The Heaton File

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Giving Or Tithing

One of the singular parts of worship from the beginning has been returning to the Lord what He has graciously allowed man to have. Everything man has comes from God. The world was created as a cornucopia of God’s blessings for man to enjoy. Cain and Abel illustrate the importance of true worship and teach how the Creator desired for the creation to remember where all his blessings came. In the days of Abraham, organized worship is found when Melchizedek was a priest of the God Most High. Abraham gave him a tithe of all, which is the first reference to the worship of giving. Later, under the Law of Moses, the children of Israel are commanded to give a tithe of the land as a holy gift to the Lord. Most people in the religious world are not aware tithing is no longer required.

The first reason tithing is not a part of worship today is the Law of Moses has been done away with. Jesus came to establish a new law. His death took away the law of flesh or the law given only to the Jews. Various passages reflect the command of tithing but these are found under the old law. Keeping the law of tithing requires keeping the rest of the law given to Israel. Jesus took that law out of the way, nailing it to the cross.

Using the New Testament as the pattern for worship, giving is a matter of the heart. No reference of the early Christians reflects their giving as a tithe. Paul’s letters to Corinth establish the pattern of how Christian’s are to give. He exhorted them to put something aside on the first day of the week, storing up as a person may prosper. In his second letter, he went into more detail using the churches of Macedonia as an example of sacrificial giving. One of the points Paul makes is how the brethren first gave of themselves, an important ingredient to cheerful giving. A principle of sowing and reaping is set forth to measure the gratitude of the heart. Giving should come from a heart with purpose and thanksgiving. Before any gift is given, the heart must be filled with the praise of what God has blessed by His loving power.

Worship has always been a matter of the heart. Giving is as much a spiritual exercise as singing and praying. It can become a matter of rote practice with little consideration of how special it is to return a small blessing to the Creator. Removing the command to tithe has elevated the worship to a matter of choice with the individual as a sign of love in how they give to the Father. Giving is not a matter of begrudging or resentment. If a person squeezes the Indian nickel so tight he is riding the buffalo on the other side, his worship is vain. Often the question is asked how much to give. The real question to ask is if a person gives a certain amount, how much are they keeping for themselves? Even a ten-percent gift allows the giver to retain ninety-percent. While tithing is not commanded, giving ten-percent would be acceptable if the heart was willing. The honest realization is that few give even ten-percent. Giving is a cheerful experience because giving is an expression of devoted love to the Father.

Worship is a matter of the heart. Spirit and truth are the foundations worship is built upon. Giving must be according to the spirit of the heart and the truth of God’s commands. There may be some who will find themselves as Ananias and Sapphira did when they pretended to give as they prospered. Still others will find joy when their hearts are filled like the man called Barnabas. Jesus gave His all. What I give will never match the gift of the Father. What I can do is to return to him the bountiful portion of what He has so generously given to me trusting He will provide all my needs. Thank you God for your abundant blessings and gifts.

Much church giving is to ease the conscience. Giving five dollars may be only a nice way of “paying off” the Lord while the heart really is set on the concubines of self and sin. It is one thing to write out a handsome check for the church; it is another to give God oneself and the ability by which one earned the check. (Vance Havner; 1901-1986)

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7-11)

My Bible

The election is over. In one of the most contested political races of our time, America has come through a tempest of unparalleled proportions as the partisan agendas of two opposing parties fought a long and bitter battle to gain the presidency. Regardless of who won, the realities of a new day bring a reminder that life continues in the face of national turmoil. By the grace of God the sun rises from the east and through His power our days will be filled with the daily pursuit of life. As I entered my office this early morning pondering the impact of a newly elected president, lying upon my desk was my Bible. A black cover binding the golden edged pages of the word of God is where it is each morning waiting the cover to be broken and the wisdom of eternity to be mined. Each morning I open the book and spend a few hours gleaning a message for the day, a thought for a moment and a lesson for my life. My Bible is always there waiting. The words are always fresh. New teachings are simmering on the surface. Some new thing is discovered with a little gentle persuasion. Words are assembled and crafted in a simple manner to make a sentence and a paragraph and hopefully a lesson. It is my Bible that is always on my desk waiting for me.

The past year has been a flurry of political intrigue filling every part of the conversation of life. There is an immense sense of relief the year of electing another president is over. This one especially. It is great to be an American but this has not been a stellar year for the American spirit. Through all of the anguish of fear and doubt, my Bible has remained constant waiting for me each day on my desk. This morning was no different than any morning with the exception that I was really glad to see my Bible this morning. A constant friend and an abiding companion, my Bible is a refreshing breath of real hope filling my mind – not with the putridity of human waste – but the glory of God and His love. Rising above the debauchery of a world filled with prejudice and hatred, the oasis of the mind of God brings relief and soothes the soul.

Reading the law of the Lord changes the soul. His testimonies are solid ground enabling me to stand with the reassurance of the wisdom of God. There is joy in my heart as I fill my heart with the decrees of the Almighty. Seeing the world through the commandments of the Lord brings purity. Cleansed from the fear of men the word of God fills me with the enduring reverend fear of the Lord. What I find in my Bible are judgments that are true and righteous because they come from my God who is truth and righteousness. There is nothing in life more precious than time with my Bible. Gold perishes, honey wastes away but my Bible remains a constant reminder of the everlasting presence of God. There is nothing more precious and nothing sweeter than spending time with the words of my eternal Father.

The day after an election is always a day of reflection. It is then we realize that life is not about the here and now as each day comes and goes by the mercy of God. We may have thought the world would end on that second Tuesday of November. It could have but only because the will of God decreed the coming of the Son of Man. By His grace, we are allowed a new day. It is in this small frame of time we should renew our devotion to God – not to the whims of men – but devote ourselves more fully to what so many of us have at our disposal. Where is your Bible? How often do we glean its pages? One thing we should have learned this past year is how much more we need to open the word of God and spend time in His presence. His word is unchanging. It is still perfect, sure, right, pure, enduring, true and righteous altogether. Keeping the word of God brings great reward. Open your Bible. Read.

Give me the Bible, star of gladness gleaming; to cheer the wanderer lone and tempest tossed. No storm can hide that radiance peaceful beaming; since Jesus came to seek and save the lost. (Priscilla J. Owens, 1883)

And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:4-7)

There Is Nothing To Fear

We live in perilous times. Actually, every generation lives in perilous times. The cocoon of our life is measured by what we experience and we believe these are the worst of times. Nothing has been as bad as it has been now and the world is in a worse state than ever before – is how we feel. Again, not an accurate portrayal of history as there are many times in generations past, life was much more difficult and tenuous. In all probability, there will be harder times in the future. The reality of life is what we experience today is the true normal and we must learn how to view the events of our lives in the face of our relationship with God. What happened two hundred years ago or what we fear may happen tomorrow is of no consequence. Today is all we have.

Jesus illustrates an important principle of life when He defines the character of fear. He assures the disciples that life will be filled with great uncertainty. It has always been that way and will continue until the Lord returns. Dangerous times fill the hearts of men with dread in every generation. Despots rule over people with an iron fist of cruelty. Men rise who make life hard for the masses. There are many things that men do to other men that can bring fear and dread. Regardless of what men can and will do, they are not to be feared. The persecutions in life can lead to death but this is not to be feared. In the early days of the church, many lost their lives for believing in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ words bring comfort for those who will give their life for truth and again that is okay. Christians are not to fear men because all they can do is to kill the body. There is something greater to fear.

The worst man can do to another is to kill them. All they have accomplished is to take the life from a man for a moment. Jesus reminds His followers the one to fear greater is the one who has the power to destroy both body and soul in an eternal flame. He speaks of His Father. The Lord God can destroy body and soul if a man does not fear Him. This fear is the reality that life after death can be worse than anything experienced on this earth. What man does is for a moment; what God does is without end. This fear is measured with the knowledge that man does not need to think the Lord is an avenging and angry Lord who will destroy at any whim.

The child of God should know the Father cares deeply for every soul who follows Him. Fearing God is the devoted respect for His love, His mercy and His grace. Jesus compares this love to the knowledge His Father has of man. The tiny sparrow is of great importance to the Creator and every sparrow in the world is known by the Father – none are left out. God knows how many hairs fill the head of man. Jesus makes the point the Father is aware of the troubles we face and He is concerned. He loves us that much. What we feel and what we experience is on the mind of the Lord God Creator. Every devoted heart of God’s children is special, important, and vital to Him. Think about that for a moment. Fearing God helps us to live a life without fear.

Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered. No one was there. (On the front of the mantel in the ancient Hind’s Head Hotel at Bray, England)

Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord! You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure. For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries. He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants. He defeated many nations and slew mighty kings–Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan–and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to Israel His people. Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your fame, O Lord, throughout all generations. (Psalm 135:1-13)

Remember One Thing This Week

We stand on the brink of a historic moment in the history of the land we call America. What will happen this week is a reminder of the power of a democratic process fraught with uncertainty, distrust, failure, freedom, anticipation and fear. The hearts of citizens are at a frenzied level of excitement for the outcome to be in their favor. A choice will be made and a decision rendered. Lives will change. A movement will begin in a new direction. Leadership will be recreated. What will go unnoticed is the rising of the sun like it has for ions of generations. Birds will fill the sky with no concerns of the human race. The waves will beat upon the shore in rhythmic patterns and the mountains will glow with the morning dew. Far above all the din of the world’s turmoil rules the One who remains in control allowing humanity to continue on its collision course with destiny.

Wednesday morning will not be unlike the day before. Life will continue as it has and the world will change on the surface but God still rules as He has from the beginning of time. In the beginning the Lord created all the world and set things in motion. He placed man upon the earth and reminded him allegiance must be given to the Creator. More often than not man forgot and believed he was his own god. Kings, rulers, Pharaoh’s and tyrants rose to power and the Lord God exercised His power over each one. The Lord is above all gods and rulers. By His hand the vapors of the earth ascend, the lightning fills the rain and the wind blows by the majesty of His will. He brought low the Pharaoh of Moses’ day in spectacular examples of His power. Throughout history, the hand of God has ruled over every nation defeating their armies and tearing down despots who believe they are gods. Nations rise and nations fall and the Lord God rules.

There is one thing that must be remembered this week above all things. The name of the Lord will endure and His fame will be acknowledged in every generation. He judges the nations and will care for His people regardless of what happens this week. That will not change. The people of God have a calm assurance knowing that the Father remains faithful in every storm of man’s pitiful attempt to make themselves gods. Praise the Lord this week. Let this day of worship be a reminder of who rules the affairs of man. Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord.

We are too aware of the “men” in our text and not aware enough of our Father. Our sole business is to glorify Him and so let out light shine that others will glorify Him too. (Vance Havner; 1901-1986)

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6)

The Joy Of The Twelve

Growing up in Israel, twelve little boys would have little idea how much their lives would change when they became adults. Like all other boys, many followed their father’s trade. Four of the boys grew up helping their family fish the Sea of Galilee learning the dangers of sudden storms and enjoying the calming sunsets over the water. Some of the other boys had impressions on them that instilled great national pride, a desire to be a successful businessman, and a heart that was fully devoted to God. Twelve little boys who would help to change the world in ways they could never imagine.

The nation had long looked for the coming Messiah. It had been four hundred years since the word of the Lord had come to the people. A famine of the word of God had blanketed the nation as Amos had prophesied. Anticipation was always at a peak as men rose claiming to be the Christ until the day Jesus Christ came into the lives of twelve men. He called them one by one and they followed Him not knowing the challenges they faced. This was the real Messiah. His power was clear. His teaching forceful. He endued them with power to cast out demons and cure diseases. They went out preaching the kingdom of God and healing the sick.

Twelve men left Jesus that day to do something they never dreamed would be where their life would take them. Peter must have thought he would spend his life toiling on a fishing boat like every generation before him. What kind of family did Judas come from? Where did Thomas learn a deep love for the Lord? Matthew was a deeply devoted Jew who would be a writer telling the story of the Christ from Nazareth. Twelve men going out from the Lord to preach the good news of repentance. Coming into a village, they began to heal the sick. What was it like to heal someone by the touch of the hand? Judas cast out a demon, Bartholomew gave sight to a blind man, Andrew moved the hearts of the people with a sermon of God’s love, and John gave food to a poor family. The excitement among the twelve was profound.

Multitudes of common people came to hear what the twelve men proclaimed. They had never heard such teaching before. Many had come claiming to be the Christ but no one had the power over demons or healing of all manner of diseases like these twelve men. The disciples of Jesus grew in number. Twelve men preached the joy of salvation to a nation of people who had long lost their hope. The people marveled at how common the twelve men were. They would have expected nobles such as the Pharisees or scribes to be the teachers but these were fishermen, zealots, tax collectors and ordinary men who brought them the message of Jesus Christ. Twelve men turned the world upside down. Men of faith doing the work of the Lord. Now that is a great story.

Good preaching sounds reveille, not taps. (James M. Gillis, This Mysterious Human Nature, 1956)

For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live” (Amos 5:4)

Happiness In Four Words

Libraries are filled with books describing the pursuit of happiness. Television shows with famous stars tout the latest fad to give life a full meaning. Experimenting with drugs, alcohol and sex appeal to the carnal nature of man to seek fleshly utopia. The most sought after need of man since the beginning of creation has been to find happiness. All the wisdom, fads and experiments of men have failed bringing greater misery and unhappiness. When God created man, he embedded within his nature the need for happiness and showed him the only way to fulfill that happiness was to seek after the One who made him.

All men are eternal. Created in the image of God, man has a beginning but has no end. The image of God is wrapped in a fleshly body that struggles to find happiness in carnal pleasures. From the Garden of Eden the Lord has told man contentment will only come from seeking Him and following His word. Imagine how beautiful it was in Eden. Everything man could imagine was provided and there was no hatred, anger, death, disease or sin. Man was created to be happy. God put him in a world filled with peace and joy but man was not satisfied. Expelled from the Garden, man found happiness would only come from seeking the will of God.

The world of Noah was so corrupt it was destroyed by the hand of God. Man had taken carnal pleasure to the worship of selfish needs in the short-lived depravity of the flesh. Noah found happiness obeying the word of the Lord finding peace inside the ark. Generations later, the nation of Israel is told to return to the Lord and find peace. Amos is a prophet of the pre-exilic days of Israel pleading with the rebellious children of Israel to find happiness in the Lord. Life would be blessed if the people would repent and turn to the Lord. Four words describe the need: Seek God and live. The only source of happiness is found in the Lord. Sadly, the people refused and found despair in the destruction of Israel.

Happiness is still the focus of man today and like all generations; men fail to find a lasting joy. The carnal pleasures still appeal but only for a short time. Wisdom from man fails to measure up to a lasting joy. Fads come and go. The question of life and its meaning escapes man as he looks in all the wrong places for contentment. Amos appeals to modern man with the same words. Seeking the Lord will give life. The only real life man will find is in the word of God. He made us and knows what we need. Anything we find in the pleasures of the flesh is temporary. Seeking the Lord will give life eternal. Godliness removes the stains of sin and its consequences. Purity of mind brings peace, sanctification of the body removes impurities and holiness of a life consecrated to God will promise eternal life. Seeking God is seeking happiness. Life can only be found in a personal relationship with the Father and Creator of the world.

When we try to reach real happiness on cheap terms, what we get is bound to be cheap. (David Roberts, The Grandeur and Misery of Man, 1955)

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Walking In The Spirit

The battle between the lust of the flesh and the spiritual mind is enormous. No day goes by without a skirmish of mortal desires attacking heavily the holy life of the child of God. Satan arms himself with everything in his power to break down the walls of faithful resistance. He wins a few battles. He loses many times through the power of God. The battle goes on. While there is no simple formula to ward off the attacks of the devil, Paul’s admonition has a simple approach to deal with the constant barrage of temptation. Walking in the Spirit is an active lifestyle. The apostle did not suggest sitting in the Spirit or standing in the Spirit. He emphasized the adjective of walking indicating action. Walking in the Spirit will defeat the temptations of the flesh in three ways.

Walking in the Spirit is walking away from lust. The spirit and the flesh are like polar ends of each other. There is no attraction between the spirit and the flesh because they are contrary to one another. Spiritual mindedness is filled with purity and holiness by the word of God. Faith comes from hearing the word of God and the more the heart is filled with the mind of the Lord the less there will be room for the lust of the flesh to find root. As an active measure of our faith, walking in the Spirit is a daily feeding on the character of God immersing ourselves in His image. The lust of the flesh is appealing but walking in the Spirit helps us flee from immorality.

Walking in the Spirit is walking with God. The armor of God protects us from the harmful blows of the wiles of Satan. He attacks the heart with every measure of lust he can muster. All parts of the armor of God defend against the powerful lust of the flesh with righteousness, truth, hope, faith and the word of God. The child of God is surrounded by the army of God whose leader is the commander of the Lord’s army. Every day is a walk with God. We go with Him, He leads us, we follow His guide and His power protects us. Walking in the Spirit is putting our footsteps in the path of righteousness. Walking in the Spirit is walking with Jesus.

Walking in the Spirit is seeking those things above. The vision we have in our life will determine the direction we are going. Seeking the Spirit of God will help defend against the lust of the flesh, measure our steps by His word and give us a hope to live for as the battle continues each day. We know this life is temporary and the battles we face will end in glory. The Spirit helps in our weakness and gives us confidence as we faithfully serve the Lord. Heaven is not just a place we desire to go but also a visualization of the life we live now in the grace of God. Walking in the Spirit is a journey taking us to an eternal home where there are no tears, sorrow and death.

Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and spread its wings toward the south? Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make its nest on high? On the rock it dwells and resides, on the crag of the rock and the stronghold. From there it spies out the prey; its eyes observe from afar. Its young ones suck up blood; and where the slain are, there it is. (Job 39:26-30)

The Way Of The Hawk And The Eagle

There are few birds as majestic as the hawk and the eagle. As raptors, these birds of prey rule the sky with a regal beauty. The American bald eagle is the symbol of our nation (in contrast to Benjamin Franklin’s choice of the turkey). It is impressive to watch these birds fly. They have a grace about them and yet fierceness for their uncanny ability to see with such precision. The Lord uses them as an example to Job of the majesty of His creation and power of His word. Job and his friends had long discussed the mercies of God seeking answers for the misery fallen upon poor Job. As they digressed further from the true nature of suffering and God, Elihu speaks up rebuking the four older men for their misguided views of the power of the Lord. It was then God Himself intervenes from the whirlwind challenging Job to consider the omnipotence of His power seen in creation. Near the end of His discourse, God reminds Job the hawk and the eagle are not controlled by man but by the will of the Lord alone.

The hawk and the eagle are majestic birds that carry out their lives without any regard to the will of man. God has placed within the hawk the power of flight. He created the hawk. It is according to the will of the Lord the eagle soars above the earth making its nest on high. The eyesight of these birds can be four times that of a person with perfect vision. A rabbit can be spotted from a mile away making the hawk and the eagle one of the premier hunting animals on earth. All of this comes about because of the creation of God. Job is reminded of how great the Lord is and how lowly man must remember he is.

There are great lessons for us to consider when we spend time watching nature. Birds gather to their nest their needs with no worries or concerns. Animals scurry around preparing for winter. Bears will hibernate, flocks of geese will fly to warmer climates and thousands of animals will migrate to their feeding pastures. The cycle of life within the kingdom of nature has continued since the beginning of time without interruption. How is this all possible and who made it so? The Lord God Creator is the one who reveals His character through the animal kingdom. Ants have no leader yet they work tirelessly. Bees harvest the elements of their honey world with precision. Fish fill an abundant world with bounty unending and the creatures of the earth supply man with food and clothing. All of this made possible by the hand of God.

The Lord has left His imprint upon the face of the earth with creatures like the hawk and the eagle. They show His handiwork in everything they do. Man can marvel at their beauty but he should be reminded the hawk and the eagle fly because of the will of the Lord, not man. The hawk and eagle teach men. Take time out of your busy day and look at the world around you. It will amaze you how much you will see what you have not seen before. Praise God for His magnificent creation.

“Who made it?” asked the noted agnostic Robert G. Ingersoll when he saw a beautiful globe portraying the constellations and stars of the heavens. “Why colonel,” replied Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887), “nobody made it, it just happened.” (Told by M. D. Landon in Kings of Platform and Pulpit.)

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ–He is Lord of all–that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:34-43)

An Eight Point

Jesus had promised Peter that he would receive the keys of the kingdom and on Pentecost that promise was kept. Peter extolled the crowd to know the Jesus whom they crucified was the Christ. Three-thousand devout Jews obeyed the gospel as the church began to grow in spirit and number. In the beginning, the focus of the gospel was upon the Jews. Then came the day the door was open for the Gentiles and Peter was at center-stage once again. Cornelius, a centurion in the Roman army, was a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people and was a man of deep prayer. Through the direction of God, Peter was brought to Cornelius to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. His sermon to the household of Cornelius is a powerful testimony to the simple message of redemption found only in Jesus Christ.

Point One – The gospel is for all men, regardless of nationality, gender, age, race or economic status. God has no partiality because He created all men. All the unique qualities of man are there because the Creator God made all men in such a manner. Sending His Son to earth was not to die for a select few but for all men.

Point Two – The Lord will bless any man or woman who fears Him and works righteousness. Faith is the beginning of the journey to salvation and that faith must rest upon the knowledge of the Almighty God. Peter was preaching what James would later describe as faith and works. Without faith and works, there is no salvation.

Point Three – Everyone who comes to God must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Taking up the cross and following Jesus demands first place in every part of life. Jesus will be Lord of all and nothing will be accepted except total devotion to the will of the Father. Obedience demands the sacrifice of self.

Point Four – Knowing the story of Jesus is what convicts the heart. Too often people become Christians without knowing the true nature of Jesus. Believing Jesus is the Christ demands the knowledge of His power, His works, His teaching and His example. Jesus is the only way to the Father and His story is the only story that can save.

Point Five – The story of Jesus is true because Peter and many others testified as witnesses of the life, death and resurrection of the man from Nazareth. The Bible is not a book of fairy tales created by man. God’s word is true because it comes from His mouth and the reliable evidence of eyewitness accounts confirms it.

Point Six – The resurrection. Nothing is more critical than believing in the resurrection. This did not happen in a corner and many in the day of Cornelius could go to the tomb of Jesus and see He was not there. Without the resurrection, there was no gospel. Everything hinged upon the evidence of the risen Savior. He arose and He lives.

Point Seven – The early disciples were charged with going into the whole world preaching the story of Jesus as the Son of God who dwelt among men, was killed and raised the third day to glory. There is no greater story than the story of Jesus Christ. All those who believe in the risen Savior must tell the greatest story ever told.

Point Eight – The Old Testament proclaims the truth of Jesus Christ and now all men are given the fully revealed word of God. Salvation comes in the obedience of the gospel of Christ in hearing the word and obeying every command instructed by the Lord. The power of the gospel is for all men and it will save all men.

When Peter finished his sermon, Cornelius and all his household were baptized. A great sermon with a wonderful response. Praise God.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)

Baptism Pleases God

The religious world is a place of great confusion. Among those who believe in Jesus Christ, variety is the common theme of how a person should worship the Lord, approach Him in prayer, obey the commands of the Lord and what a person must do to be saved. There is one revelation of truth and more than a thousand different churches teaching hundreds of diverse interpretations of what God has taught. The crucial teaching of scripture is the plan of salvation. This is key because it establishes hope of eternal life. Without the right information, there is no second chance. Jesus died to save all men and became either the author of confusion or the sole message of truth from the Father. The problem does not lie in the word of God but what man has done with the truth of God’s message to save man.

Most religious groups teach salvation by faith alone. A consequence of this teaching is the denial of baptism as having any role in salvation. This is a tremendous advantage for Satan to convince man that being immersed in water is of no value save an outward expression of an inward grace. Baptism is frowned upon. It is ridiculed as salvation by works. The body of religious dogma places baptism as a minor role in the plan of redemption with millions of people believing the lie that faith or grace alone saves. Satan gains his minions through the error of false teachers refusing to acknowledge clear teaching of scripture of the role baptism. This does not suggest salvation by baptism alone. There are many steps to take for salvation to be granted but the final point when a man leaves a state of sin and enters the grace of redemption is the waters of baptism. Jesus Christ proves this by His own baptism.

John the Baptist was quite surprised when he saw Jesus coming to be baptized. His reaction was expected when he pleaded with Jesus to baptize him. The answer of Jesus helps us understand why baptism is essential for salvation. John was correct to realize the greatness of the Lord but like many men, failed to grasp the plan the Father had in sending His Son to earth. In his innocence, John thought he knew more than the will of God. He was wrong. Jesus did not come to wash away sins. The Lord was thirty years old and had never broken a single commandment of God. He was sinless. Jesus was not coming to repent for there was nothing to repent of. The Lord was coming to fulfill the righteous pattern of His Father giving all men an avenue of salvation. Jesus established the law in His baptism.

John took Jesus into the Jordan River, immersed Him and when Jesus rose from the waters of baptism, the seal of God poured forth from heaven in approval. The Holy Spirit affirmed the action of Jesus in the presence of a dove. God’s voiced echoed from His eternal throne that the baptism of His Son pleased Him. Why did it please God? It was the will of God as a pattern of righteousness for all men to follow. Luke records in the book of Acts every time a person was saved, they were baptized. Paul proves in his epistles to Galatia, Rome, and Colossae that baptism is necessary for salvation. Peter affirms the same in his writings. How men can deny the critical need of baptism is an example of how powerful the teaching of Satan has permeated those who believe in Jesus Christ.

It will be a sad day when men stand before Jesus Christ – who did not believe baptism was an essential part of their salvation – and hear those terrible words of condemnation. The example of Jesus will stand in stark contrast to the false teaching of men. Baptism is not a matter of interpretation. Satan has successfully convinced religious people to ‘almost become a Christian’ and never realize they are lost. To almost become a Christian is to miss heaven totally. Baptism is not an outward sign of anything inward to save. It is the acceptance of the will of God, confirmed by the example of Jesus Christ, taught by every disciple of truth in the New Testament; and followed by every believing heart that seeks salvation today. It pleases God because it is the will of God.

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Jesus Christ, Son of God)