The Love of God

Imagine a young man. Let's say he is 22 years old. He lives in the poorest region of India, or maybe Cambodia. He's got a horrible disease that causes him extreme pain, all of the time. He is too poor to receive any medical attention, and he is in such a remote location that there would be little chance to get any even if he could afford it. To make matters so much worse, this man has never been exposed to the name of Jesus Christ.

How well would this man respond to someone coming to him saying, "Hey, man, I just wanted you to know... God loves you"? I wonder what kind of reaction he would give. Whatever it was, I imagine disbelief would accompany it. This illustration demonstrates a principle that I think not many will receive.

The love of God cannot be experienced apart from the cross of Christ.

You will have no way of convincing that poor, sick man that is in extreme pain, that God loves him - unless you first explain the cross of Christ. And frankly, the cross of Christ will not make any sense to him either, until you explain the unholiness of man. And even then, the unholiness of man will mean little until you explain the holiness and righteousness of God.

So, where do you begin to show the love of God to that man laying in agony? By talking about the holiness of God! Doesn't make sense at first, but without that, the message gets lost somewhere.

Just a thought...

Fellowship of the Unashamed

The following is a well-known quotation, a resolution, that states the motives that every Christian should have. I came across it again today, and wanted to share it with all my readers (both of you, that is). The only thing I suggest before simply praising this piece -- is that you don't say it from the flesh. Looking on line, I found some audio clips of preachers saying this resolution - with the drums going in the background, with the preacher emphasizing all that "He" will do (found with all the uses of "I" in it). Remember, when reading this, that only by the grace of God are you what you are. That being said, this really is great!


I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won't look back, let up, slow down,back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.
I now live bypresence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven,
my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought,compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity,
negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity,
or meanderin the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to getHis own,
He will have no problem recognizing me.
My colors will be clear.

Thankful for Dirty Work

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I was talking with a friend recently, and we were talking about how people aren't always thankful about certain things. This verse popped into my mind. Specifically, we were discussing being thankful for people that provide you with an opportunity to do some "dirty work."

Should nursery workers be thankful for the little snot-nosed brats with dirty diapers that get to change on Sunday mornings? I mean, anybody that is close to being a Christian is thankful for the nursery workers, but are the nursery workers thankful for the kids - without the kids, they lose an opportunity to minister for the Lord's sake!

That's just one example, but when you've got some task to do - for ministry purposes - and you just really don't want to do it... are you thankful for it? Or, do you gripe and complain? The key is to remember for Whom you are really doing it.

Anyway... just a thought...

Life After Institute

sniff... sniff...

So, all of my friends (ok, maybe not all of them) were at the Bible Institute last night, taking New Testament Survey. And, I was at home. They all got to sit with one of our pastors teaching through the New Testament, asking questions, learning from the experienced teacher... and I couldn't go. You know, I didn't miss Institute over the summer, but I think that's because no one else was at class either. But, now that it has started again, I felt a bit left out.

Wait a minute... they had to go to class last night. Then tonight, they have to go again... for FOUR hours. Sunday and Wednesday they'll have a class that gives them homework to do. And me? ...I stayed home. We had some friends over for dinner. We worked on some ministry stuff together. I got to be with my wife and kids. It was pretty nice actually.

Now, tonight, I might drop by and listen to Missionary Mike Ireland teach on Systematic Theology, but I wouldn't have to do the homework!

I guess I don't miss Institute all that much...

Just a thought...

As the Oracles of God

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I think I'm happy that the point of today's post never came up in Homiletics class - or at least that I missed it if it did.

If any man speak... and by looking at the verse before, we see that this is a "speaking" as a gift from God. That is, there are certain people that are gifted in the area of preaching. But here's the kicker: Preacher, if you are taking on the ministry of preaching (speaking), then you are accepting that God gave you the gift to do it, and that when you speak - and this is the good part - you are to speak as the oracles of God!

Now, maybe that doesn't mean much to you, but the "oracles of God," are the messages/places/communications where God met with the people. The Scriptures are the most common example of God's oracles that we have. But preachers are to speak as if they were God communicating directly with the hearers. And the warning goes out, that God does NOT like to be misrepresented. I remember in Job 40 when God had enough of people saying, "God says this," or "God does this." He comes down in a whirlwind. (Don't' miss that - a whirlwind! not a still small voice here - we have a twister coming down.) The first thing He says, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge Gird up now thy loins like a man for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me..." He doesn't sound happy - and He starts His glorious answer to Job and his friends, by saying, "Why are you talking about what you do not know?!"

So, Preacher, you are to preach as if the message you are saying are exact words that God would have you say to the hearers. And, if that doesn't make you spend serious time in prayer about your message... maybe it should!

Just a thought...