Harvest Time

October always brings our memories and life's to the harvest field.  No matter what culture we live in all of us enjoy the time of harvest.  Fall is my families favorite time of year.  We enjoy the cool evening together, roasting marshmallows over an open flame.  The smell of the first fire in the fire place and our traditional trip to the pumpkin patch. 

This year as we embarked on a new Pumpkin patch due to our recent move, we found that the harvest was not as plenteous due to a poor year of rain in the region.  My kids did not care, we jumped on the trailer pulled by the old ford tractor and off we went to the back field to get ourselves a pumpkin.  When we arrived we found that the pumpkins were gone, only a few green ones in the field so we rummaged through a few boxes of imported pumpkins that the farm had to bring in to accommodate the guests, but no matter what we were not leaving without a pumpkin!

I thought of our drive and desire to take a pumpkin home that day and how we were willing to do anything to harvest that pumpkin.  My thought took me to my life as a soul winner, am I willing to stay out an extra hour, knock on a few more doors, ask them if they are 100% sure if they died today that they would go to Heaven or just hand them a tract.  You see there are those that will use the excuse, "The harvest just isn't as good as it used to be..." but the problem is not for lack of sinners, its for lack of sowers.  Lets be busy harvesting in the field of Christ this season. 
 John 4:35 "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."

The Power of the Word of God

Paul, when speaking to the church at Thessolonica, details to them why their church stood out above other churches in the region. In I Thessalonians 2:13 we find that they reasoned the speech of Paul and Silas and determined that it was not their words but the Word of the Lord. 
The question for us in this day and age is, will we be submissive to the power of the Word of God when it is declared unto us.  In your Bible reading, will you submit to what you read or will your eyes just fall upon the words?
May we consider just a few thoughts through I Thessalonians 2 as we look at the Power of the Word of God.

1. Suffering in the Gospel. (v. 1-2a)

Paul suffered because he declared the gospel, but that was not a sign of weakness but rather brought Glory to God because of His care and provision through Pauls suffering.  In Ephesians 3:13 Paul declares to the church of Ephesus that his tribulation would lead to their glory.  If God can take care of Paul through his suffering, can God take care of us?  If we are faithful to the gospel, the Word of God, will God be faithful to us?  See how the power of the Gospel still works today even in times of suffering?

   2.  Steadfast in the Gospel. (v.2b)

Even though they had suffered they did not quit preaching the gospel of Christ.  In Philippi they were shamefully treated, in Thessolinica they were mocked and may have thought the three weeks there was a waste.  But the power of the Gospel is always steadfast.  You can not witness to the wrong person, if you give them the gospel, then that is what will work on their hearts and life.  May we just be consistent and faithful in our witness.

   3.  Stewardship of the Gospel (v.4-6)

We have been entrusted with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul declares that we are not to always tell men what they want to hear, (I Thes. 2:4) nor are we to speak over or down to men, nor are we to declare the gospel for financial gain only.  This is a far cry from the social gospel elite of the day.  I would dare to say that if Paul were in the ministry today most would think him to be out of the will of God because of all of his tribulation and trials.

  4. Sensitivity of the Gospel (v. 7-10)

We are to be comforting and caring in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and remember that we are ministering to hurting people all around us.  The gospel of Christ is our Cause in life and it is the only thing that can change the heart of people.  Someone once said to me, "You can preach hard with out being harsh".  I believe a lot of fundamental preachers need to heed that advise. 

  5. Supervision of the Gospel (v.11-12)

Not only are we to be sensitive and caring like a mother but we are to be guiding and guarding like a father.  We are to direct the flock of God as pastors and preachers.  We are to direct the people in our community and lead the leadership in our town to come to Christ centered decisions.  In verse eleven Paul admonishes the church to remember how the dealt with them, exhorting them and comforting them and charging them to walk worthy of God who is their Heavenly Father. 

   6.  Submission to the Gospel  (v. 13-18)

None of this is possible with out our heart be submitted to the Gospel of Christ.  If I do not submit my heart and will and way to the master, I have missed the "Cause" in my life as a Christian.  How submitted are we daily to God and His way?  How submitted are we to His Word?  To often we as Christians forget what we are to do, and that is simply obey the voice and leading of the Lord.  It is not what we read in the Bible and do not understand that troubles me, it is what we read in the Bible and do understand and choose to disobey, that is what trouble me.

   7.  Splendor of the Gospel (v. 19-20)

Paul declares a Church body that is serving and obeying the Cause of the Gospel of Christ is a shining example to the Glory of Christ.  A life that has been changed by the power of the Cross is a glorious thing! 

May we as Christians take up the Cause of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and choose to obey Him today!

Growing in Gods Grace

The Christian life is one of constant growth, or at least a healthy Christian life is.  For those who do not want to be stagnate and cold it is a constant battle to not only stay fresh and close to the Lord in our daily walk but to also display a Christ centered life to those around us.  As a husband, father and pastor it is a daily struggle not only to balance all of my God given rolls but to do so with grace. 

Stress is a real factor in today's society and the stress and toil of life displays itself in us all.  A Christian is not exempt from this stress and it seems sometimes it can be more intense as we are fighting the world the flesh and the devil on every corner.  Recently I was reminded that every word we speak matters, Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."  This is not just from the pulpit or in the business meeting or in the Wal Mart- (Heaven knows it is difficult to hold ones tongue there!)  But also at home with our spouse and children. 

As a Pastor I desire to grow in Gods Grace and see my ministry grow as well.  But more than that I want my role as husband and father to be seasoned with salt and grace so that my family enjoys the benefits of God molding me into the image of His dear Son.  After all if I loose my home and family, what kind of ministry do I have?  May we all take a close look at our Christian growth and see how we are measuring up.  Christ is our example but he has sent us a guide in the Holy Ghost and the Lord Jesus is making intersession on our behalf daily. 

The Joy of a Godly Wife

On June 12, 2011 my wife Rebecca and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary.  The greatest treasure that I posses on this earth is my relationship with my wife.  The Word of God declares in Proverbs 31:11, speaking of the virtuous woman, "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her..."  In my life and ministry my wife has been my greatest asset and joy.  While she is not perfect, she seeks to walk with the Lord daily and please Him with her life.  As a pastor I could not preform my ministry tasks were it not for the hard work and dedication of my wife.  In a day and age where marriages are falling by the way side, in the world and unfortunately in the church, I am a blessed man to say that I have the joy of a Godly wife.  May we all seek to work diligently in our marriages to be what God would have us all to be for His glory. 

Life Lessons Written in Stone

We have come to a place in our society where we do not practice, put in a place of emphasize nor give priority to the ten commandments found in Exodus twenty.  The reason the ACLU and other liberal organizations fight the displaying of the Ten Commandments is because they are vehemently opposed to the God of the Bible.  The reason a majority of public school systems are opposed to teaching creationism along side evolution is because they are opposed to the God of the Bible. 

Churches in this generation have allowed the liberal media to control the minds of our children.  The reason we are seeing an attack on the Word of God and the commandments of God is because the church has been silent and we have made the word of God palatable to a lost and dying world.  In the coming weeks we at Maranatha Baptist church will be examining the Ten Commandments in a series entitled, "Life Lessons Written in Stone."  Gods commandments are ever abiding promises of His love, care and concern for man kind.  Let us all determine as followers of the Cross of Christ to lift His banner high, follow the teachings of the Word of God and seek to win a lost world to a saving knowledge of Jesus. 

Christians View of the Death of Osama bin Laden

With the death of the notorious terrorist Osama bin Laden announcement the close of Sunday and early Monday morning many people are questioning, what should the Christians world response be to the death of this man.  How do we, as followers of Christ rejoice in his death with out becoming as radical as those who call for the death of Americans, Jews and Christians in this Jihad they are waging day in and day out. 

First I believe we should see the sad reality that this man did have a soul that was blinded by a false religion.  The fastest growing religion today is the Muslim faith.  He being a leading figure in this religion followed the teachings of the Quran to the grave.  Unfortunately now for his soul it is forever separated from God for all eternity. 

Second we should know that Government has the right to yield the sword.  In Romans 13 we find the greatest chapter on human government.  God has ordained three organizations in this order, the home or the family, the government and then the church.  In Romans 13:4 we find this truth "For he (speaking of government) is the minister of God to thee for good.  But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."  The truth of it is Osama bin Laden was an evil doer, our former president George W. Bush continually referred to him as this and government, ordained of God has brought this man to the justice of Gods table.

Third, we have a responsibility to reach the lost.  With the propagation of false religions growing every day believers have an increasing responsibility to win the lost world to Christ.  While I am thankful for the judgment that has befallen this evil man and I desire for all those who stand against our country and freedom to be brought to the same fate, I pray for the salvation of those blinded by this false religion. 

It is time for believers and followers of Jesus Christ to rise as a mighty army and stand against the forces of the prince and power of this air not in our strength but in His.  Remember without Him we can do nothing, but with Him we can do anything but fail.

End Times study should always lead us to Evangelism

We hear it often, "You know, we are living in uncertain times...".  With the constant decline in our economy, rising prices of everything from diapers to gasoline one would think the entire world would be looking for the coming of the Lord.  Unfortunately we have seen a decline in church attendance to now under 826,000 Americans reporting they attend church on a regular basis.  The Word of God tells us that the Lord Jesus will return in a time, "...when ye think not..." Luke 12:40.  In another portion of scripture it describes the Lords return as a thief in the night.  As followers of Christ and believers we are responsible to be looking for the return of the Lord and longing for His return.  The primary responsibility of the church is to be leading to world to Christ.   Jesus last words to His followers on this earth were to commission them to go into all the world with His message.  We are seeking to reach this lost world with the glorious message of the Bible.  World missions is the heart beat of God and missions work in this generation is growing and churches are being planted  According to recent statistics the fastest growing areas of converts to Christ per populous are as follows. First is the Northern Mariana Island (6.64%), then Cameroon (6.07%), next Aruba (5.588%) Guinea (5.02%) and Togo (4.77%) The sixth fastest growing body of believers? French Guiana, at 4.77%. Then Nepal (4.69%), Jordan (4.64%), and Oman (4.43%).  If we truly believe that we erare living in the last days, the generation that will see the return of the Lord Jesus in the air, then we must not just be concerned with the economic state or the political climate, we must be concerned with the lost who die with out Christ around us every day.  Over 55,000 people die daily around the world without ever hearing the True Name of Jesus.

The reason we study the time called the tribulation in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is so it will move the believer to know the urgency of the hour in which we live.  The time is now for the True Church of Jesus Christ to rise up and reach the world for Christ. 

Sermon series beginning this Sunday evening on Discernment in Uncertain times- A study of the End of Days. 

Statistics taken from Church society and 2020 Vision by Bill and Amy Stearns

Overcoming Temptation- The Power of Christ in you.

We live in a world torn with war.  While many talk of peace and safety a majority of our world lives in the turmoils of battle.  There are those all around us, and even those reading this who have loved ones involved in military conflict somewhere. 
As believers and followers of Christ we are all engaged in a battle, though it is not a physical one.  In Ephesians 6:12 we find this truth, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The past few weeks our church has been looking at the spiritual war we wage every day.  Our enemy, his tactics, our weapons and the victory we all have in the person of Jesus Christ.  With Christ we can do anything, but with out Him we can do nothing.  May we all determine to be more vigilant in our Christian walk and fight the good fight of Faith not only as Pastors and preachers of the Gospel but as followers of Christ.  Follow the sermon series at www.sermonaudio.com/maranathabc