14
Jun '20
Now, That’s a Good Question!
14
Jun '20
This question was put to Jesus by a man who was eager, humble, respectful, sincere, and, oh yeah, rich, young, and a ruler. He rushed up to Jesus, kneeled, and inquired: “Good master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Some might squabble with his question. But there is nothing wrong with it. Salvation cannot be earned, nor is it deserved. Equally true is this. You must do something to be saved. Repent and believe. Repentance and faith are necessary for one to gain eternal life. Jesus said this from the beginning of His public ministry (Mark 1:14-15). Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. To be rescued from your sins, you must receive God’s grace through repentance from sin and faith in Christ alone.
So, this fellow asked a good question, and he asked the right Person. Too many people chase the right things down the wrong paths. There are so many counterfeit religions and so many devout followers of the same. This is because all of humanity, as beings made in God’s image, are hard-wired with an innate longing for that which is beyond us; that which is transcendent. A vast variety of methods (religious, moral, professional, carnal, even criminal) are employed in an attempt to satisfy that intrinsic longing apart from God’s way.
In spite of his status, wealth, and youth this man was unfulfilled. His was an anxious, restless heart. He knew that something was missing, and he understood that something was eternal life.
Service at 11am (Livestream also)
Join us this morning at 11am up on the hill as we see how Jesus answered this sincere man’s eternally important question. This will help you to answer the question for yourself, and help you provide an answer to any who ask.
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13
Jun '20
Saturday with Spurgeon
13
Jun '20
Christ at the Center
“They are they which testify of me.” John 5:39
Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. He is the constant theme of its sacred pages; from first to last they testify of him. At the creation we at once discern him as one of the sacred Trinity; we catch a glimpse of him in the promise of the woman’s seed; we see him typified in the ark of Noah; we walk with Abraham, as he sees Messiah’s day; we dwell in the tents of Isaac and Jacob, feeding upon the gracious promise; we hear the venerable Israel talking of Shiloh; and in the numerous types of the law, we find the Redeemer abundantly foreshadowed. Prophets and kings, priests and preachers, all look one way—they all stand as the cherubs did over the ark, desiring to look within, and to read the mystery of God’s great propitiation. Still more manifestly in the New Testament we find our Lord the one pervading subject. It is not an ingot here and there, or dust of gold thinly scattered, but here you stand upon a solid floor of gold; for the whole substance of the New Testament is Jesus crucified, and even its closing sentence is bejewelled with the Redeemer’s name. We should always read Scripture in this light; we should consider the word to be as a mirror into which Christ looks down from heaven; and then we, looking into it, see his face reflected as in a glass—darkly, it is true, but still in such a way as to be a blessed preparation for seeing him as we shall see him face to face. This volume contains Jesus Christ’s letters to us, perfumed by his love. These pages are the garments of our King, and they all smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia. Scripture is the royal chariot in which Jesus rides, and it is paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem. The Scriptures are the swaddling bands of the holy child Jesus; unroll them and you find your Saviour. The quintessence of the word of God is Christ.
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12
Jun '20
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
12
Jun '20
Psalm 103:1-2, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”
This psalm has soul. Saturated with praise. This is the natural response for those who have trusted and are trusting in the precious name of Christ Jesus. Rather than hearts and minds full of anxiety, strife, bitterness, or the grind of this world, how much better it is for our souls to be overflowing with adoration to and for the holy, covenant making and covenant keeping Lord. God’s goodness is not just something about which we read but something to be experienced. Our souls will produce music as sweet and as exhilarating as this as we daily trust the Lord whose mercy endures forever.
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11
Jun '20
A Proper Balance
11
Jun '20
Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
Jesus was busy about His Father’s business, seeking and saving the lost (John 9:4; Luke 19:10). He also recognized that rest and rejuvenation were necessary (Mark 6:31). There are times when we must be busy, and there are times when we must slow down. Jesus did both. If we follow in His steps, we also will strive for a proper balance. Work hard when it is time to be busy. Relax when it is time to rest. Do that and you will enjoy and be more productive at both work and rest. Trust God to know when to start and when to stop, and be joyful in your work and your play.
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10
Jun '20
A More Glorious Truth
10
Jun '20
Psalm 9:10, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
Life is a mess. In our immediate environment and in the wider word there is oppression, injustice, and the success of wickedness. That is a fact, but here is another, more certain and certainly more glorious truth, the ultimate and assured triumph of Christ and His righteousness. The powerful and praiseworthy Lord is the refuge for the oppressed and troubled. Those who trust Him need not be dominated by fear, because He has promised to never leave or forsake you. Take refuge in and trust Him. No other name is able to deliver salvation and justice but Christ alone.
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09
Jun '20
The Gospel Saves and Sustains
09
Jun '20
Acts 14:21-22, “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
We must be gospel-focused and eternity-minded. Disciples of Christ are made as local churches consistently, charitably, and courageously proclaim and live the gospel in their communities. Likewise, believers are strengthened in the things of Christ and encouraged to continue in the faith, by the power and truth of scripture. Living the Christian life is not easy. Before we enjoy glory we will experience trials and persecution, for the gospel’s sake. Paul did. Just before this passage he had been stoned in the street and left for dead. Believe God and His gospel, both to save and to sustain you. It is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone who believes.
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05
Jun '20
A Legacy of Love
05
Jun '20
Today is my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. That is a milestone worth celebrating, and we will do just that as a family today. Tomorrow is Ken and Jealetta Roberts’ 50th anniversary. They were long time missionaries out of this church, and are still much loved by this congregation. There are more than a few in our church family that have celebrated 50 years (and more), or that are approaching that golden mark. I remember as a child celebrating my Momaw and Popaw’s 50th anniversary. Those kind of legacies, a legacy of love, are more valuable than any inheritance.
No marriage is perfect. To hope for or desire a perfect union is to want what can never be delivered, and that makes disappointment and discouragement inevitable. While no marriage is perfect, there are those that last long and well. They persevere and improve over time because…
- Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
- 1 Peter 4:8-9, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
Dr. R. Albert Mohler is correct when he writes that, “You are an ancestor to someone yet to come. If you live your life knowing you are an ancestor, that will change the way you make decisions, the way you live your life, the way you love your wife [or husband].” With all the above in mind, here are four fundamentals that will enable any marriage to leave a legacy of love.
#1 – Fear the Lord and obey Him.
Psalm 112:1-2 says, “Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.”
A personal relationship with and commitment to the Lord Jesus is where everything begins. Christ must be at the center, or everything will be out of balance.
#2 – Be committed to serving Christ through the local church.
The institution of marriage was created and designed by God for our good and His glory. The institution of the church has likewise been founded by and built upon the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are to leave a lasting legacy to those who will come behind, then that requires faithful and joyful membership in a Bible-believing, Bible-practicing local church. Our Lord established the church and promised to perpetuate her until the end (Matthew 16:17-19). The Bible teaches that a man’s love for His wife should be like Christ’s love for His church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Christ commissioned and empowered the church to make disciples until His return (Acts 1:6-8; Matthew 28:18-20).
This commitment includes but is not limited to regular attendance. Meaningful membership is necessary if we are to follow the biblical model of Christianity. Building a legacy that is dug down deep in the gospel of Jesus Christ will necessarily involve being rooted in the local church. “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the Lord is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:13-15
#3 – Be a couple devoted to prayer and the Word.
Paul told Timothy, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou also to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2)
This principle is not restricted to discipleship in a church setting or to training men for the ministry. Parents are to instruct their children, by word and example, the truths of God’s Word. Before you have children, and even if you do not have children, you are to be devoted to encouraging and equipping others to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
#4 – Depend upon the Holy Spirit’s leadership.
Right before the primary New Testament section used to teach about marriage comes the admonition to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:15-21; c.f. John 14:23-27; 16:7-16). The Lord has provided every believer with three resources to enable and equip us for faithfulness and fidelity in our marriages, and in all other areas of life: His Spirit, His Word, and His church.
Following these four fundamentals will not guarantee that pain, suffering, conflict, and problems will never arise in your marriage, your church-life, your profession, or with your children. If you will be jointly committed to these four fundamentals they will ensure that you will be equipped as a married couple to meet each challenge with confidence and grace for the moment, that you will draw closer to God and one another during difficult days rather than drifting apart from each other and away from Him, and that you will leave a lasting legacy of love, faithfulness, and fidelity to one another and your Lord.
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04
Jun '20
Reconciliation Instead of Hate
04
Jun '20
Matthew 5:43-44, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
This is radical talk from the lips of the Lord. Not radical because this was new truth. This truth was radical and still is because it is totally opposed to what is generally accepted. This is why the whole notion of reconciliation has a power unto itself. Out natural inclination is to hate those opposed to us. The Lord calls us to love them, and that is only possible by the Spirit’s enabling power as we seek to obey the Bible.
Love Instead of Hate
“Travis, love your enemies.” What if I don’t feel like it? To be clear, I do have enemies. Everyone does. We all have those who oppose us on some level to some extent. So, what if I don’t feel like loving my enemy? Then fake it until you make it. That does not mean be phony, cynical, or duplicitous. That does mean obey God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength whether you feel like it or not, and do it with a smile instead of through gritted teeth.
When you love your enemies you disarm them. Your enemies know what you are against. Most likely, that is why you are enemies. Be sure that they know what you are for. Better yet, make certain they know Who you are for. As a believer, I am for King Jesus. He is the greatest power on, under, or above earth. Jesus Christ ALONE is able to transform a life and a nation.
Only the Gospel Delivers
The Kingdom of God and all its blessings will not arrive on Air Force One. This is true when the GOP has the White House or when the DNC does. Promises are part and parcel of the politician’s repertoire. Most of those promises are broken. All of them are limited. Nothing is able to bring about the reconciliation, security, happiness, and fulfillment that are offered by left, right, military might, financial clout, promised utopias, stoicism, libertinism, anything and everything else. That is because of what we read in Romans 8:20-21: “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
God has built futility into His creation in hope that the creation will turn to Him. That is the only way to turn away from hate and to reconciliation. First with God and then with one another.
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03
Jun '20
Writing on the Wall
03
Jun '20
Tonight we will read and consider some divine graffiti. The finger of God scribbled a message to Babylonian King Belshazzar during the drunken orgy he hosted, during which he outrageously blasphemed God in a multitude of ways. The days of the king and his empire were numbered, weighed, and judged. This is not only true of Belshazzar and Babylon.
Join us this evening at 7pm as we first spend time in prayer, and then open up God’s Word. This is our first official Wednesday night back together. There will be no SHinE or G.O.E. Teens tonight, but kids, teens, and those ministry workers will be welcomed in the sanctuary with the rest of us. The vans are still not running. We will let you know when they begin to roll again. The service will be live-streamed.
See you tonight at 7pm.
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Starting Back on Wednesday Night Services
Remember, tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 3 we will be “open” for corporate worship. Until now we have only gathered for Sunday morning worship. We are in the process of slowly transitioning back to our usual schedule.
As of right now, there will be no SHinE or G.O.E. Teens on Wednesday, and we are still not running the vans, but we will be open for our mid-week prayer time and Bible study. That’s tomorrow night – Wednesday, June 3 – at 7pm.
We need to spend time together in prayer. Do we ever. We will also spend time in Daniel 5. In that chapter the hand-writing was on the wall for a mighty and majestic empire.
We will still be live-streaming, but be prepared and plan to get back into the right routine of gathering together on Wednesday evenings.
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