Saturday, September 26, 2020

Trusting God and His Word in Times of Persecution.

 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” 2 Timothy 3:12 – 14

Paul is speaking to this young Minister named Timothy, Paul is also speaking to all ministers through-out time. It is not that Ministers are the only ones to be persecuted, but as leaders of the Christian faith, echoers of the gospel of Christ, as church leaders, Ministers are the prime target. You kill the general and the troops will retreat, because the strength of the church is Christ Jesus her head, then the Pastor, Christ’s overseer and under-shepherdof the church. It is your Pastors job to be the backbone of the local church, they are in the bloodline of strength of the churches that runs from Christ Jesus through the Pastor then through the church. This is the reason you see so many churches starting to deteriorate when they are without a Pastor. As Christians God tells us how to arm ourselves for battle’s in this world, Eph. 6:10 – 20. In this passage God tells us how to fight, verses (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" our defense begins with faith, faith in God our Father, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and our strengthener and enabler the Holy Spirit. We must trust God, the entire Godhead because God is more powerful than Satan and his army of demons who seek our destruction. As Christians we do not just fight the evils we cannot see, we also fight the evils disguised as Christians. These so-called Christians are not out to love us as fellow Christians, they are out to destroy us because we are Sovereign Grace believers. The battles have been blooming for hundreds if not thousands of years, I believe soon there will be another uprising of Satan’s army of evils, and we very well may see what we did in the “Dark Age” years when Catholicism and Reformers persecuted the Lord’s churches and Christians alike that some fifty-million were slaughtered. These times have been forgotten by many, never taught to others, and hid from others, but they are true in every letter of the word. Dr. Clark (who started the first Baptist Church in America) and others escaped England to escape persecution, coming to a free new world. Dr. John Clark and other Christian leaders worked with the founders of our constitution to make America a persecution free land where Christians and Churches could worship free from tyranny. Therefore, every Christian should fight for the best America, in hopes we can to keep it free from becoming another England under tyranny. The Devil is our adversary, he is seeking whom he may devour (that is to swallow up or destroy) so powerful in his endeavor the Lord called him “a roaring lion” 1Peter 5:8. We all know how powerful the lion is in the jungle, he is king, and Satan is the king of the earth, seeking to destroy Christians and churches. God said in Revelation 12:12 “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Satan knows, he has fallen from heaven as one who seek to overpower God, so his powers are great. I believe as Christians and Churches we must be prepared for a war, I believe Satan is about ready to move again with his persecutions, His army is greater and his strength has not weakened, I believe American persecution is about to reach a higher level. I also believe this persecution will spread worldwide as many parts of the world already still kill Christians. As Christians we must put on our “Armor of faith” our sword must continue to be God’s word, and we must continue to be, “… be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 We must remember those believers and churches that were slaughtered in this faith and trusting God, and we must allow their faith to be our faith in Jesus Christ and God. We must stand in the power of God and never lose faith no matter what happens, even to our death. Our life is not about this world, it is about the world that awaits us. We must be like Jesus, who went to His death trusting (as the Son of man) the Holy Spirit to raise Him. Our strength, our faith, our survival all starts with our walk in the word of God, that is in the truth of it. “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution…. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” As the deceivers continue to deceive each other to bring it to the climax of Satan’s prepared war machine, we need to be on our knees everyday praying to God for the war that is about to be. While we watch and pray for the Second Coming of Jesus, we need to be prepared to die for Jesus, the time is ours and the time is getting shorter. We do not know how much God will allow us to suffer, how much we may suffer, or how many will die, therefore be prepared.

Revival #2 "Reasons for Revival

By Pastor Steve McCool King's Addition Baptist Church South Shore, KY

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 

This morning we will be looking at some reasons for Revival. But, first let us establish what is Revival. Webster's Dictionary from 1828 gives these definitions: “REVI'VAL, noun [from revive.] 1. Return, recall or recovery to life from death or apparent death; as the revival of a drowned person. 2. Return or recall to activity from a state of languor; as the revival of spirits. 3. Recall, return or recovery from a state of neglect, oblivion, obscurity or depression; as the revival of letters or learning. 4. Renewed and more active attention to religion; an awakening of men to their spiritual concerns. “Keeping with our text verse we will concern ourselves with 4th definition. We hear this verse quoted and misquoted a lot today. With the events that have taken place this year in particular. The Lord's people have witnessed persecution like we have not seen in several generations in our nation. The very foundations of our Republic are under attack. Our God and our families. Americans have gloried in the fact we are protected by our Constitution to worship when, how, and who we want. No other country in the world has had this protection for God's people. Not only are our places of worship under attack, but our families are suffering greatly from the changes that are coming about in our society. For over 50years there has been a movement in place to destroy the family base in our country. Largely through the public education system. Also, in the entertainment industry, sports, the press, and yes, even religion itself (Proverbs 22:6). Once the perpetrators of this movement were able to “free” the youth of our nation from the clinches of the “churches” they could began to corrupt them into anything they wanted and have done a marvelous job of that very thing. And what is that thing? It is a society totally void of any godly values and any reference to God and His Son. The Word of God has been under attack for some time also. Just look at how watered down many of the modern perversions of God's Word are. Many removing the very Sovereignty and Majesty of the Creator of all things (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The corruption we are seeing today has come about because of the destruction of the family, but it has been because the “churches” gave up in an area they needed to stand strong (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Landmark Sovereign Grace Baptist Churches are no exception. We have followed after the world and they are currently winning. However, Praise God, we know who wins in the end. But, what of the “Now”? Why do we quote verses like 2 Chronicles 7:14 but not follow through with the very meaning of the verse? We pray for revival in our land and in our churches and in our families, but do we follow the instruction of God's Word? We say we want healing for our land. We say we want peace and prosperity. But have we humbled ourselves and prayed and sought the face of God and repented of our evil ways? If not, then how can we expect God to hear our prayers for revival in our land and in our churches and in our families (Psalm 51:10)? What must we do before we can expect revival? 1. Humble ourselves before the Lord. 2. Seek His face. 3. Repentance of our sins. Then and only then can we expect revival. What are some reasons we should have for desiring revival? 1. The state of our Nation. 2. The state of our Church. 3. The state of our Families. We will end this morning with James 4:7-10. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” If we truly want revival we must, first, humble ourselves before the Lord. In many ways a forgotten teaching in our land. Praise ye the Lord!!!

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Understanding the Bible Is for Believers Only.

 John 8:43 “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.”

 It may be of a surprise to some but not everyone has the ability to understand the bible. It is not a simple book to understand, it is not an average book written by an average author. In fact, it is not a book; it’s the word of God. The bible was not written to the world it was written to believers as we are told in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." The lost person does not need any of these teachings, all they need is Jesus Christ’s gospel preached to them. Until they understand in their hearts who Jesus Christ is, they do not need a biblical education. Jesus asked these folks “Why do ye not understand my speech…” We must understand as Christians that people do not understand our teaching because they are lost and therefore cannot understand the things of God. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."1 Corinthians 2:14 God declared in 1 Cor. 1:23 that the scriptures were foolishness to the lost and a stumbling block to the Jews. I know that people are smart, in fact probably 99.9% of the people on this earth are smarter than I am, however, unless they are saved, they will never understand the word of God. While school smarts in life are wonderful and most needed to get through life, they have nothing much to do with a biblical education. For example, a person can have the greatest of educations even a PhD and never understand the basics of Gods word. Therefore, please do not ever judge a pastor or biblical teacher on their worldly education. Remember God did not choose the strong of the world but rather the weak. 1 Corinthians 1:20 "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?" Even those who are well educated in this world God tore down their education to teach them His word in truth. This is done so that we can properly understand the scriptures. The teachings of this world will keep us from understanding Gods word i.e. science is very anti-God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 - 13 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (13.) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." Jesus went on to say in John 8:43 “…because ye cannot hear my word.” That is because they are spiritually dead and deaf to His words. If one is dead spiritually then they will never hear the scriptures no matter how smart they are. In fact, they will never hear the simple truth of salvation until the Holy Spirit makes their spirit alive. Therefore, we have so much disagreement in teaching Gods word. Man, not understanding, attempting to teach a book they have no truthful understand of it will always teach lies. "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." Hosea 4:1 Jesus went on to say in John 8:45 “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” Because they simply did not understand it. It confounded them and did not set in as reality to them. Man cannot understand what does not fit the worldly education i.e. science, climate change, etc. Therefore, T.V. programs such as the History and Discovery Channels are so confounded in trying to prove the bible right or wrong. What they need is men of God explaining the bible and not a bunch of lost preachers and liberal professors with only worldly educations. Man will never understand the bible without the Holy Spirit teaching it. “…we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God…” 1 Corinthians 2:12 and in Luke 21:15 "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." So, the next time someone just doesn’t get it, just remember, only the saved do get it. Now please remember man is smart and doctrine can be learned even by the lost, but never understood by the lost.

 

 "A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit." Proverbs 14:5 - 8 

Saturday, September 12, 2020

The Potter and the clay.


 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Romans 9:21 

The object of studying the bible is to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” that as Christians we are able to, “…rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2Ti 2:15. The words “rightly dividing” means - to make a straight cut, to dissect the word of God – When we “dissect” something we do so to understand the internal parts to understand the functioning or proper working of something. We do not just read the bible or look at it and move on, we focus on it so that our understanding is proper and right. I say often that searching the bible is like searching a diamond field so that we can be rich in knowledge and understanding. The more time and prayer you spend in God’s word the more truth God is going to bless you with. Our life as Christians are designed to bring glory to God, therefore our studying His word will make us wiser to what God choses to reveal to us. Therefore, the question is what exactly does God mean when He calls Himself “the Potter” and us “the clay”? The clay is never responsible for self-creation, the clay is the product of the Potters grace and mercy. We sometimes enjoy pointing out that God has made us Christians, but some Christians want to stop there and say that we make of ourselves what we choose. However, we need to understand the work of the Potter is not complete after salvation, God’s work is not complete until we are what He has elected to make us by His ordained will. God’s hand of ordination and predestination has decided what we will be in this life, and what happenings in our life are accomplished or not accomplished. God said in Eph. 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” God has ordained our good works, and ordained that we will walk in those ordained works. God does not leave His accomplishments in the hands of the clay, God does not save us and trust us to bring His will to a conclusion, God brings it to a conclusion through us by His power and the Holy Spirit. If we are well educated in God’s word, if we are good Pastors, or church workers, it is not our works that brings it about. God, who is the Potter, has sufficiently fine-tuned us by the Holy Spirits power to walk you step by step through the completion of His ordained will. The works of God are accomplished “through us” and by us by His power, we can no more take credit for any of our accomplishments than we can take credit for our own salvation. People go to church because God has inserted them into the church, people become Ministers as God has made them, and their work is what God has ordained and accomplished in them. Should people be criticized for not attending church, yes, because we should all go to church, we cannot blame God for not making some church members and not others. Regardless of what God does, the responsibility is ours. It is like sin, should people be charged with sin, yes because people are responsible for their sin, we are also charged with disobedience to God’s commandments. We are responsible for our failures; we cannot blame God who causes some to walk and work in righteousness and not others. We are responsible to study God’s word, but if the Holy Spirit does not teach us, God is not to blame for the ignorance of the uneducated. God is taking nothing but dead clay and making something wonderful and sometimes great, but He is not responsible to make every ounce of clay the same righteous vessel. The clay is His, and as He choses is what the vessels will be. God is not required to be what people consider fair, if God were fair, we would all die and go to hell. God has a will, and that will be what will control the population of this world in righteousness or unrighteousness. Therefore, we give God the thanks for His grace that brought salvation, then for anything else God has gifted to us. God warned us with these words, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 One writer said, God has given every person the same amount of grace, what we do with it is up to us.” This writer could not be more wrong, God has given us the measure of grace He elected too. We will do with it as He has elected and ordained the Holy Spirt to empower us with. We are never due credit for our accomplishments in our Christian life. If we expect the credit of man, let us not expect the rewards of God. Let us end with these words, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:5 - 8