The Heaton File

Monday Morning Coffee Break – Life With Jesus

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

Jesus Needs Some Help

The human side of Jesus is so interesting. His day to day work was exhausting. Walking from place to place spending the time teaching, preaching, instructing, explaining, defending – grueling is the only word I can think of. Multitudes of people press upon Him to be healed and He takes time for each one. He sees firsthand the ravages of what disease does to the body knowing full well this came as a result of man’s rebellion in the garden. Looking into eyes filled with pain and sorrow the Lord felt the sting of mortality. Destitute crowds press upon Him seeking relief as they cried out in tears. And still He took time for each man, woman and child. God knows how many thousands of people Jesus healed in His short ministry. What a number that must be.

When Jesus saw the people He saw something more than physical disease. Looking into their hearts He knew their sorrow at life. They struggled to make ends meet day to day. Life was hard for the common man. Healing them of disease was only temporary. They would get sick again and all those people the Son of God healed died. That was the deeper tragedy for Him. The real need was not the healing of the body but the nurturing of the soul. That has not changed.

We cannot heal our fellow man from disease like Jesus did. The greatest miracle that we can do is what Jesus realized was more important than anything – the healing of the soul. So many people live without a ‘shepherd’ to guide them. Life is meaningless. They have no direction, hope or aspirations for anything beyond this world. That is where you and I come in. The Lord is looking for “a few good men (and women)” to be a shepherd to others.

A shepherd guides a flock of sheep to green pastures, still waters and security. When we share the gospel with others and help bring them to salvation we have done more than heal them of bodily disease. We have been instruments of healing in an eternal nature. Yet the laborers are few with such a huge harvest. Look around you. Who does not need the gospel? Let us fill the void Jesus saw in His day to be workers in the vineyard in helping to bring someone to Christ. Give life to others. Instill hope in the life of your neighbor. Teach others the only good news that will save the soul. Share with them Jesus Christ.

Sunday Morning Starters – Worship

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)

Short Sermons

Preaching has been my joy for 34 years (I began when I was 5). There is always a learning curve when it comes to preparing sermons with a need to keep the material fresh and applicable. Long has been the argument whether to preach long or short. Someone remarked that Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost lasted about eight minutes and three thousand people obeyed the gospel. The point is made. However there were a lot more things said with the other eleven. Jonah preached for three days and brought the city of Nineveh to its knees in repentance. Paul preached until midnight and had to raise the dead afterwards (sounds like my preaching). On some occasions he was nearly killed after a sermon. Jesus preached a sermon about dedication and most of his followers left Him. Preaching is a work of love and I love it. So this morning I offer a few short sermons. Enjoy.

1. Remember Lot’s wife. (Luke 17:32)
2. Jesus wept. (John 11:35)
3. It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)
4. Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
5. Let all that you do be done with love. (1 Corinthians 16:14)
6. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
7. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
8. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13)
9. Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)
10. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Let’s stand and sing.

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.’ “So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him. When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed. Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.” Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow. (2 Kings 5:20-27)

Please Make Me A Leper

Leprosy is one of the most horrific diseases known to man. The character of the disease is a slow death as the body decays piece by piece. Throughout the Bible story leprosy is portrayed in its vicious nature of isolation and degradation. No one wanted to be inflicted by it. But then there is Gehazi. Not the brightest marble in the bag. He lives with a prophet. Not only does he live with a prophet he lives with the prophet Elisha. This is the man who received the mantle from one of the greatest of prophets named Elijah. The same mantle that divided the waters of Jordan. Gehazi was a servant of Elisha.

One day Gehazi looks out and sees a band of Syrian soldiers approaching the home of his master. It was the commanding general of the Syrian army who had come to Elisha seeking a most impossible wish. The officer was a leper and he asked the prophet to heal him of his leprosy. There were a lot of lepers in his day and no one had been healed of leprosy. Even with a prophet in the land no leper had been healed because no one had come and asked until this day when a foreigner came. Elisha tells Naaman to go dip seven times in the Jordan River. The commander turns in a rage and drives away. Gehazi must have thought that was the end of the story. It was not.

Sometime later the band of soldiers return and Gehazi sees that Naaman is different. He no longer wears the clothes of a leper but he looks as young as a child. There is a huge smile on his face and he offers Elisha a great reward for taking away his leprosy. The prophet refuses. Naaman insists. The prophet refuses. Gehazi cannot believe what he is hearing. Elisha needs to take this reward. Naaman begs the prophet but the man of God refuses. Finally the commander asks if he may take two mule-loads of dirt back with him and the prophet agrees. Shovels are produced and two mules are loaded with dirt from the house of Elisha. Gehazi cannot believe his eyes. Naaman and his company ride away with dirt and all that reward. Gehazi is dumbfounded.

The servant of Elisha cannot contain himself. He runs after Naaman and tells him a lie to get some of the reward money. Gladly Naaman (a more righteous man than Gehazi) gives the servant two talents of silver in two bags with two garments. The servant is ecstatic as he returns to the citadel. Quickly hiding his bounty the servant returns to Elisha. “Where have you been Gehazi?” Elisha asks. “Your servant did not go anywhere,” Gehazi replies. He lives with a prophet remember. A man who can part water and heal leprosy. Do you think Gehazi thought he could pull a ‘fast one’ over his boss? What made him think he could get away with hiding something from a prophet like Elisha? Not only did Gehazi live with leprosy but all his descendants. Why? Because he was greedy and really not very smart.

The real story is that we try the same thing with God. We think we can fool the Lord. Really? There could be people living today with leprosy that are descendants of Gehazi. God only knows. But then that is the point isn’t it. God does know. And that should be our lesson for today. Don’t run after things that will cause us pain because we can hide nothing from Him who sees all and knows all. Praise His name for His wonderful knowledge about us.

Friday Morning Reflections – Wisdom Literature

He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits wood may be endangered by it. If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success. (Ecclesiastes 10:8-10)

The Agent Of Our Own Destruction

One of the great lessons of life is to learn that often the problems we have are not the result of what others have done to us but what we have done to ourselves. We do not want to admit this proverbial fact but nonetheless we find ourselves in pits we have dug with our own hands. And that just does not sit well with our esteemed character of justice. As we try to tear down the character of a neighbor we find ourselves bitten by the serpent of justice. Truth be told we are kind of dumb; like a dull ax. We act surprised when we swing the ax to split wood and injure ourselves. What did we expect?

As agents of our own destruction it would behoove us to think before deciding to dig a pit for someone else. If we want to tear down someone through gossip we only poison ourselves. In the news recently a man was seriously injured when a snake (cottonmouth) bit him in the mouth and you have to wonder how that happened. If you play with snakes you will be bit. Leaving the snake alone will greatly reduce the possibility of injury (especially a vicious snake like a cottonmouth). When we decide to speak evil of our fellow worker we should not be surprised when we find ourselves in hot water. It comes around to us what we send out and makes us look foolish. Back to the proverb: a man comes along and finds us trapped in a pit. He asked, “Friend, how did you wind up in that pit?” We sheepishly answer, “I was digging it for you but I fell in.” Hmmm. Smart as a dull ax.

Wisdom teaches us the folly of our actions to hurt others when we only hurt ourselves more. As someone said, “It is best to remain silent and thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt.” Think how many times in our lives (I speak to myself) that we were agents of our own hurt because we sought to hurt someone else? Silly isn’t it. The Lord gave us two ears and one mouth to listen twice as much as we talk so we will stay out of pits dug by our own hands. Now where did I put that shovel?

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Epistles of Paul

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)

The Abundance Of Joyful Giving

They were special people. Not the ordinary sort of folk who worried about how they were going to do what they had to do. To them it was something to do for the glory of God. It is important to know they did not have a lot of give but you would never know it by the way they gave. Isn’t that a contradictory statement? How can people without anything give so much? When the call came to the churches in Macedonia for a need to be met they never hesitated – they gave what was needed. These are people you want to meet.

Giving has always been a test of character. The greed of the world’s possessions has been the cause of wars, strife, murder and destruction of millions of lives. What is mine is mine and giving it to someone else is not an easy thing to do when the heart is selfish and miserly. From the beginning of time God has tested the hearts of men to see how much they love Him and how much they love their fellow man. The example of the Macedonians was not the amount of their giving but the manner of their giving. Their giving was a trial of affliction yet they gave liberally. Giving to them was not a monetary value but a service to the one who gave His all – Jesus Christ.

The heart of the Macedonians was first given to the Lord and anything after that was small change. They gave themselves to the Lord first! That is where it must start. Often we wonder how much we should give and what is an appropriate number. It is not about a number rather an attitude. How can we compare what we have and need to give with what Jesus had and gave at Golgotha? The song says it well – “I gave my life for you; what have you given?” Humbling.

Giving is not about the clanging of money in a plate. It begins in a heart of giving to others in return for what God has given us. We give liberally when we give our time to serve others and encourage the downtrodden. Liberal giving is when we call a neighbor, fix food for a needy person, share the gospel with friends, mow the widows lawn, take a friend to the grocery store, let every person know how important they are – giving our lives to serve others.

Wednesday Morning Meditation – Psalms

For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. (Psalm 11:7)

He Loves Righteous Deeds

Remember when you were small and you did something for your mom because you wanted to see her smile when she discovered it? It might be a little thing. She comes in the room unaware but then sees the flowers you picked for her and she glances over smiling. What a wonderful feeling. It may be that you do something for your dad but he can’t make a big fuss you know because men have to be men but a little smile creases the edge of his mouth and you know you hit a homerun. Grand feelings.

The Lord God Jehovah Creator of the world I AM loves to see His children do righteous things. He smiles with the joy of seeing His people loving one another, caring for one another and forgiving one another. Sometimes it may be a small thing or it could be huge. Regardless, He loves to see righteous living, godly attitudes expressed by those who He calls His own.  Adam Clarke said of this psalm, “He loves that which resembles himself.” We look like Him when we live righteous lives.

Today is the middle of the week! Make God smile at you today. Help Him smile all day long. The more you make Him smile the more He showers His love on you.

Tuesday Morning Early Start – Important Doctrines

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Titus 1:15-16)

The Feminist Who Called On God

The discussion was about the rights of women on campuses across the country and how the views of universities have limited the rights of women. One of the experts interviewed for the review was an admitted feminist who had championed the freedoms of women for a number of years in areas such as sexuality and equality. Then a most astonishing thing happened. She ended her presentation with the phrase, “God only knows.” Admittedly I am having difficulty recounting what the discussion was about and what was being said because when I heard this I went blank. Did she really say what she just said? How could a liberal feminist think God had anything to say about what she had said? It amazed me.

There is an ease with which God’s name is used in vain by many people today who have no desire to acknowledge their Creator. We look at the Ten Commandments and remember that His name should never be used in vain. Often we acquaint this with cursing or swearing and that would be a good illustration. But another way of using God’s name in vain is when a person who avows everything against the purity of the will of God with a flippant remark like this will also find themselves in judgment of the Lord.

‘God only knows’ is a valid statement made by those who believe in three things. First there is a God and He is it. No other. None. God is one and He is the Creator of the world. He is not a myth. Second, the ‘only’ part recognizes the authority of God as being absolute. Man is removed from the formula and the ‘God only’ suggests what God says is what matters not man. Third, truth comes from God. The word is truth (Jesus said that). The Bible is the word of God declaring the only truth. It cannot be changed or modified to fit the needs of a feminist society. Expression of sexual freedom is a rejection of the knowledge of God. ‘God only knows’ is exactly right. He is the only one that knows. That is my thought for the day.

Sunday Morning Starters – Worship

Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. (Nehemiah 8:1-5)

Respect For The Book

Today is a day of worship. We have been privileged to gather with those of like precious faith on a day commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A common theme throughout the world will be saints singing songs to one another and lifting up words of thanksgiving to the Father. A solemn yet happy occasion to remember the love of Jesus will highlight our time together. The fellowship of brethren is very special. We get to see our brothers and sisters to share our love for one another. Fantastic. And then there is the preaching. The sit down for a while part. Where we listen to a sermon part. It is what we do. But of all things that we do on this day of worship this one part has undergone a radical change. It has to do with THE BOOK. Alias: THE BIBLE.

The writing of Nehemiah is a time of turmoil. Jerusalem has laid waste for more than 70 years and there is a great need to restore the people of God to faithful service. First to be rebuilt is the Temple and then the walls are restored in a remarkable fifty-two days. Under the leadership of Ezra, Nehemiah, Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Haggai and Zechariah the city was transformed. I believe the reason for this restoration was because of our text today.

THERE WERE TOGETHER AS ONE MAN. Worship to these downtrodden people was a time to unify. Prosperity diffuses this desire and we become complacent. Unity is often found just because we sit on the same pew. What made these folk different was they came together on their own and they wanted something. They wanted the book. Talk about being hungry for the word. Thirsting makes people seek water and they wanted the water of life.

THEY TOLD EZRA TO BRING THE BOOK. They did not ask for opinion or conjecture or what Ezra thought they ought to do. The only thing that could take care of the problem was found in the BOOK. Isn’t that a great statement? “Bring the book,” they cried. If we had that spirit today!!! We are no longer a reading society. Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes from the word of God and that requires reading the BOOK. The education of the church today is pre-Kindergarten is so many places. Ezra was living among people who wanted to learn and wanted to know the book. (And think how many copies of the Bible we all have and how easy it is to get and how much time we spend in it).

WHEN HE OPENED IT, THEY ALL STOOD UP. I am not advocating standing up for the sermon but do you see their attitude? Respect. Honor for THE BOOK. It has crossed my mind to begin the sermon by asking first, “How many have their Bibles with them this morning?” and ask for a show of hands (or Bibles). It is not uncommon for many to sit through a sermon without opening THE BOOK. We should be curious people to see what God’s word says – literally. Brother Louis used to ‘amen’ the reading of scripture while I was in Trenton. Loved it. Miss it. He did not amen what I said; he would amen the word of the Lord.

Three things to think about today: Be united; Call for the book; Respect the book.

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?” (Galatians 2:11-14)

The Humble Pebble

Peter is my favorite character in scripture because I find a lot of Peter’s character flaws in my life. I can relate to him as he puts his foot in his mouth repeatedly and frustrates the Lord with his impetuous zeal gone wrong. Poor Peter. He is a fun study. His early life is on the water learning the trade of fishing. A teacher comes to town that changes his life as nothing he could have imagined. The next thing you know he has left his nets behind and follows Jesus from town to town until that awful day in Jerusalem. He fails his Lord at the most crucial time because he was ashamed to admit he knew Him. Three days later his spirits revive as he sees his risen savior. Life is now filled with preaching the good news of salvation in Christ.

Being an apostle was a wonderful experience. Filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and witnessing the new birth of three thousand souls would have been beyond description. Later suffering for preaching had its own reward. A Hollywood story would have us believe that Peter was on target and all would go well as he ‘rode off into the sunset a hero of the grand story.’ Not so. Then comes Galatians 2.

Paul is the late arrival. He is not one of the original twelve, did not see the miracles Jesus performed nor walk on the water like Peter. Simon has tenure and it would be easy to use that to his advantage. It happened in Antioch. The apostle Paul openly chastised the apostle Peter. Rebuked him right there in front of everyone.

Here is what I LOVE about Peter. He did not react as many today would. He was wrong and he knew it. His position as a ‘first apostle’ did not make him right in what he did. Paul uses the story without telling the end of the story but it is inferred Peter accepted the rebuke of his brother Paul in the spirit it was given. Peter had learned humility. His anger did not charge back at Paul. He accepted criticism and I believe asked for forgiveness for the sinful attitude he manifested toward the Gentiles.

Big men in the church are small. Those who become small are great men. Paul’s challenge to Peter openly displayed before the church must have hurt. But Peter loved his Lord so much he did not let it create hard feelings. I love this story. Isn’t this a great story for all of us?

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Epistles of Paul

“You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)

Epistles Of Christ

“Dr. Bob Reccord tells of an experience he learned about while in the business world. A major institution that ranked among the Fortune 500 was working to make an unheard-of-move. They were going to promote a 38 year old vice president to president. The man was an impressive businessman who wooed and awed the board of directors. Upon completing the final interview process, the board broke for lunch, with plans to offer this man the prestigious position of president after they all returned from lunch. This young man went to lunch alone at a cafeteria, but was unintentionally followed by several of the board members, who stood in line behind him. When the young man came to the bread section, he placed two three-cent butters on his tray and covered them up with his napkin. As he checked out he never revealed the hidden six cents’ worth of butter. When everyone returned to the boardroom for what was to be a joyous occasion, the mood had dramatically changed. The promising young man was not only denied the help of the company but was fired from his position as vice president – all because of six cents’ worth of butter.” (Leighton Ford Evangelism Leadership Seminar, 1991)

The true character of our faith is not what we show everyone but what we are to God. It is then our character is shown to everyone that we are people of character. Integrity is a virtue of every child of God. Job said, “Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps? If I have walked with falsehood, or if my foot has hastened to deceit, let me be weighed on honest scales, that God may know my integrity.” (Job 31:4-6)

In a crazy and mixed up world the honest people should be the ones who call Christ their Savior and King. We are the only Bible some may read the song says. The World’s Bible. How do people read us? What do they see in our lives that glorifies God? Are we examples of honesty, truth, nobility, character? Let men read us as citizens of the kingdom of Christ. People of our word. People of our bond. A handshake from us is as good as gold (just not very legally binding anymore). Let’s not take two three cent squares of butter and jeopardize our character. If we allow too much character assassination it may lead to spiritual death and finally eternal death.

“Character is what you are in the dark.” (Dwight L. Moody 1837-1899, Sermon)