Pastor Goforth

When A Legend Dies

January 27th, 2020

So, I’m not writing this for anyone really but me.

When a Legend Dies, Martin Luther King Jr, John and Robert Kennedy, James Dean, Elvis Presley all come to mind.

When a Legend dies, it shakes the world. Their death isn’t worse than that of a “regular person” but the reach, the connections, the effect is seismic as we are all connected. Yesterday it was Kobe Bryant. Not since the death of Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburg Pirates have we been so shocked in the sports world.

I had just gotten home from church, turned on the TV to watch a little golf, rest, and prepare for the evening, when a News Alert came up, and a headshot of Kobe Bryant and at the bottom of the screen, (1978-2020) “Kobe Bryant is Dead”. I said, what all did, “Wait, What?”

And here I am 24 hours later and still find emotions rising and tears falling. Why? Fan? Actually not so much. I’m a huge sports fan, a statistics guy, a loyal fan. When it comes to basketball, my loyalties have been fluid. When I was a little boy, I became a Celtic fan briefly because John Havlicek played for them and he had played for Ohio State, where I grew up. Then Dr. J caught my eye and I liked the Sixers. Then Magic Johnson hit the scene in the late 70s and he infected me with his smile, athletic joy, and selfless involvement of his teammates, and I was a Laker fan throughout the 80s. Then we moved to Houston in 1990. I became a Rocket fan. I loved the Rockets because they worked hard, they were passionate, they each knew their role. And that produced two championships.

Then this young kid comes out of High School to play for the Lakers. He seemed brash, entitled, and he wasn’t a Rocket. So, I wasn’t a fan. I wasn’t even impressed at first. It was things off court that didn’t impress me. in 2003 negative headlines came out as youth combined with entitlement and merged into an encounter that brought charges of sexual misconduct. After time, and money, the charges went away. I wasn’t a fan.

But he stayed. He stayed in his marriage and he stayed in the gym. And I should say that Vanessa stayed too. We don’t know much about her, but it was trying, she even miscarried during this time, but she stayed.

There were tensions too on his team, that even 3 championships couldn’t fix. But it turns out the reason was his perception that others weren’t committed to work like he was. He didn’t expect perfection but he expected work.

I’m an outsider, processing pain, but, I saw a guy who continued to play, and gained more championships, was an 18 time All-Star. But in 2011 Vanessa filed for divorce siting “Irreconcilable Differences”. “Irreconcilable”, though doesn’t have to always be true. And like Kobe “the Baller”, Kobe the Husband and Father went back to work. He was not allowing that word to remain true. And by 2013 Vanessa said, “we are pleased to announce that we have RECONCILED. Our divorce action will be dismissed. We are looking forward to our future together.” And last year, 2019, they celebrated 20 years of marriage and in a post Kobe said about Vanessa, “I love you my mamacita per siempre” (mama for always).

He was an amazing basketball player, but as time takes our ability, it doesn’t have to take our passion to be a better person, better spouse, better parents, better children.

So, i’ve sort of become a fan without realizing it.

What I respect about Kobe was that he kept working. Obviously he was willing to say, “I’m sorry”, “and “I need to be better”. But also he was then willing to actually do the work to get better. Yeah, he dropped 60 points on his final day, and he left the game as a player, but he kept getting better. He became a successful investor in business, formed a media company, won an Academy Award, wrote children’s books, non-fiction, and fiction books. He was not living on the past, but moving to the future. His future was about changing the world, being there for his family and for his friends.

Many have commented on the tragedy but I took special note of what Shaquille O’Neal said, “there are no words to express the pain I’m going through now with this tragic and sad moment of losing my NEICE Gigi and my FRIEND, my BROTHER, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie.” (emphasis mine). Shaq’s son also posted a text exchange between he and Kobe on Sunday morning before the tragedy as Kobe was checking in on him and Shareef refers to him as “Unc” (uncle).

Why is this important? Because 15+ years ago they played together, but they fought and feuded and eventually Shaq was traded. Both had success apart, but it could have ended a partnership and a friendship. To me, it is obvious that BOTH men valued friendship over agreement. And both continued to do the work and build their friendship to the level of FAMILY, brotherhood.

Changing the world, valuing friends, and loving family that’s what mattered.

I’m a fan of that

What now? Some thoughts

Don’t wallow in failure, get to work.

Don’t let past words define your present or future reality.

Say, “I’m sorry”, “I’m wrong”, and “What can I do to make this right?”

Enjoy the past successes, but move toward a new future.

Learn to do something new and work to do it at the highest level.

People Matter

LOVE

So, I can’t speak to Kobe’s faith. I’ve read that he was Catholic and became more fervent after some of those trials. I pray that his family and those of the others lost will turn to Christ for strength and find hope through faith in Jesus Christ.

9 Lives lost yesterday. 3 Husbands/Fathers, 3 Wives/Mothers, 3 Teenage Girls, and 5 families devastated. A tragedy most powerful because it touches such a broad base of the world.

I will finish then with where my thoughts went today, living as if today might be my last. Here are words from C.T. Studd, a famous British Cricketer, who became a Missionary in China.

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee
Rest

September 1st, 2019

Sunday I preached from Revelation 6:9-11 on the “Souls under the Altar” … they asked “how long Lord?”

And God didn’t really give the answer they were looking for but he said … “rest a little while longer.”

So … I included this poem to end my message

REST

I with Him

He with me,

Then in all

Satisfied I’ll Be;

Resting there

In His great grace,

I will live and long

To see His Face.

And I, when faced

With struggles below,

To the feet of my Savior

I will Go;

And when I ask “how long?”

And he says, “a little while”,

Confident of love

Through trials, I’ll smile.

Jim Goforth 2019
I Seek the Profit

July 1st, 2019

Just a short word –

Paul says in Philippians 4:16-17(CSB) “…you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift But I seek the profit that is increasing to your account”

Seems like I remember someone saying that we should not lay up treasures on earth, but lay up treasures in our heavenly account?

Are we just saving up for a rainy day? Is this “Christian Karma” living? No it doesn’t work that way.

When we are in need, God doesn’t go into our Heavenly Account and take care of us, no, he takes care of us from the wealth of interest in his OWN Account. V19 says “my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. That’s because of his wealth not out of his wealth.

So I’m NOT trying to store up for a rainy day, spiritually or physically, I’m investing in Heaven, trying to increase the Kingdom, add to the population of the eternal.

And the result of our investment is We are Saints, and Others Become Saints. And the other result of the investment is that when all is said and done, what remains is GRACE.

Isaiah 55:10-11 “for just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11 so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

The grace of God, the Gospel of God, always produces the intended result.

A life, given on purpose, is an eternal investment to the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Under Oliver Cromwell’s government, they ran out of silver for coins. They looked all over for silver. The report came back that the only silver they could find was in the statues of saints in the churches. Cromwell is reported as saying “melt down the saints and put them into circulation!”

Melt down the saints and put them into circulation

Who’s in?

Everything of value save Christ, Melt it down

Everything that would keep us from laying down our lives, Melt it down

Pride, Self-Exaltation, Melt it Down

May we be lives given that Coins of Grace be minted in the hearts of those around us

In the furnace of persecution, melt us down and put us into circulation.

May our only currency be blood, sweat, and tears given to the glory of God

Pleasing, acceptable, sacrifices, Sweet Smelling to the Lord

— an excerpt from the sermon -“Life Together … On Purpose” from the sermon book “Yes … I Will Rejoice!” by James L Goforth Jr available at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792KMPHM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Other titles available http://www.amazon.com/author/pastorgoforth
Caught Up

June 26th, 2019

He is NOT a Thief, who steals away what he already owns;

He is but an owner, a warrior to rescue, taking his goods back home;

And So comes Christ , one day like a thief, when we do not know;

To restore his blood-bought saints who are not forgotten or alone;

He will take us to a place meticulously prepared,

So that forever and a day we may dwell with him there;

So be ready this day, this moment, to hear the blest Trumpet sound;

Then as we look Up, then look Down,

Caught Up in Him,

We are Found.
My Convention Sermon 2019

June 18th, 2019
I attended this last week’s Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting.

If you don’t know how SBC churches work, we do not have a hierarchy that directs local churches top down. But we are a bottom up fellowship of cooperating churches. We cooperate for Missions and Kingdom Advancement, as well as for training pastors and providing literature for church training.

We addressed some hard realities this week in an historic fashion. yes the SBC was initially formed in 1845 over two primary issues, Missions, and the right to support or allow slavery. One is great, one is not.

This week we addressed racial discrimination and sexual abuse in our churches that is often ignored, or swept under the carpet. While the Convention cannot control a church, now we have processes in place to not allow them to be a part of our fellowship and also beginning a better process to train and equip our churches to protect themselves and their community and provide a safe place for worship and advancement of the gospel.

As I returned from the convention last week, I prepared to Report to my church about our convention. I gave a detailed summary of our meeting, regarding missions, ministry, as well as these issues we faced. And then I gave MY Annual Convention Sermon. That is what I wanted to say to my church in light of what I had seen and heard during the week.

While I won’t give you my full report, I will give you the basics of the message I closed with. The reality of racial discrimination in our culture, and sexual abuse in society that creeps into the church as well is evidence of the ongoing spiritual battle in which we live. So, I took us to a passage we know, but often not in context. Let’s look at it quickly.

1 Peter 5:6-11

Jesus said that satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)

So, here Peter says, in this world we must:

1. Be Vigilant and Alert v8

Your Adversary, the devil …

It literally means one who opposes in court with slanderous accusations.

We ARE under attack. satan loves only himself. He hates man because we are the Image-Bearers of God, and he attacks.

A. How?

Prowling, Roaring, Looking, Devouring

Oh, don’t miss something, satan is a counterfeit. He wanted to be a god and was kicked out of Heaven. He is NOT THE LION … Jesus is The LION, but satan prowls, roars, looks to devour, LIKE a lion.

“Prowl” is a picture of the Greek philosophers of Peter’s day. satan walks about, seems to have the answers. But he hides with intent to destroy.

He “roars”. Why? To frighten the flock, to run them, and then to attack the young, the old, and the weak.

But we do not believe in the “survival of the fittest”. We believe in the strong protecting the weak, standing with them, for them. We believe the wise will be ready and aware and protect those who the counterfeit lion seeks to devour.

   B. Who?

Who then is he attacking, and who must we protect?

The Church – The bride of Christ, the light of the world

The Pastor – God’s messenger, the stars in Christ’s hand

The People – the sheep of his pasture, the apple of his eye, the object of his sacrifice.

All of these have received the redemption. satan cannot get their soul but will ruin their lives if he can.

But also …

The LOST – they are condemned already, and destined for Hell and he wants to destroy their souls.

He wants to abuse the young so they will turn their backs on God.

He wants to attack the fringe, the minorities, image-bearers, and make them feel marginalized by the church, and so then believe that they are marginalized by God.

He is on the prowl, So, we must …

2. Be Resilient and Resistant v9

So, as satan attacks … we … the strong … need to NOT be distracted

Be “sober-minded” or “self-controlled”.

The idea is not to allow our emotions or desires to be out of control. i.e. “take captive every thought and make it obedience to truth”

Be vigilant, alert, awake, we cannot fall asleep church, because evil does not sleep.

RESIST HIM – This is in the Imperative, meaning we are commanded to because we MIGHT NOT, yet we must.

A. How?

–       Humble Yourself

Only two ways pride takes over here. 1) I’m too good for this or 2) I’m too strong to get attacked … Both of those thought are prideful lies.

I have news for us … Humility IS Coming either under the “counterfeit lion”, or The Lion of Judah’s Tribe”.

v6 Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand

Humble yourself under God’s hand, patient for HIS Exaltation, or Humbled under satan’s attack and swallowed or devoured.

Then

–       Cast Your Cares on Judah’s Lion.

The roaring counterfeit lion makes us fearful, and falsely placed fear causes bad decisions that destroy lives. So, take your concerns, to Jesus. Give them to him. Let go of them. CAST Them.

If you haven’t been on your knees with your “concerns”, then you shouldn’t be sharing them with somebody else. If you start a conversation with a hushed “I’m afraid that …” you are fearful, Cast your cares on HIM, dont gossip, don’t Post it on Facebook, don’t Tweet it, Cast it on Jesus.

Resist satan – Because God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

My goodness what would happen if we never posted anything that wasn’t full of love and sound judgment?

Then

–       Firm in the Faith

James 4:7 says submit to God, Resist the Devil, he will flee
- Fake Lions flee when the Real Lion shows up
ROAR, LION of Judah, ROAR

What is the Faith in which we stand firm? It is NOT FAITH in “faith”.

No. It is faith in the Grace of God made possible at the cross, which enables a condemned sinner to be a Justified, Sanctified, Glorified SAINT.

Firm, Solid, Unshakable

Psalm 9:9 (CSB)

⁹ The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble.

Isaiah 28:16 (CSB)

¹⁶ Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.

Unshakable in the Faith

B. Why?

Knowing the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world

The Whole Church is suffering.

We looked the other way on Slavery.

We look the other way on injustice.

We mock other parts of the church when they had allowed abuse, and then are guilty of the same.

But the whole earth is hurting, the whole church is hurting, and that hurts the Cause of Christ.

We must stand and fight for the helpless, hopeless.

… on a firm foundation, humble under our Lion …

3. Be Encouraged and Strengthened

Satan IS Attacking

Psalm 10:8–9 (CSB)

⁸ He waits in ambush near settlements; he kills the innocent in secret places. His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless; ⁹ he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket. He lurks in order to seize a victim; he seizes a victim and drags him in his net.

But v12 says RISE UP OH LORD

The Lord Fights for the Victim

Psalm 10:16–18 (CSB)

¹⁶ The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. ¹⁷ Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, ¹⁸ doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more.

And you know what? The Lord Will Rise Up for the Helpless, the humble, the oppressed

Be Encouraged …

A. By Who God Is – the God of All Grace

All grace is from him, and he hasn’t run out of Grace.
- Be Strengthened
B. By What He Has Done – he has called you to Eternal Glory in Christ

From the cross, the Love of God cries out and said “I know sin, I know justice, I know injustice. I have a plan, I have a way, and it is enough for you!”

But don’t forget, the Cross isn’t the end of the story
- Be Encouraged
C. By What He Will Do … Restore … Establish … Strengthen … Support

If you are a victim of abuse, discrimination, the attacks of evil … this is not the end of the story … LOOK at the cross and see the Love and Justice of God, but Look at the Empty Tomb and see the Victory, The Life, Resurrection. See the Possibility – Resurrection Power, and Resurrection Posterity.
- Be Strengthened
D. With Eyes On Eternity – for a little while … To him be dominion FOREVER

God is a Finisher. God is a Winner …

our Lion Is the Alpha but He is the Omega.

He is the Beginning and HE is the End … and He Is Coming Soon.

In Just A Little While.

The Point of all of this is that we get caught up often fighting the wrong fights.

So, we must ask …

“If I WIN this fight, who will be in Charge, and who will get the Glory?”

If the answer is NOT God … then Let it Go, you are fighting the wrong fight.

v11 to Him be Dominion (glory) forever AMEN

1 Timothy 6:12–16 (CSB)

¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

And then I challenged our People with a Conclusion of Commitments, and I challenge you in your church to do the same, in society to do the same

Conclusion
1. I Will Be One LESS Obstacle – I will not be a hindrance. I will be a peacemaker not a troublemaker, a Hope-Builder, not a Dream-Killer
2. I Will Be One MORE Servant, Warrior, Witness, Intercessor
3. I Will Seek to Win One MORE
4. Then we will be a Unified One – If we focus on The One True Enemy, the One Worthy of Glory, and the One who is Lost, we will be unified. 1 x 1 x 1=oneness
And that:

Starts Parties in Heaven

Protects the Helpless

Prevents Division

Prepares us to hear “well done”

and Propels us to a “Mission Accomplished” – “may they be one as we are one”
A Watch Man

April 18th, 2019

Now I’ll say upfront, that I could go a whole different direction with that title, and talk about a watchman on the wall etc. and perhaps I will another day. But I wanted to share with you a few thoughts from a homegoing celebration yesterday of a fine man that passed into eternity.

This man had a big smile for everyone he met, he was certainly a loving man

he had big hands, I mean in the shape of a tool handle, he was a working man

he definitely was a family man.

But when I went into his bedroom a month ago, he was not doing well, felt poorly, was in his PJ’s and a Tshirt … but what caught my eye was that he was wearing a WATCH! In bed, sick, difficult diagnosis but he was wearing a watch.

he was a WATCH MAN!

If you aren’t a watch person, you might not feel this but I AM, and I loved it.

I said “you’re a watch man!” and he laughed and said, “yeah I like watches”.

Let me tell you what that told THIS watchman about that watchman

A Watch Man …

Loves Tradition

Watches are tradition.

We can get our time in many places today, but watch men are traditional. They like the feel of the watch, the look, and carrying on tradition. And they do that in other areas of their lives. They carry on the things they’ve known and learned and pass it along to their family, kids, grandkids.

A watchman wants things that Have Lasted and WILL Last …

I’m wearing a Vintage Longines Mechanical Wind Watch. This watch was assembled in a small French Jewelry store on April 8, 1960. This watch is 4 ½ years OLDER than I AM. And with care, it will be passed down to my sons or grandsons. But I also want to pass down all that is traditional for the Goforth house to my family, Faith in Christ, Dedication to Family, Sharing the Gospel of Jesus, and Love for my fellow man.

But the second thing about a Watch man …

They Know What Time It Is

That seems to go without saying. But they don’t only know the time because they have a watch. They have a watch because they know and want to know the time. We used to say “he knows what time it is.” That phrase, “knows what time it is”, is a phrase about more than the hour and the minute, it is about knowing what’s going on and what needs to be done and the proper timing.

Romans 13:11–14 (CSB)

¹¹ Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk with decency, as in the daytime: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t make plans to gratify the desires of the flesh.

It is time right now to grieve, but it’s also a time to believe the gospel, and celebrate the homegoing of a faithful saint redeemed by the Blood of Christ, receiving his reward by no merit of his own but that of his Lord Jesus.

It’s NOT time to be divided, but united.

It’s time to give consideration to the shortness of life and be sure that you know Jesus. It’s time to be ready to die, but also time to put on your armor, and live this life for all it’s worth.

It’s time to do things you MEANT to do Yesterday

It’s time to do things today that cannot be put off for tomorrow, because tomorrow may not come.

Watchmen are Traditional,

They know what time it is,

And so, they are wearing a watch because they have an appointment they don’t want to miss.

A Watchman Has Some Place to Be!

That Saturday we met, He knew his time here was short and he had some place else to be.

I said, “Bob, tell me about when you met Jesus.”

And his face lit up, and he looked up and to his left, my right … that’s the place where we store our memories. They say, If someone looks the other way … they are probably inventing something, a story, but when they look to Their Left, Your Right, they are remembering.

And he told me his story of Jesus …

If you know Jesus, you should have your story, I have my story. If you don’t … you can have one today, you can meet Jesus today by faith, in confession, receiving eternal life and your memory begins.

And so, for that watch man, then THIS watch man, is telling you the “time has come to wake up” … “salvation is nearer than you were yesterday”, as is the judgment for those who reject it. This watchman will tell you with Paul that, “the day is near, the night is almost over”, so it’s time to walk with Christ today, to put on the armor, clothe yourselves with the righteousness of Jesus Christ … And make plans to be prepared for the appointment that is coming.

We all have someplace to be, and I know where that watch man is and wants you to be. And you will only get there by faith in the Grace of Jesus. If you haven’t, won’t you?

His wife said, “it went so fast, and it’s like he knew it was coming fast, like he was in a hurry.” To which I replied, “he knew he had somewhere else to be.”

Last Saturday morning, with family gathered all around, the nurse said, “there isn’t much time now.” And the family gathered around, and kissed his cheek, and immediately he was keeping his appointment, he was gone from that room and into another room.

Why? Because it is appointed men once to die …

And because Jesus said, “in my Father house are many rooms … I go to prepare a place for you so that where I am, you can be also”

That Watch man has not Gone, he has ARRIVED.

Right On Time.

A Watch Man.
Peace, Perfect Peace

April 3rd, 2019

I don’t usually do this, but I’m posting Hymn/Spiritual Song Text today.

I was doing some reading this week and ran across a hymn text by Rev. Edward Bickersteth Jr.

He was vacationing and heard a sermon from Isaiah 26:3-4 – thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: For the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength

As I read the hymn lyrics, and read the text, my mind also went to Paul’s words in Philippians 4:4-9 that we should not let anxiety enter, but instead Rejoice as we give God an Act of Worship by presenting our issues to him, knowing He cares and is able to handle them according to his will, by his power. And then this peace that is beyond our understanding guards our hearts and minds. And as we think only on good, excellent, praise worthy things, and as we put into practice the things we have heard and learn, then peace REIGNS, because the God of Peace is with us.

The battle certainly is in the mind. We do, according to 2 Corinthians 10, need to take captive every thought and make it obedient to truth, and when we do, PEACE REIGNS.

So, if you are in want of peace, turn your mind to Christ. Surrender to his will. Fall on him in prayer. Know that the blood of Jesus has supplied all you need, and he is still on the throne today.

So, this week, I adapted the text of Edward Bickersteth, added new music, and a new refrain, and I hope these words encourage you. In the original verses, he asked them as questions, but I offer them as settled quiet realities. Watch my http://www.soundcloud.com/jimgoforth page and maybe I’ll post the song soon.

Peace I Leave with You …

Peace, Perfect Peace – Jim Goforth 2019

(verses adapted from Edward Bickersteth Jr 1875)

Peace, perfect peace;

In this dark world of sin, the blood of Jesus whispers within;

Peace, perfect peace.

Peace, perfect peace;

So many earthly issues press, but in his will is rest;

Peace, perfect Peace

Like a river it flows, how I may not know;

The Breath of God today, blows my fears away;

I lay them at his feet, an act of worship to complete;

(bringing) Peace, perfect peace.

Peace, perfect peace;

With sorrows surging all around; fall on Christ and calm is found;

Peace, perfect peace.

Refrain

Peace, perfect peace;

Although the future is unknown; God’s still on the throne;

(giving) Peace, perfect Peace.

We can trust in the Lord forever

For the Lord Himself is Ever-lasting

Peace, perfect peace
Bearing The Yoke

March 19th, 2019

Just a short thought about bearing the yoke, that is the struggles of life.

MOST TIMES: we are trying to “lay God at the foot of our problems.” That is we try and bring God to our struggles and ask him to fix them, explain, them, etc. But by doing that, we are interpreting God by the candlelight of our problems.

This Faulty and Dangerous!

I must lay my problems at the feet of Jesus! That’s what Philippians 4:4-9 is talking about. I must present my requests to him like an act of worship, trust, hope, and faith. Then I must interpret my problems based on the light of Jesus,

FOR

From HIM

Through HIM

To HIM

Are ALL things

It is God at the beginning, at the center, and at the end.

Then … it begins to make sense. And even if it doesn’t, God does. He is the ONE we must seek to understand, not the yoke I bear. Do not bow at the altar of your problems, but bow at the altar of Christ.
Dead In The Garden

March 28th, 2018
This is a little more lengthy, a sermon, but a good read on the battlefield that is Prayer

Dead In The Garden

Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-49

The Garden of Gethsemane. What a beautiful and poetic place in our minds, literature, songs, and all these last 2000 years.

The name “Gethsemane” comes from the root Aramaic word for “oil press”. It is filled with Olive Trees. Having been to Israel, and spent time in multiple Spanish locals, Lisa and I learned to love Olive Trees. They are such interesting trees. They go down into the ground and come back up, from the roots, over and over, year after year, which creates very gnarly interesting looking trunks. They produce beautiful wood, and of course the olive, and the oil.

The Garden of Gethsemane contains trees that have connections of 2000 years old or more. The oldest trees can only be dated to about 1000 years. However, recent tests say that they are all familial and appear to be cuttings from much older trees. They could be the very trees, or offshoots from the roots of the trees under which Jesus would have prayed.

It is under these trees, that Jesus was anguished out like Oil in a press. We know it as the place where he prayed, and the place where he was arrested.

Look at this painting by the artist, Caravaggio.

The Garden of Gethsemane was not just the place that Jesus was betrayed, or the place where he was finally caught. The Garden of Gethsemane gives us the picture, and example, of HOW to deal with the battles of Life. How do we prepare for the battles? Where do we FIGHT the Battle?

Notice something that jumps out at me from this painting …

Judas, center, has just kissed Jesus on the cheek, the signal to arrest our Savior. John is on the left, running from the scene, but being held back by a guard.

Caravaggio, the artist, has placed himself on the far right, holding a lantern, relating to our culpability in the death of Christ. It was OUR sin, that captured him, and sent him to the cross.

There, center left is Jesus.

What I want you to see about Jesus is his posture.

Facing arrest in innocence. Facing a death sentence. Before the lies, before the accusations, before the injustice, the beating, the plucking of the beard. Before the nails, the spear …

He is passive.

He is not fighting, he is not fleeing.

Then notice, the light is falling on his hands.

His hands are clasped, fingers intertwined, I see a resoluteness in his hands.

He is committed to the task.

He is dead to himself

He is dead to death

He is already dead!

How do we fight the battles of obedience to complete the tasks of God?

How do we seek God’s face and come out victorious?

How do Face even the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and find the strength and courage to go into it resolutely?

The Battle is In the GARDEN …

The Battle is ON Our Knees.

The Garden of Gethsemane was, in my opinion, the final battle that Christ faced on this earth. The fake trial, the beatings, the mocking, the taunting, the cross, were NOT a battle for Christ. Of course, they were Physically demanding and painful, but there was NO doubt that he would continue and finish what he set out to do.

Look at his hands …

The key to that Resolve, was the Victory, that was won in The Garden.

Christ had shared the Passover meal with his disciples. Then he made the late evening walk with his disciples, giving them his final teachings on The Vine and the Branches, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He prayed in their presence for Unity of his people. Then he cross the Kidron Valley on the East Side of Jerusalem, and goes to The Garden.

READ Matthew 26:36-46 and Luke 22:39-

What is the Battle that you face Today?

The Garden is the Place to fight the battle.

Our time with the Lord gives us the power for the battles of life.

The battles are NOT won on the playing field, on the contrary, they are won as we wrestle with ourselves, and with God, and gain the victory and resolution to go on in obedience to his will.

When we’ve surrendered to his will, we will not give in to defeat, discouragement, or the devil.

Jesus and his disciples were BOTH in the Garden. They were BOTH to be praying …

But the disciples SLEPT …

What was the difference?
- Understanding God’s Plan – Jesus didn’t go into the garden wondering what to do. He knew because he had been in the garden before. He knew the plan. So, in the garden, now, he was praying for strength and certainty, NOT deliverance. Oh, the flesh wanted deliverance, “Father If …” but the other difference, Jesus had …
- A Strong Spirit and a Strong Flesh – We want to cop out and say, “oh, I’m just not strong enough … but the strength of the flesh comes from strengthening and committing the spirit to the God-revealed plans. The disciples were weak because they had NOT spent the time in the Garden BEFORE. They were driven by selfish desires and felt needs. They were driven by what THEY wanted, an earthly kingdom, notoriety, etc. They didn’t know the plans and purposes of God.
What is the Garden?

The Garden is a Place of Passion

“fell face down” / “sweat drops of blood”

The Garden is a Common Place

Luke 22:39 – “He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives … ⁴⁰ When he reached the place …”

This was NOT a just because he knew that he was going to die tomorrow.

This was common action, common place, common practice for Christ.

It was common when he faced critical decisions, it was common when he had a battle to face, it was common for him to relate to the Father, through passionate prayer and surrender.

With God, in prayer, is not the last resort, it is the first and common place for us.

The Posture of the Garden is one of Surrender

– for Jesus, we know that he knelt, we also know that he ended up on his face.

Those are postures of humility and surrender to a Sovereign.

They are postures of great anguish, and deep desire for gracious favor of our Sovereign.

– For the disciples, he told them to pray, but in the lateness of the night, and their exhaustion, they fell asleep and so he told them to “get up and pray“.

– if the posture you are in is causing you to struggle in prayer, find another position, it’s not as much about the posture, but it is about surrender.

– if kneeling or being on your face causes you to surrender to sleep, then stand, walk, pray out loud, but take a position where you can surrender to God.

Hebrews 5:7 says Jesus – “offered prayers … with loud cries and tears … and he was heard because of his reverence (submission)”.

He wasn’t heard because of position, but because of passionate surrender

The Garden is a Place –

– where we Recognize His Power – “… all things are possible”

– Where we Recognize His Position – “Abba, Father” –

Not My Will But Yours,

You Are Boss, You Are Leading, I Am Following.

Abba – (Aramaic) was the personal intimate way to relate to Father, i.e. “daddy”

Father – (Greek – pater) The formal address to the parent, ancestor, source of being, prototype, priest

We could amplify this phrase more Fully here,

“My Dearest Daddy, Father from whom I have my physical life, my spiritual being, whom I recognize as the source of everything I know, and the final authority on all matters, …”

When you Come to the Garden, bring Your Desires, but Be Prepared to Surrender to HIS

“Ok, this is nice inspirational stuff, pastor, but …”

So, What Do WE do in the Garden? How is the battle one in the Garden?

IN THE GARDEN …

1. The Armor of God is Put On

Ephesians 6:10–18 (CSB) ¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

You have the Armor of God at your disposal, but you MUST put it ON. When the battle starts you will be vulnerable if you don’t already have your armor on. It’s tough getting dressed into armor while you are being attacked.

What’s the Armor?

– Breastplate of Righteousness

– Belt of Truth

– Shoes Preparation of the Gospel

– Shield of Faith

– Helmet of Salvation

– Sword of the Spirit

How do you put it on?

Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 says, Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request … i.e. “about everything”

“Pray On” each Piece of the Armor, and its Characteristics of Protection and Offense. Something like this …

Lord, I take up the Breastplate of Righteousness, may the righteousness of Christ protect my heart, and vital organs.

I put on the belt of Truth. May the truth of God be the buckling point that keeps my armor in place and guards my deep-set places and passions in check and protected.

I stand on a grounding in the word of God and a commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hold up faith as my shield.

I will hide behind the victorious Cross of Christ that has won every victory for me, and allow him to lead me in a triumphal procession of Victory.

I take up the Word of God as my only weapon of offense. I will not use it recklessly or selfishly. I will not make it say what I want, but will allow it to speak for itself and defend me.

Over all, I put on the helmet of Salvation, the mind of Christ. May his attitude of selfless service, humility, and commitment, be my attitude and mind. Lord, today I am prepared for the battles that will come and I walk with you, for you, and live toward your glory, Amen

Also, IN THE GARDEN …

2. Discouragement Is Banished and Strength is Imparted

A. Discouragement is banished

Why do we get discouraged?

We feel like we are not appreciated

We feel like we are not accomplishing or living up to our potential.

We feel no one notices or cares.

We feel like God doesn’t see us or realize what we are going through.

In the Garden, we come into the presence of God, and feel his embrace, his praise, his pleasure.

The greatest thing that God wants from us is for us to commune with him.

So, you can be sure that when we come into his presence in the Garden, he is pleased, we have his attention, we experience his approval.

In his presence, we better understand his purpose, we can get a better perspective on what we might call failure or success.

Discouragement is banished in the garden

And …

B. Strength is Imparted in the Garden

Luke 22:43,44 – Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him … he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling …

The Olive Press

“Oh, I don’t know if I will have the strength to pray as I should …”

Strength is imparted AS you pray, not just before you pray.

IN THE GARDEN …

3. Obedience is Determined

Obedience hasn’t been physically carried out, but the die is already cast.

– Those of you who are dating, you do NOT DECIDE to be PURE while you are ON the Date. That Battle is won in your heart and mind, before you ever get on the date.

– you might win a few minor skirmishes by fighting that way, but the difficult all-out battles are won as you determine, in the garden, before God, to be obedient.

– if you have a habit that you are trying to “kick” because you feel a conviction from the Lord to stop. That decision has to be made before him daily on your knees, NOT when the urge or craving hits. If you have already died to it, and decided what you will do, then when the thought or urge hits, you will get the Victory, because you are already dead.

IN THE GARDEN …

4. God is the Focus

A. Focus

Now, the “model prayer” Jesus taught his disciples, is NOT what he prayed here in the garden, but the WAY to pray in the Garden is revealed in that model prayer.

It is the focus Christ gave us in prayer … How was it we are to pray? To whom are we to pray? For whose glory?

Our Father – Who? –

He is God, He is Father, we are NOT. Oh, we need a fresh reminder do we not?

In Heaven – Where? –

He is in heaven, he is not limited to our limitations, he made it all. He is with us, but he is above us, he is over us.

Hallowed be Your Name – Why?

– All is for his glorification. It is not our glory we seek. As we pray for his name, anything that is for our glory will fade away.

Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done – What? –

We seek to accomplish his purposes.

Adam and Eve failed in the First Garden, because they took their focus off God and put it on themselves. They should have been getting ready for their daily walk through the Garden with God, they instead surrendered to the prompting of Satan.

Yet in this Garden, Jesus took the focus OFF of Himself … “not my will” and put the focus on God “… but your will be done, Father”

In the Garden our Appetite is set on God …

B. Hunger

What you hunger for is evident in the garden.

Is your Passion/Hunger for God or for other things; your plans, or the will of God

Psalm 63:1; 3-5 (CSB)¹ God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water … ³ My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. ⁴ So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands. ⁵ You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.

C.S. Lewis says this about Hunger: “[If] we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.?” (CS LEWIS)

ILLUSTRATION “what if you … were invited to a friend’s house for dinner. You knew that your friend was a gourmet cook of nouvelle cuisine. You thought, her food is great but it’s usually not enough for you.

You are so hungry after missing lunch that day. You are on your way to their new house and there was something missing in the directions and you have a hard time finding her house. As you drive around, hungry and lost, you start driving by a string of fast food restaurants. You keep driving by a hot-dog place. You stop at the light and the aroma from the drive-thru is crying out and calling your name. You don’t want a hot dog, you need a hot dog.

There won’t be enough food anyway. I’ll just have a snack you decide while I find her house. You stopped to order a snack. But what to order? You settle on a regular hot dog, a Chicago dog, and a chili dog. The hot dogs really aren’t very big. And what’s a hot dog without French fries? So you ordered a large fries to cover the demands of the three hot dogs. Fries are salty and hot dogs are spicy, so you added a large soft drink to wash it down. You feel better now.

When you finally found her house, she had prepared a the most amazing and wonderful meal you’ve ever seen. However, you can’t enjoy it, you are miserable as you try to be polite and force a little food down. You don’t enjoy because you are FULL. You was so full, you even leave food on the plate.

This is a parable of prayerlessness.

Why don’t we pray? We don’t pray for the same reason you couldn’t enjoy that gourmet meal;

We’re stuffed in our spirits, full, over-loaded, packed, soul-crammed, not with the Bread of Life, but with spiritual junk food.

One writer said lack of prayer is a lack of hunger for God.

How do we regain our hunger for God?

– praise

– worship

– recount his deeds

– read the prayers of others

– memorize scripture

– pray the scriptures

– Fast – fasting requires you to fill your hunger with God. As you do this, you will begin to hunger for Him more than the things this world has to offer

We focus on God and regain our hunger for him in the Garden

IN THE GARDEN …

5. Self is Sacrificed

If you die in the garden, you will Live in Victory on the Battlefield.

If you don’t die in the garden, then Defeat crouches at the door”

Unless a seed goes into the ground and dies, it cannot produce the fruit it was intended to produce.

Jesus Christ “Died” in the Garden.

He left behind HIS will and Embraced the Will of the Father.

When he left the Garden, he was a “dead man walking”.

Remember those hands. He was set.

He was born to die, he lived to die, and that night in the garden he prayed and died.

That’s why he didn’t defend himself, that’s why he didn’t fight back, that’s why he went willingly to the cross.

That’s how he was the seed which sprouted into the beautiful planting of God that is you and me, the church of Jesus Christ which will be preserved and presented blameless before the Father in Eternity.

Beautiful Things grow in a garden, but …

Before Spring must come Winter,

Before planting must come plowing,

Before reaping must come planting,

Before fruitful life, must come the death of the seed, planted in the barren garden.

Jesus calls you to Tarry with him in the Garden.

Jesus calls you to follow him into the lonely place that is the Garden,

To Die to Self, allow the Spirit of God to plow deep the Hardness of Your Heart, and Break up the Dry, Fallow Ground.

Let him plow deep, and pull up the fertile soil below that he might plant his desires, his will in your life.

Dead in the Garden, means Life in the Garden.

Death in the Garden, means fruitfulness in your Life.

You will Get Up and Leave the Garden determined to do God’s will

Will You Tarry in the Garden?

Will you Surrender to him?

Let me just say, that there are some of you here today who LONG for the Garden, but you’ve never surrendered your life to Christ and you feel that when you pray there is a disconnect, that is simply because you need to give your heart to him.

Psalm 66:18 – if I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened

You cannot have intimacy if you are separated from him by sin.

Accept Christ, receive him into your heart and you will know the Joy, Intimacy, and Victory of the Garden.

Dear child of God … go to the Garden

Church of Jesus Christ … seeking God’s direction, intervention, protection … Go to the Garden.
How Long? When God is Pleased

January 25th, 2018
Galatians 1:15 – But when God … was pleased

… who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace …

The Call of God …

The Plan of God …

The Timing of God …

The Provision of God …

… are all OF GOD

When we are facing uncertainty, adversity, persecution, dire circumstance, we often ask, ” How long, Lord?”

The insinuation is that we know what is best. It is a feeling that we are being wronged and we are calling God to account for the “injustice” of allowing this injustice in our lives to go unchecked. Well, here is a different angle on the question, “how long?”. Do we really want to open the floor for the “how long?” question? If you do a casual search of scripture for the phrase, “how long” you will find that God often asks his people the same question.
- “how long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?”
- “how long will you refuse to keep my commands and instructions?”
- “how long will these people despise me?”
- “how long will they not trust me?”
- “how long will you delay going out to take possession of the land that the Lord … gave you?”
- “how long … will my honor be insulted?”
- “how long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie?”
Do we really want to get into a “how long?” contest with God? The difference between us and God is perspective, knowledge, and wisdom. God sees it all complete. We see it myopically through darkened and damaged lenses. God has full knowledge of every aspect. We have limited knowledge. God has the wisdom to know exactly what to do with the knowledge he has. We aren’t as wise as we think we are, as is evident when we keep doing what we have been doing, and wonder why we keep getting what we have been getting.

Listen, there is nothing wrong with asking God, “how long?”, or “is it time?”. But, we need to ask in trust and perspective, and with our hearts set on God, our lives given sacrificially to God, regardless of if God’s timetable matches ours.

I am mindful of a comparison of perspectives. The disciples, on multiple occasions, asked, “Lord, will you establish your kingdom now?”. What were they asking? “How long, Lord, do we have to put up with our circumstances, persecution, adversity, and uncertainty.” The problem was that they were asking selfishly, “will you do what we want?”, “will you give us seats of honor?”. What’s the comparison? In Revelation 6, in Heaven, the 5th seal was opened and we see souls under the altar crying out, “Lord … how long until you judge … and avenge our blood?” THIS is the ONLY way to ask this question. They don’t ask IF, but just, WHEN. So often our question is calling into account the goodness of God, or the justice of God, but not here.

First, notice the LOCATION, they are under the altar, IN Heaven. Then notice the POSTURE of the question, they have been slaughtered because of the word of God, and their testimony given. These petitions came from people who have sold all, and sacrificed all, for the Lord they serve. They are not asking for deliverance but for vengeance and justice. They have willingly given their all and been poured out on the altar of God. And then notice the UNDERSTANDING of their request, “Lord, the one who is Holy and True, how long …” The understanding is that before I ask … “I KNOW you are Right, Just, Faithful, and Good. So, if your timetable doesn’t match mine, I am OK with that, but just wondering, how long.” Then notice the EXPECTATION that God will judge, and avenge. It is not if, but when.

When? What difference does it make? What are we to do in the meantime? Back to Acts 1:6, post-resurrection, they still ask Jesus, “How long?” They ask, “Is it now that you are restoring the Kingdom of Israel.” Wait, what? The “Kingdom of ISRAEL”? That was their concern? No. Our concern should be for the Kingdom of God and of his Christ. That is what matters, not MY kingdom, my circumstances, my discomfort. And Jesus says, in Acts 1:7-8, “It is NOT for YOU to know times or periods that the Father has SET by his own AUTHORITY. But YOU will receive POWER … you will be my WITNESSES …” God hasn’t put us on the timing committee. God hasn’t guaranteed us earthly honor. But Christ, has promised and given us the Power of the Holy Spirit, the One who empowered the Resurrection, it is FOR US who believe. And Christ has given us the command to pour out ourselves as witnesses to the ends of the earth.

For Us … Power and Witness

For God … Authority to set the times and seasons. Why? Because he is Holy and True, Faithful and Just, Good and GREAT!

We need to take care of our stuff and let God do the God stuff.

So, When?

When God is “Pleased” (Gal 1:15) – eudokeo = take delight, well pleased, approve, consent to, choose.

My “when”, will be IF and When it pleases, delights God to choose to order the universe to bring about his will. So, in the meantime, I have to work to do what could result in my life poured out under the altar.

Final perspective … Galatians 1:10 am i trying to persuade people, or God? Am i striving to please people? (me included) If I am trying to please people I would not be a servant of Christ.”

But I AM of Christ and HIS pleasure is what I seek.