Shouts From the Back Pew

As a young preacher, I used to make light of those poor souls whose testimony was, “I will be happy just to be in heaven and stand in the back of the crowd.” I condescendingly thought of them as ignorant and ill-informed. But now, after threescore years walking with our Lord, I’m not so sure I disagree. Most all of us are prone to want to be noticed, to have our day in the sun, so to speak. I had mine and found it was not as hot as I thought it would be. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said before his death, “Nothing else matters but the fact that we were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.”

I pray I will not be misunderstood as having a false humility, but for the past few years I have prayed the Lord will allow me to sit on the last pew in the back and on the last seat of that pew. Let me apply what Job said concerning a certain servant, “A servant earnestly desireth the shadow.” In past years I made much of our recognition and reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. But now, as Abraham, I will settle for the old man’s reward, “The word of the LORD came unto Abram… I am thy ... exceeding great reward.” Or as A.W. Tozer writes, “Am I not enough mine own, enough mine own for thee?”

As a new convert I had the privilege of hearing that great gospel singer, Jack Holcomb, in a two-week revival. He told this story, and it goes with what I have been trying to get across. He was singing one evening at a convention of 5000. About halfway through the program there was such a shouting from the last pew in the hall that he had to stop and ask the ushers to deal with the individual causing the commotion. One of usher’s from the back said, “We can’t shut her up Brother Jack; it’s your Mom!”

Don’t worry about being in the last pew in Heaven, the loudest shouts can come from the back pews.  

A Leap of Faith or...

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.”

(Rom. 10:8)

During my son Andrew’s regular visit this past week, while sitting on the porch discussing the things of the Lord, he brought up an interesting thought, much of which will be incorporated in this article. He mentioned how unscriptural the little cliche “leap of faith” is, as many quaint little sayings we use are.

Like many things we say and do in our Christian lives that are not scriptural, we cling to them because they make us look spiritual. That comes first in a lot of fleshly (carnal) lives. Some, after conversion, throw intellect out the window. They have both a love and zeal but without knowledge (Phil. 1:9; Rom. 10:2).

Faith is not groundless, it has a “sure foundation.” Paul tells us Biblical faith comes by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). As my son says, “FAITH MAY BE BLIND, BUT IT IS NOT DEAF!” There is always a “still small voice” that tells us the right way, no matter how dark the situation. We spend our time looking when we should be listening.

Francis Schaeffer illustrated our topic best . It’s like us standing on the edge of a cliff in total darkness. Is the drop off that leads to safety, only three feet from us or three thousand? Who wants to take a leap of faith, with no assurance, to prove it? Then a voice says from beneath us, “Jump, it’s only a few feet.” That is a confident faith!

"Knowledge begets trust."

Creative Christians

“I see men as trees…[Jesus] put his hands again upon his eyes…and he…saw every man clearly.”

Whenever we see things blown out of their natural proportion, our Lord would have us take another look. In a real sense, this can be a “second blessing.” All of us, I think, have had the experience of being deceived at first sight.

In the laboratory of life, we need to learn not to magnify pygmy problems into giant ones. If not careful, a miniature can become a colossus, and a Goliath will be created out of a gnat; and, as a result, we will be overcome and controlled by something of our own making. Remember Dr. Frankenstein!

God dwarfs all giants even the imaginary ones.

Keep it to Yourself

“Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God.”

Many use the old adage, “My life is an open book.” If that be so, I am sure it is an incredibly thin autobiography. Upon inspecting its pages, I think we’d find someone had taken a pen-knife and removed at least one-third of it. A weak believer might use this little quip in all honesty, and mean it, but never a strong believer. For the latter knows, some things in the Christian life are to be kept between themselves and God alone.

Let no one misunderstand me, the context of the above scripture is not referring to the fundamentals of the faith, but to the shady areas, those questionable things that arise in the Christian’s life. You know, whether “to do or not to do?” The mature saint can do certain things with a clear conscience before God, but, should keep it there; before God. They’re not to flagrantly flaunt their liberty before their immature or unenlightened brother or sister.

It is possible to influence weaker brethren to sin by going against their conscience in something that is perfectly legitimate for you to do. And to attempt to impose your liberty as a rule for others to follow, who are not at your stage of growth in the Lord, does not liberate them, but to the contrary, it brings them into bondage.

Mathew Henry says, “Enjoy (your liberty) in the comfort of your own bosom before God.” Notice, “before God,” you need not worry about offending Him! He sees what you do and approves, if not sin. But let the free man or woman beware not to parade their freedom before those who do not yet fully understand one’s “glorious liberty in Christ; for this can bring upon the advanced believer either scandal or contention among the brethren.    

 “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”

Wherein Lies Prosperity?

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night...whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

(Psa. 1:2-3)

A dear friend emailed these gracious and encouraging words to me recently, “You are definitely plugged into some good ideas. Whatever you do seems to work; so just keep doing what you’re doin’.” Interestingly I had started a personal devotional study of Psalms a few days previously, and had spent that time mulling over the portion, “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”  I was thanking God for blessing most of the things I had put my hand to these many years.

The night I was saved my mother took me to the front of the church to meet the evangelist. After a brief conversation we turned to go, and as we did, he said to me, “Stay in the Book, stay in the Book.” From that moment on I began a love affair with the old, and proven, King James 1611, Authorized Bible! Any and all spiritual prosperity I may have experienced the past sixty years I credit to attempting to be saturated with Word of God. Soaked, drenched, if you please.

God’s one main promise to Joshua concerning him being prosperous in His Kingdom was, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”  There is a reason some of God’s children are abundantly blessed in their effort to serve God — it’s called THE WORD OF GOD!

My Story Book

"They are written in the story of the book of kings.”

(2 Chron. 24:27)

How I remember my wife reading to our four children when they were small. She would take them up in her lap, and sitting in her rocker, would read to them from their favorite story books. I recall how attentive they were, and how they would hang on every word, as it were. You could see in their eyes how they were being transported in their imagination to that far off distant land she was reading about. How they looked forward to those times, even to the extent of pestering her to do so when other responsibilities were pressing their mother. But they always won out, knowing what a push-over she was. They knew she loved reading the stories to them as much as they loved to hear them.

As a child of God I have a favorite “Story Book”; but mine is not mythical, but factual. It’s Divine. Its words, characters, and events are all true. I get so excited reading it that more than often my heart burns within me. I enter into the stories so much so that at times I actually become a part of it; weeping, shouting, fighting, and praying along side my Blood-bought kin. But not only do I love reading it, I love telling it. As the old gospel song says, “I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.” As children upon our mother’s lap, it seems no matter how many times we have read, or heard it, it is always new and fresh. Like my children, who, when their mother had finished reading their favorite story for the umpteenth time, would look up at her and say, “Read it again Mommy; please, read it again!”

Rash and Rushed Prayers

“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”

(Ecc. 5:2)

Some years ago I was visiting a church with my wife. At the end of the service the pastor called on me to close the service in prayer. While taking a few seconds collecting my thoughts, the pastor once again said, a little louder, “Brother Sandlin, will you please close out this service in prayer,” thinking I did not hear him the first time.

How prone most are to rush into His presence with rash prayers! In spite of the wise man’s inspired admonition concerning the subject. Who, in his or her right mind, would speak impulsively and extemporaneously in the audience of a king? Hosea tells us when we come to the Lord we are to, “Take with you words.”

We need to give thought to what we are going to discuss with the Lord in prayer. Job tells us, “How forcible are right words.” This is particularly true when praying. Most certainly they are to be words from our heart, nevertheless thoughtful words. God is called, “The Word,” He is the original Wordsmith; He wrote a Book of Words!

“Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? (Job 11:2)

“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matt. 12:37)

A Hearty Recommendation

Beloved Readers,

My oldest son, Andrew, has just published a book on prayer. Andrew is a true biblical scholar, as the Bible defines the word (1 Chron. 25:8 cp. Mal. 2:12). He believes, as one of the philosophers of old has said, "Every man knows something I do not; therefore every man is my teacher." He has proven this to be so by seeking out the best and deepest writers, both ancient and contemporary. He has literally read thousands of books.

But he has much better credentials than the above to qualify him as a writer on prayer. At the age of four he prayed the sinner's prayer, and now in his mid-fifties, he has prayed as a godly saint all these many years. Whatever else he is known for in the Christian world, as his father, I will always remember him as a man of prayer. I assure each of you who acquires the book that the man you are reading after is a man who practices what he preaches.

The old adage, "Dynamite comes in small packages" is true of this little book, in every sense of the word. It has four chapters and it can be read at one sitting, but the spiritual person will mull each chapter over many times, so that it may be fully, digested as it was written to be. Its truth is something you will carry in your heart and mind both day and night. Andrew, by the Holy Spirit's help, has condensed the main essential teaching on prayer on to fifty-five pages.

Having a ministry that spans over sixty-years I can truthfully say I have never read a book on the subject that moved my heart more to ask and expect, BIG THINGS FROM A GREAT GOD! His handling of the sovereignty of God, His predestined plan, and prayer, is nothing short of biblical brilliance. At the closing of this email you will get the particulars on the book, the cost, the publisher, etc. I promise you will read and reread it many times. With a lasting effect!

An Old Disciple,

Jer. 33:3

The paperback is $7.50 and you can order it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Changes-Things-Curing-Timid/dp/1984995057

The digital copy is $5.00 and you can order it here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07BJG882R/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Glorifying God

The Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” I’m aware some of my Baptist Brethren are against any form of catechism. But their hero, Charles H. Spurgeon, whom many love to flaunt as “The Prince of Preachers,” did not hold to their viewpoint. Speaking to his assembly, he said, “I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the times, and therefore I have compiled this little manual from the Westminster Assembly’s and Baptist Catechisms, for use in my own church and congregation.”

Now whether one agrees with the Catechism or not, I’m sure all will concede, this first statement is as classic and scriptural as you can get! I once heard an old preacher say, “To glorify God means to make Him look good.” This should be the goal of every created life, to lift up God in this world, even in what some would think mundane things like eating and drinking. As Thomas Watson, the Puritan wrote, “It’s the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven.” He goes on to say, “We glorify God, when we are God admires.” Every kind of beast glorifies God, “The beast of the field shall honour me” Only the human animal doesn't!

Let each of us follow darling David’s example, “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, and I will glorify thy name.”  

Taking Back What the Devil Stole

There is no place in God’s army for cowards. The Psalmist tells us, “The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.” And what did the Lord think of such cowering cowardice? We are told God, “...chose not the tribe of Ephraim,” but rather, “he chose David,” the courageous shepherd boy (Psl. 78:9,67,70).

If I were an artist, and had to depict the Church today, I’d draw a picture of children playing on a battlefield. We no longer want to fight; we want to have fun. In the political world, they speak of “detente”. This is a French word meaning, “slacking the bow strings.” Christians are no longer aggressive warriors, but, instead, have settled down to a life of passivity. We have made a treaty with the devil of co-existence, and peace through compromise.

Satan knows he has but a short time. He is making a last ditch effort to defeat the purpose of God. Jesus promised, “...the gates of hell shall not prevail against [His Church].” Gates do not move. We are to storm the devil’s domain. David ran to meet his giant. The devil is to flee from us, not the opposite.

Let us put on the whole armor of God, take our position on the high ground, and, as children of light, attack the kingdom of darkness. May we bring back our churches, children, and ministries that have been taken captive by Apollyon. As we enter his dark domain, through intercessory prayer for deliverance of our loved ones, may we say with the little shepherd boy of old, “I come to you in the name of the Lord.”

The gospel song says, “I went into the enemies camp and took back what he stole from me.

How Shall We Then Live?

How Shall We Then Live? This is one of the titles in Francis A. Schaeffer’s five volume set on a Christian worldview. He masterly approaches the subject, for the most part, in a scholarly and intellectual way. But, since I am well aware of my own limitations in these areas, I will come at it from the practical side. I am sure each person has his or her own philosophical answer to this question; so, if you will please allow me, I’ll add mine to yours.

Here then is how I would like to consistently live my life in this present world, though, at this time, I must confess, it is done only in a spasmodic way. If I could have my desire, it would be to live each day as if it were the first day of my Christian life, with the addition of maturity, while at the same time, like it was the last day of my life on this earth, with the absence of morbidity.

How exciting it would be to start each day with the joy we had in our new-found faith—no past, no guilt. Our future as bright as the promises of God. Everything fresh and new, with an awareness of a celestial scent, the aroma of which captivates our very being. And, in addition to this, to realize within twenty-four hours, we will be going to our permanent and eternal home, where we will see and be with our beloved Elder Brother through the endless ages. What a day that would be!

God Was in Christ Reconciling...

I realize I have written much on the following subject, but as Peter said to his readers, “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”

Every modernistic theologian, as well as the secular world, along with cults and isms, makes much ado about the historic Christ, as found in the gospels. When attempting to prove their point they’re noticeably consistent in avoiding the Pauline epistles, which puts the emphasis on the heavenly Christ. True, you cannot have one without the other, for each necessitates the other.  But just as true is progressive revelation. The new is enfolded in the old, but the old is unfolded in the new.

Now we can understand Paul’s statement, “though we have known Christ after the flesh (historically), yet now henceforth know we [Him] no more.” It is no longer the historic Christ, as important as this might be, but the heavenly Christ we are to give our attention to. As long as Christians worship a babe, they themselves will remain one. The days of His flesh are ended (Heb.5:7). Or as my pastor friend in Canada brought to my attention, we must get past the veil of His flesh, if we are to find and know God.

It is in Paul’s writings alone we learn the truths pertinent to how we, in this church age, are to live. Paul’s revelation is what Jesus wanted to say while here on earth but couldn’t. He told His disciples they were not ready, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”

Therefore, let me challenge each saint, not to be remiss in reading Paul’s letters. Read and re-read them often. They were written particularly with you in mind!  

All the Bible is for us, but not all of it is to us, or about us.

HAVE YOU BEEN MOVED?

“In old time...holy men of God...were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

(2 Pet. 1:21)

When was the last time you were moved? I’m not speaking of some sad soap opera you may have seen, a tear-jerking movie; nor am I referring to some heartbreaking illustration used in a sermon, as legitimate as that is. My reference is to the Holy Ghost of God; when is the last time you were consciously move by Him in fulfilling God’s will?

Carnal mysticism is not what we are discussing here, that is, attempting to pass over as spiritual something that, in reality, is no more than your personal feelings and emotion. I’m speaking of the Spirit of God moving in accordance with the Word of God, like in Genesis 1:2-3. When the Spirit spoke to Paul in Acts 16, his testimony was, “I was not disobedient.”

May it be said of each of us as it is recorded of Samson, “The Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times.” The Bible seems to teach that the Spirit of God is the most sensitive person of the Godhead. Jesus tells us in the gospels that all manner of sin and blasphemy against Him shall be forgiven, but not when it is against the Holy Ghost! Therefore, when He moves us, let’s get a move on!

Symbolism Without Substance

There is something I have observed in churches over these many years. Whenever a church becomes lifeless and lethargic, there is a strong attraction toward symbolism, something or someone to replace the missing substance, in this case, Christ!

Characteristically, you’ll find the words, “Let us make us…” dominate the vocabulary of those void of the essential ONE. Whether it is the Tower of Babel, a golden calf, or a king, they are frantic to find a substitute for their lost substance.

God’s people are expert at creating or calling someone in from the wings as an alternate for the “STAR.” But no stand-in can ever match the part HE plays on the stage of life. All and every proxy is no more than, “sounding brass, or a tinkling symbol.”

It is a destructive addition to add anything to Christ.

Richard Sibbes

Jesus' Last Hours

“The Master saith, My time is at hand.”

(Matt. 26:18)

Although Our Lord spoke of His rejection, sufferings, and death on various occasions, still His disciples did not grasp the full depth of this upcoming event. Only Mary did, showing it to be so, by the anointing of His body for the burying.

The last hours of our Saviour’s life on earth are very instructive for those who are spiritually-minded. For over three years He had spoken of this day that now, says He, has arrived. This truth awards us with faith to face the future, no matter what it has in store for us, if we permit it.

Christ did not sit around and feel sorry for himself, as Saul of old, but was busy being a blessing to the end. He had supper with His friends, the disciples; taught them a lesson on humility, by washing their feet; led them in a song; prayed for them in His high priestly prayer; and instructed them concerning their union with Him in the story of the vine and branches. He then left them with the sight of Him accepting God’s will for His life by His Gethsemane experience. Then, His final example: how to die in the Will of God.

Jesus never resented others not sharing in His suffering, and particular predicament. He did not begrudge them their physical health or material blessings.  There was no, “Why me?” but rather, “Why not me?” He had “Set His face like a flint.” You did not hear, “What shall this man do?” But rather, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” Jesus lived life to its fullest, right up to the end. Let’s do the same.

“He who planned my coming into the world, has planned my leaving it.”

(rds)

Acquainted With God

“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” When the Word of God (A.V.1611) speaks of being acquainted with someone or something, it does not mean what we generally take it to mean today. Rather than a slight familiarity, it can mean a deep knowledge of the subject. For example, Jesus was “acquainted with grief.”

Much, in some circles, is made of the Word of God, but little of the God of the Word. The purpose of the former is to reveal to us the latter. To stop short with the first is to remain in the Outer Court of the Tabernacle, so to speak, without ever entering the Holy of Holies where God abides. The Laver (type of the Word of God), which was without the Veil, was a preparatory means in one’s approach to God within the Veil.

Many pride themselves and flaunt the fact that they know the Word of God. But after spending only a few minutes in their presence, it is obvious they know little or nothing of The Book’s author! Satan can quote scripture, the Pharisee’s had a working knowledge of it, and the Scribe’s were considered interpreters of the scriptures; yet none of these had a deep and meaningful relationship with God.

“John Owen and John Calvin knew more theology than John Bunyan or Billy Bray, but who would deny that the latter pair knew their God every bit as well as the former?”

(J.I. Packer)

Fruitless Fantasies

“But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I  thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.”

(2Kgs. 5:11-12)

In the above story we see things didn’t go the way Naaman thought they would. Those of us who have some years chalked up to us can testify they usually do not. Reality rarely matches the ideal.  Therefore, we need to learn as the old adage used by the boxing professionals goes, to “roll with the punches.” If we do not, like Naaman, we may end up in a stew.

I remember, when just a boy, how the girls would see a large flock of innumerable birds flying overhead and would point and say, “There goes my wedding.” But most, if not all, never saw the fruit of their youthful imagery. And so it was with us boys, though in a different vein. For some, reality set in early in life; with others, it came later. But sooner or later, all had their idealistic bubbles burst.

If we are to overcome the anxieties and frustrations of a pre-planned life, on our part it is necessary, before God, to recognize and surrender to His predestined plan for us. It is to be found in the Word of God and on our knees in prayer. It is a day by day thing, trusting Him to lead moment by moment. Refuse to conjure up any thought about how your life will be lived.

We are to live by faith, not fantasies!

Don't Give Up

“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.”

It dawned on me recently that the only thing Jesus ever gave up was the “ghost” (the spirit of a dead man), at His death. If there was ever an individual that had an excuse to give up, it was He. And we are not speaking of isolated occasions, but numerous ones. In spite of all the trials, misunderstandings, and sufferings of life, He never quit on God. Isaiah tells us of Him, prophetically, “He shall not be discouraged.”  To one who is familiar with the gospel account of His earthly life, this is indeed a startling statement, is it not?

It is recorded of Him, “He shall not fail nor be discouraged,” and “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” This included the Cross and all that was associated with it. A great number around Him were giving up, even those close to Him, but that didn’t dissuade Him, “He set His face like a flint.” He had burned all His bridges; there was no going back! Hebrews hints at what His secret of endurance was — He kept His eyes on the joy that was set before Him. The writer of this blessed book then tells us we are to, “Consider Him that endured.”

“Dust, rusty nails, and blood notwithstanding, the ground at the foot of the Cross is the only vantage point from which to view life clearly. To see things there is to see them truly.”

(Rebecca Manley Pippert)

The Last Leaf

“...as the leaf falleth off from the vine...we all do fade as a leaf...as a leaf...the wind, [has] taken us away.”

(Isa. 34:4 ;64:6)

I read something recently that brought to my mind an incident that took place in my second pastorate. One fall day I was lying on a couch resting for our Wednesday evening service. As I stared out the window I noticed on the giant oak tree in our front yard a lone leaf left on the tree. I remember distinctly saying to myself, “Someday that will be me.”

Well, that day has come, I am now alone, all my immediate family, on my side, have fallen into the ground and died. Mother, father, sister, and others, all gone. I only am left, awaiting that one last strong wind to do its job. I know not the time or day that gust of wind will come, but I do know I am ready. That is, as ready as an old redeemed sinner can be. As David of old, I find myself listening for the “sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees” (2 Sam. 5:24).

My question to our readers today is, “Are you ready for that last blast of wind in your life?” It may be sooner than you expect. The clouds may be forming just over the horizon.  Many are too busy living to take time to think about their unenviable departure. As the much quoted saying goes, “You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die.” Remember, as the old Puritan said, “This world is only a Inn, a place to stop over on our way Home.”

“Will you be homesick in Heaven?”

(rds)