Bible Ballistics: Instant Preacher???   Vol. 5 #19

Well now that I have your attention, I just want to say I’m not offering a new “instant” pill for preachers, but I do want to talk about Paul’s command to Timothy:

“I charge thee therefore before God,

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

who shall judge the quick and the dead

at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word;

***be instant

***in season,***

***out of season;***

reprove,

rebuke,

exhort

with all long suffering

and doctrine.

3 For the time will come

when they will not endure sound doctrine;

but after their own lusts

shall they heap to themselves

teachers,

having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears

from the truth,

and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou in all things,

endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist,

make full proof of thy ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5

I used our ‘examination’ format so that we can see that Paul called this young preacher boy to stand fast. Paul gave Timothy one central focus!!!  Preach the WORD!!! BE ‘be instant in season, out of season;”—means to stand upon something, to be steadfast. Not only preachers, but also every believer is to stand upon the Word of God—to be steadfast as Paul called the Corinthians to:‘be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding’…..

 

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Unfortunately, in many cases, we have lost this focus and sought after the ‘wisdom of this world’ rather than trusting to and following the ‘wisdom of God’. We seem to have decided that God’s plan of preaching the Gospel isn’t sufficient to do God’s work. I must beg to differ!!!

 

1 Corinthians 1:17-21 & 25 & 31, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe….. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men….. 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

 

God chose the “the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe”. God’s plan NOT man’s! We can’t come up with a plan that will replace the supernatural work of salvation in the hearts and lives of people. I truly believe that this is one reason most churches are powerless– because they have wanted to see something bigger, faster, cuter, and more appealing to the world than “just the preaching of the gospel”. We depend on plans, programs, men’s designs, best selling books, surveys, polls and opinions to reach a lost and dying world, when God declared clearly in HIS Word what HE will use—HIS WORD, about HIS SON—the Gospel of Jesus Christ with and in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT!!!

 

John 16:7-11, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

 

John 6:44-45, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

 

Only the Holy Spirit can convict and reveal to men their own lostness and bring them to salvation through Jesus death, burial and resurrection (see 1 Cor. 15:3-6). Our job is to preach, teach and share the truth of God’s Word—not try to save people by our own programs and plans. I think this also accounts for the powerlessness of our churches. Our buildings are full of people who haven’t been regenerated by the Spirit of God, but who are trusting to some “decision” that man brought them to. They have never come to Jesus for the new birth—the supernatural work of God that makes us ‘sons of God’.

 

John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, 

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”

Born again by the power of God—not the devices of man!!! Touched and called by the Holy Spirit of God to receive “the foolishness of preaching” and to believe the Gospel and accept God’s work “to save them that believe”!!! And when God does the work it is real!!!

 

Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that

he which hath begun a

good work in you

will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

 

So what can we do? We must return to the truths of the Word of God and declare God’s truth in power and love and let God do the work in people’s hearts and lives. We simply, and in the power of the Spirit, call people to repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We stop trying to please men, impress the world and imitate Hollywood. We return to the Lord’s blueprint for reaching people–simply read through the book of Acts and see how many times the words preach, preacher and preaching appear. You may be amazed. It’s high time we returned to the Word of Our Lord and leave the ‘wisdom’ of the world to the world.

 

So, will you be an “Instant” preacher, teacher, singer, helper or follower of Jesus? Or will you settle for the wisdom of men rather than the “foolishness of God”? May we return to the preaching of the Word of God? Spend some time this week checking out the ‘preaching’ in the book of Acts. Maybe if we get back to the truth, we’ll see the power of God fall on us—and oh how we need it to fall on us. Even so Lord Jesus.

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #144      Someone Who Knows???

We talked last time about the God who cares, and I’d like us to consider that He not only cares, He cares in spite of what He knows about us—every one of us!!! And I’m so grateful that He does!!!

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:6-11

Oh, how I love that phrase, “But God”!!! “But God” loved me in spite of myself—He knew what I was—a lost and dying sinner. He knew all my sin and failure and yet He sent Jesus to make the ‘atonement’ (payment) for MY sin and YOURS!!! He ‘knew me, yet He loved me’—what a glorious thought. But that’s not all God knows. He knows those who truly belong to Him, and He knows those who are just hypocrites and imitators.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

And HE will make the truth known in HIS time:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

But, you may ask, what is the standard of judgment? God knows and He’s told us what it is. While God knows the ‘end from the beginning’ (see Is.46:10), we must decide for ourselves, if we will accept, believe and submit to His standard, or go our own way. But remember, HE still knows, and we will all give an account.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-13  (His spoken word, the written word, and HIS Son the Word)

So??? Here’s our shot for today!

He knows! All things naked and open before HIM!!!

We will face Him one day!

Will you face Him as your Lord?

Or your Judge?

It’s your choice!!!

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #143      Someone Who Cares???

As we go from day to day, week-to-week and month-to-month, we often think no one is watching, that no one cares. It’s so easy to live in our ‘techno wiz’ world and get so caught up in gadgets, gizmos, gaining things that we forget the people around us. There are untold numbers of people who are hurting, people like us who have hopes, dreams, disappointments and struggles: People who look but don’t see: People who smile but are crying on the inside. People—not just people, but WE are dying of loneliness, fear, frustration, hopelessness, and confusion,. ALL of us are people who need someone to care—we’re created that way!

Well, I care and I’m not alone, there are many of you who care, but there is one who cares, more than anyone else in this world, what happens to you. His name is Jesus, and Jesus cares so much for you that He gave His own life for yours. He gave His life to not only save us from hell, but to give us life—abundant life. Not a pain free, nor problem free life, but a victorious life IN JESUS Christ the Lord of all!!!

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Jn. 10:9-11

His life for mine!!! His life for yours!!! And what did that love and caring cost Jesus? The setting aside of heavenly glory (never ceasing to be God), taking on human flesh as a baby, to an adulthood of ministry that ended in His laying down His life on a cross because He loved us. We have a great high priest who not only gave a sacrifice for sin, but He willingly laid down HIS life as the sacrifice for my SIN!

Hebrews 2:17-18, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

He walked in our shoes, He lived in flesh and blood through this sinful, wicked world—but HE gained the victory, and He shares that victory with us. He not only shares but HE cares for you and He wants you to come to HIM. That’s why HE died!

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

So??? Here’s our shot for today! YOU are NOT in this ALONE! Jesus cares about you—HE loves you and you can have victory IN HIM!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Bible Ballistics:    Even So Lord Jesus!!!   Vol. 5 #18

As we’ve been talking about forgiveness and service, I want to take a different twist on service today. Our service to God is to be a sacrifice of praise coming from grateful hearts aligned with Jesus:

Hebrews 13:12-16, “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

Communicate: “to partner with; fellowship with.” Helping one another. A thankful, praising people should be a generous, caring people.

Because Jesus suffered for us, we are called to bear “his reproach”—to be unashamed of the gospel, of the “one way” of Jesus, even when everyone else is ridiculing and degrading the worth and veracity of God and His Word.

Romans 1:16-17 Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Are we unashamed of the ‘gospel of Christ’? Or do we often compromise what we believe and know as the truth of the Word, to avoid ridicule or slight from those around us? Paul called Timothy to beware of this very temptation:

2 Timothy 1:8-9, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

We are living in days that may produce persecution for those who hold to Jesus and the truth of His Word. In fact the persecution has already begun as people are being put out of business for not buckling to the ‘political correctness’ of immorality that is rampant around us. Pastors are facing imprisonment for standing on the ‘whole counsel’ of God’s Word. We must determine what we believe and just what we are willing to endure to follow Jesus. How can our life be a praise to Jesus if we are uninformed of His Word, and/or unwilling to stand with Him? Jesus told us that we are not above our Master:

John 15:19-21, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”

Jesus wanted us to know that following Him would have a cost. Yes, salvation is a gift of God, but when we accept that gift, and align ourselves with the Son of God, we will be in line to suffer as He did—are we willing to submit if the cost is suffering? We often forget what Paul told Timothy many years ago:

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” Are we living ‘godly’?

I’d like to close with a passage that brings a unique twist to our thoughts of unashamed service, and it comes from Mary, the mother of Jesus. Here we have a real ‘sacrifice of praise’.

Luke 1:38-39, “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;” She heard, believed and acted!

Here we have a young woman, most believe a teenager, confronted with an angelic visitation, an announcement that she would become a mother without benefit of an earthly father, and yet her only question was about what would be expected of her—an amazingly overwhelming revelation and yet a profoundly simple response.

“be it unto me according to thy word”

Now on the surface that doesn’t shake us too much, but let’s consider what just happened to this young teenager.

She encountered an angel with a message from GOD!

She was praised by this angelic messenger from God!

She was chosen to bear the Messiah of God!

Those are the usual things we think about and that is awesome enough, yet she maintained her composure through this once-in-a-lifetime encounter. She didn’t flee—she stayed! She didn’t question with doubts—she only asked how it was to be accomplished with a virgin! Yet there had to be other questions racking her mind. Think about it!!! I can’t believe that she didn’t.

What would she tell her parents?   God did it! Right?

What would she tell Joseph?          God did it! Right?

What would she tell her friends?     God did it! Right?

Let’s face it she was facing scandal. A young virgin, engaged to an upstanding, godly man—now pregnant! How? This young woman chose to yield herself to God and submit to whatever God had for her!!! How about us?

How often do we question? Doubt? Just plain balk? Complain? Make excuses? Argue? Offer alternatives to God’s plan?

My challenge to each of us today is that we will learn to be more yielded to God. That we will learn to yield our hearts and our lives to God’s service and truly offer that “sacrifice of praise to God continually”!!!

To seek His face.

To do His will.

To answer His call.

To thank HIM.

To say “even so” Lord Jesus!!!

To thank Him for His amazing love that took Jesus to Calvary for ME! Think about it. What less can I do except offer to Him the “sacrifice of praise”? How can I do it? Paul gave us some good advice:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

“Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little children. God is love, God is love.”

“Thank Him, Thank Him, all ye little children. God is love, God is love.”

Bible Ballistics: BBs #142      Me Forgive??? How???

We talked recently about forgiveness and I’d like to take it a bit further. How are we even able to forgive?

Daniel 9:9 says, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;”

A bit of an unusual passage for our topic, but Daniel reminds us that all ‘mercies’ and ‘forgivenesses’ originate with the Almighty God—the God of all creation. The God who forgives, is the only one who can help us learn to practice forgiveness, and I’m so glad HE does. His forgiveness in me is how and why I can and must forgive!

Romans 5:1-5, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

God is at work in us—

He’s put HIS love within us—

We’ve been justified and forgiven—

We have PEACE WITH GOD—

He is growing us through life—

Hope and confidence are ours!!!

Why? Why would the God of the universe do all of this for me? Good question, and the answer is as simple yet complex enough to keep us busy the rest of our lives, but suffice it to say:

“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.” John 3:16

That same love that caused God to create us knowing we would mess it all up, is the love that had already planned for our redemption in Jesus—

His incarnation—

His perfect, sinless life in human flesh—

His death, burial and resurrection—

His atoning sacrifice for MY forgiveness!

And not only this, but when I come to Him in repentance and faith He pours His Sprit within me to enable me to express HIS character to the world. That includes HIS love and HIS forgiveness lived out in and through me.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Rom. 8:28-29

So??? Here’s our shot for today. When we belong to God, He is working all things in, out, over, under, around and through our life to conform each of us into the “image of his Son”.

So??? Let YOUR light shine for Jesus—stop letting Satan dim your light with SIN!!!  I’m ‘gonna let it shine’!!!