectful fear of the power of God tempered by the grace of God. Learning to fear God understands how dependent we are upon Him. He provides everything we have (Matthew 5:45; Haggai 2:8). His judgments cause us to fear Him. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:22).

“Teach their children.” The word of God is not for one generation but for all generations. His love should be passed down from generation to generation. What was good for my ancestors is good for me. God’s message of hope and salvation will save a man in 1492 as well as 2013. Children need to know the love of God and the message of His will. They need to learn to gather with God for wisdom and understanding. The words of the Father must be in their ears to guide them (Proverbs 6:20-23). Fearing God is needed by every young person to guide them in life. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).

Gather, hear, learn and teach: four principles that will bring peace and happiness in life. Gather to God, hear from God, learn from God and then teach what you have gathered, heard and learned to others.

God's Gracious Grace

God’s Gracious Grace 

When man takes a deep look at himself and considers his relationship with his Creator and Savior, the only words left on his lips tremble from the lesson of Christ when He said, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10). To find oneself in a position of being unprofitable is to be unworthy and useless. Physically man was created from dirt and spiritually he rebelled against the loving favor of his Maker. It must bring amazement to the angels at the pride of man who seek to make himself god and declare his own worth according to the insolence of his heart. Jeremiah declared, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Proverbs 14:12 shows “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (also Proverbs 16:25). All in all man has little to brag about.

When man takes a deep look at himself and considers the grace of God, the story changes. It is an immediate message of hope and grace when in the garden the Lord offers man the promise of redemption. Speaking to Satan, God says, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15). Man is not destroyed by God but saved by God and this is grace. What did man do to deserve the merits of God’s favor? Nothing. What could man do to save himself? Nothing – when he heard the Lord walking in the garden the only thing he knew to do was to hide. We are saved by God’s grace.

Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8) and “eight souls, were saved through water” (1 Peter 3:20). Did Noah understand the flood was coming apart from the Lord and when he heard of the destruction did he know what to do? The answer remains that man without God is nothing but God’s grace makes man worth something. When David sinned with Bathsheba Nathan told him, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die” (2 Samuel 12:13). Why? The grace of God. Jesus Christ declared to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you" (Matthew 9:2). How could He do such a thing? The grace of God.

Is there anything you and I can do that would merit God’s grace? Only one thing: “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory” (Isaiah 43:7). The gift of His Son is the price of God’s grace for man and man can do nothing to repay that debt. Can I live a sinless life to perfection to gain God’s grace? No. Paul declared, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25). Grace will be measured by my obedience to the will of God (Matthew 7:21) and through that grace I will live in the assurance of my salvation (Isaiah 32:17; Hebrews 10:22).

God’s grace allows me the blessing of knowing that death is only a bridge that takes me from this place of sorrow to the heavenly promise of redemption. I know I am saved (1 John 5:13) and the knowledge of that salvation is because of the mercy of my Father who does not condemn me (Romans 8:1). Unprofitable servants is the best we can do but the best God had is what He gave us. Thank you God for YOUR grace.

The Meanest Mother In The World (Author Unknown)

The Meanest Mother in the World

(Author Unknown)

I had the meanest mother in the world.  While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs and toast.  When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich.  As you can guess, my supper was different than the other kids also.  But at least I was not alone in my suffering.  My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother I did.

My mother insisted upon knowing where we were all the time.  You’d think we were on a chain gang.  She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing.  She insisted, if we said we’d be gone an hour, that we be gone an hour or less, not one hour and one minute.  I am almost ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us.  Not once, but each time we did as we pleased.  Can you imagine someone actually hitting a child just because he disobeyed?  Now you can begin to see how mean she really was.

The worst is yet to come.  We had to be in bed by nine each night and up early the next morning.  We could not sleep until noon like our friends.  So while they slept my mother actually had the nerve to break the child labor law.  She made us work.  We had to wash dishes, make the beds, and learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things.  I believe the laid awake nights thinking up mean things to do to us.

She always insisted upon our telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth even if it nearly killed us – and it nearly did.  By the time we were teenagers, she was much worse and wiser and our lives became even more unbearable.  None of this tooting the horn of a car for us to come running.  She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door and get us.  I forgot to mention: while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 or 13, my old fashioned mother refused to let me date until the age of 15 and 16.  Fifteen, that is, if you date only to go to a school function and that was maybe twice a year.

My mother was a complete failure as a mother.  None of us have ever been arrested or beaten his mate.  Each of my brothers served his time in the service of this country.  And whom do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out?  You are right, our mean mother.

Look at all the things we missed.  We never go to march in a protest parade, nor to take part in a riot, burn our draft card and a million and one things that our friends did.  She forced us to grow us into God-fearing, educated, honest adults.

Using this as a background I am trying to raise my three children.  I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children can me mean.  Because you see, I thank God he gave me the MEANEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD.

A Living Presence (A Parable)

A Living Presence

(A Parable)

A young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is the way long?" she asked.  And the guide answered, "Yes, and the way is hard.  And you will be old before you reach the end of it.  But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy and she could not believe that anything could be better than these days.  So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way.  And the sun shone on them and life was good.  And the young mother cried, "Nothing can be lovelier than this."

Then came night and storm; and the path was dark and the children shook with fear and cold.  But the mother drew close to them and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "We are not afraid, mother, for you are near; and no harm can come to us."  And the mother said, "This is better than the brightness of day, for I have taught my children courage."

And the morning came and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary.  But at last she said to the children, "A little patience and we will be there."  So the children climbed and when they reached the top they said, "we could not have done this without you, mother."

And that night the mother looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardship.  Yesterday I gave them courage; today I gave them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth - clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled.  The mother said, "Look up: lift your eyes to the light."  And the children looked and saw above the clouds the everlasting light, and it guided them and brought them beyond the darkness.  And that night the mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.

And the days went on and the weeks and the months and years, and the mother grew aged, and she was little and bent. But the children were tall and strong and walked with courage.  And when the way was hard, they lifted her over the rough places.  At last they came to a hill and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and the golden gates and they flung wide.    

And the mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey, and now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."  And the children said, "You will always walk with us, mother!"  They stood and watched her walk through the golden gate; then the gates closed after her.  And they said, "We cannot now see our mother but she is with us still - she is a living presence."

Choices Today Are Decisions Tomorrow

Choices Today Are Decisions Tomorrow 

From the beginning of time God has given man the ability to choose his destiny. Placing Adam and Eve in the garden, the Lord told them they could eat of every tree of the garden “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Man had a choice. For a time he honored that law until Satan came in Genesis 3 and said, “Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'" (Genesis 3:1)? The lie from Satan was to convince man he was not forbidden to do what he wanted and the choice was his and his alone to make. Choice was taken from the restrictions of God’s law to the freedom of man to reject God’s law and live for himself. Satan lied and man fell from the favor of the Lord and sin reigned in the hearts of men.

The devil continues to play the same mournful tune of rebellion to the will of God. He whispers in the ear that freedom is the key and choices made will never require payment. Eat, drink, be merry and live for life now for there are no decisions impacted by choices today. The truth is explained by Jesus in John 8:44 – “… the devil … was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” The truth that will never change is that choices made today will impact decisions lived tomorrow. From the beginning of time the Lord has told man that in accordance with the natural law, “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8).

Good choices today make for brighter days tomorrow. Joseph made the right choices throughout his life and was blessed in many ways (Genesis 39). David made a bad decision one day and suffered a life-time of regret (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51). Daniel and his three friends made a crucial decision to reject the “king’s delicacies” in Daniel 1 that would serve them with courage and faith to face the execution of the wise men (Daniel 2), a fiery furnace (Daniel 3) and a den of lions (Daniel 6). If they had not made the right choice in Daniel 1 the other challenges they faced would have ended in failure.

Young people are told to live life to the fullest without the expectation there will be consequences. Alcohol, drugs, sexual freedom will not lead to productive lives but ruined families, guilt and lives filled with the misery that attends the sharpened tongue of Satan’s whispers. Wealth and prosperity are the golden trinkets that charm the hearts of people to plunge deep into debt denying the reckoning day when payments must be made. Lifestyles are accepted as pleasured fulfillment that only ends in the sludge of wasted life. When the devil finished with Adam and Eve the only thing they felt was shame and fear (Genesis 3:8-10).

The apostle Paul gave his benediction to ‘right choices’ when facing death. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). His life had been about good choices. It is not so much what a man says in life but what a man says in death that marks his course of the kind of choices he made. Paul found his life a blessing because he chose God. What will you choose? It matters!

As Nehemiah - So Go I

As Nehemiah - So Go I 

For Nehemiah the change would be dramatic. He served as a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes and enjoyed all the finer things of life in his day. Presenting the wine to the king Nehemiah had a close acquaintance with the hierarchy and was included even when the king was sitting with his wife (Nehemiah 2:6). Although a servant he would receive a better position in life than the common man. He could be content to bask in the comforts of his world but something troubled him. News from Jerusalem: "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3).

It had been eleven years since Ezra had made the journey to Jerusalem to build the Temple. There was still work to be done in building the city and restoring the work of God’s people to the place chosen by the Lord. Nehemiah could look around at his position in life and enjoy the blessings of a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord in Shushan the citadel of the king. But what he saw in Jerusalem was a greater opportunity to help the people rebuild the walls. Gaining permission from the king to go to Jerusalem, Nehemiah made the journey to Jerusalem and with God’s help was able to rebuild the walls in 52 days.

I must say in the beginning that I am no Nehemiah. The faith of this great warrior of God is one of the powerful stories of holy writ. Yet there remains a kinship of spirit in realizing the blessings enjoyed in a work such as with the Trenton Church of Christ and an opportunity that presents itself in another place. As of August 1, Karen and I plan to move to Valdosta, Georgia to begin working with the North Valdosta Church of Christ. Numbering about 25, these saints of God need some help building the walls of the kingdom of Christ in Valdosta. Numerous opportunities exist and the possibilities are white for harvest. I came to Trenton the first time in 1981 and returned a second time in 1994. The last 19 years in Trenton has been a focal point of our lives. There are many, many memories that will always guide our lives and friendships that will last throughout the ages. Yet an opportunity to build some walls is where the Lord wants us to be.

The principle of church growth is illustrated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-7: “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” It is not about me and it is not about men; it is about God and His will and His work.

Our feelings are mixed with the precious times we have enjoyed here yet the anticipation of the new challenges we will share in Valdosta. Trenton could have been our home until our golden years I guess. But the church is at peace, resting on a solid foundation and with much work left to do. Our leaving is simply the choice of looking beyond the horizon for opportunities the Lord has blessed us with. To all those who have supported us over the years we thank you with words unspoken. We ask for your prayers and encouragement as we make our move. My son, Everritt, will carry on the work in Trenton and will be blessed to be part of these wonderful people we call family at the Trenton Church of Christ. And what a great place to live – Gilchrist County!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Spring is in the air. The beauty of this time of year is testimony of the majesty of its creator and the providential plan He has established for the refreshing of His creation. Following the destruction of the flood God promised Noah "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22). The fears of a global warming are denied by this promise that the seasons will all continue as God has prescribed. David declares in Psalm 8, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him” (Psalms 8:3-4)? Spring reminds us of the presence of our Creator.

There is order in creation. Moses recorded the account of the creation of earth with the division of light and darkness, the firmament from the waters, dry land from the seas and then the process of plant growth over the face of the land. On the fourth day the lights in the firmament of the heavens were established “for signs and seasons, and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14). Then the animals began to appear in the waters and the skies filled with the “every winged bird according to its kind” (Genesis 1:21). Finally on the sixth day the land animals were created and the highest of creation the man and woman.

Paul reminds us of the testimony of the Lord in creation. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20). The cycle of nature is a testimony to the power of God and is infinite wisdom. Rains are governed by His omniscience and come when according to His design they nurture the ground in bringing forth the beauty of Spring. Summer, Fall and Winter serve their own purposes in the design of God.

It is impossible to look at the striking beauty of this earth and not stand in awe of the powerful message from God. His thumbprint is all over the landscape and the heavens above. Abraham Lincoln said, “I never behold them (the heavens filled with stars) that I do not feel I am looking in the face of God. I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist – but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say, ‘There is no God.’” Jesus used creation to affirm His Father’s care for His children. “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them  … consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matthew 6:26-29).

The power of God. How awesome. If God can cloth the earth with garments of beauty and order what would limit His omnipotence to care for His creation beyond the grave. The beauty of God’s love is not found in a field of lilies or the majesty of the heavens above. The greatest gift of love is found at a place called “the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha” (John 19:17). All the beauty of the earth will be taken away but the gift of God’s love is eternal (John 3:16). Thank you God.

Christianity Is Not A Diet - It Is A Lifestyle

Christianity Is Not A Diet – It Is A Lifestyle

The American culture is driven by the diet dogma. Diet free drinks, low carb snacks, all natural health oriented weight saving produce that attempts to slim down, reduce, shrink and manage the ever growing waist line. Obesity is a national concern with billions of dollars spent on how to, why to, where to and what to with every guru known to man hawking their wares of enrichment and quick fixes. There are concerns over the roller coaster philosophy of diet today, lose control tomorrow and back on a diet the next day. New Year resolutions to lose weight change as often as the moon phase and often on the same calendar. The reason many do not lose weight is they are dieting instead of making life changes.

There is a similarity in how many people approach their life with Jesus Christ. It is more of a fad than anything to be serious about on a daily basis. Some diet because they become concerned temporarily about their health and weight. After a time they lose interest and concern and return to the way they were before. Then they go on a diet again and up and down it goes. Sounds like the way some treat the word of God. It is good for emergencies and special needs when we feel guilt but when we lose interest or concern it is laid aside and forgotten – until we need it again. The power of the gospel is not a short fix to solve a few problems but rather a long term remedy of the sin that so easily ensnares us (Hebrews 12:1).

Psalm 1 shows how a relationship with the Lord is not a temporary fashion style we can enjoy one moment and lay aside for another. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalms 1:1-6). Day and night suggests the need for a constant impact of the word of God. This is a way of living and living a way that is rooted in the word of God.

After Moses died, the Lord encouraged Joshua to take the Book of the Law and not let it depart from his mouth. “But you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8). Losing weight is accomplished when a lifestyle is changed. Finding success with the word of God is a lifestyle measured by a daily mediation on the mind of God. Lacking the courage to instill the grace of God in our lives will only bring heartache and sorrow.

The apostle Paul was thankful that Timothy had made the word of God a daily habit. He reminds him of his childhood that taught him to love the word of God daily. “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). His word is inspired and will make us complete!

The Rich And The Widow

The Rich And The Widow 

Jesus taught many lessons to His disciples by teaching them to watch people and learn from their actions and attitudes. Sitting in the Temple Jesus observed a contrast of people who lived at opposite ends of the economic scale. “Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood’”(Mark 12:41-44; see also Luke 21:1-4).

The rich had an abundance of wealth to put into the treasury. God had blessed them with the bounty of increase and they were showing their love for Him by returning their bounty to the Lord. In this story Jesus was not condemning the rich for giving so much but rather making a lesson of contrast. The widow had so little to give to the Lord and yet she was willing to give all she had. God notices the small people! He knows those who struggle daily and sees their hearts still trusting and serving Him. While men are judged by their philanthropy the character of all men are examined by God from the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

Turn the camera back a few hours when the widow was leaving her home. It was not a grand palace of luxury where servants waited on the master and food was plentiful. She did not wear nice clothes nor enjoy the benefits of comfort as the rich. Her husband had died and may have led to much of her poverty. Bread was scarce in her home and the gnawing pains of hunger she knew all too well. As she prepared to go the Temple she gathered what she had (two mites) and began walking to the Temple. No one would give her notice. No one would give her help. Entering the Temple she would be overlooked in the crowd. Approaching the place of treasury her two mites would hardly make a sound on the heap of riches left by those before her. But God saw her.

She did not notice the man sitting off to the side watching her. As she left the Temple she would return to her home of poverty to scrape out another meal, some oil for the lamp and hope that hunger would not be as severe as before. Most likely in a future time when she could find two mites again she would journey to the Temple to give glory to God by her sacrificial offering. She loved God. She loved to show what small amount of gratitude she could muster for the God she served. Her two mites were all she had but the Lord was all she needed. A contrast of characters – the rich and their abundance and the widow in her poverty.

The widow knew dependence on God. Her small gift was all she could do but she did all she could do. Jesus picked her out of the crowd and preserved her story through the ages to remind us the measure of a man is not on the amount of his gift but the gift of the heart shown by a widow. Like Lazarus who lay at the gate of the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) her circumstance was dire but her love for the Lord was not. Even in her poverty she trusted in God and depended on God. Her greatest blessing and reward came when she was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham. Our greatest blessing is to know the lesson of the widow and know that God cares for me.

Marty Pickup

Marty Pickup

The sun shines warmly on a March afternoon and the wind crisply chips at the coats clung so tight against the slight cool in the air. Marty is bathed in the glorious sunshine of eternal light. Cars bustle down the road with frantic pace as destinations are sought with those seeking stores to buy in, offices to employ in, coffee shops to relax in and simply a return trip home. Marty i...s carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham away from the bustle of earthly life to rest in eternal peace. Plans are made for the remaining day, the assignments of tomorrow and the needs of the coming week by we who remain in the land of living. Marty has no care but embracing the saints of God in a realm of immense beauty. Our eyes see tears as we mourn the loss of a soldier of Christ suddenly thrust from the battle against Satan. Marty sees things of wonderment beholding the promises fulfilled in eternal glory as the face of God soothes away his tears, his sorrow and his pain.

 

The pursuit of knowledge was a lifelong desire of Marty to know all he could of the Father who loved him so much and willingly showed His love by offering to Marty His only Son Jesus Christ. Marty has no more questions. All of his desires have been met and all he ever pondered in those longs hours of study revealed themselves as he opened his eyes to eternity. Life naturally brought about the challenges of mortality. Marty enjoys the reality of immortality. His mind constantly raced to see the reason, the purpose, the design, the why of every scripture. He no longer wonders the answers because now he lives the answers in the bosom of Abraham. Pain overwhelmed his final moments but quickly the pain subsided into a glorious waterfall of release as he flew to God’s grace. We remain. We continue. We mourn and we cry. We do not understand. But we know and we are thankful that while we suffer loss Marty enjoys a joy beyond measure.

 

A young soldier has gone home and we salute you our friend and fellow warrior. As we remain we will hold the hands and hearts of Aimee, Nathan, Taylor and Nicole. Our hearts will seek to bear the burden for his parents and his brothers. And stand we will until we too pass that dark divide to the glory of God in the sunshine of His face. “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:3-5).

Was The Pope Ever Considered “God On Earth”? 

A recent article appearing in this paper (March 14, 2013) suggested the Roman Catholic Church called the Pope “God on earth.” Disagreement of whether the Roman Catholic Church refers to its leader in this manner is a topic of interest to a few. I would like to share some facts that would support this claim of the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. A number of historical documents refer to the practice of calling the Pope “God on earth” - consider these historical documents:

"The supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires... complete submission and obedience of will to the Church and to the Roman Pontiff, as to God Himself." (Leo VIII, «On the Chief Duties of Christians as Citizens», Encyclical letter, 1890).

"God separates those whom the Roman Pontiff, who exercises the functions, not of mere man, but of the true God...dissolves, not by human but rather by divine authority." (Decretals of Gregory IX», Book 1, Chapter 7.3)

"The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth." (Pope Pius V, quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, "Cities Petrus Bertanous".)

"The Pope is of so great dignity, and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God and the vicar of God." (Ferraris Ecclesiastical dictionary)

"The Pope takes the place of Jesus Christ on earth...by divine right the Pope has supreme and full power in faith, in morals over each and every pastor and his flock. He is the true vicar, the head of the entire church, the father and teacher of all Christians. He is the infallible ruler, the founder of dogmas, the author of and the judge of councils; the universal ruler of truth, the arbiter of the world, the supreme judge of heaven and earth, the judge of all, being judged by no one, God himself on earth."
(Quoted in the New York Catechism)

"All names which in the Scriptures are applied to Christ, by virtue of which it is established that He is over the church, all the same names are applied to the Pope." (On the Authority of the Councils, book 2, chapter 17)

"The Pope is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power." (Lucius Ferraris, in "Prompta Bibliotheca Canonica, Juridica, Moralis, Theologica, Ascetica, Polemica, Rubristica, Historica", Volume V, article on "Papa, Article II", titled "Concerning the extent of Papal dignity, authority, or dominion and infallibility", #1, 5, 13-15, 18, published in Petit-Montrouge (Paris) by J. P. Migne, 1858 edition.)

In practice the Roman Catholic Church follows the same course as having the Pope to be God on earth. When Pope Pius IX defined the use of “Papal infallibility” at the First Vatican Council (1869-1870) the Roman Catholic Church determined the Pope is incapable of error or deception. This would place a man on the level of God. Semantics aside, the reality of calling a man “infallible” is a grievous sin when man elevates himself to God. The apostle Peter never did that nor taught the followers of Christ to do so (nor did Paul). Can we find any evidence in scripture where Peter is called “Pope”? None! Jesus built His church on the confession of Peter, not Peter (Matthew 16:16). Jesus is the only living bread (John 6:51) – not the Pope.

Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels

One of the most common references to comfort is the idea of every person possessing a “Guardian Angel.” Janice T. Connell best describes this thought when she writes, “The wisdom of the ages teaches that each individual, whether believer or not, good or bad, old or young, sick or well, rich or poor, has a personal Guardian Angel with him or her at every moment of life's journey.” While this may be a popular belief and worthy of security to trust in an overriding presence of an angel, the word of God never teaches this. There are numerous myths about angels that have been around for so long few realize the truth of what the Bible teaches concerning angels – and the Bible is the only source of information.

Angels are mentioned in 34 books of the Bible (Revelation with the most references). Misconceptions about angels include angels are women (always shown to be men), they have wings and play harps (angels never shown with wings – cherubim and seraphim are creatures), and angels are dead saints in heaven (we are resurrected not reincarnated; Luke 20:35-37). The Lord forbids the worship of angels (Colossians 2:18-19; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9).

The Bible does show that angels are messengers or ministering spirits. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)? God created them (Psalm 148:2-5), they are holy (Mark 8:38) and are without number (Hebrews 12:22). Two angels are revealed with names: Michael, the arch-angel (Daniel 10 & 12; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7) and Gabriel (Daniel 8-9; Luke 1). But what about Guardian Angels?

Matthew 18:10 is the proof text that many use to show that everyone has a guardian angel. Weldon Warnock writes, “Notice that Jesus said ‘their angels are in heaven, beholding the face of the Father,’ not on earth acting as personal protectors. The message Jesus was conveying seems to be that if the angels of heaven take special interest in and concern for the little ones, surely no Christian should despise, treat with disdain and contempt, even the most obscure disciple who shares in heaven’s blessings in the kingdom of God on earth.” It is important to separate the myth of guardian angels with the reality of the blessings found in a covenant with God.

Saints of God have enjoyed the comfort of God’s army to protect and minister to them (Joshua 5:13-15; 2 Kings 6:17). Jesus had protecting angels (Psalm 91:11-12; Matthew 4:6; Luke 22:43), Israel had protecting angels (Psalm 34:7) as well as Paul and Peter (Acts 27; 12). The care or ministry of angels is limited to only those in covenant with God (including the innocence of children). How God carries out His work is not revealed but we know He does not allow temptation to overtake us (1 Corinthians 10:13); He chastises us (Hebrews 12:3-11); He answers our prayers (James 1:2-8); He helps us (Hebrews 13:6); He blesses us (James 1:17) and so many more things. Whether angels are involved is only in the mind of God and not for man to suppose.

The key to a study of angels is like many things in the Bible. There are things that are known only to God (Deuteronomy 29:29) and whether we understand all there is to know about angels has nothing to do with our salvation. We are saved by the blood of Christ and our obedience is to Him – not angels (1 John 1:7).

My Son Is Gay So Now It Is Okay?

My Son Is Gay So Now It Is Okay?

Ohio Senator Rob Portman has decided that his opposition to “gay marriage” is not something that should be embraced. "I've come to the conclusion that for me, personally, I think this is something that we should allow people to do, to get married, and to have the joy and stability of marriage that I've had for over 26 years. That I want all of my children to have, including our son, who is gay," said Portman. Portman further explained that his son told him that “he was gay, and that it was not a choice, and that it's just part of who he is, and that's who he'd been that way for as long as he could remember.” (cnn.com)

Senator Portman’s “change of heart” and the continued promotion by all things from the liberal press seem to give more legality and acceptance to homosexuality. This is headline news when someone accepts the perversion of sexual deviance rather than expounding upon those who oppose the desecration of the bond of marriage as God created. The ironic tragedy of these kinds of promotions is likened to a man shooting holes in his boat and believing that with each shot he will make his world a better place. With each removal of the character of God in our society will only bring ruin and tragedy. History is the template to examine to see this is true.

Our country is in a sinking ship with the tide of time washing over the sides filling it with the immoral desires of those who want freedom and liberty to do as they please. The lie portrayed by the “father of lies” (John 8:44) is that homosexuals are born that way because God created them to have that desire. It is easy to explain away the perversion of the flesh as simply a fulfillment of a natural cause within a person as if God intended there to be a relationship of the same sex. Biologically that is nonsense because the human body of both male and female was created to be compatible. Paul defined the perversion of homosexuality as “dishonor their bodies among themselves …  vile passions … exchanged the natural use for what is against nature … men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:24-27).

Why is it that homosexuals are “born that way” but this does not apply to pedophiles, murderers, serial killers, rapists and so forth? Only the homosexual is born that way it seems. But then this makes God a liar because if God created the homosexual and then turns around and condemns it in scripture (Romans 1:21-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21) then God has lied. If God has lied then the whole of the Bible is a lie and our faith if futile and “are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Belief cannot be measured by the actions of our children. If Senator Portman really believed homosexuality was wrong before is not certain. But to have a “change of heart” because now his son has proclaimed his perversion does not change the leopard’s spots. The Supreme Court, President of the United States nor you or I will change the mind of God. His word is established in Heaven and man cannot change that. The mercy of God and grace of God is extended to all men including those who pervert the natural use of the body. Who we are is who God wants us to be!

God On Earth Is Elected Again

‘God On Earth’ Is Elected Again

The Roman Catholic Church is undergoing a historic election as the church is preparing to elect their 266^th Pope (by their standards). When Benedict XVI stepped down from the office of head of the Roman Catholic Church, he set a precedent not seen for 600 years. Over the next few weeks the leadership of the church will select among the Cardinals the next man who will claim the title, “God on earth.” Much like a political event preparing to nominate a candidate for a political office, the selection of the Pope is fraught with various groups suggesting their agenda be heard in the character of the new leader of the Catholic Church. What continent should he be from, will he be a man who allows birth control or priests to marry and whether he would condone women becoming priest are all questions being asked of the new Vicar.

To be elected Pope, one Cardinal must receive at least two-thirds of the votes. Except that, under the new rules established by Pope John Paul II, if a certain number of ballots have taken place without any Cardinal being elected Pope, then the Cardinals may then elect by simple majority. In the end, his selection will be signaled by a puff of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel.

The historian Luke records the manner the Son of God selected His apostles. “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor” (Luke 6:12-16). None of these men were cardinals, bishops, influential men, people of high standing in society and most important in the days of Jesus, not of the Jewish leadership. They were common men who fished for a living, served at a table of tax collection, and sought ways to thwart the Roman government.

Sadly the Roman Catholic Church has digressed so far from the pattern of Biblical authority that what they do in selecting a Pope is further testimony of the man-made dogma’s that have ruled them from the beginning. Where in the Bible can one find any record of the process they now go through to select a Pope - much less find any mention of a Pope? They suggest that Peter is the first Pope yet Peter was married and had children. “Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever” (Matthew 8:14; he had children according to 1 Peter 5:1 & 1 Timothy 3:4).

The only mention of the Roman Catholic Church in the Bible is when the Holy Spirit told Paul what would happen in latter times (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Today the Roman Catholic Church resembles nothing of the early church of the New Testament. No man is “God on earth” save the Son of God (John 1) and to consider a man chosen by men to be the “Vicar of Christ” is beyond the bounds of scriptural authority. The Christ said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13). Does it make a difference? Should one be critical of the Roman Catholic Church? Obedience is doing the will of God – not the will of men (Matthew 7:21-23).

Death Is The Absolute Judgment

Death Is The Absolute Judgment 

The wise man of old declared the day of death better than the day of birth because “that is the end of all men” (Ecclesiastes 7:1-2). Death is a cruel master that cares not for station in life, fame, fortune or power. There will be inequalities in life but all men share the same fate in realizing that death comes to all (Hebrews 9:27). The case of death has been presented in the courts of men’s wisdom since the beginning of time but only through the revealed word of God are we able to glimpse into the dark abode of eternal dwelling. While few were raised from the dead illustrated in text of Holy scrip none but the Son of God has risen and remains alive. No one living today has possessed the realm of death and returned to fill our minds with the wonderful and fearsome realities of the eternal world of Hades. Jesus overcame the power of death raising the third day to give all who believe in Him power over death also. As people of God we do not fear death.

When man passes through the valley of death to eternity his fate is sealed. The moment of death is the moment eternity begins and will never change. In the story of the rich man and a beggar named Lazarus Jesus shows the absolute finality that death imprints on the soul of every man. “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried” (Luke 16:22). In life the rich man had bountiful blessings while Lazarus suffered. Death equalized the two men in judgment and bound the rich man to torment (Luke 16:23) and Lazarus to rest in the bosom of Abraham. Justice was equal for both for the rich man received his just reward as did Lazarus.

Pleading with Abraham the rich man asked for relief from his torment. Abraham explained, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us” (Luke 16:25-26). There is no change of eternity when death enters to door. Our last breath is our first breath in a place that we will never leave. Death is final. Death is complete. Death is the absolute judgment of all men.

Hades is filled with all those who bask in the glory of Abraham’s bosom and those who scream in eternal terror of everlasting torment. The day appointed by God to judge all men will serve to adjudicate the justice of a loving God upon those who have rejected Him and rebelled against His will; and to give comfort and peace to His saints who have loved and sought His grace in their lives. Satan, his angels, death and Hades will be cast into the lake of fire “and anyone not found written in the Book of Life” (Revelation 20:15).

The love of God has been given to man through His Son Jesus Christ that in life we can find eternal peace in preparing for death. Children of God have victory in death and know that life is not in vain when eternal glory is promised (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Death has no sting because the venom of sin has been removed by the blood of Christ. “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) All our tears are wiped away.

Put The Right Food Forward

Put The Right Foot Forward 

Have you ever wondered why the guy is supposed to carry his bride over the threshold? Blame the Romans. They believed that good and evil spirits fought for control at a home’s entrance. For good to prevail, Romans felt you must enter a room with your right foot first. Romans concluded that a new bride in a highly emotional state might be careless and forget about the “right foot” stuff. To prevent possible tragedy, they decided it best for the groom to carry his bride. [McHenry’s Quips, Quotes & Other Notes]

 

The real key to having a home filled with goodness is for the husband to put the right foot forward in guiding the home after he steps across the threshold. He needs to walk in the right path. “Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it” (Psalm 119:35). His steps need to be guided by the Lord. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (Psalm 37:23-24).

 

Headship of the home is commanded by God to be borne upon the shoulders of the man. The head of woman is the man but the head of man is Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3). Leadership in the home is guided by the man who loves his wife and cherishes her as Christ does the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). That first step across the threshold will never leave in anger (Ephesians 4:25-26; Colossians 3:19).

 

As the groom carries the bride across the threshold of the home he will also be responsible to carry his bride across the threshold of life. By his hand he will protect her, hold her, guide her and softly caress her with love (Proverbs 5:15-20). Together they will share in the blessings of being heirs in one of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7). With understanding and honor the husband will dwell with his wife shielding her from the dangers of “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

In most cases when the groom carries the bride across the threshold, she is holding on (for dear life) with arms wrapped around his neck. She embraces his role and wraps her love around his life to help him be the man her heavenly Father wants the husband to be. By her example she wins his heart and secures a home built upon the trust and fidelity of righteousness (1 Peter 3:1-6). The conduct of the bride will help create or destroy the home as she submits to the leadership of the husband. This is contrary to popular views but in complete harmony with the will of God.

 

Together they step through the door of their home to create what God intended for man in the Garden of Eden. “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him’" (Genesis 2:18). They agree on the plan given to them by the Lord (Amos 3:3) and build a home of unity. He is known in the gate and praised by his family for his spiritual leadership in guiding the lives of his family to the throne of God. As Noah of old, the groom embarks upon a journey of helping his wife and children be found safely in the ark of salvation. Watch that first step – it is a big one!

Sometimes It Is Better To Suffer Wrong

Sometimes It Is Better To Suffer Wrong

The persecution of the early church was gradual but it took on an intensity that resulted in many lives being sacrificed for the cause of righteousness. At first the Jewish council warned the apostles to stop preaching in the name of Christ (Acts 4). The next time they beat them and warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus (Acts 5). Then it elevated to the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 and the “great persecution” by the hand of Saul of Tarsus. James the apostle was killed by Herod (Acts 12) and the apostle Paul spent many days in a Roman prison.

In modern America it would seem out of the question to suffer as the First Century disciples found themselves. Living in a land of “freedom” we have established a theocracy of rights that rejects the idea of having anyone walk on us or use us. Everyone is demanding their rights but never their responsibilities. Like the priest and Levite of the Lord’s parable of the Samaritan, the spirit of “what is mine is mine and I will keep it” pervades the attitudes and hearts of God’s people.

Corinth was blessed to have a “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2) in the midst of idolatry but the influences of the world were impacting the attitudes of “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2). One such problem is found in the sixth chapter. Incredulous to Paul, brethren were taking other brethren to law against one another. It was a shame because they were so carnal minded in their attitudes against one another. Admonishing them the apostle writes, “Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6:7). Has pride caused us to view our rights before men over the righteousness expected by our Father? Is there anything in this world that is worth the soul(s) of any person just because we want our rights? Sadly the Lord reminds us that life is not about the things we possess (Luke 12:15) but rather the thing we possess (Matthew 16:26).

Peter reminds the people of God that persecution is a way of life. In his first epistle the apostle exhorts the pilgrims to look at persecution as a blessing to endure as even Christ suffered. “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17). This was said in the context that people will scorn the life of a Christian and denigrate the character of righteousness (1 Peter 3:16). But it is a better thing to suffer persecution for living holy lives than to demand our rights and not allow anyone to take advantage of me. Vance Havner suggested that while the early Christians wore scars we are more comfortable wearing badges.

A fiery trial will come upon all that name the name of Christ (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12). It is better to suffer wrong by others if it is the will of God and it is better if it is the will of God to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong. What sets apart those who live by the kingdom law of God (Matthew 6:33) is they serve a higher power and honor the “King of King and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16). Our hearts must profess with the early disciples of Jesus Christ: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Surrendered!

Tipping God

Tipping God 

“Behold a certain man went with a friend into a place to eat. After the lunch the waitress brought the bill and the man, in the sight of his friend, placed a sum of money beneath his plate. The friend was amazed and asked what this money is. The man replied that it is the customary thing to do to place 15% of the bill under the plate. The friend was confused. A waitress served the man for a few minutes and he gave her 15% of the bill. His Heavenly Father has served him all his life, given him every good and perfect gift and the man is offended when asked to give something to support the work of his Heavenly Father. Does the man think more of the waitress than he does of his Lord?” (Author unknown).

The eternal struggle of man has always been the ingratitude for what God has done for him every day. Jesus reminds us that God “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). Paul and Barnabas pleaded with the citizens of Lystra to know the “living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:15-17). Selfish man believes that he has the power and wisdom to produce crops, glean the fields and harvest the bounty of this earth without the help of the Lord. His technology gives him a smug feeling of security that falsely belies the reality that without God man is nothing (Isaiah 40).

When men exalt their own superiority they become unthankful and futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts are darkened by the pride of life (Romans 1:18-23). Like the man in the story above the view of God is degraded in contrast to offering to others a tribute of honor. What has God done for me? Why should I honor God with my life? While the hard-working individual can expect a monetary reward for their work how can we deny God His due? People of God are asked to return the bounty of their material worth for the glory of God and often a pitiful measure is begrudging torn from their hands.

How much should I give to the Lord? Tithing was a Jewish practice removed from God’s law under Christ but now giving comes from the heart (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Here is the test of the heart and the hand: given a choice many people submit the scraps of their wealth and sometimes begrudge that and worry about how much to give. It is not a matter of how much we give it is a matter of how much we keep. In light of that comparison how can we view what God has done for us and we do so little? We gladly tip the waiter 15% and throw a few dollars before God’s throne.

It is often said that repaying the debt we owe Christ for His sacrifice is impossible and many give that way. The amount is not the question because the Lord sees the heart of man and what he trusts in (Matthew 6:19-21). Loving God so much and trusting Him so little to care for our earthly needs drives our motives for giving (or not giving). The fool of Luke 12 left all he had on earth when he died because he was not rich toward God (Luke 12:13-21). Life is not about the abundance of things we have because what we have is an abundance of God’s blessings if we trust in Him.

Which Church Did Columbus Attend?

Which Church Did Columbus Attend?

The year 1492 is indelibly stamped on the minds of all schoolchildren as they learned the history lesson of the voyages of Christopher Columbus with three ships: the Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Nina. While Columbus was not the first person on the continents of North and South America, his voyage opened the flood gates for discovery, conquest and settlement. Born around 1451 his life would change the face of the known world to a global understanding of our planet. He died in May of 1506 in Valladolid, Spain.

It was not until his latter life that Columbus looked deeper into matters of religion. Turning the pages of history to the year of his voyage to America would beg the question of which church would he be a member of in 1492? Pope Innocent VIII had just been elected head of the Roman Catholic Church in the year of his great voyage. Columbus was in fact Catholic and believed his mission of sailing the oceans was to spread Christianity. But were there other churches that he would have known about in his lifetime? The answer is there were no Protestant churches in existence during the lifetime of Columbus. Martin Luther would not begin the period of reformation until he nailed his 95 theses on the door of All Saints church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517 (nine years after the death of Columbus).

From the simple act of protest Martin Luther began a time of reform that created every church that stands beneath the Protestant flag. Christopher Columbus could not have been a member of 99% of the churches we find on every street corner in America today because they did not exist while he lived. There were only two churches that existed in 1492: the Roman Catholic Church and the New Testament church. The Catholic Church was the apostate body of people who rejected the New Testament as authority. The New Testament church had been in existence since Peter (an apostle; not a Pope) and the other apostles declared the way of salvation on the Day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2).

The New Testament church has never failed to be in existence since the work of the early disciples. It was called by many names in the New Testament: “church” (Acts 2:27); “the Way which they call a sect” (Acts 24:14); “flock” or “church of God” (Acts 20:28); “saints which are at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1); “churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2); and “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16). Columbus was not a disciple of the New Testament church but was a Catholic. No Protestant church can trace their lineage to the First Century. Each one was begun by a man and is less than five hundred years old.

Christopher Columbus should have belonged to the church Jesus died for as well as each person today. There are as many flavors of churches today as there is ice cream in an ice cream shop. But Jesus only died for one church – His (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28). We must not believe that a ‘sign out front’ will make us the church Jesus gave His blood for. Our obligation to God is to follow the authority of the Bible and the Bible alone. Can I find the name of the church I am a member of in the New Testament? If not, then I am serving a religion of man and not of God. Is the Bible my only source of authority? If not, I am serving the will of man and not of God (Matthew 15:13-14).

Have You Been Resurrected?

Have You Been Resurrected?

The power of the resurrection was a central theme among the New Testament disciples. Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 affirmed that God raised Jesus from the dead. Later Peter appealed to the Jews to repent in Acts 3 when he declared, “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses” (Acts 3:14-15). In the city of Athens Paul preached the message of resurrection to a heathen world showing a day of judgment was coming by the assurance that God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 16:31). When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth he gave a list of those who had witnessed the resurrection of Jesus from Peter to over five hundred disciples (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). All believers in Christ accept that he died and was risen the first day of the week (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20).

Because of the resurrection of Jesus all disciples of Christ live for the final resurrection when the mortal will put on immortality and the hope of Heaven is realized (John 5:29; 11:25; 1 Peter 1:3). However the resurrection to eternal life is not guaranteed to every person. As with salvation, conditions are determined by God that allows acceptance into His grace. The promise of resurrection will only be given to those who have been resurrected in this life.

This type of resurrection does not refer to a bodily resurrection like Lazarus (John 11) or the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17). There is a resurrection that takes place in the lives of all those who obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul explains the means which all men enjoy this resurrection. “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5). The English Standard Version says, “We shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” To enjoy the resurrection of life eternal all men must be united in the likeness of his death.

Paul does not leave us without the knowledge of how to be united in the likeness of the death of Christ. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 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” (Romans 6:3-4). Edward Hiscox declared that “baptism is not essential to salvation” leading many to deny the power of the resurrection. The apostle Paul denies that by showing that without baptism there is no resurrection and without resurrection no man shall see God.

The essential character of baptism is when a person dies and is buried in water and raised to newness of life. The believer is a resurrected person. When Jesus returns He will not be looking for those who have only accepted an ideal but who have “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which [they] were delivered” (Romans 6:17). Paul continues, “For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God” (Romans 6:7-10). Like Jesus we must be crucified, die, buried and raised! Only then are we saved!