From Gary... A red bird, an old song and the light of life

One of the tasks I now do each day is taking Buddy for his early morning walk.  On the way back home, I saw a red bird in a small tree and it perked me right up.  Immediately, an old song came to mind and I couldn't help but sing what words of it I could remember...

Red, red Robin

Needless to say, it started the day on a good note (no pun intended, I am not that musical).  So, a few hours later (around noon) when I took Buddy out again, I snapped a few more pictures.  Yesterday is gone and today the sun is shining and there are only a few clouds in the sky.  Somehow things just look "Better"!!!  On days like today, I can imagine how someone who has just seen the world for the first time might feel...

John, Chapter 9

 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.  2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 

  3  Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.   4  I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.   5  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”   6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud,  7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.  

If just a little red bird can make big changes in your life, think of what Jesus can do!!!  When the sun shines, it adds warmth and texture to everything we see, but when Jesus shines in your heart even the smallest little change around you (like a bird in a tree) can seem wonderful.  And a little music from Al Jolson couldn't hurt either!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... CHECKMATED BUT WINNING

CHECKMATED BUT WINNING

Acts 16:7 tells us that Paul turned to go to Bithynia but the Spirit of God stopped him--wouldn't allow it! 

How did the Spirit do that? Via a dream? Did a prophet speak a word to him? Did he become ill? More than one of these? All of them together? I mention this because Paul didn't enjoy being contradicted or thwarted or hindered and he didn't mind saying that when he was hindered it was Satan at work in the matter [see 1Thessalonians 2:18]. 

In Acts 21:10-14 a prophet warns Paul what would happen to him if he insisted on going to Jerusalem. The disciples begged Paul not to go there [how many "good reasons" did they give to win him over?] but in the end we're told he could not be persuaded. Again, I mention this to make the point that when the Spirit stopped Paul in Acts 16 the message must have been loud and clear and definitive because the only thing this man really cared for was that he be faithful to the task God had given him and that was to preach the gospel [Acts 20:24].

As God's story unfolds in Acts we learn that God's eternal purpose is greater than Paul, greater than Paul's faithful and driven heart. Paul was marvelous but God is more marvelous. Paul was committed but God is more committed. But it was because Paul had one thing in his heart, had one joy in  his life that the Spirit said a definitive "no" to him. The Story was to go West! 

Paul was never so wisely guided, said G.H. Morrison, than that time when he was thwarted, baffled more than once [Acts 16:6-7}. Paul said "yes" and God said "no". Incidents like this leave us with many questions and generate many others but they are questions for another time. Here on this occasion Paul dreamed a dream about a man in the West pleading for help and he concluded [16:10] that God was calling him Westward. 

[Was God not making a "pet" out of the West? Hmmm. Was he not making a "servant" out of the West whether or not the West has refused or refuses to be? Has privilege no implied mission?]

God will not be domesticated! He will have what he will have and what he will haveexpresses his heart's desire to bless the entire human family. This means he will, when it suits his wise and loving purpose, say "no" even to his devoted servants! This means he will not always speak in such a way that he cannot be misunderstood--there will be times when the devoted servants will have to trust to their loving hearts' best construal. But it will be such people that God will trust himself to. As if he said, "They will work it out--they love me!" 

In this person, Paul, the Spirit's "no" and his "yes" was rightly understood because he was so in tune with the Spirit, so driven to proclaim the gospel of God as it has come to us in the blessed Lord Jesus that he tried every door and when he found one left unlocked he hurled himself through it. If God checkmated him it was because he knew the heart of Paul--knew that he would think himself a "winner" despite the loss [compare 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 for the same spirit in Paul]. 

Paul would have seen himself a winner because he was free now to preach THE GOSPEL to the Western world. Had he gone east he would have turned his back on Athens and on the world's center of power, Rome. In truth, Paul was not beaten. If he was free to preach, if God had opened a door or shut one it made no difference to Paul. It was GOD who was God. It was GOD'S gospel about GOD'S Son and Paul was his willing servant. You can't beat such a man by helping him better to do his job. He'll turn and thank you for it!

But let Paul through a door and it's THE GOSPEL he'll preach! It's GOD he'll talk about! He won't educate, he won't inform, he won't entertain, he won't enthrall, he won't delight, he won't moralize, he won't impress or amaze--he will PREACH! He will preach the GOSPEL! He will go to many places and find himself in many differing situations and he will shape his presentation accordingly But he willl PREACH and he will preach one thing--THE GOSPEL. 

God doesn't take the trouble to say "no" to Reader's Digest "preachers". God doesn't bother himself to shut and open doors to the clever "information pedlars". He marks well the journeys of PREACHERS who preach one thing--THE GOSPEL. 

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Private Teaching And Its Benefits

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

              Private Teaching And Its Benefits (4:33-34)

INTRODUCTION

1. Jesus was truly the Master Teacher...
   a. He preached often in the synagogues - Mk 1:39
   b. He taught large crowds by the sea shore - Mk 2:13; 4:1-2

2. He also taught in private...
   a. Especially regarding the parables, first told in public - Mk 4:33
   b. Which He later explained to His disciples - Mk 4:34

[The disciples of Jesus were blessed to have private instruction.  While
listening to the Word of God in a public setting is of great value, have
you considered the benefits of private teaching...?]

I. WHAT IS PRIVATE TEACHING?

   A. EXPLANATION...
      1. Simply put, it is teaching in a private setting (home, office,
         park bench)
      2. Just the teacher and the learner, or at the most a small group
         of learners
      3. Where the teaching is informal, usually a dialogue rather than
         a lecture
      -- Private teaching involves a more intimate, personal environment
         for learning

   B. EXAMPLES...
      1. Jesus and His disciples in our text - Mk 4:33-34
      2. Jesus and Nicodemus - Jn 3:1-3
      3. Jesus and the Samaritan woman - Jn 4:5-26
      4. Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch - Ac 8:26-40
      5. Peter and the household of Cornelius - Ac 10:24,33
      6. Aquila and Priscilla working with Apollos - Ac 18:24-26
      7. Paul as he taught in homes, including his own - Ac 20:20;
         28:30-31
      -- The Bible is filled with examples of private teaching

[Jesus and His followers made much use of private teaching in addition
to public instruction.  To appreciate why, consider the answer to the
question...]

II. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

   A. INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION...
      1. Public teaching is at best a "shotgun" approach
         a. An audience has many people with different needs, levels of
            understanding
         b. No one subject or lesson meets the interests of every person
      2. Private teaching can address an individual's needs or interests
         a. The need might be basic ("What must I do to be saved?")
         b. The interest might be academic ("I ask you, of whom does the
            prophet say this...?)
         c. The desire might be to grow in understanding ("Explain this
            parable to us.")
         d. The student might want to act immediately ("What hinders me
            from being baptized?")
      -- Public instruction cannot provide such individual attention

   B. PERSONAL QUESTIONS...
      1. Public teaching does not lend itself to asking questions
         a. Some venues traditionally frown on asking questions (e.g.,
            during a sermon)
         b. Shy people are often are too intimidated to ask questions in
            public
         c. Personal questions are not always suitable for public
            discourse
      2. Private teaching is well suited for questions
         a. Related to one's interests or spiritual level
         b. Without fear of ridicule or interruption
      -- Private teaching allows for inquiry and follow-up questions

   C. SUPERIOR LEARNING...
      1. Successful people have their mentors and advisors
         a. Olympic athletes have personal coaches
         b. Serious fitness buffs have personal trainers
      2. The disciples benefited by their time with Jesus - cf. Ac 4:13
      3. Personal spiritual training is part of God's plan - cf. 2Ti 2:2
         a. Don't think you need a personal teacher?
         b. Then you need to be a teacher! - cf. He 5:12
      -- Private teaching provides opportunity for accelerated and
         advanced learning

CONCLUSION

1. Willingness to listen to public preaching and teaching is
   commendable...
   a. Do you listen to sermons in worship?  Good!
   b. Do you attend and participate in Bible classes at church?  Great!

2. But if you want to really get serious about your salvation and
   spiritual growth...
   a. Find a personal "spiritual fitness" trainer
   b. Attend a home Bible study, or start one in your home

After the two disciples walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, they
said to one another:

   "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the
   road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" - Lk 24:32

Their experience (hearts excited by learning) is often shared today by
many people who are willing to go beyond just attending church, to
become involved in the private teaching of the Word of God.

If you would like to experience the benefits of private teaching, please
let us know...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary.... What makes a cloudy day...

This morning, I walked up to the clubhouse to see the property managers about something and when I started back, I thought I would take a few pictures.  The sky is overcast and once in awhile there is an occasional raindrop, but otherwise it is a pleasantly cool day.  You can see from the pictures that this is what I would consider to be a "nice" 55+ retirement community; with a pool, shuffleboard court and cookout area (with horseshoe pits).  When we (Dorothy's dog, Buddy was with me) arrived at home, I thought to take a picture of the flowers Linda is growing.  All the other pictures are nice, but there is nothing like home to perk up a dreary day.  Still, something was missing... can you guess what it is from the following verses?

2 Timothy, Chapter 1

 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,  2 to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 

  3  I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day  4 longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;  5 having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also. 

If you guessed that I missed someone- you were right!!! I miss my two oldest girls and their families in New Jersey.  Now, that is what makes a cloudy day!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... Seeing it through

Seeing it through

In the end, I suppose, when it comes to ethics, believers must summarize true and full life not as a life that is upright and pursues righteous principles but one that is lived out in the image of God (see Ephesians 5:1-3, for example). I’m speaking of course of those who have been confronted with Jesus Christ who is God’s full self-disclosure as a human. I know there are those who have not been given the gospel but by God’s grace live exemplary lives. Still, we can’t settle for less than the highest we know and the highest, a Christian would rightly say, is Jesus Christ.

And while a Christian can’t profess to be morally superior to the rest of his fellows he can do nothing less than insist that Jesus Christ is and was. The Christian’s faith in Christ is a glad confession that Jesus is Lord of all and it doesn’t matter ultimately that he, the Christian, is impressive in virtue just so long as he genuinely insists that Jesus is and that he seeks Christ's likeness. So that the Christian’s ethical life is the imitation of Christ and so it is “gospeling” as well as ethics.

In a world filled with sin, injustice, oppression, cruelty, immorality and greed it isn't hard to feel weary; to be the underdog and to see your loving purposes stymied. The recognition that for all our own personal growth in the moral realm we seem barely better than when we first began the struggle can be a burden hard to bear. To act in righteousness now and then is one thing but to remain always righteous is beyond us; because we are what we are. God doesn't expect sinlessness of us but he does call us to keep our commitment to and faith in Jesus Christ and see it through for that is what God is like. G. S Kennedy, WWI chaplain, reminded us of that when he had a rough-spoken soldier say of Christ in prayer at Gethsemane:

                   And the answer [that] came to  

        the prayers he prayed

                        Was his power to see it through;

                        To see it through to the bitter end,

                        And to die like a God at the last,

                        In a glory of light that were dawning bright

                        With the sorrow of death all past.

                        And the Christ who was hung on the cross is

                        God,

                        True God for me and you,

                        For the only God that a true man trusts

                        Is the God that sees it through.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.  

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Parable Of The Mustard Seed

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

               The Parable Of The Mustard Seed (4:30-32)

INTRODUCTION

1. In "The Parable Of The Growing Seed", kingdom growth caused by the
   Word is illustrated as:
   a. Imperceptible - in that we may not always understand how the
      growth occurs
   b. Independent - in that the seed bears fruit beyond our own efforts
   c. Gradual - in that it occurs in stages, not all at once

2. To further illustrate kingdom growth by the Word of God, Jesus told
   another parable...
   a. "The Parable Of The Mustard Seed" - Mk 4:30-32
   b. That describes a kingdom destined for remarkable growth

[To appreciate the point of the parable, some background information may
be helpful on...]

I. THE MUSTARD SEED

   A. THE PLANT ITSELF...
      1. The mustard plant is well known for its hot-flavored seeds
      2. Among seeds sown in a garden it was generally the smallest
      3. As a plant, it reaches ten, sometimes fifteen feet in height
      4. In the fall of the year, its branches have become rigid, and
         the plant often serves as a shelter for birds of many kinds
         (William Hendriksen, Commentary on Matthew)

   B. PROVERBIAL USES OF THE MUSTARD SEED...
      1. The mustard seed was used frequently to describe anything that
         is small in its beginning
      2. Jesus used it on another occasion to describe one's faith - cf.
         Mt 17:20
      3. The Koran reads "Oh, my son, every matter, though it be of the
         weight of a grain of mustard seed..." (quoted by R. C. Trench)

[With this understanding of the mustard plant and its seeds, perhaps we
are better able to appreciate the meaning of the parable itself (please
read Mk 4:30-32)...]

II. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE

   A. THE KINGDOM OF GOD WOULD HAVE A SMALL BEGINNING...
      1. Old Testament prophecy foretold this:
         a. Concerning the Messiah - cf. Isa 11:1; 53:2-3
         b. Concerning the kingdom - cf. Dan 2:35,44 (starting out as a
            stone, becoming a great mountain)
      2. Consider this description of the beginning:  "The Son of Man
         grew up in a despised province; he did not appear in public
         until his thirtieth year; then taught for two or three years in
         neighboring villages, and occasionally at Jerusalem; made a few
         converts, chiefly among the poor and unlearned; and then
         falling into the hands of his enemies, died the shameful death
         of the cross; such, and so slight, was the commencement of the
         universal kingdom of God." - R. C. Trench, Notes On The
         Parables Of Our Lord

   B. ITS TREMENDOUS GROWTH WOULD BELIE ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS...
      1. Just as the "small stone" of Dan 2:35 "became a great mountain
         and filled the whole earth"
      2. The growth of the church in the 1st A.D. certainly confirmed
         the truth of Jesus' parable
         a. The 120 disciples grew to over 3000 just in one day - Ac 2:
            41-42
         b. It was soon about 5000 - Ac 4:4
         c. The number of the disciples continued to "multiply"
            1) In Jerusalem - Ac 6:7
            2) Throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria - Ac 9:31
         d. Years later, there were "myriads" of believers just in
            Jerusalem alone - Ac 21:20
      3. Today, we see the growth and influence of the kingdom in lives
         of believers worldwide!

   C. IT'S GROWTH WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE WORLD...
      1. In the parable, Jesus spoke of how "the birds of the air come
         and nest in its branches"
      2. What is meant by Jesus?  He does not say, but the kingdom of
         God is certainly a blessing to all who take refuge in its
         "branches"
         a. E.g., "for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but
            righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" - Ro 14:17
         b. To those seeking rest for their weary souls, the King offers
            His tender invitation to come to Him and enter His kingdom
            of rest - cf. Mt 11:28-30

{With this simple parable, Jesus offers encouragement to that small band
of disciples following Him over the hills of Palestine.  They would be a
part of something that would grow and bless the world immensely!

What about today?  The kingdom of heaven continues to grow and spread
out is branches to those who will accept it, certainly.  But can we ever
expect similar growth to that witnessed in the first century?  Consider
a few thoughts about...]

III. THE GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM TODAY

   A. THERE IS THE MATHEMATICAL POSSIBILITY...
      1. Beginning with just twenty disciples, each converting just one
         person a year, and their converts doing the same...
      2. ...the growth would be like a mustard seed!
         a. End of year  1 - 40
         b. End of year  5 - 640
         c. End of year 10 - 20,480
         d. End of year 15 - 655,360
         e. End of year 20 - 20,971,520
         f. End of year 25 - 1,342,177,280
      -- All it takes is for each person to bring one soul to Christ
         each and every year!

   B. THERE IS CERTAINLY THE SPIRITUAL POSSIBILITY...
      1. We have the same seed of the kingdom, the Word of God!
         a. Which is incorruptible, that lives and abides forever - 1Pe 1:23-25
         b. Capable of producing what God intends - cf. Isa 55:10-11
      2. While the parable of "The Four Soils" reminds us that not all
         will accept the Word of God, this parable declares that the
         kingdom will grow!
      -- Do we believe in the power of the Word of God?

   C. WHAT IS NEEDED IS PEOPLE...
      1. People with vision
         a. Who have the vision of Christ, as expressed in His parables
         b. Who look not at an apple and count the seeds, but looks at a
            seed and counts the apples (with their many seeds)!
         c. Who look at converting and developing disciples in the same
            way
      2. People willing to put the kingdom first in their lives
         a. The seed of the gospel will produce fruit, but only if it
            falls on good soil
         b. If we allow...
            1) The cares of this world
            2) The deceitfulness of riches
            3) The pleasures of life
            ...to "choke" us, we cannot bear good fruit
         c. Therefore we need to put the kingdom of God first - cf. Mt 6:33
      3. People willing to abide in Christ
         a. For apart from Christ they can do nothing - Jn 15:4-5
         b. For only they are able to bear "much fruit" - Jn 15:5
         c. And only they will be able to glorify God and be His true
            disciples - Jn 15:8
      -- Are we willing to be such people?

CONCLUSION

1. The potential for the kingdom's amazing growth rests in the Person
   who reigns as its King...
   a. Those who will abide in Christ can be used by Him to produce the
      remarkable growth in the kingdom illustrated by this parable
   b. As per Paul:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
      me." - Php 4:13

2. Brethren, allow "The Parable Of The Mustard Seed" to serve as...
   a. An encouragement - The kingdom is destined for great things,
      despite its small beginnings
   b. A reminder - If we are going to be useful to the Master in this
      ever growing kingdom, we must "abide in Him" so we can "bear much
      fruit"

For those not yet Christians, why not rest your weary wings in this
great tree called "the kingdom of God"...?

   "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
   give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
   am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your
   souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

                                                   - Mt 11:28-30

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Don't leave the job undone

Now, here is something that I haven't seen in awhile: FALL!!!  Such COLOR!!!  I can almost feel that dry cold of late Autumn!!!  But, wait, something is wrong here... look at the steps.  Someone started to clean them off but did not finish.  Makes you wonder why, doesn't it?  For me, the "why" is answered in two passages of scripture, as follows...

2 Kings, Chapter 13

14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness of which he died: and Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over him, and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 

  15  Elisha said to him, “Take bow and arrows”; and he took to him bow and arrows.  16 He said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow”; and he put his hand on it. Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands.  17 He said, “Open the window eastward”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” and he shot. He said, “Yahweh’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for you shall strike the Syrians in Aphek, until you have consumed them.” 

  18  He said, “Take the arrows”; and he took them. He said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; and he struck three times, and stopped.  19 The man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times. Then you would have struck Syria until you had consumed it, whereas now you shall strike Syria just three times.” 

AND...

Luke, Chapter 18

  18  A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 

  19  Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one—God.   20  You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” 

  21  He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.” 

  22  When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.” 

  23  But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich. 

  24  Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!  25  For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.” 

  26  Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 

  27  But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” 

Two seemingly unrelated passages of Scripture have something in common- in both of them someone did not possess the heart to follow God fully.  They only half-heartedly obeyed God- they left the tasks before them undone.  Their problem was not with opportunity, it was obedience.  Today, things are not different.  People follow God as long as it doesn't cost them anything.  When a genuine call to commitment and obedience presents itself  they fail to obey God.  You many hear about God, and believe that HE exists, but if you don't do what he has commanded and TURN FROM SIN and OBEY HIS WILL, you will never truly become a Christian, let alone enter the pearly gates.  At this point, open your Bible and read Acts chapter two, then obey as they obeyed.  And keep on doing the other examples of obedience you will find in the New Testament; don't stop until we meet in heaven!!!  Remember, don't leave the job undone!!!!