Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

Madison County, Georgia

A Bad Heart
(April 2, 2006)

At the time Rev 2:1-7 was written, the Ephesian Church preached a pure doctrine, worshiped in squeaky clean orthodoxy, and bore many fruits of the Spirit; nevertheless, the Lord was about to pull on the plug on this church.  What threatened them?  The answer:  a bad heart, the church left something very important love, they left their first love  -  Matt 22:36-40.

The Lord looks at the heart.  Consider the following men:  King Asa obeyed much, but did not remove the high places.  Yet, Asa’s heart was perfect in the eyes of the Lord, and the Lord blessed him for it  -  1King 15:11-14.  King Jehoshaphat obeyed much, but married strange women.  Yet, Jehoshaphat’s heart was tender toward the Lord, and the Lord blessed Jehoshaphat for it  -  2Chr 18:1, 19:2-3.  King Solomon obeyed much, but offered in high places and married a strange woman.  However, Solomon loved the Lord, and the Lord blessed him for it  -  1King 3:1-10.  When Solomon’s strange women turned his heart, the Lord’s blessings ceased and judgment came  -  1King 11:3.

Does God bless sinners?  Well, yes and no.  Yes, for none of us would ever receive a blessing in that we all have some degree of sin.  And no, for breaking the least of the commandments is the same as breaking all of the commandments.  But God does look at the heart.  That is why God blessed Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Solomon; their hearts were seeking perfection even though their walks were not perfect.  And that is why God exhorted the Ephesian Church; their walk was second to none but their heart was faulty.

The concept of a good heart drives legalists mad,  but this is exactly what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus said, anger without a cause is murder, desire equals adultery, and perfection does not come from commandment keeping but from loving one’s enemy  -  Matt 5:19-22, 27-28, 43-48.  May the Lord help enlarge our hearts  -  Ps 119:32.

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Representatives
(April 9, 2006)

God blessed Israel with a great victory over Jericho  -  Josh 6.  But let us consider the impact this victory had on two families:

>  Family #1:  the parents and siblings of Rahab were represented by a harlot and a pagan.  Rahab’s fear of God secured deliverance for her family.  Notice Rahab’s family was passive in the faith which kept them from being destroyed  -  Josh 2.
>  Family #2:  the children of Achan were represented by a soldier and a Jew.  Achan’s disobedience resulted in judgment for his family.  Notice Achan’s family was passive in the disobedience which condemned them  -  Josh 7.

My rationalizing nature cries out, "NOT FAIR" for Achan’s children did nothing wrong, yet were burned for dad’s disobedience.  But my rationalizing nature does not cry out for Rahab’s family which did nothing right, yet were protected for sister’s obedience.


Let us consider two other families:

>  Family #1:  the family of God who were represented by Jesus Christ.  Jesus secured deliverance for God’s children .  Notice His family was passive in the obedience which delivered them  -  Heb 1:3, 10:10
>  Family #2:  the descendants of Adam who were represented by the first man.  Adam’s disobedience resulted in judgment for his descendants.  Notice his family was passive in the trespass that condemned them  -  Rom 5:12, 17-21.

My rationalizing nature cries out for Adam’s children who did nothing wrong, yet ought to be burned for their father’s disobedience.  But my rationalizing nature does not cry out for God’s family who did nothing right, yet were protected by Jesus’ obedience.

I can’t praise God for Rahab’s representative deliverance and fault God for Achan’s representative condemnation.  I can’t thank God for Christ’s representative deliverance and question God for Adam’s representative condemnation.  I simply thank God for Jesus, my perfect representative.

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Patience in the 1st Degree
(April 16, 2006)

The Bible uses the word patience in 3 manners, or 3 increasing levels of difficulty.  Patience’s first level of difficulty comes with waiting, the second level comes in doing, and the third level comes with persecution.  Today’s comments will focus on the first level of difficulty, that of waiting with calmness and composure for a particular event to occur. 

Calmly waiting is the level of patience most commonly employed by our culture.  Many readers may think, the first level of difficulty is suppose to be the least difficult.  True, we Americans do not wait patiently for our fast food.  I suspect advertising agencies, easy credit, and our instant gratification mindset has fueled this tendency.

King Saul is an example of a man who could not wait.  Samuel asked Saul to tarry until his return, at which time Samuel promised to sacrifice.  Saul made offering without Samuel.  Confronted, Saul’s response was full of me’s, myself’s, and impatience.  Saul’s impatience costs him dearly  -  1Sam 13:8-13.

Abraham is an example of a man who waited patiently on God.  God promised to bless Abraham, Abraham’s seed, and give Abraham’s seed much land  -  Gen 12:1-4.  Abraham waited 15 years, in his old age.  Abraham’s faithfulness got him inducted into the Hall of Faith  -  Heb 11:8.

Patience requires faith in a God who keeps His promises.  We lack faith and become impatient when we intervene as Saul did.  We are impatient when we marry something less than a God fearing spouse  -  Pr 18:22, 2Co 6:14, or surrender rebellious children to cultural norms  -  Pr 22:6, Eph 6:1-4.  Calmly waiting comes with a confident expectation in a God who is faithful to provide  -  Heb 6:12.  Let us not forget, God is a provider both of the big and the little things. 

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Patience in the 2nd Degree
(unpublished from the newsletter) - April 16, 2006

The Bible uses the word patience in 3 manners, or 3 increasing levels of difficulty.  Patience’s first level of difficulty comes with waiting, the second level comes in doing, and the third level comes with persecution.  Today’s comments will focus on the second level of difficulty, that of continuing to perform a work without evidence of success.

Steady and persistent effort is the level of patience most commonly employed in the Bible.  Patiently doing applies to ministers (2Cor 6:4), to churches (1Thes 1:3), to aged men (Titus 2:2), to prayers (Eph 6:18), and to works (Heb 10:36).  Persistence is a quality not often seen in today’s class room, practice field, work place …

Rebekah is an example of a woman who did not persevere in a work.  Rebekah was a fine wife until she believed God’s promise in jeopardy.  She deceived her husband to help God keep His promise and her disobedience cost her  -  Gen 25:23, 27:8.  Rebekah never saw Jacob again.

Noah is an example of a man who persevered in a work.  Noah gathered materials and built an ark for nearly 100 years.  He continued without a hint of a flood  -  Gen 6:14-22.  Noah’s patient obedience got him inducted into the Hall of Faith  -  Heb 11:7.

Israel is an example of a nation which persevered in a work.  Israel circled Jericho 13 times without a hint of a crack.  They quietly obeyed.  -  Josh 6:6-20.  Their patience was in doing.

Patience requires faith in a God who keeps His promises.  We lack faith and become impatient when we cease doing God’s will  -  Gal 6:9; when we stop loving our neighbor or loving our wife as Christ loved the church for lack of evidence.  Patience is placing more confidence in God than in self will  -  1Tim 5:22.

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Patience in the 3rd Degree
(unpublished from the newsletter) - April 16, 2006

The Bible uses the word patience in 3 manners, or 3 increasing levels of difficulty.  Patience’s first level of difficulty comes with waiting, the second level comes in doing, and the third level comes with persecution.  Today’s comments will focus on the third level of difficulty, that of continuing to obey God despite opposition and persecution.

The third and most difficult level of patience separates the men from the boys.  The most difficult level of patience is remaining faithful during trials; persecution which attack body, soul (mind/psyche), or spirit.

King Asa is an example of a man who did not persevere under fire.  Asa waited on the Lord when the Ethiopians threatened, but not when King Baashaa threatened  -  2Chr 14:12, 16:1-3.  Rather than relying on God, Asa made an unholy alliance with Syria, and God judged him for it  -  2Chr 16:7-9.

Paul is an example of a man who persevered through trials.  Paul ministered despite imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, a stoning, hunger, perils of countrymen and heathen  -  2Cor 11:24-30.  Paul said his infirmities caused him to:  glory, be glad, take pleasure, and be made stronger  -  2Cor 12:9-11.  Paul patiently ministered despite opposition and persecution.

The Church at Smyrna is an example of a body of believers who persevered through trials  -  Rev 2:8-11.  The saints at Smyrna were threatened by the Jews, by local Pagans, and by their Roman conquerors.  This body remained faithful despite opposition and persecution.

Patience requires faith in a God who keeps His promises.  We lack faith and become impatient when we let opposition or persecution interrupt our walks.  The promise of Christ’s return ought to encourage us to patiently wait  -  1Thes 1:10.  The promise of Christ’s second coming ought to encourage us to patiently work   -  2Thes 3:5.  The promise of Christ’s final gathering ought to encourage to patiently endure   -  1Thes 2:18-19, Jam 5:7-8.

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1,000 per Person
(April 21, 2006)

The nation Israel had been wandering in the wilderness for some time.  Tired of bread and water they asked for meat.  Their request was answered, but not well received.  Here are their words, And they tempted God in the heart by asking meat for their lust.  Yea, they spake against God; they said, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?"  -  Ps 78:17-18.

     Israel had been blessed with manna from heaven and water from a rock, yet they contemptuously asked, if God could furnish a table in the wilderness?  -  Num 11:9, Ps 78:20.  The table the Lord furnished is described in Num 11:31-32.  Boy, did He furnish! 

God sent a wind and brought quail.  Not just a few quail, but God stacked the quail two cubits high (three feet high).  The breadth and width of the stack is described as a day’s journey in every direction.  Assuming a day’s journey to be 12 miles, that would be:

*  452 square miles of quail three feet high,
*  32 thousand acres of quail three feet high,
*  84 million cubic feet of quail,
*  530 million pounds of quail,
*  1.2 billion quail, or about
*  1,000 quail per Israelite.

Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?  Boy, can He furnish!  Jesus also showed Himself quite capable of furnishing a table in the wilderness  -  Mark 6:35-42. 

Let us not forget our God who has, does, and will furnish our tables.  In the days of famine, God shall satisfy  -  Ps 37:19.  In the days of trial, God shall sustain  -  Ps 55:22.  In the days of want, God shall provide  -  Ps 105:40-41.  Having food and raiment, let us be content  -  1Tim 6:8. 

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Foul Waiters
(April 28, 2006)

God sent Elijah a trial early in his ministry.  Elijah’s trial was to be waited on.  The reader may think if being waited on is a trial - bring it on! 

Well, Elijah’s waiters weren’t your run-of-the-mill waiters.  His waiters were black and feathered.  God commanded ravens to feed Elijah.  Elijah did not get to pick his entrées, nor his portions.  He was completely dependant upon birds for his day by day substance  -  1King 17:1-6.

When I think of ravens, I think of scavengers who eat what others have left behind.  Yuck!  I think of squabblers who fight over scraps and bullies who run off smaller birds.  Nevertheless, ravens are what the Lord chose to sustain Elijah.

Picture Elijah sitting by a brook.  The entire region suffering from food depravation, yet twice a day ravens show up with bread and meat.  Imagine the bird’s punctuality despite not having a clock.  Imagine the bird’s manners despite their nature.  Imagine Elijah’s conversation.  Did he ask what tenderizer the chef used?  How did the birds know he liked his meat medium rare?  Did he thank his waiters or did he ask for seconds?  I think it fair to say, Elijah was not in control.

If Elijah had any pride or self-reliance before this experience, they were gone afterwards.  This trial was designed to teach Elijah, God would sustain him on a daily basis.  Jesus taught the same lesson in the Sermon on the Mount.  He said, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:  for you heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Take therefore no thought for the morrow:  for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself  -  Matt 6:31-34.  This lesson made Elijah a better minister.  I pray this lesson will make us better saints.

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God’s God Forbids
(May 5, 2006)

Completing a study on unconditional salvation, I thought it wise to address its most common objections.  Here are the five objections I have heard most often:

1.  It’s not fair,
2.  If true then I can live like the devil,
3.  Can so many people be so wrong,
4.  Failure to distinguish between earthly & eternal, and
5.  It opposes today’s cultural relativism (no absolutes).

As I considered the first item on my list of objections I thought, "Hey, God saw this one coming."  The Lord predicted the "not fair" objection.  He posed the question, answered it with a God forbid, and explained His reasoning  -  Rom 9:11-16.  I thought, refuting the first objection was easy.

When I considered the second objection the same thought came to mind, "God saw this one coming too."  God predicted the "live like the devil" argument.  He posed the question, answered it with a God forbid, and explained His reasoning  -  Rom 6:15-18. 

As my finger slid down to the third objection on my list I wondered, "Did He anticipate this one also?"  And sure enough, the Lord provided a God forbid to address the "majority" objection  -  Rom 3:3-4.  A smile broke out on my face and I thought, "Wow!" 

I grabbed my concordance and read all the "God forbids" in the Book of Romans.  The 4th objection, rightly dividing earthly & eternal matters, was indeed addressed with a "God forbid"  -  Rom 11:9-11, 28; as was the 5th objection, no absolutes via cultural relativism addressed with a "God forbid"  -   Rom 7:11-13.

This study has caused me to reflect on how well God knows man and man’s nature.  Two thousand years ago He predicted our objections, our fallacious reasoning, and our cultural tendencies.  He knew our nature so well, He spoke and responded to our objections before we were a twinkle in our great, great, great …. grandparent’s eye.  My conclusion to the matter:  God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ  -  Gal 6:14. 

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The Good Witness
(May 12, 2006)

We’ve given several apostles their own personalized title because of a trait or a specific behavior.  For instance, "Impetuous Peter" received his title for the habit of speaking before thinking.  "Doubting Thomas" received his title for the occasion he questioned Jesus’ resurrection.  James and John were referred to as "The Sons of Thunder" evidently from their father’s reputation.  Today, let us consider a disciple with a fairly low profile, the Apostle Andrew.

The label which comes to mind at the mention of Andrew’s name is "Peter’s Brother."  True, Andrew was Peter’s biological brother, but Andrew had more honorable qualities.  Andrew consistently shared the good news of Jesus Christ with those around him.  He shared the good news with family, with friends, and with the out of favor.  Consider the following:
>  After hearing John the Baptist’s witness and seeing Jesus, scripture says Andrew’s first action was to find Peter, share the good news, and carry Peter to Jesus  -  John 1:35-42.  Andrew was sharing.
>  While Jesus proved Philip, scripture says Andrew took notice of a lad and brought the lad to Jesus  -  John 6:5-9.  Andrew was observant.
>  Several Greeks asked Philip if they could see Jesus.  Philip told Andrew, and Andrew carried the Greeks to Jesus  -  John 12:20-22.  Andrew was unbiased.
>  After a preaching engagement, Jesus and several apostles were invited into Andrew and Peter’s home.  Scripture says, they told Jesus of Peter’s sick mother in-law.  The plural pronoun "they" and Andrew and Peter’s joint ownership of the house causes me to speculate that somehow Andrew was involved  -  Mark 1:29-31.  Andrew was compassionate.

A good witness is unbiased, observant, sharing, and compassionate; and it appears Andrew was all of these.  Let us replace Andrew’s old title of "Peter’s Brother" with "The Good Witness."  Are you a good witness?  How many of these qualities do you possess?

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The Hebrew Epistle
(May 19, 2006)

Hebrew Christians were the addressees of the Hebrew Epistle, not Hebrew Jews.  The following led me to this conclusion:

1.  readers are addressed as holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling  -  Heb 3:1.  Only one group fits this description - born again, children of God.
2.  readers are admonished for lack of growth  -  Heb 5:12-6:1.  Life precedes growth, and life as a student precedes life as a teacher.
3.  readers are commended for faith exercised during affliction  -  Heb 10:32.  Illumination brought about conversion, and conversion brought about affliction.

So, the Hebrew Epistle was written to born again, faith exercising, baptized believers; however, the epistle admonishes this group of Christians. 

Some of these saints returned to paths God said were no longer profitable.  Evidently, an earthly tabernacle, sacrifices made by high priests, and Moses’ law remained attractive to these saints.  The Hebrew epistle confronted O.T. ways head on.  The epistle stated there was an O.T.:

*  rest, but N.T. rest is superior;
*  tabernacle, but our heavenly tabernacle is so much more accessible;
*  earthly sacrifices, but Jesus’ sacrifice was so much more effective;
*  covenant, but the N.T. covenant is better; and
*  priesthood, but our heavenly priest is higher.

So, the Hebrew Epistle was not written to convert Hebrew Jews to Christianity, it was written to convert Hebrew Christians from backsliding.

Tradition and grandpa’s ways are good, but not when they contradict Christ.  The old paths are good, but not when they lead away from Christ.  May we follow only those paths which lead to Christ.

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Three Therefore’s
(May 26, 2006)

The word therefore appears in Rom 12:1, Eph 4:1, and Heb 10:19 to switch the reader’s attention from theology to practice.  Please consider:

I beseech you therefore …  present your bodies a living sacrifice  -  Rom 12:1.  The Book of Romans is an important theological book; with total depravity in chapter 3, substitutive atonement in chapter 5, predestination in chapter 8, election in chapter 9, and so on.  But the therefore in 12:1 says, "OK, enough intellectualizing, time to put theology into practice."  The rest of the Roman Book teaches earthly duty.

Therefore … walk worthy of the vocation  -  Eph 4:1.  The Book of Ephesians is also an important theological book; with God’s sovereignty in chapter 1, spiritual birth in chapter 2, Christ dwelling in us in chapter 3.  But the therefore in 4:1 says, "Now show salvation in your walk."  The rest of the Ephesian Book  teaches earthly duty.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest  -  Heb 10:19.  The Book of Hebrews is a tremendous book proclaiming the superiority of Jesus in chapters 1-5 and the superiority of N.T. worship in chapters 7-10.  But the therefore in 10:19 says, "OK, put His superiority into practice.  The rest of the Hebrew Book teaches earthly duty.

How does one go about thanking the Lord for eternal salvation and knowledge of that salvation?  We do by keeping His commandments  -  1John 5:2.  Maybe that’s why the Spirit moved Paul to write about earthy duty as much as he wrote about eternal matters.  Maybe that’s why the Spirit moved James to write, faith without works is no faith at all  -  James 2:14-26.  There are no maybe’s about it.  God’s Word teaches us earthly duty  because He would have us to walk in a new and living way  -  Heb 10:20.  May the Lord help our theology appear our shoe leather.

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Defining Predestinate
(June 2, 2006)

Words can change meaning over time, but subtle changes in meaning can significantly alter doctrine.  To illustrate, consider the word remission.  If a person thanked God for the remission of cancer, what comes to mind?  Dormancy.  If  a person thanked God for the remission of sin, what comes to mind?  Removal.  Do you see how a definition affect the interpretation of a verse such as Acts 2:38?  The definition of the word predestinate has undergone a similar change.

The word predestinate, in its various tenses, appears four times in the KJV. Each time the word is used, it describes a person whose destination is fixed in glory.  Let us survey its usages:

1.  Rom 8:29  -  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
2.  Rom 8:30  -  whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
3.  Eph 1:5  -  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
4.  Eph 1:11  -  In whom we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.

Notice the object of predestination is always a person: whom, whom, us, and we.  Also notice each person’s destination is glory:  being conformed to Jesus’ image leads to glory, our final adoption occurs in glory, and our inheritance will be received in glory  -  1Co 15:20-23, Rom 8:23, 1Pe 1:3-9.

We serve a sovereign God, who has

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Defining Foreknow
(June 9, 2006)

Foreknow is a compound word:  1) fore means prior; and 2) know is used in two manners:

a)  head knowledge: 
       Matt 12:15  -  But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew himself .... Jesus left having head knowledge of the Pharisees’ intentions.
       Matt 12:25  -  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said .... having a head knowledge of the Pharisees’ thoughts, Jesus answered accordingly.
b)  an intimate relationship with:
       Matt 1:25 - And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son .... This is between husband and wife.
       Matt 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ... Jesus had head knowledge but not love for these people.
       John 10:14 - I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep .... Jesus had head knowledge of the goats but loved only the sheep.

God has prior head knowledge of both sheep and goats, but only sheep are "foreknown."  Context and reasoning cause me to interpret the verses below as such:

1.  Rom 8:29 - For whom He did foreknow (fore love), He also predestinated (fixed to glory) …  -  He had prior head knowledge of every man, not prior love.
2.  Rom 11:2 - God hath not cast away His people (Israel) which He foreknew (fore loved)  -  He had prior head knowledge of every nation, not prior love.
3.  1Pet 1:2 - Elect according to the foreknowledge (fore love) of God the Father  -  He had prior head knowledge of every man, prior love only to the elect.
4.  Act 2:23  -  being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge (fore head knowledge) of God …  -  this is head knowledge for the object of the foreknowledge is an action and not a person.

Scripture uses foreknow in two distinct manners: to describe prior love of people and prior head knowledge of events.  Why distinguish?  Causality can be assumed in fore love; however, causality cannot automatically be assumed in fore head knowledge.  Let us handle the word honestly

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Causes of Despair
(June 16, 2006)

The best of men are prone to despair.  Despair occurred when:  Moses forgot past deliverances, when Jeremiah lost hope, and when Elijah isolated self   -  Num 11:10-15, Lam 3:1-18, 1King 19:4-8.  Despair is a state of hopelessness.

Despair manifests itself in a variety of manners.  Its symptoms include:  anxiety, bitterness, distancing self from God, distancing self from others, lack of concentration, lack of energy, lost appetite, heart ache, and health problems.  Scripture identifies seven causes of despair.  Notice, the origin of each is internal:

1.  Covetousness  -  1Tim 6:5-10;  lust for pleasure, prestige, riches, or things.  Ahab is an example  -  1King 21:1-4.
2.  Envy  -  Prov 14:30;  bitterness, frustration, anger over other’s success.  Saul felt this over David  -  1Sam 20:27-24.
3.  Fear  -  Prov 29:25;  fear of people, events, failure,  responsibility.  Barak is an example  -  Judge 4:6-8.
4.  Guilt  -  Ps 38:4-10;  excessive grief over sin - past, present, or future.  Peter experienced this  -  Luke 22:62.
5.  Hope deferred  -  Prov 13:12;  unfulfilled desire for a spouse, a child, a promotion …  Sara and Hannah are two such examples  -  1Sam 1:7-13.
6.  Over extending oneself  -  Ex 18:13-18;  not saying no, thinking self indispensable, micromanaging as  Jethro warned Moses.
7.  Pride  -  Prov 16:18;  deriving worth from what others think.  This was Hezekiah’s downfall  -  2King 20:12-13, 2Chron 32:31

Despair is a dangerous state of mind as it often leads to giving up and/or backsliding  -  Jer 18:12.  May the Lord help us identify despair in self (and possibly others) for identification is the first step to recovery.  Lord willing, next week we will present biblical cures for despair.

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Cures for Despair
(June 23, 2006)

Despite popular belief despair is an internal issue, not an matter of external factors.  David is an example of a man whose world imploded on him, yet never lost sight of God’s past deliverances  -  Psalm 3.  Paul is another man who was pressed beyond measure externally, but never lost sight of God’s presence  -  2Cor 4:8-9, 11:23-33.

Once we recognize that despair is not overcome by controlling the world around us, we can begin the remedy.  Cure begins by adjusting our attitudes.  Scripture prescribes seven cures for despair:

1.  Faith in Jesus  -  John 14:1-3;  faith fills us with joy, peace, and hope;  three important medicines in fighting despair  -  Rom 15:13.
2.  Time in God’s Word  -  Ps 119:165;  great peace comes to those who love God’s word;  the word keeps us fresh and from fainting  -  Ps 119: 81, 97.
3.  Care for mind and body  -  rest, nutrition, and enjoyment help  -  Ps 46:20, 104:15, Prov 17:22
4.  Foster relationships  -  Ecc 4:8-12;  fitly joined, compacted, effectual working, maketh increase of the body describes functioning brethren  -  Eph 4:16.
5.  Give thanks  -  Ps 103:2;  praise and giving thanksgiving reduces heaviness and increases joy  -  Is 61:3, Ps 42:4.
6.  Wear Jesus’ yoke, not the world’s  - Mtt 11:28-30;  if it’s grievous, it’s not God’s  -  1John 5:3;  if it’s more than we can bear, it’s not God’s  -  2Cor 8:12.
7.  Let go of what we do not control  -  Ecc 11:6;  Trust in God, not money, man, or those things we think we control  -  Ps 146:3-5.

Despair is a dangerous state of mind as it often leads to giving up and/or backsliding  -  Jer 18:12.  May the Lord keep our attention focused on Him and not the world around us, for that and that alone will cure despair. 

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The Evidence of Things Not Seen
(June 30, 2006)

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  The 11th chapter of Hebrews lists several O.T. saints who believed in things unseen.  Let’s consider a few:

>  Abel exercised faith when he obeyed God  -  v. 4.  Not having seen a sacrifice, Abel offered up a prize lamb  -  not the runt, not one with a gimpy leg, but his choicest.  Abel obeyed.
>  Noah exercised faith when he feared God  -  v. 7.  Not having seen a worldwide flood, Noah spent 100 years preparing for it.  Noah feared.
>  Abraham exercised faith when he trusted God  -  v. 8.  Not having seen the land of his inheritance, Abraham left family and walked an unknown path.  Abraham trusted.
>  Moses’ parents exercised faith when they honored God above Pharaoh  -  v. 23.  Not having seen the river’s end, Moses’ parents saved their child.  Moses’ parents honored.
>  Moses exercised faith when he loved neighbor above self  -  v. 24.  Not seeing or knowing his fate, Moses saved a slave at the expense of fame and fortune.  Moses loved.
>  Israel exercised faith when they complied with God’s instructions  -  v. 30.  Not having seen the first crack in the wall,  Israel quietly circled Jericho thirteen times.  Israel patiently complied.

Sometimes faith in the unseen requires defiance.  For instance, Sara’s faith defied the laws of biology (v. 11), Abraham’s faith defied the laws of human emotion (v. 17), Israel’s faith defied the laws of physical science (v. 29), Gideon’s faith defied military strategy, Samson’s faith defied armament technology, and David’s faith defied the advice of family and king (v. 32).

Jesus spoke of Hebrews 11 faith when He said,  "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:  blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed"  -  John 20:29.  Is yours a "Thomas" type faith, or a "Hebrews 11" type faith?  May God help us to grow in faith.

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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