THE COMFORT OF GOD'S PRESENCE

Life has a way of separating us from people we know-- people we consider friends, associates, and even loved ones.  Sometimes it is no one’s particular fault; we just get busy with our own affairs and a slow separation occurs. Other times, the separation can be traced to a particular circumstance or set of circumstances.  The latter was the case with the apostle Paul, who was imprisoned in Rome and awaiting his execution at the hands of the wicked Emperor Nero.  During the last months of his life, he wrote a letter to a young man named Timothy, whom he longed to see for the last time.  It is not known if that desire to see his son in the faith was ever realized. More than likely, it was not.  One thing we do know is that Paul didn’t have many friends to comfort or encourage him. Only Luke was with him (2 Timothy 4:11).  Better one than none. But at his first defense before the Roman officials he was all alone. He writes, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge” (2 Timothy 4:16). Where was the Church of Rome, to which Paul had penned a letter years earlier?  Of all the people which comprised its membership throughout the city, not one stood by his side. Certainly they knew the troubles which had come upon him, because Paul asked God to forgive them.

It is sad, but not surprising, that no one came to his defense. Out of fear for their own lives, they chose the easy path, not the noble one, and abandoned Paul in his time of need.  Remarkably, Paul responded with grace toward them; he did not become bitter. How could this be?  Paul does not leave us guessing.  The truth is that he never was completely alone; Jesus was with him. In Paul’s own words, we read, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” (2 Timothy 4:17).  Jesus was true to His promise: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5b).  The hardships we face in life may be small compared with those Paul experienced; nevertheless, the Lord’s presence is just as certain and just as real.  He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother and will strengthen us when our strength is gone. He will cheer us up when we are down, and He will guide us when we don’t know what to do.  God will never abandon his children.  “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).   Knowing that God cannot lie, I rest in the thought that His word to Israel is just as true for everyone who has put his faith in Him: “Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to your gray hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:3,4).

Thank you Lord Jesus!

ARE YOU SERMON PROOF?

“There is nothing that moves them!” This common expression is often used of people who are stoic in their attitude or emotions. Sadly, it is also true of people who sit under the preaching of God’s Word week after week and are unmoved by its truth. They may even seem to enjoy going to church or entering into discussions about spiritual matters, but there is no sorrow over their sin; there is no repentance.  It was said of King Herod that he enjoyed hearing John: “For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly” (Mark 6:20). Such was also the case in the days of the prophet Ezekiel, who ministered to the Israelites in the Babylonian captivity. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., Ezekiel received word of what had occurred back in his homeland. He had been deported prior to the fall of Jerusalem.  Although he had preached hard against the sins which led to God’s judgment, those who remained in the land were still in rebellion to God. Was it any different with those taken to Babylon?  The answer is no!  Ezekiel had a congregation who loved to hear him preach, and they offered their pious praise, but that’s as far as it went: “And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not” (Ezekiel 33:31, 32). This is exactly what James warned against in his New Testament epistle: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (James 1:22-24).

 

Hearing but not doing is the mark of men and women who trifle with God’s Word. They may be entertained by it, but they refuse to change their ways. This is a dangerous condition for anyone to be in. Jesus uttered woes (divine judgments) upon some of the cities of Galilee because they had witnessed the power of God in miracles and heard the words of wisdom of spoken by Jesus but remained unconverted: “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee” (Matthew 11:21-24).

 

What will it take for godly repentance to happen in response to the hearing of God’s Word?  It will take surrender to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:7, 8).  Pride, however, is a great obstacle to genuine conversion. Indifference is another. For a spiritual awakening to occur there must be a humble admission of the grievous nature of sin in light of the holiness of God and the judgment of sin which fell upon Christ. “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NKJV).

 

My prayer for those who hear the preaching of God’s Word and the gospel of grace is that they will not remain “sermon proof.”  Hardness of heart is like a spiritual Kevlar (bullet proof) vest that resists the truth. But the truth is what sets a man free from the clutches of Satan and the bondage of self-deception (John 8:32).

 

If you are like the crowd in Ezekiel’s day which heard but did not obey, you must turn to the Lord for forgiveness.  It may be that you are not saved and need to be born again. Look to Jesus who died for your sins, and He will give you the gift of eternal life (John 3:16).  Don’t remain “sermon proof”!

 

Pastor Tom

THE MEASURELESS LOVE OF GOD

One of my favorite stanzas in the collection of hymns which is the treasure of the people of God is the third stanza of Frederick Lehman’s, “The Love of God”:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,

Would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

And the chorus states:

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure

The saints’ and angels’ song.

The apostle John, who walked with Jesus for nearly three years, wrote, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This is a simple statement of fact pertaining to the very nature of God which consists of His attributes or qualities that set Him apart from human beings. Man can love, but man is not love. Only God is love, and His love is measureless. To say that something is measureless is to say that is incalculable, it has no observable limits, it is infinite. No book (scroll) could contain the whole of God’s love. It is beyond our comprehension but most reassuring: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The world mentioned by John is not the planet we live on, but the people who inhabit it. A careful study of John’s Gospel and his epistles does not allow for any limitation of the word kosmos (world) in John 3:16. This presents a difficulty for those who affirm that Jesus died only for those He chose in eternity past and not for all mankind. In Romans 5:8 we learn that God loved men even in their state of rebellion: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” A good example of this truth is seen in the dialogue Jesus had with a man who came to Him seeking to know what he had to do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17). Rejecting the admonition Jesus gave him to sell his goods and take up his cross and follow Him, the man went away sad. This man’s wealth was the very thing keeping him from Christ. However, what is significant about this encounter, relative to the love of God, is seen in verse 21. Right before Jesus told him to dispense with his earthly possessions so that he might possess heavenly riches (Jesus himself), the Scripture says, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him.” In his rejection of Jesus, the blessed Savior loved him, and there is no record of this man’s repentance. What love is this? It is the love of God for lost sinners--without distinction. It is the measureless love of God that led Jesus to Calvary to suffer and die for the sins of mankind, and the Gospel invitation goes out to the whole world as the clearest expression of that deep, deep love of God.

Herein lies the heart of the matter: How can a Christian tell a lost sinner that God loves him and has provided the means whereby his sins can be forgiven if Christ’s death was in behalf of some, but not all, men? The answer is that he can’t tell him God loves him, at least not with a love that called for the death of His only begotten Son. David Allen cites the following example: “In his book, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, Mark Dever suggested three motives for evangelism: obedience to Scripture, a love for the lost, and a love for God.” Allen goes on to say: “I agree completely but, Dever fails to mention two other critical motives: Christ’s death for all men, and God’s universal saving will. Unless I have missed it, his book never mentions these two as motives for evangelism. Of course, Dever cannot affirm Christ’s death for all men because he holds to limited atonement. His theology prohibits it.”

The Bible, however, does not prohibit the affirmation that Christ died for all men:

• “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

• “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29).

• “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life”(Romans 5:18).

• “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

• “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men “(Titus 2:11).

• “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5, 6).

• “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).

• "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9).

• “And he [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

• "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world" (1 John 4:14).

I realize that many devout and faithful Christians who limit the atonement of Christ have answers to all these verses, but I don’t believe their answers disannul what the verses clearly teach: Christ died for all! It is best to take them at face value and praise God for His immeasurable, unlimited, undeserved love--the just dying for the unjust that he might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Otherwise, how could a holy, righteous, and loving God justly condemn people for rejecting the manifestation of his love if it was not intended for them? Jesus said, “If ye do not believe that I am he [the Messiah] ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Were those whom Jesus addressed prohibited from believing by Divine decree? Or did they willfully reject Christ? Jesus said in John 5:39, 40, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

The question must be asked: Did Jesus desire all men to come unto Him? Certainly, for He issued the invitation, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29). The stubborn refusal of sinners to come to Jesus is the very essence of unbelief; and pride is the root of this unbelief. In contrast to the proud of heart, Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). This is not a matter of free will, but whosoever will: If any man is willing he will be taught of God. Those who were willing comprised the remnant in Israel who humbly admitted their sin and came to Jesus for eternal life. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11, 12).They were not made alive before they believed; they believed unto eternal life: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30, 31). I might also add that coming to Jesus is not saving one’s self, because no one would come to Jesus were it not for the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). Salvation is a gift of God made possible by the work of God in the heart of man. But salvation also requires the willingness of the hopeless sinner to bow the knee and receive the free gift: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

So if you believe that Christ died for the sins of the whole world (all mankind), don’t be ashamed of it or be intimidated by someone charging you with ignorance of Scripture or weakness in doctrine. Cling to the simple but wonderful truth of God’s immeasurable love, and go tell the good news. Preach it far and wide, rejoicing that God is able to save the worst of sinners. Let your love for the lost, as Dever said, be a motivation for personal evangelism, but don’t deny that God’s love for mankind is far greater than your love could ever be, for God is love! If Jesus commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), should we think that it is not so with Him? John MacArthur writes, “His [God’s] pleading with the lost, His offers of mercy to the reprobate, and the call of the gospel to all who hear are all sincere expressions of the heart of a loving God. Remember, He tenderly calls sinners to turn from their evil ways and live. He freely offers the water of life to all” (Isaiah 55:1). But how sincere is it to offer the water of life to someone, knowing that he has no power or ability to drink it? McArthur admits that he struggles with the question of how God can really love those he does not choose to save. He writes, “Yet if I seem to dwell on this issue, it is because I want to acknowledge that it poses a perplexing difficulty for other aspects of God’s revealed truth. Let us honestly admit that on the face of it, the universal love of God is hard to reconcile with the doctrine of election.” Personally, I don’t think it is hard to reconcile the love of God for all mankind with God choosing only some for salvation-- I think it is impossible.

Dear friend, if you have not already done so, you can know the love of Christ in a personal way by calling upon Him to forgive you of all your sins. The Bible says that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

May you find joy and peace in believing upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Tom

1 Allen, David and Lemke Steve, A Biblical-Theological Review of Five-Point Calvinism, WHOSOEVER WILL (B&H Academic, 2010) 97

2 Mac Arthur, John, The Love of God (Word Publishing), 1996), 17.

Ibid p.110

THE FALLEN AND THE FAITHFUL

“We have come to a turning point in the road. If we turn to the right perhaps our children and our children's children will go that way; but if we turn to the left, generations yet unborn will curse our names for having been unfaithful to God and to His Word.” I read this quote of Charles Spurgeon after studying about three men mentioned in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Their names are Phygellus, Hermogenes, and Onesiphorus. They may not be biblical characters you are familiar with, but they deserve your attention because they represent two categories of men and women who exist under the wide umbrella of Christianity: The Fallen and the Faithful.

Phygellus and Hermogenes were among those in Asia Minor who deserted the apostle Paul when he was taken prisoner for preaching the gospel. In his time of great need, they were nowhere to be found. We know nothing more about them than what is recorded in verse 15 of 2 Timothy 1: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” At a turning point in the road, they turned left, and their names are recorded in God’s Word as a testimony of those who were unfaithful.

On the other hand was Onesiphorus. The Scripture says, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well” (2 Timothy 1:16-18). When many were turning left on the road, Onesiphorus kept to the right. He was not a silent supporter of Paul, but one who, at great risk for his own safety, sought him out in one of Rome’s darker prisons where they kept those condemned to die. He went to his aid, and in the words of Paul, “he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain.” The word for refreshed means “to make cool,” like the feeling of a cool breeze on a hot summer day. In practical terms, he ministered to Paul’s physical needs and provided wonderful spiritual encouragement as Paul counted down the final days of his life.

Onesiphorus was a faithful Christian friend and brother in Christ to Paul, and his name will always be remembered for his courage and good deeds. His actions, however, did not result from a spur-of-the-moment decision. When Paul was in Ephesus, Onesiphorus often ministered to him. In other words, his faithfulness in a time of great trial was the outcome of a pattern of faithfulness in his life. The Christian life is a life; it’s not a one-hundred-yard dash. If you are going to be faithful in the end, you must start by being faithful every single day. If you are going to be faithful with much, you must first be faithful with little (Luke 16:10). May God raise up men and women like Onesiphorus in our generation, who will always choose to do good and noble things, as stewards of the manifold grace of God. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6).

May the Lord find you faithful,

Pastor Tom

GOD GIVE US MEN

I read this poem today and thought it might be a blessing to those who read my blog. We surely need men and women who will stand for God's truth in this day of apostasy. 
- Pastor Tom

God Give Us Men
God give us men endued with power,
To meet the challenge of the hour,
With apostolic zeal inspired,
With apostolic fervor fired.

God give us men of single eye,
To live for Christ, for Christ to die,
Who press to meet the battle's strife,
And love the gospel more than life.

God give us men as true as steel,
To stand for truth they know and feel,
Who scorn to compromise or bend,
For frown or smile of foe or friend.

God give us men who fast and pray,
In supplications night and day,
Who toil, and labor, and travail,
Who watch and wrestle and prevail.

God give us men with weeping eyes,
Who preach and pray with tears and sighs,
Who plead, and yearn, and plead again,
And move the hearts of God and men.

God give us men of courage strong,
To face the persecuting throng,
The raging storm, the lonely jail,
And never flinch, and never quail.

God give us men to preach, to pray,
To fill the gap, to lead the way,
To light revival fires again,
To work, to weep, God give us men.

by Glenn Conjurske (1947-2001)

FACING LIFE'S TRIALS

The apostle Peter began his first epistle with some wonderful news about the “living hope” that is the possession of every child of God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). This hope looks to a future described as “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (verse 4). That may sound too good to be true, but it isn't, and the best part of this inheritance is the knowledge that it never ends and contains promises which no one can presently comprehend: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). While this presents a picture of a glorious time that awaits all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the present day in which we live is not so glorious. We do not live in a world that is incorruptible or undefiled. It is in fact "wasting away" with each passing moment and will eventually face a cataclysmic end (2 Peter 3:10). I recently finished reading the book, Be Still My Soul, which contains classic and contemporary readings on the problem of pain. One of the contributors was Tim Keller, who cited 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17: “...we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (NIV). In commenting on the word for “wasting away” in verse 16, Keller states: “Greek scholars will tell you Paul was not just talking about the body as wasting away, but about all of life in this visible world. He was saying that everything in this world is wearing away. Everything is steadily, irreversibly falling apart. Our bodies are wearing away. Our hearts are like wind-up clocks with a finite number of clicks that are clicking away. Our physical appearance and attractiveness are wearing away, and we can't stop it. Our relationships are wearing away. Get a group of friends around you, and time and circumstance will eventually pull you apart. Our families are wearing away, dying off one at a time. Our skills are wearing away. You can't stay on top of your game forever. Everything is like a wave on the sand. You can't pin it down; it starts to recede from you.”

Keller is undeniably correct. We know this to be true, and Peter, who lived at the time of Christ, would wholeheartedly agree. Yet he told those whom he called pilgrims of the dispersion to greatly rejoice even though they were experiencing grief through many different kinds of trials (1 Peter 1:6). How could this be? Because heaven is for real, and Paul was correct when he said that our earthly troubles are just for a brief period of time—momentary-- in the light of eternity and will be immediately forgotten when the Christian enters into the glory of God's presence. This is indeed a living hope that can fill our hearts with a sense of peace and joy even in life’s darkest hours. Verse 18 of 2 Corinthians 4 puts it into the proper perspective, telling us that we must “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” (NIV). Personally speaking, I can face all of life's trials knowing that they will eventually come to an end and give way to something beautiful and majestic which will make those trials appear as nothing. Suppose you suffered for the whole of your earthly life: What would that amount to in comparison with endless joy afterwards? It wouldn’t amount to a speck of sand on the shore or a speck of ash emitted from a volcanic eruption. We have all seen pictures of such an eruption. Just think of your present suffering or trial of faith as one of those specks of ash ascending upward into the sky, eventually to be dispersed by the wind, never to be seen again. I know that is hard to do in the midst of the trial when the weight of it seems unbearable, but don’t give in to despair. The future may not be ours to see with human eyes, but we can see it with the eyes of faith, trusting that Jesus has prepared a special place for us according to His promise: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

So, weary pilgrims, let us run the race of life bravely, setting our sights on the finish line, not the obstacles before us. As we seek the Lord day by day, He will give us the strength and perseverance to press on: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

May the Lord give you His perfect peace,

Pastor Tom

[1] Be Still My Soul, (Inter-Varsity Press, 2010) 15,16

ALMOST PERSUADED

The most remarkable conversion to Christianity ever experienced was the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Once a zealot for the Jewish religion and persecutor of the followers of Jesus, Saul had a supernatural encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). This meeting with Jesus changed the course of Saul’s life. Shortly after Saul’s conversion, Jesus spoke to a disciple named Ananias and told him that Saul was His chosen vessel to take the gospel to the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:10-16). In addition, Jesus told Ananias, “I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake” (Acts 9:16).

The book of Acts goes on to record the fulfillment of this prophecy in the life of Saul, who became the great Apostle Paul. Paul did indeed bear much suffering and persecution for the gospel of Christ at the hands of his countrymen and the Gentiles. He also bore witness of Christ to earthly kings. One king was a man named Agrippa, the great grandson of Herod the Great, who met Saul while he was a prisoner at Caesarea. In his defense before Agrippa, Paul gave a personal account of his life-changing Damascus road experience with Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 26). Near the conclusion of Paul’s testimony to Agrippa, Paul said, “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest” (Acts 26:27). The king’s reply is significant: “Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (v.28). The New International Version translates Agrippa’s reply cynically: “Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Either way, this earthly ruler rejected the words of life Paul shared with him. One of the older commentators stated, “Perhaps we cannot be absolutely sure whether these words were a sneer or whether they were meant to hide conviction. No matter; it was Agrippa's one great opportunity for salvation—and he threw it away!” On the other hand, Paul was not intimidated or silenced by this earthly ruler who refused the words of life he offered him. His response reveals his passion as one ordained to boldly speak the truth of the gospel without respect of persons: “And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds” (v.29). These words in the Authorized Version seem to validate the fact that Agrippa was “almost persuaded.” Sadly, after this meeting with Paul, Agrippa disappeared from Scripture and died without Christ.

In my many years of Christian ministry I have had my own encounters with the Agrippas of this world. After hearing the good news of the death of Christ in place of sinners and the offer of forgiveness, they were “almost persuaded” but walked away in unbelief. Where they are today, if they are still living, only God knows. Did they eventually turn to Jesus? I do not know. But there is one thing I am certain of: If they never did repent of their sin of unbelief, they will be separated from God forever, and they will bear the punishment for their sins. How sad it is to think they came close to the truth that sets men free (John 8:32). They reached the door but did not enter. They sat at a table of the finest of foods but would not eat. The water of life was set before their dry and parched mouths, but they would not drink. They would not take the final step, having loved this present world more than God.

Maybe there is someone who will read this article who has been “almost persuaded” but remains unconvinced that Jesus was God’s only begotten Son Who came into this world to save him or her from eternal condemnation through His death on the cross, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

On a personal level, I freely admit that my life has been no different then that of any other man. I made many decisions I now regret, and I have failed to make certain decisions I now wish I would have made. Life, however, doesn’t always give us second chances to change our decisions. Neither does God! No one who hears the gospel and casts it aside can ever be certain he will have another opportunity to receive Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. Jesus said, “For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).

I often tell the young people at church to think carefully before they act because the decisions they make have consequences that may last the course of a lifetime. To be almost persuaded to receive Jesus is to deny that He was the way into the presence of God and the glory of heaven. To be almost persuaded about Jesus is a decision that has eternal consequences. He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

I conclude with the words of the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon: “To have been almost persuaded and yet not to be a Christian will lead to endless regrets for will not this thought bubble up in the seething soul amidst its torments forever—‘I was almost persuaded to repent. Why did I go on in my sin? I was almost persuaded to put my trust in Jesus. Why did I cling, still, to my self-righteousness and vain ceremonies? I was almost persuaded to forsake my evil companions and to become a servant of God—but I am now cast away forever—where no more persuasions can melt my heart. Oh, my cursed sin! Alas, that I should have been fascinated by its temporary sweetness and for the sake of it should have incurred this never-ending bitterness! Oh, my madness! Oh, my insanity, that I should have chosen the lies which did but mock me and suffered my Savior and His salvation to pass me by!’ …. The grave is appointed for some of you within a few weeks or months. You shall not trifle with God long. O, I pray you, I beseech you! If you have any concern for yourselves and have any sound reason left, seek that your peace may be made with God through the precious blood of Christ! Seek that you may be ready to stand before your Maker’s bar, for stand there you must and will, before many days are past. If you should live another 30 or 40 years, how short that time is and how soon will it pass! Consider your ways now.”

Pastor Tom



TURNING BACK TO GOD

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” (Psalm 51:7,8).

Psalm 51 is the best known of the penitential psalms written by David, a man who had come to know the depths of sin and the depths of God's forgiveness. After his sin with Bathsheba had been brought to light (2 Samuel 12), the shepherd- king of Israel was a broken man physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Although the consequences of a believer’s transgression may not be readily apparent, they will surely come because the Lord is faithful to chasten those whom He loves. “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:7). Hard as it may be at the moment, God's discipline is not punitive, but transformational. “For they (our earthly fathers) verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). We see this in David's petition that God would create in him a clean heart and a steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:10). A clean heart is indicative of a new beginning, and a steadfast spirit a new determination. Out of the pit of sin’s despair, the repentant child of God finds comfort and peace in a restored relationship with his Lord and Savior.

Dear Christian brother or sister, have you committed some grievous sin or sins that weigh on you day and night? Is this a burden you can no longer bear? Are you feeling like David did, whose sin was ever before him (Psalm 51:3)? This is a very painful place for a child of God to be. Lost is the joy of one’s salvation, and nothing in life can replace the fellowship with God that was once enjoyed. In my years of pastoral ministry, I have seen this many times among God’s children, and always, I offer the same counsel. Just as with David and with the prodigal son in Luke 15, the way home is the path of repentance. David confessed his sin, and the Lord graciously forgave him all his iniquities. The key to your restoration and favor with God is to acknowledge your sin and need of restored fellowship with God. Seek it without delay. “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” (1 John 1:8, 9). When the prodigal son returned home, his father was moved with compassion, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20). The story goes on to say that a great feast was held that day because the wayward child had come back to the place of blessing and the comfort of his father’s love.

Dear wandering child of God, today can be your day of rejoicing and blessing if you go to Jesus now, confessing all your sin, seeking only Him and a new beginning. He will never cast you out.

Pastor Tom

WHO IS JESUS?

As Jesus and His disciples approached Caesarea Philippi, He asked them a question which has never lost its relevance: “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matthew 16:13). Put this question to the man on the street and you will receive a variety of answers. Most people have a general idea about Jesus, but given His historical significance, one would think that there would be more of a consensus and less debate. After all, no one has changed the course of history more than this carpenter’s son from Galilee. Perhaps therein lies the problem. The Bible clearly identifies Jesus as the son of Joseph, who was married to a woman named Mary and resided in Nazareth (Matthew 13:55). His birth was natural in the sense that He was born like all other human beings, “of a woman,” but there is more to the story. According to the Bible, the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary was supernatural: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:18). When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would bear a son, she was greatly perplexed and asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34). Gabriel’s reply is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith: “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

Son of Man and Son of God-- what does it mean? And how could it be? In simple terms, it means that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. This is the Christian doctrine known as the Incarnation. In the Latin it means becoming flesh. One pastor described this teaching as “God with skin on.” The Man Jesus did not progress to godhood; He was the eternal God who chose to take upon Himself a fully human nature without diminishing His deity in any way. “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6, 7). Jesus was fully human with one great exception-- he was completely sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22).

Not surprisingly, this is a great offense to many people. Rather than accept what the Bible asserts in a most dogmatic way --“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9)-- people of many different faiths, and of no faith at all, insist that Jesus was “just a man,” howbeit a good man, perhaps even the best of men. As laudatory as that may sound, it is, in actuality, blasphemy and a blatant denial of what the Scripture teaches. No good man could make the claim that he existed before Abraham came into being (John 8:58). No good man could forgive sin (Mark 2:5-7). No good man could offer himself up in the place of sinners (John 10:11). No good man could rise from the dead (Romans 1:4). Only a perfect man, someone much more than a man-- a man who was also God-- could make such claims and do these things. Where does this leave us? We must accept without denial or hesitation that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh or perish in unbelief. There is no alternative. If God chose to come to us as He did, in the person of Christ, it was because there was no other way to provide salvation for a fallen human race. He came in the likeness of men because all mankind was born in the likeness of Adam, separated from God and without hope in this world (Ephesians 2:12). The biblical solution for mankind’s hopeless state is found in Christ alone, who was made like Adam, while remaining free of the defilement that began with Adam. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15a). When He breathed His last on the cross of Calvary, His mission of salvation was complete. A way for sinners to be reconciled with God was now possible. This is the good news of the gospel of peace (Colossians 1:19-21).

If you desire to have peace with God and be reconciled to Him, you must agree with God that you are a sinner (confession) and call upon Jesus to forgive you of all your sins. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5, 6). A famous theologian was once asked, “What is the most profound thing you have ever heard?” He paused for a moment and then replied, “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Dear friends, this is indeed a profound truth. Jesus loved you enough to come as a man so that you can have eternal life: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Won’t you receive His gift of love if you have never done so? What is keeping you from Jesus, if He has promised that He will never turn anyone away (John 6:37)? There is a wideness in God’s mercy, but you do not know how long the door of His mercy will be open. No man can be assured of tomorrow, so go to Him without delay and receive the forgiveness of sin and everlasting life.

"Let not conscience make you linger,

Nor of fitness fondly dream;

All the fitness he requireth

Is to feel your need of him."

In Jesus name,

Pastor Tom

THE REVELATION OF A FALSE PROPHET: HAROLD CAMPING

May 21, 2011 has come and gone, and Harold Camping has once again misled his faithful followers on Family Radio-- only this time he has also demonstrated beyond all doubt that he is a false prophet. His failed 1994 prophecy of the end of the world came with a question mark, but not this time. Repeatedly, Camping has predicted that the rapture of the true believers, and that judgment upon the wicked, would occur on May 21st, based on what he claims the Bible has revealed. Since the Bible is God’s inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16), we must assume that Camping was speaking in God’s name when he insisted, time after time, that May 21st is Judgment Day. Additionally, according to Family Radio’s Bible answer man, God had opened the eyes of His elect to see this great truth about the time of the end, the way of salvation, as well as many other doctrines which are peculiar to Camping’s cult. But what does the Scripture really say? It states very clearly that false prophets are easy to identify: “And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:21,22 NKJV).

Mr. Camping has now taken his place in a long list of men and women claiming to speak in God’s name who have come and gone, along with their failed prophecies. On Thursday, May 19th, I heard Mr. Camping give his farewell address at the conclusion of Open Forum. I can only hope that the program is now a closed forum and that all those who have been deceived by his arrogant assertions and wild speculations will humble themselves and seek out good, Bible-believing, Christ-honoring churches in which they can learn God’s Word in the place that God has established as “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Whatever excuse Harold Camping presents as to what went wrong is not acceptable. He has vilified and condemned churches and pastors worldwide with his teaching that Satan has been ruling in the church since 1988. This was a diabolical teaching which brought great division in families and led multitudes astray, causing them to abandon the very place God established for their spiritual growth so they could discern truth from error (Ephesians 4:11-16). This is not to say that every church claiming to be Christian is doctrinally sound, but that there are many which do remain faithful to the essential truths of the faith. It is also a recognition that God did not give the Bible to any man or select group of men, but to His church, over which Jesus rules, not Satan: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18 NKJV).

Tragically, Harold Camping’s teaching that true believers must flee the church leaves them feeling disillusioned, empty, wounded and betrayed. They are the ones who have been “left behind”. What they must remember is that they have not been betrayed or misled by God but by a man who fits the very description of the kind of spiritual predators against whom Paul warned the church of Ephesus: “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29, 30 NKJV) .

May the Lord be gracious to all those who were drawn away from God to follow this man. May they also know that they are welcome back into the household of faith (Galatians 6:10), where God’s people gather to worship Him Who alone is worthy of all glory and honor, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Keep trusting in Jesus,

Pastor Tom

ONLY ONE LIFE

Recently I read the words of the hymn, "Only One Life." It was written many years ago by Avis Christiansen. Above the hymn were the words from James 4:14, “Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” As I pondered these words, I thought back to the times I played with soap bubbles in my childhood. I would take the little wand from the colored bottle my mom purchased at a local five-and-dime store, put it near my lips and blow gently. Almost like magic, an assortment of various-sized bubbles would begin to float in the air and then vanish almost as suddenly as they appeared. It was cheap entertainment on a long summer day, but little did I realize the picture of life it was painting before my eyes. Back to the hymn I began with: The second stanza is what struck me the most. In it, the dedication of a life is narrowed down to the present moments that we all possess. It reads in part, "Only this hour is mine, Lord-- may it be used for thee; May every passing moment count for eternity." What is a moment in the light of eternity? Not very much at all, but it is all that we can be assured of, so we must take the moments, bundle them into hours, days, months, and years, and use them for the glory of God. The lesson of soap bubbles need not escape us now. The Christian must not live without purpose or plan. We are not on this earth to be entertained, but to redeem the time, because life is short, and we have "only one life." “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Dear Christian friends, make it your aim to give your life wholly to the One who gave his life wholly for you. “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7, 8). This side of heaven is the only time we have to sow diligently, pray faithfully, and reap joyfully. All that we do for Jesus in this world will bring us great joy when we see him face to face and hear him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21).

May the Lord richly bless your labors for him,

Pastor Tom

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again”(2 Corinthians 5:14-15,NKJ).

IS THE END OF THE WORLD COMING ON MAY 21st?

We have all seen the cartoons of a scruffy-looking bearded man carrying a sign proclaiming that the end of the world is near. All jokes aside, the history of the Christian church bears witness that doomsday prognosticators are no laughing matter. Jesus warned his disciples on more than one occasion to beware of false prophets and false teachers. The apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders to be on guard against wolves in sheep’s clothing who would prey on upon God’s people and gain a following (Acts 20:28-30). What makes matters worse is the certainty that spiritual deception will only increase as time progresses, culminating in the great apostasy and the appearance of the Antichrist before the Lord Jesus returns to earth. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition”
(2 Thessalonians 2:3).

If you have paid any attention to the news lately, you can’t help but think that the social and political unrest occurring in various parts of the world may have prophetic significance. The Lord seems to be shaking the nations, but no one can know with certainty where things stand on God’s timetable-- herein lies the problem. Bible prophecy is too often twisted by sensationalists, speculators, and seducers. Take for example the bold pronouncement of self-appointed Bible expert Harold Camping that the rapture of the true believers and the beginning of the final judgment are coming on May 21, 2011. He says that a massive earthquake will shake the world apart on this day, littering the ground with many dead bodies. This is less than three months away, so it is high time for everyone left in Judea to flee to the mountains. Unfortunately, in his twisted scheme of interpretation, Camping says that Judea is the church, and the mountain is Jesus. Therefore, anyone who remains in the organized church is doomed for judgment. Only those who follow Mr. Camping’s warning have the possibility of salvation. In his mixed-up theology, the sinner can only hope that God will save him. Camping writes: “Any unsaved person who has an intense desire to become saved, and realizes that he can become saved only on God’s terms, possibly could be one of God’s elect or chosen.” What a contrast to what the Bible teaches: “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:12,13).

Daily on the Family Radio network of stations, listeners are invited to request the free booklet, “We Are Almost There,” to check out the truth about the end times. I do hope that many people will accept this free offer. When May 22nd arrives, they will have prima-facie evidence of how not to interpret the Bible. This should help many of the faithful “Campingites” to be less gullible and more discerning in the future. Unfortunately, at that time, they will have lost all credibility in the eyes of the very people they tried to reach. What will they say to family, friends, and everyone else whom they warned to flee from the wrath to come, when the wrath doesn’t come? Speaking of end-time predictions, doesn’t this sound familiar? After Mr. Camping’s failed 1994 prophecy, one would think that he would have no standing among Christians when it comes to prophetic matters or any other matter. This proves once again that if you say something loud enough and long enough and use the Bible while you’re doing it, some people will believe you. However, if the truth be told, Harold Camping doesn’t use the Bible; he abuses the Bible to a degree rarely seen, even among the best of cultists. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Ellen G. White, and David Koresh would be jealous.

Since he has boxed himself into a corner, it will be interesting, to say the least, to hear the explanation given by “Brother Camping” after he utters the words “Welcome to Open Forum,” on May 22nd. After all, he has offered “infallible proof” which no one can dare to dispute, and it’s all posted on Family Radio’s website. Proud man that he is, Camping refuses to acknowledge even the possibility that he might be wrong. In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer on January 17, 2011, he was asked how he might feel if he woke up on May 22nd. He answered, “I would be disobeying God if I say there’s a possibility of that. I mean it with all my heart, there is no possibility, none, none, none – that it will not happen.” We shall see! I believe I can say with a great deal of confidence based on Mr. Camping’s bizarre calculations and exegesis of Scripture that there is “no, no, no possibility” that he is right. So don’t quit your job, cancel your summer vacation, or cash in your retirement fund to help Family Radio get the word out in these final months before it’s all over - because it won’t be all over.

Just so you know, I am not a Bible critic or skeptic. I do believe that Jesus is coming again exactly as He promised. But as He himself declared, “Of that day and hour no one knows” (Matthew 24:36 NKJV). Faithful Christians are to pray, watch, and work while they wait for His glorious appearing. Don’t get caught up in things you cannot know with absolute certainty. And above all, don’t be deceived by those who claim they have it all figured out. Hopefully, the only thing that will come to an end on May 21st is the last vestige of Harold Camping’s credibility and the end of his failed prophecies.

Ecclesiastes 10:12-13: The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

Be faithful always to God's Word,

Pastor Tom

[1] From the tract “I Hope God Will Save Me”

THE PLAGUE OF MAN'S HEART

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 7, the Pharisees questioned Jesus as to why his disciples did not wash their hands before eating. In response, Jesus spoke a parable to the crowd that followed him to explain that nothing from outside a man which entered into him could bring defilement. Shortly thereafter, speaking to his disciples in private, Jesus gave the meaning of the parable: true defilement comes from within. Its source is internal:

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All of these things come from within, and defile the man (Mark 7:21-23).

The universal problem of man is the corruption of his nature (Romans 5:12), rendering him a slave to sin (Romans 6:16) and separating him from God (Isaiah 59:2). Man is not a sinner because he sins; he sins because he is a sinner-- he cannot do otherwise. To put it succinctly, there is no such thing as relative human good. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). This is not to say that all men are equally sinful in their deeds, nor incapable of doing good things. It means that there is a dominant propensity in all of us to live in defiance of the law of our Creator, although some men will manifest that defiance in more heinous acts than will others. So, while all men are not equally bad, everyone is equally badly off and needs forgiveness for his sins through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, Who died so that we might have life. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11,12).

Through His marvelous grace, God has made a way for every sinner to escape the condemnation of his sin. Jesus, God's beloved Son, came to this earth to die in our place (1 Peter 3:18) and take upon Himself the punishment that justice demands (Romans 5:8). The theological term for the satisfaction of God's wrath by the death of Christ is propitiation (1 John 4:10). The voluntary, substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus in place of sinners solves the problem of how an infinitely holy God can accept people who are so thoroughly evil. The plague of man's heart could only be cleansed by someone with a pure heart, someone completely without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the good news of the Gospel. However, God's remedy for man's spiritual condition is not readily received. Why is that? The reason is that the mind of man has been darkened by the deceitfulness of sin, and he cannot see his great need. In 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4 the Scripture says, " But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

In such an abject state of darkness, the sinner is without God, without Christ, and without hope in this world (Ephesians 2:12). Sadly, there is no answer in religion, no remedy in philosophy, no cure in psychology, no escape through self-actualization, and no relief in the pleasures of this world. Only God can reveal Christ to those who walk in the kingdom of darkness. This revelation comes about through the preaching of the Gospel and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. In the words of Jesus, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:7, 8). The Holy Spirit is presently fulfilling this Divine function in the world. To its own detriment, the modern church often relies on methods and gimmicks to try to effect genuine conversion rather than an absolute dependence upon the Spirit and the power of God's Word (Hebrews 4:12). The radical spiritual and moral change that man needs must come from above through the new birth, which is something that God does for man when man is willing to yield to God as he comes under the conviction of the Spirit. John tells us that he wrote his gospel so that people might understand who Jesus was and respond appropriately:

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe [or put your trust in Him] that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God [acknowledging His Deity]; and that believing [or through faith] ye might have [spiritual] life through his name (John 20:30-31).

A good historical example of biblical salvation is found in the preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Here we see that Peter boldly preached Jesus and proclaimed that the “house of Israel” was guilty of rejecting their Messiah (Acts 2:36). The Scripture then records, “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37). The conviction of the Spirit (piercing of their heart) ultimately led to their conversion. When they asked what they should do, they were given the light necessary for salvation. The apostle told them that they must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for (upon) the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). This is exactly what they did, and three thousand people were born again that day (verse 41). This new birth experience (John 3:3) is more than a temporary reformation; it is the transformation of the man from the inside out, making him capable of obeying God's law (Jeremiah 31:33). Here we have the only hope for the plague of man's heart: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Sinner, if you are still wandering far from God, won't you come today to Jesus? I read that the early Methodist preachers were called the “now preachers” because they offered salvation on the spot. No one should put off such a vital decision: “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Evangelist Dwight L. Moody once said, "If I can get a man to think for five minutes about his soul, he is almost certain to be converted.” Perhaps you have never thought seriously about your soul and what happens to you after death. God wants you to be certain about matters pertaining to salvation: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). If you cannot describe yourself as a follower of Jesus Christ, I pray that you take the time right now to carefully reflect on your spiritual condition. Think about your soul, acknowledge that you are a sinner, and look to Jesus and live (John 3:14-16).

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Pastor Tom

THE PROMISES OF GOD

In the modern age of limited liability, few things are as advertised. Wise consumers have learned to be careful when signing contracts or purchasing products which come with warranties. The small print typically reveals the real terms and a not-so-ironclad guarantee. This is the way it is in a world system where the bottom line is profit and the end justifies the means. Thinking back on how many times I have been taken by a so-called good deal has made me very weary of promotions, pledges, and promises. "Thanks, but no thanks" has become my usual response to those trying to interest me in a once-in-a-lifetime or limited-time offer. I have come to understand that what they are really interested in is separating me from my money. If it's too good to be true, it probably is.

There is, however, no skepticism in me when it comes to the promises of God found in Scripture. The Bible is very definite that “all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20). I am glad for that, because the issues at stake are far more important than the things which pertain only to this life. Let's consider four wonderful promises found in God's Word. The first is the doorway into the treasure room of His many blessings, the promise of eternal life to all those who call upon the name of the Lord for the forgiveness of their sins: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). However vast the doctrines pertaining to salvation may be, we need not complicate the simplicity of the message of the gospel of grace. The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1). Surely, the worst of sinners can cast themselves upon the mercies of God, and they will not be disappointed. Neither can this wonderful gift of eternal life be taken away once it has been granted, for the Scripture says, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38, 39).
In my moments of the earthly despair, my thoughts often travel heavenward, and the reality of the joy and glory that awaits me shines like rays of sunshine which pierce through the dark and gloomy clouds of this world. "But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). Charles Spurgeon likened the trials of this life to the loosening of the pegs of a tent which anchored it to the ground. Earthly existence was never meant to be permanent, and with each trial which comes our way, we learn more and more to, "set (our) affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). The outer man may be perishing, but the inner man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). God has prepared a dwelling place for us with Him that has no comparison on earth and that no earthly experience, however wonderful, can equal. Praise God for his unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15) which we received the moment we first believed, and is ours forever: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13,14).

Another wonderful promise the Christian is assured of is the promise of the continuing presence of Christ in our lives. Jesus will never forsake those whom He purchased with His blood. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit whom He has given, every Christian has a Divine enablement, sufficient to meet his every need. God's children do not wander through life aimless or helpless, without purpose or plan. God Himself is their compass, wisdom, and strength. David asked, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" (Psalm 139:7). We can all rejoice that the Spirit of the living God is with us always. He was with Noah on the ark, with Abraham in a smoking pot and fiery torch, with Joseph in prison, with Moses at the burning bush, with Joshua at Jericho, with Hannah in her barrenness, with David in the wilderness, with Elijah on Mount Carmel, with three Hebrew youths in a furnace of fire, with Daniel in the lion's den, with Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, with Jonah on board a sinking ship, with Peter on the day of Pentecost, with Paul in his many persecutions, with Mary in the garden, and with John on the island of Patmos. Dear child of God, you are not alone and have not been forgotten by the One acquainted with all of our ways.

The third promise, which is the heritage of the saints, is the promise of God's sovereign will for our lives. We can be assured that our experiences in life are not accidental. The Lord God Almighty is always in absolute control of all things in heaven and upon the earth. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His permissive will (Matthew 10:29), then we who first trusted in Christ can be at peace, knowing that God is not only omnipresent, but also omniscient and omnipotent. He sees all, knows all, and does according to His own good will and pleasure (Philippians 2:13), to the end that His children by adoption through faith in Christ might be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Furthermore, everything which God permits in the lives of His children is always in perfect harmony with his Holiness and love for them: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Hard as this might be for us to grasp when the storms of life are raging, let us always remember that Jesus is Master over the tempest. The winds and the waves come at His command, and at His command they cease. Although we now see through a glass dimly, one day we will know that the Judge of all the earth does what is right, what is good, and what is necessary in the lives of His people (1 Corinthians 13: 12; Genesis 18:25).
Tho' night be dark, and it may seem
That day will never break,
I'll pin my faith, my all in Him,
He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight's far too dim;
But come what may, I'll simply trust
And leave it all to Him.

The last promise I leave with you is the glorious promise that one day we will be like Jesus, holy and separate from sin: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). As the psalmist said, some things are too wonderful for us to comprehend (Psalm 139:6), and this is one of them. Who among God's people does not long to be free of sin and the suffering it brings? Who among us, born again by the Spirit of God, does not long for complete victory over sin and Satan, the one who is a roaring lion, devouring everyone that he can in this world? Praise be to God, brethren; a new world awaits us in which the destruction and ruin caused by human rebellion and all of God's adversaries will be seen no more: “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie” (Revelation 21:27). Satan himself will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Hallelujah! The Lord has spoken, and it will come to pass that the glory of God will fill the earth and we will reign with him forever and ever as priests of God in Christ (Revelation 20:6). Following the earthly kingdom of Christ, the Lord will supernaturally bring to pass a new heavens and new earth which will be our final destination. This is an incentive for holy living and constant prayer that our blessed Savior may come quickly: “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:11-13).

Although there are many more promises of Scripture to feast upon for the encouragement of our hearts, I pray that these few will bless you today and cause your spirit to rejoice in God your Savior. It may not be long before Jesus comes; only the Lord knows the day and the hour, but time is hastening on. With each setting of the sun, we are closer to the time of His appearing, or our home-going. Keep on praying, serving, and trusting. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

God bless,

Pastor Tom

THE GOSPEL STORY

From Genesis through Revelation, the Bible speaks with a divine authority which calls every man, woman, and child into accountability to their Creator. Man has never been free to do his own will. God’s command to Adam not to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil marked the beginning of man’s responsibility to submit to His Sovereignty: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16, 17). Unfortunately, Adam did not comply with the Lord’s command and his rebellion brought immediate and long-term consequences: “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3:23,24). Paradise was lost for the pleasure of a moment and a desire which could never be realized--the desire to be like God (Genesis 3:5). This was the greatest lie of Satan, the Archenemy of God, and the New Age religions of our day perpetuate this delusion. As for the once-perfect environment known as Eden (Genesis 2:8), it was cursed: “And unto Adam he (God) said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee” (Genesis 3:17-19). New Testament revelation confirms the present state of the natural order: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). The hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods and fires which create so much property damage and claim human lives bear witness that all is not well on Planet Earth.

As the progressive revelation of God’s Word unfolded, students of Scripture can easily discern that all suffering, sickness, violence, pain, and death experienced in life throughout human history finds its source in Adam’s sin: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Who could ever have imagined such dreadful consequences for a single sin? Would you and I have fared any better? Would we have chosen God’s will over our own? I think not. And now, as the descendants of Adam, we follow in his footsteps; we are sinners by nature and sinners by choice. David brought this to light when he said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). King Solomon agreed: “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

Biblical theology affirms that the human condition is one of alienation from God, just as Adam tried to hide from the Lord: “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). Sinners must be sought out by God before they can be converted, just as the Lord called to Adam to confront him with his sin (Genesis 3:9). Feeling the sting of a guilty conscience (Romans 2:15), Adam and Eve covered themselves with garments fashioned out of leaves: “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” (Genesis 3:7). How foolish they were to think that garments made with human hands would be adequate. Only God can provide that which is necessary for sinful men, and so we read, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Behind the garments that God made for Adam and Eve is the reality of sacrifice and death. An innocent animal had to die. This clearly pointed to a sacrifice that must be made for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16) which the Lord had spoken of a few verses earlier in Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This was the first gospel proclamation that foreshadowed Christ’s victory over Satan and the forces of evil on the cross of Calvary. Without the proper sacrifice for sin, the ultimate penalty imposed on humanity is death: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). This death affects not only the physical body, but also the eternal existence of man. The Scripture speaks of a second death, which is separation from God to hell, a place of everlasting suffering for the unrepentant sinner: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). What more shall I say of the doctrine of hell but that modern man, even the professing Christian, finds it offensive? Sinners who are being coddled by popular preachers seek comfort in their sin, not the condemnation of their sin. Repentance is considered a word best left to a bygone age when people were believed to be less educated and more gullible. However, no amount of wishful or positive thinking can alter the judgment that awaits those who know not God and His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:27).

Dark as the prospect of eternal judgment may be, all is not hopeless. God’s answer for mankind’s spiritual need is found in Jesus Christ. Born of the Virgin Mary, He came to earth to die as a Divine substitute for sinners, in order to satisfy the judgment on sin demanded by a Holy God: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). Whereas Adam sinned and brought about death both physically and spiritually, Jesus died and conquered death, offering salvation to Adam’s descendants-- not by their own efforts (good works)-- but as a free gift: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The fact that biblical salvation is a gift from God is seen also in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”(Ephesians 2:8,9) . If the consequences of a single sin, that of Adam, seems unimaginable, how much more the blessing of Christ’s act of obedience in dying on the cross: “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). What does all this mean to you? It means that the gift of eternal life is available to anyone who, being convinced of his sin by the Holy Spirit, calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus for forgiveness: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). God desires that every man born in the likeness of Adam comes to the knowledge of the truth in Christ (1 Timothy 2:4-6). This is the gospel story, the good news for all mankind. The invitation issued by the prophet Isaiah still stands: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6, 7). What a promise! God not only pardons, He abundantly pardons. Not only does He abundantly pardon, but abundant are His promises toward those who believe: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). I pray that this is your destiny. It can be! Examine your heart and seek to determine, with the aid of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), if you are trusting alone in Christ’s death on the cross for your salvation or in some inadequate human substitute--the fig leaves of your own righteousness. God is willing to clothe you with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ through faith in the blood He shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). If you look to Jesus, He will not turn you away, for He has solemnly promised, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Further assurance to this effect is offered in the promise, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). This is the guarantee of life without end in the presence of the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). This is what God is willing to give to you if you will give your life to Him and ask Him to take away the debt and burden of your sin for Jesus’ sake.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

Jesus is the way; without Him there is no going.
Jesus is the truth; without Him there is no knowing.
Jesus is the life; without him there is no living.
- Anon.

May God give you wisdom and the joy of knowing Jesus Christ,

Pastor Tom

A HOPE AND A FUTURE

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). This verse was a great comfort and assurance to me during a very uncertain time in the early years of my Christian life. Faced with a difficult situation I had never experienced before, the words of Jeremiah the prophet were spoken to me just days apart by two different people as a means of assuring me of God’s presence and the wisdom of His ways. Twenty-five years later, I have never forgotten them. The words at the end of the verse, “to give you an expected end,” are best understood to mean a hope and a future. As believers, we know that all of our tomorrows are in God’s hand, but the circumstances of life often cloud our vision of His gracious love, and we begin to feel forsaken by God. Brethren, I can assure you, on the full testimony of Holy Scripture, that the Lord does know the paths we take, because He has planned the course of our lives for His glory: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23,24).

Take for example the patriarch Job: Here was a righteous man who experienced trials, the likes of which no mortal man has ever encountered, to the extent that many do not believe in the historical reality of the book which bears his name. They deem it impossible for any one man to experience such horrific things. But the inspired statement of James, the brother of the Lord, dispels this idea: “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:10,11).

Although we cannot say with absolute certainty when and where Job lived, we know that he is not a character of fiction. We have heard about the “patience of Job” because Scripture records his story, and “God is not a man, that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19a). In a very short period of time, Job lost his earthly possessions, his servants, his children, and his health. To say that Job’s future looked bleak would be a gross understatement. Anguish upon anguish fell upon him, seemingly without purpose. Yet, in the midst of it all, Job did not succumb to his wife’s advice, “Curse God, and die” (2:9). To the contrary, Job rebuked her and exclaimed, “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (2:10b).

How could this be? Job endured because he understood that in a fallen world, sorrows come upon the just and the unjust -- no man is exempt from heartbreaking loss. Suffering and death are the norm in this life, not the exception (Genesis 3:16-19): “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a); “Through the offence of one many be dead” (Romans 5:15b). This is the law of cause and effect. Job had his theology right in this regard, but his theology was more than head-knowledge. Job’s consolation in his trial of faith was the firm belief in his heart that God makes no mistakes; nothing is without purpose or plan: “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:8-10) .

If only we could grasp this, brothers and sisters, we would look beyond the darkness of the night, knowing that the sun will rise again in the morning because God is faithful. He does know what we are going through and accompanies us on our journey (Hebrews 13:5). Suffice it to say that the Christian always has a hope and a future because his hope is in the God who made the heavens and the earth and who sustains everything by the Word of His power (Colossians 1:17). If the universe cannot be shaken free of the hand of God, neither can we be, no matter what we may be facing. Our trials may be long and hard, but we, too, will “come forth as gold” because the Divine goldsmith is using them to purify the dross from his children, or as in the case of Job, to showcase their faith: “ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6,7). This truth reminds us that part of the journey of the Christian involves not only the uncertainty of the moment, but also the assurance of a glorious end.

Dear reader, are you presently in “heaviness through manifold temptations [trials]”? Do not despair; remember that in every situation in life, God is at work in us and will continue that good work until the day of our complete redemption, when we will be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Perhaps it will be sooner than we think, and what a day of rejoicing it we will be when we will be like Him: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

May I suggest, in closing, that you reflect upon the truth that God’s ultimate plan for you is one of peace and not of evil, to give you the brightest tomorrow? I am convinced that this is true for all God’s children without exception, and when that plan is fulfilled in our lives, we will say with the saints on high that it was exactly what we would have chosen if we had the infinite knowledge of God. He is preparing a people for eternity with Him. That, my friends, is long-range planning and far beyond our ability to understand. May we, like Job, find our rest and comfort in the Almighty, whom no man can instruct nor reprove (Job 40:2).

One short life for watching with the Saviour,
Eternal years to walk with Him in white,
One short life to bravely meet the disaster,
Eternal years to reign with Him in light,
One brief life for weary toils and trials,
Eternal years for calm and peaceful rest,
One brief life for patient self-denials,
Eternal years for life, where life is best.

- Anonymous

In His name,

Pastor Tom