Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
Madison County, Georgia
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Articles in this archive |
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| Sing Not Play July 7, 2006 | Initial & add On Gifts July 14, 2006 |
| Replacing Spiritual Leaders July 21, 2006 | A Christian's Ships - July 28, 2006 |
| Preaching Specifically August 4, 2006 | A Bit Part but a Great Role August 11, 2006 |
| Forsaking & Re-Forsaking August 18, 2006 | No Patten was his Pattern August 25, 2006 |
| Scoured Absalom - September 1, 2006 | Any Regrets September 8, 2006 |
| Would they Pick You? September 15, 2006 | The Lesser Offering September 22, 2006 |
| The Scientific Method September 29, 2006 | |
Sing,
not Play
(July 7, 2006)
The following definitions were taken from the Oxford English Dictionary:
1) sing - to utter words with musical inflections; 2) song - vocal music;
3) play - to perform instrumental music; and 4) tune - succession of
musical notes produced by an instrument or voice. Using these definitions
consider the scripture below:
Col 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Can a piano teach?
Can an organ admonish? Does a guitar have grace or a heart? No, but
a singing saint does.
Eph 5:19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Can a flute
articulate a psalm or a hymn? Can a drum utter a spiritual song?
Does a cymbal have a heart or utter to the Lord? No, but a singing saint
can.
1Cor 14:15 - I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with
understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with
understanding also. Does a musical instrument have or give understanding?
No, but a singing saint does and can.
Heb 2:12 - Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the
midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Can a musical instrument
declare the Lord’s name? Can an instrument offer praise? No, but a
singing saint can.
Primitive Baptists worship without musical instruments. Here are a few
non-PB’s who advocated acappella worship. Aquinas (a Catholic) believed
it, Luther (a Lutheran) practiced it, Calvin (a Reformist) employed it, Wesley
(a Methodist) insisted on it, Spurgeon (a Baptist) demanded it, Girardeau (a
Presbyterian) defended it, McGarvey (a Cambelite) taught it, and the Greek
church continues to do it. How and why did so many leave acappella
worship?
Initial
& Add-on Gifts
(July 14, 2006)
The Bible often couples spiritual gifts with a command to: grow, increase,
add to … Let us consider a few gifts so as to understand how
this happens:
If any lack wisdom, ask God - Jam 1:5. A fool will not ask for
wisdom - Rom 3:11. It takes wisdom to ask for wisdom.
Whence does initial wisdom come? How does add-on wisdom come? God
gives both, but initial is given to passive man and add-on is given to active
man. Solomon is an example of a man who had wisdom, yet asked for more
wisdom - 1Ki 3:5, 11-12.
If any desire the Holy Spirit, ask God - Luke 11:13. A
depraved man will not ask for the Spirit - 1Cor 2:14. It takes
a portion of the Spirit to ask for the Spirit. Whence does initial Spirit
come? How does add-on Spirit come? God gives both, but initial is
given to passive man and add-on is given to active man. Elisha is an
example of a man who had the Spirit, yet asked for more of the Spirit -
2Ki 2:1-15.
Increase my faith - Luke 17:3-5. A man without faith can not
ask for faith - Rom 8:7-8. It takes a certain amount of faith
to ask for faith. Whence does initial faith come? How does add-on
faith come? God gives both, but initial is given to passive man and add-on
is given to active man. The lunatic’s father is an example of a man who
had faith, yet asked for more faith - Mark 9:20-29.
Those with love, increase - Php 1:9. A man without love will
not ask for a greater capacity to love - Eph 2:1-3. It takes
love to want to love more. Whence does initial love come? How does
add-on love come? God gives both, but initial is given to passive man and
add-on is given to active man. The Thessalonian Church is an example of a
group who had love, yet sought to love more - 1Th 4:9-10.
Wisdom, faith, love, and ministries of the Holy Spirit are multifaceted.
May we thank God for initial gifts, and seek the add-on.
Replacing
Spiritual Leaders
(July 21, 2006)
The Book of Ezekiel was written after Jerusalem fell into Babylonian hands.
Its 34th chapter tells the primary cause of that fall. Verses 1 through 10
describe poor leadership.
Israeli kings (& Judah) forgot they were called to feed the people, but
rather fed off the people. The kings did not search for the lost, bind the
broken, or mend the sick. They were not attentive to the people.
Instead, the kings scattered, oppressed, and devoured. God, having had
enough of these men, shifted their duties to the priesthood.
Six hundred years later, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and found an inattentive
priesthood. Jewish priests forgot they were God’s servants. The
priests were not feeding the people, but feeding off the people -
Matt 23:14. The priesthood was not searching for the lost, binding
the broken, or mending the sick - Matt 23:25-34. God, having
had enough of these men, transferred their duties to pastors.
Let us fast forward 2000 more years and consider today’s spiritual leaders.
1) God created the office of pastor to oversee the local church.
Given the above, what do you think God will do to pastors who become inattentive
to their flocks? who feed off their flocks, instead of feeding them?
He just might shift the pastor’s duties to another: to committees, to
deacons, or to spiritual women. God may allow this to happen not out of
design, but in judgment. 2) God created the office of father to
oversee the family. What do you suspect God will do to fathers who become
inattentive to their families? I speculate the family’s oversight may
shift to another: to mothers, or to children - Is 3:12.
God may allow this to happen not out of design, but in judgment.
When those God places in leadership roles drop the ball, He passes their duties
to others; not out of design, but in judgment. May God, forgive us
and help us to repent of neglecting our leadership responsibilities.
A
Christian’s Ships
(July 28, 2006)
According to Acts 11:26, the definition of a Christian is two-fold. Yes, a
Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ, but a Christian
is also a person who assembles with other believers. Most are familiar
with the first half of this definition, but the second half of the definition
isn’t nearly as prolific.
Understanding the following qualities (six ships) will help a child of God
better comprehend his or her role as a Christian:
1) Worship [to honor or revere, adore with extreme devotion] - our
state of reverence toward God ought to be proclaimed collectively and
individually, with our mouths and with our feet, as Israel did in Neh 8:5-6, 16.
2) Sonship [the position, state, or relation of a son] -
think of the brotherhood that would exist when we truly realize (and act
like) we each have been given the same name, receive correction alike, and await
the same inheritance - Heb 12:5-8, 1Jn 3:1-2.
3) Fellowship [participation, companionship, company with one
another] - we should be as a team of oarsmen operating in unison -
Neh 8:1, Act 1:14.
4) Leadership [the position of directing by going in front] - not
to be confused by a manager who is over or a coach who is behind, but as Gaius
in 3Jn 1-6. Paul followed Christ, we are to follow Paul, but let us not
forget our children, a babe in Christ, or the silent neighbor who follows us.
5) Stewardship [an official who controls the domestic affairs of a
household] - we ought to act as if the talents entrusted us are ours, all the
while remembering they are God’s. Joseph was a faithful steward under
Potiphar, the prison warden, and Pharaoh - Gen 39:4-6, 21-23, 41:40.
6) Discipleship [one who attends upon another for the purpose of
learning] - we ought to be ever learning, yet expecting to teach -
Heb 5:12, as Peter needed teaching before he taught - Act 10:5-17.
May God help us become better Christians as we consider these principles.
Preaching
Specifically
(August 4, 2006)
A brother in the ministry whom I have a lot of respect shares the following
advice with younger ministers. He says, "Don’t tell someone to do
something unless you’ve told them how to do it." The advice is
sound. I wouldn’t ask my son to plow a field or repair a leaky roof
without ever having shown him how to do so; however, I dread to think how many
times I’ve done exactly that by speaking in generalities from the pulpit about
Bible principles.
Recorded in scripture is a description of Ezra’s preaching during a revival
meeting. Neh 8:8 says Ezra, "gave the sense, and caused them to
understand the reading." How did Ezra do this?
We may not have the entirety of Ezra’s sermon, but we have a sample of
Jesus’ systematic approach in the Sermon on Mount. Consider how Jesus
taught: 1) In Matt 5:20, Jesus preached commandment keeping (or true
righteousness). He taught the essence of this truth using five separate
laws: 5:21 - thou shall not kill; 5:27 - adultery; 5:33 -
oaths; 5:38 - revenge; 5:43 - love. Notice, the
explanation of each law was followed with a real life application. Jesus
was specific. His teaching was up close and personal. 2) In
Matt 5:46, Jesus preached against seeking the praise of men. He taught the
essence of this truth using three examples: 6:1 - alms; 6:5 -
prayer; 6:16 - fasts. The explanation of each example was followed
by suggestions so as better understand. Notice, Jesus’ discussion on
prayer went as far as to provide a sample prayer. Jesus was specific.
Jesus’ preaching was real.
Jesus Christ is not the only preacher recorded in scripture who taught
systematically. Paul’s teaching was very direct, and Paul told his sons
in the ministry to preach in the same manner. So when your preacher gets
specific, don’t jump to the conclusion he is in attack mode. Assume he
is following a Bible-based pattern.
A
Bit Part, but a Great Role
August 11, 2006
Scripture says there was no prophet greater than John the Baptist, yet his
ministry lasted only six months - Mark 1:14. What was it about
John’s ministry that put him second to none? Elijah, Elisha, Samuel,
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, nor could any O.T. prophet claim superiority to John
- Luke 7:28.
John’s role was like the man who introduces our president at a State of the
Union address. The Senate’s Sergeant of Arms enters a full cabinet,
gains the Speaker of the House’s attention, and shouts, "Mr. Speaker, the
President of the United States." The President enters, all rise, and
the Sergeant of Arms slips silently away. John the Baptist’s role is
much the same: John announced the arrival of Jesus Christ, Jesus entered
His public ministry, and John slipped silently away.
In many ways, John was like a rooster. The Jewish day had 12 hours of
darkness followed by 12 hours of light. The O.T. was a period of shadows
followed by the N.T., a period of great light - 1Cor 12:13, Matt
4:16. A rooster announces the coming of day, the arrival of the sun.
John the Baptist announced the coming of light, the arrival of the morning star,
the day star - John 1:8, Rev 22:16, 2Pe 1:19.
Consider how quickly John the Baptist began directing his converts to Jesus
- John 1:35-37. No doubt John baptized hundreds, maybe thousands;
yet, John backed out of the picture as Jesus began His public ministry.
That is exactly why John the Baptist was called great. For the verse which
calls John great also says, "he that is least in the kingdom of God is
greater than he" - Luke 7:28.
Doing the work of a servant is the lesson Jesus taught the disciples after their
first communion service - Luke 22:26. It is the lesson taught
by Christ’s foot washing example - John 13:4-17. In terms of
longevity, John the Baptist was given a bit part. In terms of importance,
John played a great role. May we play the role of a servant with John’s
greatness.
Forsaking
& Re-forsaking
August 18, 2006
Jesus called Andrew, Peter, James, and John at the beginning of His ministry.
At the time of their calling, Andrew & Peter were fishing, and James
& John were mending nets. Jesus said, "I will make you fishers of
men" and commanded the four to follow Him. Scripture says the four
forsook their nets and followed Jesus - Mark 1:16-20.
A short time later we find these four men fishing again. It appears the
four had not altogether forsaken their nets. True, the men accompanied
Jesus on a preaching trip and during that trip they witnessed some remarkable
things: the casting out of an unclean spirit and the healing of Peter’s
mother in-law - Luke 4:33-39. But, the four returned to their
fishing. They toiled unsuccessfully all night, then Jesus gave them so
many fish their ships sank. Again Jesus said, "I will make you
fishers of men." Scripture says the four re-forsook their nets and
followed Jesus - Luke 5:1-11.
About 3½ years later we find three of the four back at sea. It appears
Peter, James, and John had not completely rid themselves of their nets.
They toiled unsuccessfully all night, then Jesus gave them so many fish their
nets broke. Jesus gave them more fish than they could handle.
Jesus’ response was much like God’s in the wilderness, "You want quail?
I’ll give you quail!" "You want fish? I’ll give you
fish!" - John 21:1-19.
As the fish were brought in, John elbowed Peter and said, "I’m getting
that deja vous feeling." How many times have we forsaken
something we know the Lord would have us leave off, only to find ourselves being
reminded by a sermon or a passage of scripture, "Hey, I’ve given that up
once before." Let us consider two realities of Peter’s experience:
1) the Lord loved Peter enough to rebuke and recharge him, and 2) the Lord was
serious enough to brake Peter’s nets. May we forsake and re-forsake our
nets to do the Lord’s service.
No
Pattern was His Pattern
August 25, 2006
Jesus Christ taught in a variety of manners. He taught using diverse
methods and means. Consider:
* Sometimes Jesus taught in temples, and other times on hillsides -
Matt 4:23, 5:1.
* Sometimes Jesus taught in houses, and other times from a boat -
Mark 2:1-2, Luke 5:3.
* Sometimes Jesus taught while standing, and other times He sat.
* Sometimes Jesus spoke to great crowds, and other times He spoke to a few
- Mark 6:2, 8:27.
* Sometimes Jesus taught via formal discourses, and other times He allowed
dialogue.
In terms of method, no pattern was Jesus’ pattern. BUT, effectiveness
was always Jesus’ pattern.
Jesus Christ healed in a variety of manners. He healed using diverse
methods and means. Consider:
* Sometimes Jesus healed by speaking, and sometimes He touched.
* Sometimes Jesus used spittle, and sometimes He mixed dirt with spittle
- John 9:6.
* Sometimes Jesus healed in one phase, and sometimes in two phases -
Mark 8:22-26.
* Sometimes the sick asked on behalf of themselves, and sometimes another
did the asking - Mark 5:23.
* Sometimes the sick were present, and sometimes the sick were absent
- Matt 8:5-13.
In terms of method, no pattern was Jesus’ pattern. BUT, compassion was
always Jesus’ pattern.
So, let us consider our rigidity. Sure, Jesus did everything decently and
in order, as should we; however, we must ask ourselves: Has effectiveness
or method become our pattern? Is it more Christ-like to be compassion or
method driven? In matters of method, is it more Christ-like to be
effective or traditional, to be compassionate or conventional? Written by
one whose parents and children are in the church, by one who is both a parent
and a child.
Scoured
Absalom
September 1, 2006
The following guarantees to be a recipe for disaster, and serves all
generations.
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
Ingredients:
1 pretty boy
2Sam 14:25
(make
sure pretty boy has pedigree)
2Sam 3:3
5 half brothers
2Sam 3:1-5
1 non-disciplinarian father
1King 1:5-6
1 cup of unpunished sins
2Sam 13:14, 28-29
2 teaspoons of pomp
2Sam 15:1
1½ tablespoons of attitude
2Sam 14:30
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
Directions:
1) Place one 200 pound pretty boy with five half brothers in a skillet.
2) Add a non-disciplinarian of a father, and let boil for twenty years or
so.
3) Stir in a blue blood upbringing, an insatiable desire for pomp, and a
cup of unpunished sins.
4) Place in a pot, cover up, and let simmer for another couple of years.
5) Place ingredients in a lidded jar. Glaze on attitude and let
stand for another decade or two.
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
The account of Absalom can be found in chapters 13 through 18 of the Book of 2nd
Samuel. David’s untamed, unrepentant son reeked havoc on a nation, a
family, and a congregation. Could Scoured Absalom (2Sam 18:14) have been
avoided? I’m not sure, but I know parents who do not call down their
children, who do not enforce the consequences of inappropriate behavior, who do
not get repentance are following a recipe for disaster. And a nation which
does not correct its children, does not discipline inappropriate behavior, and
seeks not repentance also follows a recipe for disaster. Some things never
change, including the indigestion brought about by undisciplined children.
Any
Regrets?
(September 8, 2006)
Whether a man be rich or poor, wise or foolish; the last words of a man are
usually noteworthy. Let us compare and contrast the last words of King
David and the Apostle Paul.
David’s last words are recorded in 2Sam 23:1-5.
* Verse one is David’s resume: raised up on high, anointed of God,
and the sweet psalmist of Israel.
* The next verse and a half describe the source of David’s words:
the Spirit spake by David, God’s word was in him, and the Rock of Israel
speaketh.
* The next verse and a half tells what David should have been: just,
ruling in the fear of God, as light and tender.
* But verse five starts and ends with an although: although my house
be not so with God, and although He make it not to grow. David says he
blew it with his family and it cost him earthly blessings.
Paul’s last words are recorded in 2Tim 4:6-8.
* Paul’s resume was just as impressive as David’s: called of
God, privileged education, honor student, excellent practitioner -
Gal 1:1, Act 22:3, Php 3:5.
* Paul’s words were also inspired: received as the word of God not
as from men, given by the inspiration of God - 1Thes 2:13, 2Tim
3:16-17.
* Paul tells us what he should have been: nurse, father, teacher,
ensample - 1Thes 2:7, 11; 2Tim 1:11; Act 20:20.
* Verses six and seven say Paul had no regrets: he was ready to be
offered, he had fought a good fight, and he kept the faith. Paul was more
than ready to leave - Php 1:23-24.
A simple question: If (today) you were on your death bed, would your last
words resemble David’s or Paul’s? Would you have any regrets?
time not spent with children? not been baptized? …..
Eliminate those regrets. Start today!
Would
They Pick You?
(September 15, 2006)
I never cease to be amazed at the tenacity of the saints who carried their sick
brother to see Jesus - Mark 2:1-5. Consider the specifics of
that encounter: A man with palsy is unable to walk. Four friends
grab a corner of the man’s cot and transport him to Jesus. The five
arrive to a packed house, inside and out. The four lift their friend to
the housetop, peel back the roofing, and lower their friend to Jesus.
Don’t each of us yearn for friends like that?
Let me ask the reader a hypothetical question: suppose you had palsy and
wanted to see Jesus. Thinking of your family, friends, and church members
- which four would you pick to man your cot? Let me give you some
advice:
> Don’t pick a fatalist! The last thing you need is for
one of your bearers to look at the press and say, "The Lord must not have
wanted you to see Jesus today." Get someone with more perseverance
than that.
> Don’t pick a traditionalist! You don’t need one of
your bearers to look at the housetop and say, "We better not, I’ve never
seen it done that way before." Get someone with more fortitude than
that.
> Don’t pick a sentimentalist! You don’t need one of
your bearers to grab a hold of the person peeling back the tile and say,
"Stop, my grandfather laid that tile." Get someone with more of
the right kind of compassion than that.
> Don’t pick a conformist! You don’t need one of your
bearers to be intimidated by an angry remark, "Hey, you’re getting dust
on me." or "Not fair, I was here first." Get someone with
more resolve than that.
Please consider another hypothetical question: suppose a friend or a
member of your church had palsy and wanted to see Jesus. Would they pick
you to man their cot?
The
Lesser Offering
(September 22, 2006)
Most theologians distinguish between the two apostles named James with a
reference to each’s father, James the son of Zebedee vs. James the son of
Alphaeus.
A few theologians differentiate with a manmade title, James the greater vs.
James the lesser.
Let us differentiate two offerings: The offering of Jesus’ life (which
bought and paid for our eternal salvation) and the offering of the disciples’
lives (which recorded and spread the knowledge of our eternal salvation).
Granted, there is no comparing the offering made by the Son of God with the
offering made by sinful men. With that said, let us consider the
apostle’s lesser offerings:
1. Simon Peter was crucified upside down in Rome,
2. James (John’s bro.) was killed with a sword in Israel,
3. John served much of his last days on a prison island,
4. Andrew was crucified in Greece,
5. Bartholomew was whipped to death in Turkey,
6. Philip was crucified in Asia Minor,
7. Matthew was killed with a halberd in Ethiopia,
8. Thomas was speared in India,
9. James (Alphaeus’ son) was clubbed to death in Israel,
10. Thaddaeus was killed with an arrow in Persia,
11. Simon (Canaanite) was crucified in Britian,
12. Mark was dragged through the streets of Alexandria,
13. Luke was hanged in Greece,
14. Matthias was stoned in Jerusalem,
15. Paul was beheaded in Rome,
16. Barnabas was stoned in Salonica,
17. John the Baptist was beheaded in Cesarea, and
18. Stephen was stoned in Israel.
The good news of our eternal salvation came with a price. The down payment
is listed above. Opposition has varied in the means and the location, but
the disciples remained obedient - Matt 10:28, Mark 16:15. Many
more payments have been made over the years. May we appreciate our eternal
salvation, the knowledge of our eternal salvation, and the prices paid for each.
The
Scientific Method
(September 29, 2006)
The Scientific Method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena and
acquiring new knowledge, as well as for correcting and integrating previous
knowledge. It is based on observable, empirical, measurable evidence, and
subject to laws of reasoning. All this evidence is collectively called
scientific evidence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Scientific process:
step 1) conceive a theory,
step 2) deduce effects of the theory,
step 3) perform experiments (or observations)
step 4) analyze the data
step 5) if results confirm theory, return to step 2;
if results falsify theory, return to step 1.
The scientific method is a casualty of evolutionary school. Hypotheses
with conflicting evidence are not rejected, the unproven is used to substantiate
hypotheses, and circular reasoning is common place. The scientific method
was created by its founders to rid science of bias.
Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) revolutionized science proposing a new way of
conducting scientific experimentation. His method: purge the mind of
prejudices, systematically collect facts, and admit when initial conclusions are
wrong. Bacon bound himself to the process, but never to his position.
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) sought the principle of material things, not by
prejudices of the senses, but by the light of reason. He emphasized the
overcoming of prejudices: can not derive meaning of particulars from
particulars themselves, rather meaning must come from discerning material
things.
We would do well to apply the scientific method in studying the Bible.
Bacon and Descartes’ thoughts on eliminating prejudice could well be applied
to our Confessions of Faith. Theology which contradicts a single text or
Bible character’s experience ought to be abandoned. Theology without
scriptural support ought not be the basis of further creeds. May we handle
the Word of God honestly - 2Cor 4:2, 2Pet 1:20.
All Articles Written by Elder Dolph Painter, Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
This site created by Steve McCannon. This page last updated 07/18/2008