Take Heed

Acts 20:28-31 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

1. "Take heed" with your possessions - Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
2. "Take heed" with your indulgent lifestyle - Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
3. "Take heed" that you practice forgiveness - Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
4. "Take heed" how you go about building your Christian life - 1 Cor. 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
5. "Take heed" in your exercise of Christian liberty - 1 Cor. 8:9-13 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
6. "Take heed" lest you be overcome in temptation - 1 Cor. 10:12-13 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
7. "Take heed" lest you drift into carnality and fail spiritually - Heb. 3:12-13 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Sound Doctrine vs. False Teachings

The Bible teaches that we are to test all teachings (I John 4:1,6), expose those teachings that are false (Eph. 5:11), confront and rebuke the false teachers (Titus 1:9-13), and then separate from those who persist in false teaching (Rom. 16:17, Titus 3:10), lest in the end, we are disqualified for service (2 Tim. 2:20-21), or worse yet, we are identified with the false teachings and the false teachers themselves (2 John 10-11).

1 John 4:1,6 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Eph. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Titus 1:9-13 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Rom. 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

2 Tim. 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

2 John 10-11 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

2 Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

For Whom Did Christ Die??? He Died......

1. For all - 1 Tim. 2:4-6 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Isa. 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
2. For every man - Heb. 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
3. For the world - John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
4. For the sins of the whole world - 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
5. For the ungodly - Rom. 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
6. For false teachers - 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
7. For many - Matt. 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
8. For Israel - John 11:50-51 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
9. For the Church - Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
10. For ME - Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Some Things I Have Learned in Life

Heb. 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Here are some things which should be preached at every man's funeral as a warning to those left behind.....

1. Be sure your sins will find you out. All our actions have consequences and just because we don't see them today does not mean they will not effect us tomorrow.
2. The fruit of sin will not only affect us but will also affect those around us.
3. The wages of sin always brings death, sorrow, and separation.
4. Sin enslaves.
5. To much of life is spent worrying about things that don't really matter and in effort to gain things that will never last.
6. The true value of real friends, family, and a good church.
7. Life at best is short.
8. The value of preparation.
9. Death does not have to be our enemy.

Why Preach???

1. Because of the example of Jesus: Matt. 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mark 1:38-39 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
2. Because we are commanded to: Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Luke 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 2 Tim. 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
3. Because it is God's method of reaching the lost: 1 Cor. 1:17-21 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

One Day as a Thousand Years

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

It is very sad in today's time period that many Christians are so eager to appear intellectual that they are willing to compromise God's clear revelation found in His Word in order to do so. God has made it very clear in very plain words:

Ex. 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Yet because evolutionary "science" has alleged that the earth is billions of years old, multitudes of evangelicals have fallen in line, rejecting God's plain statement of fact and then trying to find some interpretive loophole to hide behind.

The verse listed above at the beginning of the article is perhaps the key verse of the so-called "progressive creationists" who try to correlate the days of creation in Genesis with the supposed 4.6 billion year system of evolutionary geological ages, by citing Peter as agreeing that "one day is a thousand years."

No, Peter is saying that "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years!" In other words, God can do in one day what might by natural processes take a thousand years. In context, the apostle is condemning the last day uniformitarians (those who teach that "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation") as "willingly ignorant" of the tremendous significance of the historical facts of Creation and the Flood (see 2 Peter 3:3-6). Real written records only go back a few thousand years, and to attempt to calculate any date before that requires use of a premise which, in context, the Scriptures have just condemned!!! God says the uniformitarians are willingly ignorant and then urges those who believe His Word to "be not ignorant." The only way we can know the date and duration of creation is for God to tell us, and He says He made all of Heaven and Earth in six days, and not so long ago!!!

2 Peter 3:3-6 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.

The word circumspect means "to be cautious or careful." Looking at the two parts of the word helps us understand its definition. The last part of the word, spect has to do with sight, as spectacles or inspect. The first part of the word, circum refers to a circle, as a circumference. Thus, the word implies closely looking around us, inspecting our surroundings, and exercising caution. To "walk circumspectly" is to walk in wisdom. We can all remember walking through areas where we thought we might be in some danger, and carefully looking all around us to see any signs of concern. The Bible warns us to "walk circumspectly," being careful and alert. As God's children, we are to be watchful and aware of the circumstances around us. We need to be careful about temptations. The enemy is extremely effective in presenting temptations at those times when we are least prepared. We are warned in the Scripture that he walks about as a roaring lion seeking for those whom he may devour. We need to exercise caution concerning our attitudes and behavior. If we are not careful, we can develop a bad spirit and not realize it. Attitudes such as pride, bitterness, or a critical spirit can hinder our spiritual progress. If we do not defeat them, they can defeat us. We should also be diligent about our words. It is easy to become careless in the use of our words. If we are not watching, we can find ourselves using words that are hurtful or inconsistent with our profession as believers. We must be circumspect about our conduct, so that our actions are not questionable or offensive. We are to be careful about our associations, knowing that our friends can have either a positive effect or a negative effect on our spiritual lives and our testimony before others. We should be alert to the condition of others. Those we know and care for may be in spiritual danger; and if we are not observing in Christian love, we may not be aware of it. It is easy in this busy life to become so preoccupied or distracted that we do not "walk circumspectly." The Bible continues by saying, "not as fools, but as wise." It is foolish to go through life without being aware of what is going on around us. When we cease to be alert, we are the most vulnerable to danger. As pilgrims surrounded by potential problems, we are to "walk circumspectly."

A devotional thought by Pastor Smith of Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Ten Little Missionaries

Ten Future Missionaries heard God’s call Divine;
Mom steered her child away from it, enough there are with nine.

Nine future missionaries, to reach a world of hate;
Dad wanted his son an athlete, and cared not that God had but eight.

Eight future missionaries, to point the way to heaven;
Children make mistakes shrugged one, God must only need seven.


Seven future missionaries, when one begin to mix;
With peers all backslidden, then the count turned six

Six future missionaries, to preach Christ is alive;
One’s goal became the dollar, and that left only five.

Five future missionaries, to open salvation’s door;
One claimed, I lost my burden, and left the world with four.


Four future missionaries, from sin to set men free;
To one, sin became a pleasure, and then the willing numbered three.


Three future missionaries, had glorious plans in view;
But after sifting trials, the faithful numbered two.


Two future missionaries, when at first ten had begun;
One chose a wife who would not go, and that left God with one.


One little missionary, who heard God’s call divine;
Who left all to serve His Savior, unlike the other nine.

Author Unknown

Reverse Phariseeism

This article has been submitted by Harold Vaughn written in November 2007:

Reverse racism was a term used to denote minorities who were prejudiced against the majority. There are two sides to every coin. Those who overreact to “Phariseeism” are in the ditch as well; albeit their ditch is on the other side of the road!

You may be guilty of Reverse Phariseeism if:

1. You think anyone with higher standards than you is a “legalist.”
2. You have stretched the “narrow gate” that leads to salvation to the point it is no longer “narrow.”
3. You believe those who hold non-negotiable convictions are all Pharisees.
4. You have more question marks than exclamation points when it comes to the authority of God’s Word.
5. You believe what’s “right for you” is true for you and . . .What’s “right for me” is true for me.
6. There is hardly anything so theologically or ethically bizarre that it would offend your sensibilities.
7. Foundational truths are debatable.
8. You understand how people could feel that referring to God as “Father” expresses a bent toward sexism.
9. You discount the Genesis account of creation because it is inconsistent with science.
10. You believe the criterion of “Truth” is sincerity instead of the revealed Word of God.
11. You believe there are many roads which lead to eternal life.
12. You view “grace” as a license to sin instead of the power to overcome it.
13. You believe God’s command to separate from error must be repudiated if we are to be effective in the modern world.
14. You have the identical disgust for the Pharisee that he has for you!
15. You think those who hold to non-negotiable principles are the main problem.
16. You think the way to reach the world for Christ is to imitate it.
17. You see no significant doctrinal differences between the Apostle Paul and the Pope.
18. You can wink at all manner of compromise as long as it is slanting to the left.
19. Your have zero tolerance for “excess” toward the right side of the religious spectrum.
20. You have an extremely generous conscience and great sympathy when it comes to “extravagance” among the leftleaning brethren.
21. You believe that all the other attributes of God are eclipsed by His love.
22. You esteem feminine virtues, but become uneasy when masculine traits are exalted.
23. You would be offended if someone said you were just as prejudiced as the Pharisee!

Overreaction is never corrective. In fact, overreaction is always destructive because it always creates its own set of problems.

Jesus was full of grace and truth and He warned us to be wary of the leaven of both the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

Someone said, “Compassion without conviction equals compromise. Conviction without compassion causes contention. But compassion plus conviction equals communication.” Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we find godly balance and overflow with grace and truth.

TRUTH WILL BE TESTED

Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions.

The writer of Hebrews was communicating to a people that were very familiar with reproaches and afflictions. In doing so, he urged them to recall the days when, "after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions." The word illuminated means "to shine light on or be made to see." After they were illuminated, they were faced with great afflictions. Have you ever experienced something similar? After you experienced some work of illuminating grace in your life - seeing something you had not seen before or seeing it in a different light - you were immediately met by a trial of some sort. This seems to be one of those principles, though perhaps not universal, but nonetheless very common. After you were "illuminated" or enlightened, after you saw the truth, you found yourself in "a great fight of afflictions." When God shows us something or gives us light, and we respond by obeying or walking in that light, we should not be surprised if that step of obedience is tested in some way. This often happens when a person is saved. He finds himself facing trials or temptations that he never experienced previously. Because he does not expect this, he may become discouraged or wonder if God is really there for him. The same thing can be true when a believer makes a new commitment to obey some truth that God has revealed or takes back some ground previously surrendered. Almost immediately, it seems that his commitment is being put to the test. TRUTH WILL BE TESTED. There are numerous examples of this in the Scripture. When Moses announced that the Israelites would be leaving Egypt, things immediately got much worse. After Jesus was baptized, He was led into forty days of intense temptation. Soon after Joseph announced his dream, he was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. You see, it is a very common occurrence. We should remember that Satan will try to discourage us when we are seeking to step out by faith and obey God. Let's not allow the affliction to hinder us. Actually, God may be allowing us to be tested to demonstrate that our faith is genuine. When the truths and principles of Scripture are tested and proven in our lives, our faith is strengthened and Christ is glorified in us.

A devotional thought by Pastor Smith of Mt. Zion Baptist Church