Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

Madison County, Georgia

What’s Your Tag?
(printed March 12, 2004)

Which politician comes to mind with each of the following:  read my lips, define is, and potatoe?  Phrases can be so closely associated with an individual that their mention brings him/her to mind.  These phrases can become a tag or a replacement for our names.

The Bible uses select phrases to describe and identify several saints.  The disciple whom Jesus loved is used to identify the Apostle John.  Closet Christian is the meaning of the phrase that accompanies Nicodemus’ name each time it appears.  Doubting Thomas and Impetuous Peter are tags.  Judas and Jezebel were so notorious their names have become modern tags.

We, as church members, develop tags.  There’s the brother who will give you the shirt off his back and the sister ready to carry a meal.  There’s also the brother who owns the back pew and the sister who is early if she’s five minutes late.  What’s your tag?  Are you better known for your encouraging words or your German chocolate cake?  What’s quicker, your smile or your exit out of the church parking lot?  The Holy Spirit gave John and Nicodemus their tags.  What tag would He give you?

We, as members of our community, develop tags too.  There’s the man with the manicured lawn, and his neighbor with every vehicle he’s owned in the back yard.  We all know where to find a courteous-helpful clerk, an absent-minded clerk, and an impatient-rude clerk.  What tag has the community given you?

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches  -  Proverbs 22:1.  Think what kind of churches and communities we would have if all believed this proverb.  Think what kind of churches and communities we would have if all strove for this proverb.

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Golden or Royal
(printed March 19, 2004)

The Golden Rule is too often interpreted, "Don’t do anything to a person you wouldn’t want them to do to you."  This interpretation is passive, is relatively easy to keep, but is not pervasive in the Bible.

The Royal Law (James 2:8) states, "Love thy neighbor as thyself."  The Royal Law is active, much more difficult to keep, and is repeated throughout the Bible.

Let us consider a new 7th grade student.  The new student is different.  He or she may speak differently, may dress differently, or may have big ears.  The class does not accept the new student and begins teasing.  Can you picture the scene?  Our interpretation of the Golden Rule is passive and asks us not to join the teasing.  However, the Royal Law asks us to befriend the new student.  The Royal Law is active and socially risky.

Charity seeketh not her own (1Cor 13:5).  Do a kind act for that grumpy coworker.  Flash a smile to that driver with the sour puss attitude.  Show compassion to your spouse even when they’ve done you wrong.  Not returning evil for evil isn’t good enough.  WWJD?  Love thy neighbor. 

Let us not be passive in our homes, our churches, and our community.  Let us be active, even if it means taking social risks and being rejected.  Think what kind of homes, churches, and communities we would have if we followed the Royal Law. 

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Off Days
(printed March 26, 2004)

Fans of the 1948 Boston Braves recited the following limerick, "Spahn and Sain, and pray for rain."  Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain were ace pitchers.  The other Braves’ pitchers were not as strong.  Braves’ fans felt confident about their chances of victory each time their aces took the mound.  Braves’ opponents took advantage of Spahn and Sain’s days off.

Each day of our lives, we face an opponent who seeks our defeat (1Pet 5:8).  We have days we feel confident about our chances of victory, and then we have our off days.  Let us consider King David, a man after God’s own heart.  David once took a day off from the war.  On that day, he suffered a worse defeat than any he ever suffered on a battle field (2Sam 11).  David’s innocent stroll along a roof top found him stopping to admire, which led to desire, and his opponent won a great victory.  The Lord does not want us to give the adversary occasion to triumph (1Tim 5:14).  What could David have done differently?  How can we reduce our adversary’s chances of victory?

Do we sometimes have off days in our daily walks?  Are our Sundays and Wednesdays better than our Fridays and Saturdays?  We should strive each day to use the "aces" God has given us.  Daily communion with the Lord will help us to be a tough competitor every day.  Reading and meditating in His Word (Ps 1:2-3), praying to Him (Php 4:6), and fellowshipping with those who believe in our Lord and Savior (Ecc 4:9-10) will keep us strong, even on our off days. 

Boston Braves’ fans had it partially right when they prayed.  But let us employ all the gifts God has provided:  reading, praying, and fellowship.  These tools, along with God’s grace will reinforce our defenses.  Let us have a zero tolerance for off days.   The goal is difficult, but not impossible (Php 4:13).

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Rejoice Evermore
(printed April 2, 2004)

Why is it we can handle the major problems of our lives with relative ease while the lesser trials of life put us into tail spins that can alter our disposition for days?  Not only does our tailspin affect us, but often causes others to go astray also.  Let us consider some of the lesser things which affect our dispositions:  a car that won’t start, the Dawgs losing to Tech, or a spouse who squeezes the toothpaste tube from the middle.

"Rejoice evermore" (1Thes 5:16) is a good antidote to life’s little disturbances.  The verse is only two words long, so it’s easy to memorize.  It can also be said quickly in a pinch.  "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice" (Php 4:4) is another excellent verse.  The Lord is telling us to rejoice evermore, always, and again.

Many of us handle the greater trials of life with peace and calmness, rejoicing in what we have.  Churches can rejoice in the memories of a longtime member who has passed, but bring the same group together to pick out new carpet for the church and tempers fly.  Communities handle the aftermath of a tornado with thankful hearts as they embrace one another and clean up the mess, but bring the same citizens under one roof to discuss a zoning ordinance change and a virtual riot breaks out.

When your neighbor takes your parking spot, rejoice evermore.  When you get lost in unfamiliar territory, rejoice always.  And when you spill hot coffee on your clean white shirt, and again I say, rejoice.  Think of all that we have to rejoice in:  one another, our homes, our freedoms, our prosperity, but mostly in our Lord.

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Solitary Service
(printed April 9, 2004)

A childless mother is a contradiction in terms.  Either a woman has children or she doesn’t, there is no middle ground.  A single husband is also a contradiction in terms.  Either a man has a wife or he doesn’t.  Likewise, a solitary Christian is a contradiction in terms.  By definition, a Christian is a follower of the precepts and example of Jesus Christ.  Jesus neither taught nor modeled solitary service.

Jesus taught us to love one another as he loved us (John 13:34).  Can a recluse observe this charge?  Jesus also modeled the behavior of a servant (Luke 22:27).  Who does the loner serve?  Jesus promised when two or three are gathered in His name, He will be in their midst (Matt 18:20).  Is Christian the proper title for an individual who willingly gathers with self?

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch (Act 11:26).  These Christians received their label from both their teachings and their assembling together.  Paul said to the Roman saints, "We, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Rom 12:5).  The saints at Ephesus were described as fellow citizens, no more strangers, no more foreigners, fitly framed together, builded together (Eph 2:19-22).  No solitary service here.

If you’re persuaded time alone with the Lord is good enough, consider His Word (Ps 55:14).  If you’re convinced solitary worship is all you need, you’re missing a blessing (Col 3:16).  If you desire to love and serve your Lord, you must love and serve your brother (1John 4:11).  Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb 10:25).

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Church Synergy
(printed April 16, 2004)

What is synergy?  Imagine three threads, each of which can support a one pound weight.  Now imagine the three threads woven together to form a cord that can support a five pound weight (Ecc 4:12).  That’s synergy, when the strength of a union is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Let us consider another type of synergy.  Think about two individuals and their body heat on a cold night.  Apart, the two individuals are cold and uncomfortable.  Together, the two are warm and comfortable (Ecc 4:11).   Heat production had not increased, yet the results are different.  This also is a type of synergy, when a union achieves a result individuals cannot achieve when working apart.

But woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up (Ecc 4:10).  Synergy is the purpose of marriage, the basis of corporate mergers, the desire of team sports, and the reason for churches.  Unions draw upon individual strengths, support personal weaknesses, and "maketh increase of the body" (Eph 4:16). 

The Apostle Paul preached church synergy and the division of labor 1500 years before Adam Smith, "the father of economics."  The Lord distributes different gifts to His saints in different amounts (Rom 12:6, 1Cor 12:11).  No one person receives it all.  The church was designed so that we might benefit from one another (1Cor 12:14-18).

Two are better than one (Ecc 4:9).  Let us consider joining ourselves to a local body.  For joining a local body is a source of strength, is profitable, is wise, is commanded, is humbling, and most of all, is glorifying unto Him

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Believing God
(printed April 23, 2004)

Many of us believe in God, but do we believe God?  Sound like double talk?  Consider the following:  Suppose an individual commits his/herself to the Lord, joins his/herself to a local body, and then marries outside of the Lord.  He or she marries an individual who cares nothing about the things of the Lord even though parents and the minister have counseled otherwise (2Cor 6:15).  The excuses are, "but my case is different" or "but you don’t understand" or "but I’m in love."  Buts typify an individual who may believe in God, however does not believe God.

The Lord promised the Israelites when they tithed there would not be room enough to receive all His blessings (Malachi 3:10).  But the Lord knew this saying would be hard for the Israelites to accept, so He included the phrase "prove me."  The Lord was telling the Israelites, try me, I dare you, see if it is not so.  For the Israelites believed in God, but far too often they did not believe God.

We are no different than the Israelites.  As you watch an inappropriate movie and you recognize the evil, don’t say, "But I love mystery movies."  Believe God and walk away (1Cor 15:33).  When you look out Sunday morning at a lawn that badly needs mowing and debate whether or not to attend the morning service, don’t say, "but God will understand."  Believe God and forsake not the assembly (Heb 10:25).  When your buddies call and ask you to go golfing for the tenth straight Saturday and you think about how little time you have spent with your wife, don’t say, "But my case is different."  Believe God and cleave to your wife (Mark 10:7). 

Have you ever spoken with a person who answers, "Yes, but."  Yes, but is a polite way of saying no.  Is your dialogue with God full of buts?  Buts are a polite way of telling God you don’t believe Him.  Let us lose the buts and believe Him.

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Foot Washing
(printed April 30, 2004)

Immediately following the Last Supper, the apostles argued amongst themselves.  They were striving over who would be the greatest preacher (Luke 22:19-24).  Teaching humility, Jesus rose from the table and washed the disciple’s feet.  Upon completion, Jesus said, "ye also ought to wash one another’s feet" (John 13:14). Hence, the first communion service was followed by a foot washing service.

           Preachers aren’t the only ones who need humility.  Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians included an exhortation to keep the ordinances.  Paul’s exhortation was followed by a charge to correct three ego problems before the church observed communion.  The Corinthian Church had authority issues, bickerings, and a lack of respect for God and brother (1Cor 11:3, 16, 22).  Like the apostles, the Corinthians needed a lesson in humility.

The Apostle John defines God’s love toward us with God sending his Son to be propitiation for our sins.  Moriah remembers this act of love in our communion service.  John then exhorts,  "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another"  (1John 4:10-11).  Moriah remembers this command with foot washing. 

Whether with the literal observance of foot washing a couple days of the year or the figurative observance each day of the year, we are to serve one another with humble hearts.  It is hard to have authority issues when a brother is on his knees washing your feet. It is hard to be uppity when you are on your knees washing a brother’s feet.  And it is hard to bicker while embracing a brother after the two of you have washed each other’s feet. 

Speaking of the foot washing example, Jesus said, "happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17).  He was right!  Foot washing makes us happy, every time.

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The Worst Prayer
(printed May 7, 2004)

The Lord once revealed himself to a mama’s boy named Jacob.  Not only was Jacob a mama’s boy, but he was a liar, a blackmailer, a thief, and a coward.  Jacob was passive in his encounter with the Lord.  Jacob did not know God, nor was he searching for God.  As a matter of fact, Jacob was running from his sins (Gen 28:10-16).

What an experience Jacob must have had; seeing a ladder stretching to heaven, angels ascending and descending, and being spoken to directly by the Lord.  Following Jacob’s extraordinary calling, one might expect to read about a marvelous conversion, but we do not.  The next morning Jacob voices one of the most ungodly prayers recorded in all the Bible.  Jacob prayed, "Lord, if you feed me, clothe me, and bring me safely home, then you can be my God" (Gen 28:20-21).  Wow!  What a horrible prayer.  But God accepted the deal.  That’s right, God agreed to Jacob’s terms.  Why?

Jacob’s eternal salvation was never in doubt (Rom 9:11-13).  The Lord had a plan for Jacob (Gen 25:23), although it took Jacob time to understand that plan.  The selfish terms in Jacob’s prayer were part of God’s plan before Jacob was a twinkle in his father’s eye (Gen 26:3-4), and before Isaac was a twinkle in his grandfather’s eye (Gen 13:14-16).  Jacob’s salvation was of the Lord, from beginning to end.

Nowhere in the Bible has God ever delegated the responsibility of determining who is and who is not a child of God, or has God ever asked us to evaluate the sincerity of another’s conversion.  We as believers persevere in sharing the gospel, not for the purpose of bringing immortality, but bringing immortality to light (2Tim 1:10).  We are to continue even if, in our eyes, fruits are not meet for repentance.  Let us boast of God’s sovereignty with patience and not in pharisaical judgment.

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The Greatest Husband
(printed May 7, 2004)

In preparation for the marriage of his son, a dear friend of mine compared the vows of an earthly groom to that which Jesus Christ promised His bride (Eph 5:25).  Consider:

Man says, I will love you my whole life;
    Jesus said, I will love you for eternity,
Man, I love you when you are good to me;
    Jesus, I loved you when you hated me.
Man, My face and eyes show you my love;
    Jesus, My hands and feet show you my love.
Man, My parents like you;
    Jesus, My Father has always loved you.
Man, I will take care of you;
    Jesus, I can supply all your needs.
Man, I will protect you;
    Jesus, I have you in the palm of my hand.
Man, I will pay off your loans;
    Jesus, I have redeemed you.
Man, I want to learn more about you;
    Jesus, I know the number of hairs on your head.
Man, I will ignore your faults;
    Jesus, I have taken away your sins.
Man, I will be forgiving;
    Jesus, I have already forgiven you.
Man, I want to learn your fears;
    Jesus, There is nothing to fear when I am near.
Man, I will build you a big house;
    Jesus, A mansion awaits you.
Man, I will be truthful and tell you no lies;
    Jesus, I am the Truth and can not lie.
Man, Till death do us part;
    Jesus, At death I will take you home.
Man, With this ring I thee wed;
    Jesus, With this blood I thee wed.  Amen!

As an earthly husband I am convicted.  As a member of His bride I am comforted.

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Household Leaders
(printed May 14, 2004)

Joshua charged the Israelites, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve" and further said, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"  (Josh 24:15).  Joshua assumed responsibility for following the Lord, for he and his household.  Joshua was a strong household leader.

Speaking of Abraham, the Lord said, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord" (Gen 18:19).  Abraham assumed responsibility for following the Lord, for he and his household.  Abraham also was a strong household leader.

The New Testament identifies several men who were strong household leaders:  Cornelius (Acts 10:24), the jailor (Acts 16:31-33), Crispus (Acts 18:8), and Stephanas (1Cor 1:16).  All of whom led their households in following the Lord.  Job (Job 1:5), Solomon (Prov 22:6), and Paul (Eph 6:4) knew the importance of strong household leadership, leadership which includes both the walk and the talk.

What a far cry from the male buffoons that "lead" households in modern day films and television.  Beginning with a heavily accented Ricky Ricardo and progressing to the whiners in today’s sitcoms, our entertainment industry mocks the male head of household.  And in mocking a biblical pattern, the entertainment industry mocks God.

Let us not be media influenced, but Bible influenced.  Men, women, and children; let us aspire to, support, and respect strong household leaders.  Let us also pray for strong household leaders.

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He, His, and in Whom
(printed May 21, 2004)

When was the last time you heard a radio or a television evangelist preach from Ephesians 1:3-12?  It probably has been quite some time.  Why?  For many listeners, the passage is difficult to accept.  Phrases like "hath chosen us" or "according to the good pleasure of His will" are unpalatable to a humanistic society.  Throw in phrases like "predestinated us" and "before the foundation of the world" and people truly balk.  But these unpalatable words are the Lord’s words.  We can not ignore them.  We must deal with them.

Our fleshly nature likes to read about me, myself, and I.  But Ephesians 1:3-12 is all about the Lord and His Son.  The passage is chocked full of He(s), His(es), and in Whom(s).  Let us take a quick inventory.

The He(s):  He hath chosen us (v. 4), He made us accepted (v. 6), He abounded toward us (v. 8), He purposed in himself (v. 9), and He might gather us together (v. 10).

The His(es):  His will (v. 5, 9, 11), His grace (v. 6, 7), His blood (v. 7), His good pleasure (v. 9), and His glory (v. 12).

The in Whom(s):  in Whom we have redemption (v. 7), in Whom we have forgiveness (v. 7), in Whom we have obtained an inheritance (v. 11), and in Whom being predestinated (v. 11)

We will understand this passage when we shift focus from self to Him.  We will accept the teaching of this passage when we replace appreciation for self with indebtedness to Him.  And we will have true comfort when we strip security from self and rest in Him.  The Word emphasizes Him.  Let us emphasize Him.

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Fasting
(printed May 28, 2004)

Have you ever desired to pray with a little extra intensity, crank it up a notch or two?  Surgery, job relocation, and marriage are decisions with life changing consequences.  Certainly we pray over these matters, but do we pray over these matters with extra fervency?  How can we turn up the intensity of our prayers?  The Bible speaks of several ways to intensify prayer.  They include:  kneeling (Act 9:40), adding song (Act 16:25), lifting hands (1Tim 2:8), soliciting elders (Jam 5:14), and fasting (Mark 9:29).  Let us further consider fasting.

After an unsuccessful attempt to deliver a possessed man the disciples asked Jesus, "Why could not we cast him out?"  Jesus replied, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (Mark 9:14-29).  In other words, intensify your request with fasting.  Most of us know fasting is the abstinence from food, but the hows and whys are less clear.  Begin your study with
Is 58:1-8, Jer 36:1-6, Matt 6:16-18.

Observations from 30 plus fasts recorded in the Bible include:  The majority of fasts lasted one day, however some lasted 3, 7, 14, and 40 days.  The majority of fasts abstained from food, although some refrained from drink also.  The majority of fasts were observed by groups, however some were observed by individuals and others by entire nations.  The majority of fasts pleased the Lord, but fasts with self-fulfilling motives displeased Him.  Fasts were performed for various reasons, such as:  asking for mercy, during confession, desiring a blessing, when mourning, and looking for guidance.

As with much of our worship, we have been given much liberty on this side of the cross; however, attitude is everything.  The N.T. is written in a manner that assumes saints will fast.  The hows and the whys are up to us.  As you read your Bible don’t skip over references to fasting.  Take time and ask who, when, and why.  Then, as you are faced with one of those special prayers you might consider accompanying your request with fasting.  May all our prayer lives be more effective.

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Sixty Years Ago
(printed June 4, 2004)

At 10 P.M. on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), the entire country joined President Franklin Roosevelt in solemn prayer.  The President composed the following prayer during the early invasion hours.  The prayer was sent throughout the country and printed in newspapers so the millions who listened to the radio could recite the words with the President as he spoke.  Churches and sports arenas were filled as the prayer was read.  The prayer was read in both houses of Congress, recited by Governors and Mayors, Democrats and Republicans.  Reading the prayer, I can not help but ask, How has our nation gotten so far from God?  Here is his prayer:

     Almighty God:  Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.
     Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
     They will need Thy blessings.  Their road will be long and hard, for the enemy is strong.  He may hurl back our forces.  Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.
     They will be sore tired, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won.  The darkness will be rent by noise and flame.  Men’s souls will be shaken with the violence of war.
     For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace.  They fight not for the lust of conquest.  They fight to end conquest.  They fight to liberate.  They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good-will among all Thy people.  They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.
     Some will never return.  Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
     And for us at home-fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose
thoughts and prayers are ever with them - help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.
Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer.  But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in continuance of prayer.  As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.
Give us strength too, strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.
And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wherever they may be.
And O Lord, give us faith.  Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade.  Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled.  Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matter of but fleeting moment - let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.
With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy.  Help us to conquest the apostles of greed and racial arrogances.  Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace - a peace invulnerable to the scheming of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.
Thy will be done, Almighty God.  Amen.

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Elected Officials
(printed June 11, 2004)

God’s elections are performed quite differently than are our democratic elections.  God’s candidates do not choose their office, they do not file for office, nor do they campaign for office.  God’s candidates need only one vote to get elected and thereby have only one voter to keep happy.  Sound too autocratic?  Well, we don’t call Him sovereign for nothing.

Let us consider how the apostles were elected to their office.  Phillip was chosen into his office.  Nathanael was foreknown into office.  Peter, Andrew, James, and John were called into their offices.  Matthew was commanded into his office.  And Paul was willed into his office (John 1:43-48, Matt 4:18-22, Luke 5:27-28, 2Cor 1:1).  All were passive and elected by one vote, God’s (Gal 1:1). 

Let us next consider how prophets and judges were elected to their offices.  Gideon was chosen into his office.  Sampson was foreknown into office.  Samuel was called into his office.  Elisha was commanded into his office.  And Jeremiah was willed into his office (Judge 6:11-12, Judge 13:3-5, 1Sam 3:38, 1King 19:16-19, Jer 1:5-9).  All were passive and elected by one vote, God’s.

Now, let us consider how a royal priesthood is elected into their office.  1Pet 2:9 says we are chosen into office.  Romans 8:29-30 says we are foreknown into office.  1Timothy 1:9 says we are called into office.  John 5:25 says we are commanded into office.  Ephesians 1:4-5 says we are willed into office.  Titus 3:5 says we are passive.  And Ephesians 2:4 says we are elected by one vote, God’s.  Thanks be to God for His vote.  Thanks be to God for His sovereignty.

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A Giving Father
(printed June 18, 2004)

A few days ago our nation mourned the passing of President Ronald Reagan.  Dignitaries, past and present, from home and abroad, eulogized our fortieth president.  Their comments were complementary and moving; however, the thoughts shared by Michael Reagan, the President’s eldest son, is a memory that I will keep for many years.

Michael Reagan spoke of a loving father who shared all with him.  He spoke of being adopted into the Reagan home and of his father’s love.  He was thankful for his first car, a college education, the good name he inherited, and the opportunities that came with the Reagan name.  Yet, the gift the President’s son was most thankful was his father telling him about Jesus.  Wow!  So many emotions raced through my mind as Michael Reagan spoke.

I rejoiced as the name of Jesus was proclaimed on national television and I chuckled as Peter Jennings gasped.  Hope replaced discouragement over recent court decisions.  I felt guilt as I considered how little I pray for our current President.  And a tear came to my eye as I thought about the testimony my sons might one day give of their father.  Would any of my sons say, "I am most grateful to Dad for telling me about Jesus?"

As we prepare to honor our fathers this Sunday, let us take time to consider Michael Reagan’s thankful heart.  Sure, give that tie, mail a card, make your phone call, cook his special meal, but to Christian father’s thank him for telling you about Jesus.  Yes, thank him for working so hard to provide earthly provisions, but also thank him for holding the name of Jesus high.  Do not wait until his eulogy.  Thank him today!

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The Oldest Trick
(printed June 25, 2004)

"The oldest trick in the book" is a cliché we have heard all our lives.  What is the oldest trick in the book?  If the Bible is your book then the oldest trick is to change God’s Word so that immortality rests in the hands of man. 

The Lord said, "in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen 2:17) and from thence the serpent employed four subtleties to deceive Adam and Eve in the garden (Gen 3:1-5).  The 1st subtlety was to question the Word of God.  "Yea, hath God said?" was intended to cast doubt.  The 2nd subtlety was adding to the Word of God, "ye shall not eat, neither shall ye touch."  Do not touch was an addition.  The 3rd subtlety was denying the Word of God, "ye shall not surely die."  The insertion of "not" nullified God’s words.  And the
4th subtlety was enticement, "Ye shall be as gods" placing immortality in the hands of the man. 

We are not to be ignorant of our adversary’s devices (2Cor 2:11).  What is our best defense?  What did Jesus do?  Jesus was tempted with similar devices in the wilderness (Matt 4:1-11).  He was challenged with out-of-context scripture and enticed with food and kingdoms.  Jesus tried each temptation with scripture.  Jesus used scripture against such attacks.

Paul spoke of defensive armor in Eph 6:12-17.  He spoke figuratively of helmets, shields, breastplates, and the sword.  The Sword?  Is the sword a defensive piece of equipment?  Yes.  The sword blocks as many blows as it delivers.  And Jesus used the Word of God, the sword of the spirit, to block the attacks.  The Bible is a valuable defensive tool.

May the Lord help us identify those who would:  cast doubt, add to His Word, deny His Word, and offer immortality (1John 4:1-4).  May the Lord help us become more skillful in His Word.

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All Articles Written by Elder Dolph Painter, Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

pastordolph@aol.com

This site created by Steve McCannon. This page last updated 07/18/2008