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Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

A Time To die!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
September 5, 2011

Everyone must die! This is a given, isn’t it? It’s a cliché almost. It doesn’t even bear repeating because it’s so obvious. The Bible clearly states, “There is a time for every event under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Everyone knows it. Everyone is introduced to it from childhood at the death of a pet, a loved one, or something they see on TV. It’s just part of life. I attended several funerals and memorial services for family and friends in 2011 and was surprised at how many people seemed shock when death becomes part of their experience. They know death as a reality but they are totally unprepared for it.

As a preacher of the Good News of Jesus Christ, I feel it’s one of my most solemn responsibilities to give attention to preparing people for the inevitability of death. But it’s such a delicate subject, especially in the wake of a loss. I think I’ve had more zeal than knowledge in some attempts to share this truth with others. You may have heard of the barber who was newly saved and was eager to witness to his experience with Jesus Christ. As he met his first customer the next day, he was sharpening his straight razor on the leather strap. His initial approach to his customer was, “Are you ready to die?” Just imagine what went through the customer’s mind as he viewed the finely honed razor.

I really want to be careful how I talk about this subject because only a truly morbid person obsesses over the inevitability of his own death. . On the other hand, only a foolish person refuses to ponder his own mortality. One of the most profound truths come from the mouth of William Wallace of Brave heart fame. He said, “no man can really live until he is ready to die.” So what about you? Do you ever consider that God has granted you a fixed amount of time in this world and that every tick of the clock brings you that much closer to your date with eternity? Imagine you were to discover that you have one week to live. What regrets would you have? What unfinished business would fill you with sadness? Would you feel you have lived wisely, in a way that honors God? Why or why not?

Chuck
“…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

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2 Sermons

Get Connected

Filed Under: Sermons by Chuck
September 4, 2011
This is a two part series on the subject of getting connected.

 

Sermon Videos
Click a link below to watch the video. Click the same link again to close.

1) Get Connected: Part 1

2) Get Connected: Part 2

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Ephesians 2:19

Members of a Family!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
September 2, 2011

Ephesians 2:19 tells us that “You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” As members of God’s family we have responsibilities towards each other. Paul calls the household of God “the church.” He writes to Timothy so that “…you will know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church….” (1 Timothy 3:14-15). As you well know the church is often referred to as “The Body of Christ.” As such we are to do the things now that Jesus did when he walked upon the earth. One thing that Jesus did was heal the sick and the hurting. I’ve always struggled with our understanding of the word “healed.” In the Greek text the word is therapeuo (ther-a-pew-o). We get our English words therapy and therapeutic from that word. It’s definition in Greek however was to “serve in a menial way, such as members of family take care of one another’s needs. (For more on this see Strong’s dictionary word #2323). The duties of family members often included taking care of sick family members so the word took on a medical connotation in the sense of taking care of, tending, or providing for the sick. From there it came to mean “to heal, restore to health, cure.”

You are probably well aware that for early believers, accepting Christ often meant severing family ties. But the Christians joined a new family, for they were now God’s sons, and brothers and sisters of all believers. In many ways it’s similar today. That’s why Paul exhorts us all in 1 Corinthians 1:10 as brothers and sisters. He writes, “I beg you, brothers and sisters…that all of you agree with each other and not be split into factions. I beg that you be completely connected with each other by having the same kind of thinking while pursuing the same purposes.”

When F. Scott Fitzgerald died they found an unfinished manuscript among his papers. It was a story about five separated family members who would receive a vast inheritance along with a mansion to live in if they agreed to live in the mansion together. This is of course what’s promised to all believers born again into the family of God. We must learn to live together, care for one another and love one another which is part of the greatest commandment according to Jesus.

Chuck
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3

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John 15:4-5

Branches of a Vine!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
September 1, 2011

Jesus says “I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who remains connected to me, that is the one who will bear much fruit” (John 15:4-5). What does it mean to “remain connected” to Christ? It makes me think of the sap the runs from the vine into the branches. It reminds me of the Holy Spirit. When we abide or remain connected to Christ the Holy Spirit flows from Him to us producing his fruit. There are many different kinds of fruit I’d like to produce in my life, but first and foremost are the fruits of the Holy Spirit. You know them well: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. I’ve often found I cannot force this fruit to grow. The harder I try the less I see. I get frustrated and lose my patience. I become self centered in my focus and lose my love and joy. I become cranky and the kindness & goodness is something I cannot even see from where I am. Gentleness? Don’t even talk about it!

I once read about when Lawrence of Arabia was in Paris after World War I with some of his Arab friends. Rasnake tells this story well: Lawrence “showed them the sights of the city: the Arc de Triumphe, the Louvre, Napoleon’s tomb, the Champs Elysées, but none of these things impressed them. The thing that really interested them the most was the faucet in the bathtub of the hotel room. They spent much time turning it on and off. They found it amazing that one could turn a handle and get all the water he wanted. Later, when they were ready to leave Paris and return to the East, Lawrence found them in the bathroom with wrenches trying to disconnect the faucet. “You see,” they said, “it is very dry in Arabia. What we need are faucets. If we have them, we will have all the water we want.” Lawrence had to explain that the effectiveness of the faucets did not lie in themselves but in the immense reservoirs of water to which they were attached.”

Jesus goes on to say in the next verse “disconnected from me, you can do nothing.” Jesus also said “I am the living water.” You and I are just like a faucet by itself. No fruit comes forth from me, until I’m connected and abiding in Christ. He is the source of nourishment through which we can grow the fruits of the spirit.

Chuck
“If you ask, He will give you the living water.” (John 4:10)

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Romans 12:3

Members of a Body!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 31, 2011

Paul, in Romans 12:5, teaches us that believers make up various parts of one body. It says “So, we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” What Paul was trying to get the Romans to do was change the way they think about themselves. Remember Chapter 12 begins with exhortations about not being conformed to the image of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It’s really all about the way we see, or think about, ourselves. That’s why verse 3 of Chapter 12 tells us “not to think of ourselves more highly than we should.”

This is extremely counter-cultural in our country. America dearly prizes individualism and we always hold up the famous, the glamorous and the rich as the epitomes of success. They are always on the news, in the papers, and on the Television. Our culture despises anonymity, while Christ honors it. We, like those at the tower of Babel, want to make a name for ourselves, while God has given Christ the name that is above every other name. God calls us to lose ourselves in and for Christ, but the world calls us make ourselves stand out. If we can make a name for ourselves we will be successful. Alan Richardson says it well: “The hatred of anonymity drives men to heroic feats of valor or long hours of drudgery; or it urges them to spectacular acts of shame or of unscrupulous self-preferment. In its worst forms it tempts men to give the honor and glory to themselves which properly belong to the name of God.”

Truly, this is what Paul is referring to when he talks about not being conformed to the thinking of this age, but be transformed in how we think. He wants us to put Christ first in our thinking and in our service. If we’re truly going to be successful and hear “well done good and faithful servant” we have to put the advancement of Christ ahead of self advancement. This begins with changing the way we think. A. W. Tozer writes, “We can never get too weak for the Lord to use us—but we can get too strong, if it is our own strength. We can never be too ignorant for the Lord to use us—but we can be too wise in our own conceit. We can never get too small for the Lord to use us, but we can surely get too big and get in His way.”

Chuck
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

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1 Corinthians 7:14

Will children be raptured?

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 29, 2011

Many Christians believe that the church, the body of Christ, (i.e., all true believers) will be taken out of the world before the great tribulation comes. This “taking out” of the world is often referred to as “The Rapture.” Jerry Jenkins and Tim LeHaye made this view popular in their “Left Behind” series. Will children of believing parents who have not reached the age of accountability be included in the rapture? Will children of non-believing parents be included? These are difficult questions and like many others, in the end, we must leave it to God. But I have an opinion!

I believe that the children of believing parents will be part of the rapture. 1 Corinthians 7 suggests that unbelieving children that have a believing spouse are under a special umbrella because of the believer. This could mean that unbelieving children before the age of accountability are under the protection of a believing parent. This is not the case for an unbelieving spouse who has already reached the age of accountability. Further, Jesus compared His return with the circumstances during the time of Noah. After Noah preached for 120 years he and his whole family; his wife, three sons and their wives, all were taken into the ark and spared the judgment that was to fall upon the earth. Another comparison the New Testament alludes to with respect to the coming of the judgment of the Lord is God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. At that time Lot and his two daughters were taken out before God’s wrath fell upon the cities. His wife also was taken out and if she had not looked back she too would have been saved. Although there is no specific verse that states this, I believe it’s fair to say that God saved the children of the Godly before His judgment came upon the earth. Therefore, I’m comfortable with suggesting that will be the case with the coming rapture as well.

This may not be the case with children of non-believers. When Israel left Egypt enroute to the promised land God instructed them to kill all the inhabitants of the land that they were about to occupy. This is often referred to as God’s judgment on those inhabitants because of the wickedness and Israel was His instrument of purifying the land. He even instructed them to kill all the children. Of course, Israel did not obey that command and it came back to cause their downfall in the future. God’s judgment did not spare the children of the ungodly at that time which might suggest that God will not save the children of the ungodly from the coming tribulation either. Like all those not raptured with the church, however, these children and their parents, will have the opportunity to come to faith during that time of tribulation. If they die during the tribulation before they reach the age of accountability they too will go to heaven.

Chuck
“…We know that God is always good and does only right…” 1 John 2:29

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Matthew 12:31-32

What is the unforgivable sin?

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 26, 2011

The bible speaks of an unforgiveable sin. It’s also referred to by Jesus as the “unpardonable” sin. In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

This sin is not a single act or a specific deed that one does or fails to do. Rather, it’s the continual hardening of one’s heart to the work of the Holy Spirit in revealing the one and only remedy for all sin, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit’s work in our age is to convict mankind of sin and point to God’s proclaimed remedy. When a person hardens their heart to this truth it results in the loss of spiritual sight and a darkening and dulling of one’s moral conscience. Just as Pharaoh hardened his heart to the point that his heart was irreversibly hardened by God, so too is the case of the unforgiveable sin. One will no longer have the capacity for repentance and faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior. Paul describes them in Ephesians 4:18. He writes, “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” Harper’s Bible Dictionary says, this about the unpardonable sin: “in modern terms, might be paraphrased as an attitude or mind-set wherein a person willfully refuses to accept the forgiveness of sin offered by God through his Son.”

I often encounter believers who are afraid that they may have committed the unpardonable sin. But this sin is only committed by unbelievers. Christians can never commit this sin. Further, the very nature of this sin is such that once one has achieved the hardening related to this sin, there is no longer any conscience regarding it. If someone is afraid they have committed this sin, it’s certain that they have not, because those who have are so hardened to God’s Word and to the Gospel message of Christ that they have totally and irreversibly rejected the offer of eternal life through faith in Jesus.

Chuck
“There is sin that leads to death…” 1 John 5:16

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Genesis 6:3

Are we made to live 120 years?

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
August 25, 2011

In Genesis, Chapter 6, we read about the Nephilim and the cohabitation with women and their notorious offspring. In the middle of that discussion we find verse 3 that says, “Then the LORD said, My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” Some translations will interpret that phrase for you. The New Living Translation says, “Then the LORD said, My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”

Since the discussion regarding the Nephilim and their lives of sex and violence serve as the primary introduction to the flood, many commentators take the “120 years” reference as referring to the time God gives the world to repent of their violence and rebellion before He destroys them. There are several things that support this interpretation. First, the time of 120 years matches the time it took Noah to build the ark, during which as Hebrews 11 and both Peter’s epistles imply that it was at Noah’s flood that God’s patience ran out and during which Noah preached righteousness as he was preparing the Ark. Second, the lifespan of those following the flood went anywhere from 148 to 600 years. Admittedly, one might suggest that the limitation to the years of man’s life is a general average, not a specific number. Moses himself lived to be exactly 120 years, but Moses suggested in Psalm 90 that man’s lifespan was closer to 70 years, 80 if he be strong, rather than 120. Furthermore, according to Matthews, “Jewish tradition understood the 120 years as opportunity for repentance” rather than the limiting of man’s life span. A final support for the reference to 120 years being a period of grace in which sinful man could repent before the flood is the fact that many early church fathers took the passage this way.

The New Testament writers compare our days with the days of Noah. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God so loved the world that he sent His son, the Ark in which man can find refuge from the coming destruction. Verse 10 goes on to say, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”

Chuck
“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness…” 2 Peter 3:11

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