Words to Encourage - The Gospel Way

Is His Love - In Our Love?

2012-02-02T03:21:00.000-05:00

Men, Are we showing our wives the Love of Christ in everything we say and do with and for them? If not, you're missing the whole point of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for you!

He Loved Us - So Much; He gave His very Life for us! That level of commitment, sacrifice, love and courage is what we must show to our wives, and our families, every minute of every day...

If that is not a product of your Christian Heart - either you don't get it, or you need a health check for your Spiritual Condition...

Merry Christmas...

2011-12-24T22:27:00.001-05:00

Thank You Dear Heavenly Father for your Sacrifical Gift, in the Birth of Christ...

Thank you Dear Jesus for your willing obedience to the Father, and the sacrifical mission you came to fulfill.

In that Spirit of Love, Peace and Good Will Towards Men, Merry Christmas to All...

The Spirit of Christmas...

2011-12-21T03:21:00.000-05:00

The Spirit of Christmas...

21 December 2011

RCH

It is the 21st of December, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. While we are in the year 2011, I believe that some folks still have the seasonal excitement that leads up to the 25th of December. However; this old salt Marine believes the American culture has long forgot the true "reason for the season"... We have historical revisionist working overtime to remove every thread of our Spiritual heritage, while scratching their heads wondering why society is tearing at the seams.

I for one, am solemnly praying that God touch my heart and prick my spirit to keep the meaning of Christmas in my heart. I pray that in this little message, He will give me the ability to articulate the True Spirit of Christmas, in a way that will challenge men and women's hearts to look farther, and love deeper than ever before. I pray that all those that read this, would learn the lesson that God provided me through a study a while back that illuminated the Christmas Story unlike ever before.

You see, the Spirit of Christmas isn't a theory, a concept or a thing that can be explained, or worse yet, explained away. The Spirit of Christmas was and is "a Spirit"! That's right, a Spirit, so why don't you relax and settle in and we will uncover this gem from a layman's perspective.

We read the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke, a story some 2000+ years ago, of an young teenage woman. Her name was Mary, a young Jewish woman that through a Family arrangement for marriage, was betrothed to a gentleman named Joseph. Mary's linage went all the way back to the Great King David, which in the validation of this story is both very important and significant. Why, because that fact would both fulfill prophesy, and secure her baby's place as King of the World.

Mary, had a cousin named Elizabeth, and she was pregnant with another baby that would have significance in the Christian faith later down the road. When Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant with her son John, the Archangel Gabriel visited Mary to give her news that would change her life and rock the world. This young teenage woman, loved God, she was richly acquainted with the old testament scriptures, Mary was a Godly righteous young woman that found favor in God's eyes. However; she was human, she was a part of the seed of Adam, as well as the linage of David. Which would have posed a problem, in that whole original sin discussion. BUT, God already had a plan to dismiss any claim of a sinful nature... Hmm, much to see, much to learn...

Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bare a Son, and He would be The Savior to the world. Now put yourself in this situation, think about the event itself, an Angelic being just manifested itself before your eyes. Is it a dream? Is it a mental breakdown? Is it a thing to be easily dismissed and forgotten? No... There was to be an unborn Child that would manifest Himself in this woman's womb! there would be physical, hormonal and emotional changes immediately in her life. For any normal teenage woman, this would have undoubtedly shook them to the root of their soul, yet Mary seemed to take it in stride. Her Love for and Faith in God, was undoubtedly her anchor.

There were several events that helped steady the reality of God's miracle in this story. Mary visited Elizabeth's house, and there was great joy and moving of the Holy Spirit amongst them. This had to be both comforting for Mary, and a real confidence builder for her to travel back to Nazareth. There was also Zechariah's visit from Gabriel to announce the Christ child, too many events validated and collaborated by other folks of the time. Mary knew to her core this was both true and real, there was no need or room for doubt, she had an important role to fill in this story as it unfolded.

But; what about that sin nature question... How did God prevent Mary's blood line from tarnishing or traversing to the unborn child? Well, we need to think this through. First of all in Luke chapter one, we see an important question from Mary to Gabriel, and his uniquely awesome answer. Luke 1:34 & 35; Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God... THE Son of God. Two things we take from this.

One, God through His Supernatural Power chose to; and took action to stop the human nature from entering the Child. Hence Catholicism teaches the "immaculate conception", in layman's terms from a Protestant's perspective, God supernaturally prevented the original sin from being any part of the equation... In addition, the second important point is that Christ was already a person, simply put, He already totally and completely existed. He was God's only begotten Son, He was already part of the creation process. Therefore; there was no need for an additional father of human flesh. Thusly, we have the supernatural conception, or I would prefer, the incarnation of Christ in a human form through Mary of Nazareth.

It is because of this God orchestrated miracle that the Savior would come to us as God and man. By the seed of Adam all men were cursed and condemned, and by the seed of God, all men have been offered redemption. Which brings me back to the Spirit of Christmas. In John 4:23 & 24 we read that: But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The Spirit of Christmas was God Himself!!! Through this young woman, God sent His Only Begotten Son, to come to this earth in obedience, ultimately to go to Calvary and lay His life down for mankind. The lesson I learned through my study months ago, was that God set the example, He lead His followers by example. He in all His Wisdom and Might, gave up the best that He had that first Christmas night. God showed us the model of sacrifice from Mary's Holy conception, to Christ's first breath in that stable, to His last breath on the Cross of Calvary.

Christmas isn't only about the gift of Christ, it is about Their (Father & Son) sacrifice for us. You are scratching your head, saying where is this guy going... Stop and think about it folks, especially those of you with children. What in this world, would you be willing to give up the child you have always known, to send on a mission that you know would take him or her away from you. Not only will this mission take them from your presence physically, but it will force the ugliest vile contentious manifestations the mind could imagine and beyond upon them. You will both endure unbelievable, unimaginable pain mentally, emotionally and physically. Could you do it? God Did!!!

God the Father endured physical separation from His Son, while Christ walked this earth as a man. While He was well pleased with His Son and His obedience, on that last day on earth in human form, God had to turn His back on His Son in wrath and disgust... For Christ took on the SIN of the ENTIRE WORLD, to which the Father had to turn away, at that point all those pains were married together as the weight of the world was bore by this Perfect Lambs body and soul. At that moment, Christ endured Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual pain, to pay for my wretched sin. God showed Mercy to man, He provided the Grace needed to find our way back to that cross and cover our sin in Christ's shed blood. Through that transaction, God wraps us in His Son's Righteousness, and we become justified in His site through the Perfect Lamb's Blood Covering.

The Spirit of Christmas is that of Almighty God Himself and His dear and precious Son, Jesus Christ. Interpreted by this layman, the spirit of Christmas is that of Sacrifice first, the gift second. We must learn to love our fellow man through sacrifice, which God the Father and Christ the Son taught us by example. That sacrifice is the price of the gift we offer to those we come in contact with each and every day, family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances and yes, if God leads you - strangers too. We that worship in spirit, must be a witness of that Spirit that lives and dwells in us. The Spirit of Christmas is CHRIST, we must place the Love and Spirit of Christ back into our Christmas...

Seek to Worship the Living God, through His all so Precious Son in Spirit and speak the Christ of Christmas this year... For the day of reckoning is drawing nigh... Be well, live and show the peace of Christ this Christmas, God Bless each and every one of you. Merry Christmas!

It's Time To Pray, Watch & Wait...

2011-12-04T09:30:00.000-05:00

Wars, Rumors of Wars, Earth Quakes, Weird and Violent Storms, Volcanic Activity, Famine, Pestilence, an Age of Information, and an awareness of Spiritual unrest around the world. The world feels like is quickly spinning out of control, and men and women participating in un-natural acts, with an agenda to make it a way of life and protected class. We are all heading for the climax of events, with only a few that truly recognize it for what it really is - a world wide culture of Sodom.

Just as in the 1st Sodom, GOD will pass judgment, but not before plucking out the Church & the Holy Spirit, ushering out the Age of Grace, and bring in the time of great Tribulation. Christian Brother and Sister, please help me pray that GOD will open the eyes of those around us, so that we may speak Christ and they will listen.

Also, pray with me "Oh Dear Lord, please come quickly", we fear for our Children and Grand Children coming into this world... We must be diligent and consistent in speaking the Truth in Love so that they will decide to Believe the Message of Truth, accept Christ and place all their faith and trust in HIM...

God Bless each and everyone of you, take care and Speak the Name of Christ... May all that you say and do, bring Honor, Glory and Praise to the Name of Christ...

Take Care,

RC Hall

Look For HIS Face, Speak His Name...

2011-12-03T22:32:00.001-05:00

Dear Folks,

We are fast approaching the Christmas of 2011, with the world spinning out of control, and the culture trying to forget the Christ in Christmas, we must pray...

Please join me in praying for our nation, this culture that loves church but skirts the conviciton that Christ's life represents. When He sent the Comforter to us, it was for both comfort and conviction of the heart.

We must seek HIS face every day, and we must speak HIS name and the Truth He brought to this world to all that will listen. Please pray for your neighbors, un-saved family and this country, looking to spark a revial in the hearts of men and women.

God Bless,

RC Hall

The Heart Pain of Happy Valley (State College, PA)

2011-11-10T22:58:00.001-05:00

Dear Folks,

The events that have unfolded here in my home community, scream loud and true of the fallen world that we live in. It points also to the depths to which the human heart can fall.

I am currently working on a piece addressing the American Church, and it's version of the "christ". This issue at PSU just adds credence to some of my conclusions, and validation of Biblical Prophesy.

Tonight, I hope that all my Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Jesus of Nazareth, will pray for these dear children that have fallen victim to an evil and hideous crime.

It is also my prayer, that this community, county, state, and country will soon find the path to revival... For we have most certainly lost our moral compass, when we began to write the True Christ out of our Churches in this country.

God Bless those of you praying, may these dear folks find the True Peace through Christs ever loving arms and forgiveness.

Good Night,

RC Hall

Pray...

2011-11-07T21:43:00.002-05:00

Let every soul belonging to the God of Abraham, paid for by Jesus of Nazareth, the true Christ, pray for Revival - unlike anything that has been seen to date in this country!

Dear Lord God, revive the hearts of Your people... Set Your Body of Believers, the Bride of Christ on Fire this very day...

So that everything we say, we do, and we think bring Honor, Glory and Praise to You, in Christ's name we pray...

Amen...

Have You Smiled For Him Today?

2011-10-25T23:12:00.000-04:00

Dear Folks, I just finished putting a lesson / message together for tomorrow night. My heart is heavy and burdened for He that gave me life. I realized tonight while studying, and penning my heart that He loves me - in spite of myself...

I know the ugly man that I am, continually falling short of the mark, yet He loves me. He literally took a beating for me, and then He spread His arms to show the breadth and depth of His love and commitment to me.

Praise God, the story didn’t stop there, for He met death at Hells gate, and returned to meet and greet His loved ones. Then, as the first fruits of those that follow in His name, He ascended into the Heavens to be seated at the Right Hand of God.

He became, my High Priest, interceding for me and on my behalf to the Father. His work on the cross allows me to stand in the throne room in spirit while wrapped in His righteousness. Through His justification, by His shed blood, my spiritual voice is heard on High to the ears of The Most High.

He has imparted to me, His Love, His Joy, His Peace, His Longsuffering, His Gentleness, His Goodness, His Faith, His Meekness and His Temperance. None of these wonderful things are created or sustainable from my own heart, but that too, He has shared with me. For He has shared His Heart through the indwelling Spirit of The Holy, Righteous, Just and Loving God and His Gift through the Sacrifice of His Son.

Dear Father, it is with Your Love and Joy that I share this smile while basking in the Peace of the knowledge of Salvation as You allowed me to hear it. A smile for You Father, and for that dear soul that You sent to share the Good News with me. May You give me the strength and desire to share that same word of Good News with those you place on my path. In all things I do on this earth and in this life that You have given me, bring You Joy, through my desire to Honor and Praise You, in Christ’s name I pray, Amen…

I Had My Eyes Opened to God's Authority

2011-09-21T03:21:00.000-04:00

Quite a few months ago, I had my eyes opened to God's authority through a real life lesson... Many months back, I had the most awesome opportunity to deliver an accelerated expositional study through the book of Joshua, the Old Testament Book and Hero by which my eldest Son is named.

The book of Joshua lays out for us the Power, Might, Sovereignty, Righteousness, Mercy, Grace and yes, His Ultimate Authority over all things in and of creation.

God had shown His Love, Mercy and Grace numerous times to the Israelites, yet they continually murmured and complained. Thusly; He purged their ranks by allowing them to wonder in the Wilderness for 40 years.

While Moses was on Mount Sinai, and the Israelites proceeded to sin greatly against their Lord and God, Moses' plea and prayer to Almighty God appealed to His Heart, and He showed Mercy and held His Hand of Judgment from destroying Israel.

The point being made, is both one of the prayer, and one of the submission of a Righteous and Godly man, is heard, and in some cases moved the heart of Almighty God... But to get to that point, Moses had to have a relationship with the Father! There was a healthy fear, respect, submission to His Authority and an understanding of position and relationship. Because Moses had seen firsthand the Might and Power of the Lord God, there was also a constant state of reverence and acknowledgment of His Holiness.

The family was originally designed to be a model of God's union of the Trinity, as well as a model of His Authority and our submission. However; today's culture has water down the intended family design to where most families today are Biblically dysfunctional at most levels...

The media has portrayed Men as bumbling fools, afraid of their own shadows, indecisive, indifferent and spineless to take their God given place in the marriage, in the home, in the communities and worse yet in our Churches.

1) When is the last time you knew a man that sacrificed a day's meals so that another could eat?

2) When is the last time you saw a man give up something he truly loved for someone he didn't know?

3) When is the last time you saw a man yield to a weaker more vulnerable man?

4) When is the last time you knew a man, to sell everything he had in the world, and went to serve the Lord, regardless of what his family and friends said?

5) Do you know any men, or better yet any MAN, that when you are in their presence, you feel that you are in the presence of a Godly, Righteous and Holy man?

Chances are you don't know many - if any!

This brings me to a key point! Men, by Christ’s standards, biblical principles and in light of our Christian ancestors, we don't submit ourselves to God's authority, nor do we sacrifice to serve Him... So, is it any wonder that our families can't get it right? Head of Household has to mean something to them, for them to Honor it and Submit and Yield to it. The "do as I say, not as I do" mentality has got to be thrown out.

We must live out our Faith in Almighty God, every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day, of every week, of every month, of every year consistently throughout or lives. It must be on display in all of our routines, habits and lifestyle. They must see the Love, Grace, Meekness and Authority of Christ in us at every moment. We cannot serve God with a slothful Spiritual condition, it is all about choices!

For those that have not taken their role in the home seriously, they need to hit their knees, pray to Almighty God to give the courage and strength needed to draw a line in the sand, and hold that line... Don't give an inch to Satan, he wants you to be a weak Leader, he wants you to be weak spiritually - he wants our families to be weak and dysfunctional. Remember Brothers, God will not honor a heart that is not submitted to His Authority. Just as God withheld Blessing and Victory from Joshua and Israel at Ai, because of one man's sin and covetousness, He too withholds Spiritual Victory from us when we make the wrong choices!

When Israel remained focused on God, the Lord continued to provide Victory after Victory throughout Canaan. Time and time again, Israel physically saw God's Power and Might in their victories... Yet, they consistently had to be reminded. Joshua, was victorious because of his Faith in God, and because he understood the relationship.

God takes His authority and Word seriously, yet most men calling themselves Christians today yield their God given authority to their wives and children. They coast, don't want any waves, just want to be happy and do what they want to do, when they want to do it without any thought to the Spiritual consequences.

There will be a Judgment in Heaven men! We Will Give An Account for how we submitted to God's Authority and how we used the authority he gave us in our homes! So tell me men, are you working on your spiritual bank roll? Do you care? If you care, are you concerned about what you will have to defend? Are you honoring God in your homes, in your marriages, in your families?

Does your wife see your undying love for her; does she see your sacrifices for her, so that she may grow in Christ? You are to be her model of Christ in the Home! Have you sacrificed time, or resources to give her opportunity to recharge her spiritual batteries? Do you encourage her, build her up, and talk her up in front of friends, co-workers and family. Do you rush to her aide when she is challenged, threatened, fearful or doubting? Do you know how to say I am sorry, and she knows it is coming from the core of your soul? Do you rush to offer forgiveness if she has offended you? Do you take time to communicate to her - engaged at the level she wants you to or needs you to? Your authority in the home is not negotiable, it is commanded by God, but it is throttled and controlled by and in His Love, Mercy, Grace, Meekness, Compassion and Sacrifice! If you are not submissive to Almighty God and His will for your life, you will never be willing to properly submit yourself to your wife’s needs.

A Godly Man, will sacrifice his wants for his wife’s needs, which will come full circle in the wife’s willingness to yield to her husband’s authority. For outside of God’s will, the husband has no authority to exercise, he is just a worldly man, doing his own bidding.

God's Word Provides the only author you need to be the Head of Household... If you wield it as an offensive weapon to bruise and bully those which God has blessed you with to call your own, you will bear the burning - scorching fire of Christ's Bema Light at that day of judgment. But, if you tenderly exercise that authority, to teach, guide, nurture and a tool of Love and Provision, you will reap rewards both here and in Heaven.

Wives, do you Love Christ enough, to honor Him through yielding your will to Him, giving yourself and your will to your husband as Christ gave himself to the Church. Christ yielded to the authority of the Father just by coming to the earth in the first place. It took all the more submission and discipline to give Him to be brutally beaten, bruised, cursed, mocked, humiliated and then sacrificed for His Church - the Bride of Christ. Do you look for signs of Christ in your husband’s? Do you offer support and encouragement to him in his Spiritual endeavors? Do you show him Unconditional Love before your children, family and friends? Do you come to his aide when he is tired, down and beaten by the world? Does he see Christ's eyes when he looks into yours? Do you reinforce his authority in your home, do your children see a biblical submission in your heart, or is what they see, simply submission of obligation and requirement? Children know and sense the difference, but more importantly, God knows the difference within your heart.

Joshua Loved the Lord his God! Joshua loved Israel! Joshua's authority was not questioned, and all of Israel honored, respected and yielded to Joshua's authority. Joshua's Faith and Trust in God, was the anchor that held all of Israel in the storms.

He was loving, just, and compassionate and his life was accounted unto Righteousness before the Lord. Joshua lead all of Israel to many victories, through his leadership and God's Providence and Promise, Israel in a very real way got to see and inhabit their "Promised Land".

Men of God, are you leading your wives, children, neighbors, co-workers and Churches to the new Promised Land? Do those around you see Christ in you and your actions and deeds? Do they want to follow your lead? Are you praying for them, for God to work in their hearts and yours? Men, God gave you the very best he had, how can you dare to give any less - than the best you have - giving of yourself until it hurts! See, if there is no pain, there is no sacrifice...

Be the Leader He wants you to be and God will provide the hearts to follow. His Word and Work will not return void.

God provided me a little practical illustration a while back concerning a man's authority in his home. God requires our submission to his authority in our lives. That is achieved through tracing His hand and Knowing His Heart, which is converted into Faith and Trust.

As we Learn more about our God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, that Faith and Trust in God's Character, Ability, and Love for us grows. In the times when we know and understand His direction through His Word the walk is easy. However; in the times that we don't quite understand the purpose or reason, it is then that our Love for Him, our Experience with Him tells our hearts to continue to obey his authority, because our Faith and Trust in Him is real and genuine! He has proven Himself to us, and we can trust His judgment and deliverance through our yielding and submitting to His will and authority.

Men, Husbands, Fathers, it is the same principal… Through your undying love for your family, through your Godly living and teaching, your family will honor your Authority... Even in the times when they don't totally understand or see your logic, they will exercise Faith and Trust in your Authority. If they don't, then take time to examine your own heart and practices, if God gives you peace, continue to pray for unity in the Family, and for God to work in the hearts of those struggling. If your family is struggling to Honor God in their own hearts and lives, chances are they will struggle and be challenged to follow your leadership. However; if you seek God’s peace and it escapes you, search your heart and seek council before you negatively impact the spiritual well being of your family.

Sanctification is a process that occurs in the heart of a Spirit filled, God seeking individual. It is a process that may have some hills and valleys, but the trend will be and must be constantly upward. Until we learn to fill our minds and hearts with Spiritual things on a consistent basis, the devil will still have a foot in the door. The old timers understood that principal, and were faithful and devoted to seeking God's Face at every opportunity. Read your Bibles and Pray to get closer to Him and get to know Him. If it is only a mechanical reading and prayer to do your God thing, then you will never really get to where He wants you to be.

God loves you, He sent Christ to show you that, and Christ sent the Holy Spirit to minister to you and reveal Himself to you through His Word. If you truly have a "Saving Knowledge" of Christ, use that knowledge to gain more, dive into His Word and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. If you are truly seeking Him, He will rejoice in opening His Word to you, growing you and as you yield to His Will & Authority, he will make all things new, and sanctify you unto Himself.

The Joy in Christ is real, His Yoke is easy, and when you engage in the spiritual battle, it is exciting and rewarding. So, get in the race, and then run to win... Anything less & you are fooling yourself!

God Bless and I hope to see you at the finish line!

Biblical References: Exodus 24:12-18; Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:1-14 - God's Heart & What Prayer Can Do... Moses' prayer, or request to God swayed the out come, God held His hand from destroying Israel... How Amazing & How Encouraging...

Counting the Cost...

2011-08-24T00:21:00.000-04:00

When's the last time you counted the cost of doing the right thing? Have you ever really thought about, the time, the effort, the resources, the determination, the strength and the will it takes to keep on the righteous path? Godly men and women rarely think about the cost of the work we are investing in, but I believe that we should take time to reflect on the cost...

The Cost! My goodness the Cost!

To better understand the Cost, maybe we should look at the value of that work, after all the cost of the investment should equal the value of the work or item purchased. Right? Hmm, Cost, Value, Investment, these are more than just concepts, they are much more to those that are good stewards, Right?

Matthew 10: ³¹Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows...

Luke 12: ⁷But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

These two verse assess the value of a man as being more than many sparrows, for which God cares for every moment of every day. Christ made this illustration to boldly state the obvious, that God loved man beyond any comprehension that simple men can find in their finite minds to consider. VALUE!

My friend, God paid the ultimate price for the people we refer to as the "work".

John 3: ¹⁶For God so Loved the world that HE GAVE...

God through His Sovereign will, saw that for His Glory to be seen in all it's majesty, He had to allow the fall in the Garden to lay out His plan to redeem man, and Glorify Him and His Son. As we know the scripture tells us, He paid the ultimate price, He bore a cost far exceeding the value of the work, He spilt His Son's precious blood. He made His only, begotten, loved and adored Son endure the pain of beating, flogging, humiliation, and in the end a physical death of His flesh. In the end all of that paled to the real pain... Jesus, the Christ, the True and Only Son of the Living God, who spent all of Eternity past in the presence of the Pure Light and Love of His Father... Now, to fulfill the Father's plan, He had to endure total and complete separation from His Father, from the Father's Light, and from the Father's Love!

The pain, the cost of that separation is not known by any human, we can not fathom the pain and suffering that Jesus' endured during that time of separation from the Father. There was certainly a cost for that True Redemptive Work at the Cross. Unlike many religions today, I believe that cost of Christ's Crucifixion was complete, finished and resolved. The Cross is empty, the Tomb is empty and the Veil into the most Holies was torn from top to bottom to expose the High Priest. For from that very moment forward to this very day Jesus the Christ has been established as our High Priest, our intecessor and our interpreter. There is NO OTHER, None, noone else, Christ was the 1st and the last, He is the ONLY WAY, Period. If you don't know Him, if you don't have a relationship with Him, you are most definitely LOST.

1st Corinthians 6: ²⁰For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1st Corinthians 7: ²³Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

1st Peter 3: ⁴But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

The Price was greater than all of creation could understand, but The Father offered up His Son to pay the ultimate price, and Jesus willingly went to bare the destructive demand of Sin, and paid the price completely. The Scripture tells us that if you are of the elect, that your name was written in the Lambs Book of Life... If your name is in that precious book, you have another gift of the Father, you have the Holy Spirit living within your heart, bearing witness to your soul of His presence and work in your life. For those of us that refer to His commandment to serve one another and spread the Gospel as work, please take time occassionally to reflect and consider the True Cost of that Work was not our time, efforts, energy, resources or determination... The True Cost was that of Christ's sweat, blood, death, burial, trip to sheol and resurection witnessed by many people and well documented...

He paid the cost that Sin placed on our heads, paid the price to redeem the entire world. Those that have a heart to hear His voice, will heed the call of the Spirit as He beckons us out of the Dark and to the Light of His Mercy, Grace and Righteousness. There is no room in those hearts for anger, conceipt, jelousy, fear, frustration, want or covetousness... The heart that beckons the call, is tender, moldable, conformant, and desires Righteousness and Holiness, always seeking the Face and Heart of God.

John 3: ¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God sent Christ to save the entire world, but the world at large doesn't want this free gift, they would much rather take and hold the riches, and things of this world - that ultimately belong to the Creator. The worldly choice comes with a punitive action by Almighty God, a choice in following the Master of Sin, Lucifer, comes with the price that must be paid. If you don't accept Christ's payment, then you are left to pay it yourself. That payment is your very life, not just your physical life, but the one that will truly follow. That condemnation will condemn you to darkness and seperation from God in a very real place called Hell. A place that is dark, burning like fire, and full of all the evil of the world and all the fallen angels that followed Satan into damnation.

The choice is yours dear friend, take time to reflect and count the cost... Do you really think you can afford to pay that price? Believer, have you counted the Cost paid, and how it should impact your work for the Lord, and how you share Him with your friends and neighbors? Time is short, for believer and unbeliever alike, please, please, Count the Cost!

Robert C. Hall

23 August 2011

Share the Joy, While Guarding Your Heart...

2011-07-27T20:34:00.002-04:00

Galatians 5:22-25

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

²⁴And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

In trusting the Blessed Master, we must share and show the joy of possessing His Spirit. Yet we must remember we are in a Spiritual Battle, and this world doesn't want us to win that battle. The Fruit of the Spirit will flow in abundance from the new creation in us, Christ's Spirit will teach us to Love all mankind, praying for their souls to come to the Master.

As we yield to Christ's Spirit, we will naturally exhibit His Love, Joy, Peace, Long suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance... These attributes of His Spirit and now ours will draw those truly seeking to you, at which time you may plant the seed. It is then up to Almighty God to determine when and if that seed shall be nourished and harvested. For God conducts the Good Work of Salvation, we are simply the servants casting the Seeds of Truth for God to do with as He pleases.

Separation from the world is a fine line for many. Yet Paul, tells us that all the lusts of our past worldly life were crucified at the foot of the cross. It is in that knowledge of the work done there at Calvary, that we can then Live In The Spirit - and making sure that our Walk In The Spirit reflects the life we profess lives within us. All the time guarding our hearts from allowing the temptations of the flesh to draw us to the side lines.

So dear friends, serve in the Spirit of Christ with a Joyful heart and a confidence provided by Jesus the Christ, who has done the Good and Hard Work at Calvary in our place. Walk in the Peace that passes all understanding provided through the shed blood of Christ. For you now boldly stand before Almighty God wrapped in His Son's Righteousness, and Justified through Him alone.

Be well, serve Him with Joy, and pray for your neighbors, for the end times are surely close at hand.

All My Love and Prayers In Christ Jesus,

Your Friend,

My Dear, Dear Father, Praise Your Holy Name...

2011-07-01T03:21:00.004-04:00

Recently, I had a friend drop me a line to touch base, a young man that sings lead in a Southern Gospel Quartet. Their music speaks to my heart, and churns the spirit bringing a smile to my face and joy to the core of my being.

As I thought about Dear Brother Sellers, I began to reflect where this Spiritual Trek has taken me since we last saw each other. I have served as a Lay Minister, with a Teaching / Preaching ministry Wednesday nights, and a Sunday School ministry to the High School / College Age folks in our Church.

My, my goodness, what wonderful Truths I have learned in studying and preparing myself for these ministries each week. How can we not stand before Almighty God trembling in fear of His awesome presence in our lives? The more I learn of His Great Power, His Might, and the punitive judgments of men and nations of past days; I fall in silent thanksgiving for His Tender Mercies in the midst of that judgment. The more I study His Grace, His Love for us in spite of our fallen condition, and how that Mercy and Grace is offered freely, well then I see just how I must fall short of His perfection and righteousness.

To stand in the light of His Truth, we must clearly see the darkness of our own ways, and our need for regeneration, submission and yield to His Sovereign Authority in not just our own live, but in all of creation.

In Romans Chapter 6, we read beginning in verse 6....

6. 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.

12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13. (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21. That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to the forsaken place to pay a price that we could not pay on our own. After showing us the way through His earthly ministry, He showed us the way through the veil of Death, and back again. Oh Dear Jesus, how we have failed you as a people and as a Nation. We have truly lost sight of our First Love in Christ.

The words in this Holy Book that He has provided us for study and communion with Him, stand as Holy Ground; the last Bastian of Truth to a dying world. Lighting the path to Life, yet we have churches in this country that have washed away those truths to become more socially acceptable and bring in the numbers that will fill the offering plates.

In the name of evangelization, the Truth of His HOLY and RIGHTEOUS character attributes have been replaced with entertainment that is devoid of pure Truth and doctrine. To the point that Christ's Life is now called to question. From where I sit, from what I have been taught and learned on my own - that view is nothing short of Blasphemy.

A nation that Blasphemes the Life, Work and Spirit of Christ is damned - not blessed! For God in His own time, will turn a people over to their own heart’s desire, and they will serve that master right to their own destruction.

As Paul said in Romans 6; For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

For when we were yet sinners - Christ died for us, God gave His absolute Best for the filthy, for the unworthy, for the indignant, for the arrogant, for the pompous, he died for every race, every creed and every color. Yet in the Light of that Truth even those that claim His name, prostitute themselves to the ways of the world, and all its vices. Oh how His Dear Heart must pain, how it must trouble His Spirit to watch the wrong choices we often make.

Yet in His Economy of Time and Grace, He sees through to the very core of the heart, sealing those He called unto Himself. Precious are they in His sight, for they are Obedient to His voice, and they seek the very Holiness that makes Him God. He delights in their devotion, and blesses them with His Joy and His Peace even in the midst of emotional and physical pain.

Oh, My Dear, and most Precious Lord God, Praise Your Holy and Mighty Name. May my heart and voice carry your Name to my housetop? Thank you Father for saving such a worm as I, help me never forget the miserable being I was before you found me in that lost condition, without any Light in my life. Thank You Dear Jesus for coming to sacrifice yourself in such a terrible and horrific physical death, reversing the curse from Adam's transgression. Freeing me and all those before me that have Proclaimed the Name and Work of Jesus the True and Only Christ, freeing all True Believers and Followers of Christ from the bonds of Satins grip and Sins reward of Hell... We will never - ever fear Hells pain and destruction, because you paid our ransom, and we now serve a new Master who stands in place proclaiming our Kinship and position inside His Righteousness.

However; we will stand in review of our service and life for Him, the life that He paid for in full, hence we are not our own. In that knowledge, we must remember that every idle word will be weighed, and rewarded with precious metals and jewels, or with wood, hey and stubble. Action and Motive will be placed in the Burning Light of the Bema Seat, those things that were said and conducted in True Service to Him, will be rewarded; the rest will be burnt up and never mentioned again.

I pray that I find strength in these last days to stay focused on the main thing, finding strength in the Armor of God, ready to do Spiritual Battle with the enemy. Speaking His Truth to all that will listen, sharing His Love and Sacrifice with those less fortunate than myself, and those truly seeking Him out. I want to let my heart reflect the Light and Life of Christ to all that cross my path.

May His Joy shine through to a smile on my face even when it hurts to walk and go on? May I never forget all that He gave to secure a place for me by His side through eternity? May I forever remember the sufficient Grace that I enjoy, and the power of His Spirit that lives within me? Yes Dear Father, Praise Your Holy Name, and may all that I do in these last days, bring Honor, Glory and Praise to your Precious Son. May I forever Revere Your Sovereign Presence and Authority, and yield and submit myself to Your Will.

In Love & Joy I serve you, resting in Your mighty arms, Thank You Dear Lord for these Blessings and Lessons.

Lately Father...

2011-06-12T03:21:00.000-04:00

Lately Father, I find it comforting that I can’t get You off my mind. You are in my thoughts, even when I am relaxed and not wound tight, when I do the little things that don’t matter much in life, I find myself looking for Your face. I constantly wonder if You are happy with me, am I pleasing You, are You smiling with me – crying with me? I find myself thanking You for even the most trivial events in my day, and praising You for all those big things that make life - Life. I guess it has been a gradual thing – but lately events have made me more aware and conscious of Your presents. So I found myself asking this morning – why is it that I love You so and what brought me here?

Dear Father, here is what I came up with, which I know is no surprise to You. Your Spirit, which You gave me as a gift to comfort me has convinced my heart gently but firmly of my inability to see You or get to You without petitions to Your Son. He gently prompts my heart to read and listen to your word. I find myself thanking You many times a week for placing me where You have, and providing and placing a loving Pastor that taught and mentored in Your will. The Holy Spirit has shown me that without that which You first gave me, I am a condemned man, without excuse. That even in the presence of Your precious Gift and Blessings – I am but a worm dwelling in the rotten apple we call reality.

The man I thought I was – now looks back at me from what seems to be a distant past. He taunts me over the things that are different, but when I look back through straining eyes I find it harder to recognize that image of the past. Today, I realized that because You have taught me how to love You, that image I strain to see is no longer the man that You see. You have placed people in my life to remind me of that old pit once in awhile, but I feel You leading me more into the new creation You are teaching me to rejoice in. I find myself sitting in the quiet of my study, peaceful and content to rest in Your arms. The truth of Your word coming alive off the pages and speaking to my heart – it is Your voice I hear. I yearn so much to seek Your face, to be with You, to walk with You – this is a love that You are teaching me.

This man You gave me as my earthly father has sought You father and You speak to him as well. Praise You for answering prayer, thank You for touching hearts that were once cold, glory to You for 1st choosing us when we were yet still in our wretchedness. Father, You have shown me Yourself in the eyes of this man I call Dad. You have shown me tenderness through the heart of this man that I once thought was heartless. I once heard that a man’s perception of You is directly correlated to the relationship he has with his earthly father. With me – You proved the opposite, if we don’t first honor our relationship with You; we can never fully enjoy the relationship with the earthly father You gave us. Praise be to You Father, for working a good work in my heart, and showing my dad and I the best You have to offer – in your Son Jesus Christ.

Why do I love you so? Because I am compelled to – because as part of that transaction @ the cross, you gave me a cleanly washed heart to seek you out – and wonder in Your love – unconditional and unbridled to those that truly seek Your face. Thank You Father, for all the Godly Fathers through the ages, Abraham, Issac, Moses, as well as those in my linage – Robert Tormey, John Hall & Byron Hall. Thank You Father, for the role models that you have placed in our lives, Joseph, Joshua, Peter, Paul and today’s role models like Stephen Burns, Marvin Apple & all the Godly Pastor's that love your people and sacrifice for them.

Praise Your Holy Name - I Love You Father!

Forever Thankful For His Forgiveness

2011-05-28T03:21:00.002-04:00

These last few weeks I have been buffeted quite a bit... Trials have been over abundant, and I haved made a few bad choices. Conviction is a wonderful thing, and reassuring that His Spirit still works in the hearts of men...

I pray that my testimony has not been bruised, He knows my heart and knows that I am forever Thankful for His undying Love, Mercy, Grace and Forgiveness...

Remembering, when you ask to dawn the "The Full Armor of God", be prepared to do battle.

Stand Strong in the Truth and Stand Firm in the Faith - He will take care of the rest...

What's On Your Task List?

2011-05-24T19:21:00.001-04:00

Hello Fellow Saints in our Dear Lord Jesus...

Well, since May 21st has come and gone, what remains on your personal task list for the time we have left here to serve the Risen Christ?

Here is what mine looks like:

1) Share the Gospel with those seeking the Truth.

2) Pray constantly for Mercy, Grace, Love and Faith to continue.

3) Work at showing Mercy, Grace, Love and Faith to those He places on my path.

4) Pray for the Holy Spirit to help me in dawning the full armor of God, then stand firm in this Spiritual Battle.

5) Learn to make Him larger in my ministry - while making myself smaller. Point to Him, while fading into the back ground, dying to self and the pride I carry.

6) Pray for the Lost, the Suffering, and help where I have the means and resources to do so.

7) Watch and Listen for that Trump to sound, for His calling to the Marriage Feast.

Folks - my Bible tells me that there are several major events to occur yet for this old world. When God is ready to close the door of Grace (the Church Age), He will send His Son to the earth to call out His Children, those names that are written in the Lambs book of Life. Those that live for Christ, seeking God's face in their life, and seeking righteousness, those that the Holy Spirit has begun a work in the heart and True Change is manifested in them. Those dear folks, those dear Saints in Christ both Dead and Alive will be caught up with Him in the clouds and whisked off to a Marriage Feast.

The next event (maybe simultaneously) the Anti-Christ will rise to power, and promise peace, but it will be short lived. Three and a half years into his reign, this person will turn on the world, and bring his power down on our Dear, Dear Israel... He will seek to destroy her, while defiling all that is Righteous and Pure, but GOD will not allow this to happen.

Just 7 short years after Christ took away the True Church, he will return to the earth for the 2nd time. When he touches down on the Mount of Olives, His Power and Wrath will split the Mount. He will then destroy the defiance of the Anti-Christ and bind him. Christ will then take His Rightful place on the Throne of Israel and the world and rule for a 1000 years.

There is more to this story, but, you will have to read, and learn those truths on your own. This very brief and unsophisticated summary of the events to come, is meant to be an encouragement to those that Truly Know Christ. Also, this is meant to be a warning to those that scoff, or even those that have decieved themselves into believing they are alright. They do their church thing on Sundays, or on Easter or on Christmas - so they are OK... Could not be further from the truth...

If you are still walking the way of the world and there is no Change in your life, if your sin does not make you ill, if there is not love for all man kind in your heart - you are just fooling yourself into a false sense of security.

Christ paid the price for our sin nature, He calls to all men, to come out away from the ways of this world, to wrap our selves in His Righteousness, and seek to be Holy and Sanctified unto Him. HE does the saving, not men, not preachers, not pastors nor the likes. When True confession occurs, and True Repentence and Turning from our own way is the result, He saves. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of His Own, He Knows them, and they Know Him.

Faith in Christ, is the only road to True Salvation and a Life Eternal in the Light of God's Love and Peace. Christ Himself told us - there is NO other way... None... We either pass through His work on Calvary to get to God and Heavens reward, or we remain eternally damned and imprisoned in hell.

The choice is yours... So really, what is on your task list while waiting, maybe you should re-prioritize your list and hit your knees.

For at one point or another in your eternal existence you will bow your head and bend your knee beneath His Authority... Either you do it now in the light of His Mercy and Grace, with Joy of Service... Or you will do it on Judgment day by force and in fear... If I were you - I would check that list...

In Christian Love and Concern,

Your Friend,

RC

Resurrection Day… This is Your Choice!

2011-04-23T03:21:00.002-04:00

He rode into town to a Kings welcome and fanfare, the crowd was ecstatic to see Him, they hailed and praised Him. It was a wonderful and glorious scene, they appeared to Love this Man, wanting Him to be their King… My goodness, how the hearts of men and woman can be swayed, for by the end of the week, this wonderful blessed man was beaten bloody, kicked, spat upon and mocked.

It started when a few of unscrupulous men in Religious Power, a group called Pharisees, decided that this young man’s miracles, good deeds, and love for the people challenged their own influence. They were afraid that this man that had a great impact on “multitudes” of people through His preaching and teaching and was gaining great favor with the people. He on more than one occasion called these Pharisees a “brood of vipers”, “hypocrites” and “serpents”; he called them out as untrustworthy or deceitful leaders in front of the very people they were to lead.

He had sternly, intentionally, and authoritatively overturned tables of moneychangers, and sellers of wares and doves in a court of the religious temple of this town. He recognized the false teachers, corrupt religious leaders, scam artist and evil of all kinds, and called them such. Leaving in His wake, a growing number of unrighteous enemies, all of whom would want to see Him destroyed.

Then, one from His own circle sold his loyalty to the Religious Leaders of this town that feared the power and influence this man was building. So it was settled, His friend would betray Him for 30 pieces of silver. The mode of identification on that fateful night would be that of a “kiss” on the cheek of The One they feared. He was then kidnapped and falsely accused by the Religious Foot Soldiers and taken off to a Religious Council held in the dark of night.

This was a plot, a conspiracy of great proportion and they knew it must be carried out with great precision… For the people truly liked this man, so they decided not to kill him themselves, for this may truly turn the people against them, instead they must influence others to do their dirty deed. For it is told, in Matthew 26:4 of the Holy Scriptures “Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the High Priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him". This indeed was a plot, and Caiaphas was at the center and knew how to play events to keep above the ripples. The record shows that they had decided not to kill Him “during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people”. They painted this man as a blasphemer of Almighty God that ultimately deserved death.

In the Gospel of Matthew we see that when Jesus the Christ was brought to the Sanhedrin, “The Chief Priest, the elders, and the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death” (26: 59-61), and found several. Jesus’ own words were found sufficient to condemn Him to death. For, in the morning, “...all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death” (27:1). Later, when Pilate tried to release Jesus, they fervently insisted He had to be crucified, and the angry crowd that was present, as well as the priests, finally prevailed (Luke 23: 23). Based on the scene at hand, our knowledge of the corrupt lengths these men would go to get their way, the angered crowed was probably handpicked.

So it was settled, this wonderful, kind, righteous, holy, perfect man would be destroyed at the hands of the Religious Right of the day. That this man, the TRUE SON of GOD, was to be crucified over the fear of losing power! It is this writer’s belief that Caiaphas carried out this deed with his eyes wide open. His heart was not of GOD! Yet, it is the writer’s belief that He knew this was the Christ, but just as Satan is under the delusion that he will overthrow God’s people – Caiaphas thought He could destroy the Son of God and retain his power and influence over the Jews.

Those of us that claim HIM as our own, and have received the Holy Spirit as His Comforter and guiding influence, know that HE is raised this day. He has conquered both sin and death on our behalf. He now sits at the right hand of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, poised to stand and come quietly and take His Bride to the Father, for a long awaited Wedding and Feast… For the Church – The Bride of Christ is waiting and watching for His return. For Faith come by Hearing, and Hearing by the WORD of GOD. That FAITH is even a gift of GOD, and He Freely gives it to those He Calls out from among this sin laden world. If you have heard His Voice, the tug on the heart by His Spirit, then separate yourself from the ways of the world. Follow Christ, take up His Cross, and share the Good News with those that are seeking. Time is short, He will soon come to take His own, and there will be no other opportunities. For once He takes His Church away, the age of Grace is over, and all that is left is Judgment and Damnation.

God Is! He Is! He created all that you see; all that you know was formed by Him. Even YOU! The first step to salvation is to recognize GOD! He is Righteous, Holy, Sovereign and all powerful. He as the Creator created man, to walk and commune with Him in the cool of the evening. He gave us free reign over all that He laid before us with one exception. One thing was forbidden, the rest was ours for enjoyment and learning. BUT, an evil one cursed through the ages influenced that first couple in the Garden. The woman was deceived, and her husband, disobeyed the Heavenly Father with his eyes wide open. For he knew it was wrong, and he decided to disobey regardless of the outcome.

God, found them naked in their sins, and cursed the action as well as the earth. At that moment their Spiritual Lives were snuffed out, and while God had designed them to live eternally with Him their physical bodies would now die. Through the ages, God gave the decedents of that first couple numerous opportunities to walk righteous and holy lives, but they continually chose not to. God then sent His Son, this young man named Jesus, the Christ that you read about previously. He came to earth with one simple purpose, to tell of His Heavenly Father, to show the people the path to the Father and Righteousness. For He told them and us, that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe on Him, would have everlasting life” (John 3:16). That “gave” is the Gift of His Life for ours, a payment for the sin that we on our own are not capable of providing. “For the wages of sin is death (physically and eternally); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:32). Christ told us, there are not many ways to God, unlike what the world wants you to believe today. There is but one way to God… “For I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto to the Father but by me” (John 14:6)!

Dear readers – the choice is yours, and it is a choice – that you make voluntarily. Remember one last thing “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved”. It is God’s will for you to choose Him over the offerings of this corrupt, cruel and dying world. Please make the right choice, before it’s too late!

HE IS...

2011-04-14T03:21:00.004-04:00

HE IS...

The Alpha,

The Omega,

The Beginning,

The End...

HE IS...

The Creator of ALL that IS,

The Light of the World,

The Sum of ALL that ever was...

HE IS...

Savior, Redeemer, Comforter and Lord...

WE Will...

Bend our knee & bow our head now in Humble Loving Obedience... Or...

We Will Bend our knee then by force in Fear and Trepidation under HIS Judgment... Upon raising to our feet we will be sentenced to eternity apart from HIM and banished to Hell for ever and ever...

The Choice is ours, while we stand in the midst of His Grace, and realize HE IS our only way to God and Eternal Salvation!!!

Let Them Go (by Alistair Begg and Truth for Life)

2011-03-26T03:21:00.001-04:00

Let them Go

Jesus answered . . . 'So, if you seek me, let these men go.'
John 18:8

Mark, my soul, the care that Jesus displayed even in His hour of trial toward his precious sheep! The ruling passion is strong in death. He resigns Himself to the enemy, but He interposes a word of power to set His disciples free. As to Himself, like a sheep before her shearers He is dumb and opens not His mouth, but for His disciples' sake He speaks with almighty energy. Herein is love--constant, self-forgetting, faithful love. But is there not far more here than is immediately apparent? Do we not have the very soul and spirit of the atonement in these words?

The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety is bound, and justice demands that those for whom He stands as substitute should go free. In the middle of Egypt's bondage, the voice rang out with power, "Let these men go." Out of slavery of sin and Satan the redeemed must come. In every cell of the dungeons of Despair, the sound is echoed, "Let these men go," and out come Despondency and Fearful. Satan hears the well-known voice and lifts his foot from the neck of the fallen; and Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the dead arise.

These men go the way of progress, holiness, triumph, glory, and none shall dare to keep them from it. No lion shall hinder their progress, and no fierce opponent shall prevent them. The Lord Jesus has drawn the cruel hunters upon Himself, making the most timid of His followers to discover perfect peace in His unbounded love. The thundercloud has burst over the cross of Calvary, and the pilgrims of Zion shall never be smitten by the bolts of vengeance. Come, my heart, rejoice in the immunity that your Redeemer has secured for you, and bless His name all day and every day.

written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg

Many men in Christian and Secular Leadership forget the passion of what made them Great... Our Churches, Companies and Washington DC, have all lost sight of the Big Picture... We have learned nothing, history repeats itself, for the hearts of men are both self reliant and self centered, rendering them both Godless and Hopeless. So went the Roman empire, as too those little harlots that follow after her lusts... We threw God and Christ out of our Government, our Schools, our Companies and now our Churches, and now wonder why the world looks so dark. The world and this country are a reflection of the darkened hearts of men... When all we see is ourselves and lust to aquire all the world has to offer, self deceit devours our capacity to Love... I learned these things through the Discipleship of a Godly man, and the Mentorship of kind and gracious business man that I once knew.

Pursue the ways of the world, and your heart will belong to the world and all it has to offer today, perishing eternally. Pursue the ways of God our Creator, then through His Son's finished work, your heart will belong to Him and all He has for eternity. Yield & Submit. Simply - Bend the knee and bow the head now voluntarily, or do so on the day of Judgment by force, the choice is yours... However; don't tell me your belongs to the King, and not show His Love and Compassion for your neighbor... We are to love & care for all people of the world, period, then hate the sin that separates those dear people from God... Christ said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Read His Word, Pray, Meditate, Share, Act, Disciple and Lead, it's really simple once the priorities are Right!

God Bless

Never Forget To Be Thankful...

2011-03-23T03:21:00.006-04:00

I am another year older, and find myself reflecting more over the passing of time, than in my younger years. I am reminded that we should never be forgetful of the many Blessings that our Dear Father showers us with each day. As Dear Children of the Heavenly Father, we must have a Thankful Heart!

Remembering those Godly showers of Blessings is a small step in this walk of Faith, in the Light of HIS Dear Son and the sacrificial gift He brought for us. Never Forget, the sacrifice He made to purchase our sin laden souls. Humility in Spirit is born of a heart that is aware of our position in Christ, and the transaction that took place at the Cross. A thankful heart remembers that we cannot achieve anything outside the will of God.

THIS past year I have been made aware all the more of HIS Mercy through the Holy Scriptures shinning a sharp and bright light on my sinful soul. Making me all the more knowledgeable of just how short we fall of HIS Glory and Righteousness on our own. That it is only through the redemptive work on that old Tree that we can be made right and whole before the throne of GOD.

Thank YOU Dear Father for the gift of Eternal life, continue to cleanse this old human heart of all unrighteousness, please forgive any un-confessed or unrealized sin in my life. Never let me lose sight of YOUR Deity and Sovereignty, give me the strength and will to yield and submit to YOUR authority in my life.

Father, give me the boldness and wisdom to speak YOUR Word when YOU call upon me to share with a soul searching for Truth. Thank YOU Father, for the Spiritual Heritage, and the shoulders of family Saints that have gone on before that I now stand on. Thank YOU Father for their earnest and unending prayers for me; that only now are being realized to the depths they were offered and answered Dear Lord. Thank YOU for all the Saints of our Church Lord that have paved the way and provided testimony for us to follow. Thank YOU for the Pastor, HIS Family, the Church and the folks that serve therein. Thank YOU for Godly Church Leadership, that wants YOUR Will, and believe in and strive for Spiritual unity in the Local Body of Christ.

Thank YOU for a Godly, Loving, Sacrificial Wife that honors YOU with her life and testimony. Thank YOU Father for Christian Parents, the blessing they provide in our visits and the encouragement they are to me. Thank YOU for Christian Friends, that seek the Face of God, help us be an encouragement to each other, and accountable to each other. Thank YOU Father, for a Family that wants to follow YOU, but Father, give them the strength and desire to Yield and Submit to YOUR Will! Those family members that are not walking with YOU Father give no peace or rest until they repent and lay their lives down and take up YOUR Cross. Thank YOU for providing a work place where quiet time with YOU at lunch time is not deterred. Please continue to Bless this company and help them maintain a moral integrity that is above all others in the area.

Thank YOU Father for the Mercy that I in no way deserve, for the Grace and Light of YOUR Word that Lights the path on which YOU have place me. May I never, ever forget my sinful past, the condition of the un-generate heart that YOU found me, nor the consequences of sin and the bond thusly broken by YOUR Son’s Sacrifice. Never let me forget what I am outside YOUR Mercy and Grace, that it is YOU and YOU alone that provides redemption, that there is NOTHING I can do or provide to work my way to YOU, that the gate is closed and sealed. Never let me forget that the only way to YOU Father is through YOUR Son’s Shed Blood and Redemptive Work on the Cross. That even then, our Faith comes of YOU, that the regenerated Heart is of YOU and our Works in the Spirit are of YOU – lest any man boast. May I always crave for, and have a burning in my heart the desire of learning more, while growing closer to YOU through Christ. Father, create in my mind and heart the habit and desire to start and end my day with YOU… Place in me that same heart that David had, to always seek YOUR Face.

These prayers and petitions of Love and Thankfulness, I boldly bring to YOUR Throne, while wrapped in YOUR Son’s Righteousness. May all that I say and do bring Honor, Glory and Praise to YOU Dear Father, In Christ’s Name I Pray… Amen…

Life Lessons in God's Authority...

2011-03-11T03:21:00.001-05:00

Tonight I had my eyes open to God's authority through a real life lesson...

The Lord God has provided many Blessings and Opportunities for me over the last few years. I have been teaching a Teen / College Age Class, as well as Bible Study Wednesday nights with the senior adults in our Church. Through that ministry, I have had the most awesome opportunity to deliver an accelerated expositional study through the book of Joshua, the Old Testament Book and Hero by which my eldest Son is named.

The book of Joshua lays out for us the Power, Might, Sovereignty, Righteousness, Mercy, Grace and yes His Ultimate Authority over all things in and of creation. Tonight through a few innocent acts, The Holy Spirit opened my eyes so that I could connect some points of learning. He showed me a critical point in unconditional love, and how that character attribute in our heart is a building block for submission and yielding to authority. Trust and Faith don’t come easy for many in this culture, because so many of us have abused and tarnished it. God never fails, He never lies, He never breaks promises, His Word is True and Eternal, and He has modeled True Leadership for us.

God had shown Love, Mercy and Grace numerous times to the Israelites, yet they continually murmured and complained. Thusly; He purged their ranks by allowing them to wonder in the Wilderness to 40 years. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, and the Israelites proceeded to sin greatly against their Lord and God, Moses' plea and prayer to Almighty God appealed to His Heart, and He showed Mercy and held His Hand of Judgment from destroying Israel.

The point being made, is both one of the prayer and submission of a Righteous and Godly man, is heard and has moved the heart of Almighty God... But to get to that point, Moses had to have a relationship with the Father! There was a healthy fear, respect, submission to His Authority and an understanding of position and relationship. Because Moses had seen firsthand the Might and Power of the Lord God, there was also a constant state of reverence and acknowledgment of His Holiness.

The family was originally designed to be a model of God's union of the Trinity, as well as a model of His Authority and our submission. However; today's culture has watered down the intended family design to where most families today are Biblically dysfunctional at most levels... The media has portrayed Men as bumbling fools, afraid of their own shadows, indecisive, indifferent and spineless to take their God given place in the marriage and in the home.

The fact is, men are to model Christ... They need to step up to the plate and show the Love and Compassion of Christ, willing to sacrifice it all, for the Spiritual lives of their families and their Churches. Sacrifice in its purest sense; is a word that is losing both meaning and visibility these days. When is the last time you knew a man that sacrificed a day's meals so that another could eat? When is the last time you saw a man give up something he truly loved for someone he didn't know? When is the last time you knew a man, to sell everything he had in the world, and went to serve the Lord, regardless of what his family and friends said? Chances are you don't know many - if any!

This brings me to a key point! Men, we don't submit ourselves to God's authority, nor do we sacrifice to serve Him... So, is it any wonder that our families can't get it right? Head of Household has to mean something to them, for them to Honor it and Submit and Yield to it. The "do as I say, not as I do" mentality has got to be thrown out. We must live out our Faith in Almighty God, every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day, of every week, of every month, of every year consistently throughout or lives. It must be on display in all of our routines, habits and lifestyle. They must see the Love, Grace, Meekness and Authority of Christ in us at every moment. We cannot serve God with a slothful Spiritual condition, it is all about choices! Those choices must be God centered, bathed in Prayer, with both Joy and Conviction of the Heart.

For those of you that have not taken your role in the home seriously, hit your knees, pray to Almighty God to give you the courage and strength to draw a line in the sand, and hold that line... Don't give an inch to Satan, he wants you to be a weak Leader, he wants you to be weak spiritually - he wants our families to be weak and dysfunctional.

Remember Brothers, God will not honor a heart that is not submitted to His Authority. Just as God withheld Blessing and Victory from Joshua and Israel at Ai, because of one man's sin and covetousness, He too withholds Spiritual Victory from us when we make the wrong choices!

Do you remember the passage in Joshua 7 verses 18 thru 26? When Joshua confronted Achan, this man made an interesting, intriguing, and in the end a damning statement. In Achan's confession to Joshua, he basically said "I saw these fine clothes and these precious metals, I wanted them, and so I took them"! Now as we well know, God said not to take anything... Achan chose not to Honor and Obey God's sovereign authority, and in the end it cost him, his life, the life of his wife, children and cattle. God takes His authority and Word seriously, yet most men calling themselves Christians today yield their God given authority to their wives and children. They coast, don't want any waves, just want to be happy and do what they want to do, when they want to do it without any thought to the Spiritual consequences.

There will be a Judgment in Heaven men! We Will Give an Account for how we submitted to God's Authority, and how we used the authority he gave us in our homes! So tell me men, are you working on your spiritual bank roll? Do you care? If you care, are you concerned about what you will have to defend? Are you honoring God in your homes, in your marriages, in your families?

Does your wife see your undying love for her; does she see your sacrifices for her, so that she may grow in Christ? Have you sacrificed time, or resources to give her opportunity to recharge her spiritual batteries? Do you encourage her, build her up, and talk her up in front of friends, co-workers and family. Do you rush to her aide when she is challenged, threatened, fearful or doubting? Do you know how to say I am sorry, and she knows it is coming from the core of your soul? Do you rush to offer forgiveness if she has offended you? Do you take time to communicate to her - engaged at the level she wants you to or needs you to? Your authority in the home is not negotiable, it is commanded by God, but it is to be throttled and controlled by and in His Love, Mercy, Grace, Meekness, Compassion and Sacrifice!

God's Word provides the only author you need to be the Head of Household... If you wield it as an offensive weapon to bruise and bully those which God has blessed you with to call your own, you will bear the burning - scorching fire of Christ's Bema Light at that Day of Judgment. But, if you tenderly exercise that authority, to teach, guide, nurture and a tool of Love and Provision, you will reap rewards both here and in Heaven.

Wives, do you Love Christ enough, to honor Him through yielding your will to Him, giving yourself and your will to your husband as Christ gave himself to the Church. Christ yielded to the authority of the Father just by coming to the earth in the first place. It took all the more submission and discipline to give Himself to be brutally beaten, bruised, cursed, mocked, humiliated and then sacrificed for His Church - the Bride of Christ. Do you look for signs of Christ in your husband’s? Do you offer support and encouragement to him in his Spiritual endeavors? Do you show him Unconditional Love before your children, family and friends? Do you come to his aide when he is tired, down and beaten by the world? Does he see Christ's eyes when he looks into yours? Do you reinforce his authority in your home, do your children see a biblical submission in your heart, or is your submission that of obligation and requirement? There is a difference, and that difference is a matter of the Heart.

Joshua Loved the Lord his God and yielded to HIS Authority! Joshua loved Israel! Joshua's authority was not questioned, and all of Israel honored, respected and yielded to Joshua's authority. Joshua's Faith and Trust in God, was the anchor that held all of Israel in the storms. He was loving, just, and compassionate and his life was accounted unto Righteousness before the Lord. Joshua lead all of Israel to many victories, through his leadership and God's Providence and Promise, Israel in a very real way got to see and inhabit their "Promised Land".

Men of God, are you leading your wives, children, neighbors, co-workers and Churches to the new Promised Land (Heaven)? Do those around you see Christ in you and your actions and deeds? Do they want to follow your lead? Are you praying for them, for God to work in their hearts and yours? Men, God gave you the very best he had, how can you dare to give any less - than the best you have - giving of yourself until it hurts! See men, if there is no pain, there is no sacrifice... I have seen my dear wife give until it hurt, she give of herself to her family, to friends and to coworkers while enduring physical, emotional and financial pain. God has shown me in a very real way, how to live a sacrificial life – by reading His Word and watching my wife.

Men, Be the Leader He wants you to be and God will provide the hearts to follow. His Word and Work will not return void. If you place God in His rightful place in your life, He will honor your submission. Those around you will respond to your Godly attitude, the respect and honor you are wired for will occur through a Spiritual bond that can only be explained through Christ.

Yes, God provided me a little practical illustration tonight concerning a man's authority in his home. God requires our submission to his authority in our lives. That is achieved through tracing His hand and Knowing His Heart, which is converted into Faith and Trust.

As we learn more about our God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, that Faith and Trust in God's Character, Ability, and Love for us, will grow and spread to those we love. In the times when we know and understand His direction through His Word the walk is easy. However; in the times that we don't quite understand the purpose or reason, it is then that our Love for Him, our Experience with Him tells our hearts to continue to obey his authority! It is then that we see our Faith and Trust in Him is real and genuine! He has proven Himself to us, and we can trust His judgment and deliverance through our yielding and submitting to His will and authority.

Men, Husbands, Fathers, it is the same principal, through your undying love for your family, through your Godly living and teaching, your family will honor your Authority... Even in the times when they don't totally understand or see your logic, they will exercise Faith and Trust in your Authority. If they don't, examine your own heart and practices, if God gives you peace, continue to pray for unity in the Family, and for God to work in the hearts of those struggling. While raising children, we discipline them to teach obedience. As they grow, right thru the teen years, we look for that obedience out of Love and Respect of our authority. Where they learn to yield and submit to the authority God has placed over them, just as Israel submitted to Joshua. Men, if your family is struggling to Honor God in their own hearts and lives, chances are they will struggle and be challenged to follow your leadership.

Sanctification is a process that occurs in the heart of a Spirit filled, God seeking individual. It is a process that may have some hills and valleys, but the trend will be, and must be, constantly upward. Until we learn to fill our minds and hearts with Spiritual things on a consistent basis, the devil will still have a foot in the door. The old timers understood that principal, and were faithful and devoted to seeking God's Face at every opportunity. Read your Bibles and Pray to get closer to Him and get to know Him. If “your devotions” are only a mechanical reading and prayer to do your God thing, then you will never really get to where He wants you to be.

God Bless and I hope to see you at the finish line!

THE Church - The Purified Bride of Christ?

2011-02-27T15:21:00.014-05:00

Brother Dunkel and I went to a Pastor’s conference earlier this week, and I heard some powerful teaching and preaching… Some of the material in today’s message was drawn from notes I took at that conference

I want you all to Remember and Think about Your Wedding Day…. The smiles and the Tears, we are going to talk about it for a few moments…

a. American Dating being flawed as it is, tell me about how you met your spouse

b. What was the Courtship like?

c. Tell me about the Engagement time?

d. How did the wedding plans go?

e. Tell me all about the Wedding Day – Right through the Reception.

f. How about the 1st year?

g. What’s Marriage look like now?

This line of questioning all has a point, and we will eventually get to that point – but for now….

Let’s take a look at a few passages of scripture; our 1st stop will be Galatians 5:21 thru 32… Would anyone like to read this passage for me?

Galatians 5:

21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Hmmm, maybe some context is needed here… Chapter 5 Verse 1 & 2, Paul states “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in Love, as Christ hath also loved us, and hath given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to GOD”.

We are to be FOLLOWERS of GOD, as DEAR Children… Not as rambunctious kids, not as little children – AS DEAR CHILDREN… Why do you suppose we followers are referred to here as Dear Children?

How many of you have adult children, maybe even with their own families? (wait for hands and comments) Are they any less “dear” to you today; then they were when they were little? In some cases aren’t those relationships with your children different and maybe even sweeter than previously.

They are adults, responsible for their own actions, and in many cases are following your footsteps in Faith. When you ponder on it long enough, it tears the eyes – these Children of ours are DEAR to us. Is the Spirit of God any less Paternal than we? That’s absurd we say, of course not, He is our Heavenly Father – Right? He is the Creator of all that is, men and women included, thusly our Father none the less as Creator. But – Through Christ He is all the More – HE IS OUR FATHER!!! We, those filled and sealed with HIS Spirit are HIS Dear Children… Remember that, we may need that later…

Back to our passage, and continuing to understand context… Verse 3 thru 20, Paul explains what being a follower of GOD looks like in deed and conduct. So we understand the foundation that he has laid before us. So, just for a second – lets zero in on verse 21…

In verse one Paul said to be followers of God as dear children, then in verse 21 he says, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God”. So, What I am getting here is that We must develop and have a heart that is “Submissive” to follow this “direction” from Paul. Please Forgive Me… Let me slightly digress just for a moment… See we are an established Church of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Son of the Living God, so we have established that CHRIST is the Head and Ultimate Authority in this body of believers – RIGHT? So tell then, is Paul suggesting that we be submissive? Is he leading us to be submissive? NO, he is telling us to, he is directing us to, and he is commanding us to - in Christ’s authority…

Christ’s authority; in which we have previously, nearly 30 years ago, agreed is the only authority in this Church and in our lives to obey and follow – Right? OK – Just wanted to make sure I am on the right path here…

OK back on course, “We are to submit ourselves to each other in the fear of GOD”… So Paul is telling me, that I am to have a heart that is submitted to GOD, given to me by God through His Mercy and Grace. With that submitted heart, I am to submit myself to YOU, and YOU, and YOU. Not only submit to you, but do it in the Fear of Almighty GOD… Doesn’t sound like a suggestion does it, nope doesn’t sound like a suggestion…

So, we have just established the facts in these commands; that we are to submit ourselves both to God and to one another, we are to do so in fear of God, and as Dear Children…

Do we all agree with my assessment? Great, then we are of one accord!  So, what’s the deal with remembering our wedding day? ? ? ? Great, I am so glad you asked…

At our Pastor’s Conference down in Lansdale, Brother Dunkel and I heard a new perspective on Paul’s letter to Colossi… David Doran, Pastor of Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park Michigan, offered this insight to Paul’s message in Colossians 1 verses 24 thru 29, please turn there and read with me.

24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

FOLKS – HERE IS YOUR WAKE UP CALL FOR SUNDAY, the 27th of February 2011… Pastor Burns & Pastor Killian will present you to Christ the King of Kings as His Bride!!! When we look at the Greek text for this passage, a little research will help you see a more refined interpretation for us here in America… It would read that these two men will present us to Christ as a “perfected and pure Virgin” to be His Eternal Bride…

Galatians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Galatians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.

Paul is working to present the church to Christ as a pure Bride! There is a sense of accountability here - that those Pastors and Teachers that teach and preach to us, will be presenting us to Christ at the Bema Seat. Thusly, Pastors will answer for the purity of the bride that they present to him.

A little illustration, if you had a congregation of 500 members, and only have 100 standing before Christ on that day of Judgment, there will be an accounting for that. So a question that begs to be asked here - Will the fruit of this ministry be complete?

God saves men to make them like His Son, we are predestined to be made like His Son, to be transformed into HIS image!!!

The Pastor's mission is not just to get them in the life boat! He is to follow the convert, and nourish them, to assure that they are a new creation in Christ... Pastors must cultivate the conversion into the likeness of Christ...

Some Pastors in this Country today have become men servers, letting the culture of the day slide through our Church doors… Some of these Pastors are pleasing men over being servants of God. They need to be working their Ministries to be the tool of God to work towards the purification of the Church....

GOD expects everyone in the Church to have a God focus, and anything less is falling short of God's mission for the Pastor and the Church...

So What? What’s that to do with the Bible Baptist Church of Warriors Mark? This brings me back to the original questions when I opened this morning about your relationships with your spouse before and after the Wedding… Where are we now, is He really still our First Love? Are we truly being Faithful?

ARE YOU TOTALLY SUBMITTED??? See, we, the congregation must also stand at that Bema Seat as well, and my dear friend there will be an accounting! Oh my yes, there will be an accounting to Christ. We will not account for our Sin, for He paid the total and complete ransom in our place. That Sin is GONE to be remembered no more. But, you will account for this life, and the Gifts He gave you. You will account for how you used them to serve Him. You will account for those you came in contact with every day. How you used the Joy He placed in your Heart to impact the lives of those around you.

A powerful statement I heard at this Conference, “if the Walk doesn’t last, chances are it was never real”. A Pastor’s heart is to be for Christ’s Bride, GOD’s Dear Children. His energy is to be focused on Discipleship, growing the Saints, to grow new Saints…

Did you get that!?!? MEN – Did you hear that!?!? Pastors are to look for Godly men to grow into Strong God Fearing Disciples to LEAD in the Church, to LEAD in the Community, to LEAD in the Work Place… YOU Men of God, the men that we just looked at over the last few weeks, that I referred to as the Corner Stone in a Rock Solid Christian Family. These same men are also to be the building blocks in this Church – GOD’s Church to be presented to HIS Son as a Perfect – Pure Virgin… We are to be unblemished by the wears and tears of the World. We are to be un-touched by the cultures hands, Clean, Separate, Pure, and Perfected as by fire. Men, we are to grow new Disciples behind us… We are to be strong fearful of nothing apart from Almighty God.

WE – The men in Christ in this Church are to teach our Children. Men, we are to teach these young men coming up behind us. We are to BE THE CHRIST That they see in our families and in this Church…

Not Just The Pastor… Not Just The Deacons… Not Just The Teachers… Not Just The AWANA Workers, But, EVERY MAN SITTING IN THIS CONGREGATION TODAY…

Galatians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. HE GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT… WE too, are to GIVE ourselves to Him in service. We are to give ourselves to the Ministry of this Church.

Men, when is the last time we gave of ourselves for anything? Seriously men, what have we as men in our homes, at work, in our neighborhoods, in our communities and more importantly here in our Church, what have we sacrificed for? What has caused us effort or pain to serve HIM?

I ask myself this question this morning, “what have I, Robert Hall sacrificed on the Alter, of myself, to further the cause of Christ?” What time have I marked for and given to HIM, Where in this day, or in this last week have I showed HIM my love for HIM, other than a routine mechanical devotion…

Folks, we can’t tell people we are a Christians, and not be willing to get up an hour early and give someone a ride to Church, or give someone a ride to the Hospital, or a neighbor a ride to work… See, if there is no Christ Actions rushing to get out of the heart and to the aid and help of our fellow man, and Christian brothers, all we have are empty words.

I want you to listen to this statement I brought back from the Pastor’s conference in my notes this week…

Congregation – “what you believe, or what you think you believe is reflected in how you live your life!!! If Christ is the center of your life, he can be seen in you and your actions from every angle... Paul said, “Don’t be just hearers of the Word, but be Doers of the Word”. People around you, should see the glory of Christ in you. Everything about you and your proclamation of Him should point to Christ!!! Anything else will, any other attitude, any other profession will, trip up those around you!!!

Pastors, Elder Saints, Teachers – Men of God, we are to grow Disciples and send them to grow others in the Name of our Precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Listen to this - “BEING must always precede DOING”!

We must be in HIM in Spirit, before we can ever truly do anything in HIM physically! My Dad would call this – “a gut check”…

Folks just being busy for Jesus is not a real testimony of what is in the heart! We are to look for and work towards completeness. See there are some folks in Christian Circles that sometimes just don’t get it, yet they want to be a part of the local assembly. When they lack the Christ likeness, we, the Men of God, must be ready and willing to approach them in Love, and challenge them, encourage them, teach them, keeping the Gospel ready to present at all times. Not everyone that claims then Name of Christ, Possesses Christ’s Spirit. We must be ready to speak the Truth, when our Likeness to Him draws them close and yields their hearts. Christ will draw them to repentance, but you must be ready and willing to share the milk of the word to help them grow.

Remember – we are HIS Dear Children, HE first loved us, and Gave His Son for us. What exactly is it that we are giving back… What crowns are you storing up in heaven? What jewels of the Faith are you storing up in Heaven for those Crowns.

We can’t be and should not be content with members of this Congregation that are content with coasting Spiritually… This is another topic for another Sunday, but Paul also talks quite emphatically and strongly concerning a “slothful” approach to this Faith.

I have come to the conclusion that Pastor Kilian, Terry Varner, Myself and any other Teachers we have here at this Church, can teach and preach the Doctrinal Truth of the Scripture! BUT we will not see one seed reaped if we follow the Politically Correctness of the American Culture and the World outside these four walls. We are called, to come out and apart and away from the world. Our ways are to be His ways, which should CLEARLY be different than the world.

I can teach you and even help you memorize Matthew 5, Galatians 5, and a whole host of other scriptures that depicts “Christian Behavior”. BUT, if it doesn’t come from within, and if you don’t believe it, our growth collectively & corporately will be stifled. As Tim Dunkel and I heard first hand this week, “Spiritual deception is NOT just somewhere out there, Spiritual deception is right here in Churches all over America… yes, even in the Churches once considered Rock Solid”. Men Deceiving Men to believe they are alright with God, when their hearts belong to the things of this world. Pastors, becoming men pleasers, deceiving souls from there pulpits to think they are fine with God, while partaking in all that the world and this well blessed country.

I want to offer some questions for you to answer quietly to yourselves this morning and over the next few days…

They are not rhetorical, nor are they empty, they are meant to prick your heart into action!

Do you really KNOW Christ?

Are you truly submitting to His Authority?

Do you Really BELIEVE in what you say you Believe?

Just what exactly is it about Christ that You believe; and can you defend it?

Do you look for opportunities to share HIM with others?

Do you truly love your neighbor; and are you willing to show him or her with your actions and good deeds?

If the Deacons secretly followed you around for a week, what of Christ would they see in your activities and conversations?

Husbands, do you pray with your wives and children?

Do they see God’s Man, Christ’s Love, and the Spirit’s comfort in you and the Role God placed you in?

Wives, do you pray for your husbands, and God’s purpose for their lives?

Do your families see your undying love and commitment to the Spiritual success of your husband and his authority in the home?

Teens – Do you truly yield yourselves to Christ, and to the authority of your parents in your home, even in front of your friends?

As I have asked my Teens before, is Christ the first person you think of in the Morning, and the last person you think of before you pillow your head at night?

You see dear friends; the Church is to be made up of GOD’s People, sacrificed on the Alter of SELF.

The Body of Christ is to be purged – free from open sin, free from self pride, free from outside influence. The Church MUST be a Spiritual Transformation of men and women by GOD Almighty, through His Power, His Mercy, His Grace – for His SON… The Real Child of God can’t be mimicked, can’t be forged, and most certainly can’t be explained away. For it is a miracle provided to us by the Father, through His indwelling Spirit.

May I have the please have the liberty to explain it as a transaction, a unique occurrence, that upon a total understanding of our depravity and sinful condition, that outside of God there is NO Hope for our Souls? Hence we understand that we are sinners and lost!

Upon recognizing our Sin condition, we instantly realize we need Help, we cannot reach the Creator without Help. We need Redemption, we need a Savior. Someone shares the Gospel with us, and we see that in God’s wonderful Mercy, He shows us and we see the Cross, a real tree that held the Son of God while paying the only acceptable payment for our Bond to Satan. That, in His Pain, in His Suffering, in His Humility, He took our names from the bond document of slavery to that old Devil, and presented it to His Father somewhere in God’s economy of time and eternity.

Those names of His Saints were then written in the Lambs Book of Life, and marked, Sin Debt – PAID IN FULL. Upon, reading the Divorce decree from the Bond of Sin, we are instantly handed Adoption Papers, listing us now as the Dear Children of God the Heavenly Father – Not just bought with His Son’s Blood, but Justified in that precious blood to Stand Whole and Complete before the Father, OUR Heavenly – Abba Father.

The Father sent forth the Holy Spirit to each and every “Dear Child” of His, to help them dawn the Armor of God, to walk prepared and yielded to His Son’s Authority. That Spirit brings with Him, Strength and Might that turns average men, into courageous giants in the world of fear and condemnation. The Holy Spirit uses the trials and tests of the world to purge and purify the Father’s Dear Children. On that Great Day, when the Father calls for the Trumpet to Sound, His Dear, Loving Children, will be Called Home, to stand, presented to the King of Kings, the True Christ as HIS Perfect Pure Bride. To be taken to be HIS own for all Eternity… The Transaction, A Divorce from Sin, An Adoption sealed by the Spirit, and A Marriage sealing the Honor of Serving and Reigning with Christ for all of Eternity.

We are to see our Marriages as a Model of God’s Family Structure. Men loving their wives as Christ loved the Church – willing to die that they might spiritually live. Women that love their husbands to the point of selfless and total submission to his authority – that he may in return reflect that undying love and devotion. Children, nurtured by this loving couple, for they are as Dear to these Godly Parents as all the Saints are to Almighty God. These Children raised in the Light of Christ, and reflect back total submission to the parents in Honor and Respect. The Godly Family is the Model of the Father’s Love for the Son, and for Us. The old is made new!

Folks after Salvation; there is NO OLD NATURE! We are NEW CREATIONS… Sin is no longer a part of our Nature… It is simply relegated to a Choice! How will choose this week? Will we choose to be the Dear Child of God that we are? Or will we choose to be a reflection of our ugly sin past, that which we were before we knew Christ, and His payment for us to walk free from Sin? With Christ, we are no longer compelled to be a part of this world; we choose to be a part and partaker of it!

Let’s close with prayer…

Anticipate the End (A repost from Truth for Life)

2010-12-30T03:21:00.002-05:00

Do you not know that the end will be bitter?
2 Samuel 2:26

Reader, if you are merely a professor and not a possessor of the faith that is in Christ Jesus, the following lines are a true sketch of your end.

You are a respectable attender at a place of worship; you go because others go, not because your heart is right with God. This is your beginning. I will suppose that for the next twenty or thirty years you will be spared to continue in this way, professing religion by an outward attendance upon the means of grace, but having no heart in the matter. Tread softly, for I must show you the deathbed of someone just like you. Let us gaze upon him gently. A clammy sweat is on his brow, and he wakes up crying, "O God, it is hard to die. Did you send for my pastor?" "Yes, he is coming." The pastor comes. "Sir, I fear that I am dying!" "Have you any hope?" "I cannot say that I have. I fear to stand before my God. Oh, pray for me." The prayer is offered for him with sincere earnestness, and the way of salvation is for the ten-thousandth time put before him, but before he has grasped the rope, I see him sink.

I may put my finger upon those cold eyelids, for they will never see anything here again. But where is the man, and where are the man's true eyes? It is written, "In Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes."1 Why did he not lift up his eyes before? Because he was so accustomed to hearing the Gospel that his soul slept under it. If you should lift up your eyes in hell, how bitter will be your wailings. Let the Savior's own words reveal the woe: "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame."2 There is a frightful meaning in those words. May you never have to spell it out by the red light of God's wrath!

1Luke 16:23 2Luke 16:24

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Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission. Today’s Bible Reading material is taken from McCheyne Bible reading plan and used by Truth For Life with permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.

This post is 1st and foremost - a True and Heart felt apology...

2010-12-17T12:21:00.007-05:00

This post is 1st and foremost - a True and Heart felt apology...

I stumbled onto a young Christian ladies blog site Wednesday while polishing my Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting Message. From glossing over her site she is a nice, energetic, bright Christian woman. She included an article on her site that caught my eye, and I took a few minutes to comment on the article, which was promptly removed from her site.

Today’s Church in America is infatuated with “Faith”, Religion & Christianity…. That’s right, America does have Faith and our own brand of Christianity. It’s one where Christ is conformed to our image of Him, rather than us conforming to His image.

When I read the article on this lady's site, I wasn’t sure if it was back dated from the 1960’s or 1970’s but it had a lot of the implications of that era. The opening line was, and I quote – “I am tired of being a Christian, and GOD tells me, it’s just a name. It’s just a label. And I have given you a new name. I am calling you Artist.”

Now, I must tell you, this young “artist” did a wonderful job of disclosing some of the same issues that I have been writing about with “The Church”!!! She masterfully shed light on the hypocrisy and religiosity of America’s Church.

Where she fell short was to show LIGHT, to show TRUTH, to show Christ in all His Glory and Holiness. When I wrote the comment to her post, I included 3 or 4 verses from 1st Peter, Leviticus and John that showed us the Calling of Christ. That we are called out and to be apart from the worlds ways and religion. We are called to be “Filled with the Spirit – then walk in the Spirit”. We are called to Holy. We are called to be Righteous. We are called to Godly. And we are called to be Christ Like to the world showing them His Love, Compassion and tender heart.

But I also commented on her blog, that to understand, to comprehend, and to exercise our Liberty in Christ – we MUST understand why it is that we need 1st HIS MERCY! Then why HE shows us abundantly HIS GRACE!

We were created by GOD in HIS image… The American Church today, has had its belly full of the hypocrisy, of the double standards, and of the “organized religion” in Christianity. However; my fear is that in the mass exodus, we have created a graven image of God and His Blessed Son in our own image. Today’s Church wants to hold onto all the “politically correct” virtues of God and His Son, but do not want to talk about Sin or Accountability!

To that I again state a fact I have mentioned in my blog before. “You Can Not Legislate The Heart Of Men & Women” Church in the past has tried to brow beat submission, overstretch authority in trying to control submission, as well as humiliate and legislate submission… The only thing these tactics provided were a frustrated and eventually rebellious people. What came out of the throngs of all that mess is what we see today – a “title” Christian, with no understanding Academically or Spiritually of what that truly means.

In showing His Love, we must never forget that He came for a purpose, to pay the Ultimate Price for SIN! The entire sermon on the Mount and all the Be-attitudes were to tell us and show us what a “conformed” life to Christ is to look like. Galatians 5, Paul tells us what the unclean heart looks like, and what the heart and walk of a Christian should be.

In Acts 2, we see where the Church started, there are our roots to following Christ and building a relationship with HIM. (1) They understood their sinful Godless condition. (2) They repented of that Sin, proclaim God as GOD, and turned from their ways. (3) The Holy Spirit “FILLED” them, guided them and ministered the preaching of Peter to their hearts. (4) They were Baptized in “obedience” to the instruction provided by Peter. (5) They shared their belongings / wealth with the brethren. (6) They continued in the Spirit of Christ and took up His Cross as their own in submission and service.

So to this young lady, my deepest apologies if I have offended you with my comments. I hope this Blog post explains my shared distaste for organized religion in this Country, and my understanding and vision of what a relationship with Christ really should be. It is after all, “All about Christ” and not about us…. We were created to Love, Praise, Glorify, Honor and Serve GOD. We are a GIFT from the Father to the Son, and we are KEPT through His Holy Spirit.

We are to conform to HIS likeness, take on HIS character attributes….

The Christ Filled Spirit will reflect:

Love

Joy

Peace

Longsuffering

Gentleness

Faith

Meekness

Temperance

Christ said that the blessed are they that are:

Poor in Spirit

Mournful of Sin

Meek in character

Hunger & Thirst for Righteousness

Merciful

PURE in heart

Peacemakers

Persecuted for Righteousness Sake

Reviled & Persecuted for Christ

Falsely accused over faith in Christ

Conformity comes from within, the Holy Spirit must fill the heart of men and women to achieve these things… Oh, men and women can force themselves to conform for a while, but if it is not of GOD, it is not sustainable. Conformity, Submission, Yielding and Obedience are all a product of Love and Thankfulness. Only God and the individual know if it’s real, but I can tell you – when it’s real, the joy is deep, long lasting and traverses the worst and vilest of the human experiences. The Joy that Christ provided through The Father’s Grace, penetrates to the very bone of men and women. You see it in their faces even in the midst of crisis, Christ shines through. THAT – Dear ones, is the Liberty in Christ from the bonds of this sinful world!!!

Week TWO – What is the Church?

2010-12-11T03:21:00.005-05:00

What is Church?

My Lesson Framework by Alistair Begg

HOW do YOU define Church???

Good Evening – let’s open with a word of prayer…

I want to pick up where we left off last week. If you remember we had just asked a series of questions concerning the testimony of this Church to the surrounding neighborhood and communities…

Please turn there with me to John Chapter 14…

John Chapter 14 verses 1 through 12 is an awesome look into Christ’s Authority through His Father. I love this passage: 1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

In verse 12 Christ told us that WE that believe in Him, shall be enpowered to conduct works of the Spirit as well. Because He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Freedom from the bonds of Sin, freed us to conduct works of Love, Compassion, as well as the ability to exercise Mercy and Grace. We must choose to do so, the decision to follow Christ must be total and complete! Period! Remember Laodicea!

In verse 6 of John 14, Christ proclaims His Authority by saying “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Not only does this statement proclaim His authority – BUT – it also establishes His position as King and gate keeper to any and all access to the Holy and Righteous GOD! NO MAN, NO WOMAN will ever in all eternity get to the Father but by or through CHRIST!

One of my very favorite chapters in the entire Bible is Matthew 7… At the tail end of the Sermon on the Mount, Christ told us not to judge another man’s heart. Christ told us that we should deeply, honestly and truly examines our own hearts and rid it of SIN. He told us not to cast those things that are Holy and Pure among the spiritually vial. He also told us to pray to the Father, and through faith, expecting those prayers through Faith to be answered. Then prior to Christ warning of the false prophets, He made this interesting statement in verses 12, 13 and 14.

12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

“Few there be that find it”!!! Part of the Church mission folks is to help all the people in the world to find it!!! We are not to be selective, we are not to be politically correct, and we are to Teach and Preach the Word of Truth.

That Word of Truth must include God as the Creator, our Fallen Condition since the Garden, and our need for payment for that Sin, which should lead to the Truth of the only acceptable payment in God’s eyes – CHRIST! If we remove the Light that lives within us and fail to live and pursue Righteousness and Godliness – what is so different that the world would want to follow? How is that adding seasoning to the world as a little salt?

Any other Gospel is not the Truth, and this TRUE Gospel should lead to True Repentance, Baptism, fellowshipping around the Lords Table, a sanctifying of ourselves for our Groom, and abstinence from the worlds lusts – but NOT its people. As we grow in the Word – we should love people more and more as Christ loved them. All walks, all creeds, all colors, all classes, all with compassion, sacrifice and service in our hearts. HE GAVE HIMSELF FOR US!!! How could we possibly give any less?

CHURCH is NOT defined by just what happens inside these four walls! Church is defined by the very Heart of Christ, in which He sent to dwell in each and every one of His true followers – The Holy Spirit! Now I want you to think about that Reality for a moment. Almighty GOD in the person of His Holy Spirit takes up residence in the Hearts of men and women that have both Repented and yielded to His Kingship / Lordship in their (our) lives.

THE Church, identifies itself with Christ, whom which identified Himself with God the Father! Who then gave the Church to His Son as His Bride – Blessing from Abba Father to the Son for OBIEDIENCE! As we are learning in our study of Joshua, God blesses many times over His peoples obedience – and just look what is on the opposite side of the obedience…. Judgment comes swiftly and totally to the disobedient!!!

Are we allowing the Light of the Truth that lives in us as a corporate body of believers shine to those around us? Or are we being disobedient? Is this congregation known by its neighbors to be loving, longsuffering, tenderhearted, charitable, kind, neighborly, compassionate, of good cheer, tempered, selfless, reliable, steadfast, and stalwarts of the Truth and the Faith in Jesus Christ? Or have we chosen another gospel message? Do we live and function as a Church in reflection of Christ’s Light to the World? Do we Honor Him and resolve ourselves to HIS Authority in our lives and this Church?

Energy and resources are consumed chasing and trying to repair the consequences of SIN! The Pastor cannot focus on Ministries if he is constantly putting out fires due to sin! The Church Leadership cannot focus on building up the Church if there is sin from within that is constantly tearing it down.

Focus is being taken from Christ and our purpose for being here, and is focused on those that choose not to follow the word of God. SO – Growing Disciples, Spiritual Mentoring of the congregation must become a ministry and priority of the Church to build solid foundations on which to launch other ministries – including evangelism or Out Reach!

Now, please turn with me to Acts Chapter 2.

KJV – Acts 2:37 to 40

37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

When these men and women heard the Gospel Message, and the preaching by Peter – their hearts were pricked by the Holy Spirit. They were drawn to repentance – they turned from their everyday lives and willfully, fearfully and obediently took up the Cross of Christ. They submitted to His Authority and were baptized in obedience of the message they just heard Peter preach!

Can anybody here tonight tell me why??? (because as Peter told them, the Holy Spirit came into them to dwell as a permanent fixture to their soul and conscience) This, my dear brothers and sisters – is NOT a result of easy believism! This was a result of Almighty God fulfilling a promise, and the “hearers” of the Word yielding their academic and logical minds to a Higher Power, and exercising FAITH and TRUST! Believing in that which they could NOT see; but could sense the presence of His Holy Spirit.

Alistair Begg taught a message on the 4 distinguishing marks of a Healthy Church. Now there are obviously others marks of a Healthy Church – but; no Church is Healthy without these, and they are as follows:

(1) A Church that is Learning, and then applying what they have learned in Obedient Ministry and Service to our Lord.

(2) A Church that is Sharing, both the Truth that it has learned, and the financial and material blessing that God has provided.

(3) A Church that is Worshiping, God as God, Giving Him Praise, Glorifying Him in an Honoring and Revering fashion that acknowledges His Sovereignty and Supreme Authority in the lives of the people individually and collectively as the Body of Christ.

(4) A Church that is Growing, first and foremost Spiritually, then growing in members as God Blesses the Church doing it right.

Please turn with me to Acts Chapter 2… let’s look at verse 22. Peter is beginning to preach here… Listen to the first part of the verse for me… “Ye men of Israel hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

The first thing Peter did was proclaim the name of Christ… He established from the very first phrase he spoke to these people JESUS!

In this first preaching, Peter establishes his authority to speak and calls these men and women to “Listen” (hear these words). The next thing he did was establish Christ’s authority as the head of the Church.

Then he confirmed the works of Christ while He had His earthly ministry. Then he established God’s endorsement of His Son even in the midst of them – of Israel.

Peter; started the Church on the right foot by TEACHING them. Thru Peter’s preaching, teaching, application and exhortation some 3000 people came to know Christ. SO – A learning Church submits themselves to the Authority of Christ first, and then to its Church Leadership. They yielded to Christ’s teaching through His apostles – the first Pastors and Elders of the Church. Through that submission – they LEARNED that which Christ through His Holy Spirit would have them to know.

May I please be so bold as to expound this point a bit further? The Lord loves to empower His called / appointed men to teach and preach the Word to people searching. He loves to reveal Himself through the Holy Spirit… This is not a mystery, it is well documented. The Spirit of Lord absolutely loves to enable those that are prepared to say “Listen” and immediately follow it up with JESUS!!! Men and Women LISTEN, I will tell you of JESUS! As those truly seeking God find His Son Looking for them, Christ rushes His Spirit to speak to their hearts and there is a Desire to OBEY! The Church in America is selling a bill of goods, a pig in a poke. They are not teaching Jesus, and they are certainly not preaching His Commandments and Ordinances.

Peter was no different than Pastor Kilian. He was a man seeking Christ’s heart, and yielded to God’s authority and the Holy Spirit that lives within Him. Likewise our Pastor has followed the calling of God, and yielded to that calling, and in this Church hails us to LISTEN and LEARN. BUT – my dear brothers and sisters – WE MUST YIELD to LEARN. We must become a yielding Church – and then apply that which has been taught.

Look with me at Verse 42 – it shows us that they steadfastly continued in the Apostle’s teaching. They heard, they believed, they repented, they obeyed, and they followed Christ through the Holy Spirit that He sent to them. This is basic doctrine folks! It is no Mystery – the Holy Spirit is not evasive! If you truly accepted Christ as Savior and LORD, then you know the Spirit is with you, and your heart and conscience can attest to that fact. IF YOU CAN’T – then you need to go to the Pastor, a Deacon or a Teacher in our Church and have them pray with you and counsel you.

Peter did not stand up and try to sell them the Gospel, he did not pitch it like it was some sort of marketing ploy. He did not hire a minstrel or band to pump everyone up into a “Praise” kind of funk to get them ready for a message to be hit out of the park. He simply preached the message that God provided through His Son.

As a point that Alistair Begg drove home in his series, listen to this… “Christianity does not start with US!!!” “The Gospel does not start with US!!!(un-quote) The apostles never ask the people listening if they wanted something out the message. The Apostles did not ask the people listening if they wanted to get sin out of their lives, or if they needed guidance, or if they needed anything else. Peter started with CHRIST!

Teaching must start with the historical, objective TRUTH about Jesus… We must teach Jesus, people must start with the basics, and LEARN the basics. We are obligated through our bond to Christ to teach HIS message. As our Church LEARNS we can then move onto the Doctrines of the Word, and feed the congregation the real meat of the Word. Babes in Christ must have the milk, faithful Saints must feed on a mixture as Pastors learn to provide to both (or all ) Spiritual levels.

As a LEARNING Church grows, it will begin to take on a new personality, one of Holiness and Godliness. That Spiritual Maturity and Wisdom will then Disciple the newer / younger Christians. Then the congregation through the Holy Spirit becomes reproductive in bringing in new converts and growing them to maturity.

Those activities, then ushers us into the next Healthy Mark of a Church, a SHARING Church. A Learning Church will want to SHARE the gift that Christ has given us through the Holy Spirit. As we become more reliant on Him through FAITH and TRUST, the things of this earth become less important. The size of our house, the age of our car, the toys in the garage all become less important. We see the value in Sharing both the Gospel and the Blessing Christ has bestowed on us. So we find new ways to Share, and Give to our brothers and sisters in Christ. In a heart of Charity to those less fortunate than us, that possibly do not know Christ yet we may share the wealth that Christ has blessed us with...

The amount is not important, it is the obedience of the Cheerful Giver that Christ is looking for. You walk away finding yourself blessed many times over. More importantly, you may have the opportunity to Share Christ, building wealth in Heaven. Remember, what we have learned – JESUS. It is Him that we are sharing through Loving Acts of Kindness, helping the less fortunate, helping the impaired, helping the aged, helping the widows, helping the new young mothers, helping a Pastor’s wife by showing her love, compassion and loving friendship.

Next week we will close this all up by looking at how it all ties into Worshipping, Growing, Leadership and Discipleship. Let us pray that God adds His Blessing to this message and His words, so that we may apply the Learning here tonight and Share it with others.

Let’s close in a word of Prayer…

The Bible(s) I Use In Teaching

2010-12-10T22:31:00.003-05:00

Good Morning!

Several of you have asked what Bible am I using, what books do you read, and who are your favorite Preachers / Teachers?

Well, to answer those questions in any real depth, I would have to open up my Testimony and dust it off a bit. So since this week’s post is lengthy like the last couple of weeks I will try to keep this somewhat brief.

First my Bibles! I personally use The New Scofield Reference Bible (KJV) in Church to follow the Pastor in Morning and Evening Service, and sometimes for teaching. For my Wednesday night Prayer Meeting Messages, I consistently use two sources. (1) Bible Resources at the www.bible.com web site, and (2) Quick Verse Bible software, version 2007 sold and marketed by FindEx.com, Inc. When writing 90% of my messages and lessons, I default to the KJV. I have found that in most cases, it is closer to the Hebrew and Greek text, that I also have a complete set of via Quick Verse. If I use any other version, it would be the New American Standard Version, just to add clarity for me to expound a Biblical principle or point that I need to get across.

My library has grown immensely in the last couple of years, mainly because our retiring Pastor donated his entire library to me. I have several new books by Alistair Begg, and two new books to me by Jonathan Edwards, as well as a couple new books to me by John Stott. I also have an entire collection of Charles Spurgeon, who is one of my all time favorites. I have his entire collection electronically, and I have the entire book collection of Charles Spurgeon’s Sermon’s.

My favorite Preacher’s / Teachers…. Well, let me go back to the 1960’s and work my way forward. My first favorite Pastor was John C. Hall, my Grand Father. I was saved in a little Church in Osceola Mills, PA and the Pastor was Reverend Mink. My home Church most of my life as a child was the First Baptist Church of Bellefonte, PA where Pastor Marvin Apple was the Senior Pastor; I attended this Church until I left home for the Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps, when I came home on weekends or on leave, I attended the Church that my Bride to be attended, The Bible Baptist Church, Pastor Steven Burns was the Senior Pastor. Over the years, Pastor Burns has become one of my closest friends, and I go to him first with Biblical questions or Spiritual issues. I also follow the work of RC Sproul, Ravi Zacharias and Alistair Begg. Our new Pastor, Alan Kilian, is a good Teacher, I have only sat under his teaching for a little less than a year. He Preaches the Truth without reservation or excuse - so he is on the path to becoming one of my favorites as well.

So there you have it, as brief as this “Old Sinner – Saved By Grace” can do it. I love you all, and appreciate all the wonderful encouraging emails, and occasional comments on this Blog Site. It is my prayer that you may find Christ in the pages, Encouragement and Blessing in His Words. May God Bless, Have A Wonderful Day!

Robert C. Hall

Are We A Carnal Church

2010-12-04T15:00:00.006-05:00

Are We A Carnal Church?

Hello Faithful in Christ, I hope and trust that you are in the midst of a wonderful and Godly Day! This post is a little out of the ordinary for me. I had a delightful conversation with my wife while driving this morning – and she offered some insight to my teaching subject of late on “The Church – What is the Church”?

So, I am going to try and take the underlying message in several conversations and apply it to us, the people that make up the Body of Christ, the Church… I have had relative conversations with friends, a couple Pastors and now my wife; they have each provided different unique perspectives that now solidify my resolve in concrete. I truly believe that the Body of Christ in this nation, as well as the local Church is in crisis. Many churches today are guilty of idolatry, putting God in a box, making him in their own image. Many Church services are nothing more than routine – “dressed up religiosity”; we are well on our way to becoming the Church of Laodicea; Dr. Scofield called this the Church in its final stages of apostasy.

The Webster Dictionary defines the word “apostasy” as a “total desertion of or departure from one’s religion, principles, or an abandonment of one’s faith”. In Revelation 3 verses 15, 16 & 17 Christ told John to write of the Church of Laodicea that “15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”. My Goodness People – are we blind? Can’t we see this in our Churches today?

We are so caught up in doing “things” the way they have always been done that we are totally missing the mark??!!! We are to BE THE EMBODIMENT OF CHRIST people, we are to reflect the very Spirit that he sent to us – and that supposedly lives within us!!! I use the word supposedly, because we as a corporate congregation do not reflect the Righteous Godly Souls of days gone by. We resemble those that regularly attend the local bridge club, 4-H meeting or Grange meeting.

Our Talk is of the world, our walk reflects that of the world, once again I must ask my favorite question in times of debate and disdain in Christian circles – “where is Christ in all of this”? Where is He? Do we attempt to bring Him into the middle of our profane conversations, in the middle of our self-centered acts of service? Then attempt to convince ourselves and all those around us – your service is to and for Christ? Please! Spare me the Spiritual heart-ache, and the social embarrassment of witnessing such heinous – hypocritical behavior.

I looked at my wife today, and she said, “you know, I told a friend what our Church needs is a good old fashion revival – but then I thought about it, and realized NO-ONE would come”!!!! This wasn’t me the Bible Teacher – this was my wife, my quiet – loving – tenderhearted wife sees the despair of the situation in our local Church. What does this tell us of the corporate Church in this country? Folks, I want you to understand and believe that GOD – WILL NOT BLESS A CHURCH WITH OPEN APOSTASY AND SIN within its members. He will still work within the individual hearts of men and women that seek His face and strive and reach for Holiness, Righteousness and Godliness. However; He cannot work in the heart of those that do not know Him as Abba Father / Rabboni – which is to say, “MASTER”!

Alistair Begg taught a wonderful series on the Church, in which he smartly proclaims that if Christ is not the ultimate authority in the Church – then there is NO Church!!! You might as well be some sort of social club!!! Well folks, let me embellish that point just a bit further… If you “truly” know Christ as your personal Savior and Master, and are not on your face before Him every day, wanting and pleading with Him to become more like Him – something is wrong… As Paul so eloquently reminded us numerous times in his books – we must “walk in the Spirit”, not in the flesh… We must surrender and submit to His authority and Righteousness for and in our lives.

Pastor Burn used to tell us, you can’t wake up some day, decide you ought to be a Christian! So you reach up and grab God and take Him on your merry little way – still doing all the things that you used to do! That is building an idol in your own image, and has nothing to do with True Christianity! God is not this Big, Soft, Lovey - Dovey Guy up in the Sky – That Just Understands the Way You Are…. He knows that are hearts on our own are desperately wicked, and apart from accepting His Son, we are doomed to hell. That’s as close to understanding you the way you are as we are going to get for this debate.

God knows the heart of man… Adam proved that we choose our way over His way. Man, has not changed in nearly 10,000 years, we are still selfish, self-centered and lustful for the things that bring pleasure to the flesh. It is only when, we recognize our true – sinful nature, and all that we are capable of in “un-righteousness” that we can then turn our “hearts” to Jesus, with true repentance and a contrite heart. Upon accepting that perfect gift of His Blood Sacrifice, Death on that Cross and the first Resurrection of the New Covenant – we can be washed from that sin nature, and have the Holy Spirit take up residence in our hearts!!

Did you get that, His “HOLY” Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. Holiness does not lend itself to profane language, perverse lusts and desires, habitual activates that are dangerous to one’s self and those that we love. We who have Christ living within our heart, approach Him as little Children, wanting to please Him, Loving Him with everything that we are. That through that Loving submission to His authority and yielding to His will, we begin to resemble Him, quite literally, we take on His characteristics. Our demeanor changes, our personality softens, as we grow in His spirit we begin to love others more than we love ourselves.

The transition is the process of sanctification… This is a word and a process that seems somewhat foreign in some Churches today. See folks, as we Love and grow in Christ, we should be letting the old desires of the heart fall off by the way side! We should care more for the people in the world, while caring less for the things of the world. Through His Spirit, we learn contentment in the physical realm, things are less important, and people become more important. Shallow relationships are no longer desirable, we want to know people, love them and serve them in one form or another.

Our Church, The Church – needs Revival!! Those that belong to Him will seek revival for their hearts and desire renewal and change. They will crave to spend more and more time with Christ in Prayer, Reading His Word, and Meditating on the things we learn academically, to allow Him to minister to us. Through that process of devotion and meditation, he takes the academics of the scriptures and cultivates it into heart knowledge and Spiritual discernment and eventually wisdom. He desires the communion with us, He wants the closeness with us, and He wants to show Himself to us. We need only yield to His will, seek His face and Love Him regardless of current circumstances and situations.

Pray with me that God will allow a REVIVAL in the Church today… That if it starts in the hearts of a few that it will become contagious, and we will depart from our carnal ways. Let us be content with Him, and that which He has given us. Then allow us to be charitable with the excess that He blesses us with, and serve our fellow man, where ever Christ would lead us. Sharing both the Gospel Message and the wealth He has blessed us with – no matter how big, or how small. God Loves and Blesses the cheerful giver.

Father – Please start revival in my heart first, and then let it be contagious to all those that You place on my path and in my life. In all things, may I always give You the Honor, the Glory and the Praise, in Christ’s name I pray….. Amen.

What is the Church? - Week One

2010-12-01T03:21:00.008-05:00

Week ONE – What is the Church?

What is Church?

***(Some material in this lesson was taken from Alistair Begg's Study "What is Church"?)***

How do you define Church?

Who or what is the church? Some might think there are more pressing issues to address in today’s world, but there’s no question that the word ‘church’ conjures up all kinds of images. Indeed it is a word which is very often misunderstood. Many believe it to relate simply to a building, or perhaps to a certain group of people identifying themselves as members of the clergy. Some view the church as an object of mistrust, a place of hypocrisy, or perhaps just as a place for old ladies or those who like to sing in choirs - in other words an irrelevant institution.

In examining passages from several books of the New Testament including Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, Acts and Luke, we will explore such questions as;

What is the Church’s origin?

How is the church defined in the Bible?

What does it mean to be included in Christ’s church?

Who is in charge of the church?

Where do I belong in the church?

What are the marks of a healthy church?

What are the nature and meaning of baptism and the Lord’s Supper?

What does it mean to be a worshipping and witnessing community of God’s people?

What is effective church leadership?

Whatever our starting point, this series of studies will bring us to realize just how vitally relevant and crucial the church is at the beginning of the 21st century.

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My Opening was by Alistair Begg;
“What is the Church” (series) 10-29-2009

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CHURCH: Many people today think of Church as a specific building, denominational structures, or people in the street dressed as clergy distinctly different than the laity that attends their Churches. In today’s America, Church is viewed in many circles as an object or organization that can no longer be trusted. If you ask them directly you will hear them talk of hypocrisy, dislike or hate. They may even refer to a place that at one point in their life they felt harmed, or marked as a non-conformant. Because of these perceptions of the modern Church, it has been marginalized and removed from relevancy in today’s world. The Church here in the West, has been continuously pushed to the periphery of society and away from having any meaningful impact. Because “The Church” in America has become a reflection of our culture and the world has crept in, there is literally no difference in behavior in the Church, from that of the World. Therefore; there is no relevancy to our progressive culture, who wishes to leave any reference to morality out of the public square. For good reason, because the Churches “actions” for many years of the Post-Modern Era have not reflected the words taught and preached from our pulpits.

The way the Church has been marginalized in this country by the secular academic minds, is second only to the perception of marginalization by the people in this country that refer to themselves as the “faithful”. (ROBERT please elaborate this point!!! Isolationism) To that point, in most Churches in America, the Sunday Morning Service attendance is usually 80% greater than that of the Sunday Evening Service or Mid Week Service. God, no longer has His rightful place in our lives and Churches, nor is His Authority feared or respected.

So what gives, why is all this information about the Church of a negative nature? Is the Church in America really falling from the Grace of God, and lost any relevancy in today’s culture, to where we have no positive impact? Can we no longer provide a moral compass to the communities in this country?

To better understand how we got to this point, let’s turn back the hands of time a few years. Let’s take a peek at the Church from the secular point of view. We will look at where some of this stigma has been rooted in the fiber of our culture. By remembering some of these events, we can better understand where the lost world’s mind is when it comes to Church and organized religion.

Remember in the:

1970’s – Lonnie Frisbee, Pentecostal became an ousted closet gay Evangelist

1970’s – James Hargis, sex scandal destroyed this Radio Evangelist

1980’s – Jim Baker, TV Evangelist, sex scandal and extortion imprisoned him.

1980’s – Jimmy Swaggart, multiple sex scandals brought down this Assembly of God TV Evangelist.

1990’s – Oral Roberts, claim that he would end his life if he didn’t get the money he needed for a project.

2000’s – Richard Roberts, dismissed from the Oral Roberts University for his alleged improper use of funds for personal purposes.

2000’s – Robert Schuler, Debtors begin filing in 2010 for claims in court to receive payment on accounts. The Chrystal Cathedral is in debt beyond $55 Million. The church has now filed for Bankruptcy Protection.

WE are not without current woes today either; there is a US Senate probe / investigation into financial practices of:

Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long, and Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton Missouri.

While we here in this Church would keep these people, their teaching and financial practices at arm’s reach. These are the faces of organized religion that “the lost” in this country have seen over the last 30 or 40 years. Is it any wonder that we are trying to climb up the hill of the slippery slope?

We as faithful believers in the one and true Christ, the Beloved Son of God are being deafened by the sounds of the fallen preachers and anti-christs of our age. All this fallout is why I want to take a few weeks and look at the Church, what we think it is, what the world thinks it is and what God says it really is!

We are going to spend a few weeks looking at this subject “What is Church”. We are going to look at the Church origins; we are going to look at its purpose as defined in a few of the apostolic books. We are going to look at the makeup of the Church, past, present and future. We are going to try and understand what is impacting our ability to share the “Good News” in our community and neighborhoods. We are going to look at “gifts” and the inventory of gifts that this particular Church has been blessed with and how we use them to meet the “Great Commission”.

For right now, let’s take a quick look at the first Church…

Turn with me please to Acts Chapter 2:

Acts 2

1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: 21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Dear Precious Father, we ask blessing and wisdom concerning these words that we just read from Your Book of Truth. Help us now look at YOUR CHURCH, understand Your desire for it and how we got were we are as a nation. Then teach us Father how not to follow the mistakes of the past, help us Learn from those errors of the fallen pastors and churches of the past. Fill our hearts to overflowing Father so that we Keep YOU in Your rightful place in our lives and in this Church! We pray in Your Son’s name, in Christ we pray – Amen.

In the late winter of this year (Feb & Mar), I taught a six week lesson on the 2nd Chapter of Acts. It was taught in the framework of making ready for a new Pastor. Preparing our minds and hearts for service, was the requested action at the end of that study. For the next several weeks, we are going to use this Awesome passage as a back drop to identify “What Is The Church”. As I read a little outline from Alistair Begg earlier, I asked the question “What do you think / believe Church Is”?

Before we look at where the Americanized Church got off the path, I would like you to think about what your definition of Church is – as it applies to our Church... As it applies to our presence in this community… As it applies to our mission… As it applies to our goals… As it applies to our spreading the Gospel – the Good News to those around this building… As it applies to the RELATIONSHIPS you have inside these four walls… As it applies to the Authority in this Church…

Who is the leadership in our Church? Is it the Pastor? Is it the Deacons? Is it the Congregation? Is it the Teachers? This question and how it has been answered over the last 100 years has laid the path of the corporate Church in America. Now strap yourself in, because we are going to cover a lot of ground in just 3 short weeks, roughly 90 minutes of teaching and dialog to help us answer What is the Church….

At the day of Pentecost, what were some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem at the time? (Acts 5:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under Heaven).

Devout Men, Webster defines devout men as: devoted to divine worship; expressing devotion; with synonyms of earnest or sincere; holy; saintly; intense; serious and fervent…

In other words these men “Feared” God, and Worshipped HIM as the one and only GOD! God was elevated in their hearts and minds as Deity and the Ultimate Authority in their lives. God was most important to them, He came first, hence the word Devout – they were totally devoted to God and His purposes.

These men were gathered at Jerusalem, for Pentecost or Shavouth, the feast of weeks, a festival, celebrated on the sixth and seventh days of Sivan by Orthodox and Conservative Jews outside Israel but only on the sixth day by Reform Jews and Jews in Israel, that commemorates God's giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai to Moses. So these men were already in town for Religious / Spiritual Reasons, they were already “devout” followers of GOD.

God’s timing is absolutely amazing, for He sent the Holy Spirit at the time when there were men of God that would make wonderful converts from Judaism, and follow Christ. These men understood devotion, commitment, sacrifice and trust. They would make good disciples of the teachings of Christ, and would spread the Gospel of Christ to each of their native lands. The first Church had been built and formed of devout, Godly, Holy men that eventually became the Churches first missionaries.

God – wants our devotion, He wants our dedication and commitment to Him. We must train our hearts and minds to seek Him first. TRUST – means nothing if we don’t practice or exercise it. FAITH in word only produces absolutely nothing. These men at Jerusalem in Chapter 2 of Acts were Godly, Righteous, and Holy minded men. The Church in the West has lost that sense of Holiness. We have become lazy, laid back and lacks in our Spiritual, Emotional, Academic and Physical disciplines. It seems that in today’s Church, anything goes, once you verbally claim Christ – your good!

If you took the time to look at and investigate some of the “Main Line Denominational Churches” today, you may have your heart set back a pace or two. For these Churches that were once Rock Solid stalwarts of the Faith, are barely recognizable any longer. Today’s Churches reflect an organization that is more in line with a “Religious Social Club” than it is of a house of Worship, Teaching and Praise! See people have forgotten the basics! We have lost track of what it’s all about!! We as the corporate Church of the West, truly Lost sight of out 1st True Love for Christ. If we as the Church truly believed He is who we say he is we would be trembling in fear of His judgment of the Church of Laodicea. We are no long on fire for Him, while we as the Church would not openly disclaim Him, our actions do…

The Bible says the Church owes its origin not to man, but to Almighty GOD! There would be no such thing as the “Church” were it not for the fact that God planned from all eternity to have a people of HIS very own. To that fact, the solidarity and corporate distinctiveness of the people of God, is distinctly apart from all other communities and can be tied to only one thing – that being the Call of God!!! Called of God!!! More importantly, called apart from the World, to Love ONLY Him, to Save Ourselves for Him as His Bride. But we as a Corporate Church have prostituted ourselves to the world and it’s lusts.

The TRUE CHURCH is TRULY of GOD – Period… Anything more or anything less is not of His Calling. That calling is come out of the sea of humanity and to be counted among His own. To be Different. To be Holy. To be Righteous. To be filled with HIS Spirit. To Learn and be filled with His Truth. To Be HIS!!!

In closing tonight I want to digress just a little bit, and ask your indulgence in this little story, a small piece of my testimony….

When I was a little boy, my dad was the local police chief in a small Pennsylvania Township. He made all of $5,700 per year. So we did a lot of things to conserve resources. One of which was my father became an avid hunter to provide food for his family. He learned and became very proficient in reloading his own rifle casings and shot gun shells.

My dad was always my Hero, regardless of how much discipline was applied to the seat of learning – he was bigger than life to me. So we spent a lot of time together. I would stand or sit by his side while he would load shells for hours. To help him pass the time, he would play his favorite 8-Track Tapes  We listened to the Blue Ridge Quartet, the Blackwood Brothers, and a bit of a twangy group called The Happy Goodman’s. Their lead singer was “Rusty Goodman” long time deceased now. Rusty sang this song titled “The Lighthouse” that at the tender age of 10 or 11 gave me goose bumps. Listen to these lyrics:

There's a Lighthouse on the hillside, That overlooks life's sea

When I'm tossed it sends out a light, That I might see

And the light that shines in darkness now, Will safely lead us o'er

If it wasn't for the Lighthouse, My ship would be no more

And I thank God for the Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him

For Jesus is the Lighthouse, And from the rocks of sin

He has shown a light around me, That I could clearly see

If it wasn't for the Lighthouse (tell me), Where would this ship be?

Everybody that lives around us, Says tear that Lighthouse down

The big ships don't sail this way anymore, There's no use of it standing round

Then my mind goes back to that stormy night, When just in time I saw the light

Yes, the light from that old Lighthouse, That stands up there on the hill

If it wasn't for the Lighthouse (tell me), Where would this ship be?

In my mind and heart I tied those lyrics to both Christ and His Church, and the mission of the Church to spread the Light of Christ in our communities and neighborhoods. There are some today that still believe that is one of the defining traits of the Church. Some Churches still believe that we are to evangelize the world one person at a time, one family at a time and one community at a time. That old Lighthouse is the Church, it is this Church in this community. WE ARE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST FOR THESE PEOPLE TO SEE!!!

I have listened to men pray in this congregation – “Lord help us be a beacon” or “Lord help us share the light”. When we pray these action words – are we sincere and ready to put our words and petitions to Almighty God into action? Are we ready for His help in these areas, or are we waiting for someone else to do it? Are we praying these words with no intent to reach others for Christ. Do we really believe we are living in the end days, or are we just allowing ourselves to be blinded by Satan’s subtle moves to remove our relevancy here in Warriors Mark, Tyrone, Bald Eagle, Water Street and Stormstown?

Is this Church – the Bible Baptist Church of Warriors Mark truly a Lighthouse for God in the surrounding area? See this isn’t a message of chastisement or a rebuke, this is a message of encouragement and a reminder as to who we “say we are”! A call to the entire congregation not just the members, not just the Wednesday night regulars, this is a call for all attendants of this Church to get on our faces before our Abba Father and pray collectively “here am I Father, send me”. Help me be the beacon, help me be the light, help me be Your eyes, help me be Your hands, help me be Your LOVE to this part of Your World. MAKE US YOUR CHURCH DEAR FATHER!

Are we allowing the Light of the Truth that lives in us as a corporate body of believers shine to those around us? Is this congregation known by its neighbors to be loving, longsuffering, tenderhearted, charitable, kind, neighborly, compassionate, of good cheer, tempered, selfless, reliable, steadfast, and stalwarts of the Truth and the Faith in Jesus Christ?

Do our Family relationships reflect the Love of Christ? Are our relationships in this Church, Christ Like, do they have depth, love, commitment and conviction? Or are they shallow, superficial and in some cases just a façade? See if the relationship with Christ is messed, all our other relationships will be messed up as well. If we don’t Love Him first, then we will love ourselves first, and all relationships will suffer. If this is the case in more than a few in a congregation, the Love of Christ will suffer as well. Energy and resources are consumed chasing and trying to repair the consequences of SIN! Focus is taking from Christ and our purpose for being here, and is focused on those that choose not to follow the word of God. SO – Growing Disciples, Spiritual Mentoring of the congregation must become a ministry of the Church to build solid foundations on which to launch other ministries – including evangelism or Out Reach!

We will look at this passage more in depth next week. As we will see next time, CHURCH is NOT defined by just what happens inside these four walls! Church is defined by the very Heart of Christ, in which He sent each and every one of His true followers a piece of through the Holy Spirit! Church, identifies itself with Christ, whom which identified Himself with God the Father! Deeper look next time.

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for the opportunity to open Your word, reveal to us over this next week Father. Help us see Your hand, chasten us to seek Your Face. When we pray to You Lord, make us ever mindful of the meaning and purpose of being ushered into Your throne room. Remind us of the Holiness of this act, and to choose our words wisely, for we will be held accountable for them. Be with us now through the remainder of the week, bring us back safely Sunday morning the Lord’s day. In all things we say and do Father , let them bring Praise, Honor and Glory to You, in Christ’s name we pray - Amen...

What Is Your Definition of Church???

2010-11-27T03:21:00.003-05:00

What is the Church?

Have you ever thought about this question?

In your mind, and heart of hearts, what is your definition of the Church?

1) Who or what is the Church?

2) Is the Church a Community or Culture apart from the local community?

3) Is the Church the Building?

4) Is the Church the Denominational Affiliation?

5) Is the Church the People?

6) Is the Church the Leadership?

7) Who is in charge in the Church?

8) Is the Church all about Religion?

9) Is the Church only about the Bible?

10) Does the Church have rules, standards & governance?

11) Does the Church have a specific function or service to provide?

12) Who reviews the relevancy commitments of the local Church?

13) Are there requirements of the leadership?

14) Are there requirements of the attendees?

15) Are there Theological requirements of the teaching staff?

16) Are there social requirements of the Church?

17) Are there guidelines for the experience?

18) Where would one find what the Church experience is to be?

19) Does the Church provide proper and adequate instruction?

20) How does the Church benefit the attendees?

21) How does the Church benefit the local community at large?

22) When & how do you know when the Church is successful?

23) When & how do you know when the Church is unsuccessful?

24) Does the Church have authority in the lives of those that attend?

25) What are the marks of a Healthy Church?

26) In its present configuration, does the Church have staying power?

Starting in with the 1st week in December, for three weeks we will answer the previously listed questions and much more. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we will attempt to show you that the Church is not a man made invention, but a Devine institution.

Have you ever listened to people in the community talk about Church? You sometimes get the impression that the Church is nothing more than a human society that owes its origin and establishment to some kind of volunteer agreement among its attendees. At times, among congregations you get the same sense, the older the church the more emphasis on its origins and “charter members”. Is this part of our definition of what the Church is?

In some Churches in this country if you attended on any given Sunday Morning, you may very well come away with the sense that you just attended a “Rotary Meeting” or have just experienced some form of entertainment. Is this part of our definition of what the Church is?

In other Churches around this country, when you walk in, you are instantly evaluated by length of hair, the clothes that you wear, and your body language. If you don’t measure up, you are ostracized to the point of leaving because you don’t fit the mold. Is this part of our definition of what the Church is?

Yet in other Churches, if you have not received the 1st and 2nd Blessing of the Spirit, you have not yet arrived. You may be treated as a second class Christian because you are “not of the Spirit yet”. The teachings reflect that there is a man measured process on the road to sanctification, and until you have achieved all the steps in that process your salvation is in question. Is this part of our definition of what the Church is?

One final example of what some folks think Church is. This Church infers that every single soul that walks through that door has spoken authority to talk about their religious experience. The teachings are that God is a God of Love, and that all you have to do is believe. That there are no oracles of the Church, there are no moral principles of the scriptures, and there is no absolute truth, just Live and let Live. Truth is based on the situation, and is relative to the situation of the day and event. Is this part of our definition of what the Church is?

I want to close this introduction with this final comment. God created the earth, for a place to put His prize creation, man…. As we have looked at before in this group, in Genesis, we see where God came in the cool of the evening to Walk and Talk with Adam and Eve. Where they had fellowship and communed in the evenings…. With God, Adam and Eve at the beginning of earth’s time, it was All About The Relationship!!!!!

We were created for His pleasure, and to identify with Him out of the Love of our Hearts and to Share Eternity with Him; bringing Him Honor, Glory and Praise. Today’s Church has lost that core understanding and belief of our purpose. So is it any wonder that Church has so many manmade definitions and purposes? We as a people have made God and His Church into our own image, instead of the other way around.

Starting in January we will finish the final 14 chapters of Joshua in a bit of a faster pace than we have these last 19 weeks. Then we will open a new Study. But for the first three or four weeks in December, we are going to look at “What is the Church”?

Can You See GOD? - Are You Looking?

2010-11-12T03:21:00.005-05:00

The Expository Book Study of Joshua

Joshua 10: Verses 28 - 43 XVII) Can You See GOD?

Are you looking?

Week # 18 10 Nov 2010 Week # 42 of this Teaching Ministry

Joshua 10 (King James Version)

28And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho. 29Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah: 30And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho. 31And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it: 32And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah. 33Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining. 34And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it: 35And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish. 36And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it: 37And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein. 38And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it: 39And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king. 40So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. 41And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon. 42And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. 43And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

Let’s take a moment and pray. Dear Father, thank You for the privilege and opportunity to come here and open YOUR WORD. The forever settled in Heaven Words of the Almighty God. Let us calm our hearts and minds from the days events and look at this passage and draw both meaning and direction from it Father, and we will give you all the Honor, Glory and Praise. In Christ’s name we pray – Amen.

So, what did you see in this passage we just read?

I saw the encounter and destruction of:

Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, Debir, Kadeshbarnea, Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, all the way back to Gibeon

Joshua and all of Israel did this as the LORD God of Israel commanded. This is some of the bloodiest, fiercest and most debated text of the Bible. Joshua has been called everything from a Masterful War Time Leader to a Bloody Opportunist.

However; our text tonight sows up the proper analogy of Joshua with one word – OBEDIENT! All these battles, all these Kings and all these people were Destroyed at the Command of God, by the hand of Joshua and all of Israel.

Without God’s involvement – it could easily be argued that Joshua would have remained at Gilgal or at best no further than Gibeon. We can’t stop here at the reading of this text without tracing the hand of God and what great feat He accomplished, by HIS WILL – He made it so.

The old stories flowing thru all of Canaan, were of the power and might of the God of Israel and how HE opened up dry land in the midst of the Red Sea. How the this God kept the water separated for all of Israel to pass, and closed the walls of water entombing the Egyptians.

The new stories of how this God of Israel dried stopped the waters flowing in the Jordon River for His people to cross into Canann. How this God destroyed the fortress walls of Jericho. They knew of how this God did battle for the Israelites.

They had opportunity to hear the Word of the Lord God and the miracle that He performed. Yet they chose to remain in their heathenistic ways, and resist the God of Israel. Thus at God’s command – Israel destroyed them all.

In all of these events – HE – the Great I AM, revealed himself to man, through His Power and Might. YET THEY CHOSE THEIR OWN WAY!!!

All the way back to Egypt, all the plaques, locust, blood in the water and the death of the 1st born were all of Supernatural cause – but did these people, these men in leadership heed the warning – NO! A Resounding, earth shattering NO that was heard throughout the world through the ages of time.

GOD REVEALED HIMSELF TO ISRAEL!!!!

He showed His Majesty, His Might, His Power, His Justice, His Compassion and His Love

These people and kings of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, Debir, Kadeshbarnea, Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, all the way back to Gibeon – they heard of and knew of the God of Israel!!! The Word had traveled far and wide through all of Canaan.

They chose to go the other way, and war against GOD! Brother and Sister in Christ, warring with God can only have one conclusion – and that is total destruction. Of all the people of Canaan, only one people got on their faces and chose to follow the God of Israel and that was the people of Gibeon. Joshua through God’s direction and Blessing spared the lives of the people of Gibeon.

Showing us of the current generation that God’s tender heart will spare those out of the bowels of Sin, washing them in the Blood of His son. Sins of the past, present and future. God already had the knowledge of His Son’s Sacrifice some 1,430 years in the future – and spared the lives physically and spiritually of the people of Gibeon that followed God by FAITH.

They saw the awesome power of the Great I AM. Yet today, in the 21st Century we let the business of life, the complexities of life, the pleasures of life and the world’s influence – blind us to God’s presence. To our shame, we the older “Church Saints” have even stopped looking.

We have lived many years under the Blessings of Almighty GOD, but when you look around, does this community reflect the GODLY presence of this Bible believing Church?

Are we truly looking for GOD? Does our life, our homes, our language, our conversations, our testimony reflect a people truly Seeking the Face of God?

IF THE ANSWER IS YES – then Praise His HOLY and RIGHTEOUS NAME!!!!! How then, do we convert this wonderful testimony into a relationship with this community that we can reach the hearts of men, women and children in a way that will both convict and encourage? Does our Church Testimony reflect the very presence of GOD!?!?!

IF – THE ANSWER TO OUR QUSETION IS NO – then the real work is before us. We must get on our faces, just as GIBEON did and confess our sins, and seek the lowly position of servant to Christ. We must underpin all the wonderful teaching we have sat under for 30 years with the FOUNDATION OF TRUE FAITH. A faith that is not just lip service to those around us, but a faith that like Gibeon, leads to Sacrifice and Service.

Service and Works do not bring salvation, my dear loved ones, Salvation brings forth a heart of Service and Works from within. I am here to tell you there is no RETIREMENT in God’s economy. WE WILL PRAISE HIS NAME FOR ETERNITY!!!

SO just because you are over 50, over 60, over 70 or over 80 doesn’t mean you get a pass. The disciples worked out their faith until martyred or death. Retirement is a modern world concept that was not practiced in the days of Joshua, Christ or Paul.

Are you seeking God’s face day in and day out? As Charles Spurgeon once said, do you trace the hand of God? I want to challenge your hearts tonight.

If you were among those that said yes, if you are among those that are looking for God and your life, home and testimony validates your claim. What have you done to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ today?

Have you shared a Godly Righteous Story of How HE Worked in your life this week with a friend, neighbor or stranger? Have you offered forgiveness to one that has offended you? Have you showed the Love of Christ to someone less fortunate than yourself? Have you consoled a friend or person that needed a spiritual lift?

See – the YES is in what we do…. The YES is in what we share…. The YES is in the Spirit of Christ that lives in our Heart and is screaming to come out. The YES is yielding and submitting our Hearts to HIS, and then sharing the Gifts and Blessings HE has so Graciously bestowed on HIS Servants.

The YES isn’t what we say it is – it is that which HE says it is and works within us to bring GLORY, PRAISE & HONOR to Him. And that dear friends is for the LONG HAUL, for eternity.

Yes, there are many mansions, and we will be joint Aires with Him, walking with Him and fellowshipping with Him and the Angels. But, we will be serving the FATHER for eternity – the people of Gibeon had it right. We will serve you in any way, just spare us, just let us in and we will serve forever.

As the LORD God of Israel commanded, destroy or remove all the sinful people in Canaan. We must destroy or remove anything in our lives that would get in the way of our service to God! For me this week, it was pulling my name off the Flight Rotation Roster. Flying was getting bigger and bigger for me, feeding my pride and it was getting in the way of doing God’s work. So, I had to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and yield yet another piece of the old me, to give HIM room to build the new me. Dying to self is sometimes very painful.

Dear Father, thank YOU for giving us the Holy Spirit, to lead us onto the paths of Righteousness. Help us SEE YOU Dear God. Help us Father be ever mindful of YOUR Spirit, yield to your will and then share your Good News with all around us that would hear. Be with these wonderful folks tonight, give them safe journey home, and bring them back safely this Sunday. And as always Father, we will give You the Honor and Glory for all things in our lives. In Your strong Son’s Name We Pray, in Christ – Amen.

References for this week:

King James – Holy Scriptures

Managing Our Spiritual Enemies

2010-11-06T03:21:00.003-04:00

The Expository Book Study of Joshua

Joshua 10: Verses 16 - 27 XVI) Managing Our Spiritual Enemies

Week # 17 03 November 2010 Week # 41 of this Teaching Ministry

Joshua 10 (King James Version)

16But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. 18And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them: 19And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand. 20And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. 21And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. 22Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. 23And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. 24And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

25And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. 26And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. 27And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.

Let’s take a moment and ask the Lord’s Blessing and Wisdom after the reading of His word….

Dear Father, we are here to Worship YOU, giving You Praise and Glory for all that You do in our lives. Before we study Your Word tonight Father, forgive us our trespasses, any unknown or un-confessed sin in our hearts Father. Then calm our Hearts and Minds and teach us Your ways Lord. In all things we say and do, let us always give you the Glory and Praise, in Christ name we Pray, Amen.

In brief review of our study thus far, we see the mark of God’s hand in Three Significant Miracles paving the way for Joshua and Israel to take the land of Canaan. Does anyone want to list those 3 miracle for us???

1) The Jordon River Divided

2) Jericho’s Fall

3) The Staying of the Sun & Moon

All three were inconceivable by man, all three have the very hand of God upon them, and all three undoubtedly Miraculous and Supernatural in nature. While we believe them as fact, to this day they are debated and thought to have been debunked by the leading secular scientists.

We have seen so far in Joshua 10 and the first 15 verses, that the meanest and most feeble, who have just begun to trust the Lord, are as much entitled to be protected as those who have long and faithfully been his servants. It is our duty to defend the afflicted, who, like the Gibeonites, are brought into trouble on our account, or for the sake of the gospel. Joshua would not forsake his new servants. How much less shall our true Joshua fail those who trust in Him! We may be wanting in our trust, but our trust never can want success.

Yet God's promises are not to slacken and do away, but to quicken and encourage our endeavors. Notice the great faith of Joshua, and the power of God answering it by the miraculous staying of the sun, that the day of Israel's victories might be made longer. Joshua acted on this occasion by impulse on his mind from the Spirit of God. Unlike the time he followed his gut at Ai, without consulting God. It was not necessary that Joshua should speak, or the miracle be recorded, according to the modern terms of astronomy.

The sun appeared to the Israelites over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Ajalon, and there they appeared to be stopped on their course for one whole day. Is anything too hard for the Lord? This event forms a sufficient answer to ten thousand difficulties, which objectors have in every age started against the truth of God as revealed in his written word. Proclamation was hereby made to the neighboring nations, Behold the works of the Lord, and say, What nation is there so great as Israel, who has God so nigh unto them?

God used the events leading to the siege on the 5 kings at Makkedah to call attention to His Glory by all men, present time (past tense) and today. For men to marvel at His awesome power and yield to that power in fear and trembling. Today’s world – well let’s just say, today’s culture sees it another way. But, as we grow in Spirit, our life should reflect Christ’s to the world, proclaiming His Glory and Righteousness. The battle continues today, and we must take both encouragement and instruction from Joshua.

In verse 16, tonight we pick the story back up where Joshua has given chase to the five kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. So tell me, what do you do when you have just witnessed the God of the Hebrews actually lengthening the day so his people could thoroughly trounce your people? Answer: Hide in a cave? Maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all, but that's what these five Canaanite kings do. They chose to hide from Joshua and the army of Israel in a cave outside Mekkedah.

I read in Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on Joshua 10 verse 16 that these kings considered the cave to be both safe and secret… BUT, there was no escaping the eye or hand of God. In Makkedah, not in the city, for the city was not yet taken, but in the surrounding territory of Makkedah, Joshua besieged the 5 kings in this cave. While Joshua had guards watching the cave, in Verse 19, we see the details of the order of God passed on by Joshua to “enter the cities”; whereby they will recover their strength, and renew or refresh for war, to do battle again. GOD Hath delivered them unto you – Your work will be easy, God hath already done the work to your hands… Close quotes from Mr. Wesley.

Then as we move on, we see that Joshua simply has the cave sealed up until the battle is won; he uses these cowardly kings for an object lesson concerning the Power of God in verses 24-25. Verse 24 specifically show us that Joshua ordered the soldiers to “Put your feet on their necks” This he did not from pride and contempt; but as a punishment of their immoral rebellion against their Sovereign Lord; in pursuance of that curse of servitude due to all this people, and as a token to assure his captains, that God would subdue the proudest of them under their feet. Then they are hanged in public and placed back into the cave to rot. I guess you could say, that's what they get for leaving their troops to fight while they hide.

As a symbol of disgrace, hanging a dead body on a tree was to make a point - POINT MADE! As a matter of fact, that's why the cross (hang on a tree) was necessary for the death of Jesus rather than stoning. The Jews had tried to stone Jesus to death on numerous occasions leading up to the crucifixion, but they failed each time. Jesus had to go to the cross. No other form of death would do. He prophesied that he would go to the cross in John 3:14 (see notes) and again in John 12:33 (see notes). Paul makes this point regarding hanging on a tree in Galatians 3:13 (see notes) when he says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." Just as these five kings were cursed on a tree, so was Jesus at his crucifixion on the cross.

In looking at this again, maybe closer from a different angle we see that Israel camped at Makkedah, where the five kings had hidden in the cave. So the impending doom surely was sensed by the Kings in that cave. Israel arrived there safely, and set up an encampment in the field of battle. Their enemies had been so defeated and scattered that no one attacked Israel or at-tempted to hinder their movement.

At Makkedah the people went to the cave where the kings were hiding and brought them out. Joshua then called the leaders of the Israelite army to place their feet on the necks of these kings. This represented the complete defeat of these kings and their subjugation to Israel. Joshua said that the Israelites should be strong and courageous in the continued battles ahead, because God would give them victory over all their other enemies, just as he had with these five kings.

The five kings were then hung on five trees. Their bodies were left there till sundown, then they were removed and thrown back in the cave. The opening to the cave was then covered again with rocks. The rocks and cave remained there even when this book was written. Clearly this would be another memorial to Israel’s great victory.

Now let me read Matthew Henry’s commentary on this passage in Joshua:

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Joshua 10:15-27

None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. This shows their perfect safety. The kings were called to an account, as rebels against the Israel of God. Refuges of lies will but secure for God's judgment. God punished the abominable wickedness of these kings, the measure of whose iniquity was now full. And by this public act of justice, done upon these ringleaders of the Canaanites in sin, he would possess his people with the greater dread and detestation of the sins of the nations that God cast out from before them. Here is a type and figure of Christ's victories over the powers of darkness, and of believers' victories through him. In our spiritual conflicts we must not be satisfied with obtaining some important victory. We must pursue our scattered enemies, searching out the remains of sin as they rise up in our hearts, and thus pursue the conquest. In so doing, the Lord will afford light until the warfare be accomplished.

Let me sum up tonight’s study with some questions for each of us to answer alone and on our own.

1) Do we consult God before doing battle with the enemy?

2) Do we manage our battle with the enemies of God and His word, or do we wing it on our own – fretting over the outcome?

3) Do we segregate the evil temptations of this world and hold them at bay?

4) Do we put our feet on the neck of those issues that we find ourselves weak in, and turn them over to God?

5) Do we “believe” that the victory is already one, claiming God’s promise while living IN and WITH His precious Spirit?

6) Have we correctly dealt with those things that we have chased into a cove in our life time?

7) Is Christ our First thought each day, or is He an after thought, after we are bruised and tired from the battle?

Harry Ironside summed up tonight’s passage with this perspective. Joshua 10, verses 15 through 27 reminds us of Romans 16:20

“The God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” This victory was followed by attacks upon city after city and the deformation and utter destruction of their defenders. After each new victory the triumphant Israelites returned to base camp to give thanks to God, who had thus given deliverance, as he had promised.

Thus tonight folks we take encouragement from Joshua 10 of God’s fulfilled promises to overcome evil and temptation in our lives.

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for the Truth, thank you for fulfilled promises and thank you for the Victory over Satan in our lives. Be with us as we travel home tonight, bring us back safely Sunday Morning. May we forever sing Your Praises and Glorify Your name, in Christ’s name we pray – Amen.

References for this week’s study:

1) New Commentary on the Whole Bible: Old Testament Volume

a. **(as per Quick Verse 2007 – Version 11.0.0)**

2) Halley’s Pocket Bible Handbook

3) Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures; Volume II

4) David E. Pratte’s Notes on Joshua 10; December 22, 2005

5) Matthew Henry’s Commentary

6) Addresses on the Book of Joshua

By: Harry A. Ironside

1876 – 1951

Looking To See God’s Hand II

2010-10-23T03:21:00.001-04:00

The Expository Book Study of Joshua

Joshua 10: Verses 1 through 15 XV) Looking To See God’s Hand II

Week # 16 27 October 2010 Week # 40 of this Teaching Ministry

Joshua 10 (King James Version)

1Now it came to pass, when Adonizedec king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; 2That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. 3Wherefore Adonizedec king of Jerusalem, sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel. 5Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. 6And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. 7So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.

8And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 9Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. 10And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. 11And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. 12Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. 15And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

Let’s take a moment to pray: “Dear Father, thank you for this opportunity to open your word, and tonight see the Awesome Power of YOUR Hand… Father calm my mind and heart, please let Your words flow from my lips as we look at this amazing battle and events at Gibeon. In all things You reveal to us, in all things that You Bless us – we will give you the Honor, the Glory and the Praise, save none Father, In Jesus Name We Pray – Amen!”

Again, tonight the first word that comes to mind is WOW! Did you grasp what just happen here? Did you hear the Spirit of God profess to you this Truth of HIS Word? I don’t have time tonight to dissect every verse, so I want to focus on just a few bullet points and stimulate your thought processes.

1) Who was Adonizedek?

a. He was the King of Jerusalem in the Day of Joshua at the time they encamped near Gibeon…

2) What is the significance of this city (Jerusalem)?

a. It will become God’s city through David

i. Somewhere between 1407 BC and 1400 BC Joshua conquers all of Canaan along with the King of Jerusalem

ii. This occurs nearly 403 years prior to David becoming King over all Israel. And over 441 years prior to Solomon building the original Temple in Jerusalem. Nearly 891 years prior to the Temple completion in Jerusalem.

iii. These facts – show us God’s providence in the events of early Jerusalem. It shows the Strategic Genius God used in providing military victories for Joshua and Israel.

3) Adonizedek heard of the great power of Israel’s army and of the great leader Joshua. He feared that Jerusalem would fall prey to the Israelites and wished to make a pre-emptive strike.

4) He assembled 9 Kings plus himself to conspire and plan a strike to destroy Gibeon. To show their unified power, they planned to move up to Gibeon and destroy the city and its inhabitants because they made peace with Israel.

5) When Gibeon was made aware that this great military force moved and encamped in the mountains close to the city, they sent word to Joshua, pleading for help. “Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us”.

6) The men of Gibeon knew the dire situation they were in. They exercised Faith by going to Joshua.

7) In verse seven we are told that Joshua responded by assembling all the people of war within Israel, and all the mighty men of valor, men of great courage and bravery. Then we see God’s hand and Devine Providence in verse 8.

8) The Lord God spoke to Joshua! He met Joshua on the field of battle, and I am going to paraphrase this conversation. The Lord told Joshua not to fear these humans, because I, the God of Israel have delivered these people into your hands Joshua. Not one of them will stand before you Joshua, because I have this one, these events today will be by my will. God was informing Joshua that this situation was know by God, and He already had a resolution in His hand, and knew the outcome before Joshua had moved up from Gilgal.

9) In verse nine, Joshua marched up to the battle field outside of Gibeon from Gilgal, a march that took all night. Now think about this!!!! Another point that can be overlooked. This all night march would have made these men tired and weary. Once again, shedding light on the power of Almighty God. A heavy battle by Israel alone after an all night march would have presented physical challenges, and may have produced unfavorable results. BUT – God has this one all under control…

10) Verse ten, and the Lord discomfited them! This means HE brought a great unrest to these men. They became uncomfortable, ill at ease, and they began to feel inept in the site of Israel. And the LORD slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them…. He smote them, up to Bethhoron, Azekah and Makkedah.

11) Verse eleven tells us that as these 10 Kings and armies fled to Bethhoron, that the Lord God cast down great stones from heaven all the way to Azekah… AND That MORE died with hailstones than from God than those that were slain by the sword of Israel.

12) Then in verse twelve, thirteen and fourteen – an unbelievable miracle that showed the Faith of Joshua and the Faithful Blessing of GOD. Joshua spoke to the Lord, and said in the sight of Israel – “SUN, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou Moon, in the valley of Ajalon”. AND as this story is told, both the SUN and the MOON stood still. Until the people had completely avenged themselves upon their enemies….. AND THE SUN DID NOT GO DOWN FOR 24 HOURS – a whole day is what 13 tells us. The sun stood still for a whole day…

13) Verse 14 is an awesome statement… And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

a. I cherish this story…

b. Just as Moses plead with God to spare Israel from destruction at the base of Mount Sinai. God heard the voice of Moses – showing HIS faithfulness to His people and a tenderhearted mercy that He bestowed upon an unworthy murmuring people.

c. Here at Gibeon, GOD heard the voice of His servant, and chose to display HIS Power, Might and Glory by holding the world in HIS hand for a 24 hour period. Providing Israel and the people of Gibeon a Military Victory and a miracle that must have stopped the hearts of men and caused them to fear and tremble.

14) In verse 15, we see Joshua and all of Israel returned to Gilgal, back to base camp; which is where we will pick up next time.

Dear Father in Heaven, Thank You so much Father for revealing Your Love for Israel to us, and then revealing Your Love for all Humanity by providing a perfect lamb to pay our sin debt in full. Father, we see the power YOU display to the people of Faith, Your elect Father, that bear the very Spirit of Christ within them Lord. Help us remain forever mindful of that fact that we carry Your Son with us into this world. Remind us Dear Lord, that when those around us look at us, they should be looking into YOUR Son’s eyes, and see His Compassion and Tender Heart. Help us carry and present the “Good News” to those that wish to hear, planting the seed for YOU to reap and redeem. In all things Dear Lord we will give you the Honor, the Praise and the Glory, in Christ’s name we pray – Amen.

No Commentaries or References for this week – message from Joshua 10 via the Holy Spirit through my pen

Looking To See God’s Hand

2010-10-16T03:21:00.003-04:00

The Expository Book Study of Joshua

Joshua 9: Verses 18 through 27 XIV) Looking To See God’s Hand

Week # 15 13 October 2010 Week # 39 of this Teaching Ministry

Joshua 9 (King James Version)

18And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. 19But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. 20This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we swore unto them. 21And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them. 22And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? 23Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. 24And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 25And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. 26And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. 27And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

Dear Lord, thank You once again for the opportunity to open Your Word... Open our minds Lord that we might partake of this food You have laid before us. Let Joshua's story teach us and feed us once again that we might be full of Your spirit to overflowing. In Christ we Pray.... Amen.

"And the Children of Israel smote them not." This statement in verse 18 shows us that Israel as a people were up in arms about the Gibeonites being in close proximity of them. BUT, even greater than that - look at the strength in obedience Israel showed through their restraint. They honored the "leadership" that was over them. While they were upset, frustrated and mad, they honored the "princes" over them and the treaty or league they had made with the Gibeonites. They acted in one accord, they showed God honor in spite of the poor decisions and choices the nations leadership had shown in this matter. As we saw last week, Joshua and the tribal leadership within the Nation of Israel made poor and uninformed decisions without consulting their King, without considering His direction or knowledge of the situation. Israel knew that God Almighty gave this land to them, and that they were to seek out and destroy the sinful inhabitants.

God, knew the outcome, but we must ponder His Grace here, He held His hand from immediate judgment, unlike the situation with Achan. God allowed this situation or story play out, to teach both Israel and us yet another lesson in obedience. The people "murmured", they complained, they questioned the validity of the pact made with the people of Gibeon. The people saw the error, and spoke their peace - yet Honored God, by not acting on their emotions and frustrations.

Verse 19 shows us that the Leadership of Israel admitted to the "congregation" (the people of Israel) of their ill conceived deal with the people of Gibeon, and that it was sealed by an oath sworn by the Lord God of Israel. When you chase that trail, it also shows you the Faith, Grace and Mercy of God. He withheld His power, and showed tender mercies by not immediately punishing Israel - or Gibeon for that matter. God honored the oath by the Israeli leadership, he allow the people of Gibeon to live.

Verses 20 and 21, the tribe leaders spoke as one voice, one mind, one accord - that "no harm" should fall upon the people of Gibeon. The last part of verse 20 states "lest wrath be upon us". Who's wrath do you suppose they feared? Joshua's? The Gibeonites? No - it was God's wrath they feared. For they made their oath with these unclean people in their God's Most Holy Name... They feared Jehovah. My, my, there's a thought, these people actually had a "healthy fear" of the Lord God. So Israel did learn some things, they have seen the power of God in so many different instances in this new journey with Joshua. His existence and manifestations have left a indelible mark on these peoples minds / memories. This is yielding to the Authority of God. This is the beginning of obedience - BUT it is in no way a trend as of yet, as we will see later on.

In verse 22, 23 and 24; Joshua engages the people of Gibeon as a judge and jury. He declares and denounces their deceit, detailing the statement they made concerning them being people from a far away country. When in reality, they were living in and amongst the area that Israel was now inhabiting. He proceeded to rightfully curse these wicked people, then passed judgment binding the people of Gibeon to work as slaves for Israel. In verse 24, Gibeon responds with their defense for the action they took. Summing it up neatly - they were scared out of their wits of the almighty Jehovah. In their minds, their plight of slavery is better than total destruction and annihilation of their people.

Verse 25, 26 and 27 we see the Gibeonites concede to the judgment passed down by Joshua, and seeing it as fair, good and right. Joshua then follows through on his word, and delivers the people of Gibeon out of the angry hands of Israel, and they were not harmed. As verse 27 states, these people served as the water bearers, loggers / woodsman and servants of Israel and the Alter of God right up to the time this chapter was penned. This shows us that, to the day the story was penned, God honored the oath that Joshua and the Leaders of the Tribes of Israel made. God honored HIS Name, by allowing these people to live and serve the congregation of Israel.

If I were preaching tonight, there would be several points to tie into the framework of the message. Not the least of which would be God's over-abundance of Patience, Mercy and Grace. Not just for HIS people, but the Grace that is common to man that Paul spoke of. God saw the obedience in Israel by not rushing out and destroying Gibeon in spite of Joshua and the Leaders making the pact. God held judgment of Israel... Think about that for a second. Two chapters back, God allowed Israel to be defeated by Ai, because of the sins of One Man - Achan. Here in Chapter 9, JOSHUA and the Tribe Leaders made a significant journey off the approved company line established by God Himself.

BUT HE withheld immediate and decisive judgment, sharp contrast to chapter 7. God shows us His goodness, in dealing with the sin, which indicates “severity” from a human perspective. While sin is sin in God’s eyes, He acted on Achan’s violation of a direct command. While here with the people of Gibeon, they neglected to consult with the Lord God, and He showed them HIS goodness and Grace. God is amazing in how He teaches us the attributes of HIS character. He shows us awesome complete sovereignty in controlling the events on the field of battle in the 1st and 2nd encounter with Ai. Then HE shows us His Holiness in preserving HIS name, and honoring the oath that Israel swore. Finally, HE shows His infinite ability to shower us with Mercy and Grace. We truly worship and serve a HOLY and Mighty God. Let us forever Revere His Name and show Him Honor and Praise. Let this lesson be a reminder to us that if God chose not to show us HIS goodness, we would be consumed by the wrath of HIS judgment. We must work our faith with fear and trembling in the site of who we are without Christ’s blood!

READ MATTHEW HENRY’s COMMENTARY ON THIS PASSAGE.

Dear Lord God, thank you for the opportunity to see YOU tonight in the midst of this story from Your servant Joshua. Father, let the lesson learned tonight be one of Hope and Encouragement. That just as Moses petitioned You to hold Your hand of wrath from Israel; tonight we see where You showed both Israel and Gibeon your Mercy and Grace. Father, forgive us individually and as a congregation for our trespasses. Thank You for the Righteousness we stand in - provided by Your most precious and Holy Son. May we never forget YOU are HOLY, may we never forget YOU are RIGHTEOUS, may we never forget that You are to be Loved, Feared and Revered. Help us work out our faith as individuals and as a congregation with fear and trembling. As always Father, we will give You all the Praise, all the Glory and all the Honor for Your work in our lives. We bring these things to You in prayer, under You Strong Son's Name, in Jesus name we Pray - Amen...

My Reference Books for this Study:

(1) Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

(2) John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(3) The Gospel Way – David E. Pratte

(4) Clarke’s Commentary on Joshua

(5) Addresses on the Book of Joshua

By: Harry A. Ironside

1876 – 1951

Negotiating Away His Blessing

2010-10-09T03:21:00.003-04:00

The Expository Book Study of Joshua

Joshua 9: Verses 1 through 35 XIII) Negotiating Away His Blessing

Week #14 06 October 2010 Week # 38 of this Teaching Ministry

Joshua 9 (King James Version)

1And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; 2That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord. 3And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, 4They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; 5And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. 6And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. 7And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? 8And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? 9And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, 10And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. 11Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. 12This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: 13And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. 14And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. 15And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. 16And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. 17And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.

A Fast – Brief Summary of Joshua 9:

Joshua 9:1-2 reports the reaction of the kings of Canaan who are gathering for war against Israel, with the inhabitants of Gibeon being the notable exceptions. We are given privileged information about the Gibeonite intrigue. The Gibeonites revere the name of Yahweh. They know about his mighty acts and seem to be aware of the Deuteronomic laws regarding holy wars against far off cities. (Deut. 20:10-15). Disguised as emissaries from a distant country, they tricked the Israelites into making a treaty and taking an oath to guarantee their lives (9:15). Note that "the covenant with the Gibeonites represents the most serious breach of Yahweh's commandments yet encountered." 10 The treaty spares the entire city of Gibeon and its environs (9:17) and is made without divine sanction (9:14).

In Verses 1 & 2; What plans did the people of the land make to deal with Israel? (Answer: An alliance against Israel)

This story in Joshua 9 begins by describing a plan determined by the inhabitants of Canaan. They decided that they would gather together to fight against Israel. There is strength in unity. Israel had proved they could defeat individual cities, so other people united to fight them. This may not refer to any one specific alliance but simply to a general plan that the peoples of the land decided to follow. There was no war with the people of some of these areas till considerably later. This would indicate that this was just a general plan. This story appears to be then set aside for a while as the account tells about the alliance Joshua made with the Gibeonites.

(1) Two different strategies of attack against Israel

a. (1-2) The southern kings gather together against Israel.

i. And it came to pass when all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts of the Great Sea toward Lebanon; the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; heard about it, that they gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord.

ii. John Wesley had this to say about this passage: “Together — They entered into a league to do this. Tho' they were many kings of different nations, and doubtless of different interests, often at variance with each other, yet they are all determined to unite against Israel. O that Israel would learn this of Canaanites, to sacrifice private interests to the public good, and to lay aside all animosities among themselves, that they may cordially unite against the common enemy”.

iii. When all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan heard about it: When the Canaanite kings heard how the LORD delivered Jericho to Israel, they had reason to be afraid. When they heard how the LORD gave them victory over Ai, they had reason to be afraid.

iv. They gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord: This is a classic, frontal attack - they will try to defeat Israel on the field of battle, in head-to-head competition.

v. Matthew Henry had this to say about verses 1 and 2. Hitherto the Canaanites had defended themselves, but here they consult to attack Israel. Their minds were blinded, and their hearts hardened to their destruction. Though often at enmity with each other, yet they united against Israel. Oh that Israel would learn of Canaanites, to sacrifice private interests to the public welfare, and to lay aside all quarrels among themselves, that they may unite against the enemies of God's. kingdom!

vi. If we were to follow this lesson in Joshua to its conclusion here in the 21st Century, how do you suppose we would measure up? Do we unite ourselves to fight against the Spiritual Foes of God’s Kingdom? Or do we negotiate our lives on our own terms without consulting God?

b. (3-6) The Gibeonites approach Joshua and Israel in another way.

(Commentary Dialog from David Pratte)

Gibeon was a city actually located just southwest of Ai and north of Jerusalem. The Gibeonite people actually inhabited a group of four cities in that area. So these people really lived quite close to the location of Israel’s great victories. These people had heard of the victories of Israel and knew they were among Israel’s next victims. They realized they were powerless to defend themselves, so they decided to work by deceit. They pretended they were messengers sent from a far distant country. They put on old patched clothes and sandals, carried old sacks, old food, and old wineskins. They came to Israel while they were still camped in Gilgal. There they asked Israel to make a peace treaty with them.

They knew Israel would destroy anyone who lived in the land, so they pretended to be from a far country so Israel would make peace with them. Then they would try to hold Israel to their agreement. The Waldrons hold the view that this Gilgal is not the one in the Jordan lowlands where Is-rael camped when they first crossed into Israel. They claim that Israel would have moved further into the land by this time. So this Gilgal would be one higher in the mountains.

i. But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. And they went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”

ii. They worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors: The Gibeonites will try to deceive Israel into making a peace treaty with them, though Israel was forbidden to make peace with any of the tribes of Canaan (Exodus 23:23-24).

iii. Notice the methods of deception used by the Gibeonites. They were clever (craftily), they misrepresented themselves (pretended), and they even gave false “evidence” of their deception (old sacks, old wineskins, old and patched sandals, dry and moldy bread).

iv. Beyond their deceptive appearance, the Gibeonites simply lied. They said, “We have come from a far country” when of course they had not. All their other devices simply lead to strengthen the deception offered.

(2) How Joshua and the leaders of Israel were deceived.

a. (7-13) The Gibeonites explain their story to Joshua and the leaders of Israel.

(Commentary Dialog from David Pratte)

Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a covenant with you?” But they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”

So they said to him: “From a very far country your servants have come, because of the name of the LORD your God; for we have heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt, and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan; to Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth. Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”’

This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy. And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

i. From a very far country your servants have come: Plainly, the Gibeonites lied to Israel. But despite their lies, they have a proper admiration and honor for the God of Israel. Because of the name of the LORD your God; for we have heard of His fame shows that it is because God fights for Israel, they know it would be useless to oppose the nation.

ii. In verse 9, we see that because of the name of the Lord thy God > They pretend that they had undertaken this journey on a religious account; and seem to intimate that they had the highest respect for Jehovah, the object of the Israelites' worship; this was hypocrisy. (Adam Clarke)

iii. We have heard the fame of him > This was true: the wonders which God did in Egypt, and the discomfiture of Sihon and Og, had reached the whole land of Canaan, and it was on this account that the inhabitants of it were panic-struck. The Gibeonites, knowing that they could not stand where such mighty forces had fallen, wished to make the Israelites their friends. This part of their relation was strictly true. (Adam Clarke)

iv. Matthew Henry had the following commentary about the verses 3 through 13. Other people heard these tidings, and were driven thereby to make war upon Israel; but the Gibeonites were led to make peace with them. Thus the discovery of the glory and the grace of God in the gospel, is to some a savour of life unto life, but to others a savour of death unto death, 2 Corinthians 2:16. The same sun softens wax and hardens clay. The falsehood of the Gibeonites cannot be justified. We must not do evil that good may themselves to the God of Israel, we have reason to think Joshua would have been directed by the oracle of God to spare their lives.

But when they had once said, "We are come from a far country," they were led to say it made of skins, and their clothes: one lie brings on another, and that a third, and so on. The way of that sin is especially down-hill. Yet their faith and prudence are to be commended. In submitting to Israel they submitted to the God of Israel, which implied forsaking their idolatries. And how can we do better than cast ourselves upon the mercy of a God of all goodness? The way to avoid judgment is to meet it by repentance. Let us do like these Gibeonites, seek peace with God in the rags of abasement, and godly sorrow; so our sin shall not be our ruin. Let us be servants to Jesus, our blessed Joshua, and we shall live.

b. (14-15) Joshua and the leaders of Israel accept the deception of the Gibeonites.

i. Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD. So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.

ii. They did not ask counsel of the LORD: The Gibeonite deception was clever, and therefore powerful. But the real problem was that Joshua and the leaders of Israel never sought the LORD.

iii. Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions: This shows that they trusted their senses instead of the LORD. “Look at this bread. Feel and taste how stale it is. Surely, they must have come a long way.” They walked by sight, not by faith.

iv. How much trouble do we find ourselves in for this very reason: they did not ask counsel of the LORD?

v. So Joshua made peace with them: Because they believed that the Gibeonites were from a distant land, they made the treaty with them. God allowed Israel to make treaties with distant nations, but not with the Canaanites.

Joshua 9 shows us once again the heart of man. God forbid Israel from entering into any type of an agreement with the inhabitants of Canaan. Yet if we examine our own lives today, we would see that we haven’t really learned a whole lot from their mistakes. We still make little / minor compromises that yield way to Satan.

As we saw in past lessons in Joshua, God wants us to Yield ourselves to HIS LORDSHIP, and to Sanctify ourselves to and for Him Alone! Righteousness is to be a way of life, we are to Love, Adore and Revere our Father in Heaven. So tonight I ask you to consider, the heart of God in your daily decisions tomorrow. Practical Application - when you are at work, at home with the neighbors or alone with your spouse – Seek God’s Face in your decision making, and in your relationships. Pray for me that I might practice these Spiritual Concepts and I will in turn pray for you as well.

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for this time we had to spend in Your Word. I pray dear Lord that we may find the time, energy and resources to spend time with You each day. Keep us from negotiating our lives without consulting You first Father. Be with us through the remainder of this week, and bring us back safely on Sunday, we give You the Honor, Glory and praise; in Christ’s name we pray – Amen…

Too Simple to Obey?

2010-10-06T12:34:00.002-04:00

Too simple to obey? Believe & Be Baptized… Period. Yet today as in generations past, we package it with human legislation as to govern the heart of men. Enough! The tongue will deceive, but the heart will bear witness of that which one truly believes! Christ only always, should be our battle cry when in the Spiritual War! As Spiritual Warriors for our Lord and Savior, we must never forget the LOVE of Christ. We battle the evil in the war, while loving every human being we encounter. If this is not your mantra, then friend, you serve a different lord. For HE gave HIS life’s blood for the least of these, HE carried our names from the depths of Hell to the Throne Room of Almighty GOD. Upon our belief and baptism, those names are then written into the Lamb’s Book of LIFE! Regardless of Color, Creed, Ethnic Background or Political Affiliation, CHRIST Died, was buried and rose again to pave the way for ALL that would believe on Him.

We cannot legislate the hearts of men, we cannot fit them into a religious mold conjured by a group of Theological Academic’s. Upon salvation, each man alone must work out his faith in fear and trembling. Then out of the surrendered and yielded heart, true Love and Obedience will prosper and grow. For Christ nor the Father can be packaged into a nice neat box, nor then can the servants called to HIM be. Their Fruit shall bear witness to the One that lives within them, and His Joy and His Spirit shall be a light to the world around them – bearing witness unto HIMSELF!!!! Children are a reflection of their parents – so it is with the GODLY! We are a reflection of our Father, His character attributes will shine from our hearts – and that my friends is the true witness of the elect! Words from the mouth that do not match with the actions of the heart, should spawn Prayer and Fear in the eyes of the observer. God’s wisdom and Christ’s Love should prevail, approach and speak the truth in Love. If restoration is not possible upon following Biblical mandates to restore the brother or sister, then separation maybe required, however; the Love and Prayer must continue unceasingly.

Matthew 7:13 & 14; Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

© Robert C. Hall

05 October 2010