For Some Wanting Ways to Help

Brethren, we do expect all of the Lord’s people to help in His work.  It needs to be part of our thinking when we walk through these doors. Even when we are not walking through the doors, it needs to be so. That is we are asking ourselves (if necessary) what we can do for the church (the Lord’s people gathered here). Too many believers gather with a church to get something out of it without seriously putting into it. Rather realize your part and responsibility in it. We are all gifted by the Holy Spirit to profit those around us. And we all are to love the brethren which means to actively care for them. It is a blessing that many here are of this disposition and act upon it regularly. Praise the Lord for His grace in so many lives. Having said that, some of you no doubt need some direction in this regard. Is that true of yourself? If so, you can find this direction for participation by asking, offering, observing, and hearing.

First, by asking.  Ask those who lead or participate in the Lord’s work. Ask them how you can help in the Lords’ work. What a blessing to those laboring the Lord’s work to have other believers want to help!

Second, by offering to help. It is one thing to ask. It is another to offer to help.  Make yourself available to them in particular.  Too many believers think they can figure out themselves what will help.  Sometimes they can, but often they don’t.  Go and offer to help others who are obviously assisting in the Lord’s work.

Third, observe those around you.  A few minutes of observation usually brings need to light for most of us.  “If a man sees a brother in need...” Notice he sees him. That is because he is looking! He is observing. Fourth, by hearing. Sometimes we need to hear of areas we can help. Well here are a few things that we recommend that will fit that category. You consider them, and if can help in any of these areas, it will become an unending blessing to your life as well as theirs.

Last Week’s Outreach

Brethren, as you know we made an attempt this past week to reach out to people we know, especially to those who live on the West Side. The whole church, it seems, helped. I personally found much profit for my soul. Listening to the songs, the testimonies and the message from God’s Word was edifying. And it is always stirring to be able to distribute gospel tracts as well as to exhort people to consider Christ. We pray and trust the Lord receives the glory for any and all the benefit that comes from such an endeavor. This brings me to some thoughts concerning in particular our endeavors on the West Side. 

First, be sure you understand the nature of patience in the Lord’s work. We cast our bread upon the waters and afterwards (which can be years even decades!) we find it again with great dividends. We are to posses our souls with patience. That is also true of other souls. Sometimes it takes years to reap in regards to the lost, but the reward is eternal. So don’t ever be discouraged or faint in your endeavors for the Lord. His Word does not return void. It will bear fruit in the most unusual ways. We meet people after many, many years who testify to hearing a word from our endeavors that was used of the Lord to bear fruit in them lives.

Second, remember we reap where we have not sown. That means, we sow where we do not reap! How many times in my endeavors those I am seeking to reach don’t respond. But in direct relationship to that endeavor others respond who had the Gospel sown in their hearts by others - often people I have never met. So sow indiscriminately and trust the Lord and He will bless it. That brings me to this. It is God who gives the increase. Brethren, there is no slick trick to winning the lost. He is the Husbandman of the Vineyard. He is the Saviour.His Spirit must birth that soul into Jesus Christ. So let us do our part and watch God give the increase. If we are not careful, we may use methods and attempts resulting in people being persuaded by us, but not the Lord. We want conversions that are from the Lord. And in time, as we labor by faith, He will do so. So pray for the Lord to take what was done this past Sunday and use it by His grace and for His glory. Believe and doubt. Who knows how it was all used?! Look forward to He is doing and has done has done with it. Thanks to the Lord for all the help and participation in this endeavor. Jesus still saves!

The Resurrection of Jesus

1. “The resurrection of Christ is the heart of Christianity, which makes it pulsate with the life of God; it is the keystone to the arch of truth, which holds all the faith of the Gospel together; it is the
foundation of the Church; it is the mainspring of Christian activity; it is the lever of power which shall move the world; and it is the link which unites all believers.”
- F. E. Marsh (”Five Hundred Bible Readings” page 210)

2. “Modernism is a parasite which draws such vitality as it possesses from the dogmas which it denies.” - Arnold Lunn (”The Third Day” page 119)
“I have been used for many years to study the history of other times, and to examine and weigh the evidence of those who have written about them; and I know of no fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair inquirer, than the great sign which God has given us, that Christ died and rose again from the dead.”

3. ”He is not here; for he is risen, as he said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay” - Matthew 28:6

4. ”If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” - I Corinthians 15:17

5. “The belief in the Godhead of our Lord and the belief in the resurrection stand and fall together. Those who repudiate the resurrection have set their feet on a road which leads from Christianity to Unitarianism, open or camouflaged.” - Arnold Lunn (”The Third Day” pages 119-120)

6. “ ‘Nobody is ever converted by argument’ is a popular slogan with Christian appeasers, but unilateral disarmament is as foolish in theological as in international disputes. Communists and atheists do not act on the principle that no Christian can ever be perverted by argument” - Arnold Lunn (”The Third Day” page 29).

7. “ ‘When I used a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said, in a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.’ “ - Lewis Carroll.

8. “A belief in the immortality of the soul was the highest attainment of pagan philosophy. Belief in the resurrection of Christ and in our own resurrection, because of Christ, is the ABC of Christianity (page 49) “Paul does not preach the immortality of Christ’s soul or our own immortality. If he had done that he would have been Plato’s disciple not Christ’s apostle” (page 51) - Samuel M. Zwemer (Evangelism Today).

9. ”Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet” (Luke 24:39-40).

10. ”Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8).

11. “The resurrection has been a snare to unbelief in all ages. It angered the Sadducees, the rationalists of the Saviour’s time. It aroused the contempt and scorn of Stoics and Epicureans when Paul preached it on Mars Hill. Materialistic science has always attacked it with delirious joy, and supercilious scorn. When one asked a great military leader how to locate the most important sector of the battle line he replied, ‘Look for the place that is most stubbornly attacked and most determinedly defended’ That rule marks out this teaching as the chief stronghold of our religion. Consequently there have been many efforts to explain away or eliminate the fact of the resurrection.” - L. E. Barton (”Three Dimensions of Love” page 87).

12. ”And if Christ be not risen, then is your preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (I Corinthians 15:14).

13. “The resurrection is variously presented in the New Testament, and is at once a proof, a pattern, a power, a prophecy, and a pledge. It is the poof of our acceptance of Christ’s death and of our acceptance with Him (Romans 4:25), it is to be the pattern of our holy life (Romans 6:4), it is also the power for Christian character and service (Ephesians 1:18-20); it contains the promise of our own resurrection (I Thessalonians 4:14), and it is the pledge of our life hereafter (John 14:19).” - W. H. Griffith-Thomas ("Christ Preeminent” page 92).

14.  “It will probably be evident from the preceding discussion that a movement is at present in process which aims at nothing less than the dissolution of Christianity, as that has been hitherto understood. It is not simply the details of the recorded life of Jesus that are questioned, but the whole conception of Christ’s supernatural Person and work as set forth in the Gospels and Epistles, which is challenged. If the Virgin Birth is rejected at one end of the history, and the bodily Resurrection at the other, not less are the miracles and supernatural claims that lie between. With this goes naturally on the part of many a hesitancy in admitting even Christ’s moral perfection. A sinless Personality would be a miracle in time, and miracles are excluded by the first principles of this new philosophy.” - James Orr (”The Resurrection of Jesus” page 265).

“Behold, He is risen: He is not here!”
By Chester E. Tulgo (”The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ” 1951)

The Young People Reaching Out to Other Young People

It seems good to write a few words concerning the attempts young people make to reach other young people that are lost. My thoughts will come in no order of priority. Rather, as they come to my mind, consider the following observations:

First, it has been my observation for many years that a young person ( I mean young - maybe as young as 12 or 14 or 16) could do much good in reaching out to the 1,000’s of other young people in our area who have never heard the gospel. There is a natural connection just as the rich person has a natural connection with the rich or the young couple with the young couple. All around us are young people almost anxious to hear the gospel. When I was growing up, attempts to reach the young by the young (under some supervision) were very useful and resulted in some converting work. 

Second, the equipment for doing this a sound home life, sound doctrine, and the grace of God to overcome temptation that will be involved in such endeavors. At all ages temptation is there when doing evangelistic work. This is especially so for the young person. There is a thin line at times in this matter. On one hand, we want to be friend’s to the sinner, but on the other hand we know a “companion of riotous men will come to shame.” This a difficult and dangerous area to say the least. We, as parents, want our children kept from evil, rightly so. Yet we want them to grow in the Lord.  And we want them to eventually be used to reach the lost in varying degrees. It may be that only certain young people will have the wisdom and holiness to be used this way. Are there young people in the church here that meet those qualifications? 

Third, we have not seen this done to any noticeable degree. I do think that in general the child who is converted will grow up spending the majority of his time with the believer (outside maybe work situations) which is understandable. In fact, the young person who spends most of his/her time with the lost (when free) is probably indulging in carnality to some degree unless those relationships are to reach the lost. But, while we have not seen this in a noticeable way, it does not mean we can not desire it. If you are a young person, allow a few questions. Are you born again? Do you see all about you the 1,000’s of young people who are lost? Do you have desire to reach out to them? Are you keeping yourself pure when around them? Are you willing/desire to reach them? Maybe the Lord will stir up your heart to begin to wisely reach out to the 1,000’s of young people in our city and surrounding area. They need the Lord. It is an extremely needed and rewarding endeavor. Do you like “extreme” sports? Then I challenge you to take up winning the young who are lost. Do so and you will learn a new meaning to the word “extreme.” You will suffer ridicule, rejection and opposition for Christ’s sake. But some will hear and believe the Gospel. Give it your prayerful consideration. The 1,000’s of young people are waiting.....

Allowing Your Life to be Interrupted

Brethren, you have believed the Gospel. You are growing in the Lord. You may have been saved for many years.You are for the church. You are for the work of the Lord.  ou support it by prayer, words, and monies. You are glad to see increase in lives. You are for the Lord’s work increasing. You are for interested in the lost. You think about them. You think about serving the Lord, witnessing to the lost. You are glad to see new people (as well as the old people) come through the doors. Your heart rejoices to hear the testimony of grace working in lives. That is all fine and very good. But I want to press you some. Are you willing to get your hands dirty? Are you willing to be inconvenienced? Are you willing to have your schedule interrupted? It is my observation that one of the greatest opportunities to all of us is the many around us who are seeking the Lord or open to the Lord’s people. We even have them come through our doors! But we must receive them and reach out to them. We must do good to them. Yes, especially to the household of faith. But to all in general. Remember Jesus said if you have over people who can have you back over, then you and I do no more than sinners! Sinners do that! But to have over those who can’t repay you is godly. All right. What about you? When do you or I last have some that couldn’t have us back over? Any one in the last year?! Oh, my dear brother and sister, this will cost you? It will inconvenience you?  It will disrupt your life style.  It will make you have to have an interest in some one else. It will demand that you listen to them, not them you. It will only work if your reason is them, not you. It is not reciprocal. It is one way. It is to love them with not expectation of pay back. It is to give of your self for the Lord into the lives of others. But did not Jesus say that the one who keeps his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life will find it?! Yes, He did. So lose your life in this regard. Be hospitable. Have strangers into your home. Entertain them. They may be angels! Do this and God will begin to bless you and your families life in ways you never thought. And remember it is truly more blessed to give to receive. And this is speaking about more than money.  Jesus gave His life’s Blood. How much more did He receive which will last forever and never be fully comprehended. What an interruption!  Let us follow, then, our Master in this regard. Let us let our lives and homes be interrupted. Let us open our lives and homes to those who can’t repay us. Let us demonstrate the love and goodness of God that we have found in Jesus Christ.

What is the Status and Answer for the Churches in America Today?

Brethren, it is obvious to all who study and observe churches in our day that things have changed. Most recognize we are living in a post Christian era. A recent poll stated that those who are non religious has increased to 15% in America, an all time high. Every one knows mainline churches are declining. The mega church movement is booming. Of course, what they are offering truly only God knows, so it seems. But let me go further. I agree with one man’s assessment that while there is a somewhat of a boom in the mega church movement, that Bible believing churches are decreasing. If I were to be honest, overall it seems that sound, Bible teaching churches are less in number. But I hasten to add that what churches are there in that category seems to be becoming more distinct and refined (to the good). Our country is changing in this regard. The result will inevitably, barring God’s grace, result in more and more secularization of America, which will result in an increasing persecution of believers and churches who obey the Bible. I have said for years that my children, if they have the same Biblical convictions that I have, will have to go to jail for those convictions more than likely. That is strong, but mark my word. It is just around the corner. How many of you now are extremely private when you even talk about applying the rod to the child for correction?! What is the answer to all this? Well, we must face that in God’s plan He may be allowing this nation to loose its past history of being a righteous nation. It may be unstoppable. If God has decided to judge America to this degree, we cannot stop it (except we cry out to Him and He has mercy). Having said that, what is it the churches have lost or need to do what they ought to be doing that might shine as light in this dark and sinful world? Here is one noticeable thing that brought about this article. No doubt two answers for the churches are the need for churches to straighten up and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached. The second is what caused me to write this article. It is the preaching of the Gospel. Brethren, it seems a sound understanding and proclamation of the Gospel to the world is almost gone in America. In most churches, the Gospel is weak at best and gone at worst. Here is an observation that will help then a word of hope! In all of America who, on the national scene, is known for preaching the Gospel! Think of all the household names in Christianity on T.V. and radio and in magazines.  Name those known for preaching the Gospel. You will come up with only one name, and he no longer preaches. Yes, Billy Graham, now 89, is the only name you will give. I understand his ecumenism and problems, but he is the only name you or I could give. And he no longer preaches. Now notice this. Today in America, with all our media, there is not one, not one! Name, on the national scene, who is known for preaching the Gospel! Not one! God forbid! My, oh my! Can you not see this problem and how the best answer stares us in the face?! How could this be in America? No known Gospel preacher! Brethren, we all know it starts with the Gospel preached plainly and powerful. And all this brings me to our recent endeavors to make plain to those near us, by preaching personally, the message of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ’s work on the Cross. Yes, we need to grow as a church and so all churches. But it starts with clarity on and the preaching of the Gospel. So have hope. We are beginning, in a new way in recent days, to make this good news plain to those around us. Surely God will bless it. Will He turn the nation around? I don’t know. But He will and still saves and that is enough to rejoice in and look forward. Pray as this Gospel is preached. Tell it plainly to those around you as you are able. Don’t pull back on the message. It is for sinners. It is through the Blood of Jesus Christ. It still saves. Faith must be exercised. The Holy Spirit must work. Let us make this plain to those around us. Most have never heard it. Surely we can do that. Yes, we need to do as Jesus said. To preach the gospel to every creature - in America!  in Wisconsin! in our cities we are in!
That is the crying need today.

Why God Allows Evil to Happen to People

Recently a pastor was shot and killed as he stood near the pulpit teaching the Word of God. Most of us have read about it. One of the members stated that hearing of it was shocking, but hearing that it was a pastor who was killed was even more shocking. Well, we understand that statement. I, of course, might feel the effects more than most. Maybe. Yet is brought to my mind that old saying that “death is the great equalizer.” Truly it is. No one is exempt in regards to timing. Read the papers and obituaries. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands (young and old) are suddenly taken away. The rich, as quick as the poor, die unexpectedly. The other day the papers told of a president and his wife, I believe it was an African country, who were in an accident. The wife died.  Celebrities names turn up regularly who died suddenly. Newscasters the same. The other day two professional football players were lost in the ocean. Of course, even children suffer the sudden hand of death. So none of us are given a guarantee. What, though, stands out more is the issue of why God allows this. And maybe the nature of a pastor teaching God’s Word makes it loom larger. It is the atheists big argument. If God were a God of love, He would not allow such events and sufferings. It makes no sense, they say. The answers are many though as to why God allows these things. More than allow, at times He orchestrates them. Why, then, does God allow such tragedies? Here is one of many reasons, but one that has helped me much through the years. The Bible states in Hosea concerning the Lord’s people that “in their affliction they will seek me.” The unvarnished facts are that such tragedies are often the very things (and it seems at times the only way) that bring many of us to our senses in areas of life that matter. Death or the prospect of death or even catastrophic events that leave lives marred often are the very things that wake us up. So much good comes out of the evil that happens to people. This is especially true of believers. The unbeliever may chide against the Lord. They may not only question God, but they may oppose God. They may speak of how they couldn’t serve a God who would allow such things. Of course, their life is full of evil coming from all quarters. And yet in their family circles they don’t abandon people or circumstances (some do, but many do not). Think of the woman recently who is debilitated for life due to the attack of an animal.  I heard her brother respond to questions about his view of the owner of the animal. He told of how the daughter of this woman had responded marvelously. But let God allow something bad or at least let people be without an answer (so God is blamed) and the opposition and atheistic responses prevail. Not so in the believer’s life. Rather we believe our Heavenly Father knows best. And we believe all things work together for good. Now my point is they do work together for good. They are the very events, the evil that comes into our lives, which wake us up and get us right with God. They cause us to become serious. They cause us to start doing things that have been delayed for years, maybe for our whole life time. Brethren, much good will come out of this act of murder. We would rather it never happen, but be sure much good will come out of it. You say that is good, but what about the loss to the family? Yes, a great loss. He was married and had children, but he is with the Lord based on the testimony I read. So is he worse of? I think not. Are the family? Well, yes and no. Yes, they have a void and loss. Yes, of course, but even this loss will be overshadowed in their lives by how their hearts and lives can be turned towards the Lord and what really matters. So then realize that evil does happen to people. This is true of every day. But when responded to properly, we can find great solace, learning and peace knowing “He doeth all things well.” Fanny Crosby at six years of age was blinded due to faulty medical practices at the time. Yet at the end of her life she blesses God for her blindness, a blindness that strummed the chords of her poetic soul and gave the church an array of songs that grace our hearts to this day. Don’t be overcome by evil that happens suddenly and shockingly. Know that we cannot not tell love or hate by all that is before us, Solomon wrote. What we know is that the “steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord.” A fallen and rebellious world has been given leeway to follow the god of this world. With the ability to choose come the responsibility and consequences of those choices. We do not understand how all that works. And for every portion of evil we experience, think of all the consequences suffered due to our choices. Think of all the consequences man deserves that God fore goes due to His mercy and well as His long suffering. No, my brother, this is not a perplexing thing. This is not a surprise. This is the fruit of a fallen world. And let us be very happy that God has intervened to keep the evil under control, lest man should destroy himself completely. And let us learn from the evil that does befall us the lessons that we need for our lives that could come no other way. Yes, “it is God which worketh in you to both will and to do of His own good pleasure.”