A COVENANTED PEOPLE
#635 A COVENANTED PEOPLE
Scripture Acts 6:1-8; Ephesians 5:13-16, NIV Orig. September 5, 1976
Passage:
Acts 6
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Seized
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
Ephesians 5
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Introduction
Have you ever considered the diversity of backgrounds from which the apostles came. Several of them came from a background of having been commercial fishermen. That is somewhat to be expected when Jesus began his ministry in Galilee. Others, however, represented other trades. There probably were farmers, such as farmers were in Galilee. There were tradesmen. One could not find an abundance of formal education, but what they lacked there, they made up for in determination and common sense.
As different as they were in social grace, they were even more different in personality. Phillip was this kind of fellow you remember, who tried to calculate the cost of feeding the thousands on what mental computer he did have.
Matthew was the most typically human. It didn’t matter to him where his livelihood came from, so long as it came. The scripture is strangely silent on whether his wife had anything to do with it.
Simon Peter? I think he did not readily understand himself. Available immediately to any cause he considered worthwhile. He had the knack of wanting to wade in and bash a few heads if it took that to accomplish his purpose. If his motivation flagged, however, then he was going to be the first one out the back door.
Time doesn’t permit further discussions of these man-like creatures with whom Jesus labored. A brief look at the one area of their lives in which they were in total agreement, may be helpful. Someone has put together a survey on how they died.
· John—extreme old age in Ephesus
· Peter—crucified by Nero
· Andrew—on a cross in Achaia
· James—thrown from a pinnacle of the temple
· Bartholomew—flayed alive in Armenia
· James the Elder—beheaded at Jerusalem
· Thomas—with a lance at Coromandel
· Phillip—hanged in Hierapolis
· Matthew—by sword in Ethiopia
· Thaddeus—shot with arrows
· Simon—on a cross in Persia
· Judas—hanged himself
The only thing that brought unity to the diversity of their lives was Jesus. To have walked with Jesus made them fearless patriots of His cause. When we have a source, there is a danger that the further we get from that source, the less able we will be to comprehend it. It becomes of fundamental importance, that we let this SOURCE continually manifest HIMSELF through our
lives as different as they are.
I. The Day of Vision Brings Insight into the Things that Separate Us.
Acts 6:1, “There arose a murmuring because of these neglected widows.” Ephesians 5:13, “All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light.”
We have spoken before of the two kinds of murmurings: There is the murmuring of the malcontent; there is also the murmuring of concern. The Greek seems to call to mind a more private rather than a public outcry.
Vision has its beginning, does it not, when we acknowledge our problems and begin to deal with them in light of faith and reason. The first practical solution to that ancient problem in the church at Jerusalem was a [recognizing] of responsibility. And please don’t make the mistake of assuming that it called for a separation of laity and clergy: The greater the depth of spiritual energy to be exhausted, the more necessary for that person to commit himself to prayer; it became a vital spiritual responsibility for every believer to support the active ministries of others in prayer.
It is more than a question “Do you pray for your pastor?” that I raise this morning. Do we pray for those around us? Do we pray for our deacons, or do we just throw barbs or murmurings at them? Do we pray that Sunday School teachers will be able to communicate the love of Jesus through what he or she does?
With what power the Word of God separates the eternal and the variable. The eternal, you remember, is what we are by virtue of the Word; the variable is what we do with what we are. It is the eternal which must address itself to the variable, and not the other way around. Ephesians 5:13, “Whatsoever doth make manifest is light”—that which brings openness and honesty. In the church, neither our organizational structures nor our moral [prohibitions] are to be considered eternal unless they are given credence by the Word of God.
In the world, the believer is to put his confidence in that only that comes under the scrutiny of the Word.
II. A Day of Visitation.
The leadership of God—the seven were called out not by the apostle but by the multitude of believers:
· Concern about church program—support it or change it
· Concern about the inactive
· Concern about the lost
· Concern about our own lives.
Every person in his place (Nehemiah 4; Acts 2:1). Henry Drummond told the story of shipwrecked men adrift on the great ocean in a small boat. After several days they were growing weaker. In the night, [they saw] the masthead of a ship. [They] had a lantern but only one match, slightly damp.
I have on the corner of my desk a stack of cards (200)—Soul-Winning Commitment Cards. If one of ten had kept that pledge we would have baptized 50 or more. We say mean things about draft card burners but we have burned our commitment cards. God’s promises are not written and signed. Our promise need not be written to be kept.
An endeavor of cooperative faith reaches across membership lines—man in town unreached because he overheard a fellow church member make an unchristian remark about him; it reaches across church lines; across denomination lines.
III. A Day of Victory
· And the Word of God increased
· And the numbers of disciples multiplied
· And priests were obedient to the faith
· And Stephen did great wonders, a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost
Closing
We are familiar with the unfortunate expression “a cross I must bear.” Yet these words are spoken with dismay, perhaps even discontent. The vision, visitation, and victory I have spoken of this morning have to do with our [bearing] a cross. But this cross is a burden as wings are a burden to a bird, or as sails are a hindrance to a ship.
Drummond
THE TRUE MEANING OF PRAYER
#781 & 781a THE TRUE MEANING OF PRAYER
Scripture Luke 18:1; Acts 4:31, NIV Orig. 4/16/1980
Rewr. 9/23/1987
Passage:
Luke 18
18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Acts 4
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Purpose: Beginning a series on the subject of prayer using John Bunyan’s seven-fold description of prayer.
Keywords: Prayer
Timeline/Series: Prayer
Introduction
Christians the world over are familiar with the name of John Bunyan. Almost without exception, however, we associate him only with Pilgrim’s Progress, and are totally unfamiliar with his equally heartening book on prayer, Prayer,1 where he gives us one of the significant definitions of prayer, and his seven-fold prayer concern.
“Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to His word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.”
1. Prayer is sincere.
2. Prayer is sensible.
3. Prayer is the affectionate pouring out of the soul to God.
4. Prayer is through Christ, and in the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
5. Prayer is for such as God has promised.
6. Prayer is for the good of the church.
7. Prayer is submission to the will of God.
I. Prayer is Sincerely Pouring Out One’s Soul to God. Acts 2:46, “They . . . did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”
Few things in our lives make a difference like deeds done either with or without sincerity. It is New Testament simplicity. Romans 12:9, “Let love be without dissimulation.” I Corinthians 10:21, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils.” It was vital to the sense of the supper: I Corinthians 5:8, “Let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity.” Leaven achieved taste, but it represented artificiality. Relation to God was to disdain such misrepresentation.
On the day before Passover, the Jews were to light a candle and ceremoniously begin a search for anything that might spoil the dough.
Even so, sincerity is an integral part of prayer. Psalm 66:17-18, “. . . If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Jeremiah 29:12-13, “Ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” When Nathaniel came to Jesus, John 1:47, “Behold an Israelite, in whom is no guile.”
Sincerity is simply being the same in a darkened corner alone where none can see, that we are before the face of all the world.
II. Prayer is Sensibly Pouring Out One’s Soul to God. Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication . . . , let your requests be made known unto God.”
Sensibility understands life’s pressing needs. Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” There is a time for want of mercy. There is a time for stating confession. There is a time for a bold word of intercession. Few have not prayed for Christianity.
There is a time for a joyous declaration of thanksgiving. Daniel 9:4, “And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession.” Genesis 32:11 (Jacob), “Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother.” Psalm 95:2, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving.”
781a
Romans 8:26-27, 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
III. Prayer is Affectionately Pouring Out the Soul to God. Matthew 6:21, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Colossians 3:2, “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Things done out of love bring satisfaction: God, family, occupation, avocation. Psalm 42: 1, “As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
To thus view God, in prayer, with devotion is to pray to one who loves, and who will perform to our good. Daniel 9:18b, “. . . We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.” Romans 10:11, “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Isaiah 66:13, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” Jonah 4:9, “Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?” V11, “Should not I spare Nineveh, that great city [without] discernment?”
IV. Prayer is Pouring Out the Soul to God through Christ and with Assistance of Holy Spirit.
We have established the following: Sincerity, Sensibility, and Affection.
Now the believer addresses God where He has made Himself the most vulnerable. It our sin that constitutes the communication gap. But the sinless Son has the Father’s ear. Matthew 18:20, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I.” John 14:13, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, [to the end that] the Father may be glorified in the son.”
Daniel grasped this special efficacy. Daniel 9:17, “O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, . . . for the Lord’s sake. . . .” v19, “O Lord, hear, . . . for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” Romans 10:1, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
To claim Christ’s name before God is to claim His blood, is to claim His righteousness, is to claim His victory over sin, is to claim His intercession in our behalf. Ephesians 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
A newspaper article datelined Birmingham told of a little four-year-old boy taken in a stolen car. Asleep on back seat, parked in front of Women’s Hospital, the car was taken. A few hours later, the car was recovered but not the boy. Police speculated the thief abandoned. A disabled vet was searching near the site. On the porch of a deserted house he saw bundle of rags. Stopped, on crutches in semi-darkness, the bundle moved, showed fear. But the man called the lad’s father’s name, and told him he was taking him to his daddy.
V. Prayer is the Pouring Out of the Soul to God for Such Things as He has Promised. Psalm 37:4, “He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
The Character of the Promiser: Hebrews 10:23, “For He is faithful that promised.” For the sake of His own word. For our sake of redeemable humanity.
The Content of the Promise: II Peter 3:13, “We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” It states His integrity. It qualifies the human search.
The Certitude of the Promised: I John 2:25, “This is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.”
VI. Prayer is the Pouring Out of the Soul to God for the Good of the Church.
Jesus prayed for the church. John 17:9f, “I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me.
Paul uses prayer in this sense. Philippians 1:4f, “. . . Prayer . . . for your friendship in the gospel . . . being confident . . . that . . . he will perform it.”
We must pray similarly. Romans 15:30, “. . . Strive with me in your prayers to God for me.”
We must not presume some divine accountability. God’s will is for our own good. Satan is working to disallow His will.
VII. Prayer is Pouring Out One’s Soul to God, Submitting to the Will of God.
Matthew 6:10, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.”
I John 5:14f, “This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us; and if we know that hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
Links:
1Bunyan, J. (2022). Prayer. Banner of Truth, Puritan Paperback Series.
OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
#759a OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
First Baptist Church
Fellowship Hall ---- 7pm
Hymn “What a Wonderful Saviour!” Congregation
Christ has for sin atonement made, What a wonderful Saviour! I am redeemed, the price is paid; What a wonderful Saviour!
Refrain: What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Jesus! What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Lord!
He cleansed my heart from all its sin, What a wonderful Saviour! And now he reigns and rules therein, What a wonderful Saviour!
Refrain: What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Jesus! What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Lord!
Hymn “Amazing Grace” Congregation
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.
Scripture: I John 4:7-11 Watson Goss
7. Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. 9. In this was manifested the love of God toward of us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Sharing Time Harry Stall
(Others are invited to share testimonies)
Solo Eric Carter
“No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus”
Scripture: I Corinthians 10:16, 17, 21; 11:27-29 Delwyn Odom
10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils. 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall drink the cup of the Lord, unworthy, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let us examine ourselves, and let us eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. 29 For the one eating and drinking unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to oneself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Congregation
When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Scripture: I Corinthians 11:23-24
23 For I have received of the Lord that which I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me.’
Prayer of Blessing Pastor
Sharing of Bread (Symbol of his broken body)
Hymn: “Break Thou the Bread of Life” Congregation
Break Thou the bread of life, Dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves Beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live With Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
Scripture: Mark 14:22 Pastor
And as they did eat, Jesus took bread and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’
Partaking of the Bread Congregation
Scripture: I Corinthians 11:25, 26
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death ‘til he come.
Hymn “Let Us Break Bread Together” Congregation
Let us break bread together on our knees, Let us break bread together on our knees.
Refrain: When I fall on my knees, With my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink the cup together on our knees, Let us drink the cup together on our knees.
Refrain: When I fall on my knees, With my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees, Let us drink the cup together on our knees.
Refrain: When I fall on my knees, With my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Scripture: Matthew 26:27-28 Hugh McGee
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, ‘Drink ye all of it.’ 28 ‘For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’
Prayer of Blessing Pastor
Sharing of the Cup (Symbol of blood Christ shed) Deacons
Scripture: Hebrews 3:14 Pastor
We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast until the end.
Partaking of the Cup Congregation
Scripture: John 13:34. 35 Windy Denham
34 A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Hymn “The Master Hath Come” Congregation
The Master hath come, and he calls us to follow
The track of the footprints he leaves on our way;
Far over the mountains and through the deep hollow,
The path leads us on to the mansions of day;
The Master hath called us, the children who fear him,
Who march ‘neath Christ’s banner, his own little band;
We love him and seek him, we long to be near him,
And rest in the light of his beautiful land.
Meditation: Five Grains of Corn Pastor
Providence, Privation, Prayer, Present Crisis, Promise
Scripture: Matthew 26:30 Congregation
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Hymn “God Be With You” Congregation
God be with you till we meet again; loving counsels guide, uphold you; may the Shepherd’s care enfold you. God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain: Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus’ feet. Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again!
PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS AND SALVATION
#848 PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS AND SALVATION
Scripture Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6, NIV Orig. May 14, 1988
Passage:
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Titus 3:5-6
5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior….
Purpose: Continuing a Church Training study on the Priesthood of the Believer, here relating our understanding to salvation.
Keywords: Doctrine Priesthood
Timeline/Series: Baptist Beliefs
Introduction
Display Cel #6 “We are a holy and royal priesthood with the calling to worship and to witness. Our priesthood had origins in the Old Testament and is rooted in Christ, the Great High Priest.”
The above is a link to previous study unit. Briefly refer to the three-part outline: The Jewish Priesthood; The High Priesthood of Jesus; and The Priesthood of Believers. See if there are any comments or questions related to this prior study.
Display Cel #2. Underline Chapter 3. We will major this evening on the ways that the Priesthood of the Believer relates to salvation. Display the three-part outline of this chapter (Cel #7).
The Equality of Access to Salvation
The Personal Nature of Grace
The Voluntary Nature of Faith
Use Cel #7a as a kind of overview of this triumvirate. “Every person has the privilege of uncoerced personal access to God’s grace through Jesus Christ.”
Pass out the seven question cards. Responses!
1. How do the four gospels reveal Jesus as being available to all persons?
2. Who helped you come to trust Christ as your Saviour?
3. Do all persons have equality of access to God’s grace for salvation? What about those who’ve never heard?
4. Explain: “Salvation is not church by church, community by community, or nation by nation. It is lonely soul by lonely soul.”
5. Explain (Martin Luther): “Before God all Christians have the same standing.”
6. Dr. Shurden1 points out that Jesus’ love was a barrierless love. Do you have a problem loving certain people?
7. What are some ways people try to substitute for the gospel?
I. The Equality of Access to Salvation. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
A. The gospel thus portrays Jesus. Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Heavy laden—referred to animal loads. John 12:32, “I, when I am lifted up, will draw all men unto me.”
All men without exception?
All without distinction?
B. Mullins “religious axiom.”
1-Equal access
2-The inalienable right of every soul to deal with God for itself.
3-Article in Friday paper (NSW 5-13-1988). Interview with Marilyn Vos Savant—identified herself as agnostic. Would be more open to a God defined in terms of one world religion.
4-Equality of access to God’s grace for salvation is not rooted in human capability. God is sovereign; His sovereignty can accept a wide corridor of human understanding or a narrow one.
C. A definition of salvation.
1-Greek—soteria—health, wholeness: Health as to fragmented bodies; wholeness as to fragmented relations; salvation as to fragmented spirits.
2-Salvation is God’s act on behalf of our helplessness.
D. A longer look at Ephesians 2:11-22
1-A man-made distinction: circumcised v. uncircumcised.
2-These distinctions are broken down in Christ. Actually, Hebrews were divided from each other. Courts of: Gentiles, Women, Israel, Priests; but even they were restricted from inner portion. But Christ brought deliverance alike to all. Ephesians 2:17, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access. . . .” Access: to bring to.
E. Examining Jesus breaking down barriers.
Luke 6:15 Zealot—political distinction
Luke 19:5 Zacchaeus—religious distinction
John 4:27 Woman at the Well—sexual distinction
Mark 7:26 Syrophoenician—racial distinction
Matthew 8:10 Centurion—national distinction
Matthew 11:19 Sinners—social distinction
II. The Personal Nature of Grace. I John 1:2, “For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.”
A. Thus, grace is God acting to make Himself known where otherwise He would not be known.
1. “Eternal life” is another reference to salvation.
2. He is making this truth known to those whose it is.
Apocalypsis—is an unveiling
Phaneroo—is personal revelation
B. God’s intervention in history was: personal, relational, individualistic. John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Matthew 1:23, “Emmanuel”—God with us.
C. Dealing with a persistent heresy—gnosticism.
1. Its teachings—Matter is evil/spirit is good. Salvation was through secret knowledge.
2. Dealing with it—Jesus was a real person with a real body. He sought to touch lives relationally. Salvation is through faith in a personal Saviour. It can only be accomplished one person at a time.
3. Proxies have no entrées to grace.
III. The Voluntary Nature of Faith. Exodus 19:8, “All that the Lord has spoken, we will do.” Luke 15:11-24 story of the prodigal: without reading all recall that shepherd went for sheep/woman searches for lost coin/the father can only wait until the son chooses to return.
A. What is at stake?
1. Freedom
2. Soul competency
3. Love cannot be forced.
4. Conversion can only be by conviction, not by compulsion.
B. What we can therefore conclude:
1. Mass evangelism is not a true concept. Billy Graham early went to train counselors, on site, to pair off with people making decision, even in films.
2. There can be no proxy salvation. Parents can not baptize an infant and assume that opens the door to faith.
3. A state church has always fallen into the pattern of coercive action. Even in early American life it emerged. Roger Williams, a Puritan himself, was banished from his Massachusetts church for soul competency. Read p.290 (S3).
4. The primacy of the individual is never to be so magnified as to produce anarchy.
5. And the opposite is true as well. The individual must never be treated as without private worth.
6. Freedom to express one’s own views must be seen to be inviolate. “No person . . . shall be in any wise molested, . . . for any differences of opinion (that) . . . do not actually disturb the civil peace . . . colony.”
7. Changes worldwide can only happen one person at a time.
Conclusion
Avoid truth by substitution: proxy—infant baptism.
Avoid truth by addition: Judaizers—become Jews to become Christians.
Avoid truth by subtraction: humanists—would dispense with sin.
Avoid truth by multiplication: works—C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters.
Shurden,Walter https://www.amazon.com/Baptist-Identity-Four-Fragile-Freedoms/dp/188083720X
Lewis, C.S. Books - Official Site | CSLewis.com
1Shurden, W.B. (1993). The Baptist Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms. (14th Edition). Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
#542 THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
Scripture James 1:15; Daniel 12:1-13; II Thessalonians 1:6-9, NIV Orig. 1/19/1969
Rewr. 8/15/1985
Passage:
James 1:15
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Daniel 12:1-13
12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise[a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” 7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time.[b] When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. 11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. 13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
II Thessalonians 1:6-9
6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might[.]
Purpose: To share with my people for a deeper understanding that there are grievous consequences to sins.
Keywords: Death Hell Judgment Sin
Timeline/Series: Deeper Life
Introduction
Someone has said that “Death is the most democratic institution on earth. It comes to all men, regardless of color, education, wealth, or rank. It allows no discrimination, tolerates no exceptions. The mortality rate for mankind is the same the world over: one death per person.”
There are two questions for which answers are needed. The first is rhetorical. It asks: “Why do we die?” The second, for the believer, is redemptive. It asks: “What happens after death?”
All literature is full of pithy statements of death. From Shakespeare’s “The weariest and most loathed worldly life that age, ache, penury, and imprisonment can lay on nature is a paradise To what we fear of death.” Measure for Measure, III 1 127. to John Donne’s “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved with mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” (Devotions XVII)
But these two questions continue to haunt us: “Why do we die?” and “What happens after death?” Searching for answers, we discover that both questions are related to our topic for this morning, “The Consequences of Sin.” Why do we die? Because death is a consequence of sin. What happens after death? Judgment, and heaven and hell are the result of death.
I. First, We Must Appraise Death. James 1:15 “Then, when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.” (RSV).
Judge rightly that sin and death go hand in hand. Paul gave a strong reminder to the Roman Christians. Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” Used in plan of salvation; Explain “wages”—pay, or substitute for pay, [or] the fruit of our labor.
Thus the discovery that before Adam and Eve’s sin, no knowledge of death. In the garden were two trees. Tree of knowledge; tree of life; invited to tree of life, denied tree of knowledge; warning: “Lest you die,” which Satan challenged, “You shall not die.” Their disobedience was their sin.
After their sin a moral directive was given. Genesis 3:22 “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—therefore the Lord God sent him out of the Garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.”
Let it be clear, the first consequence of sin is death. Story of unnamed. ____ requested a visit. Her brother was involved. Took 6 to 8 weeks to get courage. Talked for over an hour. Open, seemed interested and concerned. That night she died in a drunken stupor with the man. She was dead before the fire.
The scripture so warns us. Ezekiel 18:2 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” James 1:15 “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
II. We Must Then Be Warned about Judgment. II Thessalonians 1:7f “To give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those . . . who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is a universal judgment. No distinction of religious culture; the wealthy hold no favoritism with God; education will not be considered as positive or negative factor; time of life, or length of life, will gain no advantage.
Too many of us have a distorted view of such judgment. When Amos was sent to prophesy, Amaziah (Amos 7:10) “priest of Bethel” confronted him because he had spoken against the royal family. Amaziah justified their actions by who they were. It still happens. We loathe the pervert who molests children, but put him in a $400 suit and a $30 tie, let him drive up in a BMW—he becomes something else, an unfortunate man needing help.
It is a judgment on deeds done in flesh. A judgment on opportunities—Matthew 7:19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.” What are we doing with our opportunities?
A judgment on our activities—II Corinthians 5:10 “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in the body.” We think of Dante’s Inferno and his Divine Comedy, and John Milton’s Paradise Lost. This awful picture of death and hell is only literature. To the person in hell, they haven’t half pictured it.
It is a judgment concerning Christ. II Thessalonians 1:8 “In flaming fire taking [vengeance on them that know not God].” Imagine chaos of social order without law. Consider a mechanical world without predictable guidelines. Mull over where the farmer would be without defined limits on seed, chemicals, and fertilizer. How can we even tolerate a world without moral and spiritual limits.
Revelation 20:12f “I saw vengeance on them that know not God the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened . . . . Whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
III. Judgment Must Remind Us that There is a Hell as There is a Heaven. See Revelation 20:12 above.
Reason bears witness that there is a judgment, and if judgment then hell also. What is a court of law without a jail cell for the guilty? What good comes to the child in the remonstrance of wrong without a rod of correction?
Even more important than reason is what the Bible says. Psalm 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Isaiah 5:14 “Hell hath enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure.” Revelation 21:18 “The fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Closing
The two questions remain. “Why do we die?” Because death is the fertile ground through which we pass to that for which we have labored. “What happens after death?” Through Christ we pass to eternal life. Life forever spent in the joy of oneness with God. Without Christ, we pass to eternal death. Imagine a forever spent with the pains and hurts of death and dying.
He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 128
Text: Joseph H. Gilmore, 1834-1918
Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868
Tune: HE LEADETH ME, Meter: LM with Refrain
1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;
his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.
2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
by waters still, o'er troubled sea, still 'tis his hand that leadeth me.
(Refrain)
3. Lord, I would place my hand in thine, nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
(Refrain)
4. And when my task on earth is done, when by thy grace the victory's won,
e'en death's cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me.
(Refrain)
Shakespeare: https://shakespeare.mit.edu/measure/measure.3.1.html
Donne: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23772/23772-h/23772-h.htm
Gilmore/Bradbury: http://www.HymnSite.com
IN THE DINING ROOM
Evening Worship
COMMUNION
April 2, 1978 Seven-thirty p.m.
PRELUDE OF SILENCE
Organ Prelude
“Bring Back the Springtime” Kurt Kaiser
Call to Praise
Hymn 166
“At Calvary” CALVARY
Prayer Pastor
Greeting our Guests/Opportunities for Service Pastor
Hymn 252
“Let Us Break Bread Together” BREAK BREAD
Offertory Hymn
“Jesus Paid It All” ALL TO CHRIST
Offertory Prayer
The Presentation of our Offerings
Offertory
“Unworthy” STANPHILL
Scripture LUKE 22:7-13
7. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb must be killed. 8. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat. 9. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10. And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entering into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? 12. And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.
Journey to Dining Room for Observance of Lord’s Supper
#704 IN THE DINING ROOM
Communion
Orig. Date 4/2/1978
Series: Communion Lord’s Supper
Let Us Break Bread Together 252
Solo and Congregation: “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know”
There have been names that I have loved to hear.
But never has there been a name so dear
To this heart of mine, as the name divine.
The precious, precious name of Jesus.
Chorus:
Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely name.
And that’s the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.
And some day I shall see Him face to face
To thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace,
Which He gave to me, when He made me free,
The blessed Son of God called Jesus.
Hymn: “Amazing Grace” 165
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Scripture: I John 4:7-11
7. Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. 9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Sharing of Testimonies
Chorus: “God is So Good.”
God is so good, God is so good,
God is so good, He’s so good to me.
Scripture: I Corinthians 10:16-17, 21; 11:27-29
10:16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17. For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread. 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 11:27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” 111
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Scripture I Corinthians 11:23-24
23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: This do in remembrance of me.
Prayer of Blessing
Sharing of Bread
Hymn: “Break Thou the Bread of Life” 178
Break thou the bread of life, Dear Lord, to me,
As thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live With Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy Truth, For thou art love.
Scripture: Mark 14:22
And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body,
Eating of the Bread
Scripture: I Corinthians 11:25-26
25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
Prayer of Blessing
Sharing of the Cup
Hymn: “At the Cross” 157
Alas, and did my Saviour bleed, And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head For sinners such as I?
At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day.
Scripture: Matthew 26:27-28
27. And he took the up, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Drinking of the Cup
Scripture: John 13:34-35
34. A new commandment I give unto ye, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Hymn: “I Love Thee” 75
I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee my Lord:
I love Thee, my Saviour, I love Thee my God:
I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know;
But how much I love Thee my actions will show.
Our Master hath told us to follow His steps
To love one another, forgive and forget,
To reach out, to follow, are His chief commands,
If we’ll only let Him, He’ll touch through our hands.
Now let us as Christians show others our love
And follow the sample of our Lord above.
As His Holy Spirit works through us each day
We’ll praise Him, We’ll praise Him both now and for aye.
Scripture: Matthew 26:30
30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Hymn: “Blest Be the Tie” 256
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
. . . Amen
NO CROSS, NO CROWN
#577 NO CROSS, NO CROWN
Autobiographical
Scripture Galatians 6:14-18 NIV Orig. 3/5/1972; 5/1975
Rewr. 10/31/1985
TRANSCRIBER: Preached to a congregation “in view of a call,” a term some pastors/churches use for the period when a pastor is being considered for a position, this message is a tour of churches my father had served during, at that point, 25 years in ministry. (He preached another 25 years after that.) It has many incomplete thoughts that he employed to trigger his memory as he spoke. Where I could, I have filled in some of the blanks to provide more information.
Passage: 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Purpose: To share with a potential church family a realistic measure of my experience and my pastoral challenge.
Keywords: Pastoral Testimony
Introduction
Harold Cooke Phillips, in his book Preaching with Purpose and Power, touched on where we are tonight, a church in the throes of decision. He wrote (p279), “As Hal Luccock has written, ‘Jesus was not crucified for saying “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow,” but “Consider the thieves in the temple, how they steal.”’ It is evident that He aroused the bitter hostility and determined opposition of the social, economic, political, and religious powers of His age. An irrelevant gospel would never have done that. And He predicted that His followers would be brought before governors and kings for his sake (Matthew 10:18), as they were and have been. But only a word that touched life deeply and widely could have evoked such relentless opposition. The cross, then, is a symbol of the involvement of our faith in all that most deeply affects life. Sir George McLeod of Iona puts it vividly: ‘I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the market place, as well as on the steeple of the church. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves; on the town’s garbage heap, at the crossroads so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek, at the kind of place where cynics talk smut and thieves curse and soldiers gamble . . . . That is where He died and that is what He died about.’”
It was my purpose this morning to preach to you as typically as I can. I did not want to suggest a preaching ministry that I could not sustain. Neither would I have you doubt what is clearly the pastor’s primal undertaking. Tonight, I want you to get to know me. I am a person, foremost, a preacher. After [this] you need also to know the man, as well as his [experience].
I. Pleasant Hill—Grounded on a Rock.
I went prepared. I had the educational merit: Strong high school/all extras; good college background—Auburn, Louisiana College; Seminary. Vocational skills: part-time jobs; summer supplements; labor force in Baton Rouge; full-time job through seminary. Military training—U.S. Army.
But I quickly realized that what I needed most, these skill didn’t provide: Grasp of extended preaching; ability to counsel; administrative leadership.
A church short on sophistication and long on love and patience with their new, young pastor. During a period of personal turmoil, mid-sermon I glanced down at the pulpit and saw for the first time the inscription “We would see Jesus.” J.O. Fogleman, elderly former pastor of Pleasant Hill, came to me and said, “Brother Pastor, if there is anything left, I want to give that, too!”
II. Trinity—Doctrinal Integrity.
It was a church in financial disaster. A city of 8,000 with 10 Baptist churches. Radio ministry tucked in between Trinity Baptist Church and several other churches. It was in the throes of practical and moral problems. First day and a five year old lad with a mouthful of chewing tobacco. A young girl named after a disastrous event in World War II.
But they did respond to love and caring. I went back to bury one of them seventeen years later, just a month ago. Her son called just days after my return from Memphis where I had had cancer surgery.
Every experience was a new one. Disconcerting. Disheartening. Deflating. Demanding.
Then came a providential bombshell. My neighbor pastor had invited Bertha Smith. Go Home and Tell—Isaiah 66:8 “As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” We went to every service. I listened. I prayed and she interrupted. God owed me nothing. If I was His, it was without conditions.
III. First Baptist Church—Demands of the Spirit.
It was clear early that it would not be easy. On first Sunday, two deaths. 80 year old member, 10 year old child. It was a church in the doldrums. No financial problems; I remember thinking how nice it would be to have some. [There are] worse problems than financial.
The greatest need was for a strong pulpit ministry. These were city people in a Catholic culture with a mission eight miles away in Loreauville.
Suddenly we began to lose members. The oil patch was surging. I had been forewarned. But oh, how it hurt. Within six months, half the large pulpit committee was gone.
For the first time, some major personal problems. Ann had major surgery. Frith (daughter) and Claude (father-in-law) in accident; we nearly lost her. The Holy Spirit showed Himself alive and well. Romans 8:16. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” I Corinthians 12:7 “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”
Curly Romero—“How’s your church doing?”
IV. Riverside—Ministering in Metropolis.
Learning to set priorities. The size of the church. The need of my family. Ann’s difficult years teaching.
Learning opportunity. Full-time staff. Community on the edge of the city that knew no community.
Continuing to feel a need for an improved pulpit ministry. Yet, in seven years not one class at seminary; strong relationship with professors. But many pastoral ministry seminars at Southern Baptist Hospital.
Learning to lean on Jesus. Fritha spent a year at Louisiana College on the staff, then to Liberia—then a political coup and the terrible ordeal of waiting and wondering, and trusting.
Rhonda added to our family happily upon her marriage to Rob Burns, member of Riverside family.
V. Transylvania—Finally, a Chance to Study.
A church with few needs to meet. Community, homogeneity, limited horizon.
A church with a poor self-image. These five years will enhance that image.
Openness to involvement. Class at NLU (Northeast Louisiana University)—gerontology. Seminar at St. Francis/Glenwood Hospice. Enlarged work with senior adults. Plenty of time for myself and my wife. Time to grow in study and sermon construction. Even time to participate in Louisiana Baptist Convention activities—Third stint on Executive Board, active role with state missions committee.
Having a new door of vision and opportunity following surgery. What does the future hold? No guarantees! A line from a poem came to mind “A bird with a broken pinion never flies as high again.” It is my hope to prove otherwise!
THE CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE OF LOVE
#757 THE CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE OF LOVE
Scripture I Corinthians 13:1-13 NIV Orig. 12-10-61
Rewr. 10-17-65, 10-3-79
Passage: If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Purpose: To speak to my people on the most worthy of subjects and call them to the goal of evidencing a likeness to Jesus in love for others.
INTRODUCTION
Perhaps one of the finest examples of love in action in our time was that which was lived out in the life of Elisabeth Elliot. Even after the primitive Auca Indians had slain her husband and other missionaries, she still was able to infiltrate those people and their culture and represent Christ in their midst. It should not be surprising then, that many of them came to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
A marvelous straightforwardness assails us in Mrs. Elliot’s book The Liberty of Obedience. She tells of the difficulties of her early months in this beginning work with the Aucas. When it became apparent that these people were responding to them, and that they could begin a larger work without fear, they had to decide how much of their own cultural deprivations that they would lay upon these people. She knew that Satan used certain human intemperances. Should she tell them what she had learned in her own walk in the faith? She wanted to tell them: “You must not tango. You must despise Cinerama. You must not wear make-up. You must not smoke.” But it became clear to her that these satanic influences as she had known them, did not exist here. The nearest movie was hundreds of miles away in Quito. They knew nothing of betting parlors and dance halls. Not wearing make-up could hardly be considered a problem in a culture where the people wore little or nothing at all. Mrs. Elliot declares that she came to the startling discovery for herself, and then for the Aucas, that Christianity is Christ. It is only indirectly related to one’s culture and its negative values. It certainly does not depend upon those negative values for its existence. What they must be taught is that Christianity is the inner presence of Christ . . . . The joy of obedience in liberty.
Perhaps no better definition of love will be brought forward. It is the joy of obedience in liberty. The enterprise that should occupy the time and the meditation of every Christian is how to love. It is learning freely to obey, not the Christ of a self-limiting culture, but the Christ within.
I. The New Testament Greek Has a Marvelous Facility: To Define Love.. We stumble with one four letter word with which we are to express the most important feeling in our language. If you want people to know how fond you are of ice cream, you love it. If you are of the mind to jockey for position with thousands of other drivers, park 10 blocks from the stadium, sit on hard seats in a smoke-filled arena for three hours, and often don’t even have the satisfaction of being on the winning side, then you love football. It has somewhat cheapened the word to use it thus when we contemplate its meaning when related to another person.
The Greek language has four magnificent words with which LOVE is defined.
The noun ερος (eros) and its verb form are used principally for love between the sexes, or perhaps even ambition or even intense patriotism. But even by the time of the writing of the New Testament the meaning of these words had degenerated to the place that they are not one time found in the New Testament. They had come to stand for a lower form of love. Our contemporary word “erotic” is a case in point. As a Christian, I may still be free to participate in an “erotic” film, or book, or TV program. I am not free to enjoy what is clearly not in my best interests. Joy, which comes from the Holy Spirit, will be absent in every such occasion.
The noun στοργε and its verb have to do with family affection. I can find no derivative in our language, although we pronounce the Greek word as “storgé.” Paul helps us here by using the word at least once. Romans 12:10: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Not “brotherly love” as you might suspect, but “kindly affectioned.” Here the word is φιλοστοργοι, or philostorgos.
The most used word in Classical Greek is the noun φιλος “filos” and its companion verb φιλια “filίa.” It defines a close, affectionate relationship: husband and wife, parent and child, friendship.
By far the most common New Testament word is αγαπα “agapa” and the companion αγαπαν “agapan.” It appears 250 times. In classical usage it was more as a benefactor. The word became the epitome of Christian love.
II. This Word of Limited Use and Meaning Would Become the Vehicle for the Fullest Expression of Love.
I Corinthians 13:1f: Though I have the silver tongue of an orator and the voice of an angel; even if I had the gift of prophecy, understanding all knowledge; though I had all possible faith; though I give liberally to the poor; even if I were to give all of my vital organs to be used by others: and do these things for reasons other than love, it does me no good at all.
These prior words were self-limiting in their meaning. Erotic love would ever be that and nothing more—sensual pleasure. Biblically, sex is not a dirty word or an evil concept. It was an integral part of the marital relationship. Outside of marriage, it is more the biological function of the brute beast, than it is expression of human love.
The second word was limited to the feeling of warmth and affection between family members. While that is very close to Christian love, it may be that because this word was often used as an expression of devotion for the household gods.
Philia-love was undoubtedly a lovely word with deep meaning, but could properly be used only with that which was near and dear.
Christian love must reach a higher dimension. It must include the nearest and dearest, our friends and all who love us. 1 John 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling. It extends to all who are of the Christian fellowship. John 13:35: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one to another. The expression “one another” is found often. Hallelujah in Hebrew means “praise to God.” Hallelujah in Greek means “one another.” Luke 10:27 Thou shalt love the Lord with God with all thy heart. . , soul . . , strength. . , mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
Agapa, then, takes us beyond the family of faith to our neighbor, to our enemy, to the world. James 2:8: If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well. Which must always raise the question “Who is my neighbor?” To which we have but one answer, which is that of Christ. The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us clearly who is our neighbor.
CONCLUSION
Dr. James Sullivan, former Executive Secretary of the Baptist Sunday School Board, tells of a proofreader’s consternation that came about as a result of one of the many manuscripts that passed through the editing office. The author had used a phrase which is very familiar to all of us, “tabasco sauce,” but which was totally unfamiliar to the proofreader. She paused over this word, but finally decided that the author meant “tobacco” and changed the manuscript. Shortly after, a second proofreader was going over this paper, and came upon the expression, “tobacco sauce.” This proofreader decided that this had to be wrong, and changed it accordingly. You can imagine the consternation on the part of the author and publisher when the publication appeared using instead of “tabasco sauce,” “tobacco juice.”
It is just as easy to confuse people around us about “love.” Live the life so that friends, loved ones, even strangers will know the kind of person you really are.
***Daniel Hutto, of Wake Forest, NC, was of immense help in reproducing the Greek here***
A GLORY THAT IS FOREVER
#147 A GLORY THAT IS FOREVER
Scripture Romans 11:1-36 NIV Orig. 10/28/62
Rewr. 8/1/85
Passage: I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”[a]? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”[b] 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”[c]
9 And David says:
“May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.”[d]
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”[j]
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”[k]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Purpose: Continuing the series from Romans, here showing the wisdom of God in saving His people.
Keywords: Bible Study God’s Omnipotence Salvation
Timeline/Series: Romans
Introduction
It is interesting how prominently the Jews have figured in human history. Time does not permit but a casual telling of the story that, as often as not, their prominence was their undoing.
The presence of the Jews (Hebrews) galled the Egyptians during Moses’ time to the point that it became the practice of state to see them become slaves. This is similar to the intent of the Third Reich in our own century: The presence of wealthy Jews, and a race of people so content in their heritage, angered the German war lords to the point of holocaust.
Individually, the activity directed at them has not been much different. Do you remember Haman, the Agagite, and Mordecai the Jew? Mordecai was just trying to be faithful to his religious beliefs. He was not out to challenge anyone else, or to convert them. But he so galled Haman that he went to his death in a challenge of supremacy.
Every age has had its company of Jews who become prominent in their fields. You have heard about the farmer who was a man who excelled in his work. Well, Jews have a way of rising to the top, as cream over milk. Perhaps that is the characteristic that has labelled them and marked them for hostility and persecution.
Search any area of interest, medicine, government, commerce, industry, and you will note leaders in extraordinarily vaunted positions who are Jews. ***TEXT LOST AT END OF THIS PARAGRAPH***
I. The Glory of Grace. V1 “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not!” The saved remnant appear in prior lessons: Romans 9 is about God’s sovereignty and election, and Romans 10 is about Israel’s failure and Gentile belief. The concept of remnant is not new. According to some accounts, Noah spent 120 years preaching and building. Only his family joined him on the ark. Genesis 6:8 “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
The New Testament accounting shows that even Jesus had many who heard who did not believe. Matthew 7:14 “Straight is the gate, and narrow the way, leading to life, and few there are that find it.”
At Kadesh-Barnea, 12 spies went out. Ten returned, reporting there was no hope of success; only two believed. The obvious illustration of Elijah shows a believing host. Paul considers himself as proof of God’s constancy.
It continues to Paul’s day and ours. Every Jew who believes is of the people of God. “Remnant” refers to true believers.
With a hardened heart, people can be earnestly and sincerely wrong. V7f “Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were hardened. It is not enough to be good. It is totally inadequate to claim sincerity.
The human heart is not dependable. The Hebrews prove it. Paul elsewhere has his own testimony. Acts 26:9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”
II. The Glory of Provocation. V11 “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.” Out of the Jewish failure, faith has come to the Gentiles. Romans 1:16, “For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The Gentile is given salvation. The Jew is incited to desire.
The nature of their problem is in Romans 10:3. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.” The source of this deplorable condition is in Romans 11:8. “God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.” Here, Paul reiterates Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 29:10.
Did God want to destroy them? Such is unthinkable. Paul says “God forbid!” Isaiah shows that this stupor is in response to their unbelief.
Take care to note the end result. The Gentiles are saved. The Jews are provoked to believe.
III. The Glory of Ingrafting. V17 “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree.” The imagery in Paul’s lesson is that Israel is the tame olive tree. Gentiles are the wild olive tree. On the trunk of the olive tree, split by limbs broken off, a piece of non-native material is broken off because of uselessness. In Romans 10:21 Paul recalls the words of Isaiah. “Concerning Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.’”
IV. The Glory of Future Promise. V26 “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written, the deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob, for this is my covenant with them.” This says, “All of Hebrew stock will be saved,” or, it says that all Jews who come to accept this conditional right, in Christ will be saved.
V. The Glory of Praise. V33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out.” The Jew with his strong position in regard to God finds himself disavowed. This total spiritual energy aimed at God’s people is to reach the unchosen. That energy is then turned from Israel to the Gentiles, which will ultimately be the means by which the Jew is attracted to his prior post.
***THE CONCLUSION TO THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***
A FAILURE THAT IS ADDICTIVE
#141 A FAILURE THAT IS ADDICTIVE
Scripture Romans 10:1-21 NIV Orig. 9/23/62
Rewr. 7/25/85
Passage: Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[h] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”[i]
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[j]
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”[k]
21 But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”[l]
Purpose: Continuing a series from Romans, showing Israel’s failure to understand their relationship to God and faith.
Keywords: Bible Study Law
Series, Romans
Introduction
Quest is a major factor in one’s concept of dedication. Do we envision a great task entrusted to us? Do we apply ourselves to its success?
It is said that the ship’s log used by Christopher Columbus on his first crossing of the Atlantic repeats, “This day we sailed westward!” day after day. When Cyrus Field was preparing to put in place the very first Atlantic cable, he first made fifty trips across that great ocean to prepare for it. Gibbon, the historian, wrote his autobiography nine times before he was satisfied with it, and spent twenty years on his greatest work, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
More recently, this week’s news tells of treasure hunter Mel Fisher. For sixteen years he has searched the waters off of Key West, Florida, for a sunken Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which sank in a hurricane in 1622 with millions in silver and gold. The search cost Mr. Fisher the lives of a son, daughter-in-law, and another diver. He is said to have greeted his divers every day for years with the statement, “Today’s the day!” Last Saturday morning was the day.
But the Jews, instead of seeing their relationship with God as a quest of faith, saw it as an endowment of merit. As long as they were the guardians of the law, they were special. Paul shows them that this is not so. Faith must be the target of Jew and Gentile.
I. The First Consideration Is Their Judicial Failure. V4 “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
We need a right picture about failure. It was not a failure of the law. Romans 4:4f “Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes . . ., his faith is accounted for righteousness.” Psalm 32:1 “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
It was certainly not God’s failure. Isaiah 1:9 “Unless the Lord of hosts had left to us a . . . remnant, we would have become like Sodom.” Clearly, it was their failure. Three times (Luke 12:56, 19:44, 21:24): “How is it you do not discern this present time?”
They were not without urgency. There was will, determination, even excitement, but all in error. Paul prays for their salvation. He tells us that they are not. He tells us that they can be: II Corinthians 3:16 “When one turns to the Lord the veil is taken away.” He tells us that they will be: Romans 11:26 ”All Israel will be saved.”
Their failure is that they are looking to their Jewishness, not grace, to save. We are not saved by our Baptistness. Others are not saved by their Methodistness, etc. We are not saved by our churchiness.
II. Next, We Look at Their Spiritual Failure. V9 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” It speaks of grace, of God doing what we cannot, of appropriating the sin-covering function of Jesus’ death for our sin. John 1:12 “As many as receive Him, to them God gives the power to become His children.”
Apart from Jesus we are cut off from God. So also were the Jews. It is a terrible risk to assume someone may have attained the spirit of obedience. It speaks too clearly of confession. It localizes that confession in Christ Jesus. It did the Jew no good to confess his Jewishness. It does no good to confess our churchiness. V10 “With the mouth confession is made.”
How long has it been since we talked to someone about Christ? Sunday School teachers need to talk to their pupils.
III. It Speaks of Their Social Failure. V14f “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?”
They chose what they could not save. When the law is not passing out punishment for wrong it is failing. One of our social concerns today is that the law is not always fair. We don’t need a law that lets people get by with more; we don’t need a law that, as someone said, “you can get out of if you have money.”
Mercy is a bestowal of grace. V4 “Christ is the end of the law,” the “termination,” the final reckoning. It will never go beyond this. It is God’s last word on the subject.
The Jew still has not learned that law and grace are antagonistic. Romans 4:4 “To him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.” Romans 11:6, “If by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise, grace is no longer grace.”
IV. Paul Adds a Concluding Note of Proof of Their Failure. Deuteronomy 32:21, God said to Moses, “I will provoke them to jealousy.” Isaiah 65:1 “I was found by those who did not seek me.” Isaiah 65:2 “I have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Conclusion
The last entry in the diary of David Livingstone was: “Jesus, my Saviour, my king, my God, I rededicate my all to thee to be and to do for thee the best that I can until the day is done.” There is GRACE. There is BELIEF. There is CONFESSION.