Moriah Primitive Baptist Church

Madison County, Georgia

Mocked and Forsaken

April 2, 2010  

Isaiah and Jesus said Jesus would be mocked and forsaken (Is 53:3, Mark 10:34), and He was, but in more ways than one.  Consider the first four definitions of each word in the Oxford English Dictionary:

 Mock:       [1]  to ridicule         Jews did this to Jesus with spit and fists

                 [2]  to jeer               passers by did this to Jesus on the cross

                 [3]  to befool            soldiers did this to Jesus with a robe, crown, & scepter

                 [4]  to imitate          Pilot & Caiaphas did so with their rulings

Forsake:    [1]  to deny              Roman & Jewish courts did this to Jesus

                 [2]  to refuse             God did this to Jesus on the cross

                 [3]  to renounce       Peter did this to Jesus thrice

                 [4]  to abandon        the disciples did so when Jesus was arrested

Think how upset we would be if any of these offences happened to us or someone close to us.  Jesus suffered each of these many times over (Matt 26:47- 27:49) because He loved us.  But, above and beyond being mocked and forsaken, He suffered the cross.  Thank you seems so inadequate.

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Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Message

April 9, 2010

From the day of Jesus’ resurrection to the day of His ascension, Jesus appeared unto the disciples several times.  Their first and last meeting occurred in Jerusalem, but other meetings took place in Galilee.  Jesus’ message was consistent throughout; for He said, Now that you’ve witnessed my resurrection, tell folks.

As Jesus sat down, the disciples got up.  The disciples had passed:  Doctrine 101 & 201, Preaching 101 & 201, and Miracles 101 & 201.  What ought every student do after graduation?  Get to work.  Are you in the field working or waiting for a 301 course?

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When Does the Spirit Move?

April 16, 2010

Years ago a group of college students performed an experiment on their professor.  Each time their professor moved close to the right front corner of the classroom, the class perked up with smiles, nods, and note taking.  But their countenances fell and note taking lessened as their professor moved away from that corner.  By lecture’s end, students had their professor glued to the right front corner.  The professor’s actions were subconscious, but manipulated nonetheless.

 What if a congregation perked up with smiles, nods, and increased note taking during messages of grace; and lessened during messages of duty?  Consider more subtle behavior.  When do saints communicate that they had “felt the Spirit” in service?   After messages of grace or after messages on duty?   Is the Spirit only present when one feels joy or comfort?  That’s what we communicate.  Or is it possible the Spirit is present when one feels conviction or sorrow?  Be honest, we rarely communicate His presence during these message types.  Hmmm, could we be guilty of manipulating our preachers?

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Sexual Purity

April 23, 2010

1Ch 28:9-10 records the charge David gave to Solomon.  Below are David’s five main points:

1.      Serve God with a perfect heart and willing mind

2.      God searches hearts and imagined thoughts

3.      Diligently seek God, do not forsake Him

4.      Build a God-honoring house

5.      Follow the pattern I laid out (v. 11, 19)

David wasn’t specifically address sexual purity, but let’s run a parallel:

1.      Eph 5:3  -  Let fornication, uncleanness, or covetousness not once be named among you

2.      Matt 5:28  -  Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery

3.      Luke 6:46  -  Why call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

4.      Josh 24:15  -  but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD

5.      2Ti 3:16-17  -  scripture is profitable for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness

Young men, the foundation for the house you build is laid in part before marriage.  Stay pure.  Middle aged men, our struggles may not be with actions, but with thoughts.  Stay pure.  Aged men, sexuality in our society is so pervasive that younger generations don’t recognize it and/or have become immune to it.  Help us stay pure.  We need your counsel and accountability to God’s word.

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Life Is Like an Airport

April 30, 2010

 Suppose we were to snap a picture of the people in Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport.  What are the odds of getting the people in that picture, in the same city, at the same time, ever again?  Improbable, huh?  Some of the folks were beginning trips, others were changing flights, yet others were ending trips.  Some folks were saying hello, and others were saying goodbye.  Some folks were striking out, while others were going home.  Doesn’t that describe the human experience (Ecc 3:2)?

 But there is a big difference between the human experience and a traveler in an airport.  In an airport, a traveler is focused on his trip, on his gate, and on his destination.  He cares little about other folks’ trips, but cares very much how he will maneuver his way through the crowd to meet his timetable.  Life is different because people are not as focused on self as an airport traveler …  Well, life is different because people take time to consider others …   Hmmm, maybe life isn’t so different.

The parallel above is not original, it was stolen from Thomas Wolf.  However, the concept above was addressed by God long before Thomas Wolf recognized it.  I believe the concept described above differentiates the human experience from the Christian experience.  Get off self and consider others, it will bring joy to your journey (Heb 10:24).

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Musical Instruments

May 2, 2010

Whether or not to employ musical instruments in formal worship is a question Primitive Baptists must answer on a regular basis.  Answering this question is typically approached from one of two positions:  Either God does not accept instrumental accompaniment in the N.T. church, or instrumental accompaniment is a matter of Christian liberty.  However, let us consider a third position.  God did not intend formal worship to include instrumental accompaniment, but tolerated it.

 Tolerance and liberty are far different terms.  For example, God did not intend Israel to be ruled by a king, but God tolerated Israel’s desire for a king and the Israelite kings stumbled often.  God tolerated the office of king and the children of Israel paid the price for deviating from God’s plan (1Sa 8:10-18). 

 God originally established the institution of marriage between one man and one woman.  God tolerated polygamy, but it was not His design.  Not one example of polygamy worked out.  David was not given liberty to marry multiple wives, but God tolerated it.  David’s children paid the price for their father’s deviation from God’s plan (2Ch 5:1).

 How did God view David’s introduction of instruments (2Ch 7:6)?  Were instruments tolerated or a matter of liberty?  The evidence in scripture indicates they were only tolerated:

 1.      Other than two trumpets, we find no authorization in Moses’ writings.

2.      David’s use of instruments is viewed negatively in Amos 6:5.

3.      We find post-Davidic kings perpetuating the use of instruments, but never the apostles.

4.      In Paul’s letters to N.T. churches, he gives instruction on women’s role in worship, speaking in foreign languages, hair styles, etc., but never mentions the use of instruments.

5.      The N.T. commands us to sing (Rom 15:9, Eph 5:19, Col 3:16, Heb 2:12, Jam 5:13).

6.      Singing in N.T. worship was designed to edify saints (1Co 14:15).

So, how do we view the use of musical instruments in the formal worship? Is it part of God’s design or is it a deviation from God’s plan?  What are the consequences for deviating from God’s plan?  Whether or not something should be used in the worship service must be measured against God’s plan.    Remember, God’s designs were created with our best interest in mind. 

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Why Do?

May 9, 2010

Ever wonder, “If Jesus truly secured my eternal salvation, what difference does my obedience make?”  Plenty!  Consider fourteen benefits to the Doer.  The Doer of God’s will:

1.       Matt 5:19        shall be called great                        1Ti 4:16    saves self and others

2.       Matt 7:24-26    builds his house on a rock              Heb 13:21 has God working through him

3.       Matt 12:50       is Jesus’ brother, sister                 Jam 1:25   is blessed by God

4.       John 7:17        continues learning                        1Pe 2:15    silences ignorant men

5.       John 14:23       has Jesus’ presence                     1Jo 2:17    gains longevity

6.       John 15:10       abides in God’s love                    1Jo 3:22    has God’s ear

7.       Eph 6:6-8        receives            from God             Rev 22:14 enters through God’s gate

A man with a hard heart says he doesn’t need God’s fellowship, presence, or ear.  A man with a hard head says he doesn’t want God’s deliverances, blessings, or kingdom.  A fool builds his home on sand, has all the knowledge he needs, and argues with the ignorant.  But, a great man does God’s will.  Let us be great for God’s glory (Matt 5:16).

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Trials

May 16, 2010

God said we will have tribulation (John 16:33).  So, how ought we face the trials which God said are inevitable?  Before praying, before searching scripture, and before consulting wise men; we need a glimpse of God and His perspective.  Consider:

1. God’s dominion is infinite and everlasting (Dan 4:34-35).  Never forget God is sovereign over all people, elements, principalities, and economies.
2. God knows every one of our trials and He knows all about every trial (Ps 139:1-3, 31:7, 147:5).  We do not pray to educate Him.
3. God loved us when we hated him, and He loves baptized believers (Rom 5:6-11, 1Jo 4:9-10).
4. God uses trials to make us better (John 15:2).  He sends no trial bigger than we can bear, nor does He send trials bigger than necessary (1Co 10:13, Job 34:23).

 Surely the perspective above will lessen stress during a trial.  With these four thoughts in mind, we objectively define our problems (Ps 31:22), search scripture (Pr 6:20-23), pray (1Pe 5:7), seek counsel (Pr 27:9), …  Who knows, we might even come to a place where we thank God for our trials (Ps 119:71, 75).  Consider a trial from that perspective.

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Look, Want & Take

May 23, 2010

Look, Want & Take is a seduction process as old as the hills.  Eve looked at a piece of fruit, then desired it, and finally took it (Gen 3:6).  Achan looked on the spoils of war, then coveted, and ultimately took (Josh 7:21).  David looked on a beautiful woman, then wanted, and eventually took (2Sa 11:2-4).  So how do we derail the process?   Or, when ought we derail the process?

Satan tried to seduce Jesus with Look, Want & Take.  The devil took Jesus into a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them (Matt 4:8), but Jesus bounced His eyes away from temptation.  Jesus did not fix His eyes on the kingdoms and their glory.  It is here, in the looking, when the process must be derailed.  To derail the process just before taking is too late. 

1. The lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh are used interchangeably (1Jo 2:15-16).  Love of world, lust, and coveting are the result of fixed eyes.
2. Coveting is sin (Rom 13:9).  The move from look to want is sin.  During repentance, most of us beg forgiveness for having taken, but how often do we beg forgiveness for having coveted?
3. Taking is merely the carrying out of that which our mind has already coveted (1Jo 2:17).

 May the Lord grant us:  1) the wherewithal to recognize this seduction process as it is employed on us; and 2) the discipline to bounce our eyes, to derail the process in the first stage, for in doing we will avoid the sins of wanting and taking (2Co 2:11, Matt 5:28). 

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Generation Gaps

May 30, 2010

 Years ago, the term generation gap came to describe the differences in thinking between parents and their children; differences which included behavior, language, values, and reasoning.  Let’s redirect this term.  Suppose we assume the term describes the differences between God and His children (Ezek 22:30).  With this definition, a generation gap could be the difference between:

 v  God and the next generation, as was the case in Gideon’s day (Jdg 8:32-33);

v  God and the last generation, as was the case in Nehemiah’s day (Neh 9:2); or

v  God and both generations, as was the case in Rehoboam’s day (1Ki 14:22). 

My point:  agreement with a previous generation doesn’t make a thing right; agreement with God makes a thing right (Jer 6:10).  In two of the references above, agreement with the previous generation was a bad thing.  Amen?

 So how do we know when a thing is right?  Scripture (2Pe 1:20-21).  What is our benchmark?  Scripture (Act 17:11).  What will close a generation gap?  Scripture (2Ti 3:16-17)!

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Malachi’s Burden

June 5, 2010

 The Lord used Malachi to firmly rebuke saints in the last book of the Old Testament.  God’s rebukes were broad, for they targeted saints, priests, and a nation.  Their responses (and my take on their responses) give insight into Israel’s spiritual state and the matters of concern.  [Book of Malachi]

·         1:2:     Wherein hast Thou loved us?  God, you said you loved us and hated Esau, but we are just as barren as Esau.  Why are bad things happening to us?

·         1:6:     Wherein have we despised Thy name?  Why isn’t talking the talk good enough?

·         1:7:     Wherein have we polluted Thee?  Isn’t sacrificing a sick lamb exercising prudence.

·         2:14:   Wherefore dost Thou not regard our offerings?  We’ve observed most of your laws.

·         2:17:   Wherein have we wearied Thee?  According to our definitions, we’ve broken no laws.

·         3:7:     Wherein shall we return to Thee?  You want me to return, I didn’t know I had left.

·         3:13:   Wherein have we spoken against Thee?  We weren’t grumbling against you, just your laws.

 These were the responses of captive Israel, but who else spoke/speaks such things?   Corinth, Ephesus, England, America?  A Pharisee, a Protestant, a Primitive Baptist, the fellow in the mirror?  I challenge the reader (in self examination) to review the italicized words above.

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A Strong Covenant

6/12/2010

A covenant is a mutual agreement between two or more persons to do or refrain from doing certain acts - Oxford English Dictionary.  But what gives a covenant its strength? 

Now, consider the covenant for eternal salvation.  A first covenant was between God and man.  But like Saul, man proved unreliable.  So God made a new covenant.  This second covenant was made with Jesus, a reliable party (Heb 8:6-13).  This covenant was executed and will be enforced in God’s courtroom, for Jesus met every condition (Gal 3:16-17; Heb 12:24, 13:20).  I am truly thankful for this new covenant, for it is strong,   … sure and unbreakable!

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Jubilees, Infrequent but Ever Present

June 19, 2010

For most O.T. saints, a Jubilee was a once in a life time experience.  Observed every 49 years, a saint may have experienced a Jubilee as a young child and then again as an adult, but chances are a saint would not have fully understood or appreciated that first Jubilee (Lev 25:8-10).  So, what was the purpose of a once in a life time observance?  Consider:

 The time until the next Jubilee was factored into the calculation of every real estate transaction, every debt, every employment contract, and every building project (Lev 25:15-16, 50-52).  The Jubilee was constantly on the minds of O.T. saints even though it was observed every 49 years.  Jubilees may have been infrequent, but they were ever present.

 In more ways than one, the Jubilee points to The 2^nd Coming of Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ 2^nd Coming may seem far off, but it ought to be a reference point for all endeavors.  Consider how each chapter of 1^st Thessalonians closes.  Paul said serve (1:10), hope (2:19), obey (3:13), comfort (4:18), and sanctify (5:23) with Christ’s return as a reference point.  Does the reader factor Christ’s return into his or her endeavors?  Most of them?  A few of them?  Why not all of them?

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Jubilees Protect

June 26, 2010 

Consider the Jubilee from a politician’s perspective.  No doubt he would read Leviticus 25 and conclude it was written to protect common man from big business and himself, for it includes:

Now, consider the Jubilee from God’s perspective.  He said, The land and the people are mine, I will get them back (23, 42).  Also, consider the Jubilee from saints’ perspectives.  They said, I will regain my inheritance, no matter how bad I messed up (10, 55).  This writer likes the last two perspectives best.  That’s the kind of protection I like and need.

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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 01/29/2011