Study on Luke 6 Peacemaker

Charles e Whisnant, quotes from his Facebook

 

While working on several projects and cut the lawn in our front yard, I listen to the funeral today for Clementa Pinckney,(I wonder where Rev. Al was...) Now my analysis of the whole funeral are mind, personally I like it. The President in my humble opinion was good. Amazing grace, God's grace. He even sung the song "Amazing Grace."

I think I would like a funeral like Clemente Pinckney. Have you notice the funeral of all the others who have been killed do not have such a funeral. God had a purpose in all this. The killer meant his killing for good. But God meant it for good.

There are certainly more qualified to speak to this issue of same sex marriage. We as Christian live in another world, and our citizen ship is in Heaven, we are only here for a few years. We are not in the Kingdom of God yet, only in the kingdom of Satan, and he is doing a good job with his kingdom.

Man has his appointed cycle of seasons and vicissitudes, (When you talk of the vicissitudes of life, you're referring to the difficult times that we all go through: sickness, job loss, and other unwelcome episodes and No one can escape the vicissitudes of life. ) as the sun, wind, and water (Ecclesiastes 1:1-4 5-7). a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something.

Charity fixes a wonderful supper (that is what I have always called eating at 6 p.m.) as we watched the NBC news and then Dr. OZ. (Charity)

Sunday June 21, 2015 I had the joy of preaching/teaching three lessons/sermons: (1) Proverbs 14:3. (2) Luke 6:26, cf Matthew "The Peacemaker." (3) Romans 13 (Sin and Satan place in our society. Then Wednesday (4) First Peter 3:8,10 Five qualities in the lives of the people of God, reflecting the attitude and example of Christ: Learning to Live Christ like and love living.

Every Christian is to have the attitude of Christ. No matter how difficult the circumstances in which we live, we are to be conciliatory, we are to be peacemakers in disposition, we are to be sympathetic and sensitive to the pain of people and their joy. We are to be sacrificial in our serving love to one another and those outside. We are to be tender and compassionate and not ever unkind, critical or indifferent. And we are to bear the spirit of humility. That is the attitude that Peter calls for in every situation.

My opinion should be "What does the Bible say?" My opinion is worth so little in the Kingdom of God. I like to ask my self, "So what does the Bible (God speaking) say about racism?" What does the Bible (God speaking) say about same-sex marriage? What does the Bible say about the President in light of his policy like the Affordable Care Law, that the Supreme Court has now upheld? It is not really an new idea you know.

 

Taught my 96 lessons from First Peter Wednesday night. Chapter 3:8-10. And vs.10a was the key thought. How to learn to love life and have a good days is found in those verses. Those who don't love life often take their own life because they fail to understand the principle of living a life.

Jefferson Davis..., Stonewall Jackson..., Robert E. Lee... now those were some good men. I am proud to be from the South and the state of Virginia. Born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia.

I got up last night to watch Virginia Cavaliers ) win the College World Baseball for the first time ever. Baseball started in 1889 at the school.

It is good that there are still small groups of people who will take time to increase their knowledge of God's Word. Our small group apparently love the fellowship and teaching from the Word of God in a expositional verse by verse manner. Tonight will be our 98th 45-60 minute lesson from First Peter now in 3:8.

I have a right? I have a right to give all my rights to the Lord. In America we have the right to have a gun for personal protection (I have a Daisey) a knife, a shotgun, etc. I have a right to not have one. You have a right to have one.

Think about the term "racism" and doing some research on the term. Then I said what does the Bible say about this matter: Just one of many verses: Acts 10:28 / And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

Why can't we say certain words? The Gays don't want to be called Homosexuals, The Blacks don't want us to use the N-Word, which we all know, and Christians can't use words either, I said "Oh B.S." Which I meant Britney Spears, or we need to go B.S. which I meant Bible Study.

I have learned not to count the number of cars in the church parking lot when I drive up. Sunday morning there were only four. Walked in and there were )almost thirty. Well almost 25 people. One family of 12 walked, (Ron Smith_ two live across the street, (Janet N Bill Ramey) four came with John and Peggy Hall. Charity and I drove, Mrs. Mildred King and Rose Marie Skaggs-Lambert drove, and Richard Lemaster drove. And to think how many we could have had not some quit coming, or went to another church!!!!

So many Christians have quoted Philippians "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and this is totally true. I can get through any troubles, any events, any disappointments, any tragic, any hardship, any failure, any thing. How do I know? I am an example of this principle.

Would you like a time-tested formula for successful living? Here is a formula that is proven and true: Matthew 5:20-7. Luke 6:20-49 a good test. Romans 13 good test.

It Doesn’t Matter How Politically Correct it is if it’s not Biblically Correct IT’S WRONG!

 

WE STRIVE TO BE BIBLICALLY ACCURATE RATHR THAN POLITICALLY CORRECT

John MacArthur - Never Make a Gospel Appeal to People's Emotions

What Does The Bible Say About Same Sex Marriage

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT
Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/ Teacher

In science and epistemology (the theory of knowledge), a paradigm /ˈpærədaɪm/ is a distinct set of concepts or thought patterns, including theories, research methods, postulates, and standards for what constitutes legitimate contributions to a field.

Paradigm comes from Greek παράδειγμα (paradeigma), "pattern, example, sample"[1] from the verb παραδείκνυμι (paradeiknumi), "exhibit, represent, expose"[2] and that from παρά (para), "beside, beyond"[3] and δείκνυμι (deiknumi), "to show, to point out".[4]
In rhetoric, paradeigma is known as a type of proof. The purpose of paradeigma is to provide an audience with an illustration of similar occurrences. This illustration is not meant to take the audience to a conclusion, however it is used to help guide them there. A personal accountant is a good comparison of paradeigma to explain how it is meant to guide the audience. It is not the job of a personal accountant to tell their client exactly what (and what not) to spend their money on, but to aid in guiding their client as to how money should be spent based on their financial goals. Anaximenes defined paradeigma as, "actions that have occurred previously and are similar to, or the opposite of, those which we are now discussing."[5]
The Bible requires discernment.
I guess you would call this a paradigm sift (sift out God's truth)
But What Does the Bible Say?

Nowthat the Supreme Court has issued its sweeping ruling in favor of same-sex marriage, we can expect an avalanche of commentary, analysis, and punditry. I’m not a law professor, a politician, a talk show host, or a public intellectual (whatever that is). I’m a pastor. I study and teach the Bible for a living. Which means, among all the things I may not be an expert on, I may be able to say something meaningful from the Scriptures. So as we pour over legal opinions and internet commentary, let us not forget what the Bible says.
The Bible says the Lord alone is God and we should have no other gods before him (Ex. 20:2-3). Not the state, not the Supreme Court, not our families, not our friends, not our favorite authors, not our cultural cache. No gods but God.
The Bible says we should love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:39). And who is your neighbor deserving of such love? Wrong question, just worry about being the neighbor you’d want for yourself (Luke 10:25-37).
The Bible says love is not the same as unconditional affirmation (James 5:19-20). Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
The Bible says that disciples of Jesus will be hated as Jesus was hated (John 15:18-25; 2 Tim. 3:12). If the world loves us, it is not a sign of our brilliance, but that we belong to the world.

The Bible says that when reviled we should not revile in return (1 Peter 2:21-25). We should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44).

The Bible says Jesus came into the world to save sinners, especially the worst of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). That means people like me, like you, and like the Apostle Paul who at one time opposed everyone and everything he later came to love and defend.

The Bible says marriage is between a man and a woman (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9) and that homosexual practice is sin (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10; Jude 7), but a sin from which we can be washed clean (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
So-Called Same-Sex MarriageLamenting the New Calamity
Jesus died so that heterosexual and homosexual sinners might be saved. Jesus created sexuality, and has a clear will for how it is to be experienced in holiness and joy.
His will is that a man might leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and that the two become one flesh (Mark 10:6–9). In this union, sexuality finds its God-appointed meaning, whether in personal-physical unification, symbolic representation, sensual jubilation, or fruitful procreation.
For those who have forsaken God’s path of sexual fulfillment, and walked into homosexual intercourse or heterosexual extramarital fornication or adultery, Jesus offers astonishing mercy.

    Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
But today this salvation from sinful sexual acts was not embraced. Instead there was massive institutionalization of sin.

In a 5-to-4 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States of America has ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage.

The Bible is not silent about such decisions. Alongside its clearest explanation of the sin of homosexual intercourse (Romans 1:24–27) stands the indictment of the approval and institutionalization of it. Though people know intuitively that homosexual acts (along with gossip, slander, insolence, haughtiness, boasting, faithlessness, heartlessness, ruthlessness) are sin, “they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:29–32). “I tell you even with tears, that many glory in their shame” (Philippians 3:18–19).

Christians, more clearly than others, can see the tidal wave of pain that is on the way. Sin carries in it its own misery: “Men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error” (Romans 1:27).

And on top of sin’s self-destructive power comes, eventually, the final wrath of God: “sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming” (Colossians 3:5–6).

Christians know what is coming, not only because we see it in the Bible, but because we have tasted the sorrowful fruit of our own sins. We do not escape the truth that we reap what we sow. Our marriages, our children, our churches, our institutions — they are all troubled because of our sins.
The difference is: We weep over our sins. We don’t celebrate them. We don’t institutionalize them. We turn to Jesus for forgiveness and help. We cry to Jesus, “who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
And in our best moments, we weep for the world, and for our own nation. In the days of Ezekiel, God put a mark of hope “on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in Jerusalem” (Ezekiel 9:4).

Blessed Are The Peacemakers, For They Shall Be Called Sons of God

Matthew 5:9   Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
charles e whisnant, pastor/expositor/teacher/student rivers of joy baptist church 2008-present June 14, 2015

 http://cwhisna.blogspot.com/ https://riversofjoybaptist.wordpress.com/ http://ccwhisnant.livejournal.com/

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: 

 (1Chronicles 12:17; Psalms 34:12; 120:6; 122:6, 7, 8; Acts 7:26; Romans 12:18; 14:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; Romans 14:17, 18, 19; 1Corinthians 6:6; 2Corinthians 5:20; 13:11; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:1; Php 2:1, 2, 3; Php 4:2; Colossians 3:13; 2Timothy 2:22-24; Hebrews 12:14; James 1:19,20; 3:16-18)

Blessed
means spiritually prosperous, independent of one's circumstances. So Jesus is saying blessed, happy, satisfied, fulfilled, spiritually prosperous are the ones who work for and do the things that make for peace. RELIGION is altogether a practical thing: it has its foundation indeed in principles; but it has a superstructure of dispositions and actions, which are necessary both to its completion and utility.

Peacemakers (1518) (= peace + poieo = make) those who make peace not war. 

 signifies a harmonious relationship and is not merely the absence of war or uneasy truce. And signifies parties holding differences of opinion who are willing to turn toward each other and embrace one another in spite of their differences.Jesus is referring to those who actively intervene to bind together those that are divided. By making peace, kingdom citizens manifest themselves as sons of God.

By peacemakers he means those who not only seek peace and avoid quarrels, as far as lies in their power, but who also labor to settle differences among others, who advise all men to live at peace, and take away every occasion of hatred and strife. Don't misinterpret what Jesus stated. He is not speaking about people with a peaceful disposition or those who love peace at any cost. He did not say "Blessed are the pacifists"....."Romans 15:33, Second Corinthians 13:11; First Thessalonian 5:23 and Hebrew 13:20, Luke 12:51-53 and John 14:27).  Luke 12:51-53;  John 14:27.
 
How does one become a "peacemaker"?
In the Garden of Eden there was perfect peace until sin entered the world. With Adam's sin came enmity Genesis 3:15 with God. Those once at perfect peace were now enemies. All men are descended from Adam and "just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death through sin...so death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Ro 5:12. And so all mankind has inherited Adam's propensity to sin and are by nature "helpless...sinners" Romans 5:6-8 and "enemies" of God (, Romans 8 "hostile toward God") in desperate need of Jesus the Redeemer Who "Himself is our Peace" Ephesians 2:14. In a word, sinful mankind needed reconciliation. And it was God Who sought to reconcile man to Himself. When man moved away from God because of his sin, God in His love moved toward man to bring him back to Himself.

Christ then is our model for as the "Prince of peace" Isaiah 9:6, He is the great Peacemaker,
Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh (no longer evaluating people on the basis of external, human, worldly standards - such as race, appearance, human credentials, etc); even though we have known Christ according to the flesh (as merely another man), yet now we know Him thus no longer.

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away (past completed action = once for all when we were justified or declared righteous by faith = aorist tense); behold, new (brand new, never seen before) things have come (and will remain = perfect tense). Now all these things are from God, Who reconciled (changed the relation two parties at enmity into one of peace) us to Himself through Christ (our Peacemaker), and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, (means to restore to harmony that which was disrupted by enmity) namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Peacemakers as the ambassadors for Christ and citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, are to"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20.

(Believers are commanded - present imperative - to continually) "Live in peace with one another."  First Thess. 5:13 To live in such a way means that believers must all be peacemakers)

FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD:

 (Mt 5:45,48; Psalms 82:6,7; Luke 6:35; 20:36; Ephesians 5:1,2; Philippians 2:15,16; 1Peter 1:14, 15, 16)   for they will be known as sons of God!"

They shall be called - The passive voice indicates the call is external and clearly presupposes God as the One initiating the action of calling them sons.  The idea in this passage of "to be called" is synonymous with "to become". To become a son of God is tantamount to entering God's family or being saved.  Kaleo then in this verse somewhat parallels the uses in the epistles (Paul, Peter) where many times the call is a call to salvation ("effectual call" - see discussion below).

Called (2564) (kaleo from root kal-, whence English “call” and “clamour”) literally means to speak to another in order to attract their attention or to them bring nearer, either physically or in a personal relationship. Kaleo is a major verb in the NT and its specific meaning depends on the the context in which it is used.

(1) To call by name
(a) As when one addresses someone
(b) As when one calls a person or thing (Mt 21:13) by a name or title - either to give a name or to provide identification by the name it (or he/she) is called
(2) To issue an invitation or request one's presence at a gathering -


        Matthew 22:3-9, Luke 7:39; 14:7-17; John 2:2 and Revelation 19:9, First Corinthians 10:27
And he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God." (Rev 19:9

(3) To summon -
(a) Call together  Matthew 20:8; Matthew 25:14; Luke 19:13; Matthew 22:3
(b) Summon someone - Mark 3:31; Matthew 2:7,15; Acts 4:18; Hebrews 11:8
(c) Summon before court (frequent use in Classic Greek) Acts 4:18; 24:2 -

(4) To call in the sense of to choose so that one might receive some special benefit or experience.
 (a) Call to discipleship  Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:20, Hebrews 5:4- called to priesthood)(b) Call to Salvation

- Mt 9:13, Mk 2:17, Lk 5:32 Jn 10:3KJV (not in NAS), Ro 1:6, 7-Ro 8:28Ro 8:30-Ro 9:24- 1Co 1:9, 24; 1Co 7:15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, Gal 1:6, 15; Gal 5:8, 13,  Ep 4:1-, Ep 4:4- Col 3:15-, 1Th 2:12-, 1Th 4:7, 1Th 5:24-2Th 2:14 1Ti 6:12, 2Ti 1:9  He 9:15-, 1Pe 1:15-; 1Pe 2:9-, 1Pe 2:21-; 1Pe 3:9- 1Pe 5:10- 2Pe 1:3-; Jude 1:1

Baseball Collection Up date and Summer cleaning 2015

Charles and Charity Whisnant 46th Wedding Anniverary

Our 46th Wedding Anniversary at Rivers of Joy Baptist Church was on June 14, 2015. And the beautiful members just made us feel so loved. 

LET US LOOK AT THE CHARACTER OF A PERSON WHO IS A TRUE BORN AGAIN BELIEVER
LUKE 6:23-26  June 14, 2015 http://cwhisna.blogspot.com/ https://riversofjoybaptist.wordpress.com/

Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Exposition Teacher who could be defined theologically as Baptist-Reformed-Calvinist, Dispensational, Credobaptist (Believer's baptism) Doctrine of Grace, Lordship Salvation, Salvation by Grace (Soteriological) Called, Convicted, Converted


"THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN"

The auditors of this sermon: 6:17 
This sermon is addressed,
The prelude to this sermon  6:17-19
The content of this sermon:  6:20-49 

The character of those who will be admitted to the Kingdom (6:22-23)

They are poor (poor in spirit {have a low esteem of themselves apart from God} and oftentimes poor in material things). But they are blessed, for theirs is the Kingdom of God

They are hungry (hungry for spiritual things) . But they are blessed that they will be filled.

They are sorrowful (full of weeping). But they are  blessed in that they will laugh later. i.e. spiritual joy.

They are hated, rejected and reproached. But they are blessed and they are to rejoice in their sufferings for Jesus' sake: (1) because great is their reward in heaven and (2) because they are in company with the perscuted prophets.

B. The four descriptions of the righteous in vv 20-22 should not be seen as separate groups; but as elements of one portrait describing those for whom God has compassion.  

1. The poor. Psalms 25:9; 34:2; Isaiah 42:1-18 61:1.  Those people who understand that they must depend on God, because life is beyond their control
2. The hunger is a result of religious persecution and harsh treatment by people in power who take advantage of others.  These people may be deficient in material goods, but they have turned to God for care, and He will care for them and satisfy them.  Isaiah 32:6-7, 58:6-7; 9-10, Ezekiel 18:7, 16
3. The sad as a result of the strain of life, but there will come a time when they will laugh.  Weeping as a picture of those who suffer unjustly.  Psalms 126:5-6; 137:1; Isaiah 450:1-2.  Those who weep have paid the price of painful rejection for lining up with God
4. These people suffer, hatred, insult, rejection, and exclusion from the Jewish community.   The community gives them an "evil name," because they have come to the Son of Man, that is, Jesus.
5. The are well spoken of - They believe, talk, act, and look, like the world, therefore the world accepts them and speaks well of them. But woe awaits them later

C.    FOUR WOES MATCH AND CONTRAST THE FOUR BLESSINGS:  This speaks of Jesus' displeasure with people who are uncaring about those around them and who refuse to be sensitive to God.  These woes are description of one kind of person. 

vs.24 But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. i.e. those who are "rich" and often take advantage of the poor. (James 2:1-7, 5:1-6) Wealth can create a sense of independence that results in distance from God and callousness towards others (First Timothy 6:6-18) The "comfort" is their wealth, which they cannot take with them.

vs. 25 Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. On the day of Judgment, (Isaiah 5:22; 6:13; Amos 8:11.  Those who ignore God and place their hope solely on the good life here have little comfort for the future. 

Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.  Will someday mourn and weep. (Isaiah 65:14) they are too enthralled with the pursuit of life to care about anything else
vs. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way. Reveals the spiritual depravity of those people.  They are spoken well of by others.

THE BIBLE WAY OF SALVATION: This is the message of the Sermon
Salvation from sin, escape from judgment and hell, eternal joy, heavenly glory doesn’t come to people who are fascinated with Jesus Christ. 

The preaching of Jesus, He preached the same way that John the forerunner of Jesus in the wilderness.  Jesus preached the same way that the prophets of the Old Testament, i.e. the true prophets.  He preached repentance.  Why? He was preaching to those who were and are sinners.

Definition of Sin - What are God's rules? It  definition of sin is breaking God's rules


Jesus speaks on Hell and Destruction in Forty Six versus in the Bible.

A definition of sin is doing what is wrong or not doing what is right according to God's rules (1 John 3:4). If God says "Do not lie" and you lie, then you have sinned. If God says "Do not steal" and you steal, then you have sinned. According to God, sin separates you from Him (Isaiah 59:2).

And this is what Jesus was teaching in this sermon in Luke 6.  That is the message.  Every body is a sinner and they are head for divine judgment and eternal condemnation.  That is Jesus message.

THIS PLACE CALLED HELL IS THE PLACE WHERE SINNERS GO

Hell is the place of torment for the lost (unsaved). Because everyone has sinned no one deserves to live with the Holy and righteous Heavenly Father (Romans 3:10; 3:23). But God is a loving Father and He offers salvation from death to all, and for those that reject the offer, God’s justice will be executed and the wage of sin will be paid in Hell.

In Jesus day, the message of "repentance" was not  well received. They believed they were good enough.

You talk to the average person today, and they will say "You know I figure that I'm a good and just man.  I am a good person generally. If there is a Heaven I would say my chances are as good as anyone I know."

The True Upright Person from Proverbs 14:2

Proverbs 14:2  He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
Charles e Whisnant,  06 14 2015

vs. 2a  THE RIGHT LIVING MAN SHOWS HIS REVERENCE FOR THE LORD
UPRIGHTNESS: THE FRUIT OF FEARING GOD.

Right: Exodus 15:26  "to be straight"  Jeremiah 31:9 ; First Kings 15:3

Samuel promise himself to instruct God's people in "the good and in the right way" First Samuel 12:23.

Nehemiah thanked God for having given just ordinances: Nehemiah 9:13

God expects us to be pleasing to Him and being obedience to Him: Deuteronomy 6:18

When yashar pertains to people, its best translated "just" or "upright."

His word Psalms 33:4  His Judgment: Psalms 19:9; and ways: Hosea 14:9; reveal His uprightness and are a blessing to His people.

The believer, who then follows Him is being "upright" in heart: Psalms 32:11, 7:10 and 11:2
In their daily conduct they manifest that they are walking on the narrow road: Psalms 37:14

"It is a quality of heart and mind: Psalms 7:11; 11:2. which enables the upright man to keep loyally to any legally binding agreement. Second Kings 10:15.

The moral quality of the heart: Deut. 9:3; First Kings 9:4 as often in Proverbs 2:13 and 4:11. Which results in "right paths' i.e. right both morally and practically: Job 33:23.

A characteristic of David's Life in First Kings 3:6  and Job's in Job 6:25 and Eccl 12:10
"To do what is right", in the eyes of the LORD, is linked with obedience to His commands: Exodus 15:26; Deut 6:17-18;

Note the evaluation of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

The proof of our fear (reverence) of God will be seen in our conduct and will be the desires of our heart in the inner man.

MEN REVEAL THEIR HEARTS TOWARD GOD IN THEIR DAILY WALK
Upright in conduct and in his heart.

It's living with an awe of God, in personal devotion to Him, it is not just active zeal.
The proof that we really are saved is seen in our walk: Matthew 7:16-20, First John 1:6-7.

Our walk needs to measure up to our talk:  James 2:14-18

It's one thing to say we're saved yet quite another to reveal a true conversion by the christian walk. Second Corinthians 5:17.

What does it man to fear the Lord?  Proverbs 8:13

He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him.
He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him. Proverbs 14:2

that walketh

1. Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps …
2. Proverbs 28:6
3. 1 Kings 3:6
4. Job 1:1
5. Job 28:28
6. Psalm 25:21
7. Psalm 112:1
8. Ecclesiastes 12:13
9. Malachi 2:5,6
10. Acts 9:31
11. Acts 10:22,35…

but

1. Proverbs 11:12
2. Job 12:4
3. Psalm 123:3,4
4. Luke 10:
5. Luke 16:14
6. Romans 2:4,5
7. 2 Timothy 3:2,3

"Perverse"  A deviation from what is considered right or acceptable. Obstinately disobedient to biblical values:  4;14; 8:8; 14:2;17:20; 19:1; 23:33; 28:6,18
Used figuratively of crooked and devious ways.  2:8 and 14:2
Isaiah 30:12 denounces those who rather than trusting in the word of God, trust in oppressive and devious practices o their own scheming. In so doing, however, they suffer the judgment of God.
"To turn aside, or depart from"  Second Timothy 3:7-10 and Titus 1:16

Jesus speaks on Hell and Destruction in Forty Six versus in the Bible.

Jesus speaks on Hell and Destruction in Forty Six versus in the Bible.

1. Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
2. Matthew 5:29-30 [27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ 28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. – editor]29If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
3. Matthew 7:13,19“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. …19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
4. Matthew 8:12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
5. Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
6. Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
7. Matthew 13:40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
8. Matthew 13:42  and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
9. Matthew 13:49-50 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
10. Matthew 18:8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
11. Matthew 18:9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
12. Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13. Matthew 24:51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14. Matthew 25:30  And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
15. Matthew 25:41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
16. Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
17. Mark 3:29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation
18. Mark 9:43-48 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire Where “their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”
19. Luke 3:17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
20. Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
21. Luke 12:46-48 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
22. John 5:29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
23. John 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

That is Jesus’ message.  Everybody is a sinner headed for divine judgment which will catapult them into eternal hell where there is outer darkness, fire never quenched, a worm that never dies, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth in eternal conscious punishment.  That was His message.  And the remedy to that was to recognize one’s sinful condition and helplessness and cry out to God for mercy and forgiveness, realizing that one could make no contribution to that.
In Jesus day, the message of "repentance" was not  well received. They believed they were good enought.
You talk to the average person today, and they will say "You know I gigure that I'm a good and just man.  I am a good person generally. If there is a Heaven I would say my chances are as good as anyone I know."
That’s a pretty typical, if not always articulated view of a religious person.  And that’s exactly the way the Jewish people thought.  The Judaism of the day of Jesus was literally built on a system by which through your external, superficial morality and your ceremonial religious activity, you certainly had offered to God enough to purchase your salvation.  And the message of Jesus was, “You’re all wrong.  You’re all wrong.”  And they killed Him for it because that’s not a popular message, particularly with religious people.

“Perhaps the greatest hindrance to the gospel spreading today: the people of God trying to do the work of God apart from the power of God."

It’s time for American evangelicals to acknowledge our lost home field advantage, but it’s not time to panic:

Chuck Swindoll ‏@chuckswindoll

Those who can’t deal with difficult people will find ministry miserable. Those who succeed at it will find ministry delightful.

“Perhaps the greatest hindrance to the gospel spreading today: the people of God trying to do the work of God apart from the power of God."

Tim Keller Wisdom ‏@DailyKeller

“Because God loves me and accepts me, I do not have to do things just to build up my résumé.”

From Proverbs 14 verse 2

1

  2

A Brief History Of Our Struggle of Ministry and Why We have Stayed.

 

I have never started a local church, but I have been able to keep a few churches from closing their door. 

For some reason the churches where I have been, the church has been in disarray.  The first church I went to

FIRST CHURCH I WAS THE PASTOR: 1971-1974

The first church I went to,  Madison Missionary Baptist Church, Minford, OH they had five splits in five years I was told. When I arrived there were 12 people, and after the first month those twelve people quit the church.  So you might say we started from nothing.  Oh the church people will celebrate that they are 100 years old,  but the history has been very poor. And by the way the church today is doing very good. They have had some very good pastors since I left. Praise the Lord.

 

THE SECOND CHURCH I WAS THE PASTOR 1980-1996

The second church I went to I learned that there were five preachers who tried out, and was voted to come, but they all turned it down.  (Mrs. York told me this) 

When I came, the adult teacher was not even a member and was not a Baptist.  The song leader was having Mormon class in his home.  The young leader was not a member was not wanting to be. And deacons where were not even saved. So I came anyway, and in the first month they were going to vote me out as pastor.  (which I would have gladly left.) 

That first few months, the deacons left and their family, all those above people left the church, and and before it was all over with several families left the church.  Its amazing why people leave the church.  Its usually not for a biblical reason but for silly reasons.

But for some reason the Lord saw fit to allow me to stay for sixteen years.  The best sixteen years of my ministry as pastor.  Of course I am amazed that the church survived with me as pastor in the first place.

I am so amazed.  The church today is doing very well and has a very good pastor.

Charity and I were invited back again in May 2015 and was so blessed to see the church do well and they have a find pastor.

We were so blessed to see many faithful in their love for the Lord.

THE NEXT TWO CHURCHES  1999, 2000

I tried two other churches, but both was not a fit and they didn’t want Me to stay, so I left. Don’t want to be where where the people don’t want you.

In six months at both church, we had a very good beginning and the church had growth and the people really liked us and we thought.  We did our best to take the church to another level but we certainly failed.

You might think why would I want to continue in ministry.

THE LATER YEARS  2001-2008

Then 2003  we went to Portsmouth Baptist Church and had a good run for about year and half, before the preacher said I need to go.

Then in 2004-2007 I was in Bigelow Church, and really loved the people and had a wonderful time with the group, but finally after been turned down  to be a deacon, turned down by the Elders to be an Elder and then as assoc. pastor, and then voted in as a staff member and then fired before I took office, I quit.  It’s wonder that I would want to continue in ministry.  The pastor left and the next pastor died in the church and then they had another pastor which they fired. And now they have two men who pastor the church, and I hope they are doing a good job, and I still really love many of the folks in that church.

 

RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH, MINFORD, JULY 2008 TO PRESENT

Then comes along Rivers of Joy Baptist Church.  I was asked to call the only deacon left about become the pastor and he hung up on me.  Only the next week two families walked out and they were going to shut down the doors.  They had tried out five preachers in 18 months they couldn’t get enough votes to become pastor. 

For goodness sake,  why of why did I come? My wife said it would not work at all.  It was the last church in the world that I would have wanted to pastor for sure. So why did I end up at the church?

Bob Temple, my father in law.  Its all his fault for sure. 

While I have always been an Independent Fundamental Baptist preacher, the old fashion one, and most of the preachers would not think I was a good one.

When I came to the church, there was little that I was in agreement with how the church leadership ran the church. 

By the way, this church was your typical IFBC. It was one of the best for awhile without any question.

The church was started because the preacher wanted to come back to Portsmouth to finish out his life.  He had pastored there for a number of years, had left and now want to come back to start a church. So he wrote all the former member to tell him he was staring a church in Minford, and wanted them to come with him. He wrote me as well as my father in law as well.  So the church started with a lot of former members who left the church they were end.

If you talk to the members at the time, they really believed that they had a great church, there was a lot of excitement and growth and lots of work and lots of people coming.  The pastor was one who loved to visit, go in to a home ask for coffee and then sit down an take a nap on a nice chair and then get up and leave.  Very true. 

The church grew and they then built a very nice building that would set 250 people, and it was full too.  What seem to be a great church and good people and people were been saved, making a lot of profession of faith, supporting a lot of missionaries, and helping out in the community. People where out door to door, winning people to the Lord. Some were called to preach by the preacher and deacons. For a while you would have thought this was the best church in town.

But what look good from the outside, in my opinion was not looking so good on the inside.

I am not going to address all the things that I was told by members of the church that led to the fall of this church because we still have some good people who are still in the church, who are very good people and have stayed to course.

When I took the church, it was with question. The only deacon left did not want me there in the first place and he and his family left a few years later.

There were several other families who came back and for a while, but did not buy in to the new form ministry that I had established.

My style of ministry was different: which was

1.  I was a Expositional verse by verse Bible teacher more than I was a preacher.

2.  I did not believe in giving a pressured packed altar call and made people fell that they need to come to an altar every month.  Giving a altar call really is not Biblical at all in the first place.

3.  Then we reworked the church by laws.  From pastor rule, to Eldership leadership.  I don’t think the church was ever membership rule.

4.  I didn’t believe that trying to see how many people I could get to come was the goal.  I was not willing to try every trick in the trade to get people to come. 

5.  I was not willing to have just anybody be a deacon, by teacher, be a bus driver.

6.  I was not will to take money from just anybody that was not a member, and I was not going to go outside the church to get money.

7.  I didn’t believe that every time I need money to do something that I pressured people to give.

8.  I didn’t believe in asking businesses to give us credit and then not pay them.

9.  I didn’t believe in pressuring people to be saved.

10.  I don’t believe in clicks.  I don’t believe certain people with high profile should be the only ones working in the church.

And certainly didn’t believe in doing what I heard so many times what was been done.

 So when I came I had a session with the people and they ask me questions.

1.  Do you go out soul winning ever day?

2.  Do you go out visiting door to door?

3.  Do you make hospital visits?

4.  Do you use only the King James Bible?

5.  Do you like VBC?

6.  Do you like a bus ministry?

All my answers was not what they had been used to. 

Good thing they didn’t ask if I was a Calvinist or an expositional preacher/teacher .

A FEW THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN I FIRST CAME TO ROJBC?

The formal pastor’s wife, the first pastor told people not to vote for me for all the reasons she didn’t like.  She was right in describing what I believed.

There was a family that was coming and she was teaching in the SS and then teaching in the church service.  I ask here to give up one and she quit the church the first month I was there.

And one member came for awhile and was very excited about come and had a lot of this family coming and then he got bad in about a month about the change and quit again.

Later the deacon quit, he got really bad, he was critical from the start, and hated all that had happen before I got there.

Some came  and saw the changes and didn’t come back.   We had members come for a while and didn’t like what I was preaching and quit. 

The piano player and his lovely wife and who we loved, and worked with so much QUIT. Hated that you know. He never told us why either.

My father in law remarried and moved to Arlington TX, that wasn’t nice of him. But he and his wife come up a few times a year.

Then as of June 2015 the Assoc. Pastor quit, finally.  We worked with him for almost seven years.

Then church has not seen one baptism, and only a few being saved as far as we know.   I have wondered if we have had the door of the blessings of the Lord closed on us. 

FOR GOODNESS SAKE HAS ANYTHING HAPPEN THAT HAS CAUSE YOU TO SAY AT RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH.

1.  There have been a few old members who have come back into the fellowship, and with a lot of struggle and trials and hard times, have been blessed and doing good. That in its self has cause me to want to stay.

2.  There have been some who just didn’t like us at all, I think, and they have come and are a really blessing to the church. What an encouraging that has been to us.

3.  We have a 94 year old saint who voted for me not to be the pastor, who has not missed service yet.  That has been so encouraging.

4.  We have seen the growth in several men since we have come.  That has been a blessing.

5.  We have seen folks that might have struggled with our position and doctrine but they have been faithful in their giving and support for us. That is why we are still here by the way.

6.  Charity finally talked me into having a class for the ladies, and that has been a real blessing.  Through those classes we have learned just how much they love our church know and they love the teaching that I give, and that is why I am still at ROJBC.

7.  Our people have worked on trying to get people to come because they love the fellowship and teaching.

8. And then we had a family come this last few months that have uplifted our fellowship so much that I think I might make it for another year. We will see.

9. I hear the folks say that they are loved and or blessed so much.

10. We have not seen growth in number but we have seen growth in spiritual growth.

11. The Grants, Hall, Dawkins, Lemaster, Field,  Rameys,  have stayed.

So in July 2008 we will began our seven year at ROJBC church.  Its not July yet, it is  not June, so we might still be at the church.

BUT IF YOU COME TO ROJBC YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW THESE THINGS?

If you don't mind a pastor/teacher that is not bound by the KJV only group, if you don't mind a service where the music is not the primary focus, if you don't mind that the primary focus is on expositional (verse by verse) teaching of the Word, if you are not offended that we don't give altar calls, pleading some one to made a public profession of faith, than ROJBC might be the church for you.

If you are not offended that the pastor preaches theological and has a strong view on Sola Fide, by faith alone. Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone. Solus Christus, through Christ alone. Sola Gratia, by grace alone. Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God ... then ROJBC might be a place for you

Reality or False in Life

Mysteries & Scandals is a series that tells about Hollywood's stars.  What you see on TV and Movies the people  that they created is certainly not what they were in reality.

What God can create in the giving of salvation is something that is real.  God creates a new born again person.

What is sad about Rita Hayworth was that she married men who did not understanding First Peter 3:7.  Just to name a few.  She married five times.

She ended up with Alzheimer's disease.   She died at 68 in 19876 at 68 years old. 

In 37 years appearing in a total 61 films.  She is listed as one of the 25 female motion picture stars of all time. 

How Should Man Treat a Woman Video

Trip to Altoona, Kansas May 2015

Several years ago (2007) after working over a year on a major project for church growth, the church fired me. In 2004 after working for over a year in building a program to start a Sunday School that had been dead for two years and seeing the success, another pastor fired me. in 1971 and again 1979 after seeing the largest teenager class in the church history the pastor of another church fired me. In 1967 after seeing the largest Sunday training union started in the history of the church, the pastor fired me. I could go on, but what I am saying, Several times I have resigned but I have never quit serving the Lord.

Since 2008 I have been pastor/teacher of Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, and I have NOT fired myself yet, and the good folks have not ask me to resign.


Perhaps I should clarify something I said about previous ministries in which I was fired by the pastors. They would say, "You need to fine a church to pastor" and" don't tell the church that I fired you". Never did like that either. You would leave town with out the people of the church knowing why you left, I wouldn't do that today, I would tell the church what happen. My mother said, "Charles if you are successful the pastor will fire you." She was so correct.
Thank the Lord I have had some wonderful places to serve the Lord, as a matter of fact most churches I have been in have had some wonderful folks, and to this day have some great friends.
I should add for clarification two churches where we were the pastor/teacher I resigned: Madison (1971-1974), and FBC, were wonderful churches to serve. (1980-1996) I was not ask to resign and have been invited back several time

 

I have written on this subject on this blogger back in 2005.  I will no longer project those preachers.  

I should also said, there were a few churches when I was the Youth Pastor that some of the parents were bad at what I was doing with their youth.  The were upset that we believed that teenagers live a Christian lifestyle.  I must say that they would say something to the pastor and ask him to fire us or tell us not to be so strong on Christian living.  I don't believe the teenagers were bad at me as much as the parents.  

In every church where I was ask to come and be the youth director by the pastor, gave me the freedom to be the youth pastor.  Then after a time said he didn't like what I was doing.  

I was young and thought that I was  to respect the pastor and let the people know that I was going to resign when in fact I was fired. Hated that for sure.  I hurt a lot of teens at the time. But over the years I have set the record straight.    

I was the youth pastor at my home church, were my Dad was the pastor for 27 months, (12/1964-2/1966) until he died, and it was the best 27 months of my life.  Dad gave me encouragement and help all the time.  I have never had the support of any pastor like I had from my Dad.  Well when Dad died, later I went to Fellowship Baptist in Roanoke, and Gene Arnold was also a wonderful pastor to me. He allowed me to teach a class and also preach on his radio program and preach for him as well.

Then I went to Seminary.... that is another who story.  Dr. George Norris was so wonderful to me, and was such a rich blessing and help to me and he let Charity and I to graciously work in the church at Gideon.  He was a wonderful pastor in 1969-70.

It was when I went to Wooster OH  after school that the problem with the pastor began.  He was leaving and was trying out for other churches when I got there, and told me not to tell anyone else or he would fire me.  The church was one of the best, Charity and I loved the people and the youth, and we still do to this day.  We had a wonderful time from the first day we were there until we left, 14 months later (at the pleasure of the pastor J.B.C.)  We just about quit the ministry as a result of this experience.

Then we went to pastor the Madison Missionary Baptist Church in Minford OH.  A church that had 5 splits in five years I was told years later.  Our first Sunday there was 12 people I believe.  After the first six months we had 60 people, and the deacons ask the church for a vote to vote us out.  They voted to keep us. The next three years we had a great time and I don't believe they have had a better attendance.  We resigned after struggling with finances, we were paid $35.  But we have been back and the church is doing good.  (1971-1974)

Then we went to preach at the First Baptist Church in Altoona, KS, in 1980. The church was started in 1952 and had 12 preachers and they had about 25 people when I came.  After the first six months the deacons ask for a vote to vote me out.  Well, they didn't and I stayed another 16 years.  We had our ups and downs, and troubles and discouragements and successes, but we loved the people and loved preaching.  We resigned due to working at a secular job for most of the time we were tired and were getting weak and that was very hard, and we had an change to teach in a college in Lexington KY, so we resigned. We really hated that, we love the people.  We have been invited back several times.

We tried to pastor two Southern Baptist Church and lasted six months at each, we just didn't fit in. 

We came back to Portsmouth Ohio in 2001. We were ask to come to PBC and work in the church anhelp re-established the Sunday School and then the the preacher was going to retire (Perry) but after a very successful time he fired me.  Hated that, and I was about to quit this again.

Then I went to Bigelow Church in Portsmouth just as a member, was there from 2004 to 2007. This was just a great experience for most of the time, up to the time I was fired from a job that I was voted into but was told that I was not to start before I started.    I will say this was the straw that almost broke the goats boat. I just about 99% wanted to quit this whole ministry.  

Then in June of 2008 Bob Temple got me to go to Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, Minford, Oh, the one church that Charity and I did not want to go to at all.   Q. King started the church and he was not the preacher style and pastor style that I was at all.  But we went and after the first month, they people voted me as pastor.  People have come and gone, and quit. But there has been a sweet spirit in our fellowship and we love preaching/teaching each week.

Now after six years 11 months we are still here. I will be honest it has not been easy for sure.  It has been hard to over come the history of the church.  Our style of ministry is so different. I don't know how you judge success in our cases.  We have not seen people saved, we have not seen growth, but we have seen people come and go.  But we have a group of people who seem to love each other, and they love they say our teaching and love Charity and I, and it is a pleasure to go each week and teach the word of God and have fellowship with the folks.