Our Foolishness

            In our verses from Titus 3:1-7, quoted below, we can see that we as Christians must be reminded to follow our civil laws. We are to speak kindly, be obedient, and show meekness to all men.

            Paul is reminding us of “Our Foolishness” of time past when others helped us, remembering us in our hard times. Sometimes it occurs to me how hard my heart must have been (before I was saved), and how I refused charity when I needed it. Yet, now the problem I have is my heart may not be as soft as it ought to be.  It certainly isn’t like Jell-O, but sometimes when confronted with certain tasks, I take notice of my lack of compassion.  It isn’t that I want to lack compassion, nor is it that I don’t have compassion, it is the incident that bothers me.

            Paul wasn’t telling Titus this because he thought Titus lacked any more compassion than he had.  He was telling Titus to be on guard, and be careful concerning others.  He is also telling us to be aware and be cautious as we all have some of that “heart hardener” within us.

            The next time someone reminds you of their hard times, (before you give them an answer,) remember your hard times. Remember when Jesus Christ accepted you, wrapped His wonderful arms around that “old cold heart,” and within seconds melted all that hardness away.  Remember the man who had compassion on you, but also for the sake of your own heart, remember what you were before Jesus melted your heart.

            Paul is telling us not to be foolish in our compassion.  We all must have a caution within us that alerts us to hazardous situations.

            What is the condition of your heart?  Is it putty in others hands, or is it strong for the hand of the LORD?

Bro John R. E Chastain

Titus 3:1-7  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,  (2)  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.  (3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  (4)  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  (5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  (6)  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;  (7)  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Sin Has Changed Us

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."   -- Samuel Adams (letter to James Warren, 12 February 1779)

          When I read this, and I know the intent of Samuel Adams was political, but I saw something else.  If we look at certain words and check for synonyms, the word “virtuous” can be compared to “morality.”  By rereading the quote from Samuel Adams “While people are [moral], they cannot be subdued, but when…they lose their [morality] then they will be ready to surrender…”

              The problem I am attempting to relate to isn’t political, but by tying this to you and I, our church, our Bible, and our lives, we should be able to see that as we surrender our morality, (sin,) we will sink deeper and deeper. Then we are more willing to give up other freedoms so we can hang onto our besetting sin.

              We can see this in our church attendance.  I don’t know why some people have left this church in the past, except I know that most aren’t going to church anywhere. Others are openly reveling in their sin.  I imagine they left because of their besetting sin.  It may have only been in the infancy when they left, yet it continues to abide with them.

              Another thing we will do is allow the character of our church to deteriorate into an apostate church by denigrating our Holy Bible to some perverted translation and yet calling it the Holy Bible.  We will accept that change, because sin has changed us.

Joel 2:12 - 13 (KJV)  Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:  ¹³And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.  

          God has asked us to come back.  He doesn’t want our things He wants our heart.  Samuel Adams has told us what will happen when we denigrate ourselves to sin.  Now is the time to listen to God.  Put away the sin and come back to Him.

The Same Lord

                In our verses from 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, quoted below, Paul is teaching us regardless of what we are, regardless of what we have become, and regardless of the depth of the valleys or the height of the mountains we obtain, He is the same Lord.

            We know God and His Son Jesus through our Faith. However, we are told that we have a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.  We still cannot see the Holy Spirit, but the knowledge of His existence is within us.  I cannot touch, nor can I hear the Holy Spirit speak, but I know He lives within me.

            There are moments, even hours, I can feel His presence. He has changed my direction, He has changed my attitude, and definitely cleaned my mouth and my mind. 

            When Bro Huntress phoned me and asked me to come to Fundamental Baptist in view of a call, I immediately said “no.”    (I had not been seeking a church; I assumed that Lighthouse Baptist in Benton, AR, would be my first and last church.)  Finally, I told him I would pray and ask God for direction.  It took several days for the Holy Spirit to get through my thick skull, but He did.  The knowledge I was given was unquestionable.  God was ready to move me to another church.  (I knew others were also praying concerning what God would have me do.)

            Our problem with our Salvation is that we usually leave an important part out of our lives.  We do not consider what the Holy Spirit is doing for us through the Lord.  We get prayers answered and go about our lives ignoring “the answer.”  “The answer” may be an answer we do or do not like.  Instead of giving God the credit through the Holy Spirit, we sometimes tend to attribute it to “luck” or “good fortune.”  We may even allow “Mother Nature” to give us good rains, or good crops.  

            We do believe we have one God, one Lord, and one Holy Spirit. Why then can we not live the way He asks us to live?

Bro John R. E Chastain

1 Corinthians 12:4-7  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5)  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  (6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  (7)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Hear God’s Word

                As I read the scriptures in Isaiah 1:10 quoted below, a verse in Romans came immediately to my mind:

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Isaiah, as did Paul understood the need to “Hear the word of the LORD.”  In the times both men were speaking, there was no King James Bible available for an individual to read.  The Temple Priests of Isaiah’s time had access to the Pentateuch, and the Apostles preached through letters, based on Jesus’ teachings.  All of the Apostles except Paul were uneducated.  Both Peter and Paul were the leaders, yet Paul, the educated one became the most prolific writer of them all.

              So now that we have a Bible, why do we have to “Hear the word of the LORD?”  When we read, our comprehension and retention isn’t as high as when we “read and hear.”  (We get double duty, retain more, and have a better understanding of the studied scripture.)

              This is why it is imperative that we read our Bible at home, bring it to Church, and read the scriptures as they are given.  The Preaching, the reading, and the hearing makes for a better and more secure understanding of God’s Word.

              Notice in Isaiah 1:10 that we are told “…Learn to do well…,” not in terms of the world, but on God’s terms “…give ear unto the law of our God,..”  As Christians, our primary failing is in the thought, “I am doing alright, not into sin too much.”  The question is if we know we are intentionally sinning, then “How much sin is too much?”  We as Christians are going to sin, (it is our nature) given to us by Adam.  Our task through the Holy Spirit and looking toward Jesus is to sin as little as possible.  When we realize we have sinned, we must go to our knees and ask Jesus to forgive us.  In that prayer we must be repentant, (sorry and willing to not repeat that sin,) and ask Jesus to forgive us and help us not to repeat that sin. 

              Does your heart want “to do well?”  Are you “hear[ing] the word of the LORD?”  Have you forsaken the “…the assembling of ourselves together…?” (Hebrews 10:25)  Are you growing in the Lord?  Are you exhorting others without a complete understanding, or because of your absence from church are you  “…learn[ing] to do well…?”

Acts 9:6  “… astonished [Paul] said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?...” 

Have you asked?

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Isaiah 1:10  Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

Isaiah 1:16b-17  … cease to do evil;  (17)  Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Our Everlasting, Eternal, Forever Home

      When we read Psalm 23:6 quoted below, it refreshes our memory that when we got saved, we received a home in heaven.  We found we are strangers just passing through this life here on earth.  This earth, for the time being, is the home of the devil and sin.

      Yet we dwell here for now, our home is being prepared as we tarry for the Lord.

(John 14:2)  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

      Jesus, The Carpenter, is preparing my place.  It will be complete when I arrive, and it will be furnished and ready for occupancy that second God calls me home.

      Now I do have a problem envisioning Jesus walking around with a tool belt, loaded with hammers and nails, and an air compressor standing ready to be used by Christ to complete my mansion.  Jesus won’t need to do all that.  He will speak my mansion into existence.  

      God will call me home, and poof there I will be at Jesus’ feet.  Jesus, my Saviour, will then take me by the hand and guide me to that new mansion, created just for me.  “Oh What A Day That Will Be, When My Jesus I shall See.”  Have you made your reservation yet?  Do you have the Masters Card?  Do you have an Eternal, Everlasting Forever home?

Bro John R. E Chastain

Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

He That Believeth

"When a man ceases to believe in God,

he doesn't believe in nothing. 

He believes in anything."

-G. K. Chesterton

            John, in 1 John 5:1-6 quoted below is speaking to believers. Those who believe are born of God, and they believe they are born of Him. The author above is telling us that an atheist is a person who claims to believe in nothing. 

            I know that a person who claims himself as his master has a fool for a follower. He will believe and follow in the big bang theory, in evolution, and anything else unimaginable with no proof of concept. He likes theories. 

            I spent twenty-five years of my life placing scientific theories in my mind, and so long as it had a scientific basis, I believed it whether it was theory or fact. (Though I don't think I would have ever believed in Oprah's religion, yet her new religion is just a work-over of the old "New Age" which is a rejuvenation of the Biblical Baalism.) 

            You see these people are without a doctrine. Without a Bible, without a Sunday School Teacher, and without a Preacher, how are they going to know? Not having a good Biblical grounding is nothing. Then anything goes. 

            When anything goes, then everything or nothing happens. There is no control, it is total lawlessness. We can find horrible, undefined happening next door, or just down the street. 

            We must believe in something, and our Jehovah the God of Heaven and the Father of our Saviour Jesus Christ is real. There is no theory in the Bible. 

Bro John R. E Chastain

1 John 5:1-6  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  (2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  (4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  (5)  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  (6)  This is he that came by water and blood,even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Your Conversation

      As we read the scripture below, the word “Conversation” stuck in my craw.  Our main problem when we read this verse (if this word is even seen or noticed) is defined as our vocal discussions with others.  For some reason we cannot get to the broader scope of the word.

      Paul is really speaking to us concerning more than our vocalizations.  He is discussing our conduct of our life.  He is discussing our, adversities, our bed undefiled, our marriage being honorable, letting our life be without covetousness.

      However, overall the discussion is dealing with the sin of our covetousness.  In these verses Paul is talking to us about loving one another, and understanding that what we own, or have in our possession, are precious gifts of God.

      I know there are times my wife and I disagree on various things.  The problem is we both think we are right.  If we would really put our thought into perspective we would find that it is our individual covetousness that is causing us (for one reason or another) to lean towards the thoughts we are allowing to permeate in our minds. 

      However, you see, we are not always right, but Jesus Christ is always right.  He does not allow the permeation of rabid thoughts into His mind.  This is where you and I must change.

      Sin is a permeation of rabid thoughts and deeds we allow ourselves to grow into.  It is like the leaven in bread.  It grows larger and larger, creating gas bubbles within the bread dough.  It will only stop when baked or chilled.  Until we decide to do better for Christ and walk away from our sin, we will live like the leaven growing larger and larger, becoming a large gas bubble, which, at some point will explode and show our worthlessness.  

      Let your life mean something.  Do it for Christ.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Hebrews 13:1-8  Let brotherly love continue.  (2)  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  (3)  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.  (4)  Marriageis honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.  (5)  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (6)  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.  (7)  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of theirconversation.  (8)  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength

             In our verses from Nehemiah 8:9-10 quoted below, Ezra is preaching to the returned exiles.  They are Jews, who because of their exile, knew very little about who they were or what they were about.  They had lived for many years in tradition, and now they were back under the Word of God.  Ezra tells them to have joy, and celebrate their return to God.  He also reminded them that this day is Holy to the Lord.  Every Worship Day is Holy unto God. 

              Instead of dragging out of bed on Sunday mornings, get up with the joy and knowledge that we are going to be worshipping our God.  Our Wednesday night prayer service, (where we get together and pray for one another,) is also such an important service, and in most churches, the least attended service. Why?

              Where is our “Joy of the Lord?”  We expect His strength when we are in the valleys (in which we get ourselves.)  We then want Him, as a “tow truck” to pull us out of that miry clay, and without a further thought, will put ourselves right back in.  Why do we do this?  Primarily, because we as Christians lack God’s strength and we don’t seem to know how to get His strength.  

              When was the last time you read several chapters in your Bible five days in a row, and then prayed over what you read?  (Yet, what do you ask from God? You ask for instant answers to your selfish prayers.  God told Moses many times that the Jews were a “stiff-necked and a hardhearted people.”)  I know better than to ask the next question, but here goes, “Has God considered the “necks and hearts” of us Baptists lately?”

                        

Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

                        

              Deuteronomy 6:5 is for ALL believers.  How do we show our love and devotion to God?  Is our love shown by faithful attendance, tithing faithfully, faithfully reading our Bible, and faithfully praying and studying to show ourselves approved?

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

How much of your heart, soul, and might does God get?  Is it a trifling or a great amount?      

Bro John R. E Chastain

Nehemiah 8:9-10  And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.  (10)  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

http://www.fundamentalbaptistchurchwellington.org/index.html

What Would Jesus Have You Do?

     In 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 quoted below we read that God is faithful.  Most of us don’t realize the faithfulness of God.  We look at our own faithfulness and do a comparison, and we don’t do bad, better than most, but not quite as good as others.

      However, the problem is we never compare ourselves to God. God never misses church.  God never fails to bless you (tithe).  God never fails at anything, yet we all are miserable failures.

      That is our problem and we need to correct it.  God sent His Son Jesus as an example for us to follow.  We all must know we cannot be exactly like Him, because we are sinners and He never sinned.  Yet, you and I are to use Him as an example for our lives.  

      A few years ago there were bracelets given out and sold with “WWJD” imprinted on them.  The acronym “WWJD” stood for “What Would Jesus Do?”   So the next time sniffles, or the sleepies are trying to keep you home from church, or when that offering plate is passed, or when the call is made for helping in support of Missions ask yourself “What Would Jesus Have You Do?”

      While you are considering, and I hope praying about “What Would Jesus Have You Do?” remember what God has done for you.  I know, “Bro John I am so pitiful and poor and God has just passed me by.”  Do understand, I don’t believe a Christian gets passed over by God. Christian’s are of God and they are blessed by Him, because He is faithful.

      It all boils down to our faithfulness, or lack thereof.  It still come down to you and I and what we are willing to give of ourselves to God.

(Hebrews 11:6)  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Consider seeking His will, and attempt to do “What Jesus Would Have You Do?”

Bro John R. E Chastain

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:  (2)  And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all menhave not faith.  (3)  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.  (4)  And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.  (5)  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Who Can?

             In our verses from Luke 5:17-21 quoted below, we read that the Pharisees are asking questions amongst themselves.

              I wonder how many Christians believe that their sins are forgiven.  If you have accepted Christ as your personal Saviour, then you know.  You know He forgave you while on the Cross.

Luke 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do...

              Yet, in our doubts, there are those times we allow Satan’s demons the possession of our mind.  We wonder, “Have my sins been forgiven?”

              The Pharisees were correct in their question.  Only God, He alone through His Son Jesus can forgive sins.  

              I have read that many “Christians” believe they are going to Heaven, and yet many of then do not believe the Bible as the Word of God.  They, like the Pharisees, don’t believe that Jesus is God, nor do they want to believe anything other than they “in their morality” have saved themselves.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

              We are taught that Jesus is the manifestation of God the Father, the God of Abraham, the God of Jacob.

John 10:30  I and my Father are one.

              Jesus tells us in the Book of John very clearly who He is.  Yet our problem isn’t, “Who can forgive sins?”  It is who can accept that Jesus can forgive you and that He has already forgiven you, if you will accept Him.  “Who Can?”  Have you asked?

Bro John R. E Chastain

Luke 5:17-21  And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.  (18)  And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they soughtmeans to bring him in, and to lay him before him.  (19)  And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.  (20)  And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.  (21) And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

Contending For The Faith

      Our scripture Jude 1-6 quoted below reflects the “Faith of our Fathers.”   As a young boy, I never saw a faith of my Father.  I believe he was an admiral man and I believe he loved me, however, I never heard that from him, nor did I ever see faith in Christ. 

      As a Father, I don’t remember telling my children I loved them as they grew up.  Through a crisis in our lives, before my salvation, I determined not to ever let that happen again.  I tell my daughters, my grandchildren, my aunts, and my cousins I love them.  

      The verses below speak of contending for the faith.  That is my subject today, faith, not just having faith, but contending for it.  We all say “I am saved and I said that prayer and got myself Baptized.”

OK, but then what?  Our scripture states we need to contend for the faith.  (Contend means to strive as in a competition; to strive to win.)

      For what are we contending?  I believe the context is our looking for the old Gospel, not the new.  It is you working within your own soul to increase your faith, to increase your heavenly reward.      You see, when we accepted Christ and His eternal life in Heaven; we committed our lives to Christ.  It is God’s will that we will serve Him and sacrifice our lives by winning souls, supporting missionaries, and tithing.

      Are you contending, or just passing time? 

(Romans 10:17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

      Only through God’s Word can we strive (contend) for the faith of our Fathers.  Only in our King James Bible can we find that “Faith Of Our Fathers Living Still.”

Bro John R. E Chastain

Jude 1-6  Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, andcalled:  (2)  Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.  (3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  (4)  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.  (5)  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.  (6)  And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.