Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
Madison County, Georgia
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Articles in this archive |
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| Runner Up Because of a Walk January 7, 2005 | Spiritual Birth January 14, 2005 |
| Memorials January 21, 2005 | Mercy in Trials an unpublished article |
| Families January 28, 2005 | Snowflakes and Fingerprints February 4, 2005 |
| The Greatest Teacher February 11, 2005 | Strengthening Prayer February 18, 2005 |
| The Fifth Commandment February 25, 2005 | Throughly Furnished March 4, 2005 |
| The Faithful Theys March 11, 2005 | It Happened on a Wednesday March 18, 2005 |
| Persistence in Prayer March 25, 2005 | |
Runner Up Because of a Walk
(January 7, 2005)
Last month a couple of our church’s teenage members were showing heifers in
the Farm Credit Winter Classic held at the Franklin County Agricultural Center.
An incident occurred during the showing of one classification which caught my
attention.
The show ring had just been cleared. The judge had his back to the ring as
he was discussing the placing of the previous class with an official at the
scorer’s table. Eight contestants entered the ring, lined up their
heifers, and awaited the judge. The judge turned and was immediately
smitten by one heifer. This cow was gorgeous! She had good lines,
proportioned just right, and her coat glistened. The judge went
immediately to the young man and his heifer. The judge was drooling.
After a lengthy conversation, the judge inspected the other heifers and then
motioned for all eight contestants to circle the ring. The gorgeous heifer
once again caught the judge’s eye, but not for good.
Either out of stress or never having walked on artificial turf, the heifer
arched her back and with a "tippy-toe kind of walk" circled the ring.
Her unusual gait caused me to smile, yet I felt compassion for the young man who
watched his heifer slip from first to second place. I couldn’t help but
think, there’s a sermon somewhere in that cow. What would I title it?
"Young men, she might be pretty, but don’t get excited until you see her
walk." And you know, the 7th and 31st chapters of Proverbs are filled
with that very advice.
Ladies, if you can send word as to the next local bull showing, I’ll attend so
as to inspire a sermon that may address the qualifications of young men.
May all of our walks be glorifying unto our Father.
Spiritual Birth
The Bible uses five analogies to depict spiritual birth. Each analogy is
an illustration of man without input. Let us consider scripture’s five
analogies:
1. Physical birth - In John 3:3, Jesus likens spiritual birth to physical
birth. What input does a baby have into his or her physical birth?
None. A baby has no input as to when, where, if, or to whom he or she will
be born.
2. The Wind - In John 3:8, Jesus likens the regenerating power of the
Spirit to the wind. What input does man have in stopping or starting the wind?
None. Floridians have learned to buy plywood and hunker down, but they
have no input.
3. Resurrection - In John 5:25, Jesus likens the effectual call to a
resurrection. What input did Lazarus have in his resurrection? None.
Bound head, hand, and foot he had no input, for Lazarus was dead.
4. Circumcision - In Rom 2:29, Paul likens a regenerate heart to a
circumcised heart. What input does an eight day old baby have in
circumcision? None. He is unaware and without input into the
procedure.
5. Creation - In 2Cor 4:6, Paul likens an enlightened heart to creation.
What input did man have in creation? None, for he did not exist when light
shined out of darkness. Creation occurred without man’s input.
So what is scripture trying to tell us? Eph 2:1-5 summarizes the five
analogies describing a person in God’s path like a Floridian, as passive as a
baby , dead like Lazarus, and in darkness until God intervenes. "But
God" (v. 4) means, "STOP, hold your horses! God and God alone is
about take a sinner in a completely different direction." By grace
are ye saved (v. 5).
Memorials
(printed January 21, 2005)
Memorials are tokens or monuments intended to preserve the memory of a person or
event. Our nation has many such memorials to preserve the memory of
persons, from presidents to the lowly foot soldier; and events, from
independence to war. Our nation’s memorials are in the form of statues,
buildings, days, cemeteries, and walls. Memorials are meant to be
reminders for our children and our children’s children.
God also created memorials to preserve the memory of events, not for the people
who lived through the event, but for their children - Josh 4:6-7.
God’s memorials are in the form of rainbows, marks in the flesh, heaps of
stones, feasts, days, and sacrifices. His memorials preserve the memory
of: creation, independence, deliverance, and providence.
There are fewer memorials on this side of the cross. Man has created some
(ie. Christmas), but those established by the New Testament are few. Let
us consider five:
1. The Lord’s Supper commemorates Jesus’ death; do in remembrance of me - 1Cor 11:23-26.
2. Baptism commemorates Jesus’ burial and resurrection; in the likeness of his death and resurrection - Rom 6:3-6, 1Pet 3:21.
3. Foot Washing commemorates the servant’s attitude; wash one another’s feet … I have given you an example - John 13:14-15, Lu 22:26.
4. His Church preserves worship; lively stones are built up a spiritual house - 1Pet 2:5-9, Eph 2:20-22.
5. His Word is a testament to the salvation which awaits and is accomplished; that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you - 1John 1:1-4.
Although few in number, the memorials above are powerful reminders Jesus
delivered us, is delivering us, and will deliver us. We might just give a
broader defintion to the term Memorial Day
Mercy in Trials
(an unpublished article)
My family and I were recently discussing the tribulations of the
prophet Jonah. We tried to imagine having seaweed wrapped around our heads
and sloshing around in digestive juices for three days. I really
dramatized Jonah’s situation and then read, Jonah was vomited on dry land
- Jonah 2:10.
My youngest son said, "I know I am suppose to look for good in all things,
but I do not see how Jonah’s trial could have been any worse." My
son was recalling a lesson I recently taught on being thankful in all things,
what Polly Anna called the glad game. In an innocent manner, he was
questioning that teaching.
For a moment I wondered how Jonah’s case could have been any worse. I
thought he could have been in the fish’s belly for four days but desired
something with a little more punch, for I was dealing with a middle school
student. Then it came to me, the Lord could have sent Jonah out the back
door. If Hannah and David could go there (1Sam 2:8, Ps 113:7) why can’t
I? My son busted a gut. My wife busted my knee.
I may be exaggerating my wife’s reaction, but I am not exaggerating the
Lord’s mercy, even in judgment. I pray we can speak as David, …all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will
command His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be
with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life - Ps 42:7-8.
Bear the trial, glory in infirmity, and faint not is the advice given in 1Co
10:13, 2Co 12:8-9, Heb 12:5-8. Relative to tribulation, the Lord knows
what we need, when we need it, and how much we need. Jonah did not trust,
but after 72 hours was found saying, "Salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah
2:9), which is where we all need to be. Salvation is of the Lord.
Amen.
Families
We gain entrance into earthly families in one of three manners. We can be
born into a family, we can be adopted into a family, or we can marry into a
family. We enter into our earthly families by one, and only one of the
above means.
We can not be born into a family and marry into the same family, there are laws
against that. And parents do not adopt children which have been born unto
them. So, we enter our earthly families by one, and only one of three
means: birth, adoption, or marriage.
Gaining entrance into the family of God is a different matter. The means
are the same (birth, adoption, and marriage); however, entrance into the family
of God is accomplished with all three means. Let us view our entrance into
God’s family via the persons of the Trinity - 1John 5:7.
The Holy Spirit borns us into God’s family. Regeneration makes us
children of God. Creation does not make us children of God. Our
natural father is Adam. Spiritual birth administered by the Holy Ghost
brings us into the family of God (John 3:5-8, Titus 3:5).
The Father adopts us into His family. He adopts us, unto Himself and into
His family. We are full heirs awaiting the inheritance reserved in heaven
for us. We receive a full portion of inheritance being adopted into His
family (Eph 1:5, 1Pet 1:4).
Jesus Christ betroths us into God’s family. Jesus Christ is the
bridegroom. We, the church, the elect family of God, are the bride.
For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.
(Eph 5:23-32, Rev 19:7)
Our appreciation for earthly family is but a glimpse of the joy we shall realize
in our heavenly family. The persons of the godhead have given us entrance
with all three manners; birth, adoption, and marriage. Praise God for His
family.
Snowflakes
and Fingerprints
(printed February 4, 2005)
What do snowflakes and fingerprints have in common? They say no two are
exactly alike. Why did Paul teach the church is one body, yet composed of
many different members (1Cor 12:14)? Paul was saying no two members are
exactly alike. Why did Peter refer to us as lively stones (1Pet 2:5) and
not as lively bricks? Peter was implying no two saints are exactly alike.
This concept of uniqueness and individuality is not popular with all.
Those who lord over God’s heritage attempt to chisel saints into uniform
bricks. The legalists among us attempt to conform each saint into the
brick they have defined. And the self righteous among us attempt to
conform each saint into the brick they have become.
Romans 12:4-8 describes the church as one body, yet each member exercising a
different gift. 1stCorinthians 12:4-11 describes the church as one body,
yet each member administering a different operation. 1stCorinthians
12:14-31 describes the church as one body, yet each member performing a
different function. God meant for the members of a church to have
diversity and differentiation.
Consider the following parallel: God gave specific instruction in the
building of His Old Testament alter. He said, build His alter with whole
stones. No chiseling allowed. He then said His word would be written
on each stone - Josh 8:30-32. The same truth, written on
stones with different shapes.
God gave specific instruction in the building of His New Testament church
- Eph 2:19-22. He also wrote his Word on the heart of each member
- Rom 2:15. The same truth, written on the hearts of saints with
different gifts. So what do snowflakes, fingerprints, and saints have in
common? No two are exactly alike.
The
Greatest Teacher
Educators are constantly searching for better teaching methods. The Field
of Education is second only to Medicine in terms of resources dedicated to
improving technique. Their research has proven: 1) learning
increases when students are encouraged to perform some amount of investigation,
2) connections are made when students are given the opportunity to discuss and
handle solutions, 3) retention is improved when repetition and review occur, and
4) purpose is given when students reflect upon their lessons.
Conclusions drawn by researchers do not surprise me at all. As a matter of
fact, educators could have saved themselves a lot of time and tax payers a lot
of dollars simply by observing the techniques of the Master Teacher. Jesus
Christ employed the above methods millenniums before research studies confirmed
their effectiveness. Note Jesus’ methods in the lesson of the loaves:
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Jesus
gathered His students to talk. Jesus spent as much time teaching at
kitchen tables as He did in a pulpit - Mark 6:30-31.
(dialogue) |
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Jesus
tests His students. Jesus asks a question He knows the answer to and
has His students seek a solution - John 6:5-9.
(investigation) |
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Jesus
has His students distribute and gather His solution - John
6:10-13. (handling the solution) |
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Jesus
teaches the lesson a second time when His students forget - Mark
6:51-52, 8:4-8. (reiteration) |
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Jesus reviews both lessons with students at a later date - Mark 8:19-21. (reflection) |
Dialogue, hands on investigation, reiteration, and reflection may be trendy words in the field of education, but there is nothing modern in them. These techniques were the tried and true methods of the Greatest Teacher. Both the gospel and the techniques used to teach the gospel are recorded for our benefit. Praise His genius!
Strengthening
Prayer
(printed February 18, 2005)
Ever feel like your prayers are not getting past the ceiling of the room you are
in, or they are not as effective as you would like them to be? I sure
have!
David often pleaded, "Hear my prayer" - Ps 54:2, 55:1,
61:1, 64:1, 65:2. Lord, hear me is always my desire. If this is your
desire, consider prayer is trengthened when we pray:
Faithfully: earnestly believing God can do it,as the Centurion prayed for
his servant - Matt 8:5-13, Matt 21:22, Jam 1:6.
Obediently: following God and His Word, as the blind man allowed himself
to be led out of town - Mark 8:22-26, Ps 66:18, 1John 3:22.
Persistently: do not be easily discouraged, as the four who tore open the
roof for their companion - Mark 2:1-5, 12, Rom 12:12, 1Thes 5:17.
Fervently: with a little extra intensity, as Jesus instructed the apostles
in praying for the possessed man - Mark 9:17-29, Jer 29:13, Jam
5:16.
Submissively: according to the will of God, as Jesus prayed before He was
crucified - Luke 22:41-43, Mark 6:10, 1John 5:14.
Boldly: adamantly (but not brash), as the mother prayed after initially
being turned down - Mark 7:24-30, Heb 4:16, 2King 2:9-10.
In the Holy Spirit: or through the Holy Spirit, as Paul instructed the
Roman saints to pray - Rom 8:26-27, Eph 6:18, Jude 20.
With others: coveting the prayers of others, as Paul solicited always
- 2Cor 1:7-11, Rom 15:30, Php 1:19, 1Thes 5:25, Heb 13:18.
Granted, this list is long and the scripture references are many. But this
is one list worth working through, for the Lord promises blessings immeasurable
to those who pray thus.
The
Fifth Commandment
(for February 25, 2005)
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to "people watch" while in the
lobby of a local middle school. Early for an appointment I watched several
parents sign in late arriving children. So startled was I by the
interaction between parents and their children I reread Eph 6:1. For a
moment, I thought I had it backwards. My eyes were seeing parents obeying
children. Thankfully, my suspicion was incorrect. The verse
indeed read: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
I also read a repeat of the 5th Commandment in the next verse: Honor thy father
and mother - Eph 6:2. Honor takes the parent-child relationship to a
much higher level. Obedience speaks of behavior. Honor speaks of
attitude and behavior. Honor is not obedience with rolling eyes, cursing
under one’s breathe, or with sarcasm - Prov 30:17, Prov 20:20,
Deut 27:16. Honor incorporates speaking well of, rising up for, and
respecting parents with obedience assumed.
Yes, this article is directed toward teenage children. Jesus viewed
honoring parents very seriously - Matt 15:4. However, this
article is also directed to the parents of teenage children. If you roll
your eyes at, mock, or disrespect your children’s grandparents then take heed
to yourself. Remember, often times our children are nothing more than
mirror images of our own behavior. What goes around, comes around.
Parents, this might be a wake up call for some of you. What is passed off
as appropriate parent-child interaction on your television set is a lie.
Children can obey parents. Children should obey, for God commands it
- Ex 20:12. The problem is, actions speak louder than words.
Honor your children’s grandparents. Respect them, rise for them, thank
them, show them appreciation, and brag on them. Read and model the 5th
Commandment for your children. The Lord promises blessings to those will
honor and oppression to those will not - Eph 6:2-3, Is 3:5. As for
me and my house, we will serve the Lord - Josh 24:15. And we
serve the Lord when we honor father and mother. Amen.
Throughly Furnished
(printed March 4, 2005)
The Apostle Paul wrote three pastoral epistles, two to Timothy and one to
Titus. Paul charged his sons in the ministry (in reality all ministers) to
commit themselves to the Word of God. The pastoral epistles charge
ministers to obey, study, and preach from the Word of God, and only from the
Word of God.
Paul was very specific in his charge. The pastoral epistles contain five
exhortations to turn from vain janglings, profane babblings, and foolish
questions - 1Tim 1:6, 6:20, 2Tim 2:16, 2:23, Titus 3:9. The
pastoral epistles also contain five exhortations to hold fast the form of the
sound words - 1Tim 1:3, 1:18, 2Tim 1:13-14, 3:14, Titus 1:9-10.
Paul charges ministers to turn away from the fruitless thoughts of men and
become ever committed to the assured Word of God.
Paul is emphatic. He warns against preaching from anything other than the
Bible and foretells of those who would seek other sources: For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables -
2Tim 4:3-4.
Surely man’s words occasionally contain the Word of God. Maybe so, but
why eat around bones when the real deal is available? All scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be
perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works - 2Tim 3:16-17.
The best words of the best men do not hold a candle to the Word of God.
Why waste your time with anything but the best? Praise His sure Word,
study His faithful Word, and seek the Word manifest!
The Faithful Theys
(printed March 11, 2005)
Our church hymnal contains a song entitled "I Need the Prayers." The third verse begins: I want my friends to pray for me, to hold me up on wings of faith. The faith we sing of in this verse is not our faith, but the faith of our friends. Oh, how I have come to enjoy reading the many theys in scripture. Consider several presented below:
Mark 1:30-31 - They tell Him of her ... Peter’s mother in-law did not petition Jesus. Faithful friends petitioned Jesus on her behalf.
Mark 2:3-5 - They come unto Him bringing one sick … they could not come nigh … they uncovered the roof … they had broken it up … they let down the bed … Jesus saw their faith ... The sick man was passive in petitioning Jesus, although his friends were extremely active.
Mark 6:56 - They laid the sick in the streets … The sick folk mentioned in this passage could not place themselves before Jesus. Faithful friends helped the sick petition Jesus.
Mark 7:32 - They bring unto Him one that was deaf ... The deaf man did not find Jesus. Faithful friends brought the deaf man to Jesus.
Mark 8:22 - They bring a blind man unto Him … The blind man could not present himself to Jesus. Faithful friends helped the blind man seek Jesus.
Mark 9:20 - They brought him unto Him ... The possessed man did not seek Jesus. Faithful brethren petitioned Jesus on behalf of the young man.
I trust this article’s emphasis of the pronoun "they" has encouraged
the reader in three areas. I trust you will become more diligent in prayer
for others. I trust you will be less inhibited to ask others to pray on
your behalf. I also trust you will be more covetous of Christian
fellowship, surrounding yourself with saints willing to go to the Lord on your
behalf. I do enjoy when hymn #111 is called out and we sing, "I need
the prayers of those I love …."
It Happened on a Wednesday
(printed March 18, 2005)
Certain Pharisees asked Jesus if He would show them a sign. Jesus
responded, there shall be no sign given, but the sign of the prophet Jonah:
for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall
the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth -
Matt 12:39-40.
My friends, no matter how you cut it, three days and three nights will not fit
between 6pm Friday evening and 6am Sunday morning. Was Jesus speaking
truth, figuratively, or is something wrong with the Roman tradition we call Good
Friday? Let us prove all things - 1Th 5:21, 1Jo 4:1. The
following scenario has Jesus in the ground a full 72 hours (three days and three
nights).
Wednesday:
Jesus was crucified, died 3pm, and buried near 6pm.
Thursday: a High Sabbath. John
19:31 speaks of getting Jesus off the cross before the "high" Sabbath.
Leviticus 23 speaks of several High Sabbaths observed on days other than
Saturday.
Friday: a working day. Mark
16:1 speaks of the women buying spices after a Sabbath. Luke 23:56 speaks
of the women preparing spices before a Sabbath. To make this chronology
work, the week must have had more than one Sabbath.
Saturday: the weekly Sabbath day.
Jesus rose from the tomb near 6pm, 72 hours later. Reason with me.
If Jesus, in his resurrected state, could enter a room through a closed door,
could not Jesus have left the tomb through a sealed stone - John
20:19.
Sunday: early in the morning the
stone was rolled away. Matt 28:2-6 speaks of a stone rolled away, not to
let Jesus out, but to let the eye witnesses in. Jesus was already gone.
The angel said, Jesus is risen, come see.
If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain
- 1Cor 15:14. Jesus arose, but He arose after three days and three
nights as He promised. May we worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Persistence in Prayer
(printed March 25, 2005)
If I were to go to a Christian dictionary and look up the definition of prayer
warrior, I suspect I would find a picture of Epaphras. Scripture describes
Epaphras as a servant always laboring fervently in prayer for you -
Col 4:12. Boy, wouldn’t we all like to surround ourselves with a half
dozen Epaphrases?
Epaphras is one of several prayer warriors mentioned in the Bible. Allow
me to introduce you to a few of the Bible’s unsung heroes, saints persistently
petitioning the Lord on the behalf of others.
A group of individuals carry their sick
friend to Jesus Mark 2:3-5. They did not let an obstacle like a
packed house stop them. They tore off part of the roof to petition Jesus.
They persisted.
Jairus petitioned Jesus to heal his young
daughter - Mark 5:22-36. Jairus did not let Jesus’ delay in
healing another or his servant’s bad report stop him. He persisted.
A Greek woman petitioned Jesus to deliver
her daughter from a devil - Mark 7:26-29. She did not let
Jesus’ initial denial stop her. She persisted, in total humility.
A man petitioned Jesus to deliver his son
from a devil - Mark 9:17-29. The man did not let the
disciples’ failure stop him. He persisted, admittedly in weakness.
The individuals mentioned above persisted in their petitions to the Lord despite
obstacles, delays, bad reports, denials, and man’s failures. What I find
amazing is that these saints persisted not in petitions made for themselves, but
they persisted in the petitions they made on behalf of others. Boy,
wouldn’t you like to surround yourself with a couple dozen saints like these?
You can! It is called your local church.
All Articles Written by Elder Dolph Painter, Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
This site created by Steve McCannon. This page last updated 07/18/2008