A MOST COVETED COMMENDATION

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

(Matt. 25:21,23)

The context of this portion of Scripture shows Jesus is preparing His followers for His future coming to earth again. He tells them, although it will be a long time in coming, there will definitely be a reckoning among them at His return concerning the gifts He would distribute to each before His departure. Each of these would be dispensed according to the individual’s ability. And at His appearing He tells them He will demand an accounting what each did with that which was entrusted to him. The first two servants doubled their endowment; the third hid his. We’re concerned with the first two.

Notice these two faithful servants received the exact same commendation. Compare verses 21 and 23. This in spite of the fact that the one had added five talents to the five he was given, with the latter only gaining two more over his original two. Thus we’re taught if one Christian is an eight cylinder, so to speak, and another a four cylinder, God expects both to run on all cylinders. The important thing is making full use of what God has entrusted to each of us. God’s, “Well done,” is toward faithfulness, not necessarily fruitfulness or else the likes of Jeremiah and Isaiah would be left out.

“...Hanani...was a faithful man, and feared God above many,” Neh. 7:2. Ten brief words, but they’re the sum-total of a man’s life. No more need be said!

THE GREAT CIRCULAR CLOUD OVERHEAD

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses...let us run with patience the race that is set before us...Looking unto Jesus...who...endured the cross...For consider him that endured...lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

(Heb. 12:1-3)

One of the main themes of the book of Hebrews is endurance, especially is this true of chapter twelve. Paul encourages these early New Testament believers who were going through severe trials to receive the witness of their Old testament brethren who had persevered by faith in the Faithful One! He shows them the oneness of the Old and New Testaments saints. You know, “They two shall be one.”  They walked in the same shoes.

Contrary to some teaching, the emphasis in our text is not on those who are seeing us, but those who are speaking to us. It is not about spectators but witnesses. The concern of this great circular cloud overhead is not in what we are doing,  but rather in telling us what God did for them in like situations.  The Apostle recounts these lives in the previous chapter, eleven. Therefore we need to give heed to these heroes of the faith!

But it must be remembered these saints are examples, not enablers; they inspire, but cannot empower! This is the danger in going too far with Bible and historic biographies of other believers. Only God through Christ can see us through the dark days. And may I add that we, on this side of the Cross, are much more obligated to make it “safe home,” than they. Theirs was a limited knowledge, ours, unlimited. WE KNOW JESUS!

“Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth His Name.”

WHAT LIES BEYOND

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit...”

(1 Cor. 2:9-10)

Our texts are just one of the many that some have put asunder which God hath joined together. I heard a nationally  known evangelist years ago preach an entire message on the first portion cited, never mentioning the scripture following. The context shows the natural man has no idea what God has laid up for us who love Him. But He has revealed it to the Spiritual man, as the latter verse plainly tells us.

When speaking to some saints you’d be led to believe all the future holds is wars, earthquakes, plagues, religious persecution, racial hatred, famines, and a great host of other dreaded prophecies. But these, at best, are only brief bumps in the road, not to be compared to what lies beyond them! In times of crisis people can lose hope in the future. But as William Carey said, “Our future is as bright as the promises of God.”

Just what has God revealed to us who love Him? What has He shown us that’s just ahead, around the bend, so to speak — beyond the negatives? The glorious appearing of our Lord; a Kingdom of righteousness on earth; our eternal home, the celestial city, descending from on high; love, peace, joy, singing, praising, filling the eternal atmosphere; an everlasting tranquility — These are just a few blessings lying in wait for us, just beyond!

As my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Joe Henry Hankins, used to say before each sermon, when he was introduced “Isn’t it great to be a Christian?”

KNOWING THAT YOU KNOW HIM!

“And hereby do we know that we know Him…”

(1 Jn. 2:3)

Years ago an old preacher taught his son, “Know a thing and know you know it.” This is exactly John’s teaching: know Christ and know you know Him. In our age of uncertainty, which has crept into our churches, we need to delve again into John’s little Epistle of five brief chapters. His miniature book is referred to by many Bible students as “The Know-So-Book.”

It has always seemed strange to me that anyone claiming to be a Christian would object to this great doctrine of assurance. Common sense, not only the Scripture, proves it. Why, pray tell me, would God give an individual an unquestionable affirmation of his or her lost-ness and not their, if you allow me to coin a new word, found-ness?

We are not to know about Him, in a general superficial way, but have a personal intimate knowledge of Him. As an aged saint, at the door of death, that lovable old warhorse Paul said, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day,” 2 Tim. 1:12.

And just how do Christians know that they know Him? “He that saith, I know him…keepeth His Word...hereby know we [Him]...He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked,” 1 Jn. 2:4-6. We’re told, “Enoch walked with God”; “Noah walked with God”; and Abraham as an old man was told by God, “Walk before me.”

The longer you walk with a person the better you get to know them!

NEEDED-SPIRITUAL ARCHEOLOGISTS

“Whom say the people that I am...some [say]...that one of the old prophets is risen again.” Lk.9:18-19 (verse 8)

Twice in this chapter we find the term, “...one of the old prophets,” referring to whom some of the people thought Jesus to be. At the time mentioned, our Lord was a mature man of thirty years of age. Interestingly, He did not take any amount of time attempting to disassociate Himself from the old-timers of the distant past, or the caliber of men they were.

I have observed in recent years a rather large group of folk, desperately trying to divorce themselves from their forefathers. You will find this generation puts great value on antiques that profit them nothing, but, place little to no worth on the “ancient’s,” who could help them on to God.

And sad to say, this has been done to their own detriment.  The godly lives, heavenly wisdom, anointed service, answered prayers, and good works of their forefathers, have all been buried in the tombs of forgetfulness. One of the greatest needs of our day, I believe, is for some spiritual archeologists to dig up those rare relics from by-gone days, so that we may study their secrets to living a God-honoring life on this earth.

May God help each of us go to our spiritual tool shed and get our pick and shovel, and start digging!

  

LEAPFROGGING THROUGH LIFE

If you are not familiar with the term “leapfrog,” just ask anyone who lived during that great generation of the 40’s. It was a game we played along with “kick-the-can,” “hide-and-seek,” and “king of the hill,” etc.

Many adults, in our present day, are still playing this children’s game I enjoyed in my youth. But theirs is much more serious than our adolescent activity was. It’s possible to be a child in grownup clothing.

It’s a serious thing to pass over individual responsibility for personal enjoyment; sound doctrine for emotional devotion; doing the next thing for doing the second thing; the truth for a pseudo love; and duty for delight.

Dear reader, are you one of us who has a list of major things in your past you wish you’d not have passed over? If so, I leave you with these words of encouragement from the pen of C.S. Lewis:

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

ROMANS CHAPTER EIGHT

The book of Hebrews was my late wife’s favorite book, and Romans eight her favorite chapter. The latter was read in its entirety at her memorial service. It is considered by most, if not all, Bible students and scholars the greatest chapter of the scriptures. Of the golden vein that runs throughout the entire Word of God, Romans chapter eight is by far the richest find. It begins with, “no condemnation,” and ends with, “no separation.” And all in between is nothing but one rich nugget after another. And it doesn’t take a lot of digging to find them.

In this stupendous portion of scripture the Apostle shows how our new life, law, and liberty answers the question presented in the previous chapter, “Who shall deliver me?” Within these thirty-nine verses appears the transforming power of the indwelling Spirit of God, in the believer’s life! He is mentioned no less than nineteen times, whereas He is mentioned only once in the previous chapters. Zerubbabel of old would put an hearty “AMEN!” to Paul’s teaching in chapter eight. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zech. 4:6

“Believers should regularly reread [Romans eight] to confirm themselves in the basic truths of the real gospel.”

(J. Sidlow Baxter)

THE WRONG SIDE OF THE CROSS

“And a certain Jew named Apollos...an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures...was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John...whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”

(Acts 18:24-26)

In spite of all his good qualities Apollos, like many today, was on the wrong side of the Cross. Thus, he needed to be taken aside and instructed in the way of God more perfectly. Apollos’ delema, I believe, is one of the great dangers of the “Deeper Life Movement”: overemphasizing the death of Christ rather than His life.  

To major on His death can leave one melancholy. It’s possible to be sad as you walk with the risen Saviour, Lk. 24:17. On the bright side, to come to the realization of His resurrection brings great joy and jubilation! “He is risen from the dead…And they departed with...great joy” (Matt. 28:7-8). Life, not death brings revival, Gen. 45:26-27.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Cor. 15:57. The entire context surrounding this verse concerns the resurrection of Christ. And the same overcoming resurrected Spirit that indwelt Jesus, dwells in each of us, Rom. 8:11. My testimony is that of the song writer, “Because He lives I can face tomorrow!”

“We are more sure to arise out of our graves than out of our beds.”

(Thomas Watson)

THE DEVIL’S DEFEAT BY THE MAN CHRIST JESUS

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

(Matt. 4:1)

The Temptation is mentioned by the first three gospel writers, but is excluded from John’s book. The latter emphasises Jesus’ Deity, and God cannot be tempted, so says James. Our Lord was tempted as a man; He was there as our representative, Lk. 4:4.

Satan has suffered several humiliating major setbacks in the scripture (at least two still awaiting him). He was kicked out of heaven; his diabolical plan to kill God’s infant Son was foiled; he lost out again at the Cross and empty tomb; Christ’s intercessory work at present is checkmating him at every turn; and at Jesus’ return he will be chained a thousand years in the bottomless pit; Then, after being loosed for a season he will be cast into an eternal liquid lake of fire, with the Beast and False Prophet.

But I personally believe that of all his embarrassing defeats none was so painful to the “Proud One,” as the one he suffered at the hands of the lowly layman, the carpenter from Nazareth. The One who spent thirty years of His life at a workbench. A Commoner, if you please. One who we, in everyday work clothes, can identify with, when severely tempted.

The devil never dreamed after his temporary victory over the first man in the garden, where his slimy path would ultimately lead him. Straight to the feet of The Second Man, the Man Christ Jesus. SURPRISE! This man desired nothing in this world for Himself, but only that God would be glorified in all things. And that He might leave His redeemed brothers and sisters an example on how to live life. One sample was in overcoming the Wicked One by His hearty, “It is Written...It is Written. And again it is Written.”

“I have written unto you...because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”

(1 Jn. 2:14)

READY FOR CHRIST’S COMING?

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

(Lk. 12:40)

No one can plead ignorance if unprepared for His Second Coming, back to this earth.  Over and again the New Testament admonishes God’s people to be ready for His sudden and, in many a saint’s case, unexpected coming. I fear, if the truth be known, a lot of professing Christians will be upset and blush embarrassingly at His sudden appearing. Shamed saints!

To some, it will mean their best-laid plans will never come to fruition. Others’ theological pride will be wounded, for their eschatological position will have fallen apart, not  following their well-laid-out pattern. Still a great host will be caught with egg on their face, that is, unawares. Another group will be surprised as they eat and drink with drunkards.

I don’t know about other folk, but I intend to be a “stay-at-home” saint. I am waiting to hear those blessed words, “And ar midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,” Matt. 25:6. As one old divine put it, “Let the foolish virgins wander abroad, I’ll tarry at home waiting for the Bridegroom!” I'm Waiting and Watching.

TELL JESUS!

“And His Disciples...went and told Jesus.”

(Matt. 14:12)

What is a believer to do at those times when unimaginable tragedy strikes, leaving the suffering saint brokenhearted, destitute and longing for someone to talk to who understands? Sad to say, sometimes the only sympathy one can find is from the likes of Job’s miserable comforters. This type knows nothing of your distress or troubled soul; and you have good reason to believe there is little or no care on their part, from their actions and statements, as in Job’s case.

But thank God we have a friend closer than our closest kin to whom we can unbosom our most intimate and deepest pain, JESUS! He is acquainted with our sorrows and grief; that is, He sat where we sit. O, what a sympathizer! How sweet His unspoken words, yet felt, “I know, I know, my precious hurting child.” The old songwriter knew this truth when he penned, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, nobody knows but Jesus.” Tell Him, He’s a good listener.

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,

I cannot bear these burdens alone;

In my distress He kindly will help me,

He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

I cannot bear my burdens alone;

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!

Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

A MERRY HEART

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance...he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast…A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart…[The] people…[were] glad and merry in heart for the goodness [of] the LORD…”

(Prov. 15:13,15;17:22;Eccl. 9:7; 2 Chr. 7:10)

A gloom and doom spirit, I think, is the poorest of all advertisements for Christianity. Those in such a morbid melancholy state will see only the backs and not the faces of those to whom they recommend it, as they walk away in utter disgust. You can’t sell a product to someone who feels it is inferior to what he already has.

True Biblical cheerfulness originates in the heart. It has nothing to do with what is going on around  us but what is going on inside us! When it is in us, it will invariably radiate out through us. It is a continual feasting, without fear, as we eat and drink at His table. It’s the medicine that heals our soul. It comes from a “God is Good,” attitude.

Nothing can affect both our physical and Spiritual health in a negative way like cheerlessness. On the other hand, there is nothing that can revive both body and soul like a God-given cheerfulness! We might say, cheerfulness is just what the DOCTOR ordered. By the way, He still makes old-fashioned house calls, even late at night!

Paul mentions being of good cheer three time in the midst of the worst of storms. How could this be?

“And now I exhort you to be of good cheer…. For there stood by me this night the angel of God…. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me… Then were they all of good cheer.”

(Acts 27:22,23,25,36)

SACRIFICIAL LOVE

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

(1 Cor.13:3)

If our text teaches us anything, it teaches one can sacrifice without love but cannot truly love without sacrifice (see context).  Costless love is foreign to the Bible. To truly love our fellow man or our God there must first be some type of sacrifice connected with it. In our everyday vernacular, “I love you” has come to be a threadbare cliche; and it is usually said to someone very easy to love. And without any price paid.

At the foot of the Cross, you find the Blood of His sacrifice. Generally speaking you will look in vain for any such evidence in our displays of love. In the Old Testament we’re told two and a half tribes, on the other side of Jordan, built an altar. “Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see...not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice,” (Josh. 22:10,26,28). Bloodless!

It’s recorded that Jesus loved the rich young  man, Lazarus, and those He chastens; but nowhere did He ever actually tell anyone He loved them— He showed it with His sacrificial living and dying. As John tell us in his first epistle, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (3:18) When Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, it was followed by asking him to show it. It was a, SHOW-ME LOVE.

SINK OR SWIM?

"...according to the custom, as the duty of every day required."

(Ezr. 3:4)

An old preacher who used little quips to preach entire sermons, used to say, “Duties never conflict.” Three little words, but what a wealth of wisdom! If we ever needed to heed them, it’s today. After years in a busy ministry, I had to learn this great truth the hard way, as I have most things of importance.

Most of us busy bees have so many irons in the fire that, when it comes time for branding, we don’t even know which one to use. The frustration, anxiety, and confusion we experience, come from the fact, we have too much on our plate. Something can be good and right, but it’s not for us. Most of our burdens are self-imposed.

In God’s plan for each life, He leaves time for us to “smell the flowers.” It is not all work and no play. The Lord never puts on us more than we can carry. It is Satan who overloads us with the extra baggage. God has certain things He has ordained for us to accomplish—certain specific things. "Daily Duties," if you please.To go beyond these is to go beyond the will of God.

In my first pastorate, we went through a dire financial time. I prayed for two years, every day, but things only grew worse. Then the Lord revealed to me that if I would let go of my staff of five, it would solve any and all of the problems. But because of my affection for them (and some pride), I refused and held on. Finally, when I did submit, everything turned for the better. My life, my church, my home, and the lives of my staff, were all blessed.

Things we hold to are fine until they begin to sink us; then we must let go of them if we expect to survive. You know, "Let go, and let God."

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KNOW THINE ENEMY

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

(2Cor. 2:11)

The saying, “Know Thyself”, is attributed to the Greek philosopher Socrates, but how about this one, “Know Thine Enemy”? Paul would have approved, I think, of Victor Hugo’s remarks, “A good general must penetrate the brain of his enemy.” By doing this, the Chinese proverb will be proven out: “Know your enemy: then in one hundred battles you will be victorious one hundred times.” Jesus said if the good man of the house had known more about the thief’s tactics, he’d have been ready and not suffered the setback.

True, much has been attributed to Satan he was not in; but many things he’s the culprit in goes undetected. It is important to know the difference between the two. If it is the latter, we need to say unequivocally, “An enemy hath done this.” The Apostle most certainly could and did, he said on one occasion, “Satan hindered us.”  The devil is a quick-change artist, you might say he has a thousand faces. He can come in sheep’s clothing, as an angel of light, or a minister of righteousness. He’s very religious.

Satan’s many stratagems can be found in the best book ever written on the subject, THE BIBLE!  “It is written,” is the saint’s best defense against him.

“And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us; The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.”

(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God)

CARDBOARD THINKERS

"Think on these things..."

(Phil. 4:8,b)

I have always been impressed with Samson's mother. Not only was she a spiritual woman, but a profound Christian thinker. When the angel she had previously talked with alone showed himself to both her and her husband a second time, her husband said, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God." To which his wife replied, in essence,"If the Lord was going to kill us, He would not have accepted our offering nor told us all these things". A practical thinker indeed!

Most of you are familiar with the sub-heading on our blog-site. It reads, "Brief, Biblical Essays for Thinking People." My sincere intent is to get saints to think for themselves; it is so liberating and satisfying. Don't accept the norm, simply because it is tradition. Ask yourself questions, such as: "If the wine the saints drank was just grape juice, in Ro.14:21, why all the controversy? If a Fundamentalist woman's modest dress is considered worldly by the Amish standard, what would a first century Christian consider both of them? Does "one" always mean singular? Paul says all the law is fulfilled in one word, then adds six more.

O, beloved, think through things, then work them out. And after that, ask God for the courage to stand on your own two intellectual feet! Don't let the pseudo spiritual know-it-alls intimidate you. Read opposing views, have those in your inner circle who are independent thinkers;  and above all, break free of the cardboard, and think outside the box.

Oswald Chambers writes,"Some have a blatant pride of knowing nothing outside the Bible, which, in all probability, means knowing the inside of it either. Christian thinking is a rare and difficult thing. So many seem unaware that the first great commandment according to our Lord is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy...mind."  

“Had Eve thought things through, I assume, we’d not be in the mess we’re in.”

(rds)

ABIGAIL'S CLAN

“Abigail...was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance...And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from...avenging myself with mine own hand.”

1 Sam.25:31;32-33

Blessed be the man who has a wise Abigail by his side. I had such a companion for fifty-six years. “Abigail's Clan,” as I like to call them, are constantly keeping their man from unwise decisions and the possible tragic actions that could follow. Those men wise enough to listen to their Abigail’s advice become wiser themselves.

The name Abigail means, “My Father’s Joy.” I have found through these many long years it is altogether joyous to be around her breed. One main mark that identifies those who belong to Abigail’s like is the fact they’re always looking out for their man’s interests! That’s first priority with them. Her lifetime goal is guarding his character.

Abigail's are, “The Wind Beneath His Wings.”

https://youtu.be/UnrK97Mx1NA