VOLUME XXXII OCTOBER 26, 2009 #44
“ALL OR NOTHING!”
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him.” (John 3: 36).
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
“If the great assertions of our Christian, faith are true—if there is one God over all the earth; if there is a Son of God calling us to rise and follow; if there is a Spirit of God speaking in our conscience through the Word convicting and convincing; if there is a Kingdom of God that shall outlast the stars; if there is an Eternity of God towards which we all are moving; if there is a Throne of God before which we shall stand to give account, when this earthly life is done; if these things which we say we believe are more than pious sentiments, if they are facts, then they are incomparably the most important facts with which every one of us has to reckon, implying, nay demanding, that we make Religion the master force of all our life, and God in Christ the burning center of our being!”
(Jas. S. Stewart – Adapted.)
If the Bible is true, if the Christian Religion is true at all, then serving God through faith and obedience in Jesus Christ indeed demands center place in our hearts and lives! Rather than circumscribing or hampering life, as many seem to fear if they take Religion seriously, the Gospel opens life up, makes it full, fills it with meaning, light, love, glory, and hope! It is life bereft of Gospel truth that is cold, dark, dismal, depressing, short-sighted, and checkered with excruciating pain!
And this glorious Gospel Religion we embrace is neither as confusing or impossible as some assume. What does it require? Believing in Jesus Christ. Doing what is right and fair and honest. Showing kindness, love, and mercy to all. Having a personal daily walk with God our Heavenly Father. Could anything be simpler? (And the tough times and the tight spots and the hard experiences He helps us with through the Holy Spirit, the angels, the Church, the Holy Word, and prayer!)
This holy Religion, it is all or it is nothing! Let us give it our everything!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
"THE REGENERATION!" October 19, 2009
“So Jesus said to them, Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).
“The creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1).
“All the kingdoms of this world shall soon become the kingdoms of our Lord and King. He will hurl all the present potentates from their thrones. He will grind to powder the despotisms, civil and ecclesiastic, and with the blast of His mouth give them to the four winds of heaven. All antichristian power, whether called Papal, Muslim, Pagan, or Atheistic, will as certainly be destroyed as that Jesus reigns in heaven. No trace of them shall remain. The best government on earth, call it English or American has within it the seeds of its own destruction, carries in it a millstone which will sink it to the bottom of the sea. They acknowledge not that God has set His Christ upon His throne! They will not kiss the Son! Thus society under their rule is not blessed. The land mourns through the wickedness of those who sit in high places. Ignorance, poverty, and crime abound because of the injustice and iniquities of those who guide the destinies of nations, men who fear not God, love not His Son, and regard not His laws, yet wear the sword and bear the scepter!
“This is wholly adverse to the peace and happiness of the world. Therefore God will break them to pieces like a potter’s vessel and set up an order of society in which justice will prevail. Jesus will be universally acknowledged by all the race of living men, and all nations shall do Him homage. “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father!” This state of society will be the consummation of the Christian religion in all its moral influences and tendencies upon mankind.
“How far this change is to be effected by moral and how far by physical means, is not the subject of our present inquiry. But the preparation of a people for the coming of the Lord must be the result of the restoration of the ancient Gospel and order of things. And come when it may, the day of the regeneration of the world will be a day as wonderful and terrible as was the day of the flood, of Sodom’s judgment, or of Jerusalem’s catastrophe!”
(Alexander Campbell – Adapted)
When Jesus returns all things will become new. The wicked and unbelieving angels and men will be judged and damned. The saints, raised and justified, will be transformed and glorified. The old heaven and earth perishes in flames, the new heaven and earth appears in resplendent beauty. Jesus, reigning on His throne, delivers up the Kingdom to the Father. Men of all nations worship the Lord, reign with Him, dwell with God, angels, and one another in peace, love, and joy.
Exactly how, exactly where, and exactly when this all transpires is not detailed in Scripture. Nor if it were would we all be able to comprehend it! It is enough to know that it is coming, and coming quickly!
But one thing is certain – all is contingent upon and accomplished through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our living out that Gospel and sharing that Gospel with all men in this present world!
So our duty is clearly set before us. We have a great hope, but it can only be realized by our faithful obedience (by the grace and help of God) to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our participation in His Kingdom and Church! Let us be about it, for in so doing, we hasten the day!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“The creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1).
“All the kingdoms of this world shall soon become the kingdoms of our Lord and King. He will hurl all the present potentates from their thrones. He will grind to powder the despotisms, civil and ecclesiastic, and with the blast of His mouth give them to the four winds of heaven. All antichristian power, whether called Papal, Muslim, Pagan, or Atheistic, will as certainly be destroyed as that Jesus reigns in heaven. No trace of them shall remain. The best government on earth, call it English or American has within it the seeds of its own destruction, carries in it a millstone which will sink it to the bottom of the sea. They acknowledge not that God has set His Christ upon His throne! They will not kiss the Son! Thus society under their rule is not blessed. The land mourns through the wickedness of those who sit in high places. Ignorance, poverty, and crime abound because of the injustice and iniquities of those who guide the destinies of nations, men who fear not God, love not His Son, and regard not His laws, yet wear the sword and bear the scepter!
“This is wholly adverse to the peace and happiness of the world. Therefore God will break them to pieces like a potter’s vessel and set up an order of society in which justice will prevail. Jesus will be universally acknowledged by all the race of living men, and all nations shall do Him homage. “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father!” This state of society will be the consummation of the Christian religion in all its moral influences and tendencies upon mankind.
“How far this change is to be effected by moral and how far by physical means, is not the subject of our present inquiry. But the preparation of a people for the coming of the Lord must be the result of the restoration of the ancient Gospel and order of things. And come when it may, the day of the regeneration of the world will be a day as wonderful and terrible as was the day of the flood, of Sodom’s judgment, or of Jerusalem’s catastrophe!”
(Alexander Campbell – Adapted)
When Jesus returns all things will become new. The wicked and unbelieving angels and men will be judged and damned. The saints, raised and justified, will be transformed and glorified. The old heaven and earth perishes in flames, the new heaven and earth appears in resplendent beauty. Jesus, reigning on His throne, delivers up the Kingdom to the Father. Men of all nations worship the Lord, reign with Him, dwell with God, angels, and one another in peace, love, and joy.
Exactly how, exactly where, and exactly when this all transpires is not detailed in Scripture. Nor if it were would we all be able to comprehend it! It is enough to know that it is coming, and coming quickly!
But one thing is certain – all is contingent upon and accomplished through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our living out that Gospel and sharing that Gospel with all men in this present world!
So our duty is clearly set before us. We have a great hope, but it can only be realized by our faithful obedience (by the grace and help of God) to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our participation in His Kingdom and Church! Let us be about it, for in so doing, we hasten the day!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, October 12, 2009
"THE ENDURING WORD!"
The Word of the Lord endures forever” (I Peter 1:25).
“The Anvil—God’s Word”
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed—the hammers gone.
(Author Unknown)
The Hebrew and Christian Scripture have been repudiated, questioned, ridiculed, and attacked almost from their inception. Rationalists, skeptics, infidels, pseudo-scientists, and philosophers have done their best to either destroy the Bible or render it inauthentic. The Roman apostate Church, the French Revolution, and modern Communism have banned it and burned it.
But all to no avail. The Word of God is a mighty anvil of steel and the devil’s hammers have all been worn out, battered, and broken upon it. How could it be otherwise? The Word of the Lord is as Eternal, as Powerful, Indestructible, and Infallible as God Himself!
The Holy Bible has been relentlessly and repeatedly besieged by the enemies of God, imitated and rivaled by pagans and backsliders, and shamelessly perverted by sectarian translators. But still it stands as perfect, healthy, and vibrant as the day its various books were composed by its inspired authors. It is fully capable of doing all God sent it forth in this world to do. “So shall My Word be that goes for the from My mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55: 11).
Here is a Book that reveals God to men. Here is a Book that speaks absolute and unshakable truth. Here is a Book upon which we can build our lives. May we read it, heed it, and cherish it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“The Anvil—God’s Word”
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed—the hammers gone.
(Author Unknown)
The Hebrew and Christian Scripture have been repudiated, questioned, ridiculed, and attacked almost from their inception. Rationalists, skeptics, infidels, pseudo-scientists, and philosophers have done their best to either destroy the Bible or render it inauthentic. The Roman apostate Church, the French Revolution, and modern Communism have banned it and burned it.
But all to no avail. The Word of God is a mighty anvil of steel and the devil’s hammers have all been worn out, battered, and broken upon it. How could it be otherwise? The Word of the Lord is as Eternal, as Powerful, Indestructible, and Infallible as God Himself!
The Holy Bible has been relentlessly and repeatedly besieged by the enemies of God, imitated and rivaled by pagans and backsliders, and shamelessly perverted by sectarian translators. But still it stands as perfect, healthy, and vibrant as the day its various books were composed by its inspired authors. It is fully capable of doing all God sent it forth in this world to do. “So shall My Word be that goes for the from My mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55: 11).
Here is a Book that reveals God to men. Here is a Book that speaks absolute and unshakable truth. Here is a Book upon which we can build our lives. May we read it, heed it, and cherish it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, October 5, 2009
"LIVING BY THE RULES!" OCTOBER 5, 2009
“LIVING BY THE RULES!”
“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5: 18).
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24: 35).
“The Scripture cannot be broken” (John 17: 17).
“We have come to see that Huxley was right when he said that “a man’s worst difficulties begin when he is able to do as he likes.” The evidences of these greater difficulties lie all about us. And in this age when a great word like “Puritanism” is so often merely a sneer; when scores of voices are perpetrating the fallacy that man can have, and ought to have, absolute, unbridled freedom to do as he likes, and to drive his way down any path of self-expression that he chooses; when so many others (taking their cue from that) begin to believe that almost anything can be justified in the sacred name of “the new morality” – and proceed to talk in a silly conceited way (thinking themselves the champions of emancipation!) about things which are supposed to be clever, but which are not clever in the least, which are indeed just common sins, and rotten, selfish sins at that – in this age we need to have it written upon our minds, as with a pen of iron on the rock, THAT GOD’S WILL, GOD’S TRUTH, GOD’S THRONE, GOD’S EVERLASTING DECISIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG, THAT DIFFERENCE FOR WHICH CHRIST DIED, STAND AS FAST AND AS BINDING AS EVER, AND CLAIM EVERY DECENT SOUL’S ALLEGIANCE!”
(James S. Stewart – Adapted)
Recently a radio report revealed that students of all levels in American schools and colleges are using the sophisticated technology of computers, cell phones, cameras, etc., to cheat on home work, term papers, and exams—and do not perceive it as cheating, but as merely using available technology as “helps”! The conclusion of the academic investigation was that “we are obviously going to have to come up with a new definition of cheating!”
This is but one symptom of a much larger problem. Ours seems to be a generation which refuses to live by the rules. The response of those in authority appears to be “Let’s change the rules! Let’s redefine right and wrong! Let’s implement better laws!”
What’s wrong with the rule of right and wrong the world already has—that taught in the Holy Bible? Nothing, of course! You cannot change or improve upon that which is divinely inspired, already perfect, incapable of mistake, never becoming obsolete! No matter how many break God’s laws, deny them, ignore them, or blaspheme them, yet they are perfectly intact and fully in authority!
When people break the rules, one does not need to redefine or re-write them, but merely to enforce them! For by these rules—God’s law and Jesus’ teachings—we must live, and will be judged!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5: 18).
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24: 35).
“The Scripture cannot be broken” (John 17: 17).
“We have come to see that Huxley was right when he said that “a man’s worst difficulties begin when he is able to do as he likes.” The evidences of these greater difficulties lie all about us. And in this age when a great word like “Puritanism” is so often merely a sneer; when scores of voices are perpetrating the fallacy that man can have, and ought to have, absolute, unbridled freedom to do as he likes, and to drive his way down any path of self-expression that he chooses; when so many others (taking their cue from that) begin to believe that almost anything can be justified in the sacred name of “the new morality” – and proceed to talk in a silly conceited way (thinking themselves the champions of emancipation!) about things which are supposed to be clever, but which are not clever in the least, which are indeed just common sins, and rotten, selfish sins at that – in this age we need to have it written upon our minds, as with a pen of iron on the rock, THAT GOD’S WILL, GOD’S TRUTH, GOD’S THRONE, GOD’S EVERLASTING DECISIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG, THAT DIFFERENCE FOR WHICH CHRIST DIED, STAND AS FAST AND AS BINDING AS EVER, AND CLAIM EVERY DECENT SOUL’S ALLEGIANCE!”
(James S. Stewart – Adapted)
Recently a radio report revealed that students of all levels in American schools and colleges are using the sophisticated technology of computers, cell phones, cameras, etc., to cheat on home work, term papers, and exams—and do not perceive it as cheating, but as merely using available technology as “helps”! The conclusion of the academic investigation was that “we are obviously going to have to come up with a new definition of cheating!”
This is but one symptom of a much larger problem. Ours seems to be a generation which refuses to live by the rules. The response of those in authority appears to be “Let’s change the rules! Let’s redefine right and wrong! Let’s implement better laws!”
What’s wrong with the rule of right and wrong the world already has—that taught in the Holy Bible? Nothing, of course! You cannot change or improve upon that which is divinely inspired, already perfect, incapable of mistake, never becoming obsolete! No matter how many break God’s laws, deny them, ignore them, or blaspheme them, yet they are perfectly intact and fully in authority!
When people break the rules, one does not need to redefine or re-write them, but merely to enforce them! For by these rules—God’s law and Jesus’ teachings—we must live, and will be judged!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, September 28, 2009
"WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE DO I SET?"
“Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Timothy 4:12).
“I’m reminded of the words of the 19th-century Scottish preacher, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, commenting on the importance of his example as a minister. He wrote: “The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness.”
“Two hundred years later, the force of those words still rings true. Our people need us to be godly. They need us not only to preach the truth but also to practice it day in and day out.
“The New Testament standard for a minister’s character and conduct is very clear. We are to be pure in doctrine, pure in action, pure in mind, and pure in speech. To live otherwise is to undermine the very message we proclaim.
“That’s why the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “In speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example to those who believe.” He gave similar instruction to Titus. “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, and sound in speech which is beyond reproach.”
Sadly, some ministers today are more concerned with being cool than with being holy. The trend in some circles is to push the line of propriety as far as possible, even in the pulpit. Such antics may get cheap laughs, but they do not honor the Lord. Nor do they set an appropriate example for those in the congregation to follow.
“Faithful preachers, by contrast, conduct themselves in a way that is honorable and above reproach. They watch their life and doctrine closely. As a result, they bring glory to God by modeling godliness for those under their care.
“May the Lord make us all holy instruments in His service!”
(John MacArthur – Adapted)
The above words of advice, written by a preacher to preachers, is good for all of us, since we are all priests and ministers to God (I Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). We as Christians are all charged with living in such a godly and holy way as to give legitimacy to the Gospel we profess, setting before other believers, our children, and the world about us a good example! When we live like the heathen, dress in the immoral fashion of the world, act the fool in dignified places, and speak the nonsense of the gutter, are we truly honoring the Lord and building up His people?
A word fitly spoken will profit those who heed it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“I’m reminded of the words of the 19th-century Scottish preacher, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, commenting on the importance of his example as a minister. He wrote: “The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness.”
“Two hundred years later, the force of those words still rings true. Our people need us to be godly. They need us not only to preach the truth but also to practice it day in and day out.
“The New Testament standard for a minister’s character and conduct is very clear. We are to be pure in doctrine, pure in action, pure in mind, and pure in speech. To live otherwise is to undermine the very message we proclaim.
“That’s why the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “In speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example to those who believe.” He gave similar instruction to Titus. “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, and sound in speech which is beyond reproach.”
Sadly, some ministers today are more concerned with being cool than with being holy. The trend in some circles is to push the line of propriety as far as possible, even in the pulpit. Such antics may get cheap laughs, but they do not honor the Lord. Nor do they set an appropriate example for those in the congregation to follow.
“Faithful preachers, by contrast, conduct themselves in a way that is honorable and above reproach. They watch their life and doctrine closely. As a result, they bring glory to God by modeling godliness for those under their care.
“May the Lord make us all holy instruments in His service!”
(John MacArthur – Adapted)
The above words of advice, written by a preacher to preachers, is good for all of us, since we are all priests and ministers to God (I Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). We as Christians are all charged with living in such a godly and holy way as to give legitimacy to the Gospel we profess, setting before other believers, our children, and the world about us a good example! When we live like the heathen, dress in the immoral fashion of the world, act the fool in dignified places, and speak the nonsense of the gutter, are we truly honoring the Lord and building up His people?
A word fitly spoken will profit those who heed it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, September 21, 2009
September 21, 09 The "A.C.L.U." Exposed
By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.
The A.C.L.U. (American Civil Liberties Union • 125 Broad Street • New York, NY 10004-2400 • Web page: www.aclu.org • Email: aclu@aclu.org) has been thought to be on the side of U.S.A. citizens. But note those of us who hold to conservative views and the Bible as necessary for “true freedom” perceive the organization differently. It is certainly strange that our nation’s “Founding Fathers” and many outstanding national leaders thought that the Bible was needed to guide this young nation.
The ACLU is targeting our faith and families in the following ways:
1) ACLU works to strip the “Ten Commandments” or any other faith-based images, from public display in our communities.
2) ACLU attacks students’ rights to express their faith openly, even advocating “Prayer Police” in our schools to monitor religious expression.
3) ACLU undermines the rights of families in favor of the government establishing family policies.
4) ACLU fights to eliminate any mention of faith from city and state seals and mottos, stripping away our religious heritage.
5) ACLU advocated drug legalization.
6) ACLU promotes homosexual marriage and the radical gay agenda, which includes the right to adopt children.
7) ACLU advocates abortion rights.
8) Perhaps most threatening of all, the ACLU actively targets those who oppose its agenda, using the threat of legal action to bully citizens into silence.
(KYOWVA has a sixty-minute video in its free lending library, “ACLU (LEGACY OF)” produced by “Wall Builders”. It exposes the ACLU for what it really is. If your Bible Class or Church has not viewed this DVD – they should contact us ASAP.)
(Hoyt Allen is Director of K.Y.O.W.V.A.
(Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia)
Evangelist Association. Willie Purdee, former
Edgewood Youth Minister serves on KYOWVA’s
Board of Directors)
The A.C.L.U. (American Civil Liberties Union • 125 Broad Street • New York, NY 10004-2400 • Web page: www.aclu.org • Email: aclu@aclu.org) has been thought to be on the side of U.S.A. citizens. But note those of us who hold to conservative views and the Bible as necessary for “true freedom” perceive the organization differently. It is certainly strange that our nation’s “Founding Fathers” and many outstanding national leaders thought that the Bible was needed to guide this young nation.
The ACLU is targeting our faith and families in the following ways:
1) ACLU works to strip the “Ten Commandments” or any other faith-based images, from public display in our communities.
2) ACLU attacks students’ rights to express their faith openly, even advocating “Prayer Police” in our schools to monitor religious expression.
3) ACLU undermines the rights of families in favor of the government establishing family policies.
4) ACLU fights to eliminate any mention of faith from city and state seals and mottos, stripping away our religious heritage.
5) ACLU advocated drug legalization.
6) ACLU promotes homosexual marriage and the radical gay agenda, which includes the right to adopt children.
7) ACLU advocates abortion rights.
8) Perhaps most threatening of all, the ACLU actively targets those who oppose its agenda, using the threat of legal action to bully citizens into silence.
(KYOWVA has a sixty-minute video in its free lending library, “ACLU (LEGACY OF)” produced by “Wall Builders”. It exposes the ACLU for what it really is. If your Bible Class or Church has not viewed this DVD – they should contact us ASAP.)
(Hoyt Allen is Director of K.Y.O.W.V.A.
(Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia)
Evangelist Association. Willie Purdee, former
Edgewood Youth Minister serves on KYOWVA’s
Board of Directors)
Monday, September 14, 2009
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 "WHATEVER WE DO!"
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men!” (Col. 3:23)
“WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR HAND?”
Shamgar had an ox-goad, Rahab had a string, Gideon had a trumpet David had a sling, Samson had a jaw bone, Moses had a rod, Dorcas had a needle – All were used for God!
“NOT OTHERS, BUT YOU!”
No matter what others are doing, my friend, Or what they are leaving undone, God’s counting on you to keep on with the job, ‘Til the very last battle is won!
He’s counting on you to be faithful; He’s counting on you to be true. Yes, others may work, or others may shirk, But remember – God’s counting on you!
(Author Unknown)
“WHY NOT ME?”
I asked, “Why doesn’t someone do something?” Then I realized that I was someone!
(Willie W. White – Adapted)
We live in a time of such “specialization” – in medicine, dentistry, education, science, industry, politics, yes, even Christian ministry and church work! – that the average Christian is reluctant to do anything at all for the Lord! We think we lack skill, expertise, qualifications, technical know-how, and that most church tasks require professionals!
But the truth is every believer is a minister of Christ and the thing He wants us to do most is live our lives for Him, where we are, with whatever is “in our hands”, at whatever daily job or task we are engaged in!
Let us re-think the subject! Let us begin where we are and do everything – at home, at work, at school, in the store, on the playing field - “as to the Lord!” If God wants us to do more, to do something different, to specialize in some particular service, He will surely open a door and call us to it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“WHAT IS THAT IN YOUR HAND?”
Shamgar had an ox-goad, Rahab had a string, Gideon had a trumpet David had a sling, Samson had a jaw bone, Moses had a rod, Dorcas had a needle – All were used for God!
“NOT OTHERS, BUT YOU!”
No matter what others are doing, my friend, Or what they are leaving undone, God’s counting on you to keep on with the job, ‘Til the very last battle is won!
He’s counting on you to be faithful; He’s counting on you to be true. Yes, others may work, or others may shirk, But remember – God’s counting on you!
(Author Unknown)
“WHY NOT ME?”
I asked, “Why doesn’t someone do something?” Then I realized that I was someone!
(Willie W. White – Adapted)
We live in a time of such “specialization” – in medicine, dentistry, education, science, industry, politics, yes, even Christian ministry and church work! – that the average Christian is reluctant to do anything at all for the Lord! We think we lack skill, expertise, qualifications, technical know-how, and that most church tasks require professionals!
But the truth is every believer is a minister of Christ and the thing He wants us to do most is live our lives for Him, where we are, with whatever is “in our hands”, at whatever daily job or task we are engaged in!
Let us re-think the subject! Let us begin where we are and do everything – at home, at work, at school, in the store, on the playing field - “as to the Lord!” If God wants us to do more, to do something different, to specialize in some particular service, He will surely open a door and call us to it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
"THE JOY SET BEFORE US!" September 9, 2009
“THE JOY SET BEFORE US!”
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2).
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4: 16-18).
“Beyond question we do not live enough in the inspiration of the compensations and balancing of Heaven… We must turn our thoughts more toward the future, toward the heavenly rest, the heavenly activities and the eternal joys which are there.”
(C. I. Scofield)
As earthly creatures we experience the inherent weaknesses, infirmities, and deteriorations of body, soul and mind – “our outward man is perishing.” Our yielding to and participation in sin aggravates and hastens the process as we reap the bitter fruits of the seeds we have sown. Even when we have fled to Christ for pardon and redemption we discover that in following Him suffering, persecutions, and trials, come upon us.
Should such things make the Christian miserable and unhappy? Have we a right to complain of earth’s pains and problems or grow discouraged under the things suffered at the hands of Satan and the world for serving Jesus?
No! We need but focus more upon “the compensations and balancing of Heaven”, the blessings, glory, joy, and peace awaiting the Lord’s people at the end of the journey! There shall we rest at last, suffering all finished, pain gone, death a distant memory! God will more than make up to us anything we have been slighted on earth, more than compensate us for the losses suffered!
Jesus was joyful in doing God’s will! Jesus was joyful in doing for others what they could not do for themselves! Jesus was joyful because He anticipated the Father’s recompense for His earthly sufferings!
Let us be joyful, too!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2).
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4: 16-18).
“Beyond question we do not live enough in the inspiration of the compensations and balancing of Heaven… We must turn our thoughts more toward the future, toward the heavenly rest, the heavenly activities and the eternal joys which are there.”
(C. I. Scofield)
As earthly creatures we experience the inherent weaknesses, infirmities, and deteriorations of body, soul and mind – “our outward man is perishing.” Our yielding to and participation in sin aggravates and hastens the process as we reap the bitter fruits of the seeds we have sown. Even when we have fled to Christ for pardon and redemption we discover that in following Him suffering, persecutions, and trials, come upon us.
Should such things make the Christian miserable and unhappy? Have we a right to complain of earth’s pains and problems or grow discouraged under the things suffered at the hands of Satan and the world for serving Jesus?
No! We need but focus more upon “the compensations and balancing of Heaven”, the blessings, glory, joy, and peace awaiting the Lord’s people at the end of the journey! There shall we rest at last, suffering all finished, pain gone, death a distant memory! God will more than make up to us anything we have been slighted on earth, more than compensate us for the losses suffered!
Jesus was joyful in doing God’s will! Jesus was joyful in doing for others what they could not do for themselves! Jesus was joyful because He anticipated the Father’s recompense for His earthly sufferings!
Let us be joyful, too!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, August 31, 2009
"THE TAMING OF A MADMAN!" AUGUST 31, 2009
“Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when Jesus had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit” (Mark 5:1-2)
“He was a great, hulking brute of a man, that madman of Gadar. The fearful villagers had bound him often with fetters and chains, but he had broken them like string. The legion of demons who possessed him had driven him into the mountains and the tombs, where he had his dwelling. Tormented by the devil, he had stripped off his garments and was continually crying out and gashing his body with stones.
“But one glorious day he met the Great Physician. The Master came and healed him, and the next time we see him who had been the madman he is calm and clothed and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus!
“The time arrived that the Teacher must go on about His ministry and as He was entering the boat, the one who had been the madman besought Him, saying, “Jesus, could I go with you?”
“No,” tenderly replied the Master, “I want you to go to your home and to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you!”
“Oh, what about us, can we do that, too? Shouldn’t we do it? Will we do it? – We who have experienced the healing touch of the Great Physician! Can we not, should we not also go to our home and to our friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for us!
“Just how far am I willing to go That the Gospel may be preached?
Just how much am I willing to give
That the lost ones may be reached?
“Just how much am I willing to pray
For the souls that are lost in sin?
Just how much am I willing to do
To and bring them in?
“Just how yielded am I to Christ
Do I let His Spirit fill? Just how willing to pay the price-
To obey the Master’s will?”
(Willie W. White – Adapted)
Many years ago it used to really upset me when I would hear a minister suggest that one of the chief points we would be judged on at the Great Judgment Day was whether or not we had won anyone for Christ, had brought anyone else to Heaven with us. Perhaps it used to irritate me so because it made me so uncomfortable!
Whether we have actually “won” someone for the Lord may not be the issue. We cannot convert anyone; only God can save a soul. But our task is to be a light for Jesus, a witness, a message-bearer. Ours is the privilege and the joy of sharing with others “what great things the Lord has done in our lives”, what a difference He has made!
The reclaimed madman went cheerfully and thankfully to his witnessing! Won’t we do so likewise if we are truly grateful to Christ?
When was the last time I (you) shared with others “what Jesus has done for me”?
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“He was a great, hulking brute of a man, that madman of Gadar. The fearful villagers had bound him often with fetters and chains, but he had broken them like string. The legion of demons who possessed him had driven him into the mountains and the tombs, where he had his dwelling. Tormented by the devil, he had stripped off his garments and was continually crying out and gashing his body with stones.
“But one glorious day he met the Great Physician. The Master came and healed him, and the next time we see him who had been the madman he is calm and clothed and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus!
“The time arrived that the Teacher must go on about His ministry and as He was entering the boat, the one who had been the madman besought Him, saying, “Jesus, could I go with you?”
“No,” tenderly replied the Master, “I want you to go to your home and to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you!”
“Oh, what about us, can we do that, too? Shouldn’t we do it? Will we do it? – We who have experienced the healing touch of the Great Physician! Can we not, should we not also go to our home and to our friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for us!
“Just how far am I willing to go That the Gospel may be preached?
Just how much am I willing to give
That the lost ones may be reached?
“Just how much am I willing to pray
For the souls that are lost in sin?
Just how much am I willing to do
To and bring them in?
“Just how yielded am I to Christ
Do I let His Spirit fill? Just how willing to pay the price-
To obey the Master’s will?”
(Willie W. White – Adapted)
Many years ago it used to really upset me when I would hear a minister suggest that one of the chief points we would be judged on at the Great Judgment Day was whether or not we had won anyone for Christ, had brought anyone else to Heaven with us. Perhaps it used to irritate me so because it made me so uncomfortable!
Whether we have actually “won” someone for the Lord may not be the issue. We cannot convert anyone; only God can save a soul. But our task is to be a light for Jesus, a witness, a message-bearer. Ours is the privilege and the joy of sharing with others “what great things the Lord has done in our lives”, what a difference He has made!
The reclaimed madman went cheerfully and thankfully to his witnessing! Won’t we do so likewise if we are truly grateful to Christ?
When was the last time I (you) shared with others “what Jesus has done for me”?
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, August 24, 2009
"FIGHTING BACK!" August 24, 2009
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who when He was reviled (verbally abused), did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (I Peter 2:21-23).
As antichristian sentiment and oppressive legislative action rises in America, from time to time the call goes out for Christians to “stand up and fight back”, to be as aggressive for Christ as the unbelievers are against Christ. Sometimes even the actions of the Muslims are held up as a role model of religious zeal for us Christians to imitate!
Just how should disciples of Jesus “fight back”? Can we literally use violence? NO! Jesus says: “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I would not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). And to Peter, and to us, He says, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). And Paul reminds us that we must arm ourselves with spiritual rather than temporal weapons, “for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts in the heavenly regions” (Eph. 6:12).
Christians cannot, in either the defense or the advancement of the Christian faith, use violence or guns or knives or fire or force or threatening. We are not of the ancient spirit of the Catholic Crusaders or Inquisition! We cannot participate in the organizations or the spirit of the Ku Klux Klan, “homeland militias”, and certainly not the Muslims who have from their very beginnings waged literal war and murder out of hatred and envy against Jews, Christians, and Catholics!
Street demonstrations, “political right” organizations, boycotts, lobbying Congress, attempting to get all believers to vote together for righteous causes and men – all such are of little avail! The wicked will always be more numerous than the elect! Believers identifying themselves as “Republicans” or “Democrats” almost universally vote “the Party” rather than righteousness!
How do we “fight” for Christ and the Christian faith? How do we defend the Gospel cause or advance the Kingdom of Heaven? By following the example of Jesus! He lived a life of love and holiness, He revealed God and salvation to men, He acted as physician to every unwell person, He was a good neighbor who, inasmuch as possible, lived peaceably with all. But He did not fight evil with violence, boycotts, street demonstrations, political activism, secret organizations, or military coup! And when violence was used against Him, He never retaliated, but left revenge to the Heavenly Father, and committed Himself to the care of God! We are to pursue the same course and employ the same methods. Ours is to be a war waged by love, positive example, peaceful activity, a sharing of Bible truth to all who voluntarily want to hear it, and a non-aggressive spirit.
Note! We are speaking here of Kingdom policy, not American policy. America, as a temporal nation among other temporal nations, pursues a course of action best designed to promote the physical welfare, temporal happiness, and safety of its citizens. To even survive police activity and military force is at times deemed expedient. We Christians are citizens of two kingdoms. As such, we must “render unto Caesar that which pertains to Caesar, and unto God that which pertains to God.” But we cannot adopt the means and methods of a secular government for use in defending or advancing the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ!
“Stand up and be counted for Christ?” “Fight back as Christian soldiers?” Yes, indeed! And the best way to do that is to “follow in His steps”, imitate His example, and fully imbibe His spirit!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
As antichristian sentiment and oppressive legislative action rises in America, from time to time the call goes out for Christians to “stand up and fight back”, to be as aggressive for Christ as the unbelievers are against Christ. Sometimes even the actions of the Muslims are held up as a role model of religious zeal for us Christians to imitate!
Just how should disciples of Jesus “fight back”? Can we literally use violence? NO! Jesus says: “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I would not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). And to Peter, and to us, He says, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). And Paul reminds us that we must arm ourselves with spiritual rather than temporal weapons, “for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts in the heavenly regions” (Eph. 6:12).
Christians cannot, in either the defense or the advancement of the Christian faith, use violence or guns or knives or fire or force or threatening. We are not of the ancient spirit of the Catholic Crusaders or Inquisition! We cannot participate in the organizations or the spirit of the Ku Klux Klan, “homeland militias”, and certainly not the Muslims who have from their very beginnings waged literal war and murder out of hatred and envy against Jews, Christians, and Catholics!
Street demonstrations, “political right” organizations, boycotts, lobbying Congress, attempting to get all believers to vote together for righteous causes and men – all such are of little avail! The wicked will always be more numerous than the elect! Believers identifying themselves as “Republicans” or “Democrats” almost universally vote “the Party” rather than righteousness!
How do we “fight” for Christ and the Christian faith? How do we defend the Gospel cause or advance the Kingdom of Heaven? By following the example of Jesus! He lived a life of love and holiness, He revealed God and salvation to men, He acted as physician to every unwell person, He was a good neighbor who, inasmuch as possible, lived peaceably with all. But He did not fight evil with violence, boycotts, street demonstrations, political activism, secret organizations, or military coup! And when violence was used against Him, He never retaliated, but left revenge to the Heavenly Father, and committed Himself to the care of God! We are to pursue the same course and employ the same methods. Ours is to be a war waged by love, positive example, peaceful activity, a sharing of Bible truth to all who voluntarily want to hear it, and a non-aggressive spirit.
Note! We are speaking here of Kingdom policy, not American policy. America, as a temporal nation among other temporal nations, pursues a course of action best designed to promote the physical welfare, temporal happiness, and safety of its citizens. To even survive police activity and military force is at times deemed expedient. We Christians are citizens of two kingdoms. As such, we must “render unto Caesar that which pertains to Caesar, and unto God that which pertains to God.” But we cannot adopt the means and methods of a secular government for use in defending or advancing the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ!
“Stand up and be counted for Christ?” “Fight back as Christian soldiers?” Yes, indeed! And the best way to do that is to “follow in His steps”, imitate His example, and fully imbibe His spirit!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, August 17, 2009
"DOES ANYONE UP THERE (OUT THERE, DOWN THERE) CARE?"
VOLUME XXXII AUGUST 17, 2009 #33
“DOES ANYONE UP THERE
(OUT THERE, DOWN THERE) CARE?”
Ten ways to Have a Caring Church
1. SPEAK TO PEOPLE, even if you don’t know their names. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. SMILE AT PEOPLE, It takes 72 muscles to frown and only 14 to smile. Your smile is one of your finest assets. Use it!
3. CALL PEOPLE BY NAME, The sweetest music to anyone’s ears is the sound of their own name.
4. BE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL, If you want people to be friendly to you, be friendly to them first.
5. BE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN PEOPLE, If you try, you can like most everybody and they will, in turn, like you.
6. SEEK OUT OTHER PEOPLE, do not limit yourself to a few friends when there are so many likeable people about you.
7. BE GENEROUS WITH PRAISE, and cautious with criticism. Who among us does not need the understanding and tolerance of all our friends?
8. BE CONSIDERATE OF THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS, usually there are three sides to a controversy: Yours, the other person’s and the right one.
9. BE ALERT TO GIVE SERVICE, What we do for others counts most in life. What we say is important. What we do is evidence of our true interests.
10. ADD TO THIS A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR, a generous dose of patience, a dash of humility, and you will receive manifold blessings.
If you want our church to a friendly one, try any or all of these suggestions: they’re bound to help!
(Copied- Newsletter Christian Church, Cabool, MO)
“DOES ANYONE UP THERE
(OUT THERE, DOWN THERE) CARE?”
Ten ways to Have a Caring Church
1. SPEAK TO PEOPLE, even if you don’t know their names. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. SMILE AT PEOPLE, It takes 72 muscles to frown and only 14 to smile. Your smile is one of your finest assets. Use it!
3. CALL PEOPLE BY NAME, The sweetest music to anyone’s ears is the sound of their own name.
4. BE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL, If you want people to be friendly to you, be friendly to them first.
5. BE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN PEOPLE, If you try, you can like most everybody and they will, in turn, like you.
6. SEEK OUT OTHER PEOPLE, do not limit yourself to a few friends when there are so many likeable people about you.
7. BE GENEROUS WITH PRAISE, and cautious with criticism. Who among us does not need the understanding and tolerance of all our friends?
8. BE CONSIDERATE OF THE FEELINGS OF OTHERS, usually there are three sides to a controversy: Yours, the other person’s and the right one.
9. BE ALERT TO GIVE SERVICE, What we do for others counts most in life. What we say is important. What we do is evidence of our true interests.
10. ADD TO THIS A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR, a generous dose of patience, a dash of humility, and you will receive manifold blessings.
If you want our church to a friendly one, try any or all of these suggestions: they’re bound to help!
(Copied- Newsletter Christian Church, Cabool, MO)
Monday, August 10, 2009
“WHAT ABOUT THE UNBAPTIZED?”
“Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
Members and Ministers of Christian Churches/Churches of Christ are often criticized, accused of being legalistic, unspiritual, unloving, and teaching “baptismal regeneration” (that salvation is by the mere act of water baptism apart from faith), because we preach the Biblical injunctions requiring baptism (Matt. 28: 18-20, Mk. 16: 16, Jn. 3: 5, Acts 2: 38, etc.) and insist that Scriptural baptism is total immersion. We are accused of being especially unkind and judgmental toward Pedobaptists (infant sprinklers), and making of baptism an “absolute” in a sense God never intended. Alexander Campbell, renowned preacher of the 19th Century whom God raised up to help complete the Protestant Reformation by a more complete restoration of New Testament Christianity, expressing his “opinion” (Note!) on this subject in his outstanding and remarkable book, “The Christian System”, explains well what most of our churches and preachers believe concerning the unimmersed. He writes:
“George Whitefield, writing on John 3: 5, says, “Does not this verse urge the absolute necessity of water baptism? Yes, when it is to be had. But how God will deal with persons unbaptized, we cannot tell.” I say with him, we cannot tell with certainty. But I am of the opinion that when a neglect proceeds from a simple mistake or sheer ignorance, and when there is no aversion, but a will to do everything the Lord commands, the Lord will admit into the Everlasting Kingdom those who by reason of this mistake never had the testimony of God assuring them of pardon or justification, and consequently never did fully enjoy the salvation of God on earth. But I will say with Timothy Dwight, the renowned President of Yale University, that “he who, understanding the nature and authority of this institution, refuses to be baptized, will never enter the visible nor invisible Kingdom of God. He who persists in this rebellious act against the authority of Christ will never belong to His Kingdom.”… Infants, idiots, deaf and dumb persons, innocent pagans wherever they can be found, with all the pious Pedobaptists, we commend to the mercy of God. But such of them as willfully despise this salvation, and who, having the opportunity to be immersed for the remission of their sins, willfully despise or refuse; we have little hope for them.
(Alexander Campbell – Adapted).
To our Restoration forefathers baptism was not so much the means by which we procure the forgiveness of sins (that is accomplished by the blood of Christ), but the means by which we appropriate it as God’s gift and by which God assures us of pardon and enables us to enjoy the fullness of salvation’s blessings! The “neglect of baptism by simple mistake or sheer ignorance by those who nevertheless, have a will to do everything the Lord commands” may hinder a man’s full enjoyment and assurance of his salvation, but not deny it. That, however, does not mean that any who have access to the truth and opportunities to be Scripturally immersed are excused from doing it! Far from it! “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4: 17). And those who stubbornly refuse the ordinance of Christ in baptism stand squarely with the Pharisees and lawyers who rejected John’s baptism: “And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him” (Lk. 7: 29, 30).
We do not judge men. We do not excuse men. We do not raise false hopes. We merely repeat Jesus’ command to be immersed in His Name for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life! God is a just and merciful God. He will judge our responses. Or our failures to do so.
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Members and Ministers of Christian Churches/Churches of Christ are often criticized, accused of being legalistic, unspiritual, unloving, and teaching “baptismal regeneration” (that salvation is by the mere act of water baptism apart from faith), because we preach the Biblical injunctions requiring baptism (Matt. 28: 18-20, Mk. 16: 16, Jn. 3: 5, Acts 2: 38, etc.) and insist that Scriptural baptism is total immersion. We are accused of being especially unkind and judgmental toward Pedobaptists (infant sprinklers), and making of baptism an “absolute” in a sense God never intended. Alexander Campbell, renowned preacher of the 19th Century whom God raised up to help complete the Protestant Reformation by a more complete restoration of New Testament Christianity, expressing his “opinion” (Note!) on this subject in his outstanding and remarkable book, “The Christian System”, explains well what most of our churches and preachers believe concerning the unimmersed. He writes:
“George Whitefield, writing on John 3: 5, says, “Does not this verse urge the absolute necessity of water baptism? Yes, when it is to be had. But how God will deal with persons unbaptized, we cannot tell.” I say with him, we cannot tell with certainty. But I am of the opinion that when a neglect proceeds from a simple mistake or sheer ignorance, and when there is no aversion, but a will to do everything the Lord commands, the Lord will admit into the Everlasting Kingdom those who by reason of this mistake never had the testimony of God assuring them of pardon or justification, and consequently never did fully enjoy the salvation of God on earth. But I will say with Timothy Dwight, the renowned President of Yale University, that “he who, understanding the nature and authority of this institution, refuses to be baptized, will never enter the visible nor invisible Kingdom of God. He who persists in this rebellious act against the authority of Christ will never belong to His Kingdom.”… Infants, idiots, deaf and dumb persons, innocent pagans wherever they can be found, with all the pious Pedobaptists, we commend to the mercy of God. But such of them as willfully despise this salvation, and who, having the opportunity to be immersed for the remission of their sins, willfully despise or refuse; we have little hope for them.
(Alexander Campbell – Adapted).
To our Restoration forefathers baptism was not so much the means by which we procure the forgiveness of sins (that is accomplished by the blood of Christ), but the means by which we appropriate it as God’s gift and by which God assures us of pardon and enables us to enjoy the fullness of salvation’s blessings! The “neglect of baptism by simple mistake or sheer ignorance by those who nevertheless, have a will to do everything the Lord commands” may hinder a man’s full enjoyment and assurance of his salvation, but not deny it. That, however, does not mean that any who have access to the truth and opportunities to be Scripturally immersed are excused from doing it! Far from it! “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4: 17). And those who stubbornly refuse the ordinance of Christ in baptism stand squarely with the Pharisees and lawyers who rejected John’s baptism: “And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him” (Lk. 7: 29, 30).
We do not judge men. We do not excuse men. We do not raise false hopes. We merely repeat Jesus’ command to be immersed in His Name for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life! God is a just and merciful God. He will judge our responses. Or our failures to do so.
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, August 3, 2009
“WILL THE REAL CHRISTIAN PLEASE STAND UP!”
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into Apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transformed himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into minister of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (II Corinthians 11:13-15).
In the last few years it has become the “in thing” for theological liberals and moral libertarians within the membership of mainline denominational churches to describe themselves as “evangelicals” and “born-again believers.” Heretofore these terms have designated only those who truly believe in a totally inspired and wholly inerrant Bible, and who actually, literally, faithfully are striving to live a holy life. Of course, such liberals have no intention of being faithful to the Bible – they just want to enjoy the fiction and the fashion of pretending to do so!
Labels do not make the man. A rose is still a rose no matter what you call it. So is a thorn bush! A theologian with a shallow, sham, and superficial view of Holy Scripture is as much a pagan as an idolater, no matter what he labels himself. A man or a woman who pursues an immoral life-style and practices secret sins (or open sins!), yet styling themselves “Christian”, are but playing a game of mirrors and shadows; they deceive no one; their judgment will not slumber for long! God is not mocked, nor is anyone else! “The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His; and; Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity!” (II Timothy 2:19). Here is the “trademark” of the genuine Christian: He has a personal, loving, faithful relationship with the Christ of the Bible! And he is ever vigilant to keep himself unspotted from the sins of the world and the flesh!
Let Christians beware! “Evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:13). Sort out the fake from the authentic! “Test the spirits, whether they are of God!” (I John 4:1). The Bible shows us how!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
In the last few years it has become the “in thing” for theological liberals and moral libertarians within the membership of mainline denominational churches to describe themselves as “evangelicals” and “born-again believers.” Heretofore these terms have designated only those who truly believe in a totally inspired and wholly inerrant Bible, and who actually, literally, faithfully are striving to live a holy life. Of course, such liberals have no intention of being faithful to the Bible – they just want to enjoy the fiction and the fashion of pretending to do so!
Labels do not make the man. A rose is still a rose no matter what you call it. So is a thorn bush! A theologian with a shallow, sham, and superficial view of Holy Scripture is as much a pagan as an idolater, no matter what he labels himself. A man or a woman who pursues an immoral life-style and practices secret sins (or open sins!), yet styling themselves “Christian”, are but playing a game of mirrors and shadows; they deceive no one; their judgment will not slumber for long! God is not mocked, nor is anyone else! “The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His; and; Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity!” (II Timothy 2:19). Here is the “trademark” of the genuine Christian: He has a personal, loving, faithful relationship with the Christ of the Bible! And he is ever vigilant to keep himself unspotted from the sins of the world and the flesh!
Let Christians beware! “Evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:13). Sort out the fake from the authentic! “Test the spirits, whether they are of God!” (I John 4:1). The Bible shows us how!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, July 27, 2009
“HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?”
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth” (John 17:17).
“The Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:15-17).
“Widespread neglect of the Bible by churches and by church people is just simply appalling. Oh, we talk about the Bible, and defend the Bible, and praise the Bible, and exalt the Bible. Yes, indeed! But many church members seldom ever look into a Bible – indeed, would be ashamed to be seen reading the Bible. And church leadership generally seems to be making no serious effort to get people to be Bible readers… Present day Protestantism seems to care so little for the Book it so loudly professes! And Roman Catholicism avowedly prefers its own decrees above the Bible! We are intelligent about everything else in the world. Why not be intelligent about our religion? We read newspapers, magazines, novels, and all kinds of books, and listen to the radio and watch TV by the hour. Yet most of us do not even know the names of the Bible books. Shame on us! Shame on us! Worse still, the pulpit, which could easily remedy the situation, seems, with rare exception, not to care!” (Henry H. Halley- Adapted)
The Bible should be the Book we live by. It reveals the existence of God, all certain knowledge of God, God’s own thinking, nature, character, and will. It tells us there is a Heaven, a Hell, a Day of Judgment, and a Savior. By the Holy Bible, and by it alone, can be learned the way of salvation.
We need to read God’s Holy Word regularly and frequently that we might know the will of God for our lives here and hereafter. We need to study it diligently until God’s thoughts become our thoughts, His character and virtues our own, His heart becomes one with our heart, and we come to be transformed into God’s own image and made partakers of the divine nature!
“Till I come, give attention to reading…” (I Timothy 4:13). “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). Brothers and sisters, let us be readers of the Word and not merely professors of religion!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“The Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:15-17).
“Widespread neglect of the Bible by churches and by church people is just simply appalling. Oh, we talk about the Bible, and defend the Bible, and praise the Bible, and exalt the Bible. Yes, indeed! But many church members seldom ever look into a Bible – indeed, would be ashamed to be seen reading the Bible. And church leadership generally seems to be making no serious effort to get people to be Bible readers… Present day Protestantism seems to care so little for the Book it so loudly professes! And Roman Catholicism avowedly prefers its own decrees above the Bible! We are intelligent about everything else in the world. Why not be intelligent about our religion? We read newspapers, magazines, novels, and all kinds of books, and listen to the radio and watch TV by the hour. Yet most of us do not even know the names of the Bible books. Shame on us! Shame on us! Worse still, the pulpit, which could easily remedy the situation, seems, with rare exception, not to care!” (Henry H. Halley- Adapted)
The Bible should be the Book we live by. It reveals the existence of God, all certain knowledge of God, God’s own thinking, nature, character, and will. It tells us there is a Heaven, a Hell, a Day of Judgment, and a Savior. By the Holy Bible, and by it alone, can be learned the way of salvation.
We need to read God’s Holy Word regularly and frequently that we might know the will of God for our lives here and hereafter. We need to study it diligently until God’s thoughts become our thoughts, His character and virtues our own, His heart becomes one with our heart, and we come to be transformed into God’s own image and made partakers of the divine nature!
“Till I come, give attention to reading…” (I Timothy 4:13). “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). Brothers and sisters, let us be readers of the Word and not merely professors of religion!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, July 20, 2009
“AN OLD INDIAN TALE”
There once was a young Indian boy who was ready to prove that he was man. As a test, he was sent into the wilderness to survive on his own for several days. It was winter, and the nights were bitterly cold. He came upon a poisonous snake, nearly frozen from the frigid temperatures. “Please,” the snake begged, “Let me warm myself under your blanket before I die in this cold.” The young warrior replied, “You are a poisonous snake. If I pick you up, you’ll bite me and I’ll die.” “Oh no!” assured the snake. I promise I will be forever grateful, and no harm will come to you.” The boy thought, then relented and placed the snake against his body under the blankets. As the snake began to warm, he began moving. Then, he coiled and struck – sinking his venom-filled fangs into the young boy. “But you promised you wouldn’t hurt me,” the boy whispered as he lay dying. The snake slithered away, and replied, “You knew what I was when you picked me up.”
Christians can learn from this fable. Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is in the world deceiving just as he was in the beginning. His tactics are not bold and blatant, but more subtle and deceptive. If you are tempted to pick up pornography, drugs, alcohol, an illicit affair, or gambling – remember this story. The bible tells us:
“… and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph. 4:27) “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8) “… and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trip of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Tim. 2:26)
Copied from Church Newsletter Neelysville, Ohio
“IF…”
· A man rocked the boat to see if it would tip. It did.
· A man looked into a gun to see if it was loaded. It was.
· A young girl kept late hours to see if it would really affect her office work. It did.
· A young man tried drinking to see if it would make him behave like a fool. It did.
· A man said, “I’ll ignore Jesus Christ to see if I go to hell.” He did.
(Luke 16:19-31)
“I will tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents that over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:7).”
Heaven in waiting for you!!!
Copied from Church Newsletter Neelysville, Ohio
Christians can learn from this fable. Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is in the world deceiving just as he was in the beginning. His tactics are not bold and blatant, but more subtle and deceptive. If you are tempted to pick up pornography, drugs, alcohol, an illicit affair, or gambling – remember this story. The bible tells us:
“… and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph. 4:27) “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8) “… and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trip of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Tim. 2:26)
Copied from Church Newsletter Neelysville, Ohio
“IF…”
· A man rocked the boat to see if it would tip. It did.
· A man looked into a gun to see if it was loaded. It was.
· A young girl kept late hours to see if it would really affect her office work. It did.
· A young man tried drinking to see if it would make him behave like a fool. It did.
· A man said, “I’ll ignore Jesus Christ to see if I go to hell.” He did.
(Luke 16:19-31)
“I will tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents that over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:7).”
Heaven in waiting for you!!!
Copied from Church Newsletter Neelysville, Ohio
Monday, July 13, 2009
“PRAYING FOR PRESIDENTS!”
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good... Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to who fear, honor to whom honor.” (Romans 13: 1-4, 7)
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (II Timothy 2: 1-4)
There is much dissatisfaction and disappointment among Christians with the current President of the United States of America and his administration. I cannot speak for others, but I can for myself.
I am concerned, disappointed and alarmed by our President’s promotion of unbiblical and blatantly unchristian activities destructive of the lives, health, morals, and souls of men and women, such as: abortion, homosexuality, and militant feminism.
Yet, because our Lord commands it, and He never errs, I pray for our President and government, respecting the office, honoring the authority, loving the soul.
I am alarmed by our President’s attempts to compromise our nation’s security by softening our resistance to Islam. While campaigning for office he denied that his Muslim background would affect his foreign policy. But this has proved untrue.
Yet, because our Lord commands it, I pray for the man, respect his office, submit to his authority, and long for his conversion.
I am disappointed with our President’s attempts to move America into becoming a socialist state, especially in the realm of corporations (Government-owned banks, Auto manufacture, housing, etc.) and medical care. Every socialist (or communist) state ever created has failed miserably.
Yet, because our Lord commands it, I pray for the President, do not resist his authority, do not curse, threaten, or lie about the man, but give honor where honor is due.
It has long been my conviction that the best man qualified and capable of leading this great nation of ours can never be elected. We have no doubt a number of godly, competent, intelligent, courageous, and compassionate men who could do an admirable job as President. But they are unelectable, due to their faith in Jesus Christ, their unwillingness to brag about themselves or make empty promises, or support sinful causes or laws, or raise and squander millions of dollars in campaigning. (Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a genuine Christ-like man in the White House!)
But since that is not the case, let us nevertheless pray for the leaders we have and do our part as good citizens. Remember, it is God’s command and our duty!
Some day, when our real King, Leader, and Lord appears, things will be made right and the evils of this fallen world will be
but distant memories! We can count on it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (II Timothy 2: 1-4)
There is much dissatisfaction and disappointment among Christians with the current President of the United States of America and his administration. I cannot speak for others, but I can for myself.
I am concerned, disappointed and alarmed by our President’s promotion of unbiblical and blatantly unchristian activities destructive of the lives, health, morals, and souls of men and women, such as: abortion, homosexuality, and militant feminism.
Yet, because our Lord commands it, and He never errs, I pray for our President and government, respecting the office, honoring the authority, loving the soul.
I am alarmed by our President’s attempts to compromise our nation’s security by softening our resistance to Islam. While campaigning for office he denied that his Muslim background would affect his foreign policy. But this has proved untrue.
Yet, because our Lord commands it, I pray for the man, respect his office, submit to his authority, and long for his conversion.
I am disappointed with our President’s attempts to move America into becoming a socialist state, especially in the realm of corporations (Government-owned banks, Auto manufacture, housing, etc.) and medical care. Every socialist (or communist) state ever created has failed miserably.
Yet, because our Lord commands it, I pray for the President, do not resist his authority, do not curse, threaten, or lie about the man, but give honor where honor is due.
It has long been my conviction that the best man qualified and capable of leading this great nation of ours can never be elected. We have no doubt a number of godly, competent, intelligent, courageous, and compassionate men who could do an admirable job as President. But they are unelectable, due to their faith in Jesus Christ, their unwillingness to brag about themselves or make empty promises, or support sinful causes or laws, or raise and squander millions of dollars in campaigning. (Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a genuine Christ-like man in the White House!)
But since that is not the case, let us nevertheless pray for the leaders we have and do our part as good citizens. Remember, it is God’s command and our duty!
Some day, when our real King, Leader, and Lord appears, things will be made right and the evils of this fallen world will be
but distant memories! We can count on it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, July 6, 2009
"WHEN WE PRAY..."
“When you pray…” (Matthew 6: 5, 6, 7, etc.)
“I do want to make this clear. The man who does not pray, who does not have even five minutes a day in his own room face to face with God and heart to heart with Christ, is simply playing with his soul. And if he is the father of a family, he may be playing with his children’s souls. I want to ask him: What does he believe? He says he believes in God the Father Almighty. But does he? He says he believes there is such a thing as the soul. Does he? He says he believes we are moving on to eternity. Does he? Has he ever sat down and thought out what a single one of these great beliefs involves for himself and his family, if such are really true? Would not half an hour’s hard, honest thinking about God, his soul, where he shall spend eternity, drive him to his knees?... I am not saying prayer is everything. I am not saying that without prayer a man cannot make a decent show in life at all. But I am saying that without prayer there is no Christian life possible that is worthy of the name! Why? Because it is down the channel of prayer that the power of God gets into a man! And you cannot live the life for which Jesus stands, you cannot love your neighbor as you ought, you cannot keep a spiritual perspective of the world, you cannot accomplish the purpose to which we have been called and sent, without the power of God to help you do it!”
(James S. Stewart – Adapted.)
A prayerless Christian is a contradiction of terms. Again and again in teaching people to live for God, Jesus said, “When you pray.” He assumed all who would know God and who profess to know God would pray.
Prayer is the line of communication between earth and Heaven. Prayer is the life-line that rescues drowning souls. Prayer is the anchor that holds Christians and churches steadfast through storms of life. Prayer is the sharing of our thoughts, the making of our requests, the dreaming of our dreams, and the pouring out of our love to our Heavenly Father. Prayer is the high voltage wire that brings the mighty power of God to His people.
Prayer is to be made in faith and love to the Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, through the Holy Spirit. Where there is no prayer, there is a desert. Where there is no prayer, there is fear. Where there is no prayer, there is weakness. Where there is no prayer, there is sin. Where there is no prayer, there is heresy. Where there is no prayer, there is no beauty, no love, no joy, no peace, no light, no truth.
How can we live without prayer, then? We can’t! Then why do we try?
“When you pray…”
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“I do want to make this clear. The man who does not pray, who does not have even five minutes a day in his own room face to face with God and heart to heart with Christ, is simply playing with his soul. And if he is the father of a family, he may be playing with his children’s souls. I want to ask him: What does he believe? He says he believes in God the Father Almighty. But does he? He says he believes there is such a thing as the soul. Does he? He says he believes we are moving on to eternity. Does he? Has he ever sat down and thought out what a single one of these great beliefs involves for himself and his family, if such are really true? Would not half an hour’s hard, honest thinking about God, his soul, where he shall spend eternity, drive him to his knees?... I am not saying prayer is everything. I am not saying that without prayer a man cannot make a decent show in life at all. But I am saying that without prayer there is no Christian life possible that is worthy of the name! Why? Because it is down the channel of prayer that the power of God gets into a man! And you cannot live the life for which Jesus stands, you cannot love your neighbor as you ought, you cannot keep a spiritual perspective of the world, you cannot accomplish the purpose to which we have been called and sent, without the power of God to help you do it!”
(James S. Stewart – Adapted.)
A prayerless Christian is a contradiction of terms. Again and again in teaching people to live for God, Jesus said, “When you pray.” He assumed all who would know God and who profess to know God would pray.
Prayer is the line of communication between earth and Heaven. Prayer is the life-line that rescues drowning souls. Prayer is the anchor that holds Christians and churches steadfast through storms of life. Prayer is the sharing of our thoughts, the making of our requests, the dreaming of our dreams, and the pouring out of our love to our Heavenly Father. Prayer is the high voltage wire that brings the mighty power of God to His people.
Prayer is to be made in faith and love to the Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, through the Holy Spirit. Where there is no prayer, there is a desert. Where there is no prayer, there is fear. Where there is no prayer, there is weakness. Where there is no prayer, there is sin. Where there is no prayer, there is heresy. Where there is no prayer, there is no beauty, no love, no joy, no peace, no light, no truth.
How can we live without prayer, then? We can’t! Then why do we try?
“When you pray…”
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, June 29, 2009
"WHERE PEACE SHOULD FLOURISH!"
“WHERE PEACE SHOULD FLOURISH!”
“Have peace with one another” (Mark 9:50).
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”
(Matthews 5:9).
“The Church is where peace should flourish. The disgrace of the Church, in too many cases, in too many communities, is its envyings, jealousies, ill-natured scandal, idle gossip, love of pre-eminence, willingness to impute the worst possible motives to one another, having sharp eyes for our brother’s failings and none for our own. Where these abound peace vanishes, rumbling and discontent prevail, and divisiveness rears its ugly head. But these same things characterize the world of unredeemed, unconverted, unloving men! Should not the Church present a strong contrast to the world and show the world a different spirit and a different tone than its own? But does it? Why not?”
(Alex. Maclaren – Adapted).
When David sinned against God by committing adultery with Bathsheba and causing her husband Uriah to be murdered, the Prophet Nathan said to the King, the Lord’s anointed, “By this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.” (II Samuel 12:14). At this moment David was not a good representative of the Lord.
Likewise when churches do not exhibit the true spirit of Jesus their Lord, but act with unbrotherly attitudes, the world is given occasion to speak evil of the Savior and His Gospel. This should not be.
God is the God of peace. Jesus came bestowing peace and making peace, reconciliation, and brotherly love possible. Paul mentions in the greetings or closings of most of his epistles “Peace” (the O.T. greetings/blessing) and “Grace” (the N.T. salutation/benediction). The Church is to be a body of peace-loving, peace-making, peace-keeping people! Every effort is to be made by every Church and every Christian “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”!
Never in the history of the United States has there been a greater need for the demonstration of the peace of Jesus Christ! The Church, we Christians, are to be the living manifestation of this peace! Let joy abound! Let grace be multiplied! Let love prevail! Let peace flourish! When the world sees what happy, loving, peace-practicing folk we are, won’t it want the same Jesus who makes it happen?
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“Have peace with one another” (Mark 9:50).
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”
(Matthews 5:9).
“The Church is where peace should flourish. The disgrace of the Church, in too many cases, in too many communities, is its envyings, jealousies, ill-natured scandal, idle gossip, love of pre-eminence, willingness to impute the worst possible motives to one another, having sharp eyes for our brother’s failings and none for our own. Where these abound peace vanishes, rumbling and discontent prevail, and divisiveness rears its ugly head. But these same things characterize the world of unredeemed, unconverted, unloving men! Should not the Church present a strong contrast to the world and show the world a different spirit and a different tone than its own? But does it? Why not?”
(Alex. Maclaren – Adapted).
When David sinned against God by committing adultery with Bathsheba and causing her husband Uriah to be murdered, the Prophet Nathan said to the King, the Lord’s anointed, “By this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.” (II Samuel 12:14). At this moment David was not a good representative of the Lord.
Likewise when churches do not exhibit the true spirit of Jesus their Lord, but act with unbrotherly attitudes, the world is given occasion to speak evil of the Savior and His Gospel. This should not be.
God is the God of peace. Jesus came bestowing peace and making peace, reconciliation, and brotherly love possible. Paul mentions in the greetings or closings of most of his epistles “Peace” (the O.T. greetings/blessing) and “Grace” (the N.T. salutation/benediction). The Church is to be a body of peace-loving, peace-making, peace-keeping people! Every effort is to be made by every Church and every Christian “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”!
Never in the history of the United States has there been a greater need for the demonstration of the peace of Jesus Christ! The Church, we Christians, are to be the living manifestation of this peace! Let joy abound! Let grace be multiplied! Let love prevail! Let peace flourish! When the world sees what happy, loving, peace-practicing folk we are, won’t it want the same Jesus who makes it happen?
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, June 22, 2009
"THE HOLY STANDARD!"
“Pilate therefore said to Him, Are You a King then? Jesus answered, You say rightly that I am a King.” (John 18:37).
”For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Cor. 5:21).
“One of the most dangerous features of this irreligious culture in which we live is its tendency to elevate cleverness above goodness. If only a man in his walk of life has a touch of genius, that, it holds, more than atones for any defect in his ethical standards. But this quite certainly is not the view of Jesus! Nor is it the view of any Christian who is taking Jesus seriously! It is surely a strange and discreditable idea that because a man happens to write better, or paint better, or make better poetry than his neighbor, he is automatically exempted from certain of the moral standards to which his neighbor is expected to conform. That is not only absurd; it is a dangerous heresy. For in the realm of culture, Jesus claims, and rightly claims to be King… It comes to this. Everywhere, in art, literature, the theater, music, ethics, politics, all society, our standard is to be the character of Christ, the most gifted of men, yet without sin, that all our efforts and all our conduct may be judged in view of His white, scorching purity.”
(James S. Stewart – Adapted.)
It is such a common idea, that a person with talent, exceptional skills, or some degree of genius is exempt from the rules of society and the laws of God! Thus the celebrities of our nation, idolized by the masses, because they can sing, act, write, accumulate wealthy, or get elected to public office, often have barnyard morals and engage in the most licentious practices, but are excused, applauded, and imitated by many!
In God’s eyes there is one law for all and Jesus is both the example and the King! No one is “great” and worthy of our adoration, no matter how gifted he or she may be, or how successful, if they are living in open violation and deliberate disregard of the standards of holiness revealed in God’s Word!
The bad thing about the worship of heroes, icons, and idols is that the worshiper eventually comes to be just like them! There is room for just one King in our lives. Let us worship Him alone. And then some day perhaps we will become just like Him!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
”For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Cor. 5:21).
“One of the most dangerous features of this irreligious culture in which we live is its tendency to elevate cleverness above goodness. If only a man in his walk of life has a touch of genius, that, it holds, more than atones for any defect in his ethical standards. But this quite certainly is not the view of Jesus! Nor is it the view of any Christian who is taking Jesus seriously! It is surely a strange and discreditable idea that because a man happens to write better, or paint better, or make better poetry than his neighbor, he is automatically exempted from certain of the moral standards to which his neighbor is expected to conform. That is not only absurd; it is a dangerous heresy. For in the realm of culture, Jesus claims, and rightly claims to be King… It comes to this. Everywhere, in art, literature, the theater, music, ethics, politics, all society, our standard is to be the character of Christ, the most gifted of men, yet without sin, that all our efforts and all our conduct may be judged in view of His white, scorching purity.”
(James S. Stewart – Adapted.)
It is such a common idea, that a person with talent, exceptional skills, or some degree of genius is exempt from the rules of society and the laws of God! Thus the celebrities of our nation, idolized by the masses, because they can sing, act, write, accumulate wealthy, or get elected to public office, often have barnyard morals and engage in the most licentious practices, but are excused, applauded, and imitated by many!
In God’s eyes there is one law for all and Jesus is both the example and the King! No one is “great” and worthy of our adoration, no matter how gifted he or she may be, or how successful, if they are living in open violation and deliberate disregard of the standards of holiness revealed in God’s Word!
The bad thing about the worship of heroes, icons, and idols is that the worshiper eventually comes to be just like them! There is room for just one King in our lives. Let us worship Him alone. And then some day perhaps we will become just like Him!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, June 15, 2009
"JESUS IS LORD!"
“I do not receive testimony from man” (John 5:34).
“There is an idea abroad of a semi-dependent Christ. It is the idea that Christ appeals for help, men imagining that by professing Christianity they are doing Christ a favor. You know what is apt to happen whenever any prominent man of letters, or scientist, or celebrity writes an article, publishes a book, or gives an interview in which he speaks approvingly about Jesus of Nazareth and the Christian religion. Immediately there are crowds of Christians ready to applaud it, as if it were another feather in the cap of Christianity, ready to broadcast it excitedly; “So-and-So has given his note for Christianity; isn’t it fine?”—As much as to say, “How gratified Jesus must be that this man of the world, this sophisticated pagan has thrown Him a bouquet!” That is all wrong. It is a travesty of the truth. Christ does not court any man. Christ commands him! And Christianity does not consist in complimenting Christ as a genius, or artist, or poet, or teacher, or social reformer, or anything else whatsoever: it means bowing to Christ as Lord and Commander-in-chief. Christianity is being ready to make Christ’s will our law, His command our joy, and His hardest marching-orders the music of our life!”
(James S. Stewart – Adapted.)
It was Peter’s conclusion in his Pentecost sermon that “God has made this Jesus…both Lord and Christ!” (Acts 2:36). He asks no man leave to serve as King. God has powerfully proven in every conceivable way that Jesus is His Son and the Redeemer—by prophecy, by miracle, by angelic appearance, by Jesus’ own character, wisdom, and truth! Now it is up to us, and all men, to believe, receive, and obey Him! Nothing is lacking in evidence, proof, or testimony that Jesus requires additional witness from the world, or powerful or gifted men, or clever and cunning celebrities. Nor is any earthly prominent personality doing Jesus a favor by “joining the church”!”
Jesus calls us to Himself by the truth of His message, the love of His Father, and the splendor of His character! He is Lord and Savior! Let us bow before Him and keep His commands!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“There is an idea abroad of a semi-dependent Christ. It is the idea that Christ appeals for help, men imagining that by professing Christianity they are doing Christ a favor. You know what is apt to happen whenever any prominent man of letters, or scientist, or celebrity writes an article, publishes a book, or gives an interview in which he speaks approvingly about Jesus of Nazareth and the Christian religion. Immediately there are crowds of Christians ready to applaud it, as if it were another feather in the cap of Christianity, ready to broadcast it excitedly; “So-and-So has given his note for Christianity; isn’t it fine?”—As much as to say, “How gratified Jesus must be that this man of the world, this sophisticated pagan has thrown Him a bouquet!” That is all wrong. It is a travesty of the truth. Christ does not court any man. Christ commands him! And Christianity does not consist in complimenting Christ as a genius, or artist, or poet, or teacher, or social reformer, or anything else whatsoever: it means bowing to Christ as Lord and Commander-in-chief. Christianity is being ready to make Christ’s will our law, His command our joy, and His hardest marching-orders the music of our life!”
(James S. Stewart – Adapted.)
It was Peter’s conclusion in his Pentecost sermon that “God has made this Jesus…both Lord and Christ!” (Acts 2:36). He asks no man leave to serve as King. God has powerfully proven in every conceivable way that Jesus is His Son and the Redeemer—by prophecy, by miracle, by angelic appearance, by Jesus’ own character, wisdom, and truth! Now it is up to us, and all men, to believe, receive, and obey Him! Nothing is lacking in evidence, proof, or testimony that Jesus requires additional witness from the world, or powerful or gifted men, or clever and cunning celebrities. Nor is any earthly prominent personality doing Jesus a favor by “joining the church”!”
Jesus calls us to Himself by the truth of His message, the love of His Father, and the splendor of His character! He is Lord and Savior! Let us bow before Him and keep His commands!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, June 8, 2009
"A WAY BACK!"
“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son” (Genesis 22:13).
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29).
“The Old Testament prophets deepened Israel’s understanding of sin. All sin is sin against Jehovah, the covenant God. Sin is Israel’s breach of the covenant. Within the context of this understanding of sin is revealed the idea of atoning sacrifices as a manifestation of the grace of Jehovah. It was God’s way appointed for removing the sin barrier, of restoring the covenant, and of bringing Israel back into fellowship with their covenant God. Atoning sacrifices, then, are not so much man’s gift to God as God’s gift to man. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls” (Lev. 17:11). The blood through which atonement is effected is a gift from Jehovah God. The provision for sacrificial worship is made by the covenant God Himself. The apparatus of sacrifice is itself a gift graciously granted by the covenant God in order to give man the opportunity for confession and reparation.”
(Robert Culpepper – Adapted)
To sin is to break faith and fellowship with our Creator and God. So how do we rid ourselves of guilt, remove the sin barrier, and be restored to a right-standing and renewed fellowship with Him?
Man is wholly unable to purify his own soul and work his way back into God’s favor. But, because God is gracious and merciful, because He loves us with a love which defies comprehension, He Himself has provided the way back! It is the way of blood sacrifice! The Lord has instructed how it is to be done (priest and altar) and has even provided the sacrifice!
As God provided the ram to Abraham to be offered in Isaacs’s place, and as He provided all the lambs to Israel through the centuries to be offered in behalf of guilty sinners, so He provided the Son of His love to be offered as an atonement for all men! Thus went Jesus to Calvary, the gift of God to the world that through His death we might be forgiven, restored, and live eternally!
What a great God, what a great gift, what a great love! May we in gratitude return His love and serve Him forever!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29).
“The Old Testament prophets deepened Israel’s understanding of sin. All sin is sin against Jehovah, the covenant God. Sin is Israel’s breach of the covenant. Within the context of this understanding of sin is revealed the idea of atoning sacrifices as a manifestation of the grace of Jehovah. It was God’s way appointed for removing the sin barrier, of restoring the covenant, and of bringing Israel back into fellowship with their covenant God. Atoning sacrifices, then, are not so much man’s gift to God as God’s gift to man. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls” (Lev. 17:11). The blood through which atonement is effected is a gift from Jehovah God. The provision for sacrificial worship is made by the covenant God Himself. The apparatus of sacrifice is itself a gift graciously granted by the covenant God in order to give man the opportunity for confession and reparation.”
(Robert Culpepper – Adapted)
To sin is to break faith and fellowship with our Creator and God. So how do we rid ourselves of guilt, remove the sin barrier, and be restored to a right-standing and renewed fellowship with Him?
Man is wholly unable to purify his own soul and work his way back into God’s favor. But, because God is gracious and merciful, because He loves us with a love which defies comprehension, He Himself has provided the way back! It is the way of blood sacrifice! The Lord has instructed how it is to be done (priest and altar) and has even provided the sacrifice!
As God provided the ram to Abraham to be offered in Isaacs’s place, and as He provided all the lambs to Israel through the centuries to be offered in behalf of guilty sinners, so He provided the Son of His love to be offered as an atonement for all men! Thus went Jesus to Calvary, the gift of God to the world that through His death we might be forgiven, restored, and live eternally!
What a great God, what a great gift, what a great love! May we in gratitude return His love and serve Him forever!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, June 1, 2009
"A WAY BACK!"
“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son” (Genesis 22:13).
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
“The Old Testament prophets deepened Israel’s understanding of sin. All sin is sin against Jehovah, the covenant God. Sin is Israel’s breach of the covenant. Within the context of this understanding of sin is revealed the idea of atoning sacrifices as a manifestation of the grace of Jehovah. It was God’s way appointed for removing the sin barrier, of restoring the covenant, and of bringing Israel back into fellowship with their covenant God. Atoning sacrifices, then, are not so much man’s gift to God as God’s gift to man. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls” (Lev. 17:11). The blood through which atonement is effected is a gift from Jehovah God. The provision for sacrificial worship is made by the covenant God Himself. The apparatus of sacrifice is itself a gift graciously granted by the covenant God in order to give man the opportunity for confession and reparation.”
(Robert Culpepper – Adapted)
To sin is to break faith and fellowship with our Creator and God. So how do we rid ourselves of guilt, remove the sin barrier, and be restored to a right-standing and renewed fellowship with Him?
Man is wholly unable to purify his own soul and work his way back into God’s favor. But, because God is gracious and merciful, because He loves us with a love which defies comprehension, He Himself has provided the way back! It is the way of blood sacrifice! The Lord has instructed how it is to be done (priest and altar) and has even provided the sacrifice!
As God provided the ram to Abraham to be offered in Isaacs’s place, and as He provided all the lambs to Israel through the centuries to be offered in behalf of guilty sinners, so He provided the Son of His love to be offered as an atonement for all men! Thus went Jesus to Calvary, the gift of God to the world, that through His death we might be forgiven, restored, and live eternally!
What a great God, what a great gift, what a great love! May we in gratitude return His love and serve Him forever!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
“The Old Testament prophets deepened Israel’s understanding of sin. All sin is sin against Jehovah, the covenant God. Sin is Israel’s breach of the covenant. Within the context of this understanding of sin is revealed the idea of atoning sacrifices as a manifestation of the grace of Jehovah. It was God’s way appointed for removing the sin barrier, of restoring the covenant, and of bringing Israel back into fellowship with their covenant God. Atoning sacrifices, then, are not so much man’s gift to God as God’s gift to man. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls” (Lev. 17:11). The blood through which atonement is effected is a gift from Jehovah God. The provision for sacrificial worship is made by the covenant God Himself. The apparatus of sacrifice is itself a gift graciously granted by the covenant God in order to give man the opportunity for confession and reparation.”
(Robert Culpepper – Adapted)
To sin is to break faith and fellowship with our Creator and God. So how do we rid ourselves of guilt, remove the sin barrier, and be restored to a right-standing and renewed fellowship with Him?
Man is wholly unable to purify his own soul and work his way back into God’s favor. But, because God is gracious and merciful, because He loves us with a love which defies comprehension, He Himself has provided the way back! It is the way of blood sacrifice! The Lord has instructed how it is to be done (priest and altar) and has even provided the sacrifice!
As God provided the ram to Abraham to be offered in Isaacs’s place, and as He provided all the lambs to Israel through the centuries to be offered in behalf of guilty sinners, so He provided the Son of His love to be offered as an atonement for all men! Thus went Jesus to Calvary, the gift of God to the world, that through His death we might be forgiven, restored, and live eternally!
What a great God, what a great gift, what a great love! May we in gratitude return His love and serve Him forever!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"CHRISTIAN FREEDOM!"
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
“For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman” (I Cor. 7:22).
“The terms freedom and liberty are often used interchangeably. Freedom is usually obtained “for” or “from” something and indicates an absence of external restraint. Liberty has a strong individual flavor and is a condition of the mind rather than the body. Thus Lord Byron could properly speak of the prisoner Chillon as having liberty while chained in a dungeon. It has been said that liberty exists in proportion to wholesome restraint. This element of self-control has spiritual and ethical overtones and is found in the words of the Apostle Paul, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (II Cor. 3:17). Thus, liberty might be said to be something more elevated than the condition of mundane freedom.”
(James DeForest Murch – Adapted.)
When Jesus commenced His preaching ministry He said that He came, under the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord, “to preach deliverance to the captives… to set at liberty those who are oppressed!” (Luke 4:18). He came to proclaim freedom to all men!
What a blessing the freedom and the liberty we have in Christ! The dimensions of this liberty are threefold:
(1.) Material or earthly. Everywhere the Gospel has been received personal liberties have followed! Nations have turned from dictatorships to democracy, society has given up slavery, abusive judicial systems have been reformed, living standards have risen!
(2.) Spiritual. Every believer becomes a free man in Christ regardless of external circumstances! In heart, mind, and soul we dwell with the Lord in Heavenly regions even if we are locked into an oppressive and negative social environment, or are literally chained in a dungeon, or are confined by disease, disorder, or accident to a sick bed or hospital or nursing home!
(3.) Eternal. Paul says that while we are presently in “the bondage of corruption” and decay, i.e., in this body of flesh destined to die, soon we shall be released from it “into the glorious liberty of the children of God!” (Romans 8:18-23). We who are in Christ eagerly anticipate “the adoption, the redemption of our body”, wherein we shall experience eternal life and glory!
The truth of Christ makes us free! May we ever cherish this freedom! There is nothing finer!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman” (I Cor. 7:22).
“The terms freedom and liberty are often used interchangeably. Freedom is usually obtained “for” or “from” something and indicates an absence of external restraint. Liberty has a strong individual flavor and is a condition of the mind rather than the body. Thus Lord Byron could properly speak of the prisoner Chillon as having liberty while chained in a dungeon. It has been said that liberty exists in proportion to wholesome restraint. This element of self-control has spiritual and ethical overtones and is found in the words of the Apostle Paul, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (II Cor. 3:17). Thus, liberty might be said to be something more elevated than the condition of mundane freedom.”
(James DeForest Murch – Adapted.)
When Jesus commenced His preaching ministry He said that He came, under the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord, “to preach deliverance to the captives… to set at liberty those who are oppressed!” (Luke 4:18). He came to proclaim freedom to all men!
What a blessing the freedom and the liberty we have in Christ! The dimensions of this liberty are threefold:
(1.) Material or earthly. Everywhere the Gospel has been received personal liberties have followed! Nations have turned from dictatorships to democracy, society has given up slavery, abusive judicial systems have been reformed, living standards have risen!
(2.) Spiritual. Every believer becomes a free man in Christ regardless of external circumstances! In heart, mind, and soul we dwell with the Lord in Heavenly regions even if we are locked into an oppressive and negative social environment, or are literally chained in a dungeon, or are confined by disease, disorder, or accident to a sick bed or hospital or nursing home!
(3.) Eternal. Paul says that while we are presently in “the bondage of corruption” and decay, i.e., in this body of flesh destined to die, soon we shall be released from it “into the glorious liberty of the children of God!” (Romans 8:18-23). We who are in Christ eagerly anticipate “the adoption, the redemption of our body”, wherein we shall experience eternal life and glory!
The truth of Christ makes us free! May we ever cherish this freedom! There is nothing finer!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, May 18, 2009
"An Ancient Foe in A Modern World!"
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” (I Timothy 4:1).
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).
“Now, I do not want to be radical, and I do not want to go to any extreme in the interpretation of the Word of God, but personally I am becoming more and more convinced that many of the awful and blasphemous teachings that are now found in the literature of our day, indeed, in some of the most widely-circulated and highly- praised books of our generation, have been prompted, though their authors do not know it, and would scoffingly deny it, by evil spirits.”
(Prof. Wilbur M. Smith)
I agree with Prof. Smith’s conviction. While he is speaking primarily of theological and academic literature, I would expand the thought to popular literature, stage, screen, and all forms of media. The lies, blasphemy, immorality, and every form of licentious communication, which so proliferates in our civilization and society, is beyond mere human initiative, genius, and power. Satan, “the god of this world”, “the prince of this age” is behind it. Evil spirits, fallen angels, the demons are his spiritual agents. They are out to frustrate the Gospel of God’s love, usurp Christ’s place in this world, and deprive the saints of our inheritance. They abound in unbelievable numbers, assuming every guise, exert persistent pressures, are sleepless in their efforts, wholly malignant in their intent. They have been loosed from the black abyss, they aid in gathering the human enemies of Jesus from the four corners of the earth to wage final war against the City of God, for they know their time is short, and soon the triumphant Lord Jesus Christ returns!
Till He comes the reign of evil persists. These demonic forces can be fought in no ordinary fashion. The saints must fight with sacred weapons and all the defenses of righteousness—faith, grace, prayer, love, holiness, zeal, scripture, Holy Spirit, Christian service, good works!
In the final analysis, however, there is no need for any child of God to fear these forces of evil. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!” (I John 4:4).
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12).
“Now, I do not want to be radical, and I do not want to go to any extreme in the interpretation of the Word of God, but personally I am becoming more and more convinced that many of the awful and blasphemous teachings that are now found in the literature of our day, indeed, in some of the most widely-circulated and highly- praised books of our generation, have been prompted, though their authors do not know it, and would scoffingly deny it, by evil spirits.”
(Prof. Wilbur M. Smith)
I agree with Prof. Smith’s conviction. While he is speaking primarily of theological and academic literature, I would expand the thought to popular literature, stage, screen, and all forms of media. The lies, blasphemy, immorality, and every form of licentious communication, which so proliferates in our civilization and society, is beyond mere human initiative, genius, and power. Satan, “the god of this world”, “the prince of this age” is behind it. Evil spirits, fallen angels, the demons are his spiritual agents. They are out to frustrate the Gospel of God’s love, usurp Christ’s place in this world, and deprive the saints of our inheritance. They abound in unbelievable numbers, assuming every guise, exert persistent pressures, are sleepless in their efforts, wholly malignant in their intent. They have been loosed from the black abyss, they aid in gathering the human enemies of Jesus from the four corners of the earth to wage final war against the City of God, for they know their time is short, and soon the triumphant Lord Jesus Christ returns!
Till He comes the reign of evil persists. These demonic forces can be fought in no ordinary fashion. The saints must fight with sacred weapons and all the defenses of righteousness—faith, grace, prayer, love, holiness, zeal, scripture, Holy Spirit, Christian service, good works!
In the final analysis, however, there is no need for any child of God to fear these forces of evil. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!” (I John 4:4).
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, May 11, 2009
"Worshiping God!"
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
“If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (I John 4:20).
“Do you ever go to church and feel that what is going on is not really the worship of God, but rather the worship of worship itself? There is a variety of ways in which we all worship the Lord. But sometimes I think that our worship gets misdirected and we wind up worshiping our style of worship rather than the subject of our worship – Almighty God! What I am concerned about is how we have fallen into the habit of worshiping our style of worship. I am referring to the way we worship in praise or song. In some congregations the attitude is projected that “our way of worship is the only way to worship.” We may sing, “It’s all about you, Lord” while we are so fixated on our way of worship that we might as well be honest and sing, “It’s all about us, Lord, it’s all about us!”
(Victor Knowles – Adapted).
Worshiping a particular worship style can be sinful in that it focuses the spotlight upon what we do instead of who we praise. Likewise it can engender pride, focusing upon the performers rather than the Holy God, whether they are the clergy, the choir, the praise band, the worship team, or the people themselves. Then, too, worship styles can be quite divisive, as those who are convinced their styles are exclusively the God-approved ones and those persons who won’t conform to them are not brothers in Christ. Hence, those who worship by simultaneous prayer, shouting, dancing, and speaking in tongues shut out others. Those who refuse to use musical instruments reject those who do. Those who insist upon the use of but a single communion cup refuse fellowship with multiple-cuppers. Those who use only choruses, praise bands, exceedingly loud amplifiers, and dress casually denigrate those would choose other things. (“This is not your grandmother’s church! We are the church of the now generation! If you don’t like how we do church, please, just quietly go away!”) Those who prefer priestly ritual and liturgy, read prayers, candles, and darkened sanctuaries tend to segregate themselves, or exalt themselves, from others.
Worship should center upon God! Worship should never divide! Worship should never promote hate!
Whoever has ears to hear, let us hear!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (I John 4:20).
“Do you ever go to church and feel that what is going on is not really the worship of God, but rather the worship of worship itself? There is a variety of ways in which we all worship the Lord. But sometimes I think that our worship gets misdirected and we wind up worshiping our style of worship rather than the subject of our worship – Almighty God! What I am concerned about is how we have fallen into the habit of worshiping our style of worship. I am referring to the way we worship in praise or song. In some congregations the attitude is projected that “our way of worship is the only way to worship.” We may sing, “It’s all about you, Lord” while we are so fixated on our way of worship that we might as well be honest and sing, “It’s all about us, Lord, it’s all about us!”
(Victor Knowles – Adapted).
Worshiping a particular worship style can be sinful in that it focuses the spotlight upon what we do instead of who we praise. Likewise it can engender pride, focusing upon the performers rather than the Holy God, whether they are the clergy, the choir, the praise band, the worship team, or the people themselves. Then, too, worship styles can be quite divisive, as those who are convinced their styles are exclusively the God-approved ones and those persons who won’t conform to them are not brothers in Christ. Hence, those who worship by simultaneous prayer, shouting, dancing, and speaking in tongues shut out others. Those who refuse to use musical instruments reject those who do. Those who insist upon the use of but a single communion cup refuse fellowship with multiple-cuppers. Those who use only choruses, praise bands, exceedingly loud amplifiers, and dress casually denigrate those would choose other things. (“This is not your grandmother’s church! We are the church of the now generation! If you don’t like how we do church, please, just quietly go away!”) Those who prefer priestly ritual and liturgy, read prayers, candles, and darkened sanctuaries tend to segregate themselves, or exalt themselves, from others.
Worship should center upon God! Worship should never divide! Worship should never promote hate!
Whoever has ears to hear, let us hear!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, April 27, 2009
"Recapturing Original Christianity!"
“Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it: then you will find rest for your souls” (Isaiah 6:16).
“Luther, beginning with an apostate Church sought to correct one by one the errors of the ages that were past. The doctrinal iniquity of justification by human merit first arrested his attention. He next denounced indulgences and questioned the papal power. He afterward abandoned the mass, and then renounced the celibacy of the priest, and finally defied openly the authority of Rome. It is true that in vindication of his reforms, which were mainly doctrinal, he appealed to the authority of Scripture, and for his justification placed the Scriptures in the hands of the people, but in these reforms he never fairly reached the apostolic age, nor did he fully restore the Gospel to the world, either in its simple faith, its sacred institutions, its divine promises or its ecclesiastical organization. Luther nobly struggled Backward through the corruption of the ages, but he ended only with St. Augustine in the 5th Century. It was the providential calling of Alexander Campbell and his co-laborers in the Restoration Movement to begin with Jesus and the apostolic church of the 1st Century and carry New Testament Christianity Forward to the current generation.”
(Robert Richardson – Adapted).
Martin Luther and his contemporaries among the Protestants of Europe carried on a Reformation. They were attempting to cut away the errors, man-made traditions, and false teachings from the Roman Catholic Church in order to have a purer form of Christianity. We do not fault them for what great efforts, courage, and accomplishments they achieved and demonstrated. But about as much of human content was left in the Church as was removed.
The Restoration Movement was a 19th Century attempt to recapture the primitive simplicity, original institutions and unity of the Church in the Bible. The idea was to return to the original blueprint and work forward. That is the philosophy, genius, and mission statement of Churches of Christ and Christian Churches. We may not have fully arrived yet, but success is available on a church-by-church, preacher-by-preacher, and member-by-member basis. If we take up our own Bible and work from it, in love, truth, sincerity, and good zeal, we will come a lot closer than one might imagine!
Without criticizing, condemning, or judging others, let us make a positive effort to search out the “Old Paths” and walk in them! The Lord will bless us when we do!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“Luther, beginning with an apostate Church sought to correct one by one the errors of the ages that were past. The doctrinal iniquity of justification by human merit first arrested his attention. He next denounced indulgences and questioned the papal power. He afterward abandoned the mass, and then renounced the celibacy of the priest, and finally defied openly the authority of Rome. It is true that in vindication of his reforms, which were mainly doctrinal, he appealed to the authority of Scripture, and for his justification placed the Scriptures in the hands of the people, but in these reforms he never fairly reached the apostolic age, nor did he fully restore the Gospel to the world, either in its simple faith, its sacred institutions, its divine promises or its ecclesiastical organization. Luther nobly struggled Backward through the corruption of the ages, but he ended only with St. Augustine in the 5th Century. It was the providential calling of Alexander Campbell and his co-laborers in the Restoration Movement to begin with Jesus and the apostolic church of the 1st Century and carry New Testament Christianity Forward to the current generation.”
(Robert Richardson – Adapted).
Martin Luther and his contemporaries among the Protestants of Europe carried on a Reformation. They were attempting to cut away the errors, man-made traditions, and false teachings from the Roman Catholic Church in order to have a purer form of Christianity. We do not fault them for what great efforts, courage, and accomplishments they achieved and demonstrated. But about as much of human content was left in the Church as was removed.
The Restoration Movement was a 19th Century attempt to recapture the primitive simplicity, original institutions and unity of the Church in the Bible. The idea was to return to the original blueprint and work forward. That is the philosophy, genius, and mission statement of Churches of Christ and Christian Churches. We may not have fully arrived yet, but success is available on a church-by-church, preacher-by-preacher, and member-by-member basis. If we take up our own Bible and work from it, in love, truth, sincerity, and good zeal, we will come a lot closer than one might imagine!
Without criticizing, condemning, or judging others, let us make a positive effort to search out the “Old Paths” and walk in them! The Lord will bless us when we do!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, April 20, 2009
"The Gospel According to You"
If none but you in the world today
Had tried to live in a Christlike way,
Could the rest of the world look close at you
And find the path that is straight and true?
If none but you in the world so wide
Had found the Christ for his daily guide,
Would the things you do and the things you say
Lead others to live in His blessed way?
Ah, friends of the Christ, in the world today
Are many who watch you upon your way,
And look to the things you say and do
To measure the Christian standard true!
Men read and admire the Gospel of Christ
With its love so unfailing and true,
But what do they say and what do they think
Of the Gospel according to you?
You are writing each day a letter to men—
Take care that the writing is true;
`Tis the only Gospel that some men will read,
That Gospel according to you.
--Author Unknown
Had tried to live in a Christlike way,
Could the rest of the world look close at you
And find the path that is straight and true?
If none but you in the world so wide
Had found the Christ for his daily guide,
Would the things you do and the things you say
Lead others to live in His blessed way?
Ah, friends of the Christ, in the world today
Are many who watch you upon your way,
And look to the things you say and do
To measure the Christian standard true!
Men read and admire the Gospel of Christ
With its love so unfailing and true,
But what do they say and what do they think
Of the Gospel according to you?
You are writing each day a letter to men—
Take care that the writing is true;
`Tis the only Gospel that some men will read,
That Gospel according to you.
--Author Unknown
Monday, April 13, 2009
"IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN?"
“Now it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper parts, came to Ephesus: and finding there some disciples, he said to them, Have you, on your believing, received the Holy Spirit? And they replied to him, No; we have not so much as heard whether the Holy Spirit is received. And he said to them, Into what, then, were you immersed? And they said, Into John’s immersion. And Paul said John, indeed, administered the immersion of reformation, telling the people that they should believe in Him that was to come after him: that is, in Jesus. And hearing this, they were immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul, laying his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And they were, in all, about twelve men.” (Acts 19:1-7 Alexander Campbell N.T.)
“These men, disciples of John the Baptist, were deficient in personal spiritual experience. So obvious was this fact that when Paul came into contact with them, he asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. Their answer was that they had not so much as heard whether the Holy Spirit had come. (“We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” NKJV). In view of John’s prediction that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, it seems inconceivable that they had never heard His name; but they might never have heard of the fulfillment at Pentecost and the promise by Peter of the coming of the indwelling Comforter as God’s gift to believers. The reply of Paul proves that the baptism of John was insufficient to produce a full Christian experience, for the believer must not only repent of sin, he must also be filled with the Spirit.”
(Merrill C. Tenney – Adapted).
When the Spirit of God is absent from the heart of a person there is a definite emptiness which is obvious both to self and others. And how remarkable that missing element when occurring in the life of one who otherwise professes to be a thoroughgoing Christian, one who is even believing, repentant, and baptized (immersed)!
God intended it to be so different! His purpose in bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit upon every Christian was to provide a superb inner resource to bless us in every way, to give us comfort when sad, courage when fearful, joy when grieving strength when weak, wisdom when confused, help when needed, deliverance when oppressed, understanding when studying, patience when on trial, skill when working and witnessing, power for growing, and hundreds of other aids in living for Christ and overcoming the world! We may not see the Spirit with our eyes, but His presence is unmistakable because of His activities in us and fellow Christians!
But what if the Spirit is missing in my life? What can a person do? He can do what the twelve disciples at Ephesus did—he can start over and do it right, by the grace of God! And if that is the case, why would we hesitate? The longer we wait the harder it will become.
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” (II Corinthians 13:5).
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“These men, disciples of John the Baptist, were deficient in personal spiritual experience. So obvious was this fact that when Paul came into contact with them, he asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. Their answer was that they had not so much as heard whether the Holy Spirit had come. (“We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” NKJV). In view of John’s prediction that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, it seems inconceivable that they had never heard His name; but they might never have heard of the fulfillment at Pentecost and the promise by Peter of the coming of the indwelling Comforter as God’s gift to believers. The reply of Paul proves that the baptism of John was insufficient to produce a full Christian experience, for the believer must not only repent of sin, he must also be filled with the Spirit.”
(Merrill C. Tenney – Adapted).
When the Spirit of God is absent from the heart of a person there is a definite emptiness which is obvious both to self and others. And how remarkable that missing element when occurring in the life of one who otherwise professes to be a thoroughgoing Christian, one who is even believing, repentant, and baptized (immersed)!
God intended it to be so different! His purpose in bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit upon every Christian was to provide a superb inner resource to bless us in every way, to give us comfort when sad, courage when fearful, joy when grieving strength when weak, wisdom when confused, help when needed, deliverance when oppressed, understanding when studying, patience when on trial, skill when working and witnessing, power for growing, and hundreds of other aids in living for Christ and overcoming the world! We may not see the Spirit with our eyes, but His presence is unmistakable because of His activities in us and fellow Christians!
But what if the Spirit is missing in my life? What can a person do? He can do what the twelve disciples at Ephesus did—he can start over and do it right, by the grace of God! And if that is the case, why would we hesitate? The longer we wait the harder it will become.
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” (II Corinthians 13:5).
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, April 6, 2009
"IN CHRIST"
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
“Faith in Christ means union with Christ; and until we realize the central place this thought holds in Paul’s life and experience, many of the richest treasures of the Gospel must remain sealed from our sight… The religion of Paul is something quite simple. It is communion with Christ. The critics of Paul must give full weight to his constantly repeated words “in Christ”. The mystical Christ could do what the idea of an earthly Messiah could never have done. This conception, first expressed in the Fourth Gospel, then fully developed in the epistles of Paul, has been the life-blood of Christianity from the beginning. The intimate relationship with the Spirit-Christ is unquestionably the core of the Christian religion. Union with Christ is the brief name for all that the apostles mean by salvation. For Paul and John oneness with Christ is to be redeemed, and to be redeemed is oneness with Christ. Sanctification seen in its true nature is the unfolding of Christ’s own character within the believer’s life.” (James S. Stewart – Adapted)
Being a Christian is not something one does. Being a Christian is something one is. There is the constant tendency, one may say constant danger, of externalizing our religion, of merely going by the rules, performing the rituals, adhering to the customs, rather than becoming through and through a new creature “in Christ”, one who, being filled with the Spirit of Christ, is daily growing more and more into the image, and the character, and the life of Christ.
Is it “Christ who lives in me”, or is it just me living my life with a little Christian whitewash coated over? No one but the individual can answer this question.
It is not a matter of legalistic conformity, this ideal of being “in Christ”, or of having “Christ within”, it is a matter of life!
Let us not be content with a cheap imitation; let us choose the real thing!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“Faith in Christ means union with Christ; and until we realize the central place this thought holds in Paul’s life and experience, many of the richest treasures of the Gospel must remain sealed from our sight… The religion of Paul is something quite simple. It is communion with Christ. The critics of Paul must give full weight to his constantly repeated words “in Christ”. The mystical Christ could do what the idea of an earthly Messiah could never have done. This conception, first expressed in the Fourth Gospel, then fully developed in the epistles of Paul, has been the life-blood of Christianity from the beginning. The intimate relationship with the Spirit-Christ is unquestionably the core of the Christian religion. Union with Christ is the brief name for all that the apostles mean by salvation. For Paul and John oneness with Christ is to be redeemed, and to be redeemed is oneness with Christ. Sanctification seen in its true nature is the unfolding of Christ’s own character within the believer’s life.” (James S. Stewart – Adapted)
Being a Christian is not something one does. Being a Christian is something one is. There is the constant tendency, one may say constant danger, of externalizing our religion, of merely going by the rules, performing the rituals, adhering to the customs, rather than becoming through and through a new creature “in Christ”, one who, being filled with the Spirit of Christ, is daily growing more and more into the image, and the character, and the life of Christ.
Is it “Christ who lives in me”, or is it just me living my life with a little Christian whitewash coated over? No one but the individual can answer this question.
It is not a matter of legalistic conformity, this ideal of being “in Christ”, or of having “Christ within”, it is a matter of life!
Let us not be content with a cheap imitation; let us choose the real thing!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
"DO NOT JUDGE US TOO HARD"
Pray do not find fault with the man who limps
Or stumbles along the road,
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears, placed on your back,
Might cause you to stumble too.
Don’t sneer at the man who’s down today,
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you
In the self-same way at the self-same time
Might cause you to stagger too.
Don’t be too harsh with the man who sins
Or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,
That you have no sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps if the tempter’s voice
Should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray,
`Twould cause you to falter too.
(--Author Unknown)
Or stumbles along the road,
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt,
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears, placed on your back,
Might cause you to stumble too.
Don’t sneer at the man who’s down today,
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall, or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, if dealt to you
In the self-same way at the self-same time
Might cause you to stagger too.
Don’t be too harsh with the man who sins
Or pelt him with words or stones,
Unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure,
That you have no sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps if the tempter’s voice
Should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray,
`Twould cause you to falter too.
(--Author Unknown)
Monday, March 23, 2009
"SAVING FAITH"
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
“There may be a real faith in Christ, though there be mixed with it many and grave errors concerning His work and the manner of receiving the blessings which He bestows… I do not wish to underrate for one moment the absolute necessity of clear and true conceptions of revealed truth, in order to develop a vigorous and mature faith; but, while there can be no faith worth calling so which is not based upon the intellectual reception of truth, still there may be faith based upon an imperfect reception of the truth. The power and vitality of faith are not measured by the comprehensiveness and clearness of belief… He that knows and trusts the Lord as Brother, Friend, and Savior, in whom he receives the pardon and cleansing he needs and desires, may have very many misconceptions and errors yet clinging to him, but Christ accepts him anyway.”
(Alex. Maclaren – Adapted.)
A person’s faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is what saves him, not the amount, degree or perfection of his understanding of Bible teaching. If it were otherwise, who could be saved? The wisest man, with the best education and resources, could spend a lifetime studying the Word of God and at the end of his days, be forced to exclaim with Paul, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). Of course, a man should keep on studying the great things of God and eagerly seek to know all the mind of God and the facts and wisdom revealed in Scripture—and what joy that is to the child of the Lord!—yet it is comforting to know that it is not a perfect understanding that saves us!
Some think men are saved by a complete and correct intellectual comprehension of every doctrine in the Bible. Others center salvation in a rote, legalistic obedience of Bible commands—perfectly executed. Obviously a great many associate salvation with belonging to the right party, denomination, theological mindset, or by which great theologian, preacher, or author one idolizes. Thank goodness, none of these are correct!
Simple faith in Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture, faith as small as a mustard seed and as trusting and innocent as that of a little child, here is what saves a man when he acts upon it! Jesus Himself says so!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“There may be a real faith in Christ, though there be mixed with it many and grave errors concerning His work and the manner of receiving the blessings which He bestows… I do not wish to underrate for one moment the absolute necessity of clear and true conceptions of revealed truth, in order to develop a vigorous and mature faith; but, while there can be no faith worth calling so which is not based upon the intellectual reception of truth, still there may be faith based upon an imperfect reception of the truth. The power and vitality of faith are not measured by the comprehensiveness and clearness of belief… He that knows and trusts the Lord as Brother, Friend, and Savior, in whom he receives the pardon and cleansing he needs and desires, may have very many misconceptions and errors yet clinging to him, but Christ accepts him anyway.”
(Alex. Maclaren – Adapted.)
A person’s faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is what saves him, not the amount, degree or perfection of his understanding of Bible teaching. If it were otherwise, who could be saved? The wisest man, with the best education and resources, could spend a lifetime studying the Word of God and at the end of his days, be forced to exclaim with Paul, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). Of course, a man should keep on studying the great things of God and eagerly seek to know all the mind of God and the facts and wisdom revealed in Scripture—and what joy that is to the child of the Lord!—yet it is comforting to know that it is not a perfect understanding that saves us!
Some think men are saved by a complete and correct intellectual comprehension of every doctrine in the Bible. Others center salvation in a rote, legalistic obedience of Bible commands—perfectly executed. Obviously a great many associate salvation with belonging to the right party, denomination, theological mindset, or by which great theologian, preacher, or author one idolizes. Thank goodness, none of these are correct!
Simple faith in Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture, faith as small as a mustard seed and as trusting and innocent as that of a little child, here is what saves a man when he acts upon it! Jesus Himself says so!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
"THE ROAD OF LIFE"
“The Road Of Life”
By Michael J. Kober
Once I became a weary gentleman,
Who had grown older and gray
My feet had often times traveled
along a rough and tiresome way.
And so I reflected on my life,
though it long and good had been
I soon became discontent,
wishing I could do it all over again.
Oh, it hadn’t all been easy-
there were troubles now and then
Still there wasn’t much I would change,
If I could do it all again.
But now that I’d retired
and old age was in plain view
I thought, “There’s no purpose
for me living much longer,
there’s no good that I could do.”
Chance brought to me a young boy
walking down the same hard road
Who said, “I just can’t make it:
I just can’t bear the load.”
“Ah,” thought I to myself,
“this young man needs a friend
Maybe I can help him
make it around the bend.”
And so I told him how
I had felt the same way too
How I thought life was much too hard
and I couldn’t make it through.
I said it really wasn’t quite as bad
as it first appeared to be
For in the end it all worked out,
though how it was sometimes hard to see.
The young man brightened slightly then,
as he prepared to travel on.
He thanked me for making the road seem
not so treacherous and long.
‘Twas then this weary gentleman,
who had grown older and gray
Decided life was not so bad,
if I could help someone along the way.
And more opportunities to help the young
seek the proper path
Without judging, condemning,
and free from someone’s wrath,
Has come my way once again,
coincidence, queer, or odd
No, it’s guidance and direction
coming from my God!
(Copied from Newsletter
of Christian Church, Cabool, MO)
By Michael J. Kober
Once I became a weary gentleman,
Who had grown older and gray
My feet had often times traveled
along a rough and tiresome way.
And so I reflected on my life,
though it long and good had been
I soon became discontent,
wishing I could do it all over again.
Oh, it hadn’t all been easy-
there were troubles now and then
Still there wasn’t much I would change,
If I could do it all again.
But now that I’d retired
and old age was in plain view
I thought, “There’s no purpose
for me living much longer,
there’s no good that I could do.”
Chance brought to me a young boy
walking down the same hard road
Who said, “I just can’t make it:
I just can’t bear the load.”
“Ah,” thought I to myself,
“this young man needs a friend
Maybe I can help him
make it around the bend.”
And so I told him how
I had felt the same way too
How I thought life was much too hard
and I couldn’t make it through.
I said it really wasn’t quite as bad
as it first appeared to be
For in the end it all worked out,
though how it was sometimes hard to see.
The young man brightened slightly then,
as he prepared to travel on.
He thanked me for making the road seem
not so treacherous and long.
‘Twas then this weary gentleman,
who had grown older and gray
Decided life was not so bad,
if I could help someone along the way.
And more opportunities to help the young
seek the proper path
Without judging, condemning,
and free from someone’s wrath,
Has come my way once again,
coincidence, queer, or odd
No, it’s guidance and direction
coming from my God!
(Copied from Newsletter
of Christian Church, Cabool, MO)
Monday, March 2, 2009
“THE SIMPLE GOSPEL!”
“THE SIMPLE GOSPEL!”
“Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely!” (Rev. 22:17).
“The command to preach the Gospel to every creature implied that it was adapted to the comprehension of every creature. As the great mass of mankind are incapable of comprehending abstruse and mysterious subjects, the primitive Gospel must have been, therefore, something extremely simple in its statement and evident in its nature.”
(Robert Richardson)
“Gospel” means “good news.” Now if the good news of salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ is so difficult to understand that only a select few can do so, then it decidedly is not good news!
But the message of Christ is one that can be comprehended by all people—people of every race, language, culture, and nation; persons of all ages; those who are well-educated, those who are illiterate. Anyone who can understand love can understand the Gospel! How glad we are that it is just this way! Everyone who wants to be saved can be saved! How wonderful the ways of God! Full of power, wisdom, and deep knowledge, yet so simple that even the simplest can hear, believe, repent, be baptized, and be saved!
I like to read and enjoy dabbling in the writings of theologians and scholars on occasion, older writers and more recent ones. One thing constantly amazes me—the ability of most theologians and philosophers to complicate the simple and obscure the plain! They love to redefine terms and make up new words. They are experts at employing technical jargon. It almost appears that, beyond playing with divine themes and reinventing ancient ideas, most theologians are really only trying to impress people with their skills. At best, the wise men of this world merely entertain us. When we wish to feed our souls and win the lost for Jesus, we turn directly to the Holy Bible and the simple Gospel!
The simplicity of the Gospel! The simplicity of Jesus Christ! How we love it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely!” (Rev. 22:17).
“The command to preach the Gospel to every creature implied that it was adapted to the comprehension of every creature. As the great mass of mankind are incapable of comprehending abstruse and mysterious subjects, the primitive Gospel must have been, therefore, something extremely simple in its statement and evident in its nature.”
(Robert Richardson)
“Gospel” means “good news.” Now if the good news of salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ is so difficult to understand that only a select few can do so, then it decidedly is not good news!
But the message of Christ is one that can be comprehended by all people—people of every race, language, culture, and nation; persons of all ages; those who are well-educated, those who are illiterate. Anyone who can understand love can understand the Gospel! How glad we are that it is just this way! Everyone who wants to be saved can be saved! How wonderful the ways of God! Full of power, wisdom, and deep knowledge, yet so simple that even the simplest can hear, believe, repent, be baptized, and be saved!
I like to read and enjoy dabbling in the writings of theologians and scholars on occasion, older writers and more recent ones. One thing constantly amazes me—the ability of most theologians and philosophers to complicate the simple and obscure the plain! They love to redefine terms and make up new words. They are experts at employing technical jargon. It almost appears that, beyond playing with divine themes and reinventing ancient ideas, most theologians are really only trying to impress people with their skills. At best, the wise men of this world merely entertain us. When we wish to feed our souls and win the lost for Jesus, we turn directly to the Holy Bible and the simple Gospel!
The simplicity of the Gospel! The simplicity of Jesus Christ! How we love it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, February 23, 2009
"WATCHING WHAT WE WATCH ON TV!"
-
VOLUME XXVII I FEBRUARY 23, 2009 #08
“Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” (Eph. 4:19 NIV)
What a perfect description of those who make so many of our TV programs today and those who are addicted to them! “Lost all sensitivity! Given to sensuality! Indulging in every kind of impurity! Continually lusting for more!” One might think this was written in 2009 rather than so long ago! What a barren wasteland is so much of TV programming! What cesspools of filth so many of the sitcoms! What a tragedy that such a wonderful means of communication has been so largely misused for evil!
“Can Christians own and watch TV?” Some entire denominations forbid it, as do many individual pastors and evangelists. But one would be hard put to find a “Thus saith the Lord” in the Bible for the wholesale elimination of TV. But that being said, one does not have to stretch for scriptures which would warn believers away from much shown on TV. Consider for instance:
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them… Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” (Eph. 5:3-7, 11-12 NIV)
What we feed our eyes and minds with is what we eventually become. We cannot sit watching hours of unmitigated corruption without being affected by it. To patronize filthy programs and movies is to “be partners with” those who write them, speak them, and act them out—and that is something God forbids us to do! With such things we are to have nothing to do! We are not only not to indulge our eyes, minds, and imaginations in them, we are commanded not even to mention them!
As TV programming (commercials included!) continues to deteriorate morally we disciples of Jesus must become more selective in what we watch and allow in our homes! After all, we are “God’s holy people!”
Larry Atkin, Preacher
VOLUME XXVII I FEBRUARY 23, 2009 #08
“Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” (Eph. 4:19 NIV)
What a perfect description of those who make so many of our TV programs today and those who are addicted to them! “Lost all sensitivity! Given to sensuality! Indulging in every kind of impurity! Continually lusting for more!” One might think this was written in 2009 rather than so long ago! What a barren wasteland is so much of TV programming! What cesspools of filth so many of the sitcoms! What a tragedy that such a wonderful means of communication has been so largely misused for evil!
“Can Christians own and watch TV?” Some entire denominations forbid it, as do many individual pastors and evangelists. But one would be hard put to find a “Thus saith the Lord” in the Bible for the wholesale elimination of TV. But that being said, one does not have to stretch for scriptures which would warn believers away from much shown on TV. Consider for instance:
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them… Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” (Eph. 5:3-7, 11-12 NIV)
What we feed our eyes and minds with is what we eventually become. We cannot sit watching hours of unmitigated corruption without being affected by it. To patronize filthy programs and movies is to “be partners with” those who write them, speak them, and act them out—and that is something God forbids us to do! With such things we are to have nothing to do! We are not only not to indulge our eyes, minds, and imaginations in them, we are commanded not even to mention them!
As TV programming (commercials included!) continues to deteriorate morally we disciples of Jesus must become more selective in what we watch and allow in our homes! After all, we are “God’s holy people!”
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, February 16, 2009
“GOOD COMMUNICATION!”
“Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching.”
(II Timothy 4:2)
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!... Let these words sink down into your ears…” (Luke 8:8, 9:44)
When it comes to Bible preaching there are two responsibilities, one belonging to the preacher and one to those listening.
There is a popular way of preaching and there is a better way. Some preachers read their sermons verbatim in the pulpit, but is that effective?
The story is told of a beginning preacher in a rural Scottish church. After the morning message an old farmer bluntly said to the young man, “I didn’t like your sermon for three reasons. In the first place, your read your sermon, and I don’t like read sermons. In the second place, you didn’t read it well, and if I must have a read sermon, I like it to be well read. In the third place, there wasn’t nothing worth reading in it anyway!”
The perfectly natural way for a message to be delivered is in a forthright, eye-to-eye, hear-to-heart extemporaneous manner. Let the Gospel be proclaimed with enthusiasm, sincerity, and proper decorum. Let it be stated in as fresh and original way as possible. Let the messenger leave self out of sight, be humble, but unapologetic. He represents the Lord!
The entire burden of communication does not rest upon the speaker. Those in the congregation have a duty to listen attentively, thoughtfully, and respectfully. Jesus urges us to “let His words sink down into our ears”, i.e., to listen deeply, intelligently. How many of us do? How easy it is to simply drift off in a dozen different directions during a bible School lesson or the Sunday sermon!—and then go home unmoved and unhelped, or complaining about a boring speaker! Wouldn’t things go differently if we prayerfully prepare and carefully concentrate when God’s precious Word is read and expounded?
The Word of God deserves our best!—Our best delivery when we teach or preach it!—Our best attention as we listen to it! May we give it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
(II Timothy 4:2)
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!... Let these words sink down into your ears…” (Luke 8:8, 9:44)
When it comes to Bible preaching there are two responsibilities, one belonging to the preacher and one to those listening.
There is a popular way of preaching and there is a better way. Some preachers read their sermons verbatim in the pulpit, but is that effective?
The story is told of a beginning preacher in a rural Scottish church. After the morning message an old farmer bluntly said to the young man, “I didn’t like your sermon for three reasons. In the first place, your read your sermon, and I don’t like read sermons. In the second place, you didn’t read it well, and if I must have a read sermon, I like it to be well read. In the third place, there wasn’t nothing worth reading in it anyway!”
The perfectly natural way for a message to be delivered is in a forthright, eye-to-eye, hear-to-heart extemporaneous manner. Let the Gospel be proclaimed with enthusiasm, sincerity, and proper decorum. Let it be stated in as fresh and original way as possible. Let the messenger leave self out of sight, be humble, but unapologetic. He represents the Lord!
The entire burden of communication does not rest upon the speaker. Those in the congregation have a duty to listen attentively, thoughtfully, and respectfully. Jesus urges us to “let His words sink down into our ears”, i.e., to listen deeply, intelligently. How many of us do? How easy it is to simply drift off in a dozen different directions during a bible School lesson or the Sunday sermon!—and then go home unmoved and unhelped, or complaining about a boring speaker! Wouldn’t things go differently if we prayerfully prepare and carefully concentrate when God’s precious Word is read and expounded?
The Word of God deserves our best!—Our best delivery when we teach or preach it!—Our best attention as we listen to it! May we give it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
"THE INDWELLING SPIRIT!"
“But you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Roman 8:9).
“Once more we are reminded that to be “in the flesh” does not refer to being in the physical body. It is the contrast with being “in the Spirit.” These are antithetical one to the other. Yet the Spirit does dwell in or abide in the body as in a living organism. “Do you not know that your body is the sanctuary of the indwelling Spirit, and the Spirit is God’s gift to you?” (I Cor. 6:19). We must abide in the body to provide a temple for the Holy Spirit, but we dare not be “in the flesh”, that is, on the lower level of the human nature. That is the plane in which sin rules as a tyrant and moral anarchy is the order of life.
“Thus, the Spirit is said to dwell or abide in us. This is not a brief stay by a passing friend, but tenantry for life, or so long as we permit. The proof that we are living on the higher plane of spiritual existence is the indwelling Spirit. God moves into a meaningful personal relationship with us on the upper level and rules over our life! The dominance of sin is broken! It has no more claim upon the members of our body! We are set free by the grace of God!”
(W. Carl Ketcherside – Adapted).
Through the indwelling of the Spirit of God Jesus Christ comes to live and rule in our lives. The body we lived in before conversion is still the body we live in as Christians. But it must be cleansed, remodeled, and brought into submission and conformity to the will of the new King. If we are to enjoy to the fullest the blessings of faith and the glory of Heaven we will want to be thoroughly new creatures in Christ!
The Spirit of Christ is in us to carry out this great renovation project, the bringing us to completeness, maturity, and perfection. He provides for us, according to the promises of Scripture, the comfort, encouragement, power, joy, incentive, conviction, companionship, love, fellowship, wisdom, and every essential personal quality (“the fruit of the Spirit”) contributing to our perfection and our happiness. As sin is eliminated in us, holiness and godliness replaces it!
What a great gift – the presence of God, the reigning of Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit! May we ever cherish it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
“Once more we are reminded that to be “in the flesh” does not refer to being in the physical body. It is the contrast with being “in the Spirit.” These are antithetical one to the other. Yet the Spirit does dwell in or abide in the body as in a living organism. “Do you not know that your body is the sanctuary of the indwelling Spirit, and the Spirit is God’s gift to you?” (I Cor. 6:19). We must abide in the body to provide a temple for the Holy Spirit, but we dare not be “in the flesh”, that is, on the lower level of the human nature. That is the plane in which sin rules as a tyrant and moral anarchy is the order of life.
“Thus, the Spirit is said to dwell or abide in us. This is not a brief stay by a passing friend, but tenantry for life, or so long as we permit. The proof that we are living on the higher plane of spiritual existence is the indwelling Spirit. God moves into a meaningful personal relationship with us on the upper level and rules over our life! The dominance of sin is broken! It has no more claim upon the members of our body! We are set free by the grace of God!”
(W. Carl Ketcherside – Adapted).
Through the indwelling of the Spirit of God Jesus Christ comes to live and rule in our lives. The body we lived in before conversion is still the body we live in as Christians. But it must be cleansed, remodeled, and brought into submission and conformity to the will of the new King. If we are to enjoy to the fullest the blessings of faith and the glory of Heaven we will want to be thoroughly new creatures in Christ!
The Spirit of Christ is in us to carry out this great renovation project, the bringing us to completeness, maturity, and perfection. He provides for us, according to the promises of Scripture, the comfort, encouragement, power, joy, incentive, conviction, companionship, love, fellowship, wisdom, and every essential personal quality (“the fruit of the Spirit”) contributing to our perfection and our happiness. As sin is eliminated in us, holiness and godliness replaces it!
What a great gift – the presence of God, the reigning of Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit! May we ever cherish it!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
Monday, February 2, 2009
"The Prayer that Would Have Been Prayed..."
“THE PRAYER THAT
WOULD HAVE BEEN PRAYED…”
For those who are following the “Roanoke City Council Prayer Controversy” you will recall that I had been invited to give the invocation for the February 2 Roanoke City Council Meeting. But because two other ministers recently prayed “in the Name of the Son of God” and “in the Name of Jesus Christ” (Sherman Lea and Harold Sumner), there was some doubt as to whether the City Council would permit anyone else to pray in Jesus’ Name. I was told by telephone that an official prayer policy was being formulated and all future prayers must conform to it.
The official prayer policy has been put in place. I received a letter from Stephanie Moon, City Clerk (January 22, 2009) stating: “This policy is the result of the city’s commitment to showcase the rich diversity found in Roanoke. Inasmuch as the invocation is an official part of every Council meeting and is listed on the agenda and is delivered as part of the opening ceremony, along with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, all invocations delivered by the clergy must be nonsectarian in nature, and should not be used to advance a particular religion or to disparage another faith or belief, but offer a time of reflection and encouragement.”
I telephoned Stephanie Moon for clarification. I asked her if this meant that the Name of Jesus could not be used in the invocation. She said that is what it means. I then told her that if I could not conscientiously comply with that policy, does that mean my invitation to have the February 2 City Council invocation has been rescinded, taken away and refused? She said, yes, that is the case. I reminded her that this is a denial of my Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion. She very cheerfully said, yes, she knew that!
Since I had already prepared my prayer thoughts for the City Council invocation (following Sherman Lea’s censure in the media, but before Harold Sumner’s repeat performance), I thought it might be of some interest to share this prayer. Here is “the Prayer That Would Have Been Prayed”.
“O, Lord, there seems to be a lot of controversy lately about whether it is right for Christians to pray to you, the Christian’s God, for our government leaders. But actually, we have been commanded by You to do just that in the words of the inspired Apostle Paul: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority” (I Timothy 2:1-2).
“So therefore we do today pray for these who lead our city, that You will bless them each one and their families with good health and long life, and that You will grant them the wisdom, self-control, and patient endurance to conduct the affairs of this city and its citizens in a right, fair, and honest way. Our forefathers and –mothers, those
who established this nation, these states and cities, called upon You and acknowledged Your divine leading in this great experiment in democracy and freedom, and we believe it is right for us to do so, also.
“Dear Heavenly Father, You have heard the question raised by some of whether it is right for Christians to pray publicly in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; but we can only reply to those who would silence us as did the First Century believers when commanded not to speak in the Name of Jesus, who said, “whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, You judge… We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Stephanie Moon stated in our conversation that the city will be sued at law if Jesus’ Name appears in any more City Council invocations. Of course, there is always a “bottom line”!
Fortunately we do not have to have a City Council Meeting in order to pray for our city officials! We can always do so privately and in our Churches (so far). Let us do so! And, following our Lord’s commands, let us also pray for those who have made us their enemies for His sake—the A.C.L.U., the atheists, humanists, pagans, cults, false Christians, and those who put money before principle!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
WOULD HAVE BEEN PRAYED…”
For those who are following the “Roanoke City Council Prayer Controversy” you will recall that I had been invited to give the invocation for the February 2 Roanoke City Council Meeting. But because two other ministers recently prayed “in the Name of the Son of God” and “in the Name of Jesus Christ” (Sherman Lea and Harold Sumner), there was some doubt as to whether the City Council would permit anyone else to pray in Jesus’ Name. I was told by telephone that an official prayer policy was being formulated and all future prayers must conform to it.
The official prayer policy has been put in place. I received a letter from Stephanie Moon, City Clerk (January 22, 2009) stating: “This policy is the result of the city’s commitment to showcase the rich diversity found in Roanoke. Inasmuch as the invocation is an official part of every Council meeting and is listed on the agenda and is delivered as part of the opening ceremony, along with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, all invocations delivered by the clergy must be nonsectarian in nature, and should not be used to advance a particular religion or to disparage another faith or belief, but offer a time of reflection and encouragement.”
I telephoned Stephanie Moon for clarification. I asked her if this meant that the Name of Jesus could not be used in the invocation. She said that is what it means. I then told her that if I could not conscientiously comply with that policy, does that mean my invitation to have the February 2 City Council invocation has been rescinded, taken away and refused? She said, yes, that is the case. I reminded her that this is a denial of my Constitutional Rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion. She very cheerfully said, yes, she knew that!
Since I had already prepared my prayer thoughts for the City Council invocation (following Sherman Lea’s censure in the media, but before Harold Sumner’s repeat performance), I thought it might be of some interest to share this prayer. Here is “the Prayer That Would Have Been Prayed”.
“O, Lord, there seems to be a lot of controversy lately about whether it is right for Christians to pray to you, the Christian’s God, for our government leaders. But actually, we have been commanded by You to do just that in the words of the inspired Apostle Paul: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority” (I Timothy 2:1-2).
“So therefore we do today pray for these who lead our city, that You will bless them each one and their families with good health and long life, and that You will grant them the wisdom, self-control, and patient endurance to conduct the affairs of this city and its citizens in a right, fair, and honest way. Our forefathers and –mothers, those
who established this nation, these states and cities, called upon You and acknowledged Your divine leading in this great experiment in democracy and freedom, and we believe it is right for us to do so, also.
“Dear Heavenly Father, You have heard the question raised by some of whether it is right for Christians to pray publicly in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; but we can only reply to those who would silence us as did the First Century believers when commanded not to speak in the Name of Jesus, who said, “whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, You judge… We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Stephanie Moon stated in our conversation that the city will be sued at law if Jesus’ Name appears in any more City Council invocations. Of course, there is always a “bottom line”!
Fortunately we do not have to have a City Council Meeting in order to pray for our city officials! We can always do so privately and in our Churches (so far). Let us do so! And, following our Lord’s commands, let us also pray for those who have made us their enemies for His sake—the A.C.L.U., the atheists, humanists, pagans, cults, false Christians, and those who put money before principle!
Larry Atkin, Preacher
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