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Bulletin Article Archives
Plan of Salvation Click on the title to move to the selected article and click on my name or date at the conclusion of the article to return to this directory.
Theological discussions and pondering the great mysteries of the universe did not dominate the thoughts on the lake that night! Surrounded by life threatening waves and typhoon force winds, the only thoughts were for lived ones to be left behind. Then they remembered Jesus who was with them in the boat. Perhaps they thought of his power to heal or to cast out evil spirits. No doubt they realized that his authority and power had yet to be tested beyond his capacity. Their last hope was peacefully asleep in the heart of a storm (Mark 4:38). The Master calmed the storm on the sea only to ignite one in their souls. "Where is your faith?" He spoke often of faith. Now they had an unforgettable example. Faith is a trust that rests firmly in the unseen (God) enabling one to overcome the seen. These frightened fishermen found themselves paralyzed by the fear surrounding them, trusting only what they could see. Meanwhile they allowed their hope to sleep at the back of the boat. How often the scenario is repeated. Dark trials look on the horizon and panic fills the heart trusting only in the seen. Where is your faith? If only we would remember Jesus. Place our faith in him. Trust his word. Lean on his arm in prayer. This kind of faith will not only see us safely through the storm but also pull us closer to our God. It will leave us peacefully resting in the midst of life's storms. Faith is the spiritual reasoning that urges us to awaken our last hope. August 29, 1993 Their identity is forever shrouded in sacrifice. History refuses to yield their names while their sufferings find immortality on the living pages of God's Word. It is fitting that these anonymous soldiers of the cross are memorialized next to the likes of Noah, Abraham and Moses. By faith they conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, etc. (Hebrews 11:33). By faith they paid the highest price obedience can demand and God will reward them with something better. That is why they endured torture, mockery, chains, and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawn in two, tempted and slain with the sword. They were destitute, afflicted and ill-treated (vs. 35-38). Looking beyond these things they reached for something better and found it. That is faith. Faith is seeing beyond the visible. It is trusting beyond the evident. It is obeying when it seems easier not to obey. Our trials may appear less trying, the threats less threatening and the dangers less dangerous, but the end of faith is still the same: perfection (vs. 39-40). In Heaven their names will be known and their sacrifices honored as they enjoy something better. Will we? December, 4, 1994 Relatively speaking it is amazing it is amazing how three letters, one symbol and a raised number can be so complex of a concept to grasp. It literally took an Einstein to first unlock the formula. Yet, further study has revolutionized our world as it ushered in the atomic age. Long ago Elaphaz, Bildad and Zophar had figured out God. They could teach the why and wherefores of life and often occupied themselves in these pursuits. Because of their skills in analyzing God they were often called upon to solve the major crises of their less sophisticated brethren. They quickly came together at word of their friend Job's predicament. After brief consultation the conclusion was given: Job was being punished for some horrific sin. Their arguments seemed sound but Job was insistent of his innocence. While the three argued Job trusted that God would eventually send him relief. After forty-one chapters that relief came. God apparently never told Job why he had suffered. He did say that the trio of theologians who had consulted with him was wrong on nearly every theory they offered. They had tried desperately to make God make sense while Job just trusted, knowing that the God who loved him was a God who could save him. To Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar God was a formula. To Job God was real. June 4, 1995 Adversity. Pain. Helplessness. Anger. Everyone deals with such traits occasionally. Few are forced to face them daily like the father we meet in Mark chapter nine. Adversity was his daily companion. Every time he looked into his son's eyes he saw the deep scars Satan was carving. Pain overwhelmed him as the evil spirit tore into his child (Mark 9:20). Standing by helplessly, all he could do was watch. Then stories began circulating about incredible healings for which Jesus was responsible. Could this be the father and son's long awaited hope? Were the accounts real or riddled with exaggeration? With questions swirling all around him he set off in desperation to find this Jesus. If you look closely you'll see two healings on the day that father met Healer. The son was relieved of the evil spirit that had held him hostage for years. The father was freed from a weak faith. Jesus, who could see his doubts and fears, helped the father face then reach beyond those stubborn doubts. His cry, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief" echoes across the ages. It is a cry of helplessness wrapped in a package of an earnest heart longing to trust in a God he felt at times had abandoned him. It is a cry welcomed by a loving Savior who reassures us that, if we truly believe, all things are possible. To God be the glory! February 4, 1996 The key to spiritual maturity is a living faith. A strong belief in God, coupled with the willingness to act on that belief, unlocks a world of possibilities. No wonder faith is essential to please God (Hebrews 11:6). However, if faith is living, it can die. If it is true that faith only grows over a period of time then it only takes neglect for faith to die. The death of faith follows a steady regimen of avoiding contact with God's Word and God's church. Gradually one will experience a loss of senses. It becomes more difficult to discern right from wrong and the incentive to choose the right becomes more obscure. If it is true that for faith to grow one must be alert, constantly watching to avoid the satanic attacks to overthrow it, then for faith to die takes only distraction. As doubts arise in our minds we open ourselves up to the Devil's ambush. Once we start thinking bad thoughts about the church and other Christians, our faith is nearly gone. If it is true that for faith to grow it must rest secure in Christ, then for faith to die it must focus only on ourselves. As we become blind to the joy and peace to be found in Jesus and are consumed with being served, faith has entered a critical stage. If faith is living it can die. When that happens three things are always true. Faith dies a slow, agonizing death. Faith always dies in its sleep. Faith never rests in peace. February 11, 1996 Courage was a rare commodity as Israel camped on the edge of the Promised Land. Messengers had confirmed that the land indeed flowed with "milk and honey," but also warned that giants roamed the land (Numbers 13). Fear, discouragement and anxiety spread like a swarm of grasshoppers over the defeated children of God. The flames of fear were fanned by ten of the spies sent in to survey the countryside. They told of walled cities and strong residents and convinced a nation not to trust the promise of God but rather the reality of what lay before them. Joshua and Caleb had a different spirit. Resting on their conviction of the faithfulness and power of God they reminded the nation of what God had already accomplished. They labored to stir within the people's heart the flickering wick of faith. Standing by their convictions they called for God's people to arise and claim the victory waiting just across the border. In the wilderness Israel choose to stay. In the wilderness God condemned them to die. In the wilderness over a space of forty years their children would be forced to learn from the cowardice of their fathers. In the book of Joshua they would emerge with the courage to have convictions. Opposed by Satan in a world engulfed with sin, no greater courage could be possessed. March 3, 1996 David wrote, after receiving power from God to destroy his enemies, that God had made his feet strong (2 Sam. 22:34, 37). The thought was not wasted on the man encountered by Peter and John in the third chapter of Acts. For the multitudes, the daily trek to the Temple was an act of worship. For this unnamed lame man it was a daily benevolence drive. Searching each face he sat, with hand extended, ready to receive any offering towards his survival. He was not prepared for the gift he would receive that day. Watch carefully as you read this chapter. Look closely as faith takes root in this lame man's heart. Feel the joy as he leaps to his feet, his first steps of a new life. Can you attest to that same joy, the joy that comes with faith in Christ? This man was not blind to what he had received in the name of Jesus. As he clings to the apostles he provides a powerful testimony to faith's power, expressing the joy that is the fruit of Christian faith. He was not blind to the past from which he was suddenly freed or the future possibilities opening up before him. Faith enabled him to become a new man, a better man, a happier man, a whole man. Take a close look at your faith. Does it offer that same hope? If so, you too, have reason to leap for joy. Rejoice! April 20, 1997 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Heb. 11:6). Inspired writers understood the crucial nature of the topic of faith and devoted much time in building a special kind of faith in the minds of those who would follow Jesus. Not every expression of faith is admirable. Consider the following, for example: The faithless Jews of Jesus' day (Mat. 17:17). The "little faith" of Jesus' apostles (Mat. 8:26). The misguided and uninformed faith of Saul (Acts 23:1). The incomplete faith of a concerned father (Mark 9:24). These not so uncommon expressions of religious faith are contrasted in the second chapter of James as he challenges his readers, both in the first century and today, to reject all imitations and settle for nothing less than a living, vibrant, active and obedient faith. This special kind of faith comes only from God (Rom. 10:17) and is pleasing to God. April 18, 1999 Three times Paul pled with God to remove an unspecified hindrance from his life. Three times the request was seemingly denied (2 Corinthians 12:7-ff). The "thorn," as Paul called it, had some lessons the apostle needed to learn. It taught him humility (vs. 7), trust in God (vs. 9), and the potential to honor Christ in all aspects of life (vs. 10). With that thorn, from a position of weakness, the power of Christ was more clearly seen in Paul's life. Having learned the lessons from the thorn, Paul stood in awe of God, who could do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). In that power, encountered in Christ, he offered more than words of encouragement to Christians struggling with their own "thorns." This was the attitude Paul adopted each day. Even in prison, another thorn, Paul wrote to the Philippians proclaiming the victory he enjoyed through Christ while encouraging them to adopt an attitude that would make victory possible. May his words encourage us to learn the lessons the thorns teach. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). The thorns of life are best viewed in perspective of the throne of life and the One who occupies it throughout all eternity. November 14, 1999 As Abram stepped onto the sands of Canaan the blinding lights of glory did not welcome him. He heard no booming voice from heaven commanding him to remove his sandals because he was no standing on "holy ground." His arrival was not heralded to the residents of the land by the angels of heaven. Without fanfare or applause he quietly "passed through the land" (Gen. 12:6). Unnoticed by the majority of native Canaanites was this harmless nomad whose descendants would own this land (v. 7). Abram's initial step of faith, leaving his homeland for his "promised land," set in motion the winding trail would lead through slavery, anarchy, monarchy, divided kingdom, exile, and return from captivity to culminate in the Christ, his cross and his church. This epic journey spanning nearly 2,000 years all began with one man willing to follow God's call. Abraham's proverbial leap of faith, leaving Ur and Haran and heading west to a place that God only knows, gave birth to a nation of faith (Gal. 3:29). To those who lived in the land that God would give to Abraham, this strange senior citizen from the east may have appeared as an aimless wanderer. For the believer God holds him up as an example of faith [father of faithful (Gal. 3:7); friend of God (Jas. 2:23)]. Through him God reminds the believer that faith will be richly rewarded. Those who have the faith to leap shall be caught in the secure promises of the Father. November 18, 2001 Icebergs are curious things. Their proverbial "tip" belies the massive body hidden beneath the surface. John Wade describes the scene off the coast of Greenland as "one sees mountainous icebergs towering out of the water. Closer to the land, one also sees small ice floes. Upon watching closely one will often notice a rather unusual phenomenon - the ice floes move in one direction while the icebergs move in another" (Pulpit Helps). The explanation of this "oddity of nature is found in the water, not the ice. The ice floes are moved about by the waves and surface winds while the iceberg, of which only one tenth is visible, is moved by the deeper ocean currents. It is this same principle that the inspired writers of the New Testament apply to Christians. To those living by the standards of this world, followers of Christ were often considered strange (1 Pet. 4:4; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). Rather than seeking revenge they forgive (Rom. 12:17; Eph. 4:32). Admittedly imperfect, they were taught that it is better to be cheated than to bring dishonor upon Christ's name (1 Cor. 6:7). They would "turn the other cheek" and "go the second mile" (Mat. 5:39-41). The distinction is between those moved by the winds of self-interest, the waves of personal gain, and those devoted to Jesus who live lives of a deeper substance. The "currents" of Truth, rejected by the world as religious superstition, carry these along until they weigh anchor at the Harbor of Hope on the shores of eternity (Heb. 6:19). Don't be ashamed to float against the current, for that's the way Home. August 17, 2003 True repentance always involves surrender. This is evident in the charge to John's audience (Luke 3:7-14), the realization of the Prodigal (Luke 15:17-19), and the 3,000 penitents at Pentecost (Acts 2:37-41). Without surrender there can be no repentance. True surrender always demands change. This is evident in the agenda of Peter the Fisherman, Saul of Tarsus, Apollos the Orator and Lydia. They stand in stark contrast to the rich young ruler, who was unwilling to fully surrender and change (Matthew 19:22). True change sometimes requires restitution. This is evident in Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). Receiving from God much more than he deserved, this tax-man, moved by guilt and remorse, parted with much of his ill-gotten gain to help those less fortunate. Perhaps he was compensating for his former greed. Maybe uncertain of the tactics used to build his wealth, he just wanted to set the record straight. Being able to do so, he felt compelled by his encounter with Jesus to make his change complete. Jesus, recognizing a heart permeated with repentance by these signs of surrender, change and restitution, pronounced Zacchaeus saved (vv. 9-10). When Jesus gave him the chance to be made right with God, Zacchaeus did everything he could to make things right with those he might have wronged. That is true repentance. August 4, 1996 Enduring the pilgrimage, fighting the crowds, the rich young ruler stands in the presence of Jesus, convinced the rumors of Christ's divine connections are true. Jesus is the master teacher, a herald of divine truth and harbinger of eternal life (Mat. 19:16-ff). Finding Jesus, he stands ready and eager for his reward. It is helpful to ask just what it was for which the rich young ruler was searching. A study of the text reveals he wanted reassurance that he did not need to change. He saw no need for repentance. He was comfortable with his life and wanted God to share his appraisal. He was looking for comfort without commitment, the benefits of finding Christ without the obligation of following Him. Many today are looking for this same kind of "easy Christianity" that makes no demands and passes no judgments. The rich young ruler was looking for hope without faith. Such, of course, is impossible (Heb. 11:6). Although he found Jesus he did not find that for which he was looking. In sadness he walked away to face eternity alone. March 30, 1997 Paul anxiously waited to hear from the Corinthians. An uncomfortable relationship lead to his composing an apparently strongly worded letter no longer preserved for modern readers. The goal was to remind them of their personal need to repent. To accomplish that goal required the composition of this letter of tears (2 Corinthians 2:3). Patiently, Paul waited to hear from Titus who was to bring Paul word of the letter's reception. The moment he longed for was captured in the inspired text: "Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:6-10). When one finds oneself at odds with God, somebody has to give. Godly sorrow leads you to give in to God's will so God need not give up on you. July 4, 1999 Jesus made the good confession before Pilate when he agreed to be Israel's promised king (1 Timothy 6:13). The Ethiopian, groping for spiritual light, made this confession before Philip, "I believe Jesus is the son of God" (Acts 8:37). For us such a confession can clear the air as we approach God to accept his offer to forgive (Romans 10:10). Those of us who have made this good confession can now anticipate the greatest confession of all. How can any other event compare to the life-changing impact of voicing the conviction of Jesus' divine nature? Those precious words of submission stand fittingly between the decision to repent and the saving waters of baptism. What can be greater than proclaiming our faith in Christ? Only Jesus' promise, which he gave in Matthew chapter ten and verse thirty-two. The good confession will be followed by the greatest confession. It stands in stark contrast to the ominous pronouncement, "Depart from me for I do not know you" (Matthew 7:23). Those words do far more than condemn a soul to eternal separation from God, they break our Creator's heart, for he longs never to say them (2 Peter 3:9). History's greatest events took place that you might come to the same conclusions as the Eunuch. When you make the good confession, "I believe Jesus is the son of God," know that it will be followed by the greatest confession, "This is my child!" July 31, 1994 The search for glory forced Adam and Eve from their comfortable paradise. The builders of Babel tasted the bitterness of disunity as they literally fell from having their heads in the clouds to being scattered all over the world. The glory seekers like Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar were led to positions of honor, which would become posts of disgrace. The chosen nation was led from the Promised Land to the land of captivity while seeking their own glory. Those who covet glory often seem to wield the greatest influence, like the Pharisees who tricked the elderly out of their life savings by hypnotizing they with power, or Pilate as he sentenced a carpenter to a cross, not because he was guilty, but because he could. Man dreams of winning first prize, or grasping the trophy, of beating all contenders, of standing king of the mountain. The world pleads for the glorious … the fastest, prettiest, strongest, bravest. It seems that within the human race resides a spark that is easily ignited and thrives on the search for glory. But from where I stand I can only see the world searching. When you stand in the manger, in the upper room, in Gethsemane, at Golgotha or by an open garden tomb you sense the meaning of glory. When you stand having been washed of your sins through baptism you begin to taste it. While the rest of the world only seeks it, the child of God claims it. September 8, 1991 As he stood on the fringes of the huge crowd you would think all would take note of his presence, focusing their attention upon him. A pious demeanor seemed to effortlessly emanate from his very being. With Pharisaic robes, tassels and phylactery boxes, complete with scripture notations tucked securely inside, he stood in stark contrast to the hungry, sick, dirty, and poor crowd assembled. The truth is, he wasn't even noticed as the attention was unanimously focused on Jesus. It would only be under the shroud of darkness that Nicodemus could muster the courage to himself draw near to Christ. The discussion that followed revealed as much about the noted Pharisee as it did the popular rabbi from Nazareth. The former constantly reminded himself that he was unlike the unholy rabble that madly rushed to be with Jesus, the blind, lame, deaf and dying. These were moved by an obvious lack of wholeness that indelibly marked their lives. But Nicodemus had holiness, power, and respect ... to be completely honest he had emptiness, and that was why he, along with all the others, followed, listened, and longed to be touched by Jesus: to be made whole. "You must be born again," Jesus told him that night. To realize the completeness for which he longed Nicodemus would have to unlock the secret of the new birth, one of water and of the Spirit (Acts 2:38). Heading the reverent list of accomplishments attained by Jesus may just be this one: He makes man whole (Colossians 2:10)! March 8, 1992 The most controversial of religious responses must be the simple act of baptism. Confusion reigns as this doctrine is complicated by the conflicting conclusions of the religious world. What emerges in actual practice is often vastly different than what was originally delivered at the hands of inspired men. It is possible and imperative to cut through the confusion to rediscover the simplicity of Christian baptism. What is baptism? It is an immersion in water. Although many have sought to alter the form of baptism, no support is offered in scripture for sprinkling, pouring or any other employment of water to replace complete submersion (John 3:23; Acts 8:36-39; cf. "buried" in Romans 6:4). Why should one be baptized? When Peter first called upon individuals to accept baptism in the name of Jesus he encouraged it as a means of acquiring the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; cf. 22:16). Paul wrote that baptism is the point of entrance into a relationship with Jesus (Galatians 3:27). But perhaps the clearest statement is Peter's declaration that baptism now saves us (1 Peter 3:21). Who should be baptized? Only those who believed were baptized in the New Testament. Those incapable of understanding the action involved in baptism (because of age or mental status) are therefore not valid candidates for baptism. Every adult believer must be baptized in order to be saved and none can serve as proxy for another. When should one be baptized? Now, if all the above conditions can be met. Why wait? The stakes are too great to delay obedience to such a simple, divine command, especially when it produces such profound spiritual blessings. January 24, 1993 A casual observer of our worship gatherings could easily surmise that we hold baptism in high regard. That fact alone is not unusual. However, the form, purpose and recipient of baptism within the churches of Christ is unusual compared to the modern religious scene. Many are confused about baptism today and there is little surprise why. For some sprinkling is baptism. For others baptism is for those already saved. For many baptism is an ancient relic and of no purpose to the modern believer. Has humanity progressed so far that they no longer need to consult with God on pivotal teachings of Christianity? What does the Bible have to say about baptism? Baptism is a burial, immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12). In baptism the death, the believer symbolically joins burial and resurrection of Christ. It is only at the point of baptism that one can be saved (Mark 16:16). Therefore the candidate for baptism must be mature enough to be aware of their sins, concerned about their lost state, and believe in the process of salvation that baptism culminates. That is what I must believe also. Do you? If you have accepted human definitions and regulations for baptism, are you prepared to bet your life that the Bible is wrong? You will be doing just that. For those seeking God's will, no subject could be more important to understand. Indeed, no topic is as compelling as baptism for those lingering on the fringes of salvation. July 3, 1994 Three elements, according to Paul, make the story of Jesus the "Good News," or Gospel, celebrated by Christians. These are his death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-4). This is consistent with what he (1 Cor. 2:2) and the other apostles (Acts 2:46) preached. It is no coincidence that these same three elements are central in the act of baptism (Rom. 6:1-4). In baptism the repentant individual enters a spiritual union with Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Through this process new life is found. It is in baptism, as Jesus phrased it to Nicodemus, that one is born again (John 3:5). Baptism takes place in much water (John 3:23) and involves immersion (Acts 8:38-39). Yet the act of immersion itself does not necessarily achieve the results sought in Christian baptism. On one occasion Paul encountered individuals who had been immersed in water without receiving the benefits of Christian baptism (Acts 19:1-5). Apparently the act of baptism discussed by Paul was identical to that of John the Baptist, but the reason for baptism was different. Peter would later write that the reason one is baptized makes all the difference: "baptism now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 3:21). June 1, 1997 What you are about to read is an absolutely true story concerning our national security. The setting is Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2002. Will Keller and Paula Pendleton, on a nationwide tour for their employer, got lost while visiting the capital city and wound up on a road near the Pentagon that, unknown to them, was not open to the general public. State troopers quickly pulled the confused couple over. They, along with a growing number of police, stood on the shoulder of the road while their vehicle was thoroughly searched to insure that it posed no terrorist threat. Finally, the couple were given clearance and directed back onto the proper roads so they could resume their journey. The really unusual part of the story is that they worked for Oscar Mayer, Co. and they were traveling in the "Wienermobile." Seriously, who would find a 27-foot-long hot dog car filled with tiny wienerwhistles a threat? To the uninformed eye the very idea that being immersed into a body of water can result in spiritual cleansing may seem preposterous. Is there something unique about the water? No. Does the one performing the baptism possess special power to pardon? No. The power to forgive is God's along. He sets the terms. He gave His Son who freely shed His own blood. All we can contribute is the faith willing to obey, trusting God's promise that He will wash away our sins, add us to Christ's church, and save our souls (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21; Acts 2:47). August 3, 2003 Teaching The Gospel To Children The spiritual training of their children is a crucial obligation of Christian parents. Anyone who is involved with teaching the young can attest that today's youth usually possesses a great ability to learn facts at a very young age. While some may value the basic skills of reading and math, Christian parents must recognize the surpassing worth of understanding the Bible, and especially the plan of salvation (hear, Luke 8:18; believe, Mark 1:15; repent, Luke 13:5; confess, Acts 8:37; baptism, Mark 16:16). What is the appropriate age for a child to be baptized? The usual response is, "when they reach the age of accountability." This raises the question, "What is the age of accountability?" It really is not so much an age as a stage; one may not know when they approach it but they will always know when they enter it - when they make a conscious decision NOT TO OBEY a command of God, they become accountable to God for their decision. Beyond the ability to recite the plan of salvation, all children (not just those interested in baptism) need to learn about the lordship of Jesus, what it means to be a sinner, and how to count the cost of being His disciple. Many adults who were baptized as children, struggling with doubts regarding their understanding and motives, seek to be baptized a second time. These cases reinforce the position of carefully instructing children until it is evident they fully understand the meaning and consequences of baptism. Any opportunity presented by a curious child to further instruct them about Christ must be seized. Those who are spiritually mature should be assisted as they obey Christ in baptism. Those who are not should be reassured that God loves and protects those who are innocent in His eyes (Mat. 18:3). December 14, 2003 There are many aspects of the Holy Spirit that God has chosen not to reveal (Deut. 29:29). So while many questions regarding the Spirit must go unanswered, the Christian can find the answer to the most important questions relating to the work of the Holy Spirit. His nature is clearly revealed. He is a member of what Scripture calls the "godhead" (Col.2:9). Luke, writing by inspiration, recognized the Spirit's divine status (Acts 5:3-4). The Spirit, active throughout Bible history, is most prominent in the Christian dispensation of the New Testament church. Jesus, being Himself divine, enjoyed the Holy Spirit "without measure" during His earthly ministry (John 3:27-36). In contrast, the apostles were promised a "lesser measure," potent enough to perform miracles. This "apostolic measure" was only conferred in one of two methods: "baptism of the Holy Spirit" (only two recorded occasions, Acts 2 and 10) and the "laying on of the apostles' hands" (Acts 8:18), necessarily ending with the death of the last surviving apostle). A still lesser, non-miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit was promised to all who obey the Gospel of Christ (Acts 2:38). While there are a number of things the Holy Spirit can do for the individual believer (identifies, Rom. 8:9; binds, 1 Cor. 12:13; a "down-payment," 2 Cor. 1:22, Rom. 8:15-16; intercedes, Rom. 8:26-27), it cannot violate one's free-will or provide extra-biblical knowledge or guidance. The Holy Spirit's guiding influence produced the very New Testament that allows it to bear fruit in the lives of present-day Christians. September 14, 2003 The overriding principle of the divine system of justice is innocent until proven guilty. This concept is supported by the fact that children will not inherit the sins of their parents. They, like their parents, must learn those lifestyles through imitation not inheritance (Ezek. 18:20). The innocence of children was clearly taught by Jesus (Mark 10:13-15). Infants, whether prior to their birth or immediately after, are pure. They are unstained by the presence of sin and experience no need for spiritual cleansing. Under the gracious hand of our God, they are safe. Paul illustrated this as he tells of the divine selection of Jacob over Esau prior to their birth (Rom. 9:10-13). Moses also recognized this truth (Deut. 1:39). Jesus taught that nothing is more valuable than a soul (Matt. 16:26). No soul is more precious than that of a child, unburdened with the blemish of sin. May God help us shape and lead such souls, training them to love Him deeply and serve Him faithfully all the days of their lives. June 6, 1999 The overriding principle of the divine system of justice is "innocent until proven guilty." This concept is supported by the fact that children will not inherit the sins of their parents. They, like their parents, must learn those lifestyles through imitation not inheritance (Ezek. 18:20). The innocence of children was clearly taught by Jesus (Mark 10:13-15). Infants, whether prior to their birth or after, are pure. They are unstained by the presence of sin and experience no need for spiritual cleansing. Under the gracious hand of our God they are safe. Paul illustrated this as he tells of the divine selection of Jacob over Esau prior to their birth (Romans 9:10-13). Moses also recognized this truth (Deut. 1:39). Jesus taught that nothing is more valuable than a soul (Mat. 16:26). No soul is more precious than that of a child unburdened with the blemish of sin. May God help us to shape and lead such souls, training them to love Him deeply and serve Him faithfully all the days of their lives. June 23, 2002 Narcissus knelt looking into the face of the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He had first seen this person when he was thirsty from hunting and went to a pool to get a drink. When he tried to kill the beautiful figure of the image dissolved. Tears of sorrow filled his eyes for the sadness of not being able to kiss the one he beheld. However, with each tear that fell from his face the image would again disappear in ripples. Who was this image he saw? HIMSELF! Never before had he seen his own reflection in a pool of water. He fell in love with himself. If only he could have seen himself in others. He would have seen much good in them also. Just as we want to see the good in ourselves, we need to see the good in others. The Jews, as a nation, deeply hated the Samaritans (John 4:9). Yet when we look back to 2 Kings 17, when the Samaritans first appear, we see that they lived no differently than the Jews. 2 Kings 17:22-23 tells us why the Jews were removed from the land. The Samaritans were brought in to replace the Jews and they worshipped God as well as idols, just like the Jews had done. If only the Jews could have seen themselves in the Samaritans. What a much needed lesson they could have learned about their own weaknesses. It seems as if Jesus, many years later at a well in Samaria, picked up on this as he talked with a woman. It is not always pleasant to see ourselves in others. Sometimes we see our own prejudices, fears, sins and shortcomings. But if we can see ourselves in others, both what we were and what they can be, it will always make us more loving toward them. It can make us more willing to help lift a load. When we see ourselves in others it helps us to recognize and overcome our own faults September 11, 1988 Her life was a mess. She had parceled away her self-respect and gotten nothing in return, except guilt and public shame. It seemed so easy. Popularity, she reassured herself, would be worth the sacrifice. Any suspicions were cast aside when someone stood ready to encourage her in this pursuit. Never did she dream that she would become what she became. Perhaps it was a trap, but that could never excuse her sin. Now she only longed to undo what could not be undone. She stood at the mercy of the good people calling for the full extent of the law. Stripped of her pride she felt helpless, discarded and worthless. This was the price she paid for allowing herself to be used. Knowing she was guilty, she was ready to give up. Then something remarkable happened. She was brought before a Jewish rabbi, Her accusers shouted for the death sentence. Then she, for the first time, encountered love. Even after living in a world of lust she recognized true love. It was understanding without condoning. It was forgiving yet challenging. That day Jesus offered her, a woman taken in the act of adultery, the chance to start all over. Jesus offered her a clean slate. We lose sight of her standing in a circle of abandoned stones, hoping she will fully seize the opportunity offered by Jesus, and marveling at the opportunity Christ has offered to us. June 25, 1995 It has been said that the roads of the first century all led to Rome. Perhaps. But many travelers took the "scenic" path through Corinth. There they could be "entertained" by the undiluted sins of these "progressive minded" people. Nothing was too degrading for the Corinthians to try. As a result the phrase "to live like a Corinthian" became a popular way to characterize someone seemingly void of morals. At times Paul must have wondered if his work among these people yielded any appreciable change. Their struggles with sexual and social sins continued both in the community and the church. As the apostle listed the excesses of Corinth it sounds very similar to the days of the Judges when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Paul's description of Corinth also has a modern flavor like the plot of a television mini-series: fornication, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards and swindlers, among other things (1 Cor. 6:10). As sure as the sun came up this morning we find that some things never change. Tracing through the history of mankind we realize that sin is one of the constant aspects of life. The lesson of Corinth is that although sin never really changes, people can (1 Cor. 6:11). The power of change did not come from themselves but through Jesus Christ, their crucified Savior and resurrected Lord. Change is possible for us today because of the One who never changes (Heb. 13:8). He is still Savior and Lord. March 2, 1997 Do you know what "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis" means? According to Webster, it is the name for a form of lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. The English language is filled with difficult words. Sometimes they describe complex, highly scientific or legal concepts while at other times their meaning is simple. The most difficult words in the English language to say are the words "I was wrong" and "I'm sorry." As hard as they are to say, our need for these crucial words is obvious. Have you ever noticed how easy the words "Father, forgive them" came from the lips of our dying Savior (Luke 23:34)? Oh what a price He paid to say those meaningful words. How sad it must be to go through life saying words that ought not to be said while leaving unsaid what needed to be said. James was correct when he taught concerning the powerful influence of the tongue (James 3). Why is it so hard to confess our sins? Why is it so difficult at times for the offended to forgive the offender? Being human, when we hurt badly the painful memories can last a lifetime. The battle in Peter's mind might easily have been fought on this front (Matthew 18:21). When our stubborn will yields to His example, we will be able to forgive, if for no other reason, because of what we have ourselves been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32). April 29, 2001 David had committed a grievous sin. In addition to the adultery with Bathsheba, and the shedding of her husband’s blood, the normally wise king was living under the senseless illusion that God was unaware of his sin (2 Sam. 11). Nathan brought him word that God was not only aware but also angered over David’s disobedience and callousness toward what he had done (2 Sam. 12:17). Laboring under a load of guilt David penned the 51st psalm. Based on his sincere confession of sin (vv. 3-4) he pled with God to forgive (vv. 1-2). He begged for God’s powerful hand to life the guilt and cleanse the soul of a sinner. From the depths of his despair he cried that God would restore and not abandon him (vv. 10-12). God, true to His nature, was anxious to forgive (v. 17). The need for forgiveness is as evident as our sin. The result of forgiveness is to be guilty no more as we stand before God’s presence. David’s quest for forgiveness left him desperately groping for answers. Today the means of forgiveness is as close as the cross. In Jesus we can be guilty no more. May 24, 1998 On July 3, 1776 John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail, “Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.”” Mr. Adams would later become the second president of these great United States of America. Our’s is a nation built on freedom. Although highly prized, and rightly so, the freedom we experience is incomplete at best. Laws, statues and the rights of others limit our freedoms. As citizens we possess the right to run after “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” but no guarantees of acquiring these baubles of democracy. True freedom can only be found in Jesus Christ. In Him we find rights and privileges of which we cannot be deprived. We find peace and hope that cannot be stripped from us. In Jesus we find salvation that will last forever. From the haven of Christ the true believer can truly celebrate, “Free at Last!” August 30, 1998 In the book of Acts those who listened to the Christian message were clearly instructed how to properly respond to it (Acts 2:38; cf. Matt. 28:18-20 & Mark 16:16). The obedient were numbered among the saved with no evidence of any doubt regarding their saved condition (v. 47). One is "lost" when guilty of sin and powerless to free themselves. Identify when forgiveness occurs and you know the exact point of salvation. In Acts audiences were told to "believe" (16:31), "repent" (3:19), "confess" (8:37), and "be baptized" (16:33, etc.). Conspicuously absent from this list is prayer. Although Saul's roadside vision of Jesus was followed by three days of prayer and fasting in Damascus (9:9, 11), he was still in a lost condition prior to baptism because his sins had not yet been forgiven (22:16). Prayer is insufficient to secure salvation. Sin cannot be initially forgiven by other means than Christian baptism (1 Pet. 3:21). In baptism the sinner reenacts Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-4) and contacts His innocent blood their sin requires (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). In baptism, literally immersion, the sinner's sins are "washed away." At the moment they are forgiven they are saved. The day before He went to the cross, Jesus made this simple plea: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Is it possible to know for sure that you love Jesus? The only test is full obedience to His commands. It is just as clear to know for certain that you are saved (1 John 5:13). If you have believed, repented, confessed, and entered the waters of baptism to be buried a sinner and raised a saint, you have been saved and added by the Lord Himself to His body, the New Testament church. If you are continuing to live as a faithful Christian you can be fully assured of your salvation (1 Cor. 15:58). May 4, 2003
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David Bragg
Memoirs of a Martyr
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son" |
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