Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

Madison County, Georgia

Stilettos
(January 6, 2005)

Who in their right mind invented a shoe with a four inch heel?  Maybe it was a:

*  Doctor  -  Maybe a doctor said a four inch heel provides the best arch support and reduces bunion occurrence.  NOT!  My mother-in-law has had two foot surgeries in the past five years, all in the name of shoe fashion.

*  Chiropractor  -  Maybe a chiropractor said a four inch heel provides the best back support and good posture.  NOT!  Placing the human body atop a four inch, pencil thin stick is not my idea of support.

*  OSHA representative  -  Maybe an agent from OSHA said a four inch heel is the safest footwear for preventing foot and ankle injury.  NOT!  I have seen many a stiletto catch on a seam in a carpet, turn on a crack in a sidewalk, or give way stepping out of an automobile.

*  Law Enforcement Official  -  Maybe a police officer said a four inch heel facilitates evasive action during the occurrence of a crime.  NOT!  Kick ’em off and run.

*  God fearing Fashion Designer  -  Maybe a God fearing fashion designer (an oxymoron you say?) created the stiletto with the modest apparel of 1Tim 2:9-10 and the holy woman of 1Per 3:3-5 in mind.  NOT!  The four inch heel was designed to alter calves, thigh, buttocks, and accentuate swiveling hips during movement, all that Isaiah 3:16 speaks against.

Shoes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to modest apparel.  Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to the world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God  -  Rom 12:1-2.  May all of our walks glorify our Lord and Savior.

Top

According to Whom?
(January 13, 2005)

The first chapter of Ephesians attributes eternal salvation entirely to God.  A few of this chapter’s "theological" phrases crediting God for our eternal salvation include:  who hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world (v. 4), the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself (v. 5), we have redemption through His blood (v. 7), we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated (v. 11). 

However, let us consider a non-theological word that carries as much power as the "theological" phrases just cited.  Let us consider the word according, an everyday word that appears in this chapter six times. 

The word according is a word linking two items.  According is used to show correspondence, cause and effect relationship, or compliance.  Consider: first, the items being linked, and second, the amount of man’s input in each of the following links:

       1)  Our spiritual blessings are according to His choosing before the foundation of the world (v. 3-4);

       2)  Our predestination and adoption is according to the good pleasure of His will (v. 5);

       3)  Our redemption and our forgiveness of sin is according to the riches of His grace (v. 7);

       4)  The making known of His will was according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself (v. 9);

       5)  Our inheritance was predestinated according to His purpose and will (v. 11); and

       6)  Our understanding, enlightenment, hope, and knowledge is according to the working of His mighty power (v. 18-19).

In each case, an incredible blessing is linked to an act of God.  Also notice, not once did man’s input factor into any of these links.  Man’s acts have links, but to nothing profitable  -  Eph 2:2.  Let us thank the Lord for an eternal salvation which is by Him, through Him, and according to Him.

Top

God’s Shalls are Sure
(January 20, 2005)

God sent a prophet to King Jeroboam in 1King 13:2-3.  The prophet said God shall do the following:  King Josiah shall be born to the house of David, Josiah shall destroy the blasphemous priests, and the alter shall be cast down.  And sure enough, all three events occurred (2King 22:1, 23:20, 1King 13:5).

God sent an angel to Zacharias in Luke 1:13-17.  The angel said God shall do the following:  John the Baptist shall be born of Elizabeth, John shall be great and filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, John shall turn many Jews to the Lord, and John shall go before Jesus in the spirit and power of Elijah.  And sure enough, all these events occurred.

God sent an angel to Mary in Luke 1:31-35.  The angel said God shall do the following:  Jesus Christ shall be born of Mary, Jesus shall be great, He shall be called the Son of the Highest, He shall sit on the throne of David, He shall reign forever, His kingdom shall be without end.  And sure enough, all these events occurred.

Jesus spoke to His disciples in Mark 10:33-34.  Jesus said the following shall be done:  the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, they shall condemn Him to death, they shall deliver Him to the Gentiles, they shall mock Him, they shall spit upon Him, and they shall scourge and kill Him, but Jesus shall rise again.  And sure enough, all these events occurred.

I have yet to find a single in all of the Bible which God declared and did not perform.  With that in mind, let us consider the time God sent an angel to Joseph in Matt 1:21.  The angel said God shall do the following:  Mary shall bring forth a son, the son shall be called Jesus, and Jesus shall save His people from their sins.  And sure enough, all these events occurred.

Is it not presumptuous for man to place conditions on God’s shalls or presume God needs man’s help to keep His shalls?  God said Jesus shall save His people from their sins, and I believe Him. 

Top

Don’t Forget to Remind
(January 27, 2005)

Peter desired to stir up the saint’s memories.  In others words, Peter re-preached a sermon or two  -  2Pet 3:1-2.
*  As a math teacher, I spent about a quarter of my instructional time presenting new information.  The remaining three quarters of instructional time was spent reviewing or helping students implement previously presented material.
*  As a parent, I spend about a tenth of my time presenting new instruction to my children.  The remaining nine tenths of instructional time is spent reviewing or applying previous presented information to new situations.
*  As a preacher, Jesus spent a considerable amount of His instructional time reminding the disciples of previous teaching.  He said, "Remember the loaves, remember Lot’s wife, and Do this in remembrance of me  -  Matt 16:9, Luke 17:32, 22:19.

Students:  Paul told the Corinthians Timothy was sent to remind  -  1Cor 4:17.  God sent an angel to remind the women of past teachings  -  Luke 24:6-8.  God also sent the Comforter to the disciples both to teach and remind them of past teachings  -  John 14:26.

Teachers:  Paul told Timothy, his son in the ministry, he would be a good minister if he put the brethren in remembrance of things they had previously been taught  -  1Tim 4:6.  Peter considered himself negligent when he did not remind the brethren of things that were established  -  2Pet 1:12.  Peter thought it proper and fit to put the brethren in remembrance always  -  2Pet 1:13-15.

So when your pastor preaches a subject you heard a year ago, don’t jump to the conclusion he had a bad week and dusted off an old sermon.  Maybe he is following the Lord’s leading.  Maybe he is bringing certain things to your remembrance.

Top

The Act of Baptism
(February 3, 2006)

The subject of a baptism ought to emerge with a new identity.  Baptism is an act performed by an administrator on a subject resulting in an identity change.  Consider the following:

The Apostle Paul likened Israel’s passing through the Red Sea to a baptism in 1Cor 10:1-5.  Consider the particulars of that event:  Baptism did not make Israel God’s chosen people, Israel was God’s chosen before the baptism.  Baptism resulted in Israel having a closer communion with God.  Before their baptism, Israel was mingled with Egyptian flesh and were known as slaves.  After baptism, Israel was purged from Egyptian flesh and were known as a congregation.

The Apostle Peter likened Noah’s passing through the flood to a baptism in 1Pet 3:20-21.  Consider the particulars of that event:  Baptism did not make Noah God’s chosen man, Noah was God’s chosen man before the baptism.  Baptism resulted in Noah’s having a closer communion with God.  Before the baptism, Noah was mingled with worldly flesh and known as a mocked messenger.  After baptism, Noah was purged from worldly flesh and known as a father to humanity.

Jesus Christ submitted to baptized in Matt 3:13-17.  Consider the particulars of that event:  Baptism did not make Jesus the Son of God,  Jesus was God’s son before baptism.  Baptism announced the close communion between the Father and the Son.  Before His baptism, Jesus was a carpenter and known as the son of Joseph and Mary.  After baptism, Jesus was a prophet and priest, and known as the Son of God.

The Ethiopian eunuch, Paul, and Cornelius (representing Noah’s three sons) submitted to baptism in Act 8:36-38, 9:17-20, & 10:47-48.  Consider the particulars of their baptisms:  Baptism did not make these men children of God, they were chosen vessels before their baptisms.  Baptism resulted in their having closer communions with God and fellow believers.  Before baptism, these men were known as pagans, aliens, or adversaries.  After baptism, these men were known as brothers in Christ.  With whom is your identity?

Top

Spoken Sins
(February 10, 2006)

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient  -  Rom 1:28.  A list of 23 sins follow this verse.  Hmmm, 23 sins of a reprobate mind.  Most of us would expect to find adultery and idolatry in such a list, but this list includes a fair amount of spoken sins.

We may consider drunkenness and murder 1st tier sins, whispering and backbiting 2nd tier sins, but the Lord does not.  He says those who commit either is worthy of death - Rom 1:32.  The Bible has much to say about spoken sins.  Those specifically named by scripture include:

Answer again          False accusers        Rail
Backbite        False witnesses        Revile
Boast        Foolish talk        Scorn
Clamor        Froward mouth        Slander
Complain        Gainsay        Swelling words
Debate        Malice              Tale bearing
Disputing        Murmur              Vain jangling
Evil surmising       Prate              Whisper

To find more about spoken offences, perform a word search on tongue, lips, mouth, spoken ...  Psalms and Proverbs are replete with exhortations on speech.

Our tendency is to discount spoken sins, but in reality spoken sins are very dangerous.  When was the last time a church split over whether on not to place a golden calf in the foyer?  Or the appropriateness of six packs in the church?  Now, consider how many church divisions were ignited or fueled by whispering and backbiting.  Considerable, huh?

We all commit spoken sins  -  Jam 3:8, 1Cor 10:10-12.  And spoken sins are not limited to oration, the written is included  -  2Pet 1:20-21.  E-mails whisper and backbite as well.  May God help us glorify our Lord and Savior in word and in e-mail.

Top

Lukewarmism
(February 17, 2006)

Two thousand years ago there existed a city called Laodecia.  Laodecia was a little town located in Asia Minor (Southern Turkey as the region is known today).  At the time, the town’s water came from a hot spring located six miles to the south, so the townspeople collected their water and transported it six miles home.  However, by the time the water reached their homes, it was not very useful.

You see, hot water was useful.  Hot water could be used to bathe or wash clothes.  And cold water was useful.  Cold water could be used to drink or refresh, but lukewarm water was viewed as good for nothing.  When was the last time a waitress asked if you wanted your tea:  hot, iced, or lukewarm?  Lukewarm?  Yuck!  Spew!

Jesus Christ knew the Laodecian’s disdain for lukewarm water and used this relatable subject to describe the church’s worship.  Jesus was telling the Laodecians their worship was good for nothing  -  Rev 3:15-16.  The Laodecian’s prosperity caused them to become lukewarm  -  Rev 3:17-19.  They had one foot in the church and the other in the world.

With the modern day conveniences of micro-waves and refrigerators we can not fully appreciate the Lord’s lukewarm analogy, but Revelations is not the first time such a rebuke was given: 
Joshua said, "choose you this day whom ye will serve"  -  Josh 24:14-24.  Joshua was telling Israel to get off the fence, no lukewarmism tolerated with him. 
Elijah asked, "How long halt ye between two opinions?"  -  1King 18:21.  Elijah was asking Israel to go one way or the other, but no lukewarmism. 
Jesus said "Ye cannot serve God and mammon"  -  Matt 6:24.  Jesus preached against lukewarmism.

Lukewarmism, compromise, religious pretense, they are one in the same.  How does one begin to fix it?  Start by considering Psalm 4:4.  It says:  get still, consider the Lord, and obey what you know.  May the Lord help us all to heat it up a bit  -  No, heat it up a lot is my prayer.

Top

Overcoming Trouble
(February 24, 2006)

The trials in our lives come in many shapes and sizes  -  a rebellious child, a poor economy, an illness, or the loss of a loved one.  Often times, the Lord places an individual in our path to help us overcome adversity.  The types of people the Lord sends are just as varied as our trials.  Consider a few of David’s troubles:

When Saul unjustly accused David of treason and sought David’s life, the Lord sent Jonathan to David.  Jonathan’s presence and promises helped David overcome distress -  1Sam 20:41-42;
When David mourned the death of his infant son, the Lord put Bathsheba on David’s heart.  David’s ministry to Bathsheba helped David overcome sorrow  -  2Sam 12:20-24;
When David mourned the death of Absolom (his rebellious son) the Lord sent Joab to David.  Joab’s reminding David of kingly responsibilities helped David overcome grief   -  2Sam 19:1-7.

However, comfort does not always appear in the form of another person.  Sometimes the mode of relief comes from within.  Consider a few more of David’s troubles:

*  When David was to face Goliath, David’s king and brother were none too comforting.  Yet, David found strength in past deliverances he brought to memory  -  1Sam 17:33-38;
*  When David’s family had been captured, David’s men spoke of stoning David.  David found relief when he sought counsel from the Lord  -  1Sam 30:6-8, Ps 119:49-50;
*  When David was asked to pick a punishment, David was troubled greatly.  David found relief by turning his decision entirely over to God  -  2Sam 24:14-17.

Ultimately, the Lord and His word will be our place of refuge  -  Rom 15:4, 2Cor 1:3.  Sure, the Lord sends people from time to time, but they ultimately point us to the Lord.  The Lord is our source of hope and without hope there is no comfort

Top

Exceeding Abundantly
(March 3, 2006)

Speaking on gaining understanding Paul described our Lord as follows, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think"  -  Eph 3:20.  Has the Lord ever granted a prayer request exceeding abundantly above what you thought to ask for?  Before answering, consider these:

*  Jesus healed Peter's mother in-law (Mark 1:30-31)  -   notice she was sick with a fever. When my fever breaks I need a little time to get my strength back, but not Peter's mother in-law. Her healing was complete, for she began work immediately.
*  Jesus stopped a storm (Mark 4:37-41)  -  notice a violent storm caused waves to beat against the ship. When a storm ceases, it takes a little time for the seas to calm. Not this time. So complete was Jesus’ calming the waves ceased, all momentum halted.
*  Jesus healed a deaf and dumb man (Mark 7:32-36)  -   when a deaf person gains hearing it takes a little time to learn how to speak, but this man spoke plainly. So complete was the healing, it included language.

I would like to think I would have been happy with my fever gone, a storm dissipating, or my hearing return - but Jesus did much more.

I've also noticed the Lord God would have us realize just how useless our efforts are. Consider: 
*  The man who had been often bound  - Mark 5:4. As if to say, "Ok, we've tried everything, let Jesus try."
*  The woman who went to many doctors - Mark 5:26. "Ok, we've tried everything, let Jesus try."
*  The disciples toiled until the 4th watch - Mark 6:48. Notice, Jesus would have passed them by.  Jesus wanted them to call out.  He wants us to call out.

How many times do we pray as if we were negotiating with God?  In reality, we bring nothing to the table and walk away with more than we asked for.  Some dealers we are, huh?  He answers exceeding abundantly!

Top

Growth
(March 12, 2006)

Peter was a growth oriented preacher.  He said,  As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow; he gave a laundry list of items to add to our faith, and he told us to remain steadfast so we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ  -  1Pet 2:2, 2Peter 1:5-7, 3:17-18.

Growth is good for it evidences health and vitality; however, growth can be scary as it ushers in transition and change.  But God’s Word plainly states growth is not an option.

>  God expects growth  -  in Heb 5:12-14 the saints ought to have been teaching but they were students, ought to have been maturing but they were babes, ought to have been eating meat but they drank milk.  God expected growth, yet found none here.
>  God commands growth  -  in Rev 3:15-16 the Laodecians were called lukewarm.  The status quo was not an option.  The Lord commanded growth and judgment awaited noncompliance.
>  God demands growth  -  the parable in Matt 25:14-30 teaches what happens to a trader who shows no gain.  A parallel is implied for the child of God who shows no growth.  The Lord demands growth.

Remember, we are talking about growth, not life.  Growth cannot occur without life.  We assume life is present before obedience reaps earthly blessings.  Sure, the Lord can reach down and pour out blessings despite ourselves, but to live a life which expects this type of blessing is tempting God.

Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase"  -  1Cor 3:6.  Hence, we must avoid two ditches.  The ditch of fatalism, the idea that planting and watering is irrelevant, the idea that God blesses as He sees fit regardless of our actions.  And the ditch of autonomy, forgetting God is sovereign.  May God help us believe in growth, pray for growth, strive for growth, and praise God for the growth we experience.

Top

Coveting
(March 19, 2006)

Coveting is the last of the Ten Commandments.  The tenth commandment is far different than the first nine in that coveting is a sin of the heart  -  Php 3:19.  In one way or another each of the first nine commandments manifest themselves in word or deed, but coveting is different.  Coveting can take place without a word spoken or an action taken  -  Rom 7:7.  Only the Lord knows when coveting has taken place.  Though I admit, coveting is a "leads to sin."

Typically, coveting proceeds as follows:  our eyes or ears catch hold of a thing, our mind processes the thing, then our heart dwells on the thing which is where desire germinates.  Desire left unchecked often leads to the breaking of a second commandment.  For example,
>  Eve saw the tree in the midst of the garden was good.  When Eve’s admiration turned to desire she sinned, for she coveted.  But unchecked desire led to the breaking of a 2nd commandment when she ate  -  Gen 3:6.
>  Achan saw the silver, gold, and goodly garments.  When Achan’s admiration turned to desire he sinned, for he coveted.  His unchecked desire led to the  breaking of a 2nd commandment, his taking and hiding the items -  Josh 7:21.
>  David saw a beautiful woman while taking an evening stroll.  When David’s admiration turned to desire he sinned, for he coveted.  His unchecked desire led to his breaking a 2nd commandment, his committing adultery  -  2Sam 11:2-4.

We as Christians often ignore coveting and focus on our "leads to sins," often times treating only the symptom.  As a parent I understand why we address the provable.  Judging the heart of a child is a hard matter, but we can judge ourselves.  Deep down I think we know when we ought to minimize stimulus to the eyes, fill our minds with spiritual things, and saturate our hearts with contentment  -  1Tim 6:6.  May the Lord help us cut off coveting before it conceives and festers.

Top

Depression
(March 26, 2006)

No doubt David was fighting depression when he wrote the 42nd Psalm.  Several times he asked, "Why art thou cast down my soul?" and "Why art thou disquieted within me?"  David also described himself with:  tears on his pillow, loss of appetite, a poured out soul, mourning, a feeling God had forsaken him, and achy bones.

David is not the only Bible character who experienced depression.  Cain was described as having a fallen countenance - Gen 4:5;  Jacob as refusing to be comforted - Gen 17:35;  Hannah with a grieved heart - 1Sam 1:8;  Elijah begging God to take his life - 1Ki 19:1-4;  Ahab with a heavy heart - 1Ki 21:4;  and I’ll going out on a limb to suggest depression was the thorn in Paul’s flesh - 2Cor 7-10.  If you are looking for a pick me up I wouldn’t suggest reading Ecclesiastes first 6 chapters, Solomon wrote with much gloom.

Don’t be depressed over the number of discouraged characters in the Bible, for the Bible has a cure.  Reason with me:  If God commands us to be joyful 
(Gal 4:5, Php 4:4, 1Thes 5:16, Heb 12:3);  then God must give us the ability to fight depression (Job 22:29, Ps 27:24, Is 51:11, Php 4:8).

Three kinds of faith will increase joy and fight depression.  Believe:
>  God makes and keeps all His promises.  Remember the Lord’s capabilities, His past deliverances, and His future promises  (Ps 114:15, Is 40:29, 41:10, 1Cor 10:13);
>  God cares for us in great and little ways.  The first six letters of providence are provide  (Matt 6:26, 29:19, Rom 8:32, 1Pet 5:7); and
>  God is eternal, remember eternity awaits us.  Don’t be surprised when earthly troubles occur (Luke 10:17-20, Rom 15:13, Job 5:7, 14:1).

With respect to overcoming discouragement, Joseph is my hero.  If their ever was a man who could have thrown in the towel it was Joseph.  But he said, God meant is for good  -  Gen 50:18-21.  My friends, that’s faith through trial, that’s overcoming.

Top

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