How closely must we follow the Bible?

"Details Matter"

Edward Gamson and his companion were relaxing, enjoying their flight from London to Granada, Spain. Their relaxation ended when they noticed on the monitor above that the plane was headed west. To reach Spain from England, one would have to go east.

A check with the flight attendant confirmed their fears: The plane was not headed to Spain. Instead of going to Granada, they were headed to the Caribbean Island of Grenada, due to a ticket agent's spelling error. It's only a letter's difference on paper, but try telling that to the angry travelers from the District of Columbia!

A story on Boston.com on March 29, 2014 tells of a similar situation. A man in Georgia deposited $31,000 into his account. The bank teller credited the amount to another man with the same name. By the time the error was spotted, the other man - a teenager - had withdrawn more than $25,000 of that amount. (We're not sure how that story has unfolded in the time since.)

In each of the above cases, the mistakes were understandable. But in each large consequences followed. In the business world spelling and math are valuable skills.

But with God none of that matters, does it? God is just happy that we occasionally think of Him. He wouldn't get too upset over garbled details - would He?

Nadab and Abihu were priests for the nation of Israel; their father, Aaron, was the high priest who had been appointed by God Himself. In serving at the altar of incense one day, they didn't pay attention to a detail. They "each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane ("unauthorized", ESV) fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord" (Leviticus 10:1,2).

Do details matter with God? Here's what the Lord told Moses after the two priests died: "By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified" (Leviticus 10:3). A casual "Who cares?" attitude should never be brought before the Lord.

Paul gives advice on how to make sure we please God: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). The word for "be diligent" is spoudadzo, a word which means to give it everything one has - our very best effort.

There is nothing more important in life than pleasing the Lord who placed us here. Until we hear differently from Him, we should act as if the details matter.

Timothy D. Hall

What does baptism do?

 The Battle Over Baptism! by Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN

 The religious world is awash in theories about baptism. Its role and place in God's plan for mankind has divided believers for centuries. Some say it is necessary for salvation, but many say it is not. Some say you should baptize babies while others say you should only baptize believers. Some argue baptism is the point where sinners are saved and some claim that baptism is to be administered only after a person is "saved." Some insist baptism can only be by immersion in water, but others aver baptism is a matter of personal choice between immersion, sprinkling, or pouring. And then there are those who teach that baptism must be in the Spirit, not in water. And so the battle over baptism continues.

 There was no battle over baptism among the inspired apostles of Christ. Those men were guided by the God's Holy Spirit of truth to say precisely what Jesus had taught them to say and to teach everything Jesus wanted them to teach (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13). Just before ascending to Heaven, Jesus taught them to do this: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16; see also Matthew 28:18-20). So what did they teach about baptism? The following sample of passages provides insight: Acts 2:38 - "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" Close study reveals these words were spoken to people who were already believers in Jesus.

Acts 8:12 - After Philip preached the gospel in the city of Samaria we read, "But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized."

Acts 8:35-38 - "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, 'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? . . . So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him."

 Acts 18:8 - As the apostle Paul preached at Corinth, "Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized."

Acts 22:16 (see also Acts 9:1-11) - Ananias told the penitent Saul of Tarsus (a.k.a the apostle Paul) who had been fasting and praying for three days, "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Debates about baptism continue among believers in Christ, but there is no debate in the Bible. God help His church continue to preach the word and speak the truth in love on this vital Bible doctrine.

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11a)

How to understand the Bible

THE BIBLE ON ONE PAGE

An overview of the Bible can be summarized on a single page of paper.  Fifteen historical periods make up the Bible.  With a knowledge of these 15 periods a person can turn to any book of the Bible and have a general knowledge of what it is about.  These 15 periods are listed below, along with the approximate dates for the beginning of each period (as best as can be determined, recognizing that different Bible scholars use chronologies that vary slightly).  The scriptures given in ALL CAPITALS provide the continuing story line of the Bible, while the scriptures in lower case cover corollary matters occurring during that period.



1. The Creation & Early Civilization (n. d.)  (GENESIS 1-5)



2. Noah & the Flood (n. d.)  (GENESIS 6-11)



3. Lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, & Job (2165 B.C.) (GENESIS 12-50; Job)



4. Israelites in Egypt & the Wilderness (1876 B.C.)  (EXODUS thru DEUTERONOMY)

         

5. Israelites Enter Canaan (1406 B.C.)  (JOSHUA)



6. Israelites Ruled by Judges (1376 B.C.)  (JUDGES; Ruth; 1 SAMUEL 1-8)



7. Israelites Ruled by Saul, David, & Solomon (1050 B.C.)   (1 SAMUEL 9 – 2 SAMUEL 24; 1 KINGS 1 – 11; 1 Chronicles 1 –  2 Chronicles 9



(The books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon belong to Period # 7.)



 8. Israelites Divide into Two Kingdoms (930 B.C.)  (1 KINGS 12  –  2 KINGS 25; 2 Chronicles 10 - 36

    * Israel (10 tribes)—Capital: Samaria

    *Judah (2 tribes)—Capital: Jerusalem



(Elijah and Elisha prophesied during the above period.  The following books of prophecy [in the probable order of the prophets] belong to Period # 8: Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Jeremiah's Lamentations.)



9. Israelites in Captivity:  Israel into Assyrian Captivity in 722 B.C.; Judah into Babylonian Captivity beginning in 606 B.C.  (EZEKIEL   and DANIEL)

   

10. Israelites (Judah) Return to Canaan (536 B.C.)  (EZRA, NEHEMIAH, and Esther)

                  

(The following books of prophecy belong to Period # 10: Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.  It is important to note that Old Testament history ends with the career of Nehemiah, and that every book in the Old Testament after the book of Nehemiah can be placed some-where between Genesis and Nehemiah, as we have attempted to do above).



11. The 430 Years Between the Old and New Testaments (434 B.C.)



12. The Earthly Life of Christ (4 B.C.)  (MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN)



13. Beginning & Growth of the Church (30 A.D.)  (ACTS OF APOSTLES)                                     



14. Christianity Applied: Personally & Congregationally (50 A.D., for the approximate beginning of the writing of the following New Testament books) (ROMANS through JUDE)

         

15. The Ultimate Victory of the Church (90 A.D., for the approximate date for the writing of the following book) (REVELATION)



The earnest student of the Bible should reduce these 15 periods of Bible history to a single page of paper and attach it to the inside of his/her Bible as a quick reference to the Bible's contents.


Hugh Fulford

Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matt. 7:1)

                                                     

 

In our nation’s capital, Washington DC, exists a department known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or simplified to NIST.  Within that organization is the Office of Weights and Measures.  Maintained in that office are the “standards” by which all of our weights and measures are compared so we can know that whatever measure is laid alongside, if it matches up, it’s true and righteous.  If it doesn’t meet the standard by which it’s measured, it’s rejected.  It’s not a true measure.

 

There are, in my humble opinion, many verses in the Bible that are misunderstood or misapplied but none probably more so than the one cited above from Matt. 7:1.   It’s also my opinion that the reason for most of the misunderstood and misapplied passages from the Bible is directly due to a lack of knowledge of that Book which directly relates to a lack of study of it. 

 

This is a major problem in the “religious” world today.  Actually, it’s been a major problem for a few thousand years and I know this because the Prophet Hosea warned the “religious” people of his day about it when he said “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge....(Hos. 4:6).   The word “for” in that warning means “because of.”  It doesn’t appear that things have changed very much since then either.

 

Why I classify this as a “major” problem is simply because a lot of well-meaning yet misinformed “religious” people today will preach something falsely to others that will just breed more ignorance of God’s Word.  Such is the case with the above verse.  They cite that verse to try and tell others that we “can’t be judgmental.”  Or, the Bible says “we’re not to judge others” and base their teaching on that one verse.   Let’s take a few moments here today and dispel that false belief.

 

If one reads Mark 4:24 there is a statement recorded there that says for us to “take heed...what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.”  What that’s referring to is our standard of measurement.  I’ve observed, and probably you have also, that many people judge the actions (or non-actions) of others by the wrong standards, to wit: themselves.  In other words, they’re using themselves, or maybe even other persons, as the standard of measurement as to what’s right or wrong.  This is not a scriptural standard for comparison for Christians to use.

 

Now I grant you that there are a lot of fine, upstanding and righteous people that we can look towards as role models such as the example set by Paul when he said in 1Cor. 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (ESV)   He’s saying that you can follow his example as long as he is following Christ.  So then, who is the real, or ultimate, example Paul’s saying for us to follow?  Jesus Christ.

 

 

Again let me refer you to something said by the apostle Paul that speaks directly to someone “measuring” others or themselves by the wrong standards.  In 2Cor. 10:12 he writes: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

 

We too have, parabolically-speaking, an office of “weights and measures” located in our Christian “capital”   A “standard” by which we can compare, or judge, ourselves.   Heb. 12:2 reads “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God.”  Our “standard” our “measure” - Jesus in heaven at “the right hand of God.”

 

As to the “measuring” of ourselves in the church, in our Christian duties, we can turn again to some more inspired words of Paul seen in Eph. 4:13: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

 

Yes, there are many Christians that we can look to as examples of followers of Christ, but we cannot compare ourselves to them as “standards.”  The only “standard” which a Christian can compare themselves to as a “measuring” device is the one given us in the above verse: “the measure of the fullness of Christ.”

 

You know, it bothers me when I hear someone in the church say that “so and so” is not doing as much as they should be doing.  That’s making a judgment call usually based upon the comparison with the actions (non-actions) of other members.  That is probably true only because that same judgment applies to each and every one of us.  I simply can’t imagine a Christian doing too much “for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”  (Eph. 4:12) 

 

No, when you hear such statements made you can be sure of two things: (1) they are using the wrong “measuring stick” and (2) they probably do not have all the information with which to even make a comparison.  None of us knows what the circumstances are in another person’s life that may determine what they are capable of either doing or not doing.   There is a well-known phrase that applies if I, or anyone else, is guilty of making these uninformed “measurings.”   What we’re doing is “jumping to conclusions.”

 

But, going back and addressing my original point that many misunderstand the meaning of Matt. 7:1, let me emphasize that it does not preclude us from making judgments of other people.  We cannot judge them as God judges them simply because we don’t have that authority.  But, we can judge their actions and thereby know whether we ought to associate with them.  Whether our association would be detrimental to the cause of Christ or not.

 

If we were to believe that Matt. 7:1 is telling us that we are not to “judge others” then why would we read in John 7:24: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”  And, with the thought that whatever “measuring stick” we choose, to us it will be that by which we’ll be “measured.”

 

Ron Covey

The Flim Flam Man Movie

Flim Flam Men
by Tom Wacaster

Hollywood has produced a number of movies that focus on the shenanigans of con artists. One such move was actually titled, "The Flim Flam Man," and starred George C. Scott. Paper Moon was another, but I would caution someone watching this one to obtain a filter device of some kind. One of my favorite, however, was a 1956 production of The Rainmaker (not to be confused with the 1996 movie with the same name with Dustin Hoffman, which I never saw and really have no interest in watching). The 1956 Rainmaker was produced when movies were entertaining, decent, and capable of being watched without a clear-play DVD player, TV-guardian, or other such devices that "filter out" the bad language, sex scenes, and "adult situations." The Rainmaker is a fantasy about a con-man in the mid-west, a snake oil salesmen, going from town to town selling his miracles (whatever you need - tornado protection, drought relief through rain, anything) until he's seen to be the charlatan he is and is run out of town, or arrested. Starbuck (the con-man) eventually meets up with Lizzie (played by Katherine Hepburn) who has dreams of love and marriage but at this stage in her life she has almost given up on that hope. The enduring quality of the movie is its emphasis upon the possibilities for those who have a dream and refuse to allow life's circumstances to quench those dreams. The movie is really a paradox because as the story develops it is actually the con artist who is the hero, and whose flamboyant character eventually leads the heroine to believe in her dreams and, as we are left to believe, to accomplish those dreams. Such, of course, is only "in the movies," and reality is often quite different. Let me explain.

The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is filled with stories of con-artists, flim-flam characters, and charlatans who prey on the unsuspecting. The serpent was the first, but he certainly was not the last. His deception was carefully planned and craftily carried out. With only one word he changed God's promise to a lie, and the impossible became possible, if only in the mind of the woman: "You shall be as God, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5). But we know from the sacred record that the devil lied; he was the original flim-flam con-artist.

Dathan, Korah and Abiram were con-men who worked together in an attempt to get Israel to turn their backs on Moses (and God), and allow them (Dathan, Korah, and Abiram) to lead Israel back into Egypt where they would find true freedom as servants of Pharaoh. Preying upon the unsuspecting, these three men gained a following who rose up against Moses. Their rebellion was their own demise, and along with the con-artists who sought to seize authority from Moses, were swallowed up by the earth.

The list of Old Testament con-artists would include Nadab and Abihu, Absalom, King Saul, the false prophets of both Israel and Judah. The list seems almost endless. The thing all of these men have in common is their ability to deceive innocent souls into believing their bogus promises; men and woman who were chasing a dream, but looked in all the wrong places. Peter reminds us, " But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:1). Jesus warned of false teachers (Matt. 7:15) who certainly fit the description of flim-flam men. The bottom line is they are not what they appear to be on the outside. They are "wolves in sheep's clothing." Jude describes them as "hidden rocks in your love feast" and "shepherds that without fear feed themselves" (Jude 12). Like the victims of so many con-artists, those who imbibe the false doctrine from these spiritual flim-flam men will find themselves on the loosing end. When the blind lead the blind, they both fall into the ditch of destruction (Matt. 15:14). Therein is the tragedy. The con-artist will work his deception to rob his victims of their material possessions, the spiritual flim-flam man will rob his victim of something far more valuable-his soul.

Sometime back I came across the following tactics of a con-artist. They are extroverted, talk fast and want to move quickly. They have a lot of charm, magnetism and charisma. They present themselves as heroes with high morals and philosophy. They tend to be great experts on any topic being discussed. They are master wordsmiths, even expert storytellers and poets. They invent bizarre tales, say and do grandiose things and blatantly re-write history. They deliver intriguing and hypnotic monologues that deceive and fool their victims. They can create stories on the spur of the moment that are impossible to confirm or deny. They rely on claims that cannot be proven or validated to create a false sense of authority. They seem to possess a high degree of "spirituality" or "special" knowledge. Finally, they take risks others wouldn't and then use their risk-taking to intimidate and outsmart their victim. Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Mary Baker Eddie all fit into this group, as well as our modern day "tele-evangelists" who prey on the poor, unsuspecting and ignorant souls.

The apostle Paul captured all of these traits in one single passage regarding false teachers: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent" (Roman 16:17-18).

Beloved, do not fall prey to those who rob you of your inheritance. Study God's word, remain vigilant, and beware of spiritual flim flam men.

Free Father's Day Sermons

Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 2:5-12 June 16, 2013

Fathers Leading the Charge:

God's Call for Leadership

I. Introduction

A. The observance of Father's Day dates back to June 10, 1920, when Mrs. Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Washington, suggested to a ministerial association there that a day be set aside to honor the fathers of America. In 1936, a national Father's Day Committee was formed with headquarters in New York City. Both Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon signed proclamations in 1966 and 1974 to establish the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.

B. Thinking about the relationship between a father and son, I am reminded of Harry Chapin's song "Cats in the Cradle" (read the lyrics and see the shift in focus from the father to son).

C. In Deuteronomy 6:1-15, God gives Moses a solemn charge to teach the commandments, statutes, and judgments given to him on Mount Sinai so that future generations ("your son and your grandson") might fear the Lord all the days of their life and that their days may be prolonged. They were to teach them diligently day in and day out wherever they went and whatever they did. Why? You do not forget the Lord who brought them out of Egypt lest you decide to follow the gods of the peoples surrounding you. The Lord is a jealous God and his anger may be kindled against you if you forsake Him and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

D. Unfortunately, that is what happened after the death of Joshua as recounted in Judges 2:6-15. While the Lord did not wipe them off the face of the earth, His hand was against them for evil, but He raised up judges to bring deliverance from their suffering and distress caused by the oppressive enemies. After the judge died, the people would return to their evil practices and stubborn ways in a more corrupt manner than their fathers. This love/"hate" relationship continues through the book of Judges. Despite Israel's perpetual rebellion against God, He never forsook His covenant with His adopted children that he made with Abraham in the ceremony described in Genesis 15:12-21.

E. In like fashion, Paul expresses his unwavering commitment to the Thessalonians in his ministry among them as a father and mother cares for their children. Based on Paul's example in this passage, God calls fathers to lead the charge in the areas of attitude, character, and reputation for the sake of his children.

II. Body

A. The attitude of devoutness carried the idea of a deep reverence for God based on His presence and His promises which engenders an abiding love for Him as between a parent and child.

Simeon in Luke 2:25-35 is described as a devout and righteous man looking for the consolation of Israel through the promised Messiah as prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures.

Eli and Samuel are negative reminders that reverence for God is not blindly passed onto the next generation. (see I Samuel 2:12-17; 8:1-5)

God calls on fathers to revere Him first and foremost which provides a solid and firm foundation for all other relationships: especially his wife and children. (cf. I Peter 3:7; Ephesians 6:4)

B. The character of righteousness carried the idea of a never- ending pursuit for the ways of God in all aspects of life which promotes healthy and wholesome behavior.

Lot was characterized as a righteous man who provided hospitality to the Lord's messengers despite the city's insistence to perform lawless deeds with them. His soul was tormented day after day by their immoral, ungodly behavior while living among them. The description of Lot in II Peter 2:7-8 reveals a man deeply troubled and disturbed by rampant sin in society; are we likewise affected by our surroundings?

God calls fathers to pursue, promote, and practice diligently the ways of God before his family each day. I am reminded of the blessed man in Psalm 1 who delights and mediates on God's law day and night. (cf. also Jeremiah 17:7-8)

C. The reputation of blamelessness carries the idea of a baseless accusation brought by opponents in a trial setting. The opposition is unable to prove their case because the evidence shows forth no basis for merit.

Job is described as blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil despite the rationalizations by his friends concerning his suffering. Job was not "perfect" as without sin, but he put his unwavering trust in God for redemption and faithfully lived a God-honoring life in spite of Satan's schemes to deter him from God.

God calls upon fathers to manage their households with godly instruction, discipline, and training so that outsiders will be put to shame. (cf. I Peter 2:11-12; 3:13- 17; Colossians 4:5-6) An elder in God's church must have a good reputation with those outside the church so that he will not fall into reproach and snare of the devil. (cf. Philippians 2:14-18)

III. Conclusion

A. Fathers are a vital asset in God's kingdom to perpetuate, promulgate, and proliferate the seed of God's Word in the world. Fathers can accomplish this mission by being providers and protectors of God's family in a devout, righteous, and blameless manner of attitude and conduct. Satan is out there with his darts and devices to thwart the progress of God's kingdom on earth. He even disguises himself as an angel of light to deceive unsuspecting, undisciplined individuals whose conscience has been dulled and seared to the teaching and discipline of the Lord as described in I Timothy 4:1-5. The nerves of the conscience have been scarred and destroyed so that the pain of sin is no longer felt by the individual (becomes numb to the effects of sin).

B. Paul describes his relationship to the Corinthians in I Corinthians 4:14-21 as their father through the gospel so that they may become imitators of him. Fathers are not to be manipulators, dictators, or intimidators of God's people. (cf. I Thessalonians 2:9-12)

C. Satan's most powerful avenue to harm the church body of God and Jesus Christ is through the family structure. I want to end with Paul's exhortation to all family members in Colossians 3:18-21.

D. If you wish to present your request or need before the church family today, come forward as we stand and sing the invitation song.

--Keith E. Book, Caribou, Maine

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim. 6:6)

Many years ago, when Bro. Foy Smith was the preacher here at Highland, he used to present lessons based upon a word found in the Bible.  I liked that method of lesson development then and still do today.  So, having said that, I’m going to use Foy’s method for our lesson today only I’m going to go him one better.  However, instead of looking at one word, I’m going to use two of them for you to consider.

        “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”   (1 Tim. 6:6)

Our first word to be studied today is “contentment.”   In essence, it will also be a lesson on “priorities” which I think will come out as we look at some thoughts on “contentment.”  I’ll start this effort off by opining that not many people today, percentage-wise, are content.  I say that because it seems to me that too many people are overly concerned with the obtaining or amassing of the worlds “goodies” to the extent that, no matter how much they accumulate, they’re not content with what they have.  They’ve gotta have more. 

Here’s where we get into the realm of “priorities.”  If your main goal is the “getting of the goodies,” then your “priorities” are in the wrong place.   Now I want you to know that I’m not the first, or the only one, to have this opinion.  Notice something the apostle Paul said about “priorities”:  “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”  (1Tim. 6:9-10)

What Paul is saying there correlates to an old axiom with which we’re all familiar - “putting the cart before the horse.”  Why I can know that this is what he’s talking about is what he said just previous to his warning seen in the above paragraph.  In verse 6 he wrote:  “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 

The lesson thought is, if we have our “priorities” straight and we’re seeking to be pleasing to God first and material gain somewhere else afterward we’ll find ourselves befitting the words of Heb. 13:5 “But let your conversation (manner of life) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, not forsake thee.”  However, that doesn’t preclude the fact that, should we live our lives with the “priority” of worldly gain before “godliness,” we’ll not be “content” and we will have left God.

Not only did God, through the hand of Paul, write profitable things about “contentment” so did the German poet/philosopher Goethe when he penned these words: “There are nine requisites for contented living: HEALTH enough to make work a pleasure; WEALTH enough to support your needs; STRENGTH enough to confess your sins and overcome them; PATIENCE enough to toil until some good is accomplished; CHARITY enough to see some good in your neighbor; LOVE enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others; FAITH enough to make real the things of God; HOPE enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.” I just add my AMEN to that.

 

          “Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.”  (George W. Lyon)

Well, let’s go on to our second study word for today and that will be - “worry.”  When you think about it, isn’t that almost the antithesis of “contentment?”  What a burden “worry” is in our lives.  It can get to be like a “millstone” hanging around our necks, can’t it?   “Worry” can just break us down if we don’t get rid of it.

You know what I see as ironic about “worry?”  That at times we tend to “worry” about things that don’t amount to two hoots and a hollar.   That we “worry” about things that don’t amount to the proverbial “hill of beans.”   I’ve even known people who “worry” because things are going good for them.  It’s like they “worry” about not having something to “worry” about.  Figure that one out!

Do you know what we’re doing when we “worry” about things that we have no business worrying about?  We are just “borrowing trouble” and Jesus warned us not to do this when He told us to “...not be anxious (worry) about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  (Mt. 6:34 ESV) Tomorrow will have its own “worries.”  You don’t have to add them to today’s.

But don’t a lot of us do exactly that?  I mean, we haven’t even gotten through today and we’re already “worrying” about what’s going to happen tomorrow.  A preacher named Robert Jones Burdette once said some words fitting to this thought.  He said: “There are two days in the week about which and upon which I never worry.  Two carefree days, kept sacredly free from fear and apprehension.  One of those days is Yesterday....and the other day I do not worry about is Tomorrow.”

Another thing pertaining to “worry” that bugs me about us “human beans” is that many, many times we “worry” about things over which we have absolutely no control.   Think about it - if it was a situation over which you had control, then do something about it instead of worrying.  Here again, “worrying” about things over which we exercise no control is “borrowing trouble.”

Yes, there are times in life when we need to “worry” about something.  To be concerned about and will no doubt need attention paid to it.  I believe that if we take a moment, step back and really consider the situation and the effect that “worrying” has on us, many times we’ll come to the realization that our “worry” isn’t warranted.  That we’re just “borrowing trouble” and putting a lot of undue stress on ourselves in doing so.

In following the advice of Solomon (Prov. 17:22) I’m going to close with a couple of thoughts on “worry” presented in a “lighter vein.”  One humorist put it this way: “You need to start worrying about your health if you can’t sleep when it’s time to get up.”

Another one said: “We worry about all the people who can’t read or write in the underdeveloped nations, but it’s no comfort to know that the educated people got us into our present mess.”  I’m sorry, but I have to give a loud AMEN to that one too.   For my “real” closing today, let me leave you with some most beautiful and encouraging words from God’s Word. 

   “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  (Jesus to His disciples in John 14:27 ESV)

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”   (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV)

Ron Covey

The Bible says all made to drink of one Spirit in 1 Cor. 12:13

Look at Your Birth Certificate


    Rachel and I have been married - August 12 - for 19 years. She has always told people that she was born in Kennesaw, Georgia.  Except, she wasn’t. I realize she was fairly young at the time and may not remember all the details…


    We have been transferring our car title and registration from Kentucky to Michigan and had to get out copies of our birth certificates. Rachel took a closer look at it and was shocked to realize she wasn’t born in Kennesaw, she was born in Kennestone (Hospital, that is) - which is in Marietta. We got a laugh out of it and I’m getting a Daily Droplets out of it…


    Most of what the Bible teaches on baptism, it teaches in passages that are written to Christians. Paul writes about baptism in Romans 6, for example, in the context of sin reigning in death. But sin doesn’t reign in the life of a Christian because we have died to sin. “How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?” The context of Romans 6 is encouraging Christians to “consider [our]selves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (vs 11). But baptism is that point when we died to sin.


    In 1 Corinthians, Paul mentions baptism in chapter one. We learn several things about baptism as Paul writes to Christians with their baptism in the background. The crucifixion of Christ is presumed as well as their baptism into Christ (vs 13). Since we have been baptized into Christ, it is His name we should wear and His authority we should follow.


    In the same letter, chapter 12, Paul says that we have been “baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (vs 13). Yet again, baptism is not the main subject of the context but Paul presumes it in the background of his argument. “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (vs 26). Why? Because we were all made one when we were all baptized into Christ.


    The same thing is true with all the passages dealing with baptism through the remainder of the New Testament. Baptism is not the main focus of the passages. Christians are presumed to have been baptized and we learn much about their baptisms from the context.


    Here’s my point. Whether we have been Christians for 60 years or 60 minutes, it is important to review our “birth certificate” from time to time to be reminded of the blessings and responsibilities we have. Baptism is not the end. It is the beginning.


--Paul Holland

Martin Hurkens, winner of "Holland's Got Talent" in 2010

Magnificent
  
As people are scurrying from shop to shop on the cobblestone streets of a city in Europe, the music begins. The sounds reverberate against the buildings and streets of stone catching the ears of passersby, causing them to wonder the music's source and the reason for its being played. Some eyes are drawn to a man in his 60s, balding and lightly bearded, who is standing alone in the center of the street with a hat placed before him.

Then the man begins to sing, and more and more stop to listen. His operatic voice reflects no ordinary talent. Sadly, there are those who keep walking, carrying on with their business. But the crowd of listeners grows. Some, in response to the beautifully sung melodies, walk awkwardly up to the man and place some coins in his hat. Others stop and listen - some with smiles, others with tears in their eyes - as the music and singing captures their hearts. Those who stop to listen are blessed with the words of a tender song, "You Raise Me Up," magnificently sung by Martin Hurkens, winner of "Holland's Got Talent" in 2010. Watch his "street singer" performance and the reaction of the listeners here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RojlDwD07I

Now consider a Man sitting on a mountain side Who begins a discourse with the words, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3ff). Imagine following the Teacher, desiring to hear more of His instruction but also wanting to observe His character. Those who would take the time and opportunity to do so observed that this was no ordinary man. His words were sublime, His character flawless, His manner of dealing with people, perfect!

There were some who dismissed Him; others rejected Him outright. But those with open hearts who listened carefully, observed closely, and investigated thoroughly, saw and heard more than magnificence; they witnessed Majesty!  These responded, "Truly, this IS the Son of God." He was Immanuel, God-in-the-flesh.

He came to REVEAL the Heavenly Father (John 1:18), TEACH us the will of God (Matthew 7:21-27), GIVE us the perfect example to follow (1 Peter 2:21), and to DIE on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He came to live among men and then to die for all so that we might have the forgiveness of our sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:23).

God will forgive and give the gift of eternal life to those who will place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His word (1 John 1:7).

Please pause from your busyness.... Take a closer look at Jesus: READ His Word, EXAMINE His works, OBSERVE His interactions, CONSIDER His selfless sacrifice and SEE His Majesty.  Then surrender your life to Him!

Won't YOU?

David A. Sargent

What is sin?

There’s a word mentioned many times in the Bible and is probably spoken in just about every sermon preached.  If it isn’t, it should be.  That word is “sin.”  I’ll start off our lesson today by asking you a simple question: Do you know what sin is?  The dictionary will tell you that sin is a “transgression of divine law” or something similar.  Let me tell you what my definition of sin is: it’s “my will” instead of “Thy will.”

 

Let’s go with a few more questions.  Is fishing a sin?  Is baseball, football or any other sport a sin?  How about watching TV or, as we’ve seen in our study of Ecclesiastes in our Sunday morning class, is having a lot of money a sin?  Is the ownership of a great many of earth’s commodities a sin?

 

The answer to those questions is - No.  Those things, in and of themselves, are not sin but, they can be the catalyst to sin.  That simply means that they can be a “provoker” or perhaps a “motivator” to sin.  Something that we like to have or to participate in.  When we devote our minds (hearts) and our efforts to having or doing them before and above obeying God is when sin occurs.

 

It’s not that ball game or “whatever” that is the sin.  In effect, it’s us putting that “created thing” over, in a sense “worshiping,” God when we’re supposed to be doing that.  It’s putting the “creature” over the “Creator.”

 

There’s an old hymn entitled: “Take My Life And Let It Be” and in the 2nd stanza we sing these words: “Take my will and make it Thine.  It shall be no longer mine.”  The last part of that verse tells us where our “will” is located.  “Take my heart it is Thine own.  It shall be thy royal throne.”

 

Our “wills” are housed in our “hearts.”  In the book of Matthew we read that both “good” and “evil” comes from our “hearts.”  (12:35 & 15:19)   I suspect that’s so because Christ tells us in Matt. 6:21 that in our “heart” is where we store our “treasure.”  But way before Jesus preached His sermon on the mount, we were told how important the “heart” is to our soul.  In Prov. 4:23 Solomon said these words: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”  (NLT)

 

Most all of us are familiar with the next scriptural passage I’ll use and it’s found in Hebrews 12:1-2.  In verse 1 the writer is talking about living our lives as if participating in a race.  Then in verse 2 he says where the focus of our “hearts” are to be: “looking to Jesus.”

 

If Jesus then is our guide, our example, let’s see how His “heart” directed Him.  My next verse has been used many times in sermons and lessons, but probably not in the way that I’m using it here.  In Matt. 26:39 we find Jesus in Gethsemane, “on His face” and praying these words: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

 

Think about that for a moment.  What was soon to transpire.  Yet even in His time of great agony, Jesus made His will subservient to His Father.  I’m quite sure that we’ve put our will over God’s many times with not near so much of a “motivator.”

 

What I read in that verse is that Christ would just as well have been somewhere else, doing something else rather than going to the cross and dying on it.  Why can I say that?  Because He was like all men while on earth  (Heb. 4:15) and subject to man’s temptations.  Yet, when faced with what would have to be the greatest temptation ever, He knew that it was not God’s will that “this cup pass” and Jesus accepted that His Father’s will was greater, more superior to His own, therefore was to be obeyed.

 

Various scriptures tell us that Christ “did no sin” while on the earth as a man.  One of those scriptures is the one I just cited in the preceding paragraph, Heb. 4:15.  The reason He did “no sin” is because he never put His own will above His Fathers.   He says as much in John 6:38:  “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.”

 

I’ll wrap up my thoughts today by going back to the onset of our lesson and my definition of “sin.”  We sin when we make God’s will subservient to our’s.   If we claim to be Christians, which means that we claim to follow Christ, then let’s follow His guidance, we need to follow His “steps” in doing our best to make our will subordinate to God’s.

 

I think a closing passage fitting to our thoughts here would be this one:

 

      “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.   He committed no sin, neitherwas deceit found in is mouth."  1 Peter 2:21-22 (ESV)

 

Ron Covey

Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear

        Lies  in  Disguise!      

   Edgar Allen Poe is credited with saying, "Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear." Poe may have overstated the case, but thoughtful people realize the world is filled with illusions. Solomon warned, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). That being so, a healthy degree of caution and slowness to swallow everything that comes to our eyes and ears is a healthy thing. Ours is a world where images are photo-shopped and manipulated and technology allows people to post any thought or opinion that just happens to pop into what are sometimes fairly empty heads! News casters and political pundits "spin" everything they report on TV and radio. The internet is bursting with opinions, viewpoints, and "perspectives" - some good, but much of it just plain goofy! Gullible people naively believe any and everything they read on the internet or social media to be true. I ran into a quote recently that warns against that mistake. It went this way: "The thing about quotes on the internet is you cannot confirm their validity - Abraham Lincoln." A little girl asked her father, "Daddy, do all fairy tales begin with the words, 'Once upon a time?' Here daddy replied, 'No. A whole lot of them begin with the words, 'If elected, I promise.'" Apologies to honest politicians among us!

 The point is lies come in disguise. They even show up in disguise down at church and in pulpits. Jesus warned about that in Matthew 7:15-20. Verse 15 of that text preaches a message many in our pluralistic world simply do not want to hear and will not objectively consider - "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." These words simply don't resonate with many in our pluralistic age. Increasing numbers in our world do not believe any religious beliefs or moral behaviors are false and wrong, except for the religious belief that says some religious beliefs and moral behaviors are false and wrong! In a publication called Pulpit Helps (1/01) Lee Weeks quoted religious author Josh McDowell who said the prevailing cultural mindset in America defines truth according to be "personal perspective" and "personal experience." The result is a popular belief that truth is not something that exists separate and apart from us, waiting to be discovered; rather, truth is something to be created by each one of us as we see it! The apostle Paul affirms that "the truth is in Jesus" (Ephesians 4:21b). But in these days when all claims to truth are viewed as equal and valid, many believe the wrong-headed idea that "truth is in me," or in public opinion polls, or Presidential executive orders, or Supreme Court rulings. Frequently we hear someone speak of "my truth" or "your truth," and that all roads, no matter how diverse and conflicting, will at last lead to

God. Not true says Jesus. A religious and moral lie is still a lie, no matter how well disguised. A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf, and a lie is still a lie, even if millions of people believe it. The devil is an expert at disguising lies (Genesis 3:1ff; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). God's word wolf-proofs the church, protects the sheep, and guides us to eternal life (John 7:17; John 8:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; Acts 17:11; Acts 20:32). Think about it.

--by Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN

Review of the Hearst Castle

THE MANSION

It's amazing how much interest people have in big houses, or perhaps mansions. Of course one person's mansion is another person's guest house. A whole lot depends upon   our perspective.

This week my wife and I traveled the Pacific Coast Highway to the Hearst Castle to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary.  We took the tour and oohed and ahh'ed at things like others there also. It was neat, it was big, and it was filled with things that cost lots of money. William Hearst spent 28 years of his life on this ongoing building project and they told us that he was never happier than when he was undertaking another aspect of it, building or improving. When we left I looked around and thought, 'what a waste'. Not only a waste of more money that I can even imagine, but what a waste of a life. Did William Hearst accomplish a lot of things in his life, yes, but they told us this was just one of 7 lavish mansions he had around the county.

I know that I have no right to criticize another man's dream, we each have dreams of some kind, but his dream was far from what mine is. I dream of a mansion of another kind. In John 14:2 Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (KJV) Another translation puts this more correctly I believe when it says, "My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" (NIV)

The Idea from the Greek language is that there are many resting places in God's House (heaven). Is it large and richly appointed, I believe it is, though there is no way to know the exact details. The idea the Jesus is trying to share is that our life in Heaven in everyway, out weighs the problems and difficulties here on this earth.

We sing hymns such as, "There's a mansion, just over the hilltop," or "Lord build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land." The difference in those songs alone, tell us that we really don't understand the message of God. As A.T. Robinson wrote, "There are many resting-places in the Father's house. Christ's picture of heaven here is the most precious one that we possess. It is our heavenly home with the Father and with Jesus."

Was Hearst's Castle impressive? Yes! Did it impress me to the point that I would want it or want to live there? No way! I've got something better waiting for me, how about you?

Russ Lawson

World's Best Barista

"To Make Perfect Coffee ..."

Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood has reason to boast. The co-owner of a coffee shop in Bath, England recently won a contest to be named "World's Best Barista". To win that title he called upon the services of Chris Hendon, a chemist with the University of Bath.

Why a chemist? According to Hendon, "brewing coffee might be the most practiced chemical extraction in the world." And making the perfect cup of coffee came down to using the perfect water.

Colonna-Dashwood won a title he'll wear proudly for the rest of his life. What did Hendon get out of his painstaking research? He is the lead author of an article published in the current edition of "Journal Of Agriculture and Food Chemistry". The article, entitled "The Role of Dissolved Cations in Coffee Extraction", is beyond my ability to comprehend. The National Coffee Association puts it more simply: "The water you use is very important to the quality of your coffee."

Some may find it hard to believe, but there are issues more important than coffee. Here's one that I propose: How can we arrive at the perfect life?

For a question like that, it's always best to turn to God. In this case we find water is again an important ingredient. Hebrews 10:22 makes that point: "Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Pure water, we learn, is key.

Readers from a Jewish background in that first century may have immediately thought of the large basin of water placed outside of the temple. This was a place for the priests to wash themselves before entering into the presence of God (see 2 Chronicles 4:6). God often demanded cleansing before people approached Him (Exodus 19:10,11; 29:4; Numbers 8:20-22; etc.).

There is no temple or bronze basin today to cleanse those who wish to approach God, but water is still provided. Peter wrote about it: "There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21).

Some argue that water has nothing to do with salvation, but the passages in Hebrews and in 1 Peter suggest otherwise. Consider also the command given to Saul of Tarsus by a messenger from Christ: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

This is God's formula. To have a perfect life, we have to begin with pure water.

Timothy D. Hall.

Abraham "looked for the city which hath the foundations whose builder and maker is God."

"He Looked For A City" Abraham is often referred to as the "father" of the faithful. The adage is not just a worthy approbation for that great man of faith, for even the apostle Paul affirmed, "And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise" (Gal. 3:29). Every student of the Bible, whether a novice or a seasoned scholar, is well aware of the great faith of this man who became the progenitor of two physical nations, and a fitting example for all those who seek to walk in the steps of Abraham toward that heavenly home that awaits all the faithful. Perhaps the faith of this man was best summed up by the Hebrews writer in the eleventh chapter of that great epistle. If you want to know the marks of a great man, pay attention to what the inspired writer said about Abraham in this chapter: "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed" (11:8). "By faith he became a sojourner.." (11:9). In another passage the apostle Paul made a most significant observation regarding Abraham and his connection with those of us who live in the Christian dispensation. Abraham is "the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision" (Romans 4:12). The force of Paul's word serve as a wonderful encouragement to those of us who are not of Jewish stock, which, by the way, happens to be the larger percentage of faithful Christians throughout the generations. My favorite character trait of Abraham is in Hebrews 11:10, from which we derive the title of this week's article, and upon which I want to elaborate: "For he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God." In view of the "present distress" that is upon us, I think it would be good to revisit this trait of Abraham. You may ask, "What present distress"? Unless you are like the proverbial ostrich that has stuck its head in the sand, you are fully aware of what I speak. It is astonishing the depth of degradation to which our nation has sunk in the last 50 years. Behavior that was labeled "vice" half a century ago has now become the norm. Homosexuality, for all practical purposes, has been accepted as normal behavior. Alcohol has been a blight on our citizenry since the repeal of Prohibition, but is now considered a part of the social norm. Now marijuana has been legalized in two states, and at least another dozen are considering following Washington and Colorado down the pathway of self destruction by legalizing not only "pot," but other illegal drugs as well. Gambling has become an accepted form of "entertainment," and "poker champions" are glorified and placed in the same category as sports heroes (though I would not give you a plug nickel for most of the sports figures today). America has reached the point where she is not only unashamed to blush, but our government leaders simply refuse to enforce the laws they think are unjust or contrary to their "toleration" level. If Lot was "sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked" (2 Pet. 2:7), it is only normal for every faithful child of God to be "distressed" by what surrounds him today (if he is not then he needs to do some serious soul searching). But the "present distress" goes far beyond the immorality of those who surround us. Dark clouds continue to gather as Satan marshals his forces for the destruction of those "that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 12:17). Atheism is becoming more militant, federal judges who hate God, ignore the Constitution, and have absolutely no respect for the Bible, are being appointed to life-time positions of power, and our "leaders" in Washington continue to demonstrate an earthy wisdom that exacerbates the problems that surround us. With increasing frequency we are reading of court decisions that are unfavorable to someone seeking to live a Christian life. Slowly, but certainly with increasing intensity, laws are being put into place that deny religious freedom, and ere too long all of us shall feel the sting of Satan's onslaught. Oh yes, the "present distress" is upon us! Abraham lived in a world much like what I have described above. And this is where our passage in Hebrews 11:10 comes in. Abraham did not have his eyes fixed on the here and now. He "looked for the city which hath the foundations whose builder and maker is God." Consider the following: First, Abraham believed there was a "city which hath foundations" that lay beyond the veil of death. He fully expected to enter that city some day. Time was not important to him, nor was he wearied by the distance he had to travel to get there. Take careful note, dear reader, that the sacred writer did not say Abraham looked for just any city. The definite article suggests that it was a definite city to which Abraham had cast his heart and his eyes, and in that precise order. The only way he could have known about that city was by divine revelation, although the precise details of that revelation are not contained in Scripture. Unlike Lot who had cast his eyes toward Sodom, Abraham had cast his eyes toward a place far beyond the bounds of earthly ties, fenced cities, or walled fortresses. Unseen with human eye, that city was real to Abraham. Second, Abraham looked for that city with great intensity with the full expectation of it becoming a reality some day. Robertson (Word Pictures) tells us that the original word is "picturesque progressive imperfect, his steady and patient waiting in spite of disappointment." The same word is used in Hebrews 10:3 to describe the full expectation that our Lord had regarding victory: "henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet" (Heb. 10:3). Is our search for that city and our journey to it as intense as that of Abraham? Third, Abraham realized that, so far as his earthly life was concerned, he was a "stranger and pilgrim on the earth" (Heb. 11:13). I have made extensive trips to various parts of the world to do what I can to promote the cause of Christ. With the exception of two years in South Africa, I have never opened a bank account in any of those countries, never purchased property, and on only one occasion did I purchase an automobile. The reason for such was that I knew I would only be there for a short time. That land was not my home, and I was only a sojourner in the midst of a people not my own. We have been warned that "they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Tim. 6:9). It is important to note that one only need to be "minded to be rich." Once this world becomes my home and my life's ambition is to improve the well being of the physical man while neglecting the well being of the spiritual man, I have started down that road to destruction. In short, I have taken my eyes off that city whose builder and maker is God, and I have focused my attention on things that are temporal, decaying, and someday to be destroyed. I have, for all practical purposes, stopped walking in the steps of Abraham. The pressing question for each of us to consider is this: "Are you looking for the city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God"? A song often sang at funerals has words most fitting here, and perhaps its message needs to be ingrained in our hearts on a daily basis and not just on occasions of the death of a loved one. "I am going to a city, where the streets with gold are laid. Where the tree of life is blooming, and the roses never fade. Here they bloom but for a season, soon their beauty is decayed. I am going to a city, where the roses never fade." by Tom Wacaster

What does "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" mean?

RESPECTERS OF PERSONS AND SLAVES TO SIN

Christ was not a slave to sin nor was he a respecter or persons. These are areas where many Christians and even congregations fall short and more effort is needed to guard against these weaknesses.

When Jesus taught the scribes and Pharisees about sin and slavery he said: “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you….They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham” (John 8:34-39).  It’s interesting they seemed more offended by the comment that they were servants than that they were sinners, but Jesus showed them they were in fact both—servants to sin because of their works.

Paul spoke in the same language with the same teaching, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:16-18). Many of the letters to the early churches show that both individuals as well as congregations can be the servants of sin if they do not give heed to their works.  Jesus declared that unless we are freed by the truth we are in bondage. And if we have been freed by the truth, we need to be the servants of righteousness in both word and deed (Col. 3:17).

Paul declared that God is not a respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11) and we are not to be either.  But this is another area where individuals and congregations may err even while professing to love as Christ loved. James rebuked the early Christians; “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors” (James 2:9). It’s easy to judge, show preference, segregate, or congregate along racial, ethnic, socio-economic, political, or other lines, but when we do, we are not pleasing to God. Unfortunately we may not have to look far to see examples in the church that are not pleasing to God, but let’s start with ourselves first and make sure that we are the servants of righteousness, not only in this area, but in all areas of our life.

—Matthew Johnson

Books; Daughters of Sarah; Muliebral Studies; Muliebral Viewpoint