Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

"Anxious To Meet Father"

Ross Walker, Jr. is one of those Americans we call "the Greatest Generation". Yes, he fought in World War 2, like hundreds of thousands of others. He was stationed in Germany, like so many others, for a long period of time. When he left Germany to return to the United States, he had no idea he had fathered a child.

Elvira Rypacek is that daughter Ross never knew. She grew up not knowing a father; her mother, Maria, never spoke of him. Shortly before her death in 1992, Maria gave Elvira what little information she had about Walker: a photograph of a handsome soldier and his name. His whereabouts for the past half-century were unknown to her.

For years Elvira tried in vain to locate Ross Walker. Finally, with the help of an organization called GI Trace, Walker was found living in Charlotte, NC. When Ross found out he had a daughter, he was 88 years old. His age didn't keep him from being excited to meet Elvira. "When is she coming home?" he asked. She had a home there, he explained, "because her daddy is in Charlotte." Do I need to tell you it was a tearful meeting? (http://wfae.org/post/german-daughter- finds-meets-her-world-war-ii-american-gi-father)

You and I also have a Father we've not yet met in person. Yes, we've heard much about Him; He is remarkable in every way. He is the One who made us, and His love for us is legendary. John describes it in this way: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

Some who learn about this Father want to meet Him. They, like Elvira Rypacek, begin seeking Him. But will they have success? Paul argued that we can have success: "... So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27).

To actually be brought to this Father, though, will require assistance. Thankfully, Jesus promises just that: "In My Father's house are many mansions; ... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; ... I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:2,3,6).

And then - one day - we who follow this Way will see God. That's the hope Jesus gives us: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). Do we even need to speculate on what our emotions will be on that day? Tears of joy will surely flow, for finally we will have met, face to face, our Father!

Timothy D. Hall

Free sermon outlines on worship

OUR WORSHIP

From John 4:22-23 we understand that we are to worship the Father; this by definition should exclude all others. John 16:23-24 tells us there was a time when they didn’t need to ask in Jesus’ name, but that has been changed by Christ himself. 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 says there is only one Father and one Son, distinct beings even though they are God.  The worship of one does not constitute the worship of the other. Romans 15:6 and Ephesians 4:5-6 We learn that we are to glorify the Father; clearly defined  as the Father of Christ.

Conclusion:  We have authority to worship the Father.  The worship of the Father is distinct from the Son; addressing the Son is not the same as addressing the Father and our action to one cannot automatically be construed as action toward the other.  We have no authority to worship Christ.

Other Points

1. From Acts 1:24 Can we necessarily assume ‘Lord’ must be Christ? There are many references where Lord is either the Father or the Son; this is not conclusive (Matt. 4:10; Matt. 11:25; Mark 12:30; Mark 12:36; Luke 1:32; Acts 2:25; Acts 4:26).
2. In 1 John 5:11-15 can we assume that the subject must be Jesus and not the Father? The last ACTIVE verb used of either the Father or the Son is in verse 11 and refers to the Father.  Can we assume that the subject in verses 13 and 14 is Jesus when verses 12 and 13 refer to what man does, not what Christ does?  Considering John 16:23, this would seem to be a very precarious assumption at best.
3. In 1Timothy 1:12 Paul thanked Christ; however, Jesus appeared to Christ on the road to Damascus and talked to him (he saw him) but Christ also said he would appear to him (Acts 26:16).
4. Acts 7:59, Stephen addressed Jesus but he was seeing him.
5. In 1Corinthians 1:2 Calling on the name of Christ is not the same as calling to Christ.  We call on the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in baptism but we don’t pray to them in baptism.
6. In John 10:34 & Psalm 82:6 it is said that we are gods; are we to be worshipped? We cannot assume we can worship Christ based on his deity alone.
7. John 17:21-23  Some argue that Jesus and the Father are "one" therefore we can worship Christ but if we are also one as they are one then this would authorize our worship to each other.
8. Does Revelation 5:12 authorize us to worship Christ?  In Revelation 4:1 it seems the context is established for the vision of things which are going to be later. Also, if this authorizes worship to Christ we must also be authorized to use the harp in worship (Rev. 5:8).

Conclusion: We have not been authorized to pray to Christ or worship Christ. When Christ was on earth men worshipped him but He established a change in John 16.  Some talked to Christ as they looked upon him but we have no such experience.  We are to pray to the Father through Christ and are authorized to worship the Father.

—Jon Macon

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

We are speaking English but discussing the truth, which comes from the Hebrew and Greek languages, which are more specific than our English words. When we speak about worship in scripture, the definitions may be different than in the English dictionary (as is baptism).

The words in scripture that describe our worship generally refer to the action of prostrating oneself, a few times to reverencing and four times to serving God. The typical expression used with ‘worship’ is to fall down, or cast oneself down to worship.  The following is a more detailed discussion of the words in the Hebrew and Greek which have been translated as ‘worship.’

The primary words for worship in Hebrew (almost exclusively 7812) and Greek (4352) mean respectively to depress (prostrate) and to fawn or crouch (prostrate oneself in homage).  There are obviously figurative uses but this is the literal. When men fell down and worshipped, they fell down and depressed, fawned, crouched or prostrated themselves before him. I know our traditions don’t always agree with scripture but this is the primary way that I see worship used. John 4:24-25 is this word (4325).

A word that is used but 10 times in the New Testament is the word sebomai (4576), which is literally to revere. This is the worship (reverence) that God spoke about in Matthew 15:8-9. The problem was that instead of worshipping him according to the scriptures, they worshipped him according to tradition. I think much of our worship today is more from tradition than it is from scripture. This word is generally a description of the heart several people had toward God. I do not notice any commands [exercise in godliness] given to us concerning this word. In fact, the examples the Lord gives us are those who worshipped according to the Old Testament Law of Moses or pagan worshippers. This word is combined with the word well (eu) to form the word translated ‘godliness’ in the New Testament (2150, 2152, 2153). Thus this kind of worship would be akin to godliness which is to revere or reverence. Several other Greek words are translated as ‘worship,’ which are akin to this word, including Acts 17:23, where the pagan world reverenced the true God ignorantly. No doubt this is the primary word we think of when we discuss our worship to God, but it is not the primary word in the New Testament.

Another word translated as ‘worship’ (4 times in the KJV) has caused confusion for some brethren who believe that everything we do can be worship.  This word, ‘latreuo’ (3000) is literally ‘to minister’ as a menial servant. It is used 21 times in the New Testament and is almost always translated ‘to serve.’ This concept is not generally what we use when we discuss the worship of God.

John 4:24 is of primary importance because of the limitations placed on that type of worship. The context is the Samaritan woman’s statement that they worshipped in Samaria and the Jews worshipped in Jerusalem. The worship she was discussing was the worship done in the temple of God. The worship in Jerusalem involved animal sacrifices, incense, bread, wine, olive oil, salt, and many other physical things. In contrast, New Testament worship is not so much physical as in spirit—in spiritual sacrifices, rather than in physical things. Our sacrifices are the fruit of our lips giving thanks to (literally acknowledging) his name (Heb. 13:15), doing well, communicating (Heb. 13:16), supporting those who preach the gospel (Phil. 4:18), the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 10:16-22), presenting our bodies to God (Rom. 12:1—this does not include the everything is worship doctrine), etc.

Worship in both Old and New Testaments was primarily falling down before God in one way or another. This concept of worship has largely been lost today, at least in public worship. Paul described his praying as this kind of worship (Eph. 3:14). The Roman soldiers knew how to pretend to worship (Mark 15:19). The Father is seeking those who will (literally) fawn or crouch before him (John 4:25). The sacrifices we offer to God are more spiritual in nature, which involve the heart of reverence, humility, kindness, mercy, liberality, reverence and devotion. We can reverence God as Lydia (Acts 16:14) and Justus (Acts 18:7) and the blind man (John 9:31). We are to exercise ourselves in godliness which is piety (verb is well reverent) in reverencing all the goodness of God. Worship does not preclude the many other services we offer from a pure heart according to his commands and wisdom.

—Jon Macon

Why does life seem so short?

Psalms 90:9-10 “For all our days are passed under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (ESV).

 As each day passes it seems as if more and more of the great truths of God’s word are being trampled upon. The troubled heart is a reality from which none of us can escape. I love the words of David found in Psalms 55:6, “And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away, and be at rest”. Sometimes I find myself wishing that I could flee to a place where sorrows, heartache, sickness, afflictions and troublesome times would not be known. That place does not exist on this earth but there is a place where those things are not known and if I am a faithful child of God, one day I will fly away and live forever in it (John 14:1-3, Rev. 21:1-7, 2 Cor. 5:1-9).

Our days on this earth are very limited (Heb. 9:27). Life is a very brittle thread that can be and often is snapped quickly. We are but one short step from shedding these earthly bonds (1 Sam. 20:3). We are prone to measure life in terms of years when in reality we should measure life in terms of one heart beat a time, minutes, yea even seconds. Now, we know that when we do shed these earthly bonds, it will not mark the end of our existence (Eccl. 12:5-7, 2 Cor. 5:1). When that day comes, we will go out into eternity and, there face our God in judgment (Acts 17:30-31, Rom. 14:12). When standing at the judgment bar of God, we will face either a kind, loving God who will speak words of gladness to us, “Come, ye blessed of my Father” or we will face a God of wrath who will speak some of the most terrible words ever heard, “Depart from me” (Matt. 25:34, 41). It all depends on what we do with our lives before we fly away.

I venture to say that in all of our homes there is at least one book called the Bible. In that book, and that book only, do we find the words of eternal  life (John 6:66). The design and purpose of the Bible is to reveal God’s love, care and concern for us. From its beginning to its end, it points us in the way that leads to everlasting life. We hold in our hands the key to the greatest happiness what we can ever experience, the eternal safety of our soul. What will you do with the book of books? As for me, I will hear it (Rom. 10:17), believe it (Mark 16:16), and having repented (Acts 17:30), confessed (Rom. 10:10, 1 John 4:14-16), and been baptized into Christ (Mk. 16:16, Gal. 3:27), I intend to be faithful to my commitment (Rev. 2:10, 14:13) and pray that I will ever teach the truth consistent with God’s word, speaking the truth always in love, thereby setting an example for all who see and know me (2 Tim. 4:2, Eph. 4:15, 1 Tim. 4:12). How about you, what will you do with the words of eternal life?

Charles Hicks

What does free, moral agent mean?

There’s a well-known phrase that gets repeated often in sermons and Bible class lessons. It’s not a phrase found in the Bible, but it’s one that’s used so often that I’m sure many people think it’s in there. I myself, use it fairly often in my Bible study classes and because of that, I got to thinking that perhaps we should delve into this phrase a little deeper than just repeating it all the time. Sorta shake it apart, tear it down, and see just what we’re talking about when we use it.

The phrase of which I speak is - "free, moral agent." How many times have you heard that phrase used? Don’t burn up your brain trying to count them, just suffice it to say - lots of times. Usually in the form of "Man is a free, moral agent." Well, let’s just take a few minutes and see exactly what this means when we hear it used.

To do so, we’ll start almost at the beginning where, in the 1^st chapter of Genesis we read where God created mankind. You’ll see there that man was made different from all the other "creatures" God had made up until then. We know this because God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness....." (Vs. 26) 

Two of the major differences between man and the other creatures is that we possess both an intellect and a conscience. In other words, man can assess a given situation, make a decision as to what he wants to do and then act on that decision. When that "action" turns out to be wrong (as it many times does) we then suffer some mental anguish (perhaps even some physical) and we recognize this as our "conscience" working in us.

Okay, let’s take a moment and break down our phrase "free, moral agent" into the three parts readily seen there. First the word "free." When this word is used as a adjective, as it is in the phrase, it means things like "unbound" or "loosed" or "unfastened." By looking at those definitions we can see that God released man from the "instinctive" characteristics He created in the other animals.

We might even say that God "programmed" the animals to do and behave in the manner for which they were created. But, man is "free" to choose his own paths, yet with this "freedom" comes the responsibility for the paths we choose. We are "loosed" from being programmed to follow a set path, but we’re not "loosed" from the responsibility of our choices.

Now let’s take the word "moral" and see what we can learn from it’s definition. Again, it’s used as an adjective here because it is describing something. What it’s describing is the nature of a person’s character. In this case, it means things like "dutiful, conscientious, honorable, law-abiding or ethical." Basically, it’s describing a person’s principles. So then, how does this relate to our "phrase?" Simply that we’ve been given the "freedom" by God to choose the type of person he or she will be.

Now we come to the last word of our "phrase" - "agent." Out of several definitions available I think the best fitting of them to our "phrase" is "doer, performer or practitioner." Someone who is "doing" or "practicing" the things which God has allowed them to "freely" choose to do in their lives.

Now that we’ve defined our "phrase" let me cite you something said by William H. Prescott back in the 1800's that might help us better understand this "phrase" and better understand why God made man to be a "free, moral agent." He wrote: "Where there is no free agency, there can be no morality. Where there is no temptation, there can be little claim to virtue. Where the routine is rigorously proscribed by law, the law, and not the man, must have the credit of the conduct."

Throughout all of our studies of the Bible we find that man has always had the freedom to act on his own initiative. We’ve also seen in those studies that many times man has chosen the wrong path to follow, haven’t we? Not because they had no other choice available. Not because there were no alternatives for them to choose. But, mostly because, they weighed what GOD said was best for them versus what THEY thought best and made their choice and then acted on that choice. Isn’t that what man is still doing today?

When we think about "God’s Way" versus "Man’s way," here’s something you can take to the bank, so to speak. No matter how smart or intelligent a man is, and no matter how much education or degrees he can amass, his little "finite brain" can never come close to matching the "infinite" mind of God. Especially when it comes to knowing what is best for him. What path will be more beneficial for him to take.
And also from our Bible studies and all the examples there for us to see and learn from, you’d think that we’d make a lot better choices than we do, wouldn’t you? Just look at ancient Israel, the beneficiaries of countless blessings by God, and some of the choices they made. From being miraculously saved from Egypt, miraculously saved for 40 years in the wilderness and then being given a land flowing with "milk and honey" in which all they had to do was move in and occupy. After all they witnessed of the power and majesty of God, they constantly seemed to make poor choices that resulted in much misery for them.

The worst of their choosing was to forsake Him for false gods. In other words, to take all of His blessings and then ascribe them to man-made idols. Do you have any problem in understanding how their choices "provoked Him to anger." Good old Moses knew his people well for, just before his death, he predicted they’d "do evil in the sight of God...through the work of your hands." (Deut. 31:29) The "work of your hands" is just another way of saying "the choices you make."

As I mentioned earlier, they "chose new gods" and worshiped them instead of Jehovah God. "New gods" in today’s world equals anything man chooses to put before, or in place of, God. Do you think that God appreciates this today anymore than He did back in the days of old Israel? Well, we don’t have to guess or surmise what He thinks about this situation because we can look at something he told Israel in regards to them not choosing to follow His Way and know that our God is the same God and His words are just as applicable today and always. As long as there are those who, in the exorcism of their "free, moral agency," choose their "way" over Gods "Way" they can know exactly what God thinks about their situation, because He tells us this in these words:

"Yet ye have forsaken me and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the god which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation." (Judges 10:13-14)

In closing, let me give you one more passage letting us know the awesome responsibility we have when making our choices of following "God’s Way" or our own "way." In Prov. 1 we read about the end result for those who "did not choose the fear of the Lord," rather they "despised all my reproof, therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices." (Vs. 29-31)

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey

How to make up with someone who is made at you

The Bridge

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence-an 8-foot fence-so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge - a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other!  A fine piece of work, handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges to build." *

When WE were separated from God due to our sin (Isaiah 59:1-2), God, because of His great love for us, sent His Son Jesus to "build a bridge" of reconciliation. 

Actually, Jesus WAS and IS the bridge that reconciles man to God, for Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our redemption (Ephesians 1:7).  Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

To access the Bridge of reconciliation to God... we must place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts16:30-31), turn from our sins 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).

Don't remain separated from God!  Cross the Bridge of reconciliation through your trusting obedience to His Will.

Won't YOU?

David A. Sargent

Is God punishing America?

Does it make you wonder what the Lord has in mind for His world?

·       I am sure the Jews were *not* empathetic with his decision to give Assyria all nations—including Israel and Judah into his hand (722 BC).

·       I am also sure the 10 tribes of Israel were *not* happy to find themselves removed from their land and their land given to strangers and foreigners (722 BC).

·       There is no doubt that Judah (the Jews) were NOT happy that the world was given into Chaldea's hand (586 BC).

·       I am still sure that the Jews were NOT happy that the world was given into the Medes and Persian's hand (536 BC).

·       You can understand that the Jews were *not* happy when their entire nation was destroyed and scattered throughout the world (70 AD).

The Lord did those things for the Jews, to curb/stop their corruption and immorality. And yet, Sodom and Gomorrah were worse than the Jews in that they did not hide their sin.

Notice that the Lord did not give Sodom and Gomorrah into another nation's hand, but utterly destroyed them. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, several nations practice a deviate lifestyle, but the US is now trying to force its views on other nations.

Granted there are others worse than the USA, but He will deal with those in His own time. The final question might be: Why would the Lord *not* destroy a nation that is worse than Sodom? Does this pattern fit Psalm 73:1-19 or Job 21:7-20, 28-30?

Thankfully, He still works all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11), and works all things together for good for those who are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28). Don't we need to trust Him to do what is good for His own, and also what is good for the rest of the world? David, Jesus and Paul had that kind of faith, and it would be good if we did too!

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“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Bible Studies for Women: Daughters of Sarah; Muliebral Studies; Muliebral Viewpoint; Articles and Books by Beth Johnson