ARE WE FUNDAMENTALIST?

ARE WE FUNDAMENTALIST?

or

Evangelicals?

or

"New Evangelicals

Can't we be just "believers?"

Fundamentalism: It’s a term that is used in so many ways. The term is not in the bible. Really. But the term is used in the media and the term is used to describe many of us.

Aren’t we just a believer? Well yes, but we need to take a side on the issues. “I have fought a good fight. We need to take a side in this fight for Biblical Christianity. Stand where the Bible stand.

FUNDAMENTALIST are those who believe in the five Fundamentals

1. Inerrant of Scripture: that is the Bible has NO errors.
2. Deity of Christ. Christ is God
3. Virgin Birth
4. Substitutionary Atonement
5. Christ’s Physical Resurrection and Bodily Return.
   
   

Distinctive of Fundamentalism:

1. The Bible as the Inspired Word of God.
2. Embraces the “the five fundamentals”
3. Militant opposition to apostasy: willing to battle liberalism and modernism because it is apostasy. "Fight the good faith."
4. Separation is a major distinctive.
5. Prominence of Pre-millennial interpretation of the end times.

Now that I am again the Shepherd of a local church, I need to ask myself, "will I stand firm for the five fundamentals of the faith?" As I have examined churches and ministries over the last four years and have seen the changes I don't want to get caught up in the trends of today. I want to have discernment about ministry, I want to stay faithful to the Word of God.

I want to be careful about buzz words today. I would rather try to use biblical words and terms. For example: Senior Pastor has been replaced with Team Leaders. Exective Pastor rather than Asso. Pastor. The term Pastor is not used as much today. Baptist has been removed. The pulpit has been removed. Sunday Evening and Wednesday have been removed.

The term "fundamentalist" is not a Biblical word. And the word has often been abused. The media has really used the term to describe the worst of people. The average person who hears that term is really turned off. And as a result terms change to made the movement sound better. Some keep trying to change terms of movements and people in order to give the same impression's in a new way.

Some will use different terms to adjust the meaning.

1. Evangelicals
2. New Evangelicals
3. Emerging or Evergent

All these groups can be ministries who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ, they will put their heart, soul, time and money into the cause of Christ. They love to see people saved, they want to see their churches grow, they want to see their members grow is Christ, they love their neighbor. There are some really godly preachers and people out there doing a work for Christ as they see it. But sometimes they get caught up in means that are not biblical in principle. I am sure I have in the past, and need to be very careful in the present to understand the lastest trends of the church today.

Photo of us when I returned to FBC in their new church bulding in 2006.

Footnote: Charity is in Kansas for a few days, and she is unable to proof read this post. That could mean a few errors, but please accept my post anyway. I will try to do my best, here, but Charity is my left hand help. Thanks for your understanding.

The Church Bulletin and Order of Worship

WHY THE CHURCH BULLETIN

THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP

Weekly church bulletins, what can I say? I don't like them very well. I was getting ready to put out this Sunday's bulletin and wondering what kind of design to use. I was looking on Window 2007 to see what they had. There was one named "Protestant Church Bulletin" so I downloaded this spread sheet. That was different, not Baptist, but good. A bulletin is to give the members an idea of what the service is going to be about and what the weekly activities are going to be, etc. I think? I have put out different kinds of newsletters, papers, over the years and collected a number of bulletins from various churches.

So in the process, I ask. just how would God want us to have worship on Sunday and during the week.

CAN WE KNOW HOW GOD HAS PRESCRIBED WORSHIP FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH?

There are as many ways local churches worship as there are local churches. So are they all right?

So I was researching this idea of should we seek to do God's work in His Church in a way that He as prescribed in His Scriptures?

We believe that God, who has lordship and sovereignty over all, is holy, and does good unto all, and is therefore to be worshipped because He is God, He is to be feared, praised, and called upon, and trusted in, and served, with all our hearts, and with all our soul, and with all our might. The Lord our God, who alone is to be worshiped, teaches us the way in which we are to worship Him in His Word.

As we have said, the BIBLE, which is the Word of God, is entirely sufficient for everything in our faith, life and practice and we do not need to add anything of our own, nor really should we. Rather we should seek to have our worship to be ordered according to God's instructions and not according to our imaginations or traditions, or our desire to see more people come to our services, or in any way God has not prescribed for us. This is not to say we don't desire to see the Lord add to His church, we do. Its not to say we do not desire to see visitors come and visit we do. But we desire first and foremost to see the Lord glorified and honored by our worship to Him.

While there are many ways, it seems to interpret the general directions the Lord has given in the Bible about how He wants to be worship there is a pattern He has given.

WHAT SHOULD A WORSHIP SERVICE BE LIKE:

1. PRAYER: Outside preaching/teaching prayer is the most important aspect of our worship. Acts 3:1, I Corinthians 14:14-19, Acts 6:4.
   
2. READING OF SCRIPTURE. Reading the Scripture is a vital element in the public worship of the church. In 1 Timothy Paul instructs Timothy that it is his duty as an elder of the church to devote himself to "the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.. (4:13). Its the Word in which God speaks to us, and we worship Him by hearing with reverence, diligent attention, self application and obedience. Reading the Scripture as a part of the services gives a voice of God in our worship.


3. THE SOUND PREACHING OF THE WORD. God has ordained preaching of the Word of God as a means for His Church to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in every age. In preaching/teaching, God's whole counsel is proclaimed, and the way of salvation in Jesus Christ is made clear. Mark 16:15, Acts 10:42 and 2 Timothy 4:2

THE PURPOSE OF PREACHING

1. That God might be edified.
2. The lost might be converted.
3. The people of God might be edified and build up in faith.

PREACHING SHOULD BE:

1. Biblical sound (Titus 2:1) That is doctrinally correct.


2. Diligent (Acts 18:25.)


3. Faithful (I Corin 4:2).


4. Complete (Acts 20:27.


5. Powerful (1Corin 2:4)


6. Clear and easy to understand (1Corin 3:2).


7. Filled with fervent love toward Christ.

4. THE ATTENTIVE HEARING OF THE WORD. It is the responsibility of all God's people to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. A critical part of our right worship of Christ is the paying of close attention in hearing the word of God preach on Sunday morning.

Give special attention preparing ourselves to hear that word through our personal prayer and the study of the Scriptures.

"I didn't get much out of that sermon?" the real reason I would say for that is that we didn't put much into that sermon. Should we really expect to be captivated by something that, through our lack of preparation, we are totally unprepared to receive what we hear?

5. THE SINGING. The singing of praise unto the Lord is a vitally important element in the scripture worship of God. Col. 3:16. I Corin 16:9. Eph 5:19 and Col 3:16.

6. PUBLIC CONFESSION OF OUR FAITH: 1 Timothy 6:11-12. I take this to mean in my opinion, confession of our faith in Jesus Christ. Testimony would be a way of confession public our love for Christ.

7. THE COLLECTION: Now note 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.

• Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also; On the first day of the week let each one of you lay somethings aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come."

• Paul is saying the members of the church: it is their duty to give as the Lord has prospered them for the relief of needy members of the church. Coming to the church the first day of the week, (I wonder if this would be Saturday as well?) to give a portion of the riches that God has given for the need of the poor, the spreading of the Gospel, and other expenses of the church.


• Is Paul saying to give ten percent? we have always heard this, give 10 percent? I would agree that we should give a portion of our income. In the Old Testament they gave 30 percent. That would be good. I say, we should made sure all our income will bring glory to Christ. And if you do the more you can give to the cause of Christ in the church.

8. The Lord's Supper and Baptism

• I Corinthians 11:23, Matthew 28:19, Col 2:11, Acts 2:38-39, Matthew 26:26
• I will address baptism in another blog soon. When are we to baptize a believer? How old should a person be to be baptized?
• When are we to take of the Lord's Supper? Who is to take the Lord's Supper?

GOD WORK OF WONDER

HOW WONDERFUL TO SEE THIS SIGHT OUT SIDE OUR HOME TODAY

HOW SHALL WE PRAY

WHEN IS A CHURCH A CHURCH THAT GOD WILL ATTEND?

HOW SHALL WE PRAY FOR THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE?

Gunman Kills 2, Injures 7 In Tennessee Church
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- A gunman opened fire at a church youth performance Sunday, killing two people, including a man witnesses called a hero for shielding others from a shotgun blast.
Seven adults were injured, five seriously, but no children were harmed at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.

FROM THE NEWS.GOOGLE ARTICLE AND SEEN BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE

As we arrived on scene, the thing that struck us most about the pleasant neighborhood where the church shooting took place was the sheer number of houses of worship — a Greek Orthodox church, various Protestant Christian denominations, a couple of synagogues.

These diverse religious institutions are pulling together and lending support in this time of crisis, while an entire community tries to make sense out of a senseless crime.

Why was this one Unitarian church targeted by a man with no apparent connection to the congregation? While investigators are looking into whether this was a “hate crime,” they have yet to determine a motive. And neighbors of the suspect describe 58-year-old Jim Adkisson as a “really nice guy” who did not seem like a threat.

Tonight, the community is mourning the deaths of two victims, while also counting its blessings. Had it not been for the heroic actions of church members who reportedly blocked the gunman’s shots and tackled him before he could reload, authorities say the outcome could have been far worse.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

We like to think of our houses of worship as refuges — places that enable us to transcend the problems of the world, even if for only an hour each week.

Members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church probably had the same presumption this morning, as they watched their children perform a play. But then the problems of the world came to church in the form of a gunman. This apparent stranger opened fire — killing at least one person and injuring more than half a dozen others before members of the congregation were able to subdue him until police arrived.

The church posted the following statement on its website:

• Our congregation is recovering from the violent incident that occurred during this morning’s worship service. Please keep us in your prayers.

AND FROM THE WORLD'S POINT OF VIEW THIS IS A CHURCH.

• The church, like many other Unitarian Universalist churches, promotes progressive social work, such as desegregation and fighting for the rights of women and gays. The Knoxville congregation has provided sanctuary for political refugees, fed the homeless and founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, according to its Web site.
  

HOW SHALL WE PRAY FOR A "CHURCH" WHO HAS A BELIEF SYSTEM THAT IS NOT CHRISTIAN?

Its statement of belief never mentions God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit or the Bible. It says, among other things, "WE BELIEVE in the tolerance of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merit, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening." Thus, they do not believe the words of Jesus, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." Do they believe Baal-worship and Satanism have intrinsic merit and potential value? Note this statement on Vine and Fig.

What do Unitarian Universalists believe?

From their website

WE BELIEVE in the freedom of religious expression. All individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theologies, and to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.

WE BELIEVE in the tolerance of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merit, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening.

WE BELIEVE in the authority of reason and conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, nor a document, nor an official, but the personal choice and decision of the individual.

WE BELIEVE in the never-ending search for Truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations that appear to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting.

WE BELIEVE in the unity of experience. There is no fundamental conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world, the sacred and the secular, since they all have their source in the same reality.

WE BELIEVE in the worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice-and no idea, ideal, or philosophy is superior to a single human life.

WE BELIEVE in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural product of a good faith, the evidence of an inner grace that finds completion in social and community involvement.

THEREFORE HOW SHOULD WE VIEW WHAT A CHURCH IS, AND WHO SHALL WE PRAY FOR THESE GROUP OF PEOPLE

NOW IS THIS LIVING A GOOD LIFE

Charity in the flowers and Me on the John Deere, what could be better?

Following the good church services today, we came home and took a few minutes out in the yard.

Our first official Sunday as Pastor/Teacher for the Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, in Minford Ohio. Our fourth Sunday services preaching but our first official services as pastor.

A NEW BEGINNING at the church. We are very grateful for those who have labored in the church body over the last eighteen months. Some have felt they needed to leave, and we understand, some have left for reasons known to them, some have stayed and want to see the church body continue.

Its good to be preaching and teaching again. Its good to serve the Lord again in a local church. I believe every person who is a Christian should be able to serve in the church. And the church has some good folks who love the Lord and love the church. They tell me they are glad we are there, and I would say we are glad to be able to serve, and we are glad that they are willing to continue to serve the Lord at the Rivers of Joy Baptist Church as well.

WHY BIBLICAL EXPOSITION TEACHING

WHAT KIND OF PREACHING WILL THE PASTOR BE DOING AT RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH?

Pastor/Teacher Charles E. Whisnant

TEXT: 2 Timothy 3:1-4:2

THIS VERSE DEFINES BIBLICAL MINISTRY IN ONE ESSENTIAL COMMAND

2 Timothy 4:2 and (2 Timothy 2:24 cf) “Apt (suited for, skillful) to teach.”

• 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; (i.e. there is no time that you would not) Why? To…. reprove, rebuke, exhort. (And how do we do this?) with all longsuffering and doctrine.
  
  THE COMMAND:
  
• Confront error and sin. Teach sound doctrine and godly living.
• Encourage people to be obedient to the Word
• Have great patience in allowing them the time to develop maturity in their obedience.
  

Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

THIS IS CALLED BIBLICAL EXPOSITION

• Teaching every Word, and to bring every soul to the truth of God. Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, and word by word.

WHY ARE WE TO PREACH THE WORD: EXPOSITIONALLY?

1. Because of the danger of the season. 2Ti 3:1 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” The truth of God’s Word is going to be threatened, the gospel is going to be threatened, and it is going to get worse and worse. 2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

A brief history of the effort of trying to discredit the Word of God. The destruction of the church is very well-designed, they are ideological ideas that have being around from the beginning of time. (its in the sermon presentation)

THE BRINGING DOWN OF THESE IDEOLOGICAL FORTIFICATIONS IS THE TASK AT HAND. The truth is not easy to understand regarding the issues that we face daily in our society.

• 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
  
  Today there is a disregard for discernment and a growing disregard for doctrine.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE BEHIND THESE DANGEROUS SEASONS?

• 2 Timothy 3:2-5. 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; “having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
  
  These people (personalities) come into our homes, offices, workplace, and they get in there by the media, Internet, iPhone, Blackberry, and target children and women. And they try to teach but never come to the Truth.

DID YOU KNOW, IT’S NOT EASY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT REALLY IS GOING ON IN OUR SOCIETY. Satan’s deceptions are well covered up and often you can’t figure out what really is Satan’s plan against the church.

THEREFORE WE PREACH THE WORD SO THAT MAN MAY COME TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND TO SET FREE THE CAPTIVES HELD IN THE FORTRESSES.


It is our purpose as the Pastor/Teacher to try to understand the times we live in, and the deceptions that Satan is building to bring into captivity the souls of man.

THE TRUE MINISTRY OF PAIN

The true ministry of pain(J. R. Miller, "In Green Pastures")

There is a Christian art of enduring pain, which we should seek to learn. The real goal is not just to endure the suffering which falls into our life; to bear it bravely, without wincing; to pass through it patiently, even rejoicingly. Pain has a higher mission to us, than to teach us heroism. We should endure it in such a way as to get something of spiritual blessing out of it.Pain brings to us some message from God, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God's face, and we should get some new glimpses of His beauty, every time we are called to suffer. Pain is furnace-fire, and we should always come out of this furnace, with the gold of our graces gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way--to lift us nearer God, to make us more gentle and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives.

RETURNING TO THE PASTORATED

THE DIRECTION OF PASTORAL MINISTRY

SOME THINGS I HAVE LEARNED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS

ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF THE PASTOR/TEACHER

IF you cannot trust God for the work of the ministry, then you are going to be in trouble. I return to the pastorate as Pastor/Teacher this month, and there are a few things I have learned over the last five years that I will try to implement in the ministry,

1. I will try to greet each one who comes into the services of Rivers of Joy Baptist Church. Charity and I will greet each person at the end of the services as they leave the building. I remember at Ashland Ave Baptist Church, Hershael and Tanya York would greet hundreds as they left the auditorium. This idea of standing in front after you preach is not one that I will practice. I will take the heat after I preach by visiting with those who come to hear me preach.



2. Rivers of Joy Baptist Church will be a safe haven for men and their families who have been hurt by the ministry. Those pastors and preachers who have been fired or removed from ministry will be welcome. Those who have been in ministry that are looking for a place to get refreshed, who need to be revived in their spirit, will find encouragement at our church.



3. I know I will fail to fulfill some of the expectations from my family, myself, and the church family, and most of all the Lord , but it’s my desire that I will be a blessing to those who come to worship the Lord. I am not perfect. My wife is not perfect. My children are not perfect. We are His “work in progress.”



4. I have been known to have a passion for ministry, and that has been viewed as a negative in some circles; but I will assure you that I will have passion for the ministry the Lord has given me at Rivers of Joy Baptist Church. It’s the Kyle Bush of NASCAR run all the races in one weekend syndrome. For me, Sunday School, morning and evening services and Wednesday service syndrome.



5. I have been known that I cannot come to the church building without a hand and arm full of three-ring notebooks. This will continue to happen. I always have something to read, study or talk about. And if someone stops to say “What do you have today?” I will be glad to tell you.



6. I have been known that I like to have conversations with people about doctrine, ministry, teaching, and about what is going on in their lives. This practice will continue.



7. My office at the church will be open for those who want to talk. I, or Charity, or both will be glad to talk to those who have a spiritual need, who desire biblical counsel.



8. I will be prepared to teach and preach the Word as I have always been. And I will ask all those who are serving the Lord in Rivers of Joy Baptist Church to be as prepared.

• This is going to be the hardest task for me, and that is, when I am in the pulpit (as it is called) I want to only address the Word of God. I have a problem, I think I need to address needs of the church body from the pulpit. I need another forum when addressing the needs of the church body.



• Lastly in this list. I am sure I am going to fail short a few times in this area, but I will do my best to make everyone know that I appreciate them, and love them, and want to be their pastor.

BARNS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND CORN

YOU CAN DISCOVER SOME GREAT BARNS IN CLAY COUNTY, OHIO

AND RED HOUSE, VIRGINIA

and

THE ARRINGTON SISTERS

When I was a youth, I loved to visit Red House, Virginia. The Arrington Family lived there, they were great friends of my Dad and Mom. If any place I loved going, it was to visit the Arringtons. Of course there were three younger sisters that we loved a lot. And there were four older children that we liked a lot, but they were a little older than we were.

The four younger children, June, Pat, Linda and Ann were such wonderful friends for a long time. The ARRINGTON SISTERS, as they were known, and are still known as great singers.

My Dad would have them come to our church to sing and we really loved them coming as well as going to their home.

Well, when we would go to their home on the farm, they had a great BARN full of hay, as you see here in this barn. We loved playing in that BARN.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE GOOD SHEPHERD OF THE CHURCH

Our first Wednesday Evening service at RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH

I was glad to get back in to teaching. What a great group of children, teens and adults last night in the service.

.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE CORN FIELDS ARE GROWING WELL

1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the labourer is worthy of his reward.
-
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

-

Photos taken by Charles E. Whisnant

WHAT IS A FUNDAMENTALIST AND BIBLICAL SEPARATION

SOME GOOD OF FUNDAMENTAL PREACHER BOYS IN 1968

A BRIEF HISTORY, AND BACKGROUND OF THE FUNDAMENTALIST MOVEMENT

1. · Fundamentalists remained united in their separatist stance against modernists until the 1940s. The term "New Evangelicals" was first used by Harold Ockenga in the late 1940's to refer to himself and a splinter group of fundamentalists. Before this time the term "Evangelical" could be applied to a fundamentalist. But within the fundamentalist movement there were those who thought ecclesiastical (church) separation was wrong. Instead of Bible Believers separating from modernist churches, they proposed a new strategy of "infiltration". The attempt was a miserable failure, for in the past 50 years almost all the churches which took on the "infiltration" approach with the modernist churches have themselves become modernist churches. Unfortunately this includes a large number of the mainline Protestant Churches like the Methodists, Presbyterians and Lutherans and Anglicans.
2. · So today, Fundamentalists not only must separate from modernist(Apostate) churches, they also must separate from former fundamentalist churches(New Evangelical) that now intermingle with Modernist churches.
3. · Another type of separation among Christian Churches is one based upon differences in interpretation and application of the Scriptures. This refers to separation that is among Bible preaching, Gospel preaching churches. The differences here are not ones in the Gospel, but ones that deal with things like church structure, baptism and prophetical view points.
4. · It is an undeniable fact that many mainline Protestant Churches which once preached the Gospel do not do so any more today because of the effects of modernism and more recently New Evangelicalism. Their churches are no more than glorified social clubs. Having said that, there are bastions of conservative, Bible believing Christians still among these churches. The Lutherans, Presbyterians and Methodists are just some of these groups that while larges portions of their denominations have stopped preaching the Gospel, they continue to remain faithful. It is a mistake and an error for some Baptist preachers to stand up in their pulpits and proclaim that only the Baptists now teach the true Gospel. There are still faithful remnants left in some of the other Christian denominations.
5. · These differences though among Bible believing Christian denominations, cannot be ignored. For instance, ABC Baptist Church cannot send out Missionaries with ABC Lutheran church down the street (even if they are conservative Bible believing Christians) because of differences in how we would teach church structure and Baptism as well as some other things. The scriptures tells us "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?"(Amos 3:3)
6. · Romans 16:17(NIV)"17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them." Paul teaches us to "Keep away" from those who teach things "contrary to the teaching you have learned.". Some have tried to say Paul is only speaking of the Gospel here. But it is much more than that, or else he would have said the Gospel as he clearly did on other occasions. He is speaking of all the doctrines he delivered. This means if someone teaches a doctrine that we do not see in scripture although they may be correct on other things we must not join in with them by doing things such as exchanging pulpits or doing cooperative evangelism.
7. · Take for instance infant baptism, this is something that we as Baptists believe is "contrary" to the teachings of the New Testament. Therefore we cannot engage in cooperative evangelistic activities with the Presbyterians or Lutherans down the street even if they are preaching the true Gospel.
   
8. THE ARTICLE ABOVE IS FROM THIS .

PHOTO: From Bible Bapist Semiary in 1968. There are some good fellows in this photo.

UPDATING YESTERDAY'S TOOLS

SOMETIMES YESTERDAY'S TOOLS CAN BE USEFUL

1983 Model (but good for occasional use)

Sometimes the orginial products are good. Pre-internet times, pre email times, just the word processor. Of course the 1983 Model provided me with some great help. When you pastor a 1950 church, a 1983 mindset can be taxing for a lot of folks. But when a 1950 church can upgrade their mindset, there will be some progress.

Life for most of use moves a little too fast for us to keep up. Sometimes we just stop moving with the times we are living in.

Last night Charity and I went shopping. I wanted to be able to record my messages on Sunday. The tape recorder is outdated. I have one and 1000 tapes. I asked the tech, "What do I use to record." A Digital Voice Recorder he said. A RCA DigitalVoice is 3 1/2" by 1 1/1". And you can plug it in your computer, downland the messages, and put it on your website. I know old stuff, but I will get caught up. And the my cell phone is not a Blueberry iPhone. What's up?

I called Frankie last night, "Frankie how do you present your material at work." "With a power point on the PC." What? What happen to the chalk board?

Why does the local church believe you need to say in the 1950's when it comes to ministry? But there needs to be balance. Yet at the same time we need to be updated.

TODAY IS THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER MINISTRY

SO JUST WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE PASTOR/TEACHER

1. Our Lord's favorite metaphor for spiritual leadership, a figure He often used to describe Himself, was that of a shepherd--one who tends God's flock. Every church leader is a shepherd. The word pastor itself even means "shepherd." It is appropriate imagery. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects. Those are responsibilities of every churchman.
2. Under the plan God has ordained for the church, leadership is a position of humble, loving service. Church leadership is ministry, not management. Those whom God designates leaders are called not to be governing monarchs, but humble slaves; not slick celebrities, but laboring servants. Those who would lead God's people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness.
3. Shepherding a spiritual flock is not so simple. It takes more than a wandering bumpkin to be a spiritual shepherd. The standards are high, the requirements hard to satisfy. Not everyone can meet the qualifications, and of those who do, few seem to excel at the task. Spiritual shepherdology demands a godly, gifted, multi-skilled man of integrity. Yet he must maintain the perspective and demeanor of a boy shepherd.

John MacArthur, Jr.

DUST CROPPING

THIS PLANE CAME ZOOMING DOWN OVER OUR HOUSE YESTERDAY

THE CORN CROP IS OVER A MILE LONG,

IS THIS CALLED DUST CROPPING?

'THE LORD WHO RIDES UPON THE HEAVENS (SKIES)"

Deuteronomy 33:26 ¶ There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. Job 37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? Matthew 16:2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

Photo: Charles E. Whisnant

A CALL TO BECOME PASTOR/TEACHER

CHARLES E. WHISNANT, PASTOR/TEACHER JULY 20 2008

WOW ! ! YOU WOULD NOT THINK AFTER ALL THESE YEARS I WOULD BE AS GLAD TO BECOME ANOTHER TIME, PASTOR/TEACHER OF ANOTHER CHURCH. BUT THIS PAST SUNDAY THE FOLKS AT RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH CALLED US TO BECOME PASTOR/TEACHER/WOW !

CHARITY'S DAD, BOB TEMPLE, SR. PREACHED SUNDAY EVENING

"Except the LORD build

the HOUSE

they labour in Vain that build it."

Psalms 127:1
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Working out His will... Second Thessalonians 1:11- 12

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  "Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would coulntl you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of our Lord with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ maly be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

My prayer is this:

1. To see God move like a whirl wind in our lives and in the life of Rivers of Joy members and we move into operating our spiritual/grace gifts and begin to minister to "one another" in the ENERGY of the Holy Spirit.

THE KEY TO CHURCH MINISTRY:

1. LEARNING HOW TO DO GOD'S WILL IN THE LORD'S WAY. This will produce a spirit without our congregation, which will produce a life within us and we will begin to see the Lord work within us. When the life and spirit of Christ is working within us, we will see the work of Christ within this Body.

HOW DO WE LEARN THE LORD'S WILL?

1. Note First Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, brethren, be ye steadfast unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in The Lord."

WHAT IS THE LORD'S WORK?

what did the LORD do while He was on earth? Two things: He evangelized and He edified.

• Luke 19:10 "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."


• Acts 1:2-3 "Until the day in which Jesus was taken up (into Heaven), He was speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." Refers to the edification of Christ's disciples."

The Lord's work is "labour" (work). Christians have been called to do the Lord's work in the Lord's way. And doing His work, your labor will not be in vain.

Shallow Conversions;

SHALLOW CONVERSION

• "Though I rejoice in sudden conversions, I entertain grave suspicions of those suddenly happy people who seem never to have sorrowed over their sin. I am afraid that those who come by their religion so very lightly often lose it quite as lightly. Saul of Tarsus was converted on a sudden, but no man ever went through a greater horror of darkness than he did before Ananias came to him with the words of comfort.I like deep ploughing. Top-soil skimming is poor work; the tearing of the soil under surface is greatly needed. After all, the most lasting Christians appear to be those who have seen their inward disease to be very deeply seated and loathsome, and after awhile have been led to see the glory of the healing hand of the Lord Jesus as he stretches it out in the gospel.I am afraid that in much modern religion there is a want of depth on all points; they neither deeply tremble nor greatly rejoice, they neither much despair nor much believe. Oh, beware of pious veneering! Beware of the religion which consists in putting on a thin slice of godliness over a mass of carnality. We must have thorough going work within; the grace which reaches the core, and affects the innermost spirit is the only grace worth having.
• To put all in one word, a want of the Holy Ghost is the great cause of religious instability. Beware of mistaking excitement for the Holy Ghost, or your own resolutions for the deep workings of the Spirit of God in the soul. All that ever nature paints God will burn off with hot irons. All that nature ever spins he will unravel and cast away with the rags. Ye must be born from above, ye must have a new nature wrought in you by the finger of God himself, for of all his saints it is written, "Ye are his workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus."Oh, but, everywhere I fear there is a want of the Holy Spirit! there is much getting up of a tawdry morality, barely skin deep, much crying "Peace, peace," where there is no peace, and very little deep heart-searching anxiety to be throughly purged from sin. Well-known and well-remembered truths are believed without an accompanying impression of their weight; hopes are flimsily formed, and confidences ill founded, and it is this which makes deceivers so plentiful, and fair shows after the flesh so common."

I was asked today, "How do we build the church up, and get people to come to the church?" "Do we go door to door visiting?"

There was most likely few pastors who were more evangelistic as Charles Spurgeon. More people came to Christ in his church than you can believe. He totally believe in the sovereignty of God in the matter of a person being saved.

We have shallow people in our church because the means whereby people believe they are saved and are Christians are just as shallow. The fruit of salvation in those who have been sovereignty saved by the grace of God, will produces some fruit and will result into eternal life.

When the church grasps the means whereby one is brought to salvation, and what God does in that person as a result of that process of being born again, the effectiveness of the power of God in that church will rise.

Church growth that is a result of genuine salvation will produce an effective body of believer that will rise up people who have a passion for God and will reflect the glory of Christ.

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SUNDAY JULY 20 2008

God has magnified his love, and set forth the riches of his grace towards us, in a manner which should effectually allure our hearts to him. While we were enemies and rebels in open arms against him—he was pleased to send his beloved Son to die for our sins—in order to redeem us from sin and hell. He who is the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person, became a man of sorrows for our sakes. In the greatness of his condescension, he called himself the Son of man—but all the fullness of the God-head dwelt in him. He was declared to be God manifest in the flesh. He came down from his Father's bosom, and became man—not to condemn the world of mankind—but to give his life and blood for our sakes; to make his soul an offering for our sins, to suffer inconceivable anguish and sorrow, and to die for us, that he might bring us back to God and happiness. He poured out his soul to death, to secure us from the deserved wrath and vengeance of God. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him, that we through his stripes might be healed. He was stricken and smitten and afflicted by God—that he might open the way for us to partake of Divine mercy, and render the offended Majesty of heaven a more proper, and a more engaging object of our love.

By John Fawcett
Out side by home, the beautiful creation of God.
CLOUDS

The color of a cloud tells much about what is going on inside the cloud. Clouds form when relatively warm air containing water vapor is lighter than its surrounding air and this causes it to rise. As it rises it cools and the vapor condenses out of the air as micro-droplets. These tiny particles of water are relatively densely packed and sunlight cannot penetrate far into the cloud before it is reflected out, giving a cloud its characteristic white color. As a cloud matures, the droplets may combine to produce larger droplets, which may combine to form droplets large enough to fall as rain. In this process of accumulation, the space between droplets becomes larger and larger, permitting light to penetrate much farther into the cloud. If the cloud is sufficiently large and the droplets within are spaced far enough apart, it may be that a percentage of the light which enters the cloud is not reflected back out before it is absorbed (Think of how much farther one can see in a heavy rain as opposed to how far one can see in a heavy fog). This process of reflection/absorption is what leads to the range of cloud color from white through grey through black. For the same reason, the undersides of large clouds and heavy overcasts appear various degrees of grey; little light is being reflected or transmitted back to the observer.
So reads WIKIPEDIA

WHY PASTORS SHOULD BLOG
However, here’s why I think it would be good for you and your congregation if you did.
Pastors should blog…
1. …to write.
If you’re a pastor, you probably already know the value writing has for thinking. Through writing, you delve into new ideas and new insights. If you strive to write well, you will at the same time be striving to think well.
Then when you share new ideas and new insights, readers can come along with you wherever your good writing and good thinking bring you.
There is no better way to simply and quickly share your writing than by maintaining a blog. And if you’re serious about your blog, it will help you not only in your thinking, but in your discipline as well, as people begin to regularly expect quality insight from you.
2. …to teach.
Most pastors I’ve run into love to talk. Many of them laugh at themselves about how long-winded they’re sometimes tempted to be.
Enter Blog.
Here is where a pastor has an outlet for whatever he didn’t get to say on Sunday. Your blog is where you can pass on that perfect analogy you only just thought of; that hilarious yet meaningful story you couldn’t connect to your text no matter how hard you tried; that last point you skipped over even though you needed it to complete your 8-point acrostic sermon that almost spelled HUMILITY.
And more than just a catch-all for sermon spill-over, a blog is a perfect place for those 30-second nuggets of truth that come in your devotions or while you’re reading the newspaper. You may never write a full-fledged article about these brief insights or preach a whole sermon, but via your blog, your people can still learn from them just like you did.

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

SPEAKING THIS WEEK FOR THE RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH in Minford Ohio July 20, 2008

Charles speaking Sunday Morning,

Bob Temple, Sr. Sunday Evening

Bob and I have enjoyed preaching/teaching for the folks at Rivers of Joy the last several weeks.

Charity keeps an eye on my work as I type or write each day from my computer or note pad. I remember when I was in Jefferson High School, I took a typing class (not a spelling class) and I was the only boy in the class with thirty girls. What was I doing in this class, why was I taking this class. Well I learned when I went to Seminary, what a blessing to know how to type.

(If I had only learn how to spell)

From 1982 thru June 1996 I printed my sermon manuscript each week, generally two per week. And several on Wednesday. Almost fourteen years of reading, writing, studying and printing manuscripts was a real joy. Let me see: Matthew, Acts, Romans, I Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, I Thessalonians (chapters 1-2) I Timothy (chapter 1) Philemon, Revelation, Daniel. The primary purpose of the Pastor/Teacher is to dispense or give out the Word. Our church allowed me the time to study the Word of God.

Now I will admit had I had a nice Gateway I might have been tempted to type all the message. But I have always loved to print rather than writing. Besides I needed to be able to read what I had written on Sunday. I learned this point the hard way. Since I generally depended upon what I had written when I spoke, at first my scribing was so bad I couldn't figure out what I had said. But quickly I learned to made sure the manuscript was correct, printed legible and words were spelled correctly. And of course, to make sure what I had said was what the text I was speaking on was in context.

FOOTNOTE: In a photo earlier this week, this sheep had no nose and had only one eye. Charity said it needed some shepherd care, so she added a nose and an eye.

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• Okay Ellen you can use the photo of the sheep and other photo, if I can have those on your sites, they are good. folks you need to view those, they have a lot of good information.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: PSALMS 23

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1 A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

THE LORD IS MY

1. Supplier
2. Guidance
3. Restore
4. Divine leader
5. Protector
6. Confortor
7. Preparator
8. Anointor
9. Goodness
10. Mercy

FOR HOW LONG?

• "All the days of my life."

NOW I LIKE PSALMS 22 AND 24 AS WELL AS 23

1. He died for us in 22
2. He suplies for us in 23
3. He Prepars for us in 24

1. God's Gospel in 22
2. God's Glory in 23
3. God's Goodness in 24

1. The meek is satisfied in 22
2. The sheep is sujpplied in 23
3. The pure in heart blessed in 24

The pierced Hands

1. On the cross in 22
2. In our hearts in 23
3. On the thrown in 24

You see the

1. Cross in 22 on Mt Calvary
2. Crook in 23 on Mt Siniai
3. Crown in 24 on Mt Zion

Jesus as

1. Prophet in 22
2. Priest in 23
3. King in 24

Jesus for us

1. As our Substitute in 22
2. As our Sustainer in 23
3. As our Sovereign in 24

Photo is from my front living room. And Ellen can use any photo I have.

WHO COULD YOU HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH IN MINISTRY

WHO COULD YOU FELLOWSHIP WITH IN THEIR MINISTRY?

What is a Biblical Fundamentalist

and a Biblical Separationist (if such a word)

(And if a Pastor or Church fellowship with any the following, could you fellowship with the pastor or church?) Are there any real purest?

Purest: you don't read their books, you don't listen to them in person, or on CD, Mp3 or whatever, you don't fellowship with any one that does.

1. John MacArthur, Jr.

Pastor/Teacher Grace Community Church

2. Charles E. Whisnant, in the 1990's
3. Mark Dever

Pastor of the Capital Baptist Church

Southern Baptist

4. Al Mohler

President of the Southern Baptist Seminary

Louisville, KY

5. J.F. Norris

Pastor in the 1930=1950's

Fort Worth Texas

6. John Scott

7. The Late Jerry Falwell and the Thomas Road Baptist Church


8. John Piper Bethlehem Baptist Church
9 Chuck Swindoll Insight for Living Radio, and
10. First Baptist Church, Hammond IN
11. Mark Driscoll Mars Hills, Seattle Wash
12. C.J. Mahaney Sovereign Grace Ministries: statement

• Sovereign Grace Ministries is a family of churches passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are devoted to planting and supporting local churches, with a strong doctrinal basis that is evangelical, Reformed, and continuationist.

13. Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, Houston
14. Perry Noble NewSpring Church

15. DeWayne Prossor Pastor Bible Baptist Church, Neoshada KS. (sorry DeWayne to put you between 14 and 16.)

16. The Methodist in your city or town. Local Christian Church. Local Brethren.

17. Rick Warren (you know him and the Purpose Driven Life)

18. Paul White just had to add her, she is my favorite. To represent those girls.

Without Walls International Church, Randy and Paul White

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THIS LIST COULD GO ON AND ON.... AND THE POINT?
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WHAT ARE THE BIBLICAL GROUNDS NOT TO FELLOWSHIP WITH

OTHER CHURCHES?

The fundamentalist position is such a doctrine. It can’t be explained in a ’sound bite’.

#600 Posting

WHAT IS A FUNDAMENTALIST AND BIBLICAL SEPARATION

My little sister Ellen, sitting on my DAD's lap

FUNDAMENTALIST AND BIBLICAL SEPARATION

I thought that my Dad was a Fundamental Baptist preacher. Here I am in 1947, just a few months old and we are living in Lynchburg Virginia and Dad and Mom are starting church, Dad was living in Asheboro, NC and came to Lynchburg, VA to help Munford Baptist Church.

I believed my Dad started Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches.

My sister is trying to get more information about these years of Dad and Mom, I am also trying get more information myself) But it seems Dad and Mom were there about five years. During this time its my understanding that he put up a tent on the grounds on Park Ave in Lyncbhurg, and yet another church was started.

When it comes to BIBLICAL SEPARATION, HERE ARE TWO PASTORS/PREACHERS WHO HAVE PRACTICED FUNDAMENTALIST FOR A LIFE TIME.

BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, APRIL 1945

(the above copy is from the newspaper from 1945 so its hard to read)

(So I will reproduce what the ad said )

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Subject Saturday Night
IS IT A SIN?
1. To Eat Pork?
2. To Use Tobacco?
3. Wear Bobbed Hair?
4. Not to keep Saturday for the Sabbath?

WHEN DID GOD CHANGE THE SABBATH?
DO WE HAVE TO KEEP THE LAW TO BE SAVED?

BIBLE HEAVEN!
WILL WE KNOW EACH OTHER THERE?

BROADCAST SUNDAY
AFTERNOON WBBB 3 P. M.

THE REVIVAL WILL CLOSE
SUNDAY NIGHT AT 8 P. M.

Hear Rev. Everette Whisnant Preach On These
John H. Jones, Song Leader

Subjects At ,
Midway Evangelistic Center
Just Across From Modern Laundry

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Last night was the very first time I had seen these papers. There were about eight different ADS from the Burlington NC meeting.

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I thought I did some good research on this subject.

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I HEAR A LOT ABOUT FUNDAMENTALIST TODAY, AND HOW BAD IT IS BECOMING.

MAYBE WE NEED TO GET BACK TO WHAT FUNDAMENTALISM OUGHT TO BE.

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THERE IS NOTHING WRONG ABOUT FUNDAMENTALISM,

WHAT IS WRONG? IT IS THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE ABOUT, TRYING TO BE ONE AND ANT'T.

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Photos:

1. Ellen and Dad sometime in 1958 in Roanoke Virginia
2. Pauline (Mom) and Charles and Everette (Dad) in Lynchburg Va 1947
3. Charles Whisnant and Bob Temple, Sr. eating as usual
4. I discovered Newspaper site that had articles from the Burlington NC newspaper in 1944-1945. Amazaing. And an AD by my Dad on this Evangelist Meeting in the community.