Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

Madison County, Georgia

Articles in this archive  (October - December 2007)

God's Word is the Old Path - October 4, 2007 God's Love - October 11, 2007
Go, When God Says Go - October 18, 2007 Obey, When God Says Obey - October 25, 2007
Increasing the Odds - November 1, 2007 Now & When - November 8, 2007
The Holy Ghost is a Person - November 15, 2007 Who Ought We Thank - November 22, 2007
The Wrong Spirit - November 29, 2007 Family Planning - December 6, 2007
The Root of All Evil - December 13, 2007 Things Money Can't Buy - December 13, 2007
Timing & Circumstances - December 27, 2007  
   


God’s Word is the Old Path
(October 4, 2007)

The tools Primitive Baptists use to interpret John 3:16 are sure, but what happens when we use these same tools to interpret all verses? Let’s see.
In order to reconcile John 3:16 with the rest of scripture, any Primitive Baptist worth his salt will:
  1. Survey the Bible to determine how the word “world” is used. Its definitions are many, but world never describes every human from Adam to the last human conceived before Christ’s return.
  2. Determine context to gain sense. We study the spiritual birth discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus. We consider Nicodemus’ questions and Jesus’ answers. Spirit birth, then belief - v. 3 & 5.
  3. Analyze the sentence by diagramming sentences, determining verb tenses... We conclude eternal life is not something achieved, but something in possession.
  4. Search for case studies (ie., the eunuch, the Apostle Paul, Cornelius, John the Baptist, Jeremiah, David), understanding these characters must reconcile with theology.
 
Let us employ the same techniques for Jer 6:16 and the often quoted phrase “the old paths”
  1. Survey the Bible to define the word “path.” The Bible speaks of good paths, righteous paths, upright paths, and lighted paths. Each good path directly or indirectly refers to obeying God’s word.
  2. Determine context: Back up to the beginning of the paragraph - v.10. The passage speaks of God’s word, Israel’s rebellion, God’s chastening, and the command to return to old paths, God’s word.
  3. Analyze the sentence: Old path is the second of four items, each refers to obeying God’s word.
  4. Search for case studies: Josiah is a great example. Josiah skipped over dad, grandpa, and went back 16 generations to David - 2Chr 33:21-34:2. Why 16 generations? Why David? David walked according to God’s word.
Brethren, we look like fools to other denominations and our children when we painstakingly interpret “eternal verses” and cruise on automatic pilot for other verses. May we be true to every verse of the Bible.

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God’s Love
(October 11, 2007)

Our love is to be manifest in actions, not merely feelings - 1John 5:3. Jesus’ love was manifest in an action, not in a feeling - Eph 5:25. God’s love was/is manifest in actions, not feelings.
bulletNow our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace - 2Thes 2:16.
bulletHerein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins - 1John 4:10.
 
Men and women fall in love. They marry because of the other’s qualities and abilities. God’s love exists despite of our qualities and abilities:
bulletBut God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us - Rom 5:8.
bulletBut God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved - Eph 2:4-5.

The love of husbands and wives to each other ebb and flow, but hopefully trend upward over time. Ought we expect anything different when sinful creatures unite? But God’s love does not ebb and flow:
bulletThe LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee - Jer 31:3.
bulletNor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord - Rom 8:39.
God’s love is unlike man’s love, although God’s love ought to be man’s benchmark. God’s love is unchanging, giving, sacrificial, despite our condition and because of our condition. A hymn we often sing begins, The love of God is greater still ..

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Go, When God says Go
(October 18, 2007)

Jesus spoke the following words to His disciples sometime between breaking bread at the Last Supper and praying in the Garden of Gethsemane:  Ye have not chose me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit … - John 15:16
God’s manner of filling an office differs from the manner churches fill pastoring offices today. The modern method proceeds somewhat as follows: A group of deacons or a pulpit committee invites several ministers to preach for their church. After hearing several preachers, the top candidates preach a few more times. Eventually, the members vote for a preacher. The church notifies the candidate with the most votes, the preacher accepts or rejects the call to that church, and we trust all parties water the effort with lots of prayer.

God operates much differently. God taps a man on the shoulder and tells him where and when to report. A few men have declined God’s invitation, but that never seemed to work out:
bulletMoses said, “I’m honored you have considered me for this position, but my abilities are so meager, you best choose another.” God said, “NOT, go” - Ex 4:10-14.
bulletGideon said, “This job appears to be more of a challenge than I am willing to take on at this point in my life. You best chose another” God said, “NOT, go” - Judge 6:12-16.
bulletJonah said, “No way Hose! I’m out of here.” God said, “NOT, go” - Jonah 1:1-4.
bulletPeter said, “Lord, this position is really a bad fit.” God said, “NOT, go” - Act 10:13-18.
bulletPaul said, “Ok, but could you turn on the lights?” God said, “Go” - Act 9:3-9.
God chooses His preachers, they don’t choose Him. By the way, His royal priesthood is called in a similar manner - 1Pet 2:5, 9; Eph 1:4-5. When God says go, we best go.

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Obey, When God says Obey
(October 25, 2007)
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And Gideon reasoned with a modern interpretation of events, If the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? - Judges 6:1, 13.
bulletWhen America did evil in the sight of the Lord: Al-Quida toppled its twin towers and the media said, “If there be a God, why then is all this befallen us?”
bulletWhen America removed the Bible and prayer from its schools: promiscuity and teenage pregnancy rates soared. And the social workers said, If there be a God, why then is this befallen us?
bulletWhen America banned God’s name and the posting of the 10 Commandments: crime rates rose and prisons filled to capacity. And the legislators said, If there be a God, why then is this befallen us?
bulletWhen America rejects contentment and the virtue of self discipline: violence and addiction increased. And the parents said, If there be a God, why then is this befallen us?
bulletWhen America ceased chastening its children: authority was mocked. And the educators said, If there be a God, why then is this befallen us?
bulletWhen America legalized all manner of lewd and crude communications: foul mouthed and rancid behavior became the norm. And the judges said, If there be a God, why then is this befallen us?
It ought not take a nuclear physicist to figure out theses cause and effect relationships.  For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries - Heb 10:26-27. When God says obey, we best obey.

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Increasing the Odds
(November 1, 2007)
The Lord told Gideon, I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites - Judge 6:16. Gideon spun around and relayed the following message to his soldiers, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian - Judge 7:15.

Well, Gideon didn’t exactly spin around and share God’s message of deliverance. Actually, several events took place between Judges 6:16 & 7:15. The series of events I find most interesting is the manner in which God tweaked the numbers:
bulletThe Lord didn’t like Israel’s odds. As a matter of fact, God told Gideon that if Israel’s 32,000 whipped Midian’s 125,000, Israel would get a big head. So, Gideon told 22,000 of his soldiers to pack up and go home - Judge 7:1-3.
bulletThe Lord still didn’t like the odds. God told Gideon that if Israel’s 10,000 whipped Midian’s 125,000, Israel might confuse the Deliverer. So, Gideon told another 9,700 of his soldiers to head for home - Judge 7:3-8.
bulletEven with the odds 300 to 125,000; the Lord wasn’t completely satisfied. God made extra sure that when Israel’s 300 whipped Midian’s 125,000; Israel would recognize God and God alone delivered them. So, Gideon had his soldiers put aside their weapons and armed them with pitchers, trumpets, and lamps - Judge 7:16.
bulletThree hundred unarmed men against 125,000 armed men were numbers the Lord found to His liking.
You see, God wasn’t concerned with the Midianites; they were whipped before the battle ever begun. Although God was concerned with the Israelite’s conversion, so God worked the numbers to increase the likelihood of their conversion.

Paul said, “… for when I am weak, then am I strong.” - 2Cor 12:10. I believe Paul to be teaching, I am strongest when I am most dependant upon God. Stripped men see God the most clearly.

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Now & When
(November 8, 2007)

But he shall receive 100-fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life - Mark 10:30.
Mark tells the reader of blessings now, in this time, on this planet - albeit, these blessings will be accompanied with persecutions. Israel, during the days of Samuel, experienced such blessings and persecutions:
bullet1Sam 7:8-13 - God held the Philistines at bay from that day until Samuel’s death. Philistine persecution resumed after Samuel died.
bullet1Sam 11:13 - “Today, the Lord wrought salvation.” Tomorrow is another day, with another persecution.
bullet1Sam 14:23 - “the Lord saved Israel that day.” Yesterday was a different deliverance.
Mark also tells the reader of blessings to come. Eternal life is ours; but in a future time, in a new world, and without persecution. Wherein we greatly rejoice, though now for a season … - 1Pet 1:4-6.

Consider four extremes in the following: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens - 2Cor 4:18-5:1.
  1. Some things are seen, other things are not
  2. Some things are temporal, other things are eternal
  3. Some things are earthly, other things are heavenly
  4. Some things dissolve, other things will not
Earthly blessings give us glimpses into heaven, but the real deal is greater than anything we can imagine. Lord, thank you for the now. Keep ‘em coming. But Lord, help us not lose sight of that which is to come.

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The Holy Ghost is a Person
(November 15, 2007)

Recently, a professionally dressed couple engaged me in an unsolicited conversation on my front porch. Get the picture?
I’m not exactly sure how the discussion shifted to the Holy Spirit, but it did. The speaker for the twosome was attempting to convince me the Holy Spirit was not a person, but an impersonal force - to which I disagreed. I didn’t site each reference below for I was unprepared, but trust I’ll be better prepared next time. Scripture says the Holy Spirit:
bulletIs a He; Who was sent to the disciples, came for the disciples, and reproved the disciples - John 16:7-8
bulletSpeaks and hears; Who communicates with us using these attributes - John 16:13
bulletHas a will; Who distributes gifts according to that will - 1Cor 12:11
bulletHas a mind; Who intercedes and prays for saints with His mind - Rom 8:27
bulletHas responsibilities; Who searches the things of God to carry out His responsibilities - 1Cor 2:10
bulletHas a ministery; Who gives strength and joy to individuals - Judge 15:14; Luke 1:41, 44
bulletComforts; Whose indwelling facilitates spiritual fruit - Gal 5:22-23

Impersonal forces do not have minds and wills. The operations performed by impersonal forces are not characterized by hearing, speaking, searching, showing, and comforting. Certainly, impersonal forces do not pray. I would not expect impersonal forces to have responsibilities and ministries, nor would I expect impersonal forces to be personal. Yet, scripture describes the Holy Spirit with these very attributes.

Praise the Lord, for the Holy Spirit has personal traits, abilities, and responsibilities. And the best news is the Holy Spirit uses these attributes to minister to you and I, on a personal basis.

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Who Ought We Thank?
(November 22, 2007)
A movement exists in our country to remove God and God’s name from any and all things associated with government: its buildings, its currency, its pledges and anthems, the oaths sworn by those taking office, sitting on a jury, or testifying in a courtroom. So how long will it take legislators to officially change the name of Thanksgiving to Turkey Day?
I know God’s name is not specifically spoken when we say Happy Thanksgiving, but it is implied. For whom do we give thanks? Mother Nature? A political party? Our inner self? The force?
bulletGod and God alone was whom George Washington wished to thank when he requested the country observe a day of thanksgiving, and the nation complied with his request in 1789.
bulletGod and God alone was whom Abraham Lincoln wished to thank when he proposed perpetuating George Washington’s day of thanksgiving, and Congress legalized his proposal in 1863.
bulletGod and God alone was whom Franklin Delano Roosevelt thanked when he observed our national day of thanksgiving, and in 1944 Americans amen'ed their radios.
bulletTurkeys and turkeys alone are whom our legislators wish to thank when they remove God and God’s name from any and all things associated with our government, and in 2007 Americans are allowing them to do so.
Once upon a time, Israel thanked a calf. That didn’t turn out well - Ex 32:35. Once upon a time, Corinth thanked a man. Neither did that idea work out - 1Cor 1:12-13. Once upon a time, Ephesus thanked their stuff. That also bombed - Rev 2:4. Fast approaching is the day when America will thank a turkey.
If I know anything about American forefathers, they would have us thank the God of heaven. If I know anything about cause and effect relationships, we should thank the God of heaven. May God be longsuffering as we gobble, gobble, gobble

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The Wrong Spirit
(November 29, 2007)

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men - Matt 15:8-9. These people worshipped God with false doctrine and a false spirit, I see three more possibilities:
  1. People can worship God with true doctrine and a false spirit - which does not please God.
  2. People can worship God with false doctrine and a true spirit - which does not fully please God.
  3. People can worship God with true doctrine and a true spirit - which fully pleases God.
The only worship which authentically glorifies God is that performed in true doctrine and spirit - John 4:24.

And they (the Samaritans) did not receive Him (Jesus), because His face was as though He would go to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of - Luke 9:53-55.

James and John’s intentions were honorable, the disrespect shown Jesus sparked their anger. James and John’s actions were not self serving, they desired to see Jesus glorified. Their reasoning was Bible-based, for they quoted 2King 1:10-14. But James and John missed the boat concerning the will of God, for Jesus said they allowed themselves to be guided by a wrong spirit.

The Bible tells us of lying spirits, unholy spirits, evil spirits, seducing spirits, erring spirits - 1King 4:22, Mark 3:22-30, Act 19:15, 1Tim 4:1, 1John 4:6. No wonder God commanded every spirit be tried. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world - 1John 4:1. May the Lord help us use God’s word to recognize and purge every false spirit and doctrine.

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Family Planning
(December 6, 2007)
 
Planning (noun - 1748): the act or process of making or carrying out plans; specifically: the establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit (ie., city planning, business planning) - Webster’s definition.

God would have us teach our children, and plan for the teaching of their children and their children’s children:
bulletBiologically, God commands the teaching of our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. That’s four generations, count ‘em: I (generation #1) have taught you (generation #2) …. lest thou (#2) forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons (generation #3), and thy sons' sons (generation #4) - Deut 4:5, 9
bulletGenerationally, God would have us plan for the next three generations: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers (#1) have told us (#2) … That the generation to come might know them, even the children (#3) which should be born; who (#3) should arise and declare them to their children (#4) - Ps 78:3, 6.
bulletMinisterially, God would have us teach three more generations of preachers: the things that thou (#2) hast heard of me (#1) among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men (#3), who shall be able to teach others (#4) - 2Tim 2:2.
bulletFive generations were adressed by Joel: Hath this been in your (#2) days, or even in the days of your fathers (#1)? Tell ye your children (#3) of it, and let your children tell their children (#4), and their children another generation (#5) - Joel 1:2-3. “Fathers” very often conveys the thought of multiple generations.
Multi-generational teaching doesn’t happen by accident. Sure, the Lord must be involved, but He commanded us to do the work and it is work - Deut 6:6-12, Ps 71:18, Is 38:19, Eph 6:4. Our job is not finished when our children are grown and gone. His teachers never retire.

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The Root of All Evil

December 13, 2007)

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows - 1Tim 6:10. Money is not the root of all evil, the love of money is the root of all evil.

Money is not unclean, nor is talking about money blasphemous. As a matter of fact, God employed several financial terms to describe Jesus’ finished work:

bulletYe are bought with a price - 1Cor 7:23
bulletHe hath purchased with His own blood - Act 20:38
bulletJesus redeemed us with His blood - Rev 5:9
bulletJesus was made surety - Heb 7:22
bulletThe earnest of our inheritance until redemption of the purchased possession - Eph 1:14

Counting and weighing money was a fair biblical practice - Gen 23:16, Ezra 8:24-27. God considered bartering, exchanging goods for goods, the same as using money - Gen 47:16-21. Money is merely a convenience to ease travel, speed transactions, and keep the surly at a distance - Deut 14:24-26, Ezra 7:17, Deut 2:4-6.

Men who love money are not content and often consumed with riches - 1Tim 6:6-9. Discontented people tend to be:  1)  Upgraders: homes, cars, deer rifles, tv’s …;  2)  Switchers: jobs, hobbies, projects, churches …;  3)  Make over addicts: hair, wardrobes, rooms …   Riches driven people often:  1)  Eat, sleep, and talk about making money;  2)  Fret over losing the money they have, and  3)  Forsake family and/or God to make more.

Ecc 6:7-12 describes such persons as vain and unfilled. 1Tim 6:9-10 describes such persons as snared, drowning, and pierced with many sorrows.

Money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is. The love of God is the beginning of wisdom, peace, and joy - Mark 12:30. We must regularly ask ourselves, what or who is our first love?

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Things Money Cannot Buy

(December 20, 2007)


Teenage pregnancy rates are rising, addiction rates are increasing, jails are filled to capacity, and our educational system is failing. If we only had more money, we could implement programs to fix everything. Right? Wrong! No amount of money can offset the effects of disintegrating families. Money has its limitations, despite modern thinking.

In 2007 the state of Georgia experienced a severe drought. Its lakes, reservoirs, and farmers’ ponds were in dire need of water. Could all the money in the world purchase one drop of rain? Of course not!

Georgia’s governor, Sonny Purdue, called an emergency meeting. He summoned leaders from both the public and private sectors to attend an appropriations meeting. Many came; however, they did not meet in a conference room or a chamber. They met on the steps of the capitol. They met not to discuss cash expenditures, but offerings of prayer. At 12:30 in the afternoon, a group from the community knelt and prayed on the capitol’s steps. Rain fell the next day, they bought rain.

We live in a day of instant credit lines and debit cards, and we forget God’s sovereignty. The reader may concede money cannot buy rain, but money is just as inept at purchasing the following. Scripture says money cannot:

bulletbuy satisfaction (joy) - Ecc 5:10,
bulletcure a terminal disease - 2King 5:5-11,
bulletpurchase spiritual gifts - Act 8:18-24,
bulletsecure wisdom - Dan 5:17, and
bulletprocure innocence - Ezek 7:19.

Yes, money has its limitations. Money is earthly and is limited to purchasing earthly things. However, prayer is spiritual and capable of moving mountains. Let us never forget God’s blessings are not bought with money, but rather humble service. Prayer can and will make us rich.

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Timing & Circumstances

(December 27, 2007)

In finance, seasons and circumstances call for different behaviors. In business, there is a time to buy and a time to sell, a time to expand and a time to downsize. In households, there is a time to borrow and a time to pay off debt, a time to spend and a time to save - Ecc 3:1-6. In the animal kingdom, there is a time to harvest and a time to consume, a time to work and a time to rest - Prov 6:6-8.

The Bible also speaks of season adjusted behavior. Consider the extremes below:

bulletBudgeting construction costs is wise, but planning evangelism expenses is spoken against - Luke 14:28-29, Mark 6:8-11.
bulletCharging usury to strangers is not sinful, but usury charged to those in need is sinful - Deut 23:20.
bulletHelping the poor is glorious, but times exist when not helping is more glorious - Mark 10:21, 14:7.
bulletIgnoring risk is foolishness, but trusting not in God is faithlessness, yet - Prov 22:3, Jam 4:13-16.
bulletPaul worked secularly when ministering to the Thessalonians, but did not work secularly when ministering to the Corinthians - 1Th 2:9, 1Cor 9:11.
bulletCelebratory feasting is God honoring, but inordinate consumption is sin - Ecc 2:24, Prov 21:17
bulletSharing provisions is good stewardship, but sharing with a sluggard is poor stewardship - Prov 20:4.
bulletNehemiah fasted prior to construction, but feasted after construction was complete - Neh 1:4, 8:9-12.

Timing is everything, circumstances is everything else.

Attitude, may at times, determine response. I know this saying drives legalists mad, but consider: When saints were lazy, Paul worked secularly. When saints were carnal, Paul did not work secularly. When saints were callused, Nehemiah fasted. When saints mourned, Nehemiah feasted.

There is a tendency in each of us to gravitate toward recipe religion, but God’s word requires us to weigh seasons and circumstances. Does that mean God is without absolutes? Of course not, but many recipes are seasonal - Ecc 3:1.

 

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