The Heaton File

Are they ministers of Christ?–I speak as a fool–I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness–besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

I Have No Complaints

The apostle Paul was an amazing man. Few men in history have made such an impact on the world as the man from Tarsus. He was a celebrity of his time enjoying the wealth and power of a nobleman wielding incredible influence for his day. As a Jew, he was the epitome of what every Jewish boy wanted to be. Paul was a Benjamite and a member of the sect of Pharisees. His power was unlimited as he sought out the followers of Christ persecuting them to foreign cities. He learned from one of the great teachers of law named Gamaliel and was taught to strictly keep the law in zealousness. He persecuted the church binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. This all changed when he came to Damascus.

The Lord had set Paul apart for His own special purpose. When Ananias baptized Saul of Tarsus into Christ, a new man arose that would change the shape of the world. His passion and desire to serve Jesus Christ was incredibly intense. He immersed himself in the work of teaching the gospel in Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world. The journeys of Paul throughout the Roman Empire began a movement that still thrives today. We are all recipients of the passionate work Paul laid down in city after city recounting his labors in numerous letters. The bulk of the New Testament canon is devoted to the ministry of Paul. He was unmarried and unfettered by family responsibilities allowing him to preach in foreign cities, stand before governors and kings and eventually preach in the imperial city of Rome the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Viewing the life of Paul, one has to sympathize with the hardships he endured almost on a daily basis. Few men can measure to his stature but he came in a fullness of time that allowed him to serve the Lord in a way few of us can ever realize. His letter to Corinth outlines the strength of his work and challenges he faced daily. He was beaten numerous times and once left for dead after a stoning. Prison was a common place to find the apostle. He lived with death threats from his fellow Jews. Misfortune fell upon him on many occasions including surviving a shipwreck and being left in the sea for a night and day. His middle name was “peril” as he suffered from the elements, his countryman and others who wanted him dead. False brethren attacked him. Fellow Christians persecuted Paul with great anger. Life with Paul was vigorous and weary filled with sleepless nights and lack of food. If this was not enough, he lived with the concern of all the churches he had been a part of.

As I write these words, I sit in a comfortable chair in a home filled with many conveniences of life. The cupboards have food, closets are filled with clothes and I have not known hunger in my life. I go from place to place in the comfort of a twelve-year-old truck. I worship with a loving group of fellow saints who live in various stages of similar comfort in a building that provides padded pews, illustrative PowerPoints, indoor plumbing and temperature-controlled environments. I have never spent a night in prison, beaten for what I believe, or hunted down by adversaries who want to kill me. Sunday morning I spend two hours in Bible study, worship, and return Sunday evening for another hour of worship. Wednesday nights an hour of Bible study concludes the day. I have a good library of books; the Bible is in printed form and on my cell phone, IPad and computer. My wife completes my life with the joy of my children and grandchildren. Where in all of this can I complain and feel as if my service to Jesus Christ is burdensome?

It is amazing how people complain about how long a sermon is, the need to assemble ‘again’ and ‘again’ and how difficult it is finding time to read God’s word (in printed form or electronic – the whole word revealed from Genesis to the Revelation). We feel as if life is so hard because we are expected to serve the Lord with some sort of diligence. Asking more than an hour a week for this God stuff can be overwhelming. The elders expect too much, the preacher demands unrealistic goals, the life of a Christian is just so very, very hard. Paul was a unique individual and that is accepted. His place in the scheme of redemption was powerful. It is a good thing he is not alive today and preaching because few congregations would allow him in the pulpit after he witnesses how the church has become softened by the luxuries of the world. I doubt very many of us have suffered much for being a Christian. There are some among us that have been abandoned by their families, suffered loss for choosing Christ and live difficult lives because they confess Christ. For the most of us, Paul is an imaginary figure that lived a long time ago and we will never understand the level of commitment he had in being crucified with his Lord.

Vance Havner said that religious movements begin in caves and die in cathedrals. Have we come to the cathedral age of Christianity forgetting our roots and the inspiration of men like Paul who gave his life for his Lord? Do we complain about what we have to do for the church? The church of today is not turning the world upside down because it is parallel to the world. How many souls have been brought to Christ this year? That takes a lot of work. Church growth comes from hard labor. If we would work in the spirit of the apostle Paul in a day void of persecution, churches would overflow with new disciples. The reality is we enjoy the comfort of modern Christianity that has turned a lifesaving station into a social club. I have no complaints. That could be the problem.

In the church we have a Christless churchianity and a churchless Christianity, a form of godliness without power, form without force, ritual without righteousness. (Vance Havner; 1901-1986)

Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors, they are established. (Proverbs 15:22)

It Is Good To Ask For Advice

The book of Proverbs is a wonderful book of simple truths that if followed, will bring greater happiness in life. The proverbs are not deep religious discussions but bullets of common sense. The lost commodity of practical wisdom is found in the short, pithy sayings that speak volumes of interpersonal relationships, advice for the challenges of life and a complete relationship with God and man. We would do well to spend time combing the book of Proverbs for helping hints to improve our outlook in life. Seeking the counsel of others will give us greater understanding. Life is filled with making decisions. Trying to navigate the turbulent waters without the proper plans will not go well. The wise man suggests that to keep plans from failing, we should seek the counsel of those who can be trusted with practical wisdom. No man has all the answers to life. It is easy to believe we are right about everything but that is a failed assumption. Failure will always come to those who do not seek advice from others.

This proverb also suggests that we should make plans for life. We know the human experience is but a vapor but there should be a motivation to accomplish certain things in life. Making plans does not remove the reality there is no tomorrow. It determines a plan of wisdom in helping direct our lives to realize growth. We should never be satisfied with what we have done today as if there is nothing more to do. Spiritual growth continues to need planning and choosing the right path. Seeking the counsel of others helps to mold our decisions to make goals that can be accomplished. Asking advice will help further those goals to reality. The multitude of counselors will give a broader plane of wisdom to work from – guiding our decisions to a better end.

Seeking the counsel of others wards off the temptation of being rash. One of the problems of life is when we make hasty decisions without thinking the situation through. It is ‘in the moment’ we believe we know what is best and refuse to stop and seek a wiser head for guidance. Calamity follows. We say something that is regretted, act in a manner that is difficult to repair and all because we did not stop, think and listen to someone else. The ‘multitude of counselors’ would have warned us not to go down that path but we did not ask. We are all guilty. Sometimes we make unwise decisions that will last a lifetime. Regrets are made because we did not listen to the advice of others. Lessons learned the hard way are difficult to accept.

Rehoboam, son of Solomon, became king following his father’s death. He did not read the proverbs and heed their warnings. He sought after counsel but he chose the wrong kind of counsel beginning a long, spiraling death of the kingdom of Israel. In contrast, James writes in his epistle that older men and women should be teaching younger men and women. The implication also says that younger men and women should be seeking the counsel of older men and women. Listening to their advice will bring greater satisfaction in life than refusing counsel. Communication is a practical tool for wisdom. Without the counsel of others, plans will not work out for the best. Asking the advice of others will create a smoother path to journey in the uneven walks of life.

Do not be afraid to seek advice, asking guidance for the plans of life. Let the multitude of counselors be your best friends. Rash decisions will lead to trouble. Be patient in spirit. The word of God will be your foundation in seeking the counsel of the righteous. Surround your life with those who care for you and your journey to heaven. Listen, heed and guide the steps of your journey along the path of righteousness with those who walk before you. Imitate them as they imitate Christ.

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:8-10)

The Oath Of Allegiance

Throughout the New Testament world, the image of the Roman soldier was firmly embedded in the minds of every citizen. Rome made certain the might of the Imperial Army reminded the people daily of the conquest by a greater power and their subjection was demanded with no question. The Roman soldier was a formidable presence. He represented unquestioned authority because he took an oath to serve the power of Rome in every land vanquished by its might. Paul used imagery from the Roman army to impress upon the mind of his readers the role of the Christian in the army of God. The church in Ephesus was told to put on the whole armor of God with each piece of the uniform a vital part of righteousness, truth and courage.

Writing to the Christian’s in Rome, Paul reminded them of the confession made when they obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ. The imagery the apostle used was not mere words expressed in rote form but an oath of allegiance to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Confession is one of the key ingredients leading a man to salvation. In the book of Acts, Philip told the man from Ethiopia if he believed with all his heart that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God; he could be saved. The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” They stopped the chariot, both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. The eunuch obeyed the word of truth but not before proclaiming his allegiance to the Lord. Confession is a pledge to serve the Lord as King.

Teaching the gospel plan of salvation requires the individual understanding the cost of being a disciple of God’s Son. Jesus taught no one could be His disciple unless he denied himself first. Parents, children, siblings, friends, or one’s own life must be discarded for service to Jesus as Christ. Lordship demands complete obedience. Confessing the Lord Jesus recognizes that Jesus is Lord of my life and I have no control of my life. Believing in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead acknowledges the eternal power of God rules my life in every part. The Roman domination of the world was complete in every part of society. Accepting the rule of God in my life requires the supremacy of the Lord’s will in every part of my life. Salvation comes from the confession with the mouth that Jesus is Lord. This comes from the heart believing righteousness rules my life.

The life of the soldier of Christ is a daily acknowledgment of the confession made when one obeyed the gospel. Confessing Jesus as Lord guides every part of daily living. With each new day, the child of God remembers the oath made that Jesus is Lord and life is measured by the allegiance to the King. His will is my will; His word is my word and serving Jesus the King comes from an oath made that God raised Jesus from the dead and He rules as supreme. I serve the King. I follow His commands because I love Him. I made a promise and I will not fail in the confession I made. Jesus – you are my King, my Lord and my Savior.

The way of Christ is not possible without Christ. (William Russell Maltby, Obiter Scripta, ed. F. B. James, 1952)

And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.” As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” (Mark 14:43-49)

Jesus Was Always In Control

The life of Jesus was always about accomplishing the will of the Father. There was never a time when the events of His life were not under the guiding hand of God as evident when Jesus was arrested. One of the hallmarks of the gospel of Mark is the message of power. Throughout his writings, Mark displays the control of Jesus over the world accomplishing the scheme of redeeming man. To the Roman mind, power was an appealing subject. Mark’s gospel would have attracted the Roman mind to the life of Jesus. In the beginning of the book, the word “immediately” is found repeatedly with the urgency of powerful events unfolding. Jesus in the garden is no less powerful showing He was controlling all the events leading to His death.

Mark’s account of Jesus’ arrest is brief. After praying to His Father, Jesus rises to await the huge crowd that is coming to put him in chains. Judas betrays his Lord with a kiss. When they lay hands on Jesus to take him away, Peter lashes out with a sword cutting off the ear of Malchus, servant to the High Priest. Mark leaves out the name of Peter and Malchus and other events surrounding the arrest. The message Mark is leaving on the minds of his readers is singular. Jesus chides the multitude for coming to arrest Him as if he is a robber. They bring clubs and swords to arrest one man. Jesus reminds them He had spent many days in the temple teaching and no one arrested Him. Mark shows that Jesus was in control of His arrest, trial and death.

Jesus death on the cross was not a mistake. It was not a failed plan of God to have His Son die for the sins of all man. His arrest in the garden was orchestrated by the will of the Father. There were times the rulers wanted to do something with Jesus but His time had not yet come. The driving power behind the life of Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s word promised from time beginning. Pride has always plagued man in his arrogance. Salvation for man came solely by the grace of God without man’s wisdom. Jesus died by the will of the Jews and the hand of the Romans as determined by the word of God. He rose on the third day to celebrate the first day of the week. Light was created on the first day and the Light of the world was established on the first day of the week. God’s hand was in every part of the life of His beloved Son.

Pentecost came about on the first day of the week. Jesus resurrection was preached on the first day of the week and three thousand souls were added to the church on the first day of the week. God was in control as He continues to fulfill the life of His Son. Submitting to the will of God is allowing Him to guide and direct the steps of life in accordance His word. Man could not change the plan of God in sending Jesus to earth, His ministry, death and burial. By God’s power, Jesus rose from the dead. He reigns because of the will of the Father. Salvation will only come when we subdue our spirits to the word of God allowing His control in my life. Refusing to accept the will of God does not take away His power. It takes away our hope. Submit to the life of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” the issue was forever settled. God’s Son became our sin. We do not settle that issue, but one thing we must settle: what we do about it. (Vance Havner; 1901-1986)

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.'” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:17-22)

No One Is Good But God

Life is always a comparison of what is good in this world and the promise of good in the world beyond. Man has struggled with the short vision of now instead of hoping for a greater blessing in a place he cannot see. Sin makes man impatient. He is convinced that everything that will make him happy is found in the vapor of life. Jesus met a vibrant young man who came to the right place seeking the right answers. Running to the Lord, the man knelt before Jesus showing his earnest desire to find truth. How the heart of Jesus must have burst at the sight of such a powerful example of faith. The young man wanted to know what to do that he could have eternal life. Few men seek these answers and to find someone so emboldened to come directly to Jesus for help was gratifying. The Lord reminded the man that the Father grants eternal life because He alone is the One who is good. This is a remarkable statement by Jesus but it shows His deep love for the work of His Father. Glory was reserved for God.

Jesus quickly recounted the basis of the Law to the young man pointing him in the direction he already knew. The answer by Jesus was not to focus on one part of the Law excluding the others. Rather, Jesus was building a platform to address the real problem the young man must face. With excitement the young man answered he had done all that Jesus said and felt secure in the knowledge that everything in his life was in order. The rich young man had led an exemplar life of devotion to the Lord. Great joy swelled in his heart as he felt blessed to be an example of keeping the Law. It was then he heard the words that crushed his hopes of eternal life. He had run to Jesus begging the most important question asked by man. His heart was fully set on doing all he could for God and wanted the approval of the Lord to confirm his belief. What he heard was the last thing he expected. Jesus told him to sell his great wealth giving all the proceeds to the poor – and as a humble man follow Jesus. He ran to Jesus in the beginning but walked away slowly in despair.

No one is good but God. A man came seeking eternal life and left without it. An opportunity for a man to find happiness crushed by a way of life he could not endure. Love for God thought to be a powerful motivation in life only to discover that love for money was greater. The goodness of God is without measure. Before Jesus answered the young man’s question, He wanted everyone to know the answer to eternal life comes from God alone. There is one answer because there is one way and one truth. Jesus must have known immediately what this man was seeking and the love he had for his wealth. The answer was going to be a harsh reality for the rich man. Riches can be loved more than God but eternal life comes from the goodness of the Lord alone. This demands separation from the things of this world. Salvation cannot be given when the heart loves mammon and God. Too often men try to serve the will of God with the pleasures of life feeling justified they are righteous. No one is good but One, that is God. His goodness demands complete devotion to all the word and nothing can stand between God and man. The rich young ruler allowed the wealth of this world to take away the hope of heaven.

God is good in everything He does. The answer Jesus gave the man was harsh and the only salvation the man could find was in the goodness of God because that was truth. Serving the Lord demands righteousness on His terms. The word of God has remained unchanged from time beginning. Throughout the generations of man’s existence, he has tried to find goodness in himself only to find failure. God alone is good and if man is to find the answer to eternal life, he must follow all the commands of the Lord. The rich young ruler walked away from the Son of God because he loved money more than eternal life. How sad. How tragic. God is still good. Hope remains when we follow all the commandments of the goodness of God so we may find the eternal goodness of God in heaven.

We shall see Him face to face, if we now see Him by faith. (Augustine, Ennaration on Psalm XCVII, c. 415)

After these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them over to himself. And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that his purpose was to make war against Jerusalem, he consulted with his leaders and commanders to stop the water from the springs which were outside the city; and they helped him. Thus many people gathered together who stopped all the springs and the brook that ran through the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?” And he strengthened himself, built up all the wall that was broken, raised it up to the towers, and built another wall outside; also he repaired the Millo in the City of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance. Then he set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the open square of the city gate, and gave them encouragement, saying, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:1-8)

An Arm Of Flesh

Sennacherib was a ruthless Assyrian king that chose to fight the wrong nation at the wrong time. He came to Judah with more than 185,000 men of valor to vanquish the two remaining tribes of Israel and their king, Hezekiah. The presence of the Assyrians brought fear wherever they sent their armies and Hezekiah knew this invading army would not stop until his nation was destroyed. Undaunted, the king of Judah prepared for a long siege that was characteristic of the battle plans prior to the final blow of conquest. He denied the water so necessary for the Assyrians and made repairs to the city. Weapons were manufactured in abundance as the king made great preparations to defend the city of God. One of the most important things Hezekiah did was to exhort the people to have faith in God. All the fortifications and machines of war were useless if the Lord God was not fighting for them.

The king of Judah exhorted his people to be strong and courageous. It was a frightful thing to look out over the hillside and see the massive Assyrian army camped ready to kill everyone in the city. Sennacherib’s army was ruthless and merciless. The people of Judah knew how terrible the Assyrian army could be as they watched helplessly the northern tribes of Israel vanquished by the hand of the invading army. Now the power and might of Assyria stood at their gates. Hezekiah knew that with the thousands of soldiers that stood before him, they were outnumbered. His words of encouragement were remarkable because he told the people that although the Assyrians seemed unbeatable, the people of Judah outnumbered the invading army. The contrast was Sennacherib fought with an arm of flesh and the people of Judah had the Lord on their side. Faith won the battle.

Hezekiah’s words to the people were realized when the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. One angel killed one-hundred-eighty-five thousand soldiers in one night. Isaiah, the prophet, had also prayed and cried out to heaven for deliverance. Sennacherib fled back to his home and was killed by two of his sons as he worshiped in the temple of his false god. The king of Assyria fought with an arm of flesh. He could not stand against the mighty arm of the Lord. Despots cannot stand before the mighty power of the Lord God. The victory of Hezekiah reminds us of the power of God and that nothing can change the course of the will of the Lord. Men will try and they will always fail.

The story of Sennacherib’s defeat is important to realize that God reigns in the affairs of men and continues to work His will in the lives of His children. Prayer is a powerful means of exerting the might of the Lord against the foes of life. Hezekiah’s speech is testimony to the faith in a power higher than an arm of flesh. Men have tried to change the church of the Lord to fit their mold of worship but to no avail. Churches created by men are failing because arms of flesh build them. Morality governed by the desires of the flesh can only end in the destruction of society. History repeatedly shows what happens when men follow their own fleshly desires refusing to listen to the word of God. Warmongers bring fear to the world but only for a season. Hezekiah exhorts all men today to look to the only one who can bring peace and safety. With God – we are a majority. Now that is a great story.

So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” ‘ “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” (Acts 28:23-28)

Jesus Is The Old Testament

The story of Jesus is a powerful testimony of the grace of God. Reading the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; the life, death and resurrection of God’s Son declares His majesty, glory and honor. The four gospels are the foundations of the teachings of Jesus with the New Testament epistles the applications of His word. Telling the story of Jesus fills the pages of the New Testament. Unknown for many is the reality the Old Testament is as much a testimony of the Son of God as the New. It is remarkable to consider the early disciples teaching the gospel message of salvation using only the Old Testament. Phillip taught a man from Ethiopia about Jesus beginning from the book of Isaiah. It was the conclusion of the eunuch following the teaching of Phillip that baptism was necessary for salvation. All of this came from Isaiah and the books of the Old Testament. Jesus declared the Law of Moses, and the Prophets and the Psalms were about Him and the Jews could have understood who He was if they would have taken the time to search the scriptures. The people of Berea searched the Old Testament proving what Paul was preaching about the gospel was true or not. Luke tells us Paul persuaded many that Jesus was the Christ showing from the Prophets the evidence of his arguments. The kingdom of God can be explained from the Law of Moses and the Prophets as Paul did in his preaching.

Reading the Old Testament from the view of Jesus changes how the Bible was written. In an effort to teach the Bible, we often do a disservice by showing the Old Testament was written just for examples about the beginning of things, Israel’s rise and fall, great lessons from the Psalms and wisdom literature; and never spend time in the Prophets because they are the dark hole of scripture no one understands. Blocking the Old Testament into stories about this group of people and that group of people without seeing how Jesus fits into all of God’s scheme leaves the full imprint of the thirty-nine books limited. Admittedly, it is difficult to change the mind to see the Old Testament as Jesus Christ. The Jews were familiar with the Old Testament more than most today. What the Holy Spirit reminds the reader of the Law of Moses and the Prophets; the early disciples taught about the kingdom of God from these pages. The necessity of baptism is found in the Old Testament. Believing Jesus is the Son of God is rooted in the Old Testament.

A challenge for Bible students is to change the view of Old Testament books to see how Jesus Christ is declared. As the New Testament books were established, the message of salvation became clearer with the teachings of the gospels and early epistles. The Old and New Testament are not two separate divisions but a compliment of the whole message of Jesus Christ. The law of faith through Abraham and the Law of Moses failed because man could not save himself. Jesus took away the curse and became the blood sacrifice. Salvation is not found in the wisdom of man but the sacrifice of Christ. The goodness and severity of the Lord is declared in all the books of the Bible as Jesus Christ is revealed as the sacrificial lamb given for all men. The theme of God’s word is Jesus Christ!

Paul testified of the kingdom of God and persuaded men concerning Jesus Christ – and he did all of this from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. There is no doubt through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he shared the full story of Jesus life, His teachings, miracles and power of His resurrection. Look at the Old Testament and see where Jesus is found. He is there. Start with Isaiah and preach Jesus. Show the coming of the kingdom of God with the Law and Prophets. Do not leave the Old Testament as just a historical setting of books that do not apply to the church today. They are rich with the story of Jesus. Come to know the Jesus of the Old Testament.

The great principle dominating the composition of Scripture is that of the ascent towards discovery. (Henri Daniel-Rops, What is the Bible? 1958)

For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (Hebrews 3:16-4:2)

Mixing The Word With Faith

The journey of Israel to the promised land is a tragic tale of opportunities squandered, faith lost and rebellion. God demonstrated His power with ten terrible plagues upon the Egyptian nation concluding with the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. His fury and wrath was felt at Mt. Sinai as Moses communed with the Lord. When the people turned to idolatry three thousand men lost their lives. Warnings were repeatedly given against going against the word of the Lord but the people murmured, complained, rebelled and fail to trust the power of God. Arriving at Kadesh-Barnea the nation stood at the brink of a glorious conquest of the land promised by the Lord. Their lack of trust in God led to their wandering in the wilderness for four decades as the first generation of Hebrews perished. The history of Israel’s early days is a sad reminder of how important faith must be mixed with the word of truth and the consequence of failing to do so.

God’s word is a powerful testimony of His love and His wrath. From Adam, man has always known the will of the Lord because God has always revealed Himself to man. Adam and Eve knew what the will of God was in the garden. The early world of Noah was destroyed because men rejected the word of God. Israel became a pattern of the written law given to the people and their complete lack of faith in God’s word. The Hebrew writer implores the early Christians to preserve their faith and trust in God – not giving up their hope in the only one who could save them. Israel failed in the wilderness because of their unbelief. The word was given to them and they understood the word. They did not add faith to the word to help them find the courage to trust in God. His word will have no power if there is no faith. Mixing the word with faith is where hope comes.

The church faces a crisis of faith. God has revealed everything needed for salvation. His word is clear and demonstrative but without application, it will profit little. Faith must be mixed with the word believing in the promises of God as true. Sitting in a pew on Sunday will not bring faith to bear on the heart. Daily application of the word in an active measure of faith produces hope. James reminds his readers they must be hearers and doers of the word and faith without works is dead. The word of God will have little profit not being mixed with faith by those who hear it. Listening to a sermon is a valuable tool to increase faith but only if the message is applied to the heart and action is taken with the head. Daily reading and studying of the word is imperative to a proper spiritual life blending the will of God with the actions of faith. Unbelief comes from a lack of application.

Mixing the word with faith allows the word of God to change the heart. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Having the faith to trust in what God says is seen in the changes that take place in the life of the Christian. The word of God is written as an agency of change. Allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about a humble spirit, devoted mind and brighter outlook is mixing the word of God with complete faith in His will. It is impossible to embrace the word of God without change. His word is written to transform people. Having the word alone will not do that. The children of Israel had the word of God but they failed to mix it with faith. We should not make that mistake. Allow the word of God to change your life and you will find richness that you have never known. Trust in God. Listen to His word. Mix His word with faith.

Faith, like the whole Christian life, is an encounter in which God takes and keeps the initiative. (Eugene Joly, What is Faith? 1958)

Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God. (Psalm 78:1-8; A contemplation of Asaph)

Telling The Children

Every generation must know the word of God. The story of man’s creation and relationship with the Father has been a necessary part of every society. Noah was a righteous man, Abraham was a man of faith and Job reminds us of the hardships of life but all had a deep and abiding knowledge of the God that saved them. Throughout the history of the Jewish people, understanding the story of the mercy of the Lord either would save them or destroy them. The punishment afflicted upon the nation resulted in their rejection of the word of God. Generations arose that did not know the Lord and sought wisdom in their own pleasures. Calamity fell upon Israel for the lack of knowledge. The story of Jesus reminds us time and again the power of knowing the heavenly Father and listening to His words. Paul and the other New Testament writers emphasize that faith comes from hearing the word of God. Two thousand years removed does not change the emphasis of knowing the old, old story.

Asaph was a masterful poet. His contemplation was a reminder of the turbulent history of Israel as a nation. He begins with the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and marks well each stage of Israel’s struggle to obey the word of the Lord. They would listen to God and then rebel and God would punish them and then bless them. The story is not about Israel but the grace of God. Israel tested and provoked the Lord many times but in the end, God was faithful to the promise He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The fulfillment of this story is found in Jesus Christ. Asaph did not live to see the coming of the Christ but he knew the faithfulness of the Lord would bring about all His promises. What is very important about this psalm is the need to teach these stories to children. Asaph reminds his readers that every generation needs to know the story of God.

We have lost a lot of opportunities in our modern world of technology. Families seldom gather around the hearth to listen to the reading of the word of God. We should never hide the stories of God from our children. Every generation should know the Bible front and back. The praises of the Lord, His strength and wonderful works He has done should be at the forefront of every child’s learning. God commanded the people to teach their children His law so their hope would be set on Him. The works of the Lord should be implanted on the minds of every generation learning to keep His commandments. A lack of knowledge will destroy any nation. Asaph warns against being like generations past that were stubborn, rebellious and refused to set their hearts on the Lord. It takes time and energy to teach children but the lack of knowledge will destroy them.

Life is filled with the hectic pursuits of school, recreation, sports, jobs and life in general. This generation is the most advanced time in the history of man with communication but the greatest generation of ignorant people of God than many generations before. Electronic devices have taken away the art of conversation. Families no longer dine together, talk together or acknowledge one another because the glow of computers and cell phones have tanned the lines of the face with mesmerizing power. Parents spend more time on their cell phones that with their children. Young people do not know where scriptures are in the Bible because they seldom (if ever) open the book. The church is being filled with those who are shallow in their understanding of the mercy and grace of God. Asaph reminds us of the downfall when we do not teach – impart knowledge – our children the word of God. Electronic games are played during worship instead of reverence. Bible class teachers struggle to tell the stories of the Bible to students who have little interest because their parents have no interest. A stubborn and rebellious generation comes from homes that do not teach the word of God.

Teaching children is not a Sunday morning, Wednesday night magical pill that will produce faithful children of God. Asaph declares that faithful people come from fathers who tell the story of Jesus to their children and mothers who instill in the hearts of their children the wonderful story of God’s love. Do not hide the truth from your children. Tell your family the praises of the Lord, the strength of His might and the wonderful works He has done. Make certain your generation and the next knows the story of God. Instill in them the hope that can only be found in God and to be diligent to keep the commandments of the Lord. If this is not done, a stubborn and rebellious generation will arise that will not set their hearts on the Lord and whose spirit will not be faithful to God.

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

Helping The Salvation Army

I recently presented a sermon on the Salvation Army as the season of bell ringers are heard throughout the land. The common response to the sermon was that most people were unaware the Salvation Army was anything but a community organization. As people of God, we must be careful how we interact with the world and especially condoning the practices of false doctrines. To that end, an examination of the Salvation Army is worthy of sharing their origin, beliefs, practices and how Christians should view the work of the Salvation Army.

The World Book Encyclopedia describes the Salvation Army as “A world-wide Christian religious body with semi military structure. It provides food, shelter, and clothing to the needy, and administers to the spirit by bringing religion to many whom churches never reach.” In 1865, William Booth served as a Methodist minister in London, England. He became concerned with the poor and homeless of London’s east end slums and began to encourage the new converts to attend the churches of the area. Victorian England was not ready for the hungry, destitute beggars of society to fill their pews. The poor were not welcomed and they were not comfortable in the world of the upper caste that looked upon them with derision. Booth decided to take matters into his own hands and established the East London Christian Mission. In 1878 Booth changed the name of the group to the Salvation Army. Eliza Shirley, a lieutenant in the Salvation Army, is credited with bringing the work to the United States in 1879 and the Salvation Army became an official group in 1880.

Few people recognize the Salvation Army as a church. They are an evangelical part of the universal Christian church that does charity work all over the world. Their beliefs are based on “what it says in the Bible” and their mission is to love and help people in need. They believe the scriptures are inspired of God; there is only one God and three persons in the Godhead. Jesus is considered divine and human. Booth’s background as a Methodist preacher lends a heavy Calvinistic view to salvation. The Salvation Army teaches the doctrine of total depravity and limited atonement of Christ. They accept justification by grace through faith rejecting baptism as necessary for salvation. “Repentance, faith, and regeneration by Holy Spirit are necessary.” Continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ including the doctrine of once saved, always saved (Calvinism). Salvationist accepts the immortality of soul, resurrection of body, judgment, eternal happiness, and endless punishment. The Salvation Army is opposed to abortion and denies LBGT dogmas but accepts both. Women fill the role of preaching and leadership within their church. The Lord Supper is not provided. The Salvation Army is a church.

Hearing the ringing of the bells and seeing the red buckets is the seasonal sounds of Christmas. The Salvation Army is heavily involved in many programs for the community. Each red bucket represents a church asking for donations to continue their work. Thrift stores are packed with merchandise sold to further the cause of the Salvation Army. Programs by the Salvation Army propagate the work of a church that is not built upon the truth of Jesus Christ. Hugh Davis, a gospel preacher of days gone by, writes: “Although the objective of the program may be commendable, it creates a problem for some in that, if they participate, they will be contributing to a religious body they do not endorse and with which they cannot have fellowship. Make no mistake about it – the Salvation Army is not a civic organization, but a religion. Contributions made in response to this appeal could as well be made to the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, and the Unitarian Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses or any other denominational church.”

Paul warned the Corinthians to be separate from the world. The New Testament church began at Pentecost; not 1865. The Salvation Army is a man-made organization seeking to usurp the organization of the New Testament church and fails to teach the Biblical pattern of salvation. They do not teach the whole counsel of God.