The Heaton File

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. (Matthew 27:57-60)

The Funeral Of Jesus

There was no pomp and no procession filled with mournful criers lamenting the death of a loved one. The crowds had diminished and returned to their homes. Three men hung on wooden trees of death with soldiers milling below with no concern. All the acquaintances of Jesus, the women who followed Him from Galilee including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons (Luke 23:48,49; Matthew 27:55,56) looked on with dispassionate despair. The screams of the two thieves whose legs had been broken to hasten death still linger in the air. The man in the middle hangs limp in death with his side pierced; blood and water staining his body.

Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus (Luke 23:50-52). Consent was given and Joseph, joined by Nicodemus (John 3:1-15; 7:45-52) went to Golgotha to retrieve the body of Jesus.  Removing the nails from the feet, the body of Jesus was let down to the ground to remove the nails from his hands. The face of kindness, compassion and love was now stilled in the gray shadow of death. The soldiers removed the cross and the body was taken up to be prepared for burial.

How does one feel the emotions of sadness to carry the body of Jesus to a place of preparation? His hands lie still that once gave sight to the blind. His voice is silent that once taught the beatitudes of grace. The smile of compassion is faded to a mask of death. Eyes that once gazed into the lives of men are closed in silent repose. The body of the Son of God is bloody, dirty, filthy and bruised with the lashes of a terrible scourging and crucifixion.

The men lay Jesus down to wash his body. Are tears mixed with the careful love these men have to clean the body of Jesus? Do their voices tremble as they speak to one another in moving the body of Jesus? When they turn the body of Jesus over and see the ribbons of flesh remaining from the scourging, do their hearts break in despair? The washcloths are filled with blood. Their hands are stained with the stench and horror of death. Finally the body is cleaned.

A mixture of myrrh and aloes (about a hundred pounds – John 19:39) is used to cover the body of Jesus. The two men take the fine linen cloth and wrapping the body with the spices and cloth enclose his body (John 19:40). The scent of death is removed by the perfume of Jesus life filling the world by His sacrificial love. The preparation finished, the two men carrying the body to the tomb of Joseph. Entering they lay the body of Jesus in the new tomb. A handkerchief is placed around the head of Jesus. Leaving, Joseph rolls a stone against the entrance of the tomb. “Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid” (Luke 23:55).

The funeral is over. The friends pause for a moment to think of their Lord inside the tomb. They return home to prepare spices and perfumes for a proper burial later. They need not have bothered. When they return on the first day of the week, Jesus is risen – He lives – He reigns – He has conquered death. This lonely funeral brings hope to all men in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lamb of God. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

What a story.

Friday Morning Reflections – Wisdom Literature

So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused. So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice. “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’ (Job 32:1-10)

Respect For The Aged

The story of Job is a powerful testimony of the frail human spirit challenged by the onslaught of trials overcome in victory. It is a hard read. Few can compare to the human suffering of Job. Early in the story three friends visit who become harsh critics of Job. Unknown to the reader a fourth person quietly sits listening to the discourse between these four men. His name is Elihu.

Our text begins the rebuke of Elihu against Job and his friends but it is the attitude that strikes me as so important in the story. Imagine sitting quietly the whole time the argument continues between Job and his friends without saying a word. Reading the story of Job with fresh eyes knowing Elihu is there yet saying nothing is a remarkable story of composure. The reason he gives in the beginning is a lesson of respect for the aged. He wanted to say some things and would have given strong arguments against what the four men were saying but he waited. It was not his place. He gave honor to those older.

If there is one thing I miss in our country is the spirit of respect for the aged. There was a time those younger would quietly give reverence to those older in honor of their years. This does not suggest teenagers being disrespectful but rather anyone younger (40 year old man giving respect to older folk … for example) being disrespectful. Even at my advanced age (don’t ask) I must learn to be respectful of those older. I love Elihu for teaching me there is a time to speak and there is a time to remain silent. Giving honor to the hoary head is pleasing to the Lord.

Elihu also teaches a valuable lesson about age. It can sometimes be assumed with age comes wisdom. This is not always true. The old are not right because they are old. The young are not right because they are young. Truth comes from God (and He is older than everyone). He respectfully reminded the older four they were mistaken in their concept of God and righteousness. Elihu chided these men with kind words firmly spoken to point out their error. When Elihu finishes speaking the Lord takes up the rebuke (Job 38). But that is another story.

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Epistles of Paul

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

The Four Pillars Of A Good Life

Living as a child of God is the greatest joy man can know. The attractions of the world are all temporary and fleeting with no lasting reward. Satan tempts us with the need to live for the moment caring nothing of tomorrow. Jesus said the majority of people follow the path of least resistance but to what good? None. Salvation in Christ gives a fuller meaning to life with eternal promises of something beyond today. Paul describes four things that can help us find that purposeful life in Christ. Simple, direct and easy to understand.

Pillar One – Live Soberly. A life of sobriety is a life of control. There is direction with purpose in the decisions we make. The antithesis of sobriety is lack of control. Worldly attractions want us to live for the moment with reckless folly disregarding the dire consequences of our actions. People of God live with controlled lives walking according to the plan of the Creator. This is a joyful life because there is order and peace. The will of God is given so that we can find happiness.

Pillar Two – Live Righteously. Here is where we find our moral center. The second pillar of life is establishing what is right and wrong. Who decides what is right and wrong? What I may enjoy as right may not be something others would think is right. You may think what I am doing is wrong but I would think it was right. The challenge of man determining right and wrong is the lack of knowledge. Morality can only be established by the one who has all the right information about everything. What separates God from man is the Lord knows everything; man knows nothing. Living righteous lives is molding our character by what God says is right and wrong. His word measures morality. Live according to His laws and you will find true happiness.

Pillar Three – Live Godly. There can be many ways to define how to live godly but the simple answer is the willingness to accept the authority of God in our lives. Living soberly and righteously will have no impact if we are unwilling to follow the commandments of God. His word is truth. His word is law. His will is my will. There is no fudging the facts or trying to convince the Lord we need to do things our way. What the Lord requires we do. Godly living is living under the will of God. His word is the only truth in my life.

Pillar Four – Live Hopeful. When I establish the first three pillars in my life I find the joy of the fourth. Living soberly, righteously and according to the will of God I know there is something more than this life. Eternal life is when Jesus comes back. Death is not a dark beast of fear but a bridge of joy bringing us to a place we cannot fully understand. The glorious appearing of the Son of God heralds into our lives eternity. Amazing. Wonderful. Hopeful. Living with hope changes our lives in ways hard to explain. But thank God we have that hope.

Sober, Righteous, Godly and Hopeful.

Tuesday Morning Early Start – Important Doctrines

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:9-11)

Salvation Has Come

Everyone likes good news. It is the kind of news that brings happiness and joy with refreshing tones of relief. When wars come to an end there is rejoicing in the streets because death no longer bears the news to homes across the country. Strife overcome ushers in peace. When disease is abated happiness fills the heart. Good news is good news.

Salvation. The joy of salvation is the knowledge of being delivered from a terrible fate. One is who lost in the wilderness is filled with fear but when salvation comes there is elation. Stories are told of those lost at sea living in despair and dread but the overwhelming feeling of salvation seeing a saving ship on the horizon. There was a time you and I had the dread of condemnation upon us but no more. Satan had hold of our lives and he held sway in the world. Darkness covered the hearts of all men from the gloom of the touch of the accuser. But then salvation came. The Light of the world shone forth from an empty tomb outside the city of Jerusalem. Good news happened that day. It was a day of newness, resurrection, hope and peace.

I am not condemned. I am saved. Death no longer has dominion over me. Fear has been replaced by hope. A promise has been made that cannot be broken. Life is filled with uncertainty but death is a joyful promise of eternal certainty. I have been redeemed. The blood of the Lamb washed away my sins and I stand in the presence of a God full of grace. Salvation. No more fear. No more heartache. No more uncertainty. I stand amazed at the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. Oh how marvelous. Oh how wonderful. Joy fills my heart.

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.