Whose Fool Are You???

I Cor. 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

The Bible has much to say about the fool. When a man calls another man a fool, he may or may not be speaking the truth. However, when the Holy Scriptures refer to a man as a fool, we can be sure that the title he is issued is the truth about his identity!

The Scriptural warning in Matthew 5:22 applies to the constitution for the millennial reign of Christ. It is not a mandate for the Church Age. This truth can be easily proven by the fact that both the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul called several people fools in the New Testament.

"Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?" (Matthew 23:17)

"Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?" (Matthew 23:19)

"Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die."
(I Corinthians 15:36)

There are several types of fools found in the Holy Scriptures.

I. The CORRUPT Fool

"THE fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
(Psalm 14:1)

Theology is how a man deals with the concept of God!

A. The Atheist is a Fool.
B. The Agnostic is a Fool.
C. The Evolutionist is a Fool.

II. The CARELESS Fool (Luke 12:16 - 21)

A. He Loved his Possessions. (v. 16 - 18)
B. He Lived for Pleasure. (v. 19)
C. He Lost his Prosperity! (v. 20 - 21)

"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (Luke 12:20)

III. The CONFUSED Fool (Matthew 23:17 - 19)

A. Hypocrites in their Actions

"All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."
(Matthew 23:3 - 4)

B. Hypocrites in their Appearance

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."
(Matthew 23:5 - 7)

C. Hypocrites in their Attempts

"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."
(Matthew 23:13)

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."
(Matthew 23:15)

IV. The CHRISTIAN Fool "We are fools for Christ's sake..." (I Cor. 4:10)

A. Positive about Salvation

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
(I John 5:13)

B. Persuaded about Scripture

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
(II Timothy 3:16)

-The Scriptures are Inspired!
-The Scriptures are Inerrant!
-The Scriptures are Incorruptible!

C. Passionate about Souls

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
(II Corinthians 5:20)

Many of us were not ashamed to be fools for Satan when we were lost. May God help us not to be ashamed to be called fools for Christ's sake now that we are saved by His grace!

A Message by Evangelist Jeremiah Dixon

The Truth

1 Tim. 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Believers are encouraged to be in prayer "for all men," including "all that are in authority," that our own lives might be "quiet and peaceable," as well as for their personal salvation.

God, who abhors and promises to judge sinful individuals, does not desire to punish anyone. His desire is for "all men to be saved," and He has done all that is necessary to bring this about, by paying sin's awful penalty of death. While not all will prevail themselves of this opportunity, choosing instead to continue in their own sin, our prayers somehow are used by God to bring some "to the knowledge of the truth."

The truth necessary for salvation follows:

1 Tim. 2:5-6 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.

In order to be saved, we must embrace the fact that there is only "one God" who alone holds the key to eternity, and that there is only one way by which we can reach that God, "the man Christ Jesus." We, in our natural state, are at war with God, estranged from Him, and separated by the presence of sin in our lives. Christ Jesus, acting as our mediator, our peacemaker, our advocate, being both fully God ("one God") and fully man ("the man") bridges the gap between the Father and men.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

How has He bridged the gap? He "gave himself a ransom for all." The Bible teaches that "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23) but that "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3). Since He willingly "gave Himself" as a punishment for our sins, we can stand before God the Father in Christ's sinlessness.

The Whole Law

Lev. 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

The absolute holiness of God is emphasized throughout the book of Leviticus, and this is the standard for all those created in His image. This is made clear, beyond question, when the verse above is quoted in the New Testament:

Gal. 3:11-12 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

It is not enough that a man keep most of God's laws.

Gal. 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

It is obvious, therefore, that while "the law is holy, and the commandments holy, and just, and good" (Rom. 7:12), no man (except Jesus Christ, God appearing in flesh) has ever been able to keep God's perfect law, and all are therefore under God's condemnation.

Rom. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The widespread delusion that a person can be saved by good works is dangerous, and many are on the road to Hell smug in their supposed goodness. To keep the law, however, the Creator Himself had to become man, and He did fulfill the law as our representative before God. Then, when He died, Christ "redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." (Gal. 3:13).

Rom. 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

The Folly of Humanism

Pslm. 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Despite all their pretense of scientific intellectualism, those who deny the existence of a personal Creator God are, in God's judgment, nothing but fools. Psalm 14, Psalm 53, Romans 3, etc. all describe the inner character of all such people - whether they call themselves atheists or humanists or pantheists or whatever. This repeated emphasis indicates how strongly God feels about those who dare to question His reality. It is bad enough to disobey His commandments and to spurn His love; it is utter folly to deny that He even exists!!!

The Bible describes the awful descent from true creationism into evolutionary pantheistic humanism.

Romans 1:18-32 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Certain atheists/humanists claim to be moral people, though their criteria of morality are often quite different from those of the Bible. No matter how admirable their humane acts of "righteousness" may seem, however, they are guilty of the sin of unbelief, the greatest sin of all.

Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

With all the innumerable evidences of God's reality as seen in the creation and throughout history, and then especially in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, it is utter foolishness to plunge blindly into eternity to meet the God whom they deny.

Be Truly Converted

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

To be "converted" can mean many things to men in today's world. Repent simply means to "turn" or "change directions." Christian conversion, however, refers to turning away from the whole world system and turning to God through Christ. Similarly, to "repent" means essentially to "think differently" and in a Christian context, to change one's whole thought process from worldly reasoning to spiritual, as centered in Jesus Christ and the Scriptures. Genuine Christian repentence and conversion results in having one's "sins.... blotted out" and thus true "times of refreshing" from the Lord.

But without genuine repentence and conversion, there is no salvation.

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Matt. 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

There are, sad to say, multitudes of men and women who think they are Christians, but are not. This is evidenced by the lack of real change in their thinking and living from the beliefs and practices of this world.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Jesus Christ himself warned that:

Matt. 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Therefore, it behooves all who profess Christ to seriously review their personal belief and behaviours in terms of their conformity to the world of men or to the Word of God.

2 Cor. 13:5a Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.

Friend, only you know deep down in your heart whether or not you possess Christ in your life, or are simply professing Christ in your life. Possess/Profess; two similar looking and sounding words, but they mean an extremely opposite destination for all eternity on the day of your pending death. Heaven or Hell??? Eternal life or eternal damnation??? The choice is your's..... don't blame God for your final destination. Hell wasn't made for man originally (created by God for the Devil and his angels)....... but because of man's sin, that is his final destination unless he personally accepts and confesses the blood of Christ to cover his trangressions. What will it be???

2 Cor. 6:2b (.... behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW

I Kings 8:60 That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.

The work of building the magnificent temple in Solomon’s day was complete. The furniture was in place. The priests exited the holy place after placing the ark of the covenant in its proper position. At that moment, the “glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD” (I Kings 8:11). Solomon then prayed the lengthy prayer of dedication, and stood and blessed the people of Israel. As he was blessing them, he included in his words this great purpose that we have in our Scripture in I Kings 8:60, “That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.” Why do we need God’s power and presence with us? Why is it so important that we obey God and walk in submission to Him? One answer to those questions is found in our text: that all the earth may know about our God. What a profound purpose! What a mission statement! What a reason for living and serving: THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW. This gives meaning to our existence. How can we make our lives count? Life becomes very shallow when we interpret everything through the filter of “How will this help me?” God is certainly good to us, and He faithfully and daily loads us with benefits. But ultimately, it is not all about us. We are here to influence others. It matters how we live in this world.

* We tell others of our Savior because it is important THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW.

* We serve in our church and its ministries THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW.

* We are involved in outreach programs of our church in the community THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW.

* We give our money to God through the church and support the missions program of the church THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW.

* We pray for God’s work to go forward and His Word to prosper THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW.

* We teach and train our children to live for Christ THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW.

This verse reminds us of a very simple, and yet powerful reality. God wants all the earth to know. He cares about every person on the planet. Every creature needs to hear. Every kindred, nation, and tongue needs to know.

We serve, labor, pray, and give THAT ALL THE EARTH MAY KNOW.

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

The Sheep Need a Shepherd, and We've Got One!!!

The Bible refers to God's people (those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour) as "sheep." We could note many similarities between real sheep and Christian people, but I want to emphasize the "Shepherd." Sheep need a Shepherd, and we've got One!!!

Isa. 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

What an appropriate way to describe the Saviour!!! He is further called:

1. The Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.




2. The Good Shepherd - John 10:11, 14 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.




3. The Great Shepherd - Heb. 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Then consider these things:

1. The Shepherd knows His sheep - John 10:14, 27 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:


2. The Shepherd calls His sheep - John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.


3. The Shepherd gathers His sheep - Isa. 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.


4. The Shepherd guides His sheep - Pslm. 23:1-2 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.


5. The Shepherd protects His sheep - Jer. 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.


6. The Shepherd died for His sheep - Matt. 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. John 10:11, 15 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Now, what about you, my friend? Are you one of His "sheep?" That's the most important issue in the world!!! Why not receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and "Shepherd" today? You'll be glad you've become one of His "sheep!" He's a wonderful "Shepherd!"

Pslm. 95:7-8a For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, .......

-The Fundamentalist, Sept. 1979

The Fellow Living Beside

Do you know the neighbor who lives in your block?

Do you ever take time for a bit of talk?

Do you know his troubles, his heartaches, his cares,

The battles he's fighting, the burdens he bears?

Do you greet him with joy or pass him right by

With a questioning look and a quizzical eye?

Do you bid him "Good morning" and "How do you do?"

Or shrug up as if he was nothing to you?

He may be a chap with a mighty big heart

And a welcome that grips, if you just do your part.

And I know you'll coax out his sunniest smile

If you'll stop with this neighbor and visit awhile.

We rush on so fast in these strenuous days;

We're apt to find fault when it's better to praise.

We judge a man's worth by the make of his car;

We're anxious to find what his politics are.

But somehow it seldom gets under the hide,

The fact that the fellow we're living beside

Is a fellow like us, with a hankering too

For a grip of the hand and a "How do you do?"

With a heart that responds in a welcome sincere

If you'll just stop to fling him a message of cheer.

And I know you'll coax out his sunniest smile,

If you'll stop with this neighbor and visit awhile.

By H. Howard Biggar

Our Testimony

Christ has no hands but our hands
To do His work today;
He has no feet but our feet
To lead men in His way;
He has no tongue but our tongues
To tell men how He died;
He has no help but our help
To bring them to His side.

We are the only Bible
The careless world will read,
We are the sinner’s gospel,
We are the scoffer’s creed;
We are the Lord’s last message,
Given in deed and word;
What if our ‘type’ is crooked?
What if our ‘print’ is blurred?

What if our hands are busy
With other work than His?
What if our feet are walking
Where’s sin’s allurement is?
What if our tongues are speaking
Of things His lips would spurn?
How can we hope to help Him
And others to Him turn?

Written by Annie Flint

Three Crosses

Mark 15:27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

THE CROSS OF REJECTION

One man died in sin. He was a dying sinner. He died with sin in him.

This is the cross of many living today. They sneer at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.... "Save thyself and us" ... just as this thief cried. He like many today wanted to be saved but not by the Christ of the center cross. To his many sins he added the greatest of all: UNBELIEF. Of such the Lord Jesus said; "... if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24)

THE CROSS OF REDEMPTION

One man died for sin. He was a dying Saviour. He died with sin upon him.

This cross is the wonder of all time. The sins upon the Lord Jesus Christ were your sins and my sins. We marvel at God's love for us, in that He would punish His own Son for the sins of the whole world. Christ suffered the agonies of hell so that His followers would be delivered from guilt, punishment, and eternal damnation.

THE CROSS OF RECEPTION

One man died to sin. He was a dying saint. He died with sin taken from him.

This cross brought about a last minute conversion. His sins were cancelled in a moment. No time for good works or sacraments; only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ of the center cross. What a change: morning in sin, noon in grace, night in glory. His home in paradise will be shared by all who repent toward God and believe.

THIS IS THE HISTORY OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND THE DESTINY OF EVERY MAN!!!

What the center cross means to you is determined by whether you are on the cross of RECEPTION or on the cross of REJECTION. If you want to be like the thief on the cross of RECEPTION then you need to repent in your heart of your sins and trust the Lord Jesus Christ to save you. Rom. 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Accept the message of the cross of REDEMPTION today and be saved.

The Fear of the Lord

There have been about a dozen mass-shootings in the United States in recent months, and secular experts are still trying to piece together the profiles and common denominators of these murderers. However, every one of them had one thing in common. They all lacked a fear of God. If someone fears God they won't lie to you, steal from you, or commit adultery with your spouse. They won't even lust after them. They won't hate you, harbor anger or be bitter towards you, and they certainly won't kill you.

Prov. 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

One of the major reasons this nation lacks the fear of God is that it's rarely preached from the modern pulpit. Think of what Nathan did with David. He put the fear of God in him by saying "Thou art the man. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight?" (see 2 Sam. 12:7-9). Without such a reproof David would have simply remained an unrepentant man who made an unfortunate choice in life. But the reproof revealed that he was a criminal who had despised the moral Law, and that God's wrath hovered over him for his terrible transgression.

We need to be Nathans to this nation and faithfully preach the Word, in season and out of season. We must "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." and the well-spring of our words must be love for sinners. We cannot let fear stop us from showing them that they have despised the Law, and that they have personally sinned against God, as Paul did in Romans 2:20-24.

Rom. 2:20-24 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

An excerpt from Ray Comfort's Living Waters weekly newsletter

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.

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

Ten Ways to Know That You are LOST

Born-again Believers know in Whom they have believed, and know that they are Saved!!! The unsaved can also know some important things......

How To Know You Are Lost:

1. You have no hunger for the Word of God - evidence found in: Matt. 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
2. You can sin and get away with it - evidence found in: Heb. 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
3. You love the world more than you love God - evidence found in: 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
4. You cannot understand God's Word - evidence found in: 1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
5. You do not look forward to Jesus Christ's return - evidence found in: 1 Thes. 1:9-10 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
6. You practice the same sin or sins again and again - evidence found in: 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
7. You do not like to be around God's people - evidence found in: 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
8. Your prayers are not answered - evidence found in: 1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
9. God's Spirit does not bear witness in you - evidence found in: Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
10. There has been no change in your lifestyle - evidence found in: 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

By Evangelist Jack Parchman and Pastor Lee Spencer

10 Sure-fire Ways to Avoid Becoming a Missionary

(This was posted by a pastor on a mailing list earlier this week..... food for thought!!!)

1. Ignore Jesus' request in John 4:35 that we take a long hard look at the fields. Seeing the needs of people can be depressing and very unsettling. It could lead to genuine missionary concern.

2. Focus your energies on socially legitimate targets. Go after a bigger salary. Focus on getting a job promotion, a bigger home, a more luxurious car, or future financial security. Along the way, run up some big credit card debts.

3. Get married to somebody who thinks the Great Commission is what your employer gives you after you make a big sale. After marriage, embrace the socially accepted norms of settling down, establishing a respectable career trajectory and raising a picture-perfect family.

4. Stay away from missionaries. Their testimonies can be disturbing. The situations they describe will distract you from embracing whole-heartedly the materialistic lifestyle of your home country.

5. If you happen to think about missions, restrict your attention to countries where it's impossible to openly do missionary work. Think only about North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and other closed countries. Forget the vast areas of our globe open to missionaries.

6. Think how bad a missionary you would be based on your own past failures. It is unreasonable to expect you will ever be any better. Don't even think about Moses, David, Jonah, Peter or Mark, all of whom overcame failures.

7. Always imagine missionaries as talented, super-spiritual people who stand on lofty pedestals. Maintaining this image of missionaries will heighten your own sense of inadequacy. Convincing yourself that God does not use ordinary people as missionaries will smother any guilt you may feel about refusing to even listen for a call from God.

8. Agree with the people who tell you that you are indispensable where you are. Listen when they tell you that your local church or home country can't do without you.
9. Worry incessantly about money.
10. If you still feel you must go, go out right away without any preparation or training. You'll soon be home again and no one can ever blame you for not trying!

Inspired by Stewart Dinnen's list in How are You Doing? (Bromley: STL Books, 1984)

HE CAME TO SAVE SINNERS

I Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

At this time of the year, many are busy celebrating the miraculous birth of Christ, but too few remember why He came. What does it mean? Why did He come? It is not important whether He was born in December. The important thing is that He was born. God became a man. Deity was robed in humanity. The eternal Creator died for sinners. Our text reminds us that he “came into the world to save sinners.” This is the Gospel or good news. When Mary was informed of God’s plan for her to give birth to Christ, she was instructed in this way, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Her Son would be the Savior. Her baby would be the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world. He came to save sinners. When the angels announced His birth to the shepherds, they said, “unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The Christ child is the Savior. He came to save us from our sin. He came to pay our sin debt that we might be forgiven, reconciled to God, and born again. We must personalize the Gospel. Jesus did not come to die for sinners in general, but to die for individuals. Paul says in our Scripture, “of whom I am chief.” Of all the sinners that Jesus came to save, Paul felt that he was the chief of them. He considered himself the foremost of all sinners. Who did Jesus die for? He died for you. He died for me. Undeserving does not begin to describe the desperate condition of our souls. We were without hope and without God in the world. We were lost and undone, turned to our own way, on the broad road of destruction, with an eternity in hell awaiting us. He came to save us. He came to this earth on a mission. His love for you and me and all mankind motivated His supreme sacrifice. He came to redeem us from our sin and bondage. He came to pay our sin debt. He came to ransom us. He took our sins on His own body on Golgotha’s cross. He died in our place and then rose triumphantly from the grave offering eternal salvation to all who will receive Him. What a Savior! What a Friend of sinners! We could never love Him as He deserves.

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

THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND

II Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Paul knew what it was like to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake. From the very beginning and throughout his ministry, he was criticized and assaulted for his message of hope through Jesus Christ. Our text says that he suffered “trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds.” He wrote these words to Timothy from prison where he was awaiting his execution. He was jailed on a number of occasions. He knew what it was like to be bound by chains and prison walls, unable to come and go as he desired. In spite of these hindrances and restrictions, Paul triumphantly declared, “but the word of God is not bound.” The Word of God may be assaulted, criticized, and denied, but it cannot be bound. Just as the Living Word, Jesus Christ, was crucified and then raised from the dead, God’s Word cannot be contained. The Bible is not an ordinary Book; it is the very Word of God. Because of the miraculous power of Scripture, the Bible needs to be distributed in every available place, in every available nation, in every available language. Many people today are being reached, taught, and helped by the circulation of Scripture in countries that are theoretically closed to missionary activity. Tons of Bible literature is being shipped to those who live in spiritual darkness. We personally know of people who are actively serving the Lord who were converted by reading a gospel tract or portion of Scripture when there was no personal worker present to lead them to salvation. The “word of God is not bound.” This underscores the need to give out gospel tracts and share the Word of God to those we have the opportunity to reach. Not only do we need to get God’s Word into the hands of those who need it, we also need to get God’s Word into our hearts and the hearts of those we care for. God’s Word has the power to work in the lives of those who hear it. His Word is not bound. We have known of those who were reared in a Christian family and attended church as a child, who then turned to the world and a life of sin. They no longer attended church and did not read the Bible. But they later testified that the Scriptures they heard as a child began to convict them in their minds and drew them back to a place of repentance. The “word of God is not bound.”

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

Survival or Revival?

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ―2 Timothy 1:7

The bad economic times and perilous times we are living in have lead to many shifting into a survival mode. They are dominated by a spirit of fear that they must endure at least some portion of the tribulation period prophesied in the Bible. Many who hold this unscriptural position are advocating storing up food, supplies, guns, and ammo to survive during the reign of the anti-christ. Never in the writings of Paul to do you find him admonishing believers to buy weapons and hunker down in fear. Paul’s message to Christians was not one of gloom and doom and the impending mark of the beast. We don’t look for the anti-christ, but we are exhorted to look “for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Our duty is out in the harvest field of lost souls, reaching as many as we can with the Gospel of Jesus Christ before the trumpet sounds. We’re not to be hiding out in “bunkers.” There is a world going to hell that need the Gospel. It is nothing but selfishness to be so concerned about your own well-being, that you forsake your duty of going after that one lost sheep until you find it (Luke 15:1-10).

The story is told of Colonel Davenport, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives: “On May 19, 1780, the sky of Hartford darkened ominously and some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand. Quelling a clamor for immediate adjournment, Davenport rose and said, ‘The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought.’”

Christ is coming again! The Bible never specifies a date when Christ will return so we as His children must be ready for Him to come at any time. We must be busy doing the work He has left us, not hiding behind locked doors with full pantries and guns cocked.

It’s a question of “survival” or “revival.” I choose REVIVAL!

Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” ―Luke 10:2-3

A devotional thought by Preacher Al Hughes

Just Some Statistics- Take It or Leave It

(I'm sorry for the extended absence again, but I took a quick trip down to GA with my family to catch the ending of a camp meeting and visit my daughter's new home and general community after her pending marriage in October; we also spent some time with the groom's family and visited his church while we were there. I also enjoyed catching his radio program live Sunday morning while getting ready for church.)

There is some reason for optimism in this of course, but there is grounds for conviction as well. Our children will follow our path, but if we don’t walk straight chances are they will stumble off the path too.

Dr. Roberson used to quote Dr. William Russell Owen who claimed of the present day church members:

5% do not exist,
10% cannot be found,
20% never pray,
25% never attend the services,
30% never read the Bible,
40% never give,
50% never attend Sunday night services,
60% never give to missions,
75% never accept any responsible position,
85% never go to prayer meeting,
90% never practice family worship, and
95% never win a soul to Christ.

To that let me add 85% of your congregations are probably lost people who have made Jesus their religion. Finney, Moody, Sunday, all the big Evangelists of the 19th and 20th century estimated that 75%-90% (depending on who you quote) of the members in good gospel preaching churches were lost. The fields are white onto harvest already, if you are looking for lost people to win to Christ they are in your congregations. That’s why your messages go in one ear and out the other, and they never budge when the invitation is given. They are goats.

These days we need to start in Genesis and reaffirm the creation and the Creator, Jesus, we have to substantiate the Word of God, the blood atonement, etc. People have been unprepared to receive the gospel, we are not the Christianized nation we once were. Ephesians 1:13 says, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” We have people in America now that are gospel illiterate, a quarter of a billion have never heard the gospel. Don’t believe it, go out into a random three block area and know on every door and ask this question, “Do you know what the Bible says about how a person can go to heaven?” Count the number of correct answers. What an even scarier dose of reality, do it with your church members.

(This post is from a current church planting missionary sent to an email list within the last month that generated some good discussion. I posted it for your information to give you something to think about when you step back and take a hard look at today's American church. I do not agree with 100% of his post, but it is good food for thought. Remember - you have a delete key if it's something you would like to disagree with quickly; simply toss it like you would junk mail!!! )

The Night Before Outreach

Twas the night before outreach and throughout the church walls
Not a creature was stirring to the preacher's altar calls.
The people were nestled all snug in their seats,
In the hopes that he'd finish, so they could go home and eat.
Outside a community on a straight road to hell,
Inside a community unwilling to tell that Jesus has risen and all who are lost
Could come and have life, without money or cost.
But like walls on a prison that are heavy and stout,
The Christians stayed in and the lost stayed out.
"For who has built this inseparable wall?
And who is the one resisting the call,
To go to the fields where the harvest is white
And shine in the place where He made us light?"
While the preacher was pleading to get out of the pews,
And into the fields where we could be used,
All of a sudden, in the blink of an eye,
With the blast of a trumpet,the Lord appeared in the sky.
And all those who slumbered awoke with a fright.
And instead of rejoicing began to shrink from His sight.
As we rose to meet the Lord in the air,
We could see friends and neighbors left behind down there.
Suddenly reality hit with a shock,
That we never thought to stop and consider God's clock.
For all that time we had livedfor ourselves,
God's spiritual watch read "one minute till twelve."
While a people at war had continued to sleep,
The second hand to midnight had continued to creep.
We cried, "If we'd known the time was so late,
We'd have warned those poor souls of their terrible fate."
But now in hindsight we finally see clear.
If we'd only stopped and realized the time was so near.
But now as we stand to recieve our reward,
Not much is being said about our communities and boards.
The emphasis now is on "Who did you tell?"
And, "How many souls did you keep out of hell?"
As I searched for a reason or a person to blame,
I could not find excuses or escape from my shame.
I could think of the people I had chances to win,
Whose fate was now sealed and would die in their sin.
And I hung my head and started to cry
As I thought of the thousands who would now surely die.
Then all of a sudden I awoke with a fright
And realized it had all been a dream in the night.
But like Scrooge who awoke to find Christmas day,
I rushed to my closet and started to pray;
"Lord, thank you for waking me out of my slumber,
For one day I know I'll be in that number.
And when I hear my name called by your Son,
I want Him to smile and tell me, "Well Done."
So, People please listen before it's too late,
We must hurry, get busy for we don't know the date.
Let us determine that like never before,
To get back in the battle and fight all the more.
Let's determine that day will cause us no shame,
By heeding His warnings and promises claim.
And consider the worth of one single soul,
And get our priority and make it our goal
To win every soul with the life-changing news,
And go to the fields wherewe can be used.
And as the day nears when He will step through the door
We can say, "Lord, come quickly"and rejoice all the more.

Written by Loyd Baker, then, minister of education/administration Northport Baptist Church, Northport, Alabama - 1996 Sunday School Leader Magazine