The time flies on, and death draws nigh;
Unite us, Lord, with Thee on high!
Prepare us now to live with Thee
For ever in eternity!
-Zion's Harp #188 vs. 1
Time is kind of an expanse. It is a period during which actions take place or something occurs. If you ever think about time, in one sense we could consider it our most limited resource. If you ever think about it, you can't buy time. You can't trade anyone for time. You can't barter for time. Every day God gives us twenty-four precious hours and it will be consumed. When that day is gone, it's gone for good and we can't recover it.
Time is like we can picture that hourglass with little grains of sand in it that fall through. Once they flow through that little hourglass, they are never recovered. You can't put them back. It's like the second hand on this little clock on the pulpit here that continues to move. Every second that goes past is gone forever. It will never ever be recovered.
So every one of us have some supply of time; some supply of little grains of sand that is falling through the glass. The thing is that none of us know what our supply is. None of us can see our own hourglass and know how much time we have.
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. D.S.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sermons We See
Sermons We See
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
--Edgar Guest
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
--Edgar Guest
Stand Fast in the Lord
"I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord (Phil. 4:2)
Beloved, if there is ever a time to hold fast, it is today. Stand fast with the same mind, the same thinking, the same faith, the same love and the same fellowship. Be the same!
Why is it today that people can repent and become a member of the church and all of a sudden they are dissatisfied and unhappy? What is wrong? What happened to the likemindedness? The same mind? Paul was telling them to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Oh, yes, those that depart from the faith will say they are not leaving the Lord. Aren't they?
Stand fast in the Lord and be of the same mind in the Lord. It is in the Lord, and once we become in the Lord, how can we depart from something if we are not in it? If men are departing from the faith and the truth, they have to be in it before they can depart from it.
So let's stay in it ... and in the same mind. Stand fast in the Lord.
The Lord means everything to me. Doesn't He to you? Without Him, we can do nothing. With Him, we can do everything. Without Him, we are lost. With Him we are saved. We can't really emphasize enough the importance of that truth. Let's not waver. Let's be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. (I Cor. 15:58).
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. C.G.
Beloved, if there is ever a time to hold fast, it is today. Stand fast with the same mind, the same thinking, the same faith, the same love and the same fellowship. Be the same!
Why is it today that people can repent and become a member of the church and all of a sudden they are dissatisfied and unhappy? What is wrong? What happened to the likemindedness? The same mind? Paul was telling them to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Oh, yes, those that depart from the faith will say they are not leaving the Lord. Aren't they?
Stand fast in the Lord and be of the same mind in the Lord. It is in the Lord, and once we become in the Lord, how can we depart from something if we are not in it? If men are departing from the faith and the truth, they have to be in it before they can depart from it.
So let's stay in it ... and in the same mind. Stand fast in the Lord.
The Lord means everything to me. Doesn't He to you? Without Him, we can do nothing. With Him, we can do everything. Without Him, we are lost. With Him we are saved. We can't really emphasize enough the importance of that truth. Let's not waver. Let's be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. (I Cor. 15:58).
--Sermon Excerpt: Bro. C.G.
Encouragement to Faith's Battle
Who, then, would not from this Babel,
From this world's confusion flee?
There to rest in Zion's pastures,
Its glad citizen to be?
There we shall be out of danger,
'Neath the Father's safe retreat;
And we'll find on that blest morning
Heaven's bliss for strife and heat.
Cheer up, then, and strive, ye ransomed,
In this toilsome, trying time;
God will comfort and reward us
With eternal rest sublime!
Only he who is victorious
Shall the crown of life receive;
Then prevail in prayerful watching,
Love, endure, hope and believe!
-Zion's Harp #51 vs. 6&7
From this world's confusion flee?
There to rest in Zion's pastures,
Its glad citizen to be?
There we shall be out of danger,
'Neath the Father's safe retreat;
And we'll find on that blest morning
Heaven's bliss for strife and heat.
Cheer up, then, and strive, ye ransomed,
In this toilsome, trying time;
God will comfort and reward us
With eternal rest sublime!
Only he who is victorious
Shall the crown of life receive;
Then prevail in prayerful watching,
Love, endure, hope and believe!
-Zion's Harp #51 vs. 6&7
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Change
The word "change" is very popular these days. We have only to look at the last presidential election to see that. It was evident that some people did not even understand the true beliefs of the candidate they were supporting, only that they were supporting "change." And even though they didn't realize what "changes" would occur, they voted for "change," simply for the sake of "change."
This mindset has its impact upon the church as well. Among certain believers, there is also a compulsion for "change." An assault is being carried out that purposes to change the Scriptural way of life which has endured for generations. Because the culture of the world around us is changing, we are told that believers are compelled to change also for our spiritual lives to be relevant.
But what says the Scripture?
"For I am the LORD, I change not" -Malachi 3:6
God, His Word and His expectations of mankind have not changed throughout thousands of years and many varied cultures.
"My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?" -Proverbs 24:21-22
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." And then, in the very next verse, the Scripture warns us: "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." --Hebrews 13:8-9
The change that God delights in is that which occurs when we surrender our filthy, sinful hearts and lives to Him in repentance. HE then changes us through conversion and baptism to become a new creature in Christ and we live a radically changed life of sanctification and holiness by His grace. And, if we are submissive to Him, He changes us day by day through trials and persecutions to mold us more into His image. We grow in love and fellowship with one another as we open our hearts to the changes God makes in us as He fashions our lives.
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" -Ephesians 4:14-15
Until the moment comes for our final change!
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump... -I Corinthians 15:51-52
This mindset has its impact upon the church as well. Among certain believers, there is also a compulsion for "change." An assault is being carried out that purposes to change the Scriptural way of life which has endured for generations. Because the culture of the world around us is changing, we are told that believers are compelled to change also for our spiritual lives to be relevant.
But what says the Scripture?
"For I am the LORD, I change not" -Malachi 3:6
God, His Word and His expectations of mankind have not changed throughout thousands of years and many varied cultures.
"My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?" -Proverbs 24:21-22
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." And then, in the very next verse, the Scripture warns us: "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." --Hebrews 13:8-9
The change that God delights in is that which occurs when we surrender our filthy, sinful hearts and lives to Him in repentance. HE then changes us through conversion and baptism to become a new creature in Christ and we live a radically changed life of sanctification and holiness by His grace. And, if we are submissive to Him, He changes us day by day through trials and persecutions to mold us more into His image. We grow in love and fellowship with one another as we open our hearts to the changes God makes in us as He fashions our lives.
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" -Ephesians 4:14-15
Until the moment comes for our final change!
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump... -I Corinthians 15:51-52
Speak Often One to Another
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Malachi 3:16-17
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Malachi 3:16-17
Friday, May 8, 2009
Warning for the Sheep
‘Twas a Sheep, Not A Lamb
‘Twas a sheep, not a lamb, that strayed away,
In the parable Jesus told---
A grown-up sheep that had gone astray
From the ninety and nine in the fold.
Out in the meadows, out in the cold,
‘Twas a sheep the good shepherd sought,
And back in the flock, safe into the fold,
‘Twas a sheep the good shepherd brought.
And why for the sheep should we earnestly long,
And as earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger, if they go wrong,
They will lead the young lambs astray.
For the lambs will follow the sheep, you know,
Wherever the sheep may stray:
If the sheep go wrong, it will not be long
‘Til the lambs are as wrong as they.
And so with the sheep we earnestly plead,
For the sake of the lambs today:
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
The sheep will have to pay!
- Minnie Lee Bovender
‘Twas a sheep, not a lamb, that strayed away,
In the parable Jesus told---
A grown-up sheep that had gone astray
From the ninety and nine in the fold.
Out in the meadows, out in the cold,
‘Twas a sheep the good shepherd sought,
And back in the flock, safe into the fold,
‘Twas a sheep the good shepherd brought.
And why for the sheep should we earnestly long,
And as earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger, if they go wrong,
They will lead the young lambs astray.
For the lambs will follow the sheep, you know,
Wherever the sheep may stray:
If the sheep go wrong, it will not be long
‘Til the lambs are as wrong as they.
And so with the sheep we earnestly plead,
For the sake of the lambs today:
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
The sheep will have to pay!
- Minnie Lee Bovender
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Two Witnesses
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. –Revelation 11:3-12
Two hundred years ago, it was inconceivable how this Scripture would be fulfilled. To those who relied on mail delivery as their only means of long-distance communication, it was impossible to foresee how people of all nations could, all at the same time, see the bodies of God’s two witnesses for three and a half days. Today, of course, with mass communication, we can clearly understand how this can occur – through the Internet, webcam, TV, cell phones, etc.
Dear ones, we may very well be trembling on the brink of the fulfillment of these prophecies. Let’s exhort one another to more faithfulness and obedience to God and His Word.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. –Luke 21:28
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. –Revelation 11:3-12
Two hundred years ago, it was inconceivable how this Scripture would be fulfilled. To those who relied on mail delivery as their only means of long-distance communication, it was impossible to foresee how people of all nations could, all at the same time, see the bodies of God’s two witnesses for three and a half days. Today, of course, with mass communication, we can clearly understand how this can occur – through the Internet, webcam, TV, cell phones, etc.
Dear ones, we may very well be trembling on the brink of the fulfillment of these prophecies. Let’s exhort one another to more faithfulness and obedience to God and His Word.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. –Luke 21:28
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Comfort in Distress
Though the tears and sorrows often
Be thy food and daily drink;
And thy sighs and lamentations
With thy songs and praises link;
Grief and envy press thy heart,
And thy earthly goods depart;
Zion, do not fear nor waver!
Thou shalt see God's help and favor.
If with anguish thou art shaken,
If men bind and torture thee,
Thou wilt never be forsaken--
Think upon eternity!
Stand in faith and do not fear,
For thy Lord is ever near.
Zion, let His hand direct thee;
He will strengthen and protect thee!
Then rejoice! The end is coming
And the evening draweth nigh;
Yield to God in true submission;
He will free you from on high.
For your sorrow, grief, and strife,
He'll bestow the crown of life;
God, thy shield, will watch and cherish;
But the world in shame will perish.
-Zion's Harp #38 vs. 4-6
Be thy food and daily drink;
And thy sighs and lamentations
With thy songs and praises link;
Grief and envy press thy heart,
And thy earthly goods depart;
Zion, do not fear nor waver!
Thou shalt see God's help and favor.
If with anguish thou art shaken,
If men bind and torture thee,
Thou wilt never be forsaken--
Think upon eternity!
Stand in faith and do not fear,
For thy Lord is ever near.
Zion, let His hand direct thee;
He will strengthen and protect thee!
Then rejoice! The end is coming
And the evening draweth nigh;
Yield to God in true submission;
He will free you from on high.
For your sorrow, grief, and strife,
He'll bestow the crown of life;
God, thy shield, will watch and cherish;
But the world in shame will perish.
-Zion's Harp #38 vs. 4-6
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Demas
Demas was a believer whom the Apostle Paul lovingly called a "fellowlabourer." He conveyed greetings to the brethren in Colosse from Demas.
"Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers." -Philemon
"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you." -Colossians 4:14
Demas' name appears one other time in the Scriptures. It is when Paul is nearing the end of his life. In II Timothy 4, he writes that he has "fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." Then he urges Timothy to come to him soon. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica ... Only Luke is with me." --II Timothy 4:10-11
Can we feel the grief and sorrow in the Apostle Paul's words when he writes of this dear brother, a former fellow-laborer, who has been deceived into forsaking the cause of Christ through returning to the love of the present world? No doubt the Apostle Paul felt the loss of Demas' prayers and companionship very keenly as, at that time, he was a prisoner for his faith in Christ and soon would be martyred.
Can we not identify with Paul's grief? When those we love and were formerly joined together with in the cause of Christ have again fallen in love with this present world and have turned back to sin or to the broad way, it brings deep sorrow. We fear lest we become deceived likewise.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." --I John 2:15 & 17
We cannot love the present world and also love God. Constantly we must remind ourselves that our hearts and our treasure are in Heaven. We must exhort each other that we do not love this world, its pleasures and treasures so much that we, like Demas, forsake Christ and the brethren who are counting on us to uphold them and pray for them in their trials.
"Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers." -Philemon
"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you." -Colossians 4:14
Demas' name appears one other time in the Scriptures. It is when Paul is nearing the end of his life. In II Timothy 4, he writes that he has "fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." Then he urges Timothy to come to him soon. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica ... Only Luke is with me." --II Timothy 4:10-11
Can we feel the grief and sorrow in the Apostle Paul's words when he writes of this dear brother, a former fellow-laborer, who has been deceived into forsaking the cause of Christ through returning to the love of the present world? No doubt the Apostle Paul felt the loss of Demas' prayers and companionship very keenly as, at that time, he was a prisoner for his faith in Christ and soon would be martyred.
Can we not identify with Paul's grief? When those we love and were formerly joined together with in the cause of Christ have again fallen in love with this present world and have turned back to sin or to the broad way, it brings deep sorrow. We fear lest we become deceived likewise.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." --I John 2:15 & 17
We cannot love the present world and also love God. Constantly we must remind ourselves that our hearts and our treasure are in Heaven. We must exhort each other that we do not love this world, its pleasures and treasures so much that we, like Demas, forsake Christ and the brethren who are counting on us to uphold them and pray for them in their trials.
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