The Running Shoes

The Nature of the Beast

RUNNING SHOES

By: Jim Kinser 2/6/11
 

As a kid, I was the oldest out of four children, my closest brother in age was 3 years younger. We had a great childhood, I wouldn't trade it for any other so don't think of this story as a sympathy story because its not. My Dad worked on a ranch and my Mother would clean houses and even took care of a walnut orchard. We would go after school and work in the orchard or do what ever we could to help out. When I was 12, my Dad says I was 10, I started working on the ranch 10 hour days for 45 cents an hour. From that time on, I bought a lot of my own things which was a good thing. We shopped at the Salvation Army and Goodwill a lot. We didn't have a lot of money but we never went hungry. We ate a lot of biscuits and gravy and beans with cornbread, I still love them to this day. You can ask my wife I never complain about what we eat. We always say "it's not what you want that makes you fat it's what you get" and we were happy just to have something. They weren't any special meals for any of us. It bothers me today to hear people say “I don't like that.” You would like it if that's all you had, and be glad to get it. We always finished what was on our plate. We sat down with our hair combed and faces and hands washed and no hat. We sat down as a family to eat.

I have always been a person of determination and never afraid to try to do something. I've always thought and still do is to “never give up!” Where would we be today if we gave up? Paul says in Act 20:24 I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. God doesn't want us to give up. Jesus didn't give up when things got tough. He is our example Heb. 12:2 says we are to look away from all that distracts us and look at Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Like I said, as a kid growing up we didn't have a lot of extras. I always wanted to play sports but wasn't very athletic. My brothers were, they were very good but I had two left feet. I was the one that got picked last when we chose teams but I still wanted to play. My freshman year in high school I went out for the track team and got to run the 440 and the mile relay. It's a fast hard race for a ¼ mile. I have always been long winded and still am today and I was so skinny, I had to run back and forth in the shower to get wet. Well, I made the track team but I didn't have enough money to buy track shoes, so a friend of mine had a old pair he gave me. They were white with red stripes on them, so cool! The only thing was, they were size 10 and I wore a size 11 and although they killed my feet, they were like everyone else's and I was going to wear them. I remember starting the race and running thinking, I can do this, I will make it, but halfway through the race, my toes were hurting so bad guys started passing me and I knew deep down that I could not run with them. You see it's not how good you start, it's how you finish. When you get in the last curve, you start getting it on and you run as hard as you can for the finish line. My feet were in such pain, I went across the finish line and went inside and threw those shoes off as quick as I could! I never gave up when I was in the race, I kept racing and even though I never won a medal or even a ribbon,  I never gave up!

Today, we are in the race and the devil wants us to quit. He doesn't want us to cross the finish line where there is going to be no pain and we  will never have to run again. For now, we are on the home stretch of the race where the pain is really starting to get to us. But we must push and press as hard as we can, to the end because JESUS said that He chose us, and that He will be with us through it all. Don't shrink back but press for the calling that we have been called to by God. When you get started around the last turn things really start to pick up. You hear your competitor in back coming up, they are breathing hard, they are groaning. You hear their feet hitting and they are pushing with everything they have to get in front of you. Don't look back or you are going to fall. Phil. 3:13 Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. We use to call it kicking it (I think, that was over 40 yrs ago). Like I said, I had two left feet and I know I would fall so I was looking at the finish line, I just wanted to finish the race.

Now we are all competing in the race and the devil is mad. He wants us to give up and say "it's to hard I can't do it." But God said Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Heb. 13:5 I think we get so wrapped up in our on suffering, we forget about the people around us. Phil. 2:4 says, Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others. In I Peter 5:8, Be self controlled and alert, your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. The lions attack the sick ones, ones that are alone. Continuing in 5:9, Peter says, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering." Resist Satan, stay in the word of God and the promises He had made, not he enemy. Verse 5:10 says, And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. Praise God! Verse 5:11 says, To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen  Heb. 10:38 says, My righteous one will live by faith and if he shrinks back I will not be pleased with him.

As I was running I never quit, I kept running for the finish line. This was in 1963, a year in my life I will never forget because not only did President Kennedy got assassinated, my mother died in a accident. She was cleaning the bathroom floor with ammonia and it burnt a hole in her lung and that changed my life drastically. After that, just like the Israelites I wondered around trying about anything I could, eventually becoming a drug addict and  dealer. Then after 40 years, almost to the month, I got saved, set free, and turned my life around and I have not tried to look back, because I know who I belong to. Just like running the race, I can hear the devil breathing down my back but I'm not looking back, and I am more determined then ever, to reach the finish line.

I Cor. 9:25 says, Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 9:26, Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. We need to be putting on the full armor of God Eph. 6:11-16, The Belt= of Truth, The Breastplate= of righteousness, The Foot gear= readiness to spread the good news, The Shield= of Faith, The Helmet= of Salvation, and The Sword= the only weapon listed is the Word of God.

Perhaps you have heard about the man who God told to go PUSH against a huge rock. The man pushed, day after day and year after year. Then one day the devil said "you know, you have been pushing on that rock for years. Why, you haven't moved it one hair, what's the use." So the man started having doubts about why God would have him do this and he quit pushing. He said to God, "it is impossible, I haven't moved this rock a hair, why would you have me do this?" God said, I didn't tell you to move the rock, I said PUSH and you did and now your arms have become massive, your legs are strong and your back is stronger then ever. You have gained an enormous amount of strength because you did what I told you to do, to just PUSH. So if God tells you to do something, do as this man did PUSH.

P Pray

U Until

S Something

H Happens

There is nothing to hard for God, if He puts you to a task always remember, Phil. 4:13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. I know one thing God cannot do, He can't lie. His word is true and He has never changed. Heb. 13:8 says, JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday and today and forever. Sometimes, I do look back in shame at my past and it saddens me to think I was that stupid. In I Timothy 1:13, Paul says, "I did these things out of IGNORANCE."  But like Lots wife, looking back stops me from going on. I can't go back and redo anything, I have to keep going forward. My motorcycle has 2 little mirrors looking back, but the big picture is in the front. Today is a new day, yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn't here yet, just BE the best you can BE. You are the only one you can BE, so BE all you can BE, in the Lord.

II Cor. 5:21, God made him who had no sin for us so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God. The greatest exchange ever. He took away our sins and hung them on the CROSS and gave us His righteousness. We are right with God covered by the Blood of the Lamb. In John 15, JESUS says, He is the vine and we are the branches and God is the gardener. A branch connected to the vine receives life, if the gardener cuts it off it dies. We aren't cut off so we must start bearing fruit. John 15:16 says, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. This verse has such a impact on me, that we have been chosen. Like Paul says, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. Whatever did God see in this pile of filth that he could use? All I can say is “Here I am, use me, I belong to you because You paid a price for me, a price you didn't owe”.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

If you are in the race which we all are, it is coming down to the home stretch and the competition is on your heals breathing down your neck making all kinds of noise. Don't let up, PUSH harder, reach down deep inside with all the determination you have because you have God on your side. He didn't bring you this far to leave you. He is at the finish line with every lasting promise of Eternal Glory with Him. Just as I crossed the finish line and pulled the track shoes off to get relief of the pain in my feet, so it says in Gods word, I Timothy 4:7, For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Like the shoes that made me look like a runner but in fact, hurt my feet and were no help at all, is similar to someone carrying a Bible around, and never knowing what it says. It doesn't do much good. As Joshua and Caleb believed what God said, in Num. 14, we need to believe what Gods Word says. II Tim. 3:14 KJV, But continue thou in the things which thou last learned and last been assured of, knowing of whom thou last learned them. In Deut. 28:6 God says if you follow Him, You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. I ask, have you received the first blessing which is salvation? I believe you have. Now, we are running the race and PUSHING through all that the enemy is throwing at us. God is on our side, and we are standing on what God said and running toward the 2^nd of God, eternal life.

I know that in my church, all of our ministers have a heart for God and they are under attack by the enemy. We need to be PUSHING harder then we have ever PUSHED before. The attack against my wife and I has come from my family. They have slandered us saying things that aren't true and they don't want to have anything to do with us.

I lost my best friend, Gary Blankenship in: Dec. 2010. We have been very close for over 50 years. He was my Barnabas and he was a quadriplegic who drove his wheel chair with his chin. When he was injured in Vietnam, they gave him 3 days to live. The Holy Spirit came to him and told him he was going to serve God and he sure did. Through hospital visits and phone calls, wherever he went, he was a living testimony for the Lord. He touched so many lives from his bed it was so amazing how God worked through this man. Well, he passed away and went home to be with the Lord, 40+ years later. I keep bringing up 40 because 40, seems to be the time in the Bible when there is new life or, a new direction. From what I understand, Gary was the longest living quad not what the world said, because of what God said, . Praise God! I could go on and on about Gary but I won't, he was my awesome friend and although I miss him, I am comforted because I know that he is with our Lord.

I pray that this letter is a word of encouragement. Phil. 1:29, For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

So, when people reject you and call you a "JESUS freak" or, "a Bible thumper" thinking they are hurting you. Praise God that they think of you that way, and remember what JESUS says, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, even though we are in the fire, we aren't bowing down to the enemy. We aren't giving up the race because we are hurting, we are determined in our minds to finish because God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Author the finisher has chosen us and He is in the fire with us. He will never leave or forsake us because we are His. So, keep PUSHING until something happens. It is sort of like having a baby, I never had one...Praise God, but I have been there when a birth has happened, it's amazing. There is a lot of pain, stress and   PUSHING. Even the man goes through a lot of emotional PUSHING for their loved one. So, if you want to help someone, let them know you are PUSHING for them. There is always someone you can be PUSHING for.

Those that know me, know I love to laugh and make others laugh. Sometimes it's hard to laugh but don't let the enemy still your joy. Nehemiah 8:10, Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Heb. 1:9, You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness therefore God, your God has set you about your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Don't let the enemy steal your joy J = JESUS, O = Others, Y = Yourself. We need to get the “I” out of the prIde.

Don't be a hypocrite or a pretender Christian, because there are many that don't know Christ,  the enemy has blinded them and they need to see Jesus through authentic believers . II Cor. 4:4, The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. I can go on but you can read it yourself. God didn't say it was going to be easy, but He has promised us a great reward. In II Cor. 4:18-19, So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

II Chronicles 16:9, For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Are you committed, or just going through the motions? You can carry a Bible, have a cross around you neck and even a JESUS bumper sticker on your car, but that's like having a pair of running shoes that look good, but don't fit, it doesn't help....But if you're in the race, remember that even the strongest runners get tired.  Isaiah 40:31, Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.

This is a whole different story about eagles and if the Lord guides my pen I may write another story. Most of you know I have a hard time reading and writing. When I first got saved, I sat beside my wife and she helped me with my reading. With her help and the Holy Spirit, I still have a hard time reading out loud and spell very badly, but I praise God and Thank Him that I am not where I started. I haven't reached the end and He's not done with me yet and that excites me. Whatever I did in my past has been forgiven. As far as the East is from the West, Psalm 103:12. That is so awesome to think about! I am covered by the blood. He knows I love Him and He loves me, and He loves you also.

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!!

Don't let the enemy tell you there is some sin that JESUS blood can't cover! He is a liar as he always has been, and always will be! Tell him: to "get behind you." Tell him: "I belong to God bought and paid for in full." Tell him: "I am still here running the race enduring the pain. I haven't pulled out, I am still PUSHING through." Like I said, it's not where you start that counts, it's how you finish. You will endure pain along the way but PUSH to reach and ever lasting goal. Tell the enemy "I am still here. I'm not going to quit even though we are going to face many obstacles and mountains to climb." We know with faith, we can move "mountainous obstacles" because God said so. Remember, fruit doesn't grow on the mountain tops, it grows in the valleys, so if you are in the valley, Praise God because you are growing into something God can use. The enemy comes at you the strongest, just before God is going to Bless you. So just PUSH! Remember at the finish line we will receive a blessing if we don't give up the race. Because God said, because God promised us in His word and God cannot lie.

I believe God inspired me to write this as an encouragement and I pray it may lift you up to keep PUSHING for the prize to the calling God has put in front of you. You are on the winning side if you are serving our Lord and Savior.

Remember there are 66 books in the Bible and if I counted them right, 1190 chapters. In the first book the 3^rd chapter, man already had fallen. So get over your bad self, you are no surprise to God. If you were perfect, JESUS wouldn't had to go to the cross to endure what He did for you. He would of done it if you were the only one, but your not. Jesus died for all the world's sinners, we must believe in Him and we will receive, the promises of God.

In James 4:7, Submit yourself, then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. I believe what James is saying here, is to believe in God and live by faith in what God says, not what the devil says. Don't give Satan a foothold because you are set free by the blood of JESUS CHRIST our Lord and Savior. Stay engaged in strict training and keep the faith. Heb. 11:1, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

I believe God told me to tell this story about my running shoes. I want to thank my wife for her help and typing which I am not good at. But just as she has been beside me in the beginning to help me, she is still there beside me, PUSHING for me and supporting me through it all. She has always been my supporter. I am so blessed to have a wife like her. She doesn't have the wind I have and is kind of quiet, but without her, I may have pulled out of the race or may never got started. I thank God for her.

God Bless you all!

Vice President, Jim Kinser 2/6/11

       Eternal Riders Chapter

Christian Motorcycle Association

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- The Nature of the Beast -

by: Richard Frahm - 1/8/2005

Read Galatians 5:16-26 

This past summer I was at my daughters helping building a deck on her home. I needed a couple tools and a couple pieces of stock. So I went to the shop to get them. As I stepped into the shop I could hear this thumping against one of the west windows. At first I couldn’t make out what was going on. It took a minute I’m slow but I soon realized it was a humming bird trying to fly through the glass window. He (I assume it was a he because he was so hard headed) didn’t see me at first but as I got closer he stopped and gave me the ounce over. Then he went right back flying into the window. Just higher up it. In the mean time I was trying to find something I could use to usher him out the north end of the shop because it had large doors that were open. I found a medium size card board box that I thought would work. So I got up on a stack of wood so I could reach him and all he did was avoid me. I could see he was getting tired and I kept telling him just cooperate and you’ll be OK. He actually perched a couple of time and just looked at me. I never looked eye to eye with a humming bird before. I figured I have to get higher than he is. So I went to the other side of the window and climbed on some stuff that wasn’t as stable as the wood pile. Just imagine here I am looking like a digger pine in a 60 mile per hour wind waving a card board box at this humming bird. I’m sure the poor bird though I was trying to kill him. Then the moment of truth came I lunged he zinged and ended up at the bottom part of the window and hit it so hard that he fell on the wood stacked under the window and stopped. In the mean time I’m loosing it, slowly falling toward him. He gets on his feet doesn’t try to fly takes one look at me and the window and out the doors he goes like he had it planned.

What a time.

As I have had time to reflect on this incident I think it is a perfect example of the nature of a being. In this instance a humming bird was captive of its own nature. It would have flown in to that window until it died. My son in law said one had done just that a couple weeks earlier.

What about us? I think of our sinful nature that we have as Christians even though we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Clearly apart from the Spirit of God we would have no desire for the things of God. 1^st Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural (unconverted) man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

But praise God for His grace we have been made alive Ephesians 2:1 “And you he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you ounce walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience”. This verse teaches us we are not dead because of sinful acts that we committed but because of our sinful nature. (Read Mat. 15: 18,19, our Lord speaks of the natural mans heart) Again in Ephesians 2:4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved.” Yet we struggle at time like the humming bird flying into the glass window. Paul put it this way read Romans 7: 17,18  Paul referred to this as the “flesh” in which “nothing good dwells” The flesh may be restrained, but it’s always there. Unless we are daily controlled by the Lord, our old “self” will demonstrate its destructive pleasure seeking capacity in some way.

We are new creatures in Christ read 2^nd Corinthians 5:17, we still posses the tendency to sin. But we don’t need to be governed by it, for we are united to Christ and indwelt by the Holly Spirit.

Think about what changed things for our humming bird’s destiny. It was someone apart from him. When I tried to catch him and free him he had to look in a different direction. Don’t you think God does this for us? Sometimes it can be radical and sometimes gentle. Therefore, as we obey God’s Word and yield to the Spirit read (Romans 8:11) we can be victorious over the flesh—the nature of the beast within.

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- It’s How You Finish -

by: Richard Frahm 12-30-04


Read Isaiah 55: 6 - 11

I want to talk tonight about one of the most serious issues of life and that is death. My friend it is going to happen to each one of us here at some time. The puritans had a saying “live life, so you can die well” that might sound a bit morbid but they were devout Christians and I think they had life in the proper perspective. We could certainly stand that perspective in this day of “instant gratification” and “I’m going to do thing my way.” I know Jesus addressed this issue on numerous occasions while he was here on this planet earth. One of those instances is what I believe to be one of the most important passages in the whole Bible. Nowhere else do we find stronger statements about those two mighty subjects, the new birth, and salvation by faith in the Son of God. There is truth and light here so that you can build a life that you can die well. Read John 3: 1-17

What do we notice first? Nicodemus came “by night” because he was afraid of what man would think, or say , or do, if his visit to Jesus was known. He had not faith and courage enough to come by day. He was of the Pharisees (they were highly zealous for ritual and religious purity according to the Mosaic laws as well as there own traditions). Jesus condemned them for there externalizing religion (rules and regulations) rather than inward spiritual transformation. The Pharisees were some of the bitterest opponents of the Lord’s. Nicodemus was also was a member of the Sanhedrin the Jewish high court, a man of power, influence and prestige. Think about it if he was seen talking to Jesus it could have been very bad for him. Think about it have you ever been in that situation? I have.

What brought Nicodemus to the Lord? “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ He saw that Jesus was someone special, the expression Rabbi was a name of dignity among the Hebrews, signifying Doctor or Master. “No one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” The miracles showed that He who wrought them was no ordinary Person and ought to be listened to.

Have you noticed here that Nicodemus didn’t even ask a question? “Jesus answered” I believe here that our Lord, as He did on many occasion answered according to what He saw going on in a persons heart. He knew the man before Him, like all Jews, were expecting the Messiah and was even suspecting he found Him. So why did Jesus say “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Being “born again” means that complete change of heart and character which is produced in a person by the Holy Spirit, when he repents of his sin, believes on Christ, and becomes a true Christian. It is a change which is frequently spoken of in the Bible. Read Ezekiel 11:19&20, 36:26&27, Acts 3:19, Rom. 6:13, 2nd Corn. 5: 17, Eph. 2:1, Coloss. 3: 9&10, 1st Peter 2:9, 2nd Peter 1:3&4, 1st John 3:14. All these expression come to the same conclusion. They all say the same truth, only viewed from different sides. They all mean that mighty inward change of heart which our Lord calls a “new birth,” and which John the Baptist foretold would specially characterize the Messiah’s kingdom. He was to baptize not with water, but with the Holy Ghost. Jesus began his address to Nicodemus by taking up his forerunner’s predication: He tells him that he must be “born again” or baptized with the Spirit. Human nature is so corrupted by the fall Romans 6:23 that all who would be saved must be born again.

Nicodemus said too Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” This isn’t as dumb as it seems remember that Nicodemus was a teacher himself, He understands the rabbinical method of using figurative language to teach spiritual truth, and he was merely picking Jesus symbolism.

So why did Jesus say “unless you are born of water and the spirit”? Jesus referral here is not to literal water but to the need for “cleansing” (e.g. Ezk. 36:24-27). When water is used figuratively in the O.T., it habitually refers to renewal or spiritual cleansing especially when used in conjunction with “spirit” (Num. 19:17-19, Ps. 51:9,10, Is. 32:15;44:-5;55:1-3:Jer. 2:13; Joel 2:28&29) Thus, Jesus made reference to spiritual washing or purification of the soul, accomplished by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God at the moment of salvation (cf Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:5) required for belonging to His kingdom.

“The wind blows where it wishes” The Lord teaches here that just as the wind cannot be controlled or understood by human being but its effects can be witnessed, so also it is with the Holy Spirit. He cannot be controlled or understood, but proof of His work is apparent. Where the Spirit works, there is undeniable and unmistakable evidence. You can’t hide it’s light.

So what happened to Nicodemus? Did he come to believe? Yes, first evidence John 7:50-52 He took our Lord’s side in questioning the Council of the Jews when they put Jesus on trial? “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing.” Then there came a time when this very Nicodemus was one of the only two men who did honor to our Lord’s dead body. Think about this. He believed Jesus was the Messiah before his resurrection. He helped Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus, when even the apostles had forsaken their Master. He may have started our as one coming to the Lord by night but he finished living in the light.

Remember we are all going to live forever. The question is where do you want to spend your eternity?

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today!

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- Why study the Bible? -

by: Richard Frahm 11-13-04

I want to talk to you today about Bible study.   Isn’t it enough to read it occasionally? Do we make it a priority in our life? The answer to the first question is because it is our main source of spiritual nourishment. Read Psalm 119: 9-16 note verse 12 “Teach me” the Psalmist says here we ask God to be our instructor. How about verse 11 which we teach our children. God’s word is there to protect us from sin. Read Psalm 18:30 “The word of the Lord is proven” it is dependable. David says the same thing 2^nd Samuel 22:31 “He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” How do we know Him, through his word. Read Proverbs 30:5 & 6 “pure” lit. tried, tested, refined, these verse move from the uncertainty of human speculation to the divine certainty of divine revelation. We as Christian are “born from above” and our need is divine revelation.

 What about occasionally reading your Bible? Where are my priorities? I know in my walk with the Lord the less time I spend in His word the more difficult my walk becomes. Read 2^nd Timothy 2: 11-13 We are admonished “Be diligent” the word denotes zealous persistence in accomplishing a goal. What is our goal “rightly dividing” Lit. “cutting is straight” –a reference to the exactness  demanded by such trades as carpenters, masonry, and Paul’s trade of leather working and tent making. Precision and accuracy are required in biblical interpretation, beyond all other enterprises because the interpreter is handling God’s  Word. Why because it’s “the word of truth” read John 17:17

 So the question is do you make it a priority in our lives? Simply put reading/studying the Bible on a regular basis is a decision you have. You want too grow in faith? Read Romans 10:17 it’s not magic it is spiritual and we are spiritual “born from above” Read 1^st John 3:18-25, make comments.    

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- Christian = Salt & Light -

by: Richard Frahm 9/14/2004


Read Mathew 5:1thru 16


We are all very familiar with this passage of scripture known as the “Beatitudes and Similitude’s”. The Beatitudes speak of our Christian character or what a Christian is. The Similitude’s speak of how a Christian manifests this character.

As you read and study the bible, do you ask yourself who Jesus is speaking to and how dose it apply to me. In this portion of scripture the answered is in verse 1 “and seeing the multitude, He went up on a mountain, when He was seated His disciples came to Him.” Would it be safe to say there were a multitude of disciples? What kind of people were these? These were simple people, those entirely unimportant average people from the standpoint of the world. These weren’t the rich and powerful, the most educated or the most politically connected. These were simple people that God would use to build the church of Jesus Christ.

The Christian is not someone that lives in isolation (we are not called to be monks). We are in the world, though we are not of it; and we bear a relationship to the world. We are poor in spirit, and merciful, and meek, and thirsting after righteousness in order, in sense, that we may be ‘the salt of the earth’. Now this is not only a description of the Christian; it is a description by implication of the world in which we find ourselves. It clearly implies rottenness in the earth, it implies a tendency to pollution and to becoming foul and offensive. This really stands for humanity at large, for mankind that is not Christian.

What is the biblical attitude toward the world? God made the world perfect, but because sin entered and the fall, life in the world in general tends to get into a putrid state. We have seen this in our own personnel lives and as a nations rise and fall.

What about the Christian in this kind of world? Jesus says be salt, ‘you and you alone’---this is the emphasis of the text emphatic in the Greek ‘are the salt of the earth’. What dose this tell us. The first thing us is what we have been reminded of in the beatitudes. We are not to be like the world. Salt is essentially different from the medium in which it is placed and in a sense it exercises all its qualities by being different, as our Lord put it here---‘but if salt losses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by man.’

The very characteristic of saltiness makes a difference, for a small amount of salt in a large medium is at ounce noticed. Unless we are clear about this we have not even began to think correctly about the Christian life. The Christian is essentially different than everyone else. The Christian is to be as different from other people as the Lord Jesus Christ was clearly different from the world in which he lived. I believe the great hope of our society today is an increasing number of individual Christians. Are you the salt of the earth?

In verse 14 ‘You’ said our Lord, looking out upon those simple people, those entirely unimportant people from the standpoint of the world, ‘You are the light of the world.’ This is one of those statements that should always have the effect of making us lift up our heads, causing us to realize ounce more what a remarkable and glorious thing it is to be Christian. The ‘you’ referred to in this statement means simply ourselves. The real force of the statement is this ‘You, you alone, are the light of the world’; the ‘you’ is emphatic.

What is implied here? The first is that the world is in a state of darkness. If you begin to look at things seriously you can easily prove that this is nothing but the simple truth. The tragedy of our century has been that we have concentrated solely upon one aspect of knowledge. Our knowledge has been knowledge of things, mechanical and scientific, a knowledge of life in a more or less purely biological or mechanical sense. Our secular society has made science its god. In everything from the origin of the universe (evolution) to man is going to solve this all problems with more knowledge.

Jesus not only spoke the simple startling truth about his own age, but He spoke the truth with regard to every subsequent age. Let us never forget that Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, and the rest, had given there full teaching several centuries before these words we uttered. History itself is now proving, more and more the truth of the gospel.

It says ‘You’. In other words its claim is that the ordinary Christian may never have read any philosophy at all, knows and understands more about life than the greatest expert who is not a Christian. This is one of the major themes of the New Testament. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians says ‘the world by wisdom knew not God’ and therefore ‘it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe’. This thing that appears to be utterly ridiculous to the world is pure wisdom of God. This is the extraordinary paradox with which we are confronted. This is the second statement which our Lord makes with regard to the function of the Christian in this world. Having described the Christian in general in the Beatitudes, the first thing He says is ‘You are the salt of the earth.’ Now He says, ‘You are the light of the world, and you alone.’ Let us always remember that it is a statement concerning the ordinary, average Christian, not certain Christians only, no super saints, just you and I. It is applicable to all who rightly claim His name.

Do you claim His name? If so “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and dose not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1st Peter 1:3-5

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- Preparing to witness Part I -

The Importance of Prayer

by: Keith Sorrels 1/14/06

While most days, it might seem that nothing special in the way of witnessing can happen, the fact is that: 

Each day we have a purpose, that purpose is to fulfill Christ’s Great commission, Prepared and Available to witness

 #1. Mar 16:14 later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. Mar 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 That was there commission, it is also ours.

 Remember the parable where we are told to be Salt and Light

 #2. Mat 5:13   "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Mat 5:15  "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Mat 5:16   "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 Things that hinder us carrying out the great commission

 Lack of preparation can cause us to feel intimated, fearful. (Is politically correct) maybe I will be ridiculed?   

 #3. Rom 1:16   For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,* for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Rom 1:17   For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."*

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Maybe sometimes, the problem is that we really don’t fully know what we believe.

 Just like your savings account won’t grow if you never put any money in it, likewise, your spiritual account wont grew unless you invest in God’s Word.

 Ask yourself this, could I put into writing both what I believe and why with scripture references?

 If not, you need to make an investment in the word. 

 Lack of preparation is a problem

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(unfaithfulness)  Not expecting the Lord to work, What we need here is the daily renewal of our attitudes. We need to expect that God is going to give us an opportunity to share, help, comfort or pray with someone.

 I go: Proverbs 16:9A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
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Sin in our lives is another problem, always seems to be accompanied by the nagging thought that “we are unworthy to share”. There is always an accusing thought ready at a moments notice. Guess who is called the “Accuser of the Brethren”. Its Satan. One thing that messes up his plan to mess up your witness is that he cannot accuse you of sins that have been forgiven.

Realize that the most powerful thing that you can do to take care of this feeling of unworthiness, is to take time to pray.

Easy to say, hard to do, In my life it seems…… …….

 Prayer

1. Cleansing the temple, #4. 1Cr 6:19  Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1Cr 6:20   For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Sin in God’s temple, is repugnant to God, un-confessed sin piling up in your heart will cause separation from the Holy God. Adam and Eve after they sinned are an example of this.

#5. 1John 1:5-9 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 King David had it figured out,  #6. Psa 51:10-13  Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” It is difficult to have joy when there is separation from god because of sin

 Notice the order 

1.   A clean heart

2.   A Steadfast, (unwavering) spirit toward God.

3.   Joy restored

4.   Upheld by God

5.   A witness to unbelievers

  2. With fellowship restored,  a time of praise and thanksgiving.

 #7. Phl 4:6-7   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 3. Our Requests – my prayer list

 4. Setting our direction for the day, His path, not ours,

 Striving to please Him in all that we are.

 □      What we look at,

 □      What we think about,

 □      What we say,   

Mat 12:34-37 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart* brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.".

 We should all retrospectively consider the words we use. Do the words we use those around us closer to the Savior or are we causing them to stumble.

 #8. Eph 5:3-4  But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

 And, what we do, we spend our time on?

Eph 5:15-16 See then that you walk circumspectly (cautiously, vigilantly), not as fools but as wise, Eph 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.s truly amazing what can happen when we make ourselves an available tool for God to use in reaching a lost We should understand that sometimes, when our plans are going astray, the spirit is moving us to a coincidental opportunity to minister for him.

 Recap

□      You all have a calling

□      Anticipate God using you to minister every day

□      Understand what you believe – Study His  Word

□      Prepare yourself for ministry as part of your normal day

□      Pray Often

□      Keep your heart clean as you walk before God

□      Be amazed at what God can do through you.

□      Be an available witness

God’s path is the most exciting path that there is, do your best by redeeming the time and reaching the lost for the Lord.

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- Preparing to witness Part II -

Studying the word of God

by: Keith Sorrels 2/11/06

Have you ever used an axe that has not been maintained? Maybe one who’s handle that is weathered and splintered. Or think of the axe who’s head is loose or maybe not sharp. There are a couple of problems with a tool like this. For one, It is very inefficient. Yes, a lot of work will be done,

But not much will be accomplished. Secondly, a tool that is not maintained, is dangerous to the user as well as those who around us.  

We are called upon to be useful tools, available for God to use to forward His kingdom.  We need to be tools that are clean and sharp

There are three main components that contribute to use being efficient effective tools for God

 1. Regular Prayer

2. Studying the Word

3. The importance of Fellowship

Here is a brief recap of what I presented at the last meeting.

 □      We all have a calling and responsibility to witness

 □      Anticipate God using you to minister every day

 □      Prepare yourself for ministry as part of your normal day

 □      Really understand what you believe, not just what, but why

 □      Be an available witness

 □      Pray Regularly  (the importance of this can not be overstated)

 □      Keep your heart clean as you walk before God

 □      Let God know that your ready and on the job.

 □      You will be amazed at what God can do through you.

  Today we are looking at preparing to witness by studying God’s word

1.   How the Bible is different than other supposed holy books

2.   What the Word, says about itself

3.   The Word and Temptation

4.   Tools for

God’s Word – It’s Not just another Holy book

It is important to be able to explain to an unbeliever why the Bible is different than all other supposed holy books? Why it should be trusted.

I would like to hear from some of you why the Bible is unique and different from say, the Koran, or the book of Mormon.

Unique in Authorship – 66/40/1600 but one continues theme, the redemption of mankind.

One continuous message - the redemption of mankind

Unique in circulation - More copies existing than any other book

Unique in translation – Complete Bible in 240 languages, one or more book in 739 other languages (1966 figures)

Unique in early manuscripts

• Dead sea scrolls were written between 335 BCE and 122 BCE according to   Radiocarbon dating.
   

• Septuagint Greek translation of the Jewish Scriptures. Origin in Alexandria, Egypt and was translated between 300-200 BC. Widely used among Hellenistic Jews, this Greek translation was produced because many Jews spread throughout the empire were beginning to lose their Hebrew language.
  
  Unique in Teachings, it tells all, no attempt to whitewash bad behavior by many who were ultimately faithful to God.

Unique in Survival

• Through time
   

• Through persecution
   

• Through Criticism

Unique in Prophesy   -  Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy (New York: Harper & Row, 1973) lists 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament, and 578 prophecies in the New Testament, for a total of 1,817. These encompass 8,352 verses.       

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What the scriptures say about themselves…

 King David declares that God’s word is above His name

 #1. Psa 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your loving kindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

 King David set a good example with his attitude toward the Word.

 #2. Psalms 119:103-105   How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.  Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

God says we should not add or subtract from His Word

#3. Deu 4:1   "NOW, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

What other book has had so many disconnected authors over such a long period of time yet the work all fits together. How is this possible?  

#4. 2Peter 1:16-21 

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

First Peter tells of his eyewitness experience at the Mount of Transfiguration but then calls God’s Word “a more sure word of prophecy”

Than his eyewitness account.

Why do we have God’s Word in written form? Paul the Apostle says”

#5. Romans 15:4   For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

And Paul continues this theme in 2^nd Titus 3:14

 #6 2Ti 3:14   But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We are instructed to use the Word as the final word. People say a lot

Of things, but the Word of God stands alone.  

 #7 Act 17:10-12  

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

The Bereans set a good example for us.

Jesus dealt with temptation by using the scriptures

 #8 Mat 4:3-10   Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,'

and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"* Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you,* Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"*

Wow, there is a lot in this passage

1.   Jesus is tempted 3 times and uses scripture 3 times.

2.   Also we noticed that even Satan can quote the scripture. It reminds me of some of those unbelieving people that I have witnessed to that think they are so spiritual because they know a couple of scriptures.

3.   In the last of the three temptations, Satan offers Jesus a shortcut.
He offers “all the Kingdoms”. Jesus did not quibble that it was not Satan’s to give, He shot down Satan’s offer not only by reminding him of who he was dealing with, he also shut him down by the authority of the Word of God.

When Satan tempts us, probably the most effective thing we can do is to repel the temptation with scripture and to remind him who we are.

 #9 1John 3:1-2  

BEHOLD what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us,* because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 

On the cross, Jesus removed from us who believe, the penalty of sin

And the power of sin. We are God’s children, Joint Heirs with Christ, Walk in that reality everyday. 

Each day we can choose which path we walk on, our path, or His.

God’s path is the most exciting path that there is, do your best by redeeming the time and reaching the lost for the Lord.
 

□      Pray Regularly

□      Keep your heart clean as you walk before God

□      Let God know that your ready and on the job.

 Be an available tool for God, Clean – Maintained and Sharp

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- Preparing to witness Part III -

The importance of Fellowship

 3/11/06 by: Keith Sorrels

 We are called upon to be useful tools, available for God to use to forward His kingdom.

 We need to be tools that are clean and sharp and available 

There are three main components that contribute to use being efficient effective tools for God

1. Regular Prayer time

2. Studying the Word

3. The importance of Fellowship – Our topic for today
 

We humans are created for fellowship and friendship and love

This was personally discovered while I was in a line waiting to board a flight to Israel. Just ahead of me was a family that was separating and even though I couldn’t speak Hebrew, I could feel the emotion of there parting, there sorrow was infecting me and I could of easily cried. We are wired for fellowship and love.

Some of the synonyms for the word “Fellowship” are as follows:

1.   companionship

2.   comradeship

3.   friendship

4.   partnership

5.   association

Fellowship is friendship

What kind of life would it be if we removed all of these aspects from our lives? We would have a life that is termed “abnormal” or “strange”. He was a recluse, a quiet man who kept to himself. How many times have we heard that description on or in the news describing someone who did some awful thing? Lots of times. 

"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost." - Charles Caleb Colton

 "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out"
-Walter Winchell

 "A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself." - Sent by Lysha

”A road alone, is a long road”

Jesus had a saying about friendship too:

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends”.

 First He said it, then He did it.

 He talked to His disciples about friendship, and he is also talking about us.

 #1   Jhn 15:13-16  

"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. "No longer do I call you   servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. "

 We sing “what a friend we have in Jesus” 

Us Eternal Riders meeting here this morning, is an example of fellowship. Common people, united together in a common interest which is, our desire to willingly walk each day, on the path that God has for us, and of course, motorcycles.

Why is fellowship important? 

From fellowship, we both gain, and give,

1.   People to serve, help and minister to, and pray for. 

2.   People to share, our joys, our concerns, sorrows and struggles with. 

3.   People in the fellowship who trespass against us, provide us opportunities to work things out according the New Testament Model. Sometimes we must forgive unilaterally. After all Jesus did, and He said:

#2      Mat 6:14 & 15   "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We need to forgive:

Some people

1.   Bad experiences in church fellowships.
 

2.   Naturally think kindness, tact and respect.
 

3.   The same evil motivations
 

4.   Hypocrites in every church, (what better place for them?)
 

5.   Hypocrites, reason for not fellowshipping.
 

6.   A Trap - Comparing themselves with other believers.
 

7.   Our choice in our fellowships - Gossip, or in wisdom, up-hold, and support and encourage and protect.
 

8.   We should be in a church fellowship

 #3   Hbr 10:23-25          

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

Love (or absence)  in the fellowship,  portrays the love of God to others 

#4   Jhn 13:34-35         

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

 Scripture warns of a fellowship to avoid 

#5    Eph 5:9-11 (for the fruit of the Spirit* is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 

We also have fellowship with God, unless we fellowship in darkness 

#6    1 Jo 1:4-7 And these things we write to you that your* joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  

Fellowship is really the end game in God’s overall plan 

#7    Rev 21:2 - 3         

Then I, John,* saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  

Tabernacle means “dwelling place” 

It’s a wonderful scene Believers, righteous and holy  by the blood

Challenge 

1.   Fellowship also in a body of believers – a church
 

2.   Within a fellowship, be available to serve and uphold and support and encourage
 

3.   Don’t compare yourself with others in the fellowship, compare yourself with the instruction of the Word, and the example of Christ.
 

4.   Remember the three elements that make for strong believers,

a.   Prayer

b.   Studying of God’s Word

c.   Fellowship

We are all, Tools for the Lord, we should all strive to be tools that are:
 

Clean

Sharp

And available
 

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Two of the servants did well. They put their talents to work; they went and traded with them. A true Christian is a spiritual tradesman. Trades are called mysteries, and without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; it is a manufacture trade; there is something to be done by us up on our own hearts, and for the good of others. A true Christian acts in the work God has called us to. We have no stock to trade with, but trade as factors with our Masters stock. 

I quote from Matthew Henrys commentary "The ordinances of the gospel, and our opportunity of attending them, bibles, ministers, Sabbaths, sacraments, must be improved for the end for which they were instituted, and communion with God kept up by them, and the gifts and graces of the Spirit must be exercised; and this is the trading with our talents." What's he saying here? Put the peddle to the metal in your Christian life---light emm up. 

What about the third servant? He had received one talent, went, and hid it away. Those who have least to do with God, frequently do least of what they have to do. He hid his Lord's money; had it been his own, he might have done as he pleased; but, whatever abilities and advantages we have, they are not our own, we are but stewards of them, and must give account to our Lord, whose goods they are. 

In conclusion, the day of accounting comes and the Lord of those servants reckoned with them. What about you, I ask you take a look am I using those talents God gave me? Paul tells us in Romans 14: 10-12 it says "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God" So then each of us shall give an account to God." Brothers and Sisters be encouraged God is not going to call you to do something He doesn't equip you to do. But be assured He is calling you and I as bond servants. When Jesus prayed "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it in heaven" We need to ask ourselves what are we doing to build the Kingdom for King Jesus.

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- Follow Me -

“Follow Me” these were the words Our Lord Jesus used to call his disciples. We will take a brief look at how Jesus called his disciples and what was the result. And as we head into the New Year how are we to follow Jesus. I exhort each one of us here to follow Jesus and make Him Lord of all you do.

 There are a couple accounts of when the Lord called his first disciples that can be found in Matthew 4: 18-22 and Mark 1: 16-20 which I’m going to read. This term “Follow me” is used frequently in the gospels. Matthew tells of his own calling in Matthew 9:9 “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed him.” Matthew’s own humility is seen here. He did not disguise his past or make any excuses for it. Whereas Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27 employ his former name Levi, Matthew himself used the name by which he was known after becoming a disciple (cf. Mark 3:18 & Luke 6:15). Tax collectors were among the most despised persons in society. The money they collected was often partly extorted for personal gain (cf. Luke 19:8) and partly a tax for Rome, which made them not only thieves, but also traitors to the Jewish nation.

 In Mark 10:21 Jesus told the rich young ruler “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow Me.”

 In Matthew 8: 22 Jesus tells a disciple with an excuse to “Follow Me and let the dead bury the dead.” In his instruction to the twelve Apostles in Matthew 10:38 he says “And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.”

 When Jesus revealed to His disciples of His coming death in Matthew 16:24 He said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and Follow Me.”

The Lord talks about the cost of discipleship in Mark 8:34 “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

At the Feast of the Dedication in Jerusalem Jesus said “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10: 27&28

Let’s look at a couple of observations of Jesus calling. Number one, the response of the called was; “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” Number two; Jesus told them what they were called to be, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Their call to discipleship was a call to follow him in submissive obedience. They were to become fishers of men. Evangelism was the primary purpose for which Jesus called the apostles, and it remains the central mission for His people today. Matthew 28: 19&20 “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

 So my question is how you are answering Jesus when he says “Follow Me.” We are told in 2^nd Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” That begs the question what are these things? We find the answer following one of our bible study rules. That is to put the verse in context with the preceding five verses. (Read 2^nd Peter 1:5-9) See how vv. 10 expresses the bull’s eye Peter has been shooting at in vv. 5-9. Though God is “sure” who His elect are and has given them an eternally secure salvation (1^st Peter 1:1-5; Rom. 8: 31-39), the Christian might not always experience the assurance of salvation. Security is the Holy Spirit’s revealed fact that salvation is forever. Assurance is one’s confidence that he possesses that eternal salvation. In other words, the believer who pursues the spiritual qualities mentioned above is guarantee to himself by spiritual fruit that he is called (Rom. 8:30; 1^st Pet. 2:21) and chosen (1^st Pet.1:2) by God to salvation.

 What about the never stumble? Here is how it works. As the Christian pursues qualities enumerated by Peter (vv. 5-7) and sees that his/her life is useful and fruitful (vv.8), he will not stumble into doubt, despair, fear, or questioning, but enjoy assurance that he/she is saved.

 One other thought that helps me keep my focus on the Lord and not stumble, is remembering where I came from? I was lost and a slave to sin. I could not understand spiritual truth because I was spiritually dead. In Ephesians 2: 1-2 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you ounce walked according to the course of the world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” Another biblical description of what my condition was is found in 1^st Corn. 2:14 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” But praise be to God because he did not leave me there. (Read Eph. 2: 4-10)

 As we look forward to 2007 we should be answering Jesus command “Follow Me.” I realizing that it is not something we can do apart from God. Pray and again I say pray. In the flesh it is impossible to please God, so walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Be a faithful seed planter and water that God may bring the harvest. Next month we’ll become “fishers of men”.

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 -The Message -

Romans 1: 16 & 17

In the past couple of messages we talked about the Lord Jesus statement “Follow Me” and “I will make you fishers of men”. Why do we need to be fishers of men? What’s the purpose of following Jesus? It’s all about the message. We are going to look at the message from a number of different angles today.

 The gospel, the good news, what has God done for us. In five words or less someone give me the gospel message. 

 The Apostle John puts it this way “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sin” 1^st John 4:10 the word propitiation means “appeasement” or “satisfaction.” The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross satisfied the demands of God’s holiness for the punishment of sin. Skimpily put He paid the price for our sin, He is our propitiation.

 Paul says it another way and even more dynamic in 2^nd Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Here Paul summarizes the heart of the gospel, explaining how sinners can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. These 15 Greek words express the doctrines of imputation and substitution like no other single verse. Jesus Christ “who knew no sin,” the sinless Son of God (see Gal. 4:4&5; Luke 23:4, 14, 22, 47; John 8:46; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1^st Peter 1:19; 2:22-24; 3:18; Rev. 5:2-10) “to be sin for us”. God the Father, using the principle of imputation which means “reckoning” or “counting”, treated Christ as if He were a sinner though He was not, and had Him die as a substitute to pay the penalty for sins, of those who believe in Him (see Is. 53:4-6; Gal 3: 10-13; 1^st Peter 2:24) On the cross, He did not become a sinner, but remained as holy as ever. He was treated as if He were guilty of all the sin ever committed by all who would believe, though He committed none. The wrath of God was exhausted on Him and the just requirement of God’s law met for those for whom He died. “That we might be come the righteousness of God in Him,” another reference to justification and imputation. The righteousness that is credited to the believer’s account is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, God’s Son (see Rom. 1:17; 3:21-24; Phil. 3:9). As Christ was not a sinner, but was treated as if He was, so believers who have not yet been made righteous (until glorification) are treated as if they were righteous. He bore their sins so they could bear His righteousness. God treated Him as if He committed believers’ sins, and treats believers as if they did only righteous deeds of the sinless God.

 So the question becomes are we living like the “righteousness of God in Him?”

 What does that look like? Paul gives one view in chapter 6 verses 11 to 18. (read) What has God done for us?

 Paul concludes this taught in 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

 In closing, let’s highlight a few phrases from 7:1, “these promises”, the Old Testament Paul quotes in 6:16-18. Scripture often encourages believers to action based on God’s promises (see Rom. 12:1; 2^nd Peter 1:3) “Let us cleanse ourselves” the form of the Greek verb indicates that this is something each Christian must do in his own life. “Filthiness” The Greek word which appears only here in the New Testament, was us 3 time in the Greek Old Testament to refer to religious defilement, or unholy alliance with idols, idol feast, temple prostitutes, sacrifices, and festivals of worship. “Flesh and spirit” false religion panders to human appetites, represented by both “flesh and spirit.” Can you think of some examples? Prosperity gospel, JW’s and more, while some believers for a time might avoid succumbing to fleshly sins associated with false religion, the Christian who exposes his mind to false teaching cannot avoid contamination by devilish ideologies and blasphemies that assault the purity of divine truth and blasphemes God’s name. Think about what is going on in what used to be solid churches (gay bishops, ECT.) “Perfecting holiness” the Greek for “perfecting” means “to finish” or “complete” (cf. 8:6). “Holiness” means to separate from all that would defile both the body and mind. Complete or perfect holiness was embodied only in Christ, thus believers are to pursue Him (cf. 3:18; Lev 20:26; Matt. 5:48; Rom. 8:29; Phil. 3:12-14; 1^st John 3:2-3).

 Read 1^st John 3: 2-3

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