Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
Madison County, Georgia
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Articles in this archive |
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| A 4th Resurrection of Sorts - October 1, 2008 | Abomi-Nations - October 8, 2008 |
| Paul Exhorted Saints - October 15, 2008 | Sowing & Reaping - October 22, 2008 |
| Why a Meal - October 29, 2008 | The New Testament Heart - November 6, 2008 |
| Who's A Clown - November 13, 2008 | Church Signs & Business Slogans - November 20, 2008 |
| Phases of Adoption - November 27, 2008 | J.O.Y. - December 4, 2008 |
| Him & Himself - December 11, 2008 | Church Discipline - December 18, 2008 |
| Inspired & Uninspired Nevers' - December 25, 2008 | |
I believe scripture speaks of four resurrection types: miraculous, future,
regeneration, and revitalization. Consider the four:
I suspect the 4th resurrection is the resurrection type we think of least. Revitalization describes a man who cannot snap out it, who cannot pick himself up by the bootstraps. This is a man who’s carnal nature has been unchecked for so long his spirit’s quenched. In a manner of speaking, he is dead - Rom 7:14-25, Eph 5:14.
David prayed to be quickened from this dead state - Ps 71:20. But there comes a time when another must beg spiritual revitalization for their brother, just as Jairus begged biological revitalization. This is the man to whom we, the onlooker, stop20talking to the man about God and start talking to God about the man. This is when we pray, look over the horizon, and wait upon God’s revitalizing resurrection, as the prodigal son’s father had to do. Brethren, may we pray for ourselves and our brethren.
Last week the president of Iran addressed the United Nations. The Iranian
President said he wouldn’t have a problem with the United States if it were a
Christian nation; however, the United States is not a Christian nation. My first
reaction was to scoff at this Muslim’s obviously biased assessment of our
country, but after reflection I realized there was more truth in this man’s
statement than I cared to admit.
The God of the Bible loathes certain behavior. In no uncertain terms, God said
He finds certain behavior disgusting and deplorable, both on a personal and on a
national basis. Consider what God says about the following behaviors:
Kings
Manasseh and Ahaz led the nation Israel down an abominable path - 2King 21:1-6,
1Chr 28:1-5. On the other hand, King Josiah avoided the abominable path - 2Chron
34:33.
What ought
Americans do? Are we a Christian-Nation or an Abomi-Nation? Lord help us discern
the man when he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven
abominations in his heart - Prov 26:25.
The epistle entitled 1st Corinthians was a letter of strong
exhortation. Paul’s letter was prompted by a bad report and inquiries made by
the church itself - 1Cor 1:11, 7: 1. Causes of the church’s problems included:
false teachers, earthly wealth, intellectualism, pride, and a moral environment
which corrupted good manners. Needless to say, Paul had his hands full as he
balanced tenderness and authority in the writing of this epistle.
Paul began his letter of exhortation by reminding the Corinthians they were,
without question, elect children. In chapter 1, Paul said:
v. 2 - to
them that are sanctified in Christ.
v. 18 - the
preaching of the cross is the power of God unto us which are saved.
v. 24 -
preaching Christ crucified is the wisdom of God unto them which are called.
v. 30 - But
of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption
Are
sanctified, are saved, are called, and are in Christ; are not future events or
conditions. These verbs tenses demonstrate completed action. They emphasize an
eternal salvation which is sure.
But woven into Paul’s verification of the Corinthian’s sonship is his
disappointment in their behavior. Paul told the Corinthians the gospel could
change their lives, but it hadn’t. The Corinthian Church lacked power. Notice
what Paul also said in chapter=2 01:
v. 18 - the
preaching of the gospel is the power of God unto the saved.
v. 21 - the
preaching of the gospel saves them that believe (not will believe).
v. 24 - the
preaching of the gospel is the power of God unto the called.
The gospel
benefits only God’s children, yet God’s children don‘t always get its benefits.
Sometimes speakers cause the gospel to be ineffective, but listeners can
frustrate effectiveness as well - 1Cor 1:12, 17. I pray gospel be not
ineffective with us.
In many
discourses, the lesson of sowing and reaping is limited to finances. A good many
sermons on “we reap if we sow” drive home the message “we reap more
than we sow” - 2Cor 9:6-9, Mal 3:8-12. This article’s intension is to
broaden the application of sowing and reaping lesson.
First of all, money isn’t the only investment the Bible speaks. Husbands, want a
good marriage - invest in your wife? Desire a mediocre marriage, let her lie
fallow - Eph 5:29? Fathers, want godly children, invest in your sons and
daughters? Desire mediocre children, broadcast no seed - Eph 6:4? Saints, want a
close fellowship with the Lord, invest time in prayer and scripture? Desire a
mediocre relationship, eat the seed corn - Josh 1:8? Yes, we reap if we
sow!
Consider a third application above and beyond “we reap if we sow” and “we
reap more than we sow,” “we reap what we sow” - Gal 6:7. The
examples above assume unseeded land. What happens to fallow land? Weeds pop up.
But what happens to land where bad seed is panted? Tares abound. Saints, want a
good retirement, invest in a 401K or an IRA? No savings is like no seeding, but
huge debt is like planting tares. There’s good behavior, there’s no behavior,
and there’s negative behavior. Yes, we reap what we sow.
Finally, consider a “we reap after we sow” application - Gal 6:9. This
application assumes patience. It assumes spring is a time of sowing, summer is a
time of cultivation, and fall is the time of reaping. We live in an instant
gratification society with abysmal savings rates and fantastic debt loads. As
the bratty girl whined to her rich father in Willie Wanka’s Chocolate Factory,
“I want an Oompa Loompa, NOW!” Yes, we ought to reap after20we sow, but
far too many folks want to reap when or before they sow.
May the Lord, help us reap and sow to His glory and in His time frame!
Why did Jesus use a meal to commemorate His death? Many folks use Easter weekend
to remember, but Jesus did not command such. Many folks wear crosses to
remember, but Jesus did not authorize such. Some folks perform reenactments, but
Jesus did not require this either. Jesus used a meal to remember His death.
The O.T. is
replete with memorials. The Law commanded wave offerings, booths, and loosed
goats. The Judges set up alters and heaps of stones. The kings built a
tabernacle. But Jesus instituted the Lord’s table: the communion service. Why a
meal?
A meal has qualities which relics and days do not possess. A meal requires a
certain amount of :
The monument
Jesus established to memorialize His death, does not guarantee a church will be:
service-minded, compassionate, faction-free, intimate, loving, and ministering.
My desire as a pastor is not to help folks become better church members. My desire as a pastor is to help folks become better followers of Jesus Christ. Funny, but a person who more closely follows Jesus will become a better church member.
My desire as a pastor is not to help folks become better commandment keepers. My desire as a pastor is to motivate folks to love God more sincerely. Funny, but the person who’s love for God grows becomes a better commandment keeper - 1John 5:3.
My desire as a pastor is not to help folks become better evangelists. My desire as a pastor is to help folks recognize and better appreciate all God has done for them. Funny, but the more a person appreciates what God has done for them, the greater the desire a person has to share that information - 1Thes 1:5-8.
My desire as a pastor is not to help folks become better theologians. My desire as a pastor is to help folks become more excited about God’s word. Funny, but the more a person reads the more he understands - Ps 119:103.
None of the saints listed in the 11th chapter of Hebrews lived by the law. They all lived by faith. Funny, but the person who lives by faith breaks fewer laws.
Gaius, the first preacher listed in 3rd John, did not desire to be the best pastor in the world. Gaius’ desire was to serve God’s people the best he could. Funny, but on the way to becoming a better servant, Gaius became a superstar pastor - 3John 3-8.
Result-driven religion vs. Motive-driven religion, or Fleshly-based service vs. Spiritual-based worship; the end result in man’s eyes is often the same but is worlds apart in God’s eyes. The New Testament heart is pricked by the responsibility to do, not by what will be accomplished; a difficult principle to teach others and to judge in one's self, but our spiritual maturity depends on it.
Once upon a time, the Church at Corinth had a division. The division wasn’t over doctrine. And no, the division wasn’t over the hymn book or carpet color. The congregation was divided over preacher styles - 1Cor 1:10-12.
 | Apollos was a very eloquent man. His discourses were smooth and polished. No doubt, the intellectualists in the congregation loved his style. They said, “I am of Apollos.” |
| Paul was a very direct man, no beating around the bush with him. No doubt, the A-type personalities in the congregation appreciated his style. They said, “I am of Paul.” |
| Peter was the least educated of the preachers mentioned. I suspect his preaching was more charismatic and his illustrations were blue collar. No doubt, the middle to lower economic folks in the congregation appreciated his style. They said, “I am of Cephas” (Simon Peter). |
| Then there were the independent folks, the Pharisees in the congregation who believed they didn’t need a teacher to explain God’s will in their lives. They said, “I am of Christ.” |
So Paul sat down and wrote the epistle we call 1 st Corinthians. His objective in writing this letter was to help the Corinthians congeal into a united body of believers. How did Paul begin this delicate letter of exhortation? Well, in the first chapter he said, I thank God I baptized none of you clowns - 1Cor 1:14. Poetic license? Guilty. But however we interpret Paul’s words, he was giving the Corinthians a wake up call.
Suppose Paul returned to earth 2000 years later and sat on the back pew of your church. Suppose he was a silent observer during your church’s last business meeting or its last pastor call. Would he be thankful or ashamed to have been the administrator of your baptism? Maybe the Corinthians are not the only church needing a wake up call. Lord help us.
Church
Signs & Business Slogans
I enjoy reading the majority of the sayings posted on church signs and business bulletin boards. Yes, corny and cutesy describe a good deal of those sayings, but the majority cause me to reflect for at least a moment - and that’s a good thing. Listed below are several from 1949 which I believe worthy of a drive by. Some things change, and then again, some things don’t. Enjoy.
Although not Bible, I believe all 30 to be profitable.
Top
The planning of a child by adoption can be more calculated than biological conception. The decision to adopt is usually more deliberate: ie., upfront fees, applications, background checks, hiring legal counsel, petitioning a judge … These are steps biological parents need not perform.
The Lord used adoption to describe the relationship between He and His children. To fully appreciate this illustration, let us consider four phases common to both earthly and eternal adoption:
Earthly adoption:
Eternal adoption:
All four phases are necessary. Suppose a father chose a
child, satisfied all the legal work, but never took possession - what benefit
would the adopted child have gained? Or suppose a father chose a child, took
possession, but never satisfied the legal work - the relationship could be
terminated at any time. Think about the child who was excluded from the will,
but scripture calls us joint-hears with Jesus - Rom 8:17.
We must not forget the maintenance which must be performed between the 3rd & 4th phases in both earthly and eternal adoption. Earthly parents and our Heavenly Father both: 1) feed & nourish their children; 2) teach & correct their children; and 3) oversee & facilitate the growth of their children to maturity. Lord, thank you for adopting me, and thank you for being a diligent Father in all phases of my adoption.
(December 4, 2008)
Mohammed Ali, a fine boxer, entitled his autobiography, The Greatest. Wayne Gretzky, a fine hockey player, entitled his autobiography, The Great One. Michael Jordan, a fine basketball player, entitled his autobiography, Skywalker. Jack Nicklaus, a fine golfer, entitled his autobiography, Golfer of the Century. Gale Sayers, a fine football player, entitled his autobiography, I Am Third. Say what? One of the NFL’s greatest running backs viewed himself a servant to God and others. Didn’t this Hall of Famer know America reveres its athletes like gods? Yes, Sayers experienced the accolades of superstar fame; howbeit, Sayers lived a life based on the principles of J.O.Y. (Jesus-first, Others-second, and You-third).
J.O.Y. is a prioritization of motives presented by Jesus throughout His ministry.
| Jesus taught two commandments: love God with all one’s might, heart, soul, and mind; and love neighbor as thyself and better than self. In other words, God-first, Others-second, and Self-third - Matt 22:37-40, Php 2:3. |
| Between the disciples the greatest preacher squabble reared its ugly head at least four time s, and each time Jesus taught His disciples third place is best - Matt 18:1, Mark 9:33-34, 10:37, Luke 22:24. |
| Jesus’ life modeled a third place walk. His every thought and action submitted to God’s will. And His death was the ultimate act of love - John 10:11-18, 17:4-11, Php 2:5-8. |
Self gratification in this world has never brought a person true joy or happiness. Self gratification is temporal. Only through the priorities of J.O.Y. will a person experience joy.
Suppose an impartial biographer wrote about your life. Could the title your biography be “I Am Third?” How about from this day forward?
(December 11, 2008)
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself - Col 1:19-20. Fullness came in Jesus, peace came through Jesus, reconciliation came by and unto Jesus. Not much room for man in reconciliation, is there?
Who (Jesus) being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of Majesty on high - Heb 1:3. The Father’s glory, His image, and His power were all in Jesus as Jesus purged our sins. Not much room for man in reconciliation, huh?
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them - 2Cor 5:18-19. God reconciled us to Himself by Jesus. God removed our sins and imputed them to Jesus. Not much room for man in this reconciliation, either?
Here’s man’s contribution: Adam’s offense formed a gulf between God and man. Transgression of the law created a schism between God and man. Sin caused God to be angry with man. That’s the extent of man’s contribution, he created the turbulence.
Here’s Jesus’ contribution: Jesus closed the gulf, eradicated the schism, and made peace with the Father. Jesus reconciled us. Jesus procured the peace.
The first passage says reconciliation is: in Him, of Him, by Him, and through Him. The second and third passages say reconciliation is: by Himself, to Himself, and unto Himself. I don’t see any room for man in reconciliation, and frankly, that gives me peace. No room for man leaves no room for man to mess things up. Praise God!
(December 18, 2008)
The Apostle Paul wrote the Church at Corinth very specific
instructions regarding a member who was sleeping with his step-mother. Paul said
the information is public, there is nothing to judge, put him out of the church
- 1Cor 5:1-5. Later in the same chapter, Paul listed several sins, which if
committed publicly, should be dealt with in similar fashion. He said, exclude
these folks too - 1Cor 15:10-11.
Many of the sins listed in the 5th chapter of 1st Corinthians are found in three other lists, lists penned preachers and other churches. In addition to exclusion, consider what else Paul said about such sin. He said:
No wonder why Paul told the Corinthian Church to put away such folks. These are the very sins Paul said were practiced by degenerates. Ought the temple of the living God include degenerates? These are the very sins Paul said were anti-spiritual. Ought the temple of the Holy Spirit lay hold of anti-spiritual elements? These are the very sins Paul said were risky and dangerous. Ought the Lord’s church house risk and peril? Of course not, A house divided shall not stand - Matt 12:25.
The Corinthians thought their tolerance was a good thing, but Paul labeled their tolerance foolishness. Paul said there is nothing to judge, put this man out of the church, immediately. A New Testament church is to be a safe haven, a place of refuge. May the Lord help our New Testament churches discern the difference between forbearance and foolishness.
Inspired and Uninspired Nevers
(December 25, 2008)
Peter told Jesus, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Well, that never, never came to pass, for Peter denied the Lord thrice - Matt 26:33, 75. Then Peter told saints, … give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall - 2Pet 1:10. Why should we believe Peter’s “2nd Peter never” when his “Matthew 26 never” lasted just a few hours? His "2nd Peter never" was inspired, but his "Matthew 26 never" was not inspired. My friends, we can take scripture’s inspired nevers to the bank.
Paul told Barnabas, Never again will I minister with
your no account nephew, Mark. Well, that never, never came to pass, as Paul
endorsed Mark a few years later - Act 15:36-40, Col 4:10. Then Paul told saints,
(God) hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee - Heb 13:5.
Why should we believe Paul’s “Hebrews 13 never” when his “Acts 15 never” didn’t
take? His "Hebrews 13 never" was inspired, but his "Acts 15 never" was not
inspired. My friends, we can take scripture’s inspired nevers to the bank.
Jesus also uttered several nevers, and everyone of Jesus’ nevers were inspired.
Let us consider a few:
| John 6:35 - … he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst |
| John 8:51 - … I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death |
| John 10:28 - And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my Father’s hand |
| John 11:26 - And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? |
I don’t know about you, but Jesus’ nevers (never hunger, never thirst, never see death, never perish, and never die) gives me a lot of peace. Why? Because we can take Jesus’ nevers to the bank. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved - Ps 55:22.
All Articles Written by Elder Dolph Painter, Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
This site created by Steve McCannon. This page last updated 09/21/2009