Howdy folks,
Right off the top let me tell you that I’m old-fashioned! I still read and carry my King James Version of the Bible, listen to and sing the old hymns, and enjoy an old-fashioned, no frills gospel sermon. As a preacher, I have long been fascinated with the style and sermons of the preachers of yesterday. Because they used vivid descriptions of judgment and eternal damnation to encourage repentance, they were often called “fire and brimstone preachers.” Perhaps the best known of these preachers was Jonathan Edwards, who preached during the Great Awakening of the 1730’s and 40’s. It is reported that on one occasion after he preached his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” audience members burst out weeping, cried in anguish or even fainted.
Folks, Peter would have been called a fire and brimstone preacher. On the day of Pentecost, He delivered a powerful message to the people who were drawn to the Temple by all the commotion. Cut to the heart by Peter’s message that Jesus whom they crucified was both Lord and Christ, some 3,000 people turned to the Lord (Acts 2:41). Again Peter preached to a crowd who had gathered to witness a healed cripple walking, leaping, and praising God. In response to his message that God had sent Jesus to save them from their sins, about 5,000 who heard his words believed (Acts 4:4).
How different is that from today? For the most part, “fire and brimstone preachers” are an endangered species. After the sermon people politely arise from their padded pews, exchange some pleasantries with their friends and, compliment their preacher for the beautiful uplifting lesson that he has so eloquently delivered. Paul exhorts the young preacher Timothy to preach the Word! “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside by fables (2 Timothy 4:3-4).” An old-fashioned, no-frills Gospel sermon that accurately reflects the Word of God is more powerful by far than any sermon intended to advance our thinking or lead us to new truth. So I’m gonna stay old-fashioned.
Twas an old-fashioned meeting in an old-fashioned place,
Where some old-fashioned people had some old-fashioned grace;
As an old-fashioned sinner I began to pray,
And God heard me and saved me in the old-fashioned way. ---Buffum
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
THE REJECTED CORNERSTONE
Howdy folks,
In ancient times, the cornerstone referred to the foundation stone, the first placed, which was secure and set the angles for the rest of the building. It was the visible corner of the foundation of the building and the starting point of all future building above the foundation. It was also the largest and most costly stone because of its beauty and strength, as well as the most solid and carefully constructed stone. The cornerstone was the place where the building was joined and also supported the major portion of the superstructure. To cast aside the cornerstone would be to resist any future building on that foundation.
The metaphor of a cornerstone as a foundation is found in Isaiah 28:16 in reference to the person and work of the Messianic Redeemer: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” In the New Testament, Peter uses the metaphor of the cornerstone to refer to Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:7 we read, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” Given the context in which this verse is found, I believe Peter was elaborating on Jesus as the foundation upon which God has promised to build the church. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11).” By comparing believers to “living stones” and placing them in relationship to the cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5), Peter has completed the metaphor. First, we rest on Christ as a building rests on its foundation. Second, we relate to every other believer as the stones of a building under construction relate to one another. The meaning is clear we need each other, should support each other, and must work together to build the church in the world.
However, there is another contemporary lesson to be learned. Like the cornerstone that was rejected by the builders, many will not repent of their sins and accept the complete lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives. What they fail to realize is that this offer is the only choice they have that will give them genuine salvation from their sins. Rejection of Jesus Christ does not make us free from God’s judgment and punishment. As surely as those who choose God will receive eternal life, so those who reject Him will be judged to destruction. Both are guaranteed to receive the consequences of their choices.
The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation by water and the word:
From Heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died. ----Stone
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
In ancient times, the cornerstone referred to the foundation stone, the first placed, which was secure and set the angles for the rest of the building. It was the visible corner of the foundation of the building and the starting point of all future building above the foundation. It was also the largest and most costly stone because of its beauty and strength, as well as the most solid and carefully constructed stone. The cornerstone was the place where the building was joined and also supported the major portion of the superstructure. To cast aside the cornerstone would be to resist any future building on that foundation.
The metaphor of a cornerstone as a foundation is found in Isaiah 28:16 in reference to the person and work of the Messianic Redeemer: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” In the New Testament, Peter uses the metaphor of the cornerstone to refer to Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:7 we read, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” Given the context in which this verse is found, I believe Peter was elaborating on Jesus as the foundation upon which God has promised to build the church. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11).” By comparing believers to “living stones” and placing them in relationship to the cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5), Peter has completed the metaphor. First, we rest on Christ as a building rests on its foundation. Second, we relate to every other believer as the stones of a building under construction relate to one another. The meaning is clear we need each other, should support each other, and must work together to build the church in the world.
However, there is another contemporary lesson to be learned. Like the cornerstone that was rejected by the builders, many will not repent of their sins and accept the complete lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives. What they fail to realize is that this offer is the only choice they have that will give them genuine salvation from their sins. Rejection of Jesus Christ does not make us free from God’s judgment and punishment. As surely as those who choose God will receive eternal life, so those who reject Him will be judged to destruction. Both are guaranteed to receive the consequences of their choices.
The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation by water and the word:
From Heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died. ----Stone
On the trail for Him
Mike and Suzann
Saturday, April 16, 2011
THE GOOD NEWS OF DELIVERANCE
Howdy folks,
“Prophecy is a very difficult art,” said Niels Bohr, the physicist, “especially when it involves the future.” Consider the following classic prophetic statements: an official of the White Star Line, speaking of the firm’s newly built flagship, the Titanic, launched in 1912, declared the ship was unsinkable; then there was Thomas J. Watson, Chairman of the Board of IBM who said in 1943: “I think there is a world market for about five computers;” and, finally, my personal favorite was a recording company expert who said in 1962: “We don’t think the Beatles will do anything in the market. Guitar groups are on their way out.”
When considering Bible prophecy, however, we need to understand that it isn’t like God looking into a crystal ball and writing down what He thinks will happen. It is all about God having a definite plan at the beginning, and bringing about events that will take place throughout time that will eventually bring His purpose to pass. The underlying message of Bible prophecy, therefore, is that God is in charge of history and that it moves to His end from the beginning.
The prophet Isaiah, approximately three thousand years ago, prophesied that the Man of sorrow would be wounded and dies for our sins that we might be saved from the wrath to come (Isaiah chapter 53). About one thousand years after Isaiah’s prophecy, an angel messenger appeared to a young virgin and declared she would have a Son and would call His name Jesus (Luke 1:31), which means “Jehovah our Savior.” This name reminds us of the purpose of His birth. He was the Man of sorrow who “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness --- by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).” Thus, in fulfillment of His eternal plan, a loving Father sent his Son into the world to save us from our sins (John 3:17).
So you see, the birth and death of Jesus was not an afterthought. God had announced His plan and purpose beforehand. The good news of deliverance is that Jesus has ransomed us from the penalty of our sins. When you received Christ as your personal Savior you began an eternal relationship with God that will last throughout eternity.
“Man of sorrow,” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! What a Savior. ----Bliss
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
“Prophecy is a very difficult art,” said Niels Bohr, the physicist, “especially when it involves the future.” Consider the following classic prophetic statements: an official of the White Star Line, speaking of the firm’s newly built flagship, the Titanic, launched in 1912, declared the ship was unsinkable; then there was Thomas J. Watson, Chairman of the Board of IBM who said in 1943: “I think there is a world market for about five computers;” and, finally, my personal favorite was a recording company expert who said in 1962: “We don’t think the Beatles will do anything in the market. Guitar groups are on their way out.”
When considering Bible prophecy, however, we need to understand that it isn’t like God looking into a crystal ball and writing down what He thinks will happen. It is all about God having a definite plan at the beginning, and bringing about events that will take place throughout time that will eventually bring His purpose to pass. The underlying message of Bible prophecy, therefore, is that God is in charge of history and that it moves to His end from the beginning.
The prophet Isaiah, approximately three thousand years ago, prophesied that the Man of sorrow would be wounded and dies for our sins that we might be saved from the wrath to come (Isaiah chapter 53). About one thousand years after Isaiah’s prophecy, an angel messenger appeared to a young virgin and declared she would have a Son and would call His name Jesus (Luke 1:31), which means “Jehovah our Savior.” This name reminds us of the purpose of His birth. He was the Man of sorrow who “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness --- by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).” Thus, in fulfillment of His eternal plan, a loving Father sent his Son into the world to save us from our sins (John 3:17).
So you see, the birth and death of Jesus was not an afterthought. God had announced His plan and purpose beforehand. The good news of deliverance is that Jesus has ransomed us from the penalty of our sins. When you received Christ as your personal Savior you began an eternal relationship with God that will last throughout eternity.
“Man of sorrow,” what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! What a Savior. ----Bliss
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Saturday, April 9, 2011
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR JESUS LATELY?
Howdy Folks,
Easter is a time of reflection, when Christians worldwide focus on the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. I can only imagine the Savior bearing the burden of our sins in His own body as He hung on the cross (1 Peter 2:24) or, the crowds passing by that blasphemed Him. But, on that fateful day that Jesus was crucified, there were people who ministered to Him, who helped Him when the entire world had turned against Him.
Do you remember the man called Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross for Him? I know he was forced to do it, but when he saw the blood stained figure of Jesus, don’t you think that some pity stirred in his heart? When Jesus fell beneath the load, Simon carried the cross for Him. Then there was the Roman soldier who moistened Jesus lips when He moaned; “I thirst.” Think of the day of the crucifixion: the heat, the noise, the dust, the pain and, the thirst. Here was an act of pity in the midst of hate.
There was also a small group of His dear ones and friends who stood near the cross. His mother, John, and other holy women who had followed Jesus from Galilee stood by while He was dying. Crucifixion was a very shameful thing. To see Jesus hung on a cross, naked, in the gaze of multitudes of people who passed by must have been hard to bear. Yet, there they stood at the foot of the Cross sharing His shame and ministering to Jesus as He died. And friend, do you ever think of the penitent thief? As he hung on a cross beside Jesus he confessed his sins and trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Even in His agony, Jesus demonstrated the power of the Cross. “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).” Isn’t it amazing that the last kind words spoken to Jesus were by a thief?
So you see not everyone came to Calvary to abuse, deride, and assail Jesus. There were those whose undying distinction is that they ministered to Him by carrying the Cross, moistening His lips, sharing His shame and, proving the power of the Cross. Ask yourself what can I do and am I doing it? Friend, when you engage in Christ like service, if only a little, don’t be surprised at how God is able to use you.
The service of Jesus true pleasure affords,
In Him there is joy without an alloy;
‘Tis heaven to trust Him and rest on His words;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Easter is a time of reflection, when Christians worldwide focus on the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. I can only imagine the Savior bearing the burden of our sins in His own body as He hung on the cross (1 Peter 2:24) or, the crowds passing by that blasphemed Him. But, on that fateful day that Jesus was crucified, there were people who ministered to Him, who helped Him when the entire world had turned against Him.
Do you remember the man called Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross for Him? I know he was forced to do it, but when he saw the blood stained figure of Jesus, don’t you think that some pity stirred in his heart? When Jesus fell beneath the load, Simon carried the cross for Him. Then there was the Roman soldier who moistened Jesus lips when He moaned; “I thirst.” Think of the day of the crucifixion: the heat, the noise, the dust, the pain and, the thirst. Here was an act of pity in the midst of hate.
There was also a small group of His dear ones and friends who stood near the cross. His mother, John, and other holy women who had followed Jesus from Galilee stood by while He was dying. Crucifixion was a very shameful thing. To see Jesus hung on a cross, naked, in the gaze of multitudes of people who passed by must have been hard to bear. Yet, there they stood at the foot of the Cross sharing His shame and ministering to Jesus as He died. And friend, do you ever think of the penitent thief? As he hung on a cross beside Jesus he confessed his sins and trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Even in His agony, Jesus demonstrated the power of the Cross. “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).” Isn’t it amazing that the last kind words spoken to Jesus were by a thief?
So you see not everyone came to Calvary to abuse, deride, and assail Jesus. There were those whose undying distinction is that they ministered to Him by carrying the Cross, moistening His lips, sharing His shame and, proving the power of the Cross. Ask yourself what can I do and am I doing it? Friend, when you engage in Christ like service, if only a little, don’t be surprised at how God is able to use you.
The service of Jesus true pleasure affords,
In Him there is joy without an alloy;
‘Tis heaven to trust Him and rest on His words;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
Saturday, April 2, 2011
ONLY ORDINARY PEOPLE NEED APPLY
Howdy Folks,
An advertisement in a California newspaper in 1860 read: “Wanted young, skinny, wiry fellows. Not over 18, must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.” Incredibly, 183 men, some as young as 11 years, were hired to ride for the pony express during its operation of just over 18 months. This advertisement in a London newspaper for a polar expedition in 1894 brought 5,000 applications. “Men wanted, low wages. Bitter cold. Long months in darkness. Under constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition if successful.” I wonder what the advertisers expected to achieve with this type of advertisement and, more to the point, why did these advertisements even attract any applicants?
Here is an advertisement that might have appeared in the “Capernaum Times” in 29 A.D. “Wanted ordinary people. Severe hardship. Expect to be arrested and whipped. Opposed by everyone. Constant public ridicule and slander. Violent death likely. Willing to persevere to the end.” As you have probably guessed this is not a real advertisement and, to the best of my knowledge, there was no “Capernaum Times” But this is what Jesus said to the twelve as He sent them forth to minister in His name (Matthew 10:16-22). I see Jesus gathering His disciples around Him to brief them before they left on their mission trip. He told them to expect hardships and persecution, but through it all they should trust in God’s unfailing care of His own and keep their eyes fixed on the eternal goal. These men were non-professionals. They had no position or wealth. They were chosen not for who they were but for what they would become. This is a characteristic of God’s work. He chooses ordinary people.
I believe in this instance that Jesus was speaking beyond His immediate audience. The scope of this passage reaches beyond the personal ministry of the twelve. Dependence on God and rejection by men apply to the mission of the church today. Yet, for over 2,000 years, countless numbers of ordinary people have responded to the call, trusted in God for His provision and relied on His resources. Jesus came to die for our sins and to rise from the dead to give us eternal life. But His life, death, and resurrection would be in vain if the story was never told.
Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
An advertisement in a California newspaper in 1860 read: “Wanted young, skinny, wiry fellows. Not over 18, must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.” Incredibly, 183 men, some as young as 11 years, were hired to ride for the pony express during its operation of just over 18 months. This advertisement in a London newspaper for a polar expedition in 1894 brought 5,000 applications. “Men wanted, low wages. Bitter cold. Long months in darkness. Under constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition if successful.” I wonder what the advertisers expected to achieve with this type of advertisement and, more to the point, why did these advertisements even attract any applicants?
Here is an advertisement that might have appeared in the “Capernaum Times” in 29 A.D. “Wanted ordinary people. Severe hardship. Expect to be arrested and whipped. Opposed by everyone. Constant public ridicule and slander. Violent death likely. Willing to persevere to the end.” As you have probably guessed this is not a real advertisement and, to the best of my knowledge, there was no “Capernaum Times” But this is what Jesus said to the twelve as He sent them forth to minister in His name (Matthew 10:16-22). I see Jesus gathering His disciples around Him to brief them before they left on their mission trip. He told them to expect hardships and persecution, but through it all they should trust in God’s unfailing care of His own and keep their eyes fixed on the eternal goal. These men were non-professionals. They had no position or wealth. They were chosen not for who they were but for what they would become. This is a characteristic of God’s work. He chooses ordinary people.
I believe in this instance that Jesus was speaking beyond His immediate audience. The scope of this passage reaches beyond the personal ministry of the twelve. Dependence on God and rejection by men apply to the mission of the church today. Yet, for over 2,000 years, countless numbers of ordinary people have responded to the call, trusted in God for His provision and relied on His resources. Jesus came to die for our sins and to rise from the dead to give us eternal life. But His life, death, and resurrection would be in vain if the story was never told.
Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
On the trail for Him,
Mike and Suzann
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