Time Hastens

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

Whatever happened to the month of April? It was New Year’s Day and suddenly here it is, the last day of April. The year 2015 is one-third gone, or put another way, the year is thirty-three and one-third percent finished.

The psalmist saw the swiftness of life. He said, “We spend our years as a tale that is told.” (Psalm 90:9)  He also said, “A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.”(Psalm 90:4)

So, what can we do about it? We must “redeem” the time, using it wisely and not wasting it. It is very true, “Time and tide wait for no man.” Many people have said, “Someday I plan to get saved and become a Christian.” Now is the time. Do it now.  Trust Jesus today. The old invitation hymn says, “Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing…”

Christian, Don’t Make Yourself at Home Here

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)

The word, “conversation” in newer translations is “citizenship.” A study of the word “conversation,” here is not about two people carrying on a verbal exchange, or involvement in word communications with one or more people. Our citizenship is in heaven. One translation even says that “we Christians are a colony of heaven living on earth.”

Geese were flying over a barn yard and stopped to get some water from the pond and to feast on some spilled grain. When they flew away on their continued trek north one goose got left behind and he thought, “I’ll join back with them when they come back south in a few months.” He made himself at home, got fat and did not exercise his wings. When he heard the south bound geese honking overhead he had the urge to go with them, but he got no higher than the barn roof and fell to earth in the barn yard. When they came back north again a few months later he never even looked up when he heard the honking over head. “Oh well,” he said. “It’s not too bad down here in the barn yard.”

Many Christians are like that old fat goose, content to enjoy this world and just ignore the upward call.

Revive Us Again

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6)

When I was much younger I had some friends who never took a bath because they did not think they needed one. Every decent person around them knew better, but those needing the baths could not be convinced. They had gotten accustomed to the smell and the smudge and they smelled and looked no different than most of the people around them.

Spring is the time for revivals in many areas or our country, especially the Bible belt. Most members of most churches need a spiritual awakening, a real time of renewal and cleansing. However, I have discovered that folks who need revival the most realize it the least. They are like my childhood friends who thought they did not need a bath. Often we just don’t think we need a revival because we fit right in with the rest of the cold, prayerless, powerless, indifferent, carnal, uncommitted, sinful, backslidden church members. Thankfully, not all church members are guilty of that kind of description. Many do fall on their faces before God in contrition, humility, confession and repentance.

Lord, let our verse for today be our heartfelt and sincere prayer. Lord, our churches, our homes, our nation and our world need a revival. Please awaken us to the need and then may we be renewed and revived. As the song says, “Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me.”

Neither Murmur

“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”(I Corinthians 10:10)

What is murmuring? The sound of it is somewhat like the low, almost whispering sounds of the audience before a concert or play begins in a large auditorium. It is low, undistinguished, sounds of several conversations going on at the same time. I hasten to say that the sound itself is not the sin.

Murmuring is that sound I just described filled with bitterness, malice, ill will, rancor, and complaint. It can be done by a single person, a large or small group and is frequently propagated through gossip. Murmuring is what took place in the Jerusalem Church when the Hellenist widows were being neglected in the distribution of food. (Acts 6:1) It is what Korah and his group were doing against Moses and Aaron in our text above. (Also see Numbers 16:21)

In studying the numerous gifts of the Holy Spirit in Romans 12:6-8, 1Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 there is no “Gift of Murmuring” mentioned. Since it is not a gift of the Spirit and is not sanctioned by the Spirit and the Bible says, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Philippians 2:14), it is a sin to be avoided.

Christ Inside You

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

It has been said that if one has been saved by the grace of God and has the claim of Christ upon his/her life, they will have a deep longing and desire to do God’s will.  If such a desire to serve God and to please Him is not there it is doubtful that one is really born again.  Christ inside you gives you a desire to serve Him. And Christ living within the person not only gives the desire to serve Him but gives one the capacity to serve Him.

Is God working in you? If so, you are like a glove with a hand inside. The glove can do whatever the hand inside directs it to do. Until the glove has the hand inside, it can do nothing. Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) And Paul the Apostle said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) The secret is to live your life surrendered to Him.

If My People

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)

I have talked to many people who see the need and have a tremendous desire to experience a Spiritual awakening in America. While it is our responsibility and privilege to evangelize, there is an overwhelming need for God’s people, the people who already wear the name of Christ, to do the four things mentioned in our text. It is true that God is speaking to Israel of old in this verse, but it is also applicable for Christians today.

Prayer is probably the most neglected of our resources in the Christian life.  We must get back to earnest prayer. There must be some humility as well as prayer in the prayer closet. Seeking His face is to seek His pleasure, to be pleasing to Him. The fourth necessity for Spiritual awakening is repentance, a turning from our ungodly ways. And then God declares that when we do these four things He will hear from heaven, will forgive our sin and heal our land.

Do What the Lord Tells You to Do

“His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.” (John 2:5)

The servants at the wedding could not turn water into wine, but they could fill six waterpots with water. It is very much like the raising of Lazarus who had been dead and in the grave four days. Jesus told those at Lazarus’ grave, “Take ye away the stone.” (John 11:39) Jesus could have taken away the stone, but would not. They would have raised the dead, but could not.

Do you want a happy home? Hear the advice given to the servants at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Whatever He says unto you concerning your home, do it. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church, giving Himself for it. Wives, be in subjection to your own husband. And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Children, obey your parents and honor thy father and thy mother. The path to an unhappy home and ultimately to a divorce is to not heed the things he says concerning your home.

“Whatsoever He says to you, do it,” is good advice on any subject from repentance, to Bible reading, to prayer, to witnessing, to church attendance, giving, honesty, and a host of other subjects that affect your life.

His First Miracle

“This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.” (John 2:11)

Jesus performed or worked thirty-seven miracles. This one in which He turned water into wine was His first.   

“Oinos” is the New Testament word for the fruit of the vine, or wine. It says nothing concerning fermentation.  The word “wine” in the Bible can refer to fresh grape juice or grape juice in different stages of fermentation. The context will make it clear which kind of wine is being referenced. The word “wine-press” is used for the press that squeezes juice from the grapes.  Certainly, the juice from freshly pressed grapes is non-alcoholic and unfermented.

Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine is no justification for the existence of the liquor industry, with its resultant thousands of people dying in automobile accidents on our nation’s highways annually. Not only is that industry responsible for many deaths on the highways, but each year thousands of homes are wrecked by its influence and many children go to bed hungry each night because of the purchase of alcohol and its consumption by one or both parents. Nor is this miracle to be claimed as one’s right to drink or to get drunk. Jesus never contradicted the Old Testament Scriptures. In the Proverbs we read, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1) I personally doubt that the wine Jesus made from water was alcoholic wine.

It has been said that seeing Jesus miraculously turn wine and strong drink into food, clothing and shelter for a family after a father or mother or both allow Jesus to change their lives, is as big or bigger miracle than turning water into wine.

Invite Jesus to Your Wedding

“And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage.” (John 2:2)

Among the people that attended the marriage in Cana of Galilee were Jesus and the people who were closest to Him, His mother and His disciples. It is a wise couple about to be married who invite Jesus and His followers to their wedding. 

There are numerous pit-falls in the realm of marriage, but not nearly as many as living together without marriage.  The Bible calls that adultery. God Himself established the home in the first two chapters of Genesis. And Jesus, God in the flesh, verified God’s intended purpose for a man and woman establishing a home in Matthew 19:3-12.

If you and your fiancé are among the many couples planning a June wedding or a wedding any time in the future, you will be wise to invite Jesus to be the honored guest at your wedding and to surround yourselves with some of His closest followers.

Be of the Same Mind in the Lord

“I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.” (Philippians 4:2)

Apparently these two women in our text were at odds over something, who knows what. The Bible doesn’t say, but Paul, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, thought it necessary to say something about it in this letter to the Philippian church. Did it get resolved? We don’t know, but whatever it was, here we are 2,000 years later discussing it.

My mother-in-law said that when she was a little girl in the 1920’s she and her mother went to a revival at the beginning of the second week of the meeting. Up to this point nothing at all had happened. Not a single move had been made until the visiting evangelist, who did not know the people or the community, inadvertently mentioned a cow getting into a neighbor’s alfalfa field. Two elderly ladies got up from across the building from each other, ran to the altar and began to weep and to hug each other. Revival broke out and precious souls were saved.

My mother-in-law said those two ladies had not spoken for years because the cow of one of them had years before, gotten into the hay field of the other one. Not only had those two ladies not spoken, neither had the family members of each of the ladies spoken. Ill will and unforgiveness had hindered that church for years. Most of the church did not know the secret in the hearts of those two ladies until the Holy Spirit used that statement by the evangelist to get hearts right. Could one of those women have been you in need of making things right?

He Must Increase

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

In all the weddings I have performed and the many where my wife and I were simply invited guests, I have never seen the best man get upset because he was not the bridegroom.  John the Baptist saw his role as that of being the best man and saw Jesus as the bridegroom.  His job as best man was to direct all attention to Jesus. “He must increase, but I must decrease,” John said. He had made it clear that he was not the Christ; he was not the bridegroom. John was just the best man.

Our assignment as Christians is to direct all attention to Jesus and away from ourselves.  Our attitude must be similar to John’s, “Christ must increase, but I must decrease.” Jesus gives the assignments, not us. He alone forgives sin and saves souls, not us. The church is His, not ours. We serve Him, not the other way around.

We must get ourselves off the throne of our lives and, “bow our knees before Him and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

My Closest Friend

“…and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

A pastor friend said if a person had six true friends he could count himself fortunate. [That would be enough friends to serve as pall bearers at your funeral.] A friend is someone with whom you can share your problems and failures and be assured no one else will hear it from your friend.

I had two brothers, one older and one younger than I. They are now both with the Lord. We were close. We sang together, worked together and played together. We put our feet under the same table when we were growing up. But I have a friend whose name is Jesus and He has been my friend when my brothers could not help me, when they were limited in some way. We all have had some “fair weather” friends, folks we thought were good friend, but were not. But Jesus is not a fair weather friend.  He is my friend who has always been closer than either of my brothers.

My brothers would have given me their last dime if I needed it. But Jesus gave His life for me at Calvary. That’s the kind of friend He is to me and will be your friend if you will let Him.

What Are They Among So Many?

“One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto Him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (John 6:8-9)

It has been estimated that perhaps there were as many as fifteen thousand people that Jesus fed on that day. John says there were about five thousand men. Matthew says there were five thousand men besides women and children. (Matthew 14:21)   What are five barley loaves and two small fish among so many hungry people?

The secret is to place what we have, be it great or small, in the Master’s hand and let Him multiply it. Neither the little boy nor Andrew could multiply the five barley loaves and the two small fish but they could surrender it to Jesus. That’s all you and I can do.  Our attitude must be that of the song, “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.” He has proven that He can take our little bit when surrendered to Him and make much of it.

Watch Out For the South Wind

“And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon.” (Acts 27:13-14)

Paul and two hundred and seventy-five other men, including the sailors manning the ship and the hundred soldiers guarding the prisoners, were sailing, hopefully, to Rome. They had gotten as far as the island of Crete. Paul spoke against going further at this time because the time for sailing was past. But the centurion believed the captain and owner of the ship rather than Paul, the preacher. When the south wind began to blow softly, they supposed it would now be alright to weigh anchor and sail. As soon as they were enticed away from the safety of the harbor a hurricane arose. It was a horrible two week trip.  Read it in  Acts 27.

How like that we are. We are in “safe harbor” and a “gentle, south wind,” a wind of temptation, begins to blow and entices us further and further from the safety of the harbor and we suffer ship wreck.  The “south wind” starts with just a small touch, then a kiss, then adultery and divorce.  Or it starts as just a small social drink and then a little more and some more until there is a wasted life and a ruined home. Or, someone offers a teenager a “joint” and the rest is history. The problem is, we think we know more than God about sailing our ship.

Rest, But Don’t Quit

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

To “keep on keeping on” can be phrased many ways.  It may be stated, “It’s too soon to quit.” Or it may be, “Don’t give up.” I gave some young teenagers each a certificate for,

“STIC-TO-IT-IVE-NESS,” for finishing a task assigned them in church. Farmers and gardeners plant seeds in the ground, knowing they cannot reap a harvest before the plants have matured. I knew an old man who was chopping weeds and grass out of half grown corn in the hot summer time. He would sit down and rest at the end of each long row, but he never quit. He finished just a few rows each day until he was done with that large field. He reaped a good harvest for doing well.

God sends His servants out to serve in His fields.  He tells us, “the harvest is great and the laborers are few.” (Luke 10:2) Still He tells us, “Don’t quit.” He tells us not to be weary in well doing, in sticking to our assigned task.  He assures us that the harvest is coming.  Stay with it.  Don’t quit. Keep on witnessing, reading your Bible, praying, attending church and Bible study, giving, helping others and simply living the Christian life.

Brethren, Pray…

“Brethren, pray for us.” (I Thessalonians 5:25)

The Lord’s work is much larger than the people who are involved in it. Paul and Silas had been miraculously delivered from jail in Philippi and had found their way to Thessalonica where Paul, Silas and Timothy established a church. In less than a month there, they had been forced by jealous Jews to move on to Berea and then to Athens. Now they are in Corinth where they are writing to the small church back in Thessalonica to encourage them and to answer their questions concerning the second coming of Jesus. That subject is in every chapter of this epistle.

Overwhelmed with the work before them, these three servants made the appeal to the church, “Brethren, pray for us.” There is an old song that says, “I want my friends to pray for me.” There is nothing greater you can do for your pastor, Sunday school teacher and workers, deacons and other servants in your church than to pray for them. If you cannot pray for them, don’t criticize them. And, if a pastor is reading these lines, the greatest thing you can do for the members of your church is to pray for them. For all of us, pray for your husband, wife, children and parents.

On the Rock

“He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” (Psalm 40:2)

I well remember as a boy, one day after a rain, starting across a recently plowed field of red clay soil. I had not gotten very far when my shoes were totally covered with red clay mud.  I was lifting a growing load of mud with every step.  I found it necessary to pull my feet and their mud caked shoes out of the mud by hand, step by weary step. When my shoes were pulled off by the mud I went the rest of the way barefooted, carrying my shoes. How glad I was when I finally got to a hard surfaced gravel road. I felt like a free person.

The Psalmist David likened his situation to being rescued by the Lord out of a horrible pit and then lifted out of the miry clay and his feet planted on a solid rock. I look back on my salvation experience, of being rescued from the pit of hell and from the miry clay of sin and placed firmly on Jesus, the solid rock.  As children in church we would sing, “I’m on the Rock, hallelujah: I’m on the Rock to stay. For He lifted me from the miry clay; I’m on the Rock to stay.” Perhaps that was the “New Song” God placed in David’s mouth. If you will allow Him to do so, He will plant your feet on the Rock and put a new song in your mouth.

Noah Was Moved with Fear

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”(Hebrews 11:7)

One of the complaints I have heard leveled toward evangelists is that “they are trying to scare people into being saved.” That may possibly be true for some, but not most. I wonder if it could or would be said of a flagman standing in the road by a swollen stream that had just washed out the bridge you had planned to cross.  It would not be said of someone  passing your house at 3:00 a.m. and seeing smoke and flames billowing out of the comb of your house, he stops his car, blows the horn, beats on your door, screams and yells to get you up and out of your burning house.

Look at the results of Noah’s fear. First, he accepted God’s warning of the coming flood.  Remember, up to that time it had not rained on the earth. Second, He prepared an ark and thereby saved his household and all the animals. Third, he became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

The prospect of eternity in hell with the devil and his angels, separated from God and Godly people, should move one to turn in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ for salvation. Christ is standing at your door urging you to come out of your burning house if you haven’t done so yet. Some might call it fear.  He calls it love.

The Fear of God

“The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” (Psalm 36:1)

Among the fourteen points of the indictment against the human race in the third chapter of Romans is, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:18)

The “fear of God” includes reverence and awe for God, the fear of His judgment for the breaking of His laws and the acknowledgement of who He is and His grace, love and mercy.

Our text indicates that the sin of the wicked leads the Psalmist to conclude that the wicked have no “awe” or respect for God, and they think He is not serious about judgment for their violation of God’s laws. Their rejection of God’s salvation is nothing to them, since in the mind of the wicked, they have no condition that would require a Savior.

Are You Letting God’s Word Fall to the Ground?

“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of His words fall to the ground.” (I Samuel 3:19)

One of the greatest men that ever walked on this earth was Samuel, the prophet of God.  Given to Hannah by the Lord in answer to her prayer, she loaned him back to the Lord when he was weaned. Samuel grew up under the care of Eli, the priest of God.

Our text says he grew and that he let none of the words of God fall to the ground. When I read this verse I am reminded of two apple orchards, one whose caretaker did not pick the apples when they were perfectly ripe but let them fall to the ground and spoil, benefiting no one. The other orchard’s caretaker let no apple fall to the ground, but picked each one at the appropriate time, and had fruit for nourishment.

Most of the problems of this world would be solved if mankind would stop ignoring the Word of God, letting it fall to the ground and spoil. If men would just allow the Word of God to feed, nourish and sustain them like a nice juicy apple when plucked at its peak of goodness. If the Bible were not ignored homes would be stronger, churches would be more loving, neighbors would get along with one another, hatred would be no more, sins of all kinds would cease and God Himself would be magnified.

Maybe Today

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)

Before you set your feet on the floor beside your bed this morning did you think, “This could be the day Christ returns?” Before you had your breakfast, before you left your house for school or work did you anticipate the coming of Christ?

Our Lord tells us in Matthew 24 that as it was in the days of Noah before the flood, life before the return of Christ would be going on as usual. Many years ago a Scottish preacher would ask when he stood to preach, “How many of you believe Jesus will return today?” Sometimes a few hands would go up, sometimes three or four and sometimes no one would lift a hand.  Then he would read our text in Matthew 24:44 and then preach on being ready for the Lord’s return. The New Testament mentions the return of Christ 318 times. Just because He didn't return yesterday doesn’t mean He might not return today.  Are you ready for His return?

Set Your House in Order

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, ‘Thus saith the LORD, set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.’” (II Kings 20:1)

In the past fifty-four years of ministry I have conducted many funerals and have delivered many funeral messages. In my pulpit ministry as well as my evangelism visits I have attempted to instruct and warn the people before me that they must set their houses (their lives) in order. They must be prepared for death.

Some very important lessons from Hezekiah are:

• First, he was a relatively good, thirteenth king of Judah. However, death is no respecter of persons, age, status or rank in life. All will die unless Jesus comes first. (Heb. 9:27)
• Second, life is swift and uncertain. Hezekiah had no clue that he would receive such a message from God’s prophet that day.
• Third, death’s certainty requires preparation and readiness. How foolish to face the end of life on earth and stand before death’s door having made no preparation for the inevitable.
• Fourth, God is merciful and makes a way. That way is Jesus, the Son of God who died on the cross of Calvary, was buried and rose the third day to give us life. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

By The Word of the LORD

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” (Psalm 33:6)

When I stand in my back yard on a clear night and kook up into the heavens I see the glory of God and His creative acts. On those occasions in my mind I can hear the beautiful old song, “How Great Thou Art.”

God stood upon absolutely nothing and spoke the universe into existence. The word, “create” means, “to make something from nothing.” “But,” I hear someone object, “preacher you don’t really believe that, do you?” Just as surely as I am writing these lines, I believe it. The Bible says, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11:3)

Not only did He speak the world into existence, He also has calmed many a troubled soul by speaking peace to them through His precious Word. Let His Word speak to you.

The Changeless Christ for a Changing World

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

An old fellow came down out of the mountains with his violin. He had heard the orchestra was looking for a few good musicians. So, he joined the orchestra. He took his place with the other violinists. He was comfortable “sawing” along on one string with his ring finger of his left hand in one place. The conductor stopped him and said, “No, no, no. You’re doing it all wrong. You’re supposed to move your fingers over all the strings and up and down the neck and move the bow over all the strings like these others are doing.” The old fellow said, “All those others are looking for the right note.  I've already found it.”

We live in a sad world with people searching for happiness and satisfaction in strong drink, drugs, illicit sex, pornography, money, entertainment, religion and things. The right note is Jesus, the Son of God. He is the same all the time.  He is immutable. He never changes. He is the right “note” the world is looking for. Jesus is the answer to your questions of what to do with your sin. He is the answer to your search for salvation. Are you struggling with sickness, sorrow and sadness? Stop searching and rest in Jesus.

This Same Jesus

“And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, ‘Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so move in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.’”(Acts 1:10-11)

The Creator of the universe had come to the earth, lived among men, had a three and one half year ministry of preaching, teaching, healing and restoring life. He had been tried illegally by men and had suffered and died by their wicked hands on a cross outside Jerusalem. He had been buried and had risen from the tomb. He lived among them another forty days proving Himself to be alive by many infallible proofs. And now, while the disciples looked on, He has ascended into heaven.

But, as one man said, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” This same Jesus who today is our High Priest at the right hand of God is coming back. This time He won’t come as a baby in swaddling clothes, but rather as a king in robes of splendor. This time He won’t be judged, but He will be the judge. This time He won’t be riding a donkey. He will be on a white horse. When He comes again, those who rejected Him the first time will hide in dens and rocks of the mountains and cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. (Revelation 6:12-17)  NO, It isn’t over until it’s over.

Therefore

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:58)

The word “therefore,” links what was said before to what is said afterward. It answers the question, “So What?” 

In this case, what was said before is that Christ died for us, was buried, arose three days later, was seen of eyewitnesses, that He is coming back, the dead in Christ will be raised in the resurrection and the Christians living when He returns will be caught up, carried away with Him in what is called the rapture. Those in the resurrection and those in the rapture will receive new bodies like His glorious body.

The “so what,” is found in our text. Keep on keeping on. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain. You and I serve a Living Savior, not a dead, martyred Jew off in some unknown grave in the Middle East.

The Preaching of the Cross

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (I Corinthians 1:18)

A preacher arrived at his assignment and was told, “Preacher, it’s alright to say that Jesus died, but just don’t mention the cross, the blood or any of that. You can say that Jesus died for us, but that’s enough.”

The preacher responded, “But just saying He died could mean He died of a heart attack, pneumonia, cancer, stroke or some rare disease. No, I’ll preach the cross and I will be sure to tell the folks that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22) Then he said, “The marks of the nails through Jesus’ hands and feet and into the cross helped Thomas recognize the Savior after the resurrection.” An old song says, “I shall know Him by the print of the nails in His hands.”

Charles Hadden Spurgeon said, “When I stand behind the sacred desk to preach, as soon as I read my text I make a bee line for the cross.”

Bro. Jim's Upcoming Speaking Dates

Upcoming Speaking Dates

Father, Forgive Them

“Then said Jesus, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’” (Luke 23:34)

This is the first of the seven last sayings of Jesus while He was on the cross.  It comes immediately after the verse before tells us they came to a place called Calvary and there they crucified Him and the malefactors.

Scriptures tell us that He was scourged, spit upon, slapped in the face, crowned with a crown of thorns, mocked, laughed at and falsely accused. They drove huge nails through His hands and feet into the wooden cross. Isaiah tells us that He was unrecognizable as a man. Still He cried, “Father forgive them.” I wonder if those guilty ones accepted His forgiveness.

When the first Christian martyr, Stephen, was being stoned to death for his sermon and for his stand against the sins of Israel, he spoke with a loud voice, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” (Acts 7:60) Stephen knew that voice from the cross.

Hear our Savior’s voice from the cross when you have been sinned against, wrongly accused or abused physically, mentally or verbally. The Bible says, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

The Gospel Which Paul Preached

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which you are saved…” (I Corinthians 15:1-2a)

The church of Corinth was founded when Paul the Apostle had an eighteen month ministry there. When the Corinthians became Christians they could not just “pull up,” and leave. They had to live the Christian life in one of the most sinful environments of that or any other day. Paul deals with many of those sinful issues in this letter to them.

The apostle also uses this opportunity to remind them of the gospel he preached to them when he was there. The word, “gospel” means, “good news.” The first point of his message of good news was that Christ died for their/our sins according to the Scriptures. One thinks of Isaiah 53 as one of many Old Testament Scriptures speaking prophetically of the sacrifice of Jesus. The second point of his gospel of good news was that Christ was buried, indicating that He was indeed dead, not just in a “swoon” or a fainting spell. The third point of the gospel he preached while he was there was that Christ arose again the third day according to the scriptures.

It was that gospel by which the Corinthians were saved and by which we are saved today. If it is the gospel it must include the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  Otherwise, it is not the gospel that brings salvation. Place your faith in Him for eternal life.

Idle Tale or Eternal Truth

“And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.” (Luke 24:11)

Our Savior had told His followers at different times that He would be killed and that He would rise from the grave. They listened, but they seemingly never heard Him.  Now, it is resurrection morning, the women had been to the tomb and discovered it to be empty. They encountered the two angelic beings who talked to them saying, “Remember how He spoke to you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, ‘the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ And they remembered His words. Then the women went to the eleven and told them what they had seen and heard.” (Luke 24:6-9)

When we tell the old story today there will be those who will cast it off as an idle tale, unbelievable or a myth. We are not to change it in an attempt to make it acceptable. There will always be those who refuse to believe. Tell it again and again. Repeat it over and over. The Gospel, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, is the only hope for sinful mankind. It is your only hope.