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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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”
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.
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
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.
So, years ago, in a small Central Texas town, there was a church, a simple little L-shaped brick church. The Calvary Baptist Church. Great name for a church. They built a sign out front and painted the name of the church, “The CALVERY Baptist Church”. It was a misprint that wasn’t noticed for a LONG time. But there is a bigger misprint going on with many people.
Today I was watching a TV show, and the actor said “The CALVARY is here”, when help arrived. That set my mind to spinning about the confusion with many Christians. Do we need the cavalry or Calvary?
The cavalry in the past were soldiers on horses. From old movies, we can hear the bugler playing, and the hooves pounding the ground, and feel relieved that help is coming. Today, the cavalry is the brave heroic soldiers in armored vehicles protecting from us evil.
But, Calvary is the English derivative of the Latin word for the hill called Gol’gotha, a place of execution, shaped like a skull, outside old Jerusalem. It is the place where countless, nameless, many were executed. But there is one name we know, it is where Jesus was crucified in the 1st Century, between two convicted thieves, though he himself was innocent of any sin or act against God or Man.
Why?
Calvary, in God’s court, is about atonement. The Old Testament is full of the concept of an innocent life becoming a substitutionary sacrifice of atonement, a propitiation, for the sin of man, seeking right standing with God.
Leviticus 16:34 (NIV84) – 34 “… Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” And it was done, as the Lord commanded Moses.
But, as you can see, the Old Testament atonement was a temporary activity, over and over, pointing us to the coming of the final sacrifice, the last lamb.
So, why am I writing? We are often looking for Christ to be our “cavalry”, to come riding in, on a white horse, and save the day. The problem is that we don’t need the cavalry, we need Calvary. Often our cry for the cavalry is over things that are insignificant things, at least eternally. We get fearful and worried about things that don’t matter. As Jesus said, in the Sermon on the Mount, we run after food, clothes, and treasures. We lay up things, as treasures, that will ultimately rust and decay, or we fight to control our tomorrows. We run after, fight to protect, cry out to God, for the Cavalry, all for unimportant things. But Jesus says, in Matthew 6:33, “seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added …”
So, how do we attain position in the Kingdom of God? How can we achieve the righteousness of an All-together Righteous God?
All our righteousness is like filthy rags – Isaiah 64:6
There is no one who is righteous, not even one – Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:10-13
How can we, who are so far away from God, be brought near?
Ephesians 2:13 (NIV84) – 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
At Calvary
Years I spent in vanity and pride
Caring not my Lord was crucified
Knowing not it was for me he died
On Calvary
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary
Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary – William R. Newell
We are sinners, our only hope is found at Calvary.
Romans 3:25 (NIV84) –25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
Hebrews 2:17 (NIV84) – 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
1 John 2:2 (NIV84) – 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:10 (NIV84) – 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
And there, on Calvary, love was personified as the Lamb of God gave himself, once and for all. Remember in the Old Testament the sacrifice was offered once a year for all sin. But at Calvary a sacrifice was offered once, for all sin, for all time.
Hebrews 7:27 (NIV84) – 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Hebrews 9:12 (NIV84) – 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
1 Peter 3:18 (NIV84) – 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
So, at Calvary, we are offered what we need for eternity.
Oh, there is nothing wrong, even everything right, with seeking the intervention of God in our every day, even temporal things, but set your heart on Calvary, not the cavalry. Set your affections on Calvary. There’s no better place where I can see God’s love poured out for me, than Calvary. Oh, by the way, longing for the cavalry is ok, matter of fact, that longing is right and will be fulfilled. THE Cavalry IS coming. We will have our White Horse Day, but all things in proper order, and for eternal things.
In Revelation 19:11+, Heaven will open and a White Horse Rider will emerge. He is called “Faithful and True“. With justice he judges and makes war. He will come, eyes blazing, with many crowns on his head. His robe has been dipped in blood, at Calvary, and his name is The Word of God. He is John’s “Word” from John 1:1. He is one with God, from the beginning, and himself God, Creator of all things. But when THE Cavalry of Heaven comes, it will not be for temporal things, but eternal. He is coming for his people, his land, his creation, his dominion, to fulfill his promises.
Revelation 19:14 says that the Armies of Heaven will be with him, also riding white horses, dressed in fine linen, white and clean. I believe this army includes the Raptured Church, dressed in the Righteousness of Christ, secured on Calvary’s cross, received by faith, by those who believe.
And the leader of The Cavalry, “Faithful and True“, the “Word of God“, will have a name written on his robe and on his thigh, “King of kings, and Lord of lords”. Could it be that this name will be written in blood, the blood of Calvary? I believe so. But why the thigh? The thigh contained the strongest bone, and the strongest tendon. Covenants were made by placing a hand on the thigh.
Jesus, because of Calvary, has made us a promise, and he will keep this promise. The Cavalry is coming, because of Calvary. A promise written in blood.
Where will you turn today? The Cavalry or Calvary?
So, in the growing face of division on the ethnic front, my frustration is often that the church is either silent, or so loud that you can’t hear, and generally loud about the wrong things.
However, in the reality that the church, especially the church of a lighter hue of skin, is often silent on these issues, there is an opportunity.
Do you ever have a friend who never says anything, and then they finally speak, and everyone just stops and listens? Well, silent church, it’s time to speak. It’s time for the church to be the church. It is time for the church to model Our Lord, humble ourselves and get into the equation, in order to draw men to God.
The idea of one group or another thinking that they have supremacy over another is ludicrous. The idea of differing “races” is first designed to divide us. The truth genetically is that there really is only one race, the human race. There is so little difference between differing ethnicities that you cannot divide us into “races” genetically. A difference in hue of skin is not enough to call for supremacy. We are different ethnicities, we are different nationalities, we are differing cultures, but even those are not limited to hue of skin or language spoken. Some of the greatest atrocities in history have been carried out in the name of supremacy. Even if supremacy were a reality, what should be the attitude of the one who thinks themselves supreme?
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in the appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on the cross! (Philippians 1:5-8)
The most Supreme Being in the universe, who has lived in and out of time for eternity, who created all things, who is himself completely pure and holy, did not consider his Supremacy something to be flaunted, but emptied himself, made himself nothing, took up the clothing of a servant, and served!
What should the church, the people of God be doing in the world? No less. We may be ourselves “innocent” of any wrongdoing, though that is probably not true, but still even if we are, there is action to be taken. We are given the ministry of reconciliation by God in 2 Corinthians 5. That, I believe, includes reconciliation between God and man, and people to people. Why, because Paul also says in Ephesians that the great mystery of the work of God is that people who were separate are brought together by God. People who were God’s Special people, and people who were not, are brought together by the work of Christ at the cross. How can WE do any less?
The expectation of God has always been that his people would be loving toward outsiders in an effort to bring them inside. Oh I am not talking about our right and expectation to defend ourselves against those bent on destruction and desolation. But the issue is that God always has a place for the outsider who desires to be in.
Homeless/Displaced, Fatherless, Faithless, Spouseless, Voiceless –
God has always reached out and always calls his people to do the same. Why? Because we have ALL been on the outside. We all needed to be brought in, and Christ has made that possible for all of us.
I don’t want to take time for an exhaustive exposition of the scriptures on this topic, but let me bring up a few
Exodus 22:22–24 (NIV84)
22 “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. 23 If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. 24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.
Expectation? Responsibility? Accountability? Yes, yes, yes.
Deuteronomy 10:18–21 (NIV84)
18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. 20 Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
Did you see verse 19 “and you …” there is an expectation and a reason … “for you yourselves were … (so) fear the Lord … serve … hold fast … he is your God”
In Deuteronomy 16:11 – every category or division of persons are called to Praise and Worship God together
Deuteronomy 24:17–22 (NIV84)
17 Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. 18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. 19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
What does God think about our failure to join him in these things? Notice here what God says, AND that the response of God’s people is “Amen” (so be it)
Deuteronomy 27:19 (NIV84)
19 “Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
Psalm 10:14, 18 (NIV84)
14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
How do we understand love?
In 1 John 3:16-18, we see love, and see the expected response from those who know the love of God.
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”
Love requires action and is directed toward those who need it, not just toward those to whom we want to give it, or to those who give it to us. But if the scripture stopped there, Jesus did that, we would be left to decide if we should just say “thank you” or if something else was expected of us in response. But then the Holy Spirit inspired John to continue in v17 …
and WE ought to LAY down OUR lives for our BROTHERS …
Then speaking materially John says if we see our brother in need (having ability to meet the need) and do not meet the need, how can the love of God be in us?
Brothers and sisters in Christ, this takes the Spiritual response of Christ that entered the Physical Realm of laying down his life, then ties it to material needs … But the principle is there. If there is a need, and we CAN meet the need, but will not, how is that a reflection of one who is indwelt by the Spirit of God? So then John tells the Church what to do in v18 …
let us not love with words or tongue, but with action and in truth …
What should the church be doing and saying?
It is time for the church which is often silent, to speak up. Here is our opportunity. It is time for the church, which is often seen in the posture of kneeling in prayer, or standing in worship, to get busy walking in truth and acting in love. I tweeted out today, “if the church Lives Love, we earn the right to speak. When we do NOT love, we cannot speak, we lose our right to lead when we do not Live Love.”
So then, let me come back to two scriptures and close,
Psalm 146:5–10 (NIV84)
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the Lord, who remains faithful forever. 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, 8 the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.
This is what God does. He is our hope, he is the hope of the one who is hopeless and will but turn to him. Remember Isaiah quotes God as saying “Turn to Me and Be Saved all the ends of the earth.” Oh that the Church of the Lord would live like he lives IN us. That we would be a place that upholds the cause of the oppressed, hungry, the prisoner, the blind, the broken, the displaced, the fatherless, the spouseless. If God stands with them and for them, we better get on God’s side.
Then … here is a vision for the church in the world today …
Psalm 68:1–6 (NIV84)
1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. 2 As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. 3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. 4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds— his name is the Lord— and rejoice before him. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Oh could we tread on thin ice here and put ourselves, as imitators of God, in this equation? Let me say it this way …
Let The Church Arise, may the enemies be scattered; may their foes flee before them. As smoke blown away by the wind, as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. May the righteous be glad and rejoice, be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to his name, and rejoice before him. But may we be more than worshipers in a church building. May the church, modeling God, be a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, believing we must, because God is on his throne in the Holy Place. May the church be God’s instrument for settling the lonely in our families, leading forth prisoners with singing instead of stealing their song. May their ever be room, for all, in our walls, who are needy and seeking. May there be NO ROOM, for those who will abuse and divide.
Let us, dear children, love, not just with words or with tongue, in silence and separation, but let us love with action and in truth, out of the church and into the streets.
Ian O’Conner reporting for ESPN today a aid “he is just lost in every possible way, literally and figuratively.”
The story hit yesterday of Tiger Woods’ latest scandal and as the details came out this morning it just got worse and worse. Everyone will be piling on, but I want you to know what I am hoping.
I am hoping that Tiger Woods wins 19 majors. Now if you know me you will know how strange that is. I am 52 and a lifelong golf fan. I grew up in Ohio. I am a Huge Jack Nicklaus fan. I am a single digit handicap golfer, was even employed as a teaching professional for a minute. I have a great appreciation for the golfer that Tiger Woods was. But I was never a fan. I didn’t like the hype, and I didn’t want him to beat Jack’s records. I didn’t want him to become the GOAT in golf, that was Jack’s domain. And it still is. Oh there are many great golfers, and many great for a time but whether Norman or Miller or Whomever, something always brought them down.
For Tiger to be the GOAT he would have to beat the record. It is the greatest of ALL time not just A time.
So there was a time when Tiger could be that arrogant guy that we saw on TV, and do the things we didn’t know were happening out of the spotlight, and still win. However, time, physical limitations, and these indiscretions have caught up with him, like an unseen foe in the night, and that greatness cannot just happen now.
Nevertheless, I hope Tiger wins 19 majors. Why? Because for him to win 5 more majors at this stage in his life, he will have to find his life. He will have to get his life together. He will have to get help and get healthy on every level. I, for one, pray that happens.
Jesus said “he who would find his life must lose it”. Jesus said “what does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul.”
Yes, Tiger is lost. He told police that he had been playing golf in Los Angeles, but he was in Jupiter, Florida. He has his coasts backwards, and his life too is upside down. If you are flying an airplane, and think you are right side up, but are upside down, when you pull “up” you will crash.
Yes, I am praying for Tiger. Praying that he will find the Author of Life. I am praying that he will turn to Jesus, and find that he has been there all the time.
Jesus said “I have come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus said “I have come that you might have life, abundant life”
Tiger and countless millions who are lost and lifeless need the Seeking One who gives life.
Will we pray for them?
Will we tell them?
“Lord open Tigers eyes, open his ears, open his heart. Bring someone across his path today, and tomorrow, and the next, and the next, until he says ‘Lord, I believe’.”
We are well past this year’s observance of 9/11 but somehow my thoughts for that day didn’t get posted, but got stuck in my “DRAFT” box. So I am sending them again.
A bad day? A tragic day? Certainly those things can be said and are true. Thousands of lives were lost that day. Lives were lost needlessly, but God never allows tragedy to pass without a victory plan for the other side.
I know a young man, like many young men and women the service of their country. He lost his legs in Afghanistan, in the war that has been a result of that fateful day in September. Yet on May 31, ever year since 2012, the anniversary of his “Alive Day”, he celebrates the “tragedy” in his own life. He thanks the perpetrator of such a great evil that forever changed his life. He gives thanks because it reshaped his life, gave him a new perspective, and opportunities he never would have had otherwise. So, he would have to trace back not just four years, but 15 years to fully express his gratitude.
Am I saying we should be thankful for that terrible day? Perhaps I am. It is a day that has reshaped our country of origin and the world forever. It has been an opportunity for the world to see what America is made of and what we are about. Yes, we are an imperfect country, Ungodly influence within our own ranks often saturates our thinking and action. However, America is still, thankfully, a country that believes in freedom, the rights that are inalienable, the equality of mankind, and that there is a divine mandate to protect those rights. We still protect the right to disagree, to verbalize that, and to believe differently. I also believe that this fateful day forced us to provide freedom, an opportunity for democracy, and freedom of thought and practice.
And wherever freedom is provided, the gospel follows. The people of God are ever ready to move into the smallest opening with the news that Jesus loves, Jesus saves, and Jesus transforms.
In the greatest tragedies in history, hope has been born. In the greatest suffering hearts are lifted, ears opened, and people are drawn to God’s provision in Christ. Oh the greatest injustice and tragedy was when a simple teacher was arrested one night with the help of a friend. He was put on trial for simply being who he was. He was beaten almost to the brink of death. He went through six trials, all breaking multiple national and spiritual laws. A sentence of death was pronounced not by the government court, but the court of public opinion in a bloodthirsty mob. He was paraded through the streets of his metropolis like a defeated tyrant, though he had never done wrong to any man or in the sight of God. He hung in the gallows on this day for six hours. He died and was buried
What a tragedy. What a travesty. But Tragedy brought Triumph. That travesty became an opportunity. Injustice provided grace. The merciless acts of some opened the door for the mercy of God. And he who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God. And so, because of the greatest act of evil, the greatest act of love came, so that if anyone be in Christ, he/she is a new creation. The old has passed, all things are made new.
Thank you God. Thank you Jesus, for the cross. Thank you that the cross isn’t the end of the story, because there is an empty tomb. Thank you that when this soul cried out, you heard my cry because of Christ. Oh, I am not comparing America to Jesus, but 9/11/01 was NOT the end of the story. I am grateful today that my country, will all of its faults, still hears the cries of the oppressed, and works to provide freedom. I am grateful for those who sacrifice themselves for others. It is not just a job, it is a calling for millions of military and first responders who do not run FROM the sound of tragedy, they run TO the battle. I am grateful for mission minded believers who leave the comforts of home to run to the lost with the gospel of peace. I am grateful for preachers who mount their pulpits today and proclaim the freedom of Christ for all who believe, all who receive.
Bad day? No Never
The privilege of Preaching or Teaching the Word of God is the greatest opportunity I have in ministry. Here are a few thoughts on making the most of that opportunity.
– Be in Touch with the Text – true to the text, context, interpretation, setting
– Be in Touch with your Audience – the same message in Romania, Germany, USA, El Salvador will be different for that audience
– Be in Touch with God – led by the Spirit – truly, don’t cop out and say “the Spirit led” if he did not
. And the Spirit will never lead you in contradiction to the rest of Scripture.
– Be a Reader – other sermons, books, secular media, other scripture both “related” and “unrelated” – English, Hebrew, Greek word definitions/tense – My Dad once said “when did you become a ‘Greek scholar’” to which I replied, “I’m not, but I can read”
– Be Imaginative – see this as a story, not a report, tell the story in a compelling way
– Be Creative – these two go together – there are many ways to say this. Involve the heart, mind, and imagination of the listener
– Be Challenging – every sermon should bring me to a crossroads – Revelation = Invitation
– Be Inspirational – I can’t motivate, but I can Inspire
– Be Focused – a series will have a “lens” by which you see the text. The lens generally comes from the purpose of the book or the thing you are trying to learn from it. Ex. – Philippians “I will rejoice” – Acts “Back to the Beginning, becoming a Twenty 1st Century Church” (i.e. what can the 21st Century church learn from the 1st Century Church?) – In a “one off” sermon, still find the lens of intent and don’t stray far from that. If the text doesn’t really say what you are trying to say, then go somewhere else.
– Be Relevant – but not tied to “relevancy”. Some preachers are so busy trying to be relevant that they don’t preach the text. The Word of God is ALWAYS Relevant. If it is NOT, then God has wasted his words and God never wastes his words. “my words will not come back void”
– Be Real – be yourself – you can get better, or emulate things you see in other communicators, but you need to be yourself. This is true in dress, words, and presentation
The Word of God is an authoritative gift from God into his heart, mind, purpose, and will. Let the Word speak. Let the Word divide. Let the Word offend. If you seek to speak, divide, offend, or teach out of your own wisdom, you might find you have wasted your time, or worse yet you are in opposition to the heart, mind, will, or purpose of God.
Thank you Lord for your Word and the privilege to proclaim it.
Pastor Goforth 